Legal Opinion
Commonwealth v. Benjamin
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
Decided January 28, 2000PublishedCited by 17 opinions
1Opinion of the CourtAbrams, J.
The defendant, Ernest N. Benjamin, appeals from his conviction of murder in the first degree on the theory of extreme atrocity or cruelty. He challenges the jury selection process and contends that the standard for determining extreme atrocity or cruelty is unconstitutionally vague. He also claims that the judge erred by prohibiting him from questioning a witness as to the victim’s reputation for violence. He argues error in the jury instructions because the judge (a) failed to instruct the jury that words could convey information constituting adequate provocation to mitigate an unlawful…
2Cases cited26 opinions
- Commonwealth v. SoaresMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1979
- Commonwealth v. CunneenMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1983
- Commonwealth v. CundriffMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1980
- Commonwealth v. AmazeenMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1978
- Commonwealth v. RobertsMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1979
21 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.
3Cited by17 opinions
- Commonwealth v. GroomeMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 2001
- Beaupre v. Cliff Smith & AssociatesMassachusetts Appeals Court · 2000
- Commonwealth v. WalkerMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 2004
- Commonwealth v. GuyMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 2004
- Commonwealth v. GrahamMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 2000
12 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.