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Victim's Family Eager To See Bulger In Court

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When James 'Whitey' Bulger is arraigned in Boston federal court Friday afternoon, the Donahue family will be there. "After all these years of waiting," Patricia Donahue said, "We need to see this man brought to justice. We need to be there."

Patricia Donahue's, wife of alleged victim of 'Whitey' Bulger outside federal court in Boston on Friday (Jesse Costa/WBUR)
Patricia Donahue's, wife of alleged victim of 'Whitey' Bulger outside federal court in Boston on Friday (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

Donahue's husband, Michael, was murdered in 1982. His son Tommy had just made his first Communion. To celebrate, Donahue was going to take his son fishing. He'd been on the South Boston waterfront that day getting supplies for the trip. He'd stepped into a bar for a drink, and when he left, he was with Brian Halloran.

Brian Halloran was a criminal who had tried to turn in Whitey Bulger. He'd asked Donahue for a ride. When they got into the car, men who'd been waiting, allegedly including Bulger, fired a hail of bullets into the car.

"There was more than one trigger man," Tommy Donahue said. "So hopefully now, with Whitey Bulger getting arrested, he can rat out the other people who were there."

The Donahue's have seen Bulger's recent mugshot. It hardened their resolve to see Bulger face-to-face in court.

"Don't be thrown off by that old frail man smiling there," Tommy said, "My family always said that if anyone ever lives to get charged, we will represent my father to the fullest."

Guests:

  • Patricia Donahue, wife of Michael alleged victim of James 'Whitey' Bulger
  • Tommy Donahue, son of Michael Donahue

This program aired on June 24, 2011.

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