Commonwealth v. Anderson

The defendant, convicted of murder in the first degree of his wife, contends that, because he was denied his constitutional right to the effective assistance of counsel, he is entitled to a new trial. Through new counsel on appeal, he argues that his trial counsel failed to present helpful expert testimony concerning his state of mind at the time he stabbed his wife to death. We consider this claim and, acknowledging our duties under G. L. c. 278, § 33E (1984 ed.), affirm the judgment.

About 4 a.m. on My 27, 1983, in Worcester the defendant forced his way into the second-floor apartment of his…