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North Adams Man Pleads Not Guilty to Murder
 David Delratez entered not guilty pleas for multiple charges, including the murder of 84-year-old Ellen Depaoli, on Monday morning at Northern Berkshire District Court. |
Delratez appeared in Northern Berkshire District Court before Judge Michael Ripps on those charges and several others.
According to a report filed by State Police, Delratez claims two unnamed men are responsible for the killing.
Delratez told police he had a friendly relationship with his neighbor, Depaoli.
"I loved that old woman, I hurt that old woman, I could see it in her eyes," he was reported saying when his handcuffs were removed in the holding area of the Bennington (Vt.) Police Department.
Deratez was taken into custody in Bennington on a violation of his probation after police found Depaoli's car, which had been missing from the scene. Inside the car, which was allegedly stolen by Delratez, officers found a knife that "appears to be consistent with the type of weapon used to inflict the stab wounds" on Depaoli, according to the report.
Depaoli was found dead on Sept. 17 at her Walker Street residence. According to the police report, Depaoli's cause of death was "both blunt force injury to the head and sharp force injury to the torso."
The chief medical examiner ruled it a homicide.
The report also states that Delratez told investigators he entered the 409 Walker St. home when "this kid and another guy said come on in." Delratez allegedly told police that he knew her son, James Depaoli, was not home because his truck wasn't in the driveway.
Delratez visited Depaoli often and stayed at her residence overnight on occasion, according to the report.
Inside the house, Delratez said the two people told him "we want our [stuff]" and heard the sound of gurgling, discovering Depaoli on the floor, the police report reads.
He told investigators he and Depaoli's son had robbed drug dealers and angered them.
After, Delratez said the assailants ordered him to drive Depaoli's car to Pittsfield, Albany, N.Y. and Troy, N.Y. He allegedly told police he spent the next two or three days drunk and drove to Bennington because he was scared.
The car was discovered on Thursday, Sept. 19, in Bennington outside the residence of Darlene Oldham on Valentine Street. Oldham told Vermont State Police that Delratez arrived unannounced at 3 p.m. on Sept. 18 and spent the night. Oldham also reportedly told police that Delratez said his sister gave him a ride to Bennington from her New York home.
The report says Delratez eventually was found on Scott Street after he ran from the police on Main Street.
Delratez also entered not guilty pleas for one count of breaking and entering with intent to commit a misdemeanor and one count of malicious destruction of property under $250, both in connection to an incident in Clarksburg on Sept. 13.
Delratez also pleaded not guilty to one count of use of a motor vehicle without authority, in connection to an incident in Clarksburg on Sept. 17.
Delratez will be held at the Berkshire County House of Correction without bail.
