The Supreme Judicial Court has overturned the established principle that voided Aaron Hernandez’s murder conviction in the death of Odin Lloyd. Declaring the doctrine of “abatement ab initio” outmoded, the justices ruled that Massachusetts courts should no longer allow motions to nullify the convictions of defendants who die while their appeals are pending.
Here are links to the slip opinion and the Boston Globe story.
Slip Opinion: http://www.socialaw.com/services/slip-opinions/slip-opinion-details/commonwealth-vs.-aaron-j.-hernandez
Boston Globe Story: https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2019/03/13/sjc-rule-whether-aaron-hernandez-first-degree-murder-conviction-should-reinstated/Uo2h8jeGYFj6AOqwRlCpgO/story.html
Social Law Library resources include
Trying murder and other homicide cases in Massachusetts KFM2967.H6 T79 2018
http://encore.socialaw.com/iii/encore/record/C__Rore.soci
LexisNexis practice guide. Massachusetts appellate practice KFM2955 .L49
http://encore.socialaw.com/iii/encore/record/C__Rb1141605
(Also Available as and e-book)
http://encore.socialaw.com/iii/encore/record/C__Rb1144895
Appellate practice in Massachusetts KFM2955 .A66 2016
http://encore.socialaw.com/iii/encore/record/C__Rb1142950