As Bulger jury deliberates, an argument over found cash begins

BOSTON, Aug. 9 (UPI) -- As jurors deliberated for the fourth day Friday in the Boston racketeering trial of James "Whitey" Bulger, lawyers discussed cash found in Bulger's apartment.

Some $822,000 was found in Bulger's California apartment after his 2011 arrest.

A lawyer for Julie Dammers, co-owner of a Boston liquor store Bulger and a colleague allegedly extorted, urged U.S. District Judge Denise Casper not to act on the government's request Bulger forfeit the money as proceeds from his criminal activity, if the jury convicts him of the offense.

Dammers won a $29 million judgment against Bulger while he was on the run, but days after Bulger's capture, a lien against his assets, including the cash, was issued. Anthony Cardinale, Dammer's lawyer, is arguing his client has first claim to the money, the Boston Globe reported Friday.

The family of Debra Davis, allegedly strangled to death by Bulger in 1981, won a $15 million state court judgment against Bulger and other members of his group. Bulger has said, through his lawyers, he prefers the money go to the families of Michael Donohue and Brian Halloran, allegedly shot to death by Bulger in 1982. Bulger targeted Halloran, and Donahue was an innocent victim, the newspaper said.

Arguments regarding the money were presented without the jury in the courtroom. Casper said she would address the issue after the verdicts are in.

Thursday jurors caused a stir when they asked to examine what prosecutors contended was a machine gun belonging to Bulger. The final count in the 32-count indictment against Bulger accuses him of owning two firearms with serial numbers removed, one of which is the 9mm German MP40 submachine gun the jury asked to see, The Hartford Courant reported.