US is pinning high hopes in L.A. trial to crack mob

Federal prosecutors, hoping the testimony of a hit man-turned-informer will destroy organized crime in California, prepared to resume proceedings in the trial of three reputed mb leaders. Prosecutors say the trial is the most important racketeering case in state history and that Aledena Fratianno is the most important witness ever in the government's fight against the mob in southern California. Fratiann has already helped send more than a dozen racketeers to prison thrugh previous testimony in trials in New York, Cleveland, and San Francisco. Protected under the Federal Witness Protection Program, he is an admitted killer, gambler, extortionist, and loan shark.