Whitey Bulger Trial: Another jury question emerges as deliberations enter fifth day
UPDATE: Whitey Bulger Found Guilty
(CBS/AP) BOSTON -- Another jury question emerged Monday morning as a panel of 12 entered its fifth day of deliberating the fate of reputed mob boss James "Whitey" Bulger, CBS Boston reports via Twitter.
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The jury reportedly asked whether they should find Bulger "automatically" guilty if they find others guilty who are also named in certain charges against the 83-year-old.
"In the indictment, there are some charges that name multiple people with the defendant. If the jurors believe one of the other people named is guilty, are we to automatically find the defendant guilty (or 'proven') solely based on the fact that the names are connected in the indictment?" the jury asked, reports CBS Boston via Twitter.
A judge reportedly replied that the jury shouldn't find Bulger guilty because of a finding of guilt of a partner in an alleged conspiracy.
The alleged former leader of South Boston's notorious Winter Hill crime gang is charged in a broad 32-count indictment that accuses him of raking in millions from drug trafficking and extortion. One of the counts, a federal racketeering charge, covers 33 criminal acts including 19 murders, six extortions, and conspiracy to sell drugs, Boston.com reported.
Bulger was one of the nation's most wanted fugitives after he fled Boston in 1994 ahead of an indictment. During his 16 years on the run, his secret relationship with the FBI as an informant was revealed, embarrassing the FBI and exposing corruption within the bureau.
Bulger, now 83, was finally captured in Santa Monica, Calif., in 2011, where he had been living in a rent-controlled apartment near the beach with his longtime girlfriend.
Bulger's lawyers strongly denied that Bulger was ever an informant and told jurors the government's three main witnesses - all once-loyal Bulger cohorts - were pathological liars who blamed Bulger for crimes they committed so they could get reduced sentences.
Also on Monday, Bulger said he would forfeit the guns and $822,000 in cash that officials found in his Santa Monica apartment, but he wants to keep one thing: a Stanley Cup ring. In a document filed last week and signed by Bulger, the 83-year-old said the ring was a gift from an unnamed "third party."
The case was turned over to the jury shortly before 11 a.m. Tuesday after more than seven weeks of testimony. Monday marked their fifth day of deliberations.
Complete coverage of the Whitey Bulger case on Crimesider
