Issues:
Homicide, attorney practices
Case Summary:
John L. Hartman appeals his murder conviction. Investigators arrested Hartman when his fingerprints were matched with those found on a plastic bag that was used to suffocate the victim.
Decision of lower jurisdiction:
A superior court jury convicted Hartman of first degree murder, robbery, and assault and battery. Hartman contends his attorney failed to explore key evidence in the case and files an appeal, claiming a reversible error occurred.
Outcome:
Hartman loses. The Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts ruled that it found no evidence that an error occurred during the original proceedings.