On May 10th, Nicholas Lighten (Dalton MA) was arraigned in Central Berkshire District Court. He was arraigned on 10 charges from an incident that occurred in his home on the evening of May 9th.
The charges are as follows:
- Armed-Firearm Kidnapping
- Armed Assault to Murder
- Carry of Dangerous Weapon (Brass Knuckles)
- Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon
- Firearm Discharge Within 500 Feet of a Building
- Firearm Violation with 1 Prior Violent Drug Crime
- Possession of a Firearm Without FID Card
- Possession of a Firearm in Felony- Subsequent Offense
- Possession of Ammunition without an FID Card
- Drug Possession- Class B
On the evening of May 9th Lighten and the victim allegedly got into an alteration at the Defendant’s residence, 43 East Housatonic Street, Dalton. The Defendant then allegedly kidnapped and attempted to murder the victim. The Defendant allegedly forcibly brought the victim to the basement of the house; attempted to restrain the victim; and discharged his weapon in an alleged attempt to murder the victim. The victim was shot in his upper thigh. The victim drove himself to Berkshire Medical Center where he was treated for non-life-threatening wounds and released.
Law enforcement determined there was no danger to the public on the evening of the incident (May 9th). The Defendant was brought into custody approximately two hours after the crime occurred. The Clerk placed $500,000 bail and Lighten was held in the House of Corrections prior to arraignment.
Following the arraignment on Friday May 10th, Lighten is being held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing scheduled for Wednesday, May 15th. In the alternative he will be held on $500,000 bail.
Dalton Police served as the lead law enforcement agency. Pittsfield Police supported on the case. The Berkshire District Attorney’s Office supported law enforcement on the scene.