Life Sentence Imposed in Asiyanna Jones Murder

Print Story | Email Story
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Gary Linen, 42, has been sentenced to life in state prison in the murder of Asiyanna Jones.
 
Lengthy state prison sentences were handed down by Judge John Agostini on Wednesday for those responsible for the death of of the 22-year-old Jones.
 
In addition to Linen, Carey Pilot was sentenced to serve 15 to 20 years in state prison for manslaughter, and Elizabeth Perez to serve two to four years in state prison for misleading a police officer in the homicide investigation.
 
The commonwealth had requested sentences of the statutorily required life in prison for Linen, 18 to 20 years in prison for Pilot, and a significant state prison sentence for misleading a police officer during a homicide investigation for Perez. Defense attorneys requested life for Linen, four to six years for Pilot, and a two-and-a-half-year split sentence at the House of Correction for Perez.
 
Last week, a jury returned the guilty verdicts in the Oct. 2, 2017, shooting death. Pilot, 50, and Linen, 42, engaged in a gunfight on Dewey Avenue in Pittsfield on that evening and a bullet struck Jones, who was inside a car. Perez, 30, lied to police during the investigation.
 
"I thank Asiyanna Jones' family for their powerful victim witness statements they delivered in court today and I am proud of the trial team for their meticulous work in obtaining these convictions," District Attorney Andrea Harrington said.
 
The Pittsfield Police Department with assistance from the Berkshire State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Berkshire District Attorney's Office, Berkshire County Sheriff's Department, the Berkshire Law Enforcement Task Force, Massachusetts State Police Crime Scene Services and Massachusetts 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.

Pittsfield Mayor Offers Police Chief Position to Unnamed Candidate

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A candidate has been offered the police chief position, and their name will be announced at an upcoming press conference. 

On Thursday, Mayor Peter Marchetti's office confirmed that an offer has been made for Thomas Dawley's successor.  The person has not been named, nor the date of the press conference. 

iBerkshires.com will provide coverage on that day. 

"The Mayor has made an offer to a candidate and that name will be released at an upcoming press conference," Director of Administrative Services and Public Information Officer Catherine VanBramer wrote via email. 

The mayor's office was unable to provide details about the chief's salary at this point, because they are working to finalize a contract, VanBramer said. 

Police Chief Thomas Dawley announced his intent to retire late last year after 24 years with the Pittsfield Police Department. He was appointed the interim police chief in June 2023 and permanent chief a year later. 

Marchetti was charged with appointing the new chief, and Capt. Marc Strout has led the department in the interim.  

In the fall, he requested that a Civil Service assessment be conducted for a new chief, and two candidates took the test. 

The two candidates who took the police chief exam in December were Lt. Marc Maddalena and Capt. John Murphy.

View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories