Like Yasuhiro quoted it was a good mafia move at the time. Sniff out the Town power roles and sacrifice one for the good of the others if it backfired while giving them a list to target. What backfired on their plan was the special day power that allowed town to sniff two of them out and not just one.
I will also see if I can prove I am a town too now. The best evidence was day one conversation. The person who turned out to be scum (Godfather) pointed a finger in my direction. This would be a stupid move for mafia day one. To risky of a potential lynch mob with not a lot of information to go on. That's the best I can give you guys.