– James ‘Whitey’ Bulger prison killing
– Accused lookout in James ‘Whitey’ Bulger prison killing.
Accident – Death – Obituary News :
CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (AP) — Sean McKinnon, the man accused of acting as a lookout during the prison killing of infamous Boston gangster James “Whitey” Bulger, has pleaded guilty to a charge of lying to federal agents. McKinnon, who was wearing shackles, appeared in court before U.S. District Judge Thomas Kleeh, where he was embraced by his attorneys after it was agreed that he would receive credit for the 22 months he had already spent in custody following his indictment.
The incident in question took place in 2018 at a troubled West Virginia prison, where McKinnon, along with two other inmates, was accused of being involved in the killing of Bulger. McKinnon’s co-accused, Fotios “Freddy” Geas and Paul J. DeCologero, are facing charges related to the brutal attack on Bulger shortly after his transfer to the prison.
Plea Deals and Sentencing
The plea deals for the three individuals were made public on May 13, with plea hearings scheduled for DeCologero on August 1 and for Geas on September 6. McKinnon, who had been released from USP Hazelton in 2022 after serving time for stealing guns from a firearms dealer, found himself back in legal trouble when the indictment was handed down just weeks after his release while he was still on federal supervised release.
Defense attorney Katie Cimono expressed her satisfaction with McKinnon’s release, stating, “We’re delighted that he’s being released.” McKinnon managed to avoid a charge of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, with the false statement charge carrying a potential penalty of up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Details of the Incident
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Flower, Geas and DeCologero spent approximately seven minutes in Bulger’s cell, where they allegedly attacked him, while McKinnon remained in a common area of the prison. McKinnon later falsely claimed to FBI agents that he was unaware of what had happened to Bulger, even though he was aware of the violent attack.
In court, Cimino argued that McKinnon’s lie did not directly contribute to harm being inflicted on Bulger. Prosecutors revealed that DeCologero had expressed intentions to kill Bulger upon his arrival at their unit, referring to him as a “snitch.” DeCologero and Geas were said to have used a belt with a lock attached to it to carry out the fatal assault on Bulger.
Background of Whitey Bulger
Whitey Bulger, who once led the Irish mob in Boston during the 1970s and ’80s, was also an FBI informant providing information on rival gang members. He became a fugitive in 1994 after receiving a tip about an impending indictment and was eventually captured at the age of 81 after over 16 years on the run. Bulger was convicted in 2013 of multiple murders and other criminal activities, with many of his crimes committed while he was working as an FBI informant.
Following his transfer to USP Hazelton in West Virginia, Bulger was killed shortly thereafter. The circumstances surrounding his death raised concerns about the handling of his transfer and his placement within the prison. An investigation by the Justice Department in 2022 found multiple instances of mismanagement, incompetence, and flawed policies within the Bureau of Prisons that contributed to Bulger’s death.
Legal History of McKinnon’s Co-Accused
DeCologero, a member of a gang led by his uncle, has a criminal history that includes involvement in a murder plot that resulted in the death of a teenage girl. Geas, a close associate of the Mafia, was sentenced to life in 2011 for his role in violent crimes, including the killing of a crime family boss in Massachusetts. Both individuals were charged in connection with Bulger’s murder but will not face the death penalty.
The case surrounding the prison killing of Whitey Bulger continues to shed light on the complexities of organized crime and the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in combating such criminal activities.
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– Accused lookout in James ‘Whitey’ Bulger prison killing
– Pleads guilty, gets no additional time.
