'Fog of bees' briefly interrupts PGA Tour's Mexico Open. Morgenthau said they were among the top hitmen in the gang. ''These conditions are imposed to protect you from a psychiatric breakdown and any resulting harm to the community in which you will live. [4] Mickey Spillane, the mob leader in Hell's Kitchen at the time, was shot five times outside his apartment in August 1977, and Featherstone was arrested but acquitted for his killing. 'They shared in the proceeds of gambling and loansharking on the West Side and they also have been used as hired guns for the Gambino family,' he said. He was charged with three murders over the years, but was always able to get acquitted after pleading insanity. Morgenthau said in their heyday there were 30 Westies, but that number has been reduced to 10 or 15 as many of them have been jailed or killed. Updated: Nov. 17, 2021 Francis T. "Mickey" Featherstone (born September 2, 1948) is a former Irish American mobster and member of the Westies, an organized crime syndicate from Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan in New York City, led by James Coonan. McElroy and Bokun are in jail charged with other killings. Through his work in the Westies, Art secured Billy Beattie and another Westies member . He is famous for Irish American mobster and Vietnam Vet. 501 1/2 43rd St. Mickey Featherstone, one of the most-feared Westies who had committed multiple murders before he even got into the gang, was raised in this building with nine brothers and sisters. He was a house mom for his first couple of yrs in the WPP and he is now a day trader investing only personal funds. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Cookie Notice Law enforcement attributed at least 30 unsolved murders to the gang and the innocuous-looking Mickey Featherstone was recognized as one of their most vicious members. 44. r/Mafia. I wonder how much of it was drugs. #opensource #serverless. Is he still alive? They said that over the years it has been steeped in gambling and loansharking. For those of you who were too St. Paddy's Day wasted to make it, don't you worry, there will be more! Kelly is a fugitive who has been indicted for the attempted murder of a carpenter's union official. Mickey Featherstone was second-in-command to Jimmy Coonan, leader of the Westies, an extremely violent Irish mob that operated in Hells Kitchen, Manhattan, in the 1970s and 1980s. According to our records, Mickey Featherstone is possibly single. Mickey nolonger has bad nightmares and is FULLY RECOVERED and states his past is a blur. The DEA ranks him as one of the top 10 drug traffickers in US history. Thiscourtroom dramatells the story of ajury of 12 men as they deliberate the conviction or acquittal of an 18-year old defendanton the basis ofreasonable do, Joe Poletto continues his conversation with Billy Beattie, founding member of the notorious Westies and Art Ruffles, FBI special agent in charge of the organized crime unit. In the mid-1970s, these two longtime friends take the reins of New York's Irish mob, using brute force to give it hitherto unthinkable power. It didn't help his case that the shooter abandoned a car owned by Mickey's place of employment at the time. He has since been living in anonymity in the federal witness protection program. Mickey Featherstone: The Dangerous Hitman Currently Free In Witness Protection. It's men like Jimmy Coonan and Mickey Featherstone who gave Hell's Kitchen its name. Featherstone was convicted in 1986, but his conviction was reversed later that year when the actual shooter was identified. In the mid-1970s, these two longtime friends take the reins of New York's Irish mob, using brute force to give it hitherto unthinkable power. The man the gang judged responsible for the murder, Michael Holly, skipped town to escape the heat, but returned a few years later. Disney sues Florida Gov. For example, Featherstone got probation for shooting a man in the arm, and when he killed a man outside a bar in 1971, Featherstone beat the rap with an insanity plea. Who's Online Now: 1 registered members (1 invisible), 74 guests, and 3 spiders. The shooter, Featherstone learned, was Billy Bokun. When Mickey returned to the notoriously violent, Irish dominated Hell's Kitchen area of New York, his violent tendencies continued. [1] He was shocked at receiving his sentence of 25 years in prison, and concluded that he had been framed by his own gang. Left to Right. Federal officials said Friday that Mr. Featherstone was released from custody on Dec. 23, two days after he was given probation on a racketeering charge involving the Westies, a gang that terrorized an area of Manhattan west of Eighth Avenue between 42d and 57th Streets. In neighborhood saloons, Featherstones paranoia and violence kept pace with his level of inebriation, but he largely managed to evade consequences for his violent escapades. [2] His conviction eventually came in February 1982, after using counterfeit currency at a massage parlor - he was traced because the girl remembered seeing his name tattooed on his forearm, and he was sentenced to six years. Relationships. Jimmy, a charismatic sociopath, is the leader. Relationship history. They not only kill people they dismember them,' he said. Mickey, whose memories of Vietnam torture him daily, is his enforcer. Coonan liked what he had seen from Featherstone, and recruited him as second in command, all while the Westies upped the violence, leaving behind a string of often dismembered corpses. The became hired killers in the 1970s, authorities said. One day you're a made man, the next, you're sleeping with the fishes. Mickey Featherstones Oldest Son Was in Kuwait before 9/11 and is now married to a School Teacher, His 2nd son Just received a Medal of Bravery from the armey his oldest daughter is married and has her own business and his youngest daughter is in college on a Athletic Schollarship. On April 25, 1985, Billy Bokun (John Bokuns brother), wearing a wig to look like Featherstone, approached Holly on a crowded street and killed him, firing five bullets into his back. These convictions marked the demise of the reign of the Westies. A Federal prosecutor, Mary Lee Warren, said Friday that the Government had fulfilled its obligation to bring Mr. Featherstone's cooperation to the judge's attention but made no recommendation about the sentence. Featherstone, despite standing 57 with wide blue eyes, shaggy blonde hair, and a boyish face, soon developed a killers reputation that might not have been apparent from his appearance alone. This is a digitized version of an article from The Timess print archive, before the start of online publication in 1996. Then in April 1985, he was shot and killed on a New York City street by a man using a silencer. Mickey Featherstones Oldest Son Was in Kuwait before 9/11 and is now married to a School Teacher, His 2nd son Just received a Medal of Bravery from the armey his oldest daughter is married and has her own business and his youngest daughter is in college on a Athletic Schollarship. Back in Hells Kitchen, Featherstone soon found himself involved in more serious forms of criminal mischief. ''Mickey has always lied,'' Mr. Moresco said. Put this image on your website to promote the show -, Report inappropriate content or request to remove this page. This book is a lot more focused on one man's role (Mickey Featherstone) in the Westies, rather than the Westies as a whole. Featherstone committed several mob killings before he was convicted in 1986 of a murder he had not committed. Mickey Featherstone was second-in-command to Jimmy Coonan, leader of the Westies, an extremely violent Irish mob that operated in Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan, in the 1970s and 1980s. Meanwhile, the District Attorneys office agreed to work with Featherstones wife to obtain evidence confirming Featherstones claims. Law enforcement attributed at least 30 unsolved murders to the gang and the innocuous-looking Mickey Featherstone was recognized as one of their most vicious members. After effectively destroying the Irish mob in Manhattan, 38-year-old Mickey Featherstone entered the witness protection program and has lived under the radar ever since. Public DomainJimmy Coonan (right) in a prison photo circa 1990. Featherstone returned with a rifle and shot one of the brothers John Riley in the arm, for which he was arrested and probationed. His maniacal behavior also saw Featherstone spending parts of the early 1970s in various mental hospitals. ago. Author T.J.. He was born on the upper West Side and his mother worked with the VFW and his father was a U. S. Customs officer. But the Westies eventual downfall would come thanks to Mickey Featherstone himself, after he was framed for the murder of Michael Holly by Coonan in 1985. Scan this QR code to download the app now. In the mid-1970s, Coonans Westies seized control of organized crime from predominant West Side gang leader, Mickey Spillane. You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server. It was very difficult for police and prosecutors to convict men associated with this group because witnesses were terrified of the members and their willingness to quickly kill anyone who crossed them. Featherstone committed several mob killings before he was convicted in 1986 of a murder he had not committed. According to our records, Mickey Featherstone is possibly single. On this installment we will discuss what caused the rift between, This week we are getting even deeper into Hell's Kitchen. Privacy Policy. [1] He served in heavy combat and then as a stock clerk. Shes the 2nd from the right, looks just like him. That's when the 'Westies', a ruthless gang of Irish American extortionists, racketeers and contract killers, took in the violent young Featherstone and put him to work. Because of men like Featherstone, convictions of Westies members became increasingly difficult to secure because potential witnesses were terrified of them and their willingness to swiftly kill anyone who crossed them. Based on the car and the eyewitness identifications, Featherstone was convicted of Hollys murder in April 1986 and sentenced to spend 25 years to life in prison. Mickey Featherstone was a complete nut case. TwitterFrancis T. Mickey Featherstone was a member of the Irish mob until he was framed for a murder he didnt commit and turned informant. And now, in April 2023, Carlson is gone too, even more abruptly than his predecessor, though perhaps under a similar cloud.Once again, the ouster is being crowed about by liberals who really . [1] His testimony at Coonan's racketeering trial during 198788 helped to bring down Coonan's gang. Neil Patmore is a former police officer, and private investigator. Defense lawyers have complained in Federal District Court that Mr. Featherstone and other informers received highly beneficial deals from the Government to obtain their testimony in the Gambino trial and that the jury was not told that the informers were being freed. Ron DeSantis and other officials . Help us build our profile of Mickey Featherstone! Morgethau said the gang began as gamblers and loansharks but have committed 28 murders, five of which have been solved. Other Westies had indeed cooked up the frame job to eliminate Mickey as a threat to their power in the organization. It's men like Jimmy Coonan and Mickey Featherstone who gave Hell's Kitchen its name. Outside the courtroom, Coonan's lawyer Lawrence Hochheiser said, 'She's a housewife her only crime is being his wife.' However, Holly returned to New York City several years later. Julia Coonan pleaded innocent to conspiracy charges in state Supreme Court in Manhattan and Judge Peter McQuillan set $50,000 bail. [3][4] He received a medical discharge in 1967 after just a year, claiming to have hallucinations. Stranded bear rescued from Nevada tree using tranquilizer, tarp. Less than three months later, the three killers drove the victim to New Jersey 'where Kelly took out a pistol and shot Leone two times in the back of the head,' the district attorney said. [2] The police suspected him of a series of mob contract killings. Nebraska students toss water balloons for Guinness World Record. For more information, please see our Led by Jimmy Coonan and, From an introduction made by his long time friend Tom Sheer, Joe Poletto was introduced to Art Ruffles, special agent in charge of the FBIs organized crime unit in charge of the Gambino, DeMeo and Westies cases. He was circumcised. [1] He spent time in a series of mental hospitals, being released in 1975. In May 1977, Jimmy Coonan owed a substantial amount of money to loan shark Ruby Stein and decided to forgive his own debt by murdering Stein. The Westies only numbered around 15 members, all Irish American, yet became the dominant criminal force in Hells Kitchen. New York law enforcement attributed at least thirty unsolved murders to the Westies in the 1970s and 1980s, and they were known as an extremely violent group, even by gang standards. Connect any celebrity with Mickey Featherstone to see how closely they are linked romantically! On March 25, 1977, Westie John Bokun was shot dead by police after an argument with another Hells Kitchen resident, Michael Holly. Francis T. "Mickey" Featherstone is a former Irish American mobster and member of the Westies, an organized crime syndicate from Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan in New York City, led by James Coonan. Dose anyone know what Micky looks like now? After deciding to cooperate with the authorities, Mr. Featherstone pleaded guilty to a Federal racketeering charge, admitting his participation in four murders, five murder conspiracies and additional acts of loan-sharking, drug dealing and other crimes. After his conviction, Featherstone quickly concluded that Westies members and Kenneth Aronson had colluded to set him up to take the fall for Hollys murder. Francis Mickey Featherstone, a leader of New York Citys Irish organized crime gang known as the Westies, was set up by other members of the gang to take the fall for the 1985 murder of Michael Holly. Prior to the murder of Michael Holly, Featherstone had been charged with at least three other murders, but each time he had entered pleas of insanity and was acquitted. Mr. Featherstone also provided information in other investigations, and testified in the continuing trial of several men accused of committing murders and other racketeering acts as part of the Gambino crime family. American military personnel of the Vietnam War. He had a low boiling point to start with and if alcohol was involved, and it often was, Mickey had the potential to explode. Francis T. "Mickey" Featherstone (born September 2, 1948) is a former Irish American mobster and member of the Westies, an organized crime syndicate from Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan in New York City, led by James Coonan. Shout Box: Site Links >Help Page >More Smilies >GBB on Facebook >Job Saver >Godfather Website >Scarface Website In the mid-1970s, these two longtime friends take the reins of New York's Irish mob, using brute force to give it hitherto unthinkable power. Westie members murdered and dismembered him in the back of Coonans bar, then threw his remains in the Hudson River. Featherstone was linked by two eyewitnesses, as well as circumstantial evidence, as the car driven by the shooter was traced to the trucking company where Featherstone was employed. It's men like Jimmy Coonan and Mickey Featherstone who gave Hell's Kitchen its name. She was able to record Bokun describing the shooting of Michael Holly while wearing a wig as Featherstone. In 1977, a Westies member named John Bokun was shot and killed, and the Westies attributed this killing to Michael Holly, who moved out of town immediately after Bokuns death. Kevin Kelly effectively took over the day to day running of the Westies when Jimmy Coonan moved to New Jersey. For the most accurate data, please search on the Detailed View page. With this evidence, Featherstones conviction was overturned in September 1986 according to The National Registry Of Exonerations, and Featherstone agreed to become an informant. on our list, Other According to The National Registry of Exonerations, Francis "Mickey" Featherstone was a member of the violent Irish organized crime gang known as the Westies, who sought power in the underworld of New York City's Hell's Kitchen neighborhood from the 1960s to the late '80s. [5], "Books of The Times; The Rise and Fall of a Thoroughly Vicious Gang", "New York Stories: Hell's Kitchen Killers", "Admitted Westies Killer Who Informed Is Free", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mickey_Featherstone&oldid=1082198232, This page was last edited on 11 April 2022, at 21:33. Coonan held Holly responsible for Bokuns death, but his murder was repeatedly put off over the years. Featherstone committed several mob killings before he was convicted in 1986 of a murder he had not committed. In this case, he was not only innocent of the crime, he also knew who had done it. ''At least for the time being,'' the judge said, ''the Westies have been broken as an organization, largely as a result of your cooperation.''. Grasping defeat from the jaws of victory. Meet Mickey Featherstone, The Deranged Hitman Who Turned Informant And Helped Bring Down The Westies. Wrongfully convicted of murder, Featherstone sought to clear his name by becoming a government witness. He had been discharged from the army in 1967, suffering from hallucinations, and spent years in and out of a mental hospital. No one couldve predicted that Featherstone, perhaps the gangs most violent and dedicated member, would be the one to put an end to the Westies, and perhaps the Irish mob in Manhattan, once and for all. Kevin Kelly (Westies), Anthony Senter (DeMeo crew), Carmine "The Snake" Persico (Boss of the Colombo Crime Family) Michael "Mickey Boy" Paradiso ( Gambino Crime Family Capo). In April 1986, Featherstone was convicted of Hollys murder and sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. Mickey Featherstones Oldest Son Was in Kuwait before 9/11 and is now married to a School Teacher, His 2nd son Just received a Medal of Bravery from the armey his oldest daughter is married and has her own business and his youngest daughter is in college on a Athletic Schollarship. Morgenthau said the gang thought Leone 'manipulated the reporting of sports bets and deprived the Westies and the Gambinos of their share in the proceeds.'. Until his release last week, Mr. Featherstone had been held in custody on his racketeering charge and for a parole violation involving his earlier conviction in a counterfeiting case. April 28 (UPI) -- A British piercing enthusiast broke his own Guinness World Record when the number of flesh tunnels in his face increased to 17. Congrats to him for being the first multi-million dollar illiterate trader. Joey and Friend David Rafeli Owner/CEO at Rafaeli's Cigars. All NRE reports represent a moment in time. In the criminal underworld, trust is a slippery commodity. Mickey, whose memories of Vietnam torture him daily, is his enforcer. [4], Featherstone was convicted in March 1986 for the April 1985 murder of Michael Holly, despite being innocent of this particular murder, which was a revenge attack probably carried out by another of the Westies, Billy Bokun. '', ''During the 40 years of your life,'' Judge Sweet told Mr. Featherstone, ''you have experienced violence as a child, as a student in our city schools, as a soldier in Vietnam, as a criminal on the streets and as a killer and an enforcer of one of the most feared gangs in our city.'' Witnesses described a man who looked a lot like Featherstone. She said the Government explained the scope and value of his cooperation, along with the severity of his offense. The District Attorneys office agreed to work with Featherstones wife, Sissy Featherstone, to see if they could obtain evidence confirming Featherstones claims. The Westies reign of terror was largely built on the back of, The Westies, a gang long known to law enforcement officials, if not to the public, as one of the most savage organizations in the long history of New York gangs. Or, as was the case with Mickey Featherstone, you find you've been chosen as the fall guy for a power grab within the gang. They pulled over, either to do cocaine or because one of them asked him to. It's men like Jimmy Coonan and Mickey Featherstone who gave Hell's Kitchen its name. He was a model prisoner, seen daily picking fine lint off of his perfectly made bunk to pass inspection, and starting arguments with others for not polishing their door frame brass. This is legendary NYC drug kingpin Frank Mathews. 'That's the way they get the message out.'. Summarize this article for a 10 years old. [3] To his disappointment, he was pulled from combat duty, he was involved in criminal mischief with his friends and was disciplined for many drunken pranks. [1] Rather than serving his sentence he instead told prosecutors that Bokun had committed the murder, and he became an informant. After weaseling out of three murder charges, and most likely being responsible for countless others, an internal dispute within the Westies would result in Featherstone finally and ironically going to prison for a murder he didn't really commit. information about the Registry, Mistaken Witness ID, Perjury or False Accusation, Inadequate Legal Defense. Lol. Francis T. "Mickey" Featherstone (born September 2, 1948) is a former Irish American mobster and member of the Westies, an organized crime syndicate from Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan in New York City, led by James Coonan. The Registry also maintains a more limited database of known exonerations prior to 1989. It's men like Jimmy Coonan and Mickey Featherstone who gave Hell's Kitchen its name. Those who knew him in the neighborhood often crossed the street when they saw him coming their way. [2] After borrowing Coonan's gun, he shot dead Linwood Willis in a confrontation outside a bar in 1971, but was found not guilty due to insanity. Mickey knew he'd been framed, and was able to convince the police to let him prove it. gb1993 2 yr. ago Billy Bokuns attorney was Kenneth Aronson, the same attorney who had represented Featherstone in Hollys murder trial. April 29 (UPI) -- An Australian tourist facing possible flogging after being accused of going on a drunken nude rampage in the Indonesian province of Ache says he felt "almost possessed" at the time. In 1984 Vincent Leone, Jimmy McElroy and Kevin Kelly were travelling in Leone's car in New Jersey. Asked if she was a member of the Westies, he responded, 'She's hardly a member of anything at all.'. Francis T. "Mickey" Featherstone (born September 2, 1948) is a former Irish American mobster and member of the Westies, an organized crime syndicate from Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan in New York City, led by James Coonan. [1][2], When a group from New Jersey, called the Riley brothers, entered Hell's Kitchen a fight started with the outsiders. After providing the necessary information about the crimes of his fellow Westies, 38-year-old Francis Mickey Featherstone entered the federal witness protection program. In the early 1980s, Featherstone spent periods of time in mental hospitals, before returning to the Westies. At 17, Featherstone lied about his age and joined the army with dreams of becoming a Green Beret. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. [1] He served in the Vietnam War as member of the Green Berets aged just 17 after lying about his age. us about an exoneration that we may have missed, Correct an error or add information about an exoneration ', Asked if she was a member of the Westies, he responded, 'She's hardly a member of anything at all.'. He was blond haired and baby-faced. Featherstone concluded that Coonan and other Westies members had set him up for Hollys murder. The Westies grew out of a Hell's Kitchen bootlegging mob formed by former Cotton Club owner Owen Madden, authorities said. '', See the article in its original context from. April 28 (UPI) -- The PGA Tour's Mexico Open was briefly interrupted when a swarm of bees sent a group of golfers ducking in the grass. Public DomainGambino boss Paul Castellano. He never saw combat. He spent periods of time back in a mental hospital, but always returned to involvement with the Westies. NEW YORK -- The wife of a reputed West Side mobster and three members of his Irish gang were indicted Wednesday in the killing of a loanshark, and the Manhattan prosecutor said the gang was responsible for 28 murders. Seems like a quiet shy guy but in reality he's a stone cold killer. Rich and Shefsky, joined by show favorite Jeremiah Watkins, took over the Bel, 12 Angry Menis a 1957 Americancourtroom drama filmdirected bySidney Lumet, adapted from ateleplay of the same namebyReginald Rose. Alligator removed from South Carolina resident's garage. ''This sentence is an act of trust which you have earned,'' the judge told Mr. Featherstone. In the late 1970s, the Westies began collaborating with the Gambino family and its notorious Mafia, with the Westies functioning as an enforcer arm of the Gambino ring carrying out assigned executions and sharing in weekly profits. Some of the loons that the boards attract never cease to amaze me. Mickey Featherstone girlfriend, wife list. The shooter, Featherstone had learned, was William Billy Bokun, the brother of Hollys alleged victim, John Bokun. When someone laid eyes on him in person the reaction was usually disbelief, with his violent notoriety disproportionate to his small physical stature. Judge Sweet, noting that Mr. Featherstone had already served the equivalent of a five-year sentence on a murder charge that was later dismissed, said the probation on the racketeering charge included conditions that the defendant take part in counseling and rehabilitation programs. Despite a notably sweet and boyish face, Mickey Featherstone, a Vietnam veteran who had talked his way into the Green Berets at just seventeen years old, was known as one of the most vicious and ruthless members of the gang. Francis "Mickey" Featherstone, a leader of New York City's Irish organized crime gang known as the Westies, was set up by other members of the gang to take the fall for the 1985 murder of Michael Holly. S.C. woman wins $300,000 lottery prize -- her second jackpot in 3 years. If it is the first time you login, a new account will be created automatically. This Featherstone is littlebit like leonetti - talks clearly, calmy, but what a psycho! The three, James McElroy, 36, William Bokun, 29, and Kevin Kelly, 31, allegedly killed Leone in Guttenberg, N.J., on Feb. 11, 1984. Please enable scripts and reload this page. Mickey's trouble started in 1977 with the murder of a member of the Westies named John Bokun. The Westies have been linked with the Gambino crime family for the last eight to 10 years, Morgenthau said. Featherstone committed several mob killings before he was convicted in 1986 of a murder he had not committed. We have no records . Facing almost 25 years in jail, he became an . [4] He pleaded guilty to a racketeering charge and received a suspended sentence of five years' probation from Judge Robert W. Sweet due to his cooperation with the authorities. NEW YORK -- The wife of a reputed West Side mobster and three members of his Irish gang were indicted Wednesday in the killing of a loanshark, and the Manhattan prosecutor said the gang was. As a freelance writer, he spends his time writing about true crime. . Judge Sweet said at the sentencing of Mr. Featherstone that the sentence involved an effort to balance ''a violent past, a redemptive present and an uncertain future. In 1988, because of Featherstones testimony, eight of the gangs members were ultimately convicted of racketeering and other offenses related to their participation in a RICO criminal enterprise with Coonan himself getting 75 years in prison. Morgenthau said that in November 1983 Julia Coonan visited her husband, who was named as an unindicted co-conspirator, in the Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora, N.Y., and the two hatched the plot to kill the victim. [1][2] He began spending time in saloons like Club 596 and Sunbrite that were hangouts for the Westies.[2]. Authorities said Leone was a loanshark and a bookie who created no-show jobs and took kickbacks from dockworkers on the Hudson River piers that border the Irish gang's territory in the Hell's Kitchen area of Manhattan's West Side. Yeah, Featherstone is a strange character. But the Westies now had an enemy in Featherstone. J.Coonan little girl.. not sure of the date this was posted.
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