Learn About the Law
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Edward W. COUSINO, Third, v. COMMONWEALTH.
Edward W. Cousino, III, appeals from a judgment of a single justice of this court denying, without a hearing, his petition for relief under G.L. c. 211, § 3. We affirm.
Cousino is charged with rape of a child and other crimes. Pursuant to the protocol we announced in Commonwealth v. Dwyer, 448 Mass. 122, 139-147, 859 N.E.2d 400 (2006), Cousino moved that a summons issue for production of certain counselling and therapy records held by a third party. The judge determined that Cousino had not made the threshold showing required by that protocol, id. at 147-148, 859 N.E.2d 400 (Appendix) (concerning affidavit, hearing, and findings under Commonwealth v. Lampron, 441 Mass. 265, 806 N.E.2d 72 [2004] ), and denied Cousino's motion. Cousino's G.L. c. 211, § 3, petition followed.
The case is now before us on Cousino's memorandum and appendix pursuant to S.J.C. Rule 2:21, as amended, 434 Mass. 1301 (2001), which requires Cousino 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.” Cousino has not done so. As we have explained, relief from the improper denial of a summons under the Dwyer protocol can be obtained in the ordinary appellate process. Rodriguez v. Commonwealth, 449 Mass. 1029, 1030, 871 N.E.2d 486 (2007). Cousino has not shown otherwise. The single justice did not err or abuse his discretion in denying relief under G.L. c. 211, § 3.
Judgment affirmed.
The case was submitted on the papers filed, accompanied by a memorandum of law.
RESCRIPT.
A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes visit FindLaw's Learn About the Law.
Decided: December 06, 2007
Court: Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)
Harness the power of our directory with your own profile. Select the button below to sign up.
Learn more about FindLaw’s newsletters, including our terms of use and privacy policy.
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)