Commonwealth v. Arias

After a jury trial, the defendant was convicted of assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon (ABDW) upon a person who is pregnant, and assault and battery upon a person who is pregnant.2 He asserts several trial errors. We affirm.

Background. The jury could have found the following facts. The victim was in a relationship with the defendant's recently-deceased brother until his death in January, 2009. Shortly after the brother's death, the victim and the defendant began a romantic relationship. Roughly two years later, in March, 2011, the victim learned she was pregnant with the…