BOSTON (AP/WHDH) – Two government witnesses in the trial of former New England Mafia boss Francis “Cadillac Frank” Salemme will be disguised by a “movie-industry” quality makeup artist to protect their identities.
Judge Allison Burroughs agreed to the plan Wednesday to protect the identities of two inspectors for the federal Witness Security Program.
The U.S. Marshals Service had urged the judge to keep the public out of the courtroom while they’re on the stand and broadcast their testimony into another room.
7News legal analyst Tom Hoopes said he has never heard of movie-industry makeup being used to conceal a witness. However, he said it is preferable to a screen because the jury should still be able to see the person testifying.
“It’s a little spooky, maybe, or distressful when they’re testifying under a screen. Here, maybe they look a little different but we sitll feel like we’re seeing them, getting to watch their body movements, getting to watch their facial movements, even though it’s a different face,” said Hoopes.
Salemme is on trial for the 1993 death of a nightclub owner Steven DiSarro. Salemme denies involvement in the killing.
Salemme was in the witness protection program when DiSarro’s body was found in 2016 in Providence, Rhode Island.
Testimony in the trial is expected to resume Tuesday.
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