Commonwealth v. Ruiz

A jury in the Superior Court found the defendant guilty of unarmed robbery and assault and battery.1 The defendant appealed, arguing that the trial judge failed to exercise discretion in permitting the defendant to be impeached with prior convictions. The Appeals Court reversed the defendant’s conviction, 22 Mass. App. Ct. 297 (1986), and we granted the Commonwealth’s application for further appellate review. We agree with the reasoning of the Appeals Court, and reverse the defendant’s conviction.

The defendant testified at trial. On cross-examination, the prosecutor asked the defendant if he…