The Massachusetts Appeals Court convened on October 2, 2025, to hear oral arguments regarding a significant legal matter involving a cooperation agreement related to a case against defendant Mister Jones. The session, presided over by Justices Vuono, Desmond, and Toone, focused on the factual findings made by Judge Ullman in a previous ruling.

Central to the discussion was the assertion by opposing counsel that Judge Ullman's decision was based on a "clearly erroneous" factual finding regarding the existence of a signed cooperation agreement. The court examined whether there was any evidence that the unsigned draft agreement had been communicated to Jones or finalized in any way. The prosecution maintained that there were no discussions or agreements between the prosecutor and Jones's defense counsel, emphasizing that Judge Ullman's findings were supported by the absence of evidence.

The court noted that Judge Ullman had provided multiple opportunities for the defense to present evidence to justify an evidentiary hearing, but no such evidence was submitted. This included a lack of affidavits from defense attorneys or any documentation indicating discussions about a potential agreement. The prosecution argued that the record did not support the claim of a cooperation agreement, reinforcing that Judge Ullman acted correctly in denying the motion for an evidentiary hearing.

The justices also discussed the implications of the draft agreement, which had proposed a recommendation of a two-and-a-half-year sentence. However, the actual recommendation made during the sentencing hearing differed, suggesting that the draft agreement was never effectively communicated or acted upon.

In conclusion, the court's deliberations highlighted the importance of evidence in legal proceedings and the challenges faced by the defense in substantiating claims of an agreement that was never formally recognized. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for the defendant and the legal standards surrounding cooperation agreements in Massachusetts.