Opinion
Decided March 25, 1971
Criminal Law — Appeals — Counsel for defendant — Indigent — Burden of proof of Commonwealth to show waiver — Knowledge of defendant of his rights.
1. The right of appeal cannot be segregated from the Douglas right of assistance of counsel for that purpose. [465]
2. Where a petitioner for post-conviction relief asserts that he was denied the right of appeal, the burden is upon the Commonwealth to show that he knew he could appeal and that as an indigent he had the right to court-appointed counsel who would serve without cost to him. [465]
3. A defendant need not be expressly informed in particular words of his right to court-appointed counsel on appeal in order for a court to find a waiver of that right; the facts and circumstances must show, however, that the defendant was aware of his rights before he can be held to have knowingly and intelligently waived them. [465]
Mr. Justice COHEN took no part in the decision of this case.
Before BELL, C. J., JONES, COHEN, EAGEN, O'BRIEN, ROBERTS and POMEROY, JJ.
Petition for leave to appeal, No. 3291A Miscellaneous Docket, Appeal No. 123 March T., 1971, from order of Superior Court, No. 42, April T., 1970, affirming judgment of sentence of Court of Common Pleas, Criminal Division, of Allegheny County, March T., 1957, No. 23, in case of Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. William E. Knuckles. Order of Superior Court reversed and case remanded to hearing court.
Same case in Superior Court: 217 Pa. Super. 711.
Petition for post-conviction relief. Before ELLENBOGEN, P. J.
Petitioner appealed to the Superior Court which affirmed the judgment of sentence of the court below, opinion per curiam. Petitioner petitioned for allowance of appeal to Supreme Court.
John J. Dean, Assistant Public Defender, for appellant.
Carol Mary Los, Assistant District Attorney, and Robert W. Duggan, District Attorney, for Commonwealth, appellee.
Following a jury trial and conviction for possession of narcotics, carrying a concealed weapon, armed robbery, and receiving stolen goods, the appellant was sentenced to not less than nine or more than eighteen years imprisonment. No post-trial motions were filed nor was an appeal taken.
In April, 1967, Knuckles filed a PCHA petition alleging, inter alia, a denial of his right to appeal. This petition was originally dismissed without a hearing, but on appeal to the Superior Court was remanded for an evidentiary hearing "to determine whether appellant has knowingly and intelligently waived his right to appeal and the assistance of appellate counsel". Following the hearing, the trial judge found that Knuckles' trial counsel had advised him of his right to file post-trial motions and his right of further appeal to the Superior Court, and that there had been a knowing waiver of that right.
As we have frequently held, the right of appeal cannot be segregated from the Douglas right of assistance of counsel for that purpose. Accordingly, the Commonwealth's burden of proof at the hearing was to show that appellant knew he could appeal and that as an indigent he had the right to court-appointed counsel who would serve without cost to him. Commonwealth v. Wilson, 430 Pa. 1, 5, 241 A.2d 760 (1968). The record below, although it indicates that appellant may have been told that he could appeal, is completely silent as to whether appellant was at any point informed or was aware that he was entitled to free court-appointed counsel if indigent.
In Commonwealth v. Freeman, 438 Pa. 1, 263 A.2d 403 (1970), we held that a defendant need not be expressly informed in particular words of his right to court-appointed counsel on appeal in order for a court to find a waiver of that right. The facts and circumstances must show, however, that a defendant is aware of his rights before he can knowingly and intelligently waive them. Commonwealth v. Maloy, 438 Pa. 261, 265, 264 A.2d 697 (1970). Such awareness by appellant is not disclosed by the record in this case.
The petition for allowance of appeal is granted, the order of the Superior Court is reversed and the case is remanded to the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County with directions to appoint counsel for petitioner to file post-trial motions nunc pro tunc and to assist in any appellate procedures which may follow disposition of such motions.
Mr. Justice COHEN took no part in the decision of this case.