During the course of his mob career, Diamond was shot on many occasions, receiving hospital treatment and recovering each time, earning the nickname "Clay Pigeon."

In April 1931, near Catskill, New York, Diamond and colleagues hijacked a truck with applejack liquor driven by Gordon Parks, whom they kidnapped and tortured. Parks survived and managed to reach the police. Diamond was arrested for the attack but later was acquitted in a December trial.

Diamond celebrated his acquittal days later with Roberts and returned drunk to his Albany residence. Early that morning, on December 18, 1931, Diamond was shot and killed. The mystery remains as to who was behind the killing. Biographer William Kennedy speculated that Diamond was taken out by Albany police via an order from political leader Dan O'Connell. Others say rival gangsters were behind the murder. Diamond's widow was also found murdered in her home a year and a half later.

MINIATURE IS CAST FROM 100% LEAD FREE PEWTER AND COMES UNPAINTED