News  Berkshire District Attorney’s Office Obtains Third Conviction In Salois Homicide

PITTSFIELD — The Berkshire District Attorney’s Office obtained a third conviction in the homicide of 18-year-old Jaden Salois.

Dasean Smith, 24, of Pittsfield, the third of three defendants charged in the 2019 homicide to face trial, pled guilty to single counts of manslaughter, possession of a firearm without an FID card, possession of ammunition without an FID card, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony on Monday. Judge Jane Mulqueen imposed a 15 to 18 years state prison sentence.

“I am grateful the defendant accepted responsibility for his role in killing Jaden Salois and spared the family from going through another lengthy trial. This was the first homicide investigation of my administration, and I am proud of my team for holding all three defendants accountable,” District Attorney Andrea Harrington said.

“I send my condolences to Jaden Salois’ family and thank them for their powerful victim impact statements.”

The Berkshire District Attorney’s Office previously obtained first-degree homicide convictions for brothers Omar Pascual-Polanco, 26, and Carlos Pascual-Polanco, 22, both of Pittsfield, in the Edward Avenue shooting. Judge Douglas Wilkins sentenced both to serve life sentences without parole.
The three jointly operated a marijuana distribution operation through a fake social media account, which they used to lure Salois, of Dalton, from an Edward Avenue home in Pittsfield and then shot him in the back at approximately 2 a.m. on January 20, 2019.

Prosecutors called more than 30 witnesses during the two-week Pascual-Polanco trial and prepared to do the same in the Smith trial, which the court had scheduled to start on Monday.

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.