The era you speak of in regards to LaPietra was terrifying. Everyone on the streets was extremely scared of him. When I have spoken to guys who knew him personally they refer to him as simply the Devil in regards to how he handled his career in the Outfit. If he wanted someone eliminated murder was the only option. A true killing machine and there is a reason he was EXTREMELY feared. You fuck with him enough well you get your head blown off thats just how it was. Along with other body parts with numerous murder weapons of his choosing.
And no there was no "Oh he will never get to me, I can hide out." It was an automatic death sentence if he decided he wanted you gone and he would find you no matter where you were. LaPietra had enough cops and detectives along with judges on his payroll on top of soldiers that you were not going to be able to save yourself. Plus if you didn't do what he wanted he would just end up killing you also so orders were always followed. LaPietra didn't fuck around, a true professional in the realm of killing and a true old school mob guy in every sense of the word.
Many times it was not a quick death either which made it even more sadistic. Torture was something he took pride in. It also is fair to say at the height of his power he was in fact underboss of the entire Outfit and only reported to one guy which was Aiuppa. They were extremely close.
All of the real situations, myths and legends that you mentioned about LaPietra are still present on the streets, but he was never an underboss, meaning he was way less powerful than Cerone who in turn was directly involved in many murders, including the infamous Action Jackson torture. The Cerones were with the Outfit since the early 1930s and were involved in many bloody conflicts. On top of that Cerone was former acting boss before becoming Aiuppas number two guy.
