Alleged hitman reportedly strikes deal with prosecutors

(Boston, Mass.-AP) -- A hit man who has admitted killing 20<br>people -- including Telex Corporation executive Roger Wheeler in<br>Tulsa -- struck a deal with prosecutors that could free him in less<br>than

Thursday, September 9th 1999, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Boston, Mass.-AP) -- A hit man who has admitted killing 20
people -- including Telex Corporation executive Roger Wheeler in
Tulsa -- struck a deal with prosecutors that could free him in less
than eight years.

Fifty-eight-year-old John Martorano has agreed to plead guilty
to federal racketeering charges and testify against former Winter
Hill gang cohorts James J. "Whitey" Bulger and Stephen "The
Rifleman" Flemmi, who worked for years as F-B-I informants. Bulger
is on the run.

A source speaking to The Associated Press on condition of
anonymity confirmed the reports.

Bulger, Flemmi and Martorano are defendants in a 1995 federal
racketeering case that has been challenged by defense lawyers who
say the case should be thrown out. They say the F-B-I gave Flemmi
and Bulger free rein to commit crimes short of murder.