Court Opinion

ID: 9764275
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-29 03:17:53.762149+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:29:55.401512
License: Public Domain

ROBERTS, Justice,
concurring.
I join in the Opinion of the Court with the understanding that neither today’s decision nor Commonwealth v. Price, 421 Pa. 396, 218 A.2d 758 (1966) (plurality opinion), cert. denied, 385 U.S. 869, 87 S.Ct. 136, 17 L.Ed.2d 96 (1966), establishes a per se rule that amnesia can never render an accused incapable of standing trial. Where amnesia affects the ability of an accused to prepare a defense, incapacity to stand trial may be demonstrated. See United States ex rel. Parson v. Anderson, 481 F.2d 94 (3rd Cir. 1973), cert. denied, 414 U.S. 1072, 94 S.Ct. 586, 38 L.Ed.2d 479 (1973); Wilson v. United States, 129 U.S.App.D.C. 107, 391 F.2d 460 (1968); Commonwealth v. Hubbard, - Mass. -, 355 N.E.2d 469 (1976) (citing cases); Jackson v. State, 548 S.W.2d 685 (Tex.Cr.App.1977); see generally, Annot., 46 A.L.R.3d 544 (1972). Similarly, if sufficient evidence exists to show that the state of amnesia is temporary, the better course may be to grant a continuance rather than proceed immediately to trial. See Annot., 46 A.L.R.3d at 567-68.
NIX and MANDERINO, JJ., join in this concurring opinion.