By DAN VALENTI

PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary

(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY, SEPT. 19, 2011) — There are several new developments in Pittsfileld’s infamous triple murder case. Only THE PLANET has these exclusive developments, obtained from various sources connected with the investigation. This information was obtained off the record, and therefore cannot be considered  official. We share this disclaimer, but we do also note that this information is obtained from sources with an interest in the case.

* OFFICIALS LEARNED SOONER — According to sources, the remains of the three murder victims were discovered some time prior to the announcement by authorities. It appears that the remains were discovered at least two days before an law enforcement officials made a public announcement. Why they would wait is speculation, but the best THE PLANET heard is that the extra time between the discovery and the announcement bought police and investigators valuable time in “observing the suspects.” That latter term includes those who were charged with the murders and “others who are being looked at.” Again, this indicates, while not proving, that police are looking at others in addition to the three already charged.

* OUT OF THE CLUB — Sources close to the scene report that Adam “Leo” Hall has been stripped of his title of sergeant at arms of the local Hell’s Angels chapter. Moreover, a subsequent move, we are told, has stripped him of his club membership. As one source put it, “Hall is an ex-Angel. I wouldn’t want to be him when he goes to prison. There will be plenty of [Angels] looking to take care of him.” As has been previously reported, Hall tried to work a deal with the FBI to serve an an informant. The Feds weren’t interested.  As THE PLANET has reported before, the local Hell’s Angels as an organization are almost certainly not involved in the murders. That’s not how the club operates.

* QUIET AND LETHAL — It appears the three men were murdered prior to the remains being taken to the State Forest. The likely weapon: baseball bats, for bludgeoning. As one source put it, “Bats are quiet and lethal.” It also appears, though not entirely certain, that the bodies were chopped up and body parts dispersed. Authorities seem to be careful to refer to “remains” being removed from the State Forest, and not bodies.

This information has not been officially confirmed, and we cannot vouch for its accuracy. We can, however, say that this is what we are being told off the record and that this information is the best we can obtain, since, officially and on the record, authorities are still being tight lipped.

This is s developing story. THE PLANET will share more as we learn it.

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The Demise of the Colonials: PLANET Has the Inside Scoop

When we wrote a few weeks earlier that the Colonials would be leaving Pittsfield after this season, we were correct.  Despite the coyness of Buddy Lewis in saying that a decision has not been made, take it to the house: The team will not be back.

There are, according to Can-Am League President Miles Wolff, some people interested in buying the assets of the team.  The potential buyer would pay the league an agreed upon figure, say $50,000 at fire sale prices, and take ownership of the players.  The corporate structure of the team would cease to exist.  A new corporation would be formed, and the team would play in the new city.

Rumors abound about possible landing sites.  Three Rivers, Quebec, is a possible destination.  Also, THE PLANET has learned that a group from Atlantic City is looking to refurbish the Sand Castle and build a sports and entertainment complex on the abandoned air strip next to the park.  Another scenario is is possible, and wouldn’t be surprising, that the Can Am League would consist of only six teams in 2012.  The Colonials and the New York Federals, a traveling team this year, would be shuttered.

League Meeting Oct. 3 Will Determine All; Seaman and Lewis Have Not Been Invited

The dilemma here is that everything is on hold until the league meeting that begin on October 3 in Newark, N.J.  Neither Bob Seaman, Colonials “owner,” nor Buddy Lewis, “co-owner,” have been invited to attend. Sources say the league is done with Lewis. They say that when Seaman had the opportunity to move the team to Sussex County, N.J., after the 2010 season and failed, the league lost interest in him.

According the league sources, the league would not object to a buyer who moves the players to another city, but in all likelyhood, the members of the Colonials will be subjected to a dispersal draft.  It is THE PLANET’s understanding that the league wants Colonials Manager Jamie Keefe, Can-Am League Manager of the Year, to pick up the options on the players in the event a buyer is found.

Is Bob Seaman Suing Buddy Lewis? Sources Say Yes.

As for Seaman, well-placed sources say he was not an owner, not an investor, but rather he loaned the money to Lewis to get the team going in Pittsfield.  One source said, “I’m not sure of the the history between these guys, or if they even have a history, but I can tell you that I would not lend money to anyone unless I knew them and their ability to repay me very, very well.”

Sources say that it seems Lewis personally guaranteed the Seaman loan, and “now it is time to pay the man.”  A source has told THE PLANET that Seaman is suing Lewis for somewhere in the neighborhood of $900,000. We invite anyone with reason to dispute this information, including Bob Seaman and Buddy Lewis, to notify THE PLANET so we can correct the record. THE PLANET has contacted Lewis for comment.

A number of people close to the situation believe that Lewis “is sitting on a pile of money” that should have been used to finance the team.  “This makes sense to me,” says a key staffer. “No one can lead a lifestyle without an income, and this team was Buddy’s source.”

When the players were due paychecks on Aug. 15 and there was no money in the account, sources say, “Buddy somehow came up with it.  However, that was the last time he came up with the funds.”

Sources say the funds for Aug. 31 paychecks as well as the players’ dispersal money were both paid by the league.  The players are still owed money from the games player in September.  The league will more than likely pay this as well.

THE PLANET is learning more about this story, and we will be sharing more, likely as soon as tomorrow.

While the Boring Broadsheet gives you stories of Lady Gaga and Bill Clinton, THE PLANET gives you the real deal.

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WE LEAVE YOU NOW, BUT ONLY FOR THE MOMENT. UNTIL SOMETIME REAL SOON …

“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”

LOVE TO ALL.