Commonwealth v. Costa

The defendant was convicted in the Fourth District Court of Berkshire on a complaint that “being the father of two illegitimate children of Marilyn Johnson . . . [he] did neglect or refuse to contribute reasonably to their support and maintenance in violation of . . . [G. L. c. 273, § 15],” and was “adjudicated the father of these children.” Upon appeal to the Superior Court he was again convicted. The case comes here on the defendant’s exceptions to the admission of certain evidence and the denial of his motion for a directed verdict. Marilyn Johnson, called as a witness by the Commonwealth,…