The state's highest court said Wednesday that people convicted on drug charges in cases that involved a disgraced state chemist, Annie Dookhan, can seek new trials. Last year, the Supreme Judicial Court gave special permission to people to undo their pleas if they had pleaded guilty to drug charges in Dookhan-related cases. On Wednesday, it ruled that the same protection must be extended to some defendants who went to trial. "Regardless whether a defendant pleads guilty to a drug offense or is found guilty at trial . . . the evidence is still potentially tainted by Dookhan's misconduct," Chief Justice Ralph D. Gants wrote for the court. "The taint is still attributable to the government [because] it may be impossible for the defendant to prove [their] case . . . was actually tainted by Dookhan's misconduct." [continues 609 words]
A veteran Lawrence police officer was arrested late Thursday on charges that he used his power as a police officer to take cocaine from a drug dealer for personal use, then threatened the dealer with arrest if he notified authorities. John R. Desantis Jr., 44, of Methuen, was charged with unlawfully obtaining property by extortion under color of official right, and threatened force and fear. He did not enter a plea during a Friday court appearance, but his lawyer says he denies the allegations. Desantis is being held until a hearing Tuesday. [continues 352 words]
The fight against drug addiction took a new direction this week when Massachusetts Environmental Police and New Bedford police boarded fishing vessels in New Bedford Harbor, searching for fishermen carrying illegal drugs for personal use. "Commercial fishing is a dangerous enough job as it is," said Environmental Police Major Patrick J. Moran. "Using drugs makes it even more dangerous. Our intention was to stop the drugs from getting out to sea aboard the fishing vessels." Over two days, four law enforcement vessels stopped 11 fishing boats heading out of the harbor, leading to arrests of at least six people on drug possession charges and of two people on outstanding warrants, officials said. [continues 355 words]
Hundreds of drug cases could be appealed and some convicted drug dealers could win early release because of a ruling by the state's highest court yesterday that retroactively applies a new constitutional principle to drug trials held from 2005 to 2009, lawyers said. In a closely-watched, 6-to-1 decision, the Supreme Judicial Court moved to clear up confusion created last year when the US Supreme Court ruled that Massachusetts routinely violated the rights of defendants in drug trials by not having a chemist testify in person that a seized substance was in fact an illegal drug. [continues 429 words]
Student Tied To Suspect Barred From Graduating CAMBRIDGE - A plot to rob a marijuana dealer inside a Harvard residence hall Monday went badly awry and ended with the shooting death of a 21-year-old Cambridge man, authorities said yesterday, as details began to emerge about two female Harvard students who knew both the victim and his alleged assailants. Middlesex District Attorney Gerard T. Leone Jr. said the botched "drug rip" that cost the life of the suspected dealer, [name redacted], centered on a pound of marijuana and $1,000 in cash that [name redacted] Copney of New York and two others allegedly came to Cambridge to steal. [continues 1137 words]
Proponents Allege Campaign Wrongs Law enforcement officials statewide are uniting against a referendum question they fear will increase marijuana use among teenagers and generate more crime across the state. The state's 11 district attorneys are unanimously opposing Question 2 and are being joined by police chiefs and some community groups, fearing it will undo years of effort to reduce drug use among teenagers. Governor Deval Patrick's administration also is opposed, according to a spokesman. "Teenage marijuana use is down, and this is a good thing," said Suffolk District Attorney Daniel F. Conley. "This is a bad, bad message for our kids." [continues 459 words]
He Pleads Not Guilty to Distributing Cocaine A veteran Massachusetts state trooper last night pleaded not guilty to federal charges that he sold cocaine out of his Saugus home, an allegation the State Police commander called "disheartening." Trooper John T. Foley wore a long-sleeve gray T-shirt, black sweat pants, flip-flops - and handcuffs - when he made his initial appearance in US District Court about 6:40. Foley, 62, was indicted on a single count of distributing cocaine on Oct. 11, but Assistant US Attorney George Vien indicated in court that more charges could be coming. He also said prosecutors want to seize Foley's Highland Street residence. [continues 466 words]
