On this day in 1933, the high‑profile murder trial of Ali and Ahmed Osman—known in the press as the “Norwood Turks”—reached a critical point as all evidence was formally entered in Norfolk Superior Criminal Court. The two brothers stood accused of the murder of 9‑year‑old Nellie Keras, a case that had gripped Norwood and the surrounding region with shock and sorrow.
The proceedings, held before Judge Harold P. Williams in Dedham, had stretched into their eighth day. After a bench conference with defense counsel, Judge Williams announced the schedule for the remainder of the trial:
- May 17 would be devoted entirely to closing arguments
- May 18 would bring the judge’s final charge to the jury
- The case was expected to be handed to the jury around noon on Thursday
The courtroom remained tense as the community awaited the jury’s deliberations in one of the most disturbing and closely watched cases in Norwood’s early 20th‑century history.
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Boston Globe
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Makarewicz Refused Lie Detector Test, Jury Told-This Day in Norwood History-March 10, 1955
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Prosecutor Claims Peter Plotted Murder-This Day in Norwood History-March 9, 1955
Peter Makarewicz, 15, of Norwood, deliberately plotted the murder of Geraldine Annese, the prosecution charged in its opening to a Superior Court jury here this afternoon. “He (Peter) planned this while lying beside his baby sister while she went to sleep sometime between 9 and 9:30 that night.” (the night of the slaying), Dist Atty.…
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Defense Bans Women Jurors in Murder Trial-This Day in Norwood History-March 7, 1955
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Few Details Emerge In Case Against Peter Makarewicz On Eve Of Trial For Murder of Geraldine Annese-This Day in Norwood History-March 6, 1955
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Peter Makarewicz Goes on Trial Next Monday in Murder of Geraldine Annese-This Day in Norwood History-March 3, 1955
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Judge Orders Most Evidence Be Shown to Defense in Geraldine Annese Murder Case-This Day in Norwood History-February 24, 1955
Goldstein To See State Exhibits Of Entire Case In an unprecedented ruling, Superior Court Judge Frank J. Donahue has ordered Norfolk County to turn over to the defense practically all its evidence against Peter Makarewicz, 15 – year – old Norwood youth scheduled to go on trial the week of March 7th in the slaying…
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‘Good Boy’ Killed Girl Next Door, Police Say-December 5, 1954
‘Good Boy’ Killed Girl Next Door, Police Say-This Day In Norwood History-December 5, 1955
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Peter Makarewicz To Confer With Counsel-November 15, 1954
Plan Defense in Peter Makarewicz Murder Trial- This Day In Norwood History-November 9, 1954
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Girl’s Parents Soothe Alleged Killer’s Folks-November 8, 1954
Two Families in Dramatic Meeting, Join in Meal; Arraignment Today MOTHERS OF VICTIM, ACCUSED—Two grief-stricken mothers embrace in Norwood, Mass., as they sob out promises to pray for each other’s children—one slain, the other charged as the slayer. Mrs. Peter S. Makarewicz Sr., left, mother of a 15-year-old youth accused of the murder, and Mrs.…
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Peter Makarewicz Confesses to Murder of Geraldine Annese-This Day in Norwood History-November 7, 1954
Peter Makarewicz Confesses to Murder of Geraldine Annese-This Day in Norwood History-November 7, 1954
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