context: In contrast, cases applying the harmless error analysis to the introduction of presumptively coerced statements are legion.
citation_a.signal: see
citation_a.identifier: 465 Pa. 341, 349-350
citation_a.parenthetical: "Because a confession is the most damning of all evidence, we cannot say that we are convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that the error did not affect the judgment."
citation_a.sentence: See e.g. Commonwealth v. Bullard, 465 Pa. 341, 349-350, 350 A.2d 797, 801 (1976) (“Because a confession is the most damning of all evidence, we cannot say that we are convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that the error did not affect the judgment.”); Commonwealth v. Carbaugh, 356 Pa.Super. 42, 47, 514 A.2d 133, 137 (1986) (same conclusion); Commonwealth v. Petrino, 332 Pa.Super. 13, 29, 480 A.2d 1160, 1168 (1984) (same conclusion); but see Commonwealth v. Holland, 518 Pa. 405, 415, 543 A.2d 1068, 1072 (1988) (introduction of statements made by lay witnesses regarding the voluntariness of a confession found to be harmless error); Commonwealth v. Maloney, 469 Pa. 342, 355, 365 A.2d 1237, 1244 (1976) (curative instruction given following improper admission of statement regarding right to silence held sufficient not to require mistrial); Commonwealth v. Mitchell, 246 Pa.Super. 132, 138, 369 A.2d 846, 849 (1977) (recognizing that harmless error analysis is appropriate even if presumptively coerced confession is improperly introduced).
citation_b.signal: but see
citation_b.identifier: 518 Pa. 405, 415
citation_b.parenthetical: introduction of statements made by lay witnesses regarding the voluntariness of a confession found to be harmless error
citation_b.sentence: See e.g. Commonwealth v. Bullard, 465 Pa. 341, 349-350, 350 A.2d 797, 801 (1976) (“Because a confession is the most damning of all evidence, we cannot say that we are convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that the error did not affect the judgment.”); Commonwealth v. Carbaugh, 356 Pa.Super. 42, 47, 514 A.2d 133, 137 (1986) (same conclusion); Commonwealth v. Petrino, 332 Pa.Super. 13, 29, 480 A.2d 1160, 1168 (1984) (same conclusion); but see Commonwealth v. Holland, 518 Pa. 405, 415, 543 A.2d 1068, 1072 (1988) (introduction of statements made by lay witnesses regarding the voluntariness of a confession found to be harmless error); Commonwealth v. Maloney, 469 Pa. 342, 355, 365 A.2d 1237, 1244 (1976) (curative instruction given following improper admission of statement regarding right to silence held sufficient not to require mistrial); Commonwealth v. Mitchell, 246 Pa.Super. 132, 138, 369 A.2d 846, 849 (1977) (recognizing that harmless error analysis is appropriate even if presumptively coerced confession is improperly introduced).