NWDA statement re brief evacuation and closure of Northampton courthouse today

The Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Northwestern District Attorney's Office are investigating a threatening letter that was received today by the Northampton District Court Clerk's Office, which resulted in an evacuation and one-hour closure of the courthouse.  The letter claimed that a bomb was present in the courthouse, which a subsequent search of the building revealed was false.

The letter is in the custody of the Massachusetts State Police and will forensically tested to determine who may have sent the letter.

There is no indication that the bomb threat is related in any way to the start of the criminal trial against David Fried Oppenheim, who is charged with multiple counts of rape of a child and whose trial started today in Hampshire Superior Court.  

"We will thoroughly investigate this incident and vigorously prosecute whoever is responsible for causing today's alarm and disturbance at the courthouse," said Northwestern District Attorney David E. Sullivan.