Former mafia killer who killed Whitey Bulger sentenced to 25 years in prison

What are another 25 years when you are already serving a life sentence?

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

He pleaded guilty to manslaughter and assault causing serious injury in connection with the brutal attack on Bulger.

Geas has been behind bars since 2011 for several crimes, including the murder of Genoese crime boss Adolfo “Big Al” Bruno in 2003.

Prosecutors said Geas repeatedly struck Bulger, 89, on the head with a lock attached to a belt hours after he arrived at USP Hazelton in West Virginia.

Bulger had been transferred from another prison in Florida.

The inmates were informed in advance of Bulger's arrival.

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

Massachusetts mobster Paul DeCologero was sentenced to an additional four years in federal prison in August after pleading guilty to assault, adding to a 25-year sentence he was already serving.

DeCologero served as a scout for Geas, prosecutors said.

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

McKinnon, who was serving a 22-month prison sentence for gun theft, was not given any additional punishment and was released from prison.

The plea deals for the three men were announced in May. Geas and DeCologero were identified early on as suspects in Bulger's murder but will not be charged until 2022.

After his murder, prison officials were criticized for placing the well-known Bulger in full custody rather than in protective custody.

Bulger led the largely Irish Mafia in Boston in the 1970s and 1980s.

He was also an FBI informant, providing the agency with information about his gang's main rival.

He became one of the country's most wanted criminals after escaping Boston in 1994 after being tipped off by his FBI handler that charges would be brought against him.

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 series of 11 murders and dozens of other gang-related crimes, many of which he committed while allegedly acting as an FBI informant.