Commonwealth v. Coleman

BROSKY, Judge:

Appellee was charged with Retail Theft, Third Offense, 1 in violation of 18 Pa.C.S. § 3929(a)(1) and (b)(1)(IV). 2 Before trial, the court heard arguments concerning the admissibility of evidence of appellee’s two prior convictions for retail theft. Following the court’s decision to allow the evidence, defense counsel agreed to a stipulation concerning the two prior convictions, which was read to the jury. 3 Thereafter, the prosecutor, during his opening remarks to the jury, stated that he intended to prove as part of his case appellee’s two prior convictions. Defense counsel…