PITTSFIELD, Mass. — On Friday, March 15, William Hennessey, 31 of West Springfield, was found guilty by a jury of his peers of illegal possession of a firearm. 

 

The jury found the Defendant not guilty of assault with a dangerous weapon. The trial took place in Berkshire Superior Court.

 

According to a report, On May 7, 2020, an incident of road rage took place between a truck and minivan in Pittsfield. The Defendant was a passenger in the minivan which included four adults and two children. The truck driver allegedly forced the van to the side of the road. The truck driver then exited his vehicle and began screaming at the minivan driver. After screaming at the van, the truck driver returned to his car and left the scene.  The minivan driver reported the incident to Pittsfield police. 

 

At approximately 10pm on the same day, the driver of the minivan, along with the Defendant who was still in the van, spotted the same truck parked in a convenience store lot. The driver of the van attempted to block the truck to get a picture of the license place. The truck was able to get by the van. The truck driver then immediately put the truck in reverse and rammed into the van. He then attempted to do this a second time. At this point, Hennessey exited the van and shot at the truck. A bullet shattered the back window; however, the driver of the truck was unharmed. The Defendant then abandoned his gun and fled. Pittsfield Police recovered the gun the following day.

 

 Upon the guilty verdict, Hennessey's bail was revoked. He will be sentenced in Berkshire Superior Court on Thursday, March 21 at 2pm.

 

Assistant District Attorney Joseph Yorlano represented the Commonwealth. Tara Jones-Nutting served as the victim witness advocate on behalf of the Berkshire District Attorney's Office. Pittsfield Police acted as the lead law enforcement agency.