Somewhere in the back of my memory there was a dance called the stall. Or was it the crawl? I’ve got the impression it was done in slow motion with the steps being endlessly repeated over and over again in stultifying manner. That’s how the rest of today wore on, and it’s not done.
Flemmi the vile and Flemmi the cruel is still on the stand and will be as the doors of the courtroom open tomorrow. Maybe I’m in this foul mood thinking that I’ll have to sit through prosecutor Wyshak doing his tedious redirect examination tomorrow. Flemmi went so much off script that Wyshak will need hours to bring him back in line. I’m in agony thinking my eyes may be fouled by him for another full day. If only Wyshak was smart enough to know that he should let beaten dogs lie.
I’m no good at being noble. But it doesn’t take much to see that the problems of mine don’t amount to a hill of beans in this crazy trial. So I’ll tell you what happened during the rest of the day, Ilsa.
Just before the mid-morning break Flemmi was trying to explain why if the death penalty meant nothing he didn’t just go in and enter a plea of guilty and get it over with. The second part of the morning had us listening to how Flemmi spent three years in special confinement at Walpole prison which had him complaining about the conditions. He had a tiny cell, bad food, no television, no radio, no books and didn’t get a decent night’s sleep. He complained to Judge Wolf, the same judge who found Michelle Kosilek suffered cruel and unusual treatment from the state of Massachusetts because it would not pay for her to become a Michelle inside-and-out.
Because of his complaint, his jailers operating under the theory of “you think where you are is bad, wait ’til you see this” transferred him to New York and put him in a worse cell that was totally enclosed with only a trap through which he could get fed, where he never saw another person but only heard their screams during the night. Brennan tried to compare it to what Whitey was now suffering, strip searches, lights on 24 hours, camera in his cell, and guards outside. I thought as he was doing it that Whitey is going to look back on his confinement at Plymouth as a walk in the park compared to where he will soon find himself.
I know Brennan’s point was to get across the idea that Flemmi was a big baby complaining at everything and would do anything to ease his way through prison life, but it’s a point most jurors clearly understand by now. Although, it is a lesson to all of us that the power over one thrown into the hands of the faceless bureaucrats who run our prisons is immense and that some of the people who work for them are as brutal and sadistic as the worst of the prisoners.
The next thing Brennan ventured into was when did Flemmi come up with the idea that he’d get a good deal if he threw in the name of an FBI man, was it before or after they questioned him. This went on a bit. At one point Brennan wanted to name each FBI agent Flemmi named but the judge cut him off at the pass as he was about to begin.
We then returned to the many differences in Flemmi’s testimony from what he testified in the trial to what he told people at other times. His proffer statements where the investigators in their report of his interview wrote one thing and he was now telling another he blamed on the investigators incorrectly recording the information. He went though other instances where his prior testimony did not match his present testimony with Flemmi insisting that black was white.
A lot more time was spent on his recollection of the conversation between Whitey and Martorano about World Jai Alai. Flemmi had no specifics to offer but insisted that it happened; and then whether they wanted Martorano to bury Callahan or leave him out to be found; and finally on Pat Nee’s statement concerning the Halloran murder.
If the jury hadn’t figured out what Flemmi was about early on in the day they never will. I’m tired of looking at the man. His act wears thin.
My big problem with most of the day is that the overriding thing in this trial, which seems to slip past the litigants, is that Whitey is going to testify. I understand that some of what Brennan is doing he is undertaking to please his client who is inwardly delighting in seeing his ex-buddy squirm. The look in Flemmi’s eyes at Brennan when he lets down his guard says “who is this punk showing me such disrespect. I’ve broken guys twice his size. If I had a gun I’d him have crawling and begging for mercy.”
It’s been fun watching the beating but it’s time to let him go; the summer is fleeing and we’re anxiously awaiting the main act.
Enough already is right.
But Matt, could you please explain Flemmi going to Sharon for a murder in which they had to keep the noise down – the wife was upstairs – so they strangled the person? And where is the body?
And again, he went to Sharon, and did what, went up the back stairs and saw through the kitchen window one guy strangling another guy while a third guy held him off the ground; and so Flemmi, not wanting to interrupt, turned and drove back into town?
Where is the body? What is going on?
Firefly:
I’m glad you asked that about the Sharon murder. Flemmi said his involvement in it – I think it was Tommy Timmons – was he came to some club and saw that the Mafia had beaten Timmons to an inch of his life – they then decided to take him to Salemme’s house in Shargon – Flemmi was delegated to go down the street and dig a grave which he did but he could never find it again when he told the law about it because things had changed so much in the area – but for some reason a group of them took this battered and beaten individual home to Mrs. Salemme who was upstairs – she didn’t come down when all these Mafia guys dragged this almost lifeless body into her house – maybe she like Ma Flemmi was making pasta – when they get him there they strangle him so that they don’t disturb Mrs. Salemme – why they did that I can’t figure but maybe you can – as Flemmi would say you don’t understand – you don’t know the real world
Dear Henry Barth, Thanks for that needed correction. The book is a memoir by Francis X.”Gaga” Murray. Your reply mentioned City Square. You might know of the McLaughlin gang. Gaga was in the McLaughlin gang. The name of the book: “‘Gaga’: The Real Whitey Bulger: Irish Mob Story.”
Gaga lived in Southie and knew Whitey very well. The book’s first sentence: “Whitey Bulger is full of shit!”
I’m hoping the book will be available online within a couple weeks. I’m too young to remember 10 cent beers. But I remember a hotdog and a coke for 25 cents at Joe Nemo’s in the Combat Zone.
Afraid:
Your memory is slipping. It was two hot dogs and a coke for two bits at Joe Nemo’s – the best hot dogs in the world after midnight.
MTC
come on baby lets do the stroll,
stroll across the floor,
now turn around baby lets stroll once more
hopalong
My recollection of the stroll is there was some movement. Here there is none.
Matt, what is your opinion on Casper? I’ve been watching the trial, and she sustains about 9 out of 10 of Wyshak’s objections. Brennan touches on certain subjects, such as asking Flemmi to confirm the FBI agents that were paid off – Brennan starts by asking about Gianturco, Wyshak objects, Casper calls a sidebar, and Brennan comes back cut off at the knees via Casper. Also, Brennan will ask Flemmi a direct question, and Flemmi will answer with something that has absolutely NO relation – this goes on as Brennan has to ask the original question again 4 or 5 times, never getting an answer, and Wyshak will object, asked and answered, & Casper just tells Brennan to move on. As much as Flemmi disgusts me, Casper & Wyshak together surpass that. I have a feeling that she is going to rule in favor of the prosecution in regards to their objection to Nee’s testimony.
JTB:
She’s trying to be fair but she’s young and Wyshak is a bully who is pushing his way around the courtroom. I’ve said she leans to the prosecution which she appears to be doing; but I can’t say that she is unfair since these only relate to close questions. I agree with you about the naming of the other FBI agents that she was wrong there. The only theory she could keep those out is that Flemmi is lying about them, but if that’s the case his whole testimony should be stricken especially when it comes to Connolly and Rico. Wyshak has done everything in his power to defame Connolly and Rico and to protect other FBI agents using the same witness. It doesn not make sense.
I’m upset she has not controlled Wyshak. You hit the nail on the head as to her rulings on Wyshak’s objections but Brennan is smart enough to ask the same question that she just struck again and she lets it in. Consistency is not her middle name.
You have an excellent feel for how the case is going. I just think she’s young at the job and she’s trying to be fair. Who knows what pressure Wyshak can exert on her from behind the scenes. He seems to be a big griper and may have the ears of other judges. Can’t tell and will never know some things. But all in all she’s trying and some day she’ll be real good.
I’m too waiting to hear on Nee. No way should she prevent them from calling him. We’ll know in about 45 minutes.
Interesting the government is intent on hiding the identities of so many corrupt cops.
There where far more then the 20 envelopes delivered by Weeks, those were just the regular payoffs, doesn’t include the once in awhile boyos.
There aere still cops on the job who were invokved one way or another.
When Bulger ratted out the arms shipment destined for the IRA British authorities recovered gubns and bulletproof vests that were traced back to Massachusetts. Many of the items had been legally purchased by local and state cops then sold to Whitey at exorbitant prices.
None of the local cops were ever charged and some are still on the State Police and BPD.
God save the Commonwealth.
Bulger didn’t rat out the ira. An Irishman/ira guy named Callahan did. He was killed. IRA killed everone who ratted on the re Valhalla.
Another whitey myth promoted by the globe based on nada
Ernie:
Right on the mark
Matt, what did you make of the lawyers’ tussle over whether Whitey gets to call Nee?
If Nee shows up and invokes the Fifth, does this help C&B? I’m curious why Wyshak is so intent on heading off this scenario.
Connolly is on record as repeatedly stating to Flemmi et al, and Flemmi has testified in court to this, that he was allowed to commit crimes, but “no violence.” Even Morris admitted this, but when asked by Flemmi or Weeks or Martorano what “no violence” meant, Morris allegedly responded, “Don’t kill anyone.” So, all were on board as of yesterday and consistently over the last 15 years of testimony as saying their marching orders from the FBI was “no murders.”
(2) Remember, for 30 years, Flemmi, Weeks, Martorano, and perhaps Bulger will join the chorus, have said they had 20 cops and a dozen FBI agents on the payroll. Only state cop Naimovich and FBI agent Connolly have ever been indicted. Weeks can’t remember any names even though he’s seen 20 envelopes with names on them. The one name he drummed up turned out to be preposterous. For 30 years, Flemmi, Weeks, Martorno, Morris, the Boston Globe, the Boston Herald have been lying to us. Ask yourself this: Who else of the hundreds of gangsters JOhn Connolly came in contact with over his 23-years distinguished career ever accused him of ever taking an illegal dime or doing anything illegal? You guessed it: No one! Only the FED’s serial killers: Salemme, Flemmi, Martorano, Weeks and Morris accused John Connolly of wrongdoing. Did they have a motive to scapegoat Connolly? Did the FEDs want to get Connolly to squeeze him to get the honorable Senate President and U. Mass. President Bill Bulger; Did the Globe and Herald and Dershowitz and Carr cheer on the FEDs to get Bill Bulger Do a little research and you’ll get your answers. Think about it!!!! Think about the Dreyfus Affair?
(3) Scapegoating? Think about Nazi Germany in the early 1930s? Who would’ve thought then that things could turn so evil, and lawyers, judges, doctors, and “big-lie” newspaper people would all join in on the side of the Nazis, with few exceptions.
Matt
Since the government will help Pat Nee avoid questions, can C&B recall Weeks to sort out who’s lying re the man in the mask identity?
Second question – since Weeks and Flemmi contradict each other, doesn’t at least one of them have to be in trouble for perjury (nullifying their agreement?)
Thanks
Snowflake:
They elected not to touch the issue on their cross-examination where was it ripe so C&B are out of luck.
The government prosecutors decide who commits perjury. Guess what they’ll do here.
Matt, great post. Did I get it right that Brennan, in addition to endlessly impeaching Flemmi, wanted to get him to support Whitey’s immunity defense (such as it is)? It read as though Brennan wanted to establish that Connolly gave him indirect, but clear permission to murder, not just to engage in other stuff… Maybe I’ve got that wrong, however.
Overall, it looks like Wyshak doesn’t benefit and loses ground with Flemmi. Didn’t help that Flemmi’s testimony conflicted with Weeks’.
Steely:
I didn’t pick that up. Flemmi said that Connolly gave them indirect permission to murder Callahan by giving them the information. Brennan at that point was trying to show Flemmi was saying one thing now and he said another thing at a different hearing. Brennan brought out that at a grand jury hearing Flemmi said Connolly did not give them indirect permission. Flemmi, then being cute and wanting to show he was never wrong, said what he meant when he said that at a prior time was that Connolly did not give “them” indirect permission, he gave it to Connolly.
Wyshak took a beating with Flemmi. An unnecessary and unbelievable witness. His game plan for the trial seems screwy. He’s spending too much time on his desperate attempt to prove Whitey was an informant and I don’t see that it is an issue in the case. He’ll now spend a lot time trying to put a shine on a sneaker by doing a re-direct on Flemmi. If Wyshak was on top of his game he’d say not questions. His goal now should be a mad dash to the end before Whitey ends up in the hospital or some other unforeseen event happens that aborts the trial.
Why did the judge stop Flemmi from identifying ALL the corrupt FBI/Police involved?
Notoboyo:
Because Wyshak didn’t want him to do it is all I can figure. I have no good answer for that.
Matt,
Are you able to see the jurors where you are seated and do you notice any reactions from them listening to these wonderful Govt. witnesses testify? So far the few people I’ve asked about the case said they would vote a “not guilty” if they were on the jury and heard these lying killers on the Govt. side. I know I would.
Question:
I’m not in the room with the jurors – so I can’t give any input on it – I’ve written before that I’ve never been able to tell much from their expressions. The only time I remember when I could was when Murderman Martorano at the Connolly trial was on the stand cracking jokes, something he didn’t do this time nor did Wyshak and Flemmi laugh at balloon head, and all the investigators were laughing along with him which surprised me because I saw nothing funny in that cruel man’s jokes so I looked at the jury and they were all sitting with very grim faces as was Judge Tauro – that will always stand out in my mind.