Crime

South Boston man linked to Bulger sentenced to 15 years for involvement in 1984, 1993 cold case killings

The man, who has been linked to James “Whitey” Bulger, pleaded guilty to manslaughter after the initial murder charges were reduced.

Authorities in Watson's murder had cited a connection to the now-deceased gangster, James “Whitey” Bulger. FBI via AP, File

By Darin Zullo

November 5, 2025

3 minutes to read

A South Boston man linked to infamous gangster James “Whitey” Bulger was sentenced Wednesday to 15 years in prison for two killings he committed in 1984 and 1993, according to court records.

Michael Lewis, 65, pleaded guilty in Suffolk Superior Court to two counts of manslaughter Wednesday in connection with the deaths of Brian Watson in 1984 and William Villani in 1993, court records show. Lewis was initially indicted in 2022 in connection with Watson’s death and charged with first-degree murder.

The following year, Lewis was indicted for Villani’s death and again charged with first-degree murder, according to court filings. Facing life sentences for the alleged murders, he pleaded not guilty to both charges.

The 15-year manslaughter sentence “was a compromise negotiated between the parties, that is, the DA’s office and my client,” Lewis’ attorney, James Sultan, told Boston.com. “Both parties realized that there were significant risks in going to trial.”

Watson, 23, was last seen alive on July 16 or 17 of 1984, and his body was found two months later, hidden among the trees and bushes alongside Interstate 93 in Manchester, N.H. Prosecutors alleged that Lewis, then 24, fatally shot Watson after he got mixed up in a dispute between two drug dealers.

Lewis and his associate, both of whom were involved in the drug trade, were driving around South Boston looking for a dealer who had allegedly told Bulger and onetime protégé Kevin Weeks that the associate was selling angel dust in the neighborhood, according to prosecutors. Bulger, who was known to shake down drug dealers operating in South Boston, demanded a $5,000 payment plus another $1,000 per week from Lewis’ associate.

During their search, they encountered Watson, who offered to help them find the dealer and got into their car, prosecutors said. Lewis “suddenly turned, shot and killed Watson,” as they drove around the neighborhood. The men later dumped Watson’s body along I-93 South in Manchester.

Federal authorities made a “significant break” in the case in 2009, but lacked sufficient evidence to secure an indictment until 2022, according to prosecutors. The cold case, which originated out of New Hampshire, is now officially considered closed, prosecutors in that state said in a joint statement Wednesday.

“This resolution stands as a testament to the determination of investigators who refused to let time stand in the way of justice,” New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella said in the statement. “Nearly forty years after Brian Watson was killed, his family can finally have some measure of closure. We are deeply grateful to our partners in Massachusetts and New Hampshire who never stopped working toward this outcome.”

Nine years later, Lewis was involved in the death of Villani, a 46-year-old Boston Housing Authority supervisor, according to a 2023 statement from the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office. Lewis worked for Villani at the housing authority’s pest control unit.

Prosecutors alleged that Villani was beaten, stabbed, and shot at his South Boston office April 16, and his body was found the following day. By the time Lewis was indicted in connection with Villani’s death, he was already being held without bail in connection with Watson’s death.

A man with a criminal record covertly recorded Lewis admitting to both killings in 2020, according to The Boston Globe. Sultan made a motion earlier this year to suppress the recording, but was unsuccessful.

In reaching a guilty plea, the first-degree murder charges against Lewis were reduced to manslaughter charges. Sultan told Boston.com that he was satisfied with the finalized charges and concurrent 15-year sentences.

“It was a very fair resolution,” Sultan said. “[Lewis] stepped up and took responsibility for his involvement in these two crimes that occurred a long time ago.”