Commonwealth v. Bolden

OPINION OF THE COURT

NIX, Justice.

Appellant was convicted by a jury of murder of the third degree and a weapons offense. A sentence of imprisonment of seven to fourteen (7-14) years was entered on the murder indictment and sentence was suspended for the weapons offense. This direct appeal followed.

On September 8, 1975, appellant entered a neighborhood bar in the City of Philadelphia, and during conversation with the bartender stated that he planned to shoot his paramour, Janet Elrod. The next day (September 9, 1975), appellant returned to the bar and gave the bartender a gun in a paper bag.…