Orsmans Statements Told in Murder Trial-This Day in Norwood History-May 11, 1933

Alli Orsman and Ahmed Orsman, unrelated, accused one another of the murder of 9-year-old Nellie Keras, whose body was found last Christmas Day in a burlap bag beneath a woodpile in a Norwood cellar, it developed for the first time, in resumption of their trial for alleged murder of the child, in Norfolk Superior Criminal Court, before Judge Harold Williams, today.

Sergt Thomas Lydon cf Norwood said that on Christmas night he received a report that the Keras child was missing, the report coming to him from defendant, Ahmed Orsman. Lydon said that Orsman described to him the clothing the girl wore.

Next day, Monday, Lydon talked again with Ahmed, he testified, and asked Ahmed if he had seen the child. Ahmed’s reply, Lydon testified, was “What do I care about Nellie Keras!”

Lydon said he then asked Ahmed Orsman If he had searched for the child, and to this question Ahmed replied to Lydon: “No. Why should I look for her? I’m no cop”.

Sergt Lydon went on to testify that next day, Tuesday, he declared to Ahmed Orsman: “You know where Nellie Keras is.” And Lydon said Aimed Orsman answered: “Honest I don’t know. If I did I would tell you.”

Sergt Lydon said he then arrested Ahmed Orsman and that at the time he noted that Ahmed’s face, at the right cheekbone, bore three scratches.

That afternoon, Lydon said, he went to the Dean-st house and arrested Alli Orsman, and added that Alli had a scratch over the left eye.

Sergt Lydon then offered testimony as to the Orsmans accusing each other of the girl’s murder, while they were being driven by himself and Sergt William Barrett to Dedham Court for first arraignment.

On Dec 19, Lydon said, he heard Barrett say to one of the prisoners in his charge: “You killed that girl, didn’t you?” Then Lydon said he heard Alli Orsman reply, “No. he killed her!” Ahmed replied. “No, he killed her. He told me he did!”

Found Bag in Woodpile

Patrolman J. S. Conroy of Norwood was first witness today. He testified to visiting the home of Orsman soon after Christmas, and of seeing the woodpile where the child’s body was found in a burlap bag. He said he did not at the time examine the woodpile and so did not know whether the body was there at the time of his visit.

Medical Examiner Arthur S. Hartwell testified to arriving at 5 pm, Dec 29. at 29 Oolah Ave, to finding the burlap bag in the woodpile, and to ordering its removal. Dr. Hartwell identified photographs showing the exact position of the bag.

Answering Asst Dist Atty E. R, Dewings question, he said he and Suffolk Medical Examiner Magrath later performed an autopsy on the child’s body. Dr. Hartwell testified death was caused by strangulation of the thorax from external pressure, also by hemorrhages under the skin of the neck and at the heart.

City Chemist George E. Bolling of Brockton, testifying as a blood expert. stated that spots found on the trousers of Ahmed Orsman were less than eight days old, and were blood spots. He testified to examining a suitcase owned by Allie Orsman and to finding spots made by blood.

Cross-examined by attorney J. M. Eoyle for Allie Orsman, Bolling admitted that the first smudge he saw upon the cover of the suitcase was caused by lipstick. Spots he later discovered on the interior lining of the lag were blood spots, he said.

Dr. Magrath was to testify this afternoon.

The Boston Globe- 11 May 1933