Commonwealth v. McCoy

J-S46028-18
2018 PA Super 305COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
: PENNSYLVANIA
:
v. :
:
:
AARON M. MCCOY :
:
Appellant : No. 627 EDA 2017
Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence January 11, 2017
In the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County Criminal Division at
No(s): CP-51-CR-0000366-2016
BEFORE: BOWES, J., SHOGAN, J., and KUNSELMAN, J.
OPINION BY SHOGAN, J.: FILED NOVEMBER 14, 2018
Aaron M. McCoy (“Appellant”) appeals from the judgment of sentence
entered on January 11, 2017, in the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia
County. For the reasons that follow, we reverse two convictions, vacate the
judgment of sentence, and remand.
The trial court summarized the facts and procedural history of this case
as follows:
On December 22, 2015, police officers Thomas Strain and
Shawn Wills responded to a call at 116 West Fisher Avenue. N.T.
(Trial) 01/11/2017 at 11; see also N.T. (Suppression Hearing)
11/29/2016 at 7–8, 11–13, 47–49. There they met Appellant…,
who was complaining about trespassers. Id. These trespassers
happened to be the relatives of [Appellant’s] recently deceased
girlfriend. [Appellant] claimed that they not only were rummaging
through his apartment looking for papers such as her will and
insurance policies, but also were also [sic] taking his personal
property. N.T. (Trial) 01/11/2017 at 68; N.T. (Suppression
Hearing) 11/29/2016 at 10, 47, 50. While speaking to the
individuals in the apartment, Officer Strain was informed by the
mother of Appellant’s late girlfriend that Appellant was growing
J-S46028-18
marijuana in his apartment. N.T. (Trial) 01/11/2017 at 12; N.T.
(Suppression Hearing) 11/29/2016 at 8, 15, 50. Officer Strain
asked Appellant where the marijuana was and testified that
Appellant showed him to a closet in the front bedroom. N.T.
(Trial) 01/11/2017 at 13; N.T. (Suppression Hearing) 11/29/2016
at 9, 16–17. The closet door was closed, but Officer Strain
noticed bags of potting soil and fans in the bedroom. N.T. (Trial)
01/11/2017 at 17; N.T. (Suppression Hearing) 11/29/2016 at 17–
18. [Appellant] then opened the closet door, revealing the
marijuana plants inside. N.T. (Trial) 01/11/2017 at 13 N.T.
(Suppression Hearing) 11/29/2016 at 9, 18–19. [Appellant]
stated that he just grew the marijuana as a hobby and did not sell
it. N.T. (Trial) 01/11/2017 at 13; N.T. (Suppression Hearing)
11/29/2016 at 9. Officer Strain then placed Appellant…under
arrest and called for a search warrant to be prepared, which was
subsequently executed on the property by Officer Michael Vargas.
N.T. (Trial) 01/11/2017 at 17, 27–28; N.T. (Suppression Hearing)
11/29/2016 at 9–10, 35. The police recovered 31 marijuana
plants and one Sun Glo (sometimes referred to as “Sun God”)
brand heat lamp and the seized items were recorded on police
property receipts. N.T. (Trial) 01/11/2017 at 28–29, 32–33.
On June 21, 2016, Appellant, through counsel, filed an
Omnibus Pre-trial Motion seeking suppression of, inter alia, any
illegally obtained physical evidence and Appellant’s statements to
the police. A hearing was held on Appellant’s motion on November
29, 2016, and at the conclusion of the hearing, [the trial court]
held the motion under advisement and denied it on December 12,
2016.
* * *
Appellant…waived his right to a jury trial on January 11,
2017, and he was found guilty of Risking a Catastrophe,
Possession of Marijuana, and Recklessly Endangering Another
Person.1,2 That same date, [the trial court] sentenced Appellant
to a term of three years’ probation on the charge of risking
catastrophe and no further penalty on the remaining charges. No
post-sentence motions were filed, and Appellant filed a timely
notice of appeal on February 10, 2017. On February 13, 2017 we
issued an order pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b) directing Appellant
to file a Concise Statement of Matters Complained of on Appeal
within twenty-one days. Appellant filed a Concise Statement on
March 3, 2017, along with a Request for Extension of Time
-2-
J-S46028-18
pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b)(2), which we granted on March 6,
2017. The deadline to file a supplemental 1925(b) statement was
May 26, 2017 and Appellant declined to file a supplemental
statement.
1 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 3302(b), 35 P.S. § 780-113(a)(16),
and 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 2705 respectively.
2 Additionally, just prior to trial, the Commonwealth
nolle prossed the charge of possession of marijuana
with the intent to manufacture or deliver. N.T. (Trial)
01/11/2017 at 8.
Trial Court Opinion, 5/31/17, at 1–2, 7–8.
On appeal, Appellant states the following questions for our
consideration:
1. Was not the evidence insufficient to convict [Appellant] of
risking catastrophe because the Commonwealth failed to prove
the mens rea of recklessness or that his conduct created a risk
of a catastrophe?
2. Did not the Commonwealth fail to present sufficient evidence
to sustain a conviction for recklessly endangering another
person because the evidence did not prove that [Appellant]
acted recklessly or that he placed another person in danger of
death or serious bodily injury?
Appellant’s Brief at 2 (initial capitalization of words omitted).
Appellant complains that the evidence was insufficient to sustain the
convictions of risking a catastrophe and recklessly endangering another
person (“REAP”). Appellant’s Brief at 9, 15. A successful sufficiency-of-the-
evidence claim requires discharge. Commonwealth v. Toritto, 67 A.3d 29(Pa. Super. 2013). Whether the evidence was sufficient to sustain the charge
presents a question of law. Our standard of review is de novo, and our scope
-3-
J-S46028-18
of review is plenary. Commonwealth v. Walls, 144 A.3d 926 (Pa. Super.
2016). In conducting our inquiry, we examine:
whether the evidence at trial, and all reasonable inferences
derived therefrom, when viewed in the light most favorable to the
Commonwealth as verdict-winner, [is] sufficient to establish all
elements of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt. We may not
weigh the evidence or substitute our judgment for that of the fact-
finder. Additionally, the evidence at trial need not preclude every
possibility of innocence, and the fact-finder is free to resolve any
doubts regarding a defendant’s guilt 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. When
evaluating the credibility and weight of the evidence, the fact-
finder is free to believe all, part or none of the evidence. For
purposes of our review under these principles, we must review the
entire record and consider all of the evidence introduced.
Commonwealth v. Trinidad, 96 A.3d 1031, 1038 (Pa. Super. 2014) (quoting
Commonwealth v. Emler, 903 A.2d 1273, 1276-1277 (Pa. Super. 2006)).
Within his first issue challenging the conviction of risking a catastrophe,
Appellant asserts two arguments. First, Appellant assails the testimony of the
Commonwealth’s expert witness, Lieutenant Charles Grover, arguing that the
Commonwealth failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that “if a fire had
started as a result of [Appellant’s] growing of marijuana it would have posed
a risk of a catastrophe, an extraordinary disaster.” Appellant’s Brief at 10.
The trial court addressed Appellant’s “risking catastrophe” argument
with the following analysis:
Here the evidence established that Appellant McCoy had
converted a closet in his apartment to grow marijuana, using
lamps, metal foil, electrical cords and wooden boards. N.T. (Trial)
01/11/2017, at 14, 28–29, 32–33. Lieutenant Charles Grover, a
fire marshal qualified as an expert in the field of fire prevention,
-4-
J-S46028-18
testified that the marijuana plants, foil, hanging clothes, wood,
paper, and bags present in the closet were all fire hazards. Id. at
41–42, 44, 45. He also testified that [Appellant] had used
ordinary household extension cords to plug in the lamps in the
closet, which he opined was dangerous because the lamp could
draw a greater voltage than the cord was rated for (i.e., 120
volts). Id. at 43. Lieutenant Grover concluded that in his expert
opinion, [Appellant’s] marijuana growing operation represented
. . . “a risk of causing a fire” and further testified that it was an
“extreme fire hazard.” Id. at 47. Lieutenant Grover also testified
that, in general, neglect of a marijuana growing operation
contributes to it being a fire hazard. Id. at 41. He testified that
the heat from the lamps used can dry out the marijuana plants
and any other combustibles kept nearby, such as clothing, causing
them to ignite. Id. at 41, 44. He also stated that because growing
operations are often unattended, no one can put out the fire when
it first begins and is still small. Id. at 43.
* * *
Here, the closest house was only five or six feet away from
Appellant’s home. N.T. (Trial) 01/11/2017, at 63.4 This [is] also
supported by [Appellant’s] Exhibit 1, a photograph of the exterior
of Appellant’s home, which depicts a tree and a house to the left
of Appellant’s home about five to six feet away from Appellant’s
home. Another house is located to the right of Appellant’s home,
and that house is at least 15 away from Appellant’s home. See
also N.T. (Trial) 01/11/[2017], at 63 (Appellant testified[, “Y]ou
could actually fit a semi-truck in between our house and the house
on the right.”).
4 [Appellant] testified that no one was living in the
first floor apartment on the date he was arrested. N.T.
(Trial) 01/11/2017 at 63.
As discussed, supra, Lieutenant Grover testified as to the
numerous ways that [Appellant’s] marijuana growing apparatus
constituted an extreme fire hazard. He further testified that fire
usually spreads up and out, i.e. to the sides of the building. Id.
at 46. A fire originating from Appellant’s marijuana growing
operation would easily have spread to the neighboring tree and
house. The Commonwealth established the element of risk of
catastrophe beyond a reasonable doubt.
-5-
J-S46028-18
Trial Court Opinion, 5/31/17, at 14–15, 17.
Upon review, we conclude that the record supports the trial court’s
findings of fact. Officer Thomas Strain explained that Appellant lived in the
second floor apartment of a freestanding house. N.T., 1/11/17, at 20,
Exhibits D-1 and D-2. In Appellant’s bedroom closet, Officer Strain saw
marijuana plants, a fan, a lamp, wiring, cardboard wrapped in tinfoil, and he
saw fertilizer and jugs of water elsewhere in the apartment. Id. at 10–26,
Exhibits C-1 through C-5.
Officer Michael Vargas executed a search warrant and recovered thirty-
one marijuana plants from Appellant’s bedroom closet. N.T., 1/11/17, at 28.
He placed the following on property receipts: the plants, a Sun Glo lamp,
cardboard wrapped in tinfoil, pieces of mail in Appellant’s name, and loose
marijuana. Id. at 29–33, Exhibits C-5–C-9. Officer Vargas described the
lamp’s light bulb as “hot enough to heat the plants.” Id. at 34.
The parties stipulated to Lieutenant Grover’s expertise in the area of fire
prevention and detection. N.T., 1/11/17, at 35. Lieutenant Grover had
investigated 4,500 to 5,000 fires and explosions in Philadelphia over the
previous eight years, and he had encountered marijuana-growing operations.
Id. at 36–37. Not having seen Appellant’s grow operation, Lieutenant Grover
relied on his experience with other grow operations and the photographs of
Appellant’s closet and apartment. Id. at 38, 39–40, 48. Lieutenant Grover
identified the components of a typical grow operation that create a risk of fire:
-6-
J-S46028-18
electrical wiring, an irrigation system, transformers, heat lamps, and
chemicals. Id. at 38. Lieutenant Grover then identified the components of
Appellant’s grow operation that created a fire hazard: the lamp, fertilizer,
water, and combustibles like cardboard, clothing, and clutter. Id. at 40–41.
Although the record supports the trial court’s findings of fact, we reject
its conclusion that the evidence was sufficient to sustain a conviction for
risking a catastrophe. Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the
Commonwealth, we acknowledge that Lieutenant Grover’s testimony
established that Appellant’s grow operation created a fire hazard. N.T.,
1/11/17, at 47. However, we agree with Appellant that creating a fire hazard
does not equate with risking a catastrophe under the circumstances of this
case.
“Risking a catastrophe is a crime which was unknown to the law of
Pennsylvania prior to the passage of the Crimes Code, Act of December 6,
1972, P.L. 1482, No. 334, § 1, eff. June 6, 1973, 18 Pa.C.S.A. [§] 3302.”
Commonwealth v. Simkins, 443 A.2d 825, 827 (Pa. Super. 1982). The
Crimes Code defines risking a catastrophe as follows:
(b) Risking catastrophe.--A person is guilty of a felony of the
third degree if he recklessly creates a risk of catastrophe in the
employment of fire, explosives or other dangerous means listed
in subsection (a) of this section.
18 Pa.C.S. § 3302(b).
The offense of risking a catastrophe, it will be observed, can occur
only in the employment of fire, explosives or other dangerous
means listed in subsection (a). The forces or substances identified
-7-
J-S46028-18
by 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 3302(a), which defines the offense of causing a
catastrophe, include: “explosion, fire, flood, avalanche, collapse
of building, release of poison gas, radioactive material...or by any
other means of causing potentially widespread injury or
damage....”
Simkins, 443 A.2d at 827.
Applying Section 3302 to the facts of this case, we observe that a heat
lamp, tinfoil-covered cardboard, wiring, extension cords, fertilizer, and water
are not forces or substances specifically enumerated by the statute.
“Therefore, if it is to be a substance whose handling can subject an actor to
criminal liability for risking a catastrophe, it must be because the actor’s
improper handling of the substance is capable of causing widespread
devastation.” Simkins, 443 A.2d at 827 (quoting Commonwealth v.
Hughes, 364 A.2d 306, 311 (Pa. 1976) (footnote omitted)) (internal
quotation marks and parentheses omitted). The Pennsylvania Supreme Court
has described the risk proscribed by Section 3302 as “the use of dangerous
means by one who consciously disregards a substantial and unjustifiable risk
and thereby unnecessarily exposes society to an extraordinary disaster.”
Hughes, 364 A.2d at 311 (emphasis and internal quotation marks omitted).
The Hughes Court observed: “Reading sections (a) and (b) together, it
is clear that the forces and substances intended to be regulated are those
which are capable of causing . . . widespread injury or damage. Thus,
construing Section (b) in accordance with the fair import of its terms the word
catastrophe is intended to be synonymous with widespread injury or damage.”
-8-
J-S46028-18
Hughes, 364 A.2d at 306 (internal quotation marks omitted). Accord
Commonwealth v. Karetny, 880 A.2d 505, 514 (Pa. 2005) (explaining that
a catastrophe requires evidence of a sufficient risk of “an extraordinary
disaster” with “widespread injury or damage”). “The fact that an actual
devastating catastrophe was averted is of no moment in assessing…conduct
in terms of Section 3302(b).” Commonwealth v. Salamone, 897 A.2d
1209, 1213 (Pa. Super. 2006) (citation omitted).
Despite the fact that Appellant lived in a free-standing house, Lieutenant
Grover believed the house was a duplex and testified that an unattended fire
could pose a risk to neighboring houses because “in Philadelphia, they’re
connected, they’re row houses.” N.T., 1/11/17, at 45–46. Lieutenant Grover
opined that, because fire usually burns up, there was no danger that a fire
would spread to the downstairs apartment unless it burned for a long time.
Id. at 46. Lieutenant Grover admitted that he did not see evidence of
transformers or an irrigation system in Appellant’s operation. Id. at 49. He
could not identify where the extension cords were located in the apartment or
how the grow operation was wired. Id. at 50. He was not familiar with Sun
Glo lamps, and he could not describe the type of lamp Appellant used or
confirm whether it produced heat. Id. at 51–52, 58. As for the chemicals,
Lieutenant Grover explained that they might cause an allergic reaction or
respiratory problems, although the bag was flammable. Id. at 53. Lieutenant
-9-
J-S46028-18
Grover could not say where the combustibles depicted in the photographs
were located in the residence. Id. at 55.
Based on the foregoing, we agree with Appellant that Lieutenant
Grover’s testimony established the existence of a grow operation which
created a fire hazard, not the potential for widespread injury or damage.
Hughes, 364 A.2d at 306. Cf. Commonwealth v. Hoke, 928 A.2d 300 (Pa.
Super. 2007), reversed on other grounds, 962 A.2d 662 (Pa. 2009)
(determining that testimony from a forensic scientist about the explosive
dangers of a methamphetamine lab where the defendant had a laboratory
inside a home was sufficient to prove risking a catastrophe); Commonwealth
v. John, 596 A.2d 834 (Pa. Super. 1991) (holding evidence was sufficient to
prove risking a catastrophe where the defendant intentionally set a fire in an
apartment that was attached by a common hallway to a bingo hall where 100
people were playing bingo).
Additional facts undermine the sufficiency of the Commonwealth’s
evidence. Specifically, the grow operation was located in the second floor
apartment of an otherwise empty free-standing house. Although Appellant’s
girlfriend lived with him before her death, Appellant lived alone in the
apartment at the time of his arrest. Similarly, although the home to the left
of Appellant’s building was five or six feet away, there was no testimony that
the neighboring house was occupied or that an unattended fire in Appellant’s
apartment could jump and engulf the neighboring house. Thus, the orbit of
- 10 -
J-S46028-18
danger included only Appellant and the dwelling in which he installed his grow
operation. Even if Appellant’s grow operation created the risk of a fire hazard,
as Lieutenant Grover testified, we have held that “[f]ire involving a single
residence, unoccupied except by the actor, is not the type of widespread
damage contemplated by the statutory term ‘catastrophe.’” Simkins, 443
A.2d at 828 (citing Commonwealth v. McGinnis, 392 A.2d 1350 (Pa.
1978)). Therefore, we conclude the Commonwealth did not present sufficient
evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Appellant risked a
catastrophe pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S. § 3302(b) under the facts of this case.
Appellant next argues that the Commonwealth failed to prove beyond a
reasonable doubt the mens rea element of risking a catastrophe, i.e.,
recklessness. According to Appellant, the Commonwealth did not present
evidence that Appellant “was actually aware that his growing marijuana posed
a substantial and unjustifiable risk of creating a catastrophe.” Appellant’s Brief
at 13. In his defense, Appellant asserts that “he never had a fire, or apparent
signs of a risk of a fire, and . . . he used safe products, and monitored the
growing plants. . . . [A]t most, the Commonwealth’s evidence showed that
he exercised poor judgment in setting up his marijuana grow apparatus[,]”
which does not equate to recklessness. Id. at 18–19 (citation omitted).
The trial court disposed of Appellant’s mens rea argument with the
following analysis:
Appellant testified that he used a fluorescent lamp which did
not generate heat in his marijuana growing operation. N.T. (Trial)
- 11 -
J-S46028-18
01/11/[2017], at 64. He further stated that the metal foil used in
his closet was to reflect light, not heat, to the marijuana plants.
Id. at 65. Furthermore, [Appellant] denied using an irrigation
system, stating that he watered the marijuana plants with just a
spray bottle. Id. at 66. [Appellant] further claimed that he and
his late girlfriend monitored the marijuana plants, to the extent
they sprayed them with water in the morning and the evening.
Id. at 69–70. [Appellant] stated that because he was on disability,
he had plenty of free time to spend at home. Id. at 70.
[Appellant’s] actions were inadequate to ameliorate the
obvious safety hazards identified by Lieutenant Grover. It was
clear that [Appellant] knew that his marijuana-growing apparatus
posed a risk of fire, but he did little to mitigate this serious risk.
[Appellant] tried to insist that a fluorescent bulb used in a Sun
Glo/Sun God “heat” lamp would not emit heat and thus be less
incendiary, despite the fact that it was, by definition, a “heat” lamp
for the purpose of reproducing the light and heat of the Sun for
indoor cultivation. Furthermore, [Appellant] made no attempts to
reduce the risk of fire from other sources, such as using electrical
cords capable of safely powering the lamp and removing the
combustible clutter in the closet. The Commonwealth established
that [Appellant’s] conduct, under the circumstances, consciously
disregarded a substantial and unjustifiable risk of starting a fire
and that doing so was a gross deviation from the standard of
conduct that a reasonable person would observe in that situation.
Trial Court Opinion, 5/31/17, at 15–16.
The Crimes Code defines recklessness as follows:
A person acts recklessly with respect to a material element
of an offense when he consciously disregards a substantial and
unjustifiable risk that the material element exists or will result
from his conduct. The risk must be of such a nature and degree
that, considering the nature and intent of the actor’s conduct and
the circumstances known to him, its disregard involves a gross
deviation from the standard of conduct that a reasonable person
would observe in the actor’s situation.
18 Pa.C.S. § 302(b)(3).
- 12 -
J-S46028-18
Here, the Commonwealth contends that Appellant’s conduct created a
risk that the marijuana plants or other combustibles would ignite. This
concern is based primarily on Appellant’s use of a heat lamp in the closet. We
conclude that this evidence was insufficient to prove recklessness. In doing
so, we note that the trial court did not find Appellant’s testimony about the
precautions he took incredible, but rather that his “actions were inadequate
to ameliorate the obvious safety hazards identified by Lieutenant Grover.”
Trial Court Opinion, 8/23/17, at 17. Appellant may have been careless in
using a heat lamp in a cluttered bedroom closet to grow marijuana. However,
we disagree that his actions were inadequate to ameliorate a fire hazard and,
therefore, were reckless. Appellant used a fluorescent lamp, which would not
generate heat in his marijuana growing operation. N.T., 1/11/17, at 64. The
metal foil used in his closet was to reflect light, not heat, to the marijuana
plants. Id. at 65. Furthermore, Appellant did not use an irrigation system;
instead, he watered the marijuana plants with a spray bottle. Id. at 66.
Appellant and his late girlfriend monitored the marijuana plants, spraying
them with water in the morning and the afternoon. Id. at 69–70. Because
Appellant and his late girlfriend were on disability, they had plenty of free time
to monitor the operation. Id. These facts negate the conclusion that
Appellant acted recklessly in disregard of a risk of extraordinary disaster,
widespread injury or damage. Hughes, 364 A.2d at 306.
- 13 -
J-S46028-18
Based on the foregoing, we conclude the Commonwealth failed to prove
beyond a reasonable doubt that Appellant recklessly created a risk of
catastrophe by growing marijuana in his bedroom closet. Thus, the
Commonwealth’s evidence was insufficient to sustain his conviction for risking
a catastrophe pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S. § 3302(b).
Appellant’s second issue challenges the evidence supporting his REAP
conviction as insufficient on two grounds: putting another person at risk and
lack of a reckless mens rea. Appellant’s Brief at 15, 18. The REAP statute
requires proof beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant “recklessly
engages in conduct which places or may place another person in danger of
death or serious bodily injury.” 18 Pa.C.S. § 2705. According to the criminal
definition statute, serious bodily injury is “[b]odily injury which creates a
substantial risk of death or causes serious, permanent disfigurement, or
protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ.”
18 Pa.C.S. § 2301.
First, Appellant argues that his grow operation never caused a fire,
Lieutenant Grover only speculated that Appellant’s grow operation could cause
a fire, and Appellant monitored his grow operation daily. Appellant’s Brief at
16–17. Thus, Appellant concludes, “[t]here was an insufficient showing that
his conduct in choosing to grow marijuana plants actually placed any other
person in danger of death or serious bodily injury.” Id. at 17. We agree. The
facts of record undermine the sufficiency of the Commonwealth’s evidence
- 14 -
J-S46028-18
that another person was put at risk of death or serious bodily injury. As opined
above, the orbit of danger included only Appellant and the otherwise
unoccupied dwelling in which he installed his grow operation.
Second, Appellant argues the Commonwealth failed to prove that “he
consciously was aware of and disregarded a substantial risk that death or
serious bodily injury would result from his conduct.” Appellant’s Brief at 18
(citing 18 Pa.C.S. 302(b)(3) (definition of acting recklessly)). Thus, Appellant
concludes, “at most the Commonwealth’s evidence showed that he exercised
poor judgment in setting up his marijuana grow [operation].” Id. at 18–19
(citing Commonwealth v. Hutchins, 42 A.3d 302, 312 (Pa. Super. 2012)
(“That appellant exercised poor judgment . . . does not equate to
recklessness.”)). We agree. Appellant’s testimony, which the trial court did
not discount as incredible, demonstrates that Appellant did not disregard a
known risk: he used safe, commercially available products, he watered the
plants twice a day, and he monitored his grow operation daily. Thus, we
conclude the Commonwealth did not present sufficient evidence to prove
beyond a reasonable doubt that Appellant recklessly endangered another
person pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S. § 3302(b) under the facts of this case.
In conclusion, the evidence was insufficient to sustain Appellant’s
convictions for risking catastrophe and REAP. Consequently, we reverse those
convictions. Because Appellant did not challenge his possession conviction,
we affirm that conviction. By reversing two of Appellant’s convictions, we
- 15 -
J-S46028-18
have upset the trial court’s overall sentencing scheme, specifically the no-
further-penalty sentence imposed on the possession conviction. Thus, we
vacate the judgment of sentence and remand for resentencing on the
unchallenged possession conviction. See Commonwealth v. Goldhammer,
517 A.2d 1280, 1283 (Pa. 1986) (stating that where appellate court upsets
the trial court’s overall sentencing scheme by vacating a conviction in a
multiple-count appeal, the appellate court must remand for re-sentencing
because sentencing lies within the sole discretion of the trial court).
Convictions for risking a catastrophe and REAP reversed. Possession
conviction affirmed. Judgment of sentence vacated. Case remanded for
resentencing. Jurisdiction relinquished.
Judge Kunselman joins the Opinion.
Judge Bowes files a Concurring Opinion.
Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary
Date: 11/14/18
- 16 -