Pittsfield Man Shot By Police During Pursuit Found Guilty of Reckless Driving

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A man shot by police officers during a vehicle pursuit in 2017 was found guilty on Monday of reckless operation of a motor vehicle, operating a vehicle with a suspended license, and failure to stop for an officer.

 

The jury, however, found him not guilty on charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon.

 

Mark Marauszwski, 58, was sentenced on Monday morning after the jury trial to 18 months in the Berkshire County House of Correction and fined $100 for failure to stop for an officer. He was also given a six-month suspended sentence on the charge of driving with a suspended license.

 

Marauszwski was accused of striking Officer David Hallas with his car's door during a traffic stop on Bartlett Avenue in January 2017 and then driving off. He then allegedly led police on a pursuit through the city, ending in Rotary Park on Springside Avenue. 

 

The district attorney's office accused Marauszwski of driving toward Office Martin Streit there and Streit shot three bullets at the Mercedes that Marauszwski was driving. The vehicle came to a stop when it hit a cement post. The officers administered first aid to Marauszwski and he was transported to Berkshire Medical Center for one bullet wound. 

 

The District Attorney's Office later cleared Streit of any wrongdoing in the case and no charges were pursued against the officer.

 

Marauszwski denied that he struck the officer with the door and said his intention at the park was to pull over and surrender. He claimed he did not attempt to drive at the officers.

 

Deputy District Attorney Richard Dohoney argued in court that Marauszwski's attempted escape from police posed serious safety risks to the community.

 

"The top priority of the Berkshire District Attorney's Office is to keep the public safe and protect the police officers who safeguard our communities," District Attorney Andrea Harrington said in a statement released on Monday.

 

The case was the first of two officer-involved shootings in 2017. In September of 2017, Daniel Gillis was shot by officer Christopher Colello. In that case, as well, the officer was cleared of any wrongdoing.