Watch CBS News

Convicted Killer Fred Weichel Fights For New Trial

BOSTON (CBS) - Fred Weichel is 65 now, and for the past 35 years he's been in prison for a murder he says he didn't commit. Now, he may be on the road to proving his innocence.

In 2001, Weichel declared his innocence in an interview with WBZ's Dan Rea. "I'm angry, I'm frustrated, and I'm very, very mad at myself for being so naïve," Weichel told Rea.

In 1980, Weichel claims he was in a Boston bar with then FBI agent John Connolly, when Bobby LaMonica was murdered in Braintree. Weichel now claims James "Whitey" Bulger prevented Connolly from being an alibi witness for him.

Fred Weichel
Fred Weichel in 2001 (WBZ-TV)

Bulger wrote letters to Wecichel's lawyers. "There are a number of letters from Whitey Bulger to me, written in a code, that without him testifying, I can't get into evidence," said Mike Ricciuti of the New England Innocence Project.

"His lawyer told me he is not going to testify, I can't get it into evidence, they're not going to be before the judge."

A Superior Court judge is hearing evidence now that may pave the way for a new trial. On Monday, Ricciuti explained to the judge how a police report that was "lost" has come to light and in that report, detectives investigating the murder that Weichel was convicted of point the finger at another man, Rocco Balliro.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.