Originally Posted by Evita
Originally Posted by The Last Woltz
There's a big difference between asking someone to provide information, or maybe even open drapes, and asking someone to kill their Don.

First of all, there's a totally different skill set involved. Fredo was apparently very useful to Roth as an informant. But would you trust him to carry out a hit?

Plus, the assassin's role is pretty much a suicide assignment. If no assassins were found on the compound, it would point to a very small group of suspects (even if the killer was not caught in the act, was able to hide the gun, get back to their room, etc.). Any chance of advancement in the new Corleone Family would be ruined even if they survived. Why would they agree to do that for Roth?

Good points Woltz makes perfect sense Same as Paulie and Tessio setting up but not actually pulling the trigger

If Michael had died, would there be any Corleone Family? I reckon in the ensuing chaos the likely scenarios are with noone knowing Fredo's involvement

Tom probably would have taken off unless he felt responsible for Fredo and stayed around for awhile to help him out Futile though

Fredo might try to claim the Family as the only blood male left but can't see it happening

The most likely outcome as I see is, Neri and Rocco fighting each other for control and Roth sitting pretty to pick up the Corleone business after all the bloodshed

There is also this implausible sequence of events even superman couldn't have pulled it off!
Originally Posted by Lana
Besides wasn't enough time? after the machine gun fire when everything was galvanized into immediate action – sirens, spot lights, guards, dogs and everyone was running around all over the Tahoe compound – without being seen, among others
  • to kill the two machine guns armed assassins
  • to drag their bodies into the ditch, where they were found
  • to hide their machine guns

Coppola and Puzo too much anisette!
Sure thing “There's a big difference” in “setting up but not actually pulling the trigger”
However the fact remains there was a traitor in the family who was complicit in the murder attempt on Michael – it still “would point to a very small group of suspects” one or more, who set their Don up to be murdered

“If no assassins were found on the compound” I believe it would have worked even more in Roth's favour because of the unease of mistrust that one of their own was not just complicit but actually killed Michael and everyone watching their backs, contributing to “the ensuing chaos” and "bloodshed"

It also would eliminate the
Originally Posted by Lana
Huge and unnecessary risk, smuggling in and then hiding the two assassins who would have had to wait around until Michael entered the bedroom