Commonwealth v. Overby

OPINION ANNOUNCING THE JUDGMENT OF THE COURT

Justice CAPPY.

This is a direct review of a sentence of death imposed by the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County.1 Although Appellant, Michael Overby, alleges numerous errors related to his convictions for first-degree murder2, robbery3 and conspiracy4, we address only the issue related to Appellant’s confrontation rights. Bruton v. United States, 391 U.S. 123, 136, 88 S.Ct. 1620, 20 L.Ed.2d 476 (1968). For the reasons stated herein, we hold that the trial court erred in admitting the statement of Appellant’s co-defendant in the manner in…