Legal Opinion
Commonwealth v. Simpson
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
Decided March 28, 1938PublishedCited by 44 opinions
1Opinion of the CourtCox, J.
The defendant was found guilty in the first degree of the murders of Henry G. Bell and Lawrence E. Murphy, both police officers of the city of Newton. Each indictment alleged that the defendant was otherwise called James R. Swartz. Sentence of death was imposed and stay of execution was ordered. St. 1935, c. 437, § 3. The defendant testified in his own behalf and admitted that he shot both officers, contending that he did so in self-defence.
There was evidence that on the evening of August 21, 1937, the defendant, while operating an automobile which had been stolen, invited a girl named Erada…
2Cases cited24 opinions
- Commonwealth v. MadeirosMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1926
- Commonwealth v. AbbottMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1881
- Commonwealth v. McDonaldMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1928
- Commonwealth v. FeciMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1920
- Commonwealth v. MercierMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1926
19 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.
3Cited by44 opinions
- Commonwealth v. BonomiMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1957
- Commonwealth v. GeaganMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1959
- Commonwealth v. MonahanMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1965
- Commonwealth v. GiacomazzaMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1942
- Commonwealth v. BorisMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1944
39 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.