The 29-page questionnaire responses handed back from potential jurors for the John Gotti Jr. trial proved one of two things—that New Yorkers are still terrified at the idea of having a mob hit put on them or that people will go to great lengths and have no restraints to their salty humor in attempting to get out of jury duty. The News collected some of the more choice quotes from those who don't want to get stuck on the federal prosecution case of Gotti Jr. on for years of Gambino-related criminal activity, including three gangland murders. Jurors who were asked their familiarity with Gotti said things like "his fat family members are murders (sic)," "people involved with John Gotti have mysteriously 'disappeared'," and even "my brother-in-law chose to 'turn states evidence' against (the elder) Gotti and is currently in witness protection." The best line came from a juror who told the courts that a long trial would be difficult since they suffer from hepatitis C and couldn't deal with the fact that "Gotti has blood on his hands." more ›

Despite his claim that he had kidney stones that were more painful than going into labor, John Gotti Jr. was denied bail yesterday as he awaits his racketeering trial to start this September. A judge in Manhattan federal court yesterday said that there was no amount he could set bail at that "can reasonably assure the presence of the defendant and the safety of persons in the community." The Daily News said that Gotti showed up in court "in greenish prison garb that resembled hospital scrubs" and the paper agreed with Junior's claim that stones were more painful than childbirth. Also taking Gotti's side was arch-nemesis Curtis Sliwa, who nonetheless seemed to take glee in knowing how much pain the mob boss was in. Sliwa said, "I'm hoping they come at a prolific rate ... He can't have enough pain." Gotti's lawyer said that they do not plan to appeal the bail denial and that he believes his client has now fully passed the stones while he's been behind bars. more ›

Two nightclub bigshots have settled their lawsuit over their failed partnership opening a location of the legendary Laugh Factory inside Times Square's once X-rated Show World building. In the suit, Laugh Factory owner Jamie Masada (pictured) had claimed that Show World head Richard Basciano was hiding millions from him, threatened him with a gun and told him that "somebody could be killed if a certain comic was booked again. Basciano, an associate of the Gambino and Bonnano crime families, told the News that he was regretful for the "misunderstandings." Masada said, "We are pleased we were able to reach an amicable settlement" and that he "wishes Mr. Basciano all the best in his future endeavors." There was no word still on which comic could have really ended up killing if they had come back to the Big Apple—any hopes as to who it might be? more ›

Guardian Angels founder and NY1 personality Curtis Sliwa claims that Junior Gotti threatened to kill him while the two were in Manhattan federal court yesterday. Right as Gotti's pre-trial hearing for racketeering conspiracy was breaking, Sliwa claims Gotti turned to the radio host who was in attendance and said, "You're going down." Sliwa shot back, "F*ck you!" But Gotti's lawyer told reporters that his client was saying, "He's going down" to a nearby friend that he was meeting downstairs. Capice? Sliwa may have been a little on edge (even for him) as he mentioned that Friday is the anniversary of the 1992 incident where he was shot twice and kidnapped, only to escape out of a speeding cab. He thinks it was set up by Gotti due to Sliwa's AM onslaughts against the Gambino crime family. Gotti might really be smirking widely now since a judge told prosecutors they need to present some new evidence to dispute Gotti's claim that he gave up a life of crime in 1999. more ›