PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A Pittsfield man was convicted Monday of aggravated rape and assault charges by a Berkshire Superior Court jury.
Anthony Miller, 51, was found guilty of aggravated rape, strangulation, kidnapping, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery on a family or household member, and witness intimidation. Judge John Agostini will sentence him on Thursday, Dec. 19.
Miller severely beat, strangled, and raped the victim multiple times earlier this year. He then prevented her from leaving the home. He was arrested and arraigned in March and held without bail at the House of Corrections. Miller has a lengthy rap sheet and prior convictions of violent behavior.
"This is another example of how my office aggressively prosecutes perpetrators of domestic violence and sexual assault. We are holding Mr. Miller accountable for his actions thanks to a great investigation by the Pittsfield Police Department, the courage of the victim to tell her story, and resolute prosecution by my office," District Attorney Andrea Harrington said.
"We are addressing the serious issue of domestic violence in Berkshire County through prevention, education, and fighting for justice on behalf of victims."
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Megan Tesoniero.
MOUNT WASHINGTON, Mass. — Authorities are investigating arson in the case of three houses that burned on West Road early Sunday morning.
Two were owned by the state Department of Conservation and Recreation and one was privately owned.
The Egremont Fire Department was dispatched at 1:15 a.m. for a report of a fire in the area of 25 West St. Both the DCR structures were fully involved and a single-family home across the street was also on fire, according to Chief Joseph Schnieder.
The first alarm with a tanker task force was requested, bringing in mutual aid from Great Barrington and Sheffield and Copake, Hillsdale, and Craryville, N.Y., said Schnieder.
The two DCR properties, including a historical home, were destroyed. No one was injured. The three fires are being investigation as if they are connected and are considered suspicious.
The investigation is ongoing by the Egremont Fire Department, and State Police assigned to both the Office of the State Fire Marshal and to the Office of the Berkshire District Attorney. Anyone with information about these fires should call the Arson Hotline at 1-800-682-9229 or the Berkshire Detective Unit at 413-499-1112.
Updated Dec. 16 at 1:55 p.m. with more information from Fire Chief Joseph Schnieder.
GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Monday's structure fire in Great Barrington has claimed a second victim.
Susan Romano, 67, died at Albany (N.Y.) Medical Center on Tuesday night. Her husband, Michael Romano, died Monday night.
"On behalf of the town of Great Barrington, I offer our heartfelt condolences to their family. Every fire death is tragic, but the loss cuts deeper during the holidays," Great Barrington Fire Chief Charles Burger said.
The couple were pulled from their 24 Silver St. home by firefighters on at about 7:40 p.m. on Monday night. Both were unresponsive and Michael Romano died shortly after at Fairview Hospital.
The fire was contained to the Romano's unit in the eight-apartment building. The blaze is under investigation but the early focus has been on an accidental cause, according to authorities.
GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — One man has died and a woman is in critical condition after a fire Monday evening at the Beech Tree Commons apartment complex.
The Berkshire District attorney's office has identified the deceased as Michael Romano, 68. As of Tuesday, Susan Romano, 67, remains hospitalized at Albany (N.Y.) Medical Center as a result of injuries sustained in the blaze.
The Fire Department was dispatched to a reported structure fire with possible entrapment at 24 Silver St. at approximately 7:40 p.m. Monday. Fire units found fire venting from a rear apartment of an eight-unit apartment building.
A primary search was initiated along with fire attack, officials said in a news release. Two unresponsive occupants were located and rescued within minutes. Southern Berkshire Ambulance provided medical care and transported both patients to Fairview Hospital, where Michael Romano was pronounced dead.
The fire was quickly knocked down and contained to one unit. Utilities were shut off to the building, forcing the occupants to seek alternative housing for the evening. Accommodations at local hotels were provided by the Beech Tree Commons management.
A second alarm was initially requested dispatching Monterey, Egremont, Stockbridge and Sheffield fire departments but canceled when the fire was brought under control. Great Barrington Fire received assistance on scene from Great Barrington Police, Southern Berkshire Ambulance and the Fire Department Support Group. Lenox Fire provided a RIT team and Sheffield Fire provided station coverage.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of death.
Investigators do not believe the cause of the fire is suspicious at this time but the investigation remains ongoing. The Office of the State Fire Marshal, Great Barrington Fire and Police, and Massachusetts State Police are investigating.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Two men who pleaded guilty in domestic assault cases last week were given the maximum jail sentences 2 1/2 years at the Berkshire County House of Correction.
Steven Signor, 32, of Pittsfield pleaded guilty in Central Berkshire District Court to two counts of assault and battery on a household member, two counts of violating an abuse prevention order, and single counts of assault and battery on a pregnant woman, resisting arrest, intimidation of a witness, breaking and entering, and vandalism.
Judge Mark Pasquariello sentenced Signor serve 2 1/2 years, the maximum allowable sentence for a single charge in District Court.
The charges relate to four separate incidents over the last year and a half. The Berkshire district attorney's office cited Signor's repeated behavior and disregard for court orders in asking for the maximum sentence. The defense argued for a one year sentence.
Jonathan Therrien, 30, of Adams pleaded guilty in Northern Berkshire District Court to assault and battery on a household member and violation of an abuse prevention order. The charges relate to an incident on Nov. 1 in Adams.
The DA's office requested the full 2 1/2-year sentence, noting a lengthy record of similar convictions in other states. The defense asked for one year. Judge Paul Vrabel sentenced Therrien to the full sentence.
"We obtained these guilty pleas thanks to comprehensive investigations by the Pittsfield and Adams police departments and are examples of how my office is working with law enforcement to prioritize violent crime. Berkshire County has the highest domestic violence rates in the state. These statistics represent real families who are living in violent homes," District Attorney Andrea Harrington said in a statement. "We are making every effort to prevent tragedy both to the individuals who are suffering from abuse, to local law enforcement who face risk every time they respond to domestic violence incidents, and to the public at large who face increased risk of gun violence from domestic abusers."
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