Bulger defense enters fourth day of testimony

BOSTON, Aug. 1 (UPI) -- Reputed Boston mobster James "Whitey" Bulger's defense reached Day 4 Thursday with it still unclear if he will testify in his racketeering and murder trial.

Bulger's lawyers divulged additional witnesses they intend to summon in the coming days but the 83-year-old defendant was not on the list, The Boston Globe reported. Defense attorney Jay W. Carney said the names provided "may not be the limit to the defense," the newspaper said.

Prior to the start of Bulger's U.S. District Court trial, his defense team said they planned to have Bulger testify.

Federal prosecutor Fred Wyshak told Judge Denise Casper Thursday the government has a right to know if Bulger will testify.

"He's had two months to make that decision," Wyshak said.

He asked the judge if prosecutors should be ready to deliver closing arguments Friday or to cross-examine Bulger.

Casper also excused defense witness Patrick Nee, a 68-year-old former associate of Bulger who had been expected to testify. The newspaper said Nee was in the back of the courtroom Thursday while his attorney talked privately at length with the judge and attorneys in the case, and then left without comment after the judge's ruling. Casper didn't explain why she released Nee from testifying but his attorney had previously said his client would invoke his Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination.

Bulger is charged with playing a role in 19 murders, extortion, money laundering and stockpiling guns in the 1970s and 1980s. U.S. attorneys contend he avoided prosecution for decades because he was working with FBI agents who protected him, the Globe said.