Two Men Found Guilty Over Fatal Shooting of Jeweler
December 26, 22
(IDEX Online) - Two men indicted for the fatal armed robbery of a US jeweler have been found guilty by a federal court.
Mark Vuono was shot dead in what police in Stamford, Connecticut, described as a "cold blooded murder".
He was found lying in front of his open safe with a head wound at Marco Jewelers after a customer called police, in March 2020. Three men were arrested two days later after a car chase.
Police found 63 rings, eight bracelets, two tie pins, an earring, and a cufflink inside one of the defendant's BMW, and other jewelry items - all from Mr Vuono's store - at his home.
A jury found Thomas Liberatore, 65, of White Plains, New York, and Paul Prosano, also known as "Tony Pro," 62, of Brooklyn, guilty of interference with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act robbery), an offense that carries a maximum term imprisonment of 20 years, and with interstate transportation of stolen property, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.
Liberatore was also found guilty of aiding and abetting the use of a firearm to cause a death during a robbery, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of life. Sentencing dates are not scheduled.
A third man, Rovert Rallo, 59, of New York, pleaded guilty in April to one count of Hobbs Act robbery, one count of interstate transportation of stolen property, and one count of using a firearm to cause a death during a robbery.
"This was a cold blooded murder that shocked the Stamford community, and it is our hope that these final convictions offer some closure to Mr. Vuono's family and those who loved and knew him," said a statement signed by Assistant Chief Richard Conklin.
Pic courtesy of Marco Jewelers' Facebook