Commonwealth v. Fowler

*150WIEAND, Judge:

After Esdras Fowler had been tried by a jury and found guilty of third degree murder and possessing an instrument of crime, the trial court determined that defense counsel had been constitutionally ineffective when he failed to bolster Fowler’s testimony by calling an available witness to testify to Fowler’s good reputation for truth and veracity.1 Therefore, the trial court awarded a new trial. The Commonwealth appealed. After careful review, we reverse.

In Pennsylvania, a witness’s truthfulness may be attacked by showing that he or she has a bad reputation for truth and,…