Commonwealth v. Dunn (Lawyers Weekly No. 10-162-17)
Murder conviction affirmed where jury could credit expert testimony that defendant with psychotic disorder retained capacity to appreciate wrongfulness and conform conduct despite mental illness.
Lawyers
Commonwealth v. Kaplan (Lawyers Weekly No. 09-018-17)
Defendant sought dismissal of arson indictments based on prosecutor's failure to highlight exculpatory jail call recordings containing witness's prior denials of the defendant's involvement. Motion denied.
Commonwealth v. Richardson (Lawyers Weekly No. 09-019-17)
Police arrested defendant at courthouse in plain view of jurors on unrelated warrant, causing mistrial. Court held police conduct not attributable to prosecution for double jeopardy purposes.
Kiribati Seafood Company, LLC, et al. v. Dechert LLP (Lawyers Weekly No. 10-161-17)
Law firm negligent for failing to present available evidence to foreign court despite foreseeable legal error by appellate judges; reversed and remanded.
Smith-Berry, et al. v. National Amusements, Inc., et al. (Lawyers Weekly No. 09-017-17)
Movie theater workers sued for premium pay on holidays. Court held theaters are entertainment businesses, not retail establishments, and need not pay holiday premiums.
Commonwealth v. Ross (Lawyers Weekly No. 11-133-17)
Negligent operation conviction affirmed where defendant exceeded speed limit on residential road at night with evidence of intoxication and dangerous conditions.
N.M., a juvenile v. Commonwealth (Lawyers Weekly No. 10-159-17)
Juvenile indicted as youthful offender; whether grand jury evidence supported serious bodily harm requirement. Reversed and remanded.
Commonwealth v. Perkins (Lawyers Weekly No. 10-160-17)
Search warrant affidavit established probable cause for drug transaction and nexus to defendant's residence for cellular phones and orange sweatshirt, but not for general drug-related evidence search.
Commonwealth v. Muckle (Lawyers Weekly No. 10-157-17)
Jurisdiction limited to intimidation of witnesses or jurors; other intimidation offenses must proceed in Superior Court based on express statutory language and legislative intent.
Commonwealth v. Castano (Lawyers Weekly No. 10-158-17)
Murder conviction affirmed where overwhelming evidence of premeditation and guilt rendered harmless any constitutional error in admitting postinvocation statements about the firearm.