Com. v. Loftis

• Citation: 281 N.E.2d 258,361 Mass. 545
• Parties: COMMONWEALTH v. Anthony H. LOFTIS.
• Decision Date: 06 April 1972
• Court: United States State Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts

Page 258

281 N.E.2d 258

361 Mass. 545

COMMONWEALTH v. Anthony H. LOFTIS.

Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, Norfolk.

Argued Feb. 7, 1972.

Decided April 6, 1972.

Robert V. Greco, Roslindale (Reuben Goodman, Boston, with him), for defendant.

John P. Connor, Jr., Asst. Dist. Atty., for the Commonwealth.

Before CUTTER, SPIEGEL, REARDON and QUIRICO, JJ.

SPIEGEL, Justice.

The defendant was tried and found guilty on three indictments charging him with breaking and entering with intent to commit larceny (46861) and with unarmed robbery (46862--46863). ¹ These cases are before us on the defendant's appeal under the provisions of G.L. c. 278, §§ 33A--33G. We treat with the two assignments of error argued by the defendant.

1. The defendant first contends that his motion to dismiss should have been granted since he was not tried within six months of the receipt of his application for a speedy trial pursuant to G.L. c. 277, § 72A. ² We summarize the events relevant to the defendant's contention.

On October 9, 1970, the defendant was arraigned on indictments 46860--46863 and two unrelated indictments (45268--45269). Defence counsel stated that because investigation would require a great deal of time he would not be prepared to try these cases in this session.

On October 29, 1970, the Commonwealth requested that indictments 46860--46863 be placed on the trial list for specially assigned. The trial judge was informed that defence counsel was ill, that he had not yet interviewed the defendant, and that his substitute counsel was not in a position to consent to the continuance. The judge thereupon asked the Commonwealth whether it could, in fairness to the public, move for a continuance until the next scheduled criminal session in February, 1971, without the consent of the defendant. The Commonwealth so moved.

On December 8, 1970, the defendant's application for a speedy trial was received by the Norfolk County clerk.

A criminal session was subsequently scheduled in Norfolk County for January, 1971. On January 6, 1971 (all dates hereafter are 1971), indictments 46860--46863 and 45268--45269 (the two unrelated indictments) were called and, upon defence counsel's request, set down for the next trial session in February. Defence counsel represented at this time that he might request an independent expert fingerprint analysis. The judge stated that by January 25 he expected to hear any motions concerning the fingerprints and another matter involving out of State alibi witnesses. No motions were filed or argued on January 25.

On February 3 the cases ³ were called for trial. The Commonwealth stated that it was prepared for trial, and the cases were placed on the list for February 8.

On February 8 the Commonwealth again stated that it was ready for trial. Defence counsel at this time presented motions for an independent fingerprint analysis and for identification procedures 'used' by the Commonwealth.

The judge was obviously concerned with the status of the speedy trial motion, and asked whether the defendant would state in open court that a continuance from February to April would be on his motion without prejudice to the Commonwealth. Defence counsel, however, was unwilling to do this. The judge then stated: 'We will put it on for second call and reconsider your position. Frankly, I realize that you have a problem but you place the Court in an impossible position. You need time for investigation. At the same time you don't want to move for a continuance. The Commonwealth is ready for trial, I assume?' At the second call, defence counsel agreed that these matters might be set down for trial, but would not commit himself to a date which would be convenient for him. Eventually, by agreement of the parties and with the judge's consent, all of the indictments were set down for February 18, at which time indicmtents 45268--45269 would be tried and discussion would then be held on the progress of the other charges.

On February 18, however, only indictments 46860--46863 were called. Defence counsel pointed out that the Commonwealth had promised to proceed first on indictments 45268--45269. These were then placed on the trial list with the notation that the parties be prepared to proceed on twenty-four hours notice.

On April 5, 6 and 7 all six indictments were called but no trial was held. ⁴ On April 12, the defendant pleaded guilty on indictments 45268--45269. Indictments 46860--46863 were not called again until June 8, when the defendant moved to dismiss them. On July 1, the motion was denied. The trial commenced on July 20.

Our examination of the transcripts of the pre-trial proceedings leads us to conclude that there was no error in the denial of this motion. Although defence counsel was careful never to formally request a continuance, it is clear that much of the delay in this case was for the benefit of the defendant.

General Laws c. 277, § 72A, does not compel a judge to dismiss an indictment if the case is not tried or otherwise disposed of within six months after an application for a speedy trial is 'received by the court.' ⁵

Such a construction would enable a defendant to play, as the defendant did here, the game of 'Heads I win, tails you lose.' We do not believe that the Legislature intended to have the statute so construed. Perhaps it is advisable in situations such as in the instant cases for a trial judge to compel a defendant either to move for a continuance or to stand trial. If the defendant moves for a continuance, it would seem prudent for the judge, in allowing such a motion, to specifically order an extension of the statutory period. In any event, in the circumstance of these cases, it would be unconscionable to permit the defendant to take advantage of a situation where a substantial part of the delay in the disposition of the cases was obviously caused by him and, in addition, was for his benefit. Shepherd v. United States, 163 F.2d 974, 976 (8th Cir.). See People v. Lanigan, 22 Cal.2d 569, 578--580, 140 P.2d 24. Specifically, since the Commonwealth moved for a continuance from October 29, 1970, to the February, 1971, session to accommodate the defendant, the statute should not be read to run against it during this time. Similarly, the defendant's motions on February 8 were the cause of delay until February 18, and he should not be permitted to have the benefit of now claiming the running of the statute during that period. It therefore follows that July 20 was a timely date for the trial.

2. The defendant's second contention is that the evidence was insufficient to warrant the convictions, and thus his motion for directed verdicts should have been allowed. We summarize the evidence, largely on the basis of the presentation in the defendant's brief, which was accepted by the Commonwealth. On April 18, 1969, four black men broke into the Brookline apartment of one Peter Gross. Gross and his fiance e, one Elizabeth Snider, were there watching television at the time. The men kicked Gross in the mouth and dragged Miss Snider to another room where each of the four raped her. They took from Miss Snider an engagement ring worth approximately $1,500 and took from Gross a watch, $10, and an old driver's license. After the men left, Miss Snider went across the hall...