Commonwealth v. One 1969 Mercedes-Benz Automobile

This is a civil action in the nature of an equitable proceeding in rem brought by a district attorney, in the name of the Commonwealth, to order forfeiture of á 1969 Mercedes-Benz automobile. See G. L. c. 94G, § 47 (d). The action was commenced on May 10, 1977, by the filing of a complaint in Superior Court, Suffolk County. Following a trial before a judge, see id., the judge ordered on August 18, 1977, that the automobile be forfeited to the Commonwealth. The owner of the automobile, William R. Askew, moved for a new trial. The motion was denied, but the judge granted a stay pending appeal…