Latest news with #BerkshireSuperiorCourt
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
North Adams man sentenced to prison for assaulting child
PITTSFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – A North Adams man pleaded guilty to five charges involving assaulting a child in Berkshire Superior Court on Thursday. Springfield man sentenced to life for 2021 Chicopee murder Berkshire District Attorney's Office Chief of Operations Julia Sabourin shared in a news release that in 2022, 37-year-old Jesriel Morales of North Adams allegedly assaulted a six-year-old child. Morales reportedly slammed the child into a window and wall, hit them with a belt, slapped them, and forced them to kneel on dried rice. On Thursday, Morales pleaded guilty to three counts of Aggravated Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon on a Child and two counts of Assault and Battery. He was sentenced to two and a half years in the Berkshire House of Corrections, followed by two years of probation. Morales was also ordered by the judge to have no contact with the victim and to participate in the Fatherhood program. 'I am pleased with the guilty plea,' said Berkshire District Attorney Timothy Shugrue. 'Jesriel Morales preyed on the most innocent member of society. Today, my thoughts are with the very young victim. I hope this conclusion provides them some peace and feeling of safety and security.' WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
North Adams man found guilty of raping three-year-old in 2019
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. (WWLP) – A Berkshire County jury found a North Adams man guilty Wednesday in the 2019 rape of a three-year-old child. Springfield Police SVU arrest man in connection with rape and kidnapping According to the Berkshire District Attorney's Office, 29-year-old Austin Miller-Robinson, of 333 Walnut Street in North Adams, was convicted on child rape charges in Berkshire Superior Court Wednesday. The charges, which include Aggravated Rape of a Child with Force and Rape and Abuse of a Child Aggravated by Age Difference, stem from an incident that took place on July 4, 2019, when Miller-Robinson was 23 years old. According to prosecutors, Aggravated Rape of a Child with Force carries a minimum mandatory sentence of 15 years Rape and Abuse of a Child Aggravated by Age Difference carries a minumum mandatory sentence of 10 years 'While we are pleased with today's verdict, it brings to light the horrific abuse that exists in the fringes of society. This guilty verdict provides a measure of justice for an innocent child who endured unimaginable harm at the hands of an adult. It is my hope that today begins the process of closure for the victim's family and an opportunity for healing and moving forward,' stated District Attorney Shugrue. Shugrue also recognized the work of his office's Child Abuse Unit, which led the prosecution. 'I also want to recognize the immense dedication of the Berkshire District Attorney's Office Child Abuse Unit,' he said. 'The prosecution of child abuse day in and day out is incredibly difficult. Their commitment to bringing justice on behalf of their young victims is admirable work that few can handle.' Sentencing is scheduled for June 11 at Berkshire Superior Court. More details about the sentencing will be released following the hearing. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Yahoo
Western Mass. man sentenced to prison for raping a woman
A Housatonic man convicted of raping a woman in 2018 was sentenced to prison on Wednesday, Berkshire County District Attorney Timothy Shugrue's office said. In Berkshire Superior Court, Timothy Formel, 35, was sentenced to four to five years in State Prison, Shugrue's office said in a statement. A jury found Formel guilty on May 9. Early on May 26, 2018, Formel raped a woman in New Marlborough, a previous statement read. The woman testified against Formel in court, which Shugrue commended for her bravery. The case was investigated by the Berkshire State Police Detective Unit assigned to the district attorney's office. Over 40 pairs of sunglasses worth over $19K stolen from Boston store Worcester taxi driver attacked after requesting cab fare, police say Mass. man sentenced to jail after brutally killing roommate's dog 25-year-old man held woman at gunpoint in Holyoke home, police say Mass. teen worked with Maryland man to sex traffic minors, officials say Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Yahoo
Indiana man arraigned in Berkshire County on rape charges
PITTSFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – A Clinton, Indiana, man has been arraigned in Berkshire Superior Court on two counts of rape in connection with a 2022 assault at a summer camp in Great Barrington. According to the Berkshire District Attorney's Office, James Earehart, 54, of Clinton, Indiana, was arraigned Tuesday on charges stemming from a June 16, 2022, incident at a camp on Brookside Road in Great Barrington. Prosecutors allege that Earehart, who was working at the camp as an employee of Membrane Concepts, sexually assaulted an employee of the camp in the evening hours. According to court documents, the victim reported being approached by Earehart while returning to a building on the property. Shortly after the encounter, the victim stated they were sexually assaulted. The Great Barrington Police Department is leading the investigation, with assistance from the Berkshire State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Berkshire District Attorney's Office. Authorities extradited Earehart from Indiana to Massachusetts to face the two rape charges. At Tuesday's arraignment, a judge ordered Earehart held on $50,000 cash bail without prejudice. His next court appearance is scheduled for March 31 for an appearance of counsel hearing in Berkshire Superior Court. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Yahoo
Bronx man found guilty in 2018 Pittsfield murder
PITTSFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – A jury has found Lance Burke, 45, of Bronx, New York, guilty of first-degree murder and illegal firearm possession in connection with the 2018 killing of David Green Jr. in Pittsfield. The verdict was delivered Thursday in Berkshire Superior Court, following a trial that included witness testimony, surveillance evidence, and an extensive cross-state investigation. Burke was convicted of fatally shooting Green while he was sitting in his vehicle on Willow Street. Authorities identified Burke as the suspect using video surveillance, cell phone tracking, and witness statements. Berkshire District Attorney Timothy Shugrue praised the verdict but acknowledged the lasting impact of the crime. 'Mr. Green's family has been waiting a long time for this day,' said Shugrue. 'While we are pleased with the jury's conclusion, nothing can heal the wounds of losing a loved one in such a violent way. I hope today brings his family some sense of peace.' Shugrue emphasized his office's commitment to holding perpetrators of violence accountable. 'The death of Mr. Green was caused by a defendant who drove into Pittsfield and committed murder. Those who bring illegal firearms, attempt to establish drug trafficking networks, and bring violence to our neighborhoods will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.' The case relied heavily on technology and forensic evidence. Pittsfield Police, with assistance from New York State Police, used surveillance footage, digital tracking, and other investigative tools to link Burke to the crime. 'Trying this case was extremely difficult,' Shugrue noted. 'The Pittsfield Police Department worked diligently, using all available technology to build a strong case against the defendant. Because of their efforts and the work of our prosecution team, justice was served.' The trial was also marked by incidents of witness intimidation. 'The witnesses who testified showed tremendous bravery,' Shugrue said. 'During this trial, witnesses were directly threatened, and their families were also targeted. Law enforcement is actively investigating these acts of intimidation, and we will not tolerate interference with the judicial system.' Burke's sentencing is scheduled for Wednesday, March 19, at 9 a.m. He faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. This was Burke's second trial for the murder. His original trial in 2024 ended in a mistrial due to a hung jury. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
