A judge told two decorated former detectives yesterday that they will get the maximum - life in prison - for moonlighting as hitmen for the mob.
United States District Judge Jack B Weinstein said he would not formally impose the sentence on Louis Eppolito and Stephen Caracappa until at least June 23.
At that time, the defendants will argue they were not adequately represented by their lawyers at their trial.
The two former partners were convicted in April of participating in eight killings between 1986 and 1990 while simultaneously on the payroll of the New York Police Department and the Luchese crime family.
Prosecutors said the detectives committed some of the murders themselves and delivered other victims to the Mafia.
Eppolito (57) and Caracappa (64) received the equivalent of £2,130 a month from Luchese underboss Anthony "Gaspipe" Casso. They earned £34,700 for one killing.
