The Supreme Court announced Monday it would take up a case involving an associate of a major New York crime family over an attempted murder plot.

During the court’s next term, the justices will hear an appeal from Salvatore Delligatti, who was convicted of several charges for a murder plan that was upset by police once it was discovered.

He had coordinated with a gang to murder Joseph Bonelli, who the family believed to be cooperating against bookies.

Delligatti was sentenced to 300 months in prison.

Lawyers for Delligatti argued that the justices should decide if attempted murder as a violation of the Violent Crimes in Aid of Racketeering statute qualifies as a crime of violence.

The attorneys say some courts consider the use of force when applying various statutes, but others have looked at the inaction of the use of force for a charge.

“The issue is important,” Delligatti’s lawyers wrote, adding it affects “thousands of prosecutions each year.”

They added, “Failing to provide someone with necessary medical care or nutrition may be morally reprehensible and, in some states, criminally liable conduct. But it does not involve the use of any force, much less the type of violent physical force necessary to satisfy the use-of-force clause.”

The federal government urged the court to also review the case to settle the split among circuit courts on how to apply use-of-force statutes.

It took four justices to vote in favor of reviewing the dispute.

Oral arguments will take place during the court’s next term, which begins in October.

According to court documents, Delligatti is an associate of the Genovese family, one of a handful of major Mafia families operating in New York City and New Jersey.

• Alex Swoyer can be reached at aswoyer@washingtontimes.com.