The Associated Press
BOSTON (AP) -- Reputed gangster James "Whitey" Bulger, a legendary organized-crime figure in Boston, is on trial on a long list of charges, including participating in 19 killings. Here's a look at the case against him, his defense and what's happening in the courtroom:
THE HISTORY
The 83-year-old Bulger, the alleged former leader of the Winter Hill Gang, was one of the nation's most wanted fugitives after he fled Boston in 1994. He was captured in 2011 in Santa Monica, Calif., where he had been living with his longtime girlfriend in a rent-controlled apartment. His early image as a modern-day Robin Hood who gave Thanksgiving dinners to working-class neighbors and kept drug dealers out of his South Boston neighborhood was shattered when authorities started digging up bodies.
THE PROSECUTION
Prosecutors called two former state police officers to illustrate the scope of what they say was Bulger's extensive criminal enterprise. Retired Lt. Robert Long identified Bulger in a collection of photos and video surveillance from 1980. The images show Bulger meeting with members of his gang and various members of the New England Mafia. Col. Thomas Foley identified six machine guns and eight other guns shown to the jury in the courtroom. He also identified dozens of other guns through photographs. Prosecutors say the guns were owned by Bulger and his gang and used to instill fear in anyone who refused to pay a fee, known as "tribute," to Bulger's gang.
THE DEFENSE
Bulger lawyer Hank Brennan aggressively questioned Foley about his frustration with some Boston FBI agents who Foley said thwarted state police investigations of Bulger and his gang. Foley acknowledged during cross-examination by Brennan that none of the weapons identified by Foley were found in Bulger's home at the time, and neither Bulger's DNA nor his fingerprints were found on any of them. Foley wrote a 2012 book about his pursuit of Bulger: "Most Wanted: Pursuing Whitey Bulger, the Murderous Mob Chief the FBI Secretly Protected."
THE JURY
Eleven men and seven women are serving on the jury, including 12 regular jurors and six alternates. The trial is expected to last three to four months.
WHAT'S UP NEXT
In testimony Friday, two bookmakers are expected to describe how Bulger allegedly extorted fees called "tribute" from them.
BULGER
The defendant wore jeans and a long-sleeved gray shirt. He showed no emotion during the proceedings.
-- Thomas J Foley