463 Mass. 353 - Appellee Commonwealth Brief - Mass Cases

scene and frequently recorded music at a recording
studio in Everett, Massachusetts. (Tr. 2: 188-189.)
He asserted that the notebooks seized by Detective Hyde
were not drug ledgers, but rather were used to keep
track of the money the defendants' friends donated to
them to buy studio time for Rick (:i,.e., "Rick the
Ruler"). (Tr. 2: 190-191, 193.) Raymond Mendes
claimed that he hosted parties to make a "sales pitch"
to donate money for Rick's studio time. (Tr. 2: 191.)
When one of Raymond's friends promised him money for
studio time, he would write the name and the money that
person owed him in the notebooks. (Tr. 2: 192, 194.)
Raymond Mendes also testified that he purchased one
ounce of marijuana per week, and that he would roll up
the marijuana in a "blunt" cigar, sprinkle cocaine on
top, and smoke it. (Tr. 2: 195.)
Ronald Mendes testified on his own behalf as well,
and claimed that he was working for his uncle at "You
Call, We Haul," where he was paid $12 an hour; he
claimed that he would cash his check when paid and hide
the money in various places in his bedroom. (Tr. 2:
219-221.) He, too, testified that he smoked marijuana,
in "blunts" like his brother, every day, upwards of
four times a day, and used cocaine three times a week.
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