Description: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with murder.

On September 5, 1997, police responded to a radio call reporting a shooting. The victim, Ronnie Johnson ("Johnson"), had been shot outside of a barbershop and died as a result of his injuries. Based on a homicide investigation that followed this incident, police arrested two suspects: Appellee and Keane Tucker ("Tucker").[2] Cephus [Houser] ("Houser") would inform police that [Appellee] and Tucker had arrived at the barbershop and argued with Johnson prior to the shooting.

Appellee was eventually arrested and went to [a] jury trial before the Honorable James A. Lineberger, after which he was convicted of third-degree murder, flight to avoid prosecution, criminal conspiracy, and possession of an instrument of crime. The Commonwealth's theory was that Appellee did not shoot the victim but had conspired [with Tucker], was present at the shooting, and provided the murder weapon [to Tucker]. At trial, the Commonwealth presented the testimony of Houser and Shawn Clark ("Clark"). Houser testified that two men, including Appellee, had arrived at the barbershop with guns and that Johnson was shot twice, though he did not know if both men shot Johnson or if one of the attackers shot Johnson twice. The Commonwealth also presented ballistics evidence that proved that both shots that killed Johnson were fired from the same gun. Clark testified that several weeks prior to Johnson's murder, Appellee had loaned Clark the same gun that had been used to murder Johnson[, which Clark later returned to Appellee], tying Appellee in conspiracy to Johnson's murder.

Defendant made application for postconviction relief, which was granted.

Outcome: Reserved.

Plaintiff's Experts:

Defendant's Experts:

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