Commonwealth v. Demogenes

The defendant was tried and convicted on a complaint charging a violation of G. L. c. 271, § 17, in that he “was found in a place in . . . Lowell with apparatus, books or any device for the purpose of registering bets upon the results of a trial or contest of skill or endurance of beasts, to wit: a horse race and did register bets upon such trials or contest of speed.” At the close of the evidence the defendant presented a motion for a directed verdict of not guilty which was denied, subject to the defendant’s exception. The correctness of this ruling presents the sole question for decision.

Th…