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JOHN STEINBECK Low of 55. www.thewestfieldnews.com VOL. 86 NO. 151 TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2017 Torres released 75 cents on $20,000 bail By PETER CURRIER Correspondent WESTFIELD- Daniel Torres, the man accused of being responsible for the death of his infant daughter, was released from the Hampden County Jail on $20,000 bail Thursday. Torres, 28, of 14 Parker Ave. Apartment 3, Westfield was being Nate Schreffler from the WSU police wears the padded suit held in lieu of $1 million bail fol- while the cadets practice their hand-to-hand combat on lowing his not guilty plea in The cadets who already finished the combat course cheer on him. Westfield Police Officer Chris Coach (yellow shirt) March. He has now been released those who are actively going through it. (Photo by Peter Currier) and Detective Rick Mazza (farthest right) look on. (Photo by on $20,000 bail and will now wear Peter Currier) an ankle monitor while he awaits a trial. “Torres had a bail review hear- ing on May 8, 2019 where Judge Carey lowered his bail to $20,000 Police Cadets train at WSU from $1 million. The Commonwealth requested to keep By PETER CURRIER bail set at $1 million. He posted the DANIEL A. Correspondent $20,000 yesterday,” said James TORRES WESTFIELD- Westfield State University has been hosting Leydon of the Hampden County young police cadets from around New England, New York, District Attorney’s Office. “Additional conditions are GPS and New Jersey this week as part of a Northeast Regional Law monitoring with a curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. No contact Enforcement Education Association (NERLEEA) Cadet with victim’s family, and no unsupervised contact with chil- Police Academy. dren under 16.” The Westfield Police Youth Cadets were one of many youth Leydon added that Torres will have another pre-trial hearing cadet programs to take part in the week-long academy. on Sept. 10. Beginning on July 14, the cadets began a training regimen that Torres was indicted by a grand jury in February for a charge specializes in certain areas of policing depending on their age of 2nd degree murder before he was arraigned in superior and experience. The program has six stages, one for each year. Youth cadets from police organizations around the court. The original bail amount of $1 million had been carried The first-year program is the most basic program, and by the Northeast wait in formation for instructions on their next over from when he was arraigned in district court, according to third stage the cadets are go through what is essentially a activity. The orange hats on the ground indicate that this is Leydon. police boot camp. a group of third-stage cadets. (Photo by Peter Currier) He faces murder charges in According to Reiley Ledoux, a past graduate of the pro- Superior Court stemming from gram, the sixth stage is the most difficult of them all. She said an incident last summer in which Much of the week was spent with the cadets operating a he claimed to have slapped his that just four cadets from Westfield have finished the final mock police department throughout the campus. The kids stage, which is taught by Connecticut State Troopers. Ledoux daughter in a fit of frustration, would be divided into pairs or groups to patrol the campus, according to police. Several said that this academy can give young people a better perspec- while they are occasionally radioed to a made-up scenario. tive on policing and working as a larger team. hours after the fact, Torres him- Those scenarios could be anything from a hostage situation to self called the police because his “The biggest thing these kids learn all week is teamwork,” performing a building search. Some of the cadets were infant daughter, Lily Anayah said Ledoux, “It can also really help with self-confidence.” assigned to be normal police officers while others were Torres, was unresponsive and She added that many of the kids that work together through- assigned to the “Special Response Team” for more serious not breathing. She died two days out the week come from a variety of backgrounds. There are calls. later in Baystate Noble Hospital kids who come from cadet programs in the inner city of LILY ANAYAH TORRES after having been resuscitated Hartford as well as kids who come from more well-off back- See Police Cadets, Page 7 eight times. Doctors told police grounds. she had almost no brain function and little hope of survival. Medical staff at Baystate Noble Hospital reported that she had “significant swelling of the brain, retinal hemorrhages and bruises to her face that were consistent with abuse trauma.” Westfield Police Det. Richard Mazza said that she had been ‘Shut Up and Dance’ performs in Huntington struck with enough force that a clearly visible handprint was still on her face hours later. Mazza added that Torres tried to By AMY PORTER comfort his daughter and put her down for a nap, hours before Correspondent calling 911. When Torres first contacted police, he claimed the HUNTINGTON – The injuries his daughter suffered were accidental, resulting from Pittsfield area band “Shut Up him playing with her. and Dance” brought its blend Torres was originally arraigned in Westfield District Court of Southern Rock and Blues shortly after he was arrested in relation to his daughter’s death. to the Huntington town square However, the district court does not have the jurisdiction for on Thursday. About 100 folks charges of assault and battery on a child or murder, so he was gathered on lawn chairs and indicted and arraigned in Hampden Superior Court. The origi- enjoyed the show, and despite nal charges faced by Torres in Westfield District Court were some threatening drips of rain assault and battery on a child with substantial injury, assault from the dense cloud cover and battery, reckless endangerment of a child and intimidating overhead, the performance a witness, juror, police or court official. went off without a hitch. Huntington selectman Ed Lisa Lansing and Vicki Mayhew of the Huntington This week’s bake sale raised Renauld and treasurer Aimee Community Events Committee enjoy another successful funds for the Western Mass Burnham came out to enjoy concert. (Photo by Amy Porter) Hilltown Hikers with goodies the music. (Photo by Amy Porter) prepared by founder Elizabeth Police Commission to Massa of Chester, who also sold t-shirts and gave out free stickers and trail head maps. interview ACO candidate Next Thursday, July 25, children’s performer Jon O’Neill the By PETER CURRIER one-man band will play from 6:30 to 8 p.m., with bake sale Correspondent proceeds going to the Hilltown Family Center. WESTFIELD- The Westfield Police Commission will inter- view a candidate for a vacant Animal Control Officer (ACO) position Monday evening at City Hall. Stacey Mortimer will be interviewed by the Police Southern rock favorite “Shut up and Dance” from the Commission for the recently Berkshires returned to perform in front of the gazebo for vacant ACO position. the Huntington Free Summer Music Series on Thursday. Should she be voted into the (Photo by Amy Porter) job by the commission, it will be effective on July 28. The intent to fill the posi- tion comes at a time where the Westfield Animal Shelter has had to reduce its hours from four to just three days a week Cooling center to open due to the departure of the previous ACO and the medical SOUTHWICK - Cooling Center Opening for Saturday, leave of Animal Control Director Lori Charrette. The reduced July 20 and Sunday July 21. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 9 hours are a temporary measure until the shelter again becomes p.m. each day, located in the Town Hall Community fully staffed. Elizabeth Massa and Michele Kenney serve a fruit cup with Center, south entrance, lower level, 454 College Highway The ACOs are responsible for responding to any emergency toppings to Sophie Jackman, 9. The bake sale this week Southwick. This is due to National Weather Service animal related calls. This includes calls for animals suspected raised funds for the Western Mass Hilltown Hikers. (Photo by Excessive Heat Warning. of being sick or injured out in the open and missing pets that Amy Porter) have been located. New Name. Same Great Care. NEWLY Renovated BH Urgent Care Westfield - NOW OPEN 57 Union Street | Westfield Hours: Monday-Friday, 8am-7pm Saturday & Sunday, 8am-5pm 413-564-5267 | BaystateHealthUrgentCare.org PAGE 2 - SATURDAY, JULY 20, 2019 WWW.THEWESTFIELDNEWS.COM THE WESTFIELD NEWS Summer program participants travel to Mars and beyond Personal care and baby items collected for Open Pantry teen parents WESTFIELD — The UCC Second Congregational Church on Western Avenue hosted a summer program July 8-12 serving children pre-school through grade five with many more student- assistants helping younger kids.