Commonwealth v. Thorpe

This case involves the construction of the Massachusetts communications interception statute, G. L. c. 272, § 99, as appearing in St. 1968, c. 738, § 1. Prior to trial in the Superior Court on the charge of corrupting a municipal official under G. L. c. 268A, § 2 (a) (2), the defendant Francis Thorpe moved, pursuant to G. L. c. 272, § 99 P, to suppress certain tape recordings of conversations between himself and the Commonwealth’s chief witness. After a hearing, the judge denied the motion. Thorpe sought and was granted leave to file an interlocutory appeal. See Mass. R. Crim. P. 15 (b) (2),…