Adams Man in Wednesday's Stabbing Incident Arraigned on Assault Charges

Staff Reports Print Story | Email Story
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — An Adams man who called 911 on Tuesday night saying he had been stabbed was arraigned Friday on charges related to that incident and on outstanding warrants. 
 
Philip White, 25, is accused of stabbing himself and calling 911 posing as a "friend." According to the Berkshire District Attorney's Office, an officer responding to the scene at 31 Commercial St. fired his weapon when the White was "observed approaching the officer in a threatening manner with an object in his hand." He missed, and no one was further injured. 
 
White was initially held at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield for a mental health evaluation and was reported in stable condition from his wounds, which were described as not life-threatening.
 
He was charged in Northern Berkshire District Court with assault with a dangerous weapon, to wit: cutting instrument, in connection with the Jan. 27 incident. He is being held without right to bail probation violation from charges of assault and battery, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct from an incident on Sept. 12, 2025. 
 
White has three outstanding warrants which include three counts of trespass and one count of assault and battery on a family/household member. The court has additionally ordered an evaluation on his competence to stand trial and at the defense request, criminal responsibility.
 
A dangerousness hearing request is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 4. 
 
District Attorney Timothy Shugrue said he will announce the findings of the full investigation into this incident, including the officer's discharge of his firearm, upon the conclusion of the investigation. The DA's Office said there would not be any additional comments at this time.
 

Tags: assaults,   stabbing,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Cheshire Shifts Focus From Merger to Improving Police Department

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
CHESHIRE, Mass. — The town will be seeking volunteers to serve on its police chief search committee. 
 
The process of finding, interviewing, and selecting a qualified candidate is expected to take several months. 
 
Interim Police Chief Timothy Garner, who has not accepted a stipend for the post, advocated that the board have a start date after the fiscal year to ensure voters approve the funds for the salary. 
 
"I'm more than happy to stay until the first of the fiscal year. If you want to wait until a budget is in place where you can actually advertise [a salary already approved at town meeting,]" the retired chief said. 
 
"If you do it now and you put somebody in there, what are you going to offer that might go away at town meeting." 
 
The town has been in discussions with the Lanesborough Police Department to explore the feasibility of a merger. 
 
However, after preliminary talks, that appears unlikely. As a result, the board is refocusing its efforts on strengthening its own department.
 
View Full Story

More Adams Stories