In the Matter of a John Doe Grand Jury Investigation

Once again we confront a case involving the desire of a grand jury to learn the identity of the confidential source of certain information that a news reporter has published. A Superior Court judge allowed motions to quash grand jury subpoenas issued to two reporters. The Commonwealth unsuccessfully sought relief under G. L. c. 211, § 3 (1990 ed.), from a single justice of this court and has appealed from the single justice’s order denying relief. We affirm the order.

The investigation by a grand jury of the county of Suffolk concerns the death of Carol DiMaiti Stuart on October 23, 1989, and…