Reap What You Sow

 Noah K. Pfister: home for the holidays

Eastern Hampshire District Court Judge John Payne denied the prosecution's "Motion for Pre-Trial Detention under MGL 276, Section 58A" in the assault case of Noah K. Pfister, accused slasher of  UMass student Henry Lancaster-Goguen, and set bail at $2,500.

The parents were in the courtroom on Friday to support their son, who was handcuffed and wearing leg shackles.  And they would need to scramble to find a Bank of America to post the cash bail, since the proceedings concluded around 4:00 PM.

The 58A hearing was called so the prosecution could present evidence that the defendant is dangerous and should be held in jail pending trial.  But the witnesses for the prosecution were hardly compelling with their testimony.

Victim Henry Lancaster-Goguen, age 21, admitted he was "very intoxicated" after attending parties at Townhouse Apartments and another at a house on Sunderland Road earlier in the evening.  When police first arrived at the 66 Pine Street location he told them a fall caused his injuries.

Asked to explain that discrepancy by the Prosecutor, Lancaster-Goguen explained he was in shock and "delusional" from the assault. 

He also admitted sending a text message threatening Pfister, age 24, and he could not remember who pushed first when the fight started.  And when asked by the prosecution how he would feel if his attacker were released on bail, Lancaster-Goguen replied, "slightly concerned". 

The most devastating testimony came from Pfister's girlfriend who had previously had a "physical relationship" with Lancaster-Goguen but had broken it off last summer.

She testified the victim had threatened Pfister, her new boyfriend, many times; called her a "whore" and "slut" in text messages; and that Lancaster-Goguen initiated the fight that night by pushing Pfister while calling him a "faggot."

Amherst Police Detective Greg Wise testified that Pfister told him during an interview that he pulled the knife "to prevent further attack," and that the victim had grabbed the knife by the blade after starting the fight.  

Although it did not come up at the hearing, Henry Lancaster-Goguen is no stranger to the Amherst Police Department, having been previously arrested for noise along with the brother of his accused attacker.

The Judge set the next pre trial hearing for January 23 and told Pfister to stay out of Amherst and away from the victim until then.  The parents confirmed they were taking him back to Camden, Maine. 

A Half Century Ago ...

The ornate condolence certificate, autographed by the President, arrived two months after the sudden death of my father—a combat veteran who helped overthrow the Japanese in the Philippines but never discussed it with any of his four inquisitive children.

That letter brought radiance into our home on an otherwise dreary late November day.

So, suddenly transformed into a proud 8-year-old, I pestered my mother for the honor of bringing the document to school the following day. My pragmatic Irish mother denied the request--worried I could lose or damage the precious parchment.

Friday began as unremarkable as a hundred before: Morning prayers chanted effortlessly, the Pledge of Allegiance parroted as we stood with our right hands over our hearts facing an American flag.

I was having trouble concentrating on the curriculum, typical for a Friday when the weekend beckoned. But this time all I could think about was a letter that had arrived just yesterday from a revered man who could have met my father less than a generation ago.

With only an hour of captivity remaining, a high-school boy suddenly entered from the right door bearing a message. Snatching the note from his hand the nun appeared almost angry at the interruption. I could, however, see her face suddenly turn white—matching the mask-like habit all ‘Sisters of St. Joseph’ wore.

She crumpled the memo with one hand while reaching back to grab her desk with the other, slumping as though absorbing a blow from a heavyweight boxer. With a trembling voice she said, “Please stand.” Although puzzled, we responded immediately.

“Now extend your arms sideway, shoulder high, and hold them there,” she said still struggling to gain control. So there we stood, 26 of us, rooted near our desks like cemetery crosses wondering, as our shoulders started to ache, what could possible cause such a break in routine?

She regained the commanding voice of authority to announce, “President Kennedy has just been shot” Tears trickled down her cheeks as she concluded, “He needs our prayers.”

At St. Michael’s school in the year of our Lord 1963, President John F. Kennedy was fourth on the list of most beloved: just under the Holy Trinity and tied with Pope John. And in my home he was tied for second with St. Patrick just under my recently deceased father.

The big yellow bus rumbled back to Amherst with an interior as quiet as a crypt. The astonishing event blurred short-term memory like one too many drinks. I began to question whether the letter from the now martyred leader was actually real, or did I simply imagine it?

Bursting thru the front door I quickly spied the prized possession lying on a cluttered kitchen table. With relief and reverence I held it aloft, taking in the brilliant gold calligraphy etched on a pure white background: “It is with deepest sympathy…”

A feeling the entire nation now shared.

Originally published 11/22/07

Graphic Update

 Attack occurred just north of UMass Campus Center

I have never posted a warning about public documents published over the past twenty years, so this will be a first: The "Statement of Facts" filed (over a month after the incident) in Eastern Hampshire District Court by UMPD in the UMass alleged rape that occurred on September 2 -- although it was hushed up for almost two months -- is both graphic and depressing.

Be forewarned

   UMass Alleged Rape

Patrick Durocher is expected to be indicted for the crime of rape and his case will then be bumped from Eastern Hampshire District Court up to Superior Court. 

Staggering DUI Disposition

 Daniel Dodman crash Triangle Street 6/20/13 Not far from Amherst High School

Many of you will remember Daniel S. Dodman my June 20 DUI Dishonor Role winner.  He's the kid who drove his Volvo off busy Triangle Street after sideswiping a telephone pole and then tried to surf a row of boulders.  He abandoned his damaged vehicle and sprinted north. 

Once captured he failed every aspect of the FSTs and blew a .16 BAC -- twice the legal limit.

The crash drew the immediate attention of Amherst police of course, but also tied up AFD since the damaged vehicle was leaking hazardous fluids. 

In Eastern Hampshire District Court on Tuesday Judge John Payne heard pretty much an admission of guilt and plea for mercy from Dodman and his attorney.  His mother was also in court, and the Judge heard about his successful older siblings.   A DUI conviction on his record would dramatically reduce the likelihood of his ever matching their success in life.

   Disturbing DUI

The prosecution was not overly moved, citing his fleeing the scene, struggling with police and also mentioned  how he emptied a toilet with his bare hands when finally put in a cell, weirding out one of the officers.

UMass suspended Dodman for one year but he will restart his senior year this coming spring.  And he is getting professional help from an Amherst therapist.  

The Judge was convinced (by the defense).  Out of the six counts filed against him he dismissed three (Resisting Arrest, Leaving Scene of Accident, Marked Lanes Violation) and the most important ones -- DUI and Negligent Operation -- he continued for a year without a finding.

He was also found  "responsible" for "open container of alcohol" (whisky) in an automobile, but the charge was simply filed for one year.

Dodman will lose his drivers license for 45 days, be on probation for a year, pay court costs and continue with his therapy.

Maybe he has learned a harsh lesson.  Maybe.  If not, the next time he could die -- or worse, one of those innocent teen-age bystanders you see below.

 

Daniel Dodman's rolling weapon disarmed (note teenagers in close proximity)

Fire Glendale Road

 AFD Assistant Chief Stromgren directing the attack

214 Glendale Road, South Amherst

Amherst Fire Department knocked down a structure fire at 214 Glendale Road South Amherst in about a half-hour this cold morning, confining the major damage to a family room addition at the rear of the house, where the fire originated, and roof.  There were no injuries.

Assistant Chief Lindsay Stromgren was on the scene directing the efforts of two original responding engines and an ambulance, that were quickly supplemented with many more pieces of heavy apparatus.

AFD Incident Report

Anxious moments until firefighters confirmed nobody was in the house

Amherst police were first on the scene reporting smoke and fire on the back porch which quickly spread to the attached one family ranch.  Animal control officer Carol Hepburn also responded but no word if there were any pets impacted. 

High pressure hose getting the job done

 

AFD Engine 2 (Quint) on scene

Note large natural gas liquid propane tank bottom left, near where fire started.  Yikes!

Assistant Chief Don McKay (center) also on scene

AFD Chaplain Bruce Arbour (left) on scene

Pine Street Stabbing

 66 Pine Street

Accused slasher Noah Kelly Pfister made a brief appearance this morning in Eastern Hampshire District Court before Judge John M.Payne Jr.,  and by way of his attorney Thomas Whitney entered a plea of "not guilty" to the charge of "assault with a dangerous weapon."

He remained seated the entire time, letting his attorney do all the talking.  Two Amherst Police detectives sat close by.

The case was continued to this Friday at 11:00 AM to give the prosecution time to coordinate the testimony of three witnesses -- the victim (Henry Lancaster-Goguen), an Amherst police officer, and one bystander present that night.

The 58-A hearing is a "Motion for Pre-Trial Detention" (under MGL 276) made by the prosecution to declare Mr. Pfister "dangerous" and should be held in jail until trial.  Until then he remains in police custody and Mr. Pfister was escorted back to jail by Detective Tina Knightly. 

Defense Attorney Whitney told the Judge he would be calling two witnesses present that night. In addition he requested from the prosecution copies of photos and videos taken during the investigation and audio of the 911 call.

 Reading between the lines of the "Statement of Facts," safe bet the defense will be "self defense."

   Pine Street Stabbing

Party House of the Weekend

 902 East Pleasant Street, North Amherst

So as I mentioned last week when the house a couple doors down made my pernicious Party House list, these neighborhood single-family homes were actually built for families to live in, and now many have been converted to student housing.

While these particular perps did not throw bottles at police officers they were hardly cooperative when officers arrived after someone in the neighborhood complained about the noise and foot traffic.

All four responsible tenants were issued both noise and nuisance house tickets amounting to $600 in fines.  Interestingly if they had been arrested they would have appeared before Judge Payne yesterday, and he routinely fails to enforce both tickets, allowing the matter to be settled for just $300.