Castellano certainly wouldn't have believed that his days were numbered, even if they were. I'm sure his lawyers told him he could beat the Commission rap because RICO hadn't been tested on that scale previously. Ironically, one of the reasons that most of the other families didn't object to his assassination was that they feared he'd turn rat rather than go to prison and be away from Gloria Olarte, his beloved Colombian housekeeper.
With Neil Dellacroce, Gotti's protector, dead, Gotti's crew about to be disbanded, and Tommy Bilotti named underboss, Gotti had good reason to think that his days on the street were numbered. It was kill or be killed.
As usual I agree with you Turnbull. Some in his own family thought there was a chance he would flip and there was no way he was beating that case. Many thought they had a shot vs. RICO but the government proved otherwise.
Big Paul had a lot to lose, he was used to the millionaire lifestyle and didn't want to give it up that easily. I think it was very possible he flips after the verdicts were read if he was still alive.
