Prosecutors seek to drop 1994 Whitey Bulger charges to focus on murder cases
(CBS/AP) BOSTON - Federal prosecutors have moved to dismiss a 1994 racketeering indictment against James "Whitey" Bulger to focus on a later indictment that accused him of participating in 19 murders.
Pictures: Whitey Bulger arrested
Prosecutors said Tuesday they want to get Whitey Bulger on trial "as soon as possible," stating the families of the 19 people he is accused of killing deserve justice, reports the Los Angeles Times.
But U.S. District Judge Mark Wolf told prosecutors that dismissal of the 1994 indictment is "not automatic" and that he would give Bulger's provisional attorney, Peter Kruup, a day to consult with Bulger to see whether he objects to the dismissal.
Bulger was captured at his Santa Monica residence with his longtime girlfriend Catherine Greig after spending the last 16 years on the run during an epic manhunt that was a major embarrassment to the FBI and made the fugitive a global sensation as he constantly found a way to elude authorities.
The 81-year-old now faces a series of federal charges including murder, conspiracy to commit murder, narcotics distribution, extortion and money laundering, while the 60-year-old Greig is charged with harboring a fugitive.