On Friday, September 29th a mistrial was declared in the trial of the Commonwealth v. Garrett Vil (Pittsfield).
Vil was charged with: • 2 counts of Intimidation of a Witness
• Kidnapping
• Violation of Restringing Order
• Assault and Battery on Family or Household Member
The trial began September 19th and concluded the 22nd. The jury began its deliberation at 11:30am on the 22nd and continuously deliberated until the afternoon of Friday, September 29th. District Attorney Shugrue thanks the jury for their service.
On Monday, October 2nd a new trial date will be set. District Attorney Shugrue remains committed to bringing justice for the victim.
The charges stem from the following alleged events.
On September 19, 2022, Garrett Vil went to the residence of his ex-girlfriend (henceforth victim). He went there to threaten the victim with the motive of forcing her to breakup with her current boyfriend. Vil ordered the victim to leave with him and told her if she did not follow his demands, he would hurt both her mother, boyfriend and children. Vil also told the victim he knew where her children went to school and when they, and her mother, were alone and vulnerable to attack.
The victim left the residence out of fear, taking only her cellphone with her. She did not have on socks or shoes and did not take a purse or wallet. Vil forced the victim into his car and physically assaulted her as he drove to his residence. Vil then forced her out of the car and made her ‘take a walk so he could calm down.’ Throughout the violent assault in the car and on the walk, the victim (who remained in bare feet) sustained bruised feet from Vil stomping on them and head and leg injuries from being hit and kicked.
Concurrently, the victim’s boyfriend called the victim’s phone repeatedly in hopes of locating her. The victim answered the phone and Vil continued making threats through the phone, saying he would kill both the victim and her boyfriend if the boyfriend called the police.
The victim’s boyfriend contacted the Pittsfield Police Department and, through a conversation with the police over the phone, Vil agreed to meet the police at Dairy Cone on Tyler Street. Two officers went to Dairy Cone and after approximately five minutes, they saw Vil and the victim walking up the street. Vil originally did not allow the victim to go with the police, but eventually the police successfully separated the two. The victim recounted the events and Vil was placed under arrest.
While Vil was under arrest, the victim took out a restraining order against him. Vill violated the restraining order through placing multiple phone calls. The calls included threats against both the victim and her family’s safety.
The trial took place in Berkshire Superior Court. The Honorable Judge Hodge presided. Assistant District Attorney Rachael Eramo represented the Commonwealth. Victim Witness Advocate Kristen Rapkowicz served on behalf of the District Attorney’s Office. The Pittsfield Police Department served as the lead law enforcement agency.