GREENFIELD — The Mount Holyoke College professor accused of using a rock, a fire poker and garden shears to attack a colleague in the alleged victim’s home late last year will continue to be held without the right to bail while awaiting trial.
Rie Hachiyanagi, 49, of South Hadley, was originally ordered to be held without bail by Judge Mark D. Mason in February after pleading not guilty in Franklin County Superior Court to three counts of armed assault to murder a person age 60 or older, three counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon on a person age 60 or older, and single counts of mayhem, home invasion and entering a dwelling at night for a felony.
According to Assistant District Attorney Matthew Thomas, who is prosecuting the case, state law allows for a defendant to be held without bail for up to six months if a judge deems the person so dangerous that no conditions of release will satisfy public safety. He explained a recent case allowed for this time to be extended as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The judge recently decided the severity of Hachiyanagi’s case warranted an extension.
According to a report by State Trooper Geraldine L. Bresnahan, the alleged victim told police Hachiyanagi arrived at her Leverett home unannounced late at night on Dec. 23 and said she “wanted to talk about her feelings.” After being invited inside, Hachiyanagi allegedly attacked the victim, striking her with “fists, rocks, garden clippers and a fire poker” in an attack that lasted until the early hours of Dec. 24.
The alleged victim told authorities she believed Hachiyanagi was going to kill her. According to the report, when the woman asked why Hachiyanagi was attacking her, the assailant allegedly said “that she loved her for many years and (she) should have known.” Bresnahan’s report also states the victim convinced Hachiyanagi to stop the attack and call 911 by “playing along” and lying about having reciprocating feelings.
Hachiyanagi is an art professor at Mount Holyoke College, where she has worked since 2004.
She specializes in installation, performance and papermaking. The college’s websites states she is on leave. Thomas said Hachiyanagi was suspended without pay.
