Com. v. Oyler, T. ( 2018 )


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  • J-S56005-18
    NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
    COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA                :   IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
    :        PENNSYLVANIA
    Appellee                 :
    :
    v.                              :
    :
    TODD RICHARD OYLER                          :
    :
    Appellant                :        No. 396 MDA 2018
    Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence Entered October 17, 2017
    In the Court of Common Pleas of Adams County
    Criminal Division at No(s): CP-01-CR-0001246-2015
    BEFORE: GANTMAN, P.J., KUNSELMAN, J., and MUSMANNO, J.
    MEMORANDUM BY GANTMAN, P.J.:                   FILED: NOVEMBER 7, 2018
    Appellant, Todd Richard Oyler, appeals from the judgment of sentence
    entered in the Adams County Court of Common Pleas, following his jury trial
    convictions for two counts of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a
    child and one count each of unlawful contact with a minor, aggravated
    indecent assault, indecent assault, and corruption of minors.1 We affirm.
    The May 2, 2018 trial court opinion accurately set forth the facts and
    procedural history of this case.2 Thus, we have no reason to restate them.
    ____________________________________________
    1  18 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 3123(b);                6818(a)(1);   3125(a)(7);   3126(a)(7);
    6301(a)(1)(i), respectively.
    2We clarify that the court sentenced Appellant on October 17, 2017, to an
    aggregate term of 16 to 40 years’ imprisonment. The court also designated
    Appellant a sexually violent predator (“SVP”). On October 25, 2017, Appellant
    J-S56005-18
    Appellant raises the following issues for our review:
    DID THE TRIAL COURT ABUSE ITS DISCRETION IN FAILING
    TO PROPERLY WEIGH THE EVIDENCE AND FAILING TO FIND
    THAT THE VERDICT WAS AGAINST THE WEIGHT OF THE
    EVIDENCE?
    WAS APPELLANT DEPRIVED OF HIS SUBSTANTIVE AND DUE
    PROCESS GUARANTEES TO CONFRONTATION AT HIS
    PRELIMINARY HEARING?
    WAS APPELLANT DEPRIVED OF HIS RIGHT TO A FAIR TRIAL
    WHERE THE TRIAL COURT REMOVED A JUROR ON THE
    FINAL DAY OF TRIAL WITHOUT DETERMINING WHETHER
    SHE COULD BE FAIR AND IMPARTIAL?
    WAS APPELLANT DEPRIVED OF HIS DUE PROCESS
    GUARANTEES WHEN THE COMMONWEALTH FAILED TO
    PROVIDE AN ADEQUATE BILL OF PARTICULARS UPON
    REQUEST, AND THE COURT FAILED TO SO ORDER?
    (Appellant’s Brief at 5).3
    After a thorough review of the record, the briefs of the parties, the
    applicable law, and the well-reasoned order and opinion of the Honorable
    Thomas R. Campbell and the opinion of the Honorable Shawn Wagner,
    supporting their various rulings in this case, we conclude Appellant’s first,
    second, and third issues merit no relief.            The trial court decisions
    ____________________________________________
    sought an extension of time to file post-sentence motions, which the court
    granted. Appellant timely filed post-sentence motions on Monday, November
    27, 2017. On January 24, 2018, the court granted Appellant’s request and
    vacated the SVP designation. The court denied post-sentence relief regarding
    all other claims on February 5, 2018. Appellant timely filed a notice of appeal
    on March 5, 2018.
    3   For purposes of disposition, we have re-ordered some of Appellant’s issues.
    -2-
    J-S56005-18
    comprehensively discuss and properly dispose of those issues. (See Order of
    Court, filed April 29, 2016, at 1-2 (J. Campbell); Trial Court Opinion, filed
    October 6, 2016, at 6-7 (J. Campbell); Trial Court Opinion, filed May 2, 2018,
    at 5-17 (J. Wagner) (finding: (1) Victim testified that Appellant’s abuse began
    when she was about four years old in her mother’s and Appellant’s home in
    York County; Victim said abuse continued until Victim was about six or seven
    years old, including after Victim’s mother and Appellant had moved to Adams
    County; Commonwealth established that Appellant engaged in numerous sex
    acts with Victim between November 2007 and April 2015; Victim testified that
    abuse tapered off when Appellant was diagnosed with cancer but started again
    when Victim was in fifth grade; Victim said Appellant’s most recent assaults
    occurred in October and April of fifth grade; verdict does not shock one’s sense
    of justice and was not against weight of evidence; (2) right of confrontation
    is trial right; Pa.R.Crim.P. 542(E) provides that hearsay evidence alone is
    sufficient to establish prima facie case at preliminary hearing; Rule is
    promulgated by Pennsylvania Supreme Court and deemed constitutional;
    moreover, once defendant has been tried and convicted, any defect in
    preliminary hearing is rendered immaterial;4 (3) during trial, Victim’s
    ____________________________________________
    4 See Commonwealth v. Ricker, 
    120 A.3d 349
    (Pa.Super. 2015), appeal
    dismissed as improvidently granted, ___ Pa. ___, 
    170 A.3d 494
    (2017)
    (holding Rules of Criminal Procedure permit hearsay evidence alone to
    establish prima facie case; accused does not have state or federal
    constitutional right to confront witnesses against him at preliminary hearing).
    -3-
    J-S56005-18
    stepmother, who had been listed as potential witness but did not testify,
    informed prosecutor that she recognized Juror #62 because they had
    previously worked together; court questioned juror, who admitted she had
    worked with Victim’s stepmother but did not initially recognize name when
    court read list of potential witnesses during jury selection; juror admitted
    Victim’s stepmother had reprimanded juror on one occasion during course of
    employment; in abundance of caution, court dismissed juror; court did not
    abuse its discretion in removing juror). Thus, as to Appellant’s first, second,
    and third issues, we affirm on the basis of the order and opinion of Judge
    Campbell and the opinion of Judge Wagner, of the Adams County Court of
    Common Pleas.
    Regarding Appellant’s fourth issue concerning an adequate bill of
    particulars:
    Preliminarily, we observe generally that issues not raised in
    a Rule 1925(b) statement will be deemed waived for review.
    An appellant’s concise statement must properly specify the
    error to be addressed on appeal. In other words, the Rule
    1925(b) statement must be specific enough for the trial
    court to identify and address the issue an appellant wishes
    to raise on appeal. A concise statement which is too vague
    to allow the court to identify the issues raised on appeal is
    the functional equivalent of no concise statement at all. The
    court’s review and legal analysis can be fatally impaired
    when the court has to guess at the issues raised. Thus, if a
    concise statement is too vague, the court may find waiver.
    Commonwealth v. Hansley, 
    24 A.3d 410
    , 415 (Pa.Super. 2011), appeal
    denied, 
    613 Pa. 642
    , 
    32 A.3d 1275
    (2011) (internal citations and quotation
    marks omitted).
    -4-
    J-S56005-18
    Instantly, in his Rule 1925(b) statement, Appellant raised a denial of his
    due process rights where he requested a bill of particulars from the
    Commonwealth but “never received it.” On appeal, Appellant does not claim
    the Commonwealth failed to respond to his request but asserts the
    Commonwealth’s answer was inadequate.              Because Appellant did not
    challenge the adequacy of the Commonwealth’s response in his Rule 1925(b)
    statement, the trial court did not address that precise claim of error in its
    opinion. Consequently, Appellant’s fourth issue is waived for vagueness in his
    concise statement. See 
    id. Moreover, Pennsylvania
    Rule of Criminal Procedure 572 provides:
    Rule 572. Bill of Particulars
    (A) A request for a bill of particulars shall be served in
    writing by the defendant upon the attorney for the
    Commonwealth within 7 days following arraignment. The
    request shall promptly be filed and served as provided in
    Rule 576.
    (B) The request shall set forth the specific particulars sought
    by the defendant, and the reasons why the particulars are
    requested.
    (C) Upon failure or refusal of the attorney for the
    Commonwealth to furnish a bill of particulars after service
    of a request, the defendant may make written motion for
    relief to the court within 7 days after such failure or refusal.
    If further particulars are desired after an original bill of
    particulars has been furnished, a motion therefor may be
    made to the court within 5 days after the original bill is
    furnished.
    (D) When a motion for relief is made, the court may make
    such order as it deems necessary in the interests of justice.
    -5-
    J-S56005-18
    Pa.R.Crim.P. 572.
    Here, Appellant filed a request for a bill of particulars on March 9, 2016.
    The Commonwealth responded on March 15, 2016.               Appellant did not
    challenge the adequacy of the Commonwealth’s response by filing a motion
    with the court as set forth in Rule 572(C). Therefore, Appellant waived his
    claim on this ground as well. Accordingly, we affirm.
    Judgment of sentence affirmed.
    Judgment Entered.
    Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
    Prothonotary
    Date: 11/7/2018
    -6-
    QORIGINAL
    Circulated 10/22/2018 11:32 AM
    IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF ADAMS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
    CRIMINAL
    COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA                          CP-01-CR-1246-2015
    VS.
    3
    4               TODD R. OYLER
    5
    ORDER OF COURT
    6
    7
    AND NOW, this 29th day of April, 2016·, after argument on D�i:!ndant's
    m
    8
    Omnibus Pre-Trial Motion, it is hereby Ordered that the Motion is Denied in its
    9
    entirety. Defense filed a Motion for Writ of Habeas Corpus, Motion to Quash the
    10
    Criminal Information based upon alleged lack of prima facia case and requested
    11
    12
    a remand of proceedings to the Magisterial District Court for preliminary hearing
    13   based on argument that the only testimony presented at the original preliminary
    14   hearing was hearsay testimony from the Affiant. The evidence presented to this
    15
    Court for review consisted solely of a transcript of the preliminary hearing held
    16
    before Magisterial District Judge Tony Little on November 24, 2015.
    17
    Based upon review of that transcript, the evidence presented by the
    I'!'          18
    i
    Commonwealth is sufficient to establish a prima facia case on all charges.
    �             19
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    20   Accordingly, both the Motion for Writ of Habeas Corpus and the Motion to Quash
    21   the Criminal information are denied.
    i:::.
    a:
    12            22         With regard to Defendant's request for remand for a new preliminary
    23
    hearing, it is noted that the Pennsylvania Rule of Criminal Procedure 542(E)
    24
    promulgated by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, provides that hearsay
    25
    evidence alone is sufficient to establish a prima facia case at a preliminary
    hearing. As the Rule is promulgated by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, it is
    t.)
    deemed     to   be constitutional. Further, in Commonwealth v. Ricker, 
    120 A.3d 1
      349 (July 17, 2015), the Pennsylvania Superior Court has established appellate
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    3·
    that case, at the time of the preliminary hearing, as well as the time of the
    4
    omnibus pre-trial hearing, and the date of this Order, the Superior Court's
    5
    published Opinion in· Ricker is good and binding law. ·
    6
    Accordingly, the evidence presented at �he original preliminary hearing is
    7
    8
    sufficient to establish a prima facia case.                         Defendant is not entitled to an
    9       additional preliminary hearing as this Court will not allow for fishing expeditions
    10       in our Magisterial District Courts.
    11
    For all of the forgoing reasons, Defendant's Omnibus Pre-Trial Motion is
    12
    denied in its entirety.
    13
    14
    15
    16
    17                                                         BY THE COURT:
    .
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    THOMAS R. CAMPBELL
    �
    s...          20                                                         Judge
    21
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    :!,                    Megan C. Zei, Esquire
    �             22       Gerald A. Lord, Esquire
    Samuel A. Gates, Esquire
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    QORIGINAL
    Circulated 10/22/2018 11:32 AM
    IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF ADAMS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
    CRIMINAL
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    TODD RICHARD OYLER
    t.1
    . OPINION PURSUANT TO Pa. R.A.P. 1925{a)
    C)
    Appellant, Todd Richard Oyler, appeals from this Court's August 2, 2016 Order
    denying Appellant's Motion to Continue Trial Generally. For the reasons set forth below,
    it is respectfully requested that this Court's August 2, 2016 Order be affirmed.
    Appellant is charged with two counts of Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse
    with a Child, a felony of the first degree1; two counts of Unlawful Contact with a Minor, a
    felony_ of the firstdegree2; one count of Unlawful Contact with a Minor, a felony of the
    third degree3; one count of Aggravated Indecent Assault of a Child, a felony of the first
    degree4; one count of Indecent Assault of a Person Less than 13 Years of Age, a felony
    of the third degree5; one count of Corruption of Minors, a felony of the third degree6; one
    count of Corruption of Minors, a misdemeanor of the first degree7; one count of Indecent
    Exposure, a misdemeanor of the first degree8; one count of Indecent Assault - statutory,
    a misdemeanor of the second degree9; and one count of open lewdness, a
    misdemeanor of the third degree 1°.
    1
    18Pa. C.S. § 3123 (B)
    1
    18 Pa. C. S. § 6318(a)(1)
    J 18 Pa. C.S. § 63 I 8(a)(l)
    4
    18 Pa. C.S. § 3125(b)
    5
    18 Pa. C.S. § 3 I 26(a)(7)
    6
    18 Pa. C.S. § 6301(a)(l)(ii)
    7
    18 Pa. C.S. § 630 ! (a)( I )(i)
    8
    J8 Pa. C.S. § 3127(a)
    9
    18 Pa. C.S. § 3 I 26(a)(7)
    10
    18 Pa. C.S. § 5901
    1
    On November 24, 2015, a preliminary hearing was held in this matter before
    �--�
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    Magisterial District Judge Tony Little. At Appellant's preliminary hearing, the
    ..   _.....,..                         ...      ..                        ---.,_.� ....   --
    Commonwealth only presented hearsay testimony of statements made by M.L, the
    juvenile victim in this case. All charges were held for court. Appellant filed an Omnibus
    Pre-Trial Motion on March 9, 2016 which included a Habeas Corpus Motion, a Motion to
    Quash or Dismiss the Criminal Information, and a Motion for Remand for Preliminary
    Hearing. This Court denied Appellant's Omnibus Pre-trial Motion in its entirety on April
    29, 2016. Appellant filed a second Omnibus Pre-Trial Motion on May 10, 2016 seeking
    this Court to preclude the Commonwealth from prosecuting Appellant for Unlawful
    Contact With a Minor.11 This Court denied Appellant's Omnibus Pretrial Motion in its
    entirety on May 19, 2016. On June 23, 2016, the Commonwealth moved to admit out of
    court statements under the Tender Years Hearsay Exception.12 This Court granted that
    motion on July 15, 2016. The Appellant then moved to continue trial generally. On
    August 2, 2016, this Court denied Appellant's Motion to Continue Trial Generally.
    Appellant then filed his Notice of Appeal and Concise Statement on September 1, 2016
    and September 22, 2016 respectively13.
    In his Concise Statement, Appellant alleges that this Court erred by denying his
    Motion to Continue Trial Generally pending the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania's
    decision in Commonwealth v. Ricker, 
    120 A.3d 349
    (Pa. Super. 2015). Appellant also
    11
    18 Pa. C.S. § 6318(c)
    12
    42 Pa. C.S. § 5985.1
    13 It is noted that
    Appellant has failed to appeal this Court's April 29, 2016 Order or its July 15, 2016 Order, denying
    Appellant's Omnibus Pre-trial Motions in which Appellant sought remand for a preliminary hearing and attempted
    to prevent the Commonwealth from admitting M.L's hearsay statements under the Tender Years Hearsay Exception.
    This Court further notes that as its July 15, 2016 Order states, M. L. was under the age of twelve, made statements
    describing an offense enumerated in 18 Pa. C.S. Chapter 31, and her statements provided sufficient indicia of
    reliability. Under the Tender Years Hearsay Exception, M.L. 's statements will be admissible at trial.
    2
    argues that his constitutional right to confront and cross-examine his accuser at his
    preliminary hearing was violated.
    l;..>-6-......... ..�_._,....._,_,-�-�.,,...�-·-
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    Appellant first alleges that this Court erred by denying his Motion to Continue
    Trial Generally until the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania renders an opinion in
    Commonwealth        v. Ricker. "The Superior Court shall have exclusive appellate
    jurisdiction of all appeals from final orders of the courts of common pleas." 42 Pa.
    C.S.A. § 742. A final order is an order which "disposes of all claims and of all parties; ...
    or is entered as a final order pursuant to paragraph (c) of this rule."14 A final order puts
    "litigants out of court by either ending the litigation or entirely disposing of the case."
    Commonwealth v. Jackson, 
    849 A.2d 1254
    , 1256 (Pa. Super. 2004) (quoting
    Commonwealth v. Rosario, 
    615 A.2d 740
    , 743 (Pa. Super. 1992)). An order that does
    not end the litigation or dispose of a case is an interlocutory order. 
    Rosario, 615 A.2d at 743
    (quashing an appeal of an order that was not final and therefore an interlocutory
    order). "Ordinarily all pre-trial orders are considered interlocutory and not appealable."
    Commonwealth v. Bennett, 
    345 A.2d 754
    , 755 (Pa. Super. 1975) (citing
    Commonwealth v. Rucco, 
    324 A.2d 388
    , 389 (Pa. Super. 1974)). Interlocutory orders
    may be appealed15 as of right16 or by permission 17. An appellant may appeal an
    interlocutory order by permission by seeking certification from the lower court within
    thirty days of the lower court's issuance of the order in question.18 An appellant may
    14
    See PA. R. A. P. 341
    15
    42,Pa. C.S.A. § 5105(c)
    1
    '' PA. R. A. P. 31 i
    17
    PA.R.A.P. l311 andPA.R.A.P.312
    18
    Pa. R. A. P. 1311
    3
    request that the lower court add the language pursuant to42 Pa. C.S.A. § 702 (b)19 to
    the order being challenged.20
    [The Pennsylvania Superior Court's] appellate jurisdiction extends to Non-final
    orders only where: (a) an appeal from an interlocutory order is authorized by law;
    (b) a lower court has certified the issue involved in the interlocutory order as 'a
    controlling question of law as to which there is substantial ground for difference
    of opinion and that an immediate appeal from the order may materially advance
    the ultimate termination.of the matter; or (c) the appellee has waived an objection
    to the jurisdiction of the court.
    
    Rucco, 324 A.2d at 389
    (internal quotation marks and citations omitted).
    Generally in criminal cases, "a defendant can appeal only from a final judgment
    of sentence, and an appeal from any prior Order or judgment will be quashed."
    Commonwealth v. Swanson, 
    225 A.2d 231
    , 232 (Pa. 1967).
    Unless 'exceptional circumstances' are involved, defendants are prohibited from
    appealing interlocutory orders in criminal cases. Such exceptional circumstances
    arise (1) where an appeal is necessary to prevent a great injustice to the
    defendant, or (2) where an issue of basic human rights is involved, or (3) where
    an issue of great public importance is involved.
    
    Id. at 232.
    See also 
    Ricker, 120 A.3d at 353
    .
    This Court's Order denying Appellant's Motion to Continue Trial Generally is not
    a final order. The Order did not end the litigation or dispose of the case. Therefore,
    Appellant has filed an appeal from an interlocutory order. Because a Motion to Continue
    Trial Generally is not enumerated as an interlocutory order that is appealable as of
    19
    "When a court or other government unit, in making an interlocutory order in a matter in which its final order
    would be within the jurisdiction of an appellate court, shall be of the opinion that such order involves a controlling
    question of law as to which there is substantial ground for difference of opinion and that an immediate appeal from
    the order may materially advance the ultimate termination of the matter, it shall so state in such order. The appellate
    court may thereupon, in its discretion, permit an appeal to be taken from such interlocutory order." 42 Pa. C.S.A. §
    702 (b).
    Pa. R. A. P. 1311
    -20
    4
    right21, Appellant is required to file a petition for permission to appeal to the
    Pennsylvania Superior Court.22 To date, Appellant has failed to seek certification and
    have this Court's Order amended to include the language specified in 42 Pa. C.S.A. §
    702. Appellant failed to follow appellate procedure under Pa. R. A. P. 1311 and 42 Pa.
    C.S.A. § 702, and the thirty day window to do so has expired.23
    The Pennsylvania Superior Court has quashed such appeals in the past. See
    Commonwealth v. Fleming, 
    794 A.2d 385
    , (Pa. Super. 2002) (quashing an appeal in
    which appellant failed to file a petition for permission to file an interlocutory appeal));
    Commonwealth v. Wills, 
    476 A.2d 1362
    (Pa. Super. 1984) (quashing an appeal
    because appellants failed to petition for permission to appeal, as required by Pa. R. A.
    P. 1311)); 
    Rucco, 324 A.2d at 390
    (quashing an appeal of an interlocutory order
    denying relief of an alleged violation of the '180 day rule').
    Appellant's appeal cannot be legitimized by exceptional circumstances either. A
    motion to continue trial generally does not fit into any of the categories that would
    warrant invoking the exceptional circumstances doctrine. Appellant has not raised an
    issue in his appeal claiming that he has suffered a great injustice, a basic human right is
    involved, or an issue of great public importance is involved. Therefore, the exceptional
    circumstances doctrine does not apply to Appellant's appeal.
    Appellant's appeal of the interlocutory order is not as of right, he has failed to
    comply with Pa. R. A. P. 1311 and 42 Pa. C.S.A. § 702, and a motion to continue trial
    generally does not warrant the application of the exceptional circumstances doctrine.
    21
    See PA. R. A. P. 311
    22
    See PA. R. A. P. 1311 and PA. R. A. P. 312
    2
    '   This Court filed the Order.in question on August 2, 2016. Appellant would have had to file for certification on or
    before September I, 2016,
    5
    Therefore, Appellant's appeal should be quashed. Even if Appellant properly perfected
    his appeal, his claims are meritless.
    Appellant next alleges that his constitutional right to confront his accuser at his
    preliminary hearing was violated. Both the United States Constitution and the
    Pennsylvania Constitution provide that a defendant has the right to confront the
    witnesses against him in criminal prosecutions.24 U.S. CONST. amend. VI; PA. CONST.
    art. 1, § 9. The right of confrontation triggers when the prosecution seeks to admit
    testimonial evidence against the accused, and the right operates to bar admission of the
    testimonial statements of witnesses who were not called            at trial unless the witness was
    unavailable at trial and the defendant had a prior opportunity to cross-examine the
    · witness. Crawford v. Washington, 
    541 U.S. 36
    , 54 (2004). The United States
    Supreme Court has held that "the right of confrontation is a trial right." Pennsylvania             v.
    Ritchie, 
    480 U.S. 39
    , 53 (1987). See also Commonwealth v. Herrick, 
    660 A.2d 51
    , 60
    (Pa. Super. 1995).
    Pennsylvania Rule of Criminal Procedure 542(E) promulgated by the
    Pennsylvania Supreme Court, provides that hearsay evidence alone is sufficient to
    establish a prima facie case at a preliminary hearing.25 As the Rule is promulgated by
    the Supreme Court, it is deemed to be constitutional. Further, in Commonwealth v.
    Ricker, 
    120 A.3d 349
    , the Pennsylvania Superior Court has established appellate
    authority in this regard.
    24
    The Sixth Amendment applies to the States via the Fourteenth Amendment. Melendez-Diaz v.
    Massachusetts, 
    557 U.S. 305
    , 309 (2009) (citing Pointer v. Texas, 
    380 U.S. 400
    , 403 (1965)). A criminal
    defendant's rights under the Confrontation Clause of the Pennsylvania Constitution are coextensive with
    those guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution. Commonwealth v. Geiger,
    
    944 A.2d 85
    , 97 n.6 (Pa. Super. 2008).
    25
    PA. R. CRIM. P. 542(E)
    6
    Here, Appellant argues that his constitutional right to confront his accuser was
    violated and that right will be lost forever if he is forced to go to trial before the
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    Pennsylvania Supreme Court makes its decision in Ricker. Although the Supreme
    Court has gr�nted allocator in that case, at the time of the preliminary hearing, at the
    time of the omnibus pretrial hearing, and currently, the Superior Court's published
    Opinion in Ricker was good and binding law. This Court did not err in relying on Ricker
    and its precedents. Currently, the right to confront witnesses is                                                                                                                            a trial right; the
    Pennsylvania Supreme Court has not extended that right.
    Accordingly, the hearsay evidence presented at the original preliminary hearing
    did not violate Appellant's right to confront the witnesses against him as the law stood at
    that point in time and as it stands now. Defendant is not entitled                                                                                                                              to an additional
    preliminary hearing as this Court will not ailow for fishing expeditions in our Magisterial
    District courts.
    Therefore, for all the reasons stated herein, it is respectfully requested that this
    Court's August 2, 2016 Order denying Appellant's Motion to Continue Trial Generally be
    affirmed.
    �b
    BY THE COURT:
    DATE: October 6, 2016                                                                                                                                             THOMAS R. CAMPBELL
    COPIES                                                                                                                                          Judge
    1-0riginal                                                                                           lDhh�
    . 1-Court Administrator '-..,.
    � - �
    1-Megan C. Zei, Esquire            .           1·.si�
    t-Gerald A. Lord, Esquire/�· ·. ··
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    IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF ADAMS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
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    TODD RICHARD OYLER                                                                                   c;
    -..
    OPINION PURSUANT TO Pa. R.A.P.1925(a)
    Appellant, Todd Richard Oyler (hereinafter referred to as "Appellant"), appeals
    the trial verdict of August 2, 2017, this Court's judgment of sentence of October 17,
    2017 and this Court's Order of Court dated February 5, 2018 denying Appellant's
    Post-Sentence Motion for Reconsideration. For the reasons set forth herein, it is
    respectfully requested this Court's judgment of sentence and Order denying
    Appellant's post-sentence motion be affirmed.
    Testimony developed at the two-day jury trial held August 1, 2017 and August
    2, 2017 revealed that the following relevant events occurred. M.L. (hereinafter
    "Victim") was born November        2003 and was      \3   l   years old on the dates of
    trial. The Victim testified that her Dad had majority custody and she would go to her
    Mom and Appellant's house every weekend. The Victim testified that her Mom and
    Appellant initially lived in an apartment in Hanover (York County) and then moved to
    a house in New Oxford (Adams County). The Victim identified the Appellant at trial as
    Todd Oyler, her stepfather.
    The Victim testified that Appellant sexually abused her over a number of years.
    The Victim testified that the abuse started when she was four years old and
    continued until she was six or seven. The Victim testified that the sexuai abuse
    1
    0
    started at her Mom and Appellant's apartment in Hanover and continued when her
    Mom and Appellant moved to the house in New Oxford. The Victim testified that the
    sexual abuse happened every weekend when she visited her Morn and Appellant and
    would occur in her bedroom at night while everyone was asleep.
    The Victim testified that Appellant called his penis "dragon". The Victim
    testified Appellant made the Victim lick his "dragon", Appellant would lick the Victim's
    vaginal area and Appellant would make the Victim sit on top of him while he was
    laying down and make the Victim rub her vaginal area across Appellant's "dragon".
    The Victim testified the Appellant would put his "dragon" inside of her mouth and
    Appellant's tongue would lick the crack of the Victim's vaginal area. Appellant also
    touched the breasts and vaginal area of the Victim with his hands. The Vtctirn testified
    Appellant put his fingers in the hole of the Victim's vaginal area and told the Victim "it
    had to stretch", referring to the Victim's vagina.
    The Victim testified she did not remember the sexual acts occurring when she
    was eight or nine. The Victim also testified these sexual acts stopped after Appellant
    was diagnosed with cancer, which occurred when the Victim was in fourth grade. The
    Victim testified that the touching resumed when the Victim was in fifth grade, which
    coincided with Appellant recovering from cancer. The Victim testified the last abuse
    happened in October of fifth grade and April of fifth grade and Appellant touched her
    breasts, butt and legs.
    The Victim testified that her friend L.D. was the first person the Victim told
    concerning the Appellant sexuaily abusing her. This occurred while the Victim and
    LD. were in fifth grade. L.D. testified that the Victim told her in April of fifth grade that
    2
    her stepfather had sex with her and touched her private areas. L.D. told her parents
    about the abuse that night. Erin Driesbach testified that in April 2015 she worked for
    Adams County Children and Youth Services. Ms. Driesbach had received a referral
    concerning sexual abuse of the Victim and interviewed the Victim at her school in
    New Oxford on April 10, 2015.
    Other trial testimony revealed that Appellant was forty-nine years old on
    August 1, 2017. Appellant started dating Christy Oyler, the mother of the Victim, in
    2005 and moved in with the Victim's mother              tn         __ -, Hanover, York
    County, Pennsylvania in October 2005. Appellant married the Victim's mother in
    February 2007. Appellant and Christy Oyler moved to ·                    , New Oxford,
    Adams County, Pennsylvania on November 1, 2010. The Victim turned seven              �n ·
    November:     ·�\e;. Appellant was diagnosed with cancer June 2013.
    The jury convicted Appellant of two counts of involuntary deviate sexual
    intercourse, unlawful contact with a minor, aggravated indecent assault, indecent
    assault of a child under the age of thirteen and corruption of minors. This Court
    ordered a pre-sentence investigation and, based on the charges, an assessment by
    the Sexual Offenders Assessment Board. On October 17, 2017 this Court sentenced
    Appeliant to an aggregate sentence of sixteen years to forty years in a state
    correctional institution. Appellant's appellate counsel (Assistant Public Defender Sean
    A. Mott) filed a Post-Sentence Motion for Reconsideration on November 27, 2017.
    On February 5, 2018 this Court denied Appellant's Post-Sentence Motion for
    Reconsideration. Appellant filed his Notice of Appeal with the Superior Court on
    March 5, 2018. On March 5, 2018 Appeliant was ordered to file a Concise Statement
    3
    of Matters Complained of on Appeal. Appellant filed Concise Statement of Matters
    Complained of on Appeal on March 26, 2018.
    Appellants Concise Statement of Matters Complained of on Appeal consisted
    of the following issues:
    1.     The Defendant was deprived of his right to confrontation under the state
    and federal Constitutions at his preliminary hearing when the
    Commonwealth only presented testimonial hearsay evidence at the
    preliminary through a police officer who was not a witness to the alleged
    events.
    2.      The Defendant was denied his due process guarantees when he
    requested a bill of particulars pursuant to Pa.R.Crim.P. 572 from the
    Commonwealth and subsequent motion to the Court, but never
    received it, and acts in York County were alleged for the first time at
    trial, for which Defendant was unprepared and which likely affected the
    jury's verdict.
    3.     The Court abused its discretion when it removed a juror, Susan Lang,
    on the second day of trial without examining the juror's ability to be fair
    and impartial.
    4.     The evidence presented at trial was insufficient as a matter of law to
    convict Defendant at trial.
    5.     The verdict rendered at trial is contrary to the weight of the evidence.
    4
    LEGAL STANDARD
    The standard of review on a sufficiency of the evidence claim is "whether the
    evidence at trial, and all reasonable inferences derived therefrom, when viewed in the
    light most favorable to the Commonwealth as verdict [·] winner, are sufficient to
    establish all elements of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt." Commonwealth v.
    Jones, 
    904 A.2d 24
    , 26 (Pa. Super. 2006) (citation omitted) (internal quotations
    omitted). "'[T]he facts and circumstances established by the Commonwealth need not
    preclude every possibility of innocence."' Commonwealth v. Hartzell, 
    988 A.2d 141
    ,
    143 (Pa. Super. 2009) (quoting Commonwealth v. McClendon, 
    874 A.2d 1223
    ,
    1228-1229 (Pa. Super. 2005)). "Any doubts regarding a defendant's guilt may be
    resolved by the fact-finder unless the evidence is so weak and inconclusive that as a
    matter of law no probability of fact may be drawn from the combined circumstances ..
    . . " 
    Id. "The Commonwealth
    may sustain its burden of proving every element of the
    crime beyond a reasonable doubt by means of wholly circumstantial evidence."'
    Commonwealth v. Bowen, 
    55 A.3d 1254
    , 1260 (Pa. Super. 2012) (quoting
    Commonwealth v. Muniz, 
    5 A.3d 345
    , 348 (Pa. Super. 2010)). '"Finally, the trier of
    fact while passing upon the credibility of witnesses and the weight of the evidence
    produced, is free to believe all, part or none of the evidence."' 
    Id. "In applying
    the
    above test, we may not weigh the evidence and substitute our judgment for the fact-
    finder." 
    Hartzell, 988 A.2d at 143
    (internal quotations omitted).
    '"A verdict is against the weight of the evidence only when the jury's verdict is
    so contrary to the evidence as to shock one's sense of justice.'" Commonwealth v.
    5
    Rivera, 
    983 A.2d 1211
    , 1225 (Pa. 2009) (quoting Commonwealth v. VanDivner,
    
    962 A.2d 1170
    , 1177 (Pa. 2009)). "[A] determination [of whether a jury's verdict is
    against the weight of the evidence] is generally committed to the discretion of the trial
    court." Commonwealth v. Bellini, 
    482 A.2d 997
    , 999 (Pa. Super. 1984). "A new trial
    should not be granted because of a mere conflict in testimony or because a judge on
    the same facts would have arrived at a different conclusion." 
    Rivera, 983 A.2d at 1225
    (internal quotations omitted). The critical question is whether or not "certain
    facts are so clearly of greater weight that to ignore them, or to give them equal weight
    with all the facts, is to deny justice." 
    Id. DISCUSSION I.
        Sufficiency of the Evidence and Weight of the Evidence
    a.      Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse with a Child
    "A person commits involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child, a felony
    of the first degree, when the person engages in deviate sexual intercourse with a
    complainant who is less than thirteen years of age." 18 Pa. C.S. § 3123(b). Deviate
    sexual intercourse is defined as "[s]exual intercourse per os or per anus between
    human beings .... The term also includes penetration, however slight, of the genitals
    or anus of another person with a foreign object for any purpose other than good faith
    medical, hygenic or law enforcement procedures." 18 Pa. C.S. § 3101.
    The criminal information alleges that the incidents at issue occurred between
    November 1, 2007 and April 8, 2015. The Victim testified her birthday is November
    2003. The Victim testified that the conduct establishing the crime of involuntary
    deviate sexual intercourse occurred when she was between the ages of four and
    6
    seven. The Victim testified this conduct started when she was four at her Mother and
    Appellant's apartment in Hanover. The Victim testified that this conduct continued
    until she was six or seven. The Victim also testified that this conduct continued after
    the Victim's Mother and Appellant moved to the house in New Oxford, located within
    Adams County.
    The Commonwealth also set forth evidence from which the jury could
    determine deviate sexual intercourse between the Victim and Appellant occurred. For
    example, the Victim testified that Appellant would have the Victim lick his "dragon"
    and would put his penis in the Victim's mouth and Appellant would lick Victim's
    vaginal area. She also testified there was penetration as Appellant's penis was inside
    her mouth and Appellant's tongue was inside her vagina.
    Importantly, '"the uncorroborated testimony of the complaining witness is
    sufficient to convict a defendant of sexual offenses."' Commonwealth v. Lyons, 
    833 A.2d 245
    , 258 (Pa. Super. 2003) (quoting Commonwealth v. Bishop, 
    742 A.2d 178
    ,
    186 (Pa. Super. 1999)).
    A review of the evidence, in the light most favorable to the Commonwealth as
    the verdict winner, shows Appellant's sufficiency of the evidence claim for the
    involuntary deviate sexual intercourse charge is meritless.
    Furthermore, Appellant's claim that the trial verdict is contrary to the weight of
    the evidence has no merit. Based on all the evidence presented, the verdict does not
    shock one's sense of justice.
    7
    b.     Unlawful Contact with a Minor
    A person commits unlawful contact with a minor "if he is intentionally in contact
    with a minor ... for the purpose of engaging in an activity prohibited under any of the
    following, and either the person initiating the contact or the person being contacted is
    within this Commonwealth: (1) Any of the offenses enumerated in Chapter 31
    (relating to sexual offenses)." 18 Pa. C.S. § 6318(a) (1). In regards to the grading of
    the crime, the statute states "[a] violation of subsection (a) is: (1) an offense of the
    same grade and degree as the most serious underlying offense in subsection (a) for
    which the defendant contacted the minor; or (2) a felony of the third degree;
    whichever is greater." 18 Pa. C.S. § 6318(b) (1)-(2).
    The Commonwealth           presented    testimony which established Appellant
    continuously entered the Victim's bedroom at night while the Victim was sleeping and
    intentionally contacted the Victim so he could engage in sexual acts with her. The
    Commonwealth established that between November 2007 and April 2015, Appellant
    had direct contact with the Victim for the sole purpose of engaging in sexual acts with
    her. The Victim testified that almost every weekend Appellant would come to her
    bedroom, come in, wake her up, and put his "dragon" (penis) in her mouth and lick
    and penetrate her vagina with his tongue, while Victim was lying down. The Victim
    also testified that Appellant would make the Victim sit on top of him while he was
    lying down and make the Victim rub her vaginal area across Appellant's "dragon" .
    . Appellant also touched the breasts and vaginal area of the Victim with his hands. The
    Victim testified Appellant put his fingers in the hole of the Victim's vaginal area and
    told the Victim "it had to stretch", referring to the Victim's vagina.
    8
    The Commonwealth also presented the Victim's testimony that these sexual
    incidents occurred -· _'tin.             New Oxford, Adams County, Pennsylvania.
    Appellant and the Victim's Mother started living there on November 1, 2010 while the
    Victim was six. The Victim visited the house in New Oxford every weekend, starting
    when the Victim was six. Thus, both the person "initiating the contact [and] the person
    being contacted" were located within the state of Pennsylvania, and within Adams
    County.
    A review of the evidence, in the light most favorable to the Commonwealth as
    verdict winner, establishes Appellant's claim is meritless. The Commonwealth
    presented sufficient evidence from which the jury could infer Appellant intentionally
    contacted the Victim, a minor, for the purpose of engaging in sexual activities in
    violation of 18 Pa. C.S. § 3123(b), 18 Pa. C.S. § 3125(a)(7), and 18 Pa. C.S. §
    3126(a)(3).
    Furthermore, Appellant's claim that the verdict rendered at trial is contrary to
    the weight of the evidence has no merit. Based on all the evidence presented, the
    verdict does not shock one's sense of justice.
    c.     Aggravated Indecent Assault
    A person commits aggravated indecent assault, a felony of the second degree,
    when "a person who engages in penetration however slight, of the genitals or anus of
    a complainant with a part of the person's body for any purpose other than good faith
    medical, hygienic or law enforcement procedures commits aggravated indecent
    assault if the complainant is less than thirteen years of age." 18 Pa. C.S. §
    3125(a)(7).
    9
    The criminal information alleges that the incidents at issue occurred between
    November 1, 2007 and April 8, 2015. The Victim testified her birthday is November
    . 2003. The Victim testified that the conduct establishing the crime of aggravated
    indecent assault occurred when she was between the ages of four and seven. The
    Victim testified this conduct started when she was four at her Mother and Appellant's
    apartment in Hanover. The Victim testified that this conduct continued until she was
    six or seven. The Victim also testified that this conduct continued after the Victim's
    Mother and Appellant moved to the house in New Oxford, located within Adams
    County.
    The Commonwealth also set forth evidence from which the jury could
    determine Appellant engaged in penetration of the vagina of the Victim for any
    purpose other than good faith medical, hygienic or law enforcement procedures. For
    example, the Victim testified that Appellant touched her vaginal area with his hands,
    put his fingers in the hole of the Victim's vagina and told the Victim "it had to stretch",
    referring to the Victim's vagina.
    A review of the evidence, in the light most favorable to the Commonwealth as
    the verdict winner, shows Appellant's sufficiency of the evidence claim for the
    aggravated indecent assault charge is meritless.
    Furthermore, Appellant's claim that the verdict rendered at trial is contrary to
    the weight of the evidence has no merit. Based on all the evidence presented, the
    verdict does not shock one's sense of justice.
    10
    d.    Indecent Assault
    "A person is guilty of indecent assault if the person has indecent contact with
    the complainant, causes the complainant to have indecent contact with the
    person ... for the purpose of arousing sexual desire in the person or the complainant
    and the complainant is less than thirteen years of age." 18 Pa. C.S. § 3126(a)(7). In
    regards to the grading of the crime, the statute states if any of the following apply, it is
    a felony of the third degree:     "(ii) there has been a course of conduct of indecent
    assault by the person; or (iii) the indecent assault was committed by touching the
    complainant's sexual or intimate parts with sexual or intimate parts of the person; or
    (iv) the indecent assault is committed by touching the person's sexual or intimate
    parts with the complainant's sexual or intimate parts." 18 Pa. C.S. § 3126(b)(3)(ii),
    (iii), (Iv).
    The criminal information alleges that the incidents at issue occurred between
    November 1, 2007 and April 8, 2015. The Victim testified her birthday is November
    2003. The Victim testified that the conduct establishing the crime of indecent
    assault started when the Victim was four and continued unti! Appellant was
    diagnosed with cancer. The Victim testified that this conduct continued after the
    Victim's Mother and Appellant moved to the house in New Oxford, located within
    Adams County. Appellant's cancer diagnosis occurred when the Victim was going
    into fourth grade. The Victim testified the indecent assault started again when the
    Victim was in fifth grade. The Victim testified the last incidents of indecent assault
    occurred in October and April of fifth grade and Appellant touched her breasts, butt
    and legs.
    11
    A review of the evidence, in the light most favorable to the Commonwealth as
    the verdict winner, shows Appellant's sufficiency of the evidence claim for the
    indecent assault charge is meritless.
    Furthermore, Appellant's claim that the trial verdict is contrary to the weight of
    the evidence has no merit. Based on all the evidence presented, the verdict does not
    shock one's sense of justice.
    II.    Preliminary Hearing, Defendant's Right to Confrontation
    Appellant alleges that he was deprived of his right to confrontation under the
    State and Federal Constitutions at his preliminary hearing when the Commonwealth
    only presented testimonial hearsay evidence through a police officer who was not a
    witness to the alleged events.
    Adams County Court of Common Pleas Judge Thomas R. Campbell
    previously dealt with this issue in an Order of Court dated April 29, 2016 and in Judge
    Campbell's Opinion Pursuant to Pa. RP.A. 1925(a), entered October 6, 2016. Judge
    Campbell's Order of Court dated April 29, 2016 is attached as Exhibit A to this
    Opinion and Judge Campbell's Opinion Pursuant to Pa. RP.A. 1925(a), filed October
    6, 2016, is attached to the Opinion as Exhibit B.
    Furthermore, since Judge Campbell's Order of Court and 1925(a) Opinion, the
    Pennsylvania Supreme Court in Commonwealth v. Ricker, 
    170 A.3d 494
    (Pa. 2017)
    dismissed the appeal as having been improvidently granted.
    Furthermore, once a Defendant has gone to trial and been found guilty of a
    crime, any defect in the preliminary hearing is rendered immaterial. Commonwealth
    12
    v, Tyler, 
    587 A.2d 326
    (Pa. Super. 1991); Commonwealth v. Worrall, 
    609 A.2d 851
    (Pa. Super. 1992).
    Appellant's argument that he was deprived of his right to confrontation at the
    preliminary hearing is meritless.
    Ill.    Bill of Particulars Argument
    Appellant contends he was denied due process guarantees when he
    requested a bill of particulars from the Commonwealth pursuant to Pa. R.Crim.P. 572
    and subsequent motion to the Court, but never received an answer to his request for
    bill of particulars.
    A review of the docket in the above-captioned matter reveals that Appellant
    filed a Request for Bill of Particulars on March 9, 2016. The Commonwealth filed an
    Answer to Defendant's Request for Bill of Particulars on March 15, 2016. Appellant
    filed no additional request for bill of particulars, nor a motion with the Court for relief
    concerning Defendant's Request for Bill of Particulars.
    Appellant's argument concerning a requested bill of particulars in violation of
    Pa. R. Crim. P. 572 is meritless.
    IV.     Removal of Juror
    Appellant contends this Court abused its discretion when it removed a juror,
    Juror #62, on the second day of trial without examining the juror's ability to be fair and
    impartial.
    Jury selection in the above-captioned case occurred on July 30, 20       \1 before
    this Court: During jury selection this Court was provided with a list of witnesses or
    potential witnesses who may testify at tria! by both the Commonwealth and Appellant.
    13
    Included was the name Susan Lang, the stepmother of the Victim, who is married to
    the Victim's father. During the voir dire process none of the proposed jurors advised
    that they knew Susan Lang, including Juror #62.
    Juror #62 was selected as a juror in this case. At the close of court on August
    1, 2017, the Commonwealth advised the Court and defense counsel that Susan Lang
    recognized Juror #62, that they previously worked together at Adams County
    National Bank, that Susan Lang was in a supervisory role to Juror #62 and on at least
    one occasion reprimanded Juror #62 for a violation of employment procedure.
    The following colloquy occurred on the morning of August 2, 2017 before trial
    started:
    THE COURT: Good morning, Miss Carey.
    JUROR: Good morning.
    THE COURT: You're not in trouble so don't worry.
    JUROR: Okay.
    THE COURT: An issue was raised. It's my understanding in reviewing
    your questionnaire that you worked at Adams County National Bank for
    a long time.
    JUROR: Yes, I did.
    THE COURT: You worked as a teller in the Cashtown branch?
    JUROR: Um-hum.
    THE COURT: Are you familiar with a Susan Lang?
    JUROR: Yes I am and when you read that name the other day it went
    right over my head. I haven't had any contact with her for about seven
    years. I've been retired for five and she changed her position two years
    before that.
    14
    THE COURT: When you were a teller at Adams County National Bank
    was she basically the branch manager there'?
    JUROR: Yes, she was.
    THE COURT: So she would have been your-
    JUROR: She was my bosses boss.
    THE COURT: I don't want to ask any questions about how you did your
    job but in the course of her employment as the branch manager at any
    time did she provide or write you up for anything that you would have
    done incorrectly in your job?
    JUROR: Yes, one time.
    THE COURT: Okay, thank you. Based on that in an abundance of
    caution, I'm sure you could be a fair and impartial juror and I'm sure you
    would not let that impact you, but in an abundance of caution I am going
    to dismiss you right now.
    JUROR: That's fine because I thought about this yesterday and I wasn't
    sure who to even tell because I saw her in here yesterday and that's
    when it just clicked. I know her.
    THE COURT: Okay.
    JUROR: That's not a problem.
    THE COURT: Given the relationship you understand.
    JUROR: Yes. That's fine. Not a problem at all.
    "The discharge of a juror is within the sound discretion of the court and that
    determination will not be reversed absent a palpable abuse of that discretion. We
    have recognized that this discretion exists even after the jury has been impaneled
    and the jurors sworn." Commonwealth v. Black, 
    376 A.2d 627
    , 632 (Pa. 1977).
    (citations omitted) (internal citations omitted). The court in Black also stated:
    In the instant case, the trial judge dismissed the juror as a precautionary
    measure to insure an impartial trial, free of outside influences, and to
    avoid the , appearance of impropriety. While we recognize the
    15
    relationship of the juror to the witness does not, as a matter of law
    disqualify that juror, see e. g., Commonwealth ex rel. Fletcher v.
    Cavell, 
    395 Pa. 134
    , 
    149 A.2d 434
    (1959), we do not believe that a
    judge who, out of an abundance of caution excludes such a juror,
    abuses his discretion by doing so. "A fair trial in a fair tribunal is a basic
    requirement of due process." In re Murchison, 
    349 U.S. 133
    , 136, 
    75 S. Ct. 623
    , 625, 
    99 L. Ed. 942
    (1955). See also, Withrow v. Larkin, 
    421 U.S. 35
    , 
    95 S. Ct. 1456
    , 
    45 L. Ed. 2d 712
    (1975); Irvin v. Dowd, 
    366 U.S. 717
    , 
    81 S. Ct. 1639
    , 
    6 L. Ed. 2d 751
    (1961). This obligation is applicable
    whether we are considering the rights of the defendant or the interest of
    the state. While we recognize that these considerations are to some
    degree dependent upon speculation, the recognition of the possibility of
    prejudice or bias resulting from such a close relationship is certainly
    justified and the action of the court in removing this juror to assure
    fairness is obviously reasonable. Cf. Turner v. Louisiana, 
    379 U.S. 466
    , 
    85 S. Ct. 546
    , 
    13 L. Ed. 2d 424
    (1965); Commonwealth v. Stewart,
    
    449 Pa. 50
    , 
    295 A.2d 303
    (1972).
    Id at 632.
    It is noted that Juror #62 did not disclose her knowledge of a potential
    Commonwealth witness, the stepmother of the Victim in this case, during voir dire.
    Furthermore, following questioning by the Court, Juror #62 disclosed that she saw
    Susan Lang in the courtroom, acknowledged to the Court she knew her, but did not
    advise the Court or court personnel of their prior relationship until questioned by the
    Court. The juror did acknowledge that Susan Lang, the stepmother of the Victim, had
    previously reprimanded her for an employment issue.
    Just as in Black, this Court "dismissed the juror as a precautionary measure to
    ensure an impartial trial, free of outside influences, and to avoid the appearance of
    impropriety." Id at 632. Furthermore, the standard concerning whether a juror should
    be removed, even after the jury has been impaneled and the jurors sworn, is not
    whether the juror could be fair and impartial. See Commonwealth v. Hetzel, 822
    
    16 A.2d 747
    , 755 (Pa. Super. 2003). The Court's decision to remove Juror #62 was
    based upon a sufficient record of competent evidence to sustain removal.
    Therefore, since Appellant has not shown that there was a palpable abuse of
    the Court's discretion in removal of Juror #62 and based on this Court's reasoning on
    Appellant's other issues, it is respectfully requested that this Court's Judgment of
    Sentence and Order denying Appellant's Post-Sentence Motion be affirmed.
    BY THE COURT:
    Date: May 2, 2018                                  SHAWN C. WAGNER
    Judge
    nll
    Kelley L. Margetas, Esquire
    Sean A. Mott, Esquire -
    Distributio..n
    Original
    Kelley L. Marget           . .
    Sean A M            as,. Esqurre - t\C0\'\Nt.
    Cou       · ?f!, Esquire -�\CD�\C..
    rt Administrator- e�\L
    Adams County L
    District &  c       egal Journah�.\tD:i\."flt_
    .
    Med·,a C     aunty   Reports -�\
    opy _ c.a�c..
    17