Court Opinion

ID: 9729775
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 14:48:22.371785+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:26:01.127125
License: Public Domain

CERCONE, Judge,
concurring:
I agree with the majority’s treatment and disposition of the instant appeal except for its resolution of the issue concerning Pa.R.C.P. 130. By assuming away the question of the legality of the line-up, and treating the testimony at trial concerning the line-up as harmless error, the majority has chosen a dubious course indeed. The road not taken, Commonwealth v. Corbett, 228 Pa.Super. 292, 323 A.2d 836 (1974), is far smoother. As we stated in that case, per Jacobs, J.:
“In the present case, appellant does not attack the lineup proceedings at which he was represented by counsel. Nor *205does he claim that the lineup was of a suggestive nature. His only argument is that the identifications made at the lineup should not have been admitted at trial because the lineup was held during an unnecessary delay prior to his preliminary arraignment. Unlike the appellant in Futch, had the appellant in this case been taken before a magistrate prior to the lineup, he would have found himself in no better position. We cannot say that appellant was prejudiced by the delay.” Id. 228 Pa.Super, at 296-97, 323 A.2d at 838.
Since Corbett so readily disposes of the question raised under Rule 130, I would resolve the question on that basis without reaching the issue of harmless error.