Springfield Police Capt. Peter Dillon said authorities have yet to locate Santiago, the man authorities believe killed Rojas at her North End apartment.

FacebookHomicide victim Jessica Rojas

SPRINGFIELD – City police are searching for José Santiago, the man they suspect fatally stabbed Jessica Rojas just hours after she celebrated her 25th birthday at a Springfield nightclub this weekend.

"We have a warrant for his arrest," Springfield Police Capt. Peter Dillon said of Santiago, whose whereabouts are unknown.

Rojas celebrated her birthday with friends and family Friday night, but she was pronounced dead just a few hours later after she was fatally stabbed early Saturday morning, according to police, who believe Santiago is the killer.

Dillon said police are looking for the 30-year-old Springfield resident, who had an on-and-off relationship with Rojas, a city employee and mother of four. Rojas recently landed a job at City Hall, where she worked in the law department.

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, who knew Rojas even though she had only been a city employee for a short while, offered his condolences to her family and expressed confidence that detectives would would find Rojas' killer.

"She was a nice, pleasant young lady with a lot of opportunity. I’m very sorry to hear about it, he said. "Police are working very hard to hunt down the individual responsible for this tragic event. I'm sure they will get the individual, but it's not going to bring back Jessica."

Rojas, the city's third homicide victim this year, was stabbed multiple times at about 3:15 a.m. Saturday at her home at 132 Washburn St. in the city's North End, Dillon said. She was taken to Baystate Medical Center, where she later died.

Santiago was described by police as Rojas' occasional boyfriend. Police released little information about the suspect, including his address or any images of Santiago.

"It's a little early for that," Dillon said Monday.

Dillon told the Boston Globe that the Rojas and Santiago had been "having arguments all evening long" prior to the stabbing.

Rojas celebrated her 25th birthday on Friday at a Springfield club, according to her Facebook page, which indicates she had recently been dating Santiago.

Anyone with information about this case, or who knows Santiago's whereabouts, is asked to call the Springfield Police Department Detective Bureau at (413) 787-6355.

Springfield's first murder case of the year was reported Feb. 1, when police found the body of Judy Ramirez, 38, of 47 Pendleton Ave. in the rear stairwell of the Progressive Community Chapel on State Street. Ronald Ruell Jr., 30, has been charged with her murder.

On Feb. 23, Alfred Pellot Lopez, 29, was fatally shot in the head at a duplex on Whittier Street in the city's Forest Park neighborhood. No one has been charged in that case, which police believe may have been a drug-related killing.

Springfield had six murders as of March 13 last year, according to police records.

Other area homicide investigations this year include the Feb. 20 killing of Jessica Ann Pripstein, 39, of Easthampton. Her boyfriend, Ryan D. Welch, 36, is charged with her murder.

Economists say the transportation bill may mean different jobs, but not necessarily additional ones.

Associated PressThe intersection of Highway 1 and Doyle Drive is seen as the massive construction project continues, in San Francisco, Friday Feb. 3, 2012.

WASHINGTON — The lure of roads, bridges, buses and trains isn't enough anymore to drive an expensive transportation bill through Congress. So to round up votes, congressional leaders are pitching the bills as the hottest thing around these days: job generators.

But do they really create more jobs? The answer from a lot of economists is not really. The bills would simply shift spending that was creating jobs elsewhere in the economy to transportation industries. That means different jobs, but not necessarily additional ones.

"Investments in transportation infrastructure, if well designed, should be viewed as investments in future productivity growth," said Alice Rivlin, a former director of the White House Office of Management and Budget under President Bill Clinton.

"If they speed the delivery of goods and people, they will certainly do that," she said. "They will also create jobs, but not necessarily more jobs than the same money spent in other ways."

But that hasn't diminished the jobs claims being made on Capitol Hill.

"This legislation would put 2 million middle-class Americans back to work right away," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said Thursday, as he fumed about nearly 100 amendments that have delayed action on the Senate's version of the transportation bill.

"Although our economy has gained momentum, there are still millions of Americans out of work. So it should be obvious why we can't afford to delay efforts to rebuild our roadways, railways and bridges," he explained.

In the House, Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, made a transportation bill the election-year centerpiece of the GOP's jobs agenda last fall when he unveiled its broad outlines. To make sure nobody missed the point, the bill was dubbed the "American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act of 2012."

Support for the five-year, $260 billion House bill has since fallen apart because conservatives think it spends too much money, and because Democrats and some Republicans balk at policy changes they say would undermine mass-transit funding, weaken environmental protections and penalize union workers.

Urgency is growing because the government's spending authority for highway and transit programs expires at the end of this month and the trust fund that finances them is expected to go broke sometime next winter. Boehner is struggling to find some mix of policy and spending that can win the votes needed for passage.

President Barack Obama has pitched his own six-year, $476 billion transportation bill as a jobs plan as well, but it is obvious lawmakers are unwilling to consider such a large proposal. They've had to scour the federal budget to find money to pay for a Senate bill a quarter of that size. While paying lip service to their own bill, administration officials are also backing the more modest Senate bill, which would cost $109 billion over two years.

"A transportation bill will be the biggest jobs bill Congress could ever pass, bigger than anything else they've done in the three and a half years I've been in this job," Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said, praising the Senate bill.

Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., the chief sponsor of the Senate bill, estimates it will preserve 1.8 million jobs that would be lost if authority to spend trust fund monies expires, and create another 1 million new jobs through a $1 billion loan-guarantee program. The loan program has been shown to generate as much $30 in private sector investment for every $1 in federal aid. To reach her job estimate, Boxer used that formula, plus Federal Highway Administration estimates that every $1 billion in highway spending creates about 35,000 jobs if it is matched by state and local aid.

Nearly 3 million jobs "are hanging in the balance" as the Senate debates the bill, Boxer said.

But that analysis "assumes that if this bill doesn't pass, all funding ceases, which really isn't a fair assumption," said Joshua Schanks, president of the Eno Transportation Foundation, a transportation think tank.

It's unlikely that Congress would allow highway and transit aid to lapse even if lawmakers can't agree on a longer-term bill, he said. Rather, he said, they are likely to pass a short-term extension of current programs, as they have done eight times since the last long-term transportation plan expired in 2009.

Also, jobs created by the loan-guarantee program may be a long time coming since the program is aimed at financing major projects, economists said.

"In many cases this is not spending that occurs very rapidly," said Alan Viard, an economist with the conservative American Enterprise Institute. "Anything that involves construction has notoriously long lead times."

The question of job creation is relatively unimportant when compared to the other significant economic benefits associated with maintaining and improving the nation's aging transportation system, like enabling people to get to work and businesses to speedily move goods, economists and transportation experts said.

Schanks pointed to the construction of the federal interstate highway system, which began in 1956 and was completed 35 years later.

"How many jobs did we create by building the interstate system? Nobody knows. And who cares? We built the interstate system, that's what matters," he said.

A Super Tuesday tip sheet: What's at stake, what's it mean and what might happen?

Associated PressRepublican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, speaks at a pancake breakfast at Brookwood High School in Brookwood, Ga., Sunday, March 4, 2012.

WASHINGTON — Super? Maybe not this time. But it is a Tuesday, one with the biggest payout of the Republican presidential primaries.

Super Tuesday, slimmed down to half its 2008 size but still doling out one-third of the delegates needed to win, probably won't settle much.

Sure, it could nudge Newt Gingrich out of the race, or lend Ron Paul more credibility. But it won't be easy for either Mitt Romney or Rick Santorum to score a decisive advantage, because delegates are handed out by share. A close second in a state can pay off almost as well as first place.

Win some big states, especially Ohio, and the symbolism is powerful, of course.

Romney might cement the front-runner status that keeps slipping through his fingers. Santorum could prove he's the real thing.

What's at stake, what's it mean and what might happen? A Super Tuesday tip sheet:

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Delegates for grabs Tuesday: 419.

Delegates already won: 353. Romney, 203; Santorum, 92; Gingrich, 33; Paul, 25.

Delegates needed for the nomination: 1,144.

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Super Tuesday is super expensive:

A week's worth of heavy advertising in all 10 states would cost a candidate about $5 million.

That's a lot even for Romney's well-financed campaign, prompting him to make a plea for donations amid his Michigan victory speech. Gingrich is getting another multimillion-dollar boost from Las Vegas billionaire Sheldon Adelson, who donated the money to a special type of political action committee, known as a super PAC, that will run advertising in key states.

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Ohio, Ohio, Ohio:

It's the race to watch. Political junkies get all misty-eyed over this Rust Belt swing state, and not just because of the 63 delegates.

No Republican nominee has ever become president without winning the state. That makes it a powerful proving ground for the men trying to show they can take on President Barack Obama.

It's home to Joe the Plumber and tens of thousands of auto workers, but Ohio's not all blue-collar. It's also the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, high-tech science, medical and energy workers, suburbanites, soybean farmers and a quarter-million dairy cows (OK, the cows can't vote). The big issue is the economy, including Obama's bailout of the auto industry.

Santorum and Romney are duking it out in Ohio. Look for the outcome to generate more buzz than any other Super Tuesday contest.

___

Newt's last stand or Gingrich rises again?

Get out the hook for Newt Gingrich if he loses in Georgia, the state he represented in the U.S. House for two decades.

Gingrich hopes to win decisively here and pick up enough other delegates to relaunch his up-and-down campaign, which has been mostly down-and-out since he lost Florida in January. He's got endorsements from Gov. Nathan Deal and Herman Cain, a fellow Georgian. He's got a new pitch, claiming he can bring the cost of gas down to $2.50 per gallon.

Santorum is pushing hard to wrest the state's Christian conservative and tea party voters away from Gingrich. Romney remains a force, even if the state is outside his comfort zone. Georgia boasts the day's biggest cache of delegates: 76.

___

Elsewhere in the South:

Two other Bible Belt states, Tennessee and Oklahoma, are central to Gingrich's hopes of revival. But Santorum insists he'll be the big story in both.

In Tennessee, a confident-sounding Santorum is trying to walk the footsteps of another outspoken Christian conservative, Mike Huckabee, who won this primary four years ago. Romney boasts the support of popular Gov. Bill Haslam, while Gingrich is getting plugs from one of the state's most colorful political figures, former senator, movie actor and Law & Order star Fred Thompson. At stake are 55 delegates.

Dotted with drilling rigs and cattle ranches, Oklahoma straddles the South and the Great Plains and sits squarely among the reddest of the red states. Santorum tagged it "ground zero of the conservative movement," and his anti-abortion, pro-family values message attracts enthusiastic crowds here. The other three hopefuls also have dropped in, hoping to prove their conservative bona fides to the Okies. It offers 40 delegates.

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Paul's big night?

The anti-war, libertarian-leaning, unorthodox Republican hasn't won a single state. Super Tuesday could change that.

Paul is focusing on the three caucus states — Idaho, North Dakota and Alaska — where a big turnout by his cadre of enthusiastic followers would have the most impact. Even if he doesn't score a win, he's likely to pick up delegates to help power him into this summer's Republican convention with enough clout to promote his ideas.

But his rivals won't make it easy.

Idaho's big Mormon population — about a fourth of its voters — bodes well for Romney, who's a Mormon. Santorum's looking to win in North Dakota, and Romney's trying, too.

Paul, a Texas congressman, may be the only one to journey to Alaska, however; he was in the state Sunday. Meanwhile, Alaska's most famous Republican, Sarah Palin, has been saying some nice things about Gingrich.

Together, the three caucuses pay out 84 delegates (Idaho 32, North Dakota 28, Alaska 24).

___

What's the deal with Virginia?

Gingrich would love to compete in this Southern state, but he's not. Only Romney and Paul landed spots on the ballot, by having early organizations strong enough to collect the required 10,000 signatures. That leaves Virginia mostly a curiosity. What kind of showing can Paul muster going mano-a-mano with Romney? The fight is over 46 delegates.

___

Romney territory:

There's little drama in the Northeastern races. Romney's virtually unopposed in his power base of Massachusetts, where he was governor just over five years ago. Delegates: 38. He's expected to win neighboring Vermont handily, too, although Santorum seeks to peel away some of its 17 delegates.

___

Next up:

Caucuses and primaries in Kansas, Wyoming, Alabama, Hawaii, Mississippi, Missouri, Illinois and Louisiana fill out the busiest month of the nomination season. Three territories — American Samoa, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico — also get their say in March.

SPRINGFIELD – Lefreyd Terrace was shut down to traffic after a gas line ruptured around 9:30 a.m. Monday, according to Springfield Fire Department Public Information Officer Dennis G. Leger. A work crew was digging near 48 Lefreyd Terrace, a vacant building, when they severed an underground gas line, Leger said. "We have no way to shut it off," he...

The Republican | Mark M. Murray

SPRINGFIELD – Lefreyd Terrace was shut down to traffic after a gas line ruptured around 9:30 a.m. Monday, according to Springfield Fire Department Public Information Officer Dennis G. Leger.

A work crew was digging near 48 Lefreyd Terrace, a vacant building, when they severed an underground gas line, Leger said.

"We have no way to shut it off," he said, adding that firefighters evacuated surrounding homes and closed the street until utility crews could shut off the line and fix the problem.

Springfield police cruisers blocked Lefreyd Terrace at Belmont Avenue and Woodside Terrace in the Forest Park neighborhood.

There were no reported injuries connected to the incident, which was reported at 9:31 a.m.

THE MAP BELOW shows the approximate location where a work crew severed an underground gas line while digging outside 48 Leyfred Terrace in the city's Forest Park neighborhood around 9:30 Monday morning:


View Larger Map

Brown voted against repealing a state law that prevented gay couples from out-of-state from marrying in Massachusetts and in 2004, he supported a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.

01/25/2012 SPRINGFIELD- Republican U.S. Sen Scott Brown came under fire for his record on gay rights ahead of a fundraiser with New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie on Monday. (Republican Photo by Mark M.Murray)

BOSTON - Ahead of a pricey Boston fundraiser dinner alongside New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Republican U.S. Sen. Scott Brown is drawing criticism for his record on issues directly affecting gay citizens.

The criticism comes as Christie, a popular Republican, recently made headlines by vetoing a bill that passed both houses of the New Jersey legislature which would have allowed same-sex couples to wed in the Garden State.

Gay rights are one issue that Brown and Elizabeth Warren, his chief Democratic opponent in the U.S. Senate race, seem to hold differing views of.

As a U.S. senator, Brown voted to repeal the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy restricting LGBT service members from serving openly in the military after a Pentagon study suggested it would have no negative impact on the military.

But as a state senator in Massachusetts, there were a number of votes that placed him on the other side of the argument.

Brown voted against repealing a state law that prevented gay couples from out-of-state from marrying in Massachusetts and in 2004, he supported a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. And although Brown has spoke against same-sex marriage, he has called it is a "settled issue" as far as Massachusetts goes.

Warren, by contrast, has called for full legal equality for LGBT people and was endorsed by the Human Rights Campaign last week for her views.

"As a country we should stand for fairness and equality for all our people -- in employment, health benefits, educational experience, or spousal status," Warren said in a statement following the endorsement. "I am proud that Massachusetts has led the nation on equality issues, and it is time for the federal government to end the disparities and discrimination that LGBT people and their families face."

Warren also created an "It Get's Better" video in late January aimed at uplifting bullied LGBT teens who might be considering suicide.

Brown, on the other hand, was the only member of the Massachusetts Congressional delegation who didn't participate in such a video in July 2011.

On Monday, Democrats and gay rights activists wrote a letter calling on Brown to come out in support of marriage equality for LGBT people, citing an October 2011 poll that concluded 60 percent of Massachusetts residents support it.

"Every day more and more Americans are shrugging off the yoke of old thinking and embracing the very American view that everyone should be treated equally under the law," the group said in its letter. "Coming out in support of marriage equality tonight would be much more than a symbolic gesture. With the U.S. Senate considering a repeal of Defense of Marriage Act, your support would go a long way toward allowing marriage equality to spread throughout our nation. Senator, it is time for you to support a position that is held by an overwhelming majority of Massachusetts voter. It’s time for you to embrace marriage equality."

When contacted for a response to the letter, Brown's campaign didn't directly address the issue of marriage equality or clarify the senator's position on the issue.

“Elizabeth Warren and her supporters are mistaken if they think this election is about social issues," said Colin Reed, a spokesperson for Brown's campaign. "It's about jobs, and reducing debt and controlling spending."

Christie endorsed Brown Monday afternoon ahead of the fundraiser at Boston's Westin Copley Hotel.

"Scott Brown and I share a commitment to taking on today's most difficult challenges by reforming government, balancing budgets and making tough choices," Christie said in a statement. "He is battling to bring the same kind of fiscal discipline to Washington that I am fighting for in New Jersey. Scott cuts through the baloney and calls the issues like he sees them, and I am proud to endorse his campaign."

Brown said he appreciates Christie's endorsement and his "leadership on fiscal issues."

"Governor Christie is one of the nation's leading champions of balanced budgets and government reform. I believe we need that same kind of fiscal discipline in Washington, which is why I am fighting to pass a balanced budget amendment."

A Western New England University poll released this weekend concluded that Brown is holding an 8 point lead over Warren. The poll has a 4.3 percent margin of error.

Obituaries from The Republican.

Tanya Bankasingh

Tanya V. Bankasingh, 35, of Chicopee, died on Friday. She was born in Kingston, Jamaica and lived in West Haven, Conn., until 1995, when she came to Chicopee. Tanja attended Elms College in Chicopee. She played track, soccer and basketball, and coached youth basketball and youth soccer. She worked at the River School as a paraprofessional, working with people with mental disabilities.

Obituaries from The Republican:

• Ball, Donald K.
  




• 
  Bankasingh, Tanya V.
  



• 
  Desmarais, Emma F. (Ilnicky)




• 
  Duncan Sr., John B. "Jack"
  



• 
  Engelson, Yvonne M. "Mary" (Collins)
  




• Freniere, Richard M. (Larson)
  




• 
  Gallant, Robert Francis "Bob"
  



• 
  Hickson, Gloria




• 
  Jewell, Eddie B.
  



• 
  Klejna, Julianna A.
  




• Lemarier, Jennifer A. (Mont)
  




• 
  Menzel, Ruth L. (Kellerman)
  



• 
  Monette, George A.




• 
  Moran Sr., Edward
  



• 
  Page, Maria D.
  




• Riley, Edward F.
  




• 
  Robbins, Ernest J. "Bud"
  



• 
  Roberge, Edna A. (Bolduc)




• 
  Rondeau, Rita E. (Bolduc)
  



• 
  Spazioso, Sandra J.
  




• Tilley, Patricia "Pat" (Shea)
  




• 
  Wise, Robert L.
  



• 
  Zajac, Lillian M.

Santorum said the race will continue if Romney doesn't pick up some meaningful victories on Super Tuesday.

Associated PressRepublican presidential candidate, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum speaks at the Dayton Christian School, Monday, March 5, 2012, in Miamisburg, Ohio

BROKEN ARROW, Okla. — Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum suggested Sunday that the GOP nomination could be settled at this summer's party convention because former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney has failed to "close the deal" with voters.

In an interview with The Associated Press following a speech to 1,300 supporters at a suburban Tulsa church, Santorum said Romney's failure to dominate the nominating process despite enormous financial backing could spell trouble for the Republican effort to defeat President Barack Obama in the fall.

"Gov. Romney, with all of the money advantages that any candidate could ever want, I mean huge money advantages, has still not been able to close the deal. That's got to tell you something," Santorum said.

"In the general election, he's not going to have a huge money advantage," Santorum added. "He's still squeaking by and in some cases losing primaries to me, and in his home state winning by 3 points. And outspending me 6, 7 to 1 in doing so."

The former Pennsylvania senator said: "I think it just raises a lot of questions in people's minds whether this is the man who can unite the party and be effective as a foil against Obama. That's one of the reasons I'm going to stay in this race."

Entering Tuesday's primaries, Romney has 203 delegates to 92 for Santorum, 33 for former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and 25 for Texas Rep. Ron Paul. It will take 1,144 delegates to lock up the nomination.

Santorum said the race will continue if Romney doesn't pick up some meaningful victories on Super Tuesday, when 10 states go to the polls.

"Can he win Oklahoma? Can he win Tennessee? Can he win Ohio?" Santorum asked.

He said Romney picked up some early victories "because he was the establishment candidate, not because he is the best candidate now.

"Hopefully some people will start looking at this race and see where this race is going to end up," Santorum added. "If everybody stays in, it may end up at the convention."

Sunday's visit was Santorum's second to Oklahoma since his impressive showing in Colorado, Minnesota and Missouri last month. Santorum believes his conservatism will play well in Oklahoma — with 40 delegates at stake — because Obama failed to win any of the state's 77 counties in 2008.

"A state like Oklahoma is a state, as you hear, that fits me well," Santorum said.

As Santiago was led in the court room, two men from the audience charged at him. Watch video

The Republican | Dave RobackCourt officers in Hampden District Court 1 wrestle a person who attacked Jose Santiago during Santiago's arrignment on Monday afternoon. Santiago is being led out of the courtroom at left.

SPRINGFIELD - The murder arraignment of suspect Jose Santiago was disrupted Monday afternoon when two men from the audience charged Santiago as he was brought into the courtroom.

Court officers immediately tackled the two men and wrestled each to the ground. Santiago was escorted back to a holding cell for his own safety as the courtroom was cleared.

The incident occurred just before 4:30 p.m.

The two men were taken into custody and now face a multitude of charges for disrupting a court proceeding and multiple charges of assault and battery on the court officers. Each was taken back to the Springfield Police Station to be booked.

Their identities and the exact charges were not available.

Santiago, 30, of 90 Westminster St. was taken into custody by a team of law enforcement officials at about 8:30 a.m. Monday at Baystate Medical Center, Springfield Police Capt. Peter J. Dillon said. The arrest took place in a hospital parking garage, Dillon said.

He is charged with killing his girlfriend, Jessica R. Rojas, 25, a Springfield City Hall employee and mother of four who was stabbed to death early Saturday at her home at 132 Washburn St.

When the courtroom was cleared, Santiago was brought back in to be arraigned on the murder charge. He pleaded not guilty and was ordered held without the right to bail.

CBS 3 recorded the following video in the courtroom.

Sliech-Brodeur was serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole, but in July 2010 the state Supreme Judicial Court ordered Sliech-Brodeur get a new trial.

The Republican/John SuchockiJoann Sliech-Brodeur at her 2004 arraignment for murder in the death of her husband, Joseph Brodeur

SPRINGFIELD – Joann Sliech-Brodeur pleaded guilty Monday to second degree murder in the 2004 killing of 70-year-old Joseph Brodeur, her husband, in his West Springfield home.

Several of Joseph Brodeur’s family members gave victim impact statements Monday to Hampden Superior Court Judge Bertha D. Josephson.

They had given victim impact statements to another judge six years ago when Sliech-Brodeur was convicted by a jury of first degree murder for fatally stabbing her husband.

Sliech-Brodeur was serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole

But in July 2010 the state Supreme Judicial Court, by a 3-2 ruling, ordered Sliech-Brodeur get a new trial.

The state’s highest court found that the defense should not have been required to give prosecutors, prior to the trial, detailed notes and statements Sliech-Brodeur made to her own psychiatric expert.

Defense lawyers Linda J. Thompson and John S. Ferrara argued at the trial that Sliech-Brodeur could not be held criminally responsible for her actions, due to “diminished capacity” stemming from mental impairment.

So Sliech-Brodeur remained incarcerated as the prosecution and her new lawyer, Calvin C. Carr, prepared for the second trial.

Monday they reported to Josephson they had reached a plea agreement that would avoid the need for a second trial.

Sliech-Brodeur was allowed to plead guilty to second degree murder, which carries a mandatory life sentence, but the person can apply for parole after 15 years. There is no guarantee of parole at that time or ever.

As part of the agreement a new charge of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon was added. She pleaded guilty to that charge also, which said she used a dangerous weapon to assault Joseph Brodeur the same night as killing him on July 28, 2004.

Sliech-Brodeur must serve a five-year sentence on that charge before her second-degree murder life sentence begins.

Assistant District Attorney James C. Orenstein said although the compromise is “not perfect” it means Sliech-Brodeur cannot even come before the Parole Board until 20 years from the date of the crime – when she will be 79 years old.

He said Joseph Brodeur’s family, including his two adult children from his first marriage, went through the first trial and then bore the frustration of having the conviction overturned. He said with this plea, the family will not have to go through a second trial.

Orenstein outlined the case to Josephson. He said the couple was planning on divorce although Sliech-Brodeur was still living in the 56 Bear Hole Road home.

When police got to the home, Sliech-Brodeur was there and Joseph Brodeur’s body was covered with a sheet partially under the dining room table, Orenstein said. He said the man was first assaulted in his bed and the autopsy found 34 knife injuries, two deep enough to pierce his heart and lungs.

He had also been attacked with a pry bar.

Asked if she did everything Orenstein said she did, Sliech-Brodeur said, “Yes I did your honor.”

Robert Brodeur, Joseph Brodeur’s son from his first marriage, said Sliech-Brodeur selfishly took his father’s life with extreme atrocity and cruelty.

“I can’t imagine the horror he felt that night,” he said. “Today my father can finally rest in peace.”

Both Robert Brodeur and Michele Battista, Joseph Brodeur’s daughter, said their dad was a gentle man, loved by family, friends and work colleagues.

Battista said the fact the appeal was granted “fills me with anger and disgust.” She said, “The fact we agreed to the sentence truthfully makes me sick to my stomach. ... We chose not to go through another trial.”

She said her father “would be celebrating his 78th birthday in less than two weeks.”

Battista said she hopes she will never have to look at Sliech-Brodeur again.

Doris Brodeur, Joseph Brodeur’s sister, said “it is a much sadder world” without her brother

File photo | The RepublicanJoann Sliech-Brodeur at her 2004 arraignment for murder in the death of her husband, Joseph Brodeur.

In addition, 3 at the frat house each received $300 fines for nuisance house violations

AMHERST – Three men were arrested early Saturday and a fourth will be summoned to court following a fight at the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity house at 374 North Pleasant St.

Police were driving past the house when they saw the fight, said Detective David Foster.
The victim was taken to Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton with head injuries, he said. No further information was available.

Police arrested William Chaplin,19, of Woodmere, N.Y., a University of Massachusetts student, and charged him with disorderly conduct and assault and battery. Nicholas W. Pepe, 20, of Stirling, N.J., also a UMass student, was charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon – hands and feet.

Brian Lewis, 21, of North Attleboro, a student at the University of Connecticut, was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon – a shod foot.

In addition, three at the frat house each received $300 fines for nuisance house violations, Foster said. Police responded to the house twice, he said.

The nuisance violations were issued because of the fight and the two calls and the party.

Police had been called to escort guests who were not invited to the party.

All 11 firefighters are emergency medical technicians.

View full sizeThe Republican | Mark M. MurrayEleven new Chicopee firefighters take part in their swearing-in ceremony Monday at Fire Headquarters.

CHICOPEE – Eleven new firefighters were sworn in at a ceremony at Fire Department headquarters on Monday, bringing the department to a full complement of 143 for the first time in years.

Family members pinned badges on the graduates, who signed the official log of the city. Next, they will be tested at the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy at Stowe, after which they can start immediately.

Chicopee Mayor Michael Bissonnette said the men were trained in-house, which saved the city $6,000 per trainee.

Their training mirrors that of the academy at Stowe, said Bissonnette, “but we orient it toward service in this particular community.”

It lasts 12 weeks, after which trainees go through a two-week 9-1-1 training and a two-week program in emergency medical dispatching. All 11 firefighters are emergency medical technicians.

This year the state cut $6 million in municipal aid to Chicopee. Fire Chief Stephen Burkott said he is “extraordinarily grateful to the mayor” for making it possible to hire new firefighters.

“We’ve been short for about two years,” said Burkott.

Bissonnette said that, at this time last year, Chicopee firefighters were faced with the Wickles block fire, a tire factory fire and a blaze at a home that claimed a life. That all happened in March 2011.

Also, firefighters handle about 8,000 of the 10,000 ambulance calls a year that come in, said Bissonnette.

All the new firefighters live in Chicopee, and the in-house training had the advantage of familiarizing them with the local system. “It’s a little different in every community,” said Burkott. For example, where equipment is stored in vehicles or what kind of fire hydrants a city uses may differ.

New firefighter Anthony Resnick, 26, said he “realized a few years ago I wanted to make a positive impact on the community.

"I wanted a profession I could be proud of," said Resnick, whose parents and sister attended the ceremony and pinned the badge on his uniform.

Also among the new firefighters is James Stefanik, 33, a former school counselor who survived the plane crash known as the “miracle on the Hudson” in 2009.

“It puts things in perspective,” said Stefanik. “(Being a firefighter) was something I always thought about doing, and after the events three years ago, I decided to go ahead.”

Also sworn in at the ceremony were Ross Domingos, Andrew Durand, Brendan Moran, Zachary Vozella, Scott Hammon, Timothy Carriveau, Cullan Gardner, Nicholas Brown and Joshua Provost.

Taxpayers are invited to a meeting Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Gremio Lusitano Club.

LUDLOW – A citizens group is planning a meeting for Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Gremio Lusitano Club at 385 Winsor Street to discuss ways to lower the property tax rate.

All taxpayers who think that taxes should go down are invited to the meeting and voice their ideas and thoughts.

“People are angry about their last tax increases,” Carlton Leonard, a town resident said. He said town officials have stated they want to keep taxes from rising more next year.

“We think taxes need to go down,” Leonard said.

An advertisement placed in local store fronts says, “This is a grass roots effort and every Ludlow taxpayer is welcome.”

Selectman William Rooney said he received many calls of complaint about the tax increase this year. Selectman Antonio Dos Santos said selectmen will be looking for savings in health insurance co-pays.

Rooney said, “We cannot afford health insurance increases.” “Otherwise, we will have layoffs and service reductions.”

Democratic Party head John Walsh said he's not surprised by a spate of recent polls showing Brown with a small but steady lead over his chief Democratic rival Elizabeth Warren.

Massachusetts Democratic Party chairman John Walsh said that although Republican Sen. Scott Brown is holding the lead according to recent polls, he believes a Democrat will unseat him in November. (Republican file photo)

BOSTON (AP) — The head of the Massachusetts Democratic Party says that if the election for the U.S. Senate were held now, Republican incumbent Scott Brown would win, but a Democrat will prevail in November.

Democratic Party head John Walsh said he's not surprised by a spate of recent polls showing Brown with a small but steady lead over his chief Democratic rival Elizabeth Warren.

A Western New England University Polling Institute survey conducted through a partnership with The Republican newspaper of Springfield and MassLive.com revealed that Brown is holding an 8 percentage point lead over Warren.

Walsh called Brown a "smart politician" and said it's hard to discount the power of incumbency.

Walsh also said he believed the race would remain tight until the final 10 days and that Democrats will have an advantage by getting more of their voters to the polls.

Walsh pointed to the re-election of Gov. Deval Patrick in 2010, which relied in part on a massive get-out-the-vote drive by Democrats.

A Preserve Brimfield member said the group will conduct research to determine a casino's impact on the school system, roads and bridges and housing.

BRIMFIELD – Voters will be asked if they support a resort casino in town at the annual Town Meeting on May 21, but the vote won’t count.

Town Clerk Pamela Beall said the warrant will feature the non-binding question, as she has certified 14 of the 24 signatures that accompanied the petition for the article.

Only 10 certified signatures were needed to get the article on the warrant, she said. And while there has been talk about a competing casino question on the warrant, she said nothing has been given to her yet.

Two MGM Resorts International representatives on Feb. 9 brought the signatures, along with the proposed warrant article, to the Town Hall.

The warrant article reads: “To see if the town will vote to support a resort casino development, accessible from the Massachusetts Turnpike, and located in the secluded northwest corner of the town (north of the turnpike), which will generate millions of dollars annually in tax revenues for the town. This article is non-binding.”

Las Vegas-based MGM Resorts wants to build a resort casino in the northwest corner of town near the Massachusetts Turnpike, and has a contract to buy the 150 acres owned by Rolling Hills Estates Realty Trust. The project’s working name is Rolling Hills Resort.

While the non-binding question is not required by state law, a binding referendum must eventually be held.

The timing of the question, and who exactly is behind it, has raised concerns from the Preserve Brimfield group, which formed recently in response to the casino proposal.

On its website, Preserve Brimfield says its mission is to document the effects a casino development will have on the community and provide information to Brimfield residents to help them make informed decisions.

“Despite numerous meetings with town boards and committees, neither the land owner nor the casino development company has provided any information to the town about the size, scope, and impact of the project, other than ‘You’ll barely know it’s there,’” Sharon Palmer, a Preserve Brimfield member, said in a statement.

“This petition, I think, is way premature,” Paul D. Adams, another Preserve Brimfield member, said in a recent interview.

Adams added that the wording of the article is “prejudicial and misleading.”

“Even if it’s a non-binding vote, they have had absolutely nothing to say at this point . . . They’ve sat there like stone ponies,” Adams said about MGM.

“They’ve provided us with absolutely nothing about the impact of the development on the town’s water and sewer resources, school population, roads and infrastructure, housing, crime and other issues. If it’s too early for them to answer reasonable questions, it’s too early to ask the town to vote on this project, even if it’s non-binding. The town won’t have a clue what it’s voting on,” Adams said.

A resort casino in Brimfield would essentially match the size of the town when it’s running, Adams said.

Brimfield has approximately 3,800 residents. MGM representatives have said the project would create 3,000 permanent jobs.

Adams said his group will conduct research to determine a casino’s impact on the school system, roads and bridges, as well as housing.

“At some point in the spring we will share what we’ve been able to learn,” Adams said.

While MGM representatives had said the petition was initiated by a pro-casino group called “Brimfield First,” several of those who signed the petition said they were unaware of such a group.

MGM spokesman Alan Feldman said MGM registered the domain name “Brimfield First” to help its supporters.

“We are working with a growing group of MGM resort supporters in Brimfield in whatever way we can. The registration of the domain name was one of those ways,” Feldman wrote in an email.

“The more important work ahead includes getting as much specific issue-oriented information to people in the town as soon as possible, and that is what we are preparing for now,” Feldman continued.

MGM is one of four casino operators competing for the lone Western Massachusetts license. Connecticut-based Mohegan Sun wants to build a resort casino in Palmer; Ameristar casinos, in Springfield, and Hard Rock International, Holyoke.

Much of the pessimism in the market stemmed from China's premier, Wen Jiabao, lowering China's target rate for economic growth to 7.5 percent from 8 percen

By PALLAVI GOGOI | AP Business Writer

File photo | Associated Press08.11.2010 | A Chinese worker mans a production line at the factory of Lenovo Electronic Technology Co., Ltd. in Shanghai. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, File)

NEW YORK — Two signs of trouble elsewhere in the world pushed U.S. stocks lower: slowing economic growth in China and a possible hitch in a deal to get Greece its bailout money.

The Dow Jones industrial average closed the day down 14.76 points to 12,962.81, or down 0.1 percent. The Dow closed above 13,000 last week for the first time since May 2008.

Monday was the 45th consecutive trading day without a loss of 100 points or more for the Dow. The last streak longer than that was 93 trading days from July 17 to Nov. 24, 2006.

Much of the pessimism in the market stemmed from China's premier, Wen Jiabao, lowering China's target rate for economic growth to 7.5 percent from 8 percent, where it has stood for years. That's a negative sign because growth in China has been a key factor shoring up the global economy since the financial crisis of 2008.

The news sent steel company stocks sharply lower. Half of the world's steel is consumed in China. AK Steel Holding Corp. lost 6 percent, while US Steel fell 4.7 percent.

The lower projection for Chinese growth also hurt stocks of U.S. materials companies that depend on China for profits. Caterpillar, which makes heavy equipment, fell 2.1 percent. Alcoa, the aluminum maker, fell 3.6 percent.

The Dow fell as much as 93 points in the morning before recouping some of that loss in the afternoon. Some market strategists said it was an overreaction to read too much into China's projection.

"China is still a driver of global growth, even at its slightly reduced pace," said Richard Cripps, chief market strategist at Stifel Nicolaus. "The growth rate is still far better than the U.S. and Europe."

The Standard & Poor's 500 dropped 5.30 points, or 0.4 percent, to 1,364.33.

The Nasdaq composite index fell 25.71 points, or 0.9 percent, to 2,950.48. The technology-heavy Nasdaq index fell slightly more than the other indexes as its star stocks Apple fell 2.2 percent and Google fell close to 1.1 percent.

Also weighing on the market were worries that not enough private investors will participate in a bond swap in Greece and accept bonds of lower face value and lower returns.

Trying to reassure world markets, a group representing a dozen banks, insurers and investment funds that hold Greek government bonds said they will participate in the swap by the Thursday night deadline.

Greece needs private investors to sign on before it gets a second international bailout worth $172 billion. Without the bailout, it could default on its debt later this month, an event many fear could shock the world financial system.

The stock market's losses were limited by some positive news from the U.S. economy. Service companies expanded in February at the fastest pace in a year, helped by a rise in orders and job growth.

The Institute for Supply Management said Monday that its index of non-manufacturing activity rose to 57.3, up from 56.8 in January and the third straight increase. Any reading above 50 indicates expansion.

In recent months, markets have been lifted by signs of improvement in the U.S. economy. U.S. stock indexes have been trading at their highest levels since before the collapse of the Lehman Brothers investment bank in 2008.

Among other stocks making big moves:

• Alpha Natural Resources, a coal producer, fell 6 percent after the price of natural gas fell close to 5 percent due to weak demand for gas in a mild winter.

• Archipelago Learning stock soared 22.7 percent after the online education company agreed to be bought by Plato Learning for $291 million in cash, helping boost the number of customers.

• US Airways Group fell 8.4 percent after the airline said passenger revenue growth slowed in February, indicating it is having a tough time raising fares and fees to offset climbing oil prices.

• American International Group rose close to 2 percent. AIG will raise $6 billion by selling part of its stake in an Asian insurance company and pay down some of its debt to the U.S. government from a bailout during the financial crisis. AIG owed $50 billion at the end of 2011.

Town Council President Paul Burns said the proposed changes strike a "fair balance" between those who are concerned about having the freedom to hold a tag sale and those who want them regulated.

File photo | The RepublicanAdults and children alike shop along Newton Street at one of the many stops on the traditional Columbus Day weekend tag sales in the town of South Hadley.

PALMER – A Town Council subcommittee is looking into easing requirements to hold tag sales in town, and if the full Town Council agrees, it means permits would no longer be required.

Town Council President Paul E. Burns said he is waiting for a response from the town attorney before the subcommittee, of which he is a member along with Donald Blais Jr. and Philip J. Hebert, can finalize the language changes.

If the changes are approved, residents would have to call the town manager’s office two days before they plan to hold a tag sale so they can receive a permit number. The subcommittee also is proposing to change the requirements on how many consecutive tag sales can be held.

Residents now are restricted to holding tag sales six times a year, for a duration of only three days.

Through the changes being proposed, residents will be able to hold tag sales on two consecutive weekends, or three weekends a month, as long as one weekend is tag sale-free.

Concerns about the tag sale ordinance were raised by some councilors last spring, which led to the formation of the subcommittee.

The tag sale ordinance, adopted in 2006, was the reason why residents David L. Hale and the Cardins initiated a petition drive to change the form of government four years ago. The government form remained the same, but some changes were approved by voters.

The ordinance was created to curb perpetual tag sales in town and limits residents to six a year. A permit is required by the town manager’s office, but officials have said that is not being enforced.

Hebert said hopefully the changes will satisfy everyone, and make the process of holding a tag sale easier for residents.

Hale, a frequent critic of the Town Council, called the current tag sale ordinance “an example of government overreach.” He said there shouldn’t be any restrictions and it’s not the Town Council’s business if residents want to hold tag sales.

“They kind of throw the pigeons a few bread crumbs,” Hale said about the Town Council.

Burns said the changes still allow the town to take action if someone is creating a nuisance for their neighbor.

Burns said the proposed changes strike a “fair balance” between those who are concerned about having the freedom to hold a tag sale and those who want them regulated.

Brimfield resident Kass lost his house and one of his horses to the June 1 tornadoes.

The Republican | Lori StabileTantasqua Regional High School senior Joel J. Kass, of Brimfield, holds the poster that he created for tornado relief. It shows the aftermath of the June 1 tornadoes and the rebuilding effort at his Paige Hill home.

STURBRIDGE – Tantasqua Regional High School senior Joel J. Kass turned a series of photographs showing the aftermath of the June 1 tornado at his Brimfield home and the ensuing rebuilding effort into a photomosaic poster that is being sold to help other tornado victims.

With the help of teacher Lawrence E. LaBelle Jr., Kass, a senior, created the poster in his computer aided drafting and design class. Kass made it for himself. It was LaBelles' idea to sell it.

Every inch of the poster is filled with a tiny photograph depicting scenes of the destruction and rebuilding. In the center, the pictures form a funnel cloud – a replica of the twister as it came from Springfield on June 1.

Words run across the top – June 1st Tornado Repair, Rebuild and Recover. The poster has almost a 3-D effect as the tornado appears to jump off the poster.

"I did it just to help me cope ... Maybe it will help other people cope, too," Kass said.

"This is about giving back to the community and about showing what can happen when people come together," Kass added.

The photographs document the rebuilding and volunteer effort at his Paige Hill Road home.

He was in the basement with his grandparents JoAnn Kass and Steven Bush, when the tornado struck, tearing off the house's roof and half the second floor. Kass said they heard trees snapping and likened the sound of the tornado to a machine gun.

When they went outside to check on the animals, they found their horse, Dakota, dead. Cajun, a paint horse, was severely injured, and spent months being rehabilitated.
He is finally back home.

The family has been staying in two temporary trailers on their 14-acre property, and Kass said they expect to be able to move into their new home there next month. What was once a secluded hillside home is now easily seen - all the trees were torn down as the tornado twisted its way to Charlton.

Kass finished the poster a month ago. He said it took him about three weeks to complete. The tiled effect was made possible through a program called AndreaMosiac.

View full sizeSubmitted photoJoel Kass' tornado poster

The 24x36 poster attracted the attention of Mark A. Wood, Tantasqua's principal-director of the technical division.

"To me, it's amazing," Wood said about Kass's poster.

Soon after, Wood got the ball rolling and had the poster sent to Colonial Printing in Southbridge for an initial print run of 50 copies. Twelve have sold so far, and proceeds go to tornado aid efforts run by Gina Lynch at the First Congregational Church of Brimfield, which has been at the center of relief and volunteer efforts since June 1.

The posters, available at the high school on Brookfield Road and the superintendent's office, cost $22. Those interested in purchasing a poster can call (508) 347-3045, ext. 5108 or by emailing walshc@tantasqua.org.

Kass said he plans to put the poster up in the new house.

After he graduates in June, he plans to take a year off, and continue helping his grandparents clean the property. After that, he's thinking about college, where he would study either photography or architecture.

Kass said he loves photography.

"Photography is a way to capture moments," Kass said.

And capture them he did - from the wreckage to hope. One of the tiny photographs depicts a sign with the word "HOPE." Every volunteer that helps them signs it.

Asher was convicted of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (a flashlight) and assault and battery in connection with the video-recorded traffic stop of resident Melvin Jones III.

The Republican | John SuchockiJeffrey Asher hears the verdict of guilty on both counts of assault and battery and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon in his trial in Chicopee District Court on Tuesday.

SPRINGFIELD – The city’s Retirement Board will meet Thursday to consider stripping the annual $45,347 pension of former Springfield patrolman Jeffrey M. Asher in the aftermath of his conviction on assault charges.

The board meeting is at 5:30 p.m., at the retirement office conference room at 70 Tapley St.

Asher was convicted last week of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (a flashlight) and assault and battery in connection with the video-recorded traffic stop of resident Melvin Jones III more than two years ago. Asher is scheduled for sentencing on March 28, and plans to appeal, according to his lawyer.

The five-member Retirement Board will consider approving a pension forfeiture, under state law (Chapter 32, Sec. 15), that provides for the “forfeiture” of a public pension “upon conviction.”

According to a witness videotape and court testimony, conducted in Chicopee District Court, Jones tried to run from police, was pinned to the hood of a police vehicle, and was struck with a flashlight multiple times by Asher. Asher’s defense argued that Asher was trying to protect himself and fellow officers, after believing that Jones was trying to take a gun from one officer during the arrest.

Kevin B. Coyle, a lawyer representing the International Brotherhood of Police Officers, Local 364, said he will represent Asher during the pension forfeiture procedure. Coyle declined further comment, and would not say if he would argue against forfeiture.

Anne C. Leduc, executive director of the Retirement Board, said she placed the matter before the board based on the conviction “and my job to administer the system.”

Notice was sent of the hearing, and she said she believes the hearing will be open to the public.

Asher’s pension took effect July 11, 2010, and he received his first gross monthly payment of $3,778.95 on Nov. 30, 2010. Under law, any forfeiture of pension would begin with the date of conviction, Leduc said.

In 2005, Giuseppi Polimeni, a top administrator with the Massachusetts Career Development Institute, was stripped of a $37,000-a-year pension after being convicted that year of fraud and obstruction of justice in a public corruption scandal.

The Retirement Board consists of two police officers who are employee-representatives of the board elected by city employees and retirees.

The two elected members are Lt. Robert P. Moynihan and patrol officer Thomas Scanlon, former president of the patrolmen’s union.

The other three members are Patrick Burns, Haskell O. Kennedy Jr., and Philip J. Mantoni.

Leduc said all five members can vote on the pension issue.

“Many times, whoever is elected has to deal with people that, first, they know, and second, that they work with,” Leduc said.

The pension amount takes into account a person’s age, years of service and three highest average consecutive years of salary. However, Asher is receiving an accidental disability benefit, and the formula is based on a maximum of 75 percent of his last 12 months of regular salary, Leduc said.

The owner of the duplex sought had sought permission to demolish the building, but was denied by the city Historical Commission.

SPRINGFIELD – The owner of a fire-damaged historic duplex at 25-27 Elliot St., was unable to sell the property in recent months, which has led to a renewal of court action.

Maurice Powe, a lawyer representing the property owner, Angela M. Dennis, of Springfield, said Friday that the effort to sell the site was unsuccessful, and the future plans are uncertain.

“We are reviewing our options,” Powe said. “We are trying to find a solution. It has been a significant hardship for her.”

The New England Farm Workers Council, which has secured and maintained the property since January 2009 as the court-appointed receiver, recently filed a request for a hearing in Western District Housing Court, seeking to recover its costs through a foreclosure sale.

The Farm Workers Council has kept the property fenced, boarded and secured, and placed temporary roofs on the building, among its management costs, officials said.

In July, Powe and Dennis said there was a potential buyer, and obtained Housing Court permission to pursue the sale. Dennis had previously sought to redevelop the property herself, Powe said.

“The reality of the situation is that it has not been feasible.” Powe said.

Powe declined comment on the receiver’s foreclosure request, initially sought in May but delayed during the sale effort.

The Springfield Historical Commission and city lawyers have opposed requests by Dennis to demolish the property. The duplex, built in 1872, abuts the federal courthouse on State Street, and is located in the Quadrangle-Mattoon Street Historic District.

The building has been boarded since a fire in January 2008 that caused serious damage.

Powe and city officials say that estimates on the cost of redeveloping the property have been in the range of $1.5 million.

“We need to have some resolution,” Associate City Solicitor Lisa C. DeSousa said. “We can’t have it continue to be in receivership in its current condition. It’s a blight on that neighborhood.”

The key issue has been that it would be “incredibly expensive to save,” DeSousa said.

During the past two years, state and federal historic preservation organizations have been in discussions with city officials and U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield, regarding efforts to save the building.

In addition, the property was added to the “Massachusetts Most Endangered Historic Resources” list in 2010.

Jessica Rojas, a single mother with 4 children, had recently been hired as a legal assistant with the Springfield Law Department. Watch video

This is an update of a story posted at 5:14 p.m. Monday

SPRINGFIELD – The arraignment of Jose Santiago, charged with the weekend murder of Jessica R. Rojas, was disrupted Monday afternoon when the victim’s father and another man attacked Santiago as he was brought into the courtroom.

Court officers wrestled the two men to the ground and placed them under arrest while Santiago was pulled out of the courtroom and brought back to a holding cell.

The outbreak happened just a few seconds after Santiago was brought into the courtroom.

The two men were identified as Edwin Rojas, 46, of Orlando Street, Springfield and Kenneth Soto, 2141 Main St., Springfield.

Soto was charged with assault and battery on a public employee and disturbing court while in session.

Edwin Rojas was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.

When court officers were taking the two men into custody one of them shouted that Santiago is "a coward." Springfield police could not confirm the relationship of the two men to the victim, but The Republican has learned from sources that Edwin Rojas was the father of Jessica Rojas.

They were being held Monday night at Springfield police headquarters and are likely to be arraigned in Springfield District Court on the charges Tuesday.

When the courtroom was cleared after several minutes, Santiago was brought back inside for his arraignment.

He pleaded not guilty to the murder charge. He was denied the right to bail.

Jose Santiago

Rojas, 25, of 132 Washburn St., in the city’s Brightwood section, was stabbed early Saturday at her home. She later died at Baystate Medical Center.

Police said she was the victim of a domestic assault by Santiago, her boyfriend of about a year.

A warrant was issued for his arrest on Saturday, and police arrested him at about 8:30 a.m. Monday morning at in the Baystate Medical Center parking garage, according to police.

Detectives spotted him as he was trying to enter the hospital. He was arrested without incident, said Sgt. John Delaney, aide to Springfield Police Commissioner William Fitchet.

He was taken into custody by Springfield police, members of the state police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Unit, and U.S. Marshals.

Delaney said Jessica Rojas was stabbed several times in front of witnesses.

The weapon used has also been recovered, he said.

Jessica Rojas, a single mother with four children, had recently been hired as a legal assistant with the Springfield Law Department.

Her friend, Marieli Santiago, 24, of Springfield, said her death is staggering.

“I don’t know what to think. I’m still in shock,” she said.

“She didn’t deserve to die,” she said.

The two met in grade 6 and have been friends ever since.

Marieli Santiago said she last saw Jessica the night before at Jessica’s 25th birthday party. Nothing seemed unusual.

The following morning she received a text message that changed her world: Jessica is dead.

courtesy of FacebookJessica Rojas, seen her in a photo from her Facebook page.

Marieli Santiago is not related to Jose Santiago. She said she met him once or twice but doesn’t really know him.

She said she was unaware if Jessica and Jose Santiago had had prior problems.

She described Jessica as “really independent” and always took care of herself and children without help from anyone.

“She always had a job,” Marieli Santiago said.

She recalled her friend was always positive, always upbeat.

Jessica always seemed happy and was always very friendly, she said.

“Anything positive that you can think of, she was,” Marieli Santiago said. “Never in the 13 years I knew her did I have an argument with her.”

Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, who had gotten to know Jessica Rojas briefly in the time she had been employed at City Hall, on Monday expressed gratitude to the police for the swift arrest.

“I commend them for that,” he said. “It is the start of a long process to bring closure to the mom and family. It was key to get this individual off the street.”

Sarno, who makes an effort to reach out to the families of homicides in Springfield, said he spoke with Rojas’ mother both on the telephone and during a visit to city hall.

CBS3 video of the brawl:

“It was a heartfelt and emotional meeting,” Sarno said. “She needed some help and guidance. Obviously it’s a tragic situation.”

Rojas’ death was Springfield’s third murder this year. The first was reported on Feb. 1, when police found the body of Judy Ramirez, 38, of 47 Pendleton Ave., in the rear stairwell of the Progressive Community Chapel on State Street. Ronald Ruell Jr., 30, was charged with her murder. On Feb. 23, Alfred Pellot Lopez, 29, was fatally shot in the head at a duplex on Whittier Street in the city’s Forest Park neighborhood. No one has been charged in that case, which police believe was likely a drug-related killing.

At this time last year, there were four homicides in Springfield. There were a total of 19 for the year.

The Republican reporters Conor Berry, Peter Goonan and Lucila J. Santana contributed to this report.