More Potential Jurors to Be Screened in Bulger Trial

Even more potential jurors have been called to duty in the trial of reputed gangster James "Whitey" Bulger.

The original pool of 675 potential jurors has expanded to 858, according to the Boston Herald, which says it's the biggest jury pool ever called by a federal court in Massachusetts.

U.S. District Court Judge Denise Casper, prosecutors and defense attorneys will screen the jurors and ultimately select 18 to sit for a trial that is expected to last into September.

The legal teams must review detailed 13-page questionnaires filled out by the potential jurors, some of whom will be called back to the courthouse for individual questioning on Monday, according WBUR.org.

Although the hefty task of selecting a jury has delayed the start of the trial somewhat, Casper hopes prosecutors and the defense team will make opening statements Wednesday.

Witness list

Both sides have already sparred over the issue of the defense team's witness list, which includes prominent Boston reporters and law enforcement officers involved in the case.

Dan Doherty, a special agent with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and State Police Lt. Steve Johnson are on the witness list, which means they might not be allowed to observe the trial, even though they're supposed to be assisting federal prosecutors, according to the Herald. The news site says prosecutors have asked for an exemption, saying the defense team is engaging in a "blatant tactical attempt to disrupt the government's trial efforts."  

Also on the defense team's witness list—and potentially banned from observing the trial—are Boston Globe reporters Shelly Murphy and Kevin Cullen, along with Herald reporter Howie Carr, all who have made careers, in part, writing about Bulger. The defense team says they could be called to testify about their interviews with key witnesses, according to Boston.com.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Kelly said Bulger "is trying to use this as a tool to kick out people the defense doesn't like," Boston.com reported.

As of Thursday Casper had not made a ruling on the mater.