FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Attorneys are drawing on statements from a handwritten manuscript by the late mobster James “Whitey” Bulger in an effort to overturn a former FBI agent's murder conviction, saying the crime boss’s own words show that the agent was framed.
Lawyers for former FBI agent John Connolly filed a motion in Miami-Dade Circuit Court on Monday seeking to vacate his conviction, citing what they describe as newly discovered evidence that prosecutors failed to disclose for years.
The material includes FBI reports documenting Bulger’s statements and the unfinished handwritten manuscript the FBI seized during a search of Bulger’s apartment after his 2011 arrest.
In their filing, Connolly's lawyers say Bulger, who led Boston’s Winter Hill Gang, asserted in the documents that Connolly didn't leak information to him that was used in the 1982 killing of businessman John Callahan in Miami, contradicting the prosecution’s case against Connolly. Instead, Bulger identified another FBI agent, John Morris, as his mole, and described Connolly as a “sacrificial lamb,” according to the filing.
Connolly, now 85, was convicted in Florida of second-degree murder and racketeering.
In the manuscript, Bulger wrote that he was a “criminal almost all of my life," and described using inside tips to stay ahead of the law.
“I never thought the day would come that I’d be writing a story about my criminal activity,” Bulger wrote.
The attorneys claim Bulger was writing the manuscript to help clear Connolly's name.
They also say Bulger's writings and FBI statements made after the mobster's arrest weren't previously disclosed to the defense.
The material came to light after a longtime prosecutor involved in the Connolly case resigned from the Miami-Dade state attorney's office following reports of misconduct that included granting favors to witnesses and coordinating witness testimony.
In 2024, Connolly's lawyers received a letter from Miami-Dade Chief Assistant State Attorney Jose Arrojo informing them that a sealed envelope labeled “confidential” contained the Bulger manuscript and his statements to the FBI.
In their filing, Connolly's lawyers accuse prosecutors of a general pattern of misconduct, arguing that they withheld evidence favorable to the defense in violation of constitutional requirements. Courts have previously found that some evidence in the case was improperly withheld, though they ruled it was not material enough to overturn the conviction.
Connolly’s attorneys say the newly surfaced material goes further, creating reasonable doubt about his guilt.
Connolly, who had been serving a 40-year sentence, was granted compassionate release in 2021 after a judge cited his terminal illness and the risks of COVID-19.
Connolly was a special agent with the FBI in Boston in July 1982 when mob hitman John Martorano shot Callahan in the back of the head and left his body in the trunk of a car at Miami International Airport.
Connolly was indicted on a first-degree murder charge 21 years later. At the time, prosecutors claimed Bulger and Stephen Flemmi ordered Callahan's killing after Connolly told them the FBI was investigating Callahan's ties to Bulger and his gang for the 1981 killing of Roger Wheeler, who owned World Jai Alai.
But in the manuscript and post-arrest FBI statements, Connolly's lawyers claim Bulger stated that Connolly was framed by Morris, who was Connolly's FBI supervisor.
“I am sure everyone close to me thought all the information I had came from (Connolly), Bulger wrote. “I didn’t discourage that thought — sadly for Connolly, he took the heat for warning me to take off and other things that had come from (Morris).”
Bulger accused Morris of becoming a “star witness” against Connolly to save himself. Morris testified against Connolly as part of a cooperation agreement that granted him immunity from prosecution.
While leading his gang, Bulger, who inspired Jack Nicholson’s character in the 2006 Martin Scorsese movie “The Departed” and was portrayed by Johnny Depp in the 2015 gangster drama “Black Mass,” also served as an FBI informant against the Mafia. Bulger denied that claim.
Willingham reported from Boston. Associated Press reporter Michael Casey in Boston contributed to this report.
FILE - This booking photo provided by the U.S. Marshals Service shows James "Whitey" Bulger on June 23, 2011. (U.S. Marshals Service via AP, File)
Barcelona scored seven and Liverpool revived its season with four goals to flip tight Champions League games Wednesday into big wins sending them to the quarterfinals.
Atletico Madrid survived a pulsating Tottenham fightback to make it Spain 3, England 0 in round-of-16 clashes this week.
Bayern Munich had it easiest of all, pushing aside Atalanta 4-1 on Wednesday and 10-2 on aggregate, to get a blockbuster quarterfinal against Real Madrid.
Another Champions League goals rush was sparked by Barcelona tearing apart Newcastle in the second half of a thrilling 7-2 win after the teams went toe-to-toe before the break.
Tied 1-1 after the first leg in Newcastle, Barcelona surged to a victory after Lamine Yamal's momentum-shifting penalty kick in first-half stoppage time made the score 3-2.
Robert Lewandowski then scored twice, Fermín López finished a slick move and Raphinha got his second goal as Newcastle's defense collapsed.
Liverpool ultimately eased to a 4-0 win over Galatasaray at Anfield, overturning a one-goal loss in Istanbul, despite Mohamed Salah missing a penalty in first-half stoppage time when the score was 1-0.
Still, Salah was key to Liverpool's strong second half with two assists then a goal in a performance that could restart an erratic season for the English champions and ease growing pressure on coach Arne Slot.
Tottenham showed real character after an embarrassing 5-2 loss in Madrid last week but was resisted by Atletico twice leveling the score in Wednesday's second leg. Xavi Simon's late penalty at least gave Tottenham a 3-2 win on the night.
Tottenham and Newcastle joined Manchester City, ousted by Real Madrid on Tuesday 5-1 on aggregate score, as Premier League teams eliminated by La Liga's best.
England had a record six teams in the competition and all reached the round of 16, but only Arsenal and Liverpool advanced. Chelsea was eliminated Tuesday by defending champion Paris Saint-Germain, which now plays Liverpool.
In Munich, fit-again Bayern talisman Harry Kane scored twice against Atalanta to end Italy's challenge in this Champions League edition.
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates after scoring his side's fourth goal during the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 soccer match between Liverpool and Galatasaray, in Liverpool, England, Wednesday, March 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai, left, celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 soccer match between Liverpool and Galatasaray, in Liverpool, England, Wednesday, March 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Barcelona's Marc Bernal celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Champions League round of 16, second leg soccer match between FC Barcelona and Newcastle United FC in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, March 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
Barcelona's Lamine Yamal celebrates after scoring a penalty, his side's third goal during the Champions League round of 16, second leg soccer match between FC Barcelona and Newcastle United FC in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, March 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
Newcastle's Anthony Elanga, right, scores his side's second goal during the Champions League round of 16, second leg soccer match between FC Barcelona and Newcastle United FC in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, March 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
Barcelona's Lamine Yamal scores a penalty, his side's third goal during the Champions League round of 16, second leg soccer match between FC Barcelona and Newcastle United FC in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, March 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
Barcelona's Raphinha, right, celebrates with teammate Lamine Yamal after scoring the opening goal of his team during the Champions League round of 16, second leg soccer match between FC Barcelona and Newcastle United FC in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, March 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski celebrates after scoring his side's sixth goal during the Champions League round of 16, second leg soccer match between FC Barcelona and Newcastle United FC in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, March 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
Bayern's Harry Kane during a German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich in Leverkusen, Germany, Saturday, March 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Atletico Madrid players greet fans at the end of the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 soccer match between Atletico Madrid and Tottenham in Madrid, Spain, Tuesday, March 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Jose Breton)
Liverpool's manager Arne Slot reacts during the Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Tottenham in Liverpool, England, Sunday, March 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
