Massachusetts Man Gets Life Sentence Reversed

Commonwealth vs. Jose Rivera Jr.

Decision Date: March 31, 2025

In the case of Commonwealth vs. Jose Rivera Jr., the Massachusetts Appeals Court addressed pivotal legal issues involving jury instructions and their impact on a conviction. Rivera was originally convicted of second-degree murder for aiding and abetting the killing of Martin Butt. However, in his appeal, we argued that the trial judge erred by failing to instruct the jury on the lesser included offense of assault and battery.

The Appeals Court found merit in Rivera’s argument and ruled that the omission of the assault and battery instruction constituted prejudicial error. This failure deprived the jury of the option to convict Rivera on a lesser charge, forcing them to choose between a more severe charge or acquittal. As a result, the court vacated the judgment, set aside the verdict, and reversed the orders denying Rivera’s motions for a new trial.

The ruling emphasizes the importance of ensuring jury instructions align with the evidence presented at trial, offering the jury the opportunity to consider charges that reflect the defendant’s intent and actions accurately.

The Baez Law Firm is dedicated to this level of care and precision, working tirelessly to protect the rights of our clients while providing the compassionate support that individuals and families deserve.