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In 2022, a Superior Court jury convicted Jason Ostrander of witness intimidation which is a felony in Massachusetts.

According to M.G.L. c. 268, Section 13B, “intimidation” consists of

acts or words that would instill fear in a reasonable person.

While jailed and awaiting trial, Ostrander sent a 4-page letter to the alleged victim. In the letter, Ostrander blamed the woman for his incarceration and stated

[the prosecution]has no case, no physical evidence and your [sic] not going to show [,] right?

Apparently, the jury believed this question amounted to intimidation. 

The victim/witness also testified that she and Ostrander fought constantly during their relationship. She claimed that at point point Ostrander told her,

I can get away with getting rid of you and nobody would ever know the difference.

After the jury’s conviction, Ostrander appealed arguing that there was insufficient evidence to find him guilty.

The Appeals Court upheld the conviction, writing,

In the light most favorable to the Commonwealth, and in context with the possessive and controlling nature of the relationship the defendant had with the victim, including his prior threats of violence toward her, the defendant’s letter would have made a reasonable person fearful of the consequences of appearing at the trial.

The full opinion is attached below.