Commonwealth v. Owens

BECK, Judge:

This appeal is a claim of ineffectiveness of trial counsel brought under the Post Conviction Hearing Act, 19 P.S. 1180-1 et seq. Appellant Otis R. Owens charges that his trial counsel was ineffective for failing to retain a psychiatrist or psychologist regarding the possibility of a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity or a defense of diminished mental capacity. He also claims his counsel was ineffective because of his lack of preparation for trial, and his failure to petition to withdraw a guilty plea.

Owens was arrested in April 1975 for the murder of the Reverand John Wesley…