Com. v. Bailey, J., Sr. ( 2016 )

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NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37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.
JOSEPH EARL BAILEY, SR.
Appellant No. 450 MDA 2015
Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence October 27, 2014
In the Court of Common Pleas of Centre County
Criminal Division at No(s): CP-14-CR-0000793-2013
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
PENNSYLVANIA
v.
JOSEPH EARL BAILEY, SR.
Appellant No. 451 MDA 2015
Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence October 27, 2014
In the Court of Common Pleas of Centre County
Criminal Division at No(s): CP-14-CR-0000798-2013
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
PENNSYLVANIA
v.
JOSEPH EARL BAILEY, SR.
Appellant No. 452 MDA 2015
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Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence October 27, 2014
In the Court of Common Pleas of Centre County
Criminal Division at No(s): CP-14-CR-0000850-2013
BEFORE: PANELLA, J., MUNDY, J., and STEVENS, P.J.E.*
MEMORANDUM BY PANELLA, J. FILED MARCH 21, 2016
In these consolidated appeals, Appellant, Joseph Earl Bailey, Sr.,
appeals from the judgment of sentence entered by the Honorable Pamela A.
Ruest, Court of Common Pleas of Centre County. We affirm.
The relevant facts and procedural history are as follows. Bailey was
charged in three separate criminal informations. At number 0793-2013,
Bailey was charged with three counts of corruption of minors 1 and three
counts of selling or furnishing liquor or malt or brewed beverages to minors.2
These charges concern an incident in July 2011 where Bailey supplied his
three minor children with alcohol at his home. At number 0798-2013, Bailey
was charged with four counts of rape of a child,3 four counts of aggravated
indecent assault,4 two counts of statutory sexual assault,5 two counts of
statutory sexual assault,6 one count of involuntary deviate sexual
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*
Former Justice specially assigned to the Superior Court.
1
18 Pa.C.S.A. § 6301(a)(1)(i).
2
18 Pa.C.S.A. § 6310.1(a).
3
18 Pa.C.S.A. § 3121(c).
4
18 Pa.C.S.A. § 3125(b).
5
18 Pa.C.S.A. § 3122.1
6
18 Pa.C.S.A. § 3122.1(b).
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intercourse (IDSI),7 four counts of sexual assault,8 and five counts of
indecent assault.9 These charges stem from Bailey’s sexual abuse of his
stepdaughter, D.D., which occurred on many separate occasions between
June 1, 2011 and August 30, 2012. At number 0850-2013, Bailey was
charged with two counts of incest,10 two counts of sexual assault,11 one
count of corruption of minors,12 and two counts of indecent assault.13 These
charges stem from Bailey’s sexual abuse of his biological sister, A.W., which
occurred on many separate occasions between May 1, 2008 and December
31, 2010. The Commonwealth subsequently filed a motion to consolidate the
three criminal informations, which the trial court, the Honorable Jonathan D.
Grine, granted after a pre-trial hearing was held.
A jury convicted Bailey of all of the above-mentioned offenses, with
the exception of count 4—sexual assault and count 7—indecent assault,
which were charged at number 0850-2013. Thereafter, the trial court, the
Honorable Pamela A. Ruest, determined that Bailey was a sexually violent
predator and sentenced him to an aggregate term of 203 to 406 years’
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7
18 Pa.C.S.A. § 3123(b).
8
18 Pa.C.S.A. § 3124.1.
9
18 Pa.C.S.A. § 3126(a)(7).
10
18 Pa.C.S.A. § 4302.
11
18 Pa.C.S.A. § 3124.1.
12
18 Pa.C.S.A. § 6301(a)(1).
13
18 Pa.C.S.A. § 3126(a)(1).
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imprisonment. Bailey subsequently filed a post-sentence motion, which the
trial court denied. This timely appeal followed.
On appeal, Bailey raises four issues for us to consider. In his first
issue, Bailey argues that the trial court abused its discretion in granting the
Commonwealth’s motion to consolidate the criminal informations.
A trial court’s decision to consolidate indictments for trial is a matter of
discretion and will be reversed on appeal only for a “manifest abuse of
discretion or prejudice and clear injustice to the defendant.”
Commonwealth v. Keaton, 729 A.2d 529, 537 (Pa. 1999) (citation
omitted). “Consolidation of separate offenses in a single trial is proper if the
evidence of each of them would be admissible in a separate trial for the
others and is capable of separation by the jury so that there is no danger of
confusion.” Id. (citation omitted); see also Pa.R.Crim.P. 582(A)(1)(a).
Bailey first argues that the Commonwealth’s motion for consolidation
was untimely under Pa.R.Crim.P. 582(B)(2) and should have been denied on
that basis alone. Bailey asserts that the motion was untimely because it was
not included in the omnibus pretrial motion and was not filed until “almost
ten months after Arraignment.” Appellant’s Brief (J-S06005-16), at 29.14
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14
Bailey submitted three substantially identical briefs; however, the page
numbers differ in each brief.
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Rule 582(B)(2) provides that a motion to consolidate “must ordinarily
be included in the omnibus pretrial motion.” Pa.R.Crim.P. 582(B)(2)
(emphasis added). The use of the word “ordinarily” plainly indicates that
while motions to consolidate should normally be included in an omnibus
pretrial motion, the rule is not absolute, and there are certain circumstances
where a motion to consolidate will be considered outside of an omnibus
motion. We refuse to make a rule absolute when the plain language does not
purport to do so. Thus, the trial court did not err by considering the motion.
Bailey next argues that the three cases did not meet the criteria for
consolidation because “[t]he evidence of these distinct offenses was not
capable of separation and not clearly distinguishable by the Jury … and the
danger of confusion existed.” Appellant’s Brief (J-S06005-16), at 30-31. He
further contends “[p]rejudice occurred because the evidence tended to
convict [him] only by showing his propensity to commit crimes….” Id., at
32-33. We disagree.
Evidence of other crimes is inadmissible at a trial when that proof is
introduced solely to show the defendant’s bad character or criminal
propensities. See Keaton, 729 A.2d at 537; see also Pa.R.E. 404(b)(1).
However, evidence of other crimes is admissible in certain circumstances,
such as when offered to prove motive, opportunity, intent, preparation, plan,
knowledge, identity, and absence of mistake or accident. See Pa.R.E.
404(b)(2). Additionally, such evidence is admissible “to show a common
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plan, scheme, or design embracing commission of multiple crimes, or to
establish the identity of the perpetrator, so long as proof of one crime tends
to prove the others.” Keaton, 729 A.2d at 537 (citation omitted).
“Consolidation of indictments requires only that there are shared similarities
in the details of each crime.” Commonwealth v. Newman, 598 A.2d 275,
278 (Pa. 1991); see generally Commonwealth v. Morris, 425 A.2d 715(Pa. 1981).
In Commonwealth v. Aikens, 990 A.2d 1181 (Pa. Super. 2010), we
ruled that the appellant’s prior rape of his daughter was admissible at his
trial for the sexual abuse of his younger daughter under the common
scheme or plan exception. See id., at 1185. We found that there were
sufficient similarities in the details of the two crimes to render the prior rape
properly admitted into evidence. See id. To illustrate, both victims were the
appellant’s daughters and were similar ages when the sexual abuse
occurred. See id., at 1186. The appellant also initiated contact with both
victims during overnight visits in his home and began the sexual abuse by
showing them pornographic movies. See id.Similarly, in Commonwealth v. Luktisch, 680 A.2d 877 (Pa. Super.
1996), where the appellant had been convicted of molesting his
stepdaughter, we ruled that the trial court properly allowed the testimony of
the appellant’s biological daughter regarding the sexual abuse that the
appellant perpetrated on her when she was a child. See id., at 879. We
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concluded that the two incidents were sufficiently similar to be admissible
under the common scheme or plan exception since the pattern of
molestation was the same in both cases and the victims were similar in age
when the abuse occurred. See id.The rationale followed in the above-mentioned cases is applicable
here. To start, all three of Bailey’s victims were prepubescent family
members. Bailey started sexually abusing his biological sister, A.W., in 2008,
when she was 9 years old. See N.T., Trial, 4/28/14, at 93. Bailey started
sexually abusing his stepdaughter, D.D., in 2011, when she was 10 years
old. See id., at 312. Bailey supplied his biological daughter, D.B., with
alcohol and propositioned her for sex in 2011, when she was 11 years old.
See id., at 276, 280. Moreover, A.W. and D.D. testified that Bailey sexually
abused them in the basement of his house. See id., at 117, 319. A.W. and
D.D. testified that Bailey would lock the door before commencing the
abusive acts. See id. D.B. also testified that Bailey took her to his basement
and locked the door before propositioning her for sex. See id., at 278.
Finally, all three victims testified that Bailey would tell them that it was okay
what they were doing together, but that they were not to tell anyone else
about it. See id., at 94, 282, 321.
We agree with the trial court’s determination that there were sufficient
similarities between the details of each case to warrant consolidation of the
matters. Specifically, the similarities involved in the three cases were
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probative of a common scheme, and evidence of each offense charged would
have been admissible in a separate trial for the others. 15 Moreover, the jury
could readily separate the evidence concerning each case, as each victim
testified to the distinctive events supporting the respective convictions, and
none of the fact situations is so complicated nor are any of the incidents
intertwined so as to confuse the jury. Accordingly, we conclude that the trial
court did not abuse its discretion by consolidating the three criminal
informations for trial. Bailey’s first issue on appeal merits no relief.
Bailey’s second and third issues challenge the trial court’s rulings on
motions in limine. We utilize an evidentiary abuse of discretion standard
when reviewing the denial or grant of a motion in limine. See
Commonwealth v. Mitchell, 902 A.2d 430, 455 (Pa. 2006).
Admission of evidence is within the sound discretion of the trial
court and will be reversed only upon a showing that the trial
court clearly 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. Tyson, 119 A.3d 353, 357-58 (Pa. Super. 2015)
(citations omitted).
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15
Although the offenses charged at number 0798-2013 were not sex
offenses, evidence of Bailey’s sexual advances toward D.B. would have been
admissible in the trials concerning D.D. and A.W due to the similar pattern in
the manner in which Bailey preyed on his young family members.
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Only relevant evidence is admissible. See Commonwealth v. Stokes,
78 A.3d 644, 654 (Pa. Super. 2013). “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
the existence of a material fact.” Id. (citation and internal quotations are
omitted). However, a court may exclude relevant evidence if “its probative
value is outweighed by the likelihood of unfair prejudice.” Commonwealth
v. Hitcho, 123 A.3d 731, 747 (Pa. 2015) (citation omitted); see also
Pa.R.E. 403. Evidence is not unfairly prejudicial merely because it is harmful
to the defendant’s case. See Commonwealth v. Page, 965 A.2d 1212,
1220 (Pa. Super. 2009). Rather, evidence will be excluded on this ground
only when it is “so prejudicial that it would inflame the jury to make a
decision based upon something other than the legal propositions relevant to
the case.” Id. (citations omitted).
In his second issue, Bailey asserts that the trial court erred in denying
his motion in limine and in allowing his sister, A.W., to testify regarding the
abortion she obtained after he raped and purportedly impregnated her.
Bailey argues that this evidence was not probative, had the tendency to
inflame the passions of the jurors, and was unduly prejudicial. See
Appellant’s Brief (J-S06005-16), at 34.
The trial court reasons that it properly denied Bailey’s motion in limine
and allowed A.W. to testify regarding her abortion because the testimony
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was relevant to help explain why A.W. did not immediately report the
incidents of rape. See Trial Court Opinion, 3/6/15, at 4. Additionally, the
trial court reasons that “any prejudices the jurors may have held against
abortion would have been used against … [A.W.], a Commonwealth witness,
and would not have prejudiced … [Bailey].” Id.After reviewing the certified record, we conclude that the trial court did
not abuse its discretion in allowing A.W. to testify regarding her abortion.
We agree with the trial court’s conclusion that this evidence was relevant
and not unduly prejudicial to Bailey. Thus, Bailey’s second issue on appeal
merits no relief.
In his third issue, Bailey asserts that the trial court erred in granting
the Commonwealth’s motion in limine and in precluding defense counsel
from giving an illustration of reasonable doubt in her closing argument. The
specific illustration at issue involved making a decision as to whether a
frozen pond appeared solid enough to safely skate upon it after making
observations regarding the weather and the appearance of the ice, among
other criteria. See N.T., Motions in Limine, at 3-5.
In arguing that the trial court erred by not allowing his counsel to use
this illustration, Bailey relies on this Court’s decision in Commonwealth v.
Jones, 858 A.2d 1198 (Pa. Super. 2004). His reliance on Jones, however, is
misplaced. Jones concerned a determination of whether the trial court’s use
of an illustration during jury instructions was a clear and accurate statement
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of law regarding reasonable doubt. See id., at 1203. In the present case, we
are assessing whether the trial court abused its discretion in precluding
defense counsel from using the proposed illustration in her closing
argument. In explaining its decision, the trial court stated:
The Court has consistently precluded defense counsel, First
Assistant Public Defender Deborah Lux, from using her
reasonable doubt illustration involving skating on an icy pond in
winter because it inappropriately plays on jurors’ fears regarding
falling through ice and drowning. See Commonwealth v.
Randall, Docket No. CP-14-CR-2053-2013; Commonwealth v.
Hopkins, Docket No. CP-14-CR-1606-2013; Commonwealth v.
Best, Docket No. CP-14-1772-2013. In granting the Motion in
Limine, the Court specified that while Attorney Lux could not use
her ice skating example, she was free to use any other
illustration of reasonable doubt so long as it did not
impermissibly play upon fear.
Trial Court Opinion, 3/6/15, at 5 (emphasis added).
Bailey does not explain how the trial court’s rationale for prohibiting
defense counsel’s proposed illustration constituted an abuse of discretion.
Instead, he simply argues “[i]t was reversible error for the Trial Court to
restrict Mr. Bailey’s ability to attempt to illustrate the concept of reasonable
doubt in his closing argument.” Appellant’s Brief (J-S06005-16), at 43.
Bailey’s argument is insufficient to convince us that the trial court abused its
discretion in that regard. Consequently, Bailey’s third issue on appeal merits
no relief.
In his fourth issue, Bailey challenges the discretionary aspects of his
sentence. Bailey contends that the trial court abused its discretion in
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imposing the sentence because “[a]lthough the sentences imposed on each
of the twelve counts were in act [sic] legal, the total aggregate sentence of
203 years to 406 years rendered the overall sentence beyond
comprehension.” Id., at 45. Essentially, Bailey is objecting to the
consecutive nature of his sentence.
“Although Pennsylvania’s system stands for individualized sentencing,
the court is not required to impose the ‘minimum possible’ confinement.”
Commonwealth v. Moury, 992 A.2d 162, 171 (Pa. Super. 2010) (citation
omitted). The sentencing court “has the discretion to impose sentences
consecutively or concurrently and, ordinarily, a challenge to this exercise of
discretion does not raise a substantial question.” Id. (citation omitted); see
also 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9721(a). “The imposition of consecutive, rather than
concurrent, sentences may raise a substantial question in only the most
extreme circumstances, such as where the aggregate sentence is unduly
harsh, considering the nature of the crimes and the length of imprisonment.”
Id., at 171-172 (citation omitted).
An “extreme circumstance” is not present here. The trial court acted
well within its discretion in imposing consecutive sentences. Although the
aggregate sentence is lengthy, it is nonetheless within the statutory
guidelines. For instance, due to Bailey’s prior third degree rape conviction in
New York, the trial court properly imposed the mandatory minimum
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sentence of 25-50 years’ imprisonment for his rape and IDSI convictions.
See 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9718.2(a)(1).
Given the egregious pattern of sexual abuse and the resultant physical
and emotional harm that Bailey inflicted upon his victims, we agree with the
trial court’s conclusion that a sentence of 203 to 406 years’ imprisonment is
reasonable and not excessive. Accordingly, Bailey’s challenge to the
discretionary aspects of his sentence is without merit; it does not even raise
a substantial question for our review.
Judgment of sentence affirmed.
Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary
Date: 3/21/2016
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