New York Gangs Murder Trust and Michael Malloy Part 2

About the New York gang in the 1930s known as Murder Trust and Michael Malloy, survivor of over 30 murder attempts.

THE KILLING OF MICHAEL MALLOY

By early January of 1933, these riches had long since been dissipated, and Marino and his friends were in dire straits, once more desperately in need of cash. One evening, seated about a table behind the beaded curtain that separated the proprietor's back room from his bar, the five friends were discussing their immediate futures. The outlook was bleak. Not one of them had a creative idea. Then one of them remembered an old idea.

According to courtroom testimony months after, Marino had complained, "Business is bad."

Pasqua, the undertaker, staring out at the bar and the shabby figure of Michael Malloy trying to wheedle a drink, had said, "Why don't you take out insurance on Malloy? I'll do the rest."

With that brilliant inspiration, the Murder Trust was once more a going concern.

Malloy's whole life had brought him to this moment of truth. He was the perfect victim--a mindless, helpless, falling-down drunk when lubricated--with his own frantic need for an oasis and patrons.

First, for the Murder Trust, there was a formality. The members had to take out a life insurance policy or policies on Michael Malloy. On the face of it, this was not a simple matter. Normally, people were not insured without their knowledge. Exact details of how the policies were obtained never came to light. No doubt a cooperative insurance agent, one who did not ask questions and sought an easy commission, was found. Not one life insurance policy but three were taken out on Michael Malloy--actually on Nicholas Mallory--whose age was shaved from 60 to 45 to keep the premiums low. He was identified as a relative, bartender Joseph Murphy's brother. One $800 policy was obtained from the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. Two separate $494 policies were obtained from the Prudential Life Insurance Company. A double-indemnity clause was included. The $1,788 of insurance on Malloy would be worth $3,576 if the insured should die by accident.

The designated beneficiary of the policies was Anthony Marino. His four colleagues were to receive their portion of the take later.

The first day that the insurance policies were safely in pocket, the killing of Michael Malloy got under way. The only minor problem was the possibility that Malloy might become suspicious. Until now, at least in recent weeks, Malloy had been treated as a leper in Marino's. Suddenly, he must be made welcome and plied with free drinks. Fortunately, there was a price war among the speakeasies in the Bronx, and Marino quickly made use of the fact. When Michael Malloy weaved into Marino's, the proprietor greeted him warmly, announcing that due to competition he was relaxing his credit restrictions and that Malloy, like all regulars, could take advantage of this. Malloy's watery eyes shone. Unbelievable good news. He clung to the bar like adhesive. He began to down shots of whiskey nonstop.

Initially Marino and company had theorized that Malloy was so weakened and debilitated by years of drinking, was in such bad shape, that an excessive amount of whiskey consumed in a short time would swiftly destroy him. Every day, for a week, Malloy drank like a fish from noon to night, then staggered out into the dark, while the Trust waited for news of his death. Instead, each new day, Malloy appeared in Marino's refreshed and ready for more.

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