Dunn Found Guilty in 2007 Murder Case

Courtesy of Norfolk District Attorney's Office

A Norwood man was found guilty of murder on Thursday, Nov. 4, four years and one day after beating an elderly Needham man to death in his Elmwood Road home.

William Dunn, 51, was convicted of murder in the first degree, armed assault to murder, mayhem, assault with intent to murder or maim, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and assault and battery causing serious bodily injury—all of the indictments against him, according to Norfolk District Attorney Michael W. Morrissey.

The jury deliberated roughly eight hours to reach its verdict.

“Admirably, the jury saw that the defendant’s actions to cover-up the crime and his attempts to allude capture were not consistent with someone so mentally ill they could not tell right from wrong,” Morrissey said after the verdict. “Assistant District Attorney Michele Armour presented the evidence very professionally and very carefully and I believe it has created a just result. I thank the jury for the seriousness they obviously brought to their task.”

Dunn was working in the basement of Robert Moore, 78, as part of a lawn sprinkler installation project when he attacked Moore, beating him to death, and then attempting to clean up after the crime. When Moore’s daughter-in-law happened upon the scene, he asked her to use the bathroom before she perceived what had occurred. When she turned her back to lead him to the bathroom, he struck and beat her as well causing life-threatening injuries. She was discovered by her son a short time later, clinging to life.

Morrissey also praised the surviving family of Mr. Moore, who testified during the two-week trial.

“It took no small amount of resolve and courage to take the stand and re-live the trauma of that day,” Morrissey said. “I hope that today’s verdict provides them the full measure of relief that our justice system can offer.”

“The , the Massachusetts State Police homicide detectives attached to the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office, Victim-Witness Advocate Pamela Friedman and A.D.A. Armour and appellate attorney Tracey Cusick deserve great credit for their professionalism and cooperation in putting this case together and bringing it successfully to trial,” Morrissey said. “The mental health issues raised by defense counsel created a complex and difficult case, which this team dealt with skillfully and, as we see, successfully.”

Judge Kenneth Fishman imposed the mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole on the murder charge, with a combined sentence of 15 to 20 years state prison on-an-after that sentence on the other charges.