In 2011, however, Whitey was captured and ultimately found himself serving a life sentence. In spite of his many enemies, the gangster-turned-FBI-informant managed to avoid getting whacked until the age of 89 years old. These are the craziest facts about Bulger’s ruthless, murderous rise to the top of his criminal empire and his eventual downfall that ended in his murder.
10His Criminal Career Started At Age 14
Born on September 3, 1929, in Boston, Massachusetts, he was one of six children raised by his American father and Irish immigrant mother. When his father lost an arm in an industrial accident, the family was forced into poverty and moved to a housing project in South Boston. As a teenager, Bulger was drawn to petty crime and joined a street gang known as the Shamrocks. His first arrest for larceny came at the age of 14.[1] A few years later, he ended up in a juvenile detention facility, charged with assault, forgery, and armed robbery.
Following his first stint behind bars, Bulger appeared to have his life back on track and joined the US Air Force. However, after several assault claims and going AWOL, he landed himself in military prison. In 1952, he received an honorable discharge and made his way home to Boston, where he was drawn back into street crime.
Following his first stint behind bars, Bulger appeared to have his life back on track and joined the US Air Force. However, after several assault claims and going AWOL, he landed himself in military prison. In 1952, he received an honorable discharge and made his way home to Boston, where he was drawn back into street crime.
9He Was Part Of Project MKULTRA
Photo credit: Federal Bureau of Prisons
In 1956, Bulger was sentenced to 25 years in prison for charges related to armed robbery and truck hijacking. During his incarceration in Atlanta, he became a lab rat in the CIA program called Project MKULTRA for the purpose of researching mind control drugs. Bulger willingly volunteered in exchange for a reduction on his sentence, and he was injected with lysergic acid diethylamide, aka LSD, nearly every day for 15 months. Others who signed up for the testing program developed personality disorders or committed suicide. Later in life, Bulger complained about violent visions and insomnia.
Bulger’s lawyers never used his participation in MKULTRA as part of his defense following his capture. Boston-based criminal defense attorney Anthony Cardinale explained to The Daily Beast, “It’s a simple defense [ . . . ] nearly two years of LSD testing fried his brain. You bring in expert witnesses, psychiatrists, and others who detail the history of how people who took part in this secret CIA program committed suicide or became institutionalized. He’s a victim, driven insane by his own government.”[2]
In 1956, Bulger was sentenced to 25 years in prison for charges related to armed robbery and truck hijacking. During his incarceration in Atlanta, he became a lab rat in the CIA program called Project MKULTRA for the purpose of researching mind control drugs. Bulger willingly volunteered in exchange for a reduction on his sentence, and he was injected with lysergic acid diethylamide, aka LSD, nearly every day for 15 months. Others who signed up for the testing program developed personality disorders or committed suicide. Later in life, Bulger complained about violent visions and insomnia.
Bulger’s lawyers never used his participation in MKULTRA as part of his defense following his capture. Boston-based criminal defense attorney Anthony Cardinale explained to The Daily Beast, “It’s a simple defense [ . . . ] nearly two years of LSD testing fried his brain. You bring in expert witnesses, psychiatrists, and others who detail the history of how people who took part in this secret CIA program committed suicide or became institutionalized. He’s a victim, driven insane by his own government.”[2]
8Everything Changed After His Son’s Early Death
Photo credit: The Boston Globe
Following his petition for parole in 1965, he was set free, and it was business as usual for Bulger, who started out in mob life as a loan shark. Unknown to many of his rivals, Whitey fathered a son named Douglas Glenn Cyr after having dated Lindsey Cyr for just a few months. Bulger kept his son’s identity secret for fear that the young boy might become a target for his rivals. Lindsey detailed that Bulger was a loving and attentive father who showered Douglas with gifts. In 1973, at the age of six years old, Douglas suddenly became sick and died from Reye’s syndrome, brought on by a severe reaction to aspirin.
Lindsey said, “He changed after Douglas died. He was colder.” A former mob associate also recalled, “He did talk about the kid. He told me he had a son once and that he died from Reye’s syndrome. He seemed a little melancholy. You could tell it bothered him.”[3]
Following his petition for parole in 1965, he was set free, and it was business as usual for Bulger, who started out in mob life as a loan shark. Unknown to many of his rivals, Whitey fathered a son named Douglas Glenn Cyr after having dated Lindsey Cyr for just a few months. Bulger kept his son’s identity secret for fear that the young boy might become a target for his rivals. Lindsey detailed that Bulger was a loving and attentive father who showered Douglas with gifts. In 1973, at the age of six years old, Douglas suddenly became sick and died from Reye’s syndrome, brought on by a severe reaction to aspirin.
Lindsey said, “He changed after Douglas died. He was colder.” A former mob associate also recalled, “He did talk about the kid. He told me he had a son once and that he died from Reye’s syndrome. He seemed a little melancholy. You could tell it bothered him.”[3]
7His Brother Was A Senator Who Refused To Testify Against Him
Photo credit: City of Boston Archives
William M. Bulger served as president of the Massachusetts Senate for 18 years and was also president of the University of Massachusetts. Then his career in both politics and education came to a halt in 2003, when he refused to testify in court about communication that he had with his older brother—James “Whitey” Bulger. William then became a source of suspicion for the university, having never previously revealed just how close he was to his murderous sibling. William was forced to resign and retire from his position.[4]
After his brother’s capture in 2011, William gave a very rare interview to a WCVB-TV reporter, to whom he commented: “Just because I visit him doesn’t mean I condone it.” He added, “I don’t try to sort it out any longer. I just try to be a brother.” Despite being unspecific about what “it” was that he did not condone, it was clear William never stopped being close to his brother, which is most likely why he pleaded the fifth. However, for his loyalty, William paid the price of his own career.
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William M. Bulger served as president of the Massachusetts Senate for 18 years and was also president of the University of Massachusetts. Then his career in both politics and education came to a halt in 2003, when he refused to testify in court about communication that he had with his older brother—James “Whitey” Bulger. William then became a source of suspicion for the university, having never previously revealed just how close he was to his murderous sibling. William was forced to resign and retire from his position.[4]
After his brother’s capture in 2011, William gave a very rare interview to a WCVB-TV reporter, to whom he commented: “Just because I visit him doesn’t mean I condone it.” He added, “I don’t try to sort it out any longer. I just try to be a brother.” Despite being unspecific about what “it” was that he did not condone, it was clear William never stopped being close to his brother, which is most likely why he pleaded the fifth. However, for his loyalty, William paid the price of his own career.
6He Incited The Bloodiest Of Gang Wars
Photo credit: US Attorney’s Office
Whitey left a bloody legacy behind, as he was found guilty of being involved in 11 murders and suspected of eight more. Among those he slaughtered were...Read More HERE
Whitey left a bloody legacy behind, as he was found guilty of being involved in 11 murders and suspected of eight more. Among those he slaughtered were...Read More HERE
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