Com. v. Nicholson, L. ( 2021 )

J-A06029-21
NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
: PENNSYLVANIA
:
v. :
:
:
LARICIA NICHOLSON :
:
Appellant : No. 353 WDA 2020
Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence Entered January 22, 2020
In the Court of Common Pleas of Erie County Criminal Division at No(s):
918 of 2019
BEFORE: BENDER, P.J.E., LAZARUS, J., and McCAFFERY, J.
MEMORANDUM BY LAZARUS, J.: FILED: APRIL 9, 2021
Laricia Nicholson appeals from the judgment of sentence entered in the
Court of Common Pleas of Erie County. After careful review, we affirm based
on the well-reasoned opinion authored by the Honorable Daniel J. Brabender.
On January 6, 2019, Nicholson and the victim, Breonna Payne, engaged
in a verbal altercation at the bar of Hunter’s Inn. N.T. Non-Jury Trial,
11/22/19, at 4-5. A bouncer who overheard the argument told Payne to leave
the bar. Id. at 5. Payne testified that she and a friend left the bar and went
to her car, and Nicholson and her friends followed them and surrounded the
car. Id. at 6. Payne testified that Nicholson questioned her about the father
of Nicholson’s child, and then Nicholson struck Payne with her hand and a
physical altercation ensued. Id. at 6-8. A video admitted into evidence
depicted Payne on the ground, struggling beneath Nicholson, who was on top
J-A06029-21
of her. In the background people are heard encouraging Nicholson to “get
her.” Id. Payne testified she was “fighting for [her] life.” Id. at 10.
Payne suffered lacerations to her face, leaving a scar to her left cheek
and another from her eyebrow to her lower eye. Id. at 13. Payne testified
that she did not know what caused the lacerations, “something sharp–I don’t
know what it was. I just remember it just went across my face and then by
my eye. That’s when I just really started fighting for my life.” Id. at 14.
Nicholson was charged with simple assault,1 harassment,2 and
possessing an instrument of crime (PIC).3 Following a bench trial before Judge
Brabender, the court convicted Nicholson of simple assault and harassment,
and acquitted her of PIC.
On January 22, 2020, Judge Brabender sentenced Nicholson to two
years of county-supervised probation and ordered her to pay costs and
restitution and complete 25 hours of community service. On January 23,
2020, Nicholson’s trial counsel, Michael DeJohn, Esquire, filed a post-sentence
motion, which was denied on February 3, 2020. On March 4, 2020, counsel
filed a timely notice of appeal and a notice of intent to file an
Anders/McClendon4 brief in lieu of Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b) concise statement of
____________________________________________
1 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 2701(a)(1).
2 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 2709(a)(1).
3 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 907(a).
4 Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738 (1967); Commonwealth v.
McClendon, 434 A.2d 1185 (Pa. 1981).
-2-
J-A06029-21
errors complained of on appeal. See Pa.R.A.P. 1925(c)(4) (providing that, in
criminal case, counsel may file of record and serve on judge statement of
intent to file Anders/McClendon brief in lieu of filing Rule 1925(b)
statement).
On April 23, 2020, appellate counsel, Emily M. Merski, Esquire, entered
her appearance on Nicholson’s behalf. After reviewing Attorney DeJohn’s
notice of intent to file an Anders/McClendon brief in lieu of a Rule 1925(b)
statement, Attorney Merski filed a motion for special relief in this Court. On
July 13, 2020, this Court granted counsel’s motion and entered an order
remanding the case so that Attorney Merski could file a Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b)
statement and the court could file a Rule 1925(a) opinion. See Order,
7/14/20.5
On July 27, 2020, counsel filed a Rule 1925(b) statement. The trial
court filed its Rule 1925(a) opinion on September 8, 2020. Nicholson raises
the following issue for our review: “Whether the Commonwealth presented
insufficient evidence to convict [Nicholson] of [s]imple [a]ssault and
[h]arrasment?”6 Appellant’s Brief, at 3.
____________________________________________
5 This Court’s order also suspended the briefing schedule and retained
jurisdiction.
6 The issue of whether the evidence was sufficient to support Nicholson’s
conviction of harassment was not included in her Rule 1925(b) statement.
See Rule 1925(b) Statement, 7/28/20. That issue, therefore, is waived. See
Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b)(4)(vii) (“Issues not included in the Statement and/or not
raised in accordance with the provisions of this paragraph (b)(4) are
-3-
J-A06029-21
Our standard of review is well settled:
As a general matter, our standard of review of sufficiency claims
requires that we evaluate the record in the light most favorable to
the verdict winner giving the prosecution the benefit of all
reasonable inferences to be drawn from the evidence. Evidence
will be deemed sufficient to support the verdict when it establishes
each material element of the crime charged and the commission
thereof by the accused, beyond a reasonable doubt. Nevertheless,
the Commonwealth need not establish guilt to a mathematical
certainty. 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.
The Commonwealth may sustain its burden by means of wholly
circumstantial evidence. Accordingly, [t]he fact that the evidence
establishing a defendant’s participation in a crime is circumstantial
does not preclude a conviction where the evidence coupled with
the reasonable inferences drawn therefrom overcomes the
presumption of innocence. Significantly, we may not substitute
our judgment for that of the fact finder; thus, so long as the
evidence adduced, accepted in the light most favorable to the
Commonwealth, demonstrates the respective elements of a
defendant’s crimes beyond a reasonable doubt, the appellant’s
convictions will be upheld.
Commonwealth v. Franklin, 69 A.3d 719, 722-23 (Pa. Super. 2013)
(internal quotations and citations omitted). Finally, the trier of fact, while
passing upon the credibility of witnesses, is free to believe all, part, or none
____________________________________________
waived.”); see also Commonwealth v. Lord, 719 A.2d 306, 309 (Pa. 1998)
(“in order to preserve their claims for appellate review, [a]ppellants must
comply whenever the trial court orders them to file a Statement of Matters
Complained of on Appeal pursuant to Rule 1925”; “[a]ny issues not raised in
a 1925(b) statement will be deemed waived”). “The rule announced in Lord
has been strictly applied by our appellate courts.” Commonwealth v. Phinn,
761 A.2d 176, 178 (Pa. Super. 2000).
-4-
J-A06029-21
of the evidence. Commonwealth v. Fortson, 165 A.3d 10, 14–15 (Pa.
Super. 2017).
To prove simple assault, the Commonwealth must establish that
Nicholson attempted to cause, or intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly
caused, bodily injury to Payne. See 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 2701(a)(1). Nicholson
argues Payne was the aggressor and that Payne struck the first blow outside
the bar. Nicholson claims, therefore, that she was acting in self-defense and
the Commonwealth failed to disprove self-defense beyond a reasonable doubt.
Appellant’s Brief, at 7-8. See Commonwealth v. Houser, 18 A.3d 128, 1135
(Pa. 2011).
After a thorough review of the record, the briefs of the parties, the
applicable law, and the well-reasoned opinion of Judge Brabender, we
conclude Nicholson’s claim is meritless. Although Nicholson testified that she
was not the aggressor, Judge Brabender found her testimony was not credible.
See Trial Court Opinion, 9/8/20, at 3-8 (concluding evidence, including
victim’s testimony and video admitted into evidence, supported conviction of
simple assault; testimony offered in support of self-defense was not credible).
Accepting the trial judge’s credibility determinations and viewing all evidence
admitted at trial in the light most favorable to the Commonwealth as verdict
winner, there was sufficient evidence to support Nicholson’s conviction of
simple assault. See 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 2701(a); Fortson, 165 A.3d at 14.
-5-
J-A06029-21
We, therefore, rely on Judge Brabender’s opinion to affirm Nicholson’s
judgment of sentence. We direct the parties to attach a copy of that opinion
in the event of further proceedings.
Judgment of sentence affirmed.
Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary
Date: 4/9/2021
-6-
Circulated 03/31/2021 01:59 PM
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
OF ERIE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V. CRIMINAL DIVISION
LARICIA DESARIE NICHOLSON NO. 918 of 2019
OPINION
This matter is before the Court on Appellant's 1925(b) Concise Statement of Matters
i-2 .>
Complained of on Appeal. For the reasons set forth below, the judgment of sentence sh6@d bed
affirmed.
I7
BACKGROUND
Appellant, Laricia Desarie Nicholson, was charged with Simple Assault, Harassment, and
Possessing Instruments of Crime.' The charges arose from Appellant's actions in assaulting the
victim, Breonna Payne, on January 6, 2019 near Hunter's Inn Tavern in the City of Erie. a The
incident occurred shortly after Payne and Appellant exited the bar. A non-jury trial was held on
November 22, 2019, Appellant was convicted Simple Assault and Harassment. Appellant was
acquitted of the charge of Possessing Instruments of Crime.
On January 22, 2020, Appellant was sentenced two years of County-supervised probation
for Simple Assault, and for the conviction for Harassment the Court made adetermination of
guilt without further penalty.
i 18 Pa.C.S.A. §§2701(a)(1) ,2709(a)(1) and 18 Pa.C.S.A. §907(a), respectively.
2 There is adiscrepancy regarding the correct spelling of the victim's first name. In the Magisterial Docket and the
Information, the victim's name is spelled 13reonna Payne. In the transcript of proceednigs from the non jury trial,
the victim's name is spelled Brianna Payne._
1
On January 23, 2020 Appellant filed apost-sentence motion seeking alesser period of
probation or anon-probationary sentence. On January 28, 2020, the Commonwealth filed a
response thereto. On February 3, 2020, the Court denied the motion.
On March 4, 2020, Appellant's counsel filed aNotice of Appeal and concurrently filed a
Statement of Intent to File an AnderslMcClendon Brief. On April 20, 2020, the Court filed a
1925(a) Opinion and thereafter the record was transmitted to the Superior Court. On July 13,
2020, the Superior Court, upon consideration of Appellant's "Application for Special Relief,"
remanded the matter with instructions for Appellant to file and serve aconcise statement of
matters complained of on appeal within 14 days.
On July 28, 2020, Appellant filed an Amended Statement of Matters Complained of On
Appeal. On appeal, Appellant challenges the sufficiency of the evidence for the conviction for
Simple Assault. At trial, Appellant, through her testimony and that of her cousin, Shantae Green,
introduced evidence of self-defense. The Commonwealth introduced evidence to disprove the
self-defense claim, through cross-examination of witnesses, the introduction of avideo of a
portion of the altercation which was admitted in evidence, as Commonwealth Exhibit No. 1, and
through the testimony of Payne and an investigating City of Erie Police officer, Officer Peter
Balesk.
In the Amended 1925(b), Statement, Appellant asserts the Commonwealth failed to
establish Appellant attempted to cause or intentionally, knowingly or recklessly caused injury to
Brianna Payne. Appellant asserts Shantae Green testified Green and Appellant "never engaged"
Payne inside Hunter's Inn Tavern. "Conversely, Ms. Payne and her friends engaged the
Appellant which was why they were asked by the bar security to leave the establishment.
Further, it was Ms. Payne who followed the Appellant to her vehicle and it was Ms. Payne who
2
f
struck the Appellant." See Amended Statement of Maters Complained of On Appeal, I2.
Essentially, Appellant asserts the evidence was insufficient for the conviction of Simple Assault
because of Green's testimony the victim, not Appell4, was the -instigator of some verbal
disagreement inside the bar, and Payne struck the first blow outside the bar.. In other words.
Appellant raises the claim of self-defense. f
LEGAL ST'ANDA"S
Simple Assault at 18 Pa.C.S.A. §270I (a)(1) is defined as follows:
(a) Offense defined. — Except as provided u6der section 2702 (relating to
aggravated assault), aperson is guilty of assault if he:
(1) attempts to cause or intentionally, knowingly or recklessly causes bodily
injury to another.
18 Pa.C.S.A. §27d1(a)(1),
18 Pa.C.S,A. §505 sets forth when use of force in!self-defense is justifiable. In pertinent
part, the statute provides:
§505. Use of force in self-protection
(a) Use of force justifiable for protection of •he person. — The use of force
upon or toward another person is justifiable whin the actor believes that such
force is immediately necessary for the purpose of protecting: himself against the
use of unlawful force by such other person on the present occasion.
18 Pa.C.S.A. §545(a).
Where a defendant introduces evidence of self-defense, the Commonwealth bears the
burden of disproving the self-defense claim beyond a seasonable doubt. Commonwealth v.
Houser, 18 A.3d 1128, 1135 (Pa. 2011). "Although the Commonwealth is required to disprove a
claim of self-defense ... [the trier of fact] is not required to believe the testimony of the
3
defendant who raises the claim." Commonwealth 1t. Houser, 18 A.3d at 1135, citing
i
Commonwealth v. Carbone, 574 A.2d 584, 589 (Pa. 1990).
The standard of review for sufficiency of the evidence claims is well-established:
The standard we apply in reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence is
whether viewing all the evidence admi4ed at trial in the light most
favorable to the verdict winner, there is sufficient evidence to enable a
fact-finder to find every element of the crime beyond areasonable doubt.
In applying the above test, we may not weigh the evidence and substitute
our judgment for the fact-finder. In addition, we note the facts and
circumstances established by the Commonwealth nee dnotpreclude every
possibility of innocence. Any doubts regarding adefendant's guilt may be
resolved by the fact-finder unless th evidence is so weak and
inconclusive that as amatter of law no pr bability of fact may be drawn
from the combined circumstances. The ommonwealth may sustain its
burden of proving every element of the crime beyond areasonable doubt
by means of wholly circumstantial evide ce. Moreover, in applying the
above test, the entire record must be evaltiated and all evidence actually
received must be considered. Finally, the finder 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. Smith, 206 A.3d 551, 557 (Pa. Super. 2P19) (citation omitted).
DISCUSSION
Viewing the evidence against these standards, 4ppellant's claims, are wholly without
merit.
Viewing the evidence in the light most favora le to the Commonwealth, there was
sufficient evidence to find the Commonwealth met its burden of proof in establishing Appellant
committed Simple Assault at 18 Pa.C.S.A. §§2701(a)( ). The record established Appellant
attempted to cause or intentionally, knowingly or recklessly caused bodily injury to Payne. The
Commonwealth disproved Appellant's claim of self-defense beyond areasonable doubt.
4
Appellant's contentions Payne and her friends "engaged" Appellant inside the bar, and
Ms, Payne followed Appellant to her vehicle and struck Appellant are belied by the credible
evidence. The testimony offered in support of the defense of self- defense was not credible.
The testimony of Breonna Payne established the following, Payne went to Hunter's Inn
Tavern to attend abenefit for afriend's mother. Tr, p. 4. Appellant and others arrived five to ten
minutes later. Tr., p. 4. Shortly after, Appellant and her friends approached the table where
Payne was sitting, Appellant tied her hood around her head and tightened her boots and began to
"cause problems." Tr., pp. 4-5. A bouncer who apparently overheard what transpired told Payne
to go ahead and leave. Tr., p. 5. Payne left with her friend. Payne got in her vehicle and moved
it closer to her friend's vehicle so the friend could transfer contents from Payne's vehicle to her
own. Tr., p. b. As the transfer of items was completed, Appellant and others surrounded
Payne's vehicle. Appellant approached Payne and asked Payne questions about the father of
Appellant's child. Appellant went "on and on and on" and then struck Payne with her hand. A
physical altercation between Appellant and Payne ensued, during which Payne "tripped over
someone or something." Payne fell and felt acut to her face and by her eye. Tr., pp 6-7. The
police arrived; someone pushed Appellant off of Payne and then Payne got up off the ground.
Tr., p. 8. After Appellant's friends got in acar ;they called Payne. During aphone call, Payne
heard Appellant'state, "That's why lcut you B." Tr., p. 8. Payne went to the emergency room
of UPMC Hamot Hospital for treatment because her face ,.vas bleeding. Tr„ p. 8.
Daring Payne's testimony the Commonwealth played several times avideo taken by
Appellant's friend. The video was admitted in evidence as Commonwealth Exhibit No. 1. Tr.,
pp. 8, 11, 41. The video depicts Payne on the ground, on the bottom, with Appellant on top of
her. Payne is seen struggling beneath Appellant. Payne described the video as depicting Payne
5
"fighting for my life." Tr„ p. 10. People in the background are heard to encourage Appellant by
her nickname, "Nene", saying "Get her, Nene," Tr„ p, 10.
Payne was interviewed by Officer Balesk at the hospital shortly after the incident, Tr.,
pp. 11-12. Payne testified the information she provided to Officer Balesk was consistent with
Payne's testimony at trial. Tr„ p, 12. Payne identified for the Court the residual scars :from her
facial injuries, which include ascar to her left cheek and another scar from her eyebrow to her
lower eye. Tr., p. 13. Payne testified she did not know what specifically caused the lacerations
to her face. "All Iknow is when we fell, something sharp —Idon't know what it was. Ijust
remember it just went across my face and then by my eye. That's when Ijust really started
fighting for my life." Tr., p. 14.
Officer Balesk testified as follows. Balesk interviewed Payne and observed her facial
injuries in the emergency room. 'Payne reported to Balesk the incident technically verbally
started inside Hunter's Inn and the physical altercation occurred outside the bar near Payne's
parked vehicle. Payne reported she was knocked down or tripped, and during the altercation she
was cut in the face and struck multiple tunes. Payne told the officer she wanted to- pursue
charges against Appellant. Payne's trial testimony was consistent with the information Payne
reported to Balesk at the hospital. Tr., pp. 30--41.
Shantae Green, Appellant's cousin and friend, testified as follows. Green did not see
Payne inside the bar, only Payne's friends. Tr., pp, 44.-45, 51. Green did not observe Payne
speak to Appellant inside the bar. Tr., p. 52. Yet Green and Appellant left the bar approximately
two minutes after Payne did. Tr., p. 45. 1" altercation occurred outside over the father of
Appellant's child, Tr., p, 56.
6
Appellant's testimony is summarized as follows. Appellant likewise denied seeing Payne
inside the bar, Tr., pp. 61, 69. A verbal exchange occurred between Appellant and Payne, while
Appellant was inside her own vehicle, Tr., pp. 62, 70. Appellant exited her vehicle and
continued the altercation. Tr., pp. 63, 70, In Appellant's words, they met half-may between their
vehicles and Payne struck Appellant first, in the face. Tr., p. 63. Appellant fough• back, in
defense of her unborn child .
3 After Payne landed on the ground, Appellant got on top '
of Payne
!
to "stabilize" her. Tr. pp. 65, 71-72. Appellant denied seeing injuries or blood on Payne. Tr.,
pp. 67. After the incident, Appellant posted on social media, "I just got done whooping this
musty b--- a--." Tr, pp. 74-75.
At the conclusion of the testimony, the Court made credibility findings, specifically
finding as credible the testimony of Breonna Payne and Officer Balesk. Tr., pp, 88.
The evidence was sufficient to support the conviction for Simple Assault. The
Commonwealth disproved Appellant's claim of self-defense beyond a reasonable doubt. The
testimony of Appellant and Green contradicts Appellant's claim that Payne was the instigator
inside the bar. Appellant and Green left the bar shortly after Payne exited the bar. According to
Appellant, Appellant went to her vehicle and got inside. If this was accurate, then Appellant had
the opportunity to remain inside the vehicle and/or to drive away. Instead, Appellant exited the
vehicle and escalated the event.
The video clearly shows the victim struggling on the ground beneath Appellant.
Appellant demonstrated aggressive behaviors on top of Payne. Third persons can be heard to
cheer on Appellant. Appellant offered no plausible explanation Why she felt compelled to get on
top of Payne, after Payne fell to the ground, in order to subdue or "stabilize" her.
3Appellant testified she learned she was pregnant that very day, and went to the bar to celebrate ,T'r., pp. :
63--6-4.
2
7
The credible evidence amply supports the conclusion Appellant was the initial aggressor,
both inside the bar and outside the bar, and dispels the notion Appellant acted in self-defense.
Furthermore, the record establishes Appellant bragged on social media after the event, "I just got
done whooping this musty b---- a--."
CONCLUSION
Appellant's Amended 1925(b) claims are wholly without merit. For the above reasons,
the judgment of sentence should be affirmed. The Clerk of Courts is hereby directed to transmit
the record to the Superior Court.
BY THE COURT:
DO ,- Daniel J. B'; a J. 1 Jr., Judge
cc: District Attorney's Office
..Emily. M. Mefski, Esq., Office of the Public Defender
8