Ex hitman for Boston mob to be released after serving 12 years (for 20 murders!)

[wicket]

Ex-hitman looks to lead quiet life

He was one of the most notorious hitmen in Boston mob history. He became the first in a rogues gallery of underworld figures to turn government witness against gangsters James "Whitey" Bulger and Stephen "The Rifleman" Flemmi and their corrupt FBI handlers.

On Thursday, 66-year-old John Martorano is to become a free man after killing 20 people and serving 12 years and two months in an undisclosed federal prison out of state. He rejected an offer to join the federal witness protection program and has no qualms about returning to the Boston area, according to his brother, James.

"He just wants to keep his head down and be quiet and just get on with his life," James Martorano said in a telephone interview yesterday. His brother's plans are "just to mind his own business," James said.

Martorano's freedom and return to Boston, however, are a bitter pill for the families of his victims, who were gunned down in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. "I think it is a sad state of affairs where we have to turn to mob hitmen to find the truth about our FBI," said David Wheeler, pointing out that the 1981 slaying of his father, Tulsa businessman Roger Wheeler, remained unsolved until Martorano confessed that he was the triggerman, acting on orders from Bulger and Flemmi.

Attorney James P. Duggan -- who represented the family of Boston financier John Callahan, another of Martorano's victims -- said, "How do any of us have any guarantees that he's not going to murder again? You know he's a serial murderer. You know he still has scores to settle. It's unconscionable, really, that he should be released."

John Martorano will remain under court supervision for five years. As part of his agreement with the government, Martorano will testify later this year at the Florida murder trial of former FBI agent John J. Connolly Jr., who is accused of plotting with Bulger and Flemmi in the 1982 gangland slaying of Callahan.

[Marrah_G]

1. No worries...

He will be dead in a matter of weeks, if not days. He should have taken the program.

[TheCowsCameHome]

2. Maybe a good fit for Bush's upcoming AG vacancy.

[wicket]

3. Good one!

:rofl: :rofl:

[acmavm]

4. No kidding. Or maybe Negroponte needs an assistant.

[wicket]

5. kick

:kick:

[graywarrior]

6. Oh geeze, he may make the Bulger people nervous...take over an area with some loyal homies.

Should be interesting. Whatever they do, they do it on tippy toes.

[wicket]

7. I hope they catch Whitey soon

There will be a parade here in Boston on that day for sure! :D