Toll Free (800) 481-6199
Phone (617) 492-3000


Samuel Goldberg has been a Massachusetts criminal defense attorney for 20 years. Prior to that, he was a New York state prosecutor. He has published various articles regarding the practice of criminal law and frequently provides legal analysis on radio and television, appearing on outlets such as the Fox News Channel, Court TV, MSNBC and The BBC Network.
To speak to Sam about a criminal matter call 617-492-3000.

February 4, 2012

SALEM CHILD ASSAULT AND BATTERY CASE PRESENTS A PLEA OF “NOT GUILTY” FOLLOWED BY AN ADMISSION OF GUILT

The Boston Criminal Lawyer Blog has long been telling you that the law does not really recognize “self-help” solutions to problems.

Particularly when said self-help is a crime.

Some folks seem to still believe that if a person has a good reason to commit a crime…such as revenge…then the court will look the other way. It doesn’t.

Let’s take a case that dominated the news on Friday. It hails from Salem. A woman was brought to court on charges that she boarded a school bus and hit a 5-year-old girl as apparent pay-back for hitting her son previously.

The woman, Dominique Hans (hereinafter, the “Defendant”) was arraigned Friday in Salem district court, charged with assault and battery and disorderly conduct. She pleaded “not guilty” and was released after a bail hearing.

Bail was set in the amount of $1,000 and she was Ordered by the court to have no contact with the alleged victim or her family and to stay away from the bus stop.

The Defendant, a bit more vocal than most, then made statements to the press that she merely “confronted” the girl for hitting her 6-year-old son, but did not hit her. She does say, though, that she held the girl’s face to get her attention.

Apparently, the Defendant’s ire was worsened when, she says, the school officials ignored her complaints that the kindergartner had hit the little boy.

Attorney Sam’s Take On Massachusetts Assault And Battery

Well, there are a couple of points to discuss in this matter.

Continue reading "SALEM CHILD ASSAULT AND BATTERY CASE PRESENTS A PLEA OF “NOT GUILTY” FOLLOWED BY AN ADMISSION OF GUILT" »

December 14, 2011

ATTORNEY SAM’S TAKE: FRANKLIN’S DEAN COLLEGE CAMPUS DEFENDANTS (PART 2)

This is a great time to be watching the criminal justice system!

Unfortunately, with a current changeover in my office and my son’s Bar Mitzvah occurring this week, it has been difficult to keep the Boston Criminal Lawyer Blog current on a daily basis. This should change next week. Meanwhile, campus criminal matters do seem to be dominating the headlines!

Today, the misadventures of Jerry Sandusky's lawyer seem to be big news. We last left that paragon of legal strategy when he allowed his client to make a fool of himself on national tv…all while the lawyer watched from another location unable to save his client…assuming he even recognized his client was in trouble!

For today, though, we finish our two-parter about the Dean College matter. As you will recall, this appears to be one of the few campus assaults that is not actually a sexual assault. Nope, just your garden variety Massachusetts assault and battery matter….with many, many wrinkles.

When we left off, I was asking whether, other than the obvious, there were other potential criminal defendants in the picture.

The answer, by the way, was in the affirmative.

Continue reading "ATTORNEY SAM’S TAKE: FRANKLIN’S DEAN COLLEGE CAMPUS DEFENDANTS (PART 2) " »

December 9, 2011

GRAPHIC VIDEO EXPOSES CAMPUS VIOLENCE AT DEAN COLLEGE (PART ONE)

By now, you have undoubtedly heard about the Dean College assault and battery fiasco.

I know it is not technically Massachusetts bullying or hazing, but it does involved some allegedly illegal conduct.

Even if the authorities seem not to have figured out how yet.

In fact, it involves the possibilities of several criminal acts.

Several of the students have already been expelled form the school and Franklin police who are conducting the criminal investigation say that the “mob” who cheered on the attack are likely to face charges…as is the alleged attacker himself.

Franklin police Deputy Chief Stephen Semerjian indicates that said charges could include unarmed robbery and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, to accessory to a crime.

Well, I guess that’s a start

Attorney Sam’s Take On Omni-Directional Assault Cases

This case could actually be subtitled “can you spot all the potential Massachusetts crimes.”

Continue reading "GRAPHIC VIDEO EXPOSES CAMPUS VIOLENCE AT DEAN COLLEGE (PART ONE)" »

December 5, 2011

MASSACHUSETTS ATTORNEY GENERAL INVESTIGATES ANDOVER STUDENTS AND SCHOOL IN HAZING AFTERMATH

You may be a bit surprised at how this experienced Boston criminal lawyer's views the recent Andover hazing debacle given my oft-spouted views on Massachusetts bullying.

Simply put, it is not the same situation.

One similarity it does have, however, is the attention of Attorney General Martha Coakley. She is said to be scrutinizing the Andover public school system because of the latest hazing scandal.

Under the current Massachusetts law, Hazing is described as follows:

any conduct or method of initiation into any student organization, whether on public or private property, which willfully or recklessly endangers the physical or mental health of any student or other person. Such conduct shall include whipping, beating, branding, forced calisthenics, exposure to the weather, forced consumption of any food, liquor, beverage, drug or other substance, or any other brutal treatment or forced physical activity which is likely to adversely affect the physical health of any such student or other person, or which subjects such student or other person to extreme mental stress, including extended deprivation of sleep or rest or extended isolation.

In fact, Hazing is a crime under M.G.L.A. 269 § 17, the applicable statue, which provides for a potential jail term of one year as well as substantial fines should this law be broken.

Apparently, though, the AG is more concerned with the fact that the school has failed to file a complete hazing-prevention plan with the state. Yes...kind of those anti-bullying policies that various schools are failing to provide pursuant to their applicable, if worthless, statute.

Andover School Committee member Richard Collins, a track coach at the high school for 37 years, is also concerned. He says, “The rules state what you’re supposed to do. If you aren’t doing that, then you need to ...I’m confident that if that has to happen, then it will.”

A mighty strong statement if nothing else...

Continue reading "MASSACHUSETTS ATTORNEY GENERAL INVESTIGATES ANDOVER STUDENTS AND SCHOOL IN HAZING AFTERMATH" »

October 31, 2011

MASSACHUSETTS WEAPONS, ALCOHOL AND ASSAULTS ON A HALLOWEEN NIGHT

Tonight is Halloween in Massachusetts. Well, except for the various cities and towns who have had to move the festivities to later because of this weekend’s weather issues.

Now, I don’t want to rain on anybody’s parade, and, hey, I enjoy seeing the celebrations of monsters, mass murderers and creatures of the night as much as the next guy…but there are some potential law enforcement dangers of which you might want to be aware.

Attorney Sam’s Take On Potential Legal Issues On Halloween Night

"Aw, c’mon, Sam! Do you have to ruin this for us too? I mean, everybody knows that the costumed charactors who prowl the streets on Halloween night are simply fun-loving celebrants who mean no harm, right?”

Well, yes and no. I must announce my bias first, though. As I have mentioned in the past, I live in Salem, MA. Halloween night is a bigger holiday than Christmas and Chanuka put together where I live. In fact, the celebration really begins with a parade much earlier in October and seems to be celebrated by blocking all traffic in every way imaginable for the rest of the month.

Continue reading "MASSACHUSETTS WEAPONS, ALCOHOL AND ASSAULTS ON A HALLOWEEN NIGHT" »

October 17, 2011

A Boston assault and battery on Cambridge woman - further discussion of MA

On Saturday night, a 31-year old woman was jogging on the Esplanade. Suddenly,
she reports that a gang of men surrounded and attacked her.

Apparently, she was able to escape the men after having been punched twice in
the head. She says that the men had been standing around and drinking beer
when she passed them and they attacked her.

The jogger is indeed lucky that she escaped without further harm from the
attack. There have been three sexual assaults on the Esplanade since 2007,
according to the police. However, the Commonwealth does not believe that this
weekend's incident is related to those earlier ones.

In my last blog, we discussed how the crime of Massachusetts assault and battery can trigger other, more serious charges. You do not need a Boston criminal lawyer to tell you that what happened this past Saturday night involved assault and battery. We have also discussed that it may not even matter who did the punching because the Commonwealth would likely charge all the men under the theory that the group
attack was a joint venture.

Attorney Sam's Take On Massachusetts Assault And Battery

"Sam, I notice that sometimes it is called "assault and battery" and other times simply "assault". What is the difference?"

Continue reading "A Boston assault and battery on Cambridge woman - further discussion of MA " »

October 13, 2011

Tewksbury Road Rage And Massachusetts Assault And Battery Arrests

The Boston Criminal Lawyer Blog has begun to more fully discuss the parameters of Massachusetts assault and battery. What will surprise you is how slight touching can result in such a criminal charge. But first, let’s look at a gentleman from Lawrence who is finding out that, sometimes a simple physical expression of his temper is more than simple assault and battery…even if nobody is killed.

The incident took place on Sunday. The police say that 23-year-old Hermenes Rosa (hereinafter, the “Defendant”) encountered he who would become the “Complainant” as the Complainant was leaving a Tewksbury Dunkin Donuts. The Defendant is said to have driven close behind the Complainant’s car, ever nearing the bumper. Then, apparently, the Defendant started yelling obscenities at him.

Following in the display of misguided logic, the Complainant then apparently pulled into a parking lot and exited his car to approach the Defendant.

A little foreshadowing here…it turns out that the parking lot belonged to a state hospital.

The Complainant got out of the vehicle and allegedly confronted the Defendant, who allegedly responded by revving up his engine and driving at him. He then drove another short distance…with the Complainant on the hood.

Finally, the Complainant rolled off the hood and landed on his feet. The Defendant is said to have driven at him again, but then drove off laughing.

Consistent with the good sense he had demonstrated already, the Defendant returned to the scene on foot.

Where he was arrested.

Continue reading "Tewksbury Road Rage And Massachusetts Assault And Battery Arrests" »

October 11, 2011

Amid claims of police abuse, Occupy Boston protesters are arrested for various MA misdemeanors and felonies

You may be looking at today's news and wondering if we have now returned to the
the 1960's - 1970's with regard to the recent activities of a group called
"Occupy Boston"...and several such protests across the country. The latest
activity of the group has led over 100 of the group to be arrested. The
familiar accusations of police brutality and similar assaults are flying.

Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino today went on record to defend the arrests,
explaining that, while he agrees with them on the issues they are protesting,
the cannot be allowed to “tie up the city.”

“I understand they have freedom of speech and freedom of expression, but we have
a city to manage,” he said in a telephone interview. “I’m open to suggestions,
but civil disobedience will not be tolerated.”

The early morning arrests of the protesters, who gathered downtown in
recent days to criticize the financial industry and social inequality, began at
about 1:20 a.m..

He said protesters had crossed two lines, first, by marching on the North
Washington Street Bridge and threatening to tie up traffic and, second, by
expanding their campground to a newly renovated area of the Greenway that the
city had asked them to stay off.

Occupy Boston said today in a statement that police had “brutally attacked”
protesters. In turn, Boston Police have brought their own claims of assault
against them.

“Today’s reprehensible attack by the Boston Police Department represents a sad
and disturbing shift away from dialogue and towards violent repression,” the
group said on its website.

Masny-Latos, who was on scene as a legal observer, said no protesters fought
with police. She said police could have employed a technique routinely used at
other protests – police approach a protester, tell them they are violating the
law, and the protester then submits to being taken into custody – and still
achieved their goal of clearing the area.

“They really attacked,’’ Masny-Latos said of the police. “They used force that
was completely unnecessary. … It was just brutal. I have no idea why they
arrested us with u such force.’’ Masny-Latos herself was arrested by the police
despite the fact that she3 was wearing clothing indicating that she was simply a
legal observer.

To her shock, Masny-Latos herself was among those arrested. She said Boston
police usually respect the legal observers the guild routinely dispatches to
public protests.

“Four officers grabbed me and dragged me,’’ she said. “I begged them to stop,
[told them that that] they were hurting me. I have no idea why they arrested us
with such force.’’

Police had earlier warned the approximately 1,000 protesters to leave the
Greenway area, where they had settled hours before, and relocate to either Dewey
Square or a small, adjacent strip of the Greenway.

Continue reading "Amid claims of police abuse, Occupy Boston protesters are arrested for various MA misdemeanors and felonies" »

August 30, 2011

The MA Rules Of Evidence And Your Arrests For Roxbury Cocaine Trafficking, Assault And Battery – Part Two

Here is where we left off on yesterday’s (once again daily) Boston Criminal Lawyer Blog…

You are facing going to trial for charges of Roxbury Cocaine trafficking and for Assault and Battery in a domestic violence case.

You have reviewed in your mind the various evidence that could potentially be produced against you although you are, for the most part, innocent of the charges (the exception being possession of the cocaine for personal use…a much lesser charge than the Massachusetts felony charges facing you).

You have always believed that evidentiary rules which prevent the government from producing evidence against the accused were merely tools of sneaky defense lawyers used to free guilty clients. You do not believe yourself guilty. You are now ready to reconsider.

Realizing that you could go to jail on either one of these cases, you have asked your attorney what your chances at winning are. His annoying answer was that it
“depends”.

Hey, thanks a lot..

Attorney Sam’s Take On Getting Beyond “It Depends”

Well, I do not know who your attorney, nor his experience level. However, This experienced Boston criminal lawyer will review the evidence in this case and apply the associated rules.

Continue reading "The MA Rules Of Evidence And Your Arrests For Roxbury Cocaine Trafficking, Assault And Battery – Part Two" »

July 19, 2011

Martha Vinyard Man Faces Assault And Battery With A Dangerous Weapon Charges For Attack On Alleged Sexual Predator

You have seen it in the movies. Sometimes, at the end of the film, you walked out angry.

Sometimes feeling exhilarated.

It is the tale of the vigilante. The vigilante who goes after the unmistakable “bad guy” and, maybe even, rescues the innocent victim.

Usually, how you feel depends on what happens to the vigilante.

Well, you may want to ask Frank Herbert (hereinafter, the “Defendant”), the 57-year-old wheelchair-bound grandfather about it. He allegedly attacked an accused pedophile with a baseball bat. The alleged pedophile was the Defendant’s girl-friend’s son-in-law. The Defendant says he was protecting a young girl.

Child protection advocates are hailing the Defendant as a hero. The Commonwealth, however, is charging him with the Massachusetts felony of Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon.

He faces 10 years in state prison.

It happened on February 22nd on Martha’s Vinyard. The Defendant allegedly struck his alleged target, Joshua Hardy, on the arm with the bat and kept the apparently 230-pound-man at bay until the police arrived. Hardy is now facing sexual assault charges and is held on high bail. He is accused of assaulting two girls.

Mr. Hardy has just recently announced that he refuses to testify against the Defendant because doing so might incriminate him. As any daily reader of this blog knows, this is his right under the Fifth Amendment to the Untied States Constitution.

You might think the prosecution ends there. However, according to the Commonwealth, it doesn’t. The prosecution claims that it can prove the case against the Defendant even without the testimony of Mr. Hardy.

Maybe...force one of the girls to testify against their hero?

The Defendant’s lawyer calls the prosecutors’ decision, “an asinine lack of discretion. It’s not like [the Defendant] lined up a baseball bat like Manny Ramirez .He tried to do the right thing.”

The Defendant’s girlfriend said she fears, “He won’t last in prison. He can’t even hold a food tray.”

The Defendant has no prior criminal record and was offered pretrial probation on the bat assault charge that did not require him to admit guilt if he stayed out of trouble for a year, However, he says that his conscience would not allow him to accept it. “I did what I had to do, and the rest doesn’t matter,”

Attorney Sam’s Take On Vigilantes And Self-Defense

This is one of those conundrums that, I suggest to you, could easily be seen both ways and, in fact, underscores one of the truths we have discussed about the criminal justice system.

Continue reading "Martha Vinyard Man Faces Assault And Battery With A Dangerous Weapon Charges For Attack On Alleged Sexual Predator" »

June 16, 2011

Dorchester Domestic Violence Call Turns To Multiple Shooting And Arrest

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" »

June 3, 2011

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

May 27, 2011

Woburn Assault Sentencing For Mark Kerrigan – How Did We Do? (Part 2 of 2)

There are alleged truths that we treasure about our criminal justice system. We hold these beliefts dear because they make us the “fairest” system in the world.

Among them are the following:

1. All accused are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

2.We believe that a jury verdict is the word of the people, our peers. Except in situations where we find that the judge made a legal error that deprived the defendant of a fair trial, we generally adopt the jury verdict as truth.


3.Our system is as compassionate as possible. While we also wish to punish, our other main objectives in passing down criminal sentences are consideration of the defendant’s past and hope for his/her rehabilitation, the effect of the case on the victims and the protection of the community.

Now, let’s apply these beliefs to the verdict and sentencing in Commonwealth of Massachusetts v. Mark Kerrigan, a Middlesex County homicide trial.

Continue reading "Woburn Assault Sentencing For Mark Kerrigan – How Did We Do? (Part 2 of 2)" »

May 27, 2011

Woburn Assault Sentencing For Mark Kerrigan, Justice And Hypocrisy (Part 1 of 2)

Yesterday, you may have heard me criticizing the Honorable Judge S. Jane Haggerty with regard to the sentencing of Mark Kerrigan (hereinafter the “Defendant”) on the radio. As you know, the Woburn homicide trial ended with a conviction of straight Massachusetts assault and battery.

Next came yesterday’s sentencing.

As predicted, it was a morning of emotion and tension.

The Commonwealth asked for the maximum possible sentence...2 ½ years in jail.

The family and the defense requested what is known as a “split sentence” – a 6-month suspended sentence followed by a year of probation. The Defendant had already served 4 months and so would be eligible for parole immediately.

The judge? She whacked the Defendant, giving him the 2 ½ year sentence, 2 years to serve now, the rest on Massachusetts probation.

What does all this mean?

Continue reading "Woburn Assault Sentencing For Mark Kerrigan, Justice And Hypocrisy (Part 1 of 2)" »

May 25, 2011

Woburn Homicide Trial Ends With Massachusetts Assault And Battery Conviction

If you thought you heard a familiar voice and name (mine) on WBZ radio today, you were correct. I was interviewed about today’s Kerrigan verdict.

As you know, Mark Kerrigan, brother of famous Olympic skater Nancy Kerrigan and hereinafter the “Defendant”, has been on trial in Middlesex County Superior Court in Woburn. The Defendant was charged with killing his father during an argument.

Today, the jury came back from deliberations. The decision was “not guilty” of Massachusetts manslaughter and “guilty” of the Assault and Battery count.

Now, while the parties prepare for tomorrow’s sentencing, prosecutors are announcing their dissatisfaction with the verdict and Nancy Kerrigan is speaking for her family indicating that they did not want any prosecution at all. So, it’s a sure bet they will ask for no jail time while the Commonwealth likely seeks the maximum.

Meantime, the Defendant remains in custody.

Continue reading "Woburn Homicide Trial Ends With Massachusetts Assault And Battery Conviction" »

May 18, 2011

Massachusetts Chief Medical Examiner Testifies At Mark Kerrigan’s Woburn Homicide Trial

The trial of Mark Kerrigan continues at Middlesex Superior Court in Woburn today. As you no doubt recall, Mark Kerrigan is the brother of Nancy Kerrigan, renown Olympic skater. She has had her own previous dealings with the criminal justice system…as a complainant. This time, she is supporting the defendant, her brother, who is being prosecuted for the Massachusetts homicide of their father.

Of course, in this blog, as in the criminal justice system, Mark Kerrigan is known as the “Defendant”.

There does not seem to be too much debate around the surrounding circumstances of the elder Mr. Kerrigan’s death. He was in some kind of altercation with the Defendant when he collapsed and died. According to the defense, including the deceased’s family members, he died as a result of severe blockage of his coronary arteries.

The Commonwealth disagrees. The chief medical examiner has testified that the death was caused by heart failure triggered by the physical altercation with the Defendant. He has opined that Mr. Kerrigan's fatal cardiac dysrhythmia -- a loss or interruption of a normal heartbeat was not only caused by the altercation, but that he also suffered an acute fracture of cartilage in his larynx, an injury prosecutors say the Defendant inflicted

Continue reading "Massachusetts Chief Medical Examiner Testifies At Mark Kerrigan’s Woburn Homicide Trial" »

May 9, 2011

A Boston Rape Attorney Discusses The “Boston Slutwalk”

This past weekend saw a bit of nice weather. What better time to protest Massachusetts sex crimes against women? What better time to march around scantily clad and chastise men who gawk?

In short....what better time for a “Boston Slutwalk”?

You think I am kidding, right? Ol’ Sam’s sarcastic humor has gotten the best of him and he is crossing the line, huh? Well, not at all.

This past weekend, there was a parade of men and women, the later primarily wearing only micro minis and bras. It was called by its participants the “Boston Slutwalk” and it wound its way from Government Center to the Common the marchers, chanting, “However we dress, wherever we go, yes means yes, and no means no,”

People stared, but no one dared to act in the animalistic way one might expect. As the Boston Herald put it, “you don’t mess with 200 “sluts” on a mission.“

Boston’s “Slutwalk” was one of an international series of such things that began earlier this year when a silver-tongued Toronto police officer allegedly told a group of York University law students that the best way to avoid getting raped was to not dress like a slut.

How delicately and tastefully put.

Continue reading "A Boston Rape Attorney Discusses The “Boston Slutwalk”" »

May 6, 2011

South Hadley Bullying Cases Resolve In Misdemeanor Guilty Pleas and Continuances With Findings

…And so the nationally known South Hadley bullying criminal case that began as a bombastic farce goes out with a face-saving and clearer headed whimper.

As you have probably heard, and as we discussed in previous blogs, all but one of the teens indicted last year by, to be undeservingly generous, overzealous ex-district attorney Scheibel, have had their cases resolved. While one remains awaiting trial for a typical Massachusetts statutory rape charge (hardly a bullying issue), the other kids have resolved their cases as misdemeanors.

The dispositions ranged from guilty pleas to misdemeanors to continuances without findings. The latter means that, so long as that particular defendant stays out of trouble after a probationary period, the matter will be dismissed. In the various cases, of course, the fact that they were initially charged as they were did the damage to each defendant’s criminal record. At best, it will be several years before these high school students can potentially seal their records and so moving on to college and/or employment will be even more of a challenge than it already is for the general public.

Although she spent much of her time in giving a victim-witness statement blaming her daughter’s ex-boyfriend, Phoebe Prince’s mother, Anne O’Brien, apparently agreed to these dispositions. In her statements, she included the following statement:

“Phoebe ended her pain brought about by harassment, harassment that could easily have been stopped if any of those involved had ever reached inside themselves to find their own compassion.’’

Continue reading "South Hadley Bullying Cases Resolve In Misdemeanor Guilty Pleas and Continuances With Findings" »

May 3, 2011

Lawrence Assault And Battery With A Dangerous Weapon Raises Questions About The Mayor’s Supporters

Massachusetts politics can be a dangerous business. We have talked many times how it can run, and ruin, the criminal justice system. Sometimes, however, it can provide the system with new business.

Take the case of Antonio Arevalo (hereinafter, the “Battered”) for example. He has been a critic of Lawrence Mayor William Lantigua. A very vocal cri.

This angered some folks...one man in particular. David Figueroa (hereinafter, the “Defendant”) works as a bouncer for La Guira, a nightclub which is popular with the mayor. Apparently, he did not care for the Battered’s attitude.

According to the Battered, he was confronted and beaten by the 6-foot-9 Defendant who called him "a snitch" and the "man who took the mayor to court." .

Well, it is actually not only according to the Battered. The event was actually caught on videotape which has now hit the internet.

Anyway, The result was apparently a broken arm (in two places) for the Battered and a the need for a Massachusetts Assault and Battery Attorney for the Defendant

Continue reading "Lawrence Assault And Battery With A Dangerous Weapon Raises Questions About The Mayor’s Supporters" »

May 2, 2011

Boston Police Fight Inquiry Into Assault, Brutality And Other Misconduct

Maine ‘s Krista Dittmeyer’s body has been found. The mother of the infant who was found in her car is dead. Meanwhile, a Lowell man needs a Massachusetts murder attorney as he is accused of killing his wife. Two Roxbury handguns were recovered by police after chasing and apprehending two individuals.

None of these stories are the subject matter of today’s blog. Instead, let’s deal with a real issue. Something that is really causing consternation to the Commonwealth’s law enforcement community. After all, they are our protection and the keepers of our liberty, aren’t they?

Well, some of those liberties perhaps.

They were a bit miffed last week. You see, Suffolk University Law School Students are asking some apparently embarrassing questions. One such student has taken on a project which Boston Police brass and union officials call in “cop-hate baiting at its worst.’’

The police are so upset, in fact, that the university itself is seeking to distance itself from the project. The college ordered the fliers taken down, saying the collaboration between Suffolk Law students, the American Civil Liberties Union and the Boston Black Men’s Leadership Group should not have used the law school’s logo.

The hateful and offensive actions at issue is the posting of fliers for the “Police Misconduct Documentation Project” and the “Police Complaint Assistance Project”. These posters ask horrible questions like “Have you been abused, brutalized or mistreated by the Boston Police ... ?”

Just imagine such a thing!

Apparently, according to the police and the university, such offensive questions should not be asked. One would imagine that such information therefore should not be compiled and should be silently swept under the rug.

After all, what is wrong with alittle police abuse? They have a hard job…aren’t the entitled to knock around a few folks?

Don't call it a Boston assault...call it simply alittle attitude adjustment.

Continue reading "Boston Police Fight Inquiry Into Assault, Brutality And Other Misconduct" »