Judge denies defense delay motion, Bulger trial to start Wednesday

BOSTON (MyFoxBoston.com) – The judge presiding over the trial of mobster James "Whitey" Bulger has denied the defense's motion to delay the start of the trial. The trial will start on Wednesday.

On Monday, JW Carney, one of Bulger's attorneys, had asked Judge Denise Casper to delay opening statements to the following Monday so his team could investigate a claim that law enforcement protected hit man John Martorano.

Carney accused prosecutors of engaging in a "cover-up" of an allegation that Martorano, who admitted killing 20 people, has committed crimes since his 2007 release from federal prison and has been shielded from investigation.

Prosecutors opposed the delay, saying in a written response that the allegation was "thoroughly debunked" after an internal investigation by state police.

Judge Casper said Monday afternoon she wanted time to mull over the decision to delay opening statements. She denied the motion at about 4 p.m. Tuesday.

Prosecutors and defense attorneys completed jury selection Tuesday, choosing 12 regular jurors and six alternates.

Bulger is accused of participating in 19 murders in the 1970s and '80s.

The 83-year-old Bulger was one of the nation's most wanted fugitives after he fled Boston in 1994. He was captured in 2011 in Santa Monica, Calif., after more than 16 years on the run.

Cox Media Group