Commonwealth v. Costa

The defendant, Pedro Costa, was convicted by a Superior Court jury of statutory rape of a child (G. L. c. 265, § 23). On appeal, he argues that the motion judge erred in denying his motion to suppress evidence and that the trial judge erred in denying his motion for mistrial and by denying him the right to cross-examine the victim regarding an alleged prior false allegation of sexual assault. In addition, he contends that a portion of the prosecutor’s argument was improper and prejudicial. We affirm.

Facts. The jury permissibly could have found the following facts.1 The defendant and the…