New York Man Found Guilty in Pittsfield Murder

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — On Thursday, March 13, in Berkshire Superior Court, Lance Burke was found guilty by a jury of his peers for the 2018 murder of David Green Jr. 
 
Burke, 46 of New York, was found guilty on three charges related to the crime, murder in the first degree (Murder), illegal possession of a firearm, and illegal possession of a loaded firearm.  
 
Green was murdered in 2018 while sitting in his vehicle on Willow Street. Burke was identified as the suspect based on witness testimony, cross-state investigations, and video and mobile phone tracking surveillance. 
 
District Attorney Shugrue stated while he is satisfied that justice was served on behalf of David Green Jr., the verdict does not lessen the tragedy of his death. 
 
"Mr. Green's family has been waiting a longtime for this day. While we are pleased with the conclusion the jury reached, nothing will ever heal the wounds of losing a loved one in such a violent way," he said. "I send my deepest condolences to Mr. Green's family, friends, and community as they continue to work through this senseless murder. I hope today brings them some sense of peace. A theme of my tenure continues to be accountability for those who bring violence into our community. This death of Mr. Green was brought about by a Defendant who drove into Pittsfield and committed murder. Those who bring illegal firearms, attempt to establish drug trafficking networks, and bring violence to our neighborhoods will be held accountable to the greatest extent of the law."
 
"Trying this case was extremely difficult. The Pittsfield Police Department worked diligently and with great precession to use all the technology available to them to connect Lance Burke to the crime. It is because of their dedicated work, and the team of prosecutors and advocates on this case, that the jury was able to reach this verdict. Our Office never shies away from difficult prosecutions, and I am extremely fortunate to work with law enforcement that has the same determination to see that justice served." 
 
Witness testimony was given during the trial. District Attorney Shugrue commended the witnesses for their actions and commented on concerning behavior that occurred during the trial.
 
"The witnesses that came forward to testify showed tremendous bravery. Throughout this trial, witnesses were directly threatened. Threats were made on their own safety as well as the safety of their family," Shugrue said. "Law enforcement is currently investigating cases of witness intimidation that stemmed from this case. I will not accept bad actors to interfere with the judicial system by those courageous enough to come forward." 
 
First Assistant District Attorney Marianne Shelvey and Assistant District Attorney Heather Valentine represented the Commonwealth. Director of Victim Witness Advocates Jane Kibby-Pierce served as an advocate on behalf of the District Attorney's Office. Appellate Assistant District Attorney Lori Levinson served on the trial team. The Pittsfield Police Detective Unit and Anti-Crime Unit served as the lead law enforcement agency. New York State Police assisted in evidence collection. 
 
Burke was originally tried in 2024; however, a mistrial was declared on June, 2024 after a hung jury. 

Tags: murder,   superior court,   

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Companion Corner: Fox at Berkshire Humane Society

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — There's a sweet and energetic dog at the Berkshire Humane Society waiting for his new family.

iBerkshire's Companion Corner is a weekly series spotlighting an animal in our local shelters that is ready to find a home.

Fox is a 3-year-old Pomeranian who has been at the shelter for about a month.

Canine caregiver and adoption counselor Simone Olivieri told us about Fox. 

"He's a bundle of joy. He would love a family who's home with him a lot, because he's just, he's very social and wants to be with his people a lot. And he would be fun to bring out and about, bring a lot of places, because he's very happy to go anywhere," she said.

When Fox enters the room he is immediately a puffball of energy that goes around and around the room.

He came to the shelter after his former owner could not take care of him anymore. 

"The owner was just not able to care for him anymore. Had he came in with another dog, Wolf, and she already did find her forever home just last week," said Olivieri. "The two of them were left with a friend of the original owner, and the owner did not come back to pick them up, and the friend had too many animals in the house, and too much going on, and she just couldn't continue to look after them, so they did end up coming to us."

Fox can go home with cats and children but is not recommended to go home with other dogs as he gets too excited.

"He would love a home where people are home quite a bit to give him all the attention that he so desires. He loves kids. He absolutely adores children. So he would like a home with kids to play with. He could live with cats. We are saying that he should not live with other dogs. The only reason is that he gets very humpy, and he does not leave the other dogs alone," she said.

With his energy it is recommended he goes to a home that can keep him active whether walks or hikes and even fetch in the yard.

Fox does need to learn more about walking on a leash and has a tendency to mark in the house but he was recently neutered. Olivieri said belly bands will be sent home with whoever adopts him to help prevent marking and managing it.

"He would like an active home. He really does like to go for walks daily. He likes to run around in the yard. He does need a little work on leash walking. He sometimes gets a little tangled still under your feet, and he's learning how to walk on a leash," she said. "So, someone who's got some patience and some time to work on some training with him."

"He also is not fully potty trained, so he does know to go potty outside. However, he will still mark, urinate in the house sometimes, and he might poop here and there in the house."

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