John McCown v. Department of State Police - Crime Lab (SPR 20232745)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records November 27, 2023 SPR23/2745 Samuel Miller, Esq. Forensic Services Senior Counsel Massachusetts Department of State Police Crime Laboratory 124 Acton Street Maynard, MA 01754 Dear Attorney Miller: I have received the petition of John McCown appealing the nonresponse of the Massachusetts Department of State Police – Crime Laboratory (Department) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On October 5, 2023, Mr. McCown requested the following records: [1.] All records in the matter of Commonwealth v. John McCown & Mamie Best, Middlesex Superior Court, No. 78-2604, 2605[;] [2.] All records that reference the criminal matter of John McCown or his codefendant, Mamie Best[.] Claiming to not yet have received responsive records, Mr. McCown petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR23/2745, was opened as a result. Subsequently, I learned that the Department provided Mr. McCown with a response dated November 22, 2023. Where this appeal was opened as a result of the Department’s lack of a written response, I will now consider this administrative appeal closed. Mr. McCown may appeal the substantive nature of the Department’s response within ninety (90) days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). One Ashburton Place, Room 1719, Boston, Massachusetts 02108 • (617) 727-2832• Fax: (617) 727-5914 sec.state.ma.us/pre • pre@sec.state.ma.us

Samuel Miller, Esq. SPR23/2745 Page 2 November 27, 2023 Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: John McCown