426 Pa. Super. 362 - Commonwealth v. Sanders’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

73 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 73 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. “In reviewing a challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence, we must determine “whether, viewing all the evidence admitted at trial, together with all reasonable inferences therefrom, in the light most favorable to the Commonwealth, the trier of fact could have found that each element of the offense[ ] charged was supported by evidence and inferences sufficient in law to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.” Commonwealth v. Jackson, 506 Pa. 469 , 472- 473, 485 A.2d 1102, 1103 (1984). “This standard is equally applicable to cases where the evidence is circumstantial rather than direct so long as the combination of the evidence links the accused to the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.” Commonwealth v. Hardcastle, 519 Pa. 236, 246 , 546 A.2d 1101, 1105 (1988), cert. denied, 493 U.S. 1093 , 110 S.Ct. 1169 , 107 L.Ed.2d 1072 (1990). “Moreover, it is the province of the trier of fact to pass upon the credibility of witnesses and the weight to be accorded the evidence produced. The factfinder is free to believe all, part or none of the evidence.” Commonwealth v. Tate, 485 Pa. 180, 182 , 401 A.2d 353, 354 (1979). The facts and circumstances established by the Commonwealth “need not be absolutely incompatible with [the] defendant’s innocence, but the question of any doubt is for the jury unless the evidence ‘be so weak and inconclusive that as a matter of law no probability of fact can be drawn from the combined circumstances.’ ” Commonwealth v. Sullivan, 472 Pa. 129, 150 , 371 A.2d”

   5 later decisions quote this exact passage
   e.g. Commonwealth v. Thomas · 2008 Pa. Super. 130 - Commonwealth v. A.W.C.

2. ““A motion for new trial on grounds that the verdict is contrary to the weight of the evidence concedes that there is sufficient evidence to sustain the verdict but contends, nevertheless, that the verdict is against the weight of the evidence.” Commonwealth v. Taylor, supra 324 Pa.Super. [420] at 425, 471 A.2d [1228] at 1230 [ (1984) ]. The decision whether to grant a new trial on this basis rests within the discretion of the trial court. Commonwealth v. Hunter, 381 Pa.Super. 606, 617 , 554 A.2d 550, 555 (1989). “A trial court should award a new trial on the ground that the verdict is against the weight of the evidence only when the jury’s verdict is so contrary to the evidence as to shock one’s sense of justice and [make] the award of a new trial [ ] imperative so that right may be given another opportunity to prevail.” Commonwealth v. Whitney, 511 Pa. 232, 239 , 512 A.2d 1152, 1155-1156 (1986). “The role of an appellate court in reviewing the weight of the evidence is very limited.” Commonwealth v. Sanders, 426 Pa.Super. 362, 367 , 627 A.2d 183,185 (1993). “The purpose of that review is to determine whether the trial court abused its discretion and not to substitute [the reviewing] Court’s judgment for that of the trial court.” Commonwealth v. Murray, 408 Pa.Super. 435, 440 , 597 A.2d 111, 114 (1991) (en banc). Accordingly, “[w]here the evidence is conflicting, the credibility of the witnesses is solely for the jury, and if its finding is supported by the record, the trial ”

   2 later decisions quote this exact passage
   e.g. 441 Pa. Super. 653 - Commonwealth v. Hodge · 434 Pa. Super. 478 - Commonwealth v. Horton

3. “(a) Offense defined. — A person is guilty of aggravated assault if he: (1) attempts to cause serious bodily injury to another, or causes such injury intentionally, knowingly or recklessly under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life; [or] (4) attempts to cause or intentionally or knowingly causes bodily injury to another with a deadly weapon....”

   2 later decisions quote this exact passage
   e.g. Commonwealth v. Coon · 431 Pa. Super. 321 - In Re Maloney