Commonwealth v. Helsel

OPINION BY

DONOHUE, J.:

David A. Helsel (“Helsel”) appeals from the judgment of sentence entered on May 6, 2011, by the Court of Common Pleas, Blair County. Upon review, we vacate the judgment of sentence and remand for proceedings consistent with this Opinion.

The testimony presented by the Commonwealth at trial reveals the following facts. On June 19, 2009, Helsel came upon several juveniles in a cemetery in Altoona. Posing as a cemetery employee, he informed them that there had been reports that they were knocking over headstones. The teens denied committing any acts of vandalism. After a…