Court Opinion

ID: 9646707
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-23 13:08:42.83094+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:58:17.071265
License: Public Domain

ROBERTS, Justice,
concurring.
I join the majority opinion. Pursuant to relevant American Bar Association Standards, the trial court correctly “inquire[d] into potential conflicts which may jeopardize the right of each defendant to the fidelity of his counsel.” Standards Relating to the Function of the Trial Judge § 3.4(b) (Approved Draft, 1972). Because this record establishes actual harm in violation of the conflict-of-interest standard set forth in Cuyler v. Sullivan, 446 U.S. 335, 100 S.Ct. 1709, 64 L.Ed.2d 333 (1980), a fortiori the record establishes potential harm in violation of the standard of Pennsylvania. See, e. g., Commonwealth v. Westbrook, 484 Pa. 534, 400 A.2d 160 (1979); Commonwealth v. Breaker, 456 Pa. 341, 318 A.2d 354 (1974); Commonwealth v. Wheeler, 444 Pa. 164, 281 A.2d 846 (1971); Commonwealth ex rel. Whitling v. Russell, 406 Pa. 45, 176 A.2d 641 (1962).