Family of alleged Bulger victims react to sentencing

BOSTON (WHDH) -- A family member of one of Whitey Bulger's alleged victims got into a heated argument with a Catherine Greig supporter after her sentencing Tuesday.

The exchange was just one of the profanity-laced statements that happened inside and outside of the courtroom.

Family members of alleged Bulger victims waited anxiously in the courtroom to hear Greig’s sentencing. Many were satisfied with the outcome of eight years in prison.

“It was a good day for me. Yes, very good day,” said Patricia Donahue, wife of an alleged Bulger victim. “I actually didn’t look right at her, but it felt very good for me to describe to her how I really felt and why I thought she should go to jail. It made me feel good to be able to express myself.”

Steven Davis expressed himself as well in court, calling Greig a “dirty [expletive].”

“She got an eight-year sentence. We’re all our family’s victims, but served a life sentence,” said Davis, alleged victim’s brother.

Davis, speaking outside of court before the sentencing, found himself in a verbal confrontation with a passerby. The passerby seemed to be defending Greig.

“Who the [expletive] are you?” Davis asked the man. “Who are you, Captain Greig?”

For most of the victims’ family members, the day was bittersweet.

“I believe she should have gotten 15 years, not a minute less. She got a bargain -- she was very lucky,” said Stephen Rakes, owned South Boston liquor store.

“I was very pleased with the eight years. Personally, I thought she was probably going to get a little less, but good to see a judge finally put the hammer down a little bit,” said Tommy Donahue, alleged victim’s son.

Victims’ family members say the final chapter will only be written when Whitey Bulger goes on trial -- but some wonder if that will ever happen due to Bulger's old age.