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Whitey Bulger

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Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Bulger Pleads 'Not Guilty' to 19 Murder Charges

Length of trial expected to be about four weeks.

James "Whitey" Bulger pled not guilty to 32 charges, including 19 counts of murder today during his 2 p.m. arraignment in U.S. District Court. The case of the 81-year-old alleged mobster continues in the John Joseph Moakley U.S. Courthouse on Sept. 14 for a status conference. It's expected that the trial will last about four weeks with between 30-40 witnesses called. Federal prosecutors dropped 24 other charges, which included multiple counts of extortion, racketeering and threats, to focus on the murder charge that could put him away for life if convicted.  Bulger's lawyer will also be paid for by U.S. taxpayers. J.W. Carney of Carney and Bassil was appointed to defend the alleged crime boss after Bulger said he couldn't afford his own …

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Whitey Bulger Case Shows: 'Trust The Public,' Local Criminologist Says

Northeastern University Professor Jack Levin says tips from the public can lead to arrest of fugitives.

Authorities can learn from the capture of alleged mobster James "Whitey" Bulger last week after 16 years as a fugitive, noted criminologist Jack Levin said Wednesday. Trust the public to help, said Levin, a Sharon resident. Levin said a tip line can inspire "a concerned citizen who calls the FBI or the local police, not for the money but for the sense of empathy for the victims." "I think we have to trust the public. I've seen too many cases where law enforcement holds information close to the vest, and I understand why. There are perfectly rational reasons for doing so in certain cases," said Levin, the Brudnick Professor of Sociology and Criminology at Northeastern University in Boston, where he co-directs its Center on Violence and …

Thursday, June 23, 2011

PatchCast: Mob Boss, Cancer Survivor and Retiring Superintendent

Your daily region roundup.

James "Whitey" Bulger, Alleged Mob Boss, Arrested in California Easton Father and Son Ride to Fight Cancer Selectmen, Planning Board, Discuss Promoting Wrentham Retiring Sharon School Superintendent Always Loved Teaching

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