North Adams - An early July 25 morning shooting that killed 31-year -old Bronx, N.Y. resident Kijona Osmond was termed "vicious," "cold-blooded," and may have been gang-related, according to Berkshire County District Attorney David F. Capeless.
Smith Claiming Self-defense
Capeless described witness accounts of the Secor Street shooting allegedly at the hands of 27-year old James Smith during Smith's July 26 Northern Berkshire District Court arraignment. Smith has been charged with one count of murder and one count of illegal possession of a handgun. According to Capeless, Smith is claiming that the shooting was done in self-defense.It is believed that Smith is from the Brooklyn, N.Y. area.
Smith is being held without bail at the Berkshire County House of Correction. The case was continued to Aug. 30 for a pre-trial conference.
Smith was brought to the courthouse by officers of the Berkshire County Sheriff's Department. He was kept out of the courtroom and was arraigned from a small room equipped with a large glass window and microphones.
Smith is a short, slim-built black male who has been known by the nickname "Half-pint." During the arraignment, he was flanked by court officers. He remained standing and facing those in the courtroom during the arraignment.
Judge Michael J. Ripps presided over the arraignment.
Possible Gang Ties
Capeless termed Smith a flight risk and cited a past criminal record that includes convictions in Florida. Police could find no valid local address for Smith after his capture, Capeless said.
Witnesses interviewed by police investigators have said that Smith and Osmond were members of rival gangs, Capeless said during the arraignment.
When asked after the arraignment concluded to identify the gangs, Capeless declined, and said "I'm not going to get into that right now."
City police Director Michael Cozzaglio said during a subsequent interview that area gang activity is being investigated. He declined to identify any specific gangs that may be operating in the area because of ongoing investigations.
During the arraignment, Capeless described the shooting.
Victim Shot Twice
According to a witness account, Smith allegedly arrived at a Secor Street residence armed with the weapon visible, Capeless said.
Smith allegedly shot Osmond twice, with one shot allegedly being fired into the back of Osmond's head, Capeless said. After shooting Osmond, Smith then allegedly rifled through the clothing Osmond was wearing in search of money and drugs, Capeless said.
Additional witnesses have said that Smith fled the scene and went to another residence, where he allegedly told an individual that he'd shot someone. When police arrested Smith at 318 Union St. during the late July 25 morning, he was in possession of a gun, Capeless said.
Smith's Attorney Objects
Smith's court-appointed attorney Greg Schubert of Northampton arrived at court accompanied by a private investigator. Schubert told Ripps that he had already agreed to forgo a bail request and objected to Capeless' characterizations of Smith and the crime as possibly tainting a jury pool.
After police concluded a July 25 crime scene investigation, Capeless allowed the scene "released," meaning the apartment occupant was able to go back to the residence without restrictions. Schubert told Ripps he was "amazed" that a crime scene had been released so quickly after the crime was committed and before he could see the room as it appeared right after the shooting.
"I am somewhat amazed that I arrive here after a day and a half and find a crime scene released," Schubert said. "It has been turned back in an inappropriate way, in my opinion."
Schubert asked that he and/or the private investigator be given access to the scene to photograph the area and take dimension measurements. He also asked that he be able to collect anything found that could be deemed relevant to the case. Capeless told Ripps that Schubert was apparently making requests that required a search warrant, and if that were the case, the requests should be made as a written motion.
After considerable discussion, Capeless and Schubert agreed that Schubert or the investigator would be allowed to visit the scene with a police officer of Capeless' choosing and within parameters to be determined by Ripps in a written order.
Autopsy
A July 26 autopsy concluded that Osmond died of gun shot wounds. The autopsy was performed in Holyoke by Chief Associate medical Examiner Loren Mednick. According to autopsy findings, Osmond was shot once in the front of the neck and once in the back of the head.
Susan Bush may be reached via e-mail at suebush@iberkshires.com or at 802-823-9367.
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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.
In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.
Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear.
The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.
"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."
Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.
In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.
The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.
"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.
The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.
In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.
"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
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