James “Whitey” Bulger.
Credit: U.S. Attorney’s Office
A federal prosecutor asked a judge to admonish alleged mob boss James “Whitey” Bulger for calling a witness “a f—ing liar” while the witness was testifying.
An angered Brian Kelly stood up after the jury left the courtroom for the morning break and asked Judge Denise Casper to admonish Bulger. Kelly said Bulger turned to former FBI agent John Morris and used the expletive.
Morris supervised corrupt FBI agent John Connolly, who is serving time in prison. Morris, who took bribes from Bulger, received immunity and took the witness stand Thursday.
Kelly, turning toward Bulger and pointing, said he knows Bulger spent his years in South Boston intimidating witnesses and 15-year-old boys, but that behavior wouldn’t be tolerated in the courtroom. The 15-year-old boy comment was in reference to Paul McGonagle, who testified earlier Thursday about Bulger pulling up to him when he was a teen and telling the young man that he had taken care of the guys who killed his father. Bulger is accused of actually murdering McGonagle’s father.
Casper said she didn’t hear the comment, but asked Bulger’s attorney to talk to him and told Bulger that type of action wouldn’t be allowed.
“I understand,” Bulger said.
J. W. Carney Jr., Bulger’s lawyer, didn’t challenge Kelly’s claim and said he would talk to Bulger during the break.
Follow Michael Naughton on Twitter @metrobosmike.
