Ex-Mafia Hitman Who Killed Whitey Bulger Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison

What difference does it make if you have to wait another 25 years when you are already serving a life sentence?

Fotios “Freddy” Geas — the former mob boss already serving a life sentence — was sentenced to an additional 25 years in prison by a judge Friday for the 2018 beating to death of notorious New England crime boss James “Whitey” Bulger in a federal prison.

He pleaded guilty to manslaughter and assault causing grievous bodily harm for the brutal attack on Bulger.

Geas has been in prison since 2011 for multiple crimes, including the 2003 murder of Genovese crime boss Adolfo “Big Al” Bruno.

Prosecutors say Geas repeatedly struck the 89-year-old Bulger in the head with a lock attached to a belt just hours after the mobster arrived at USP Hazelton in West Virginia.

Bulger had been transferred from another prison in Florida.

Prisoners were notified well in advance of Bulger’s arrival.

Two other inmates were charged for their roles in Bulger’s murder.

Massachusetts gangster Paul DeCologero was sentenced to four additional years in federal prison in August after pleading guilty to assault. He was already serving a 25-year sentence.

Prosecutors say DeCologero acted as a lookout for Geas.

Inmate Sean McKinnon also pleaded guilty in June, admitting that he lied to FBI special agents when asked about Bulger’s death and what he knew.

McKinnon, who was serving a 22-month prison sentence for stealing firearms, was given no additional jail time and was released.

Plea deals for the three men were announced in May. Geas and DeCologero were identified early on as suspects in Bulger’s murder, but were not charged until 2022.

After his death, prison officials were criticized for placing the notorious Bulger in general custody instead of protective custody.

Bulger led the predominantly Irish mafia in Boston in the 1970s and 1980s.

He was also an FBI informant who provided the agency with information about his gang’s biggest rival.

He became one of the country’s most wanted fugitives after fleeing Boston in 1994, thanks to a tip from his FBI contact that he was about to be indicted.

He was captured in California at the age of 81 after being on the run for more than 16 years.

Bulger was convicted in 2013 of a string of 11 murders and dozens of other gang crimes, many of which he committed while allegedly an FBI informant.