Source: http://masscases.com/cases/app/2/2massappct869.html
Timestamp: 2019-04-22 19:56:40+00:00

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defendant took exception to the judge's charge upon its conclusion. Although he did not specify the basis for his objection, it followed almost immediately after the above-quoted comment. An omnibus exception to a jury charge cannot ordinarily be sustained. McKnight v. Red Cab Co. 319 Mass. 64 , 66-67 (1946). Nevertheless, a verdict or finding may be set aside in order to prevent a miscarriage of justice even if there has been no proper objection at trial. See Commonwealth v. McDonald, 264 Mass. Mass. 324, 336 (1928); Commonwealth v. Conroy, 333 Mass. 751 , 757 (1956); Commonwealth v. Freeman, 352 Mass. 556 , 561-564 (1967). In view of the fact that the defendant did not deny having made the offer, the judge's comment amounted to an instruction as to the inference which the jury should draw from the victim's testimony and had the effect of throwing the judge's opinion onto the scales decisively against the defendant. Compare Commonwealth v. Foran, 110 Mass. 179 , 180 (1872); Quinn v. Stoneham Laundry, Inc. 360 Mass. 858 (1971). We are of opinion that the judgments entered in the case at bar must be reversed.

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