James Geanecopoulos 1943
On April 15, 1943, about 1:40 PM James Geanecopoulos (48) was beaten to death and robbed inside his Padelford Street home. James was a poultry farmer and lived alone. James was found dead in the kitchen, by his neighbor George E. Curtis (69). His body was lying face down on the floor, indicating an attack from behind. There was no evidence of a struggle, however $1400 was later determined to be missing from his overalls. A sum of $1,840 which James kept in a trunk was untouched.
There was no physical evidence George had any part in the murder. George described them as friends since 1939 when he moved to Berkley. James was last seen alive on April 14, 1943, around 9PM at the local store. George was charged with murder.
In July 1944, after the George's property was sold, a peen hammer was found on the premises in a toolbox of a tractor formerly belonging to the George. The hammer was the property of a plumber who was working in the George's home in September 1942 and reported it as missing. George denied having seen the hammer and no evidence the hammer was involved in the murder.
Verdict 1943 George Curtis
George was found not guilty by reason of insanity and committed to Bridgewater State Hospital.
George Curtis 1945 Sentence Vacated
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court vacated the commitment to Bridgewater State Hospital.
On April 15, 1943, about 1:40 PM James Geanecopoulos (48) was beaten to death and robbed inside his Padelford Street home. James was a poultry farmer and lived alone. James was found dead in the kitchen, by his neighbor George E. Curtis (69). His body was lying face down on the floor, indicating an attack from behind. There was no evidence of a struggle, however $1400 was later determined to be missing from his overalls. A sum of $1,840 which James kept in a trunk was untouched.
There was no physical evidence George had any part in the murder. George described them as friends since 1939 when he moved to Berkley. James was last seen alive on April 14, 1943, around 9PM at the local store. George was charged with murder.
In July 1944, after the George's property was sold, a peen hammer was found on the premises in a toolbox of a tractor formerly belonging to the George. The hammer was the property of a plumber who was working in the George's home in September 1942 and reported it as missing. George denied having seen the hammer and no evidence the hammer was involved in the murder.
Verdict 1943 George Curtis
George was found not guilty by reason of insanity and committed to Bridgewater State Hospital.
George Curtis 1945 Sentence Vacated
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court vacated the commitment to Bridgewater State Hospital.