Accomplice and longtime girlfriend of gangster James “Whitey” Bulger was denied a shorter sentence for helping Bulger when he was a fugitive, according to Fox News. For now, Catherine Greig will be forced to serve out her full sentence of eight years.
A panel of three judges from the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said Friday they saw no reason to change her sentence. Greig had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to harbor a fugitive, identity fraud and conspiracy to commit identity fraud.
Bulger was the former leader of the Winter Hill Gang. He was able to escape law enforcement for 17 years after leaving Boston in 1994. Bulger and Greig were caught together in Santa Monica, California in 2011.
According to prosecutors, Greig aided Bulger in more than one way when he was on the run. He is currently scheduled for trial in June and facing charges for allegedly participating in multiple murders.
According to Dana Curhan, Greig’s attorney, Judge Douglas Woodlock’s sentencing was too harsh. She added that five victims of Bulger’s alleged crimes should not have been allowed to testify during Greig’s sentencing hearing. "We disagree with it, but the court has spoken and we are going to review our options," Curhan said.
The appeals court did not share Curhan’s sentiments, saying Greig did more than just harbor a fugitive.
"He also noted that Greig provided Bulger with `a variety of things,' over and above mere shelter," Judge O. Rogeriee Thompson wrote. "The judge referenced the length of the pair's time on the run, the heinous nature of the crimes Bulger is accused of committing, Greig's capacity to make her own choices, and the fact that a less serious sentence would promote disrespect for the law."
The appeals court also pointed out Greig used false identities, helped with his aliases, paid the bills for Bulgar in California and got him medical treatment and prescription medicine.
Greig’s former lawyer Kevin Reddington said his client fell in love with a “Robin Hood-like” figure and didn’t believe she helped him commit murder.
A spokeswoman for U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the court’s ruling.
