Commonwealth v. Gonzales

HUDOCK, Judge:

This is an appeal from the judgment of sentence imposed upon Appellant after he was convicted, at the conclusion of a non-jury trial, of murder in the third degree.¹ Timely filed post-verdict motions were denied by the trial court and Appellant was sentenced to the mandatory minimum of life imprisonment as required by 42 Pa.C.S. § 9715 (Purdon 1982) (Life imprisonment for homicide). This appeal followed in which Appellant raises three instances of trial court error. We affirm.

Appellant first claims that the evidence was insufficient to sustain his third degree murder conviction on the basis that the Commonwealth failed to prove malice. Evidence is sufficient to support a conviction so long as the fact-finder reasonably could have determined that every element of the offense was established beyond a reasonable doubt. Commonwealth v. Syre, 507 Pa. 299, 489 A.2d 1340 (1985). In making this determination, a reviewing court must consider the evidence in the light most favorable to the Commonwealth, as verdict winner, and must draw all reasonable inferences therefrom in favor of the Commonwealth. Commonwealth v. Hughes, 521 Pa. 423, 555 A.2d 1264 (1989). Malice is a necessary element of proof to support a conviction of murder in the third degree. Commonwealth v. Hinchcliffe, 479 Pa. 551, 388 A.2d 1068 (1978), cert. denied, 439 U.S. 989, 99 S.Ct. 588, 58 L.Ed.2d 663 (1978); Commonwealth v. Austin, 394 Pa.Super. 146, 575 A.2d 141 (1990). Malice is a legal term that encompasses not only ill will, but also wickedness of disposition, hardness of heart, cruelty, recklessness of consequences, and a mind regardless of social duty. Commonwealth v. Hunter, 381 Pa.Super. 606, 554 A.2d 550 (1989). Malice may be inferred from the use of a deadly weapon on a vital part of the victim’s body. Id.

At trial, the Commonwealth and Appellant presented divergent testimony regarding the events leading to the killing in question. The two versions of the events which transpired prior to the killing may be summarized as follows:

The Commonwealth’s version of the events was given through the testimony of Jose Rosario (Rosario). Rosario testified that he and the victim, Jesus Rodriguez (Rodriguez), were crossing the street when an automobile sped by, nearly hitting Rosario. Rosario exchanged expletives with the occupants of the vehicle, Appellant and Bienviendo Morales (Morales). Thereafter, Appellant and Morales alighted from the automobile, Appellant wielding a screwdriver and Morales carrying a baseball bat. Appellant threatened to stab Rosario and Rodriguez with the screwdriver. Appellant and Morales then exchanged the screwdriver and the bat, whereupon Appellant walked around the back of the automobile and struck Rodriguez on the head with the bat. After striking the blow, Appellant and Morales fled in the automobile.

Appellant’s version of the events is markedly different. Appellant testified that Rosario jumped in front of the automobile in which he and Morales were riding and that Rodriguez was knocking on the side passenger window asking Appellant and Morales if they wanted to buy drugs. Appellant and Morales refused the offer and drove to the home of Appellant’s girlfriend. Shortly after he left the home of his girlfriend, someone called Appellant to the corner. Appellant testified that Rodriguez came towards him wielding a baseball bat and swung it at Appellant. Appellant stepped back and then grabbed the bat and shoved Rodriguez. Appellant stated that he struck Rodriguez in an act of self-defense because the latter was coming toward him and he (Appellant) was afraid.

The essence of Appellant’s argument is that the trial court, sitting as fact-finder, should have believed his version of the events because his version supports his claim of self-defense. Thus, Appellant asserts, the Commonwealth failed to prove legal malice because it did not disprove self-defense beyond a reasonable doubt.

It is true that the Commonwealth must disprove a claim of self-defense beyond a reasonable doubt. Commonwealth v. Hunter, supra. And it is also the case that a successful claim of self-defense negates the element of malice, as the two concepts are mutually exclusive. Commonwealth v. Hinchcliffe, supra; Commonwealth v. Heatherington, 477 Pa. 562, 385 A.2d 338 (1978). To negate a claim of self-defense, the Commonwealth is required to prove any one of the following: (1) the defendant’s belief that it was necessary to kill the victim in order to protect himself from death or serious bodily harm was unreasonable; (2) the defendant provoked the use of force; or (3) the defendant had a duty to retreat and could safely do so. Commonwealth v. Hunter, supra.

Appellant’s sufficiency claim necessarily relies on a finding that his version of the events in question is more credible than the testimony presented by the Commonwealth. As fact-finder, the trial court was free to reject or accept all, part, or none of the testimony of any witness. Commonwealth v. London, 461 Pa. 566, 337 A.2d 549 (1975); Commonwealth v. Hunter, supra. Serving in this capacity, the trial court rejected Appellant’s version of the events. The trial court’s disbelief of Appellant’s assertion of self-defense obviates the need for the Commonwealth to disprove the claim. Thus, we need only determine whether the Commonwealth proved malice beyond a reasonable doubt.

Upon review of the record, we are satisfied that the Commonwealth presented sufficient evidence to support the element of malice. The testimony which the trial court credited reveals that Appellant first wielded a screwdriver with which he threatened to stab the victim and Rosario, and then brandished a baseball bat with which he clubbed the victim to death. Moreover, the trial court could properly draw an inference of malice from Appellant’s intentional use of the baseball bat upon the victim’s head. See Commonwealth v. Hinchcliffe, supra. Appellant’s first claim is without merit.

Appellant next claims that the trial court erred in refusing to grant a mistrial when the prosecutor attempted to introduce irrelevant and prejudicial evidence of Appellant’s alleged involvement in narcotics distribution. We disagree.

The decision whether to grant a mistrial is within the sound discretion of the trial court and will not be reversed absent a flagrant abuse of that discretion. Commonwealth v. Meadows, 381 Pa.Super. 354, 553 A.2d 1006 (1989), alloc. den’d., 524 Pa. 618, 571 A.2d 381. The admission or exclusion of evidence, insofar as its relevance is concerned, is a matter committed to the trial court's discretion. Absent an abuse of discretion or an error of law, the trial court’s ruling will not be disturbed on appeal. See, e.g., Commonwealth v. Edward Davis, 394 Pa.Super. 591, 576 A.2d 1005 (1990). Moreover, when the court is sitting as fact-finder it is presumed that inadmissible evidence is disregarded and that only relevant and competent evidence is considered. Commonwealth v. Kevin Davis, 491 Pa. 363, 421 A.2d 179 (1980). In a non-jury trial, the court is presumed to have disregarded evidence too prejudicial to be considered by a jury, thus assuming that the court in a bench trial would follow the very instructions which it would otherwise give to a jury. Commonwealth v. Wright, 234 Pa.Super. 83, 87-89, 339 A.2d 103, 106 (1975) (citing Commonwealth v. Mangan, 220 Pa.Super. 54, 281 A.2d 666 (1971)). Cf. Commonwealth v. Kevin Davis, supra (court sitting as fact-finder expressly stated that it had disregarded appellant’s prior criminal record in reaching verdict); cf. Commonwealth v. Stantz, 353 Pa.Super. 95, 509 A.2d 351 (1986) (appeal denied) (bias or hostility towards defendant as a result of intemperate prosecutorial remarks made in closing are lessened or even eliminated when trial court sits as fact-finder).

The evidence which Appellant maintains was improperly introduced concerned Appellant’s alleged involvement in a narcotics distribution organization known as the OK Corral. Appellant also objects to the prosecutor’s reference to a nickname used by Appellant written next to the initials “OKC” which appeared in a photograph depicting the area where the killing occurred. The nickname and initials “OKC” appeared on a wall depicted in the photograph. In addition, Appellant contends that the prosecutor improperly elicited a response from a police officer indicating that an area near the scene of the killing was a narcotics distribution area. This response was elicited shortly after a witness testified that he had seen Appellant in that area.

As to the first alleged impropriety, Appellant called witness Jose Torres who gave a version of the killing similar to the one proffered by Appellant and, thus, favorable to the defense. Upon cross-examination, the prosecutor asked this witness if he had sold drugs in the area of the killing and if he had been a member of an organization called the OK Corral. The witness denied selling drugs in that area but admitted that he sold drugs in another area. However, the witness did not respond to the question asking whether he was a member of the OK Corral because both defense counsel moved for a mistrial, which the court denied.

With regard to the alleged improper reference to the nickname and the initials “OKC” on the wall depicted in the photograph, the prosecutor attempted to demonstrate that Appellant was involved in narcotics distribution in the area of the killing. The Commonwealth introduced this evidence after Appellant testified on cross-examination that he was offended and upset that Rosario and the victim asked him and his co-defendant to buy drugs. Appellant testified that his response to Rosario and the victim at that time was that he did not buy or have any connection with narcotics.

As to the elicitation from a police officer witness that an area near the killing was frequented by Appellant and was a narcotics distribution area, our review of the trial transcript discloses that the prosecutor’s questioning did not elicit or exploit such reference.

[BY THE COMMONWEALTH]

Q. Did you have contact with [Appellant] in that area? Did you see him in that area is what I’m saying. I don’t mean arrests or anything like that. Did you see him in that area?

A. Yes, I had numerous contacts with [Appellant] in the area of 7th and Russell, Marshall and Tioga, 7th and Tioga, all in that area there.

Q. Now, you said 7th and Russell, you’re familiar with that. You said 7th and Tioga. Where is that in relation to 7th and Russell?

A. 7th and Tioga is about three quarters of a city block north of 7th and Russell.

Q. And what’s at 7th and Tioga, if anything, unusual?

A. 7th and Tioga is the center spot of a high narcotics area.

Q. Wait, wait.

THE COURT: That’s not what he was asking.

MR. FITZPATRICK [Counsel for co-defendant]: Move to strike.

THE COURT: That’s granted. You may lead the witness.

N.T., p. 316; emphasis supplied. It is apparent from the above exchange that neither the Commonwealth nor the court expected the witness’ volunteered, non-responsive answer to the query concerning Seventh and Tioga. The court immediately struck the witness’ response; the Commonwealth did not exploit the reference to the area as a narcotics distribution area; further questioning and response were limited to the subject of Appellant’s general presence at Seventh and Tioga and at Marshall and Tioga.

Our review of the objected-to conduct of the prosecutor reveals that the court denied Appellant's motion for a mistrial with respect to the question addressed to Jose Torres regarding his involvement with the OK Corral. However, the court struck this reference as well as the reference to illegal activity in an area frequented by Appellant and near the killing. Likewise, the court disallowed continued questioning concerning the nickname and initials appearing in the photograph, thus evidencing its acknowledgement of the impropriety in permitting the continued questioning and references.

Given the above standards relating to inadmissible evidence in a non-jury trial, we are unpersuaded that the court erred in failing to grant a mistrial, for the court, by its actions, evinced a disregard for any improper references or questioning. Moreover, as we have already noted, the court struck the references to the nickname and the initials depicted in the photograph, and to an area frequented by Appellant as being a narcotics distribution area. The court also refused to permit further questioning regarding Appellant’s alleged involvement in the OK Corral. We can find no indication in the record that the court below did not conduct a fair and impartial trial and did not properly considered only claim to the contrary is, therefore, without merit.

Appellant’s final claim is that the court below erred in applying the mandatory recidivist sentencing provisions of 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9715(a) (Purdon 1982). This section requires the court to impose a term of life imprisonment upon one who stands convicted of murder in the third degree and who has been previously convicted of murder or voluntary manslaughter at any time. Appellant concedes that he has a previous conviction for murder in the third degree. He contends, however, that the imposition of sentence under § 9715(a) is improper in this case because he had not yet been convicted of the previous homicide when he committed the instant offense. We do not agree. Section 9715 reads, in pertinent part:

§ 9715. Life imprisonment for homicide

(a) Mandatory life imprisonment.—Notwithstanding the provisions of section 9712 (relating to sentences for offenses committed with firearms), 9713 (relating to sentences for offenses committed on public transportation) or 9714 (relating to sentences for second and subsequent offenses), any person convicted of murder of the third degree in this Commonwealth who has previously been convicted at any time of murder or voluntary manslaughter in this Commonwealth or of the same or substantially equivalent crime in any other jurisdiction shall be sentenced to life imprisonment, notwithstanding any other provision of this title or other statute to the contrary.

(b) Proof at sentencing.—Provisions of this section shall not be an element of the crime and notice thereof to the defendant shall not be required prior to conviction, but reasonable notice of the Commonwealth’s intention to proceed under this section shall be provided after conviction and before sentencing. The applicability of this section shall be determined at sentencing____

(Emphasis supplied.) Appellant was previously convicted of murder in the third degree in July 1989 for a killing which occurred in May 1988. The instant offense was committed on December 2, 1988. Neither the court nor the Commonwealth has challenged the existence of the previous conviction or the fact that the instant offense was committed before Appellant’s conviction for the previous homicide.

When determining the meaning of any particular recidivist statute or section, it is the language of that statute or section, and no other, which must be interpreted and applied. Hence, decisions of this Court dealing with other sections of the Judiciary Code and the Motor Vehicle Code áre not controlling. See, e.g., Commonwealth v. Dickerson, 404 Pa.Super. 249, 590 A.2d 766 (1991), alloc. granted, 528 Pa. 627, 598 A.2d 281 (interpretation of the recidivist penalty provisions of 42 Pa.C.S. § 9714(b)(2)); Commonwealth v. Beatty, 411 Pa.Super. 450, 601 A.2d 1253 (1992) (en banc) (interpreting recidivist provisions of 75 Pa.C.S. § 3731(e)); Commonwealth v. Eyster, 401 Pa.Super. 477, 585 A.2d 1027 (1991) (en banc) (previous conviction must antedate current offense for purpose of application of enhanced prior record score of sentencing guidelines). Section 9715(a) clearly states that it shall be operative “notwithstanding [the provisions of] [§] 9714” and “any other provision of this title or other statute to the contrary.”

The above-cited subsections of § 9715 are clear and unambiguous. Subsection (b) clearly states that § 9715 becomes applicable at the time of sentencing. Thus, if at that time, the defendant’s record shows a prior conviction for murder or voluntary manslaughter which occurred at any time, that person shall be sentenced to a term of life imprisonment. “At any time” refers not only to a prior conviction which may have occurred more than seven years prior to the sentencing offense, but also clearly means that the order of commission, or conviction, of the offenses requiring a life sentence is immaterial so long as, at the time of sentencing on a third degree murder conviction, a defendant has been convicted on another charge of murder or voluntary manslaughter. The plain language of § 9715(a) and (b) cannot be interpreted otherwise. Appellant’s claim to the contrary is, therefore, without merit.

Judgment of sentence is affirmed.

BROSKY, J., files a concurring and dissenting opinion.

1 . 18 Pa.C.S. § 2502(c) (Purdon 1983).