The State - News from May 7, 1985

A son of reputed Mafia boss Joseph Bonnano has asked the state Supreme Court to block his home construction fraud trial, saying the chief prosecution witness is an “obviously demented” drunkard whose competence should be investigated. Bill Bonnano of San Jose is scheduled to go on trial in Alameda County Superior Court along with his brother, Joseph Bonnano Jr. of Los Gatos. Both are charged with conspiracy and grand theft. They are accused of taking part in a scheme to defraud 43 elderly people out of about $250,000 for roofing and other home improvement work that was promised but never performed. An attorney for Bill Bonnano asked for a stay in the trial and an order to the judge to hold a hearing on the competence of prosecution witness Anthony Insana, a home improvement contractor, who has been given immunity from prosecution.