NEW YORK (AP) -- A well-groomed New York City mobster has avoided getting the death penalty for ordering a gangland hit.

A Brooklyn jury decided the fate of Vincent "Vinny Gorgeous" Basciano on Wednesday at the penalty phase of his capital trial. It gave him a life sentence.

The jurors had found the former acting boss of the Bonanno organized crime family guilty last month of orchestrating the killing during his rise to power.

The 51-year-old Basciano already was serving a life sentence for a previous conviction. But prosecutors argued he was still a threat behind bars and deserved to die.

In the courtroom, Basciano always sported well-tailored suits and perfectly combed hair. He's the former owner of the Hello Gorgeous hair salon.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)