Court Opinion

ID: 9748269
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-27 15:58:35.185093+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:25:33.880333
License: Public Domain

NIX, Justice,
dissenting.
I agree with Mr. Justice McDermott’s dissent that the assistant district attorney’s statement, when evaluated in the context in which it occurred, does not constitute reversible error.
I write separately, however, because I believe that the appellant has raised serious allegations of ineffective assistance of counsel, requiring a remand for a hearing on this issue.
The appellant asserts that he wished to testify in his defense, and insisted on doing so, but was “overruled” by his trial counsel. The right to testify on one’s own behalf is a constitutional right, Pa. Const. Art. I, § 9, which is *99personal to the accused, Commonwealth v. Clayton, 496 Pa. 492, 437 A.2d 1147 (1981). While counsel may “advise” the accused as to whether or not he believes it would be in his best interest to testify, the ultimate decision as to whether to testify is for the accused to make. Commonwealth v. Good, 481 Pa. 529, 393 A.2d 30 (1978); Commonwealth v. Rawles, 501 Pa. 514, 462 A.2d 619 (1983). See also Wainwright v. Sykes, 433 U.S. 72, 97 S.Ct. 2497, 53 L.Ed.2d 594 (1977) (concurring opinion by Chief Justice Berger); United States ex rel. Wilcox v. Johnson, 555 F.2d 115 (3d Cir.1977). If it is true, as appellant suggests, that his trial counsel prevented him from exercising his constitutional right to testify on his own behalf, then counsel acted beyond the scope of his position and usurped the appellant’s basic decision-making role. As such, counsel may well have provided ineffective assistance.
Additionally, I believe that there is arguable merit in appellant’s contention that he was denied effective assistance of counsel by counsel’s failure to interview and to call certain key witnesses, as well as his failure to present any defense. Believing that the Commonwealth had not met its burden of proof, trial counsel rested without presenting any evidence, notwithstanding the fact that immediately prior thereto, the trial court had denied appellant’s motion for a directed verdict of acquittal and his demurrer to the evidence. In light of the significant evidence presented by the prosecution, and mindful of the leeway accorded circumstantial evidence in arson cases, Commonwealth v. Nasuti, 385 Pa. 436, 123 A.2d 435 (1956), the risk of resting without presenting any evidence seems especially great in the instant case.
Moreover, if, as the appellant asserts, the witnesses who were available to testify for the defense were not interviewed or called to testify due to a lack of preparation or due dilligence on the part of trial counsel, a grave question as to counsel’s competence is also raised.
The appellant contends that Cora Jefferson had testified that she believed the fire was set by her estranged lover, *100Peter Moore, who had threatened to “burn the house down” three months prior to the fire. Moore is alleged to have previously demonstrated antagonism toward Mrs. Jefferson, and to have a tendency to resort to violence. Mrs. Jefferson, the mother of Michael Jefferson, lives above the Sweet apartment in the house which burned. Mrs. Jefferson was not interviewed or called by counsel.
The appellant also asserts that Mr. and Mrs. Mello would have testified that they had a clear line of vision to the Sweet/Jefferson house on the night of the fire and as they “sat on their carport”, they did not see the appellant exit from the house as he is alleged to have done to obtain the stoddard solvent. They would also testify that after the fire broke out they saw him attempt to enter the building in an effort to save the remaining occupants. Furthermore, Mr. Mello allegedly saw someone fitting Moore’s description running from the scene of the fire. The Mellos were not interviewed or called to testify.
Finally, appellant argues that Ann De Santis would testify that on two different occasions Debbie Sweet accused Michael Jefferson of starting the fire and stated that he “should hang”. Trial counsel did not interview Ms. DeSantis or Ms. Sweet regarding these accusations, nor did he call them to testify.
Inasmuch as there has been no hearing on appellant’s allegations of ineffectiveness of counsel, I would remand for a hearing on that issue.