BOSTON — The longtime girlfriend of mobster James “Whitey” Bulger was sentenced Tuesday to eight years in prison for helping one of the FBI’s most-wanted men stay on the run for 16 years, a life her lawyer said she doesn’t regret because she still loves Bulger.

Catherine Greig showed no emotion when U.S. District Judge Douglas Woodlock handed down the sentence after emotional pleas from relatives of those Bulger is accused of killing. Bulger, 82, the former leader of the notorious Winter Hill Gang, is awaiting trial on charges he participated in 19 murders.

Greig, 61, had pleaded guilty in March to charges of conspiracy to harbor a fugitive, identity fraud and conspiracy to commit identity fraud.

Greig’s lawyer, Kevin Reddington, urged the judge to impose a sentence of a little over two years, arguing that Greig was in love with Bulger when she fled Boston with him in 1995.

“Miss Greig did not believe that Mr. Bulger was capable of these homicides,” he said.

But prosecutors dismissed her professions of love and said Greig had numerous opportunities to leave Bulger during their time on the run.

“This was not a romantic saga,” U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz said. “She helped and protected and concealed a fugitive.”

Family members of those Bulger is accused of killing lashed out at Greig during victim impact statements.

Tim Connors, the son of a man prosecutors say was killed by Bulger on June 12, 1975, called Greig “a cold-hearted criminal.”

“You’re as much a criminal as Whitey and should be treated as such,” he said.

Prosecutors asked the judge to sentence Greig to 10 years in prison, citing the length of time she helped Bulger and the things she did for him, including taking him to medical appointments, posing as his wife so she could pick up his prescriptions and using false identities.

The judge admonished Greig for her unfailing loyalty to Bulger. “We are all responsible for what we do. We all make choices,” Woodlock said.

Greig faced a maximum of 15 years – five years on each of the three charges.