Commonwealth v. Lattimore

In Commonwealth v. Lattimore, 396 Mass. 446 (1985), this court reviewed the defendant’s conviction of murder in the first degree under G. L. c. 278, § 33E (1984 ed.), and ordered the verdict reduced to murder in the second degree. Subsequently, the defendant filed pro se motions in the Superior Court for a new trial and for appointment of counsel. The trial judge denied the motions. The defendant appealed and filed a pro se motion in the Appeals Court for the appointment of counsel on appeal. A single justice of the Appeals Court issued an order appointing counsel, concluding that the…