Com. v. Decroix, J. ( 2018 )

J-S63019-18
NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
: PENNSYLVANIA
:
v. :
:
:
JUSTIN JAY DECROIX :
:
Appellant : No. 254 WDA 2018
Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence January 23, 2018
In the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County Criminal Division at
No(s): CP-02-CR-0006128-2017
BEFORE: OTT, J., MURRAY, J., and STEVENS*, P.J.E.
MEMORANDUM BY MURRAY, J.: FILED OCTOBER 25, 2018
Justin Decroix (Appellant) appeals from the judgment of sentence
imposed after he pled guilty to three counts of person not to possess a firearm
and one count of simple assault.1 We affirm.
On May 5, 2017, Jefferson Hills Police received “reports of a male with
an automatic rifle who was threatening suicide.” N.T., 10/30/17, at 7. When
officers arrived on the scene, they encountered Appellant, who “ultimately was
able to be apprehended and was taken into custody and delivered to Western
Psychiatric Hospital.” Id. at 8. On May 7, 2017, the officers returned to where
they located Appellant “in the woods” and recovered an operable firearm. Id.
at 9. Additionally, the officers executed a search warrant for Appellant’s
residence. When the officers arrived to serve the warrant, Appellant was
____________________________________________
1 18 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 6105(a), 2701(a).
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* Former Justice specially assigned to the Superior Court.
J-S63019-18
present and became agitated, rushed the officers, and struck one officer with
his shoulder and knocked him to the ground. The officers recovered two
operable firearms from the residence. Id. at 8-9. As a result, Appellant was
charged with the aforementioned crimes.
On October 30, 2017, Appellant appeared before the trial court and
entered his guilty plea. Appellant’s sentencing was deferred for the
preparation of a pre-sentence investigation report. On January 23, 2018, the
trial court sentenced Appellant to an aggregate 3 to 15 years of incarceration.
Appellant filed a timely post-sentence motion on January 25, 2018. The trial
court denied his post-sentence motion that same day. On February 20, 2018,
Appellant filed this timely appeal. Both the trial court and Appellant have
complied with Pennsylvania Rule of Appellate Procedure 1925.
Appellant presents a single issue for our review:
WHETHER THE TRIAL COURT ABUSED ITS DISCRETION IN
SENTENCING [APPELLANT] TO A MANIFESTLY EXCESSIVE
AGGREGATE SENTENCE OF 3 TO 15 YEARS’ INCARCERATION
WITHOUT MAKING ANY OF THE REQUIRED FACTUAL FINDINGS
FOR A SENTENCE OF TOTAL INCARCERATION UNDER 42 PA.C.S.
§ 9725, OR CONSIDERING THE REQUIRED SENTENCING
CRITERIA UNDER 42 PA.C.S. § 9721(b)?
Appellant’s Brief at 5.
Appellant challenges the discretionary aspects of his sentence. “The
right to appellate review of the discretionary aspects of a sentence is not
absolute, and must be considered a petition for permission to appeal.”
Commonwealth v. Buterbaugh, 91 A.3d 1247, 1265 (Pa. Super. 2014),
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appeal denied, 104 A.3d 1 (Pa. 2014). “An appellant must satisfy a four-
part test to invoke this Court’s jurisdiction when challenging the discretionary
aspects of a sentence.” Id. We conduct this four-part test to determine
whether:
(1) the appellant preserved the issue either by raising it at the
time of sentencing or in a post[-]sentence motion; (2) the
appellant filed a timely notice of appeal; (3) the appellant set forth
a concise statement of reasons relied upon for the allowance of
appeal pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 2119(f); and (4) the appellant raises
a substantial question for our review.
Commonwealth v. Baker, 72 A.3d 652, 662 (Pa. Super. 2013) (citation
omitted), appeal denied, 86 A.3d 231 (Pa. 2014). “A defendant presents a
substantial question when he sets forth a plausible argument that the
sentence violates a provision of the sentencing code or is contrary to the
fundamental norms of the sentencing process.” Commonwealth v. Dodge,
77 A.3d 1263, 1268 (Pa. Super. 2013) (quotations and citations omitted),
appeal denied, 91 A.3d 161 (Pa. 2014).
Here, Appellant has complied with the first three prongs of the
discretionary aspect test to invoke our jurisdiction by raising his issue in a
timely post-sentence motion, filing a timely notice of appeal, and including in
his appellate brief a Rule 2119(f) concise statement. See Appellant’s Brief at
14-18. Additionally, by asserting that the trial court’s sentence violated
provisions of the Sentencing Code, specifically for failing to take into
consideration the requirements of 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9725 and 42 Pa.C.S.A. §
9721(b), Appellant has raised a substantial question. See Commonwealth
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v. Derry, 150 A.3d 987, 992 (Pa. Super. 2016) (“An averment that the trial
court failed to consider relevant sentencing criteria, including the protection
of the public, the gravity of the underlying offense and the rehabilitative needs
of Appellant, as 42 PA.C.S. § 9721(b) requires[,] presents a substantial
question for our review[.]”).
Because Appellant has satisfied each of the criteria for invoking our
review of a discretionary aspects of sentencing claim, we turn to the merits of
his argument. The relevant standard of review is as follows:
Sentencing is a matter vested in the sound discretion of the
sentencing judge. The standard employed when reviewing the
discretionary aspects of sentencing is very narrow. We may
reverse only if the sentencing court abused its discretion or
committed an error of law. 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. We must accord
the sentencing court’s decision great weight because it was in the
best position to review the defendant’s character, defiance or
indifference, and the overall effect and nature of the crime.
Commonwealth v. Cook, 941 A.2d 7, 11-12 (Pa. Super. 2007) (internal
quotations and citations omitted).
Appellant alleges two specific errors by the trial court. Appellant first
argues that the “trial court did not make any of the required factual findings
pursuant to § 9725, and the records of the plea and sentencing hearings do
not support such findings.” Appellant’s Brief at 26. Section 9725 provides:
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The court shall impose a sentence of total confinement if, having
regard to the nature and circumstances of the crime and the
history, character, and condition of the defendant, it is of the
opinion that the total confinement of the defendant is necessary
because:
(1) there is undue risk that during a period of probation or partial
confinement the defendant will commit another crime;
(2) the defendant is in need of correctional treatment that can be
provided most effectively by his commitment to an institution; or
(3) a lesser sentence will depreciate the seriousness of the crime
of the defendant.
42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9725.
The trial court made the following factual findings at Appellant’s
sentencing hearing:
This is the second case involving very concerning behavior and
weapons. And [Appellant] seems to have mastered the art of
convincing WPIC that he’s not homicidal or suicidal, even though
he has threatened to kill himself and others with guns. He also
has a violation pending at 2012-14201 . . . he’s a convicted
violator of his probation on the 2012 case by virtue of the new
case. . . . Unfortunately though, this has been an ongoing pattern.
He has a 2007 conviction for prohibited offensive weapons other
than a knife/switchblade. And when the police were called on the
2012 case, he had weapons. And then he was taken on the other
2012 case to Jefferson Hospital, he was aggressive and violent at
that point. He seems to do well for the period of time, but the
problem with [Appellant] is when he goes off the rails, he really
goes off the rails. Certainly the evidence revealed firearms,
ammunition, brass knuckles. This is somebody who he himself,
and his mother know cannot possess weapons. . . . I just don’t
think [Appellant] has demonstrated a complete understanding of
the significance of his mental health issues and treatment.
N.T., 1/23/18, at 5-6, 8-9, 10. Additionally, while imposing Appellant’s
sentence in open court, the trial court stated:
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So [Appellant], at the new conviction, I am going to the
aggravated range of guidelines, because of the seriousness of
each of these incidences and your inability to deal with the mental
health issues that you [] have, before the safety of the community
as well as your own safety. . . . I will let you demonstrate through
your treatment course in the state, whether you’ve reached a
point where you’re safe to return to the community and under
what supervision or conditions. And I do this with compassion for
your serious mental illness, but also in recognition of the very
serious danger that you present to the community.
Id. at 15-16.
Consistent with the foregoing, we conclude that the trial court made the
required factual findings under Section 9725 of the Sentencing Code, and
therefore, Appellant’s assertion that it failed to do so is meritless. Our review
reveals that the trial court made the requisite findings at the time of
Appellant’s sentencing with regard to the risk Appellant poses to the
community if he is not incarcerated, his need for mental health treatment
while incarcerated, as well as a thorough analysis of the nature and
circumstances of the crimes to which Appellant pled. The trial court also
addressed Appellant’s history, character, and current condition. We therefore
determine that the trial court appropriately applied Section 9725.
Appellant additionally asserts that the “trial court abused its discretion
by failing to place adequate reasons on the record and failing to consider
[Appellant’s] nature and character, particularly his mental health history and
plans for future treatment, before imposing a manifestly excessive sentence
of 3 to 15 years’ incarceration.” Appellant’s Brief at 26.
The relevant portion of 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9721(b) states:
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In selecting from the alternatives set forth in subsection (a), 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. . . . In every case in which
the court imposes a sentence for a felony or misdemeanor . . . the
court shall make as a part of the record, and disclose in open court
at the time of sentencing, a statement of the reason or reasons
for the sentence imposed.
Id.
This Court has also held that, “When a sentencing court has reviewed a
pre[-]sentence investigation report, we presume that the court properly
considered and weighed all relevant factors in fashioning the defendant’s
sentence.” Baker, 72 A.3d at 663, (citing Commonwealth v. Fowler, 893
A.2d 758, 767 (Pa. Super. 2006)). Additionally:
[i]n imposing sentence, the trial court is required to consider the
particular circumstances of the offense and the character of the
defendant. The trial court should refer to the defendant’s prior
criminal record, age, personal characteristics, and potential for
rehabilitation. However, where the sentencing judge had the
benefit of a presentence investigation report, it will be presumed
that he or she was aware of the relevant information regarding
the defendant’s character and weighed those considerations along
with mitigating statutory factors. Additionally, the sentencing
court must state its reasons for the sentence on the record. 42
Pa.C.S.A. § 9721(b). The sentencing judge can satisfy the
requirement that reasons for imposing sentence be placed on the
record by indicating that he or she has been informed by the pre-
sentencing report; thus properly considering and weighing all
relevant factors.
Fowler, 893 A.2d at 767-68, (citing Commonwealth v. Boyer, 856 A.2d
149, 154 (Pa. Super. 2004)) (some internal citations omitted).
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At Appellant’s sentencing, the trial court specifically stated on the
record, “[w]e do have a PSI here, which I have read.” N.T., 1/23/18, at 3.
As the trial court indicated on the record that it was informed by Appellant’s
pre-sentence investigation report, it properly satisfied the requirement of
Section 9721(b) that the reasons for the imposition of his sentence be placed
on the record. Moreover, the trial court provided an in-depth analysis of
Appellant’s mental health issues, violence towards police officers during the
instant criminal episode, as well as his proclivity for possessing weapons – all
of which factored in the trial court’s imposition of Appellant’s sentence. The
trial court explained:
Appellant had engaged in nearly identical conduct previously and
was given a sentence of probation to address his mental health
needs. This Court sentenced Appellant in the aggravated range
of the Sentencing Guidelines, “because of the seriousness of each
of these incidences and [Appellant’s] inability to deal with the
mental health issues” and to ensure the safety of the community
as well as Appellant’s own safety. The sentence imposed was
designed to protect the community while allowing the possibility
for Appellant to address his mental health needs and reenter
society as a rehabilitated man.
Trial Court Opinion, 4/9/18, at 6 (citations to record omitted).
For the reasons discussed above, Appellant’s assertion that the trial
court’s sentence failed to comply with Section 9721(b) is without merit.
Judgment of sentence affirmed.
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Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary
Date: 10/25/2018
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