In my opinion it was an idiotic move from the "headlines" point of view when he framed Tameleo, Limone and others when he could have testified that Patriarca sanctioned the hit, which was true. He wouldn't even have had to lie on the stand. Putting Patriarca (boss) in jail for life would have made bigger headlines than putting Tameleo (underboss) in jail.
What a stupid irony by the way, Tameleo would have died in jail anyway if he got what he deserved for the Marfeo/Melei hit. Instead, he got only 3 or 5 years for what he really did and a life sentence for what he didn't do.

Willie Marfeo to Henry Tameleo:

1) "You people want a loaf of bread and you throw the crumbs back. Well, fuck you. I ain't closing down."

2) "Get out of here, old man. Go tell Raymond to go shit in his hat. We're not giving you anything."