Known as "The Clutching Hand" because of gnarled fingers on his
paralyzed right mitt, Giuseppe Piraino was most likely a victim of the
Castellemmarese War. Piraino came to America around 1911 after escaping
from a prison in Palermo where he was sentenced to 25 years for an
undisclosed offense.
Piraino lived in the Red Hook section of
Brooklyn and by 1930 he was said to have been in charge of the Bay Ridge
area's wholesale liquor traffic. A trade he inherited from Frankie Uale
after the latter's death. Although they didn't say how they knew, the
New York daily's said that Piraino was attending a gathering of
bootleggers just prior to his death 84-years ago today. When the meeting
broke up "The Clutching Hand" was walking down the south side of
Sackett Street in Brooklyn, sporting a $2000 diamond stickpin and $1000
diamond pinky ring. As he crossed the street and approached no. 151
numerous shots rang out. Three bullets pierced his heart, two more
slammed into his chest and a fifth and final came to rest in his thigh.
For more on Piraino check out Gangster City
"He must have done something. They don't kill you for nothing." - Chicago Gangster Ted Newberry. Rubbed out January 7, 1933
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