'Bandit' that inspired the movie Goodfellas freed

Vincent Asaro is charged with robbery in 1978 that inspired the movie 'Goodfellas'.

Legendary bandit Vincent Asaro, 80, was acquitted of the robbery that occurred in 1978 that inspired the movie Goodfellas.



Asaro was acquitted of murder, extortion and other crimes after undergoing trial for three weeks.

His arrest last year had raised hopes that the crime in the United States - which could be the largest in its time - it will be revealed.

The robbery made a loss of US $ 5 million in cash and US $ 1 million in the form of jewelry, occurred in Lufthansa cargo building at the airport John F. Kennedy, in 1978.

Prosecutors allege Asaro wait in the car a mile away, along with other criminals Jimmy Burke, who inspired the character played by Robert De Niro in the film by director Martin Scorsese it.

This robbery remain mysterious, can only be told through fiction in the movie Goodfellas. AP

Jimmy Burke died in 1996 while serving a prison sentence of 20 years for murder and drug trafficking.

He was never tried for charges of robbery at the Lufthansa cargo building.

The prosecutor's office declined to comment on the verdict against this Asaro.

They rely on the evidence of nephew Asaro, Gaspare Valenti but lawyers trying to destroy the credibility of the testimony, stating he was a liar.

After the verdict, Asaro itself out of the courthouse, shouting, "free!".

(Source: bbcindonesia)