Court Opinion

ID: 9697956
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-25 19:38:04.699157+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:20:37.308234
License: Public Domain

TAMILIA, Judge,
dissenting:
I respectfully dissent to the majority disposition which ultimately must lead to granting a new trial. I believe since the issue is framed in the context of an ineffectiveness of counsel purview, and the majority concedes the record fails to disclose trial counsel’s strategy for failing a vigorous cross-examination of the Commonwealth victim/witness, a new trial is not warranted. Rather, the matter should be remanded for appointment of new trial counsel with direction to have an evidentiary hearing to determine the basis for trial counsel’s actions. The majority engages in a great deal of speculation concerning the character and bias of the prosecution witness and the possible reasoning of the jury. The Commonwealth as verdict winner is entitled to have all inferences found in its favor by the appellate court and not the reverse. While I find it difficult to perceive how the test of ineffectiveness of counsel has been met, particularly as to prejudice resulting in a miscarriage of justice, I would accept remand for an evidentiary hearing.
If no reasonable and supportable basis is established for counsel’s action, and such action or non-action resulted in a miscarriage of justice, only then should the trial court be required to grant a new trial. In any event, this Court should not vacate the judgment of sentence upon remand. To do so, *437absent substantial error evident on the record before this Court which requires a new trial, sets aside a presumably valid judgment of sentence upon the mere allegation that error might have been committed. Until such error has been established by the trial court after an evidentiary hearing, the appellant stands properly committed. To vacate sentence and release any and all appellants who are granted an evidentiary hearing based upon ineffectiveness of counsel, pursuant to an alleged violation of an evidentiary rule of criminal procedure or a PCRA petition, can present serious problems to the community by release of dangerous offenders who may commit additional crimes or abscond. The fact that the Commonwealth may request incarceration or bonding of the appellant pending judicial review does not alleviate the possibility of freeing appellant and the attendant difficulty and harm to the community. The entire range of criminal procedures and trial have been afflicted by dangers and intimidations that never before existed in our history. Abusive persons and stalkers released for short periods of time have killed their victims, despite police and court restraint, not to mention the escalating problem of murder and intimidation of witnesses by accused persons which has drawn national attention and is to be considered in congressional hearings.