Prosecutors pushed for an answer, but it wasn’t clear when James “Whitey” Bulger’s trial adjourned for the day if he’ll testify before the defense rests its case. …read more
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Tag Archives: James Whitey Bulger
First defense witnesses to be called in Bulger trial
Lawyers for James “Whitey” Bulger acknowledged he ran a lucrative criminal enterprise that took in millions through illegal gambling, extortion and drug trafficking. Now, they must defend him against those crimes and charges of 19 murders at his racketeering trial.
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Speculation abounds over whether 'Whitey' Bulger will testify during his racketeering trial
Lawyers for James “Whitey” Bulger will begin calling witnesses to defend him, but the big question is: Will he testify? Bulger is charged with playing a role in 19 killings during the 1970s and ’80s when authorities say he ran the Winter Hill Gang. …read more
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Ex-Bulger partner expected back on witness stand in Mass. racketeering trial
Stephen “The Rifleman” Flemmi is expected to take the witness stand for a sixth day of testimony in the racketeering trial of James “Whitey” Bulger. …read more
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Brother of alleged Bulger victim curses at reputed gangster's ex-partner in courtroom outburst
The brother of a woman allegedly killed by James “Whitey” Bulger exploded in anger after Bulger’s former partner identified him as a drug user and informant. …read more
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Bulger's former partner due back on the witness stand
As prosecutors wind down their case against James “Whitey” Bulger this week, one of their most important witnesses is providing grisly testimony about a string of killings.
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Boston mobster pins a string of killings on Bulger
A feared gangster known as “The Rifleman” detailed for a jury Friday a grisly string of nine killings he says reputed Boston crime boss James “Whitey” Bulger ordered, approved or carried out with his own hands, including the strangling of the witness’ own girlfriend.
Stephen Flemmi said he set his girlfriend’s killing in motion when he blurted out to her something he shouldn’t have: that he and Bulger were FBI informants.
Bulger decided Debra Davis knew too much and strangled her in front of Flemmi, the once-loyal Bulger associate told a rapt jury at Bulger’s racketeering trial in federal court.
“What did you do?” prosecutor Fred Wyshak asked.
“Nothing,” Flemmi replied.
“Why not?” Wyshak asked.
“That was the plan,” Flemmi said.
Flemmi did show a flash of remorse for killing Davis, who was 26. “It’s affected me and it’s going to affect me until the day I die,” he said.
In rapid succession, the mob turncoat described Bulger’s alleged role in eight other killings during the 1970s and ’80s when the two men were leaders of the Winter Hill Gang, Boston’s Irish mob.
On Thursday, when Flemmi began his testimony, he and Bulger snarled obscenities at each other in a staredown in court. But on Friday, Bulger looked straight ahead and took notes on a legal pad during Flemmi’s testimony and did not appear to look at him.
In one of the slayings he recounted, Flemmi said he and Bulger sprayed a phone booth with gunfire in 1975, killing bar owner Edward Connors, because he was “telling people Winter Hill business,” including details about an earlier murder committed by the gang.
Flemmi said another member of the gang had lured Connors to the phone booth by telling him he would receive a call there at a certain time. Bulger and Flemmi were waiting for him, Flemmi said.
“We just stepped out from the side of the building — the garage — and shot him,” Flemmi said, matter-of-factly. “We just fired on him.”
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Stephen Rakes’ Death ‘Suspicious’: Police Investigate After Whitey Bulger Trial Witness’ Body Found
By The Huffington Post News Editors
Authorities say that the death of a man who was on the witness list in the trial of mobster James “Whitey” Bulger is suspicious.
The body of Stephen “Stippo” Rakes was found on Wednesday in Lincoln, Mass. The cause of death is yet unknown, and the Middlesex district attorney’s office reported that there were “no obvious signs of trauma.”
An unnamed law enforcement source told New England Cable News that the death is being investigated as suspicious. The cause of death is pending a complete autopsy and toxicology results.
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Huffington Post
Bulger's ex-partner to testify about killings
Stephen “The Rifleman” Flemmi is headed back to the witness stand to testify against his former partner in crime, James “Whitey” Bulger.
Flemmi spent only about 15 minutes testifying Thursday before court recessed for the day. He barely scratched the surface of his long criminal relationship with Bulger.
Flemmi said the two teamed up in 1974 and ran the Winter Hill Gang for two decades. Flemmi said both he and Bulger were also FBI informants during most of those years, squealing on the rival Mafia and assorted criminals from South Boston.
When Flemmi returns to the stand Friday, prosecutors are expected to question him about Bulger’s role in numerous killings. Bulger is charged with participating n 19 slayings during the ’70s and ’80s.
Flemmi pleaded guilty in 10 killings and is serving a life sentence.
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Key witness in 'Whitey' Bulger trial found dead on the side of a road outside Boston
The body of a key witness in James ‘Whitey’ Bulger’s racketeering trial was found dead on the side of a road Wednesday by a jogger in Lincoln, Mass., which is just west of Boston.
The body belonged to Stephen “Stippo” Rakes, 59, who was allegedly extorted by Bulger and considered one of the most determined alleged victims who waited a decade to testify, The Boston Globe reported.
The Globe reported that Rakes has been a fixture for six weeks at Bulger’s trial and was just told recently that he would not get the chance to testify.
The Middlesex County district attorney’s confirmed in a press release Thursday morning the identity of the body. There were no obvious signs of trauma, a statement said. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is conducting an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death.
ABC News first reported the link to the Bulger and reported that Rakes was set to testify that Bulger threatened his daughter with a gun and took over his Boston liquor store. Police told Rakes family the cause of death appears to be a suicide, the report said. However, he was missing his phone and wallet, the report said.
Calls from FoxNews.com to the Middlesex District Attorney to confirm the report were not immediately returned.
Bulger, now 83, is accused in a 32-count racketeering indictment of playing a role in 19 killings in the 1970s and ’80s while he allegedly led the Winter Hill Gang. He is also charged with money laundering and extortion.
Bulger’s alleged partner, Stephen "The Rifleman" Flemmi, was scheduled to testify Thursday — nearly 20 years after they last saw each other. The judge was reportedly in a room at the courthouse Thursday with lawyers.
Their former FBI handler, John Connolly, was convicted of tipping off both men in late 1994 that they were about to be indicted. Bulger fled Boston and was one of the nation’s most wanted fugitives until he was captured in Santa Monica, Calif., in 2011. Flemmi stayed, was arrested and later pleaded guilty to 10 killings. He is now serving a life sentence.
Bulger’s lawyers have strongly denied the prosecution contention that their client was an informant who ratted on the New England Mafia and other criminals. They say he paid FBI agents to tip him off to investigations and upcoming indictments.
In other testimony Wednesday, a former U.S. customs agent said a man Bulger is accused of killing was cooperating with law enforcement just before he disappeared in 1984.
Bulger is charged with fatally shooting John McIntyre, a fisherman from Quincy, after learning that he was talking to authorities.
Former customs agent Donald DeFago testified that McIntyre described drug smuggling and other activities, including a failed attempt to ship weapons to the Irish Republican Army.
Bulger associate Kevin Weeks testified earlier that Bulger interrogated and killed McIntyre while he was chained to a chair. Weeks said Bulger tried to strangle him, but when the rope caused him to vomit, he asked McIntyre if he wanted a bullet in the …read more
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Key Witness in Whitey Bulger Trial Found Dead
By Kevin Spak
A key witness in the trial of James “Whitey” Bulger has been found dead in Lincoln, Mass., ABC News reports. Stephen “Stippo” Rakes was supposed to testify that Bulger and associate Stephen Flemmi had threatened his daughter at gunpoint to force him to let them use his South Boston liquor… …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Newser – Home
Authorities: Potential Bulger witness found dead
Authorities say a man who was on the witness list for the racketeering trial of reputed mobster James “Whitey” Bulger has died.
The Middlesex District Attorney’s Office says Stephen Rakes was found dead Wednesday afternoon in Lincoln, Mass., with no obvious signs of trauma to his body.
Authorities are conducting an autopsy to determine the 59-year-old Quincy man’s cause and manner of death.
Prosecutors say Rakes and his former wife were forced to sell Bulger their South Boston liquor store in 1984 to use as a headquarters for his gang and as a source of legitimate income.
But another prosecution witness has testified that wasn’t true, and it was unclear whether prosecutors would put Rakes on the stand.
Rakes had been attending the trial.
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Fox US News
Ex-drug dealer testifies Bulger tried to force him to pay $1M with Russian Roulette-like game
A former drug dealer testified Wednesday that James “Whitey” Bulger once tried to scare him into paying $1 million by having an associate spin a loaded gun on a table, point it at him, then pull the trigger.
William David Lindholm, testifying in Bulger’s racketeering trial, said Bulger’s associate played a “Russian Roulette”-like game with him in 1983. He said the associate first fired the gun and a bullet went by his head. Then, he spun the gun on the table and pulled the trigger, but the gun did not go off, Lindholm said.
“I was just glad to get out of there,” he said.
Lindholm said he and his partner were major marijuana smugglers who distributed about 85 tons of the drug that summer — without Bulger’s permission. Shortly after that, Lindholm said he was asked to go to a nightclub where he found Bulger and three other men in a small room upstairs.
Lindholm said Bulger pulled two guns out and demanded $1 million. He said he negotiated with Bulger to get the amount down to $250,000 and agreed to pay in installments.
Afterward, he said, Bulger shook his hand and told him he had handled himself well, but also told him what he’d do if he tried to sell drugs on his own again.
“He’d cut my head off,” Lindholm said.
Lindholm was the latest in a string of former drug dealers and bookmakers who have testified that Bulger used threats and intimidation to extort them by demanding lump sum payments or regular “tribute” payments so they could stay in business.
Bulger, now 83, is accused in a 32-count racketeering indictment of playing a role in 19 killings in the 1970s and ’80s while he allegedly led the Winter Hill Gang. He is also charged with money laundering and extortion.
Bulger’s alleged partner, Stephen “The Rifleman” Flemmi, is scheduled to testify Thursday — nearly 20 years after they last saw each other.
Their former FBI handler, John Connolly, was convicted of tipping off both men in late 1994 that they were about to be indicted. Bulger fled Boston and was one of the nation’s most wanted fugitives until he was captured in Santa Monica, Calif., in 2011. Flemmi stayed, was arrested and later pleaded guilty to 10 killings. He is now serving a life sentence.
Bulger’s lawyers have strongly denied the prosecution contention that their client was an informant who ratted on the New England Mafia and other criminals. They say he paid FBI agents to tip him off to investigations and upcoming indictments.
In other testimony Wednesday, a former U.S. customs agent said a man Bulger is accused of killing was cooperating with law enforcement just before he disappeared in 1984.
Bulger is charged with fatally shooting John McIntyre, a fisherman from Quincy, after learning that he was talking to authorities.
Former customs agent Donald DeFago testified that McIntyre described drug smuggling and other activities, including a failed attempt to ship weapons to the Irish Republican Army.
Bulger associate Kevin Weeks testified earlier that Bulger interrogated and killed McIntyre while he …read more
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Businessman says Bulger threatened him with guns
A businessman who says James “Whitey” Bulger put a machine gun between his legs and demanded $400,000 is the latest in a list of witnesses who’ve testified that Bulger extorted them as leader of the Winter Hill Gang.
Bulger is charged in a racketeering indictment with participating in 19 killings, extortion and money-laundering.
Michael Solimando on Tuesday described terrifying moments in 1982 when he said Bulger held a handgun to his face, then pushed a machine gun to his groin. Solimando says he eventually paid the money out of fear, even though he was a legitimate businessman.
At least a half dozen drug dealers and bookmakers have testified that Bulger demanded money from them. Another drug dealer is scheduled to testify Wednesday, along with relatives of people allegedly killed by Bulger’s gang.
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Fox US News
Gerald Montanari, Former FBI Agent, Says Bulger Victim Predicted His Own Death
By The Huffington Post News Editors
BOSTON — A man who was allegedly killed by James “Whitey” Bulger predicted he would be killed if Bulger learned he’d been cooperating with authorities, a former FBI agent testified Monday.
Retired agent Gerald Montanari told jurors in Bulger’s racketeering case that Edward “Brian” Halloran became an FBI informant in 1982 and agreed to testify against Bulger and members of his gang in the 1981 slaying of Tulsa, Okla., businessman Roger Wheeler, as well as other killings.
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Huffington Post
Whitey Bulger Immunity: Attorneys Say Government Must Keep Alleged Deal With Reputed Gangster
By The Huffington Post News Editors
BOSTON — Reputed Boston gangster James “Whitey” Bulger kept his end of a bargain to cooperate with the government in exchange for immunity from federal prosecution, and now the government should keep theirs, Bulger’s attorneys say.
Bulger should be able to present evidence about the alleged deal during his trial over his role in 19 killings, his attorneys argued in papers filed Monday in federal court in Boston.
Whitey Bulger's lawyers argue government must keep alleged immunity deal
Attorneys for reputed gangster James “Whitey” Bulger are arguing that authorities in Massachusetts should keep their end of an alleged deal granting him immunity from federal prosecution.
Bulger’s attorneys made the argument in papers filed Monday in federal court in Boston.
The 83-year-old Bulger is accused of playing a role in 19 killings.
In their filing, his attorneys say Bulger was an FBI informant whose deal with authorities gave him immunity from federal prosecution in return for cooperation. They say he fulfilled his part of the deal, and that means he can’t be federally prosecuted for crimes before 1989.
Prosecutors have said Bulger’s claim about an immunity deal is baseless. They have until April 8 to respond to the filing.
Whitey Bulger lawyers seek informant's identity
Lawyers for reputed Boston gangster James “Whitey” Bulger have asked a judge to order prosecutors to turn over the name of an informant they say could help them discredit an important witness.
The defense says the informant could help them challenge the truthfulness of Kevin Weeks, a longtime Bulger associate who is expected to be a key prosecution witness at Bulger’s trial.
In court documents, Bulger’s lawyers say the informant could contradict Weeks’ past testimony about the proceeds from a $14.3 million winning lottery ticket he, Bulger and two others shared in 1991. A former FBI agent has said two informants said the lottery ticket was a money-laundering scheme.
Bulger’s lawyers are in court Tuesday for a status conference.
The 83-year-old Bulger is accused of playing a role in 19 murders.
New judge named for 'Whitey' Bulger's trial
A new judge has been named to preside over the trial of former Boston mobster James “Whitey” Bulger a day after the previous judge was removed to eliminate any appearance of bias.
The clerk of the federal court on Friday announced the appointment of U.S. District Judge Denise J. Casper.
A federal appeals court had removed Judge Richard Stearns from the case, citing his background as a former federal prosecutor. Stearns worked that job in the 1980s, when Bulger was an FBI informant.
Casper also worked as a federal prosecutor in Boston, leading the U.S. attorney’s drug unit.
Bulger ran the Winter Hill Gang and is accused of participating in 19 murders. He was captured in Santa Monica, Calif., with his girlfriend in 2011 and has pleaded not guilty.
'Whitey' Bulger judge removed from trial
DEVELOPING: A federal appeals court has agreed to a defense request to remove the judge who was set to preside over the trial of accused gangster James “Whitey” Bulger.
The 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Thursday that U.S. District Judge Richard Stearns must step down from Bulger’s case.
Bulger’s lawyers argued that Stearns should be removed from the case because he was a federal prosecutor in Boston in the 1980s. At the time, Bulger was working as an FBI informant while allegedly committing crimes, including murder.
Bulger claims he received immunity for his crimes from another federal prosecutor who worked in the same office as Stearns while Bulger was giving the FBI information on the Mafia.