Commonwealth v. Houser

OPINION

Justice EAKIN.

This is a direct appeal from a sentence of death following appellant Darien Houser’s conviction of first degree murder for killing Sergeant Joseph LeClaire. We affirm the conviction and the sentence.

Background

A warrant was issued for appellant after he failed to appear for a rape trial. Sergeant Vincent DeSandro of the First Judicial District Warrant Unit was assigned the warrant and learned appellant was likely residing in Apartment 336 of a complex known as Fisher’s Crossing at 4901 Old Stenton Avenue, Philadelphia. Sergeant DeSandro requested his partner Officer Eric…