Latest news with #HampdenSuperiorCourt
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Most claims in lawsuit over fatal stabbing at Chicopee Housing Authority moved to Superior Court
SPRINGFIELD — Thirteen counts in a federal lawsuit against the Chicopee Housing Authority and its former executive director will move to a lower court. In a 32-page memorandum and order June 27, Judge Katherine A. Robertson of U.S. District Court in Springfield said some but not all charges against the housing authority — which has been embroiled in several lawsuits — will move to the Hampden Superior Court. In August, six plaintiffs filed a lawsuit against the housing authority and its former executive director, Monica Blazic, saying she engaged in neglect and discrimination after a fatal stabbing at the public housing facility. Two months later, attorneys representing the housing authority and Blazic asked the judge to toss all of the claims. That motion was partially denied, according to Robertson's memorandum. 'The plaintiffs are invigorated by the recent federal court decision,' the plaintiffs' attorneys, Cornelius W. Phillips and Richard Morrissey, said in an emailed statement. They said their clients look forward to pursuing their claims in Superior Court. Defense attorneys Gerard Donelly and Wendy Quinn, both of Worcester, declined Thursday to comment about the case. The plaintiffs include the daughters, girlfriend and neighbors of Domingo Arocho, a Hispanic man who in 2021 was fatally stabbed at the Governor George D. Robinson Apartments, a publicly subsidized apartment complex operated and managed by the Chicopee Housing Authority. He was 67. The complaint alleged the housing authority was 'deliberately indifferent to residents' civil rights and racially discriminatory' toward its predominantly Hispanic housing community. It also alleged the housing authority failed to protect its residents by allowing Arocho's suspected killer, Urayoann Urimagua-Guaraboa, who is also Hispanic, to live in the apartment complex despite having a criminal history. The housing authority, which is governed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, offers federal and state housing. According to its policies, Robertson explained in her memorandum and order, the housing authority can '(deny) admissions or continued occupancy to families whose presence in a public housing neighborhood is likely to adversely affect the health, safety or welfare of other residents or the physical environment of the neighborhood.' The housing authority is also responsible for requesting an applicant's criminal record, the memorandum said. The plaintiffs argued the housing authority did not do that in Urimagua-Guaraboa's case. Prior to his tenancy at the housing authority, the man was charged with first degree murder stemming from an incident in Puerto Rico in 2010. The plaintiffs allege the housing authority 'ignored his personal and criminal history before accepting him as a tenant.' Almost a decade later, the plaintiffs allege the man grabbed a neighbor by her neck and threatened to kill her. Following that incident, he was slapped with an assault and battery charge and three other criminal offenses. This incident took place in 2019 outside of his Chicopee Housing Authority residence on Benoit Circle. About four days after the alleged neighborhood assault, Blazic served Urimagua-Guaraboa with a notice-to-quit because his arrest and charges had violated the terms of his lease, the memorandum and order said. The judge noted that the housing authority and Urimagua-Guaraboa came to an agreement that stayed his eviction for six months. Then, Robertson wrote, an alleged pattern of violence from Urimagua-Guaraboa toward his neighbors unfolded. The man was relocated to a new apartment after allegedly threatening to harm the woman on Benoit Circle. An altercation between Urimagua-Guaraboa and a new neighbor, Candida Laracuente, in June 2020 led to the latter filing a police report against the man. She claimed he had threatened her life and she feared for her safety. In September 2020, following more threats to Laracuente, Urimagua-Guaraboa allegedly fatally stabbed Arocho, who was visiting Laracuente's apartment. The lawsuit alleges Urimagua-Guaraboa also attempted to stab Laracuente, and allegedly shouted, 'Who's next?' after the attack. Some of the plaintiffs say they witnessed the killing. Robertson, the judge, agreed with the defendants that three of the plaintiffs' claims — violations of the Fair Housing Act, due process and equal protection clauses of the U.S. Constitution — were not well enough argued. 'The Supreme Court has acknowledged standing under the (Fair Housing Act) for plaintiffs suing to vindicate or advance the right to live in an integrated or racially balanced community,' the memorandum and order said. The plaintiffs were not residents of the housing authority but made discrimination claims based on the trauma they experienced witnessing a violent offense, they assert. However, Robertson said, 'the claims of these bystanders and the nature of the injuries for which they seek to recover are so distantly related to the interests intended to be advanced by the (Fair Housing Act) that these four plaintiffs cannot be said to be in the zone of interests protected by (the law).' She said, the plaintiffs failed to identify how they suffered from violations of the Fair Housing Act. For similar reasons, the other two claims also failed, she said. 'The Constitution does not protect against all intrusions on one's peace of mind,' Robertson said. While Arocho's family members do not have standing to bring these claims against the housing authority and Blazic, the court believes Laracuente does because she lived there. Additionally, a claim that Blazic, the former executive director of the housing authority, committed a civil rights conspiracy was tossed. The judge alleged the plaintiffs did not properly state their claim or prove that Blazic had personally inflicted racial or discriminatory harassment on them. Western Mass communities rally against ICE: What residents are doing When government legalizes suffering — and the church is mum (Viewpoint) Police: Holyoke man arrested with drugs and cash 'Just to be safe;' New Americans say uncertainty as immigrants spurred quest for citizenship Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New Valley Bank sues Springfield after eminent domain taking at DPW's landlocked warehouse
SPRINGFIELD — The city took an acre-sized parking lot at 90-120 Tapley St. by eminent domain in 2023, so it would have more parking for its public works headquarters next door. The city paid the property's owners $450,000. But that was inadequate compensation, according to a suit against the city filed this week in Hampden Superior Court by New Valley Bank & Trust Co. The bank says the city's eminent domain taking to expand the Richard Neal Municipal Operations Center at 70 Tapley St. made the loading docks at the warehouse for 90-120 Tapley inaccessible, costing its New York City-based owners a tenant and knocking $1.6 million from the property's estimated value. The land and warehouse at 90-120 Tapley was estimated to be worth $4.4 million to $4.7 million, according to the suit. The owners, New York City-headquartered Top Rock Holdings, have been unable to find a new tenant after a business — L & W Supply Co., which needed a showroom and warehouse for building supplies — backed out of its lease. The warehouse remains unrented, according to the suit. It is offered for sale or lease, according to signs posted out front and in an online listing. The prices are not disclosed. Springfield-based New Valley Bank & Trust Co. lent the owners a $3.3 million mortgage on the property in March 2023, according to documents on file at the Hampden County Registry of Deeds. That's about six months before the city filed an order of taking on Sept. 18, 2023. In that document, the city explains its need for more space for vehicles, supplies and its operations center, as well as to maneuver vehicles used in snow removal, trash pickup and other municipal operations. Lawyers for the city and for the bank did not return calls and emails Wednesday. In eminent domain cases, property owners have the opportunity to accept payment under protest, reserving their right to go to court and seek more money. Alliance for Digital Equity pushes for internet access for underserved on namesake day PVTA extends free bus fares through July, August and September Housing and more: Westmass will take over abandoned Monson Developmental Center Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Springfield man accused of shooting ex-girlfriend being held on over a dozen charges
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – A Springfield man is being held on more than a dozen charges, including assault with the intent to murder. In a news release from the Hampden District Attorney's Office Assistant Communications Director Elijah Ayers, Springfield police were called to Mercy Medical Center for a report of an assault on December 14, 2024. A report was filed for a woman who had a cut on her forehead and was allegedly assaulted by her ex-boyfriend. On December 17th, officers were called to a shooting on Stafford Street. The same victim was found suffering from gunshot wounds. She was taken to the hospital and is expected to recover. Springfield police seize gun and drugs from suspect found in Hennessy Park The suspect was identified as 38-year-old Luis Kidanny-Colon and a warrant was issued for his arrest. The following day, detectives arrested Colon as he exited the bus at Union Station in Springfield. They seized a loaded 40mm Smith and Wesson handgun with one live round in the chamber and approximately six rounds in the magazine, 33 bags of heroin stamped 'Chanel' inside a sandwich bag, and three grey medium-sized caps containing cocaine inside a sandwich bag. Luis Kidanny-Colon is charged with the following: Assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (2 counts) Armed burglary Larceny under $1,200 Malicious injury to property Assault and battery by discharge of a firearm Assault with the intent to murder Assault and battery with serious bodily injury Mayhem Armed with a firearm Unlawful possession of a firearm Carrying a large-capacity rifle or shotgun on a public way Unlawful possession of a controlled substance Stalking On Thursday, the DA's Office said that a judge found Colon dangerous after a hearing in Hampden Superior Court and will be held under pre-trial detention for 180 days. He is scheduled in Hampden Superior Court for June 18th. 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
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Springfield man held as danger after beating, shooting of city woman
SPRINGFIELD — A Springfield man who first beat and then days later shot a city woman multiple times last year is being held as a danger to the public, the Hampden District Attorney's Office said Thursday. Luis Kidanny Colon, 38, was held after a dangerousness hearing in Hampden Superior Court earlier this month. He'll be detained for 180 days. On Dec. 14 at about 9:40 p.m., Springfield police responded to Mercy Medical Center for a report of a woman whose forehead had been cut, allegedly by Colon. Just three days later, at about 4:20 p.m., there was a report of a shooting near 100 Stafford St. There, responding police officers found the same victim, who had been shot multiple times. She was taken to Baystate Medical Center and underwent emergency surgery. Colon again was identified as the suspect, and police obtained a warrant for his arrest. The next day at about 12:05 p.m., members of local, county, state and federal law enforcement were briefed on the warrant for Colon. He was spotted by detectives on the 200 block of Bay Street, where police continued surveillance while Colon boarded a Pioneer Valley Transit Authority bus bound for Union Station in Springfield. When Colon got off the bus, he was immediately arrested. During the arrest, police found he possessed an unlicensed, loaded 40 mm Smith and Wesson handgun with one live round in the chamber, a magazine with six rounds in it, 33 bags of heroin stamped 'Chanel' and three containers with cocaine in them. Colon was charged with two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon; armed burglary; larceny under $1,200; malicious injury to property; assault and battery by discharge of a firearm; assault with the intent to murder; assault and battery with serious bodily injury; mayhem; being armed with a firearm; unlawful possession of a firearm; carrying a large-capacity rifle or shotgun on a public way; two counts of unlawful possession of a controlled substance; and stalking. Colon will next appear in Hampden Superior Court on June 18. Shots-fired call leads to 2 arrests in Holyoke Life with shot at parole for Springfield man who gunned down mother of his children in 2019 West Springfield gun buyback nets 34 guns Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Muffin thief or target of retaliation because of her disability? MGM cocktail server sues after firing
SPRINGFIELD — A former cocktail server at MGM Springfield says she was targeted for abuse, retaliation, accusations of theft of a muffin and ultimately fired, all because she was living and working with multiple sclerosis. The MS diagnosis meant Jean Braga, now of Wethersfield, Connecticut, could only work four days out of a seven-day week and had to cut shifts short, leaving by 7 p.m., according to a suit filed last week in Hampden Superior Court in Springfield. MS breaks down the protective covering of nerves, often causing numbness, weakness, problems with walking and vision, and other symptoms, according to the Mayo Clinic. In the suit, Braga names Blue Tarp Redevelopment Corp., doing business as MGM Springfield, and Braga's supervisor, Allison Brown, as defendants. Braga started with MGM in 2018 and was terminated Feb. 8, 2024. MGM will not comment on pending litigation, spokesperson Beth Ward said Tuesday. Braga asks the court for triple past and future lost pay, in accordance with state employment law, with damages for past and future emotional distress, as well as punitive damages. She also asks for her employment back. Braga's lawyer, Justin M. Murphy of Boston, didn't return calls for comment. Muffins, fruit and other food were set out in a break room for employees to enjoy, and the lawsuit relates anecdotes of workers filling bags and backpacks. The suit says no one was terminated or even corrected for taking the free food, except for Braga and others who also had work accommodations under the Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave Act. An unnamed MGM co-worker is quoted in the suit as saying: 'During pre-shift, our managers would say to other servers, 'We have to see what Jeanie (Braga) is going to do before we send servers home.' They would be upset that Jeanie would leave at 7 p.m. most days using PFML as she has a medical condition. Putting Jeanie's medical condition out there and her use of benefits was inappropriate to say the least.' A bar manager is quoted in the suit as saying: 'Brown would constantly complain about Braga using her PFML, stating how it would 'ruin the night' or 'mess up the floor.' There were times before the team update (Brown) would want to make bets on if Braga was going to use her PFML or not on that shift.' PFML, passed in 2021, provides flexibility in how employees schedule their leave to deal with their medical condition or issues faced by family members. Workers can take the leave all at once or a few days at a time per week, according to the state. As years pile on, investors who bought into dream of the Scuderi engine get anxious Veterans cemetery in Agawam draws families honoring Memorial Day tradition CDC: Lead from phone lines is highly concentrated in Springfield manhole muck Read the original article on MassLive.
