March 27, 2001
(PHILADELPHIA) - The final jurors have been selected for the racketeering trial of reputed Philadelphia-South Jersey mob boss Joseph Merlino.
Opening statements are scheduled Wednesday in federal court.
Merlino and his alleged associates face charges that include murder, drug-dealing and conspiracy. During selection, prospective jurors were grilled about their attitudes towards Italians and asked whether they watched the HBO show “The Sopranos” or had seen movies like “The Godfather.”