Com. v. Goudy, I. ( 2021 )

J-A26008-20
NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
: PENNSYLVANIA
:
v. :
:
:
IZENA GOUDY :
:
Appellant : No. 2380 EDA 2019
Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence Entered July 16, 2019
In the Court of Common Pleas of Delaware County Criminal Division at
No(s): CP-23-CR-0006888-2017
BEFORE: BENDER, P.J.E., LAZARUS, J., and STEVENS, P.J.E.*
MEMORANDUM BY BENDER, P.J.E.: FILED MARCH 9, 2021
Appellant, Izena Goudy, appeals from the judgment of sentence of life
imprisonment, without the possibility of parole, imposed after a jury convicted
him of, inter alia, first-degree murder, 18 Pa.C.S. § 2502(a). We affirm.
We need not reiterate the procedural history and factual background of
this case, as the trial court set forth a comprehensive summary of both in its
December 23, 2019 opinion pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a). See Trial Court
Opinion (TCO), 12/23/19, at 1-33. On appeal, Appellant raises three issues
for our review:
[1.] The evidence was insufficient to sustain the verdict of guilty
of murder of the first degree because the Commonwealth did not
prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Appellant committed an
intentional killing by means of poison, or by lying in wait, or by
any other kind of willful, deliberate[,] and premeditated killing.
____________________________________________
* Former Justice specially assigned to the Superior Court.
J-A26008-20
[2.] The evidence was insufficient to sustain the verdict of guilty
of murder of the third degree because the Commonwealth did not
prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Appellant caused the death
of the victim.
[3.] The trial court erred when[,] on May 30, 2019[,] it failed to
grant Appellant’s motion in limine with respect to a portion of a
statement made by witness Shante Fernandez. Ms. Fernandez
was permitted to testify that Appellant asked Fernandez if the
victim had a security system in his home. Pa.R.E. 403 and 404(b).
Appellant’s Brief at 7 (unnecessary capitalization and emphasis omitted).
We have reviewed the thorough and well-reasoned opinion issued by
the Honorable Richard M. Cappelli of the Court of Common Pleas of Delaware
County. We conclude that Judge Cappelli’s opinion accurately and thoroughly
disposes of the issues raised by Appellant. See TCO at 4, 33-38, 39-41, 43-
45.1 Accordingly, we adopt his opinion as our own with respect to the issues
Appellant raises on appeal. We direct the parties to attach the trial court’s
opinion in the event of further proceedings in this matter.
Judgment of sentence affirmed.
____________________________________________
1 Appellant set forth other issues in his Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b) concise statement
of errors complained of on appeal that he does not raise in his brief. We
express no opinion on the trial court’s discussion of the merits of those
abandoned claims.
-2-
J-A26008-20
Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary
Date: 03/09/2021
-3-
Per I irculated 02/15A4)0PrAM
Ataiha-
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF DELAWARE COUNTY,
PENNSYLVANIA
CRIMINAL DIVISION
NO. CP-23-CR-6888-2017
COMMONWEALTH OF
PENNSYLVANIA
2380 EDA 2019
v.
IZENA GOUDY
CAPPELLI, J. DECEMBER 23, 2019
OPINION
Appellant appeals from the Judgment of Sentence entered on July 16, 2019.
Appellant's claims are without merit and Judgment of Sentence should be affirmed.
I. BACKGROUND
On September 6, 2017, Appellant was arrested and charged with: 18 Pa.C.S.
§ 2501 Criminal Homicide; 18 Pa.C.S. §2502(a) Murder of the First Degree; 18
Pa.C.S. §2502(a) Murder of the Third Degree, Felony of the First Degree; 18
Pa.C.S.§ 907(a) Possessing Instruments of Crime, Misdemeanor of the First Degree.
The Commonwealth alleged on or around May 7, 2007 Appellant murdered Gary
Jenkins ("Victim Jenkins") using a dumbbell and a knife at 128 Reese Street in
Sharon Hill, Delaware County, PA. Victim Jenkins' body was found in his home,
wrapped in a comforter and covered in towels. Victim Jenkins had been beaten,
stabbed, and his head nearly decapitated. A blood covered thirty pound dumbbell
was found at the scene of the murder. Following the murder, Appellant moved to
New York City, enlisted in the Army National Guard, and began transitioning her
gender from female to male, including undergoing a bilateral mastectomy and
beginning a lifelong regimen of testosterone injections. In 2015, Appellant was
linked to the murder following a "hit" on the national DNA databank CODIS.1
Following a jury trial, on May 30, 2019, Appellant was convicted of Murder
of the First Degree, Murder of the Third Degree, and Possessing Instruments of
Crime. On July 16, 2019, Appellant was sentenced to a term of confinement of Life
without Parole for the murder of the first degree conviction (the sentence for the
murder of the third degree conviction merged) and a 30 month minimum to a 60
month maximum for the conviction of Possessing Instruments of Crime to run
consecutive to the life without parole sentence. Appellant did not file any post-
sentence motions. See Pa.R.Crim.P. 720. On August 14, 2019, Appellant filed a
Notice of Appeal. Id., and Pa.R.A.P. 903. On August 19, 2019, an order was entered
directing Appellant to file a Concise Statement of Errors Complained of on Appeal
1 This information concerning the DNA and CODIS is not a part of the trial testimony and was not considered by the
jury.
2
./a.R.A.P. 1925(b), and on
October 4, 2019, following an
.ie to file,
order extending
Appellant filed the
1925(b) Statement
alleging the following
1. errors:
The evidence was
Murder of The First insufficient to sustain the
Degree because the verdict of guilty of
beyond a reasonable Commonwealth did not prove
doubt that Appellant
killing by means of
poison, or by lying in committed an intentional
willful, deliberate and wait, or by any other
premeditated killing. kind of
2. The evidence was
Murder of The Third insufficient to sustain the
Degree because the verdict of guilty of
beyond a reasonable Commonwealth did not prove
doubt that Appellant
victim. caused the death of the
3. The evidence was
Possession of an insufficient to sustain the
Instrument
not prove beyond a of Crime because the verdict of guilty of
Commonwealth did
or other weapon reasonable doubt that Appellant possessed
concealed upon his person a firearm
criminally. with intent to employ it
4. The Trial Court
erred when on May
Appellant's Motion in 30, 2019 it failed to
Limine with respect to limiting the grant
Dara Raynah Jones.
Jones was permitted to testimony of
with Appellant was testify that her
volatile. Pa.R.E. 403 and relationship
404(b).
5. The Trial Court erred
Appellant's Motion in Liminewhen on May 30, 2019 it failed to grant
made by Shante with Respect to a
Fernandez. Ms. Fernandez portion of a statement
Appellant asked Fernandez was permitted to
of the victim had a testify that
home. Pa.R.E. 403 and security system
404(b). in his
6. The Trial Court
erred when on May 30,
Appellant's Motion in 2019 it failed to grant
Limine with Respect to
Appellant's DNA in the the Presence of
national databank.
Appellant's DNA was not Pa.R.E. 403 and 404(b).
and an unknown found on the murder
person's DNA was found weapon. The victim's
on the murder
weapon.
7. The Commonwealth
allocution when it stated that improperly replied to Appellant's
the physical evidence
was at odds with
3
allocution and that allocution contained no remorse. The Defense made
a timely objection. NT 7-16-19 P 19.
Appellant's claims lack merit and Judgment of Sentence should be affirmed.
The crimes and offenses to which Appellant was convicted are defined in Title
18 of the Pennsylvania Crimes Code. The Crimes Code defines the offense of
Murder of the First Degree in relevant part: "A criminal homicide constitutes murder
of the first degree when it is committed by an intentional killing." See 18 Pa.C.S. §
2502(a). The Crimes Code defines "intentional killing" as "killing by means of
poison, of by lying in wait, or by any other kind of willful, deliberate, and
premeditated killing." See 18 Pa.C.S. § 2502(d). To establish Appellant committed
the offense of Murder of the First Degree, the Commonwealth must have proven
beyond a reasonable doubt victim Gary Jenkins is dead, Appellant killed Gary
Jenkins, and Appellant killed Gary Jenkins with the specific intent to kill and with
malice.
The Crimes Code defines the offense of Murder of the Third Degree in
relevant part: "All other kinds of murder shall be murder of the third degree. Murder
of the third degree is a felony of the first degree." See 18 Pa.C.S. § 2502(c). To
establish Appellant committed the offense of Murder of the Third Degree, the
Commonwealth must have proven beyond a reasonable doubt victim Gary Jenkins
is dead, Appellant killed Gary Jenkins, and Appellant killed Gary Jenkins with
malice.
4
The Crimes Code defines the offense of Possessing Instruments of Crime in
relevant part: "A person commits a misdemeanor of the first degree if he possesses
any instrument of crime with intent to employ it criminally." See 18 Pa.C.S. §
2502(a). The Crimes Code defines "instrument of crime" in relevant part as
"anything used for criminal purposes and possessed by the actor under
circumstances not manifestly appropriate for lawful uses it may have" and "weapon"
in relevant part as "anything readily capable of lethal use and possessed under
circumstances not manifestly appropriate for lawful uses which it may have." See 18
Pa.C.S. §907(d). To establish Appellant committed the offense of Possessing
Instruments of Crime, the Commonwealth must have proven beyond a reasonable
doubt Appellant possessed a dumbbell and/or a knife, the dumbbell and/or knife was
an instrument of crime, and Appellant possessed the dumbbell and/or knife with
intent to employ it criminally.
IL TRIAL SUMMARY
The record of the jury trial in this matter reveals the Commonwealth presented
a clear, concise, and compelling case for Appellant's guilt and convictions. At trial,
the Commonwealth elicited testimony from several witnesses, building the case
against Appellant in a methodic and logical manner, beginning with the discovery
of Victim Jenkins' body, followed by the criminal investigation and analysis of
evidence at the crime scene including blood evidence matched through DNA to
5
Appellant, the testimony of witnesses that Appellant before the murder inquired
about the existence of an alarm system at Victim Jenkins' residence and whether
Victim Jenkins was living alone, and testimony Appellant admitted in 2013 to
having killed a man by beating him to death. The Commonwealth presented a cogent
theory of the case against Appellant from: 1) the direct observations of the lay
witnesses, police and detectives who investigated the case, and experts who provided
opinions within a degree of medical and scientific certainty concerning Victim
Jenkins' manner of death and the identification of DNA found at the scene of the
murder; 2) the totality of the circumstances surrounding the murder; 3) photographs
of Victim Jenkins' home depicting the property at the time of the murder,
photographs of Victim Jenkins' body in the comforter when discovered, photographs
of blood spatter and blood stains, and records from the medical examiner concerning
Appellant's brutal and deadly attack of Victim Jenkins; 4) presentation of physical
evidence found at the scene of the murder; and 5) lab reports, medical reports, police
reports resulting from the investigations in this case.
The record discloses Appellant presented a less compelling case that included
Appellant's dissonant and rationalized testimony. Following a thorough colloquy by
counsel and the court, Appellant waived the right to not testify and stated on the
record he understood: the decision to testify is Appellant's decision to make and
Appellant could not be compelled to testify; his testimony would be subject to direct
6
examination by defense counsel and cross-examination by the Commonwealth; if
Appellant did not testify, no negative inference could be drawn. See generally May
30, 2019 Notes of Testimony at pp. 94-96. Appellant called three witnesses and
presented some of Appellant's medical records from April 2007, photographs of
Appellant's graduation from West Philadelphia Highschool and swearing in
ceremony from when Appellant enlisted in the Army National Guard. Appellant's
case summary discloses: Appellant testified she beat Victim Jenkins because he
raped her and took her virginity; Appellant testified she did not murder Victim
Jenkins but is responsible for his death; Appellant testified her now deceased father
actually killed Victim Jenkins; Appellant's aunt testified Appellant came to her
home and inter alia Appellant told her she had been in a really big fight; Appellant's
grandmother testified Appellant told her Victim Jenkins raped her. Based on
Appellant's conviction of murder of the first degree and all other charges, it is clear
the jury as finder of fact believed the facts presented by the Commonwealth proved
the criminal charges beyond a reasonable doubt and was not persuaded the facts
elicited by Appellant on cross examination and during the presentation of
Appellant's case assuaged Appellant's guilt.
7
A review of the pertinent trial record reveals the following:
A. COMMONWEALTH'S CASE
1. Testimony of Gregory Shelton, Employee at CAPP. See
generally May 28, 2019 Notes of Testimony at pp. 42-54.
Gregory Shelton ("Shelton") testified he has worked for 30 years at CAPP in
Clifton Heights, PA. Id. at 42-43. Shelton testified he knew Victim Jenkins as a
fellow employee from when he started working at CAPP. Id. at 43. Shelton testified
Victim Jenkins was the "Thermal Coupler Shop Manager." Id. at 44. Shelton
testified Victim Jenkins was a "very good employee" and "very reliable, very
dependable, honest". Id. Shelton testified the last time he saw Victim Jenkins was
Friday, April 27, 2007. Id. at 46-47. Shelton testified the following Monday Victim
Jenkins did not show up for work Id. at 47-48. Shelton testified Victim Jenkins had
mentioned he was going on vacation, and on the following Monday, May 7, 2007
Victim Jenkins again did not show up for work and did not call into CAPP. Id. at 48-
49. Shelton testified the owner of CAPP suggested they drive to Jenkins house and
knock on the door. Id. at 49. Shelton testified he drove over to Jenkins home, and he
observed some newspapers, an open window, and an open shed. Id. Shelton testified
no one answered when he knocked on the door. Id. Shelton testified he took the
newspapers to the door and placed them there, and he observed mail at the door. Id.
at 53. Shelton testified he called 9-1-1 to request a wellness check, and he did this
when he returned to CAPP. Id. Shelton testified later in the day he received a call
8
from an officer who asked about Victim Jenkins' girlfriend, and Shelton realized
something must have happened to Victim Jenkins. Id. at 50. Shelton testified the
CAPP general manager and he drove a photo of Victim Jenkin's girlfriend to Victim
Jenkins' home, and they learned about his death. Id. Shelton testified he gave a
statement to the police the next day, May 8, 2007. Id.
2. Testimony of Detective John Hoffner, Criminal Investigation
Division of the Delaware County District Attorney's Office.
See generally May 28, 2019 Notes of Testimony at pp. 55-115.
Detective John Hoffner ("Hoffner") testified he has been a police officer for
approximately 40 years. Hoffner testified in 2007 he was working as a detective in
Sharon Hill, Delaware County, PA. Id. at 56. Hoffner testified on May 7, 2007
around 12:30 p.m. he received a message from Officer Michael Attix requesting
Hoffner and then Chief Joe Kelly to come to Victim Jenkins' home to investigate a
body wrapped in a comforter on the second floor hallway of the house. Id. at 58.
Hoffner testified Officer Attix left the house and waited until Hoffner arrived. Id. at
59. Hoffner testified when he and Attix went into the house there was "a pungent
smell" he associated as the smell from a person who has been deceased for a period
of time. Id. Hoffner testified they walked to the second floor and saw a "comforter
wrapped tightly around a long object with a towel at one end" and after they removed
the towel and began to unwrap the comforter, they saw "a human head that was quite
mangled." Id. Hoffner testified they stopped, retreated downstairs, and contacted the
9
criminal investigation division ("CID") for homicide detectives and crime scene
unit. Id. Hoffner testified his police department always requested CID for serious
crimes and homicides because of their expertise. Id. at 60. Haffner testified they
secured the crime scene to preserve possible tampering of evidence. Id. at 60-61.
Hoffner testified he is familiar with Victim Jenkins' home because he grew up four
houses away. Id. at 61. Haffner testified to a series of drawing and photographs
depicting Victim Jenkins' home. Id. at 62, 63. Haffner testified Victim Jenkins' body
was found on the second floor right outside the middle bedroom door near the front
bedroom, and it was securely wrapped in the comforter. Id. at 64. Hoffner testified
to the content of several crime photographs, including a photograph of the
newspapers and mail in the doorway. Id. at 67. Hoffner testified there is a certain
method in taking crime scene photographs, and pictures are taken from multiple
locations in the same room and they attempt to get every corner of the crime scene
into the pictures. Id. at 72-73. Hoffner testified to photographs of Victim Jenkins,
wrapped in the comforter with a towel over the top. Id. at 76. Hoffner testified to the
presence of blood spatter on the trim of the middle bedroom door, blood stains on
the door of the rear bedroom, and blood on the floor of the floor of the rear bedroom
and on exercise equipment of the rear bedroom and on the radiator of the back
bedroom, and blood stains and spatter on the party wall of the middle bedroom
depicted in some photographs. Id. at 77, 82, 83, 84, and 85. Hoffner testified to the
10
photograph of a Batman comforter stained on the underside with blood. Id. at 86.
Hoffner testified to a photograph of two dumbbells that had blood. Id. at 85, 87, 88.
Hoffner testified the medical examiner was notified because of the death. Id. at 97.
Hoffner testified to photographs of Victim Jenkins, after the comforter was removed
from his body, face down. Id. at 98. Hoffner testified he wrote a report to document
the steps of his investigation. Id. at 99. Hoffrier testified the neighbors and relatives
were contacted. Id. at 100-101. Hoffner testified blood samples were submitted for
analysis and resulted in a DNA profile of a black, African American female, and
they were able to exclude and rule out individuals as being the contributor of DNA
recovered at Victim Jenkins' home. Id. at 102. On cross-examination, Hoffner
testified a photograph of the dumbbells was an accurate depiction of how they were
found on May 7, 2007. Id. at 114. Officer Hoffner testified he did not know whether
any other person accessed the house during the period of time between Victim
Jenkins' murder and Detective Attix finding the body. Id. at 144-115. On re -direct
examination, Hoffner testified there was no evidence to suggest anyone other than
the killer entered Victim Jenkins home between the time of the killing and Officer
Attix responding to Victim Jenkins' home for the wellness call. Id. at 115.
11
3. Testimony of Officer Michael Attix, Police Officer for
Borough of Sharon Hill, PA Police Department. See generally
May 29, 2019 Notes of Testimony at 9-17.
Officer Michael Attix ("Attix") testified he has worked for the Sharon Hill
Police Department for 29 years. Id. at 9. Attix testified on May 7, 2007, he was on
duty and received a radio call for a wellness check at Victim Jenkins' home. Id. at
9-10. Attix testified when he arrived at Victim Jenkins' home, he noticed an
accumulation of mail, newspapers, and flyers between the screen door and front
door. Id. at 10. Attix testified he knocked on the door several times, and when there
was no response, he went around the house to where there was a sliding glass door,
and he started knocking again. Id. Attix testified when there still was no answer, he
checked the sliding glass door and it opened; he stepped into the kitchen area and
called for Victim Jenkins and announcing himself as a police officer. Id. at 11. At-fix
testified as he walked from the kitchen to the dining and living room area, he noticed
there appeared to be drops of blood on the floor. Id. Attix testified he walked to the
stairs, continuing to announce his presence and calling for Victim Jenkins, and
proceeded up the stairs. Id. Attix testified when he nearly reached the top of the
staircase, he observed an object, wrapped in a comforter and towel, in the hallway,
and when he looked more closely, he saw blood on the ground where the object was
and blood on the entranceway to a nearby room. Id. Attix testified he immediately
left Victim Jenkins' residence and called for back up and requested the police radio
12
room to send the detective in chief. Id. at 12. Attix testified at first he thought the
blood was significant because Victim Jenkins could have been hurt, and that when
Attix went to the second floor, he realized it was a crime scene and he called for
backup. Id. Attix testified he radioed for backup so they could clear the house to
make sure no one was in the residence. Id. at 12-13. Attix testified he thought Officer
Brian Patterson from Darby Township Police Department arrived, and they walked
though Victim Jenkins' house. Id. Attix testified when entered the back bedroom on
the second floor, he observed gym equipment and a large amount of blood on the
walls and the floor. Id. Attix testified he and Officer Patterson did not find anyone
else in Victim Jenkins' residence. Id. at 14. Attix testified once they cleared the
house, both Officer Patterson and he exited the residence to await the detective in
chief. Id. Attix testified when he and Officer Patterson were inside Victim Jenkins'
house, they were mindful not to disturb evidence, not to step in blood, not to disturb
anything, and they kept safety in mind. Id. Attix testified when he and Officer
Patterson went back outside, Chief Kelly and Hoffner arrived. Id. at 15. Attix
testified he advised Chief Kelly and Hoffner of his actions inside the residence, and
he and Heffner went back inside to check the object wrapped in a comforter and
found in the second floor hallway. Id. Attix testified Hoffner checked to see what
was under the towel and comforter, and it was Victim Jenkins. Id. at 15. Attix
testified he and Hoffner went back outside, and no one was permitted to enter Victim
13
Jenkins' residence until CID detectives arrived. Id. On cross-examination, Attix
testified it was a sunny day but he was not sure whether any lights were turned on in
Victim Jenkins house and he does not remember whether he used his flashlight when
he was inside Victim Jenkins' residence. Id. at 15-16. Cross-examination was not
extensive and did not alter nor weaken the testimony of Attix. Id. at 16-17.
4. Testimony of Detective Sergeant David McDonald, Delaware
County District Aftorney's Office, Criminal Investigation
Division. See generally May 29, 2019 Notes of Testimony at pp.
18-102.
Detective Sergeant David McDonald ("McDonald") testified he has been a
police officer since 1984 and he is the Detective Sergeant, Commander of the
Forensic Science Unit. Id. at 18. McDonald testified he became involved in the
investigation into Victim Jenkins death on May 9, 20072 and he went to the scene of
the murder for a walk through to identify items at the scene that may have evidentiary
value and take additional photographs and process the scene for fingerprints. Id. at
22, 23, 73-74. McDonald testified to a series of photographs taken of the crime scene
and evidentiary items. McDonald testified in his "preliminary survey there was a lot
of blood evidence and a lot of bloodstain patterns". Id. at 29. McDonald testified the
scene showed evidence of a violent struggle and appeared there had been an attempt
to cleanse the scene, and he testified to content of a series of photographs depicting,
him his investigation
2 Later during his testimony, McDonald testified he was mistaken and the exhibits reminded
the day after Victim Jenkins' body was discovered. Id. at 26.
actually started on May 8, 2007,
14
inter alia, the bloody and violent crime scene of the murder. Id. at 29, 30, and
generally. McDonald testified there were droplets of blood leading from the second
floor into the kitchen and this could signify the "doer injured themselves". Id.
McDonald testified an air freshener was out on a table and this appeared to be an
attempt by someone to mask the odor of the decomposition process. Id. at 29-30.
McDonald testified there were two 30 pound metal dumbbells, one was covered with
a considerable amount of blood and the other appeared to have cast-off blood on its
surface. Id. at 33. McDonald testified the crime scene was very bloody, and they
took special precautions to avoid contamination of the crime scene by wearing
protective covers over their boots and rubber gloves. Id. at 35. McDonald testified
they took random samples of blood droplets for DNA testing. Id. at 44. McDonald
testified there was a kitchen knife found on the drying rack in the kitchen, and there
were bloodstains on the handle and the knife blade was bent consistent with being
used in a struggle. Id. at 81. McDonald testified that he was not positive, however,
the knife was used in the struggle. Id. On cross-examination, McDonald testified the
first officers who went into the house without protective clothing could possibly
contaminate the scene but the priority at that time was to make sure nobody was at
risk. Id. at 86. On re -cross-examination, McDonald testified the blood was dry but
McDonald could not testify how long the body was there, but he had information
Victim Jenkins had not reported to work in over a week. Id. at 96.
15
5. Testimony of Shante Fernandez, Daughter of Victim
Jenkins' Girlfriend. See generally May 29, 2019 Notes of
Testimony at 110-151.
Shante Fernandez ("Fernandez") testified her mother and Victim Jenkins were
in a relationship together from the time she was three until his death when she was
24, and Victim Jenkins was "like a step -father" to her. Id. at 110. Fernandez testified
she and her mother lived with Victim Jenkins starting in 2000, but she moved out in
2003 because she was having a baby and there wasn't enough space in the house. Id.
at 111. Fernandez testified she knows Appellant and identified Appellant. Id. at 113-
114. Fernandez testified they met when they were fourteen years old, before
Fernandez and her mom moved in with Victim Jenkins. Id. at 114. Fernandez
testified she and Appellant were friends, spent time together, and talked on the phone
regularly. Id. at 115. Fernandez testified Victim Jenkins would not allow company
generally, but sometimes when Victim Jenkins was not home, Appellant would
come over. Id. at 116. Fernandez testified sometimes Appellant would come over to
meet her and they would go out, and at those times Victim Jenkins sometimes was
home. Id. Fernandez testified she, her mother, and Victim Jenkins would use the
back sliding glass door, and usually it was not locked. Id. at 117. Fernandez testified
she and Izena were friends "on and off' because each of them moved around
frequently and would lose touch or they would get new phone numbers, but they
would reconnect through Facebook. Id. at 119. Fernandez testified in April 2007,
16
Appellant called her and asked if Victim Jenkins had an alarm system and if anybody
ever went to visit him. Id. at 120. Fernandez testified she thought Appellant's phone
call and questions were weird because Fernandez herself had no reason to go back
to Victim Jenkins' house, so it was "really weird" for Appellant to call out of the
blue and ask about Gary. Id. at 121. Fernandez testified she was not aware of any
direct contact between Victim Jenkins and Appellant, and she had no reason to think
they were in communication between 2003 and 2007. Id. Fernandez testified she
learned of Victim Jenkins' death from her sister. Id. at 122. Fernandez testified she
"taken aback" at the news, and the police talked to her a short time later. Id.
Fernandez testified no one asked her about Appellant, Id. Fernandez testified the
police took a DNA sample from her. Id. at 123. Fernandez testified her next contact
with the police took place in 2015. Id. Fernandez testified Appellant and she were in
contact around that time and Appellant was living in New York, but they never
talked about Victim Jenkins between 2007 and 2015. Id. Fernandez testified she
never thought and it never occurred to her that Appellant murdered Victim Jenkins.
Id. at 124. Fernandez testified Appellant called her the day the police went to see her
in New York. Id. at 125. Fernandez testified Appellant asked her whether Victim
Jenkins was dead and Fernandez sent to Appellant a link for the article about Victim
Jenkins' death. Id. Fernandez testified Appellant told her the police said Appellant's
DNA was found and Appellant should confess. Id. Fernandez testified she spoke to
17
the police and found out Appellant's DNA was found at Victim Jenkins' house. Id.
at 126. Fernandez testified Appellant claimed the DNA was not hers, and it would
be impossible for her DNA to be found there. Id. at 127. Fernandez testified the few
times Appellant did come to the house, Appellant never lifted weights. Id. On cross-
examination Fernandez testified Appellant's weight loss may have occurred when
she enlisted in the army. Id. at 130. Fernandez testified she and Appellant are old
friends, and when they reconnect it is as if no time has passed. Id. at 138. Fernandez
testified she told the police during her second conversation with police in 2015 about
the April 2007 phone call she had with Appellant about whether Victim Jenkins had
a security system in his house, and that Appellant has denied ever making asking
those questions. Id. at 139, 140. Fernandez testified she told Appellant she was afraid
she was going to lose her children because of this case. Id. at 139. Fernandez testified
there were times Appellant claimed she didn't like Victim Jenkins and he was mean.
Id. at 140. On re -direct examination, Fernandez testified when the police came to
speak with her on September 29, 2015, Detective Wright gave her his card and told
her to call him if she remembered anything; the next day, Fernandez called Detective
right because she remembered the April 2007 phone call when Appellant asked her
about whether Victim Jenkins had an alarm system in the house; when Fernandez
remembered the conversation, it was an "aha moment" and she wasn't trying to hold
back from the police, she just didn't think of it at first. Id. at 145.
18
6. Testimony of Heather McKiernan, Employee for the Center
for Forensic Science Research and Education and Consultant
for NMS Labs. See generally May 29, 2019 Notes of Testimony
at pp. 152-197.
Heather McKiernan ("McKiernan") testified she has been employed since
2014 as an employee for the Center for Forensic Science and a consultant for NMS
Labs. Id. at 152-153. McKiernan testified she has specialized training in DNA
forensic analysis. Id. at 156. McKiernan testified about the summary of the
serological testing for body fluid (blood) and results following DNA testing. Id. at
162. McKiernan testified both Appellant's reference sample and Victim Jenkins'
reference sample were compared to and identified as present in a blood sample taken
from the handle of the 30 pound dumbbell found at the scene of the murder. Id. at
166, 171, 172, 174. McKieman testified Appellant's DNA was identified from a
blood sample from the living room floor and the kitchen floor, and swabs from a bite
mark found on Victim Jenkins. Id. at 175, 176, 177, 178, 179. McKieman testified
the conclusions and opinions she stated are in keeping with standards in the scientific
community. Id. at 184. On cross-examination, McKiernan testified she could not say
how Appellant's DNA got onto the dumbbell, who touched it first, or how long it
has been on the dumbbell. Id. at 188. McKiernan testified and confirmed Appellant's
blood was found in four places that were sampled for DNA: dumbbell, kitchen floor,
living room, bite mark. Id. at 189. McKiernan testified the knife found in the kitchen
had DNA sources of two persons, Victim Jenkins and an unknown individual. Id. at
19
195. On re -cross examination McKiernan testified she did not know whether that
knife was used as the murder weapon. Id. at 197.
7. Testimony of Dara Rayna Jones3, Appellant's Former
Girlfriend. See generally May 29, 2019 Notes of Testimony
at pp. 200-215.
Dara Rayna Jones ("Jones") testified she lives in New York and she knows
Appellant; she identified Appellant in court. Id. at 200. Jones testified Appellant and
she dated in 2013 and moved in together during that summer. Id. at 201. Jones
testified Appellant and she broke up on New Year's Eve 2013. Id. at 203. Jones
testified Appellant told her she had killed a man once and had beaten the man to
death. Id. Jones testified she thought Appellant was using a scare tactic, trying to
intimidate her. Id. at 204. Jones testified she began to research online about an
unrelated and separate matter, and she came upon information related to the Victim
Jenkins murder. Id. at 206. Jones testified she called the police. Id. at 205-207. On
cross examination, Jones testified at first she did not believe Appellant when
Appellant claimed to have killed a man. Id. at 207. Jones testified she did "not recall
anybody saying anything about stabbing anybody." Id. at 212.
In the Notes of Testimony, Dara Rayna Jones is identified as Barina Jones.
20
8. Testimony of Detective William Wright, Criminal
Investigation Division of Delaware County District
Attorney's Office. See generally May 30, 2019 Notes of
Testimony at pp. 3-24.
Detective William Wright (Wright") testified he is Lieutenant of Detectives
for Delaware County Criminal Investigation Division ("CID"), he has been
employed with CID for eight years and has been a police officer for 29 years. Id. at
3-4. Wright testified he came into this case in 2015 as a result of Appellant's DNA
presence at the crime scene where Victim Jenkins' body was found, including the
bite mark on Victim Jenkins' arm, the blood drops on the floor, and the dumbbell.
Id. at 4. The DNA profile found at the crime scene "allowed us enough probable
cause to get a search warrant to get a buccal swab" from Appellant. Id. Wright
testified in September 2015 he traveled with Chief Herron from Sharon Hill Police
Department to New York City and with the aid of an Assistant District Attorney and
a NYPD Officer Balbone, a search warrant was obtained in New York City. Id. at 5.
Wright testified he and the two officers located Appellant and NYPD Officer
Balbone did the buccal swab in Wright's unmarked police vehicle. Id. Wright
testified he told Appellant the search warrant for the buccal swab was for an
investigation of a 2007 homicide. Id. at 6. Wright testified Appellant stated he
wouldn't be surprised if Appellant's DNA was found at the crime scene location
because Appellant knew Fernandez and hung out at the house years earlier. Id. at 7.
Wright testified following the buccal swab, he advised Appellant the DNA located
21
at the crime scene came from blood. Id. Wright testified Appellant got out of the car
and ran away. Id. Wright testified the swab was submitted to NMS lab. Id. at 7, 8.
Wright testified an arrest warrant was issued for Appellant, and Wright testified he
wrote an incident report and criminal complaint. Id. at 8. Wright testified Hoffner
and Chief Herron traveled to New York City where Appellant resided and with the
assistance from NYPD and U.S. Marshals arrested Appellant. Id. at 9-10. Wright
testified Appellant was Mirandized and an hour long interview was conducted, Id.
at 10-12. Wright testified Appellant repeatedly claimed he was never at Victim
Jenkins' home is 2007 and Appellant talked about his drug use-marijuana,
medication, cocaine. Id. at 12. Wright testified Appellant acknowledged making a
phone call about whether a person had an alarm system and Appellant did not
confirm she was inquiring about Victim Jenkins. Id. at 13. Wright testified following
the interview, they transported Appellant to Delaware County. Id. at 14. Wright
testified there wasn't any evidence tending to suggest anyone else besides Victim
Jenkins and Appellant were inside the house at the time of the murder. Id. On cross-
examination, Wright testified, inter alia, to the general circumstances surrounding
the police interview of Appellant following arrest but the cross-examination did not
reveal anything irregular surrounding the arrest and subsequent interview of
Appellant. Id. at 19-21.
22
9. Testimony of Frederic Hellman, Chief Medical Examiner for
Delaware County. See generally May 30, 2019 Notes of
Testimony at pp. 24-35, 42-91.
Frederic Hellman ("Hellman") testified for the past 19 years he has been
employed as the chief medical examiner for Delaware County. Id. at 24. Hellman
testified he conducted an autopsy on the body of Victim Jenkins, and he noted
decompositional changes, approximately 40 incised and stab wounds all over Victim
Jenkins' head and body, severe blunt force injuries including a gaping laceration that
extended across his forehead, and an underlying depressed skull fracture of the left
forehead that extended across the forehead bone to the right side of the skull. Id. at
24, 45, 46, 47. Hellman testified there was a second area of impact at the back of
Victim Jenkins' head. Id. at 47. Hellman testified to large areas of bruising on the
back of the head and extensive fractures of the skull arising from at least two and
probably more blunt force injuries of the head. Id. at 47, 48. Hellman testified he
observed scrapes and abrasions on Victim Jenkins' head, face, and body. Id. at 48.
Hellman testified Victim Jenkins had a gaping slash wound across his neck that
severed the carotid artery and jugular vein and fractured the hyoid bone. Id. Hellman
testified the physical indications suggest Victim Jenldns was alive when he suffered
the neck wound. Id. In addition to the stab and incised wounds, Victim Jenkins had
a bite mark from which he collected a DNA sample. Id. at 52, 53, Hellman testified
the evidence suggests Victim Jenkins was alive when he sustained the blunt force
23
injuries. Id. at 53. Hellman testified a thirty pound dumbbell could have been used
to inflict the blunt force injuries to Victim Jenkins and the slash wound at the neck
was an execution style slash. Id. at 54. Hellman through his testimony explained to
the jury how he conducted the autopsy, and used diagrams and photographs to
further explain the nature and type of the injuries Victim Jenkins sustained during
the murder. Id. at 58-71. Hellman testified his opinion to a reasonable degree of
medical certainty as to the cause of Victim Jenkins death is blunt force head injuries
associated with multiple stab and slash wounds. Id. at 72. Hellman testified he
received toxicology results from a specimen he sent to lab and the result showed
Victim Jenkins has the presence of alcohol in his system, and he opined the level of
alcohol was in part due to drinking and in part due to alcohol producing bacteria
from decomposition. Id. at 73-74. Hellman testified he is not able to pinpoint an
exact time of death but he estimated Victim Jenkins was deceased for 7 to 10 days
before his body was discovered. Id. at 74. On cross examination, Hellman testified
it appeared there was a progressive escalation of the nature and severity of the
injuries suffered by Victim Jenkins and the injuries likely were sustained at the end
of the struggle. Id. at 78, 79.
24
'CU Circulated 02/44-/A2? u -o)
B. DEFENDANT'S CASE
1. Testimony of Appellant. See generally May 30, 2019 Notes of
Testimony at pp. 98-171.
Appellant testified he is 35 years old, has taken some college classes, and
was in the Army National Guard out of New York. Id. at 99. Appellant testified in
2007 he was living in Brooklyn, NY, but came to Chester in 2007 to see friends
and family. Id. at 100. Appellant testified he was born female, now identifies as a
male, uses the name Isaiah, and characterizes as transgender. Id. at 100, 101.
Appellant testified in 2014 he started receiving testosterone shots and in 2015
Appellant underwent a bilateral mastectomy. Id. at 102. Appellant testified in 2007,
he was a 23 year old woman. Id. Appellant testified he feared rejection from the
family because he perceived they had difficulty understanding his "alternate sexual
preference". Id. at 103. Appellant testified he know Victim Jenkins because Victim
Jenkins was dating Karen Crenshaw, mother of Appellant's friend Fernandez. Id.
Appellant testified to having been in Victim Jenkins' home on several occasions.
Id. Appellant testified on April 28, 2007 he went to Victim Jenkins' home, and he
remembers the date because an "altercation ensued there" and Appellant was
treated at Crozer Hospital for an injury to her leg and her hand. Id. at 104, 125, 156.
Appellant testified on April 28, 2007 she was visiting family and friends in the area,
including Fernandez, and they were drinking heavily, Id. at 107. Appellant testified
she decided to go back to her aunt's home where she was staying because she drank
25
too much and was feeling sick. Id. at 108. Appellant testified she was taking the
bus from Darby to Chester, but she began to get sick and was vomiting so she had
to get off. Id. Appellant testified she wasn't far from where she thought her friend
Fernandez's mom lived. Id. at 109. Appellant testified she lcnociced on Victim
Jenkins' door, he answered, and after a minute, he recognized her. Id. Appellant
testified he asked Victim Jenkins if she could use the bathroom and make a phone
call. Id. at 110-111. Appellant testified Victim Jenkins allowed Appellant to come
into the home. Id. at 111. Appellant testified she was in the home and making small
tallc with Victim Jenkins, and she needed to use the bathroom again. Id. Appellant
testified Victim Jenkins invited Appellant to stay, but Appellant said she felt it was
inappropriate and advised Victim Jenkins she probably wouldn't stay. Id. at 112.
Appellant testified Victim Jenkins startled her because when she came to the
bathroom door, he was right there, and then he "started to kind of hit on me." Id.
Appellant testified they were talking about Appellant's sexuality, and Victim
Jenkins asked, inter alia, if Fernandez and Appellant had been girlfriends and
lovers, and whether they had sex at his house. Id. at 114. Appellant testified she
had been molested by more than one male relative. Id. at 115. Appellant testified
one of the big reasons for her to not stay with Victim Jenkins is because of the
effect it could have on her relationship with Fernandez. Id. at 116. Appellant
testified Victim Jenkins put his arms around her, and she felt both excited and
26
uncomfortable and tried to stop him when he began "grabbing my breasts and my
genitals." Id. at p. 117. Appellant testified Victim Jenkins was persistent, and
Appellant became angered so Appellant shoved Victim Jenkins as hard as she could
and then punched him in the face. Id. at p. 118. Appellant testified Victim Jenkins
at first appeared stunned, and hurt, and then he became angry. Id. Appellant
testified they began physically fighting. Id. Appellant testified Victim Jenkins
grabbed Appellant's neck and squeezed her into unconsciousness. Id at. 119.
Appellant testified the altercation occurred in the upstairs hallway, but when she
regained consciousness, she was in the bedroom, and she was on the bed and she
was only wearing a tee-shirt. Id. at 119, 120. Appellant testified Victim Jenkins
"was crouched down on top of me with penis in hand, pissing on me." Id. at 120.
Appellant testified when Victim Jenkins saw she was regaining consciousness, he
held a box cutter to her and he leaned into the neck, and she bit his arm as hard as
she could. Id. Appellant testified they continued tussling, and she ended up on her
stomach, and she was trying to get away. Id. Appellant testified Victim Jenkins
then "tried to insert his penis into me" and he put it into her rectum. Id. at 121.
Appellant testified when she tried to get away he pulled her hair out, and as she
continued to attempt to get away, she tried to kick him as hard as she could in his
genitals and then he slashed open her leg. Id. Appellant testified as she was backing
away from him, she picked up a barbell and she told Victim Jenkins to "get the
27
fuck out of my way" and "if you don't get out of my fucking way, I'm going to
bust your fucking head open." Appellant testified Victim Jenkins laughed at her
and made a retort. Appellant testified "I started swinging that damn thing like I was
the Louisville slugger. And I did not stop hitting him with it until he fell." Id. at
122. Appellant testified it is possible she hit Victim Jenkins in the body and head
with the dumbbell. Id. at 123. Appellant denied stabbing Victim Jenkins. Id. at 123,
134. Appellant testified she grabbed her pants and flip flops from the hallway floor
and went out of the house. Id. Appellant testified she discarded her urine stained
tee shirt in the kitchen and put on her pants when she went outside. Id. at 124.
Appellant testified Victim Jenkins was alive and calling her a fucking bitch when
she was leaving, and Appellant then told Victim Jenkins "he was going to get
fucked up." Id. Appellant testified she had a puncture wound to her hand and a gash
in her leg, and she received eighteen to twenty stitches. Id. at 125. Appellant
testified she did not know whether Victim Jenkins was bleeding when she left the
house. Id. Appellant testified when she left, she didn't have her identification, keys,
or money, and she had to walk to Chester from Victim Jenkins house. Id. at 126.
Appellant testified she told her aunt she had been attacked and she went to Crozer.
Id. at pp. 127, 128. Appellant testified she told the hospital staff she had been in a
fight but did not tell them she had been sexually assaulted because it was
humiliating and she did not want to have a rape kit and she did not want to tell the
28
police. Id. Appellant testified she told her aunt and her father what happened. Id. at
131. Appellant testified her father drove from Brooklyn to get her and Appellant
showed him where Victim Jenkins lived. Id. Appellant testified her father did not
go into Victim Jenkins house, and they drove to Brooldyn. Id. at 132, 133.
Appellant testified when she visited her father the following week, he had her ID
card and told her "he broke the nigger's face and he took the nigger out". Id. at 134.
Appellant testified her father died in May 2016. Id. Appellant testified she hit
Victim Jenkins with the dumbbell and she "imagined some of it did got to the face
and head." Id. at 135. Appellant testified "I'm responsible for his death, but I did
not kill him." Id. at p. 136. Appellant testified if she never took her dad to the house,
Victim Jenkins probably would still be alive. Id. Appellant testified she wanted
Victim Jenkins to be hurt, not dead. Id.
On cross-examination, Appellant testified he never mentioned any of her
story to the detectives who obtained the buccal swab from her in September 2015.
Id. at 137. Appellant testified following her encounter with the police, she called
Fernandez and asked her if Gary were dead. Id. at 139. Appellant testified she had
met Victim Jenkins a handful of times before April 28, 2007. Id. at 141, 142.
Appellant testified Fernandez was mistaken when she testified Victim Jenkins was
never at the home when Appellant visited. Id. at 142. Appellant testified she doesn't
know what time she arrived at Victim Jenkins home, but she recalled it was getting
29
dark. Id. at 143. Appellant testified she was wearing a tee shirt, sweatpants, flip
flops, and a blouse, and she carried a book bag. Id. at 143, 144. Appellant testified
when Victim Jenkins progressed in touching her, when Appellant couldn't stand it
any longer, she shoved him and pushed him, and then she punched him. Id. at 147,
148. Appellant testified after she punched Appellant, he began hitting and punching
her and grabbed her around the neck and squeezed until she was unconscious. Id.
at 148, 149. Appellant testified when was became conscious, she was in the hallway
and Victim Jenkins was over her urinating on her. Id. at 149. Appellant testified
she doesn't know if Victim Jenkins purposely or accidentally inserted his penis into
her. Id. at 150. Appellant testified she agreed there were no images of the box cutter
or her hair or the urine soaked tee shirt in the many pictures of the crime scene. Id.
at 152. Appellant testified he hit Victim Jenkins with the dumbbell but he did
Appellant didn't have a knife. Id. at 153. Appellant testified she took off her tee
shirt because it was soaked in Victim Jenkins' urine and she threw it in the kitchen
or the kitchen doorway to the outside. Id. at 154. Appellant testified he thought it
would be "unintelligent to implicate myself' into the murder, and she thought if
she said anything about her story and the situation that led up to the murder, then
she would have to explain and she wasn't prepared for that. Id. at 158. Appellant
testified she admits to hitting Victim Jenkins, but she denies any involvement in a
stabbing of Victim Jenkins. Id at 160. Appellant testified it is his fault Victim
30
Jenkins is dead, and he takes responsibility for that, but he did not murder Victim
Jenkins. Id. at 160, 161. Appellant testified she did not take the opportunity to
explain to the police her version of what she alleges happened. Id. at 161. Appellant
testified Fernandez conflated two phone calls into one, and her recollection
concerning Appellant's phone call to her inquiring whether Victim Jenkins had an
alarm system is mistaken. Id. at 162, 163, 164. Appellant testified she called
Fernandez on May 4, 2007, and was trying to find out information in an indirect
manner about Victim Jenkins, and when Fernandez didn't say anything about him,
Appellant "deduced he had survived the ordeal my father had spoken about." Id. at
165. Appellant testified Jones' testimony was mistaken, and Appellant had told her
she was responsible for a man's death but explained she didn't commit murder or
say she beat a man to death. Id. at 167. Appellant testified when she went to the
hospital she tried to give facts without giving details. Id. Appellant testified she
provided truthful information to the hospital staff. Id. at 168, 169. Appellant
testified she didn't report to hospital staff information about having been strangled
to the point of unconsciousness. Id. at 169.
2. Testimony of Eugenia Bright, Appellant's Aunt. See
generally May 30, 2019 Notes of Testimony at pp. 172-178.
Eugenia Bright ("Bright") testified she is Appellant's aunt and she recalled
one night during 2007 Appellant came to her home at night and was dressed in a
different way than she normally was dressed and had a "horrid" look about her.
31
Bright testified Appellant told her she had been in a "really big fight" and she had a
big gash on her leg, and Bright asked her son to drive Appellant to the emergency
room. Bright testified she would not come to court and lie on behalf of Appellant.
On cross-examination, Bright testified she did not call the police and Appellant told
her to not call the police.
3. Testimony of Ethel Atkins, Appellant's grandmother. See
generally May 39, 2019 Notes of Testimony at pp. 179-185.
Ethel Atkins ("Atkins") testified she is Appellant's grandmother and she lives
in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, New York. Atkins testified Appellant graduated from
West Philly High and joined the army. Atkins testified about the contents of two
photographs of Appellant from her high school graduation and swearing in
ceremony when she joined the army. Atkins testified in April 2007 Appellant's
father brought her from Chester, PA to Brooklyn, NY, and Appellant was unable to
take care of herself and she was limping, throwing up, and sore, and Appellant told
Atkins she had been raped. Atkins testified she would not come to court, take an
oath, and lie for Appellant.
C. STIPULATIONS: Two stipulations were entered between the Assistant
District Attorney and Appellant through his Defense Counsel, and these stipulations
were agreed to the entry by the Court to be made a part of the record of the case.
32
1. Chain of Custody-DNA Evidence
There has been a proper chain of custody established with respect to all DNA
evidence in connection with this case, starting from the time when such evidence
was collected, until the time when it was analyzed and/or presented in court.
2. Chain of Custody--Physical Evidence
There has been a proper chain of custody established with respect to all
physical evidence collected in connection with this case, starting from the time such
evidence was collected until the time when it was analyzed/presented in court.
After listening to all the trial testimony, considering all the exhibits admitted
and weighing the evidence presented 'during trial, the jury believed the facts
presented by the Commonwealth's case proved beyond a reasonable doubt Appellant
committed the crimes charged and were not persuaded Appellant's version of the
facts negated or curtailed Appellant's guilt on the criminal charges. Judgment of
sentence should be affirmed.
III. DISCUSSION
A. Evidence is sufficient to establish Appellant's guilt and sustain the
convictions for murder of the first degree, murder of the third degree,
and possessing instruments of crime. Appellant's claim lacks merit
and judgment of sentence should be affirmed.
The first three issues raised by Appellant in the 1925(b) Statement challenge
sufficiency of the evidence for the convictions of murder of the first degree, murder
of the third degree, and possessing instruments of crime. A claim challenging the
33
sufficiency of evidence is a question of law and the standard of review in a criminal
case is whether the evidence is sufficient to prove every element of the case beyond
a reasonable doubt. The scope is the entire record viewed in a light most favorable
to the Commonwealth as the verdict winner, and accepting all evidence as true and
all reasonable inferences therefrom upon which, if believed, is sufficient to prove
guilt beyond reasonable doubt of all elements of the crime and the fact finder could
have based its verdict. Commonwealth v. Pruitt, 951 A.2d 307, 313 (Pa. 2008);
Commonwealth v. Smith, 853 A.2d 1020 (Pa. Super. 2004); Commonwealth v.
Wilson, 825 A.2d 710 (Pa. Super. 2003). In reviewing a claim of insufficiency of the
evidence, an appellate court must keep in mind that the credibility of witnesses and
the weight to be accorded to the evidence produced are matters within the province
of the trier of fact, who is free to believe all, some, or none of the evidence.
Commonwealth v. McCalman, 795 A.2d 412 (Pa. Super. 2002), appeal denied 812
A.2d 1228 (Pa. 2002); Commonwealth v. Hunter, 768 A.2d 1136 (Pa. Super. 2001),
appeal denied 796 A.2d 979 (Pa. 2001).
Any doubt about the defendant's guilt is to be resolved by the fact finder unless
the evidence is so weak and inconclusive that, as a matter of law, no probability of
fact can be drawn from the combined circumstances. Commonwealth v. Lynch, 2014
WL 11022453 (Pa. Super. 2014); Commonwealth v. Franklin, 69 A.3d 719, 722 (Pa.
34
Super. 2013) (citations and quotation marks omitted); Commonwealth v. Rose, 820
A.2d 164 (Pa. Super. 2003), reargument denied.
A claim challenging the sufficiency of the evidence, if granted, would
preclude retrial under the double jeopardy provisions of the Fifth Amendment to the
United States Constitution, and Article I, Section 10 of the Pennsylvania
Constitution. Tibbs v. Florida, 457 U.S. 31 (1982); Commonwealth v. Vogel, 461
A.2d 604 (Pa. 1983). When a verdict is not supported by sufficient evidence,
appropriate remedy is discharge and dismissal of all charges. Commonwealth v.
Ruffin, 463 A.2d 1117 (Pa. Super. 1983); Commonwealth v. Cardona, 463 A.2d 11(Pa. Super. 1983).
Appellant's sufficiency of the evidence claims lack merit and judgment of
sentence should be affirmed. Considering the standard of review in this case, and
based on the testimony presented, the Commonwealth met its burden is the verdict
is supported by overwhelming evidence proving Appellant's guilt. The record and
applicable law belie Appellant's claims. In the present case, viewing the evidence in
the light most favorable to the Commonwealth, the record is clear the jury as fact
finder determined the evidence required to establish the elements of the crimes of
murder of the first degree, murder of the third degree, and possessing instruments of
crime was sufficient to prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt. The jury
believed the testimony of the Commonwealth witnesses and believed the
35
Commonwealth proved beyond a reasonable doubt Appellant committed the
offenses of murder of the first degree, murder of the third degree, and possessing
instruments of crime. The jury as fact finder believed Appellant committed the
crimes and disregarded Appellant's discordant testimony. The jury considered the
details testified to concerning when the witness from Victim Jenkins place of
employment realized Victim Jenkins had not been to work nor had he been in any
communication. The jury considered the violent, bloody crime scene and Victim
Jenkins' manner of death. The jury considered Hellman's testimony Victim Jenkins
was alive when his throat was slashed, jugular vein and carotid artery severed, and
hyoid bone broken and all the autopsy findings. The jury considered the testimony
concerning the attempt to clean up the murder scene and mask odors. The jury
considered Fernandez's testimony including Appellant's inquiry in advance of the
murder whether Victim Jenkins' home had an alarm system and whether anyone else
was staying at his residence. The jury considered Jones' testimony Appellant told
her he killed a man by beating him to death. The jury considered testimony the blood
samples removed from the scene of the murder matched Victim Jenkins and a "Black
African American female". The jury considered Appellant testified on direct
examination after Victim Jenkins choked her, she was on the bed when she regained
consciousness, but on cross-examination, Appellant testified when she regained
consciousness, Appellant was over the threshold of the door to the bedroom. See
36
May 30, 2019 Notes of Testimony at 121, 149. The jury considered Appellant's
testimony admitting on April 28, 2007 she went to Victim Jenkins' home. The jury
considered Appellant's testimony he is responsible for Victim Jenkins death; the jury
considered Appellant's testimony he denies murdering Victim Jenkins; the jury
considered Appellant's testimony blaming his father, who died in 2016, as the person
who actually murdered Victim Jenkins. Id. at p. 134, 136. The jury considered
Appellant repeatedly and admittedly "started swinging that damn thing [dumbbell]
like I was the Louisville slugger. And I did not stop hitting him [Victim Jenkins]
until he fell" and the jury considered Hellman's testimony there were approximately
40 stab wounds and an execution style slash across Victim Jenkins' neck. The jury
also considered Appellant's refusal to make the connection his admitted behavior is
a direct cause of Victim Jenkins' death. Id. at 122. The jury considered the dumbbell
found at the scene of the murder was covered in blood and used in the murder of
Victim Jenkins. The jury considered Appellant's testimony he wanted Victim
Jenkins to hurt. Id. at 136. The jury considered Medical Examiner Hellman's
testimony the blunt force injuries were the most severe injuries, the crushing blows
eventually would result in death, and the blunt force trauma to the head rendered
Victim Jenkins unconscious and made him vulnerable to the slash wound to the neck.
Id. at 47, 56, 57. The jury believed, contrary to Appellant's testimony denying he
stabbed Victim Jenkins and denying he used a knife, Appellant caused Victim
37
Jenkins' execution style neck wound and this is the direct cause Victim Jenkins'
death. Id. at 57. The jury considered Appellant testified he knew Victim Jenkins was
dead because in 2007 Appellant's father told Appellant "he broke the nigger's face
and took the nigger out" but Appellant testified she called Fernandez in 2015 after
her encounter with the police and asked if Victim Jenkins were dead. Id. at 134, 139.
The jury considered Appellant testimony alleging both Jones and Fernandez were
mistaken when they presented their testimony. Id. at 166, 167. The jury considered
Appellant's testimony conflicts with the evidence presented in the case. The jury
considered all the evidence and agreed the Commonwealth proved beyond a
reasonable doubt the murder was willful, deliberate, premeditated, and committed
with malice and the death of Victim Jenkins was caused by Appellant. The jury
considered Appellant's use of the dumbbell and a knife in the commission of the
murder and found them to be used for criminal purposes and possessed by Appellant
under circumstances not manifestly appropriate for lawful uses they might have.
The jury as fact finder did not find the evidence presented by the Commonwealth
weak or inconclusive, and the totality of the evidence when viewed in the light most
favorable to the Commonwealth sufficiently proves beyond a reasonable doubt each
element of his conviction for murder of the first degree, murder of the third degree,
and possessing instruments of crime.
Appellant's claims lack merit, and judgment of sentence should be affirmed.
38
B. The trial court did not err when it denied Appellant's
Motions in Limine.4 Appellant's claims lack merit and judgment of
sentence should be affirmed.
The next three issues raised by Appellant in the 1925(b) Statement challenge
the court's denial of Appellant's May 17, 2019 Motions in Limine: 1) "Motion in
Limine with Respect to the Testimony of Dara Jones" in which Appellant requested
the court to exclude testimony from Ms. Jones that her relationship with Appellant
was volatile and "culminated in a criminal conviction" for Izena Goudy; 2) "Motion
in Limine with Respect a portion of a Statement Made to Police by Witness Shante
Fernandez" in which Appellant requested the court to exclude testimony from
witness Fernandez concerning Appellant's inquiry of Victim Gary Jenkins had a
security system in his home; 3) "Motion in Limine with Respect to the Presence of
the Defendant's DNA in the National Databank" in which Appellant requested the
court to preclude testimony at trial any mention of the Combined DNA Index System
(CODIS) and how Appellant's DNA got entered into that system.
When a trial court's ruling on a motion in limine is challenged, the standard
of review is whether the court committed abuse of discretion. Commonwealth v.
Stokes, 78 A.3d 644 (Pa. Super. 2013), Commonwealth v. Albrecht, 720 A.2d 793(Pa. 1999). The first question to consider is whether the evidence sought to be
excluded is relevant, and whether the probative value of that evidence outweighs any
4 On May 30, 2019, the Court entered written orders denying Appellant's May 17, 2019 Motions in Limine.
39
unfair prejudice. If it is determined the evidence was admitted in error, the question
becomes whether the error is harmless, i.e., is the admitted evidence unfairly
prejudicial. In order to constitute reversible error, an evidentiary ruling must not only
be erroneous, but also unfairly prejudicial to the complaining party. Commonwealth
v. Robinson, 721 A.2d 344 (Pa. 1998), cent, denied, 528 U.S. 1082 (2000).
The rules governing whether evidence is relevant are set forth in the
Pennsylvania Rules of Evidence. Pa.R.E. 401 provides Evidence is relevant if:
(a) it has any tendency to make a fact more or less probable than it would
be without the evidence; and
(b) the fact is of consequence in determining the action.
The "Official Commentary" Pa.R.E. 401 provides in relevant part:
whether evidence has a tendency to make a given fact more or less
probable is to be determined by the court in the light of reason,
experience, scientific principles and the other testimony offered in the
case.
Pa.R.E. 402 (General Admissibility of Relevant Evidence) provides: All
relevant evidence is admissible, except as otherwise provided by law. Evidence that
is not relevant is not admissible.
The "Official Commentary" to Pa.R.E. 402 provides in relevant part:
Relevant evidence may be excluded by operation of law, by statute, by
these rules, by other rules promulgated by the Supreme Court or by
rules of evidence created by case law.
40
Appellant asserts the court erred in denying the motions in limine and alleges
the evidence was unfairly prejudicial to Appeallant pursuant to Pa.Rs.E. 403 and
404(b). Pa.R.E. 403 "Exclusion of Relevant Evidence on Grounds of Prejudice,
Confusion, Waste of Time, or Other Reasons" provides in relevant part: The court
may exclude relevant evidence if its probative value is outweighed by a danger of
one or more of the following: unfair prejudice...The rule defines "unfair prejudice"
as "a tendency to suggest decision on an improper basis or to divert the jury's
attention away from its duty of weighing the evidence impartially". Pa.R.E. 403.
Pa.R.E. 404(b) Character evidence; Crimes or Other Acts provides in relevant
part:
(1) Prohibited Uses. Evidence of a crime, wrong, or other act is not
admissible to prove a person's character in order to show that on a
particular occasion the person acted in accordance with the
character.
(2) Permitted Uses. This evidence may be admissible for another
purpose, such as proving motive, opportunity, intent, preparation,
plan, knowledge, identity, absence of a mistake, or lack of accident.
In a criminal case this evidence is admissible only if the probative
value of the evidence outweighs its potential for unfair prejudice.
(3) Notice in a Criminal Case. In a criminal case the prosecutor must
provide reasonable notice in advance of trial, or during trial if the
court excuses pretrial notice on good cause shown, of the general
nature of any such evidence the prosecutor intends to introduce at
trial.
41
1. Motion in Limine with Respect to the Testimony of Dara Jones
On May 17, 2019, Appellant filed a "Motion in Limine with Respect to the
Testimony of Dara Jones" in which Appellant requested the court to exclude
testimony from Ms. Jones that her relationship with Appellant was volatile and
"culminated in a criminal conviction" for Izena Goudy. On May 24, 2019, prior to
jury selection, the court heard argument on the motion, and with agreement of
counsel, decided ifthe issue arose during the trial, it would be addressed at that time.
See May 24, 2019 Notes of Testimony at p. 19. The court did not abuse its discretion
when it postponed addressing the motion until the issue concerning witness Jones
relationship with Appellant was volatile and "culminated in a criminal conviction"
for Appellant might be raised during witness Jones' testimony. In addition, the
attorney for the Commonwealth indicated to the court and defense counsel he "will
instruct the witness prior to their testifying that she is not to testify with regard to
any alleged physical assault that occurred between them resulting in criminal
charges." Id. A review of the witness testimony reveals the issue of the volatile
nature of their relationship and subsequent criminal charges and conviction were
never brought up during Jones' testimony and did not come up during the trial.
Contrary to Appellant's statement "Jones was permitted to testify that her
relationship with Appellant was volatile. PaR.E. 403 and 404(b)", the issue
concerning the volatile nature of their relationship, in fact, did not arise during
42
witness Jones' testimony nor any other time during trial. Appellant's allegation
Jones was permitted to testify about the volatile nature of her relationship with
Appellant is not supported in the record, there was no testimony concerning a
volatile relationship between witness Jones and Appellant, and Appellant did not
suffer unfair prejudice and was not harmed in the absence of the testimony. Even if
witness Jones had testified to the volatile nature of her relationship with Appellant,
the testimony could be detrimental to Appellant without being unfairly prejudicial,
and the court would not have abused its discretion in permitting the testimony.
Appellant's claim lacks merit and judgment of sentence should be affirmed.
2. Motion In Limine with Respect to a Portion of a Statement Made to
Police by Witness Shante Fernandez
On May 17, 2019, Appellant filed a "Motion in Limine with Respect a portion
of a Statement Made to Police by Witness Shante Fernandez" in which Appellant
requested the court to exclude testimony from Fernandez concerning Appellant's
inquiry of Victim Jenkins had a security system in his home and whether he lived
alone. On May 24, 2019, prior to jury selection, the court heard argument on the
motion. Id. at 19. Appellant claims when police spoke to Fernandez in 2007, she did
not mention that Appellant had allegedly indicated to her or called her several weeks
before the homicide to inquire about who lived with Victim Jenkins and whether or
not he had an alarm system. Appellant claimed this testimony although relevant
should be excluded because of its unfairly prejudicial nature. Appellant pointed out
43
Fernandez had three interviews with the police; the first in 2007; the second in
September 2015 in which Fernandez had no recollection of the particulars of any
conversations she had with Appellant; the third the day after the second interview
but eight years after the murder in which Fernandez indicated she had a conversation
with Appellant in which Appellant asked Fernandez whether Victim Jenkins's house
had an alarm system.
The trial court denied the motion indicating the issues concerning the time -
frame of the statements and the lack of mentioning about the alarm system until the
third conversation with the police could be addressed on cross-examination, and they
are not so prejudicial as to affect the Commonwealth's right to call witness
Fernandez. During the trial, before Fernandez testified, Appellant questioned
whether the Motion in Limine was denied; the Court reiterated the motion was
denied but Appellant would be permitted to thoroughly cross-examine Fernandez on
the issue concerning Appellant calling Fernandez and asking about the presence of
an alarm system and whether Victim Jenkins lived alone. See May 29, 2019 Notes
of Testimony at p. 103. The trial court has broad discretion with regard to the
admissibility of evidence, and it is not required to exclude all evidence that may be
detrimental to Appellant. Appellant argued Witness Fernandez testified Appellant
called her in April 2007 and asked if Gary Jenkins had an alarm system and if anyone
ever visits Gary or spends time at his house. Appellant through counsel had the
44
opportunity to cross-examine witness Fernandez concerning her statement, and he
did thoroughly cross-examine the witness. Id. at 132-154. A review of the Notes of
Testimony reveals Appellant testified to the phone call and attempted to rationalize
and impugn Fernandez's testimony by testifying Fernandez was mistaken in 'her
recollection and had conflated two separate and distinct phone calls made several
weeks apart. Id. at 162-164.
Appellant does not have to like the fact the court made a decision against him;
the court has broad discretion regarding the admissibility of evidence, including
evidence that may be considered detrimental to Appellant. The court did not abuse
its discretion in denying Appellant's motion and making the determination
Fernandez could testify about the phone call from Appellant concerning the
existence of an alarm system at Victim Jenkins' house, and Appellant did not suffer
unfair prejudice as a result of the trial court's decision. Although the testimony may
have been detrimental to Appellant, it had probative value and was not so unfairly
prejudicial to warrant exclusion. Appellant's claim lacks merit and judgment of
sentence should be affirmed.
3. Motion in Limine with Respect to the Presence of the Defendant's DNA in
the National Databank
On May 17, 2019, Appellant filed a "Motion in Limine with Respect to the
Presence of the Defendant's DNA in the National Databank" in which Appellant
requested the court to preclude testimony at trial any mention of the Combined DNA
45
Index System (COD'S) and how Appellant's DNA got entered into that system. On
May 24, 2019, prior to jury selection, the court heard argument on the motion, and
decided with agreement of counsel, if the issue arose during the trial, it would be
addressed at that time. Id. at 19. The court reminded counsel Appellant could object
to the introduction of testimony concerning the DNA database if it was brought in
an inappropriate manner. During the Commonwealth's case and the testimony of
Detective William Wright who testified he obtained Appellant's DNA pursuant to a
search warrant for a buccal swab DNA collection from Appellant to compare to
DNA found at the crime scene, there never was any testimony concerning a database
of any kind, and therefore Appellant did not suffer any prejudice. Appellant's claim
lacks merit and judgment of sentence should be affirmed.
C. Appellant claims the Commonwealth improperly replied to
Appellant's allocution by stating the physical evidence was at odds
with allocution and contained no remorse. Appellant's claim lacks
merit and judgment of sentence should be affirmed.
Appellant claims the Commonwealth improperly replied to Appellant's
allocution when it stated the physical evidence was at odds with allocution and
allocution contained no remorse. See July 16, 2019 Notes of Testimony at p. 19.
Pa.R.Crim.P. 704(C)(1) provides in relevant part: "at the time of sentencing, the
judge shall afford the defendant the opportunity to make a statement in his or her
behalf and shall afford counsel for both parties the opportunity to present
information and argument relative to sentencing." 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9752(a)(2)
46
provides: "as soon as practicable after the determination of guilt and the
examination of any presentence report, a proceeding shall be held at which the court
shall afford to the defendant the right to make a statement." See also Commonwealth
v. Thomas, 553 A.2d 918 (Pa. 1989).
A review of the transcripts from the July 16, 2019 Sentencing proceeding
reveals Appellant allocated for several minutes without interruption, and the
following exchange among the court, attorney for the Commonwealth DeNucci, and
attorney for Appellant Taggart:
THE COURT: Mr. DeNucci, anything else?
MR. DENUCCI: Judge, I just want to point out that the physical
evidence is completely at odds with the Defendant's recitation of
events.
THE COURT: Well, I can't consider anything other than what
the jury did. The jury found the person guilty of 1St degree Murder.
That's what he's going to be sentenced on. And that's what we have in
front of me today. There's no retrying the case at sentencing.
MR. DENUCCI: I understand that, judge, but there's also -
there's been no display of remorse of any kind.
MR TAGGART: Your Honor, I object to the District Attorney
responding to his right of allocution. He has a right of allocution
without cross-examination or second-guessing.
THE COURT: I appreciate that. Thank you.... .
See July 16, 2019 Notes of Testimony at pp. 19-20.
47
The record is replete and resplendent with Appellant's allocution. Appellant's
right to allocution was not compromised, and Appellant was not interrupted during
allocution, Id. at pp. 15-19. The judge heard and listened to Appellant's allocution.
The trial court during the sentencing hearing did not consider the statements of the
attorney for the Commonwealth immediately following Appellant's allocution. The
record demonstrates the Court, immediately following the attorney for the
Commonwealth's statements concerning the physical evidence vis a vis Appellant's
recitation of events and absence of remorse, disregarded them. Appellant's claim
lacks merit and judgment of sentence should be affirmed.
IV. CONCLUSION
For all the foregoing reasons, Judgment of Sentence should be affirmed.
BY THE COURT:
el 1.r
cc: A. Sheldon Kovach, Esquire, Deputy District Attorney, Delawarkto*ity
District Attorney's Office (via: Interoffice and E-mail)
Kelly Wilson, Appeals Unit Coordinator, Delaware County District r
Attorney's Office (via: Interoffice and E-mail) P"
Richard J. Blasetti, Esquire, Attorney for Defendant, Office of*eli
Defender (via: Interoffice and E-mail)
48