Com. v. Patterson, R. ( 2017 )

J-S60009-17
NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, IN THE SUPERIOR COURT
OF
PENNSYLVANIA
Appellee
v.
RONALD PATTERSON,
Appellant No. 1758 WDA 2016
Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence September 29, 2016
In the Court of Common Pleas of Washington County
Criminal Division at No(s): CP-63-CR-0000052-2014
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, IN THE SUPERIOR COURT
OF
PENNSYLVANIA
Appellee
v.
RONALD ANSEL PATTERSON,
Appellant No. 1759 WDA 2016
Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence September 29, 2016
In the Court of Common Pleas of Washington County
Criminal Division at No(s): CP-63-CR-0001637-2013
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, IN THE SUPERIOR COURT
OF
PENNSYLVANIA
Appellee
v.
RONALD ANSEL PATTERSON,
Appellant No. 1760 WDA 2016
J-S60009-17
Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence September 29, 2016
In the Court of Common Pleas of Washington County
Criminal Division at No(s): CP-63-CR-0002259-2013
BEFORE: OLSON, J., DUBOW, J., and STEVENS, P.J.E.*
MEMORANDUM BY OLSON, J.: FILED DECEMBER 21, 2017
Appellant, Ronald Patterson, appeals from the judgment of sentence
entered on September 29, 2016, following his jury trial convictions for various
crimes related to incidents of domestic abuse against a single victim. Upon
review, we vacate Appellant’s conviction and sentence for resisting arrest and
affirm Appellant’s remaining convictions.
We briefly summarize the facts and procedural history of this case as
follows. On June 1, 2013, police responded to an anonymous call that a
woman was heard screaming inside a residence. When police arrived they
heard the screaming and knocked on the door. Appellant opened the door
and had blood on his face, but would not let the officers enter despite their
request to do so. The officers dragged Appellant out of the residence,
handcuffed him while he struggled, and eventually arrested him.
On August 28, 2013, police responded to the same residence. Upon
their arrival, the victim was bleeding from her nose and had obvious signs of
additional facial injuries. Police took Appellant into custody.
On December 20, 2013, police were again called to the same residence
after receiving a telephone call that Appellant was beating the victim with a
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* Former Justice specially assigned to the Superior Court.
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cane. The police witnessed noticeable head injuries to the victim and arrested
Appellant. In that case, the police also recovered drug paraphernalia.
As a result of the foregoing, the Commonwealth charged Appellant via
three, separate criminal informations:
At docket number 1637 of 2013, [Appellant] was charged with
aggravated assault and resisting arrest [for the June 1, 2013
incident]. At docket number 2259 of 2013, [Appellant] was
charged with simple assault and harassment [for the August 28,
2013 incident]. At docket number 52 of 2014, [Appellant was
charged with the following five counts: (1) simple assault; (2) use
or possession of drug paraphernalia; (3) disorderly conduct
(engage in fighting); (4) disorderly conduct (obscene
language/gesture); and (5) disorderly conduct (creation of a
hazardous or physically offensive condition) [for the December 20,
2013 incident].
Trial Court Order, 10/19/2016, at 1 (offense grading omitted). The cases
were consolidated for trial.
Pertinent to this appeal, on February 28, 2014, Appellant filed an
omnibus pre-trial habeas corpus motion seeking dismissal of the resisting
arrest charge, among other charges, arguing the Commonwealth failed to
present sufficient evidence to establish a prima facie case. By order entered
on February 28, 2014, the trial court scheduled a hearing on the motion for
March 3, 2014. The trial court granted the Commonwealth’s motion for a
continuance and ordered that the hearing be rescheduled for April 17, 2014.
By order entered on April 22, 2014, the trial court granted Appellant partial
relief and dismissed “the charge of resisting arrest at docket [number] 1637-
2013 and three counts of disorderly conduct at docket [number] 52-2014.”
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Trial Court Order, 4/22/2014, at 1. The trial court further noted in its order
that, “the Commonwealth withdrew the charge of resisting arrest and the
same was noted on the record.” Id. at 5.
On October 21, 2014, pursuant to Pa.R.Crim.P. 600, Appellant orally
moved to dismiss the charges at docket number 1637 of 2013 and docket
number 2259 of 2013 for failure to commence trial within 365 days of the
filing of the criminal complaints. The trial court denied relief by order and
opinion on October 24, 2014.
On October 27, 2014, a jury trial commenced. Appellant was found
guilty of all charges at docket numbers 2259 of 2013 and 1637 of 2013
(including resisting arrest), and guilty of simple assault at docket number 52
of 2014.
On January 28, 2015, the trial court sentenced Appellant as follows:
(i) At docket number 1637 of 2013: Confinement for period
of thirty-three (33) to sixty-six (66) months on the
charge of aggravated assault. Confinement for a period
of nine (9) to eighteen (18) months on the charge of
resisting arrest to run consecutively to the aggravated
assault charge.
(ii) At docket number 2259 of 2013: Confinement for a
period of one (1) to two (2) years on the charge of simple
assault and a fine of $150[.00] on the charge of
harassment.
(iii) At docket number 52 of 2014: Confinement for a period
of one (1) year to two (2) years on the charge of simple
assault to run consecutively to the sentences at 1637 of
2013 and 2259 of 2013.
Id. at 2 (footnote omitted).
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On June 21, 2016, the trial court reinstated Appellant’s appellate rights
nunc pro tunc and, thereafter, Appellant filed a timely post-sentence motion.
The trial court partially granted Appellant relief and ordered resentencing. On
September 29, 2016, the trial court imposed the identical sentence. This
timely appeal followed.1
On appeal, Appellant presents the following issues for our review:
I. Whether the trial court erred in denying [Appellant’s] Rule
600 motion where the court wrongly calculated the amount
of excludable time (and thus, improperly determined
[Appellant’s] adjusted run dates), [Appellant] was brought
to trial after his adjusted run dates, and the Commonwealth
failed to show due diligence in attempting to timely bring
[Appellant] to trial?
II. Whether the trial court had subject matter jurisdiction to try
and convict [Appellant] of resisting arrest where the court
had dismissed said charge prior to trial?
III. Whether the Commonwealth presented sufficient evidence
to convict [Appellant] of resisting arrest where it failed to
prove [Appellant] created a substantial risk of bodily injury
to law enforcement or that [Appellant] employed means
justifying law enforcement’s use of substantial force to
overcome him?
IV. Whether the trial court abused its discretion in admitting
prior bad acts evidence where the court failed to perform
the proper analysis for determining the admissibility of the
____________________________________________
1 Appellant filed a notice of appeal on November 17, 2016. The trial court did
not order Appellant to file a concise statement of errors complained of on
appeal pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b). Instead, on November 17, 2016, the
trial court issued an opinion which merely “incorporate[d] the explanatory
orders dated August 17, 2016, and October 18, 2016 [written in response to
the two post-sentence motions] as its 1925(a) opinion for [our] review.” Trial
Court Opinion, 11/17/2016, at *1.
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same, i.e., the court did not weigh the probative value of
said evidence against its prejudicial nature?
V. Whether the trial court abused its discretion in consolidating
the cases against [Appellant] where the offenses involved
were not based on the same act or transaction and the
danger of confusion to the jury was so great that it would
not have been capable of separating the evidence of each
offense?
Appellant’s Brief at 7-8 (complete capitalization, footnote, and suggested
answers omitted).
In his first issue presented, Appellant argues that the trial court abused
its discretion in dismissing his motion to dismiss the charges pursuant to
Pa.R.Crim.P. 600. Appellant’s Brief at 29-39. He claims that he was not tried
within 365 days of the filing of the criminal complaints at both docket number
1637 of 2013 and docket number 2259 of 2013. Id. at 29. Appellant contends
that the trial court erred in excluding the following periods of time in its
analysis, as provided under Rule 600: (1) 22 days for the magisterial district
justice’s continuance of the preliminary hearing due to scheduling conflicts at
docket number 1637 of 2013; (2) the time between Appellant’s filing of an
omnibus pre-trial motion, in each case, and the trial court’s disposition
thereof; (3) the month of August 2013, in both cases, because there was no
August criminal trial term in Washington County, and; (4) 14 days, at both
docket numbers, when Appellant’s counsel withdrew and new counsel was
appointed. Id. at 29-36. Further, Appellant contends that “[t]he
Commonwealth never even contended that it was prepared to – or made an
effort to – call [Appellant’s] case to trial before the actual October 2014 trial
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date.” Id. at 38. In sum, Appellant argues that “only 2 days should have
been excluded from each case” and, as such, the trial court erred by not
dismissing both causes of action. Id. at 37, 39.
Our standard of review is as follows:
In evaluating Rule 600 issues, our standard of review of a trial
court's decision is whether the trial court abused its discretion.
Judicial discretion requires action in conformity with law, upon
facts and circumstances judicially before the court, after hearing
and due consideration. An abuse of discretion is not merely an
error of judgment, but if in reaching a conclusion the law is
overridden or misapplied or the judgment exercised is manifestly
unreasonable, or the result of partiality, prejudice, bias, or ill will,
as shown by the evidence or the record, discretion is abused.
The proper scope of review is limited to the evidence on the record
of the Rule [600] evidentiary hearing, and the findings of the trial
court. An appellate court must view the facts in the light most
favorable to the prevailing party.
Additionally, when considering the trial court's ruling, this Court is
not permitted to ignore the dual purpose behind Rule 600.
Rule 600 serves two equally important functions: (1) the
protection of the accused's speedy trial rights, and (2) the
protection of society. In determining whether an accused's right
to a speedy trial has been violated, consideration must be given
to society's right to effective prosecution of criminal cases, both
to restrain those guilty of crime and to deter those contemplating
it. However, the administrative mandate of Rule 600 was not
designed to insulate the criminally accused from good faith
prosecution delayed through no fault of the Commonwealth.
So long as there has been no misconduct on the part of the
Commonwealth in an effort to evade the fundamental speedy trial
rights of an accused, Rule 600 must be construed in a manner
consistent with society's right to punish and deter crime. In
considering [these] matters ..., courts must carefully factor into
the ultimate equation not only the prerogatives of the individual
accused, but the collective right of the community to vigorous law
enforcement as well.
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Commonwealth v. Wendel, 165 A.3d 952, 955–956 (Pa. Super. 2017)
(internal citation and brackets omitted).
We have reviewed the certified record, the parties’ briefs, the relevant
law, and the trial court’s order and opinion entered on October 24, 2014
denying Appellant relief on his Rule 600 claim. Upon review of the legal
authority cited by the trial court, we discern no abuse of discretion or error of
law and conclude that the trial court properly considered Rule 600. The order
and opinion meticulously, thoroughly, and accurately disposes of Appellant’s
Rule 600 claim. Therefore, we affirm this issue on the basis of the trial court’s
opinion and adopt it as our own.2 Because we have adopted the trial court’s
October 24, 2014 decision, we direct the parties to include the order and
opinion in all future filings relating to our examination of the merits of this
appeal, as expressed herein.
On his second claim presented, Appellant claims that the jury convicted
him of resisting arrest despite dismissal of the charge prior to trial. In sum,
Appellant argues:
[Appellant] should [] be discharged from his resisting arrest
conviction [at docket number 1637 of 2013]. Simply put, the trial
court lacked subject matter jurisdiction over said offense at the
time of trial because the offense had been dismissed as a result
____________________________________________
2 We note that the trial court’s order and opinion contains a typographical
error with regard to a legal citation. Commonwealth v. Cook, 554 Pa. 361
(1996) should read, 544 Pa. 361. Moreover, we reject Appellant’s suggestion
that the Commonwealth made no effort to call his case to trial prior to October
2014. At a hearing on a motion for nominal bond, held on July 31, 2014, the
Commonwealth stated that it was prepared to go to trial in September 2014.
N.T., 7/31/2014, at 11.
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of [Appellant’s] omnibus pre-trial motion. [Appellant], therefore,
could not be validly convicted of resisting arrest.
Id. at 27.
Moreover, herein, the Commonwealth concedes in its brief “that the
record is clear that the [t]rial [c]ourt granted [Appellant’s] motion for writ of
habeas corpus as to the charge of resisting arrest or other law enforcement”
by “opinion dated April 21, 2014[.]” Commonwealth’s Brief at 25. The
Commonwealth argues alternatively, however, that there was sufficient
evidence presented at trial to support a resisting arrest conviction. Id. at 25-
26.
Upon review, it appears that the trial court dismissed the resisting arrest
charge prior to trial and, therefore, Appellant could not later be convicted of
that offense for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. In the case sub judice, as
stated previously, Appellant filed an omnibus pre-trial motion, on February
28, 2014, which, inter alia, sought to “dismiss [Appellant’s] charge[] of []
[r]esisting [a]rrest as the Commonwealth is unable to establish sufficient
evidence of said charge[].” Omnibus Pre-trial Motion, 2/28/2014, at 1. A
hearing on Appellant’s habeas corpus motion was scheduled for April 17, 2014.
Ultimately, the trial court entered an order on April 22, 2014, purporting to
dismiss “the charge of resisting arrest at docket [number] 1637-2013[.]” Trial
Court Order, 4/22/2014, at 1. The trial court further noted in its order that,
“the Commonwealth withdrew the charge of resisting arrest and the same was
noted on the record.” Id. at 5. Nonetheless, the case proceeded to trial and
a jury convicted Appellant of that offense.
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“The law is clear ... that a court is without jurisdiction to convict a
defendant of a crime for which he was not charged, and a challenge to a
court's subject matter jurisdiction is not waivable.” Commonwealth v.
Serrano, 61 A.3d 279, 287 (Pa. Super. 2013). “[S]ubject matter jurisdiction
may be raised for the first time on appeal.” Commonwealth v. Williams,
326 A.2d 902, 905 (Pa. Super. 1974). “There are two requirements
for subject matter jurisdiction as it relates to criminal defendants:
competency of the court to hear the case, and formal and specific notice to
the defendant.” Commonwealth v. McGarry, 2017 WL 4562726, at *3 (Pa.
Super. 2017) (citation omitted). Under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal
Procedure, dismissed or withdrawn charges are treated as charges that have
been omitted from the criminal information. See Pa.R.Crim.P. 561. In turn,
any prior notice that the Commonwealth gave with regard to a withdrawn
charge was, likewise, formally withdrawn, as well. Therefore, it follows that
if a defendant is convicted of an offense not included in the criminal
information, he did not have proper notice, and the trial court lacked subject
matter jurisdiction over the offense.
Here, upon review of the record, the trial court entered an order that
the resisting arrest charge was withdrawn/dismissed prior to trial. Appellant
was subsequently convicted and sentenced on that charge, despite the trial
court’s prior ruling. Moreover, it does not appear that the Commonwealth
moved to amend the criminal information, requested that the trial court
formally reconsider its prior ruling, or appealed the trial court’s order
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dismissing the resisting arrest charge. In fact, in its appellate brief, the
Commonwealth concedes that the trial court dismissed the resisting arrest
charge prior to trial. See Commonwealth’s Brief at 25. Accordingly, because
the resisting arrest charge was dismissed prior to trial, the trial court must
vacate Appellant’s subsequent conviction and sentence for that offense
because it lacked subject matter.
Furthermore, the trial court sentenced Appellant on the resisting arrest
conviction to a term of incarceration that was consecutive to sentences for
other convictions. Because we are constrained to vacate Appellant’s judgment
of sentence, we have upset the trial court’s overall sentencing scheme, and
resentencing is warranted. See Serrano, 61 A.3d at 287-288, citing
Commonwealth v. Sutton, 583 A.2d 500, 502 n.2 (Pa. Super. 1990)
(“Where one, convicted of several crimes, successfully challenges his
judgment of sentence on appeal, remand for resentencing may be just under
the circumstances, as it may further the sentencing court's plans for
protection of society from future criminal activity and rehabilitation of the
criminal and reduce the possibility of disparate and irrational sentencing.”).
Appellant alternatively challenges the sufficiency of the evidence to
support his resisting arrest conviction in his third issue on appeal. Appellant’s
Brief at 43-49. In light of our disposition of Appellant’s second issue, however,
we need not reach this claim.
In his fourth issue presented, Appellant argues that the trial court
abused its discretion in allowing the Commonwealth to use evidence of
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Appellant’s prior bad acts under Pa.R.E. 404(b). Id. at 50-55. He avers that
the trial court did not weigh the probative value of the evidence with its
prejudicial effect. Id. at 52.
“The admission of evidence is committed to the sound discretion of the
trial court, and a trial court's ruling regarding the admission of evidence will
not be disturbed on appeal unless that ruling reflects manifest
unreasonableness, or partiality, prejudice, bias, or ill-will, or such lack of
support to be clearly erroneous.” Commonwealth v. Ivy, 146 A.3d 241, 250
(Pa. Super. 2016) (internal citation omitted).
Rule 404(b) of the Rules of Evidence provides, in relevant part:
(b) Crimes, Wrongs or Other Acts.
(1) Prohibited Uses. Evidence of a crime, wrong, or
other act is not admissible to prove a person's
character in order to show that on a particular
occasion the person acted in accordance with the
character.
(2) Permitted Uses. This evidence may be admissible
for another purpose, such as proving motive,
opportunity, intent, preparation, plan, knowledge,
identity, absence of mistake, or lack of accident. In a
criminal case this evidence is admissible only if the
probative value of the evidence outweighs its potential
for unfair prejudice.
Pa.R.E. 404(b).
“Evidence of a defendant's distinct crimes are not generally admissible
against a defendant solely to show his bad character or his propensity for
committing criminal acts, as proof of the commission of one offense is
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not generally proof of the commission of another.” Commonwealth v.
Yocolano, 169 A.3d 47, 54 (Pa. Super. 2017) (citation omitted) (emphasis in
original). “However, this general proscription against admission of a
defendant's distinct bad acts is subject to numerous exceptions if the evidence
is relevant for some legitimate evidentiary reason and not merely to prejudice
the defendant by showing him to be a person of bad character.” Id.
“[T]he res gestae exception to the general proscription against evidence of
other crimes, is also known as the complete story rationale, i.e., evidence of
other criminal acts is admissible to complete the story of the crime on trial by
proving its immediate context of happenings near in time and place.” Id.
“Where the res gestae exception is applicable, the trial court must balance the
probative value of such evidence against its prejudicial impact [by]
consider[ing] factors such as the strength of the other crimes evidence, the
similarities between the crimes, the time lapse between crimes, the need for
the other crimes evidence, the efficacy of alternative proof of the charged
crime, and the degree to which the evidence probably will rouse the jury to
overmastering hostility.” Id. (citation omitted).
Here, while the trial court did not explicitly state that the proffered
evidence’s probative value outweighed its potential for prejudice, the trial
court’s decision implicitly demonstrates that it considered Appellant’s
contentions. First, the trial court identified the Commonwealth’s proffered
evidence and determined that it consisted of “seven incidents reported to law
enforcement officials regarding disputes involving [Appellant] and the alleged
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victim[.]” Trial Court Order and Opinion, 10/24/2014, at 2. Attached to its
Rule 404(b) motion, the Commonwealth appended a copy of each of the seven
proffered police incident reports. Upon review, each of the seven incidents
occurred within two years of the crimes charged. In each instance,
anonymous calls of domestic violence resulted in police intervention at the
same residence and involved the same victim in this case. Thus, we conclude
that the trial court considered the strength of the other crimes evidence (police
incident reports), the similarities between the crimes (domestic violence
against the same victim, at the same residence), and the time lapse between
crimes (all within 2 years) in permitting the evidence. Moreover, the trial
court noted that at docket number 2259 of 2013, Appellant was charged with
harassment, which required evidence of a course of conduct or a repetitive
pattern of behavior. Id. Thus, it concluded that there was a need for the
prior crimes evidence. Ultimately, the trial court concluded that the prior bad
acts were “not being used for the sole purpose of demonstrating [Appellant]
has a bad character or criminal propensity.” Id. Therefore, we conclude that
by permitting the prior bad acts evidence to be admitted at trial, the trial court
implicitly determined the evidence would not rouse the jury to overmastering
hostility. Upon review, we discern no abuse of discretion. Finally, we note
that at the time of trial court’s 404(b) decision, it had the benefit of a
memorandum of law filed by Appellant arguing that the prejudice outweighed
the probative value. We presume the trial court was aware of the relevant
arguments before rendering its decision.
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In his final issue presented, Appellant contends that the trial court erred
in consolidating the cases for trial because “[t]he cases were not based on the
same act or transaction, and the evidence involved was not capable of being
separated by the jury without substantial confusion.” Appellant’s Brief at 56.
Appellant points to discussions during the charging conference regarding jury
instructions in arguing that both the trial court and the Commonwealth showed
confusion regarding the evidence presented and the elements of the various
crimes. Id. at 56-58. Additionally, Appellant maintains that the offenses
did not originate from the same act, as the alleged events took place on
different dates, and there was no evidence that the two later incidents against
the victim were in retaliation for the first. Id. at 58. Thus, Appellant contends
the jury was incapable of separating the evidence without substantial
confusion and, therefore, the trial court abused its discretion in consolidating
the three causes of action for trial. Id. at 58-59.
Our standard of review is as follows:
It is well settled that the decision of whether to join [] offenses
for trial is within the discretion of the trial court, and such decision
will not be reversed on appeal absent a manifest abuse of that
discretion or a showing of prejudice and clear injustice to the
defendant. The Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure provide
that distinct offenses which do not arise out of the same act or
transaction may be tried together if the evidence of each of the
offenses would be admissible in a separate trial for the other and
is capable of separation by the jury so that there is no danger of
confusion. Pa.R.Crim.P. 582(A)(1)(a). While evidence
concerning distinct crimes is inadmissible solely to demonstrate a
defendant's bad character or his propensity to commit crimes, that
evidence will be permitted to establish the identity of the
perpetrator where proof of one crime tends to prove the others.
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Commonwealth v. Stiles, 143 A.3d 968, 975–976 (Pa. Super. 2016)
(internal case citations and footnote omitted).
Here, the trial court recognized that the three cases all involved
instances of domestic violence against the same victim. N.T., 10/17/2014, at
4-5. The trial court determined that evidence of each distinct incident would
be admissible in separate trials under the res gestae exception to Rule 404(b)
evidence. Id. The trial court concluded that “it would be a great waste of
judicial resources to have separate trials[.]” Id. at 5.
We agree with the trial court’s assessment, especially in light of our
disposition that there was no merit to Appellant’s Rule 404(b) claim.
Moreover, upon review of the record, we discern no abuse of discretion in
consolidating the actions, because there was no danger of jury confusion.
Here, the incidents occurred on different dates, making it easier to
compartmentalize the evidence. Additionally, at trial, the Commonwealth
presented the testimony of three different responding police officers – one for
each incident. Officer Willis McConnell testified regarding the June 1, 2013
incident. Id. at 77-87. Officer Daniel Grossman testified about the August
28, 2013 incident. Id. at 89-99. Officer Peter Jaskiewicz testified concerning
the December 20, 2013 incident. Id. at 99-133. Because there were different
witnesses and distinct dates for each of the incidents, there was no danger of
confusing the evidence. Thus, we discern no abuse of discretion in
consolidating the three causes of action. Hence, Appellant’s final claim lacks
merit.
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Accordingly, in the case sub judice, because Appellant’s charge for
resisting arrest was dismissed prior to trial, we are constrained to vacate
Appellant’s conviction and sentence for that offense. However, because we
are vacating a conviction in a multiple count matter where the trial court
imposed a consecutive sentence, we have upset the trial court’s overall
sentencing scheme, and we remand for resentencing. Furthermore, we affirm
Appellant’s convictions for aggravated assault, harassment, and two counts of
simple assault.
Conviction and judgment of sentence vacated for resisting arrest. All
remaining convictions affirmed. Case remanded for resentencing. Jurisdiction
relinquished.
Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary
Date: 12/21/2017
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Circulated 11/29/2017 03:34 PM
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY; PENNSYLVANIA
CR.IMJNAL DIVISION
)
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA )
Plaintiff, )
)
v. )
)
)
)
).
RONA.Lb PAD'ERSON )
�., "', Defendant; )
r ..'
ORDER
LL. 4\ND NOW, this 24TH day of October,.2014, itis hereby ORDERED, A.DJUDGED, and
-·-. �.! -.. ..
L p�c�iti.\hatDefendarit's oral Rule 600(A) Motion is DENIED.
(..:.., ;.�,J :·.:·:;
�:: i'gy�way of further explanation. Defendant's counsel made an oral.motion on Tuesday;
October 21. 2014, alleging.that. the Commonwealth violated. Rule 600(A) arid requested.thatthe
. .
charges at the above listed case numbers be dismissed with prejudice .. Pa. RiCrim.P,
600(A)(2)(a) decrees that trial shall commence "within365 days from the datethe complaint was
filed." Per Pa. R'Crim.P, 60Q(A)(2), "[tjrial shall be deemed to commence on the date the trial
judge
� calls the case to trial." Pa. R'Crim.P, 600(C)(l)
. states that "for purposes
. of paragraph (A),
periods of delay at any stage of the proceedings caused by the Commonwealth when the
Commonwealth has failed to exercise due diligence shall be included in the .computation of the
time within whichtrial must commence. Arty other periods ofdelay shall be excluded from the
computation." Further, Pa. R�Crim.P. 600(C)(3)(a) explains that where a party requests a
continuance, the delay isattributable to the party requesting the-continuance.
--, ,-·-····-··---· . ·------------
.....\..,
At CR 1637 - 2013, Defendant was charged by criminal complaint on June 1, 2013.
Thus; .if there were no delays, the Commonwealth had until May 31, 2014 to begin Defendant's
trial.At CR 2259 -2013, Defendant was charged by criminal complaint on August 29; 2013.
Thus, if there were; no -delays, the Commonwealth had until A ugust 28, 2014 to begin
Defend ant's trial.
However, there.have been many delays.in Defendant's cases at CR 1637-2013 and CR
2259.::2013 that are excludable for speedy trial computation purposes. See Pa. R.Crim.P.
·600(C)(lJ. After a thorough review of the record, this court finds the following days are
excluded when calculating the speedy trial run date. Twenty-two days are excluded at CR 1637�
1
2013 because the Magisterial District.Justice was unavailable. The Commonwealth did not
cause that delay, not did they have control over the date to which the Magisterial DistrictJustice
continued the preliminary hearing'. See Pa, .R. Crim.P, 600(C){ 1 )� In. addition, forty-one days are
excluded.at CR 1637,.:2Q1Jand twenty-nine days are excluded at CR 2259�2013,hecause tlie
period of time between the dates a Defendantfiles a pre-trial motion and the trial court' s
dispensing of such motion is excludable as delay caused by Defend�t:2 See 'Commonwealth v.
The Magistrate Distri.ct Justice re-scheduled Defendant's preliminary hearing fron.Oune 1. r, 20 p to July 3., 2013,
I
due to the unavailability of the Magistrate District Justice on June 11, 20i 3.
2
Although Defendant filed a Motion for Bond Reduction on June. I 8, 2013, before ihe court ruled on said motion,
Defendant posted bail and was released from incarceration on July J 5, 2014. Orily twelve days are excluded fr.om
the time period between June t8; 2013 and July 15, 2013., because the delay for.the Magjstraie's continuance (June
11, 2013 to July 3, 2013) has already been counted asexcluded time in the speedy trial.computation. Thus, twelve
days are excluded (June 18, 20llto July 1$, 2013). . ·
Otr February 28, 2014, Defendant's attorneyfiled an omnibus motion. This court.scheduled a hearing regarding the
motionon March l 3, 2014.Jfow.ever, the Commonwealth requested a continuance, the court scheduled a new
hearing date for April 21, 2014, Only the time between .the filing of the motion and date Commcnwealth's . ..
continuance was granted is included in the speedy tri�l calculation. Thus, thirteen days excluded. (February 28, 2014
to March l.3, 2014);
Defendant's attorney filed a Rule 600 Motiorion July 17, 2014, which this courtscheduled for a hearing on July 3 i,
20 f 4; Upon conferring with the Assistant District Attorney at the hearing on July 3 I, 20)4, Defendant's counsel
orally withdrew the Rule 600 Motion. Consequently; this court issued no order regarding July 11; 2014 Motion.
Thus, fourteen days are excluded (Julyl 7; 2014 to July 31, 2014).
. . . . . . . .
2
·------·�····-···-·--·--·-·--··-·---------·---- ·------
Oliver, 674 A.2d 287, 2.89-290 (Pa. Super. Ct.1996). Two days are excluded because where a
Defendant is on bail and he fails to appear in court at an appointed time, the time between the
date Defend ant failed to appear at court .and the bench warrant hearing. following his.arrest are
excludable under the speedy trial rule? See Commonwealth v, Leatherbury, 473 A.2d W40, I 043
(Pa. Super. Ct. 198-4), Thirty-one days are excluded because, time is not chargeable to the
Commonwealth forspeedy trial purposes where a defendant's case is "scheduled.for the earliest
possible date consistent-with court business.t'" See Commonwealthv. Ne/lorn; 565 A.2d 770, 773
(Pa. Super. Ct. 1989). Fourteen days are excluded atCR 1637,,2013 and 2259;.2013 because the
period of time, between Defendant's attorney's withdrawing and new counsel entering their
appearance is excludable.l See Commonwealth. v. Cook, 554 Pa. 361, 374(1996). thirty-nine
days are excluded at QR 1637�2013 and .Z259-2013 because Defendant requested a continuance
and the delay is attributable to the Defendant," Pa. R.Crim.P. 600(C)(3J(a). This summary
consists of the. days that.are excludable for speedy trial purposes.
Upon calculating the total riumber of days that are excludable from the prompt trial
computation, the, court finds the following. 1.\t CR 163 7- 2013, 149 days are excludable from .
Finally, Defendant has filed severa:lpro se motions while he was represented by counsel, (despite the facrthis court
repeatedly info.r!Jle¢ Defendant using .a hybrid approach is not proper) on February 5; 2014 and March 6, 2014, that
were quickly dismissed by this court, on February 7, 2014 and March 7, 2()14, respectively. Only two days are
excluded fromthe speedy trial computation (February S, ioi4 and February 7, 2014), because this court.already
excluded March 6-7, 2014 due-to Defendant's a.ttoqiey. filing an omnibus motion on February 28, io.i4.
3
Defendant failed to appear at a court heari11g on November 6, 2()13 -and had a bench warrant hearing following his
arrest on November 8, 2013 ..
4
August I, 2014toAU:glist Jl, 2014 is excluded for speedy trial purposes, because there is no jury trial term in
August In the Court of Common Pleas of Washington County, Peruisylvanja. The next trial term began September 8,
�� . . ..
5
Public Defender Attorney Chris Sherwood withdrew his appearance as Defendant's counsel on January 14,2014.
Attorney Amanda Como entered her appearance.en.January 28, 2014. The fourteen day delayIsexcludable from the
speedy trial calculations. Also, Attorney Amanda Como withdrew her appearance on July .3l;.2014. AttorneyJohn
Puskar entered his appearance on August 6, 2014. However, this seven day delay is NOTexcjuded from the speedy·
trial celculaflons, because the month of August has.already been excluded due to court unavailability. .
6
The.continuance was for a period ofthirty-nine days, from September 8, 2014 to October 17, 201..4 (date set for
jury. selection
. and
. . pre-trial conference
.. date, respectively).
.
3
..... -- - ,------···· ·--·--···-··------------------
the prompt trial computation. Consequently; the Commonwealth has until.October 28, 2014 to
commence trial against Defendant atCR 1637·2013. At CR 2259-201?, 115. days are.
excludable from the prompt trial computation, Consequently, the Commonwealth has.until
December 22; 2014 to commence trial against Defendant at CR 2259.-2()13. On0ctober21,
2014,.this. courtconductedvotr dire for Defendant's casesat CR 1637-2013 and CR 2259-2013
for the. October trial term .. The trials for said cases are scheduled to commence on October 28,
2014. along with Defendant' s case· at CR 52.,.2014. 7 Therefore, the Commonwealth.is bringing
the Defendant to trial within the tinier periods set forth in Pa. R.Crim.P. 600(A),
7Thecourt conducted and completed jury selection on October 21, 2014. This is a "substantial step" evidencing the
beginning of a trial. See Commonwealth. v: Lamanna, 473 Pa. 248, 255; 373 A. �d i355,.13?9 (}977). Opening .
statements are.to commence on October 28, 2014.
4