Death of Ex-Bulger witness ruled homicide, more charges expected

LINCOLN, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) -- The death of a Quincy man who previously claimed he was the victim of an extortion plot by James "Whitey" Bulger has been ruled a homicide.

The Middlesex District Attorney's office announced Saturday the cause of Stephen Rakes' death was acute cyanide toxicity.

Prosecutors plan to seek addition charges against the man accused of killing Rakes, William Camuti.

Camuti, 69, of Sudbury, pleaded not guilty to charges that include attempted murder and unlawful disposition of human remains in August.

Investigators allege Camuti knew Rakes for years and that he owed him money. They claim Rakes met up with Camuti in July after learning he would not be called to testify in Bulger's racketeering trial.

Camuti is accused of putting potassium cyanide in Rakes' coffee and then driving him around until he died. Rakes' body was found in a wooded area in Lincoln.

Investigators believe Camuti acted alone.

Cox Media Group