Legal Opinion
Commonwealth v. Henson
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
Decided April 18, 1985PublishedCited by 158 opinions
1Opinion of the CourtWilkins, J.
In his appeal from convictions of assault with intent to murder, while armed with a dangerous weapon (G. L. *585c. 265, § 18), and assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon (G. L. c. 265, § 15A), the defendant challenges rulings denying him the right to impeach certain witnesses for bias by showing that criminal charges were pending against them. We agree that as to one significant witness cross-examination was improperly and prejudicially barred and that there must be a new trial. We deal further with two issues that will arise at any retrial of the indictment charging assault with…
2Cases cited32 opinions
- Davis v. AlaskaSupreme Court of the United States · 1974
- Commonwealth v. GouldMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1980
- Commonwealth v. ConnorMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1984
- Commonwealth v. JoyceMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1981
- Commonwealth v. HaywoodMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1979
27 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.
3Cited by158 opinions
- Commonwealth v. RandolphMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 2002
- Commonwealth v. MelloMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1995
- Commonwealth v. GreyMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1987
- Gilday v. CallahanCourt of Appeals for the First Circuit · 1995
- Commonwealth v. WaiteMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1996
153 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.