Com. v. Venable, R. ( 2015 )


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  • J-A09016-15
    NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION – SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
    COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA,                   : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
    :      PENNSYLVANIA
    Appellee                 :
    :
    v.                               :
    :
    RAHMIR VENABLE,                                 :
    :
    Appellant                : No. 1069 EDA 2014
    Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence November 19, 2013,
    Court of Common Pleas, Philadelphia County,
    Criminal Division at No. CP-51-CR-0002534-2013
    BEFORE: BOWES, DONOHUE and STABILE, JJ.
    MEMORANDUM BY DONOHUE, J.:                                       FILED MAY 05, 2015
    Appellant, Rahmir Venable (“Venable”), appeals from the judgment of
    sentence entered on November 19, 2013 by the Court of Common Pleas of
    Philadelphia        County,   Criminal   Division,   following    his   guilty   plea   to
    aggravated assault,1 robbery,2 criminal conspiracy,3 use or possession of
    electric or electronic incapacitation device,4 and use or possession of an
    offensive weapon.5 For the reasons that follow, we affirm in part and vacate
    in part, Venable’s judgment of sentence.
    1
    18 Pa.C.S.A. § 2702(a).
    2
    18 Pa.C.S.A. § 3701(a)(1)(i).
    3
    18 Pa.C.S.A. § 903(c).
    4
    18 Pa.C.S.A. § 908.1(a)(1).
    5
    18 Pa.C.S.A. § 908(a).
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    This case stems from a heinous attack on Dr. Allison Walsh (“Dr.
    Walsh”) in which Venable took part.           The relevant facts that the
    Commonwealth would have proven had this case gone to trial and to which
    Venable pled guilty are as follows:
    [O]n the morning of August 25th, 2012, at
    approximately 5:45 in the morning[,] which was day
    break[,] the complainant, [Dr. Walsh], was walking
    to work at Jefferson Hospital. When she got to about
    the area of 11th and Lombard Streets in the city and
    county of Philadelphia, five males were walking
    towards her. One looked at her and said, [g]ood
    morning. She said good morning back as she looked
    at him. He then -- that would be the codefendant,
    Marquise Bullock [(“Bullock”)], grabbed her purse,
    put a taser to her neck and shocked her.
    At that point[,] she yelled for him to get off of her.
    She struggled with him.        He yelled, [g]et her.
    Another codefendant, Sulan Jones [(“Jones”)],
    grabbed her by the arm. Bullock then tries to tase
    her again. She is able to break away but she runs
    into [Jones]. Jones starts hitting her, punching her
    with his fists on her right side. [Bullock] grabs her
    arm, tases her again. She’s also kicked in her knee
    and pushed to the ground.
    At that point[,] while the males were walking
    towards her, they slightly walk past her. These two
    males were slightly ahead with another codefendant,
    Anthony McKim. They come back and at that point
    they come back and Dr. Walsh is on the ground face
    up as all five of them punch and kick her repeatedly
    about her body. She’s punched in the side of her
    head. She’s kicked all over her body. She’s kicked
    in her face which results in her having a broken
    nose. She’s [tased] at least four times. First time
    being on her neck. She’s tased on her inner arm.
    She’s tased on the palm of her hand. She’s tased on
    her forehead.
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    They continuously try to get her purse from her.
    While she struggles with them, they drag her on the
    ground[,] pulling at her purse. Your Honor, to this
    day she still has two scars, bad scars on her back
    from being dragged on the ground.           They do
    eventually get her purse away from her and they all
    run off together going northbound, I believe, on 11th
    street.
    Taken in her bag was her wallet with her
    identification, credit cards and debit cards, her
    physician’s license, $250 VISA gift card, her pagers
    for Jefferson Hospital, her medications, her iPhone
    and $40 of United States currency.
    *     *     *
    [Dr. Walsh’s] brother-in-law tried to track her iPhone
    using an app.      At that point[,] her iPhone was
    originally labeled Allison’s iPhone. It came up as
    Lamar’s iPhone.     Then[,] through      her Facebook
    account, all of her friends were notified that an
    Instagram account had been opened linked to her
    Facebook.      That name was under the name
    Rahh_Bangga … . A picture of [Venable] popped up
    with the account.
    [Dr. Walsh] alerted the detectives. A picture -- a
    screen shot of her phone was taken at that time and
    [Venable] was put into a photo array. Dr. Walsh
    identified him as one of the males that robbed her on
    August 25th. She had stated that he kicked me
    while I was on the ground. He was pulling on my
    bag and kicking me.
    *     *     *
    [Dr. Walsh] did have a broken nose as I said as a
    result of the incident. She did have to have surgery.
    She has been -- the past year have been treated for
    post[-]traumatic stress syndrome as a result of this
    incident and she still suffers scars as a result.
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    N.T., 10/7/13, at 10-14, 16.
    On September 14, 2012, police arrested Venable.         On October 7,
    2013, Venable pled guilty to the above-referenced crimes.      On November
    19, 2013, the trial court sentenced Venable to five to ten years of
    incarceration plus ten years of probation for each of the aggravated assault,
    robbery, and use or possession of electric or electronic incapacitation device
    charges, two to four years of incarceration plus six years of probation on the
    criminal conspiracy charge, and no further penalty on the use or possession
    of an offensive weapon charge. The trial court ordered these sentences to
    run concurrently to one another for an aggregate period of five to ten years
    of incarceration plus ten years of probation. The trial court further ordered
    Venable to undergo random urinalysis, complete job and anger management
    training, seek and maintain employment, and pay $2500 in restitution, plus
    court costs and fees.
    On November 27, 2013, Venable filed a timely post-sentence motion
    challenging his sentence, which was denied by operation of law on March 28,
    2014. On April 1, 2014, Venable filed a timely notice of appeal. On June 5,
    2014, the trial court ordered Venable to file a concise statement of the
    errors complained of on appeal pursuant to Rule 1925(b) of the Pennsylvania
    Rules of Appellate Procedure.   On June 26, 2014, Venable filed his timely
    Rule 1925(b) statement.
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    On appeal, Venable raises the following issues for our review and
    determination:
    1.    Did not the sentencing court err in finding that
    [Dr. Walsh] suffered serious bodily injury for
    the purpose of applying elevated sentencing
    guidelines for the offenses of Robbery and
    Aggravated Assault in imposing its sentence
    where [Dr. Walsh]’s injuries did not result in
    permanent impairment, disfigurement, or
    substantial risk of her death?
    2.    Did not the sentencing court err in relying
    upon the deadly weapon used sentencing
    enhancement in imposing sentence because a
    Taser not a deadly weapon as considered by
    the [g]uidelines and furthermore when
    [Venable] never possessed the weapon?
    3.    Was not the sentence imposed manifestly
    excessive, unreasonable, and an abuse of
    discretion because the sentencing court failed
    to consider the Sentencing Code, failed to
    place the reasons for its sentence on the
    record in open court, failed to consider the
    needs of [Venable] and whether the sentence
    was the least restrictive necessary to protect
    the community and rehabilitate [Venable]?
    Venable’s Brief at 3.
    Each of the issues that Venable raises on appeal challenges the
    discretionary aspects of his sentence. “The right to appellate review of the
    discretionary aspects of a sentence is not absolute, and must be considered
    a petition for permission to appeal.” Commonwealth v. Buterbaugh, 
    91 A.3d 1247
    , 1265 (Pa. Super. 2014) (en banc), appeal denied, 
    104 A.3d 1
    (Pa. 2014). “An appellant must satisfy a four-part test to invoke this Court’s
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    jurisdiction when challenging the discretionary aspects of a sentence.” 
    Id. We conduct
    this four-part test to determine whether,
    (1) the appellant preserved the issue either by
    raising it at the time of sentencing or in a post[-
    ]sentence motion; (2) the appellant filed a timely
    notice of appeal; (3) the appellant set forth a concise
    statement of reasons relied upon for the allowance of
    his appeal pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 2119(f); and (4) the
    appellant raises a substantial question for our
    review.
    Commonwealth v. Baker, 
    72 A.3d 652
    , 662 (Pa. Super. 2013) (citation
    omitted), appeal denied, 
    86 A.3d 231
    (Pa. 2014). “A defendant presents a
    substantial question when he sets forth a plausible argument that the
    sentence violates a provision of the sentencing code or is contrary to the
    fundamental norms of the sentencing process.” Commonwealth v. Dodge,
    
    77 A.3d 1263
    , 1268 (Pa. Super. 2013) (quotations and citations omitted),
    appeal denied, 
    91 A.3d 161
    (Pa. 2014).
    Here, Venable preserved his discretionary aspects of sentencing claims
    by raising them in a post-sentence motion.       See Post-Sentence Motion,
    11/27/13, at 1-8. Venable also filed a timely notice of appeal. Furthermore,
    Venable set forth a concise statement of the reasons relied upon for the
    allowance of his appeal pursuant to Rule 2119(f) of the Pennsylvania Rules
    of Appellate Procedure. See Venable’s Brief at 4-6.
    Thus, we must determine whether Venable’s discretionary aspects of
    sentencing claims raise substantial questions for our review. We begin with
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    the first two issues Venable raises on appeal, as they are dispositive of the
    entire case.   First, Venable claims that the trial court misapplied the
    Sentencing Guidelines by sentencing him in accordance with the finding that
    Dr. Walsh suffered serious bodily injury. 
    Id. at 10-13.
    A claim that the trial
    court misapplied the Sentencing Guidelines raises a substantial question for
    our review. Commonwealth v. Cook, 
    941 A.2d 7
    , 11 (Pa. Super. 2007).
    Second, Venable contends that the trial court abused its discretion when it
    applied the deadly weapon enhancement to his sentences for his aggravated
    assault and robbery convictions. Venable’s Brief at 13-15. This Court has
    “found on several occasions that the application of the deadly weapon
    enhancement presents a substantial        question.”    Commonwealth v.
    Rhoades, 
    8 A.3d 912
    , 916 (Pa. Super. 2010).            Because Venable has
    complied with the technical requirements for consideration of a challenge to
    the discretionary aspects of a sentence for his first two issues, we will
    consider these claims on their merits.
    Our standard of review when considering discretionary aspects of
    sentencing claims is as follows:
    Sentencing is a matter vested in the sound discretion
    of the sentencing judge. Commonwealth v. Paul,
    
    925 A.2d 825
    (Pa. Super. 2007). The standard
    employed when reviewing the discretionary aspects
    of sentencing is very narrow. [Commonwealth v.
    Marts, 
    889 A.2d 608
    , 613 (Pa. Super. 2005)]. We
    may reverse only if the sentencing court abused its
    discretion or committed an error of law. 
    Id. “A sentence
    will not be disturbed on appeal absent a
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    manifest abuse of discretion. 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.”   Commonwealth v. Littlehales, 
    915 A.2d 662
    , 665 (Pa. Super. 2007). We must accord
    the sentencing court’s decision great weight because
    it was in the best position to review the defendant’s
    character, defiance or indifference, and the overall
    effect and nature of the crime. 
    Marts, 889 A.2d at 613
    .
    
    Cook, 941 A.2d at 11-12
    .
    For his first issue, Venable claims that the trial court erred in applying
    the sentencing guidelines by sentencing him in accordance with the trial
    court’s   determination   that   Dr.   Walsh   suffered   serious   bodily   injury.
    Venable’s Brief at 10-13.        Venable argues that the injuries Dr. Walsh
    suffered in this case were insufficient to support a finding that she sustained
    serious bodily injury. 
    Id. We conclude
    that the trial court did not abuse its discretion by
    sentencing Venable in accordance with the finding that Dr. Walsh suffered
    serious bodily injury. The certified record on appeal indicates that Venable
    pled guilty to a crime that contained the element of serious bodily injury.
    Specifically, the record reflects that in pleading guilty to robbery, Venable
    pled guilty to section 3701(a)(1)(i) of the Crimes Code.             See Docket,
    7/2/14, at 5; Trial Disposition and Dismissal Form, 10/7/13, at 2. Section
    -8-
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    3701(a)(1)(i) reads as follows:    “A person is guilty of robbery if, in the
    course of committing a theft, he … inflicts serious bodily injury upon
    another.”   18 Pa.C.S.A. § 3701(a)(1)(i).   Because Venable pled guilty to
    inflicting serious bodily injury upon Dr. Walsh in the course of committing a
    theft, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in sentencing him
    accordingly.
    For his second issue, Venable claims that the trial court abused its
    discretion when it applied the deadly weapon enhancement to his sentences
    for aggravated assault and robbery. Venable’s Brief at 13-15. First, Venable
    argues that a taser is not a deadly weapon. 
    Id. at 13-14.
    Second, Venable
    contends that the trial court should not have applied the deadly weapon
    enhancement to his aggravated assault and robbery sentences because he
    never used the taser on Dr. Walsh or otherwise possessed it during the
    attack.   
    Id. at 14-15.
      This issue requires us to decide whether the taser
    here constituted a deadly weapon.     We have found no published opinions
    discussing a taser within the context of the deadly weapon sentencing
    enhancement.
    A taser is a non-lethal electronic incapacitation device.      See 18
    Pa.C.S.A. § 908.1; Commonwealth v. Landis, 
    48 A.3d 432
    , 439 (Pa.
    Super. 2012) (en banc). An electronic incapacitation device is “a portable
    device which is designed or intended by the manufacturer to be used,
    offensively or defensively, to temporarily immobilize or incapacitate persons
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    by means of electric pulse or current.” 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 908.1(f); see also
    Ickes v. Borough of Bedford, 
    807 F. Supp. 2d 306
    , 321-22 (W.D. Pa.
    2011) (classifying a taser as an intermediate or medium quantum of force
    that causes an individual to lose control of his or her muscles and does not
    ordinarily cause death or serious bodily injury).
    The trial court sentenced Venable according to the deadly weapon
    used matrix of the Sentencing Guidelines. See 204 Pa. Code § 303.17(b);
    N.T., 11/19/13, at 49.     To determine whether the deadly weapon used
    matrix should apply, the Sentencing Code provides, in pertinent part, as
    follows:
    (2) When the court determines that the offender
    used a deadly weapon during the commission of the
    current conviction offense, the court shall consider
    the DWE/Used Matrix (§ 303.17(b)). An offender
    has used a deadly weapon if any of the following
    were employed by the offender in a way that
    threatened or injured another individual:
    (i) Any firearm, (as defined in 42 Pa.C.S. §
    9712) whether loaded or unloaded, or
    (ii) Any dangerous weapon (as defined in
    18 Pa.C.S. § 913), or
    (iii) Any device, implement, or instrumentality
    capable of producing death or serious bodily
    injury.
    204 Pa. Code § 303.10(a)(2).
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    For our purposes, a taser is not a firearm as defined by 42 Pa.C.S.A.
    § 9712,6 nor is it one of the dangerous weapons defined in 18 Pa.C.S.A.
    § 913.7 See 204 Pa. Code § 303.10(a)(2)(i), (ii). Therefore, our analysis
    will focus on determining the meaning and scope of the terms set forth in
    section 303.10(a)(2)(iii). Under section 303.10(a)(2)(iii), a deadly weapon
    is (1) “[a]ny device, implement, or instrumentality”; (2) that is “employed
    by the offender in a way that threatened or injured another individual”; and
    (3) is “capable of producing death or serious bodily injury.” 204 Pa. Code
    § 303.10(a)(2)(iii)
    Applying section 303.10(a)(2)(iii), an en banc panel of this Court
    explained:
    6
    A firearm is “[a]ny weapon, including a starter gun, which will or is
    designed to or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of
    an explosive or the expansion of gas therein.” 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9712(e). The
    trial court did not find and the Commonwealth does not contend that a taser
    falls within the definition of a firearm.
    7
    Section 913 defines dangerous weapons as:
    A bomb, any explosive or incendiary device or
    material when possessed with intent to use or to
    provide such material to commit any offense, graded
    as a misdemeanor of the third degree or higher,
    grenade, blackjack, sandbag, metal knuckles,
    dagger, knife (the blade of which is exposed in an
    automatic way by switch, push-button, spring
    mechanism or otherwise) or other implement for the
    infliction of serious bodily injury which serves no
    common lawful purpose.
    18 Pa.C.S.A. § 913(f).
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    The Sentencing Guidelines do not define the terms
    “device, implement, or instrumentality.” Only one of
    those terms, “instrumentality,” has been defined by
    our Court for purposes of the DWE. Our Court,
    quoting Black’s Law Dictionary, determined an
    instrumentality is a “thing used to achieve an end or
    purpose.” Commonwealth v. Raybuck, 
    915 A.2d 125
    , 129 (Pa. Super. 2006) (quoting Black’s Law
    Dictionary (8th ed. 2004)).
    Without statutory or decisional authority defining the
    terms defining the terms “device” or “implement,”
    we thus turn to the dictionary meanings of these
    words.
    Merriam-Webster defines a “device” as “an object,
    machine, or piece of equipment that has been made
    for some special purpose.”         Merriam-Webster,
    http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/device
    (last visited March 4, 2014). “Implement” is defined
    as “an object used to do work.” Merriam-Webster,
    http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/implem
    ent (last visited March 4, 2014).         These two
    definitions appear to limit the scope of a deadly
    weapon as something specifically designed to
    achieve an end result, which in this case is to cause
    death or serious bodily injury.        However, the
    Sentencing Commission’s use of the word “capable”
    in the qualifying phrase “capable of producing death
    or serious bodily injury” expands the scope of such
    an interpretation.
    “Capable” is defined as “able to do something[,]
    having the qualities or abilities that are needed to do
    something.” Merriam-Webster, http://www.merriam
    -webster.com/dictionary/capable (last visited March
    4, 2014). Utilization of this word promotes the idea
    that the device, implement, or instrumentality need
    not originally be designed to produce death or
    serious bodily injury. Instead, it may be utilized in a
    different manner to achieve a more nefarious result.
    From a review of these definitions, we discern that
    collectively,    a     “device,       implement,     or
    - 12 -
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    instrumentality” is an object, whether simple or
    complex, that is utilized in a fashion to produce
    death or serious bodily injury, which need not be
    consistent with the original purpose of the object.
    Our case law supports such an interpretation by
    stating that, for purposes of the DWE, “[i]tems not
    normally classified as deadly weapons can become
    so based upon their use under particular
    circumstances.”      Commonwealth v. Rhoades,
    
    8 A.3d 912
    , 917 (Pa. Super. 2010) (intact glass
    bottle qualified as a deadly weapon). We found
    many examples in our cases: [Raybuck], 
    915 A.2d 125
       []    (commercial   mouse   poison    is  an
    “instrumentality” for purposes of the DWE);
    Commonwealth v. Scullin, [] 
    607 A.2d 750
    ([Pa.
    Super.] 1992) (tire iron thrown at victim was a
    deadly weapon); Commonwealth v. Cornish, []
    
    589 A.2d 718
    , 721 ([Pa. Super.] 1991) (fireplace
    poker used to strike victim constitutes a deadly
    weapon); Commonwealth v. Brown, [] 
    587 A.2d 6
    , 7 ([Pa. Super.] 1991) (saw used to stab victim
    was a deadly weapon); Commonwealth v.
    Chapman, [] 
    528 A.2d 990
    ([Pa. Super.] 1987)
    (straightedge razor placed at the face of an
    individual is a deadly weapon).
    
    Buterbaugh, 91 A.3d at 1286-69
    (emphasis in original).
    Additionally, in deciding cases under section 303.10(a)(2), this Court
    has applied the definition of serious bodily injury from section 2301 of the
    Crimes Code. See 
    Rhoades, 8 A.3d at 917
    (citing 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 2301).
    Section 2301 defines serious bodily injury as “[b]odily injury which creates a
    substantial risk of death or which causes serious, permanent disfigurement,
    or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or
    - 13 -
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    organ.”   18 Pa.C.S.A. § 2301.     With this framework in mind, we turn our
    attention to the facts of this case.
    Here, the certified record on appeal reveals the following regarding the
    use of the taser. The assailants tased Dr. Walsh at least twice prior to her
    falling to the ground. N.T., 10/7/13, at 11. The assailants continued to tase
    Dr. Walsh after she fell to the ground. 
    Id. In total,
    the assailants tased Dr.
    Walsh at least four times – on her neck, on her forehead, on her inner arm,
    and on her hand. 
    Id. at 11-12.
    We now apply these facts to the three-part
    framework set forth above.
    First, a taser undoubtedly constitutes a device. A taser is a machine,
    or piece of equipment, made for some special purpose, namely, the
    temporary immobilization or incapacitation of persons.     See 18 Pa.C.S.A.
    § 908.1(f); Buterbaugh, 
    91 A.3d 1247
    at 1268. Second, there is no doubt
    that the assailants employed the taser here in a way that threatened Dr.
    Walsh. See N.T., 10/7/13, at 11-12.
    Therefore, the sole question that remains is whether the taser, as the
    assailants used it in this case, was “capable of producing death or serious
    bodily injury.” See 204 Pa. Code § 303.10(a)(2)(iii). In Buterbaugh, our
    Court defined “capable” as “able to do something” or “having the qualities or
    abilities that are needed to do something,” namely, causing death or serious
    bodily injury.   
    Buterbaugh, 91 A.3d at 1269
    .       Under the Buterbaugh
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    definition of “capable,” a device, implement, or instrumentality, can become
    a deadly weapon based on its use under the circumstances. 
    Id. A prior
    case from this Court has held that a device, implement, or
    instrumentality was capable of producing death or serious bodily because it
    was designed to kill. In Raybuck, this Court held that mouse poison was a
    deadly weapon when used on a person, no matter how much poison was
    used, because it was by its very nature, toxic, dangerous and designed to
    kill. 
    Raybuck, 915 A.2d at 129
    . In other cases, this Court has held that
    certain devices, implements, and instrumentalities, though not designed to
    kill, were capable of producing death or serious bodily injury.           See
    
    Buterbaugh, 91 A.3d at 1269
    (automobile); 
    Rhoades, 8 A.3d at 917
    (intact glass bottle); 
    Scullin, 607 A.2d at 753
    (tire iron); 
    Cornish, 589 A.2d at 721
    (fireplace poker); 
    Brown, 587 A.2d at 7
    (saw).        The evidence to
    support those findings was readily apparent in those cases. In each of those
    cases, the victims therein actually suffered death or serious bodily as a
    direct consequence of the manner in which those devices, implements, and
    instrumentalities were used.   See 
    id. For example,
    in Buterbaugh, this
    Court held that an automobile was a deadly weapon where the appellant
    intentionally struck and killed the victim while driving at the maximum rate
    of acceleration. 
    Buterbaugh, 91 A.3d at 1268-69
    .
    In contrast, a taser does not fit within either of these two categories of
    cases.   Unlike the poison in Raybuck, a taser is not designed to kill.     As
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    mentioned above, a taser does not ordinarily cause death or serious bodily
    injury. A taser, rather, temporarily immobilizes or incapacitates persons by
    means of an electric pulse or current. See 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 908.1(f). Thus, a
    taser is designed to be a non-lethal device that uses an electric current to
    incapacitate persons. See 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 908.1(f); 
    Landis, 48 A.3d at 439
    .
    Additionally, unlike Buterbaugh, Rhoades, Scullin, Cornish, and Brown,
    there is no evidence here that Dr. Walsh died or suffered serious bodily
    injury specifically from the taser, as the assailants employed it in this case.
    See N.T., 10/7/13, at 10-16. Indeed, the facts to which Venable pled guilty
    do not even indicate that Dr. Walsh suffered any injury due to the tasing.8
    See 
    id. Moreover, there
    is no independent proof in the certified record on
    appeal regarding a taser’s capability to produce death or serious bodily
    injury as used here.   There is no evidence of record that repeated shocks
    from a taser are capable of producing death or serious bodily injury. The
    record does not reflect what voltage the taser used in this case emitted. The
    record likewise does not reflect whether that voltage, if inflicted repeatedly,
    8
    The trial court contends that Dr. Walsh experienced tachycardia and burn
    marks following the tasing. Trial Court Opinion, 6/30/14, at 7. Tachycardia
    refers to an abnormally rapid heart rate, greater than 100 beats per minute.
    TABER’S CYCLOPEDIC MEDICAL DICTIONARY 2137 (20th ed. 2005). However, the
    Commonwealth did not reference these injuries in the facts to which Venable
    pled guilty. See N.T., 10/7/13, at 10-14, 16. Moreover, there is no
    evidence of record that ties Dr. Walsh’s elevated heart rate following the
    attack to the tasing. See 
    id. - 16
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    is likely to create a substantial risk of death or cause serious, permanent
    disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily
    member or organ.       The record further does not reflect whether a taser, if
    used upon the head, neck, arm, or hand, as it was in this case, is capable of
    causing   death   or   serious    bodily   injury.   While   not    required,   the
    Commonwealth introduced no expert testimony or other evidence indicating
    the level of injury caused by repeated tasing.
    Therefore, there is no evidence, given the limited record before us, to
    support the trial court’s decision to apply the deadly weapon enhancement in
    this case because there is no evidence of record indicating that the
    assailants’ use of the taser in this case was capable of producing death or
    serious bodily injury. Accordingly, we must conclude, in the absence of any
    evidence of whether a taser is capable of producing death or serious bodily
    injury, that the trial court abused its discretion in applying the deadly
    weapon    enhancement      to    Venable’s   aggravated   assault   and   robbery
    convictions.
    Because we conclude that a taser was not a deadly weapon under the
    facts and circumstances of this case, and that the trial court erred in
    applying the deadly weapon enhancement to Venable’s aggravated assault
    and robbery convictions, we must remand this case to the trial court for re-
    sentencing. Accordingly, we need not consider the remaining argument of
    Venable’s second issue or the entirety of his third issue.
    - 17 -
    J-A09016-15
    Judgment of sentence affirmed in part and vacated in part.   Case
    remanded. Jurisdiction relinquished.
    Judgment Entered.
    Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
    Prothonotary
    Date: 5/5/2015
    - 18 -