Com. v. Bowers, M. ( 2024 )

J-A17024-24
NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT O.P. 65.37
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
: PENNSYLVANIA
:
v. :
:
:
MICHELLE BOWERS :
:
Appellant : No. 2722 EDA 2023
Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence Entered September 27, 2023
In the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County Criminal Division at
No(s): CP-51-CR-0001116-2022
BEFORE: BOWES, J., NICHOLS, J., and SULLIVAN, J.
MEMORANDUM BY NICHOLS, J.: FILED NOVEMBER 26, 2024
Appellant Michelle Bowers appeals from the judgment of sentence
imposed following her bench trial conviction for conspiracy to commit robbery
and related offenses. After careful review, we affirm Appellant’s convictions,
but vacate the judgment of sentence and remand for resentencing.
We adopt the trial court’s summary of the facts. See Trial Ct. Op.,
12/5/23, at 4-8.1 Briefly, on December 22, 2021, at approximately 6:00 p.m.
Appellant drove a Dodge Charger to the Super Drugs Pharmacy on North 5th
Street in Philadelphia and parked behind it. Michael Nixon, Appellant’s co-
defendant, exited the Charger. Mr. Nixon walked into the employee parking
____________________________________________
1 We note the trial court’s opinion contains typographical errors on pages 4
and 5. The name of the pharmacy on the last paragraph on page 4 of the trial
court’s opinion should read “Super Drugs Pharmacy.” Additionally, the first
two citations in the second paragraph on page 5 of the trial court’s opinion
should read “N.T. 09/29/22, 42,” and “N.T. 09/29/22, 43,” respectively.
J-A17024-24
lot and approached the back door of the pharmacy. When Christina Palengas,
the pharmacist, opened the back door, Mr. Nixon pointed a gun at her and
entered the pharmacy. Mr. Nixon demanded that Ms. Palengas, and other
pharmacy employees, fill bags with narcotics. While Mr. Nixon was inside,
Angel Malvonado, a delivery driver for the pharmacy, parked in the employee
parking lot. When Mr. Malvonado opened the back door of the pharmacy, Mr.
Nixon tried to force Mr. Malvonado inside. Mr. Malvonado fled, and Mr. Nixon
pursued him. Appellant, sitting in the driver’s seat of the Charger, honked its
horn and pointed at Mr. Malvonado. Mr. Nixon struck Mr. Malvonado with the
gun and kicked him while he was on the ground. Mr. Nixon then reentered
the pharmacy and retrieved the bags filled with bottles of narcotics. Mr. Nixon
got in the Charger and Appellant drove off as a police car was approaching
her from behind. Mr. Malvonado told the police officers about the robbery of
the pharmacy and the officers set off in pursuit. Eventually, approximately
twenty other police officers took part in a high-speed chase of Appellant and
Mr. Nixon. During the pursuit, Mr. Nixon threw items out of the window of the
Charger. The police eventually apprehended Appellant and Mr. Nixon. The
police recovered pill bottles and loose pills from the Charger.
Following a bench trial held on September 29, 2022 and October 7,
2022, the trial court found Appellant guilty of conspiracy to commit robbery,
robbery, theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property, recklessly
-2-
J-A17024-24
endangering another person (REAP), and fleeing or attempting to elude police
officer.2
On June 15, 2023, the trial court sentenced Appellant to concurrent
terms of two to four years’ incarceration for robbery and conspiracy.
Additionally, the trial court imposed terms of ten years’ probation for both
robbery and conspiracy, which was to run concurrent to the terms of
incarceration for those convictions. The trial court also sentenced Appellant
to two years’ probation for REAP and seven years’ probation for fleeing or
attempting to elude police officer, which ran consecutive to the sentences of
incarceration.
Appellant filed a timely post-sentence motion challenging the sufficiency
and the weight of the evidence, which the trial court denied on September 27,
2023. That same day, the trial court entered an amended sentencing order
(backdated to June 15, 2023) clarifying that Appellant’s sentences for robbery
and conspiracy run concurrently and ordering that the Pennsylvania Parole
Board supervise Appellant’s probation instead of the Philadelphia Adult
Probation and Parole Department. See Am. Sentencing Order, 9/27/23, at 1.
____________________________________________
2 18 Pa.C.S. §§ 903, 3701(a)(1)(i); 3701(a)(1)(i); 3921(a); 3925(a); 2705;
and 75 Pa.C.S. § 3733(a), respectively.
-3-
J-A17024-24
Appellant filed a timely notice of appeal.3 Both Appellant and the trial
court complied with Pa.R.A.P. 1925.
Appellant raises two issues on appeal:
1. Whether the evidence presented at trial and all reasonable
inferences derived therefrom, viewed in the light most
favorable to the Commonwealth as verdict winner, is sufficient
to establish all elements of the offenses of conspiracy, robbery,
theft, and receiving stolen property beyond a reasonable
doubt?
2. Appellant’s convictions for conspiracy, robbery, theft, and
receiving stolen property [are] against the weight of the
evidence and shocks the conscience where it rests on no more
than mere suspicion and surmise.
Appellant’s Brief at 1 (formatting altered).
Following our review of the record, the parties’ briefs, and the relevant
law, we affirm on the basis of the trial court’s opinion. See Trial Ct. Op. at 8-
____________________________________________
3 Appellant’s notice of appeal erroneously stated that the appeal is from “the
order entered in this matter on the 27th day of September, 2023.” Notice of
Appeal, 10/19/23, at 1 (emphasis added). Appellant attached a copy of the
trial court’s order denying her post-sentence motion to her notice of appeal.
However, our case law has explained that where a trial court amends a
judgment of sentence during the period it maintains jurisdiction, the direct
appeal lies from the amended judgment of sentence and not the order denying
post-sentence motions. See Commonwealth v. Garzone, 993 A.2d 1245,
1254 n.6 (Pa. Super. 2010); see also Commonwealth v. Shamberger, 788
A.2d 408, 410 n.2 (Pa. Super. 2001) (en banc) (stating that in a criminal
matter, the “appeal properly lies from the judgment of sentence made final
by the denial of post-sentence motions”). Therefore, Appellant’s appeal
properly lies from the amended judgment of sentence entered on
September 27, 2023. The caption was corrected accordingly.
-4-
J-A17024-24
17.4 The trial court thoroughly addressed Appellant’s claims and correctly
concluded that she was not entitled to relief. Specifically, we agree with the
trial court that there was sufficient evidence to sustain Appellant’s convictions.
See id. at 8-16. Further, we discern no abuse of discretion by the trial court
in rejecting Appellant’s weight claim. See id. at 16-17. Therefore, we affirm
Appellant’s convictions.5
Legality of Sentence
Finally, we must address the legality of Appellant’s sentence. See
Commonwealth v. Wright, 276 A.3d 821, 827 (Pa. Super. 2022) (noting
that questions regarding the legality of the sentence questions “are not
waivable and may be raised sua sponte on direct review by this Court”
(citation omitted and formatting altered)). A challenge to the legality of the
sentence “presents a pure question of law. As such, our scope of review is
plenary and our standard of review de novo.” Id. (citations omitted and
formatting altered).
____________________________________________
4 The trial court’s citations in the second and third full paragraphs,
respectively, on page 10 of its opinion should read “Commonwealth v.
Geiger, 944 A.2d 85, 91 (Pa. Super. 2008),” and “Commonwealth v.
Myers, 200 A. 143, 264 (Pa. Super. 1938).” Further, the trial court’s citations
the fourth paragraph on page 14 of opinion should read “Commonwealth v.
Young, 35 A.3d 54, 62 (Pa. Super. 2011),” and “Commonwealth v. Goins,
867 A.2d 526, 530 (Pa. Super. 2004).”
5 The parties are directed to attach a copy of the trial court’s opinion in the
event of further proceedings.
-5-
J-A17024-24
“If no statutory authorization exists for a particular sentence, that
sentence is illegal and subject to correction. An illegal sentence must be
vacated.” Commonwealth v. Warunek, 279 A.3d 52, 54 (Pa. Super. 2022)
(citation omitted and some formatting altered).
This Court has previously considered whether a defendant can
simultaneously serve a term of probation while serving a term of confinement.
Commonwealth v. Allshouse, 33 A.3d 31 (Pa. Super. 2011), overruled on
other grounds by Commonwealth v. Simmons, 262 A.3d 512 (Pa. Super.
2021) (en banc). The Allshouse Court held that there was “no support in the
Pennsylvania statutes that the General Assembly intended to permit
defendants to serve a term of probation and a term of state incarceration
simultaneously. To do [so] would run contrary to the various policy
considerations underlying sentencing.” Allshouse, 33 A.3d at 36 (footnotes
omitted); see also Commonwealth v. Brown, 145 A.3d 184, 187-88 (Pa.
Super. 2016) (applying Allshouse and concluding that a defendant may not
serve terms of incarceration and probation concurrently); Commonwealth v.
Patel, 1610 EDA 2023, 2024 WL 3440448, at *5 (Pa. Super. filed Jul. 17,
2024) (unpublished mem.).6
____________________________________________
6 See Pa.R.A.P. 126(b) (providing that we may cite to unpublished non-
precedential decisions of the Superior Court filed after May 1, 2019, for their
persuasive value).
-6-
J-A17024-24
Further, this Court has stated that
nothing in the Sentencing Code permits a consecutive order of
probation to be aggregated with a sentence of total confinement.
Rather, 42 Pa.C.S. § 9757 – regarding aggregation of sentences
– only applies to “consecutive sentences of total confinement.” 42
Pa.C.S. § 9757. An order of probation is, obviously, not a
sentence of “total confinement.” Therefore, under the Sentencing
Code, a sentence of total confinement and a consecutive order of
probation may not be aggregated and viewed as one.
Simmons, 262 A.3d at 524 (some citations, footnotes, and emphasis
omitted).
Here, the trial court sentenced Appellant to concurrent terms of two to
four years’ incarceration for robbery and conspiracy. See Am. Sentencing
Order, 9/27/23, at 1. The trial court also imposed terms of ten years’
concurrent probation for each of those counts. See id. Because a
defendant cannot simultaneously serve terms of incarceration and probation,
we are constrained to conclude that Appellant’s sentence is illegal. 7 See
Simmons, 262 A.3d at 524; Allshouse, 33 A.3d at 36.
Accordingly, while we affirm Appellant’s convictions, we vacate her
judgment of sentence and remand for resentencing. See Warunek, 279 A.3d
at 54; see also Commonwealth v. Thur, 906 A.2d 552, 569 (Pa. Super.
2006) (stating that if this Court’s “disposition upsets the overall sentencing
scheme of the trial court, we must remand so that the court can restructure
____________________________________________
7 We also note that the trial court failed to impose the mandatory fine of $500
for Appellant’s conviction for fleeing or attempting to elude police officer. See
75 Pa.C.S. § 3733(a.2)(1).
-7-
J-A17024-24
its sentence plan” (citation omitted)); Patel, 2024 WL 3440448, at *5 (stating
that “[a]s our prevailing case law prohibits concurrent terms of imprisonment
and probation, we must remand for the lower court to rectify [the defendant’s]
sentencing scheme and to ensure that an illegal sentence has not been
imposed” (some formatting altered)).
Judgment of sentence vacated. Case remanded for resentencing
consistent with this memorandum. Jurisdiction relinquished.
Date: 11/26/2024
-8-
0027_Opinion
Circulated 10/23/2024 02:07 PM
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
FOR THE COUNTY OF PHILADELPHIA
CRIMINAL TRIAL DIVISION
COMMONWEALTH NO.: CP-51-CR-001116-2022
OF PENNSYLVANIA
v. :. J
• r
Super10r Court No.: 2722 EDA 2023
MICHELLE BOWERS
OPINION
Anhalt, J.
; '
.. : . (_
On July 25, 2022, Appellant was found guilty after a waiver trial of one count of Robbery 1,
one count of Conspiracy 2 , one count of Theft3 , one count of Receiving Stolen Property 4 , one count
of Recklessly Endangering Another Person5, and one count of Fleeing or Attempting to Elude an
officer6.
On June 15, 2023, the court imposed sentences of 2 to 4 years on the robbery and an \
additional 10 years concurrent probation, and 2 to 4 years on conspiracy and 10 years concurrent
probation, 2 years' probation on recklessly endangering another person and 7 years of consecutive
probation on the count of eluting an officer7 . Appellant filed a timely Notice of Appeal to the
Superior Court on October 24, 2023 and brings the present appeal.
The Court submits the following Opinion in accordance with the requirements of Pa.R.A.P.
1925(a). For the reasons set forth herein, the judgment of conviction should be affirmed.
1
18 Pa. C.S. § 3701 §§All
2
18 Pa.C.S. § 903(a)
3
18 Pa. C.S. § 3921 §§A
4
18 Pa. C.S. § 3925 §§A
5
18 Pa.C.S. § 2705
6 18 Pa.C.S. § 3733
7
All sentences run concurrently for a total of 2 to 4 years SCI plus 10 years' probation.
1
PROCEDURAL HISTORY
On December 23, 2021 Appellant was arrested and charged with robbery, conspiracy, theft,
receiving stolen property, possession of an instrument of crime, simple assault, recklessly
endangering another person, fleeing, or attempting to elude an officer, firearms not to be carried
without a license and carry firearms in public in Philadelphia.
On September 29, 2022, the case proceeded to a waiver trial before the Honorable Diana
L. Anhalt. On October 07, 2022, Appellant was found guilty of robbery, conspiracy, theft,
receiving stolen property, recklessly endangering another person and eluting an officer. Appellant
was then sentenced to 2 to 4 years of incarceration on robbery, 2 to 4 years of incarceration on
conspiracy, 10 years concurrent probation, 2 years' probation on recklessly endangering and 7
years of consecutive probation on eluting an officer. Counsel filed Post Sentence Motions on June
26, 2023 which were denied by the co mi on September 2 7, 2023. Appellant now brings this timely
appeal. 8
Appellant raises the following issues on appeal which are written verbatim, as follows:
1. SUFFICIENCY OF THE EVIDENCE
The evidence of 18 § 3701 §§All-Robbery-Inflict Serious Bodily Injury (Fl), 18
§ 903 - Conspiracy - Robbery- Inflict Serious Bodily Injury (Fl), 18 § 3921 §§A -
Theft by Unlaw Taking-Movable Property, and 18 § 3925 §§ A - Receiving Stolen
Prope1iy was not supported by the evidence.
With regards to agreement, the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt
that there was an agreement between co-conspirators. To prove agreement the district
attorney or prosecutor does not need to show an explicit or formal understanding (direct
evidence) but must show more than a mere association or mere presence. A judge or
jury can find conspiracy through a defendant's relation, conduct, or circumstances of
the party (circumstantial evidence). Mere association or presence at the scene of the
crime is insufficient to establish conspiracy.
2. WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE
8
This is not a concise statement of matters complained on an appeal. Nonetheless, this Court did the best it could to
organize the issues.
2
The verdicts of 18 18 § 3701 §§All-Robbery-Inflict Serious Bodily Injury (Fl),
18 § 903 - Conspiracy - Robbery- Inflict Serious Bodily Injury (Fl), 18 § 3921 §§A
- Theft by Unlaw Taking-Movable Property, and 18 § 3925 §§A - Receiving Stolen
Property were against the weight of the evidence.
3. CO-CONSPIRATOR'S TESTIMONY9
A stipulation was entered into evidence regarding the testimony of the alleged co-
conspirator, Michael Nixon who provided an inculpable statement to Philadelphia
Police Homicide Detectives, which indicated that defendant, Michelle Bowers had no
knowledge that it was Michael Nixon's intention to rob the pharmacy using a gun to
intimidate the employees. Defendant, Michelle Bowers' testimony indicated that she
did not know that Michael Nixon intended to rob the pharmacy using a gun to
intimidate the employees. The Pennsylvania Superior Court has ruled that such
testimony.
804(a) CRITERIA FOR BEING UNAVAILABLE. A declarant is considered to be
unavailable as a witness if the declarant:
(1) is exempted from testifying about the subject matter of declarant's statement
because the Court rules that a privilege applies; or
(5) is absent from the trial or hearing and the statement's proponent has not been
able, by process or other reasonable means, to procure:
(B) the declarant's attendance or testimony, in the case of a hearsay exception under
Rule 804(b)(2), (3), or (4).
Rule 804(b). The Exceptions reads in pertinent part as follows:
(b) The Exceptions. The following are not excluded by the rule against hearsay if
the declarant is unavailable as a witness:
(3) Statement Against Interest. A statement that:
(A) a reasonable person in the declarant's position would have made only if
the person believed it to be true because, when made, it was so contrary to
the declarant's proprietary or pecuniary interest or had so great a tendency
to invalidate the declarant's claim against someone else or to expose the
declarant to civil or criminal liability; and
(B) is supp01ied by corroborating circumstances that clearly indicate its
trustworthiness, if it is offered in a criminal case as one that tends to
expose the declarant to criminal liability.
9
This issue is not appealable and goes to the weight of the evidence. Regardless of the testimony from either party,
the Commonwealth proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Michelle Bowers had knowledge of what Michael Nixon
was going to do in the pharmacy that evening and by her actions, clearly engaged in a conspiracy with him to
commit the robbery of the pharmacy.
3
The Commonwealth's evidence fails to prove that there was an agreement between
defendant Michelle Bowers and Michael Nixon to rob the pharmacy at point of gun.
Defendant, Bowers did not go into the pharmacy, there is no proof that she was aware of
the back door to the pharmacy or that she was able to see what was occurring in the
pharmacy.
The central issue in trial is proof of an agreement. The prosecution will fail without
proof of an agreement. The best defense can be denying that an agreement was made. In
the instant case, the defendant and the co-conspirator both gave testimony that defendant,
Bowers was unaware of the planned gun point robbery.
One key to the agreement is proof of knowledge. The Commonwealth needs to
prove that the parties to the agreement knew what the purpose was. That is, each person to
the agreement must know that the objective agreement is to commit a crime. Where a
person did not know what the purpose was, they may be not guilty. The paiiies to the
agreement must knowingly act to further or enable the conspiracy. If the evidence at trial
is that the defendant acted without knowing that it would enable a conspiracy, then they
may be not guilty.
4. CONSPIRACY & FLIGHT 10
Defendant Bowers' actions in fleeing the scene and attempting to elude police does not
prove a conspiracy. To be guilty of a conspiracy, the prosecution must prove that the person
agreed with another to engage in conduct which constituted a crime or attempted to engage
in conduct.
FACTUAL HISTORY:
On December 22, 2021, at approximately 6:00 pm, a Dodge Charger, driven by Appellant,
approached the back of Super Drugs Pharmacy (C-2(A) at 11: 11). When the car approached the
back of the store, its headlights were shut off. The car parked outside the parking lot (C-2(A) at
11: 11 ). Significant time passes before the passenger 11 of the Charger gets out of the car (C-2(A)
at 11 :11).
The passenger eventually approached the back door of Sugar Drug Pharmacy where he
encounters Christina Palengas, the Pharmacist there. Ms. Palengas had just started her end-of-shift
routine (N.T. 09/29/22, 14-15). As she exited the back door of the phannacy to move her car from
10
The Court addresses these issues in the sufficiency section of this opinion. To avoid unnecessary reiteration, and
for the reasons set forth in the sufficient sections, this Court will not readdress the issues of conspiracy and flight.
11
The passenger of the Dodge Charger was co-conspirator, Michael Nixon also referred to as "gunman" and "Mr.
Nixon."
4
that lot to the front of the store, the gunman appeared in front of her (N.T. 09/29/22, 14-15).
Startled, Ms. Palengas screamed and ran back into the pharmacy through the back door (N.T.
09/29/22, 15). The gunman ran after her, grabbed her and threw her onto the floor, demanding that
the pharmacy technicians pack a backpack with narcotics (N.T. 09/29/22, 15-16). Realizing that
only she could access the safe where the narcotics were stored, Ms. Palengas informed the gunman,
who forcibly tossed her to the safe to fill the bags (N. T. 09/29/22, 17-18). She emptied five or six
drawers of pills from the safe, all the while, the gunman periodically opened the back door to look
outside (N.T. 09129122, 18). At one point, the gunman leaves the pharmacy through the back door
for several seconds before returning into the pharmacy (N.T. 09/29/22, 18). Eventually, as soon
as she finished filling the entire bag, the gunman fled through the back door (N.T. 09/29/22, 19). 12
At the same time, Angel Malvonado, a delivery driver for the pharmacy, had returned
around 5 :30 p.m. and parked his delivery vehicle in the gated parking lot designated for employees
(N.T. 10/07/22, 42). He attempted to enter the back door of the phai·macy when the gunman
confronted him and ordered him inside (N.T. 10/07/22, 43). Mr. Malvonado remained outside the
pharmacy and tried to escape by running outside the employee parking lot to his personal car (N.T.
09/29/22, 45). Appellant, however, repeatedly honked the horn while she waited in the car outside
the pharmacy and alerted the co-defendant by pointing to Mr. Malvonado when he was coming
out of the backdoor of the pharmacy. (N.T. 09/29/22, 49, 52-53). This is when Mr. Malvonado
realized the gunman was not alone. (N.T. 09/29/22, 49, 52-53). Mr. Nixon pursued Mr.
Malvonado, striking him with the gun and kicking him (N.T. 09/29/22, 45-47). All while
Appellant was in the car witnessing the interaction. (N.T. 09/29/22, 45-47).
12
All of these events can also be seen on the video surveillance from the inside and outside of the pharmacy. These
videos were entered into evidence by the Commonwealth. See Commonwealth Exhibits Cl-A- Surveillance
Footage Inside Pharmacy, C-lB - Video in Hallway of Pharmacy, C-2A-B - Surveillance Footage Outside
Pharmacy.
5
After the confrontation with Mr. Malvonado, the gunman returned inside the phaimacy
(N.T. 09/29/22, 55). Soon after, the gunman emerged from the back of the pharmacy, crossed the
rear parking lot of the pharmacy and entered the passenger side of the Charger, which sped away
promptly (N.T. 09/29/22, 55). Prior to entering the vehicle, the gunmen dropped what appears to
be his gun on the sidewalk outside the employee parking area, picks it up and runs into the car (C-
2(B) at 10:00). The car was still running when the man entered. (N.T. 09129122, 56-57). As the
Charger departed, Mr. Malvonado noticed police lights approaching down the street and informed
the officers about what had just happened. (N.T. 09/29/22, 49-50). This entire interaction was
caught on video surveillance and was entered into evidence by the Commonwealth
(Commonwealth Exhibits C-2(A) & C-2(B)).
Within seconds of the Charger pulling away at a high speed, Philadelphia Police Officers,
who were on the 2900 block of Orkney, were flagged down by Mr. Malvonado (N.T. 09/29/22,
49-50). At this point, the officers had already witnessed an individual, dressed in a bulky coat,
bending over, and holding an object, entering the passenger side of the Charger (N.T. 10/07/22,
15). As they attempted to pull over the Charger by activating their lights and sirens, the car
immediately sped away at a speed of approximately 30-40 miles per hour (N.T. 10/07/22, 15-16).
The police officers pursued the Charger (N.T. 10/07/22, 17-18). Eventually, Officer
Czarnecki and approximately 20 other Philadelphia Police Officers joined the chase (N.T.
10/07/22). As Appellant recklessly drove through the streets of Philadelphia, officers observed the
passenger in the vehicle discarding items (N.T. 10/07/22, 21). Officer Czarnecki ultimately found
the crashed Dodge Charger on Janney Street with both the driver and passenger still in the vehicle
(N.T. 10/07/22, 28-29). The passenger, Michael Nixon, was apprehended by Officer Czai·necki's
partner on the passenger side of the vehicle (N. T. 10/07/22, 29). When Officer Czarnecki
6
approached the locked driver's side, the driver, Ms. Michelle Bowers, Appellant, initially refused
to unlock the door, but eventually did so. (N.T. 10/07/22, 29). Officer Czarnecki arrested Appellant
in the driver's seat of the car and she was taken into custody (N.T. 10/07/22, 29).
Detective Matthew Dydak also responded to the incident and recounted the execution of a
search warrant for the Dodge Charger (N.T. 10/07/22, 34). During this search, police recovered
six bundles of heroin, numerous prescription bottles (both open and unopened), and loose pills in
the center console of the vehicle (N.T. 10/07/22, 35-36).
Appellant provided her version of events during her trial testimony. Ms. Bowers claimed
that when she met the male, Michael Nixon, he asked her to take him to Nmih Philadelphia to pick
up Percocet (N.T. 10/07/22, 44). En route to North Philly, Mr. Nixon made a stop at a corner store,
where Ms. Bowers got out to withdraw money from an ATM (N.T. 10/07/22, 45-46). Upon her
return to the car, Mr. Nixon communicated that he was not feeling well and asked Ms. Bowers to
take the wheel (N.T. 10/07/22, 46). Ms. Bowers made a stop at one location for Percocet, but when
they could not find what Mr. Nixon sought, they proceeded to the back of Orkney Street (N.T.
10/07/22, 47). Ms. Bowers recounted observing Mr. Nixon exiting the car and sitting on the back
steps while she stayed in the car and played on her phone (N.T. 10/07/22, 47).
While Mr. Nixon was away from the car, Ms. Bowers witnessed a male, Mr. Malvonado,
rising from the ground in front of her car and sprinting toward the car parked in front of hers (N.T.
10/07/22, 4 7). Ms. Bowers testified that she honked her horn to assist Mr. Malvonado, who seemed
injured, but she did not exit the car (N.T. 10/07/22, 48, 58). Within seconds, Ms. Bowers saw Mr.
Nixon running towards the car, and she noticed police officers approaching on the street (N.T.
10/07/22, 48). Ms. Bowers sped away (N.T. 10/07/22, 48). She led the officers on a car chase
through Philadelphia, which included entering a major highway, I-95, navigating through the city's
7
smaller streets, all the while seeing "numerous police cars" and a helicopter overhead (N.T.
10/07/22, 49-50). Ms. Bowers confirmed that she saw flashing lights and heard sirens throughout
the pursuit, and nevertheless she disregarded their commands to stop. (N.T. 10/07/22, 48-50).
Ms. Bowers testified that she never saw a gun in the car, nor did she see Mr. Nixon throw
things out the window during the car chase (N.T. 10/07/22, 54). Furthermore, she testified that she
did not observe any pill bottles in the car (N.T. 10/07/22, 66). Ms. Bowers asserts that when Mr.
Nixon got into the car, she did not see him carrying a big black bag (N.T. 10/07/22, 59)
Ultimately, the court rejected Appellant's version of events, as well as the limited statement
provided by the co-defendant by stipulation, and found her guilty as described above.
DISCUSSION:
1. The evidence was sufficient to convict Appellant of all charges.
The standard under which a challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence is to be analyzed
is well-settled:
In conducting our review, we must determine whether the evidence, viewed in the light
most favorable to the Commonwealth as the verdict winner, supports the jury's finding that
every element of the offense was proven beyond a reasonable doubt. Commonwealth v.
Laird, 605 Pa. 137, 988 A.2d 618, 624 (Pa. 2010). The Commonwealth may sustain its
burden of proof by means of wholly circumstantial evidence, and the jury, in passing upon
the weight and credibility of each witness's testimony, is free to believe all, part, or none
of the evidence. Id.Commonwealth v. Arrington, 86 A.3d 831, 840 (Pa. 2014), citing Commonwealth v. Laird, 988
A.2d 618 (Pa. 2010). In determining whether there was sufficient evidence to support a fact
finder's findings, a reviewing court is "obliged to determine whether the evidence presented at
trial and all reasonable inferences derived therefrom, viewed in the light most favorable to the
Commonwealth as verdict winner, are sufficient to satisfy all elements of the offense beyond a
reasonable doubt." Commonwealth v. Brown, 987 A.2d 699, 705 (Pa. 2009).
8
Moreover, "[i]n order to preserve a challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence on appeal,
an appellant's Rule 1925(b) statement must state with specificity the element or elements upon
which the appellant alleges that the evidence was insufficient." Commonwealth v. Garland, 63
A.3d 339, 344 (Pa. Super. 2013) (citing Commonwealth v. Gibbs, 981A.2d274, 281 (Pa. Super.
2009)). "Such specificity is of particular importance in cases where, as here, the Appellant was
convicted of multiple crimes each of which contains numerous elements that the Commonwealth
must prove beyond a reasonable doubt." Gibbs, 981 A.2d at 281. The 1925 (b) statement provided
by counsel is not concise, nor is it specific as to which element or elements are lacking.
Nevertheless, this court will proceed to address the merits of Appellant's sufficiency arguments.
a. Conspiracy
Under the Pennsylvania Criminal Code conspiracy is defined as follows:
A person is guilty of conspiracy with another person or persons to commit a crime
if with the intent of promoting or facilitating its commission he:
(1) agrees with such other person or persons that they or one or more of
them will engage in conduct which constitutes such crime or an attempt or
solicitation to commit such crime; or
(2) agrees to aid such other person or persons in the planning or commission
of such crime or of an attempt or solicitation to commit such crime.
18 Pa.C.S. § 903(a). "To sustain a conviction for criminal conspiracy, the Commonwealth must
establish the defendant: 1) entered into an agreement to commit or aid in an unlawful act with
another person or persons; 2) with a shared criminal intent; and 3) an overt act was done in
furtherance of the conspiracy." Commonwealth v. Devine, 26 A.3d 1139, 1147 (Pa. Super. 2011).
By its very nature, the crime of conspiracy is frequently not susceptible of proof except by
circumstantial evidence. Commonwealth v. Kwatkoski, 406 A.2d 1102 (Pa. 1979). A conspiracy
may be inferentially established by showing the relation, conduct, or circumstances of the parties,
9
and the overt acts on the part of co-conspirators have uniformly been held competent to prove that
a corrupt confederation has in fact been formed. Commonwealth v. Horvath, 144 A.2d 489, 492
(Pa. Super. 1958). Nevertheless, the evidence must "rise above mere suspicion or possibility of
guilty collusion." Commonwealth v. Lambert, 795 A.2d 1010, 1016 (Pa. Super. 2002) (quoting
Commonwealth v. Swed/ow, 636 A.2d 1173, 1177 (Pa. Super. 1994)).
Once the conspiracy is established, the actions of each co-conspirator may be imputed to
the other conspirators. Commonwealth v. Saunders, 946 A.2d 776, 781 (Pa. Super. Ct.
2008 ("Commonwealth v. Geiger, 2008 WL 499802, *4 (Pa.Super. filed Feb. 26, 2008)"). In this
regard, "[t]he law in Pennsylvania is settled that each conspirator is criminally responsible for the
actions of his co-conspirator, provided that the actions are accomplished in furtherance of the
common design." Commonwealth v. Baskerville, 452 Pa.Super. 82, 681A.2d195, 201 (1996).
In addition, evidence of flight can be considered as consciousness of guilt. "It is well settled
that evidence of flight following the commission of a crime is admissible as having a tendency to
prove the guilt of accused." Commonwealth v. Myers, 131 Pa. Super. 258, 200 A. 113 (Pa. Super.
Ct. 1938). See also Commonwealth v. Graham, 248 Pa. Super. 406, 407, 375 A.2d 161, 162 (1977);
Commonwealth v. Liebowitz, 143 Pa.Super. 75, 83, 17 A.2d 719 (1940). [A] person has reason to
know [s]he is wanted in connection with a crime, and proceeds to flee or conceal himself from the
law enforcement authorities, such evasive conduct is evidence of guilt and may from a basis, in
connection with other proof, from which guilt may be inferred. Commonwealth v. Tha, 64 A.3d
704, 714 (Pa. Super. 2013) (citation omitted).
Generally speaking, when a crime has been committed and a person thinks he or she may
be accused of committing it and he or she flees or conceals himself or herself, such flight or
concealment is a circumstance tending to prove the person is conscious of guilt. A person may flee
10
or hide for some other motive and may do so even though innocent. Whether the evidence of flight
or concealment in this case should be looked at as tending to prove guilt depends upon the facts
and circumstances of this case and especially upon motives that may have prompted flight or
concealment. Pa.S.S.J.I. (Crim.) 3.14.
In the present case, when viewed in a light most favorable to the Commonwealth, the
evidence established, (1) Appellant entered into an agreement to commit or aid in an unlawful act
with another person or persons (i.e., drive the co-conspirator to the back of a pharmacy, with the
lights out, and wait outside for him in the car, with it running), (2) while waiting for the co-
conspirator outside the pharmacy, Appellant gave warning to the gunman that the delivery driver
was approaching and (3) that Appellant sped away after the co-conspirator got into the passenger
side of the car with a large black bag full of pills (i.e., Appellant attempted to get away from law
enforcement by not pulling over as soon as the cops turned on their lights and sirens.) The evidence
establishes more than just mere presence on behalf of the Appellant. In fact, the evidence proves
that the Appellant and co-conspirator agreed (and intended) to commit the crimes at issue that
evemng.
The law makes clear that since it is difficult to prove an explicit agreement, an act may be
proved inferentially by circumstantial evidence, i.e., the relations, conduct or circumstances of the
parties or overt acts on the part of the co-conspirators.
Here, video footage from the pharmacy and credible eyewitness testimony conoborated
the circumstantial evidence. On the night in question, Appellant, the driver of the Charger, pulled
onto Orkney street with the car's headlights off. Appellant parked the get-away car within view of
the back door of the pharmacy and the employee parking lot. Appellant remained in the car when
the co-defendant entered the back of the pharmacy. Appellant kept the car running. Appellant
11
watched as the co-defendant made his way into the parking lot and ultimately to the back door of
the pharmacy. In addition, Appellant gave a warning to Mr. Nixon that the delivery driver was
approaching by honking the horn and pointing at the driver repeatedly. When Mr. Nixon entered
the passenger side of the vehicle, the car sped away. Appellant proceeded on a car chase throughout
the city while Mr. Nixon discarded items from the passenger side of the vehicle. When the car was
searched, loose pills and pill bottles were recovered. The overwhelming amount of evidence proves
that Ms. Bowers was keenly aware of what Mr. Nixon had just done inside the pharmacy and in
fact, aided in the crime.
Thus, the Commonwealth proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Appellant was guilty of
the criminal conspiracy. With a conspiracy charge, the evidence similarly was sufficient to find
Appellant guilty of robbery, theft and receiving stolen prope1iy.
b. Robbery
Appellant contends that the evidence was insufficient to sustain her conviction for
robbery. However, and as explained above, when the Appellant is found guilty of conspiracy, the
actions of each co-conspirator may be imputed to the other conspirators. Saunders, 946 A.2d at776 - 781. Both the evidence and eyewitness testimony provided by Mr. Malvonado, Ms. Palengas
and Philadelphia police officers established beyond a reasonable doubt that Appellant conspired
with Michael Nixon while committing a theft, and so her claim fails.
An individual is guilty of robbery if, during the course of committing a theft, (i) he inflicts
serious bodily injury upon another or (ii) threatens another with or intentionally puts him in fear
of immediate serious bodily injury. 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 3701(a)(l)(i)(ii). The evidence is sufficient to
convict a defendant of robbery under section (ii) "ifthe evidence demonstrates aggressive actions
that threatened the victim's safety." Commonwealth v. Hansley, 24 A.3d 410, 416 (Pa. Super.
12
2011), appeal denied, 32 A.3d 1275 (Pa. 2011). The court must focus "on the nature of the threat
posed by an assailant and whether he reasonably placed a victim in fear of immediate serious
bodily injury." Id (citations omitted).
Additionally, "in order to sustain a conviction under§ 3701(a)(l)(ii), the Commonwealth
need not prove verbal utterance, but may show aggressive actions that threaten serious bodily
injury." Commonwealth v. Davis, 313 Pa.Super. 355, 459 A.2d 1267, 1272 (1983). In Davis, the
defendant entered a pipe shop through the store window, told the clerk to get back, and removed
money from the cash register. Id. As the Superior Court found that Appellant's mode of entry and
his warning to the clerk was aggressive and implied a threat to the victim's safety, the Superior
Court upheld the defendant's robbery conviction under§ 3701(a)(l)(ii). Id. (citing Commonwealth
v. Bragg, 133 A.3d 328, 329 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2016).
Similarly, in the instant case, as in Davis, Mr. Nixon's aggressive actions placed the
employees of Super Drug Pharmacy in fear of serious bodily injury. Mr. Nixon entered the back
door of the pharmacy, with a gun. The entrance was intended for pharmacy employees only. When
he entered the back door, he met Ms. Palengas who screamed and ran back into the pharmacy
through the back door (N.T. 09/29/22, 15). Mr. Nixon ran after her, grabbed her and tlu·ew her
onto the floor (N.T. 09/29/22, 15-16). During his time inside the pharmacy, he was demanding
pharmacy technicians and Ms. Palengas to fill a backpack with narcotics (N. T. 09/29/22, 15-16).
His gun was drawn during the entire interaction and pointed repeatedly at the victim (Cl-A -
Surveillance Footage Inside Pharmacy). In Davis, as in this case, the co-conspirator's mode of
entry was aggressive and implied threat to the victim's safety and he pointed a gun at the victim
while stealing drugs from the store.
13
As such, the threat of serious bodily injury when a gun is pointed at the victim, was evident
here and was coIToborated by all the witnesses. Accordingly, there is sufficient evidence to convict
an individual ofrobbery. Therefore, this Court did not en in finding the Appellant guilty ofrobbery
because she can reasonably be imputed for the actions of Mr. Nixon.
c. Theft14
Appellant contends that the evidence was insufficient to sustain her conviction of theft.
However, and again, as explained above, when the Appellant is found guilty of conspiracy, each
conspirator is criminally responsible for the actions of his co-conspirator. Baskerville, 681 A.2d at195 - 201.
A person is guilty of theft if he unlawfully takes, or exercises unlawful control over,
movable property of another with intent to deprive him thereof. Moveable property is defined as
"[p]rope1iy the location of which can be changed" 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 3901. "Deprivation" occurs if a
person: (1) "withhold[s] property of another permanently;" or (2) "dispose[s] of the prope1iy so as
to make it unlikely that the owner will recover it 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 3901.
To prove this offense, the Commonwealth must establish: (1) the unlawful taking or
unlawful control over the moveable property; (2) that belongs to another; (3) with the intent to
permanently deprive the lawful owner. Commonwealth v. Young, 35 A.3d (Pa. Super. 2022), citing
Commonwealth v. Goins, 867 A.2d (Pa. Super. 2004).
In the present case, when viewed in a light most favorable to the Commonwealth, the
evidence established (1) the unlawful taking or unlawful control over the moveable property (2)
that belongs to another (i.e., Mr. Nixon went in through the back door of the Super Drug Pharmacy
and stole six drawers of narcotics from the pharmacy at gunpoint). And (3) with the intent to
14
The theft conviction merges with the Robbery for purposes of sentencing. Appellant was not sentenced for the
theft.
14
permanently deprive the lawful owner (i.e., Mr. Nixon ran out the back door of the pharmacy with
large bags of narcotics and Appellant sped away). Further, while on a highspeed chase throughout
the city, Mr. Nixon was throwing the narcotics out of the passenger side window. That and the
credible testimony provided by Mr. Malvonado, Ms. Palengas and Philadelphia police officers
established beyond a reasonable doubt that Appellant committed theft, and so her claim fails.
d. Receiving Stolen Property 15
Appellant contends that the Commonwealth has failed to prove beyond a reasonable
doubt that she knew or had reason to know that property had been stolen. However, and again, as
explained above, when the Appellant is found guilty of conspiracy, they can also be imputed of
the co-conspirators offenses. Saunders, 946 A.2d at 776 - 778.
A person is guilty of receiving stolen property if he intentionally receives, retains, or
disposes of movable property of another knowing that it has been stolen, or believing that it has
probably been stolen, unless the property is received, retained, or disposed with intent to restore it
to the owner.
In a prosecution for receiving stolen property, the Commonwealth must prove beyond a
reasonable doubt the three elements of the crime: (1) that certain goods were stolen; (2) that the
defendant received some or all of the goods; and (3) that he received them knowing or having
reason to know that the goods were stolen. Commonwealth v. Davis, 444 Pa. 11, 280 A.2d
119 (1971).
"The element of appellant's guilty knowledge may be established by direct evidence of
knowledge or by circumstantial evidence from which it can be inferred that appellant had
reasonable cause to know that the property was stolen. If from the circumstantial evidence, it can
15
The receiving stolen property conviction merged with the Robbery for sentencing. Appellant was not sentenced
on the receiving stolen property charge.
15
be inferred that the appellant had reasonable cause to know, a final inference can reasonably be
made that he in fact knew that the property was stolen." Commonwealth v. Henderson, 451 Pa.
452, 455, 304 A.2d 154, 156 (1973).
In the present case, when viewed in a light most favorable to the Commonwealth, the
evidence established (1) the goods were stolen (i.e., Mr. Nixon went into the pharmacy where Ms.
Palengas filled up bags of narcotics for Mr. Nixon). Additionally, when he ran through the back
door of the pharmacy, Mr. Malvonado witnessed Mr. Nixon carrying several large bags. (2) that
the defendant received some or all of the goods (i.e., Mr. Nixon entered the passenger side of the
vehicle with the large bags in hand). Despite her testimony, there is no way Appellant did not
notice the bags when he entered the passenger side of the vehicle. Further, during the search of the
car, Detective Dydak discovered six bundles of heroin, numerous prescription bottles (both open
and unopened), and loose pills in the center console of the vehicle (N.T. 10/07/22, 35-36). And (3)
that the defendant received them knowing or having reason to know that the goods were stolen
(i.e., Appellant watched Mr. Nixon exit the back door of the pharmacy with the bags in hand, get
in her car, and promptly sped away).
Thus, her claim fails.
2. The verdict was not against the weight of the evidence.
"The weight of the evidence is exclusively for the finder of fact who is free to believe all,
part, or none of the evidence and to determine the credibility of the witnesses." Commonwealth v.
Champney, 832 A.2d 403, 408 (Pa. 2003). The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania in Champney
explained that an appellate court cannot substitute its judgment for that of the finder of fact. Id.Therefore, the court may only reverse the lower comi if the verdict is so contrary to the evidence
as to "shock one's sense of justice." Id. (citing Commonwealth v. Small, 741 A.2d 666, 672-73
16
(Pa. 1999)). The Supreme Court has set forth the following standard of review for Appellant's
claim that the verdict is against the weight of evidence and that he should be entitled to a new trial:
The essence of appellate review for a weight claim appears to lie in ensuring
that the trial comi's decision has record support. Where the record
adequately supports the trial comi, the trial court has acted within the limits
of its discretion.
A motion for a new trial based on a claim that the verdict is against the
weight of the evidence is addressed to the discretion of the trial comi. A
new trial should not be granted because of a mere conflict in the testimony
or because the judge on the same facts would have arrived at a different
conclusion. Rather, the role of the trial judge is to determine that
notwithstanding all the facts, certain facts are so clearly of greater weight
that to ignore them or to give them equal weight with all the facts is to deny
justice.
Commonwealth v. Clay, 64 A.3d 1049, 1054-55 (Pa. 2013) (citations and quotations omitted); see
also Kaplan v. 0 'Kane, 835 A.2d 735, 737 (Pa. Super. 2003) (holding "[t]he power to grant a new
trial lies inherently with the trial comi, and [the] appellate court will not reverse its decision absent
a clear abuse of discretion or an error of law which controls the outcome of the case.").
This Comi properly denied Appellant's post-trial motion for a new trial because the verdict
on all charges was not against the weight of evidence. Additionally, this Court's decision to credit
the Commonwealth's eyewitness testimony, which is corroborated by video evidence does not
"shock the conscious" and this Court's denial of Appellant's weight of the evidence claim does
not, therefore, constitute an abuse of discretion. The court is free to discredit the self-serving and
uncorroborated testimony of the Appellant and the statement given by the co-defendant.
Commonwealth v. Cousar, 928 A.2d 1025, 1035-36 (Pa. 2007) (no abuse of discretion in denying
weight of the evidence claim despite discrepancies in the testimony.) No relief is due.
CONCLUSION:
For the foregoing reasons, the judgment of this Court should be affomed.
17
BY THE COURT:
DATE: December 5, 2023
18
PROOF OF SERVICE
I hereby certify that I am this day serving the foregoing filing upon the below person(s) in
the manner indicated below, which services satisfies the requirements of Pa.R.Crim. 114:
Lawrence Goode, Esquire First Class Mail
Philadelphia Attorney's Office
Three South Penn Square
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Michael I. McDermott, Esquire First Class Mail
121 South Broad Street, Floor 18
Philadelphia, PA 19107-1808
Michelle Bowers Ce1iified Mail
Inmate #PE6754
SCI Muncy
PO Box 180
Muncy, PA 17756
Dated: December 5, 2023
Francesca M. Geonnotti
Judicial Law Clerk for the Honorable Diana L. Anhalt
19