Com. v. Kudlach, A. ( 2022 )

J-A19031-22
NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
: PENNSYLVANIA
:
v. :
:
:
ALOIS AARON KUDLACH :
:
Appellant : No. 340 MDA 2021
Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence Entered August 20, 2016
In the Court of Common Pleas of Centre County Criminal Division at
No(s): CP-14-CR-0001396-2015
BEFORE: BOWES, J., KING, J., and STEVENS, P.J.E.*
MEMORANDUM BY STEVENS, P.J.E.: FILED: NOVEMBER 15, 2022
Alois Aaron Kudlach appeals from the August 20, 2016 aggregate
judgment of sentence of life imprisonment imposed after a jury found him
guilty of first-degree murder, third-degree murder, aggravated assault,
interception, disclosure or use of wire, electronic or oral communications
(“IDUC”), and possessing instruments of crime (“PIC”).1 After careful review,
we affirm the judgment of sentence.
The relevant facts and procedural history of this case, as gleaned from
the certified record, are as follows: On the morning of August 30, 2015,
____________________________________________
* Former Justice specially assigned to the Superior Court.
1 18 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 2502(a), 2502(c), 2702(a)(1), 5703(1), and 907(B),
respectively.
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Appellant fatally shot his wife, Nuria Kudlach (“Decedent”), three times in the
kitchen of their residence, following a lengthy argument. The parties had an
extensive history of marital discord and were both considering a divorce. The
parties’ then-minor son was in an adjacent room of the residence at the time
of the shooting.
Appellant was subsequently arrested in connection with this incident and
proceeded to a jury trial on August 15, 2016. At trial, Commonwealth
presented testimony from 30 witnesses, and Appellant presented testimony
from four witnesses. Testimony from several expert witnesses, including
forensic pathologists for both parties, was presented to the jury, and over 250
exhibits were admitted into evidence. Appellant asserted during his testimony
that Decedent had a history of violent tendencies and that on the morning in
question, he acted in self-defense after Decedent attempted to stab him with
a butcher knife.
Following a six-day jury trial, Appellant was found guilty of first-degree
murder, third-degree murder, aggravated assault, IDUC, and PIC. On August
20, 2016, the trial court sentenced Appellant to an aggregate term of life
imprisonment.
On September 19, 2016, Appellant filed a timely notice of appeal.
Following an extension, Appellant filed a concise statement of errors
complained of on appeal, in accordance with Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b), on December
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14, 2016. On January 3, 2017, the trial court filed a Rule 1925(a) opinion,
addressing all 11 issues raised by Appellant therein.
Thereafter, on May 24, 2017, a panel of this Court dismissed Appellant’s
appeal for failure to file an appellate brief. Appellant subsequently filed a
PCRA2 petition, requesting the reinstatement of his direct appeal rights. On
February 24, 2021, Appellant’s direct appeal rights were reinstated nunc pro
tunc.
On March 16, 2021, Appellant filed a timely notice of appeal. On March
24, 2021, the trial court ordered Appellant to file a concise statement in
accordance with Rule 1925(b). Following an extension, Appellant filed a timely
concise statement on May 4, 2021. On June 16, 2021, the trial court filed a
comprehensive Rule 1925(a) opinion.
Appellant raises the following issues for our review:
I. WAS THE EVIDENCE INSUFFICIENT TO
SUSTAIN THE VERDICT?
II. DID THE TRIAL COURT COMMIT REVERSIBLE
ERROR IN DENYING THE DEFENSE MOTION FOR
A CONTINUANCE?
III. DID THE TRIAL COURT COMMIT REVERSIBLE
ERROR BY PRECLUDING THE DEFENSE FROM
INTRODUCING RELEVANT MENTAL HEALTH
ISSUES OF THE DECEDENT?
IV. DID THE TRIAL COURT COMMIT REVERSIBLE
ERROR BY PRECLUDING [] APPELLANT FROM
TESTIFYING TO INCIDENTS OR STATEMENTS
____________________________________________
2 Post-Conviction Relief Act, 42 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 9541-9546.
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MADE BY THE DECEDENT THAT FURTHER
CORROBORATES HIS KNOWLEDGE OF THE
DECEDENT’S ESCALATING VIOLENT
TENDANCIES REGARDING APPELLANT AND
ESTABLISHING THE DECEDENT AS THE
AGGRESSOR?
V. DID THE TRIAL COURT COMMIT REVERSIBLE
ERROR BY PERMITTING THE COMMONWEALTH
TO ADMIT EVIDENCE OF COMPUTER-
GENERATED ANIMATION?
VI. WHETHER [] APPELLANT WAS DEPRIVED OF A
FAIR TRIAL BASED UPON THE PROSECUTOR’S
REPEATED ACTS OF PROSECUTORIAL
MISCONDUCT?
VII. DID THE TRIAL COURT COMMIT REVERSIBLE
ERROR BY INSTRUCTING THE JURY WITH THE
“CONSCIOUSNESS OF GUILT” CHARGE?
VIII. DID THE TRIAL COURT COMMIT REVERSIBLE
ERROR BY ALLOWING HEARSAY FROM THE
DECEDENT TO BE INTRODUCED IN THE
COMMONWEALTH'S CASE-IN-CHIEF?
IX. DID THE TRIAL COURT COMMIT REVERSIBLE
ERROR BY PERMITTING DETECTIVE ALSTON TO
TESTIFY AS AN EXPERT WITHOUT HE BEING
QUALIFIED AS AN EXPERT?
X. DID THE TRIAL COURT COMMIT REVERSIBLE
ERROR BY PRECLUDING THE DEFENSE’S
FORENSIC PATHOLOGY EXPERT TO TESTIFY TO
THE SEQUENCE OF THE DISCHARGE OF THE
FIREARM IN FAIR RESPONSE TO THE
COMMONWEALTH’S EXPERT TESTIMONY?
Appellant’s brief at 9-11.
I. Sufficiency of the Evidence
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Appellant first argues that there was insufficient evidence to sustain his
conviction for first-degree murder. Id. at 20-21. In support of this
contention, Appellant contends that the Commonwealth failed “to prove that
he was not acting out of self-defense when he shot the [D]ecedent[;]” and
that he “possessed the requisite specific intent to kill.” Id. at 23, 28.
In reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence, we must
determine whether the evidence admitted at trial and
all reasonable inferences drawn therefrom, viewed in
the light most favorable to the Commonwealth as
verdict winner, is sufficient to prove every element of
the offense beyond a reasonable doubt. As an
appellate court, we may not re-weigh the evidence
and substitute our judgment for that of the fact-
finder. Any question of doubt is for the fact-finder
unless the evidence is so weak and inconclusive that
as a matter of law no probability of fact can be drawn
from the combined circumstances.
Commonwealth v. Thomas, 988 A.2d 669, 670 (Pa.Super. 2009) (citations
omitted), appeal denied, 4 A.3d 1054 (Pa. 2010).
II. Motion for Continuance
Appellant next argues that the trial court abused its discretion in denying
his August 8, 2016 motion for continuance, seven days before the
commencement of trial. Appellant’s brief at 30.
The grant or denial of a motion for a continuance is
within the sound discretion of the trial court and will
be reversed only upon a showing of an abuse of
discretion. As we have consistently stated, an abuse
of discretion is not merely an error of judgment.
Rather, discretion is abused when the law is
overridden or misapplied, or the judgment exercised
is manifestly unreasonable, or the result of partiality,
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prejudice, bias, or ill-will, as shown by the evidence or
the record[.]
Commonwealth v. Norton, 144 A.3d 139, 143 (Pa.Super. 2016) (citation
omitted).
III-IV. Admissibility of Evidence
Appellant next argues that the trial court abused its discretion “by
precluding [him] from introducing relevant mental health issues of Decedent”
into evidence. Appellant’s brief at 34. Appellant also contends that the trial
court erred by precluding him from testifying to incidents or statements which
would have “corroborat[ed] his knowledge of Decedent’s escalating violent
tendencies….” Id. at 39.
“[T]he admission of evidence is within the sound discretion of the trial
court and will be reversed only upon a showing that the trial court clearly
abused its discretion.” Commonwealth v. Fransen, 42 A.3d 1100, 1106
(Pa.Super. 2012) (citation omitted), appeal denied, 76 A.3d 538 (Pa. 2013).
The threshold inquiry with admission of evidence is
whether the evidence is relevant. Evidence is relevant
if it logically tends to establish a material fact in the
case, tends to make a fact at issue more or less
probable, or supports a reasonable inference or
presumption regarding the existence of a material
fact. In addition, evidence is only admissible where
the probative value of the evidence outweighs its
prejudicial impact.
Commonwealth v. Antidormi, 84 A.3d 736, 750 (Pa.Super. 2014) (citations
and internal quotation marks omitted), appeal denied, 95 A.3d 275 (Pa.
2014); see also Pa.R.E. 401(a), (b).
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V. Demonstrative Evidence
Appellant next argues that the trial court abused its discretion in
permitting the Commonwealth to introduce a Computer-Generated-Animation
(“CGA”) as demonstrative evidence. Appellant’s brief at 42.
Our Supreme Court has long recognized that,
a CGA should be deemed admissible as demonstrative
evidence if it: (1) is properly authenticated pursuant
to Pa.R.E. 901 as a fair and accurate representation
of the evidence it purports to portray; (2) is relevant
pursuant to Pa.R.E. 401 and 402; and (3) has a
probative value that is not outweighed by the danger
of unfair prejudice pursuant to Pa.R.E. 403. However,
new factors must be considered when evaluating a
CGA. In particular, in determining the admissibility of
a CGA the courts must address the additional dangers
and benefits this particular type of demonstrative
evidence presents as compared with more traditional
demonstrative evidence. As a result, the court must,
as discussed infra, issue limiting instructions to the
jury explaining the nature of the specific CGA.
Commonwealth v. Serge, 896 A.2d 1170, 1178–1179 (Pa. 2006) (footnote
omitted), cert. denied, 549 U.S. 920 (2006).
VI. Prosecutorial Misconduct
Appellant next argues that “the Prosecutor committed repeated acts of
prosecutorial misconduct during cross-examination of [Appellant] which
deprived [him] of a fair trial[.]” Appellant’s brief at 48.
“Our standard of review for a claim of prosecutorial misconduct is limited
to whether the trial court abused its discretion.” Commonwealth v. Harris,
884 A.2d 920, 927 (Pa.Super. 2005) (citations omitted), appeal denied, 928
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A.2d 1289 (Pa. 2007). Not every unwise remark on a prosecutor’s part,
however, constitutes reversible error. Id. “Prosecutorial misconduct occurs
when the effect of the prosecutor’s comments would be to prejudice the trier
of fact, forming in its mind fixed bias and hostility toward the defendant so
that it could not weigh the evidence objectively and render a true verdict.”
Commonwealth v. Duffy, 832 A.2d 1132, 1137 (Pa.Super. 2003), appeal
denied, 845 A.2d 816 (Pa. 2004).
Counsel[’s] remarks to the jury may contain fair
deductions and legitimate inferences from the
evidence presented during the testimony. The
prosecutor may always argue to the jury that the
evidence establishes the defendant’s guilt, although a
prosecutor may not offer his personal opinion as to
the guilt of the accused either in argument or in
testimony from the witness stand. Nor may he or she
express a personal belief and opinion as to the truth
or falsity of evidence of defendant’s guilt, including
the credibility of a witness.
Commonwealth v. Chmiel, 777 A.2d 459, 466 (Pa.Super. 2001), appeal
denied, 788 A.2d 372 (Pa. 2001), cert. denied, 535 U.S. 1059 (2002).
VII. Jury Instructions
Appellant next argues that “the trial court erred in instructing the jury
with the ‘consciousness of guilt’ instruction over [his] objection as the
proffered evidence does not rise to the level of evidence contemplated by the
standard jury instruction because … it is not evidence reflective of
consciousness of guilt.” Appellant’s brief at 52.
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“[A] trial court has broad discretion in phrasing its instructions, and may
choose its own wording so long as the law is clearly, adequately, and
accurately presented to the jury for its consideration.” Commonwealth v.
Charleston, 94 A.3d 1012, 1021 (Pa.Super. 2014), appeal denied, 104 A.3d
523 (Pa. 2014) (citation omitted). “A jury charge will be deemed erroneous
only if the charge as a whole is inadequate, not clear or has a tendency to
mislead or confuse, rather than clarify, a material issue.” Commonwealth
v. Sandusky, 77 A.3d 663, 667 (Pa.Super. 2013).
VIII. Hearsay Testimony
Appellant next argues that the trial court abused its discretion in
allowing the Commonwealth to introduce hearsay testimony from Decedent
based upon the theory that they were admitted to demonstrate her state of
mind during the marriage. Appellant’s brief at 55.
Hearsay is defined as “a statement that the declarant does not make
while testifying at the current trial or hearing[, offered] in evidence to prove
the truth of the matter asserted in the statement.” Pa.R.E. 801(c)
(numeration omitted). Hearsay is generally inadmissible at trial unless it falls
into an exception to the hearsay rule. See Pa.R.E. 802. Rule 803 contains
several recognized exceptions to the hearsay rule, including the state of mind
exception:
The following are not excluded by the rule against
hearsay, regardless of whether the declarant is
available as a witness:
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....
(3) Then-Existing Mental, Emotional, or
Physical Condition. A statement of the
declarant’s then-existing state of mind
(such as motive, intent or plan) or emotional,
sensory, or physical condition (such as mental
feeling, pain, or bodily health), but not including
a statement of memory or belief to prove the
fact remembered or believed unless it relates to
the validity or terms of the declarant’s will.
Pa.R.E. 803(3) (emphasis added).
“Where the declarant’s out-of-court statements demonstrate h[er] state
of mind, are made in a natural manner, and are material and relevant, they
are admissible pursuant to the exception.” Commonwealth v. Johnson,
107 A.3d 52, 84 (Pa. 2014) (citations and emphasis omitted), cert.
denied, U.S. , 136 S.Ct. 43 (2015).
IX-X. Expert Testimony and Opinion Testimony by Lay Witnesses
Appellant next argues that the trial court abused its discretion in
allowing Detective John Aston to testify as an expert “without qualifying [him]
as an expert in the field of ballistics[.]” Appellant’s brief at 60. Appellant
further argues that “the trial court erred in precluding [Appellant’s] forensic
pathology expert[, Dr. Cyril Wecht,] to testify to the sequence of the discharge
of the firearm in fair response to the Commonwealth’s expert testimony[.]”
Id. at 63.
Expert testimony is admissible if it concerns a subject beyond the
knowledge, information, or skill possessed by the average layperson, as
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phenomena and situations that are matters of common knowledge may not
be the subject of expert testimony. Pa.R.E. 702.
[I]n cases involving the admission of expert testimony
. . . the admission of expert testimony is a matter left
largely to the discretion of the trial court, and its
rulings thereon will not be reversed absent an abuse
of discretion. An expert’s testimony is admissible
when it is based on facts of record and will not cause
confusion or prejudice.
Commonwealth v. Huggins, 68 A.3d 962, 966 (Pa.Super. 2013) (citation
omitted), appeal denied, 80 A.3d 775 (2013).
Rule 701, on the contrary, provides as follows:
If the witness is not testifying as an expert, the
witness' testimony in the form of opinions or
inferences is limited to those opinions or inferences
which are rationally based on the perception of the
witness, helpful to a clear understanding of the
witness' testimony or the determination of a fact in
issue, and not based on scientific, technical, or other
specialized knowledge within the scope of Rule 702.
Pa.R.E. 701. Thus, “Rule 701 permits a layperson to testify in the form of an
opinion, however, such testimony must be rationally based on that witness'
perceptions.” Huggins, 68 A.3d at 967.
Following a thorough review of the record, including the briefs of the
parties, the applicable law, and the well-reasoned opinions of the trial court,
it is our determination that Appellant’s claims warrant no relief. In two
separate opinions spanning a total of 26 pages in length, the trial court
comprehensively discussed each of Appellant’s ten allegations of error and
concluded that they are without merit. We find that the trial court’s
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conclusions are supported by competent evidence and are clearly free of legal
error.
Specifically, we agree with the trial court that the Commonwealth met
its burden to disprove Appellant’s assertion that he acted in justifiable self-
defense, as his claim that Decedent was armed with a butcher knife
immediately before the killing lacked merit. On the contrary, the
Commonwealth’s evidence demonstrated that the third, fatal shot to Decedent
struck her in the face as she cowered near the floor. The trial court also
properly noted that Appellant’s use of a deadly weapon on a vital part of
Decedent’s body was sufficient to establish a specific intent to kill and malice.
Trial Court Rule 1925(a) Opinion, 6/16/21 (“2021 Opinion”) at 2-4.
We also agree that the trial court’s denial of Appellant’s motion for
continuance, for additional time to review the Commonwealth’s blood stain
pattern analysis, was not improper. The trial court properly notes that
Appellant failed to provide a justifiable request for the delay, as he was in
possession of the evidence underlying the Commonwealth’s blood stain
analysis for 10 months preceding trial. Trial Court Rule 1925(a) Opinion,
1/3/17 (“2017 Opinion”) at 2-4.
We further agree that Appellant’s claim that the trial court erred in
precluding references to Decedent’s mental health at trial is baseless. The
record reflects that Appellant did, in fact, testify with regard to Decedent’s
suicide attempt and hospitalization, and thus, the Commonwealth withdrew
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its objection to the introduction of references to Decedent’s mental health.
See id. at 11-14; 2021 Opinion at 10.
We also agree with the trial court that there is no merit to Appellant’s
claim that it erred in precluding him from testifying as to incidents which would
have corroborated his knowledge of Decedent’s escalating violent tendencies.
On the contrary, the record establishes that this testimony was largely
permitted at trial. 2021 Opinion at 7.
We further agree with the trial court that the admission of a CGA as
demonstrative evidence was proper, as Appellant was not unduly hampered
in his ability to challenge the authenticity of the CGA evidence at the in limine
hearing; and the probative value of this evidence outweighed its prejudicial
impact. Id. at 4-6.
We next agree with the trial court that the prosecutor’s argumentative
statements and behavior during her cross-examination of Appellant, when
taken as a whole, did not have the effect of prejudicing the jury. Id. at 7-8.
We also agree with the trial court that, contrary to Appellant’s objection,
its “consciousness of guilt” instruction to the jury was properly supported by
the evidence presented at trial. Id. at 9-10.
We further agree with the trial court that Appellant’s hearsay challenge
to Decedent’s statements that she felt “ganged up on” by Appellant and their
son, and that she “had the divorce talk again with [her] husband,” were
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properly admitted to demonstrate her mental state during the marriage and
her view of the relationship. 2017 Opinion at 10-11.
We next agree with the trial court that Appellant’s objection to Detective
Aston being offered as a “firearms or weapons expert” is meritless, as the
record reflects that his testimony that “a shell casing ejected from a firearm
will bounce when it hits a linoleum floor” constituted a mere lay opinion, and
not expert testimony. Id. at 5, 7-9.
Lastly, we find that the trial court properly precluded Appellant’s forensic
pathology expert from testifying as to the sequence of the shooting, because
it was beyond the scope of his expert report. Id. at 5, 9-10.
Accordingly, we adopt those relevant portions of the trial court’s
comprehensive January 3, 2017 and June 16, 2021 opinions as our own for
purposes of this appellate review.
Judgment of sentence affirmed.
Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary
Date: 11/15/2022
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Parks Miller
Muir 1Y
III
IN I
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9 oMUE90 ccaarto mieoe
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CENTRE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CRIMINAL ACTION - LAW
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
V. No. CP-14-CR-1396-2015
ALOIS A. KUDLACH
Attorneyfor Commonwealth: Stacy Parks Miller,.,Fsquire
Attorney for Defendant: Karen G. Muir, Esquire
OPINION IN RESPONSE TO MATTERS COMPLAINED OF ON APPEAL
Presently before the Court is an appeal filed by Alois A. Kudlach ("Appellant").
Appellant filed aStatement of Matters Complained of on Appeal (" Statement' 3)
-on December 14,
2016. Appellant's Statement contains the following eleven ( 11) issues:
1. Whether the lower court erred in denying the only continuance request by the
Appellant after the Commonwealth continued the case for almost ayear and
continued to provide discovery days before the trial began in aFirst Degree
Murder case.
2. Whether the lower court erred in granting the Commonwealth's Motion to Compel
and Ordering Appellant to provide copies of Appellant's expert reports prior to the
close of the Commonwealth's case-in-chief.
3. Whether the lower court properly permitted the Commonwealth's pathologist to
testify as aforensic pathologist and offer opinions consistent with forensic
pathology.
4. Whether the lower court erred in denying Appellant's expert to testify in response
to the Commonwealth's expert on the basis that the proposed testimony was
beyond the scope of the Appellant's expert report.
5. Whether the lower court erred in allowing hearsay from the victim to be
introduced during the Commonwealth's case-in-chief.
6. Whether the lower erred in granting the Commonwealth's Motion in Limine to
exclude references to incidents regarding the victim's mental health.
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7. Whether the lower court erred in ruling that the audio-taped interviews and
conversations were not played in their entirety during the Commonwealth's case-
in-chief, but rather directed the Appellant to play the rest of the audiotapes.
8. Whether the lower court erred in not allowing Appellant to testify as to exhibits
that had been identified by Commonwealth witnesses during the Commonwealth's
case-in-chief.
9. Whether the lower court erred in ruling that the Commonwealth did not have to
introduce the entire Facebook conversations during the Commonwealth case-in-
chief, but rather, directed that the Appellant could inquire as to the complete
conversations.
10. Whether the lower court erred in allowing Appellant's civil attorney to testify
regarding matters that the civil attorney would only have known through attorney-
client privilege.
11. Whether the lower court erred in allowing apolice officer to testify as an expert in
ballistics without prior notice to Appellant and then denying Appellant's request
for acontinuance to obtain an expert to refute the Commonwealth's witness.
The Court disagrees with Appellant's Statement for the reasons set forth below.
DISCUSSION
Due to the interrelated nature of several of the issues in Appellant's Statement, the Court
has arranged said issues in amanner which will aid in its analysis.
I. Issues Regarding Discovery
a. Appellant's Continuance Request
Pennsylvania Rule of Criminal Procedure 573 provides, in pertinent part, as follows:
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.
e) any results or reports of scientific tests, expert opinions, and
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written or recorded reports of polygraph examinations or
other physical or mental examinations of the defendant that
are within the possession or control of the attorney for the
Commonwealth;
(D) Continuing Duty to Disclose. If, prior to or during trial, either party discovers
additional evidence or material previously requested or ordered to be disclosed by
it, which is subject to discovery or inspection under this rule, or the identity of an
additional witness or witnesses, such party shall promptly notify the opposing
party or the court of the additional evidence, material, or witness.
Pa.R.Crim.P. 573(B)(1)(e), (D). The Commonwealth does not violate Rule 573 when it fails to
disclose to the defense evidence that it does not possess and of which it is unaware.
Commonwealth v. Boczkowski, 846 A.2d 75, 97 (Pa. 2004) (citing Commonwealth v. Gribble,
703 A.2d 426 (Pa. 1997)). When the evidence is exclusively in the custody of police, possession
is not attributed to the Commonwealth for purposes of Rule 573. Commonwealth v. Collins. 957
A.2d 237, 253-54 (Pa. 2008) (trial court did not abuse its discretion in failing to preclude
inculpatory lab test results not disclosed until second day of trial, where Commonwealth
disclosed evidence on day it obtained it and there was no evidence that it had results earlier);
Commonwealth v. Burke, 781 A.2d 1136, 1142 (Pa. 2001).
The grant or denial of amotion for acontinuance is within the sound discretion of the
trial court and will be reversed only upon ashowing of an abuse of discretion. Commonwealth v.
Antidormi, 84 A.3d 736, 745-46 (Pa. Super. 2014), appeal denied, 95 A.3d 275 (Pa. 2014);
Commonwealth v. Boxlev, 948 A.2d 742, 746 (Pa. 2008). An abuse of discretion is not merely
an error of judgment; rather discretion is abused 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 or the record. Id. Moreover, "[a] bald allegation of an insufficient
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amount of time to prepare will not provide abasis for reversal of the denial of acontinuance
motion." Commonwealth v. Ross, 57 A.3d 85, 91 (Pa. Super. 2012). An appellant must be able
to show specifically in what manner he was unable to prepare for his defense or how he would
have prepared differently had he been given more time, because adenial of amotion for
continuance will not be reversed in the absence of prejudice.'" Id.; see also Commonwealth v.
Sandusky, 77 A.3d 663, 672 (Pa. Super. 2013) ( court's denial of defense continuance requests
was not an abuse of discretion where over twelve thousand ( 12,000) pages of supplemental
discovery were received by defense counsel through the four (4) months preceding trial and
continuing throughout trial).
In the case at bar, Appellant contends "the lower court erred in denying the only
continuance request by the Appellant after the Commonwealth continued the case for almost a
year and continued to provide discovery days before the trial began in aFirst Degree Murder
case."
The Court denied Appellant's August 8, 2016 Motion to Continue Trial due to the
grounds for the motion becoming moot by the Commonwealth providing Appellant's counsel
with acopy of the blood stain pattern analysis. See 8/9/16 Trial Court Order. Appellant filed a
subsequent Motion to Continue Trial on August 10, 2016. In said motion, Appellant contended a
continuance was necessary because he needed additional time to review the blood stain pattern
analysis, to have an expert review the blood stain pattern analysis, and to review the
approximately one hundred ( 100) pages of discovery disclosed to him between August 4, 2016
and August 9, 2016. See 8/10/16 Motion to Continue Trial. The Court denied Appellant's August
10, 2016 Motion to Continue Trial due to Appellant having been in possession of the evidence
underlying the Commonwealth's blood stain pattern analysis during the ten ( 10) months
preceding trial and Appellant's choice not to pursue the avenue of having ablood stain pattern
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analysis done during that time. Further, the Court found the disclosure of one hundred ( 100)
pages of supplemental discovery five (5) days before the start of trial is not avoluminous
disclosure which would cause prejudice to Appellant. Therefore, the Court did not err in denying
Appellant's continuance requests.
b. Commonwealth's Motion to Compel Appellant's Expert Reports
Pennsylvania Rule of Criminal Procedure 573(C)(2) states the following in regards to
pretrial disclosure of adefendant's expert report:
If an expert whom the defendant intends to call in any proceeding has not
prepared areport of examination or tests, the court, upon motion, may order that
the expert-prepare and the defendant disclose areport stating the subject matter
on which the expert is expected to testify; the substance of the facts to which the
expert is expected to testify; and asummary of the expert's opinions and the
grounds for each opinion.
Pa.R.Crim.P. 573(C)(2) (emphasis added).
In the case at bar, Appellant contends "the lower court erred in granting the
Commonwealth's Motion to Compel and Ordering Appellant to provide copies of Appellant's
expert reports prior to the close of the Commonwealth's case- in-chief."
On its face, Rule 573(C)(2) is clear that if amotion to compel an expert report is filed by
the Commonwealth, the court may order adefendant's expert to prepare and disclose an expert
report to the Commonwealth. Therefore, the Court properly followed the procedure set forth in
Rule 573(C)(2) when it granted the Commonwealth's Motion to Compel the expert report of
Appellant's expert.
II. Issues Regarding Expert Testimonv
Pennsylvania Rule of Evidence 702 provides as follows:
A witness who is qualified as an expert by knowledge, skill, experience, training,
or education may testify in the form of an opinion or otherwise if:
a) the expert's scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge is beyond
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that possessed by the average layperson;
b) the expert's scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge will help
the trier of fact to understand the evidence or to determine afact in issue;
and
c) the expert's methodology is generally accepted in the relevant field.
Pa.R.E. 702.
a. Expert Testimony of Commonwealth's Pathologist
The admission of expert testimony is within the trial court's discretion and will not be
remanded, overruled, or disturbed absent aclear abuse of discretion. A.J.B. v. M.P.B., 945 A.2d
744, 749 (Pa. Super. 2008). The standard for qualification of an expert witness is aliberal one.
Rauch v. Mike—Maver, 783 A.2d 815 (Pa. Super. 2001). When determining whether awitness is
qualified as an expert, the court is to examine whether the witness has any reasonable pretension
to specialized knowledge on the subject under investigation. Miller v. Brass Rail Tavern, 664
A.2d 525 ( Pa. 1995). The court is to ascertain whether the proposed witness has sufficient skill,
knowledge, or experience in the field at issue as to make it appear that the opinion or inference
offered will probably aid the trier of fact in the search for truth. Bergman v. United Servs. Auto.
Ass'n, 742 A.2d 1101 (Pa. Super. 1999).
In the field of medicine, specialties sometimes overlap and apractitioner may be
knowledgeable in more than one field. RettQer v. UPMC Shadvside, 991 A.2d 915, 930 (Pa.
Super. 2010) (citing Bindschusz v. Phillivs, 771 A.2d 803 (Pa. Super. 2001)). Doctors will have
different qualifications and some doctors will be more qualified than others to provide evidence
about specific medical practices. Id. However, it is for the jury to determine the weight to be
given to expert testimony in light of the qualifications presented by the witness. Georp-e v. Ellis,
820 A.2d 815, 817 (Pa. Super. 2003).
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In the case at bar, Appellant contends the lower court improperly permitted the
Commonwealth's pathologist to testify as aforensic pathologist and offer opinions consistent
with forensic pathology.
The Commonwealth's forensic pathologist testified, as to his qualifications, as follows:
he has been apracticing pathologist for twenty-six ( 26) years (N.T. 8/16/16, p. 4); he practiced
forensic pathology (Id. at p. 5); he performs forensic autopsies on homicide victims (Id. at 6); he
performs approximately fifteen ( 15) forensic autopsies on homicide victims each year ( Id. at 8);
he has performed approximately fifteen hundred ( 1,500) to two thousand (2,000) autopsies
throughout his career (Id. at p. 11); he is board certified in anatomic pathology, clinical
pathology, and cytopathology (Id. at p. 10); he participates in continuing medical education
programs for forensic pathology (
Id. at p. 11); and he has been accepted and testified as an expert
in forensic pathology in six (6) Pennsylvania counties (Id. at pp. 11-12). Additionally, his
curriculum vitae delineates an appropriate educational background for his experience as a
forensic pathologist. See Commonwealth Ex. 229. After reviewing the aforementioned testimony
and curriculum vitae, the Court properly permitted the Commonwealth's forensic pathologist to
testify and offer opinions consistent with forensic pathology.
b. Police Officer Testimony Regarding the Operation of Firearms
Expert opinion testimony is proper only where formation of an opinion on asubject
requires knowledge, information, or skill beyond what is possessed by the ordinary juror.
Ovitskv v. Capital City Econ. Dev. Corp., 846 A.2d 124, 126 (Pa. Super.2004) (citing
Commonwealth v. Carter, 589 A.2d 1133, 1134 (Pa. Super. 1991)). Testimony is not admissible
as expert testimony where it is not something that is beyond the grasp of the average layperson.
Commonwealth v. Williams, 141 A.3d 440, 462-63 (Pa. 2016) (testimony amounting to the
conclusion that aperson thrown onto the sidewalk from afast moving van would likely sustain
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injuries and damage to their clothing is within the grasp of the average layperson); see also
Commonwealth v. Kennedv, — A.3d —, 2016 WL 7103942, * 7 (Pa. Super. Dec. 6, 2016) (court
did not abuse discretion in admitting lay opinion testimony from crime scene investigator
regarding bullet trajectory).
In the case at bar, Appellant contends "the lower court erred in allowing apolice officer
to testify as an expert in ballistics without prior notice to Appellant and then denying Appellant's
request for acontinuance to obtain an expert to refute the Commonwealth's witness."
At trial, the following exchange between the Commonwealth and adetective who was
present at the crime scene:
Q• Now, before Itake you any further, as adetective, you told us that you
have experience investigating homicides. But as apolice officer as well as
adetective, do you have training in firearms?
A. Yes.
Q. Are you able to use them safely and effectively?
A. Yes.
Q. Okay. And are you aware of how firearms generally work in the sense
that they dislodge acasing?
N.T. 8/15/16, pp. 224-25. Appellant's counsel objected to the detective being offered as " a
firearms instructor" or to the detective "giving any expert opinion with respect to weapons." Id.
at p. 225. The Commonwealth stated the detective would only testify as to "the fact that shell
casings can bounce when they hit alinoleum floor." Id. at p. 226. Appellant's counsel then
moved for acontinuance to retain an expert to "talk about how they [ shell casings] bounce, the
direction they bounce and so forth." Id. Said continuance was denied by the Court. Id.
The fact that ashell casing ejected from afirearm will bounce when it falls upon a
linoleum floor is not something that is beyond the grasp of the average layperson, and thus does
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not constitute expert testimony. See Williams, supra; Kennedy, supra. Therefore, the Court
properly admitted said testimony as lay testimony and did not err by denying Appellant's
counsel's continuance request.
c. Appellant's Expert's Testimony
Trial courts may preclude experts from testifying beyond the fair scope of their pre-trial
reports. Whitaker v. Frankford Hosv. of Citv of Philadelphia, 984 A.2d 512, 523 (Pa. Super.
2009); Brodowski v. Rvave, 885 A.2d 1045 (Pa. Super. 2005) (trial court properly precludes
expert testimony on an issue where opinions would be beyond the fair scope of the expert
report); I3licha v. Jacks, 864 A.2d 1214 (Pa. Super. 2004).
In the case at bar, Appellant contends the lower court erred in not allowing Appellant's
expert to testify in response to the Commonwealth's expert on the basis that the proposed
testimony was beyond the scope of the Appellant's expert's report.
At trial, the following exchange between Appellant's counsel and Appellant's expert took
place:
Q: You are aware also then of Dr. Kamerow's opinion with respect to the
sequence of the shooting, when things happened, left arm, right arm,
breast, and so forth?
A. Yes.
Q. Do you have an opinion with respect to his opinion on the sequence of that
discharge of the firearm?
N.T. August 19, 2016 at p.56-57. The Commonwealth objected to Appellant's expert providing
an opinion on the Commonwealth's expert's opinion as to the sequence of the shooting because
Appellant's expert did not opine in his expert report on said issue. Id. The Commonwealth's
expert did not testify outside of the conclusions drawn in his expert report. Id. at p. 58.
Appellant's counsel admitted to the Court that Appellant's expert did not provide information on
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the sequence of the shooting in his expert report. Id. Therefore, the Court properly precluded
Appellant's expert from testifying as to information which was absent from his expert report.
III. Introduction of Victim's Hearsay
Pennsylvania Courts have consistently held that the out-court- statements of ahomicide
victim, where probative of the victim's view of his or her relationship with the defendant, are
relevant and admissible to show the presence of ill will, malice, or motive for the killing. See
Commonwealth v. Fletcher, 750 A.2d 261, 276 ( Pa. 2000), cert. denied, 531 U.S. 1035 (2000)
(victim's statement was relevant to his state of mind regarding relationship with defendant and,
therefore, admissible to prove presence of ill will, malice, or motive for killing); Commonwealth
v. Puksar, 740 A.2d 219, 225 n. 6 (Pa. 1999), cert. denied, 531 U.S. 829 (2000) (victim's
statement that he did not trust defendant and that victim and defendant were involved in dispute
admissible under state of mind exception to prove presence of ill will, malice, or motive for
killing); Commonwealth v. Chandler, 721 A.2d 1040, 1045 (Pa. 1998) (victim's statements
concerning
.̀ her negative feelings about Appellant and her relationship with him" admissible
under state of mind exception because victim's "opinion of Appellant and her marriage to him
went to the presence of ill will, malice, or motive for the killing"); Commonwealth v. Collins,
703 A.2d 418, 424-25 (Pa. 1997), cert. denied, 525 U.S. 1015 ( 1998) (statements relevant under
state of mind exception to prove, inter alia, motive).
In the case at bar, Appellant contends "the lower court erred in allowing hearsay from the
victim to be introduced during the Commonwealth's case-in-chief."
At trial, the Commonwealth elicited from the victim's son statements which had been
made by the victim regarding how she felt she was consistently ostracized and disrespected by
Appellant and her son. N.T. 8/16/16, p. 78. Said statements are admissible under the state of
mind exception to hearsay because they are probative of the victim's view of her relationship
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with Appellant and thus are relevant and admissible to show the presence of ill will, malice, or
motive for the killing. See Fletcher, supra. Therefore, the Court properly permitted said
statements to be introduced.
IV. Exclusion of References to Victim's Mental Health
Appellant contends the lower court erred in granting the Commonwealth's Motion in
Limine to exclude references to incidents regarding the victim's mental health.
The Court's Motion in Limine Order states, in pertinent part, as follows:
2) The Commonwealth's Motion in Limine to Preclude Reference to Incidents
Regarding Victim's Mental Health is GRANTED in regards to the September
28, 2014 and June 20, 2015 incidents, and any records thereof.
8/4/16 Trial Court Order. When Appellant took the stand at trial, he testified in violation of said
Order by referencing the victim's September 28, 2014 suicide attempt and hospitalization and his
attempt to obtain guardianship of the victim as aresult thereof. N.T. 8/19/16, pp. 130-31. After
Appellant's violation of said Order, the Commonwealth withdrew its objection to the
introduction of references to the victim's mental health due to the Commonwealth's intent to
cross-examine Appellant on the subjects. Id. at p. 132. After the Commonwealth's withdrawal of
its objection, Appellant testified as to the June 20, 2015 incident regarding the victim's mental
health. Id. at pp. 145-54.
Appellant's argument on this issue has been mooted by Appellant's violation of said
Order while testifying at trial, the Commonwealth's withdrawal of its objection to the
introduction of references to the victim's mental health after said violation, and Appellant's
testimony referencing the victim's mental health after the Commonwealth's withdrawal of its
objection.
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V. Issues Regarding Pa.R.E. 106
Pennsylvania Rule of Evidence 106 (Remainder of or Related Writings or Recorded
Statements) provides as follows:
If aparty introduces all or part of awriting or recorded statement, an adverse
party may require the introduction, at that time, of any other part—or any other
writing or recorded statement—that in fairness ought to be considered at the same
time.
Pa.R.E. 106. The comment to the rule states:
The purpose of Pa.R.E. 106 is to give the adverse party an opportunity to correct a
misleading impression that may be created by the use of apart of awriting or
recorded statement that may be taken out of context. This rule gives the adverse
party the opportunity to correct the misleading impression at the time that the
evidence is introduced. The trial court has discretion to decide whether other
parts, or other writings or recorded statements, ought in fairness to be considered
contemporaneously with the proffered part.
Id. (Comment). See Commonwealth v. McClure, 144 A.3d 970, 978 (Pa. Super. 2016). The rule
does not mandate ablanket admission of all related writings or recorded statements; rather, its
purpose is only to correct misleading or impartial evidence. Commonwealth v. Passmore. 857
A.2d 697 (Pa. Super. 2004), appeal denied, 868 A.2d 1199 ( Pa. 2005); see also Commonwealth
v. Bryant, 57 A.3d 191 (Pa. Super. 2012) (following introduction of single page of diary
describing sexual assault, the defendant's vague assertion that victim's diary contained "fantasy"
was insufficient to establish relevancy of entirety of such diary as required to warrant admission
of entirety of diary, especially in absence of any specific reference to any fact or statement in
diary relevant to case or of assistance to jury, or which would contradict or otherwise
contextualize single entry describing sexual assault).
The admissibility of evidence "depends on relevance and probative value."
Commonwealth v. Stallworth, 781 A.2d 110, 117 (Pa. 2001). Evidence is only considered
relevant if it " logically tends to establish amaterial fact in the case, tends to make afact at issue
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more or less probable or supports areasonable inference or presumption regarding amaterial
fact." id. at 117-18 (citing Commonwealth v. Crews, 640 A.2d 395 (Pa. 1994)).
a. Audio-Taped Interviews and Conversations
Appellant contends the lower court erred in ruling that the audio-taped interviews and
conversations would not be played in their entirety during the Commonwealth's case-in-chief,
but rather directed the Appellant to play the rest of the audiotapes.
At trial, the Commonwealth sought to introduce audio-taped interviews and
conversations involving Appellant. N.T. 8/16/16, p. 194. The Court performed an in camera
review of the transcripts of said interviews and permitted the Commonwealth to introduce the
audio recording of pages thirty-eight (38) through sixty-five (65) of the 4:25 p.m. interview of
Appellant on August 30, 2015. N.T. 8/17/16, p. 3. The Court permitted introduction of said
portion because it included Appellant's account of the shooting of the victim, and was thus
admissible as relevant and probative. See StalIworth, supra. The remainder of the audio-taped
interviews of Appellant were either cumulative evidence, irrelevant, or included material which
was barred from admission by the Court's August 4, 2016 Motion in Limine Order. The portion
which the Court permitted the Commonwealth to introduce did not create amisleading
impression of Appellant's account of the shooting and did not turn Appellant's statement into an
admission of guilt. See Commonwealth's Ex. 227.
Therefore, the Court did not err by permitting the Commonwealth to play relevant
portions of audio-taped recordings of Appellant at trial.
b. Facebook Conversations
Appellant contends the lower court erred in ruling that the Commonwealth did not have
to introduce entire Facebook conversations during the Commonwealth case-in-chief, but rather,
directed that the Appellant could inquire as to the complete conversations.
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At trial, the Commonwealth introduced apost from the victim's Facebook page, which
included aconversation through comments on said post. N.T. 8/17/16, pp. 17, 36.-
Commonwealth's Ex. 136. Appellant's counsel argued the Commonwealth did not introduce the
entire conversation, and in response the Commonwealth stated it introduced the complete
conversation of the relevant post. Id. at p. 18. The Court ruled that Appellant's counsel could
inquire as to the completeness of the conversation on cross-examination. Id.
A review of the Facebook post and comments which were published to the jury shows
that the complete conversation was introduced at trial. See Commonwealth's Ex. 136. Therefore,
the Court did not err because the entirety of the relevant Facebook conversation was introduced.
VI. Appellant's Testimonv Regarding Commonwealth's Exhibits
Appellant contends the lower court erred in not allowing Appellant to testify as to
exhibits that had been identified by Commonwealth witnesses during the Commonwealth's case-
in-chief.
At trial, Appellant began to testify as to the victim's pain medication use. N.T. 8/19/16, p.
160. The Commonwealth objected to Appellant testifying about the victim's pain medication
use, due to its irrelevance. Id. at pp. 160-61. Appellant's counsel argued that because evidence
was entered during the Commonwealth's case- in-chief which included reference to pain
medications taken by the victim, said testimony was permitted. Id. at p.161-62. The Court ruled
that Appellant could testify as to how the victim's use of the pain medication caused her to
become violent or placed him in fear of her. Id. at p.163.
The Court properly barred Appellant from testifying as to any irrelevant and inadmissible
material included in the Commonwealth's evidence. The admission of the Commonwealth's
evidence for the relevant portion of said evidence does not grant Appellant carte blanche to
testify as to any and all irrelevant and inadmissible portions of said evidence. Therefore, the
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Court properly barred Appellant from testifying as to irrelevant and inadmissible portions of the
Commonwealth's exhibits.
VII. Testimonv of Appellant's Civil Attorney
The attorney- client privilege provides as follows:
In acivil matter counsel shall not be competent or permitted to testify to
confidential communications made to him by his client, nor shall the client be
compelled to disclose the same, unless in either case this privilege is waived upon
trial by the client.
42 Pa.C.S. § 5928. The attorney- client privilege is intended to foster candid communications
between legal counsel and the client so that counsel can provide legal advice based upon the
most complete information possible from the client. Commonwealth v. Chmiel, 738 A.2d 406(Pa. 1999); Joe v. Prison Health Sens.. Inc., 782 A.2d 24, 31 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2001). Application of
the privilege requires confidential communications made in connection with providing legal
services. Commonwealth v. duPont, 730 A.2d 970 (Pa. Super. 1999), appeal denied, 749 A.2d
466 ( Pa. 2000). Once the attorney-client communications have been disclosed to athird party,
the privilege is deemed waived. Joe. supra. The party asserting the privilege has the initial
burden to prove that it is properly invoked, and the party seeking to overcome the privilege has
the burden to prove an applicable exception to the privilege. Jovner v. Southeastern Pennsvlvania
Transportation Authoritv. 736 A.2d 35 (Pa. Cmwlth. 1999).
In the case at bar, Appellant contends the lower court erred in allowing Appellant's civil
attorney to testify regarding matters that the civil attorney would only have known through
attorney- client privilege.
At trial, the Commonwealth called to the stand the estate planning attorney of Appellant
and the victim. The Court ruled that the attorney could only testify as to documents which had
been filed as apublic record. N.T. 8/17/16, p. 179. Further, the Court instructed the attorney to
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raise the attorney-client privilege if he felt he had an ethical obligation to do so. Id. Appellant's
counsel argued attorney-client privilege still attached to the publically filed documents because
the information contained in said documents was garnered through the attorney's conversations
with Appellant. Id. at p. 166-67.
Appellant failed to properly invoke the attorney- client privilege. Specifically, Appellant
failed to establish how awaiver of attorney-client privilege would not occur in relation to
documents which were filed as apublic record. See Joe, supra (disclosure to third party waives
privilege). Therefore, the Court properly permitted the estate planning attorney to testify in
regards to documents which were filed as apublic record.
For the foregoing reasons, the Court respectfully requests that its rulings remain
undisturbed.
Date: January 3, 2017
Jonathan D. Grine, Judge
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