SJC hears appeal of Cara Rintala, Granby woman convicted of murdering wife in 2010
Updated May 06, 2021;
Posted May 06, 2021
Cara Rintala in Northampton Superior Court on day 8 of her 2016 trial. (Don Treeger / The Republican)Staff-Shot
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Annamarie Cochrane Rintala was 37 when she was found strangled on March 29, 2010 at their home.
The basis for the appeal hearing, granted by Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, includes defense allegations the prosecution’s paint expert’s findings lacked scientific rigor; and that superior court judge presiding over the trial, Mary-Lou Rup, now retired, had abused her discretion.
The defendant’s lawyer is disputing prosecution evidence related to paint found at the scene of the dead body, questioning the methodology used to determine how fast that took to dry.
Registrars to review affidavits Friday in Jones Library case
Jones Library in Amherst GAZETTE FILE PHOTO
Published: 5/4/2021 3:44:37 PM
AMHERST The town’s Board of Registrars is expected to meet Friday to determine how to handle affidavits submitted by residents who claim their signatures were inappropriately invalidated on a Jones Library project voter veto petition drive.
Town Manager Paul Bockelman told the Town Council Monday that the meeting will come after a 14-day period to appeal the certification of signatures by the town clerk’s office. The petitioners did begin challenging the signature count immediately after it was announced.
The town clerk’s review of petition sheets showed 842 people signed the voter veto petition to bring the $36.3 million expansion and renovation of the library to a townwide referendum. The number was less than the 864 people, or 5% of voters as of the November 2019 town election, needed to trigger such action.
Amherst board to consider appeal on rejected Jones Library petition
Updated May 03, 2021;
AMHERST The Board of Registrars is expected to convene Friday to consider an appeal from residents who claim a petition, which would have forced a townwide vote on the $36.3 million Jones Library renovation project, was wrongfully rejected.
Town Manager Paul Bockelman said during Monday’s Town Council meeting that the issue is whether town officials improperly disqualified signatures on the petition.
The council voted 10-2 on April 5 to authorize borrowing for the project.
The town clerk’s office determined the petitioners were 22 signatures short of the required 864, or 5% of registered voters in town, to trigger the “voter veto” process. The petitioners said they submitted more than a thousand signatures and filed the appeal believing signatures were removed without cause.
Waxwing property owner appeals easement for sewer pump to Hatfield Town Meeting
The Waxwing Cafe in Hatfield, Feb. 19, 2020. STAFF FILE PHOTO
Published: 5/4/2021 3:57:12 PM
HATFIELD Voters will have an opportunity to either confirm or rescind land takings for the Route 5 water and sewer project at annual Town Meeting next week.
A petition article from Susan Berry of Old Stage Road is on the warrant for the May 11 session asking that the project, including a raw sewage pumping station, not be placed on the properties she owns at 34-36 West St., where the Waxwing Cafe is located.
Berry’s action follows a lawsuit filed in Hampshire Superior Court in March contending that the Town Meeting action in November approving the town’s taking of part of her property was illegal. The suit argues that 45 voters were present at the meeting, instead of the normal 75, and that the reduced quorum should not have been allowed.
Amherst to forge ahead on Jones Library project in wake of court decision
An artist’s conception shows a renovated and expanded Jones Library as seen from next to the Amherst History Museum. COURTESY FINEGOLD ALEXANDER ARCHITECTS
Published: 5/2/2021 8:08:20 PM
AMHERST A building committee will soon be formed to oversee the process of expanding and renovating the Jones Library into a fully accessible community center following a court decision halting an effort by petitioners seeking a townwide referendum on the project.
With a Hampshire Superior Court judge on Friday denying a preliminary injunction sought by residents attempting to bring the $36.3 million project to a townwide vote, library and town officials say they can begin work on enhancing the Amity Street building, built in 1928 and most recently expanded in the early 1990s.