James “Whitey” Bulger on trial for racketeering charges which include charges of his participation in 19 murders that occured in the 1970’s and 80’s will not take the stand in his own defense. The judge asked Bulger if he was giving up his right to testify freely which cause him to go on a rant against the trial and the court. Bulger said he felt as if he was choked off from being able to give an adequate defense against the current charges because of the judge blocking him from using past agreements with law enforcement officials as part of his defense. Bulger contends that former and now deceased Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremiah O’Sullivan promised him immunity during a conversation they had. Bulger went on to say “As far as im concerned I wasn’t given a fair trial , this was a sham and you can do with me what you will” sounding quite bitter.
James “Whitey” Bulger
Bulger defense lawyer told the judge that his client wants the money taken from his california apartment at the time of his arrest in 2011 in amount of $822,000 to go to the families of his victims who had previous civil judgements overturned because of expired statute of limitatios. He said his clien has resigned himself to having to spend the rest of his life in prison and some of his ill-gotten gains should go to the victims families. But prosecutors said the government already intended to give the money seized from Bulger assets to the families of his victims and they said they don’t think the former crime boss can dictate who gets the money. Closing agruments for the Whitey Bulger trial are set for Monday.
