5 GUILTY IN ST. LOUIS GANGLAND FEUD
United Press International.
April 3, 1985
Underworld figure Paul Leisure and four of his associates were
found guilty Tuesday of participating in a three-year gangland feud that
left three dead and three injured. The jury had deliberated 12 days
before reaching the verdicts Tuesday afternoon.
The five were prosecuted under federal racketeering statutes
because the violence was said to have started over a struggle for control of area Laborers
union locals, and then escalated to retaliatory attacks between the Leisure and Michaels
families.
Paul Leisure, 40, was found guilty of two counts of federal
racketeering, and of obstruction of justice in ordering the murder of
gang member Michael Kornhardt. He also was convicted of making a bomb used to kill rival
gang leader Jimmy Michaels Sr.
Paul`s brother, Anthony Leisure, 38, was found guilty of the
federal racketeering charges. The jury was unable to reach a verdict on two other counts
charging him with aiding in the Kornhardt and Michaels murders.
The Leisures` cousin, David Leisure, 35, was found guilty of the
racketeering charges and of obstructing justice in Kornhardt`s murder. He also was
convicted of possessing the bomb used to kill Michaels.
Charles M. Loewe, 36, was found guilty of
racketeering. He was found innocent of aiding in the Kornhardt murder.
Steven T. Wougamon, 27, was found guilty of the racketeering
charges and obstruction of justice in intimidating a government witness.
The jury was unable to reach a verdict on any of
the three counts against a sixth gang member, Robert M. Carbaugh, 34.
The men face maximum prison terms ranging from 45
to 65 years. All except Carbaugh also face state murder charges, which could result in the
death penalty.
Copyright 1998, The Tribune Company.