Court Opinion

ID: 9716810
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 06:51:39.817133+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:23:49.155479
License: Public Domain

WIEAND, Judge,
dissenting, in support of reversal.
I agree with the majority and, therefore, join its holding that a criminal defendant who uses justifiable force in defending himself against an assailant may nevertheless be held criminally liable for injuries inflicted on an innocent bystander if the defendant acts recklessly or in a criminally negligent manner. I am unable to agree, however, that the Commonwealth showed prima facie recklessness or criminal negligence under the circumstances of this case.
When Fowlin entered the Easton nightclub during the early morning hours, he was approached by three men. These men were known to appellant because they had had a prior confrontation. One of the men displayed a handgun, and another sprayed pepper gas into his face and eyes. WTdle partially blinded, Fowlin drew his own gun and fired a series of shots from left to right in self-defense. An innocent bystander was struck by one of these shots.
It may be that appellant’s conduct was tortious as to the bystander. Under the emergency circumstances of this case, however, I find no basis for concluding that appellant’s conduct was reckless or criminally negligent. Therefore, I would reverse the order of the trial court and dismiss the charges of *519aggravated assault and recklessly endangering another person which were filed against appellant.
McEWEN and BECK, JJ. join this statement.