The Martha s Vineyard Times
Zachary Dupon has changed lawyers. screenshot
For reasons that weren’t described in court, Zachary Dupon has switched to a new attorney. Dupon, the 25-year-old Oak Bluffs man charged with motor vehicle homicide by reckless operation in the head-on collision death of Emma Hall, was initially represented by Vineyard Haven attorney Casey Dobel.
On Thursday, Jan. 14, Dupon’s new attorney, Rachel Self, came before Edgartown District Court Judge Benjamin Barnes remotely on behalf of her client. Dupon was also present via a link to the Dukes County Jail.
Self, an Edgartown immigration and trial lawyer, was featured in The Times in June regarding medical passage woes she and her partner had with the Steamship Authority. Last Thursday, Judge Barnes entertained a brief discussion of motions Self filed, and set the next date court for Jan. 25. Self requested Dupon be present in the courtroom.
The Martha s Vineyard Times
Trial slated for Mason Buddy
Cape and Islands Assistant District Attorney Matt Palazzolo said its restitution or jail for Buddy. screenshot
Cape and Islands Assistant District Attorney Matt Palazzolo, who had been expecting restitution but found the money wasn’t there yet, told the court details were still being worked out in the case, including a status date for restitution.
Judge Barnes asked Palazzolo if restitution would close the case.
“If the defendant is able to raise restitution to make both victims whole, we’d certainly enter that as a plea, otherwise it would likely be a jury trial [where] we’re asking for jail time,” Palazzolo said.
The Martha s Vineyard Times
Reagan ordered held at hearing
A judge ordered Felix Reagan held as a danger during a court hearing Friday.
Edgartown District Court Judge Benjamin Barnes ordered Felix Reagan held for up to 120 days after finding he was a danger at the close of a hearing Friday morning. Based on the information the court was presented, Judge Barnes said no conditions of release imposed on Reagan are likely to safeguard the public or the alleged victim in the case.
Reagan, a 24-year-old Oak Bluffs resident, was arraigned on Dec. 21 before Judge Paul Pino on charges of kidnapping, breaking and entering at night, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (butcher knife), and possession of a Class B drug. He pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The Martha s Vineyard Times
Bilzerian changes plea in snow chase case
Lawyer says Times portrayed his client as an ‘ax murderer’.
Eliot Bilzerian, right, is sworn in remotely before Edgartown District Court Judge Benjamin Barnes. His attorney, Martin Skip Tomassian sits to the left. screenshot
Eliot Bilzerian admitted to sufficient facts Friday morning in Edgartown District Court on charges stemming from a 2019 chase on snowy Vineyard roads across four towns. After waiving his right to a trial, Bilzerian was given a five-month continuance without a finding for failure to stop for police, and a five-month continuance without a finding for negligent operation of a motor vehicle.
The Martha s Vineyard Times
Roadside memorials placed in tribute to Emma Hall
Roadside memorials have been placed in Vineyard Haven for Emma Hall – Rich Saltzberg
Roadside memorials were placed on Beach Road Thursday near where 22-year-old Emma Hall died in a head-on collision Dec. 19. Remembered as “honest and earnest” by her former high school teacher Chris Baer, who trusted her to babysit and pet-sit, and a “beautiful soul” by her friend Lauryn Bond, Hall’s sudden demise shocked and saddened the Vineyard.
A painted stone, a bouquet, and a wreath were among the tokens of remembrance placed at the end of the Beach Road seawall.