Commonwealth v. Matthews

Convicted as an adult of murder in the second degree at the age of fifteen, the defendant, Rod Matthews, appeals. The defendant alleges error in (1) the decision to transfer his case to the Superior Court for trial as an adult; (2) the jury empanelment; (3) the jury instructions; and (4) the judge’s refusal to vacate the sentence and resentence the defendant as a juvenile pursuant to G. L. c. 119, § 83. We conclude there is no error and affirm his conviction.

We summarize the facts. In the fall of 1986, the defendant, Rod Matthews, and the victim, fourteen year old Shaun Ouillette, were…