Commonwealth v. Harris

After a jury trial the defendant, Raymond Harris, was convicted of unlawful possession of heroin with intent to distribute and unlawful possession of marihuana with intent to distribute. He timely filed a claim of appeal, and the Superior Court judge ordered the preparation of four copies of the transcript. On learning that all the stenographic notes of the trial, with the exception of the charge to the jury, had been stolen from the court reporter’s car, Harris filed a motion for a new trial. Following a hearing on this motion, the judge took the matter under advisement. Without determining…