Commonwealth v. Sholley

In 1996, one Raymond Barrio was charged in *496the Quincy Division of the District Court Department of violating a protective order issued pursuant to G. L. c. 209A. The defendant, Earl Sholley, a self-described “father’s rights activist” was present in the courtroom during the first day of Barrio’s bench trial. On the next day, after Barrio had been found guilty, Sholley came into the courthouse and peeked through the window of the door to the same courtroom. Stationed inside was a court officer, Kirk Parks, who saw Sholley standing just outside in the hallway. Parks asked Sholley if he needed…