Most of the 62 defendants in the Gambino mafia family indictment may soon enter guilty peas after New York prosecutors lessened punishment demands, lawyers say.

Up to 45 defendants, which include members of the Gambino family and their associates, may enter guilty pleas after prosecutors reduced prison sentence requests by as much as half of what they were initially, Newsday reported.

It was reported Gambino kingpin John D'Amico is one of the defendants considering taking a plea. Legal sources say he could be sentenced to less than two years behind bars.

At least 45 defendants of 62 have had agreements in principle with the government. We are 99 percent there, defense attorney Alan Futerfas told U.S. District Judge Jack B. Weinstein while discussing the case Tuesday.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joey Lipton said the plea deals were progressing so quickly a June 9, trial for five defendants may not be needed.

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