Commonwealth v. Holden
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
134 A.2d 868 (Pa. 1957)
Relevant factsFree
Two witnesses who had been drinking heavily and were later knocked unconscious by the assailant identified Holden (defendant) as the murderer of Cora Smith; the trial court also allowed testimony about Holden allegedly winking at another witness during police questioning, over Holden's objection, and Holden was convicted of first-degree murder and appealed.
IssueFree
Whether a criminal defendant may be convicted on the basis of a positive and unqualified identification by a witness, even if the witness was intoxicated.