Articles Posted in Violent Crimes

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The Massachusetts Appeals Court today ruled that a juvenile court judge had improperly found a juvenile in violation of his probation, where the only evidence presented was in the form of unreliable hearsay offered by his probation officer.  The name of the case is Commonwealth v. Grant G.  Continue reading ›

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The Massachusetts Appeals Court today reversed a man’s convictions for assault and battery with a dangerous weapon after concluding the trial judge improperly excluded prospective jurors who said they would view witnesses who uttered racial slurs in a negative light.  The name of the case is Commonwealth v. Alves.  Continue reading ›

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The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court yesterday upheld the murder conviction against a man who beat to death the owner of the Majestic Dragon Restaurant in Ipswich in 2011.  The name of the case is Commonwealth v. Lee.  Continue reading ›

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The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court today decided to reduce a man’s conviction for first-degree murder to second-degree murder, citing the defendant’s longstanding cognitive problems resulting from brain injuries suffered during his childhood.  The name of the case is Commonwealth v. Dowds.  Continue reading ›

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The Massachusetts Appeals Court today concluded Barnstable police officers acted in a constitutional manner in seizing a home invasion suspect’s cell phone without a warrant.  The name of the case is Commonwealth v. Fencher. Continue reading ›

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The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court today reversed the convictions of a man who was accused of assaulting and threatening his sister’s ex-boyfriend, concluding the trial judge had committed two reversible errors.  The name of the case is Commonwealth v. Palermo.  Continue reading ›

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The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court today ruled that defendants accused of murder, rape, and sexual offenses against children are entitled to request individual questioning of potential jurors about their potential racial or ethnic prejudices when the alleged victim is a different race.  The name of the case is Commonwealth v. Colon. Continue reading ›

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The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court today ruled that a man who lied to the police about being present at a murder scene and refused to cooperate with the investigation should not have been convicted of being an accessory after the fact.  The name of the case is Commonwealth v. Rivera.  Continue reading ›