Violent Drug Trafficker’s 1990 Life Sentence Upheld

Today U.S. District Court Chief Judge Patti B. Saris reaffirmed the 1990 life sentence of Darryl Whiting who was a notorious and violent drug trafficker in Boston.

Whiting was originally sentenced to life in prison 1990 after being convicted of running a 100-person drug ring that netted him millions and terrorized the Orchard Park public housing development in Boston.  An undercover agent and several of Whiting’s co-conspirators testified against him at trial, explaining that he preyed upon drug-addicted mothers, and viciously beat those who defied his orders.  Whiting himself also testified at trial, telling the jury that he was a legitimate business man.

Recent changes to the federal sentencing guidelines made Whiting eligible for a greatly reduced sentence – unless the court found that he would pose a significant threat to public if released.

Significantly, Whiting, recently authored and published a lengthy and graphic novel in which the main character is released from prison on a technicality, launches a scaled-up version of his former criminal empire, finds and tortures to death the cooperating witnesses who testified at his trial, and advises criminal associates who plan to kill “rats” and display their bodies with cheese or a dime.  Whiting claimed that his novel, which he published in 2013, was “purely fictional.”

The government challenged Whiting’s claim, pointing out to the court that the main character in Whiting’s book is named Darryl “God” Whiting, all the people in the book have the same names as all the people in the trial, and all the key historical events recounted in the book actually took place.  The government argued that Whiting’s book was compelling evidence of his state of mind and his determination to seek violent revenge and resume a life of crime if released.

Members of the community, including residents of the Orchard Park community and state leaders submitted letters opposing any reduction for Whiting, whom they explained had severely diminished the quality of life in Boston and Roxbury, and whom they said has continued to instill fear in the community while incarcerated.

The Court found that Whiting poses such a serious threat to the community and those who cooperated against him that no relief under Amendment 782 is warranted – thus, the original life sentence is undisturbed.