Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court

Commonwealth v. Ramos

August 13, 2026

Summary

The court affirmed the first-degree murder conviction and denial of the defendant's motion for a new trial. It held that counsel's decision not to introduce evidence of the victim's prior violent conduct was a reasonable strategic choice, and that the evidence did not require a voluntary-manslaughter instruction for sudden combat. The court also declined to grant extraordinary relief under the applicable statute.