When a defendant dies while his conviction is on direct review, it is our practice to vacate the judgment and remand the case with a direction to dismiss the complaint or indictment, thus abating the entire prosecution. See Commonwealth v. Latour, 397 Mass. 1007, 493 N.E.2d 500 (1986); Commonwealth v. Harris, 379 Mass. 917, 398 N.E.2d 726 (1980); *249 Commonwealth v. Eisen, 368 Mass. 813, 814, 334 N.E.2d 14 (1975). The Federal courts and many States follow this practice. See, e.g., United States v. Asset, 990 F.2d 208, 210 (5th Cir.1993); United States v. Moehlenkamp, 557 F.2d 126, 128 (7th Cir.1977); Hartwell v. State, 423 P.2d 282, 284 (Alaska 1967); State v. Griffin, 121 Ariz. 538, 539, 592 P.2d 372 (1979); State v. Carter, 299 A.2d 891, 894-895 (Me.1973). See Annot., Abatement of State Criminal Case by Accused's Death Pending Appeal of Conviction-Modern Cases, 80 A.L.R.4th 189, 192-195 (1990). Some States hear and decide the appeal. See, e.g., Commonwealth v. Walker, 447 Pa. 146, 147-148 n.*, 288 A.2d 741 n.* (1972); State v. McDonald, 144 Wis.2d 531, 536, 424 N.W.2d 411 (1988). Others dismiss or abate the appeal but let the indictment and judgment stand. See, e.g., Whitehouse v. State, 266 Ind. 527, 529, 364 N.E.2d 1015 (1977); Vargas v. State, 659 S.W.2d 422, 423 (Tex.Crim.App.1983). See generally Annot., supra at 196-200.
Com. v. De La Zerda, 416 Mass. 247, 248–49, 619 N.E.2d 617, 618 (1993)