Commonwealth v. Fritz (Lawyers Weekly No. 10-131-15)
Murder conviction affirmed where witness testified he saw defendant pointing gun at victim after hearing shots and defendant later admitted killing.
Commonwealth
Commonwealth v. Lessieur (Lawyers Weekly No. 10-129-15)
Murder conviction upheld where primary evidence was cooperating participant's trial testimony, corroborated by witness observations and prior consistent statements properly admitted to rebut recent contrivance claims.
Commonwealth v. Brewer (Lawyers Weekly No. 10-128-15)
Defendant convicted of murder denied right to compel immunity for defense witnesses; prosecutor's credibility argument proper.
Commonwealth v. Melo (Lawyers Weekly No. 10-127-15)
Defendant convicted of murder under felony-murder rule. Court held involuntary transport to police station constituted unlawful arrest but found no miscarriage of justice. Affirmed conviction.
Commonwealth v. Lima (Lawyer Weekly No. 11-077-15)
Insurance agent convicted of fraud in commercial vehicle policy applications containing false statements about drivers and business addresses.
Commonwealth v. Traylor (Lawyers Weekly No. 10-126-15)
Father convicted on seven indictments for injuries to infant son. Court held multiple convictions require separate criminal acts or multiple victims, not just multiple injuries.
Commonwealth v. Carney (Lawyers Weekly No. 10-125-15)
Murder conviction affirmed where autopsy photo, firearm evidence, and prosecutor's improper emotional appeal did not deny fair trial.
Commonwealth v. Scesny (Lawyers Weekly No. 10-120-15)
Murder conviction affirmed; rape conviction reversed. DNA evidence sufficient for murder but insufficient to prove lack of consent for rape charge.
Carrington v. Commonwealth (Lawyers Weekly No. 10-123-15)
Defendant convicted of larceny sought extraordinary relief after prosecutor entered partial nolle prosequi. Court held he had adequate remedy through standard appeal.
Commonwealth v. Mulgrave (Lawyers Weekly No. 10-119-15)
Affirmed conviction for first-degree murder. Text message sent by victim minutes before attack admissible as spontaneous utterance under hearsay exception; cellular technology supports spontaneity despite written form.