Boston

Whitey Bulger TV Series In the Works, Report Says

Attorneys for the family said the real reason for the filing is to find out why the former Boston crime boss was transferred to a new prison less than a day before he was beaten to death

A television show is reportedly in the works about federal authorities' long pursuit of Boston crime boss James "Whitey" Bulger.

Variety reports that the show is based on the upcoming book “Hunting Whitey" by Casey Sherman and Dave Wedge, who also wrote the Boston Marathon bombings book “Boston Strong: A City’s Triumph Over Tragedy” — which was adapted for the film "Patriots Day."

The show will focus on the story of how Bulger and girlfriend Catherine Greig eluded capture for nearly 20 years before they were finally brought to justice. 

Bulger, 89, was beaten to death on Oct. 30, 2018, soon after being transferred to a federal prison in West Virginia. He was reportedly transferred to USP Hazelton for disciplinary reasons after his medical classification was suddenly changed.

The reason for Bulger's death remains a mystery to this day. Investigators have never said which of the at least four men sent to solitary confinement following the attack beat Bulger to death, why he was transferred to Hazelton or why he was placed in general population despite known health issues.

Bulger was serving a life sentence for participating in 11 killings at the time of his death. He worked as an FBI informant who ratted on the New England Mob while simultaneously running his own crime ring responsible for loansharking, extortion and a string of murders.

He fled Boston in late 1994 after being tipped off by his FBI handler that he was about to be indicted. He spent the next 16 years as one of America's most wanted fugitives until he was found in 2011, living with his girlfriend in a rent-controlled apartment in Santa Monica, California.

Greig, the longtime companion of Bulger, is finishing her sentence at a home in Hingham, Massachusetts.

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