Com. v. Wood, R. ( 2017 )

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NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
COMMONWEALTH OF : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
PENNSYLVANIA : PENNSYLVANIA
:
:
v. :
:
:
RYHEEME ROBERT WOOD :
: No. 1929 MDA 2016
Appellant
Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence April 6, 2016
In the Court of Common Pleas of Franklin County
Criminal Division at No(s): CP-28-CR-0000994-2015
BEFORE: BENDER, P.J.E., OTT, J., and STRASSBURGER, J.*
MEMORANDUM BY OTT, J.: FILED NOVEMBER 21, 2017
Ryheeme Robert Wood appeals from the judgment of sentence entered
on April 6, 2016, in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, made final
by the denial of post-sentence motions on October 24, 2016. On October 22,
2015, a jury found Wood guilty of simple assault,1 but not guilty of recklessly
endangering another person (“REAP”).2 The court sentenced Wood to a term
of 12 to 24 months’ state incarceration. On appeal, Wood raises the following
issues: (1) whether the trial court erred in finding Wood forfeited his right to
counsel; (2) whether there was sufficient evidence to support his simple
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* Retired Senior Judge assigned to the Superior Court.
1 18 Pa.C.S. § 2701(a)(1).
2 18 Pa.C.S. § 2705.
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assault conviction; and (3) whether the verdict is against the weight of the
evidence. See Wood’s Brief at 4-5. For the reasons provided below, we
vacate the judgment of sentence and remand for further proceedings.
The trial court set forth the underlying facts as follows:
At the October 22, 2015[,] jury trial, this Court heard
evidence pertaining to the incident giving rise to the charge of
simple assault against [Wood]. On May 12, 2015, Trooper
[Joshua] Marsh was dispatched to the scene of an incident where
an individual had placed a phone call to 911. Upon arrival, Trooper
Marsh identified the victim – Ashley Denise Long – and [Wood].
At the scene, the victim informed Trooper Marsh that [Wood]
struck her. Trooper Marsh testified that he had the victim
compose a written statement at the scene on May 12, 2015.
Trooper Marsh also testified that before the victim composed the
written statement, [Wood] was not allowed any contact with her.
Trooper Marsh testified that the purpose of a written statement is
to preserve evidence in the event that a victim may recant their
original version of what transpired. Trooper Marsh read the
following at trial from the victim’s written statement: “On May
12, 2015, me and my boyfriend were driving on Route 11 and got
into a verbal argument. And while I was driving down Route 11,
he reached over and punched me in my mouth.” Trooper Marsh
testified that the victim’s injuries were visible at the scene, and
that “[i]t looked as if she was struck in the face. Her lip was
swollen … Underneath the inside lip, there was a small abrasion
that ran across her front two teeth.” The victim declined medical
assistance.
This Court also heard testimony pertaining to the victim’s
prior testimony at the preliminary hearing.3 During the jury trial,
Trooper Marsh read the following testimony given by the victim at
the preliminary hearing[:]
Q. Okay. So, you mentioned that you were driving along.
At any point was there a disagreement?
A. Yes, that I provoked myself. Because, like I told you
earlier, when I’m not on my medication, I am completely
irrational, I don’t know what I’m doing, I make poor
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decisions and I tend to provoke, which is exactly what
happened that day.
Q. When you say you provoked him, you provoked him to
do what?
A. I made him angry.
Q. Okay. And as a result of his anger, what happened?
A. I got punched in my mouth. But, at the end of day, like
I said –
[Wood]: Wow!
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3 Following the incident and the preliminary hearing, the
victim was killed in an automobile accident, and was
therefore unable to testify at the jury trial.
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Trooper Marsh testified that following this initial testimony, the
victim began to recant her statement. Trooper Marsh also read
the following testimony provided by the victim at the preliminary
hearing: “I should not be – I want the charges dropped. I was
not on my medication. I was the one who ca[u]sed the whole
thing. I was the one who should not have acted out the way that
I did.” Trooper Marsh testified that the victim then stated that
she, not [Wood], punched her in the face.
Lea Richmond also testified at the jury trial. Ms. Richmond
testified that she had previously worked with the victim, and that
they had known each other for six (6) years. Ms. Richmond
testified that on May 10, 2015, two (2) days before the incident
in question, she communicated with the victim on Facebook
instant messenger. Ms. Richmond testified that during their
conversation, the victim expressed that she was “stressed out” by
[Wood], and that [he was] “threatening her and cheating.” After
the conversation on Facebook instant messenger, Ms. Richmond
testified that she had another conversation with the victim on the
phone. Ms. Richmond testified that “[o]nce we got on the phone,
I realized she was actually really worried. I thought it was a joke
up until then.” [Ms.] Richmond also testified that the victim told
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her that she was scared, and “that she was letting [her] know if
anything were to happen it was [Wood].” Ms. Richmond testified
that the victim told her “she was no longer staying with her
parents because [Wood] was following her.” On cross-
examination, Ms. Richmond testified that while the victim had not
discussed it herself, she had learned from other individuals of prior
violent acts committed by [Wood].
Trial Court Opinion, 1/20/2017, at 2-5 (record citations omitted).
Following the incident, Wood was charged with one count of simple
assault and one count of REAP. A preliminary hearing was held on June 2,
2015. At that time, the court indicated that Wood had forfeited his right to
counsel, even though he disputed that finding. See N.T., 6/2/2015, at 3. On
October 22, 2015, a jury found Wood guilty of simple assault, but not REAP.
On April 6, 2016, the court sentenced him to a term of 12 to 24 months’ state
imprisonment.3
On April 14, 2016, the court entered an order granting the appointment
of conflict counsel, Kristopher Accardi, Esquire. Additionally, the court issued
two orders granting an extension of time to file a post-sentence motion on
April 19, 2016, and on May 3, 2016. After several continuances, the court
issued an order denying Wood’s post-sentence motions on October 24, 2016.
This appeal followed.4
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3 At both proceedings, Wood represented himself.
4 On November 28, 2016, the trial court ordered Wood to file a concise
statement of errors complained of on appeal pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b).
Wood filed a concise statement on December 12, 2016. The trial court issued
an opinion pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a) on January 20, 2017.
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In his first argument, Wood complains the trial court erred in finding
that he forfeited his right to counsel. See Wood’s Brief at 5.
Wood’s issue raises “pure questions of law, our standard of review is de
novo and our scope of review is plenary.” Commonwealth v. Henderson,
938 A.2d 1063, 1064-1065 (Pa. Super. 2007), appeal denied, 954 A.2d 575(Pa. 2008). Additionally, we are guided by the following:
The Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution provides
that in all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right
to have the assistance of counsel for his or her defense. Similarly,
Article I, Section 9 of the Constitution of this Commonwealth
affords to a person accused of a criminal offense the right to
counsel. However, the constitutional right to counsel of one’s own
choice is not absolute. Rather, the right of an accused individual
to choose his or her own counsel, as well as a lawyer’s right to
choose his or her clients, must be weighed against and may be
reasonably restricted by the state’s interest in the swift and
efficient administration of criminal justice. Thus, while defendants
are entitled to choose their own counsel, they should not be
permitted to unreasonably clog the machinery of justice or
hamper and delay the state’s efforts to effectively administer
justice.
Commonwealth v. Lucarelli, 971 A.2d 1173, 1178-1179 (Pa. 2009)
(citations omitted).
Moreover, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in Lucarelli explained the
difference between waiving one’s right to counsel and forfeiting it:
Like the Superior Court in Commonwealth v. Thomas, 879 A.2d
246, 257-59 (Pa. Super. 2005), we find persuasive the distinction
between waiver and forfeiture made by the Third Circuit Court of
Appeals in United States v. Goldberg, 67 F.3d 1092, 1099-1101
(3d Cir. 1995). Waiver is “an intentional and voluntary
relinquishment of a known right.” Id. at 1099. By contrast,
forfeiture, as defined by the Third Circuit, does not require that
the defendant intend to relinquish a right, but rather may be the
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result of the defendant’s “extremely serious misconduct” or
“extremely dilatory conduct.” United States v. Thomas, 357
F.3d 357, 362 (3d Cir. 2004) (quoting Goldberg, supra at 1100-
02). See also Commonwealth v. Coleman, 905 A.2d 1003,
1006-08 (Pa. Super. 2006) (affirming a finding of forfeiture where
defendant, who had the means to retain counsel, appeared
without counsel or engaged in behavior that forced counsel to
withdraw).
The consequences of the distinction between waiver of the right
to counsel and forfeiture of the right to counsel are significant
because, we now hold, Pa.R.Crim.P. 121 and its colloquy
requirements do not apply to situations where forfeiture is found.
To hold otherwise would permit a recalcitrant defendant to engage
in the sort of obstructive behavior that mandates the adoption of
the distinction between forfeiture and waiver in the first instance.
Should an unrepresented defendant choose not to engage in the
colloquy process with the trial court, were there no provision for
forfeiture of counsel, that defendant could impermissibly clog the
machinery of justice or hamper and delay the state’s efforts to
effectively administer justice. Such a result would be untenable.
See United States v. Thomas, supra at 362 (“Forfeiture can
result regardless of whether the defendant has been warned about
engaging in misconduct, and regardless of whether the defendant
has been advised of the risks of proceeding pro se.”) (quoting
Goldberg, supra at 1101). . . . We hold today that where a
defendant’s course of conduct demonstrates his or her
intention not to seek representation by private counsel,
despite having the opportunity and financial wherewithal
to do so, a determination that the defendant be required to
proceed pro se is mandated because that defendant has
forfeited the right to counsel.
Lucarelli, 971 A.2d at 1179 (emphasis added).
In Lucarelli, the Court determined the defendant forfeited his right to
counsel, as opposed to waived it, where he
had more than eight months to prepare for trial; had the financial
means to retain counsel; did retain counsel on several occasions,
although the attorneys were permitted to withdraw when the
attorney-client relationship deteriorated; was given access to
$20,000 by the trial court some five weeks before the
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commencement of trial for the purpose of retaining counsel; and
failed to offer an explanation for not having retained counsel by
the start of trial.
Id. at 1180. The Court stated the defendant “simply decided not to retain
private counsel because he did not wish to spend the money.” Id. It then
concluded these actions constituted “extremely dilatory conduct” and the trial
court acted properly in directed the defendant to proceed pro se. Id. See
Commonwealth v. Travillion, 17 A.3d 1247, 1248 (Pa. 2011) (per curiam
order) (holding defendant forfeited his right to counsel where he engaged in
behavior that “included, inter alia, firing his original privately retained trial
counsel, who was prepared to proceed to trial; refusing to hire new counsel;
and refusing to meet and cooperate with two court-appointed lawyers.”);
Commonwealth v. Kelly, 5 A.3d 370 (Pa. Super. 2010) (finding the court
did not err by determining defendant forfeited his right to counsel because,
inter alia: (1) he was unwilling to cooperate with all three counsel assigned
to him; (2) he argued that all three counsel were incompetent because they
refused to argue what he believed was the law; (3) his trial had been
postponed because he could not agree with his second assigned counsel; (4)
he wanted to a fourth counsel assigned to him and the postponement of the
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trial instead of trying to cooperate with his third counsel), appeal denied, 32
A.3d 1276 (Pa. 2011).5
Turning to the present matter, Wood argues his conduct did not amount
to forfeiture based on the following: (1) he did not cause any delay and the
matter was never continued; (2) he was not represented by multiple
attorneys; (3) he did not argue with his counsel or treat them with “disdain;”6
(4) he did not file pro se motions while represented by counsel; (5) he was
never given access to funds to retain counsel; and (6) the court did not
determine his ability to afford counsel. See Wood’s Brief at 7-8.
As indicated above, the trial court found Wood’s “conduct of missing
intake appointments with the Franklin County Public Defender’s Office
amounted to a forfeiture of his right to counsel.” Trial Court Opinion,
1/20/2017, at 12. Moreover, at the post-sentence motions hearing, the court
explained its rationale as follows:
As acknowledged by [Wood’s counsel], [Wood] was combative in
his numerous appearances before the Court, and he clearly
seemed to be fixated on his belief that the charge could not
proceed against him because the alleged victim was deceased.
And the efforts to educate [Wood] to the contrary was not
received well by [him]. At each appearance there was round and
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5 See also Commonwealth v. Coleman, 905 A.2d 1003 (Pa. Super. 2006)
(concluding right to counsel was forfeited where defendant: (1) repeatedly
dismissed and replaced counsel or appeared pro se; (2) was financially
capable of retaining counsel for her defense; and (3) refused to listen to
court’s warnings that trial would commence, with or without representation
by counsel), appeal denied, 923 A.2d 409 (Pa. 2007).
6 Wood’s Brief at 8.
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round conversation about that issue and it lead into whether
[Wood] was going to seek court-appointed representation. He
clearly didn’t feel that it could go to trial and that he would not
need an attorney and he was advised to make an appointment
with the Public Defender’s office.
The Court also notes that many times he was late for court
appearances and it was evident that he was banking on the fact
that the charge would be dismissed because the victim was
deceased.
From the [evidence] presented today … there is support for the
Commonwealth’s position that [Wood] was afforded the
opportunity on three occasions, May 26th, July 15th, and July 21,
2015 to qualify for counsel through appointment at no charge, if
it was deemed appropriate at the interview process. He failed to
attend the appointments and the record is clear on each court
appearance that [Wood] was questioned about the matter and his
goal was to delay the matter or to have the charges dismissed.
Again, under his erroneous belief that they could not proceed
given that the victim was deceased.
N.T., 10/24/2016, at 4-5.
We are compelled to disagree with the trial court’s determination. Our
review of the record does not clearly support a finding that Wood acted in an
extreme dilatory manner to forfeit his right to counsel. On June 2, 2015,
Wood refused to sign a waiver of counsel. That same day, at the preliminary
hearing,7 when asked about the waiver, Wood stated, “I refuse. I want
counsel. I never told you I was under the impression that I did not want to
be represented. I have a right to be represented diligently, promptly,
zealously and most importantly, effectively.” N.T., 6/2/2015, at 3. The
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7 Magisterial District Judge Larry Pentz presided over the matter.
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magisterial district judge, without any detailed recounting of prior
conversations, noted that it and the parties “already talked about that” and
proceeded with the matter. The victim, who has since died as noted above,
testified at the hearing. She recanted the statement she made to Trooper
Marsh at the time of the incident, testifying that she had punched herself, and
not Wood. Id. at 6. The victim indicated the story she gave the trooper was
incorrect because she had not taken her medication. Id. at 9.8 The trooper
also testified as to his recitation of what the victim told him following the
assault. Id. at 13-20.
On July 8, 2015, the court denied Wood’s first motion to continue his
mandatory arraignment. The Commonwealth opposed the motion, arguing
Wood had sufficient time to apply for counsel after the June 2nd preliminary
hearing. See Wood’s Motion to Continue Mandatory Arraignment, 7/8/2015,
at 1. The court held Wood’s arraignment hearing that same day. 9 Wood
testified that prior to the preliminary hearing, on May 26, 2015, he was
scheduled to have an appointment at the Public Defender’s Office but was late
because he did not have transportation. See N.T., 7/8/2015, at 2-3. Wood
stated that based on the magistrate judge’s statements at the preliminary
hearing, he did not do anything to obtain counsel prior to the arraignment
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8 She also wrote a statement, indicating that she wanted to drop all charges
against Wood. Id. at 25-26.
9 The matter was transferred to President Judge Carol L. Van Horn.
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hearing because he “was under the impression that [he] just wasn’t going to
receive counsel.” Id. at 4. The trial court informed Wood that he had two
options: (1) pay for his own attorney or (2) apply for the appointment of
counsel. Id. at 6-7.
Subsequently, on August 24, 2015, Wood appeared before the trial court
for a call of the list proceeding without an attorney to represent him. Wood
stated the victim had died in a car accident on July 25, 2015, and that he had
not obtained counsel because “due to [her] death, he hasn’t had any time to
even focus. It hit [him] kind of hard.” Id. at 5. He also testified he missed
a second appointment with the Public Defender’s Office because of “the
situation” with the victim’s death. Id. The court again stated Wood could hire
an attorney, apply for appointment of counsel, or represent himself. Id.10
Additionally, the following discussion took place:
[Wood]: Your Honor, I fail to comprehend why we’re pursuing
this issue due to the fact the Commonwealth’s only witness to the
case sadly died in a car accident.
And this is torture for me. This is my child’s mother. She
came with a notarized letter to the District Attorney’s Office telling
the Commonwealth that she did not wish to pursue this.
But yet the Commonwealth, who is here to serve and to
protect people of the Commonwealth, continues to pursue this.
She’s not a member of the Commonwealth. She’s from the State
of Maryland. She does not want to go through this. We’re having
a case with a dead woman. I don’t understand this.
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10 At the hearing, the Commonwealth indicated it had a plea offer for Wood
but that it was uncertain that it had been communicated to him earlier. Id.
at 2-3. Wood rejected this offer. Id. at 4.
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THE COURT: I understand your position that you don’t think this
case should move forward. It’s the Commonwealth’s decision to
make.
…
Yes. It’s the Commonwealth’s decision to make whether charges
will be pursued. They have decided that they’re going to pursue
the charges. It doesn’t always depend on what the victim says
whether charges are pursued.
Id. at 3-4.
Thereafter, a pre-trial conference was held on September 3, 2015.
Wood mentioned he had not taken “the initiative to get a lawyer” because he
had “been dealing with a custody battle for [his] son.” N.T., 9/3/2015, at 5.11
On October 12, 2015, at the beginning of Wood’s jury selection
proceeding, the court indicated to prospective jurors that Wood was choosing
to represent himself. N.T., 10/12/2015, at 4. In response, at a sidebar, Wood
stated that one week earlier, he had attempted to go to the Public Defender’s
Office to make an appointment but got into a verbal dispute with the
receptionist, in which she allegedly slammed the window and said that she
was going to call the sheriffs because he had asked for her name. Id. at 4-6.
The court informed Wood he had forfeited his right to counsel because he did
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11 The baby’s mother is the now-deceased victim in this matter.
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not appear for appointments and stated the parties would proceed with jury
selection. Id. at 7.12
Lastly, Wood arrived late for the start of his jury trial, on October 22,
2015, missing jury instructions, opening arguments, and the beginning of
Trooper Marsh’s direct examination because he was under the erroneous
impression that trial started at 9:30 a.m. N.T., 10/22/2015, at 4-24. Wood
reasserted his request for counsel and the trial court responded that Wood did
not keep his appointments with the Public Defender’s Office. Id. at 25. During
Wood’s case-in-chief, he requested the prosecutor take the stand because he
was representing the deceased victim. Id. at 100. Wood also made two oral
motions, requesting the court dismiss the charges because: (1) the victim
was deceased and she was not able to be cross-examined; and (2) he did not
have an adequate defense since he did not have counsel.13 Id. at 102-103.
The court denied both motions. Id. at 103-104. It also merits mention that
the Commonwealth introduced the deceased victim’s preliminary hearing
testimony, which included both her initial statements to the investigating
officer and her recantation of the assault. Id. at 32-38.14 Additionally, the
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12 Additionally, when asked if he had any witnesses that he would like to
identify, Wood stated that he wanted “to have a right to face [his] accuser,”
the deceased victim. Id. at 8.
13 Wood stated, “I am extremely, extremely poor. I’m indigent. And I can’t
afford one.” Id. at 103.
14 Wood objected on the basis that “we keep having a trial without a witness”
and he “had a right to face [his] accuser.” Id. at 38.
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Commonwealth called Lea Richmond, a friend of the victim, who testified
regarding her communications with the victim via Facebook Instant Messenger
and phone calls made two days before the incident at issue took place. Id. at
68-80. With respect to the messages, Richmond testified the victim told her
that Wood was threatening the victim. Id. at 77. Richmond stated she spoke
with the victim the same day as the messages were exchanged, and the victim
told her the following: “She told me that she was letting me know if anything
were to happen, it was him because she was from -- I was from out of town.
So she was letting someone else know away from the situation.” Id. at 79.
In comparison to cases like Lucarelli, Kelly, and Travillion, Wood’s
conduct does not amount to extreme dilatory behavior sufficient to result in
the forfeiture of his right to counsel. First, and of most importance, we note
the record is deficient regarding any inquiry as to Wood’s “opportunity and
financial wherewithal” to obtain representation. See Lucarelli, 971 A.3d
1179. Wood currently appears to be indigent, as the trial court appointed a
public defender for his post-sentence motions and direct appeal. Second,
even though the trial court instructed Wood of his right to an attorney and the
possible forfeiture of that right at the arraignment and call of the list
proceedings, only five months had passed from the time of the incident to
when jury selection began without Wood having counsel. Furthermore, each
time he appeared without counsel, Wood provided a reasonable explanation
for his failure to apply for a public defender, including a lack of transportation,
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the mistaken belief that he could not request counsel after a certain
proceeding had taken place, the death of the victim (his girlfriend), and a child
custody dispute. Third, Wood never requested a continuance of trial as delay
tactic, as compared to the other cases cited supra. He only requested a delay
of his arraignment hearing, which was denied by the court. Additionally,
unlike the cases cited above, here, Wood was not uncooperative or belligerent
with counsel. In fact, the record demonstrates he never even met with
counsel, court-appointed or otherwise, before he was convicted. Moreover,
the record does not reveal any inquiry with the Public Defender’s Officer
regarding the purported incident between Wood and the receptionist.
Furthermore, we emphasize several unique facets of this case. First,
the charges Wood faced subjected him to a term of imprisonment, and he
was, in fact, sentenced to a minimum of one year in state incarceration.
Second, even though the facts of this case may be simplistic, the legal issues
are complex in nature, and included the death of the victim who had recanted
her police statement at the preliminary hearing and the introduction of
possible hearsay evidence with respect to Richmond’s testimony. While the
trial court takes issue with Wood’s mistaken belief that the charges and the
trial could not proceed without the victim’s appearance as well her recantation
statements, it is not unreasonable for a lay person to be under the same
misguided impression, and therefore, the need for counsel’s advice would
have been indispensable. Consequently, we conclude the trial court erred in
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finding Wood forfeited his right to counsel. In the interests of justice, and
apparent denial of Wood’s constitutional right to counsel, we are compelled to
vacate the judgment of sentence and remand for further proceedings.15
Judgment of sentence vacated. Case remanded for further proceedings.
Jurisdiction relinquished.
President Judge Emeritus Bender joins this memorandum.
Judge Strassburger files a dissenting memorandum.
Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary
Date: 11/21/2017
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15 Based on the nature of our disposition, we need not address Wood’s
remaining claims regarding the sufficiency and weight of the evidence
supporting his conviction.
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