Man Convicted of Second-Degree Murder in 2022 Pittsfield Shooting

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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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Companion Corner: Princess at Berkshire Humane Society

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — There is an energetic girl waiting to find her new home at the Berkshire Humane Society.

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

Princess is a six year old shepherd mix that has been at the shelter for just over a month.

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

"She's very social, very friendly. When you're out walking her, she just wants to go say hi to every single new person. Loves to make new friends. She's a lot of fun. She's very active. She's very spunky. She's very playful, and she's going to need a very very active family who's going to do a lot with her." 

But Princess is no stranger to the shelter. She was a puppy five years ago and got adopted quickly, but now she needs a new family to take care of her.

"She was adopted out fairly quickly as a young puppy. She's been in the same home for the past five years. Unfortunately, they were moving out of state somewhere," Olivieri said. "They could not take her with them, so she ended up coming as a return to shelter, and she came back to stay with us."

Princess needs to go to a home as the only animal or with other male dogs that are her size or bigger.

"Her perfect home would be kids eight and up. No cats. No small animals. She has quite a prey drive. She could go to a home with another dog around her size or larger, preferably a male dog. She does a little bit better with male dogs, and she's looking for a home where people are home quite a bit, so that she's not left alone for too long. She has some separation anxiety," Olivieri said. 

She also needs a very active home that can let her use her energy every day, as she is very rambunctious. Especially with playing with her favorite toy, the flirt pole.

"She could use a home where people are going to give her a lot of attention and more than just a few walks a day; she's going to need lots of exercise, lots of playtime, lots of mental stimulation," Olivieri said. "She likes to learn, so someone who would be willing to take her to training classes or work on some training with her, as well as hikes, getting out and about, doing new things, different things. She is very athletic. She'd excel at things like agility, some dog sports. Just someone who is really going to want to engage and do a lot of different kinds of activities with her." 

Once you let her get her energy out, she is a cuddler who wouldn't mind being held like a baby from time to time.

"She's very sweet. She's very cuddly. She's very affectionate, but she is not a couch potato. She will stay on that couch with you for a little bit, and then she's ready to go off and do something else. So she's very busy. She's very active," Olivieri said. "Once all of her exercise needs are met during the day, she will settle down nicely, and she will want to be right by your side, cuddle with you at night on the couch, sleep with you."

Princess is very healthy but does experience some anxiety and is not fully potty trained and might have the occasional accident.

"She does have a little bit of anxiety, so she is on some medication for it right now," Olivieri said. "So a lot of structure, a lot of outlets, and familiarity, getting used to a new routine and everything is gonna be really good for her. I mean, she's just lovely. Like I said, she's very social. She likes to play with other dogs. She likes to meet new people."

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