Commonwealth v. Dietrich

Citations

• 65 Pa. Super. 599
• 1917 Pa. Super. LEXIS 53

Syllabus

<p>Criminal law — Evidence—Prior similar offense — Act of March 15,. 1911, P. L. BO.</p> <p>Where on the trial of an indictment for statutory rape, the defendant takes the stand and denies the charge, then introduces testimony as to his general good reputation, and when recalled for cross-examination denies that he had ever been charged with a similar act, the Commonwealth may call a justice of the peace to the stand, and show by the latter’s docket and testimony that the defendant had been charged with a similar crime five years previously, and that he had pleaded guilty to such charge. The Act of. March 15, 1911, P. L. 20, does not prevent the introduction of such evidence under the circumstances.</p>