Community Corner

Bulger to FBI: Stop Leaking Information to Press

"It will be as close to impossible for Mr. Bulger to get a fair trial on these charges as can be, and certainly more challenging than in any case in modern memory." -Bulger's attorney, Peter Krupp

James "Whitey" Bulger has accused the FBI of leaking information to the press and is demanding the agency stop, according to court filings.

Citing a Boston Sunday Globe story that used information provided by unidentified law enforcement, Peter B. Krupp, Bulger’s attorney, filed an emergency motion today calling to bar agents from disclosing information not intended for the public.

"The jury pool has surely been tainted by the flood of publicity about this case over the last 25 years," Krupp wrote. "If it is now possible -- and Mr. Bulger seriously questions whether it will be possible -- for Mr. Bulger to receive a fair trial, law enforcement leaks of non-public information must end."

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The Globe story said Bulger told agents he made regular trips to Tijuana for prescription medicine and detailed some of the things allegedly found inside his apartment.

Even without the leaks, it will be nearly impossible for Bulger to get a fair trial, Krupp wrote.

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"The cases against Mr. Bulger and others charged in connection with, or related to, the allegations in this case, have already been so highly publicized, hyped, written-about (several books) and sensationalized (including in movies), that it will be as close to impossible for Mr. Bulger to get a fair trial on these charges as can be, and certainly more challenging than in any case in modern memory,” Krupp wrote.

No ruling has been entered on the motion, which will be considered by U.S. district court judge Richard Stearns, according to a federal court docket.

Bulger was arrested in Santa Monica, Calif. last Wednesday, ending a 16-year manhunt. Bulger is accused of orchestrating or directly committing 19 murders, among other charges.


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