The mob-linked ex-con who allegedly sliced up celebrity pizza twirler Mark Iacono was arraigned today in Brooklyn Criminal Court on attempted-murder charges.
Benny Geritano — who has been connected to the Genovese family — was slapped with $250,000 bail by Judge Rachel Adams after prosecutors argued that Geritano was “a violent predator” and the aggressor in the scuffle, which left Iacono with “far worse injuries.”
But Geritano’s lawyer, Steven Kartagener, argued that Iacono was the first to strike in what he described as a “personal” disagreement between the pair — and that his client “suffered the first wound and acted in self-defense.”
To emphasize that point, Geritano lifted up his shirt in court to expose his bare chest, which had numerous bandages.
“There is no question that Mr. Geritano has a lengthy criminal record, but even a convicted felon has the right to self-defense,” Kartagener said.
Meanwhile, Iacono was charged with felony assault today for allegedly cutting Geritano, too, during the bloody scuffle Friday on Smith Street in Carroll Gardens.