Commonwealth v. Santiago

KELLY, Judge:

The defendant, Wilfredo Santiago, appeals a life sentence imposed following his conviction of first degree murder involving the assassination of Philadelphia Police Officer Thomas Trench. We reverse and remand for a new trial.

Santiago raises five contentions on appeal. Only two require discussion in this opinion.1

*61First, Santiago contends that his fifth amendment right to counsel was violated when police reinitiated questioning outside the presence of counsel, after counsel had been requested and provided. In light of the United States Supreme Court’s recent decision in Minnick v.…