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33 Mass. App. Ct. 950

Commonwealth v. Vasquez

Massachusetts Appeals Court

Decided December 21, 1992

Massachusetts Appeals Court · decided 1992-12-21

Cited by 3 later decisions — most recently April 2007

3 state decisions

Good law ✅— No negative treatment on recordhow we know

Decided 1992-12-21

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¶1The defendant was charged in three indictments with the following offenses: (1) possession of heroin with intent to distribute (G. L. c. 94C, § 32(a), (2) possession of heroin with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of real property comprising a public or private elementary, vocational, or secondary school (G. L. c. 94C, § 32J) (school zone statute), and (3) distribution of heroin. A Superior Court judge, sitting without a jury, found the defendant guilty on the indictments charging a violation of the school zone statute and distribution of heroin and not guilty of the possession with intent to distribute charge.

¶2At trial, the only evidence concerning the school in the school zone indictment was that it was called the “Woodland Street School” or the “Woodland Community School.” There was no evidence that the school was an elementary, vocational, or secondary school. On appeal, the defendant claims that the evidence was insufficient to permit a finding that the defendant violated the school zone statute because the prosecution made no showing that the school in question was an “elementary, vocational, or secondary school” as required by the statute.

¶3The issue raised in this case is identical to that considered and decided in favor of the defendant in part 1 of Commonwealth v. Gonzales, ante 728, 729-730 (1992). There is no need for us to repeat our analysis.

¶4The judgment on the indictment charging the defendant with a violation of G. L. c. 94C, § 32J, is reversed, the verdict is set aside, and judgment is to enter for the defendant. The judgment on the indictment for distribution of heroin is affirmed.

¶5So ordered.

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