Opinion ID: 2384363
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: accessory after the fact conviction

Text: If one knows another has committed a felony and in any manner aids him to escape arrest he is guilty of being an accessory after the fact. Cf. Commonwealth v. Clark, 200 Pa. Superior Ct. 361, 189 A. 2d 321 (1963). One may be an accessory after the fact to murder and yet not be guilty as a principal: Commonwealth v. Thomas, 357 Pa. 68, 53 A. 2d 112 (1947). As related before, the evidence established three rifle shots were fired in a residential area when McFadden was only 155 feet away. Within minutes, Washington openly carrying a rifle, entered an automobile operated by McFadden and was driven from the area. While circumstantial, this evidence was sufficient to warrant a finding by the jury that McFadden knew a felony had been committed and then assisted the felon to escape. The judgment imposed on the manslaughter conviction is reversed. The order suspending sentence on the accessory after the fact conviction is affirmed.