Commonwealth v. Cardarelli

Marshall, CJ.

The defendant was convicted of murder in the first degree of his wife on theories of deliberate premeditation and extreme atrocity or cruelty. He claims that the Commonwealth’s introduction of autopsy photographs of the victim and evidence of his posthomicide conduct denied him the right to a fair trial. He also asks that we reduce the degree of murder pursuant to G. L. c. 278, § 33E. We affirm the conviction, and decline the defendant’s request to exercise our statutory power.

1. Facts. On November 11, 1996, the victim, usually a punctual employee, failed to appear at work. When…