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216 Pa. Super. 213

Commonwealth v. DeSimone

Superior Court of Pennsylvania

Decided March 19, 1970

Superior Court of Pennsylvania · decided 1970-03-19

Cited by 2 later decisions — most recently April 1972

2 state decisions

Key passage — most relied on by later courts

““Notes of testimony are essential for post-trial or appellate review. Without a record, no reviewing court can determine whether trial errors were committed or whether the evidence supported the verdict. Consequently, as it effectively forecloses all future review, failure to request stenographic recording of trial proceedings is tantamount to a decision before trial that no appeal will be taken. No reasonable basis for trial counsel’s action has been advanced here by the Commonwealth nor is any conceivable. I conclude that appellant was deprived of constitutionally effective assistance of counsel. “Inasmuch as constitutionally ineffective representation has totally negated the possibility of the post-trial and appellate review to which appellant is entitled, the appropriate relief is the maximum relief available on appeal, a new trial.” at 151 (Emphasis in original.) See also, Commonwealth v. DeSimone, 216 Pa. Superior Ct. 213 , 263 A. 2d 901 (1970) (dissenting opinion).”

quoted by 1 later decision, including Commonwealth v. Woolcutt

Relies on Commonwealth v. Anderson

Good law ✅— No negative treatment on recordhow we know

Decided 1970-03-19

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¶1Opinion

Per Curiam,

¶2Order affirmed.

¶3Dissenting Opinion by

Hoffman, J.:

¶4Appellant was tried in 1940 before a judge and jury. In 1967, he filed a petition under the Post Conviction Hearing Act, Act of January 25, 1966, P. L. (1965) 1580, 19 P.S. §1180, alleging ineffective assistance of counsel. A hearing was held, at which it was shown that counsel failed to request the stenographic recording of the trial proceedings. Despite this show*214ing, the PCHA court denied appellant’s petition. This appeal followed.

¶5This case is governed by Judge Spaulding’s dissent in Commonwealth v. Anderson, 215 Pa. Superior Ct. 147, 256 A. 2d 868 (1969), in which Judge Cerconb and I joined. Judge Spaulding said:

¶6“Notes of testimony are essential for post-trial or appellate review. Without a record, no reviewing court can determine whether trial errors were committed or whether the evidence supported the verdict. Consequently, as it effectively forecloses all future review, failure to request stenographic recording of trial proceedings is tantamount to a decision before trial that no appeal will be taken. No reasonable basis for trial counsel’s action has been advanced here by the Commonwealth nor is any conceivable. I conclude that appellant was deprived of constitutionally effective assistance of counsel.” Id. at 151.

¶7I would reverse the order of the lower court and grant a new trial.

Spaulding and Cercone, JJ., join in this dissenting opinion.
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