Stephen “Stippo” Rakes and his wife were forced by James “Whitey” Bulger to sell their liquor store to him, under its value, in 1984. Bulger wanted to use the building as headquarters for the murderous White Hill Gang. But when Rakes was finally ready to testify, almost 30 years later, he was poisoned—and it wasn’t Bulger who stopped him.
A young James Bulger.
Bulger’s trial began in June, and Rakes died died a month later. At first, Rakes lied to the court about Bulger’s actions out of fear. Eventually, however, he filed his own lawsuit against Bulger, which he lost in 2001 when a judge decided that the statute of limitations had expired.
Police say it appears that the poisoner was not acting for Bulger, however. According to the AP, killer William Camuti, 69, took Rakes out for McDonalds iced coffee and laced it with potassium cyanide. NBC News writes that investigators believe Rakes owed Camuti money.
Bulger has called his trial a “sham” and refused to testify on his own behalf.
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