Commonwealth v. Balenger

HESTER, Judge:

The Commonwealth appeals the April 3, 1996 order granting appellee, Thomas Balen-ger, a new trial. At issue is whether the prosecutor’s amorous relationship with appel-lee’s former girlfriend was a conflict of interest requiring the grant of a new trial. We agree with the PCRA court that there was a conflict of interest and that all prior counsel were ineffective for failing to raise this issue. Hence, we affirm.

The prosecutor at appellee’s trial, William Jones, Jr., began a meretricious relationship with Lana Conte prior to the institution of the charges at issue in this case.…