I dont think he was a dry snitch. There was an indictment and they thought he may have been an informant. When they found out he wasnt, Joe Perna started having guys follow him anyway( thats what Pennisi says). Why did Perna have someone follow him? May have been alleged that Pennisi made comments about Perna’s wife going to bars with Merlino’s wife. Also, i think his girlfriend had a lot to do with it. Supposedly Castelle( big Johns brother ) started seeing her. Pennisi went bolistic and smacked her in the face. Because he beat her, maybe Big John wanted him dead or beat up?