Judge To Hold Hearing On Bulger Immunity Claim

Lawyers for reputed Boston gangster James "Whitey" Bulger will ask a judge to reconsider an earlier ruling barring Bulger from claiming immunity as a defense at his upcoming trial.

The former leader of the Winter Hill Gang is charged with participating in 19 murders. His trial is scheduled to begin in June.

Bulger claims a federal prosecutor gave him immunity. Judge Richard Stearns ruled Bulger couldn't present evidence about his claim that the immunity deal applied to future crimes he committed.

Stearns was removed from the case because of a potential conflict of interest. Bulger's lawyers have asked the new judge to allow him to use an immunity defense.

Prosecutors have called Bulger's immunity claim "absurd."

U.S. District Judge Denise Casper has scheduled a hearing Friday in Boston.