Commonwealth v. Vega

*257 OPINION ANNOUNCING THE JUDGMENT OF THE COURT

NIGRO, Justice.

Appellant, Dhanniel Vega, appeals from the Superior Court’s affirmance of his conviction for Theft by Receiving Stolen Property. The issue presented to this Court is whether Appellant’s express waiver of his right to be present during his trial was knowing and intelligent and thus a valid waiver. For the reasons presented herein we reverse.

Although Appellant had been represented by the Public Defender’s Office since June 13, 1994, Appellant filed a number of pro-se pre-trial motions, including a motion to dismiss under Pa.R.Crim.P.…