Medical examiners concluded that a blowtorch had been used on his genitals. . To avoid this, interviewers can do thorough research prior to the interview and formulate questions for the purpose of clarification. Oral sources identify intangibles such as atmosphere, insights into character, and clarifications to points made briefly in print. Like you said no shortage of people that loathed Wimpy. Others heard him say, Hes soft, and that Flemmi had had a stroke, gesturing at the side of his mouth. And 41 years later theyve no faith left in law enforcement, either. In an interview with the press, he lambasted the prosecution and alleged that the investigation into Billy Bennetts murder had been sloppy because Daddieco had turned prosecution witness so quickly after the indictments. Howie Carr: What's so urgent in Holbrook, Mr. Speaker? Informant added that they did this to pacify the LCN since there could not be any peace with Wimpy feuding with Larry Baione. Just a few days after Billy Bennett was murdered, Rico went to his home looking for documents pertaining to the activities of Wimpy and Walter, but not for the FBI, but rather to assist Stevie. Him and his passenger were killed. Unlike most mob turncoats Weeks went back to his old stomping grounds in Southie, seemingly with little fear of his safety. He told the agents that until Punchy was murdered he had been shaking down Sonny regularly not that he had something on him, but just putting fear into Sonny that something would happen to him., Walter continued on that Sonny was getting a lot of people in the middle with his stories of where his wealth came from such as gambling and borrowing from shylocks, and admitted to lending Sonny a couple of thousand dollars himself. Frankies description of the second Fed could only be Gerard Comen, dads handler and Ricos partner at that time. On the other side was the three McLaughlin brothers and the Hughes brothers. He had ripped off some old partners and had many people looking for him. McLean responded that George had been highly disrespectful and the beating he got was legitimately justified. Butchie lived a very violent life, having killed three people. By killing Buddy, the Hughes brothers were the most wanted men by the McLean side. There were no fingerprints or weapons found at the scene, but a couple of months later Von Maxcys widow Irene came forward to say that her lover Johnny Sweet arranged for the murder of her husband. They were also Loyalists, which is how part of the family ended up in Canada for a few generations. One of the boys said his boss named Steve gave him permission to use the car. Were the Feds involved in the disposal of their bodies? In a brutal killing, Martorano actually ran over OToole with his car after walking out of a bar in Dorchester. The informant stated that Flemmi and Salemme were really moving and are going to be big with the organization. His first remark was Well what do you want to know about Diaferio? Referring to Sonny. But when he went to jail on a weapons charge he was held on $100,000 bail. A podcast about organized crime in Boston & New England. Boston Police officer, Frankie Desario talks about the Bennett Brothers and their violent demise.Oral History. But Billy saw the gun, and tried to escape from the car and thats why he fell out into the snowbank. The year 1967 was not a good one for the Bennett family. Two years after Wimpy went missing the Boston Globe ran an article describing Wimpys Machiavelian behavior and blamed him for having a role in at least 50 of the gangland murders of the 1960s saying that he manipulated people and instigated the hits in an effort to clear out the competition. Stevie Flemmi allegedly told Rico about his involvement in Wimpys murder. The. Salemmes version of events was that Walter blamed Stevie and the LCN for Wimpys murder and was out for revenge. . Piecing together the stories and the players in Richies tangled tale. Bulger went on the run and stayed gone for 16 years. Wimpy disappeared in January and was thought to have been murdered by Stephen Flemmi and Cadillac Frank Salemme. , Larry Baione claimed that Walter Bennett had hired Frankie to take out Larry. The war had started when a drunken George McLaughlin had groped a girlfriend of one of Buddys friends. He was linked directly & indirectly to 3 of the largest crimes not only in Boston but the world. Oh and dont forget Vinnie Teresa claimed they were dumped in lye on a construction site somewhere along rte 93! The only visit they recall from law enforcement, in fact, was from another corrupt FBI agent, John Connolly, who they said tried to convince the family that the Angiulos, Italian mobsters, killed all three brothers. So often, I find myself wishing for the kind of satisfaction they knew back in the days when two men faced each other in a duel. Was Steve supposed to be Stevie Flemmi? He was out on bail at the time of his murder after being indicted with Earl back in November of 66. was held on contempt charges after refusing to cooperate with prosecutors in the Brinks investigation. He was given a beating. He was convicted of involvement in 11 murders and sent to prison. He's already done readings in his hometown of Houston and Chicago. A good looking lady willing to have sex with both men lured them back to an apartment. The inspiration for this podcast was Lara's late father and his stories. McLean was awoken later that night when his dogs started barking. He eventually joined Joe Barboza and Vinnie Teresa in the newly created Witness Protection Program. On one side was Buddy McLean with his enforcer Joe The Animal Barboza. Punchy was gunned down in 1965 at a bus stop while on his way to his brother Georges murder trial. vintage bennett brothers blue book of quality merchandise 1985. . The worst stretch was from 1964 1967. His father had passed away the previous summer. , William Bennett was murdered. The following day Wimpy met with a friend at 10:00 am and was supposed to sign a company payroll after that, but never showed up. After years of making music together Brooklyn natives, the Bennett Brothers - Guitarist, Jimmy and Bassist, Peter Bennett - have had the honor of performing alongside greats such as Levon Helm, B.B. There's no doubt whatsoever in my mind that Paul Rico gave my Dad up to Stevie Flemmi . Among his gangster peers, Buddy was revered for his extreme toughness and loyalty. How many authors, journos, former law enforcement officers, congressmen and ordinary folk have bought that story and regurgutated it like they had been there watching it unfold! Come on, said Susan of Bulgers homecoming, Whiteys still running the show here., Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), High school tournaments: Winchester stuns No. Sweet claimed he paid $30,000 to William Kelley and Andrew Von Etter, to murder Maxcy. 201 people follow this. They weren't asking.''. One of our listeners who is a grand nephew of the Bennetts sent us a pic of a postcard from Walter from 1943. Their bodies were buried in the same remote Hopkinton, Massachusetts, area after being taken to Boston's Dorchester neighborhood, Flemmi said. Sensing trouble, he grabbed his pistol and ran outside where he spotted two men by his family car. Georges brother Bernie vowed revenge and when McLean wouldnt give up his friends, the war began. We are a family business offering the design, manufacture and installation of genuine bespoke furniture for your home from Kitchens through to Bedrooms, Bathrooms, Lounge and Home Study furniture.. He received frequent visits from the postal inspectors throughout the five year investigation of the Plymouth Mail Robbery. Another story that makes no sense! Hannon suffered a horrific death. Buccelli was killed on June 19, 1958. Why would you shoot one of your criminal colleagues? veteran mob prosecutor Fred Wyshak asked on direct examination. The following day Wimpy met with a friend at 10:00 am and was supposed to sign a company payroll after that, but never showed up. The Italian mafia inserted themselves into the war on a few occasions over the years. None of the sisters has any faith in the so-called new and reformed FBI either. Instead of focusing on the guys who beat up George, the brothers now put the blame on Buddy McLean. Stevie then disposed of Walters body. Buccelli was killed on June 19, 1958. a man named Charles Kirby received a phone call at his TV repair shop by a man looking for Wimpy. He also accused the commission of asking silly questions. Connie, Punchy and Bernie McLaughlin were all dead. One of the boys said his boss named Steve gave him permission to use the car. Our agency is extremely humbled to be able to own a building with a rich history. Billy was shot four times in the chest. Pilgrims! He has been sentenced to life in prison plus several years for his litany of crimes. He has stayed out of trouble by all accounts for the last several years. Indulge me in one of my tirades for a minute. Billy Stuart on the 18th of January 1967, but Stuart didnt have time to meet him. In 1949, Wimpy along with three other local guys, found himself in a jail in Maine after fleeing from the scene of a robbery they committed at Steubens Restaurant in Boston. Stevie Hughes (died 1966) Stevie Hughes was the man who killed Buddy McLean in 1965, among many others. They were quick with a gun and always together looking for enemies. . The crimes and the mysteries of which many are still unsolved. Hugh Shields and Dickie Grasso went to Stevie Flemmi and they concocted a plan to take out Billy Bennett. Flemmis successful flight to avoid prosecution spared Rico, and the FBI the risk of the embarrassment and controversy that disclosure of Flemmis dual status as an FBI informant and an alleged murderer has recently entailed. Not now. Billy Stuart was indicted in February of 1970 for being an accessory after the fact in Billy Bennetts murder. He killed both Hughes brothers and their associate Sam Lindenbaum in 1966. When Joe Barboza testified against the mob, he refused to provide evidence against the Flemmis even though he could connect them to murders. As they switched seats in the desert, Flemmi shot and killed him, too. In one year, 1967, all three Bennett brothers disappeared: Edward, in January, Walter in April, William two days before Christmas. You bet, Mastrodonato:FIFA president Gianni Infantino should be ashamed of ignorant remarks ahead of 2022 World Cup in Qatar, 'Significant burst' of heavy snow possible for areas of Massachusetts, up to 12 inches potential in spots, Alex Murdaugh killed wife, son to buy time, prosecutor says, Boston employee payroll data shows more big-money employees than ever. Von Etter of Mattapan had been found shot and beaten to death in the trunk of his car in Medford on February 1, 1967. . James Buddy McLean (1929-1965) Buddy McLean was the original boss of the Winter Hill Gang. The conflict started out of nowhere when George McLaughlin went on a weekend getaway with a couple associates from Somerville. The mystery of what happened to Wimpy and Walter still haunts the Bennett family to this day. He had been warned by his protege Bulger to lay low but OSullivan refused and as a result was gunned down right in front of his family home. Billy Stuart denied that he was involved in the murder, , and claimed that hed been shocked to hear that Billy Bennett had been murdered. Well get back to the testimony of Stevie Flemmi towards the end of the episode. The year 1967 was not a good one for the Bennett family. I know Ive ranted about this several times, but read the police reports, read the news articles from when that shooting happened. But instead Stevie was waiting for Walter and killed him there as he was walking up the stairs. He and his brothers Bernie and George were the undisputed leaders of the underworld in Charlestown. Fast forward to June of 2018, as we mentioned at the beginning of this episode Stevie was on the stand and asked to ID Frankie in the courtroom and he couldnt. Stevie and Frankie allegedly were to follow in a second car to pick up the body. Hugh Shields had a record that dated back to the time he was in juvie. She had last seen him at 10:30pm the previous Tuesday. It was hard enough finding the census! Speaking of Jack, next week were going to be talking about the botched heists of the late 1960s. In 1954, Walter Bennett was accused of funding one such operation along with Anthony Pino and Vincent Costa of Brinks Heist fame. He shot at them but they got away. Five men were named: Hugh Shields, Frank Salemme, Stevie Flemmi, Peter Poulos, and Robert Daddieco. It was a power struggle between the Bennetts and the Office and former underling Flemmi set them up. He would be in his early 90s. Frankie would later blame Stevies becoming an informant on his relationship with Wimpy. In the early 1960s a major gang war broke out between McLean and a group from Charlestown led by the McLaughlin brothers. Was her phone tapped? But then the police arrived on the scene and the four men were forced to surrender at gunpoint. As if there was a shortage of people who loathed Wimpy and wanted him dead! Joe went on to testify and put Patriarca behind bars, although much of his testimony is proven false. Bodies were being found in the streets on a weekly basis at this time around Boston. MALDEN (CBS) - Two young brothers from Malden are in the spotlight Thursday after being named "heroes" by a national organization that recognizes young people doing great things. At least they had a sense of honor.''. It was a horrific murder scene. But then the police arrived on the scene and the four men were forced to surrender at gunpoint. Many of the men killed were willing participants of the war and others were just people who got sucked into it. Stephen Flemmi was having a great stroke of luck and he could see a clear path to the top of the Boston mob in his future. He did not want the war in the first place but the McLaughlins persisted. that while Walter Bennett had not been that helpful he was a valuable pipeline and further contact should be maintained to nurture this cooperation., In October of 1966, citrus Baron Charles Von Maxcy was attacked in the bedroom of his Florida home. Cornelius Connie Hughes (died 1966) Connie and his brother Stevie Hughes were by far the most feared members of the McLaughlin crew. Donald Killeen (1923-1972) Donald Killeen was one of three Killeen brothers who controlled the bookmaking and loansharking rackets in South Boston during the 1950s and 1960s. Hes gone, reporters heard Salemme say about Flemmi as the defendant shuffled off after trial, stooped with age. Just like in the death of Walter Bennett, Salemme claimed that William Bennett was looking for revenge for his brothers. Billy Stuart on the 18th of January 1967, but Stuart didnt have time to meet him. Youre not going to get an argument from me. Joe Barboza was killing men in the war and also doing contract killings for the Patriarca Family in Providence. '', Brazil, Italy, Mexico win World Cup openers, EU, UEFA reach deal on Champions League TV, World Cup ticketing controversy escalates, Asia takes World Cup center stage on Tuesday, Driving while distracted: Safety campaign cites dangers, France's Chirac uses historic German speech to push for stronger EU ties, John C. Reilly rocks through the 'The Perfect Storm', Smokers' attorney asks for up to $196 billion, Smokers ask jury to consider up to $196 billion in punitive damages, Rivals make final bids for Millennium Dome, Uzbekistan struggling to restore ancient 'Silk Road' city, Judge tosses evidence against Flemmi in deaths of 3 brothers, Lifeguard still missing despite 'better leads', Kerry lashes out at Bush over death penalty, Burden of wife's disability cited as motive for killing. If you want to hear more about that case listen to episode 7. Bennett was not a fan of the Italian mafia and wanted to run them out of Boston, which he may have done if the FBI didnt want the Italians for themselves. The big winner of the war was Stephen The Rifleman Flemmi. In the end, Buddy McLean and two McLaughlin brothers, Bernie and Punchy were killed. The pair were indicted again in 1996. Puchy had been in many bloody street fights. Robert was a small-time hoodlum who had been arrested in June 1969 after he and three accomplices from Canada, . "I know Martellus Bennett was. As usual, he was congenial and cooperative. At least Williams body was found, shot and tossed in a Dorchester snow bank. Related Story: The McLean vs. McLaughlin Boston Irish Gang War. By then, the state's star witness, Irene, had been prosecuted for perjury. You know Dickie wasnt packing a full deck. He became the leader of Bostons Winter Hill Gang. A taxi driver who was passing found Billy, and the assailants couldnt retrieve the body. After he died, the job went to close associate Howie Winter, who was later succeeded by James Whitey Bulger. Sweet was an associate of Walter Bennetts and a frequent visitor of Walters Lounge on Dudley St. near Uphams Corner in Dorchester. Even the FBI does not reveal the names of informers., Hugh Shields and Billy Stuart were acquitted on April 30th. Hed been with the BPD for 19 years. or. The mans nickname was the Great Deceiver.. They havent seen each other since the 1990s, Flemmi said. He also accused the commission of asking silly questions. By this time, Stephen Flemmi was already working for the FBI and him and his brother were switching alliances. The other brother Kenny would be warned by Whitey Bulger that he was out of business, no further warnings. We've spent the past 2 years scouring through FBI 302s, newspaper articles, hearing transcripts and books. In a prior interview two years ago, Bennett remembered the agents saying: `` `If you don't want the same thing happening to you that happened to your brothers, you'd better give us the books.' . The war continued to rage after his death. Supposedly their plan was to kill him and then dump the body with Walter and Wimpy in Hopkinton. So Sweet was freed. While Robert was sitting in Walpole awaiting trial, SA Rico pressured him into becoming, the star witness in the Billy Bennett murder case. Arthur Butchie Doe Jr. (1959-2018) Arthur Doe Jr., also known as Butchie was a chronic bank robber and involved in union corruption. Double Deal - True Stories of Criminals, Crimes and Lies. There was also a monthly payment envelope that had the initials BM on it. See more of Bennett Brothers Stone Co Inc on Facebook. two days later and a trial date was set for April 7. an alleged associate of the Bennetts testified. Georges brother Bernie McLaughlin knew Somerville gangster Buddy McLean casually and reached out to him to get information on his brothers attackers. Oral history is both the oldest type of historical inquiry, predating the written word, and one of the most modern, initiated with tape recorders in the 1940s and now using 21st-century digital technologies.When using oral history as a source material, several caveats exist. Hugh Shields was the trigger man. After his brother was gunned down in May of 1966, Stevie was now missing his layers of protection. Rocco was never pressed too hard for an answer and died just a few years ago. Now the biggest guns on the McLaughlin side were the Hughes brothers in Charlestown and the Bennett brothers in Dorchester. A couple of weeks later. Buddy Mclean - informant. All of the usual suspects were/are linked to their murders. William Frederick Jr. was born on May 29, 1911, Walter Earl on August 17, 1912 and Edward Albert Wimpy on January 1, 1919 in Boston to William Frederick Sr. and Flora Caroline Seymour. ``In the end, what it comes down to,'' Bill Bennett said, `` is that some people are more important than others.'' But thats what Larry told Jerry Angiulo on the infamous wiretaps in the 1980s. He was beaten savagely until he was nearly comatose. I bet most of our listeners dont know where the story that Frankie Salemme murdered Walter Bennett came from. And Walter also loved running his mouth to the authorities. This time their trump card was Robert Daddieco. It was a sad year for the Bennett family and put a microscope on just how bad the war had gotten with some 60 men killed. 197 people like this. A taxi driver who was passing found Billy, and the assailants couldnt retrieve the body. For Billy Bennett's son - it's about the government of the United States trying to save what little face it has left in its shameful alliance with the Boston underworld. In August of 1931 he and Joseph Lewis were arrested in a basement at 335 Shawmut Ave for selling alcohol. A fifth accomplice shot another cop and fled the scene. Raymond screamed ask him where Wimpy Bennett is, he was the last one to see him alive!. he and Joseph Lewis were arrested in a basement at 335 Shawmut Ave for selling alcohol. Just like in the death of Walter Bennett. The Winter Hill Gang still operates today and McLean was their first boss. Susan Bennett was 11 in 1967. Both Walter and Wimpy enlisted in the Army at the beginning of WWII. Georgie got drunk and groped a girlfriend of one of the men. More like a hobby or in his case a condition since he appeared to be a klepto. Wimpy enlisted in the Army on December 17, 1941 and served as a private in the Air Corps as did Walter. ``Maybe the only truth,'' the son said, ``is that you can always kill some people and get away with it. While Robert was sitting in Walpole awaiting trial, SA Rico pressured him into becoming the star witness in the Billy Bennett murder case. The indictments came down on September 11. Dermody then got scared and called Boston FBI agent H. Paul Rico looking for help. We were inspired to create Bennett Brothers Balm when our friend and former classmate was diagnosed . Besides their criminal activities, Walter had his lounge, Wimpy, his variety of businesses ranging from a smoke shop, construction and smut peddling. He groped an associates girlfriend and received a beatdown that almost killed him. On the lam some time later, Flemmi was driving across the country with one of the men who helped orchestrate the car bombing. A portion of the money we raise goes into a fund that Dana-Farber set up for our friend's oncologist, Dr. Amy Billett. Wimpy Bennett and his two brothers Walter and William were all murdered in 1967 during the middle of the McLean/McLaughlin War. How we compiled the list. A crazy Wimpy story. August 3, 2016, 8:30 AM. They also lived in fear. Ironically, George was the only brother to survive the war, it is unclear if hes still alive today. Decades back former SA and convicted felon John Connolly tried to convince one of the Bennett descendants that the Angiulos had killed the three brothers. When court adjourned for the day, he had not yet gotten to the night 25 years ago that DiSarro went missing. Walters car was eventually found in a parking lot at Logan Airport. Bruce Bennett - Getty Images Brothers Bob Meusel of the New York Yankees and Irish Meusel of the New York Giants pose for a portrait before Game 1 of the 1922 World Series on October 4. . McLean would catch up to Bernie McLaughlin on October 31, 1961 and shoot him dead right outside of the Morning Glory Cafe in Charlestown, one of his favorite hangouts. Everyone - ABC News. His brother Walter vanished three months later in April. McLean initially tried to peacefully resolve the issue until he found that the McLaughlins put a bomb under his family car. Both have dealt with health issues. George survived but some close to him say he was never was the same after that night. They lured Walter to Frankies garage on the premise that Frankie would help him take Stevie out. A fifth accomplice shot another cop and fled the scene. Salemme looks every bit his 84 years; Flemmi, whos been in prison for more than two decades, will be the same age in a few days. . So every time we saw a strange car in the yard we were always thinking, Daddys home. Punchy was in front of the Beaconsfield Hotel on Beacon St in Washington Sq in Brookline when he was shot. I just went to school for 7 years and cant match wits with college graduates. he added. and what it wasn't. that they were paying Billy Stuart $50 a week, but the dates he gave were after both Walter and Wimpy had already disappeared. A huge crowd witnessed the murder but no one cooperated. He said he was from Mexico and left due to his brother. He grew up in Southie and came up under Whitey Bulgers wing. MafiaHitters.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. 1 Catholic Memorial; roundup/list of scores, Is the Massachusetts Gaming Commission still dragging its feet? It was the influence of the Flemmi brothers that helped Barboza to rationalize such a move. After the shooting, word got around to McLean about his real intentions, which made Dermody a marked man. The Brinks heist would continue to haunt Wimpy Bennett for years. I bet most of our listeners dont know where the story that Frankie Salemme murdered Walter Bennett came from. They tried to hide in a basement of a local house, but were cornered and sent back to Shirley. On January 28 the Boston Globe ran an article about Wimpys disappearance. Is that the cardboard box in the back of the beachwagon story? When the body was found in 2016, Salemme by then in the witness protection program was charged with DiSarros death. In an unexpected move, Barboza decided to testify against Patriarca and the Office after his friends were killed. McLean had the support of Winter Hill. Kevin Two Weeks Weeks (born 1956) Kevin Weeks served as Whitey Bulgers enforcer in the 1970s and 1980s. Punchy was transferred there by ambulance not lured there by Earl Smith. When the McLean-McLaughlin War broke out, Punchy was right in the middle of it, killing McLeans friend Russell Nicholson. ``I know that some of the rocks will probably be pulled back on guys like Rico. Hugh Shields and Billy Stuart were acquitted on April 30th. Walter was just 17 at the time. "The Bennett brothers were going nuts trying to get it somehow so they could play together on the Patriots," NFL Network reported Ian Rapoport said at the time. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Rico warned Stevie and Frankie that there were indictments coming down in the murder of Billy Bennett. Four days later, informant number BS-922-C stated that Stevie Flemmi and Frank Salemme had taken out Walter and Wimpy Bennett. Oral history can also indicate lifestyle, dialect and terminology, and customs that may no longer be prominent. Back to the Bennetts and their murders. he certainly knows how they exited this vale of tears. of armed robbery while masked and assault with intent to commit murder. At Stuarts trial, an alleged associate of the Bennetts testified that they were paying Billy Stuart $50 a week, but the dates he gave were after both Walter and Wimpy had already disappeared. Not Your Average Joe: Joseph JR Russo & Some North End Tales, Joe Meet Joe: Joseph Barboza - Part 3 - The Final Act, Thanksgiving Bonus Episode - Prison Breaks, California Dreaming - Joseph Barboza - Part 2, Finding Frankie Salemme - The 1972 Arrest, Jack's Justice - Part 3: The Trials Continue. Some 60 men died in the next couple years as the two sides hunted each other. The person being interviewed may not accurately recall factual information such as names or dates, and they may exaggerate. Even the FBI does not reveal the names of informers.. Enough of my ranting. Bernie and his other brother Ed Punchy McLaughlin were furious at the response. He couldnt point out his reputed partner in a number of gangland slayings. When she heard of Whitey Bulgers arrest, Judy Bennett Ewell said she just felt nauseous, the same way shes felt every time there was news about Flemmi or Bulger. Det. George McLaughlin somehow survived the madness, even though his brothers Punchy and Bernie were both dead. But Billy Stuart was free to go. of Mattapan had been found shot and beaten to death in the trunk of his car in Medford on February 1, 1967. He went by the name Bobo Petricone in Boston and was close friends with Buddy McLean and an ally of the original Winter Hill Gang. . It was Joe Barboza again who did the job.