Find Me Guilty

Infobox Film
name = Find Me Guilty


caption = Theatrical release poster
director = Sidney Lumet
producer = Johnny Sanchez
writer = Sidney Lumet
T.J. Mancini
starring = Vin Diesel
Peter Dinklage
Richard Portnow
Alex Rocco
music = Jonathan Tunick
cinematography = Ron Fortunato
editing = Tom Swartwout
distributor = Yari Film Group
released = March 17, 2006
runtime = 125 min.
country = FilmUS
language = English
budget = $13 million
gross = $1,173,673
website = http://www.findmeguilty.com/
imdb_id = 0419749

"Find Me Guilty" is a 2006 comedy-drama based on the longest Mafia trial in American history. Mobster Giacomo "Jackie" DiNorscio (played by Vin Diesel) faces a series of charges even though he has a prior 30 year conviction, but he decides to stand trial instead of ratting out his family and associates. A wrench is thrown into the system when DiNorscio attempts to defend himself and act as his own lawyer at trial. It was directed by Sidney Lumet, and also stars Peter Dinklage and Linus Roache.

Cast

*Vin Diesel as Jackie DiNorscio
*Peter Dinklage as Ben Klandis
*Richard Portnow as Max Novardis
*Alex Rocco as Nick Calabrese
*Linus Roache as Sean Kierney
*Ron Silver as Judge Finestein

Trivia

* Joe Pesci was originally courted for the role of Jack DiNorscio.
* Giacomo DiNorscio died on November 14, 2004, during the film's production.
* During production, one of the working titles of the film was "Jackie Dee".
* T.J. Mancini obtained official transcripts from the actual trial and used them for the court-room scenes.
* Vin Diesel gained over 30 pounds for his role and spent two hours a day in makeup to resemble DiNorscio.

Box office

The movie had very poor box office performance; on its first weekend, it grossed only $608,804 (439 theaters, averaging $1,386 per theater). It grossed $1,173,643 in the domestic market, and $1,457,700 overseas, for a total of $2,631,343. The film's budget was 13 million dollars, and it was considered a box office bomb, despite gaining critical acclaim.

Actual events

In August 1985, authorities in New Jersey indicted Anthony Accetturo, Martin and Michael Taccetta, and eighteen of the men who ran the New Jersey faction of the New York based Lucchese crime family. It was the first time in New Jersey history that an entire organized crime family had been indicted in one prosecution. However, this crime family proved to be only a faction of the Lucchese crime family, only operating in New Jersey. But due to the crew's membership and 20 defendants, US law enforcement recognized the crew as its own crime family.

The case went to trial in November 1986, based on a 65-page indictment. It started in March 1987 at the federal courthouse in Newark. It ended on August 26, 1988. The U.S. Clerk’s Office in Newark confirmed that officially "The United States v. Anthony Accetturo et al" was the longest criminal case on record in the federal courts of the nation.

The jury found a verdict of not guilty in favor of all the defendants. The trial followed a ten year investigation and generated 240 volumes and 850 exhibits of evidence. It cost taxpayers millions of dollars, and was the result of a 76 count RICO indictment, yet it became the longest in history--and worse, it failed.

References

ee also

The Jersey Crew

External links

* [http://www.findmeguilty.com/ Official site]
*