Court Upholds Lawsuits By Families Of Alleged Bulger Victims

BOSTON (AP) — A federal appeals court has upheld multi-million dollar judgments that found the government liable for the deaths of three people allegedly murdered by James "Whitey" Bulger.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit on Friday upheld awards of $1.3 million, $350,000 and $1.1 million for the families of Debra Davis, Deborah Hussey and Louis Litif, respectively.

The court affirmed a trial judge's decision that the FBI showed "wildly reckless behavior" in using Bulger and his associate, Stephen "The Rifleman" Flemmi, as informants and shielding them from prosecution.

Steve Davis, the brother of Debra Davis, told The Boston Globe the appeals court's decision shows his sister mattered.

Bulger, who was arrested last year after 16 years on the run, is awaiting trial for participating in the murders of 19 people.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.