Bulger treated in Mass. hospital for irregular heartbeat

BOSTON (AP) - A friend says James "Whitey" Bulger was taken to a hospital recently for an irregular heartbeat, the latest of at least three trips to the hospital since the 83-year-old reputed mobster was captured in 2011.

Richard Sunday says he received a letter from Bulger saying he was taken to a hospital Feb. 12 for atrial fibrillation.

After being examined, Bulger was returned to the Plymouth Country Correctional Facility, where he is awaiting a June trial. Bulger, the former leader of the Winter Hill Gang, is charged with participating in 19 murders.

Sunday says Bulger wrote in his letter, "exercise is over for me" and "this is the end of the trail for me." The two served time together at Alcatraz.

The Boston Globe first reported Bulger's latest trip to the hospital.