Com. v. Malone, T. ( 2020 )

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NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION – SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
: PENNSYLVANIA
v. :
:
TERRY MALONE, : No. 1491 MDA 2019
:
Appellant :
Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence Entered August 14, 2019,
in the Court of Common Pleas of Berks County
Criminal Division at No. CP-06-CR-0004433-2017
BEFORE: PANELLA, P.J., STABILE, J., AND FORD ELLIOTT, P.J.E.
MEMORANDUM BY FORD ELLIOTT, P.J.E.: FILED DECEMBER 14, 2020
Terry Malone appeals, pro se, from the August 14, 2019 judgment of
sentence entered by the Court of Common Pleas of Berks County following his
conviction of two counts each of manufacture of a controlled substance,
possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver (“PWID”),
possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The trial court sentenced appellant to an aggregate term of 17-42 years’
incarceration. After careful review, we affirm.
The trial court set forth the following factual and procedural history:
On July 26, 2017, patrol units with the Reading Police
Department arrived at 428 West Windsor Street in
Reading, Pennsylvania to serve an arrest warrant for
an individual named Miguel Carrasquillo, living at that
residence who was wanted for a felony burglary
involving a firearm and were granted entrance to the
residence. While serving the arrest warrant, officers
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observed firearms and suspected bulk amounts of
synthetic marijuana in plain view.
During the search, officers were informed by
neighbors that the residents frequently utilize[d] a
white, 2005 Ford Explorer that was parked outside of
the residence. A large container that would attach to
an air compressor and firearms could be seen on the
floor board and in the back seat of the Ford Explorer.
Based on these observations, a search warrant was
issued and a search conducted of the Ford Explorer.
Though the Ford Explorer was not registered to
appellant, inside the vehicle, officers found a
cardboard box addressed to appellant originally from
China and routed through Germany prior to arriving in
the [United States.] A powder substance wrapped in
a foil envelope was also found inside the Ford
Explorer. Packaging with the powder indicated that it
was shipped from China to appellant at a post office
box.
On July 26, 2017, a lawful search warrant was
executed on storage unit 1027 located at 1252 North
9th Street in Reading, Pennsylvania (“Unit 1027”) by
members of law enforcement, including Criminal
Investigator Matthew Niebel (“C.I. Niebel”), who
testified for the Commonwealth at the trial of this
matter. Upon entering Unit 1027, law enforcement
found four large cardboard boxes — some marked
with a specific brand — and a large, black plastic bin.
One of the cardboard boxes contained approximately
nineteen, one-pound packages of a green, leafy
substance suspected to be synthetic marijuana. Each
was packaged in a one-gallon Ziploc bag. C.I. Niebel
testified that, based on his training and experience,
controlled substances, such as synthetic marijuana,
[are] often packaged in bulk for sale or distribution.
Other boxes contained blue tarps with approximately
sixty pounds of unpackaged substance suspected to
be synthetic cannabinoid. Tarps are commonly used
and [are] an essential tool in the manufacturing of
large quantities of synthetic marijuana. The black
plastic bin contained some synthetic marijuana
residue.
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A packaging slip on one of the boxes indicated that
the box was packed with twenty-five pounds of
damiana leaf, which is an herbal substance known to
be used in the processing of synthetic
marijuana.[Footnote 1] Some of the boxes still had
shipping labels with appellant’s name and a Reading
post office box address printed on them. Another
receipt from [an] herb company in Oregon also had
appellant’s name printed on it with an address at
165 Main Street, Building 27 in Wernersville,
Pennsylvania and indicated that the receipt was for
fifty pounds of damiana leaf. Law enforcement
contacted the management office of the storage
center and obtained a copy of the lease for Unit 1027,
which identified appellant as the lessee of Unit 1027
with an address at 1 Rockview Place in Bellefonte,
Pennsylvania.
[Footnote 1] While damiana leaf is known
to be used in the processing of synthetic
marijuana, it is not itself a controlled
substance and the purchase of which is
not illegal in Pennsylvania.
The substances found inside both Unit 1027 and in the
Ford Explorer were then sent to the Pennsylvania
State Police (“PSP”) Laboratory for analysis. Upon
analysis of the substances, the PSP forensic drug
analyst concluded that the substance materials
contained FUB-AMB, an indole carboxamide, which is
a Schedule I controlled substance.
Law enforcement began surveillance on appellant. On
July 27, 2017, at approximately 10:00 a.m., officers
observed appellant exit 839 North 8th Street in
Reading, Pennsylvania and enter a gray 2011 Infiniti
and drive to 428 Windsor Street. Appellant then
traveled to a secondary location and on to the post
office on 5th Street in Reading.
Later in the day, at approximately 2:30 p.m.,
investigators observed appellant enter the 2011
Infiniti, after having placed a black garbage bag into
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the trunk. Appellant traveled to 851 North 3rd Street
in Reading, Pennsylvania, went into that address with
the garbage bag and reemerged with a brown paper
bag that he also placed into the trunk of the Infiniti.
Appellant drove to Storage World, located at
211 North Wyomissing Boulevard in Reading,
Pennsylvania and accessed storage unit 3B007 (“Unit
3B007”). Appellant returned to 851 North 3rd Street,
pulled an object from the trunk, which appeared to be
a rifle wrapped in a garbage bag, and enter the
residence again.
After appellant left 851 North 3rd Street, officers
obtained consent from the residents of the
second-floor apartment — Talaura Gonzalez and
Kevin Jacquez — to search the apartment. In the
second-floor bedroom, a black garbage bag was found
under [a] plastic container. Inside of the garbage bag
was an AR-15 rifle and an Intratec .22 caliber Tech-22
with the serial number filed down. In another closet,
officers found a second garbage bag with a small
purse inside and a scale. Inside of the purse were a
Ruger 9mm handgun, which was loaded with ten
bullets, a pink Cobra .380 handgun and forty bullets.
Ms. Gonzalez informed officers that appellant owned
or possessed the firearms.
Law enforcement then prepared and executed search
warrants on both 839 North 8th Street and the
2011 Infiniti vehicle. A search warrant for Unit 3B007
was also authorized and executed.
Upon searching the 2011 Infiniti registered to
appellant, officers found a brown paper bag in the
trunk of the vehicle containing $25,100 in [United
States] currency and a black garbage bag containing
synthetic marijuana. Inside the vehicle, officers found
a jeweler’s receipt for a watch with appellant’s name
on it and a receipt for [a] $1,500 money order sent to
a location in China. The watch indicated on the
jeweler’s receipt matches a watch found on appellant
upon his arrest.
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A search warrant on [Unit 3B007] was likewise
executed. Unit 3B007 was essentially empty except
for a paper bag on the floor containing $89,893 in
United States currency.
A search was authorized and executed by law
enforcement on appellant’s residence located at
839 North 8th Street in Reading. During the search,
officers found two digital scales, packaging materials
and Ziploc bags and a gun box. Criminal Investigator
Kevin Haser (“C.I. Haser”), who was called by the
Commonwealth both as a fact witness and an expert
at the trial of this matter, testified that based on the
amount of synthetic cannabinoid found during the
searches, that the drugs were possessed with the
intent to distribute, as opposed to merely for personal
use. C.I. Haser also testified as to the process and
materials used during the production of synthetic
cannabinoids[.]
Thereafter, on July 27, 201[7], appellant was taken
into custody. The keys for the post office box listed
on the shipping label and the keys for the locks on
both Unit 1027 and Unit 3B007 were found on
appellant’s person.
Officers also searched post office boxes at the
5th Street Post Office in Reading relative to keys
seized upon appellant’s person. Officers also obtained
the application for the post office box, which indicated
that appellant had applied for and his identity was
verified on the form with his driver’s license. A second
post office box key found on appellant’s person
corresponded with a box leased by appellant’s known
paramour. Law enforcement confirmed that these
were the post office boxes where the damiana leaf
shipments were being sent to appellant.
....
On September 29, 2017, appellant was
charged[Footnote 2] with, inter alia, one count of
possession of a firearm with altered manufacturer’s
number[Footnote 3] at count five, one count of
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receiving stolen property[Footnote 4] at count six,
two counts of manufacture of a controlled
substance[Footnote 5] at counts seven and eight, two
counts of [PWID][Footnote 6] at counts nine and ten,
two counts of possession of a controlled
substance[Footnote 7] at counts eleven and twelve
and two counts of possession of drug
paraphernalia[Footnote 8] at counts thirteen and
fourteen. On September 15, 2017, all charges were
held over for court.
[Footnote 2] [The trial court] note[s] that
appellant was likewise charged with four
counts of unlawful possession of a firearm
pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 6105(a)(1),
which were severed from the instant
charges and later withdrawn after
sentencing pursuant to the instant
convictions.
[Footnote 3] 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 6110.2(a)[.]
[Footnote 4] 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 3925(a)[.]
[Footnote 5] 35 P.S. § 780-113(a)(30)[.]
[Footnote 6] 35 P.S. § 780-113(a)(30)[.]
[Footnote 7] 35 P.S. § 780-113(a)(16)[.]
[Footnote 8] 35 P.S. § 780-113(a)(32)[.]
Appellant, [although represented by counsel], filed
various pro se pre-trial motions which were denied by
[the trial] court. On August 16, 2018, appellant filed
counseled omnibus pretrial motions seeking
habeas corpus relief challenging the classification of
FUB-AMB as a controlled substance under
Pennsylvania law on the date of appellant’s arrest. A
hearing was scheduled and held on the motion for
September 19, 2018. At the pretrial hearing, the
Commonwealth presented Adam Shober, a forensic
drug analyst with the [PSP] Crime Lab and was
qualified as an expert witness in the field of drug
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analysis. The Commonwealth submitted eight
laboratory reports from the PSP Crime Lab.
Mr. Shober testified that all of the reports indicated
the substances tested, which were those seized during
the searches, were examined and determined to be
FUB-AMB, an indole carboxamide. Mr. Shober also
testified that the indole carboxamide tested was the
same category of chemical that is considered a
Schedule I controlled substance pursuant to 35 P.S.
§ 780-104(vii)(2.1).
During cross-examination, appellant’s trial counsel
questioned Mr. Shober regarding the ten specific
chemical compounds listed under the statute and the
fact that FUB-AMB is not specifically listed therein.
Mr. Shober insisted that the specifically listed
chemical compounds are merely examples and does
not include all indole carboxamides, though indole
carboxamides are considered Schedule I controlled
substances. Appellant’s trial counsel then shifted to
an emphasis on the fact that the federal government
has specifically designated FUB-AMB, with a different
naming scheme tha[n] that used under Section 780-
104. Mr. Shober testified that the general category of
indole carboxamides, as stated in the statute, may
have slight changes or substitutions that do not
remove the chemical from the general category.
Finally, upon question, Mr. Shober testified that in
FUB-AMB, at the indole ring, a carbon has been
replaced by nitrogen and that there are a number of
substitutions at the propionaldehyde group.
At the conclusion of the hearing, [the trial] court
denied appellant’s pretrial motion. [The trial court’s]
decision was based on the fact that the statute,
though giving several specific examples of the named
controlled substance, does not give an exhaustive list
thereof. [The trial court] also found appellant’s
argument that the federal government’s definition of
the substance somehow differs from that of the
Commonwealth as unconvincing since the violation is
of the Commonwealth’s law and not prosecuted under
federal law. [The trial court] likewise found that the
Commonwealth’s burden in such a proceeding was
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met with the expert witness’ testimony that the
chemical, indole carboxamide, is a controlled
substance under Pennsylvania law.
The case was scheduled for a bench trial on March 21,
2019. On February 4, 2019, appellant, through
counsel, filed a motion for dismissal pursuant to
[Pa.R.Crim.P.] 600. The Commonwealth provided its
answer to the motion on March 15, 2019. A hearing
on the motion was scheduled for the same day as the
scheduled bench trial. At the March 21, 2019 hearing,
[the trial court] denied appellant’s motion and[,]
likewise, denied the bench trial. The matter was
thereafter scheduled for a jury trial on April 10, 2019.
On April 16, 2019, appellant’s trial counsel filed a
petition for withdrawal of appearance, which [the
trial] court denied by order dated the same day. The
case was then rescheduled for jury trial for the trial
term to begin June 5, 2019. The jury trial proceeded
on June 10, 2019 and concluded on June 12, 2019.
Following the jury trial, appellant was found guilty of
the two counts of manufacture of a controlled
substance, two counts of PWID, two counts of
possession of a controlled substance and two counts
of possession of drug paraphernalia. On August 14,
2019, [the trial] court sentenced appellant to an
aggregate sentence of seventeen years to forty-two
years of incarceration in a state correctional facility.
Appellant was determine to be RRRI eligible reducing
his minimum to 170 months.
On August 21, 2019, appellant’s trial counsel filed a
petition to withdraw as counsel. Appellant likewise
expressed his desire to move forward pro se. A
hearing was held on August 27, 2019, after which,
upon satisfaction of [the trial] court from a colloquy of
appellant, [the trial court] granted the petition to
withdraw. Appellant did not file any post-sentence
motions.
On September 12, 2019, appellant, filed a pro se
notice of appeal to the Superior Court of the judgment
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of sentence and all orders entered upon this matter.
On September 13, 2019, [the trial] court ordered that
a concise statement of errors be filed and served
within twenty-one days pursuant to Pennsylvania
Rules of Appellate Procedure 1925(b). On October 7,
2019, appellant filed a pro se concise statement of
errors.
Trial court opinion, 11/15/19 at 1-7 (citations to the record and extraneous
capitalization omitted). On November 15, 2019, the trial court filed an opinion
pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a).
Appellant raises the following issues for our review:
[I.] Did the lower court violate [d]ue
[p]rocess/[e]qual protection by denying
[a]ppellant’s motion to [d]ismiss all charges
pursuant to a violation of Pa.R.Crim. P., [sic]
rule 600?
[II.] Did the lower court violate [d]ue [p]rocess by
denying [a]ppellant a bench trial?
[III.] Did the lower court violate [d]ue [p]rocess by
denying [a]ppellant his right to
self-representation?
[IV.] Is “35 P.S. 780-104(1)(vii)(2.1)”
unconstitutionally vague/unconstitutionally
vague as applied?
[V.] Was the verdict against the sufficiency/weight
of the evidence, where the Commonwealth
failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that
FUB-AMB was a controlled substance?
[VI.] Did the Commonwealth fail to prove beyond a
reasonable doubt that [a]ppellant had
knowledge (mens rea) that he was dealing in
a controlled substance?
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[VII.] Did the Commonwealth fail to prove the
element that [a]ppellant was not a person
registered under the Controlled Substance,
Drug, Device, and Cosmetics Act or a
practitioner not registered by the appropriate
[s]tate [b]oard to manufacture a controlled
substance, possess a controlled substance
with intents to deliver it, or simply possess a
controlled substance?
[VIII.] Was the verdict against the sufficiency/weight
of the evidence as to counts 7, 9, 11, and 13?
[IX.] Did the lower court violate [d]ue [p]rocess by
giving erroneous jury instructions?
[X.] Was [sic] counts 7 and 9, and counts 8 and 10
supposed to merge for purposes of
sentencing?
Appellant’s brief at 4-5.1, 2
In his first issue for our review, appellant avers the Commonwealth
violated his constitutional right to a speedy trial pursuant to Pennsylvania Rule
of Criminal Procedure 600. (Appellant’s brief at 9-16.) We disagree.
“In evaluating Rule [600] issues, our standard of
review of a trial court’s decision is whether the trial
court abused its discretion.” Commonwealth v. Hill,
736 A.2d 578, 581 (Pa. 1999). See also
Commonwealth v. McNear, 852 A.2d 401
(Pa.Super. 2004). “Judicial discretion requires action
in conformity with law, upon facts and circumstances
judicially before the court, after hearing and due
consideration.” Commonwealth v. Krick, 67 A.2d
746, 749 (Pa.Super. 1949). “An abuse of discretion
is not merely an error of judgment, but if in reaching
1 For ease of discussion, we have re-ordered appellant’s issues on appeal.
2 The pages in appellant’s brief are unnumbered; for the ease of our
discussion, we have assigned each page a corresponding number.
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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.”
Commonwealth v. Jones, 826 A.2d 900, 907
(Pa.Super. 2003) (en banc) (citing Commonwealth
v. Spiewak, 617 A.2d 696, 699 n.4 (Pa. 1992)).
“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.” Hill,
supra at 581; McNear, supra at 404. See also
Commonwealth v. Jackson, 765 A.2d 389
(Pa.Super. 2000), appeal denied, 793 A.2d 905 (Pa.
2002). “[A]n appellate court must view the facts in
the light most favorable to the prevailing party.” Id.
at 392.
....
In assessing a Rule 600 claim, the court must exclude
from the time for commencement of trial any periods
during which the defendant was unavailable, including
any continuances the defendant requested and any
periods for which he expressly waived his rights under
Rule 600. Pa.R.Crim.P. 600(C). “A defendant has no
duty to object when his trial is scheduled beyond the
Rule [600] time period so long as he does not indicate
that he approves of or accepts the delay.”
Commonwealth v. Taylor, 598 A.2d 1000, 1003
(Pa.Super. 1991), appeal denied, 613 A.2d 559 (Pa.
1992) (addressing [m]unicipal [c]ourt’s counterpart
to speedy trial rule).
Commonwealth v. Hunt, 858 A.2d 1234, 1238-1239, 1241 (Pa.Super.
2004) (en banc), appeal denied, 875 A.2d 1073 (Pa. 2005).
The comment to Rule 600 states any delay in the proceedings
instrumentally caused by the defendant or the defense, including the
unavailability of the defendant, must be excluded for the purposes of
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Rule 600. Pa.R.Crim.P. 600 cmt. The court has previously held a defendant
is considered unavailable for any period of time in which he or she is
unrepresented, absent a waiver of his or her right to counsel.
Commonwealth v. Anderson, 959 A.2d 1248, 1251 (Pa.Super. 2008).
The comment to Rule 600 further provides “delay in the time of trial that
is attributable to the judiciary may be excluded from the computation of time.”
Pa.R.Crim.P. 600 cmt. citing Commonwealth v. Crowley, 466 A.2d 1009
(Pa. 1983); see also Commonwealth v. Mills, 162 A.3d 323, 325 (Pa.
2017), citing Commonwealth v. Bradford, 46 A.3d 693, 705 (Pa. 2012)
(“periods of judicial delay are excludible from calculations under the rule”).
Here, the record reflects the original mechanical run date was July 27,
2018. Prior to the hearing on appellant’s Rule 600 motion, the Commonwealth
filed a response to the motion, which demonstrated many of the delays in the
case were caused by appellant, and appellant expressly agreed to waive
Rule 600 for numerous other delays. (Commonwealth’s response, 3/15/19 at
Exhibits A-C.) At the Rule 600 hearing, defense counsel expressly agreed to
the authenticity and accuracy of these documents. (Notes of testimony,
3/21/19 at 3.) Defense counsel never disputed he agreed to the Rule 600
waivers, which resulted in an adjusted mechanical run date of December 27,
2019. (See id. at 2-7.) As appellant was brought to trial in June 2019, well
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before the adjusted mechanical run date, his first claim does not merit relief.3
See Hunt, 825 A.2d at 1241.
In his second issue, appellant contends the trial court violated his due
process rights by denying him a bench trial. (Appellant’s brief at 42-43.) We
disagree.
As appellant admits (id. at 43,) there is no constitutional right to a bench
trial. Commonwealth v. Sanchez, 36 A.3d 24, 54 (Pa. 2011), cert. denied,
568 U.S. 833 (2011). Moreover, the decision to grant or deny a request for a
bench trial is within the discretion of the trial court. Commonwealth v.
Merrick, 488 A.2d 1, 3 (Pa.Super. 1985).
The Commonwealth argues appellant waived this claim because he
failed to make a written request for a bench trial in the trial court.
(Commonwealth’s brief at 27-28.) While we have been unable to locate any
written request, the record of the March 21, 2019 speedy trial hearing
demonstrates appellant had made such a request and the trial court denied it
on the record. (Notes of testimony, 3/21/19 at 6-7.) Thus, we will address
the claim on the merits.
3 Moreover, appellant’s reliance on our supreme court’s decision in Mills,
supra, is misplaced. In Mills, the delays were largely caused by
Commonwealth requests for continuances, which the Commonwealth then
argued should be excluded based upon the 2012 revised computational
instructions to Pa.R.Crim.P. 600(C). Mills, 162 A.3d at 324. This is simply
not the situation in the present case.
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We have reviewed the record and find no abuse of discretion. While
appellant contends there were claims he would have raised in a bench trial,
which he could not before a jury (appellant’s brief at 42), counsel never argued
this in the trial court. (Notes of testimony, 3/21/19 at 6-7.)
Moreover, our review of the examples provided by appellant
demonstrates the claims he wanted to raise in a bench trial were either
meritless, reflect appellant’s misunderstanding of the law, had previously been
decided against him, or were claims which needed to be raised in an omnibus
pre-trial motion, not at trial. Further, the record reflects a relationship
between appellant and the trial court, which can best be described as
acrimonious. Given this, we find the trial court did not abuse its discretion in
denying appellant’s request for a bench trial. See Merrick, 488 A.2d at 3.
Appellant’s second issue does not merit relief.
In his third issue, appellant claims the trial court erred in denying his
request to represent himself. (Appellant’s brief at 38-40.) We disagree.
In considering whether a defendant's request to proceed pro se is valid,
the standard of review is de novo. Cf. Commonwealth v. Davido, 868 A.2d
431, 439 (Pa. 2005) (reviewing totality of circumstances de novo to
determine whether defendant’s request to proceed pro se was unequivocal),
cert. denied, 546 U.S. 1020 (2005). We are guided by the following
standards:
Before a defendant is permitted to proceed pro se,
however, the defendant must first demonstrate that
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he knowingly, voluntarily and intelligently waives his
constitutional right to the assistance of counsel. If the
trial court finds after a probing colloquy that the
defendant’s putative waiver was not knowingly,
voluntarily or intelligently given, it may deny the
defendant’s right to proceed pro se. The “probing
colloquy” standard requires Pennsylvania trial courts
to make a searching and formal inquiry into the
questions of (1) whether the defendant is aware of his
right to counsel or not and (2) whether the defendant
is aware of the consequences of waiving that right or
not. Specifically, the court must inquire whether or
not: (1) the defendant understands that he has the
right to be represented by counsel, and the right to
have free counsel appointed if he is indigent; (2) the
defendant understands the nature of the charges
against him and the elements of each of those
charges; (3) the defendant is aware of the permissible
range of sentences and/or fines for the offenses
charged; (4) the defendant understands that if he
waives the right to counsel he will still be bound by all
the normal rules of procedure and that counsel would
be familiar with these rules; (5) defendant
understands that there are possible defenses to these
charges which counsel might be aware of, and if these
defenses are not raised at trial, they may be lost
permanently; and (6) the defendant understands
that, in addition to defenses, the defendant has many
rights that, if not timely asserted, may be lost
permanently; and that if errors occur and are not
timely objected to, or otherwise timely raised by the
defendant, the objection to these errors may be lost
permanently.
Commonwealth v. Starr, 664 A.2d 1326, 1335 (Pa. 1995) (citations and
parallel citation omitted); see also Indiana v. Edwards, 554 U.S. 164,
175-176 (2008) (explaining defendant competent to stand trial may not
necessarily be competent to waive right to counsel).
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Here, the trial court conducted a probing colloquy into whether appellant
could knowingly, voluntarily, and intelligently waive his right to counsel and
proceed pro se. (See generally notes of testimony, 4/3/19 at 3-9.) We
agree with the trial court; appellant’s answers to its questions, as well as his
conduct throughout the case,4 reflect not only appellant’s inability to
understand the normal rules of procedure but a complete unwillingness to be
bound by them. (See also notes of testimony, 4/3/19 at 4-8 (where appellant
incorrectly answered questions about sentencing ranges for drug felonies and
misdemeanors, fines he would possibly be subjected to, elements of persons
not to possess firearms, and demonstrated a lack of understanding of rules of
evidence).) Having reviewed the totality of the circumstances, we agree with
the trial court. Appellant’s history of misunderstanding, willful or otherwise,
of the normal rules of procedures, and his incorrect responses to several of
the court’s questions, did not evidence an awareness of the consequences of
waiving his right to counsel. See Starr, 664 A.2d at 1335. Appellant’s third
claim does not merit relief.
In his fourth claim, appellant challenges the constitutionality of 35 P.S.
§ 780-104(1)(vii)(2)(A)(I), claiming it is vague. (Appellant’s brief at 23-28.)
However, appellant waived this claim.
4 This conduct included the filing of numerous pro se motions, often
challenging issues already decided by the trial court and despite being
informed several times he was not permitted to file pro se motions while
represented by counsel.
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“Analysis of the constitutionality of a statute is a question of law and,
thus, our standard of review is de novo. Our scope of review, to the extent
necessary to resolve the legal question[] before us, is plenary. . .”
Commonwealth v. Proctor, 156 A.3d 261, 268 (Pa.Super. 2017) (citations
omitted), appeal denied, 172 A.3d 592 (Pa. 2017).
Here, in its Rule 1925(a) opinion, the trial court found appellant had
waived this issue because it was raised for the first time in his Rule 1925(b)
statement. (Trial court opinion, 11/15/19 at 14.) We agree.5
We have long held “issues, even those of constitutional dimension, are
waived if not raised in the trial court. A new and different theory of relief may
not be successfully advanced for the first time on appeal.” Commonwealth
v. Santiago, 980 A.2d 659, 666 (Pa.Super. 2009) (citations omitted),
appeal denied, 991 A.2d 312 (Pa. 2010), cert. denied, 562 U.S. 866
(2010); see also 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”). Moreover, an
appellant cannot raise issues for the first time in a Rule 1925(b) statement.
5 Appellant raised the issue in a pro se motion he filed in April 2019. (Petition
for dismissal, 4/10/19, at (unnumbered) 1-4.) However, he was represented
by counsel during this period. It is well settled under Pennsylvania law there
is no right to hybrid representation either at trial or on the appellate level.
See Commonwealth v. Padilla, 80 A.3d 1238, 1259 (Pa. 2013),
cert. denied, 573 U.S. 907 (2014). Thus, courts in this Commonwealth “will
not accept a pro se motion while an appellant is represented by counsel;
indeed, pro se motions have no legal effect and, therefore, are legal nullities.”
Commonwealth v. Williams, 151 A.3d 621, 623 (Pa.Super. 2016) (citation
omitted).
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See Commonwealth v. Coleman, 19 A.3d 1111, 1118 (Pa.Super. 2011)
(issues raised for first time in Rule 1925(b) statement are waived). Thus,
appellant waived his fourth issue, and we will not address it further.
In his fifth through eighth issues, appellant challenges both the weight
and sufficiency of the evidence underlying his conviction. (Appellant’s brief at
16-23, 28-37.) For the reasons discussed below, we find appellant waived his
weight of the evidence and certain of his sufficiency of the evidence claims,
and the remainder do not merit relief.
In his fifth and eighth issues, appellant challenges the weight of the
evidence underlying his conviction. However, appellant has not preserved this
claim for our review.
We have long held this court cannot consider, in the first instance, a
claim the verdict is against the weight of the evidence. See Commonwealth
v. Wilson, 825 A.2d 710, 714 (Pa. Super. 2003). Here, appellant did not file
a post-sentence motion. Thus, the issue is not preserved for our review. See
Commonwealth v. Burkett, 830 A.2d 1034, 1036 (Pa. Super. 2003).
Moreover, appellant did not raise the weight of the evidence claims in
his Rule 1925(b) statement. Because of this, the trial court did not address
these claims in its Rule 1925(a) opinion.
As amended in 2007, Pennsylvania Rule of Appellate Procedure 1925
provides issues that are not included in the Rule 1925(b) statement or raised
in accordance with Rule 1925(b)(4) are waived. See Pa.R.A.P.
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1925(b)(4)(vii); see also Commonwealth v. Heggins, 809 A.2d 908, 911
(Pa.Super. 2002) (“[A Rule 1925(b)] [s]tatement which is too vague to allow
the court to identify the issues raised on appeal is the functional equivalent to
no [c]oncise [s]tatement at all.”), appeal denied, 827 A.2d 430 (Pa. 2003);
Commonwealth v. Lord, 719 A.2d 306, 308 (Pa. 1998), superseded by
rule on other grounds as stated in Commonwealth v. Burton, 973 A.2d
428, 431 (Pa.Super. 2009). Thus, appellant waived his weight of the evidence
claims for this reason as well.
In his fifth through eighth issues, appellant also claims the evidence was
insufficient to sustain his convictions. We disagree.
Our standard of review of a sufficiency claim is well settled:
Our standard for evaluating sufficiency of the evidence
is whether the evidence, viewed in the light most
favorable to the Commonwealth [as verdict winner],
is sufficient to enable a reasonable [factfinder] to find
every element of the crime beyond a reasonable
doubt. [T]he entire trial record must be evaluated and
all evidence actually received must be considered,
whether or not the trial court’s rulings thereon were
correct. Moreover, [t]he Commonwealth may sustain
its burden of proving every element of the crime
beyond a reasonable doubt by means of wholly
circumstantial evidence. Finally, the trier of fact,
while passing upon the credibility of witnesses and the
weight to be afforded the evidence produced, is free
to believe all, part or none of the evidence.
Commonwealth v. Shull, 148 A.3d 820, 844 (Pa.Super. 2016) (citation
omitted).
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In his fifth issue, appellant maintains the evidence was insufficient to
show FUB-AMB was a controlled substance. In his sixth issue, appellant
argues the Commonwealth failed to prove he had the requisite mens rea to
show he knew he was dealing in a controlled substance. In its Rule 1925(a)
opinion, the trial court thoroughly addressed these issues as follows:
Section 780-113(a)(30) of the Controlled Substance,
Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act (“the Controlled
Substance Act”), prohibits “the manufacture, delivery,
or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver, a
controlled substance by a person not registered under
this act, or a practitioner not registered or licensed by
the appropriate State board, or knowingly creating,
delivering or possessing with intent to deliver, a
counterfeit controlled substance.” 35 P.S. § 780-
113(a)(30). Likewise, [] Section 780-113(a)(16)
prohibits “[k]nowingly or intentionally possessing a
controlled or counterfeit substance by a person not
registered under this act, or a practitioner not
registered or licensed by the appropriate State board,
unless the substance was obtained directly from, or
pursuant to, a valid prescription order or order of a
practitioner, or except as otherwise authorized by this
act.” 35 P.S. § 780-113(a)(16).
The Controlled Substance Act also provides schedules
of controlled substances, including, in relevant part,
the following:
(vii) Synthetic cannabinoids, including
any material, compound, mixture or
preparation that is not listed as a
controlled substance in Schedules I, II,
III, IV and V, is not a Federal Food and
Drug Administration-approved drug or not
used within legitimate and approved
medical research and which contains any
quantity of the following substances, their
salts, isomers, whether optical, positional
or geometric, analogues, homologues and
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salts of isomers, analogues and
homologues, unless specifically
exempted, whenever the existence of
these salts, isomers, analogues,
homologues and salts of isomers,
analogues and homologues if possible
within the specific chemical designation:
....
2.1. Indole carboxamides--Any
compound structurally derived from
1H-indole-3-carboxamide or
1H-indole-2-carboxamide:
(A) substituted in both of the
following ways:
(I) At the nitrogen atom of
the indole ring.
(II) At the nitrogen of the
carboxamide by a phenyl,
benzyl, naphthyl,
adamantyl, cyclopropyl or
propionaldehyde group;
and
(B) whether or not the
compound is further modified
to any extent in any of the
following ways:
(I) Substitution to the
indole ring to any extent.
(II) Substitution to the
phenyl, benzyl, naphthyl,
adamantyl, cyclopropyl or
propionaldehyde group to
any extent.
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(III) A nitrogen
heterocyclic analog of the
indole ring.
(IV) A nitrogen
heterocyclic analog of the
phenyl, benzyl, naphthyl,
adamantyl or cyclopropyl
ring.
This shall include AB-CHMINACA,
AB-FUBINACA, AB-PINACA, ADBICA,
ADB-PINACA, AKB-48, AMB, NNEI,
STS-135 and THJ.
35 P.S. § 780-104(vii)(2.1).
The crux of [a]ppellant’s arguments, as to the
manufacturing of a controlled substance, possession
of a controlled substance and possession with intent
to deliver charges seems to hinge again on the
allegation that the Commonwealth failed to prove
beyond a reasonable doubt that FUB-AMB is a
controlled substance. We refer to the earlier recitation
of the pretrial hearing and stand by our reasoning
therefrom. Both at the pre-trial hearing, and then
during trial, the Commonwealth presented expert
opinion that FUB-AMB is an indole carboxamide
consistent with the controlled substance contemplated
under the Controlled Substances Act. Appellant failed
to present any expert witness or other evidence to
counter the determination. Moreover, the
Commonwealth presented evidence of the amount of
synthetic cannabinoids, as well as packaging, bags
and the tarps, to which the Commonwealth’s expert
witnesses testified were consistent with the
manufacture and possession with the intent to deliver
the drugs. Appellant’s contention that FUB-AMB is not
a controlled substance is without merit as a factual
matter.
As to [a]ppellant’s argument that the Commonwealth
failed to present sufficient evidence in order to prove
mens rea as to whether he knew he was dealing in a
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controlled substance, we find such an argument
unavailing. The Superior Court has stated that:
A person who intends to possess a
controlled substance, believes he
possesses a controlled substance, and in
fact possesses a controlled substance is
guilty of [possession of a controlled
substance]. The only knowledge that is
required to sustain the conviction is
knowledge of the controlled nature of the
substance. The defendant need not know
the chemical name or the precise
chemical nature of the substance. Any
more stringent rule as to knowledge
would, for all practical purposes, make the
statute inapplicable to anyone who had
not personally performed a chemical [sic]
analysis of the contraband in his
possession.
Commonwealth v. Sweeting, 528 A.2d 978, 980
(Pa.Super. 1987) (citation omitted)[, appeal denied,
536 A.2d 1331 (Pa. 1987)]. In Commonwealth v.
Mohamud, 15 A.3d 80, 92 (Pa.Super. 2010), the
[c]ourt noted that a defendant must know that the
substance he possesses is a controlled substance to
fulfill the mens rea requirement under the statute.
In Mohamud, the defendant challenged the
sufficiency of the Commonwealth’s evidence to convict
him under The Controlled Substance Act alleging that
the Commonwealth failed to prove that he knew that
the substance in his possession contained a controlled
substance under the Act. The [c]ourt found the
defendant’s argument to be unconvincing since the
defendant had admitted that that [sic] the substance
itself was illegal and such knowledge was sufficient to
fulfill the mens rea requirement.
In the instant matter, we don’t have such an
admission from [a]ppellant. In fact, [a]ppellant has
challenged the inclusion of FUB-AMB as a controlled
substance. However, the sufficiency of the
Commonwealth’s evidence does not hinge simply on
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an admission, but the jury, as fact-finder, may make
reasonable inferences from the evidence and
testimony, including that [a]ppellant’s various storage
locations, processing and packaging operations, the
large amounts of cash being held in paper bags, as
well as [a]ppellant’s own behavior can indicate his
knowledge of the illegality of the controlled substance.
Accepting [a]ppellant’s argument otherwise would
lead to an absurd result. Consequently, we find the
alleged error lacks merit.
Trial court opinion, 11/15/19 at 11-13. As we agree with this well-reasoned
analysis, we adopt the reasoning of the trial court on these issues. Appellant’s
fifth and sixth issues do not merit relief.
In his seventh issue, appellant avers the evidence was insufficient to
show he was not a person registered or licensed by the appropriate state
boards to possess with intent to deliver or possess a controlled substance.
This contention lacks merit.
In Commonwealth v. Sojourner, 408 A.2d 1108 (Pa.Super. 1979),
this court addressed an identical claim under the Controlled Substance, Drug,
Device and Cosmetic Act and held, while the Commonwealth has the burden
of proving every element of a criminal offense beyond a reasonable doubt, the
burden of going forward with evidence of every aspect of a criminal offense
need not rest on the Commonwealth from the outset. See id. at 1113.
Rather, the prosecution may shift to the defendant the burden of production,
in other words, the burden of going forward with sufficient evidence to justify
a reasonable doubt on that issue. See id. at 1114. Accordingly, we
concluded, before the prosecution must disprove the defendant was
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authorized to possess narcotics, the defendant must establish some credible
evidence of such authorization.6
Accordingly, here, appellant was required to come forward with some
proof he was licensed to manufacture, possess, or deliver FUB-AMB before the
Commonwealth was required to disprove his authorization to possess the
drug. Because appellant did not present any such evidence, the
Commonwealth was not required to present evidence to disprove that element
of the offense. Sojourner, 408 A.2d at 1113-1114. Appellant’s seventh issue
does not merit relief.
In his eighth issue, appellant asks, “[w]as the verdict against the
sufficiency/weight of the evidence as to counts 7, 9, 11, and 13?” (Appellant’s
brief at 32.) In his Rule 1925(b) statement, he phrased the same issue thusly,
“[w]as it a violation of [appellant’s] 5th/6th/14th Amendment and
Pennsylvania’s equivalent [c]onstitutional [r]ights for [appellant] to be found
[g]uilty of counts 7, 9, 11, and 13, without the Commonwealth proving all the
elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt[?]” (Statement of errors
complained of on appeal, 10/7/19 at (unnumbered) 2.)
Prior to assessing the merits of appellant’s sufficiency claim, we must
determine if it is properly before us. We are constrained to conclude appellant
6 We stated, “the [Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act]
would be virtually unenforceable if the Commonwealth were obliged to
disprove, in every case, every potential type of authorization to possess
controlled substances which the [Act] recognizes.” Sojourner, 408 A.2d at
1113.
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waived his eighth claim, because his Rule 1925(b) statement did not
sufficiently identify the claim he intended to raise on appeal.
It is well established any issue not raised in a Rule 1925(b) statement
will be deemed waived for appellate review. See Lord, 719 A.2d at 309.
Further, an appellant’s concise statement must identify the errors with
sufficient specificity for the trial court to identify and address the issues the
appellant wishes to raise on appeal. See Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b)(4)(ii) (requiring
Rule 1925(b) statement to “concisely identify each ruling or error that the
appellant intends to challenge with sufficient detail to identify all pertinent
issues for the judge”). A Rule 1925(b) concise statement that is too vague
can result in waiver of issues on appeal. See Commonwealth v. Dowling,
778 A.2d 683, 686-687 (Pa.Super. 2001) (“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”).
If [a]ppellant wants to preserve a claim that the
evidence was insufficient, then the [Rule] 1925(b)
statement needs to specify the element or elements
upon which the evidence was insufficient. This [c]ourt
can then analyze the element or elements on appeal.
[Where a] 1925(b) statement [] does not specify the
allegedly unproven elements[,] . . . the sufficiency
issue is waived [on appeal].
Commonwealth v. Tyack, 128 A.3d 254, 260 (Pa.Super. 2015) (citation
omitted).
In this case, as noted above, appellant’s Rule 1925(b) statement simply
declared the Commonwealth failed to prove the elements of counts 7, 9, 11,
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and 13. There was no way for the trial court to discern from this vague
statement what claim appellant was advancing. Because of this, the trial court
did not address this issue in its opinion. Therefore, we must conclude
appellant waived his eighth issue on appeal. See Commonwealth v.
Williams, 959 A.2d 1252, 1257-1258 (Pa.Super. 2008).
In his ninth issue, appellant contends the trial erred in charging the jury
that the synthetic cannabinoid FUB-AMB was a controlled substance in
Pennsylvania. (See [a]ppellant’s brief at 40-42.) However, appellant waived
this claim.
The standard governing our review of a challenge to jury instructions is
as follows:
When reviewing a challenge to part of a jury
instruction, we must review the jury charge as a whole
to determine if it is fair and complete. A trial court
has wide discretion in phrasing its jury instructions,
and can choose its own words as long as the law is
clearly, adequately, and accurately presented to the
jury for its consideration. The trial court commits an
abuse of discretion only when there is an inaccurate
statement of the law.
Commonwealth v. Jones, 954 A.2d 1194, 1198 (Pa.Super. 2008), appeal
denied, 962 A.2d 1196 (Pa. 2008) (citation omitted).
This court has stated:
In order to preserve a claim that a jury instruction was
erroneously given, the [a]ppellant must have objected
to the charge at trial. See Commonwealth v.
Spotz, [624] Pa. [4], 84 A.3d 294, 318 n. 18 (2014)
(citations omitted); Pa.R.A.P. 302(b) (“A general
exception to the charge to the jury will not preserve
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an issue for appeal. Specific exception shall be taken
to the language or omission complained of.”);
Pa.R.Crim.P. 647(B) (“No portions of the charge nor
omissions from the charge may be assigned as error,
unless specific objections are made thereto before the
jury retires to deliberate.”). As our [s]upreme [c]ourt
has explained:
The pertinent rules, therefore, require a
specific objection to the charge or an
exception to the trial court’s ruling on a
proposed point to preserve an issue
involving a jury instruction. Although
obligating counsel to take this additional
step where a specific point for charge has
been rejected may appear
counterintuitive, as the requested
instruction can be viewed as alerting the
trial court to a defendant’s substantive
legal position, it serves the salutary
purpose of affording the court an
opportunity to avoid or remediate
potential error, thereby eliminating the
need for appellate review of an otherwise
correctable issue.
Commonwealth v. Pressley, 584 Pa. 624, 887 A.2d
220, 224 (2005) (footnotes and citations omitted);
see Commonwealth v. Garang, 9 A.3d 237, 244-
245 (Pa.Super.2010) (citations omitted);
Commonwealth v. Moury, 992 A.2d 162, 178
(Pa.Super.2010) (citations omitted).
Commonwealth v. Parker, 104 A.3d 17, 29 (Pa.Super. 2014), appeal
denied, 117 A.3d 296 (Pa. 2015).
In Parker, trial counsel objected to the court’s charge on flight at the
charging conference. Id. However, counsel did not object to the charge when
given and, when asked, did not offer any changes or note an objection to the
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charge. Id. We held, because of this, the appellant waived the issue on
appeal. Id.
Here, as in Parker, appellant made a general objection to the charge at
the charge conference. (Notes of testimony, 6/12/19 at 353.) However, he
did not make a specific objection to the charge as given and did not request
any changes or additions. (Id. at 409.) As appellant responded in the
negative when asked if any additions or corrections to the jury charge needed
to be made, he has waived his ninth claim. Parker, 104 A.3d at 29.
In his tenth and final claim, appellant challenges the legality of his
sentence. Specifically, he contends his sentence for PWID should have
merged with his sentence for manufacturing a controlled substance.
(Appellant’s brief at 43-48.)
“Whether [a]ppellant’s convictions merge for sentencing is a question
implicating the legality of [a]ppellant’s sentence.” Commonwealth v.
Baldwin, 985 A.2d 830, 833 (Pa. 2009). We have stated:
The issue of whether a sentence is illegal is a question
of law; therefore, our task is to determine whether the
trial court erred as a matter of law and, in doing so,
our scope of review is plenary. Additionally, the trial
court’s application of a statute is a question of law that
compels plenary review to determine whether the
court committed an error of law.
Commonwealth v. Williams, 871 A.2d 254, 262 (Pa.Super. 2005) (citations
and quotation marks omitted).
The trial court aptly addressed this issue as follows:
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Appellant claims that this court violated his
constitutional rights by failing to merge counts seven
and nine and counts eight and ten. Appellant was
charged at counts seven and eight with manufacture
of a controlled substance and at counts nine and ten
with possession of a controlled substance with the
intent to deliver. The separate charges were based
on the separate locations at which the offenses
occurred. Based on [a]ppellant’s alleged errors, he
does not contend that the court should have merged
the counts regarding separate locations, but instead
he alleges that the court erred in failing to merge the
manufacturing and possession with intent to deliver
offenses.
Section 9765 of the Sentencing Code provides the
following:
§ 9765. Merger of sentences
No crimes shall merge for sentencing
purposes unless the crimes arise from a
single criminal act and all of the statutory
elements of one offense are included in
the statutory elements of the other
offense. Where crimes merge for
sentencing purposes, the court may
sentence the defendant only on the higher
graded offense.
42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9765. The statute “prohibits merger
unless two distinct facts are present: 1) the crimes
arise from a single criminal act; and 2) all of the
statutory elements of one of the offenses are included
in the statutory elements of the other.”
Commonwealth v. Tanner, 61 A.3d 1043, 1046
(Pa.Super. 2013) [citation omitted]. Moreover, The
Controlled Substances Act provides a definition of
“Manufacturing” to mean:
the production, preparation, propagation,
compounding, conversion or processing of
a controlled substance, other drug or
device or the packaging or repackaging of
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such substance or article, or the labeling
or relabeling of the commercial container
of such substance or article, but does not
include the activities of a practitioner who,
as an incident to his administration or
dispensing such substance or article in the
course of his professional practice,
prepares, compounds, packages or labels
such substance or article. The term
“manufacturer” means a person who
manufactures a controlled substance,
other drug or device.
35 P.S. § 780-102. Likewise, the term ‘[d]elivery’ is
defined as “the actual, constructive, or attempted
transfer from one person to another of a controlled
substance, other drug, device or cosmetic whether or
not there is an agency relationship.” 35 P.S. § 780-
102.
The [s]uperior [c]ourt addressed an issue analogous
to that in this matter in Commonwealth v. Everett,
434 A.2d 785 (Pa.Super. 1981), in which the
defendant had been charged with possession of a
controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver
and manufacture of a controlled substance. Id. at
788. The [c]ourt held that the count of possession
with intent to deliver did not merge with the count of
manufacture of a controlled substance where “the
charge of manufacturing was not dependent solely
upon possession of a large quantity of marijuana,” but
was coupled with other facts, including the seizure of
“other paraphernalia associated with the manufacture
of marijuana as well as a number of marijuana
plants.” Id.
We find the same analysis applies to the instant
matter. The jury found [a]ppellant guilty of both the
manufacture of a controlled substance and the
possession of a controlled substance with the intent to
deliver upon sufficient evidence presented by the
Commonwealth. The amount of synthetic cannabinoid
seized was not the sole support for the manufacturing
charge, but the materials such as the blue tarps, the
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evidence of damiana leaf and the powder used in
processing all provide support for the manufacturing
charge that is separate from the elements for the
possession with intent to deliver charges. Therefore,
we find that [a]ppellant’s alleged errors lack merit.
Trial court opinion, 11/15/19 at 17-19. We have thoroughly reviewed the
record and find the trial court did not err in its analysis of this issue.
Appellant’s tenth and final claim does not merit relief.
For the reasons discussed above, we find appellant’s issues are either
waived or do not merit relief. Accordingly, we affirm the judgment of
sentence.
Judgment of sentence affirmed.
Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary
Date: 12/14/2020
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