Michael Rose
12/24/1979
Pittsfield, MA
Pittsfield, MA- On Wednesday, October 1st, Michael Rose was found guilty by a jury of his peers of Murder in the Second Degree. He was also found guilty of possession of a firearm without an FID card. Today the Defendant was sentenced in Berkshire Superior Court to 20 years to life for the charge of Murder in the Second Degree and two and a half to five years for possession of a firearm without an FID card (to be served concurrently).
Rose was found guilty of the 2022 murder of Jeric Black (Pittsfield, MA). He will serve his 20 -years to life sentence in State Prison.
On February 1, 2022, at approximately 11:39pm law enforcement members were dispatched to a residence at 181 King Street, Pittsfield for a report of shots fired. A man was said to have walked into the residence and shot the victim, Jeric Black, in the stomach. When law enforcement arrived, the perpetrator, later identified as Michael Rose, had already fled the scene.
Law enforcement investigation revealed that the Defendant went to 181 King Street to confront Mr. Black. The Defendant was driven to the scene by Shirley Gaylord who he often relied on for transportation. Upon arriving at 181 King Street, the Defendant exited the vehicle and was let into the residence by one of Mr. Black’s family members. The family member reported that shortly thereafter, he heard a gunshot and saw the Defendant fleeing from the house. The family found Mr. Black who suffered from a gunshot wound to the abdomen. Mr. Black was transported to Berkshire Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased.
In the days following the murder, Ms. Gaylord reported to police that she believed she drove the man responsible for killing Mr. Black to and from the crime scene. Ms. Gaylord cooperated with police and explained the timeline of events, including bringing the Defendant to the 181 King Street residence then driving him away and dropping him off on View Street.
Along with witness testimony, prosecutors relied on key pieces of digital evidence including phone logs and a device that connected to the internet. The Defendant borrowed Ms. Gaylord’s phone while she drove him in the car to call Mr. Black. Mr. Black called Ms. Gaylord’s phone back and spoke directly to the Defendant prior to the murder. Both calls were reflected in Ms. Gaylord’s phone log.
Following the murder, the Defendant’s own technology device connected to a router near where he was dropped off on View Street. This allowed prosecutors to geolocate the Defendant moments after he committed the crime and confirm Ms. Gaylord’s testimony.
District Attorney Shugrue stated, “Justice was delivered today for Jeric Black, who was ruthlessly gunned down, leaving behind his loving family and friends. This verdict was made possible by the work of the Pittsfield Police, the courage of a key witness coming forward, and the strength of Mr. Black’s family.
He continued, “I am proud of the prosecutors, advocates, and every member of my office. Over the past 18 months, we have brought seven murder cases to conviction, holding seven violent criminal offenders accountable.”
Chief Trial Counsel Joseph Yorlano and Assistant District Attorney Amy Winston represented the Commonwealth. Kristen Rapkowicz served as the Victim Witness Advocate on behalf of the Berkshire District Attorney’s Office. The Pittsfield Police Department served as the lead law enforcement investigative agency.