Com. v. Headon, S. ( 2015 )

J-S30003-15
NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
PENNSYLVANIA
Appellee
v.
SIR-KHAN HEADON
Appellant No. 1570 EDA 2014
Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence October 11, 2013
In the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County
Criminal Division at No(s): CP-51-CR-0005889-2012
BEFORE: GANTMAN, P.J., FORD ELLIOTT, P.J.E., and JENKINS, J.
MEMORANDUM BY GANTMAN, P.J.: FILED JULY 15, 2015
Appellant, Sir-Khan Headon, appeals from the judgment of sentence
entered in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas, following his jury
trial convictions for possession with intent to deliver (“PWID”), simple
possession, and conspiracy.1 We affirm the convictions but vacate and
remand for resentencing.
In its opinion, the trial court fully set forth the relevant facts and
procedural history of this case. Therefore, we have no reason to restate
them.2
Appellant raises the following issues for our review:
____________________________________________
1
35 P.S. §§ 780-113(a)(30), (a)(16); 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 903, respectively.
2
Police found the marijuana in a freezer bag, not in a freezer.
J-S30003-15
WHETHER THE VERDICT WAS AGAINST THE WEIGHT OF
THE EVIDENCE. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE THAT
APPELLANT WAS A RESIDENT OF 421 WINTON STREET,
THAT HE CONSPIRED WITH [CO-DEFENDANT] TO SELL
NARCOTICS, OR THAT HE HAD THE INTENT TO
MANUFACTURE OR DISTRIBUTE MARIJUANA OR COCAINE.
WHETHER APPELLANT IS ENTITLED TO A NEW TRIAL
BECAUSE THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE TO PROVE
APPELLANT GUILTY OF EACH AND EVERY ELEMENT OF THE
CRIMES OF THE CONVICTION, POSSESSION WITH INTENT
TO MANUFACTURE OR DELIVER, CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY
AND INTENT TO POSSESS A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE.
WHETHER THE COMMONWEALTH FAILED TO PROVE DRUG
AMOUNTS ATTRIBUTABLE TO APPELLANT AND THEREFORE
THE MANDATORY SENTENCE SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN
IMPOSED.
(Appellant’s Brief at 3).
A challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence implicates the following
legal principles:
The standard we apply in reviewing the sufficiency of the
evidence is whether viewing all the evidence admitted at
trial in the light most favorable to the verdict winner, there
is sufficient evidence to enable the fact-finder to find every
element of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. In
applying [the above] test, we may not weigh the evidence
and substitute our judgment for the fact-finder. In
addition, we note that the facts and circumstances
established by the Commonwealth need not preclude every
possibility of innocence. Any doubts regarding a
defendant’s guilt may be resolved by the fact-finder unless
the evidence is so weak and inconclusive that as a matter
of law no probability of fact may be drawn from the
combined circumstances. The Commonwealth may sustain
its burden of proving every element of the crime beyond a
reasonable doubt by means of wholly circumstantial
evidence. Moreover, in applying the above test, the entire
record must be evaluated and all evidence actually
received must be considered. Finally, the [finder] of fact
-2-
J-S30003-15
while passing upon the credibility of witnesses and the
weight of the evidence produced, is free to believe all, part
or none of the evidence.
Commonwealth v. Jones, 874 A.2d 108, 120-21 (Pa.Super. 2005)
(quoting Commonwealth v. Bullick, 830 A.2d 998, 1000 (Pa.Super.
2003)).
Our standard of review for a challenge to the weight of the evidence is
as follows:
The weight of the evidence is exclusively for the finder of
fact who is free to believe all, part, or none of the evidence
and to determine the credibility of the witnesses. An
appellate court cannot substitute its judgment for that of
the finder of fact. Thus, we may only reverse the lower
court’s verdict if it is so contrary to the evidence as to
shock one’s sense of justice. Moreover, where 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. Champney, 574 Pa. 435, 444, 832 A.2d 403, 408
(2003), cert. denied, 542 U.S. 939, 124 S.Ct. 2906, 159 L.Ed.2d 816 (2004)
(internal citations omitted).
After a thorough review of the record, the briefs of the parties, the
applicable law, and the well-reasoned opinion of the Honorable Genece E.
Brinkley, we conclude Appellant’s first two issues merit no relief. The trial
court opinion comprehensively discusses and properly disposes of those
questions. (See Trial Court Opinion, filed August 1, 2014, at 9-16) (finding:
-3-
J-S30003-15
(1) jury heard testimony from police officers who executed search warrant
in Appellant’s home, where police found large amount of drugs; in bedroom
where they found Appellant, officers observed marijuana and large sum of
cash in open night table drawer; in same bedroom, police recovered purse
which contained 58.7 grams of cocaine, large amount of marijuana, pills,
and cash; verdict did not shock one’s sense of justice; (2) regarding PWID
conviction, Appellant gave his home address as 421 Winton Street when
arrested, which is same address where police found Appellant and large
amounts of drugs and cash; drugs were divided into smaller baggies for sale
to wider customer base; drugs tested positively for marijuana, cocaine, and
Xanax; Commonwealth’s expert opined that drugs were possessed with
intent to deliver; evidence was sufficient to convict Appellant of PWID;
regarding conspiracy, police found Appellant and co-defendant at residence
both wearing clothing to sleep in; in bedroom, Appellant had other clothing
which he changed into when he knew he was under arrest; Appellant’s co-
defendant told police she lived at 421 Winton Street with Appellant;
Appellant and co-defendant’s relationship, close proximity to drugs and cash,
and overt acts were sufficient to sustain conspiracy conviction; 3 regarding
____________________________________________
3
The trial court cites Commonwealth v. Bricker, 882 A.2d 1008(Pa.Super. 2005), for the proposition that relevant factors in the
determination of a conspiracy include “an association between the alleged
conspirators, knowledge of the commission of the crime, presence at the
scene of the crime, and participation in the object of the conspiracy.” This
(Footnote Continued Next Page)
-4-
J-S30003-15
simple possession conviction, jury properly found Appellant constructively
possessed drugs because police found drugs in area of house where
Appellant had equal access and control). Accordingly, we affirm as to
Appellant’s first and second issues on the basis of the trial court opinion.
In his third issue, Appellant argues he had no actual or constructive
possession of the cocaine found in the bedroom. Appellant asserts the court
improperly applied a mandatory minimum sentence to his PWID conviction
because the Commonwealth failed to prove Appellant possessed the
requisite amount of cocaine. Appellant concludes this Court should vacate
his judgment of sentence and remand for a new trial or, in the alternative,
resentencing. We disagree with Appellant’s contentions but conclude
Appellant is entitled to resentencing.
Instantly, Appellant essentially reiterates his challenge to the
sufficiency of the evidence for his PWID conviction, which we have already
determined is meritless. The evidence supported the jury’s finding that
Appellant possessed more than ten (10) grams of cocaine, which the court
relied on to apply the mandatory minimum set forth in 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 7508
at sentencing. See 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 7508(a)(3)(ii) (mandating minimum
sentence of five (5) years’ incarceration where defendant is convicted of
PWID involving at least ten (10) grams but less than one hundred (100)
_______________________
(Footnote Continued)
quotation is not from Bricker; it is found in Commonwealth v. Perez, 931
A.2d 703, 708 (Pa.Super. 2007).
-5-
J-S30003-15
grams of cocaine and, at time of sentencing, defendant has been convicted
of another drug trafficking offense).
Nevertheless, we are mindful of the United States Supreme Court’s
decision in Alleyne v. United States, ___ U.S. ___, 133 S.Ct. 2151, 186
L.Ed.2d 314 (2013), in which the Court expressly held that any fact
increasing the mandatory minimum sentence for a crime is considered an
element of the crime to be submitted to the fact-finder and found beyond a
reasonable doubt. Section 7508(b) states that the statutory provisions shall
not be an element of the crime and applicability of the statute shall be
determined at sentencing by a preponderance of the evidence. Recently, in
Commonwealth v. Newman, 99 A.3d 86 (Pa.Super. 2014) (en banc), this
Court addressed the constitutionality of a similar statute, 42 Pa.C.S.A. §
9712.1, in light of Alleyne. Relying on Alleyne, Newman held that Section
9712.1 can no longer pass constitutional muster as it “permits the trial
court, as opposed to the jury, to increase a defendant’s minimum sentence
based upon a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant was dealing
drugs and possessed a firearm, or that a firearm was in close proximity to
the drugs.” Newman, supra at 98. Thus, this Court vacated Newman’s
PWID sentence and remanded for resentencing without imposition of the
mandatory minimum under Section 9712.1. See also Commonwealth v.
Valentine, 101 A.3d 801 (Pa.Super. 2014) (extending logic of Alleyne and
Newman to Sections 9712 and 9713 and holding those sections are likewise
-6-
J-S30003-15
unconstitutional insofar as they permit automatic increase of defendant’s
sentence based on preponderance of evidence standard; Commonwealth and
trial court’s attempt to cure unconstitutional provisions of statutes by
including questions on verdict sheet regarding whether defendant possessed
firearm and whether robbery occurred in or near public transportation, did
not remedy fundamental unconstitutionality of statutes; in presenting those
questions to jury, trial court performed impermissible legislative function by
creating new procedure in effort to impose mandatory minimum sentences
in compliance with Alleyne; trial court lacked authority to allow jury to
determine factual predicates of Sections 9712 and 9713, where statutes are
not severable and are unconstitutional in their entireties). Accord
Commonwealth v. Hopkins, ___ A.3d ___, 2015 WL 3949099 at *11-13
(Pa. June 15, 2015) (declaring mandatory minimum statute at 18 Pa.C.S.A.
§ 6317 unconstitutional in its entirety under Alleyne, where statute stated
its provisions were not elements of crime and applicability of statute should
be determined at sentencing by preponderance of evidence; Commonwealth
could not cure unconstitutionality of Section 6317 with special verdict sheet
that presented interrogatories to jury regarding facts required to trigger
mandatory minimum).
Subsequently, this Court directly addressed the constitutionality of
Section 7508 in Commonwealth v. Vargas, 108 A.3d 858 (Pa.Super.
2014) (en banc), where the trial court imposed a mandatory minimum
-7-
J-S30003-15
sentence for a PWID conviction, pursuant to Section 7508(a)(7)(iii). On
appeal, this Court emphasized that Section 7508 “is structured in the same
manner as the statutes at issue in Newman and Valentine….” Id. at 876-
77. This Court concluded that Section 7508 is also unconstitutional in its
entirety and cannot be severed. Id.Here, the jury convicted Appellant of PWID and related offenses. The
verdict sheet specifically asked the jury to answer, inter alia, the following
questions: “Do you find [Appellant] guilty of possession with the intent to
deliver a controlled substance?”; “If yes, do you find [Appellant] guilty of
possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance—cocaine in an
amount greater than 10 grams?” (Verdict Sheet, dated 8/1/13, at 1). The
jury answered both of these questions affirmatively. At sentencing, the
court imposed a five (5) year mandatory minimum sentence for Appellant’s
PWID conviction, pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 7508. When it asked the jury
to find beyond a reasonable doubt the factual predicates for the mandatory
minimum sentence at Section 7508, the trial court performed an
impermissible legislative function, as the relevant statutes are not severable
and are unconstitutional in their entireties. See Hopkins, supra; Vargas,
supra; Valentine, supra; Newman, supra. Therefore, the court’s
imposition of the Section 7508 mandatory minimum sentence was unlawful.
Accordingly, we affirm Appellant’s convictions but vacate the judgment of
sentence and remand for resentencing without imposition of a mandatory
-8-
J-S30003-15
minimum term under 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 7508.
Judgment of sentence vacated; case remanded for resentencing.
Jurisdiction is relinquished.
Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary
Date: 7/15/2015
-9-
Circulated 06/17/2015 11:21 AM
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT OF PENNSLYV ANIA
CRIMINAL TRIAL DIVISION
COMMONWEALTH CP-51-CR-0005889-2012
vs.
'(Jd \0 \O\l\S\Q"~\O\Jtf``~\:l
\\UO S\'00d~ v . · ·
SIR-KHAN HEADON ,\Ol\ Q)}{W SUPERIOR COURT
031,='
1570 EDA 2014
BRINKLEY, J. AUGUST 1, 2014
OPINION
Defendant Sir-Khan Headon appeared before this Court for a jury trial and was convicted
of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (PWID), conspiracy and knowing and
intentional possession of a controlled substance possession. (K&l). This Court sentenced
Defendant to 5 to 10 years state incarceration on the PWID charge, five years reporting probation
on the conspiracy charge, to run consecutively to the PWID charge and no further penalty on the
K&I charge. Defendant appealed this judgment of sentence to the Superior Court and raised the
following issues on appeal: (1) whether the verdict was against the weight of the evidence; (2)
whether there was insufficient evidence to prove Defendant guilty of each element of every
crime thus entitling him to a new trial and; (3) whether the Commonwealth failed to show drug
amounts attributable to Defendant causing an improper application of the mandatory sentencing
CP-51-CR-0005889-2012 Comm. v. Headon, Sir-Khan
Opinion
range.
11111111111111111 Ill
7181028831
I Ill
1
j_ ..
Circulated 06/17/2015 11:21 AM
PROCEDURAL HISTORY
On December 2, 2011, Defendant was arrested and charged with PWID, conspiracy and
K&I. On August 1, 2013, a jury found Defendant guilty of PWID, conspiracy and K&I. On
October 11, 2013, this Court sentenced Defendant to 5 to 10 years state incarceration on the
possession with intent to deliver charge, five years reporting probation on the conspiracy charge
to run consecutively to the possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance charge and no
further penalty on the K&I charge. This Court ordered Defendant to undergo random urinalysis,
complete job training and anger management, to seek and maintain employment, stop selling and
using drugs and to pay court costs and fees.
On October 13, 2013, Defendant filed a Motion to Reconsider Sentence through counsel,
which was denied by operation oflaw on May 1, 2014. On May 20, 2014, Defendant filed a
Notice of Appeal to Superior Court. On June 9, 2014, upon receipt of the notes of testimony,
this Court ordered defense counsel to file a Concise Statement of Errors Complained of on
Appeal Pursuant to Pa. R.A.P. 1925(b) and defense counsel did so on June 27, 2014.
FACTS
On July 31, 2013, the trial in this matter began with Defendant and co-Defendant Robin
Pickron ("Pickron"). The Commonwealth attorney was Christina Pastrana, Esquire and defense
counsel for Defendant was Raymond C. Driscoll, Esquire. The Commonwealth called its first
witness, Agent Michael Grnitter ("Gmitter") to the stand to testify. Gmitter testified that he had
been an agent for nine years and that he was on duty on December 2"d, 2011. He stated that his
duties as an agent were to serve body warrants and on the night of December 2"d, 2011, his duties
took him to 421 Winton Street. He testified that the target at that address was Defendant. He
stated that it was not Defendant's last known address, but what brought them to that address was
2
Circulated 06/17/2015 11:21 AM
that the unit received information that Defendant was staying there at that time. He testified that
he had approximately 12 agents with him on that day. He testified that they arrived around 6:30
a.m. and knocked and announced their presence at the front door. They then entered the twow
story row home, and he went up the steps leading to the second story rear bedroom. He testified
that he was the first one to go up the steps and upon doing so, he saw Pickron exit the bedroom
about 15 feet away from him. (N.T. 7/31/2013 p. 55w58).
Agent Gmitter testified that Pickron went with other officers and he went into the
bedroom, where he encountered Defendant. He testified that he handcuffed Defendant and
searched his person. He testified that while searching Defendant, he saw an open dresser drawer
next to the bed with packets of a green leafy substance and a large sum of cash. He identified the
packets in the courtroom and they were entered into evidence. Agent Gmitter testified that
Defendant was wearing sleeping clothes when he first saw him, but before Defendant was taken
out of the house, he was given the opportunity to get dressed. He stated that he completed a
report after the arrest of Defendant and that he conferred with his supervisor at the scene
regarding the items in the dresser. He testified that Philadelphia police officer Gergory Barber
arrived, and Gmitter showed him the dresser drawer. At that point, Defendant was taken into
custody and transported away. He stated that while at the property, he saw two or three other
people and it was a mixture of adults and juveniles. Id. at 58w62.
The Commonwealth next called Officer Gregory Barber ("Barber") to the stand to testify.
Barber testified that he had been a Philadelphia police officer for 18 years and in the Narcotics
Field unit for 13 years. He explained that in the Narcotics Field Unit he worked in plain clothes,
made undercover drug transactions, prepared search warrants and assisted those who executed
search warrants. He testified that on December 2, 2011 he was called to assist an agent around
3
Circulated 06/17/2015 11:21 AM
7:00 a.m. at 421 Winton Street. He testified that when he arrived at the location he met Agent
Gmitter outside who took him inside and showed him a dresser in the second floor rear bedroom.
He stated that in the drawer he saw marijuana packaging and large sums of money. He testified
that the items recovered were 7 red Ziploc packets of marijuana and approximately $1300 of
United States currency. He testified to the property receipt he filled out and the information it
contained for it to be processed by the Philadelphia police department. He testified that the test
on the packages returned a positive reaction for marijuana. Id. at 83-88.
Officer Barber testified that the property receipt that was entered into evidence as C- 7,
indicated $1,342 that was recovered from the dresser drawer. He stated the money was folded in
a pile and in different denominations: sixty $20 bills, eight $10 bills, nine $5 bills, and one $1
bill. He testified that the packaging was not tested for fingerprints as it was not in the practice of
the Narcotics Field Unit to do so, since the packets ostensibly came into contact with many
different people. He stated that the house was secured and that there were three to four people
present, two of whom were Defendant and Pickron. He testified that he followed the procedure
he normally does after securing a location, which involved returning to headquarters and
preparing a search warrant that an attorney district reviewed before sending to a judge. He
testified that in this case, he returned to the property after the judge approved the warrant about
three hours after the property was first secured. Id. at 88-94.
Officer Barber testified that he helped execute the search warrant at 421 Winton Street.
He testified that he recovered a pocketbook from the rear bedroom that had clear sandwich bags
and a larger bag of marijuana with multiple sandwich baggies of cocaine and a white pill bottle.
He testified that the packets with cocaine had a total of 5 8. 7 grams of cocaine, and they came
back positive for cocaine using the NIK test. The baggies with marijuana also came back
4
Circulated 06/17/2015 11:21 AM
positive for marijuana when he used the NIK test. He stated that the white alleged Xanax pills
were stamped with 'G372 l .' He testified that a digital scale that had white residue was
recovered, as well as an additional $132. He stated that in the kitchen there was a large freezer
Ziploc bag containing eight sandwich baggies with alleged marijuana for a total weight of 221.3
grams of marijuana. He testified there were also letters addressed to Robin Pickron at 421
Winton Street. Officer Barber identified the Ziploc bags, scale and property receipt for the $132
while on the stand and they were all entered into evidence. He stated that these items were not
preserved for fingerprints and that it was not part of the normal practice to do so. Id. at 94- 103.
Officer Barber testified that Pickron and Defendant were placed under arrest and
Defendant was charged for his relationship to the narcotics. He testified that when he asked
Defendant biographical information to fill out on a police report, Defendant told Officer Barber
that his address was 421 Winton Street. He testified that Pickron also stated the same as her
address and said that she resided with her boyfriend. Id. at 103-110.
Next, the Commonwealth called Police Officer Theresa Weaver ("Weaver") to the stand
to testify. Officer Weaver testified that she had been a police officer for 19 years and had been
part of the Narcotics Field Unit for 17 years. She testified that for 11 years she had been partners
with Officer Barber and that she was involved in the investigation on December 2, 2011. She
stated that she was part of the team that executed the search warrant at 421 Winton Street. She
stated that her role was to assist in searching the property. She testified that she recovered a
freezer bag that contained eight clear sandwich baggies from a kitchen cabinet. She stated that
she also recovered two letters for Pickron addressed to 421 Winton Street. She stated that she
placed Pickron under arrest and supervised her as Pickron went upstairs to get clothes to change
into from the rear bedroom. Id. at 135-139.
5
Circulated 06/17/2015 11:21 AM
The Commonwealth read a stipulation, by and between counsel, stating that if chemist
Maryama Shagu of the Philadelphia Police Department chemistry lab were called to testify she
would testify in accordance with the report she prepared that the seven red Ziploc bags tested
positive for marijuana as did the two clear plastic bags. Further, if analyst Samuel Jose were
called to testify, he would testify that he analyzed the clear Ziploc bag containing eight clear
bags, each with marijuana. He would testify that each bag weighed 27.8 grams. He would
testify that he also analyzed two clear Ziploc bags and found that they held marijuana and each
weighed 9 .28 grams. He also analyzed the clear plastic bag containing white powder, which
tested positive for cocaine in the amount of 18.37 grams. He analyzed one clear Ziploc bag that
contained I 02 heat-sealed green packets, each containing off-white powder and they each tested
positive for cocaine in the amount of .496 grams. He analyzed the white plastic bottle containing
the tablets marked '03721,' which tested positive for alprazolam, colloquially known as Xanax.
Lastly, he analyzed the white substance on the digital scale, which tested positive for marijuana
and cocaine. Id. at 150-155.
Following the stipulations, the Commonwealth called police officer Kevin Keys
("Keys"). Officer Keys testified that he is part of the Narcotics Field Unit, but was not involved
in this particular case. He testified that he had been a Philadelphia police officer for 25 years,
was in the Narcotics Field Unit for 13 years and was a drug enforcement officer for 7 years. He
explained what type of training he received as a drug enforcement officer and as a member of the
Narcotics Field Unit, including training in identifying narcotics, packaging, retrieving stashes,
among other areas. He stated that he had been involved in over 3,000 different narcotics-related
investigations and that those investigations ranged from surveillance to executing warrants to
long-term investigations of an organization. He testified that marijuana and cocaine are
6
Circulated 06/17/2015 11:21 AM
considered narcotics. He stated that he had received ongoing training, attending courses at the
DEA, Northeast Counter Drug Training, Top Gun Training and a 100 hour course through
McLaughlin, among other types of training. He stated that he has testified as an expert in the
area of narcotics sales and packaging over 1,500 times in the Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile
Court and Federal Court. Officer Keys was offered and accepted by the Court as a narcotics
expert specifically in the area of narcotic sales and packaging in the city and county of
Philadelphia, to no objection. Id. at 156-162.
Officer Keys testified that he reviewed the evidence in this case. Particularly, he
reviewed the amounts of marijuana, the packets, the bags and the contents therein. He testified
that the pink bags with the marijuana in them would be sold as for roughly $35 as a quarter of an
ounce. He testified that the bigger bag containing 8 bags had about 28 ounces of marijuana in
each bag and would sell for $120 to $360 per ounce, depending on the quality of the marijuana.
He stated that another bag, in which there was roughly 222 grams, would sell for $500 in bulk,
but if broken down into eight bags, would be worth $920. Regarding the cocaine, he testified
that the amount of cocaine in just one packet weighed about .496 milligrams, which would sell
for around $40. He testified that the total weight of the bags was over 50 grams. He stated the
bulk price for the amount of cocaine would be $2000, but if sold the way it was packaged, they
would retrieve around $4000 in sales. He testified that the multitude of small packets and the
larger packets were associated with a distributor. He testified that he had never seen a drug user
with that amount of small packets of cocaine. He stated that the scale was also associated with a
distributor in his experience because distributors use them to make small packets. Id. at 156-168.
He testified that the pills, which were found to be alprazolam, were consistently diverted
from medicinal use to illegal street sales. He testified that each pill sells for around $3, so a
7
Circulated 06/17/2015 11:21 AM
bottle of 67 pills would be worth around $200. He stated that in total, the value of the drugs
recovered from the scene was around $9,600, between the marijuana, cocaine and the pills. He
testified that he also considered the other items recovered from the scene, like the cash and the
baggies. He stated that the denominations of the bills and quantity of different denominations
correlated to the amount the drug packets would sell for on the street. He testified that in his
expert opinion the drugs recovered were possessed with intent to distribute. He testified that he
further supported his conclusion with the information he reviewed in the police reports that
indicated that Defendant and Pickron were unemployed, which did not coincide with the amount
of cash and drugs in the home. Id. at 168-172. The Commonwealth then rested its case.
On the second day of trial, defense counsel presented two stipulations by and between
counsel. First, that if the custodian of records for the Pretrial Service Division of the First
Judicial District were called to testify, he would testify that the division is responsible for
interviewing all arrested and charged individuals. He would testify that on December 3, 2011,
Defendant was interviewed by a representative of the division and he provided his address as
1436 Catharine Street in Philadelphia. He would further testify that Defendant stated that he was
employed doing demolition work and made $150 week, when he was interviewed about his
employment. (N.T. 8/1/2013, p. 48-49.)
The second stipulation presented was that if the custodian of records for the clerk of
courts for the First Judicial District were called to testify, he or she would testify that the address
ofrecord for Defendant as reflected in the official court file for this case was 1436 Catharine
Street in Philadelphia. Counsel for Defendant then rested. Counsel for Pickron entered a
stipulation, by and between counsel, that when Pickron was interviewed by the Pretrial Services
8
Circulated 06/17/2015 11:21 AM
Division she stated that she was given compensation from the Workmen's Compensation System
in the amount of $864, bi-weekly. Counsel for Pickron then rested. Id. at 50-51.
ISSUES
I. WHETHER THE VERDICT WAS AGAINST THE WEIGHT OF THE
EVIDENCE.
II. WHETHER THERE WAS SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE TO PROVE DEFENDANT
GUILTY OF EACH ELEMENT OF EVERY CRIME CHARGED.
III. WHETIJER THE COMMONWEAL TH FAILED TO SHOW THE WEIGHT OF
DRUGS ATTRIBUTABLE TO DEFENDANT CAUSING AN IMPROPER
IMPOSITION OF A MANDATORY SENTENCE.
DISCUSSION
I. THE VERDICT WAS NOT AGAINST THE WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE.
The verdict in this case was not against the weight of the evidence presented at trial.
Under Pennsylvania law, a weight of the evidence claim concedes that the evidence was
sufficient to sustain the verdict. Commonwealth v. Smith, 2004 PA Super. 77, 853 A.2d 1020,
1028 (2004) (citing Commonwealth v. Bennett, 2003 PA Super. 212, 827 A.2d 469 (2003)). The
weight of the evidence is "exclusively for the finder of fact who is free to believe all, part, or
none of the evidence and to determine the credibility of the witnesses." Commonwealth v. Rice,
2006 PA Super. 143, 902 A.2d 542, 546 (2006) (quoting Commonwealth v. Champney, 574 Pa.
435, 832 A.2d 403, 408 (2003)). In addition, "where 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. Kim,
2005 PA Super. 383, 888 A.2d 847, 851 (2005) (quoting Champney, 832 A.2d at 408). An
appellate court cannot substitute its judgment for that of the fact finder; therefore, a verdict will
be reversed only in the extraordinary situation where the jury's verdict is "so contrary to the
9
Circulated 06/17/2015 11:21 AM
evidence as to shock one's sense of justice" and the award of a new trial is imperative so that
right may be given another opportunity to prevail. Commonwealth v. Tharp, 574 Pa. 202, 830
A.2d 519, 528 (2003) (citing Commonwealth v. Brown, 538 Pa. 410, 648 A.2d 1177, 1189,
(1994)); Commonwealth v. Smith, 580 Pa. 392, 861 A.2d 892, 896 (2005) (citing
Commonwealth v. Drumheller, 570 Pa. 117, 808 A.2d 893, 908 (2002)).
In the case at bar, the verdict determined by the jury was supported by the evidence
adduced at trial. As discussed in more detail below, the jury heard evidence from an agent and
from police officers who executed a search warrant in the home where Defendant had been
sleeping and where they found a large amount of narcotics. In the very bedroom where
Defendant was found, next to a night table, were marijuana and a large sum of cash,
approximately $1300. In that same bedroom, was a woman's purse which contained 58.7 grams
of cocaine, a large amount of marijuana, pills and cash. The jury's verdict did not shock one's
sense of justice, thus, this Court's decision should not be disturbed on appeal.
II. THERE WAS SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE TO FIND DEFENDANT GUILTY OF
EACH OF THE CRIMES CHARGED.
The evidence adduced at trial was sufficient for the jury to convict Defendant of
possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, conspiracy to possess with the intent to
deliver a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance.
1. Sufficiency of the evidence.
A review of the sufficiency of the evidence to support a conviction requires that the
evidence be reviewed in the light most favorable to the Commonwealth as verdict winner.
Commonwealth v. Walter, 2004 PA Super. 147, 849 A.2d 265, 267 (2004) (citing
Commonwealth v. Rose, 463 Pa. Super. 264, 344 A.2d 824, 825 (1975)). The Commonwealth is
also entitled to all favorable inferences which may be drawn from the evidence. Commonwealth
10
Circulated 06/17/2015 11:21 AM
v. Sanchez, 2006 Pa. LEXIS 1833 (2006) (citing Commonwealth v. Collins, 550 Pa. 46, 50, 703
A.2d 418, 420 (1997)). The evidence put forth by the Commonwealth will be considered
sufficient if it establishes each material element of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt, even if
by wholly circumstantial evidence. Commonwealth v. Dargan, 2006 PA Super. 74, 897 A.2d
496, 503 (2006) (citing Commonwealth v. DiStefano, 2001 PA Super 238, 782 A.2d 574, 582
(2001)).
When determining whether the evidence is sufficient to support a guilty verdict, the
appellate court must examine the entire trial record and consider all of the evidence actually
received. Id. However, the trier of fact is entitled to believe all, part or none of the evidence
received at trial and the appellate court cannot substitute its judgment for that of the fact-finder.
Commonwealth v. Frisbie, 2006 PA Super. 430, 889 A.2d 1271, 1274 (2006) (citing DiStefano,
782 A.2d at 574); Commonwealth v. Kim, 2005 PA Super. 383, 888 A.2d 847, 851 (2005)
(citing Commonwealth v. Champney, 574 Pa. 435, 832 A.2d 403, 408 (2003)). The facts and
circumstances established by the Commonwealth need not eliminate any possibility of the
defendant's innocence; rather, any doubt 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 could be concluded.
Commonwealth v. Lambert, 2002 PA Super. 82, 795 A.2d 1010 (2002) (citing Commonwealth
v. Cassidy, 447 Pa. Super. 192, 194, 668 A.2d 1143, 1144 (1995)).
2. The evidence was sufficient to convict Defendant of possession with intent to
deliver a controlled substance.
The evidence adduced at trial was sufficient to support finding Defendant guilty of
possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance. The Commonwealth establishes the
offense of possession with intent to deliver when it "proves beyond a reasonable doubt that the
defendant possessed a controlled substance with the intent to deliver it." Commonwealth v.
11
Circulated 06/17/2015 11:21 AM
Little, 2005 PA Super. 251, 879 A.2d 293, 297 (2005) (citing Commonwealth v. Kirkland, 2003
PA Super. 279, 831 A.2d 607, 611 (2003)). It is well settled in Pennsylvania that all the facts
and circumstances surrounding possession are relevant in making a determination of whether
contraband was possessed with the intent to deliver. Commonwealth v. Brown, 2006 PA Super.
177, 904 A.2d 925, 931 (2006) (quoting Commonwealth v. Jackson, 435 Pa. Super. 410, 645
A.2d 1366, 1368 (1994)). Relevant factors include "the particular method of packaging, the
form of the drug, and the behavior of the defendant." Kirkland, 831 A.2d at 611 (citing
Commonwealth v. Conaway, 2002 PA Super. 9, 791 A.2d 359 (2002)).
In Little, the court found that the evidence was sufficient to sustain a conviction for
possession with intent to deliver where police recovered a large quantity of drugs as well as
"numerous items of drug paraphernalia," including Ziploc bags, a scale and a known cutting
agent. 879 A.2d at 298. In Jones, police recovered a large quantity of drugs and cash from the
defendant's car and an expert testified that the sheer quantity drugs and cash, coupled with the
manner in which the drugs were packaged, indicated that the drugs were possessed with the
intent to distribute. 2005 PA Super. 166, 874 A.2d 108, 122 (2005). The Jones court found this
evidence to be sufficient to uphold a possession with intent to deliver conviction. Id.In the case at bar, the evidence was sufficient to convict Defendant of possession with
intent to deliver a controlled substance. The facts and circumstances surrounding Defendant's
arrest clearly indicate that Defendant possessed the drugs with the intent to deliver them.
Defendant gave his address as 421 Winton Street, when arrested, which is where a significant
amount of narcotics and cash were found. Defense counsel argued that there was no evidence
that Defendant lived in that house and that he gave a different address later to the Pretrial
Division, however, at the time of his arrest Officer Barber noted the address given by Defendant
12
Circulated 06/17/2015 11:21 AM
himself as 421 Winton Street. (N.T. 7/31/2013, p. 101). In addition, the narcotics were divided
up into smaller baggies to make it easier to sell to a wider audience. The jury heard evidence by
stipulation regarding the analyses of the substances found in the house and how they tested
positively for marijuana, cocaine and Xanax. The jury also heard evidence of the amount of
drugs found at the residence, valued at $9600, as well as expert testimony of how drugs are
commonly packaged and sol · hiladelphia. The Commonwealth's expert also testified that in
his opinion the drugs wer posses ith the intent to deliver to others. In addition, in the very
bedroom where Defendant was found, next to a night table, were marijuana and a large sum of
cash, approximately $1300. In that same bedroom, was a woman's purse which contained 58.7
grams of cocaine, a large amount of marijuana, pills and cash. Also, in the kitchen of this
property which Defendant gave as his address, police found 221.3 grams of marijuana in the
freezer. This evidence overwhelmingly indicated that Defendant and Pickron possessed drugs
with the intent to distribute.
3. The evidence was sufficient to convict Defendant of criminal conspiracy.
The evidence adduced at trial was sufficient to support Defendant's conviction of
criminal conspiracy. To prove criminal conspiracy, the Commonwealth must prove that "the
defendant (1) entered into an agreement to commit or aid in committing 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." Commonwealth v. Jones, 2005 PA Super. 166, 874 A.2d 108,
121 (2005) (quoting Commonwealth v. Murphy, 2002 PA Super 84, 795 A.2d 1025, 1038
(2002), aff'd 577 Pa. 275, 844 A.2d 1228 (2004)). The overt act does not need to be committed
by the defendant himself; it need only be committed by a co-conspirator. Commonwealth v.
Bricker, 2005 PA Super. 307, 882 A.2d 1008, 1017 (2005) (citing Commonwealth v. Hennigan,
13
Circulated 06/17/2015 11:21 AM
2000 PA Super. 145, 753 A.2d 245, 253 (2002)). Due to the nature of the crime, proof of
conspiracy is almost always in the form of circumstantial evidence. Commonwealth v. Davalos,
2001 PA Super. 197 A.2d 1190, 1193 (200l)(citing Commonwealth v. Kennedy, 499 Pa. 389,
453 A.2d 927, 929-930 (1982)): It can be inferred by "the relation, conduct, or circumstances of
the parties and the overt acts of the co-conspirators." Murphy, 197 A.2d at 1138 (quoting
Commonwealth v. Johnson, 719 A.2d 778, 784-785 (Pa. 1998) (en bane), appeal denied739
A.2d 1056 (Pa. 1999)). Relevant factors for the fact-finder to consider include "an association
between the alleged conspirators, knowledge of the commission of the crime, presence at the
scene of the crime, and participation in the object of the conspiracy." Bricker, 882 A.2d at 1017(quoting Jones, 874 A.2d at 121-122).
In the case at bar, this jury properly concluded that Defendant was guilty of conspiracy
because Defendant was found to be living at the property where he changed from night clothes to
street clothes, found in the rear bedroom where Pickron was coming from in her night clothes
and where a large amount of drugs and cash were found. In fact, Defendant had clothes in the
bedroom that he changed into when he knew he was under arrest. Most significantly, he gave
the address of the residence as his own when questioned by officers for biographical information
at the time of his arrest. Although he later stated his address as 1436 Catharine Street, at the time
of his arrest, he gave his address as 421 Winton Street. In addition, Pickron told police she lived
at 421 Winton Street with her boyfriend, namely, this Defendant. Indeed, the relationship,
conduct or circumstances and overt acts of these parties in relation to the house and being present
with each other, in close proximity to the drugs and cash was ample evidence for the jury in this
case to find Defendant guilty of criminal conspiracy.
14
Circulated 06/17/2015 11:21 AM
4. The evidence was sufficient to convict Defendant of possession of a controlled
substance.
The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act prohibits the knowing
or intentional possession of a controlled substance by a person not authorized under the law to do
so. 35 Pa. C.S.A. § 780-113(a)(l6); Commonwealth v. Pitner, 2007 PA Super 206, 928 A.2d
1104, 1108 (2007). Marijuana is a controlled substance. 35 Pa. C.S.A. § 780-104(l)(iv).
Possession can also be based on constructive possession, or in the words of the Pennsylvania
Superior Court:
Constructive possession is a legal fiction, a pragmatic construct to
deal with the realities of criminal law enforcement. Constructive
possession is an inference arising from a set of facts that
possession of the contraband was more likely than not. We have
defined constructive possession as conscious dominion. We
subsequently defined conscious dominion as the power to control
the contraband and the intent to exercise that control. To aid
application, we have held that constructive possession may be
established by the totality of the circumstances.
Commonwealth v. Kinard, 2014 PA Super 41 (Pa. Super. Ct. Mar. 4, 2014) (quoting
Commonwealth v. Brown, 48 A.3d 426, 430 (Pa.Super.2012), appeal denied, - Pa.--, 63
A.3d 1243 (2013) (internal quotation marks and citation omitted). Constructive possession may
be found where no single piece of evidence establishes possession, but "the totality of the
circumstances infer such." Kinard (citing Commonwealth v. Nelson, 399 Pa.Super. 618, 582
A.2d 1115, 1119 (Pa.Super.1990), appeal denied, 527 Pa. 664, 593 A.2d 840 ( 1991)).
Additionally, "[c]onstructive possession may be found in one or more actors where the item in
issue is in an area of joint control and equal access." Commonwealth v. Johnson, 611 Pa. 381,
15
Circulated 06/17/2015 11:21 AM
407, 26 A.3d 1078, 1094 (2011) (quoting Commonwealth v. Valette, 531 Pa. 384, 388, 613 A.2d
548, 550 (1992)).
In the case at bar, the jury was given the following jury instruction regarding constructive
possession:
A person can be guilty of possessing an item even when he or she
is not holding it or touching it or in the same area as the item. That
type of possession is what the law calls constructive possession.
For there to be constructive possession, it must be proved beyond a
reasonable doubt that the individual had both the intent to control
the item and the power the control the item. In determining
whether or not each defendant had possession of a controlled
substance, you should consider all of the facts and circumstances
that may shed light on the question of whether each defendant had
the intent to control and the power to control the substance. Two or
more persons may have joint possession of a controlled substance
provided each has the intent to exercise joint control over that
substance and that each has the power to control it. Each of the
joint possessors is regarded as having possession of the controlled
substance for purposes of the
criminal law.
(N.T. 8/1/2013, p. 150-151). Based on the totality of the circumstances, the jury properly found
that Defendant was in constructive possession of the drugs because the drugs were found in an
area of the house where Defendant had equal access and control to the drugs, as they were next
to where he slept in an open dresser drawer. In fact, Defendant was found by police right next to
the specific dresser drawer where police found a large amount of cash and marijuana. In that
same bedroom was a purse with a large amount of cocaine, marijuana and Xanax. Further,
Defendant provided the address of the house in which he was found sleeping to Officer Barber
when questioned about his residence at the time of his arrest. Finally, Defendant was not a
person who was authorized to possess marijuana, cocaine or Xanax and the jury properly
convicted Defendant of possession of a controlled substance.
16
Circulated 06/17/2015 11:21 AM
III. THE COMMONWEALTH ADEQUATELY SHOWED THE DRUG AMOUNTS
ATTRIBUTABLE TO DEFENDANT AND AS A RESULT, THEMANDATORY
SENTENCING RANGE WAS PROPERLY APPLIED.
In Pennsylvania, "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 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. 42 Pa.
C.S.A. § 7508.
In the case at bar, the mandatory sentencing range was properly applied to the jury's
finding that the drug amounts attributable to Defendant's were above 10 grams. The jury heard
testimony that the total weight of cocaine found in the house at 421 Winton was approximately
50 grams. (N.T 7/31/2013, p. 166). As discussed above, the jury found Defendant guilty of the
possession of the drugs in the house, thus the mandatory sentencing range was properly applied.
17
Circulated 06/17/2015 11:21 AM
CONCLUSION
After a review of the applicable statutes, case law, and testimony, this Court committed
no error. The verdict was not against the weight of the evidence. The jury had sufficient
evidence to convict Defendant of PWID, conspiracy and K&I. The Commonwealth proved drug
amounts attributable to Defendant necessary to impose a mandatory minimum sentence.
Therefore, this Court's decision should be upheld on appeal.
BY THE COURT:
~J.
18