Latest news with #NorthwesternDistrictAttorney'sOffice
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Juvenile suspect in 2023 crash that killed Northampton teen found not guilty
A juvenile suspect in a hit-and-run crash that killed 19-year-old Jesse Johansmeyer two years ago has been found not guilty, according to Johansmeyer's family. Johansmeyer was at a bonfire party on the night of March 24, 2023 when another person at the party, who was driving a pickup truck, struck him with the vehicle and drove away, MassLive reported at the time. The Northampton High School graduate was brought to the hospital for treatment, where died the next morning. Willow Vandoloski, Johansmeyer's older sister, confirmed Friday that the suspect was found not guilty last month. Because the suspect was a minor, the details of the case are not public, and the Northwestern District Attorney's Office could not share any information or confirm the verdict. Vandoloski said the outcome was 'earth-shattering' for her and her family. 'We were all kind of in a state of shock,' she said. 'The last two years since Jesse was killed, we've kind of all been in a daze, especially because we've been having to put so much effort and energy toward the trial itself. So for that two years to go on and no justice to come of that was incredibly difficult for us, and it's something we're still processing and something we're going to have to process the rest of our lives.' Since Johansmeyer's death, his family has organized an annual motorcycle ride in his honor, which has raised money for the Easthampton Dog Park for the last three years. Vandoloski said it has been a way for them to channel their grief into something that will help others. Otherwise, Johansmeyer's family members have largely leaned on each other for support, as she said there are few resources available for those grieving loved ones lost in traumatic circumstances. The family created a website and in the last few days, Vandoloski started a TikTok page to spread her brother's story and remind people of the importance of calling 911 in an emergency. She said she wants to do everything she can to preserve Johansmeyer's memory. 'He could put a smile on anybody's face. He had so much life left to give that was taken from him,' she said. 'We're going to do everything in our power to make sure Jesse's name is not forgotten.' Fatal crash shuts Route 3 in Tyngsborough, drivers asked to avoid the area Another 'Duck Dynasty' family member facing health issues Red Sox lineup: Slumping rookie sitting vs. Yankees, David Hamilton at 2B This is my classroom. ICE isn't welcome here. Waltham man found guilty of 2020 fatal stabbing on Halloween Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Greenfield man sentenced to prison for armed robbery in Northampton
NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) – A Greenfield man who threatened a store owner with a knife after stealing alcohol from two Northampton businesses has been sentenced to state prison. Springfield man arrested after six-hour standoff on Byers Street According to the Northwestern District Attorney's Office, Keith Shaw, 49, pleaded guilty Thursday in Hampshire Superior Court to charges of armed robbery and shoplifting related to two incidents in June 2024. Prosecutors said Shaw stole $165 worth of alcohol from one package store and $79 from another. When the owner of one of the stores attempted to stop him, Shaw brandished a knife and made threats. Shaw was sentenced to three years in state prison for armed robbery and a concurrent one-year sentence in the Hampshire House of Correction for shoplifting. 'The second incident escalated quickly from a shoplifting offense to an armed robbery when Mr. Shaw threatened the store owner with a knife,' ADA Covington said in a statement. 'Fortunately, no one was injured.' Covington also credited the Northampton Police Department's Detective Bureau for its thorough investigation, which led to Shaw being identified and charged in both cases. 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
02-04-2025
- Yahoo
Belchertown raises flag to honor child abuse prevention
BELCHERTOWN, Mass. (WWLP) – Belchertown and the surrounding area gathered Tuesday morning to raise the Child Abuse Prevention flag at town hall. The Children's Advocacy Center of Hampshire County helped to raise the flag for child abuse prevention while also continuing to raise awareness. 'It's easy to think that this doesn't happen here but unfortunately, child abuse is a reality here, just like it is in communities across our nation,' says Executive Director for the Children's Advocacy Center of Hampshire County, Kara McElhone. 'The important thing to recognize is that every adult has a role and that as kids, kids need adults to be able to speak to and be that trusted adult in their life.' McElhone said child abuse is far too common and often, adults are the only voice for children. She adds, 'Statistically one in four girls is sexually abused before they turn 18 years old.' In Massachusetts, 84% of offenders were family members or someone the child already knew. There are a number of signs to look out for to help identify a situation of child abuse. 'If a child's behavior changes a lot, if they start to withdraw, you know if you're worried about clearly this physical indicator of abuse, but you know it's not your job to investigate. It's your job to report,' states McElhone. The general rule of thumb is if you see something, say something. David Sullivan with the Northwestern District Attorney's Office told 22News, 'I can't say enough about being the eyes and ears in a community. People can speak up, they can report to the Department of Child and Families (DCF), or the local police department if they suspect any kind of abuse.' But if you do see signs, leave the investigation to the proper officials. Sullivan adds, 'We have a team of people that work with these children first, to make sure that they're safe and second, to make sure that any trauma, that they're starting to heal and lastly is to make sure that if we can go forward on a criminal case with abuse that we can.' The Children's Advocacy Center helps to minimize the number of times a child has to talk about their abuse while they help them heal from it. 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
10-03-2025
- Yahoo
Main Street to close in Easthampton for police to investigate deadly crash site
EASTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) – Main Street in Easthampton will be closed for one hour on Tuesday to allow officers to investigate the area based on a deadly crash that occurred in January. The Easthampton Police Department announced on Wednesday that the street between South Street and Coleman Road will be temporarily closed to allow law enforcement to investigate the area. Elderly man struck and killed by vehicle on Route 10 in Easthampton The investigation is following a crash that occurred on January 13, when an elderly man was struck and killed on Route 10 while crossing the street. Northwestern District Attorney's Office Spokesperson Laurie Loisel told 22News that the 72-year-old man was crossing near 712 Main Street when a vehicle driving southbound towards Southampton struck him. The driver, a 39-year-old man from Westfield, had remained at the location of the crash and cooperated with police. Locals who were interviewed at the time commented that accidents were unusual in the area. Easthampton Police said that traffic will be rerouted during the road closure and that law enforcement will advise the public when the road is reopened. 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
28-01-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Victim identified in deadly Greenfield workplace accident
GREENFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – A 66-year-old man who died in a workplace accident last Friday has been identified as Matthew Nedorostek of Westfield, according to the Northwestern District Attorney's Office. Westfield man dies in Greenfield workplace accident The deadly incident occurred Friday morning at a worksite off Cleveland Street in Greenfield. The Greenfield Fire Department reported that at approximately 8:54 a.m., they received reports of a person stuck in a sand pit. The Northwestern DA's Office stated that Nedorostek is believed to have fallen into a silo at a site used by a Chicopee-based concrete company to mix dry ingredients for cement. According to co-workers, Nedorostek had climbed to the top of a tower when they realized he was missing and failed to respond to radio calls. The rescue effort was then transitioned into a recovery operation. 'We share our deepest hopes for the safety of the individuals involved,' the city said in a statement on its Facebook page. The Greenfield Police Department, Massachusetts State Police, Western Mass Regional Technical Rescue Team, Franklin County Sheriff's Office, City of Greenfield DPW, Turners Falls Fire Department, South Deerfield Fire District, Erving Fire Department, Deerfield Fire District, AMR of Springfield, LIFE STAR, and South County EMS have been called in to help. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is currently investigating the cause of death. 22News will update this story as more information becomes available. 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.
