A Pittsfield man pleaded guilty and was sentenced in the 2018 death of William Catalano.

Jason Sefton, 23, pled guilty on Wednesday to murder for the homicide of Catalano. Sefton stabbed Catalano twice on the evening of October 15, 2018. Judge John Agostini sentenced Sefton to serve a life sentence with the opportunity for parole after 25 years.

“I send my heartfelt condolences to Mr. Catalano’s family and I thank them for their courage and strength in sharing with the Court the many things that they loved about Mr. Catalano. While nothing will ever replace the void left in their lives, we hope that this life sentence for this senseless act of violence will bring the family some peace and closure,” District Attorney Andrea Harrington said.

“I also thank the Pittsfield Police Department, the State Police, and every department, organization, and professional who responded to the scene, attempted to save Mr. Catalano’s life, and conducted a thorough investigation.”

Sefton attacked Catalano outside of a Robbins Avenue address and left the area. Pittsfield Police responded, and emergency medical services transported Catalano to Berkshire Medical Center, where he subsequently died. The Chief Medical Examiner’s Office determined that Catalano died because of the two stab wounds to his chest.

Sefton was one of three individuals law enforcement charged in the homicide of Catalano, who was 34 at the time. Co-defendant Anthony Boone pled guilty on February 10, 2020 to a charge of manslaughter. Judge Agostini sentenced him to serve 12 to 15 years in state prison. Co-defendant Bruce Romano's case is still pending.

The Pittsfield Police Department investigated the case, with assistance from the State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Berkshire District Attorney’s Office, the State Police Crime Scene Services Section, Forensic Scientists from the Crime Laboratory, and the Berkshire County Sheriff’s Department.