2012 Pa. Super. 53 - Commonwealth v. Sanders’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

18 state decisions

Most-quoted passages

The sentences later courts lift from this opinion, ranked by how many decisions quote each — the parts of the opinion doing the work. These counts are smaller than the citation total above because most of the 18 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. “The standard we apply in reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence is whether viewing all the evidence admitted at trial [] in the light most favorable to the verdict winner, there is sufficient evidence to enable the fact-finder to find every element of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. In applying the above test, we may not weigh the evidence and substitute our judgment for the fact-finder. In addition, we note the facts and circumstances established by the Commonwealth need not preclude every possibility of innocence. Any doubts regarding a defendant’s guilt may be resolved by the fact-finder unless the evidence is so weak and inconclusive that as a matter of law no probability, of fact may. be drawn from the combined circumstances. The Commonwealth may sustain its burden of proving every element of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt by means of wholly circumstantial evidence. Moreover, in' applying the above test, the entire record must be evaluated and all evidence actually received must be considered. Finally, the finder of fact[,] while passing upon the credibility of witnesses and the weight of the evidence produced is free to believe all, part or none of the evidence.”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. 2016 Pa. Super. 155 - Commonwealth v. Stiles

2. “Now, throughout the trial you hear testimony on identification. And in the testimony of Shakur Bumpess and Kimberly Bumpess, they identified the person committing the crimes. In evaluating the testimony[,] in addition to the other instructions I’ll give you later for judging the testimony of witnesses[,] you should consider the additional following factors. Did the witness have a good opportunity to observe the perpetrator of the offense? Was there sufficient lighting for them to make their observations? Were they close enough to the individual to note their facial and other physical characteristics as well as clothing at the time of the incident? Have they made prior identification of the Defendant as a perpetrator of these crimes at any of the proceedings? Was their identification positive or was it qualified by any hedging or inconsistencies? During the course of this case did the witness identify anyone else as the perpetrator? And in considering whether or not to accept the testimony of Shakur Bumpess and Kimberly Bumpess, you should consider the circumstances under which the identifications were made.”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. 2014 Pa. Super. 201 - Commonwealth v. Pander

3. “[T]he purpose of a suppression order regarding exclusion of identification evidence is to prevent improper police action. Thus, where a defendant does not show that improper police conduct resulted in a suggestive identification, suppression is not warranted.”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. Commonwealth v. Russell