I wonder if the current administration is taking notes? Lois Lerner better watch out!!!
Key witness in ‘Whitey’ Bulger trial found dead on the side of a road outside Boston
Published July 18, 2013
FoxNews.com
The body of a key witness in James 'Whitey’ Bulger's racketeering trial was discovered on the side of a road Wednesday by a jogger in Lincoln, Mass., which sits just west of Boston.
Stephen "Stippo" Rakes, 59, was allegedly extorted by Bulger and considered one of the most determined alleged victims who waited a decade to testify, The Boston Globe reported.
The Globe reported that Rakes has been a fixture for six weeks at Bulger's trial and was told recently that he would not get the chance to testify.
The Middlesex County district attorney's office confirmed Rakes' identity in a press release Thursday. There were no obvious signs of trauma, a statement said. The medical examiner is conducting an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death.
ABC News first reported the link to the Bulger case and reported that Rakes was set to testify that Bulger threatened his daughter with a gun and took over his Boston liquor store. Police told Rakes' family the cause of death appears to be a suicide, the report said. However, Rakes was reportedly missing his phone and wallet.
Calls from FoxNews.com to the Middlesex district attorney to confirm the report were not immediately returned.
Bulger, now 83, is accused in a 32-count racketeering indictment of playing a role in 19 killings in the 1970s and '80s while he allegedly led the Winter Hill Gang. He is also charged with money laundering and extortion.
Bulger's alleged partner, Stephen "The Rifleman" Flemmi, was scheduled to testify Thursday — nearly 20 years after they last saw each other. The judge was reportedly meeting with lawyers Thursday at the courthouse.
The men's former FBI handler, John Connolly, was convicted of tipping off both men in late 1994 that they were about to be indicted. Bulger fled Boston and was one of the nation's most-wanted fugitives until he was captured in Santa Monica, Calif., in 2011. Flemmi stayed, was arrested and later pleaded guilty to 10 killings. He is now serving a life sentence.
Bulger's lawyers have strongly denied the prosecution contention that their client was an informant who ratted on the New England Mafia and other criminals. They say he paid FBI agents to tip him off to investigations and upcoming indictments.
In other testimony Wednesday, a former U.S. Customs agent said a man Bulger is accused of killing was cooperating with law enforcement just before he disappeared in 1984.
Bulger is charged with fatally shooting John McIntyre, a fisherman from Quincy, after learning that he was talking to authorities.
Former Customs Agent Donald DeFago testified that McIntyre described drug smuggling and other activities, including a failed attempt to ship weapons to the Irish Republican Army.
Bulger associate Kevin Weeks testified earlier that Bulger interrogated and killed McIntyre while he was chained to a chair. Weeks said Bulger tried to strangle him, but when the rope caused him to vomit, he asked McIntyre if he wanted a bullet in the head.
Weeks said McIntyre replied, "Yes, please" and Bulger shot him.
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http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/07/18...#ixzz2ZPxQfNba
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