Court Opinion

ID: 9650191
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-23 15:26:41.376166+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:12:18.829278
License: Public Domain

CERCONE, Judge,
concurring and dissenting:
I concur with the majority in affirming the court below; however, I dissent to vacating the conviction on the Fifth Count (obstructing an officer in the performance of his duties). The trial court determined that appellant was guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of both assault and battery and obstructing an officer. However, the court below further ruled that these two offenses merged, Commonwealth v. Nelson, 452 Pa. 275, 305 A.2d 369 (1973), and therefore no sentence was imposed on the obstructing charge. Although a defendant may be convicted under such circumstances of both offenses, he may only be sentenced on one. Commonwealth v. Nelson, supra, 452 Pa. at 278, 305 A.2d 369. See also Commonwealth v. Simmons, 233 Pa.Super. 547, 560, 336 A.2d 624 (1975); Commonwealth v. Phillips, 215 Pa.Super. 5, 257 A.2d 81 (1969). Since no sentence was imposed by the court below on the merged offense, the conviction should not be vacated.
I would therefore affirm the decision of the court below in its entirety.