Commonwealth v. Knowles (Lawyers Weekly No. 11-004-18)
Cross-examination of lay witness improper but harmless; expert witness questioning not subject to innuendo rule; defendant's statements and Miranda waiver voluntary.
Commonwealth
Commonwealth v. Lastowski (Lawyers Weekly No. 10-001-18)
Defendant's motion to withdraw guilty pleas denied where he failed to show prejudice from counsel's alleged failure to explain sex offender registration consequences.
Commonwealth v. Barbosa (Lawyers Weekly No. 11-001-18)
Police arrested defendant for assault after he fled officers investigating human trafficking. Reversing suppression of his statement about a hotel room key, the court held officers could use seized evidence for investigatory purposes when reasonable suspicion of unrelated criminal activity existed.
Commonwealth v. Piantedosi (Lawyers Weekly No. 10-198-17)
Murder conviction affirmed where trial judge properly excluded hearsay statements from defense expert's direct examination and allowed Commonwealth expert to testify about defendant's motivation.
Commonwealth v. Holley (and five companion cases) (Lawyers Weekly No. 10-197-17)
Felony-murder convictions affirmed where evidence showed defendants planned and executed armed robbery of marijuana resulting in fatal shooting, and text messages obtained by warrant were properly admitted despite particularity defects.
Commonwealth v. Woollam (Lawyers Weekly No. 10-196-17)
Murder conviction affirmed despite police presence at grand jury and claimed ineffective assistance of counsel on various evidentiary and procedural issues.
Commonwealth v. Johnson (and two companion cases) (Lawyers Weekly No. 11-153-17)
Reinstated assault and battery indictments where grand jury evidence showed serious bodily injury and aiding and abetting liability despite trial judge's dismissal.
Commonwealth v. Diaz (Lawyers Weekly No. 10-195-17)
Affirmed conviction for first-degree murder based on DNA evidence. Prosecutor's closing argument statements, though some improper, did not warrant new trial given overwhelming evidence.
Commonwealth v. Camblin (Lawyers Weekly No. 10-194-17)
Breathalyzer evidence admissible after scientific hearing establishes dual-sensor device reliably distinguishes ethanol from interfering substances and meets federal certification standards.
Commonwealth v. Luna (Lawyers Weekly No. 11-151-17)
Springfield officer had probable cause to stop defendant's vehicle based on informant's tip and police corroboration. However, Springfield police lacked authority to conduct warrantless search in Chicopee.