R. Hall v. Det. B. Peters

IN THE COMMONWEALTH COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA
Robert Hall, :
Appellant :
: No. 248 C.D. 2017
v. : Argued: October 17, 2017
:
Det. Brian Peters :
BEFORE: HONORABLE RENÉE COHN JUBELIRER, Judge
HONORABLE ROBERT SIMPSON, Judge (P.)
HONORABLE JAMES GARDNER COLINS, Senior Judge
OPINION NOT REPORTED
MEMORANDUM OPINION
BY JUDGE SIMPSON FILED: November 30, 2017
Appellant Robert Hall (Plaintiff) appeals from an order of the Court of
Common Pleas of Philadelphia County1 (trial court) that granted Detective Brian
Peters’ (Detective) motion for summary judgment and dismissed Plaintiff’s
complaint for malicious prosecution against him. Plaintiff stood trial twice for first-
degree murder. The first trial ended in a mistrial. The second trial ended in an
acquittal. Thereafter, Plaintiff filed a malicious prosecution claim against Detective.
Ultimately, the trial court determined Plaintiff failed to offer sufficient evidence to
establish either the absence of probable cause or the presence of malice, each of
which is an essential element of a malicious prosecution claim.
Plaintiff contends the trial court erred in granting summary judgment
where there were genuine issues of material fact about whether: (1) Detective
intentionally omitted exculpatory facts from the affidavit of probable cause; (2)
1
The Honorable Karen Shreeves-Johns presided.
Detective’s failure to adequately investigate vitiated probable cause; and, (3)
Detective’s conduct, including the suppression of critical exculpatory evidence,
indicated that he acted with willful misconduct. Upon review, we affirm.
I. Background
A. Shooting Incident; Eyewitnesses
The trial court found the following facts. On March 23, 2011, the
Philadelphia Police Department assigned Detective to investigate the shooting death
of Raheem Bennett (Decedent), which occurred at the corner of North 18 th Street
and Montgomery Avenue at approximately 8:00 p.m. that evening. There were
several eyewitnesses to the event, including Alfred Thomas (Primary Witness), his
brother Malachi Thomas (Witness M.T.), and Khalif Hooker (Witness K.H.).
Primary Witness, a friend of Decedent, stated he was walking home
with Decedent from a basketball game at the Martin Luther King Recreation Center
(Rec Center) when an assailant shot Decedent twice. Primary Witness called 911 to
report that his friend was shot. However, Primary Witness stated in the call that he
did not see the shooter. Thereafter, Primary Witness went to the police station. After
spending 17 hours there, Primary Witness identified Plaintiff as the shooter from a
picture on Facebook. Primary Witness also identified Plaintiff as someone who
played basketball with Decedent earlier that evening.
Detective concluded that he did not have enough evidence at that stage
to get a search warrant for Plaintiff’s home. At that time, the protocol for homicide
2
dictated that one identification was not sufficient for an arrest in the absence of
corroborating evidence.
Witness K.H., another alleged eyewitness, identified the shooter as
follows: caramel complexion, short hair, light beard, five feet, nine inches tall,
medium build, sort of like a muscle build. Witness K.H. was the sole eyewitness at
the grand jury proceeding. Witness K.H. indicated in the investigation interview
record that he had a clear view of the incident from across the street.
During the investigation, Detective learned that Primary Witness’
younger brother, Witness M.T., observed Plaintiff running from the scene. Witness
M.T. was across the street about half a block away at the time. Witness M.T.
described Plaintiff as wearing a black Adidas sweater with black and white stripes,
and black Nike boots. Witness M.T. also stated that he talked to Primary Witness,
his brother, prior to Witness M.T.’s statement about what he saw that night.
B. Affidavit of Probable Cause
Approximately four months after the homicide, Detective submitted an
affidavit of probable cause, which an assistant district attorney pre-approved. See
Reproduced Record (R.R.) at 50 (Affidavit of Probable Cause). An issuing authority
signed the affidavit on July 28, 2011. Id. Detective’s affidavit relied heavily on
Primary Witness’ statements and identification of Plaintiff as the shooter. However,
the affidavit did not reference the 911 tape, in which Primary Witness gave a prior
inconsistent statement when he told the operator that he did not see the shooter. The
3
day after Detective swore out the affidavit, the police arrested Plaintiff and charged
him with first-degree murder.
C. Trials; Acquittal
Almost two years later, and after five days of trial in May 2013, the first
trial ended in a mistrial resulting from complications with a juror. The trial court
scheduled a second trial for January 2014. Eight days before the second trial started,
the prosecutor turned over to the defense the 911 radio conversation wherein Primary
Witness can be heard stating that he did not see the shooter.
On the first day of the second trial, the defense impeached Primary
Witness’ testimony with the 911 tape, wherein the operator asked him if he saw the
shooter and he clearly answered no. After three days of trial, the jury deliberated for
about three and a half hours before finding Plaintiff not guilty on all charges.
Overall, Plaintiff spent 30 months in jail as a result of the trials.
D. Malicious Prosecution Complaint; Responsive Pleadings
In late August 2015, Plaintiff filed a complaint in civil court asserting
a malicious prosecution claim against Detective. Plaintiff alleged Detective
intentionally and recklessly caused a criminal prosecution to be initiated and
continued against him. Plaintiff further alleged Detective acted with malice and
furthered the prosecution of Plaintiff by providing false information, and by
withholding truthful information, which if known, would have resulted in no
prosecution. As a result, Plaintiff endured being arrested and twice tried for first
4
degree murder. Plaintiff also sought punitive damages based on Detective’s alleged
outrageous, malicious and oppressive conduct.
In response to Plaintiff’s complaint, Detective filed an answer and new
matter denying Plaintiff’s material allegations. In new matter, Detective asserted
local governmental immunity under the statutory provisions commonly referred to
as the Political Subdivision Tort Claims Act (Tort Claims Act), 42 Pa. C.S. §§8541-
8564.
E. Detective’s Motion for Summary Judgment
Following the close of pleadings and discovery, Detective filed a
motion for summary judgment accompanied by a supporting memorandum of law
with attached exhibits. Detective asserted that in order to survive a motion for
summary judgment in a malicious prosecution claim, Plaintiff must adduce evidence
of each of the following three elements: the defendants instituted criminal
proceedings against the plaintiff without probable cause; they did so with malice;
and, the proceedings terminated in favor of the plaintiff. Manley v. Fitzgerald, 997
A.2d 1235 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2010); Thomaskevitch v. Specialty Records Corp., 717
A.2d 30 (Pa. Cmwlth. 1998). A malicious prosecution claim is an action that runs
counter to the obvious policy of encouraging criminal proceedings against those who
are apparently guilty. Corrigan v. Cent. Tax Bureau of PA., Inc., 828 A.2d 502 (Pa.
Cmwlth. 2003). Pennsylvania courts have never regarded malicious prosecution
claims with favor; therefore, they are difficult to maintain. Id.
5
Probable cause, Detective posits, is a reasonable ground of suspicion
supported by circumstances sufficient to warrant that an ordinary prudent person in
the same situation could believe that a party is guilty of the offense charged. Turano
v. Hunt, 631 A.2d 822 (Pa. Cmwlth. 1993); Thomaskevitch. Thus, if a reasonable
person could have concluded, based on the officer’s knowledge, that the alleged
perpetrator committed a crime, then probable cause exists as a matter of law.
Further, the criterion for probable cause is not equivalent to the proof beyond a
reasonable doubt standard applicable in a criminal trial. Turano. As such, the
absence of probable cause is not established solely by an adjudication of not guilty
in the criminal proceedings. Thomaskevitch.
To that end, Detective continued, probable cause deals with
probabilities, not absolutes. Commonwealth v. Weidenmoyer, 539 A.2d 1291 (Pa.
1988). In other words, probable cause is based on the probability of criminal
activity, not a prima facie showing of it. Id.
If probable cause is shown to exist, an absolute defense against
malicious prosecution is established. Turano. In such cases, the prosecutor’s
motive, whether malicious or otherwise, is immaterial. Id.
Moreover, the issue of whether probable cause existed for the criminal
prosecution is a question of law for the trial judge, not a question of fact for the jury.
Turano, 631 A.2d at 825 (citing Leonard v. Cole, 578 A.2d 53 (Pa. Cmwlth. 1990)).
However, the existence of probable cause may be submitted to the jury when facts
material to the issue of probable cause are disputed. Leonard (citing Kelley v. Gen.
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Teamsters, Chauffeurs and Helpers, Local Union 249, 544 A.2d 940 (Pa. 1988)). In
other words, if an issue exists as to whether the affiant was actually aware of a certain
item of evidence, it is appropriate for the jury to resolve that issue. Id.
Detective further maintained that Pennsylvania courts routinely
determine probable cause as a matter of law in malicious prosecution cases. See,
e.g., Manley; Corrigan. Here, Detective argued that no reasonable jury could find
an absence of probable cause for a first-degree murder charge. Primary Witness
gave a statement to police that he was present when Decedent was shot to death.
Primary Witness was able to identify Plaintiff by his Facebook photos as the person
who shot Decedent. Witness M.T. identified Plaintiff as the man running away from
the scene immediately after the shooting. Detective asserted this is precisely the
kind of evidence a reasonable officer is entitled to rely upon in an affidavit of
probable cause. Therefore, Detective argued probable cause to arrest Plaintiff for
murder existed as a matter of law.
Detective anticipated that Plaintiff may point to additional steps that
Detective could have taken to conduct a more perfect investigation. However,
Detective argued, Pennsylvania law compels the conclusion that failing to take those
steps does not make an affiant liable for malicious prosecution. In short, an
imperfect investigation is not a sufficient ground for recovery in a malicious
prosecution action. Turano. Here, Detective maintained, no reasonable jury could
find that the probable cause created by Primary Witness’ statement that he was
present at the shooting, and his identification of Plaintiff as the shooter, along with
7
Witness M.T.’s identification of Plaintiff as the person running from the scene, could
be vitiated by any of the alleged imperfections in his investigation.
Detective also argued there was no record evidence to support a claim
of willful misconduct, which would exclude him from immunity under the Tort
Claims Act. Pursuant to 42 Pa. C.S. §8550, local government employees lose their
immunity for acts within the scope of their employment when their conduct amounts
to a crime, actual fraud, actual malice or willful misconduct.
Citing Renk v. City of Pittsburgh, 641 A.2d 289 (Pa. 1994), Detective
argued that in order to find willful misconduct on the part of a police officer, the
Tort Claims Act requires a showing of a higher standard of willfulness. To that end,
it requires a showing of the officer’s intention to do what he knows to be wrong. In
other words, willful misconduct requires not only an intention to commit the act and
desire the result, it requires an understanding that the officer knew the actions were
illegal and that he chose to take the actions anyway. Sameric Corp. of Delaware v.
Phila., 142 F.3d 582 (3d Cir. 1998). Here, Detective asserted, there was no evidence
of such willful conduct.
F. Plaintiff’s Response
In response, Plaintiff filed an answer to Detective’s motion for
summary judgment and a supporting memorandum of law with exhibits. Plaintiff
requested that the trial court deny Detective’s motion for summary judgment
because there were genuine issues of material fact as to whether Detective
intentionally suppressed critical exculpatory evidence.
8
In his memorandum, Plaintiff set forth a different version of the facts.
He claimed he was at his job at the Philadelphia Airport on the day in question.
Plaintiff asserted that he did play basketball frequently at the Rec Center and that he
had a set team of family and friends, and that he did not play a pickup game with
Decedent. Plaintiff further asserted he did not have any arguments with anyone that
day.
Plaintiff also asserted that Primary Witness clearly stated in the 911
tape that he did not see who shot Decedent. Police radio calls also confirm that
Primary Witness could not provide a description of the shooter. Primary Witness
arrived at the Police Department’s Homicide Division at 9: 00 p.m., about an hour
after the shooting. The police placed him in a locked interrogation room. Seventeen
hours later, Primary Witness picked out Plaintiff’s picture on Facebook.
Plaintiff additionally asserted at some point prior to the first trial in May
2013, an individual named Sean Jarmon was instructed by a judge to accompany
Detective, Police Officer Forbes, and an assistant district attorney into a separate
room at the courthouse. Officer Forbes told Jarmon that they knew Plaintiff did not
commit the murder, but that he was going to do life unless Jarmon told them who
killed Decedent. When asked about this encounter, Detective did not deny it, but
he could not recall what was said.
Plaintiff pointed out various other alleged shortcomings and
inconsistencies in Detective’s investigation, such as failing to record much of
Primary Witness’ statements at the police station, and failing to comply with
9
Philadelphia Police Department directives regarding paperwork and reports in
investigations.
Plaintiff also presented two legal arguments as to probable cause. First,
Plaintiff argued Detective’s investigation was woefully inadequate and resulted in
Plaintiff’s arrest without probable cause. In particular, Plaintiff asserted Detective
withheld from his defense attorney the 911 and police radio tapes in which Primary
Witness stated he did not see the shooter. In Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83 (1963),
the U.S. Supreme Court held that suppression by the prosecution of evidence
favorable to an accused violated due process where the evidence is material to either
guilt or punishment, irrespective of the good faith or bad faith of the prosecution.
Plaintiff further argued the Brady obligation to provide exculpatory evidence
extends to exculpatory evidence in police agency files. See Commonwealth v.
Burke, 781 A.2d 1136 (Pa. 2001) (in light of Kyles v. Whitley, 514 U.S. 419 (1995)
the fact that Brady material was in the possession of the police rather than the
prosecutor is irrelevant to the Commonwealth’s duties under Brady).
Here, Detective did not mention the 911 tape in his affidavit of probable
cause or disclose it during the first trial. Therefore, Plaintiff argued, viewing the
evidence in a light most favorable to Plaintiff, a genuine issue of material fact exists
as to whether Detective purposely and intentionally suppressed critical and
exculpatory evidence that would have vitiated probable cause for Plaintiff’s arrest
for first-degree murder.
Second, Plaintiff argued that a genuine issue of material fact for the jury
existed as to whether Detective’s failure to properly investigate the case vitiated
10
probable cause. Plaintiff asserted Detective violated numerous directives in failing
to create, gather and maintain critical paperwork. In addition, Plaintiff asserted that
Detective revealed he was wedded to the notion, that someone from the Blumberg
projects and a member of the Waterboyz gang, shot Decedent in retaliation for an
earlier shooting of a Waterboyz gang member.
Citing several federal appellate decisions, Plaintiff argued Detective’s
failure to properly investigate the case negated probable cause for his arrest. See,
e.g., Clipper v. Takoma Park, Maryland, 876 F.2d 17 (4th Cir. 1989) (officer lacked
probable cause to arrest a suspect in a bank robbery case where officers failed to
interview individuals who would have established the suspect’s alibi and failed to
look at surveillance film from the bank); Montgomery v. DeSimone, 159 F.3d 120
(3d Cir. 1988) (a jury could reasonably conclude that the officer’s conduct in failing
to investigate before acting was unreasonable).
Plaintiff also cited Combs v. Blowes (Pa. Cmwlth., No. 1561 C.D.
2013, filed February 17, 2015) 2015 WL 5162166 (unreported), a memorandum
decision of this Court affirming a trial court’s decision awarding civil damages for
a malicious prosecution. In Combs, we reasoned:
Probable cause does not exist where there is evidence of
the unreliability of the witness whose statement is relied
upon, where exculpatory evidence is disregarded, and
where material facts are withheld or misrepresented;
however, a police officer has no duty to investigate
exculpatory evidence that is not readily available,
speculative information provided by the accused, and the
statements of a single credible witness may serve as
sufficient evidence of probable cause.
11
Combs, Maj. Slip Op., at 10-11, 2015 WL 5162166 at *5.
Based upon the case law cited, Plaintiff argued, and viewing the
evidence in a light most favorable to himself as the non-moving party, a genuine
issue of material fact for the jury exists as to whether Detective failed to properly
investigate the case. If so, this could vitiate probable cause.
Third, Plaintiff argued Detective acted with willful misconduct, which
is defined by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court as conduct wherein the officer knew
his actions were illegal and that he chose to take the actions anyway. Renk. Here,
Plaintiff asserted that Detective’s violation of Philadelphia Police Department
directives concerning conducting a proper investigation, preparing and filing
paperwork, and preserving evidence, which is tantamount to the spoliation of
evidence, establish Detective knowingly disregarded his duties. More importantly,
Detective intentionally suppressed exculpatory evidence in the nature of the 911 tape
and police radio calls indicating Primary Witness did not see the shooter.
Therefore, Plaintiff argued, there was sufficient evidence for a jury to
find that Detective understood that the actions he intended to take would result in
the arrest of Plaintiff without probable cause. Consequently, Detective’s conduct
constituted willful misconduct and Plaintiff’s malicious prosecution claim is not
barred by the Tort Claims Act.
G. Trial Court’s Decision
In its opinion in support of its order granting summary judgment for
Detective, the trial court observed that the issue of whether certain facts constitute
12
probable cause must be determined by the court; however, whether such facts exist
is for the jury to determine. Bruff v. Kendrick, 21 Pa. Super. 468 (Pa. Super. 1902).
Here, the trial court noted Detective interviewed various witnesses, exchanged
information with other police officers working on the case, formed a shooting
timeline between the two groups, and assessed the validity of the evidence before
him. Nonetheless, Detective ultimately relied on the eyewitness accounts of Primary
Witness and Witness M.T.
The trial court reasoned that Plaintiff failed to offer evidence showing
that Detective lacked probable cause to initiate the criminal proceedings against him.
Detective relied on two eyewitnesses to the events surrounding Decedent’s murder.
Primary Witness testified he was walking next to Decedent when he was shot twice.
Witness M.T. testified he saw Plaintiff running from the scene.
Although Primary Witness did not make the identification during his
911 call, and Witness M.T. spoke with his brother, Primary Witness, prior to his
statements to police, the trial court reasoned these facts did not defeat probable
cause. Rather, they are matters that go to the weight of the evidence at trial, not to
a determination of whether probable cause exists during the investigation. See Tr.
Ct., Slip Op., 5/4/17, at 9.
The trial court further noted that the information Primary Witness and
Witness M.T. provided regarding the shooting was sufficient for Detective to
proceed in the criminal case. Id. Citing Turano, the trial court determined Detective,
based on the evidence obtained during his investigation, established a reasonable
13
ground of suspicion supported by circumstances sufficient to warrant that an
ordinary prudent person in the same situation could believe that a party is guilty of
the offense charged.
Relying on Turano, the trial court concluded Detective had probable
cause to believe Plaintiff committed the crime. In Turano, the trial court noted, the
appellant argued the officers lacked probable cause because they failed to perform
the type of investigation which would allow a reasonable, honest, and intelligent
individual to believe the appellant was guilty of a crime. This Court, however,
determined in Turano that the officer had sufficient reason to believe the victim’s
identification of the perpetrator was genuine and thus provided a reasonable basis
for the prosecution.
The trial court also determined Plaintiff failed to present sufficient
evidence of malice. The trial court reasoned that Plaintiff cannot create a dispute of
material fact by mere allegations of malice. The trial court rejected Plaintiff’s
argument that Detective acted with malice in withholding the 911 tape. To that end,
the court observed that Plaintiff made no offer of proof that Detective maintained
possession of the 911 recording or that he intentionally withheld the 911 recordings
from the District Attorney’s office. Tr. Ct., Slip Op., at 11-12. Consequently, the
trial court concluded that Plaintiff’s failure to offer any evidence that Detective
intentionally withheld the 911 tapes, by itself, constituted a sufficient reason for
granting summary judgment. Plaintiff appeals.2
2
This Court’s standard of review of a trial court’s order granting summary judgment is de
novo and our scope of review is plenary. Pentlong Corp. v. GLS Capital, Inc., 72 A.3d 818 (Pa.
14
II. Discussion
Plaintiff contends the trial court erred in granting summary judgment
because there were genuine issues of material fact where: (1) Detective intentionally
omitted exculpatory facts from the affidavit of probable cause, including the fact that
the sole eyewitness to the actual shooting told the 911 dispatcher that he did not see
the shooter; (2) Detective’s failure to adequately investigate the shooting vitiated
probable cause; and, (3) Detective’s conduct, including the suppression of critical
exculpatory evidence, indicated that he acted with malice and engaged in willful
misconduct in instituting criminal charges against Plaintiff.
A. Intentional Omission of Exculpatory Facts
1. Argument
On appeal, Plaintiff first contends Detective’s intentional omission and
suppression of critical exculpatory evidence vitiated probable cause for Plaintiff’s
arrest. Plaintiff asserts that whether probable cause exists is a jury question, except
in the rare circumstances where credibility is not an issue. Therefore, where there
are material facts in dispute, the issue of probable cause is one for the jury to decide.
Daley v. John Wannamaker, Inc., 464 A.2d 355, 357-58 (Pa. Super. 1983).
Cmwlth. 2013). Under this standard, we may reverse a trial court’s order only for an abuse of
discretion or an error of law. Id. To that end, summary judgment is appropriate only when, after
reviewing the record in a light most favorable to the non-moving party, and resolving any doubt
regarding issues of fact against the moving party, it is clear that there is no genuine issue as to any
material fact and that the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Id. Further,
when a motion for summary judgment is made and supported by the record, the adverse party may
not rest only on mere allegations or denials in his pleadings. Rather, he must set forth in his
response by affidavits, or as otherwise provided, specific facts in dispute. Kniaz v. Benton
Borough, 642 A.2d 551 (Pa. Cmwlth. 1994).
15
Plaintiff asserts the burden was on Detective to establish the absence of
any genuine issues of material fact. In addition, Plaintiff argues that oral testimony,
either by affidavit or deposition, even if uncontradicted, is insufficient to establish
the absence of a genuine issue of material fact. Penn Center House, Inc. v. Hoffman,
553 A.2d 900 (Pa. 1989) (citing Nanty-Glo v. Am. Surety Co., 163 A. 523 (Pa.
1932)). By accepting, Detective’s testimony as true, Plaintiff contends the trial court
employed the wrong standard of review. Id.
Turning to the merits, Plaintiff asserts an affiant may not make material
falsehoods or material omissions in swearing out an affidavit of probable cause.
Franks v. Delaware, 438 U.S. 154 (1978). Where omissions are the basis for a
challenge to an affidavit of probable cause, the following test is applied: (1) whether
the officer withheld a highly relevant fact within his knowledge (where any
reasonable person would have known that this was the kind of thing the judge would
wish to know); and, (2) whether the affidavit would have provided probable cause if
it had contained a disclosure of the omitted information. Commonwealth v. Taylor,
850 A.2d 684 (Pa. Super. 2004). Therefore, Plaintiff asserts, it is necessary to
concentrate on two elements: first, whether the officer, acting with a reckless
disregard for the truth, made false statements or omissions that created a falsehood
in applying for a warrant, and second, whether those assertions or omissions were
material or necessary to the finding of probable cause. See Dempsey v. Bucknell
Univ., 834 F.3d 457 (3d Cir. 2016).
Citing Andrews v. Scuilli, 853 F.3d 690 (3d Cir. 2017), Plaintiff
reconstructs an affidavit in the present case, which includes all the alleged
shortcomings and omissions in Detective’s investigation. See Appellant’s Br. at 22-
16
24. In so doing, Plaintiff asserts, a reasonable and neutral magistrate would never
have found probable cause. To that end, a truthful affidavit would have indicated
that, in the 911 tape, Primary Witness indicated he did not see the shooter and could
not give a description of him, even though he just played basketball with him.
Further, Primary Witness did not identify Plaintiff by a Facebook picture until he
spent 17 consecutive hours in a locked room at the police station.
In Scuilli, the Third Circuit noted there were substantial contradictions
between the omitted facts and those included in the affidavit. Here, Plaintiff argues,
the fact that Primary Witness could not identify the shooter in the 911 tape casts
substantial doubt on his reliability in making the later positive identification at the
police station. Plaintiff asserts Primary Witness’ 911 statements would have been
admissible as excited utterances with an earmark of reliability because the declarant
did not have time to make up a story.
In short, Plaintiff argues that Detective’s actions in hiding these critical
facts from the magistrate were intentional and purposeful, and effectively usurped
the role of a neutral magistrate. Therefore, Plaintiff asserts, viewing the evidence in
a light most favorable to Plaintiff as the non-moving party, there are genuine issues
of material fact as to whether Detective suppressed critical, exculpatory evidence in
the 911 tape which would have vitiated probable cause.
2. Analysis
17
Plaintiff first contends Detective’s intentional omission and
suppression of critical exculpatory evidence, especially the 911 tape and related
police calls, vitiated probable cause for Plaintiff’s arrest. We disagree.
As discussed above, the elements of malicious prosecution are:
institution of criminal proceedings against the plaintiff without probable cause, and
with malice; and, that the criminal proceedings were terminated in the plaintiff’s
favor. Manley; Turano. A showing that probable cause exists is an absolute defense
to a malicious prosecution action. Turano. “In cases of malicious prosecution, it is
beyond cavil that the question of want of probable cause for the criminal prosecution
that gave rise to the civil action is a question not for the jury but exclusively for the
court.” Id. at 825. “However, the question of the existence of probable cause may
be submitted to the jury where facts material to the issue are in controversy.” Id. To
that end, it is only when there is a variance in the testimony that the jury must be
utilized to determine factual issues. Daley. Here, Plaintiff did not specify what facts
were in dispute or refute the evidence cited by Detective. Rather, Plaintiff argues
there were other facts that should have been considered. Consequently, we reject
Plaintiff’s initial contention that the existence of probable cause itself in this case
constitutes a factual question for the jury. Manley; Turano.
As also noted above, probable cause is a reasonable ground of suspicion
supported by circumstances sufficient to warrant that an ordinary prudent person in
the same situation could believe a party is guilty of the offense charged. Turano. In
other words, “[p]robable cause exists where the facts and circumstances within the
affiant’s knowledge and of which he has reasonable trustworthy information are
18
sufficient in themselves to warrant a man of reasonable caution in the belief that a
search should be conducted.” Commonwealth v. Thomas, 292 A.2d 352, 357 (Pa.
1972) (emphasis added).
In Pennsylvania, the test for whether probable cause exists for the
issuance of an arrest warrant is the “totality of the circumstances.” Commonwealth
v. Rogers, 615 A.2d 55, 62 (Pa. Super. 1992). In determining whether probable
cause exists, a magistrate is not required to find a showing of criminal activity; the
mere probability of such criminal activity is sufficient for probable cause. Id. A
trial court’s determination of probable cause is accorded the utmost deference on
appeal. Id.
Here, Detective’s key evidence supporting probable cause is Primary
Witness’ statement and his identification of Plaintiff based on Facebook photos.
Further, Witness M.T.’s identification of Plaintiff corroborates Primary Witness’
identification. Nonetheless, probable cause may rest upon the statement of a single
eyewitness. Turano. Moreover, Pennsylvania law presumes that voluntary
statements from a witness are trustworthy. Weidenmoyer.
In addition, Primary Witness, a close friend of Decedent for about 12
years, had reason to help the police find Decedent’s killer. He saw the shooter earlier
that evening on the basketball court and observed the shooter’s clothing. Primary
Witness observed the shooter’s clothing as he left the Rec Center. He recognized
the same clothing on the street when the shooter killed Decedent.
19
Moreover, Primary Witness testified at trial that when he gave the
statement to the detectives during his questioning immediately after the murder, he
told them he was 100% sure that Plaintiff was the shooter. See Jury Trial, Notes of
Testimony (N.T.), 5/15/13 at 130-31; R.R. at 101a. Primary Witness felt the same
way when he testified at trial. Id.
Further, we discern no error in the trial court’s determination that
Primary Witness’ initial response on the 911 tape, that he did not see the shooter,
goes to the weight of the evidence and does not defeat probable cause. Given the
extreme circumstances facing Primary Witness at the time of the shooting, including
the shooting death of his friend and fear of retaliation by gang members, Detective
could reasonably conclude the statements at the police station were more reliable.
For probable cause purposes, it is reasonable for an experienced police officer to
assess an individual’s demeanor, find his story credible, and rely on his identification
of the perpetrator. See Sharrar v. Felsing, 128 F.3d 810 (3d Cir. 1997), abrogated
on other grounds as recognized by Curley v. Klem, 499 F.3d 199 (3d Cir. 2007)
(police officer, in establishing probable cause, reasonably relied on victim, who
initially reported someone else assaulted her but later changed her story and stated
her husband assaulted her).
Here, Detective testified by deposition that Primary Witness’
statements on the 911 tape did not alter his opinion of Primary Witness’ later
statements and identification of Plaintiff. See Dep. of Det. Peters, 12/7/16, at 80;
R.R. at 155. People often, in the heat of the moment, do not want to get involved or
be overheard talking to police officers for different reasons. Id.
20
Consequently, the trial court properly determined that omission of the
911 tape and police calls at the time of the incident did not vitiate probable cause in
the criminal case.
B. Failure to Thoroughly Investigate
1. Argument
Plaintiff further contends that Detective’s failure to thoroughly
investigate the matter vitiated probable cause. Plaintiff cites such things as Witness
M.T.’s identification of Plaintiff as the shooter after talking to Primary Witness, his
brother. Further, Witness K.H. stated that Plaintiff was not the shooter and provided
a different description of the shooter. Witness K.H. saw the shooter walking a pit
bull in the neighborhood. Witness K.H. also identified someone named Dougy as a
possible associate of the shooter. However, Detective never pursued Witness K.H.’s
claim that the shooter knew someone named Dougy. Further, Detective did not show
Witness K.H. any photos of Plaintiff.
Moreover, Detective did not investigate Plaintiff’s or Primary Witness’
cell phones. Also, Detective did not investigate anyone at the Rec Center where
Plaintiff and Decedent played basketball and exchanged words.
Plaintiff also asserts that Detective did not disclose the fact that he was
practically wedded to the belief that Decedent was shot in retaliation for the murder
of Kendall White, a member of the Waterboyz, a Blumburg project gang of which
Plaintiff was a member.
21
In addition, the affidavit does not disclose that Detective violated
numerous Department directives by failing to gather, create and maintain critical
paperwork.
In light of the contradictory statements made by Primary Witness,
which could raise an issue as to the reliability of Primary Witness’ testimony,
Plaintiff asserts Detective’s failure to thoroughly investigate the case becomes more
significant. As support, Plaintiff cites Arpin v. Santa Clara Transportation Agency,
261 F.3d 912 (9th. Cir. 2001), where the Ninth Circuit reasoned that in establishing
probable cause for a warrantless misdemeanor arrest, an officer may not rely solely
on the claim of a citizen witness, but must investigate the basis of the witness’
knowledge or interview other witnesses.
Therefore, Plaintiff argues, viewing the evidence in a light most
favorable to Plaintiff as the non-moving party, there are genuine issues of material
fact as to whether Detective’s failure to thoroughly investigate the facts in the case
affect Detective’s credibility and veracity regarding the accuracy of Primary
Witness’ identification of Plaintiff.
2. Analysis
Plaintiff contends that Detective’s failure to thoroughly investigate the
matter vitiated probable cause. We disagree. An imperfect criminal investigation
does not overcome the existence of probable cause to prosecute. Turano. The mere
22
fact that a police investigation could have been more thorough does not vitiate
probable cause. Mitchell v. Obenski, 134 F. Appx. 548 (3d Cir. 2005). Moreover,
an officer is not required to undertake an exhaustive investigation to validate the
probable cause that, in his mind, already exists. Merkle v. Upper Dublin Sch. Dist.,
211 F.3d 782 (3d Cir. 2000).
Here, Plaintiff points out a number of factual omissions from the
affidavit that he contends negate probable cause. Where omissions are the basis for
a challenge to an affidavit of probable cause in an arrest warrant, the following test
applies: (1) whether the officer withheld a highly relevant fact within his knowledge,
where any reasonable person would have known that this was the kind of thing the
judge would wish to know; and, (2) whether the affidavit would have provided
probable cause if it had contained a disclosure of the omitted information. Taylor.
After reviewing the numerous alleged material omissions Plaintiff
highlights, we conclude that Detective’s affidavit would have provided probable
cause based on Primary Witness’ statements even if the affidavit contained the other
information Plaintiff highlights.
For example, Detective omitted Witness K.H.’s eyewitness statement
and description of the shooter. Witness K.H. described the shooter from across the
street as a person with caramel complexion, short hair, light beard. R.R. at 171.
Primary Witness described the shooter as 5’6’’ to 5’7’’, dark skinned, heavy set
about 210-215, bearded, mustache, with a tattoo on his chest that says “Money over
….” R.R. at 48. These descriptions are not so incompatible as to prompt a
23
reasonable person to doubt Plaintiff’s guilt based on Witness K.H’s somewhat
different description.
Moreover, the other information Witness K.H. provided, including a
statement that the shooter owned a pit bull and associated with someone named
Dougy, is vague and uninformative as to either Plaintiff’s guilt or innocence, or
Primary Witness’ credibility.
In addition, Detective observed that Witness K.H’s statements that
Decedent was alone when shot at the Rec Center were inconsistent with security
camera footage from a nearby store that confirmed Primary Witness’ statement that
he was walking with Decedent moments before the shooting.
Further, even though Witness M.T. talked with Primary Witness, his
brother, before making a statement to police, this does not prove Witness M.T. lied
to police or was incompetent.
In short, none of the alleged omissions Plaintiff highlights would
compel a reasonable magistrate or judge to disregard Primary Witness’ eyewitness
identification of Plaintiff as the shooter. Therefore, applying the test for material
omissions in Taylor, we conclude the affidavit would still provide probable cause
for Plaintiff’s arrest even with the omitted circumstances included. Consequently,
guided by our decision in Turano, we discern no error in the trial court’s
determination that Primary Witness’ eyewitness identification was sufficient to
24
establish probable cause and defeat Plaintiff’s claims that Detective’s inadequate
investigation vitiated probable cause.
C. Willful Misconduct
1. Argument
Plaintiff also contends the trial court erred in determining he failed to
offer any evidence of malice in his malicious prosecution claim. Malice has been
defined as “‘ill will in the sense of spite, lack of belief by the actor himself in
propriety of the prosecution, or its use for an extraneous improper purpose.’” Lippay
v. Christos, 996 F.2d 1490, 1502 (3d Cir. 1993) (citation omitted). Plaintiff further
asserts “[m]alice may be inferred from the absence of probable cause.” Id.
Therefore, malice is not limited to motives of hatred or ill will, but may be inferred
from a reckless and oppressive disregard of a plaintiff’s rights. Id.
In addition, Plaintiff argues the trial court did not address Detective’s
contention that he was immune from suit under the Tort Claims Act. To that end,
Plaintiff posits, a police officer’s immunity, as a municipal employee, is abrogated
when “it is judicially determined that the act of the employee caused the injury and
that such act constituted a crime, actual fraud, actual malice or willful misconduct.”
42 Pa. C.S. §8550.
Willful misconduct has been defined by the Pennsylvania Supreme
Court as conduct whereby the actor desired to bring about the result that followed or
at least was aware that it was substantially certain to follow, so that such desire can
be implied. Renk. Here, Plaintiff asserts there are genuine issues of material fact
regarding Detective’s version of the investigation. Plaintiff further asserts the record
25
establishes that Detective knew the consequences of not properly doing his job could
result in the arrest of the wrong person with all its concomitant consequences. Also,
the repeated violation of Philadelphia Police Directives regarding the conduct of a
proper investigation show that Detective knowingly disregarded his duties, which is
tantamount to spoliation of the evidence.
Further, Plaintiff argues that Detective’s participation in the interview
of Sean Jarmon, where Officer Forbes stated to Jarmon that he knew Plaintiff did
not commit the crime, but that he would prosecute him anyway unless Jarmon
provided the identity of the actual shooter, could support a finding of actual malice.
Finally, Plaintiff asserts a genuine issue of material fact exists as to whether
Detective intentionally omitted the exculpatory 911 tape from the affidavit of
probable cause. Thus, Plaintiff argues, a jury issue exists as to willful misconduct.
2. Analysis
In his last argument, Plaintiff contends the trial court erred in
determining that he failed to offer any evidence of malice in his malicious
prosecution claim. Plaintiff asserts malice is not limited to motives of hatred or ill
will, but may be inferred from a reckless and oppressive disregard of a plaintiff’s
rights. See Hugee v. Pa. R. Co., 101 A.2d 740 (Pa. 1954). Initially, we note that
where, as here, probable cause is shown to exist, an absolute defense is established
against an action for malicious prosecution. Turano. Thus, where probable cause
exists, the prosecutor’s motive, malicious or otherwise, is immaterial. Id.
26
Nevertheless, Plaintiff argues that Detective’s disregard of Philadelphia
Police Department directives regarding a proper investigation, the preparation and
filing of paperwork, and preserving evidence establish that Detective knew the
consequences of not doing his job properly could result in the arrest of the wrong
person, with all its concomitant consequences. Therefore, Plaintiff asserts a genuine
issue of fact exists as to whether Detective’s conduct during the investigation rose
to the level of willful misconduct or actual malice. Renk.
We disagree. The trial court properly determined Plaintiff failed to
provide prima facie evidence that Detective acted with malice or engaged in willful
misconduct in prosecuting Plaintiff.
First, the alleged conversation with a potential witness, Sean Jarmon,
during which a different police officer, Officer Forbes, told Jarmon that he knew
Plaintiff did not commit the murder, but that they would prosecute him anyway
unless Jarmon told them who did it, took place long after Plaintiff’s arrest. As
Detective asserts, police sometimes mislead suspects in order to obtain useful
information. Also, Plaintiff presented no evidence, such as an affidavit from Jarmon,
substantiating these allegations. A party opposing summary judgment cannot rest
on mere allegations. Pa. R.C.P. No. 1035.3; Krauss v. Trane U.S. Inc., 104 A.3d
556 (Pa. Super. 2014) (a party cannot survive summary judgment if a jury must rely
on speculation as to a material fact).
27
In addition, because probable cause is determined at the time the arrest
is sought, this information would have little probative value as to Detective’s state
of mind when preparing the affidavit of probable cause.
Second, Plaintiff did not offer to prove that Detective was responsible
for the District Attorney’s failure to produce the 911 tape during the first trial.
Detective testified by deposition that he placed the 911 tape in the case file, which
went to the District Attorney after the preliminary hearing. Dep. of Det. Peters,
12/7/16, at 63-65; R.R. at 153-54. According to protocol, after a preliminary
hearing, administrative personnel transfer the file, including the 911 tape, to the
District Attorney’s Office. Id. Ultimately, the file is returned to the police. Id.
Plaintiff offers no evidence disputing this testimony. Consequently, Plaintiff
presented no evidence showing Detective intentionally withheld the 911 tape.
Finally, Plaintiff’s unsupported and speculative allegations that
Detective violated Philadelphia Police Department directives regarding a proper
investigation, the preparation and filing of paperwork, and preserving and
maintaining evidence, are insufficient to present a genuine issue of material fact as
to whether Detective knowingly, or with reckless disregard as to Plaintiff’s
innocence, swore out an affidavit of probable cause for his arrest on murder charges.
Regardless, as noted above, having determined probable cause existed for Plaintiff’s
arrest, Plaintiff’s malicious prosecution claim fails. Turano.
III. Conclusion
For the above reasons, we discern no error by the trial court in granting
summary judgment in favor of Detective. The trial court properly determined
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Plaintiff failed to offer evidence sufficient to create a genuine issue of material fact
as the absence of probable cause for Detective’s affidavit or that Detective acted
with malice toward Plaintiff in instituting criminal proceedings against him.
Thomaskevitch; Turano. Accordingly, we affirm.
ROBERT SIMPSON, Judge
29
IN THE COMMONWEALTH COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA
Robert Hall, :
Appellant :
: No. 248 C.D. 2017
v. :
:
Det. Brian Peters :
ORDER
AND NOW, this 30th day of November, 2017, for the reasons stated in
the foregoing opinion, the order of the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia
County is AFFIRMED.
ROBERT SIMPSON, Judge