Jury Recommends Life In Prison For "Little Tony" Ferrari
FORT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami/AP) — It took two days for a jury to decide that Anthony "Little Tony" Ferrari was guilty of murder, but it took them only one hour to decide to spare his life.
The Broward County jury reached the recommendation of life in prison, over the death sentence, early Tuesday evening after a full day of testimony.
The sentencing recommendation by the 12 jurors, who deliberated about an hour Tuesday night after an all-day hearing, is not binding on Circuit Judge Ilona Holmes, who will impose a final sentence Thursday or Friday.
The law requires Holmes to strongly consider the jury's advice, and it seemed clear she would.
"There's only one sentence I can impose," Holmes said.
A family friend of Gus Boulis' said that the family has gained a measure of justice for Boulis.
"He can rest in peace," the unidentified woman said. "His kids miss him as well. They don't grow up to see their father. That's a big tragedy."
Ferrari was convicted in October of orchestrating the murder of Gus Boulis. The Miami Subs founder and self-made millionaire was gunned down in his car on a Ft. Lauderdale street twelve years ago. At the time he was locked in a battle over control of his Sun Cruz Casino Gambling fleet.
The jury decided on life in prison without the possibility of parole, after hearing from Ferrari's children.
His namesake Anthony Ferrari, Junior testified that he loves his father.
"What does he call you," asked his attorney.
"Snuggle bear" the 8-year-old replied.
Ferrari's 13-year-old daughter said she regularly speaks to her father at the jail where he's being held.
"I love him very much," she said explaining that Ferrari has helped her navigate the teenage years with a word of warning to not get into too much trouble.
During closing arguments in the penalty phase, prosecutor Brian Cavanagh told jurors that Ferrari cared more about making money from Sun Cruz Casinos than about Boulis' life.
Ferrari's lawyer, Christopher Grillo, countered that Ferrari did not fire the fatal shot and that another man directed the hit on Boulis.
Ferrari's accused accomplice, Anthony Moscatiello will be tried at a later date.
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