Former New England mob boss James “Whitey” Bulger was sentenced to two life terms plus five years in prison on Thursday for his murderous rampage throughout the 1970’s and 80’s.
Bulger fled Boston in 1994 after being tipped off by a former FBI handler that he was going to be indicted. The 84-year-old remained on the run for 16 years until he was captured in Santa Monica, California in 2011. When arrested, agents found a cache of weapons and $800,000 in cash on him.
On Wednesday, Judge Casper heard testimonies from dozens of relatives among the 19 victims. They called him Satan, a terrorist and a sociopath, but Bulger remained silent.
U.S District Judge Denise Casper called his crimes “almost unfathomable” and the human suffering he had inflicted on others was “agonizing to hear.” According to Casper, it felt like everyone in the courtroom were watching a movie, because the travesties described seemed unreal.
Bulger continued to remain silent as Judge Casper read his sentence. After a two month trial, Bulger was found guilty on 31 of his 32 gangland crimes, including 11 of 19 murders charges.
“That old bastard is finally going to prison. He’s going to die in prison,” said Tommy Donahue who’s been waiting 31 years for someone to convict Bulger for murdering his father Michael.
