Western Mass. man found guilty of murder for fatally shooting man during confrontation
A Pittsfield man who shot and killed another city resident while confronting him at his home in 2022 was found guilty of murder on Wednesday, the Berkshire County District Attorney's Office announced.
A Berkshire County Superior Court jury convicted Michael Rose of second-degree murder and possession of a firearm without an FID card in connection with the death of 39-year-old Jeric Black, the district attorney's office said. A judge sentenced him to serve 20 years to life in prison on the charges.
On Feb. 1, 2022, Pittsfield police responded to Black's home at 181 King St. for a report of gunfire, the district attorney's office said. Black's family told police that Rose had entered the home and shot Black in the stomach before fleeing prior to officers' arrival. Black was taken to Berkshire Medical Center where he was declared dead.
The investigation into Black's death revealed that a woman who Rose often relied on for transportation had driven him to Black's home, the district attorney's office said. At the time, Rose intended to confront Black.
One of Black's family members heard a gunshot shortly after letting Rose into the home, the district attorney's office said. They then saw Rose fleeing the home. Rose got into the car of the woman who'd driven him there, and they left the scene.
In the days following Black's murder, the woman went to police to tell them she believed she'd driven the man responsible for killing Black to and from the crime scene, the district attorney's office said. She cooperated with police and explained the timeline of events.
The woman told police that Rose had used her phone to call Black while she was driving him to the home, and that Black had called Rose back on the woman's phone before they arrived, the district attorney's office said. A review of the woman's phone showed both calls she'd described.
The woman also told police she'd dropped Rose off on View Street after the murder, the district attorney's office said. A review of one of Rose's devices showed that he had been on View Street shortly after Black was killed.
"Justice was delivered today for Jeric Black, who was ruthlessly gunned down, leaving behind his loving family and friends," Berkshire County District Attorney Timothy Shugrue said in the release. "This verdict was made possible by the work of the Pittsfield Police, the courage of a key witness coming forward, and the strength of Mr. Black's family."
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