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Whitey Bulger's Family Filing Wrongful Death Claim

James "Whitey" Bulger is seen in two booking photos, decades apart -- 1959 and after his capture in 2011. The convicted mobster and murderer was killed in prison.
U.S. Marshals Sevice
James "Whitey" Bulger is seen in two booking photos, decades apart -- 1959 and after his capture in 2011. The convicted mobster and murderer was killed in prison.

The family of slain Boston gangster James "Whitey" Bulger is filing a wrongful death claim against the federal government following his death in prison last year.

The Wall Street Journal reports the family is seeking $200 million in damages in the forthcoming claim. They say Bulger was "deliberately placed in harm's way" when he was transferred to a West Virginia prison and placed in the general inmate population hours before his death.

The 89-year-old died of blunt force injuries to the head. No charges have been filed, but officials have said two Massachusetts mobsters are suspects.

The federal Bureau of Prisons didn't respond to an email seeking comment on Friday. Bulger's lawyer also didn't respond.

Bulger was sentenced to life in prison for his role in 11 gangland killings. He'd also been an FBI informant.

A native of Washington, West Virginia, Dave Mistich joined West Virginia Public Broadcasting in October of 2012, as the Charleston Reporter. After bouncing around a variety of newsroom roles at WVPB, he now focuses on state-level politics and government, as well as breaking news. Dave plays on the world's best-worst softball team, Chico's Bail Bonds. He can be reached via email at dmistich@wvpublic.org and you can follow him on Twitter @davemistich.

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