Mitchell Reflects On Whitey Bulger As “Black Mass” Opens Friday

"Black Mass", a movie about South Boston mobster James "Whitey" Bulger and his Winter Hill Gang debuts in theaters nationwide on Friday, including here on the Southcoast.

New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell knows all about the Bulger story. He served as a prosecutor on the "Whitey Bulger Task Force" for seven years while working for the US Attorney's office.

Mitchell tells WBSM News, Bulger was an intelligent man who eluded capture for years. "He's not your average criminal, not your average thug," said the Mayor. "He's a very intelligent man and that he was able to elude capture by the FBI and the US Attorney's Office for some 16 years, speaks to his intelligence and level of planning," said Mitchell.

Just days after Mitchell resigned in 2011 to run for Mayor, the FBI received a tip that Bulger was living with his girlfriend in California. He was arrested and put on trial for 11 murders.  He was found guilty and is currently serving two consecutive life sentences at a Federal prison in Florida.

The Mayor says he's not surprised there was a movie made about Bulger, and he'll probably see it at some point. He says the American public generally has a fascination with gangsters.

WBSM Talk Show Host and author Howie Carr will be discussing Whitey Bulger and his family Friday night during a presentation at Flagship Cinema in New Bedford, prior to a showing of "Black Mass."