Pittsfield Man Pleads Not Guilty To 2016 Murder

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A city man is being held without bail after pleading not guilty to murder.

 

James Cromartie, 31, of Pittsfield had a not guilty plea entered on his behalf on the single count of murder. Judge John Agostini ordered that he be held at the Berkshire County House of Correction without bail.

 

Cromartie is accused of shooting and killing James Dominguez III on January 23, 2016. Dominguez was found dead in the early hours in the parking lot next to Lach's Lounge on Fenn Street. 

 

Police had responded to the area at 1:30 in the morning to find Dominguez had been shot in the head. He was transported to Berkshire Medical Center and was pronounced dead later that day.

 

More than a year and a half later, Cromartie was arrested for the crime. On Oct. 16 police arrested Cromartie on a warrant during a motor vehicle stop on Park Street.

 

Cromartie was also charged with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. The district attorney's office said that he was in possession of cocaine when he was arrested.