Commonwealth v. Martin

The defendant, Craig Martin, appeals from his convictions of indecent assault and battery on a child under the age of fourteen years, and of forcible rape of a child under the age of sixteen years. The defendant argues error in the closing of his trial to the public during the testimony of the minor complainant, in precluding the admission of certain evidence, and in allowing a witness to testify concerning her suspicion that the defendant had committed the crimes. We transferred the case to this court on our own motion. We reverse the convictions and remand for a new trial on the ground that…