Judge Impounds Details in Howie Winter Case

On Tuesday, Middlesex Superior Court Judge Kathe Tuttman impounded, at least temporarily, the prosecution's statement of facts and allegations against former Winter Hill Gang boss Howard "Howie" Winter, according to Bostonherald.com.

Winter, 83, of Millbury, and a codefendant, James Melvin, 70, of Braintree, are accused of trying to extort $35,000 each from two businessmen, and they were arraigned in Middlesex Superior Court Tuesday morning.

The Middlesex District Attorney's statement of facts and allegations includes the names of the two businessmen, electronic surveillance evidence—state police collected video and audio recordings of Winter and Melvin allegedly taking money from the two businessmen—and other details of the case against the two men, Melvin's lawyer said in court, according to Bostonherald.com.

The lawyer said the DA's statement is "one-sided" and has "great capacity for prejudice," the news website reported.

It also reported that Winter, speaking outside the courtroom, told reporters charges against him are "false." 

Winter and Melvin were each released on $25,000 cash bail and ordered to stay away from the two businessmen in the case, the Middlesex District Attorney's office said.

The next court date was scheduled for Dec. 18.

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