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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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 “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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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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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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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.
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James “Whitey” Bulger (BUHL’-jur) will come face to face with his former partner, Stephen “The Rifleman” Flemmi, when Flemmi takes the witness stand this week in Bulger’s racketeering trial.
The two have not seen each other since Bulger fled Boston in 1994. Bulger was one of the nation’s most wanted fugitives until he was captured in 2011 in Santa Monica, Calif.
Flemmi pleaded guilty to 10 murders and is serving a life sentence. He is expected to testify about Bulger’s alleged involvement in numerous killings.
Bulger is accused of participating in 19 killings during the 1970s and ’80s while he allegedly led the Winter Hill Gang. The 83-year-old Bulger has pleaded not guilty.
Flemmi is expected to testify mid-week.
On Monday, prosecutors plan to call a former FBI agent and a relative of one of the victims.
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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.
By The Huffington Post News Editors
BOSTON — Federal prosecutors say a claim by a lawyer for reputed gangster James “Whitey” Bulger (BUHL’-jur) that he was never an FBI informant is a tactic to influence jurors in Bulger’s upcoming trial.
Bulger, the former leader of Boston’s notorious Winter Hill Gang, is awaiting trial on a racketeering indictment that charges him with participating in 19 murders.
Attorneys for reputed gangster James “Whitey” Bulger are set to argue in court Wednesday that he was given immunity to commit crimes while he was an FBI informant.
Bulger, the former leader of the Winter Hill Gang, is awaiting trial in a sweeping racketeering indictment accusing him of participating in 19 murders. He claims a federal prosecutor gave him immunity for his crimes while he was providing the FBI information on local leaders of the Mafia, his gang’s main rivals.
Bulger, 83, fled Boston in 1994 and was one of the FBI‘s most wanted fugitives until his capture in Santa Monica, Calif., in 2011.
Bulger’s lawyers want to use his immunity claim as a defense at his murder trial. Bulger contends former federal prosecutor Jeremiah O’Sullivan, who led the New England Organized Crime Strike Force, gave him immunity while he was an FBI informant in the 1970s and ’80s. O’Sullivan, who died in 2009, denied ever making an immunity deal with Bulger during his testimony before Congress in 2002.
Federal prosecutors have called Bulger’s claim “absurd” and have asked a federal judge to decide the issue before trial. The judge scheduled a hearing for Wednesday.
His trial is set to begin June 6 in U.S. District Court.
A lawyer for mobster James “Whitey” Bulger on Tuesday framed an attempt to get the presiding judge kicked off his client’s murder case as an effort to protect the court’s integrity.
“I’m not really representing James Bulger,” J.W. Carney Jr. told a 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel. “I’m representing us, the people who care about the perception of the federal prosecution system in Boston.”
Bulger is the former head of the Winter Hill Gang who faces charges that he participated in 19 murders.
He fled Boston in late 1994 and was on the FBI‘s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list when authorities captured him in June 2011 in California. The 83-year-old has pleaded not guilty and faces a June trial.
The defense claims U.S. District Judge Richard Stearns can’t be impartial during the trial because he was a federal prosecutor in charge of the U.S. attorney’s office criminal division during some of the time Bulger was an FBI informant.
But a government lawyer countered Tuesday that Stearns, who has rejected recusal appeals, didn’t participate in and didn’t know of any investigations involving Bulger while serving as a federal prosecutor.
Carney has said Bulger will testify at trial that the late Justice Department attorney Jeremiah O’Sullivan gave him immunity for his crimes that protected him from prosecution while he informed on the Mafia for the FBI.
But the government has said O’Sullivan, who died in 2009, testified before Congress that he didn’t authorize Bulger to commit any crimes or immunize him from prosecution.
On Tuesday, Assistant State Attorney Zachary Hafer attacked the defense’s failure to provide more details about the purported immunity agreement, saying there was no information about whether it was spoken or written or even the terms of the deal. He also questioned the defense’s attempt to link Stearns and Bulger.
“There are no facts that support Judge Stearns‘ connection to the defendant in any way,” Hafer said.
After a question from retired Supreme Court Justice David Souter, Carney said Bulger’s immunity agreement was in place before 1984 when Stearns became criminal division chief for the U.S. attorney’s office in Boston.
“That’s what the evidence will show. And you’re the first person to get this out of me,” Carney told Souter.
Souter joined Chief Judge Sandra Lynch and Senior Judge Bruce Selya on the three-judge appellate panel.
Lynch pressed Carney for specifics, saying he hadn’t provided the panel details on the type of information Stearns might have received on Bulger while at the U.S. attorney’s office. Under questioning, Carney stopped short of calling Stearns dishonest and agreed he hadn’t shown bias so far.
The lawyer also said the recusal motion wasn’t a delay tactic and his client would be ready for trial.
But Carney said that corruption within federal law enforcement in the 1980s couldn’t be ignored and not recusing Stearns would stain the integrity of Bulger’s trial.
A former Boston FBI agent who provided the tip about an impending indictment that led Bulger to flee went to prison on a racketeering conviction.
And the idea of presenting a picture of fairness when it comes to Bulger’s trial seemed to register with the panel Tuesday.
“I’m concerned about the public perception about whether the defendant can get a fair trial,” Selya said.
But Hafer said the most relevant factor in the matter was Stearns’ statement he didn’t know anything about an investigation of Bulger.
“The law is clear. The facts are nonexistent and the petition should be denied,” he said.
After court, the son of a man whom Bulger is accused of murdering said it might be a good idea for Stearns to be off the case.
“It’s all accusations, but if this is the outcome of it, then I would like to probably see him step down,” 38-year-old Boston resident Thomas Donahue said.
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