Commonwealth v. Nolet

Massachusetts Appeals Court

Commonwealth v. Nolet

376 N.E.2d 161, 6 Mass. App. Ct. 881

DecidedMay 23, 1978

StatusPublished

This text of 376 N.E.2d 161 (Commonwealth v. Nolet) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Massachusetts Appeals Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

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Commonwealth v. Nolet, 376 N.E.2d 161, 6 Mass. App. Ct. 881 (Mass. Ct. App. 1978).

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Opinion

1. It is manifestly clear from a review of the entire record that there was ample evidence which warranted the jury’s guilty verdict on each indictment. Compare Commonwealth v. Derby, 263 Mass. 39, 43-45 (1928); Commonwealth v. Corcoran, 332 Mass. 615, 616-617 (1955). Consequently, there was no error in the denial of the defendant’s motion for directed verdicts. See Commonwealth v. Hollis, 170 Mass. 433, 436 (1898). See generally Commonwealth v. Sandler, 368 Mass. 729, 740 (1975), and cases cited. 2. The judge did not err in allowing the victim to testify on redirect examination as to what she had answered when the doctor who examined her after the incident asked "whether or not this man [i.e. the defendant] had had sexual intercourse with you?” Her answer ("He didn’t get that far”) was admissible. See Glover v. Callahan, 299 Mass. 55, 57-58 (1937). As she had been asked on cross-examination [882]*882whether she had told "the doctor that you were sexually molested,” the question and answer were within the limits of proper redirect examination. See Commonwealth v. Spikes, 360 Mass. 441, 442-443 (1971). Cf. Commonwealth v. Juliano, 358 Mass. 465, 468-469 (1970). See generally McCormick, Evidence § 32, at 64 (2d ed. 1972). We thus do not have to reach the issue whether the testimony was also admissible under the doctrine of fresh complaint. See Commonwealth v. Bailey, 370 Mass. 388, 391-397 (1976). 3. We do not discuss any of the other aspects of the defendant’s challenge to the victim’s testimony (e.g., that it was sympathy eliciting), as it should be as readily apparent to the defendant as it is to us that the arguments are frivolous. 4.. We do not consider the defendant’s other assignments of error, as they have not been argued on appeal. See Rule 1:13 of the Appeals Court, as amended effective February 27, 1975, 3 Mass. App. Ct. 801. 5. The appeal with respect to indictment No. 76-4027 has been waived.

The case was submitted on briefs. John F. Donahue for the defendant. Dianne M. Dillon, Special Assistant District Attorney, for the Commonwealth.

Judgments on indictments Nos. 76-4028 and 76-4029 affirmed.

Appeals on indictments Nos. 76-4026 and 76-4027 dismissed.

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1. It is manifestly clear from a review of the entire record that there was ample evidence which warranted the jury’s guilty verdict on each indictment. Compare Commonwealth v. Derby, 263 Mass. 39, 43-45 (1928); Commonwealth v. Corcoran, 332 Mass. 615, 616-617 (1955). Consequently, there was no error in the denial of the defendant’s motion for directed verdicts. See Commonwealth v. Hollis, 170 Mass. 433, 436 (1898). See generally Commonwealth v. Sandler, 368 Mass. 729, 740 (1975), and cases cited. 2. The judge did not err in allowing the victim to testify on redirect examination as to what she had answered when the doctor who examined her after the incident asked "whether or not this man [i.e. the defendant] had had sexual intercourse with you?” Her answer ("He didn’t get that far”) was admissible. See Glover v. Callahan, 299 Mass. 55, 57-58 (1937). As she had been asked on cross-examination [882]*882whether she had told "the doctor that you were sexually molested,” the question and answer were within the limits of proper redirect examination. See Commonwealth v. Spikes, 360 Mass. 441, 442-443 (1971). Cf. Commonwealth v. Juliano, 358 Mass. 465, 468-469 (1970). See generally McCormick, Evidence § 32, at 64 (2d ed. 1972). We thus do not have to reach the issue whether the testimony was also admissible under the doctrine of fresh complaint. See Commonwealth v. Bailey, 370 Mass. 388, 391-397 (1976). 3. We do not discuss any of the other aspects of the defendant’s challenge to the victim’s testimony (e.g., that it was sympathy eliciting), as it should be as readily apparent to the defendant as it is to us that the arguments are frivolous. 4.. We do not consider the defendant’s other assignments of error, as they have not been argued on appeal. See Rule 1:13 of the Appeals Court, as amended effective February 27, 1975, 3 Mass. App. Ct. 801. 5. The appeal with respect to indictment No. 76-4027 has been waived.

The case was submitted on briefs. John F. Donahue for the defendant. Dianne M. Dillon, Special Assistant District Attorney, for the Commonwealth.

Judgments on indictments Nos. 76-4028 and 76-4029 affirmed.

Appeals on indictments Nos. 76-4026 and 76-4027 dismissed.

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376 N.E.2d 161, 6 Mass. App. Ct. 881, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/commonwealth-v-nolet-massappct-1978.

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