Commonwealth v. Chamberlain

I believe that a conflict of interest existed in this case. Appellant’s and the co-defendant’s defenses were in some measure inconsistent, and I am persuaded that counsel, caught in the attempt to represent both of them, neglected appellant’s case in favor of the co-defendant’s.

In Commonwealth v. Breaker, 456 Pa. 341, 344—345, 318 A.2d 354, 356 (1974), the Supreme Court stated:

Our dual representation cases make several principles clear. First, “[i]f, in the representation of more than one defendant, a conflict of interest arises, the mere existence of such conflict vitiates the proceedings,…