Commonwealth v. McDonald

OPINION

EAGEN, Chief Justice.

On March 2, 1974, Calvin McDonald, a resident of Detroit, Michigan, was arrested in Allegheny County and charged with possession of a controlled substance — heroin valued at $200,000 — and possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver. Bail was set at $100,000 at 8% plus a $25,000 surety bond. The former was secured by a cash deposit of $8,000 with the clerk of courts; the latter was filed by the Allegheny County Casualty Company.

A jury trial began on November 7, 1974. During the trial McDonald failed to appear in court on November 13 and did not…