Com. v. Wolfe, M ( 2019 )


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  • J-S59045-18
    NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
    COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA               :   IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
    :        PENNSYLVANIA
    :
    v.                             :
    :
    :
    MATTHEW WOLFE                              :
    :
    Appellant               :   No. 3553 EDA 2017
    Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence June 13, 2017
    In the Court of Common Pleas of Lehigh County
    Criminal Division at No(s): CP-39-CR-0000423-2016
    BEFORE: GANTMAN, P.J., LAZARUS, J., and OTT, J.
    MEMORANDUM BY OTT, J.:                                FILED JANUARY 31, 2019
    Matthew Wolfe appeals the judgment of sentence imposed on June 13,
    2017, in the Court of Common Pleas of Lehigh County. A jury found Wolfe
    guilty of third-degree murder and endangering the welfare of a child,
    stemming from the death of his two-month-old daughter.1           The trial court
    sentenced Wolfe to an aggregate term of 20 to 40 years’ imprisonment. In
    this appeal, Wolfe raises six claims, challenging the trial court’s denial of his
    request for a mistrial, refusal to charge the jury on involuntary manslaughter,
    several evidentiary rulings, and alleging cumulative prejudice. Based on the
    following, we affirm.
    The facts are well known to the parties and are set forth in an extensive
    summary in the trial court’s opinion. Therefore, we simply reiterate portions
    ____________________________________________
    1   18 Pa.C.S. §§ 2502(c), and 4304(a)(1), respectively.
    J-S59045-18
    of the trial court’s detailed factual summary to provide context for the claims
    raised in this appeal:
    On November 12, 2013, at approximately 2:00 p.m., Quinn
    Wolfe, a two-month-old infant girl, was transported by her father,
    Matthew Wolfe, hereafter [Wolfe], to St. Luke’s Hospital located
    in Bethlehem, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. Cristen Sanchez, the
    infant’s mother, was employed by St. Luke’s Hospital and the baby
    was brought to her by [Wolfe]. Shortly after arriving at the
    hospital, Dawn Bast, a registered nurse, observed the infant to be
    in distress and instructed her mother to take the infant to the
    emergency department immediately. When the infant was
    examined in the emergency room, multiple traumatic injuries
    were discovered on the infant’s body. The infant was listed in
    critical condition and flown to St. Christopher’s Hospital in
    Philadelphia,    Pennsylvania.   On     November     18,    2013,
    approximately six days later, the infant Quinn was taken off life
    support and pronounced dead. An autopsy revealed that
    neurotrauma was the cause of death. A homicide investigation
    followed.
    ****
    Whitehall Township Police Department launched an
    investigation immediately upon the child’s arrival in Philadelphia.
    The case involved interviewing witnesses, medical records, and
    gathering information relating to the death of the infant. Detective
    Kevin Smith of the Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office
    interviewed [Wolfe] while Quinn was being treated at St.
    Christopher’s Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The interview
    was audio and video recorded and played for the jury. [Wolfe]
    denied shaking Quinn. The investigation stalled. Detectives faced
    difficulty on the timeline of Quinn’s injuries and the burden of
    proof to make an arrest. In 2015, the case was resumed when a
    child abuse expert [Dr. Debra Esernio-Jenssen] was able to
    identify when the lethal event took place which caused Quinn’s
    unfortunate death. On December 22, 2015, [Wolfe] was arrested
    for the murder of his baby daughter Quinn Wolfe.
    Commonwealth expert Dr. Debra Esernio-Jenssen was
    asked to review Quinn’s medical records. Dr. [Esernio-]Jenssen is
    a pediatrician and Section Chief of Child Protection Medicine at
    Lehigh Valley Hospital. Dr. [Esernio-]Jenssen is board certified in
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    pediatrics and child abuse pediatrics. Dr. [Esernio-]Jenssen
    reviewed the medical records and history provided to the medical
    providers at both St. Luke’s and St. Christopher’s Hospital. Dr.
    [Esernio-]Jenssen discussed the process of evidence-based
    medicine. She explained it significant that [Wolfe] provided a
    history that indicated that his baby, Quinn, fed uneventfully three
    (3) to three and a half (3½) ounces, was put down on her back,
    and was fine. Dr. [Esernio-]Jenssen testified that a baby who
    suffered severe significant brain trauma that ultimately led to her
    demise would not be able to take three (3) to three and a half
    (3½) ounces of formula uneventfully and act normally. A child that
    suffers abusive head trauma would immediately show signs or
    symptoms. The infant would not have been able to feed, open her
    eyes, or be alert after suffering from such severe neurologic
    injuries. Dr. [Esernio-]Jenssen further explained that the lethal
    event occurred between a time she was acting “normal” and the
    time when she was brought to the hospital. Based upon a review
    of the circumstances Dr. [Esernio-]Jenssen opined the baby was
    grasped, violently shaken, and slammed. The only person that
    was alone with Quinn at such time was [Wolfe].
    During cross-examination the Defense was permitted to
    impeach Dr. [Esernio-]Jenssen in a variety of ways. However, the
    Defense was not permitted unfettered cross-examination of the
    witness.
    The Defense expert, Dr. William Manion, did not appear for
    trial. On or about March of 2016 the Defense retained Dr. Manion
    as an expert witness. On Saturday, January 21, 2017, Dr. Manion
    confirmed his court appearance through email correspondence
    with the Defense. On Monday, January 23, 2017, Dr. Manion was
    scheduled for a dinner reservation with defense counsel but never
    arrived. When defense counsel reached out, Dr. Manion assured
    the Defense that he would be present for trial. On Tuesday,
    January 24, 2017, Dr. Manion did not show for his scheduled court
    appearance. All attempts to contact Dr. Manion failed until
    approximately 11:30 a.m., when defense counsel received a call
    on his cellular telephone. Dr. Manion apologized and vowed that
    he would be present for court the following day. On Wednesday,
    January 25, 2017, Dr. Manion again failed to appear and the
    Defense requested a mistrial. This Court considered a continuance
    for a material witness warrant, but learned Dr. Manion is from out-
    of-state and was never subpoenaed. Further continuances would
    also prejudice the Commonwealth because their rebuttal expert
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    would be unavailable. After a lengthy discussion in chambers, a
    solution was provided by the Commonwealth stipulating to Dr.
    Manion’s expert report. Dr. Manion’s report was subsequently read
    verbatim to the jury. [The Court explained to the jury that Dr.
    Manion had experienced an unforeseen personal emergency that
    kept him from appearing, and would be unable to appear for the
    next couple of days. Defense counsel was permitted to present
    portions of Dr. Manion’s CV and the entire report consisting of ten
    pages and a conclusion.]
    Dr. Manion is an expert in forensic pathology. He reviewed
    the relevant medical records and other documents to formulate
    an opinion on whether [Wolfe] caused the death of his daughter
    Quinn Wolfe by purportedly inflicting injuries upon her on
    November 12, 2013. Dr. Manion did not believe that Dr.
    [Esernio-]Jenssen’s opinion was supported by the facts or by
    sound medical conclusions. In his opinion, Quinn likely suffered a
    small subdural hematoma that later bled in an acute fashion when
    Quinn choked on her formula and had a spell of hypoxia in the
    crib. Dr. Manion believed, to a reasonable degree of medical
    certainty, that Quinn’s injuries were not inflicted on that day, but
    rather were days or weeks old.
    The Commonwealth called Dr. Lori Frasier in rebuttal. Dr.
    Frasier is employed by Penn State Health Medical Center, Penn
    State Health Children’s Hospital, and Penn State Hershey College
    of Medicine, as a physician, pediatrician, child abuse pediatrician,
    and a professor of pediatrics. She is board certified as a
    pediatrician. Dr. Frasier reviewed Dr. Manion’s report, Dr. Esernio-
    Jenssen’s report, and the medical records for Quinn Wolfe. Dr.
    Frasier indicated Dr. Manion relied on records attributed to Dr.
    McColgan of St. Christopher’s Hospital. When Dr. Frasier reviewed
    Dr. McColgan’s report she noticed discrepancies. Dr. Frasier called
    Dr. McColgan. She was surprised by some of the statements Dr.
    Manion attributed to Dr. McColgan, partly because they seemed
    outside the norm of what a child abuse pediatrician would say.
    Dr. Frasier clarified Dr. Manion’s conclusion to the jury.
    However, Dr. Frasier explained that there was no sound evidence-
    based medicine that supported a cough or choke could cause a
    rebleed of an existing subdural hematoma. In addition, Dr. Manion
    was misleading when discussing no acute fractures. Quinn’s skull
    fracture was an acute or new fracture. The child’s leg had a
    fracture, called a metaphyseal fracture, near her ankle which was
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    deemed acute. The metaphyseal fracture stands out because it is
    an injury highly indicative of an abusive event. Further, Dr. Manion
    failed to address the eye pathology reports of eye damage.
    Dr. Frasier opined, to a degree of medical certainty, that
    Quinn suffered a serious violent head injury in the moments
    before she became symptomatic from which she never recovered.
    If Quinn was already injured, she would not have been able to
    take a bottle. She would not have interacted with her environment
    in any way that was normal for a child of her age. Her color would
    have been off, her muscle tone would have been abnormal, and
    she would have looked like a child in distress. She would never
    have looked “normal” after the event occurred. In her opinion, it
    was clear that Quinn suffered from shaking and impact.
    On January 26, 2017, [Wolfe] was found guilty of Murder in
    the Third Degree and Endangering the Welfare of a Child.
    Trial Court Opinion, 12/22/207, at 4, 11-15 (footnotes omitted).
    Following the jury verdict, Wolfe filed a post-sentence motion, which
    was denied, and this appeal followed.2
    ____________________________________________
    2 This Court notes that the trial court initially sentenced Wolfe on March 17,
    2017. After Wolfe filed his post-sentence motion on March 27, 2017, the trial
    court, on April 20, 2017, entered an order vacating the judgment of sentence.
    On June 13, 2017, the trial court re-sentenced Wolfe and entered a separate
    order finding the previously filed, March 27, 2017, post-sentence motion to
    be timely filed in light of the resentencing.          On July 13, 2017, the
    Commonwealth filed a response in opposition to Wolfe’s March 27, 2017 post-
    sentence motion. On October 10, 2017, the trial court denied Wolfe’s post-
    sentence motion. On October 17, 2017, the trial court entered an amended
    order, denying the post-sentence motion and directing Wolfe to file an appeal
    within thirty days. Wolfe filed a notice of appeal on October 31, 2017.
    In light of the foregoing procedure, namely, that after Wolfe filed his
    post-sentence motion, the trial court vacated the original sentence,
    resentenced Wolfe, and issued an order finding the previously filed post-
    sentence motion to be pending, we are compelled to call attention to
    Pennsylvania Rule of Criminal Procedure 720(B)(3), which provides that “[t]he
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    Wolfe raises the following six claims:
    1. The trial court erred and violated Mr. Wolfe’s state and federal due
    process rights by refusing to grant his request for a mistrial after
    his most important witness, Dr. Williams Manion, failed to appear
    for trial, despite repeatedly informing trial counsel he would
    appear.
    2. The trial court erred and violated Mr. Wolfe’s state and federal due
    process rights by refusing to charge the jury with involuntary
    manslaughter despite the fact Mr. Wolfe presented sufficient
    evidence to warrant an involuntary manslaughter charge.
    3. The trial court erred and violated Mr. Wolfe’s state and federal due
    process rights by prohibiting Mr. Wolfe from presenting Dr. Holly
    Warholick[3] to discuss the nature and severity of Cristen Sanchez’s
    post-partum depression.
    4. The trial court erred and violated Mr. Wolfe’s state and federal due
    process and confrontation rights by prohibiting Mr. Wolfe from
    cross-examining Dr. Esernio-Jenssen regarding seven cases where
    courts and experts contradicted her shaken baby and/or child
    abuse findings.
    5. The trial court erred by striking the entirety of Mr. Wolfe’s character
    testimony regarding his peaceful and non-violent reputation.
    Appellate counsel was ineffective for failing to raise this claim in Mr.
    Wolfe’s concise statement of errors.
    6. The trial court’s cumulative errors violated Mr. Wolfe’s state and
    federal due process right to a fundamentally fair trial.
    Wolfe’s Brief at 2.
    ____________________________________________
    judge shall not vacate sentence pending decision on the post-sentence
    motion.”
    3   The correct spelling is Dr. Holli Warholic.
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    In his first issue, Wolfe contends the trial court erred and violated his
    state and federal due process rights by refusing to grant his request for a
    mistrial after his most important witness, Dr. William Manion, failed to appear
    for trial, despite repeatedly informing trial counsel he would appear.
    The following standards apply to our review of a trial court’s denial
    of a motion for a mistrial:
    The trial court is vested with discretion to grant a mistrial
    whenever the alleged prejudicial event may reasonably be said to
    deprive the defendant of a fair and impartial trial. In making its
    determination, the court must discern whether misconduct or
    prejudicial error actually occurred, and if so, … assess the degree
    of any resulting prejudice. Our review of the resulting order is
    constrained to determining whether the court abused its
    discretion. Judicial discretion requires action in conformity with
    [the] law on facts and circumstances before the trial court after
    hearing and consideration. Consequently, the court abuses its
    discretion if, in resolving the issue for decision, it misapplies the
    law or exercises its discretion in a manner lacking reason.
    “The remedy of a mistrial is an extreme remedy required only
    when an incident is of such a nature that its unavoidable effect is
    to deprive the appellant of a fair and impartial tribunal.”
    Commonwealth v. Bozic, 
    997 A.2d 1211
    , 1225-26 (Pa. Super. 2010)
    (citations omitted), appeal denied, 
    13 A.3d 474
     (Pa. 2010), cert. denied, 
    563 U.S. 1025
     (2011).
    As stated above, after Dr. Manion failed to appear at trial, trial counsel
    moved for a mistrial, which the trial court denied, and Dr. Manion’s report was
    read into the record by trial counsel. Wolfe maintains this case turned on the
    jury’s assessment of the experts’ credibility and, therefore, the trial court’s
    ruling was in error.
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    Wolfe argues “Dr. Manion’s live testimony represented the linchpin of
    Mr. Wolfe’s defense [and w]ithout it, Mr. Wolfe could not receive a fair trial.”
    Wolfe’s Brief at 39 (italics in original). Wolfe contends that the reading of Dr.
    Manion’s report into the record did not cure the prejudice, but rather
    accentuated it because it deprived Wolfe of a full and fair opportunity to
    present Dr. Manion’s findings in a light most favorable to him. Wolfe asserts
    this case turned upon the jury’s assessment of the experts’ credibility, which
    required both parties be afforded the same tools and processes to establish
    and/or enhance their expert’s credibility.      Specifically, Wolfe argues the
    Commonwealth’s case hinged on the testimony of one witness, Dr. Esernio-
    Jenssen, the Commonwealth’s expert, who time-dated the victim’s injuries.
    Wolfe claims he retained Dr. Manion whose opinion disputed Dr. Esernio-
    Jenssen’s, but the manner in which the jury received Dr. Manion’s findings
    and conclusions violated his due process rights. Wolfe asserts “due process
    requires that the defendant be ‘afforded an opportunity to present fully his
    version of events which led to his arrest.’”       Wolfe’s Brief at 43, citing
    Commonwealth v. Thompson, 
    281 A.2d 856
    , 858 (Pa. 1971). Wolfe argues
    his “version of events” required Dr. Manion’s in-court testimony. Moreover,
    he asserts the reading of the report did not allow trial counsel the ability to
    use demonstrative exhibits nor the ability to question Dr. Manion regarding
    Dr. Esernio-Jenssen’s trial testimony in order to rebut her testimony. As such,
    Wolfe contends the jury did not have the requisite tools for its assessment of
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    Dr. Manion, and this unfairly skewed the jury’s credibility assessment
    regarding Dr. Esernio-Jenssen.
    The Honorable Kelly L. Banach, in her Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a) opinion,
    expounded upon the rationale that she placed on the record at the time it
    denied the motion for mistrial:
    In Thompson, defendant appealed his criminal conviction as a
    violation of fundamental due process because he was foreclosed
    from presenting evidence. Com. v. Thompson, 
    444 Pa. 312
    , 316,
    
    281 A.2d 856
    , 858 (1971). There, defendant was found guilty
    immediately after testifying and precluded from presenting any
    further evidence. Our Supreme Court vacated the sentence finding
    that a defendant should be afforded an opportunity to present fully
    his version of events including the ability to call witnesses on his
    behalf or have counsel make arguments to the court. 
    Id.
    This Court, unlike Thompson, did not seek to limit or preclude the
    Defense from presenting evidence. The Defense was given ample
    opportunity to present evidence and call witnesses. [Wolfe’s]
    expert was scheduled to testify but failed to appear through no
    fault of this Court. This Court made significant efforts to
    accommodate the Defense. When it was discovered that Dr.
    Manion was missing, this Court excused members of the jury for
    a break.43 The Defense could not reach their witness. This Court
    then excused the jury for an early lunch.44 It soon became clear
    the witness was not coming. This Court then adjourned early
    hoping to provide [Wolfe] additional time to locate his missing
    witness and present evidence on his behalf.45 The delay of trial
    did not provide relief as [Wolfe’s] expert failed to appear again on
    Wednesday, January 25, 2017. Unfortunately, this Court has no
    power over an out-of-state witness who was not subpoenaed.
    Therefore, [Wolfe’s] assertion that this Court foreclosed evidence,
    after having provided ample opportunity to bring in the witness,
    and with no explanation for the witness’s failure to appear, is
    without merit.
    ______________________________
    43   The recess occurred at 10:38 a.m.
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    J-S59045-18
    44 This Court hoped to divert the jury’s attention as
    attempting to secure witnesses for the afternoon rather
    than reveal the defense expert witness was missing.
    45Court was adjourned at 3:41 p.m.
    ______________________________
    ****
    … Here, although this Court provided sufficient time for the
    defense to locate their expert, defense counsel had no legitimate
    explanation for his failure to appear. A remedy was available and
    utilized. The Commonwealth agreed to have Dr. Manion’s report
    read into the record in its entirety. This evidence was presented
    without any opportunity for cross-examination. This Court
    accommodated the defense by permitting this type of evidence,
    suggesting to the jury that Dr. Manion had an unavoidable
    personal emergency that prevented him from appearing in court,
    and subsequently providing a favorable cautionary instruction.
    These accommodations were sufficient given the circumstances.
    The Court further disagrees with [Wolfe’s] description of Dr.
    Manion’s failure to appear as completely unforeseen. Defense
    counsel attached his correspondence with Dr. Manion in support
    of his motion for a new trial. In March of 2016, Defense counsel
    reached out to Dr. Manion. The defense did not hear back from
    Dr. Manion in April, May, or June despite being paid. On June 20,
    2016, Dr. Manion’s lack of communication was alarming enough
    that the defense considered hiring another expert. Sometime in
    July of 2016, when Dr. Manion was informed he would be replaced
    he finally made contact. Defense counsel’s difficulty with Dr.
    Manion is apparent throughout the year. Defense counsel had to
    continually follow-up with Dr. Manion to respond to his
    communications and repeatedly had to request his written
    opinion. Dr. Manion subsequently missed the Court’s November 1,
    2016 deadline for a written report. According to defense counsel,
    Dr. Manion habitually ignored emails, did not return phone calls,
    and did not keep scheduled telephone conferences. After
    reviewing the exhibits, it seems clear that Dr. Manion’s failure to
    appear at trial can hardly be described as unforeseeable.
    Finally, the Court expressed concern about the precedent that
    would be established in granting a mistrial based on a witness
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    J-S59045-18
    failing to appear for court. In such cases, should either side feel
    that things were not “going their way,” the sudden disappearance
    of a witness would open the door to potential manipulation.51
    ___________________________________________________
    51The defense or prosecution could utilize a mistrial to
    extend the time to prepare a new trial approach or simply
    get a new jury.
    ______________________________________
    Therefore, [Wolfe’s] contention that this Court erred by failing to
    grant a mistrial because his expert continuously failed to appear
    is without merit and he is entitled to no relief.
    Trial Court Opinion, 12/22/2017, at 15–18 (some footnotes omitted).
    The trial court’s analysis is well reasoned and we find no basis upon
    which to grant Wolfe relief. Here, it is significant that Dr. Manion’s CV and
    report were presented to the jury by reading them into the record and
    numerous accommodations were made by the trial court.
    Prior to the reading to the jury of Dr. Manion’s CV and report by trial
    counsel, the trial court instructed the jury: “Dr. Manion has experienced an
    unforeseen personal emergency that kept him from appearing yesterday. He
    is unable and hasn’t appeared today. And we don’t believe that he will appear
    within the next couple of days, such that he is not available to us.        It’s
    something, again, that was unforeseen.” N.T., 1/25/2017, at 34–35. The
    trial court proceeded to present the parties’ stipulation that, “If called to
    testify, Dr. Manion would testify consistently with his report that will shortly
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    be read into the record.[4] It is further stipulated between all the parties that
    if Dr. Manion were called to testify, he would be qualified as an expert in the
    area of forensic pathology and he would be permitted to testify in the area of
    forensic pathology as an expert.” Id. at 36. Dr. Manion’s CV and his report
    were then read into the record by trial counsel, and thereafter the trial court
    reiterated to the jury: “You should not make any negative conclusions based
    on the fact that Dr. Manion was not available to be here today to testify and
    to support his report.      Again, what we became aware of is an unforeseen
    emergency that kept him from being here both yesterday and today. And it’s
    something that was beyond the control of both parties.” Id. at 60.
    While Wolfe argues the reading of Dr. Manion’s report limited the jury’s
    assessment of Dr. Manion’s credibility, it is important to point out, as did the
    trial court, that Dr. Manion’s report was presented without the opportunity for
    cross examination. Furthermore, the trial court gave multiple instructions to
    the jury concerning Dr. Manion that the jury is presumed to have followed.
    See Commonwealth v. Chamberlain, 
    30 A.3d 381
    , 422 (Pa. 2011).
    Importantly, in this case, the defense’s expert evidence was presented to the
    jury and, under the circumstances of this case, we find Wolfe has failed to
    demonstrate he was deprived of a fair and impartial trial. Accordingly, we
    ____________________________________________
    4The record reflects that, notwithstanding the stipulation, Wolfe preserved his
    mistrial issue. See N.T., 1/25/2017, at 25-26.
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    J-S59045-18
    discern no abuse of discretion on the part of the trial court in denying Wolfe’s
    motion for the extreme remedy of a mistrial.
    The remaining issues likewise warrant no relief. Issues Two, Three, and
    Four are fully addressed and properly rejected by the trial court and we decline
    to address them further.    See Trial Court Opinion, 12/22/2017, at 18–25
    (finding: (Issue 2) There was a substantial lack of evidence to support a
    charge of involuntary manslaughter — although Wolfe attempts to support the
    claim based upon Dr. Esernio-Jenssen’s testimony as to whether the shaking
    of a child is an intentional act, there was no evidence suggesting the infant’s
    injuries were caused by reckless or grossly negligent conduct in that the
    evidence revealed the child was not only shaken but subjected to an impact
    capable of causing a skull fracture; (Issue 3) The potential testimony of Dr.
    Holly Warholic as to the nature and severity of Cristen Sanchez’s postpartum
    depression was prohibited as cumulative and collateral, and the court was
    mindful of the confidentiality of the witness’s medical records; and (Issue 4)
    The limitation on the cross-examination of Dr. Esernio-Jenssen, regarding
    prior cases where the court ruled in favor of the opposing party and allegedly
    rejected Dr. Esernio-Jenssen’s opinion was proper since rejection of Dr.
    Esernio-Jenssen’s opinion in favor of a different opinion hardly classifies as a
    “misdiagnosis” or establishes bias, and Wolfe had established that in Dr.
    Esernio-Jenssen’s prior court testimony her opinion had not always been
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    J-S59045-18
    accepted, and that she appears a majority of time on behalf of the
    Commonwealth).
    With regard to Issue Five, we find that because this claim was not raised
    in Wolfe’s Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b) statement, it is waived, see Pa.R.A.P.
    1925(b)(4)(vii), and we further conclude Wolfe’s ineffectiveness claim in this
    regard must be deferred to collateral review. See Commonwealth v. Grant,
    
    813 A.2d 726
    , 738 (Pa. 2002) (“[A]s a general rule, a petitioner should wait
    to raise claims of ineffective assistance of trial counsel until collateral
    review.”). See also Commonwealth v. Holmes, 
    79 A.3d 562
    , 563-564 (Pa.
    2013) (discussing the limited circumstances in which ineffectiveness of
    counsel claims may be addressed on direct appeal).        Hence, we decline to
    review Wolfe’s ineffectiveness claim, and dismiss that claim without prejudice
    to Wolfe’s ability to seek relief pursuant to the Post Conviction Relief Act.
    Finally, Issue Six is a claim of cumulative error. However,
    [w]e have repeatedly held that:
    an appellant cannot bootstrap a series of meritless claims
    into a cumulative claim of error. See Commonwealth v.
    Rolan, 
    2008 PA Super 291
    , 
    964 A.2d 398
    , 411 (Pa.Super.
    2008) (“No number of failed claims may collectively
    attain merit if they could not do so individually.”)
    (quoting Commonwealth v. Williams, 
    532 Pa. 265
    , 
    615 A.2d 716
    , 722 (Pa. 1992)) (emphasis in original).
    Commonwealth v. Patterson, 
    180 A.3d 1217
    , 1233 (Pa. Super. 2018),
    quoting Commonwealth v. Kearney, 
    92 A.3d 51
    , 62 (Pa. Super. 2014),
    appeal denied, 
    101 A.3d 102
     (Pa. 2014).       Therefore, we reject Wolfe’s final
    claim.
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    J-S59045-18
    Judgment of sentence affirmed.
    Judgment Entered.
    Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
    Prothonotary
    Date: 1/31/19
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Document Info

Docket Number: 3553 EDA 2017

Filed Date: 1/31/2019

Precedential Status: Precedential

Modified Date: 1/31/2019