Opinion ID: 2374146
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Did the Lower Court Abuse its Discretion in Failing to Grant the Appellant's Request for a Lineup?

Text: Appellant, prior to the preliminary hearing, requested a voice lineup. The basis for such request was that the actor wore a mask and the victim had identified the appellant as the actor by his voice, physical build and mannerisms. The victim had had numerous business dealings with the appellant. Appellant claims he was prejudiced by the denial of a lineup and such prejudice was not cured by a precautionary instruction. A criminal defendant does not have a constitutional right to a line-up. Commonwealth v. Cornish, 471 Pa. 256, 370 A.2d 291 (1977); and Commonwealth v. Steffy, 264 Pa.Superior Ct. 110, 399 A.2d 690 (1979). While a line-up should be granted where identification is at issue, failure to do so does not require release. Instead, in certain circumstances, the trier of fact should be informed that the defendant had been denied the opportunity for a more objective identification and for that reason the subsequent less reliable identification could be viewed with caution. Commonwealth v. Sexton, 485 Pa. 17, 25, 400 A.2d 1289, 1293 (1979). The court's charge to the jury regarding identification testimony did not include any comment on the denial of the prehearing lineup. (N.T. Trial pp. 4.171-74). Following the charge the court inquired of trial counsel whether either desired an additional or clarifying charge. Defense counsel suggested a charge concerning an element of one of the crimes charged. The court amended its charge accordingly and no further charge was requested. Since appellant did not request such charge, nor make a timely and specific objection to the omission of an instruction regarding the denial of the prehearing lineup, it has not been preserved for review. Commonwealth v. Rineer, 310 Pa.Superior Ct. 241, 456 A.2d 591 (1983); Commonwealth v. Linder, 284 Pa.Superior Ct. 327, 336 n. 5, 425 A.2d 1126, 1130 n. 5 (1981); see Pennsylvania R.Crim.P. 1119(b).