Commonwealth v. Adams

The defendant was convicted on indictments charging armed robbery (G. L. c. 265, §17), kidnapping (G. L. c. 265, § 26), and threats to commit a crime (G. L. c. 265, § 25). The robbery took place at a Fayva Shoe Store in the Porter Square Shopping Center in Cambridge. The victim positively identified the defendant at a showup shortly after the incident. At trial, the defendant relied upon a defense of misidentification. The sole issue raised in the appeal is a claim that the defendant was deprived of a fair trial because the judge declined to give an instruction based upon the principle…