Opinion
No. 12–P–433.
2013-03-13
COMMONWEALTH v. Scott E. CHRISTIE.
By the Court (CYPHER, KANTROWITZ & FECTEAU JJ.).
MEMORANDUM AND ORDER PURSUANT TO RULE 1:28
The defendant was found guilty of the negligent operation of a motor vehicle, G.L. c. 90, § 24(2)( a ).
On appeal, he claims that the evidence was insufficient to support his conviction. We affirm.
The defendant was also found responsible for speeding.
The defendant does not challenge the elements of public way or operation, but rather focuses on the third element, that his driving was in a manner so that the lives and safety of the public might have been endangered.
Based on the evidence, the defendant was driving fifty miles per hour (mph) in a thirty mph zone as he was approaching Stop & Shop, a supermarket that was open at the time; he screeched to a halt causing his car to “fishtail[ ]” as he entered the supermarket's parking lot, which was “completely full of people”; and “when the [defendant's] vehicle sped through everybody kind of stopped what they were dong to get out of the way.” On cross-examination, the arresting police officer stated that he arrested the defendant due to his “blatant actions and the complete disregard for public safety.” There was sufficient evidence warranting the defendant's conviction. For these reasons, as well as those in the Commonwealth's brief, we affirm.
Judgment affirmed.