Pittsfield Woman Charged with Husband's Murder

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Charlene Grandson Martin, 45, entered a plea of not guilty on Monday to one charge of murder related to the stabbing death of her husband, Aurthur Martin.

Charlene Martin was arraigned in Central Berkshire District Court before Judge Frederic Rutberg. Her case was continued to March 9 for a pretrial conference.

According to police reports, Martin said she and her husband were watching television when he left the room and re-entered with a knife. She allegedly told police that they were joking around when she pushed his arm away and he was struck by the knife.

Her explanation was reportedly inconsistent with the findings of the medical examiner, according to The Berkshire Eagle. Police said the couple had a history of domestic incidents and that Martin has been the "agressor." The knife was found in a closet.

Martin is being held without bail in the Berkshire County House of Correction.

Posted Feb. 8, 2009

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — An autopsy by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has determined that stabbing victim Arthur Martin bled to death.

Martin, 49, died early Saturday morning at Berkshire Medical Center. His wife, Charlene Grandson Martin, 45, is facing a murder charge in her husband's slaying.

Dr. Andrew Sexton, an associate medical examiner, conducted the autopsy on Arthur Martin on Sunday in Holyoke. The autopsy revealed that Martin bled to death as a result of a stab wound to his thigh, which cut the femoral artery. 


Posted Feb. 7, 2009

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A Pittsfield woman has been charged with murder in connection with the apparent stabbing death of her husband last night.
 
Charlene Grandson Martin, 45, is being held in the Pittsfield Police lockup on $1 million bail pending arraignment Monday morning in Central Berkshire District Court in Pittsfield. She is facing one count of murder in the apparent stabbing death of her 49-year-old husband, Arthur Martin.

Berkshire District Attorney David F. Capeless, in a statement released this morning, said the Pittsfield Police Department received a 911 call about 11:20 Friday evening reporting a stabbing at 341 West St., Building 40. 

Police, fire and emergency medical technicians responded to the call.
 
Arthur Martin, a resident of that address, was transported to Berkshire Medical Center, suffering from an apparent stab wound. He was pronounced dead early Saturday morning. An autopsy will be conducted at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Holyoke within the next several days.
 
The investigation is being conducted by members of the Pittsfield Police Department with assistance from the state police Crime Scene Services Section. Detectives Thomas Bowler and John Gray are the lead investigators on the case. 

Anyone who has any information pertaining to this incident is asked to call the Pittsfield Police Department at 413-448-9700.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

MassDOT Project Will Affect Traffic Near BMC

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Prepare for traffic impacts around Berkshire Medical Center through May for a state Department of Transportation project to improve situations and intersections on North Street and First Street.

Because of this, traffic will be reduced to one lane of travel on First Street (U.S. Route 7) and North Street between Burbank Street and Abbott Street from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday through at least May 6.

BMC and Medical Arts Complex parking areas remain open and detours may be in place at certain times. The city will provide additional updates on changes to traffic patterns in the area as construction progresses.

The project has been a few years in the making, with a public hearing dating back to 2021. It aims to increase safety for all modes of transportation and improve intersection operation.

It consists of intersection widening and signalization improvements at First and Tyler streets, the conversion of North Street between Tyler and Stoddard Avenue to serve one-way southbound traffic only, intersection improvements at Charles Street and North Street, intersection improvements at Springside Avenue and North Street, and the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of First Street, North Street, Stoddard Avenue, and the Berkshire Medical Center entrance.

Work also includes the construction of 5-foot bike lanes and 5-foot sidewalks with ADA-compliant curb ramps.  

Last year, the City Council approved multiple orders for the state project: five orders of takings for intersection and signal improvements at First Street and North Street. 

The total amount identified for permanent and temporary takings is $397,200, with $200,000 allocated by the council and the additional monies coming from carryover Chapter 90 funding. The state Transportation Improvement Plan is paying for the project and the city is responsible for 20 percent of the design cost and rights-of-way takings.

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