Sam Bosco


SAM BOSCO 


213 North Broadway

Sam Bosco's
Barber Parlor

Bus Terminal Building

mid 1930s - mid 1970s

Courier-Post Advertisement
February 1, 1933


Camden Courier-Post * February 7, 1933

COP'S CAR SCRAPED; 2 MEN PUT ON 'RIOT'
Captured Over Broadway Barber Shop After Melee and Alleged Insults

Following an argument with a bridge policeman at Broadway and Cooper Street yesterday, two allegedly drunken motorists engaged in a hand-to-hand struggle with passersby and officers, dashed into a nearby barber shop and were subdued only after a riot call had been sounded.

At police headquarters, they gave their names as William J. Bell, 25, of Williamstown, and Walter D. Olsen, 38, of Fourth avenue, Runnemede. They were held for police hearings today on drunken driving and disorderly conduct charges.

Bridge Policeman John Curry said they were in a car driven by Bell when it brushed the side of his machine at Seventh and Cooper Streets shortly after noon. Curry pursued the vehicle to Broadway and Cooper. There Bell got out of his car. Curry said he was insulted. A flurry of fists followed, and the men ran into the barber shop of Sam Bosco, on Broadway north of Cooper Street. An unidentified customer joined in the melee, as did several pedestrians and Bosco.

As police responded to a riot call, the two men ran upstairs where they were cornered. According to Curry, both men had been drinking.


Camden Courier-Post * February 8, 1933

FREE-FOR-ALL FIGHT PENALTY SUSPENDED
Riot Call Turned in as Bridge Cop and Autoists Engage in Row

Two men, whose arrest was preceded by a police riot call after a collision with a bridge policeman's automobile, drew suspended sentences from Police Judge Pancoast yesterday.

William J. Bell, 25, of Williamstown, and Walter D. Olsen, 38, of Fourth Avenue, Runnemede, were charged jointly with disorderly conduct, to which they pleaded guilty, while Olsen pleaded not guilty to an additional charge of reckless driving.

Bridge Policeman John Curry testified he was driving west on Cooper Street Monday afternoon when he stopped at Seventh for a traffic light. An automobile driven by Olsen, accompanied by Bell, drew up alongside Curry's car. As the light turned, according to the bridge policeman, his car was forced to the curb by Olsen and the fenders were scraped. The same thing happened at Broadway and Cooper Street, Curry testified. He blew his horn and Bell cursed at him, he declared. The two men and the policemen got out of their machines. There was a flurry of fists and the two men fled into a barber shop on Broadway north of Cooper, it was testified. The proprietor, Sam Bosco, a customer and several pedestrians sought to aid Curry, and, according to police, the two men fled to the second floor of the building, where they were cornered by police. The latter were summoned by a riot call which had been turned in.

Olsen said he did not know Curry's car was behind him, and he merely wanted to turn into a parking space. .


Camden Courier-Post
J
anuary
11, 1938

...continued...
Samuel Ermelious - Angelo Naglas - Ross Pandeladis
Joseph Carpani - Thomas Murphy - Harry Kyler
David S. Rhone - Franklin P. Jackson III
Luigi Tortu - Thomas Timothy Sullivan
Cooper Street - Langham Avenue - Line Street  
Penn Street 

Camden Courier-Post * January 12, 1938

Samuel Ermelious - Angelo Malagas - Ross Pandeladis
George Caras - Michael Dandrea - George Matros Annie Matros
Sam Bosco - George Summers

Baird Avenue - Langham Avenue - Broadway
Penn Street  Mickle Street  - Norris Street
South 5th Street 


Camden Courier-Post * January 13, 1938

 

Camden Courier-Post * January 24, 1938

...continued...
Luigi Tortu - Pearl Willis - Evelyn Buffa - Harry Kyler - Thomas Murphy
Samuel P. Orlando - Frank Luggi - Nicholas Dandrea - Frederick Gasperone
Samuel Ermelious - Angelo Malagas - Ross Pandeladis - George Caras
Michael Dandrea - George Matros - Annie Matros -
Sam Bosco
George Summers -
Baird Avenue - Langham Avenue - Broadway - Penn Street 
Mickle Street  - Norris Street  - South 5th Street - Line Street

Camden Courier-Post * January 26, 1938

 

Camden Courier-Post - February 2, 1938

INQUEST SET TODAY IN GAMBLING DEATH
Jury List Prepared for Coroner's Action in Holdup Fatality

The coroner's inquest to decide the cause of death to Angelos Magalas, Greek chef, who was shot during a card game holdup at 725 Penn Street on January 11, will be held today at 10 a. m.

Coroner Franklin P. Jackson III, of Collingswood, will conduct the inquest and will select his jury of 12 from a list of 15 persons prepared by the office of County Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando.

Detectives already have subpoenaed 20 witnesses for questioning at the inquest, including players who were the victims in the holdup and three Camden physicians who attended Magalas prior to his death.

The witnesses will include Samuel and Mabel Ermilios, tenants of the Penn Street house where the holdup occurred; George and Annette Mastros, who room at the house; Samuel Bosco, Broadway barber; George Summers, Ross Pantel, Michael D' Andrea. and William Caras, who according to police were participants in the card game.

All of the men were held as material witnesses in the shooting when arraigned today before Police Judge Gene R. Mariano.

Doctors to Testify

Other witnesses will include Dr. Paul Mecray, Dr. A. S. Ross and Dr. Edwin R. Ristine and Miss Sophia MacAfee, a Cooper Hospital nurse. Police who will testify in elude Detectives Thomas Murphy, Harry Kyler and William Boettcher and Patrolmen Richard Powers, Frank Clements, George Nicktern and Sergeant Jack Deith.

The jury will be selected from Guy Clokey, Collingswood; Lawrence Ball, Haddonfield; Howard Friant, Collingswood; Harry Chew, Collingswood; Sig Schoenagle, Camden merchant; Raymond Hanly, real estate broker; Benjamin Brest, Raymond Worrel, John Eby, all of Camden; William H. Lorigan, Merchantville; David B. Robinson, Collingswood; Rev. James Pemberton and John McGowan, of Camden, Earl Jackson, of Collingswood and Morris B. Clark, of Haddonfield.

Coroner Jackson refused to give a certificate of death until the chemical test of Magalas' brain was made by Philadelphia experts. The re suit will not be revealed until the inquest.

Assistant Prosecutor Isaac Eason and County Physician David S. Rhone gave it as their opinion that Malagas died of natural causes rather than, the bullet wound. Coroner Jackson then ordered an inquest to be held.

Police are searching for Frank Luggi, 21, of 322 Penn Street, who they say was one of the holdup bandits and the one who fired the bullet that struck Magalas.

The last coroner's inquest held in Camden county was in 1933, in the death of Thomas Timothy Sullivan, and previous to that none had been held here in 25 years.

Sullivan was 57 years old and lived at 401 State Street. He was employed as a detective by the Pennsylvania Railroad. He was found shot to death in a shack in the rail road yards on August 28, 1933.

At that time, County Physician Edward B. Rogers issued a certificate of death that Sullivan had committed suicide. The decision of the county physician enraged members of Sullivan's family and they demanded an inquest.

The inquest was ordered by then Coroner Arthur H. Holl, who presided. All the evidence in the case was presented to the jury of 12 men, and after deliberating for less than an hour, they returned a verdict that Sullivan had been murdered by persons unknown.

Under state law, the county physician may order an inquest; with 12 persons on the jury of the coroner's choosing. The jurymen may be taken from the present panel of the petit jury or be picked at ran dom. The Grand Jury does not have to indict on the basis of the inquest. At the inquest Coroner Jackson will be assisted by attaches of the prosecutor's office.

Malagas, the father of three children, lived at 1110 Langham Avenue. He was shot when several armed bandits held up a card game and he died several days later.


Camden Courier-Post - February 3, 1938

Witness Held Door In Holdup INQUEST RULES BULLET CAUSED HOLDUP DEATH
Jury Reports Magalas Fatality Superinduced By Wound

A coroner's jury yesterday determined the death of Angelos Magalas, of 1110 Langham Avenue, was superinduced by a bullet wound received during the holdup of a card game.

It was the second time a coroner's jury had been drawn in 29 years in Camden County. Witnesses said Magalas, a chef in a midtown restaurant, was shot on January 10 during a holdup at the home of Samuel Ermelois, of 725 Penn Street, and died in Cooper Hospital on January 23.

Several unusual developments pro­vided excitement during the inquest.

One witness, arrested with others as players in the card game, was asked to explain why he ran outside during the holdup and held the door so that others were unable to get out.

An attorney who sought to thwart questioning by Patrick H. Harding, assistant prosecutor, on the claim that he represented Frank Luggi, holdup suspect in the case, was silenced with the contention that he could not represent Luggi as long as the latter remained a fugitive from justice.

The case went before a coroner's jury of six men, Rev. James Pemberton, Earl Jackson, Harry Chew, Howard Friant, Lawrence Ball and Guy Clokey, with Coroner Franklin P. Jackson III presiding.

Samuel Bosco, Camden barber, one of the principal witnesses in the fatal shooting of Angelos Magalas, chef, during the holdup of a card game on January 10, is shown above at the Inquest yesterday. Bosco testified he held the kitchen door after making his escape from the scene of the robbery at 725 Penn Street. Bosco (right) is shown with N. Thomas Smaldore, an attorney, who attended as a spectator.

Tells of Holding Door

Samuel Bosco, Broadway barber, testified that he was playing cards in the Penn Street house when the holdup man came in.

"When I turned around and faced the wall like the man ordered us to," Bosco said, "I was facing the shed door. I ran out, pushed the door shut and held it. Five or six times somebody tried to get out but I held the door. I tried to get out the back way but I couldn't."

Bosco was the only one of the witnesses who said he was unable to identify Frank Luggi, a fugitive, identified by the others as the hold up man from pictures shown them.

Bosco told of a man calling him from his barbershop a few days before the holdup and attempting to borrow $5.

"Ermelios was in my shop at the time." Bosco testified, "and said "'Watch out he don't hold you up!’"

Bosco was asked by Harding if he could identify the man who tried to borrow the money as Luggi and was shown a photograph of the man sought for the crime. Bosco said he could not.

Tried to Escape

"Why did you try to get out?"

Harding asked.

"I tried to escape," Bosco said. "There were six or seven others there. There was plenty of protection," said Harding.

"The door was in front of me, so I went out," Bosco maintained.

"Why did you hold the door?"

Harding asked.

"I didn't know who was trying to come out," Bosco declared.

"Did the holdup man ask for you when he came to the house?" asked Harding. Bosco said he didn't know. Asked if his car was parked in front of the house and if Luggi knew his car, Bosco said:

"I don't know."

At this point, Elmer Bertman, an attorney, demanded that all testimony concerning Luggi be stricken from the record.

"I represent Luggi," Bertman said. "This is an investigation into the cause of a man's death, not a fishing expedition of the prosecutor's office. 

Can't Produce Suspect

"You have no right to appear here," Harding said. "You cannot represent a fugitive from justice. No attorney has that right."

Bertman maintained that the guilt or innocence of no party could be injected into the hearing. Coroner Jackson asked Bertman to sit down.

"If I have no right here." Bert man said, "neither has the prosecutor's office."

Harding said he represented the state and demanded that Bertman produce Luggi if he represented him.

"I can't" said, Bertman. "I don't know where he is," Bertman said he was serving notice on the coroner and the prosecutor's office, however, that he, represented the fugitive.

Dr. David S. Rhone, county physician, said he did, not wish to give a statement when he felt that the gunshot wound, a broken arm, the serum and the brain lesion contributed to Magalas' death.

Harding instructed the jury as to its duty to inquire into the evidence presented in order to obtain all in formation available as to what caused the death of Magalas. There was some question as to whether Magalas died of natural causes or by violence, he said.

A Difficult Patient

Dr. Edward R. Ristine, of Cooper Hospital, said he examined Magalas January 11 and that he was a difficult patient. Magalas, the physician said, sought to strike doctors and nurses and scratch them whenever his condition needed attention. "He was far from normal, Dr. Ristine said.

"Serum was administered," the doctor went on. "Afterward, the condition and mental reactions of Magalas remained abnormal. We took him from Red to change his environment but when we put him in a chair on the sun porch, we had to tie him in the chair with a sheet. Then, in some manner, he slid down, breaking the arm which had been wounded.

"Death was due to a psychosis, a condition which may have been initiated by the wound, and then aggravated by the serum, the reaction to the breaking of the arm and shock."     

Under questioning, Dr. Ristine said emphatically that, the gunshot wound was not the cause of death. The autopsy, he said, showed the man's brain was swollen, and not normal. This condition, he said, he could not explain. 

Brain Being Examined

Dr. Rhone, county physician, said the autopsy showed the membrane adhering to the brain. He said that while he felt the pressure was not the immediate cause of death, he had ordered the brain sent away for thorough examination.

Richard Powers, a policeman, told of making the arrests of the card players. Detective Thomas Murphy told of finding the weapon used by the holdup man on a chair. Powers was first to mention Luggi, saying that photos of the man had been identified by witnesses.

Ermelios gave a graphic description of what occurred, "We were playing cards in the kitchen," he said, "There was a knock on the door and my wife, who went to answer it, did not appear at once. I went to see who was there. I got as far as the dining room when 1 saw a man with a gun behind a curtain.

"'This is a stickup!' he said. " 'Get into the kitchen. My mother is sick and I need money. No one will get hurt if they are nice. Throw all your money on the table.' "

One of the other players, William Caras, Ermelios said, threw his money on the floor. When the bandit attempted to pick up the money the players jumped on him, taking the weapon away from him. In the scuffle that followed the gun changed hands again and when Magalas fell to the floor the others turned to aid him and the holdup man fled.

Woman Testifies

Mrs. Mabel Ermelios, in whose home the holdup and shooting took place, told the jurors she answered the door when the two men appeared .

"I was lying down on the bed in the front room," she said, "and when the bell rang I told my husband I would answer it. I looked out of the window first but I couldn't see anyone. As I opened the door one of the men put his foot in the opening.

"He asked me 'Is Bosco here?' and when I told him I didn't know he told me not to stall. Then he came into the house and told me he was holding the place up. The second came followed him in. He must have been hiding in the shadows of the porch. I didn't see him when 1 opened the door,

"The first man had the gun. He told the other one to grab me and I noticed he had something which looked like metal on his knuckles. He pulled my arms in back of me and held me. In a few minutes I heard a shot. The man who was holding me let go of me and ran out.

Saw One Jump Into Car

"I followed him and saw him jump into a tan car across the street.' I went to a neighbor's home and called the police. When I returned they were carrying Magalas out."

"Was Bosco the first one to arrive at your house that night?" Harding asked.

"I don't recall. I know his car was parked outside."

Mike Dandrea, another of the hold up victims, testified that he tried to follow Bosco out the shed door but he pulled it closed so fast he was unable to get out of the kitchen.

"I tried several times to push the door open and escape but Bosco was holding it and I couldn't do it," Dandrea said.

Harding announced after the jury had rendered its verdict that the entire case with the jury's finding will be presented to the grand jury.

"Will a murder indictment be sought?" he was asked.

"I can't answer that Harding said, "All the, evidence will be presented and they can return indictments against anyone they see fit."


Camden Courier-Post * February 12, 1938

BOSCO DENIED BAIL IN CARD GAME DEATH
BARBER SEIZED AS HE WAITS OUTSIDE ROOM OF GRAND JURY
Ready to Testify in Case When Indicted for Murder With Luggi
ATTORNEYS WILL SEEK HABEAS CORPUS WRIT

Samuel Bosco, widely known Camden barber, sat in the anteroom of the Camden County Grand Jury room yesterday, expecting to be called as a witness in the slaying of Angelo Magalas, Camden chef.

Instead he was arrested on the charge of murder.

With Frank Luggi, fugitive police character, he was charged with slaying Magalas, wounded fatally as he sat in a Penn street card game, January 10.

Magalas, who lived at 1119 Langham avenue, died Jan. 23 in Cooper Hospital. A coroner's jury found death was superinduced by gunshot wounds inflicted during a scuffle between two bandits and players at the scene of the holdup.

Bosco, who also participated in the card game, was one of the principal witnesses at the inquest. And yesterday he readily answered the summons to appear before the jury. 

Indicted by Jury

He was in the ante-room— still waiting to testify— shortly after 4 p. m. when Mark Reeve, clerk of the jury, came out and whispered to City Detective Thomas Murphy.

Murphy walked over to Bosco. Ha placed a hand on his shoulder and said:

"You are under arrest."

"What for?" Bosco asked.

'The grand jury just indicted you on a charge of murder," Murphy replied.

Bosco appeared stunned. He started to speak again. His lips moved but no sound came as ha arose, put on his overcoat and accompanied Murphy to the city jail across the street from the old courthouse. He was booked at police headquarters on the murder charge, photographed, fingerprinted and hell without bail.

John L. Morrissey and Benjamin J. Dzick, counsel for the accused barber, announced last night a rule to show cause for a writ of habeas corpus will be sought this morning from Common Pleas Court Judge Clifford A. Baldwin, in an effort to win Bosco's release.

Evidence Held Lacking

"There was no evidence to warrant Bosco's arrest on a charge of murder," Morrissey said.

"If Judge Baldwin is available I will appear before the court and ask for a writ of habeas corpus. I intend to ask the court to dismiss the charge entirely. There was not sufficient evidence to warrant a charge of murder and certainly no evidence on which the arrest for murder was made."

Both Morrissey and Dzick visited Bosco in the city jail last night. They held a brief conference after which Morrissey reported the barber still was stunned over the turn of events but .otherwise was unworried.

Police said arraignment of Bosco would be delayed due to the Lincoln's Birthday holiday. He probably will be taken before Judge Gene R. Mariano Monday morning, they said. 

Barber Held Door

Bosco was one of the players in the game, but when the bandits entered, he ran into a shed and held the door in back of him. He told police he held the door to prevent the bandits from following him. None of the players could have, fled by the door, either, Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando pointed out.

At the time of the coroner's inquest, officials of the prosecutor's office questioned Bosco at great length concerning his act in holding the shed door closed.

"I didn't want the bandits to follow me. I didn't want to be robbed," Bosco answered his questioners.

Luggi has been sought for questioning in connection with the holdup; ever since it occurred.

Luggi has been identified by other participants of the card game, which was held at the home of Samuel Ermilios, 725 Penn street, as the gunman with whom Magalas was wrestling when the gun went off, the bullet severing an artery in Magalas' arm.


Camden Courier-Post
February 12, 1938

Indicted as Magalas Slayers

Bosco, widely known Camden barber, and Luggi, indicted yesterday on the charge of murdering Angelo Magalas, Camden chef, during the holdup of a card game January 10. Bosco was committed to jail without bail. Luggi has been sought for questioning in the murder ever since it occurred.


Camden Courier-Post * February 14, 1938

POLICE JAILER HURT AS BOSCO HURLS PLATTER
Barber Indicted in Murder Cuts Patrolman With Shattered Plate
OFFICERS GRAB ARMS, LEAD HIM BACK TO CELL

Sam Bosco, Camden barber indicted and arrested on a murder charge last Friday, went temporarily berserk in the city jail late Saturday, police revealed yesterday.

In a fit of nerves and rage, according to the police, the heavy-set prisoner flung a platter of food in the face of the jailer, Policeman William Michalak, who had opened Bosco's cell to give him a hot meal he brought from a nearby restaurant.

Bosco then menaced the jailer with a jagged fragment of the platter that shattered on the cell floor. Michalak rang an alarm which attracted Police Lieut. Herbert Anderson, Detective Thomas Murphy, Motorcycle Policeman Marshall Thompson, Sgt. Gus Koerner and Policeman James McLaughlin from the adjacent police headquarters in City Hall.

Anderson and Murphy went into the cell tier at the end of which Bosco stood, still brandishing the piece of broken dish. After grabbing his arms, they led him back to his cell. He offered no resistance.

"I was excited," he told them later.


Camden Courier-Post * February 15, 1938

Bosco Faces Hearing Today on Murder Charge in Holdup Death COUNTY JAIL AIDES REFUSE TO ACCEPT PRISONER OF CITY
Counsel to Seek Writ for Release of Barber in Magalas Fatality
HANDCUFFED IN COURT

Sam Bosco, central city barber held since Friday on a murder indictment, finally will get a police court hearing today, it was decided yesterday.

Handcuffed but composed, Bosco appeared briefly before Police Judge Mariano yesterday, but there was no formal hearing then because defense counsel held that the city court no longer had jurisdiction since an indictment was found.

Judge Mariano agreed that the indictment removed the case from his jurisdiction and placed it in the hands of the county, but later when Bosco was taken to the county prison on transfer from the city jail, attaches there refused to admit him on the grounds there was no commitment from a judge. 

Went Berserk in Jail

Then it was that his lawyer, John L. Morrissey, and Mariano agreed that a formal hearing should be conducted today and commitment papers for the county jail prepared. After that, Morrissey said, he probably will seek his client's release on a writ of habeas corpus before a higher court.

Meanwhile, Bosco will remain in the city jail, where, according to police, he went berserk Saturday and, after flinging a plate of food in the turnkey's face, threatened him with a jagged piece of the broken dish. For that reason, he was handcuffed when taken before Mariano.

Yesterday's arraignment was to have been a further hearing on material witness charges against Bosco in connection with the death of Angelo Magalas, fatally wounded during an alleged holdup of a card game in which Magalas and Bosco were playing in a Penn Street house last January 10.

Morrissey pointed out that since the previous hearing the case had been taken out of the hands of the city and was now a matter of the county prosecutor's office by reason of the murder indictment. Mariano said he was in accord with that reasoning.

Bosco, who showed no sign of having lost control of himself, then was led away. After the hearing, Morrissey said:

"I intend to go before Common Pleas Judge Baldwin or Justice Donges and seek a writ of habeas corpus. This will permit me to see what the indictment contains, and if the evidence does not support a murder charge— as we are certain it does not— the charge might be changed to manslaughter, which would be bailable."

The indictment against Bosco will not be formally handed up until Friday, and it was not certain whether Morrissey would wait until then or would act at once..


Camden Courier-Post * February 16, 1938

Bosco at Murder Case Arraignment

BOSCO COMMITTED TO COUNTY JAIL CELL
Barber Held in Slaying Case Pending
Formal Indictment by Grand Jury

Sam Bosco, mid-city barber, was held for the county prosecutor's office on the charge of murder, following court action yesterday termed by Police Judge Gene R. Mariano as unprecedented in Camden legal annals.

Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando announced he tried to bring the grand jury together for action in a true bill against the prisoner. The members had scattered so widely, however, they could not meet, but the true bill is 
expected Friday, when the jury makes its presentment.

Bosco is cited in connection with the death of Angelo Magalas, restaurant chef who died as a result of a holdup of a card game at 725 Penn Street, January 10. Magalas was shot in the arm during the crime, and the wound reputedly hastened his death from another ailment from which he was suffering.

Arrested at Jury Room

The action against Bosco follows an odd legal path. The barber was waiting to be called by the grand jury as a witness into the 

Sam Bosco (left), central city barber, is shown as he was arraigned before Judge Mariano in police court yesterday. He was held on a charge of murder in the fatal shooting of Angelo Magalas during a holdup. City Prosecutor Mitchell Cohen is shown standing beside the prisoner, who was handcuffed because he allegedly threatened a guard Saturday night.

death of Magalas, for which Frank Luggi is now sought.

While Bosco was sitting in the anteroom awaiting his call before the grand jury, Detective Thomas Murphy placed him under arrest.

At the time it was believed a true bill had been found against the man, but it has developed the arrest was on a warrant obtained by Murphy.

When Bosco arraigned yesterday it was revealed the charge was murder, but he was held under the warrant which Murphy had obtained, and the grand jury had not found the true bill to date.

The court was puzzled as to the action that could be taken in the case, but Judge Mariano said he remanded Bosco, on the wish of the prosecutor who told the court he would summon the grand jury to act on Bosco's case.

"I was informed the grand jury would be summoned" said Judge Mariano, "and I know the prosecutor did get in touch with some of the members, but they were not all available to sit.

Held for Prosecutor

"Hence the prosecutor may bring them today, tomorrow, or any other day that suits. No case such as this has ever come to my attention, and I simply acted to aid the county prosecutor's office, and to put Bosco in charge of the county officials and out of the city's hands, where I do not believe the case should rest at present time.

"I suggested to Prosecutor Orlando that it would be well to obtain a bench warrant in order to hold Bosco, and he agreed with me at that time. We also called in John L. Morrissey, counsel for Bosco, and I understand that he agreed with the procedure I had outlined.

"So I held Bosco to await the action of the county prosecutor's office and he is being held a prisoner under those exact circumstances. Bosco is charged with murder now."

Hearing Held Unnecessary

Bosco appeared in court unkempt, unshaven and handcuffed on complaint by Detective Murphy that on Jan. 10 Bosco "did feloniously and willfully murder, kill and slay" Magalas in a card game holdup was not read to the prisoner and he was not even asked to plead.

"For the purpose of the prisoner being committed to the county jail pending a further hearing next Monday, there is no necessity for a hearing at this time," said City Prosecutor Cohen. "He has already been indicted.

"The usual procedure is to hold a hearing only When there has been no action by the Grand Jury, but in this case, the indictment having been found, it is necessary only to send him to the county jail on the strength of the indictment."

John L. Morrissey, Bosco's attorney, objected that no indictment officially has been presented, the Grand Jury not being scheduled to make its formal presentment until Friday.

"Detective Murphy," Cohen replied, "was instructed last Friday by the Grand Jury to take this man into custody because an indictment had been found. If counsel insists on production of the indictment, I believe the case should be postponed until Monday."

"In three days," Morrissey argued, "we have been able to obtain absolutely no information regarding the evidence or witnesses. There is no indictment officially. Of course, it is common gossip that the defendant has been indicted, but neither the county nor the city seems to know what to do with him. I think some evidence should be presented to show us why he is being 
held."

Murphy interjected that both the Grand Jury foreman and Assistant Prosecutor Patrick J. Harding had instructed him to arrest Bosco, but Morrissey replied that "that is only hearsay evidence."

Jury To Be Called

"I have been in touch with County Prosecutor Orlando," Judge Mariano explained, ''and he is going to call the Grand Jury together as soon as he can to make a special presentment."

"Well, what is our status here?" inquired Morrissey.

"He is a county prisoner," said Mariano, "the city has nothing to do with it. If an indictment has been presented, the county would be able to have the defendant. I see no harm committing him until further action by the Grand Jury."

Morrissey then asked that bail be set. Cohen objected on the ground that the court had no legal right so to do. Mariano said he had the right but would not set bail.

"This is the first time I ever saw a defendant held without evidence or testimony," remarked Morrissey.

"There will be plenty of witnesses when the time comes," Cohen answered.

"What do you know about it?" Morrissey shot back. "You don't know anything about it. You don't even know who the witnesses will be."

 


Camden Courier-Post * February 18, 1938

...continued...

Camden Courier-Post * February 19, 1938

 

 

Sam Bosco
 Frank Luggi
Angelo Magalas
Penn Street
Clifford A. Baldwin

 

 

 

Camden Courier-Post * February 25, 1938

Vanishes

EVELYN BUFO

GIRL WITNESS GONE IN MAGALAS PROBE 
Alleged Sweetheart of Luggi Vanishes as Police Relax Surveillance

Police fliers for the arrest of Evelyn Bufo, 18, alleged sweetheart of Frank Luggi, fugitive under indictment for the murder of Angelos Magalas, were sent out yesterday by city and county detectives. 

The girl, who had been at liberty on bail as a material witness, 
disappeared from her home at 810 Florence street, early today, it was reported.

She is being sought for further questioning in the case, police admitted. Ever since her release on bail, it was learned, Miss Bufo has been under surveillance by detectives in the belief she might seek to contact Luggi. For a short time however, the surveillance was "lifted," and the girl left her home undetected. 

Police were of two opinions regarding her disappearance. That she had left to join Luggi in some hideout, or that friends of his, fearing she knew "too much" about the murder of Magalas, had spirited her away.

Luggi and Sam Bosco, central city barber, were indicted for the murder by the Camden County Grand Jury on February 18. Bosco previously had been arrested and held without bail, pending completion of the Grand Jury investigation. Named with them in the indictment also was one "John Doe." 

Magalas, a chef, died in Cooper Hospital on January 24, from, a wound he suffered Jan. 11 when shpt during the holdup of a card game at 725 Penn Street.

Miss Bufo was arrested for questioning in, the case the day the chef died and after it was reported to police that she was Luggi's sweetheart. 


Camden Courier-Post * February 26, 1938

Bosco Denied Bail Pending Murder Trial
Harding Intimates Barber Will Face Jury on First Degree Charge

Samuel Bosco, central city barber shop owner jointly indicted with Frank Luggi, a fugitive, for the murder of Angelos Magalas, a chef, in an alleged holdup of a Penn Street gambling house, was denied release on bail by Common Pleas Court Judge Clifford A. Baldwin yesterday.

John L. Morrissey, and Benjamin J. Dzick, counsel for Bosco, lost their application for bail but were assured by Judge Baldwin the accused man, will be brought to trial in the April court term. Bosco, handcuffed to a jailer, listened to the, arguments. 

It was intimated by Assistant Prosecutor Patrick H. Harding that the State will seek to try Bosco on a first degree murder charge. 

Judge Baldwin said a decision of the New Jersey Supreme Court prohibits the taking of testimony of witnesses in an application for bail to obtain the release of a defendant for murder.

The return of the indictment, Judge. Baldwin said, was a strong presumption of guilt which precludes the court from going into the merits of the case. 

Right of Bail Argued 

Dzick argued the presumption of guilt in the defendant's case was not great and that under the state constitution a defendant in a capital murder indictment is entitled to release on bail. 

Bosco's attorney contended Judge Baldwin has authority to fix bail on the grounds the defendant can only be charged with a maximum of second degree murder and that the State must prove a first degree charge by testimony of accredited witnesses. 

Harding said the State is in possession of evidence warranting Bosco's trial on a possible charge of first degree murder. The trial he said, is contingent on the apprehension of a fugitive. He referred to Luggi who has eluded arrest on an indictment charging him with murder and the actual shooting of Magalas.

Unsuccessful in his effort to obtain bail Dzick asked Harding and Judge Baldwin to agree on a trial at an early date. This was done. 

Morrissey asked Harding if Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando intended to put Bosco on trial separately in the event Luggi is apprehended. Harding said he could not give an immediate answer. 

Morrissey then asked Harding if he expected to use Luggi as a witness, to obtain a conviction against Bosco. Harding said he was unable to say just how the State will proceed if Luggi is apprehended. 

The question of bail for Bosco at a later date was raised by Dzick

Judge Baldwin said bail might be arranged by agreement between the prosecutor and counsel if Luggi is a fugitive when the trial date for Bosco is determined.


Trenton Evening Times * May 20, 1948
Rocco Palese - Nelson F. Stamler - Fred Klosterman - Albert Gawronski
George Hamilton - Edwin F. Goldy - Benjamin Anyczak -
Samuel Bosco - Frank Fort
Leo Robbins - Joseph Starr - Patsy Navarro - Charles Stevenson - Frank Markowitz
Thomas Zegrino - Edward Wesenberg - Robert Hamilton

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