Commonwealth v. Bray

On May 13, 1983, a jury found the defendant guilty of murder in the second degree and of assault by means of a dangerous weapon (two counts). After sentences were imposed, the defendant appealed, and on May 1, 1985, the Appeals Court affirmed the convictions. Commonwealth v. Bray, 19 Mass. App. Ct. 751 (1985). Subsequently, the defendant filed a pro se motion, later amended with the assistance of counsel, for a new trial of the murder indictment. The trial judge denied the amended motion, and the defendant appealed. We granted the defendant’s application for direct appellate review. We now…