I think the group originally included him but they disliked Hackett because he was investigating them. That is why they tried to pin it on him, IMO. Burke may have mentioned any extortion to Hackett and Hackett would have attempted to figure out what was up and tried to spy on them. Further the Gambino's probably thought Brewer was a loose cannon running an operation on their turf and making a mess, so after their already mounting legal issues they didn't want to take any more risks that put their family in the middle of another racket or problem.
Nobody wants to believe me on this but...Italians did have a code of conduct and rules. They don't like these things outside their door. To be honest the fact the killer left the bodies there kind of seems they were Demeo wanna-be's, disgruntled with the family in some way and wanted to implicate them in another set of murders.
That's why I am curious who the family was having Demeo-esque issues with during this time. Sloppy, liability, carrying out unsanctioned hits. Dealing drugs, running girls.
Who were the weirdos in their fan club that they tried to avoid who had something to desperately prove for acceptance? Who did they cut off or reject from associations? These homicides were too close to them in proximity to be perpetrated BY them. Please trust me on that one.
I am still looking for Demeo copy cats.
Made men taking out made men or men who owed them money is a different ball game than targeting innocent women and children. I simply have no tolerance for girls being exploited and hurt and having little kids as casualties. That is why I can't let this case go. Women and children are off limits.
If anything SCPD was extorted into obstructing. I'd love to ask James Burke about what was actually going on. Maybe someone still in his circle might be able to do it?