With Fredo staying in the Tahoe estate most of the time, having lost all his rights in the family business and being in a mentally unstable state (as his "Hail Mary" lines near the end suggest) and with Roth and Ola dead, Michael had few things to worry about. Presumably, he would also have him watched every time he went out of the estate.

You are apparently underestimating the seriousness of what Fredo did. His little alliance with Roth nearly resulted in the murder of Michael and destruction/takeover of much of the Corleone Family.

I would think Kay's abortion was equally hurtful, both were acts of betrayal, and Kay's was in fact even more deliberate...however (in my opinion) not worthy of a 'hit' especially on a woman and the mother of his children.

Apple

Kay's betrayal was personal. Fredo's was business.

If I remember correctly Fredo was not killed in the book, and Puzo didn't want Michael to kill Fredo in the movie because he thought the audience would hate Michael to much afterwards but FFC wanted it to happen and kept on about it so Puzo told him to wait until Mama dies so at least their mother would be dead and wouldn't have to live with another dead son, and Puzo thought the audience wouldn't hate Michael if he waited until his mother passed, and I think it worked
Like think about it.....Michael Killed his OWN Brother and I still have respect for the guy



Joe Batters

True...nothing of the 'modern-day' events of the GFII story took place in the book. It was all written by FFC/Puzo.

True again...Puzo was strongly against the killing of Fredo but conceded to FFC whose 'baby' Part II was. They did reach the compromise of having it done only after Mama's death.

Apple

And here I thought that was Michael's idea.