Mass Live News – January 20, 2023

Pittsfield >> A Central Berkshire District Court jury found Edward Shove of Pittsfield not guilty of 2 counts of indecent assault and battery on a child on Thursday.

Prosecutors alleged that Shove, 57,  sexually assaulted a then 5-year-old minor in 2012. The Commonwealth argued that Shove’s assaults took place in his home while he was in a caretaking position of the child. The alleged victim came forward with her allegations in 2019 after being caught “sexting” by her mother. She was then interviewed at the Kid’s Place for the alleged assault.

“Absolutely not guilty,” said Shove’s attorney, Marc Vincelette of Pittsfield, after the trial. “Mr. Shove has been a law-abiding member of society and a proud veteran of the United States Military. There is no evidence to support these charges. We’re grateful the jury was able to see that.”

Vincelette’s defense of Shove focused on the late disclosure of the allegations and that the motive behind them stems from the alleged victim’s mother. The defense argued that the mother falsely convinced the minor that the allegations occurred in order to exact revenge on the minor’s father, who is the son of Shove’s girlfriend at the time.

The jury deliberated for 6 hours over a two-day period, reaching their verdict on Thursday.