Prosecutor: Whitey Bulger will try to ‘manipulate’ system to avoid trial in murders

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BOSTON (AP) — A federal prosecutor is asking a judge for a speedy trial for former Boston mobster James “Whitey” Bulger, saying he believes the 82-year-old will try to “manipulate the system” so he’s never brought to trial for his alleged role in 19 murders.

But Bulger’s lawyer said the former leader of the Winter Hill Gang is “preparing for trial.”

During a status conference in federal court Wednesday, Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Kelly said prosecutors have turned over reams of evidence to Bulger’s lawyers and want to expedite the case.

Defense attorney J.W. Carney Jr. said the volume of evidence is “enormous” and he and four other lawyers are still going through it.

Bulger was captured in June in Santa Monica, Calif., more than 16 years after he fled Boston to evade prosecution.