Three Arraigned in Pittsfield Triple Homicide

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Three suspects pleaded not guilty on Monday morning to murder charges stemming from the discovery of the bodies of three Pittsfield men, first reported missing Aug. 28.

The arraignment followed an announcement on Sunday that the remains of David Glasser, Robert Chadwell and Edward Frampton, were found in what was described as a "burial pit" at an undisclosed location on Saturday.

Media from around the region joined a Central Berkshire District Court room packed full of friends and family of both defendants and victims. Defendants David Chalue and Roy Gutfinski aka (Caivus Velvois) were arraigned first, around 11 a.m. Chalue is represented by attorney Leonard Cohen, while Gavin Reardon was appointed defense for Gutfinski. Adam Lee Hall, represented by William Rota, was arraigned last around 11:30.

All three defendants were ordered held without bail and without prejudice at the request of District Attorney David F. Capeless and the agreement of lawyers for the defense. Trial dates for all three were set for Oct. 12.

Defendants were transported into the District Court building amidst a crowd of nearly a dozen security personnel in plainclothes in addition to the usual court security and police presence.

After the arraignment, Capeless spoke to reporters briefly about what his office was doing to allay the public's concerns about safety in the aftermath of these events.

"We're asking anyone to please come forward with any information about the case ... We are making every effort to investigate and prosecute this case, that's what we're doing."

When asked what his office had been able to learn about the Hells Angels club, of which Adam Lee Hall is known to be a member, with respect to this case, Capeless said, "I'm not going to comment on that at all," cutting off all questions abruptly.

Defense attorney William Rota maintained that he knew almost nothing about the case yet, but did say he saw no reason for citizens to become alarmed about their own safety. 

"No community is without its potential for violence. This is not a 'stranger' crime," he said, acknowledging that the victims and his client knew each other. "It doesn't make the area any more or less safe."

Some relatives of victim Robert T. Chadwell expressed frustration after the arraignment with what some of them perceived as a failure on the part of authorities to protect Glasser as a witness against Hall, despite stated fears of retaliation.

One family member, who identified herself as Yvette, said she felt that fears of retaliation by Hall or associates of his were not taken seriously by police. "Pittsfield is just not equipped for this. Pittsfield failed these men."

Capeless, at Sunday's press conference, said precautions were made to keep Glasser safe that were in line with witness's wishes. 

Ongoing search of several locations, including the Cloverdale Road home of Gutfinski and that of Chalue on Madison Avenue, took place throughout the day on Monday as neighbors and members of the media looked on.

Trial will begin for each of the three suspects at Berkshire Superior Court on Oct. 12.