Stephen Rakes

(Newser) - The Massachusetts medical examiner's office has determined that cyanide poisoning killed Stephen Rakes , an alleged extortion victim of Boston gangster James "Whitey" Bulger who had hoped to testify at Bulger's trial, prosecutors announced today. The medical examiner's office concluded that Rakes, 59, died of acute cyanide...

(Newser) - Remember that victim of Whitey Bulger who dropped dead suspiciously last month as the mob boss' trial was underway? Turns out, Stephen Rakes was murdered, say authorities in Boston. But, surprise, they don't think Bulger had anything to do with it. Instead, the local DA says a business partner...

(Newser) - A key witness in the trial of James "Whitey" Bulger has been found dead in Lincoln, Mass., ABC News reports. Stephen "Stippo" Rakes was supposed to testify that Bulger and associate Stephen Flemmi had threatened his daughter at gunpoint to force him to let them use his South...