Massachusetts high court hears whether post-conviction testing statute covers cell-phone forensics In oral argument in Commonwealth v. Watson, attorneys disputed whether chapter 278Aa post-conviction forensic-testing statuteapplies only to biologically testable evidence like DNA or also to historical cell-phone data that defense counsel says could show witness perjury.

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court is debating whether historic cell phone data can unlock new evidence in a homicide case, challenging the limits of post-conviction forensic testing.

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SJC hears dispute over compelled psychiatric exam in Germaine Berry Perez resentencing The Supreme Judicial Court heard argument over whether the Commonwealth may order a psychiatric examination of Germaine Berry as part of a post‑conviction Perez resentencing proceeding. Defense counsel argued that compelled psychiatric testing at this stage would violate Berry’s rights against compelled self‑incrimination and privacy and that pre‑/

The Supreme Judicial Court is grappling with a pivotal question: should the Commonwealth be allowed to compel a psychiatric evaluation of Germaine Berry during his resentencing, potentially infringing on his rights?

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