Com. v. Orr, M. ( 2016 )

J-S08011-16
NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
PENNSYLVANIA
Appellee
v.
MICHAEL VINCENT ORR
Appellant No. 825 WDA 2015
Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence Entered April 27, 2015
In the Court of Common Pleas of Fayette County
Criminal Division at No: CP-26-CR-0001708-2014
BEFORE: STABILE, DUBOW, and MUSMANNO, JJ.
MEMORANDUM BY STABILE, J.: FILED SEPTEMBER 22, 2016
Appellant, Michael Orr, appeals from the judgment of sentence entered
in the Court of Common Pleas of Fayette County following Appellant’s
conviction for persons not to possess firearms and firearms not to be carried
without a license.1 Upon review, we affirm.
The trial court summarized the background of the case as follows.
On May 24, 2014, at approximately 1:29 A.M.,
Pennsylvania State trooper Adam Janosko and Trooper Patrick
Biddle were on patrol in full uniform and driving a marked police
vehicle when they observed a white Ford Escort station wagon
parked in the Park Memorial Cemetery, on Coolspring Street,
North Union Township, Fayette County. Trooper Janosko made
contact with the driver of the vehicle, and determined that
Appellant was the driver. Trooper Janosko observed that
Appellant’s eyes were bloodshot, his pupils were dilated, he was
____________________________________________
1
18 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 6105(a)(1), 6106(a)(1).
J-S08011-16
overly anxious and nervous, had rapid body movements and
confused speech. When Trooper Janosko asked Appellant why
he was in the cemetery at that time, Appellant stated that he
was attempting to turn around. Trooper Janosko observed a
burnt crochet needle, and he communicated to Appellant that
such an object was commonly used for drug use. Appellant
stated that he had been smoking crack out of an empty
“Mountain Dew” soda can and directed Trooper Janosko to the
location of the can in the back of Appellant’s vehicle. A further
search of Appellant’s vehicle led to the discovery and seizure of a
.25 caliber Phoenix Arms pistol, syringes and a pill marked 2064
over “V”, as well as the “Mountain Dew” can allegedly used by
Appellant to smoke crack.
Trial Court Opinion (T.C.O.), 8/21/15, at 1-2. Additionally, Appellant
attempted to justify the presence of the firearm in his vehicle, claiming that
he placed it in his glove box to hide it from his cousin who had been
brandishing the weapon at work while intoxicated. N.T. Jury Trial, 4/8-9/15,
at 64-65. Knowing that he was not supposed to possess a firearm,
Appellant directed the troopers’ attention to the aforementioned drug
paraphernalia to attempt to “lure” them away from the firearm in the glove
box. Id. at 68.
Appellant filed a pretrial omnibus motion to dismiss for lack of
probable cause, to suppress evidence, and as a writ of habeas corpus. The
trial court denied Appellant’s pretrial motion, “finding that physical evidence
was properly seized from [Appellant’s] vehicle, the statements made by
Appellant prior to being Mirandized were spontaneous and without custodial
interrogation, and the Commonwealth sufficiently established a prima facie
case for the charges brought against Appellant.” T.C.O., 8/21/15, at 3.
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J-S08011-16
Following trial, a jury found Appellant guilty of persons not to possess
firearms and firearms not to be carried without a license. Id. at 1.
Appellant filed a post-sentence motion for a new trial, which the trial court
denied. Appellant timely appealed. Appellant filed a Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b)
statement, and the trial court issued a Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a) opinion.
Appellant raises three issues for our review.
1) Whether the evidence presented at trial sufficiently
established that the defendant possessed or controlled the
firearm?
2) Did the trial court err in denying the defendant’s post-
sentence motion for a new trial as the jury verdict was
against the weight of the evidence?
3) Did the suppression court err in denying defendant’s omnibus
pre-trial motion in the nature of a motion to dismiss; motion
to suppress physical evidence and statements; and a writ of
habeas corpus?
Appellant’s Brief at 7.2
____________________________________________
2
In reviewing a sufficiency of the evidence claim, we determine “whether
the evidence at trial, and all reasonable inferences derived therefrom, when
viewed in the light most favorable to the Commonwealth as verdict winner,
are sufficient to establish all elements of the offense beyond a reasonable
doubt.” Commonwealth v. Stevenson, 894 A.2d 759, 773 (Pa. Super.
2006). “[W]here the trial court has ruled on the weight claim below, an
appellate court’s role is not to consider the underlying question of whether
the verdict is against the weight of the evidence. Rather, appellate review is
limited to whether the trial court palpably abused its discretion in ruling on
the weight claim.” Commonwealth v. Sanders, 42 A.3d 325, 331 (Pa.
Super. 2012) (citation omitted). “In reviewing appeals from an order
denying suppression, our standard of review is limited to determining
whether [the trial court’s] factual findings are supported by the record and
whether [its] legal conclusions drawn from those facts are correct. When
(Footnote Continued Next Page)
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After careful review of the parties’ briefs, the record on appeal, and
the relevant case law, we conclude that the trial court’s Rule 1925(a)
opinion, authored by Judge Linda R. Cordaro, thoroughly and adequately
disposes of Appellant’s issues on appeal.3 See T.C.O., 8/21/15, at 3-13.
We, therefore, affirm Appellant’s judgment of sentence. We direct that a
copy of the trial court’s August 21, 2015 opinion be attached to any future
filings in this case.
Judgment of sentence affirmed.
_______________________
(Footnote Continued)
reviewing the rulings of a [trial] court, the appellate court considers only the
evidence of the prosecution and so much of the evidence for the defense as
remains uncontradicted when read in the context of the record as a whole.
When the record supports the findings of the [trial] court, [we are] bound by
those facts and may reverse only if the legal conclusions drawn therefrom
are in error. Commonwealth v. Frederick, 124 A.3d 748, 753-54 (Pa.
Super. 2015) (citation omitted). Our scope of review from a suppression
ruling is limited to the evidentiary record that was created at the
suppression hearing. In re L.J., 79 A.3d 1073, 1087 (Pa. 2013). In
evaluating a trial court’s decision regarding a pre-trial habeas corpus motion,
our standard of review is plenary. Commonwealth v. Dantzler, --- A.3d --
-, No. 681 EDA 2014, 2016 WL 910149, at *2 (Pa. Super. Mar. 9, 2016).
3
We note the trial court relied on pre-Commonwealth v. Gary, 91 A.3d
102 (Pa. 2014) cases for the definition and identification of the elements of
the “limited automobile exception,” which required both probable cause and
exigent circumstances for a warrantless search of a vehicle. However, as
also acknowledged by the trial court later in its opinion, in Gary, the
Supreme Court abolished the exigency prerequisite in the context of the
automobile exception. T.C.O., 8/21/15, at 8 (quoting Gary, 91 A.3d 102,
138 (Pa. 2014)) (“[t]he prerequisite for a warrantless search [or seizure] of
a motor vehicle is probable cause to search; no exigency beyond the
inherent mobility of a motor vehicle is required.”).
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J-S08011-16
Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary
Date: 9/22/2016
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Circulated 05/24/2016 02:29 PM
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF FAYETTE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CRIMINAL DIVISION
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
Plaintiff,
vs. No. 1708 of2014
MICHAEL VINCENT ORR,
Defendant,
CORDARO, Linda R., J
Pa. R.A.P. 1925(b) OPINION
Before the Court are the "Concise Issues" pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b) filed June 2,
2015, by Appellant Michael Vincent Orr, hereinafter "Appellant". On April 10, 2015, Appellant
was convicted of Possession of a Firearm Prohibited' and Firearm Not to be Carried Without a
License2• On April 27, 2015, Appellant was sentenced to undergo imprisonment at a State
Correctional Institution for a period of not less than two (2) years nor more than four ( 4) years.
On April 29, 2015, Appellant filed a Post-Sentence Motion for a New Trial, which this Court
denied. Appellant thereafter filed a timely Notice of Appeal and Concise Issues under Pa.R.A.P.
l 925(b).
FINDINGS OF FACT
On May 24, 2014, at approximately 1 :29 A.M., Pennsylvania State Trooper Adam
Janosko and Trooper Patrick Biddle were on patrol in full uniform and driving a marked police
vehicle when they observed a white Ford Escort station wagon parked in the Park Memorial
1
18 Pa.C.S.A. §610S(a)(l)
218 Pa.CS.A. §6106(a)(l)
1
Cemetery, on Coolspring Street, North Union Township, Fayette County. Trooper Janosko made
contact with the driver of the vehicle, and determined that Appellant was the driver. Trooper
Janosko observed that Appellant's eyes were bloodshot, his pupils were dilated, he was overly
anxious and nervous, had rapid body movements and confused speech. When Trooper Janosko
asked Appellant why he was in the cemetery at that time, Appellant stated that he was attempting
to turn around. Trooper Janosko observed a burnt crochet needle, and he communicated to
Appellant that such an object was commonly used for drug use. Appellant stated that he had
been smoking crack out of an empty "Mountain Dew" soda can and directed Trooper Janosko to
the location of the can in the back of Appellant's vehicle. A further search of Appellant's
vehicle led to the discovery and seizure of a .25 caliber Phoenix Arms pistol, syringes and a pill
marked 2064 over "V", as well as the "Mountain Dew" can allegedly used by Appellant to
smoke crack.
Appellant was convicted of Possession of a Firearm Prohibited, a second degree felony,
punishable by a maximum term of imprisonment of ten (10) years and a maximum fine of
$25,000.00. Appellant's prior record score is two (2), and this is a level five (5) offense. The
offense gravity score is nine (9), and the standard range sentence is twenty-four (24) to thirty six
(36) months. Appellant was sentenced to undergo imprisonment at a state correctional institution
for a period of not less than two (2) years nor more than four (4) years. Appellant was also
convicted of Firearms Not to be Carried Without a License, with no further penalty imposed by
this Court. Appellant had previously been convicted of a felony and is prohibited from
possessing firearms. Appellant is also a suspended driver due to a previous DUI conviction.
The complaints contained in Appellant's "Concise Issues under Pa. R.A.P. l 925(b)" are
as follows:
2
ISSUE NO. 1: WHETHER THE EVIDENCE PRESENTED AT TRIAL SUFFICIENTLY
ESTABLISHED THAT THE DEFENDANT POSSESSED OR CONTROLLED THE
FIREARM?
ISSUE NO. 2: DID THE TRIAL COURT ERR IN DENYING THE DEFENDANT'S POST-
SENTENCE MOTION FOR A NEW TRIAL AS THE JURY VERDICT WAS AGAINST THE
WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE?
ISSUE NO. 3: DID THE SUPPRESSION COURT ERR IN DENYING DEFENDANT'S
OMNIBUS PRE-TRIAL MOTION IN THE NATURE OF A MOTION TO DISMISS;
MOTION TO SUPPRESS PHYSICAL EVIDENCE ANO STATEMENTS; ANO A WRIT OF
HABEAS CORPUS?3
DISCUSSION
ISSUE NO. 3: DID THE SUPPRESSION COURT ERR IN DENYING DEFENDANT'S
OMNIBUS PRE-TRIAL MOTION IN THE NATURE OF A MOTION TO DISMISS;
MOTION TO SUPPRESS PHYSICAL EVIDENCE ANO ST A TEMENTS; AND A WRIT OF
HABEAS CORPUS?
On November 11, 2014, Appellant filed an Omnibus Pretrial Motion in the nature of a
motion to dismiss for lack of probable cause, motion to suppress evidence and statements, and a
writ of habeas corpus. This Court denied Appellant's Omnibus Pretrial Motion, finding that
physical evidence was properly seized from Defendant's vehicle, the statements made by
Appellant prior to being Mirandized were spontaneous and without custodial interrogation, and
the Commonwealth sufficiently established a prima facie case for the charges brought against
Appellant. 4
In an Omnibus Pretrial Petition for Habeas Corpus relief, the court must determine
whether the Commonwealth has established a prima facie case of the crime being charged. Com.
v. Packard, 767 A.2d 1068 (Pa. Super. 2001). A prima facie case consists of evidence viewed in
the light most favorable to the Commonwealth that sufficiently establishes both the commission
of a crime and that the accused is most likely the perpetrator of that crime. Com. v. Lopez, 654
·1 For organizational purposes, this opinion addresses Appellant's Concise Issue No. 3 first, followed by Issue No. I and Issue No. 2.
4
This Court dismissed Count 7: Driving While BAC .02 or Greater While License Suspended
3
A.2d 1159 (Pa. Super. 1995). The prima facie case in support of a defendant's guilt consists of
evidence presented by the Commonwealth that if accepted as true, would warrant the trial judge
to allow the case to go to a jury. Com. v. Austin, 575 A.2d 141 (Pa. Super. 1990). At the hearing
on Appellant's Omnibus Pretrial Motion, the Commonwealth presented the testimony of Trooper
Janosko who stated that he seized the firearm from Appellant's vehicle and that Appellant was of
the class of people prohibited from carrying a firearm. Further, Trooper Janosko related that he
also recovered several items of paraphernalia consistent with drug use from Appellant's vehicle.
As such this Court determined that the Commonwealth met the prima facie burden for the
charges listed, and denied Appellant's motion.
Appellant argued that he was not Mirandized at the time he made statements to the
troopers and any statements made should therefore be dismissed. The question of law before this
Court is whether the initial interaction between Trooper Janosko and Appellant was a mere
encounter or an investigative detention so as to trigger Appellant's rights under Miranda. This
Court finds the situation is a classic example of the former.
Traditionally, this Court has recognized three categories of encounters between citizens
and the police. These categories include (1) a mere encounter, (2) an investigative detention, and
(3) custodial detentions. Com. v. Mendenhall, 552 Pa. 484, 488 715 A.2d 1117, 1119 (1998)
(citing Com. v. Polo, 563 Pa. 218, 759 A.2d 372, 375 (2000)). The first of these, a "mere
encounter" (or request for information), which need not be supported by any level of suspicion,
but carries no official compulsion to stop or to respond. id. The second, an "investigative
detention" must be supported by reasonable suspicion; it subjects a suspect to a stop and a period
of detention, but does not involve such coercive conditions as to constitute the functional
4
equivalent of an arrest. Id Finally, an arrest or "custodial detention" must be supported by
probable cause. Id
To determine whether a mere encounter rises to the level of an investigatory detention,
we must discern whether, as a matter of law, the police conducted a seizure of the person
involved. Id To decide whether a seizure has occurred, a court must consider all the
circumstances surrounding the encounter to determine whether the demeanor and conduct of the
police would have communicated to a reasonable person that he or she was not free to decline
the officer's request or otherwise terminate the encounter. Id. Thus, the focal point of our inquiry
must be whether> considering the circumstances surrounding the incident, a reasonable person
innocent of any crime, would have thought he was being restrained had he been in the
AppeJJant 's shoes. Id Among the factors the court utilizes in determining, under the totality of
the circumstances, whether the detention became so coercive as to constitute the functional
equivalent of a formal arrest are: the basis for the detention; the duration; the location; whether
the suspect was transferred against his will, how far, and why; whether restraints were used; the
show, threat or use of force; and the methods of investigation used to confirm or dispel
suspicions. Com. v. Bybel, 399 Pa.Super. 149, 158, 581 A.2d 1380, 1385 (1990). The fact that a
defendant was the focus of the investigation is also a relevant factor in determining whether he
was "in custody," but does not require, per se, Miranda warnings. Bybel, supra; Com. v. Fento,
363 Pa.Super. 488, 526 A.2d 784 (1987).
In this case, Trooper Janosko and Trooper Biddle both testified that they encountered
AppeJJant sitting in his vehicle at the Park Memorial Cemetery, which at the time was closed.
Trooper Janosko testified that he approached Appellant's vehicle because of concerns that
Appellant was present at the cemetery to vandalize headstones or to take his life at the headstone
s
of a loved one. (Transcript P. 24). Trooper Biddle testified that the Troopers pulled their vehicle
diagonal to Appellant's vehicle so Appellant would be free to leave should he so desire.
(Transcript P. 49). Trooper Janosko asked questions of the Appellant, and he asked for
identification from the Appellant. The purpose for which Trooper Janosko approached the
vehicle was to ascertain the safety of the occupant(s), considering the area and the time of night.
Under these circumstances, this Court finds that there was a "mere encounter" between Trooper
Janosko and the Appellant, and there was no requirement for the Appellant to be Mirandized.
Turning to the issue of whether Trooper Janosko had probable cause to search
Appellant> s vehicle, this Court finds that the Commonwealth presented sufficient evidence to
sustain its burden of showing probable cause. Appellant's Omnibus Pretrial Motion claimed that
Trooper Janosko and Trooper Biddle conducted an illegal search and seizure of Appellant and
his vehicle in violation of Appellant's rights under the United States and Pennsylvania
Constitutions.
It is well settled that the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article
I, § 8 of the Pennsylvania Constitution require that searches be conducted pursuant to a warrant
issued by a neutral and detached magistrate. A search conducted without a warrant is generally
deemed to be unreasonable for constitutional purposes. Com. v. Stewart, 740 A.2d 712, 715
(Pa.Super.1999), affd, 568 Pa. 499, 798 A.2d 697 (2002) (internal citation omitted). While the
United States Supreme Court has recognized an automobile exception to the warrant
requirement, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has not. Com. v. Casanova, 570 Pa. 682, 808
A.2d 569 (2002). Nevertheless, this Court has adopted a limited automobile exception under
Article I, § 8 of the Pennsylvania Constitution. Com. v. McCree,. 592 Pa. 238, 252, 924 A.2d
621, 630 (2007). Specifically, a warrantless search of an automobile may be conducted "when
6
there exists probable cause to search and exigent circumstances necessitating a search."
Casanova, supra at 211 ( quoting Stewart, supra at 715).
In determining whether probable cause exists, we apply a totality of the circumstances
test. Probable cause is made out when the facts and circumstances which are within the
knowledge of the officer at the time of the arrest, and of which he has reasonably trustworthy
information, are sufficient to warrant a man of reasonable caution in the belief that the suspect
ha~ committed or is committing a crime. See Com. v. Thompson, 985 A.2d 928 (Pa. 2009) (citing
Com. v. Clark, 735 A.2d 1248 (Pa. 1999); Com. v. Rodriguez, 585 A.2d 988 (Pa. 1991); Texas v.
Brown, 460 U.S. 730 ( 1983); Illinois v. Gates, 462 U.S. 213 (1983)). The question we ask is not
whether the officer's belief was correct or more likely true than false. Id Rather, we require only
a probability, and not a prima facie showing, of criminal activity. Id.Likewise, "exigent circumstances" arise where the need for prompt police action is
imperative, either because evidence is likely to be destroyed or because there exists a threat of
physical harm to police officers or other innocent individuals. Com. v. Copeland, 955 A.2d 396,
400 (Pa.Super.2008) (quoting Com. v. Stewart, 740 A.2d 712, 717 (Pa.Super.1999)). "[A] court
must balance the individual's right to be free from unreasonable intrusions against the interest of
society in quickly and adequately investigating crime and preventing the destruction of
evidence." Id. (quoting Stewart, supra at 717). Such a search is justified because (I) a vehicle is
highly mobile and the likelihood is therefore great that it and its contents may never be found if
police are prohibited from immobilizing it until a warrant is secured; and (2) one's expectation of
privacy with respect to a motor vehicle is significantly less than that relating to one's home or
office. Com. v. Holzer, 480 Pa. 93, 389 A.2d 101 (l 978). Furthermore, where an officer who has
not intruded into a constitutionally protected area sees contraband in plain view, such as the
7
burnt crochet needle in this case, that evidence may be seized without a warrant. Com. v.
Pullano, 295 Pa.Super. 68, 440 A.2d 1226 (1982). See Com. v. Rosa, 561 Pa. 693, 751 A.2d 189(2000)(An officer may search an automobile for a weapon if he has a reasonable belief the
suspect is dangerous and the suspect might gain control of a weapon.) Further, the Pennsylvania
Supreme Court in Com. v. Gary, held that mobility is the only exigent circumstance needed to
conduct a warrantless search of a vehicle:
In sum, our review reveals no compelling reason to interpret
Article I, Section 8 of the Pennsylvania Constitution as providing
greater protection with regard to warrantless searches of motor
vehicles than does the Fourth Amendment. Therefore, we hold
that, in this Commonwealth, the law governing warrantless
searches of motor vehicles is coextensive with federal law under
the Fourth Amendment. The prerequisite for a warrantless search
of a motor vehicle is probable cause to search; no exigency beyond
the inherent mobility of a motor vehicle is required. The consistent
and firm requirement for probable cause is a strong and sufficient
safeguard against illegal searches of motor vehicles, whose
inherent mobility and the endless factual circumstances that such
mobility engenders constitute a per se exigency allowing police
officers to make the determination of probable cause in the first
instance in the field.
Com. v. Gary, 625 Pa. 183, 91 A.3d 102, 138 (2014)
Trooper Janosko stated that during his conversation with Appellant, Appellant appeared
extremely nervous and excited, and spoke very quickly. (Transcript P. 25). After speaking to
Appellant, Trooper Janosko stated that he returned to his patrol vehicle and queried Appellant's
information through the CLIEN5 and NCIC databases. (Transcript P. 25). The database search
revealed that Appellant did not possess a valid driver's license. After speaking with Appellant
further, Trooper Janosko testified that he observed a crochet needle located between the driver
s CLEIN stands for the "Commonwealth Law Enforcement Information Network"
8
side door and driver's seat, and that the needle appeared to be rusted and burnt on one end.
(Transcript P. 26). Trooper Janosko testified that his training, knowledge, and experience with
drug enforcement led him to believe that the crochet needle was being used as a "push rod",
which is commonly used to empty out the glass pipes used to smoke illegal substances.
(Transcript P. 27). Trooper Janosko testified that he explained the significance of the crochet
needle to Appellant, and asked Appellant for consent to search the vehicle. (Transcript P. 27).
Appellant initially denied permission to search his vehicle. Trooper Janosko testified that
Appellant then stated "I want to explain to you why I'm really in the cemetery." (Transcript P.
27). Appellant stated to Trooper Janosko that he had fabricated a smoking device out of a
"Mountain Dew" can and had recently used the can to smoke crack cocaine. (Transcript P. 27).
See, e.g., Com. v. Baez, 554 Pa. 66, 720 A.2d 711, 720 (l 998)(volunteered or spontaneous
utterances by an individual are admissible even without Miranda warnings.). Appellant then
directed Trooper Biddle to the location of the can in his vehicle. (Transcript P. 27).
Trooper Janosko testified that he retrieved the can and conducted a complete search of
the vehicle which revealed four syringes and an unloaded Raven Arms .25-caliber pistol in the
unlocked glovebox of the car. Appellant's behavior and spontaneous statements, combined with
the existence of paraphernalia in the vehicle, was sufficient to warrant Trooper Janosko's
reasonable belief that a crime was being committed. Based upon the above facts and case law,
this Court found that Trooper Janosko had probable cause to search Appellant's vehicle, the
vehicle was sufficiently mobile to qualify as an exigent circumstance, and any evidence seized
therefrom is not subject to suppression.
9
ISSUE NO. 1: WHETHER THE EVIDENCE PRESENTED AT TRIAL SUFFICIENTLY
ESTABLISHED THAT THE DEFENDANT POSSESSED OR CONTROLLED THE
FIREARM?
The standard when reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence is whether the evidence at
trial, and all reasonable inferences derived therefrom, when viewed in the light most favorable to
the Commonwealth as verdict winner, are sufficient to establish all elements of the offense
beyond a reasonable doubt. Com. v. Stevenson, 894 A.2d 759, 773 (Pa.Super.2006) quoting Com.
v. Smith, 863 A.2d 11 72, 1176 (Pa.Super.2004). The Court may not weigh the evidence or
substitute its judgment for that of the fact-finder. Id. Additionally, the evidence. at trial need not
preclude every possibility of innocence, and the fact-finder is free to resolve any doubts
regarding a defendant's guilt unless the evidence is so weak and inconclusive that as a matter of
law no facts supporting a finding of guilt may be drawn. Id The fact-finder, when evaluating the
credibility and weight of the evidence, is free to believe all, part, or none of the evidence. Id
The Appellant was convicted of 18 Pa.C.S.A. §6105: Possession of a Firearm Prohibited
which states:
A person who has been convicted of an offense enumerated in
subsection (b ), within or without this Commonwealth, regardless of the length
of sentence or whose conduct meets the criteria in subsection (c) 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.CS.A. §6/0S(a)(I).
The parties in this matter stipulated to the following: Appellant is of the class of persons
ineligible to possess a firearm since 2009, that he did not have a license to carry a firearm, and
that he is ineligible to receive a license to carry a firearm.
Trooper Janosko testified that while executing a lawful search of Appellant's vehicle, he
seized a Raven's .25-caliber pistol inside Appellant's glove compartment. Appellant stated that
he was aware of the firearm inside the glove compartment of his vehicle. (Transcript P. 67). As
10
such, this Court finds that the Commonwealth provided sufficient evidence to allow the jury to
conclude that Appellant was in possession of a firearm more than sixty (60) days from the time
he was prohibited from doing so. See Com. v. Bryant, 491 A.2d 181 (Pa. Super.
l 985)(Testimony by an arresting officer that defendant was in possession of a .357 Magnum,
testimony by clerk of courts that defendant was convicted of a crime of violence, i.e., burglary,
in the Commonwealth, and the weapon itself, which was admitted into evidence and thus subject
to view by the jury, was sufficient to sustain conviction for former convict not to own a firearm).
This Court instrncted the jury on the charge of possession of a firearm prohibited as follows:
"The [defendant] has been charged with possession of a firearm prohibited.
To find the [defendant] guilty of this offense, you must find that the
following elements have been proven beyond a reasonable doubt: first, that
the [defendant] was a person prohibited by law from possessing a firearm;
second, that the [defendant], on a date more than sixty days from the time he
became prohibited from possessing a firearm did, in fact, possess a firearm."
"The term "firearm" includes any weapon that is designed or may readily be
converted to expel any projectile by the action of an explosive. It also
includes the frame or receiver of any such weapon. For a person to possess a
firearm, he or she must have the intent to control and power to control the
firearm."
"The [defendant] has been charged with carrying a firearm without a license.
To find the [ defendant] guilty of this offense, you must find that each of the
following three (3) elements has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt:
first, that the [defendant] carried a firearm in a vehicle ... second, that the
[ defendant] was not in his place of abode, that is, his home, or his fixed place
of business; and third, that the [ defendant] did not have a valid and lawfully
issued license for carrying the firearm." (Transcript P. 86-7).
Appellant argued that his conduct in taking and hiding the firearm was justified to avoid a
substantially greater harm that could have potentially been caused by his cousin brandishing the
firearm. (Transcript P. 64). In this case, Appellant stated that while he was working at Nudo's
Tire Division, Dawson, Fayette County, his cousin was in possession of the Raven's .25~caliber
pistol. (Transcript P. 64 ). Appellant testified that his cousin had been intoxicated while working
at Nudo's and was brandishing the firearm in front of employees and customers. (Transcript P.
11
64) Appellant testified that he attempted to hide the firearm from his cousin multiple times
before securing the firearm in the glovebox of his car. (Transcript P. 64). Appellant stated that
he felt his cousin may harm himself or others. (Transcript P. 64).
This Court instructed the jury on justification as follows:
"Justification is a defense if the defendant reasonably believed that his actions
were necessary to avoid a harm or evil to himself or to someone else that was
or would have been greater than the crime with which he is charged. The
Commonwealth has the burden of disproving the defense of justification.
Thus you may find the defendant guilty if you are satisfied beyond a
reasonable doubt that his conduct was not justified under the principle I have
just set." (Transcript P. 87)
The jury did not accept the justification defense raised by the Appellant. The jury could
properly find, based solely on the testimony of Trooper Janosko, that the Appellant did in fact
possess a firearm in his vehicle, and he was not justified in doing so.
ISSUE NO. 2: DID THE TRIAL COURT ERR IN DENYING THE DEFENDANT'S POST-
SENTENCE MOTION FOR A NEW TRIAL AS THE JURY VERDICT WAS AGAINST THE
WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE?
"[A] trial court's denial of a post-sentence motion 'based on a weight of the evidence
claim is the least assailable of its rulings.''' Com. v. Sanders, 42 A.3d 325, 331 (Pa.Super.2012)
(partially quoting Com. v. Diggs, 597 Pa. 28, 949 A.2d 873, 880 (2008)); accord Com. v. Brown,
53 8 Pa. 410, 648 A.2d 1177, 1189-90 (1994) ("One of the least assailable reasons for granting or
denying a new trial is the lower court's conviction that the verdict was or was not against the
weight of the evidence."). In this setting, "an appellate court's role is not to consider the
underlying question of whether the verdict is against the weight of the evidence. Rather,
appellate review is limited to whether the trial court palpably abused its discretion in ruling on
the weight claim." Sanders, supra at 331 (quoting Com. v. Champney, 574 Pa. 435, 832 A.2d
403, 408 (2003)). The trial court's ruling is reversed only if the verdict "is so contrary to the
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evidence as to shock one's sense of justice." Sanders, supra at 331 (quoting Champney, supra at
408). Com. v. Nypaver, 2013 PA Super 144, 69 A.3d 708, 717-18 (2013).
Herein, this Court concluded that the jury verdict does not shock one's sense of justice.
The Commonwealth presented testimony from Trooper Adam Janosko and Trooper Patrick
Biddle, both of whom stated that they observed Appellant in the vehicle containing the weapon.
The jury did not find Appellant's testimony that he retrieved the firearm from his intoxicated
cousin for safety reasons to be credible. Nypaver, supra at 717 (factfinder "is free to believe all,
part or none of the evidence"). Based on the Commonwealth's testimony, the jury found that the
Appellant did possess the firearm in his vehicle, and his conduct was not justified. The jury's
verdict is not contrary to the evidence as to shock one's sense of justice. Based on the above
facts and case law, this Court recommends that the sentence in this matter be affirmed.
BY THE COURT:
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