Com. v. Maines, J. ( 2016 )

J-S29010-16
NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
PENNSYLVANIA
Appellee
v.
JASON MAINES A/K/A JASON ALLEN
MAINES,
Appellant No. 953 WDA 2015
Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence Entered December 30, 2014
In the Court of Common Pleas of Cambria County
Criminal Division at No(s):
CP-11-CR-0000774-2013
CP-11-CR-0001919-2013
BEFORE: BENDER, P.J.E., PANELLA, J., and FITZGERALD, J.*
MEMORANDUM BY BENDER, P.J.E.: FILED JUNE 1, 2016
Appellant, Jason Maines (a/k/a Jason Allen Maines), appeals from the
aggregate judgment of sentence of 19 to 40 years’ incarceration, imposed
after he was convicted (in two separate, but related cases) to various
offenses, including robbery, criminal conspiracy to commit robbery, burglary,
aggravated assault, terroristic threats, and intimidation of a witness or
victim. Appellant challenges the sufficiency and weight of the evidence to
support his convictions. We affirm.
We have reviewed the certified record, the briefs of the parties, and
the applicable law. Additionally, we have reviewed the thorough and well-
____________________________________________
*
Former Justice specially assigned to the Superior Court.
J-S29010-16
crafted opinion of the Honorable Norman A. Krumenacker, III, of the Court
of Common Pleas of Cambria County. We conclude that Judge
Krumenacker’s extensive, well-reasoned opinion accurately disposes of the
issues presented by Appellant. Specifically, Judge Krumenacker provides
ample analysis in rejecting Appellant’s arguments that the evidence was
insufficient, and that the verdict was contrary to the weight of the evidence,
because the Commonwealth failed to prove he was present at the scene of
the crime(s), and that the scope of his conspiratorial or accomplice liability
did not include inflicting, or intending to inflict, serious bodily injury on the
victim in this case. See Trial Court Opinion (TCO), 8/19/15, at 7-16.
Accordingly, we adopt Judge Krumenacker’s opinion as our own and affirm
Appellant’s judgment of sentence on that basis.
Judgment of sentence affirmed.
Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary
Date: June 1, 2016
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li Circulated 05/11/2016 09:14 AM
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I IN THE COURT OF COiVlMON PLEAS OF CAMBRIA COUNTY, PENNSYLY;\NIA
CRIMINAL DIVISION . .~
. -:,~) \
*
COMMON\VEALTH OF
PENNSYLVANIA,
* Nos. 0774-2013, 191922013 ~·-
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::.'Jo (.,.)
vs. *
* Opinion Pursuant to Rule of Appellate
JASON MArNES, *
Procedure 1925(a)(l)
Defendant.
*
Opinion Pursuant to Rule of Appellate Procedure
1925(a)(l)
Krumenacker, J: On October 10, 2014, following a four-day jury trial Jason Maines (Maines)
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was convicted as follows:
I 1) At docket number 0774-2013 one count each of: Criminal Attempt -
!I Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver; Criminal
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I j Attempt - Intentional Possession of a Controlled Substance; Terroristic
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Threats; and Intimidation of Witnesses or Victims.'
'I 2) At docket number 1919-2013 one count each of: Criminal Conspiracy -
I Robbery; Robbery; Burglary; Aggravated Assault - Cause Serious Bodily
Injury; Aggravated Assault - Cause Serious Bodily Injury with a Deadly
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Weapon; and Criminal Trespass.2
I On December 30, 2014, Maines was sentenced to pay the costs of prosecution, pay restitution
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ii of $6,004.31, and serve an aggregate period of incarceration in a state correctional institute of
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. I J 8 Pa. C.S.§§ 90 l (a), 90 l(a), 2706(a)( I), and 4952(a)( I) respectively .
2 18 Pa. C.S. §§ 903(a)( I), 370 I (a)( 1 )(i), 3502(a)(l ), 2702(a)( I), 2702(a)(4), and 3503(a)(l )(ii) respectively.
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EXHIBIT B
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nineteen (19) to forty (40) years incarceration> which is in the standard range. N.T. 12/30/14 ·
pp. 19-29. In imposing this sentence the Court considered the sentencing guidelines, including
mandatory sentences, Maines's Pre-sentence Investigation (PSI), victim impact statements,
statements on behalf of Maines, sentencing memoranda from the Commonwealth, the
II sentencing options permissible under the applicable statutes, the circumstances surrounding the
I' offenses, the testimony and evidence presented at trial, the likelihood that Maines' would re-
Ii offend, the fact that Maines' had been crime free for a period of 15 years, and the need to
protect the public. Id. Maines filed Post-sentence Motions and a hearing on them was held May
I 14, 2015. The Motions were denied on June 1, 2015.
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I Maines filed a timely notice of appeal and a Concise Statement of Matters Complained
I of on Appeal (Concise Statement) pursuant to Pennsylvania Rule of Appellate Procedure
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;I l 925(b) as Ordered by this Court. In his Concise Statement Maines raises two allegations of I
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!I: I 1) Were the convictions at docket 1919-2013 supported by sufficient evidence?
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2) Were the convictions against the weight of the evidence?
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II For the following reasons the appeal should be dismissed and the verdict and sentence
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1· FACTUAL SUMMARY3
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The testimony and evidence presented at trial revealed that on Saturday February 23,
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2013, William Cawthorne (Cawthorne) was at his residence at 720 Highland Avenue in the
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:I Moxham section of theCity of Johnstown. With Cawthorne were his girlfriend, Kimberly Dan-
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: ! The factual summary is distilled from the testimony presented at the trial in this matter without citation to
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(Darr), Darr's eighteen year old nephew, Barry Black, Jr. (Black), and Cawthorne's DNO
children. At approximately 11 a.m. UPS delivered a package to the residence and Darr,
believing it to be a comforter she ordered, opened it. Inside the package and wrapped in various
packing materials they found a large plastic bucket that contained a large quantity of what they
suspected was marijuana. Dan and Cawthorne were concerned about taking the drugs to the
police because Darr was on probation and they feared she would be charged relative to the
drugs. While discussing what to do there was a knock at a side door4 and Cawthorne answered
the door where he encountered a man that he later identified as Maines and another unidentified
man.
Maines asked if a package for him had been accidentally delivered to the residence and
Cawthorne indicated that no package was delivered. Maines then left. Maines and the man
appeared a few seconds later at another entrance and Maines again asked about his package this
time offering money for its return. Cawthorne again denied that any package had been
delivered and Maines once again left. After Maines left Cawthorne and Darr decided to bum
the package and drugs and so Darr took them into the backyard where she was able to bum the
packing materials but feared to bum the drugs because someone may smell the marijuana.
Maines returned for a third time about twenty minutes later and again asked about his package.
He told Cawthorne that if the package was not handed over by Monday Cawthorne would have
trouble like he has never seen. Cawthorne again denied that he had the package and Maines
once again left.
Following this third visit Cawthorne and Dan became fearful of Maines and decided to
tum the drugs over to the Johnstown Police Department (JPD). They, along with Black and the
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The residence had been converted into three apartments each with a separate entrance and addresses. Cawthorne
was in the process of converting it back into a single residence but the three entrances and addresses remained.
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children, drove to the JPD Public Safety Building around 4:20 p.m. Once there they met with
officers, gave oral and written statements; and turned over the bucket and marijuana. They
requested a patrol car be stationed outside their residence due to their fears, but lack of
manpower prevented this, however officers informed them they would increase the number of
patrols in the area. The group then returned to the Highland Avenue residence and shortly after
that Darr went to speak with a neighbor to warn them of what .happened and ask them to watch
for any unusual activity.
At some point during the day Maines called Charles Meyer (Meyer) for help in
recovering his package. M eyer was at a casino in Wheeling, West Virginia for the weekend
with his girlfriend Bethany Kline (Kline) when he received the call from Maines. Meyer
immediately packed, left Wheeling, and returned to Johnstown. He met Maines who was
I driving a green Subaru that Meyer recognized as belonging to James Schroll (Schroll). Maines
I I drove Meyer to pick up Schroll who was to help recover the package. At some point in the
I!I I journey Maines handed Meyer a semi-automatic handgun. When Schroll got in the back seat of
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the car Meyer noticed that he was carrying a revolver. Maines then drove to Highland A venue
where he pointed out Cawthome's residence and informed Meyer and Schroll that was where
his package was. Maines then pulled into an alley where Meyer and Schroll got out of the car
and walked to the back door of the Cawthorne residence.
Cawthorne heard a knock at the back door and saw two men in hoodies standing there.
Fearing that they had come for the drugs he told them he had to get a key for the door and sent
Black with the children upstairs with instructions to call 911. While this was occurring Schroll
kicked in the back door and entered the residence with Meyer following a few seconds later.
Schroll pointed his weapon at Cawthorne and demanded the drugs. Cawthorne lunged at
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Schroll grabbing for the weapon and a short but vicious struggle for it ensued. During the
struggle Meyer pulled his weapon from the waistband of his pants and used it to pistol-whip
Cawthorne, ejecting the magazine in the process, and causing Cawthorne to bleed from the
head. At some point during the struggle Schroll's revolver discharged with the round going
through Cawthorne's left knee and striking Schroll in the head, both collapsed. Meyer heard the
shot, saw them go down, fled the residence back to the car where he got in, told Maines that
Schroll was shot, and to drive away. Maines then drove. Meyer home and the following day he
returned Schroll 's car to his wife, Lanee Haselrig (Haselrig) and told her he heard about a
shooting in Moxham and that she may want to check the hospital for Schroll. Schroll survived
his injury but suffered brain damage as a result.
Neither Schroll nor Maines testified but Maines presented two alibi witnesses. Jessica
Rickabaugh (Rickabaugh) testified that she lived with Maines, was the mother of two of his
children and that on February 23rd he returned home from his job as an auto mechanic around 3
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11 or 3 :30 and did not leave the house after that. Rickabaugh testified that she recalls this because
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they had a birthday dinner that night for their three-year-old daughter. Linda Stephens
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(Stephens) testified that she is Maines> aunt and that she arrived at his home around 4:50 p.m.
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on February 23rd for the dinner, left around 6:30 p.m., and that Maines was there the entire
evening. By nature of the verdicts the jury did not find the alibi witnesses credible and found
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I Cawthorne's and Meyer's testimony credible as eyewitnesses to these events.
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I, DISCUSSION
11 I. Were the convictions at docket 1919-2013 supported by sufficient evidence?
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11 In his first allegation of error Maines argues that the evidence was insufficient to permit
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I the scene or otherwise was an accomplice in the commission of the offense at docket 1919; and
(2) the evidence did not establish the scope of the alleged conspiracy included inflicting or
attempting to inflict serious bodily injury thereby encompassing the charges of robbery and
aggravated assault.
It is well settled that "[tjhe weight of the evidence is exclusively for the finder of fact
who is free to believe all, part, or none of the evidence and to determine the credibility of the
witnesses." Commonwealth v. Simmons, 541 Pa. 211, 229, 662 A.2d 621, 630 { 1995). \Vhen
reviewing for sufficiency of the evidence, a court may not substitute its judgment for that of the
fact-finder and if the record contains support for the verdict, it may not be disturbed.
! Commonwealth v. Mmdick, 510 Pa. 305, 308, 507 A.2d 1212, 1213 (1986). A court may not
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reverse the fact finder's determination unless it -is "so contrary to evidence as to shock one's
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sense of justice." Sinunons1 541 Pa. at 229, 662 A.2d at 630.
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The test for the sufficiency of the evidence in a criminal case is whether the evidence
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admitted at trial is sufficient to prove every element of the crime or crimes charged beyond a
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reasonable doubt. Commonwealth v. Harper, 485 Pa. 572, 403 A.2d 536 (1979);
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I Commonwealth v. Tate, 485 Pa. 180, 401 A.2d 353 (1979); Commonwealth v. Liddick, 485 Pa.
i I 121, 40.1 A.2d 323 (1979). The proper application of this test requires an evaluation of the
entire trial record and all evidence actually received, in the aggregate and not as fragments
!j isolated from the totality of the evidence. Harper, 485 Pa. at576, 403 A.2d at 538~ The standard
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li ofreview for a sufficiency of the evidence challenge is well settled:
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!l [W]e must review the evidence presented and all reasonable inferences taken
!, 'J therefrom in the light most favorable to the Commonwealth, as verdict winner.
,! The test is whether the evidence, thus viewed, is sufficient to prove guilt beyond
a reasonable doubt. The credibility of witnesses and the weight to be accorded
the evidence are matters within the province of the trier of fact; the fact finder is
-; free to believe all, some or none of the evidence.
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Commonwealth v. Taylor, 324 Pa. Super, 420, 424-425, 471 A.2d 1228, 1229-1230
(1984)(internal citations omitted). See also, Commonwealth v. Hill, 427 Pa. Super. 440, 442-
43, 629 A.2d 949, 950 (] 993).
Further, "[the court] may not weigh the evidence and substitute our judgment for the
fact-finder." Conunonwealth v. Butler, 856 A.2d 131, 135 (Pa. Super. 2004) (quoting
Conm1onwealth v. Cassidy, 447 Pa. Super. 192, 668 A.2d 1143, 1144 (1995)). Our Supreme
Court has explained that
In applying th.is standard, we bear in mind that the Commonwealth may sustain
its burden by means of wholly circumstantial evidence; that the entire trial
record should be evaluated and all evidence received considered, whether or not
the trial court' s rulings thereon were correct; and that the trier of fact, while
passing upon the credibility of witnesses and the weight of the proof, is free to
'believe all, part, or none of the evidence.
Commonwealth v. Reed, 605 Pa. 431, 4 36, 990 A.2d 115 8, 1161 (2010), cert. denied, 131 S.
Ct. 5491 178 L. Ed. 2d 402 (2010)(citing Commonwealth v. Chmiel, 585 Pa. 547, 574, 889
A.2d 501, 517 (2005)). Finally, the facts and circumstances established by the Commonwealth
"need not be absolutely incompatible with [the] defendant's innocence, but the question of any
doubt is for the [fact finder) unless the evidence 'be so weak and inconclusive that as a matter
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I of law no probability of fact can be drawn from the combined circumstances.!" Commonwealth
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v. Davidson, 860 A.2d 575, 590 (Pa. Super. 200~) (quoting Conunonwealth v. Nicotra, 425 Pa.
Super. 600, 625 A.2d 1259, 1261 (1993)).
Turning first to the issue of accomplice liability, basis for Maines conviction on these
charges, Maines argues only that the evidence presented does not establish that he was present
at the scene or otherwise was an actor or accomplice in these crimes. It is well settled that
j ! two prongs must be satisfied for a person to be labeled an 'accomplice.' First,
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there must be evidence that the person intended to aid or promote the underlying
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offense. Second, there must be evidence that the person actively participated in
the crime by soliciting, aiding, or agreeing to aid the principal. Further, a person
cannot be an accomplice simply based on evidence that he knew about the crime
or was present at the crime scene. There must be some additional evidence that
the person intended to aid in the commission of the underlying crime, and then
aided or attempted to aid.
Commonwealth v. Rega, 593 Pa. 659, 690, 933 A.2d 997, 1015 (2007) (citations omitted). See
also. 18 Pa. C.S. 306 (West 2015). For purposes of accomplice liability, "[n]o agreement is
required, only aid." Commonwealth v. Kimbrough, 872 A.2d 1244, 1251 (Pa.Super.2005).
"With regard to the amount of aid, it need not be substantial so Jong as it was offered to the
principal to assist him in committing or attempting to commit the crime.'> Commonwealth v.
Mutphy, 577 Pa. 275, 844 A.2d 1228, 1234 (2004). "[T]he least degree of assistance in
I, committing the offense is adequate to sustain the finding of responsibility as an accomplice."
I Commonwealth v. Gladden, 445 Pa.Super. 434, 665 A.2d 1201, 1209 (1995).
As noted above neither Schroll or Maines testified however the jury heard extensive
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testimony from Meyer relative to the events that occurred on February 23rd. N.T. 10/7/14 pp.
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j 52-118. Meyer testified that he has known Maines for over twenty years and has known Schroll
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I for some time. Id. pp. 53, 57. Meyer testified that Maines called him while he was in Wheeling,
I that Maines said his package had been delivered to the wrong house, and he needed help in
I recovering the package Id. p. 65-66. Meyer testified that: he immediately left Wheeling; he
I returned to Johnstown; he met up with Maines, who was driving Schroll's car; he was given a
11 semi-automatic handgun by Maines; they then picked up Schroll; that Schroll had a revolver
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I with him; and that the three drove to Highland Avenue. Id. pp. 65-69, 99-104. Meyer testified
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that once on Highland Avenue, Maines identified Cawthorne's house as the one his package
was at, Maines parked the car in an alley, that he and Schroll then went to the residence while
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inside he saw Schroll point the revolver at Cawthorne, heard him demand the drugs, that a
stmggle broke out, that he pistol-whipped Cawthorne, he heard a gunshot, he saw Cawthorne
and Schroll go down, he fled back to the car where Maines was waiting, and the two of them
drove away. Id. On cross-examination Meyer further testified that it was his understanding that
he and Schroll were to get the package back using force if necessary and that Maines giving
him the handgun made that very clear. Id. pp. 103-04.
Meyer was subject to intense cross-examination surrounding not only these events but
also his prior criminal record, including various convictions for criminifalsi, why he initially
denied involvement in the crimes, why he did not inform police of the facts until after he was
incarcerated for several weeks, and what if any deals he had with the Commonwealth in
exchange for his testimony. Id. pp. 83-115. In addition Maines presented two alibi witnesses
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I who placed Maines at home the evening of February 23rd. N.T. 10/9/14 pp. 173-79 (testimony
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of Jessica Rickabaugh), 179-85 (testimony of Linda Stephens).
Viewed in the light most favorable to the Commonwealth, as verdict winner, Meyer's
testimony is sufficient to support the convictions based on accomplice liability. The nature of
I the verdict suggests that the jury found Meyer's testimony credible and the testimony of the
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I alibi witnesses not credible. Meyer's testimony establishes that Maines requested Meyer and
II Schroll help recover his package, provided Meyer with a weapon, drove Meyer and Schroll to
I Highland A venue, identified the Cawthorne residence as where his package was, parked in an
i alley where he waited while Meyer and Schroll went in the residence, and then drove himself
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j and Meyer away after the shooting. As such the testimony establishes that Maines had the
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intent of promoting or facilitating the commission of the offenses and that he actively
! I participated in the crimes by soliciting, aiding, and agreeing to aid Meyer and Schroll to
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commit the offenses. See, Commomvealth v. Dussinger, 4 78 Pa. 182, 386 A.2d 500 (1978) (Per
O'Brien, .T., with four Justices specially concurring, and one Justice concurring in result)
(evidence, including showing that defendant knew her codefendants intended to recover stolen
checks even if use of handguns was necessary, was sufficient to uphold finding that defendant
was an accomplice and thus accountable for actions of her codefendants and was sufficient to
sustain convictions for robbery and conspiracy); Conunon?lealth v. Toritto, 67 A.3d 29 (Pa.
Super. 2013), appeal denied, 622 Pa. 759, 80 A.3d 777 (2013) (evidence was sufficient to show
that defendant had knowledge of and partici pated in a sale of narcotics to an undercover police
officer, as required to support conviction for being an accomplice to the delivery of a controlled
substance; defendant drove the seller to bar where sale occurred, drugs were hidden inside
defendant's car, defendant sat with seller and officer while they discussed sale, defendant
handed seller his car keys for seller to go retrieve drugs, and, after officer banded over $3,200
in cash to seller in exchange for the drugs, defendant suggested to seller that he go into the
bathroom to count the money);
Maines next argues that the evidence is insufficient to support his conviction for
conspiracy to commit robbery where the evidence did not establish the scope of the conspiracy
to include inflicting to attempting to inflict serious bodily injury and thereby encompassed the
offenses of robbery and aggravated assault. The Court notes that at docket 1919 Maines was
not convicted of conspiracy relative to the aggravated assault charges and that those
convictions were based on an accomplice liability theory as is clear from the Amended
Information and jury instructions. See, 10/2/14 Amended Information, N.T. 10/10/14 pp. 57-
robt10-~.
104, 106-21. Maines only conspiracy conviction was for conspiracy to commit .lp gJ ¥ Id.Page 10 of 16
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A conviction of conspiracy requires proof that "1) the defendant entered into an
agreement with another to commit or aid in the commission of a crime; 2) he shared the
criminal intent with that other person; and 3) an overt act was committed in furtherance of the
conspiracy." Conunonwealth v. Knox, 50 A.3d 749, 755 (Pa.Super.2012) (citation omitted),
affirmed,_ Pa._, 105 A.3d 1194 (Pa. 2014). See also, 18 Pa. C.S. § 903(a), (d) (West
2015). The underlying offense for the conspiracy was robbery, which requires proof, in relevant
part, that in the course of committing a theft, the defendant or a coconspirator inflicts serious
bodily injury upon another. 18 Pa. C.S. § 370l(a)(l)(i) (West 2015).
Here the evidence presented is sufficient to establish that Maines entered into an
agreement with Meyer and Schroll that the two of them would recover Iris package from
Ii Cawthome's residence using any means necessary including force, that they shared this goal,
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and that Maines engaged in several overt acts including calling Meyer, providing a weapon to
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Meyer, and driving the car to and from the Cawthorne residence. From this evidence,
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particularly Maines providing a weapon to Meyer, the jury could conclude that the scope of the
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I conspiracy included inflicting serious bodily injury if necessary to retrieve the drugs. As such
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I• the evidence viewed as a whole is sufficient to support a conviction for conspiracy to commit
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Il robbery. Knox, supra (evidence was sufficient to support defendant's conspiracy conviction
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and his convictions of second-degree murder and attempted robbery of a motor vehicle based
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l! upon conspirator and accomplice liability; witnesses testified that defendant approached
victim's vehicle with his twin brother and stood with him at the car door, contributing to the
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intimidation of the victim, witness observed both brothers run after the car together when it
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I drove off, and the brother with the gun shoot towards the car, and once the car crashed into an
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abandoned house, witness testified that both brothers ran together ~~ay 't{om the car and
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around the corner). See also, Commonwealth v. Lmnbe1i, 795 A.2d 1010 {Pa. Super. 2002)
( evidence was sufficient to convict defend ant of conspiracy to commit burglary, where
defendant and co-defendant had long and close relationship and co-defendant relied on
defendant to be his driver, circumstantial evidence reflected that defendant and co-defendant
had shared criminal plan of committing a burglary at co-defendant's girlfriend's house,
defendant simply stood outside of his car, which was double-parked in front of co-defendant's
girlfriend's house, with passenger door open, defendant waited for co-defendant to enter house
and, then, to return, defendant continued to wait after girlfriend's mother was shot, and
encouraged co-defendant to "come on" as he was dragging girlfriend out onto porch, finally,
defendant drove co-defendant from the scene after he shot his girlfriend); Commonwealth v.
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I BaskerviUe, 452 Pa. Super. 82, 681 A.2d 195 (1996) (sufficient evidence existed to establish
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I, criminal conspiracy between defendant and codefendant to commit armed robbery, where
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defendant knew coconspirator possessed a gun, defendant informed coconspirator that victims
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: I were wearing jewelry, defendant surmised that robbery was about to occur, defendant
l;!I approached victims and created diversion by asking for cigarette, defendant positioned himself
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iI against car door, trapping victim inside while robbery occurred, defendant did not take I
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I advantage of opportunities to flee, defendant's debt to coconspirator's friend was relieved
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through his participation in robbery, and defendant was promised $50 to keep quiet).
Accordingly, there is no merit to this allegation of error, I
II. Were the convictions against the weight of the evidence?
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In his second allegation of error Maines argues the weight of the evidence did not
support the guilty verdicts in the following respects: ( 1) that he was present at the scene or
otherwise an actor/accomplice in any of the offenses charged in docket 1919; (2) that the scope
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of the conspiracy charged in Count 1 of 1919 included the infliction or attempt to inflict serious
bodily injury and thereby encompassed the offense of robbery; and (3) that he was present at
the scene or otherwise an actor/accomplice in any of the offenses charged in Count 3 and 4 of
0774.
It is well settled that
An allegation that the verdict is against the weight of the evidence is addressed
to the discretion of the trial court. Our Supreme Court has explained that
appellate review of a weight claim is a review of the exercise of discretion, not
of the underlying question of whether the verdict is against the weight of the
evidence. A motion for new trial on the grounds that the verdict is contrary to
the weight of the evidence, concedes that there is sufficient evidence to sustain
the verdict. Tims, the trial court is under 11Q obligation to view the evidence in
the light most favorable to tile verdict winner. A new trial should be awarded
when the jury's verdict is so contrary to the evidence as to shock one's sense of
justice and the award of a new trial is imperative so that right may be given
another opportunity to prevail. Stated another v,,iay, and as the trial court noted,
this Court has explained that the evidence must be so tenuous, vague and
uncertain that the verdict shocks the conscience of the court.
I Commonwealth v. Dupre, 866 A.2d 1089, 1101-02 (Pa. Super. 2005)(quoting Cominonwealth
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1; v. Sullivan, 820 A.2d 795, 805-806 (Pa. Super. 2003)(in turn quoting Commonwealth v.
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Widmer1560 Pa. 308, 744 A.2d 745, 751~752 (2000))) (emphasis in original), The question a
I trial court must answer, in the sound exercise of its discretion, is whether "notwithstanding all
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I the facts, certain facts are so clearly of greater weight that to ignore them or to give them equal I
I weight with all the facts is to deny justice.', Sullivan, at 806 (citing Widmer, supra).I
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Because a trial judge has had the opportunity to hear and see the evidence presented, an
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appellate court will give the gravest consideration to the findings and reasons advanced by the !
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i l trial judge when reviewing a trial court's determination that the verdict is against the weight of
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the evidence. Widmer, at 321, 744 A.2d at 753. "A trial court's exercise of discretion in finding
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that a verdict is or is not against the weight of the evidence is 'one of the least assailable
Page l 3 of l 6
reasons for granting or denying a new trial.' " Id. As noted above it is well settled that a court
cannot substitute its judgment for that of the trier of fact. Commonwealth v. Holley, 945 A.2d
241, 246 (Pa. Super. 2008). Further, the finder of fact was free to believe the witnesses for both
the Commonwealth and Maines in whole, in part, or not at all. Commonwealth v. Griscavage,
512 Pa. 540, 517 A.2d 1256 (1986).
Relative to Maines' first two weight of the evidence arguments, as discussed above the
testimony presented in this matter amply supports the jury's verdict as to the charges at docket
1919. As developed above the evidence established that Maines was not only present at the
scene but an active participant in the crimes, indeed the evidence revealed that but for Maines
neither Meyer nor Schroll would have engaged in any of the actions that occurred on February
23, 2013. The nature of the verdict is such that the jury obviously gave credit to Meyer's
testimony and there was nothing that occurred during trial to give this jurist cause to question
that decision by the fact finder. Further, the verdicts rendered-by the jury after careful
deliberations over approximately six hours do not shock the court's sense of justice. N.T.
10110/14 pp. 100-121 (reflecting deliberations began at 12:34 p.m. and verdicts were returned
at 6:40 p.m.), See, Commonwealth v. Gonce, 320 Pa. Super. 19, 466 A.2d 1039 (1983) (in
prosecution for robbery and conspiracy, jury's guilty verdict was not contrary to weight of the
evidence, which included testimony by coconspirators that defendant was involved in planning
I and executing the crime and drove car transporting them to and from scene).
In his third argument Maines contends that the weight of the evidence does not support
11
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his conviction on Count 3 -Terroristic Threats and Count 4 - Intimidation of Witnesses or
I
Victims of docket 0774 as the evidence does not establish that he was present at the scene or
i
otherwise was an actor in these offenses.
Page 14 of 16
As to Count 3 -Terroristic Threats, to obtain a conviction for terroristic threats, in
relevant part, the Commonwealth must prove that Maines: (1) communicated, either directly or
indirectly, a threat to commit any crime of violence and (2) did so with intent to terrorize
another. 18 Pa. C.S. § 2706(a)(1) (West 2015). Maines has limited his challenge to whether the
weight of the evidence establishes that he was present at the scene or was an actor in the
conunission of this offense.
Cawthorne testified that Maines appeared at his residence three times asking about his
package. N.T. 10/7114 pp. 128, 132-33, 137, 171-75. Cawthorne testified that on the third visit
Maines said. "I know the box was delivered. Ifl don't have my shit by Monday you're going to
have trouble like you've never seen." Id. p. 137. Dan testified that she saw Maines at the
residence on all three visits. N.T. 10/8/14 pp. 104-08. By the nature of the verdict the jury
found· this testimony credible and this evidence is sufficient to prove that Maines was present at
Cawthome's residence. Accordingly, there is no merit to Maines' argument that the verdict is
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'. ' against the weight of the evidence, as it does not place him at the scene, where the testimony
:I· I
established his presence at the scene on three occasions.
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p
I .As to Count 4 - Intimidation of Witnesses, Maines again argues that the verdict here is
I against the weight of the evidence, as the evidence does not establish that he was present at the
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I scene or otherwise was an actor in committing this offense. To prove Maines guilty of this
11I, offense the Commonwealth bad to prove: (1) that Maines intimidated or attempted to
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!I intimidate, a witness into refraining from informing or reporting to a law enforcement officer,
11 prosecuting official, judge concerning information relating to the commission of a crime, and
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I,. ! (2) that the he did so with the intent to, or with the knowledge that his conduct would, obstruct,
r •
1:
. ~
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;\
;
.; ''
Page 15 of 16
impede, impair, prevent, or interfere with the administration of criminal justice. 18 Pa. C.S. §
4952 (a)(l) (\Vest 2015).
Again, Maines has limited his challenge to whether the weight of the evidence
establishes that he was present at the scene or was an actor in the conunission of this offense.
As discussed above, both Cawthorne's and Darr's testimony places Maines at Cawthorne's
residence on three separate occasions on February 23rd. This evidence, which by the nature of
the verdict the jury found credible, is sufficient to support a conclusion that Maines was present
II at the scene. Accordingly, there is no merit to this issue.
As there is no merit to any allegation of error, Maines appeal should be dismissed and
!1
II the jury's verdict should be affirmed.
I! Respectfully submitted,
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I; '· No1:m!1 1· Krumeffacker, Ill, Judge
~ '.
August 19, 2015
i;1,
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Page 16 of 16
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CAMBRIA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
corv1MONWEAL TH OF PE1\TNSYL VANIA, CRIMINAL DIVISION
v. CP-11-CR-0000774-2013
JASON MAINES a/k/a JASON ALLEN 1'.1AINES. CP-11-CR-0001919-2013
Defendant.
CONCISE STATEMENT OF MATTERS COMPLAINED OF ON APPEAL
AND NOW, comes Defendant, by and through his undersigned counsel, and, pursuant to and
in accordance with Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b), submits the following issue(s) to be pursued on appeal:
(1) Whether the convictions at CP-1 l-CR-0001919-2015 are unsupported by sufficient evidence
that Defendant: (A) was present at the scene or otherwise an actor/accomplice in the com-
mission of any of those offenses and/or (B) that the scope of the conspiracy included the in-
fliction of, or an attempt to inflict, serious bodily injury and thereby encompassed the offen-
ses of Robbery and Aggravated Assault of which Defendant was convicted?
(2) Whether Defendant's convictions were against the weight of the evidence in the following
respects: (A) he was present at the scene or otherwise an actor/accomplice in the commis-
sion of any of the offenses at CP-1l-CR-0001919-2013; (B) the scope of the conspiracy at
CP-l 1-CR-0001919-2013 included the infliction of, or an attempt to inflict, serious bodily
injury and thereby encompassed the offenses of Robbery and Aggravated Assault of which
Defendant was convicted at that case; and/or (C) he was present at the scene or otherwise the
actor in the commission of the offenses at Counts 3 and 4 at CP-11-CR-0000774-2013?
\VHEREFORE, Defendant respectfully requests that Superior Court grant relief as follows:
(1) vacate the December 30, 2014 Judgment of Sentence of the Court of Common Pleas of Cam-
bria County at CP-1 l-CR-0001919-2013;
(2) discharge at all counts at CP-1 l-CR-0001919-2013; and
(3) such other appropriate relief under the circumstances.
Respectfully submitted,
Steven C. Townsend, Esquire
Attorney for Defendant
EXHIBIT C
IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA
COMMON\VEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, \VESTERN DISTRICT
Appellee,
v. NO. 953 WDA 2015
JASON MAINES a/k/a JASON ALLEN
MAINES,
Appellant.
PROOF OF SERVICE
I certify I served, in accordance with Pa.R.A.P. 12l(a)-(c) and 2187(a)(3), the
foregoing Brief for Appellant on September 25, 20 I 5 in the manner set forth below
upon the following persons:
Prothonotary, Western District
Superior Court of Pennsylvania
600 Grant Building
310 Grant Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15219 ( original & 6 copies by
personal delivery)
Scott M. Lilly, Esquire
Deputy District Attorney
Office of the District Attorney of Cambria County
200 South Center Street
Ebensburg, PA 15931 (2 copies by First Class U.S.
Mail, postage prepaid)
'I
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,'
C. Townsend, Esquire
ttorney for Appellant