It’s been a month of dramatic testimony that included public spats complete with expletive filled barbs, but reputed mobster James “Whitey” Bulger’s trial finally headed to the jury on Tuesday.
Prosecuting attorney Fred Wyshak said in his three-and-one-half hour closing argument on Mondaythat Bulger is about the most “vicious, violent and calculating [of] criminals to ever walk the streets of Boston,” CNN reported. In two-and-a-half hours, defense attorney J.W. Carney said the witnesses weren’t truthful.
“If you cannot say in your deliberation that I personally can believe [prosecution’s witnesses] beyond a reasonable doubt, then the government cannot prove its case about the alleged murders,” he said, to the jury, CNN reported. “The government is buying the testimony of these witnesses.”
Bulger faces charges related to 19 killings and 13 counts of extortion and money laundering. He was the reputed criminal king of South Boston from the early 1970s through 1995.
He repeatedly lost his temper during the trial. At one point, he shook his finer at the judge while decrying his defense team.
“I didn’t get a fair trial. This is a sham. Do what ya’s want with me,” he said to the judge, in earlier testimony, CNN reported.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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