Mickey Featherstone

Francis Thomas "Mickey" Featherstone (born September 2, 1948) is an American former mobster and the second in command of the Westies, an organized crime syndicate from Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan in New York City, led by James Coonan. Featherstone committed several mob killings before he was convicted in 1986 of a murder he had not committed. Facing almost 25 years in jail, he became an informant and brought down Coonan's gang.

Early life Featherstone was born on West 43rd St., His mother helped with the Veterans of Foreign Wars and his father was a United States Customs Service officer.

He was involved in criminal mischief with his friends and was disciplined for many drunken pranks. He received a medical discharge in 1967 after just a year, claiming to have hallucinations. He was shocked at receiving his sentence of 25 years in prison, and concluded that he had been framed by his own gang. His wife Sissy co-operated with the District Attorney's office to tape incriminating conversations with gang members, including Bokun.

In September 1986, Judge Alvin Schlesinger overturned Featherstone's conviction. His testimony at Coonan's racketeering trial during 1987–88 helped to bring down Coonan's gang. He pleaded guilty to a racketeering charge and received a suspended sentence of five years' probation from Judge Robert W. Sweet due to his cooperation with the authorities. He was freed in December 1988 and went into a witness protection program.