Commonwealth v. Rosa

Hale, J.

Following the issuance of our opinion in Commonwealth v. Rosa, 17 Mass. App. Ct. 495 (1984), the defendants requested a rehearing as to whether under Commonwealth v. Bongarzone, 390 Mass. 326 (1983), our order for resentencing was correct. A rehearing was held. We agree with the defendants that our order they be sentenced under the general provisions of G. L. c. 94C, § 32E(c), inserted by St. 1980, c. 436, § 4 (which was held valid in Commonwealth v. Marrone, 387 Mass. 702 [1982]), subjected them to a potential sentence of from five to fifteen years. Under our decision as written this could result in resolving the ambiguity in § 32E(c) (1) (whether the mandatory five-year term in clause 1 is a maximum or minimum term) against the defendants. This is so because under G. L. c. 279, § 24, sentence to State prison shall be indeterminate with only the minimum and maximum terms fixed. (We were informed at the argument on rehearing that it has happened in the case of Rojas who was, in resentencing, awarded a five to seven year term.) There can be no question, however, that a person “trafficking in heroin” as defined in § 32E(c) would be on notice that he would at least be subject to a sentence of not more than five years for a violation which comes within the ambit of clause 1 of § 32E(c). See Commonwealth v. Lightfoot, 391 Mass. 718, 721 (1984). Under G. L. c. 279, § 31, as appearing in St. 1955, c. 770, § 99, with a limitation we understand is not applicable here, a person convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment “in any correctional institution” (and M.C.I. Walpole is one) may be sentenced to M.C.I. Concord for an indefinite term. See Commonwealth v. Hayes, 372 Mass. 505, 511 (1977). That sentence can be set so as not to exceed five years. See G. L. c. 279, § 33.

The defendants are to be allowed thirty days from the date of this decision on rehearing within which to move in the Superior Court to vacate any sentence exceeding five years imposed pursuant to our original opinion in these cases. Such a motion or motions, if timely filed, shall be allowed and a new sentence or sentences of imprisonment not exceeding five years shall be imposed. A rescript shall issue forthwith.

So ordered.