Court Opinion

ID: 9631001
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 10:26:42.165178+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:06:57.495032
License: Public Domain

EAGEN, Chief Justice,
concurring.
I agree self-defense is inconsistent with an element of murder, namely an unlawful killing, as defined under the applicable law of Pennsylvania. Accordingly, I believe Mullaney v. Wilbur, 421 U.S. 684, 95 S.Ct. 1881, 44 L.Ed.2d 508 (1975) as explained in Patterson v. New York, 432 U.S. 197, 97 S.Ct. 2319, 53 L.Ed.2d 281 (1977), is applicable instantly. Since Hankerson v. North Carolina, 423 U.S. 233, 97 S.Ct. 2339, 53 L.Ed.2d 306 (1977) held Mullaney v. Wilbur, supra, was to be given complete retroactive effect, the judgment of sentence must be reversed and a new trial granted. But, in concurring in the reversal of the judgment of sentence, I express no view on whether Patterson v. New York, supra, can be logically reconciled with Leland v. Oregon, 343 U.S. *302790, 72 S.Ct. 1002, 96 L.Ed. 1302 (1952). Compare Commonwealth v. Ernst, 476 Pa. 102, 381 A.2d 1245 (1977) (opinion in support of affirmance).