Com. v. Veni, B. ( 2014 )

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NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
PENNSYLVANIA
Appellee
v.
BRYAN ANTHONY VENI,
Appellant No. 2641 EDA 2013
Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence Entered January 25, 2013
in the Court of Common Pleas of Bucks County
Criminal Division at No.: CP-09-CR-0004073-2012
BEFORE: DONOHUE, J., WECHT, J., and PLATT, J.*
MEMORANDUM BY PLATT, J.: FILED NOVEMBER 12, 2014
Appellant, Bryan Anthony Veni, appeals from the judgment of sentence
entered on January 25, 2013,1 following his non-jury conviction of terroristic
threats, simple assault, harassment, and conspiracy.2 On appeal, Appellant
challenges the sufficiency of the evidence. For the reasons discussed below,
we affirm.
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*
Retired Senior Judge assigned to the Superior Court.
1
Although Appellant purports to appeal from the order denying his post-
sentence motions, an appeal properly lies from the judgment of sentence
made final by the denial of post-sentence motions. See Commonwealth v.
Dreves, 839 A.2d 1122, 1125 n.1 (Pa. Super. 2003) (en banc). We have
corrected the caption accordingly.
2
18 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 2706(a)(1), 2701(a)(3), 2709(a)(1), and 903(c),
respectively.
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We take the underlying facts in this matter from the trial court’s
February 12, 2014 opinion.
At trial on October 15, 2012, the Commonwealth
introduced the following evidence: On May 6, 2012, at
approximately 12:30 A.M. both [Appellant] and victim Richard
Brown (hereinafter Brown), were in the WaWa fast food store on
South Main Street in the Borough of Doylestown, Bucks County,
PA. After an exchange of words, Brown departed to walk home
on foot and [Appellant] drove off in his car. The victim, by his
own admission, was intoxicated. Brown proceeded towards his
home by walking down the side street (Clemens Street) to
Meadow Lane, which connected to the street on which he lives
(Timothy). Meanwhile, [Appellant] drove out the side street in
the opposite direction, toward Main Street. Apparently,
however, defendant looped around the block, pulled up on
Meadow Lane, in back of where Brown was walking, and
confronted Brown. At this time there was a passenger[3] in
[Appellant’s] vehicle, whom Brown could see but could not
identify.
[Appellant] got out of his car, a dark colored Taurus, and
approached the victim. He grabbed Brown by the front of his
shirt, placed a metallic object under Brown’s chin, which Brown
thought was a handgun, and said “talk shit now, mother
fucker[.]” Brown never saw the object which [Appellant] placed
under his chin, but believed it was a gun because it felt like
metal and was cold.
Brown swiped [Appellant’s] arm away with his left hand,
and struck [Appellant] on the face with his right elbow.
[Appellant] got Brown to the ground, where the two of them
fought, Brown in self defense. In short order, the unidentified
passenger joined the fight, kicking and striking Brown in the
ribs. [Appellant] said to the third party “find my gun, where’s
my gun?” The third party disengaged from the two combatants,
ostensibly to search for the hand gun that was knocked out of
[Appellant’s] hand by Brown. In short order, [Appellant], who
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3
When the police questioned him, Appellant identified the second individual
as Ian Bradley (Bradley). (See N.T. Trial, 10/15/12, at 82).
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apparently was getting the best of the wrestling combat, due to
wrestling prowess learned earlier in life, also separated from
Brown, returned to his automobile and drove off.
In the larger view, the events were largely corroborated by
other witnesses for the Commonwealth and by [Appellant]
himself. However, [Appellant], who took the stand, maintained
that Brown was talking insultingly while inside the WaWa and
that Brown was the aggressor after [Appellant] pulled up to him;
while Brown was walking on Meadow Lane toward his home.
Needless to say he denied possessing a gun or placing an object
to Brown’s chin in a threatening manner.
Immediately after [Appellant] and his passenger drove off,
Brown reported this incident to the police, by calling 911, from
the scene. He reported the brandishing by [Appellant] of a
handgun or like object.
The Doylestown Borough Police, alert and sensitive to any
reported incident involving a handgun, took a statement from
victim, and dispatched Buckingham Township Police, a
neighboring department, to investigate further at [Appellant’s]
residence, which they did. Doylestown Police likewise
investigated further, taking pictures of Brown’s face and a spot
behind Brown’s ear. Brown complained of continuing pain in his
hips as a result of the struggle.
(Trial Court Opinion, 2/12/14, at 2-4).
Immediately following the aforementioned non-jury trial, the trial court
convicted Appellant of the above-mentioned offenses and acquitted him of
possession of an instrument of crime, one count each of simple assault and
disorderly conduct, and three counts of conspiracy.4 On January 25, 2013,
the trial court sentenced Appellant to a probationary term of three years.
Appellant filed a timely post-sentence motion on February 1, 2013. The trial
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4
18 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 907(a), 2701(a)(1), 5503(a)(4), and 903(c), respectively.
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court held a hearing on Appellant’s motion on July 2, 2013, and denied the
motion on August 30, 2013. The instant, timely appeal followed.5
On appeal, Appellant raises the following questions for our review:
1. Did the trial [c]ourt err in finding Appellant guilty of
terroristic threats, where there was insufficient evidence that
Appellant threatened any violence and/or that Appellant had the
intent to terrorize the victim?
2. Did the trial [c]ourt err in finding Appellant guilty of
simple assault by physical menace, where there was insufficient
evidence of a physical act by Appellant, which is required by law
for “physical menace”?
3. Did the trial [c]ourt err in finding Appellant guilty of
conspiracy to commit simple assault, where there was
insufficient evidence of any agreement between Appellant and
another person to assault the victim?
(Appellant’s Brief, at 4).6
All of the issues raised by Appellant challenge the sufficiency of
the evidence. Our standard of review for sufficiency of the evidence claims
is well settled:
We must determine whether the evidence admitted at trial,
and all reasonable inferences drawn therefrom, when viewed in a
light most favorable to the Commonwealth as verdict winner,
support the conviction beyond a reasonable doubt. Where there
is sufficient evidence to enable the trier of fact to find every
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5
Appellant filed a timely concise statement of errors complained of on
appeal pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b) on October 4, 2013. The trial court
issued an opinion on February 12, 2014. See Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a).
6
Appellant does not challenge the sufficiency of the evidence underlying his
conviction of harassment. (See Appellant’s Brief, at 4).
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element of the crime has been established beyond a reasonable
doubt, the sufficiency of the evidence claim must fail.
The evidence established at trial need not preclude every
possibility of innocence and the fact-finder is free to believe all,
part, or none of the evidence presented. It is not within the
province of this Court to re-weigh the evidence and substitute
our judgment for that of the fact-finder. The Commonwealth’s
burden may be met by wholly circumstantial evidence and any
doubt about the defendant’s guilt is to be resolved by the fact
finder unless the evidence is so weak and inconclusive that, as a
matter of law, no probability of fact can be drawn from the
combined circumstances.
Commonwealth v. Tarrach, 42 A.3d 342, 345 (Pa. Super. 2012) (citations
omitted).
A person commits the offense of terroristic threats if he
“communicates, either directly or indirectly, a threat to . . . commit any
crime of violence with intent to terrorize another.” 18 Pa.C.S.A. §
2706(a)(1). An individual acts intentionally with respect to a material
element of an offense when “it is his conscious object to engage in conduct
of that nature or to cause such a result[.]” 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 302(b)(1)(i).
Thus, to sustain a conviction for terroristic threats, the evidence must
demonstrate that: “(1) the defendant made a threat to commit a crime of
violence; and (2) such threat was communicated with the intent of
terrorizing another or with reckless disregard for the risk of causing terror.
A direct communication between the defendant and the victim is not
required to establish the crime of terroristic threats.” In the Interest of
L.A., 853 A.2d 388, 391-92 (Pa. Super. 2004) (citation omitted). It is not
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necessary that the defendant have either the ability or the instrumentality to
carry out the threat. See Commonwealth v. Cancilla, 649 A.2d 991, 993
(Pa. Super. 1994) (evidence sufficient to sustain conviction for terroristic
threats where defendant called in bomb threat even though there was no
bomb and no one was injured).
Appellant claims that the phrase “talk shit now, motherfucker” was too
vague to constitute a threat. (Appellant’s Brief, at 20). However, Appellant
ignores the fact that a terroristic threat can be an indirect one. See 18
Pa.C.S.A. § 2706(a)(1). Here, Appellant followed Brown, engaged in a
verbal dispute with him, and when Brown tried to disengage and leave the
scene, jumped him, placed what Brown believed to be a gun under his chin,
and then stated “talk shit now, motherfucker.” (N.T. Trial, 10/15/12, at 14;
see id. at 6, 12, 14-17). When looking at the totality of the circumstances,
this evidence is sufficient to sustain a conviction for terroristic threats. See
Commonwealth v. White, 335 A.2d 436, 439 (Pa. Super. 1975) (evidence
sufficient to sustain conviction for terroristic threats when statement that
defendant was going to “grab” child was looked at in combination with his
other actions). Appellant’s claim that the evidence was insufficient to
sustain his conviction for terroristic threats lacks merit.
Simple assault by physical menace is defined as, “attempts by physical
menace to put another in fear of imminent serious bodily injury.” 18
Pa.C.S.A. § 2701(a)(3). Serious bodily injury is “[b]odily injury which
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creates a substantial risk of death, or which causes serious, permanent
disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily
member or organ.” 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 2301. “A person commits an attempt
when, with intent to commit a specific crime, he does any act which
constitutes a substantial step toward the commission of that crime.” 18
Pa.C.S.A. § 901(a). An individual acts intentionally with respect to a
material element of an offense when, “it is his conscious object to engage in
conduct of that nature or to cause such a result.” 18 Pa.C.S.A. §
302(b)(1)(i). Thus, in order to sustain a conviction for simple assault by
physical menace, the Commonwealth must prove that Appellant
“intentionally plac[ed] another in fear of imminent serious bodily injury
through the use of menacing or frightening activity.” Commonwealth v.
Reynolds, 835 A.2d 720, 726 (Pa. Super. 2003) (citation omitted). Further,
“[t]he act of pointing a gun at another person [can] constitute simple assault
as an attempt by physical menace to put another in fear of imminent serious
bodily injury.” Id.
Here, Appellant concedes this, but argues that because the trial court
found him not guilty of possession of an instrument of crime, he cannot be
found guilty of simple assault by physical menace. (See Appellant’s Brief, at
23). However, Appellant does not cite to any legal support for the
proposition that a defendant must be found guilty of possessing a weapon in
order to sustain a conviction for simple assault by physical menace. The
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issue is whether Appellant engaged in a menacing or frightening activity with
the intent of putting Brown in fear of serious bodily injury.
Here, the evidence demonstrated that, late at night, Brown was
walking home, when Appellant followed him in his car, engaged him in a
verbal dispute, and when Brown attempted to leave the scene, jumped him,
placed a cold metal object that Brown believed was a gun under his chin,
and commenced to assault him. (See N.T. Trial, 10/15/12, at 6, 12, 14-17).
This is sufficient evidence to sustain a conviction for simple assault by
physical menace. See Reynolds, supra at 726. Thus, Appellant’s
challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence underlying his simple assault by
physical menace conviction lacks merit.
Appellant also challenges his conviction of criminal conspiracy. (See
Appellant’s Brief, at 26-34). The crime of conspiracy is set forth at 18
Pa.C.S.A. § 903, which provides, in relevant part:
(a) Definition of conspiracy.—A person is guilty of
conspiracy with another person or persons to commit a crime if
with the intent of promoting or facilitating its commission he:
(1) agrees with such other person or persons that
they or one or more of them will engage in conduct which
constitutes such crime or an attempt or solicitation to
commit such crime; or
(2) agrees to aid such other person or persons in
the planning or commission of such crime or of an attempt
or solicitation to commit such crime.
18 Pa.C.S.A. § 903(a). Thus, to sustain a conviction for conspiracy, the
Commonwealth must prove that:
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the defendant (1) entered into an agreement to
commit or aid in an unlawful act with another person
or persons, (2) with a shared criminal intent and (3)
an overt act was done in furtherance of the
conspiracy.
Circumstantial evidence may provide proof of the
conspiracy. The conduct of the parties and the circumstances
surrounding such conduct may create a “web of evidence” linking
the accused to the alleged conspiracy beyond a reasonable doubt.
Commonwealth v. Jones, 874 A.2d 108, 121 (Pa. Super. 2005) (citations
and some quotation marks omitted). When determining whether the
evidence was sufficient to support a conviction for conspiracy, we consider
the following factors:
(1) an association between alleged conspirators; (2) knowledge
of the commission of the crime; (3) presence at the scene of the
crime; and (4) in some situations, participation in the object of
the conspiracy.
Commonwealth v. Lambert, 795 A.2d 1010, 1016 (Pa. Super. 2002),
appeal denied, 805 A.2d 521 (Pa. 2002) (citations omitted). Each co-
conspirator is liable for the acts of the other co-conspirators. See
Commonwealth v. King, 990 A.2d 1172, 1178 (Pa. Super. 2010), appeal
denied, 53 A.3d 50 (Pa. 2012).
Here, the evidence demonstrated all four factors necessary to sustain
a conviction for criminal conspiracy. Appellant and Bradley were together at
the WaWa and drove together, following and accosting Brown. (See N.T.
Trial, 10/15/12, at 12). Bradley joined Appellant in beating Brown. (See
id. at 17-20). At Appellant’s request, Bradley stopped beating Brown and
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went looking for Appellant’s gun. (See id. at 19-20). Appellant and Bradley
fled the scene together. (See id. at 20). This evidence was sufficient to
establish criminal conspiracy. See Commonwealth v. Gibson, 668 A.2d
552, 555 (Pa. Super. 1995) (holding that appellant’s presence with co-
conspirator during entire criminal episode proved conspiracy);
Commonwealth v. Cooke, 492 A.2d 63, 67-68 (Pa. Super. 1985) (holding
evidence sufficient to sustain conviction of conspiracy where appellant was
present at scene, strongly associated with co-conspirator and personally
participated in crime); Commonwealth v. Olds, 469 A.2d 1072, 1075 (Pa.
Super. 1983) (holding evidence sufficient to sustain convictions for
conspiracy, robbery, and murder in the second degree, where appellant and
co-conspirators arrived together and left together, even though all
conspirators did not directly participate in robbery or murder). Appellant’s
claim that the evidence was insufficient to sustain his conviction for
conspiracy lacks merit.
Accordingly, we find, for the reasons discussed above, that Appellant’s
claims lack merit. Therefore, we affirm the judgment of sentence.
Judgment of sentence affirmed.
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Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary
Date: 11/12/2014
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