Court Opinion

ID: 9721665
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 09:04:53.655756+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:24:28.038966
License: Public Domain

Fine, J.
(dissenting). I would tend to accord somewhat broader scope than do the majority to the authority of a trial judge under Mass.R.Crim.P. 25 (b) (2) to enter an acquittal after a verdict of guilty on that rare occasion when to do so is necessary to avoid a miscarriage of justice. Compare United States v. Sisson, 399 U.S. 267, 290 (1970); Commonwealth v. Gaulden, 383 Mass. 543, 551-557 (1981). Because the defendant did not file at the appropriate time a motion for a required finding of not guilty, see note 5 of the majority opinion, supra at 321, however, I would not reach that issue in this case. In any event, I depart from the majority opinion insofar as it requires the defendant, in order to obtain a new trial, to move for one in the trial court. Implicit in the judge’s order on the motion under rule 25 (b) (2), in my view, is the determination that, at the very least, the defendant is entitled to a new trial. I believe, therefore, that this court should remand the case for a new trial.