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.

Dalton Fire District Seeks State OK for Permanent Chief

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — The Fire District is considering interim Fire Chief Christopher Francis Cachat for the permanent chief position, pending required state approval.
 
Cachat has been serving as chief since January 2025, with the duties being split between himself, Administrative Deputy Chief Charlotte Crane, and Capt. Dennis Tinker. 
 
However, one challenge to making his appointment permanent is that Cachat is older than 65, the mandatory retirement age for firefighters in Massachusetts.
 
In 1987, the state eliminated the maximum age and mandatory retirement requirements for most public employees, but firefighters were exempt from this ruling. 
 
The law requires the personnel administrator to study whether a firefighter can serve past the mandatory retirement age, considering job risks, physical demands, and the costs of injuries for older personnel.
 
Towns and cities can seek a home-rule petition from the state Legislature and governor to allow an individual to continue serving in a position past the age of 65, and the Fire District is in the process of doing just that. 
 
State Rep. Leigh Davis filed a home-rule bill last March on the district's behalf to allow Cachat, who has been with the department for four decades, to continue serving until age 70, provided he remains physically and mentally capable of fulfilling the role’s duties. 
 
View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories