BOSTON (WHDH) — The Moakley Federal Courthouse where James “Whitey” Bulger is standing trial was buzzing with activity Thursday as news came out about the death of Stephen Rakes, an alleged extortion victim of Bulger’s.
Rakes, 59, was found dead by the side of the road in Lincoln Wednesday afternoon.
The families of alleged murder victims in the trial talked about Rakes’ death Thursday at court. Stephen Davis said he tried to get in touch with Rakes all day Wednesday, but was unsuccessful.
“I was going by his house — I gotta know why he hasn’t come to court, why he hasn’t talked to me. I got a gut feeling, really sick feeling about it…I figure its murder,” said Davis, whose sister was allegedly killed by Bulger.
Rakes wanted to testify in the trial. He was dropped from the witness prosecution list.