Berkshire Grand Jury Returns Indictments in Delacruz-Batista, Tatro Murders

05:29PM / Friday, July 29, 2022Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A grand jury has returned indictments against five defendants on charges related to the murder of Reymon Delacruz-Batista and against one defendant for the homicide of Jillian Tatro.

In the Delacruz-Batista homicide, the grand jury returned indictments of Jamel Nicholson, Timothy McFadden, Naquan Miller and Anthony Robertson for murder and other charges. The grand jury also returned an indictment of Melissa Perrea for obstruction of justice and destruction of documents and objects.

Berkshire Superior Court will arraign all of the defendants in the coming weeks.

Hunters discovered Delacruz-Batista's body in the Pittsfield State Forest early on Dec. 4, 2021. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined that he died because of multiple gunshot wounds.

Nicholson faces charges of murder, armed kidnapping with serious bodily injury, accessory before the fact, accessory after the fact, and two counts of illegal possession of a firearm.

McFadden faces charges of murder, armed kidnapping with serious bodily injury, two counts of illegal possession of a firearm, and two counts of illegal possession of a loaded firearm.

Miller faces charges of murder, armed kidnapping with serious bodily injury, accessory before the fact, accessory after the fact, and description of documents and objects.

Robertson faces charges of murder, armed kidnapping with serious bodily injury, assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon, discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building, two counts of illegal possession of a firearm, and two counts of illegal possession of a loaded firearm.

In Jillian Tatro homicide, the grand jury returned a murder indictment against Luis Rosado. Berkshire Superior Court will arraign him on Aug. 4.

North Adams Police and Northern Berkshire Emergency Medical Services discovered Tatro deceased inside a home on Charles Street in North Adams on May 29. Rosado, her husband of five months, was charged with stabbing her to death.

The State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Berkshire District Attorney’s Office is investigating both homicides.

All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

In Central Berkshire District Court this week, the District Attorney's Office obtained a guilty verdict in the jury trial of Timothy Smithies for breaking and entering. The commonwealth proved to a jury that Smithies broke into a Pittsfield garage in June 2020. The court sentenced Smithies to serve nine months at the House of Correction.

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Pittsfield Council Opposes Berkshire Gas Rate Hike Proposal

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
01:05PM / Thursday, February 26, 2026

Berkshire Gas says it needs the increase for infrastructure improvements. Officials say it will cause an unnecessary burden on customers who depend on natural gas for heat.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City Council has joined statewide opposition to Berkshire Gas's proposed 22 percent increase on the average customer's bill.

On Tuesday, Councilor at Large Kathy Amuso and Ward 4 Councilor James Conant asked their colleagues to oppose the rate hike, which the state Department of Public Utilities has suspended until October to investigate. Written comments are accepted through Friday, Feb. 27.

"As all of us know, Berkshire Gas is looking for up to a 25 percent increase, which would equate to about an average of $54 a month, which is a hefty increase for anyone," Amuso said.

"And there's about 8,500 households in Berkshire County that are on fuel assistance, and we already have 8,500 households on fuel assistance, I'm not sure how more than 8,500 can afford a $54 average."

Present councilors unanimously supported the petition, and Councilor at Large Peter White, who was unable to attend the meeting, communicated his support via email. Mayor Peter Marchetti is also a signer.

The testimonial letter urges the DPU to deny the utility's requested increase, or sharply reduce it, require the company to demonstrate the benefits of the Gas System Enhancement Program before costs are rolled into base rates, and condition any approved increase with consumer protections and affordability programs.

The utility is asking to adjust distribution rates to generate $22.2 million, which it anticipates will result in a 21.6 percent rate increase on average. In filings with the DPU, Berkshire Gas is estimating up to about a $54 per month increase for residential heating and $12 for non-heating customers.

Gov. Maura Healey, the Berkshire legislative delegation, local higher education institutions, and community members have voiced opposition to the proposed rate hike for a vital service. The North Adams City Council registered its opposition also on Tuesday.

During a recent campaign stop in Pittsfield, Healey recognized that people are "really, really struggling" with gas and electric bills.

"I'm working on every front to lower those costs. I was upset to see Berkshire Gas's proposal for an additional rate hike that could increase bills in Pittsfield, around this region, by as much as 25 percent. Twenty-five percent is something that nobody can afford; our residents can't afford, our businesses can't afford. It just can't happen," she said.

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