Man Convicted of Second-Degree Murder in 2022 Pittsfield Shooting

03:34PM / Thursday, October 02, 2025Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A Berkshire Superior Court jury found Michael Rose guilty of Murder in the Second Degree and possession of a firearm without an FID card on Wednesday, Oct. 1, in connection with the 2022 shooting death of Jeric Black.

Rose was subsequently sentenced to 20 years to life in State Prison for the murder charge. He also received a concurrent sentence of two and a half to five years for possession of a firearm without an FID card.

"Justice was delivered today for Jeric Black, who was ruthlessly gunned down, leaving behind his loving family and friends," District Attorney Shugrue said. "This verdict was made possible by the work of the Pittsfield Police, the courage of a key witness coming forward, and the strength of Black's family."

"I am proud of the prosecutors, advocates, and every member of my office. Over the past 18 months, we have brought seven murder cases to conviction, holding seven violent criminal offenders accountable."

The conviction stems from the fatal shooting of Jeric Black on Feb. 1, 2022.

According to a report from the District Attorney’s Office, at approximately 11:39 p.m., Pittsfield Police were dispatched to 181 King Street following a report of shots fired. The investigation revealed that Rose had gone to the address, driven by Shirley Gaylord, intending to confront Black.

A family member let Rose into the residence. Shortly after, the family member reported hearing a gunshot and seeing Rose fleeing the scene. Black suffered a gunshot wound to the abdomen and was transported to Berkshire Medical Center, where he was pronounced deceased.

In the days following the murder, Gaylord contacted police, detailing how she drove Rose to and from the King Street residence. She explained the timeline of events, including dropping him off on View Street after the shooting.

Along with witness testimony from Gaylord, prosecutors relied on key pieces of digital evidence. Phone logs showed Rose borrowed Gaylord's phone to communicate with Black just prior to the murder. Additionally, Rose’s personal technology device connected to a router near where he was dropped off on View Street following the crime. This allowed prosecutors to geolocate Rose moments after the shooting and corroborate Gaylord's testimony.

Chief Trial Counsel Joseph Yorlano and Assistant District Attorney Amy Winston represented the Commonwealth. Kristen Rapkowicz served as the Victim Witness Advocate on behalf of the Berkshire District Attorney's Office. The Pittsfield Police Department served as the lead law enforcement investigative agency.

Tags: murder, superior court,

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Pittsfield Council Revisiting DEI Office Rename

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
04:11PM / Tuesday, October 13, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The conversation about the DEI office renaming that was halted by a charter objection will resume on Tuesday.

The City Council will discuss a request from Mayor Peter Marchetti to rename the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

It proposes to rename the DEI office to the Office of Equity, Access, and Opportunity and merge the Human Rights Commission and Affirmative Action Committee into an Equity, Access and Opportunity Commission.

The Ordinance and Rules Subcommittee supported the changes in August, and in September, Ward 2 Councilor Cameron Cunningham delayed the vote with a charter objection.

Pittsfield's City Code prohibits charter states that "if a single member present objects to the taking of the vote, the vote shall be postponed until the next meeting of the city council." It also stipulates that at least four members must object if it is an emergency measure.

Cunningham also submitted a petition, which was referred to O&R under Rule 27, to replace the DEI Office and the Human Rights Commission with an equity, access, and opportunity coordinator in the Department of Community Development, with formal complaints and Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action functions assigned to Human Resources.

At the last meeting, he spent more than an hour querying the mayor and chief diversity officer about functions and effectiveness of the department, wanting more quantitative data. Cunningham proposed an ordinance that he says keeps Pittsfield's commitment to equity, access, and opportunity, "refocuses it on measurable results for our residents, and delivers it at a fraction of the current cost."

Under this petition, the equity, access, and opportunity coordinator would be a $60,000 to $80,000 per year position.

The DEI Office's fiscal year 2027 budget was about $200,000 after cuts during budget season; $106,700 for the chief diversity officer and $58,000 for the administrative assistant. The coordinator would be appointed by the director of community development and the mayor.

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