Commonwealth v. Layne

In May of 1980, approximately eight years after being convicted and sentenced on several indictments, including one for kidnapping (G. L. c. 265, § 26), the defendant filed a motion requesting postconviction relief pursuant to Mass.R.Crim.P. 30(a) and (b), 378 Mass. 900 (1979). In his motion, the defendant claimed, among other things, that “[ijmproper considerations played a part in the sentencing process in violation of the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.” After hearing, the Superior Court judge who had presided at the defendant’s trial denied those aspects of the motion…