Alleged Mobster's Son Loses Bail Bid Guerino Marconi Was Slain Saturday. His Son, Jailed For Assault, Sought To Attend The Funeral.

April 16, 1999|By Linda Loyd, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER


Gino Marconi Jr. will not be getting out of jail to attend his father's funeral today.

Instead, a judge ruled the imprisoned son of a murdered mob associate, Guerino ``Gino'' Marconi, could attend a private viewing last night for his father, escorted by Philadelphia sheriff's deputies.

The ruling was a victory for prosecutors, who strongly opposed bail, arguing there was ``overwhelming evidence'' the younger Marconi, 20, posed a danger to the young man he stabbed last April, was a risk to flee, and might seek retribution against his father's killer.



Marconi Jr., who has been in prison since he was convicted Feb. 8 of stabbing a South Philadelphia man eight times, asked Common Pleas Court Judge D. Webster Keogh to free him on bail until his sentencing later this month. His attorney, Michael Wallace, made the bail request Wednesday to get the son to his father's Funeral Mass.

``We worked out an arrangement,'' Wallace said yesterday. ``I think the Marconi family is satisfied. They have some of the same concerns the D.A.'s office has, and I have, [for Marconi's safety].''

Gino Marconi, 42, was shot in the head last Saturday night in South Philadelphia in what investigators said was an organized-crime-style hit.

His companion, Patricia Miley, 31, was shot three times in the chest and was discharged yesterday from Jefferson University Hospital. The two were gunned down by a man who confronted them outside Marconi's home in the 2400 block of South 20th Street and opened fire with a .22-caliber rifle. The gunman then torched a van parked in front of the home, setting several other cars on fire.

Marconi has been identified as a low-level player in the Philadelphia mob and an associate of Joseph ``Skinny Joey'' Merlino, reputed area mob kingpin.

Yesterday, Deputy District Attorney Charles F. Gallagher 3d met privately with Judge Keogh and attorney Wallace to present confidential information about the murder investigation. Prosecutors said the younger Marconi could be in danger of being killed himself if released, or he might try to seek revenge against the person he believes killed his father. Police said the investigation is continuing. No suspects have been named.

``He might take the law into his own hands if he's given bail,'' Assistant District Attorney Jerry Teresinski told the judge