3 mistrials later, Gotti charges dropped

NEW YORK, Oct. 21 (UPI) -- After three trials ended with juries unable to agree on verdicts, New York prosecutors have decided to drop attempted murder charges against John Gotti Jr.

His alleged target, radio host Curtis Sliwa, who became known originally as the founder of the Guardian Angels, plans to file a civil suit, the New York Daily News reported.

"I feel as disappointed as a Mets fan today," Sliwa said. "I would have hoped they would have prosecuted him four or five times. But I understand they have to deal with legal technicalities."

Prosecutors charged that the younger Gotti tried to kill Sliwa in 1992 in revenge for his broadcast attacks on his father, the "Dapper Don," who died in prison. The elder Gotti headed the Gambino crime family.

The younger Gotti claims he is no longer in the mob and has said he would like to move out west, possibly writing a book or going back to school to study child psychology. He remains on supervised release following a 1998 federal conviction but -- for the first time in years -- has no pending charges against him.