Boston Criminal Lawyer Blog

IF you thought you heard me weighing in on wbz radio yesterday about my last blog's subjected matter...you were right.

All afternoon long!

Somehow, issues like the right to counsel is important to me. No matter what we think of a particular criminal defendant.

And this defendant, although fascinating, is not very well-loved.

The orange jump-suited Whitey Bulger (hereinafter, the "Defendant") was brought once again to Boston's federal court yesterday afternoon via an escort that one would expect would be reserved for a comic book super villain, or at least the late Osama Bin Laden. With security in and around the building, the Defendant found himself surrounded by familiar faces.

There was, for example, the Donahue family...wife and son of one of the Defendant's alleged victims. They are vowing to attend as many of the proceedings as possible.

Also, there was the so-called “provisional attorney” who has been appointed to represent the Defendant until someone else, private or court-appointed, takes over.

Also, a small bevy of lawyers were there…waiting in the wings to potentially become associated with this high-publicity criminal matter.

One person we know was not there.

That would be Brother Billy. Perhaps that had something to do with the fact that the government is trying to dip into his pockets to find monies that may arguably belong to the Defendant.

Earlier, federal prosecutors had moved to drop the 1994 racketeering indictment against Bulger in order, so they said, to focus on the later indictment that charged the Defendant for other crimes…such as 19 Massachusetts homicides.

In its papers, U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz said that prosecutors consider the later 1999 indictment charging the Defendant with 19 murders to be the stronger case.

This is true. The Defendant faces life in prison, or death, on those charges. Further, even if the court were to forget that the Defendant had been “on the lam” for so long, it would not likely grant any chance of bail in the homicide cases.

This move brings a new wrinkle to the genesis of what already promises to be a long drawn out legal drama. You see, the Defendant has to decide whether to accept the dismissal or still try to force the government’s hand to prove him guilty.

What the government’s motion did do was to postpone the decision on whether the Defendant will receive court appointed counsel. As you may recall from Monday’s blog, the Defendant is saying that, without access to the monies that the government has already taken from him, he cannot afford to hire counsel.

The government is basically setting precedent by weighing in on the subject, arguing that there are other means by which the Defendant can procure counsel.

And so, aside from all expectations of an afternoon of legal action…nothing really got done. Instead, a new time-table was set by the court which is now to play out (at the moment, at least) this week.

Attorney Sam's Take On Prosecutorial Investigations And Even Playing Fields

In the criminal justice system, whether it be state or federal, we like to fantasize that both sides have equal footing.

Continue reading "A Boston Criminal lawyer Watches Whitey Bulger Case's Initial Theatrics" »

In case you missed it, James “Whitey” Bulger (hereinafter, “Whitey”), the long-sought reputed mob boss of Boston, was arrested and brought back home last week. Home for Whitey was South Boston. Standing there now, of course, is Boston’s Federal Court…which promises to house a great deal of the rest of his life. He is now in his 80’s and charged with many federal crimes.

Whitey’s arrest was difficult to miss last week. What was easy to miss, I suppose, were nasty words like “alleged” when discussing his past. Leave it to a die-hard experienced criminal defense attorney like me to notice. I can be a bother that way.

Anyway, Whitey’s history, whatever the actual truth turns out to be, is , and will continue to be, fodder for a host of blogs like this one. In fact, I can see focusing on his story(ies) all week this week. We’ll see.

Leave it to Whitey, though, he returned throwing the government for a loop right off.

You see, Whitey is believedto have access to all kinds of money. He was also arrested in possession of a great deal of money. The government, of course, believes that this money must be ill-gotten gains and so contends that he should not have access to it. Indeed, in these types of cases, monies are routinely seized by the prosecution as they bring an action for forfeiture of the funds.

A criminal defendant in this country, particularly when facing the possibility of incarceration, has the right to an attorney. We treasure this right so highly that, if a defendant is found to be indigent, unable to afford his/her own lawyer, one is provided. When this topic came up last week during one of two hearings for Whitey, he indicated that the only way he could afford his own attorney was if the government gave him access to the money they seized.

The government objected, claiming that Whitey had access to other funds and that the monies seized were to be forfeited.

The court appointed a temporary lawyer and US District Court Chief Judge Mark L. Wolf has now Ordered said temporary lawyer and federal prosecutors to try to reach an agreement about whether Whitey is entitled to a public defender by the end of the day today.

Both sides are expected to file memoranda and affidavits concerning Whitey’s finances. A hearing is scheduled on the subject on Wednesday.

Whitey’s longtime companion, Catherine Greig, who has been charged with harboring a fugitive, has also requested a public defender.

That matter is also expected to be addressed in court this week as well.

Attorney Sam’s Take On The Right To Counsel And Presumption Of Innocence

The issue of whether or not a criminal defendant gets a court-appointed lawyer is an issue between the court and the defendant. Generally, the prosecution has no standing to address the issue.

Continue reading "South Boston’s Whitey Bulger Needs Experienced Massachusetts Criminal Defense Attorney" »

I have often told you that the days in which the only people who have to worry about getting investigated or charged with wrongdoing was one of “Them” are long over. Them would be the “typical” criminal-type who spends his or her life engaging in criminal activity. Clearly, these are people who know upon each waking day that the day’s activities may well end with them in government custody.

I don’t think that Paul Brasco, president of the Waltham City Council, and Paul Tracey, a Waltham police officer, (collectively, the “Accused”) expected that they would suddenly find themselves subjects of an internal affairs investigation. Further, they probably never expected that said investigation would result in a request to the United States Attorney’s Office to look into bringing federal charges against them.

Yet, that is what has happened.

A tenant of Mr. Basco’s, 33-year-old Edgar Gonzalez, 33, (hereinafter, the “Tenant”) says that the Accused improperly threatened him with deportation during a visit back in February. As a result, he says that his civil rights were violated. The resulting investigations have found against the Accused. The Tenant is now asking the US Attorney to take action.

Brasco tells a sharply different story, saying that Gonzalez has no lease and is squatting on his property and that at no time did he and the officer threaten Tenant with deportation. He did, he says, only warn that he would be served with a notice of eviction within 24 hours.
Officer Tracey, may face disciplinary action after the internal investigation found he appears to have violated department policy by accompanying Brasco.

Tenant said through an interpreter yesterday that he had stopped paying rent because of malfunctioning lighting and heating in the apartment. He said that he is Guatemalan and that he has lived in Waltham for 18 years, but he declined to comment on whether he is a legal resident.

Brasco said he called Tracey because the officer is his neighbor and friend. Brasco said it was late in the evening, and he wanted to find out who was on his property so he could follow through with eviction proceedings. When his property management company could not send someone with him to the apartment, Brasco said, he asked Tracey, who was on duty, to meet him there.

Attorney Sam’s Take On Criminal Allegations And Free Speech

First of all, before you indulge your Constitutional Right to free speech argument, understand that your speech is not quite so free.

Continue reading "Waltham City Councilman And Police Officer Face Allegations Of Threats" »

Do you still wonder why Massachusetts law enforcement come in with a strong need to maintain control of a situation when dealing with a Boston domestic violence call? Maybe today’s blog will convince you.

Meet Boston police officer Shawn Marando, hereinafter, the “Officer”, 13-year veteran and an officer who teaches women how to defend themselves . Earlier this week, he was about to finish his overnight shift when a call came in from a Dorchester woman who said that her boyfriend had assaulted and threatened to kill her. The Officer went to answer the call.

Minutes later, the Officer, and two other officers, arrived at the scene to find said boyfriend, 25-year-old Tyrone Cummings (hereinafter, the “Defendant”) and a the caller’s sister. According to the Commonwealth, the Defendant reacted by firing a gun at the Officer, striking him in the calf.

So much for retaining control of the situation.

The Officer and another officer fired back, hitting the Defendant several times in the chest. The sister was hit in the leg.

Believe it or not, all were expected to survive.

“As this incident demonstrates, there is no such thing as a routine call,’’ Police Commissioner Edward F. Davis said. “It’s clearly our worst-case scenario.’’

This marks the third time since November that a Massachusetts officer has been shot in the line of duty.

Attorney Sam’s Take On Massachusetts Shootings, Domestic Violence And Police Response

So…did the police over-react by firing back so much? After all, the Defendant was hit a number of times in the chest, which one would have expected to kill him. Not only that, but the sister, assumedly an innocent bystander, was also hit.

Continue reading "Dorchester Domestic Violence Call Turns To Multiple Shooting And Arrest" »

It is the fifth Brockton homicide this year so far.

19-year-old Brockton resident Frank J. Webb (hereinafter, the “Defendant”) is learning that “accidents happen” is not a defense in murder cases.

Particularly when said alleged accident takes place while one is breaking the law anyway. When Massachusetts weapons are involved, the Commonwealth is particularly unforgiving.

The Defendant is said to have gotten into a fight with another individual in Brockton this weekend. During said altercation, he is believed to have fired a handgun wildly in the middle of Main Street. The Commonwealth says that, while doing so, he fatally wounded a 51-year-old woman who was walking home from church.

He has been charged with the charges of murder and Massachusetts’ assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. Police allegedly recovered a .45-caliber handgun at the scene.

During the Brockton bail hearing, the Defendant’s attorney argued that his client had been living with his parents, working for a cutlery business, and studying at Massasoit Community College to get his GED. He also represented that his client had no convictions on his record. The prosecutor, however, pointed out that the Defendant had two open drug cases in the district court.

Attorney Sam’s Take On Murder And Bail Conditions

“Sam, yesterday you wrote about how bad it is for a lawyer to seem fake and that his/her credibility is important. I guess this lawyer has already blown his, right?”

Continue reading "Brockton Man Held Without Bail For Accidently Shooting And Killing Innocent Churchgoer" »

Today, Boston’s federal court has a jury that has begun deliberations. It is the jury which has been sitting through the Sal DiMasi corruption trial. They will review the evidence. They will review the law.

Many of the factual issues are in dispute between the various defense attorneys and the Assistant United States Attorney. They have all suggested points of view as to these disputes. Is what the attorneys have presented to the jury simply spin?

Maybe. Or maybe the arguments were the most important part of the deliberations, although they contained neither judicial instructions or evidence in and of themselves.

Attorney Sam’s Take On The Analysis Of Evidence Perception(Part 2 Of 2)

Way back when, when I was a Brooklyn prosecutor, I found myself frustrated by the courtroom setting. This was particularly true when trying felony drug cases.

Continue reading "A Boston Criminal Defense Attorney Analyzes Massachusetts Evidence And Juries" »

We have been talking about juries and their deliberations. Sal DiMasi will be sitting in the hot seat as a Boston federal jury determines his fate next week. As you may have heard, the judge has handed down to the attorneys a draft of the jury instructions he intends to give when he charges the jury. It is the last chance for the attorneys to influence what the jury hears during the trial. Once they deliver their closing arguments, the judge charges the jury and it is all in the juror’s hands.

It is an uncomfortable place for a trial lawyer to be. Believe me, I have been there countless times. There is nothing more you can do…but wait, relive how things went and, most of all, guess what is on the jury’s collective mind.

What images did they take into the jury room? How much did they understand the law as the judge gave it. How much do you want them to have understood that law? Most of all, what perception of reality did the jury take back to that jury room with them?

And the last chance for the white collar crime attorneys to influence that sense of reality is the next 24 hours. The presiding judge, the Honorable Judge Wolf, has handed down potential jury instructions and has indicated that he will wait until the attorneys give their closing arguments (tomorrow) to finalize the instructions.

And then…the choice is the jury’s. The court has indicated that, “I’m going to instruct the jury that they have to consider each defendant, and they can choose to convict one of them, two of them, none of them, or all three.”

That much is clear. However, other issues with regard to the instructions are not so clear. For example, the defense lawyers want the court to tell the jurors that in order to convict DiMasi, they must find that he hatched a kickback scheme and directed payments to be made to associates in exchange for his help — a threshold that they say prosecutors have failed to prove.

Prosecutors, however, say they need to prove only that DiMasi was a willing and knowing participant in what they allege was a conspiracy to help a Burlington software company win state contracts in exchange for hundreds of thousands of dollars in kickbacks.

And so, while finalizing closing arguments, the fight for instructions has been on. The court heard argument from all sides today. While potential instructions have been handed down, nobody will know what the court will actually tell the jurors until he actually gives the charge.

And so, as the trial nears its end, the pressure is on the lawyers to find the right words in this final attempt to give the jury the most important thing which will effect the outcome of the trial.

Continue reading "Sal DiMasi Corruption Trial In Boston Federal Court Is Close To Going To Jury" »

The scene is Suffolk Superior Court in Boston, Massachusetts. It is a Boston murder trial.

Shawn “Shanks” Daughtry of Roxbury is the 32-year-old gentleman hereinafter referred to as the “Defendant”. He is accused of shooting two people on September 20, 2007. One of them died. The other was the deceased’s mother.

Today, said mother, Sandra Duncan, is on the witness stand, weeping. She tells the jury of her 29-year-old son’s final words to her as he lay dying on the front porch of their home.

“He said, ‘Ma, who did this to me?’ ” she tells the jury. “He said it three times.”

This is not the first jury before whom she has testified. This is a re-trial. The Defendant is being re-tried for the first-degree murder of Urel Duncan. In the first trial, last May, the jury was deadlocked; it could not unanimously find the Defendant guilty or not guilty.

According to the Commonwealth, the Roxbury shooting was motivated by a feud with people associated with the Academy Homes housing development. In fact, the shooting took place outside the Duncan home in the development.

As it turns out, however, neither Urel nor his mother were involved with gangs. She says that she was in her bedroom when she heard what sounded like firecrackers.

“I saw my daughter crawling on her knees and saying, ‘Ma, (Urel) got shot,’ ” she said. “I see Urel lying back on the steps ... blood coming out of his head.”

Urel died the next day.

Continue reading "Roxbury Man Faces Jury Again In Boston Murder Trial" »

Hey, anybody out there remember Boston’s own Eliezer Gonzalez?

Mr. Gonzalez, formerly a Boston police officer and hereinafter the “Defendant” has brought to a close his federal criminal case. His case involved white collar crime.

The Defendant was accused of faking injuries and fraudulently collecting injury leave pay. According to federal prosecutors, the defendant had collected about $173,000 in injury leave pay and had filed for accidental disability retirement after supposedly suffering on-the-job injuries in 2007.

Unfortunately for the Defendant, he was seen going to the L Street Bathhouse, salsa dancing, and traveling abroad without difficulty during said leave.

And so it was that the Defendant found him charged with fraud. Yesterday, he received a year and three months in federal prison after pleading guilty to 34 counts of mail fraud.

Attorney Sam’s Take On Massachusetts White Collar Crime And Mail Fraud

White collar crimes are crimes which involve unlawful, nonviolent conduct committed by business and government professionals. These crimes involve fraud, theft or other violations of trust committed in the course of one’s employment. These crimes can also be brought on behalf of various agencies in which subscribers or others in a contractual relationship commit such fraudulent acts.

Continue reading "A Boston Former Police Officer Serves Time In Federal White Collar Case" »

Last week, we discussed the recent melee that occurred at Boston’s Carson Beach.

What really transpired depends on who you ask.

If you ask the Massachusetts State Police, you will hear tales of Boston gang-related violence. You might imagine you would hear of Massachusetts weapons like guns, knives or, at least, pepper spray being used. Of course, in the aftermath, you would, however, hear the only weaponry at the location were the batons used by law enforcement.

On the other hand, the local Boston police will tell you of, at worst, multiple plain ol’ Boston assaults taking place. Simply, a bunch of fights coincidently taking place at the same time and place…until the state police came in, that is, and really shook up the place.

The donnybrook is said to have marred an otherwise perfect day for beachgoers, many of whom soldiered on with their own more civil holiday weekend festivities.

Boston EMS supervisor on scene said no injuries were reported.

Attorney Sam’s Take On Police Confusion And Trial Strategy

We have often discussed that it is a mistake to engage police officers when they come to question you. Trying to out-reason, out-shout, out-run or out-fight is a bad idea; it will only make matters worse…for you.

There are many reasons why police need to retain absolute control over a potential crime scene.

Continue reading "A Boston Criminal Defense Attorney Looks At Carson Beach, Police And Criminal Trials (Part 2 of 2)" »

It is not every day that we see law enforcement respond to a melee with yey more confusion. It would appear, however, that this is what happened at the recent Carson Beach South Boston assault and battery happenings this past weekend.

in fact., while the state police opine that the violence was caused by rival street gangs, it may be that the only rivalry involved is between police organizations.

The State Police have described tthat heir response to Carson Beach, which is located only minutes from their South Boston barracks, was caused because of the report of a fight between two rival gangs. Now, the Boston Police question whether rival gangs were involved at all.

Meanwhile, no dangerous weapons were confiscated over the weekend and there were no serious injuries reported during the flare-ups, which also occurred in the area around Savin Hill, Malibu Beach, and Pleasure Bay.

Not usually the case with gang violence.

Continue reading "Boston’s Carson Beach Causes Confusion Among Law Enforcement Agencies (Part 1 of 2)" »

Cara Della Barba is a 28-year-old finance manager at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. If you look at the photo of her in court, you would think she was one of the Boston criminal attorneys. You would not suspect that she is hereinafter referred to as the “Defendant”. But she is.

According to the Commonwealth, as described at her Dorchester District Court arraignment, she was wobbly, glassy-eyed and reeking of booze when she drove the wrong-way and drove into a state police cruiser Saturday. The prosecutor explained that the Defendant’s relationship with the truth at the time was somewhat periodic.

At first, after the accident, the trooper came to her car and told her that she had just smashed into a police car. Her alleged response? She claimed that she had not hit anything. Then, when questioned about alcohol use, she is said to have told the troopers that she had had “a lot to drink” at a friend’s party. She is said to have then begged them to simply take her home.

Apparently, they found another option. They drove her to their (police) house.

At the barracks, Defendant is accused of trying to sabotage her blood-alcohol test by halfheartedly blowing into a Breathalyzer. The troopers marked said attempt down as a “refusal” to take the test, thereby triggering an automatic loss of driver’s license.

Continue reading "Boston Professional Woman Needs Experienced Boston Drunk Driving Attorney" »