Newspaper delivery driver classified as independent contractor was actually an employee under Massachusetts statute based on delivery services being integral to publisher's usual business.
Defendant who stipulated to two probation violations during a contested hearing did not waive hearing protections requiring knowing and voluntary waiver under Sayyid standard.
Appellate Tax Board erred by terminating abatement proceedings after allowing a customer to intervene, then permitting the sellers to withdraw their petitions.
Police stop justified by proximity to crime scene, suspect's likely presence in area based on witness behavior, and gravity of armed robbery, despite six-hour delay and vague description.
Reversed heroin trafficking conviction where field test evidence was admitted without demonstrating scientific reliability under established standards, particularly significant given chemist misconduct.
Conviction for first-degree murder affirmed despite defendant's developmental disability. Competency finding upheld; expert opinions not conclusive. Mandatory life sentence without parole on developmentally disabled defendant does not violate Eighth Amendment.
Speedy trial rule 36(b) clock begins anew in Superior Court, excluding District Court time. Warrantless entry justified by exigent circumstances. Constructive possession proven by circumstantial evidence.
Double jeopardy protection does not bar retrial after mistrial where evidence of murder is legally sufficient when viewed in Commonwealth's light.
Traffic stop reasonable under Article 14 when officer observed traffic violation, regardless of officer's underlying motive to investigate suspected drug activity.
Water betterment assessment statute permits municipalities to consider development potential based on subdivision rules, not zoning requirements alone.
