Greenfield murder suspect due in court for pre-trial hearing

GREENFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – The man suspected of murder in Greenfield earlier this year is due in court on Wednesday.

Taaniel Herberger-Brown pleaded not guilty to a single count of murder in connection with the death of 35-year-old Christopher Hairston formerly of Pittsfield and Greenfield.

On April 22nd Greenfield police were called to an apartment on Chapman Street after a report of a foul odor. When officers entered the home, they found Hairston’s body lying on the floor

After being found at the Albany International Airport parking garage, he was extradited back to Massachusetts. According to the police report, Herberger-Brown told investigators he was at the airport because he was planning to visit his mother out of the country. The suspect mentioned several destinations, including Germany, Vancouver, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland.

He allegedly told police that he had gotten into a physical altercation with an unknown person who had broken into his apartment. Herberger-Brown said he believed the intruder to have been on drugs, and said that after the altercation, he died because his “heart stopped.” Afterward, Herberger-Brown said he left the apartment to get a tire rotation. Police were not able to determine exactly when this alleged altercation took place.

He is due in court Wednesday morning for a pre-trial hearing.

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