Commonwealth v. Ward

OPINION OF THE COURT

FLAHERTY, Justice.

This is an appeal from the order of the Superior Court affirming the judgment of sentence of two to four years’ incarceration imposed following appellant’s jury conviction of arson and risking a catastrophe. The issue is whether the trial court erred in excluding testimony which would have supported appellant’s defense by showing that other people had motive to commit the crimes and by attacking appellant’s own motive.

On September 19, 1987, appellant and his brother Frank were seen and heard arguing vociferously outside the building they lived in, which…