Commonwealth v. LaVelle

A Superior Court jury found the defendant, Joseph E. LaVelle, guilty on two indictments charging distribution of a counterfeit controlled substance. G. L. c. 94C, § 32G (1990 ed.). Prior to trial the judge denied the defendant’s motion to dismiss the indictments on the ground that the integrity of the grand jury proceeding had been impaired. At trial the judge granted the Commonwealth’s motion in limine to exclude evidence pertaining to the Commonwealth’s sole eyewitness. Claiming prejudicial error, the defendant made a timely appeal to the Appeals Court, which affirmed his convictions.…