Com. v. Gonzales, J. ( 2015 )

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NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
PENNSYLVANIA
Appellee
v.
JUAN JOSE GONZALES,
Appellant No. 1292 WDA 2014
Appeals from the Judgment of Sentence entered April 24, 2013,
in the Court of Common Pleas of Venango County,
Criminal Division, at No(s): CP-61-CR-0000289-2011
BEFORE: FORD ELLIOTT, P.J.E., BOWES and ALLEN, JJ.
MEMORANDUM BY ALLEN, J.: FILED FEBRUARY 11, 2015
Juan Jose Gonzales (“Appellant”) appeals from the judgment of
sentence imposed after a jury convicted him of two counts of unlawful
contact with a minor, one count of endangering the welfare of children, two
counts of corruption of minors, and two counts of indecent exposure.1
Appellant’s appointed counsel seeks to withdraw, citing Anders v.
California, 386 U.S. 738 (1967) and Commonwealth v. McClendon, 434
A.2d 1185 (Pa. 1981). We affirm the judgment of sentence and grant
counsel’s petition to withdraw.
The facts are as follows: On February 28, 2011, Sergeant Steven E.
Hamilton of the Oil City Police Department received a report from the
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18 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 6318, 3304(a), 6301(a) and 3127(a).
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Venango County Children and Youth Services that Appellant, on several
occasions, exposed himself and/or inappropriately touched his girlfriend’s
minor daughters. Affidavit of Probable Cause, 3/9/11. Appellant was
subsequently arrested and charged with rape of a child, involuntary deviate
sexual intercourse, two counts of unlawful contact with a minor, one count of
indecent assault, one count of endangering the welfare of children, three
counts of corruption of minors and three counts of indecent exposure.
A jury trial commenced on October 14, 2011, at the conclusion of
which the jury found Appellant guilty of two counts of unlawful contact with
a minor, one count of endangering the welfare of children, two counts of
corruption of minors, and two counts of indecent exposure. The jury was
deadlocked on the remaining counts, and the trial court declared a mistrial.
By order dated August 28, 2012, the remaining counts were nolle prossed.
Following a sentencing hearing on April 24, 2013, the trial court
sentenced Appellant to an aggregate term of imprisonment of 9½ to 24
years. Appellant filed a motion for reconsideration on May 6, 2013, which
the trial court denied on May 7, 2013. Appellant filed a notice of appeal on
June 7, 2013, and on September 27, 2013, this Court quashed the appeal
for Appellant’s failure to file the appeal within thirty days from the judgment
of sentence.
On February 25, 2014, Appellant filed a pro se petition for post-
conviction relief pursuant to the Post Conviction Relief Act (“PCRA”), 42
Pa.C.S.A. §§ 9541-46, seeking reinstatement of his direct appeal rights. The
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PCRA court appointed new counsel, who filed an amended PCRA petition on
April 22, 2014. Following a hearing on July 3, 2014, the trial court
reinstated Appellant’s direct appeal rights nunc pro tunc. Appellant filed a
notice of appeal on July 31, 2014, and the trial court directed Appellant to
file a Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b) concise statement of errors complained of on appeal
by September 25, 2014. On September 23, 2014, Appellant’s counsel filed a
notice of intent to file an Anders/McClendon brief pursuant to
Pa.R.A.P.1925(c). On September 26, 2014, the trial court entered an order
explaining that in light of counsel’s statement of intent to file an
Anders/McClendon brief, it would not submit a Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a) opinion.
Appellant presents the following issues for our review:
I. WHETHER PRIOR COUNSEL WAS INEFFECTIVE FOR
FAILING TO HAVE THE APPELLANT TESTIFY ON HIS OWN
BEHA[LF] DURING TRIAL?
II. WHETHER THE SENTENCE IMPOSED BY THE [TRIAL]
COURT WAS EXCESSIVE IN LIGHT OF THE CHARGES?
III. WHETHER THE EVIDENCE PRESENTED AT TRIAL WAS
SUFFICIENT TO SUSTAIN THE JURY’S GUILTY VERDICTS?
Anders Brief at 5.
Appellant’s counsel has filed a brief pursuant to Anders and its
Pennsylvania counterpart, McClendon. See Anders, 386 U.S. 738;
McClendon, 434 A.2d at 1187. Where an Anders/McClendon brief has
been presented, our standard of review requires counsel seeking permission
to withdraw pursuant to Anders to: (1) petition the court for leave to
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withdraw stating that after making a conscientious examination of the record
it has been determined that the appeal would be frivolous; (2) file a brief
referring to anything that might arguably support the appeal, but which does
not resemble a “no merit” letter or amicus curiae brief; and (3) furnish a
copy of the brief to the defendant and advise him of his right to retain new
counsel or raise any additional points that he deems worthy of the court's
attention. Commonwealth v. McBride, 957 A.2d 752, 756 (Pa. Super.
2008). Counsel is required to submit to this Court “a copy of any letter used
by counsel to advise the appellant of the rights associated with the Anders
process.” Commonwealth v. Woods, 939 A.2d 896, 900 (Pa. Super.
2007). Pursuant to Commonwealth v. Santiago, 978 A.2d 349, 361 (Pa.
2009), appellant’s counsel must state in the Anders brief the reasons for
concluding that the appeal is frivolous. If these requirements are met, this
Court may then review the record to determine whether we agree with
counsel’s assessment that the appeal is frivolous.
In the instant case, by letter dated October 24, 2014, Appellant’s
counsel notified Appellant of his intent to file an Anders brief and petition to
withdraw with this Court, and informed Appellant of his rights to retain new
counsel and raise additional issues. On November 3, 2014, Appellant’s
counsel filed an appropriate petition seeking leave to withdraw. Finally,
Appellant’s counsel has submitted an Anders brief to this Court, with a copy
provided to Appellant. Accordingly, the technical requirements of Anders
have been met. We will therefore conduct our own independent examination
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of the issues set forth in the Anders brief to determine if they are frivolous
and whether counsel should be permitted to withdraw.
In his first issue, Appellant argues that his trial counsel was ineffective
for failing to have Appellant testify on his own behalf during trial. In
Commonwealth v. Holmes, 79 A.3d 562 (Pa. 2013), our Supreme Court
reaffirmed its holding in Commonwealth v. Grant, 813 A.2d 726 (Pa.
2002), that, in general, claims of ineffective assistance of counsel should be
deferred to collateral review under the Post Conviction Relief Act (“PCRA”),
42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9541-46. Holmes, 79 A.3d at 576. The limited and specific
circumstances under which ineffectiveness claims may be addressed on
direct appeal are not present in the instant case. Id. at 577-78 (explaining
that the trial court may address claims of ineffectiveness where they are
“both meritorious and apparent from the record so that immediate
consideration and relief is warranted”, or where the appellant’s request for
review of “prolix” ineffectiveness claims is “accompanied by a knowing,
voluntary, and express waiver of PCRA review”). Appellant must therefore
raise his ineffectiveness claim in a PCRA petition. Although Appellant had
previously filed a PCRA petition in this case, the trial court granted relief only
insofar as reinstating his direct appeal rights nunc pro tunc, and did not
conduct a hearing on the underlying ineffectiveness claim. Accordingly,
Appellant’s first issue is without merit, and we deny relief without prejudice
for Appellant to seek relief under the PCRA.
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Appellant next argues that the sentence imposed by the trial court was
excessive. Anders Brief at 13. A challenge to the discretionary aspects of a
sentence is not appealable as of right. Rather, Appellant must petition for
allowance of appeal pursuant to 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9781. Commonwealth v.
Hanson, 856 A.2d 1254, 1257 (Pa. Super. 2004).
Before we reach the merits of this [issue], we must engage
in a four part analysis to determine: (1) whether the appeal is
timely; (2) whether Appellant preserved his issue; (3) whether
Appellant's brief includes a concise statement of the reasons
relied upon for allowance of appeal with respect to the
discretionary aspects of sentence; and (4) whether the concise
statement raises a substantial question that the sentence is
appropriate under the sentencing code. The third and fourth of
these requirements arise because Appellant's attack on his
sentence is not an appeal as of right. Rather, he must petition
this Court, in his concise statement of reasons, to grant
consideration of his appeal on the grounds that there is a
substantial question. Finally, if the appeal satisfies each of these
four requirements, we will then proceed to decide the
substantive merits of the case.
Commonwealth v. Austin, 66 A.3d 798, 808 (Pa. Super. 2013) (citations
omitted).
Appellant has preserved his claim by filing a post-sentence motion and
timely notice of appeal. Although Appellant failed to include a Pa.R.A.P.
2119(f) statement in his brief, the Commonwealth has not objected to the
omission. See Commonwealth v. Stewart, 867 A.2d 589 (Pa. Super.
2005) (declining to find waiver of sentencing claim due to lack of Pa.R.A.P.
2119(f) statement where Commonwealth did not object). Therefore, we
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proceed to determine whether Appellant has raised a substantial question for
our review.
Appellant argues that the trial court abused its discretion when it
imposed a sentence in the aggravated range of the sentencing guidelines.
Anders Brief at 13. To the extent Appellant argues that the trial court failed
to state sufficient reasons on the record for its aggravated range sentence,
this claim presents a substantial question for our review. See
Commonwealth v. Booze, 953 A.2d 1263, 1278 (Pa. Super. 2008)
(allegation that court failed to state adequate reasons on the record for
imposing an aggravated range sentence raises a substantial question for our
review).
In reviewing Appellant's sentencing issue, we are mindful that
“[s]entencing is a matter vested in the sound discretion of the sentencing
judge, and a sentence will not be disturbed on appeal absent a manifest
abuse of discretion.” Commonwealth v. Vega, 850 A.2d 1277, 1281 (Pa.
Super. 2004) (citation omitted). “Moreover, the sentencing court has broad
discretion in choosing the range of permissible confinements which best suits
a particular defendant and the circumstances surrounding his crime.” Id.(citations and internal quotation omitted).
When considering a discretionary aspects of sentencing claim, we
analyze the sentencing court’s decision under an abuse of discretion
standard. Commonwealth v. Dodge, 77 A.3d 1263, 1274 (Pa. Super.
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2013). In conducting this review, we are guided by the statutory
requirements of 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9781(c) and (d). Id. Section 9781(c)
provides that this Court shall vacate a sentence and remand under three
circumstances. Relevant here is the second circumstance, i.e., whether
Appellant’s sentence is within the sentencing guidelines, “but the case
involves circumstances where the application of the guidelines would be
clearly unreasonable[.]” 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9781(c)(2). “[T]he term
‘unreasonable’ generally means a decision that is either irrational or not
guided by sound judgment. [A] sentence can be defined as unreasonable
either upon review of the four elements contained in § 9781(d) or if the
sentencing court failed to take into account the factors outlined in 42
Pa.C.S.A. § 9721(b).” Commonwealth v. Daniel, 30 A.3d 494, 497 (Pa.
Super. 2011), quoting Commonwealth v. Walls, 926 A.2d 957 (Pa. 2007).
Pursuant to 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9871, we must have regard for the
following statutory factors in our review of the certified record: (1) the
nature and circumstances of the offense and the history and characteristics
of the defendant, (2) the opportunity of the sentencing court to observe the
defendant, including any presentence investigation, (3) the findings upon
which the sentence was based, and (4) the guidelines promulgated by the
commission. 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9871(d)(1)-(4). Additionally, when evaluating
a challenge to the discretionary aspects of sentence, it is important to
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remember that the sentencing guidelines are purely advisory in nature.
Commonwealth v. Yuhasz, 923 A.2d 1111, 1118 (Pa. 2007).
Here, in its sentencing order, the trial court set forth the following
reasons for its aggravated range sentence:
These sentences are in the aggravated range under the
sentencing guidelines because of the current number of multiple
offense convictions, because of the multiple victims, because of
the young ages of the victims, because of the severe violation of
trust that occurred in this case, because of the extended period
of time over which these offenses were committed, because
[Appellant] has committed these types of crimes before and
poses a serious and continuing threat to children, and because of
the long term effects of [Appellant’s] conduct upon these young
victims.
The court determines that any lesser sentence would depreciate
the seriousness of these crimes.
The court believes that [Appellant] can benefit from the sex
offender programming available in the State Correctional System
in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Trial Court Sentencing Order, 4/24/13, at 5-6.
Thus, it is apparent that the trial court, which was aware of the
sentencing guidelines, took into account the relevant sentencing factors
including the nature and circumstances of the crimes, the gravity of the
offenses and their impact on the victims and the community, the need for
protection of the public, Appellant’s history and background, and Appellant’s
rehabilitative needs. Given the foregoing, we conclude that the trial court
provided adequate reasons for the sentence imposed. The trial court did not
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apply the guidelines erroneously, nor do we find that the trial court applied
them unreasonably. 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9781(c) and (d); Walls, supra.
Appellant's discretionary claim therefore lacks merit.
In his third issue, Appellant argues that the evidence was insufficient
to support the guilty verdicts. Appellant’s Brief at 16-18.
Our standard when reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence is
whether the evidence at trial, and all reasonable inferences
derived therefrom, when viewed in the light most favorable to
the Commonwealth as verdict-winner, are sufficient to establish
all elements of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt. We may
not weigh the evidence or substitute our judgment for that of the
fact-finder. Additionally, the evidence at trial need not preclude
every possibility of innocence, and the fact-finder is free to
resolve any doubts regarding a defendant's guilt unless the
evidence is so weak and inconclusive that as a matter of law no
probability of fact may be drawn from the combined
circumstances. When evaluating the credibility and weight of
the evidence, the fact-finder is free to believe all, part or none of
the evidence. For purposes of our review under these principles,
we must review the entire record and consider all of the
evidence introduced.
Commonwealth v. Emler, 903 A.2d 1273, 1276–77 (Pa. Super. 2006).
At trial, the Commonwealth presented ample testimony from the
victims, who testified in detail about numerous occasions when Appellant
exposed himself, masturbated in front of them, and/or inappropriately
touched them. See N.T., 10/14/11, at 71-140; N.T., 10/17/11, at 9-78. In
addition, the Commonwealth presented the testimony of N.J. and C.S., who
testified that Appellant had exposed himself and/or inappropriately touched
them in the past. N.T, 10/17/11, at 96-133. This testimony, which the jury
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found credible, was sufficient to sustain Appellant’s convictions, and
Appellant’s challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence is meritless.
Having reviewed the issues contained in the Anders brief, and after
independent and thorough review of the record, we find Appellant’s issues
wholly frivolous. Accordingly, we grant counsel’s petition to withdraw and
affirm the judgment of sentence.
Judgment of sentence affirmed. Petition to withdraw granted.
Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary
Date: 2/11/2015
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