J - S4 0019 - 19

____________________________________ * Retired Senior Judge assigned to the Superior Court. NON - PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37 IN RE: CONTEMPT OF COURT APPEAL OF: RICHARD J. MCCAGUE : : : : : : : : : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF

PENNSYLVANIA

No. 1768 WDA 2018 Appeal from the Order Entered November 15, 2018 In the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County Criminal Division at

No(s): CP - 02 - MD - 0005473 - 2018 BEFORE: BENDER, P.J.E., McLAUGHLIN, J., and PELLEGRINI*, J. MEMORANDUM BY McLAUGHLIN, J.: FILED OCTOBER 29, 2019 Richard J. McCague appeals from the order finding him in direct criminal contempt and ordering him to pay $4,847.02 , the cost of a new trial. McCague argues the trial court abused its discretion when it found him in contempt and that the sanction imposed for the contempt was excessive . We affirm. The trial court set forth the factual and procedural history of this case, which we adopt and incorporate herein. Trial Court Opinion, filed Apr. 10, 2019, at 2 - 9 (“1925(a) Op.”). We summarize the history briefly here. McCague represented Richard DeSabetino in a separate criminal matter. DeSabetino had had numerous appointed counsel, and McCague entered his ap pearance a s private counsel approximately two months before DeSabetino’s trial was to begin. N.T., 11/15/18, at 4 - 6. The court informed DeSabetino and McCague that the trial would not be continued, as four years had passed since the origination of the case . Id. at 6 - 7.J - S40019 - 19

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Jury selection occurred on October 22 , 2018, and the trial sta rted the next day. Id. at 7 - 8. T he Commonwealth called Amy Calabrese (“witness”) , who lived with DeSabe tino at the time of the incident at issue in DeSabetino’s case, and who was an eyewitness . Id. at 9. The Commonwealth conducted its direct examination. Id. After the direct, but before the cross - examination, McCague informed the court, “I do represent [the witness] on another case.” 1925(a) Op. at 4. 1 The court r ecessed. When it re turned it stated that the issue is that McCague “represents – I believe that was said in the present tense – the Commonwealth’s main witness.” Id. McCague did not object or attempt to correct this statement. After further discussion, the trial court declared a mistrial. In October 2018 , the trial court issued a rule to show cause as to why it should not hold McCague in contempt. The court held a hearing at which McCague claimed that Calabrese had only been a prospective client, and that he had not agreed to represent her. N.T., 11/15/18, at 12 - 13. He claimed he met with her to discuss representing her at a Gagnon II2 hearing, but that he declined because she would not be able to pay him. Id. at 13. McCague also presented a letter that he allegedly sent to the witness informing her he

_________________ ____________________ _______ 1 The transcripts from DeSabetino’s trial are not part of the record. McCague does not dispute the trial court’s recitation of the proceedings, and does not claim that the trial court incorrectly quotes or mischaracterizes the transcript from those proceedings. 2 Gagnon v. Sca rpelli , 411 U.S. 778, 93 S.Ct. 1756, 36 L.Ed.2d 656 (1973).J - S40019 - 19

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would be removing his name from the witness’s case. 1925(a) Op. at 7 - 8. The court found that the letter “was printed directly from [McCague’s] computer and could have been drafted at any point in time” and no ted that “[t]here was no indication that it had ever been mailed.” Id. at 8. 3 The trial court found McCague’s claim that the witness was a prospective client to be not credible . N.T., 11/15/18, at 20. At the conclusion of the hearing, the trial court found McCague in direct criminal contempt, pursuant to 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 4132(3). The court found as facts that McCague committed misconduct before the court and that he acted with intent to obstruct the proce edings :

[Y] ou h ave committed misconduct before this Court i n how you handled this entire matter. That it was done with the intent to obstruct t he proceedings, which I base in part on the fact that you knew all this and you never bothered to say anything un til after the dire ct, the timing is very suspect. And I believe that it was your intent to obstruct the proceedings. You had certainly mentioned off the record in the morning that more time could be appreciated because your client had mental illness, he ha d issues, which made me believe you might be seeking a continuance, which you weren’t going to be granted. Wh at better way to get a continuance. Also, your misconduct certainly obstructed the administration of justice and this trial had to be declared afte r a jury was selected, after 15 witnesses had to be subpoena ed, after enumerable costs were incurred by the court. Therefore, sir, I do find you in criminal contempt.

_________________ ____________________ _______ 3 The letter also is not part of the certified record.J - S40019 - 19

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N.T., 11/15/18, at 21 . It ordered that McCague pay the costs of the prosecution, which in cluded the court costs and the cost of court - appointed counsel, for a total of $4,846 . 42 . Id. at 26 - 28. McCague asked the court to allow him to pay the sanction over three months, and the court agreed. Id. at 28 - 29. McCague filed a timely Notice of Appeal. McCague raises the following issues: 1. Was there direct criminal contempt in this case? 2. Was there indirect criminal contempt in this case? 3. Was there criminal contempt at all? 4. Was the fine excessive in this case? McCague’s B r. at 2 (suggested answers and some capitalization omitted). McCague first argues that the court erred in finding him in direct criminal contempt because he did not violate any court order. He further argues he did not intend to obstruct justice and there fore could not be found in direct criminal contempt under 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 4132(3 ) . Court s have the inherent authority “to impose summary punishment for contempt.” Commonwealth v. Moody, 125 A.3d 1, 9 (Pa. 2015). Subsection 4132(3) of the Judicial Code prov ides , “The power of the several courts of this Commonwealth to issue attachments and to impose summary punishments for contempts of court shall be restricted to the following cases: . . . The misbehavior of any person in the presence of the court, thereby obstructing the administration of justice.” 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 4132( 3 ). In sum, “courts have inherent power and statutory authority to impose summary punishment forJ - S40019 - 19

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direct criminal contempt for willful misconduct that occurs in the presence of the court and ob structs its fair and orderly process.” Moody, 125 A.3d at 9 . A court can impose a summary conviction for direct criminal contempt where it f inds beyond a reasonable doubt that the individual “(1) committed misconduct; (2) in the presence of the court; (3) with the intent to obstruct proceedings, and (4) the misconduct actually obstructed proceedings.” Commonwealth v. Pruitt, 764 A.2d 569, 575 (Pa.Super. 2002) . We will not disturb a trial court’s finding of contempt “absent an abuse of discretion.” Moody, 12 5 A.3d at 12 (quoting Commonwealth v. Baker, 766 A.2d 328, 331 (Pa. 2001)). The trial court found McCague’s explanation at the contempt hearing not credible. The court found “extremely suspect” the timing of the revelation that the witness was his client, that is, that he “did not raise the issue until after he received a preview of [the witness’s] testimony on direct - examination.” 1925(a) Op. at 11 - 12. It noted that McCague included no qualifiers when he said , “I do represent Amy on another case,” and he remained silent when the court reiterated that the issue was that McCague actively represented the witness. Id. at 12. The court further found McCague’s explanation as to why the witness was not a client for a Gagnon II hearing, that is, because she could not pay him, to be unpersuasive. Id. The court noted McCague agreed to represent DeSabetino without payment for a weeklong jury trial. Id. The court stated that it “remain[ed] steadfast in its belief that [the witness] was not only a prospective cli ent . ” Id. It noted that the witness was responsibleJ - S40019 - 19

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for generating the attorney - client relationship with De Sebe tino and stated the court could “never know the genuine extent of their relationship or the nature of the conversations that were had.” Id. The c ourt concluded that McCague “misbehaved by representing a major Commonwealth witness during the trial of a [d] efendant whom he represented,” that the misconduct was committed in the presence of the court, and that McCague “either knew or should have been a ware that his conduct was wrongful,” and that the “misconduct actually obstructed the administration of justice because it resulted in the declaration o f a mistrial.” Id. at 14. The court pointed out that McCague had told the court at the start of the tria l that he would have “appreciated” more time before the start of the trial, and that the mistrial provided such time. Id. at 8, 12. We conclude the court did not abuse its discretion. After a review of the briefs, the relevant law, and the w ell - reasoned o pinion of the Honorable Beth A. Lazzara , we adopt the trial court’s reasoning. Id. at 9 - 14. Because the trial court found McCague in direct criminal contempt and we find it did not abuse its discretion in doing so, we need not reach McCague’s next two issu es — whether indirect criminal contempt or any criminal contempt occurred. In his final issue, McCague argues that the sanction was excessive. He claims this is so because the maximum penalty for a summary offense is 90 days’ incarceration or a $300 fine. Pennsylvania courts have the power “ to issue attachments and to impose summary punishments for contempts of court ” where, among other things, “[t] he misbehavior of any person in the presence of the court . . .J - S40019 - 19

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obstruc t[s] the administration of justice. ” 4 2 Pa.C.S.A. § 4132(3). “ [ T ] he punishment of commitment for c ontempt provided in section 4132 (relating to attachment and summary punishment for contempts) shall extend only to contempts committed in open court. All other contempts shall be punished by fine only.” 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 4133. McCague claims that the maximum fine that the court could impose was $300. He, however, cites no authority to support this proposition, and we are aware of none . Furthermore, and contrary to McCague’s argument , the word “summ ary” in Section 4132 does not set the grading of direct criminal contempt , as McCague contends . Rather, it describes the procedure s the court may employ to find direct criminal contempt and impose sanctions for such contempt. See generally Ricci v. Geary, 670 A.2d 190, 193 n.1 (Pa.Super. 1996) (citing Commonwealth v. Stevenson , 393 A.2d 386 ( Pa. 1978) ) . In any event, the sanction was not excessive . The transcript makes it clear that , in determining the amount of the sanction, the trial court used the actual costs of the proceedings that were declared a mistrial. The court referred on the record to the cost of : having the jury pulled ; having the jury return the next day ; the minute clerk, the tipstaff , and the court reporter for one - day ; witness fees ; a nd an appointed attorney for a non - homicide jury trial , and imposed the sum of those costs . This claim fails. Order affirmed.J - S40019 - 19

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Judgment Entered. Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq. Prothonotary
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. M c C a g u e , E s q . 5 5 0 0 B e v e rl y P l a c e P i tts b u rg h , PA 1 5 2 0 6 I N T H E C O U RT O F C O M M O N P L E AS O F A L L E G H E N Y C O U N TY , P E N N S Y LVA N I A C R I M I N A L D I V I S I O NI N T H E C O U RT O F C O M M O N P L EAS A L L E G H E N Y C O U N TY , P E N N S Y LVA N I A

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o u n d i n D i re ct C ri m i n a l C o n te m p t p u rs u a n t to 4 2 P a . C
. S
. 1 O P I N I O N T h i s i s a d i re ct a p p e a l fro m a n o rd e r e n te re d o n N o v e m b e r 1 5 , 2 0 1 8 , fi n d i n g t h e R e s p o n d e n t i n D i re ct C ri m i n a l C o n te m p t p u rs u a n t to 4 2 P a . C
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. § 4 1 3 2 ( 3 )
. O n O cto b e r 3 1 , 2 0 1 8 , a R u l e to S h ow C a u s e wa s i s s u e d p ro v i d i n g n o t i c e to t h e R e s p o n d e n t o f t h e d a te a n d t i m e o f t h e S h ow - C a u s e H e a ri n g , a s w e ll a s t h e co n d u ct t h a t n e c e s s i ta te d t h e h e a ri n g . S p e c i fi ca ll y , t h e R e s p o n d e n t wa s a d v i s e d to " s h ow j u s t ca u s e w h y h e s h o u l d n o t b e f o u n d i n D i re ct C ri m i n a l C o n t e m p t o f C o u rt p u rs u a n t to 4 2 P a . C
. S
. A
. § 4 1 3 2 ( 3 ) " f o r " h i s a ct i o n s o f s i m u l ta n e o u s l y re p re s e n t i n g a c ri m i n a l d e f e n d a n t a n d a ce n t ra l C o m m o n w e a l t h w i t n e s s d u ri n g a c ri m i n a l t ri a l t h a t b e g a n o n O cto b e r 2 3 , 2 0 1 8 , a t C C # 2 0 1 4 - 1 3 0 1 4
. " M D : 2 0 1 8 - 5 4 7 3 C R I M I N A L D I V I S I O N

vs .

R e s p o n d e n t
. C O M M O N W E A L T H O F P E N N S Y LVA N I A ,

R I C H A R D J . M C CA G U E ,

### § 4 1 3 2 ( 3 ) . T h e R e s p o n d e n t wa s fi n e d 

### $ 4 , 8 4 7 . 0 2 , a n a m o u n t re f l e ct i n g t h e a ct u a l co s ts t h a t w e re i n c u r re d a s a re s u l t o f t h e m i s t r i a l t h a t h e ca u s e d d u e to h i s m i s co n d u ct
. T h e fi n e wa s o rd e re d to b e p a i d i n e q u a l m o n t h l y i n s ta ll m e n ts o v e r t h e co u rs e o f t h re e ( 3 ) m o n t h s , w i t h t h e fi rs t p a y m e n t d u e t h i rty ( 3 0 ) d a ys a ft e r s e n t e n c i n g . T h i s a p p e a l f o ll ow e d
.
O n J a n u a r

y 1 7 , 2 0 1 9 , t h e R e s p o n d e n t fi l e d a C o n c i s e S ta t e m e n t o f E r ro rs C o m p l a i n e d o f o n A p p e a l ( " C o n c i s e S ta te m e n t " ) , c h a ll e n g i n g t h i s co u rt ' s fi n d i n g o f D i re ct C ri m i n a l C o n te m p t
. ( C o n c i s e S ta t e m e n t , 1 / 1 7 / 1 9 , p p . 

### 2 - 3 ) . T h e R e s p o n d e n t a rg u e s t h a t t h e co u rt e r re d b y p ro c e e d i n g w i t h a c h a rg e o f D i re ct C ri m i n a l C o n t e m p t , t h a t t h e re co rd l a c ke d e v i d e n c e to s u p p o rt s u c h a fi n d i n g , a n d t h a t t h e fi n e i m p o s e d wa s " h a rs h a n d e x c e s s i v e . " ( I d
. )
. T h e a ll e g a t i o n s o f e r ro r l a c k m e ri t
. F o r t h e re a s o n s t h a t f o ll o w , t h e re v i e w i n g co u rt re s p e ctfu ll y s h o u l d u p h o l d t h e co n t e m p t fi n d i n g a n d t h e s e n t e n c e i m p o s e d
.



### I . 

## F AC TU ALBACKGR

OUND T h e co n t e m p t p ro c e e d i n g a ro s e o u t o f t h e t r i a l i n C o m m o n w e a l t h v . R i c h a rd D e S a b e t i n o , a t C C N o . 2 0 1 4 - 1 3 0 1 4 , w h i c h b e g a n o n O cto b e r 2 3 , 2 0 1 8
. R e s p o n d e n t re p re s e n t e d t h e D e f e n d a n t a t t ri a l. T h e a ll e g a t i o n s a g a i n s t t h e D e f e n d a n t i n v o l v e d a p o l i c e c h a s e t h a t t ra n s p i re d a fte r o ff i c e rs a tt e m p te d to a r re s t t h e D e f

e n d a n t p u rs u a n t to a n a ct i v e wa r ra n t
. O n e o f t h e 2C o m m o n w e a l t h ' s ke y w i t n e s s e s , A m y C a l a b re s e , ( a l s o k n ow n a s A m y F u l f o rd ) , wa s d a t i n g a n d re s i d i n g w i t h t h e D e f e n d a n t a t t h e t i m e o f t h e A u g u s t 6 , 2 0 1 4 i n c i d e n t
. ( T ri a l T ra n s c ri p t ( " TT " ) , h e l d 1 0 /2 3 / 1 8 , p . 7 4 )
. M s . C a l a b re s e wa s o n e o f two ( 2 ) p e o p l e w h o w i t n e s s e d t h e e v e n ts l e a d i n g u p to t h e p o l i c e c h a s e , a n d t h e C o m m o n w e a l t h ' s o p e n i n g a rg u m e n t re f e re n c e d M s . C a l a b re s e ' s e x p e ct e d te s t i m o n y . ( TT , p p . 5 6 - 5 7 , 6 0 , 9 8 )
.

I n h i s o p e n i n g a rg u m e n t , t h e R e s p o n d e n t a s ke d t h e j u r y to ke e p a n o p e n m i n d a b o u t t h e e v e n ts l e a d i n g u p to t h e c h a s e . ( TT , p . 6 5 )
. I n co n c e d i n g t h a t a c h a s e d i d o c c u r , t h e R e s p o n d e n t a rg u e d t h a t " [ t] h e q u e s t i o n i s h o w d o e s [t h e D e f

e n d a n t] g e t to b e t h e re a n d w h a t l e d h i m to t h a t p o s i t i o n . " ( I d
. )
.
" W e b e l i e v e , w e s i n c e re l y b e l i e v e , t h a t we a re g o i n g to b e a b l e to s h o w yo u h o w h e g o t to t h a t p o s i t i o n , a n d I t h i n k yo u w ill b e a b l e to u n d e rs ta n d t h a t t h a t m a ke s h i m n o t g u il t [y] o f a g re a t m a n y t h i n g s . " (I d
. )
. L a t e r i n h i s o p e n i n g , t h e R e s p o n d e n t a g a i n re f e re n c e d t h e i m p o rta n c e o f t h e s e q u e n c e o f e v e n ts l e a d i n g u p to t h e c h a s e a n d h o w t h e co n d u ct o f t h e p o l i c e offi c e rs

" co n t ri b u t e d to t h e p ro b l e m " t h a t d a y . ( TT , p . 6 7 )
.

M s . C a l a b re s e wa s ca ll e d a s t h e C o m m o n w e a l t h ' s fi rs t w i t n e s s . S h e co m p l e t e d h e r d i re ct e xa m i n a t i o n b e f o re t h e l u n c h re c e s s . ( TT , p p . 6 8 - 9 5 )
. Afte r t h e j u r

y wa s l e d o u t o f t h e ro o m , t h e R e s p o n d e n t i n f o r m e d t h e co u rt o f 3a m a tt e r h e w i s h e d to b ri n g to i ts a tte n t i o n . ( TI , p . 9 6 )
. T h e R e s p o n d e n t t h e n

s ta t e d t h a t h e d i d n o t " a n t i c i p a te t h i s b e i n g a p ro b l e m , " b u t t h a t h e wa n t e d to m a ke t h e co u rt awa re t h a t h e re p re s e n ts M s . C a l a b re s e o n a d i ff e re n t ca s e . ( TI , p . 9 6 )
. T h e R e s p o n d e n t ' s e xa ct wo rd s w e re , " I d o re p re s e n t A m y o n a n o t h e r ca s e . " ( TI , p . 9 6 )
. I n c re d u l o u s a t h i s a d m i s s i o n t h a t h e a ct i v e l y re p re s e n ts a n i m p o rta n t C o m m o n w e a l t h w i t n e s s , t h e co u rt a s ke d w h e t h e r h e l e a rn e d o f M s . C a l a b re s e ' s i n v o l v e m e n t i n t h i s ca s e t h ro u g h d i s co v e ry . ( TI , p . 9 6 )
. T h e R e s p o n d e n t re p l i e d , ' '[ i ] t ' s h ow I g o t to t h i s cl i e n t , Yo u r H o n o r . " ( I d
. )
. T h e co u rt re c e s s e d f o r l u n c h a n d s p e n t t h e f o ll ow i n g h o u r re s e a rc h i n g t h e i s s u e a n d d e l i b e ra t i n g a b o u t h ow to p ro c e e d
.

Afte r l u n c h , b u t b e f

o re t h e j u ry re t u rn e d to t h e co u rt ro o m , t h e co u rt s u m m a ri z e d i ts u n d e rs ta n d i n g o f t h e i s s u e a s t h e R e s p o n d e n t a c t iv e l y re p re s e n t i n g M s . C a l a b re s e i n a s e p a ra t e ca s e d u ri n g h i s re p re s e n ta t i o n o f t h e D e f e n d a n t
. ( TI , p p . 9 7 - 1 0 2 )
. T h e f o ll ow i n g e x c h a n g e to o k p l a c e : T h e 

### C ourt : . . I t h i n k i t ' s re f l e cte d o n t h e re co rd , a n o ffh a n d re m a r k wa s m a d e b y [t h e R e s p o n d e n t] a b o u t t h e f a ct t h a t h e d i d n ' t t h i n k i t wa s a b i g d e a l , b u t 

### t h a t h e re p re s e n ts - - I 

### b e li e v e t h a t wa s s a i d i n t h e p re s e n t t e n s e - - t h e C o m m o n w e a l t h ' s m a i n w i t n e s s w h o h a s te s t i fi e d s o f a r A m y F u l f o rd
. . . 

## * * * T h e 

### C ourt : Yo u k n ow , M r . M c c a g u e , yo u d o n ' t t h i n k i t ' s a b i g d e a l. T h i s i s a h u g e d e a l , o ka y . T h i s i s o n e o f two w i t n e s s e s to t h e s ta rt o f t h i s e n t i re i n t e ra ct i o n , w h i c h yo u a l re a d y to l d t h e j u ry i s g o i n g to b e t h e m a i n c ru x o f yo u r d e f e n s e . T h e s ta rt o f t h i s i n t e ra ct i o n 4i s g o i n g to t h e m a i n c ru x o f yo u r d e f e n s e , a n d 

### y o u re p re s e n t o n e o f t h e C o m m o n w e a l t h ' s two w i t n e s s e s t h a t ca n te s t i f y a s to t h e s ta rt o f t h a t d e f

e n s e . M r . M c C a u g e : Ye s , Yo u r H o n o r . T h e Co urt

: A n d yo u d i d n ' t re v e a l i t a t a n y t i m e u p u n t i l t h i s p o i n t
. Yo u g o t i n v o l v e d i n t h i s ca s e a b o u t a m o n t h a g o . Yo u d i d n ' t re v e a l i t a t t h a t p o i n t i n t i m e , l e t a l o n e t h e f a ct - - l e t ' s m a ke s u re t h e re co rd i s c l e a r - yo u a l s o i n d i ca te d t h a t t h i s i s h ow yo u g o t i n v o l v e d i n t h e ca s e , i s t h ro u g h M s . A m y F u l f o rd
. I s t h a t co r re ct? M r . M c c a g u e : I b e l i e v e t h a t i s co r re ct , Yo u H o n o r . T h e Co urt

: O ka y . S o yo u g e t i n v o l v e d i n t h e ca s e b e ca u s e o f yo u r re p re s e n ta t i o n o f h e r . Yo u g e t i n v o l v e d i n t h e ca s e a m o n t h a g o . Yo u d o n ' t te ll t h i s C o u rt , w h i c h wo u l d h a v e b e e n a n i c e t h i n g to d o . W e a ct u a ll y h a d a h e a ri n g b e f o re M r . Wa l ke r wa s l e t o u t o f t h i s ca s e to m a ke s u re t h a t yo u u n d e rs to o d t h e p a ra m e t e rs o f t h i s ca s e , w h i c h wa s t h a t i t wo u l d n o t b e p o s t p o n e d , i t wo u l d p ro c e e d , t h a t t h i s C o u rt wo u l d n o t a p p o i n t a n o t h e r a tto rn e y . [T h e D e f e n d a n t] h a d h i s l a s t o n e w i t h M r . Wa l ke r . At n o t i m e d i d yo u e v e r m a ke c l e a r to t h i s C o u rt t h a t yo u h a d a n i n t e re s t i n t h e C o m m o n w e a l t h ' s w i t n e s s ; a t n o t i m e . I a m a s s u m i n g , M s . Ro b b , t h a t a t n o t i m e wa s i t m a d e cl e a r to yo u i n a n y wa y , s h a p e , o r f o r m t h a t M r . M c C a g u e re p re s e n t e d yo u r w i t n e s s . M s . Ro b b : T h a t ' s co r re ct , Yo u r H o n o r . T h e Co urt

: S o n o w w e a re re a d y to d o c ro s s - e xa m i n a t i o n o f t h i s w i t n e s s . I d o n ' t k n o w w h a t t h i s w i t n e s s - w h a t y o u co n co cte d w i t h t h i s w i t n e s s t h a t - M r . M c c a g u e : Yo u r H o n o r , I h a v e n ' t - T h e Co urt

: M r . M c c a g u e , I d o n ' t k n ow t h a t
. T h a t ' s t h e p ro b l e m . I co u l d a s k h e r a m i lli o n t i m e s u n d e r o a t h , I co u l d a s k yo u a m i lli o n t i m e s u n d e r o a t h , I co u l d a s k M r . D e S a b e t i n o a m i lli o n t i m e s u n d e r o a t h a t t h i s p o i n t a n d n o b o d y wo u l d te ll m e t h e t ru t h
. I h a v e n o i d e a w h e t h e r t h e re i s s o m e t h i n g b e i n g co n co cte d f o r c ro s s exa m i n a t i o n . I h a v e n o i d e a w h e t h e r yo u w ill e ff e ct i v e l y c ro s s e xa m i n e h e r o n b e h a l f o f M r . D e S a b e t l n o , b e ca u s e yo u h a v e a p ri o r re l a t i o n s h i p w i t h h e r . Yo u m a y n o t g o a fte r h e r a g g re s s i v e l y f o r f e a r o f h u rt i n g a n y o f t h e ca s e s t h a t s h e c u r re n t l y h a s . H o w ca n I b e a s s u re d t h a t yo u w ill g i v e M r . D e S a b e t i n o h i s d u e ? At t h i s 5p o i n t , I ca n n o t b e s u re o f t h a t. M r . D e S a b e t i n o ca n n o t b e s u re o f

t h a t
. Ag a i n , I ca n a s k yo u , I co u l d a s k h i m , I co u l d a s k h e r a n d s t ill , I d o n ' t k n ow . T h a t ' s t h e p o s i t i o n yo u h a v e p u t t h i s C o u rt i n a t t h i s p o i n t i n t i m e o n a ca s e t h a t h a s b e e n s i tt i n g h e re s i n c e 2 0 1 4
. O n a ca s e t h a t h a s a d i ffi c u l t d e f e n d a n t i n v o l v e d , w h o , i f h e i s co n v i cte d , I h a v e n o d o u b t w ill ta ke fu ll a d v a n ta g e o f h i s a p p e ll a [ t e ] ri g h s a n d h i s P C RA ri g h ts , a n d yo u h a v e j u s t c re a t e d a P C RA i s s u e f

o r [ p ] o te n t i a l I n e ff

e ct i v e As s i s ta n c e o f C o u n s e l
. W e ca n n o t te ll w h e t h e r o r n o t yo u w ill e ff e ct i v e l y c ro s s - e xa m i n e h e r , b e ca u s e s h e i s a l s o yo u r cl i e n t
. A n d o n e o f o n l y two C o m m o n w e a l t h w i t n e s s e s t h a t ca n ta l k a b o u t h ow t h i s e n t i re m a tt e r s ta rte d , w h i c h i s t h e c ru x o f yo u r d e f e n s e . Yo u s e e w h e re t h e re i s a p ro b l e m , M r . M c c a g u e ? M r . M c ca g u e : Ye s , Yo u r H o n o r . I s e e t h e re ' s a p ro b l e m . I d i d g e t wa i v e rs fro m b o t h p a rt i e s . I t h o u g h t t h a t wo u l d co v e r i t
. T h e Co urt

: F i rs t o f a ll , n o n e o f u s a re awa re o f t h i s s i t u a t i o n . Yo u ca n s a y yo u h a v e wa i v e rs , b u t a g a i n , s i n c e t h i s s p ru n g o n t h e C o u rt a t t h e p o i n t w h e re s h e h a s a l re a d y d o n e h e r d i re ct , d i d yo u t h i n k yo u m i g h t wa n t to te ll u s a b o u t t h i s b e f o re w e s ta rte d t h e ca s e ? D i d yo u t h i n k t h a t p e rh a p s t h a t wo u l d h a v e b e e n t h e m o s t a p p ro p ri a t e m e a n s to h a n d l e t h i s T h a t ' s n o t a r h e to ri ca l q u e s t i o n . T h a t ' s a re a l q u e s t i o n t h a t d e m a n d s a n a n sw e r . M r . M c ca g u e : It ce rta i n l y wo u l d h a v e b e e n , Yo u r H o n o r . T h e Co urt: At t h i s p o i n t , I d o n ' t b e l i e v e t h a t I h a v e a n y c h o i c e b u t to d e c l a re a m i s t ri a l. Yo u w ill n ow b e re m o v e d fro m t h i s ca s e . . . ( TT , p p . 9 7 - 1 0 2 ) ( e m p h a s i s a d d e d )
. At n o p o i n t d u ri n g t h a t ex c h a n g e d i d t h e R e s p o n d e n t o b j e ct to t h e c h a ra cte ri z a t i o n t h a t h e a ct i v e l y re p re s e n t e d M s . C a l a b re s e . ( TT , p p . 9 6 - 1 0 2 )
. Afte r d e c l a ri n g t h e m i s t ri a l , t h e co u rt re c u s e d i ts e l f fro m t h e ca s e a n d i n f o r m e d M r . M c ca g u e t h a t h e wa s n o l o n g e r w e l co m e i n i ts co u rt ro o m . ( TT , p . 1 0 2 )
.
6Afte r p ro v i d i n g s u ffi c i e n t n o t i c e to t h e R e s p o n d e n t , a co n t e m p t h e a ri n g

wa s h e l d o n N o v e m b e r 1 5 , 2 0 1 8
. ( C o n t e m p t H e a ri n g T ra n s c ri p t ( " H T " ) , h e l d 1 1 / 1 5 / 1 8 )
. T h e co u rt s u m m a ri z e d t h e h i s to ry o f t h e u n d e rl y i n g ca s e , a s w e ll a s t h e R e s p o n d e n t ' s co n d u ct w h i c h g a v e ri s e to t h e co n te m p t h e a ri n g . ( H T , p p . 3 - 1 1 )
. D e s p i te h i s s ta te m e n t , " I d o re p re s e n t A m y o n a n o t h e r ca s e " m a d e a t t h e t i m e t h a t h e i n i t i a ll y d i s c l o s e d t h e i s s u e , t h e R e s p o n d e n t i n d i ca t e d f o r t h e fi rs t t i m e t h a t M s . C a l a b re s e wa s o n l y a p ro s p e ct i v e cl i e n t w h o h a d n e v e r re ta i n e d h i m . ( H T , p p . 1 2 - 1 3 )
. W h e n q u e s t i o n e d w h y h e d i d n o t a tte m p t to e x p l a i n t h a t s h e wa s o n l y a p ro s p e ct i v e c l i e n t b e f o re t h e d e c l a ra t i o n o f t h e m i s t ri a l , t h e R e s p o n d e n t a p o l o g i z e d , cl a i m e d t h a t h e h a d " m i s s p o ke " a n d i n s i s te d t h a t h e h a d n e v e r f o r m a ll y re p re s e n te d h e r . { H T , p p . 1 3 - 1 9 )
.

T h e R e s p o n d e n t t h e n p re s e n te d a " d i s co n t i n u a t i o n l e tte r" d a t e d J u l y 1 3 , 2 0 1 8 , t h a t h e p u rp o rte d l y s e n t to M s . C a l a b re s e i n f o r m i n g h e r t h a t h e wa s n o t ta k i n g h e r ca s e b e ca u s e s h e co u l d n o t p a y h i m . { H T , p p . 1 2 - 1 4 , 1 7 )
. T h e s u b s ta n c e o f t h e l e tte r i s a s f o ll ows : D e a r A m y , I h a v e s p o ke n w i t h D a v e a t t h e p h o n e n u m b e r t h a t yo u g a v e m e a n d h e i n s i s te d t h a t t h e re wa s n o m o n e y co m i n g f o rt h
. H e s a i d t h a t t h e " f

ew d o ll a rs " t h a t yo u h a v e w e re a l re a d y g o n e a n d yo u d i d n ' t h a v e a n y m o n e y f

o r m e . H e a l s o i n s i s te d t h a t h e d i d n ' t h a v e a n y i n f o r m a t i o n fro m yo u t h a t I wa s to g e t a n yt h i n g .

7I a m ta k i n g h i m a t h i s wo rd , a n d I w i ll n o t b e ca lli n g h i m a n y m o re .

T h i s m e a n s , h o w e v e r , t h a t yo u ca n n o t p a y m e a n d t h a t yo u p ro b a b l y k n e w t h a t a ll a l o n g . H e i s n o t a s o u rce f o r p a y i n g m e . I w i ll b e fi li n g to re m o v e m y n a m e fro m yo u r ca s e . I d o n o t k n ow w h a t e l s e to d o . I w i ll n o t te ll e i t h e r J u d g e B o r kows k i , n o r h i s s e c re ta r y w h y . ( " D i s co n t i n u a t i o n L e tte r" - d a te d J u l y 1 3 , 2 0 1 8 )
. T h e l e tt e r , h ow e v e r , wa s p ri n t e d d i re ct l y fro m t h e R e s p o n d e n t ' s co m p u t e r a n d co u l d h a v e b e e n d ra fte d a t a n y p o i n t i n t i m e . ( H T , p p . 1 7 , 2 5 )
. T h e re wa s n o i n d i ca t i o n t h a t i t h a d e v e r b e e n m a il e d
. ( H T , p p . 1 7 , 

### i s ) . I n li g h t o f a ll t h e c i rc u m s ta n c e s , t h e co u rt d i d n o t fi n d t h e R e s p o n d e n t ' s e x p l a n a t i o n o f t h e m a tte r to b e c re d i b l e . I n s te a d , t h e co u rt f o c u s e d o n h i s s ta t e m e n ts a n d co n d u ct a t t h e t i m e h i s i n i t i a l d i s c l o s u re wa s m a d e . ( H T , p p . 1 4 , 1 7 , 2 0 , 2 4 - 2 5 )
. Ac co rd i n g l y , t h e co u rt f o u n d t h e R e s p o n d e n t i n D i re ct C ri m i n a l C o n t e m p t p u rs u a n t to 4 2 P a . C
. S
. 4 1 3 2 ( 3 ) , a n d s ta te d t h e f o ll o w i n g : A n d I m a ke t h a t s p e c i fi c fi n d i n g , t h a t yo u a re i n c ri m i n a l co n t e m p t
. T h a t yo u h a v e co m m i tt e d m i s co n d u ct b e f o re t h i s C o u rt i n h o w yo u h a n d l e d t h i s e n t i re m a tte r . T h a t i t wa s d o n e w i t h t h e i n t e n t to o b s t ru ct t h e p ro c e e d i n g s , w h i c h I b a s e i n p a rt o n t h e f a ct t h a t yo u k n e w a ll t h i s a n d yo u n e v e r b o t h e re d to s a y a n yt h i n g u n t il a fte r t h e d i re ct , t h e t i m i n g i s v e r y s u s p e ct
. A n d I b e li e v e t h a t i t wa s yo u r i n t e n t to o b s t ru ct t h e p ro c e e d i n g s . Yo u h a d ce rta i n l y m e n t i o n e d o ff t h e re co rd i n t h e m o rn i n g t h a t m o re t i m e co u l d b e a p p re c i a t e d b e ca u s e yo u r cl i e n t h a d m e n ta l ill n e s s , h e h a d i s s u e s , w h i c h m a d e m e b e l i e v e yo u m i g h t b e s e e k i n g a co n t i n u a n c e , w h i c h yo u w e re n ' t g o i n g to b e g ra n t e d
. W h a t b e tt e r wa y to g e t a co n t i n u a n c e . A l s o , yo u r m i s co n d u ct ce rta i n l y o b s t ru cte d t h e a d m i n i s t ra t i o n o f j u s t i c e a n d t h i s [ m i s ] t ri a l h a d to b e d e c l a re d a fte r a j u ry wa s s e l e cte d , a ft e r 1 5 w i t n e s s e s h a d to b e s u b p o e n a e d , a ft e r e n u m e ra b l e co s ts w e re i n c u r re d b y t h e co u rt
. T h e re f o re , s i r , I d o fi n d yo u i n c ri m i n a l co n t e m p t
. 8( H T , p p . 2 0 - 2 1 )
.

P ri o r to t h e i m p o s i t i o n o f s e n t e n c e , t h e co u rt e n s u re d t h a t t h e R e s p o n d e n t d i d n o t wa n t to p ro c e e d w i t h t h e a s s i s ta n c e o f a n a tto rn e y . ( H T , p . 2 2 )
. T h e co u rt t h e n fi n e d t h e R e s p o n d e n t $ 4 , 8 4 7
. 0 2 , to re f l e ct t h e a m o u n t o f co u rt co s ts i n c u r re d b y A ll e g h e n y C o u n ty a s a re s u l t o f t h e m i s t r i a l. { H T , p p . 2 6 - 2 9 )
.



### I I . D I S C U S S I O N A . T h i s c o u rt p ro p e r l y p roc e e d e d w i t h a c h a rg e o f D i re ct C r i m i n a l C o n t e m p t a n d i ts c o n t e m p t fi n d i n g i s s u p p o rt e d b y t h e re c o rd .

" W h e n re v i e w i n g a co n t e m p t co n v i ct i o n , m u c h re l i a n c e i s g i v e n to t h e d i s c re t i o n o f t h e t ri a l j u d g e . Ac co rd i n g l y , [t h e re v i e w i n g co u rt i s ] co n fi n e d to a d e te r m i n a t i o n o f w h e t h e r t h e f a cts s u p p o rt t h e t ri a l co u rt d e c i s i o n . " W i lli a m s v . W i lli a m s , 6 8 1 A
. 2 d 1 8 1 , 1 8 3 ( P a . S u p e r . 1 9 9 6 ) , a ffi r m e d , 7 2 1 A
. 2 d 1 0 7 2 ( P a . 1 9 9 8 )
. " A t ri a l co u rt ' s fi n d i n g o f co n t e m p t w i ll n o t b e d i s t u r b e d a b s e n t a n a b u s e o f d i s c re t i o n . " C o m m o n w e a l t h v . M o o d y , 1 2 5 A
. 3 d 1 , 1 2 ( P a . 2 0 1 5 ) ( i n t e rn a l q u o ta t i o n s a n d c i ta t i o n s o m i tte d ) ; R i c c i v . G e a r y , 6 7 0 A
. 2 d 1 9 0 , 1 9 1 ( P a . S u p e r . 1 9 9 6 ) ( " W e w i ll re v e rs e a t ri a l co u rt ' s d e t e r m i n a t i o n o n l y w h e n t h e re h a s b e e n a p l a i n a b u s e o f d i s c re t i o n . " )
. " I n ca s e s o f d i re ct c ri m i n a l co n t e m p t , t h a t i s , w h e re t h e co n t u m a c i o u s a ct i s co m m i tt e d i n t h e p re s e n c e
9o f t h e co u rt a n d d i s ru p ts t h e a d m i n i s t ra t i o n o f j u s t i c e , a n a p p e ll a t e co u rt i s

co n fi n e d to a n e xa m i n a t i o n o f t h e re co rd to d e te r m i n e i f t h e f a cts s u p p o rt t h e t ri a l co u rt ' s d e c i s i o n . " C o m m o n w e a l t h v . J a c ks o n , 5 3 2 A
. 2 d 2 8 , 3 1 - 3 2 ( P a . S u p e r . 1 9 8 7 )
.

C o n t ra r y to t h e R e s p o n d e n t ' s a rg u m e n t , h i s co n d u ct wa s a ct i o n a b l e a s a D i re ct C ri m i n a l C o n te m p t a s o p p o s e d to I n d i re ct C ri m i n a l C o n t e m p t , b e ca u s e I n d i re ct C ri m i n a l C o n t e m p t o c c u rs o n l y w h e n t h e re i s a " v i o l a t i o n o f a co u rt o rd e r t h a t o c c u r re d o u ts i d e o f t h e co u rt ' s p re s e n c e . " C o m m o n w e a l t h v . M c M u ll e n , 9 6 1 A
. 2 d 8 4 2 , 8 4 9 ( P a . 2 0 0 8 )
. T h e co n t e m p t p ro c e e d i n g i n t h i s ca s e p ro p e rl y wa s i n i t i a t e d p u rs u a n t to 4 2 P a . C
. S
. A
. § 4 1 3 2 ( 3 ) , w h i c h e m p ow e rs t h e co u rt to i m p o s e s u m m a ry p u n i s h m e n t f o r " m i s b e h a v i o r o f a n y p e rs o n i n t h e p re s e n c e o f t h e co u rt , t h e re b y o b s t ru ct i n g t h e a d m i n i s t ra t i o n o f j u s t i c e . " A s u m m a ry co n v i ct i o n f o r D i re ct C ri m i n a l C o n t e m p t u n d e r § 4 1 3 2 ( 3 ) re q u i re s a fi n d i n g b e yo n d a re a s o n a b l e d o u b t t h a t t h e i n d i v i d u a l " ( 1 ) co m m i tte d m i s co n d u ct , ( 2 ) i n t h e p re s e n c e o f t h e co u rt , ( 3 ) w i t h t h e i n t e n t to o b s t ru ct t h e p ro c e e d i n g s , a n d ( 4 ) [t h e ] m i s co n d u ct a ct u a ll y o b s t ru cte d t h e a d m i n i s t ra t i o n o f j u s t i c e . " C o m m o n w e a l t h v . P ru i tt , 7 6 4 A
. 2 d 5 6 9 , 5 7 5 ( P a . S u p e r . 2 0 0 0 )
.

1 0O u r S u p re m e C o u rt h a s e x p l a i n e d t h a t " a s u b j e ct i v e i n t e n t to o b s t ru ct t h e a d m i n i s t ra t i o n o f j u s t i c e i s n o t a re q u i s i t e e l e m e n t o f c ri m i n a l co n t e m p t
. " C o m m o n w e a l t h v . Ow e n s , 4 3 6 A
. 2 d 1 2 9 , 1 3 3 ( P a . 1 9 8 1 )
. " T h e re q u i s i t e e l e m e n t o f i n t e n t i s s a t i s fi e d i f t h e co n t e m n o r h a d t h e i n t e n t to o b s t ru ct t h e p ro c e e d i n g s . W h e n t h a t i n t e n t m a n i f e s ts i ts e l f i n m i s co n d u ct i n t h e p re s e n c e o f t h e co u rt w h i c h
. . i n f a ct o b s t ru cts t h e a d m i n i s t ra t i o n o f j u s t i c e , c ri m i n a l co n t e m p t h a s b e e n co m m i tte d
. " Ow e n s , s u p r a , a t 1 3 3
. " T h e re i s w ro n g fu l i n t e n t i f t h e co n t e m n o r k n ows o r s h o u l d re a s o n a b l y b e awa re t h a t h i s co n d u ct i s w ro n g fu l
. " I n re Ad a m s , 6 4 5 A
. 2 d 2 6 9 , 2 7 2 ( P a . S u p e r . 1 9 9 4 ) ( i n t e rn a l c i ta t i o n s o m i tte d )
. 

### " It d o e s n o t m a tte r t h a t a p p e ll a n t wa s a ct i n g i n g o o d f a i t h b y z e a l o u s l y d e f

e n d i n g h i s c l i e n t
. " I d
. a t 2 7 2
.

T h i s co u rt d i d n o t a b u s e i ts d i s c re t i o n i n fi n d i n g t h e R e s p o n d e n t i n D i re ct C ri m i n a l C o n te m p t p u rs u a n t to § 4 1 3 2 ( 3 )
. S i m p l y p u t , t h i s co u rt d i d n o t fi n d t h e R e s p o n d e n t ' s e x p l a n a t i o n a t t h e co n te m p t h e a ri n g , o r t h e s e l f - s e r v i n g d i s co n t i n u a t i o n l e tte r h e o ff e re d , to b e c re d i b l e co n s i d e ri n g t h e to ta l i ty o f t h e c i rc u m s ta n c e s .

F i rs t , t h e co u rt f

o u n d t h e t i m i n g o f t h e re v e l a t i o n re g a rd i n g h i s re l a t i o n s h i p w i t h M s . C a l a b re s e to b e e xt re m e l y s u s p e ct
. ( H T , p . 1 8 )
. I n d e e d , t h e R e s p o n d e n t h a d l e t t h e co u rt k n ow a t t h e b e g i n n i n g o f t ri a l t h a t h e wo u l d 1 1h a v e a p p re c i a t e d h a v i n g m o re t i m e o n t h e ca s e . ( H T , p . 2 1 )
. T h e n , d e s p i t e

h a v i n g a m p l e o p p o rt u n i ty to n o t i fy t h e co u rt o f t h e i s s u e p ri o r to t h e b e g i n n i n g o f t ri a l , t h e R e s p o n d e n t d i d n o t ra i s e t h e i s s u e u n t i l a ft e r h e re c e i v e d a p re v i e w o f M s . C a l a b re s e ' s te s t i m o n y o n d i re ct- e xa m i n a t i o n . {TT , p . 9 6 ) ; ( H T , p p . 1 8 - 1 9 )
. W h e n t h e R e s p o n d e n t d i d b ri n g t h e m a tte r to t h e co u rt ' s a tte n t i o n , t h e fi rs t s ta t e m e n t h e u tte re d wa s , " I d o re p re s e n t A m y o n a n o t h e r ca s e . " {TT , p . 9 6 )
. T h e re w e re n o q u a l i fi e rs a tta c h e d
. E v e n w h e n t h e co u rt ca m e b a c k fro m l u n c h a n d re i t e ra t e d t h a t t h e i s s u e i n v o l v e d t h e R e s p o n d e n t ' s 

### a c tive re p re s e n ta t i o n o f t h e w i t n e s s , h e re m a i n e d s i l e n t a n d d i d n o t s e e k to c l a ri fy t h a t M s . C a l a b re s e h a d b e e n a p ro s p e ct i v e c l i e n t o n l y . {TT , p p . 9 6 - 1 0 2 ) ; { H T , p . 1 5 )
. T h e R e s p o n d e n t ' s s ta t e m e n ts a n d co n d u ct a t t h e t i m e o f t h e d i s cl o s u re w e re w h a t t h i s co u rt f o u n d to b e t h e m o s t c re d i b l e . ( H T , p p . 1 4 , 1 7 , 2 0 , 2 4 - 2 5 )
.

S e co n d , t h e R e s p o n d e n t ' s e x p l a n a t i o n f o r w h y M s . C a l a b re s e re m a i n e d o n l y a p ro s p e ct i v e cl i e n t wa s b e ca u s e s h e co u l d n o t a ff o rd to h i re h i m f

o r a G a g n o n II H e a ri n g . ( H T , p . 1 4 - 1 5 )
. H o w e v e r , t h i s e x p l a n a t i o n wa s n o t a t a ll p e rs u a s i v e g i v e n t h a t h e h a d a g re e d to re p re s e n t M r . D e S a b e t i n o w i t h o u t a n y h o p e o f p a y m e n t f

o r a w e e k- l o n g j u ry t ri a l i n v o l v i n g s e ri o u s c h a rg e s . ( H T , p . 1 5 )
.

1 2T h e co u rt re m a i n s s te a d f a s t i n i ts b e l i e f t h a t M s . C a l a b re s e wa s n o t s i m p l y a p ro s p e ct i v e c l i e n t
. I n a n y e v e n t , M s . C a l a b re s e wa s re s p o n s i b l e f o r g e n e ra t i n g h i s a tto r n e y - c l i e n t re l a t i o n s h i p w i t h t h e D e f e n d a n t , a n d t h i s co u rt ca n n e v e r k n ow t h e g e n u i n e exte n t o f t h e i r re l a t i o n s h i p o r t h e n a t u re o f t h e co n v e rs a t i o n s t h a t w e re h a d
. T h a t i s w h y t h i s co u rt b e l i e v e d t h a t a n y h e a ri n g i n to t h a t m a tte r wo u l d h a v e b e e n fu t i l e . A h e a ri n g wo u l d h a v e b e e n a n i n a d e q u a te g a u g e o f t h e p s y c h o l o g i ca l co m p o n e n t i n v o l v e d w i t h re s p e ct to t h e p o te n t i a l f

o r M s . C a l a b re s e to s u b co n s c i o u s l y a l te r h e r te s t i m o n y i n re s p o n s e to q u e s t i o n i n g b y t h e R e s p o n d e n t , e s p e c i a ll y w h e n s h e wa s t h e o n e w h o h a d a rra n g e d fo r h i s re p re s e n ta t i o n o f t h e D e f e n d a n t
.

P u rs u a n t to R u l e 1. 7 o f t h e R u l e s o f P ro f e s s i o n a l C o n d u ct , " a l a wy e r s h a ll n o t re p re s e n t a cl i e n t i f t h e re p re s e n ta t i o n i n v o l v e s a co n c u r re n t co n f l i ct o f i n t e re s t
. " A co n c u r re n t co n fl i ct o f i n te re s t ex i s ts i f " t h e re i s a s i g n i fi ca n t ri s k t h a t t h e re p re s e n ta t i o n o f o n e o r m o re c l i e n ts w i ll b e m a te ri a ll y l i m i t e d b y t h e l a wy e r' s re s p o n s i b il i t i e s to a n o t h e r c l i e n t , a f o r m e r c l i e n t , o r a t h i rd p e rs o n o r b y a p e rs o n a l i n t e re s t o f t h e l a wy e r . " R u l e 1. 7 ( a ) ( 2 ) o f R
. P
. C
.
" N o tw i t h s ta n d i n g t h e e x i s te n c e o f a co n c u r re n t co n fl i ct o f i n t e re s t u n d e r p a ra g ra p h ( a ) , a l a wy e r m a y re p re s e n t a c li e n t i f t h e l a wy e r re a s o n a b l y b e l i e v e s t h a t t h e l a wy e r w il l b e a b l e to p ro v i d e co m p e te n t a n d d i l i g e n t re p re s e n ta t i o n to e a c h a ff e cte d c l i e n t
. " R u l e 1. 7 ( b ) ( l )
.

1 3T h e co u rt f o u n d t h a t t h e R e s p o n d e n t m i s b e h a v e d b y re p re s e n t i n g a m a j o r C o m m o n w e a l t h w i t n e s s d u ri n g t h e t ri a l o f a D e f e n d a n t w h o m h e re p re s e n te d
. At t h e co n te m p t h e a ri n g , t h e co u rt ex p l a i n e d t h e p ro b l e m a s s u c h : W h e n t h i s k i n d o f b e h a v i o r h a p p e n e d , M r . D e S a b [ e ] t i n o wa s n ' t g o i n g to b e g i v e n a f

a i r s h o t
. Yo u h a v e k n ow l e d g e o f M s . C a l a b re s e t h a t m a ke s i t h a rd to c ro s s - e xa m i n e h e r a t t h a t p o i n t i n t i m e . I s M s . C a l a b re s e g o i n g to b e g i v e n a f

a i r s h o t ? A re yo u g o i n g to u s e t h i n g s t h a t s h e to l d yo u i n o rd e r to g e t a l e g u p f

o r M r . D e S a b [ e ] t i n o ? T h a t ' s w h y w e n e v e r p ro c e e d t h i s wa y , s o t h a t t h o s e p e o p l e w h o co m e i n h e re ca n b e l i e v e t h a t t h e co u rt s ys t e m i s f

a i r a n d i s wo r k i n g to t h e b e s t o f i ts a b i l i ty o n t h e i r b e h a l f[]
. A n d t h a t i s n o t w h a t yo u d i d
. It i s n o t w h a t yo u d i d
. ( H T , p . 2 4 )
. T h e R e s p o n d e n t ' s m i s co n d u ct wa s co m m i tte d i n t h e p re s e n c e o f t h e co u rt , a n d t h e R e s p o n d e n t e i t h e r k n e w o r s h o u l d h a v e b e e n awa re t h a t h i s co n d u ct wa s w ro n g f

u l. H i s m i s co n d u ct a ct u a ll y o b s t ru cte d t h e a d m i n i s t ra t i o n o f j u s t i c e b e ca u s e i t re s u l t e d i n t h e d e c l a ra t i o n o f a m i s t ri a l. Ac co rd i n g l y , t h e re i s s u ffi c i e n t e v i d e n c e to s u s ta i n t h e R e s p o n d e n t ' s d i re ct c ri m i n a l co n t e m p t co n v i ct i o n u n d e r § 4 1 3 2 ( 3 ) , a n d t h e co u rt re s p e ctfu ll y re q u e s ts t h a t t h e co n v i ct i o n b e u p h e l d
.

1 4

### B . T h e fi n e wa s re a s o n a b l e a n d wa s i m p o s e d a ft e r a

d e t e r m i n a t i o n o f t h e Re s p o n d e n t ' s fi n a n c i a l a b ili ty t o p ay . P u rs u a n t to 4 2 P a . C
. S
. A
. § 4 1 3 3 , t h e R e s p o n d e n t wa s fi n e d o n l y f o r t h e a ct u a l co s ts a s s o c i a te d w i t h t h e m i s t ri a l t h a t h e ca u s e d b e ca u s e t h a t a m o u n t wa s s u ff

i c i e n t to a d d re s s h i s m i s co n d u ct. I n i m p o s i n g a fi n e , t h e co u rt co n d u cte d a n i n q u i r

y i n to t h e R e s p o n d e n t ' s a b ili ty to p a y a n d w h e t h e r s u c h a fi n e wo u l d p o s e a n y u n d u e fi n a n c i a l h a rd s h i p . { H T , p p . 2 6 - 2 9 )
. T h e co u rt o ff e re d to a c c e p t a p a y m e n t p l a n , a n d i t a ll ow e d t h e R e s p o n d e n t to d i cta t e t h e te r m s o f t h a t p a y m e n t p l a n . { H T , p . 2 8 )
. T h e R e s p o n d e n t n e v e r i n d i ca t e d t h a t h e wo u l d b e i n ca p a b l e o f p a y i n g t h e fi n e o r t h a t a n y s u c h fi n e wo u l d ca u s e a n y u n d u e h a rd s h i p . { H T , p p . 2 8 - 2 9 )
. H e s i m p l y s a i d , " I' ll d e a l. " { H T , p . 2 9 )
. Ac co rd i n g l y , t h e fi n e i n t h i s ca s e wa s n o t u n d u l y h a rs h o r ex ce s s i v e a n d wa s n a r row l y ta i l o re d to a d d re s s t h e s p e c i fi c m i s co n d u ct i n t h i s ca s e .

1 5

### I I I . C O N C L U S I O N



### T h e co u rt p ro p e rl y c h a ra cte ri z e d t h e R e s p o n d e n t ' s m i s co n d u ct a s a D i re ct C ri m i n a l C o n te m p t u n d e r 4 2 P a . C
. S
. A
. § 4 1 3 2 ( 3 ) , t h e re wa s s u ff i c i e n t e v i d e n c e to s u p p o rt t h e co n te m p t fi n d i n g , a n d t h e s e n te n c e i m p o s e d wa s re a s o n a b l e u n d e r t h e c i rc u m s ta n c e s .



### B E
DAT E

1 6 

# e .