S5E41 - Still Toking with George Martorano (Life without Parole)

Episode Notes S5E41 -- Join us as we dive into the mind of the longest-serving, first-time, non-violent offender in the Federal Bureau of Prisons at the time of his release George "Cowboy" Martorano.. He'll be telling us tales from his botched trial to his 32 years of a life sentence served and much much more. In 1984, on the advice of his attorney Robert Simone, Martorano pleaded guilty to 19 counts of drug possession and distribution. Martorano was subsequently advised by both the prosecution and the judge, John Berne Hannum, that this plea could result in a sentence of life without the possibility of parole. The prosecution, however, had only recommended a sentence of from 40 to 54 months. On September 20, 1984, Martorano was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, the longest prison term ever imposed on a first-time non-violent offender in American history. CHECK OUT Ben & Jeff's newest animation and past LIVE episodes at https://redcoraluniverse.com/the-misadventures-of-tobi-duke1 https://redcoraluniverse.com/en/ HELPFUL LINKS: VETERANS: https://www.va.gov/.../mental-health/suicide-prevention/ https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/ https://homebase.org/programs/get-care/ ADDICTION: https://lp.recoverycentersofamerica.com/.../continuum-of.../ https://www.refreshrecoverycenters.com/reclaim-your-life.../ https://drughelpline.org/ Due you know someone that has lost their lives due to addiction? Or even someone that has made a full recovery? Reach out to Johnny Whitaker so they can help to celebrate the lives lost/ lives recovered at [email protected] NEWS FLASH: You can now purchase Toking with the Dead full novel here https://a.co/d/7uypgZo https://www.barnesandnoble.com/.../toking.../1143414656... OR Show your support by purchasing FB stars. Send stars to the stars fb.com/stars Follow our guest https://vimeo.com/ondemand/lwp https://thegrowfather.com/ https://www.facebook.com/thegrowfather/ https://www.instagram.com/the.grow.father/?hl=en https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Martorano https://www.facebook.com/GeorgeMartorano/ https://www.instagram.com/therealgrowfather/?hl=en https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-martorano-905579157 Toking with the Dead: https://www.stilltoking.com/ https://www.facebook.com/TokingwiththeDead?tn=-]C-R https://www.instagram.com/stilltokingwith/?hl=en https://twitter.com/thetoking?lang=en https://pinecast.com/feed/still-toking-with Check out Toking with the Dead Episode 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awhL5FyW_j4 Check out Toking with the Dead Episode 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaUai58ua6o Buy awesome Merchandise! https://www.stilltoking.com/toking-with-the-dead-train https://teespring.com/stores/still-toking-with Our booking agent: https://www.facebook.com/AmyMakepeace https://www.facebook.com/groups/3770117099673924 Sponsorship Opportunities: https://www.stilltoking.com/become-a-sponsor or email us at [email protected] [email protected] ————————————— Follow Still Toking With and their friends! https://smartpa.ge/5zv1 https://thedorkeningpodcastnetwork.com/ ————————————— Produced by Leo Pond and The Dorkening Podcast Network https://TheDorkening.com Facebook.com/TheDorkening Youtube.com/TheDorkening Twitter.com/TheDorkening MORE ABOUT THE GUEST: Martorano's father was reputed mobster Raymond "Long John" Martorano. Louis Pichini, a prosecutor with the U.S. Organized Crime Task Force, pressured George Martorano for information on the Philadelphia Mafia. But Martorano has always denied having any detailed knowledge of his father's business dealings. Judge Hannum's excessive sentence was a part of this pressure. Prior to Martorano's sentencing, his trial counsel, Robert Simone, was indicted on tax evasion charges. Again, before sentence was imposed in the Martorano case, Judge Hannum testified as a character witness for Simone. An article appeared in the Philadelphia Daily News criticizing the judge and called his testimony "highly unusual". Martorano stated in subsequent appeals that Judge Hannum should have recused himself from his case prior to imposing sentence. Martorano holds the title of longest-serving, first-time, non-violent offender in federal custody.[1] He claims the sentencing judge gave the unprecedented term to pressure him to inform on his father and other mob bosses.[4] Martorano distinguished himself during his time in federal prison. In addition to being a "model" prisoner, Martorano: prevented the hijacking of an aircraft by prisoners while in transit from Philadelphia to Oklahoma following the loss of his 33rd appeal. This incident has been documented by the FBI and Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP) and was called "extraordinary" by D.C. DeCamilla, SIS lieutenant Find out more at https://still-toking-with.pinecast.co Send us your feedback online: https://pinecast.com/feedback/still-toking-with/2c7f34ec-200f-4f39-88d1-1ebf9d3e625a