Three inmates accused of killing notorious Boston gangster James “Whitey” Bulger in prison in 2018 are scheduled to appear in court on Monday for a plea hearing and sentencing. The hearing for Fotios “Freddy” Geas, Paul J. DeCologero, and Sean McKinnon will take place in federal court in northern West Virginia. Last month, plea deals for the three were disclosed.
Bulger, aged 89, was brutally beaten to death in his cell just hours after being transferred to a troubled West Virginia prison six years ago. Fotios “Freddy” Geas and Paul J. DeCologero are accused of repeatedly striking Bulger in the head, while McKinnon acted as a lookout during the attack. DeCologero reportedly referred to Bulger as a “snitch” and shared a plan to kill him as soon as he arrived in their unit. He also mentioned to an inmate that he and Geas utilized a belt with a lock attached to it to carry out the fatal beating.
Geas and DeCologero were charged with murder, while all three men faced charges of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, which carries a potential life sentence. McKinnon also faced an additional charge of making false statements to a federal agent.
Last year, the Justice Department announced that they would not pursue the death penalty for Geas and DeCologero. Bulger, known for running the predominantly Irish mob in Boston during the 1970s and 1980s, went into hiding in 1994 and became one of the nation’s most wanted fugitives. He was eventually apprehended at the age of 81 after evading authorities for over 16 years. In 2013, he was convicted of 11 murders and numerous other gang-related crimes.
The case of the inmates accused of Bulger’s murder continues to unfold, with the upcoming plea hearing and sentencing shedding light on the events that led to the notorious gangster’s death. As the legal proceedings progress, more details may emerge regarding the circumstances surrounding the killing and the motives of those involved.
The violent end to Bulger’s life serves as a reminder of the dangerous and often deadly world of organized crime, where betrayals and vendettas can have severe consequences. The plea hearing and sentencing for the three inmates will provide some closure to the tragic saga of James “Whitey” Bulger, but the repercussions of his murder will likely reverberate for years to come.