Springfield Man Arraigned for 'Senseless' Murder in Pittsfield
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| Springfield man Zyrus Jaynes, 24, was arraigned for murder in Central Berkshire District Court for allegedly stabbing 36-year-old Pittsfield man Jesse Gray to death. |
PITTSFIELD, Mass.— District Attorney Timothy Shugrue said Friday's fatal stabbing was a senseless act of violence.
On Monday, Springfield man Zyrus Jaynes, 24, was arraigned for murder in Central Berkshire District Court for allegedly stabbing 36-year-old Pittsfield man Jesse Gray to death after a disagreement on Hall Place.
Families of the victim and defendant were present at the arraignment. Jaynes is being held without the right to bail because he is being presented to a grand jury, and will be back in court on July 1.
"This was seconds. That fast, that quick. Just over someone pulling into a driveway with a car," Shugrue said.
"…This is an incredible tragedy, over this? For what? It's just very, very sad."
According to the Pittsfield Police Department's reports, just before 10 p.m. on May 29, officers were dispatched to the area of 10 Hall Place for a reported stabbing. Upon arrival, they found Gray with a stab wound to the left side near his armpit and began rendering aid until fire and EMS arrived.
Gray was transported to Berkshire Medical Center and passed away less than an hour after.
"I think he was shocked that he was stabbed," Shugrue said.
A witness said two siblings and one of their boyfriends were walking up the driveway to the multifamily home they both reside in, and Gray pulled out of the driveway, his 2009 Toyota Camry scraping the ground, leading to words being exchanged between Gray and one of the neighbors' boyfriends.
The witness has a child with Gray and said they maintain a positive relationship.
"While the words were being exchanged, the neighbor's boyfriend threw something at the car. From there the altercation escalated and turned physical," the police report stated, explaining that the neighbor's boyfriend began swinging at Gray in a motion that resembled stabbing.
"…They were fighting on the ground when the neighbor's boyfriend got up and ran from the area."
The sister, whose boyfriend was involved in the altercation, grabbed a towel to hold on Gray's wound until help came, it stated. Police said prior to Friday, Jaynes and Gray had not exchanged words or had a physical altercation.
The witness identified Jaynes in a photo array. The people with him when the incident occurred later returned to the Pittsfield Police Department for a statement after driving to their families in Holyoke.
Jaynes' girlfriend asserted that they did not transport him. A knife was recovered from the scene with red stains on it, and was confirmed to be Jaynes'. The next morning, he returned to the crime scene and was arrested without incident.
Jaynes' girlfriend reportedly awoke to him at the home, reported that Gray had passed away, a child was without a father, and he needed to cooperate and wait for the police.
"In summary, Jaynes states that he was involved in the altercation with Gray and stated that he stabbed him. He was shown a picture of the knife that was recovered from the scene and stated that it was his knife and the one he used to stab Gray," the police report read.
Jaynes said he, his girlfriend, and her brother were walking up the driveway when Gray came speeding in and almost hit them. He told police he was angry and began "talking shit" to Gray, and an argument ensued.
He alleged that the victim said he had a knife, but confirmed that he did not see a weapon.
"Gray reportedly stated that he had a knife in his car and approached Jaynes and punched him in the face. Jaynes stated he swung back at Gray with his left hand and struck him on his head. Jaynes stated he injured his left thumb from that strike. He then stabbed Gray with his right hand," police wrote.
"Jaynes stated he then threw the knife, ran onto Hall Place, removed his hooded sweatshirt, and threw it, and continued to flee east on Madison Avenue. He stated that he hid underneath the porch of a house that was near Berkshire Medical Center parking garage for the remainder of the night. He stated that at no point did he see Gray display a knife or any other weapon."
Shugrue said it is a sad day for both families. He reported that many children saw the incident and were traumatized; the Berkshire County Kids' Place provided support for them.
"It's just senseless. In this case, it's extremely senseless," the DA said.
He commended the PPD for its quick investigation and for resolving the case within 12 hours.
Tags: district attorney, stabbing,
