Reputed Mob Boss’ Murder Trial Begins

Jury selection began in the murder and racketeering trial of reputed mob boss Vincent “The Chin” Gigante, who defense attorneys argue is incapacitated by mental illness. Gigante, 69, who also earned the nicknames “The Oddfather” and “The Robe” for his habit of wearing a bathrobe while wandering around his Greenwich Village neighborhood and mumbling to himself, did not appear in Brooklyn Federal Court for the start of the proceedings. The reputed head of the Genovese crime family faces a 21-count murder and racketeering indictment. His attorneys say he will appear for opening arguments, slated for Wednesday. Gigante was arrested seven years ago.