Neri is a former Sicilian American New York City police officer who becomes Michael Corleone’s loyal and trusted bodyguard and enforcer. As a police officer, Neri amassed a fearsome reputation as short-tempered and prone to meting out violent punishment on offenders. His favored weapon was a large flashlight, which he used to crack the skulls of perpetrators. After Neri accidentally kills the abusive African America pimp, Wax Baines, a judge convicts him of voluntary manslaughter. Tom Hagen and Peter Clemenza liken Neri’s personality to that of Luca Brasi and secure his release from prison. After meeting with Michael, Neri swears his loyalty to the Corleone Family and becomes Michael’s personal enforcer. Neri carries out the assassinations of both Moe Greene and Emilio Barzini.