BOSTON (WHDH) — Two of the 12 jurors in the trial of convicted mob boss James “Whitey” Bulger spoke about their experiences — from the opening statements to the deliberations and the reading of the verdict.
“People were turning red. I saw people leaning over, looking like they were sick and they were taking bottles of Advils and aspirin,” said Scott Hotyckey, a juror.
Hotyckey said there were tough times in the jury room as 12 men and women struggled to decide the fate of Boston’s most notorious mobster.
“People looked sick in the beginning. I think they were terrified. I think people asked me, ‘What if Pat Nee comes to your house?’ I said ‘Send him over’,” said Hotyckey.
Hotyckey, a 47-year-old laid-off biotech worker, said he was convinced early of Bulger’s guilt on all counts by what he called overwhelming evidence, right down to the weapons taken from Bugler’s California hideout — especially a .22-caliber pistol with a silencer on it.
“Why would put a silencer on a .22? There’s no accuracy at all with it once you put a silencer — it’s to put against somebody’s head and kill them. And then I’m like, this guys a maniac,” said Hotyckey.
“Holding out and trying to say, well can you say proven without reasonable — can you really say that without reasonable doubt?” said Janet Uhlar, a juror.
Uhlar said prosecutors hadn’t proven all the murders Bulger was accused of. She said the testimony of fellow mobsters, like John Martorano and Kevin Weeks, just wasn’t enough.
“You had people that were criminals giving testimony, that took plea agreements so you weren’t sure what you could believe or what you couldn’t believe and some of the acts especially, that’s all we had, was the testimony of these individuals,” said Uhlar.
Hotyckey remains disappointed the jury couldn’t agree to find prosecutors proved all the murders, but he is happy he played a part in sending Bulger away for good.
“On the darkest day, on the darkest night, may evil fear the jurors might — because he didn’t escape,” said Hotyckey.
Bulger will be back in federal court for a three-day sentencing in November. Victims' family members are expected to speak.