Father appealed adoption decree terminating his parental rights, arguing he was denied counsel. Court held newly announced constitutional right to appointed counsel applies retroactively to nonfinal cases.
Improper police interrogation tactics, including false evidence claims and assurances of leniency, overbore suspect's will. All subsequent statements must be suppressed.
Conviction for second-degree murder affirmed where mother gave child excessive clonidine despite warnings and ignored desperate pleas for medical care.
Retaliation claim fails where employee violated attendance policy before and during protected activity, other employees were terminated for similar violations, and plaintiff presented only bare assertions without corroboration.
Assault and battery conviction affirmed; specific unanimity instruction not required where intentional and reckless forms are closely related subcategories of same crime.
Appeals court affirmed registrar's decision to add out-of-state OUI diversion program disposition to motorist's driving record as a "like offense" triggering license suspension.
Appraisal for lease renewal rate reviewable only for fraud or corruption, not for alleged computational errors within appraiser's authority.
Affirmed convictions for child rape and indecent assault. Prosecutor's improper closing argument did not create substantial risk of miscarriage of justice due to strong evidence and lack of timely objection.
Appeals Court reverses suppression order for vehicle stop where trooper seized bullwhip believed to be nunchuck, removed driver from car, and handcuffed him based on safety concerns.
Reversed motion to withdraw plea where Commonwealth failed to prove defendant received statutory immigration warning about admission to sufficient facts.
