The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court yesterday upheld the jail sentence and conditions of probation against a 71-year-old Somerville woman who pushed her Muslim tenant down the stairs of her triple-decker.  The name of the case is Commonwealth v. Obi.    (more…)

In upholding a woman's animal cruelty conviction for starving her dog to death, the Massachusetts Appeals Court today ruled it was proper for the trial judge to prohibit her from owning any pets as a condition of her probation.  The name of the case is Commonwealth v. Waller.  (more…)

The Massachusetts Appeals Court today reversed the murder conviction of a man who gunned down an off-duty Revere police officer, ruling that the trial judge committed reversible error by refusing to instruct the jury to consider whether the defendant was acting in self-defense.  The name of the case is Commonwealth v. Iacoviello.  (more…)

The Massachusetts Appeals Court today reversed a Gloucester District Court judge's order dismissing criminal charges against a couple who hosted a drinking party for their daughter and her teenage friends.  The name of the case is Commonwealth v. Leonard.  (more…)

The Massachusetts Appeals Court today ordered a criminal defendant to pay restitution to his victim for storage fees that were accumulated when the police department failed to tell the victim where his car had been stored.  The name of the case is Commonwealth v. Buckley.  (more…)