Com. v. Shaw, W. ( 2019 )

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NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
PENNSYLVANIA
v.
WILLIAM EDWARD SHAW
Appellant : No. 993 EDA 2018
Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence Entered October 5, 2016
In the Court of Common Pleas of Bucks County Criminal Division at
No(s): CP-09-CR-0001461-2016
BEFORE: LAZARUS, J., McLAUGHLIN, J., and FORD ELLIOTT, P.J.E.
MEMORANDUM BY McLAUGHLIN, J.: FILED JANUARY 07, 2019
William Edward Shaw appeals from the judgment of sentence entered
on October 5, 2016, after a jury convicted him of simple assault, endangering
the welfare of a child ("EWOC"), and harassment.' Shaw challenges the
sufficiency and weight of the evidence. We affirm.
The trial court aptly summarized the facts of the case as follows:
D.S. and B.S. are twin sisters and daughters of [Shaw]. At
the time of the incident in question, the sisters were 11 years old.
D.S. and B.S. testified that [Shaw] lived in an RV the distance of
'football field' away from their mother's trailer, while Detective
Catherine Coffman stated during testimony that she did not 'even
think it's that far in distance.' D.S visited [Shaw] 'frequently' after
[Shaw] moved out of the juveniles' mother's home, while B.S. also
testified to visiting her father at his RV between his move and the
incident in question. D.S. identified a bed in [Shaw's] RV as hers
and noted that she slept at the RV on multiple occasions, and B.S.
testified that she kept "sleepover clothes" at [Shaw's] RV and
' 18 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 2701(a)(1), 4304, and 2709(a)(1), respectively.
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affirmed that she slept over at the RV prior to the incident in
question.
On August 15, 2015, D.S. and B.S. walked from their
mother's home to [Shaw's] RV, to play with kittens [Shaw] was
keeping in the RV. D.S. and B.S. were seated on [Shaw's] bed
playing with the kittens while [Shaw] was sitting at the end of the
bed. During the visit, B.S. expressed an interest in taking the
kittens to her mother's home. [Shaw] refused and indicated his
intention to take the kittens to the Women's Humane Society. A
verbal argument ensued between [Shaw] and his daughters,
during which [Shaw] grabbed D.S. by the neck, placing the fingers
and thumb of one hand around D.S.'s neck and applying pressure.
D.S. stated during trial that the pressure placed by [Shaw] on her
neck made breathing difficult. D.S. also testified that as [Shaw]
grabbed her neck, [Shaw] told her to "get ready to die." B.S. then
jumped on [Shaw's] back, biting, kicking, and pinching [Shaw] in
order to prevent him from choking D.S. Following this action,
[Shaw] released D.S. and pushed both D.S. and B.S. out of the
RV.
[Shaw] thereafter emerged from the RV with the kittens in
a carrying case. [Shaw] carried the case to his truck and placed
the case in the back. D.S. testified that [when] she attempted to
retrieve the case from the vehicle, [Shaw] threw D.S. onto the
hitch of the RV, while B.S. stated during trial that [Shaw] grabbed
D.S. by the shirt at this point. D.S. then took the case from the
vehicle, but [Shaw] knocked the case out of her hands, causing
the case to fall open and allowing the cats to escape. D.S. found
both cats, and she and B.S. ran to their mother's home with the
cats. D.S. and B.S. informed their mother of what had happened,
at which point their mother contacted the police.
Officer David Gold of the Falls Township Police Department
arrived at the home of B.S. and D.S.'s mother to respond to the
call she had made to police. Officer Gold noted that the left side
of D.S.'s neck showed red markings parallel to one another, each
approximately the thickness of a finger. The officer further
observed an abrasion on D.S.'s right arm about the length and
thickness of a permanent marker, as well as general redness on
her arm. During trial, the officer also testified that he saw a round
abrasion about the size of a grapefruit on D.S.'s right thigh, as
well as a "sharp pea -sized abrasion" on D.S.'s left arm.
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Detective Coffman also testified at trial concerning her
involvement in this case. As part of her investigation, Detective
Coffman took pictures of D.S.'s injuries. These photographs
displayed red marks on D.S's neck, a three -to four -inch red mark
on her right arm, an injury approximately an inch and a half long
on her left arm, and some redness and topical abrasion on D.S.'s
back.
Trial Court Opinion ("TCO"), filed April 25, 2018, at 1-2 (citations to notes of
testimony omitted).
On October 5, 2016, the jury found Shaw guilty of the above -referenced
crimes and the trial court sentenced him to one to three years in prison
followed by two years of reporting probation. In March 2018, the trial court
reinstated Shaw's direct appeal rights nunc pro tunc and this timely appeal
followed.
On appeal, Shaw asks this Court to review the following:
I. Was there insufficient evidence to convict [Shaw] of simple
assault, where, including, but not limited to, the jury
rejecting the majority of the Commonwealth's case on the
nine most serious counts, Commonwealth's evidence was
inconsistent, insufficient mens rea evidence, and insufficient
evidence of injury?
II. Was there insufficient evidence of endangering the welfare
of a child, where, including but not limited to, the jury
rejecting the majority of the Commonwealth's case on the
nine most serious counts, Commonwealth's evidence was
inconsistent and constitutionally unreliable, insufficient
mens rea evidence, insufficient evidence of injury, and
insufficient evidence of how [Shaw] violated any duty of
care?
III. Was the verdict against the weight of the evidence on the
charge of simple assault, where the Commonwealth relied
on inconsistent, constitutionally unreliable evidence, the
jury rejected the majority of the Commonwealth's case
based upon the same witnesses found incredible on the nine
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most serious charges, and the defense evidence negated
and outweighed the Commonwealth's evidence?
IV. Was the verdict against the weight of the evidence on the
charge of endangering the welfare of children, where the
Commonwealth relied on inconsistent, constitutionally
unreliable evidence, the jury rejected the majority of the
Commonwealth's case based upon the same witnesses
deemed insufficient on the nine most serious charges, and
the defense evidence negated and outweighed the
Commonwealth's evidence?
Shaw's Br. at 4-5 (answers of trial court omitted).
We only address Shaw's claims challenging the sufficiency of the
evidence because he waived any challenge to the weight of the evidence. In
order to preserve a challenge to the weight of the evidence, a defendant must
make a motion before the trial court, which Shaw failed to do. See
Pa.R.Crim.P. 607(A).2 While the trial court's Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a) opinion
addresses the merits of his challenge to the weight of the evidence, the claim
is still waived. See Commonwealth v. Sherwood, 982 A.2d 483, 494 (Pa.
2009) (stating trial court's addressing weight claim in Rule 1925(a) opinion
does not preserve a weight claim where defendant did not make a motion
raising issue with the trial court pursuant to Pa.R.Crim.P. 607(A)). Therefore,
because Shaw did not properly raise and preserve his weight claim, it is waived
and we will not review it.
2 that the verdict was against the weight of the evidence shall be
A claim
raised with the trial judge in a motion for new trial: (1) orally, on the record,
at any time before sentencing; (2) by written motion at any time before
sentencing; or (3) in a post -sentence motion. Pa.R.Crim.P. 607(A).
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Shaw's remaining issues challenge the sufficiency of the evidence
regarding his convictions for simple assault and EWOC. When reviewing a
challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence, we ask "whether[,] viewing all
the evidence admitted at trial in the light most favorable to the verdict winner,
there is sufficient evidence to enable the fact -finder to find every element of
the crime beyond a reasonable doubt." Commonwealth v. Brown, 23 A.3d
544, 559 (Pa.Super. 2011) (en banc) (citation omitted). Our standard of
review is de novo and our scope of review is plenary. See Commonwealth
v. Neysmith, 192 A.3d 184, 189 (Pa.Super. 2018).
SIMPLE ASSAULT SUFFICIENCY
We first address the sufficiency of the simple assault conviction. The
Commonwealth must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant
"attempt[ed] to cause or intentionally, knowingly or recklessly cause[d] bodily
injury to another." 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 2701(a)(1). Bodily injury is the
"[i]mpairment of physical condition or substantial pain." 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 2301.
"[I]ntent may be inferred from the circumstances surrounding the incident if
a specific intent to cause bodily injury may reasonably be inferred therefrom."
Commonwealth v. Polston, 616 A.2d 669, 679 (Pa.Super. 1992).
Here, Shaw maintains that "[his] conviction [for simple assault] was not
supported by sufficient evidence" for four reasons. Shaw's Br. at 14. We
address each argument separately.
First, he maintains that "because the unreliability of the complainant
[sic] witnesses were substantially rejected by the jury on the most serious
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counts," this shows that his conviction was not supported by sufficient
evidence. Id. To begin, Shaw cites no authority to support his argument
regarding this claim and therefore it is waived for purposes of appellate
review. See Pa.R.A.P. 2119(a).3 However, even if Shaw had properly
preserved this claim, we would conclude it lacks merit. "[C]onsistency in
verdicts between counts" is not necessary and therefore as long as there is
"sufficient evidence to support convictions which the jury has returned," there
is no need to reverse the judgment of sentence. Commonwealth v. Bricker,
580 A.2d 388, 389 (Pa.Super. 1990). The facts viewed in the most favorable
light to the Commonwealth established that Shaw, the father of D.S. and B.S.,
applied enough pressure to D.S.'s neck with his hands that it left marks on
her neck. The pressure was also so severe that she had difficulty breathing.
Shaw then told his daughter to get ready to die. Additionally, when D.S.
attempted to retrieve the kittens from Shaw's vehicle, he threw her onto the
hitch of another vehicle. These facts were amply sufficient to satisfy the charge
of simple assault and therefore no relief is due.
3 The Pennsylvania Rules of Appellate Procedure provide:
The argument shall be divided into as many parts as there are
questions to be argued; and shall have at the head of each part -
in distinctive type or in type distinctively displayed - the particular
point treated therein, followed by such discussion and citation of
authorities as are deemed pertinent.
Pa.R.A.P. 2119(a) (emphasis added).
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Second, Shaw maintains "the claims of physical harm are inconsistent
with the forensic evidence." Shaw's Br. at 14. He claims that D.S.'s testimony
in court was directly inconsistent with her videotaped statement. At trial she
testified that Shaw applied pressure to her neck with one hand but in her video
statement she claimed he used two hands. Shaw maintains that "[t]his
comparison is crucial because there is no forensic or in court live evidence
about two hands, so this is a direct inconsistency." Id. at 17. While
inconsistent, the jury believed D.S.'s testimony regarding Shaw using his hand
to restrict her breathing, which it was free to do. See Commonwealth v.
Boxley, 838 A.2d 608, 612 (Pa. 2003) (stating fact finder is free to believe
all, part or none of the evidence presented to it). Additionally, whatever
inconsistency there may have been between D.S.'s testimony and the forensic
evidence is an issue of weight, not sufficiency. Id. (stating a challenge to the
inconsistency of evidence is a proper question of weight not sufficiency). This
claim is meritless and no relief is due.
Third, Shaw argues that "the Commonwealth failed to establish the
requisite mens rea." Shaw's Br. at 14. He maintains that "[t]here is no
competent, credible evidence of any criminal malicious intent nor the proof of
substantial pain, never mind extreme pain." Id. at 18. We disagree. The
evidence considered in the light most favorable to the Commonwealth as
verdict -winner established that Shaw placed enough pressure around D.S.'s
neck for a period of time to partially impair her ability to breathe. The jury
reasonably inferred that he did so at least recklessly. In addition, while he
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applied that pressure to D.S.'s neck, he told her to get ready to die. The record
supports a finding that Shaw intended to cause bodily injury to his daughter.
As trial court stated:
The circumstances of this incident clearly suggest an intent by
[Shaw] to cause injury to D.S., as no reasonable adult male could
suppose that placing pressure on the neck of an 11 -year -old girl,
or throwing the same juvenile against an RV hitch, would not
result in injury.
TCO at 6.
Finally, Shaw argues that the Commonwealth failed to carry its burden
under Section 509 of the Crimes Code, which relates to the use of force by a
person with special responsibility to care for another including parents.4 See
Shaw's Br. at 13. He maintains that the Commonwealth "must prove that the
4 Section 509 reads:
The use of force upon or toward the person of another is
justifiable if:
(1) The actor is the parent or other person similarly
responsible for the general care and supervision of a
minor or a person acting at the request of such parent,
guardian or other responsible person and:
a. The force is used for the purpose of safeguarding
or promoting the welfare of the minor, including
the preventing or punishment of his misconduct
b. The force used is not designed to cause or known
to create a substantial risk of causing death,
serious bodily injury, disfigurement, extreme pain
or mental distress or gross degradation.
18 Pa.C.S.A. § 509(1)
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force was designed to create a substantial risk of causing death, serious bodily
injury, disfigurement, extreme pain or mental distress or degradation." Id.
However, this claim of a justification defense pursuant to Section 509 is
waived because Shaw failed to raise it with the trial court. See
Commonwealth v. Bradley, 69 A.3d 253, 256 (Pa.Super. 2013) (where
Section 509 claim "was not raised before the trial court in any manner,"
including the 1925(b) statement, claim is waived); see also Commonwealth
v. Ogin, 540 A.2d 549, 554 (Pa.Super. 1988) (en banc) (reviewing denial of
request for justification defense instruction by defendant where issue was
preserved by raising it with trial court). Here, Shaw did not request a
justification defense instruction to the jury and in fact argued to the jury that
his daughters were lying about the assault. See N.T., Closing Argument,
10/5/16, at 5-27. As such we do not address this claim. See Pa.R.A.P. 302(a)
(claims not raised with trial court may not be raised for the first time on
appeal).
EWOC SUFFICIENCY
Next, we address the sufficiency of the evidence for Shaw's EWOC
conviction. The Pennsylvania Crimes Code defines EWOC as:
A parent, guardian or other person supervising the welfare of a
child under 18 years of age, or a person that employs or
supervises such a person, commits an offense if he knowingly
endangers the welfare of the child by violating a duty of care,
protection or support.
18 Pa.C.S.A. § 4304(a)(1).
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Shaw maintains that evidence was insufficient because there was no
physical evidence to corroborate D.S.'s testimony regarding "double -handed
choking" or "being thrown against the tongue of a trailer." Shaw's Br. at 20.
Due to the alleged inconsistency between D.S.'s injuries and her testimony,
Shaw claims the evidence "at best is so unreliable and uncontradictory [sic]
that it violates the Bennett Principle[5] and is, therefore, clearly legally
insufficient." Id. at 21. Shaw also claims that the evidence was insufficient
because of the "heightened [Section] 509 protections recognizing the leniency
that must be given to parents." Id. at 21. However, as discussed previously,
his Section 509 claim is waived because he failed to raise it with the trial court.
See Bradley, 69 A.3d at 256. Additionally, Shaw's issue regarding D.S.'s
inconsistent testimony and her injuries goes to the weight and not the
sufficiency of the evidence which he did not preserve for appellate review. See
Pa.R.Crim.P. 607(A). Even if Shaw had properly presented a sufficiency
challenge to this Court, we would conclude it lacks merit.
In order to sustain a conviction for EWOC, the Commonwealth must
prove beyond a reasonable doubt that: "(1) the accused [was] aware of his or
her duty to protect the child; (2) the accused [was] 'aware that the child [was]
in circumstances that could threaten the child's physical or psychological
5 Commonwealth v. Bennett, 303 A.2d 220, 221 (Pa.Super. 1973) (en
banc) (stating "a case should not go to the jury where the party having the
burden offers testimony of a witness, or of various witnesses, which is so
contradictory on the essential issues that any finding by the jury would be a
mere guess").
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welfare'; and (3) the accused either failed to act, or [take] 'action so lame or
meager that such actions cannot reasonably be expected to protect the child's
welfare.' Commonwealth v. Smith, 956 A.2d 1029, 1038 (Pa.Super. 2008)
(en banc) (citation omitted).
We only address the last two factors because Shaw does not deny that
he owed a duty to his daughters in his role as their father. See generally
Shaw's Br. at 19-21. Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to
Commonwealth, Shaw knew he was placing D.S. in a life -threatening
circumstance when he applied enough pressure to her neck to cause difficulty
in her breathing and told her to get ready to die. Additionally, the action of
choking his daughter could not reasonably be expected to protect her welfare.
This altercation between Shaw and D.S. only subsided when his other
daughter, B.S., jumped on his back and began to bite, kick, and pinch him
until he released the grip he had around D.S.'s neck. These facts were amply
sufficient to satisfy the charge of EWOC and therefore no relief is due.
Moreover, D.S.'s testimony was not "so contradictory on the basic issues as
to make any verdict thereon pure conjecture," in regards to Shaw's suggestion
that the Bennett principle applies to this case. Bennett, 303 A.2d at 221.
D.S.'s inconsistent testimony regarding how many hands Shaw used to choke
her does not negate the evidence that she was in fact choked. This claim is
meritless and we therefore affirm the judgment of sentence.
Judgment of sentence affirmed.
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Judgment Entered.
seph D. Seletyn,
Prothonotary
Date: 1/7/19
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