Court Opinion

ID: 9752382
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-28 18:03:17.929318+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:27:15.705334
License: Public Domain

MANDERINO, Justice
(dissenting).
I dissent. Notwithstanding the fact that the testimonial reference to appellant’s silence at arrest was first introduced by the defense, the prosecution nevertheless exploited that mistake. Repeated questions were asked by the prosecution about appellant’s exercise of his fifth amendment right, going far beyond the initial reference to appellant’s silence posed by the defense. That testimony violated appellant’s constitutional right against self-incrimination and was erroneously admitted into evidence.
*293The majority also upholds the trial court’s ruling allowing the prosecution to use a defense witness’s prior criminal record involving burglary and larceny for impeachment purposes on cross-examination. It is well-settled law that only crimes of dishonesty or false statement, such as perjury, forgery or cheating, can be used to impeach the credibility of a witness. See, Commonwealth v. Katchmer, 453 Pa. 461, 309 A.2d 591 (1973); See also, 3A Wigmore, Evidence § 926 (ed. 1970). I cannot agree with the majority’s conclusion that the convictions for burglary and larceny fit into the category of crimes of dishonesty or false statement.
I would, therefore, reverse and remand for a new trial.