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BOSTON (MyFoxBoston.com) — James “Whitey” Bulger’s defense team added five new names to his witness list Wednesday.
The list includes OIG Special Agent James Marra, who already appeared on the stand as a government witness, as well as former FBI deputy director Weldon Kennedy, Theodore Berenson Jr., James Knotts, and Joseph Kelly.
Berenson was a frequent visitor to Bulger’s Lancaster Street garage and was caught on state police surveillance in 1980. Sources tell FOX 25 he worked with Bulger’s group.
Former federal prosecutor Brad Bailey tells FOX 25 he believes Bulger’s team is going to again try to argue that their client had immunity to commit all crimes, including murder.
“They try to lay a foundation,” Bailey explained. “When they lay a foundation, they go back to the judge and say, please revisit this. This is critical to us. This is our central defense in this case, and if you don’t allow it in, you are depriving my client, our client, James Bulger, of a fair trial. They have every right to try. Just as the judge has every right to deny their renewed motion.”
Judge Denise Casper threw out the immunity defense prior to the trial.
Bulger’s defense team also removed one name from the list Wednesday. Michelle Davis, sister of murder victim Debbie Davis, died in 2007.
A total of 86 names appear on the list, however that does not mean all 86 people will be called to testify.
The reputed mob boss faces sweeping federal racketeering indictments that include 19 murders. The prosecution has already called ex-enforcer John Martorano to the stand, as well as disgraced Boston FBI supervisor John Morris.
The government is expected to call Bulger’s former right-hand man, Kevin Weeks, to the stand Monday.