SJC hears challenge to Jones precedent in motor-vehicle homicide cases

The Supreme Judicial Court heard argument in Commonwealth v. David Jaguna over whether the courtshould treat Commonwealth v. Jones (1981) as controlling law on whether motor vehicle homicide convictions can coexist with involuntary manslaughter charges, and whether the evidence in Jagunasupports an involuntary manslaughter conviction in this case.

Why it matters: the outcome could affect when prosecutors may seek multiple convictions for a single fatal driving episode and carries practical consequences, including a 15-year mandatory driverlicense loss triggered automatically by a motor vehicle homicide conviction under the statute discussed at argument.

Andrew Power, counsel for the defendant, told the court "Commonwealth versus Jones is good law and should remain good law for three reasons," arguing the court should continue to treat Jones as an exceptional construction of legislative intent unique to motor-vehicle offenses. Power said Jones rests on a contemporaneous legislative understanding and the statutory scheme for motor-vehicle homicide, and he asserted that later…