Pittsfield Man Pleads Guilty to Manslaughter
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — On Friday, Jan. 17, Laquan M. Johnson, 29, of Pittsfield, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and seven charges connected to the April 4 killing of Stephan Curley.
The Honorable Judge Agostini of Berkshire Superior Court sentenced Johnson to 12 to 15 years in state prison. The sentence exceeds sentencing guidelines, which recommend 9 to 13.5 years. The plea took place prior to the result of a jury verdict from a trial that began on Jan. 8.
The Commonwealth requested a state prison sentence of 15 to 20 years, while the defense requested a sentence of 10 years to 10 years and one day.
"My thoughts are with Mr. Curley's family during this difficult time," District Attorney Timothy J. Shugrue said. "While Laquan Johnson's lengthy sentence will never bring Mr. Curley back, I hope it offers some measure of comfort to his loved ones. Gun violence affects not only the perpetrators and victims but the entire community. Today's plea represents a step toward healing, offering Ms. Satrape, Mr. Curley's family, and the community an opportunity to look forward toward a new day."
Johnson also pleaded guilty to additional charges, with sentences running concurrently:
- 5 to 7 years for armed assault with intent to murder.
- 2 to 3 years each for two counts of assault and battery by discharging a firearm.
- 2 years in the House of Corrections for possession of a firearm without an FID card.
- 2 years in the House of Corrections for possession of ammunition without an FID card.
- 2 to 4 years in state prison for possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
- 2 to 4 years in state prison for possession with intent to distribute a Class B substance.
On April 4, 2022, Johnson shot and killed 26-year-old Stephan Curley of Springfield and injured 28-year-old Dominique Satrape of Pittsfield.
At approximately 4:22 p.m., Pittsfield Police responded to ShotSpotter activation detecting five gunshot rounds near 71 King Street. At about 4:27 p.m., police were also dispatched to Berkshire Medical Center following a report of a person with a gunshot wound, later identified as Curley.
Police investigating the scene at 71 King Street observed Meilani Eurquhart, Johnson's sister, outside leaning over a garbage can. When questioned, she admitted to hearing gunshots but dropped several spent shell casings when asked to raise her hands. Officers also found additional spent shell casings on the porch.
Based on evidence outside the residence, officers secured the house pending a search warrant. Inside, they found Johnson, who had just exited the shower, and another spent shell casing in the hallway. A gun matching the weapon used in the shooting was discovered in a safe belonging to Johnson.
Detectives stated Johnson showered to remove gun residue after the shooting. During the trial, Johnson admitted to shooting Curley, claiming it was in self-defense. Prosecutors stated the shooting was not in self-defense and that there was no evidence Curley had a gun during the incident. Witness testimony and video evidence showed Johnson fired at Curley and Satrape immediately upon their arrival, with only 16 seconds elapsing between Curley's arrival and the gunfire.
Assistant District Attorneys Joseph Yorlano and Heather Valentine represented the Commonwealth. Assistant District Attorney Jocelyn McGrath, from the Berkshire District Attorney's Appellate Unit, also contributed to the case. Victim Witness Advocate Kristen Rapkowicz provided support to the families. The Pittsfield Police Department led the investigation.
Two outstanding drug charges, stemming from substances recovered during the search of Johnson's safe, were severed from the initial trial at the defense's request but incorporated into Friday’s plea.
Tags: manslaughter, superior court,
