Antonio Paretti

Who is Antonio Paretti?

Antonio Paretti, also known as Anthony Paretti or Tony the Shoemaker, was a Camorra gangster. He was a member of the Brooklyn based Navy Street gang in New York City.

He received a death sentence for his part in the killing of Nicholas Morello and Charles Ubriaco on September 7, 1916, during the Mafia–Camorra War. Paretti originally fled to Italy to escape capture, while his brother Aniello Paretti was imprisoned charged with another murder. He was also involved in the murder of Joe Nazzaro.

He returned to New York in March 1926, thinking that most of the witnesses against him would no longer be there. Nevertheless, Paretti was convicted for first degree murder, despite witnesses who "suddenly developed a surprising lack of memory" - replying "I cannot remember" to all questions asked of them.

Leading to his execution security in Sing Sing prison was enhanced from 16 hours a day to 24 hours a day. He was pressuring politicians to deny the death penalty but this was not granted. He was electrocuted on February 17, 1927, at the age of 35. One of his last visitors was future Mafia boss, Vito Genovese, and his brother Aniello who had spent 8 months on death row himself before being released.