Opinion
September 16, 1965.
November 11, 1965.
Criminal Law — Counsel for defendant — Direction by trial judge to defendant not to discuss testimony with counsel during court recess — Proof of prejudice.
On appeal by defendant following conviction of aggravated robbery, burglary, and conspiracy, in which it appeared that at the end of the third day of trial defendant was on the stand being cross-examined; that court was adjourned at 5:50 p.m. until the following morning at 9 o'clock; and that at the time of adjournment the trial judge directed defendant not to discuss his testimony with his counsel during the fifteen-hour recess; it was Held that the action of the trial judge constituted reversible error necessitating a new trial.
Before ERVIN, P.J., WRIGHT, MONTGOMERY, JACOBS, and HOFFMAN, JJ. (WATKINS and FLOOD, JJ., absent).
Appeals, Nos. 254, 267, and 268, Oct. T., 1965, from judgments of Court of Quarter Sessions of Montgomery County, April T., 1964, Nos. 4, 4-1, and 4-2, in case of Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. James Nick Peetros et al. Judgments reversed.
Indictments charging defendant with aggravated robbery, burglary and conspiracy. Before GROSHENS, J.
Verdicts of guilty and judgments of sentence entered thereon. Defendant appealed.
D.T. Spagnoletti, for appellant.
L. Francis Murphy, Assistant District Attorney, with him Richard S. Lowe, District Attorney, for Commonwealth, appellee.
WRIGHT, J., would affirm the judgments.
Argued September 16, 1965.
Appellant, James Nick Peetros, hereinafter called defendant, was found guilty by a jury of the crimes of aggravated robbery, burglary and conspiracy. Motions in arrest of judgment and for a new trial were promptly filed and overruled by the trial judge without argument on the same day that they were filed. Sentences were imposed and it is from those sentences that the defendant appeals.
The trial occurred during January, 1965. At the end of the third day of trial the defendant was on the stand being cross-examined. Court was adjourned at 5:50 p.m. until the following morning at 9:00 o'clock. At the time of adjournment the following appears in the notes of testimony:
"THE COURT: Mr. Peetros, you are under cross-examination so don't discuss the case with anyone.
"THE DEFENDANT: Yes, sir.
"THE COURT: At least your testimony. I mean if you want to confer with counsel about other witnesses, it is perfectly all right, but don't discuss your testimony. You may step down.
"We will adjourn then until tomorrow morning at 9:00 o'clock."
Defendant argues that this restriction placed upon him by the trial judge forbidding him to discuss his testimony with his attorney during the fifteen hour recess which followed constituted reversible error necessitating a new trial. We agree with this contention for the reasons set forth in Commonwealth v. Werner, 206 Pa. Super. 498, 214 A.2d 276 (1965), filed today.
In light of our disposition of this case it is unnecessary to discuss the other questions raised on this appeal.
Judgments of sentence reversed and a new trial granted.
WRIGHT, J., would affirm the judgments.