Law and morality might be an odd thing to discuss when referring to the Corleone Family.

While Vito's death was unexpected, the fact remains that the murders occurred afterwards, therefore he did not break the peace.

Good point that Michael may not have waited had Vito lived for another 5 years....but also may not have made the first move toward breaking the peace (which was all Vito had promised).

In their last talk, Vito advised Michael of the meeting that would be planned to set up his assassination, and that whoever approached him about it was the traitor. It just so happened that Tessio approached Michael after Vito's 'unexpected' death (and before Vito was even in his grave, for that matter).

Surely, you don't contend that Barzini & Tessio were going to wait until Vito died before eliminating Michael...and therefore breaking the peace initiated by his father. Are you saying that had Vito lived to be 90 then everyone would've left Michael alone, content with the prosperity brought on by the narcotics agreement?

Or in the interest of 'law and morality' should Vito have stood by and awaited the almost certain murder of another son without implementing any plan based upon his own knowledge and experience?

Apple