Commonwealth v. Murray, 334 A.2d 255 (Pa. 1975). · Go Syfert
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Commonwealth v. Murray, 334 A.2d 255 (Pa. 1975). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
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cited 2× by 1 distinct case, last quoted 1975 · …willful, deliberate and premeditated killing. ⚠ not in text
219 citation events (7 in the last 25 years) across 4 distinct courts.
Treatment trajectory · 1975 → 2026 · click a year to view as-of
1975 2000 2026
Top citers, strongest first. 35 distinct citers. How cited ↗
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Commonwealth v. Lynch
Pa. Super. Ct. · 2013 · confidence medium
It is the province of the trier of facts to pass upon the credibility of witnesses and the weight to be accorded the evidence produced.” Commonwealth v. Murray, 460 Pa. 605 , 334 A.2d 255, 257 (1975).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Commonwealth v. Ragan
Pa. · 1999 · confidence medium
Commonwealth v. Cox, 556 Pa. 368 , 728 A.2d 923, 929 (1999); Commonwealth v. Hall, 549 Pa. 269 , 701 A.2d 190, 196-97 (1997), cert. denied, 523 U.S. 1082 , 118 S.Ct. 1534 , 140 L.Ed.2d 684 (1998); Commonwealth v. Rivers, 537 Pa. 394 , 644 A.2d 710, 712 (1994), cert. denied, 516 U.S. 1175 , 116 S.Ct. 1270 , 134 L.Ed.2d 217 (1996); Commonwealth v. McAndrews, 494 Pa. 157 , 430 A.2d 1165, 1166 (1981); Commonwealth v. Murray, 460 Pa. 605 , 334 A.2d 255, 257 (1975).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Polsky v. Patton
3rd Cir. · 1989 · confidence medium
Commonwealth v. Crowson, 488 Pa. 537, 543 , 412 A.2d 1363, 1365 (1979); Hinchcliffe, 479 Pa. at 556 , 388 A.2d at 1071 ; Commonwealth v. Murray, 460 Pa. 605, 608 , 334 A.2d 255, 257 (1975); Commonwealth v. Toledo, 365 Pa.Super. 224, 228 , 529 A.2d 480, 482 (1987).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Polsky v. Patton
3rd Cir. · 1989 · confidence medium
Commonwealth v. Crowson, 488 Pa. 537, 543 , 412 A.2d 1363, 1365 (1979); Hinchcliffe, 479 Pa. at 556 , 388 A.2d at 1071 ; Commonwealth v. Murray, 460 Pa. 605, 608 , 334 A.2d 255, 257 (1975); Commonwealth v. Toledo, 365 Pa.Super. 224, 228 , 529 A.2d 480, 482 (1987). 26 The charge clearly instructed that Polsky could be convicted of murder in the third degree only if the jury first found that he "intended to kill or inflict serious bodily harm." Because malice is defined as an intent to kill or inflict serious bodily harm, the charge given was the functional equivalent of a charge of malice. 3 It…
cited Cited as authority (rule) Commonwealth v. Mills
Pa. · 1984 · confidence medium
Commonwealth v. Boyd, 461 Pa. 17, 24 , 334 A.2d 610, 613 (1975); Commonwealth v. Murray, 460 Pa. 605, 608 , 334 A.2d 255, 257 (1975).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Commonwealth v. Rieland
Pa. · 1984 · confidence medium
In addition, “[i]t is the province of the trier of facts to pass upon the credibility of witnesses and the weight to be accorded the evidence produced.” Commonwealth v. Murray, 460 Pa. 605, 609 , 334 A.2d 255, 257 (1975).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Commonwealth v. Newman
Pa. Super. Ct. · 1983 · confidence medium
Commonwealth v. Stockard, 489 Pa. 209, 213 , 413 A.2d 1088, 1090 (1980); Commonwealth v. Harper, 485 Pa. 572, 576-577 , 403 A.2d 536, 539 (1979); Commonwealth v. Rose, 463 Pa. 264, 267-268 , 344 A.2d 824, 826 (1975); Commonwealth v. Murray, 460 Pa. 605, 609 , 334 A.2d 255, 257 (1975); Commonwealth v. Glasco, 298 Pa.Super. 189, 192 , 444 A.2d 724, 726 (1982); Commonwealth v. Hankerson, 298 Pa.Super. 194, 196 , 444 A.2d 727, 728 (1982).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Commonwealth v. Bentley
Pa. Super. Ct. · 1980 · confidence medium
Commonwealth v. Waldman, supra, 484 Pa. at 223 , 398 A.2d at 1025 ; Commonwealth v. Murray, 460 Pa. 605, 609 , 334 A.2d 255, 257 (1975).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Commonwealth v. Clark
Pa. Super. Ct. · 1979 · confidence medium
Commonwealth v. Murray, 460 Pa. 605, 609 , 334 A.2d 255, 257 (1975).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Com. v. Washington
Pa. Super. Ct. · 1978 · confidence medium
Commonwealth v. Murray, 460 Pa. 605, 609 , 334 A.2d 255, 257 (1975); Commonwealth v. Johnson, 457 Pa. 554 , 327 A.2d 632 (1974); Commonwealth v. Garvin, 448 Pa. 258, 269 , 293 A.2d 33, 39 (1972).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Commonwealth v. Washington
Pa. Super. Ct. · 1978 · confidence medium
Commonwealth v. Murray, 460 Pa. 605, 609 , 334 A.2d 255, 257 (1975); Commonwealth v. Johnson, 457 Pa. 554 , 327 A.2d 632 (1974); Commonwealth v. Garvin, 448 Pa. 258, 269 , 293 A.2d 33, 39 (1972).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Commonwealth v. Whack
Pa. · 1978 · confidence medium
Commonwealth v. Farquharson, 467 Pa. 50, 59 , 354 A.2d 545, 550 (1976); Commonwealth v. Hampton, 462 Pa. 322, 326 , 341 A.2d 101, 103 (1975); Commonwealth v. Murray, 460 Pa. 605, 609 , 334 A.2d 255, 257 (1975); Commonwealth v. Oates, 448 Pa. 486, 490 , 295 A.2d 337, 338 (1972); Commonwealth v. Garvin, 448 Pa. 258, 269 , 293 A.2d 33, 39 (1972).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Commonwealth v. Valderrama (2×)
Pa. · 1978 · confidence medium
Commonwealth v. Robson, 461 Pa. 615, 625 , 337 A.2d 573, 578 (1975); Commonwealth v. Boyd, 461 Pa. 17, 24 , 334 A.2d 610, 613 (1975); Commonwealth v. Murray, 460 Pa. 605, 608 , 334 A.2d 255, 257 (1975).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Commonwealth v. Campbell
Pa. Super. Ct. · 1978 · confidence medium
Commonwealth v. Robson, 461 Pa. 615, 625 , 337 A.2d 573, 578 (1975); Commonwealth v. Boyd, 461 Pa. 17, 24 , 334 A.2d 610, 613 (1975); Commonwealth v. Murray, 460 Pa. 605, 608 , 334 A.2d 255, 257 (1975).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Commonwealth v. Dussinger (2×)
Pa. · 1978 · confidence medium
Commonwealth v. Robson, 461 Pa. 615, 625 , 337 A.2d 573, 578 (1975); Commonwealth v. Boyd, 461 Pa. 17, 24 , 334 A.2d 610, 613 (1975); Commonwealth v. Murray, 460 Pa. 605, 608 , 334 A.2d 255, 257 (1975).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Commonwealth v. Yost (2×)
Pa. · 1978 · confidence medium
Commonwealth v. Robson, 461 Pa. 615, 625 , 337 A.2d 573, 578 (1975); Commonwealth v. Boyd, 461 Pa. 17, 24 , 334 A.2d 610, 613 (1975); Commonwealth v. Murray, 460 Pa. 605, 608 , 334 A.2d 255, 257 (1975).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Commonwealth v. Sanabria (2×)
Pa. · 1978 · confidence medium
Commonwealth v. Robson, 461 Pa. 615, 625 , 337 A.2d 573, 578 (1975); Commonwealth v. Boyd, 461 Pa. 17, 24 , 334 A.2d 610, 613 (1975); Commonwealth v. Murray, 460 Pa. 605, 608 , 334 A.2d 255, 257 (1975).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Commonwealth v. Fairell
Pa. · 1977 · confidence medium
Commonwealth v. Murray, 460 Pa. 605 , *135 608, 334 A.2d 255, 257 (1975); Commonwealth v. McFadden, 448 Pa. 277, 281 , 292 A.2d 324, 326 (1972).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Commonwealth v. Mulgrew
Pa. · 1977 · confidence medium
Commonwealth v. Robson, 461 Pa. 615, 625 , 337 A.2d 573, 578 (1975); Commonwealth v. Boyd, 461 Pa. 17, 24 , 334 A.2d 610, 613 (1975); Commonwealth v. Murray, 460 Pa. 605, 608 , 334 A.2d 255, 257 (1975).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Commonwealth v. Cathey
Pa. Super. Ct. · 1977 · confidence medium
Commonwealth v. Boyd, 461 Pa. 17, 24 , 334 A.2d 610, 613 (1975); Commonwealth v. Robinson, 452 Pa. 316, 323 , 305 A.2d 354, 358 (1973).” Commonwealth v. Murray, 460 Pa. 605, 609 , 334 A.2d 255, 257-58 (1975).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Commonwealth v. Long (2×)
Pa. · 1976 · confidence medium
While the majority is correct in its premise that a jury may reject a portion or all of the defendant's statements, Commonwealth v. Boyd, 461 Pa. 17 , 334 A.2d 610, 614 (1975); Commonwealth v. Murray, 460 Pa. 605 , 334 A. 2d 255, 258 (1975); Commonwealth v. Marlin, 452 Pa. 380, 384 , 305 A.2d 14 (1973); Commonwealth v. Williams, 450 Pa. 158, 162 , 299 A.2d 643 (1973); Commonwealth v. Ewing, 439 Pa. 88, 93 , 264 A.2d 661 (1970); Commonwealth v. Winebrenner, 439 Pa. 73, 82 , 265 A.2d 108 (1970), it may not arbitrarily reject uncontradicted evidence in an effort to return a verdict of guilt.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Commonwealth v. Kahley (2×)
Pa. · 1976 · confidence medium
Commonwealth v. Murray, 460 Pa. 604 , 334 A.2d 255, 257 (1975).
examined Cited as authority (rule) Commonwealth v. Thomas (4×)
Pa. · 1976 · confidence medium
Commonwealth v. Boyd, 463 Pa. 343 , 344 A.2d 864, 867 (1975); Commonwealth v. Murray, 460 Pa. 605 , 334 A.2d 255, 258 (1975); Commonwealth v. Boyd, 461 Pa. 17 , 334 A. 2d 610, 613 (1975); Commonwealth v. Gidaro, 363 Pa. 472, 478-79 , 70 A.2d 359, 362 (1950).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Commonwealth v. Bullard (2×)
Pa. · 1976 · confidence medium
Commonwealth v. Robson, 461 Pa. 615, 630 , 337 A.2d 573, 579 (1975); Commonwealth v. Boyd, 461 Pa. 17, 21 , 334 A.2d 610, 613 (1975); Commonwealth v. Murray, 460 Pa. 605, 610 , 334 A.2d 255, 257 (1975).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Commonwealth v. Davis
Pa. · 1976 · confidence medium
The test for determining whether the evidence is sufficient to support a conviction is: “ [W] hether, viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the Commonwealth and drawing all proper inferences favorable to the Commonwealth, the trier of fact could reasonably have found that all of the elements of the crime had been established beyond a reasonable doubt.” Commonwealth v. Robson, 461 Pa. 615, 625 , 337 A.2d 573, 578 (1975); see Commonwealth v. Rose, 463 Pa. 264, 266 , 344 A.2d 824, 825 (1975); Commonwealth v. Murray, 460 Pa. 605, 608 , 334 A.2d 255, 257 (1975); Commonwealth v. Mc…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Commonwealth v. Padgett (2×)
Pa. · 1975 · confidence medium
We stated in Commonwealth v. Murray, 460 Pa. 605, 609 , 334 A.2d 255, 257 (1975), in a slightly different context: “The inference ... is clearly only a permissible one.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Commonwealth v. Massart
Pa. · 1975 · confidence medium
Viewing this evidence in the light most favorable to the verdict winner, Commonwealth v. Murray, 460 Pa. 605, 608 , 334 A.2d 255, 257 (1975), the jury was justified in finding that the appellant used this hammer to strike the decedent.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Commonwealth v. Moore (2×)
Pa. · 1975 · confidence medium
E. g., Commonwealth v. Murray, 460 Pa. 605, 608 , 334 A.2d 255, 257 (1975).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Commonwealth v. Rose
Pa. · 1975 · confidence medium
Commonwealth v. Robson, 461 Pa. 615, 625 , 337 A.2d 573, 578 (1975); Commonwealth v. Boyd, 461 Pa. 17, 24 , 334 A.2d 610, 613 (1975); Commonwealth v. Murray, 460 Pa. 605, 608 , 334 A.2d 255, 257 (1975).
examined Cited as authority (rule) Commonwealth v. Robson (4×)
Pa. · 1975 · confidence medium
Commonwealth v. Boyd, 461 Pa. 17, 22 , 334 A. 2d 610, 613 (1975); Commonwealth v. Murray, 460 Pa. 605, 609 , 334 A.2d 255, 257 (1975).
examined Cited "see" Commonwealth v. Bailey (4×)
Pa. · 1986 · signal: see · confidence high
See Commonwealth v. Murray, 460 Pa. 605 , 334 A.2d 255 (1975).
discussed Cited "see" Commonwealth v. Haines (2×)
Pa. Super. Ct. · 1982 · signal: see · confidence high
See Commonwealth v. Murray, 460 Pa. 605 , 334 A.2d 255 (1975); Commonwealth v. Lawton, 272 Pa.Super. 40 , 414 A.2d 658 (1979).
examined Cited "see, e.g." Commonwealth v. Sullivan (4×)
Pa. · 1977 · signal: see, e.g. · confidence low
"The test of the sufficiency of the evidence is whether, accepting as true all the evidence and all reasonable inferences therefrom upon which if believed the jury could have based its verdict, it is sufficient in law to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty of the crime for which he has been convicted." Commonwealth v. McFadden, 448 Pa. 277, 281 , 292 A.2d 324, 326 (1972); see e.g., Commonwealth v. Murray, 460 Pa. 605, 608 , 334 A.2d 255, 257 (1975).
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Commonwealth v. Sterling (2×)
Pa. Super. Ct. · 1976 · signal: see also · confidence low
See also Commonwealth v. Murray, *422 460 Pa. 604 , 334 A.2d 255 (1975); Commonwealth v. Hampton, 462 Pa. 334 , 341 A.2d 101 (1975).
examined Cited "see, e.g." Commonwealth v. Crawford (4×)
Pa. · 1975 · signal: see, e.g. · confidence low
See, e. g., Commonwealth v. Murray, 460 Pa. 605, 609 , 334 A.2d 255, 257 (1975).
Retrieving the full opinion text from the archive…
COMMONWEALTH of Pennsylvania
v.
William MURRAY, Appellant
426.
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.
Mar 18, 1975.
334 A.2d 255
Lee Mandell, Philadelphia, for appellant., F. Emmett Fitzpatrick, Jr., Dist. Atty., Richard A. Sprague, 1st Asst. Dist. Atty., Steven H. Goldblatt, Carolyn Engel Temin, Asst. Dist. Attys., Chief, Appeals Div., Abraham J. Gafni, Deputy Dist. Atty. for Law, Philadelphia, for appellee.
Jones, Eagen, O'Brien, Roberts, Pomeroy, Nix, Manderino.
Cited by 108 opinions  |  Published

OPINION OF THE COURT

ROBERTS, Justice.

Appellant William Murray was convicted after trial without a jury of murder in the second degree for the stabbing death of Hazel Smith. After the denial of appellant’s motion for a new trial and in arrest of judgment, [1] he was sentenced to serve a six-to-twenty year term of imprisonment. On this direct appeal, [2] we affirm.

[*608] Appellant contends that the evidence was insufficient to sustain a conviction of murder in the second degree. He argues that the Commonwealth failed to prove the malice necessary to constitute murder, and that he presented evidence sufficient to prove that he acted in self-defense. Our review of the record persuades us that this contention is meritless.

The evidence, viewed in the light most favorable to the Commonwealth, [3] discloses that, in the afternoon of June 28, 1972, Smith, appellant’s son-in-law, sought and received permission to imbibe some wine from a bottle that appellant had purchased earlier in the day. After performing several errands, appellant returned to find his bottle entirely consumed. This discovery precipitated an argument that was concluded when appellant plunged a knife into Smith’s chest, causing his death.

The standard of review we are to employ is well settled.

“The test of the sufficiency of the evidence is whether, accepting as true all of the evidence and all reasonable inferences therefrom upon which if believed the [fact-finder] could have based [his] verdict, it is sufficient in law to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty of the crime for which he has been convicted.”

Commonwealth v. McFadden, 448 Pa. 277, 281, 292 A.2d 324, 326 (1972).

Appellant recognizes that his argument that the Commonwealth failed to prove that the killing was malicious is undermined by the well-established principle that a fact-finder may permissibly infer the existence of malice from the intentional use of a deadly weapon on a vital part of the body. See Commonwealth v. Boyd, 461 Pa.[*609] -, -, 334 A.2d 610, 613 (1975); Commonwealth v. Roots, 452 Pa. 535, 541, 306 A.2d 873, 877 (1973); Commonwealth v. Robinson, 452 Pa. 316, 323, 305 A.2d 354, 358 (1973); Commonwealth v. Paquette, 451 Pa. 250, 256, 301 A.2d 837, 840 (1973); Commonwealth v. Oates, 448 Pa. 486, 491, 295 A.2d 337, 339 (1972); Commonwealth v. Palmer, 448 Pa. 282, 288, 292 A.2d 921, 923 (1972). Citing Commonwealth v. Wucherer, 351 Pa. 305, 41 A.2d 574 (1945), and Commonwealth v. Kluska, 333 Pa. 65, 3 A.2d 398 (1939), appellant responds that the inference of malice is rebuttable and has in fact been rebutted in this case.

The inference of malice is clearly only a permissible one. A fact-finder is permitted to draw it or, even absent rebuttal evidence, not draw it. See generally W. LaFave & A. Scott, Handbook on Criminal Law § 68, at 536-37 (1972). But the decision whether to draw the inference of malice rests with the fact-finder, not an appellate court. It is the province of the trier of facts to pass upon the credibility of witnesses and the weight to be accorded the evidence produced. Commonwealth v. Smith, 457 Pa. 638, 639, 326 A.2d 60, 61 (1974); Commonwealth v. Paquette, 451 Pa. 250, 257, 301 A.2d 837, 841 (1973); Commonwealth v. Garvin, 448 Pa. 258, 269, 293 A.2d 33, 39 (1972). The fact-finder is free to believe all, part, or none of the evidence. Commonwealth v. Smith, supra; Commonwealth v. Roots, 452 Pa. 535, 541, 306 A.2d 873, 877 (1973); Commonwealth v. Williams, 450 Pa. 158, 162, 299 A.2d 643, 645 (1973); Commonwealth v. Oates, 448 Pa. 486, 490, 295 A.2d 337, 339 (1972). In particular, the trier is permitted to disbelieve a defendant’s assertion that he acted without malice. Commonwealth v. Boyd, 461 Pa. -, -, 334 A.2d 610, 613 (1975); Commonwealth v. Robinson, 452 Pa. 316, 323, 305 A.2d 354, 358 (1973). Here the trial court acted within its province as trier of the facts in choosing to disbelieve appellant’s testimony that he did not intend to[*610] harm the deceased but acted solely in response to the deceased’s provocative “hounding” and to draw the inference of malice.

These principles of appellate review require a similar resolution of appellant’s claim that he presented sufficient evidence of self-defense. The fact-finder was free to disbelieve appellant’s testimony that he acted solely to free himself from a beating being administered by the deceased and to credit the testimony of a Commonwealth witness that Smith did not physically attack appellant. See Commonwealth v. Sherard, 456 Pa. 505, 321 A.2d 372 (1974); Commonwealth v. Roots, 452 Pa. 535, 541, 306 A.2d 873, 877 (1973).

We conclude that the evidence is sufficient to sustain the trial court’s finding that appellant committed murder in the second degree.

Judgment of sentence affirmed.

1

. Appellant’s motion consisted solely of a boiler-plate challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence. Therefore, we do not address his present claim that a statement which he gave to detectives was erroneously introduced into evidence because not voluntarily made. Commonwealth v. Reid, 458 Pa. 357, 326 A.2d 267 (1974); see Commonwealth v. Clair, Pa., 326 A.2d 272 (1974).

2

. Appellate Court Jurisdiction Act of 1970, Act of July 31, 1970, P.L. 673, art. II, § 202(1), 17 P.S. § 211.202(1) (Supp.1974).

3

. Commonwealth v. Smith, 457 Pa. 638, 639, 326 A.2d 60, 61 (1974); Commonwealth v. Lee, 450 Pa. 152, 154, 299 A.2d 640, 641 (1973).