Commonwealth v. Connor

The basic issue presented by the report of a Superior Court judge is whether a judge may disqualify counsel for the defendant over the defendant’s objection. Myles J. Connor, Jr., was charged in two indictments with being an accessory before the fact to murder in the first degree. G. L. c. 274, § 2. Martin K. Leppo entered his appearance for the defendant on both indictments. Approximately six weeks later Mr. Leppo filed a “motion for disclosure to determine conflict of interest” accompanied by an affidavit of Connor. After a series of hearings the judge ruled that Mr. Leppo was disqualified…