Com. v. Fleck, R. ( 2016 )

J-A09036-16
NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
PENNSYLVANIA
Appellee
v.
RYAN MATTHEW FLECK,
Appellant No. 227 MDA 2015
Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence September 16, 2014
in the Court of Common Pleas of Centre County
Criminal Division at No.: CP-14-CR-0000990-2012
BEFORE: FORD ELLIOTT, P.J.E., JENKINS, J., and PLATT, J.*
MEMORANDUM BY PLATT, J.: FILED JULY 19, 2016
Appellant, Ryan Matthew Fleck, appeals from the judgment of
sentence imposed following his non-jury trial conviction of two counts of
driving under the influence (DUI), impaired ability; one count of careless
driving; one count of DUI, blood alcohol content (BAC) at least .08% but less
than .10%; and one count of general DUI.1 He challenges the denial of a
suppression motion, the admissibility of retrograde extrapolation evidence,
preclusion of expert testimony, the denial of his motion for post-trial relief
challenging the weight of the evidence, and the trial court’s denial of his
motion to dismiss for violating his speedy trial rights. We affirm.
____________________________________________
*
Retired Senior Judge assigned to the Superior Court.
1
75 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 3802(d)(2), 3802(d)(3), 3714(a), 3802(a)(2), 3802(a)(1)
respectively.
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We take the facts and procedural history in this matter from our
review of the certified record. On March 18, 2012, at approximately 3:30
p.m., Patton Township Police and the Pennsylvania State Police responded to
911 calls regarding Appellant’s unsafe and erratic driving. Both calls
described Appellant’s vehicle as drifting between traffic, swerving into traffic
lanes from exit ramps, and bizarre behavior by Appellant such as pounding
on the steering wheel, flailing his arm out the window, and yelling. One
caller reported that Appellant got out of his vehicle in the middle of an
entrance ramp, ran around it, and then got back in and merged back into
traffic.
Patton Township Police Officers Tyler Jolley and Thomas Snyder
responded to the 911 reports, and saw Appellant pull his vehicle into a fire
station parking lot where they detained him. Officer Jolley spoke with one of
the witnesses who had followed Appellant’s car from the highway to the
parking lot. While interacting with Appellant, Officer Snyder noticed his
droopy eyes, an odor of alcohol, and that he had difficulty responding to
their questions. When asked to step out of the car Appellant stated that he
should not be driving, and admitted to drinking alcohol the evening before.
(See Suppression Court Opinion, 03/27/13, at 1-2).
Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Michael Brown arrived on scene and
spoke with Officers Snyder and Jolley and then approached Appellant.
Trooper Brown, who believed that, based on his observations and
interactions, Appellant could not safely operate his vehicle, and that
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Appellant might be under the influence of some substance besides alcohol,
called a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE), Corporal Derek Pacella, to the scene
to assist. Corporal Pacella administered a DRE exam, during which Appellant
offered that he was under treatment for narcolepsy and he took medication,
specifically Xyrem, Ritalin, and Celexa earlier that day. Appellant also
admitted that he consumed alcohol the night before and his last drink was at
1:00 a.m. Appellant conceded that he knew that he should not be driving
after taking his prescription Xyrem. Appellant consented to a legal blood
draw at 6:30 p.m., which resulted in a BAC of .048%. (See id. at 2-3).
On May 1, 2012, Appellant was charged by criminal complaint. After a
hearing on defense omnibus pre-trial motions on February 25, 2013, the
suppression judge denied Appellant’s motion to suppress the traffic stop.
Several discovery motions, motions to dismiss, and defense continuances
arose prior to this case being scheduled to be tried on December 2-3, 2013.
At Appellant’s request, the trial was continued until February 3, 2014.
Several more defense discovery motions and motions to continue ensued.
A jury was selected on February 3, 2014, and trial was scheduled to
occur on March 25-26, 2014. On March 14, 2014, the Commonwealth filed a
motion to amend the information by adding two counts. At Appellant’s
request, the trial court moved the case from the February term, past the
April term, and scheduled it for the June term. A jury was selected on June
2, 2014, with trial scheduled for July 14-15, 2014. Appellant filed a motion
to dismiss on July 11, 2014, arguing that his speedy trial rights under
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Pennsylvania Rule of Criminal Procedure Rule 600 and his federal speedy
trial rights had been violated. The court denied Appellant’s motion to
dismiss prior to sentencing on September 16, 2014.
On July 14, 2014, Appellant waived his right to a jury trial and
proceeded to non-jury trial. (See N.T. Trial, 07/14/14, at 5). At trial, both
the Commonwealth and Appellant presented expert witnesses, including the
Commonwealth’s expert Dr. Edward Barbieri who, using relation-back
extrapolation, opined about Appellant’s BAC at the time of the incident. The
trial court did not permit Appellant to cross-examine Dr. Barbieri about
narcolepsy because it reasoned he was not a medical doctor and was not
qualified to opine about a medical condition or its symptoms. Appellant
presented Dr. Robert J. Belloto, Jr. as an expert witness. The court
qualified Dr. Belloto as an expert in pharmacy and clinical pharmacy, but did
not permit him to testify as an expert in toxicology, statistics or chemistry.
The court also reaffirmed the suppression court’s order precluding Dr.
Belloto’s supplemental report because Appellant introduced it well after the
deadline for submitting supplemental reports.
At the conclusion of trial, the court found Appellant guilty of all
charges previously noted. Appellant was sentenced to intermediate
punishment for a period of five years including 150 days on the in-home
detention program, followed by the remainder of the five years under the
supervision of the Centre County Probation and Parole Department.
Appellant filed a post-sentence motion challenging the weight of the
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evidence supporting the conviction and arguing that there were numerous
inconsistencies in the record. The trial court denied the motion on January
9, 2015, finding that there were no inconsistencies of consequence and
Appellant’s guilt was clear. This timely appeal followed.2
Appellant raises six questions on appeal:
1. Did the trial court err in denying [Appellant’s] Motion for
Suppression of Evidence as the only observations Officer Snyder
made of [Appellant] was that of a law abiding citizen and the
only authority to make the stop came from a lay witness or
informant, not from an officer who had specific and articulable
facts sufficient to justify the traffic stop[?]
2. Did the trial court abuse its discretion in allowing the
Commonwealth to present evidence concerning retrograde
extrapolation as the Commonwealth’s expert did not have the
requisite information to provide a reliable scientific opinion on
this issue and the expert’s testimony amounted to mere
speculation and conjecture[?]
3. Did the trial court err in precluding [d]efense counsel from
cross-examining the Commonwealth’s expert as to his
knowledge of narcolepsy and its symptoms as this was relevant
impeachment evidence that would have shown that the
symptoms of narcolepsy ([Appellant’s] disease state) were
consistent with the Commonwealth witnesses’ observations that
proved his impairment[?]
4. Did the trial court err in precluding the [d]efense expert from
testifying to his experience with individuals that have had
seizures; not qualifying him as an expert in the areas of
toxicology, statistics and chemistry; and precluding his expert
reports[?]
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2
Pursuant to the trial court’s order, Appellant filed his concise statement of
errors complained of on appeal on March 6, 2015. See Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b).
The trial court entered its opinion on May 15, 2015. See Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a).
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5. Did the trial court abuse its discretion in denying counsel’s
[p]ost-[s]entence [m]otion where the verdict was against the
weight of the evidence as the Commonwealth witnesses[] relied
on guesswork and speculation to reach their ultimate conclusions
that [Appellant’s] BAC was above a .08; he was impaired by
alcohol, his medication and the combination of both; and many
Commonwealth witnesses reached the opposite conclusions[?]
6. Did the trial court err in denying [Appellant’s] [m]otion to
[d]ismiss for [v]iolation of Rule 600 and his [f]ederal [s]peedy
[t]rial rights as he was not brought to trial within 365 days and
the Commonwealth lacked due diligence resulting in anxiety and
concern for [Appellant][?]
(Appellant’s Brief, at 1-2).
In his first issue, Appellant argues that the suppression court erred in
denying his motion to suppress. (See id. at 41-47). Specifically, he claims
that all evidence from his traffic stop should be suppressed because the
Commonwealth did not establish that any particular police officer had
specific and articulable facts sufficient to justify and authorize the stop.
(See id. at 45-46). We disagree.
Pursuant to our deferent standard of review of a trial
court’s suppression ruling, we must determine:
[W]hether the record supports the trial court’s factual
findings and whether the legal conclusions drawn
therefrom are free from error. Our scope of review is
limited; we may consider only the evidence of the
prosecution and so much of the evidence for the defense
as remains uncontradicted when read in the context of the
record as a whole. Where the record supports the findings
of the suppression court, we are bound by those facts and
may reverse only if the court erred in reaching its legal
conclusions based upon the facts.
Commonwealth v. Cruz, 71 A.3d 998, 1002-03 (Pa. Super. 2013), appeal
denied, 81 A.3d 75 (Pa. 2013) (citations omitted).
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Section 6308(b) of the Vehicle Code provides:
(b) Authority of police officer.—Whenever a police officer is
engaged in a systematic program of checking vehicles or drivers
or has reasonable suspicion that a violation of this title is
occurring or has occurred, he may stop a vehicle, upon request
or signal, for the purpose of checking the vehicle’s registration,
proof of financial responsibility, vehicle identification number or
engine number or the driver’s license, or to secure such other
information as the officer may reasonably believe to be
necessary to enforce the provisions of this title.
75 Pa.C.S.A. § 6308(b).
“The determination of whether an officer had reasonable suspicion that
criminality was afoot so as to justify an investigatory detention is an
objective one, which must be considered in light of the totality of the
circumstances.” Commonwealth v. Holmes, 14 A.3d 89, 96 (Pa. 2011)
(citations omitted). “[I]n order to establish reasonable suspicion, an officer
must be able to point to specific and articulable facts which led him to
reasonably suspect a violation of the Motor Vehicle Code[.]” Id. (emphasis
omitted).
“To have reasonable suspicion, police officers need not personally
observe the illegal or suspicious conduct, but may rely upon the information
of third parties, including ‘tips’ from citizens.” Commonwealth v. Barber,
889 A.2d 587, 593 (Pa. Super. 2005) (citations omitted).
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Here, two citizen informants called 911 to report that Appellant was
driving erratically.3 After the report, the Patton Township Police were called
in to assist the Pennsylvania State Police in locating Appellant’s vehicle.
(See N.T. Preliminary Hearing, 5/30/12, at 14). Patton Township Police
Officer Snyder testified that, after observing the vehicle in a fire station
parking lot, he pulled to the side of it and flagged the driver down and made
contact with Appellant. (See id. at 14-15). Officer Snyder explained to
Appellant that he was stopping him because he had received complaints of a
traffic violation. (See id. at 15). He briefly questioned Appellant and then
turned him over to Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Brown who had arrived
on scene, explaining his observations to him. (See id. at 17).
We conclude that the suppression court’s holding—that the police had
reasonable suspicion to detain Appellant—was supported by the factual
record, which indicated that the township police officers received information
from dispatch that the Pennsylvania State Police were seeking Appellant’s
vehicle to investigate identified citizen reports of motor vehicle code
violations. (See Suppression Ct. Op., 03/27/13, at 4-5); Holmes, supra at
96; Barber, supra at 593. Accordingly, the suppression court properly
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3
Appellant concedes “[T]he [identified citizen] caller’s degree of
accountability and her firsthand report of traffic violations were sufficient to
establish a reasonable suspicion to conduct an investigative detention of
[Appellant].” (Appellant’s Brief, at 45).
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denied the motion to suppress. See Cruz, supra at 1002-03. Appellant’s
first issue does not merit relief.
In his second issue, Appellant claims that the trial court erred by
admitting evidence of retrograde extrapolation by Dr. Barbieri because he
did not “have the requisite information to provide a reliable scientific opinion
on this issue” and “[t]herefore, said testimony presented before the trial
court was speculation and conjecture.” (Appellant’s Brief, at 51; see id. at
47-51). We disagree.
Preliminarily we note that Appellant failed to object at trial to the
admissibility of Dr. Barbieri’s testimony concerning retrograde
extrapolation.4 See Pa.R.A.P. 302(a) (“Issues not raised in the lower court
are waived and cannot be raised for the first time on appeal.”). Accordingly,
his challenge is waived.
Moreover, it would not merit relief. Our standard of review concerning
admissibility of evidence is well settled.
[t]he admission of evidence is committed to the sound discretion
of the trial court, and a trial court’s ruling regarding the
admission of evidence will not be disturbed on appeal unless that
ruling reflects manifest unreasonableness, or partiality,
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4
Appellant’s only objection to Dr. Barbieri’s testimony concerned
admissibility of any alcohol result where he argued, the Commonwealth did
not establish that the blood draw was done within two hours. (See N.T.
Trial, 7/14/14, at 268). The court overruled his objection. (See id. at 269).
Appellant has not raised the issue of the two-hour rule in this appeal, and
therefore has waived his challenge.
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prejudice, bias, or ill-will, or such lack of support to be clearly
erroneous.
Commonwealth v. Pugh, 101 A.3d 820, 822 (Pa. Super. 2014) (en banc),
appeal denied, 117 A.3d 296 (Pa. 2015) (citation omitted).
“Admissibility of expert testimony on scientific knowledge is governed
by Pennsylvania Rule of Evidence 702[.]” Id.A witness who is qualified as an expert by knowledge, skill,
experience, training, or education may testify in the form of an
opinion or otherwise if:
(a) the expert’s scientific, technical, or other specialized
knowledge is beyond that possessed by the average
layperson;
(b) the expert’s scientific, technical, or other specialized
knowledge will help the trier of fact to understand the
evidence or to determine a fact in issue; and
(c) the expert’s methodology is generally accepted in the
relevant field.
Pa.R.E. 702(a)-(c).
“Relating back refers to a scientific method by which a person’s BAC at
the time of driving is extrapolated from the results of chemical testing done
at a later time.” Commonwealth v. Freidl, 834 A.2d 638, 645 n.2 (Pa.
Super. 2003) (citation omitted).
Here, during trial, Dr. Barbieri testified that Appellant’s BAC was 0.048
percent at 6:30 p.m.5 (See N.T. Trial, 7/14/14, at 270). He opined that
Appellant had a 0.090 percent BAC at the time of the incident, 3:30 p.m.
____________________________________________
5
Dr. Barbieri was qualified as an expert in forensic toxicology and
pharmacology without objection. (See N.T. Trial, 7/14/14, at 260).
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(See id. at 273). He formed this opinion utilizing the scientific method of
relating back, also known as retrograde calculation, assuming that Appellant
did not consume any more alcohol, that he had completely absorbed all of
the alcohol prior to the time of the incident, and that he had an average
metabolic rate. (See id. at 270-71).
Appellant primarily relies on legal authority from Texas, which is not
binding on this jurisdiction, in support of his argument questioning the
admissibility of relation back evidence. (See Appellant’s Brief, at 48-50).
Under Pennsylvania law, however, relation back methodology is generally
accepted in the field of forensic toxicology. See Freidl, supra at 645 n.2.
Therefore, we conclude that because Dr. Barbieri was qualified as an expert,
because his opinion would be helpful to determine whether Appellant was
under the influence of alcohol while the incident occurred, and because
relation back is an accepted scientific method, the trial court did not abuse
its discretion in permitting this testimony. See Pugh, supra at 822; Pa.R.E.
702. Accordingly Appellant’s second issue would not merit relief.
In his third issue, Appellant argues that the trial court erred when it
precluded him from cross-examining Dr. Barbieri about his knowledge of
narcolepsy and its symptoms. (See Appellant’s Brief, at 51-53).
Specifically, he argues that such preclusion resulted in his not being
permitted to fully present his theory of the case—that his narcolepsy was the
sole basis for what the eye-witnesses had perceived. (See id. at 53). We
disagree.
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A challenge to the extent of cross-examination is governed
by the following principles:
[W]e note that in cross-examining a witness, an
attorney is entitled to question the witness about subjects
raised during direct examination as well as any facts
tending to refute inferences arising from matters raised
during direct testimony. . . . Similarly, an attorney may
discredit a witness by cross-examining the witness about
omissions or acts that are inconsistent with his testimony .
. . . However, the scope and limits of cross-examination is
[sic] vested in the trial court’s discretion and that
discretion will not be reversed unless the trial court has
clearly abused its discretion or made an error of law.
Commonwealth v. Kimbrough, 872 A.2d 1244, 1261-62 (Pa. Super.
2005), appeal denied, 887 A.2d 1240 (Pa. 2005) (citation omitted); see
Pa.R.E. 611(b) (“Cross-examination of a witness . . . should be limited to the
subject matter of the direct examination and matters affecting credibility,
however, the court may, in the exercise of discretion, permit inquiry into
additional matters as if on direct examination.”).
Here, we conclude that the trial court did not abuse its discretion when
it precluded Appellant from cross-examining Dr. Barbieri about the
symptoms of narcolepsy, where narcolepsy was not raised during his direct
examination and where Dr. Barbieri was not qualified as a medical doctor
who could testify about the symptoms of a disease. See Kimbrough,
supra at 1261-62. We note that Appellant was not precluded from
introducing his own expert witness to testify about narcolepsy; however, the
court was well within its discretion in precluding Appellant from cross-
examination of Dr. Barbieri regarding narcolepsy. See Commonwealth v.
Lobel, 440 A.2d 602, 605 (Pa. Super. 1982) (“When the obvious purpose of
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cross-examination is to develop defendant’s own case, a ruling by the trial
judge to limit cross-examination is not an abuse of discretion.”);
Kimbrough, supra at 1261-62. Accordingly, Appellant’s third issue does
not merit relief.
In his fourth issue, Appellant argues that the trial court erred in not
finding his expert, Dr. Belloto, qualified as an expert in the areas of
toxicology, statistics, and chemistry; and precluding his expert reports.
(See Appellant’s Brief, at 54-57). Specifically, he argues that the reports
should have been admitted because the Commonwealth failed to show the
opinions contained within were not generally accepted in the scientific
community, and that Dr. Belloto should have been qualified as an expert in
pharmacology and toxicology because he is a recognized figure in these
fields and is “a well-accomplished professor, author, and thinker.” (Id. at
56).
Preliminarily we note that although Appellant’s statement of questions
presented also challenges the court’s preclusion of Dr. Belloto from testifying
about his experience with individuals with seizures, and his qualification as
an expert in statistics or chemistry, he has failed to address those
arguments and therefore they are waived. (See Appellant’s Brief, at 54-
57); Pa.R.A.P. 2101, 2119(a)-(c). Furthermore, to the extent that Appellant
challenges Dr. Belloto not being qualified as an expert in pharmacology in
his brief, it is waived for failure to include it in his statement of questions.
See Pa.R.A.P. 2116(a). We also note that Appellant has failed to develop
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any argument supported by any legal authority that the court abused its
discretion in precluding Dr. Belloto’s supplemental report. Accordingly, he
has waived his challenge. See Pa.R.A.P. 2101, 2119(a)-(c).
“Determining whether a witness may testify as an expert is a matter
within the sound discretion of the trial court, whose decision will only be
reversed for a clear abuse of discretion.” Yacoub v. Lehigh Valley Med.
Assoc., P.C., 805 A.2d 579, 591 (Pa. Super. 2002), appeal denied, 825
A.2d 639 (Pa. 2003).
An abuse of discretion may not be found merely because an
appellate court might have reached a different conclusion, but
requires a result of manifest unreasonableness, or partiality,
prejudice, bias, or ill-will, or such lack of support so as to be
clearly erroneous. In addition, [t]o constitute reversible error,
an evidentiary ruling must not only be erroneous, but also
harmful or prejudicial to the complaining party.
Jacobs v. Chatwani, 922 A.2d 950, 960 (Pa. Super. 2007), appeal denied,
938 A.2d 1053 (Pa. 2007) (citation omitted).
“If a witness possesses neither experience nor education in the subject
matter under investigation, the witness should be found not to qualify as an
expert.” Yacoub, supra at 591(citation omitted).
Here, the trial court has explained that it did not accept Dr. Belloto as
an expert in toxicology because “there was not an adequate basis
establishing his credentials[.]” (Trial Ct. Op., 5/15/15, at 8). At trial, Dr.
Belloto testified that although his main source of income was as a practicing
pharmacist, he did consulting on the side for forensic toxicology. (See N.T.
Trial 7/15/14, at 34). He also testified that he has been involved with
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authoring a chapter in a book on forensic toxicology of urine and blood
levels. (See id. at 38). Dr. Belloto admitted that he had not taught forensic
toxicology or taken any classes in forensic toxicology, and that he is not in
any toxicology professional associations. (See id. at 59-61, 71).
After a careful review of the certified record, we conclude that the trial
court did not abuse its discretion in not accepting Dr. Belloto as an expert in
forensic toxicology where he was not educated or otherwise qualified by
experience in that specialty. See Yacoub, supra at 591; Jacobs, supra at
960. Appellant’s fourth issue does not merit relief.
In his fifth issue, Appellant argues that the trial court abused its
discretion in denying his motion for a new trial because the verdict was
against the weight of the evidence. (See Appellant’s Brief, at 58–62).
Specifically he contests the use of retrograde extrapolation and argues: “[a]s
can be seen from the Commonwealth’s own witnesses, what was perceived
to prove [Appellant’s] impairment was just as consistent with [Appellant’s]
disease state.” (Id. at 62; see id. at 59). Appellant’s issue lacks merit.
Our standard of review of a challenge to the weight of the evidence is
well-settled:
A verdict is not contrary to the weight of the
evidence because of a conflict in testimony or because the
reviewing court on the same facts might have arrived at a
different conclusion than the fact[-]finder. Rather, a new
trial is warranted only when the jury’s verdict is so
contrary to the evidence that it shocks one’s sense of
justice and the award of a new trial is imperative so that
right may be given another opportunity to prevail. Where,
as here, the judge who presided at trial ruled on the
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weight claim below, an appellate court’s role is not to
consider the underlying question of whether the verdict is
against the weight of the evidence. Rather, appellate
review is limited to whether the trial court palpably abused
its discretion in ruling on the weight claim.
One of the least assailable reasons for granting or denying
a new trial is the lower court’s determination that the verdict
was or was not against the weight of the evidence and that new
process was or was not dictated by the interests of justice.
Thus, only where the facts and inferences disclose a palpable
abuse of discretion will the denial of a motion for a new trial
based on the weight of the evidence be upset on appeal.
Commonwealth v. Morales, 91 A.3d 80, 91-92 (Pa. 2014), cert. denied,
135 S.Ct. 1548 (2015) (citations omitted; emphasis in original).
Here, Appellant has not argued or demonstrated that the trial court
palpably abused its discretion when it denied his motion for a new trial on
the basis of the weight of the evidence. He merely claims that the
Commonwealth’s witnesses’ opinions were contradictory and did not consider
his narcolepsy. (See Appellant’s Brief, at 59-60). Therefore, Appellant has
failed to advance an argument that invokes the appropriate standard of
review. See Morales, supra at 91-92.
Moreover, our independent review of the record reveals that the trial
court properly considered the issue as one of credibility of the witnesses,
and determined that the guilty verdict imposed on all charges following the
non-jury trial did not shock one’s sense of justice where Appellant’s guilt was
clear. (See Trial Ct. Op., at 10). Therefore, we conclude that the trial court
did not palpably abuse its discretion in deciding the weight of the evidence
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issue. See Morales, supra at 91-92. Appellant’s fifth issue does not merit
relief.
In the first part of his sixth issue, Appellant argues that the trial court
erred in denying his motion to dismiss for a Rule 600 speedy trial violation.
(See Appellant’s Brief, at 62-72). Specifically, he contends that, at most,
403 days of delay were attributable to defense continuances, and therefore,
excluding that time, the time between when the Commonwealth filed the
complaint and the commencement of trial exceeded the 365 day limit by
thirty-four days.6 (See id. at 68).
In evaluating Rule 600 issues, our standard of review of a
trial court’s decision is whether the trial court abused its
discretion. Judicial discretion requires action in conformity with
law, upon facts and circumstances judicially before the court,
after hearing and due consideration. An abuse of discretion is
not merely an error of judgment, but if in reaching a conclusion
the law is overridden or misapplied or the judgment exercised is
manifestly unreasonable, or the result of partiality, prejudice,
bias, or ill will, as shown by the evidence or the record,
discretion is abused.
The proper scope of review . . . is limited to the evidence
on the record of the Rule 600 evidentiary hearing, and the
findings of the trial court. An appellate court must view the facts
in the light most favorable to the prevailing party.
Additionally, when considering the trial court’s ruling, this
Court is not permitted to ignore the dual purpose behind Rule
600. Rule 600 serves two equally important functions: (1) the
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6
Although Appellant contends that several time-periods for which he
executed a Rule 600 waiver should not be excluded as defense delays, he
has failed to develop an argument supported by legal authority that his
waiver was invalid. See Pa.R.A.P. 2101, 2119(a)-(c).
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protection of the accused’s speedy trial rights, and (2) the
protection of society. In determining whether an accused’s right
to a speedy trial has been violated, consideration must be given
to society’s right to effective prosecution of criminal cases, both
to restrain those guilty of crime and to deter those
contemplating it. However, the administrative mandate of Rule
600 was not designed to insulate the criminally accused from
good faith prosecution delayed through no fault of the
Commonwealth.
So long as there has been no misconduct on the part of
the Commonwealth in an effort to evade the fundamental speedy
trial rights of an accused, Rule 600 must be construed in a
manner consistent with society’s right to punish and deter crime.
In considering these matters . . . , courts must carefully factor
into the ultimate equation not only the prerogatives of the
individual accused, but the collective right of the community to
vigorous law enforcement as well.
Commonwealth v. Watson, 2016 WL 3036617, --- A.3d ---, at *2 (Pa.
Super. May 26, 2016) (citation omitted).
The Rule mandates, inter alia, that a defendant must be tried on
criminal charges no later than 365 days after the criminal
complaint is filed. Pa.R.Crim.P. 600(A)(1)(3).7
This straightforward calculation is known as the
mechanical run date. However, those periods of delay
caused by a defendant are excluded from the
computation of the length of time of any pretrial
incarceration. Pa.R.Crim.P. 600(C). Following these
exclusions, if any, we arrive at an adjusted run date by
extending the mechanical run date to account for these
exclusions. Any other delay that occurs, despite the
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7
We note that a new Rule 600 was adopted, effective July 1, 2013, “to
reorganize and clarify the provisions of the rule in view of the long line of
cases that have construed the rule.” Pa.R.Crim.P. 600, Comment. However,
because the criminal complaint in this case was filed prior to the new rule,
we will apply the former version of Rule 600. Commonwealth v. Roles,
116 A.3d 122, 125 n.4 (Pa. Super. 2015), appeal denied, 128 A.3d 220 (Pa.
2015).
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Commonwealth’s due diligence, is deemed excusable and
results in further adjustments to the effective run date.
Pa.R.Crim.P. 600(G). . . .
Commonwealth v. Dixon, 2016 WL 3186853, --- A.3d ---, at *3 (Pa.
Super. June 7, 2016) (most case citations omitted; footnote in original).
Here, the court found that 357 days would be assessed against the
Commonwealth, which complied with Rule 600’s requirements to bring a
defendant to trial within 365 days of the filing of the criminal complaint.
(See N.T. Sentencing, 9/16/14, at 2-3). Specifically, the court explained:
The defense filed a motion alleging a violation of the Rule 600
that would be entitled Motion to Dismiss for Violation of Rule 600
and/or Federal Speedy Trial Rule. The [c]ourt has examined the
[c]ourt file and all of the continuance forms contained therein
and what we have determined through that examination is that
357 days would be assessed against the Commonwealth.
Voir dire in the selection of jury . . . was conducted on
June 2, 2014. The trial itself commenced on July 14[, 2014].
The time between July 2nd and July 14th cannot be attributed to
the Commonwealth because that’s the [c]ourt. The [c]ourt
scheduled that trial.
So as a result, the [c]ourt has determined that 357 days
would be assessed against the Commonwealth, which is within
the Rule 600 parameters, and, therefore, the Motion to Dismiss
for Violation of Rule 600 and/or Federal Speedy Trial is hereby
denied.
(Id.).
Appellant does not present any argument supported by legal authority
or citation to the certified record that the trial court erred in its calculation or
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abused its discretion in denying his motion to dismiss.8 He does not dispute
the court’s finding of 357 days against the Commonwealth. Notably, a
review of the calendar that Appellant attached to his brief in support of his
Rule 600 motion suggests that 359 days should be counted against the
Commonwealth, which would also not be a violation of Rule 600. (See Brief
in Support of Motion to Dismiss for Violation of Rule 600 and or Federal
Speedy Trial, 8/08/14, at Exhibit A).
Therefore, viewing all evidence in the light most favorable to the
Commonwealth, as prevailing party, we conclude that, where the trial court
found trial commenced within 357 non-waived days of the filing of the
criminal complaint, it properly denied Appellant’s motion to dismiss. See
Watson, supra at *2; Dixon, supra at *3. Appellant’s challenge to denial
of his Rule 600 motion to dismiss does not merit relief.
In the second part of his sixth and final issue, Appellant claims that
the trial court erred in denying his motion to dismiss for a violation of his
federal speedy trial rights. (See Appellant’s Brief, at 62-64, 72).
Specifically, he argues that he suffered prejudice, in the form of anxiety and
concern, because of the unnecessary delay in the proceedings, and therefore
____________________________________________
8
We note that, aside from minor stylistic changes, Appellant simply copied
the argument portion of his appellate brief from his brief in support of his
motion to dismiss. (Compare Brief in Support of Motion to Dismiss for
Violation of Rule 600 and or Federal Speedy Trial, 8/08/14, at 13-22; with
Appellant’s Brief, at 62-72).
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his motion to dismiss because of a violation of his sixth amendment right to
a speedy trial should have been granted. (See id. at 72). We disagree.
The standard we apply in determining if an Appellant’s
constitutional right to a speedy trial has been violated is the
balancing test first articulated in Barker v. Wingo, 407 U.S.
514, 92 S.Ct. 2182, 33 L.Ed.2d 101 (1972). Under the Barker
standard, we first examine the threshold question of whether
“the delay itself is sufficient to trigger further inquiry.”
Commonwealth v. Glover, 500 Pa. 524, 458 A.2d 935, 937
(1983) (applying Barker). If the delay is sufficient to trigger
further inquiry, we then “balance the length of the delay with the
reason for the delay, the defendant’s timely assertion of his right
to a speedy trial, and any resulting prejudice to the interests
protected by the right to a speedy trial.” Id.Commonwealth v. Miskovitch, 64 A.3d 672, 679 (Pa. Super. 2013),
appeal denied, 78 A.3d 1090 (Pa. 2013).
“[T]he degree of actual prejudice that occurred, rather than the
assumptions provided by our conclusion of presumptive prejudice, must be
weighed against the reason for the delay in order to determine if Appellant’s
speedy trial rights have been violated.” Id. at 679. “The interests protected
by the Sixth Amendment are as follows: to prevent oppressive pre-trial
incarceration; to minimize anxiety and concern of the accused; and to limit
the possibility that the defense will be impaired.” Commonwealth v.
Dehoniesto, 624 A.2d 156, 159 (Pa. Super. 1993), appeal denied, 634 A.2d
217 (Pa. 1993) (citation omitted).
Here, the length of delay was 804 days, which is generally lengthy
enough to require further inquiry. See Miskovitch, supra at 679 (“a delay
of almost two years precipitated further inquiry”) (citation omitted).
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However, Appellant has failed to show any actual prejudice from this delay
where he merely asserted that he suffered anxiety and concern. (See
Appellant’s Brief, at 72); Dehoniesto, supra at 160 (claim defendant
“suffered anxiety because he faced a potential prison term and was unable
to make employment and marriage plans . . . . establishes only minimal
prejudice.”). Accordingly, we conclude that the trial court did not abuse its
discretion when it denied Appellant’s motion to dismiss for a violation of his
federal speedy trial rights. See Miskovitch, supra at 679. Appellant’s final
issue does not merit relief.
Judgment of sentence affirmed.
Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary
Date: 7/19/2016
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