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.
Convictions reversed where prosecution improperly used evidence of same-sex adult pornography to prove sexual interest in child victim.
Affirmed convictions for malicious burning of property. Cellular location records properly obtained under probable cause standard; phone and credit card records properly admitted; evidence sufficient.
Verbal encouragement to commit suicide can support involuntary manslaughter indictment when defendant exercises coercive control over vulnerable victim in final moments.
Swallowing suspected heroin to prevent police seizure constitutes misleading a police officer under G.L. c. 268, § 13B.
Homeless defendant's trespass convictions vacated where he presented sufficient evidence of necessity defense based on exposure danger and lack of lawful shelter alternatives during winter months.
Prosecutor's closing argument improperly bolstered complainant's credibility based on willingness to testify, attributed sexual knowledge to defendant without excluding other sources, and implied uncalled corroborating witnesses.
Vehicle stop unlawful where officer testified speed was unreasonable but provided no articulable facts supporting that conclusion. Suppression order affirmed.
Murder conviction affirmed where defendant waived Miranda rights voluntarily and jailhouse recordings corroborated consciousness of guilt.
Supreme Judicial Court held that amended Massachusetts Rule of Professional Conduct 3.5(c) permits attorneys to initiate postverdict contact with discharged jurors without prior court approval, effectively overruling Commonwealth v. Fidler.
