Commonwealth v. Proctor

The defendant was found guilty by a judge, sitting without a jury, under a complaint charging him with violating § 38-15 of the zoning ordinance of the city of Haverhill by operating a mink farm on his premises; a fine of $10 was imposed. At the conclusion of the evidence, the defendant requested a ruling “that the Court find as a matter of law that the Commonwealth has not sustained the burden of proving the defendant guilty of the crime as charged.” The judge denied the request, subject to the defendant’s exception, and the sole question is whether the request was properly denied.

The…