These are consolidated appeals from convictions on jury verdicts rendered after 58 days of trial. The defendants, Jason Angiulo, William Kazonis, and John Cincotti, were connected with the Patriarca Family of La Cosa Nostra, which has developed a reputation in United States law enforcement circles for highly organized criminal activities. Defendant Angiulo was convicted of participating in illegal gambling (18 U.S.C. § 1955); Kazonis was convicted of conspiring to obstruct and obstructing justice (18 U.S.C. §§ 371, 1503); and Cincotti was convicted of conspiring to participate and participating in an enterprise through a patter of racketeering or collection of an unlawful debt (18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) and (c), respectively) and participating in an illegal gambling business (18 U.S.C. § 1955). We briefly describe the essential facts pertaining to these convictions and then discuss the issues raised by defendants on appeal.
