Superior Court Briefs: July 26 - July 29

Cases heard before Judge John Agostini on Tuesday, July 26.

Paul Keele Jr., 24, of Pittsfield had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on single counts of distribution of cocaine, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license - his second offense - and disorderly conduct.

Keele was ordered to be held at the Berkshire County House of Correction on $2,000 cash or $20,000 surety bail. The distribution charge allegedly occurred in Pittsfield on November 30, 2010 and the other charges stemmed from his arrest in Pittsfield on July 1.

Jason Daigneault, 24, of Cheshire had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on single counts of armed assault with intent to rob, assault by means of a dangerous weapon and breaking glass in a building.

Daigneault was ordered to be held at the Berkshire County House of Correction on $15,000 cash or $150,000 surety bail. Daigneault allegedly attempted to rob the clerk at West Street Wine and Spirits in Pittsfield on July 6.

Jeffrey Philpot Jr., 28, of North Adams had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on single counts of larceny of a firearm, illegal possession of a firearm, conspiracy to commit larceny of a firearm and possession of a firearm with one prior violent crime or drug offense.

Philpot was ordered to be held at the Berkshire County House of Correction on $5,000 cash or $50,000 surety bail. The charges stem from the theft of a hand gun in North Adams on June 14.

Jeanette Brown, 34, of Ballston Spa, N.Y. had not guilty pleas entered on her behalf  on single counts of mayhem, assault with intent to kill and assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon.

Brown was ordered to be held at the Berkshire County House of Correction on $5,000 cash or surety bail. Brown allegedly stabbed a 22-year-old woman in Pittsfield on June 7.

Cases heard before Judge John Agostini on Wednesday, July 27.

David Pixley Sr., 62, of Great Barrington had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on single counts of burning a dwelling house, burning a building and eight counts of attempting to burn a building, motor vehicle, structure or personal property.

Pixley was ordered to be committed to the Veteran's Administration Hospital at Leeds for observation. The incident allegedly occurred in Great Barrington on June 22.

Eric Downing, 25, of Pittsfield had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on single counts of kidnapping, unarmed robbery, assault and battery on a disabled person and threat to commit murder.

Downing was ordered to be held at the Berkshire County House of Correction on $1,000 cash or surety bail. The incident allegedly occurred on June 29 in Pittsfield involving a 57-year-old man.

Christopher Letalien, 26, of North Adams had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on single counts of larceny of a firearm, illegal possession of a firearm, conspiracy to commit larceny of a firearm and misleading a police officer.

Letalien was ordered to be held at the Berkshire County House of Correction on $10,000 cash or surety bail. The charges stem from the theft of a hand gun in North Adams on June 14.

Cases heard before Judge John Agostini on Thursday, July 28.

Vanessa Brown, 46, of Pittsfield pleaded guilty to single counts of larceny over $250 ongoing and continuing offense, uttering ongoing and continuing offence and making a false statement for medical assistance.

Brown was sentenced to  two to four years at the Massachusetts Correctional Institution at Cedar Junction on the larceny and uttering charges. S26
Brown took appropriately $26,000 in false medical assistance between November 16, 2007 and May 15, 2009.

Cases heard before Judge John Agostini on Friday, July 29.

Michael Williams, 42, of Pittsfield pleaded guilty to single counts of possession of heroin with intent to distribute, drug violation in a school zone, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, ownership of a firearm without a firearm identification card, improper storage of a firearm and possession of cocaine.

Williams was sentenced to one year at the Berkshire County House of Correction on the heroin charge and concurrent one year sentences on the firearm and cocaine charges. Williams was given an addition two year sentence on the drug violation in a school zone charge. An additional count of firearm violation with three prior drug or violent crimes was dismissed by the state.

The charges stem from the execution of a search warrant on Spring Street in Pittsfield on May 12, 2010.