Com. v. Mcnalt, T. ( 2022 )

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NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
: PENNSYLVANIA
:
v. :
:
:
THOMAS MCNALT :
:
Appellant : No. 59 EDA 2021
Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence Entered December 18, 2018
In the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County Criminal Division at
No(s): CP-51-CR-0000534-2011
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
: PENNSYLVANIA
:
v. :
:
:
THOMAS MCNALT :
:
Appellant : No. 63 EDA 2021
Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence Entered December 18, 2018
In the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County Criminal Division at
No(s): CP-51-CR-0008516-2017
BEFORE: BOWES, J., NICHOLS, J., and McLAUGHLIN, J.
MEMORANDUM BY NICHOLS, J.: FILED JANUARY 19, 2022
Appellant Thomas McNalt appeals from the judgments of sentence
imposed after he pled guilty to possession with intent to deliver (PWID) and
related offenses at Docket No. 8516-2017 and was found in violation of his
probation sentence at Docket No. 534-2011. Appellant claims that the trial
court erred in accepting his guilty plea at Docket No. 8516-2017 and
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challenges the discretionary aspects of the sentence imposed at both docket
numbers. We affirm.
The trial court summarized the underlying facts and procedural history
of these matters as follows:
With respect to [Docket No.] 534-2011, Appellant [] entered into
a negotiated plea to [PWID] before this court on March 28, 2011,
and was sentenced to six to twenty-three months of confinement,
followed by two years of probation. On February 25, 2016,
following a violation of probation (VOP) hearing, this court
revoked Appellant’s probation and imposed a VOP sentence of five
years of probation.
With respect to [Docket No.] 8516-2017, Appellant was observed
selling narcotics to a confidential informant [(CI)] for the
Philadelphia Police on multiple occasions between June 2, 2017,
and July 12, 2017. On July 12, 2017, Philadelphia Police officers
executed a search warrant on Appellant’s home. Inside the home,
which Appellant shared with his mother, officers recovered
marijuana, a white substance alleged to be crack cocaine, plastic
baggies and containers, and prerecorded buy money from the CI’s
purchases. Officers also found a safe containing a loaded .45
Taurus revolver with an obliterated serial number and $4895 in
[United States] currency. Appellant is ineligible to possess a
firearm due to previous drug convictions.
As a result of these events, Appellant was arrested and charged
with [PWID], conspiracy, violations of the uniform firearms act
(VUFA), and related offenses. On October 9, 2018, Appellant
entered into a non-negotiated guilty plea before this court to
PWID, conspiracy, and VUFA.[1] On December 18, 2018, this court
sentenced Appellant to three to six years of imprisonment for
PWID and conspiracy, to be served consecutively, and ten years
of probation for VUFA. This court also found Appellant to be in
direct violation of [the court’s] probation [at Docket No.] 534-
2011, and revoked probation and imposed a VOP sentence of four
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1 35 P.S. § 780-113(a)(30), 18 Pa.C.S. §§ 903(c), and 6105(a)(1),
respectively.
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to eight years of confinement, to be served concurrently to the
sentence imposed on the open case.
Appellant filed a motion for reconsideration of sentence on
December 26, 2018 [at each trial court docket]. . . . No direct
appeal was filed. On March 22, 2019, Appellant filed a pro se
petition pursuant to the Post Conviction Relief Act (PCRA) [42
Pa.C.S. §§ 9541-9546]. On April 25, 2019, Appellant’s motion for
reconsideration was denied by operation of law. [The trial court
subsequently appointed PCRA counsel, who filed amended
petitions on Appellant’s behalf.] On October 19, 2020, this court
granted Appellant’s PCRA request for reinstatement of appellate
rights and denied his request for reinstatement of post-sentence
motions. On November 17, 2020, this court amended the order
to allow additional time for filing a direct appeal in light of
difficulties communicating with inmates in state prison due to
COVID-19.
Trial Ct. Op., 3/15/21, at 1-3.
Appellant filed a notice of appeal on December 15, 2020, at each trial
court docket and subsequently filed a court-ordered Rule 1925(b) statement.2
The trial court issued a Rule 1925(a) opinion in which it concluded that
Appellant had waived his challenge to the guilty plea but addressed the merits
of Appellant’s sentencing claim. See Trial Ct. Op. at 3-7.
On February 23, 2021, this Court issued a rule to show cause as to why
the appeals should not be quashed as untimely. See Order, 2/23/21.
Appellant filed a response stating that his appeal was timely in light of the trial
court’s order November 17, 2020 order, which purported to extend the appeal
deadline to December 17, 2020. This Court subsequently discharged the rule
to show cause and referred the issue to this panel for disposition.
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2 On March 8, 2021, this Court sua sponte consolidated the instant appeals.
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On appeal, Appellant raises the following issues:
1. Did the [trial] court err in accepting [Appellant’s] guilty plea as
knowing, intelligent and voluntary when there was no oral
colloquy as to the charges, no review on the record of the
written colloquy and maximum sentence possible for each
charge, and no written or oral colloquy as to the drug type or
maximum statutory sentence possible for each offense?
2. Was the trial court’s consecutive state sentence of six to twelve
years on the open plea and the sentence of four to eight years
on the violation of probation matter excessive under the
circumstances in this case, without providing adequate
reasons, and a manifest abuse of discretion in that
[Appellant’s] presentence report indicated he never had
received previous drug treatment, nor ever knew his father,
and [Appellant] presented at sentencing his acceptance of
responsibility, strong community supports, a lack of violence in
his history, a strong work history, participation in and
graduation from many prison programs while incarcerated pre-
trial, and the court went significantly above the request by the
Commonwealth of four to eight years of incarceration?
Appellant’s Brief at 3.
Timeliness of Appeal
Initially, we must address whether Appellant’s appeals are timely.
“When the trial court issues an order reinstating an appellant’s appeal rights,
the appellant must file the appeal within 30 days of the order reinstating the
appeal rights.” Commonwealth v. Wright, 846 A.2d 730, 734 (Pa. Super.
2004); see also Pa.R.A.P. 903(a) (stating that a notice of appeal shall be filed
within thirty days after entry of the order from which the appeal is taken).
Because the appeal period is jurisdictional in nature, it must be strictly
construed and “may not be extended as a matter of indulgence or grace.”
Commonwealth v. Pena, 31 A.3d 704, 706 (Pa. Super. 2011) (citation
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omitted). Therefore, trial courts have no authority to extend the appeal
deadline beyond thirty days. Id.However, this Court has declined to quash otherwise untimely appeals
in circumstances where “the failure to file a timely appeal [resulted from] a
breakdown in the court system.” Commonwealth v. Stansbury, 219 A.3d
157, 160 (Pa. Super. 2019). Generally, a breakdown generally occurs if the
trial court misstates or misinforms an appellant regarding the rules governing
post-sentence motions or the time for filing an appeal. See Commonwealth
v. Coolbaugh, 770 A.2d 788, 791 (Pa. Super. 2001) (declining to quash an
untimely appeal where “the problem arose as a result of the trial court’s
misstatement of the appeal period, which operated as a breakdown in the
court’s operation”).
Here, the trial court reinstated Appellant’s appeal rights nunc pro tunc
on October 19, 2020. Accordingly, Appellant’s notices of appeal were due on
or before November 18, 2020. However, one day before the appeal period
expired, the trial court issued an additional order purporting to extend the
appeal deadline to December 17, 2020. See Trial Ct. Order, 11/17/20, at 1.
Because the trial court did not have the authority to extend the appeal period,
Appellant’s December 15, 2020 notice of appeal was untimely filed. See
Wright, 846 A.2d at 734; see also Pa.R.A.P. 903(a).
However, the trial court’s order misinformed Appellant about the
impending appeal deadline, which ultimately resulted in his failure to file a
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timely notice of appeal.3 Under these circumstances, we conclude that there
was a breakdown in the operations of the court that prevented Appellant from
filing a timely notice of appeal. See Coolbaugh, 770 A.2d at 791. Therefore,
we will address the merits of Appellant’s claims.
Guilty Plea
In his first issue, Appellant challenges the validity of his guilty plea at
Docket No. 8516-2017. Appellant’s Brief at 12-14. Specifically, Appellant
argues that the trial court failed to conduct a plea colloquy to ensure that his
plea was knowing, voluntary, and intelligent. Id. However, as noted
previously, the trial court concluded that Appellant failed to preserve this
claim. See Trial Ct. Op. at 3. Based on our review of the record, we agree.
It is well settled that “[a] defendant wishing to challenge the
voluntariness of a guilty plea on direct appeal must either object during the
plea colloquy or file a motion to withdraw the plea within ten days of
sentencing. Pa.R.Crim.P. 720(A)(1), (B)(1)(a)(i). Failure to employ either
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3 We recognize that this Court has quashed an untimely appeal when a trial
court accurately informed the appellant about his appeal rights at sentencing,
but erroneously granted a motion to extend the appeal deadline. See
Commonwealth v. Santiago, 1450 WDA 2018, 2020 WL 1527266, at *1 &
n.5 (Pa. Super. filed Mar. 30, 2020) (unpublished mem.). However, in the
instant case, neither the docket nor the certified record indicates that
Appellant or Appellant’s counsel asked the trial court to extend the appeal
deadline. Instead, it appears that the trial court issued the order sua sponte
in light of ongoing communication difficulties caused by prison lockdowns
during the COVID-19 pandemic. See Trial Ct. Order, 11/17/20, at 1.
Therefore, given that the trial court took action before the appeal deadline
expired and without prompting from Appellant, we conclude that a breakdown
occurred.
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measure results in waiver.” Commonwealth v. Lincoln, 72 A.3d 606, 609-
10 (Pa. Super. 2013) (some citations omitted).
Here, the record confirms that Appellant did not object during the plea
hearing, nor did he file a motion to withdraw his plea. Under these
circumstances, we are constrained to find Appellant’s first issue waived. See
id.Discretionary Aspects of Sentence
In his second claim, Appellant contends that the trial court imposed
excessive sentences at both docket numbers. Appellant’s Brief at 11. In
support, Appellant argues that the trial court failed to provide reasons for the
sentences and “completely ignored the mitigation evidence presented
regarding [Appellant’s] history, character, and prospects for rehabilitation.”
Id. at 19. Appellant further claims that the trial court “failed to give adequate
weight” to his “lack of any previous drug treatment, that he never knew his
father, that he accepted responsibility for his crime, his strong community
supports, a lack of violence in his history, a strong work history and his
participation in and graduation from many prison programs while
incarcerated.” Id. at 11. Therefore, Appellant concludes that the trial court
abused its discretion in imposing both sentences.
Appellant’s claims implicate the discretionary aspects of his sentences.
It is well settled that “[c]hallenges to the discretionary aspects of sentencing
do not entitle an appellant to review as of right.” Commonwealth v. Derry,
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150 A.3d 987, 991 (Pa. Super. 2016) (citation omitted). Rather, before
reaching the merits of such claims, we must determine:
(1) whether the appeal is timely; (2) whether [the
a]ppellant preserved his issues; (3) whether [the
a]ppellant’s brief includes a concise statement of the
reasons relied upon for allowance of appeal with respect to
the discretionary aspects of sentence; and (4) whether the
concise statement raises a substantial question that the
sentence is inappropriate under the [S]entencing [C]ode.
Commonwealth v. Corley, 31 A.3d 293, 296 (Pa. Super. 2011) (citation
omitted).
“To preserve an attack on the discretionary aspects of sentence, an
appellant must raise his issues at sentencing or in a post-sentence motion.
Issues not presented to the sentencing court are waived and cannot be raised
for the first time on appeal.” Commonwealth v. Malovich, 903 A.2d 1247,
1251 (Pa. Super. 2006) (citations omitted).
“The determination of what constitutes a substantial question must be
evaluated on a case-by-case basis.” Commonwealth v. Battles, 169 A.3d
1086, 1090 (Pa. Super. 2017) (citation omitted). “A substantial question
exists only when the appellant advances a colorable argument that the
sentencing judge’s actions were either: (1) inconsistent with a specific
provision of the Sentencing Code; or (2) contrary to the fundamental norms
which underlie the sentencing process.” Commonwealth v. Grays, 167 A.3d
793, 816 (Pa. Super. 2017) (citation omitted).
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Here, Appellant filed a timely notice of appeal, preserved a sentencing
claim in a post-sentence motion, and included a concise statement of the
reasons relied upon for allowance of appeal in his brief. See Corley, 31 A.3d
at 296; Malovich, 903 A.2d at 1251. To the extent Appellant claims that the
trial court failed to adequately weigh mitigating factors, that issue does not
raise a substantial question. See Commonwealth v. Zirkle, 107 A.3d 127,
133 (Pa. Super. 2014) (stating that “a claim that a court did not weigh the
[sentencing] factors as an appellant wishes does not raise a substantial
question” (citations omitted)). However, Appellant’s claim that the trial court
imposed an excessive sentence and “ignored” mitigating factors raises a
substantial question for our review. See Commonwealth v. Caldwell, 117
A.3d 763, 770 (Pa. Super. 2015) (finding that an excessive sentence claim,
together with an assertion that the court failed to consider mitigating factors,
presents a substantial question). Therefore, we will address the merits of
Appellant’s second claim.
Our well-settled standard of review is as follows:
Sentencing is a matter vested in the sound discretion of the
sentencing judge, and a sentence will not be disturbed on appeal
absent a manifest abuse of discretion. In this context, an abuse
of discretion is not shown merely by an error in judgment. Rather,
the appellant must establish, by reference to the record, that the
sentencing court ignored or misapplied the law, exercised its
judgment for reasons of partiality, prejudice, bias or ill will, or
arrived at a manifestly unreasonable decision.
Commonwealth v. Raven, 97 A.3d 1244, 1253 (Pa. Super. 2014) (citation
omitted); see also Commonwealth v. Shires, 240 A.3d 974, 977 (Pa.
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Super. 2020) (stating that “revocation of a probation sentence is a matter
committed to the sound discretion of the trial court and that court’s decision
will not be disturbed on appeal in the absence of an error of law or an abuse
of discretion” (citation omitted and formatting altered)).
When fashioning a sentence, the court shall follow the general principle
that the sentence imposed should call for confinement that is “consistent with
. . . the protection of the public, the gravity of the offense as it relates to the
impact on the life of the victim and on the community, and the rehabilitative
needs of the defendant.” 42 Pa.C.S. § 9721(b); see also Commonwealth
v. Ventura, 975 A.2d 1128, 1135 (Pa. Super. 2009) (stating that “the trial
court is required to consider the particular circumstances of the offense and
the character of the defendant,” including the defendant’s “prior criminal
record, age, personal characteristics, and potential for rehabilitation” (citation
omitted)).
When a court revokes a defendant’s probation and imposes a new
sentence, “the sentencing alternatives available to the court shall be the same
as were available at the time of initial sentencing, due consideration being
given to the time spent serving the order of probation.” 42 Pa.C.S. § 9771(b);
see also Derry, 150 A.3d at 991 (noting that although VOP courts must
consider the general sentencing principles under Section 9721(b), the
“sentencing guidelines are not required to be consulted in such instances”
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(citation omitted)).4 However, VOP courts may not impose a sentence of total
confinement unless (1) the defendant has been convicted of another crime;
(2) the defendant’s conduct demonstrates a likelihood that he will commit
another crime if not imprisoned; or (3) “such a sentence is essential to
vindicate the authority of the court.” 42 Pa.C.S. § 9771(c).
“A sentencing court need not undertake a lengthy discourse for its
reasons for imposing a sentence or specifically reference the statute in
question, but the record as a whole must reflect the sentencing court’s
consideration of the facts of the crime and character of the offender.”
Commonwealth v. Crump, 995 A.2d 1280, 1283 (Pa. Super. 2010) (citation
omitted). Further, where a presentence investigation (PSI) report exists, “we
shall . . . presume that the sentencing judge was aware of relevant information
regarding the defendant’s character and weighed those considerations along
with mitigating statutory factors.” Commonwealth v. Conte, 198 A.3d
1169, 1177 (Pa. Super. 2018) (citation omitted); see also Commonwealth
v. Watson, 228 A.3d 928, 936 (Pa. Super. 2020) (reiterating that sentencing
courts “are under no compulsion to employ checklists or any extended or
systematic definitions of their punishment procedure” and that, where a PSI
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4We note that the Resentencing Guidelines apply when probation is revoked
based on an offense committed on or after January 1, 2020. See 204 Pa.
Code § 307.2(b); see also 42 Pa.C.S. § 2154.4. Here, because Appellant
committed the underlying offense in 2017, the trial court was not required to
consider the Resentencing Guidelines when imposing Appellant’s VOP
sentence.
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exists, “the sentencing court’s discretion should not be disturbed” (citation
omitted)).
However, “[w]e cannot re-weigh the sentencing factors and impose our
judgment in the place of the sentencing court.” Commonwealth v. Macias,
968 A.2d 773, 778 (Pa. Super. 2009) (citation omitted). Additionally, it is well
settled that “Pennsylvania law affords the sentencing court discretion to
impose its sentence concurrently or consecutively to other sentences being
imposed at the same time or to sentences already imposed.”
Commonwealth v. Austin, 66 A.3d 798, 808 (Pa. Super. 2013) (citation
omitted).
Here, before imposing Appellant’s sentences, the trial court stated:
I have considered the sentencing guidelines, the previous pre-
sentence investigation reports, and I sentence you for punishment
and prevention of further crimes, rehabilitation, vindication of the
court’s authority, and the fact that you may be a threat to the
public. I took into consideration your plea and your past records,
and I will deviate from the guidelines[5] as the Commonwealth has
requested, and I considered the arguments of counsel and the
Commonwealth.
N.T. Sentencing Hr’g, 12/18/18, at 16.
In its Rule 1925(a) opinion, the trial court addressed Appellant’s
sentence in the new criminal case at Docket No. 8516-2017 as follows:
Contrary to Appellant’s claims, this court properly considered all
relevant discretionary factors when fashioning its sentence. This
court considered the presentence report, statements from defense
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5We note that, based on the Commonwealth’s recommendation, the trial court
imposed sentences within the mitigated guideline range.
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counsel, statements from Appellant’s cousin, and Appellant’s own
statements at the time of sentencing. This court was aware that
Appellant’s criminal history consists entirely of non-violent drug
offenses - and in fact asked several questions specifically clarifying
the nature of Appellant’s prior record - and that the gun in
question was not found on his person. It took into consideration
that Appellant serves as the primary caretaker for his mother, and
that he is involved in raising his daughter. This court took into
consideration that, despite his history of drug offenses, Appellant
appears to have been successful in maintaining some form of
legitimate employment, and that Appellant was taking advantage
of educational and job training programs while incarcerated. This
court appreciates that Appellant appears remorseful for his
actions, and that he hopes to lead a productive and law-abiding
life going forward.
Unfortunately, this court cannot ignore the fact that Appellant has
committed numerous drug offenses, and was on probation for
multiple drug cases at the time of this offense. Appellant has had
numerous chances to rehabilitate himself while not in custody, and
has not been able to do so. This court was particularly concerned
that a loaded firearm with an obliterated serial number was found
in Appellant’s home, indicating that he poses more of a threat to
public safety than his non-violent record might suggest. As such,
this court fashioned a sentence intended to rehabilitate Appellant
and protect the public.
Trial Ct. Op. at 4-5.
With respect to Appellant’s VOP sentence at Docket No. 534-2011, the
trial court explained:
Here, Appellant satisfied all three of the conditions of [Section]
9771(c). His plea to PWID, conspiracy, and VUFA placed him in
direct violation of this court’s probation. Appellant’s multiple drug
convictions and the fact that he was found in possession of an
illegal firearm lead this court to believe that he will continue to
commit crimes if not incarcerated. Moreover, as this court stated
at the time of sentencing, the sentence was essential to vindicate
the authority of the court. It is clear from Appellant’s record and
the fact that he was this court’s probation as well as probation for
another drug offense [supervised by a different judge] at the time
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of his violation, that he does not respect the rules of probation or
the authority of the court.
Id. at 6-7 (footnote omitted).
Based on our review of the record, we discern no abuse of discretion by
the trial court. See Shires, 240 A.3d at 977; Raven, 97 A.3d at 1253. The
record reflects that the trial court considered the appropriate sentencing
factors and mitigating evidence as stated at the sentencing hearing and
ultimately imposed sentences in the mitigated range. See Ventura, 975 A.2d
at 1135; see also Crump, 995 A.2d at 1283.
Further, the trial court had the benefit of prior PSI reports, along with a
new PSI report that the trial court ordered prior to Appellant’s sentencing on
both matters in 2018. Although the trial court did not specifically discuss the
details contained in Appellant’s new PSI report, we presume that the trial court
“was aware of relevant information regarding [Appellant’s] character and
weighed those considerations along with mitigating statutory factors.” Conte,
198 A.3d at 1177; see also Watson, 228 A.3d at 936.
Under these circumstances, we have no basis to conclude that the trial
court abused its discretion in imposing Appellant’s new sentence at Docket
No. 8516-2017 or the VOP sentence at Docket No. 534-2011. See Shires,
240 A.3d at 977; Raven, 97 A.3d at 1253. Therefore, Appellant is not entitled
to relief.
Judgments of sentence affirmed.
Judge Bowes joins the memorandum.
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Judge McLaughlin concurs in the result.
Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary
Date: 1/19/2022
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