Prosecution rests in Bulger trial

BOSTON (AP) — After 30 days and 63 witnesses prosecutors have wrapped up their case against reputed gangster James "Whitey" Bulger at his racketeering trial.

Bulger's lawyers are expected to begin presenting up to 16 witnesses after the prosecution rests.

The star witness on the witness list is former Bulger associate, Pat Nee. Stephen "The Rifleman" Flemmi said on the stand that he was the mystery third person with them when they murdered two men in 1982. He has said he will plead the Fifth if forced to appear. Nee is also set to star in a new mob-based reality show debuting next week. The government filed a motion Friday morning to block defense witness Nee from testifying.

After the prosecution had wrapped, Bulger defense attorney J.W. Carney told Judge Denise Casper that he won't know if his client will testify until he's called his other witnesses. If Bulger does not testify, the trial could go to the jury as early as next week.

The 83-year-old Bulger is charged with participating in 19 killings during the 1970s and '80s, as well as numerous extortions, while a leader of the Winter Hill Gang.

Bulger was one of the nation's most-wanted fugitives after fleeing Boston in late 1994. He was captured in Santa Monica, Calif., in 2011.

Cox Media Group