NY case of death after comics theft back in court

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Several alleged members of an upstate New York stolen goods ring that's blamed for the death of a comic book collector have pleaded not guilty to federal murder and racketeering charges.

The group that prosecutors say was led by Rico Vendetti of Rochester appeared in federal court in Buffalo on Tuesday to answer a host of charges in an updated indictment returned last week. They were initially charged in 2010.

The new version of the indictment contains a provision that would have Vendetti surrender $5 million and five Rochester properties if convicted.

Vendetti is accused of arranging a home invasion robbery at collector Homer Marciniak's Medina house. Authorities say Marciniak had a fatal heart attack because of the beating he received and the psychological trauma.