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South Boston center of attention as Bulger trial begins – Metro US

South Boston center of attention as Bulger trial begins

bulger trial boston whitey bulger A caravan of screaming police cars and SUVs flanked by State Police cruisers arrived at the federal courthouse in South Boston Wednesday. Bulger was believed to be in one of the cars.
Credit: Michael Naughton/METRO

The unofficial start of the trial of alleged mob boss James “Whitey” Bulger begins today with opening statements.

Federal prosecutors and Bulger’s attorney will deliver their opening remarks to the jury of 18 people – including six alternates.

At about 7:40 a.m. a caravan of unmarked police cars and SUVs with their sirens blaring arrived at the federal courthouse in South Boston. Bulger was believed to be in one of the cars.

National media outlets including CBS News, The Wall Street Journal and Newsweek, descended on the courthouse.

Bulger’s trial is a long time coming – he was a fugitive for 16 years – and is expected to recount a dark past for the FBI. Authorities said Bulger was an informant for the FBI, although his lawyer has denied that allegation.

The 83-year-old Bulger was arrested in Santa Monica, Calif., in 2011 after 16 years on the run. Bulger fled after corrupt FBI agent John Connolly tipped him off just before his indictment for various crimes including racketeering, extortion and 19 murders.

For updates throughout the Bulger trial follow Michael Naughton on Twitter @metrobosmike. Naughton will be reporting live from inside the courthouse and live-blogging real time updates from the trial on Metro.us.