(NECN/AP: Boston) - Convicted gangster James "Whitey" Bulger has been sentenced to two consecutive life terms, plus five years, in prison.
There was no objection from either side to the sentence. Bulger has 14 days to file notice of appeal.
A jury convicted Bulger in August in a broad racketeering indictment that included murder, extortion, money-laundering and weapons charges. The jury convicted Bulger in 11 of the 19 killings he was charged with participating in but acquitted him of seven and could not reach a conclusion on an eighth.
Judge Denise Casper heard testimony Wednesday from a dozen relatives among the 19 slaying victims. They called him a terrorist, a punk and even Satan. Prosecutors called him a sociopath.
On Thursday, Casper told Bulger the depravity of his crimes is "almost unfathomable," calling them "heinous" and "all about money." Bulger looked directly at her, listening intently.
She awarded $19,510,276.43 in restitution and said it could be amended upward as she receives more paperwork. There's only about $822,000 in federal possession. The rest of the money could be garnered from sales of property found in his California apartment (not guns) and if any other savings are found.
Bulger maintains his trial this summer was a sham and declined to testify there or at his sentencing hearing.
Local
Bulger, 84, is the former leader of the Winter Hill Gang. He was a fugitive for more than 16 years until he was captured in Santa Monica, Calif., in 2011.
