Criminal Justice

Judge dismisses criminal charges against Bennett Walsh

Judge dismisses criminal charges against Bennett Walsh

Finds Holyoke Soldiers’ Home superintendent not liable for COVID outbreak

By Shira Schoenberg Attorney General Maura Healey, Bennett Walsh, Holyoke Soldiers' Home 0 Comments Nov 22, 2021

A HAMPDEN SUPERIOR COURT judge on Monday dismissed all criminal charges against former Holyoke Soldiers’ Home superintendent Bennett Walsh and medical director David Clinton for their roles in the deadly COVID-19 outbreak at the home. Attorney General Maura Healey had filed charges against the two top Soldiers’ Home officials alleging that their reckless conduct in(...)

Berkshire DA Harrington part of effort to shed light on plea deals

‘I know we’re going to see racial disparities,’ she says

Shira Schoenberg

<img width="435" height="285" alt="" data-srcset="https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Ostow_Prison_8266HR-435x285.jpg 435w, https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Ostow_Prison_8266HR-870x570.jpg 870w" data-src="https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Ostow_Prison_8266HR-435x285.jpg" data-sizes="(max-width: 435px) 100vw, 435px" class="attachment-one-post-middle size-one-post-middle wp-post-image lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img width="435" height="285" src="https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Ostow_Prison_8266HR-435x285.jpg" class="attachment-one-post-middle size-one-post-middle wp-post-image" alt="" srcset="https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Ostow_Prison_8266HR-435x285.jpg 435w, https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Ostow_Prison_8266HR-870x570.jpg 870w" sizes="(max-width: 435px) 100vw, 435px" />

High court sides with DOC on prison COVID rules

SJC says agency did not have to depopulate prisons

Shira Schoenberg

Bill would let Tompkins hold men solely for substance use treatment

Legislation is latest chapter in debate over civil commitments in correctional facilities

Shira Schoenberg

Benjamin LaGuer and the cruel reality of medical parole

Dept. of Correction’s vigorous opposition is puzzling

Eric Goldscheider

Baker refiles marijuana-impaired driving bill

Would give courts tools to penalize drugged driving

Shira Schoenberg

<img width="435" height="285" alt="" data-srcset="https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Ostow_Prison_8266HR-435x285.jpg 435w, https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Ostow_Prison_8266HR-870x570.jpg 870w" data-src="https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Ostow_Prison_8266HR-435x285.jpg" data-sizes="(max-width: 435px) 100vw, 435px" class="attachment-one-post-middle size-one-post-middle wp-post-image lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img width="435" height="285" src="https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Ostow_Prison_8266HR-435x285.jpg" class="attachment-one-post-middle size-one-post-middle wp-post-image" alt="" srcset="https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Ostow_Prison_8266HR-435x285.jpg 435w, https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Ostow_Prison_8266HR-870x570.jpg 870w" sizes="(max-width: 435px) 100vw, 435px" />

Can sheriffs collect lucrative commissions from inmate phone calls?

Supreme Judicial Court will hear arguments in case seeking to limit fees

Shira Schoenberg

12 charged in lottery deception scheme

AG alleges winners paid front men to hide winnings

Amanda Middle

A fix for the crisis at Mass. and Cass?

Tompkins says jail facility can be part of the solution

Michael Jonas

Tsarnaev appeal centers on juror bias in the social media age

Is it possible to have a jury whose members are unbiased?

Thaddeus Hoffmeister

Hampden DA notifying 8,000 criminal defendants of police misconduct

At issue are Springfield officers flagged by federal report

Shira Schoenberg

Trial Court chief Paula Carey to retire

Top court official to step down in January

Chris Lisinski

Juvenile delinquency dropped during pandemic

But report finds that racial disparities grew

Shira Schoenberg

<img width="435" height="285" alt="" data-srcset="https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/jail-cell-435x285.jpg 435w, https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/jail-cell-870x570.jpg 870w" data-src="https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/jail-cell-435x285.jpg" data-sizes="(max-width: 435px) 100vw, 435px" class="attachment-one-post-middle size-one-post-middle wp-post-image lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img width="435" height="285" src="https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/jail-cell-435x285.jpg" class="attachment-one-post-middle size-one-post-middle wp-post-image" alt="" srcset="https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/jail-cell-435x285.jpg 435w, https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/jail-cell-870x570.jpg 870w" sizes="(max-width: 435px) 100vw, 435px" />

SJC sides with sheriffs in COVID testing case

Jails don’t have to conduct surveillance screening

Shira Schoenberg

Vaccine fight only latest bad headline for State Police

Union insists officers shouldn’t be required to get immunization

Michael Jonas

William Allen’s case for commutation

‘I believe when you do good, you get good,’ he says

Shira Schoenberg

Nangle gets 15 months in prison

Also ordered to pay $33,347 to the IRS, forfeit $15,650

Matt Murphy

As sentencing approaches, 2 sides of Nangle emerge

Is he a victim of addiction or a conniving pol?

Shira Schoenberg

SJC sets limits on use of police body camera footage

Video shot in home cannot be used for unrelated investigation

Shira Schoenberg

A public safety agenda for the next mayor

A list of essential reforms for the Boston Police Dept.

Jack McDevitt

SJC urged to reduce prison population during COVID

DOC says 81% of inmates vaccinated; zero active cases

Shira Schoenberg

<img width="435" height="285" alt="" data-srcset="https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/jail-cell-435x285.jpg 435w, https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/jail-cell-870x570.jpg 870w" data-src="https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/jail-cell-435x285.jpg" data-sizes="(max-width: 435px) 100vw, 435px" class="attachment-one-post-middle size-one-post-middle wp-post-image lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img width="435" height="285" src="https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/jail-cell-435x285.jpg" class="attachment-one-post-middle size-one-post-middle wp-post-image" alt="" srcset="https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/jail-cell-435x285.jpg 435w, https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/jail-cell-870x570.jpg 870w" sizes="(max-width: 435px) 100vw, 435px" />

Department of Correction finally hires ombudsman

Advocates criticize selection of UMass Medical School

Shira Schoenberg

Witnessing history at the Sirhan parole hearing

Criminal justice system worked as it should, but years too late

Paul DeBole

RFK assassin’s parole recommendation ignites passions in divided family

Kennedy offspring divided on releasing Sirhan 53 years after their father’s murder

Michael Jonas

<img width="435" height="285" alt="" data-srcset="https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Ostow_Prison_8266HR-435x285.jpg 435w, https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Ostow_Prison_8266HR-870x570.jpg 870w" data-src="https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Ostow_Prison_8266HR-435x285.jpg" data-sizes="(max-width: 435px) 100vw, 435px" class="attachment-one-post-middle size-one-post-middle wp-post-image lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img width="435" height="285" src="https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Ostow_Prison_8266HR-435x285.jpg" class="attachment-one-post-middle size-one-post-middle wp-post-image" alt="" srcset="https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Ostow_Prison_8266HR-435x285.jpg 435w, https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Ostow_Prison_8266HR-870x570.jpg 870w" sizes="(max-width: 435px) 100vw, 435px" />

PrEP must be available behind bars

Preventing HIV transmission should be priority

Michael Cox

A call for mayoral candidates to address gun violence

Minister says ongoing plague of shootings ignored amid overall crime drop

Michael Jonas

prison

Ombudsman position at Correction Dept. still unfilled

Lawmakers provided funding for posting in December

Shira Schoenberg

Home where youth worker was killed saw recent rise in assaults

Six attacks on staff recorded in six months

Shira Schoenberg

<img width="435" height="285" alt="" data-srcset="https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/jail-cell-435x285.jpg 435w, https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/jail-cell-870x570.jpg 870w" data-src="https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/jail-cell-435x285.jpg" data-sizes="(max-width: 435px) 100vw, 435px" class="attachment-one-post-middle size-one-post-middle wp-post-image lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img width="435" height="285" src="https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/jail-cell-435x285.jpg" class="attachment-one-post-middle size-one-post-middle wp-post-image" alt="" srcset="https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/jail-cell-435x285.jpg 435w, https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/jail-cell-870x570.jpg 870w" sizes="(max-width: 435px) 100vw, 435px" />

Lawsuit says DOC accused lawyers, inmates based faulty drug test

Test for cannabinoid residue on prison mail called ‘less accurate than witchcraft’

Michael Jonas

Report rips Boston police handling of Rose case

Faults system for lack of timely internal probe that might have led to officer's termination

Michael Jonas

Sept 9, 2019

Suffolk DA Rollins nominated to be US attorney

Biden taps reformer to be state's top federal prosecutor

Chris Lisinski