George Hitcho death sentence upheld by Pennsylvania Supreme Court

8/20/2019 George Hitcho death sentence upheld by Pennsylvania Supreme Court

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[J-89-2014]

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA

EASTERN DISTRICT

SAYLOR, C.J., EAIN, !AER, TODD, STEVENS, JJ.

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA,

Appellee

v.

GEORGE HITCHO JR.,

Appellant

:::::::::

::

No. !" CAP

Appeal #$o% t&e J'()%ent o# Senten*eente$e( on +-/-+" 0a%en(e(po1t21enten*e %ot3on1 (en3e( on""-4-+"56 3n t&e Co'$t o# Co%%on Plea1,C$3%3nal 73v313on o# No$t&a%pton Co'nt8 atNo. CP2/92CR2+++5/"2+"".

S;MITTE7: Septe%


2/68

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T&e $e*o$( 3n(3*ate1 t&at, on A')'1t "", +"", at app$o3%atel8 :++ p.%., W3ll3a%

M. Clan*8, @&o1e p'lle( &31

pant1 (o@n an( %oone(? M$. Clan*8, &e @ent 3n13(e &31 $e13(en*e an( *alle( !"". I(. at

4!. M$. Clan*8 @ent %oone(? M$. Clan*8. A1 Appellant

an)$3l8 1tale( Geo$)e, plea1e tal to %e, *o%e o't to tal to %e.?

I(. at "4. M$. Henn3n)e$ an( M$. S*&ae(el


3/68

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M$. S*&ae(el &ea$( O##3*e$ La11o 3n1t$'*t Appellant, >CDont$ol 8o'$ (o)1.? I(. at ",

"5. M$. S*&ae(el a((3t3onall8 &ea$( 1o%e %'##le( *onve$1at3on


4/68

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>SD&oot e%.? I(. at +9. I%%e(3atel8, a lo'( 1&ot $an) o't,?

an( O##3*e$ La11o #ell #a*e(o@n to t&e )$o'n(, l83n) %ot3onle11 HDe1 t$83n) to )et 3n %8

&o'1e.? I(. at "/. C&3e# ;$'ne3o a)a3n o$(e$e( Appellant to ($op t&e 1&ot)'n, an(

Appellant $epl3e(, >HDe t$3e( to ($op 3t no@.? I(. A1 C&3e# ;$'ne3o %a(e t&e1e

*o%%an(%ent1, &e $eal3e( Appellant1 1&ot)'n &a( =a%%e( a#te$ Appellant 1&ot O##3*e$

La11o, t&'1 $en(e$3n) t&e 1&ot)'n te%po$a$3l8 3nope$a


5/68

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Mean@&3le, 'n3#o$%e( ;et&le&e% To@n1&3p Pol3*e Se$)eant G$e)o$8 Got1*&all

an( O##3*e$ Ropat2(o@n? Appellant #o$

@eapon1, an( a1 &e @a1 p$epa$3n) to (o 1o, O##3*e$ Sta%et not3*e( t&e$e @a1


6/68

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@&en &e looe( t&$o')& t&e @3n(o@, Appellant )ave &3% >a t&o'1an( 8a$( 1ta$e?

3n(3*at3ve o# 1o%eone @&o 31 ve$8 a)3tate(. I(. at 5+".

S'He8, I% on *an(3( *a%e$a.? I(. at 5"/ N.T. -"-", ='$8 t$3al, at

". T&e t$oope$1 t&en t$an1po$te( Appellant to t&e pol3*e


7/68

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t&e t$3al *o'$t 1'a *o'ple? to ($3n.

See T$3al Co'$t Op3n3on (ate( ""-4-"5 at / n.".

A1 (31*'11e( %o$e #'ll8 3n#$a 3n Se*t3on II o# t&31 Op3n3on, t&e one nota


8/68

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Mo$eove$, T$oope$ K'$t J. Te%p3n13, a #o$en13* #3$ea$% epe$t, *on#3$%e( t&e "2)a')e

1&ot)'n 1e3e( a#te$ O##3*e$ La11o1 (eat& @a1 ope$a&eat o# pa113on,? 'n(e$ an 'n$ea1ona


9/68

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to $'n o't13(e @3t& t&e 3ntent o# &av3n) t&e% %ena*e O##3*e$ La11o, an( &e 3n(3*ate( t&e8

&ave a >$eall8 )oo(? te%pe$a%ent. I(.

Appellant t&en p$o*ee(e( to t&e


10/68

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1tolen #$o% &31 &o%e. I(. at ". Appellant 3n(3*ate( t&e S&oot e%.? I(. Appellant

*la3%e( t&at, @&en &e #3$e( &31 )'n, &e @a1 'na@a$e t&e pe$1on at &31 (oo$ @a1 a pol3*e

o##3*e$ an( &e (3( not not3*e t&e @o$( >POLICE? on t&e on *an(3( *a%e$a?

@&en &e @a1 3n t&e 1tate pol3*e ve&3*le an(, 3%%e(3atel8 a#te$ t&e 1&oot3n), &e #elt l3e 3t

@a1 a n3)&t%a$e. I(. at "5".

On *$o112ea%3nat3on, Appellant a(%3tte( &e @a1 an)$8 a#te$ t&e ve$


11/68

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La11o p$3o$ to t&e (a8 o# t&e 1&oot3n). I(. at "/52//. Appellant a(%3tte( 3t @a1 a 1'nn8,

1'%%e$ (a8 an(, @&en O##3*e$ La11o #3$1t a$$3ve( 3n &31 pol3*e *$'31e$ an( a1e( to 1pea

to Appellant, &e @a1 not t&$eaten3n) to@a$(1 Appellant. Appellant (en3e( no@3n) t&e

pe$1on @&o 1a3(, >S&oot e%? @a1 a pol3*e o##3*e$. I(. at "9. Appellant *la3%e( to &ave

no %e%o$8 o# t&e event1 o**'$$3n) a#te$ &31 >#3$ea$% @ent o##,D? e*ept &e $e*alle( t&at &e

@a1 pla*e( 3n t@o 1epa$ate ve&3*le1. I(. at "9!. He (en3e( t&at &e 1a3(, >He8, I% on

*an(3( *a%e$a,D? a#te$ &e @a1 pla*e( 3n t&e 1tate pol3*e ve&3*le, I(. at "!/, an( &e (en3e(

%a3n) t&e #ollo@3n) 1tate%ent1 at t&e 1tate pol3*e


12/68

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O##3*e$

La11o &a( &31 ta1e$ $e%ove( #$o% &31 &ol1te$ an( po3nte( at t&e (o)1.D? N.T. -"-",


13/68

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='$8 t$3al, at /5. Ka$en Ha%%, @&o l3ve1 &al# a %3le #$o% Appellant, *la3%e( 1&e 1a@

pol3*e *$'31e$1 $e1pon(3n) to t&e 1*ene an(, @&en 1&e @ent *lo1e$ to Appellant1 &o%e,

1&e 1a@ M$. S*&ae(el, @&o tol( &e$ O##3*e$ La11o >


14/68

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@&3*& @a1 (ate( Septe%


15/68

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#ollo@3n) a


16/68

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>po113


17/68

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t&e t&e#t o# &31 #o'$ @&eel all2te$$a3n ve&3*le o**'$$e( a 8ea$ p$3o$ to t&e 1&oot3n). 7$.

R'1&3n) *on*l'(e( 3t @a1 a v3a13t t3)&t,

t&e *$3%3nal 3nve1t3)ato$ @o'l(


18/68

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T&e onl8 t&3n) I nee( to no@ 31 @&at1 )o3n) on @3t& %8 (o)1


19/68

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T&e$ea#te$, Appellant #3le( a t3%el8 po1t21enten*e %ot3on, @&3*& t&e t$3al *o'$t

(en3e(. Appellant t3%el8 appeale( to t&31 Co'$t an( t3%el8 #3le( a *o'$t2o$(e$e( *on*31e

1tate%ent o# e$$o$1 *o%pla3ne( o# on appeal p'$1'ant to Penn18lvan3a R'le o# Appellate

P$o*e('$e "!.

I. S*++#/ + %# E3## +( F(% D#5(## M*(3#( C%

Alt&o')& not 1pe*3#3*all8 *&allen)e(


20/68

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21/68

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@3t& %al3*e an( 1pe*3#3* 3ntent to 3ll. We no@ p$o*ee( to a(($e11 t&e *la3%1 $a31e(


22/68

J29!2+"/D 2

"2)a')e 1&ot)'n, @&3*& @o'l( In )ene$al, $elevant ev3(en*e, 3.e., ev3(en*e t&at lo)3*all8 ten(1 to

e1ta


23/68

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*o'$t e$$e(, )3ven t&e ove$@&el%3n) ev3(en*e e1taHa$%le11 e$$o$ e31t1 @&e$e,3nte$ al3a,D t&e p$ope$l8 a(%3tte( an( 'n*ont$a(3*te(

ev3(en*e o# )'3lt @a1 1o ove$@&el%3n) an( t&e p$e='(3*3al e##e*t o# t&e e$$o$ @a1 1o

3n13)n3#3*ant


24/68

J29!2+"/D 2 /

In 1'%, t&e *3$*'%1tan*e1 1'$$o'n(3n) t&e 1&oot3n), Appellant1 'n*allo'1 an( 3n(3##e$ent a


25/68

J29!2+"/D 2

""-4-"5 at 25. T&e t$3al *o'$t #'$t&e$ (ete$%3ne( t&e p$o


26/68

J29!2+"/D 2

t&'1 p$o&3el3*3t on *$o11D t&e 1tate%ent1 AppellantD %a(e @&en

3nte$v3e@1 o# AppellantD @e$e *on('*te( EDve$8t&3n) @o'l( &ave


27/68

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[TROOPER RO!ERTS]" Ye1, 3t 31.[DEFENSE COUNSEL]" Can 8o' loo at pa$a)$ap& t@o, an( *an 8o'$ea( t&at a##3(av3t[THE PROSECUTOR]" O


28/68

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[TROOPER RO!ERTS]" T&at @a1 t&e 3n#o$%at3on p$ov3(e( to %e at t&att3%e.[DEFENSE COUNSEL]" Not&3n) #'$t&e$.[PROSECUTOR]" Not&3n) #'$t&e$, 8o'$ &ono$.THE COURT" All $3)&t. T$oope$, 8o' %a8 1tep (o@n.

I(. at 2.

Cont$a$8 to Appellant1 ave$%ent, t&e$e 31 no 3n(3*at3on #$o% t&e $e*o$( t&e t$3al

*o'$t p$evente( (e#en1e *o'n1el #$o% *$o112ea%3n3n) o$ el3*3t3n) te1t3%on8 #$o%

T$oope$ Ro


29/68

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Appellant net a$)'e1 t&at, ('$3n) t&e )'3lt p&a1e, t&e t$3al *o'$t 3%p$ope$l8 l3%3te(

(e#en1e *o'n1el1 (3$e*t ea%3nat3on o# T$oope$ Ro


30/68

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N.T. -"-", ='$8 t$3al, at 52/. T&e$ea#te$, 3%%e(3atel8 a#te$ t&e Co%%on@ealt&

$e1te( 3t1 *a1e23n2*&3e#, t&e Co%%on@ealt& %a(e an o$al %ot3on 3n l3%3ne 1ee3n) to

p$e*l'(e (e#en1e *o'n1el #$o% el3*3t3n) te1t3%on8 on (3$e*t ea%3nat3on o# T$oope$

Ro


31/68

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te1t3%on8 #$o% T$oope$ Ro#o$*e( &3%D to te1t3#8 an(


32/68

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)$ant3n) o# t&e Co%%on@ealt&1 %ot3on 3n l3%3ne @a1 (e %3n3%31. "5 See

Co%%on@ealt& v. Ha3$1ton, Pa. , 9/ A.5( 4, 4"24 0+"/6, *e$t. (en3e(, "5

S.Ct. "/ 0+"/6 03n(3*at3n) &a$%le11 e$$o$ e31t1 3# t&e $e*o$( (e%on1t$ate1 t&e e$$o$ (3(

not p$e='(3*e Appellant o$ t&e p$e='(3*e @a1 (e %3n3%316.

VI. P6, P(#=*3#, 63 A('%(6(# R##> + D#6% S#%##

T&e (eat& penalt8 1tat'te $e'3$e1 t&31 Co'$t to *on('*t an 3n(epen(ent penalt8

$ev3e@ p'$1'ant to / Pa.C.S. B !4""0&6056. Co%%on@ealt& v. Ma$t3n, Pa. ,

"+" A.5( 4+, 45 0+"/6. Se*t3on !4""0&6056 p$ov3(e1 t&at >tD&e S'p$e%e Co'$t 1&all

a##3$% t&e 1enten*e o# (eat& 'nle11 3t (ete$%3ne1 t&at: 036 t&e 1enten*e o# (eat& @a1 t&e

p$o('*t o# pa113on, p$e='(3*e o$ an8 ot&e$ a$


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J29!2+"/D 2 55

R'1&3n) an( 7$. Ge$al( Cooe,"/ a1 p$ov3(3n) an a**'$ate a11e11%ent o# Appellant1

%ental 1tate at t&e t3%e o# t&e 1&oot3n). Appellant #'$t&e$ 1'))e1t1 t&e ='$8 ne*e11a$3l8

a**epte( a((3t3onal %3t3)at3on ev3(en*e, 3n*l'(3n) t&e #a*t Appellant @a1 >1o pa$ano3(? &e

&a( a 1e*'$3t8 181te% 3n1talle( an( t&e 1&oot3n) o**'$$e( ('$3n) a >volat3le 13t'at3on?

@&e$e Appellant (3( not (31*&a$)e &31 @eapon 'nt3l C&3e# ;$'ne3o *o%%an(e(, >S&oot

e%.? See Appellant1 ;$3e# at /"2/5. Appellant ave$1 t&at, 13n*e t&e ='$8 #o'n( ='1t one

a))$avat3n) *3$*'%1tan*e," e%ot3onal (e*313on,? @&3*& @a1 t&e p$o('*t o# pa113on,

p$e='(3*e o$ 1o%e ot&e$ a$


34/68

J29!2+"/D 2 5/

@a$$ant '1 1ett3n) a13(e t&e ='$81 #3n(3n)." In an8 event, a1 t&e t$3al *o'$t note( 3n 3t1

op3n3on, Appellant1 >a$)'%ent on t&31 311'e 31, e##e*t3vel8, a *&allen)e to t&e ='$81

@e3)&3n) o# t&e t&$ee %3t3)at3n) *3$*'%1tan*e1 #o'n( to e31t a)a3n1t t&e 13n)le

a))$avat3n) *3$*'%1tan*e.? T$3al Co'$t Op3n3on (ate( ""-4-"5 at 9". T&31 Co'$t &a1

p$ev3o'1l8 $ea##3$%e( t&at t&e @e3)&3n) p$o*e11 31 e*l'13vel8 a 'e1t3on #o$ t&e #3n(e$ o#

#a*t, t&e lan)'a)e o# / Pa.C.S. B !4""0&6056 (oe1 not *$eate an o


35/68

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Alt&o')& t&31 Co'$t 31 not p$3v8 to t&e ='$81 (el3


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VIII. J*(/ I%(*% 6% P#67%/ P6#"9

Appellant net *la3%1 t&e t$3al *o'$t a


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N.T. -5-", 1enten*3n) &ea$3n), at "4 Appellant1 Penalt8 P&a1e Po3nt1 #o$ C&a$)e

No. "+ T$3al Co'$t Op3n3on (ate( ""-4-"5 at !42!9.

In3t3all8, @e note t&at >3Dt 31 a


38/68

J29!2+"/D 2 59

&a( >an8t&3n) el1e on t&e ='$8 3n1t$'*t3on1,D? an( (e#en1e *o'n1el $epl3e(, >No.? I(. at

"424. Mo$eove$, #ollo@3n) t&e ='$8 *&a$)e, Appellant #a3le( to oNone, 8o'$ &ono$.? N.T. -/-", 1enten*3n) &ea$3n), at ""/.

A1 31 ev3(ent, Appellant %a(e no 1pe*3#3* o


39/68

J29!2+"/D 2 5!

Pa.C.S. B !4""0*60"603336, 31 'n*on1t3t't3onal. "! A**o$(3n) to Appellant, Se*t3on

!4""0*60"603336 *$eate1 an 3%pe$%3113*annot l3%3t

t&e 1enten*e$1 *on13(e$at3on o# an8 $elevant *3$*'%1tan*e t&at *o'l( *a'1e 3t to (e*l3ne

to 3%po1e t&e (eat&D penalt8.? ;l81tone, /!/ .S. at 5+!, ""+ S.Ct. at "+9/ 0'otat3on

an( 'otat3on %a$1 o%3tte(6. T&e H3)& Co'$t &a1 1pe*3#3*all8 &el( t&at Penn18lvan3a1

(eat& penalt8 1tat'te 1at31#3e1 t&e1e *on1t3t't3onal $e'3$e%ent1. See 3(.

Mo$eove$, Appellant1 *on1t3t't3onal *la3% 3nvolve1 a$)'%ent1, @&3*& t&31 Co'$t

&a1 p$ev3o'1l8 *on13(e$e( an( $e=e*te(. See Co%%on@ealt& v. Wale$, /+ Pa. 9+,

"+", A.( !+, "+" 0"!!6, *e$t. (en3e(, " .S. 9/, "" S.Ct. " 0"!!6 0&ol(3n)

(eat& penalt8 1tat'te (oe1 not v3olate ('e p$o*e11 *la'1e


40/68

J29!2+"/D 2 /+

Pa. 59/, 4 A.( "+5 0"!!+6, *e$t. (en3e(, /!9 .S. 99", """ S.Ct. 0"!!+6

0$e=e*t3n) *la3% t&at pla*3n) t&e


41/68

J29!2+"/D 2 /"

la*1 1pe*3#3* )'3(an*e to ='$3e1 $e)a$(3n) &o@ t&e8 %'1t *on13(e$ 1'*& te1t3%on8

a)a3n1t t&e 1tat'to$8 a))$avat3n) an( %3t3)at3n) *3$*'%1tan*e1 te1t3%on8. A**o$(3n) to

Appellant, t&e la* o# )'3(an*e %ean1 e3t&e$ t&at t&e v3*t3% 3%pa*t te1t3%on8, @&3*& 31,


42/68

J29!2+"/D 2 /

VD3*t3% te1t3%on8 31 ='1t one o# t&e $elevant #a*to$1 t&e ='$8 %a8 *on13(e$@&en @e3)&3n) t&e a))$avat3n) an( %3t3)at3n) *3$*'%1tan*e1 3t &a1 #o'n(('$3n) 3t1 (el3


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J29!2+"/D 2 /5

P$opo1e( v3*t3% 3%pa*t ev3(en*e @a1 $ev3e@e( ('$3n) t&e penalt8 p&a1e o't13(e

o# t&e p$e1en*e o# t&e ='$8. Spe*3#3*all8, t&e 1'


44/68

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$%67, [63] %6# 6(# + &/ *#. T6% 677 6$$##3 %# >##'#+(# >#335. Ro< &a1 al@a81 #(, /#77, #/ L63/B

M8 8o'n)e$ 1on O@en 31 "/.O># 6 '## 3#6%6%#3 '/R'#(%6%#3 % 3 %5 +( &. S # 63>(%'63 &63#. H# 73 %#& +( %(## 3776( #6 63 %#/ (#63O++#( R'#(% L6-*( +(##( #(.

Ro< &a1 al@a81 # =*%$#3 *% F(6#66 # + %# 535*/.

I(. at 9"295 0


45/68

J29!2+"/D 2 /

One o# t&e &a$(e1t t&3n)1 Ive eve$ &a( to (o @a1 tell %8 9528ea$2ol(

%ot&e$ t&at Ro77 6*% +(##( .

I, a1 @ell a1 %8 @&ole #a%3l8, @3ll &ave %an8 %e%o$3e1 t&at @3llneve$ a)a3n 3n*l'(e RoI1 t&e$e an8t&3n) el1e, M$. La11o, 8o'(

l3e to tell t&e ='$8 aJ'1t t&at %8 @&ole #a%3l8 %311e1 &3%. H# >6 *

6 >3#(+*7 '/ 63 $(+#67 6'*% ##(/%5. ?# =*% & &

&*.? I(. 0


46/68

J29!2+"/D 2 /

v3*t3% p$e1ente( 3n a va*''% @3ll not #all @3t&3n t&e a%OD'$ $ev3e@ 3n t&31 a$ea 31 (e#e$ent3al to t&e t$3al *o'$t1 (31*$et3on.? ;alla$(,

Pa. at "!, 9+ A.5( at /+2+ 0*3tat3on o%3tte(6. A1 o'$ H3)& Co'$t &a1 epla3ne(, v3*t3%

3%pa*t ev3(en*e 31 >(e13)ne( to 1&o@ea*& v3*t3%1 'n3'ene11 a1 an 3n(3v3('al &'%an


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J29!2+"/D 2 /4

pa$t3*'la$ *&a$a*te$31t3*1 o# t&e v3*t3% ('$3n) t&e penalt8 p&a1e, 3n Co%%on@ealt& v.

S3n)le8, 9 Pa. , 99 A.( /+5 0++6, *e$t. (en3e(, / .S. "+", " S.Ct. 5

0++6, #o$ ea%ple, t&e appellant, *3t3n) to Mean1, 1'p$a, alle)e( *e$ta3n te1t3%on8

*on1t3t'te( 3%p$ope$ v3*t3% 3%pa*t te1t3%on8 13n*e 3t $e#e$$e( to t&e v3*t3%1 pa$t3*'la$

*&a$a*te$31t3*1. I(. at /, 99 A.( at /"/. T&31 Co'$t a##3$%e( t&e t$3al *o'$t1

a(%3113on o# t&e v3*t3% 3%pa*t 1tate%ent, @&3*& 3n*l'(e( 3n#o$%at3on a1 to t&e )oo(

'al3t3e1 o# t&e v3*t3%, pa$t3*'la$l8 a1 t&e8 $elate( to &31 =o


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J29!2+"/D 2 /9

S3n)le8, 1'p$a. Mo$e 1pe*3#3*all8, t&e 1tate%ent1


49/68

J29!2+"/D 2 /!

(ev3ate( #$o% t&e app$ove( 1tate%ent, t&e appellant @a1 $e'3$e( to o


50/68

J29!2+"/D 2 +

Nat3v3(a(. Mo$e 1pe*3#3*all8, / Pa.C.S. B !4"", @&3*& $e)'late1 t&e 1enten*3n) &ea$3n)

p$o*e11, (oe1 not %an(ate p$e2t$3al not3*e o# v3*t3% 3%pa*t te1t3%on8. Mo$eove$, o'$

1'


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J29!2+"/D 2 "

311'e, (e#en1e *o'n1el *o'l( &ave %a(e $elevant oM3t3)at3n) ev3(en*e 1&all

3n*l'(eaDn8 ot&e$ ev3(en*e o# %3t3)at3on *on*e$n3n) t&e *&a$a*te$ an( $e*o$( o# t&e


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J29!2+"/D 2

(e#en(ant an( t&e *3$*'%1tan*e1 o# &31 o##en1e.?6. In t&31 $e)a$(, Appellant p$e1ente(

te1t3%on8 #$o% n'%e$o'1 @3tne11e1, @&o te1t3#3e( a*at*&2all? %3t3)ato$


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J29!2+"/D 2 5

a**3(ent1. N.T. -"-", 1enten*3n) &ea$3n), at "/ N.T. --", 1enten*3n) &ea$3n),

at /92+.

A#te$ Appellant p$e1ente( &31 n'%e$o'1 @3tne11e1, an( (e#en1e *o'n1el $e1te(,

t&e Co%%on@ealt& 3n(3*ate( 3t 3nten(e( to *all a 1ole $e


54/68

J29!2+"/D 2 /

te1t3%on8 @a1 pa$t3*'la$l8 $elevant, an( p$o$elevant an( a(%3113


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J29!2+"/D 2

(en3e(, /! .S. 95, "4 S.Ct. 9 0++6 0>R'l3n)1 on t&e a(%3113


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J29!2+"/D 2

p&a1e 3n #'$t&e$an*e o# e1ta*at*&2all? %3t3)ato$, t&e Co%%on@ealt& %a8

o##e$ $elevant $e3# 3t1 p$oa ten(en*8 to 1'))e1t

(e*313on on an 3%p$ope$


57/68

J29!2+"/D 2 4

"+5, ", !94 A.( !!, 4"+ 0++!6, *e$t. (en3e(, .S. 9//, "5" S.Ct. 4 0+"+6

0appl83n) Pa.R.E. /+5 to ev3(en*e o##e$e( ('$3n) t&e penalt8 p&a1e o# *ap3tal (3$e*t

appeal6.

Appellant 1'))e1t1 &e @a1 'n#a3$l8 p$e='(3*e( 3t1

$eal e##e*t @a1D to 1&o@ AppellantD @o'l( 1&oot an8one @&o *a%e on &31 p$ope$t8 an(

*la3% t&e8 @e$e t$e1pa113n).? Appellant1 ;$3e# at /. Ho@eve$, M1. ;o)e$ neve$

te1t3#3e( t&at Appellant 1&ot &e$ 1on, an( 3n1tea(, 1&e te1t3#3e( Appellant %a(e t&$eat1

to@a$(1 &e$ 1on. A1 3n(3*ate(, 1'*& te1t3%on8 $e3(2lov3n)? ne3)&


58/68

J29!2+"/D 2 9

Appellant1 net a$)'%ent 31, ('$3n) t&e penalt8 p&a1e, t&e t$3al *o'$t 3%p$ope$l8

pe$%3tte( t&e Co%%on@ealt& to *$o112ea%3ne Appellant1 *&a$a*te$ @3tne11, RoT&e8 1ee%e( to )et alon) #a3$l8 @ell, #$o% @&at I 1een.? I(.

F'$t&e$%o$e, @3t&o't olot1 o# 311'e1


59/68

J29!2+"/D 2 !

I(. at "+. M$. Henn3n)e$ te1t3#3e(, >T&e8 &a( a$)'%ent1, 8e1.? I(. T&e #ollo@3n)

$elevant e*&an)e t&en o**'$$e(:

[DISTRICT ATTORNEY]" A$e 8o' a@a$e o# an8 &o1t3l3t3e1


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J29!2+"/D 2 +

THE COURT" He 1a3( &e (3(nt no@. Ill ove$$'le t&e oa *onv3*t3on.? See

Appellant1 ;$3e# at 24. A1 1'*&, $el83n) on Hoove$, 1'p$a, Appellant 1'))e1t1 t&e

e31ten*e o# t&e PFA o$(e$ @a1 3na(%3113


61/68

J29!2+"/D 2 "

'n('l8 p$e='(3*3al 13n*e 3t @ent &a(

a$)'%ent1.? N.T. -"-", 1enten*3n) &ea$3n), at "+, "+!. A((3t3onall8, Appellant1

*&a$a*te$ @3tne11, T3%ot&8 H'n)e$, @&o @a1 Appellant1 lon)2t3%e #$3en(, a(%3tte( on

*$o112ea%3nat3on, @3t&o't o


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J29!2+"/D 2

a*t3on a)a3n1t Appellant alle)3n) &e @a1 p&813*all8 a


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J29!2+"/D 2 5

@III. R#(-E6&6% + D#+## ?%# #77/ Y#(5#(

Appellant1 net a$)'%ent 31 t&at, at t&e penalt8 p&a1e, ('$3n) t&e

$e*$o112ea%3nat3on o# Appellant1 *&a$a*te$ @3tne11, Kell8 Ye$)e$, t&e t$3al *o'$t

3%p$ope$l8 pe$%3tte( t&e Co%%on@ealt&, ove$ o


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J29!2+"/D 2 /

We (31po1e o# t&31 *la3%


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J29!2+"/D 2

In o$(e$ to pla*e Appellant1 *'$$ent *la3% 3n *ontet, @e note t&at, ('$3n) t&e

penalt8 p&a1e, t&e #ollo@3n) $elevant e*&an)e o**'$$e( ('$3n) (e#en1e *o'n1el1 (3$e*t

ea%3nat3on o# M$. Woll%an:

[DEFENSE COUNSEL]" No@, (3( 8o' atten( t&e22(3( AppellantDeve$22(3( 8o' atten( t&e Ne@ ;o81 L3#eD Ran*&[MR. ?OLLMAN]" Ye1.[DEFENSE COUNSEL]" Wa1 AppellantD t&e$e[MR. ?OLLMAN]" Ye1.[DEFENSE COUNSEL]" T&e$ea#te$, 1o%et3%e late$ 3n app$o3%atel8"!!/, (3( AppellantD 3n(3*ate an8t&3n) &appene( to &3% at t&e Ne@ ;o81L3#eD Ran*&[MR. ?OLLMAN]" Ye1.[DEFENSE COUNSEL]" W&at (3( &e 3n(3*ate

[MR. ?OLLMAN]" T&e$e @a1 %ole1tat3on.[DISTRICT ATTORNEY]" OI (ont 1ee an e*ept3on to t&e &ea$1a8 $'le an(I @3ll 1'1ta3n t&e o


66/68

J29!2+"/D 2

T&e$ea#te$, (e#en1e *o'n1el (3( not 'e1t3on M$. Woll%an #'$t&e$ $e)a$(3n)

Appellant1 alle)e( 1e'al a


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J29!2+"/D 2 4

Appellant *o%pla3n1 t&e t$3al *o'$t p$evente( M$. Woll%an an( M1. L'* #$o%

te1t3#83n) Appellant tol( t&e% &e &a(


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Fo$ t&e #o$e)o3n) $ea1on1, Appellant1 ='()%ent o# 1enten*e 31 a##3$%e(.5"

Me11$1. J'1t3*e Ea3n an( ;ae$ an( Ma(a%e J'1t3*e To(( =o3n t&e op3n3on.

M$. C&3e# J'1t3*e Sa8lo$ #3le1 a *on*'$$3n) op3n3on.

George Hitcho death sentence upheld by Pennsylvania Supreme Court

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