Julie Burdick Shade died July 30, 2008, at Berkshire Medical Center from injuries she received at the hands of her husband, Eugene A. Shade II, eight days earlier at their Edgewood Avenue home in North Adams. Julie Shade was 22 years old and left behind two small children.
Eugene Shade, now 37, pleaded guilty in Berkshire Superior Court on Tuesday afternoon to single counts of murder in the second degree and assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon (knife).
Judge John J. Agostini ordered him to serve a life sentence at the Massachusetts Correctional Institution at Cedar Junction on the murder charge. He was given a concurrent two to three-year state prison sentence on the assault charge.
The couple had argued about separating, according to police reports, on July 22, 2008. Shade had attacked his wife with a pillow and with his hands, strangling her, and held a knife to her throat. He called 911 himself. Julie Shade died after eight days on life support.
The investigation was conducted by members of the North Adams Police Department and state police detectives assigned to the district attorney's office.
The maximum sentence for second-degree murder is life, with eligibility for parole in 15 years.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Three suspects pleaded not guilty on Monday morning to murder charges stemming from the discovery of the bodies of three Pittsfield men, first reported missing Aug. 28.
The arraignment followed an announcement on Sunday that the remains of David Glasser, Robert Chadwell and Edward Frampton, were found in what was described as a "burial pit" at an undisclosed location on Saturday.
District Attorney David Capeless answers questions outside Berkshire Superior Court on Monday after three men were arraigned on a triple homicide.
Media from around the region joined a Central Berkshire District Court room packed full of friends and family of both defendants and victims. Defendants David Chalue and Roy Gutfinski aka (Caivus Velvois) were arraigned first, around 11 a.m. Chalue is represented by attorney Leonard Cohen, while Gavin Reardon was appointed defense for Gutfinski. Adam Lee Hall, represented by William Rota, was arraigned last around 11:30.
All three defendants were ordered held without bail and without prejudice at the request of District Attorney David F. Capeless and the agreement of lawyers for the defense. Trial dates for all three were set for Oct. 12.
Defendants were transported into the District Court building amidst a crowd of nearly a dozen security personnel in plainclothes in addition to the usual court security and police presence.
After the arraignment, Capeless spoke to reporters briefly about what his office was doing to allay the public's concerns about safety in the aftermath of these events.
"We're asking anyone to please come forward with any information about the case ... We are making every effort to investigate and prosecute this case, that's what we're doing."
When asked what his office had been able to learn about the Hells Angels club, of which Adam Lee Hall is known to be a member, with respect to this case, Capeless said, "I'm not going to comment on that at all," cutting off all questions abruptly.
Defense attorney William Rota maintained that he knew almost nothing about the case yet, but did say he saw no reason for citizens to become alarmed about their own safety.
"No community is without its potential for violence. This is not a 'stranger' crime," he said, acknowledging that the victims and his client knew each other. "It doesn't make the area any more or less safe."
Some relatives of victim Robert T. Chadwell expressed frustration after the arraignment with what some of them perceived as a failure on the part of authorities to protect Glasser as a witness against Hall, despite stated fears of retaliation.
One family member, who identified herself as Yvette, said she felt that fears of retaliation by Hall or associates of his were not taken seriously by police. "Pittsfield is just not equipped for this. Pittsfield failed these men."
Capeless, at Sunday's press conference, said precautions were made to keep Glasser safe that were in line with witness's wishes.
Ongoing search of several locations, including the Cloverdale Road home of Gutfinski and that of Chalue on Madison Avenue, took place throughout the day on Monday as neighbors and members of the media looked on.
Trial will begin for each of the three suspects at Berkshire Superior Court on Oct. 12.
Three men are facing murder charges after police say they have recovered the bodies of David Glasser, Edward Frampton and Robert Chadwell.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The bodies of the three men who have been missing since Aug. 28 were found on Saturday and police have arrested and charged three others with their murder.
District Attorney David Capeless said Adam Lee Hall, 34, of Pittsfield, David Chalue, 44, of Springfield and 31-year-old Caivus Veiovis, also known as Roy Gutfinski, of Pittsfield each have been charged with three counts of murder, three counts of kidnapping and three counts of intimidation of a witness.
They will be arraigned in Central Berkshire District Court on Monday.
District Attorney David Capeless is asking anybody with information about the three men that were charged with murder to contact the Pittsfield Police Department.
Police have been searching for the three men — David Glasser, 44, Edward Frampton, 58, and Robert Chadwell, 47 — since the Sunday that Tropical Storm Irene blew through the Berkshires. Glasser was a witness in a pending case against Hall when the three went missing from their Linden Street apartment.
"Based on the information that we have at this point, I am confident that our worst fears for David Glasser, Edward Frampton and Robert Chadwell have been realized," Capeless said at a press conference on Sunday. "This had to do with Glasser being a witness in a pending criminal case. Unfortunately we believe that Frampton and Chadwell were in the wrong place at the wrong time."
Police have obtained search warrants for five locations and two motor vehicles, Capeless said. The bodies were being recovered from a burial site within Berkshire County — Capeless would not reveal the exact location — on Sunday and will be sent to the chief medical examiner in Boston for autopsy.
Capeless is also asking the public to contact the Pittsfield Police Department with any information about the three men charged with the murders while police continue to dig for evidence.
"I say to the general public that you, too, can achieve justice. If you have any information about these three men who have been charged in connection with this crimes, please come forward," Capeless said.
Because of the ongoing investigation, Capeless was tight-lipped about the circumstances around the crimes. Law enforcement has been searching for the men for the last 12 days, including in the Pittsfield State Forest last week.
Glasser was scheduled to testify against Hall, a Hells Angel member, on kidnapping, assault, intimidation, extortion, and cocaine distribution charges this month.
That case started with a dispute between Hall and Glasser. Hall accused Glasser of stealing an automobile part from him in 2009 and then allegedly beat Glasser with a baseball bat. Later, Hall was accused of trying to frame Glasser for a robbery to prevent him from testifying against him. The case against Hall was postponed after Glasser went missing.
"We intend to prosecute it and I expect that we will join these cases involving the murder, kidnapping and intimidation along with all the other charges at are pending," Capeless said.
Shortly after the Glasser went missing, Hall was arrested and charged with extortion and child pornography charges and held on $1 million bail.
Veiovis and Chalue are not believed to be members of the Hells Angels, Capeless said.
Cases heard before Judge John Agostini on Tuesday, March 8.
Michael A. Lizotte, 47, of Pittsfield pleaded guilty to single counts of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and conspiracy to violate drug laws.
Lizotte was sentenced to serve two and a half years at the Berkshire County House of Correction. The charges stem from a motor vehicle stop on January 4, 2011.
Cases heard before Judge John Agostini on Wednesday, March 9.
Lionel Spencer, 24, of Pittsfield pleaded guilty to four counts of distribution of cocaine and two counts of drug violation within a school zone.
Spencer, also known as Spades, will serve two and a half years at the Berkshire County House of Correction after his charges of selling cocaine in Pittsfield on September 9, September 12, September 15 and September 16.
Douglas G Guinan, 52, of Lanesborough entered not guilty pleas for charges resulting in an October 23, 2010 car accident on South Street in Pittsfield that killed 25-year-old Michael Ashline and caused serious injured to a 22-year-old woman.
Guinan was charged with motor vehicle homicide while under the influence of alcohol and operating to endanger as well as operating under the influence of alcohol and operating to endanger causing serious bodily injury.
Guinan was released on personal recognizance on the condition that he not drive during the pendency of the case.
Karriem Martin, 33, of Valley Stream, N.Y. pled not guilty for single counts of trafficking in cocaine and conspiracy to violate drug laws.
He was released on $15,000 cash or $150,000 surety bail.
The charges stem from a motor vehicle stop in Pittsfield on January 4, 2011.
Jay J. Solarz, 38, of Dalton pleaded guilty to single counts of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and possession of marijuana.
The charges stem from the execution of a search warrant of 140 Dalton Division Road on November 4, 2008. Solarz was ordered to serve one year at the Berkshire County House of Correction for the cocaine charge and the marijuana charge was placed on file.
Jerald H. Sullivan, 54, of Pittsfield pled not guilty to one count of rape.
Sullivan was charged with an alleged sexual assault on a 69-year-old woman in Pittsfield on January 21, 2011. He will be held at the Berkshire County House of Correction on $20,000 bail.
Cases heard before Judge John Agostini on Thursday, March 10.
Fred Lee Holt Jr. pleaded guilty to four counts of rape and abuse of a child: no force.
Holt had sexual relations with a girl who is now 17 years-old between December 15, 2008 and April 15, 2009. He was sentenced to serve five to seven years at the Massachusetts Correctional Institution at Cedar Junction.
Jamel L. Robinson pleaded guilty to single counts of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of ecstacy with intent to distribute, possession of Pilva and two counts of drug violation within a school zone.
Judge Agostini ordered that he serve concurrent 1 day sentences at the Berkshire County House of Correction on the drug charges. He was given concurrent two year house of correction sentences, to be served on and after the first sentence, on the charges of drug violation in a school zone.
The charges originated from a motor vehicle accident on Main Street in Great Barrington on May 25, 2010.
Cases heard before Judge John Agostini on Friday, March 11.
Mark Hamilton, 25, of Otis pleaded guilty to single counts of breaking into a depository, conspiracy to wit: breaking into a depository, breaking and entering in the daytime with intent to commit a felony, conspiracy to wit: breaking and entering in the daytime with intent to commit a felony, larceny from a building and conspiracy to wit: larceny from a building.
Hamilton was placed on probation for one year on the condition that Hamilton refrain from using drugs and undergo testing and counseling. The charges stem from a break-in at Santo's Italian Restaurant in Otis on February 23, 2010.
Cases heard before Judge John Agostini on Tuesday, March 1.
Sergio Santiago, 19, of Pittsfield pleaded guilty to single counts of armed burglary, assault on an occupant, assault with intent to commit rape, armed assault with intent to murder, unarmed burglary, assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon and intimidation of a witness.
The charges stem from an attack on a 24-year-old woman inside her Taylor Street home in Pittsfield on July 12, 2009.
Santiago also pleaded guilty to single counts of receiving stolen property over $250 and receiving stolen property under $250 in connection to two house break-ins on June 20, 2009 and June 29, 2009.
Santiago was sentenced to serve 18 to 25 years at the Massachusetts Correctional Institution at Cedar Junction for armed burglary and assault on an occupant. He was sentenced to serve 18 to 20 years concurrently in state prison for assault with intent to commit rape, armed assault with intent to murder and unarmed burglary.
He was given an additional nine to 10 years in state prison for the assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon charge and correction sentences on the remaining charges.
Joseph Bigelow, 27, of Pittsfield pleaded guilty to single counts of cocaine distribution, distribution of heroin and drug violation in a school zone.
Bigelow was given a two-year sentence at the house of corrections on the charges from drug sales on April 20, 2009 and June 4, 2009 in Pittsfield.
Cases heard before Judge John Agostini on Wednesday, March 2.
Arthur Sebastino, 48, of Adams pleaded guilty to three counts of violation of a restraining order.
Sebastino was ordered to serve 83 days in the Berkshire County House of Correction. The incidents occurred in Adams on June 7, 2009 and June 8, 2009.
Frederick McKinley, 25, of New York City pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of cocaine and one count of conspiracy to violate drug laws stemming from a March 6, 2010 sale in Stockbridge.
A charge of possession of heroin with intent to distribute was dismissed at the request of the state after chemical analysis found the substance was not heroin.
Cases heard before Judge John Agostini on Thursday, March 3.
Michael Campbell, 33, of New York City pleaded guilty to one count of possession of oxycontin with intent to distribute and one count of conspiracy to violate drugs laws.
Campbell was ordered to serve four to six year sentences at the Massachusetts Correctional Institution at Cedar Junction. The charges stem from an execution of a search warrant at the Willows Motel in Williamstown on April 2, 2010.
Jessica Ferris, 29, of Pittsfield pleaded guilty to single counts of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.
Ferris was given six months suspended sentence to the Berkshire County House of Correction. Ferris was placed on one year probation with the condition that she refrain from using drugs and alcohol and undergo counseling and testing.
The charges stem from a search warrant at her home executed on July 5, 2010.
Charles Cable, 31, of North Adams pleaded guilty to three counts of assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon in connection with an assault on December 5, 2009.
Cable was sentenced to the Berkshire County House of Correction for 18 months. Another charge of armed assault with intent to murder was dismissed at the request of the state.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A North Adams man was given a life sentence on Tuesday for 
