3 Found Guilty in Asiyanna Jones Murder

Print Story | Email Story
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Three people have been convicted on charges related to the 2017 murder of Asiyanna Jones.
 
After a week and a half trial in Berkshire Superior Court, the jury returned guilty verdicts against Gary Linen, Carey Pilot, and Elizabeth Perez for the Oct. 2, 2017, shooting on Dewey Avenue. 
 
The jury found Linen guilty of murder, Pilot of manslaughter, and Perez for misleading police in the homicide investigation. Judge John Agostini scheduled sentencing for Wednesday.
 
"I send my condolences to Ms. Jones' family and friends for their tragic loss and hope these convictions give them some satisfaction. I thank the jurors for their careful deliberation of the facts," District Attorney Andrea Harrington said. "I also thank Special Prosecutor [Brett] Vottero, the lead prosecutor, Assistant District Attorney Joseph Yorlano, who assisted, and First Assistant Karen Bell, who oversaw their work on the case. 
 
"Attorney Vottero has handled more than 75 other homicides during his two decades of service to the commonwealth, and his
expertise was key to securing these convictions."
 
Pilot, 50, and Linen, 42, engaged in a gunfight on Dewey Avenue on Oct. 2, 2017, and a bullet struck Jones, 22, who was inside a car. Jones died at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield the following day. 
 
Perez, 30, lied to police during the investigation.
 
The Pittsfield Police Department, with assistance from the state police detective unit assigned to the District Attorney's Office, Berkshire County Sheriff's Department, the Berkshire Law Enforcement Task Force, State Police Crime Scene Services, and State Police Firearms Identification Section conducted the investigation.

Tags: murder,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Teacher of the Month: Nickole Halvorsen

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — For many students, kindergarten is their first experience in a school setting and the beginning of ongoing growth and change throughout their lives.
 
Kindergarten teacher Nickole Halvorsen strives to instill in her students the foundational academic and social-emotional skills they need to succeed not only in her classroom, but throughout their educational journey and beyond.
 
It is this dedication, along with the fun, safe and welcoming environment that students describe her as cultivating, that has earned her the iBerkshires.com Teacher of the Month designation.
 
The Teacher of the Month series, in collaboration with Berkshire Community College, features distinguished teachers nominated by community members. You can nominate a teacher here.
 
The end of the year was bittersweet for Halvorsen and her students as they said goodbye to Morningside Community School, which closed its doors for the final time in May
 
"Now at the end of the year, it gets sad and a little more emotional, especially this year because this is our last year at Morningside," she said during her interview in May.
 
So, really focusing on coming in, being here, being present [and] consistent for them matters the most for me, and they make me want to be here. I want to have fun with them. I want to enjoy every last bit we can of being in the school building." 
 
View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories