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Commonwealth v. Williams

Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
Nov 26, 1973
454 Pa. 368 (Pa. 1973)

Summary

holding that, for a defendant to knowingly and intelligently waive the right to a jury trial, the defendant must know "the essential ingredients of a jury trial," including that the jurors will be drawn from members of the community, that the verdict must be unanimous, and that the defendant will be allowed to participate in jury selection

Summary of this case from Hedrick v. State

Opinion

November 26, 1973.

Criminal Law — Practice — Jury trial — Waiver — Knowledge and intelligence — Necessity of inquiry on the record by trial judge under Pa. R. Crim. P. 1101 — Essential ingredients of a jury trial — Prophylactic exclusionary rule not adopted.

1. A per se prophylactic exclusionary rule is applied only in extreme cases where all other attempts to secure compliance have proved unsuccessful.

2. In this case, where it appeared that defendant was permitted to waive a trial by jury without an on-the-record inquiry as to whether the waiver was knowing and intelligent as required by Pa. R. Crim. P. 1101; and where in a subsequent post-conviction hearing defendant acknowledged that at the time of his trial he knew he could have a jury trial; it was Held, under the circumstances, that defendant was entitled to a new trial because the record did not indicate that defendant knew the essential ingredients of a jury trial at the time of the waiver and, therefore, a knowing or intelligent waiver could not be found.

3. The essential ingredients of a jury trial are the requirements that the jury be chosen from members of the community (a jury of one's peers), that the verdict be unanimous, and that the accused be allowed to participate in the selection of the jury panel.

Mr. Justice EAGEN concurred in the result.

Mr. Chief Justice JONES dissented.

Submitted January 8, 1973. Before JONES, C. J., EAGEN, O'BRIEN, ROBERTS, POMEROY, NIX and MANDERINO, JJ.

Appeal, No. 132, Jan. T., 1973, from order of Superior Court, Oct. T., 1972, No. 423, affirming order of Court of Common Pleas, Trial Division, of Philadelphia, Dec. T., 1968, Nos. 1775, 1778 and 1779, in case of Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Edward Williams. Order of Superior Court reversed and new trial awarded; reargument refused February 13, 1974.

Same case in Superior Court: 219 Pa. Super. 741.

Same case in Superior Court: 222 Pa. Super. 484.

Proceeding under Post Conviction Hearing Act.

Petition denied, order by DOTY, J. Defendant appealed to the Superior Court, which affirmed the order of the court below, opinion by WATKINS, J., dissenting opinion by HOFFMAN, J., in which SPAULDING, J., joined. Appeal to Supreme Court allowed.

Dennis H. Eisman, Gerald A. Stein, and Needleman, Needleman, Tabb Eisman, for appellant.

Maxine J. Stotland, James T. Ranney, and Milton M. Stein, Assistant District Attorneys, Richard A. Sprague, First Assistant District Attorney, and Arlen Specter, District Attorney, for Commonwealth, appellee.


This case raises the interesting question of the effect of the failure of the trial judge to comply with Pa. R. Crim. P. 1101 providing in pertinent part for an on-the-record inquiry prior to the acceptance of a waiver of trial by jury.

Although Rule 1101 has recently been revised by this Court (see Amendment by Order of March 29, 1973) the language herein under consideration remains unchanged.

After a non-jury trial the appellant was convicted of two indictments charging assault and battery with the intent to murder and a separate indictment charging burglary. Post-trial motions were argued and denied and a sentence of imprisonment of three and one-half to seven years was imposed. The Superior Court affirmed, per curiam, and this Court denied appellant's request for allocatur.

Subsequently appellant filed a petition under the Post Conviction Hearing Act which was denied by the Court of Common Pleas without a hearing. After an appeal of this denial the Superior Court remanded the cause for a hearing on the allegations set forth in the petition. After the mandated hearing the court below again denied the requested relief and their order was affirmed by the Superior Court with two judges dissenting, Commonwealth v. Williams, 222 Pa. Super. 484, 294 A.2d 909 (1972). We granted allocatur and will now consider the issues presented.

Act of January 25, 1966, P. L. (1965) 1580, § 1, effective March 1, 1966, 19 P. S. § 1180 et seq.

Appellant urges that the failure of the court to establish on-the-record that the waiver of the right to trial by jury was knowingly and intelligently entered as required under Pa. R. Crim. P. 1101 vitiated the entire proceedings and now entitles him to a new trial. The transcript of the proceedings reveal that a signed written waiver in conformity with the directions of Rule 1101 was filed and the record also contained a statement by counsel for the defense that "I will waive all the way." Appellant's contention that the trial judge did not comply with that portion of the rule requiring him to "ascertain from the defendant whether this is a knowing and intelligent waiver and such colloquy shall appear on the record" is supported by the trial transcript and conceded by the Commonwealth.

The version of Rule 1101 in effect at the time of the trial in this case provided:
"Rule 1101. Waiver of Jury Trial
"In all cases, except those in which a capital crime is charged, the defendant may waive a jury trial with the consent of his attorney, if any, the attorney for the Commonwealth, and approval by a judge of the court in which the case is pending, and elect to be tried by a judge without a jury. The judge shall ascertain from the defendant whether this is a knowing and intelligent waiver and such colloquy shall appear on the record. The waiver shall be in writing, made a part of the record and shall be in the following form. . . .

The Superior Court justified its affirmance of the court below on the ground that the post-conviction hearing court had before it a signed waiver and had elicited testimony from appellant during the hearing that would suggest that appellant was aware of the significance of the waiver at the time of trial.

The record of the post-conviction hearing shows the following colloquy: "Q. Now at that time when you were called up to the bar of the court, you knew what a jury was, did you not? A. I never had a jury trial before. Q. I understand that, but you knew a jury consisted of twelve people who determined your guilt or innocence, is that correct? A. Correct. Q. You also heard the Judge explain to you that if you wanted, you could have that kind of a trial with twelve people to decide your guilt or innocence, didn't you hear the Judge say that to you? A. (No response). Q. Didn't you hear the Judge say that to you? A. Yes."

The Commonwealth argues that we should not formulate a rule which would automatically vitiate the proceedings and allow the defendant to be rearraigned because of the lower court's failure to comply with the colloquy portion of Rule 1101. In the alternative they suggest that this omission can be satisfied if the Commonwealth at a subsequent proceeding can establish that appellant at the time of trial possessed the requisite knowledge of the right to jury and that he did voluntarily waive his right.

Although we cannot presume a voluntary waiver of any constitutional right from a silent record, Boykin v. Alabama, 395 U.S. 238 (1969), Carnley v. Cochran, 369 U.S. 506 (1962); Commonwealth v. Cornitcher, 447 Pa. 539, 291 A.2d 521 (1972), the issues here are whether a waiver can be found and upheld where it appears on the record in a subsequent hearing and the sufficiency of the subsequent colloquy in proving a knowing and intelligent waiver.

The appellant argues that we should make a per se prophylactic rule reversing convictions for failure to comply with Rule 1101, despite the fact that a subsequent full and fair hearing proved the waiver of the constitutional right was knowing and intelligent. When we make rules for criminal proceedings we do so in order to protect the rights of the individual and therefore we expect strict compliance with those rules. However, a prophylactic exclusionary rule is applied only in extreme cases where all other attempts to secure compliance have proven unsuccessful. See generally Mapp v. Ohio, 367 U.S. 643, 651-652 (1961). In this area there has been no showing of widespread flagrant disregard to justify formulation of such a rule at this time.

The United States Supreme Court under its supervisory powers formulated such a prophylactic rule in the case of noncompliance with Fed.R.Crim.P. 11 which provides the required constitutional procedure for acceptance of a guilty plea in federal court. McCarthy v. U.S., 394 U.S. 459 (1969).

Furthermore, where there is a subsequent proceeding in which the waiver is proven to be knowing and intelligent on the record such a prophylactic rule seems unnecessary since the purposes of the rule to ensure the constitutionality of the waiver and our ability to review it, are satisfied. See Commonwealth v. Godfrey, 434 Pa. 532, 538, 254 A.2d 923 (1969) (ROBERTS, J., concurring).

Nevertheless, in the instant case we do agree with appellant that the record on its face, even considering the subsequent hearing, does not justify the finding of a knowing and intelligent waiver. All that the record reveals is appellant's knowledge that he could have a trial in which twelve men decide his guilt or innocence. Nowhere on the record is there any indication that he knew the essential ingredients of a jury trial which are necessary to understand the significance of the right he was waiving. These essential ingredients, basic to the concept of a jury trial, are the requirements that the jury be chosen from members of the community (a jury of one's peers), that the verdict be unanimous, and that the accused be allowed to participate in the selection of the jury panel. In Commonwealth v. Fugmann, 330 Pa. 4, 198 A. 99 (1938) these rights were held to be a necessary and integral part of the Pennsylvania Constitutional provision requiring that "the trial by jury shall be as heretofore, and the right thereof remain inviolate," Pa. Const. art. 1, § 6.

In view of our disposition of this argument in appellant's favor, we need not consider the other argument raised in his brief dealing with ineffective assistance of counsel.

The United States Supreme Court has recently rejected the concept that the States are subject to the unanimity requirement under the due process clause of the federal constitution, Johnson v. Louisiana, 406 U.S. 356 (1972), and Apodaca v. Oregon, 406 U.S. 404 (1972).

In view of the failure of the record to establish that appellant had sufficient knowledge of the right which it is now contended he waived, we are unable to find that the waiver was either knowing or intelligent, Commonwealth v. Hooks, 450 Pa. 562, 301 A.2d 827 (1973); Commonwealth v. Stokes, 450 Pa. 167, 299 A.2d 272 (1973); Commonwealth v. Garrett, 439 Pa. 58, 266 A.2d 82 (1970). The failure to comply with Rule 1101 resulted in the very harm that it was designed to prevent.

The order of the Superior Court affirming the judgment of sentence is reversed and a new trial is awarded.

Mr. Justice EAGEN concurs in the result.

Mr. Chief Justice JONES dissents.


Summaries of

Commonwealth v. Williams

Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
Nov 26, 1973
454 Pa. 368 (Pa. 1973)

holding that, for a defendant to knowingly and intelligently waive the right to a jury trial, the defendant must know "the essential ingredients of a jury trial," including that the jurors will be drawn from members of the community, that the verdict must be unanimous, and that the defendant will be allowed to participate in jury selection

Summary of this case from Hedrick v. State

rejecting request for per se prophylactic rule requiring relief whenever Rule 1101 (predecessor to Rule 620) is violated; if other evidence proves waiver was knowing and voluntary, purpose of Rule is served

Summary of this case from Commonwealth v. Mallory

rejecting request for per se prophylactic rule requiring relief whenever Rule 1101 (predecessor to Rule 620) is violated; if other evidence proves waiver was knowing and voluntary, purpose of Rule is served

Summary of this case from Commonwealth v. Longo

rejecting request for per se prophylactic rule requiring relief whenever Rule 1101 (predecessor to Rule 620) is violated; if other evidence proves waiver was knowing and voluntary, purpose of Rule is served

Summary of this case from Commonwealth v. Michaud

In Williams, supra, this Court rejected a claim that a trial court's failure to conduct an oral waiver colloquy should be subject to a "per se prophylactic rule" requiring reversal of the conviction.

Summary of this case from Commonwealth v. Mallory

construing Criminal Rule 1101, the predecessor of Rule 620

Summary of this case from Commonwealth v. Mallory

In Commonwealth v. Williams, 454 Pa. 368, 312 A.2d 597 (1973), we held that three essential elements must be included in every jury waiver colloquy.

Summary of this case from Com. v. Greene

In Commonwealth v. Williams, 454 Pa. 368, 373, 312 A.2d 597, 600 (1973), we delineated the "essential ingredients of a jury trial which are necessary to understand the significance of [that] right...."

Summary of this case from Com. v. Ward

In Williams, the prosecution had also contended that the court had adequately informed the accused of his right to a jury trial.

Summary of this case from Com. v. Ward

In Commonwealth v. Williams, 454 Pa. 368, 312 A.2d 597 (1973), we were confronted with a waiver of jury trial under Pa.R.Crim.P. 1101.

Summary of this case from Commonwealth v. Kulp

In Commonwealth v. Williams, 454 Pa. 368, 312 A.2d 597 (1973), this Court held that a voluntary waiver of jury trial will not be found to be knowing and intelligent unless the record indicates that the defendant "knew the essential ingredients of a jury trial which are necessary to understand the significance of the right he was waiving."

Summary of this case from Com. v. Boyd

In Commonwealth v. Williams, 454 Pa. 368, 312 A.2d 597 (1973), our Supreme Court stated that the "essential ingredients, basic to the concept of a jury trial, are the requirements that the jury be chosen from members of the community (a jury of one's peers), that the verdict be unanimous, and that the accused be allowed to participate in the selection of the jury panel."

Summary of this case from Com. v. Easley

In Commonwealth v. Williams, 454 Pa. 368, 312 A.2d 597 (1973), the Supreme Court considered the adequacy of the colloquy preceding a waiver of jury trial and an agreement to be tried by a judge sitting without jury.

Summary of this case from Com. v. White

In Williams the court held that the trial court, when accepting a guilty plea, must be assured that the criminal defendant knows that the 12 jurors would be chosen from members of the community.

Summary of this case from Com. v. White

In Williams, the court held that the trial court, when accepting a guilty plea, must be assured that the criminal defendant knows that the 12 jurors would be chosen from members of the community, that the accused would be permitted to participate in the selection of the jury panel, and that the jury verdict would have to be unanimous.

Summary of this case from Com. v. White

In Williams (supra) the trial court, rather than informing the defendant of his right to a trial by a jury chosen from members of the community, merely referred to "twelve people who determine your guilt or innocence."

Summary of this case from Com. v. Fortune

In Williams the substitute was a subsequent PCHA hearing at which the defendant testified that he knew what a jury was and that he could have a jury trial if he wanted one.

Summary of this case from Com. v. Fortune

In Commonwealth v. Williams, 454 Pa. 368, 373, 312 A.2d 597, 600 (1973), our Supreme Court held that a waiver of a jury trial is not knowing and intelligent unless the record indicates that the accused knew the "essential ingredients of a jury trial."

Summary of this case from Com. v. Friedman

In Commonwealth v. Williams, 454 Pa. 368, 312 A.2d 597 (1973), the Supreme Court held that before the trial court could accept a waiver of the right to trial by jury, the record must show that the defendant understood the essential ingredients of that right. "These essential ingredients, basic to the concept of a jury trial, are the requirements that the jury be chosen from members of the community..., that the verdict be unanimous, and that the accused be allowed to participate in the selection of the jury panel."

Summary of this case from Com. v. Carl

In Commonwealth v. Williams, 454 Pa. 368, 312 A.2d 597 (1973), our Supreme Court established the basic requirements of a colloquy in which an appellant may effectively waive the right to a jury trial.

Summary of this case from Com. v. Washer

In Williams the substitute was a subsequent PCHA hearing at which the defendant testified that he knew what a jury was and that he could have a jury trial if he wanted one.

Summary of this case from Com. v. Harmes

In Commonwealth v. Williams, 454 Pa. 368, 312 A.2d 597 (1973), our Supreme Court held that for a jury waiver to be constitutionally acceptable the record must demonstrate that the accused "knew the essential ingredients of a jury trial which are necessary to understand the significance of the right he was waiving.

Summary of this case from Commonwealth v. Grant

In Commonwealth v. Williams, 454 Pa. 368, 312 A.2d 597 (1973) it was held that a defendant's waiver of his right to a jury trial is exercised knowingly and intelligently if he was aware of the essential ingredients of a jury trial at the time of the waiver.

Summary of this case from Commonwealth v. Murray

In Commonwealth v. Williams, 454 Pa. 368, 312 A.2d 597 (1973), Pa. R. Crim. P. 1101 was interpreted to require a jury waiver colloquy to include "the essential ingredients of a jury trial which are necessary to understand the significance of the right [the appellant] is waiving.

Summary of this case from Commonwealth v. Bullock

In Williams, it was held that the record must show that the defendant "knew the essential ingredients of a jury trial which are necessary to understand the significance of the right he was waiving.

Summary of this case from Commonwealth v. Williams
Case details for

Commonwealth v. Williams

Case Details

Full title:Commonwealth v. Williams, Appellant

Court:Supreme Court of Pennsylvania

Date published: Nov 26, 1973

Citations

454 Pa. 368 (Pa. 1973)
312 A.2d 597

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