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Pittsfield 12-Year-Olds Open Little League State Tourney with Shutout Win

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GLOUCESTER, Mass. -- Sebastian Herrara went 3-for-3 with a pair of doubles at the plate and contributed to a shutout effort on the mound as the Pittsfield Little League American Division 12-year-old All-Stars started the state tournament with a 4-0 win over Peabody on Thursday night.
 
Herrara hit a two-out double in the first and scored on Keven Konefal's single to give Pittsfield all the offense it needed.
 
In the third, Christian Barry reached on an error, and Cam Blake singled ahead of doubles by Herrera and Konefal as Pittsfield extended its lead to 3-0 after a rain delay.
 
In the fifth, Cam Blake singled and scored to make it 4-0.
 
Herrera got the start on the mound in a game that was finished by Barry and Blake.
 
The Pittsfield Americans are back in action Friday evening against Needham as round-robin action in the four-team state tourney continues. The top two teams after Saturday's completion of the round robin will meet on Sunday at noon to decide who goes to the New England Regional in Bristol, Conn.
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Pittsfield Man Pleads Guilty to Manslaughter

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — On Friday, Jan. 17, Laquan M. Johnson, 29, of Pittsfield, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and seven charges connected to the April 4 killing of Stephan Curley.
 
The Honorable Judge Agostini of Berkshire Superior Court sentenced Johnson to 12 to 15 years in state prison. The sentence exceeds sentencing guidelines, which recommend 9 to 13.5 years. The plea took place prior to the result of a jury verdict from a trial that began on Jan. 8.
 
The Commonwealth requested a state prison sentence of 15 to 20 years, while the defense requested a sentence of 10 years to 10 years and one day.
 
"My thoughts are with Mr. Curley's family during this difficult time," District Attorney Timothy J. Shugrue said. "While Laquan Johnson's lengthy sentence will never bring Mr. Curley back, I hope it offers some measure of comfort to his loved ones. Gun violence affects not only the perpetrators and victims but the entire community. Today's plea represents a step toward healing, offering Ms. Satrape, Mr. Curley's family, and the community an opportunity to look forward toward a new day."
 
Johnson also pleaded guilty to additional charges, with sentences running concurrently:
  • 5 to 7 years for armed assault with intent to murder.
  • 2 to 3 years each for two counts of assault and battery by discharging a firearm.
  • 2 years in the House of Corrections for possession of a firearm without an FID card.
  • 2 years in the House of Corrections for possession of ammunition without an FID card.
  • 2 to 4 years in state prison for possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
  • 2 to 4 years in state prison for possession with intent to distribute a Class B substance.
On April 4, 2022, Johnson shot and killed 26-year-old Stephan Curley of Springfield and injured 28-year-old Dominique Satrape of Pittsfield.
 
At approximately 4:22 p.m., Pittsfield Police responded to ShotSpotter activation detecting five gunshot rounds near 71 King Street. At about 4:27 p.m., police were also dispatched to Berkshire Medical Center following a report of a person with a gunshot wound, later identified as Curley.
 
Police investigating the scene at 71 King Street observed Meilani Eurquhart, Johnson's sister, outside leaning over a garbage can. When questioned, she admitted to hearing gunshots but dropped several spent shell casings when asked to raise her hands. Officers also found additional spent shell casings on the porch.
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