Rule 843 – Optional Pretrial Hearing

(A) If the parties agree, the issue of the defendant’s mental retardation precluding imposition of a sentence of death shall be determined by the judge after a pretrial evidentiary hearing.(B) The defendant shall appear in person with counsel at the hearing.(C)...

Rule 840 – Scope

The rules in Part B provide the procedure for determining if imposition of the death penalty is precluded due to the defendant’s mental retardation.234 Pa. Code ยง 840Committee Explanatory Reports:Final Report explaining the July 31, 2013 adoption of the new rule...

Rule 811 – Post-Sentence Motion

In all cases in which a sentence has been imposed, the case shall proceed pursuant to Rule 720, except that, in cases in which a death sentence has been determined and imposed, the post-sentence motion shall be decided promptly, but shall not be denied by operation of...