The trials of Billy Rinick

The defendant is accused of gunning down his associate in South Philly two years ago. A jury heard details of the slaying from a man at the scene.

To hear Michael "FX" Focoso testify about his exploits with former neighborhood pal Billy Rinick, you’d think these guys were 10, not 23 and 31, respectively. Among the activities: plotting to egg a friend’s car, hanging out at Cross Street Deli and cruising in an array of cars.

Focoso, the prosecution’s star witness in Rinick’s homicide trial for the 2001 gangland-style slaying of Adam Finelli, aka Adam Silver, 25, spilled the details all day Tuesday. Authorities say Rinick killed Finelli in order to steal $86,000 that the victim intended to use to purchase Rinick’s home at 1613 S. Camac St. Finelli owned Nick’s Charcoal Pit at 1242 Snyder Ave. and his family owns a textile business — Albert Zoll Inc. at 744 S. Fourth St.

Police say Finelli was a known Rinick associate who was being investigated for distribution of drugs, including cocaine, ecstasy and marijuana.

Rinick’s jury trial in Common Pleas Court began Friday. Deputy State Attorney General John Flannery is lead prosecutor, along with Assistant District Attorney Edward Cameron. Paul George and Patricia McKinney are representing Rinick.

Testimony will continue today and tomorrow with jailed mob boss Joey Merlino’s wife, Deborah, expected to take the stand, along with possibly the accused himself.

Like his former pal Rinick — who made headlines after feds found him in his skivvies, hiding under a bed in the Merlino home during a Dec. 7, 2001 drug raid — Focoso is incarcerated in a federal detention center on drug charges. Earlier this year, Focoso decided to cooperate with the government and testify against his onetime associate.

The star witness testified that Rinick pulled the trigger of a Ruger 9mm and pumped about four slugs into the back of Finelli’s head as the three sat inside the victim’s white Cadillac Escalade on the 1700 block of Jackson Street on Oct. 31, 2001.

"I heard several shots clear as day. I felt numb. I didn’t know what was happening — who was shot or what," Focoso said.

With Finelli slumped over the driver-side window of his SUV, Rinick allegedly laughed and said to Focoso, "Let’s go, bo. He’s not driving no more."

Focoso testified that Rinick dumped the gun under the tire of a car on the 2000 block of South Colorado Street, after which the two headed back to Focoso’s place to change clothes — which Rinick later torched along an old dirt road in Southwest Philly. Focoso also testified that Rinick dumped the gun off the Walnut Street Bridge.

"That’s it, bo. We’re home free. I never gotta worry about that gun again," the defendant allegedly told Focoso.

Yesterday morning, Finelli’s sister, Stacy Silver — who described her brother as her "best friend" — took the stand. After a grueling cross-examination by McKinney, she collapsed into a sobbing heap in the arms of her mother. Other family members and friends gathered around to comfort her as they exited the courtroom.

Under cross-exam, Silver had difficulty remembering her previous grand jury testimony as well as information she told investigators about her brother’s extravagant lifestyle and friends.

Silver testified yesterday that her brother always wore a gold necklace with a platinum cross encrusted with 7 carats of diamonds, valued at approximately $100,000. In addition to the Cadillac Escalade, the victim also owned a Mercedes and several houses.

Silver added that her brother took a "large sum of money" from a safe he kept at her house two days before he was murdered. Finelli put the money in a yellow Samsun Athletic shopping bag, she said. Prosecutors contend that Finelli was going to use the money to buy the Camac Street house.

That shopping bag, containing $86,000, was found in Deborah Merlino’s closet during the Dec. 7 raid.

A host of police officers, including Carl Watkins, the lead homicide detective on the case, testified yesterday afternoon.