On Wednesday, April 19th, the Honorable Judge Flannery allowed for a dangerousness hearing to be held for Danny Ayala-Calcano. On Thursday, April 20th, Judge Flannery issued an opinion that Ayala-Calcano be held on dangerousness.
Ayala-Calcano (8/11/1990) is charged with Mayhem, Assault with Intent to Maim, and Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon, and Serious Bodily Injury stemming from an apparent unprovoked knife attack that occurred in North Adams at 150 Ashland Street on February 20, 2023. The defendant allegedly attacked a victim with a knife in the foyer of the apartment building.
Defense attorney David Pixley argued that Danny Ayala-Calcano was attempting to protect a person living inside the apartment building from the victim of his subsequent knife attack. The Commonwealth argued that the vicious, unprovoked attack was asserting vigilante justice as a defense, which makes him dangerous to the community. The Commonwealth presented supporting evidence that included current police report and log notes; crime scene and injury photos; police reports from prior violent offenses occurring in 2017, 2018, and 2019; certified convictions; and video surveillance.
District Attorney Shugrue continues to stress the importance of using dangerousness hearings only when appropriate. Shugrue stated, “Dangerousness hearings result in defendants being held without the right to bail until their case is heard or an appropriate bail is established. We [District Attorneys] should only use these hearings when a defendant is truly a threat to our community. Mr. Ayala-Calcano’s actions demonstrated that he is a threat to our citizens and must be held until trial.”
Assistant District Attorney Mellissa Brooks represented the Commonwealth. Assistant District Attorney Rachel Eramo supported. Lindsay McCarthy is serving as the victim witness advocate on behalf of the Berkshire County District Attorney’s Office.
The next court date is May 18, 2023, for status re-scheduling.