A former Mafia enforcer, Fotios 'Freddy' Geas, has been sentenced to an extra 25 years in prison for the brutal murder of notorious Boston gangster James 'Whitey' Bulger. This shocking event took place in 2018, just hours after Bulger was transferred to a federal prison in West Virginia.  Geas, already serving a life sentence, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and assault.  This plea deal spared him a potential life sentence on a conspiracy charge.  But was this deal too lenient? 

Geas orchestrated the killing with two other inmates, Paul DeCologero and Sean McKinnon. DeCologero, reportedly a member of a Massachusetts organized crime gang, allegedly called Bulger a 'snitch' and planned his attack upon arrival.  McKinnon acted as a lookout during the seven-minute assault. Geas used a makeshift weapon - a lock attached to a belt - to bludgeon Bulger to death.  

The attack wasn't a surprise.  Prosecutors allege a plan was already in place before Bulger even arrived at the prison.  Why was this transfer allowed to happen?  Was there negligence on the part of prison officials? 

Bulger, 89 at the time of his death, was a notorious figure.  He headed Boston's Irish mob in the 1970s and '80s, but also worked as an FBI informant, feeding information on his rivals in exchange for protection.  This controversial relationship allowed Bulger to evade justice for years, despite being linked to nearly a dozen murders.  Bulger's past as an informant likely played a role in the prison's atmosphere.  Did his status make him a target? 

The U.S. Penitentiary Hazelton, where the murder took place, has been plagued by reports of violence and understaffing. This raises questions about the overall security and safety of inmates within the prison system.  Is this a systemic issue, or a failure of individual oversight? 

The case of Bulger's murder exposes the brutal realities of the prison system and the legacy of violence that follows notorious criminals even into confinement.  It also raises important questions about the justice system and the role of informants.  What are the ethical implications of using informants, and how can we ensure that they are protected? What lessons can be learned from this tragedy?

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