Latest news with #PalmerDistrictCourt
Yahoo
11-08-2025
- Yahoo
Defense lawyer argues arrest of accused teen drug dealer was built on flimsy search warrant
PALMER — A lawyer for a Hampden teen accused of dealing drugs from his home and in the parking lot of Minnechaug Regional High School is challenging the search warrants local police filed and led to an arrest. Nicholas Shea, formerly of Wilbraham, was 18 when he was arrested at school and charged with 22 criminal counts related to drug sales and firearms in January. Wilbraham police charged Shea with possession of a Class B substance (Oxycodone and Adderall), possession of a Class C substance (Psilocybin mushrooms), and possession of a Class E substance (Xanax). He also faces charges of possession of a Class B substance (cocaine and crack cocaine), and possession of illegal firearms. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released on house arrest. He was arrested early on a Friday morning as school was set to begin. Police executed two separate search warrants for his car and his home on Raymond Drive. Defense attorney Daniel D. Kelly on Friday argued to a judge in Palmer District Court the evidence gleaned from the searches should be tossed since the applications for the search warrants were flimsy, built on speculation and conjecture. For one, the applications cited carrying a backpack as a matter of suspicion. 'We know that drug dealers often utilize backpacks,' Kelly said, quoting one application. 'People who also use backpacks are students going to school. Every single person of this age walking to Minnechaug High School were using backpacks,' Kelly told Judge Michael Mulcahy. He also pointed out that one of the key things that led police to pursue an investigation was an anonymous letter from a 'concerned citizen,' who told investigators there was a fair amount of traffic going to and from Shea's home. 'The letter was not tested for basis on knowledge or veracity,' Kelly argued. Police said that during physical surveillance at Shea's home, they spotted him coming out carrying a bag of 'brick-like' substances and stash it in his trunk. They also said students had met Shea at school, and jumped in his car briefly before jumping back out again. Kelly countered that the police had not conducted any 'controlled buys' of narcotics using their own operatives. Assistant Hampden District Attorney Andrew Gilbert argued the defense's motion to suppress evidence should be denied. Mulcahy took the matter under advisement. However, the judge granted a motion to relax the conditions of Shea's pretrial release — namely, the house arrest. Mulcahy eased the 'round the clock curfew to 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. This led to a mini-celebration by Shea in the parking lot after the hearing. 'Free at last!' he said while throwing his arms out before climbing into his Mercedes. 'I love you, but you need to be home by 8,' his mother responded. More Western Mass. Content As Mary Lane demolition begins, Ware group fights for health care at that site, local control of trust funds Holyoke Chamber seeks criminal investigation of former executive director Reputed gangster Ralph Santaniello back in court over road rage incident Government should be partner with private business, not patsy to it | Paul Chiampa Why I treasure the Pledge of Allegiance that made me an American (Viewpoint) Read the original article on MassLive.
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.
