Com. v. Velazquez, N.

J-S32006-17
NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
: PENNSYLVANIA
Appellee :
:
v. :
:
NEFTALI VELAZQUEZ :
:
Appellant : No. 3084 EDA 2016
Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence January 25, 2016
In the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County
Criminal Division at No(s): CP-51-CR-0010833-2013
BEFORE: GANTMAN, P.J., STABILE, J., and FITZGERALD, J.*
MEMORANDUM BY GANTMAN, P.J.: FILED JUNE 20, 2017
Appellant, Neftali Velazquez, appeals from the judgment of sentence
entered in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas, following his jury
trial convictions for first-degree murder and possession of an instrument of
crime (“PIC”).1 We affirm.
The trial court opinions correctly set forth the relevant facts and
procedural history of this case. Therefore, we have no need to restate them.
We add that Appellant shot and killed the victim outside a bar in the late
evening/early morning of October 17-18, 2012.
Appellant raises one issue for our review:
____________________________________________
1
18 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 2502(a) and 907(a), respectively.
___________________________
*Former Justice specially assigned to the Superior Court.
J-S32006-17
WAS THE EVIDENCE SUFFICIENT TO SUSTAIN
APPELLANT’S CONVICTIONS FOR FIRST-DEGREE MURDER
AND POSSESSING AN INSTRUMENT OF CRIME WHERE THE
ONLY EVIDENCE OFFERED IN SUPPORT OF APPELLANT’S
GUILT WERE THE PRIOR INCONSISTENT STATEMENTS OF
THREE WITNESSES THAT WERE SO INHERENTLY
UNRELIABLE THAT THE EVIDENCE MUST BE DEEMED
INSUFFICIENT AS A MATTER OF LAW?
(Appellant’s Brief at 4).2
When examining a challenge to the sufficiency of evidence:
The standard we apply in reviewing the sufficiency of the
evidence is whether viewing all the evidence admitted at
trial in the light most favorable to the verdict winner, there
is sufficient evidence to enable the fact-finder to find every
element of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. In
applying the above test, we may not weigh the evidence
and substitute our judgment for the fact-finder. In
addition, we note that the facts and circumstances
established by the Commonwealth need not preclude every
possibility of innocence. Any doubts regarding a
defendant’s guilt may be resolved by the fact-finder unless
the evidence is so weak and inconclusive that as a matter
of law no probability of fact may be drawn from the
combined circumstances. The Commonwealth may sustain
its burden of proving every element of the crime beyond a
reasonable doubt by means of wholly circumstantial
____________________________________________
2
“Issues not raised in the [trial] court are waived and cannot be raised for
the first time on appeal.” Pa.R.A.P. 302(a). Generally, “any issues not
raised in a [Rule] 1925(b) statement will be deemed waived.”
Commonwealth v. Castillo, 585 Pa. 395, 403, 888 A.2d 775, 780 (2005)
(quoting Commonwealth v. Lord, 553 Pa. 415, 420, 719 A.2d 306, 309
(1998)).
Here, Appellant failed to argue before the trial court that the statement
Jonathan Rodriguez provided during his police interview was involuntary and
coerced by police. Appellant also failed to include this issue in his Rule
1925(b) statement. Accordingly, Appellant waived this claim. See Pa.R.A.P.
302(a), supra; Castillo, supra.-2-
J-S32006-17
evidence. Moreover, in applying the above test, the entire
record must be evaluated and all evidence actually
received must be considered. Finally, the trier of fact
while passing upon the credibility of witnesses and the
weight of the evidence produced, is free to believe all, part
or none of the evidence.
Commonwealth v. Hansley, 24 A.3d 410, 416 (Pa.Super. 2011), appeal
denied, 613 Pa. 642, 32 A.3d 1275 (2011) (quoting Commonwealth v.
Jones, 874 A.2d 108, 120-21 (Pa.Super. 2005)). Challenges to witness
credibility generally implicate the weight, not the sufficiency, of the
evidence. See Commonwealth v. Price, 616 A.2d 681, 683 (Pa.Super.
1992) (explaining sufficiency challenge asks whether evidence exists on
record to support conviction, whereas argument that witness’ account is not
credible goes to weight). Nevertheless,
[I]n those extreme situations where witness testimony is
so inherently unreliable and contradictory that it makes the
jury’s choice to believe that evidence an exercise of pure
conjecture, any conviction based on that evidence may be
reversed on the grounds of evidentiary insufficiency, since
no reasonable jury could rely on such evidence to find all
of the essential elements of the crime proven beyond a
reasonable doubt.
Commonwealth v. Brown, 617 Pa. 107, 136 n.18, 52 A.3d 1139, 1156
n.18 (2012).
“A prior inconsistent statement may be offered not only to impeach a
witness, but also as substantive evidence if it meets additional requirements
of reliability.” Commonwealth v. Carmody, 799 A.2d 143, 148 (Pa.Super.
2002) (citing Commonwealth v. Lively, 530 Pa. 464, 610 A.2d 7, 9-10
-3-
J-S32006-17
(1992); Pa.R.E. 803.1).
The test is a two-part inquiry: 1) whether the statement is
given under reliable circumstances; and 2) whether the
declarant is available for cross-examination. With respect
to the first prong, that the statement is given under
reliable circumstances, our [S]upreme [C]ourt has deemed
reliable only certain statements; among them is a
statement that is “reduced to a writing and signed and
adopted by the witness.” Lively, supra, at 47[1], 610
A.2d at 10. See also Pa.R.E. 803.1(1). With respect to
the second prong, cross-examination, the inconsistent
statement itself must be the subject of the cross-
examination in order to satisfy the test.
Carmody, supra at 148 (some internal citations and footnote omitted).
See also Lively, supra at 471, 610 A.2d at 10 (providing prior inconsistent
statement is “demonstrably reliable and trustworthy” where statement “had
been reduced to a writing signed and adopted by the witness; or a
statement that is a contemporaneous verbatim recording of the witness’s
statements”).
After a thorough review of the record, the briefs of the parties, the
relevant law, and the well-reasoned opinions of the Honorable Genece E.
Brinkley, we conclude Appellant’s issue merits no relief. The court
comprehensively discusses and properly disposes of the question presented.
(See Trial Court Opinion, filed October 20, 2016, at 2-24; Trial Court
Opinion, filed May 17, 2016, at 3) (finding: testimony at trial established
Victim died as result of multiple gunshot wounds; at trial, Wendy Quiles
testified she stood near Victim when she saw Victim get shot multiple times
and she described shooter to police; Detective Derrick Jacobs testified that
-4-
J-S32006-17
he interviewed Ms. Quiles on night of shooting; Detective Jacobs stated
police took verbatim statement from Ms. Quiles, each page of which she
reviewed and signed; Detective Jacobs said Ms. Quiles identified photograph
of Victim; Officer Thorsten Lucke testified he interviewed Ms. Quiles in
January 2013; Officer Lucke stated he and fellow officer contemporaneously
typed Ms. Quiles’ interview questions and answers; Officer Lucke said Ms.
Quiles reviewed her answers and signed her statement; Ms. Quiles identified
for police photograph of Appellant as shooter and signed her name twice
under photograph; Raphael Rodriguez testified at trial that, at time of
shooting, he was in bar, when Victim was shot; Raphael Rodriguez testified
he told police shooter was named “Nefti,” but police wrote “Neftali” in his
statement and told him to write “Neftali” near identification photograph of
Appellant; Raphael Rodriguez said “Nefti” was not Appellant; Raphael
Rodriguez also told police Appellant shot Victim after Victim approached
Jonathan Rodriguez inside bar, and Appellant wanted to shoot Victim, but
Jonathan Rodriguez told Appellant not to do so inside bar; Raphael
Rodriguez told police Appellant was carrying two black semiautomatic pistols
on night of incident, and Appellant fired so many shots at Victim that
Appellant had to reload; Detective William Sierra testified he interviewed
Raphael Rodriguez, who identified for police photograph of Appellant as
shooter and signed his name below photograph; Detective Sierra stated
Raphael Rodriguez had opportunity to review his statement, and Raphael
-5-
J-S32006-17
Rodriguez made correction to and signed statement; Detective Sierra said
written statement was verbatim representation of Raphael Rodriguez’s
interview; Detective Sierra also testified that Raphael Rodriguez signed and
identified for police photograph of Appellant as shooter; Detective Sierra said
police did not coerce Raphael Rodriguez’s statement; Jonathan Rodriguez
testified at trial that on night of shooting he was in bar with Appellant when
Appellant and Victim argued; Jonathan Rodriguez said he told Appellant to
take issue with Victim outside bar, and once Appellant and Victim went
outside, Appellant fired several shots at Victim; Jonathan Rodriguez testified
he identified for police photograph of Appellant as shooter and wrote “Shot
[Victim]” near photograph; Jonathan Rodriguez referred to Appellant in his
statement as “Nefti”; Jonathan Rodriguez and Raphael Rodriguez both
testified Appellant threatened them not to talk about shooting and both
feared consequences if Appellant learned they had talked to police about
shooting; Officer Thomas Gaul testified he interviewed Jonathan Rodriguez;
Officer Gaul stated Jonathan Rodriguez had the opportunity to review his
statement and Jonathan Rodriguez signed each page of statement; Officer
Gaul testified that Jonathan Rodriguez signed his name on photograph of
Appellant and wrote “Shot [Victim]” next to photograph; evidence at trial
was sufficient to allow jury to conclude Appellant was in possession of gun
and fatally shot Victim multiple times). The record supports the trial court’s
rationale.
-6-
J-S32006-17
Furthermore, testimony at trial established that the police officers and
detectives who interviewed Ms. Quiles, Raphael Rodriguez, and Jonathan
Rodriguez typed the interview questions and answers comprising the
witnesses’ respective statements contemporaneously and verbatim.3 (See
N.T. Trial, 1/20/16, at 154-55, 170-72; N.T. Trial, 1/22/16, at 87-88, 120.)
The record also indicates Ms. Quiles, Raphael Rodriguez, and Jonathan
Rodriguez all reviewed and signed their respective written police interview
statements and identification photographs. (See N.T. Trial, 1/20/16, at
154-155, 170-73; N.T. Trial, 1/22/16, at 87-88, 95-96, 105, 118-19.) Thus,
the police interview statements of Ms. Quiles, Raphael Rodriguez, and
Jonathan Rodriguez were demonstrably reliable and trustworthy. See
Carmody, supra; Lively, supra. Therefore, Appellant’s claim merits no
relief. Accordingly, we affirm.
Judgment of sentence affirmed.
____________________________________________
3
“Issues not raised in the [trial] court are waived and cannot be raised for
the first time on appeal.” Pa.R.A.P. 302(a). Here, during trial, Appellant
failed to challenge the Commonwealth’s use as substantive evidence of the
written police interview statements of Ms. Quiles, Raphael Rodriguez, and
Jonathan Rodriguez when they recanted those statements at trial.
Accordingly, Appellant waived this claim. See id. We address Appellant’s
claim, however, insofar as Appellant challenges on appeal the reliability of
the statements Ms. Quiles, Raphael Rodriguez, and Jonathan Rodriguez
provided authorities during their respective police interviews.
-7-
J-S32006-17
Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary
Date: 6/20/2017
-8-
Circulated 05/24/2017 10:44 AM
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA
CRIMINAL TRIAL DIVISION
COMMONWEALTH CP-51-CR"'.001083_3-2013
. Velazt:1ue1, Netta\\
FILED
c= -eR-0010833-2013 co\mm. v.
•51 op1non
vs. MAY 1 7 2016
CriminalAppealsUnit
"\\1\\\\\\\ \\\ \\\\\\
7448066971
FirstJudicialDistrictof PA
SUPERIOR COURT
NEFTALIVELAZQUEZ 597 EDA 2016
BRINKLEY, J. MAY 17, 2016
OPINION
Defendant Neftali Velazquez appeared before this Court for a jury trial and was found
guilty of first-degree murder and possession of an instrument of crime (PIC). This Court
sentenced Defendant to a mandatory sentence of life without the possibility of parole on the first-
degree murder charge and imposed no further penalty on the PIC charge. Defendant appealed the
judgment of sentence to the Superior Court and raised the following issue on appeal: ( 1) Whether
the evidence was sufficient to find Defendant guilty of first-degree murder and PIC.
PROCEDURAL HISTORY
On May 22, 2013, Defendant was arrested and charged with murder, PIC, and violations
of the Uniform Firearms Act 6106 and 6108. From January 20 to 25, 2016, a trial was held in the
presence of a jury. On January 25, 2016, Defendant was found guilty of first-degree murder and
PIC. On that same day, this Court sentenced Defendant to a mandatory sentence of life without
the possibility of parole on the first-degree murder charge and imposed no further penalty on the
1
PIC charge. On February 18, 2016, Defendant, through counsel, filed a Notice of Appeal to the
Superior Court. On April 5, 2016, after receiving the complete notes of testimony, this Court
ordered Defendant to file a Concise Statement of Errors pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b) and
Defendant did so on April 22, 2016.
FACTS
Trial began in this matter on January 20, 2016. Defendant was represented at trial by
Fortunato N. Perri, Jr., Esquire, while the attorney for the Commonwealth was Brett Furber,
Esquire. The Commonwealth called Officer Patrick Quinn C'Quinn") as its first witness. Quinn
testified that he had been a police officer since September 2007 and had been assigned to the 25th
District in West Kensington for his whole career. Quinn further testified that, on October 17,
2012, he was working in a patrol car with his partner, Officer Rahill, when they received a radio
call of a shooting in the area of Lawrence and Cambria Streets. Quinn stated that they arrived at
the location in less than a minute and, as they approached the intersection, they noticed a large
crowd of people. Quinn further stated that they approached the crowd and saw the decedent lying
on the curb on Cambria Street next to two parked cars. Quinn testified that the decedent was
lying face down with several gunshot wounds to his torso and that he observed several shell
casings lying on the sidewalk in the vicinity of the decedent. Quinn further testified that medics
arrived immediately but were unable to revive the decedent. Quinn stated that he and Rahill
established a perimeter to preserve the crime scene and that no one approached him at the scene
with information. Quinn testified that Rahill was eventually able to identify the decedent as
Domingo Rivera ("Rivera"). (N.T. 1/20/2016 p. 49-59).
The Commonwealth called Wendy Quiles ("Quiles") as its next witness. Quiles testified
that she was at a bar at Lawrence and Cambria Street with her friend, "Gina" and her cousin,
2
"Tatiana" on October 17, 2012. Quiles further testified that they were together for approximately
3 hours and were eating and drinking during that time. Quiles stated that their group also met up
with a man, "June", at a house prior to going to the bar. Quiles further stated that Gina wanted to
grab something to eat, so they left but went to the bar at Lawrence and Cambria instead. Quiles
testified that she was at the bar for approximately 30 minutes when she and June went outside to
smoke a cigarette while Gina and Tatiana stayed in the bar. Quiles further testified that June was
then shot while they were outside the bar. Id. at 66- 73.
Quiles testified that June was shot roughly ten times in his back and she did not see the
person who shot him. Quiles further testified that she ran behind a car for cover, then went back
to the bar to Gina and Tatiana. Quiles stated that she did not remember how long it took police to
arrive but she did not talk to police at the scene. Quiles further stated that the police took her to
the Homicide Unit to give a statement later that night, but she did not remember what she told
them. Quiles testified that she described the shooter as a male to police, but gave no further
description of him. Quiles then testified that she gave the following answer to police when asked
to describe what happened,
"I went outside of the bar to smoke a cigarette. And [June] was
actually in front of me. I lit my cigarette. And Icouldn't have taken
two puffs before I hear all of these gunshots. I turned a little and saw
a Dominican guy wearing a black t-shirt with his hand raised and
shooting a gun."
Quiles further testified that she gave the following description of the shooter in her statement to
police,
"He was dark-skinned. About my height maybe. He wasn't tall. He
was wearing a black t-shirt. It was dark, so I can't really say what
color his hair was, but I can tell you he wasn't bald ... He wasn't
big, and he wasn't small. I can't really tell men's weight, so I
would say he was average."
3
Quiles testified that the police showed her photographs at that time, but she was unable to
identify anyone. Id. at 74-83.
Quiles testified that she remembered returning to the Homicide Unit on January 7, 2013
··- ...
and being asked if she could identify the shooter. Quiles further testified that she did not identify
the shooter to police. Quiles testified that her statement to police identified the shooter in the
photo array she was shown but the statement was wrong. Quiles further testified that her
signature and the date were at the bottom of her statement. Quiles testified that she circled a
photograph in the photo array but only because she was told by police that she had to pick
someone. Quiles further testified that the police did not force her to pick a specific picture but
told her to pick one of the pictures in the array. Quiles testified at trial that her signature and the
date were at the bottom of the photo array. Quiles further testified that she never told police the
answers in her statement and that they made up the answers. Quiles testified that her signature
was on the statement of adoption attestation, but she did not remember signing it. Id. at 83-91.
The Commonwealth called Dr. Albert Chu ("Chu") as its next witness. Chu testified that
he was the Deputy Chief Medical Examiner at the Philadelphia Medical Examiner's Office and
had been employed at the Philadelphia Medical Examiner's Office since July 2014. Chu further
testified that he went to medical school at the State University of New York in Buffalo, then a
residency training program in anatomic and clinical pathology at the Hospital of the University
of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and a fellowship in forensic pathology at the Office of the Chief
Medical Examiner for the State of Maryland in Baltimore. Chu stated that he had worked
previously at the Harris County Institute of Forensic Science in Houston for 9 years and had
testified as an expert in forensic pathology over 100 times. Chu was subsequently offered and
accepted by this Court as an expert in the field of forensic pathology. Id. at I 06~09.
4
Chu testified that he did not perform the autopsy on Rivera, but had reviewed the report
prepared by the doctor who had and was able to come to a conclusion on the manner and cause
of Rivera's death. Chu further testified that Rivera died from multiple gunshot wounds and
suffered a total of ten gunshot wounds. Chu testified that the first gunshot wound entered on the
right side of his upper back, passed through his right lung and aorta, and was recovered from the
upper left side of the chest. Chu further testified that the second gunshot wound entered on the
right side of the back below gunshot wound one, passed through the right lung and exited on the
upper right side of the chest. Chu testified that the third gunshot wound also entered on the right
side of the back, passed through the right lung, and was recovered from the right-center of the
chest. Chu further testified that the fourth gunshot wound entered just below gunshot wound
three, passed through the right lung, then exited on the right side of the chest. Id. at 110-14.
Chu testified that the fifth gunshot wound entered on the right side of the back, passed
through Rivera's liver and diaphragm, then exited on the left side of the chest. Chu further
testified that the sixth gunshot wound entered on the right side of the lower back, also passed
through Rivera's liver and diaphragm, then exited on the left side of the chest. Chu testified that
the seventh gunshot wound entered through the right buttocks, then hit the right kidney and liver
before exiting on the right side of the chest near the right nipple. Chu further testified that the
eighth gunshot wound entered on the left buttocks, then hit the pelvic bone and large intestine
before exiting on the right side of the lower abdomen. Chu testified that gunshot wound nine
entered on the left buttocks, then passed through the large intestine and was recovered from
within the abdominal cavity. Chu further testified that gunshot wound ten entered on the back of
the right thigh and exited through the front of the right thigh. Id. at 114-15.
Chu testified that Rivera also had a number of abrasions on his face, elbow and knees as
5
well as injuries consistent with bullet fragments striking the skin on the right side of his chest.
Chu stated that such injuries usually occurred when the bullet struck something else prior to
hitting the body. Chu testified that there was no gunpowder stippling, soot deposition or muzzle
.. . ···-·- · .•....... · •..•.· ._
_.:· _ ··- ---······-···· · ·. ·-··-······---··
imprints around any of the entrance wounds. Chu further testified that muzzle imprints occurred
when a gun is in contact with the person when fired, while soot deposition occurred when the
gun is within six inches of the person when fired, and stippling occurred when the gun is within
approximately two feet of the person when fired. Chu testified that a toxicology report was
performed on Rivera and Rivera tested positive for Alprazolam, Ibuprofen, and Ethanol. Chu
further testified that the ballistics evidence collected was placed in a sealed envelope and
submitted to police. Id. at 116-21.
The Commonwealth called Officer William Trenwith ("Trenwith") as its next witness.
Trenwith testified that he had been an officer with the Crime Scene Unit for 24 years and had
been a Philadelphia Police Officer since 1977. Trenwith testified that the Crime Scene Unit was
notified of a homicide in the area of Lawrence and Cambria Streets at 12:05 a.m. on October 18,
2012, and he arrived at the scene at 12:28 a.m. Trenwith further testified that police were
protecting the scene when he arrived and he took a series of photographs of the scene. Trenwith
stated that there was a bar, Jecko's Lounge, on the southwest comer of Lawrence and Cambria,
and Rivera's body was to the west of the bar. Trenwith further stated that all of the ballistic
evidence was located around Rivera's body and there was no evidence of stray bullets hitting the
cars or trees in the vicinity. Trenwith testified that all fired cartridge casings recovered from the
scene were 9 millimeter semiautomatics, while he recovered currency, cigarettes, a lighter, and
an asthma inhaler from Rivera's body. Trenwith further testified that flattened projectiles were
recovered between Rivera's chest and shirt. Trenwith stated that a total of 18 pieces of ballistics
6
evidence, including 13 fired cartridge casings and 5 projectiles, were recovered from the scene
and sent to the Firearms Identification Unit. Trenwith further stated that the projectiles were
flattened because they had hit a hard surface, likely the concrete under Rivera, and, when
-----~--· .. ··--·-······-··_ ...... , , .... ······--· ····-- .··-··.·· ... :. ·- .. .·:.·· ......•
considered with the arrangement of the ballistics evidence in the immediate vicinity of his body,
the shooter was likely standing directly over top of him as he fired the gun. Id. at 121 A6.
The Commonwealth called Detective Derrick Jacobs ("Jacobs") as its next witness.
Jacobs testified that he had been a detective with the Homicide Unit since 2011 and had been a
Philadelphia Police Officer for 20 years. Jacobs further testified that he and Detective Pitts
interviewed Quiles at 12:55 a.m. on October 18, 2012. Jacobs testified that they took a verbatim
statement from Quiles and asked her to review and sign each page of the statement, which she
did. Jacobs further testified that there was no suspect at the time the statement was taken and that
Quiles did not appear intoxicated during the interview. Jacobs testified that Quiles identified a
photograph of Rivera as the man she was with. Jacobs further testified that no one forced Quiles
to give the description of the shooter and they did not have that information prior to her
volunteering it. Id. at 151-61.
The Commonwealth called Detective Thorsten Lucke ("Lucke") as its next witness.
Lucke testified that he had been a Homicide Detective since July 2006 and had been a
Philadelphia Police Officer for 20 years. Lucke further testified that he interviewed Quiles with
Detective Byard in January 2013. Lucke stated that Quiles was brought back to be shown a photo
array and that Quiles identified a photograph of Defendant as the shooter. Lucke testified that
Quiles sat beside Byard as he typed her answers on the computer and then reviewed her answers
after the statement was complete. Lucke further testified that Quiles signed her name and the
date on the bottom of her statement. Lucke testified that Quiles drew a circle around Defendant's
7
photograph and then signed her name twice on the photo array. Lucke further testified that
neither he nor Byard told Quiles that she had to pick a photograph but simply asked her if she
recognized anybody. Lucke testified that the only photograph Quiles recognized was
Defendant's and, when he asked her who was in the photograph, she responded, "That's the guy
from that night." Id. at 164-74.
The Commonwealth called Ann Marie Barnes ("Barnes") as its next witness. Barnes
testified that she was a civilian assigned to the Firearms Identification Unit and had been with the
unit for approximately 8 years. Barnes further testified that she was initially assigned to the unit
as an Integrated Ballistic Identification System technician for 2 years in the unit prior to
becoming a firearms examiner. Barnes stated that she had to complete an 18-month training
program under the supervision of the senior examiner in the Firearms Identification Unit and was
also trained by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms in serial number restoration.
Barnes further stated that she toured numerous firearms manufacturers and attended numerous
autopsies involving gunshot wounds as part of her training. Barnes testified that she was
currently 5 classes away from completing a criminal justice degree at Rosemont University and
had also provided training for various units within the Philadelphia Police Department, the
District Attorney's Office, the Public Defender's Office, and the Medical's Examiner's Office.
Barnes further testified that she had previously testified as an expert in firearms identification
approximately 40 times. Barnes was subsequently offered and accepted by this Court as an
expert in firearms identification and ballistic evidence. (N.T. 1/21/2016 p. 5-10).
Barnes testified she prepared reports on the ballistics recovered from the scene and from
the Medical Examiner's Office in the instant case. Barnes further testified that items 1 and 6
recovered from the crime scene were 9 millimeter Luger Federal Brand fired cartridge casings
8
with Glock Sigma-type firing pin impressions. Barnes testified that items 2 through 5, 7 through
12, and 17 were 9 millimeter Luger Aguila brand fired cartridge casings with Glock Sigma-type
firing pin impressions. Barnes further testified that item 13 was an uncoated lead fragment while
- - .- -· - ._ .. - ··--·--···· . · .. · ···:· .. ·.-. ····. ··-.·- .:·· .. ·.·. ···.··-·_.... . ·-···. :·:_.· .. :· .•. ···• ··.· · .. ·.· __- ·-········:·--:-: .. · ...
-·-··- ·-····· ..
item 16 was a copper-alloyed bullet jacket of indeterminable caliber. Barnes testified that items
14, 15 and 18 were 9 millimeter bullet projectiles with a copper-alloyed jacket and polygonal
..•.. .•. . .... - -·
rifling. Barnes testified that items 1 through 4 from the Medical Examiner's office were 9
millimeter Luger bullet specimens with copper-alloyed jackets and polygonal rifling. Barnes
further testified that the specimens were recovered from Rivera's peritoneum, right subcutaneous
chest, and left upper chest. Barnes testified that she also received five copper-alloyed bullet
jacket fragments and five uncoated lead fragments which were unsuitable for microscopic
comparison. Barnes further testified that, based upon her comparison of the fired cartridge
casings, she was able to determine that all of them were fired from the same firearm, although
she did not receive a firearm to compare them to. Barnes testified that the bullets, bullet jackets,
and bullet jacket fragments were too damaged to make an identification but they shared the same
class characteristics and caliber. Barnes further testified that the Glock Sigma-type firing pin
impression was specific to Glock-type firearms and that the class characteristics and polygonal
rifling were also consistent with a Glock-type firearm being used. Id. at 16~28.
The Commonwealth called Raphael Rodriguez ("Raphael") as its next witness. Raphael
testified that he was in custody after pleading guilty to a crime in 2013 but had not agreed to
testify in the instant case as part of his guilty plea. Raphael testified that he saw Rivera get shot
and killed but he did not see the shooter in the courtroom. Raphael further testified that about ten
days after the shooting, police came to his house and arrested him on a warrant. Raphael stated
that he was high when he was arrested and was unable to give a statement to police at the time.
9
Raphael further stated that police picked him up from Curran-Frumhold Correctional Facility
about a week later and took him to the Homicide Unit to give a statement regarding Rivera's
murder. Raphael testified that he did not know Defendant and that the person who shot Rivera
was fatter and had more hair than Defendant. Raphael further testified that he knew Jonathan
Rodriguez ("Jonathan") and was familiar with the area around 3rd, Indiana, and Cambria Streets.
Id. at 35, 55-61.
Raphael testified that his signature was at the bottom of the first page of the statement as
well as on the first page of the Spanish translation. Raphael further testified that the detectives
who took the statement from him spoke to him in Spanish and that he was not under the
influence of any drugs or alcohol when he gave the statement. Raphael further testified that he
knew Rivera as "June" and that Rivera was shot on the sidewalk near Jecko's at Lawrence and
Cambria. Raphael stated to police that the person who shot Rivera was "Neftali", but testified at
trial that he told police the person was named "Nefti" and they wrote "Neftali". Raphael stated to
police that he had met Neftali through a friend of his named Jose and that Neftali hung out in the
area around 3rd, Indiana and Cambria Streets. Raphael testified at trial that he knew the person as
Nefti and it was the interviewing officers who told him that the name was Neftali. Id. at 62-69.
Raphael stated to police that Neftali killed Rivera because Rivera had pulled a gun on
"Moncho" and had problems with Jonathan. Raphael further stated to police that Neftali was
Moncho's brother and that Moncho and Jonathan were related. Raphael testified at trial that he
did not know whether "Nefti" was Moncho's brother and was only repeating what he heard
others say. Raphael stated to police that Moncho controlled the sale of heroin in the area and
was a friend of his. Raphael testified at trial that he identified photographs of Jonathan, Moncho
and another person, but did not identify a photograph ofNeftali. Raphael further testified at trial
10
that his signature and the name "Neftali" was written in his handwriting underneath a photograph
of Defendant, but the police told him to sign his name and put the name "Neftali" under the
photograph. Raphael testified at trial that his signature was underneath the photographs of
Moncho and Jonathan. Raphael further testified that the police never showed him any picture of
Defendant and simply told him to write "Neftali" on a blank page. Id. at 70- 76.
··-· ·--· --·------------------- --
Raphael testified at trial that he identified a photograph of Moncho as the person who
ordered that Rivera be killed because Rivera pulled a gun on him. Raphael further testified that
he did not know if Rivera sold drugs in the area of 3rd, Cambria and Indiana, but he knew that
Rivera had problems with Moncho and Jonathan. Raphael testified at trial that he identified a
fourth photograph as "Ariel". Raphael stated to police that Ariel was Moncho and Neftali's
brother and that all three of them ordered Rivera to be killed. Raphael testified at trial that he
knew Ariel, but did not know Neftali. Raphael stated to police that Rivera and Jonathan had
problems because,
"[Rivera] was always fucking with Jonathan by giving dirty
looks when he would pass him by. Like a week before his
death, Neftali, Ariel, and another boy fired gunshots at [Rivera]
near Lawrence and Cambria when he was standing in front of
a store. They tried shooting at [Rivera] prior to that, like two
weeks prior to the shooting in front of the store."
Raphael testified at trial that the shooter fired a series of shots, then paused before firing a second
series of shots. Raphael stated to police that Neftali was carrying two black automatic pistols and
that he fired a lot, changed the magazine in his gun, then fired some more. Raphael testified at
trial that "Nefti" had two guns, but only used one to do the shooting. Id. at 78-82.
Raphael stated to police that he was with Jonathan and "Eddie" when the shooting took
place, but was unable to identify a photograph of Eddie. Raphael testified at trial that Rivera
came to Jecko's with two females, and that he was at the bar with Jonathan and "Nefti". Raphael
11
stated to police that,
"Me, Neftali, and Jonathan were already in the bar. [Rivera]
came in with two girls. [Rivera] started dancing with the two
girls and, as [Rivera] is dancing, he asked Jonathan to join him
-- ~-- -------------,~- --,-c:lancingc::wi-tllth1.::-1WO,.girJs.-A.sking"what we. were-gqi1:1g,Jp,..c:lO,----~----
-c ----------- c- -,- --c _ • ------ --, - -,c - --------
with them. [Rivera] was being a smart ass, so Jonathan told him
to go to hell. After that, Neftali wanted to shoot [Rivera] right
in the bar, but Jonathan told him not to do it in the bar or in
_ _ _ ___ _______________ - - - -----------"th,....,,e_hafur..Q.QID,_Neft.al_i_l.kft the bar first, and then [Rivera]Jeft _
out, and then me and Johnathan went outside, too. Once outside,
seconds later, the gunshots were fired."
Raphael stated to police that he saw Neftali and Moncho the next day in the basement of a house
near Mascher and Gurney Streets and they told the people present not to talk about the murder.
Raphael testified at trial that he remembered going to the house at Mescher Street the day after
Rivera was shot and that Nefti was present there. Raphael further testified at trial that it was not
just Nefti who told the people at the house not to talk about the murder but everyone present told
him not to talk about the murder. Raphael testified at trial that he could not remember if Moncho
or Ariel were at the house, because there was so many people at the house. Id. at 83-89.
Raphael stated to police that he requested to be transported to the Homicide Unit on
October 28, 2012 because he had information about the instant case. Raphael testified at trial
that he told police he had open bench warrants and asked homicide detectives for help with his
bench warrants. Raphael further testified that he was bound to a chair at the Homicide Unit and
hit by one of the detectives because he did not want to talk to them, although he was unable to
describe the detective who hit him. Raphael testified at trial that, when he told police he had been
treated well at the Homicide Unit, he was not referring to the detective who had hit him. Raphael
further testified at trial that he did not want to be videotaped when he gave his statement because
he was afraid that the tape could end up in possession of people on the street who know him.
Raphael testified at trial that he initialed each page of the statement and made a change to the
12
Spanish portion of the statement, because the translation software incorrectly translated a word
as "stabbing" instead of "shooting". Raphael further testified at trial that his signature was on
each page of the statement. Raphael testified at trial that his statement to police was accurate,
. except that the shooter's. name was' ''N efti" ``th~;-·th~ -,~N~-ftali". Id'. at 8-9~ 106. . . . . . .. . . .
The Commonwealth called Jonathan as its next witness. Jonathan testified that he was
------·--·--·-··----presently in custody for violatin-gh.1.sprobation and that he sold drugs in the Kensfogton-------·-··-------·
neighborhood of Philadelphia but was unfamiliar with the area around 3rd, Cambria and
Lawrence Streets. Jonathan further testified that he did not remember what happened on October
17, 2012 because he was drunk and high at the time. Jonathan testified that he knew Defendant
because they grew up together in Puerto Rico but could not remember if Defendant was present
when Rivera was killed. Jonathan stated that he remembered being taken to Homicide and being
asked a couple of questions but could not remember reviewing and signing a statement. (N.T.
1/22/2016 p. 26-32).
After the Commonwealth showed Jonathan the statement he gave to police on January 4,
2013, Jonathan testified that he recognized his signature at the bottom of the first page and his
initials next to a correction on the statement. Jonathan further testified that he was at the police
station for approximately 18 hours prior to giving the statement and had not had any drugs or
alcohol while he was at the station. Jonathan testified at trial that he told police, "I am sorry I did
not tell you guys sooner what happened. You have to understand, Nefti grabbed me after he
killed June, and he told me not to say anything." Jonathan further testified at trial that he told
police, in response to their statement that they were going to interview him in reference to
Rivera's murder, "[L]ike I said, I seen Nefti shoot him, but Nefti came to me after it happened
and told me not to tell anyone." Id. at 33-39.
13
Jonathan testified that, after the police asked him to describe in his own words what
happened, he gave the following answer,
"I was in Jecko's bar and June was in there and so was Nefti. The
_-_ _ _ - "J1a.i-"~-a.~,pretty~qr9wde,,d1::You.see,.June,was mean.wifu,~¥~.t'¥b.qclr.,--,---,-,.-,---,·~c-,- ,~-- -,-- - --- --- - - -
I know June a long time, and Iwould tell him to calm down, but he
was always giving people a hard time.
Everything was cool until June came in the bar. Then Nefti was
_________________________________ getting angry_ wi1h June. N~fti and June were arguing---"a,..._.l=it=tl_,,,_e-"'b_._.it _
in the bar. I know the owner, and that bar is cool. And I told them
both to go outside and not to start trouble inside. They both went
outside of the bar. Then, as they were both going outside, Iwas
right behind them. Then they went out the door. And once they
were outside, Nefti started shooting June. I ran back inside of
the bar, and the shots were still going.
Everybody in the bar started running back towards the bathrooms.
Once the shots stopped, everybody was yelling to get out of the
bar, and they were going to close the bar. I ran outside and ran
to my mother-in-law's house. I found out the next day June
died."
Id. at 39-40.
Jonathan testified at trial that he told police he had known Nefti for about 4 years and that
Nefti was related to his uncle's wife. Jonathan further testified at trial that he identified a
photograph of Defendant as "Nefti" and wrote "Shot June" under the photograph. Jonathan
testified at trial that he never told the police that the person in the photograph was the person
who shot Rivera, but only that he knew the person. Jonathan further testified at trial that he knew
Rivera before he was murdered, but did not have any problems with him. Jonathan testified that
Rivera was a bully and he remembered that Rivera was bullying people in the bar on the night he
was killed. Jonathan further testified at trial that he told the police that Nefti approached him the
next day and said to him, "You didn't see nothing, and you better not tell. What is done is done."
Id. at 40-49.
Jonathan testified at trial that he told police, "I would have told you this sooner but, you
14
see, Nefti will get me and my family if he knows I told you this." Jonathan further testified at
trial that, in response to the police informing him that he would be required to testify at trial, he
told them, "[I]fNefti comes at me, I need to get moved." Jonathan testified that he remembered
. ·····... ··- .-.~.·.. . .
. : .... :~. .... . ..... ·. ·. :::.~;::·.- .. :... ~,: .. ~:···.-· . . .. . . . •• •. . . .. · :••.• ·:. ··:· •. . • .. ...• .• ,·.:c..• ·.,·.,-·:•.. =··". ; .. ~--·. . ,.,. . . . ..
signing and initialing each page of the statement, but did not remember the police asking him if
he wanted to have the interview videotaped. Jonathan further testified that he also identified a
·--···-----·-- ..-·.-·-·-----·· -·-·· ··---·-----··-----------···-··--·----.- ... ·--·---·····
photograph of Rivera to police and that he heard four or five gunshots when Rivera was killed.
Jonathan testified at trial that he did not know Raphael, nor had he ever sold drugs with Raphael.
Id. at 49-58.
The Commonwealth called Officer George Soto ("Soto") as its next witness. Soto
testified that he had been a Philadelphia Police Officer for 7 years and was on duty on October
28, 2012 when he responded to a call of a person with a gun in the 2900 block of North 6th
Street. Soto further testified that he came into contact with Raphael when he arrived on location.
Soto testified that Raphael was alone when he arrived and told him that a group of Hispanic
males came to that location to go after him. Soto further testified that he asked Raphael why the
males came after him and Raphael told him, "Cause I was a witness to a homicide about two
weeks ago" at a bar at Lawrence and Cambria. Soto stated that he was aware of the homicide that
occurred at that location but had no other background information or involvement with the
homicide investigation. Id. at 70-75.
Soto testified that Raphael told him that he was at the bar when Rivera walked in with
two females. Raphael further told him that Rivera started to dance with the two females, then
walked over to Jonathan and said to him, "Listen, I have two females here. One for you, one for
me." Raphael told him that Jonathan got upset at Rivera and Nefti asked him, "Is this the male
you have been having problems with?", to which Jonathan replied, "yes." Raphael further told
15
him that Nefti reached for a firearm in his waistband, but Jonathan said to him, "No. Not here.
It's too many people." Raphael told him that Rivera went to the bathroom, at which time one of
the males walked outside the bar and was later followed by Rivera. Raphael further told him that
' · .. .•.. =:= •.. ·. he saw· Rivera wafidng a.fongside the bar on Cambria Street and then NetHpufiea outafirearm .. . .... . .
and shot Rivera multiple times. Soto testified that he discovered Raphael had two outstanding
.. ..•. . -····--·--... - . . ....
warrants so he placed him in the backseat of his patrol car, then took him to Homicide to be
interviewed. Soto further testified that Raphael appeared to be very nervous and frightened. Id. at
75-78.
The Commonwealth called Detective Thomas Gaul ("Gaul") as its next witness. Gaul
testified that he had been in the Homicide Unit since 2005 and had assisted in the investigation
of Rivera's murder. Gaul further testified that he interviewed Jonathan at 9:30 a.m. on January 4,
2013 after Jonathan had been brought to Homicide at around 3:30 p.m. the previous day. Gaul
testified that Jonathan had the opportunity to review his statement after it was taken and signed
each page of the statement. Gaul further testified that Jonathan did not appear to be under the
influence of drugs or alcohol when he gave his statement. Gaul testified that Jonathan was shown
a single photograph of "Nefti" due to his prior relationship with him and was asked if he
recognized him. Gaul further testified that Jonathan wrote "Shot June" next to the photograph
and signed his name on the page. Gaul testified that the photograph was on the paper when
Jonathan signed the paper and he was not forced to sign the photograph. Gaul further testified
that Jonathan also signed a photograph of Rivera and appeared very nervous during the
statement. Id. at 84-96.
The Commonwealth called Detective William Sierra ("Sierra") as its next witness. Sierra
testified that he had been a detective in the Homicide Division for 10 years and interviewed
16
Raphael on November 6, 2012. Sierra further testified that the interview was typed in English,
then translated into Spanish. Raphael was then given the opportunity to review the Spanish
portion of the interview and he made a correction to the Spanish translation. Sierra testified that
···· ·- ·· · · .. ·· · · ···a:· .. ··.,··,~.- ,:.· .. - .·.a:··~·::.= ·: · :-:c. · • · ·· · · • ·• - : · · ·· · · · · · · · · ·· · ·· · •· • ····· · ··•··•• •· · · -.:··-: •. · ··.,·,-,·.- · ·••• · ···· •·• · ·· ·•··· •··· c. ··· · · · ··
Raphael was shown a photograph of Defendant and signed his name and the date below the
photograph. Sierra further testified that the photograph was on the page when Raphael signed it
and no one forced him to sign the photograph. Id. at 102-112.
Sierra testified that Raphael was originally transported to Homicide on October 28, 2012
but appeared to be under the influence of drugs or going through withdrawal at that time and was
unable to be interviewed. Sierra further testified that Raphael was concerned about his two bench
warrants and wanted the Homicide Unit to make the warrants go away in exchange for his
statement. Sierra testified that he told Raphael that he could not do that and that Raphael was in
custody for his warrants when he was next interviewed on November 6. Sierra further testified
that Raphael was not beaten or forced in any way to say anything in his statement. Sierra testified
that he had Raphael sign as close as he could to his last answer so nothing could be added to his
statement and that the statement was a verbatim statement. Sierra further testified that Raphael
never indicated that a person named "Nefti" was the shooter but he in fact identified a
photograph of Defendant as the shooter. Id. at 115-20.
The Commonwealth then read a stipulation that if John Cahill ("Cahill") was called to
testify, he would testify that he was a Homicide Detective assigned to the Fugitive Squad and
that he was assigned to the instant case on March 12, 2013, the day after an arrest warrant was
issued for Defendant. Cahill would further testified that he prepared wanted posters to distribute
throughout the police department and contacted the U.S. Marshal Federal Fugitive Task Force to
give them Defendant's information. Cahill would testify that on March 14, 2013, detectives
17
conducted surveillances of addresses associated with Defendant with negative results. Cahill
would further testified that on March 29, 2013, Philadelphia Police and U.S. Marshals went to
2843 North 2nct Street and were admitted by Defendant' s mother-in-law, Mirtha Pirela ("Pirela").
------ ·.····:,·.,: :. " :·: ,·,.- - -~'·"··,.:. ,· .. ~ .:c•.. ,· -· . .:. :: .. - .• · .•...•.•. · ·.. . . -· ·•· . •...... ..• •...•. .. -·.
Cahill would testify that Pirela told them that Defendant and his wife had moved to Puerto Rico.
Cahill would further testify that Philadelphia Police contacted U.S. Marshals in Puerto Rico
------------------- ---- -------
regarding Defendant and later that day he was advised by the Marshals that Defendant was in
their custody in Puerto Rico. Cahill would testify that on May 22, 2013, Defendant was returned
to Philadelphia from Puerto Rico and met at the airport by Philadelphia Police, who arrested him
on the warrant. Id. at 121-23. After reading the stipulation, the Commonwealth rested. Id. at 129.
The defense then read a stipulation, by and between counsel, that on October 12, 2012,
prior to the homicide, Defendant and his wife purchased two round-trip airline tickets to Puerto
Rico. The departing flight was scheduled for December 10, 2012 and the return flight was
scheduled for January 21, 2013, prior to the issuance of the arrest warrant. However, neither
Defendant nor his wife were on the return flight. The defense further stipulated that if Pedro
Gomez, Maria DeJesus, Alberto Velazquez, Roberto DeJesus and Brenda Velazquez were called
to testify, they would each testify that they knew Defendant, that they knew other individuals
who knew Defendant and that Defendant had a reputation as a peaceful, law-abiding individual
among those who knew him. Id. at 129-31. After reading these stipulations, the defense rested.
Id. at 131.
ISSUE
I. WHETHER THE EVIDENCE WAS SUFFICIENT TO FIND DEFENDANT
GUILTY OF FIRST-DEGREE MURDER AND POSSESSION OF AN
INSTRUMENT OF CRIME.
18
DISCUSSION
II. THE EVIDENCE WAS SUFFICIENT TO FIND DEFENDANT GUILTY
OF FIRST-DEGREE MURDER AND POSSESSION OF AN
INSTRUMENT OF CRIME .
..... ... . . . . ------
1. Sufficiency of the evidence.
A review of the sufficiency of the evidence to support a conviction requires that the
evidence be reviewed in the light most favorable to the Commonwealth as verdict winner.
Commonwealth v. Levy, 2013 PA Super 331, 83 A.3d 457, 461 (2013) (quoting Commonwealth
v. Williams, 871 A.2d 254, 259 (Pa.Super. 2005)). The Commonwealth is also entitled to all
favorable inferences which may be drawn from the evidence. Commonwealth v. Kelly, 2013 PA
Super 276, 78 A.3d 1136, 1139 (2013) (citing Commonwealth v. Hopkins, 67 A.3d 817, 820
(Pa.Super. 2013)). The evidence put forth by the Commonwealth will be considered sufficient if
it establishes each material element of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt, even if by wholly
circumstantial evidence. Commonwealth v. Franklin, 2013 PA Super 153, 69 A.3d 719, 722
(2013) (citing Commonwealth v. Brewer, 876 A.2d 1029, 1032 (2001)).
When determining whether the evidence is sufficient to support a guilty verdict, the
appellate court must examine the entire trial record and consider all of the evidence actually
received. Commonwealth v. Graham, 2013 PA Super 306, 81 A.3d 137, 142 (2013) (quoting
Commonwealth v. Brown, 23 A.3d 544, 559-60 (Pa.Super 2011)). However, the trier of fact is
entitled to believe all, part or none of the evidence received at trial and the appellate court cannot
substitute its judgment for that of the fact-finder. Commonwealth v. Fabian, 2013 PA Super 6,
60 A.3d 146, 151 (2013) (quoting Commonwealth v. Jones, 886 A.2d 689, 704 (Pa.Super.
2005)). The facts and circumstances established by the Commonwealth need not eliminate any
possibility of the defendant's innocence; rather, any doubt is to be resolved by the fact-finder
19
unless the evidence is so weak and inconclusive that, as a matter of law, no probability of fact
could be concluded. Commonwealth v. Stays, 2013 PA Super 170, 70 A.3d 1256, 1266 (2013)
(citing Commonwealth v. Aguado, 760 A.2d 1181, 1185 (Pa.Super. 2000)).
·:·· -:.. :-:-: ·:: ..-c =: -~· . ·:·::. ·= .,. :-· ·-.·· ·- · · ·, . ...:.- .. a. :.::.:....: •. : ··.·- ·.,::~.- : . ·.·.a.a,.:·. ·:::,:.·. ,.,,.,.
1. The evidence was sufficient to find Defendant guilty of first-degree
murder.
The evidence presented at trial was suffi~i_yl'11 t9 fj_1:1g __p~_fendant guilty of first-degree
murder. To obtain a conviction for first degree murder, the Commonwealth must prove that a
human being was unlawfully killed, that the defendant perpetrated the killing, and that the
defendant acted with malice and a specific intent to kill. Commonwealth v. Diamond, 623 Pa.
475, 83 A.3d 119, 126 (2013) (citing Commonwealth v. Kennedy, 598 Pa. 621, 959 A.2d 916,
920 (2008)). Specific intent to kill as well as malice can be inferred from the use of a deadly
weapon upon a vital part of the victim's body. Commonwealth v. Padilla, 622 Pa. 449, 80 A.3d
1238, 1244 (2013) (citing Commonwealth v. Houser, 610 Pa. 264, 18 A.3d 1128, 1133-34
(2011)). The law does not require a lengthy period of premeditation; indeed, the design to kill
can be formulated in a fraction of a second. Commonwealth v. Jordan, 619 Pa. 513, 65 AJd 318,,
323 (2013) (citing Commonwealth v. Rivera, 603 Pa. 340, 983 A.2d 1211, 1220 (2009)).
Whether the accused had formed the specific intent to kill is a question of fact to be determined
by the jury. Id. (citing Commonwealth v. Carroll, 412 Pa. 525, 194 A.2d 911, 916 (1963)).
In the case at bar, the evidence was more than sufficient to find Defendant guilty of first-
degree murder. Chu testified that Rivera suffered a total ten gunshot wounds, including wounds
to his right lung, aorta, liver, right kidney, and large intestine, and died as a result of the multiple
gunshot wounds. Quiles testified at trial that she was standing near Rivera when she saw him get
shot multiple times and that she described the shooter to police as "dark-skinned. About my
height maybe. He wasn't tall. He was wearing a black t-shirt ... I can't really say what color his
20
hair was, but I can tell you he wasn't bald ... He wasn't big, and he wasn't small. .. I would say he
was average." Lucke testified that Quiles identified a photograph of Defendant as the shooter and
signed her name twice under the photograph. Raphael testified at trial that he was at Jecko's
Neftali. Raphael further stated to police that Neftali shot Rivera after he approached Jonathan
----------------··-------·--- ..... -... -
inside the bar with two females and that Neftali wanted to shoot Rivera in the bar but Jonathan
told him not to. Sierra testified that Raphael identified a photograph of Defendant as the shooter
and signed his name below the photograph. Jonathan testified at trial that he told police that he
was at Jecko's bar with "Nefti" when Nefti and Rivera had an argument. Jonathan further stated
to police that he told Nefti to take his issues with Rivera outside the bar and that, once both of
them went outside, Nefti started shooting Rivera. Jonathan testified at trial that he identified a
photograph of Defendant as the shooter and wrote "Shot June" near the photograph.
Furthermore, the jury heard testimony from Raphael and Jonathan that Defendant threatened
them after the shooting and that they were worried about the consequences if Defendant found
out that they had spoken to police about the shooting. Therefore, the jury was provided with
evidence as to why both Jonathan and Raphael sought to distance themselves from their
statements identifying Defendant as the shooter and were consequently able to assess Raphael
and Jonathan's credibility accordingly. Thus, the evidence presented at trial showed that
Defendant shot Rivera multiple times in vital areas of his body resulting in Rivera's death.
Therefore, the evidence presented at trial was sufficient to find Defendant guilty of first-degree
murder.
2. The evidence was sufficient to find Defendant guilty of possession of
an instrument of crime.
The evidence presented at trial was sufficient to find Defendant guilty of possession of an
21
instrument of crime (PIC). A person commits a misdemeanor of the first degree if he possesses
any instrument of crime with intent to employ it criminally. 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 907(a). An
instrument of crime is defined as "[a]nything specially made or specially adapted for criminal
... use'; or "[a]nythlng used.for criminal purposes and possessed by the actor under circumstances
not manifestly appropriate for lawful uses it may have." Commonwealth v. Stokes, 2011 PA
--c---c-,-- ------------ ----·----- ······· ----,,------,--------,,------,,------
Super 261, 38 A.3d 846, 854 (2011). It is undisputed that a gun can be an instrument of crime.
Id. Once the factfinder concluded that the defendant was the slayer and that the death resulted
from the infliction of a gunshot wound, the factfinder could logically have concluded from all of
the evidence that the defendant had possession of a gun, that the gun was an instrument
commonly used for criminal purposes, and that his possession of the gun was, under the
circumstances, not manifestly appropriate for any lawful use that the gun may have had.
Commonwealth v. Buford, 2014 PA Super 224, 101 A.3d 1182, 1190 (2014) (citing
Commonwealth v. Woodbury, 329 Pa.Super. 34, 477 A.2d 890, 893~94 (1984)).
In the case at bar, the evidence was sufficient to find Defendant guilty of PIC. Chu
testified that Rivera died from multiple gunshot wounds and suffered gunshot wounds to his right
lung, aorta, liver, right kidney, and large intestine. Quiles testified that she witnessed Rivera get
shot ten times in the back. Lucke testified that Quiles identified Defendant as the person who
shot Rivera. Raphael stated to police that Neftali was carrying two black semiautomatic pistols
on the night in question and that he fired so many shots at Rivera that he had to stop and reload.
Sierra testified that Raphael identified Defendant as the person who shot Rivera. Jonathon
testified at trial that he told police that Defendant shot Rivera outside Jecko's Lounge after the
two of them got into argument and that he identified a photograph of Defendant as the person
who "shot June." Thus, the evidence presented at trial would allow the jury to conclude that
22
Rivera's death resulted from the infliction of multiple gunshot wounds and that Defendant was
the shooter. Consequently, the jury could have logically concluded that Defendant had
possession of a gun, that the gun was an instrument commonly used for criminal purposes and
'thafDefendarit's possessiOn oftne gun was, under the circumstances, nofmanf:fesfiy approprfate.
for any lawful use that the gun may have had. Therefore, the evidence was sufficient to find
--------------··...·· ---
Defendant guilty of PIC.
23
CONCLUSION
After a review of the applicable rules of evidence, statutes, case law and testimony, this
Court committed no error. The evidence was sufficient to find Defendant guilty of first-degree
.......... ···:,_....:· .·::: ·.-·..:.,:-~,-:. :.-:·.,.·,···.,·:.:,.:"::"-- . . ·- :.. . ··~:··: --------------·--··- .- "· :·,·.·::,.:·.·. "--~-,::·:.-,: -···· .. -·· - .
murder and possession of an instrument of crime. Therefore, this Court's judgment of sentence
should be upheld on appeal.
_______ ,,,,_,, ,, ..
24
Circulated 05/24/2017 10:44 AM
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA
CRIMINAL TRIAL DIVISION
· - - - - - -GOM-M.ONWE-AbTcH--=-s``~--~---~-----:-
:Fi LE-o· · - ·- - . . - - -· - - - ---~--- - -----
.-,--,,_ C_P-51-CR-0010833-2013
-------:V-S~----------=oc12 o 201s
Criminal Appeals Unit
Firs\ Judicial District of PA
.
SUPERIOR COURT
NEFTALIVELAZQUEZ CP-51-CR-0010633-2013 Comm. v. Velazquez, Neftali
3084 EDA 2016
Opinion
BRINKLEY, J. HI IIIIIIIIHI
7514998871
11111 OCTOBER 20, 2016
OPINION
Defendant Neftali Velazquez appeared before this Court for a jury trial and was found
guilty of first-degree murder and possession of an instrument of crime (PIC). This Court
sentenced Defendant to a mandatory sentence of life without the possibility of parole on the first-
degree murder charge and imposed no further penalty on the PIC charge. Defendant appealed the
judgment of sentence to the Superior Court and raised the following issue on appeal: (I) Whether
the evidence was sufficient to find Defendant guilty of first-degree murder and PIC.
PROCEDURAL HISTORY
On May 22, 2013, Defendant was arrested and charged with murder, PIC, and violations
of the Uniform Firearms Act 6106 and 6108. From January 20 to 25, 2016, a trial was held in the
presence of a jury. On January 25, 2016, Defendant was found guilty of first-degree murder and
PIC. On that same day, this Court sentenced Defendant to a mandatory sentence of life without
the possibility of parole on the first-degree murder charge and imposed no further penalty on the
PIC charge. On February 18, 2016, Defendant, through counsel, filed a Notice of Appeal to the
Superior Court. On April 5, 2016, after receiving the complete notes of testimony, this Court
ordered Defendant to file a Concise Statement of Errors pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. l 925(b). On April
- -- - :-··- .:· ···,-,·: ..• • . ... ·c·c. --·-- ... - ..-...•...... ···· .. ···.:
22, 2016, Defendant filed his l 925(b) Statement of Errors, raising a sole claim that the evidence
was insufficient to find him guilty of first-degree murder and PIC. On May 17, 2016, this Court
------·--·-----··-··-·· -----------------
filed its opinion in the matter1• On August 16, 2016, Defendant's appeal was dismissed by the
Superior Court after defense counsel failed to file a brief. On August 23, 2016, Defendant filed a
timely petition pursuant to the Post-Conviction Relief Act (PCRA) requesting reinstatement of
his appellate rights nunc pro tune. On September 9, 2016, this Court ordered the Commonwealth
to file an Answer to Defendant's PCRA petition within 30 days. On September 16, 2016, the
Commonwealth notified this Court that it did not oppose Defendant's request to have his
appellate rights reinstated nunc pro tune. On September 23, 2016, this Court reinstated
Defendant's appellate rights nunc pro tune. On September 29, 2016, Defendant filed a Notice of
Appeal to the Superior Court. On October ( l) 2016, this Court ordered Defendant to file a
)
Concise Statement of Errors pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. l 925(b). On October 19, 2016, Defendant
filed his Concise Statement of Errors, again raising the sole issue found in his initial Statement of
Errors.
I The complete factual history of this case and Defendant's jury trial may be found in this opinion.
2
CONCLUSION
After a review of the applicable filings, rules of evidence, statutes, and case law, this
Court adopts the reasoning found in its May I 7, 2016 opinion. The evidence was sufficient to
: ·· ·•· ·····::.:··.- :·.·.·.·. ,.. ·.,.~: ..c:... ·.-.· ·:.,.-.-~c.::.-:. ·.··.:·c-~.: ... ·· ·· ···.··.cc~:.- .. ·.:.·.·.·.~·.-.- ·· .·.··.·.: .. ·.,.,·:·.·.,;..: ... :·· ·.:·.~.·.·-~:··· · · ·· · · ·· ·.: · · ·· :-:··.,::-~-:~ --:--:-=-:'"~---~-~-- ······· ····· ··· ··· ······.· ··· · ·
find Defendant guilty of first-degree murder and possession of an instrument of crime.
Therefore, this Court's judgment of sentence should be upheld on appeal.
----------------------------------------
3