Com. v. Mickelson, W. ( 2014 )


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  • J-A24015-14
    NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
    COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA                     IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
    PENNSYLVANIA
    Appellee
    v.
    WILLIAM MICKELSON
    Appellant                No. 1487 EDA 2013
    Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence April 8, 2013
    In the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County
    Criminal Division at No(s): CP-51-CR-0002107-2012;
    CP-51-CR-0002108-2012
    BEFORE: GANTMAN, P.J., BENDER, P.J.E., and PLATT, J.*
    MEMORANDUM BY GANTMAN, P.J.:                      FILED OCTOBER 10, 2014
    Appellant, William Mickelson, appeals from the judgment of sentence
    entered in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas, following his jury
    trial convictions for attempted rape, attempted sexual assault, burglary,
    criminal trespass, false imprisonment, and simple assault.1 We affirm.
    The trial court opinion sets forth the relevant facts of this appeal as
    follows:
    On June 24, 2009, Annette West [(“Victim”)] was walking
    home from a Chinese food store at approximately 3:00
    a.m. when Appellant grabbed her from behind, punched
    her and told her he was going to “fuck her really good”
    while ripping her shirt and scratching her neck. [Victim’s]
    ____________________________________________
    1
    18 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 901; 901; 3502; 3503; 2903; 2701 respectively.
    _____________________________
    *Retired Senior Judge assigned to the Superior Court.
    J-A24015-14
    neighbor, Kristal Bellinger, heard [Victim] screaming
    outside her home and came to her front door to see if
    [Victim] was [all right].   In response, Appellant took
    [Victim] by the arm and told her “you better say you’re
    having an asthma attack.” [Victim] complied.
    As Appellant began to walk [Victim] up Bellinger’s steps,
    Bellinger went back inside and shut the door. Appellant
    then kicked in Bellinger’s door and entered her home.
    Appellant and Bellinger started to fight, at which point
    Bellinger’s sister, Sandra, came downstairs, grabbed a bike
    and told Appellant to leave. Following that altercation,
    Appellant walked out the front door. Meanwhile, [Victim],
    who had broken away from Appellant, ran to her home and
    told her brother, Westfield, to call the police.[2]
    Police Officers Zagursky and Wright were on duty that
    night when they responded to two radio calls about a rape
    in progress at 60th and Catharine Streets. The officers
    were driving southbound on 60th Street when they
    approached several people flagging them down between
    Catharine and Webster Streets. They next encountered
    [Victim], who looked disheveled and was crying that a man
    had just attempted to rape her.
    The officers also spoke with Westfield West, who told them
    that the attacker was a black male with a short, stocky
    build, dark complexion and no shirt. He told the officers
    the perpetrator had gone towards the 5900 block of
    Webster Street. Zagursky saw Appellant on that block,
    which was illuminated by street lights, ducking in and out
    of the sidewalk and yelling gibberish.          As Wright
    approached Appellant, he saw him run onto a porch, where
    he was subsequently arrested. Wright testified that he had
    seen Appellant earlier that night because he remembered
    he did not have a shirt on.
    [Victim] met with Detectives Taylor and Organ in the
    ____________________________________________
    2
    This 911 call forms the basis for Appellant’s first issue. During this call,
    Westfield West told the operator that his sister was crying and upset, and
    that he could see “the man” who had “no shirt.”
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    Special Victims Unit that night. She had fresh scratches
    and her gray sweatshirt was ripped. Because there was no
    penetration and there were no bodily fluids exchanged
    between Appellant and [Victim], a DNA test on her
    sweatshirt was not warranted.
    Kristal Bellinger testified she had only a brief opportunity
    to see Appellant’s face in her home and that Appellant did
    “not look like the man.” However, Appellant was identified
    by both [Victim] and Sandra Bellinger at the scene and at
    trial. While [Victim] testified that she could not remember
    if Appellant had a shirt on, she could remember his face
    and his muscles. She further testified she had no doubt
    that Appellant was the man who attacked her.
    Dr. Barbara Ziv testified at a Megan’s Law hearing that
    Appellant is a sexually violent predator [(“SVP”)].1 She
    reached this conclusion because           of his     mental
    abnormalities and his [recidivism] risk. Appellant’s mental
    abnormalities include antisocial orientation, antisocial
    personality disorder, and impulsivity. She further stated
    that Appellant’s pattern of bad behavior as a result of his
    mental abnormalities has been consistent from the age of
    ten, when he attempted to burn his stepfather, to the
    present.    Appellant’s history of misconduct includes
    indecent exposure in prison as well as prostitution.
    1
    Dr. Ziv explained that she did not interview
    Appellant because people undergoing these types of
    assessments often lie.
    Dr. Ziv testified that Appellant is likely to reoffend. While
    she could not assign a specific percentage number to his
    recidivism risk, she believed he would probably recidivate
    because of his antisocial traits and the fact that he had
    victimized a stranger. She also stated that while his
    previous sexual behaviors only made this link stronger, the
    combination of antisocial traits and a stranger victim would
    still have fulfilled the requirements under the statute for
    [an SVP] even absent the previous sexual activity.
    (Trial Court Opinion, filed October 28, 2013, at 1-2).
    A jury convicted Appellant on December 12, 2012. On April 8, 2013,
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    the court sentenced Appellant to twenty-seven (27) to fifty-four (54) years’
    incarceration and bifurcated the SVP portion of the hearing.3 On April 12,
    2013, the court found Appellant qualified for SVP status.      Appellant timely
    filed a motion for modification of sentence and/or arrest of judgment on April
    22, 2013, which the court denied. Appellant timely filed a notice of appeal
    on May 21, 2013. On May 31, 2013, the court ordered Appellant to file a
    concise statement of errors complained of on appeal, pursuant to Pa.R.A.P.
    1925(b), which Appellant filed on June 21, 2013.
    Appellant raises the following issues for our review:
    DID THE TRIAL COURT ERR OR ABUSE ITS DISCRETION IN
    ADMITTING THE 911 RECORDING OF THE NON-
    TESTIFYING   DECLARANT    WHERE    AN   OTHERWISE
    AVAILABLE DECLARANT FAILED TO APPEAR AND THE
    ATTORNEY FOR THE COMMONWEALTH PLAYED THE 911
    RECORDING OVER THE OBJECTION OF ATTORNEY FOR
    [APPELLANT] DENYING APPELLANT THE RIGHT TO
    CONFRONTATION[?]
    WAS THE JURY’S VERDICT OF GUILT AGAINST THE
    WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE WHERE ASSIGNED POLICE
    OFFICERS CONTRADICTED EACH OTHER’S TESTIMONY
    ____________________________________________
    3
    The statutory language of 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9795.4(a) indicates the SVP
    assessment is to be conducted after conviction but before sentencing.
    Commonwealth v. Whanger, 
    30 A.3d 1212
     (Pa.Super. 2011).                 In
    Whanger, this Court determined a defendant can waive this statutory
    requirement.    Additionally, our Supreme Court held 42 Pa.C.S.A. §
    9795.4(a) was unconstitutional, in Commonwealth v. Neiman, ____ Pa.
    ____, 
    84 A.3d 603
     (2013). Here, Appellant consented to the bifurcation of
    the sentencing and SVP hearings, which the court permitted at the
    sentencing hearing on April 8, 2013. Further, Appellant was advised of his
    post-sentencing rights at the conclusion of the SVP hearing, such that his
    post sentence motions were timely filed.
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    REGARDING APPELLANT’S ARREST, A COMPLAINANT
    STATED DEFINITELY THAT APPELLANT WAS NOT THE
    PERPETRATOR OF THE ALLEGED CRIME AND POLICE
    FAILED TO ANALYZE DNA EVIDENCE ON THE SHIRT OF
    THE COMPLAINANT FOLLOWING AN ALLEGED PHYSICAL
    AND SEXUAL ASSAULT?
    WAS    THE  TRIAL  COURT’S    DETERMINATION    OF
    APPELLANT’S    SEXUALLY     VIOLENT     PREDATOR
    DESIGNATION IN ERROR WHERE THE COMMONWEALTH
    FAILED TO MEET ITS BURDEN OF “CLEAR AND
    CONVINCING EVIDENCE” THAT APPELLANT IS A SEXUALLY
    VIOLENT PREDATOR?
    (Appellant’s Brief at 7-8).
    In his first issue, Appellant argues the 911 radio call of Westfield West,
    a declarant who did not testify at trial, was offered for the truth of the
    matter asserted.    Appellant contends the statement did not qualify as an
    exception to the rule against hearsay.         Further, Appellant claims the
    admission of the radio call as evidence denied Appellant his Sixth
    Amendment right to confrontation. Appellant submits the radio call elicited a
    statement in favor of the Commonwealth’s case that was a deciding factor
    for the jury in its determination of Appellant’s guilt. Appellant concludes the
    admission of this hearsay was an error of law and Appellant is entitled to a
    new trial. We disagree.
    The standard of review for admission of evidence is as follows:
    Admission of evidence is within the sound discretion
    of the trial court and will be reversed only upon a
    showing that the trial court clearly abused its
    discretion. Admissibility depends on relevance and
    probative value. Evidence is relevant if it logically
    tends to establish a material fact in the case, tends
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    J-A24015-14
    to make a fact at issue more or less probable or
    supports a reasonable inference or presumption
    regarding a material fact.
    Commonwealth v. Drumheller, 
    570 Pa. 117
    , 135, 
    808 A.2d 893
    , 904 (2002), certiorari denied, 
    539 U.S. 919
    , 
    123 S.Ct. 2284
    , 
    156 L.Ed.2d 137
     (2003).             See also
    Commonwealth v. Lewis, 
    885 A.2d 51
    , 54 (Pa.Super.
    2005).
    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.
    Commonwealth v. Hunt, 
    858 A.2d 1234
    , 1238
    (Pa.Super. 2004) (en banc), appeal denied, 
    583 Pa. 659
    ,
    
    875 A.2d 1073
     (2005) (internal citations and quotation
    marks omitted).
    Pennsylvania Rule of Evidence 801 defines hearsay as
    follows:
    Rule 801. Definitions
    (a)   Statement. A “statement” is
    (1)   an oral or written assertion or
    (2) nonverbal conduct of a person, if it is intended
    by the person as an assertion.
    (b) Declarant. A “declarant” is a person who
    makes a statement.
    (c) Hearsay.        “Hearsay” is a statement, other
    than one made by the declarant while testifying at
    the trial or hearing, offered in evidence to prove the
    truth of the matter asserted.
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    Pa.R.E. 801.[4]   Pennsylvania Rule of Evidence 803
    provides exceptions to the hearsay rule and states, in
    pertinent part:
    Rule 803. Hearsay exceptions; availability of
    declarant immaterial
    The following statements, …, are not excluded by the
    hearsay rule, even though the declarant is available
    as a witness:
    (1) Present sense impression.          A statement
    describing or explaining an event or condition made
    while the declarant was perceiving the event or
    condition, or immediately thereafter.
    (2) Excited utterance. A statement relating to a
    startling event or condition made while the declarant
    was under the stress of excitement caused by the
    event or condition.
    (3) Then existing mental, emotional, or
    physical condition. A statement of the declarant’s
    then existing state of mind, emotion, sensation, or
    physical condition, such as intent, plan, motive,
    design, mental feeling, pain, and bodily health. A
    statement of memory or belief offered to prove the
    fact remembered or believed is included in this
    exception only if it relates to the execution,
    revocation, identification, or terms of declarant’s will.
    Pa.R.E. 803.[5] See Commonwealth v. Gray, 
    867 A.2d 560
     (Pa.Super. 2005), appeal denied, 
    583 Pa. 694
    , 879
    ____________________________________________
    4
    Rule 801 was recently rescinded and replaced by a revised version,
    effective March 18, 2013.      The relevant language in the new rule is
    substantially the same as in the former rule.
    5
    Rule 803 was also rescinded and replaced by a revised version, effective
    March 18, 2013. The relevant language in the new rule is substantially the
    same as in the former rule.
    -7-
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    14 A.2d 781
     (2005) (applying “present sense impression”
    exception to hearsay rule only if declarant had no
    opportunity to form purpose of misstating observation).
    See Commonwealth v. Hood, 
    872 A.2d 175
    , 181
    (Pa.Super. 2005), appeal denied, 
    585 Pa. 695
    , 
    889 A.2d 88
     (2005) (stating “excited utterance” exception to
    hearsay rule admits statements made while declarant was
    under stress of excitement caused by event or condition
    related to startling event); Commonwealth v. Carmody,
    
    799 A.2d 143
     (Pa.Super. 2002) (describing excited
    utterance as “a spontaneous declaration by a person
    whose mind has been suddenly made subject to an
    overpowering emotion caused by some unexpected and
    shocking occurrence, which that person had just
    participated in or closely witnessed, and made in reference
    to some phase of that occurrence which he perceived, and
    this declaration must be made so near the occurrence both
    in time and place as to exclude the likelihood of its being
    emanated in whole or in part from his reflective faculties”).
    Commonwealth v. Levanduski, 
    907 A.2d 3
    , 13-15 (Pa.Super. 2006) (en
    banc), appeal denied, 
    591 Pa. 711
    , 
    919 A.2d 955
     (2007).
    Statements not excluded by the hearsay rule remain inadmissible as
    evidence if the statements violate the Sixth Amendment to the United States
    Constitution.   See Commonwealth v. Allshouse, 
    614 Pa. 229
    , 
    36 A.3d 163
     (2012). We observe:
    The Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution
    guarantees that “[i]n all criminal prosecutions, the accused
    shall enjoy the right…to be confronted with the witnesses
    against him.” U.S. Const., amend. VI. This constitutional
    protection is known as the Confrontation Clause. In 1980,
    the United States Supreme Court, in Ohio v. Roberts,
    
    448 U.S. 56
     [
    100 S.Ct. 2531
    , 
    65 L.Ed.2d 597
    ] (1980) held
    that the Confrontation Clause did not bar admission of an
    unavailable witness's statement against a criminal
    defendant, provided the statement was surrounded by
    “adequate indicia of reliability.” 
    448 U.S. at 66
    , 
    100 S.Ct. 2531
    . Such indicia existed when the testimony being
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    considered either fit within a “firmly rooted hearsay
    exception,” or contained “particularized guarantees of
    trustworthiness.” 
    Id.
    *    *     *
    [The Court in Crawford v. Washington, 
    541 U.S. 36
    , 
    124 S.Ct. 1354
    , 
    158 L.Ed.2d 177
     (2004)] held the
    Confrontation Clause prohibits out-of-court testimonial
    statements by a witness, regardless of whether the
    statements are deemed reliable by the trial court, unless
    (1) the witness is unavailable, and (2) the defendant had a
    prior opportunity to cross-examine the witness:
    Where nontestimonial hearsay is at issue, it is wholly
    consistent with the Framers’ design to afford the
    States flexibility in their development of hearsay
    law—as does Roberts, and as would an approach
    that exempted such statements from Confrontation
    Clause scrutiny altogether. Where testimonial
    evidence is at issue, however, the Sixth Amendment
    demands      what    the   common    law    required:
    unavailability and a prior opportunity for cross-
    examination. 
    Id.
     (emphasis added).
    The Crawford Court expressly declined, however, to
    explain    the   distinction   between   testimonial     and
    nontestimonial statements, stating “[w]e leave for another
    day any effort to spell out a comprehensive definition of
    ‘testimonial.’ Whatever else the term covers, it applies at a
    minimum to prior testimony at a preliminary hearing,
    before a grand jury, or at a former trial; and to police
    interrogations.” 
    Id.
     (footnote omitted).
    Two years after the Supreme Court’s Crawford decision,
    the Court had the opportunity to clarify the difference
    between testimonial and nontestimonial hearsay in Davis
    v. Washington, 
    547 U.S. 813
    , 
    126 S.Ct. 2266
    , 
    165 L.Ed.2d 224
     (2006). At issue in the consolidated appeal in
    Davis were two separate statements. The first was a
    statement made by a victim of spousal abuse to a 911
    operator; the second was a wife’s statement to police
    officers dispatched to investigate a domestic disturbance,
    set forth in a battery complaint. In finding the statement
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    to the 911 operator nontestimonial, but the wife’s
    statement to the police officers testimonial, the Davis
    Court set forth the following test for determining whether
    statements are testimonial or nontestimonial:
    Statements are nontestimonial when made in the
    course of police interrogation under circumstances
    objectively indicating that the primary purpose of the
    interrogation is to enable police assistance to meet
    an ongoing emergency. They are testimonial when
    the circumstances objectively indicate that there is
    no such ongoing emergency, and that the primary
    purpose of the interrogation is to establish or prove
    past events potentially relevant to later criminal
    prosecution. 
    Id. at 822
    , 
    126 S.Ct. at 2266
    .
    Allshouse, 
    supra at 241-44
    , 
    36 A.3d at 170-72
    .
    Instantly, Westfield West’s statement to the 911 operator was an out-
    of-court statement offered for the truth of the matter asserted.          The
    statement, however, described events and conditions while Mr. West
    perceived them.    Specifically, Mr. West made the statements to the 911
    Operator to assist in an ongoing emergency involving an attack on his sister.
    Thus, the 911 tape fell under the present sense impression exception to the
    rule against hearsay and was admissible as a non-testimonial statement
    under Crawford.
    In his second issue, Appellant argues the Commonwealth’s key
    witnesses’ testimony at trial was full of discrepancies and inconstancies
    which raised substantial questions regarding Appellant’s guilt.      Appellant
    contends the failure of the detectives to conduct DNA tests on the victim’s
    clothing did not support the jury’s finding that Appellant was guilty beyond a
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    reasonable doubt. Appellant submits the verdict was against the weight of
    the evidence. Appellant concludes the court erred when it denied relief on
    this claim, and Appellant is entitled to a new trial. We disagree.
    We observe:
    The 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. An appellate court cannot substitute
    its judgment for that of the finder of fact. Thus, we
    may only reverse the…verdict if it is so contrary to
    the evidence as to shock one's sense of justice.
    Commonwealth v. Small, 
    559 Pa. 423
    , [435,] 
    741 A.2d 666
    , 672–73 (1999). Moreover, where the trial court has
    ruled on the weight claim below, an appellate court’s role
    is not to consider the underlying question of whether the
    verdict is against the weight of the evidence. Rather,
    appellate review is limited to whether the trial court
    palpably abused its discretion in ruling on the weight
    claim.
    Commonwealth v. Devine, 
    26 A.3d 1139
    , 1146 (Pa.Super. 2011), appeal
    denied, 
    615 Pa. 783
    , 
    42 A.3d 1059
     (2012).
    Instantly, the Commonwealth presented testimony from Victim,
    witnesses, police officers, and detectives. The jury had the opportunity to
    assess the credibility of the witnesses and consider all the evidence
    presented.   Specifically, the jury was presented with the testimony of two
    witnesses who identified Appellant as the perpetrator of the crimes. Further,
    the jury heard the detectives testify why they saw no reason to conduct DNA
    testing on Victim’s shirt. Given the evidence at trial, we see no reason to
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    disturb the court’s decision to deny relief on Appellant’s weight claim. See
    Devine, 
    supra.
    In his third issue, Appellant argues Dr. Ziv’s testimony did not provide
    sufficient evidence that Appellant is an SVP. Appellant avers his offense did
    not involve multiple victims, unnecessary means, or unusual cruelty.
    Appellant contends he had no prior convictions for sexual offenses, and
    Victim’s age did not demonstrate pedophilia.           Appellant submits the
    Commonwealth’s evidence was legally insufficient to show Appellant is an
    SVP.   Appellant concludes he is entitled to revocation of his status as an
    SVP. We disagree.
    In Commonwealth v. Prendes, 
    97 A.3d 337
     (Pa.Super. 2014), this
    Court observed:
    “To deem an individual [an SVP], the Commonwealth must
    first show [the individual] ‘has been convicted of a sexually
    violent offense as set forth in [section 9799.14]….’”
    Commonwealth v. Askew, 
    907 A.2d 624
    , 629 (Pa.Super.
    2006), appeal denied, 
    591 Pa. 709
    , 
    919 A.2d 954
     (2007).
    See also 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9799.12.             “Secondly, the
    Commonwealth must show that the individual has ‘a
    mental abnormality or personality disorder that makes
    [him] likely to engage in predatory sexually violent
    offenses.’” Askew, supra. When the Commonwealth
    meets this burden, the trial court then makes the final
    determination on the defendant's status as an SVP.
    Commonwealth v. Kopicz, 
    840 A.2d 342
    , 351 (Pa.Super.
    2003).
    An SVP assessment is not a trial or a separate criminal
    proceeding that subjects the defendant to additional
    punishment. Commonwealth v. Howe, 
    842 A.2d 436
    ,
    445–46 (Pa.Super. 2004). SVP status, therefore, does not
    require proof beyond a reasonable doubt; the court
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    decides SVP status upon a show of clear and convincing
    evidence that the offender is, in fact, an SVP.
    Commonwealth v. Killinger, 
    585 Pa. 92
    , 104, 
    888 A.2d 592
    , 600 (2005).
    Rule 702 of the Pennsylvania Rules of Evidence provides:
    Rule 702. Testimony by Expert Witnesses
    A witness who is qualified as an expert by
    knowledge, skill, experience, training, or education
    may testify in the form of an opinion or otherwise if:
    (a) the expert’s scientific, technical, or other
    specialized knowledge is beyond that possessed by
    the average layperson;
    (b) the expert’s scientific, technical, or other
    specialized knowledge will help the trier of fact to
    understand the evidence or to determine a fact in
    issue; and
    (c) the expert’s methodology is generally accepted
    in the relevant field.
    Comment:
    Pa.R.E. 702 states that an expert may testify in the
    form of an “opinion or otherwise.” Much of the
    literature assumes that experts testify only in the
    form of an opinion. The language “or otherwise”
    reflects the fact that experts frequently are called
    upon to educate the trier of fact about the scientific
    or technical principles relevant to the case.
    Pa.R.E. 702. “An expert may base an opinion on facts or
    data in the case that the expert has been made aware of
    or personally observed. If experts in the particular field
    would reasonably rely on those kinds of facts or data in
    forming an opinion on the subject, they need not be
    admissible for the opinion to be admitted.” Pa.R.E. 703;
    In re D.Y., 
    34 A.3d 177
    , 182–83 (Pa.Super. 2011), appeal
    denied, 
    616 Pa. 638
    , 
    47 A.3d 848
     (2012). “If the expert
    states an opinion the expert must state the facts or data
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    on which the opinion is based.” Pa.R.E. 705 and Comment
    (explaining otherwise inadmissible facts and data
    supporting expert opinion are considered only to explain
    basis for expert's opinion, not as substantive evidence).
    “Once expert testimony has been admitted, the rules of
    evidence then place the full burden of exploration of facts
    and assumptions underlying the testimony of an expert
    witness squarely on the shoulders of opposing counsel’s
    cross-examination.” In re D.Y., supra at 183. Opposing
    counsel bears the burden of exposing and exploring “any
    weaknesses in the underpinnings of the expert’s opinion.”
    Id.
    “With regard to the various assessment factors…, there is
    no statutory requirement that all of them or any particular
    number of them be present or absent in order to support
    an SVP designation. The factors are not a checklist with
    each one weighing in some necessary fashion for or
    against SVP designation.” Commonwealth v. Brooks, 
    7 A.3d 852
    , 863 (Pa.Super. 2010), appeal denied, 
    610 Pa. 614
    , 
    21 A.3d 1189
     (2011). Thus, “[t]he Commonwealth
    does not have to show that any certain factor is present or
    absent in a particular case.” 
    Id.
     Moreover, “the absence
    of an interview does not preclude the ability to evaluate
    the offender's behavior through available history for
    characteristics similar or dissimilar to the criteria set forth
    in the law for defining a sexually violent predator.”
    Commonwealth v. Woods, 
    909 A.2d 372
    , 381
    (Pa.Super. 2006), appeal denied, 
    591 Pa. 714
    , 
    919 A.2d 957
     (2007). Likewise, “to carry its burden of proving that
    an offender is an SVP, the Commonwealth is not obliged to
    provide a clinical diagnosis by a licensed psychiatrist or
    psychologist…” Commonwealth v. Conklin, 
    587 Pa. 140
    ,
    158, 
    897 A.2d 1168
    , 1178 (2006).            Additionally, the
    statute requires all state, county, and local agencies,
    offices or entities to provide copies of records and
    information as requested by the SOAB [Sexual Offenders
    Assessment Board] in connection with an SVP assessment.
    42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9799.24(c).         Importantly, the primary
    purpose of the registration requirements is to help ensure
    the safety of the public, not to punish the offender.
    Commonwealth v. Carter, 
    821 A.2d 601
    , 606 (Pa.Super.
    2003) (holding SOAB expert can review confidential
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    psychiatric examinations performed when defendant was
    juvenile to make SVP assessment).
    Prendes, 
    supra at 358-59
    .
    Instantly, Appellant stipulated Dr. Barbara Ziv, a Board certified
    psychiatrist working with the SOAB, was qualified to do the SVP evaluation.
    Dr. Ziv testified that Appellant’s antisocial traits in combination with his
    victimization of a stranger are associated with recidivism.     Utilizing the
    statutory factors, Dr. Ziv assessed Appellant and determined he exhibited
    behaviors, characteristics, and a personality disorder, which made him likely
    to reoffend. Dr. Ziv opined Appellant qualified as an SVP. After hearing the
    testimony of a qualified expert, who stated the grounds for her opinions, the
    court resolved Appellant’s SVP status.      We see no reason to disturb this
    decision. Accordingly, we affirm the judgment of sentence.
    Judgment of sentence affirmed.
    Judgment Entered.
    Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
    Prothonotary
    Date: 10/10/2014
    - 15 -