N.J. to Free Killer After 28 Years

TRENTON — The State Parole Board announced Monday it will release a Camden bootlegger who began serving a life sentence for murder before Congress repealed Prohibition. Peter DiVito, 59, of the 1000 block Prince st., will be paroled next month after serving more than 28 years. DiVito was convicted for the gangland-style killing of Guiseppe Pirelli, a justice of the peace who lived at 603 Avon st., Camden. Pirelli was riding with a friend in a car at Newton ave. and Royden st. on Sept. 12, 1932, when DiVito drove by in another car and allegedly shot and killed Pirelli. Two days later DiVito surrendered to Prosecutor Clifford A. Baldwin and confessed the slaying. He told the prosecutor he and Pirelli, who were partners in bootlegging for two years, had a quarrel over the disappearance of liquor from a "drop" on Line st., Camden. DiVito accused the squire of hijacking the liquor. On March 11, 1933, DiVito threw himself on the mercy of the court and a life sentence was imposed. DiVito was placed in solitary confinement at the State Prison on Dec. 30, 1955, for attacking another inmate with a butcher knife. Prison authorities said he slashed Joseph Ianco of Essex County in the prison's kitchen following an argument. He was serving 20 to 30 years for murder. In spite of the near fatal knifing incident, prison authorities described DiVito as a model prisoner.