BIC to Host Panel Discussion on NFTs

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Innovation Center (BIC) will host a panel discussion: Non-Fungible Tokens: A New Frontier for Brick-and-Mortar on Saturday, June 4, 2022, from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM.  
 
This free event will take place in-person at the Berkshire Innovation Center, 45 Woodlawn Avenue, and will also be live-streamed. 
 
"NFTs represent a major change in the way the way people and businesses transact. The modern incantation of NFTs is seemingly centered around art, images and similar," said Justin McKennon of CoinBusters.io. "What we are seeing in real time is a transformation that presents major opportunities for brick-and-mortar businesses and other companies to demonstrate proof of ownership. This will greatly change the way companies do business and this event will outline all the ways this is happening."
 
The Berkshire Innovation Center is bringing together a panel of technical, business, financial, and legal Non-Fungible Tokens (NFT) experts.
 
The panel discussion will be Moderated by Ben Sosne, Executive Director of the Berkshire Innovation Center. Speakers are Justin McKennon of CoinBusters; Dave Nadig, Chief Investment Officer & Director of Research at ETF Database; Khalid Jones, Principal at the Kolier Group; Giovanna Fessenden, Counsel at Hamilton Brook Smith Reynolds; and Ryan Salame, Co-CEO at FTX Digital Markets.
 
"We had a fantastic event on blockchain technology in March and an overwhelming interest in continuing the conversation," said Ben Sosne, Executive Director at the Berkshire Innovation Center. "The BIC is thrilled to be bringing this community together and excited to open our doors again.  We are especially grateful to Justin McKennon and Giovanna Fessenden for organizing, and helping bring together such an amazing panel, which includes David Nadig and Khalid Jones, and also Berkshire native Ryan Salame, who is making such a big impact on our local economy."
 
For more information and to register for this free event, visit https://berkshireinnovationcenter.com/programming/nfts-brick-and-mortar.
 
For help with registration: allison@the-bic.org.

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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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