Pittsfield Woman Charged with Husband's Murder

Print Story | Email Story
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Charlene Grandson Martin, 45, entered a plea of not guilty on Monday to one charge of murder related to the stabbing death of her husband, Aurthur Martin.

Charlene Martin was arraigned in Central Berkshire District Court before Judge Frederic Rutberg. Her case was continued to March 9 for a pretrial conference.

According to police reports, Martin said she and her husband were watching television when he left the room and re-entered with a knife. She allegedly told police that they were joking around when she pushed his arm away and he was struck by the knife.

Her explanation was reportedly inconsistent with the findings of the medical examiner, according to The Berkshire Eagle. Police said the couple had a history of domestic incidents and that Martin has been the "agressor." The knife was found in a closet.

Martin is being held without bail in the Berkshire County House of Correction.

Posted Feb. 8, 2009

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — An autopsy by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has determined that stabbing victim Arthur Martin bled to death.

Martin, 49, died early Saturday morning at Berkshire Medical Center. His wife, Charlene Grandson Martin, 45, is facing a murder charge in her husband's slaying.

Dr. Andrew Sexton, an associate medical examiner, conducted the autopsy on Arthur Martin on Sunday in Holyoke. The autopsy revealed that Martin bled to death as a result of a stab wound to his thigh, which cut the femoral artery. 


Posted Feb. 7, 2009

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A Pittsfield woman has been charged with murder in connection with the apparent stabbing death of her husband last night.
 
Charlene Grandson Martin, 45, is being held in the Pittsfield Police lockup on $1 million bail pending arraignment Monday morning in Central Berkshire District Court in Pittsfield. She is facing one count of murder in the apparent stabbing death of her 49-year-old husband, Arthur Martin.

Berkshire District Attorney David F. Capeless, in a statement released this morning, said the Pittsfield Police Department received a 911 call about 11:20 Friday evening reporting a stabbing at 341 West St., Building 40. 

Police, fire and emergency medical technicians responded to the call.
 
Arthur Martin, a resident of that address, was transported to Berkshire Medical Center, suffering from an apparent stab wound. He was pronounced dead early Saturday morning. An autopsy will be conducted at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Holyoke within the next several days.
 
The investigation is being conducted by members of the Pittsfield Police Department with assistance from the state police Crime Scene Services Section. Detectives Thomas Bowler and John Gray are the lead investigators on the case. 

Anyone who has any information pertaining to this incident is asked to call the Pittsfield Police Department at 413-448-9700.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Pittsfield Council Sets Special Meeting Amid PHS Staff Scandal

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City Council will vote on a statement in solitary with the School Committee amid Pittsfield High School's staff scandal.

Over the last week and a half, three PHS staff members were put on administrative leave for allegations of misconduct — one of them under federal arrest for drug charges.  A special City Council meeting has been called on Monday at 6 p.m. to support, or not support, the School Committee’s request for an independent, third-party investigation.

A petition put forward by Ward 7 Councilor Rhonda Serre, Councilor at Large Kathy Amuso, Ward 2 Councilor Brittany Noto, Councilor at Large Alisa Costa, and Ward 6 Councilor Dina Lampiasi on Dec. 19 requests the following statement be sent to Mayor Peter Marchetti:

"The City Council joins the school committee on its call for an investigation into the allegations against city employees as it pertains to recent personnel actions surrounding Pittsfield High School. Further, the City Council requests to be included in the delivery of any disclosures, interim reports, or findings submitted to the City as part of this investigation. As the voice of the public, the City plays a role in protecting the rights and safety of all residents, as well as city employees."

In an email, Lampiasi wrote to iBerkshires that the allegations being addressed by the School Committee strike at the core of our community’s trust and safety and that the gravity is too serious for the City Council to remain silent or passive.

"It is essential for Pittsfield’s leaders to stand united in rooting out misconduct within our schools and addressing the systemic failures that may have allowed such behavior to occur or persist," she wrote.

"This is about protecting our children and fulfilling a responsibility to support residents while safeguarding the well-being and integrity of our entire community."

On Dec. 11, PHS Dean Lavante Wiggins was arrested and charged by the U.S. Attorney's Office for allegedly conspiring to traffic large quantities of cocaine. Two days later, a second staff member was put on administrative leave because of an investigation conducted by the state Department of Children and Families.

View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories