Stephen Rakes was prepared to testify in a trial against James “Whitey” Bulger, a Boston mob boss. Police are investigating the man’s death as they were given the tip by a random jogger who spotted the body. According to CNN.com, the Thursday autopsy that was conducted on the body found no signs of trauma. Currently toxicology results are pending.
James Bulger is charged with 19 deaths that occurred when he was allegedly the head of an Irish mob in Boston. He faces extortion, racketeering and money laundering charges. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Stephen Rakes had alleged that Bulger forced him to sell his liquor store to him in the 1980s. Former Bulger associate Kevin Weeks testified, “This was not your regular extortion.” Weeks told the federal jury that mob boss Bulger had tried to force the store owner to sell his liquor store for $100,000. He forced Rakes into selling it.
Former alleged mob boss ‘White’ Bulger
According to Boston Globe columnist Kevin Cullen, Rakes “showed up at court every day for his trial.” He had been waiting for decades to tell his story. Rakes’ former lawyer, Michael Connolly told CNN he was shocked to hear of his former client’s death. He commented that when he had last seen him a month ago, he was fit and fine. “He was looking forward to testifying at the ‘White’ Bulger trial.”