Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni(Republican file photo) By Patrick Johnson, pjohnson@repub.com SPRINGFIELD – Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni has been tapped by Gov. Charlie Baker to serve on Baker’s soon-to-be formed anti-hate crime task force, Gulluni’s office announced Monday. His formal appointment will begin as of 4 p.m. Monday when Baker is expected to sign an executive […]

By Patrick Johnson, pjohnson@repub.com SPRINGFIELD – City and county officials announced on Tuesday the formation of a county-wide effort to combat prostitution and human trafficking by targeting those who seek sex for money rather than those who supply it. “Don’t come to Springfield looking for sex because we will be looking for you,” said Deputy Springfield Police […]

By Shira Schoenberg, sschoenberg@repub.com The Massachusetts District Attorneys Association has thrown its weight behind the House version of a criminal justice reform bill. That gives powerful backing to the more moderate of two proposals. The District Attorneys had been strong critics of a reform bill passed by the state Senate. “We believe that the House bill offers […]

Justin J. Orwat, 46, of Springfield(Springfield Police Department) By Jack Flynn, jflynn@repub.com SPRINGFIELD — A Springfield man wanted for a double murder in Vermont is being held on $50,000 bail here after denying an armed robbery last month in Springfield. Justin Orwat, 46, pleaded not guilty Wednesday in Springfield District Court to armed robbery and assault with a […]

(File photo/The Republican) By Buffy Spencer, bspencer@repub.com SPRINGFIELD — A Holyoke man and a Springfield woman have been indicted on involuntary manslaughter and other charges in connection with the death of Jonathan Aguilar, who crashed a car July 21 into a loading dock behind the Holyoke Kmart Plaza on Route 5. A Hampden Superior Court grand jury indicted […]

By Greg Saulmon, gsaulmon@repub.com HOLYOKE — The district attorney on Friday identified a man and woman who died this week in what officials described as a murder-suicide. Carmen L. Echevarria, 68, was shot and killed in the Veterans Park Apartments building 598 Dwight St. shortly before 11 a.m. Wednesday, according to the office of Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni. A […]

Jose Santiago(Police photo) By Buffy Spencer, bspencer@repub.com SPRINGFIELD – Assistant District Attorney Janine M. Simonian wanted a judge to sentence Jose Santiago to a total of 25 to 35 years in state prison, saying he has ” been terrorizing the community for over two decades.” “It’s time to stop Mr. Santiago’s destructive behavior. It’s time to protect […]

 By Buffy Spencer, bspencer@repub.com WEST SPRINGFIELD — The state Appeals Court has upheld the 2013 conviction of Daniel Leary for motor vehicle homicide by reckless or negligent operation while under the influence of alcohol. David Laduzenski, 29, a Somerville resident and West Springfield native, was home visiting family and friends when he was hit while standing in a friend’s driveway […]

By Buffy Spencer, bspencer@repub.com SPRINGFIELD — Moises Silva on Friday was sentenced to five years in state prison after pleading guilty to trafficking heroin in the amount of 36 to 100 grams. Silva, 36, of 10 Huntington St., Springfield, had been charged with trafficking heroin in the amount of over 200 grams, but the charge was lowered as part of […]

By Buffy Spencer, bspencer@repub.com Posted on August 31, 2017 SPRINGFIELD — Both the prosecutor and defense lawyer told jurors Thursday that cellphone video of a confrontation between David Guasp and Ricardo Valentin will help prove their arguments. Assistant District Attorney Matthew W. Green told jurors in his closing argument in Valentin’s murder trial that the video will show Valentin […]