Gotti lawyers cite U.S. misbehavior

NEW YORK, May 31 (UPI) -- Defense lawyers for John "Junior" Gotti say New York prosecutors are misbehaving in their efforts to get a life conviction for the son of the late "Dapper Don."

Attorneys John Meringolo and Charles Carnesi, in court papers filed last week with U.S. District Judge Kevin Castel, accuse prosecutors of "judge shopping" and using "underhanded and life-threatening" tactics to nullify potential defense witnesses at Gotti's September trial on conspiracy charges, the New York Daily News reported Sunday.

Meringolo and Carnesi say prosecutors intentionally put Gotti's physical well-being in danger by handing out subpoenas in April 2006 to potential defense witnesses so they couldn't take the stand on his behalf, the newspaper said.

Documents indicate Gotti's attorneys also accused prosecutors of an "unparalleled" effort to orchestrate press leaks against him.

Gotti, 45, son of the late "Dapper Don" Gambino family crime boss John Gotti, is accused of conspiring to carry out three gangland slayings.