Defendant in 25P786 asks appeals court for new trial, says witnesses were "backdoor" first‑complaint evidence In Commonwealth v. Muda (25P786), defense counsel told the appeals court that multiple witnesses were used only to bolster the victim’s credibility and that cumulative misstatements in closing argument and a withheld DNA expert deprived the defendant of a fair trial; the court took the matter under advisement.

In a gripping appeal, the defense argues that crucial witness testimonies were nothing more than "backdoor" evidence meant to unfairly sway the jury against the defendant.

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Mass. Supreme Judicial Court hears appeal over involuntary-manslaughter instruction in James Ferguson case At oral argument before the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, defense counsel asked the court to order a new trial or rule that James Ferguson was entitled to an involuntary-manslaughter jury instruction, arguing the jury could have found a fatal arm wound occurred while the victim fled through a window; the Commonwealth urged affirmance, contt

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court is weighing whether James Ferguson deserves a new trial, as compelling evidence suggests a fatal injury could stem from the victim fleeing through a window.

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