sake of diverting inquiry (Pennsylvania) · Go Syfert
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sake of diverting inquiry in Pennsylvania

10 Pennsylvania opinions name it 2 courts 1923–2025 1 in the last five years

The cases below were cited by Pennsylvania courts in a sentence that names this issue. Sides come from how each citing opinion treated the case (Syfertize flag on that citation), so a case can appear on both: that is where the law is contested. A red or yellow chip is the case's own overall treatment.

Followed or applied (8)

CaseFollowedCited
Commonwealth v. Homeyergreen
pa · 1953 · cited in 5 Pennsylvania opinions naming this issue, 1960–2025
2 sentences

2025Furthermore, our Supreme Court recognizes that “[t]he fabrication of false and contradictory accounts by an accused criminal, for the sake of diverting inquiry or casting off suspicion, is a circumstance always indicatory of guilt.” Commonwealth v. Homeyer, 94 A.2d 743, 747 (Pa. 1953) (citation omitted) (emphasis omitted).

2017Furthermore, our Supreme Court has stated that “[t]he fabrication of false and contradictory accounts by an accused criminal, for the sake of diverting inquiry or casting off suspicion, is a circumstance always indicatory of guilt.” Commonwealth v. Homeyer, 373 Pa. 150 , 94 A.2d 743, 747 (1953) (quoting Commonwealth v. Spardute, 278 Pa. 37 , 122 A. 161, 163 (1923)).

35
Commonwealth v. Spardutegreen
pa · 1923 · cited in 3 Pennsylvania opinions naming this issue, 1929–2017
2 sentences

2017Furthermore, our Supreme Court has stated that “[t]he fabrication of false and contradictory accounts by an accused criminal, for the sake of diverting inquiry or casting off suspicion, is a circumstance always indicatory of guilt.” Commonwealth v. Homeyer, 373 Pa. 150 , 94 A.2d 743, 747 (1953) (quoting Commonwealth v. Spardute, 278 Pa. 37 , 122 A. 161, 163 (1923)).

2017Furthermore, our Supreme Court has stated that “[t]he fabrication of false and contradictory accounts by an accused criminal, for the sake of diverting inquiry or casting off suspicion, is a circumstance always indicatory of guilt.” Commonwealth v. Homeyer, 373 Pa. 150 , 94 A.2d 743, 747 (1953) (quoting Commonwealth v. Spardute, 278 Pa. 37 , 122 A. 161, 163 (1923)).

13
Cathcart v. Commonwealthgreen
· 1861 · cited in 2 Pennsylvania opinions naming this issue, 1923–2013
2 sentences

2013See Cathcart v. Commonwealth, 37 Pa. 108, 113 (Pa.1860) (“The fabrication of false and contradictory accounts by an accused criminal, for the sake of diverting inquiry or casting off suspicion, is a circumstance always indicatory of guilt”); see also Commonwealth v. Hughes [ 581 Pa. 274 ], 865 A.2d 761, 792 (Pa.2004) (noting that the conduct of a defendant following a crime may be admitted to show guilt) (citing Commonwealth v. Homeyer [ 378 Pa. 150 ], 94 A.2d 743, 747 (Pa.1953)).

1923This first statement was untrue in all material respects, as was what he said before being sworn. (“The fabrication of false and contradictory accounts by an accused criminal, for the sake of diverting inquiry or casting off suspicion, is a circumstance always indicatory of guilt”: Cathcart v. Com., 37 Pa. 108, 113 ; McMeen v. Com., 114 Pa. 300, 306 .) After he had denied the visit to East Waverly, the others of the party whom he had accompanied there were produced before him and interrogated in his presence; they told the true story of what had taken place on that afternoon.

12
Commonwealth v. Bradleygreen
pa · 2013 · cited in 1 Pennsylvania opinions naming this issue, 2019–2019
1 sentence

2019See Commonwealth v. Bradley, 69 A.3d 253, 258 (Pa. Super. 2013) (“The fabrication of false and contradictory accounts by an accused criminal, for the sake of diverting inquiry or casting off suspicion, is a circumstance always indicatory of guilt.”) (citations omitted), appeal denied, 79 A.3d 1095 (Pa. 2013).

11
Commonwealth v. Bradleygreen
pasuperct · 2013 · cited in 1 Pennsylvania opinions naming this issue, 2019–2019
1 sentence

2019See Commonwealth v. Bradley, 69 A.3d 253, 258 (Pa. Super. 2013) (“The fabrication of false and contradictory accounts by an accused criminal, for the sake of diverting inquiry or casting off suspicion, is a circumstance always indicatory of guilt.”) (citations omitted), appeal denied, 79 A.3d 1095 (Pa. 2013).

11
Commonwealth v. Hughesgreen
pa · 2004 · cited in 1 Pennsylvania opinions naming this issue, 2013–2013
2 sentences

2013See Cathcart v. Commonwealth, 37 Pa. 108, 113 (Pa.1860) (“The fabrication of false and contradictory accounts by an accused criminal, for the sake of diverting inquiry or casting off suspicion, is a circumstance always indicatory of guilt”); see also Commonwealth v. Hughes [ 581 Pa. 274 ], 865 A.2d 761, 792 (Pa.2004) (noting that the conduct of a defendant following a crime may be admitted to show guilt) (citing Commonwealth v. Homeyer [ 378 Pa. 150 ], 94 A.2d 743, 747 (Pa.1953)).

2013See Cathcart v. Commonwealth, 37 Pa. 108, 113 (Pa.1860) (“The fabrication of false and contradictory accounts by an accused criminal, for the sake of diverting inquiry or casting off suspicion, is a circumstance always indicatory of guilt”); see also Commonwealth v. Hughes [ 581 Pa. 274 ], 865 A.2d 761, 792 (Pa.2004) (noting that the conduct of a defendant following a crime may be admitted to show guilt) (citing Commonwealth v. Homeyer [ 378 Pa. 150 ], 94 A.2d 743, 747 (Pa.1953)).

11
Commonwealth v. Lettrichgreen
pa · 1943 · cited in 1 Pennsylvania opinions naming this issue, 1999–1999
2 sentences

1999See also Commonwealth v. Lettrich, 346 Pa. 497 , 31 A.2d 155 (1943) (accused's false statements made for the sake of diverting inquiry or casting off suspicion considered to establish corpus delicti).

1999See also Commonwealth v. Lettrich, 346 Pa. 497 , 31 A.2d 155 (1943) (accused's false statements made for the sake of diverting inquiry or casting off suspicion considered to establish corpus delicti).

11
Commonwealth v. CERZULLOgreen
pasuperct · 1954 · cited in 1 Pennsylvania opinions naming this issue, 1961–1961
1 sentence

1961See also Com. v. Cerzullo, 175 Pa. Su *377 perior Ct. 380, 104 A. 2d 179; Com. v. Lewis, 193 Pa. Superior Ct. 508 , 165 A. 2d 98 .

11

Distinguished, questioned or overruled (0)

CaseNegativeCited
No negative-treatment citations attached to this issue in Pennsylvania. Read the followed side critically anyway.

Also cited on this issue (2)

CaseCitedYears
Commonwealth v. Lewis neutral
pasuperct · 1960
2 sentences

1961See also Com. v. Cerzullo, 175 Pa. Su *377 perior Ct. 380, 104 A. 2d 179; Com. v. Lewis, 193 Pa. Superior Ct. 508 , 165 A. 2d 98 .

1961See also Com. v. Cerzullo, 175 Pa. Su *377 perior Ct. 380, 104 A. 2d 179; Com. v. Lewis, 193 Pa. Superior Ct. 508 , 165 A. 2d 98 .

11961–1961
McMeen v. Commonwealth green
· 1887
1 sentence

1923This first statement was untrue in all material respects, as was what he said before being sworn. (“The fabrication of false and contradictory accounts by an accused criminal, for the sake of diverting inquiry or casting off suspicion, is a circumstance always indicatory of guilt”: Cathcart v. Com., 37 Pa. 108, 113 ; McMeen v. Com., 114 Pa. 300, 306 .) After he had denied the visit to East Waverly, the others of the party whom he had accompanied there were produced before him and interrogated in his presence; they told the true story of what had taken place on that afternoon.

11923–1923

Where else courts name it

PA 10 (1923–2025) WY 4 (1978–2021)

Opinions by the citing court's state. A doctrine retained in one state and abandoned in another shows up here as a year span that stalls.

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