Jail Sentences In Domestic Violence Cases
The Berkshire District Attorney’s Office has secured maximum jail sentences for two men in domestic violence cases last week. Both men were ordered to serve two and a half years at the Berkshire County House of Correction following guilty pleas.
32 year old Steven Signor, of Pittsfield, pled guilty in Central Berkshire District Court to two counts of assault and battery on a household member, two counts of violating an abuse prevention order, and single counts of assault and battery on a pregnant woman, resisting arrest, intimidation of a witness, breaking and entering, and vandalism.
Judge Mark Pasquariello sentenced Signor to two and a half years at the Berkshire County House of Correction. Two and a half years is the maximum allowable sentence for a single charge in District Court.
The charges relate to four separate incidents over the last year and a half. The District Attorney’s Office cited Signor’s repeated behavior and disregard for court orders in asking for the maximum sentence. The defense argued for a one year sentence.
30 year old Jonathan Therrien, of Adams, pled guilty in Northern Berkshire District Court to assault and battery on a household member and violation of an abuse prevention order.
The District Attorney’s Office requested the full two and a half year sentence, noting a lengthy record of similar convictions in other states. The defense asked for one year.
Judge Paul Vrabel sentenced Therrien to two and a half years at the Berkshire County House of Correction. The charges relate to an incident on November 1, 2019 in Adams.
“We obtained these guilty pleas thanks to comprehensive investigations by the Pittsfield and Adams police departments and are examples of how my office is working with law enforcement to prioritize violent crime. Berkshire County has the highest domestic violence rates in the state. These statistics represent real families who are living in violent homes,” District Attorney Andrea Harrington said.
“We are making every effort to prevent tragedy both to the individuals who are suffering from abuse, to local law enforcement who face risk every time they respond to domestic violence incidents, and to the public at large who face increased risk of gun violence from domestic abusers.”