Superior Court Briefs: April 4 - April 7

Cases heard before Judge Daniel Ford on Monday, April 4. 

 

Laquan Johnson, 20, of Pittsfield entered not guilty pleas on single counts of second degree murder, armed assault with intent to rob, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and illegal possession of a firearm.

 

He was ordered to be held at the Berkshire County House of Correction without bail. Johnson is accused of shooting 29-year-old Anthony Gamache in the leg in the Big Y parking lot on November 14, 2014. Gamache died the next day.

 

Cases heard before Judge Daniel Ford on Tuesday, April 5. 

 

Peter Campbell, 19, of Pittsfield entered not guilty pleas on two counts of armed assault with intent to rob, and a single count of second degree murder.

 

He was ordered to be held at the Berkshire County House of Correction without bail. Campbell is accused of shooting 29-year-old Anthony Gamache in the leg in the Big Y parking lot on November 14, 2014. Gamache died the next day.

 

Damian Ivas, 40, of Pittsfield had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on two counts of threatened use or presence of explosives, chemical or biological agents causing evacuation or disruption, and a single count of threatened use or presence of explosives, chemical or biological agents.

 

He was released on personal recognizance. He is currently being held at the Berkshire County House of Correction on other charges. Ivas is accused of making several bomb threats on January 7, 2016.

 

Cases heard before Judge Daniel Ford on Wednesday, April 6.

 

Matthew Rivera, 22, of Lee had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on two counts of armed assault with intent to rob, two counts of assault by means of a dangerous weapon, two counts of assault and battery, and single counts of kidnapping, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and intimidation of a witness or other person.

 

He was released on personal recognizance. The charges stem from an incident in Lee and Pittsfield where two men, ages 31 and 34, were assaulted. The incident allegedly occurred on January 26, 2016.

 

Cases heard before Judge Daniel Ford on Thursday, April 7.

 

Steven Cote, 45, of Adams pleaded guilty to single counts of operating under the influence of alcohol - his fifth offense- negligent operation of a motor vehicle, operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license for an operating under the influence offense, and possession of an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle.

 

He was ordered to serve two and a half years at the Berkshire County House of Correction on the operation under the influence charge. He was given six-months on the operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license charge. He was given concurrent two-year sentence of the negligent operation of a motor vehicle charge. And, the open container charge was placed on file.

 

In total he will serve three years at the Berkshire County House of Correction.

 

The charges stem from an incident in North Adams on December 11, 2015.