Com. v. Imhoff, D. ( 2016 )

J-A13033-16
NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
: PENNSYLVANIA
v. :
:
DAVID CARL IMHOFF, :
:
:
Appellant : No. 1597 WDA 2014
Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence September 5, 2014
in the Court of Common Pleas of Washington County,
Criminal Division, No(s): CP-63-CR-0000281-2013;
CP-63-CR-0001497-2013
BEFORE: OLSON, STABILE and MUSMANNO, JJ.
MEMORANDUM BY MUSMANNO, J.: FILED JUNE 30, 2016
David Carl Imhoff (“Imhoff”) appeals from the judgment of sentence
imposed after a jury found him guilty of two counts of simple assault, and
one count each of aggravated assault, recklessly endangering another
person (“REAP”), unlawful restraint – serious bodily injury, terroristic
threats, and persons not to possess firearms.1 We affirm.
The trial court thoroughly set forth the relevant factual and procedural
history in its Opinion, which we incorporate herein by reference. See Trial
Court Opinion, 7/16/15, at 1-13.
On appeal, Imhoff presents the following issues for our review:
1. Whether the trial court erred in denying the Motion to
suppress?
1
See 18 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 2701(a)(1), 2702(a)(4), 2705, 2902(a)(1),
2706(a)(1), 6105(a)(1).
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2. Whether the trial court erred in denying the Motion to
dismiss pursuant to Pa.R.Crim.P. 600?
3. Whether the trial court erred in admitting
Commonwealth’s Exhibits 1, 2, and 3?
4. Whether the trial court erred in instructing the jury on
consciousness of guilt?
5. Whether the trial court erred in not instructing the jury
on self-defense?
6. Whether the evidence presented by the Commonwealth
was insufficient to support each of [Imhoff’s]
convictions?
7. Whether the trial court erred in denying [Imhoff’s]
Motion to dismiss after [the] close of the
Commonwealth’s case?
8. Whether the jury’s verdict was against the weight of the
evidence?
9. Whether the trial court erred in denying [Imhoff’s]
Motion for a mistrial?
10. Whether the trial court erred in granting the
Commonwealth’s Motion for leave to amend
information[,] on May 12, 2014[,] at Case No. CP-63-
0001497-2013?
11. Whether the trial court erred in denying [Imhoff’s] Post-
verdict Motion?
Brief for Appellant at 7 (issues renumbered for clarity, some capitalization
omitted).2
Imhoff first argues that the trial court erred by denying his Motion to
suppress the handgun that police discovered hidden inside of Imhoff’s
2
We observe, with disapproval, that the Commonwealth neither filed a brief
on appeal nor appeared at oral argument on this case.
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residence (hereinafter “the trailer”) following his arrest, as the warrantless
search was unconstitutional. See id. at 20-22.
Our standard of review in addressing a challenge to the
denial of a suppression motion is limited to determining whether
the suppression court’s factual findings are supported by the
record and whether the legal conclusions drawn from those
facts are correct. Because the Commonwealth prevailed before
the suppression court, we may consider only the evidence of the
Commonwealth and so much of the evidence for the defense as
remains uncontradicted when read in the context of the record
as a whole. Where the suppression court’s factual findings are
supported by the record, we are bound by these findings and
may reverse only if the court’s legal conclusions are erroneous.
Where the appeal of the determination of the suppression court
turns on allegations of legal error, the suppression court’s legal
conclusions are not binding on an appellate court, whose duty it
is to determine if the suppression court properly applied the law
to the facts. Thus, the conclusions of law of the courts below
are subject to our plenary review.
Commonwealth v. Perel, 107 A.3d 185, 188 (Pa. Super. 2014) (citation
and ellipses omitted).
Imhoff points out that the victim, Brenda Worstell (“Worstell”), (1)
discovered the handgun that Imhoff used in the April 26, 2013 assault when
she re-entered the trailer two days after the assault; and (2) then called the
police and consented to them searching the trailer, claiming that it was her
residence. Brief for Appellant at 20. Imhoff contends that the suppression
court erred in ruling that the police were legally authorized to conduct a
warrantless search of the trailer pursuant to the consent exception to the
warrant requirement – based upon Worstell’s “apparent authority” to
consent. Id.-3-
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The Fourth Amendment protects the people from
unreasonable searches and seizures. In the Interest of D.M.,
566 Pa. 445, 781 A.2d 1161, 1163 (Pa. 2001). A warrantless
search or seizure is presumptively unreasonable under the
Fourth Amendment, subject to a few specifically established,
well-delineated exceptions. Horton v. California, 496 U.S.
128, 134 n.4, 110 S. Ct. 2301, 110 L. Ed. 2d 112 (1990)
(citations omitted). One such exception is a consensual search,
which a third party can provide to police, [Commonwealth v.]
Hughes, [836 A.2d 893,] 900 [(Pa. 2003)], known as the
apparent authority exception.
A third party with apparent authority over the area to be
searched may provide police with consent to search. United
States v. Matlock, 415 U.S. 164, 171, 94 S. Ct. 988, 39 L. Ed.
2d 242 (1974). Third party consent is valid when police
reasonably believe a third party has authority to consent.
Illinois v. Rodriguez, 497 U.S. 177, 188-89, 110 S. Ct. 2793,
111 L. Ed. 2d 148 (1990). Specifically, the apparent authority
exception turns on whether the facts available to police at the
moment would lead a person of reasonable caution to believe
the consenting third party had authority over the premises. Id.(citations omitted). If the person asserting authority to consent
did not have such authority, that mistake is constitutionally
excusable if police reasonably believed the consenter had such
authority and police acted “on facts leading sensibly to their
conclusions of probability.” Id., at 186 (quoting Brinegar v.
United States, 338 U.S. 160, 176, 69 S. Ct. 1302, 93 L. Ed.
1879 (1949)).
Commonwealth v. Strader, 931 A.2d 630, 634 (Pa. 2007).
In the instant case, Imhoff argues that
Worstell’s authority to consent to a search of the [trailer] was, at
best, ambiguous[,] requiring the [police] to make further
inquiries into [] Worstell’s status as to her ability to consent.
Where a situation is ambiguous, or where a reasonable person
would “question the consenting party’s actual authority or if the
consenting party’s assertions of authority appear unreasonable,
a police officer should make further inquiries to determine the
status of the consenting party.”
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Brief for Appellant at 20-21 (quoting Perel, 107 A.3d at 192). Imhoff
maintains that the police improperly “made no further inquiries as to []
Worstell’s authority to consent to a search beyond her assertions that she
lived at the [trailer].” Brief for Appellant at 21.
In its Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a) Opinion, the trial court addressed Imhoff’s
claim, and correctly determined that the warrantless search was legal under
the apparent authority doctrine. See Trial Court Opinion, 7/16/15, at 18-
20; see also id. at 14-17 (opining that Worstell had actual authority to
consent to the search). We conclude that the trial court did not err in
denying Imhoff’s Motion to suppress, and affirm based on the trial court’s
Opinion as to Imhoff’s first issue. See id.
Next, Imhoff contends that the trial court erred by denying his Motion
to dismiss, asserting that the Commonwealth violated his speedy trial rights
under Pa.R.Crim.P. 600. See Brief for Appellant at 22-23.
We review such claims according to the following principles:
In evaluating Rule 600 issues, our standard of review of a trial
court’s decision is whether the trial court abused its discretion.
...
The proper scope of review is limited to the evidence on the
record of the Rule 600 evidentiary hearing, and the findings of
the trial court. An appellate court must view the facts in the
light most favorable to the prevailing party.
Additionally, when considering the trial court’s ruling, this Court
is not permitted to ignore the dual purpose behind Rule 600.
Rule 600 serves two equally important functions: (1) the
protection of the accused’s speedy trial rights, and (2) the
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protection of society. In determining whether an accused’s right
to a speedy trial has been violated, consideration must be given
to society’s right to effective prosecution of criminal cases, both
to restrain those guilty of crime and to deter those
contemplating it. However, the administrative mandate of Rule
600 was not designed to insulate the criminally accused from
good faith prosecution delayed through no fault of the
Commonwealth.
Commonwealth v. Thompson, 93 A.3d 478, 486-87 (Pa. Super. 2014)
(citations, brackets and ellipses omitted).
In its Opinion, the trial court summarized and addressed Imhoff’s
claims concerning his Rule 600 challenge, set forth the relevant law, and
determined that the Commonwealth had exercised due diligence in bringing
Imhoff’s case to trial. See Trial Court Opinion, 7/16/15, at 20-24. We
affirm based on the trial court’s sound rationale with regard to this issue.
See id.In his third issue, Imhoff argues that the trial court erred and caused
him undue prejudice by admitting into evidence three photographs
(collectively referred to as “the brace photographs”) of Worstell’s head and
neck area, taken shortly after the April 26, 2013 assault,3 each of which
showed her in a neck brace. Brief for Appellant at 23-24.
The admissibility of evidence is at the discretion of the trial
court and only a showing of an abuse of that discretion, and
resulting prejudice, constitutes reversible error. Evidence is
relevant if it tends “to make the existence of any fact that is of
consequence to the determination of the action more probable or
less probable than it would be without the evidence.” Pa.R.E.
3
The brace photographs were taken at the Canonsburg Hospital Emergency
Room. N.T., 6/10-12/14, at 135.
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401. But, “[a]lthough relevant, evidence may be excluded if its
probative value is outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice,
confusion of the issues, or misleading the jury, or by
considerations of undue delay, waste of time, or needless
presentation of cumulative evidence.” Pa.R.E. 403. A
determination of whether photographic evidence alleged to be
inflammatory is admissible involves a two-step analysis. First,
the court must decide whether a photograph is inflammatory by
its very nature. If the photograph is deemed inflammatory, the
court must determine whether the essential evidentiary value of
the photograph outweighs the likelihood that the photograph will
improperly inflame the minds and passions of the jury.
Commonwealth v. Sanchez, 36 A.3d 24, 48-49 (Pa. 2011) (citations to
case law and quotation marks omitted). “[I]nflammatory [] mean[s] the
photo is so gruesome it would tend to cloud the jury’s objective assessment
of the guilt or innocence of the defendant.” Commonwealth v. Funk, 29
A.3d 28, 33 (Pa. Super. 2011) (en banc).
Here, Imhoff contends that the brace photographs “are clearly
inflammatory to the jury[,] as they show extensive detail of injuries
sustained by [] Worstell, as well as [showing] Worstell in a neck brace,
insinuating that she may have sustained a severe neck or back injury, which
she, fortunately, did not.” Brief for Appellant at 23-24; see also id. at 24
(asserting that the brace photographs “could likely have inflamed [the
jury’s] passions, leading them to believe that the injuries sustained were far
more serious than they actually were.”).
Upon review, we discern no abuse of the trial court’s discretion in
ruling that the brace photographs “were not so inflammatory that the
prejudice would outweigh their probative value.” Trial Court Opinion,
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7/16/15, at 26. Our review confirms that the brace photographs were not
inflammatory by their very nature. See Sanchez, supra. We cannot
conclude that an objective juror would deem the brace photographs to be
gruesome, as they merely depict Worstell’s face and neck area, with an
orange medical brace on her neck. Worstell’s visible injuries, shown in the
brace photographs, were not severe or graphically bloody; rather, they
comprised merely redness and swelling. See Funk, supra. Moreover,
though we acknowledge Imhoff’s contention that the brace photographs may
have given the jury the impression that Worstell sustained more severe
injury than she actually suffered, the photographs were a fair and accurate
depiction of her physical condition after the violent assault. Accordingly,
Imhoff’s third issue does not entitle him to relief.
In his fourth issue, Imhoff contends that the trial court erred by
instructing the jury on consciousness of guilt. Brief for Appellant at 24-25.
According to Imhoff, “there is no evidence from which a reasonable jury
could conclude that [Imhoff] attempted to conceal himself in [the trailer] in
order to evade capture from the police[.]” Id. at 24. Imhoff states that
although he “did not immediately inform the Officers he was inside the
trailer when they made contact with him” via phone, he failed to do so
because he wanted additional time to “contact family to inform them of the
situation[.]” Id. at 25. Moreover, Imhoff points out the testimony of one of
the responding police officers that the officers could hear noises coming from
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the inside of the trailer, which, according to Imhoff, “indicat[es] that
[Imhoff] in no way was attempting to conceal his presence within the
[trailer].” Id.
Our standard of review concerning a challenge to a jury charge
requires us to determine
whether the trial court committed a clear abuse of discretion or
an error of law which controlled the outcome of the case. In so
doing, we must view the charge as a whole, recognizing that the
trial court is free to use its own form of expression in creating
the charge. [Our] key inquiry is whether the instruction on a
particular issue adequately, accurately and clearly presents the
law to the jury, and is sufficient to guide the jury in its
deliberations. It is well-settled that the trial court has wide
discretion in fashioning jury instructions.
Commonwealth v. Scott, 73 A.3d 599, 602 (Pa. Super. 2013) (citations
and quotation marks omitted).
In its Opinion, the trial court addressed Imhoff’s claim, set forth the
challenged consciousness of guilt instruction and relevant law, and
determined that the instruction was proper under the circumstances,
particularly in light of Imhoff’s admission that he had lied to the police
concerning his whereabouts. See Trial Court Opinion, 7/16/15, at 30-32.
We affirm based on the trial court’s rationale with regard to this issue. See
id.-9-
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In his fifth issue, Imhoff contends that the trial court erred by failing to
give a jury instruction on self-defense.4 Brief for Appellant at 25-26. In
claiming that “a jury could have reasonably found that he was acting in self-
defense[,]” Imhoff argues as follows, citing his own trial testimony:
[] Worstell provoked the incident by beginning to “freak out” at
[Imhoff] while sitting on his couch, demanding heroin. She then
began punching [Imhoff] rapidly in the face while he attempted
to calm her down, causing his mouth to bleed[. This]
demonstrate[es] that [Imhoff] was in fear of bodily injury.
Id. at 26.
“Before the issue of self-defense may be submitted to a jury for
consideration, a valid claim of self-defense must be made out as a matter of
law, and this determination must be made by the trial judge.”
Commonwealth v. Chine, 40 A.3d 1239, 1244 (Pa. Super. 2012) (citations
omitted); see also 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 505(a) (setting forth the three statutory
elements required to establish self-defense). “[A] trial court should not
instruct the jury on legal principles which have no application to the facts
presented at trial.” Commonwealth v. Kendricks, 30 A.3d 499, 507 (Pa.
Super. 2011); see also Scott, 73 A.3d at 602 (stating that “[t]he trial court
is not required to give every charge that is requested by the parties and its
refusal to give a requested charge does not require reversal unless the
appellant was prejudiced by that refusal.”) (citation omitted).
4
Imhoff’s counsel requested the trial court to issue a self-defense instruction
at trial, prior to the jury charge, which the court rejected. See N.T., 6/10-
12/14, at 235-36.
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In its Opinion, the trial court addressed Imhoff’s claim and determined
that no instruction on self-defense was warranted, as there was no evidence
that Imhoff had acted in self-defense. See Trial Court Opinion, 7/16/15, at
32-33. We affirm based on the trial court’s rationale with regard to this
issue. See id.In Imhoff’s sixth and seventh issues, which we will address together,
he argues that the evidence was insufficient to sustain each of his
convictions, and the trial court thus erred in denying his Motion for judgment
of acquittal made at the close of the Commonwealth’s case. See Brief for
Appellant at 16-17, 26-32. Imhoff summarizes his sufficiency challenges as
follows:
In regards to aggravated assault under 18 Pa.C.S.A.
§ 2702(a)(4), the Commonwealth failed to prove that [Imhoff]
possessed the intent to cause serious bodily injury, or that []
Worstell sustained serious bodily injury as a result of the
incident. Similarly[,] in regards to simple assault in violation of
18 Pa.C.S.A. § 2701(a)(1), the Commonwealth has not proved
the necessary intent to sustain the charge[,] and [] this intent
could not exist due to the mutual nature of the confrontation.
For the charges of [REAP] in violation of 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 2705,
and unlawful restraint in violation of 18 Pa.C.S.A.
§ 2902(a)(1)[,] the Commonwealth has failed to show that []
Worstell was in actual danger of serious bodily injury. The
Commonwealth has further failed to show an intent to terrorize
[] Worstell with comments made by [Imhoff] to sustain the
charge of terroristic threats under 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 2706, and
failed to show [that Imhoff] possessed a firearm when prohibited
to do so to sustain the possession of a firearm prohibited charge
under 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 6105(a)(1).
Id. at 16-17 (some capitalization omitted); see also id. at 27 (asserting
that Imhoff “ended the altercation and openly displayed sympathy and
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remorse for what had occurred. Further, [] Worstell suffered only bruising
and scratches as a result of the incident ….”).
In its Opinion, the trial court set forth the standards of review and
relevant law, addressed Imhoff’s sufficiency claim and challenge to the
denial of his Motion for judgment of acquittal, and determined that the
issues lack merit. See Trial Court Opinion, 7/16/15, at 26-30; see also id.
at 25-26 (addressing the conviction of aggravated assault). We affirm based
on the trial court’s rationale with regard to these two issues. See id. at 25-
30.
In his eighth issue, Imhoff contends that his convictions were against
the weight of the evidence. Brief for Appellant at 32-33. Imhoff advances
scant substantive argument in support of this claim, aside from his assertion
that “it is clear that the Commonwealth only produced tenuous, vague, and
uncertain evidence that would shock a reasonable sense of justice.” Id. at
33.
In its Opinion, the trial court set forth the standard of review and
relevant law, addressed Imhoff’s challenge to the weight of the evidence,
and determined that the claim is waived, and, in any event, lacks merit.
See Trial Court Opinion, 7/16/15, at 33-35. We agree with the trial court’s
rationale and determination, and affirm on this basis as to this issue. See
id.
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In his ninth issue, Imhoff argues that the trial court erred by denying
his Motion for a mistrial. Brief for Appellant at 33-34. Specifically, Imhoff
contends that the Commonwealth committed a discovery violation by failing
to provide the defense with Commonwealth Exhibits 6, 7, and 8 (three
photographs that the police had taken of Worstell’s injuries after she had
been released from the hospital). Id. According to Imhoff, this failure to
disclose the photographs prejudiced him and impacted the defense’s trial
strategy and presentation of its case. Id. at 34. However, Imhoff concedes
that his defense counsel stated at trial that these photographs would not
have affected her trial strategy had they been disclosed. Id.
In its Opinion, the trial court set forth the relevant law, addressed
Imhoff’s claim, and determined that the court properly denied the Motion for
a mistrial, as Imhoff suffered no prejudice by any alleged discovery
violation. See Trial Court Opinion, 7/16/15, at 35-39. We agree with the
trial court’s rationale and determination, and affirm on this basis as to
Imhoff’s ninth issue. See id.
In his tenth issue, Imhoff asserts that the trial court erred by granting
the Commonwealth’s Motion for leave to amend the criminal information,
permitting the Commonwealth to amend the grading of the aggravated
assault charge against Imhoff from a second-degree felony (see 18
Pa.C.S.A. § 2702(a)(4)) to a first-degree felony (see id. § 2702(a)(1)).
Brief for Appellant at 34-35. According to Imhoff,
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the allowance of the amendment by the trial court was in error,
as the amendment added new charges and prejudiced [Imhoff]
in the preparation of his case. [Imhoff] had already been
preparing his defense on this matter for over a year at the time
that the affidavit [of probable cause] and complaint were
amended. Further, … for over a year[,] the Commonwealth was
aware that they were in possession of the firearm allegedly used
in the assault, yet the fact of this was not disclosed until a
month before the trial began[,] when the charges were
amended. … Further, [Imhoff] chose to waive his preliminary
hearing, a decision that may have been made differently had this
evidence been known at the time.
Id. at 35 (some capitalization omitted).
In its Opinion, the trial court set forth the relevant law, addressed
Imhoff’s claim, and determined that it does not entitle him to relief. See
Trial Court Opinion, 7/16/15, at 40-43. We agree with the trial court’s
rationale and determination, and affirm on this basis as to Imhoff’s tenth
issue. See id.
In his eleventh and final issue, Imhoff baldly argues that the trial court
erred by denying his post-trial Motions. Brief for Appellant at 36.
In its Opinion, the trial court summarized the claims raised in Imhoff’s
counseled and pro se post-trial Motions, and determined that the court
properly denied all of the Motions (which raised several of the issues that we
have discussed above). See Trial Court Opinion, 7/16/15, at 39-40. We
agree with the trial court’s rationale and determination, and affirm on this
basis as to Imhoff’s final issue. See id.
Judgment of sentence affirmed.
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Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary
Date: 6/30/2016
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Circulated 06/03/2016 03:27 PM
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CRIMINAL DIVISION
COMMONWEALTH OF )
PENNSYLVANIA )
)
) --·····"
) .... , -··.-·-:
vs. ) No. 281-2013
) 1497- 2013
DAVID CARL IMHOFF, )
c.r1
)
Defendant. )
OPINION OF COURT
This matter comes before the Court upon Defendant's direct appeal from the Judgment of
Sentence dated September 5, 2014, following his conviction, after a trial by jury on June 12,
2014, on the charges of Possession of Firearm Prohibited, Terroristic Threats with Intent to
Terrorize Another, Aggravated Assault with a finding of Serious Bodily Injury, 2 counts of
Simple Assault, Recklessly Endangering Another Person, and Unlawful Restraint. The
Defendant was found not guilty on the charge of Aggravated Assault with a deadly weapon.
Procedural History
A jury was selected on the above matter on June 9, 2014, with the Honorable John F.
Di Salle, Judge, presiding. Trial commenced on June 10, 2014, and continued through June 12,
2014. At trial, Defendant, David Carl Imhoff, (hereinafter referred to as "Defendant") was
represented by court appointed conflict counsel of Washington County, Molly Maguire Gaussa,
Esquire.', and the Commonwealth was represented by Assistant District Attorney, Kristen
Clingerman, Esquire.
I
Previous counsel, John Puskar, Esquire, withdrew as counsel pursuant a motion on November I, 2013.
After the close of evidence and closing arguments, and following deliberations, the jury
found the Defendant guilty on June 12, 2014, at No. 1497-2013 of the charges of Possession of
Firearm Prohibited", Terroristic Threats with Intent to Terrorize Another', Unlawful Restraint
with Serious Bodily Injury" Simple Assault', Recklessly Endangering Another Person",
Aggravated Assault'. The Defendant was found not guilty on the charge of Aggravated Assault
with a deadly weapon. 8 At No. 218-2013 the Defendant was found guilty of Simple Assault,"
The Court ordered that a Pre-Sentence Investigation be completed, and following the Pre-
Sentence Investigation, the Trial Court held a sentencing hearing on September 5, 2014.
Thereafter, the Trial Court sentenced the Defendant as follows:
1. At No. 1497-2013, on the charge of Aggravated Assault, a felony of the first degree,
and the jury having found serious bodily injury was inflicted, the Trial Court
sentenced the Defendant to pay the costs of prosecution and be confined in an
appropriate state correctional institution for no less than seven and one-half (7 Yz)
years to no more than fifteen ( 15) years.
2. On the charge of Possession of Firearm Prohibited, a felony of the second degree, the
Trial Court sentenced the Defendant to be confined in an appropriate state
correctional institution for a period no less than five (5) years to no more than ten ( 10)
years, to run consecutively to the sentence for Aggravated Assault and under the same
terms and conditions.
2
18 Pa.C.S. § 6105(a)(l).
3
18 Pa.C.S. § 2706(a)( 1 ).
4
18 Pa.C.S. § 2902(a)( 1 ).
5
18 Pa.C.S. § 2701 (a)( 1 ).
6
18 Pa.C.S. § 2705.
7
18 Pa.C.S. § 2702.
8
18 Pa.C.S. § 2702(a)( 4).
9
18 Pa.C.S. § 2702(a)( I).
2
3. On the charge of Terroristic Threats, a misdemeanor of the first degree, and the
Defendant having used a firearm during the commission of the offense, the Trial
Court sentenced the Defendant to be confined to an appropriate state correctional
institution for no less than one and one-half (1 Yi) to no more than three (3) years, to
run consecutively to the above sentences and under the same terms and conditions.
4. On the charge of Unlawful Restraint, a misdemeanor of the first degree, and the
Defendant having used a deadly weapon in the commission of the offense, the Trial
Court sentenced the Defendant to be confined for a period of no less than one and
one-half (1 Yi) years to no more than three (3) years in an appropriate state
correctional institution, to run concurrently to the above sentences and under the same
terms and conditions.
5. On the charge of Simple Assault, a misdemeanor of the second degree, no further
sentence was imposed, as that sentence merged with the sentence for Aggravated
Assault.
6. On the charge of Recklessly Endangering Another Person, a misdemeanor of the
second degree, no further sentence was imposed as that sentence merged with the
sentences for other charges.
7. At No. 281-2013, on the charge of Simple Assault, a misdemeanor of the second
degree, the Trial Court sentenced the Defendant to pay the costs of prosecution and
be confined for a period of no less than one (I) year to no more than two (2) years in
an appropriate state correctional institution, to run consecutively to the sentences at
No. 1497-2013, and under the same terms and conditions.
3
The Defendant was further ordered to be treated for drug and alcohol issues and be
assessed for mental health issues. Also, Defendant was ordered to have no contact with the
victim, Brenda Worstell, or any of her family members, either directly or indirectly by any
means of communication.
The Defendant's total sentence was no less than fifteen ( 15) years to no more than thirty
(30) years in an appropriate state correctional institution.
The Defendant filed a Notice of Appeal to the Superior Court of Pennsylvania on
September 22, 2014. Pursuant a motion, on December 16, 2014, Attorney Gaussa was permitted
to withdraw as counsel and the Trial Court appointed Stephen Paul, Esquire, as counsel for the
Defendant.
Thereafter, on December 17, 2014, the Court Ordered the Defendant to file a Concise
Statement of Matters Complained of on Appeal Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b) within twenty-one (21)
days." Pursuant to a motion by Defense counsel on December 31, 2014, the Defendant was
granted an additional twenty-one days (21) days after the filing of the transcripts to file a Concise
11
Statement of Matters Complained of on Appeal. The Defendant filed his Concise Statement of
Issues on Appeal Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b) on February 17, 2015. Subsequently, Defendant filed an
Amended Concise Statement oflssues on Appeal 1925(b) on May 13, 2015, within which he
raised the following eleven issues:
1. "The Trial Court erred in denying the Motion to Suppress.
2. The Trial Court erred in denying the Motion to Dismiss pursuant to Pa.R.Crim.P. 600.
3. The Trial Court erred in admitting Commonwealth's Exhibit 1, 2, and 3.
10
Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b)(2) states, in relevant part: Time forfiling and service.-The judge shall allow the appellant at
least 21 days from the date of the order's entry on the docket for the filing and service of the Statement.
11
Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b )(2) states in part: Upon application of the appellant and for good cause shown, the judge may
enlarge the time period initially specified ...
4
4. The Trial Court erred in denying Defendant's Motion to Dismiss after close of the
Commonwealth's case.
5. The evidence presented by the Commonwealth was insufficient to support each of the
Defendant's convictions.
6. The Trial Court erred in not instructing the jury on self-defense.
7. The Trial Court erred in instructing the jury on consciousness of guilt.
8. The jury's verdict was against the weight of evidence.
9. The Trial Court erred in denying the Defendant's Motion for Mistrial.
10. The Trial Court erred in denying the Defendant's Post Verdict Motion.
11. The Trial Court erred in granting the Commonwealth's Motion for Leave to Amend
Information on May 12, 2014, at case no. 1497."
FactualHistory
During trial, the jury heard evidence that on December 22, 2012, and April 24, 2013,
Brenda Worstell (hereinafter referred to as "Victim") was physically abused and assaulted by her
ex-husband David Carl Imhoff (hereinafter referred to as the "Defendant").12
Testimony demonstrated that the Defendant and the Victim met in August 2008 when
they began dating. Victim testified that the Defendant was a heroin dealer and from their first
date onward they abused heroin together. Victim indicated that she and her daughter moved in
with the Defendant and his grandmother in September of 2008. Thereafter, the Victim and
Defendant were married on July 28, 2009.13
12
TT 18. (The numerals following the initials TT refer to the official transcript of the jury trial proceedings
conducted from June 10, 2014, through June 12, 2014.)
13
TT 18-23.
5
Victim testified that the Defendant became very controlling a few months into their
relationship. She testified that the Defendant would control their money and would prohibit her
from talking to anyone, including her parents. Victim indicated she was not permitted to go to
her parents' home to pick up her daughter. Defendant forced Victim's parents to drop off
Victim's daughter at the Hickory One Stop where Defendant would accompany Victim to drop
off and pick up Victim's daughter. Victim indicated that her drug addiction became very serious
and she was using heroin a few times a day, causing her to drop out of school and restricting her
ability to work.14
Additionally, Victim testified that the Defendant verbally abused her. She recollected that
the mental abuse escalated to physical abuse in November 2008, when the Defendant pushed her
down in front of her daughter. Following that incident, Victim testified that the Defendant would
physically abuse her any time he became angry. Victim indicated that the Defendant would
punch and hit her in places that were not visible to others, for instance, in the back of the head or
in the ribs. Victim also revealed during her testimony that on more than one occasion the
Defendant tackled her to the ground. 15
Thereafter, on or about March 1, 2010, Victim recalled that the Defendant sent the
Victim and a friend of Defendant's to pick up heroin. The Defendant became enraged when the
Victim was taking too long to return and would not answer her phone. Upon Victim's arrival
home, Defendant began screaming at Victim. Victim testified that at some point she talked back
to Defendant. In response, Defendant got out of the chair and walked over to the couch where
she was sitting, and punched Victim in her mouth with a closed fist. Victim then attempted to
14
TT 23-24.
15
TT 24-25.
6
leave, but the Defendant tackled her onto the couch and held her down. Victim testified she
kicked Defendant until she was able to free herself.16
Victim testified that she ran upstairs to the Defendant's grandmother and asked her to call
9-1-1. During that time, Victim recalled her mouth was profusely bleeding. Victim testified that
the Defendant's grandmother refused to call the police. Victim indicated that she was able to
grab the phone from his grandmother and call 9-1-1. Victim testified that as soon as the 9-1-1
operator picked up, Defendant punched her in the face and grabbed her by the hair and started
dragging her back down the steps. Victim testified that as he was dragging her down the steps,
her leg became trapped in the railing. Victim stated that Defendant continued to pull her down
the steps, but she was able to wedge herself in the railing. At that point, he pulled her by her hair
and hit her head off of the stairwell. Victim stated that the back of her head was split open and
17
required seven staples to repair the injury.
The Cecil Police Department responded to the incident. Victim testified that she
barricaded herself in a bedroom upstairs by pushing the dresser in front of the door. Defendant
locked himself in the basement. Cecil police broke the basement door down and arrested the
Defendant. Victim went outside to the ambulance where she received care for her head, facial
cuts and jaw. Victim testified that following her care at the hospital, she returned to the home of
the Defendant. Officer Cathleen Campsey of the Cecil Township Police Department testified
criminal charges were filed against the Defendant that day. However, the charges were later
dropped because the Victim did not wish to pursue the charges.18
Victim testified that she decided to divorce the Defendant in July 2011. However, Victim
decided to rekindle her relationship with the Defendant in January 2012. Victim testified that she
16
TT 25-28.
17
TT 28-29.
18
TT 29-31.
7
relapsed and became addicted to heroin again. Thereafter, on December 22, 2012, police were
called for another incident.
Victim testified that she and the Defendant began to argue after he discovered that she
was fired from her job at the Hickory One Stop and she would not provide him with her
prescribed anxiety medication, Klonopin. The Victim, who was wearing a hooded sweatshirt at
the time, testified she attempted to walk out the door and leave when the Defendant grabbed the
Victim by the hood of her sweatshirt and yanked her back in the door. Victim stated that the
Defendant then threw her down on the bed and threatened her. Victim recalled that she walked
out of the room and proceeded to get into her car, but as she was backing out of the driveway,
Victim noticed the Defendant waived for her to come back. Victim indicated she wanted to hear
what he had to say, so she returned, but left her doors locked. Victim rolled the window down
and the Defendant reached in the window, unlocked the door, and got into the car.19
Victim's testimony demonstrated that she and the Defendant began arguing again and the
Defendant grabbed the Victim by her throat with his right hand. Victim stated she was able to
open the car door and get out. As she fell from the car, the Defendant's nails scratched Victim
across her throat and over to her right shoulder. Victim proceeded to call 9-1-1. During that time,
Defendant's friend pulled into the driveway, and Defendant got into his friend's car and left.
Victim followed the Defendant and his friend until they pulled into another friend's driveway. At
that point, the police arrived.r''
Defendant elected to take the witness stand, and testified that he and the Victim became
involved in a verbal argument and he told her to leave his house. Defendant testified he told the
Victim that "maybe you should just go find somebody else", then she replied, "maybe I already
19
TT 31-34.
20
TT 34-36.
8
have." Defendant testified that he followed Victim out to her car and started asking her what she
meant by that comment. Defendant testified that Victim became angry and floored the car in
reverse. Defendant stated that the side mirror of the car hit him and threw him into the car next to
him. Defendant testified Victim then put the car in drive and floored it toward him, but she did
not hit him. Defendant testified he then entered her car and she became irate. Defendant testified
he grabbed Victim by her jacket in order to settle her down. However, when she would not calm
down, Defendant indicated he got out of the Victim's car and got into his friend's car. Defendant
testified that the Victim was blocking them in and she began ramming her car into the friend's
car with them inside. Defendant indicated that they were somehow able to get out of the
driveway and leave.21
Officer Joshua Withers of the Houston Borough Police Department and Officer Donald
Cross of the Canonsburg Police Department responded to the altercation. Officer Withers and
Officer Cross testified that they observed red marks and scratches on Victim's neck. Thereafter,
based on his observations, Officer Withers filed Simple Assault and Harassment charges against
the Defendant.22
Despite this altercation, Victim resumed her relationship with the Defendant
approximately three days following the incident. Thereafter, Victim testified that the Defendant
and Victim moved into a trailer together. Victim testified that despite their reconciliation, the
physical abuse continued. However, Victim stated she did not call the police on every occasion
abuse occurred.23
Thereafter, on or about April 23, 2013, the Victim testified that the Defendant sent her to
sell heroin for him. However, there was a mishap with the sale. An argument subsequently
21
TT 199-205.
22
TT 36-38; 166-169; 174.
23
TT 38-40.
9
ensued between the couple. Victim left the trailer and went to stay at her parents' home. Victim
communicated to the Defendant that she was going to attend a methadone clinic, in aspiration of
curing her addiction problem. Testimony demonstrated that Defendant asked Victim to come to
the trailer to talk before she went to the clinic. Victim returned to the trailer at Defendant's
request.24
Victim testified that when she entered the trailer the Defendant was sitting on the couch
with a handgun lying beside him. The couple subsequently began to argue. The argument
escalated and the Defendant picked up the gun and pointed it at the Victim's chest. Victim
testified she knocked articles off of a coffee table she was standing next to and attempted run for
the door. However, before Victim could reach the door, Defendant grabbed the Victim and threw
her to the ground. Victim testified that the Defendant sat on top of her and pinned her arms down
with his legs. Victim testified that the Defendant began to choke Victim. Defendant started
explaining to Victim what he was going to tell the police after he killed her. Victim recalled that
Defendant said he was going to tell the police he had to kill her in self-defense. Thereafter,
Victim lost consciousness. Victim regained consciousness, but the Defendant was still sitting on
top of her. Victim indicated that she went in and out of consciousness four times. On the fourth
time Victim lost consciousness, Victim testified that she urinated in her pants.25
After Victim came back to consciousness, she recalled that Defendant was pointing the
gun in her face and shoving the barrel of the gun in her mouth. Victim also recalled that
Defendant repeated "I should just blow your brains out right now." Victim stated that she
somehow escaped the Defendant's grasp, but the Defendant grabbed her and punched her in the
face with a closed fist three times. Victim testified that one punch hit her in the left temple and
24
TT 40-43.
25
TT 43-46.
10
another below her left eye. Victim indicated that her eye instantly swelled up and began to bleed.
The Defendant pinned Victim down again and continued screaming at her. Victim testified she
attempted to yell for "help", but Defendant put his hand over her mouth. At that point, Defendant
began to force Victim to put her hand on the gun. Defendant told Victim he wanted her
fingerprints on the gun and force her to fire gunshots, so she would have gunshot residue on her
hands.26
Victim further testified that suddenly the Defendant began crying and stopped the attack.
Victim recalled that Defendant began begging her not to call the police for an hour until he could
"eat all these pills and put a bullet in my brain." Victim testified the gun was lying next to the
Defendant. Victim recalled that she was afraid to leave, so she sat on the floor and talked to the
Defendant in an effort to calm him down. Victim noted that the Defendant just continued to sit
on the floor and rock back and forth crying. Victim stated she then went into the kitchen and shot
up a dose of heroin.27
Victim then determined that the Defendant was not paying attention, so she ran for the
door and exited. Victim testified she got into her car and drove to the Hickory One Stop. She sat
in the parking lot until a patron of the store pulled into a parking space next to her and realized
the Victim was injured. Victim stated the woman helped her out of the car and allowed Victim to
sit in her truck. At that time, the Victim called 9-1-1. During the phone call, the Defendant called
the Victim on the other phone-line. The Defendant began accusing the Victim of stealing his
gun. Victim stated that the police and an ambulance then came to her aid at the Hickory One
Store.28
26
TT 46-48.
27
TT 48-49.
28
TT 52-55.
11
Conversely, the Defendant testified that he told the Victim he wanted stop using heroin
and they should stop together. However, the Victim showed up at the trailer on April 24, 2013,
wanting to get high. Defendant indicated to Victim he was not going to abuse heroin anymore.
Thereafter, an argument ensued. Defendant testified that Victim began demanding heroin and
became irate. Defendant testified that Victim began punching him. Defendant admitted that he
"smacked" Victim in the eye, but "started crying just as soon as I hit her." Defendant stated that
Victim then shot up heroin and left the trailer. Defendant indicated the police then arrived at the
trailer and arrested him.29
Officer Donald Cooper, a police officer with the Chartiers Township Police Department,
testified that he and his partner, Sergeant Harton, received a call from 9-1-1 that an altercation
had taken place at a trailer home. The call indicated that the female had been assaulted and had
fled the scene. The call further indicated that a male, in possible possession of a handgun,
assaulted the female and there was a concern about the male committing suicide.
After the information was received, Sergeant Harton and Officer Cooper traveled to the
scene. Sergeant Steven Horvath arrived at the scene to meet the officers. Testimony
demonstrated that Sergeant Harton was able to make contact with the Defendant via phone.
Defendant indicated to the officers he was not present at the trailer. However, when the officers
approached the trailer, they heard movement inside. Accordingly, the three officers surrounded
the trailer and called for the Defendant to come out. Thereafter, about five to eight minutes later,
the Defendant emerged from the trailer and was detained. Defendant repetitively stated to the
officers, "I'll just go back to jail." Thereafter, the officers did a quick sweep of the trailer to look
for the weapon; however, they could not locate the gun. The Defendant was taken into custody.i''
29
TT 209-219.
30
TT 86-92.
12
The Victim was taken to Canonsburg Hospital. During her stay at the hospital, Sergeant
Horvath took information from the Victim of the incident. The Victim later left Canonsburg
Hospital and went to Weirton Hospital."
Victim testified that she sustained several injuries including a swollen and black and blue
left eye; cut above her left eye; cuts and marks on her cheek, nose and right arm; bloody nose;
tom ligaments and tendons from her shoulder to her elbow and her throat was bruised and sore.
The Victim was treated for her injuries at Weirton Hospital and was released the same day. The
following day, Victim provided a written statement to the police.32
A few days after Victim left the hospital, she returned to the trailer where the incident
took place in order to retrieve personal belongings. Victim testified that she had an idea where
the Defendant hid his gun, which was used during the assault. Victim searched a heating duct for
the gun. Victim discovered the gun was located at the bottom of the duct. Accordingly, she
called Sergeant Horvath and Officer Cooper who were able to crawl underneath the trailer and
retrieve the loaded .22 caliber Beretta handgun 21 A 22LR. 33
OPINION
The Defendant first assigns error to the Trial Court for denying the Defendant's Motion
to Suppress.
31
TT 55-57; 112; 140; 147; 153-154.
32
TT 57-63; 95.
33
TT 63-66; 97; 109.
13
On May 5, 2014, the Defendant was scheduled to select a jury for trial. Prior to jury
selection, several motions, including Defendant's oral Motion for Suppression of Evidence, were
34 35
brought to the undersigned's attention.
In essence, Defendant argued that the firearm recovered by Officer Cooper should be
suppressed because the Victim was not a resident of the trailer and therefore did not have the
authority to consent to a search and seizure.36 The Commonwealth responded that both parties
were residing in the trailer and that the landlord/tenant documents reflected such. The Defendant
averred that the documents the Commonwealth was relying were in regard to a prior lease
application that was denied by the trailer park. Defendant stated he had reapplied for a lease in
his sole name and that the Victim was not a tenant. 37
The record reflects that Officer Cooper testified regarding the search in seizure in
relevant part:
COMMONWEALTH: Are you the Officer who recovered the firearm that is at
issue currently?
OFFICER COOPER: Yes.
COMMONWEALTH: Could you please tell the Court how that came about?
OFFICER COOPER: [ ... ]We got called by the victim in the case, Brenda
Worstell. She had gotten out of the hospital and she had returned back up to the
scene there at 445 Moon Road. She said she had recovered some, recovered a
firearm up there, knew where one was and wanted us to respond up there. [ ... ]
She directed us into the home, into the living room area and showed us a heater
34
MT 21. (The numerals following the initials MT refer to the official transcript of the pre-trial motion proceedings
conducted on May 5, 2014).
35
In light of the motions raised on May 5, 2014, defense counsel requested trial be re-scheduled for June 10, 2014.
36
MT 23.
37
During the course of the sentencing hearing the Defendant asserted the Commonwealth violated discovery rules
by not providing documentation of the landlord/tenant agreement. The Commonwealth indicated, despite its
contention at the suppression hearing, that there was no documentation as to the landlord/tenant agreement. The
Commonwealth did not enter into evidence any documentation to that effect. Officer Cooper testified at the
suppression hearing that he did not inquire as to the landlord/tenant agreement and did not investigate a breaking
and entering because there was no evidence that the doorway was forcibly entered. Consequently, there was no
documentation of residency and no photographs taken of the doorway. ST 9; MT 24.
14
vent in the floor. She told us that she had knowledge, prior knowledge, that the
defendant, Mr. Imhoff, that he drugs there in that area of the floor. [ ... ]
COMONWEALTH: Officer, did you know Brenda Worstell to be residing at the
address? That is the location strike. That is the location where the assault took
place; correct?
OFFICER COOPER: That is correct.
COMMONWEALTH: That you filed the charges?
OFFICER COOPER: Correct.
COMMONWEALTH: Did you know her to be residing at that address with Mr. Imhoff?
OFFICER COOPER: That is what she indicated to us. I believe it was her ex-husband at
the time and they were attempting reconciliation and she had been staying there.
COMMONWEALTH: So do you know that Ms. Worstell and Mr. Imhoff were married
at one time?
OFFICER COOPER: That is what she told me. Yes.
[ ... ]
MS. GAUS SA: Did you specifically ask her if that was her residence?
OFFICER COOPER: Yes, I did. I actually have her listed as that being her home
in my report and then she listed additional address in Burgettstown, PA, which
she indicated was her parent's residence.
[ ... ]
MS.GAUS SA: At this time, did you know if she was staying with her parent's?
OFFICER COOPER: At that time I don't know. It was my indication she was
living at 445 Moon Road (trailer).
MS. GAUSSA: I apologize if you answered this prior. The Defendant was talking
to me briefly here. Did she let you into the residence? How did you come to the
residence?
OFFICER COOPER: She let us in.
MS. GAUSSA: Okay.
15
OFFICER COOPER: She was already there.
MS. GAUSSA: Did you notice anything on the door whenever you entered into
the residence? Was it normal?
OFFICER COOPER: I don' recall anything on the door.
MS. GAUSSA: Did she have a key to the to the residence [sic]?
OFFICER COOPER: Didn't ask her. The door was already opened.38
The Trial Court is mindful that:
Where a motion to suppress has been filed, the burden is on the Commonwealth
to establish by a preponderance of the evidence that the challenged evidence is
admissible. In reviewing the ruling of a suppression court, our task is to determine
whether the factual findings are supported by the record. If so, we are bound by
those findings .... Moreover, if the evidence when so viewed supports the factual
findings of the suppression court, this Court will reverse only if there is an error in
the legal conclusions drawn from those findings.39
In Commonwealth v Basking, (970 A.2d 1181, 1187 (Pa.Super. 2009), the Pennsylvania
Superior Court discussed third party consent at length:
The United States Supreme Court has held that a third party has actual authority
to consent to a search if he/she 'possesses common authority over or other
sufficient relationship to the premises or effects sought to be inspected.' The
Matlock Court described 'common authority' as follows:
Common authority is, of course, not to be implied from the mere property
interest a third party has in the property. The authority which justifies the third-
party consent does not rest upon the law of property, with its attendant historical
and legal refinements, but rests rather on mutual use of the property by persons
generally having joint access or control for most purposes, so that it is reasonable
to recognize that any of the co-inhabitants has the right to permit the inspection in
his own right and that the others have assumed the risk that one of their number
might permit the common area to be searched.l''
38
MT 31-40.
39
Commonwealth v. Basking, 970 A.2d 1181, 1187 (Pa.Super.2009); citing: Commonwealth v. Hill, 874 A.2d 1214,
1216 (Pa.Super.2005) (citations omitted).
40
Id at 1188; quoting: U.S. v. Matlock, 415 U.S. 164, 94 S.Ct. 988 (1974).
16
The Defendant stresses that the landlord tenant agreement does not list the Victim as a
co-tenant." Due to the fact that no landlord/tenant agreement was entered into evidence at trial
by either party, and Commonwealth's assertion that no such agreement was in its possession,42
the record is unclear as to whether the landlord/tenant agreement listed the Defendant singularly
as the tenant or listed the Defendant and Victim as co-tenants. Nevertheless, the record supports
the Trial Court's conclusion that the Victim possessed common authority over the trailer and had
the actual authority to consent to a search of the premises.
The Trial Court emphasizes, "the concept of common authority 'is based on mutual use
of the property rather than a mere property interest. "'43 The Defendant conceded that he
attempted to reconcile with Victim prior to the incident and that they had made application to
live in the trailer park as co-tenants. The Defendant further expounded that the application was
denied due to her outstanding criminal cases.44 However, the denial did not prevent the couple
from co-habituating on the premises. While Defendant vehemently denied that Victim resided at
the premises, he acknowledged she had at least a toothbrush and toothpaste at the trailer, "she
stayed there".45 Accordingly, the Trial Court found that the Victim resided at the trailer and had
common authority over the premises and thus, actual authority to consent to a search of the
premises.
The Trial Court further submits that if the Court does not find that the Victim had
common authority over the premises, the search and seizure of the weapon was appropriate as
police were relying on the Victim's apparent authority.
41
MT 24-25.
42
Commonwealth initially indicated they had documents demonstrating the couple were co-tenants. At the
sentencing hearing, the Commonwealth indicated they did not have such documents. MT. 24-25. ST 9 (Sept. 5,
2014). .
43Basking,
970 A.2d at 1188; citing: Commonwealth v. Gutierrez, 750A2d 906, 910 (Pa.Super.2000).
44
MT 24-25.
45
MT 25.
17
The Basking Court explained the apparent authority doctrine:
Third party consent is valid when police reasonably believe a third party has
authority to consent. Specifically, the apparent authority exception turns on
whether the facts available to police at the moment would lead a person of
reasonable caution to believe the consenting third party had authority over the
premises. If the person asserting authority to consent did not have such authority,
that mistake is constitutionally excusable if police reasonably believed the
consenter had such authority and police acted on facts leading sensibly to their
conclusions of probability .... The standard to be applied in determining whether
a police officer reasonably believed that a person possessed apparent authority to
consent:
We are not allowing carte blanche consent entries into residences with the police
officer being able to ratify his entry at a later date suppression hearing by merely
stating that he was mistaken as to the actual authority of the consenting party. We
hold that the police officer's reasonable mistake must be judged from an objective
standard based on the totality of the circumstances. Although the police officer's
state of mind is one factor to be considered in determining the reasonability of the
mistake, it is not the only factor. Moreover, the police officer's mistake must be
reasonable. In ambiguous situations, those situations which would cause a
reasonable person to question the consenting party's actual authority or if the
consenting party's assertions of authority appear unreasonable, a police officer
should make further inquiries to determine the status of the consenting party.
Reliance on a third party's bald assertion in such situations could subject any
search to the remedy of the exclusionary rule.46
Based on the totality of the circumstances, the Trial Court determined that the facts
available to Officer Cooper at the time of his search would lead a person of reasonable caution to
believe that the Victim possessed apparent authority over the trailer, and could consent to its
search.
Officer Cooper was initially called to the trailer on April 24, 2013, following an
altercation between the Defendant and his ex-wife, the Vicitm. Officer Cooper was then re-called
to the residence on April 26, 2013, when Victim claimed that she returned to the trailer to collect
personal belongings and discovered the weapon Defendant used against her on April 24, 2013.
46
Basking, 970 A.2d at 1190-91; quoting: Commonwealth v. Strader, 931 A.2d 630, 634 (Pa. 2007); quoting:
Commonwealth v. Blair, 575 A.2d 593, 598 (Pa.Super.1990); (internal citations omitted).
18
Officer Cooper testified at the suppression hearing that Victim indicated to him that she resided
at that address.
Significantly, when Officer Cooper and Sergeant Steven Horvath arrived on April 26,
2013, the door to the trailer was open. Officer Cooper did not observe any circumstances to
suggest that the Victim broke into the trailer or that Victim did not reside at the trailer. Victim
specifically indicated to Officer Cooper that she lived at the trailer as they were attempting
reconciliation, however, during times of turmoil she would go back to her parents' home in
Burgettstown. Consequently, Officer Cooper listed both addresses in his report for the Victim.47
Victim directed Officer Cooper to the living room and instructed Officer Cooper to
search the heater vent in the floor. From these facts, Officer Cooper had ample reason to believe
that Victim retained mutual use of the premises. Although Officer Cooper did not inquire as to
whether Victim paid bills or received mail at the residence, on this record, the Trial Court
concluded that the surrounding circumstances evinced an unambiguous situation in which
Officer Cooper had no reason to doubt Victim's apparent assertions of common authority. "The
question is what is apparent, not actual, and the reasonableness of the police belief in that
apparent authority."48
Moreover, if the Court finds that Victim's common authority to be ambiguous, the Trial
Court submits that any mistake was reasonable under the circumstances. By the Defendant's own
admission the Victim "stayed" at the trailer.49 The couple had previously been married and they
were attempting reconciliation. The residence was also the same location the assault took place
just a few days prior. When the officers arrived at the scene, the door to the residence was open
and as Victim explained she was collecting her personal belongings. The Trial Court finds this
47
MT 30-40.
'18 Commonwealth v. Strader, 931 A.2d 630, 635 (Pa. 2007).
49
MT 25.
19
alone was enough for a person exercising reasonable caution to establish that the Victim had
common authority over the premises. Notwithstanding this information, Officer Cooper
specifically inquired to the Victim as to whether she resided at the trailer. Victim consistently
responded that she resided at the trailer, and at times of turmoil she would stay with her
parents.i"
It is further observed, "as with any suppression claim, it is the information known at the
time, not that learned after the fact, that controls the legal analysis.t''" The Trial Court submits,
therefore, that Officer Cooper reasonably believed that Victim's consent to search was valid
under the apparent authority doctrine.
The Defendant next claims that the Trial Court erred when it denied the Defendant's
Motion to Dismiss pursuant Pennsylvania Rule of Criminal Procedure 600.
Defendant filed a written Motion to Dismiss pursuant Pa.R.Crim.P. 600 on March 18,
2014, at No. 281-2013. Therein, Defendant alleged that 443 days had elapsed since the criminal
complaint was filed on December 22, 2013.52 Defendant was detained and remained in custody
since the filing of new charges at No. 1497-2013 on April 24, 2013. Defendant averred that there
were only 77 excludable days, which included time that a mental health examination was
ordered.
Additionally, at No. 1497-2013 and No. 281-2013, the Defendant filed a prose Motion
for Nominal Bond on December 6, 2013. A hearing on the Defendant's Motion for Nominal
Bond was held May 5, 2014. The Trial Court will address these claims collectively.53
50
MT 32-36.
51
Strader, 931 A.2d at 635.
52No.
281-2013.
53
On May 5, 2014, the Trial Court intended on selecting ajury solely on case No. 1497-2013. However, following
the discussion of the motions, and continuance by defense counsel, the Trial Court determined to try both cases
together.
20
Rule 600 of the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure provides that trial must
commence within 365 days:
(A)(2) Trial shall commence within the following time periods.
(a) Trial in a court case in which a written complaint is filed against the defendant
shall commence within 365 days from the date on which the complaint is filed.
[ ... ]
(B) Pretrial Incarceration
Except in cases in which the defendant is not entitled to release on bail as
provided by law, no defendant shall be held in pretrial incarceration in excess of
( 1) 180 days from the date on which the complaint is filed;
[ ... ]
(C)(l) For purposes of paragraph (A), periods of delay at any stage of the
proceedings caused by the Commonwealth when the Commonwealth has failed to
exercise due diligence shall be included in the computation of the time within
which trial must commence. Any other periods of delay shall be excluded from
the computation.
(2) For purposes of paragraph (B), only periods of delay caused by the defendant
shall be excluded from the computation of the length of time of any pretrial
incarceration. Any other periods of delay shall be included in the computation.54
55
The Trial Court found that, as set forth herein, the Commonwealth acted within the
parameters and purpose of Pa.R.Crim.P. 600. When evaluating Rule 600 issues, the "standard of
review of a trial court's decision is whether the trial court abused its discretion .... The proper
scope of review is limited to the evidence on the record of the Rule 600 evidentiary hearing, and
57
the findings of the trial court. "56
54
Pa.R.Crim.P. 600.
55
In the context of Rule 600, there is a distinction between "excludable time" and "excusable delay." Unlike
'excludable time,' ... 'excusable delay' is not expressly defined in Rule 600, but the legal construct takes into
account delays which occur as a result of circumstances beyond the Commonwealth's control and despite its due
diligence. Commonwealth v. Frye, 909 A.2d 853, 858 (Pa. Super. 2006);(intemal citations omitted).
56
Commonwealth v. Peterson, 19 A.3d 1131, 1134- I 135 (Pa.Super. 2011 ).
57
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. Peterson, 19 A.3d 113 I, I 134-113 S (Pa.Super. 20 I l ).
21
In making its determination, the Trial Court first took into consideration the principles
supporting Pa.R.Crim.P. 600:58
This Court is not permitted to ignore the dual purpose behind Rule 600. Rule 600
serves two equally important functions: (1) the protection of the accused's speedy
trial rights, and (2) the protection of society. . .. So long as there has been no
misconduct on the part of the Commonwealth in an effort to evade the
fundamental speedy trial rights of an accused, Rule 600 must be construed in a
manner consistent with society's right to punish and deter crime.59
In order to balance these rights, the crux of the inquiry must be:
Whether the Commonwealth exercised due diligence, and whether the
circumstances occasioning the delay of trial were beyond the Commonwealth's
control. ... Due diligence is fact-specific, to be determined case-by-case; it does
not require perfect vigilance and punctilious care, but merely a showing the
Commonwealth has put forth a reasonable effort.60 61
Reasonable effort, "includes such actions as the Commonwealth listing the case for trial
prior to the run date to ensure that the defendant was brought to trial within the time prescribed
by Rule 600."62
The Trial Court found that due diligence was exercised by the Commonwealth. As set
forth above, the Defendant was incarcerated following charges filed on April 24, 2013. On April
24, 2013, and April 30, 2013, the Defendant continued his preliminary hearings at No. 1497-
2013. The Defendant was not rescheduled until June 19, 2013. At that hearing the Defendant
waived his preliminary hearing.63 Thereafter, Defendant filed a Motion to Reinstate the
Preliminary Hearing on July 19, 2013. That motion was presented and denied August 1, 2013.
Subsequently, defense counsel made a Motion for Mental Health Evaluation on August 6, 2013.
58
Rule 600 was adopted in 1973 as Rule 1100. New Rule 600 adopted October 1, 2012, effective July I, 2013.
59
Commonwealth v. Peterson, 19 A.3d I 131, 1135 (Pa.Super. 2011 ).
6 ° Commonwealth v. Selenski, 994 A.2d I 083, I 088-1089 (Pa. 201 O); citing: Commonwealth v. Hill, 736 A.2d 578,
588 (Pa. 1999).
61
Pa.R.Crim.P. 600 was amended in 2012. In the explanatory Comments to Rule 600, the quotation listed in
footnote 36 from Commonwealth v. Selenski, 994 A.2d 1083 (Pa. 2010) is cited. Additionally, the quotation was
recently cited in Commonwealth v. Davis, 86 A.3d 883, 891 (Pa.Super. 2014).
62
Commonwealth v. Hunt, 858 A.2d 1234, 1242 (Pa. Super. 2004).
63
MT 40.
22
Defense counsel filed a Petition for Reduction of Monetary Condition of Bail on August 7, 2013.
The Trial Court scheduled a hearing on the aforementioned motion for September 4, 2013. At the
hearing, the Trial Court denied the Defendant's Motion for Reduction of Bail and granted the
Commonwealth's Motion for Revocation of Bail/Bond at No. 281-2013.
Thereafter, on November 1, 2013, John Puskar, Esquire, made a Motion to Withdraw as
counsel.I" On February 14, 2014, an Order was generated appointing Molly Maguire-Gaussa,
Esquire, Washington County Conflict Counsel, as counsel for the Defendant.65 Additionally, the
Defendant filed a Motion for Habeas Corpus on December 10, 2013, and the aforementioned
Motion to Dismiss on March 14, 2014.66 Consequently, on May 5, 2014, the Commonwealth
averred there was a total of 222 days of excludable time.
The Commonwealth further argued that after taking under consideration the Petition for
Habeas Corpus Motion, the amount of excludable time would range from December 10, 2013, to
the date of the hearing on May 5, 2014.
The Trial Court found that time was indeed excludable. On May 5, 2014, the Trial Court
denied Defendant's request for Nominal Bond on the record.67 Thereafter, an additional hearing
was conducted on May 29, 2014, for Defendant's Motion to Replace Counsel and Defendant's
Motion for Recusal. An order was issued denying the Defendant's motions as well as denying
the Defendant's Motion to Dismiss charges under Pa.R.Crim. P. 600.
The Trial Court acknowledges:
The mere filing of a pretrial motion by a defendant does not automatically render
him unavailable. Rather, a defendant is only unavailable for trial if a delay in the
64
John Puskar, Esquire, made a Motion to Withdraw as counsel following a threatening and derogatory letter sent to
him by Defendant.
65
Order for replacement counsel was mistakenly dated September 19, 2013. (Previous counsel did not petition to
withdraw until October 31, 2013.) The Order was filed with the Washington County Clerk of Courts on February 14,
2014.
66
Defendant also made various other prose motions not listed above that are in the record.
67
MT 56.
23
commencement of trial is caused by the filing of the pretrial motion ... .If a delay
is created, in order to establish that the delay is excludable, the Commonwealth
must demonstrate by a preponderance of the evidence, that it exercised due
diligence in opposing or responding to the pretrial motion.68
During the respite in time between charges being filed and jury selection, the Defendant
underwent a mental health evaluation, sought new counsel several times, and notably, as
observed above, filed a prolific amount of prose motions, causing significant delays in the
expeditious resolution of the matter.
Moreover, following the Defendant's request for replacement counsel for Mr. Puskar, in
the 2014 calendar year, only one trial term was available between the appointment of
replacement counsel Molly Maguire-Gaussa, Esquire, in February of 2014 and May 5, 2014,
when the Defendant was originally scheduled to select a jury. Due to Defendant's request for
additional time to prepare for trial at the May 5, 2014, hearing, defense counsel requested a
continuance. Jury selection was then rescheduled for June 9, 2014.
The Trial Court scheduled numerous hearings to address the Defendant's various
motions. Thus, due to Defendant's filing of numerous pretrial motions, the commencement of
trial was delayed. Such delays encountered during the pendency of the case were clearly beyond
the Commonwealth's control, and the Commonwealth exercised due diligence and reasonable
efforts in bringing this matter to trial, as evidenced by setting the trial for May 5, 2014.
Accordingly, the Trial Court submits that no error was committed and no abuse of
discretion occurred when the undersigned denied the Defendant's Motion to Dismiss and Motion
for Nominal Bond under Rule 600.
68
Commonwealth v. Lynn, 815 A.2d 1053, 1059 (Pa.Super. 2003); quoting Commonwealth v. Hill, 558 Pa. 238, 736
A.2d 578, 587 ( 1999).
24
In the Defendant's next claim of error, he asserts that the Trial Court erred when it
admitted Commonwealth exhibits 1, 2, 3 into evidence. The Trial Court submits that the exhibits
were properly admitted and this claim lacks any arguable merit.
The standard of review when ruling on the admissibility of evidence is well settled:
Admission of evidence is a matter within the sound discretion of the trial court,
and will not be reversed absent a showing that the trial court clearly abused its
discretion. Not merely an error in judgment, an abuse of discretion occurs when
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 on record. 69
No error was committed in admitting photographs of the Victim's injuries. The
Commonwealth has the burden of proving all the elements of the crimes charged against
the Defendant beyond a reasonable doubt, including the injuries suffered by the
70
Complainant.
Aggravated Assault is defined as:
(a) Offense defined-A person is guilty of aggravated assault if he:
(1) attempts to cause serious bodily injury to another, or causes such injury
intentionally, knowingly or recklessly under circumstances manifesting extreme
indifference to the value of human life;
(4) attempts to cause or intentionally or knowingly causes bodily injury to another
with a deadly weapon;"
Simple Assault is defined as:
(a) Offense defined-Except as provided under section 2702 (relating to
aggravated assault), a person is guilty of assault if he:
(1) attempts to cause or intentionally, knowingly or recklessly causes bodily
. .
injury to anot h er; 72
69
7 ° Commonwealth v. Handjield, 34 A.3d 187, 207-208 (Pa.Super.2011 ).
Commonwealth v. Widmer, 744 A.2d 745, 751 (Pa. 2000); citing Commonwealth v. Karkaria, 625 A.2d 1167 (Pa.
1993).
71
18 Pa. C.S. § 2702(a)(l).
72
18 Pa. C.S. § 270 I (a)( 1 ).
25
As demonstrated above, an element of Aggravated Assault is the infliction of actual
bodily injury or seriously bodily or an attempt to cause such injuries. Likewise, an element of
Simple Assault is the infliction of bodily injury or an attempt to cause such injury.
The Trial Court notes that "the Commonwealth need not establish that the victim actually
suffered bodily injury; rather, it is sufficient to support a conviction if the Commonwealth
establishes an attempt to inflict bodily injury. This intent may be shown by circumstances which
reasonably suggest that a defendant intended to cause injury."73 (Emphasis added). While it is
sufficient for the prosecution to merely establish an attempt to inflict serious bodily injury and
bodily injury to support a conviction, this does not require the Commonwealth halt their case at
that point. The prosecution may only need establish an attempt to injure, but that does not
prohibit the prosecution from submitting, and the Trial Court admitting, evidence that further
establishes the elements of Aggravated Assault and Simple Assault have been proven beyond a
reasonable doubt.
It is not an abuse of discretion for relevant evidence that establishes the elements of the
crime to be admitted. Defendant does not make any specific allegation as to why these
photographs should not have been admitted. Moreover, the photographs illustrating the Victim in
a neck brace were not so inflammatory that the prejudice would outweigh their probative value.
Accordingly, this issue on appeal must fail.
In claims four and five, Defendant argues that the Trial Court erred when it denied the
Defendant's Motion to Dismiss after the close of the Commonwealth's case and that the
evidence presented by the Commonwealth was insufficient to support each of the Defendant's
convictions, respectively. The Trial Court submits these claims are without merit and will
address them collectively.
73
Commonwealth v. Klein, 795 A.2d 424, 428 (Pa.Super. 2002).
26
The Superior Court of Pennsylvania in Commonwealth v. Foster, 33 A.3d 632 (Pa.Super.
2011 ), reasserted that, "A motion for judgment of acquittal challenges the sufficiency of the
evidence to sustain a conviction on a particular charge, and is granted only in cases in which the
Commonwealth has failed to carry its burden regarding that charge."74 Following the
prosecution's case in chief, the Trial Court found that the testimony and evidence presented by
the prosecution were sufficient to establish the elements of the crimes of Possession of Firearm
Prohibited ", Terroristic Threats with Intent to Terrorize Another76, Unlawful Restraint with
Serious Bodily Injury77 Simple Assault", Recklessly Endangering Another Person", Aggravated
83
Assault.t" Simple Assault" and Aggravated Assault.82 Moreover, following the jury's verdict,
the Trial Court further finds that the evidence presented in this matter was sufficient to sustain
the Defendant's conviction on all of the charges for the reasons set forth herein.
A claim challenging the sufficiency of the evidence in a criminal case is a question of law
requiring the reviewing court to determine whether all of the elements of the crimes charged
were proven beyond a reasonable doubt. 84 In making this determination, this Court is required to
review the entire record and view all of the evidence presented at trial in the light most favorable
to the verdict winner, the Commonwealth, and to give the Commonwealth the benefit of all
reasonable inferences from the facts presented.85 "Where the evidence offered to support the
verdict is in contradiction to the physical facts, in contravention to human experience and the
74
Commonwealth v. Foster, 33 A.3d 632, 635 (Pa.Super.2011 ).
75
18 Pa.C.S. § 6105(a)( I).
76
18 Pa.C.S. § 2706(a)( I).
77
18 Pa.C.S. § 2902(a)(l).
78
18 Pa.C.S. § 270\(a)(l).
79
18 Pa.C.S. § 2705.
80
18 Pa.C.S. § 2702(a)(l).
81
18 Pa.C.S. § 270l(a)(l).
82
18 Pa.C.S. § 2702(a)( 4 ).
83
Defendant was found not guilty of this charge.
84
Widmer, 744 A.2d at 751 (Pa. 2000); citing: Commonwealth v. Karkaria, 625 A.2d 1167 (Pa. 1993).
85
Id. at 751; citing Commonwealth v. Chambers, 599 A.2d 630 (Pa. 1991 ).
27
laws of nature, and then the evidence is insufficient as a matter of law."86 However, it is not for
the reviewing Court to determine the credibility of witnesses and the weight to be accorded to the
evidence produced, as these are matters solely within the province of the trier of fact, who is free
to believe all, some, or none of the evidence.87
From the testimony and evidence presented at trial, it was reasonable for the jury to
believe that the Defendant committed the offense of Aggravated Assault. At trial, the jury heard
testimony that the Defendant intentionally, knowingly and recklessly caused, or attempted to
cause, serious bodily injury to Victim, by repeatedly punching and strangling Victim causing her
to become unconscious, urinate in her pants and fear for her life.
Likewise, the Trial Court finds that the evidence presented at trial linking the Defendant
to the handgun recovered was sufficient for the jury to convict Defendant of the charge of
Possession of Firearms Prohibited. On April 24, 2013, Defendant was in possession of a black
Beretta .22 LR caliber semi-automatic handgun after Defendant had previously been convicted
of 18 Pa.C.S. 2702(a)(l), Aggravated Assault.88
Evidence adduced at trial was sufficient to support a finding that the Defendant on or
about April 24, 2013, threatened to commit the crime of violence, Homicide, with the intent to
terrorize, so as to support a conviction for Terroristic Threats. Evidence indicated Victim pointed
a .22 caliber handgun at the chest of Victim and repeatedly stated he intended to kill her.
Viewing all the evidence in the light most favorable to the Commonwealth, the Trial
Court finds that there was sufficient evidence presented to convict Defendant of Unlawful
Restraint by knowingly and unlawfully restraining Victim. Defendant exposed Victim to serious
86
id; citing: Commonwealth v. Santana, 333 A.2d 876 (Pa. 1975).
87
Commonwealth v. McCalman, 795 A.2d 412, 415 (Pa. Super. 2002); citing Commonwealth v. Passarelli, 789
A.2d 708, 716 (Pa.Super. 200 I).
88
No. 2726-2004.
28
bodily injury when Defendant held a .22 caliber handgun on the Victim and did not permit her to
leave for approximately 45 minutes on April 24, 2013.
From the testimony and evidence presented at trial, it was also reasonable for the jury to
believe that the Defendant committed the offenses of Simple Assault on December 22, 2012, and
on April 24, 2013.
On December 22, 2013, evidence was sufficient to show that Defendant intended to
knowingly, intentionally or recklessly cause or attempt to inflict bodily injury to Victim when he
choked Victim causing significant redness and scratches to the right side of her neck.
The Commonwealth likewise established the requisite elements of Simple Assault when
it submitted evidence that on April 24, 2013, Defendant attempted to cause or intentionally,
knowingly or recklessly caused bodily injury to Victim. Evidence demonstrated Defendant
punched Victim several times causing her left eye to swell and strangled Victim causing her to
lose consciousness and urinate in her pants.
Lastly, there was sufficient evidence presented to convict Defendant of Recklessly
Endangering Another Person when evidence demonstrated on April 24, 2013, Defendant
recklessly engaged in conduct which placed Victim in danger or death or serious bodily injury.
Evidence indicated Defendant pointed a .22 caliber handgun at Victim and also assaulted Victim
by punching her in the face several times and strangling Victim until she became unconscious
and urinated in her pants.
Accordingly, the Trial Court asserts the testimony and evidence established the requisite
elements of the crimes of Possession of Firearm Prohibited.", Terroristic Threats with Intent to
Terrorize Another", Unlawful Restraint with Serious Bodily Injury91 Simple Assault'",
89
18 Pa.C.S. § 6l05(a)(l).
90
18 Pa.C.S. § 2706(a)(l).
29
Recklessly Endangering Another Person93, Aggravated Assault94 and Simple Assault.95 Thus,
Defendant's claims of error lack any arguable merit. Accordingly, claims four and five must fail.
Next, the Defendant avers the Trial Court committed error when it instructed the jury on
consciousness of guilt and for denying Defendant's request to instruct the jury on self-defense.
The jury instruction regarding Consciousness of Guilt was read as followsr'"
THE COURT: There is also evidence presented in this case by the police and by
the defendant that tended to show the defendant concealed his whereabouts from
the police when they initially came to the house by saying he was at another
location. The defendant maintained that he only did so to give himself time to call
for help from his sister and his mother. The credibility, weight and effect of this
evidence is another consideration for you to decide.
Generally speaking when a crime has been committed and a person thinks he or
she is or may be accused of committing a crime and he or she flees or conceals
himself or herself, such flight or concealment is a circumstance tending to prove
that that person is conscious of their guilt. Such flight or concealment does not
necessarily show consciousness of guilt in every case. A person may flee or
conceal themselves for some other motive and may do so even though innocent.
Whether the evidence of the defendant's concealment in this case should be
looked upon as tending to prove his guilt depends on the facts and circumstances
of this case and especially upon the motives that may have prompted his
concealment. You may not find the defendant guilty solely on the basis of
evidence of flight or concealment; however, it is evidence you should consider.97
It is well established that, "the nature of a court's instructions to the jury is within the
discretion of the court, so long as the court accurately instructs the jury on the appropriate legal
principles involved."98
Additionally, it has been held that when reviewing a challenge to a portion of a jury
instruction:
91
18 Pa.C.S. § 2902(a)(l).
92
18 Pa.C.S. § 270 l (a)( I).
93
18 Pa.C.S. § 2705.
94
18 Pa.C.S. § 2702(a)( I).
95
18 Pa.C.S. § 2701(a)(l).
96
3 .14 (Crim) Consciousness of Guilt, Flight, or Concealment as Showing, Pa. SSJl (Crim), §3.14 (2005).
97
TT 267-268.
98
Commonwealth v. Willis, 990 A.2d 773, 776 (Pa.Super. 2010); quoting: Commonwealth v. Kim, 888 A.2d 847,
852 (Pa.Super. 2005); Commonwealth v. Harley, 621 A.2d 1023, 1028 (1993).
30
We must review the jury charge as a whole to determine if it is fair and complete.
A trial court has wide discretion in phrasing its jury instructions, and can choose
its own words as long as the law is clearly, adequately, and accurately presented
to thejury for its consideration. The trial court commits an abuse of discretion
only when there is an inaccurate statement of the law.99
The Trial Court submits that it did not abuse its discretion when it instructed the jury on
consciousness of guilt. The record demonstrates the Defendant testified as follows:
DEFENDANT: Officer Harton, I believe, from Houston said where are you and I
lied to him. I told him. I was on Railroad Street and he asked me where is
Railroad Street and I said down the street behind Sam's Place. It was a bar down
the street, and I was pretty certain that was the road down that way and I hung up
on him ... "100
[ ... ]
COMMONWEALTH: So when the police called, you said Sergeant Harton called
you, why did you lie any say I'm not home if you didn't do anything wrong? Why
did you lie to the police and say I'm not home?
DEFENDANT: I don't know.
COMMONWEALTH: Why didn't you come out when the police came there and
were yelling for you to come out if you didn't do anything wrong? Why didn't
you step out?
DEFENDANT: I wanted to get ahold of somebody and tell them what was going
on before I turned myself out?101
As reflected above the Defendant conceded that he fabricated an address to the police
when they inquired as to his location. Additionally, the Defendant acknowledged that he did not
immediately exit the trailer when the police were outside. Although the Defendant maintained he
did so in order to get in touch with a family member, the Trial Court found that the testimony
warranted the instruction. It is further submitted that the Trial Court fashioned the instruction to
reiterate to the jury the Defendant's claim that he lied to the police in order to reach a family
99
Commonwealth v. Baker, 963 A.2d 495, 507 (2008); quoting: Commonwealth v. Jones, 954 A.2d 1194, 1198
(Pa.Super.2008).
100
TT 214.
IOI TT 230.
31
member by telephone. Accordingly, the Trial Court properly fashioned the jury instructions to
accurately reflect the law and no abuse of discretion occurred.
In the second instance, the Trial Court submits that it properly denied the Defendant's
request to instruct the jury on self-defense. "Before self defense may be at issue, there must be
some evidence, from whatever source, to justify a finding of self defense."102 Based on the
Defendant's testimony and the evidence, there was no indication that the Defendant acted in self-
defense.l'" The Defendant's testimony on direct examination regarding Victim's conduct in
relevant part states:
DEFENSE COUNSEL: When you say flipping out, can you describe that? What
do you mean by flipping out?
DEFENDANT: Screaming and just a temper tantrum trying to get her way. You
know, I grabbed her by the shoulders and said Brenda it's going to be okay. She
started firing shots at me in the face and just rapid little shots. Nothing bad. I
mean, she is a female. I can't say that I felt the punches at the time, but I tasted
blood in my mouth. She got me a good one, and I tasted the blood so I grabbed
her arm and smacked her.
DEFENSE COUNSEL: What do you mean you smacked her?
DEFENDANT: I smacked her in the eye. As soon as I hit her, I kind of broke
·
d own an d startmg ·
crymg. 104
The Defendant exposed during his own testimony that he indeed acted in retaliation
rather than self-defense after Victim allegedly punched him in the face. "The trial court is not
required to give every charge that is requested by the parties and its refusal to give a requested
charge does not require reversal unless the appellant was prejudiced by that refusal."105
102
Commonwealth v. Bailey, 324 Pa. Super. 236, 239, 471 A.2d 551, 553 ( I 984);(intemal citations omitted).
103
TT 235.
104
TT 211.
105
Commonwealth v. Scott, 73 A.3d 599, 602 (Pa.Super. 20 J 3); citing: Commonwealth v. Brown, 91 J A.2d 576, 583
(Pa.Super. 2006).
32
The Defendant did not demonstrate that he was in fear that necessitated protection by
force. As indicated above, the record clearly supports that the Defendant did not act in justifiable
self-defense. Thus, Defendant has failed to show that the Trial Court committed e1TOr by refusing
to instruct the jury on self- defense.
The Defendant also argues that the verdict was against the weight of evidence on each
count including, Possession of Firearm Prohibited 1°6, Terroristic Threats with Intent to Terrorize
Another'I", Unlawful Restraint with Serious Bodily Injury108 Simple Assault'", Recklessly
Endangering Another Person 110, Aggravated Assault 111 and Simple Assault.112
The Defendant was found guilty of the above charges on June 12, 2014. The Defendant
was sentenced on the above convictions on September 5, 2014. However, the record
demonstrates that the Defendant never filed a motion challenging that the verdict was against the
weight of evidence. Thus, the Trial Court asserts that this claim of error is waived. 113 114
To the
extent the Court determines the Defendant did not waive this claim, the Trial Court submits the
verdict was supported by the weight of evidence.
The Trial Court is given considerable discretion when ruling on a Defendant's motion
that the verdict is against the weight of the evidence. 115 "The Trial Court will award a new trial
only when the jury's verdict is so contrary to the evidence as to shock one's sense of justice."116
106
18 Pa.C.S. § 6105(a)(l).
107
18 Pa.C.S. § 2706(a)( 1 ).
108
18 Pa.C.S. § 2902(a)( I).
109
18 Pa.C.S. § 2701(a)(I).
110
18 Pa.C.S. § 2705.
111
18 Pa.C.S. § 2702.
112
18 Pa.C.S. § 2702(a)( I).
113
Pa.R.Crim.P. 607. A claim that the verdict is against the weight of the evidence must be raised orally, on the
record, at any time before sentencing, by written motion before sentencing, or in a post sentence motion.
114
At the Sentencing hearing, the Trial Court addressed the Defendant's Motion to Strike the Verdict, filed July 11,
2014. During that hearing, the Trial Court also asserted that the Trial Court did not find the jury's verdict was such
that it would shock the conscience of the Court.
115
Commonwealth v. Cousar, 928 A.2d I 025, I 035-1036 (Pa. 2007).
116
Id. at 1036.
33
Therefore, a trial court's denial of a motion for a new trial based on a weight of the evidence
117
claim is the least assailable of its rulings.
A motion for a new trial on the grounds that the verdict is against the weight of the
evidence concedes that there is sufficient evidence to sustain the conviction.118 The Pennsylvania
Supreme Court stated:
A new trial should not be granted because of a mere conflict in the testimony or
because the judge on the same facts would have arrived at a different conclusion.
A trial judge must do more than reassess the credibility of the witnesses and
allege that he would not have assented to the verdict if he were a juror. Trial
judges, in reviewing a claim that the verdict is against the weight of the evidence,
do not sit as the thirteenth juror. Rather the role of the trial judge is to determine
that notwithstanding all the facts, certain facts are so clearly of greater weight that
to ignore them or to give them equal weight with all the facts is to deny justice.119
A challenge to the weight of the evidence is a matter of the Trial Court's sound
discretion, appellate review of the determination is solely a question of whether the Trial Court
abused its discretion, and does not reach the underlying question of whether the verdict was
against the weight of the evidence.i'" The Superior Court of Pennsylvania has stated that
"[ d]iscretion is abused when the course pursued represents not merely an error of judgment, but
where the judgment is manifestly unreasonable or where the law is not applied or where the
record shows that the action is a result of partiality, prejudice, bias, or ill will."121
The evidence presented at trial, and as described above, overwhelmingly supported the
verdict rendered by the jury. The Commonwealth's witnesses testified in a credible manner to
the facts of the case. The Defendant, on the other hand, claimed in his defense that the Victim
became irate and he was forced to act in self-defense. The defense put forth that the Victim was
117
Id; citing Commonwealth v. Keaton, 729 A.2d 529, 540-541 (Pa. 1999).
118
Commonwealth v. Whiteman, 485 A.2d 459 (Pa. Super. 1984).
119
Widmer, 744 A.2d at 751-752 (Pa. 2000);(intemal citations omitted).
120
Id. at 753; citing Commonwealth v. Brown, 648 A.2d at 1177 at 1189 (Pa. 1994).
121
Id. at 753.
34
intoxicated and became enraged at the Defendant and began punching him in the face. Defendant
in response "smacked her" in what he claimed was self-defense, despite his own admission that
122
he was not in fear that necessitated protection by force. The jury justifiably rejected this
defense. Simply put, based on the evidence elicited during trial, the Trial Court could not find
that the evidence was so contrary to the verdict as to shock the conscience of the Trial Court or
to determine that the Defendant was denied justice.
The Defendant also asserts that it was error for the Trial Court to deny Defendant's
Motion for Mistrial.
The record reveals in relevant part:
THE COURT: From what I understood from the sidebar, you're saying that you
checked your email and you had not received these photographs that were taken
of Ms. Worstell at the police station following the days after the assault and that
would be Commonwealth Exhibits 4 through 7; right?
DEFENSE COUNSEL: Correct, Your Honor. Yes.
THE COURT: Take a look at them and make sure they're correct. As I recall the
testimony, numbers 4 through 7 were taken at the police station following the
event and numbers 1 through 3 were at Canonsburg Hospital ER.
DEFENSE COUNSEL: Yes.
THE COURT: And you're saying those were not transmitted to you by email in
discovery or however?
DEFENSE COUNSEL: Correct, Your Honor. 4 through 7 were not.
THE COURT: Ms. Clingerman?
COMMONWEALTH: Your Honor, I believe they had come in from attachments
from the police, and I had thought I had forwarded them if not all. If I did not, it's
because I'm technologically impaired when it comes to computer systems;
however, Ms. Gaussa was free at any time to come and view anything that the
Commonwealth had and to look at the file. In addition, there is nothing new on
the photographs that were taken the day of. The only difference is they darkened
with time because of the time. I don't see how that would change in any way how
TT211.
122
35
Mr. Imhoff would present his defense. There is nothing different or new about
them.
THE COURT: And you did receive in discovery the medical from Canonsburg?
MS. GAUSSA: I received medical from Canonsburg and Weirton Hospital.
THE COURT: And they haven't come into the evidence in the trial yet but that's
consistent with the injuries that you see on those pictures?
DEFENSE COUNSEL: They are, Your Honor. From what I have read, they are.
THE COURT: So if you hadn't received these and I'm not doubting your word
but not receiving these and now seeing them and having them come into trial,
would that change your defense to this at all?
DEFENSE COUNSEL: Those pictures, Your Honor, had we had them prior for
authentication with the police officer wouldn't in regards to assisting in defense.
They are consistent with medical reports but if I were to have them, I would have
had more ample opportunity to see the injuries closer up as they appear.
THE COURT: But would that change your trial tactics at all had you seen them
sooner?
DEFENSE COUNSEL: They would not, Your Honor.
[... ]
DEFENSE COUNSEL: I'd like to assert a motion for a mistrial which is based on
the failure to provide all the pictures for evidence at this time. I know we had just
addressed the issue of the pictures, but I wanted to assert that at this time, Your
Honor.
THE COURT: Based on you acknowledging having the other three pictures
showing the same injuries and that you have the medical and then you conceding
that it wouldn't change the defense of your case and I don't see how it would
change the defense, the Court denies your motion for mistrial. 123
It is well settled that:
The review of a trial court's denial of a motion for a mistrial is limited to
determining whether the trial court abused its discretion. An abuse of discretion is
not merely an error of judgment, but if in reaching a conclusion the law is
123
TT 134-137.
36
overridden or misapplied, or the judgment exercised is manifestly unreasonable,
or the result of partiality, prejudice, bias or ill-will ... discretion is abused.124
Pennsylvania Rule of Criminal Procedure 605 states in relevant part:
When an event prejudicial to the defendant occurs during trial only the defendant
may move for a mistrial; the motion shall be made when the event is disclosed.
Otherwise, the trial judge may declare a mistrial only for reasons of manifest
necessity.125
It is further observed that Pennsylvania Rule of Criminal Procedure 573 in relevant part
states:
(B) Disclosure by the Commonwealth
(1) Mandatory:
In all court cases, on request by the defendant, and subject to any protective order
which the Commonwealth might obtain under this rule, the Commonwealth shall
disclose to the defendant's attorney all of the following requested items or
information, provided they are material to the instant case. The Commonwealth
shall, when applicable, permit the defendant's attorney to inspect and copy or
photograph such items.
[ " .]
(f) any tangible objects, including documents, photographs, fingerprints,
126
or other tangible evidence; [ ... ] .
If prospective evidence is not provided in compliance with Pa.R.Crim.P.573, the rule
dictates:
(E) Remedy. If at any time during the course of the proceedings it is brought to
the attention of the court that a party has failed to comply with this rule, the court
may order such party to permit discovery or inspection, may grant a continuance,
or may prohibit such party from introducing evidence not disclosed, other than
testimony of the defendant, or it may enter such other order as it deems just under
the circumstances.127
The Trial Court submits that it properly fashioned a remedy in accordance with
Pa.R.Crim.P. 573(e) based on the subject of the photographs. As the record reveals above, the
124
Commonwealth v. Chamberlain, 30 A.3d 381, 422 (Pa.2011 ); quoting: Commonwealth v. Wright, 961 A.2d 119,
142 (2008); (internal quotations omitted).
125
Pa.R.Crim.P. 605.
126
Pa.R.Crim.P. 573.
127
Pa.R.Crim.P. 573.
37
photographs at issue were images of the same injuries previously produced in discovery for the
Defendant. The photographs were merely images of the injuries taken one day post incident to
demonstrate increased bruising that the Victim endured from the assault. Moreover, Defendant
had in its possession the medical records of Victim describing her injuries. Thus, the photographs
would not in any manner, as conceded by defense counsel, change the defense.
It should also be noted, "no Brady violation occurs where the parties had equal access to
the information or if the defendant knew or could have uncovered such evidence with reasonable
129
diligence."128 While the Court acknowledges that "Brady" violations reference mandatory
exculpatory evidence, the Trial Court submits that the matter at bar similarly entails mandatory
disclosure of evidence, although inculpatory in nature. The Trial Court submits that the defense
had the opportunity to view any evidence in the Commonwealth's file if requested.
The Trial Court observes that, "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
130
a fair and impartial tribunal."' Obviously, the Defendant could have uncovered such evidence
with reasonable diligence. In no manner was the Defendant deprived of a fair and impartial trial
when additional photographs of Victim's injuries already in their possession were uncovered.
The Trial Court asserts that it acted in accordance with Pa.R.Crim.P. 573(e) and fashioned a
proper remedy based on the totality of the circumstances by providing the defense an opportunity
128Commonwealth
v. Collins, 888 A.2d 564, 578 (Pa. 2005); citing: Commonwealth v. Morris, 822 A.2d 684, 696
(Pa. 2003); referencing: Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83, 83 S.Ct. 1194 (1963).
129
Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83, 83 S.Ct. 1194 ( 1963), established an ongoing obligation to disclose exculpatory
evidence. There is a "Brady" violation when there has been suppression by the prosecution of either exculpatory or
impeachment evidence that was favorable to the accused, and the omission of such evidence prejudices the
defendant.
13°
Commonwealth v. Judy, 978 A.2d IO 15, IO I 9 (Pa.Super. 2009); quoting: Commonwealth v. Johnson, 719 A.2d
778, 787 (Pa.Super.1998); citing: Commonwealth v. Montgomery, 626 A.2d 109, 112-113 (Pa. 1993).
38
to inspect the photographs. Accordingly, the Trial Court discerned no prejudice to the Defendant
and likewise found no grounds for a mistrial.
The Defendant next avers that the Trial Court erred when it denied the Defendant's Post-
Verdict Motions. The record reveals that the Defendant filed various Post-Verdict Motions. It is
first noted that the Defendant does not cite with any specificity as to which Post-Verdict Motions
the allegations of error apply.
The Defendant filed a Motion to Strike the Verdict on July 11, 2014. At the Sentencing
hearing on September 5, 2014, the Trial Court denied the Defendant's Motion to Strike the
Verdict for the reasons set forth above in claim numbers four and five.
Defendant also filed several prose motions on August 3, 2014. The record demonstrates
these motions were addressed at the sentencing hearing on September 5, 2014.131 The
Defendant's claim that the Trial Court erred when it denied the Defendant's request for a self-
defense instruction and his claim that discovery was not produced was previously discussed
above.132 The Trial Court will address below the Defendant's prose motion that the Trial Court
erred when it granted the Commonwealth's Leave to Amend Information.
The Defendant's remaining pro se motion claimed that the verdict should be vacated
because the conviction was based on perjured testimony. Defendant argued at the September 5,
2014, hearing:
THE DEFENDANT: The perjury about her written statement and her statement to
the police was we were fighting because she alleged I cheated on her. After she
got charged with a controlled delivery, drug delivery charge, she changed her
131
ST 4-15. (The numerals following the initials ST refer to the official transcript of the sentencing proceeding
conducted September 5, 2014.)
132
Defendant also stated it was error for the conviction to be based on serious bodily injury when no serious bodily
occurred, However, the jury specifically found, as indicated on the verdict slip, the Victim suffered serious bodily
injury. The Trial Court found that was a question of fact for the jury to make a determination.
39
testimony in court to we got into a fight because I was forcing her to sell drugs
and she got ripped off.133
The Trial Court submits that the reasoning behind the assault is of no consequence. The
Defendant admitted on the stand that he engaged in a fight with the Victim and confessed he
struck Victim at least once.134 Moreover, defense cross examined Victim at length regarding her
written statement to the police as to the events of the April 24, 2013, and was not prevented from
conducting cross-examination of that, or of any other perceived inconsistent testimony of the
Victim. The Victim testified in a credible manner and the jury, as the fact finder, chose to believe
the testimony of the Victim.
Thus, any claim of error that the verdict should be vacated because the verdict was based
on perjured testimony is without any merit.
In the Defendant's final claim the he asserts that the Trial Court erred when it granted the
Commonwealth's Motion for Leave to Amend Information.
Pennsylvania Rule of Criminal Procedure 564 states:
The court may allow an information to be amended when there is a defect in form,
the description of the offense(s), the description of any person or any property, or
the date charged, provided the information as amended does not charge an
additional or different offense. Upon amendment, the court may grant such
postponement of trial or other relief as is necessary in the interests of justice.135
The Criminal Complaint and Affidavit of Probable Cause were filed on April 24, 2013,
by Officer Donald Cooper. Thereafter, on April 30, 2014, Officer Cooper supplemented the
Affidavit of Probable Cause and Amended the Criminal Complaint following the Victim's
discovery of the weapon used in the assault by the Defendant.136
133 ST I I.
134
TT 211; 219; 222.
135
Pa.R.Crim.P. 564.
136
Based on the additional information, in the amended criminal complaint Officer Cooper added charges of
Terroristic Threats and Possession of Firearm Prohibited.
40
On May 5, 2014, the Commonwealth presented a Motion to Amend Charges. The
Commonwealth sought to amend the grading of the Aggravated Assault charge from 18 Pa.C.S.
§ 2702(a)(4), a felony of the second degree, to 18 Pa.C.S. § 2702(a)(l), a felony of the first
degree.
Title 18 Pa.C.S. section 2702 states in relevant part:
( a) Offense defined-A person is guilty of aggravated assault if he:
(1) attempts to cause serious bodily injury to another, or causes such injury intentionally,
knowingly or recklessly under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the
value of human life;
[ ... ]
( 4) attempts to cause or intentionally or knowingly causes bodily injury to another with a
137
deadly weapon;
The Affidavit of Probable Cause states in relevant part:
[Defendant] pulled the gun out and pointed it at her chest and told her, 'I'm going
to kill you and then kill myself ... he [Defendant] then tackled her and fell to the
floor by the couch. . . . he got on top of her stomach and held her down. She
[Victim] stated that he had both hands around her neck and was choking her.
Worstell stated that she lost consciousness about four times and did urinate in her
pants. She stated that when she would wake up she tried to push him off but he
was too big. She stated that he did punch her two or three times in the left eye and
temple area thus causing injury. She said he again pointed the gun at her face and
said 'I can shoot you right now' .138
The Court is mindful that:
The purpose of the above Rule is to ensure that a defendant is fully apprised of the
charges, and to avoid prejudice by prohibiting the last minute addition of alleged
criminal acts of which the defendant is uninformed.
The test to be applied is: Whether the crimes specified in the original
indictment or information involve the same basic elements and evolved out of the
same factual situation as the crimes specified in the amended indictment or
information. If so, then the defendant is deemed to have been placed on notice
regarding his alleged criminal conduct. If, however, the amended provision
alleges a different set of events, or the elements or defenses to the amended crime
are materially different from the elements or defenses to the crime originally
137
18 Pa.C.S. § 2702.
138
Affidavit of Probable Cause April 30, 2013, pg. 2.
41
charged, such that the defendant would be prejudiced by the change, then the
amendment is not permitted. 139
As evidenced by the Affidavit of Probable Cause and police reports of Officer Cooper,
neither additional charges nor a different set of events were added to the information. Rather, the
offense set forth in the amendment involved the same basic elements and the same factual
scenario as specified in the original information. Therefore, the Defendant was fully apprised of
the charges at the preliminary hearing as contained in the discovery provided to defense counsel.
It is further observed that,
If there is no showing of prejudice, amendment of an information to add an
additional charge is proper even on the day of trial. Finally, the mere possibility
amendment of an information may result in a more severe penalty due to the
addition of charges is not, of itself, prejudice.P"
The Commonwealth's Motion to Amend was granted May 5, 2014, and trial was
continued until June 10, 2014. Accordingly, the Defendant had ample notice of the amendment
before trial began. The Trial Court was cognizant that the amendment in the grading could result
in a more severe penalty if convicted, however, the Court found the amendment appropriate as
the Affidavit of Probable Cause supported the elements of 18 Pa.C.S. § 2702(a)(l). Moreover,
the Pennsylvania Superior Court in Commonwealth v. Roser, 914 A.2d 447 (Pa.Super. 2006),
reasoned, "our courts apply the rule with an eye toward its underlying purposes and with a
commitment to do justice rather than be bound by a literal or narrow reading of the procedural
141
rules."
139
Commonweatlh v. J.F., 800 A.2d 942, 945 (Pa.Super.2002); quoting: Commonwealth v. Davalos, 779 A.2d 1190,
1194 (Pa.Super.200 I).
14°
Commonwealth v. Picchianti, 600 A.2d 597, 599 (Pa. Super.1991); citing: Commonwealth v. Womack, 453 A.2d
642 (Pa.Super.1982); Commonwealth v. Lawton, 414 A.2d 658 (Pa.Super.1979); Commonwealth v. .Jones, 466 A.2d
691 (Pa.Super.1983).
141
Commonwealth v. Roser, 914 A.2d 447, 453 (Pa.Super. 2006); quoting: Commonwealth v. Grekis, 601 A.2d
1284, 1288 (Pa.Super. 1992).
42
The Defendant was fully apprised of the charges as the information as amended does not
charge an additional or different offense and would not alter the Defendant's defense. Thus, the
Trial Court discerned no prejudice to the Defendant as a result of the amendment in grading and
the Trial Court acted with proper discretion and well within the boundaries of its role.
For the reasons set forth above, the Trial Court respectfully submits that the verdict of the
jury should be upheld, and that the Judgment of Sentence should be affirmed.
DATE:
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43