Com. v. Mieglitz, A.

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NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
PENNSYLVANIA
Appellee
v.
ANTHONY MIEGLITZ,
Appellant No. 1208 WDA 2014
Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence June 16, 2014
In the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County
Criminal Division at No(s): CP-02-CR-0016121-2012
BEFORE: SHOGAN, OLSON, and MUSMANNO, JJ.
MEMORANDUM BY SHOGAN, J.: FILED JUNE 19, 2015
Appellant, Anthony Mieglitz, appeals from the judgment of sentence
entered on June 16, 2014, in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas.
We affirm.
The record reflects that on September 5, 2012, the victim in this
matter, Mr. Jason Kish, was making a food delivery to UPMC-Magee Hospital
in Pittsburgh. N.T., Plea Hearing, 2/18/14, at 7. After making his delivery,
Mr. Kish returned to his car and saw Appellant taking items from inside the
victim’s vehicle. Id. Mr. Kish confronted Appellant, and the two men
engaged in a “scuffle.” Id. A second individual came up behind Mr. Kish
and hit him on the head. Id. When Mr. Kish regained his bearings after
being struck, Appellant had fled. Id. Mr. Kish then went to his vehicle and
discovered that his cell phone, money, and a firearm had been stolen from
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his vehicle. Id. Mr. Kish later identified Appellant after seeing his face on a
news report, and he reported to police that Appellant was one of the
individuals who had stolen items from his car and assaulted him. Id. at 8.
Appellant was subsequently arrested, and on February 18, 2014, he
entered a plea of nolo contendere to one count each of robbery, theft by
unlawful taking, theft from a motor vehicle, simple assault, and two counts
of receiving stolen property. On June 16, 2014, the trial court sentenced
Appellant to a term of two to four years of incarceration, followed by six
years of probation on the robbery conviction, and ordered him to pay
restitution. Appellant received credit for one hundred and twenty-five days
of time already served, and no further penalty was imposed on the
remaining charges.
On June 24, 2014, Appellant filed a timely post-sentence motion in
which he asked the sentencing court to reconsider his sentence. The
sentencing court denied Appellant’s post-sentence motion, and on July 25,
2014, Appellant filed a timely notice of appeal.
In this appeal, Appellant argues that the sentencing court abused its
discretion by failing to consider all relevant factors when imposing
Appellant’s sentence. Specifically, Appellant claims that the sentencing court
failed to consider his rehabilitative needs, his nature and character, and
focused solely on the serious nature of the underlying offense. Appellant’s
Brief at 10-11.
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Appellant’s claim challenges the discretionary aspects of his sentence,
and it is well settled that there is no absolute right to appeal the
discretionary aspects of a sentence. Commonwealth v. Hartle, 894 A.2d
800, 805 (Pa. Super. 2006). Rather, the appeal should be considered to be
a petition for allowance of appeal. Commonwealth v. W.H.M., 932 A.2d
155, 162 (Pa. Super. 2007).1
As we observed in Commonwealth v. Moury, 992 A.2d 162 (Pa.
Super. 2010):
An appellant challenging the discretionary aspects of his
sentence must invoke this Court’s jurisdiction by satisfying a
four-part test:
[W]e conduct a four-part analysis to determine: (1)
whether appellant has filed a timely notice of appeal,
see Pa.R.A.P. 902 and 903; (2) whether the issue
was properly preserved at sentencing or in a motion
to reconsider and modify sentence, see Pa.R.Crim.P.
[720]; (3) whether appellant’s brief has a fatal
defect, Pa.R.A.P. 2119(f); and (4) whether there is a
substantial question that the sentence appealed from
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1
“A defendant who has pled guilty may challenge the discretionary aspects
of his sentence as long as the defendant did not agree to a negotiated
sentence as part of a plea agreement.” Commonwealth v. Johnson, 758
A.2d 1214, 1216 (Pa. Super. 2000). We recognize that Appellant pled nolo
contendere rather than guilty; however, “in terms of its effect upon a case, a
plea of nolo contendere is treated the same as a guilty plea.”
Commonwealth v. Kepner, 34 A.3d 162, 166 n.6 (Pa. Super. 2011)
(internal citations and quotations omitted). Because there was no
agreement as to Appellant’s sentence in this case, Appellant’s challenge to
the discretionary aspects of his sentence is permitted and properly before
our Court.
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is not appropriate under the Sentencing Code, 42
Pa.C.S.A. § 9781(b).
Id. at 170 (citing Commonwealth v. Evans, 901 A.2d 528 (Pa. Super.
2006)).
Whether a particular issue constitutes a substantial question about the
appropriateness of a sentence is a question to be evaluated on a case-by-
case basis. Commonwealth v. Kenner, 784 A.2d 808, 811 (Pa. Super.
2001). As to what constitutes a substantial question, this Court does not
accept bald assertions of sentencing errors. Commonwealth v. Malovich,
903 A.2d 1247, 1252 (Pa. Super. 2006). An appellant must articulate the
reasons the sentencing court’s actions violated the sentencing code. Id. “A
substantial question will be found where the defendant advances a colorable
argument that the sentence imposed is either inconsistent with a specific
provision of the Sentencing Code or is contrary to the fundamental norms
underlying the sentencing process.” Commonwealth v. Ventura, 975 A.2d
1128, 1133 (Pa. Super. 2009) (citations omitted).
Herein, the first three requirements of the four-part test are met;
Appellant brought an appropriate appeal, raised the challenge in his post-
sentence motion, and included in his appellate brief the necessary separate
concise statement of the reasons relied upon for allowance of appeal
pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 2119(f). Therefore, we must next determine whether
Appellant has raised a substantial question requiring us to review the
discretionary aspects of his sentence.
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As noted, Appellant avers that the sentencing court failed to properly
consider certain factors and focused solely on the serious nature of the
underlying offense. Appellant’s Brief at 10-11. “An averment that the court
sentenced based solely on the seriousness of the offense and failed to
consider all relevant factors raises a substantial question.” Commonwealth
v. Bricker, 41 A.3d 872, 875 (Pa. Super. 2012) (citation omitted).
Therefore, we will review the merits of Appellant’s discretionary sentencing
challenge.
Our standard of review in appeals of sentencing is well settled:
Sentencing is a matter vested in the sound discretion of the
sentencing judge, and a sentence will not be disturbed on appeal
absent a manifest abuse of discretion. In this context, an abuse
of discretion is not shown merely by an error in judgment.
Rather, the appellant must establish, by reference to the record,
that the sentencing court ignored or misapplied the law,
exercised its judgment for reasons of partiality, prejudice, bias
or ill will, or arrived at a manifestly unreasonable decision.
Commonwealth v. Mann, 957 A.2d 746, 749 (Pa. Super. 2008).
The sentencing judge has broad discretion in determining a reasonable
penalty, and this Court accords the sentencing court great deference, as it is
the sentencing court that is in the best position to view the defendant’s
character, displays of remorse, defiance, or indifference and the overall
effect and nature of the crime. Commonwealth v. Walls, 926 A.2d 957,
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961 (Pa. 2007) (quotations and citations omitted). 2 When imposing a
sentence, the sentencing court must consider “the protection of the public,
the gravity of the offense as it relates to the impact on the life of the victim
and on the community, and the rehabilitative needs of the defendant.” 42
Pa.C.S. § 9721(b). As we have stated, “a court is required to consider the
particular circumstances of the offense and the character of the defendant.”
Commonwealth v. Griffin, 804 A.2d 1, 10 (Pa. Super. 2002). In
particular, the sentencing court should refer to the defendant’s prior criminal
record, his age, personal characteristics, and his potential for rehabilitation.
Id.____________________________________________
2
The Walls Court instructed the following:
In making this “unreasonableness” inquiry, the General
Assembly has set forth four factors that an appellate court is to
consider:
(d) Review of the record.—In reviewing the record the appellate
court shall have regard for:
(1) The nature of the circumstances of the offense
and the history and characteristics of the defendant.
(2) The opportunity of the sentencing court to
observe the defendant, including any pre-sentence
investigation.
(3) The findings upon which the sentence was based.
(4) The guidelines promulgated by the commission.
42 Pa.C.S. § 9781(d).
Walls, 926 A.2d at 963.
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In the instant case, the sentencing court addressed Appellant’s
challenge to the discretionary aspects of his sentence as follows:
[Appellant’s] claims are wholly without merit. The [minimum]
sentence that was imposed, 24 months, was below the middle of
the standard range, which was 27 months. The Court also did
not impose sentence on any of the other counts. The Court had
the benefit of the presentence report which documented the
factors that [Appellant] contends the Court did not consider.
Moreover, at the sentencing hearing, those matters were
brought to the Court’s attention and were considered in
fashioning the sentence imposed. Defense counsel requested
that the Court consider a mitigated range sentence, arguing that
it was warranted because: “... my client pled guilty and.... took
accountability in this particular matter...”; “He’s been on house
arrest ever since he entered the plea in February...”; “...He’s
worked...”; “...he has six children that he’s providing for...”; and
“...he has $1,000.00 of the restitution.” (N.T. 6/16/14; p. 3). He
also pointed out that [Appellant] “...has a number of physical
problems that plague him on a regular basis in terms of
medication he has to take.” (N.T. 6/16/14; p. 4). The Pre-
sentence report also addressed these matters.
The Court specifically stated, prior to imposing sentence, that
it had “...the benefit of the presentence report.” (N.T. 6/16/14;
p.2). It also noted that the sentence it was imposing was
mitigated because [Appellant] accepted responsibility by
entering a plea. When a sentencing court states on the record
that it has reviewed the presentence report, “... It has met the
requirement that it place on the record its reasons for the
sentence imposed.” Commonwealth v. Boyer, 856 A.2d 149 (Pa.
Super. 2004). “A Court is presumed to have imposed a sentence
based on the contents of the report.” Id. This Court did consider
all of the facts contained in the Pre-Sentence Investigation, all of
the facts presented at the hearing and the facts of the
underlying offenses and the effect [Appellant’s] crimes had on
the victims in imposing the sentence it imposed.
Sentencing Court Opinion, 12/30/14, at 3-4.
After review, we conclude that the sentencing court considered all
relevant factors in fashioning Appellant’s sentence. “Where the sentencing
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judge had the benefit of a presentence investigation report, it will be
presumed that he or she was aware of the relevant information regarding
the defendant’s character and weighed those considerations along with
mitigating statutory factors.” Bricker, 41 A.3d at 877 n.9 (quoting
Commonwealth v. Boyer, 856 A.2d 149, 154 (Pa. Super. 2004)).
Here, we have had the opportunity to review Appellant’s presentence
investigative report. We conclude that the findings provided in the report
properly informed the sentencing court of Appellant’s nature, character, and
background, and the report amply supports the sentence. The report
thoroughly discusses Appellant’s family, home life, and criminal background.
It is a comprehensive analysis of who Appellant is and the decisions he
makes. Despite Appellant’s claim that the sentencing court made only “a
mere passing comment”3 on the presentence investigative report, we have
no reason to doubt the sentencing court’s stated reliance on the report as
support for its basis and rationale for the sentence imposed. Moreover, and
contrary to Appellant’s claims, there is no support in the record for his
accusation that the sentencing court focused solely on the seriousness of the
crimes Appellant committed. While Appellant alleges no less than six times
that the sentencing court focused on the serious nature of the crime, 4 he
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3
Appellant’s Brief at 20.
4
Appellant’s Brief at 17-21.
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fails to support his claim that the sentencing court limited its considerations
to this lone issue.
Accordingly, it is our determination that there was no abuse of
discretion on the part of the sentencing court. The sentencing court
considered the relevant factors, chose a standard-range sentence, and
declined to impose any further penalty on the balance of Appellant’s
charges. Based on the foregoing, we affirm Appellant’s judgment of
sentence.
Judgment of sentence affirmed.
Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary
Date: 6/19/2015
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