Com. v. Noll, M. ( 2015 )

J-S78005-14
NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
PENNSYLVANIA
Appellee
v.
MICHAEL ANDREW NOLL
Appellant No. 411 MDA 2014
Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence August 6, 2013
In the Court of Common Pleas of Cumberland County
Criminal Division at No(s): CP-21-CR-0003135-2012
BEFORE: GANTMAN, P.J., JENKINS, J., and MUSMANNO, J.
MEMORANDUM BY GANTMAN, P.J.: FILED MARCH 27, 2015
Appellant, Michael Andrew Noll, appeals from the judgment of
sentence entered in the Cumberland County Court of Common Pleas,
following his convictions of two counts of simple assault, recklessly
endangering another person (“REAP”), and harassment.1 We affirm.
In its opinion, the trial court fully and correctly sets forth the relevant
facts and procedural history of this case. Therefore, we have no reason to
restate them.2
____________________________________________
1
18 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 2701(a)(1), 2705, and 2709(a)(1), respectively.
2
“A direct appeal in a criminal proceeding lies from the judgment of
sentence.” Commonwealth v. Patterson, 940 A.2d 493, 497 (Pa.Super.
2007), appeal denied, 599 Pa. 691, 960 A.2d 838 (2008). If a defendant in
a criminal case files a timely post-sentence motion, the notice of appeal shall
(Footnote Continued Next Page)
J-S78005-14
Appellant raises the following issues for our review:
WHETHER THE TRIAL COURT ABUSED ITS DISCRETION
WHEN IT SENTENCED [APPELLANT] TO SERVE
CONSECUTIVE MAXIMUM SENTENCES IN STATE PRISON
WHEN THE COURT FAILED TO STATE ANY REASONS ON
THE RECORD IN SUPPORT THEREOF, RELIED UPON
IMPROPER CONSIDERATIONS ON MATTERS NOT OF
RECORD, FAILED TO CONSIDER [APPELLANT’S] PERSONAL
AND FINANCIAL HISTORY, FAILED TO CONSIDER
[APPELLANT’S] REHABILITATIVE NEEDS, FAILED TO
CONSIDER THE PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE
OFFENSES, AND MISAPPLIED THE LAW WHEN IT
DETERMINED THAT THE SENTENCES FOR SIMPLE
ASSAULT AND [REAP] DID NOT MERGE?
_______________________
(Footnote Continued)
be filed within 30 days of the entry of the order deciding the motion.
Pa.R.Crim.P. 720(A)(2)(a). The denial of a timely post-sentence motion
becomes the triggering event for filing a notice of appeal. Pa.R.Crim.P.
720(A)(2). Generally, where a defendant timely files a post-sentence
motion, the court shall decide the motion within 120 days of the filing;
otherwise, the motion shall be deemed denied by operation of law. See
Pa.R.Crim.P. 720(B)(3)(a). A clerk of courts’ failure to enter an order
stating a post-sentence motion has been denied by operation of law and to
furnish the parties with a copy of the order, however, constitutes a
breakdown in the court system. Commonwealth v. Braykovich, 664 A.2d
133, 138 (Pa.Super. 1995). Such a breakdown warrants extension of the
appeal period or the grant of an appeal nunc pro tunc. Id. Instantly, the
record makes clear Appellant timely filed his post-sentence motion (and
supplemental motion). The court held a hearing on Appellant’s motion
within 120 days of its filing but did not rule on the motion within 120 days
(no extension was requested). Thus, the post-sentence motion was deemed
denied by operation of law. Nevertheless, the clerk of courts failed to enter
a Rule 720(B)(3)(c) order on behalf of the court, which constitutes a
breakdown in the court system. See id. The trial court eventually denied
the post-sentence motion on February 7, 2014. Therefore, we will treat the
February 7, 2014 order as a Rule 720(B)(3)(c) order solely for purposes of
the date on which this appeal period began to run. Appellant timely filed his
notice of appeal on March 3, 2014, within the 30-day appeal period, so we
have no impediment to appellate jurisdiction. See Patterson, supra
(stating appellate court can raise issue of jurisdiction sua sponte).
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WAS THE EVIDENCE PRESENTED AT TRIAL SUFFICIENT TO
SUSTAIN A CONVICTION ON ANY OF THE CHARGES WHEN
THE EVIDENCE PROVED THAT APPELLANT DID NOT
CONSCIOUSLY DISREGARD A KNOWN RISK OF DEATH OR
GREAT BODILY INJURY TO [VICTIM], DID NOT
KNOWINGLY INJURE [VICTIM], AND DID NOT INTEND TO
HARASS, ALARM, OR ANNOY [VICTIM] BECAUSE
[APPELLANT] ACTED IN JUSTIFIABLE SELF-DEFENSE TO
PREVENT THE DANGER OF DEATH OR SERIOUS BODILY
INJURY TO HIMSELF?
WHETHER [APPELLANT’S] CONVICTIONS WERE AGAINST
THE WEIGHT OF EVIDENCE SO AS TO SHOCK ONE’S
SENSE OF JUSTICE WHEN THE EVIDENCE PROVED
[APPELLANT] ONLY STRUCK AND RESTRAINED [VICTIM]
IN SELF-DEFENSE TO PREVENT THE DANGER OF DEATH
OR SERIOUS BODILY INJURY TO HIMSELF?
(Appellant’s Brief at 7).
In his first issue, Appellant argues his sentence was in error. Appellant
claims the presentence investigative (“PSI”) report merely reiterated his
prior record score and contained insufficient relevant information on his
physical and mental health history, history of alcohol abuse, and occupation
and employment history. Appellant alleges the court failed to indicate on
the record that it had considered the PSI report prior to sentencing.
Additionally, Appellant contends his sentence is manifestly excessive
because the court sentenced him to an aggregate term of two (2) to four (4)
years’ state imprisonment, plus $200.00 in fines. Appellant avers the court
focused exclusively on the severity of Appellant’s offenses and his prior
record score. Appellant asserts the court failed to consider mitigating
factors, including Appellant’s personal and financial background, personal
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characteristics, relative culpability, prospects for rehabilitation, and mental
health history. Appellant insists the court disregarded Appellant’s voluntary
measures to address his alcohol addiction, that the victim was the initial
aggressor, and that Appellant was unable to pay $200.00 in fines. In
addition, Appellant complains the court improperly used the victim’s impact
statement to supplement the PSI report while the victim’s statement
remained undisclosed to Appellant until sentencing. Appellant concludes this
Court should vacate his judgment of sentence and remand for resentencing.
As presented, these claims challenge the discretionary aspects of
sentencing. See Commonwealth v. Dunphy, 20 A.3d 1215 (Pa.Super.
2011) (stating claim that sentencing court failed to offer adequate reasons
to support sentence challenges discretionary aspects of sentencing);
Commonwealth v. Anderson, 830 A.2d 1013 (Pa.Super. 2003) (stating
claim that court considered improper factors at sentencing refers to
discretionary aspects of sentencing); Commonwealth v. Lutes, 793 A.2d
949 (Pa.Super. 2002) (stating claim that sentence is manifestly excessive
challenges discretionary aspects of sentencing); Commonwealth v. Cruz-
Centeno, 668 A.2d 536 (Pa.Super. 1995) (explaining claim that court did
not consider mitigating factors challenges discretionary aspects of
sentencing).
Appellant also argues his sentences for simple assault and REAP
should have merged because the Commonwealth used the same facts to
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support Appellant’s convictions for both offenses. Appellant maintains once
the Commonwealth established Appellant engaged in conduct that placed the
victim, Ms. Webster, in danger of serious bodily injury for purposes of REAP,
the Commonwealth also proved Appellant caused bodily injury for simple
assault. Appellant concludes this Court should vacate the judgment of
sentence and remand for resentencing. We disagree.
Challenges to the discretionary aspects of sentencing do not entitle an
appellant to an appeal as of right. Commonwealth v. Sierra, 752 A.2d
910 (Pa.Super. 2000). Prior to reaching the merits of a discretionary
sentencing issue:
[W]e conduct a four-part analysis to determine: (1)
whether appellant has filed a timely notice of appeal, See
Pa.R.A.P. 902 and 903; (2) whether the issue was properly
preserved at sentencing or in a motion to reconsider and
modify sentence, See Pa.R.Crim.P. 720; (3) whether
appellant’s brief has a fatal defect, Pa.R.A.P. 2119(f); and
(4) whether there is a substantial question that the
sentence appealed from is not appropriate under the
Sentencing Code, 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9781(b).
Commonwealth v. Evans, 901 A.2d 528, 533 (Pa.Super. 2006), appeal
denied, 589 Pa. 727, 909 A.2d 303 (2006) (internal citations omitted).
When appealing the discretionary aspects of a sentence, an appellant
must invoke the appellate court’s jurisdiction by including in his brief a
separate concise statement demonstrating that there is a substantial
question as to the appropriateness of the sentence under the Sentencing
Code. Commonwealth v. Mouzon, 571 Pa. 419, 812 A.2d 617 (2002);
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Pa.R.A.P. 2119(f). The concise statement must indicate “where the
sentence falls in relation to the sentencing guidelines and what particular
provision of the code it violates.” Commonwealth v. Kiesel, 854 A.2d
530, 532 (Pa.Super. 2004) (quoting Commonwealth v. Goggins, 748 A.2d
721, 727 (Pa.Super. 2000), appeal denied, 563 Pa. 672, 759 A.2d 920(2000)).
The determination of what constitutes a substantial question must be
evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Anderson, supra. A substantial
question exists “only when the appellant advances a colorable argument that
the sentencing judge’s actions were either: (1) inconsistent with a specific
provision of the Sentencing Code; or (2) contrary to the fundamental norms
which underlie the sentencing process.” Sierra, supra at 912-13. A claim
that a sentence is manifestly excessive might raise a substantial question if
the appellant’s Rule 2119(f) statement sufficiently articulates the manner in
which the sentence imposed violates a specific provision of the Sentencing
Code or the norms underlying the sentencing process. Mouzon, supra at
435, 812 A.2d at 627. Generally, “[a]n allegation that a sentencing court
failed to consider or did not adequately consider certain factors does not
raise a substantial question that the sentence was inappropriate.” Cruz-
Centeno, supra at 545 (internal quotation marks omitted). Nevertheless,
an appellant raises a substantial question where he alleges an excessive
sentence due to the court’s reliance on impermissible factors.
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Commonwealth v. McNabb, 819 A.2d 54 (Pa.Super. 2003). Likewise,
“[a]n allegation that a judge ‘failed to offer specific reasons for [a] sentence
does raise a substantial question.’” Dunphy, supra at 1222 (quoting
Commonwealth v. Reynolds, 835 A.2d 720, 734 (Pa.Super. 2003)).
“A claim that crimes should have merged for sentencing purposes
raises a challenge to the legality of the sentence. Therefore, our standard of
review is de novo and our scope of review is plenary.” Commonwealth v.
Quintua, 56 A.3d 399, 400 (Pa.Super. 2012), appeal denied, 620 Pa. 730,
70 A.3d 810 (2013). “A challenge to the legality of the sentence may be
raised as a matter of right, is non-waivable, and may be entertained so long
as the reviewing court has jurisdiction.” Commonwealth v. Robinson, 931
A.2d 15, 19-20 (Pa.Super. 2007) (en banc). Whether offenses merge at
sentencing implicates Section 9765 of the Sentencing Code, which provides:
§ 9765. Merger of sentences
No crimes shall merge for sentencing purposes unless the
crimes arise from a single criminal act and all of the
statutory elements of one offense are included in the
statutory elements of the other offense. Where crimes
merge for sentencing purposes, the court may sentence
the defendant only on the higher graded offense.
42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9765 (emphasis added). “[T]he current state of merger law
in Pennsylvania makes clear there is no merger if each offense requires
proof of an element the other does not.” Quintua, supra at 401. Under
Section 9765, this Court held there are distinct elements in both simple
assault and REAP, which preclude merger for sentencing purposes.
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Commonwealth v. Calhoun, 52 A.3d 281, 289 (Pa.Super. 2012), appeal
denied, 620 Pa. 694, 67 A.3d 793 (2013).
Instantly, Appellant properly preserved his discretionary aspects of
sentencing claim in his supplemental post-sentence motion and included a
Rule 2119(f) statement in his appellate brief. See Evans, supra. Thus,
after a thorough review of the record, the briefs of the parties, the applicable
law, and the well-reasoned opinion of the Honorable Christylee L. Peck, we
conclude Appellant’s first issue merits no relief. The trial court opinion
comprehensively discusses and properly disposes of the question presented.
(See Trial Court Opinion, filed May 29, 2014, at 15-20) (finding: sentences
for simple assault and REAP were in standard range; court stated on record
that Appellant’s drinking was primary cause of his criminal behavior, PSI
indicated probation department was unable to effectuate changes in
Appellant’s relationship with alcohol, state incarceration would best serve
Appellant’s rehabilitative needs, and Appellant’s failure to address alcohol
addiction, use treatment resources during prior supervision, and repeated
use of his addiction as excuse for criminal behavior were court’s primary
considerations in imposing Appellant’s sentence; Appellant’s sentences were
not manifestly unreasonable because, at sentencing, Appellant showed no
remorse for harm he caused Ms. Webster, Appellant avoided taking
responsibility for his actions, Appellant’s actions of choking Ms. Webster,
until she passed out and defecated, displayed Appellant’s violent nature, and
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state incarceration was necessary to protect public and rehabilitate
Appellant; Appellant’s challenge to PSI report concerning alleged inaccurate
account of Appellant’s criminal history exerted no influence over sentence;
sentencing guidelines’ reflection of Appellant’s prior record score does not
render consideration of Appellant’s criminal history improper; PSI report
contained Appellant’s work history from which court determined proper
amount of fines to impose; Ms. Webster’s victim impact statement did not
ask or encourage court to incarcerate Appellant; Superior Court has
effectively resolved that merger of simple assault and REAP at sentencing is
precluded). Moreover, Appellant’s argument that the court failed to consider
certain mitigating factors at sentencing does not raise a substantial question.
See Cruz-Centeno, supra at 545. The court had the benefit of a PSI
report at sentencing. Therefore, we can presume the court considered the
relevant facts when sentencing Appellant. See Commonwealth v. Tirado,
870 A.2d 362 (Pa.Super. 2005) (stating where sentencing court had benefit
of PSI, law presumes court was aware of and weighed relevant information
regarding defendant’s character and mitigating factors).
With regard to Appellant’s second and third issues, challenging the
sufficiency and weight of the evidence, respectively, after a thorough review
of the record, the briefs of the parties, the applicable law, and the well-
reasoned opinion of the Honorable Christylee L. Peck, we conclude
Appellant’s second and third issues merit no relief. The trial court opinion
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comprehensively discusses and properly disposes of the questions
presented. (See Trial Court Opinion at 20-24) (finding: (2) there was
sufficient evidence to convict Appellant of simple assault because Appellant
testified he intentionally punched Ms. Webster in face, and Ms. Webster
testified that, as result of being punched, she had pain when she spoke, she
could eat only soft foods for some time, and she had large lump on jaw for
two months; there was sufficient evidence to convict Appellant of REAP
because Appellant placed Ms. Webster in danger of death and serious bodily
injury when Appellant choked Ms. Webster until she passed out and lost
control of her bowels; there was sufficient evidence to find Appellant guilty
of harassment because Appellant admitted to Detective Gingrich that
Appellant shoved Ms. Webster away prior to punching her in face, and
because court, as trier of fact, inferred Appellant’s intent to harass from
totality of circumstances, which included Appellant’s punching and choking
Ms. Webster; record belies Appellant’s self-defense claim because Appellant
told Corporal Speck that Ms. Webster was trying to stop Appellant’s snoring
and, therefore, Appellant should have realized Ms. Webster’s actions would
cease once Appellant stopped snoring; after Appellant had awakened and
stopped snoring, there was no unlawful force from which he needed to
protect himself by punching and choking Ms. Webster; jury was warranted in
concluding Appellant’s belief in necessity of force to protect himself was
unreasonable, where Ms. Webster testified she only nudged Appellant and
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did not place her hand over Appellant’s mouth and nose; Ms. Webster’s
testimony provided jury with sufficient evidence to find Appellant’s use of
force was unjustified; (3) Appellant told three separate versions of incident,
one to Corporal Speck, one to Detective Gingrich, and one at trial; jury was
informed that Appellant had previously been convicted of false identification
to law enforcement, which is crime of crimen falsi; Appellant’s stepfather
testified there was no money missing from his wallet, despite Appellant’s
claim that sixty dollars disappeared while Ms. Webster was staying with
Appellant; jury’s verdicts were not against weight of evidence, given
inconsistencies in Appellant’s version of events, his prior lie to law
enforcement, and his stepfather’s contradiction of Appellant’s claim; jury’s
verdicts did not shock court’s sense of justice because jury found Ms.
Webster’s testimony credible). The record supports the trial court’s
decision; therefore, we see no reason to disturb it. Accordingly, we affirm
the judgment of sentence on the basis of the trial court’s opinion.
Judgment of sentence affirmed.
Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary
Date: 3/27/2015
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COMMONWEALTH IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CHARGES: (2) SIMPLE ASSAULT (M-2)
v. (4) RECKLESSLY ENDANGERING
ANOTHER PERSON
(5) HARASSMENT (Sum.)
AFFIANT: PTL. BRADLEY D. SHEETZ
MICHAEL ANDREW NOLL CP-21-CR-3l35-2012
IN RE: OPINION PURSUANT TO PA. R.A.P. 1925
Peck, J., May 29,2014-
On July 9, 20l3, after a jury trial, Defendant was found guilty at Count 2-A,
Simple Assault, attempt to cause bodily injury, a misdemeanor of the second degree, at
Count 2-B, Simple Assault, bodily injury caused, a misdemeanor of the second degree,
and at Count 4, Recklessly Endangering Another Person, also a misdemeanor of the
second degree. Defendant was found not guilty of Aggravated Assault. l This Court found
Defendant guilty of Harassment, a summary offense.2 On August, 6, 20l3, Defendant
was sentenced at Count 2-B to undergo a period of incarceration in a State Correctional
Facility of not less than one year nor more than two years, to pay the costs of prosecution,
and a fine of $1 00.00, at Count 4 to undergo a period of incarceration in a State
Correctional Facility of not less than one year nor more than two years, to run
consecutively to the sentence imposed at Count 2-B, to pay the costs of prosecution, and
a fine of$100.00, and at Count 5 to pay the costs ofprosecution. 3 On August 12, 20l3,
Defendant filed a post-sentence motion requesting that counsel be appointed to f~
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I Order of Court, In Re: VerdicVAppear for SentencelBail ~July 9, 2013). This Order was amendeti:Q.n,JulY,19,.z013,.'
to reflect the proper date of July 10, 2013. See Amendmg Order of Court, In Re: Defenclru@l§und-GUllty .IZ.
VerdicVAppear for SentencelBail (July 19,2013). Count 3, Intimidation of Witnesses or Victims,]\as',withwawn by
the Commonwealth on July 8, 2013. See Order of Court, In Re: Commonwealth Withdraws Count~(July ~013).
2 Order of Court, In Re: Defendant Found Guilty (July 9, 2013). =g 0
3 Order of Court, In Re: Sentencing & Bail Pending Appeal (August 6, 2013), Count 2-A merged with Count 2-B for
the purposes of sentencing.
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additional post-sentence motions. 4 On August 13,2013, we granted Defendant's motion
and appointed the Office of the Public Defender to represent Defendant.s On August 23,
2013, Defendant filed counseled post-sentence motions. 6 A hearing on Defendant's
motions was scheduled for November 5, 2013. 7 However, at the request of the
Commonwealth and with the concurrence of Defendant, that hearing was rescheduled for
December 17, 2013. 8 At the conclusion of the December 17th hearing, Defendant
requested time to file supplemental case law with the Court which we granted. 9 On
February 7, 2014, we denied Defendant's Supplemental Post-Sentence Motions. 10 On
March 3, 2014, Defendant filed a Notice of Appeal. 11 In accordance with Pennsylvania
Rule of Appellate Procedure I 925(b), Defendant has filed the foHowing concise
statement of matters complained of on appeal:
I. This Honorable Court neglected to state its reasons on the record in
support of its sentences which were in the aggravated range (12
months), and, in fact, not only were the absolute lawful maximums
imposed for the M2 offenses of simple assault and recklessly
endangering another person but, in addition, the sentences were
further made consecutive with each other likewise without
compelling, or even any, reasons given warranting same.
2. The sentences imposed, both individually and consecutively, were
manifestly excessive (a) considering the nature of the conduct
alleged, (b) considering the Defendant's own testimony and
uncontradicted claim of self-defense and the aggressiveness of the
victim toward a sleeping defendant, (c) by failing to consider
Defendant's long-time alcohol addiction and mental health treatment
and bipolar diagnosis, (d) based, it is believed and therefore averred,
4Defendant's Post-Sentence Motion to Waive Right to Self-Representation and Appoint Counsel to Perfect Timely
and Adequate Post-Sentence Motions and/or Appeal, filed August 12, 2013.
, Order of Court, In Re: Defendant's Post-Sentence Motion to Waive Right to Self-Representation and Appoint
Counsel to Perfect Timely and Adequate Post-Sentence Motions and/or Appeal (August 13,2013).
6 Defendant's Supplemental Post-Sentence Motions, filed August 23, 2013.
7 Order of Court (September 19, 2013).
8 Commonwealth's Motion to Continue Hearing on Post-Sentence Motions, filed November 1, 2012. Order of Court,
In Re: Motion to Continue Hearing on Post-Sentence Motions (November 1, 2013).
9 Order of Court, In Re: Defendant's Supplemental Post-Sentence Motions (December 17, 2013).
10 Order ofeourt, In Re: Defendant's Supplemental Post-Sentence Motions (February 7, 2014).
II Notice of Appeal, filed March 3, 2014.
2
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upon reliance on an error-plagued, incomplete and biased
presentence report recommending state prison primarily based on
prior criminal history which is already reflected in the sentencing
guidelines, and, further (e) clearly affected by the improper,
prejudicial 'victim impact statement' which was not provided to the
Defendant in advance oftlie sentencing affording him an opportunity
to respond to same, and, further, the victim statement was instead a
blatant "recommendation for jail" (retribution) by the victim (who
did not appear for sentencing) through the District Attorney rather
than a proffer of any actual impact sustained by the victim to her life.
or circumstances caused at the hands of the Defendant, and finally,
(t) the Court imposed fines without making inquiry into the
Defendant's ability to pay same nor was there sufficient detail within
the presentence report itself from which to order same.
3. In addition, the said consecutive, maximum lawful sentences
disproportionate to the crimes charged and ignoring legitimate
mitigating factors constitute cruel and unusual punishment and
violate the fundamental norms of sentencing under the Sentencing
Code for the lack of rationale supporting same which creates a
substantial question for appellate review
4. The sentences for simple assault and recklessly endangering another
person should have merged for purposes of sentencing as (1) there
was no mechanism for the jury to indicate with specificity or
delineate which facts/injuries they found made out the assault and
which facts/injury they found supported recklessly endangering
another person; and (2) in the likely event the same conduct was
found by the jury to have supported each count, then the sentences
should have merged for the two offenses
5. There was insufficient evidence as a matter of law to sustain the jury
verdict for simple assault and that the defendant caused or attempted
to cause bodily injury when it is undisputed that Noll was awakened
out of a deep sleep, testified he feared for his safety and acted in
self-defense or out of survival rather than any conscious desire or
intent to cause injury
6. There was insufficient evidence as a matter of law to support the
jury verdict for the charge of recklessly endangering another person
as there was no medical, physical or evidence otherwise to sustain
the required element of "danger."
7. There was insufficient evidence as a matter of law to support the
verdict for harassment with respect to the element of "intent" to
harass, annoy or alarm when it is undisputed that the Defendant was
awakened out of a deep sleep, testified he feared for his safety and
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acted in self-defense or out of survival rather than any conscious
desire to cause annoyance or alann to Ms. Webster.
8. The evidence was further insufficient in that the Commonwealth
failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the Defendant was
not acting in self-defense where it was uncontradicted that Noll was
asleep, snoring and suddenly awakened by the physically aggressive
victim causing Noll to fear for his safety and act out of self-
preservation, i.e. self-defense.
9. The verdicts were otherwise against the weight of the credible
evidence at trial including, for example, that the jury disregarded or
did not comprehend that even if it found the elements of the charges
of simple assault and recklessly endangering another person were
met, the Defendant should still have been found not guilty if the
Commonwealth failed to disprove the claim of self-defense; such a
result is so shocking as to make the award of a new trial imperative
so that right may be given the opportunity to prevail. 12
This Court's opinion in support of our Order of Court, In Re: Sentencing & Bail
Pending Appeal, is written pursuant to Pennsylvania Rule of Appellate Procedure
1925(a).
STATEMENT OF FACTS
On November 1,2013, Senior Patrolman Bradley Sheetz (Pt!. Sheetz) of the
Hampden Township Police Department received a call from Mary WebsterY During that
call, Ms. Webster informed Ptl. Sheetz that she wished to report a domestic assault. 14 Pt!.
Sheetz explained to Ms. Webster that he does not take domestic assault reports over the
telephone and therefore arranged to speak with her in person at her place of employment,
E & E Restaurant. IS When Ptl. Sheetz arrived at the restaurant, Ms. Webster was in an
office area in the back of the restaurant. 16 Pt!. Sheetz testified at trial that when he first
saw Ms. Webster, she "had what looked like a softball sized contusion on her cheek. ...
12 Defendant's Concise Statement of the Errors Complained of on Appeal, March 21,2014,1111 1·9.
IJ Transcript of Proceedings, In Re: Jury Trial, July 9, 2013 (peck, J.) (hereinafter "N.T. 7/912013 at _") at 116·17.
14 N.T. 7/9/2013 at 117.
IS N.T. 7/9/2013 at 117.
16 N.T. 7/912013 at 117.
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She had trouble speaking because she couldn't open her jaw all the way.,,17 He also
testified that he could see marks on her neck. 18 A photograph taken by Pt!. Sheetz to
19
document those injuries was admitted into evidence as Commonwealth's Exhibit 4. Pt!.
Sheetz further testified that Ms. Webster did not show any signs of intoxication and that
her difficulty speaking, in his opinion, was a result of the injury to her jaw, which
20
appeared to be broken.
According to Pt!. Sheetz, Ms. Webster provided him with information regarding
the location of the house where the assault occurred, although she could not provide a
21
precise address. Pt!. Sheetz then contacted Corporal Speck of the Hampden Township
Police Department, requesting that Corporal Speck attempt to contact the individual who
assaulted Ms. Webster?2
Based upon the information provided by Ptl. Sheetz, which included Defendant's
name, Corporal Speck was able to locate the residence of Defendant's mother and
stepfather?3 Corporal Speck knocked on the door which was answered by a woman, who,
according to Corporal Speck, did not seem surprised to see him.24 He asked to speak with
Defendant. 25 When Defendant came to the door, Corporal Speck asked him to step
outside to speak with him. 26 Defendant was talkative and began to explain what had
happened and told Corporal Speck that he wanted the Corporal to know his side of the
story.27 Defendant told the Corporal that:
17 N.T. 719/2013 at 117.
18 N.T. 719/2013 at 117.
I9 N.T. 7/9/2013 at 118.
20 N.T. 7/912013 at 118-19. Pt!. Sheetz called for an ambulance out of concern for Ms. Webster's heallb. However,
EMS did not take Ms. Webster to lbe hospital, and it was later detennined lbat her jaw was not broken. See N.T.
7/912013 at 118, 122-23, 144.
21 N.T. 7/9/2013 at 120.
22 N.T. 7/9/2013 at 120.
23 N.T. 7/9/2013 at 165.
24 N.T. 7/9/2013 at 165-66.
2S N.T. 7/9/2013 at 166.
26 N.T. 7/9/2013 at 166.
27 N.T. 7/9/2013 at 167.
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he was with a girlfriend and that they were in bed together
and advised that they had fallen asleep. And while he was
sleeping, he felt the hand of the woman he was with on his
face. He said that he awoke[;] he felt that he couldn't breathe.
And he used the term self-defense[;] he rolled over on to her
and then began striking her in self-defense.28
Defendant told the Corporal that he believed Ms. Webster's hand was on his face to stop
him from snoring. 29 He also told the Corporal that Ms. Webster's attempt to stop his
snoring was aggressive and that he therefore needed to defend himself. 3o According to
Corporal Speck, Defendant "seemed very anxious to give [him] these details .... ,,31
Based upon the information Corporal Speck had received from Ptl. Sheetz and on
Defendant's own admissions, Defendant was taken into custody.32
Detective Crawford Gingrich of the Hampden Township Police Department
transported Defendant from the Department's temporary holding cell to his preliminary
arraignment. 33 During the transport, Defendant complained that he did not get his side of
the story across, presumably referring to his exchange with Corporal Speck, and asked
Det. Gingrich ifhe would be willing to listen to his side ofthe story.34 While the version
Defendant told Det. Gingrich also began with Ms. Webster covering his mouth and nose,
which startled him awake, it diverged from there. He told Det. Gingrich that he shoved
Ms. Webster away, as opposed to rolling over on to her,35 and that Ms. Webster, in turn,
grabbed his glasses and threw them across the room, scratching Defendant's nose in the
process. 36 Ms. Webster, in this version, then punched Defendant who reciprocated by
28 N.T. 7/9/2013 at 168-69.
29 N.T. 7/9/2013 at 169.
30 N.T. 7/9/2013 at 173.
3I N.T. 7/9/2013 at 170.
32 N.T. 7/9/2013 at 176.
33 N.T. 7/9/2013 at 179.
"N.T. 7/9/2013 at 179.
35 See, supra, note 25.
36 N.T. 7/9/2013 at 180.
6
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punching her. 37 While the beginning and ending of the story remained the same,
Defendant clearly expanded upon his previous telling, perhaps attempting to shore up his
claim of self-defense by alleging that Ms. Webster struck him first, a detail conspicuously
missing from the version Defendant was so anxious to tell Corporal Speck.
At Defendant's preliminary hearing, Defendant told a third version of the events
of October 31, 2012, which Patrolman Joshua Pressel of the Hampden Township Police
Department, who was present at the hearing, recounted for the jury. 38 This version
followed that told to Det. Gingrich but with the addition of a prologue and an epilogue.
The prologue, as testified to by Defendant at his preliminary hearing, simply consisted of
Defendant and Ms. Webster having sexual intercourse prior to going to sleep on the night
of the assault. 39 The epilogue, on the other hand, seemed calculated to account for
bruising on Ms. Webster - which Defendant would not have been aware of prior to her
testifYing at his preliminary hearing - not attributable to being punched in the face by
Defendant. In this third telling of Defendant's side of the story, Ms. Webster fell on her
stomach after being punched by Defendant and then began flailing. 4o Defendant got on
top of her and put his arm around her neck, telling her to calm down or he would call
911. 41 Defendant, according to his own testimony, held Ms. Webster in this position for
approximately one to two minutes. 42
At trial, Defendant, who proceeded pro se, again testified on his own behalf.
While the general outline of the events of October 31 st remained the same as Defendant's
preliminary hearing testimony, there were some additions. For instance, Defendant
testified at trial that he had been made aware of $60 that was missing from his
37N.T. 7/9/2013 at 182.
38 N.T. 7/9/2013 at 189.
3'N.T. 7/9/2013 at 193.
4°N.T. 7/9/2013 at 194.
41 N.T. 7/9/2013 at 194.
42 N.T. 7/9/2013 at 194.
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43
stepfather's wallet on the night ofthe assault. Presumably suspecting Ms. Webster of
theft, he suggested they take a walk to discuss the missing money.44 Ms. Webster
vehemently denied taking the money.45 According to Defendant, Ms. Webster then stated
that she needed a drink.46 The two walked to the liquor store, and Ms. Webster purchased
a bottle of Jim Beam. 47 Once that bottle was empty, Ms. Webster bought a bottle of
48
vodka. At this point, she and Defendant returned home.49
Moving forward to Defendant's testimony regarding the assault, Defendant
testified that after he '1umped on top of her from behind" Ms. Webster "start[ed] flailing
around, knocking things over," and, in the midst of holding her while she was allegedly
flailing around and knocking things over, he to noticed that the bottle of vodka that Ms.
Webster had bought that evening was now three-quarters empty. 50 Defendant then
insinuated that Ms. Webster had consumed the vodka all on her own. According to
Defendant, once Ms. Webster had calmed down he told her to "go take a shower, sober
up, do something.,,51 Ms. Webster took a shower, after which she and Defendant went
back to sleep.52 The next morning, Defendant's stepfather told Ms. Webster that she had
to leave. 53
On cross-examination, the Commonwealth asked Defendant, "[t]hat night, prior to
you two going to bed, she did not have these kind [sic] of bruises on her face and neck, is
43 N.T. 7/9/2013 at 253,258. Defendant mentioned this allegedly missing money six times during the course of his
testimony, including stating, "[i]t's bad enough that my step dad is missing $60," N.T. 7/9/2013 at 258, and "[ilt's
bad enough that there's $60 missing," N.T. 7/9/2013 at 259. See N.T. 7/9/2013 at 253, 254, 258, 259, 261, and 278.
44 N.T. 7/9/2013 at 253.
45 N.T. 7/9/2013 at 253.
46 N.T. 7/9/2013 at 253.
47 N.T. 7/9/2013 at 254, 257·58.
48 N.T. 7/9/2013 at 254.
49 N.T. 7/9/2013 at 254.
so N.T. 7/9/2013 at 257.
51 N.T. 7/9/2013 at 258.
52 N.T. 7/9/2013 at 258.
53 N.T. 7/9/2013 at 259.
8
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that correct?,,54 Defendant responded that the bruise on the side of Ms. Webster's face
55
resulted from him punching her. However, he claimed that he did not know whether she
had a bruise on her neck prior to the night of the assault. 56 Defendant did, nonetheless,
admit that he "had [his] arm around her neck, around her neck from behind and held on to
her.,,57 And while he initially testified on direct that Ms. Webster did not pass out, he also
testified that "[i]f she did, it was for like a second.,,58
Ms. Webster also testified at trial. Her testimony contradicted that of Defendant on
the key facts at issue. Ms. Webster testified that she met Defendant, who was riding his
59
bicycle at the time, while crossing the street near where she worked. He stopped and
introduced himself and, after some conversation, they exchanged phone numbers. 6o To
the best of her recollection, that initial meeting occurred near the end of August or
beginning of September 2012. 61 In mid-October, Ms. Webster fell on hard times and was
without a place to stay.62 She testified that Defendant offered for her to stay with him at
his mother's and stepfather's house and she accepted his offer. 63 Shortly thereafter, Ms.
Webster, who was then staying with Defendant, informed him that, while living in
Florida, she had been convicted of prostitution and that she had been arrested for murder,
although that charge had been dropped. 64 She also testified that she had been convicted of
grand theft and grand theft auto, also while living in Florida. 65
54 N.T. 7/9/2013 at 265.
55 N.T. 7/9/2013 at 265.
"N.T. 7/9/2013 at 265.
57 N.T. 7/9/2013 at 269 (emphasis added).
"N.T. 7/9/2013 at 258.
59 N.T. 7/9/2013 at 126.
60 N.T. 7/9/2013 at 126.
61 N.T. 7/9/2013 at 126.
62 N.T. 7/9/2013 at 126.
63 N.T. 7/9/2013 at 126.
64 N.T. 7/9/2013 at 148-49.
65 N.T. 7/9/2013 at 128.
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On October 31, 2012, Defendant informed Ms. Webster, who was still staying
with Defendant, that $60 was missing from his stepfather's wallet. 66 Defendant, Ms.
Webster testified, told her that she better discuss the missing money with him. 67 To that
end, they went for a walk and stopped at a liquor store where Ms. Webster bought a
bottle ofwhiskey.68 According to Ms. Webster, she bought the bottle to prevent
Defendant from stealing one. 69 Although she bought the bottle for both of them, she
testified that she drank only a small amount of the whiskey.7o After the whiskey was
gone, Ms. Webster purchased a bottle of vodka, and she and Defendant began walking
back to the house. 71 Once they returned to the house, Ms. Webster and Defendant went to
sleep.72
During the night, Ms. Webster was awakened by Defendant's snoring. 73 She
testified that on previous occasions when Defendant would snore she would nudge him
and he would stop.74 However, on this occasion, Ms. Webster nudged Defendant and, in
75
response, he hit her hard on the side of her face. She testified that she remembers then
struggling to get away from Defendant, who was holding her down. 76 She was able to
free one hand and scratched Defendant's face. 77 Defendant then began to choke her. 78 In
Ms. Webster's own words:
"N.T. 7/9/2013 at 129.
67 N.T. 7/9/2013 at 129.
68 N.T. 7/9/2013 at 130.
6'N.T. 7/9/2013 at 151.
70 N.T. 7/9/2013 at 130.
71 N.T. 7/9/2013 at 131.
72 N.T. 7/9/2013 at 133.
73 N.T. 7/9/2013 at 134.
74 N .T. 7/9/2013 at 134.
7S N.T. 7/9/2013 at 134. On cross-examination, Ms. Webster was asked if she had put her hand on Defendant's nose
and mouth and woke him up. She responded, "I have never put my hand over anyone's nose and mouth in my life
ever." N.T. 7/9/2013 at 155.
76 N.T. 7/9/2013 at 134-35.
77 N.T. 7/9/2013 at 135.
78 N.T. 7/9/2013 at 135.
10
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He was on top of me and he was choking me and I couldn't
breathe and I tried to yell .... I started to black out. And I
started thinking about the police coming to my daughters'
door and telling them that their mom was dead. And I started
saying my prayers. And my bowels let go and I passed,
basically passed out for a little bit. And I thought I was going
to die. I thought it was over for sure for me that night. I
thought it was over for me, I thought that was the end of my
life. I've never felt that way before. 79
After Ms. Webster lost control of her bowels, Defendant letgo. 8o Defendant then told her
to go wash. 8l When she returned from washing, Defendant told her to lie down and go to
sleep, which she did. 82 She testified that she stayed because she was scared and because
she was unable to find her phone after returning from washing Up.83
In the morning, Defendant's stepfather told Ms. Webster and Defendant that they
had to leave. 84 He also told Ms. Webster to get her stuff and that he would take her to
work. 85 Once at work, Ms. Webster called the police. 86
While on the witness stand, the Commonwealth showed Ms. Webster a
photograph which she identified as a photograph taken of her on November 1Sl. 87 Ms.
Webster testified that she did not have any of the bruises visible in that photograph prior
to October 31'1.88 Ms. Webster identified a bruise on her left cheek as the result of
Defendant punching her and identified bruising on her neck as the result of Defendant
choking her.89 The Commonwealth then showed Ms. Webster two more photographs
79 N.T. 7/9/2013 at 137.
,oN.T. 7/9/2013 at 137.
81 N.T. 7/9/2013 at 137.
82 N.T. 7/9/2013 at 137.
83 N.T. 7/9/2013 at 138.
84 N.T. 7/9/2013 at 138.
"N.T. 7/9/2013 at 138.
"N.T. 7/9/2013 at 139.
87 N.T. 7/9/2013 at 140.
88 N.T. 7/9/2013 at 141.
89 N.T. 7/9/2013 at 142.
11
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which she identified as photographs taken of her one week after the assault. 90 She
testified that the bruising visible on her face and neck in those photographs was the same
bruising caused by Defendant one week prior to the photographs being taken. 91
Regarding her injuries, Ms. Webster testified that her jaw was not broken but she
had pain when she spoke, she could only eat soft foods for about a week, and she had a
large lump on her jaw for about two months. 92 She also testified that she was fired after
the incident because "after all of that ... they couldn't keep [her] there.,,93
Finally, the Commonwealth called Larry Snyder, Defendant's stepfather, to
testify. Contrary to Defendant's testimony, which included numerous mentions of$60
missing from Mr. Snyder's wallet, Mr. Snyder testified that "we never had any money
missing. ,,94
In addition to the testimony detailed above, the Court informed the jury that the
Commonwealth and Defendant had stipulated to the fact that Defendant was convicted of
False Identification to Law Enforcement on April 27, 2011. 95
At the conclusion of the trial, the jury found Defendant found guilty at Count 2-A,
Simple Assault, attempt to cause bodily injury, a misdemeanor of the second degree, at
Count 2-B, Simple Assault, bodily injury caused, a misdemeanor of the second degree,
and at Count 4, Recklessly Endangering Another Person, also a misdemeanor of the
second degree. Defendant was found not guilty of Aggravated Assault. 96 This Court
found Defendant guilty of Harassment, a summary offense. 97 On August, 6, 2013,
90 N.T. 7/9/2013 at 142.
91 143-44.
N.T. 7/9/2013 at
92 N.T. 7/9/2013 at 144, 160.
93 N.T. 7/9/2013 at 145.
94 N.T. 7/9/2013 at 302.
95 N.T. 7/9/2013 at 298.
96 Order of Court, In Re: Verdict/Appear for SentencelBail (July 9, 2013). This Order was amended on July 19,
2013, to reflect the proper date of July 10, 2013. See Amending Order of Court, In Re: Defendant Found Guilty &
Verdict/Appear for SentencelBail (July 19,2013). Count 3, Intimidation of Witnesses or Victims, was withdrawn by
the Conunonwealth on July 8, 2013. See Order of Court, In Re: Conunonwealth Withdraws Count 3 (July 8, 2013).
97 Order of Court, In Re: Defendant Found Guilty (July 9, 2013).
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Defendant, pro se, appeared for sentencing before this COurt. 98 At Defendant's sentencing
proceedings, Defendant stated that "[a]1I my problems, including this case, go back to
drinking. ,,99 We agreed with Defendant, telling him that "[d]rinking is clearly the issue
from what I see."lOO Defendant was also provided with a copy of Ms. Webster's Victim
Impact Statement which he reviewed and, after we asked Defendant ifhe needed more
time to review that document, responded that he did not. lOl Notably, Defendant did not at
that time raise any concerns regarding the Victim Impact Statement. The Court then
turned to the Commonwealth for its recommendation. The Commonwealth referred the
Court to the Pre-Sentence Investigation (PSI) prepared by the Cumberland County
Probation Department:
which details at great length [Defendant's] prior attempts to
be supervised unsuccessfully by the Probation Department of
Cumberland County; specifically, that he has been sentenced
to prior alcohol screenings and alcohol-related sentences and
has not complied with any of those requirements. That
coupled with the Defendant's immense criminal history, of
which largely consists of violent offenses, it is the basis for
Probation recommending a State incarceration sentence. I02
Based upon the above information, including Defendant's admission that drinking is the
cause of his problems, we sentenced Defendant as follows: at Count 2-B to undergo a
period of incarceration in a State Correctional Facility of not less than one year nor more
than two years, to pay the costs of prosecution, and a fine of$100.00, at Count 4 to
undergo a period of incarceration in a State Correctional Facility of not less than one year
nor more than two years, to run consecutively to the sentence imposed at Count 2-B, to
98 Transcript of Proceedings, In Re: Sentencing Proceedings, August 6, 2013 (peck, J.) (hereinafter "Sentencing at
-").
99 Sentencing at 3.
100 Sentencing at 9.
101 Sentencing at 6.
102 Sentencing at 10.
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pay the costs of prosecution, and a fine of $100.00, and at Count 5 to pay the costs of
prosecution. 103
On August 23,2013, Defendant filed counseled post-sentence motions which were
nearly identical to Defendant's current errors complained of on appeal. \04 On February 7,
2014, we denied Defendant's Supplemental Post-Sentence Motions. \05 Defendant then
filed this timely appeal.
DISCUSSION
A. Sentence of the Court.
Defendant challenges the sentence imposed by this Court on several grounds.
First, Defendant complains that this Court neglected to state its reasons on the record in
support of its sentences which, Defendant alleges, were in the aggravated range. Second,
the sentences imposed were made consecutive with each other without compelling
reasons given. Third, the sentences imposed were manifestly excessive. And lastly, the
sentences imposed for Simple Assault and Recklessly Endangering Another Person
should have merged. We disagree.
In general, "[s]entencing is a matter vested in the sound discretion of the
sentencing judge, and a sentence will not be disturbed on appeal absent a manifest abuse
of discretion." Commonwealth v. Perry, 883 A.2d 599, 602 (Pa.Super. 2005). A sentence
constitutes an abuse of discretion if:
the sentence imposed ... either exceed[ s] the statutory limits
or [is] manifestly excessive. In this context, an abuse of
discretion is not shown merely by an error in judgment.
Rather, the appellant must establish, by reference to the
record, that the sentencing court ignored or misapplied the
law, exercised its judgment for reasons of partiality,
prejudice, bias or ill will, or arrived at a manifestly
unreasonable decision.
103 Order of Court, In Re: Sentencing & Bail Pending Appeal (August 6, 2013). Count 2-A merged with Count 2·B
for the purposes of sentencing. All sentences were within the standard range. See Pennsylvania Commission on
Sentencing, Guideline Sentence Form, filed August 6, 2014.
104 Defendant's Supplemental Post-Sentence Motions, filed August 23, 2013.
105 Order of Court, In Re: Defendant's Supplemental Post-Sentence Motions (February 7, 2014).
14
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Id. "In determining whether a sentence is manifestly excessive, the appellate court must
give great weight to the sentencing court's discretion, as he or she is in the best position
to measure factors such as the nature of the crime, the defendant's character, and the
defendant's display of remorse, defiance, or indifference." Commonwealth v. Mouzon,
828 A.2d 1126, 1128 (Pa. Super. 2003). Accordingly, the sentencing court "has broad
discretion in choosing the range of permissible confinements which best suits a particular
defendant and the circumstances surrounding his crime." Commonwealth v. Boyer, 856
A.2d 149, 153 (Pa. Super. 2004). "In setting sentence, a court has discretion ... to run the
sentence concurrently with or consecutively to other sentences being imposed." Mouzon,
828 A.2d at 1130.
To begin, the sentences imposed for Simple Assault and Recklessly Endangering
Another Person were not in the aggravated range but were rather standard range
sentences. The standard range for both offenses was 6 to 12 months. 106 While it is true
that the top of the standard range overlapped the aggravated range, which did not, in fact,
consist of a range but was simply 12 months for both offenses, such overlap was the
result of Defendant's prior record score generating a standard range extending to the
lawful maximum, thus leaving no room for an aggravated range. In other words, an
aggravated range beyond 12 months, which was the top of the standard range, would
have resulted in a maximum sentence beyond the statutory maximum of24 months. Such
a sentence would clearly be illegal. Thus, Defendant, by styling his sentence as an
aggravated range sentence, is essentially attempting to benefit from his extensive and
violent criminal history, a history that has pushed the standard range as far as is legally
permissible for the offenses at hand. Such dissembling by Defendant should be given no
weight in addressing Defendant's appeal.
Beyond Defendant's attempt at misdirection, he also complains that we did not
state our reasons on the record for the sentences imposed. The record speaks to the
contrary. We explicitly informed Defendant at his sentencing that we believed his
106 Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing, Guideline Sentence Fonn, filed on August 6,2013.
15
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drinking is the primary cause of his criminal behavior. 107 The Commonwealth also
stated, on the record, that the Probation Department of Cumberland County, as detailed in
Defendant's PSI, which we had reviewed prior to sentencing, has been unable to
effectuate any change in Defendant's relationship with aicoho1. 108 Consequently, we
determined that Defendant's rehabilitative needs would best be served by state
incarceration. Contrary to Defendant's claim, his long-time alcohol addiction, or rather
his failure to address his addiction, his failure to use the treatment resources provided to
him during previous periods of supervision to any end result, and his repeated use of
addiction as an excuse fqr criminal conduct, was a primary consideration in our imposing
the sentences we did.
With respect to Defendant's claim that the consecutive standard range sentences
imposed were manifestly unreasonable, we vehemently disagree. Defendant, at
sentencing, not only expressed no remorse for the harm he caused Ms. Webster but also
continued to avoid taking responsibility for his actions. Instead, Defendant told this Court
that he wished he had never met Ms. Webster and that he "could care less about what she
is doing, what happened to ... ", cutting himself off after presumably realizing that
sentencing may not be the appropriate forum for displaying his callous thoughts
regarding Ms. Webster. 109 We also determined that these crimes of senseless brutality,
which included Defendant choking Ms. Webster until she passed out and defecated-
solely because she nudged Defendant in order to stop his snoring, were further reflective
of Defendant's violent nature and therefore state incarceration was necessary, both for the
protection of the public and, again, for the rehabilitative needs of Defendant, which prior
county incarcerations have been unable to fulfill. Accordingly, we sentenced Defendant
to two to four years of state incarceration, a sentence we believe to be best suited to this
Defendant and these crimes. Perhaps the prospect of spending four years in the custody
107 Sentencing at 9.
108 Sentencing at 10.
109 Sentencing at 7.
16
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of the state prison system will properly motivate Defendant to address his alcohol
addiction and criminal conduct.
Defendant also claims this Court relied upon "an error-plagued, incomplete and
biased presentence report recommending state prison primarily based on prior criminal
history which is already reflected in the sentencing guidelines ....,,110 While Defendant
challenged the accuracy of the PSI in his post-sentence motions, particularly relating to
summary convictions that Defendant alleged were double counted, Defendant made clear
at a hearing on those motions that he was not contesting his prior record score of 5 .111 In
other words, his challenge to the PSI would have no bearing on sentencing guidelines
even ifhe were successful. Moreover, the alleged inaccurate history of summary offenses
contained in Defendant's criminal history, which spans nearly thirty years, exerted no
influence over the sentence we imposed.
With respect to the recommendation of state incarceration contained in the PSI, we
first note that imposing a sentence of incarceration and determining where that
incarceration shall be served are independent determinations. The fact that the sentencing
guidelines reflect Defendant's prior record score does not render consideration of
Defendant's criminal history improper when determining where Defendant should stand
committed.
Section 9762(a)(2) of Title 42 states:
all persons sentenced to total or partial confinement for the
following terms shall be committed as follows:
(2) Maximum terms of two years or more but less than five
years may be committed to the Department of Corrections for
confinement or may be committed to a county prison within
the jurisdiction of the court.
42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9762(a)(2). In making a determination pursuant to subsection (a)(2), "a
court should consider the differences between the state and county prison environment in
110 Defendant's Concise Statement of the Errors Complained of on Appeal, March 21, 2014, 1) 2(d)
III Transcript of Proceedings, In Re: Defendant's Supplemental Post-Sentence Motions, December 17,2013 (Peck,
J.) (hereinafter "Post-Sentence at _") at 27.
17
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choosing to sentence an individual to a state rather than a county facility."
Commonwealth v. Fullin, 892 A,2d 843, 852 (Pa. Super. 2006). Moreover, Defendant's
sentencing level for both the Simple Assault and Recklessly Endangering Another
Person, based on the standard range of the guidelines, was Level 3. Pursuant to Section
303.11 of Title 204 of the Pennsylvania Code, "[t]he primary purposes of this level are
retribution and control over the offender." 204 Pa. Code § 303.l1(b)(3). To that end, one
of the sentencing options available pursuant to subsection (b)(3) is total state
confinement. 204 Pa. Code § 303.11(b)(3). Considering the differences in the state and
county prison environments with respect to dealing with a violent repeat offender,
weighing the appropriate amount of retribution for Defendant's senseless acts of violence
perpetrated upon Ms. Webster and for the effect that violence had on Ms. Webster, both
physical and emotional, considering Defendant's continued abuse of alcohol which
county incarceration and county probation have been unable to ameliorate, and
accounting for the recommendation of Adult Probation which has had extensive dealings
with Defendant, we determined that state incarceration was necessary.
In addition to the periods of incarceration imposed, we ordered Defendant to pay a
total of $200 in fines. Defendant now challenges those fines, contending that there was
insufficient detail in the PSI from which this Court could ascertain Defendant's ability to
pay. We disagree. The PSI contained Defendant's work history from which we
determined the appropriate fines to impose. We note that the fines imposed are each
1/50th of the $5,000 statutory maximum for a misdemeanor of the second degree.
Before moving on, we feel compelled to address Defendant's complete
mischaracterization of Ms. Webster's Victim Impact Statement. In his second error
complained of, Defendant states, "the victim statement was ... a blatant
'recommendation for jail' (retribution) by the victim (who did not appear for sentencing)
through the District Attorney rather than a proffer of any actual impact sustained by the
victim to her life or circumstances caused at the hands of the Defendant .... ,,112 Either
112 Defendant's Concise Statement of the Errors Complained of on Appeal, March 21, 2014, If 2(e).
18
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Defendant did not in fact read Ms. Webster's statement, despite having told this Court
prior to sentencing that he had, or he is attempting to willfully mislead this Honorable
Court as it considers his appeal.
In her statement, contrary to Defendant's claim, Ms. Webster directly addressed
the impact Defendant's violence had on her, stating:
I went through serious physical pain, but more so extreme
emotional trauma because of Mr. Noll's actions. I spent over
3 mos. in a DVS Shelter and had a very difficult time pulling
my life back together. I have been affected in every aspect of
my life. I am grateful to be alive today and this is what gets
me through and gives me courage to move on.1l3
Moreover, nowhere in her statement did Ms. Webster ask or encourage this Court to
incarcerate Defendant. Rather, Ms. Webster merely hoped and prayed that Defendant
would get "the help he needs to make sure he never does this to anyone else.,,1l4 We hope
the same.
Defendant claims in his third error that the sentence imposed constitutes cruel and
unusual punishment. "The Eighth Amendment does not require strict proportionality
between crime and sentence. Rather, it forbids only extreme sentences which are grossly
disproportionate to the crime." Commonwealth v. Baker, 78 A,3d 1044, 1047 (Pa. 2013).
Defendant's sentence is neither extreme nor grossly disproportionate. This claim is
without merit.
Defendant also challenges his sentence based upon the claim that his convictions
for Simple Assault and Recklessly Endangering Another Person should have merged for
sentencing purposes. This issue was squarely resolved by our Superior Court in
Commonwealth v. Calhoun, 52 A,3d 281 (Pa. Super. 2012). In Calhoun, the Court
concluded that ''there are distinct elements in both crimes ... precluding merger for
sentencing purposes." Calhoun, 52 A.3d 281, 289 (Pa. Super. 2012). As the Court
113 Defendant's Concise Statement of the Errors Complained of on Appeal, Exhibit A.
114 Id.19
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reasoned, "Section 9765 [of the Judicial Code] 115, particularly as elucidated by our
Supreme Court in [Commonwealth v. Baldwin, 985 A.2d 830 (Pa. 2009)], evinces a clear
intent to confme merger for sentencing purposes to the defined condition that all of the
statutory elements of one of the offenses are included in the statutory elements of the
other."Id. at 285. Thus Defendant should be denied relief.
B. Sufficiency of the Evidence.
Defendant's next four claims of error attack the sufficiency of the evidence with
respect to his convictions for Simple Assault, Recklessly Endangering Another Person,
and Harassment, as well as the Commonwealth's proof that Defendant was not acting in
self-defense. For the reasons below, we find that there was sufficient evidence for all of
the above and that Defendant's claims are therefore meritless.
In reviewing sufficiency of evidence claims, a court:
must determine whether the evidence admitted at trial, as well
as all reasonable inferences drawn therefrom, when viewed in
the light most favorable to the verdict winner, are sufficient to
support all the elements of the offense. Additionally, to
sustain a conviction, the facts and circumstances which the
Commonwealth must prove, must be such that every essential
element of the crime is established beyond a reasonable
doubt. ... The fact finder is free to believe all, part, or none
of the evidence presented at trial.
Commonwealth v. Moreno, 14 A.3d 133, 136 (Pa. Super. 2011) (internal citations
omitted). "It is well settled that a jury or a trial court can believe all or a part of or none of
a defendant's statements, confessions or testimony, or the testimony of any witness."
Commonwealth v. Morales, 2014 WL 1669802, No. 629 CAP (Pa. Apr. 28, 2014). The
jury is not obliged to accept a defendant's evidence. Commonwealth v. Morales, 2014
WL 1669802, No. 629 CAP (pa. Apr. 28, 2014).
115 Section 9765 states, in part, "[n]o crimes shall merge for sentencing purposes unless the crimes arise from a
single criminal act and all of the statutory elements of one offense are included in the statutory elements of the other
offense." 42 Pa.C.S.A § 9765.
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All of Defendant's sufficiency claims stem from Defendant's inability to
acknowledge or accept that, as was its prerogative, the jury simply did not credit his
testimony.
Simple Assault
A defendant is guilty of Simple Assault ifhe "attempts to cause or intentionally,
knowingly or recklessly causes bodily injury to another." 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 2701 (a)(1).
Bodily injury is defined as "[i]mpairment of physical condition or substantial pain." 18
Pa.C.S.A. § 2301.
In the present matter, Defendant testified that he intentionally punched Ms.
Webster in the face. Ms. Webster testified that, as a result of being punched, she had pain
when she spoke, she could only eat soft foods for about a week, and she had a large lump
on her jaw for about two months. 116 Thus, there was sufficient evidence to convict
Defendant of Simple Assault.
Recklessly Endangering Another Person
A defendant is guilty of Recklessly Endangering Another Person "if he recklessly
engages in conduct which places or may place another person in danger of death or
serious bodily injury." 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 2705.
Ms. Webster testified at trial that Defendant choked her until she passed out and
lost control of her bowels. By choking Ms. Webster until she passed out, Defendant
placed Ms. Webster in danger of both death and serious bodily injury.1I7 Therefore, the
Commonwealth presented sufficient evidence to convict Defendant on this charge.
Harassment
A defendant is guilty of Harassment if "with intent to harass, annoy or alarm
another," the defendant: "( I) strikes, shoves, kicks or otherwise subjects the other person
to physical contact, or attempts or threatens to do the same[.]" 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 2709(a)(1).
'16 See In re M.H., 758 A.2d 1249 (Pa. Super. 2000) (holdIng that bruisIng on the victim's arm which lasted several
days constituted bodily Injury for the purposes of Simple Assault).
1\7 See Commonwealth v. Brunson, 938 A.2d 1057 (pa. Super. 2007) (holdIng that punchIng elderly man in the head
and chokIng him constituted Recklessly EndangerIng Another Person).
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"An intent to harass may be inferred from the totality of the circumstances."
Commonwealth v. Cox, 72 AJd 719, 721 (pa. Super. 2013).
Defendant admitted to Det. Gingrich that he shoved Ms. Webster away prior to
punching her in the face. This Court, acting as the trier-of-fact for this summary charge,
then inferred Defendant's intent to harass from the totality of the circumstances which
included Defendant punching and choking Ms. Webster. Thus, there was sufficient
evidence to find Defendant guilty of Harassment.
Self-Defense
Defendant's final sufficiency claim states that "the Commonwealth failed to prove
beyond a reasonable doubt that the Defendant was not acting in self-defense where it was
uncontradicted that Noll was asleep, snoring and suddenly awakened by the physically
aggressive victim causing Noll to fear for his safety and act out of self-preservation, i.e.
self-defense. ,,118
Section 505 ofthe Crimes Code provides that the use offorce is justified for
protection of the person "when the actor believes that such force is immediately
necessary for the purpose of protecting himself against the use of unlawful force by such
other person on the present occasion." 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 505(a). The Crimes Code defines
'believes' as "reasonably believes." 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 501. Our Supreme Court in
Commonwealth v. Torres, 766 A.2d 342 (Pa. 2001), elaborated further, stating:
[w]hen a defendant raises the issue of self-defense, the
Commonwealth bears the burden to disprove such a defense
beyond a reasonable doubt. While there is no burden on a
defendant to prove the claim, before the defense is properly at
issue at trial, there must be some evidence, from whatever
source, to justify a finding of self-defense. If there is any
evidence that will support the claim, then the issue is properly
before the fact finder.
Torres, 766 A.2d at 345.
In the present matter, Defendant presented evidence, through his own testimony,
that he acted in self-defense, claiming that he awoke to Ms. Webster covering his mouth
118 Defendant'S Concise Statement of the Errors Complained of on Appeal, filed March 21, 2014, ~ 8.
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and nose and that Ms. Webster hit him first. Additionally, both Corporal Speck and Det.
Gingrich testified that Defendant told them that he acted in self-defense. However, the
reasonableness of Defendant's belief that the use of force was justified was belied by his
own statement to Corporal Speck that Ms. Webster was attempting to stop his snoring.
Thus Defendant realized that whatever actions Ms. Webster was taking would cease once
he stopped snoring. As Defendant punched Ms. Webster after waking and then proceeded
to choke her while she was on the floor, all after his snoring had stopped, there was no
force, let alone unlawful force, which Defendant needed to protect himself against.
Consequently, the jury was warranted in concluding that Defendant's belief in the
necessity of force to protect himself was not a reasonable one. Moreover, Ms. Webster
testified that she only nudged Defendant to stop his snoring and denied ever placing her
hand over Defendant's mouth and nose, providing the jury, if she were believed, with
sufficient evidence of the unreasonableness of Defendant's belief and concomitantly with
sufficient evidence that Defendant's use of force was not justified. Accordingly,
Defendant's claim is without merit.
Weight of the Evidence
Defendant's final error complained ofis that the verdicts were against the weight
of the evidence. Having reviewed the evidence, we disagree.
The standard for review of a claim that a verdict is against the weight of the
evidence is well-established:
[t]he 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, [an appellate court] 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.
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Commonwealth v. Champney, 832 A.2d 403,408 (Pa. 2003).
The evidence adduced at trial consisted of three versions ofthe events on October
31 sl told by Defendant: one version to Corporal Speck, one version to Det. Gingrich, and
one version at trial. The jury also was informed that Defendant had been convicted of
False Identification to Law Enforcement, a crime of crimen falsi. Additionally,
Defendant's stepfather testified that there was never any money missing from his wallet,
contrary to Defendant's testimony in which he repeatedly stated that $60 dollars went
missing while Ms. Webster was staying with Defendant. Defendant even appeared to be
using the alleged missing $60 as support for his use of force, stating, "I normally don't
wake up with a hand cuffed over my nose and mouth. And this is from someone that told
me, hey, you know, I had a murder case in Florida and money was missing from [my] step
dad.,,1l9 Under such circumstances, where Defendant has been inconsistent, has
previously lied to law enforcement, and was contradicted by his own step father on a key
fact in Defendant's justification claim, the jury's verdicts, which made clear that they did
not find Defendant credible, were not against the weight of the credible evidence.
Likewise, the jury's verdicts did not shock this Court's sense of justice as we found Ms.
Webster wholly credible in her testimony. Thus this claim is without merit.
lI9 N.T. 7/912013 at 261 (emphasis added).
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CONCLUSION
This Court concludes that it properly sentenced Defendant, that there was sufficient
evidence to sustain the jury verdicts, and that the verdicts were not against the weight of
the evidence. The issues raised by Defendant on appeal, therefore, are without merit.
BY THE COURT,
Richard H. Bradbury, Jr., Esq.
Assistant District Attorney
John M. Shugars, Esq.
Senior Assistant Public Defender
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