IS EVIDENCE IN POLICE SHOOTING BEING MESSED WITH? … plus … ‘RICKY’S RUMPUS’ NEW SMASH HIT (AND WE MEAN SMASH)
BY DAN VALENTI
PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY
(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY MARCH 30, 2022) — Something’s not adding up.
THE PLANET speaks of Miguel Estrella, 22, shot to death by a PPD officer in front of the old school (now apartments) at 279 Onota Street. That’s to be expected in such a sensitive case that’s barely half-a-week old. Investigations take time, and not all information can be quickly forthcoming.
Nonetheless, even allowing for that kind of fog, troubling rumors are roiling the back story. We’ve been doing this long enough to have a 6th and 7th sense about such rumblings, and most can be dismissed out of hand, including that the fatal bullets were actually misfires from an officer trying to reholster his weapon.
One story, however, continues to sift through the background chatter, leading to this question: Have any initial, contemporaneous reports and evidence of the shooting been tampered with? A reliable source in the PPD says yes. Speaking on condition of anonymity, Office Bolton (as we have dubbed him) says the initial 911 recordings made in connection with the events leading to Estrella’s death “have been edited.” By whom? Bolton said “by one of the police dispatchers.”
Multiple callers made 911 calls, indicating urgent concern of a serious, potentially violent situation. It is imperative that the audio records of these calls be preserved as they were received.
THE PLANET has no independent confirmation of this report, and the PPD have not addressed this question. Neither has the office of district attorney Andrea Harrington, in charge of the investigation. Given Harrington’s track record or lack thereof in such cases, and given the level of competence we can expect from Harrington’s direction of this bound-to-be-complicated case, THE PLANET asks what level of confidence can the public have that the contemporaneous evidence, specifically the 911 audio records, have been accurately preserved?
Fair question.
One other rumor that might have a basis in fact is that there is video of all or part of the police’s confrontation with Estrella. Officials haven’t commented on that. Such evidence would certainty be of vital importance in determining the facts of what occurred.
One final question is the identity of the officer who pulled the trigger. When will officials name him or her, along with the other officer responding to the call?
———- ooo ———-
Switching to another topic, less mundane but no less related to “quality of life” than our first story, THE PLANET believes it has found the Mother of All Potholes (MOAP) in the smash-hit new game show, “Ricky’s Rumpus.”
The show, brought to you by the Mark Goodsen-Bill Todman municipal team of mayor Linda Tyler and DPW commission Ricardo Morales, has set records for the number of vehicles it has disabled, courtesy of mismanaged policies and and incompetent “leadership.” Apparently, neihter Tyer nor Morales give a hairlip about what this managerial inadequacy means for motorists and their chariots.
For our nomination of the (MOAP), we submit the pothole on Brown Street, right-hand lane heading north, not too far from the traffic light at Brown’s intersection with Tyler Street. This particular pit has mangled more drive shafts, popped more tires, and freed more hub caps than can be counted on Lao Tse’s abacus. It is rumored to be so deep that archeologists have unearthed evidence of an ancient, advanced civilization, a people called the Pocketpools.
Granted that THE PLANET‘s knowledge of Pittsfield’s cratered streets is limited, there might be more deserving MOAPs, and that’s where you enter, our gracious and dear readers. Send in a list of your favorite potholes, complete with location and damage caused, and from them nominate your MOAP. THE PLANET shall submit all entries to our prejudiced and totally partial panel, who shall determine the prize winner.
If your entry is the meanest, baddest, mo-fo MOAP, you will win:
- An all-expenses paid visit to the mayor’s office, where you can enjoy a generous helping of road rash.
- The home-version of “Ricky’s Rumpus.”
- A container of loosened asphalt from the winning MOAP.
- Dinner for two at the city yard, catered by the house chef for “Ricky’s Rumpus,” Chef Boy-R-Dump.
Finally, Mary Jane and Joe Kapanski, along with all other beaten, bedraggled, and bewildered Pittsfield taxpayers, will be pleased to note that “Ricky’s Rumpus” has sent $57,915,212.57 in new business to area auto mechanics, garages, and body shops. It’s part of mayor Tyer’s “vibrant and dynamic” economic initiative dubbed “Ricky’s Rumpus Rubles.”
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“Sadness is spirituality on the installment plan” — Sir Donald Turpentine, Knight of the Bath.
LOVE TO ALL.
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The (untrained) police are a public safety danger to mentally ill civilians experiencing crises. The police should be trained, they should respond to the call(s) with paramedics and an ambulance, and a Social Worker should be on call. I disagree with blogger Dan Valenti’s ongoing out of context and one-sided criticisms of Berkshire County D.A. Andrea Harrington’s 3 years and nearly 3 months on the job. Distressed Pittsfield’s long history of violent crime predates 2019 by decades. Mayor Linda Tyer should be more open about Pittsfield’s violent crime problems. Many local people say she is one of the most difficult local politicians for them to communicate with because she is inaccessible and out of touch with the local people she is supposed to be serving. Her public record on Kufflink’s cooked books municipal financial management is disconnected from the financially constrained local taxpayers. The main criticism of the Lovely Linda is that she is more of the same “Business as usual” in predictable Pittsfield politics. She needs to be the “Comforter in Chief” with Pittsfield’s latest episode of “Suicide by Cop”. Mayor Linda Tyer often says lofty words, but now is the time for her to put them into action to heal Pittsfield’s trauma(s). As a native of Pittsfield, I am saddened to read about the city being in the proverbial ditch with its Level 5 public schools, violent crime, poverty, economic inequality, creative accounting schemes to cook the books, political corruption, and so on. I would be scared to live in Pittsfield with my level of moderate income, but for those who do live there, please stay safe despite the lack of state and local political leadership from Linda’s $800,000 mansion in her elitist Gated Community to Jimmy’s condo in upscale Naples Florida – notice that they don’t live anywhere near where the violent crime happens in Pittsfield!
Out of curiosity Jon, how are the Pittsfield Police “untrained?” I’m sure your years of arresting armed subjects makes you qualified to make that statement, correct?
BTW-firefighters and EMS stage at a shooting/major crime scene, until the police clear it. Then they arrive to treat the person(s).
We have younger officers that are trained but lack experience. Unfortunately, last summer, I needed their assistance and witnessed this lack of on-the-feet critical thinking to help citizens vs. an approach of, “were in control’ chip on their shoulder attitude. In my case, the younger officers (2) remained quiet while the senior officer engaged me in an unprofessional manner. I filed a complaint with the police dept. and that was a crap show. I pursued the issue with the Police oversight committee. This committee is well-intentioned, but powerless and failing as members are resigning.
I’m sure it was mandated to be created per the malfeasance & a grant was sent.
Pittsfield Police Lost Public Records, and Nobody’s TalkingNo body cams, no dashboard cams, no booking room cams. Officers lie on their reports, I have proof.
Cops fabricate their narratives, cops lie on the witness stand, cops lie in their depositions, COPS LIE!
Taking on Testilying: The Prosecutor’s Response to In-Court Police Deception
‘testilying” It usually refers to perjury committed by police officers,
Police perjury is the act of a police officer knowingly giving false testimony. Police officers justify it when framing innocent citizens, especially to help get a conviction.
They removed the booking cams, they’re so 1999. Thought that wheel had already been invented.
The DA’s office used to sponsor crisis intervention training for police dealing with mental illness. What happened to that program?
He watched many episodes of Car 54 Where Are You.
Pittsfield community in grief after police killing of 22-year-old Miguel Estrella: “It’s just a massive loss” | WAMC
Yea another druggie loser gone. Awful. Good grief
It’s like Ghandi was shot——yeah right
I am sure he did not have a clean record. So the issue here is what ?
FROM WAMC
After a 22-year-old was shot and killed by the Pittsfield Police Department on Friday, the President of the Berkshire Chapter of the NAACP is speaking out.According to an account provided by the Berkshire District Attorney’s office, Miguel Estrella was having a mental health crisis when he was tased and then shot twice, fatally. The investigation into the incident is being overseen by DA Andrea Harrington.
NAACP chapter president Dennis Powell says that Estrella’s death is indicative of systemic issues with policing.
“Clearly, what they saw was a person of color, large in size which, unfortunately, the color of his skin represented a threat to the officers,” Powell told WAMC. “It is inconceivable that these officers did not realize that this young man was in crisis and needed help.”
Powell says the NAACP and other community groups are organizing a collective action in response.
( Obviously this guy is not waiting for any investigation from anyone. Best to just stir up the shit and see where it lands. Says all you really need to know about the movement.)
Here’s the facts that show the PPD failed and that Wynn is to blame.
1. They had him in control and took away the first knife.
2. He had injured himself.
3. He was in mental crisis and was not competent to decide his own medical care.
4. The shift for the PPD crisis person had NOT ended prior to the first 911 call.
5. The crisis person told the police to call an ambulance.
6. The ambulance arrived later than expected
7. The officers were looking at end of shift time.
8. The victim was not mentally capable of making medical decisions.
9. The PPD released a man who had a knife, harmed himself, and was in mental crisis back into the care of his girlfriend who was scared to death so thing bad was going to happen.
10. She BEGGED the officers to take him into custody “to protect him”.
11. He tried to use deadly force to kill or injure, the officers . PPD acted accordingly. Sad situation all the way around. People who spew false hoods suck.
12. He didn’t try and use deadly force, he was complying with the instructions of one officer when the other one put two in his chest.
One officer yelling put your hands up, the other yelling put the knife down. One officer yelling turn around the other officer yelling on your knees. Both officers were scared and they played a deadly game of Simon says and a man died because of it.
If only they took him into custody during the fist interaction when they got the knife away from him without killing him.
Seriously, were you there? Police shade their reports. They use words like advance to mean any movement, like taking a step. Was a perimeter set up until the ambulance arrived, any attempt at deescalation? Whatever your ignorant views are, the police need another response to situations when people have mental health issues. By the way, the police wear body armor, a kitchen knife can’t penetrate the armor. How bout a suit similar to what the bomb disposal units wear? There has to be a better way than deadly force.
Most of the body is still exposed and vulnerable. Are you sure a vest can’t be penetrated by a sharp knife?
Was Dennis Sharpton Powell out beating the drums of condemnation when Pittsfield cops (trigger-happy officer Colello) shot and killed Daniel Gillis? How about when Pittsfield cops (trigger-happy officer Streit) shot Mark Marauszwski multiple times in a murder by cop attempt. Was Pittsfield’s allegedly first black female cop, in the city’s history, Izinna Lytle out there condemning her fellow trigger-happy killer cops along with Powell in his condemnation of this murder by trigger-happy cops?
When in trouble dial 1-800- DENNIS-DUFIS
I have a different question about this whole sad incident, how did the girlfriend get an apartment at the school which is subsidized housing? My understanding is there is a 2 year wait list for such places? Also why did she agree to take him in for the night if she was convinced he was going to hurt himself? There are many more unanswered questions about this very sad incident.
Probably because she is income eligible and waited a long time on the list. There’s really no way to scam the system, at least not before you get the subsidized housing.
How did a 19 yr old wait 2 years…and yes you would be amazed at how the system is scammed
Didn’t realize she’s that young. Yes that is a good question.
The system is scammed every day!
Apparently, the girlfriend of the victim has a video of the altercation and also disputes the public account coming from officials.
https://www.news10.com/news/girlfriend-of-man-shot-and-killed-by-officer-questions-use-of-deadly-force/?fbclid=IwAR0hk3IYS-UzhpnjNAC-N1uX07vps34M11U61fJsAYyj70dnUitQz5Ztu0c
Something stinks to high heaven in this use of deadly force killing.
Just curious,are the police allowed in the ambulance on way to the hospital with a victim?
Did you read the article, she has video of the aftermath not the actual shooting. She also states that she was pleading with them to not shoot him but if they do please shoot low. Something stinks to high heaven of her account.
Also, all the previous comments that he should have been sent to the hospital the first time. I know nothing of this particular case but oftentimes police encounter people with superficial self-inflicted wounds. It’s not always a sign of suicide attempt, some people use cutting as a way of dealing with trauma, depression, anxiety or a multitude of reasons but aren’t necessarily suicidal.
I’m guessing her statement that said they were supposed to place him in custody but are going to leave him with her instead is in reference to him possibly being intoxicated. Again, I have no basis of knowledge in this particular case but if someone is intoxicated to the point they are a danger to themselves they can be placed in protective custody. Part of that statute however states that they can be released to a sober responsible party.
I’m sure there’s a lot more to come from this story, these investigations take time but people need to let the facts come out. However, I would like to point out isn’t this one of the transparency issues angry Andrea vowed to tackle?
For a person who has no basis, you sure do post a lot of conjecture. Watch the videos, they had him in custody. We’re waiting for an ambulance, it was delayed, they LET HIM GO only to leave and come back and shoot him.
The events started at 9:56, and the shot him at 11:54, after leaving and then having to come back.
If a person is having a mental health crisis, has cut themselves and threatened others, and the police are there. You take that person in for a mental health hold. It’s PPD laziness not wanting to do the job. Think about the timing and when a shift change is. It’s obvious a demoralized police force, lack of training, and the one mental health professional clocked out while this was going on.
Ask the PPD who the metal health assistant was and what their schedule is. That will begin to illuminate as to the procedural sloppiness of the case.
Spot on. The PPD has a bad attitude, lacks professionalism, and experience. I recently filed a complaint and when I finally got a copy of the officer’s report it was exaggerated and full of lies that I can prove with circumstantial evidence. I have been meeting with the police oversight committee on this, however, the committee has no power and is failing.
Why? Man charges cops with knife. Cops shoots man. Case closed.
“Approaching” is quite different than charging. Eyewitness accounts say that he was “approaching” and agreeing to help. Eyewitnesses say they never heard cops say “put down the knife” , only “stop now!”
He never had a chance.
Estrella never had a chance, Because the cops had already flipped a coin, and the killer cop won. You can’t expect the irrational to behave rationally, and I’m referring to the irrational COPS! You just know they live for opportunities, to the point of created chaos themselves, as an excuse to unleash their own deadly narcissistic wrath.
This is the dumbest statement of the year
I would say it’s the second dumbest. Anything you say is number ONE!
Compared to what they said they are equipped and trained to handle, this one guy really brought out the reality.
Cops don’t need to tell
Person to drop the knife. This ain’t TV. It’s shitsfield. Case closed except now that it’s a POC the raciss like Powell come out of the woodwork!
Protect and serve. Common sense to give a command to drop the knife. People shouldn’t die because police aren’t trained in this type of response. But hell yeah lets do Ju Jitsu Training ….
Exactly, police reports use terms and shade the narrative to cover their actions. This is common. I had an encounter with the police and they did the same thing. They will box you in then say if you take a step they will detain you. If your standing and talking to the police it’s natural to shift your feet and/or move toward an officer to get their attention. No attempts to ask why I was agitated by their response. They just stood there until you make a mistake. By the way, no threats and hands by my side, clearly cognizant that if I made a move I would be handcuffed.
Ma’am, “Do not reach into your bag” – “can I see your ID”?
Like…..
Armed and dangerous cops weren’t concerned about self-mutilating 22-year-old Estrella, a man with known history of mental illness, in the throes of turmoil, who had allegedly been drinking alcohol, it was alcohol, right, using a butcher knife, kitchen cutlery, on his girlfriend or any of the other occupants of 279 Onota Street when they allegedly restored peace and left the scene. Maybe instead of reporting that Estrella was in distress and in need of psychiatric intervention, Estrella’s girlfriend should have reported that Estrella had been ingesting a deadly poison and had booby trapped himself with cherry bombs. But then, those few minutes between 911 calls did give the cops time enough to flip a coin to see which one of them wouldn’t successfully taser him, and which one would get to shoot and kill Estrella.
Who knew he was mentally ill? Seems he was in court in the past, did they say he needed to be sectioned to a mental hospital? Did his so called friends bring him to the Brien Center or Jones? Still many questions to this tragic incident
It became clear when he was witnessed inflicting self-harm, for starters – it doesn’t require a forensic evaluation to make that determination, any adult with a fully formed brain can conclude it. For ten years or 10 minutes, that’s irrational behavior? Umkay!
From your comments I think you need to be sectioned with your rights taken away from you. Umkay?
The job at Habitat demonstrates that he was in programs.
Excuse me I know healthy people working for Habitat without issues. How would someone on their first encounter know his history?
Yeah, Miguel was attempting to use deadly force on the officer’s. Luckily they were able to go home to there loved ones after the incident.
I am certain I will catch a hell storm for this but I genuinely care and want to know. Does anyone know how the Officers involved in this are doing? I mean mentally and emotionally. Taking a life in the line of duty or not, can not be easy to deal with. I truly hope that all those involved from the PPD or otherwise who were onsite that evening / night take the time and utilize whatever resources they need to get their heads and hearts collected. Nothing we can say will ever assuage the anguish the Officer must be living through.
You’ll catch no heck from me, 5TH, for the important point you make. Thanks for sharing this important message.
That’s right. As I previously posted on last edition, our thoughts and prayers should be with the offices involved. Regardless of whether or not decedent should have been sectioned, he is dead because of his decision approach cops with a deadly weapon. Period. In a case like this, the cop will be off the job for many months with no overtime opportunities and will have to be cleared psychologically before returning. Some never do. And for people like Powell who run their mouth and say it’s all because the person was a POC, is just despicable.
When there used to be a real media, his comments would have been on the cutting room floor.
I’m curious if Dennis knew the size of the officers involved? There are some big men in PPD.
Blue Lives Matter,
do you or does anyone know for certain how the Officers are doing? I do keep them in my thoughts and prayers and wish them nothing but the best. much has been mentioned about Mr. Estrella and his friends etc. while nothing has been mentioned about the officer his family. Imagine the terror in every Officers family as they heard on the scanner the radio traffic. There are two sides to this and enough grief pain and sorrow on all sides.
Listen to yourself. He’s dead because of his decision. He has mental health issues, police have a responsibility to protect his well-being. PERIOD.
Disability discrimination, just read the audits. Disabled people are treated like bad neighbors – but they’re useful as far as acquiring the required data stats. Rehab Grants are the bread & butter check the data. Every word spoken is a f* waste.
Dan! On your blog a few back a poster stated what are cops supposed to do if a person comes at them with a knife? Wow. And it had a couple of thumbs down. The point of this is there was no future plan like which resulted here in death again. The other point, why don’t they shoot these victims in the leg and aren’t most of the police expert marksman? I know they practice shooting at the range.
FAB
Yes. I recall the post and the eerie coincidence. Thanks for sharing.
You are as dumb as Biden
Trump channels Putin…he adore that butcher.Trump will do the same
Yup # 1
Why no body cams ? Taser cams ?
Cowboys don’t wear cameras?
we need body cams. Police lie on their reports. I have proof. No dashboard cams and no camera in the booking room. Unheard of
You speaking to the Choir on this.
You think we have a 911 system that can be tampered with by a dispatcher? That’s disturbing AF.
The typed in dispatch logs can be manipulated with a supervisor password.
As to the discharge, it was clearly not accidental. It was calculated and well placed. It was a “double tap” with a delay. If only they had been as precise with the taser. Also the police officer who fired was not at all concerned with bystanders.
while it is entirely possible the logs can be manipulated by a supervisor there will be an archive a back up and an audit trail. i would suspect any lawyer suing the city or the PPD would know this and compel that all records from initial draft to final version be disclosed during discovery. i presume any hanky panky so to speak would lead to out of court settlements and larger trouble. I would suggest that there are laws regulations and standards set forth by state and federal guidelines on how all records are to be handled. and further presumed its amped up when there is a death involved I have no first hand knowledge of police records just supposing
Remember a few years back the police dept lost files on their computer network…… hmmmmmm No body cam, dashboard cam, or booking room camera.
Dan, you are operating in the outer orbit of reasonableness with this suggestion of evidence tampering and accidental discharge versus shooting to stop.
Well, Unless the shitty fixed them recently Tamarack Road was the most potholed road in the shitty.
But there are 25 that are running a close 2nd place. The road to the mayors house is NOT one of them by the way.
Names?
Are you from a place far far away? Are you working in the mayors clique of special prima donnas? Are you riding through the city on a magic carpet above the moonscape?
Here is one name….John Steinbeck….do with it what you will
Today I had to deliver a car to the Pittsfield airport.
I drove the tamarack way from south street.
Knowing it’s a half a lane moonscape I drove slowly and waited to us the safest parts of the road.
The Pittsfield school bus ahead of me was not so lucky and broke a axel or something when it hit a pothole and the wheel folded up into the wheel well. Since the bus was driving down the center of the road, we all had to make u-turns and drive back and around.
They should immediately open the old tamarack back up, close the main tamarack to thru traffic and fix the flipping road. I’d be at city hall every day. Do they think emergency vehicles can get through?
As I get to the airport with the car, what do I see? Pittsfield DPW trucks starting to resurface parts of the airport tarmac and parking lot.
It really is like living in Cuckoo land here in mayor Tyers Pittsfield.
But it has been a couple of years since the city got 50 new school buses so we are over due for a new fleet.
Are they getting overtime at the city garage trying to repair all the damaged city vehicles? Maybe the mayor should change the name of the city to Ukraine.
Destructive potholes and deadly assholes! I know for a fact that cops/courts tamper with evidence that incriminates the cops, conceal exculpatory evidence favorable to the falsely and maliciously accused, and fabricate and manipulate narratives to justify police corruption, brutality and malicious prosecutions. I know for a fact that cops lie, and corrupt DAs swear to those lies.
Got any facts big mouth?
Trump and his conspirators have messed with the evidence.Trump stole top secrets and brought them to his home.Trumps phone calls that were being hidden are now before the committee. This Coup happened and now what does America do with don
Notice how Trump came out with one disingenuous comment about Putin and then after a phone call from the Kremlin he shut the hell up and has not stopped shaking since.
Yes ,America’s tyrant
Sure you aren’t thinking of Hilary?
You are aware Hillary and the DNC were spying on a SITTING President. Is that not Espionage TSC?
Let me save you….I know, 1/6 the “insurrection,” correct?
#1
So city department heads ride their electric bikes to city hall according to today’s Eagle. Do they charge them with city provided electricity or do they run extension cords from their homes? Will the city pay to recharge our cordless devices now?
And, uh, who paid for the bikes? Does the mayor and Barry have a “favorite” bike vendor?
Stupit question.
Riding an E-bike is like going to a gym to use the vending machines
do they get paid mileage ?
Do they get paid time off if they flip head over heels in one of the mayors soccer ball size pot holes and break a vertebrae or two?
Seems to me that OSHA should get involved and put out a warning at the entrances to the city. You have to get a permit from the city to fix the hand railing on your porch but they let you drive through the city filled with holes?? Whaa waaa??
And the demorats are giving them huge tax breaks to buy them.
The Pittsfield Police Department is seeking motivated, eligible individuals who desire a rewarding and adventure-filled career in maiming and murdering citizens of Pittsfield. If you enjoy getting away with depriving citizens of their unalienable Constitution Rights to Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness, PITTSFIELD POLICE IS WAITING FOR YOU!
Liars and losers like you need not apply.
You’ve got that ass-backwards, ITS ONLY LIARS and LOSERS WHO NEED APPLY. PITTSFIELD POLICE HAVE SAVED A PLACE FOR YOU
Andrea Harrington still can’t tell her ass from her elbow!
Well I hope she can figure it out before she comes out of the bathroom.
Mayor Linda Tyer
Oh, you gonna take me home tonight
Oh, down beside that red fire light
Oh, you gonna let it all hang out
Fat-bottomed girls you make the rocking world go round
Fat-bottomed girls you make the rocking world go round
Get on your E-bikes and ride!
https://youtu.be/VMnjF1O4eH0
Letter: Pittsfield police shooting’s circumstances were deeply sad
The Berkshire Eagle, March 30, 2022
To the editor: How sad that a 22-year-old man had to die by gunshot because he was having a mental episode. (“A police mental health co-responder ended their shift minutes before the first 911 call from Miguel Estrella’s address,” Eagle, March 29. [2022])
Does this mean that help is only available from 8 to 5 so don’t look for help after hours?
How very sad this city has become.
Sue Albertazzi, Pittsfield
He died because he advanced towards police armed with a deadly weapon. Period. Case Effing closed!
Here where your BS falls apart. The first time the were at the scene they took a knife from him. Nobody got shot.
Did they secure the area? NO. Did they make sure he had no access to knives? NO Did they allow a person who lacks mental capacity to make medical decisions? YES.
They screwed up, they dumped a man, obviously in mental crisis right back with the people that called for help.
Is it “dumping” if he did not want to go and his girlfriend said she would take care of him?
I guess you really don’t understand or can’t read.
If the police are called to a disturbance, and there are signs of injury, they don’t have an option to leave the injured party.
He lacked the mental capacity to make a medical decision, he had injured himself with a knife, the police had him “under direct control” as he walked up and HANDED A KNIFE to the first police officer during the first incident.
Let that sink in.
In the second incident there were two officers on almost two different sides of him yelling commands. The officer deploying the taser did not follow procedure, the first set one made contact, one did not. Second firing both made contact but due to the baggy clothes they didn’t make contact with his skin and create a circuit.
Why is it the first incident with a knife ended in no violence and the second ended in his death? Both involved a knife.
Police used to carry teddy bears in their back seat for difficult situations. Maybe they should have dragged one of them out.
Since when can a police officer, while in the middle of a crisis, when the individual calms and sits down take the persons rights away from them? If they can do this then BMC would have to be made into a locked ward for the incompetent! Everyone on this board would be roommates with TSC, Fizzlehead and Anulgas. We could all become pen pals with JM and his friends!
Well, blush, blush…I will take that as a compliment sir. But if you are going to be my room mate you need to cut down on the farting. It is not as endearing as you may think.
Mistaking me for Anulgas fizzle, not sure if that was a compliment or slur?
111 is quite broad. Officers can take someone out of their home against the individuals Will.
Sec 35
Sec 12
There’s authorization
Shirl, actually the police can make an involuntary commitment under Section 12, of MA General Laws, if the person is a harm to others or themselves.
Even if the person is calm and sedate. If that person tells a police officer, he/she feels like “killing themselves,” the police have a duty to act. It’s all about liability.
Did he say that or did he say he was alright and his girlfriend said she would watch over him. Imagine they arrested him the first time and his girlfriend filmed it saying can you believe they are arresting my man while he is sitting so calmly.
It’s called Section 12 of the MGL Chapter 123.
Temporary INVOLUNTARY hospitalization.
It happens all the time in MA.
Police officers, by statute, can authorize the hold.
The first set of officers were just too lazy or incompetent. That’s called negligence and dereliction of duty.
“In Massachusetts, Section 12 of Chapter 123 of the Massachusetts General Laws controls the admission of an individual to a general or psychiatric hospital for psychiatric evaluation and, potentially, treatment. Section 12(a) allows for an individual to be brought against his or her will to such a hospital for evaluation. Section 12(b) allows for an individual to be admitted to a psychiatric unit for up to three business days against the individual’s will or without the individual’s consent.“
Who can sign a Section 12(a) application?
Pursuant to Section 12(a), a physician, qualified psychiatric nurse, qualified psychologist, licensed independent clinical social worker, or police officer may apply to admit anyone to a facility if he or she believes that, without hospitalization, the person meets the standard for admission.
“ What is the standard for an application for admission under Section 12(a)?
The standard is whether the individual would “create a likelihood of serious harm by
reason of mental illness.”
“Likelihood of serious harm” means one of three things:
• The person poses a substantial risk of physical harm to him/herself as manifested by evidence, threats of, or attempts at suicide or serious bodily injury; or
• The person poses a substantial risk of physical harm to others as evidenced by homicidal or violent behavior or evidence that others are in reasonable fear of violent behavior and serious physical harm from that person; or
• The person’s judgment is so affected that there is a very substantial risk that the person cannot protect himself or herself from physical impairment or injury, and no reasonable provision to protect against this risk is available in the community.4”
Every cop knows this, it’s discussed in training. There are at least 5 questions on it in most exams.
The worst part is, he met all three and for an involuntary hold, he only needed to meet one.
I don’t think he met the criteria, what if he said the first time I was fixing my bike for Ricky’s Rumpass Ride with this tool and it slipped and I cut myself. When the police came I calmly handed them the tool. No reason to think the person wasn’t in control. Taking a person’s individual freedom is not a flippant act, it’s not lazy when you don’t, it’s lazy when you do section someone. As soon as you do that person is labeled and diagnosed, probably put on some medication that makes them feel sick. Do you old timers remember when the unfit, like JFKs sister, were put in mental hospitals, how did that turn out.
Agreed. Many people have been face to face in those situations… they shut up and comply. Even the man with the crossbow was not advancing or shooting at the police. He hid and barricaded
Dennis Powell and Josh Landes will never lose an opportunity to race bait this city and go national
What no chatter on the Guilty verdicts??
The crow must be so far down your throats …Blah duh duh
Enjoy the chicken tonight .. can’t wait to hear the backtracking and the but …
Both men were acquitted of the most serious charge of attempted murder. One was acquitted of all charges. It’s a another loss but not surprising for the DA’s office.
WTF are you talking about? Cleared of attempted murder. FAIL
The family is devasted. Laugh all you want and pray you never need this DA’s office.
I was in court the family is happy with this verdict. Go back to telling lies about covid
No every post looks like this
I as many have no words I am shocked at the outcome of the Jury
and this
Congratulations once again to this DA’s office for not getting these guys for what they did! This is once again what happens when you vote someone into office with NO EXPERIENCE! If we had procecutors with some court room experience this would not have happened! Congratulations to all who put her in office!
You’re name must be Andrea Harrington to get it that wrong.
The perps family is happy yes.
Not true!
The Eagle headline is completely misleading. It should say both men convicted on lesser charges. This was not a guilty conviction at all.SMH
Just the facts,
Please list the charges that were brought against the defendant’s, As read to the jury. Then in brief give the instructions that were read to the jury. after having all the facts then we can each discuss and decide as members of the community if justice was delivered.
People on FB are raging about the Berkshire Eagle headline and saying “Justice not served again” should be the headline. How many seconds will it be until the DA squeaks “I’m very proud of my office for our win today and sends thoughts and prayers to the family? JOKE.
The lawyers on Facebook ok.
FYI they need not be lawyers but ya best hope they are not voters
The papers are lazy and just write up the DA’s press release. Can’t wait to see the sentencing.
Maybe that should be ABA’s new campaign slogan – thoughts and prayers!
That is funny and she may be printing up the posters as we speak.
I can only hope those running against Andrea Harrington point out that Andrea Harrington ran on a campaign promise to change the way things were done in DA’s office and that is one promise she has come through on. Today’s result is just one more example that Harrington’s office can’t investigation cases, won’t charge people, is afraid to go to trial and when they do, they lose. People were willing to vote for Harrington because they never took the time to realize what they did not see. They did not see incompetence and they did not see losses and that made them complacent. Now voters see and we can only hope they vote more thoughtfully this time around.
Does anyone know why PPD do not wear body cameras???
we defunded them
They are illegal in MA.
They are not. All State Police wear body cameras about 10% of all departments wear body cameras.
https://www.mass.gov/news/baker-polito-administration-awards-municipalities-over-4-million-for-police-body-worn-cameras
An officer @ a scene in a different Berkshire town informed me Thursday that I was being recorded by his taser cam – so ?
Ask Helen “Handgun” Moon and Earl “Dumpster Diver” Persip. Both felt the need to defund the Pittsfield Police.
Both of them live in those areas most affected by less police services……oh wait, you mean they both live in YT’s neighborhood? That can’t be!!!
The people of color champions.
Also, how many Pittsfield cops even live in Pittsfield? I bet most of them don’t even live around here.
Pittsfield needs to take them from wherever they can get them right now. Pittsfield is an ungrateful place to work if you are in law enforcement. Powell should ride around with an officer for a couple of days and see what they deal with. Same for other clueless know it alls.
Why would anybody live there. It’s a shithole of a city
NIEVES AND DOUGLAS NOT GUILTY OF ATTEMPTED MURDER OF CARNEVALE. There, I fixed it.
wrong – both found guilty
Of lesser charges. We’re not stupid
You know they have been in jail for 4 years waiting for a trial of attempted murder? You think that’s justice?
Pretty sure Gun usage 101 states whatever you aim at you mean to kill
Harrington is a waste
They were acquitted because they didn’t pull the trigger. Their actions did not add up to attempted murder.
Everyone knows that DA’s pile on charges to the max in the hopes to persuade defendants to take a plea deal.
Now if the real trigger man is acquitted of the same at his upcoming trial, we can definitely say the DA failed.
Auto, stick to cars.
Acting in concert, proximate and direct cause.
The one guy was found guilty of ONE charge, lying to police. A competent DA knows when to pleaded out charges or use them as leverage to secure a guilty plea. Wrong Way wouldn’t know how to secure a sandwich bag.
If they take the charges to court, they expect to secure guilty verdicts. The worst is yet to come, the defense lawyers are getting ready to drop a bombshell, they let the actual perp walk on all but one charge.
Auto Phil,
Are you saying before charging the defendants the prosecutors did not sit down as a team evaluate the actions of each defendant the evidence against each defendant and seriously evaluate what they could or should be able to prove and charge each accordingly? So in a serious case like this they went into court throwing crap at the wall and a strategy of lets see what we can get to stick? Good God I hope thats not what your thinking. they have had years to prepare this case. why would they not charge accurately on behalf of the people? they charged with attempted murder, a young man was shot in the head it was planned out discussed and executed as a gang why not conspiring to commit murder? Not everyone knows charges are piled on to get a plea, I am under the impression charges are reduced if you cop a plea. you know spare us the burden of prosecuting a case we will spare you something as well
Prosecuting a charge that the prosecutor knows is not supported by probable cause is an ethics violation but then our DA attempted to unseat a judge.
That leads to the question, why did she try to unseat the Judge. The Judge controls the Court. When evidence is fabricated, when the charge is unsupported & ethics violations exist. Seems reasonable to unseat the sitting Judge. She did not apparently do it properly that’s the real issue.
I really hesitated to add my comment since it appears that the Bloggers already have the Officers tried and found guilty.
The stories that are flowing around are rumor and innuendo with no credible source. Although some of these arm chair cops and litigation lawyers purport that they speak with pseudo authority.
To the champions of the Taser:
https://www.lcsun-news.com/story/news/2016/04/03/tasers-often-dont-work-review-lapd-incidents-finds/82577228/
To the “pepper spray” lovers:
https://police.vcu.edu/stay-safe/pepper-spray/
DO remember that pepper spray is a “tool”
Don’t become overly reliant on pepper spray for self-defense. Remember that it is simply one item in your toolbox for protection. Sometimes there are circumstances in which you have no control over the outcome. If you can, get some training in defensive tactics. Carry a “back-up” spray or other device. It’s always good to have options, especially when it regards your safety.
RE: The 21 foot debacle:
https://www.uslawshield.com/the-dangers-of-the-21-foot-rule/
And finally, the “shoot ;em in the leg” squad:
https://connecticutstatefop.com/latest-news/why-the-police-do-not-shoot-people-in-the-legs/?id=57f27502-e31d-4ba5-bc10-9f1041c4bd27
Why the Officers’ let the Victim stay with the G/F is a major question. Allegedly he was disarmed, his wound was superficial and he refused medical attention. All his rights. He was NOT in custody, care or control of the PD @ that time. Apparently the PO’s were convinced that that he would behave and the G/F could handle him. People with mental health issues are adept at lying and are very convincing.
Granted, he was left in the custody of his G/F in her apartment where there are MANY weapons available; ie screwdrivers, scissors, hammers, utility knives and kitchen knives.
The second call for assistance was predicated upon the decision made by the PO’s on the first call.
As in the first call, Victim had a knife. Witnesses state that he was not approaching the Coppers BUT from their perspective he was threat to himself and to them.
He was given commands to de escalate and apparently did not.
The Taser didn’t do what it was supposed to do. Either due to his clothing or only one dart impacting the body or drugs in the system. Both darts have to make skin contact and if you can hear the “clickety buzz,” there is no contact.
Nothing is absolute with less than lethal weaponry!
Given the dynamic situation evolving quickly, the decision what made to stop his advance, which was done with minimal gunfire.
First aid was started and he was removed to the ED.
Now everyone within 360 degrees of this incident has a different perspective. Either from direct observation or rumor.
The idea of instant cover up via edited tape is ludicrous. The thought that MSP and the DA’s office is going to get caught up in a cover up with very good Cops losing their jobs over a bad shoot is nuts!
There will be a fair invest and if criminal charges aren’t preferred then the family can go to civil court and try to show negligence or wrongful death.
You scanner fans, NCIS watchers and believers in the 2022 edition of the book of MSU (Make Shit Up) need to take a chill pill and let this play out before the shit hits the fan and suddenly people start shopping for sneakers and wide screen TV after hours!!!
Very well articulated. That shopping spree may be in the planning stages across the country right now. People need to chill down or they may shit their own beds.
OMG. You can’t refer to somebody as articulate unless you know they are white, or your a raciss!!!!!!!!!!
All of your nonsense is negated by the fact that the police had a man, who lacked mental capacity to make any medical decisions, and who had injured himself, under control and released him well prior to murdering him. Make no mistake, it was murder. They were yelling different commands from two different sides of him, he was turning to face one officer then the next. One was yelling to drop the knife the other was yelling other commands. As he turned to face one officer, he was shot, he started to fall, there was a pause, and the shot again. He was probably dead with the first shot that bisected his heart and part of his aorta. The second was for good measure.
Where this turns into a case of negligence and murder (homicide) is that the fist time the police got him to surrender the knife and had him under control they released him because it was end of shift and the crisis counselor clocked out early. Or maybe right on time but the police are not saying. The first time the police didn’t want to be bothered.
Things escalated the second time and the police killed him.
This boils down to untrained police who lack sufficient staffing levels and training.
Someone gave a great example and likened this to police stopping a drunk driver, letting that driver go, and that driver killing someone. The police would be near equally as guilty if not criminally then civilly.
It’s the perfect catch 22. The first police controlled him and diffused the situation but still released him. If the second set who shot him say that he was more agitated, that means the first responding officers were in the wrong for releasing him. If the first set of officers say he was fine when they left him and he was compliant, after spending an hour on scene, it makes the second set of officers murderers.
If Andrea Harrington had ANY brains in her head she would have requested another DA’s office to take this case on. That would include the state police investigative unit attached to that office.
This will be her greatest failure to date.
You might claim to be a lawyer on here, but a lawyer you are not.
First off, the police are not criminally liable for this case. They did nothing wrong criminally. It’s the same with the “letting a drunk driver go,” argument. Even if the police did this, it’s not criminal action. It’s negligence on the officers part, but not criminal. It would be dealt with in a civil court and/or the police department for policy and procedures violations.
In order to charge someone with a criminal offense, you have to show intent. Unless the officer conspired with the drunk driver to hit and kill a person, there was no criminal intent on the officer’s part. The officer didn’t drive the car, or drink the drinks.
In this case, of what little we know about it, I would say the officers were civilly negligent for failure to act. The guy had already cut himself, was impaired, and should have been brought to the hospital under a Section 12. Releasing him to his 19 y/o girlfriend was irresponsible on their part.
Before you declare the officers a criminally responsible, please cite the chapter and section in MA General Laws that would make their actions criminal.
So you’re saying someone guilty of vehicular manslaughter has/had criminal intent?
If they are DUI and cause the manslaughter. Driving impaired is a gross deviation from the norm. Everyone knows the consequences Phil. No different than firing a gun into the air and the bullet striking someone. The intent might not have been there, but the conduct is/was criminal.
How was he impaired? You are making assumptions and stating them as facts
Well said. Way to tell it like it is!
Ghost, thanks for saying what needs to be said. Helps counteract Powells raciss bullshit.
p.s. had a girl ghost me once, after she breadcrumbed me for a year. At least she didn’t gaslight me. Anyhow, sometimes the worst thing that happens to you can be the best thing that happens to you, if you don’t let it get the best of you!
how was the first 911 call not an arrest for disturbing the peace at the least? I’ve seen countless innocent people arrested for that in Pittsfield.
Whos peace was disturbed?
whoever called 911 to report a disturbance.
Keep in mind, DA Wrong Way tosses those type of “low level” cases, because it unfairly targets POC.
This is your DA. Her decisions have consequences. Her failure to uphold public decency laws (shoplifting, drug possession, distributing the peace, etc) has dire consequences. As we’ve witnessed.
Looking at the list of roads scheduled for paving and many of them are in better condition than other roads, especially the ones I drive. How is this list created? Some of the roads are being paved for at least the second time while mine hasn’t been touched. I know Ricky Rumpass’s response is to ride my electric bike….question for Rumpass where will he dispose of his toxic machine when it doesn’t work?
Dan,
Officer Bolton….Joe Bolton from the 3 Stooges and Popeye Show on Ch 11?
“Good Night, Sweet Hearts!”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FDtVe04Z5I
Dangerous out there tonight.Some kind of activity on linden
That is a given. Maybe Dennis Powell should be allowed to be first on the scene from now on to guide the first responders as to how to do their job.
A raciss and failed business man
So the Berkshire Edge released angry wrong ways press release regarding October mountain. Our DA who is supposed to be the pillar of honesty and integrity spun the verdicts this way.
https://theberkshireedge.com/measuring-the-drapes-effort-to-sell-housatonic-school-picks-up-steam
Imagine if you spient four years in jail as dangerous and were found not guilty on all charges but a minor one? And the other perp sat in jail for four years too as dangerous since he attempted to murder someone. Then you get found not guilty and the DA spins it as a win for her office. This is great for anyone running against Harrington. It is double injustice. People see right through it too if you read social media.
Guilty verdicts of their roles in the crime?!?
The were seeking attempted murder charges, the one guy was found guilty of assault with a deadly weapon, vandalism, and certainly not attempted murder. The other guy was found guilty of lying to police.
So both not guilty on the two top charges, and one not guilty on 12 of 13 charges.
That’s a lose if ever there was one.
Yeah the family is just a few votes so who gives an eff? The fact they got any guilty verdicts at all is a good “outcome” for Harrington.
Harrington’s spin is just another liberal lie. What did you expect?
I will ask again… how is shooting someone in the face NOT attempted murder!?
When DA Andrea Harrington is in charge and fails to secure a conviction.
I wonder, are the defendants POC?
Was the victim white?
Were the suspects under 21 at the time of the crime?
If so maybe this is DA nullification via incompetence.
IBerkshires going with the DA press release
https://www.iberkshires.com/story/67743/Two-Men-Found-Guilty-of-Charges-in-October-Mountain-Shooting.html
“The jury found Douglas guilty only of misleading a police officer.”
I agree. You are going to need to lower your expectatons, friend. Harrington is running an incompetent DA’s office. Unfortunately the Carnevale family is reliant on them. Hopefully this gets corrected by public vote.
Cuz they might of been aiming at the groin or leg.
One more local media story talking about a “full blown housing crisis” in “Berkshire County”.
(it really means overwhelmingly Pittsfield, but the mayor and her team look less inept if you include the whole county) It seems like they have been working hard on this housing issue and wound up somehow making it much worse. But, like the roads and schools and taxes and much else this administration is leaving a a high bar for failure to beat. It is jaw dropping.
One of my tenants hasn’t payed rent since covid
“Girlfriends” do not have a right to receive information unless they have proper documents. So don’t expect any releases. Nobody is qualified to properly request them, and everyone knows this fact.
Where’s E-Star’s family? Mama/Pop? Bruh/Sis? I haven’t heard from family only girlfriend, friends, programs and treatment officials.
Maybe Jr is a DCF ?
https://caselaw.findlaw.com/ct-supreme-court/1093224.html
Is this Pop ?
His family is in mourning. They have asked for privacy and the right to grieve the loss of their loved one without being bombarded with the drama and outrage this unjust situation has created.
What is wrong with people? You see a young minority man who suffers from mental illness. A young, non-white girlfriend who tried her best to help someone she loved and wound up watching him killed in front of her eyes.
Yet the response on the board is – he deserved to die for holding a knife in police presence. Who is his family – he’s probably an aged out DCF case. What right does his girlfriend have to live in subsidized housing when everyone else has a two year wait…?
A lot of you are disgusting. Your bigotry is disgusting.
Click the link. State Raised is not bigotry, it’s a cold fact for children of incarcerated parents. Nice try. I referred to criminal charges not skin, not minority status, an actual criminal case by a man of the same name & hoped the deceased wasn’t placed in the States care only to end this way again, victimized by State actors. Open your mind.
How do you know he was mentally ill? Who is privy to his medical records? Obviously as you state the young man who died should have been brought to the hospital, why didn’t his girlfriend insist on this when the first patrol was there? People are saying if he was unsafe the police would bring him in….did she speak up? And btw race has nothing to do with it because this poster only reads, haven’t seen what race anyone is, including the police
Lawmakers push for statewide body camera policies after 5 INVESTIGATES found police officers turning off cameras – KSTP-TV
January 10, 2022
Officer fired after failing to turn on body camera before fatal shooting of teen / TheHill
San Antonio police accused of turning off body cameras rarely suspended, investigation shows
Minneapolis police officers must keep body cameras turned on during entire response to a call, new policy says – CNN
A new policy implemented by the Minneapolis Police Department will no longer allow officers to deactivate their body cameras…
‘Go dead:’ 2 Riviera Beach police officers fired for body camera violations after suspects ends up beaten – WPTV
Deputy who shot Arkansas teen fired for leaving body cam off – ABC News
Minneapolis has an inconsistent history of releasing body camera video when police kill someone / MinnPost Feb.7, 2022
“Since its police body camera program kicked off in 2016, Minneapolis has yet to settle on a policy for releasing video when action by an officer results in someone’s death”
“Procedures for operating the body cameras were murky in the beginning. The body camera policy, when it was a pilot in 2014 and 2015, didn’t require officers turn it on….
POLICE POLICY DIDN’T REQUIRE OFFICERS TO TURN ON THEIR BODY CAMERAS
cops were now wearing body cameras, but they weren’t required to turn them on
Even with a NEW POLICY in place, with requirements, officers often ignore the rules and keep their cameras off……
So I ask, who ya gonna believe, the cops, or you’re own lying eyes
And black on black violence and fentanyl are the leading causes of death for black men, 16-35.
What’s your point City?
Was someone just shot in Pittsfield?
Yes, one of the time.
What do you call getting shot in Pittsfield?
Wednesday!
or Tuesday or Saturday or Monday
Guess that was LAST NIGHT
IBERKSHIRES….
On Wednesday, March 30 at approximately 9:51 p.m. members of the Pittsfield Police Department (PPD) responded to an area near the intersection of Elizabeth Street and Boylston Street for a ShotSpotter activation.
Responding officers located at least one shell casing at the scene.
Investigating officers learned that a man was shot and was driving himself to Berkshire Medical Center (BMC).
Pittsfield politics is foul on many levels, including GE’s PCBs pollution and ongoing public health crisis, Level 5 public schools, excessively high local taxes, fees, debts/liabilities, slush funds, Biden Buck$, and creative accounting (cook the books) schemes, violent crime, and so on. But now I read that Great Barrington is as foul as Pittsfield politics. Peter Most’s published letter states that G.B.’s Housatonic’s water is contaminated without direct proper disclosures to local residents of Flag Rock Village, and over the past five years, Flag Rock Village has faced serious allegations concerning residents’ mold-related health issues. Moreover, Great Barrington honors its native son and registered Communist W.E.B. DuBois, who openly praised two Communist Dictators who killed many millions more innocent people and Peoples than Hitler – I am not minimizing Hitler’s atrocities, including in the tragic Holocaust. Just because W.E.B. DuBois was a famous black man does not make him worthy of Great Barrington honoring him. Human Rights and Civil Rights are for ALL people and Peoples, not just the black people and Peoples who W.E.B. DuBois advocated for. But I guess it is only fair to say that we honor our white Founding Fathers who mostly owned Slaves and stood for other WRONGS in their historic time. History is very difficult to reconcile with our democratic ideals. While we should not and cannot revise/change the past, we can do something about the here and now, Pittsfield politics and Great Barrington, but nothing is ever done except “Business as usual”.
https://www.businessinsider.com/capitol-rioter-prone-to-conspiratorial-thinking-gets-3-years-probation-2022-3
Anyone on the planet wish to go public that you believe the United States of America is run by pedophiles with some proof you read and where it can be found…..Also is there anyone here who believes God sent Trump to save you?