Commonwealth v. Powers

After completing deliberations on a complaint charging the defendant with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, the jury advised that they had reached a verdict. As announced by the foreperson, the verdict was guilty. Because the verdict slip given to the clerk indicated that the verdict was not guilty, the clerk, as instructed by the judge, asked, “ [D]o you jurors upon your oath say that the Defendant is guilty as charged in said complaint? ” The guilty verdict announced by the foreperson was twice collectively affirmed, and the jury was discharged. The…