Com. v. Schrock, J. ( 2018 )

J-A32004-17
NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
: PENNSYLVANIA
Appellant :
:
:
v. :
:
:
JASON PAUL SCHROCK : No. 841 MDA 2017
Appeal from the Order Entered May 10, 2017
In the Court of Common Pleas of Franklin County
Criminal Division at No(s): CP-28-CR-0000775-2016
BEFORE: OTT, J., DUBOW, J., and STRASSBURGER, J.
MEMORANDUM BY OTT, J.: FILED JANUARY 10, 2018
The Commonwealth appeals from the order entered May 10, 2017, and
clarified on May 11, 2017,1 in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas,
which granted, in part, Jason Paul Schrock’s pretrial motion in limine, and
prohibited a state trooper from offering lay opinion testimony based on
“scientific, technical or other specialized knowledge within the scope of
Pa.R.Evid. 702.” Order, 5/11/2017. On appeal, the Commonwealth contends
the trial court’s ruling was erroneous, and the trooper should be permitted to
testify regarding his observations as a lay witness. For the reasons below, we
affirm.
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 Retired Senior Judge assigned to the Superior Court.
1 The Commonwealth has properly certified in its notice of appeal that the
order will “substantially handicap the prosecution” pursuant to Pa.R.A.P.
311(d). Notice of Appeal, 5/24/2017.
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The following facts were developed during a pretrial suppression
hearing, and summarized by the trial court in its opinion disposing of the
motion:
Robert Adams lives at 2102 Stillhouse Road, Shippensburg,
Franklin County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He owns the
property at that address, and resides there with his son Tim
Adams and Judy.10 During the overnight hours of April 8, 2016 -
April 9, 2016, [Schrock] and his then girlfriend, Katelyn Rock,
arrived at Mr. Adams’ residence. They went into the room above
a shed on the property; at approximately 8:00 p.m., [Schrock]
snorted heroin and Ms. Rock injected heroin. At some point that
same evening, Mr. Adams learned that his grandson, [Schrock],
was present on the property with Ms. Rock. Mr. Adams had
previously advised [Schrock] that he was not permitted upon the
property.
__________
It was not clear from Mr. Adams’ testimony whether Judy
10
is a relative of his, wife/paramour of himself or his son, or
just a tenant.
__________
Upon learning of the presence of [Schrock], Mr. Adams
contacted the Pennsylvania State Police (hereinafter "PSP") for
assistance. He advised PSP that there were unwanted individuals
on his property and that one or both of them may have warrants
for their arrest. Trooper Benjamin Frantz11 was dispatched to Mr.
Adams’ residence.
__________
Trooper Frantz has been employed by PSP since January
11
21, 2007, and has extensive training in detecting the effects
of an individual under the influence of controlled substances
or alcohol. Specifically, he received training at the PSP
Academy, completed Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving
Enforcement training, and is certified as a Drug Recognition
Expert by the Pennsylvania Chief’s Association and the
United States Department of Transportation. In his career
he has interacted with hundreds of individuals under the
influence of a controlled substance.
__________
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At the time he was dispatched, Trooper Frantz was advised
that there was a report of two (2) unwanted individuals who were
trespassing and were possibly wanted by law enforcement
authorities. Upon arrival at Mr. Adams’ residence, Trooper Frantz
spoke with Mr. Adams. Mr. Adams advised him that [Schrock]
and Ms. Rock were in a shed on the property and that Mr. Adams
wanted them removed. Mr. Adams told Trooper Frantz that his
grandson's name was “Jason.”
Trooper Frantz asked Mr. Adams if he could come onto the
property to search for [Schrock] and Ms. Rock; Mr. Adams advised
him that he could. In fact, Mr. Adams showed Trooper Frantz the
location of the shed. [Schrock] and Ms. Rock were located in the
upstairs room above the shed, which was accessed by an exterior
staircase.
Trooper Frantz opened the door to the room and
immediately observed [Schrock] seated in a chair inside the door.
Trooper Frantz also observed Ms. Rock move immediately to a
love seat and sit down. Trooper Frantz noticed a cloud of smoke
which had an odor consistent with recent narcotic use. He
observed fresh “track marks” on Ms. Rock’s arms, so recent that
they were still bleeding. He did not observe track marks on
[Schrock’s] arms. Both [Schrock] and Ms. Rock had droopy
eyelids, which Trooper Frantz noted is consistent with recent
opiate use.
Trooper Frantz engaged [Schrock] and questioned why he
was there. [Schrock] advised him that he had the permission of
his father (Mr. Adams’ son, Tim) to be present on the property.
While talking to the [Schrock], Trooper Frantz noted that
[Schrock’s] responses were lethargic, which is consistent with
recent narcotic use. Trooper Frantz obtained identifying
information for both [Schrock] and Ms. Rock and ran12 their names
for wants/warrants. Ms. Rock provided a false name to Trooper
Frantz.
__________
12 Trooper Frantz could not recall if he ran the names
himself, or whether another Trooper did.
__________
During his investigation, Trooper Frantz asked Ms. Rock
where her “kit” was; as explained by Trooper Frantz, a “kit” is
typically a small bag or container where a drug abuser keeps their
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drug delivery devices and other drug-use paraphernalia, as well
as controlled substances. She advised him that it was in her purse.
Trooper Frantz observed the purse on the floor and
approached it. The purse was open and, without touching or
otherwise manipulating the purse, Trooper Frantz observed used
hypodermic needles, a tourniquet, cotton, and burnt spoons in an
open bag inside the purse.13 Upon retrieving the kit for closer
examination, Trooper Frantz also observed capsules containing a
brown/off-white substance. The substance’s characteristics were
consistent with heroin.
__________
13The Court notes that these items are commonly used for
ingesting controlled substances, particularly heroin.
__________
At some point, Trooper Frantz took both [Schrock] and Ms.
Rock into custody14 for the instant offenses.15 Trooper Frantz then
conducted an immediate search of the area within arms’ reach16
of [Schrock] and Ms. Rock. He located a jacket which appeared
to belong to a male; when he questioned [Schrock] regarding
ownership of the jacket, [Schrock] said it was his. Upon searching
the jacket, Trooper Frantz located a bag of marijuana.
__________
It is not clear from the testimony at what precise point
14
Trooper Frantz placed [Schrock] and Ms. Rock under arrest.
Ms. Rock was charged similarly to [Schrock]; however,
15
she was additionally charged with providing false
identification to law enforcement. Trooper Frantz was also
aware by this time that [Schrock] was under the supervision
of state parole.
16Mr. Adams testified that the room in question is
approximately 10 feet by 10 feet; Trooper Frantz opined
that it was a bit larger in dimensions. Suffice it to say, the
room was not large.
Trial Court Opinion, 3/29/2017, at 5-7.
Schrock was subsequently charged with possession of a controlled
substance, possession of drug paraphernalia (three counts), and possession
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of marijuana for personal use.2 Although counsel was initially appointed, the
trial court later granted Schrock’s request to proceed pro se following a
Grazier3 hearing conducted on October 12, 2016. Thereafter, Schrock filed
several pretrial motions including an omnibus motion for pretrial relief, which
the trial court granted in part, and denied in part, on March 29, 2017.4
Relevant to this appeal, Schrock filed a motion in limine on April 28,
2017, seeking, inter alia, to prohibit Trooper Frantz from offering “expert”
testimony and referring to his training as a “drug recognition expert.” Motion
in Limine, 4/28/2017, at unnumbered 5-6. In response, the Commonwealth
filed an answer, asserting Trooper Frantz “will not be tendered as an
expert at trial,” but rather, would be “offering testimony as a lay witness
based on his training, to include his training as a DRE, and experience and
perception of the events on the evening in question as to whether [Schrock]
appeared to be high and/or under the influence” of drugs. Commonwealth’s
Answer, 5/4/2017, at unnumbered 4 (emphasis supplied).
On May 10, 2017, the trial court entered an order granting, in part, and
denying, in part, Schrock’s motion. For purposes of this appeal, the court
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2 See 35 P.S. §§ 780-113(a)(16), (a)(31)(i), and (a)(32), respectively.
3 See Commonwealth v. Grazier, 713 A.2d 81 (Pa. 1998).
4 The trial court granted Schrock’s motion to suppress a statement he made
to Trooper Frantz admitting that he uses heroin and marijuana. See Order,
3/29/2017. However, the court denied Schrock’s motion to suppress the
evidence recovered from the purse and jacket, as well as a motion for writ of
habeas corpus. See id.
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directed: “Trooper Benjamin Frantz is prohibited from testifying as an expert
witness or offering an opinion that would fall within the parameters of
Pa.R.Evid. 702.” Order, 5/10/2017, at ¶ 6. The next day, the Commonwealth
filed a motion for clarification. In an order dated May 11, 2017, the court
denied the motion, but explained:
In granting [Schrock’s] Motion in Limine on this point, the Court
relied exclusively upon the Commonwealth’s assertion that it
would not be calling Trooper Frantz as an expert witness. Since
the Commonwealth is not tendering Trooper Frantz as an expert,
ip so facto his testimony in the manner of any opinion is limited
by Pa.R.Evid. 701. In other words, if Trooper Frantz’s opinion
sought to be introduced by the Commonwealth is based on
scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge within the
scope of Pa.R.Evid. 702, it is not admissible since he is not being
offered as an expert witness.
Order, 5/11/2017 (emphasis in original). This Commonwealth appeal follows.5
The Commonwealth’s sole issue on appeal6 asserts the trial court abused
its discretion in prohibiting Trooper Frantz from offering lay opinion testimony
that based upon his experience as a DRE, he believed Schrock was under the
____________________________________________
5 On May 30, 2017, the trial court ordered the Commonwealth to file a concise
statement of errors complained of on appeal pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b).
The Commonwealth complied with the court’s directive, and filed a concise
statement on June 19, 2017.
We note, too, that in July of 2017, Schrock requested, and was granted,
appointment of counsel to assist him on appeal. See Order, 7/5/2017. After
counsel filed Schrock’s appellee brief, he requested permission to withdraw in
the trial court. By order entered November 21, 2017, the trial court held
counsel’s motion in abeyance until after a ruling from this Court, in order to
“avoid undue prejudice” to Schrock. Order, 11/21/2017.
6 Although the Commonwealth lists two issues in its brief, we have
consolidated them for ease of disposition.
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influence of narcotics on the night in question. See Commonwealth’s Brief at
19.
Our review of a trial court’s ruling on a motion in limine is well-
established:
When ruling on a trial court’s decision to grant or deny a motion
in limine, we apply an evidentiary abuse of discretion standard of
review. “A trial court has broad discretion to determine whether
evidence is admissible,” and a trial court’s ruling regarding the
admission of evidence “will not be disturbed on appeal unless that
ruling reflects manifest unreasonableness, or partiality, prejudice,
bias, or ill-will, or such lack of support to be clearly erroneous.”
Commonwealth v. Belani, 101 A.3d 1156, 1160 (Pa. Super. 2014) (internal
citations omitted).
With regard to the specific issue presented sub judice, we note
Pennsylvania Rule of Evidence 701 provides that a lay witness may offer
opinion testimony so long as it is:
(a) rationally based on the witness’s perception;
(b) helpful to clearly understanding the witness’s testimony or to
determining a fact in issue; and
(c) not based on scientific, technical, or other specialized
knowledge within the scope of Rule 702.
Pa.R.E. 701. Rule 702 sets forth the qualifications for expert opinion
testimony, including, inter alia, that the expert have “scientific, technical, or
other specialized knowledge [] beyond that possessed by the average
layperson[.]” Pa.R.E. 702(a).
Here, the Commonwealth insists Trooper Frantz should be permitted to
provide lay opinion testimony that: (1) Schrock was under the influence of
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narcotics on the night in question; (2) the odor in the room was consistent
with recent narcotic/heroin use; and (3) the drug paraphernalia found at the
scene was a “drug kit” commonly possessed by drug users. See
Commonwealth’s Brief at 20-28. The Commonwealth maintains these
opinions were based solely upon Trooper Frantz’s observations, coupled with
his experience as a DRE. See id. at 23-24. Specifically, the Commonwealth
argues the trooper’s observations of Schrock’s behavior and demeanor were
“‘typical and obvious’ indicia of recent narcotic use which make the admission
of a lay witness opinion on the issue appropriate[.]” Id. at 24 (citation
omitted). Moreover, it contends the trooper’s opinion that the odor in the
room was consistent with recent narcotic use was not based on specialized
knowledge because “the average layperson understands how ones (sic) sense
of smell works[.]” Id. at 26. Further, the Commonwealth argues “a layperson
could quite easily comprehend what a drug kit is … without the necessity of
expert testimony.” Id. at 27.
The trial court addressed the Commonwealth’s arguments as follows:
[T]he Commonwealth rather bizarrely asserts that Trooper Frantz
will not be offered as an expert witness,[7] but will “be offering
testimony as a lay witness based on his training, to include his
training as a DRE, and experience and perception of the events on
the evening in question as to whether [Schrock] appeared to be
high and/or under the influence of an intoxicating substance.” The
____________________________________________
7 The Commonwealth has provided no explanation as to why it will not offer
Trooper Frantz as an expert witness, particularly considering his training as a
DRE.
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Commonwealth further argues that the issues raised by [Schrock]
go to the weight of Trooper Frantz’s testimony, and not its
admissibility. Finally, the Commonwealth points out that
[Schrock] will have the opportunity to cross-examine Trooper
Frantz during trial on the issues raised.
The Commonwealth avers that the observations and
conclusions of Trooper Frantz are admissible under Pa.R.Evid.
701. … In the Court’s mind, it defies logic to suggest, as the
Commonwealth does, that Trooper Frantz’s testimony falls within
Pa.R.Evid. 701 and not Pa.R.Evid. 702. While Trooper Frantz can
certainly testify under Pa.R.Evid. 701 regarding his observations
and perceptions, any conclusion derived therefrom that [Schrock]
was under the influence of heroin inexorably originates from the
Trooper’s training, education and experience.
Since the Commonwealth has indicated that Trooper Frantz
will not be offered as an expert witness, he will be permitted to
testify as to what he observed; however, because he is not offered
as an expert witness under Pa.R.Evid. 702, he is prohibited from
testifying to any conclusion based upon his training, education or
experience, i.e., any conclusion that would fall within the gambit
of Pa.R.Evid. 702. See Pa.R.Evid. 701(c).
****
As a result of the Commonwealth’s decision not to have
Trooper Frantz testify as an expert, his status as a Drug
Recognition Expert7 becomes irrelevant.
__________
7 It should not be lost on either party that the word “expert”
is in the very title of Trooper Frantz’s status as a DRE.
Trial Court Opinion, 5/10/2017, at 5-6 (some internal citations and footnote
omitted). The trial court also provided several examples of permissible and
impermissible testimony under its ruling. See id. at 6-7 (explaining the
trooper could (a) testify he smelled an odor when he entered the room, (b)
identify the objects in Rock’s purse, and (c) describe Schock’s physical
behavior; but could not (a) identify the odor as recent heroin use, (b) identify
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the items in Rock’s purse as a “drug kit” and explain possession of such a kit
was indicative of recent drug use, and (c) testify that Schrock’s physical
appearance was indicative of recent heroin use).
We agree with the trial court’s ruling, and find this Court’s recent en
banc decision in Commonwealth v. Gause, 164 A.3d 532 (Pa. Super. 2017),
appeal denied, ___ A.3d ___ (Pa. Oct. 26, 2017), instructive. In Gause, a
police officer conducted a stop of the defendant’s vehicle for a minor traffic
violation. Although the defendant did not immediately appear to be under the
influence of drugs or alcohol, the officer smelled alcohol and the defendant
acknowledged he had one beer at a friend’s house. See id. at 535. The officer
then conducted several field sobriety tests, and based on the results, the
defendant was arrested and charged with, inter alia, driving under the
influence of a controlled substance. See id. at 534-535.
Relevant herein, the arresting officer testified at trial that, in her opinion,
the defendant was under the influence of marijuana at the time of the traffic
stop based on body and eyelid tremors he displayed during one of the field
sobriety tests. See id at 536. After he was convicted, the defendant
appealed. A panel of this Court vacated the judgment of sentence, concluding
the trial court erred in permitting the officer’s opinion testimony. The panel
opined:
Although Officer Eiker could testify as to her observations of an
apparent physical condition, a qualified expert is required to
provide the connection between the symptoms observed and the
drug allegedly influencing the defendant’s driving. See
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[Commonwealth v.] DiPanfilo, [993 A.2d 1262 (Pa. Super.
2010)]; see also Commonwealth v. Allison, 550 Pa. 4, 703
A.2d 16 (1997) (lay witness could not testify regarding “split and
opened” condition of complainant’s hymen in absence of qualified
expert testimony to explain significance of these personal
observations); Commonwealth v. Yanoff, 456 Pa.Super. 222,
690 A.2d 260 (1997) (murder defendant attempted to elicit
objectionable opinion by asking police officer whether victim had
appeared to be under influence of drugs; officer had not been
qualified to render such opinion); Commonwealth v.
Yedinak, 450 Pa.Super. 352, 676 A.2d 1217, 1222 (1996) (Beck,
J., dissenting) (“[A]fter a proper foundation has been laid, a lay
witness may testify as to his or her observations. However, a
qualified expert is required to provide the connection between the
symptoms observed and the drug allegedly influencing the
defendant’s driving.”).
It is clear to this Court that Officer Eiker’s observation of
“eyelid tremors” is not the typical and obvious indicia of marijuana
use, such as the distinct odor of burnt marijuana emanating from
the person or the vehicle. Further, it is eminently clear that
attributing body or eyelid tremors to marijuana use requires
specialized knowledge within the scope of Pa.R.E. 702. Unlike
staggering, stumbling, glassy or bloodshot eyes, and slurred
speech, the “ordinary signs of intoxication discernable by a
layperson,” eye tremors are not an ordinary sign of ingestion of a
controlled substance, in particular, marijuana. As the trial court
acknowledged, Officer Eiker’s testimony as to her
observations did not obviate the necessity of an expert to
explain whether “eye tremors,” or “body tremors,” would indicate
that someone was under the influence of marijuana and that this
impaired his ability to safely drive, in violation of section
3802(d)(2). See DiPanfilo, supra; cf. Commonwealth v.
Jones, 121 A.3d 524 (Pa. Super. 2015) (as matter of first
impression, police officer’s smelling strong, distinct odor of burnt
marijuana emanating from vehicle during traffic stop provided
reasonable grounds, by itself, to request chemical
testing); Commonwealth v. Etchison, 916 A.2d 1169 (Pa.
Super. 2007). Because it required specialized knowledge, Officer
Eiker’s testimony was inadmissible as “lay opinion.” See Pa.R.E.
701.
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Id. at 539 (footnotes omitted). Furthermore, the panel disagreed with the
trial court’s ruling that the error was harmless. The panel explained: “Without
expert testimony to explain a connection, if any, the jury was permitted to
engage in speculation that the observation of eye tremors indicates marijuana
impairment, or, at the least, ingestion.” Id. at 540.
We find Trooper Frantz’s opinion testimony in the present case to be
similarly flawed. At the suppression hearing, the trooper described Schrock
and Rock as both having a pale complexion and droopy eyelids – proper lay
witness testimony - but then he inappropriately testified that their appearance
was “indicative in [his] expertise that they had recently used some type of
drug, specifically an opiate.” N.T., 2/6/2017, at 21 (emphasis supplied).
Similarly, the trooper’s testimony that there was a “chemical odor” in the air
was proper; however, his follow-up statement that the odor was indicative of
recent narcotic use was based on his DRE training, and, thus, represented
expert testimony. See id. Lastly, with respect to Rock’s “drug kit,” Trooper
Frantz’s description of the paraphernalia observed in the purse was proper,
but his conclusion, based on his “training and experience,” that the items
constituted “a heroin kit used to inject the drug” was improper expert
testimony. Id. at 23.
Accordingly, because we agree Trooper Frantz should not be permitted
to provide expert opinion testimony when he is not being offered as an expert
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witness, we affirm the trial court’s order granting, in part, Schrock’s motion in
limine.
Order affirmed. Case remanded for further proceedings. Jurisdiction
relinquished. Schrock’s pro se petition for leave to file supplemental appellee
brief is denied as moot.
Judge Dubow joins this memorandum.
Judge Strassburger files a concurring and dissenting memorandum.
Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary
Date: 1/10/2018
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