Model Jury Instructions on Homicide
The Supreme Judicial Court issued a statement approving and recommending the use of the Model Jury Instructions on Homicide as revised in 2026. The Supreme Judicial Court has additionally issued a list summarizing the principal revisions made to the instructions in 2026.
The Supreme Judicial Court recommends that judges provide jurors with a written copy of the judge's final instructions, if available, or with an audio recording, or both. A chalk entitled Requirements of Proof for Homicide is included as an appendix to the Model Jury Instructions. The Supreme Judicial Court states that the judge may wish to provide the chalk to jurors to use as an outline to the judge's final instructions.
Committee on Model Jury Instructions on Homicide
The Standing Committee on the Model Jury Instructions on Homicide will continue to review changes in the law, to monitor the efficacy of the Instructions in providing guidance to jurors, and to recommend further revisions as needed or warranted.
Comments on these Model Jury Instructions may be sent to timothy.maguire@jud.state.ma.us, and will be considered in future revisions of these instructions.
The following justices served as members of the Committee:
- Hon. Frank Gaziano, Supreme Judicial Court (chair)
- Hon. Joseph M. Ditkoff, Appeals Court
- Hon. Michael P. Doolin, Superior Court
- Hon. Marguerite T. Grant, Appeals Court
- Hon. Patrick M. Haggan, Superior Court
- Hon. Catherine H. Ham, Superior Court
- Hon. Kathleen McCarthy-Neyman, Superior Court
- Hon. Jane E. Mulqueen, Superior Court
- Hon. Raffi N. Yessayan, Superior Court
Contact
Online
Phone
Maura A. Looney, Esq., Clerk
Allison S. Cartwright, Esq., Clerk
Jennifer Donahue, Public Information Officer
Address
| Date published: | March 30, 2026 |
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