Commonwealth v. Vital

A District Court jury found the defendant guilty *670of (1) indecent assault and battery on a child under the age of fourteen, G. L. c. 265, § 13B; (2) violation of an abuse prevention order, G. L. c. 209A, § 7; and (3) intimidation of a witness, G. L. c. 268, § 13B. The defendant now appeals. The principal issue before us is whether the defendant’s pastor violated the priest-penitent privilege, G. L. c. 233, § 20A, when he testified as to inculpatory statements made by the defendant. See generally Mass. G. Evid. § 510 (2013). A secondary issue before us is whether joinder of the offenses for…