Latest news with #PalmerDistrictCourt
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Yahoo
OUI case against former Springfield cop Gregg Bigda dismissed
PALMER — After much ado, prosecutors have officially dismissed drunken driving charges against for Springfield Police Detective Gregg Bigda. According to records in Palmer District Court, three charges were dismissed on Tuesday. This, despite previous vows from the Hampden District Attorney's office that the charges would not be dismissed after a key witness failed to show up at a pretrial hearing last month. Bigda, who had his share of troubles before retiring from the police force last summer after years of being on paid leave, was charged with OUI and related counts on Oct. 1, 2023. He was poised to go to trial last month until the arresting officer, Palmer Det. Michael Ciofalo, was caught up in an investigation linked to his allegedly assaulting an intern with the police department, according to records obtained by The Republican. A spokesperson for Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni confirmed there was an ongoing investigation, as did Palmer Police Chief Christopher J. Burns. 'I conducted a preliminary interview with (the alleged victim) on Sept. 30 and she confirmed she reported the above allegations to Officer (Jacob) Marini and she believed she had no choice but to participate in the sexual activity, due to Det. Ciofalo's position of authority,' Burns' report says. Ciofalo could not be reached for comment, but Burns said he was placed on paid administrative leave pending the resolution of the investigation. Court records show 'I conducted a preliminary interview with (the alleged victim) on Sept. 30 and she confirmed she reported the above allegations to Officer (Jacob) Marini and she believed she had no choice but to participate in the sexual activity, due to Det. Ciofalo's position of authority,' Burns' report says. Ciofalo could not be reached for comment. Burns said he has been on paid administrative leave pending the resolution of the investigation. Publicly available court records show Ciofalo has not been charged. The OUI prosecution concluded years after Bigda also was charged and acquitted in a federal police brutality case. Bigda's lawyer, A.J. O'Donald III, said his client is pleased the case is behind him. 'He's looking forward to getting on with his life,' O'Donald said. Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Yahoo
Springfield deadly hit-and-run suspect to face court on Tuesday
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – The man facing charges for a deadly hit-and-run in Springfield is due in court on Tuesday. Those found at homeless encampment in Springfield advised to leave during code enforcement sweep The crash took place on March 27th at the intersection of Parker Street and Verge Street. According to Springfield Police, a vehicle struck 30-year-old Aronde Odom, who was walking his bicycle across the street at the time. Officers located Odom on the ground with deadly injuries and found a vehicle nearby with a bicycle tire lodged under the driver's side. The driver of the vehicle had left the incident before authorities arrived. Carlos Reyes of Springfield turned himself in the next day. At the time of his surrender, police discovered that he had an active warrant out of Palmer District Court. He was taken into custody and charged in connection with the crash. Reyes was arraigned on March 31st in Springfield District Court on a charge of leaving the scene of a motor vehicle collision resulting in death and was held on $250,000 bail. In court on Tuesday, a judge will hear arguments on whether or not the bail should be revised. 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
17-04-2025
- Yahoo
Springfield delivery driver rape suspect due in court
WILBRAHAM, Mass. (WWLP) – A delivery driver who's accused of assaulting a woman in her home is due in court on Thursday. Rooster's Chicken and Waffles in Wilbraham holds grand opening Wilbraham police were called on February 9th for a report from a resident saying they were a victim of a sexual assault that had just occurred in their home. The victim told police they ordered an item to be delivered and that the person who delivered it sexually assaulted them. Roiber Andres Rodriguez Melendez of Springfield was arrested a few days later on February 20h and was charged with rape. He is due in Palmer District Court for a status hearing on Thursday. 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.
