Q: Attorney Tully, my son got charged with intimidation of witnesses based on a domestic abuse fight with his wife. Is this an open and shut case against my son?
A: Maybe. Surprisingly, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in Commonwealth v. Doughty ruled that a pecuniary (meaning money) inducement of a loan is not enough in itself to convict a person of intimidation of witnesses. Instead, a jury must consider the totality of the circumstances in deciding the matter. There must be pecuniary inducement and proof of intimidation for a conviction. Call me. Happy Easter Everyone!