Court Opinion

ID: 9703179
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-25 23:43:56.395404+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:21:46.217003
License: Public Domain

NIX, Justice,
concurring.
I agree and join in the opinion of Mr. Justice Kauffman insofar as it discusses the double jeopardy claim raised by appellant. The claimed double jeopardy complaint raised here is identical with the ones asserted and rejected in Commonwealth v. Tabb, 491 Pa. 372, 421 A.2d 183 (1980); Commonwealth v. Klobuchir, 486 Pa. 241, 405 A.2d 881 (1979).
I disagree, however, with his decision to expand this interlocutory appeal to permit the consideration of any claim other than the asserted double jeopardy violation. See Commonwealth v. Bolden, 472 Pa. 602, 373 A.2d 90 (1977). “A Bolden appeal does not permit ‘piggybacking’ non-double jeopardy issues.” Commonwealth v. Tabb, supra, 491 Pa. at 375, n. 2, 421 A.2d at 185, n. 2. Nor am I impressed with the proffered reason (“the due process question herein has been a source of disagreement and confusion . . . and should now be laid to rest,” pp. 402-403) for departing from the sound decision to confine these appeals to double jeopardy claims. It is also premature to consider the consequences of a possible future conviction for murder in the first degree when that eventuality may never occur. We have repeatedly refused to offer advisory opinions and should not alter that course today. Finally, the due process question does not present the urgency that would warrant the invocation of our plenary powers.
Accordingly, I would affirm the Common Pleas Court’s denial of the motion in bar on the basis of a rejection of the double jeopardy complaint and refuse consideration of all other issues at this time.
O’BRIEN, C. J., joins in this opinion.