Defense lawyers plan to file more than a dozen motions to suppress in the case.
Eric DensonSPRINGFIELD – The prosecution and defense in the murder case against 21-year-old Eric Denson for the fatal stabbing of Conor W. Reynolds said Thursday hearings on motions to be filed by the defense will probably take more than a week.
Hampden Superior Court Judge Peter A. Velis agreed to a request by Hampden District Attorney Mark G. Mastroianni and defense lawyer Harry L. Miles to schedule the hearings to start June 13.
Denson, 20, of 1026 Carew St., has denied a charge of murder for Reynolds’ death on March 13, 2010, during a private party at a St. James Avenue nightclub. Reynolds, 18, was a senior and Cathedral soccer star.
Miles and Bonnie G. Allen, defense lawyers in the case, said they plan to file motions to suppress about 15 identifications of Denson made by witnesses to police. There will also be motions to suppress other evidence filed.
Some of the issues expected to be brought up by the defense are whether people identified Denson only after someone else had given them that information and whether or not people identified Denson only after seeing his picture in the media.
A new trial date of Aug. 10 was set for the case, which has had previous trial dates continued.
Mastroianni said he will prosecute the case himself. Before Mastroianni became district attorney in January his predecessor, Hampden District Attorney William M. Bennett was prosecuting the Denson case himself.
Mastroianni and Miles said although there would be a separate motion filed for each witness identification the defense is seeking to suppress, they are talking about ways to combine them into groups so some can be heard at the same time.
Mastroianni said he and Miles have talked about whether they should be looking for the special assignment of a judge for the case, to hear the motions and the trial.
Denson has also denied two counts of assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon, one with Reynolds as the victim and one with Peter D’Amario as the victim.
D’Amario was another Cathedral High student who was stabbed and wounded during the altercation at the Blue Fusion Bar & Grill, 487 St. James Ave.
Police said the now-closed Blue Fusion had an estimated 200 people attending a private birthday party for another student when the stabbings occurred.
The club lacked licenses and permits for entertainment, food and beverages, city officials said.
Miles said previously the stabbing took place during a “confrontation at a club with more than 100 people in attendance.“ He said there is an “enormous amount” of information, from police reports, witness statement, hundreds of photographs, and video, to review in preparation for trial.