In the Interest of: B.Z.E. ( 2021 )

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NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
IN THE INTEREST OF: B.Z.E., A : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
MINOR : PENNSYLVANIA
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APPEAL OF: B.Z.E. :
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: No. 21 EDA 2020
Appeal from the Order Entered December 4, 2019
In the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County Juvenile Division at
No(s): CP-51-JV-0001650-2019
BEFORE: SHOGAN, J., LAZARUS, J., and STRASSBURGER, J.*
MEMORANDUM BY SHOGAN, J.: FILED FEBRUARY 10, 2021
Appellant, B.Z.E., appeals from the dispositional order1 entered on
December 4, 2019, in the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County. We
affirm.2
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* Retired Senior Judge assigned to the Superior Court.
1 “In juvenile proceedings, the final order from which a direct appeal may be
taken is the order of disposition, entered after the juvenile is adjudicated
delinquent. The order of disposition in a juvenile matter is akin to the
judgment of sentence in a criminal matter in that both are final orders subject
to appeal.” In Interest of P.S., 158 A.3d 643, 649 (Pa. Super. 2017)
(internal citations omitted).
2 This Court is not bound by the rationale of the lower court, and we may
affirm the trial court on any basis supported by the record. Commonwealth
v. Wilcox, 174 A.3d 670, 674 n.4 (Pa. Super. 2017).
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The juvenile court summarized the facts of the delinquent acts as
follows:
At the November 12, 2019[] hearing, Officer Mark Kimsey,
Badge # 2786, of the Philadelphia Police, testified on the Motion
to Suppress Physical Evidence. He testified that on September
21, 2019, he and his partner, Officer Gibson,[3] Badge # 2009,
were in uniform and in a marked police vehicle on routine patrol
southbound on Broad Street when they observed a white Nissan
proceeding northbound on Broad Street with four (4) males inside
the vehicle.
One of the males who was seated in the front passenger
seat matched the description of an individual wanted for several
armed carjackings. Police Officer Kimsey identified [Appellant,
who was sixteen years old,] as the front seat passenger. The
police officers made a U-turn and started following the white
Nissan. Officer Kimsey observed the white Nissan turn right onto
Hunting Park Avenue. The white Nissan disregarded red traffic
signals at the intersections of Hunting Park Avenue and Old York
Road and Hunting Park Avenue and Ninth Street. The white
Nissan continued east on Hunting Park Avenue and made a left
turn onto northbound Fifth Street continuing until it stopped for a
traffic signal at the intersection of Fifth and Bristol Streets. The
police officers pulled up directly behind the white Nissan and
activated the emergency lights. Officer Kimsey observed damage
to the body on the white Nissan. Officer Kimsey noted that body
damage was a tactic of carjackings in the area. When the traffic
light turned green, the white Nissan crossed over Bristol Street
and pulled over to the right and stopped. Officer Kimsey described
the area from Broad Street at Hunting Park Avenue to the
intersection of Fifth and Bristol Street as a high crime area noted
for carjackings, shootings and drug sales.
Officer Kimsey and his partner then approached the white
Nissan to speak with the driver of the vehicle as to why the vehicle
was stopped. Upon approaching the vehicle, Officer Kimsey
smelled unburnt marijuana. Officer Gibson frisked [Appellant] for
his safety and found a firearm under the right front seat. Another
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3 Officer Gibson’s given name is not identified in the record.
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firearm was recovered from the glovebox[,] and a ski mask was
recovered from the pocket panel of the right front passenger door.
Juvenile Court Opinion, 6/29/20, at 3–4.
The juvenile court summarized the procedural history as follows:
As a result of an arrest that occurred on September 21,
2019, [Appellant] was arrested on charges of Carrying a Firearm
without a License, 18 [Pa.C.S.] § 6106([a])(1), (F-3), Possession
of a Firearm by a Minor, 18 [Pa.C.S.] § 6110[.1(a)], (M1) and
Carrying a Firearm in Philadelphia, 18 [Pa.C.S.] § 6108, (M1).
In the Delinquency Petition filed in the Philadelphia County
Court of Common Pleas on September 21, 2019, the
Commonwealth alleged that:
On September 21, 2019, at or near the 4400 block of
North 5th Street, Philadelphia, [Appellant] possessed
a firearm while being prohibited from doing so and
carried a firearm without a license and on the public
streets of Philadelphia.
On November 12, 2019, at the Adjudicatory Hearing,
[Appellant] appeared before the [c]ourt. The [c]ourt denied
[Appellant’s] Motion to Suppress Physical Evidence[,] and he was
found guilty of all charges. The [c]ourt adjudicated [Appellant]
delinquent and ordered that Appellant be held at the Philadelphia
Juvenile Justice Center (PJJC). The matter was continued until
December 4, 2019, for a Dispositional Hearing.
On December 4, 2019, the [c]ourt ordered that [Appellant]
be placed in a Residential Treatment Facility at the Pennsylvania
State Department of Public Welfare. The matter was continued
until December 17, 2019, for a Status of Transfer Hearing.
On December 17, 2019, the [c]ourt was advised that
transport was pending. The matter was continued until January
8, 2020, for a Status of Transfer Hearing.
On December 23, 2019, [Appellant’s] prior attorney, Denise
J. Mignucci, Esquire, filed a timely Notice of Appeal, and requested
the Notes of Testimony from the Court Reporter. [Appellant’s]
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Counsel also filed a Petition for Leave to Withdraw as Counsel for
[Appellant].
On December 23, 2019, [Appellant’s] prior attorney, Denise
J. Mignucci, Esquire, filed a Preliminary Statement of Errors
Complained of on Appeal.
On January 6, 2020, the [c]ourt entered an order directing
[Appellant] to file a Statement of Errors Complained of on Appeal
pursuant to Pa. R.A.P. 1925(b) within twenty-one (21) days. The
[c]ourt also entered an Order permitting Denise J. Mignucci,
Esquire, to withdraw as [Appellant’s] counsel. Gary Server,
Esquire, was thereafter appointed to represent [Appellant].
On January 13, 2020, the [c]ourt entered an Order vacating
its order of January 6, 2020, and permitted [Appellant’s] counsel,
Gary Server, Esquire, to file a Supplemental Statement of Errors
Complained of on Appeal upon receipt of the notes of testimony.
On January 29, 2020, [Appellant’s] new counsel, Gary
Server, Esquire, filed a Supplemental Statement of Errors
Complained of on Appeal.
Juvenile Court Opinion, 6/29/20, at 1–3.
Appellant raises the following issue, which was the single issue he raised
in his Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b) statement: “Did the [c]ourt err where it failed to
suppress the evidence of weapons found during a warrantless and
nonconsensual search of a vehicle in which [Appellant] was a passenger?”
Appellant’s Brief at 6.
The standard of review an appellate court applies when considering an
order denying a suppression motion is well established:
In evaluating a suppression ruling, we consider the evidence
of the Commonwealth, as the prevailing party below, and any
evidence of the defendant that is uncontradicted when examined
in the context of the record. Commonwealth v. Sanders, 42
A.3d 325, 330 (Pa. Super. 2012). This Court is bound by the
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factual findings of the suppression court where the record
supports those findings and may only reverse when the legal
conclusions drawn from those facts are in error. Id.Commonwealth v. Haynes, 116 A.3d 640, 644 (Pa. Super. 2015).
Additionally, we may consider only the evidence presented at the suppression
hearing. In re L.J., 79 A.3d 1073, 1085–1087 (Pa. 2013).
On appeal, Appellant concedes that Officer Kimsey “had the reasonable
suspicion necessary to stop the vehicle . . . .” Appellant’s Brief at 15. He
asserts, however, that the officers lacked probable cause to search the car.
Id. at 17, 19.
There are three categories of interactions between private citizens and
the police. Interest of A.A., 195 A.3d 896, 904 (Pa. 2018). “A ‘mere
encounter’ does not require any level of suspicion or carry any official
compulsion to stop or respond ... an ‘investigative detention’ permits the
temporary detention of an individual if supported by reasonable suspicion ...
and an arrest or custodial detention ... must be supported by probable cause.”
Id.Here, we are initially concerned with an investigative detention.
To maintain constitutional validity, an investigative detention
must be supported by a reasonable and articulable suspicion that
the person seized is engaged in criminal activity and may continue
only so long as is necessary to confirm or dispel such suspicion.
Commonwealth v. Strickler, 563 Pa. 47, 757 A.2d 884, 889
(2000). The asserted grounds for an investigative detention must
be evaluated under the totality of the circumstances. See United
States v. Cortez, 449 U.S. 411, 417-18, 101 S.Ct. 690, 66
L.Ed.2d 621 (1981). So long as the initial detention is lawful,
nothing precludes a police officer from acting upon the fortuitous
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discovery of evidence suggesting a different crime than that
initially suspected—such as the odor of alcohol on the breath of a
driver . . . . However, an unjustified seizure immediately violates
the Fourth Amendment rights of the suspect, taints the evidence
recovered thereby and subjects that evidence to the exclusionary
rule. See, e.g., [Commonwealth v.] Melendez, 676 A.2d
[226,] 229–230 [(Pa. 1996)].
Commonwealth v. Hicks, 208 A.3d 916, 927–928 (Pa. 2019), cert. denied
sub nom., Pennsylvania v. Hicks, 19-426, 2019 WL 6689877 (U.S. Dec. 9,
2019).
Officer Kimsey stopped the Nissan that went through two red lights at
midnight in Philadelphia. N.T., 11/12/19, at 7. See Commonwealth v.
Scarborough, 89 A.3d 679, 684–685 (Pa. Super. 2014) (night-time stop
increases risk to officers). The stop was in a high-crime area known for many
recent armed carjackings. N.T., 11/12/19, at 15. Scarborough, 89 A.3d at684–685 (a stop in a high-crime area increases risk to officers). Appellant
matched the description of a suspect wanted for multiple armed carjackings
in the area. N.T., 11/12/19, at 12. The vehicle had rear body damage, a
potential signal that the car had been stolen in a carjacking. Id. at 10. There
were two officers present, but four passengers in the stopped vehicle.
Commonwealth v. Mack, 953 A.2d 587, 591 (Pa. Super. 2008) (whether an
officer is outnumbered is a factor in determining an officer’s risk). The
combination of all of this information gave officers reasonable suspicion that
there might be a firearm in the automobile that could pose a risk; indeed,
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officers found guns under Appellant’s seat and in the glove compartment.
N.T., 11/12/19, at 11, 16.
We agree with the juvenile court that Appellant’s suppression motion
properly was denied. Officer Kimsey testified police initially stopped the white
Nissan for “a motor vehicle violation.” N.T., 11/12/19, at 16. Police observed
the car run two red lights shortly after midnight. Id. at 7, 8 (“[W]e were able
to see the vehicle run the red light at Old York Road . . . on Hunting Park” and
“the red light at 9th and Hunting Park Ave.”). Police stopped the automobile
in a high crime area known for “several recent carjackings,” “gun[-]point
vehicle thefts,” and “narcotics” and “gunshot calls.” Id. at 15–16. Officer
Kimsey testified that Appellant matched the flash description broadcast the
day prior relating to a recent carjacking. Id. at 12. Moreover, the officer
testified that the Nissan “had damages consistent with other carjackings that
we’ve been involved with.” Id. There were four passengers in the stopped
Nissan and only two police officers.
Officer Kimsey frisked the driver of the vehicle; also for officer safety,
Officer Gibson frisked Appellant and located a firearm under the front
passenger seat and then ultimately, another firearm in the glove box. Id. at
11. This weapon sweep constituted an investigative detention governed by
Terry v. Ohio, 392 U.S. 1, 30 (1968).
“A Terry search, unlike a search without a warrant incident to a
lawful arrest, is not justified by any need to prevent the
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disappearance or destruction of evidence of crime.[4] The sole
justification of the search is the protection of police officers and
others nearby.” [Michigan v. Long, 463 U.S. 1032, 150 n.14
(1983)] (citation and quotation omitted). The Court stated that
an officer must therefore have reasonable suspicion that the
person subject to the stop has a weapon in order to conduct a
lawful search of the passenger compartment of a vehicle at the
time of the stop. Id.Commonwealth v. Cartagena, 63 A.3d 294, 299 (Pa. Super. 2013) (en
banc) (footnotes omitted). “An officer may conduct a Terry [search] for
weapons if a reasonably prudent man in the circumstances would be
warranted in the belief that his safety or that of others was in danger.”
Commonwealth v. Kondash, 808 A.2d 943, 948 (Pa. Super. 2002) (internal
quotation marks and citations omitted). Such a belief must be based on
“specific and articulable facts, that the detained individual may be armed and
dangerous.” Commonwealth v. Clemens, 66 A.3d 373, 381 (Pa. Super.
2013) (citation omitted). Further, a determination of whether reasonable
suspicion exists must be based on the totality of the circumstances and
involves a fact-specific case-by-case inquiry. Scarborough, 89 A.3d at 683.
“[W]here a sufficient number of [circumstances] coalesce, reasonable
suspicion will be found.” Id.The courts also have plainly held that officer safety concerns are
heightened during traffic stops. The United States Supreme Court
recently emphasized that “[t]raffic stops are especially fraught
with danger to police officers, so an officer may need to take
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4 “The purpose of this limited search is not to discover evidence of crime, but
to allow the officer to pursue his investigation without fear of violence.”
Adams v. Williams, 407 U.S. 143, 146 (1972).
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certain negligibly burdensome precautions in order to complete
his mission safely.” Rodriguez v. United States, 135 S.Ct.
1609, 1616 (2015) (internal quotation marks and citations
omitted). Safety concerns are even greater when the motor
vehicle stop occurs at night.
Commonwealth v. Chase, 960 A.2d 108, 120 (Pa. 2008). “The principles
of Terry apply to all occupants of the stopped vehicle, not just the driver.”
Commonwealth v. Simmons, 17 A.3d 399 (Pa. Super. 2011).
In consideration of the totality of the circumstances, in the light most
favorable to the Commonwealth, the evidence presented at the suppression
hearing supports the conclusion that police properly stopped the white Nissan
and frisked the driver and Appellant, the front seat passenger, for weapons.
While a Terry search is limited in scope, once justified, an officer may search
the entire area in which a weapon might be readily accessible. See, e.g.,
Commonwealth v. Murray, 936 A.2d 76 (Pa. Super. 2007) (upholding a
protective search of the interior of a vehicle where police officers stopped a
defendant for a motor vehicle violation, in a high crime area, and officers saw
“excessive movement” inside the car).
Accordingly, and in light of the foregoing, we discern no error by the
suppression court in denying Appellant’s motion to suppress the evidence
obtained in the traffic stop and Terry search.
Order affirmed.
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Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary
Date: 2/10/2021
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