Com. v. Corley, R. ( 2015 )

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NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
PENNSYLVANIA
Appellee
v.
RADEEM CORLEY,
Appellant No. 2102 EDA 2014
Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence February 28, 2014
In the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County
Criminal Division at No(s): CP-51-CR-0010350-2012 and
CP-51-CR-0010351-2012
BEFORE: GANTMAN, P.J., SHOGAN, and LAZARUS, JJ.
MEMORANDUM BY SHOGAN, J.: FILED OCTOBER 22, 2015
Appellant, Radeem Corley, appeals from the judgment of sentence
entered on February 28, 2014, in the Philadelphia County Court of Common
Pleas. We affirm.
The record reflects that on May 24, 2012, Appellant, who was
seventeen years of age at the time, opened fire with a handgun on a public
street in Philadelphia. Pretrial Report, 5/25/12, at 1; N.T., 11/20/13, at 35.
At the time of the shooting, there were many people on the street for a large
block party. N.T., 11/20/13, at 77. When the shooting concluded, thirteen-
year-old Jenaya Johnson had been shot in the face, and thirteen-year-old
Mellikha Swinton had been shot in the chest, neck, and stomach. Id. at 12;
N.T., 11/22/13, at 66-69. Appellant was identified as the shooter and
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arrested. N.T., 11/20/13, at 96. Appellant was charged with two counts
each of aggravated assault, conspiracy to commit aggravated assault,
criminal attempt (murder), possession of a firearm prohibited, firearm not to
be carried without a license, carrying a firearm in public in Philadelphia,
possession of a firearm by a minor, possessing an instrument of crime,
simple assault, and recklessly endangering another person. Criminal
Information, CP-51-CR-0010350-2012, 9/7/12, at 1-2 and Criminal
Information, CP-51-CR-0010351-2012, 9/7/12, at 1-2.
Following a bench trial, Appellant was found guilty of all charges
except criminal attempt (murder) at CP-51-CR-0010350-2012, and he was
found guilty of aggravated assault and simple assault at CP-51-CR-001035-
2012. On February 28, 2014, Appellant was sentenced at trial court docket
number CP-51-CR-0010350-2012, relating to the shooting of Jenaya
Johnson, to five to ten years of incarceration for aggravated assault; five to
ten years of incarceration for conspiracy; two and one-half to five years of
incarceration for possession of a firearm prohibited; three and one-half to
seven years of incarceration for firearms not to be carried without a license;
one to two years of incarceration for carrying a firearm in public in
Philadelphia; one to two years of incarceration for possession of a firearm by
a minor; and one to two years of incarceration for possessing an instrument
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of crime.1 All sentences were ordered to be served consecutively. That
same day, Appellant was sentenced at trial court docket number CP-51-CR-
0010351-2012, relating to the shooting of Mellikha Swinton, to five to ten
years of incarceration for aggravated assault, consecutive to the sentence
imposed at CP-51-CR-0010350-2012. This resulted in an aggregated
sentence of twenty-four to forty-eight years of incarceration.
Appellant filed a timely post-sentence motion that was denied by
operation of law on July 9, 2014. Appellant filed a timely appeal, and in an
order filed on July 23, 2014, the trial court directed Appellant to file a
concise statement of errors complained of on appeal pursuant to Pa.R.A.P
1925(b) within twenty-one days. On August 13, 2014, Appellant filed a
timely Pa.R.A.P 1925(b) statement in addition to a motion for an extension
of time in which to file a supplemental Pa.R.A.P 1925(b) statement. In an
order filed on September 5, 2014, the trial court granted Appellant’s motion
for an extension of time permitting Appellant to file a supplemental Pa.R.A.P
1925(b) statement on or before Friday, September 26, 2014. However, the
docket reveals that Appellant’s supplemental Pa.R.A.P 1925(b) statement
was not filed until Monday, September 29, 2014.
It is well settled that when the trial court orders an appellant to file a
statement of errors matters complained of on appeal, any issues not raised
1
The convictions for simple assault and recklessly endangering another
person merged with aggravated assault for sentencing purposes at CP-51-
CR-0010350-2012.
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in a timely-filed Pa.R.A.P 1925(b) statement are waived. Commonwealth
v. Castillo, 888 A.2d 775 (Pa. 2005) (citing Commonwealth v. Lord, 719
A.2d 306 (Pa. 1998)). Here, the trial court concluded that, because
Appellant’s supplemental Pa.R.A.P 1925(b) was not filed until September 29,
2014, it would address only the issues raised in the original and timely-filed
August 13, 2014 Pa.R.A.P 1925(b) statement. In a memorandum filed on
August 27, 2015, this Court agreed with the trial court and found the issue
raised in Appellant’s supplemental Pa.R.A.P 1925(b) statement was waived.
However, following Appellant’s application for reconsideration, this
Court was satisfied that Appellant’s supplemental Pa.R.A.P 1925(b)
statement was electronically filed in a timely manner on September 26,
2014, but due to a breakdown in the court’s operations, it was not docketed
until September 29, 2014. Thus, we granted reconsideration, and we will
address all of the issues Appellant raised in his appellate brief.
On appeal, Appellant raises the following issues for this Court’s
consideration:
1. Did not the trial court err as a matter of law and abuse its
discretion by denying Appellant’s constitutional right to present
evidence that another party was the actual shooter when the
court disallowed the testimony of defense witness Detective
Rodney Hunt?
2. Did not the trial court err as a matter of law and abuse its
discretion by sentencing Appellant to an aggregate term of 24 to
48 years, giving disproportionate weight to punishment and
retribution and discounting significant mitigating factors resulting
in an unbalanced and disproportionate weighing process leading
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to an unreasonable and excessive sentence for a 17 year old
with 2 prior juvenile adjudications?
3. Did not the court err as a matter of law and abuse its
discretion by sentencing Appellant to multiple (5) consecutive
terms for the same core conduct, that is possession of an
instrument of crime and violation of four sections of the Uniform
Firearms Act?
Appellant’s Brief at 4.
In Appellant’s first issue, he claims that the trial court erred in denying
him the opportunity to present evidence that another party was the actual
shooter when it precluded testimony from Detective Rodney Hunt.
We disagree.
Questions concerning the admissibility of evidence lie within the sound
discretion of the trial court, and we will not reverse the trial court’s decision
absent an abuse of discretion. Commonwealth v. Maloney, 876 A.2d
1002, 1006 (Pa. Super. 2005). An abuse of discretion is not merely an error
of judgment but rather, is the overriding or misapplication of the law, the
exercise of judgment that is manifestly unreasonable, or the result of bias,
prejudice, ill-will or partiality, as shown by the evidence or the record.
Commonwealth v. Ali, 112 A.3d 1210, 1217-1218 (Pa. Super. 2015).
Hearsay is defined as “a statement, other than one made by the
declarant while testifying at the trial or hearing, offered in evidence to prove
the truth of the matter asserted.” Commonwealth v. Parker, 104 A.3d
17, 21 (Pa. Super. 2014) (citing Pa.R.Evid. 801(c)). Hearsay testimony is
not admissible except as provided in the Pennsylvania Rules of Evidence, by
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other rules prescribed by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, or by statute.
Pa.R.E. 802. “The rationale for the hearsay rule is that hearsay is too
untrustworthy to be considered by the trier of fact.” Commonwealth v.
Kriner, 915 A.2d 653, 656 (Pa. Super. 2007) (quoting Commonwealth v.
Bean, 677 A.2d 842, 844 (Pa. Super. 1996)).
Here, Appellant sought to elicit testimony from Detective Hunt that
one of the victims, Mellikha Swinton, identified the shooter as someone
other than Appellant from a photo array. N.T., 11/22/13, at 71. The
Commonwealth objected and claimed that any statement Detective Hunt
would give as to whom the victim identified would be hearsay. Id. The trial
court sustained the objection. Id. at 76.
Appellant argues that Detective Hunt’s testimony is not hearsay.
Appellant’s Brief at 28. Appellant suggests that Detective Hunt’s testimony
“would have been limited to the Detective’s description of his observations of
complainant Mellikha Swinton’s selection of a person from a photo array
which did not contain an image of Appellant, and would include no iteration
of any statement made by her, [and is] therefore not hearsay.” Id.
(footnote omitted). We disagree.
At the outset, we note that in order for Mellikha Swinton’s
identification of the shooter to be admissible, she was required to testify.
Pa.R.E. 803.1(2). Here, however, Mellikha Swinton did not testify. At trial,
the parties stipulated to the fact that Mellikha Swinton was living in a facility
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for children with mental health issues. N.T., 11/22/13, at 66. Therefore,
Mellikha Swinton’s identification was never placed in issue, she could not
testify as to her identification, and she was not subject to cross-examination.
Despite the inadmissibility of Mellikha Swinton’s identification in the
first instance, Appellant sought to elicit testimony from Detective Hunt that
Mellikha Swinton allegedly identified someone other than Appellant when she
was shown a photo array. We conclude Appellant’s argument that
Detective Hunt would testify only as to the observations he made while
watching Mellikha Swinton review a photo array is disingenuous. Such
testimony would be nothing more than Detective Hunt testifying as to whom
Mellikha Swinton allegedly identified, or did not identify, as the shooter.
Thus, the testimony would have been offered for nothing other than the
truth of the matter asserted, i.e., the identification of the shooter.
Accordingly, we discern no error or abuse of discretion in the trial court
sustaining the Commonwealth’s objection.2
Both of Appellant’s remaining claims challenge the discretionary
aspects of his sentence. A challenge to the discretionary aspects of a
sentence is a petition for permission to appeal, as the right to pursue such a
claim is not absolute. Commonwealth v. Treadway, 104 A.3d 597, 599
2
To the extent Appellant now asserts that the trial court’s exclusion of this
testimony violated his right to due process under the United States and
Pennsylvania Constitutions, those claims are waived as he did not raise
those issues before the trial court. Pa.R.A.P. 302 (“Issues not raised in the
lower court are waived and cannot be raised for the first time on appeal.”).
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(Pa. Super. 2014). Before this Court may review the merits of a challenge
to the discretionary aspects of a sentence, we must engage in the following
four-pronged analysis:
[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. § 9781(b).
Commonwealth v. Moury, 992 A.2d 162, 170 (Pa. Super. 2010) (citing
Commonwealth v. Evans, 901 A.2d 528, 533 (Pa. Super. 2006)).
We note that Appellant has met the first three parts of the four-prong
test required prior to our review of the merits of a discretionary challenge to
a sentence: Appellant timely filed an appeal; Appellant preserved the issue
in a post-sentence motion; and Appellant included a statement pursuant to
Pa.R.A.P. 2119(f) in his brief. Thus, we assess whether Appellant has raised
a substantial question.
A determination as to whether a substantial question exists is made on
a case-by-case basis. Commonwealth v. Sierra, 752 A.2d 910 (Pa. Super.
2000). This Court will grant the appeal “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.” Id. at
912–913.
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Appellant claims that the trial court abused its discretion by “giving
disproportionate weight to punishment and retribution and discounting
significant mitigating factors resulting in an unbalanced and disproportionate
weighing process leading to an unreasonable and excessive sentence for a
17 year old with 2 prior juvenile adjudications[.]” Appellant’s Brief at 4. We
note that “[a]n averment that the court sentenced based solely on the
seriousness of the offense and failed to consider all relevant factors raises a
substantial question.” Commonwealth v. Bricker, 41 A.3d 872, 875 (Pa.
Super. 2012) (citation omitted). Therefore, we will review the merits of
Appellant’s first challenge.
Our standard of review in appeals of sentencing is well settled:
Sentencing 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. 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. Mann, 957 A.2d 746, 749 (Pa. Super. 2008).
A sentencing judge has broad discretion in determining a reasonable
penalty, and this Court accords the sentencing court great deference, as it is
the sentencing court that is in the best position to view the defendant’s
character, displays of remorse, defiance, or indifference and the overall
effect and nature of the crime. Commonwealth v. Walls, 926 A.2d 957,
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961 (Pa. 2007) (quotations and citations omitted).3 When imposing a
sentence, the sentencing court must consider “the protection of the public,
the gravity of the offense as it relates to the impact on the life of the victim
and on the community, and the rehabilitative needs of the defendant.” 42
Pa.C.S. § 9721(b). As we have stated, “a court is required to consider the
particular circumstances of the offense and the character of the defendant.”
Commonwealth v. Griffin, 804 A.2d 1, 10 (Pa. Super. 2002). In
particular, the sentencing court should refer to the defendant’s prior criminal
record, his age, personal characteristics, and his potential for rehabilitation.
Id.3
The Walls Court instructed the following:
In making this “unreasonableness” inquiry, the General
Assembly has set forth four factors that an appellate court is to
consider:
(d) Review of the record.—In reviewing the record the appellate
court shall have regard for:
(1) The nature of the circumstances of the offense
and the history and characteristics of the defendant.
(2) The opportunity of the sentencing court to
observe the defendant, including any pre-sentence
investigation.
(3) The findings upon which the sentence was based.
(4) The guidelines promulgated by the commission.
42 Pa.C.S. § 9781(d).
Walls, 926 A.2d at 963.
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In the case at bar, the trial court had the benefit of a presentence
investigation report. N.T., 2/28/14, at 5. “Our Supreme Court has
determined that where the trial court is informed by a pre-sentence report,
it is presumed that the court is aware of all appropriate sentencing factors
and considerations, and that where the court has been so informed, its
discretion should not be disturbed.” Commonwealth v. Ventura, 975 A.2d
1128, 1135 (Pa. Super. 2009) (citation omitted). “The sentencing judge can
satisfy the requirement that reasons for imposing sentence be placed on the
record by indicating that he or she has been informed by the pre-sentencing
report; thus properly considering and weighing all relevant factors.” Id.,(citing Commonwealth v. Fowler, 893 A.2d 758, 766-767 (Pa. Super.
2006)).
Here, the sentencing court addressed Appellant’s claim of error as
follows:
In this case, this Court had the benefit of reviewing a
presentence report, Appellant’s prior record score, as well as the
arguments of counsel. N.T. 2/28/14 at 10-11. It also heard
testimony from Appellant’s mother that he was a decent person
“at the core” and felt remorseful about the mistakes he had
made. N.T. 2/28/14 at 27-28. Although only seventeen (17)
years old at the time of sentencing, Appellant had a long history
of arrests and adjudications, with repeated commitments to
youth detention facilities and a history of escalating crimes. N.T.
2/28/14 at 49-51. This Court considered all evidence introduced
at trial, the fact that Appellant did not seem to have much
regard for the gravity of his actions, the future protection of the
community and Appellant’s ability for rehabilitation, and the
severity of the crimes and the injuries inflicted, in fashioning an
appropriate sentence. N.T. 2/28/14 at 55-57. See
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Commonwealth v. Shugars, 2006 PA Super 62, 895 A.2d
1270, 1275 (2006).
Trial Court Opinion, 10/21/14, at 17.
After review, we discern no abuse of discretion. As this Court
previously stated, when the record conclusively establishes that the court
was fully informed of all the mitigating factors:
We presume that the court, which was in possession of those
facts, applied them . . . . The sentencing court merely chose not
to give the mitigating factors as much weight as Appellant would
have liked and decided that the facts did not warrant imposition
of a sentence lower than the standard range. We cannot re-
weigh the sentencing factors and impose our judgment in the
place of the sentencing court.
Commonwealth v. Macias, 968 A.2d 773, 778 (Pa. Super. 2009).
Here, the trial court heard the testimony from the witnesses, reviewed
the presentence report, had the opportunity to evaluate the remorse
expressed by Appellant, and carefully articulated its reasons for the sentence
imposed. Accordingly, Appellant’s claim that the trial court focused on the
severity of the crime and failed to consider all relevant factors is without
merit; we will not re-weigh those factors and impose our judgment in the
place of the sentencing court. Macias, 968 A.2d at 778.
Appellant also claims that the court abused its discretion by sentencing
Appellant to consecutive terms of incarceration for the multiple violations of
the Uniform Firearms Act (“VUFA”). Appellant’s Brief at 24. However, it is
well settled that bald claims of excessiveness due to the consecutive nature
of sentences imposed will not raise a substantial question. Commonwealth
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v. Dodge, 77 A.3d 1263, 1270 (Pa. Super. 2013). “Generally, Pennsylvania
law ‘affords the sentencing court discretion to impose its sentence
concurrently or consecutively to other sentences being imposed at the same
time or to sentences already imposed. Any challenge to the exercise of this
discretion ordinarily does not raise a substantial question.’”
Commonwealth v. Prisk, 13 A.3d 526, 533 (Pa. Super. 2011) (quoting
Commonwealth v. Pass, 914 A.2d 442, 446–447 (Pa. Super. 2006)); 42
Pa.C.S. § 9721. “[T]he key to resolving the preliminary substantial question
inquiry is whether the decision to sentence consecutively raises the
aggregate sentence to, what appears upon its face to be, an excessive level
in light of the criminal conduct at issue in the case.” Commonwealth v.
Gonzalez-Dejusus, 994 A.2d 595, 598-599 (Pa. Super. 2010). Here,
Appellant, a minor, who was not permitted to carry a firearm and who did
not possess a license to carry a firearm, nevertheless chose to brandish a
gun on a street in Philadelphia, and he opened fire on a crowd of people
severely injuring two young girls. The severity of Appellant’s actions and the
concomitant tragic results were considered by the trial court, and we
conclude that Appellant’s aggregated sentence is not excessive under the
facts of this case. Accordingly, we find that Appellant’s challenge to the
consecutive nature of his VUFA sentences fails to raise a substantial
question.
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However, even if Appellant had raised substantial question, we would
find that Appellant’s claim lacks merit. We would not conclude that the
imposition of consecutive sentences was an abuse of discretion given the
nature of Appellant’s actions, and he was not entitled to a “volume discount”
on his plethora of separate criminal acts. Commonwealth v. Hoag, 665
A.2d 1212, 1214 (Pa. Super. 1995).4 We reiterate that Appellant committed
multiple crimes under VUFA, and he chose to open fire on a crowd of people
resulting in severe injuries to two young girls. Thus, even if Appellant raised
a substantial question, we would still conclude that no relief is due.
Judgment of sentence affirmed.
Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary
Date: 10/22/2015
4
Appellant cites to a concurring opinion in Commonwealth v. Baldwin,
985 A.2d 830 (Pa. 2009), wherein then Chief Justice Castille stated: “Just as
defendants are not entitled to volume discounts for multiple crimes, neither
should they suffer multiple punishments for the same core conduct[.]”
Appellant’s Brief at 38 (quoting Baldwin, 985 A.2d at 839). Despite the
well-reasoned conclusion issued by the Chief Justice, a concurring opinion is
not precedential. See Commonwealth v. Thompson, 985 A.2d 928, 937
(Pa. 2009) (discussing the lack of precedential value in plurality decisions
and concurring opinions).
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