The Nation - News from April 7, 1989
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A Common Pleas Court judge in Philadelphia ruled that mob boss Nicodemo (Little Nicky) Scarfo and seven associates must be sentenced to life in prison instead of death for killing a gangster. Judge Eugene Clarke took the decision away from the jury on grounds that prosecutors failed to show sufficient aggravating circumstances for a death sentence to be imposed. Because only a jury can impose a death sentence, the eight men convicted in the 1985 slaying of Frank (Frankie Flowers) D’Alfonso will automatically be sentenced to life in prison.
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