On Friday, January 17th, Laquan M. Johnson (Pittsfield MA) pleaded guilty to Manslaughter and seven charges connected the April 4th killing of Stephan Curley. The Commonwealth requested a state prison sentence of 15 to 20-years. The Defense requested a state prison sentence of 10-years to 10-years and 1-day. Honorable Judge Agostini of Berkshire Superior Court sentenced the Defendant to 12 to 15-years in State Prison. The sentence is above sentencing guidelines that recommends 9 to 13.5-years. The plea took place prior to result of a jury verdict from a trial that began on January 8th.
District Attorney Timothy J. Shugrue stated, “My thoughts are with Mr. Curley’s family during this difficult time. While Laquan Johnson’s lengthy sentence will never bring Mr. Curley back, I hope it offers some measure of comfort to his loved ones. Gun violence affects not only the perpetrators and victims but the entire community. Today’s plea represents a step toward healing, offering Ms. Satrape, Mr. Curley’s family, and the community an opportunity to look forward toward a new day.”
Count(s) CHARGE(S): SENTENCE:
101 Voluntary Manslaughter 12 – 15 years state prison, concurrent on all counts
102 Armed Assault with Intent to Murder 5 – 7 years state prison (concurrent to count 1)
103 Assault and Battery by Discharging a Firearm 2 – 3 years state prison (concurrent to count 1)
104 Assault and Battery by Discharging a Firearm 2 – 3 years state prison (concurrent to count 1)
105 Possession of a Firearm Without FID 2 years House of Corrections (concurrent to count 1)
106 Possession of Ammunition Without a Firearm Identification Card 2 years House of Corrections (concurrent to count 1)
107* Possession to Distribute Cocaine* 2 – 4 years state prison (concurrent to count 1)
108* Possession to Distribute Class B Substance* 2 – 4 years state prison (concurrent to count 1)
Both law enforcement and Mr. Curley’s family were satisfied with the case’s disposition.
On April 4th, 2022 Laquan M. Johnson (Laquan Johnson) shot and killed Stephan Curley (Springfield, MA) and shot and injured Dominique Satrape (Pittsfield, MA).
At approximately 4:22pm on April 4, 2022, Pittsfield Police were dispatched after ShotSpotter activation detected five gunshot rounds in the area of 71 King Street. Concurrently, at approximately 4:27pm, Pittsfield Police were dispatched to Berkshire Medical Center after a report of an individual with a gunshot wound was dropped off at the emergency room. The individual was later identified as Stephan Curley.
The police investigators who were dispatched to 71 King Street searched the area surrounding the ShotSpotter activation. At 17 Von Nida Avenue officers observed an individual, later identified as Meilani Eurquhart, Laquan Johnson’s sister, outside leaning over a garbage can. They questioned an Ms. Eurquhart about hearing gunshots, and she said she did hear shots. When Ms. Eurquhart was asked to raise her hands into view, she dropped several spent shell casings. At this point, officers approached the front porch of the residence and observed at least one additional spent shell casing on the porch. Based on the evidence outside the residence, officers determined the house should be secured pending the application of a search warrant. When Officers cleared the residence, they observed Laquan Johnson inside. He appeared to have just exited the shower. Officers observed another spent shell casing in the hall.
Prosecutors stated the Defendant showered immediately following the shooting to wash off gun residue after shooting Mr. Curley and Ms. Satrape. A gun, matching the one used to shoot Mr. Curley and Ms. Satrape, was found inside the residence in a safe belonging to Mr. Johnson.
During a trial, prior to the Defendant pleading guilty, Laquan admitted to shooting Mr. Curley, claiming it was in self-defense. Prosecutors stated the shooting was not in self-defense and that there was no evidence that Mr. Curley had a gun during the incident. Witness testimony from the event state that the Defendant was outside his apartment with a gun and immediately began shooting when Mr. Curley and Ms. Satrape arrived. Prosecutors explained that the timeline of events, just 16 seconds between video evidence shows Mr. Curley driving up to the residence and shots ringing out, demonstrate that the Defendant fired shots towards both Mr. Curley and Ms. Satrape.
Assistant District Attorney Joseph Yorlano and Assistant District Attorney Heather Valentine represented the Commonwealth. Assistant District Attorney Jocelyn McGrath represented the Berkshire District Attorney’s Apelet Unit throughout the trial. Kristen Rapkowicz served as the Victim Witness Advocate on behalf of the Berkshire District Attorney’s Office. The Pittsfield Police Department served as the leading law enforcement agency on the case.
*Johnson faced two outstanding drug charges that stemmed from drugs recovered from the Defendant’s safe when it was searched. At Defenses request, the two drug related charges were severed from the trial. The two charges were incorporated into today’s plea.