Commonwealth ex rel. Miller v. Banmiller
Commonwealth ex rel. Miller v. Banmiller
Opinion of the Court
Opinion
This is an appeal by relator- from order of Court of Common Pleas .of-' Montgomery County, dated June 12, 1961, dismissing relator’s pétition- -for writ of habeas corpus filed on-June 9, 1961.
Relator was tried before a judge and a jury on February 16 and 17,1960, and found guilty on nine bills of indictment charging burglary,, larceny, receiving stolen goods, and conspiracy. . Relator’s motions for a new
The order dismissing relator’s petition is affirmed on the following portions of the opinion of Judge Croshens of the Court of Common Pleas of Montgomery County:
“Relator contends, as he did in his motion for a new trial, that he was convicted on perjured testimony. He contends that the perjured testimony was procured by the Commonwealth through promises of consideration, and threats, to the alleged perjurer, a co-defendant of relator.
“We conclude that the petition should be dismissed without the holding of a hearing. It has been repeatedly held that ‘an attack on the evidence presented at the trial, based on an averment that it was perjured, cannot be a subject of habeas corpus.’ Com. ex rel. Cobb v. Burke, 176 Pa. Superior Ct. 60 [63] (1954) [107 A. 2d 207]; Com. ex rel. Estelle v. Cavell, 191 Pa. Superior Ct. 200 [206] (1959) [156 A. 2d 615]; Com. ex rel. Kimble v. Keenan, 194 Pa. Superior Ct. 169 [173] (1960) [166 A. 2d 668]. Relator raised this question in his motion for a new trial. The court fully considered the alleged errors and dismissed the motion. There was no appeal. The writ of habeas corpus may not be used as a substitute for an appeal. Com. ex rel. Patrick v. Banmiller, 398 Pa. 163 [165] (1960) [157 A. 2d 214]. The relator properly raised this question in his motion for a new trial and it may not be raised now by a writ of habeas corpus.
“Our review of the record satisfies us again that petitioner had a fair and impartial trial upon the merits, that he was represented by competent counsel; that the
The order is affirmed.
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