Com. v. Smallwood, J. ( 2015 )

J.S43037/14
NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
: PENNSYLVANIA
Appellee :
:
v. :
:
JOHN M. SMALLWOOD, :
:
Appellant : No. 2231 EDA 2013
Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence July 26, 2013
In the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County
Criminal Division No(s).: CP-51-CR-0006178-2012
BEFORE: GANTMAN, P.J., ALLEN, and FITZGERALD,* JJ.
MEMORANDUM BY FITZGERALD, J.: FILED APRIL 07, 2015
Appellant, John M. Smallwood, appeals from the judgment of sentence
entered in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas following a jury
trial and his convictions for murder in the first degree1 and possession of an
instrument of crime2 (“PIC”). Appellant contends (1) the trial court erred in
refusing to permit him to represent himself, (2) the evidence was insufficient
to find him guilty of murder in the first degree, (3) the verdict on the charge
of murder in the first degree was against the weight of the evidence, and (4)
counsel was ineffective during closing argument. We affirm.
*
Former Justice specially assigned to the Superior Court.
1
18 Pa.C.S. § 2502(a).
2
18 Pa.C.S. § 907(a).
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The trial court summarized the facts of this case as follows:
These charges arose out of an argument between
Appellant and his lover of approximately six (6) years,
whom Appellant lived with off and on. The decedent,
Shawn Andrews (“Andrews”), was killed on Thursday,
March 22, 2012 at Andrews’ apartment at 19th and
Bainbridge Streets. At approximately 2 a.m. that morning,
Appellant and Andrews were getting high with female
friends. After the females left, Appellant and Andrews
began arguing over the purchase of additional drugs. This
argument [led] to Andrews telling Appellant he had to
leave. Appellant refused to leave and as Appellant
proceeded past Andrews towards the bedroom, Andrews
pushed him. Their argument grew into a physical
altercation. Andrews picked up a pair of scissors,
Appellant grabbed a knife, and the two men began to fight.
Appellant initially stabbed Andrews in the side of the jaw
and Andrews began to scream. Appellant stabbed
Andrews approximately seven (7) times in the head, neck,
and back until the knife bent, causing Andrews to fall to
the ground. As Andrews lay on his back on the floor
screaming, Appellant grabbed a clothing iron, and got on
top of Andrews. Appellant beat Andrews in the head with
the iron until the metal plate from the iron detached,
breaking the iron. Appellant struck Andrews
approximately 28 times with the iron.
As Andrews lay on the floor bleeding out, Appellant
grabbed a blanket from inside the apartment, wrapped
Andrews’ body, and [dragged] Andrews into the closet in
the bedroom. After doing so, Appellant slept in Andrews’
bed and awoke the next morning on Friday, March 23,
2012. Before Appellant left Andrews’ apartment, he
turned the thermostat down to fifty degrees Fahrenheit
(500 F) to cover the smell of Andrews’ dead body.
Appellant then collected several items including bloody
clothes and the knife he used to kill Andrews, placed them
in a blue bag, and dumped the bag in a trash can at the
69th Street Market-Frankford Line Terminal.
On Friday, March 23, 2012, after Andrews failed to
meet with his friend of twenty-five (25) years, Seavin
Burnett (“Burnett”), and failed to answer Burnett’s
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numerous phone calls, Burnett went to Andrews’
apartment with his roommate, Derrick Harrison
(“Harrison”), to check on Andrews. Burnett used his key
to gain access to the apartment as Harrison waited
outside. Burnett opened the door and noticed it was dark
and cold. Burnett called out for Andrews a few times with
no response and then locked the door and left with
Harrison. Burnett and Harrison returned to Andrews’
apartment the following day, Saturday, March 24, 2012, in
the afternoon. Both Burnett and Harrison entered
Andrews’ apartment and once they were inside, noticed
sheets, blankets and a red liquid on the floor in the living
room area. Harrison thought it might be blood so both
Burnett and Harrison went back to their car and began
making phone calls to the area hospitals as they rode
towards their home, believing Andrews had been hurt and
possibly gone to a hospital to get aid. No hospital had a
record of Andrews having received treatment. When they
could not locate Andrews at the area hospitals, Burnett
called 911. Burnett explained to the operator that he had
been to Andrews’ apartment, that things looked unusual,
and that there appeared to be blood on the floor. The 911
operator asked Burnett if he would go back to Andrews’
apartment and wait for the police; Burnett agreed.
In less than five (5) minutes from the time the call was
dispatched by the 911 operator, Philadelphia Police Officer
Carmen Palmiero (“Officer Palmiero”) and her partner,
Officer Sydemy Joanis (“Officer Joanis”) arrived at
Andrews’ apartment and met Burnett and Harrison. Officer
Palmiero and Officer Joanis advised Burnett and Harrison
to stay outside as they entered Andrews’ apartment.
Officer Palmiero and Officer Joanis noticed the cold
temperature of the apartment, blood on the sink and on
the floor in the bathroom on the first floor, identifying a
footprint as well, which they considered to be “red flags” of
a possible crime. Officers Palmiero and Joanis then
headed downstairs. They noticed a large amount of blood
on the floor and footprints, so they began walking across
the furniture as to not disturb the potential crime scene.
Officers Palmiero and Joanis, with guns drawn, checked
the kitchen for potential suspects and after they cleared
the kitchen, they headed into the bedroom where they
noticed a large red print at the bottom of the closet door.
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Officer Joanis kept his gun drawn as Officer Palmiero
opened the closet door. Inside the closet, they found a
large blanket at the bottom. The officers pulled back the
blanket and uncovered the body of a black male, later
identified as Andrews, whom they believed had been dead
for a few days at that point. Paramedics arrived as they
were uncovering Andrews’ body and Andrews was
pronounced dead on the scene by Medic 40 at 5:40 p.m.
Trial Ct. Op., 12/20/13, at 3-5.
Appellant was sentenced to a mandatory sentence of life in prison
without the possibility of parole. This timely appeal followed. Appellant filed
a timely court-ordered Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b) statement of errors complained of
on appeal and the trial court filed a responsive opinion.
Appellant raises the following issues for our review:
I. Is [Appellant] entitled to a new trial as a result of court
error where the court failed and refused to permit [him] to
represent himself, and where there was no good reason for
such failure?
II. Is [Appellant] entitled to an arrest of judgment on the
charge of Murder in the First Degree where the
Commonwealth did not prove its case beyond a reasonable
doubt; where the Commonwealth did not establish the
element of the crime such as malice, premeditation and a
specific intent to kill; and where there is insufficient
evidence to sustain the verdict?
III. Is [Appellant] entitled to a new trial on the charge of
Murder in the First Degree as the verdict is not supported
by the greater weight of the evidence?
IV. Is [Appellant] entitled to a new trial as the result of
palpable and obvious ineffective assistance of counsel
during closing argument?
Appellant’s Brief at 3.
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First, Appellant contends the trial court violated his constitutional right
to self-representation when it found his waiver of the right to counsel was
not knowing, intelligent and voluntary. Appellant’s Brief at 7.
We review the trial court’s denial of a defendant’s request to proceed
pro se for an abuse of discretion. Commonwealth v. El, 977 A.2d 1158,
1167 (Pa. 2009). The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has “defined a court’s
discretion as the foundation of reason, as opposed to prejudice, personal
motivations, caprice or arbitrary actions. An abuse of that discretion is not
merely an error of judgment, but . . . [a] manifestly unreasonable . . . result
of partiality, prejudice, bias or ill will.” Id. (quotation marks and citation
omitted).
A criminal defendant’s right to counsel under the
Sixth Amendment includes the concomitant right to
waive counsel’s assistance and proceed to represent
oneself at criminal proceedings. Faretta v. California,
422 U.S. 806 [ ]. The right to appear pro se is
guaranteed as long as the defendant understands the
nature of his choice. In Pennsylvania, Rule of Criminal
Procedure 121 sets out a framework for inquiry into a
defendant’s request for self-representation.
Pa.R.Crim.P. 121. Where a defendant knowingly,
voluntarily, and intelligently seeks to waive his right to
counsel, the trial court, in keeping with Faretta, must
allow the individual to proceed pro se. See
Commonwealth v. Starr, [ ] 664 A.2d 1326, 1335
([Pa.] 1995) (holding that a defendant must
demonstrate a knowing waiver under Faretta). See
also Commonwealth v. McDonough, [ ] 812 A.2d
504, 508 ([Pa.] 2002) (concluding that Faretta
requires an on-the-record colloquy in satisfaction of
Pa.R.Crim.P. 121, which colloquy may be conducted by
the court, the prosecutor, or defense counsel.)
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The right to waive counsel’s assistance and continue
pro se is not automatic however. Rather, only timely
and clear requests trigger an inquiry into whether the
right is being asserted knowingly and voluntarily. . . .
Thus, the law is well established that “in order to invoke
the right of self-representation, the request to proceed
pro se must be made timely and not for purposes of
delay and must be clear and unequivocal.”
Commonwealth v. Davido, [ ] 868 A.2d 431, 438
(2005) [ ] ([Pa.] 2005).
Id. at 1162–63 (some citations and footnotes omitted).
Pa.R.Crim.P. 121 provides in pertinent part:
(2) To ensure that the defendant’s waiver of the right to
counsel is knowing, voluntary, and intelligent, the judge or
issuing authority, at a minimum, shall elicit the following
information from the defendant:
(a) that the defendant understands that he or she
has the right to be represented by counsel, and the
right to have free counsel appointed if the defendant
is indigent;
(b) that the defendant understands the nature of the
charges against the defendant and the elements of
each of those charges;
(c) that the defendant is aware of the permissible
range of sentences and/or fines for the offenses
charged;
(d) that the defendant understands that if he or she
waives the right to counsel, the defendant will still be
bound by all the normal rules of procedure and that
counsel would be familiar with these rules;
(e) that the defendant understands that there are
possible defenses to these charges that counsel
might be aware of, and if these defenses are not
raised at trial, they may be lost permanently; and
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(f) that the defendant understands that, in addition
to defenses, the defendant has many rights that, if
not timely asserted, may be lost permanently; and
that if errors occur and are not timely objected to, or
otherwise timely raised by the defendant, these
errors may be lost permanently.
Pa.R.Crim.P. 121(2)(a-f).
Our Supreme Court in El held:
We examine first whether [the a]ppellant’s request for
self-representation was a timely one. If it was, [the
a]ppellant was entitled to a “Faretta colloquy,” in
satisfaction of Rule 121, to ascertain on the record
whether his request to waive counsel’s assistance was
knowing, voluntary, and intelligent. Generally, the courts
of this Commonwealth have agreed with the federal courts
and those of our sister states that a request for pro se
status is timely when it is asserted before “meaningful trial
proceedings” have begun. Commonwealth v. Jermyn, [
] 709 A.2d 849, 863 ([Pa.] 1998) (noting with approval the
Superior Court’s reliance on United States v. Lawrence,
605 F.2d 1321 (4th Cir.1979)). See Commonwealth v.
Vaglica, [ ] 673 A.2d 371, 373 ([Pa. Super.] 1996)
(adopting “meaningful trial proceedings” standard utilized
in Lawrence). In the context of a jury trial, the
consensus is that proceedings become “meaningful” as
soon as the selection of jurors begins.
El, 977 A.2d at 1163 (some citations omitted).
The right to self-representation can be waived. Our Supreme Court
has stated:
All defendants, even those who may display the
potential to be disruptive, have the right to self-
representation. Commonwealth v. Africa, [ ] 353 A.2d
855, 864 ([Pa.] 1976). In such instances, however, it is
advisable that stand-by counsel be appointed. Id. . . . As
explained in Africa, in such circumstances:
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The court should explain to the defendant the
standards of conduct he will be expected to observe.
If the defendant misbehaves, he should be
warned that he will be removed from the court,
his right to represent himself will be considered
waived, and the trial will continue in his
absence with standby counsel conducting the
defense. If the defendant again misbehaves, these
measures should be taken. The defendant must be
made to realize that his disruptive tactics will result
only in his exclusion from the courtroom. His case
will be tried according to law, in an attempt to do
justice, whether he cooperates or not.
Id. . . .
Commonwealth v. Abu-Jamal, 720 A.2d 79, 109 (Pa. 1998) (emphasis
added).
Instantly, the trial court opined that it
attempted to colloquy [Appellant] regarding his request to
waive his right to counsel and proceed pro se. Throughout
these proceedings, Appellant was unwilling to cooperate
and was disruptive. When this [c]ourt attempted to
colloquy Appellant, Appellant replied “Don’t say shit to me”
and voluntarily exited the courtroom. After this incident,
Appellant returned to the courtroom where this [c]ourt
again attempted to colloquy [him] regarding his request to
represent himself and to ensure that his waiver of counsel
was knowing, voluntary, and intelligent. Taking into
consideration the severity of the crimes with which
Appellant was charged and the possible sentence of
mandatory life without parole that was faced by Appellant,
this [c]ourt determined that the responses Appellant
provided during the colloquy did not satisfy the knowing,
voluntary, and intelligent requirements for waiver of
counsel.
Trial Ct. Op. at 10 (citations to record omitted). We agree no relief is due.
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In the case sub judice, on the day the jury was to be selected, while
the court was hearing pre-trial motions, Appellant stated he did not want
counsel to represent him. N.T., 7/22/13, at 10. The Court instructed
Appellant to “[b]e quiet.” Id. Appellant responded: “I don’t want this guy
representing me.” Id. The court continued hearing pre-trial motions.
Appellant again interrupted the proceedings and stated: “Your Honor, I
don’t want this man to defend me. The Dude is not going to be my lawyer.
I don’t trust him. I don’t believe in him. He’s not been trying to help me.
I’ll get my own attorney.” Id. at 13. Appellant and the court continued the
discussion until Appellant was excused from the courtroom following the
judge’s admonition that the trial would “proceed in absentia . . . .” and
Appellant’s statement: “Y’all tripping.” Id. at 18.
Pre-trial motions continued and Appellant returned to the courtroom.
The court officer attempted to administer the oath and Appellant refused to
be sworn in. Id. at 23. The court began to explain the jury trial procedure
to him. Id. at 24-25. Appellant interrupted and asked if he could represent
himself. Id. at 26. The court stated that he could not represent himself “at
this point.” Id. Appellant responded:
Come on. My life is on the line. You telling me I can’t
defend myself. I don’t want him as my attorney. So when
I come back on appeal and get a second trial─you know,
this shit is a sham. I don’t know if y’all have some money
involved in this shit or not, but this shit is a sham. I don’t
want him. He’s an ineffective counsel. I do not want him
as my attorney. I’ll get my own. Give me seven days. I
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don’t want him. All right. Then leave me the fuck alone.
Take me back to jail.
The Court: All right. Let me just say this.
[Appellant]: Don’t say shit to me.
The Court: . . . The record will reflect that [Appellant] left
the courtroom apparently voluntarily with the─in the
presence of the sheriff.
([Appellant] exiting the courtroom.)
(Pause.)
([Appellant] entering the courtroom.)
Id. at 26-27.
The court conducted the following colloquy regarding Appellant’s
request to waive his right to counsel and proceed pro se. The court
explained to Appellant that it would ask him a series of questions to
determine whether he would be permitted to represent himself. Id. at 27.
Appellant was verbally unresponsive when the court asked him if he
understood the court’s purpose in asking him certain questions. Id. The
court informed Appellant that he had the right to be represented by counsel
and that if he could not afford an attorney, an attorney would be appointed
to represent him. Id. at 27.
The court asked Appellant if he knew the elements of the crimes with
which he was charged, viz., murder and PIC. Id. at 28. Appellant
responded “Yes.” Id. The court stated:
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Tell me, please, the elements of murder. What does the
Commonwealth have to prove─you are charged with
murder generally, which means that the Commonwealth
would be proceeding both on first degree murder, as well
as on third degree murder.
Do you understand that?
[Appellant]: No, no really.
The Court: Fine enough. That is the situation you are
facing today. You’re also charged with [PIC].
Now, on the murder in the first degree, are you aware that
if you’re convicted of that charge that you would be
sentenced─the [c]ourt would have no option but to
sentence you to life in prison? Did you know that?
[Appellant]: Twenty-five to 50 is life. Shit. Like I’m in my
40’s, so nothing─I mean that don’t scare me.
* * *
The Court: . . . Do you understand the nature of the
charges that are brought against you?
[Appellant]: Yes, ma’am.
The Court: Are you aware of the possible ranges of
sentence in this case?
[Appellant]: Yes, ma’am.
The Court: Tell me what the ranges─
[Appellant]: I get a life in prison.
The Court: What about the murder in the third degree?
[Appellant]: I guess that’s 25-50. That’s what they offer.
The Court: You’re guessing. What about on [PIC]?
[Appellant]: I don’t know.
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The Court: . . . Do you understand that if you waive your
right to counsel that you are still bound by all of the rules
that would apply for an attorney in this case?
[Appellant]: Say that again?
The Court: If you were permitted to represent yourself─
[Appellant]: Yes.
The Court: ─that you would be held to the same standard
as if you were represented by counsel.
[Appellant]: All right.
Id. at 28-29, 30-31.
The court inquired as to whether Appellant understood (1) the rules of
selecting a jury, (2) how to make an opening statement, (3) how to cross-
examine witnesses, and (4) applicable deadlines which could result in
waiver. Id. at 31-34. Appellant responded: “I think you are trying to get
technical with me.” Id. at 34. The Court stated: “This is a very technical
business . . . .” Id. Appellant responded: “I understand that, Your honor.
This is why I said I would like to get me another attorney. . . .” Id.
(emphasis added). Appellant referred to counsel as “a fucking liar.” Id. at
42. The court found that Appellant was “not prepared to represent himself,
that he [was] not fully apprised of the law and the rulings of the [c]ourt that
would be necessary to allow him to provide an adequate representation in
this matter, so the request to represent [him]self is denied.” Id. at 46.
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Initially, we consider whether the request to proceed pro se was
timely. Because the jury selection process had not begun, it was timely. 3
N.T. at 53; See El, 977 A.2d at 1163. We decline to find that Appellant
waived the right to represent himself based upon his disruptive behavior in
the courtroom. See Abu-Jamal, 720 A.2d at 110.
We find the trial court followed the framework set forth in Pa.R.Crim.P.
121 when conducting its inquiry to determine whether Appellant should be
permitted to proceed pro se. See Pa.R.Crim.P. 121; El, 977 A.2d at 1163.
We discern no abuse of discretion by the trial court’s denial of Appellant’s
request to poceed pro se. See El, 977 A.2d at 1167.
Next, Appellant contends he is entitled to an arrest of judgment on the
charge of first degree murder because the evidence was insufficient to
sustain the verdict.4 He avers that even if we assume he acted with malice,
the Commonwealth did not prove premeditation or a specific intent to kill.5
Appellant argues:
3
We note that the first panel of jurors was excused at the conclusion of the
Rule 121 colloquy. N.T., 7/22/13, at 69.
4
Appellant did not file a post-sentence motion. However, a sufficiency of
the evidence claim can be raised for the first time on appeal. Pa.R.Crim.P.
606(A)(7); Commonwealth v. Coleman, 19 A.3d 1111, 1118 (Pa. Super.
2011).
5
We note that Appellant stated to the court, out of the presence of the jury:
“There’s never been a denial about me committing the crime.” N.T.,
7/22/13, at 41.
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Assuming that [he] acted with malice, the Commonwealth
did not prove premeditation. While premeditation can be
formed in but a second or so, it remains that it must be
formed. . . . [T]he beating with the pipe did not
demonstrate premeditation, but demonstrated a temporary
disassociation from the civilities of life and while [he] must
be held accountable for the crime, the crime to be held
accountable for was Murder in the Three [sic] Degree and
not First Degree Murder. In that the Commonwealth did
not prove premeditation nor a specific intent to kill, the
evidence is insufficient. . . .
Appellant’s Brief at 14. We find no relief is due.
“A claim challenging the sufficiency of the evidence is a question of
law.” Commonwealth v. Widmer, 744 A.2d 745, 751 (Pa. 2000).
[T]he critical inquiry on review of the sufficiency of the
evidence to support a criminal conviction . . . does not
require a court to ask itself whether it believes that the
evidence at the trial established guilt beyond a reasonable
doubt. Instead, it must determine simply whether the
evidence believed by the fact-finder was sufficient to
support the verdict. . . .
* * *
When reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence, an
appellate court must determine whether the evidence, and
all reasonable inferences deducible from that, viewed in
the light most favorable to the Commonwealth as verdict
winner, are sufficient to establish all of the elements of the
offense beyond a reasonable doubt.
Commonwealth v. Ratsamy, 934 A.2d 1233, 1235-36, 1237 (Pa. 2007)
(citations and quotation marks omitted).
Section 2502(a) of the Crimes Code defines first degree murder:
(a) Murder of the first degree.─A criminal homicide
constitutes murder of the first degree when it is committed
by an intentional killing.
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18 Pa.C.S. § 2502(a).
Our Pennsylvania Supreme Court has stated:
In order to sustain a conviction for first-degree murder,
the Commonwealth must demonstrate that a human being
was unlawfully killed; the defendant was responsible for
the killing; and the defendant acted with malice and a
specific intent to kill, i.e., the killing was performed in an
intentional, deliberate, and premeditated manner. Specific
intent may be established through circumstantial
evidence, such as the use of a deadly weapon on a
vital part of the victim’s body.
Commonwealth v. Ramtahal, 33 A.3d 602, 607 (Pa. 2011) (citations
omitted and emphasis added). “[T]he intent to kill may be formulated in
seconds.” Commonwealth v. Baez, 759 A.2d 936, 938 (Pa. Super. 2000)
The trial court found the evidence was sufficient to sustain a conviction
for first degree murder. The court opined:
Appellant gave a statement to police, which was read into
the record by Detective Francis Kane, describing the
incident. In his statement, Appellant stated that he had
known Andrews for approximately seven (7) or eight (8)
years. Appellant stated that he was with Andrews in the
early morning of March 22, 2013, getting high with
females at Andrews’ apartment. Appellant stated that
after the females left, an argument ensued between him
and Andrews over the potential purchase of more drugs.
Appellant walked into the bedroom and laid down.
Appellant stated Andrews walked into the kitchen and
began slamming pots, at which point Appellant got out of
bed and they began to argue again. Appellant stated that
Andrews told Appellant he “had to roll” but Appellant
refused and Appellant stated that after that argument
started, “then everything went boom.” Appellant stated
that he might have pushed Andrews on the way back to
the bedroom and that after that, Andrews pushed him and
the two men began to fight. Appellant stated that he
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grabbed a knife and Andrews grabbed a pair of scissors.
Appellant stated that he stabbed Andrews with the knife in
the side of the jaw and Andrews “lost the scissors.”
Appellant stated the knife he had “bent up” so Appellant
grabbed the iron. Appellant stated that as Andrews laid on
his back, Appellant got on top of Andrews, and “hit him
with the iron until it broke.” While Andrews was lying on
the floor bleeding out, Appellant covered Andrews with a
quilt, stating that he “didn’t want to see [Andrews’] face.
Appellant then stated that he knew from watching
television that rigor mortis would set in and he would not
be able to move Andrews’ body if he waited so he
[dragged] Andrews’ body into the closet.
Appellant stated that after he put Andrews’ body into
the closet, Appellant “passed out on the bed.” Appellant
stated that he awoke on Friday, March 23, 2012, gathered
his things, and “turned the thermostat up.” Appellant
stated that he took the knife, bloody shirt, bloody pants,
and bloody socks and placed the items in a blue canvas
bag, which he disposed of in a trash can at the 69th Street
Market-Frankford Line terminal.
Trial Ct. Op. at 6-7 (references to record omitted). The trial court
concluded that viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the
Commonwealth, the evidence was sufficient to sustain the verdict. Id. at 8.
At trial, Marlon Osbourne, M.D., assistant medical examiner for the
Philadelphia Medical Examiner’s Office, testified as an expert in the area of
forensic pathology. N.T., 7/24/13, at 104, 110. Dr. Osbourne performed an
autopsy on Andrews. Id. at 111. The cause of death was multiple stab
wounds. Id. at 113. The stab wound to the left side of Andrews’ neck was
the fatal wound. Id. at 117-18. “Unless he received immediate medical
attention, he would have bled out within minutes.” Id. Appellant inflicted
the wounds standing behind Andrews. Id. at 120. It was possible that
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Andrews was lying on his stomach when the wounds were inflicted. Id. at
120-21. There were defensive wounds on Andrews’ hands. Id. at 121.
There were twenty-eight linear abrasions of blunt force trauma which
would be consistent with Appellant hitting Andrews with the edge of the iron.
Id. at 124. Although the toxicology report indicated the presence of cocaine
and cocaine metabolites, the drugs Andrews ingested did not contribute to
his death. Id. at 125-26. Dr. Osbourne testified that his conclusions and
observations were made “to a reasonable degree of scientific medical
certainty.” Id. at 129.
A conviction for first-degree murder can be sustained based upon
circumstantial evidence where a deadly weapon was used on a vital part of
the decedent’s body. See Ramtahal, 33 A.3d at 607. The intent to kill can
be formulated in an instant. See Baez, 759 A.2d at 939. We find no relief
is due. See Ratsamy, 934 A.2d at 1235-36; Widmer, 744 A.2d at 751.
Third, Appellant avers that he is entitled to a new trial on the charge of
murder in the first degree because the verdict was against the weight of the
evidence. As a prefatory matter, we consider whether Appellant has waived
this issue. In Commonwealth v. Sherwood, 982 A.2d 483 (Pa. 2009), our
Supreme Court opined:
Regarding [the a]ppellant’s weight of the evidence claim
we note that Appellant did not make a motion raising a
weight of the evidence claim before the trial court as the
Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure require. See
Pa.R.Crim.P. 607(A). The fact that [the a]ppellant
included an issue challenging the verdict on weight of the
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evidence grounds in his 1925(b) statement and the trial
court addressed [the a]ppellant’s weight claim in its
Pa.R.A.P 1925(a) opinion did not preserve his weight of
the evidence claim for appellate review in the absence of
an earlier motion. Pa.R.Crim.P. 607(A); Steiner v.
Markel, [ ] 968 A.2d 1253, 1257 ([Pa.] 2009) (holding
that inclusion of an issue in a 1925(b) statement that has
not been previously preserved does not entitle litigant to
appellate review of the unpreserved claim);
[Commonwealth v.] Mack, 850 A.2d [690, 694 (Pa.
Super. 2004)] (holding weight claim waived by
noncompliance with Pa.R.Crim.P. 607, even if the trial
court addresses it on the merits). [The a]ppellant’s failure
to challenge the weight of the evidence before the trial
court deprived that court of an opportunity to exercise
discretion on the question of whether to grant a new trial.
Because “appellate review of a weight claim is a review of
the exercise of discretion, not of the underlying question of
whether the verdict is against the weight of the evidence,”
Commonwealth v. Widmer, [ ] 744 A.2d 745, 753 ([Pa.]
2000), this Court has nothing to review on appeal. We
thus hold that [the a]ppellant waived his weight of the
evidence claim because it was not raised before the trial
court as required by Pa.R.Crim.P. 607.
Id. at 494 (some citations and footnotes omitted).
In the case sub judice, Appellant did not raise the weight of the
evidence before the trial court. Therefore, we find the issue is waived. See
Pa.R.Crim.P. 607(A); Sherwood, 982 A.2d at 494.
Lastly, Appellant contends he is entitled to a new trial as the result of
the ineffective assistance of counsel during closing argument. It is well-
established that “as a general rule, a petitioner should wait to raise claims of
ineffective assistance of trial counsel until collateral review.”
Commonwealth v. Grant, 813 A.2d 726, 738 (Pa. 2002). There are two
exceptions:
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First, we appreciate that there may be extraordinary
circumstances where a discrete claim (or claims) of trial
counsel ineffectiveness is apparent from the record and
meritorious to the extent that immediate consideration
best serves the interests of justice; and we hold that trial
courts retain their discretion to entertain such claims.
Second, with respect to other cases and claims,
including cases such as [Commonwealth v. Bomar, 826
A.2d 831 (Pa. 2003)] and the matter sub judice, where the
defendant seeks to litigate multiple or prolix claims of
counsel ineffectiveness, including non-record-based claims,
on post-verdict motions and direct appeal, we repose
discretion in the trial courts to entertain such claims, but
only if (1) there is good cause shown, and (2) the unitary
review so indulged is preceded by the defendant’s knowing
and express waiver of his entitlement to seek PCRA[6]
review from his conviction and sentence, including an
express recognition that the waiver subjects further
collateral review to the time and serial petition restrictions
of the PCRA.
Commonwealth v. Holmes, 79 A.3d 562, 563-64 (Pa. 2013) (citation and
footnotes omitted).
Instantly, Appellant failed to raise his ineffectiveness claims for
consideration by the trial court and, moreover, did not knowingly waive his
right to seek PCRA review. See id. We agree with the trial court that this
issue should be dismissed without prejudice for Appellant to raise any
ineffective assistance of counsel claim in a first PCRA petition. See Trial Ct.
Op. at 11.
6
Post Conviction Relief Act, 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 9541-9546.
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Absent consideration, “the claims regarding trial counsel’s
ineffectiveness will be dismissed without prejudice.” See Grant, 813 A.2d
at 739. Accordingly, we affirm the judgment of sentence.
Judgment of sentence affirmed.
Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary
Date: 4/7/2015
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