Singh v. Capuano (and a consolidated case) (Lawyers Weekly No. 10-099-14)
NOTICE: All slip opinions and orders are subject to formal revision and are superseded by the advance sheets and bound volumes of the Official Reports. If you find a typographical error or other formal error, please notify the Reporter of Decisions, Supreme Judicial Court, John Adams Courthouse, 1 Pemberton Square, Suite 2500, Boston, MA 02108-1750; (617) 557-1030; SJCReporter@sjc.state.ma.us SJC‑11491 SJC‑11565 ANEETA SINGH vs. SCOTT CAPUANO (and a consolidated case[1]). Middlesex. February 3, 2014. ‑ June 11, 2014. Present: Ireland, C.J., Spina, Cordy, Botsford, Gants, Duffly, & Lenk, JJ. Abuse Prevention. Witness, Self‑incrimination. Practice, Civil, Moot case. Complaint for protection from abuse filed in the Somerville Division of the District Court Department on February 14, 2013. Hearings to extend the abuse prevention order were had before Neil J. Walker, J., and Joseph W. Jennings, III, J. The Supreme Judicial Court granted applications for direct appellate review. Michael J. Licker (Kevin J. Conroy with him) for the plaintiffs. Cindy T.K. Palmquist for Women’s Bar Association of Massachusetts, Inc., & others, amici curiae, submitted a brief. IRELAND, C.J. The plaintiff, Aneeta Singh, appeals from two District Court orders extending for three months certain portions of an abuse prevention order that had issued against the defendant, Scott Capuano. Singh had sought to have the original order extended in its entirety for a full year. We granted Singh’s applications for direct appellate review and consolidated the appeals. While the appeals have been pending, the underlying orders were succeeded by other orders, to which Singh does not object. We therefore dismiss these appeals as moot. Considering the importance of “proper judicial administration of . . . restraining orders,” Uttaro v. Uttarro, 54 Mass. App. Ct. 871, 873 n.2 (2002), however, we exercise our discretion to comment on some of the issues presented. Facts. On February 14, 2013, Singh filed a complaint in the District Court seeking an abuse prevention order against Capuano pursuant to G. L. c. 209A. After an ex parte hearing, a temporary order issued granting custody of the parties’ minor child to Singh and directing Capuano to have no contact with, to stay at least fifty yards away from, and not to abuse Singh or the child. The matter was scheduled to be heard next on February 22, 2013. Shortly after the ex parte hearing, Singh filed a report with the police concerning the events underlying the c. 209A complaint and also applied for criminal complaints against Capuano that eventually issued. Both parties appeared with counsel before a second District Court judge on February 22, 2013. Despite Singh’s request for an evidentiary hearing and to have the abuse prevention […]
Capuano Mulling Run for Governor’s Seat
U.S. Rep. Michael Capuano told WBUR News that he will take the next several months to think about whether to run for the governor’s seat next year, when Deval Patrick’s term expires. “Part of me thinks that some of the more interesting, more important fights over the next several years might be conducted at statehouses around the country and not necessarily on Capitol Hill,” Capuano, 61, told WBUR. Capuano represents the new 7th Congressional District, which covers most of Boston, including the South End. He’s held the seat since 1999. Prior to that he was the mayor of Somerville. Capuano’s name was floated amongst those who might run for Sen. John Kerry’s recently vacated seat but in January he ended speculation of such a run, posting the following on his Facebook page: Thank you for all of your good wishes. They have truly meant a great deal. After careful consideration, I have decided not to enter the race for US Senate. Instead, I look forward to focusing on the important issues facing the new Congress. My current work in the House and whatever opportunities the future may hold, afford me the greatest honor of my life; fighting for the Citizens of the Commonwealth. Would you like to see a run for governor by Rep. Capuano? Tell us in the comments. SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates South End Patch
Categories: Arrests Tags: Capuano, Governor's, Mulling, Seat