BOSTON (AP) — When gangster James "Whitey" Bulger is sentenced this week, family members of eight slaying victims are hoping a judge will let them speak, even though Bulger was acquitted in those deaths.
Bulger was convicted in a racketeering indictment in August, including charges that he participated in 11 killings. But the jury acquitted Bulger in seven killings and made no finding in an eighth.
Those families are hoping Judge Denise Casper will let them give victim impact statements at Bulger's sentencing.
But Bulger's lawyers and two jurors have asked Casper to limit statements to only the relatives of the 11 victims whose killings Bulger was convicted in.
Juror Janet Uhlar says the jury's verdict would be "mocked" if the other eight families are allowed to make statements.
Bulger's sentencing hearing is scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday.
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