Prosecutors Urge Judge In Bulger Trial To Reject Limits On Family Testimony
BOSTON (AP) — Federal prosecutors have urged a judge to reject a request from lawyers for James "Whitey" Bulger who want to limit testimony from family members of people he is accused of killing.
Prosecutors say in a response filed Tuesday that they have the right to call relatives of Bulger's alleged victims to testify about their "firsthand knowledge," including events surrounding the disappearance of their loved ones.
Bulger's lawyers argued in a motion last week that testimony from family members would be "unduly prejudicial." They asked that their testimony be limited to basic information.
Prosecutors said the judge should not prevent them from questioning family members about legitimate topics simply because they are grief-stricken.
Bulger is charged with participating in 19 murders. His trial is scheduled to begin next week.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.
