Com. v. Lowe, R. ( 2022 )

J-S24023-22
NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
: PENNSYLVANIA
:
v. :
:
:
RICKY LOWE :
:
Appellant : No. 1418 EDA 2020
Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence Entered June 26, 2020
In the Court of Common Pleas of Chester County Criminal Division at
No(s): CP-15-CR-0000513-2019
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
: PENNSYLVANIA
:
v. :
:
:
RICKY LOWE :
:
Appellant : No. 1419 EDA 2020
Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence Entered June 26, 2020
In the Court of Common Pleas of Chester County Criminal Division at
No(s): CP-15-CR-0000517-2019
BEFORE: PANELLA, P.J., LAZARUS, J., and PELLEGRINI, J.*
MEMORANDUM BY LAZARUS, J.: FILED DECEMBER 6, 2022
Ricky Lowe appeals1 from the judgments of sentence, entered in the
Court of Common Pleas of Chester County, following his convictions, at docket
____________________________________________
* Retired Senior Judge assigned to the Superior Court.
1Lowe has filed separate notices of appeal in accordance with Pa.R.A.P. 341,
and our Supreme Court’s decision in Commonwealth v. Walker, 195 A.3d
(Footnote Continued Next Page)
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No. 513-2019, of drug delivery resulting in death (DDRD),2 criminal use of a
communication facility (CUCF),3 possession with intent to deliver (PWID),4
possession of a controlled substance,5 and, at docket No. 517-2019, PWID,
and possession of a controlled substance. After careful review, we affirm.
On November 2, 2018, at approximately 7:00 a.m., Alanna Holt’s
parents discovered Holt slumped over at the foot of her bed, unresponsive.
The parents called 9-1-1 but, after medical treatment, Holt was pronounced
dead at 7:42 a.m. Police also responded to the 911 call. While present, the
police discovered drugs and drug paraphernalia, including prescription bottles,
a nasal syringe, and a substance suspected to be heroin.6
Detective Robert Bostick of the Tredyffrin Township Police Department
examined Holt’s unlocked iPhone and saw text messages between Holt and an
unknown individual with a cell phone number ending in 9597 (Number 9597).
Holt had arranged to purchase drugs from Number 9597. Number 9597 was
____________________________________________
969 (Pa. 2018). Additionally, both appeals raise identical claims, were
consolidated in the trial court, and, for purposes of our disposition, we have
consolidated the appeals sua sponte. See Pa.R.A.P. 513.
2 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 2506(a).
3 Id. at § 7512(a).
4 35 P.S. § 780-113(a)(30).
5 Id. at § 780-113(a)(16).
6 Subsequent laboratory testing revealed the substance was 3-methylfentanyl,
a schedule 1 narcotic. See 35 P.S. 780-104 (1)(ii)(23)(I). Additionally,
laboratory testing revealed that Holt had died from using 3-methylfentanyl.
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saved in Holt’s phone as “Jon-2 Tindr Cute Big Dog.” On November 2, 2018,
at approximately 4:08 a.m., Holt received a text message from Number 9597
stating “it’s there.”
Detective Bostick began texting Number 9597 as Holt to arrange
another drug deal. Detective Bostick and Number 9597 agreed to a drug drop
on November 8, 2018. Detective Bostick placed counterfeit money inside of
the mailbox at Holt’s parents’ house. At approximately 6:40 p.m., a dark
colored vehicle stopped in front of the mailbox and turned off its headlights.
A male exited the vehicle and approached the mailbox. He then returned to
his vehicle and began driving away. He turned the headlights back on a short
time later. As surveillance units followed the vehicle, Detective Bostick
confirmed that the counterfeit money had been taken and replaced with a
small plastic baggie containing a white powdery substance.7 Based upon this
information, the police stopped the vehicle and identified the driver as Lowe.
Lowe was placed under arrest and the vehicle was searched. Police recovered
a blue iPhone in the vehicle. Police confirmed that Number 9597 was
associated with the blue iPhone.8 The police also recovered a set of AirPods
that were linked, via Bluetooth, to the blue iPhone.
At some point during the investigation, Detective Bostick prepared a
report that purported to track Number 9597’s movement via cell tower.
____________________________________________
7 Subsequent laboratory tests revealed it to be 3-methylfentanyl.
8 Police discovered numerous text messages on the blue iPhone, which we
discuss with greater detail infra.
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Detective Bostick’s report indicated that Number 9597 did not ping off of any
cell towers in the Tredyffrin area. Detective Bostick concluded that this report
ultimately helped disprove the Commonwealth’s case and, subsequently,
destroyed it. This report was not provided to Lowe or his attorney, and they
did not become aware of it until trial. At trial, Lowe objected to the omission
of this report, pursuant to Brady.9 Ultimately, the trial court determined that
Detective Bostick’s report was not exculpatory, but, nevertheless, asked Lowe
if he wanted a mistrial based upon its omission. Lowe declined a mistrial and,
instead, asked for a missing evidence jury instruction.
Following the jury trial, Lowe was convicted as described above. The
trial court ordered the preparation of a pre-sentence investigation report (PSI)
and deferred sentencing. On June 26, 2020, the trial court conducted a
sentencing hearing. At No. 513-2019, the trial court sentenced Lowe to a
period of eight to twenty years in prison for his DDRD conviction, and a
consecutive sentence of one to two years for his CUCF conviction. At No. 513-
2019, the trial court sentenced Lowe to a consecutive period of five to ten
years’ imprisonment for his PWID conviction for an aggregate sentence of 14-
32 years’ incarceration.10
Lowe filed a timely post-sentence motion, which the trial court denied.
Lowe filed timely notices of appeal and court-ordered Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b)
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9 Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83 (1963).
10 Lowe received no further penalty at his remaining convictions.
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concise statements of matters complained of on appeal. Lowe now raises the
following claims for our review:
1. Whether the Commonwealth violated the dictates of Brady []
when [] the Commonwealth failed to preserve and disclose
exculpatory evidence to the [d]efense, specifically cell site data
showing that the cell phone with the number ending in 9597 was
not in Chester County at any point during the period surrounding
the decedent’s death, where the Commonwealth’s theory of the
case was that th[e] phone belonged to [Lowe], and that [Lowe]
was principally and exclusively responsible for delivering drugs
resulting in decedent’s death on November 2, 2018.
2. Whether the trial court abused its discretion and committed
reversible error in admitting [the Commonwealth’s] late-disclosed
expert[ ]testimony three days before trial . . . .
3. Whether the evidence presented against [Lowe] was sufficient
to sustain his convictions for [DDRD] and [PWID] on November 2,
2018, where the sole evidence against him [was] comprised of
unauthenticated text messages, and the Commonwealth’s own
witnesses testified that there was no evidence that [Lowe] was in
Chester County, let alone at decedent’s address[,] [] at any point
during the period surrounding decedent’s death.
4. Whether [Lowe]’s convictions for [DDRD] and [PWID] on
November 2, 2018[,] were against the weight of the evidence,
[where] there was no evidence that [Lowe] was in Chester
County, let alone at decedent’s address[,] [] at any point during
the period surrounding the decedent’s death, and the only way to
. . . tie [Lowe] to the crime[s] would have been through a theory
of accomplice liability, which the Commonwealth did not assert,
and was explicitly prohibited from pursuing mid-trial.
5. Whether the trial court abused its discretion in imposing a
manifestly unreasonable sentence.
Brief for Appellant, at 11-12.
In Lowe’s first claim, he raises two sub-issues, which we address
separately. In his first sub-issue, Lowe argues that Detective Bostick
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intentionally destroyed investigative evidence that demonstrated Lowe was
not in the area at the time the drugs were delivered to Holt. Brief for
Appellant, at 41-44. Lowe contends that Detective Bostick’s first report
indicated, based on Detective Bostick’s trial testimony, that the blue T-Mobile
phone did not ping off of any cell towers in the area and tended to disprove
the Commonwealth’s theory of the case. Id. As a result, Detective Bostick
destroyed his report. Id. Lowe contends that the Commonwealth failed to
provide him with the entirety of the T-Mobile data prior to trial. Id. He
acknowledges that the Commonwealth ultimately provided him with the entire
T-Mobile Excel sheet, but contends that the times shown in the T-Mobile data
support Detective Bostick’s original map, which tends to show that the blue
iPhone was in Philadelphia at 4:00 a.m. on November 2, 2018, not in
Tredyffrin Township. Id. Thus, Lowe asserts that Detective Bostick’s initial
report constitutes exculpatory evidence that was never disclosed to the
defense in violation of Brady. Id. at 43-44.
Our Supreme Court has explained that
in order to establish a Brady violation, a defendant must show
that: (1) the evidence was suppressed by the state, either willfully
or inadvertently; (2) the evidence was favorable to the defendant
either because it was exculpatory or because it could have been
used for impeachment; and (3) the evidence was material in that
its omission resulted in prejudice to the defendant. However, the
mere possibility that an item of undisclosed information might
have helped the defense, or might have affected the outcome of
the trial, does not establish materiality in the constitutional sense.
Rather, evidence is material only if there is a reasonable
probability that, had the evidence been disclosed to the defense,
the result of the proceeding would have been different. A
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reasonable probability is a probability sufficient to undermine
confidence in the outcome.
Commonwealth v. Williams, 168 A.3d 97, 109 (Pa. 2017) (citations,
quotation marks, and brackets omitted).
For clarity in addressing Lowe’s sub-issues, we provide the following
background of Detective Bostick’s testimony, Chester County Detective Kristin
Lund’s testimony, and the arguments made by counsel surrounding the T-
Mobile cell tower data. During Lowe’s cross-examination of Detective Bostick,
Detective Bostick testified that he had received GPS data for the blue iPhone
Number 9597 from T-Mobile. N.T. Jury Trial Volume 3, 3/4/20, at 103.
Detective Bostick testified that, on November 2, 2018, between the hours of
midnight and 4:00 a.m., the blue iPhone “was out of the immediate area of
Tredyffrin Township” and that it was in the Philadelphia area. Id. at 104.
Detective Bostick also testified that, upon receipt of the GPS data, he had
created a map on Google Maps, but did not save a copy of that map because
it was not consistent with the Commonwealth’s theory of the case. Id. at
103-12. Detective Bostick also stated that “the records indicate that the
phone wasn’t transmitting particular data at that time.” Id. at 107.
On redirect, Detective Bostick testified that cell phones connect to cell
towers that, in turn, collect data regarding those phones and their locations.
Id. at 111. Detective Bostick further explained that when an iPhone
communicates with another iPhone, a direct connection to a cell tower is
unnecessary and, rather, the iPhones communicate directly with each other.
Id. at 111-12. Detective Bostick testified that both Lowe and the victim had
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iPhones, which made it impossible to map out where the blue iPhone was
located, because it was not communicating with a cell tower between the
hours of midnight and 4:00 a.m. Id.Subsequent to Detective Bostick’s testimony, Lowe introduced four
pages of the T-Mobile cell phone records for the blue iPhone, which, upon
review, did not include the location data of the phone calls from Number 9597.
Id. at 103, 115, 123. The trial court ordered the Commonwealth to provide
the entirety of the cell tower data it had received from T-Mobile. Id. at 123.
Shortly thereafter, Lowe made an oral motion that the Commonwealth had
violated Brady and requested that either all T-Mobile data records be stricken,
or for additional time to review the T-Mobile data records. Id. at 123, 136.
Notably, the T-Mobile data records were recorded in Universal Time
Clock (UTC) time, which requires a conversion to show the time in a specific
time zone. Id. at 127. Regarding conversion to Eastern Daylight Time (EDT),
counsel disagreed as to whether 4 hours needed to be added or subtracted
from the UTC time to reflect an accurate time. Id. Lowe contended that 4
hours needed to be added to the UTC time and that doing so would show the
blue iPhone in Philadelphia at 4:00 a.m. on November 2, 2018. Id. at 124-
25. Based upon this interpretation, Lowe contended that the T-Mobile records
and Detective Bostick’s original map were exculpatory because, by adding 4
hours to UTC time, the text message to the victim “It’s there” was sent at
4:08 a.m. on November 2, 2018. Id. By contrast, the Commonwealth
contended that UTC time requires 4 hours to be subtracted, which placed the
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blue iPhone in Philadelphia at 2:44 a.m. Id. at 125-30. Under the
Commonwealth’s theory, there is no data shown between the hours of 2:44
a.m. and 8:27 a.m., when the cell tower data again showed the blue iPhone
in Philadelphia. Id. at 126.
Lowe countered that even if the phone records required 4 hours to be
subtracted, the evidence was exculpatory. Id. at 131. However, the trial
court disagreed and took judicial notice that the travel time via car from
Philadelphia to Tredyffrin was approximately 30-40 minutes. Id.Nevertheless, the trial court asked Lowe if he wanted a mistrial based upon
the Commonwealth’s failure to provide the complete T-Mobile data. Id. at
136. Lowe specifically stated he did not want a mistrial. Id. at 136, 141-42.
The trial court stated that it would give a missing evidence jury instruction.
Id. at 141-42. Ultimately, the trial court recessed for the remainder of the
day and permitted both parties to confer with experts regarding UTC time
conversions. Id. at 142; N.T. Jury Trial Volume 4, 3/5/20, at 2.
The Commonwealth indicated that it intended to call Detective Lund to
clarify the method of UTC time conversion. Id. at 11. Accordingly, the trial
court, outside the presence of the jury, permitted defense counsel to cross-
examine Detective Lund regarding her qualifications, testimony, and her
report on UTC time conversion. Id. at 11-27. Subsequently, Detective Lund
testified, before the jury, that UTC time conversion to EDT required 4 hours
to be subtracted. Id. at 40. Detective Lund explained that the T-Mobile
records showed the blue iPhone in Philadelphia at 6:44 a.m., UTC time. Id.
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at 44-45. Detective Lund stated that by subtracting 4 hours, the blue iPhone
was in Philadelphia at 2:44 a.m. EDT. Id. The next call placed by the blue
iPhone was at 12:27 p.m. UTC time, or 8:27 a.m. EDT. Id. at 46. The 8:27
a.m. call also placed the blue iPhone in Philadelphia. Id. Detective Lund
testified that there was no other data collected for the time period between
2:44 a.m. to 8:27 a.m. EDT on November 2, 2018, for the blue iPhone. Id.
at 47. Ultimately, when charging the jury, the trial court gave the missing
evidence jury instruction on the Commonwealth’s failure to produce
evidence.11 N.T. Jury Trial Volume 5, 3/6/20, at 77-78.
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11 The trial court stated as follows:
There was also some discussion about the cellphone location
records and map records. There was a question about what
weight[,] if any[,] you should give to the failure of the
Commonwealth to produce cellphone location records prior to and
during this trial.
If three factors are present and there’s no satisfactory explanation
for a party’s failure to produce an item, the jury is allowed to draw
a commonsense inference that . . . item would have been evidence
unfavorable to that party.
Three factors are necessary for that. First, the item was available
to that party, not the other. In this case its conceded that the
cellphone records were uniquely available to the Commonwealth.
Second, it appears that the item contains or shows special
information material to the issue.
And third, the item would not be merely cumulative evidence. In
this case the Commonwealth, the district attorney, had a legal
responsibility to disclose these records to the defense prior to trial,
and they failed to meet that responsibility.
(Footnote Continued Next Page)
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Based upon the above, we cannot conclude that Detective Bostick’s
original map was exculpatory. Importantly, Detective Bostick’s original map
was incorrect because he calculated UTC time conversion by adding 4 hours
rather than subtracting 4 hours. See N.T. Jury Trial Volume 3, 3/4/20, at
103-12; see also N.T. Jury Trial Volume 4, 3/5/20, at 11-27 (wherein
Detective Lund explained proper UTC time conversion). Additionally, we agree
with the trial court that Philadelphia is not so far from Tredyffrin as to make it
impossible for the blue iPhone to travel from Philadelphia at 2:44 a.m. and
arrive at Holt’s house by 4:08 a.m. See N.T. Jury Trial Volume 3, 3/4/20, at
131 (trial court explaining Tredyffrin is approximately 30 to 40 minutes by car
from Philadelphia); see also Trial Court Opinion, 11/1/21, at 7.12 Moreover,
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Therefore, if you find these three factors are present and there’s
no satisfactory explanation for the Commonwealth’s failure to
produce these records prior to and at this trial, you may infer, if
you choose to do so, that it may have been evidence unfavorable
to the Commonwealth.
Id. at 77-78.
12 Furthermore, to the extent that Lowe contends he is entitled to a new trial
based upon the Commonwealth’s initial failure to provide the full T-Mobile data
prior to trial, we conclude that such claim is waived. It is clear from the record
that the trial court specifically asked Lowe if he wanted a mistrial based upon
the Commonwealth’s failures to disclose evidence, exculpatory or not. See
N.T. Jury Trial Volume 3, 3/4/20, at 136, 141-42. Lowe declined the offer of
a mistrial and specifically stated he did not want one. Id. Rather, Lowe
acquiesced to the Commonwealth’s suggestion of presenting expert
testimony, via Detective Lund, regarding the UTC time conversion. See N.T.
Jury Trial Volume 3, 3/4/20, at 136, 141-42. Thus, to the extent Lowe seeks
a new trial based upon the Commonwealth’s failure to disclose the T-Mobile
(Footnote Continued Next Page)
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we emphasize that because Lowe and Holt both used cell phones, cell tower
pings are not solely dispositive of this issue in the instant case. As Detective
Bostick testified, iPhones utilize an internal messaging service that can
circumvent the need for cell towers. See N.T. Jury Trial Volume 3, 3/4/20, at
111-13, 125-30 (wherein Detective Bostick testified regarding iPhone internal
messaging services and that iPhone-to-iPhone communications do not
necessarily utilize cell towers). Accordingly, Lowe is not entitled to relief on
his first sub-issue.
In Lowe’s second sub-issue, he asserts that even if there was not a
Brady violation, the trial court erred in admitting the text messages because
they were not properly authenticated and were, therefore, hearsay evidence
that did not fall under an exception. Brief for Appellant, at 44-53. Lowe
contends that the Commonwealth presented no direct evidence that Lowe
owned or used the blue T-mobile phone. Id. at 50-53. Lowe acknowledges
that the Commonwealth may authenticate text messages by wholly
circumstantial evidence, but nevertheless contends that the Commonwealth’s
circumstantial evidence was insufficient to establish Lowe’s use or ownership
of the phone. Id. Additionally, Lowe contends that the unauthenticated text
messages are necessarily hearsay without an exception that the trial court
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data prior to trial, we conclude this claim is waived. See Pa.R.A.P. 302(a)
(issues not raised before trial court waived on appeal); see also
Commonwealth v. Hannibal, 156 A.3d 197, 209-10 (Pa. 2016) (Brady
claims subject to waiver).
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erred in admitting and that the errors amount to reversible error. Id. at 54-
56.
We adhere to the following standard of review:
The admissibility of evidence is a matter within the sound
discretion of the trial court and will be reversed only where there
is a clear abuse of discretion. . . . Evidence is admissible if it is
relevant—that is, if it tends to establish a material fact, makes a
fact at issue more or less probable, or supports a reasonable
inference supporting a material fact—and its probative value
outweighs the likelihood of unfair prejudice.
Commonwealth v. Clemons, 200 A.3d 441, 475 (Pa. 2019) (citations
omitted).
Pennsylvania Rule of Evidence 901 requires that, for electronic
communications, authentication is required prior to admission of evidence.
See Commonwealth v. Talley, 235 A.3d 42, 59 (Pa. Super. 2020). Rule
901 provides, in relevant part, as follows:
(a) In General. Unless stipulated, to satisfy the requirement of
authenticating or identifying an item of evidence, the
proponent must produce evidence sufficient to support a finding
that the item is what the proponent claims it is.
(b) Examples. The following are examples only--not a complete
list--of evidence that satisfies the requirement:
* * *
(11) Digital Evidence. To connect digital evidence with a
person or entity:
* * *
(B) circumstantial evidence such as:
(i) identifying content; or
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(ii) proof of ownership, possession, control, or
access to a device or account at a relevant time
when corroborated by circumstances
indicating authorship.
* * *
Pa.R.E. 901(b)(11) . . . “Digital evidence,” as used in this rule, is
intended to include a communication, statement, or image
existing in an electronic medium. This includes emails, text
messages, social media postings, and images. The rule
illustrates the manner in which digital evidence may be attributed
to the author.
The proponent of digital evidence is not required to prove that no
one else could be the author. Rather, the proponent must
produce sufficient evidence to support a finding that a
particular person or entity was the author. []
* * *
Circumstantial evidence of identifying content under Pa.R.E.
901(b)(11)(B)(i) may include self-identification or other
distinctive characteristic, including a display of knowledge only
possessed by the author. Circumstantial evidence of content may
be sufficient to connect the digital evidence to its author.
Circumstantial evidence of ownership, possession, control, or
access to a device or account alone is insufficient for
authentication of authorship of digital evidence under Pa.R.E.
901(b)(11)(B)(ii). . . . However, this evidence is probative in
combination with other evidence of the author’s identity.
Pa.R.E. 901(a), (b)(11)(i-ii), cmt (emphasis added).
“[A]uthentication of electronic communications, like documents,
requires more than mere confirmation that the number or address belonged
to a particular person[.]” Commonwealth v. Mosley, 114 A.3d 1072, 1081
(Pa. Super. 2015). Generally, evidence that the cell phone on which the text
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messages appear belongs to the defendant and was in his possession in close
temporal proximity to the time of the messages, coupled with an absence of
evidence that others used that phone, and some content on the cell phone
that is consistent with evidence concerning the defendant, is sufficient to
authenticate messages as having been sent by the defendant. See
Commonwealth v. Bowens, 265 A.3d 730, 746 (Pa. Super. 2021) (en
banc).
We observe that there are several sets of text messages at issue that
span from approximately October 15, 2018 to November 8, 2018. On October
15, 2018, Number 9597 sent a text message to Holt’s phone that stated, “Yo
Lana,” to which Holt responded, “Yo! This Fresh?” See Commonwealth Exhibit
1. Number 9597 goes on to identify itself as “Fresh” and says that he had
just recently been released from prison. See id. “Fresh” then states “I’m
given out all str8 hammer for the next two three weeks str8 just to get my
phone back how its spose to b cuz I don’t know wat my yungin was given
people while I was booked so get it while u can if u want something k.” Id.The Commonwealth presented, to the trial court, Ricky Lowe’s docket sheets
that detailed his release from Delaware County Prison on October 3, 2018.
See Commonwealth Exhibit 2.
Subsequently, on October 19, 2018, Holt responded “Shit man that
sucks … You got Facebook or something that I can message you on? I don’t
wanna be textin.” See Commonwealth Exhibit 9. “Fresh” states that his name
on Facebook is “Ricky Lowe.” See id. During the course of Detective Bostick’s
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investigation, he went to Ricky Lowe’s Facebook profile page. The
Commonwealth introduced Exhibits 10A and 10B, which, respectively, are a
photograph of Ricky Lowe in high school and his Facebook profile picture. See
Commonwealth Exhibits 10A, 10B. The Commonwealth also introduced
various Facebook communications in which the “Ricky Lowe” profile referred
to itself as “Fresh.” See Commonwealth Exhibits 11, 12.
On November 1, 2018, Holt messaged “Fresh” and asked to arrange an
exchange of drugs later that evening. See Commonwealth Exhibit 8. Holt
told “Fresh” that she would put the “stuff in the mailbox in like 20 min.” Id.On November 2, 2018, in the early morning Holt again messaged “Fresh” and
provided him with an address. See id. “Fresh” then responded, “It’s there.”
See Commonwealth Exhibit 12.
Additionally, on November 1, 2018, Number 9597 texted to a different
phone number “[o]nly way I could is if u came down cuz I got court in the
a.m.” See Commonwealth Exhibit 4. Number 9597 elaborated that he was
currently on West Stiles Street and discussed going to sleep early so that he
could be on time for court the next day. Id. Commonwealth Exhibit 4 details
additional conversations regarding Number 9597’s court dates. See id.At trial, the Commonwealth introduced Commonwealth Exhibit 5, which
was a subpoena, signed by Ricky Lowe, that shows Ricky Lowe appeared in
the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas on November 2, 2018, at 11:06 a.m.
See Commonwealth Exhibit 5. Relevantly, on November 2, 2018, at 11:04
a.m., Number 9597 sent an outgoing text message stating, “I’m bouta b
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leaving in a sec got another court day tho.” See id. The subpoena also lists
Lowe’s address as West Stiles Street in Philadelphia. Id. Lowe told detectives
that his address was on Stiles Street in Philadelphia. See Commonwealth
Exhibit 6.
At some point in the early morning of November 2, 2018, Holt passed
away from overdosing on drugs. At approximately 12:0 p.m. EDT that same
day, Detective Bostick began using Holt’s phone to text “Fresh” at Number
9597. See id.; see also N.T. Jury Trial Volume 1, 3/02/20, at 203-04. On
November 7, 2018, Detective Bostick asked if “Fresh” could “come this way
tomorrow” and bring the same thing as last time. See Commonwealth Exhibit
12. “Fresh” responds affirmatively, and Detective Bostick and “Fresh”
discussed payment in pills. Id.On November 8, 2018, Detective Bostick and “Fresh” resumed texting
and discussed what types of pills Detective Bostick was using to pay. See
Commonwealth Exhibits 8, 12. Based upon the amount and type of pills
Detective Bostick offered, “Fresh” responded that he will “put some extra in
there.” Id. Detective Bostick informed “Fresh” that the payment was in the
mailbox. Id. Subsequently, the police observe a vehicle drive up to the
mailbox, and then drive away. After stopping and searching the vehicle, the
officers identified the driver as Ricky Lowe, who was in possession of the blue
iPhone linked to Number 9597.
In conclusion, it is clear from our review that the Commonwealth
authenticated the above-described text messages as having been authored by
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Ricky Lowe. We note that it appears someone else was using Number 9597
prior to October 3, 2018; however, on October 15, 2018, the individual
utilizing Number 9597 begins referring to themselves as “Fresh.” See
Commonwealth Exhibit 1. “Fresh” explained that he had been out of touch
due to a recent incarceration. See id. The Commonwealth presented
evidence that Ricky Lowe had recently been released from prison. See
Commonwealth Exhibit 2. Additionally, “Fresh” explained that he has a
Facebook page under the name “Ricky Lowe.” See Commonwealth Exhibit 9.
The Commonwealth presented photographs taken from the “Ricky Lowe”
Facebook profile, which were later used to identify Lowe as the defendant.
See Commonwealth Exhibit 10A; Commonwealth Exhibit 10B. Furthermore,
in various communications on his Facebook page, Ricky Lowe identified
himself as “Fresh.” See Commonwealth Exhibit 11; Commonwealth Exhibit
12. “Fresh” then discussed the drug deals with Holt, and confirmed that he
dropped off drugs in the mailbox of Holt’s home in the early morning of
November 2, 2018. See Commonwealth Exhibit 4. Number 9597 went on to
text other phone numbers and detailed that he has a court date in the morning
of November 2, 2018, which Lowe appeared for, and signed a subpoena. See
id.; Commonwealth Exhibit 5. Mere minutes before signing that subpoena,
Number 9597 texted another number that he was almost done at court, but
had another court date coming up. See Commonwealth Exhibit 5. The
Commonwealth presented the signed and dated subpoena to the trial court.
See id. That same subpoena details Lowe’s address as West Stiles Street,
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which matches what he told detectives in his interview. See id.; see also
Commonwealth Exhibit 6. Additionally, in the text messages exchanged
between Detective Bostick and “Fresh,” “Fresh” did not ask what amount of
drugs to deliver, what type of drugs to deliver, and did not ask where the
drugs needed to be delivered, which tends to show that “Fresh” was familiar
with delivering drugs to Holt. See Commonwealth Exhibit 8; Commonwealth
Exhibit 12; see also N.T. Jury Trial Volume 1, 3/02/20, at 204-05; id.,3/04/20, at 48. Ultimately, the police recovered the blue iPhone associated
to Number 9597 in Lowe’s possession.
Based upon the foregoing, we conclude that the Commonwealth
properly authenticated the text messages, via circumstantial evidence, and
that the trial court did not err in admitting the messages into evidence. See
Bowen, supra; Mosley, supra; see also Pa.R.Crim.P. 901. Moreover, we
conclude that because the text messages were properly authenticated, Lowe’s
hearsay challenge is of no moment. See Talley, supra; see also
Commonwealth v. Koch, 39 A.3d 996, 1006 (Pa. Super. 2011)
(authentication is prerequisite to admissibility; where text messages properly
authenticated, text messages subject to party opponent hearsay exception).
Accordingly, Lowe is entitled to no relief on this claim.
In Lowe’s second issue, he asserts that the trial court erred in denying
his motion in limine seeking to exclude the Commonwealth’s late-disclosed
expert opinion. Brief for Appellant, at 56-59. Lowe argues that the expert
testimony from Detective Zachary Moyer, which established that AirPods can
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only be Bluetooth-connected to one iPhone at a time, was wholly irrelevant
and unfairly prejudicial.13 Id. In particular, Lowe argues that the testimony
could only establish that his AirPods were connected to the blue T-mobile
iPhone on November 8, 2018, when the police arrested him, but not on
November 2, 2018, when the drugs resulting in decedent’s death were
delivered. Id.We observe that this challenge is waived because Lowe did not make
this objection before the trial court. Our review reveals that Lowe objected to
Detective Moyer’s testimony because he “d[idn’]t have any way of either
evaluating or contesting that evidence . . . I have no idea how [Detective
Moyer] came to that conclusion.” N.T. Jury Trial Volume 1, 3/2/20, at 51. In
response, the trial court agreed that the Commonwealth disclosed Detective
Moyer’s testimony late and offered Lowe either a continuance or a hearing
outside the presence of the jury regarding Detective Moyer’s credentials and
expert testimony. Id. at 53-54. Lowe declined a postponement and opted to
take the trial court’s second suggestion. Id. at 54-56.
Based upon our review of the record Lowe did not object to Detective
Moyer’s testimony on the basis of relevance, jury confusion, or prejudice,
which he now does for the first time on appeal. Additionally, Lowe does not
direct us to anywhere in the record where he preserved this claim. It is well-
____________________________________________
13Relevantly, in an attempt to prove Lowe’s ownership of the blue iPhone, the
Commonwealth sought to introduce Detective Moyer’s testimony regarding
the AirPods to demonstrate that AirPods can only be connected to a single
iPhone at a time.
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settled that claims cannot be raised for the first time on appeal. See Pa.R.A.P.
302(a) (issues not raised before trial court are waived on appeal); see also
Commonwealth v. Williams, 900 A.2d 906, 909 (Pa. Super. 2006)
(“[I]ncluding an issue in a [Rule 1925(b) statement] does not revive issues
that were waived in earlier proceedings.”). Accordingly, we conclude that
Lowe has waived this challenge.
In his third issue, Lowe argues that the evidence was insufficient to
convict him of DDRD. Brief for Appellant, at 59-64. In particular, Lowe argues
that the Commonwealth failed to prove that Lowe had the requisite mens rea
because it relied on the Commonwealth’s assertion that Lowe “knew
decedent’s exact order.” Id. at 62-63. Lowe argues that if he “knew” her
order, “then it is impossible to also find recklessness around causing her
death; if [Lowe] gave her the same product every time, there is no reason
[for Lowe] to believe that she would have died this time.” Id. at 63. Lowe
further contends that the Commonwealth’s witnesses explained that decedent
“likely” had a tolerance to fentanyl, and therefore improperly concluded that
it caused her death. Id. at 63-64.
Lowe challenges the sufficiency of the evidence, for which we adhere to
the following standard of review:
[W]hether[,] viewing all the evidence admitted at trial, in the light
most favorable to the verdict winner, there is sufficient evidence
to enable the fact-finder to find every element of the crime beyond
a reasonable doubt. In applying [the above] test, we may not [re-
]weigh the evidence and substitute our judgment for the fact-
finder. In addition, we note that the facts and circumstances
established by the Commonwealth need not preclude every
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possibility of innocence. Any doubts regarding a defendant’s guilt
may be resolved by the fact-finder unless the evidence is so weak
and inconclusive that[,] as a matter of law[,] no probability of fact
may be drawn from the combined circumstances. The
Commonwealth may sustain its burden of proving every element
of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt by means of wholly
circumstantial evidence. Moreover, in applying the above test,
the entire record must be evaluated[,] and all evidence received
must be considered. Finally, the [trier] of fact[,] while passing
upon the credibility of witnesses and the weight of the evidence
produced, is free to believe all, part[,] or none of the evidence.
Commonwealth v. Smith, 97 A.3d 782, 790 (Pa. Super. 2014) (citation
omitted).
The Crimes Code defines DDRD as follows:
§ 2506. Drug delivery resulting in death
(a) Offense defined.--A person commits a felony of the first
degree if the person intentionally administers, dispenses, delivers,
gives prescribes, sells or distributes any controlled substance or
counterfeit controlled substance in violation of section(a)(14) or
(30) or the . . . Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic
Act, and another person dies as a result of using the substance.
18 Pa.C.S.A. § 2506(a). The crime of DDRD “consists of two principal
elements: ‘(i) [i]ntentionally administering, dispensing, delivering, giving
prescribing, selling or distributing any controlled substance or counterfeit
controlled substance and (ii) death caused by (‘resulting from’) the use of that
drug.’” Commonwealth v. Kakhankham, 132 A.3d 986, 991-92 (Pa. Super.
2015). This Court has previously stated:
[T]he applicable mens rea for the crime of [DDRD] is two-fold.
First, the delivery, distribution or sale of the contraband must be
intentional. [Id. at 992.] Second[,] the actual death must be the
reckless result of the actions of the defendant. Id. at 995. As
such, the crime is an intentional act in providing contraband, with
a reckless disregard of death from the use of the contraband.
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Commonwealth v. Carr, 227 A.3d 11, 16-17 (Pa. Super. 2020).
Instantly, the trial court addressed this issue as follows:
Text messages from [the blue iPhone] clearly showed that the
user of that phone was the person who delivered the drugs. This
is shown by the text message stating, “it’s there,” and the text
message indicating that the person did not see anyone when the
drugs were delivered. The Commonwealth [introduced evidence]
that Number 9597 belonged to [Lowe] by introducing exhibits,
including pictures, docket sheets, court filings, maps, and social
media postings that [] linked [Lowe] to th[e] phone. Moreover,
the fact that the same, rare drugs were delivered to [the victim]’s
residence, were packed in the same way[,] and [] were delivered
in the same manner also leads to the conclusion that the same
person delivered the drugs both times. In addition, when
Detective Bostick set up the drug deal on November 8, 2018, he
did not tell the person he was communicating with what kind of
drugs he wanted or the amount he wanted. [Detective Bostick]
also did not give the person an address or directions on how to
get there, nor did he tell them where to leave the drugs. [Rather,
Detective Bostick] was intentionally vague so that the delivery on
November 8, 2018[,] would be consistent with the delivery on
November 2, 2018[.] The similarities between the two sales leads
to the conclusion that the same person was responsible for both
deliveries.
[Additionally, the Commonwealth introduced] a video of the
November 8, 2018 drug delivery [] at trial. A review of the video
makes it clear that [Lowe], who was caught re[d]-handed on
November 8, 2018, had been to [Holt’s residence] before and had
delivered drugs in the same manner previously.
Trial Court Opinion, 11/1/21, at 8-9.
Upon review of the record, we agree with the trial court that the
Commonwealth presented sufficient evidence to sustain Lowe’s conviction of
DDRD. See id.; see also Smith, supra. The Commonwealth’s evidence
pertaining to the text messages from the blue iPhone, proof of Lowe’s
authorship of those messages, and the similarities of details surrounding the
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November 2nd and 8th deliveries, combined to demonstrate that Lowe delivered
the substance to Holt, who ultimately died from its use. See Trial Court
Opinion, 11/1/21, at 8-9. Thus, the evidence demonstrated that Lowe
intentionally delivered a controlled substance, 3-methylfentanyl, to Holt, that
3-methylfentanyl caused her death, and that her death was the reckless result
of Lowe’s actions. See Carr, supra; see also Commonwealth v. Storey,
167 A.3d 750, 757-58 (Pa. Super. 2017) (dangers of heroin are so great and
well-known that sale of heroin itself is sufficient to satisfy recklessness
requirement when death occurs as result of sale); Commonwealth v.
Burton, 234 A.3d 824, 833 (Pa. Super. 2020) (finding sufficient evidence for
DDRD where defendant intentionally delivered fentanyl that caused victim’s
death). We conclude, similarly to Storey and Burton, that the dangers of
fentanyl are so great—even greater than those of heroin—that a sale of
fentanyl resulting in death must, likewise, satisfy the recklessness
requirement. See Storey, supra. Accordingly, Lowe is not entitled to relief
on this claim. See Smith, supra.
In his fourth issue, Lowe argues that his convictions are against the
weight of the evidence. Brief for Appellant, at 64-66. Lowe argues that his
conviction based on missing cell site data, decedent’s previous history of drug
use, and lack of evidence that Lowe actually delivered the drugs on November
2, 2018, must shock the conscience and mandate reversal. Id. at 65.
Additionally, Lowe argues that if he “acted in the manner alleged by the
Commonwealth, then he could not have recklessly caused her death.” Id.
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We conclude that Lowe has waived this claim for failure to raise it before
the trial court. See Pa.R.A.P. 302(a). It is well-settled that a weight claim
must be raised before the trial court, generally in a post-sentence motion or
orally on the record. See Pa.R.Crim.P. 607; see also Commonwealth v.
Sherwood, 982 A.2d 483, 494 (Pa. 2009) (appellant’s failure to raise weight
claim before trial court results in waiver). Instantly, Lowe’s weight claim
makes its first appearance in his Rule 1925(b) statement and, thus, it is
waived for our review.14 See Williams, 900 A.2d at 909.
In Lowe’s fifth claim, he challenges the discretionary aspects of his
sentence, from which there is no automatic right to appeal. See
Commonwealth v. Austin, 66 A.3d 798, 807-08 (Pa. Super. 2013). Rather,
when an appellant challenges the discretionary aspects of his sentence, we
must consider his brief on this issue as a petition for permission to appeal.
Commonwealth v. Yanoff, 690 A.2d 260, 267 (Pa. Super. 1997). Prior to
reaching the merits of a discretionary sentencing issue,
[this Court conducts] a four-part analysis to determine: (1)
whether appellant has filed a timely notice of appeal, see
Pa.R.A.P. 902 and 903; (2) whether the issue was properly
____________________________________________
14 Moreover, we note that even if Lowe had not waived this weight claim, his
brief merely re-argues his sufficiency claim, which we addressed above.
Sufficiency and weight claims are distinct and, thus, we would decline to
address his claim on this basis as well. See Commonwealth v. Widmer,
744 A.2d 745, 751-52 (Pa. 2000) (sufficiency of evidence claims are distinct
from weight of evidence claims; case explains differences between sufficiency
and weight challenges); see also Commonwealth v. Sexton, 222 A.3d 405,
416 (Pa. Super. 2019) (appellant waived challenge to weight of evidence
where appellant’s brief conflated weight and sufficiency claims and did not
otherwise develop weight claim).
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preserved at sentencing or in a motion to reconsider and modify
sentence, see Pa.R.Crim.P. [720]; (3) whether appellant’s brief
has a fatal defect, Pa.R.A.P. 2119(f); and (4) whether there is a
substantial question that the sentence appealed from is not
appropriate under the Sentencing Code, 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9781(b).
Commonwealth v. Moury, 992 A.2d 162, 170 (Pa. Super. 2010) (quotation
marks and some citations omitted).
Here, Lowe has filed a timely notice of appeal, post-sentence motion,
and properly included a Rule 2119(f) statement in his brief. Accordingly, we
must determine whether Lowe has raised a substantial question.
“We review an appellant’s Rule 2119(f) statement to determine whether
a substantial question exists.” Commonwealth v. Ahmad, 961 A.2d 884,
886-87 (Pa. Super. 2008). The determination of what constitutes a
substantial question must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Commonwealth v. Paul, 925 A.2d 825, 828 (Pa. Super. 2007). A substantial
question exists where an appellant sets forth a plausible argument that the
sentence violates a particular provision of the Sentencing Code or is contrary
to the fundamental norms underlying the sentencing process. Id. This Court
“cannot look beyond the statement of questions presented and the prefatory
[Rule] 2119(f) statement to determine whether a substantial question exists.”
Commonwealth v. Christine, 28 A.3d 1, 10 (Pa. Super. 2013).
It is well-settled that this Court does not accept bald assertions of
sentencing errors. See Commonwealth v. Malovich, 903 A.2d 1257, 1252
(Pa. Super. 2006). When we examine an appellant’s Rule 2119(f) statement
to determine whether a substantial question exists, “[o]ur inquiry must focus
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on the reasons for which the appeal is sought, in contrast to the facts
underlying the appeal, which are necessary only to decide the appeal on the
merits.” Ahmad, 961 A.2d at 886-87 (citation omitted). A Rule 2119(f)
statement is inadequate when it “contains incantations of statutory provisions
and pronouncements of conclusions of law[.]” Commonwealth v. Bullock,
868 A2.d 516, 528 (Pa. Super. 2005) (citation omits).
Instantly, Lowe’s Rule 2119(f) statement falls short of our requirements
and, accordingly, we conclude that Lowe has failed to present a substantial
question for our review. Lowe has presented five questions in his Rule 2119(f)
statement. We note that his first and third questions are duplicates, and his
second and fourth questions are duplicates. Further, Lowe’s Rule 2119(f)
statement presents little more than legal conclusions and bald assertions of
the trial court’s purported abuse of discretion. See Brief for Appellant, at 18-
19; see also Malovich, supra; Bullock, supra. Indeed, Lowe does not cite
to the Sentencing Code or the fentanyl sentencing guidelines to support a
challenge to his sentence. Nor does Lowe’s Rule 2119(f) statement discuss
what factor or factors the trial court allegedly did not consider. Brief for
Appellant, at 18-19. Additionally, we observe that Lowe’s final question fails
to raise a substantial question, because a general challenge to the concurrent
or consecutive nature of sentences does not, on its own, raise a substantial
question for this Court to review. See Commonwealth v. Lloyd, 878 A.2d
867, 873 (Pa. Super. 2005) (“[I]mposition of consecutive rather than
concurrent sentences lies within the sound discretion of the sentencing court,
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and a challenge to the imposition of consecutive sentences does not raise a
substantial question.”). Thus, we conclude that Lowe has waived his
challenges to the discretionary aspect of his sentence.15
Based upon the foregoing, Lowe is not entitled to relief on any of his
claims. Accordingly, we affirm Lowe’s judgment of sentence.
Judgments of sentence affirmed.
Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary
Date: 12/6/2022
____________________________________________
15 Moreover, even if Lowe had not waived his challenges or raised a substantial
question, we would afford him no relief. In addressing Lowe’s sentencing
claims, the trial court concluded that Lowe delivered 3-methylfentanyl to Holt
and Lowe knew he was delivering 3-methylfentanyl and, thus, properly
sentenced Lowe under the fentanyl sentencing guidelines. See Trial Court
Opinion, 11/1/21, at 13-14. Additionally, the trial court expressly stated that
it had considered the PSI. See N.T. Sentencing Hearing, 6/26/20, at 1-2, 33-
41 (trial court stating it considered PSI and detailing reasons for sentence);
Trial Court Opinion, 11/1/21, at 13; see also Commonwealth v. Devers,
546 A.2d 12, 18 (Pa. 1988) (where sentencing court considered PSI, it is
presumed court “[was] aware of relevant information regarding the
defendant’s character and weighed those considerations along with the
mitigating statutory factors”).
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