Court Opinion

ID: 9913907
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-12-28 22:08:59.526109+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:09:31.098043
License: Public Domain

J-S41013-23

NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT O.P. 65.37

  IN RE: CONTEMPT OF ELIJAH WHITE                :     IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
                                                 :          PENNSYLVANIA
                                                 :
  APPEAL OF: ELIJAH WHITE                        :
                                                 :
                                                 :
                                                 :
                                                 :
                                                 :     No. 120 WDA 2023

     Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence Entered December 29, 2022
            In the Court of Common Pleas of Washington County
               Criminal Division at No(s): CP-63-MD-916-2022

BEFORE:       PANELLA, P.J., OLSON, J., and STEVENS, P.J.E.*

JUDGMENT ORDER BY PANELLA, P.J.:                       FILED: December 28, 2023

       Elijah White appeals from the judgment of sentence entered after the

trial court found him guilty of criminal contempt for attempting to assert his

right not to incriminate himself at a preliminary hearing for Keaundre Crews.

Unfortunately, White’s counsel failed to timely file a Pa.R.A.P. 1925 statement

of matters complained of on appeal, but subsequently filed an untimely

statement. In the absence of a timely filed statement, the trial court concluded

all issues on appeal had been waived.

       Both White and the Commonwealth concede that White’s counsel’s error

constitutes     ineffectiveness     per    se.       See   Appellant’s   Brief,   at   17;

Commonwealth’s Brief, at 5. Further, White does not request an opportunity

to file a new Rule 1925 statement, merely that the trial court respond to his

____________________________________________

* Former Justice specially assigned to the Superior Court.
J-S41013-23

already filed, untimely statement. See Appellant’s Brief, at 16-18. We

therefore remand this matter to the trial court to address the issues raised in

White’s previously filed Rule 1925 statement within 60 days of receiving the

record. The trial court shall then file a copy of its opinion with this Court,

provide notice to the parties, and return the record.

      Upon the filing of the trial court opinion, White will have 30 days to file

an appellant’s brief addressing the substance of the trial court’s opinion. We

further direct White’s counsel to file a letter with the brief indicating whether

oral argument will be requested. The Commonwealth will then have 30 days

from the filing and service of White’s brief to file an Appellee’s brief. The

Commonwealth retains the right to petition this Court for an option contrary

to White’s request.

      Given this outcome, we deny the Commonwealth’s application to quash

or strike White’s reply brief as moot. Further, we deny White’s application for

oral argument, without prejudice to White’s right to request oral argument

upon the filing of his brief, or the Commonwealth’s right to object to the same.

      Case remanded. Trial court directed to file opinion within 60 days of

receipt of the certified record. Appellant to file a brief within 30 days of the

trial court opinion being filed. Appellant is directed to file, contemporaneously

with the Appellant’s Brief, a document indicating whether Appellant requests

oral argument. Commonwealth to have 30 days from the filing of appellant’s

brief to file an appellee’s brief and is directed to file any request to proceed

contrary to Appellant’s request regarding oral argument at the same time.

                                      -2-
J-S41013-23

Commonwealth’s application to strike reply brief is denied as moot. Appellant’s

application for oral argument is denied without prejudice to both parties’ rights

to request or object to oral argument. Jurisdiction retained.

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