Com. v. Hatchett, A. ( 2018 )


Menu:
  • J-A03004-18
    NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
    COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA               :   IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
    :        PENNSYLVANIA
    Appellee                 :
    :
    v.                              :
    :
    ANTONIO HATCHETT                           :
    :
    Appellant                :        No. 15 EDA 2017
    Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence December 1, 2016
    In the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County
    Criminal Division at No(s): CP-51-CR-0012786-2015
    BEFORE:      GANTMAN, P.J., McLAUGHLIN, J., and PLATT*, J.
    MEMORANDUM BY GANTMAN, P.J.:                         FILED FEBRUARY 23, 2018
    Appellant, Antonio Hatchett, appeals from the judgment of sentence
    entered in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas, after his bench
    trial convictions for possession of a firearm prohibited, carrying a firearm
    without a license, and carrying a firearm on a public street in Philadelphia.1
    We affirm.
    The relevant facts and procedural history of this case are as follows.
    On October 6, 2015, at about 8:30 p.m., Philadelphia
    Highway Patrolmen Timothy Stephan and Keith White were
    on routine patrol in the area of the 100 block of East
    Rockland Street in Philadelphia when they observed a
    vehicle with heavily tinted windows, which they stopped
    for violations of the Vehicle Code.    The vehicle was
    occupied by Appellant, who was in the backseat, Tyreek
    ____________________________________________
    1   18 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 6105(a)(1), 6106(a)(1), and 6108, respectively.
    ____________________________________
    * Retired Senior Judge assigned to the Superior Court.
    J-A03004-18
    Smith [(“Co-defendant”)], who was in the front passenger
    seat, and a third male, who was driving.              Upon
    approaching the males, Officer Stephan observed that
    Appellant had an identification card in his hand.       As
    Appellant attempted to hand the card to the officer,
    [Appellant’s] hand was shaking, and he began to breathe
    more heavily as he looked at the officer. The officer also
    observed green leafy material on the backseat floor of the
    vehicle that he believed was marijuana residue and
    detected an odor of burnt marijuana. Officer Stephan
    thereafter inspected the inside of the vehicle using his
    flashlight and noticed that the headrest attached to the
    front passenger [seat] had been stripped of its foam insert
    thereby creating a pocket. He also observed that material
    had been removed from the back of the front passenger
    seat, which he believed could have created a hidden
    compartment in the seat.
    Upon observing these alterations to the car, along with the
    nervousness manifested by the vehicle’s occupants, the
    officers became concerned so they returned to their
    vehicle and called for back-up. While the officers sat in
    their vehicle waiting for back-up, it appeared to them that
    the males in the vehicle were moving about inside it.
    When back-up arrived, Officer Stephan, Officer White, and
    the two back-up officers once again approached the
    vehicle.    Officer Stephan observed that Appellant was
    sweating even more profusely and breathing more heavily
    than he was during the initial encounter. After removing
    the three males from the vehicle, Officer Stephan
    confirmed that alterations had been made to the front
    passenger headrest, which had an indentation in the form
    of a handgun. He also confirmed alterations to the back of
    the front passenger seat. After Officer Stephan made
    these observations, Officer White proceeded from the
    driver’s side of the vehicle to its passenger side, lifted up
    the back seat, which he observed was not locked in to its
    bracket and was pulled away from the rear part of the seat
    creating a gap. He then recovered an operable black 9
    millimeter Ruger handgun loaded with sixteen live rounds,
    located directly under where Appellant was seated. A
    check of the serial number on the weapon revealed that
    the gun had been stolen and, as a result of the discovery
    -2-
    J-A03004-18
    of the gun, Appellant and [Co-defendant], the registered
    owner of the vehicle, were taken into custody. Neither
    person had a valid permit to carry a firearm.
    Prior to the stop of the vehicle in this instance, Officer
    Stephan had conversations with Appellant and, on those
    occasions, Appellant did not exhibit nervousness or profuse
    sweating during those encounters.          Officer Stephan
    indicated that he did not observe the firearm before it was
    recovered and that he did not see Appellant reach under
    the seat.
    (Trial Court Opinion, filed April 25, 2017, at 2-3).
    The court held a bench trial on September 15, 2016, and that same
    day, convicted Appellant of possession of a firearm prohibited, carrying a
    firearm without a license, and carrying a firearm on a public street in
    Philadelphia.    On December 1, 2016, the court sentenced Appellant to an
    aggregate term of six to twelve years’ imprisonment, plus five years’
    probation. Appellant timely filed a post-sentence motion on December 13,
    2016, which the court denied the following day.        On December 22, 2016,
    Appellant timely filed a pro se notice of appeal. The court, on December 28,
    2016, ordered Appellant to file a concise statement of errors complained of
    on appeal, pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b).        The court appointed appellate
    counsel on January 4, 2017, and issued a new Rule 1925(b) order on
    January 5, 2017.       After the court granted multiple extensions of time,
    Appellant timely filed a counseled Rule 1925(b) statement on March 27,
    2017.
    Appellant raises the following issues for our review:
    -3-
    J-A03004-18
    WERE THE VERDICT OF GUILTY AND JUDGMENT OF
    SENTENCE ON ALL OFFENSES (VIOLATION OF THE
    UNIFORM FIREARM ACT [18 PA.C.S.A.] § 6105,
    VIOLATION OF THE UNIFORM FIREARM ACT [18 PA.C.S.A.]
    § 6106, VIOLATION OF THE UNIFORM FIREARM ACT [18
    PA.C.S.A.] § 6108…) AGAINST THE WEIGHT OF THE
    EVIDENCE WHERE THE COMMONWEALTH COULD NOT
    PROVE ACTUAL OR CONSTRUCTIVE POSSESSION OF THE
    FIREARM, AS THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE PRESENTED THAT
    [APPELLANT] (1) EVER POSSESSED THE FIREARM, AND
    (2) HAD KNOWLEDGE OF, OR COULD EXERCISE
    CONSCIOUS DOMINION OR CONTROL OVER, THE FIREARM
    FOUND UNDER THE REAR SEAT CUSHION IN A VEHICLE
    THAT DID NOT BELONG TO HIM, WHEN HE WAS MERELY A
    REAR PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE AND APPEARED
    NERVOUS WHEN STOPPED BY THE POLICE?
    WAS THE VERDICT OF GUILTY (VIOLATION OF THE
    UNIFORM FIREARM ACT [18 PA.C.S.A.] § 6105,
    VIOLATION OF THE UNIFORM FIREARM ACT [18 PA.C.S.A.]
    § 6106, VIOLATION OF THE UNIFORM FIREARM ACT [18
    PA.C.S.A.] § 6108…) AGAINST THE WEIGHT OF THE
    EVIDENCE WHERE THE COMMONWEALTH COULD NOT
    PROVE ACTUAL OR CONSTRUCTIVE POSSESSION OF THE
    FIREARM, AS THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE PRESENTED THAT
    [APPELLANT] (1) EVER POSSESSED THE FIREARM, AND
    (2) HAD KNOWLEDGE OF, OR COULD EXERCISE
    CONSCIOUS DOMINION OR CONTROL OVER, THE FIREARM
    FOUND UNDER THE REAR SEAT CUSHION IN A VEHICLE
    THAT DID NOT BELONG TO HIM, WHEN HE WAS MERELY A
    REAR PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE AND APPEARED
    NERVOUS WHEN STOPPED BY THE POLICE, AND THE
    VERDICT SHOCKS THE CONSCIENCE?
    (Appellant’s Brief at 5-6).
    After a thorough review of the record, the briefs of the parties, the
    applicable law, and the well-reasoned opinion of the Honorable Daniel D.
    McCaffery, we conclude Appellant’s issues merit no relief.   The trial court
    opinion comprehensively discusses and properly disposes of the questions
    -4-
    J-A03004-18
    presented. (See Trial Court 
    Opinion, supra, at 4-8
    ) (finding: (1) evidence
    established Appellant constructively possessed firearm in vehicle; Appellant
    hastily gave identification to Officer Stephan, even though Appellant knew
    Officer Stephan; police saw gun-shaped cut-out in headrest situated in front
    of Appellant; alterations had been made to front passenger seat; Appellant
    became increasingly and unusually nervous as investigation of vehicle
    progressed; rear passenger seat where Appellant sat was unlatched;
    occupants of vehicle made noticeable movement inside vehicle after police
    initiated traffic stop; police discovered gun directly under Appellant;
    therefore, totality of circumstances of traffic stop indicated Appellant knew
    gun   was   present   and     had   intent   and   power      to   control    gun;   (2)
    Commonwealth       presented    credible     testimony   at    trial   that   Appellant
    possessed firearm in public in Philadelphia without license; although police
    did not observe Appellant place gun under his seat, circumstantial evidence
    allowed court to conclude Appellant’s firearms convictions did not shock
    conscience; specifically, police observed Appellant acting visibly nervous
    during traffic stop, Appellant’s seat was unhooked and loose, and police
    discovered gun directly under Appellant’s seat; court correctly found verdict
    was consistent with weight of evidence). Accordingly, we affirm on the basis
    of the trial court opinion.
    Judgment of sentence affirmed.
    -5-
    J-A03004-18
    Judgment Entered.
    Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
    Prothonotary
    Date:2/23/18
    -6-
    Circulated 02/15/2018 03:21 PM
    IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
    FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA
    TRIAL DIVISION-CRIMINAL SECTION
    COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA                                    : PHILADELPHIA COURT
    : OF COMMON PLEAS
    : CRIMINAL TRIAL DIVISION
    v.                    FILED            CP-51-CR-0012786-2015
    APR 2 52017
    ANTONIO HATCHETT                       Office of Judicial Recoros
    Appeals/Post Tria1
    CP-51-CR-0012786·2015 Comm. v. Hatchett, Antonio
    Opinion
    OPINION
    111111111111111 II Ill I I Ill
    7938084261
    MCCAFFERY, J
    Antonio Hatchett (hereinafter "Appellant") appeals from the judgment of sentence
    imposed by this Court on December l, 2016. For the reasons set forth below, it is suggested that
    the judgment of sentence be affirmed.
    PROCEDURAL HISTORY
    On September 15, 2016, Appellant was tried before this Court, sitting without a jury, and
    found guilty of Possession of a Firearm Prohibited, 18 Pa.C.S. § 6105, Carrying a Firearm
    Without a License, 18 Pa.C.S. § 6106, and Carrying a Firearm on a Public Street, 18 Pa.C.S. §
    6108.1 On December 1, 2016, this Court imposed an aggregate sentence of six to twelve years'
    incarceration followed by five years' probation. Following the imposition of sentence, Appellant
    filed a post-sentence motion which this Court denied on December 14, 2016. Appellant
    thereafter filed a notice of appeal and a court ordered Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b) statement. In his
    1
    Appellant was tried jointly with Tyreek Smith, who was acquitted. Appellant was tried on the 6105 charge after
    being convicted of the other two offenses. Following a stipulation to evidence indicating that Appellant had a prior
    conviction that made him ineligible to possess a firearm,and all of the evidence presented at trial, he was found
    guilty of violating section 6105. (N.T. 58).
    1
    1925(b) statement, Appellant asserts that the evidence was insufficient to sustain the convictions,
    that the guilty verdict was against the weight of the evidence, and that the Court committed an
    abuse of discretion with respect to the admission of certain evidence.
    FACTUAL IDSTORY
    On October 6, 2015, at about 8:30 p.m., Philadelphia Highway Patrolmen Timothy
    Stephan and Keith White were on routine patrol in the area of the 100 block of East Rockland
    Street in Philadelphia when they observed a vehicle with heavily tinted windows, which they
    stopped for violations of the Vehicle Code.                        (N.T. 10-11). 2 The vehicle was occupied by
    Appellant, who was in the backseat, Tyreek Smith, who was in the front passenger seat, and a
    third male, who was driving.                 (N.T. 10-11). Upon approaching the males, Officer Stephan
    observed that Appellant had an identification card in his hand. As Appellant attempted to hand
    the card to the officer, his hand was shaking, and he began to breathe more heavily as he looked
    at the officer. (N.T. 13, 15). The officer also observed green leafy material on the backseat floor
    of the vehicle that he believed was marijuana residue and detected an odor of burnt marijuana.
    (N.T. 14).3 Officer Stephan thereafter inspected the inside of the vehicle using his flashlight and
    noticed that the headrest attached to the front passenger had been stripped of its foam insert
    thereby creating a pocket. (N.T. 17). He also observed that material had been removed from the
    back of the front passenger seat, which he believed could have created a hidden compartment in
    the seat. (N.T. 17-18).
    Upon observing these alterations to the car, along with the nervousness manifested by the
    vehicle's occupants, the officers became concerned so they returned to their vehicle and called
    for back-up.         (N.T. 18, 44). While the officers sat in their vehicle waiting for back-up, it
    2
    Unless otherwise indicated, all references to the record refer to the transcript of Appellant's trial.
    3
    The other two passengers manifested nervousness as well. (N.T. 15).
    2
    appeared to them that the males in the vehicle were moving about inside it. (N.T. 18-19, 44).
    When back-up arrived, Officer Stephan, Officer White, and the two back-up officers once
    again approached the vehicle. Officer Stephan observed that Appellant was sweating even more
    profusely and breathing more heavily than he was during the initial encounter. (N.T. 19). After
    removing the three males from the vehicle, Officer Stephan confirmed that alterations had been
    made to the front passenger headrest, which had an indentation in the form of a handgun. He also
    confirmed alterations to the back of the front passenger seat.                (N.T. 19, 29). After Officer
    Stephan made these observations, Officer White proceeded from the driver's side of the vehicle
    to its passenger side, lifted up the back seat, which he observed was not locked in to its bracket
    and was pulled away from the rear part of the seat creating a gap. He then recovered an operable
    black 9 millimeter Ruger handgun loaded with sixteen live rounds, located directly under where
    Appellant was seated .. (N.T. 19-20, 28, 34, 44-45, 49).4 A check of the serial number on the
    weapon revealed that the gun had been stolen and, as a result of the discovery of the gun,
    Appellant and Smith, the registered owner of the vehicle, were taken into custody.                    (N.T. 20,
    45). Neither person had a valid permit to carry a firearm. (N.T. 20, 48).
    Prior to the stop of the vehicle in this instance, Officer Stephan had conversations with
    Appellant and, on those occasions, Appellant did not exhibit nervousness or profuse sweating
    during the prior encounters. (N.T. 27). Officer Stephan indicated that he did not observe the
    firearm before it was recovered and that he did not see Appellant reach under the seat. (N.T. 34,
    37).
    4
    A comparison of the recovered gun to the gun-shaped indentation in the altered headrest revealed that the gun
    matched the indentation. (N.T. 28, 46). A DNA test performed on the gun detected male DNA but it could not be
    connected to any individual. (N.T. 50).
    3
    DISCUSSION
    In his 1925(b) statement, Appellant argues in his first two claims that the verdicts were
    against the weight of the evidence and that the evidence was insufficient to sustain the verdicts
    because the Commonwealth failed to establish that Appellant possessed the gun, exercised
    dominion and control over the gun, or had knowledge of the presence of the gun under the seat.
    He further asserts that these issues have merit because he was merely present in the car and that
    the evidence related to his nervousness did not prove his guilt. He lastly claims that this Court
    committed an abuse of discretion by permitting the Commonwealth to present evidence that
    during prior encounters with Officer Stephan, Appellant did not exhibit nervousness.
    With regard to Appellant's sufficiency claim, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has
    provided the following standard of review:
    [T]he critical inquiry on review of the sufficiency of the
    evidence to support a criminal conviction... does not require a
    court to 'ask itself whether it believes that the evidence at the trial
    established guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Instead, it must
    determine simply whether the evidence believed by the fact-finder
    was sufficient to support the verdict. .. [A]ll of the evidence and
    any inferences drawn therefrom must be viewed in the light most
    favorable to the Commonwealth as the verdict winner.
    Commonwealth v. Ratsamy, 
    934 A.2d 1233
    , 1235-1236 (Pa. 2007) (emphasis in original).
    The Commonwealth need not establish guilt to a mathematical certainty, and it may
    sustain its burden by means of wholly circumstantial evidence. Commonwealth v. Duncan, 
    932 A.2d 226
    , 231 (Pa. Super. 2007) (citation omitted). A reviewing court may not substitute its
    judgment for that of the fact finder, and where the record contains support for the convictions,
    they may not be disturbed. 
    Id. Lastly, the
    finder of fact is free to believe some, all, or none of the
    evidence presented. Commonwealth v. Hartle, 
    894 A.2d 800
    , 804 (Pa. Super. 2006).
    Section 6105 provides that a person who has been convicted of any of several enumerated
    4
    felonies, including burglary, "shall not possess, use, control, sell, transfer or manufacture or
    obtain a license to possess, use, control, sell, transfer or manufacture a firearm in this
    Commonwealth." 18 Pa.C.S. § 6105 (a)(l). A person commits the crime of carrying a firearm
    without a license, 18 Pa. C.S. § 6106, if he or she carries a concealed firearm upon his or her
    person while lacking a license. Finally, a person violates 18 Pa. C.S. § 6108, if he or she carries
    a "firearm, rifle or shotgun at any time upon the public streets or upon any public property" in
    Philadelphia unless licensed to do so or exempt from the license requirement. For purposes of
    these sections, a "firearm" is "[a]ny pistol or revolver with a barrel length less than 15 inches,
    any shotgun with a barrel length less than 18 inches or any rifle with a barrel length less than 16
    inches, or any pistol, revolver, rifle or shotgun with an overall length of less than 26 inches." 18
    Pa. C.S. § 6102.
    The evidence adduced at trial established that Appellant constructively possessed the
    operable firearm discovered in the car. To prove constructive possession, the Commonwealth
    must show that the accused "exercise[d] a conscious dominion over the illegal [contraband.]"
    Commonwealth v. Valette, 
    613 A.2d 548
    , 550 (Pa. 1992). Conscious dominion is the "power to
    control the contraband and the intent to exercise that control." 
    Id., citing Corrunonwealth
    v.
    Mudrick, 
    507 A.2d 1212
    , 1213 (Pa. 1986).          The Superior Court has noted, .. [c]onstructive
    possession by its nature is not amenable to "bright line" tests. We have held, therefore, that it
    may be established by the totality of the circumstances." Conunonwealth v. Carroll, 
    507 A.2d 819
    , 821 (Pa. 1986). Finally, circumstantial evidence can prove constructive possession,
    Corrunonwealth v. Carter, 
    450 A.2d 142
    , 144 (Pa. Super. 1982).
    Drawing all inferences in favor of the Commonwealth as the law requires, it is clear that
    the evidence was sufficient to sustain the verdict finding Appellant guilty of the three firearms
    5
    charges. Starting with Appellant's haste to give Officer Stephan his identification even though
    he knew the officer, the gun-shaped cut-out in the headrest situated in front of Appellant, the
    alterations made to the front seat, Appellant's unusual and extreme nervousness that worsened as
    the investigation continued, the unlatched back seat, the movement of the men in the car after
    being stopped by the officers herein, and the discovery of the gun directly under Appellant all
    coalesced to prove Appellant had knowledge of the gun's presence, that he had the intent to
    posses the gun, and that he had the power to control the weapon. Accordingly, it is respectfully
    suggested that the instant claim be deemed lacking in merit. 5
    It is also suggested that Appellant's weight of the evidence claim also lacks merit. The
    standard in reviewing a weight of the evidence claim is well-settled:
    Appellate review of a weight claim is a review of the exercise of
    discretion, not of the underlying question of whether the verdict is
    against the weight of the evidence. 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 convict ion 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.
    Commonwealth v. Clay, 
    64 A.3d 1049
    , 1055 (Pa. 2013} (emphasis and citations omitted); see
    also Commonwealth v. Sanchez, 36 .3d 24, 27 (Pa. 2011) (stating that "[r]elief on a weight of the
    evidence claim is reserved for extraordinary circumstances, when the jury's verdict is so contrary
    5
    Appellant's extreme nervousness manifested consciousness of guilt. See Commonwealth v.
    Hughes, 
    865 A.2d 761
    , 792 (Pa. 2004) ("The conduct of an accused following a crime, including
    'manifestations of mental distress,' is admissible as tending to show guilt.") (quoting in part
    Commonwealth v. Homeyer, 
    94 A.2d 743
    , 747 (Pa. 1953) ("mental distress, fear at the time of or
    just before or just after discovery of the crime" are indicators of guilt)).
    6
    to the evidence as to shock one's sense of justice and the award of a new trial is imperative so
    that right may be given another opportunity to prevail." (citation omitted)).
    The initial determination regarding the weight of the evidence is for the fact-finder.
    Commonwealth v. Jarowecki, 
    923 A.2d 425
    , 433 (Pa. Super. 2007). The trier of fact is free to
    believe all, some or none of the evidence. 
    Id. A reviewing
    court is not permitted to substitute its
    judgment for that of the fact-finder. Commonwealth v. Small, 
    741 A.2d 666
    , 672 (Pa. 1999).
    When the challenge to the weight of the evidence is predicated on the credibility of trial
    testimony, appellate review of a trial court's decision is extremely limited. Unless the evidence is
    so unreliable and/or contradictory as to make any verdict based thereon pure conjecture, weight
    of evidence claims shall be rejected. Commonwealth v. Rossetti, 
    863 A.2d 1185
    , 1191 (Pa.
    Super. 2004 ).
    Applying the foregoing to the instant matter, the Court's verdict does not shock the
    conscience for the same reasons set forth above in the discussion of Appellant's sufficiency
    claim. The Commonwealth presented credible testimony that Appellant possessed a firearm
    without a license permitting him to possess a firearm on a public street of Philadelphia at a time
    when he was prohibited from doing so. Although Appellant was not observed placing the gun
    under the seat, the other evidence showing that he was nervous, the back seat upon which
    Appellant was sitting was unhooked and loose, and that the gun was found directly under him all
    caused this Court to conclude that the verdict did not shock the conscience.          As noted in
    Commonwealth v. Conway, 
    14 A.3d 101
    (Pa. Super. 2011), reargument denied (Mar. 16, 2011),
    appeal denied, 
    29 A.3d 795
    (2011), "[i]n DNA, as in other areas, an absence of evidence is not
    evidence of absence." Thus, it is clear that this Court did not commit an abuse of discretion in
    7
    denying Appellant's weight claim and it is respectfully suggested that the decision to deny
    Appellant relief on his weight claim be affirmed.
    In his final claim, Appellant asserts that it was an abuse of discretion to admit, over
    objection, evidence that during prior non-custodial interactions with Officer Stephan, Appellant
    did not appear nervous and acted normally. (N.T. 13-14, 27). The admissibility of evidence is
    solely within the discretion of the trial court and will be reversed only if the trial court has
    abused its discretion. An abuse of discretion is not merely an error of judgment, but is rather the
    overriding or misapplication of the law, or the exercise of judgment that is manifestly
    unreasonable, or the result of bias, prejudice, ill-will or partiality, as shown by the evidence of
    record. Commonwealth v. Hernandez, 
    39 A.2d 406
    , 411 (Pa.Super. 2012), quoting
    Commonwealth v. Herb, 
    852 A.2d 356
    , 363 (Pa.Super. 2004). Pennsylvania Rule of Evidence
    401 defines 'relevant evidence' as "evidence having any tendency to make the existence of any
    fact that is of consequence to the determination of the action more probable or less probable than
    it would be without the evidence."
    Admissibility of evidence depends on relevance and probative
    value. Evidence is relevant if it logically tends to establish a material fact
    in the case, tends to make a fact at issue more or less probable or supports
    a reasonable inference or presumption regarding a material fact.
    Commonwealth v. Stallworth, 
    781 A.2d 110
    , 117 (Pa. 2001), citing Commonwealth v. Crews,
    
    640 A.2d 395
    (Pa. 1994); Commonwealth v. Bardo, 709 A.2d.871 (Pa. 1988).
    The application of the foregoing establish that this Court did not commit an abuse of
    discretion by overruling Appellant's objection to the introduction of the evidence under review.
    The fact that Appellant exhibited nervousness that, in Officer Stephan's opinion, was out of the
    ordinary was relevant and admissible. As noted above, extreme nervousness establishes
    consciousness of guilt. Therefore, the fact that Appellant was extremely and unusually nervous
    8
    made his lack of such behavior when he was in Officer Stephan's presence previously relevant.
    Therefore, this Court did not commit an abuse of discretion and Appellant's claim should be
    deemed lacking in merit. 6
    CONCLUSION
    Based on the foregoing, it is respectfully suggested that the judgment of sentence entered
    in this matter against Appellant be affirmed.
    BY THE COURT,
    Date:   ��4o/Y
    6
    In any event, the evidence of guilt was overwhelming and any error in allowing the admission of this evidence was
    harmless. See Commonwealth v. Dejesus, 
    880 A.2d 608
    (Pa. 2005) (holding that because evidence of guilt was
    overwhelming, any error caused by admission of prejudicial evidence was harmless).
    9
    CERTIFICATION OF SERVICE
    b-
    I, James Molinari, Esquire, Law clerk to the Honorable Daniel D. Mccaffery hereby
    ') ,n4 day of
    certifies that on the �               �1,L,         , 2017, by first class mail, postage prepaid, a
    true and correct copy of the attached opinion was served upon the following:
    Leo M. Mulvihill, Jr., Esquire
    2424 East York Street-Suite 111
    Philadelphia, Pa. 19123
    Hugh Bums, Esquire
    Chief-Appeals Unit
    Office of the Philadelphia
    District Attorney
    Three South Penn Square
    Philadelphia, PA 19107
    James Molinari, Esquire
    10