fbpx

This Day in Norwood History-February 10, 1935-“FEMALE FAGIN” FOUND GUILTY IN DEDHAM

Charge Woman Induced Girl to Steal Keys From Teachers So She Could Rob Homes

MRS. JULIA PORTELLA WITH HER ATTORNEY, BENJAMIN J. SYKES

DEDHAM, Feb 10 In a courtroom packed with Norwood citizens, Mrs. Julia Portella, 25, mother of a 14-months-old child, today was branded by police as a “female Fagin.” and found guilty by Judge E. Dwight Fullerton on charges of breaking and entering and larceny, after getting a young schoolgirl to steal from her teachers the keys to their apartments.

It was revealed in court that the woman’s husband, John Portella, 1126 Washington st, Norwood, was arrested Feb 6. charged with a burglary at a Westwood home and the larceny of $300 worth of silverware; that he escaped from his cell in Norwood Police Station through a ventilator shaft- and has not yet been recaptured. Mrs. Portella was sentenced to one year in the House of Correction for the looting of the schoolteachers’ apartments. She appealed and was held in $2000 bonds for the Grand Jury. Her attorney, Benjamin J. Sykes, asked the court for mercy for her since she had the small baby to look out for, and her husband was missing.

Chief William H. Sullivan of Norwood, who prosecuted the case, told the court that the investigation of Sergts. Nicholas Curran and Thomas Lydon had revealed that the woman had influenced a 15-year-old Norwood schoolgirl to steal the keys from the teachers and slip them to Mrs. Portella, who used them to gain access to the teachers’ apartments in the Talbot Block during the hours that the teachers were in school.

Miss Gretchen Hamilton and Miss Abbie Smith both testified in court that they missed their keys and later discovered their, apartments had been ransacked and that jewelry and clothing valued at $70 had been stolen. Police recovered the articles for the teachers.

The 15-year-old girl, whose name was withheld on account of her youth, was found guilty and sentenced to Lancaster Industrial School for Girls.

On two additional counts against Mrs. Portella, the court did not find probable cause to hold her for the Grand Jury and they were dismissed.

“That’s my dress Mrs. Portella’s wearing now:” exclaimed one woman as the prisoner was brought into the dock.

This Day in Norwood History-March 19, 1948-British Boy Stowaway, Ronald McDonald, 16, Picked up On Route 1, Faces Deportation

This Day in Norwood History-March 19, 1948-British Boy Stowaway, Ronald McDonald, 16, Picked up On Route 1, Faces Deportation

Story Of How English Lad Fought To Enter U. S. Arouses Sympathy HIS STORY WINS SYMPATHY—Ronald McDonald. 16- year-old.British lad (center), who told court authorities this week a heart-stirring story of his fight to come to America. At the left…

This Day In Norwood History-March 18, 1937-VIGILANTE IDEA STIRS NORWOOD

This Day In Norwood History-March 18, 1937-VIGILANTE IDEA STIRS NORWOOD

Numerous Holdups Taking Place NORWOOD, March 18—Rumors of the proposed formation of a vigilante committee in South Norwood to protect its residents from the numerous holdups which have taken place in that section have been heard throughout the town. Selectman…

This Day in Norwood History-March 18, 1955-Makarewicz Guilty In Slaying of Geraldine Annese

This Day in Norwood History-March 18, 1955-Makarewicz Guilty In Slaying of Geraldine Annese

Sentenced to Life on Jury’s Request FAINTS AFTER VERDICT—Peter Makarewicz slumps unconscious in the arms of Deputy Sheriff Dell Turner, left, and Deputy Master Edwin H. Downs as he is led from Dedham Courthouse enroute to State Prison. Peter William…

This Day in Norwood History-March 17, 1955-Defense Counsel In Plea For Not Guilty Verdict As Murder Trial Ends

This Day in Norwood History-March 17, 1955-Defense Counsel In Plea For Not Guilty Verdict As Murder Trial Ends

An hour and three quarters’ fervent plea for the return of a not guilty verdict for his youthful client, Peter Makarewicz, echoed through the courtroom at Dedham this morning as the Chief Defense Counsel, Louis Goldstein, summarized his case before…

This Day in Norwood History-March 17, 1955-Peter Makarewicz Makes Own Plea To Jury

This Day in Norwood History-March 17, 1955-Peter Makarewicz Makes Own Plea To Jury

Young Peter Makarewicz told the jury this afternoon that he did not murder Geraldine Annese and asked that he be acquitted. The 16-year-old defendant making his plea in a calm voice from the prisoner’s cage said: “I have been accused…

This Day in Norwood History-March 15, 1955-“I Didn’t Kill Her,” Says Peter

This Day in Norwood History-March 15, 1955-“I Didn’t Kill Her,” Says Peter

Norwood Youth Denies Confession DEDHAM, March 15—Peter Makarewicz took the stand today in his own defense on the eighth day of his first-degree murder trial. The slim, pale 16-year-old boy, under questioning by his attorney, Louis Goldstein, gave the court…

This Day in Norwood History-March 29, 1947-Police Chief Lydon Invents New Finger-Printing Machine

This Day in Norwood History-March 29, 1947-Police Chief Lydon Invents New Finger-Printing Machine

Gadget Will Be Submitted To The FBI For Inspection INVENTS FINGER-PRINTING MACHINE—Norwood Police Chief Thomas C. Lydon (right) holds finger-printing machine which he has invented and which will be turned…

This Day In Norwood History-March 29, 1964-Norwood Looks Forward

This Day In Norwood History-March 29, 1964-Norwood Looks Forward

Norwood, until 1872 a part of Dedham, today appears a town that was built-and divided-by a railroad. But unlike many New England towns that boomed early in the Industrial Revolution…

This Day in Norwood History-March 28, 1947-New General Manager Ed Monahan Knows Problems of Home Owner, Businessman, Industrialist

This Day in Norwood History-March 28, 1947-New General Manager Ed Monahan Knows Problems of Home Owner, Businessman, Industrialist

“Ed” Monahan Wades Into New Job With Both Feet On Ground By WIN EVERETT Norwood—meet your sixth full-time General Manager, Edward C. Monahan, who took his official seat in the…

This Day in Norwood History-March 28, 1947-7 Norwood Candidates Start Climb To Pro Baseball Careers

This Day in Norwood History-March 28, 1947-7 Norwood Candidates Start Climb To Pro Baseball Careers

All War Veterans And Ex-Murraymen Ray Martin with the Boston Braves in 1947 (Photo: Digital Commonwealth, Colorized by the Norwood Historical Society) By JOHN J. COOK Norwood will be well…

error: Content is protected !!
%d bloggers like this:
search previous next tag category expand menu location phone mail time cart zoom edit close