Commonwealth v. Despasquale

We conclude that with regard to the claims argued here it is possible on this record to evaluate the performance of the defendant’s trial counsel. In order to determine whether a new trial should be granted based on ineffective assistance of trial counsel, we apply the familiar Saferian test. See Commonwealth v. Saferian, 366 Mass. 89, 96 (1974). See also Commonwealth v. Satterfield, 373 Mass. 109, 115 & n.10 (1977). Although certain actions of trial counsel did not manifest the skills of a more experienced practitioner, the defendant has failed to demonstrate how the actions he claims his…