Murder conviction affirmed where third-party culprit evidence was properly excluded, co-conspirator statements admitted under joint venture exception, and isolated prosecutorial errors were harmless.
Conviction vacated where officer lacked probable cause to arrest and opened backpack after defendant withdrew consent, making cocaine and cash inadmissible fruits of illegal search.
Defendant sentenced under two firearm sentencing enhancements must be resentenced under one. Rule of lenity applies where statutory language is ambiguous.
Rape conviction affirmed where speedy trial delay was not unreasonable and nondisclosed DNA analyst emails were not material or prejudicial to defense.
Affirmed convictions for child abuse where separate indictments charged discrete injuries to child's body. Double jeopardy not violated by multiple punishments for each particularized bodily injury.
Affirmed convictions for indecent assault and battery on child and carrying dangerous weapon. Sexual attraction statement admissible to prove motive and intent; knife positioned accessibly during suspicious arrest meeting.
Officers must conduct preliminary pat frisk of backpack before warrantless search, even when investigating armed suspects.
Commonwealth obtained order for non-suspect twin's DNA swab to prove fraternal status in murder case. Affirmed contempt judgment; Draheim standard satisfied.
Defendant convicted of possessing machine guns during drug felony. Affirmed. Temporal gap between drug sale and firearm receipt does not defeat nexus requirement.
Police lawfully ordered defendant from vehicle during well-being check based on reasonable suspicion of drug possession arising from impairment and observed baggie.
