Commonwealth v. McKinney

Opinion by

Mr. Justice Eagen,

On November 16, 1971, the appellant, Charles McKinney, while assisted by self-retained counsel, entered a general plea of guilty to murder in Allegheny County. After an extended evidentiary hearing before the Honorable Joseph H. Ridge, McKinney was adjudged guilty of murder in the first degree. Post trial motions were filed and subsequently argued before a court en banc. The motions were denied and McKinney was then sentenced to prison for life. This appeal followed.

During the degree of guilt hearing, the Commonwealth was permitted to introduce into evidence, over…