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Alleged Vermont Cat-Killer Pleads Not Guilty
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Choquette, 51, was arrested last week after his tenant reported to police he had killed her 4-year-old cat and dumped it into the outdoor wood furnace. Choquette told police it was an accident and he was trying to hide the body from the cat's owner, Kelly Gancarz.
State police discovered the animal's remains and charged Choquette with felony aggravated animal cruelty. During the investigation they learned of a similar incident with a former tenant's pet.
Police said Amanda Strange told them that her 4-year-old Siamese cat Mischief had been poisoned approximately a year earlier. The cat was allegedly fed rat poison inside Choquette's garage; it was taken to a local animal hospital, where it died from poisoning.
This new felony charge was added to the previous charge of killing Kelly Gancarz's cat on March 11.
Aggravated animal cruelty is when the perpetrator "intentionally kills an animal by means causing the animal undue pain or suffering," according to Vermont law.
Choquette could face up to six years in prison or a fine of up to $5,000.
Adams Rescues Hiker With Allergy Attack
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Adams Police, Forest Wardens and Fire Department responded to the emergency call at 5:16 p.m. for two hikers on the Bellows Pipe Trail, which runs partway along the Thunderbolt Ski Run above Gould Road. The five-mile trail is considered moderate to strenuous.
Police Sgt. Rick Tarsa said one of the hikers had an allergic reaction to some trail mix and was removed from the trail by four wheelers and taken to North Adams Regional Hospital. The hiker, "who was doing extremely well," said Tarsa, was en route to the hospital shortly after 8 p.m.
A LifeFlight from Albany (N.Y.) Medical Center had been called but was canceled.
Rescue workers cleared the scene at 8:15 p.m.
Pittsfield Robbery Suspect Arrested
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Danielle Kenyon, 49, of Newell Street was charged with four counts of armed robbery while masked. She was arrested at her home on Friday.
Kenyon allegedly robbed three Elm Street businesses and the Lipton Mart on West Housatonic Street. Palmer's Variety was robbed on Feb. 21, Angelina's Submarine Shop on Feb. 18, the Getty on Feb. 5. and the Lipton Mart on Feb. 25.
In each robbery a masked individual pulled a handgun from a bag and demanded money before leaving in a SUV.
Kenyon is being held on $50,000 cash bail.
Superior Court Briefs: March 12 - March 16
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Jeffrey Williams, 23, of Pittsfield pleaded guilty to single counts of illegal possession of a firearm, receiving stolen property, possession of ammunition with a firearm identification card and improper storage of a firearm.
He was sentenced to serve one year of a two year sentence at the Berkshire County House of Correction and placed on two years probation. The charges stem from a motor vehicle stop in Pittsfield on October 23, 2010.
Cases heard before Judge John Agostini on Tuesday, March 13.
Joseph Buttlieri, 44, of Pittsfield had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on four counts of rape.
He was released on $5,000 cash or $50,000 surety bail. Buttlieri allegedly sexually assaulted a woman who is now 20 years old in Pittsfield between June 1, 2008 and July 31, 2010.
Cases heard before Judge John Agostini on Wednesday, March 14.
Mackenzie Fowlkes, 20, of Pittsfield had five counts of larceny under $250, five counts of improper use of a credit card, and single counts of attempt to commit larceny and attempt to misuse a credit card continued without a finding for two years.
Fowlkes allegedly used stolen credit cards to obtain merchandise in Pittsfield on August 11, 2010. Three counts of larceny under $250, two counts of larceny of a credit card, and single counts of breaking and entering a motor vehicle, improper uses of a credit card and common and notorious thief were dismissed by the state.
Sean Begley, 33, of Pittsfield pleaded guilty to six counts of possession of ammunition without a firearm, three counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, three counts of improper storage of a firearm, three counts of illegal ownership of a firearm, and single counts of possession of heroin with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine - his second offense - and possession of anabolic steroids.
He was released on $5,000 bail pending sentencing. The charges stem from the execution of a search warrant at his home on July 1, 2011.
Cases heard before Judge John Agostini on Thursday, March 15.
Charles Clairmont III, 33, of Pittsfield pleaded guilty to a single count of conspiracy to violate drug laws.
He was given a one year suspended sentence at the Berkshire County House of Correction and placed on one year probation.
Clairmont conspired with others to sell oxycontin between December 23, 2009 and March 5, 2010.
Cases heard before Judge John Agostini on Friday, March 16.
Raymond Grenon, 54, of Pittsfield pleaded guilty to right counts of knowingly possessing visual material of a child depicted in sexual conduct, four counts of posing a child in a sexual act, four counts of dissemination of material of a child engaged in sexual act and single counts of rape and abuse of a child and indecent assault and battery on a child under the age of 14.
Grenon was sentenced to 16 to 18 years at the Massachusetts Correctional Institution at Cedar Junction on the rape, posing a child in a sexual act and dissemination of materials charges. He was given concurrent state prison sentences on the other charges.
The incident occurred in Pittsfield between November 1, 2008 and October 7, 2010 and involved a girl who is 6 years old.
An additional count of rape and abuse of a child aggravated by an age difference was dismissed by the state.
Great Barrington Women Charged With Setting Store On Fire
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Patricia Mullin, 57, pleaded not guilty in Berkshire Superior Court on Wednesday to a single count of burning a building. She was released by Judge John Agostini on personal recognizance.
Mullin allegedly set fire to Mullin-Jones Antiquities, which she owns, in Great Barrington on December 10, 2011. The investigation was conducted by the Great Barrington Police Department.
