James "Whitey" Bulger's longtime girlfriend, Catherine Greig, pleaded guilty Wednesday to federal criminal contempt of court.
Greig, 64, is already serving an eight-year prison sentence on a conviction for harboring a fugitive for her 16 years on the run with Bulger.
She faces up to life in prison when sentenced on this contempt charge.
"I think it speaks volumes of her character," said Greig's attorney, Kevin Reddington. "I think that any person at that age - even one day behind bars is a significant impact on their life."
Greig was indicted on the federal criminal contempt charge in September for refusing to testify before a grand jury about her and Bulger's whereabouts while they were on the run and whether other people helped them during that time.
"When you look at this prosecution, you have to ask yourself, 'What is driving it, really?'" said Reddington.
At least one relative of one of Bulger's alleged victims, Debra Davis's brother, Steve, thinks the government is right to continue going after Greig for refusing to testify.
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"The guy was a serial killer murderer," Davis said. "She knew all along, she knew what she was getting into the day she walked into his car."
But even Davis thinks giving Greig the maximum wouldn't serve anyone.
"I don't want to see them give her a life sentence, but I'd like to see them give her enough time where she's going to want to talk," he said.
Greig is scheduled to be sentenced on April 28.
