Commonwealth v. Vaughn (Lawyers Weekly No. 10-078-15)
Murder conviction affirmed where defendant failed to establish newly discovered evidence, prosecutorial misconduct, or ineffective assistance claims.
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Commonwealth v. Rarick (Lawyers Weekly No. 11-047-15)
Appeals Court affirmed conviction for operating under the influence where officer observed speeding, odor of alcohol, and glassy eyes; consumption of six beers and impaired driving capacity established.
Commonwealth v. Norman (Lawyers Weekly No. 11-046-15)
Sufficiency of evidence for OUI conviction while license suspended; notice of suspension proven through defendant's admission, suspension notice in RMV files, and testimony regarding RMV mailing system.
Commonwealth v. Brescia (Lawyers Weekly No. 10-077-15)
Defendant convicted of murder after testimony spanning two trial days, with undetected stroke occurring between days affecting his second-day testimony. New trial affirmed.
Adoption of a Minor (Lawyers Weekly No. 10-076-15)
Married same-sex couple need not notify sperm donor when adopting their biological child conceived through in vitro fertilization.
Christakis v. Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union, et al. (Lawyers Weekly No. 10-075-15)
Judicial liens perfected before bankruptcy survive discharge unless the bankruptcy court avoids them. Federal law distinguishes between discharged personal liability and enforceable property liens.
Commonwealth v. Sylvia (Lawyers Weekly No. 11-042-15)
Resisting arrest conviction affirmed where defendant's flight onto a dangerous roadway and physical resistance to handcuffing created substantial risk of bodily injury to officer.
Doe No. 203108 v. Sex Offender Registry Board (Lawyers Weekly No. 11-043-15)
Sex offender's claim that classification hearing was unreasonably premature is barred when not raised before the board. Affirmed.
Commonwealth v. Alphonse (Lawyers Weekly No. 11-044-15)
Prosecutor's closing argument improperly suggested defendant tailored testimony because he sat in courtroom unlike sequestered witnesses. Reversed; new trial required.
Commonwealth v. Gordon (Lawyers Weekly No. 11-045-15)
Warrantless entry into apartment justified under emergency aid exception where domestic violence victim requested police assistance and officers had reasonable grounds to believe she might need immediate help inside.