News  Berkshire District Attorney’s Office Obtains Guilty Verdict In Rape Trial

PITTSFIELD — The Berkshire District Attorney’s Office obtained a guilty verdict in a violent rape case.

The jury found Dylan Welch, 17, of Pittsfield guilty on single counts of aggravated rape of a child with force and attempted extortion. The jury found Welch not guilty of assault with intent to rape.

The court will sentence Welch at a later date.

Welch raped a 14-year-old girl in a wooded area in Pittsfield on October 14, 2019 and caused the victim to suffer significant bodily injury. The Pittsfield Police investigated the crime.

The Berkshire District Attorney’s Office indicted and prosecuted Welch as a youthful offender because of the seriousness of the case. The trial began on June 14, and the jury decided on June 24. Judge Joan McMenemy presided over the trial.

“I am proud of my team’s work on this case to hold this defendant accountable for the physical and mental harm he caused a young woman. The victim showed incredible bravery throughout the life of this case, and it means so much to my office that we were able to secure a guilty verdict on her behalf,” District Attorney Andrea Harrington said.

“The victim had to wait a long time for justice because of the COVID pandemic. I thank the court for their work to safely resume jury trials, restoring the cornerstone of our justice system, and we look forward to continuing the pursuit of justice for victims.”

The trial is the second in Berkshire County since the court closures during the COVID pandemic. The Trial Court leased space at the Holiday Inn in Pittsfield to accommodate 12-person juries.

The Berkshire District Attorney’s Office is prepared to try cases as the court schedules.

Berkshire District Attorney Andrea Harrington’s office serves all 32 cities and towns in Berkshire County. The office represents the Commonwealth in more than 7,500 criminal cases per year in Berkshire Superior Court, three district courts, three juvenile courts, Massachusetts Appeals Court, and Supreme Judicial Court. The office works closely with the State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Berkshire District Attorney’s Office, the Berkshire Law Enforcement Task Force, and collaborates with local police departments across the county. A dedicated staff of more than 50 prioritizes public safety, empowering victims and witnesses through services and support, and building a safe community for everyone and especially the most vulnerable.