NEW YORK, Sept. 30 -- Instead of escorting guests down the aisle at his good friend's wedding a 22-year-old junior mobster has found himself being escorted off to jail, charged with doing the 'until death do we part' bit on the groom's brother. The New York Daily News says Colombo mob associate Jonathan Pappa of Staten Island was arrested as he entered a church to practice being an usher at Salvatore Sparacino's wedding rehearsal last Friday.
Police charged him with the brutal 1994 killing of Sparacino's 24-year-old brother, John. According to the News, Pappa and several cohorts unsuccessfully tried to kill the victim three times before they finally managed to whack him on Aug. 15, 1994. Police say John Sparacino survived a stabbing and two shootings at the hands of the bumbling 'goodfellas' before Pappa and his pals shot him in the head, then mutilated and gutted him and set his body on fire. Pappa and his friends were reportedly furious with Sparacino, because he fled the scene of a planned murder, leaving Pappa holding the bag. Prosecutors say Pappa also wanted to kill Sparacino to enhance his reputation and position within the Colombo family. He faces life without parole if convicted. Pappa is the son of slain Genovese mobster Gerard Pappa, who was reportedly shot after taking part in a slaying that was not sanctioned by mob superiors. Reputed Genovese boss Vincent (the Chin) Gigante was recently acquitted of charges that he ordered the older Pappa's murder. ---
Copyright 1997 by United Press International. All rights reserved. ---
