Com. v. Garner, J.

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NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
PENNSYLVANIA
v.
JACK CLARK GARNER
Appellant No. 453 MDA 2016
Appeal from the PCRA Order February 17, 2016
in the Court of Common Pleas of Dauphin County
Criminal Division at No(s): CP-22-CR-0003867-2010
BEFORE: LAZARUS, J., STABILE, J., and RANSOM, J.
MEMORANDUM BY RANSOM, J.: FILED JANUARY 11, 2017
Appellant, Jack Clark Garner, appeals from the February 17, 2016
order, denying his petition filed under the Post Conviction Relief Act (PCRA),
42 Pa.C.S. §§ 9541-9546. We affirm.
On April 14, 2011, a jury convicted Appellant of three counts of official
oppression and two counts of impersonating a public servant 1 as a result of
his actions in May 2010.2 Appellant, an elected constable for South Hanover
Township, Dauphin County, followed and blocked in two cars with young
female occupants in Lower Paxton Township, Dauphin County. Appellant
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1
18 Pa.C.S. § 5301 and 18 Pa.C.S. § 4912, respectively.
2
See PCRA Court Opinion (PCO), 1/20/16, at 1-5, for a more detailed
factual history of this case; see also Notes of Testimony (N. T.), 6/29/11, at
51.
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testified that he conducted these stops after witnessing Andrea Sherman cut
off another vehicle, and after witnessing Jessica Bender throw a cigarette
butt from the passenger window of a car driven by Lauren Christen.
Appellant demanded the women provide him with licenses, registration, and
other personal information. He referred to himself as an “officer” during the
course of these encounters and flashed his constable’s badge.
At trial, Appellant presented his brother as a character witness to
testify to his reputation in the community. The Commonwealth presented a
number of rebuttal witnesses to testify to his bad reputation in the
community, specifically that he did not have a good reputation in the
community for being law-abiding or honest.
On June 29, 2011, the trial court sentenced Appellant to an aggregate
of four to twenty-four months of intermediate punishment, followed by eight
years of probation, 250 hours of community service, and a prohibition
against holding public office. Appellant timely filed post-sentence motions,
which the court denied.
Appellant timely filed a direct appeal, arguing that the jury’s verdict
was against the weight of the evidence presented at trial. This Court
affirmed his judgment of sentence on July 9, 2012. See Commonwealth v.
Garner, 55 A.3d 126 (Pa. Super. 2012) (unpublished memorandum).
Appellant did not petition for allowance of appeal to the Pennsylvania
Supreme Court.
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On August 8, 2013, Appellant timely filed a counseled PCRA petition.
After a year of continuances, Appellant filed an amended PCRA petition,
raising numerous allegations of ineffective assistance of counsel.
Specifically, Appellant claimed counsel was ineffective for 1) failing to
challenge the sufficiency of the evidence on direct appeal; 2) failing to
submit jury instructions or object to those instructions given to the jury that
did not explain the lawful authority to encounter citizens or the test to
determine what type of encounter occurred; 3) failing to properly advise
Appellant about the consequences of calling character witnesses; and 4)
failing to object to the prejudicial mannerisms of the trial court.
The PCRA court held an evidentiary hearing on April 1, 2015. Trial
counsel testified that with regard to the jury charges, he had prepared jury
instructions for the court. Id. at 26-27. With regard to Appellant’s
character witnesses, trial counsel would have advised Appellant about the
presentation of character witnesses. Id. at 52. With regard to questioning
about the trial court’s demeanor, counsel was familiar with the court and the
dynamics of that courtroom and “chose his battles” so as not to make a
potentially hostile situation worse for his client. Id. at 31-34. He did not
feel the court’s remarks or demeanor were so egregious as to lodge an
objection at that time. Id. at 34-35.
On January 19, 2016, the PCRA court found that Appellant was not
entitled to PCRA relief and issued an order giving Appellant notice of its
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intent to dismiss. On February 17, 2016, the court dismissed Appellant’s
petition.
Appellant timely appealed and filed a court-ordered Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b)
statement. The PCRA court issued a statement in lieu of a Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a)
opinion, incorporating its previous memorandum opinion and addressing
additional issues raised by Appellant in his statement.
Appellant raises four issues on appeal, all relating to ineffective
assistance of counsel:
A. Whether the PCRA court erred in denying Appellant’s claim
that appellate counsel was ineffective for failing to raise on direct
appeal claims of sufficiency of the evidence to both criminal
offenses Appellant was convicted of, when Appellant was acting
under lawful authority as a constable and where the encounter
with the complainants were “mere encounters” and were
therefore justified under the law?
B. Whether the PCRA court erred in denying Appellant’s claim
that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to submit sufficient
jury instructions or object to the instructions given to the jury,
where the instructions given did not explain the lawful authority
of constables to encounter citizens, or the test to determine
what type of encounter occurred?
C. Whether the PCRA court erred in denying Appellant’s claim
that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to advise Appellant
that the law would permit the Commonwealth to call rebuttal
witnesses to testify to his bad reputation in the community as to
the relevant character trait if Appellant opened the door by
calling his own character witness?
D. Whether the PCRA court erred in denying Appellant’s claim
that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to object to the
prejudicial mannerisms of the trial court before the jury which
tended to belittle Appellant and his defense to the charges?
Appellant’s Brief at 4 (unnecessary capitalization omitted).
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We review an order denying a petition under the PCRA to determine
whether the findings of the PCRA court are supported by the evidence of
record and free of legal error. See Commonwealth v. Ragan, 923 A.2d
1169, 1170 (Pa. 2007). We afford the court’s findings deference unless
there is no support for them in the certified record. Commonwealth v.
Brown, 48 A.3d 1275, 1277 (Pa. Super. 2012) (citing Commonwealth v.
Anderson, 995 A.2d 1184, 1189 (Pa. Super. 2010)).
We first note that the PCRA court has misapprehended the state of
current law regarding waiver by suggesting that Appellant’s claims of
ineffective assistance of counsel are waived for failure to raise them on
direct appeal and properly layer them. Claims of ineffective assistance of
counsel must be raised on collateral review and not direct appeal. See
Commonwealth v. Stollar, 85 A.3d 635, 651-52 (Pa. 2014) (quoting
Commonwealth v. Grant, 813 A.2d 726, 738 (Pa. 2002)).3 Despite the
PCRA court’s error, “[w]e may affirm a PCRA court's decision on any grounds
if it is supported by the record.” Commonwealth v. Burkett, 5 A.3d 1260,
1267 (Pa. Super. 2010).
Appellant raises a number of issues relating to ineffective assistance of
appellate and trial counsel. Ultimately, they are meritless.
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3
Commonwealth v. Holmes, 79 A.3d 562, 563-64 (Pa. 2013), outlines
two exceptions to this rule, but neither exception applies here.
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We presume counsel is effective. Commonwealth v. Washington,
927 A.2d 586, 594 (Pa. 2007). To overcome this presumption and establish
the ineffective assistance of counsel, a PCRA petitioner must prove, by a
preponderance of the evidence, that: (1) the underlying legal issue has
arguable merit; (2) counsel’s actions lacked an objective reasonable basis;
and (3) actual prejudice befell the petitioner from counsel’s act or omission.
Commonwealth v. Johnson, 966 A.2d 523, 533 (Pa. 2009) (citations
omitted). “A petitioner establishes prejudice when he demonstrates that
there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel’s unprofessional
errors, the result of the proceeding would have been different. Id. A claim
will be denied if the petitioner fails to meet any one of these requirements.
Commonwealth v. Springer, 961 A.2d 1262, 1267 (Pa. Super. 2008)
(citing Commonwealth v. Natividad, 938 A.2d 310, 322 (Pa. 2007));
Commonwealth v. Jones, 942 A.2d 903, 906 (Pa. Super. 2008). Further,
counsel cannot be deemed ineffective for failing to raise a meritless claim.
Commonwealth v. Fears, 86 A.3d 795, 804 (Pa. 2014).
In his first issue, Appellant contends appellate counsel was ineffective
for failing to challenge on direct appeal the sufficiency of the evidence.
Appellant avers that the evidence was insufficient because he was acting
under common law authority as a constable to investigate violations of the
crimes code. According to Appellant, constables have the authority to make
warrantless arrests, and he had the right to initiate “mere encounters” with
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the complainants. Appellant concludes that, due to counsel’s failure to
pursue the sufficiency claim on appeal, he was denied due process of law.
Appellant’s Brief at 17-19.
Our analysis begins with the first prong of the ineffectiveness test:
whether there is arguable merit to the underlying claims. See Johnson,
966 A.2d at 533. A sufficiency claim alleges that the evidence admitted at
trial failed to establish all the elements of a crime beyond a reasonable
doubt. See Commonwealth v. Mobley, 14 A.3d 887, 889-890 (Pa. Super.
2011).
The elements of official oppression are:
A person acting or purporting to act in an official capacity or
taking advantage of such actual or purported capacity commits a
misdemeanor of the second degree if, knowing that his conduct
is illegal, he:
(1) subjects another to arrest, detention, search, seizure,
mistreatment, dispossession, assessment, lien or other
infringement of personal or property rights; or
(2) denies or impedes another in the exercise or enjoyment of
any right, privilege, power, or immunity.
18 Pa.C.S. § 5301. With regard to the mens rea required to commit an act
of official oppression, this Court has noted that “knowing” means the
accused must have been acting in bad faith when subjecting the other to the
proscribed activities. See Commonwealth v. Eisemann, 453 A.2d 1045,
1048 (Pa. Super. 1982). Thus, to establish Appellant’s guilt for official
oppression, the Commonwealth was required to prove beyond a reasonable
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doubt that Appellant, purporting to act in an official capacity, knowingly
subjected the complainants to an illegal detention. See 18 Pa.C.S. § 5301;
Eisemann, 453 A.2d at 1048.
The authority of a constable is not entirely clear. Constables are duly
elected officials in cities of the second class, cities of the third class,
boroughs, incorporated towns, or townships. See 44 Pa.C.S. § 7111. They
may “perform all duties authorized and imposed on them by statute.” See
44 Pa.C.S. § 7151. These duties include keeping the peace during elections,
serving process, collecting taxes, arresting offenders against forest laws,
executing on judgments, and recovering trespassing livestock. See 44
Pa.C.S. §§ 7152-59.
Constables are not police officers and do not share the same general
powers as police officers. See 53 Pa.C.S. § 2162 (listing various types of
law enforcement officials which may be considered duly employed municipal
police officers, constables excluded); see also Commonwealth v. Taylor,
677 A.2d 846, 851 n.6 (Pa. Super. 1996) (rejecting asserting that constables
are police officers); see also Commonwealth v. Dietterick, 631 A.2d
1347, 1350 (noting that when vesting a group with police powers and
duties, the legislature does so with specificity); see also 18 Pa.C.S. § 103
(defining the term police officer to include sheriffs, but not constables); see
also 44 Pa.C.S. §§ 7132-33 (constables may also be employed as police
officers).
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For example, police officers are empowered, by the Municipal Police
Jurisdiction Act, to effectuate warrantless arrests within their jurisdiction
and, outside of their jurisdiction, to effectuate warrantless arrests when
certain exceptions are met. See 44 Pa.C.S. §§ 8952-53 (noting that police
officers may act outside of their primary jurisdiction when, for example, they
are in hot pursuit, or on official business and witness and view an offense,
etc.). In contrast, the statutory authority of constables is more limited.
Title 44 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes provides that a constable
of a borough may, without warrant and upon view, arrest and commit for a
hearing any person who is guilty of a breach of the peace, engaged in the
commission of an unlawful act that may imperil the personal security or
endanger the property of citizens, or violates any ordinance of the borough
for which a fine or penalty is imposed. See 44 Pa.C.S. § 7158. Appellant,
however, was not a borough constable, but a constable of South Hampton
Township. Title 44 is silent as to the warrantless arrest powers of township
constables, and particularly under what authority constables may conduct
warrantless arrests outside of their jurisdiction.
Constables are prohibited from enforcing the Motor Vehicle Code based
upon their lack of statutory authority to do so. See Commonwealth v.
Roose; 710 A.2d 1129, 1130 (Pa. 1998); see, generally, Commonwealth
v. Roose, 690 A.2d 268, 270-71 (Pa. Super. 1997) (noting inherent
problems with lack of statutory authority allowing constables to perform
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traffic stops, which involve seizures and all of their constitutional
implications); see also 75 Pa.C.S. § 6308 (providing that police officers may
stop vehicles of anyone suspected to have violated the Motor Vehicle Code)
(emphasis added).
Case law has confirmed, to some extent, the common law power of
constables to arrest for felonies and breaches of the peace committed in
their presence. See Taylor, 677 A.2d at 852. Constables may not make
warrantless arrest for misdemeanors or summary offenses unless they
constitute a breach of the peace. See Taylor, 677 A.2d at 852 (emphasis
added). Appellant’s own definition of breach of the peace is taken from a
1954 case, which suggests that a breach of the peace includes all indictable
offenses, i.e., any offense other than a summary offense. See
Commonwealth v. Magaro, 103 A.2d 449, 452 (Pa. Super. 1954); see
also 42 Pa.C.S. § 102.
While Appellant acknowledges that constables are not allowed to
enforce the Motor Vehicle Code, he argues that he was instead “enforcing
violations of the Crimes Code.” Appellant’s Brief at 16 (citing in support 18
Pa.C.S. §§ 2705, 6501). Appellant avers that he detained Ms. Sherman
under suspicion that she had committed the offense of recklessly
endangering another person (REAP), 18 Pa.C.S. § 2705, a misdemeanor,
and similarly that Ms. Bender and Ms. Christen had committed the offense of
scattering rubbish, 18 Pa.C.S. § 6501, a summary offense. Thus, Appellant
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concludes, he was justified in stopping the cars of these young women or in
having “mere encounters” with them. However, this assertion is not
supported by the law for a number of reasons.
First, despite Appellant’s assertions, the interactions which occurred in
this case were not mere encounters, but investigatory detentions. See
Commonwealth v. DeHart, 745 A.2d 633, 636 (Pa. 2000) (noting that an
investigative detention is an interaction which carries an official but
temporary compulsion to stop and respond). By contrast, a mere encounter
does not carry an official compulsion to stop and respond. Id. Appellant
was not authorized to make these traffic stops, despite his arguments that
he was acting within his lawful authority as a constable and peace officer
when he detained the complainants. See In Re Act 147 of 1990, 598 A.2d
986 (Pa. 1991) (noting that a constable is a “peace officer.”)
In the instant case, Appellant’s actions rose to the level of an
investigative detention. Despite having no authority to conduct a traffic
stop, Appellant blocked the victims’ cars in to their spaces, flashed his
badge, and introduced himself as “an officer.” Appellant’s actions led the
victims to believe that he was a police officer subjecting them to traffic stops
for allegedly committing crimes. Appellant demanded the victims’ license
and registration. All of these actions, in conjunction, rose to the level of an
investigative detention.
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Further, Appellant’s arguments that he was enforcing the Crimes Code
are not persuasive. The offenses that Appellant was allegedly enforcing
were a misdemeanor and summary offense respectively. Thus, the only way
he conceivably had the authority to conduct an arrest was if those offenses
constituted breaches of the peace. As noted above, Appellant’s definition of
“breach of the peace” is any indictable offense. However, “breach of the
peace” is an archaic term that has not been codified in the Crimes Code.
Black’s Law Dictionary defines the term as the criminal offense of creating a
public disturbance or engaging in disorderly conduct, particularly by making
an unnecessary or distracting noise. BREACH OF THE PEACE, Black’s Law
Dictionary (10th ed. 2014).
Even if we accept Appellant’s arguments that he was enforcing the
Crimes Code, this argument can only be half correct. When Appellant
stopped Ms. Sherman’s car, he argued that she had committed REAP. REAP,
as an indictable offense, could potentially be considered a breach of the
peace and potentially within Appellant’s purview of lawful authority.
However, when Appellant detained Ms. Christen and Ms. Bender, the alleged
“offense” was scattering rubbish. By Appellant’s own definition, scattering
rubbish cannot be a breach of the peace, as it is a summary offense and not
indictable. Thus, it was reasonable for a jury to discount Appellant’s
argument and conclude that Appellant had acted in bad faith for allegedly
“investigating” that crime.
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Finally, evidence was introduced at trial that was sufficient for the jury,
as a fact-finder, to conclude that Appellant had acted in bad faith in his
detentions of the victims. Specifically, the evidence introduced at trial
established the following.
Appellant purported to act in an official capacity. He approached
drivers outside of South Hanover Township, stopped them, displayed his
badge, and demanded their licenses, registration, and insurance information.
He ordered these young women to remain by their cars. In the course of
effectuating these detentions, Appellant referred to himself as an “officer,”
and the complainants testified they believed they were being subjected to
traffic stops by a police officer and were not free to leave. However,
Appellant did not make an arrest. He did not issue citations. He did not
issue warnings. The complainants were never charged with any crime nor
made to pay any fines. The only actions Appellant took were to detain each
woman and record her personal information. The complainants testified to
their confusion and fear; Ms. Christen specifically denied driving in a reckless
manner.
Appellant called his brother to testify to his good character for
truthfulness, peacefulness, and for being law abiding. See N. T. Trial at
158. However, the Commonwealth presented four witnesses to testify to
Appellant’s bad reputation in the community for being dishonest and not law
abiding. N. T. Trial at 196-215.
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Thus, considering the circumstances surrounding the detentions and
the plethora of character witnesses to testify as to Appellant’s reputation for
dishonesty, it was reasonable for the jury as a factfinder to conclude that
Appellant had acted in bad faith when detaining the complainants. Thus,
because Appellant had acted in bad faith, it was proper for the jury to
conclude that Appellant possessed the mens rea necessary to find him guilty
of official oppression.
With regard to impersonating a public servant:
A person commits a misdemeanor of the second degree if he
falsely pretends to hold a position in the public service with
intent to induce another to submit to such pretended official
authority or otherwise act in reliance upon that pretense to his
prejudice.
18 Pa.C.S. § 4912. The evidence introduced at trial was sufficient to support
the jury’s conviction. Appellant stopped each woman while driving.
Appellant flashed his constable badge to the women, and introduced himself
as an “officer.” Each woman believed Appellant was a police officer
effectuating a traffic stop. Each woman was subjected to a seizure, to their
prejudice. As discussed above, Appellant was not a police officer and was
not acting within his lawful authority at the time of the detentions.
Consequently, the evidence was sufficient to show that Appellant was
guilty of the crimes charged. Counsel cannot be ineffective for failure to
litigate a meritless claim. See Fears, 86 A.3d at 804.
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In his second issue, Appellant contends that trial counsel was
ineffective for failing to submit sufficient jury instructions or object to the
jury instructions given. Appellant argues that the instructions should have
explained the lawful authority of constables to encounter citizens and the
test to determine what type of encounter occurred, because Appellant’s
interactions with the women did not rise to the level of investigative
detentions. Appellant’s Brief at 4.
When evaluating jury instructions, this Court considers whether the
instructions as a whole were prejudicial. Commonwealth v. Carson, 913
A.2d 220, 255 (Pa. 2006). A trial court is not required to use any particular
jury instructions, or particular forms of expression, so long as those
instructions clearly and accurately characterize the relevant law. Id. The
trial court is not required to give every charge that is requested by the
parties, and its refusal to give a requested charge does not require reversal
unless the Appellant was prejudiced by that refusal. Commonwealth v.
Sandusky, 77 A.3d 663, 667 (Pa. Super. 2013) (citation omitted). Jury
instructions regarding offenses and defenses are not warranted unless there
is evidence to support such instructions. Commonwealth v. Browdie, 671
A.2d 668, 674 (Pa. 1996).
We have examined the record, and the trial court’s jury charge
correctly and accurately sets forth the elements of the crimes of official
oppression and impersonating a public official. Further, the trial court
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properly charged the jury on mere encounters and investigative detentions.
Trial counsel did submit proposed jury instructions that included a section
titled “Law Enforcement Authority of Constables,” and apparently, the court
did not accept counsel’s proposed instructions. However, the court did
instruct the jury on the lawful authority of constables to encounter citizens
and to make warrantless arrests for breaches of the peace. N. T. Trial, 252-
60. Thus, although Appellant did not receive the exact instructions he
wished to receive, he could not have been prejudiced by the instructions
read to the jury. Counsel cannot be ineffective for failure to litigate a
meritless claim. See Fears, 86 A.3d at 804.
In his third issue, Appellant contends that trial counsel failed to advise
Appellant that, if he called a character witness, the Commonwealth would be
permitted to call rebuttal witnesses to testify to his bad reputation.
Appellant’s Brief at 4.
When deciding whether to call a character witness, counsel should
inform a defendant of the right to present character witnesses and should
discuss with the client whether such witnesses would be advisable under the
circumstances of the evidence and defenses available. See
Commonwealth v. Carter, 597 A.2d 1156, 1162 (Pa. Super. 1991). Here,
counsel testified he discussed the ramifications of calling character witnesses
with Appellant. N. T., 4/1/15, at 52. The PCRA court found this testimony
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credible. We defer to this finding. See Brown, 48 A.3d at 1277.
Consequently, Appellant’s claim is without merit.
In his final issue, Appellant contends that trial counsel was ineffective
for failing to object to the “prejudicial mannerisms” of the trial court, which
“tended to belittle Appellant and his defense to the charges.” At the
evidentiary hearing, trial counsel testified extensively to his familiarity with
the trial court’s courtroom demeanor and that he felt it best to pick his
battles so as to avoid harming his client’s case. Counsel’s actions had a
reasonable basis, and thus, he was not ineffective. See Johnson, 966 A.2d
at 533.
Order affirmed.
Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary
Date: 1/11/2017
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