The jury process has now been completed and opening statements are set to begin today in the trial of reputed Winger Hill Gang leader James “Whitey” Bulger. The jury is made up of 18 people and contains 11 men and 7 women from eastern Massachusetts. Bulgers fate will be decided by 12 of these jurors with the remaining 6 being alternates. Prosecutors plan to prove that Bulger was the boss of the Winger Hill Gang and participated in as many as 19 murders from the 1970’s to the 1980’s. The Bulger trial is expected to last several months and end sometime in September. Prosecutors have a mountain of evidence along with testimony from cooperating witnesses which they believe is enough to convict the South Boston mobster.
James “Whitey” Bulger
Bulger’s attorney J.W. Carney argued on Tuesday for a delay in the opening statements during a heated debate. Carney also argued a delay was needed for documents that could prove Massachusetts State Police have shielded John Martorano a Bulger cohort set to testify against him from prosecution for alleged crimes he committed since he was released from prison in 2007. But judge Casper was not impressed with the arguments made by Carney and denied his motion allowing the trial to begin today.
