nicholas van hoogstraten was the robust of the robes. he treated his tenants -- >> back in those days -- i was the richest and biggest landlord. i still got all the necessary gang connections. there's no secret about that. >> -- was one of two witnesses who backed out of testifying against him. but despite this, today the jury decided there was enough evidence to convict him of manslaughter. >> ten years. ten years. they made a big show out of it. we've got this bastard, at last. >> nicholas van hoogstraten was convicted. he immediately wants to appeal. he wanted absolutely nothing to do with him. eventually, along came giovanni di stefano. >> i got a call. nicholas van hoogstraten we'd like you to represent him. i thought it was a joke. >> nicholas van hoogstraten, an unusual name -- >> this was my hero! >> the self made millionaire. >> the man i looked up to! the peasant boy made good. and i said, well, i will see what i can do. >> he categorically insists he had no part to play whatsoever in the brutal murder of mr. -- >> di stefano i