Court Opinion

ID: 9713428
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 05:15:15.951877+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:23:18.718689
License: Public Domain

LARSEN, Justice,
dissenting.
I dissent and in support thereof, cite the trial judge’s (The Honorable Albert F. Sabo) opinion as follows:
On December 15, 1976, this Court sat to hear the defense Motion to Suppress Physical Evidence and Statements in the case of Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Reggie Eaddy, August Term, 1976, Nos. 1963-1967.
On one occasion during the Commonwealth’s case, Mr. Cogan persisted in arguing with the Court after the Court made its rulings on evidence. (N.T. pp. 27-28).
On another occasion, Mr. Cogan, during discussion of a point, spoke in a manner demeaning to the Court in both tone and facial expression. Defense counsel became more and more indignant and disrespectful, especially during the following colloquy with the Court:
*284“THE COURT: Well, what are you saying?
MR. COGAN: I would say it if you would stop interrupting me, Judge. I have been trying to get it out for the last ten minutes.”
The Court warned Mr. Cogan to control himself and not to tell the Court its job. (N.T. p. 40).
Later, after the Court sustained the prosecution’s objection to the phrasing of a question, Mr. Cogan twice used the very same question of a witness. (N.T. pp; 47-49).
Finally, Mr. Cogan got into a heated discussion with the district attorney over objections to defense questions. (N.T. p. 50). The Court told counsel to stop wasting time arguing and proceed. At this, Mr. Cogan lashed out, screaming at the Court: “I object to that, too.” The comment was made in an arrogant and disrespectful manner in an attempt to mimic the district attorney’s objections.
The Court again requested that Mr. Cogan ask a question. Mr. Cogan then proceeded to accuse the Court of having reached a decision. For yet a third time, the Court told Mr. Cogan to proceed. He continued to argue and was held in contempt. (N.T. p. 51).
The Court found that Mr. Cogan’s actions disrupted the dignity, order and decorum of the courtroom. Commonwealth v. Snyder, 443 Pa. 433, 275 A.2d 312 (1971); Commonwealth v. Gaston, 460 Pa. 385, 333 A.2d 779 (Pa. Supreme Court, 1975.).”