Potential Witness in Whitey Bulger Case Poisoned: Gangster Refuses to Testify

Authorities revealed Friday that a potential witness in the murder and racketeering case of Boston Mobster James “Whitey” Bulger had been poisoned.

William Camuti, 69, has since been charged with attempted murder in the death of Stephen Rakes.

Camuti allegedly laced a cup of McDonald's coffee with two teaspoons of potassium cyanide then gave it to Rakes for him to drink.

It is believed that Rakes owed Camuti money.  Police are working on the assumption that Camuti acted alone and that the murder is not tied to the Bulger trial.

Rakes, who was forced to sell his liquor store to Bulger in 1984, reportedly looked forward to testifying against the one time Boston mobster.

Another person who won't be testifying is Bulger himself.

An angry Bulger told a federal judge Friday that he believes his seven-week racketeering trial has been "a sham."

- Gilbert Horowitz, Gambling911.com