Patrick Penny was 21 when he was killed in Brooklyn on May 12, 1980, after witnessing a violent mob crime. That involvement reportedly marked Penny for death.

Detectives warned Penny his life was in danger and urged him to leave town, but he stayed in Brooklyn. The DeMeo crew allegedly assigned Vito Arena and Richie DiNome to find him, and Roy DeMeo reportedly shot Penny multiple times so he could not testify. Investigation of the murder was impeded by the crew’s intimidation, though later informant cooperation is said to have produced indictments connected to this and other killings.

If anyone knew Patrick or remembers the events in Brooklyn that spring, please share information that might clarify what happened.