Middlesex District Attorney (DA) Marian Ryan announced the arrest of William Camuti today for the death and supposed murder of Stephen “Stippo” Rakes.
When Rakes, one of the witnesses testifying against James “Whitey” Bulger, as well as an alleged extortion victim of the crime boss, was found dead earlier this month, many suspected it had something to do with Bulger himself. However, at a press conference in Woburn, MA, Ryan said that Camuti had motives unrelated to the case: he owed Rakes money, and acted alone, FOX News reports.
The DA’s press release details that Camuti requested a meeting with Rakes regarding a real estate in Wilmington, MA that did not exist and allegedly poisoned Rakes with an iced coffee that he had laced with potassium cyanide. The statement also confirmed that the two were involved in a business relationship.
USA Today reports that Rakes learned the week of his death that he would not be called to testify and friend Steve Davis assures that although Rakes was upset at this news, he would not have committed suicide.
Photo courtesy of U.S. Marshals service, Wikimedia Commons