Com. v. Velez, D. ( 2020 )

J-S14020-20
NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
: PENNSYLVANIA
Appellee :
:
v. :
:
DIEGO VELEZ :
:
Appellant : No. 1943 EDA 2018
Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence Entered February 15, 2018
In the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County
Criminal Division at No(s): CP-51-CR-0008003-2015
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
: PENNSYLVANIA
Appellee :
:
v. :
:
DIEGO VELEZ :
:
Appellant : No. 1116 EDA 2019
Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence Entered February 15, 2018
In the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County
Criminal Division at No(s): CP-51-CR-0008002-2015
BEFORE: BOWES, J., KING, J., and FORD ELLIOTT, P.J.E.
MEMORANDUM BY KING, J.: FILED SEPTEMBER 8, 2020
Appellant, Diego Velez, appeals from the judgments of sentence
entered in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas, following his jury
trial convictions for rape by forcible compulsion, rape of a child, sexual
J-S14020-20
assault, incest, endangering the welfare of a child (“EWOC”), corruption of
minors, and unlawful contact with a minor.1 We affirm.
In its opinion, the trial court fully and accurately sets forth the relevant
facts of this case. Therefore, we have no need to restate them.
Procedurally, we add that the Commonwealth charged Appellant with rape
and related offenses stemming from his sexual abuse of his minor
daughters, I.P. and B.P. The charges at Docket No. 8002-2015 related to
I.P., and the charges at Docket No. 8003-2015 related to B.P. Appellant
proceeded to a jury trial at both dockets on April 4, 2017. On April 10,
2017, the jury convicted Appellant of multiple offenses at each docket
number. As to the abuse of I.P., the jury found Appellant guilty of one count
each of rape by forcible compulsion, sexual assault, incest, EWOC,
corruption of minors, and unlawful contact with a minor. Regarding the
abuse of B.P., the jury convicted Appellant of one count each of rape of a
child, incest, EWOC, corruption of minors, and unlawful contact with a minor.
The court sentenced Appellant at both docket numbers on February
15, 2018, to an overall aggregate term of thirty-three (33) to ninety-four
(94) years’ incarceration. Appellant did not file post-sentence motions at
Docket No. 8002-2015 (related to I.P.). At Docket No. 8003-2015 (related
to B.P.), Appellant timely filed a post-sentence motion on February 19,
____________________________________________
1 18 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 3121(a)(1), 3121(c), 3124.1, 4302(a), 4304(a)(1),
6301(a)(1)(ii), and 6318(a)(1), respectively.
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2018, which was denied by operation of law on June 20, 2018. At Docket
No. 8003-2015, Appellant filed a timely notice of appeal on July 2, 2018, and
a voluntary concise statement of errors complained of appeal per Pa.R.A.P.
1925(b) on August 13, 2018.
Following submission of a petition under the Post-Conviction Relief Act
(“PCRA”), 42 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 9541-9546, on April 5, 2019, the PCRA court
reinstated Appellant’s direct appeal rights nunc pro tunc at Docket No. 8002-
2015; the court did not restore Appellant’s post-sentence motion rights nunc
pro tunc. On April 12, 2019, Appellant filed a timely notice of appeal nunc
pro tunc at Docket No. 8002-2015, and a voluntary Rule 1925(b) statement.
This Court consolidated Appellant’s appeals sua sponte on November 12,
2019.2
Appellant raises two issues for our review:
Was the evidence insufficient to convict Appellant?
Was the verdict against the weight of the evidence?
(Appellant’s Brief at 3).
Preliminarily, a challenge to the weight of the evidence must be
preserved by a motion for a new trial. Pa.R.Crim.P. 607. The Rule provides:
____________________________________________
2On June 9, 2020, this Court issued an order staying disposition of this case
pending this Court’s en banc decision in Commonwealth v. Albright, 517
MDA 2019. In light of this Court’s recent order decertifying Albright for en
banc reargument, we now lift the stay order and proceed to address this
appeal.
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Rule 607. Challenges to the Weight of the Evidence
(A) A claim that the verdict was against the weight of the
evidence shall be raised with the trial judge in a motion for
a new trial:
(1) orally, on the record, at any time before
sentencing;
(2) by written motion at any time before sentencing; or
(3) in a post-sentence motion.
Pa.R.Crim.P. 607(A). “As noted in the comment to Rule 607, the purpose of
this rule is to make it clear that a challenge to the weight of the evidence
must be raised with the trial judge or it will be waived.” Commonwealth v.
Gillard, 850 A.2d 1273, 1277 (Pa.Super. 2004), appeal denied, 581 Pa.
672, 863 A.2d 1143 (2004) (internal quotation marks omitted).
Additionally, where the PCRA court reinstates direct appeal rights nunc
pro tunc, the defendant is not automatically entitled to reinstatement of his
post-sentence rights nunc pro tunc as well. Commonwealth v. Liston, 602
Pa. 10, 977 A.2d 1089 (2009). Nevertheless, a PCRA court can reinstate a
defendant’s post-sentence rights nunc pro tunc if the defendant pleads and
proves he was deprived of the right to file and litigate post-sentence motions
as a result of ineffective assistance of counsel. Id. at 19 n.9, 977 A.2d at
1094 n.9 (noting counsel may be deemed ineffective for failing to file post-
sentence motions when claim requires preservation in trial court for
purposes of appellate review).
Instantly, Appellant failed to raise an objection to the weight of the
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evidence in the trial court at Docket No. 8002-2015. See Gillard, supra;
Pa.R.Crim.P. 607. Appellant also did not request reinstatement of his post-
sentence motion rights nunc pro tunc in his PCRA petition at Docket No.
8002-2015, or state that he wanted to raise on appeal a claim requiring
preservation in the trial court. See Liston, supra. Therefore, to the extent
Appellant challenges the weight of the evidence at Docket No. 8002-2015 in
this appeal, it is waived. See Commonwealth v. Sherwood, 603 Pa. 92,
982 A.2d 483 (2009), cert. denied, 559 U.S. 1111, 130 S. Ct. 2415, 176
L. Ed. 2d 932 (2010) (providing where appellant fails to preserve weight of
evidence challenge in trial court, weight claim is waived because appellate
court has nothing to review).
Moreover, even if Appellant properly preserved his challenge to the
weight of the evidence at Docket No. 8002-2015, it would not warrant relief.
When examining a challenge to the weight of the evidence, our standard of
review is as follows:
The weight of the evidence is exclusively for the
finder of fact who is free to believe all, part, or none
of the evidence and to determine the credibility of
the witnesses. An appellate court cannot substitute
its judgment for that of the finder of fact. Thus, we
may only reverse the…verdict if it is so contrary to
the evidence as to shock one’s sense of justice.
Moreover, where the trial court has ruled on the weight
claim below, an appellate court’s role is not to consider the
underlying question of whether the verdict is against the
weight of the evidence. Rather, appellate review is limited
to whether the trial court palpably abused its discretion in
ruling on the weight claim.
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Commonwealth v. Champney, 574 Pa. 435, 444, 832 A.2d 403, 408
(2003), cert. denied, 542 U.S. 939, 124 S. Ct. 2906, 159 L. Ed. 2d 816 (2004)
(internal citations omitted). A “trial court’s denial of a motion for a new trial
based on a weight of the evidence claim is the least assailable of its rulings.”
Commonwealth v. Rivera, 603 Pa. 340, 363, 983 A.2d 1211, 1225
(2009), cert. denied, 560 U.S. 909, 130 S. Ct. 3282, 176 L. Ed. 2d 1191
(2010).
Further, when examining a challenge to the sufficiency of evidence:
The standard we apply in reviewing the sufficiency of the
evidence is whether viewing all the evidence admitted at
trial in the light most favorable to the verdict winner, there
is sufficient evidence to enable the fact-finder to find every
element of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. In
applying the above test, we may not weigh the evidence
and substitute our judgment for the fact-finder. In
addition, we note that the facts and circumstances
established by the Commonwealth need not preclude every
possibility of innocence. 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. The Commonwealth may sustain
its burden of proving every element of the crime beyond a
reasonable doubt by means of wholly circumstantial
evidence. Moreover, in applying the above test, the entire
record must be evaluated and all evidence actually
received must be considered. 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.
Commonwealth v. Hansley, 24 A.3d 410, 416 (Pa.Super. 2011), appeal
denied, 613 Pa. 642, 32 A.3d 1275 (2011) (quoting Commonwealth v.
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Jones, 874 A.2d 108, 120-21 (Pa.Super. 2005)).
After a thorough review of the record, the briefs of the parties, the
applicable law, and the well-reasoned opinion of the Honorable Diana L.
Anhalt, we conclude Appellant’s challenges to both the sufficiency and
weight of the evidence merit no relief. The trial court opinion
comprehensively discusses and properly disposes of the questions
presented.
At the outset, the trial court explains that Appellant waived his
sufficiency claim, because he failed to specify in his Rule 1925(b) statement
the elements of which offenses the Commonwealth allegedly failed to prove
at trial. (See Trial Court Opinion, filed June 24, 2019, at 6). The court
continues that even if Appellant properly preserved his challenge to the
sufficiency of the evidence, his claim fails. (Id. at 6-15). The trial court
recounts the Commonwealth’s trial evidence showing that Appellant: is I.P.
and B.P.’s father; isolated, intimidated, and terrorized I.P. and B.P. to
maintain sexual relationships with them; and threatened to harm I.P. and
B.P. if they told anyone about his sexual contact with them. (Id. at 7-9).
I.P. and B.P. were both under the age of 18 when Appellant sexually abused
them. (Id. at 11). As to Appellant’s abuse of I.P., the Commonwealth
presented evidence that Appellant repeatedly had penile-vaginal intercourse
with I.P. for several years from the time she was nine years old. (Id. at 7,
9-10). Thus, the evidence was sufficient to convict Appellant of rape by
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forcible compulsion, sexual assault, incest, EWOC, corruption of minors, and
unlawful contact with a minor for his sexual abuse of I.P. (Id. at 8-11).
Regarding Appellant’s abuse of B.P., the trial court notes the
Commonwealth presented evidence that from the time B.P. was six or seven
years old, she observed Appellant rape I.P. and was in the same bed as
Appellant and I.P. when those rapes occurred. (Id. at 4, 9, 10). Appellant
groomed B.P. to accept his sexual relationship with I.P. (Id. at 9).
Appellant also had penile-vaginal intercourse with B.P. while she was asleep
when she was approximately 12 years old. (Id. at 8). Thus, the
Commonwealth presented sufficient evidence to convict Appellant of rape of
child, incest, EWOC, corruption of minors, and unlawful contact with a minor
regarding his offenses against B.P. (Id. at 8-11).
As to I.P. and B.P.’s lack of “prompt complaint,” the trial court points
out that the jury heard evidence of the reasons for I.P. and B.P.’s delayed
reporting related to their fear of Appellant and their respective ages. (Id. at
12). The trial court adds that it provided the jury the appropriate instruction
regarding the failure to promptly report sexual abuse. (Id. at 12-13).
Therefore, Appellant’s prompt complaint argument fails. (Id. at 13).
Concerning Appellant’s challenge to the weight of the evidence,
initially, the trial court clarifies that physical evidence is not required to
prove elements of any of the offenses for which Appellant was convicted.
(Id. at 13-14). So, the jury was free to base the convictions solely on the
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testimony of I.P. and B.P. (Id. at 14). Additionally, the trial court specifies
that the precise date of an offense is not an element of Appellant’s
convictions. (Id. at 15). The court adds that it instructed the jury on the
offense date issue. (Id.) Moreover, the trial court explains the verdict
reflects that the jury found I.P. and B.P. credible, notwithstanding any
perceived inconsistencies in their testimony. (Id. at 16). We see no reason
to disturb the court’s sound rationale. Accordingly, even if Appellant had
preserved all of his claims for our review, we would affirm based on the trial
court’s opinion.
Judgments of sentence affirmed.
Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary
Date: 9/08/2020
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COMMON\VEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
CP-51-CR-0008002-2015
CP-51-CR-0008003-2015
v.
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CP-51.CR-0006002·2015 Comm. v. ·-·
Op1n1on
OPINION I Ill
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8286428881
ANHALT,J. June 24, 2019 ,
OVERVIEW AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
D.V.
(hereinafter "Appellant") was arrested on June 9, 2015 and charged with
Rape and related offenses realting to victim I.P. (CP-51-CR-0008002-2015) and B.P. (CP-51-
CR-0008003-2015). After a jury trial on April l 0, 2017 the jury found Appellant guilty of all
charges. As to victim I.P, the jury found Appellant guilty of Rape by Forcible Compulsion, 18
Pa.C.S.A. §312l(a)(l), Unlawful Contact with a Minor, 18 Pa.C.S.A. §6318, Sexual Assault, 18
Pa.C.S.A. §3124.1, Incest, l 8 Pa.C.S.A. §4302, Endangering the Welfare of Children 18
Pa.C.S.A. §4304, and Corruption of Minors under 18 Pa.C.S.A. §630 I. As to victim B.P., the
jury found Appellant guilty of Rape ofa Child, 18 Pa.C.S.A. §3121(c), Unlawful Contact with a
Minor, 18 Pa.C.S.A. §6318, Incest, 18 Pa.C.S.A. §4302, Endangering the Welfare of Children
under 18 Pa.C.S.A. §4304, and Corruption of Minors, 18 Pa.C.S.A. §630 l. On February IS,
2018 the Court imposed a total sentence of thirty-three to ninety-four years incarceration.
Appellant filed Post Sentence Motions for cases CP-5l-CR-0008003-2015 and CP-51-
CR 0008004-20151• No Post Sentence Motion was filed on CP-51-CR-0008002-2015. Post
Sentence Motions were denied by Operation of Law on June 20, 2018. Appellant filed a timely
notice of appeal on July 2, 2018 for case CP-5 l-CR-0008003-2015.2 A Statement of Matters
Complained of on Appeal was filed on August 13, 2018. Appellant raises the following issues:
I. The verdict was against the weight of the evidence pursuant to Rule 607. This was
preserved in a Post-Sentence Motion. In reviewing the notes of testimony and the
conflicts in testimony between t re com lainin witness and the defense witnesses, it
shocks the conscious that was convicted on mere conflicting
testimony. Appellant
Appellant
II. The evidence was insufficient to convict f any charges. There was no
prompt reporting of the offenses. There hysical evidence to support
the allegations. B.P. was unclear as to when the alleged incident happened. B.P,
stated that she thought it was the day of the Puerto Rican parade.
Appellant was granted a nunc pro rune Appeal for case CP-5 l-CR-0008002-2015 on April 12,
2019 and filed the Statement of Matters Complained of on Appeal the same day. On that case,
Appellant raises the following issues:
I. The verdict was against the weight of the evidence pursuant to Rule 607. This was
preserved in a Post-Sentence Motion. In reviewing the notes of testimony and the
conflicts in testimony between the complaining witness and the defense witnesses, it
shocks the conscious that was convicted on mere conflicting
testimony. Appellant
I
Appellant in error, filed a Post Sentence Motion in a case that was no/le prossed by the
, Commonwealth prior to trial, and did not file a Post Sentence Motion with the appropriate case
number on it.
2
Appellant filed a Notice of Appeal in the case of CP-5l-CR-0008004-2015 and CP-5 l-CR-
0008003-2015. Counsel for Appellant did NOT file a Notice of Appeal for CP-51-CR-OOCcl••8002-
2015. Case "8004" was no/le prossed by the Commonwealth before trial. On April 11, 2019,
that appeal was discontinued (828 EDA 2019). Having realized that the appeal should have been
filed on "8002", the Commonwealth and Court agreed to grant PCRA relief to allow a nunc pro
rune Appeal on CP-5l-CR-0008002-2015. A Statement of Matters Complained of on Appeal
was filed on April 12, 2019 for that case.
2
�
II. The evidence was insufficient to convict ........ of any charges. There was no
prompt reporting of the offenses. There was a lack of physical evidence to support the
allegations. In addition to the lengthy period of time passing before disclosure at the
Horsham Clinic, there was no physical evidence to corroborate the testimony of I.P.3
FACTS
Appellant raped his daughter 1.P. on numerous occasions beginning when she was nine
years old, until the time she was 15. Notes of Testimony ("N.T."). 04/05/17 at pp. 121, 124. He
raped his daughter B.P. once when she was twelve years old. Id. at p. 185.
LP. lived with Appellant, her father, from age six or seven until she was about sixteen. Id.
at 93-94, 98-99. Her younger sister B.P. also lived in the apartment at 3339 North Front Street in
Philadelphia. Id. at 95. LP. was removed from the house by the Pennsylvania Department of
Human Services (OHS) in October 2014 after an altercation between her and Appellant. Id. at
I 00. Around one o'clock a.m., Appellant went into LP. 's room looking for her phone to make a
call. When she did not give him the phone, he beat her. Id., p. l 00. B.P. was also in the room but
did not intervene because she was terrified of Appellant after he threatened both of them. 1fL at
169, 172. I.P. called the police. Police responded and took her to meet with OHS and detectives.
Id. at l O l. She briefly spoke to the police at the police station and then went to the Philadelphia
Children's Alliance (PCA). Id. at 136. At the PCA interview, I.P. did not tell the interviewers the
full story about Appellant raping her. Id. at 138. She later explained that she did not tell them
because her mother was around and she did not trust her mother. Id. I.P. and B.P. then went to
�
live with their uncle's wife ....... Id. at 106-08.
3 For ease of writing and to avoid repetition, the issues will be addressed collectively and not
case by case.
3
H.D.
While living with-, I.P. experienced psychological and emotional problems and
_,,l;;W__
was sent to The Horsham Clinic for treatment. Id. at 109. She told ....... that she wanted to
kill herself and could not handle things anymore. N.T. 04/06/17 at 45. At Horsham, I.P. told staff
that her dad had molested her. N.T. 4/05/17 at 109. She explained that Appellant rubbed her
chest and "private areas" and it escalated as she got older. Id. at 11 l. Appellant penetrated her
vagina with his penis when she was nine years old and caused her to bleed profusely. Id. She was
"petrified" of her dad and felt that he was brainwashing her and that she had nowhere to turn
because Appellant prevented her from interacting with other people. Id. at l l l-12. Appellant
established "rules" including that she was not allowed to tell anyone else what was going on in
the house. Id. at 1_12. Appellant also threatened to duct tape and beat l.P. and B.P. on one
occasion because he felt they were hiding something from him.14: at 173.
Appellant raped LP. with vaginal penetration "numerous" times when he was high on
drugs.14: at I 13-14. Wherever she slept, Appellant was next to her as if she "was his significant
other." kl at 118. When the two girls slept in the same bed, B.P. saw Appellant rape l.P.
multiple times and B.P. pretended to be asleep. Id. This began when B.P. was about six or seven
and I.P. was about nine or ten. Id. at 178-79. Appellant also told B.P. to stay in the shower while
he and I.P. went into the bedroom and I.P. was not dressed. Id. at 180-81.
Detective Manuel Gonzalez interviewed 8.P. after she was no longer in Appellant's care.
N.T. 04/06/17 at 86. 8.P. told the detective that Appellant touched her sister l.P. on her vagina
and butt and put his penis in her vagina. Id. at 89-90. She testified at trial to the same. Id. at
175-176. Additionally, Appellant raped B.P. once while I.P. was at work and B.P. fell asleep in
the apartment. N.T. 04/05/l 7 at 185-88. When she woke up, Appellant was on top of her and had
4
his penis inside of her vagina. Id. B.P. did not tell anyone because she was terrified of her father.
ld. at 205.
T.C.
who have a
, twenty-six and twenty-
eight years old respectively, testified that Appellant has a reputation for being nonviolent. N.T.
04/06/ I 7 at I l 0-11, 12 7.
Despite the testimony from his older daughters, the jury convicted Appellant. At
sentencing, Appellant was disruptive and vulgar. N.T. 02/15/18 at 26-29. He claimed that his
daughters l.P. and B.P. were "just actors." Id. at 25. He said "She's full of shit" loud enough for
the entire courtroom to hear and had to be escorted from the room. Id. at 29.
DISCUSSION
I. Evidence was sufficient to convict Appellant regarding I.P. and B.P.
The evidence was sufficient as a matter of law to support the convictions for Rape by
forcible compulsion under 18 Pa.C.S.A. §3121 (a)( l ), Unlawful contact with a minor under 18
Pa.C.S.A. §6318, Sexual assault under I 8 Pa.C.S.A. §3124. I, Incest under 18 Pa.C.S.A. §4302,
Endangering the welfare of children under 18 Pa.C.S.A. §4304, and Corruption of minors under
18 Pa.C.S.A. §630 I. When reviewing a sufficiency of the evidence challenge, the standard is
"whether the evidence, viewed in the light most favorable to the Commonwealth, and all
reasonable inferences arising therefrom, is sufficient to establish the elements of the offense
beyond a reasonable doubt." Com. v. Williams. 896 A.2d 523, 535 (Pa. 2006). The
Commonwealth is not required to show guilt by "mathematical certainty" and may sustain its
burden by presenting solely circumstantial evidence. Com. v. Norley, 55 A.3d 526, 531 (Pa.
5
Super. 2012). When judging the credibility of witnesses or evidence, the finder of fact "is free to
believe all, part, or none of the evidence." Com. v. Brooks, 7 A.3d 852, 856-57 (Pa. Super.20 I 0).
Moreover, "[ijn order to preserve a challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence on
appeal, an appellant's Rule 1925 (b) statement must state with specificity the element or
elements upon which the appellant alleges that the evidence as insufficient." Commonwealth v.
Garland, 63 A.3d 339, 344 (Pa. Super. 2013)(citing Commonwealth v. Gibbs, 981 A.2d 274) 281
(Pa. Super. 2009). "Such specificity is of particular importance in cases where, as here, the
appellant was convicted of multiple crimes each of which contains numerous elements that he
Commonwealth must prove beyond a reasonable doubt." Gibbs, 981 A.2d at 281 Here, Appellant
broadly asserts that the evidence is insufficient for "any of the charges." There are 11
convictions total for both cases, all of which contain numerous elements .• Although he
argues there is a lack of prompt reporting, lack of physical evidence and/or corroboration, none
of these arguments addresses the requirements of Gibbs. Because of this, his claim of
insufficiency is waived. Nevertheless, this court will proceed to address the merits of
Appellant's sufficiency arguments, in addition to the issues surrounding lack of prompt
complaint and lack of physical evidence.
Rape by forcible compulsion (J.P.)
A person commits Rape under 18 Pa.C.S.A. §3121 (a)( I), a felony of the first degree,
when he "engages in sexual intercourse with a complainant. .. by forcible compulsion or threat of
forcible compulsion that would prevent resistance by a person of reasonable resolution ." A
person commits Rape of a child under 13 under 18 Pa. C.S .A. §3121 (c), a felony of the first
degree when the person engages in sexual intercourse with a complainant who is less that 13
years of age."
6
Commonwealth v. Rhodes, 510 Pa. 537 (1986) is controlling. In Rhodes, the Supreme
Court held that "forcible compulsion" includes not only physical force or violence but also
moral, psychological or intellectual force used to compel a person to engage in sexual
intercourse against a person's will. Id. at 555. The Court also held that the "threat of such
forcible compulsion that would prevent resistance by a person of reasonable resolution is, of
course, a determination made in each case based upon the totality of the circumstances that have
been presented to the fact finder." Id. at 555. Further, the Court identified several factors that
must be weighed to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to demonstrate beyond a
reasonable doubt that an accused committed a rape by forcible compulsion or threat of forcible
compulsion. Those factors include, but are not limited to, the respective age of the victim and
the accused, the atmosphere and physical setting in which the incident was alleged to have taken
place, the extent to which the accused may have been in a position of authority, domination or
custodial control over the victim and whether the victim was under duress. Isl at 556.
In the instant case, Appellant socially isolated his juvenile daughter, by not allowing her
to interact with people outside her family. Id. at 112. She was home-schooled. Id. at I 04. J.P.
testified her father, Appellant, kept her "hip to hip" and she was not allowed to go anywhere
without her father. Id. at 115. He established strict "rules" and she was not allowed to tell
anyone what was happening in her home. I.P. was "petrified" of her father and felt as ifhe was
"brainwashing" her. Id. at 11 1-1 12. Appellant threatened her repeatedly and also threatened to
I.P.
injure her younger sister, B.P. if I.P. told anyone what was happening. Id. was 9
years old when this began to happen to her and her father was the perpetrator. Id. It happened
on multiple occasions, over many years. Appellant touched his daughter "like [his] significant
other" Id. at 11 1.
7
 This evidence, when reviewed under a light most favorable to the Commonwealth as
verdict winner, is clearly sufficient to establish that Appellant committed Rape of his daughter,
I.P .. by threat of forcible compulsion that would prevent resistance by a person of reasonable
resolution.
Rape of a Child (B.P .)
The Commonwealth charged defendant with "Rape of a Child" under 18 Pa. C.S.S §3121
(c), which states, "a person commits the offense of rape of a child, ... , when the person engages
in sexual intercourse with a complainant who is less than 13 years of age."
Appellant raped B.P. once while I.P. was at work and B.P. fell asleep in the apartment.
N.T. 04/05/17 at 185-88. She was 12 years old. When she woke up, Appellant was on top of
her and had his penis inside of her vagina. ill B.P. did not tell anyone because she was terrified
of her father. ill at 205.
Again, this evidence, when reviewed under a light most favorable to the Commonwealth
as verdict winner, is sufficient evidence upon which to convict the Defendant of Rape of a Child.
Unlawful Contact with a Minor (I.P and B.P}
A person commits Unlawful Contact with a Minor under 18 Pa.C.S.A. §6318, a felony of
the first degree, when he "is intentionally in contact with a minor ... for the purpose of engaging
in an activity prohibited under ... any of the offenses enumerated in Chapter 31 (relating to
sexual offenses)." 18 Pa.C.S.A. §6318(a)(l ). "Contacts" is defined as: "Direct or indirect contact
or communication by any means, method or device." 18 Pa.C.S.A. §63 I 8(c).
Here, Appellant was the caretaker of both of his daughters B.P. and LP. N.T. 04/05/17 at
93-99, 165. He was often in direct contact with B.P. in order to manipulate and rape her. ill at
111-12. Rape by Forcible Compulsion and Rape of a Child are offenses enumerated in Chapter
8
31 (relating to Sexual Offenses). 18 Pa.C.S.A. §3121 (a)(l ). Appellant engaged in a series of
actions meant to isolate, intimidate and terrorize I.P. and B.P. in order to maintain the sexual
relationship he had with both daughters. He committed the rapes against J.P. while B.P.
watched. Id. at 175-176. He threatened to "beat the shit out of us" and "duct tape us to the bed."
if they told anyone what was happening in their home. Id. at 172-173. B.P. testified Appellant
treated her like his "significant other." Appellant instructed B.P. to wait in the shower or
bathroom and when she returned, her minor sister was naked in the bedroom, also indicates that
Appellant's contact with B.P. groomed her to accept the fact that the sexual relationship between
he and his daughters was normal. On the day of the rape of B.P., B.P. testified that Appellant
"dragged me off the couch and I didn't know why I was being moved". Id. at 200. The threats,
dragging B.P. to another location in the room, the isolation, the home schooling and the fear
Appellant instilled in his children made it such that he was able to initiate and maintain contact
with B.P. and I.P. to rape them.
Sexual assault (I. P. only)
A person commits Sexual assault under 18 Pa.C.S.A. §3124. l, a felony of the second
degree, when he "engages in sexual intercourse or deviate sexual intercourse with a complainant
without the complainant's consent." 18 Pa.C.S.A. §3124.1.
Here, Appellant engaged in sexual intercourse with I.P. many times beginning when she
was between the ages of nine and 14 years. N .T. 04/05/17 at 11 1-12. She did not consent and
could not consent because she was a child. This is sufficient evidence, when viewed in the light
most favorable to the Commonwealth as verdict winner, to establish that Appellant committed
sexual assault against I.P.
Incest
9
A person commits Incest under 18 Pa.C.S.A. §4302, a felony of the second degree, when
he "knowingly ... has sexual intercourse with an ancestor or descendant. ... " 18 Pa.C.S.A. §4302.
In Commonwealth v. K.M .. 452 Pa. Super. 7 ( 1996), a mother engaged in sexual intercourse with
her daughter. The Superior Court held this evidence sufficient to sustain the guilty verdict on the
charge of Incest. Similarly in the present case, I.P. and B. P. testified that Appellant is their
biological father. N.T. 04/05/17 at 93, 162-163. Multiple witnesses testified that I.P. and B.P.
are the daughters of Diego Velez. N.T. 04/06117, at 111-112, 12 I. J.P. testified that Appellant
engaged in sexual intercourse with her on multiple occasions. llL_ at I I 1-12. B.P. testified that
Appellant engaged in sexual intercourse with her on one occasion. B.P. also testified she
watched as her father put his penis into the vagina of LP. Viewed in the light most favorable to
the Commonwealth as verdict winner, this is sufficient to establish that Appellant committed
Incest with both children. Commonwealth v. K.M., 452 Pa. Super. 11.
Endangering the Welfare of Children (J.P. and B.P.)
A person commits Endangering Welfare of Children under 18 Pa. C. S. A. §4304, a
felony of the third degree, when "A parent ... supervising the welfare of a child under I 8 years of
age ... knowingly endangers the welfare of the child by violating a duty of care, protection or
support." I 8 Pa.C.S.A. §4304. In Commonwealth v. Martir, 712 A.2d 327, the court stated,
"[tjhe mens rea required for [ endangering the welfare of a child] is a knowing violation of the
accused's duty of care to the minor-victim. More precisely, the Commonwealth must prove that:
I) the accused is aware of his or her duty lo protect the child; 2) the accused is aware that
the child is in circumstances that could threaten the child's physical or psychological welfare;
and 3) the accused has either failed to act or has taken action so lame or meager that such actions
cannot reasonably be expected to protect the child's welfare." Id. at 328-329.
10
 Here, the jury's guilty verdicts indicate that the jurors found the testimony of I.P and B.P.
to be credible with regard lo multiple instances of rape and threats of violence with respect to
I.P .. and the testimony that B.P. witnessed sexual abuse of J.P., was threatened by Appellant and
was also raped one time by Appellant while he had a duty to protect his daughters. N.T. 93, I 09,
111-112. 175. 181. 185-186, 188, 204. When viewed in the light most favorable to the
Commonwealth a� verdict winner. the evidence is sufficient to sustain the jury's conviction on
this count.
Corruption of minors
A person commits Corruption of Minors under 18 Pa.C.S.A. §6301, a felony of the third
degree, when he "being of the age of 18 years and upwards, by any course of conduct in
violation of Chapter 31 (relating to sexual offenses) corrupts or tends to corrupt the morals of
any minor less than 18 years of age." 18 Pa.C.S.A. §6301 (a)(ii). Sexual offenses against a minor
without their consent is sufficient to establish corruption of minors. Com. v. lzurieta, 171 A.3d
803. 807 (Pa. Super. 2017).
Appellant, an adult at the time, violated Chapter 31 by raping J.P. and B.P., both children
under the age of 18. N .T. 04/05/1 7 at 111-12. Appellant raped I.P. multiple times over the
course of many years, often while B.P. had to watch. He raped B.P. on one occasion when she
was under 13 years of age. When viewed in the light most favorable to the Commonwealth as
verdict winner, this is sufficient to establish that Appellant corrupted the morals of I.P.
Lack of Prompt Complaint
Appellant argues that because there was a lack of prompt complaint of both victims, the
evidence is insufficient to support a jury verdict of guilty. This appears to be a "weight of the
evidence" argument. However, this court will address this claim here.
11
According to 18 Pa. C.S.A §3105,
Prompt reporting to public authority is not required in a prosecution under this chapter:
Provided, however, that nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit a defendant
from introducing evidence of the complainant's failure to promptly report the crime if
such evidence would be admissible pursuant to the rules of evidence.
18 Pa. Stat. and Cons. Stat. Ann. § 3105 (West).
Given that there was evidence of a delay in reporting and/or a lack of prompt complaint
in both cases, the court gave the Failure to Make a Prompt Complaint in Certain Sexual
Offenses" jury instruction. 4. l 3A Failure to Make Prompt Complaint in Certain Sexual Offenses,
Pa. SS.JI (Crim), §4. J 3A (2016). N .T. 4-6-17 Vol. l page 212 lines 9-25 and page 213 lines 2-
25. This instruction is derived from 18 Pa. C.S.A. §3105. Commonwealth v. Dillon, 925 A.2d
131 138-139 (Pa. 2007). It is appropriate where the evidence suggests that an alleged victim,
otherwise competent and able to do so, did not promptly report a sexual offense. While lack of a
prompt complaint does not defeat the charge, it may, in an appropriate case, have some
evidentiary value in assessing the complainant's credibility as to either the actual occurrence of
the offense, or the complainant's consent to the act otherwise constituting it. Id. The lack of
prompt complaint by a victim of a crime, although not dispositive of the merits of the case, may
produce doubt as to whether the offence occurred or whether there is fabrication by the
complaining witness. Commonwealth v. Lane, 521 Pa. 390, 398 (1989). The motive in making
in making a complaint following a considerable period of silence is relevant in evaluating a
complainant's veracity. Id.
In the instant cases, the jury heard evidence of I.P's and 8.P's delay in reporting, the
reasons for the delay related to their fear of their father, their respective ages, and other reasons.
The jury heard the jury instruction regarding the failure to make a prompt report and the fact
12
finder made the ultimate determination as to the credibility of both witnesses, notwithstanding
the delay in reporting.
Therefore, the evidence was not insufficient, as prompt reporting is not an element of the
offenses that needs to be proved beyond a reasonable doubt. The verdict was not against the
weight of the evidence when the jury believed the victims and convicted the defendant.
Lack of Physical Evidence
Appel lant also argues that the lack of physical evidence should be considered in whether
or not there was sufficient evidence to convict Appellant on any of the charges. Again, this is
more of an argument regarding weight. There is no element to be proved beyond a reasonable
doubt related to physical evidence. Nevertheless, it will be addressed herein.
18 Pa. C.S.A. §3106 reads:
The credibility of a complainant of an offense under this chapter shall be determined by
the same standard as is the credibility of a complainant of any other crime. The
testimony of a complainant need not be corroborated in prosecutions under this
chapter. No instructions shall be given cautioning the jury to view the complainant's
testimony in any other way than that in which all complainants' testimony is viewed.
(emphasis added).
Even if the physical evidence is inconsistent with the evidence adduced at trial, the jury is
still free to believe all, part or none of the witness's testimony. Commonwealth v. Jennings, 958
A.2d 536, 541 (Pa. Super. 2008) citing Commonwealth v. W.H.M. 932 A.2d 155, 159 (Pa.
Super. 2007). In Jennings, defense argued the Commonwealth failed to prove the victim was
raped (lack of consent) based on the witness's sleeping attire and her lack of bruises. Jennings, at
54 l. There the court held, "In cases where an appellant contends that "physical evidence is
it.I····
'inconsistent' with a victim's testimony, but that evidence does not necessarily exculpate him, the
fact-finder may entertain a defendant's alternative theory and reasonably reject
13
. Thus, we find no basis in disturbing the trial court's
determination." Jennings, 541. Commonwealth v. Wall, 953 A.2d 58, 586 (Pa. Super. 2008).
In addition, in Commonwealth v. Jenkins, 396 Pa. Super. 395 (1990), two victims
testified to sexual abuse by their biological father, Jenkins. Jenkins denied the abuse and argued
the lack of physical evidence of abuse indicated it did not happen. The court held the jury was
free to believe all, some or none of the presented testimony. Jenkins, at 401. That the jury chose
to believe the victims does not shock the Court's sense of justice and therefore, there was no
abuse of discretion of the trial court. lg,_
Because there is no requirement that physical evidence (or any corroboration) is
necessary to support a conviction in this type of case, Appellant's convictions should stand.
"Physical evidence" is not an element of the offenses. The jury is free to base the convictions
on the uncorroborated testimony of the victims, if believed beyond a reasonable doubt. 18 Pa.
C.S.A. §3106. Therefore, this evidence, when reviewed under a light most favorable to the
Commonwealth as verdict winner, and when the jury was free to consider the lack of physical
evidence in their evaluation of the weight and credibility of the evidence, is not insufficient to
disturb the jury's verdict.
B.P. Unclear of When Offense Happened
Appellant claims there was insufficient evidence to convict because B.P. was unclear of
when the offence occurred. The Bills of Information charge that Appellant committed this
offence against B.P. in "September of 2014". N.T. 4/5/2017. B.P. testified she believed this
event happened the day of the "Puerto Rican Day Parade," the year she turned 13, but before her
14
13'h birthda,. N.T. p. 187. B.P. moved away from Appellant the day after the incident with I
Appellant and I.P., which was October, 2014 Id. at 171, 94. Counsel made no objections
regarding the dates of the offense related to B.P., despite making objections to dates regarding
I.P. N.T. 4/6/17, p. 2-8.
The date of the offense is not an element of the crimes charged requiring the
Commonwealth to prove that these events happened on a particular day. In fact, the court
instructed the jury regarding this very issue. N.T. 4//6117 at 218-219. Therefore, it is not an
issue for the court to address as "sufficiency of the evidence." Once again, even if this argument
is more to the "weight of the evidence" and not sufficiency, his argument fails because the jury
believed the witnesses and rejected the Appellant's version of these young women as untruthful.
Ill. WEIGHT OF EVIDENCE {B.P. and J.P.)
The verdict was not against the weight of the evidence, and thus a new trial should not be
granted. A new trial should be granted on the ground that the 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 and make the award of a new trial imperative so that right may be given another
511 1155-56 6
opportunity to prevail." Com. v. Whitney,-A.2d 1152, - (Pa. 198.. If the jury's finding
"is supported by the record, the trial court's denial of a motion for a new trial will not be
disturbed." Com. v. Larew, 432 A.2d 1037, 1038 (Pa.Super. 1981). The Appellate Court's
standard of review is whether the trial court abused its discretion in denying the motion for a new
trial. Commonwealth v. Jenkins, 396 Pa. Super. 395, 399 ( 1990). The record supports the jury's
finding and thus a new trial is not warranted.
15
Here, Appellant primarily argues that the victims were not credible and testified
inconsistently. However, "the determination of the credibility of a witness is within the
718
exclusive province of the jury." Com. v. Crawford, A.2d 768, 772 (Pa. 1998). The jury verdict
reflected that the jury found the victims credible, and they discredited any testimony provided by
the defense. Both of Appellant's daughters testified that Appellant had sexual intercourse with
them, for B.P., one time placing his penis into her vagina when she was 12 years old, and for
I.P ., Appellant engaged in sexual intercourse on numerous occasions, and on some of those
occasions, B.P. witnessed this abuse. Even when there are inconsistencies and contradictions in
testimony, that alone does not obligate the court to overturn a jury verdict. Jenkins, at 400. Any
perceived inconsistencies in this case, were overcome by the credible testimony of the victims.
The jury's decision also does not shock one's sense of justice. They simply chose to
believe the testimony of the two victims who were abused by their father and therefore, the
verdict was not against the weight of the evidence.
16
CONCLUSION
After review of the applicable statutes, testimony, and case law, there is sufficient
evidence to find Appellant guilty of all offenses and the verdict is not against the weight of the
evidence. Accordingly, the trial court's decision should be affirmed.
BY THE COURT:
DATE: JUNE 24, 2019 DIANA L. ANHALT, J.
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PROOF OF SERVICE
I hereby certify that on the date set forth below, I caused an original copy of the .Judicial
Opinion to be served by mail upon the persons at following locations, which service satisfies the
requirements of Pa.R.A.P. 122:
Douglas Earl, Esquire
IO 15 Chestnut Street, Ste. 902
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Lawrence Goode, Esquire
Philadelphia District Attorneys Office
Three South Penn Square
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Date{�
es F. Berardinelli, Esqr ire
aw Clerk for the Honorable Diana Anhalt
18