Com. v. Nguyen, A. ( 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NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37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
Appellee
v.
ANTHONY NGUYEN
Appellant No. 2517 EDA 2018
Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence May 25, 2018
In the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County
Criminal Division at No(s): CP-0003926-2015
BEFORE: PANELLA, P.J., OLSON, J., and FORD ELLIOTT, P.J.E.
MEMORANDUM BY PANELLA, P.J.: FILED AUGUST 12, 2019
Anthony Nguyen appeals from the judgment of sentence imposed
following his convictions of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute
("PWID"), intentional possession of marijuana, carrying a firearm without a
license, and carrying a firearm in public. We affirm the judgment of sentence
as to all convictions except the firearms convictions, which we reverse.
In its Opinion, the trial court set forth the relevant factual and
procedural history, which we adopt for the purpose of this
appeal. See Trial Court Opinion, 11/28/18, at 1-4.
On appeal, Williams raises the following issues for our review, which we
renumber and clarify:
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1. Whether the Trial Court erred by denying the pre-trial suppression
motion?
2. Whether the evidence was sufficient to prove Nguyen's guilt beyond
a reasonable doubt on the drug possession charges especially whether
he constructively possessed the backpack also found in the vehicle?
3. Whether the evidence was sufficient to prove beyond a reasonable
doubt that Nguyen constructively possessed the firearm found under the
seat of the vehicle in which he was a passenger?
In his first issue, Williams contends that he was questioned without
having been provided his Miranda' warnings, and that the questioning
occurred while he was in a custodial setting. In his second, he argues that the
evidence failed to prove that he constructively possessed the backpack which
was located in the backseat of the vehicle.
In its Opinion, the trial court addressed these issues, set forth the
relevant law, and determined that these two issues lacked
merit. See Trial Court Opinion, 11/280/18, at 4-13. We agree with the
reasoning of the trial court, and affirm on this basis as to Nguyen's first two
issues. See id.
In his last issue, Nguyen contends that there was insufficient evidence
to prove that he constructively possessed the firearm which was located
1 Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436 (1966).
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beneath the passenger seat in the car. He proffers that the evidence failed to
show that he was even aware that a firearm was in the car.
Although the trial court submitted a convincing argument that the
evidence was sufficient to sustain the firearms charges, id. at 13-14, the
Commonwealth has notified us that, on appeal, the Commonwealth "does not
oppose vacating the judgments of sentence for the gun charges." Appellee's
Brief, at 2, 15. In its brief, the Commonwealth explains:
However, under the specific circumstances of this case, the
Commonwealth does not oppose vacating defendant's judgments
of sentence for the firearms convictions. Mere presence in a car
with contraband alone is not sufficient to find that defendant
constructively possessed it. Commonwealth v Armstead, 305
a.2d 1, 2 (Pa. 1973). Instead, evidence must suggest that
defendant knew of the contraband. Id. Here, there was no
evidence that defendant knew of the gun underneath his seat.
Unlike the drug possession charge, where the bag of marijuana
was in plain view and the odor of marijuana was apparent to police
(and presumably also to defendant), the gun was not in plain view.
Moreover, unlike the drug possession offense, where police also
recovered packets of marijuana and a large amount of cash from
defendant's person, police did not recover any ballistics evidence
from defendant's person. That police recovered a hidden gun from
a car in which defendant was seated, where another individual
was present and defendant did not own the car, does not
necessarily demonstrate that defendant knew of the gun.
Therefore, under the particular facts of this case, the
Commonwealth does not oppose reversing defendant's judgments
of sentence on the gun charges. Since defendant received the
same, current sentence for both the PWID and firearms
convictions, vacating the firearms conviction will not affect the
sentencing scheme.
Id. at 15-16.
We consider the Commonwealth's position to be akin to a stipulation,
albeit reached post -trial and upon appellate review. However, we strive to
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honor stipulations which act as agreements between opposing parties to
resolve factual issues in a case. See 1 West's Pa. Prac., Evidence § 127 (4th
ed.). "Because the parties are in agreement as to [the] facts contained in the
stipulation, they are controlling." Fa/clone v. Cornell School Dist., 557 A.2d
425, 428 (Pa. Super. 1989). Therefore, we will honor the parties' stipulation
as to the possession of the firearms, without suggesting any negative
comments on the discussion of the trial court.
Judgment of sentence as to possession of marijuana with intent to
distribute and intentional possession of marijuana, affirmed. Convictions for
carrying a firearm without a license and carrying a firearm in public are
reversed.
Judgment Entered.
seph D. Seletyn, E
Prothonotary
Date: 8/12/2019
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