Articles Posted in Violent Crimes

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The Massachusetts Appeals Court today ruled that an assault victim who suffered cuts on his fingers while being slashed with a knife did not sustain a “bodily injury” as defined by the state hate crime statute.  The name of the case is Commonwealth v. Sudler.  Continue Reading

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The Massachusetts Appeals Court today affirmed a New Bedford man’s child abuse convictions following a jury trial in which it was proven the defendant viciously beat a small child with a belt.  The name of the case is Commonwealth v. Garcia. Continue Reading

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For the second time in three weeks, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has reversed a Suffolk County murder conviction after the trial judge failed to determine whether the prosecutor was improperly excluding black people from serving on the jury.  The name of the case is Commonwealth v. Ortega. Continue Reading

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The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court yesterday overturned a Dorchester murder conviction, ruling the trial judge failed to properly consider whether the prosecutor was intentionally blocking black men from the jury.  The name of the case is Commonwealth v. Robertson.  Continue Reading

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In a troubling opinion released today, a divided panel of the Appeals Court voted 2-1 to affirm the serious assault convictions of a man who was convicted by a jury containing a member who repeatedly questioned his ability to be fair and impartial.  The name of the case is Commonwealth v. Chambers.  Continue Reading

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The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court today affirmed the murder conviction of a defendant who strangled to death a man who had allegedly sexually assaulted him.  The name of the case is Commonwealth v. Cruzado.  Continue Reading

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In an interesting decision delivered today, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court reversed a defendant’s conviction for intimidation of a witness because the defendant’s intimidating conduct occurred before a crime had been committed.  The name of the case is Commonwealth v. Fragata.  Continue Reading

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An unusual fact pattern led the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court to reverse a man’s murder conviction because the Commonwealth did not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the murder happened in Massachusetts.  The name of the case, which was delivered today, is Commonwealth v. Combs. Continue Reading

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The Massachusetts Appeals Court offered guidance today to juries who attempt to determine if assault victims are hurt enough to satisfy the “bodily injury” element of the assault and battery statute.  The name of the case is Commonwealth v. Ryan.  Continue Reading