Case Name: COMMONWEALTH of Pennsylvania, Petitioner, v. Arthur J. METZLER, Jr.
Court: Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
Jurisdiction: Pennsylvania
Decision Date: 1982-11-04
Citations: 499 Pa. 122
Docket Number: No. 364 E.D. Allocutur Docket 1982
Parties: COMMONWEALTH of Pennsylvania, Petitioner, v. Arthur J. METZLER, Jr.
Judges: Before O’BRIEN, C.J., and ROBERTS, NIX, LARSEN, FLAHERTY, McDERMOTT and HUTCHINSON, JJ.
Reporter: Pennsylvania State Reports
Volume: 499
Pages: 122–124

Head Matter:
451 A.2d 1352
COMMONWEALTH of Pennsylvania, Petitioner, v. Arthur J. METZLER, Jr.
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.
Nov. 4, 1982.
James J. Narlesky, Asst. Dist. Atty., Northampton County Government Center, Easton, for petitioner.
Gary Asteak, Easton, for respondent.
Before O’BRIEN, C.J., and ROBERTS, NIX, LARSEN, FLAHERTY, McDERMOTT and HUTCHINSON, JJ.

Opinion:
OPINION OF THE COURT
PER CURIAM:
The Commonwealth filed a petition for allowance of appeal from an Order of the Superior Court which reversed Arthur J. Metzler's conviction of aggravated assault. Metzler was convicted of aggravated assault and sentenced to no less than fifteen months nor more than four years imprisonment. The Superior Court reversed, ruling that the Commonwealth's evidence of sanity was so inadequate, as a matter of law, the fact finder could not be satisfied of defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Commonwealth v. Metzler, 300 Pa.Super. 19, 445 A.2d 1277 (1982).
An examination of the record convinces us that there was sufficient evidence of sanity to allow the trial judge to determine that Metzler failed to meet either part of the M'Naghten test. In order to escape criminal responsibility, defendants must show they are laboring under such a defect of reason, at the time of the act, that they are either incapable of knowing what they were doing or were incapable of judging that it was wrong. Commonwealth v. Demmitt, 456 Pa. 475, 321 A.2d 627 (1974). Evidence was presented to show that Metzler initially flirted with the victim and was rebuffed. After he assaulted the victim, he immediately left the premises. Upon being apprehended less than one hour after the assault, he admitted striking the victim. At trial, Metzler testified that he knew what he was doing and that it was bad.
Therefore, in reviewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the verdict winner, Commonwealth v. Blevins, 453 Pa. 481, 309 A.2d 421 (1973), it was error for the Superior Court to reverse Metzler's conviction for aggravated assault. Accordingly, we hereby grant the Commonwealth's petition, reverse the Order of the Superior Court, and reinstate the conviction and sentence of Metzler as entered by the trial judge.
ROBERTS, J., files a dissenting statement.