Why I get upset thinking about the case is that the theory behind the case is so flawed it is hard to believe it resulted in a prosecution. I’m not talking about the charge on which he was convicted which is murder by gun. That too has no validity. Connolly had no presence in Florida for months or even years prior to the murder nor did he have any connection with the gun used in the shooting. The state argued that because Connolly was an FBI agent and carried a gun then that gun, the gun he perhaps had on his person in Massachusetts, implicated him in the crime murder by gun. To think an appeals court would seriously consider this as a legitimate interpretation of a criminal statute boggles the mind.
As bad as that is, it pales in significance to the government’s theory as to why the murder took place. The victim of the murder is John Callahan a Boston accountant. He liked to hang around with the wise guys including Johnny Martorano and his brother Jimmy, who is said to be a member of the Mafia.
Callahan is not a good guy. He wanted to take over the business of another guy named Roger Wheeler who lived in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He paid $50,000 to John Martorano who was hiding out in Florida to do the murder. Martorano and another guy flew to Tulsa and murdered Wheeler. There is absolutely no connection of Connolly with the Wheeler murder.
Martorano wrote a book bragging about the twenty murders he had committed over the years. In it he tells how he murdered some people who he thought might be cooperating with the law. No one had to tell him to murder those people; he knew in his heart (however small that is) that he or his friends may be in jeopardy from a certain person so the person was eliminated.
Martorano said he would not have murdered Wheeler if his “partners” in Boston, Whitey Bulger and Stevie Flemmi, did not approve it. Both of those men were listed as top echelon informants in the FBI’s books and Connolly was their handler. Martorano said he spoke on the phone with Stevie who said it was all right. Why he had to get their approval to murder Callahan is not explained? He never needed anyone’s approval for his other murders. Hardly would you expect these hardened criminals to be discussing the matter over the telephone.
After Wheeler is murdered an investigation is started by the Tulsa police along with the Tulsa FBI. Chasing down leads they eventually end up in Boston. The only reason they are there is that they have learned that Brian Halloran mentioned Callahan had some involvement in Wheeler’s murder. They knew of Callahan’s fondness for gangsters.
John Martorano is the only guy who dealt with Callahan to set up the murder of Wheeler. Callahan could implicate no one else. What do you think he thought when he learned the law had focused on Callahan in its investigation of the Wheeler homicide? Do you think he figured he could be in deep trouble? You would not be far from wrong. He knew Callahan was the only one who could connect him to the murder.
Do you think he would have to be told by other people that he was at risk? Do you think he would need instructions from his “partners” in Boston as to what to do? Obviously not, his history as told by himself condemns him. He knew he had a problem. He knew who it was. He knew how to make it go away.
You may ask how does John Connolly fit into all of this? The government said he passed the word on to Martorano that Callahan was being looked at by the FBI and he may not stand up. How did the government know this?
Martorano told them when he was trying to get a deal for himself. There is no proof other than that. But it is not that Martorano said he talked to Connolly for he never met or talked with him. Martorano says another guy (Stevie Flemmi) looking for a deal told him that Connolly told him to pass the word on.
To implicate Connolly in Callahan’s murder you have to believe that Martorano had to be told by Connolly through a third person that he was at risk. That’s a bridge too far for me; Martorano knew he was at risk as soon as the inquiry into Weeler’s homicide shifted toward Boston.
The problem with all this is that it is so easy to add someone into a crime. Here Connolly is jammed in by a murderer who he never met. What is grossly missing from this episode is Connolly had nothing to gain through Callahan’s death. What did Callahan have on him? Nothing. Why then was he brought into the matter at all? It was because Martorano needed a deal and without a bigger fish he could not have made a deal to get 12 years in prison for 20 murders.
That’s why I get upset thinking of Connolly. His job was to handle gangsters. Without anything more than the words of gangsters he gets indicted and convicted. There is not one bit of evidence outside of that which keeps him locked up in Florida while the gangsters who did the murders are free on the streets.
Matt
So John Connolly wont be getting out of jail anytime soon? Am I correct in that John Connolly chose not to testify at any of his trials and thats a main reason he got convicted?
On a side note, do you know the addresses of the following?
1. Transit Cafe in South Boston of the 70s
2. Duffy’s Tavern and Chandlers in south end of Back Bay of the 70s
3. O Street Club of the 70s
4. Any significant addresses in the Charlestown and Somerville and Roxbury area regarding Winter Hill/Bulger/Flemmi.
I am much too young to know where any of these past spots were located. Thanks Matt. Just piecing together a map of where all this history took place. I am researching to see if the new downtown courthouse where the Bulger trial took place has crime scene photos and pics available to the public. THANK YOU Matt
* speculations
…* of … statements made by Matt …etc.
GOTCHA …now just. what * is ….. JUSTICE telling me to do with …. ” Youse ” 🙂
Janet, Well said. And so say on. My questions concerning identity are now laid by, by me. An open mind is best universe for thoughts and specuations hereupon: half the ” Hits” were done by one and ascribed to others ; this is my kind of operational, mantra, when chuckling at the conjecture and existential certitude if statements made by Matt and other commenters. But how could iy not be so? … The unalloyed and undiscovered and so deeply underground truth about these matters is so hoary, with age, death, career ambitions and pensions, institutuonal sanctity, self-righteousness and RULE #1 ‘: COVER THY ASS !!! … POWER …. that who knows if you will ever be allowed to see the Truth, by God … Godot… Goodell … or Fred Wyhshaks … Gotcha! !!” …. Now just what use JUSTICE. telling me to do with ” Youse ???” 🙂 …As to newness and how to takeness, Janet, Like Matt I would say you are paddling around in ” Mythology Lake” as well as anyone, and better than most. So splash away. The water is fine on a … hot… day.
@ ” Janet Uhlar” … ” Janet” … your comments are fine, but I am forming doubts as to whether they are those of Janet Uhlar Tinney, the ” Rogue ” Bulger Trial juror . Comments such as
… ” the feds involved in a state prosecution, seems mighty wrong to me ” and some of the Wyshak bashing, justified or no, seem out of character with a very reserved and close to the vest …. temperate … scholarly … senstive … and sensitively affronted …. Constitutional Scholar, one Janet Uhlar Tinney. I had very distinct impressions of the aforementioned personality features of Janet Uhlar Tinney. ” Janet Uhlar” castigates in a manner entirely acceptable intellectually, but in a manner that I feel the juror, Janet Uhlar Tinney, would not consider discreet for her. I may well be wrong. Maybe it is not a false flag flying.amidst the caustic verbal missiles. Just a feeling ; Maybe I just have a ” Tinney ” ear. 🙂
John: New to this blog, so don’t really know how to take you. I’ll just say this — I didn’t want anything to do with organized crime — not even in my thoughts. I lived outside MA for thirty years. I didn’t read about it, I didn’t pay money to be ‘entertained’ by it at the movie theater, or take time to watch it on TV. I was placed on that jury because I knew nothing. The names Martorano and Flemmi were meaningless when I stepped into that jury box. I expected the information about Bulger’s criminality to be shocking. I didn’t expect the criminality of the FBI and DOJ to be part of the trial. But it was — and no one seemed to really give a damn. It was all new to me — with no pre-programming by the media or Wyshak’s puppets’ stories.
The Boston media reported little on the government criminality that was being revealed daily (I discovered AFTER the trial). And, most of the good citizens of Massachusetts were so certain of the ‘facts’ of Bulger’s criminality, as fed to them by the tales of Wyshack’s puppets in book after book, that they didn’t really seem to care either. I did speak up after the trial and sentencing. I will continue to speak up.
As for John Connolly being released — I hope and pray that he is, but I fear they will torture him with postponements for years. And then, if he still has the gumption to tell the truth, I believe he will be targeted again (just like Bob Fitzpatrick or worse —).
As for Wyshak’s involvement in the prosecution of Connolly in Florida — he was VERY involved, and still is. A federal prosecutor taking part in a state prosecution is wrong, plain and simple. Yet, he did it, and continues to. Double jeopardy? All rights and laws are out the window when the feds are determined to have you (in my opinion).
I still beieve John Connolly is going to walk and have his conviction
overturned.
That is why I am working to create volunteer civilian review
boards with subpoena powers to set and enforce community develiped
standards that are performance based for our criminal justice
system.
In other news about the DOJ gangarene….
http://digwithin.net/
MS:
Digwithin lost me when it went into the FBI and CIA being behind 9/11.
Volunteer civilian review boards will have a hard time getting off the ground. The cops are too strong.
Let’s not forget that Connolly brought a lot of this on by his own conduct. Those of you who know anything about legal jujitsu and legal manipulations know or should know that Connolly “selected” his best option.
Connolly could have spoken up at any time to tell the “real” story, but the consequences of implicating others and/or his “friends” should be apparent to all those who know how “gaming” the system and/or “whistleblowing” works.
Despite the law that whistleblowers are protected, they are only protected if they can find a judge who will stand on the plain language whistleblower law and the “integrity” of the court. I haven’t seen that judge yet. However, federal Judge Duffy from New York comes very close. He branded one AUSA as a certified liar and ordered him not to come to his court without his supervisor. What regular lawyer wouldn’t love Judge Duffy?
In my opinion, Connolly was offered a deal to remain silent or else his wife and children would suffer the consequences if he talked. Not much of a choice when faced with taking the fall alone or harming your wife and innocent children.
Based on my direct knowledge, truth telling in a court of law is, perhaps, one of the most dangerous things any law abiding citizen can do and a prosecutor’s judge will damage you badly.
Anyone needing evidence to prove what I say about truth telling can refer to my 30 page affidavit on file in the federal court, with the FBI, with the United States Attorney’s office and others. I should add that I lost my Title VII “retaliation” complaint because several AUSA’s lied to the judge and the judge believed the lies over my undisputed thirty page affidavit, corroborated by the hard evidence.
To anyone reading Matt’s web site, it’s a well known fact that a false statement to federal law enforcement can put you in prison for a minimum of five years. Just imagine what a thirty page affidavit would have brought, if it were false?
After the conduct cited in my affidavit was verified, senior FBI officials and the US Attorney’s went silent and/or cowardly and would not talk with or see me.
In fact, on June 16, 2011, I learned that someone in the justice department placed my name on a government “watch list.” The reason: For my continued reporting of federal government corruption and criminal activity. The US Marshals Service even had the audacity to warn me [to stop reporting corruption and crime] in two email messages or else.
Unfortunately, for America, a few corrupt and cowardly FBI officials with badges and guns and a few corrupt AUSA’s taint the entire group and the group has no choice but to remain silent or else take the chance on losing their job and livelihood.
Matt, the above just about sums up my fact based view/opinion of “America and Its System of Justice.”
[email protected]
l
Great post. 100% true. The ethic of hit men is why take a chance. Even if there is a minimal prospect a friend or relative could flip they eliminate the possibility. They don’t need others approval. Remember how upset the media was about Salvati being convicted just on the basis of Barboza’s testimony. Yet thirty years later we are to believe Flemmi and Martorano. The press is a disgrace. Maybe organized crime has more than a few men on their payroll. Gangsters have no credibility and yet retired FBI agents are to charged with crimes based on Mafia hitmen’s claims. The Statute of Limitations exists precisely for the reason that stale information is unreliable. None of it can be corroborated or refuted. No defendant is given a fair chance to present a defense. Connolly had already been acquitted on that exact charge by a jury of his peers in Boston. His double jeopardy rights were also violated. Six years after conviction and no final decision on his appeal. The U S Constitution’s Sixth Amendment speedy trial rights apparently don’t apply in the Sunshine state.
The right to a speedy trial doesn’t apply in any State when the DOJ is orchestrating the outcome of the situation. Don’t forget that Wyshak — a federal prosecutor — has played a huge role in the prosecution of John Connolly in Florida. A Fed involved in a State prosecution. Seems mighty wrong to me —.
Janet:
Connolly was tried in Boston in 2002. One of the offenses against him involve the murder of Callahan. He was found not responsible by a Boston jury. Wyshak was behind that prosecution. He went to Florida with the same people who testified in Boston (and added in Flemmi after making a deal with him) and participated in the trial of the case as he did in Whitey’s case. The excuse is that Florida is a different sovereign than the federal government so it can bring a case even if the feds lose it. That’s true however in reality this was the feds going to Florida and trying it again.
I never considered it through the lens of double jeopardy.
And just to qualify my prior post, the majority of federal judges are extremely credible. Chief Judge Saris, Judge Wolf and several of their colleagues have done an extraordinary job on a number of levels to ensure transparency, fairness, and Justice. The recent judicial nominations are very impressive. However, certain sessions have been co-opted by Wyshak and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Bruce:
You are probably right about the majority of the federal judges but you have to admit that their jobs keep them from rubbing shoulders with the public as they live in their isolation towers.
Doug, the story you share puts a knot in my stomach. Having observed what, in my opinion, was treachery within the FBI/DOJ from the jury box in Bulger’s trial, I have no doubt that your experience is true. I recently read former Assistant US Attorney Sidney Powell’s book, Licensed to Lie: Exposing Corruption in the Department of Justice. A very disturbing read.
Restoration of the judicial system was a fundamental principle in taking up arms against Great Britain in the American Revolution. Without a properly working judicial system, no one is safe. With the deterioration and destruction of our judicial system comes the deterioration and destruction of this nation. NO ONE IS SAFE.
John Connolly is certainly a case in point. His imprisonment is criminal! Matt, you are right on in pointing out the ridiculous discrepancies in Connolly’s involvement in the Callahan murder! Good God, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see through this facade put out by Wyshack’s puppets (Martorano, Flemmi, Weeks, and Morris).
I don’t believe that Connolly OR Bulger took part in the Wheeler/Callahan murders! Martorano ‘putting’ Bulger in the story is part of what got him his ‘get out of jail card!’
Consider the Wheeler murder: Does anyone really think Bulger would be stupid enough to ship the guns to Oklahoma in a duffle bag on a Grey Hound bus? Bulger didn’t become the popular Boston ‘legend’ he is because he was stupid! No — he is a very intelligent, calculated individual. Disciplined and cautious. Anyone who believes he would send the guns via Grey Hound has come under the spell of Wyshack! And, make no mistake, Wyshack isn’t stupid either —.
Wyshak’s factual and legal theories in Florida regarding Connolly are definitely far reaching. The bottom line is that these were extrajudicial murders (and extortions) either instigated, sanctioned, or condoned by DOJ, Customs and CIA officials regarding IRA operatives and Valhalla sting operation.
I’ve received very credible information confirming other extensive misconduct regarding Wyshak/Kelly including perjury, obstruction, witness intimidation, extortions and judicial tampering to rigg cases, which is what I suspect may also be going on in Florida. These serious problems are systemic, continue today, and are an affront to the Constitution and Judicial system.
Janet:
If you read my thirty page affidavit, the conduct I opposed and reported would just about rock you on your heels.
[email protected]
Hi Matt: I’m definitely not a member of the Connolly fan club, but I agree that the gun charge is complete bullshit.
Dan:
I’m not a fan of Connolly’s either as I have mentioned in the past. The idea Martorano had to be told Callahan was a danger is absurd to anyone who read his book. There are just so many reasons Connolly should not be in prison that it really is disgusting that he still is incarcerated. It seems like there is this huge conspiracy keeping him in which bothers me because I hate to think of myself as a conspiracy theory person but aside from believing Martorano’s story the idea a guy meets with some people weeks or months before a crime is committed and he may have been wearing a gun that has no relation to a murder by gun is implicated in the murder by gun seems so wrong that I have to question what is happening. Under the theory keeping Connolly in prison, if rather than shooting Callahan Martorano had run him over with a car then Connolly could be charged with murder by gun.
Matt:
Your are a very good writer, and perhaps your legal skills are equally as good.
However, some of your experience regarding the Department of Justice, working together with the FBI, may be missing from some of your thoughts, ideas and comments.
One good example of many, during my employment with the Department of Defense, I was assigned to a Title VII case in which the Complainant was facing a retaliatory frame up for lawfully filing a complaint of discrimination for non selection (I later found that egregious retaliation was standard operating procedure in this agency.) The hard evidence and the admissions made to me by the perpetrator(s) were so overwhelming that it never occurred to me that anyone would stand up for the frame up or that any court or judge would allow it.
Despite my attempts to persuade the first line officials against the retaliatory frame up, they deferred to the “legal” process. At that time, I thought the agency attorneys were out of their mind to not settle the complaint.
When I asked the agency’s chief counsel how he could allow the frame up and unjust termination of this employee to proceed, he said, “”We (the Legal Directorate) can do anything we want. It’s called gaming. We can deny, we can delay…dismiss. We can manipulate the system any way we want.”
All of the assistant United States attorneys assigned to the case ignored the evidence and/or the witnesses, the rules, the Professional Rules of Conduct 3:07 and the law and the “gaming” began. Even the Complainant/Plaintiff’s attorney joined in with the AUSA’s in the case and forced a small settlement. In the end the sickly, elderly female Complainant lost her job due to a “gamed” frame up.
The pattern and practice of the Department of Justice using the federal court to engage in well planned discrimination is against the law and has wasted more than a trillion tax dollars, but who can or will do anything about it? Do you know the answer?
The lesson I learned is that the DOJ, working together with the FBI, can frame anyone they want. It’s discretionary. The small percentage of these thugs may even receive career boosts, bonuses and awards for their criminal conduct.
Like I said, America talks the best justice in the world. The reality is much different.
[email protected]
Doug:
Good thoughtful post. The Department of Justice did pretty much the same thing to the late Senator Ted Stevens from Alaska by hiding evidence from defense counsel. Brendan Sullivan who was Stevens lawyer said the misconduct by the prosecutors was stunning: He said the case is a sad story and a warning to everyone that any citizen can be convicted “if prosecutors are hell-bent on ignoring the Constitution and willing to present false evidence.”