Court affirmed denial of postconviction relief, holding that Commonwealth v. Zanetti principles apply retroactively to joint venture liability claims without violating ex post facto or due process rights.
Court vacates guilty plea denial and remands for hearing after predicate drug conviction used to enhance sentence is later invalidated due to analyst misconduct.
Affirmed convictions where counsel failed to request eyewitness identification instruction but evidence of guilt was overwhelming based on accomplice testimony and corroborating evidence.
Affirmed convictions for unlicensed firearm possession and assault. Grand jury testimony of witness feigning memory loss properly admitted; witness remained available for cross-examination.
Defendant convicted of conspiracy and fraud sought stay of sentence pending appeal. Court upheld denial of stay where evidence was lawfully obtained and defendant failed to show reasonable possibility of successful appeal.
Appeals Court reverses conviction where police destroyed booking room video recording; Commonwealth failed to preserve material, potentially exculpatory evidence without requiring defense request.
Murder conviction reversed due to erroneous jury instructions on excessive force in defense of another; firearms convictions affirmed.
Conviction for stabbing affirmed despite defendant's challenge to victim impact testimony and prosecutor's closing argument rhetoric.
Strip search of defendant's genital area during traffic stop lacked probable cause and was unreasonable; conviction reversed and suppressed.
Affirmed murder conviction where DNA evidence from victim's blood on defendant's shoes was independently discoverable despite arguably unlawful initial observation at treatment facility.
