Judge orders Gotti trial moved to New York

TAMPA -- A federal judge today granted a defense motion to move the racketeering and murder trial for John Gotti Jr. from Tampa to New York.

Defense attorney Charles Carnesi had argued that Gotti stood a better chance of receiving a fair trial if the case was moved to New York, where the crimes charged in a federal indictment against Gotti took place.

Prosecutors argued against the venue change, saying that Gotti actively tried to expand the reach of the Gambino crime family into the Tampa Bay region through valet parking and other businesses.

Kevin Graham, Times Staff Writer

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