BOSTON – Prosecutors described reputed Boston gang boss James “Whitey” Bulger as “one of the most vicious, violent and calculating criminals ever to walk the streets of Boston” in the closing arguments of the longtime fugitive’s racketeering trial, but his own lawyers sought to put the government on trial.
Bulger, 83, who spent nearly two decades on the run before an episode of “America’s Most Wanted” led to his capture, is accused of leading the murderous Winter Hill Gang in the 1970s and ’80s before dropping out of sight in 1994 ahead of a 32-count indictment. During nearly eight weeks of testimony in U.S. District Court, jurors have heard chilling testimony about 19 killings in which Bulger was allegedly involved as well as several other crimes.
Early Monday, Bulger, who was captured with his longtime girlfriend living in Santa Monica, Calif., wore a long-sleeve, gray sweater and spectacles, scribbling notes as he sat next to his attorneys. Assistant U.S. Attorney Fred Wyshak, who hunted the one-time FBI informant for years, was expected to take nearly three hours to sum up their case, followed by Bulger’s team’s summation and finally, a 30-minute rebuttal from prosecutors. Wyshak focused on debunking the idea that Bulger was some sort of modern -day Robin Hood.
“This is not about a Robin Hood story about a man who keeps angel dust and heroin out of South Boston,” Wyshak said.