GREENFIELD — A Greenfield man out on bail died shortly before his scheduled jury trial for child sexual abuse charges, though the cause of death is unclear.
The state closed its case against Christopher Russo, 39, on Tuesday, the day after the trial was to begin, according to Northwestern District Attorney’s Office spokesperson Mary Carey. Russo was charged with three counts of aggravated rape of a child and three counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14.
According to court documents, Russo allegedly assaulted a child he knew on or between Dec. 30, 2011, and Dec. 29, 2015.
The Greenfield Recorder previously reported the alleged victim told Greenfield Police Patrol Officer Patricia West that Russo “touched her private parts” and “made her touch his private parts” on more than one occasion. The victim also told police he asked about sex and “tried to put it in, but couldn’t.”
Further interviews by Greenfield Police Patrol Officer Megan Gilbert revealed the incidents began when the victim was 8 years old and continued until she was 10 or 11, according to Gilbert’s report. The victim also told police the incidents occurred in the attic bedroom of Russo’s former home on Montague City Road, according to Gilbert’s report.
Reach Domenic Poli at
413-772-0261, ext. 262 or dpoli@recorder.com.