Commonwealth v. Harpster

Superior Court of Pennsylvania
Commonwealth v. Harpster, 63 Pa. Super. 74 (1916)
1916 Pa. Super. LEXIS 102
Henderson, Kephart, Orlady, Trexler, Williams

Commonwealth v. Harpster

Opinion of the Court

Per Curiam,

It is well settled, on both reason and authority, that the pendency of an indictment is not good ground for a plea in abatement to another indictment, in the same court for the same cause. Whenever either of them — and it matters not which, — is tried and judgment pronounced thereon, such judgment will afford a good plea in bar to the other, either of autrefois convict, or autrefois acquit; *75but nothing short of conviction or acquittal will support such a plea: Commonwealth v. Ramsey, 42 Pa. Superior Ct. 25.

The disputed facts were fairly and adequately presented to the jury, and the evidence warranted the verdict it returned. The rule for a new trial was properly discharged, and the judgment is affirmed; the record remitted to the court below that sentence of the court may be fully carried into effect.

Reference

Cited By
1 case
Status
Published
Syllabus
Criminal law — Pending indictment — Plea in abatement. The pendency of an indictment is not good ground for a plea in abatement to another indictment in the same court for the same cause. Whenever either of them is tried and judgment pronounced thereon, such judgment will afford a good plea in bar to the other, hut nothing short of conviction or acquittal will support such a plea.