Superior Court Briefs: March 31 - April 5

Cases heard before Judge John Agostini on Friday, March 31.

 

Jason Pennell, 28, of Holyoke had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on single counts of possession of heroin with intent to distribute - his second offense - and conspiracy to violate drug laws.

 

He was ordered to be held at the Hampden County House of Correction on $5,000 bail. The charges stem from the execution of a search warrant in Williamstown on January 18, 2017. 

 

Terry Martizna, 26, of Lanesborough pleaded guilty to single counts of illegal possession of a large capacity feeding device, armed career felon, illegal possession of a firearm, and possession of ammunition without a firearm identification card.

 

He was ordered to serve three and a half to four and a half years at the Massachusetts Correctional Institution at Cedar Junction on the illegal possession of a large capacity feeding device, armed career felon, and illegal possession of a firearm. He was given concurrent time at the Berkshire County House of Correction on the ammunition charge. 

 

The charges stem from a motor vehicle stop in Pittsfield on December 12, 2016. A single count of illegal possession of a loaded firearm was dismissed by the state.

 

Gregory Frye, 45, of Pittsfield had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on single counts of illegal possession of a firearm - his second offense - illegal possession of a loaded firearm, and armed career felon.

 

He was ordered to be held at the Massachusetts Correctional Institution at Cedar Junction on $50,000 cash or $500,000 surety bail. Frye allegedly was in possession of a firearm when he was arrested in Williamstown on January 9, 2017 on a parole violation.

 

James Scace, 48, of Dalton was found guilty on four counts of assault and batter, and a single count of disturbing the peace.

 

He was ordered to serve two years of probation on three assault and battery charges and the disturbing the peace charge. He was given a one-year suspended sentence at the Berkshire County House of Correction on the remaining assault and battery charge.

 

Scace assaulted four youths - ages 18,16,16, and 14, - in Dalton on October 24, 2015. He was found not guilty on two counts of assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon and a single count of intimidation of a witness.

 

Cases heard before Judge Daniel ford on Wednesday, April 5.

 

Devyn Banister, 23, of Pittsfield had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on single counts of motor vehicle homicide while under the influence of drugs and  negligently operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. 

 

He was ordered to be held at the Berkshire County House of Correction on $10,000 bail. Banister is accused of operating a motor vehicle on West Housatonic Street in Pittsfield on December 8, 2016 when it struck Arthur Meyrick, 74. Meyrick died on January 28, 2017 from the injuries.