Essex County District Attorney
In 1918, Wells was appointed Essex County district attorney succeeding Louis D. Cox. Wells was the Essex County District Attorney during a locally famous case of Elizabeth M. Skeels. Elizabeth M. Skeels, alias, indicted in Essex County, Massachusetts in September 1918 for the murder of Florence Webster Gay in Andover, Massachusetts on December 10, 1917. Skeels was accused of administering arsenic while acting as Gay's nurse. She was arraigned on November 1, 1918 and pled not guilty. Daniel J. Daley, Esq., appeared as counsel for the defendant. In June, 1919, the defendant was tried by jury before Judge Webster Thayer. The result was a verdict of not guilty. The case was in charge of Hon. Henry Converse Atwill, Attorney-General, and District Attorney Henry G. Wells.
Vincenzo Issarella, indicted in Essex County, May 2, 1918, for the murder of Vito Rocco, in Haverhill, Massachusetts, February 10, 1918. He was arraigned May 28, 1918 and plead not guilty. William J. MacDonald, Esq., appeared as counsel for the defendant. On February 14, 1919, the defendant retracted his former plea, and plead guilty to manslaughter. This plea was accepted by the Commonwealth, and the defendant was sentenced to State Prison for a term of not more than fifteen nor less than thirteen years. The case was in charge of District Attorney Henry G. Wells.
Peter DiZazzo, indicted in Essex County, May, 1918, for the murder of Tony Volenti in Lawrence, Massachusetts on February 19, 1918. He was arraigned May 29, 1918 and plead not guilty. Hon. W. Scott Peters and Ralph A. A. Comparone Esq., appeared as counsel for the defendant. On May 1, 1919, an entry of nolle prosequi was made against this indictment. The case was in charge of District Attorney Henry G. Wells.
Victor Verier, indicted in Essex County, January, 1919, for the murder of Elizabeth Verier in Lawrence, Massachusetts, December 14, 1918. On October 24, 1919, the defendant was adjudged insane and was committed to Bridgewater State Hospital until further order of the court. The case was in charge of District Attorney Henry G. Wells.
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