In this courtroom sketch, James "Whitey" Bulger sits at his sentencing hearing in federal court in Boston, on Wednesday. Bulger was convicted in August in a broad indictment that included racketeering charges in a string of murders in the 1970s and '80s, as well as extortion, money-laundering and weapons charges.

By DENISE LAVOIE

AP Legal Affairs Writer

BOSTON - Boston mob boss James "Whitey" Bulger has been sentenced to life in prison for 11 killings and a string of other charges including extortion and money laundering.

The 84-year-old called his trial this summer a sham and declined to testify there or at his sentencing hearing.

On Thursday, Judge Denise Casper told Bulger his crimes were "heinous" and "all about money." Bulger looked directly at her, listening intently.

She then sentenced him to two consecutive life sentences, plus five years.

The sentencing ends a sordid chapter in Boston history featuring FBI and government corruption that helped Bulger continue a reign of terror for decades and flee the city just ahead of an indictment. He was a fugitive for more than 16 years until he was captured in Santa Monica, Calif., in 2011.