McDonald v. Commonwealth
McDonald v. Commonwealth
Opinion of the Court
Jay McDonald appeals from a judgment of a single justice of this court denying his petition for relief under G. L. c. 211, § 3, in which he challenged the denial of his motion to dismiss a criminal complaint. We affirm.
In February, 2005, a complaint (first complaint) issued from the District Court, charging McDonald with operating while under the influence of alcohol, fifth offense, and other offenses, and McDonald was arraigned on those charges. On the day of the jury-waived trial, a necessary witness for the Commonwealth failed to appear, although he or she had been summonsed. The trial judge therefore dismissed the first complaint without prejudice, with McDonald’s consent. In November, 2006, the Commonwealth moved to restore the case to the trial list. That motion was denied after a hearing. In April, 2007, a new complaint (second complaint) issued from the District Court, charging McDonald with essentially the same offenses (apparently arising from the same alleged facts).
The case is before us pursuant to SJ.C. Rule 2:21, as amended, 434 Mass. 1301 (2001), which requires McDonald to “set forth the reasons why review of the trial court decision cannot adequately be obtained on appeal from any final adverse judgment in the trial court or by other available means.” McDonald has not done so. “There is no entitlement, as of right, to review of an interlocutory order seeking to enforce the right to a speedy trial where the single justice neither decides the issue nor reports the matter to the full court.” Cousin v. Commonwealth, 442 Mass. 1046, 1046 (2004), citing Esteves v. Commonwealth, 434 Mass. 1003, 1005 (2001). If McDonald is convicted, and if he has in fact suffered a violation of his speedy trial right, an appellate court can order that the complaint be dismissed. Cousin v. Commonwealth, supra, citing Commonwealth v. Spaulding, 411 Mass. 503 (1992). Contrary to his suggestion, the right to a speedy trial, unlike the right against double jeopardy, does not concern a right not to be tried at all.
In addition, McDonald has not filed a memorandum pursuant to Rule 2:21, but has filed only a record appendix consisting of copies of his G. L. c. 211, § 3, petition and the Commonwealth’s opposition, along with a letter from counsel stating that the petition addresses the question whether adequate relief can be obtained in the regular course of appeal. This is contrary to the rule. S.J.C. Rule 2:21 (2) (“The record appendix shall be accompanied by eight
Judgment affirmed.
The second complaint charges McDonald with operating while under the influence of alcohol, fourth offense.
McDonald does not make any claim that his protection against double jeopardy has been violated.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Jay McDonald v. Commonwealth
- Cited By
- 1 case
- Status
- Published