Com. v. Wright, C. ( 2020 )

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NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
: PENNSYLVANIA
:
v. :
:
:
CHARMAEN WRIGHT :
:
Appellant : No. 455 EDA 2020
Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence Entered December 27, 2018
in the Court of Common Pleas of Montgomery County
Criminal Division at No(s): CP-46-CR-0004206-2017
BEFORE: PANELLA, P.J., OLSON, J., and MUSMANNO, J.
MEMORANDUM BY MUSMANNO, J.: FILED DECEMBER 8, 2020
Charmaen Wright (“Wright”) appeals from the judgment of sentence
imposed following her convictions of two counts of aggravated assault, and
one count each of simple assault, possessing instruments of crime,
recklessly endangering another person, and possessing a small amount of
marihuana.1 Additionally, Wright’s counsel, Wana Saadzoi, Esquire
(“Attorney Saadzoi”), has filed an Amended Petition to Withdraw as counsel
and an accompanying brief pursuant to Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738,
744 (1967). We grant Attorney Saadzoi’s Amended Petition to Withdraw,
and affirm Wright’s judgment of sentence.
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1 18 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 2702(a)(1), 2702(a)(4), 2701(a)(1), 907(a), 2705; 35
P.S. § 780-113(a)(31).
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On May 26, 2017, Wright and Rickeya McNeill (“the victim”) were
attending a social gathering at a house located on Green Street in
Norristown, Pennsylvania. At some point, Wright and the victim engaged in
a verbal argument, which escalated into a physical fight. After exchanging
numerous punches and kicks, Wright pulled out a knife and stabbed the
victim multiple times. Wright and the victim separated, after which one of
the bystanders transported the victim to a hospital.2 Wright entered a
Chrysler Sebring, which was parked on Green Street.
Officer Michael Choiniere (“Officer Choiniere”), with the Norristown
Police Department, was dispatched to the area based upon reports of a
stabbing. When Officer Choiniere arrived, he discovered Wright sitting in the
driver’s seat of the Sebring, which was still parked near the location of the
reported stabbing. When Officer Choiniere approached the vehicle, he
observed that Wright had blood splatter on her jacket. Officer Choiniere
asked Wright whether she had any information regarding a stabbing in the
area. Wright responded that she had helped break up a fight, and made no
comment about a stabbing. Officer Choiniere asked Wright for her
information, and whether there were any weapons in the vehicle. Wright
responded that there were knives in the vehicle.
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2 The victim was diagnosed with multiple stab wounds, a collapsed lung, and
a broken nose.
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Officer Choiniere detained and searched Wright and the other
occupants of the vehicle, called for backup, and searched the inside of the
vehicle. Officer Choiniere discovered a knife in the vehicle’s glove
compartment,3 and a small bag of marijuana on Wright’s person. Officer
Choiniere surveyed the scene of the crime, finding blood stains and splatter
throughout the street and on nearby vehicles, and interviewed a bystander.
Following the investigation, Wright was placed under arrest, and charged
with offenses related to the stabbing, and possessing a small amount of
marihuana.
On April 20, 2018, following a jury trial, Wright was found guilty of the
above-described charges. The trial court deferred sentencing and ordered
the preparation of a pre-sentence investigation report (“PSI”). On December
27, 2018, Wright was sentenced to an aggregate term of 5 to 10 years in
prison, with credit for time served, followed by 5 years of probation. Wright
did not file any post-sentence motions or a direct appeal.
Following a procedural history not relevant to the instant appeal, on
October 7, 2019, the trial court reinstated Wright’s direct appeal rights, nunc
pro tunc. On October 31, 2019, Wright filed a Notice of Appeal, nunc pro
tunc. The trial court ordered Wright to file a Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b) concise
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3 A later search of the vehicle revealed that there were two knives in the
glove compartment. Neither knife contained blood. Police searched the
scene for the knife used to stab the victim, but were unable to locate it.
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statement, and in response, Attorney Saadzoi filed a Statement of Intention
to file an Anders Brief, pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 1925(c). Attorney Saadzoi
subsequently filed an Anders Brief, a Petition to Withdraw as counsel, and
shortly thereafter, an Amended Petition to Withdraw as counsel. Wright has
neither filed a pro se brief, nor retained alternate counsel for this appeal.
Before addressing Wright’s issues on appeal, we must determine
whether Attorney Saadzoi has complied with the dictates of Anders and its
progeny in petitioning to withdraw from representation. See
Commonwealth v. Mitchell, 986 A.2d 1241, 1244 n.2 (Pa. Super. 2009)
(stating that “[w]hen presented with an Anders brief, this Court may not
review the merits of the underlying issues without first passing on the
request to withdraw.”). Pursuant to Anders, when counsel believes that an
appeal is frivolous and wishes to withdraw from representation, he or she
must
(1) petition the court for leave to withdraw stating that after
making a conscientious examination of the record and
interviewing the defendant, counsel has determined the appeal
would be frivolous, (2) file a brief referring to any issues in the
record of arguable merit, and (3) furnish a copy of the brief to
defendant and advise him of his right to retain new counsel or to
raise any additional points that he deems worthy of the court’s
attention. The determination of whether the appeal is frivolous
remains with the court.
Commonwealth v. Burwell, 42 A.3d 1077, 1083 (Pa. Super. 2012)
(citation omitted).
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Additionally, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has explained that a
proper Anders brief must
(1) provide a summary of the procedural history and facts, with
citations to the record; (2) refer to anything in the record that
counsel believes arguably supports the appeal; (3) set forth
counsel’s conclusion that the appeal is frivolous; and (4) state
counsel’s reasons for concluding that the appeal is frivolous.
Counsel should articulate the relevant facts of record, controlling
case law, and/or statutes on point that have led to the
conclusion that the appeal is frivolous.
Commonwealth v. Santiago, 978 A.2d 349, 361 (Pa. 2009).
In the instant case, our review of the Anders Brief and the Amended
Petition to Withdraw reveals that Attorney Saadzoi has substantially
complied with each of the requirements of Anders/Santiago. See
Commonwealth v. Wrecks, 934 A.2d 1287, 1290 (Pa. Super. 2007)
(stating that counsel must substantially comply with the requirements of
Anders). Attorney Saadzoi indicates that she has made a conscientious
examination of the record and determined that an appeal would be frivolous.
Further, Attorney Saadzoi’s Anders Brief comports with the requirements
set forth by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania in Santiago. Finally,
Attorney Saadzoi indicates that she has provided Wright with a copy of the
Anders Brief; advised Wright of her rights to proceed pro se, retain new
counsel or to raise any additional points deemed worthy of the Court’s
attention; and attached a copy of the letter sent to Wright to the Anders
Brief, as required by Commonwealth v. Millisock, 873 A.2d 748, 751 (Pa.
Super. 2005). Thus, Attorney Saadzoi has complied with the procedural
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requirements for withdrawing from representation. We now address the
issues that, according to Attorney Saadzoi, arguably support Wright’s
appeal.
Attorney Saadzoi states that Wright wishes to challenge on appeal (1)
the sufficiency of the evidence supporting her conviction of aggravated
assault, and (2) the discretionary aspects of her sentence. See Anders
Brief at 17-24.
In her first claim, Wright alleges that the Commonwealth failed to
present sufficient evidence to support her conviction of aggravated assault
pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 2702(a)(1). Anders Brief at 17-19. Wright
argues that she did not cause the victim to suffer serious bodily injury
because the victim’s injuries were not permanent. Id.
When considering a challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence, we
ascertain
whether[,] viewing all the evidence admitted at trial in the light
most favorable to the verdict winner, there is sufficient evidence
to enable the fact-finder to find every element of the crime
beyond a reasonable doubt. In applying the above test, we may
not weigh the evidence and substitute our judgment for [that of]
the fact-finder. In addition, we note that the facts and
circumstances established by the Commonwealth need not
preclude every possibility of innocence. Any doubts regarding a
defendant’s guilt may be resolved by the fact-finder unless the
evidence is so weak and inconclusive that[,] as a matter of
law[,] no probability of fact may be drawn from the combined
circumstances. The Commonwealth may sustain its burden of
proving every element of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt
by means of wholly circumstantial evidence. Moreover, in
applying the above test, the entire record must be evaluated and
all evidence actually received must be considered. Finally, the
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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. Melvin, 103 A.3d 1, 39-40 (Pa. Super. 2014) (citation
omitted).
“A person is guilty of aggravated assault if [s]he … attempts to cause
serious bodily injury to another, or causes such injury intentionally,
knowingly or recklessly under circumstances manifesting extreme
indifference to the value of human life.” 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 2702(a)(1). Serious
bodily injury is defined by the Crimes Code as “[b]odily injury which creates
a substantial risk of death or which causes serious, permanent
disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily
member or organ.” 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 2301.
At trial, the parties stipulated to the victim’s medical records, which
indicated that the victim was diagnosed with the following injuries:
Lacerations [to the] left upper arm, 2.5 centimeters by 1
centimeter; left forearm, 5 centimeters by 2 centimeters; left
forearm; right breast, 3 centimeters by 5 centimeters; right
posterior upper arm; right shoulder, 2 by .75; right scapula, 4
by 1; right scapula, .75 by .25; right flank, 2.5 by .5; and right
deltoid, 3 by .5. A right moderate pneumothorax (collapsed
right lung) was [also] observed.”
N.T., 4/18/18, at 8; see also id. at 10-11 (wherein Commonwealth Exhibits
37 and 38 were admitted). The medical records further indicated that the
victim suffered a broken nose, and underwent surgery for the stab wounds,
including staples to close the stab wounds, and placement of a chest tube to
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expand the collapsed lung and suction blood and fluid from the site. Id. at
8-10. The chest tube remained in place for four days. Id. After four days
in the hospital, the victim was determined to be stable and was discharged.
Id. at 10.
Additionally, the victim testified that while she was being transported
to the hospital, she “couldn’t catch [her] breath. [She] felt like [she] was
going to pass out[,]” and felt like she was going to die. Id. at 31. The
victim stated that during her stay at the hospital, she suffered from “lots and
lots of pain.” Id. at 36. The victim further testified that after she was
discharged from the hospital, she was instructed to perform special
breathing exercises 5 to 10 times a day; she had difficulty breathing after
any physical activity, including walking up stairs; and she spent most of her
time lying in bed. Id. at 38-39. The victim stated that at the time of trial,
nearly a year after the stabbing, she still struggled to engage in day-to-day
activities, including caring for her son, and working at a daycare. Id. at 41.
Viewing the evidence in a light most favorable to the Commonwealth,
there was sufficient evidence to establish that Wright caused serious bodily
injury to the victim. See 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 2702(a)(1); Commonwealth v.
Pettersen, 49 A.3d 903, 912 (Pa. Super. 2012) (concluding that evidence
showing that the defendant had stabbed the victim multiple times in the
chest and back was sufficient to convict the defendant of aggravated
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assault). Accordingly, the evidence was sufficient to support Wright’s
conviction for aggravated assault, and her claim thus lacks merit.
In her second claim, Wright challenges the discretionary aspects of her
sentence. “A challenge to the discretionary aspects of sentencing is not
automatically reviewable as a matter of right.” Commonwealth v. Grays,
167 A.3d 793, 815 (Pa. Super. 2017). Prior to reaching the merits of a
discretionary sentencing issue,
[w]e conduct a four-part analysis to determine: (1) whether
appellant has filed a timely notice of appeal, see Pa.R.A.P. 902
and 903; (2) whether the issue was properly preserved at
sentencing or in a motion to reconsider and modify sentence,
see [Pa.R.Crim.P. 720]; (3) whether appellant’s brief has a fatal
defect, Pa.R.A.P. 2119(f); and (4) whether there is a substantial
question that the sentence appealed from is not appropriate
under the Sentencing Code, 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9781(b).
Grays, 167 A.3d at 815-16 (citation omitted).
Wright, via Attorney Saadzoi, filed a timely Notice of Appeal, included
a Pa.R.A.P. 2119(f) statement in the Anders Brief, and has advanced a
plausible argument that the trial court violated the fundamental norms
underlying the sentencing process. See Anders Brief at 15-16; see also
Commonwealth v. Riggs, 63 A.3d 780, 786 (Pa. Super. 2012) (stating
that an appellant raises a substantial question where he alleges that “the
trial court failed to consider relevant sentencing criteria, including the
protection of the public, the gravity of the underlying offense and the
rehabilitative needs of Appellant.”). However, Wright failed to preserve the
issue in a post-sentence motion. Accordingly, we could find Wright’s
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discretionary claim to be waived. Nevertheless, we will address Wright’s
discretionary sentencing claim as a part of our independent review. See
Commonwealth v. Hernandez, 783 A.2d 784, 787 (Pa. Super. 2001)
(stating that “Anders requires that we examine the issues to determine
their merit. Therefore, in order to rule upon counsel’s request to withdraw,
we must examine the merits of the issue [a]ppellant seeks to raise.”).
When imposing a sentence, a court is required to consider
the particular circumstances of the offense and the character of
the defendant. In considering these factors, the court should
refer to the defendant’s prior criminal record, age, personal
characteristics and potential for rehabilitation. It must be
demonstrated that the court considered the statutory factors
enunciated for determination of sentencing alternatives, and the
sentencing guidelines. Additionally, the court must impose a
sentence which is consistent with the protection of the public,
the gravity of the offense as it relates to the impact on the life of
the victim and the community, and the rehabilitative needs of
the defendant.
Commonwealth v. McClendon, 589 A.2d 706, 712 (Pa. Super. 1991)
(internal citations and quotation marks omitted). “[W]here a sentence is
within the standard range of the guidelines, Pennsylvania law views the
sentence as appropriate under the Sentencing Code.” Commonwealth v.
Moury, 992 A.2d 162, 171 (Pa. Super. 2010).
Initially, our review discloses that the trial court had the benefit of a
PSI, which the court expressly stated it had considered prior to imposing its
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sentence. N.T., 12/27/18, at 50.4 “[W]here the trial court is informed by a
[PSI], it is presumed that the court is aware of all appropriate sentencing
factors and considerations, and that where the court has been so informed,
its discretion should not be disturbed.” Commonwealth v. Downing, 990
A.2d 788, 794 (Pa. Super. 2010) (quotation marks and citations omitted).
Moreover, the trial court considered the sentencing guidelines, the
protection of the public, the gravity of Wright’s offense, and Wright’s
character and rehabilitative needs. See N.T., 12/27/18, at 50-51. In
particular, the trial court noted that Wright had a history of instigating
fights, including “nine aggressive behavior incidents which resulted in police
response.” Id. at 52-54. Thus, the trial court properly considered all of the
statutory factors before sentencing Wright. See McClendon, supra.Moreover, the sentence was within the standard range of the guidelines.
See Moury, supra. Accordingly, we conclude that the trial court’s sentence
was not improperly excessive, and Wright’s discretionary sentencing
challenge is wholly frivolous.
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4 Although the certified record does not contain the sentencing transcript,
Wright included the transcript in her reproduced record, and the
Commonwealth has not contested its accuracy. See Commonwealth v.
Barnett, 121 A.3d 534, 546 n.3 (Pa. Super. 2015) (stating that “[w]hile this
Court generally may only consider facts that have been duly certified in the
record, Commonwealth v. Young, … 317 A.2d 258, 264 ([Pa.] 1974),
where the accuracy of a document is undisputed and contained in the
reproduced record, we may consider it.”).
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Finally, our independent review of the record discloses no additional
non-frivolous issues that could be raised on appeal. We therefore grant
Attorney Saadzoi’s Petition, and affirm Wright’s judgment of sentence.
Amended Petition to Withdraw granted. Judgment of sentence
affirmed.
Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary
Date: 12/08/2020
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