Com. v. Poore, M. ( 2019 )


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  • J-S43031-19
    NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
    COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA               :   IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
    :        PENNSYLVANIA
    :
    v.                             :
    :
    :
    MATTHEW POORE                              :
    :
    Appellant               :   No. 1621 MDA 2018
    Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence Entered June 18, 2018
    In the Court of Common Pleas of Berks County Criminal Division at
    No(s): CP-06-CR-0004318-2017
    BEFORE:      GANTMAN, P.J.E., DUBOW, J., and STEVENS*, P.J.E.
    MEMORANDUM BY STEVENS, P.J.E.:                         FILED AUGUST 27, 2019
    Appellant, Matthew Poore, appeals from the June 18, 2018, judgment
    of sentence entered in the Court of Common Pleas of Berks County following
    his conviction by a jury on the charges of possession of drug paraphernalia
    and possession of a controlled substance.1 Additionally, Appellant’s counsel
    has filed a petition seeking to withdraw her representation, as well as a brief
    pursuant to Anders v. California, 
    386 U.S. 738
    , 
    87 S. Ct. 1396
    (1967), and
    Commonwealth v. Santiago, 
    602 Pa. 159
    , 
    978 A.2d 349
    (2009) (hereinafter
    “Anders brief”).       After a careful review, we grant counsel’s petition to
    withdraw and affirm Appellant’s judgment of sentence.
    ____________________________________________
    1   35 P.S. § 780-113(a)(32) and (16), respectively.
    ____________________________________
    * Former Justice specially assigned to the Superior Court.
    J-S43031-19
    The relevant facts and procedural history have been set forth, in part,
    by the trial court as follows:
    On June 18, 2017, [Appellant] called 911 about issues with
    his lease agreement and landlord. Officer William Raibeck of
    Muhlenberg Township Police responded to [Appellant’s] residence.
    [Appellant] relayed information about a purported burglary. [At
    Appellant’s jury trial,] Officer Raibeck testified that during the
    conversation [Appellant] was “very manic,” “[k]ept repeating
    himself over and over again,” and “was sweating profusely and
    getting very agitated.” N.T. Trial, 04/09/2018, [at] 83-84. After
    speaking with [Appellant], Officer Raibeck determined there was
    nothing criminal and left the residence.
    Over the next approximately three hours, [Appellant] placed
    additional calls to 911. Officer Raibeck testified[:]
    At the last 911 call that I received, I reached out to
    SAM Crisis. I had them respond because I believe[d]
    I was dealing with what we call Class IV issues, mental
    health issues. And they responded, and the decision
    was made that we would be [sic] 302, involuntary
    commitment for [Appellant].
    ***
    I think it was collective between me and the SAM
    Crisis worker that he was paranoid. There was other
    comments made about cell phones being tapped and
    information about [the] title of his car not having
    mileage, how it was chop-shopped and extreme
    paranoia and anxiety. I am obviously not a mental
    health professional, but I am trained to recognize
    certain signs of [mental] issues, and then we refer to
    SAM Crisis at this point and they make the
    determination.
    ***
    [Appellant] was given an opportunity to voluntarily go
    to the hospital, that’s the normal process. When he
    denied that, the verbal authorization was given to me
    by SAM Crisis to do an involuntary [commitment]. So
    he was taken into custody and I handcuffed him, did
    what we call a Terry frisk or a pat down for weapons,
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    J-S43031-19
    which is a non-invasive search, but overall a safety
    sweep, if you will.
    [Id. at] 84-85. Officer Raibeck did not find any weapons, drugs,
    or drug paraphernalia on [Appellant] at that time. 
    Id. [at] 86.
               [Appellant] was transported to Saint Joseph’s Hospital.
    [Appellant] attempted to leave and became irate with hospital
    staff. [Appellant] resisted every effort to be restrained and
    refused to comply. 
    Id. [at] 87.
    Hospital staff then searched
    [Appellant] while he was restrained. Officer Raibeck testified[:]
    They started removing clothing. I maintained control
    of his left arm while he was on the bed and ultimately
    they removed every item of clothing from him. The
    doctor that was in the room was Doctor Basil
    (phonetic).      He did—[Appellant’s] pants were
    removed and [the doctor] did a brief pat down of his
    genital area.      And when the doctor observed
    something, it was a nonverbal transaction between
    me and him, but he, basically, I could see he found
    something. The doctor pulled down [Appellant’s]
    underwear and untangled a small sunglass baggy that
    contained the drugs and the paraphernalia,
    subsequently threw it on the floor at my feet, which I
    retrieved immediately.
    ***
    I did not see specifically how it was tangled because
    of the way that [the] doctor pulled the underwear up,
    but you can tell it was manipulated or tied in a fashion
    that it was not to be discovered by walking or shaking
    or however you want to say.
    [Id. at] 88.
    Officer Raibeck emptied the sunglass baggy at the hospital
    and discovered two syringes, three cotton swabs, and “three coin-
    sized baggies that contained some sort of residue and one had a
    crystalline     substance  in   it,  which    I   suspected   was
    methamphetamine.” [Id. at] 89. The Commonwealth introduced
    the sunglass carrying pouch and three coin-sized baggies at trial,
    as well as a photograph of the two syringes and three cotton
    swabs (which had been discarded as biohazard material prior to
    trial) that were recovered from [Appellant’s] person. 
    Id. [at] 92-
         100, 161. Officer Raibeck testified that the sunglass bag was
    “attached to [Appellant’s] genital region.” 
    Id. [at] 163.
    -3-
    J-S43031-19
    Officer Raibeck testified that he received training to identify
    illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia, and he has made hundreds
    of arrests for drug possession and possession of drug
    paraphernalia. [Id. at 90]. He testified that methamphetamine
    is often ingested via syringe. 
    Id. [at] 91.
    Adam Shober-a
    forensics drug analyst for the Pennsylvania State Police Crime
    Lab-was qualified as an expert and testified for the
    Commonwealth that the baggies recovered from [Appellant’s]
    person contained methamphetamine. 
    Id. [at] 165-173.
    Trial Court Opinion, filed 5/2/19, at 1-3.
    At the conclusion of all testimony, the jury convicted Appellant of the
    offenses 
    indicated supra
    . On June 18, 2018, Appellant proceeded to a
    sentencing hearing at the conclusion of which the trial court imposed a
    sentence of 238 days to 23 months in prison for possession of a controlled
    substance, to be followed by one year of probation for possession of drug
    paraphernalia. Appellant was given 238 days of credit for time served.
    At the conclusion of the sentencing hearing, Appellant requested that
    counsel be appointed to assist him with post-sentence motions.           By order
    entered on June 25, 2018, the trial court appointed Christopher B. Connard,
    Esquire,2 and indicated that post-sentence motions were due within thirty
    ____________________________________________
    2 The record reflects that, on August 9, 2017, Attorney Connard was originally
    appointed to represent Appellant. However, at the preliminary hearing,
    Appellant indicated he wished to proceed pro se. The trial court granted the
    request but also appointed Attorney Connard as stand-by counsel for purposes
    of trial. At the conclusion of the sentencing hearing, as 
    indicated supra
    ,
    Appellant indicated he wished to file post-sentence motions with the
    assistance of counsel, and thus, the trial court again appointed Attorney
    Connard.
    -4-
    J-S43031-19
    days of the entry of the judgment of sentence (on or before July 18, 2018).
    On July 13, 2018, Attorney Connard filed a motion to withdraw as counsel,3
    as well as a motion for an extension of time to file post-sentence motions. By
    order entered on July 17, 2018, the trial court granted Attorney Connard’s
    motion to withdraw, appointed Catherine Nadirov, Esquire, to represent
    Appellant, and granted Appellant an additional thirty days to file post-sentence
    motions.
    On August 1, 2018, Attorney Nadirov filed a post-sentence motion on
    behalf of Appellant, and by order entered on August 15, 2018, the trial court
    denied the motion. This counseled appeal followed on September 14, 2018. 4
    ____________________________________________
    3Therein, Attorney Connard indicated there was a complete breakdown in the
    attorney-client relationship such that Attorney Connard concluded he could
    not adequately represent Appellant.
    4 We note that, generally, the time for filing an appeal is thirty days from the
    entry of the judgment of sentence; however, the appeal period is tolled when
    a defendant files a post-sentence motion within ten days after the imposition
    of the sentence. See Pa.Crim.P. 720. An untimely post-sentence motion does
    not toll the thirty-day appeal period. Commonwealth v. Dreves, 
    839 A.2d 1122
    (Pa.Super. 2003) (en banc). However, a post-sentence motion nunc pro
    tunc may toll the appeal period if: (1) within thirty days after the imposition
    of sentence, the defendant requests the trial court to consider the motion nunc
    pro tunc, and (2) the trial court expressly grants the request. 
    Id. Here, at
    the conclusion of the sentencing hearing, Appellant, who was pro
    se, requested the appointment of counsel to assist him with the filing of post-
    sentence motions. Seven days later, on June 25, 2018, the trial court
    appointed counsel to assist Appellant and sua sponte indicated Appellant’s
    post-sentence motion was due no later than thirty days after the imposition
    of sentence (by July 18, 2018). Instead of filing a post-sentence motion,
    appointed counsel filed a petition to withdraw on July 13, 2018, which the trial
    court granted on July 17, 2018. The trial court appointed new counsel and
    -5-
    J-S43031-19
    The trial court did not direct Appellant to file a Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b) statement,
    and consequently, no such statement was filed.5          The trial court filed a
    Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a) opinion explaining the reasons it denied Appellant’s post-
    sentence motion.        On June 18, 2019, counsel filed in this Court a petition
    seeking to withdraw her representation, as well as an Anders brief. Appellant
    filed no further submissions either pro se or through privately-retained
    counsel.
    Prior to addressing any issue raised on appeal, we must first resolve
    counsel’s petition to withdraw. Commonwealth v. Goodwin, 
    928 A.2d 287
    ,
    290 (Pa.Super. 2007) (en banc). There are procedural and briefing
    requirements imposed upon an attorney who seeks to withdraw on appeal
    pursuant to which counsel must:
    ____________________________________________
    purported to grant Appellant an additional thirty days to file post-sentence
    motions. New counsel filed a post-sentence motion on August 1, 2018.
    As is evident, the August 1, 2018, post-sentence motion was not filed
    within ten days after the imposition of sentence nor “nunc pro tunc” within
    thirty days as proscribed by Dreves. Nevertheless, due to the apparent
    breakdown in the trial court’s processes, including twice informing Appellant
    it had extended the time period for him to file post-sentence motions, we
    decline to quash this appeal on the basis it was untimely filed. See
    Commonwealth v. Patterson, 
    940 A.2d 493
    (Pa.Super. 2007) (holding this
    Court may excuse an untimely appeal, which is due to a breakdown in the
    judicial system).
    5 Our docket reflects that, on November 13, 2018, Appellant filed a Pa.R.A.P.
    1925(b) statement nunc pro tunc. However, although the Rule 1925(b)
    statement was included on the docket for the instant case, it is clear the
    statement was filed in relation to Appellant’s appeals in two other unrelated
    cases.
    -6-
    J-S43031-19
    1) petition the court for leave to withdraw stating that, after
    making a conscientious examination of the record, counsel has
    determined that the appeal would be frivolous; 2) furnish a copy
    of the brief to the [appellant]; and 3) advise the [appellant] that
    he or she has the right to retain private counsel or raise additional
    arguments that the [appellant] deems worthy of the court’s
    attention.
    Commonwealth v. Cartrette, 
    83 A.3d 1030
    , 1032 (Pa.Super. 2013) (en
    banc) (citation omitted). In addition, our Supreme Court in Santiago stated
    that an Anders brief must:
    (1) provide a summary of the procedural history and facts, with
    citations to the record; (2) refer to anything in the record that
    counsel believes arguably supports the appeal; (3) set forth
    counsel’s conclusion that the appeal is frivolous; and (4) state
    counsel’s reasons for concluding that the appeal is frivolous.
    Counsel should articulate the relevant facts of record, controlling
    case law, and/or statutes on point that have led to the conclusion
    that the appeal is frivolous.
    
    Santiago, 602 Pa. at 178-79
    , 978 A.2d at 361. Counsel also must provide
    the appellant with a copy of the Anders brief, together with a letter that
    advises the appellant of his or her right to “(1) retain new counsel to pursue
    the appeal; (2) proceed pro se on appeal; or (3) raise any points that the
    appellant deems worthy of the court’s attention in addition to the points raised
    by counsel in the Anders brief.” Commonwealth v. Nischan, 
    928 A.2d 349
    ,
    353 (Pa.Super. 2007) (citation omitted). Substantial compliance with the
    Anders requirements is sufficient. Commonwealth v. Wrecks, 
    934 A.2d 1287
    , 1290 (Pa.Super. 2007).
    Herein, counsel contemporaneously filed her petition to withdraw as
    counsel and Anders brief. Her brief and petition substantially comply with
    -7-
    J-S43031-19
    the technical requirements of Anders and Santiago. Moreover, counsel has
    provided this Court with a copy of the letter, which she sent to Appellant
    advising him of his right to retain new counsel, proceed further with his case
    pro se, and raise any points that he deems worthy of this Court’s attention.
    See Commonwealth v. Millisock, 
    873 A.2d 748
    (Pa.Super. 2005).
    Therefore, we proceed to examine the issues counsel identified in the Anders
    brief and then conduct “a full examination of all the proceedings, to decide
    whether the case is wholly frivolous.” Commonwealth v. Yorgey, 
    188 A.3d 1190
    , 1195 (Pa.Super. 2018) (en banc) (quotation omitted).
    In his first issue, Appellant contends the evidence is insufficient to
    sustain his convictions for possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of
    a controlled substance.
    A successful sufficiency-of-the-evidence claim requires discharge.
    Commonwealth v. Toritto, 
    67 A.3d 29
    (Pa.Super. 2013) (en banc).
    Whether the evidence was sufficient to sustain the charge presents a question
    of law. 
    Id. Our standard
    of review is de novo, and our scope of review is
    plenary. Commonwealth v. Walls, 
    144 A.3d 926
    (Pa.Super. 2016).               In
    conducting our inquiry, we examine:
    whether the evidence at trial, and all reasonable inferences
    derived therefrom, when viewed in the light most favorable to the
    Commonwealth as verdict-winner, [is] sufficient to establish all
    elements of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt. We may not
    weigh the evidence or substitute our judgment for that of the fact-
    finder. Additionally, the evidence at trial need not preclude every
    possibility of innocence, and the fact-finder is free to resolve any
    doubts regarding a defendant’s guilt unless the evidence is so
    -8-
    J-S43031-19
    weak and inconclusive that as a matter of law no probability of
    fact may be drawn from the combined circumstances. When
    evaluating the credibility and weight of the evidence, the fact-
    finder is free to believe all, part or none of the evidence. For
    purposes of our review under these principles, we must review the
    entire record and consider all of the evidence introduced.
    Commonwealth v. Trinidad, 
    96 A.3d 1031
    , 1038 (Pa.Super. 2014)
    (quotation omitted).
    With regard to possession of drug paraphernalia, 35 P.S. § 780-
    113(a)(32) provides that the following is prohibited:
    (32) The use of, or possession with intent to use, drug
    paraphernalia for the purpose of planting, propagating,
    cultivating, growing, harvesting, manufacturing, compounding,
    converting, producing, processing, preparing, testing, analyzing,
    packing, repacking, storing, containing, concealing, injecting,
    ingesting, inhaling or otherwise introducing into the human body
    a controlled substance in violation of this act.
    With regard to possession of a controlled substance, 35 P.S. § 780-
    113(a)(16) provides that the following is prohibited:
    (16) Knowingly or intentionally possessing a controlled or
    counterfeit substance by a person not registered under this act,
    or a practitioner not registered or licensed by the appropriate
    State board, unless the substance was obtained directly from, or
    pursuant to, a valid prescription order or order of a practitioner,
    or except as otherwise authorized by this act.
    Regarding the possessory element of the offenses, it is well-settled that
    “possession can be found by proving actual possession, constructive
    possession, or joint constructive possession.” Commonwealth v. Parrish,
    
    191 A.3d 31
    , 36 (Pa.Super. 2018) (quotation and quotation marks omitted).
    -9-
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    Actual possession is proven “by showing…[that the contraband was] found on
    the [appellant’s] person.” Commonwealth v. Macolino, 
    503 Pa. 201
    , 
    469 A.2d 132
    , 134 (1983).
    Here, Officer Raibeck testified that, after Appellant was restrained in
    connection with his involuntary commitment pursuant to Section 302 of the
    Mental Health Procedures Act, 50 P.S. § 7302, a doctor pulled down
    Appellant’s underwear and discovered a small sunglass baggy. N.T., 4/9/18,
    at 88. The doctor removed the sunglass baggy and tossed it on the floor by
    the officer’s feet; the officer picked up the sunglass baggy. 
    Id. The officer
    opened the sunglass baggy and discovered three coin-sized baggies, which
    contained residue and/or a crystalline substance, three cotton swabs, and two
    syringes.      
    Id. at 89.
      Officer Raibeck testified syringes are used to ingest
    methamphetamine and “cotton swabs are used as a filter for material” when
    the methamphetamine is used. 
    Id. at 90-91.
    He specifically opined that,
    based     on    his   training   and   experience,   the   items   constituted   drug
    paraphernalia. 
    Id. at 91.
    Moreover, Officer Raibeck testified that he sent the baggie containing
    the crystalline substance to the Pennsylvania State Police Crime Lab. 
    Id. at 102.
        Adam Shober, who is a forensic drug analyst for the Lab, confirmed
    that he tested the crystalline substance and the results were positive for
    methamphetamine weighing .20 grams. 
    Id. at 173.
    - 10 -
    J-S43031-19
    Based on the aforementioned, and applying the appropriate standard of
    review, we conclude the Commonwealth sufficiently established that Appellant
    was in possession of drug paraphernalia and a controlled substance.
    Accordingly, we find no merit to his sufficiency of the evidence claim.6
    In his second issue, Appellant contends the jury’s verdicts are against
    the weight of the evidence. Appellant suggests Officer Raibeck’s testimony
    was incredible.7
    When considering challenges to the weight of the evidence, we apply
    the following precepts.       “The weight of the evidence is exclusively for the
    finder of fact, who is free to believe all, none[,] or some of the evidence and
    to determine the credibility of the witnesses.” Commonwealth v. Talbert,
    
    129 A.3d 536
    , 545 (Pa.Super. 2015) (quotation marks and quotation
    omitted). Resolving contradictory testimony and questions of credibility are
    ____________________________________________
    6 Appellant suggests the evidence was insufficient because Officer Raibeck
    seized the contraband in the hospital, which is allegedly outside of the officer’s
    primary jurisdiction of Muhlenberg Township. As 
    indicated supra
    , in reviewing
    a sufficiency of the evidence claim, we review the entire record and all of the
    evidence introduced at trial. 
    Trinidad, supra
    .
    Moreover, to the extent Appellant suggests the trial court should have
    suppressed the evidence on the basis Officer Raibeck violated the Statewide
    Municipal Police Jurisdiction Act, 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 8953, we note Appellant did
    not properly seek suppression in the trial court on this basis. Thus, the issue
    is waived for purposes of appeal. Pa.R.A.P. 302(a).
    7  Appellant raised a general weight of the evidence claim in his post-sentence
    motion. Noting the claim failed to identify how the verdict was against the
    weight of the evidence, the trial court found no merit. See Trial Court Opinion,
    filed 5/2/19, at 4-5. Appellant similarly presents a general weight of the
    evidence claim on appeal.
    - 11 -
    J-S43031-19
    matters for the finder of fact. Commonwealth v. Hopkins, 
    747 A.2d 910
    ,
    917 (Pa.Super. 2000). It is well-settled that we cannot substitute our
    judgment for that of the trier of fact. 
    Talbert, supra
    .
    Moreover, appellate review of a weight claim is a review of the trial
    court’s exercise of discretion in denying the weight challenge raised in the
    post-sentence motion; this Court does not review the underlying question of
    whether the verdict is against the weight of the evidence. See 
    id. Because the
    trial judge has had the opportunity to hear and see
    the evidence presented, an appellate court will give the gravest
    consideration to the findings and reasons advanced by the trial
    judge when reviewing a trial court’s determination that the verdict
    is against the weight of the evidence. One of the least assailable
    reasons for granting or denying a new trial is the lower court’s
    conviction that the verdict was or was not against the weight of
    the evidence and that a new trial should be granted in the interest
    of justice.
    
    Id. at 546
    (quotation omitted). Furthermore, “[i]n order for a defendant to
    prevail on a challenge to the weight of the evidence, the evidence must be so
    tenuous, vague and uncertain that the verdict shocks the conscience of the
    court.” 
    Id. (quotation marks
    and quotation omitted).
    In the case sub judice, Appellant requests that we re-weigh the evidence
    and assess the credibility of a witness presented at trial, a task that is beyond
    our scope of review. The jury, as finder of fact, had the duty to determine the
    credibility of the   testimony and evidence presented at trial.             See
    Commonwealth v. Collins, 
    70 A.3d 1245
    , 1251 (Pa.Super. 2013) (stating
    that “[a]n appellate court cannot substitute its judgment for that of the finder
    - 12 -
    J-S43031-19
    of fact”). Accordingly, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying
    Appellant’s weight of the evidence claim.
    In his final issue, Appellant contends the trial court abused its discretion
    in imposing a manifestly excessive sentence. Specifically, Appellant avers the
    trial court relied on an impermissible factor in sentencing Appellant. Namely,
    Appellant avers that, since Appellant’s father is not a mental health
    professional, the trial court abused its discretion in permitting him to testify
    at sentencing regarding Appellant’s poor mental health. This claim presents
    a challenge to the discretionary aspects of Appellant’s sentence.            See
    Commonwealth v. P.L.S., 
    894 A.2d 120
    , 127 (Pa.Super. 2006) (finding that
    a contention the trial court considered impermissible sentencing factors is a
    discretionary aspects of sentencing claim).
    We have long held that “[t]he right to appeal a discretionary aspect of
    sentence is not absolute.” 
    Id. at 122
    (citation omitted). Instead, such
    challenges are considered petitions for allowance of appeal. 
    Id. Generally, an
    appellant who wishes to challenge the discretionary aspects of his sentence
    must satisfy a four-part test to invoke this Court’s jurisdiction:
    (1) whether appellant has filed a timely notice of appeal; (2)
    whether the issue was properly preserved at sentencing or in a
    motion to reconsider and modify sentence; (3) whether
    appellant’s brief has a fatal defect pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 2119(f);
    and (4) whether there is a substantial question that the sentence
    appeal from is not appropriate under the Sentencing Code.
    - 13 -
    J-S43031-19
    
    Id. (citation omitted).
    Finally, “[w]hether a particular issue constitutes a
    substantial question about the appropriateness of sentence is a question to be
    evaluated on a case-by-case basis.” 
    Id. (citation omitted).
    Here, assuming, arguendo, Appellant filed a timely notice of appeal,
    preserved his sentencing claim, and presented a substantial question, we
    conclude Appellant’s claim is meritless.
    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. Zirkle, 
    107 A.3d 127
    , 132 (Pa.Super. 2014) (quotation
    omitted).
    When imposing a sentence, the sentencing court must
    consider the factors set out in 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9721(b), that is, the
    protection of the public, gravity of offense in relation to impact on
    the victim and community, and rehabilitative needs of the
    defendant....Furthermore, [a] trial court judge has wide discretion
    in sentencing and can, on the appropriate record and for the
    appropriate reasons, consider any legal factor in imposing a
    sentence[.] The sentencing court, however, must also consider
    the sentencing guidelines.
    Commonwealth v. Shugars, 
    895 A.2d 1270
    , 1275 (Pa.Super. 2006)
    (quotation marks, quotations, and citation omitted).
    In the case sub judice, the record reflects the trial court was provided
    with Appellant’s offense gravity scores, prior record, and the sentencing
    guideline ranges. N.T., 6/18/18, at 5. Additionally, the trial court permitted
    - 14 -
    J-S43031-19
    Appellant’s father, Richard Poore, to make a verbal statement for sentencing
    purposes. 
    Id. at 6.
    Richard Poore indicated that Appellant is mentally ill,
    bipolar, and schizophrenic; however, Appellant “has no insight into his
    condition, which is the key here.” 
    Id. at 9.
    Richard Poore advised the trial
    court that, since Appellant’s teenage years, he has had a “bipolar condition,”
    but the “schizophrenia and paranoia came on about three years ago[.]” 
    Id. at 10.
    Richard Poore admitted that he is not a mental health professional, but
    he asked the trial court to provide Appellant with treatment so that Appellant
    could “break” his pattern of self-destruction. 
    Id. at 11.
    Moreover, the record reveals the trial court reviewed Appellant’s mental
    health prison records and recognized that, within the past month, Appellant
    refused to speak to a psychiatrist for evaluation. 
    Id. at 12.
    The trial court
    indicated the record revealed Appellant “denied mental health treatment,
    and…denied mental health services.” 
    Id. at 14.
    Based on the aforementioned, we conclude it was not improper for the
    trial court to consider Richard Poore’s statements regarding Appellant’s history
    of mental illness, particularly in light of Appellant’s mental health prison
    records, which the trial court also considered in imposing sentence. Such
    information related to Appellant’s rehabilitative needs, which is a proper
    consideration under 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9721(b). Accordingly, we find no merit to
    Appellant’s claim that the trial court relied on an impermissible factor in
    - 15 -
    J-S43031-19
    imposing Appellant’s sentence, and consequently, the sentence was not
    excessive on this basis.
    After examining the issues contained in the Anders brief, we agree with
    counsel that the appeal is wholly frivolous. “Furthermore, after conducting a
    full examination of all the proceedings as required pursuant to Anders, we
    discern no non-frivolous issues to be raised on appeal.” 
    Yorgey, 188 A.3d at 1195
    . Thus, we grant counsel’s petition to withdraw and affirm Appellant’s
    judgment of sentence.
    Petition to withdraw as counsel granted.       Judgment of sentence
    affirmed.
    Judgment Entered.
    Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
    Prothonotary
    Date: 08/27/2019
    - 16 -
    

Document Info

Docket Number: 1621 MDA 2018

Filed Date: 8/27/2019

Precedential Status: Non-Precedential

Modified Date: 12/13/2024