Com. v. Hamman, J., Jr.

J-S17023-20
NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA IN THE SUPERIOR COURT
OF PENNSYLVANIA
Appellee
v.
JAMES ALLEN HAMMAN, JR.
Appellant No. 1730 MDA 2019
Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence Entered February 6, 2018
In the Court of Common Pleas of Fulton County
Criminal Division at No: CP-29-CR-0000202-2016
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA IN THE SUPERIOR COURT
OF PENNSYLVANIA
Appellee
v.
JAMES ALLEN HAMMAN, JR.
Appellant No. 1731 MDA 2019
Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence Entered February 6, 2018
In the Court of Common Pleas of Fulton County
Criminal Division at No: CP-29-CR-0000206-2016
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA IN THE SUPERIOR COURT
OF PENNSYLVANIA
Appellee
v.
JAMES ALLEN HAMMAN, JR.
Appellant No. 1732 MDA 2019
J-S17023-20
Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence Entered February 6, 2018
In the Court of Common Pleas of Fulton County
Criminal Division at No: CP-29-CR-0000201-2016
BEFORE: PANELLA, P.J., STABILE, J., and FORD ELLIOTT, P.J.E.
MEMORANDUM BY STABILE, J.: FILED AUGUST 25, 2020
Appellant, James Allen Hamman, Jr., appeals his judgments of sentence
totaling 21—75 years’ imprisonment for three burglaries of unoccupied
residences and related offenses. We affirm Appellant’s convictions, but find
his maximum sentences on several convictions clearly unreasonable within
the meaning of 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9781(c). Accordingly, we vacate Appellant’s
judgment of sentence and remand this case for resentencing.
These cases concern burglaries of three residences in the vicinity of
Cowans Gap State Park in Fulton County. The following evidence was
presented during Appellant’s jury trial.
Mackey burglary. On October 11, 2016, Brian Mackey left his weekend
home. There was nothing amiss and he locked up carefully before leaving.
When he arrived back on October 15, 2016, he discovered that his home had
been burglarized by intrusion through a window. Several items were missing,
including a table, four chairs and two Frigidaire dehumidifiers. He immediately
notified DCNR1 Park Rangers, who in turn notified the Pennsylvania State
Police. N.T. 12/28/17, at 43-50.
____________________________________________
1 Pennsylvania Department of Conversation and Natural Resources. The
rangers identified below are all DCNR rangers.
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On October 14, 2018, one day before Mackey discovered the break-in,
Appellant and his girlfriend, Amanda Briggs, sold a table, four chairs and two
dehumidifiers at Nick’s Bargain and Variety, a second-hand store in
Mifflintown. Id. at 140-144; Com. Ex. 29.
During the ensuing investigation, Mackey provided photographs of the
stolen items to Ranger Eitner. On November 12, 2016, Ranger Eitner traveled
to Nick’s Bargain and Variety, because this business was known to purchase
stolen property. He surreptitiously photographed the two dehumidifiers and
shared those photos with Mackey for identification,2 and he eventually
obtained possession of the dehumidifiers with the help of the State Police.
Mackey had the warranty information card for one of the dehumidifiers that
included the unit’s serial number. The serial number matched one of the
dehumidifiers recovered from Nick’s Bargain and Variety. Id. at 68-69, 72-
76, 80-81.
Mellinger burglary. Following discovery of the Mackey burglary,
Ranger Eitner and Ranger Sleighter checked on other weekend homes in the
vicinity, one of which was owned by Glen Mellinger. The Mellinger home is
about 75 yards back from the public road, and its drive is blocked by a yellow
steel pipe gate with a padlock. On October 19, 2016, Ranger Eitner found the
gate locked. On October 22, 2016, Ranger Sleighter observed that the gate
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2Ranger Eitner was not able to photograph the table and chairs without being
detected, and they were gone from the store by the time police arrived.
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was closed, but on October 23, 2016, he noticed that the gate was open. He
assumed that the Mellingers were at the cabin and did not go up to the home.
Id. at 70-72, 116-118. The Mellingers actually had not been at the home
since October 17, 2016 and did not return until October 26, 2016. Id. at 59-
60.
At 10:10 a.m. on October 24, 2016, Appellant sold a Ryobi log splitter
at Famous Pawn Brokers in Hagerstown, Maryland. Maryland law requires
that persons selling or pawning property provide identification. Appellant used
his driver’s license as identification and signed a mandatory pawn form
identifying the log splitter by serial number. Id. at 147-152; Com. Ex. 31
At 10:55 a.m., Appellant and Briggs visited a second pawnshop in
Hagerstown, Washington Street Pawn Shop. Using his driver’s license as
identification, Appellant sold two firearms, one of which was a Marlin model
782, .22 WMR that was identified by serial number.3 Id. at 156-164; Com.
Ex. 32 and 33.
On October 26, 2016, Mellinger and his wife arrived at their home and
discovered that the gate lock was missing. A window in the rear of their home
had been forced open, and the entry door had been broken. Unlike Mackey’s
home, the Mellingers’ door had a deadbolt that required a key to unlock it
from either side. Id. at 60. The Mellingers discovered numerous items
missing, including their Ryobi log splitter that had been inside the home and
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3The other firearm, a Remington model 700, .300 Win. Mag., belonged to
Daniel Bland, the victim of the third burglary discussed below.
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several firearms, including a Marlin model 782, .22 magnum—items that
Appellant sold two days earlier. Id. at 62-64, 67.
Bland burglary. During the investigation of the burglary at the
Mellinger residence on October 26, 2016, the State Police brought in Trooper
Garner of the Forensic Services Unit to photograph the scene and dust for
latent prints. The police also canvassed the area for additional burglaries and
discovered a break-in at the home of Daniel Bland, where an intruder had
forced open a window. Trooper Garner collected and photographed latent
prints from the windows at the Mellinger and Bland homes. At each window
were prints similar in appearance, but their source was not readily discernible.
Id. at 91-94 (Mellinger), 96-98 (Bland); Com. Ex. 10, 13, 14, 15 (Mellinger),
20, 21 (Bland).
Police investigation. Ranger Sleighter observed Trooper Garner’s
work at the Bland cabin after dark as well as the latent prints that Trooper
Garner photographed. Trooper Garner finished after darkness fell, and Ranger
Sleighter departed the Bland cabin and proceeded to the Ranger station within
Cowans Gap State Park. While en route, he noticed a minivan in one of the
parking areas, which he found unusual because the park is closed after dark.
He approached the van and discovered Briggs in the front passenger’s seat
and Appellant lying down in the back (the rear seat had been removed).
Almost immediately, the ranger noticed a pair of Mechanix 0 work gloves
between the front seats that had trademarks and texturing matching the
latent prints he had seen at the Mellinger cabin earlier that day and at the
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Bland home minutes before. He also observed within the van a camouflage
ski mask, several tool boxes, a pair of bolt cutters and several hypodermic
needles. Appellant explained that he was a drug user. The ranger
photographed Appellant’s driver’s license and the gloves, but he did not
believe he had sufficient evidence or legal authority to take Appellant into
custody at that time. He did arrest Briggs because she had an outstanding
warrant from a different county. Id. at 118-132; Com. Ex. 25, 26, 27, 28.
Appellant’s driver’s license had the same address as the license that Appellant
used at the pawnshops two days earlier.
On November 18, 2016, Trooper Bartlett interviewed Appellant
concerning various burglaries in the Cowans Gap area. Appellant admitted
that he assisted in two burglaries but claimed he did not personally enter the
cabins. He claimed that he was the driver during both crimes and was driving
his mother’s minivan, the vehicle in which Ranger Sleighter discovered him
and Briggs. Appellant claimed that an individual named Skipper entered the
Mellinger home and handed the stolen items to Appellant, who put them in
the van. Appellant admitted that the Mechanix 0 gloves belonged to him, and
that he and Briggs were heroin addicts. Id. at 167-78.
Trial, sentencing and this appeal. The case proceeded to a jury trial,
and the jury found Appellant guilty of multiple crimes relating to the three
break-ins as well as weapons offenses. On February 6, 2018, the trial court
sentenced Appellant to 21—75 years’ imprisonment, which consisted of the
following consecutive sentences: (1) at No. 201—2016, 30—180 months for
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burglary of the Bland residence and 54—120 months for unlawful possession
of the firearm he stole from this residence; (2) at No. 202—2016, 30—180
months for burglary of the Mackey residence, 24—180 months for conspiracy
to burgle this residence, and 30—90 months for criminal mischief; and (3) at
No. 206—2016, 30—120 months for burglary of the Mellinger residence and
54—120 months for unlawful possession of the firearm he stole from this
residence. Appellant filed post-sentence motions challenging the weight of
the evidence and the length of his sentence. The court denied these motions,
and this appeal followed.4 Both Appellant and the trial court complied with
Pa.R.A.P. 1925.
Appellant raises the following issues in this appeal:
1. Whether the Commonwealth’s evidence was sufficient to prove
that [Appellant] committed burglary or conspired to commit
burglary of the [] Mackey cabin and that [Appellant] committed
burglary of the [] Mellinger cabin?
2. Whether, in the alternative, the weight of the evidence was so
weak and inconclusive such that no possibility of guilt should have
been determined that [Appellant] committed the burglary or
conspired to commit burglary of the [] Mackey cabin and that
[Appellant] committed burglary of the [] Mellinger cabin?
____________________________________________
4 Appellant originally filed a single notice of appeal at 920 MDA 2018 listing
the captions of all three of his cases. Pursuant to Commonwealth v.
Walker, 185 A.3d 969 (Pa. 2018), we quashed this appeal due to Appellant’s
failure to file separate notices of appeal at each docket number. Appellant
filed a PCRA petition in the trial court seeking leave to file an appeal nunc pro
tunc. The court granted this motion, and Appellant promptly filed separate
notices of appeal at each docket number. Accordingly, we have jurisdiction
over the present appeals.
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3. Whether [Appellant]’s sentence, while being within the
Sentencing Guidelines, should be modified as being unreasonable
considering the circumstances of the case?
4. Whether the evidence discovered after the trial relating to
Ranger Gregory S. Eitner, with DCNR, conduct and testimony in
the case and trial was exculpatory?
Appellant’s Brief at 10.
Appellant first challenges the sufficiency of the evidence underlying his
convictions for burglarizing the Mackey and Mellinger cabins and his
conspiracy conviction relating to the Mackey cabin.5 When reviewing a
challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence, we determine “whether the
evidence admitted at trial, as well as all reasonable inferences drawn
therefrom, when viewed in the light most favorable to the verdict winner, are
sufficient to support all the elements of the offense.” Commonwealth v.
Cline, 177 A.3d 922, 925 (Pa. Super. 2017). “This standard is equally
applicable to cases where the evidence is circumstantial rather than direct so
long as the combination of the evidence links the accused to the crime beyond
a reasonable doubt.” Commonwealth v. Stokes, 78 A.3d 644, 649 (Pa.
Super. 2013).
The burglary statute provides in relevant part, “A person commits the
offense of burglary if, with the intent to commit a crime therein, the person:
. . . enters a building or occupied structure, or separately secured or occupied
____________________________________________
5Appellant does not challenge the sufficiency of the evidence underlying his
burglary of the Bland residence.
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portion thereof that is adapted for overnight accommodations in which at the
time of the offense no person is present.” 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 3502(a)(2). The
conspiracy statute provides in relevant part that an individual is guilty of
conspiracy to commit a crime if, “with the intent of promoting or facilitating
its commission he . . . agrees with such other person or persons that they or
one or more of them will engage in conduct which constitutes such crime or .
. . agrees to aid such other person or persons in the planning or commission
of such crime.” 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 903(a). Appellant concedes that the Mackey
and Mellinger cabins are buildings adapted for overnight accommodation.
Appellant’s Brief at 17. He claims, however, that the only evidence of burglary
and conspiracy was his statement to the state trooper that he was present at
the scene of the burglaries, which he claims the trooper coerced by
threatening to charge Briggs with the crimes if he did not confess to them.
Appellant’s argument that his confession was coerced lacks merit,
because when we review a sufficiency claim, we view all admitted evidence,
even evidence that the defendant claims was improperly admitted.
Commonwealth v. Haynes, 116 A.3d 640, 656 (Pa. Super. 2015).
Furthermore, Appellant’s statement to the trooper was not the only evidence
of burglary and conspiracy. The burglary of the Mellinger residence took place
either on October 22, 2016 or October 23, 2016, between the time when
Ranger Sleighter observed that the gate to the Mellinger residence was closed
and when he observed that the gate was open. Several days later, on October
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26, 2016, while investigating the Mellinger and Bland burglaries, Ranger
Sleighter observed fingerprints at the Mellinger residence with distinctive
texturing. Later that day, Ranger Sleighter discovered Appellant’s vehicle in
Cowans Gap State Park after dark, when the park was closed. As he looked
inside the vehicle, he observed a pair of Mechanix 0 work gloves that had
trademarks and texturing similar to the fingerprints at the Mellinger and Bland
residences. He also observed items commonly used during burglaries—a
camouflage ski mask, several tool boxes and a pair of bolt cutters. In addition,
the Commonwealth established that Appellant visited multiple pawnshops in
Maryland, where he sold a log splitter and firearm stolen from the Mellinger
residence and several items stolen from the Mackey residence, including a
dehumidifier. Viewed collectively and in the light most favorable to the
Commonwealth, this evidence is sufficient to support Appellant’s convictions
for burglary of the Mackey and Mellinger residences and for conspiracy to
burglarize the Mackey residence.
Next, Appellant challenges the weight of the evidence underlying his
burglary and conspiracy convictions. The weight of the evidence is a matter
exclusively for the finder of fact, who is free to believe all, part, or none of the
evidence and to determine the credibility of the witnesses. Commonwealth
v. Gonzalez, 109 A.3d 711, 723 (Pa. Super. 2015). A new trial is not
warranted because of “a mere conflict in the testimony” and must have a
stronger foundation than a reassessment of the credibility of witnesses. Id.- 10 -
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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. On appeal,
“our purview is extremely limited and is confined to whether the trial court
abused its discretion in finding that the jury verdict did not shock its
conscience.” Id. Thus, “appellate review of a weight claim consists of a
review of the trial court's exercise of discretion, not a review of the underlying
question of whether the verdict is against the weight of the evidence.” Id.An appellate court may not reverse a verdict unless it is so contrary to the
evidence as to shock one’s sense of justice. Id.Appellant complains that the verdict was against the weight of the
evidence because his statement to the trooper was coerced and was the only
evidence against him. We disagree. Even assuming that his statement was
coerced, the evidence summarized above in response to his challenge to the
sufficiency of the evidence demonstrates that there was considerable evidence
against him besides his statement. Accordingly, this argument fails.
Next, Appellant, who was almost 38 years old on the date of sentencing,
contends that the trial court abused its discretion by imposing a total
maximum of 40 years’ imprisonment for burglary and conspiracy in the
Mackey case and burglary in the Mellinger case. The court ran this total
consecutively to Appellant’s other sentences to produce an aggregate
maximum of 75 years’ imprisonment, approximately 35 years longer than
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Appellant’s life expectancy.6 We agree with Appellant that the court imposed
an excessive sentence.
Appellant asserts, and the Commonwealth does not dispute, the
following facts. Appellant had a prior record score of five, an offense gravity
score of seven for the Mackey and Mellinger burglaries, and an offense gravity
score of six for the Mackey conspiracy. The standard range minimum sentence
was 24—30 months’ imprisonment for the burglary and 21—27 months’
imprisonment for conspiracy. Appellant’s presentence investigation report
(“PSI”) recommended a sentence of 3-60 months on each burglary conviction
and 27-54 months on the conspiracy conviction.
At sentencing, Appellant argued that he committed these offenses due
to his opioid addiction and emphasized that none of them involved occupied
residences or acts of violence. The trial court stated perfunctorily that it
reviewed the PSI and said it understood that Appellant’s addiction to opioids
was a contributing factor to his crimes. N.T. 2/6/18, at 6, 8. It concluded,
however, that an “extended sentence” was necessary because Appellant
____________________________________________
6 Pa.R.E. 201(b)(2) provides a court “may judicially notice a fact that is not
subject to reasonable dispute because it . . . can be accurately and readily
determined from sources whose accuracy cannot reasonably be questioned”.
Pennsylvania’s Standard Civil Jury Instructions refer to life expectancy tables
prepared by the National Center for Health Statistics, U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services (“DHS”). The 2017 DHS table states that a 35
year old white man has a life expectancy of another 43.4 years, and that a 40
year old white man has a life expectancy of another 38.8 years. In accordance
with Rule 201, we take judicial notice of this data.
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violated the victims’ sense of safety in their weekend homes and placed the
victims’ firearms in society illegally by selling them at pawnshops. Id. at 8-
10. Appellant’s minimum sentences for the Mackey and Mellinger burglaries
(30 months each) and for the Mackey conspiracy (24 months) were within the
standard range of the Sentencing Guidelines. The court imposed maximum
sentences of 180 months for the Mackey and Mellinger burglaries, triple the
PSI’s recommendation of 60 months, and 120 months for conspiracy, more
than double the PSI’s recommendation of 54 months. The court ran these
sentences consecutively to impose a total of 480 months’ imprisonment—and
it ran Appellant’s sentences on other offenses consecutively to impose an
aggregate of 75 years’ imprisonment.
Appellant must satisfy four factors in order for this Court to consider this
challenge to the discretionary aspects of his sentence. We must consider (1)
whether he has filed a timely notice of appeal, see Pa.R.A.P. 902 and 903;
(2) whether he properly preserved the issue at sentencing or in a motion to
reconsider and modify sentence, see Pa.R.Crim.P. 720; (3) whether
Appellant’s brief has a fatal defect, Pa.R.A.P. 2119(f); and (4) whether he
presents a substantial question that his sentence is not appropriate under the
Sentencing Code, see 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9781(b). Commonwealth v. Samuel,
102 A.3d 1001, 1006-07 (Pa. Super. 2014). Substantial compliance with
these requirements is sufficient. Commonwealth v. Wrecks, 934 A.2d
1287, 1290 (Pa. Super. 2007). Appellant satisfied the first three factors by
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filing a timely notice of appeal, challenging the length of his sentence in post-
sentence motions and explaining in his brief why this Court should address his
sentencing argument. With regard to the fourth factor, we have recognized
“the imposition of consecutive, rather than concurrent, sentences may raise a
substantial question in only the most extreme circumstances, such as where
the aggregate sentence is unduly harsh, considering the nature of the crimes
and the length of imprisonment.” Commonwealth v. Lamonda, 52 A.3d
365, 372 (Pa. Super. 2012) (en banc). In our view, this case presents an
“extreme circumstance,” id., due to the exceptional length of Appellant’s
aggregate maximum sentence for two break-ins of unoccupied weekend
homes. Therefore, we will consider the merits of his claim.
“In reviewing a challenge to the discretionary aspects of sentencing, we
evaluate the court's decision under an abuse of discretion standard.”
Commonwealth v. Dodge, 77 A.3d 1263, 1274 (Pa. Super. 2013).
Additionally, “this Court’s review of the discretionary aspects of a sentence is
confined by the statutory mandates of 42 Pa.C.S.[A.] § 9781(c) and (d).” Id.
Section 9781(c) reads:
(c) Determination on appeal.—The appellate court shall vacate the
sentence and remand the case to the sentencing court with
instructions if it finds:
(1) the sentencing court purported to sentence within the
sentencing guidelines but applied the guidelines erroneously;
(2) the sentencing court sentenced within the sentencing
guidelines but the case involves circumstances where the
application of the guidelines would be clearly unreasonable; or
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(3) the sentencing court sentenced outside the sentencing
guidelines and the sentence is unreasonable.
In all other cases the appellate court shall affirm the sentence
imposed by the sentencing court.
42 Pa.C.S. § 9781(c). In reviewing the record, we consider:
(1) The nature and circumstances of the offense and the history
and characteristics of the defendant.
(2) The opportunity of the sentencing court to observe the
defendant, including any presentence investigation.
(3) The findings upon which the sentence was based.
(4) The guidelines promulgated by the commission.
42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9781(d). In addition, “[w]hen imposing a sentence, the
sentencing court must consider the factors set out in 42 Pa.C.S.[A.] § 9721(b),
that is, the protection of the public, gravity of offense in relation to impact on
victim and community, and rehabilitative needs of the defendant.”
Commonwealth v. Coulverson, 34 A.3d 135, 144 (Pa. Super. 2011).
“[T]he court has discretion to impose sentences consecutively or
concurrently and, ordinarily, a challenge to this exercise of discretion does not
raise a substantial question.” Commonwealth v. Moury, 992 A.2d 162, 171
(Pa. Super. 2006). “The imposition of consecutive, rather than concurrent,
sentences may raise a substantial question in only the most extreme
circumstances, such as where the aggregate sentence is unduly harsh,
considering the nature of the crimes and the length of imprisonment.” Id. In
recent years, we have tested the outer limits of these standards in multiple
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cases. See Commonwealth v. Dodge, 77 A.3d 1263 (Pa. Super. 2013);
Coulverson, supra.In Dodge, the trial court imposed consecutive sentences totaling 58½—
124 years’ imprisonment on a 42-year-old defendant for forty counts of
receiving stolen property that had limited financial impact, two counts of
burglary, and five other offenses. We vacated this sentence on the ground
that imposition of what essentially was a life sentence for nonviolent offenses
with limited financial impact was clearly unreasonable. On remand, the trial
court sentenced the defendant to 51 years, 4 months and 30 days to 122
years’ imprisonment. Once again, we vacated this sentence as clearly
unreasonable. At the next resentencing, the court imposed consecutive
sentences that totaled 40 years and 7 months to 81 years and two months’
imprisonment. We affirmed, reasoning that the sentence, while lengthy, did
not amount to a life sentence. Dodge, 77 A.3d at 1276. We further observed
that (1) the defendant was a career burglar whose prior record score of five
did not adequately reflect his criminal past, (2) while the defendant’s offenses
involved unoccupied structures that posed less of a risk of violence than
occupied structures, some risk still remains, (3) although the defendant
mostly stole jewelry, he also stole firearms and items of sentimental value.
Id. We also upheld the imposition of consecutive sentences because there
were numerous victims. Id. at 1277.
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In Coulverson, the court sentenced the defendant to an aggregate of
18—90 years’ imprisonment following his guilty plea for rape, involuntary
deviate sexual intercourse, robbery, and multiple other charges. Although the
defendant’s minimum sentences were within standard guideline ranges, we
held that his aggregate sentence was “clearly unreasonable” under Section
9781(c)(2) due to the court’s failure to take all criteria within Sections 9721(b)
and 9781(d) into account. We reasoned:
[T]he record reveals scant consideration of anything other
than victim impact and the court’s impulse for retribution
on the victims’ behalf. In so recognizing, we hasten to
acknowledge that the victims in this case, particularly those
stricken by the rape and its aftermath, are casualties of a social
and personal tragedy that has profoundly altered the courses of
their lives. Their losses are the product of brutal, senseless acts
and anathema to individual dignity in an ordered society.
Nevertheless, those losses do not obviate the legal and
social imperative that a defendant’s punishment must fit
not only the crime he committed, as reflected here in the
impact statements of the victims at sentencing, but also
must account for the rehabilitative need of the defendant,
and the companion interest of society reflected in sections
9721(b) and 9781(d).
These needs are not served merely because the sentencing judge
elects to commence a sentence in the standard range of the
Sentencing Guidelines. Other factors too, including the term of
the maximum sentence (regardless of the availability of statutory
maximums or consecutive sentencing), also bear on the extent to
which sentencing norms are observed and an appropriate
sentence imposed. A sentence may still be excessive regardless
of the commencement of terms of imprisonment in the standard
guidelines range if the upper end of the sentence imposes a term
unlikely to end during the defendant’s natural life span or, as here,
perpetually subject to the discretion of the Board of Probation and
Parole.
Id. at 148 (emphasis added). We continued:
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[T]he deliberation of a court of law demands evaluation of multiple
considerations that private grief does not. Thus, while a crime’s
impact on the victim continues to be a significant element
of a sentencing judge’s consideration, the court may not
ignore the continuum of circumstances underlying a
defendant’s criminal conduct, society’s need for
rehabilitation, or the statutory factors enunciated in our
Sentencing Code on the way to imposing a maximum sentence.
Nor may it aggregate consecutive sentences merely to achieve
extended incarceration if the totality of the sentencing factors
involved . . . has not been considered and acknowledged. In this
regard, the trial court’s consideration here was plainly inadequate,
its explanation scant, and the resulting maximum sentence
manifestly excessive . . . Although the court acknowledged the
PSI report, it did so only as a perfunctory exercise and focused its
consideration entirely on the severity of [the defendant’s] offenses
and the victims’ impact statements. Its discussion evinced no
consideration whatsoever of the dysfunction that marked [the
defendant’s] own life, his cooperation and remorse, his attempts
at reclaiming a productive role in society, or the possibility that,
with appropriate mental health treatment, he might succeed at
rehabilitation after serving a substantial term of eighteen years’
incarceration. The resulting sentence cannot be described as
“individualized” in any meaningful way. Consequently,
notwithstanding the commencement of [the defendant’s] multiple
sentences in the standard guidelines range, we find the maximum
sentence imposed “clearly unreasonable.”
Id. at 149-50 (emphasis added).
In our view, the 40 year maximum imposed for the Mackey and
Mellinger offenses, in conjunction with Appellant’s 35 additional years of
maximum sentences, is clearly unreasonable for reasons analogous to
Coulverson. As in Coulverson, the trial court stated cursorily that it
reviewed the PSI but then imposed an exceptionally long sentence by paying
scant attention to anything other than the impact of Appellant’s burglaries on
the victims. We understand that burglary and conspiracy are felonies, and
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that it is important for homeowners to feel safe in their homes. Nevertheless,
as in Coulverson, the court went astray by focusing on vindicating the
victims’ sense of safety without considering the gravity of Appellant’s offenses,
the totality of Appellant’s background and criminal history, Appellant’s
rehabilitative needs, and whether appropriate mental health treatment or
other programs in prison will assist his rehabilitation. Next, as in Coulverson,
Appellant’s minimum sentences fell within standard guideline ranges, but his
sentences still may be excessive, because “the[ir] upper end[s] . . . impose[]
a term unlikely to end during [his] natural life span or, as here, perpetually
subject to the discretion of the Board of Probation and Parole.” Id. at 148.
A comparison of the sentences in Dodge and the present case further
illustrates the unreasonable nature of Appellant’s sentences herein. While
both Dodge and the present case involved thefts from unoccupied structures,
the trial court meted out a total maximum sentence of forty years’
imprisonment for the Mackey burglary and conspiracy and Bland burglary in
this case, whereas the total maximum sentence for any three of the 47
offenses in Dodge was slightly over five years’ imprisonment.7
Based on this analysis, we hold that Appellant’s sentences on his
burglary and conspiracy convictions in the Mackey and Mellinger cases are
clearly unreasonable. Because resentencing on these convictions will upset
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7 In Dodge, the defendant was convicted of 47 offenses and received a total
of 81 years and two months’ imprisonment, or 1.73 years per offense.
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the court’s sentencing scheme, we will vacate all of Appellant’s sentences and
remand for resentencing on all convictions to give the trial court the
opportunity to restructure its sentencing scheme. Commonwealth v.
Goldhammer, 517 A.2d 1280, 1283–84 (Pa. 1986); Commonwealth v.
Williams, 871 A.2d 254, 266 (Pa. Super. 2005) (if trial court errs in its
sentence on one count in multi-count case, all sentences for all counts will be
vacated so court can restructure its entire sentencing scheme).
Finally, Appellant raises a claim of newly discovered evidence, namely a
photograph used in a prosecution against him for burglary in Huntingdon
County. Appellant writes:
Unbeknownst to Appellant, Ranger Eitner was also part of the
Huntingdon County case. It is averred that evidence shown at
trial, namely the photograph of the imprint of the glove taken at
the Bland Cabin and believed to have been worn by [Appellant],
was also provided as part of the discovery in [Appellant’s] case in
Huntingdon County and alleged to have come from the personal
residence of Ranger Eitner’s own personal residence. The
photograph was the same picture used and testified to in the
Fulton County case and was produced by Ranger Eitner in the
Huntingdon County case from Ranger Eitner’s own personal
investigation into his own home. The Huntingdon County case
was later closed without convictions.
Appellant’s Brief at 14-15. Appellant contends that this photograph of the
glove and its connection to Ranger Eitner is exculpatory and goes to the heart
of the investigation against Appellant in Fulton County. Id. at 27-28.
We will not address this issue because Appellant admits that he did not
raise it in post-sentence motions, Appellant’s Pa.R.A.P. 1925 Statement, at ¶
7, thus depriving the trial court of the opportunity to address this issue during
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J-S17023-20
post-sentence proceedings. See Pa.R.Crim.P. 720(C) (“A post-sentence
motion for a new trial on the ground of after-discovered evidence must be
filed in writing promptly after such discovery”); see also Comment,
Pa.R.Crim.P. 720 (unlike ineffective counsel claims, Rule 720(C) requires that
“any claim of after-discovered evidence must be raised promptly after its
discovery. Accordingly, after-discovered evidence discovered during the post-
sentence stage must be raised promptly with the trial judge at the post-
sentence stage; after-discovered evidence discovered during the direct appeal
process must be raised promptly during the direct appeal process, and should
include a request for a remand to the trial judge; and after-discovered
evidence discovered after completion of the direct appeal process should be
raised in the context of the PCRA”).
Convictions affirmed. Judgments of sentence vacated. Case remanded
for resentencing on all convictions. Jurisdiction relinquished.
Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary
Date: 08/25/2020
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