Joseph Joe the Nodder Sodano was found dead on December 7, 1996, inside his SUV in Newark, New Jersey. Reports describe him as a White male and a reputed captain in the Philadelphia–South Jersey mafia; he had been shot twice while inside his vehicle.

Authorities linked the killing to a power struggle within the organized crime network and alleged the order came from Joseph Skinny Joey Merlino, reportedly over money and questions about Sodano’s loyalty. Two men, Philip Casale and Peter Pete the Crumb Caprio, were identified as the alleged shooters; Casale was reported to have taken Sodano’s jewelry and $12,000 from his wallet immediately after the shooting.

Merlino was tried in 2001 and convicted on racketeering charges, but the jury did not convict him of the murder at that time. A federal appeals court later found the murder verdict was not unanimous, creating a possibility of retrial. Peter Caprio cooperated with authorities and testified about the events surrounding Sodano’s death.

Does anyone have additional details about Sodano’s activities in North Jersey or about witnesses from the Newark scene?