Commonwealth v. McKenna

OPINION

McDERMOTT, Justice.

This is an appeal from the order of the Honorable Evan S. Williams, President Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Bradford County, denying appellant relief under the Post Conviction Hearing Act (“PCHA”).1

On December 9,1974, after a lengthy jury trial, appellant, Gerard Paul McKenna, was convicted of rape and first degree murder in connection with the brutal slaying of a sixteen year-old girl. The jury prescribed the death penalty for appellant’s murder conviction.2 On direct appeal to this Court, we upheld both convictions, but vacated appellant’s death sentence…