Com. v. McCullough, C. ( 2014 )


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  • J-S54036-14
    NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
    COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA                  IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
    PENNSYLVANIA
    Appellee
    v.
    COREY MCCULLOUGH
    Appellant                 No. 1642 MDA 2013
    Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence entered January 27, 2012
    In the Court of Common Pleas of Lackawanna County
    Criminal Division at Nos: CP-35-CR-0003154-2010 & CP-35-CR-0003155-
    2010
    BEFORE: LAZARUS, MUNDY, and STABILE, JJ.
    MEMORANDUM BY STABILE, J.:                    FILED DECEMBER 09, 2014
    Corey McCullough appeals nunc pro tunc from the judgment of
    sentence entered on January 27, 2012 for his conviction of crimes of drug
    dealing. He challenges the denial of his motion to suppress, an evidentiary
    ruling by the trial court, and the weight of the evidence.       We reject
    Appellant’s arguments and affirm the conviction, but conclude sua sponte
    that Appellant’s sentence is illegal under Alleyne v. United States, 133 S.
    Ct. 2151 (2013), and Commonwealth v. Newman, 
    99 A.3d 86
    (Pa. Super.
    2014) (en banc). Therefore, we vacate and remand for resentencing.
    On or around October 1, 2010, a confidential informant told Officer
    Jason Gula of the Scranton Police Department’s Special Investigative
    J-S54036-14
    Division (SID) that a man named “Corey” was selling narcotics.1       Officer
    Gula relayed the information to the SID supervisor, Sergeant David Mitchell,
    who advised that “Corey” might be Appellant.         Sergeant Mitchell had
    previously arrested Appellant for drug dealing.     The informant identified
    “Corey” as Appellant after Officer Gula gave him a picture of Appellant. At
    Officer Gula’s behest, the informant called Appellant to arrange a meeting to
    buy one-half ounce of cocaine for $840.00.
    The informant told Appellant that someone else would meet him to buy
    the cocaine, and the informant gave Appellant Officer Gula’s phone number.
    Officer Gula traveled to North Scranton, and Appellant said to follow his car
    to Cusick Avenue.       When Appellant stopped, Officer Gula approached and
    identified himself as a police officer. Backup arrived, and officers arrested
    Appellant. As the police officers were extracting Appellant from his vehicle,
    he kicked the driver’s side door with his foot. Sergeant Mitchell noticed a
    clear plastic baggie wrapped in a white napkin, containing what appeared to
    be powder cocaine. Sergeant Mitchell also saw the cellphone, later identified
    as the phone Appellant used to arrange the buy. During a search incident to
    arrest of Appellant, police officers found on him another cellphone and
    $862.00.
    ____________________________________________
    1
    Unless otherwise noted, we take the facts from the Trial Court Rule
    1925(a) Opinion, 11/30/12, at 1-3, issued by the trial court regarding the
    initial appeal in this case.
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    Police officers prepared to impound the vehicle, which did not belong
    to Appellant.      Consistent with Scranton Police Department policy, they
    conducted an inventory search.             During that search, they found crack
    cocaine in the center console.         They immediately stopped the search and
    obtained a warrant. During the subsequent search, officers found 16 plastic
    baggies containing crack cocaine.
    Appellant was charged in two separate criminal informations, docketed
    at Nos. CR-3154-2010 and CR-3155-2010.              At No. 3154, Appellant was
    charged with possession with intent to deliver (PWID), attempt to deliver a
    controlled substance, criminal use of a communication facility. At No. 3155,
    Appellant was charged with one count of PWID.2              Appellant moved to
    suppress the evidence uncovered during his arrest, arguing that he was
    stopped and arrested without probable cause, and that the subsequent
    vehicle searches were fruits of an illegal arrest and done without a search
    warrant.    The trial court denied the motion, and Appellant proceeded to a
    jury trial. The jury found Appellant guilty of all three charges at No. 3154,
    but acquitted him of the PWID count charged at No. 3155.
    ____________________________________________
    2
    35 P.S. § 780-113(a)(30), and 18 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 901 and 7512(a),
    respectively. The PWID and attempt charges in No. 3154 pertain to the
    powder cocaine. The PWID charge in No. 3155 pertain to the crack cocaine
    found in the center console of Appellant’s vehicle. See Trial Court Rule
    1925(a) Opinion, 11/30/12, at 3 n.1.
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    Prior to sentencing, the Commonwealth gave notice of intention to
    pursue a mandatory minimum sentence of five years, based on the weight of
    the cocaine recovered and Appellant’s prior drug-trafficking conviction.   At
    sentencing, the trial court found the predicate fact necessary to trigger the
    mandatory sentence, based on Appellant’s stipulation to a chemist’s report
    finding that the testing of the substance taken from him contained 13.2
    grams of cocaine powder. See N.T. Sentencing, 1/27/12, at 2-3. The court
    imposed a concurrent sentence of two and one-quarter to four and one-half
    years for attempted delivery and a consecutive sentence of one to two years
    for criminal use of a communications facility.        Appellant’s aggregate
    sentence is six to twelve years, with eligibility for early release under the
    Recidivism Risk Reduction Incentive program.
    On March 22, 2012, the trial court entered an order purporting to deny
    Appellant’s post-sentence motions, though no such motions appear on the
    docket or in the certified record.3 Appellant appealed to this Court, but we
    quashed the appeal as untimely. Commonwealth v. McCullough, 
    69 A.3d 1292
    (Pa. Super. 2013) (unpublished memorandum). Thereafter, Appellant
    ____________________________________________
    3
    Appellant contends that the post-sentence motions were filed but not
    reflected on the docket. Appellant’s Brief at 7. This Court has determined in
    the prior appeal, however, that no post-sentence motions were filed.
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    successfully sought restoration of his appellate rights, and this appeal nunc
    pro tunc followed.4
    Appellant raises three issues for our review:
    1. Did the [t]rial court err in failing to suppress the evidence
    seized from [Appellant’s] vehicle because this evidence was
    obtained as a result of the warrantless arrest and search of
    [Appellant] and the vehicle without probable cause?
    2. Did the [t]rial [c]ourt abuse its discretion in allowing
    [Appellant’s] probation officer to testify because this was an
    impermissible means of admitting [Appellant’s] inadmissible
    prior convictions?
    3. Was the jury’s verdict on the charge of attempt to deliver a
    controlled substance against the weight of the evidence
    because the jury could not reasonably conclude, on the
    evidence presented, that a substantial step toward the
    commission of the crime was established?
    Appellant’s Brief at 5.
    Appellant first challenges the denial of his motion to suppress.5
    Appellant argues that his arrest for attempting to deliver cocaine was
    “presumptively unreasonable” because police failed to obtain an arrest
    ____________________________________________
    4
    The trial court did not require a concise statement of errors complained of
    on appeal for this appeal nunc pro tunc.          The Rule 1925(a) opinion
    referenced above regards the first, quashed appeal.
    5
    The trial court denied Appellant’s suppression motion in a one-line order,
    and failed to make the required findings of fact and conclusions of law in
    support of its order. Cf. Pa.R.Crim.P. 581(I); Commonwealth v. Miller,
    
    888 A.2d 680
    , 688-89 (Pa. 2005); Commonwealth v. Grundza, 
    819 A.2d 66
    (Pa. Super. 2003). The trial court addressed Appellant’s suppression
    motion in a subsequent opinion, so we do not need to remand for the entry
    of findings of fact.
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    warrant. He further argues that police lacked probable cause to arrest him,
    or to subsequently search him and his vehicle.
    We review an order denying a motion to suppress as follows:
    In addressing a challenge to a trial court’s denial of a
    suppression motion, we are limited to determining whether the
    factual findings are supported by the record and whether the
    legal conclusions drawn from those facts are correct. Since the
    Commonwealth prevailed in the suppression court, we may
    consider only the evidence of the Commonwealth and so much of
    the evidence for the defense as it remains uncontradicted when
    read in the context of the record as a whole. Where the record
    supports the factual 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. Scarborough, 
    89 A.3d 679
    , 683 (Pa. Super. 2014)
    (quotation omitted).
    Appellant contends police needed a warrant to arrest him.           This
    argument is meritless. Appellant cites no authority for his proposition that a
    warrantless arrest is presumptively unreasonable.       Rather, “the Fourth
    Amendment permits warrantless arrests in public places where an officer has
    probable cause to believe that a felony has occurred,” Florida v. White,
    
    526 U.S. 559
    , 565 (1999), and also for any criminal offense committed in a
    police officer’s presence, Atwater v. City of Lago Vista, 
    532 U.S. 318
    , 354
    (2001). Moreover, Pennsylvania law allows police officers to arrest without
    warrant upon probable cause that (a) the person has committed murder or a
    felony; (b) the person has committed murder, a felony, or a misdemeanor in
    the officer’s presence; or (c) the person has committed a misdemeanor
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    outside of the officer’s presence and a statute permits warrantless arrest.
    Pa.R.Crim.P. 502(2).
    In this case, Officer Gula arrested Appellant in public for allegedly
    committing several felonies. Both the Fourth Amendment and Pennsylvania
    law explicitly authorize such a warrantless arrest.   Therefore, Appellant’s
    arrest was lawful if supported by probable cause, and there is no merit to
    Appellant’s argument that Officer Gula needed a warrant.
    Probable cause to effectuate an arrest exists when the facts and
    circumstances within the knowledge of the arresting officer are
    reasonably trustworthy and sufficient to justify a person of
    reasonable caution in believing that the arrestee has committed
    an offense. In addressing the existence of probable cause,
    courts must focus on the circumstances as seen through the
    eyes of the trained police officer, taking into consideration that
    probable cause does not involve certainties, but rather the
    factual and practical considerations of everyday life on which
    reasonable and prudent men act.
    Commonwealth v. Thompson, 
    93 A.3d 478
    , 486 (Pa. Super. 2014)
    (quotation omitted).
    Appellant contends that Officer Gula lacked probable cause to arrest
    him. We disagree.      Officer Gula was a member of the SID, and had
    experience in investigating drug trafficking. He and Appellant spoke on the
    phone, and Appellant agreed to sell Officer Gula one-half ounce of cocaine
    for $840.00. Appellant chose the meeting place on Cusick Avenue in North
    Scranton and directed Officer Gula to follow his vehicle to consummate the
    transaction. Additionally, the police knew that Appellant had been arrested
    in the past for drug dealing. It is immaterial that Officer Gula did not know
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    that Appellant had drugs in his vehicle, as Appellant was arrested for, inter
    alia, attempting to deliver a controlled substance and criminal use of a
    communications       facility,   neither       of   which   necessarily   entails   actual
    possession of cocaine. In sum, the arrest of Appellant was lawful.6
    ____________________________________________
    6
    In dissent, our Learned Colleague contends Officer Gula lacked probable
    cause because he did not have proof that Appellant committed attempted
    delivery of a controlled substance or, therefore, criminal use of a
    communications facility (which requires proof of an underlying felony).
    However, to arrest Appellant, Officer Gula need only probable cause of a
    crime—not proof enough to convict. Probable cause requires only that “facts
    and circumstances within the knowledge of the arresting officer are
    reasonably trustworthy and sufficient to justify a person of reasonable
    caution in believing that the arrestee has committed an offense.”
    
    Thompson, 93 A.3d at 486
    . In contrast, a conviction requires proof of each
    element of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt, a much higher standard.
    “Finely tuned standards such as proof beyond a reasonable doubt or by a
    preponderance of the evidence, useful in formal trials, have no place in the
    probable-cause decision.” Commonwealth v. Dommel, 
    885 A.2d 998
    ,
    1002 (Pa. Super. 2005) (quoting Maryland v. Pringle, 
    540 U.S. 366
    , 371
    (2003)) (internal alterations and brackets omitted).
    Moreover, to the extent the Dissent uses evidentiary sufficiency to dispute
    the existence of probable cause, we note Appellant has not raised the
    sufficiency of the evidence on appeal. Although that issue may be raised for
    the first time on appeal, see Pa.R.Crim.P. 606(A)(7), Appellant has not done
    so here. See Pa.R.A.P. 2116(a) (issues not included in statement of
    questions involved are waived); Commonwealth v. Bryant, 
    57 A.3d 191
    ,
    196 n.7 (Pa. Super. 2012) (concluding the appellant failed to preserve
    challenge to sufficiency of evidence to support indecent assault conviction by
    not including it in his statement of questions involved).
    Finally, we reject the Dissent’s reweighing of the facts known to Officer Gula
    when he arrested Appellant. Our standard of review requires us to accept
    factual findings supported by the record, i.e., that Officer Gula believed the
    man inside the vehicle on Cusick Avenue to be the person who called him,
    agreed to sell him cocaine, and arranged to meet him at that very place. In
    (Footnote Continued Next Page)
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    Because Appellant’s arrest was lawful, the evidence seized from his
    person and the vehicle was not fruits of the poisonous tree. “A fruit of the
    poisonous      tree       argument        requires   an   antecedent   illegality.”
    Commonwealth v. Johnson, 
    68 A.3d 930
    , 946 (Pa. Super. 2013)
    (quotation omitted).        In addition, a search incident to arrest is automatic
    upon a lawful arrest. Commonwealth v. Ingram, 
    814 A.2d 264
    , 272 (Pa.
    Super. 2002).      Here, there was no antecedent illegality.      Therefore, the
    drugs, cellphone, and money do not constitute fruits of the poisonous tree.
    Appellant does not raise any independent illegality in the seizure of the
    evidence from his person and the vehicle, and we will not consider any such
    arguments.
    In his second issue, Appellant contends the trial court erred in
    permitting his probation officer to testify in rebuttal over his objection.
    Appellant argues that allowing the probation officer to testify violated
    Pennsylvania Rule of Evidence 404(b) in that it allowed the jury to infer his
    guilt based on prior convictions.           The Commonwealth contends that the
    probation officer’s testimony was proper for the limited purpose of
    impeaching Appellant’s testimony that the cocaine found on him was for
    personal use, as Appellant never tested positive for drugs.
    _______________________
    (Footnote Continued)
    any event, it strains credulity to believe the person inside the vehicle could
    be anyone else but the man who agreed to sell Officer Gula drugs.
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    We review a trial court’s admission of evidence for an abuse of
    discretion.   Commonwealth v. Viera, 
    659 A.2d 1024
    , 1028 (Pa. Super.
    1995). “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 or the record.”      
    Id. (internal quotation
    omitted).
    Rule 404(b)(1) prohibits the use of a crime, wrong, or other act to
    prove a person’s character.     Pa.R.E. 404(b)(1).   Rule 404(b) reflects the
    common law concept that the prosecution cannot use prior convictions or
    other uncharged acts to prove the defendant’s guilt.      Commonwealth v.
    Ross, 
    57 A.3d 85
    , 98-99 (Pa. Super. 2012) (en banc).           Rule 404(b)(2),
    however, allows the admission of such evidence for any other purpose,
    including as proof of “motive, opportunity, intent, preparation, plan,
    knowledge, identity, absence of mistake, or lack of accident.”          Pa.R.E.
    404(b)(2). In a criminal case, other acts evidence is admissible only if “if
    the probative value of the evidence outweighs its potential for unfair
    prejudice.” 
    Id. Other purposes
    for admitting other acts evidence include impeachment
    of witnesses.     For example, in Viera, we approved the testimony of the
    defendant’s parole officers to rebut his alibi defense.    
    Viera, 659 A.2d at 1029
    . Similarly, in Commonwealth v. Hill, 
    666 A.2d 642
    , 649 (Pa. 1995),
    our Supreme Court found no violation where the defendant’s probation
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    officer testified in rebuttal to impeach the defendant’s claims that she had no
    probation violations and had not been using drugs.
    In this case, Appellant testified that he was using cocaine daily.     In
    other words, Appellant attempted to show that the cocaine found on him
    was for personal use, and that he lacked the intent necessary to commit
    PWID or attempted delivery.      To rebut his testimony, the Commonwealth
    called Appellant’s probation officer.   The probation officer testified that he
    tested Appellant for drug use weekly, and that the tests were negative.
    Therefore, the probation officer’s testimony properly had the effect of
    impeaching Appellant’s credibility. Under Hill and Viera, impeachment is a
    proper use of other acts evidence.
    Moreover, the probative value of the evidence outweighed its
    prejudicial effect. The probative value of the evidence was high because it
    rebutted the impression that Appellant was a drug-user as opposed to a
    dealer.    In addition, it was probative of Appellant’s intent to distribute
    cocaine.   The Commonwealth attempted to sanitize the probation officer’s
    testimony.    It did not elicit testimony as to why Appellant was under
    supervision. It also tried to de-emphasize the fact that Appellant was under
    supervision for a previous conviction. In sum, the trial court did not abuse
    its discretion in allowing Appellant’s probation officer to rebut his claim that
    he possessed cocaine merely for personal use.
    Appellant finally argues that he is entitled to a new trial on the charge
    of attempted delivery of a controlled substance, because the jury’s verdict
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    was against the weight of the evidence.            We cannot address this issue,
    because Appellant did not raise it before the trial court.
    A claim that a verdict is against the weight of the evidence must be
    raised in a motion for a new trial either (1) orally on the record, before
    sentencing; (2) in a written-presentence motion; or (3) in a post-sentence
    motion. Pa.R.Crim.P. 607(A). Failure to properly preserve the claim results
    in waiver, even if the trial court addresses the weight of the evidence in its
    opinion. 
    Thompson, 93 A.3d at 490
    (quoting Commonwealth v. Lofton,
    
    57 A.3d 1270
    , 1273 (Pa. Super. 2012)). It is axiomatic that a party cannot
    raise an issue for the first time on appeal. Pa.R.A.P. 302(a).
    Here, the record shows that Appellant never requested a new trial as
    required by Rule 607(A).7          Though he purportedly filed a post-sentence
    motion, the motion is not in the certified record. No pretrial oral or written
    motion exists, either.        Finally, we have already determined—in a prior
    appeal—that Appellant did not file a post-sentence motion. This issue is not
    preserved and, therefore, is not reviewable.
    Having rejected Appellant’s arguments, we turn to the legality of his
    sentence under Alleyne.           An Alleyne issue concerns the legality of a
    sentence, meaning that it cannot be waived, can be raised by this Court sua
    ____________________________________________
    7
    In its brief, the Commonwealth concedes that Appellant challenged the
    weight of the evidence in a motion for a new trial. Appellee’s Brief at 17.
    However, we have reviewed the record and have found no such motion.
    - 12 -
    J-S54036-14
    sponte, and applies retroactively to cases pending on direct appeal.
    
    Newman, 99 A.3d at 90
    .
    In this case, Appellant received a five-year mandatory minimum
    sentence as required by 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 7508(a)(3)(ii).        Section 7508
    contains a schedule of mandatory sentences that must be imposed on
    defendants convicted of certain drug crimes based on the amount and type
    of drugs, and the defendants’ prior drug-trafficking convictions.   Appellant
    received a five-year mandatory minimum sentence, because he was
    convicted of PWID of between 10 and 100 grams of cocaine, and he had
    been convicted of a prior drug trafficking offense. 
    Id. Section 7508
    provides, in relevant part:
    (a) General rule.--Notwithstanding any other provisions of this
    or any other act to the contrary, the following provisions shall
    apply:
    ***
    (3) A person who is convicted of violating section
    13(a)(14), (30) or (37) of The Controlled Substance, Drug,
    Device and Cosmetic Act where the controlled substance is
    coca leaves or is any salt, compound, derivative or
    preparation of coca leaves or is any salt, compound,
    derivative or preparation which is chemically equivalent or
    identical with any of these substances or is any mixture
    containing any of these substances except decocainized
    coca leaves or extracts of coca leaves which (extracts) do
    not contain cocaine or ecgonine shall, upon conviction, be
    sentenced to a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment
    and a fine as set forth in this subsection:
    ***
    (ii) when the aggregate weight of the compound or
    mixture containing the substance involved is at least
    ten grams and less than 100 grams; three years in
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    J-S54036-14
    prison and a fine of $15,000 or such larger amount as is
    sufficient to exhaust the assets utilized in and the
    proceeds from the illegal activity; however, if at the
    time of sentencing the defendant has been convicted of
    another drug trafficking offense: five years in prison
    and $30,000 or such larger amount as is sufficient to
    exhaust the assets utilized in and the proceeds from the
    illegal activity[.]
    (b) Proof of sentencing.-- Provisions of this section shall not
    be an element of the crime. Notice of the applicability of this
    section to the defendant shall not be required prior to conviction,
    but reasonable notice of the Commonwealth’s intention to
    proceed under this section shall be provided after conviction and
    before sentencing. The applicability of this section shall be
    determined at sentencing. The court shall consider evidence
    presented at trial, shall afford the Commonwealth and the
    defendant an opportunity to present necessary additional
    evidence and shall determine, by a preponderance of the
    evidence, if this section is applicable.
    
    Id. § 7508
    (other subsections omitted). In Alleyne, the Supreme Court of
    the United States held that any fact triggering a mandatory minimum
    sentence is an element of the crime, and must be found by a jury beyond a
    reasonable doubt.       
    Alleyne, 133 S. Ct. at 2155
    .      Therefore, § 7508(b),
    above, violates Alleyne.         See Commonwealth v. Watley, 
    81 A.3d 108
    ,
    117 (Pa. Super. 2013) (en banc) (dicta).
    Subsequent to Watley, this Court held that 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9712.1,8
    which contains identical language as § 7508(b), is facially unconstitutional
    ____________________________________________
    8
    Section 9712.1 provided:
    (a) Mandatory sentence.--Any person who is convicted of a
    violation of [35 P.S. § 780-113(a)(30)] . . . , when at the time of
    the offense the person or the person’s accomplice is in physical
    possession or control of a firearm, whether visible, concealed
    (Footnote Continued Next Page)
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    J-S54036-14
    under Alleyne.         
    Newman, 99 A.3d at 97-98
    .        Moreover, the Newman
    court found that § 9712.1’s triggering language is inseparable from the
    remainder of the statute.          
    Id. at 101-03.
      This holding essentially voids
    § 9712.1 in all cases.
    Following Newman, a panel of this Court found that 42 Pa.C.S.A.
    §§ 9712 and 9713,9 which contain identical language as § 9712.1, are
    _______________________
    (Footnote Continued)
    about the person or the person’s accomplice or within the actor’s
    or accomplice’s reach or in close proximity to the controlled
    substance, shall likewise be sentenced to a minimum sentence of
    at least five years of total confinement.
    ***
    (c) Proof at sentencing.--Provisions of this section shall not be
    an element of the crime, and notice thereof to the defendant
    shall not be required prior to conviction, but reasonable notice of
    the Commonwealth’s intention to proceed under this section
    shall be provided after conviction and before sentencing. The
    applicability of this section shall be determined at sentencing.
    The court shall consider any evidence presented at trial and shall
    afford the Commonwealth and the defendant an opportunity to
    present any necessary additional evidence and shall determine,
    by a preponderance of the evidence, if this section is applicable.
    42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9712.1 (other subsections omitted).
    9
    42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9712 provided a five-year mandatory sentence for anyone
    who committed a crime of violence while possessing a “a firearm or a replica
    of a firearm, whether or not the firearm or replica was loaded or functional,
    that placed the victim in reasonable fear of death or serious bodily injury,
    during the commission of the offense.” Section 9713 provided a five-year
    mandatory sentence for anyone who committed a crime of violence on or
    near public transportation.
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    unconstitutional. Commonwealth v. Valentine, 
    2014 Pa. Super. 220
    , 
    2014 WL 4942256
    , 2014 Pa. Super. LEXIS 3420 (filed Oct. 3, 2014).                In
    Valentine, we vacated the defendant’s sentence as unconstitutional, even
    though the trial court attempted to comply with Alleyne by presenting an
    interrogatory to the jury, asking it to find beyond a reasonable doubt
    whether the defendant possessed a firearm or committed the offense on
    public transportation. 
    Id. at *8-9;
    2014 Pa. Super. LEXIS 3420, at *21-23.
    We concluded the trial court’s procedure, while innovative, could not be
    justified in light of Newman. 
    Id., 2014 Pa. Super.
    LEXIS 3420, at *21-23.
    We are reluctant to raise sua sponte the constitutionality of a statute,
    but Newman and Valentine require us to do so. Because § 7508 contains
    language identical to that found fatal to the statutes in Newman and
    Valentine, § 7508 is void in its entirety.10 Even though Appellant stipulated
    to the weight of drugs involved at trial, the mandatory sentence cannot be
    applied. We see no difference between the stipulation in this case and the
    ____________________________________________
    10
    As noted above, § 7508 contains a schedule of mandatory sentences
    based on the weight of drugs involved and the defendant’s prior record.
    Alleyne does not apply to prior convictions. 
    Alleyne, 133 S. Ct. at 2160
    n.1. However, just as we cannot sever § 7508(b) from the remainder of the
    statute, we are unable to sever the constitutional, prior-record mandatory
    provisions from the unconstitutional, drug-weight mandatory provisions.
    - 16 -
    J-S54036-14
    jury’s findings in Valentine.        Appellant’s sentence is illegal, and must be
    vacated.11
    In conclusion, we find no merit to any of the issues raised by
    Appellant. His conviction must be affirmed. We conclude sua sponte that
    the mandatory minimum sentencing statute used here is unconstitutional
    under Newman.           Therefore, we vacate the judgment of sentence and
    remand to the trial court for resentencing without consideration of 18
    Pa.C.S.A. § 7508(a)(3)(ii).
    Judgment of sentence vacated.               Case remanded for resentencing.
    Jurisdiction relinquished.
    Judge Mundy joins the Majority.
    Judge Lazarus files a Dissenting Memorandum.
    ____________________________________________
    11
    The unconstitutionality of § 7508 does not affect the trial court’s discretion
    to impose any other lawful sentence. See 
    Alleyne, 133 S. Ct. at 2163
    (“We
    have long recognized that broad sentencing discretion, informed by judicial
    factfinding, does not violate the Sixth Amendment.”); Commonwealth v.
    Buterbaugh, 
    91 A.3d 1247
    , 1270 n.10 (Pa. Super. 2014) (en banc) (noting
    that Alleyne does not affect a trial court’s ability to deviate from the
    Sentencing Guidelines); Valentine, 
    2014 WL 4942256
    , at *9 2014 Pa.
    Super. LEXIS 3420, at *25-26 (Gantman, P.J., concurring in the result)
    (noting that Alleyne does not preclude the use of a deadly weapon
    sentencing enhancement).
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    J-S54036-14
    Judgment Entered.
    Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
    Prothonotary
    Date: 12/9/2014
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