Two suspects in an Elm Street shooting appeared in Berkshire Superior Court yesterday.

Pittsfield Police believe that when 40 year old Marchenne Hanson and 24 year old Christopher "Fatboy" Connors went to purchase marijuana at an Elm Street apartment on June 8, they had plans to commit a robbery.

Their plan did not work out however, and the altercation ended in gun fire, leaving both Hanson and one of the residents wounded. Those details emerged Tuesday during a dangerousness hearing for Hanson, who was ordered held without bail in connection with the incident.

According to information revealed at the hearing, and court documents obtained by The Berkshire Eagle, police believe Hanson and Connors, went to the Elm Street apartment intending to rob a pair of men under the cover of a marijuana deal.

Hanson told police he and Connors had gone to the apartment intending to buy marijuana, and admitted to firing a gun. Trevor Pemble, a resident of the apartment, told police there were several men in his apartment and he was shot by one of them before he returned fire at the shooter.

After the shooting occurred, another man was seen running from the scene who was later located by police and identified as 24 year old Joshua Burke. Police discovered he was in possession of a bag containing approximately 450 grams of marijuana, valued between $1,000 and $2,000, then admitted he and Pemble made arrangements to sell marijuana to Connors.

Police said that had obtained text messages showing that Burke and Pemble likely had both large amounts of cash and marijuana in the apartment and that Hanson and Connors were aware of that.

Burke told police Hanson opened fire, hitting Pemble, and Pemble shot back, hitting Hanson.  Pemble was found on the front porch with a gunshot wound to his abdomen and right arm. Hanson was found next door, also suffering from a gunshot to the left leg. Both were transported to Berkshire Medical Center, where they were each arraigned the following Monday.

Hanson's  attorney, William Barry, asked Judge Paul Vrabel to consider setting his client's bail at the same $15,000 cash that was set for Pemble, with the added condition of GPS monitoring. However Assistant Berkshire District Attorney Joseph Brava argued Hanson should be held without bail for 120 days, noting the seriousness of the charges, his prior criminal record, which includes charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and armed assault with intent to murder, and that Hanson is listed as homeless in police and court records.

Vrabel agreed with the state's recommendation and ordered Hanson held without the right to bail until Oct. 4, noting that gunplay in broad daylight is an extremely dangerous situation.

Hanson has pleaded not guilty to charges of assault and battery with a firearm and discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building, attempt to commit armed robbery and possession of a firearm without a firearms identification card. He is due back in court July 18 for a pretrial hearing.

Pemble pleaded not guilty to charges of assault and battery with a firearm and discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building. He is due back in court on July 11 for a pretrial hearing.

Pittsfield Police believe there is probable cause to charge Christopher Connors with assault and battery by discharging a firearm and attempt to commit armed robbery working under the theory he and Hanson intended to rob Pemble and Burke. In addition police are looking to charge Burke with conspiracy to violate drug laws in his alleged participation in the incident. Burke is expected to to be arraigned on charges in July.

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