Commonwealth v. Thompson

The majority admits that “the guilty plea colloquy merely made a reference to the charges of robbery and murder. No attempt was made to define these offenses and inform the appellant of their nature and legal elements.” At 75. Nevertheless, relying on an “alternative method[] of establishing the factual basis of the charges,” at 75, the majority affirms appellant’s conviction. The majority justifies its decision by characterizing case law to the contrary as “unnecessarily restrictive.” Id. I am unable to subscribe to this reasoning.

In the majority’s view, “Certain colloquies, not satisfying…