Thompson Trial Rescheduled for September After Monday Bus Crash

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The trial for Joseph Thompson on motor vehicle negligent homicide charges was delayed yet again after the bus carrying jurors to the scene of the 2018 accident got in an accident itself on First Street on Monday. 
 
The bus mishap led Superior Court Judge Jennifer Tyne to declare a mistrial. A new trial date was set for Sept. 19, with a trial readiness conference scheduled for Aug. 16. 
 
Tyne also was on board the bus along with attorneys and other court officers when it was hit head-on by a pickup truck at about 1 p.m.
 
The jurors were expected to view the area at South Church Street near Berkshire Family and Individual Resources where the fatal accident occurred on July 20, 2018. 
 
According to police reports, Steven Fortier, 49, was southbound on his Harley-Davidson motorcycle at about 10 p.m. when he collided with Thompson's northbound Audi sport utility vehicle. Thompson allegedly attempted to avoid Fortier, who he said was in the northbound lane as he came around the curve from Ashland Street. Both collided in the southbound lane. 
 
Toxicology tests show that Fortier had a blood alcohol level of .28 percent, or more than four times the legal limit, but the clerk-magistrate found sufficient evidence to bring the case to trial. Thompson, 63, former longtime director of Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, is also charged with a marked lanes violation.
 
The trial had been expected to start in early 2020 but was delayed by the pandemic, along with numerous other cases. 

Tags: fatal,   trial,   

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Letter: Save Notch Forest

Letter to the Editor

To the Editor: I'm writing in regards to the Save Notch Forest signs that I have seen.

As a proud Masshole native from North Adams, that has transplanted to Southwest Vermont, I was curious as to what the signs were about.

I am grateful that I checked out the site on the sign to learn of the extensive and heinous logging plans of the Mass Audubon society near the North Adams reservoir.

As someone who travels back down to Mass sometimes daily and ventures to the reservoir 95 percent of that time for just the peace and beauty of being able to just sit there in awe.

Each time I go, I am guaranteed to see the bald eagle that perches on the pine or birch on the eastern end of the reservoir. I've had quite a few joyfully, awesome experiences with watching it. Be when it was just chilling peacefully or swooping at the geese getting them all flustered but I loved hearing it's call after the beautiful Loons floating in the reservoir.

There was this time I could hear it calling and crying, but unable to see it. I then look up to see a hawk gliding back and forth along the reservoir, doing it's best to taunt and harass the Eagle. From the direction of the cries, I figured the bald eagle's nest must be somewhere behind that tree it usually sits on on the water's edge.

I just do not understand how Mass Audubon Society can intentionally destroy the bald eagle's habitat ... let alone the loons ... let alone all of the other heinous logging aspects that come with its proposal near the North Adams water supply. Way up mountainous terrain on already strained roads that are slowly sliding off the mountainside and near public habitation.

There are a million other places on Greylock, North Adams or Massachusetts in general, what about the other side in South Williamstown/New Ashford? More space, more direct, less people, no water supply or endangered species habitat to destroy for the fun of it.

Why does it have to be Greylock and North Adams you experiment with? Why experiment at all?

I'm grateful I stumbled upon the mighty little forest army fighting for what's good and right, let alone common sense. I am also eternally grateful for the abundant awe inspiring magic of Greylock and all she bestows.

Felicia Packard
Bennington, Vt.

 

 

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