GREENFIELD — The Springfield man police say fired 15 rounds at a Greenfield Gardens apartment before fleeing last week is being held without the right to bail.
Qadree Hutchins, 27, also faces charges in Hampden County and had his $10,000 cash bail revoked as the result of a dangerousness hearing in front of Judge William Mazanec III in Greenfield District Court on Tuesday. In Greenfield, Hutchins has pleaded not guilty to charges of discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling, possession of a firearm without a license to carry (fourth offense), possession of ammunition without an FID card, vandalism, disorderly conduct and disturbing the peace.
Erin Aiello, the assistant district attorney prosecuting the Greenfield case for the state, summarized the police report for Mazanec and asked that Hutchins be held without bail, arguing that he presents a danger to the public. She said Greenfield Police arrived at Forbes Court in the Greenfield Gardens apartment complex following a report of gunshots at approximately 1:15 p.m. on July 25. Detective Justin Purinton reported seeing numerous bullet holes at 25 Forbes Court and a shattered glass screen door.
Aiello told Mazanec the apartment’s occupant was at work when the shots were fired and was called to come home by the property manager. The occupant told police the shooter was likely Hutchins, who is her ex-boyfriend and the father of one of her children. She told police there is a history of domestic violence, which is why she moved with her children from Springfield to Greenfield. Aiello said the woman explained Hutchins had recently been involved in a Springfield shooting and she did not want her child around violence.
“She indicated this had angered the defendant, to the point where he threatened to come to her apartment unannounced and ‘shoot my house up and kill me and my kids,’” Aiello told the court. Mazanec listened to threatening voicemails Hutchins reportedly left for the woman, who also told police Hutchins visited last month to see their child and the two adults got into an argument, witnessed by a neighbor, at Forbes Court.
Aiello also said police obtained security footage from the Greenfield Gardens’ property manager. The video shows a black Honda Accord pull up in front of 25 Forbes Court and strike the curb with its front passenger-side wheel. The driver then exits the vehicle and approaches the apartment’s front door before returning to the vehicle and driving away, toward Elm Street. Witnesses reportedly told Greenfield Police they heard and saw a man fire multiple rounds into the door at 25 Forbes Court. Police found 15 spent 9mm shell casings and numerous bullet fragments, according to Aiello.
She said police later found the black Honda Accord, and Hutchins matches the description of the suspect seen in the video and by witnesses. She also said he was the target of a firearms-trafficking investigation in Springfield.
Defense attorney Jonah Goldsmith asked Mazanec to deny the state’s motion to hold Hutchins without bail. He proposed bail conditions of GPS monitoring with a curfew from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m., regular drug screenings, staying away from the alleged target, avoiding Greenfield and residing with his father. Goldsmith said Hutchins’ only charge relating directly to his ex-girlfriend is that of vandalism.
“At this point, Mr. Hutchins has no reason to be in the city of Greenfield,” Goldsmith said. “And those conditions that we suggested would assure that.”
He said Hutchins must provide care to his mother.
Goldsmith also said he believes his client has never been convicted of a crime.
“He has, generally speaking, despite the record, a history of compliance with the courts,” Goldsmith said. “I find a few defaults. I find a few violations.”
Hutchins is due back in court on Sept. 8.
Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 262.