Opinion
Submitted September 29, 1965.
January 4, 1966.
Criminal law — Constitutional law — 5th Amendment — Confession — Validity — Absence of issue at trial — Waiver — Testimony corroborating confession — Preliminary hearing.
1. In a murder trial in which the defendant's own trial testimony is substantially similar to his prior confession, which was given after a clear warning to defendant that he was free not to say anything and that any statement he made could be used against him in court, and this confession was introduced without objection, the validity of the confession may not thereafter be collaterally attacked in a habeas corpus proceeding. [36]
2. In the absence of unusual circumstances which transform the preliminary hearing into a critical stage of the proceedings against the accused, lack of counsel at such hearing does not constitute a deprivation of due process of law. [36]
Mr. Justice COHEN took no part in the consideration or decision of this case.
BELL, C. J., MUSMANNO, JONES, EAGEN, O'BRIEN and ROBERTS, JJ.
Appeal, No. 190, March T., 1965, from order of Court of Common Pleas of Lawrence County, March T., 1965, No. 29, in case of Commonwealth ex rel. Bacil Swiger v. James F. Maroney, Superintendent. Order affirmed.
Habeas corpus.
Petition dismissed, order by HENDERSON, J. Relator appealed.
Bacil Swiger, appellant, in propria persona.
William R. Balph, Jr., Assistant District Attorney, and Kenneth E. Fox, Jr., District Attorney, for appellee.
On September 11, 1952, the appellant, Bacil Swiger, while represented by counsel, plead guilty generally to an indictment charging him with the crime of murder. After a hearing of three days' duration, the court adjudged him guilty of murder in the first degree, and on November 5, 1952, imposed a sentence of life imprisonment. No appeal from the judgment was entered.
On February 8, 1965, Swiger instituted an action of habeas corpus which the lower court subsequently dismissed without hearing. This appeal followed.
During the plea proceedings, a confession made by Swiger to investigating officers was introduced in evidence by the Commonwealth. Swiger now contends that the confession was obtained in violation of his constitutional rights, citing, Escobedo v. Illinois, 378 U.S. 478 (1964).
An examination of the record discloses that before the confession involved was made, Swiger was warned in clear language that he didn't have to answer any questions, was free not to say anything, and in the event he did make any statements the same could be used against him in court. The record also discloses that the confession was introduced without objection, and that it was substantially similar to Swiger's own testimony at the hearing to determine the degree of guilt. Under these facts, appellant's belated objections to the admission of the confession are without merit. See, Commonwealth ex rel. Adderley v. Myers, 418 Pa. 366, 211 A.2d 481 (1965); Commonwealth ex rel. Pomales v. Myers, 418 Pa. 369, 211 A.2d 483 (1965); and Commonwealth ex rel. Johnson v. Myers, 419 Pa. 155, 213 A.2d 359 (1965).
Swiger also complains that he was unrepresented by counsel at the preliminary hearing before the committing magistrate. At this hearing, he plead "not guilty", and the record fails to disclose anything in connection therewith that would transform the proceedings into a critical stage which would require the presence of counsel. See, Commonwealth ex rel. Knowles v. Rundle, 419 Pa. 300, 213 A.2d 635 (1965).
Order affirmed.
Mr. Justice COHEN took no part in the consideration or decision of this case.