Kevin Weeks Testifies Against Whitey Bulger

(NECN: Alysha Palumbo, Boston) - James “Whitey” Bulger’s right-hand man, Kevin Weeks, took the stand Monday, testifying against the man who was a father figure to him.

Weeks could have gotten 20 years in prison - even with a plea deal - after admitting to extortion, racketeering, loansharking and being an accessory to five murders.

But Weeks only served five years.

The former henchman showed little emotion as he testified that he watched Bulger murder Brian Halloran and Michael Donahue in May 1982 as they left a waterfront restaurant in Donahue’s father’s car.

"[Bulger] slid across the front seat and yelled 'Brian' and started shooting. People were screaming and bullets were flying," Weeks said.

NECN legal analyst and Mass School of Law Associate Dean Michael Coyne said it was very effective testimony.

“He’s got Whitey shooting at Halloran, as the testimony indicates, while Halloran’s body bounces off the pavement, it was very visceral testimony,” Coyne said.

But for the Donahue family, sitting in court and reliving the murder over and over in this trial, it was tough to hear.

“Hearing the horrific story of him watching from afar, going through the details - it’s horrible listening to that. It shakes my whole entire family,” said Donahue's son, Tommy.

Weeks also testified about buying the South Boston Liquor Mart from Stephen Rakes.

He set the scene in Rakes’ family home, with Bulger bouncing Rakes’ daughter on his lap.

But Weeks said when Rakes changed his mind about the $100,000 sale price, Weeks pulled a gun, the daughter reached for it, and Bulger had to calm the situation.

"That night haunts me every night,” Rakes said.

But Rakes has a very different version of events – one that includes extortion that Weeks eventually plead guilty to.

“My liquor store was never for sale," said Rakes. "Never, never, never.”

Watch the attached video for more.

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