Commonwealth v. Gomes

The defendant was convicted by a jury in the Superior Court of assault with intent to rape. On appeal the defendant claims that the trial judge erred in excluding evidence as to the bad reputation in the community for truth and veracity of the victim, the Commonwealth’s key witness. There was no error.

The defendant sought to impeach the victim through the testimony of the victim’s friend, one Kathy Hardrick. During a voir dire examination Hardrick testified that she had known the victim for “two years,” and that she knew “at least five” other people who knew the victim and with whom she “at…