On Thursday, March 16th Joshua Lofink was sentenced to 13-18 years in state prison concurrently on two counts of Mayhem by the Honorable Judge Agostini. The Judge further sentenced Lofink to 10-15 years in state prison on two counts of Assault and Battery by means of a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury and 2-3 years in state prison on the count of vandalism, all concurrent with the Mayhem sentence.
District Attorney Shugrue stated, “This egregious crime which brought violence to our streets, scared our residents and caused lasting trauma and physical injuries to the victims is intolerable. The people of Berkshire County have a right to feel safe in their communities.”
DA Shugrue continued, “The job of the District Attorney’s Office is to prosecute those who bring harm to our cities and towns, and it is one that I hold in the highest regard. I thank the victims for their bravery and cooperation and the jury for their service.”
On Friday, March 10th in Berkshire Superior Court Joshua Lofink was found guilty on all counts- 2 counts of Mayhem; 2 counts of Assault and Battery by Means of a Dangerous Weapon causing Serious Bodily Injury ( Knife); 2 counts of Vandalism (slashing tires on a car). Lofink (a resident of Pittsfield in his late 30s) has an extensive criminal history in Massachusetts, Connecticut and California.
On September 16, 2021, at 10:30pm multiple police departments were dispatched to the area of Tyler Street and Curtis Terrace for the report of a stabbing. When the officers arrived they noted that there were several vehicles in the roadway and two male victims with stab wounds who were identified as Ernest Ferry and Jamie Hassan. Both victims sustained serious life threatening injuries and were immediately transferred to Berkshire Medical Center. A vehicle owned by one of the victims at the scene had slashed tires.
The injuries sustained by Ferry and Hassan were so severe that they continue to affect their daily lives. Many bystanders at the scene assisted in both helping the victims and bringing attention to the area Lofink fled following the altercation. Some victims and witnesses who testified in the case feared for their safety; however, their cooperation helped justice be served.
District Attorney Shugrue thanks the victims and witnesses for their cooperation and commends the jury for their service.
The Pittsfield Police Department investigated this case. Assistant District Attorney Amy Winston represented the Commonwealth. Victim Witness Advocates Tarra-Jones Nutting and Jason Pilot of the District Attorney’s Office supported the victims and witnesses throughout the trial.
ADA Winston would like to thank the victims for having the courage to come forward despite their continued pain and suffering, the bystanders and medical personnel who helped with the injuries, and the Pittsfield Police Department for their thorough investigation.