Criminal defense attorney Bruce Cutler, whose courtroom infamy was eclipsed only by his larger-than-life client client John Gotti, died on Monday,
He was 77. His death was confiremd by noted attorney Eddie Hayes, who teamed with Cutler on several high-profile cases.
While John Gotti became known as the Teflon Don due to multiple acquittals in the 1980s before his eventual conviction, it was Bruce Cutler who crafted the defense strategies and delivered the compelling arguments that led to Gotti’s initial successes in court.
“In his prime, he was really something,” Hayes said.
“He was a really tough guy, physically. He had big balls, and was a great cross examiner. He had a jury in his hands.”
1989
Robert Rosamilio/New York Daily News John Gotti, center, is at his arraignment on Jan. 24, 1989 at Manhattan Criminal Court. Gotti’s lawyer, Bruce Cutler, left, and along with another defendant, Anthony Guerrieri. (Robert Rosamilio/New York Daily News)
Cutler graduated with honors from Hamilton College, where he excelled in football and lacrosse. He was inspired by his father, Murray Cutler, who transitioned from a detective to a lawyer. Bruce began his career as a dedicated assistant district attorney in Brooklyn, later moving to defense work.
Raised in Brooklyn’s Flatbush area, Cutler gained experience working with prominent lawyer Barry Slotnick before launching his own legal practice.
Cutler was a constant presence at Gotti’s side, both in and out the courtroom.– and on the front page.
Stotnick, who represented several organized crime figures bristled at being called a “mob lawyer,”
But Cutler seemed to soak it in.
Attorney Bruce Cutler
James Keivom/New York Daily News Bruce Cutler (James Keivom/New York Daily News)
“I was 36 years old, still young, when I met him,” Cutler told the New York Times in 1993. “But he believed in me and trusted me. That kind of confidence is unmatched,” he added.
Onetime mobster Anthony Ruggiano Jr., said Cutler had more than just a fondness for Gotti and the lifestyle.
“I think he aspired to be like John Gotti,” Ruggiano remarked in a Netflix documentary. “He adopted Gotti’s mannerisms, even dressing like him, and had the same manner of greeting us with handshakes and cheek kisses like a mobster.”
In 1992, Gotti was eventually found guilty of murder and racketeering. He passed away from throat cancer in 2002 at the age of 61, while serving a life sentence.
On one occasion, Cutler found himself in need of his own attorney, after he punched a loudmouth patron in a swanky Manhattan steakhouse.
Cutler was handcuffed in 2013 after cops said he slugged the fellow diner who ignored his repeated requests to pipe down during a dinner at the Porter House at Columbus Circle,
Cutler was given a desk appearance ticket for assault and released.
