PITTSFIELD — A man who was apparently shot during an incident on Francis Avenue on Friday is being held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing.
Dane Kessler, 27, of Pittsfield, was arraigned Monday from Berkshire Medical Center, where he was being treated for four gunshot wounds to the back of his leg.
He was picked up on Onota Street in a silver Volkswagen, which witnesses said was among at least three vehicles involved in the incident just after noon, according to Assistant District Attorney Allison Pash.
The driver of one of the vehicles, a white sedan, told police that Kessler told him he had been shot, and gave him a 9 mm handgun, which was found in the back seat.
Another vehicle, a gray Nissan Altima, was found by North Adams Police on Reservoir Road in North Adams. The vehicle was doused in bleach and appeared to have been intentionally set on fire. A bullet hole was located in the passenger side door.
Kessler's court-appointed attorney, Caitlin Perry, challenged probable cause in the case, saying the police reports were "quite convoluted," with myriad witnesses, vehicles and stories. And she noted no witness identified the shooter as being heavily tattooed.
Yet, she cited the police report, which reads: "Kessler is covered in tattoos on most parts of his body including his neck, chest, back, both arms, hands, and parts of his face, making his skin tone difficult to determine."
She also argued that his gunshot wounds in the back of the leg are not consistent with someone involved in a gunfight.
Kessler pleaded not guilty in Central Berkshire District Court to assault with a dangerous weapon, discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building, and carrying a firearm without a license.
Judge Paul Smyth ordered him held pending a dangerousness hearing scheduled for 9:45 a.m. Thursday.