Commonwealth v. Banks

VAN der VOORT, Judge:

At approximately 4:30 P.M. on August 16, 1976, Robert Quinn was shot to death in front of the 630 Bar on Herron Avenue, Pittsburgh. A warrant was signed the next day for the arrest of appellant John Wesley Banks, and appellant was arrested two months later. Trial was held on February 16-18, 1977, and a jury found appellant guilty of third degree murder. The case is before us on direct appeal.

Appellant first argues that the lower court erred in acceding to the jury’s request and permitting the court reporter to read in open court a portion of the testimony of a…