Schipani v. Commonwealth

On April 11, 1980, a grand jury returned indictments against Schipani on four counts as an accessory before the fact to armed robbery, kidnapping, threat with intent to extort, and assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon. The grand jury indictments were based in part on testimony by a codefendant who had agreed to testify against Schipani in return for the Commonwealth’s recommendation of leniency. Subsequent to the issuance of the indictments and prior to the scheduled trial date, Schipani made contact with a witness whose identity remains undisclosed (John Doe) and who, Schipani…