Commonwealth v. Beaz

A jury found the defendant guilty on indictments charging armed robbery, G. L. c. 265, § 17, and assault and bat*501tery by means of a dangerous weapon, G. L. c. 265, § 15A. In this appeal he claims (1) hearsay evidence was erroneously admitted; (2) counsel was ineffective for failure to challenge a juror for cause; (3) instructions given to the jury were inconsistent with the presumption of innocence; and (4) the prosecutor’s closing argument was improper.2 We decline to review the claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, and upon review of the remaining three issues, affirm.

1. Background.…