Legal Opinion
Commonwealth v. Oliveira
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
Decided January 23, 2006PublishedCited by 30 opinions
1Opinion of the CourtCordy, J.
Following a jury trial, Robert J. Oliveira was convicted of murder in the first degree of Nancy Shonheinz, a woman with whom he had a sporadic relationship. On appeal, the defendant claims that the judge’s jury instructions regarding murder by means of extreme atrocity or cruelty contained two *838significant errors creating a substantial likelihood of a miscarriage of justice. We find no such likelihood and affirm the conviction. We also decline to exercise our power under G. L. c. 278, § 33E, to reduce the verdict or order a new trial.
1. Background. We summarize the evidence in its light most…
2Cases cited22 opinions
- Commonwealth v. CunneenMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1983
- Commonwealth v. SellonMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1980
- Commonwealth v. GouldMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1980
- Commonwealth v. GunterMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1998
- Commonwealth v. OwensMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1993
17 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.
3Cited by30 opinions
- Commonwealth v. Silva-SantiagoMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 2009
- Commonwealth v. NardiMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 2008
- Commonwealth v. BrownMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 2017
- Commonwealth v. BrittMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 2013
- Commonwealth v. VargasMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 2016
25 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.