BOSTON (AP) - The new judge assigned to preside at the trial of gangster James "Whitey" Bulger has scheduled a status conference in the case for next week.
U.S. District Judge Denise Casper was randomly assigned to the case last week after the 1st U.S. District Court of Appeals granted a defense request to remove U.S. District Judge Richard Stearns.
The court found that Stearns' work as a federal prosecutor during the time when Bulger claims he received immunity from another federal prosecutor could create the appearance of bias.
The 83-year-old Bulger, who led the Winter Hill Gang, is awaiting trial on charges of playing a role in 19 murders in the 1970s and '80s.
Casper has scheduled a status conference for March 26.
(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
