Commonwealth v. Bigley (Lawyers Weekly No. 11-071-14)
Intoxicated defendant's Miranda waiver valid despite emotional distress where police gave proper warnings, defendant understood rights, provided coherent statements, and made rational choices.
Lawyers
Abdow, et al. v. Attorney General, et al. (Lawyers Weekly No. 10-111-14)
Initiative petition to ban casino and slots gambling and abolish greyhound race wagering certified for ballot; gaming licenses fall within state police power and applicants have no compensable property right.
Commonwealth v. White (Lawyers Weekly No. 11-070-14)
Courtroom closure during general jury questioning violated defendant's Sixth Amendment right to public trial despite brief duration; not de minimis.
Campatelli v. Chief Justice of the Trial Court, et al. (Lawyers Weekly No. 10-110-14)
Trial court officials lawfully suspended elected Register of Probate pending investigation into alleged workplace misconduct under delegated statutory authority and inherent judicial powers.
Doe, Sex Offender Registry Board No. 346132 v. Sex Offender Registry Board (Lawyers Weekly No. 11-069-14)
Federal kidnapping conviction does not constitute a registrable "like violation" under Massachusetts sex offender statute where the two crimes lack similar statutory elements.
Commonwealth v. Harris (Lawyers Weekly No. 10-109-14)
First-degree murder conviction affirmed. Defendant's statements to police were voluntary despite his youth and emotional fragility. Prosecution's expert rebuttal testimony on mental state was admissible.
Commonwealth v. Mitchell (Lawyers Weekly No. 10-108-14)
Recorded call lawful under one-party consent exception when officers instructed witness to elicit murder information, regardless whether witness actually attempted to do so.
Lydon v. Coulter (Lawyers Weekly No. 11-068-14)
Defendant in contempt of Land Court order prohibiting landscaping business despite order's lack of formal injunction label. Clear command sufficient.
Commonwealth v. Copney (Lawyers Weekly No. 10-107-14)
Defendant staying in dormitory room without permission had no reasonable expectation of privacy; warrantless police entry justified by emergency aid exception.
Raffaele v. Commonwealth (Lawyers Weekly No. 10-105-14)
Pro se petitioner's G.L. c. 211, § 3 petition for relief from guilty plea properly denied; plea challenges belong in criminal procedure, not superintendence jurisdiction.