Bulger's Lawyers Seek Delay

The defense team for reputed mobster James "Whitey" Bulger filed a motion Monday morning to have opening statements in the criminal case against their client delayed, according to media reports.

U.S. District Court Judge Denise Casper hoped to begin opening statements Wednesday, but Bulger's lawyers have raised questions about one of the important witnesses in the case, John Martorano, who confessed to and served 14 years in prison for committing 20 murders, according to BostonHerald.com.

Bulger's lawyers say there are allegations that Martorano, a former Winter Hill Gang member, returned to a life of crime after being released from prison in 2007 and that his Massachusetts State Police "handler" covered up his crimes because Martorano was a star witness, according to Boston.com.

Federal prosecutors denied the allegations, but Bulger's defense team asked for documents relating to the matter for time to investigate—thus the motion to delay opening statements.

Meanwhile, jury selection continued Monday morning with 149 potential jurors, out of a pool of 858, being questioned by the court, BostonHerald.com said. It said 351 potential jurors have already been dismissed.

Ultimately, the court is looking to secure 18 jurors to hear the case, which is expected to last into September.

Finally, Casper has allowed three prominent Bulger journalists to cover the trial.

Boston Herald Reporter Howie Carr and Boston Globe writers Shelley Murphy and Kevin Cullen were added to the witness list by Bulger's attorneys.

Witnesses in the trial are sequestered, meaning they can't follow trial proceedings, and the defense team's move would have prevented Carr, Murphy and Cullen from covering the trial.

Casper ruled Friday that Murphy and Cullen have rights as reporters to cover the trial, according to the Boston Globe. She ruled Monday morning that Carr could cover the trial, BostonHerald.com said.

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