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James 'Whitey' Bulger trial opens in Boston James 'Whitey' Bulger trial opens in Boston
(about 3 hours later)
A former top fugitive who is accused of being one of America's most notorious mobsters has gone on trial after nearly two decades on the run.A former top fugitive who is accused of being one of America's most notorious mobsters has gone on trial after nearly two decades on the run.
James "Whitey" Bulger, 83, denies 19 counts of murder, running crime schemes and corrupting officials.James "Whitey" Bulger, 83, denies 19 counts of murder, running crime schemes and corrupting officials.
Prosecutors told the court he brought "murder and mayhem" as leader of Boston's Winter Hill Gang in the 1980s.Prosecutors told the court he brought "murder and mayhem" as leader of Boston's Winter Hill Gang in the 1980s.
He was an inspiration for the gangster played by Jack Nicholson in Oscar-winning 2006 film The Departed.He was an inspiration for the gangster played by Jack Nicholson in Oscar-winning 2006 film The Departed.
The trial is expected to last for months and call more than 100 witnesses, including alleged victims, criminal partners and law enforcement officials.The trial is expected to last for months and call more than 100 witnesses, including alleged victims, criminal partners and law enforcement officials.
Women strangledWomen strangled
Bulger - who was arrested in 2011 in Santa Monica, California, where he had been living with his girlfriend - could face life in jail if convicted.Bulger - who was arrested in 2011 in Santa Monica, California, where he had been living with his girlfriend - could face life in jail if convicted.
Federal prosecutors say the accused, a convicted bank robber, once terrorised South Boston, a formerly working-class, Irish-Catholic neighbourhood.Federal prosecutors say the accused, a convicted bank robber, once terrorised South Boston, a formerly working-class, Irish-Catholic neighbourhood.
"It's a case about organised crime, public corruption and all sorts of illegal activities ranging from extortion to drug dealing to money laundering, to possession of machine guns to murder," Assistant US Attorney Brian Kelly told the court."It's a case about organised crime, public corruption and all sorts of illegal activities ranging from extortion to drug dealing to money laundering, to possession of machine guns to murder," Assistant US Attorney Brian Kelly told the court.
"While he started out as just one member of the enterprise, eventually he took control. He became the leader."While he started out as just one member of the enterprise, eventually he took control. He became the leader.
"And he was no ordinary leader because he did the dirty work himself. He was a hands-on killer.""And he was no ordinary leader because he did the dirty work himself. He was a hands-on killer."
Indicating the defendant, Mr Kelly told the court: "At the centre of all this murder and mayhem is one man."Indicating the defendant, Mr Kelly told the court: "At the centre of all this murder and mayhem is one man."
The government is reportedly planning to ask one family member of each of the 19 alleged victims to testify during the trial.The government is reportedly planning to ask one family member of each of the 19 alleged victims to testify during the trial.
Among the alleged victims were two 26-year-old women Bulger is accused of strangling.Among the alleged victims were two 26-year-old women Bulger is accused of strangling.
Mr Kelly also said Bulger had chained government informant John McIntyre to a chair, interrogated him at gunpoint for hours, then tried to strangle him with a rope.
When that did not kill him, Bulger asked McIntyre if he wanted a bullet in the head, the prosecutor said. The response: "Yes, please." Bulger obliged, Mr Kelly said.
Prosecutors are also expected to show the jury a 700-page file the government kept on Bulger's alleged activities.Prosecutors are also expected to show the jury a 700-page file the government kept on Bulger's alleged activities.
The documents are said to show that the accused worked as an informant providing authorities with tips about a rival gang, the New England Mob.The documents are said to show that the accused worked as an informant providing authorities with tips about a rival gang, the New England Mob.
Bulger and his associates intimidated other criminals into working with them and paid off law enforcement officials who warned them if they were being investigated, the court heard. Bulger and his associates intimidated other criminals into working with them and paid law enforcement officials to warn if they were being investigated, the court heard.
"It was part of a strategy they had, and it worked for them," said the prosecutor."It was part of a strategy they had, and it worked for them," said the prosecutor.
But defence lawyers are expected to attack the credibility of star witnesses who were former gang insiders. But defence lawyers attacked the credibility of star witnesses who were former gang insiders.
Bulger's legal team also deny that their client worked supplying information to the FBI. Each of the three former mob members who have accused Bulger of murders received "extraordinary" deals from prosecutors in exchange for their co-operation, defence lawyer JW Carney said.
"James Bulger never ever - the evidence will show - was an informant," said lawyer JW Carney. Bulger's legal team also denied he informed on other criminals to the FBI.
Mr Carney conceded that Bulger had been involved in illegal gambling and drugs. "James Bulger never ever - the evidence will show - was an informant," Mr Carney said on Wednesday.
"The worst thing an Irish person could consider doing is becoming an informant."
The defence argues Bulger's FBI handler John Connolly had fabricated the lengthy FBI informant file for Bulger to cover up the fact that he was regularly seen meeting him.
The defence conceded that Bulger had been involved in illegal gambling and drugs.
But the defence is expected to emphasise their client's softer side as a community hardman who would serve up holiday meals to neighbours.But the defence is expected to emphasise their client's softer side as a community hardman who would serve up holiday meals to neighbours.
Bulger fled Boston in 1994 after an FBI handler, John Connolly, warned him authorities were about to indict him. Connolly was later jailed for tipping off the defendant. Bulger fled Boston in 1994 after John Connolly warned him authorities were about to indict him. Connolly was later jailed for tipping off the defendant.