Pittsburgh First Degree Murder Attorney
What is First Degree Murder in Pennsylvania?
To sustain a conviction for First Degree Murder, the Office of the District
Attorney for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania must prove
beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused acted with
specific intent to kill, unlawfully killed another human being and did so with deliberation. The
required element of "specific intent to kill" is primarily what distinguishes Murder in the First Degree in Pennsylvania
from lesser grades of Murder such as Second Degree Murder, Third Degree
Murder, Voluntary Manslaughter and Involuntary Manslaughter.
The
Pennsylvania Supreme Court has held that the use of a deadly weapon on a vital part of a human body
is sufficient to establish the specific intent to kill. Additionally,
the Court has established that the Commonwealth can prove the specific
intent to kill through circumstantial evidence.
Evidence Commonly Introduced to Prove First Degree Murder in Pennsylvania
The District Attorney will charge the accused with a general count of
Homicide. The degree of Homicide will become apparent at the Coroner's Inquest,
which is the same thing as a
Preliminary Hearing, except for the introduction of the Autopsy Report.
The Assistant District Attorney assigned to the case will most likely introduce
an eyewitness to the homicide to enter evidence against the accused. It
is important that the
First Degree Murder Defense Attorney carefully and tactfully cross-examine the witness to determine exactly
what the witness proclaims to have witnessed. At trial, the Commonwealth
will undoubtedly introduce the same eyewitness, any other witnesses, the
testimony of investigative detectives, evidence of Motive, ballistic reports,
evidence ofDeadly Weapons or
Narcotics, DNA evidence and any other relevant evidence to prove beyond a reasonable
doubt that the accused committed the crime of
First Degree Murder.
Defending a Defendant Charged with First Degree Murder in Pennsylvania
The penalty for a person convicted of
First Degree Murder is
Life in Prison without the Possibility of Parole. In some circumstances, the Assistant District Attorney assigned to prosecute
the case will elect to pursue the
Death Penalty for a penalty upon obtaining a conviction for
First Degree Murder. As such, the Criminal Defense Attorney defending against a
First Degree Murder Charge must be chosen wisely.
An
Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney will spend hours reviewing the discovery in the case, visiting the scene,
speaking with witnesses, reviewing the relevant caselaw, consulting with
investigators, drafting pre-trial motions and then do the same thing over
and over again until every single area of the case has been investigated
and all potential defensees have been reviewed. When facing the stiff
penalties for a
First Degree Murder Case, there is little or no room for error from the Defense Team assigned to the case.
Why Families Choose Murder Attorney Frank Walker as their Defense Lawyer
Criminal Defense Attorney Frank Walker has
successfully defended numerous murder cases. So much so, that Attorney Walker was commonly appointed by the Courts
to Defend Cases of indigent Defendants charged with
Homicide. Attorney Walker knows the enormous amount of preparation needed to defend
against a
First Degree Homicide Charge and does not take such task lightly.
If your loved one is facing a first degree murder charge, you need to hear
from the voice of experience on how to best mount a defense against the
charges. Attorney Walker has the experience you are searching for. Attorney
Walker will meet with you to explain the process and review any paperwork
you may have concerning the charges.
As in any case, time is of the essence. The
Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure provide that certain issues must be presented by specific time, such as
notice of self-defense or
notice of alibi. Accordingly, the investigation into the Murder Charges must begin quickly.
Contact Attorney Walker Today to Discuss a Defense against First Degree Murder
If you are serious about retaining an
Aggressive Criminal Defense Attorney to defend your family member charged with
First Degree Murder,
Contact Attorney Walker immediately at
412-315-7441 or
412.401.1764 to schedule a Free Consultation. Having Attorney Walker on your side early
in the case will prevent the possibility of repeated interrogations, ensure
the preservation of evidence and help you navigate through the complex
legal process during your time of need.
Contact Attorney Walker Today by clicking here or by calling
412-315-7441 or
412.401.1764 to discuss representation in the following
Western Pennsylvania Areas: Glassport, South Park, Pitcarin, Allegheny County, Butler County, Westmoreland
County, Etna, Pittsburgh, Washington County, Homestead, Homewood, Wilkinsburg,
Dravosburg, Clairton, Coraopolis, Franklin Park, North Fayette, Munhall,
West Mifflin, Plum, Shaler, Turtle Creek, Beaver County, Rankin, Upper
St. Clair, Robinson, Sewickley Hills, Penn Hills, White Oak, Baldwin and
many other Western Pennsylvania Areas.