Com. v. Hughes, C.

J-A32004-15
NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
PENNSYLVANIA
Appellee
v.
CHALSEE L. HUGHES,
Appellant No. 149 WDA 2015
Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence July 1, 2014
In the Court of Common Pleas of Westmoreland County
Criminal Division at No(s): CP-65-CR-0000429-2013
BEFORE: SHOGAN, OTT, and STABILE, JJ.
MEMORANDUM BY SHOGAN, J.: FILED JANUARY 25, 2016
Appellant, Chalsee L. Hughes, appeals from the judgment of sentence
entered following her convictions of robbery and conspiracy to commit
robbery. We affirm.
We summarize the history of this case as follows.1 Shortly after
midnight on December 3, 2012, Monessen police discovered the dead body
of Christopher Fincik (“Victim”) lying inside of the front doorway of his home.
The rear door of the home had bullet holes and shattered glass. The kitchen
was in disarray with blood on the walls and floor. There was a trail of blood
from the kitchen to the front door where the body was found. Police
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1
For a more detailed recitation of the facts of this case, we direct the reader
to pages 2 through 12 of the opinion of the trial court dated December 23,
2014.
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observed drugs, drug paraphernalia, and currency in the amount of
$3,241.00 on the kitchen table. Outside the rear door were two Winchester
7.62 x 39 discharged cartridge cases and one Tulammo 7.62 x 39 discharged
cartridge case which can be fired from an AK-47 assault rifle.
The following day, police executed an arrest warrant for Earl Pinkney
on unrelated crimes and a search warrant for his residence on Chestnut
Street in Monessen. Appellant (who was Pinkney’s girlfriend) was found at
Pinkney’s residence and was taken to the Monessen Police Department
where she was interviewed after waiving her Miranda rights. Appellant told
police that she had spent most of the day of December 2, 2012, with
Pinkney, and that they were in bed together all night.
On December 5, 2012, Appellant contacted Monessen Police seeking
her cell phone that had been seized in the search of Pinkney’s residence on
December 4, 2012. Appellant went to the police station where she again
waived her Miranda rights and was interviewed. Police knew that Appellant
was seen on video at a Wal-Mart, along with Josh Stepoli and Antoine
Hairston, purchasing a box of Winchester 7.62 x 39 ammunition at 9:12
p.m. on December 2, 2012. Appellant claimed that she purchased the
ammunition because Stepoli did not have a proper form of identification.
Appellant also claimed that Pinkney admitted to her that Pinkney, Stepoli,
and Hairston robbed Victim and shot him. (As it turns out, Victim was
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Appellant’s godfather.) Subsequently, Appellant made statements to a
fellow inmate implicating herself in the robbery of Victim.
On December 27, 2012, Appellant was charged with various crimes in
relation to the death of Victim, including murder, robbery, and conspiracy.
Appellant’s jury trial began on March 25, 2014. At Appellant’s trial, the
defense was precluded from mentioning that neither Stepoli nor Hairston
was criminally charged. The Commonwealth was permitted to admit
testimony from a police officer regarding Appellant’s statements to police
about Pinkney’s confession to Appellant.
At the conclusion of her trial, Appellant was convicted of robbery as an
accomplice and criminal conspiracy to commit robbery. The jury found
Appellant not guilty of the remaining charges. On July 1, 2014, the trial
court sentenced Appellant to concurrent terms of incarceration of four and
one-half to nine years. Appellant filed a timely post-sentence motion, which
the trial court denied. This appeal followed. Both Appellant and the trial
court have complied with Pa.R.A.P. 1925.
Appellant presents the following issues for our review, which we have
renumbered for ease of disposition:
I. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED BY PRECLUDING THE DEFENSE
FROM PRESENTING EVIDENCE AND ARGUING THAT THE
COMMONWEALTH’S DETERMINATION NOT TO FILE CHARGES
AGAINST [APPELLANT’S] ALLEGED CO-CONSPIRATORS COULD
BE CONSIDERED BY THE JURY IN THEIR DELIBERATIONS OF
[APPELLANT’S] GUILT.
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II. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN ALLOWING DOUBLE-HEARSAY
TESTIMONY OF A NON-TESTIFYING WITNESS, EARL PINKNEY,
RELATING TO MR. PINKNEY’S INVOLVEMENT IN THE SHOOTING
AND ROBBERY.
III. WHETHER THERE WAS SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE FOR THE
JURY TO CONCLUDE THAT [APPELLANT] WAS GUILTY OF
ROBBERY AS AN ACCOMPLICE AND CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT
ROBBERY.
IV. WHETHER THE VERDICT WAS AGAINST THE WEIGHT OF THE
EVIDENCE.
Appellant’s Brief at 4.
Appellant first argues that the trial court erred in precluding her
attempt to admit into evidence the fact that the Commonwealth failed to file
charges against her co-conspirators. Appellant’s Brief at 12-15. Appellant
contends that the Commonwealth’s determination to not charge Stepoli and
Hairston in the instant matter was relevant to the jury’s determination
regarding whether Appellant was an accomplice.
Questions concerning the admissibility of evidence lie within the sound
discretion of the trial court, and we will not reverse the court’s decision on
such a question absent a clear abuse of discretion. Commonwealth v.
Maloney, 876 A.2d 1002, 1006 (Pa. Super. 2005). An abuse of discretion is
not merely an error of judgment, but is rather the overriding or
misapplication of the law, or the exercise of judgment that is manifestly
unreasonable, or the result of bias, prejudice, ill-will or partiality, as shown
by the evidence or the record. Commonwealth v. Cameron, 780 A.2d
688, 692 (Pa. Super. 2001).
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Pa.R.E. 402 provides that generally, “[a]ll relevant evidence is
admissible” and “[e]vidence that is not relevant is not admissible.”
Furthermore, Pa.R.E. 401 provides the following test for relevancy:
Evidence is relevant if:
(a) it has any tendency to make a fact more or less
probable than it would be without the evidence; and
(b) the fact is of consequence in determining the action.
Pa.R.E. 401.
Thus, the basic requisite for the admissibility of any evidence in a case
is that it be competent and relevant. Commonwealth v. Freidl, 834 A.2d
638, 641 (Pa. Super. 2003). Evidence is relevant if it logically tends to
establish a material fact in the case or tends to support a reasonable
inference regarding a material fact. Commonwealth v. Barnes, 871 A.2d
812, 818 (Pa. Super. 2005). Though relevance has not been precisely or
universally defined, the courts of this Commonwealth have repeatedly stated
that evidence is admissible if, and only if, the evidence logically or
reasonably tends to prove or disprove a material fact in issue, tends to make
such a fact more or less probable, or affords the basis for or supports a
reasonable inference or presumption regarding the existence of a material
fact. Freidl, 834 A.2d at 641.
In addition, we are mindful that our state legislature has pronounced
the following regarding liability for conduct of another and prosecution as an
accomplice:
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An accomplice may be convicted on proof of the commission of
the offense and of his complicity therein, though the person
claimed to have committed the offense has not been prosecuted
or convicted or has been convicted of a different offense or
degree of offense or has an immunity to prosecution or
conviction or has been acquitted.
18 Pa.C.S. § 306(g).
In Commonwealth v. McEnany, 732 A.2d 1263 (Pa. Super. 1999),
this Court applied the above statute along with relevant case law and held
that “the fact that [the a]ppellant’s alleged co-felon was not charged was
irrelevant if offered to prove [the a]ppellant’s innocence. Accordingly, the
trial court properly precluded [the a]ppellant’s attempt to show that his
alleged co-felon was not charged with any crime surrounding the murder of
[the victim].” Id. at 1274. In addition, we have explained, “The express
language of [18 Pa.C.S. § 903 regarding conspiracy] does not require that
an alleged co-conspirator be charged or convicted of the conspiracy.”
Commonwealth v. Fremd, 860 A.2d 515, 521 (Pa. Super. 2004).
Our review of the record reflects that, at the outset of Appellant’s
opening argument, defense counsel mentioned the fact that neither Stepoli
nor Hairston had been charged in the crime and the Commonwealth
immediately objected based upon relevancy. N.T., 3/25/14-4/2/14, at 14.
The trial court sustained the Commonwealth’s objection and instructed the
jury that “[t]he status of any other person who may or may not be an
accomplice . . . is not relevant as to the evidentiary proofs that must be
brought in this case.” Id. at 15-16. This determination by the trial court
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was in accord with the above-mentioned legal authority. Therefore, we
cannot conclude that the trial court abused its discretion in refusing to
permit Appellant to discuss or present evidence regarding the fact that
Appellant’s co-conspirators had not been criminally charged. Thus, this
claim lacks merit.
Appellant next argues that the trial court erred in admitting, what
Appellant claims to be, double hearsay testimony. Appellant’s Brief at 16-
21. Specifically, Appellant alleges that her statement to Detective Robert
Weaver concerning what her boyfriend, Earl Pinkney, told her regarding the
crime the day after the incident was not made in furtherance of a conspiracy
with Stepoli and Hairston, and therefore should not have been admitted at
trial.
Hearsay has been defined as a statement, other than one made by the
declarant while testifying at the trial or hearing, offered in evidence to prove
the truth of the matter asserted. Pa.R.E. 801(c). Commonwealth v.
Smith, 586 A.2d 957, 963 (Pa. Super. 1991). Hearsay testimony is not
admissible in this Commonwealth, except as provided in the Pennsylvania
Rules of Evidence, by other rules prescribed by the Pennsylvania Supreme
Court, or by statute. Pa.R.E. 802. “The rationale for the hearsay rule is that
hearsay is too untrustworthy to be considered by the trier of fact.”
Commonwealth v. Bean, 677 A.2d 842, 844 (Pa. Super. 1996).
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In addressing Appellant’s claim the trial court offered the following
discussion in its opinion denying post-sentence motions, which we adopt as
our own and reproduce verbatim:2
[Appellant] alleges that the Court erred in permitting Det.
Weaver to testify regarding statements that [Appellant] told Det.
Weaver that Pinkney made to [Appellant]. [Appellant] raised
the issue multiple times during the trial and extensive argument
was heard regarding the same. The contested statements were
the following:
A: ... And also we talked about, she told me that
people were saying that [Pinkney] was involved in
the shooting. And she said she asked, confronted
him. The first time he denied it, but he was acting
real weird. So, she kept pushing it. And [Pinkney]
then admitted that him, [Stepoli], and [Hairston]
went to [Victim’s] house to rob him, because they
knew he had a lot of money. And that during the
course of the robbery, [Victim] was shot and killed.
She said that [Pinkney] apologized, because he said
that if he would have known that [Victim] was her
godfather, he wouldn’t have went.
Q: Did [Pinkney] indicate anything about whether or
not they were able to complete the robbery?
A: No, [Pinkney] told her that they didn’t get
anything. He said when they were there, [Pinkney]
saw a girl go to the door. [Victim] opened the door
to let the girl in, and that is when it happened.
N.T. 631. The Defense argued that said statements were
“double hearsay” and not within the co-conspirator’s exception
to the hearsay rule. The Commonwealth argued that
[Appellant’s] statement to Det. Weaver was a statement of a
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2
We note that the judge authoring the opinion and order denying
Appellant’s post-sentence motions was not the same judge presiding at
Appellant’s trial.
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party opponent pursuant to Pa.R.E. 803(25)(A) and, as such,
was admissible in its entirety (including Pinkney’s statements to
[Appellant]).
“Hearsay” is a statement that the declarant does not make
while testifying at the current trial or hearing and that a party
offers in evidence to prove the truth of the matter asserted in
the statement. Pa.R.E. 801(c). Hearsay is not admissible
except as provided by these rules, by other rules prescribed by
the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, or by statute. Pa.R.E. 802. A
statement offered against an opposing party that was made by
the party in an individual or representative capacity is commonly
referred to as an admission by a party opponent. 803(25)(A).
Although the Commonwealth argues that Pinkney’s
statements through [Appellant] are an admission by party
opponent, this Court does not make such a finding. Rather,
Pinkney’s statements offered by [Appellant] through Det.
Weaver are hearsay within hearsay. However, this Court agrees
with the ruling of the trial court that the statements are
excepted by the rule against hearsay under the co-conspirator
exception. A statement offered against an opposing party that
was made by the party’s co-conspirator during and in
furtherance of the conspiracy is not excluded by the rule against
hearsay, regardless of whether the declarant is available.
Pa.R.E. 803(25)(E).
Prior to the Court admitting the above-referenced
statements under the co-conspirator’s exception to hearsay rule,
the Court heard testimony regarding the existence of a
conspiracy from [Appellant’s] cellmate Amy Calabrese
(hereinafter “Calabrese”). Calabrese testified:
Q: Did you have one conversation with her before
your preliminary hearing, or more than one
conversation?
A: More than one.
Q: And did she ever talk to you about the nature of
the charges that were [filed] against her?
A: Yes.
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Q: And what in essence did she tell you about the
charges and her involvement in the case?
A: She had told me that it was a, that she had killed
somebody. It was a homicide charge.
Q: Did she identify the victim in the case?
A: She said her godfather, she kept saying Snacks.
Q: Did she indicate what led up to that, or what her
involvement was?
A: She was at the Wal-Mart on videotape buying the
bullets, and those, and that is how they had gotten
her for all the charges.
Q: And did she say, identify who was involved?
A: Yes, she said Josh. I remember the name Josh.
And then Antoine was the other name, so...
Q: And did she say what they did?
A: She said that they got in the car and all rode
together. And she wasn’t sure. She said she told
the police that she didn’t know they were going to do
this, but she really did know. Yeah, she said she
used her I.D., went into Wal-Mart and bought
bullets, and got back in the car.
Q: And did she indicate... [w]hy the bullets were
purchased at that time?
A: Yeah, they were going to rob somebody.
Q: Did she say who was going to rob somebody?
A: Her and two other people.
...
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Q: And did she indicate why this robbery was
intended to take place, why they were robbing
Snacks?
A: They wanted the money and the drugs.
...
Q: Did Miss Hughes indicate anything about what her
intentions were in the future...what she wanted to do
with her life?
A: She said she thought it was cool to be a drug
dealer. That is what she wanted to do to make
money.
Q: Now did she indicate what she told the police
about her involvement in this case?
A: Yeah, she told the police that she only, that she
didn’t know what was going on, that she just, she
didn’t go to the house, and she didn’t tell them about
the gun that they ended up destroying.
Q: What did she tell you about that?
A: She said that they went to some woman’s house
and destroyed the gun.
Q: What gun was she referring to, do you know?
A: Whatever gun they used in the robbery, that is
what she said.
...
Q: Now you indicated that she told you, she related
some details that she did following Snacks being
shot. What did she say, Amy?
A: She said that she had taken them, they left, and
they went and destroyed the gun.
Q: Did she say where they went to destroy the gun?
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A: Some woman’s house. She said the police will
never find it.
Q: And did she indicate whether or not she actually
saw the gun being destroyed?
A: She did say she did see it destroyed. N.T. 564-
570.
After hearing the above testimony, the Court made the
following ruling regarding whether to admit Pinkney’s statements
under the co-conspirator’s exception:
Court: After listening to her testimony, I refer you
again to the Commonwealth case, Commonwealth
vs. Cull.[3] And Cull indicates that if the conspiracy is
ongoing, then the statement would come in as an
exception under the co-conspirator rule. Even
though it is close, I think that this witness has
established that the conspiracy was ongoing, and
this business of covering up the conspiracy was
occurring. Because according to her testimony,
whether it is believable or not by the jury, her
testimony was-and the jury could believe this-that
they went and destroyed the weapon in order to help
cover up the crime. And that fits in with the notion
of the ongoing conspiracy rule.
Defense Counsel: And I understand the Court’s
ruling. I want to indicate for the record, as I
indicated prior, this alleged statement by Earl
Pinkney to her, according to Det. Weaver’s interview,
took place the next evening, approximately at least
18 hours later, even if you would believe that they
destroyed this weapon. So, I would assert for the
record that I don’t believe the conspiracy was still
ongoing at that point.
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3
Commonwealth v. Cull, 656 A.2d 476, 481 (Pa. 1995).
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Court: Okay, I understand that. But I believe there
is at least circumstantial evidence that in this case
part of the crime was to continue covering up. N.T.
607-608
This Court agrees with the Trial Court that there was
ample evidence that a conspiracy existed and that Pinkney’s
statement regarding concealing the crime was in furtherance of
the conspiracy. Therefore, this Court finds that it was not error
for the trial court to admit Pinkney’s statement.
Even if Pinkney’s statement were improperly admitted, any
error was harmless. In harmless error analysis, the
Commonwealth has the burden of proving beyond a reasonable
doubt that the error could not have contributed to the verdict.
Commonwealth v. Moore, 937 A.2d 1062, 1073 (Pa. 2007);
Commonwealth v. Mitchell, 839 A.2d 202, 214 (Pa. 2003). An
error may be deemed harmless, inter alia, where the properly
admitted and uncontradicted evidence of guilt was so
overwhelming and the prejudicial effect of the error was so
insignificant by comparison that the error could not have
contributed to the verdict. Id. (internal citations omitted).
After review of the entire record, the Commonwealth’s
argument regarding this issue is persuasive. Evidence of a
robbery was clear in that Manges and Calderone, who were
inside Victim’s home at the time of the killing, testified that
individual(s) were attempting to force open the back door as
Victim attempted to close the door before shots were fired and
Victim was killed. N.T. 151-155. A substantial amount of drugs
and money were on the kitchen table at the time of the killing.
N.T. 361-366. Stepoli told [Appellant] that Stepoli intended to
“hit a lick” (to commit a robbery). N.T. 628-630. [Appellant]
used her identification to purchase ammunition at Wal-Mart at
9:12 p.m. on December 2, 2012. N.T. 221-223; 626-628. The
killing of Victim took place at approximately 12:25 a.m. on
December 3, 2012. N.T. 348. Calabrese testified that
[Appellant] admitted to her that [Appellant] was engaged in a
robbery for drugs and money from Victim. N.T. 564-567.
Pinkney’s statement implicated himself in the crime and
potentially assisted [Appellant] in that Pinkney’s statement
contradicted Calabrese’s testimony regarding [Appellant’s]
statements to Calabrese. Additionally, Pinkney’s statements did
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not implicate [Appellant] in the crime. For the aforementioned
reasons, this Court finds that if it was error to admit Pinkney’s
statements under the co-conspirator exception to the rule
against hearsay, any error was harmless because any prejudicial
effect of the alleged error was so insignificant that it could not
have contributed to the jury’s verdict.
Trial Court Opinion, 12/23/14, at 19-24. We agree with the trial court that
the statement was properly admitted, and we conclude that Appellant’s
contrary claim lacks merit.
Appellant next argues that there was insufficient evidence to support
her convictions. Appellant’s Brief at 26-28. Appellant asserts there was
insufficient evidence that the men who shot the victim were attempting to
commit a robbery because there was no evidence that anything was taken
from the victim’s home, and that Appellant’s use of her driver’s license to
assist in the purchase of bullets was insufficient to establish a conspiracy.
When reviewing a challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence, we
evaluate the record in the light most favorable to the Commonwealth as
verdict winner, giving the prosecution the benefit of all reasonable inferences
to be drawn from the evidence. Commonwealth v. Duncan, 932 A.2d
226, 231 (Pa. Super. 2007) (citation omitted). “Evidence will be deemed
sufficient to support the verdict when it establishes each material element of
the crime charged and the commission thereof by the accused, beyond a
reasonable doubt.” Id. (quoting Commonwealth v. Brewer, 876 A.2d
1029, 1032 (Pa. Super. 2005)). However, the Commonwealth need not
establish guilt to a mathematical certainty, and it may sustain its burden by
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means of wholly circumstantial evidence. Id. Moreover, this Court may not
substitute its judgment for that of the fact finder, and where the record
contains support for the convictions, they may not be disturbed. Id. Lastly,
we note that the finder of fact is free to believe some, all, or none of the
evidence presented. Commonwealth v. Hartle, 894 A.2d 800, 804 (Pa.
Super. 2006).
The trial court, in addressing this issue in Appellant’s post-sentence
motion, provided the following comprehensive discussion, which we adopt:
In this case, the jury found [Appellant] Guilty of Robbery
under a theory of accomplice liability and Guilty of Conspiracy to
Commit Robbery. In Pennsylvania, a person is guilty of
Robbery, if, in the course of committing a theft, he: (i) inflicts
bodily injury upon another. 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 3701(a)(1)(i). An
act shall be deemed “in the course of committing a theft” if it
occurs in an attempt to commit theft or if in flight after the
attempt or commission. 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 3701(a)(2). Under
Pennsylvania law, a defendant can be proved liable for the
conduct of another person(s) when the defendant is an
accomplice of the person who actually commits the crime:
(a) General rule. - a person is guilty of an offense if
it is committed by his own conduct or by the conduct
of another person for which he is legally accountable,
or both.
[* * *]
(c) Accomplice defined. - A person is an accomplice of another
person in the commission of an offense if:
(1) with the intent of promoting or facilitating the
commission of the offense, he:
(i) solicits such other person to commit it; or
(ii) aids or agrees or attempts to aid such
other person in planning or committing it; or
(2) his conduct is expressly declared by law to
establish his complicity.
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18 Pa.C.S.A. § 306(a),(c)(1)-(2). In Commonwealth v. Rega,
the Pennsylvania [Supreme] Court explained:
An accomplice is one who “actively and purposefully
engages in criminal activity [and is] criminally
responsible for the criminal actions of his/her co-
conspirators which are committed in furtherance of
the criminal endeavor.” Accordingly, two prongs
must be satisfied for a person to be labeled an
“accomplice.” First, there must be evidence that the
person intended to aid or promote the underlying
offense. Second, there must be evidence that the
person actively participated in the crime by soliciting,
aiding, or agreeing to aid the principal. Further, a
person cannot be an accomplice simply based on
evidence that he knew about the crime or was
present at the crime scene. There must be some
additional evidence that the person intended to aid in
the commission of the underlying crime, and then
aided or attempted to aid.
933 A.2d 997, 1015 (Pa. 2007) (internal citations omitted). For
purposes of accomplice liability, “[n]o agreement is required,
only aid.” Commonwealth v. Kimbrough, 872 A.2d 1244, 1251
(Pa. Super. 2005). With regard to the amount of aid, it need not
be substantial so long as it was offered to the principal to assist
him or her in committing or attempting to commit the crime.
Commonwealth v. Murphy, 844 A.2d 1228, 1234 (Pa. 2004).
The least degree of assistance in committing the offense is
adequate to sustain the finding of responsibility as an
accomplice. Commonwealth v. Gladden, 665 A.2d 1201, 1209
(Pa. Super. 1995) (internal citations omitted).
[Appellant] argues that there is insufficient evidence to
show that [Appellant] had the intent of promoting or facilitating
the commission of the robbery and/or that, even assuming that
[Appellant] was aware that the individual was planning to
commit a robbery, merely agreeing to provide a driver’s license
to allow an individual to purchase bullets is also insufficient
evidence of [Appellant’s] guilt. [Appellant] also argues that
there was insufficient evidence for the jury to conclude that
[Appellant] was an accomplice to robbery because the jury
would also have had to conclude that there was proof beyond a
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reasonable doubt that Stepoli and/or Hairston engaged in the
robbery.
The Commonwealth argues that there was sufficient
evidence to support [Appellant’s] conviction for robbery.
Although this Court did not conduct the trial in this matter,
Judge Alfred Bell addressed this issue when, at the close of the
Commonwealth’s case-in-chief, [Appellant] made a motion for
Judgment of Acquittal. The following exchange occurred:
Defense Counsel: Well, Your Honor, I make a motion
for Judgment of Acquittal on all the charges. I don’t
believe there is sufficient evidence to allow this jury
to deliberate. I don’t believe there is sufficient
evidence to show that the individuals that
[Appellant] is alleged to have assisted in this crime
actually committed the crime. And I don’t believe
there is sufficient evidence to show there was an
agreement to commit this crime.
Commonwealth: Your Honor, as to the proving who
actually committed the crime, [Appellant] has told
the Court through Detective [Robert] Weaver, that
her boyfriend[,] Earl Pinkney, said that he, and Josh
Stepoli, and Antoine Hairston went there to rob
[Victim].
Court: Even not considering that; there is
circumstantial evidence that Stepoli and Hairston
purchased the ammunition, and had told [Appellant]
that they were going to commit a robbery, within
two hours or three hours of the time of the killing.
So, that is circumstantial evidence, even
disregarding her statement.
Commonwealth: And so obviously, there is an
agreement in this case, because [Appellant] agreed
to aid them in the robbery, because she bought the
bullets for them, she knew they were going to
commit a robbery before they went to Wal-Mart, and
she bought the bullets, that obviously facilitated the
robbery, and was an aid to them in committing the
robbery.
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Court: There was sufficient evidence in the record, if
believed by the jury, that [Appellant] entered into an
agreement to at least aid. That is the jury’s
determination. That is why we are here. But there
is testimony by the statement to Det. Weaver that
she said, and we have a videotape showing her
actually buying the ammunition, handing the money
to the clerk and receiving the bullets, and carrying
them out in a bag. And she said that she knew prior
to that, in her statement to Weaver, if believed by
the jury, that she knew they were going to commit a
robbery.
Now there is no time frame expressed. Det. Weaver
didn’t say she said when it was going to happen, but
at least by her statement that the ammunition was
being purchased for the purpose of being used in a
robbery, so your motions are denied.
N.T. 711-714.
This Court, having reviewed the entire record in this case,
finds no error in Judge Bell’s determination that there was
sufficient evidence for the jury to deliberate. Viewing the
evidence in the light most favorable to the Commonwealth as
the verdict winner, there was sufficient evidence to support
[Appellant’s] conviction for robbery. As noted above, the
amount of aid provided to the principal need not be substantial.
This Court finds that [Appellant] intended to promote or facilitate
the robbery, and that [Appellant] provided substantial aid to the
commission of the robbery by purchasing the bullets that
[Appellant] knew would be used in the robbery. By [Appellant’s]
own statement to Det. Weaver, at a minimum, [Appellant] knew
prior to the robbery that Stepoli and Hairston intended to
commit a robbery. [Appellant] knew that Stepoli, Hairston, and
her boyfriend, Pinkney had committed robberies together in the
past, and that they used guns during those robberies. Yet,
[Appellant] willingly purchased the ammunition at Wal-Mart
knowing that said ammunition would be used to “hit a lick”
(commit a robbery).
[Appellant] also argues that there was insufficient evidence
for the jury to conclude that [Appellant] was an accomplice to
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robbery because the jury would have had to conclude beyond a
reasonable doubt that Stepoli and/or Hairston engaged in the
robbery. [Appellant] raised this issue at trial and was granted
an instruction by the Court which required the jury to conclude
beyond a reasonable doubt that all of the elements of the
offensive robbery had been met against Stepoli and/or Hairston
prior to concluding that [Appellant] would be guilty of robbery.
N.T. 795-800. Evidence was presented at trial that there was
drug paraphernalia, a large amount of money, and numerous
types of drugs at Victim’s residence. [Appellant] argues that
there was no money, drugs, or anything else taken from Victim’s
home the night Victim was shot. However, robbery does not
require that the crime be completed; one can be guilty of
robbery by attempting to commit robbery.
Further, [Appellant’s] admissions presented at trial
through Det. Weaver and Calabrese provide circumstantial
evidence that Stepoli and/or Hairston engaged in an attempted
robbery. Evidence was presented at trial that three men
attempted to gain entry into Victim’s house and that, after
Victim resisted said entry, at least one of the suspects fired a
gun through a door which resulted in Victim being shot and
killed. Additional evidence was presented at trial by eyewitness
Morris to the approximate height of the three suspects and
further circumstantial evidence was presented at trial by Det.
Dupilka regarding Stepoli, Hairston, and Pinkney’s height. As
indicated above, it is the sole province of the fact finder to
determine the credibility and to believe all, part or none of the
evidence presented. In the case sub judice, based on the
evidence presented, a jury could reasonably infer that there was
sufficient evidence presented to support the convictions of
Robbery and Conspiracy to Commit Robbery. Viewing all of the
evidence in a light most favorable to the Commonwealth as
verdict winner, and drawing all reasonable inferences therefrom,
the evidence was sufficient to support the jury’s verdict of guilty
of the charges.
Trial Court Opinion, 12/23/14, at 14-17 (some citations omitted). In light of
the testimony of Detective Weaver that Appellant admitted to purchasing
ammunition identical to that used in the robbery and the testimony from
Amy Calabrese that Appellant admitted to planning the robbery and
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transporting the co-conspirators, we are constrained to agree with the
determination reached by the trial court. Thus, Appellant’s challenge to the
sufficiency of the evidence lacks merit.
Appellant last argues that the verdict was against the weight of the
evidence. Appellant’s Brief at 22-25. Appellant alleges that the jury
improperly gave greater weight to the fact that the Victim was killed over
the facts surrounding Appellant’s involvement in the crime and should have
given greater weight to the fact that the perpetrators did not enter the home
after the Victim was shot which establishes that a robbery was not
contemplated.
In Commonwealth v. Clay, 64 A.3d 1049 (Pa. 2013), our Supreme
Court set forth the following standards to be employed in addressing
challenges to the weight of the evidence:
A motion for a new trial based on a claim that the verdict
is against the weight of the evidence is addressed to the
discretion of the trial court. Commonwealth v. Widmer, 560
Pa. 308, 319, 744 A.2d 745, 751-[7]52 (2000);
Commonwealth v. Brown, 538 Pa. 410, 435, 648 A.2d 1177,
1189 (1994). A new trial should not be granted because of a
mere conflict in the testimony or because the judge on the same
facts would have arrived at a different conclusion. Widmer, 560
A.2d at 319-20, 744 A.2d at 752. Rather, “the role of the trial
judge is to determine that ‘notwithstanding all the facts, certain
facts are so clearly of greater weight that to ignore them or to
give them equal weight with all the facts is to deny justice.’” Id.
at 320, 744 A.2d at 752 (citation omitted). It has often been
stated that “a new trial should be awarded when the jury’s
verdict is so contrary to the evidence as to shock one’s sense of
justice and the award of a new trial is imperative so that right
may be given another opportunity to prevail.” Brown, 538 Pa.
at 435, 648 A.2d at 1189.
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An appellate court’s standard of review when presented
with a weight of the evidence claim is distinct from the standard
of review applied by the trial court:
Appellate review of a weight claim is a review of the
exercise of discretion, not of the underlying question
of whether the verdict is against the weight of the
evidence. Brown, 648 A.2d at 1189. Because the
trial judge has had the opportunity to hear and see
the evidence presented, an appellate court will give
the gravest consideration to the findings and reasons
advanced by the trial judge when reviewing a trial
court’s determination that the verdict is against the
weight of the evidence. Commonwealth v.
Farquharson, 467 Pa. 50, 354 A.2d 545 (Pa. 1976).
One of the least assailable reasons for granting or
denying a new trial is the lower court’s conviction
that the verdict was or was not against the weight of
the evidence and that a new trial should be granted
in the interest of justice.
Widmer, 560 Pa. at 321-[3]22, 744 A.2d at 753 (emphasis
added).
This does not mean that the exercise of discretion by the
trial court in granting or denying a motion for a new trial based
on a challenge to the weight of the evidence is unfettered. In
describing the limits of a trial court’s discretion, we have
explained:
The term “discretion” imports the exercise of
judgment, wisdom and skill so as to reach a
dispassionate conclusion within the framework of the
law, and is not exercised for the purpose of giving
effect to the will of the judge. Discretion must be
exercised on the foundation of reason, as opposed to
prejudice, personal motivations, caprice or arbitrary
actions. Discretion is abused where the course
pursued represents not merely an error of judgment,
but where the judgment is manifestly unreasonable
or where the law is not applied or where the record
shows that the action is a result of partiality,
prejudice, bias or ill-will.
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J-A32004-15
Widmer, 560 A.2d at 322, 744 A.2d at 753 (quoting Coker v.
S.M. Flickinger Co., 533 Pa. 441, 447, 625 A.2d 1181, 1184-
[11]85 (1993)).
Clay, 64 A.3d at 1054-1055. “Thus, the trial court’s denial of a motion for a
new trial based on a weight of the evidence claim is the least assailable of its
rulings.” Commonwealth v. Diggs, 949 A.2d 873, 879-880 (Pa. 2008).
Our review of the record reflects that the trial court addressed
Appellant’s challenge to the weight of the evidence and determined that it
lacked merit. Specifically, the trial court stated the following with regard to
Appellant’s challenge to the weight of the evidence supporting her
convictions:
[Appellant] argues that the jury gave greater weight to the
evidence of the killing of Victim by the robbers than the actual
facts of [Appellant’s] involvement. However, the jury acquitted
[Appellant] of the killing and only convicted [Appellant] of the
crimes with regard to robbery. The jury was certainly capable of
determining whether to believe all, part, or none of the evidence
with respect to whether the Commonwealth met its burden in
charging [Appellant] with Robbery and Conspiracy to Commit
Robbery. Based upon this Court’s review of the entire record,
this Court does not find that the jury’s verdict is so contrary to
the evidence as to shock this Court[‘s] sense of justice.
Therefore, this Court does not find that the jury’s verdict was
against the weight of the evidence.
Trial Court Opinion, 12/23/14, at 18.
The jury, sitting as the finder of fact, was free to believe all, part, or
none of the evidence against Appellant, as was its right. The jury weighed
the evidence and concluded Appellant perpetrated the crimes in question.
This determination is not so contrary to the evidence so as to shock one’s
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sense of justice. We decline Appellant’s invitation to assume the role of fact
finder and to reweigh the evidence. Accordingly, we conclude that the trial
court did not abuse its discretion in determining Appellant’s weight of the
evidence claim lacked merit. Thus, this claim fails to provide Appellant
relief.
Judgment of sentence affirmed.
Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary
Date: 1/25/2016
- 23 -
Circulated 12/29/2015 10:50 AM
...
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY,
PENNSYLVANIA- CRIMINAL DMSION
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA )
)
vs. ) NO. 429 C 2013
)
CHALSEE L. HUGHES )
OPINION AND ORDER OF COURT I
The above-captioned case is before this Court for the disposition of the defendant's Post [
Sentence Motions filed pursuant to Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure 720(B). The I
defendant, Chalsee L. Hughes (hereinafter "Defendant") was charged with the following crimes 1:
Count I-Murder of.the Second Degree, in violation of18 Pa.C.S.A. § 2502(b), 2nd
I
degree homicide.
Count 2- Murder of the Third Degree, in violation of 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 2502(c), 1st
degree felony.
Count 3- Criminal Conspiracy (to commit homicide), in violation of 18 Pa.C.S.A. §
903(a)(l.), l 51 degree felony.
Count 4-Robbery, in violation of 1 & Pa.C.S.A. § 370l(a)(l)(i), l st degree felony.
Count 5- Criminal Conspiracy (to commit Robbery), in violation of 18 Pa.C.S.A. §
903(a)(l), l" degree felony.
The charges stem from an investigation by Officer David Yuhasz of the City of Monessen
Police Department into the shooting death of Christopher Fincik at his home on December 3, 2012,
in the City of Monessen, Westmoreland County.
Following Defendant's arrest, Magisterial District Judge Joseph Dalfonso conducted a
preliminary hearing on January 28, 2013, and held the case for court. A criminal information was
filed charging Defendant with the above-mentioned crimes. Defendant filed a Motion to Set Bond
and a Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus. Following a hearing on May 21, 2013, the motion and
petition were denied by the Court on August 26, 2013. On October 23·, 2013, counsel for
I
The criminal infonnation initially included a charge of Murder in the First Degree, but said criminal infonnation was
subsequentlyamended and the offense of Murder of the First Degree was deleted.
Defendant filed a Motion to Withdraw, which was granted on October 24, 2013. New counsel was
appointed on October 25, 2013.
A Motion to Suppress was filed by present counsel. Following a hearing on February 27,
2014, said motion was denied. Jury selection commenced on March 3, 2014, and a trial by jury was
conducted on March 25, 2014.
On April 2, 2014, following a seven day jury trial, Defendant was found Guilty of Robbery
and Conspiracy to Commit Robbery and Not Guilty of the remaining charges. Defendant was
sentenced by the Court on July l, 2014, to a period of incarceration ofnot less than 54 months for
the offense of Robbery and an identical sentence concurrent to that sentence for the offense of
Criminal Conspiracy to Commit Robbery. Defendant timely filed the Post-Sentence Motions
presently before this Court.
Defendant alleges the following:
I. The Commonwealth failed to present sufficient evidence for the jury to reach
the verdict of guilty to the charge of Robbery as an accomplice and guilty to
the charge of Conspiracy to Commit Robbery.
II. The verdict was against the weight of the evidence.
III. The trial court erred in precluding Defendant from presenting evidence and
arguing that the Commonwealth failed to charge the two alleged co-
conspirators.
IV. The trial court erred in allowing hearsay testimony of Earl Pinkney regarding
his involvement in the shooting of Chris Fincik through Detective Robert
Weaver who obtained the statement from Defendant during an interview.
V. The trial court erred in directing that Defendant make payment for the cost of
the autopsy of the deceased.
FACTS
During the early morning hours of December 3, 2012, Christopher Fincik (hereinafter
"Victim") was shot and killed at his residence, 902 Maple Avenue, inthe City of Monessen. N.T.
March 25-April 2, 2014, 329, 348, 352 (hereinafter "N.T.").2. Witness and Victim's neighbor,
2
March 25-April 2, 2014 are the trial dates. To decrease the length of each citation, the notes of testimony regarding
the trial dates will hereafter be referred to as "N.T.". References to any other hearing and/or matter in this case shall
include the date of said proceeding.
Daniel Evangelist (hereinafter "Evangelist") testified that, around 11 :30 p.m. on December 2, 2012,
while in the second story bathroom of his home, he heard a loud male voice right beneath his
window. N.T. 41-42. Evangelist testified that it sounded as if the male was on the phone when the
male stated, "as soon as somebody gets here [we're] goin' to do a hit." N.T. 42-43. At around
12:20 a.m. on December 3, 2012, Evangelist called 911 after hearing approximately four gun shots.
N.T. 45-46.
Witness Miranda Morris (hereinafter "Morris"), who identified herself as the victim's
girlfriend, testified that, on December 3, 2012, at approximately 12:00 a.m., living in close
proximity to each other, she walked from her house towards Victims' house.3 N.T. 106, 107, 109.
Morris indicated that, as she approached the edge of victim's property, which was well lit by the
victim's back porch light, she could see another female, whom she knew to be Rachel, on the right
side of Victim's house. N.T. 110. Morris stated that she watched Rachel knock on the back door,
saw Victim open the door, watched Rachel enter Victims' residence, and heard Victim tell Morris
to "watch her step." N.T. 111-112.
Estimating that she was approximately ten to twelve feet away from Victim's back door,
Morris testified that she next saw three men coming around the left side of Victim's home. As
Morris told Victim to shut the door, the men were approximately one foot in front of the back door
and the tallest of three "started shooting." N. T. 114, 117. Being unable to see any of the men's
faces due to their black masks.Morris described two of the men as at least six feet tall, with one of
the taller men being considerably more than six feet tall, and one of the men shorter than six feet
tall." N.T. 115. Morri~ estimated that the shortest of the three was probably around her height,
which is 5'6", or shorter. N.T. 116.
When asked directly whether she knew Josh Stepoli (hereinafter "Stepoli") at the time of the
shooting, Morris stated that she did. N.T. 124-125. Morris described Stepoli as very tall and stocky.
N.T .. 125. When asked if the person Morris described as the tallest of the three was similar to
Stepoli's size back in December of 2012, Morris stated "Yes." N.T: 125. Along the same lines,
Morris stated that she knew Earl Pinkney (hereinafter "Pinkney") at the time of the shooting and
3
Morris testified that she resided on Locust Avenue, which road was located directly behind victim's property. As
such, Morris testified that when she walked down her road towards the victim's property, she would end up at victim's
backyard. To enter victim's house, Moms would walk through victim's backyard and enter the victim's house through·
the backdoor. N.T. 106, 109.
4
Morris estimated that the shorter person was "maybe my height, or even a shorter." Morris testified that she is 5'6".
N.T.116.
.
that Pinkney's size was similar to the second tallest person of the three. N.T.125-126. Again being
··,)
asked directly whether she knew Antoine Hairston (hereinafter "Hairston") at the time of the
shooting, Morris stated that she did and that she had known Hairston since he was little. N.T. 126.
Morris testified that Hairston's size at the time of the shooting was similar to the shortest oftb.e
three men involved in the shooting. N.T. 126.
Although she was only approximately two to three feet from the three men at the time of the
shooting, Morris was not able to identify any of the men any further. N.T. 126, 131. On cross-
examination, Morris did not know the exact height of the three men or their exact weight. N.T. 139.
Morris also admitted that, although she testified that she knew specific men of similar size and
height of each of the three, she also knew other people in the city of Monessen that might have
similar size and shape of the three. N.T. 139.
Regarding which of the three was carrying any weapons, Morris testified that theshortest of
the three had a small handgun, the tallest of the three had a black long gun that was not a shotgun..
rather an AK-47~ and that, although she didn't see whether the other man had a gun, she couldn't
say conclusively whether or not he did. N.T. 116-117, 141-142 .. When questioned specifically
about which of the three was the shooter that she had described, Morris stated that the tallest of the
three was the shooter. N.T. 117.
Morris further testified that sometime during the shooting, she ran back to her home, and
from her first floor porch 5, she saw three men running from Maple Street uphill on a path to a
wooded area. N.T. 117-119. Other then seeing the three men, Morris stated that she saw Rachel
[Manges]6 (hereinafter "Manges") run out of victim's front door a minute later. N.T. 120. Within a
couple of minutes, Manges, who was frantic with blood all over her shirt, came to Morris's house.
N.T. 121. Morris recalled Manges telling her to call 911, but was unable to recall anything
additional that Manges had said to her. N.T. 124.
There were two witnesses, Rachel Manges (hereinafter "Manges") and Robert Calderone
(hereinafter "Calderone") who were in Victim's house at the time of the shooting. Manges testified
that Victim was a good friend of eight years at the time of the shooting and that she entered
Victim's residence through the same back door where the shooting occurred just moments before it
s Morris testified that her first floor porch was elevated above victim's house on Maple Street. N.T. 118.
6
Although Miranda Morris testified that she did not know Rachel's last name, Rachel Manges testified that she was the
"Rachel" who Miranda encountered on that night. Monessen Police Officer David Yuhasz also indentified "Rachel" as
Rachel Manges. N.T. 351.
happened. N.T. 146, 152. Manges testified that she generally entered through the back door
because the front door was blocked off. N.T. 147. Wwhen she walked along the side of the house
towards the back of the house, she did see someone walking from the backyard towards the house,
but didn't recognize or say anything to the person. N.T. 149-150.
Manges testified that when Victim opened the back door, she entered the kitchen and saw
Calderone sitting at the kitchen table. N.T. 151. AU of a sudden, Victim was trying to shut the back
door. N.T. 152. By holding the palms of her hands in the air, with her left hand and arm a little bit
higher than her right hand, Manges demonstrated how Victim was struggling to push the door
closed while a force on the other side was trying to come into the house. N.T. 152-153. Manges
stated that the struggle lasted only seconds before she heard gunfire. N.T. 154. Victim was able to
get the door shut but, after hearing six gun shots before she heard ringing, Manges saw that Victim
was shot and limping. N.T. 155-156. Manges and Victim made it to the living room, where Victim
fell onto the landing next to the steps, partially blocking the front door. N.T. 157, 159. Realizing
that Victim was dying, Manges left to get help. N.T. 157-158. Manges testified that, as she got into
her car, she yelled up to Morris (who was on her front porch) to call 911. N.T. 159.
The other witness present in the house at the time of the shooting was Calderone. Calderone
testified that Victim was one of his best friends and that he was "hanging out" at Victim's house for
ten to fifteen minutes before the shooting occurred. N.T. 174-175. Calderone and Victim were
sitting at the kitchen table when Manges knocked on the back door. N.T. 176. Victim let Manges in
and when the door was about a foot from being closed, all of a sudden, somebody was trying to
push it open. N.T. 176. Calderone testified that Victim put his foot in front of the door, put his
8!1!1S up on the door, and was blocking to stop whoever was trying to come in. N.T. 176-177.
Calderone demonstrated this by putting his arms up about chest or shoulder level with his palms
facing out. N.T .. 177. Calderone testified that, after Victim struggled with the door for a few
seconds, Calderone heard shots being fired. N.T. 178, 180. Calderone ran out of the front door after
being shot in the chest. 1'LT. 178, 179. After jumping off the front porch, Calderone turned left,
looked, and saw three or four kids in all black running up Maple Street to the left. N.T. 179.
Calderone was about 30 feet from the three or four kids when he saw them and was not able to
identify them other than stating that they all looked about his size," N.T. 184.
7
Calderone testified that he is 5'9" to 5'10" and approximately 135 lbs. N.T. 189.
I
I
I
At 12:25 am. on December 3, 2012, City of Monessen Police were dispatched to the 900
block of Maple Avenue and then directed by Manges8 to the home of Christopher Fincik
(hereinafter "Victim"). N.T. 348-352. Officer David Yuhasz and Lieutenant Fronzaglio arrived at
902 MapleAvenue and found Victims' lifeless body lying inside the residence blocking the front
door. N.T. 351-353. Officer Yuhasz and Lt. Fronzaglio walked to the rear door of the residence
which they found to have bullet holes and shattered glass. N.T. 353-354. Prior to the shooting, the
rear door was a single pane ofglass with window pane dividers that made it look as if each pane
was a separate piece of glass. N.T. 502, 503. Each glass section of the rear door was covered with
paper towels which would have prevented anyone from the outside seeing through the glass
windowpanes. N.T.140, 166, 180-181
Upon entering the kitchen area through the rear door, Officer Yuhasz observed objects on
the table, that the kitchen was in disarray with blood on the walls and floor, and chairs overturned.
N.T. 335. Officer Yuhasz followed a path a blood from the kitchen to the living room to a landing
near the front door where Victim, who immediately appeared to be deceased, was found._N.T. 356-
359. Upon further investigation of the kitchen, Officer Yuhasz observed what was later confirmed
to be 390 packets of heroin, one baggie of cocaine weighing 82.8 grams, one baggie of cocaine
weighing 46.5 grams, $3,241.00, two digital scales, a hotel room key card, one box of Clover
Valley baking soda, one container oflnositol powder,9 baggies, and other packaging devices for
drugs on the kitchen table. N.T. 359, 361~365.
Officer Yuhasz testified that, other than officials investigating the scene, there were no other
people in the residence. N.T. 357. Yuhasz stated that investigators did recover a .32 caliber Kel-
Tee semi-automatic pistol hidden in the second story attic staircase behind two pieces of unfinished
lumber. N.T. 416. Yuhasz stated that although there were no rounds in the chamber; the magazine
did have bullets in it. N. T. 417. A second pistol, a .45 caliber Springfield Arms, was found under a
floorboard in the basement stairwell. N.T. 417, 504. Said pistol also had bullets in the magazine.
N.T. 417. The investigation continued with the interviews of numerous witnesses and having
Detectives from the Westmoreland County District Attorney's Office review the crime scene, take
I
Officer Yuhasz testified that he saw a white vehicle pulling away from in front of the area of 902 Maple, and when he
followed the vehicle, Rachel Manges stopped the car and jumped out. N.T. 351. Officer Yuhaz further testified that,
with blood all on her front shirt, Manges screamed, "He is shot. Got check on him. He is shot. .. Snacks [referring to
Christopher Fincik]." N.T. 351.
9
Officer Yuhasz testified that baking soda and Inositol powder are commonly used in drug trafficking for preparing,
cutting, and expanding the quantity of the controlled substance. N.T. 365.
photographs, collect physical evidence, and do additional forensic evaluations. N.T. 385-528. Of
particular importance, three discharged cartridge casings, collected by the investigators, were found
in the grass adjacent to the back porch area. N.T. 482, 492-493. Two of those cartridge casings
were Winchester 7.62 x 39 and one was Tulammo 7.62 x 39. N.T. 281. Those shell casings were
submitted to the Pennsylvania State Police Regional Crime Lab for review by the Serology
Department as well as the DNA Department. N.T. 724-730.
Dr. Cyril H. Wecht (hereinafter "Dr. Wecht") performed the autopsy on Victim and testified
in this matter as an expert in Forensic Pathology. N.T. 306, 308. Dr. Wecht noted that Victim had
gunshot wounds to the .chest, abdomen, right forearm, left upper abdomen, and lower chest region.
N.T. 312. Dr. Wecht testified that three or four bullets struck Victim. N.T. 332. While testifying
about the nature of thewounds, the following exchange occurred:
Commonwealth: Doctor, I would ask you to assume that Chris Fincik at the time of
his death was attempting to close a door, and has been described as having his arms
up trying to press the door, probably to press the door closed. And somebody fired·
from the other side of the door. Would a gunshot be consistent with striking the
right arm and then proceeding into the chest area, where you have described the
wounds to the upper chest?
Wecht: Yes, if the forearm would be held in this position, that would fit in very
logically insofar as directionally is concerned with that wound. And then if it was
held in that way, and the wound coming across and continuing on into the chest, yes,
that would fit in with such a scenario. ·
Commonwealth; And simply to the injury to the left side that was just shown in the
last photograph, Commonwealth Exhibit 15, again, if he were, Chris Fincik was .
pressing against the door trying to close the door, and a gunshot was fired through
the door, could a trajectory be consistent with going into the area below the armpit
and proceeding down and exiting on his side a few inches below the injury that we
saw on the photograph?
Wecht: Yes. If the left arm were held out slightly elevated, and then a bullet
coming in, yes, would very easily strike. So your hypothetical scenario would fit in
with the anatomic locations of these wounds.
Commonwealth: And if Chris Fincik turned so that he, so that his side was to the
door, could a gunshot be fired and passed through with the same traj ectory as you
have seen in the photograph, indicating an entrance and exit wound to his. abdomen
on both sides of his umbilicus?
Wecht: Yes, where the body then turned somewhat forward, the left part of the body
somewhat more forward, and then, or even perhaps even on a perpendicular to a
door or the shooter. the bullets, the two bullets that entered, yes, could come in that
would fit in again pretty much on the straight line with one going.in and out, and the
other going in tangentially, they would all fit with that kind of physical posture.
N.T. 318-320.
Dr. Wecht did not find any powder bums, strippling, or tattooing on Victim and explained
that he would not expect to see any if the bullets passed through an intermediary object, such as a
door, or a door with glass panels. N.T. 320, 323. In his opinion, although the other gunshot wounds
•.
caused internal damage, the gunshot wound to the chest, which damaged the right side of Victim's
heart, was fatal and caused Victim's death. N.T. 325. Although a toxicology report indicated that
Victim had oxycodone, some hydrocodone, and marijuana in his system at the time of his death, Dr.
Wecht opined that none of those items contributed to Victim's death. N.T. 331.
On December 4, 2012. police executed an arrest warrant upon Earl V. Pinkney for unrelated
offenses and a search warrant of Pinkney's residence at 617 Chestnut Street. Monessen. N.T. 611.
Defendant was found at Pinkney's residence and was brought to the Monessen Police Department.
where she was interviewed by Westmoreland County Detective Robert Weaver (hereinafter "Det.
Weaver"). N.T. 612.
As a result of the search of Pinkney's residence, photographs were taken and evidence was
seized. N.T. 511. Among other seized items was an empty Tulammo 7.62 x 39 ammunition box
which was found in a laundry basket in the converted living quarters of a basement. N. T. 513, 515-
516. Det. Weaver testified that the basement contained a bed, some furniture, a television set,
clothing, and stereo equipment. N.T. 513. Det. Weaver further testified that it appeared that
Pinkney was living in the basement because his photo identification, credit cards, and various
employment slips were located there. N.T. 513. In a first floor bedroom, a Mossberg 28 pump
· gauge action shotgun was found. N.T. 516. Outside of the residence, alongside the driver's side
rear tire, investigators seized an opened, hard plastic rifle case with foam insert. N.T. 512. Det.
Dupilka testified that an AK-47 type gun could fit in said gun case with the gun case being able to
close as long as the magazine was removed. N.T. 487, 506.
During Defendant's first interview with Det. Weaver, Defendant waived her Miranda Rights
and then advised Det. Weaver that Defendant was dating Pinkney. N.T. 611-613; 618. Defendant
stated that, although she was student at California University of Pennsylvania, Defendant would
' .
come to Pinkney' s home in Monessen on the weekends. N. T. 618. Defendant revealed that on
Sunday, December 2, 2012, Defendant stayed with Pinkney "most of the day," went to a friends
house to do her hair, and then came back to Pinkney's home. N.T. 618. Defendant further related
that, at approximately 9:30 p.m., she took a friend to Charleroi, got some pizza at the Exxon in
Monessen, and went back to Pinkney's where Defendant and Pinkney stayed all night. N.T. 618.
When asked, Defendant stated that Pinkney could have gotten up and left without Defendant being
aware because Defendant is a deep sleeper. N.T. 619.
Defendant told Det. Weaver that she was made aware of Victim's death on Monday,
December 3, 2012, and that Defendant knew that people were accusing Pinkney of being involved.
N. T. 619. While at the candlelight vigil, Defendant heard that three people had gone to Victim's
house, tried to rob him, and shot him in the stomach. N.T. 620. Defendant denied ever seeing
Pinkney with a gun, but admitted that she knew Pinkney and Stepoli had grown up together, and
that Pinkney actually lived with Stepoli for awhile. N.T. 620.
On December 5, 2012, Westmoreland County Detective Frank Galilei (hereinafter "Det,
Galilei") received information from Monessen Police Chief Mark Gibson (hereinafter "Chief
Gibson") that Chief Gibson was made aware that ammunition may have been purchased at the local
Wal-Mart in Belle Vernon. N.T. 205. Detectives Galilei and Brown traveled to the Belle Vernon
Wal-Mart. N.T. 207-208.
While investigating with the help of Wal-Mart Security Officer Chad Shonts and Asset
Protection Manager Cara Landis, the detectives learned that a box of 7 millimeter Winchester shells
had been purchased on December 2, 2012, at about 9: 12 p.m. N. T. 208, 220. The Detectives were
able to obtain the actual video, still shots, and a copy of the sales receipt of said purchase, all of
which were admitted at trial without objection. N.T. 208. The actual video and still shots show the
interaction between two African American males and one female in the sporting goods section of
Wal-Mart and a Wal-Mart associate, Paul Lavins (hereinafter "Lavins"). N.T. 215-217.
Lavins testified that he went over to the ammunition case where the two men were standing.
N.T. 237. The taller of the two men did most of the talking while the other male was crouched off
to the side and didn't say much and the female was "back off behind the counter." N.T. 237. The
taller male asked Lavins about which brand was the best 7 .62 caliber ammunition and Lavins
advised that Winchester was the best. N.T. 237. After some discussion between the two male
customers, Lavins was advised that they were purchasing a box of Winchester 7 .62 bullets. N.T.
251-252. Although the young woman had walked away at some point during the discussion, she
returned at the point where the bullets were being purchased. N. T. 253. Lavins asked the group for
the l:D. of whomever was purchasing the bullets and the young female provided her I.D. and cash
to pay for the purchase, which included a tube of toothpaste. N.T. 252-253. After checking the
female's I.D. to make sure she was at least 18 years old, and ringing in the transaction, Lavins gave
· · the female her change and receipt. N. T. 241, 252-254.
Monessen Police Officers, who were familiar with Defendant, Stepoli, and Hairston,
identified the three as the three subjects in the video and still shots from Wal-Mart. N.T. 622.
Believing that Defendant was in Wal-Mart at 9:20 p.m. on December 2, 2012, along with Stepoli
and Hairston purchasing 7.62 caliber, the same caliber of ammunition found at the crime scene,
Det, Weaver interviewed Defendant a second time on December 5, 2012. N.T. 621-622.
After advising Defendant of her Miranda Rights and with Defendant executing a Waiver of
the same, Det. Weaver advised Defendant that investigators obtained information that she had gone
to Wal-Mart and purchased ammunitionconsistent with the ammunition that was found at the crime
scene. N.T. 626. Detective Weaver testified regarding Defendant's response after being confronted
with that infonnation:
A: And so she knew before I started talking to her why she was there. And at that
time she said, yeah, I went to Wal-Mart. I bought the bullets. That was her first
statement. N.T. 627
A: Initially she told me that she had gone to Charleroi with Josh and Antoine, Josh
Stepoli and Antoine Hairston. And on the way back, Josh told her he wanted to look
at some bullets up at Wal-Mart ... Then on the way back, driving to Wal-Mart, she,
she said that Josh said he wanted to look at some bullets. And she said she needed
toothpaste anyways. So they just stopped at Wal-Mart, went in, and she stayed
while they were in there. And Josh told her he didn't have his 1.D., so would she use
her I.D. to purchase the ammunition? And she agreed to do it. N.T. 626-627
***
A: She said then they started driving back to Monessen, and that is-and then I
asked her-that is what she had told me before, about Josh wanted to look at bullets.
~~·~wen;-1-~lceffner;:foU'laiow;-·was"fillytWng·saidabo:utwl1~tlg.~h was going to do?
l .. i::::ts:;;J~!fa¥it~~t~~;?!f1f;~:likt~Xiii~tf~r?1~:!!! ::::~ idea
(~ge5ifii1ttO"rob··somebody .. -~~~ was in t_~:_C.~-£~.!l?:~~--~~Y.. t~-~~~M~£!, before
-~.thel?ll:1.lets were purchased.
-~-·--·-'•4•.~···· ··;.:,7:.\. ,.; , ...• , .
1~-r 629=630. ·
***
Q: What did she think about the fact they were going to commit a robbery?
A: She told me that that is not unusual, because she knows that Earl, and Josh, and·
Antoine rob a lot of people. She said they usually do it out of town. They don't do
it in Monessen. So, she really didn't think much of it, because it wasn't going to
happen in Monessen. N.T. 630
Q: Did she indicate anything about how these robberies were carried out?
A: She said the three of them always each carry a gun, and they rob people. N.T. 630
Q: Was she able to specify the type of firearm they carried?
A: She said that Earl usually carries the shotgun that we found in his home. That is
what he usually takes to the robberies. N.T. 630
Q: What else did she tell you during this interview, if you recall?
A: She always said, when they got back to Earl's house ... She was tired and went to
bed. Earl got into bed with her.
About 2 a.m. she woke up, and there was a text message that Snacks had been
murdered, and she said that Earl was in bed with her at the time. And also we talked
about, she had told me that people were saying that Earl was involved in the
shooting. And she said she asked, confronted him. The first time he denied it, but
he was acting real weird. So, she kept pushing it. And Earl then admitted that him,
Josh, and Antoine went to Snacks' to rob him, because they knew he had a lot of
money. And that during the course of the robbery, Snacks was shot and killed.
She said that Earl apologized, because he said that ifhe would have known that
Snacks was her godfather, he wouldn't have went. N.T. 630-631
Q: Did Earl indicated anything about whether or not they were able to complete the
robbery?
A: No, Earl told her that they didn't get anything. He said when they were there,
Earl saw a girl go to the door. Snacks opened the door to let the girl in, and that is
when it happened. N.T. 631-632.
Although Defendant was released following the statement she provided to Det. Weaver, on
or about December 21, 2012, Defendant was later arrested and charged with the aforementioned
counts. Regarding the Conspiracy to Commit Robbery, Defendant was alleged to have conspired
with Stepoli, Hairston, and/or Pinkney. At
. trial, counsel for
__ Defendant
.....-.,,-···e1,o-qJ;ijected
- ..~_,..._, to"' Det.
""..'"·•\,, ~Weaver
,., . _
JstifY.ing to ~hf!!.Q~fe;in~lant~Ja~~pJll,{lt fi~~>.' had told her as "double hearsay".
. . ·. -~-·.'"'---•.••••.-·-A,,:••-,•·•,,. ~·.••,•:•.,'.,,,z,., •. ,,, .. ~..~, .. ;:·.,
The
Commonwealth argued that Defendant's entire statement, includingthe statements she told Weaver
that Pinkney had told her, were admissions by party opponent. The Court did not agree with the
Commonwealth regarding Pinkney's alleged statements to Defendant, but preliminarily considered
whether said statements were admissions by co-conspirator in furtherance of the conspiracy. After
extensive argument on both sides, the Court overruled the objection and allowed the statement to
come in.
Prior to the above-referenced interviews and prior to the court making its determination
regarding Pinkney' s statements, the Commonwealth presented evidence that, while incarcerated at
the Westmoreland County Prison, Defendant met Amy Calabrese (hereinafter "Calabrese").
Calabrese testified that Defendant informedCalabrese that at the time Defendant purchased
ammunition at Wal-Mart, Stepoli and Hairston intended to rob Victim because they knew Victim
had money and drugs. N.T. 564-566. Calabrese also related that Defendant drove Stepoli and
Hairston to the robbery and that Stepoli shot Victim in the stomach. Lastly, Calabrese testified that
Defendant was present when the weapon that was used in the attempted robbery was destroyed.
N.T. 567, 568.
Calabrese's testimony was presented prior to Det. Weaver in anticipation of Defendant's
hearsay objection regarding Pinkney's statements to Defendant.vFor the reasons explained later in
---~·--- . .-·-----·-y . . . . . 9
this Opinion, the Court determined that, as a result ofCalabrese's testimony, Pinkney's statements
10"'6ei~Jairt . wtfre . admiss1b1e· under. ihe co=conspiratoijs"~~·ception~to . ihe.fiearsa"frule·:··-·-···-·-·
---""·''w~;~;~eiand"County~i5et~~ti;~'iiay;~~d.Du~'iika (hereinaft~;·'::o;t~5up iika") testified
0
for the Commonwealth regarding frontal photographs of Stepoli, Pinkney, and Hairston to show
their respective heights. N.T. 485. The photographs show that Stepoli was approximately 6'6" to
6'7", Pinkney was 6' 1" to 6'2", and Hairston was 5'8".1° N.T. 486-487.
After the Commonwealth rested, the Defendant called two experts and two character
witnesses. The defense called Pennsylvania State Police Greensburg Regional Laboratory Forensic
Scientist Superior Sara Kinneer as an expert in Serology. N.T. 725-726. Relative to this case, Ms.
Kinneer received a whole blood sample from the victim, two Winchester 7.62 x 39 casings, and one
Tulammo 7.62 x 39 casing. N.T. 727. Ms. Kinneer testified that she prepared the blood sample for
DNA analysis, and that she looked over the shell casings to see if there was any kind of staining,
but that she didn't notice any. N.T. 730-731. Ms. Kinneer then took one sterile swab and swabbed
both Winchester casings, and used a separate swab for the Tulammo casing. N.T. 731. When asked
why she would not use one swab for each casing, Ms. Kinneer explained that they would use the
10
Said photographs were taken on March 24, 2014.
same swab for each brand of ammunition to try to concentrate as much DNA as possible on that
swab. N.T. 734. Ms. Kinneer then prepared the swabs for DNA analysis and sent the swabs and the
blood sample to the Forensic DNA Division to be analyzed. N.T. 732.
The defense called Pennsylvania State Police Forensic DNA Scientist Joseph Kukosky as a
· DNA expert. N.T. 736. Mr; Kukosky testified that he obtained the items of evidence detailed by
Ms. Kinneerto analyze them for the presence of human DNA. N.T. 736. Mr. Kukosky testified
that, from the swab of the Winchester casings, he was able to obtain a partial DNA profile, and that
said profile matched the DNA standard of Victim. N.T. 739. Mr. Kukoksy related that for the
Caucasian population, the probability of finding someone else within the same racial category with
the same DNA profile was one in 73 million. N.T. 740. Mr. Kukosky further testified that the
amount of DNA on the Winchester casings swab was a very small amount and that there was an
insufficient amount of DNA on the Tulammo swab to make a DNA profile. N.T. 742-743.
DISCUSSION
Issue: Whether there was sufficient evidence to prove the defendant's guilt beyond a
reasonable doubt?
Defendant challenges the sufficiency of the evidence to prove Defendant committed the
crime of robbery as an accomplice, Although Defendant states that the Commonwealth failed to
present sufficient evidence for the jury to reach the verdict of guilty to the charge of Conspiracy to
Commit Robbery, Defendant offersno argument or authority to support its contention. (Def.'s Br.
6). In Commonwealth v. Brovm, the Pennsylvania Superior Court stated:
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 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. · -
23 AJd 544, 559-560 (Pa. Super. 2011) (en bane) citing Commonwealth v. Hutchinson, 947 A.2d
800, 805-06 (Pa.Super.2008), aweal denied. 602 Pa. 663, 980 A.2d 606 (2009) (quoting
Commonwealth v. Androlewicz, 911 A.2d 162, 165 (Pa.Super.2006)).
In this case, the jury found Defendant Guilty of Robbery under a theory of accomplice
liability and Guilty of Conspiracy to Commit Robbery. In Pennsylvania, a person is guilty of
Robbery, if, in the course of committing a theft, he: (i) inflicts bodily injury upon another. 18
Pa.C.S.A. § 3701(a)(l)(i). An act shall be deemed "in the course of committing a theft" ifit occurs
in an attempt to commit theft or if in flight after the attempt or commission. 18 Pa. C.S .A. §
3701(a)(2). Under Pennsylvania law, a defendant can be proved liable for the conduct of another
person(s) when the defendant is an accomplice of the person who actually commits the crime:
(a) General rule. - a person is guilty of an offense if it is committed by his own
conduct or by the conduct of another person for which he is legally accountable, or
both.
(c) Accomplice defined. - A person is an accomplice of another person in the -
commission of a11 offense if: .
(1) with the intent of promoting or facilitating the commission of the
offense, he:
(i) solicits such other person to commit it; or
(ii) aids or agrees or attempts to aid such other
person in planning or committing it; or
(2) his conduct is expressly declared by law to establish bis complicity.
18 Pa.C.S.A. § 306(a),(c)(l)-(2). In Commonwealth v. Rega, the Pennsylvania Superior Court
explained:
An accomplice is one who "actively and purposefully engages in criminal activity
[and is] criminally responsible for the criminal actions of bis/her co-conspirators
which are committed in furtherance of the criminal endeavor." Accordingly, two
prongs must be satisfied for a person to be labeled an "accomplice." First, there
must be evidence that the person intended to aid or promote the underlying offense.
Second, there must be evidence that the person actively.participated in the crime by
soliciting, aiding, or agreeing to aid the principal. Further, a person cannot be an
accomplice simply based on evidence that he knew about the crime or was present at
the crime scene. There must be some additional evidence that the person intended to
aid in the commission of the underlying crime, and then aided or attempted to aid.
933 A.2d 997, 1015 (Pa. 2007) (internal citations omitted). For purposes of accomplice liability,
"[n]o agreement is required., only aid." Commonwealth v. Kimbrough. 872 A.2d 1244, 1251 (Pa.
Super. 2005). With regard to the amount of aid. it need not be substantial so long as it was offered
to the principal to assist him or her in committing or attempting to commit the crime.
Commonwealth v. Mur,phy, 844 A.2d 1228, 1234 (Pa. 2004). The least degree of assistance in
committing the offense is adequate to sustain the finding ofresponsibility as an accomplice.
Commonwealth v. G~adden, 665 A.2d 1201, 1209 (Pa Super.1995) (internal citations omitted).
Defendant argues that there is insufficient evidence to show that Defendant had the intent of
promoting or facilitating the commission of the robbery and/or that, even assuming that Defendant
was aware that the individual was planning to commit a robbery, merely agreeing to provide a
driver's license to allow an individual to purchase bullets is also insufficient evidence of
Defendant's guilt. (Def.'s Br. 7). Defendant also argues that there was insufficient evidence for the
. jury to conclude that Defendant was an accomplice to robbery because the jury would also have had
to conclude that there was proof beyond a reasonable doubt that Stepoli and/or Hairston engaged in
the robbery. (Def. 's Br. 8).
The Commonwealth argues that there was sufficient evidence to support Defendants'
conviction for robbery.
Although this Court did not conduct the trial in this matter, Judge Alfred Bell addressed this
issue when, at the close of the Commonwealth's case-in-chief, Defendant made a motion for
Judgment of Acquittal. The following exchange occurred:
Defense Counsel: Well, Your Honor, I make a motion for Judgment of Acquittal on
all the charges. I don't believe there is sufficient evidence to allow this jury to
deliberate. I don't believe there is sufficient evidence to show that the individuals
that Miss Hughes is alleged to have assisted in this crime actually committed the
crime. And I don't believe there is sufficient evidence to show·there was an
agreement to commit this crime.
Commonwealth: Your Honor, as to the proving who actually committed the crime,
the defendant bas told the Court through Detective Weaver, her boyfriend-Earl
Pinkney, said that he, and Josh Stepoli, and Antoine Hairston went there· to rob Chris
Fincik.
Court: Even not considering that; there is circumstantial evidence that Stepoli and
Hairston purchased the ammunition, and had told her that they were going to commit
a robbery, within two hours or three hours of the time of the killing. So, that is
circumstantial evidence, even disregarding her statement.
Commonwealth: And so obviously, there is an agreement in this case, because she
agreed to aid them in the robbery, because she bought the bullets for them, she knew
they were going to commit a robbery before they went to Wal-Mart, and she bought
the bullets, that obviously facilitated the robbery, and was an aid to them in
committing the robbery.
Court: There was sufficient evidence in the record, if believed by the jury, that she
entered into an agreement to at least aid. That is the jury's determination. That is
why we are here. But there is testimony by the statement to Det. Weaver that she
said, and we have a videotape showing her actually buying the ammunition, handing
the money to the clerk and receiving the bullets, and carrying them out in a bag.
And she said that she knew prior to that, in her statement to Weaver, if believed by
the jury, that she knew they were going to commit a rob[bery]. ·
Now there is no time frame expressed. Det. Weaver didn't say she said when it was
going to happen, but at least by her 'statement that the ammunition was being
purchased for the purpose of being used in a robbery, so your motions are denied.
N.T. 711-714.
This Court, having reviewed the entire record in this case, finds no error in Judge Bell's
determination that there was sufficient evidence for the jury to deliberate. Viewing the evidence in
the light most favorable to the Commonwealth as the verdict winner, there was sufficient evidence
to support Defendants' conviction for robbery. As noted above, the amount of aid provided to the
principal need not be substantial. This Court finds that Defendant intended to promote or facilitate
the robbery, and that Defendant provided substantial aid to the commission of the robbery by
purchasing the bullets that Defendant knew would be used in the robbery. By Defendant's own
statement to Det. Weaver, at a minimum, Defendant knew prior to the robbery that Stepoli and
Hairston intended to commit a robbery. Defendant knew that Stepoli, Hairston; and her boyfriend,
Pinkney had committed robberies together in the past, and that they used guns during those
robberies. Yet, Defendant willingly purchased the ammunition at Wal-Mart knowing that said
ammunition would be used to "hit a lick" ( commit a robbery).
Defendant also argues that there was insufficient evidence for the jury to conclude that
Defendant was an accomplice to robbery because the jury would have had to conclude beyond !1,
reasonable doubt that Stepoli and/or Hairston engaged in the. robbery. Defendant raised this issue at
trial and was granted an instruction by the Court which required the jury to conclude beyond a
reasonable doubt that all of the elements of the offensive robbery had been met against Stepoli
. I
and/or Hairston prior to concluding that Defendant would be guilty of robbery. N.T. 795-800.
Evidence was presented at trial that there was drug paraphernalia, a large amount of money, and
numerous types of drugs at Victim's residence. Defendant argues that there was no money, drugs,
or anything else taken from Victim's home the night Victim was shot. (Def. 's Br. 9). However,
robbery does not require that the crime be completed; one can be guilty of robbery by attempting to
commit robbery.
Further, Defendant's admissions presented at trial through Det. Weaver and Calabrese
provide circumstantial evidence that Stepoli and/or Hairston engaged in an attempted robbery.
Evidence was presented at trial that three men attempted to gain entry into Victim's house and that,
after Victim resisted said entry, at least one of the suspects fired a gun through a door which
resulted in Victim being shot and killed. Additional evidence was presented at trial by eyewitness
Morris to the approximate height of the three suspects and further circumstantial evidence was
presented at trial by Det. Dupilka regarding Stepoli, Hairston, and Pinkney' s height. As indicated
above, it is the sole province of the fact finder to determine the credibility and to believe all, part or
none of the evidence presented. In the case sub judice, based on the evidence presented, a jury
could reasonably infer that there was sufficient evidence presented to support the convictions of
Robbery and Conspiracy to Commit Robbery. Viewing all of the evidence in a light most favorable
to the Commonwealth as verdict winner, and drawing all reasonable inferences therefrom, the
evidence was sufficient to support the jury's verdict of guilty of the charges.
Issue: Whether the weight of the evidence proved the defendant guilty beyond a
reasonable doubt?
Defendant alleges that the verdict was against the weight of the evidence. A motion for a
new trial alleging that the verdict was against the weight of the evidence is addressed to the
discretion of the trial court. Commonwealth v. Cousar, 928 A.2d.1025, 1035-1036 (Pa. 2007). An
appellate court, therefore, reviews the exercise of discretion, not the underlying question whether
the verdict is against the weight of the evidence. Id. at 1036. The fact finder is free to believe all,
part, or none of the evidence and to determine the credibility of the witnesses. Id. The trial court
will award a new trial only when the jury's verdict is so contrary to the evidence as to shock one's
sense ofjustice. Id. In determining whether this standard has been met, appellate review is limited
to whether the trial judge's discretion was properly exercised, and relief will only be granted where
the facts and inferences of record disclose a palpable abuse of discretion. Id. Thus, the trial court's
denial of a motion for a new trial based on a weight of the evidence claim is the least assailable of
its rulings. Id. See Commonwealth v. Keaton, 729 A.2d 529, 540-41 (Pa. 1999).
Defendant argues that the jury gave greater weight to the evidence of the killing of Victim
by the robbers than the actual facts of Defendant's involvement. However, the jury acquitted
Defendant of the killing and only convicted Defendant of the crimes with regard to robbery. The
jury was certainly capable of determining whether to believe all, part, or none of the evidence with
respect to whether the Commonwealth met its burden in charging Defendant with Robbery and
Conspiracy to Commit Robbery. Based upon this Court's review of the entire record, this Court
does not find that the jury's verdict is so contrary to the evidence as to shock this Courts' sense of
justice. Therefore, this Court does not find that the jury's verdict was againstthe weight of the
evidence.
Issue: Whether the court erred in precluding defendant from presenting evidence that
the defendant's co-conspirators were not charged?
Defendant next alleges that the Court erred in precluding defendant from presenting
evidence that Defendant's co-conspirators were not charged and argues that said evidence should
have been permitted because it was relevant to the case. Defendant argued at trial and argues
within its brief that Defendant should be allowed to bring out evidence to establish that the alleged
co-conspirators were never charged with any crimes related to the death of Victim by the
Commonwealth. Defendant argues that said evidence is relevant.
Pennsylvania Rule of Evidence 401 defines relevant evidence as "evidence having any
tendency to make the existence of any fact that is of consequence to the determination of the action
more probable or less probable than it would be without the evidence." Commonwealth v. Cook,
952 A.2d 594, 612 (Pa. 2008) citing Pa.R.E. 401. Building upon this definition, Rule 402 provides,
in full, as follows: "All relevant evidence is admissible, except as otherwise provided by law.
Evidence that is not relevant is not admissible." Id. citing Pa.R.E. 402. Thus, while the general rule
of the admissibility of relevant evidence is subject to various exceptions, the rule that irrelevant
evidence is not admissible is categorical. Id. Accordingly, "[t]he threshold inquiry with admission
of ev.idence is whether the evidence is relevant." Id. citing Commonwealth v. Collins, 888 A.2d·
564, 577 (Pa. 2005); Commonwealth v. Treiber, 874 A.2d 26, 32 (Pa. 2005); Commonwealth v.
Robinson, 721 A.2d 344, 350 (Pa. 1998).
In Commonwealth v. Fremd, the Superior Court reaffirmed that a defendant can be
convicted of conspiracy even when he or she is the only one so charged. 860 A.2d 515, 521 (Pa.
Super. 2004). When examining the statute regarding conspiracy, the Court noted:
The express language of the statute does not require that an alleged co-conspirator be
charged or convicted of the conspiracy. Moreover, our Courts have held that the
acquittal of a defendant's sole alleged co-conspirator does not preclude prosecution
and conviction of that defendant on a conspiracy charge.
Id. See Commonwealth v. Campbell, 651 A.2d 1096 (Pa. 1994) (holding that acquittal of sole
alleged co-conspirator does not per se preclude conviction of remaining defendant, even if
defendants are jointly tried). Therefore, the Court determined that the path of prosecution, or non-
prosecution, ofa defendant's alleged co-conspirator(s) is irrelevant as to the prosecution of the
defendant. Id. Rather, all that is required is proof of the elements of conspiracy, one of which is
that the defendant conspired with one or more persons to commit or plan a crime. Id. Based on the
aforementioned authority, this Court finds that it was irrelevant whether the alleged co-conspirators
were charged in' this case and that the trial court did not commit error in precluding Defendant from
presenting such evidence.
Issue: Whether the court erred in determining that the defendant's statement was
admissible?
Defendant alleges that the Court erred in permitting Det. Weaver to testify regarding
statements that Defendant told Det. Weaver that Pinkney made to Defendant. Defendant raised the
issue multiple times during the trial and extensive argument was heard regarding the same. The
contested statements were the following:
. A: · ... And also we talked about, she told me that people were saying that [Pinkney]
was involved in the shooting. And she said she asked, confronted him. The first
time he denied it, but he was acting real weird. So, she kept pushing it. And
[Pinkney] then admitted that him, [Stepoli], and [Hairston] went to [Victim's] house
to rob him, because they knew he had a lot of money. And that during the course of
the robbery, [Victim] was shot and killed,
She said that [Pinkney] apologized, because he said that if he would have known that
[Victim] was her godfather, he wouldn't have went.
Q: Did [Pinkney] indicate anything about whether or not they were able to complete
the robbery?
A: No, [Pinkney] told her that they didn't get anything. He said when they were
there, [Pinkney] saw a girl go to the door. [Victim] opened the door to let the girl in,
and that is when it happened.
N.T. 631. The Defense argued that said statements were "double hearsay" and not within the co-
conspirator's exception to the hearsay rule. The Commonwealth argued that Defendants'
statement to Det. Weaver was a statement of a party opponent pursuant to Pa.R.E. 803(25)(A) and,
as such, was admissible inits entirety (including Pinkney's statements to Defendant).
"Hearsay" is a statement that the declarant does not make while testifying at the current·
trial or hearing and that a party offers in evidence to prove the truth of the matter asserted in the
statement. Pa.R.E. 80 l ( c). Hearsay is not admissible except as provided by these rules, by other
rules prescribed by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, or by statute. Pa.RE. 802. A statement
offered against an opposing party that was made by the party in an individual or representative
capacity is commonly referred to as an admission by a party opponent. 803(25)(A).
Although the Commonwealth argues that Pinkney's statements through Defendant are an
admission by party opponent, this Court does not make such a finding. Rather, Pinkney' s
statements offered by Defendant through Det, Weaver are hearsay within hearsay. However, this
Court agrees with the ruling of the trial court that the statements are excepted by the rule against
hearsay under the co-conspirator exception. A statement offered against an opposing party that was
made by the party's co-conspirator during and in furtherance of the conspiracy is not excluded by
the rule against hearsay, regardless of whether the declarant is available. Pa.R.E. 803(2S)(E).
Prior to the Court. admitting the above-referenced statements under the co-conspirator' s
exception to hearsay rule, the Court heard testimony regarding the existence of a conspiracy from
Defendant's cellmate Amy Calabrese (hereinafter "Calabrese"). Calabrese testified:
Q: Did you have one conversation with her before your preliminary hearing, or
more than one conversation?
A: More than one.
Q: And did she ever talk to you about the nature of the charges that were against
her?
A:Yes.
Q: And what in essence did she tell you about the charges and her involvement in the
· case?
A: She had told me that it was a, that she had killed somebody. It was a homicide
charge.
Q: Did she identify the victim in the case?
A: She said her godfather, she kept saying Snacks.
Q: Did she indicate what led up to that, or what her involvement was?
A: She was at the Wal-Mart on videotape buying the bullets, and those, and that is
how they had gotten her for all the charges.
Q: And did she say, identify who was involved?
A: Yes, she said Josh. I remember the name Josh. And then Antoine was the other
name, so ...
Q: And did she say what they did?
A: She said that they got in the car and all rode together. And she wasn't sure. She
said she told the police that she didn't know they were going to do this, but she
really did know. Yeah, she said she used her I.D., went into Wal-Mart and bought
bullets, and got back in the car.
Q: And did she indicate ... [w]hy the bullets were purchased at that time?
A: Yeah, they were going to rob somebody.
Q: Did she say who was going to rob somebody?
A: Her and two other people.
Q: And did she indicate why· this robbery was intended to take place, why they were
robbing Snacks? ·
A: They wanted the money and the drugs.
I
Q: Did Miss Hughes indicate anything about what her intentions were in the
future ... what she wanted to do with her life?
A: She said she thought it was cool to be a drug dealer. That is what she wanted to
do to make money.
Q: Now did she indicate what she told the police about her involvement in this case?
A: Yeah, she told the police that she only, that she didn't know what was going on,
that she just, she didn't go to the house, and she didn't tell them about the gun that
they ended up destroying.
Q: What did she tell you about that?
A: She said that they went to some woman's house and destroyed the gun.
Q: What gun was she referring to, do you know?
A: Whatever gun they used in the robbery, that is what she said.
Q: Now you indicated that she told you, she related some details that she did
following Snacks being shot. What did she say, Amy?
A: She said that she had taken them, they left, and they went and destroyed the gun.
Q: Did she say where they went to destroy the gun?
A: Some woman's house. She said the police will never find it.
Q: And did she indicate whether or not she actually saw the gun being destroyed?
A: She did day she did see it destroyed. N.T. 564-570.
After hearing the above testimony, the Court made the following ruling regarding whether ·
to admit Pinkney's statements under the co-conspirator's exception:
· Court: After listening to her testimony, I refer you again to the Commonwealth case,
Commonwealth vs. Cull. And Cull indicates that if the conspiracy is ongoing, then
the statement would come in as an exception under the co-conspirator rule. Even
though it is close, l think that this witness has established that the conspiracy was
ongoing, and this business of covering up the conspiracy was occurring. Because
according to her testimony, whether it is believable or not by the jury, her testimony
was -and the jury could believe this-that they went and destroyed the weapon in
order to help cover up the crime. And that fits in with the notion of the ongoing
conspiracy rule.
Defense Counsel: And I understandthe Court's ruling. I want to indicate for the
record, as I indicated prior, this alleged statement by Earl Pinkney to her, according
to Det. Weaver's interview, took place the next evening, approximately at least 18
hours later, even if you would believe that they destroyed this weapon. So, I would
assert for the record that I don't believe the conspiracy was still ongoing at that
point.
Court: Okay, I understand that. But I believe there is at least circumstantial evidence
that in this case part of the crime was to continue covering up. N.T. 607-608 ·
This Court agrees with the Trial Court that there was ample evidence that a conspiracy
existed and that Pinkney's statement regarding concealing the crime was in furtherance of the
conspiracy. Therefore, this Court finds that it was not error for the trial court to admit Pinkney's
statement.
Even if Pinkney' s statement were improperly admitted, any error was harmless. In harmless
error analysis, the Commonwealth has the burden of proving beyond a reasonable doubt that the
error could not have contributed to the verdict. Commonwealth v. Moore, 937 A.2d l 062, 1073 (Pa.
2007); Commonwealth v. Mitchell, 839 A.2d 202, 214 (Pa. 2003). An error m.ay be deemed
harmless, inter alia, where the properly admitted and uncontradicted evidence of guilt was so
overwhelming and the prejudicial effect of the error was so insignificant by comparison that the .
error could not have contributed to the verdict. Id. (internal citations omitted).
After review of the entire record, the Commonwealth's argument regarding this issue is
persuasive. Evidence of a robbery was clear in that Manges and Calderone, who were inside
Victim's home at the time of the killing, testified that individual(s) were attempting to force open
the back door as Victim attempted to close the door before shots were fired and Victim was killed.
N.T. 151-155. A substantial amountof drugs and money were on the kitchen table at the time of
the killing. N.T. 361-366. Stepoli told Defendant that Stepoli intended to "hit a lick" (to commit a
robbery). N;T. 628-630. Defendant used her identification to purchase ammunition at Wal-Mart at
9:12.p.m. on December 2, 2012. N.T. 221-223; 626-628. The killing of Victim took place at
approximately 12:25 a.m. on December 3, 2012. N.T. 348. Calabrese testified that Defendant
admitted to her that Defendant was engaged in a robbery for drugs and money from Victim. N.T.
564-567.
Pinkney's statement implicated himself in the crime and potentially assisted Defendant in
that Pinkney's statement contradicted Calabrese's testimony regarding Defendant's statements to
Calabrese. Additionally, Pinkney's statements did not implicate Defendant in the crime. For the
aforementioned reasons, this Court finds that if it was error to admit Pinkney' s statements under the
co-conspirator exception to the rule against hearsay, any error was harmless because any prejudicial
effect of the alleged error was so insignificant that it could not have contributed to the.jury's
verdict.
Issue: Whether the court erred in directing that the defendant make payment for the
cost of the autopsy?
During the Sentencing hearing on July 7, 2014, Westmoreland County Adult Probation
Office Wynn Hamm testified that his Pre-Sentence Investigation noted that the Westmoreland
County Coroner requested $4,923.00 restitution for the costs of theautopsy performed on the
victim. N.T. July 7, 2014, p. 20-21. Before pronouncing the Sentence, the Court provided both
counsel and the Commonwealth an opportunity to address the Court. N.T. July 7, 2014, p. 24.
Defense counsel stated:
The only other thing I would mention, Your Honor, and perhaps I could find a case
for you. Because she was acquitted of the murder, I do not believe that the autopsy
is restitution - I mean, that's a minor point. But I'm not sure that that should be
ordered in this particular case, because she was not convicted of anything related to
the death of [the victim]. ·
N.T. July 7, 2014, p. 32. In response, the following dialogue occurred:
Court: Do you know anything about the restitution? There's argument concerning
the restitution. She was not convicted of the homicide, and the autopsy dealt with,
obviously, the death of [the victim].
Commonwealth: Well, obviously there's some sense to his argument, but as a result
of the robbery, [the victim] died.
Court: The jury attached no criminal liability to [Defendant] for that by their'
verdicts.
Defense Counsel: I don't know of a specific case, Your Honor. I do remember there
is a case, and that it was involving a victim asking for restitution for funeral
expenses and things like that when they were acquitted. I mean, it's a matter of
when I can give it to the Court within the next ten days or something.
Court: Here, the sentence l pronounce, when I pronounce it should be complete. So
why don't you two come up here? ·
(SIDEBAR CONFERENCE HELD OFF THE RECORD)
Court: Here at sidebar I think we resolved the question as to restitution of $4,923.00.
For the record, I do not intend to impose that because those costs deal with the
homicide. She was absoJved of criminal liability by the jury relative to that.
Anything else either of you want to say before Ipronounce sentence?
N.T. July 7, 2014, p. 32-34. After pronouncing the factors the Court considered for sentencing, the
Court sentenced Defendant to the following:
At Count 1 of the information, it is the sentence of the Court that the defendant is to be
sentenced to a period of incarceration of not less than 54 months, nor more than 108 months
at a state penal institution to be determined by the Department of Corrections. She is not
RRRI eligible. She is to be given credit for time served from December 27[], 2012 the to
present. She is to pay the costs of prosecution and she is given 5 years to do that. There is
restitution to be paid to the Pennsylvania State Police Crime Lab User Fee in the amount of
$109.00, and she is to be provided with rehabilitative services by the Department of
Corrections while she undergoes her sentence at a state penal institution. D I'll make it she's
to pay within 3 years after release from incarceration.
At Count 5 of the information, the defendant is -so that you understand this, I can run a
· consecutive sentence on this, Ms. Hughes. D A sentence of not less than 54 months, nor ·
more than 108 months at a state penal institution to be determined by the Department of
Corrections. She is not RRRI eligible. She's to pay the costs of prosecution within 3 years
of her release from incarceration, and I'll run that sentence concurrent with Count 4. So
your total period of incarceration is 54 months to 108 months, which is a 4 and a half - in
layman's terms, 4 and a half years to 9 years.
N.T. July 7, 2014, p.49-51. Thereafter, the following exchange occurred:
Court: Is there anything else, Mr. Peck, I need to put into the sentence?
Commonwealth: Just one thought, Your Honor, not to belabor this. The robbery did
cause serious bodily injury. It did cause death. And I think based on that she should
be responsible for the Coroner's costs. I know that you've already made that
decision.
Court: I'm willing to listen to -the sentencing is still open. I'm willing to listen to
argument on that.
Commonwealth: That's what I would suggest, Your Honor. It certainly is related to
the robbery. She was found not guilty of homicide, but she-was found guilty of
robbery. The. robbery, an element where there's a serious bodily injury or death as
part of the crime, so I think she is responsible for the autopsy.
" .
Defense Counsel: Your Honor, once again, as we both indicated, it's not a huge
matter in sentencing, but at the time of the trial, if the Court recalls, there was a
question from the jury indicating do we need to conclude beyond a reasonable doubt
that they intended to commit that robbery or any robbery, and I believe that the
jury's -our response. to that was any robbery. I believe the accomplice liability was
not to this specific robbery so -
Court: But they had to find this robbery. That was the only robbery in front of them.
Defense Counsel: Istill believe the restitution is not appropriate, but whatever the
Court determines.
N. T. July 7, 2014, p. 52-53. Without providing a reason for the Court changing its position
regarding the issue, the Court stated:
Court: Well, in an abundance of caution, I'm going to order it. I'm going to order
restitution in the amount of $4,923.00 to the Coroner's Office of Westmoreland
County. And again, that should be paid within 3 years of her release from
incarceration. And that's at both counts, Laurel. And that should be jointly and
severally made with any co-defendants that are prosecuted in this matter.
N.T. July 7, 2014, p. 53.
Defendant argues, and in its response the Commonwealth agrees, that money directed as
restitution in this case for performance ofan autopsy and other matters by Dr. Cyril Wecht (and his
staff) would more properly fall under a cost of prosecution. Def.'s Br. 22.; CW.'s Br. 18.
Fundamentally, Defendant argues that the autopsy wasperformed as a result of the Homicide and
that, because Defendant was not convicted of the homicide, murder, or any other related offenses,
the costsassociated with the autopsy should not be borne by Defendant. (Def.'s Br. 22). As a
result, Defendant asks this Court to strike the Order ofrestitution and/or court costs as it relates to
. the costs associated with the autopsy and other matters associated with investigating the death of
Victim. (Def.'s Br. 23).
The Commonwealth argues that Defendant was convicted of Robbery and Conspiracy to
commit robbery, that robbery is committed when "if, in the course of committing a theft, he inflicts
serious bodily injury upon another!', and as such, it was necessary for the prosecution to establish
that the victim suffered seriously bodily injury and died as a result of the WOW1ds inflicted by his
..
1118 Pa.C.S.A. § 3701(a)(1Xi) Robbery. (a) Offense defined. (I) A person is guilty of robbery if, in the course of
committing a theft. he: (i) inflicts serious bodily injury upon another.
. .
'\'\•
assailants during the robbery. (CW. 's Br. 19). The Commonwealth argues that the autopsy was a ·
necessary and allowable expense in the investigation and prosecution of Defendant. (CW. 's Br. 19).
While the Commonwealth cites numerous cases which speak to its authority to impose costs
of prosecution upon a defendant, all of the cited cases involve situations which are distinguishable
from the case sub judice12 in which the defendant was convicted of the charges that necessitated the
Commonwealth's expenses. The Commonwealth offers no statutory or case law that would enable
the Commonwealth to impose costs upon a defendant for charges of which the defendant was
exonerated. Although the Commonwealth argues to the contrary, the autopsy was not necessary to
establish that the victim suffered serious bodily injury.
For the reasons set forth above, the Court enters the· Order of Court attached hereto.
12
Commonwealth y. Coder, 415 A.2d 406, 408-410 (Pa. 1980) upheld the imposition of approximately $8,000.00 in
costs and changing venue upon defendant, however, change of venue was at defendant's request.
Commonwealth v. Larsen, 682 A.2d 783, 796-797 (Pa. Super. 1996) upheld nearly $40,000.00 in costs. associated with
convening a grand jury investigation, however, said investigation culminated in a trial and conviction of defendant.
Commonwealth v. Cutillo, 440 A.2d 607, 609 (Pa. Super. 1982) upheld the imposition of costs to pay for a local
constable service to guard defendant at the hospital until he recovered and could be arrested and incarcerated because
costs expended were necessary to prevent escape and ensure protection, and defendant was convicted of the crimes for
which he was being guarded in the hospital.
Commonwealth v. Hower, 406 A.2d 754, 758 (Pa. Super. 1979) upheld the imposition of prosecution expenditures to
retain a surveyor and physicist to testify as automobile accident reconstruction experts in prosecution of defendant who
was charged with and convicted of driving while intoxicated and involuntary manslaughter.
In a footnote, the Commonwealth cites and attaches a transcript of the hearing on the Petition to Tax costs in the case
Commonwealth v. Jennifer Long (No. 624 C 1996). ln said case, the Court upheld the autopsy costs as proper costs of
prosecution assessable to the defendant, however in said case, defendant plead guilty to involuntary manslaughter.
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY,
PENNSYLVANIA- CRIMINAL DMSION .
COMMONWEAL TH OF PENNSYLVANIA )
)
vs. ) NO. 429 C 2013
)
CHALSEE L. HUGHES )
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, to wit, this 23rd day of December, 2014, for the reasons set forth in the
foregoing Opinion, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, ADJUDGED AND DECREED, that:
1. Defendant's Post Trial Motion regarding sufficiency of the
evidence is DENIED.
2. Defendant's Post Trial Motion regarding weight of the evidence is
DENIED.
3. Defendant's Post Trial Motion regarding defendant being
precluded from presenting evidence that the defendant's co-
conspirators were not charged is DENIED.
4. Defendant's Post Trial Motion regarding admissibility of
defendant's statement is DENIED.
5. Defendant's Post Trial Motion regarding payment of the autopsy cost is GRANTED.
CJ) The Order of Sentence dated July 7, 2014, is hereby amended to vacate the requirement for
w
..... payment of restitution to the Westmoreland County Coroner's Office .
c,
0
u
cc: John W Peck, Esq., District Attorney
Timothy C. Andrews, Esq., for Defendant
Chalsee L. Hughes, Defendant
District Court Administrator