Commonwealth v. Rice

Opinion by

Mr. Justice Roberts,

Appellant, seventeen years old, was arrested on two charges of murder. On November 2, 1970, a preliminary hearing was conducted before a district justice of the peace. Appellant’s counsel there objected to the hearing’s being held before a justice of the peace, asserting that it should be held in juvenile court. His objection was overruled.

The Commonwealth then established prima facie cases of murder, and appellant was held for grand jury consideration. Two indictments charging murder were returned. Following arraignment in the Court of Com*92mon Pleas of Cambria…