Massachusetts high court overturns cop's conviction

BOSTON (FOX25, myfoxboston) - The state's highest court has overturned the corruption conviction of a former Stoughton police officer, ruling that the trial judge made errors during jury selection.

Prosecutors say they plan to retry former police Sgt. David Cohen.

Cohen was convicted in 2007 of charges including witness intimidation and the attempted extortion of a town businessman.

His lawyers appealed to the Supreme Judicial Court on the basis that Cohen's Sixth Amendment rights to a public trial were violated because the media, his friends and family were not allowed in the court during jury selection.

Cohen's lawyer said her client is "thrilled" with the decision.

Norfolk Special Assistant District Attorney George Jabour says the SJC ruled there was sufficient evidence to convict him and a retrial is planned.