GREENFIELD — The state Executive Office of the Trial Court plans to move Hampshire County trials to an off-site location in Greenfield in an effort “to better promote health and safety precautions,” a decision that has been met with opposition from local officials.
According to a press release from the state office, trials that would normally be held in Hampshire County will be moved to the former leased courthouse space on Munson Street in Greenfield. Setup is expected to be completed by April 5, with trials beginning the same day.
“Sites in four counties have been finalized after reviewing dozens of options, and two additional counties remain to be completed,” the release states. “Each of these sites can accommodate two courtrooms, a jury pool room, a jury deliberation room, a lock-up area and staff space.”
The decision comes as Trial Court begins to resume jury trials in accordance with Supreme Judicial Court guidance.
Officials in western Massachusetts, however, oppose the decision of the Trial Court office, noting the “enormous burden” the 40-mile distance to the Greenfield location will pose on a number of people, including jurors, witnesses and defendants.
Northwestern District Attorney David Sullivan said the decision was made without input from “anyone within the Franklin County or Hampshire County court systems.”
“To me, the lack of input from western Mass. stakeholders, and the fact they went ahead and developed this tenancy is just beyond the pale,” Sullivan said. “It’s not the way it should work. People should be upset their taxpayer money is going to be wasted on a facility for which there is no need.”
Sullivan added that the Trial Court, in an effort “to justify” the lease on Munson Street, also aims to move the Franklin County Grand Jury to the same space.
In a notice sent Tuesday to the Greenfield Recorder and Daily Hampshire Gazette, Hampshire County Sheriff Patrick Cahillane expressed similar concerns over the Trial Court’s decision.
“A witness, defendant or potential juror who lives in one of the furthermost communities in Hampshire County — Ware, Southampton or Huntington, for example — who does not have the necessary transportation to travel to Greenfield for a few days or a week, how are they supposed to meet their obligations to the Court?” he wrote.
“The Trial Court’s decision is also silent on the impact this decision will have on the well-being of the men in my care and custody, as well as the impact the additional transportation and security costs will have on my staff and operating budget,” Cahillane wrote.
As of Tuesday afternoon, Cahillane said, there were zero cases of COVID-19 in the Hampshire County Jail and House of Correction. Additionally, 71 percent of staff and 74 percent of the inmate population have received the first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. A percentage of those people have also received their second shot and are fully vaccinated.
Cahillane was unable to be reached for additional comment as of press time.
“This places an unnecessary burden on our county residents, especially considering the public facilities that have already established appropriate space to hold trials in Hampshire County,” he said in the statement.
Sullivan noted that the Old Superior Courtroom in Northampton can accommodate a grand jury of 23, and could thus accommodate a jury of six to 12 jurors.
Sullivan said he hopes it’s still possible for the Trial Court to consider the region’s opposition and terminate the lease in Greenfield.
“Hopefully common sense will prevail,” he said. “I just don’t feel it’s a good use of state money.”
Berkshire County trials will be held at the Holiday Inn in Pittsfield, while Hampden County trials will be at the Eastfield Mall cinema in Springfield, according to the statement from the state Trial Court office.
Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne.