Commonwealth v. Meehan

Dissenting Opinion by

Flood, J.:

The appellant was convicted of robbery. The victim, Mr. Harry Lucet, was the only eyewitness. At the first trial, held before Judge Blanc commencing May 29, 1961, the appellant, Meehan, was represented by a member of the staff of the Defender Association of Philadelphia. A co-defendant, McKnight, was represented by private counsel. The jury found both defend*568ants guilty, but Judge Blanc granted a new trial. McKnight’s private counsel withdrew from the case and another member of the staff of the Defender Association, who had not participated in the first trial,…