Commonwealth v. Olson

After a trial by jury, the defendant was convicted of three offenses, all allegedly committed on the same date and against the same victim. Two of the convictions were of assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon, to wit: a knife (G. L. c. 265, § 15A), 1 and one was of assault with intent to kill, being armed with a dangerous weapon, to wit, a knife (G. L. c. 265, § 18). 2

On appeal the defendant contends that the trial judge violated her constitutional right to present a defense by her rulings (1) preventing the defendant from testifying as to her state of mind during the events out…