Defendant convicted of cocaine trafficking based on drug certificates signed by chemist later found to have engaged in systematic fraud. Court extends conclusive presumption of egregious misconduct from guilty plea cases to trial convictions, vacates conviction.
Murder conviction affirmed where defendant stabbed his wife thirteen times upon learning he was not the biological father of her newborn child. Court upholds autopsy photographs, statements, and jury instructions.
Vacated forfeiture of right to counsel at probation revocation hearing where defendant's conduct did not involve threats of violence and procedural protections for hearing were inadequate.
Defendant convicted of child abuse based on shaken baby syndrome diagnosis reversed where trial counsel failed to retain expert to testify that accidental short falls could cause severe head injuries.
Expert testimony regarding drug distribution intent does not require trial objection when pretrial motion in limine objection was only to expert qualification, not substance.
Defendant's failure to move to strike substitute analyst's improper weight testimony, though he opposed the analyst's testimony via motion in limine, did not preserve appellate rights. Affirmed.
Corporate trustee qualifies as Massachusetts "inhabitant" for fiduciary income tax purposes through established business presence and material trust administration activities, even if domiciled elsewhere.
Defendant shot and killed girlfriend's ex-boyfriend after retrieving a gun. Affirmed conviction despite exclusion of victim's prior violence, finding inadequate proffer and insufficient evidence of self-defense.
Initiative petition banning cruel confinement of farm animals and prohibiting sales of products from such animals properly certified under Article 48's related subjects requirement.
Court upheld initiative petition legalizing marijuana for adults, finding related subjects despite including medical marijuana provisions. Ordered amendments to ballot title and yes statement to avoid misleading voters about scope and taxation.
