Commonwealth v. Freeman

J-A24025-15

2015 PA Super 252

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
PENNSYLVANIA
Appellee

v.

CHARLES FREEMAN

Appellant No. 3607 EDA 2014

Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence of June 24, 2014
In the Court of Common Pleas of Montgomery County
Criminal Division at No.: CP-46-CR-0004824-2013

BEFORE: PANELLA, J., WECHT, J., and STRASSBURGER, J.*

OPINION BY WECHT, J.: FILED DECEMBER 02, 2015

Charles Freeman appeals the June 24, 2014 judgment of sentence.

We affirm.

On May 5, 2013, Freeman, Andre Collier, Omar Miller, and Rasheed

Teel devised a plan to rob nineteen-year-old Kareem Borowy. Freeman

drove the group to Borowy’s house in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, and waited in

the car while Miller, Teel, and Collier entered the residence. Once inside,

Collier, armed with a .45 caliber Glock pistol, demanded that Borowy hand

over a large quantity of marijuana and $3,000.00 in cash. Borowy pleaded

with the robbers, insisting that there was no money in the home.

____________________________________________

*
Retired Senior Judge assigned to the Superior Court.
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Sensing that the trio was growing impatient, Borowy falsely told them

that he kept his money in a “stash house” at a different location. The men

then took Borowy outside and forced him into the getaway car. Freeman

drove away from the residence, presumably intending to travel to Borowy’s

contrived stash house. When the vehicle slowed down on a rural roadway in

Lower Pottsgrove Township, Borowy managed to escape. Collier chased

after Borowy and shot him twice. When he returned to the vehicle, Collier

told the others that he saw Borowy fall to the ground, and instructed

Freeman to drive away.

Although severely injured, Borowy managed to crawl on his hands and

knees to the main roadway. A passing motorist spotted Borowy lying beside

the road a short time later and called 911. When the police arrived, Borowy

was unresponsive. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

In response to an anonymous tip, Montgomery County Detectives

Todd Richard and Paul Bradbury interviewed Teel on May 9, 2013. Although

he initially denied participating in the robbery and/or murder, he eventually

admitted that he was present during the crimes. Teel told the detectives

that Freeman drove him, Collier, and another male whose name he did not

know from Philadelphia to Pottstown, where the group intended to rob

Borowy. Teel identified Collier as the gunman and Freeman as the driver of

the getaway car, which he described to the detectives as a light gray four-

door vehicle.

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On May 10, 2013, Detectives Mark Minzola and Joseph Campbell went

to Freeman’s residence, which he shared with his girlfriend, Janae Nixon.

The detectives were dressed in formal business attire and carried firearms

concealed beneath their suit jackets. Detective Minzola told Freeman that

he was conducting a criminal investigation and wanted to speak with him.

Freeman agreed to go to the Lower Pottsgrove Township Police Department,

but told the detectives that he did not have a means of transportation. The

detectives offered to drive Freeman to the police station, and he accepted

that offer.

Detective Campbell drove Freeman and Detective Minzola to the police

station in an unmarked police vehicle with no “cage or barrier” dividing the

passenger compartment. See Notes of Testimony Suppression (“N.T.S.”),

1/7/2014, at 28. The trip to the station lasted approximately ten to fifteen

minutes. Once they arrived at the station, the detectives led Freeman into

an interview room. Detective Minzola explained to Freeman that he had

closed the interview-room door for privacy, but that it was unlocked.

Detective Minzola also explained to Freeman that he was not under arrest,

and that he was free to leave at any time.

Back at Freeman’s residence, Detective Todd Richard arrived shortly

after Freeman left with Detectives Minzola and Campbell. Detective Richard

spoke with Nixon, and obtained her written consent to search the residence.

Detective Richard asked Nixon if she knew where Freeman’s cell phone was

located. Nixon told Detective Richard that Freeman had multiple cell

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phones, but that she saw one of them charging in the living room right

before the detectives arrived. When Nixon could not find Freeman’s phone

where she last saw it, she called it. Once the call connected, Detective

Richard could hear a loud ringing sound coming from a plastic garbage can

in the kitchen. Detective Richard removed the lid from the garbage can, and

found two cell phones therein. He removed the phones, which Nixon

confirmed belonged to Freeman, and remained at the residence while his

colleagues obtained a warrant to search the home and to seize Freeman’s

cell phones.1

Meanwhile, at the police station, Detective Minzola told Freeman that

he was investigating a home invasion, kidnapping, and murder that occurred

in Montgomery County on May 5, 2013. Detective Minzola then proceeded

to ask Freeman a series of questions and transcribed Freeman’s answers.

Freeman categorically denied participating in the crimes. He told Detective

Minzola that he was at a friend’s house until 12:30 or 1:00 in the afternoon

on the day of Borowy’s murder. According to Freeman, he stopped to get

gas on the way home, when he noticed that his car was overheating.

Freeman then drove the vehicle, a silver Buick LeSabre, to his cousin’s

garage in Philadelphia to have it repaired. Freeman told Detective Minzola

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1
Three days later, on May 13, 2013, the police obtained a second
search warrant, which authorized them to examine the content stored on
Freeman’s devices.

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that he waited at his cousin’s garage until Nixon picked him up. The two

then went out for dinner.

After approximately fifty minutes of questioning, Detective Minzola

printed the transcript of the interview and asked Freeman to review it.

Freeman made two corrections to the transcript, agreed that it was

otherwise accurate, and signed it. After reviewing Freeman’s statement,

Detective Minzola told Freeman that he suspected that Freeman was being

dishonest. He then explained to Freeman the legal concept of accomplice

liability. Freeman then became “loud and agitated” and denied any

involvement in Borowy’s murder. N.T.S. at 36. Freeman asked if he was

free to leave, and Detective Minzola reminded him that he was. Rather than

leaving, however, Freeman asked to speak with Detective Minzola’s

supervisor, Detective James McGowan.

Detective McGowan came into the interview room, introduced himself,

and sat down. Detective McGowan told Freeman that the homicide

investigation was going to continue, but that Freeman was free to leave.

Detective McGowan gave Freeman his business card and cell phone number,

and Freeman left the police station. Freeman returned approximately two

hours later and asked for a ride home. Detective Minzola told Freeman that

he could drive Freeman back to his residence in ten minutes. Freeman

waited for a few minutes, but then apparently changed his mind and walked

out of the police station.

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On May 11, 2013, detectives found Freeman’s silver Buick LeSabre

parked on the 5500 block of Yocum Street in Philadelphia. When the

detectives found the vehicle, all four doors were open and a man was

cleaning the interior. The detectives towed the Buick to a secure holding

area to prevent any potential evidence from being destroyed. On May 13,

2013, they applied for, and executed, a warrant to search the vehicle.

Detective Campbell arrested Freeman on May 20, 2013, and charged

him with homicide, kidnapping, robbery, persons not to possess a firearm,

receiving stolen property, false imprisonment, and conspiracy to commit

each of those offenses.2 On June 3, 2013, a team of federal, state, and local

law enforcement officers arrested Miller on the sidewalk outside of his

uncle’s home in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The officers transported Miller to

the homicide unit of the Montgomery County Detectives’ Bureau. Miller

initially denied participating either in the robbery or in the murder.

However, after several hours of questioning by detectives, Miller confessed

to participating in the robbery along with Freeman, Collier, and Teel.

Collier evaded arrest until August 5, 2013, when the Pennsylvania

State Police and the United States Marshals arrested him in Carbon County,

Pennsylvania. Teel pleaded guilty to third-degree murder, and agreed to

testify for the Commonwealth against his co-conspirators. Prior to

____________________________________________

2
18 Pa.C.S. §§ 2502, 2901(a)(3), 3701(a)(1)(i), 6105, 3925, 2903, and
903(b), respectively.

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Freeman’s trial, the Commonwealth filed notice of its intent to consolidate

the cases against Collier, Miller, and Freeman. See Pa.R.Crim.P. 582

(“Defendants charged in separate indictments or informations may be tried

together if they are alleged to have participated in the same act or

transaction or in the same series of acts or transactions constituting an

offense or offenses.”).

On December 26, 2013, Freeman filed an omnibus pretrial motion.

Therein, Freeman sought to suppress a litany of physical and testimonial

evidence. Specifically, Freeman argued that: (1) the statements Freeman

made to detectives on May 10, 2013, were obtained in violation of Miranda

v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436 (1966); (2) the May 10, 2013 warrant to search

Freeman’s residence was not supported by probable cause; (3) Detective

Richard conducted an illegal search when he removed Freeman’s cell phones

from a kitchen garbage can without a warrant; (4) the May 13, 2013

warrant to search the content stored on Freeman’s cell phones was not

supported by probable cause; and (5) detectives illegally seized Freeman’s

Buick LeSabre on May 11, 2013. On April 15, 2014, following a hearing, the

trial court denied Freeman’s suppression motions.

In his December 26, 2013 motion, Freeman also sought severance of

his case from the prosecution of his co-defendants. Freeman argued that a

joint trial would unfairly prejudice him because “[t]he various statements of

[Freeman’s] co-defendants are not capable of separation by the jury, and

there is a danger of confusion.” See Freeman’s Motion for Severance,

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12/26/2013, at 5. On March 14, 2014, following a hearing, the trial court

denied Freeman’s motion to sever.

Freeman, Collier, and Miller proceeded to a jury trial, which

commenced on April 15, 2014. On April 16, 2014, Teel testified for the

Commonwealth. He explained that he and his co-conspirators concocted a

plan to rob Borowy, and that Collier shot Borowy after he escaped from

Freeman’s vehicle in Lower Pottsgrove Township. On April 18, 2014,

Detective Todd Richard of the Montgomery County Detectives’ Bureau read

to the jury Miller’s confession, which, pursuant to Bruton v. United States,

391 U.S. 123 (1968),3 the Commonwealth redacted to eliminate all

references to Collier and Freeman.4 The trial court then instructed the jury

to consider Miller’s confession as evidence against Miller only, and not as

evidence against Collier or Freeman.

____________________________________________

3
In Bruton, the United States Supreme Court held that a non-testifying
co-defendant’s confession implicating another defendant in the charged
offense is inadmissible against the defendant because it violates his Sixth
Amendment right to confront and to cross-examine witnesses testifying
against him. 391 U.S. at 137.
4
Prior to trial, both Collier and the Commonwealth submitted to the trial
court proposed redactions to Miller’s statement. Although both versions
were very similar, Collier took issue with a reference to Freeman’s paramour
(on page four of Miller’s statement) and a reference to Teel as “Andre’s
cousin” (on the tenth page of Miller’s statement). In response, the
Commonwealth deleted both of those answers and the questions that
preceded them. Freeman did not suggest his own redactions, but he did
endorse Collier’s proposal.

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On April 21, 2014, following a five-day jury trial, Freeman was

convicted of second-degree murder, robbery, kidnapping, conspiracy to

commit kidnapping, and conspiracy to commit robbery. On June 24, 2014,

the trial court sentenced Freeman to life imprisonment.

On December 17, 2014, Freeman timely filed a notice of appeal. On

January 7, 2015, the trial court ordered Freeman to file a concise statement

of errors complained of on appeal pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b). Freeman

timely complied. On January 28, 2015, the trial court filed a Pa.R.A.P.

1925(a) opinion.

Freeman presents twelve issues5 for our consideration:

1. Whether the trial court erred in not suppressing the written
statement of [Freeman] taken on May 10, 201[3], at the
Lower Pottsgrove Police Department for failure to give
Miranda warnings.

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5
A brief that discusses in depth only a few issues is almost always more
persuasive than one that addresses a dozen issues, but spends only a few
paragraphs on each. “[W]e have said many times that urging a multitude of
errors on appeal is generally seen as bad appellate strategy because the
weaker or non-meritorious issues tend to detract from the more meaningful
issues which may support a finding of reversible error.” Carpinet v.
Mitchell, 853 A.2d 366, 369 (Pa. Super. 2004). We remind Freeman’s
counsel that “[a]ppellate advocacy is measured by effectiveness, not
loquaciousness.” Kenis v. Perini Corp., 682 A.2d 845, 847 (Pa. Super.
1996) (quoting Ruggero J. Aldisert, The Appellate Bar: Professional
Competence and Professional Responsibility—A View from the Jaundiced Eye
of One Appellate Judge, 11 Cap. U. L. Rev. 445, 458 (1982)); see also Fifth
Third Mortgage Co. v. Chicago Title Ins. Co., 692 F.3d 507, 509 (6th Cir.
2012) (“When a party comes to us with nine grounds for reversing the
district court, that usually means there are none.”).

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2. Whether the trial court erred in not suppressing the fruits of
the search of [Freeman’s] home where the police removed
[Freeman] from the house in order to gain consent from his
girlfriend.

3. Whether the [trial] court erred in allowing the admission of
the cellular telephones found in [Freeman’s] trash can.

4. Whether the warrant to search [Freeman’s] phones lacked
probable cause.

5. Whether [Freeman’s] car was unlawfully seized without a
warrant.

6. Whether the [trial] court erred in not severing [Freeman’s]
trial from the co-defendants.

7. Whether the [trial] court erred in allowing the statement of
co-defendant Miller into evidence.

8. Whether the statement of co-defendant Miller was properly
redacted.

9. Whether the [trial] court erred in denying [Freeman’s]
motion to exclude cell phone testimony.

10. Whether the evidence at trial was insufficient to sustain a
conviction of the crimes charged.

11. Whether the verdict of the jury was against the weight of the
evidence.

12. Whether there was unlawful jury tampering by the
prosecution.

Brief for Freeman at 3-4.

In his first five issues, Freeman maintains that the trial court erred in

denying his pre-trial motion to suppress evidence. The following standard of

review applies to these challenges:

Our standard of review of an order denying a motion to suppress
evidence is limited to determining whether the findings of fact
are supported by the record and whether the legal conclusions
drawn from those facts are in error. Commonwealth v.

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Crompton, 682 A.2d 286 (Pa. 1996); Commonwealth v.
Chambers, 598 A.2d 539 (Pa. 1991). In making this
determination, this [C]ourt may only consider the evidence of
the Commonwealth’s witnesses, and so much of the witnesses
for the defendant, as fairly read in the context of the record as a
whole, which remains uncontradicted. Id. If the evidence
supports the findings of the trial court, we are bound by such
findings and may reverse only if the legal conclusions drawn
therefrom are erroneous. Id.

Commonwealth v. Jones, 758 A.2d 228, 229 (Pa. Super. 2000) (citations

modified).

We begin with Freeman’s contention that the trial court should have

suppressed the statements that he made to detectives on May 10, 2013,

because the police failed to advise him of his Miranda rights. Freeman’s

argument is without merit.

It is a fundamental precept of constitutional law that a suspect subject

to a custodial interrogation by police must be warned that he has the right to

remain silent, that anything he says may be used against him in court, and

that he is entitled to the presence of an attorney. Miranda, 384 U.S. at

469. If an individual is not advised of those rights prior to a custodial

interrogation, any evidence obtained through the interrogation is

inadmissible at trial. In re K.Q.M., 873 A.2d 752, 755 (Pa. Super. 2005).

The Miranda safeguards are triggered “whenever a person in custody is

subjected to either express questioning or its functional equivalent.” Rhode

Island v. Innis, 446 U.S. 291, 292 (1980). Instantly, we focus our

discussion upon whether Freeman was “in custody” for Miranda purposes at

the time of his statement, because there is no doubt that Detective Minzola’s

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questioning constituted an interrogation. Innis, 446 U.S. at 292 (defining

interrogation to include express questioning and its functional equivalent).

We have explained that an individual is in custody for Miranda

purposes when he “is physically denied . . . his freedom of action in any

significant way or is placed in a situation in which he reasonably believes

that his freedom of action or movement is restricted by the interrogation.”

K.Q.M., 873 A.2d. at 755 (citing Commonwealth v. Williams, 650 A.2d

420, 427 (Pa. Super. 1994)). “[T]he police officer’s subjective intent does

not govern the [custody] determination,” instead we look to “the reasonable

belief of the individual being interrogated.” Commonwealth v. Zogby, 689

A.2d 280, 282 (Pa. Super. 1997). In order to ascertain the defendant’s

reasonable belief, the reviewing court must consider the totality of

circumstances, including factors such as “the basis for the detention; the

duration; the location; whether the suspect was transferred against his will,

how far, and why; whether restraints were used; the show, threat, or use of

force; and the methods of investigation used to confirm or dispel

suspicions.” Commonwealth v. Busch, 713 A.2d 97, 101 (Pa. Super.

1998).

Here, the record amply supports the trial court’s finding that Freeman

was not in custody for Miranda purposes. Freeman voluntarily accompanied

the detectives to the Lower Pottsgrove Township Police Station. The

detectives did not show, use, or threaten to use force. They did not transfer

Freeman against his will. They did not restrain Freeman. They were

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dressed in formal business attire, drove an unmarked sedan, and had their

firearms concealed. Finally, they reminded Freeman multiple times that he

was not under arrest and that he was free to leave at any time. In light of

these factors, Freeman’s first issue lacks merit.

In his second issue, Freeman argues that trial court should have

suppressed the cell phones that Detective Richard found at the bottom of a

garbage can in Freeman’s home, because “[t]he police used trickery to

obtain third-party consent.” Brief for Freeman at 12 (citing

Commonwealth v. Slaton, 608 A.2d 5 (Pa. 1992)). Relatedly, in his third

issue, Freeman argues that, even “if the consent is deemed valid, the search

of the trash can exceeded the scope of [Nixon’s] consent.” Id. Freeman

has waived both of these claims because he failed to raise them before the

trial court.

“[A]ppellate review of an order denying suppression is limited to

examination of the precise basis under which suppression initially was

sought; no new theories of relief may be considered on appeal.”

Commonwealth v. Little, 903 A.2d 1269, 1272-73 (Pa. Super. 2006);

Commonwealth v. Thur, 906 A.2d 552, 566 (Pa. Super. 2006) (“When a

defendant raises a suppression claim to the trial court and supports that

claim with a particular argument or arguments, the defendant cannot then

raise for the first time on appeal different arguments supporting

suppression.”).

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It is well-settled law that motions to suppress evidence are
decided prior to the beginning of trial. Moreover, pre-trial
rulings on the suppression of evidence are final. In sum,
suppression motions must ordinarily be made before the trial to
the suppression court, they must be made with specificity and
particularity as to the evidence sought to be suppressed and the
reasons for the suppression, and the suppression court’s
determination is to be final, except in the case of evidence not
earlier available.

Commonwealth v. Metzer, 634 A.2d 228, 233 (Pa. Super. 1993) (citations

omitted).

Although the burden in suppression matters is on the Commonwealth

to establish “that the challenged evidence was not obtained in violation of

the defendant’s rights,” Pa.R.Crim.P. 581(D), that burden is triggered only

when the defendant “state[s] specifically and with particularity the evidence

sought to be suppressed, the grounds for suppression, and the facts and

events in support thereof.” Commonwealth v. McDonald, 881 A.2d 858,

860 (Pa. Super. 2005). Thus, when a defendant’s motion to suppress does

not assert specifically the grounds for suppression, he or she cannot later

complain that the Commonwealth failed to address a particular theory never

expressed in that motion. McDonald, 881 A.2d at 860; Commonwealth v.

Quaid, 871 A.2d 246, 249 (Pa. Super. 2005) (“[W]hen a motion to suppress

is not specific in asserting the evidence believed to have been unlawfully

obtained and/or the basis for the unlawfulness, the defendant cannot

complain if the Commonwealth fails to address the legality of the evidence

the defendant wishes to contest.”).

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Nowhere in his motion to suppress did Freeman aver that Nixon’s

consent was invalid, nor did he allege that Detective Richard’s search

exceeded the scope of that consent. Moreover, when the trial court asked

Freeman to state his basis for requesting suppression on the record at the

commencement of the suppression hearing, Freeman did not raise such an

argument. See N.T.S., 1/7/2014, at 16-17 (arguing that the search

warrants the police obtained were unsupported by probable cause). His

failure to advance these particular legal theories in the first instance before

the trial court renders his claims waived.

Next, Freeman argues that the trial court erred in denying his motion

to suppress the data stored on his cell phones because the search warrant

obtained by detectives was not supported by probable cause. Brief for

Freeman at 13. The gist of Freeman’s argument is that the search warrant

lacked probable cause because it relied entirely upon Teel’s confession to

detectives, wherein he identified Freeman as a co-conspirator in the robbery,

kidnapping, and murder. Id. (“[T]he affidavit of probable cause . . . was

based solely on the uncorroborated statements of co-defendant Teel.

Because of this, the affidavit lacked probable cause and the information

obtained from the phones should have been suppressed.”). We disagree.

The trial court did not err in holding that the issuing magistrate had a

substantial basis for concluding that probable cause existed. See

Commonwealth v. Baker, 615 A.2d 23, 25 (Pa. 1992) (“[T]he duty of the

reviewing court is simply to ensure that the magistrate had a substantial

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basis for . . . concluding that probable cause existed.”). With regard to the

somewhat elusive concept of probable cause, we have explained as follows:

“[P]robable cause does not involve certainties, but rather ‘the
factual and practical considerations of everyday life on which
reasonable and prudent men act.’” Commonwealth v. Wright,
867 A.2d 1265, 1268 (Pa. Super. 2005) (quoting
Commonwealth v. Romero, 673 A.2d 374, 376 (Pa. Super.
1996)). “It is only the probability and not a prima facie showing
of criminal activity that is a standard of probable cause.”
Commonwealth v. Monaghan, 441 A.2d 1318 (Pa. Super.
1982) (citation omitted); see also Illinois v. Gates, 462 U.S.
213, 238 (1983) (holding that probable cause means “a fair
probability that contraband or evidence of a crime will be
found.”); Commonwealth v. Lindblom, 854 A.2d 604, 607
(Pa. Super. 2004) (reciting that probable cause exists when
criminality is one reasonable inference, not necessarily even the
most likely inference). To this point on the quanta of evidence
necessary to establish probable cause, the United States
Supreme Court recently noted that “[f]inely tuned standards
such as proof beyond a reasonable doubt or by a preponderance
of the evidence, useful in formal trials, have no place in the
probable cause decision.” Maryland v. Pringle, 540 U.S. 366,
371 (2003) (citations omitted).

Commonwealth v. Dommel, 885 A.2d 998, 1002 (Pa. Super. 2005)

(citations modified).

Instantly, in his affidavit of probable cause, Detective Paul Bradbury

set forth Teel’s narrative of the crimes. According to Teel, Freeman drove

him, along with Miller and Collier, to rob Borowy. Freeman waited in the car

a short distance away while his cohorts entered Borowy’s home and stole

approximately $1,000. When Freeman’s co-defendants were ready to leave

the home, one of them called Freeman’s cell phone, and Freeman picked

them up immediately thereafter.

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In the affidavit, Detective Bradbury also averred that Detective

Richard went to Freeman’s home, and found two of Freeman’s cell phones in

a kitchen garbage can. Nixon told Detective Richard that she and Freeman

were looking out the window when the detectives pulled up in front of the

residence. She stated that Freeman might have discarded his phones at

that time. Finally, Freeman falsely told Detectives Minzola and Campbell

that he owned only a single cell phone. Although he gave the detectives

three possible locations within his home where he said that he might have

his phone, Freeman did not mention the kitchen garbage can.

The facts contained within Detective Bradbury’s affidavit of probable

cause provided the issuing magistrate with a substantial basis to conclude

that there was a fair probability that evidence of criminal activity would be

found on Freeman’s cell phones. Therefore, Freeman’s fourth issue is

without merit.

In his fifth issue, Freeman contends that the police illegally seized his

Buick LeSabre. Here, Freeman argues that, when detectives discovered his

vehicle outside of a garage in Philadelphia, they “could have secured the

vehicle at that location, posted an officer there, and obtained a warrant.”

Brief for Freeman at 14. Instead, the detectives towed the Buick to a secure

holding facility and applied for a search warrant. Freeman maintains that

this constituted an illegal seizure because no exigent circumstances were

present. We disagree.

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Freeman misunderstands the law applicable to his suppression claim.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court recently clarified that “[t]he prerequisite

for a warrantless search [or seizure] of a motor vehicle is probable cause to

search; no exigency beyond the inherent mobility of a motor vehicle is

required.” Commonwealth v. Gary, 91 A.3d 102, 138 (Pa. 2014). In

abolishing the exigency prerequisite in the context of the automobile

exception, the Supreme Court specifically discussed the impracticability of

such a requirement in circumstances similar to those sub judice.

[T]he question of whether, and under what circumstances, a
police officer is required to guard a vehicle stopped in a public
place while waiting for another officer to secure a search warrant
are far from clear. A related issue is whether police must
present evidence as to the probability that one or more third
parties—who may very well be completely unknown to the
officers—might move a vehicle or tamper with the evidence
therein while a warrant is being sought. These are fact-intensive
issues, far from amenable to articulable rules or some other form
of judicial guidance that law enforcement officers operating in
the field could readily apply.

[O]ur fractured jurisprudence in the area of warrantless motor
vehicle searches has often turned on small details in the midst of
a complex factual scenario, details which have been given
varying emphasis over time by different members of this Court.
Accordingly, it remains difficult, if not impossible, for police
officers in the field to determine how this Court would rule in
motor vehicle search and seizure cases, the circumstances of
which are almost endlessly variable. To provide greater
uniformity in the assessment of individual cases and more
consistency with regard to the admissibility of the fruits of
vehicular searches based on probable cause, a more easily
applied rule—such as that of the federal automobile exception—
is called for. See California v. Acevedo, 500 U.S. 565, 577
(1991).

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Id. at 136-37.

Freeman does not dispute that probable cause existed (i.e., that there

was a fair probability that contraband or evidence of a crime would be found

in the Buick). Nothing more was required to justify the seizure. Freeman’s

only argument on this issue is that no exigent circumstances were present.

However, “no exigency beyond the inherent mobility of a motor vehicle is

required.” Gary, 91 A.3d at 138.6 Thus, his claim necessarily fails.

In his sixth, seventh, and eighth issues, Freeman argues that the trial

court erred in denying his motion to sever his trial from that of his co-

defendants. According to Freeman, the introduction of Miller’s confession at

trial violated his rights under the Confrontation Clause.7 Brief for Freeman

at 16 (citing Bruton, supra). We disagree.

The decision whether to grant a motion for severance is within the

sound discretion of the trial court and “should not be disturbed absent a

manifest abuse of discretion.” Commonwealth v. Chester, 587 A.2d

1367, 1372 (Pa. 1991).

In Bruton, the United States Supreme Court held that a non-testifying

co-defendant’s confession, which implicates another defendant in the

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6
Although, the fact that an unknown male was cleaning the interior of
Freeman’s vehicle when the detectives found it strongly supports a finding of
exigent circumstances.
7
“In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to . . .
be confronted with the witnesses against him.” U.S. Const. amend. VI.

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charged offense, is inadmissible against the defendant because it violates his

Sixth Amendment right to confront and to cross-examine any witnesses

testifying against him. However, the Supreme Court subsequently held that

the Confrontation Clause is not violated by the admission of a non-testifying

co-defendant’s confession where the statement is redacted to eliminate any

reference to the defendant and is accompanied by a limiting instruction.

See Richardson v. Marsh, 481 U.S. 200 (1987). In Commonwealth v.

Cannon, 22 A.3d 210 (Pa. 2011), our own Supreme Court explained as

follows:

The Confrontation Clause guarantees a criminal defendant the
right to cross-examine witnesses. Richardson v. Marsh, 481
U.S. 200, 206 (1987). Ordinarily, a witness whose testimony is
introduced at a joint trial is not considered a witness “against” a
defendant if the jury is instructed to consider the testimony only
against a co-defendant. This principle is in accord with the well-
established presumption that jurors will abide by their
instructions. In Bruton, however, the United States Supreme
Court recognized that “there are some contexts in which the risk
that the jury will not, or cannot, follow instructions is so great,
and the consequences of failure so vital to the defendant, that
the practical and human limitations of the jury system cannot be
ignored.” Bruton, 391 U.S. at 135. Accordingly, “[t]he Bruton
Court held that, if a non-testifying co-defendant’s confession
directly and powerfully implicates the defendant in the crime,
then an instruction to the jury to consider the evidence only
against the co-defendant is insufficient, essentially as a matter
of law, to protect the defendant’s confrontation rights.”
Commonwealth v. Brown, 925 A.2d 147, 157 (Pa. 2007)
(citing Bruton, 391 U.S. at 135-36).

The United States Supreme Court examined the per se Bruton
rule in Richardson, supra, and emphasized its narrow scope.
Therein, the Court held that the “Confrontation Clause is not
violated by the admission of a non-testifying co-defendant’s
confession with a proper limiting instruction when . . . the

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confession is redacted to eliminate not only the defendant’s
name, but any reference to his or her existence.” Richardson,
481 U.S. at 211. Consistent with the High Court’s
pronouncement and our own line of cases, we have held that
substituting the neutral phrase “the guy” or “the other guy” for
the defendant’s name is an appropriate redaction. See
Commonwealth v. Travers, 768 A.2d 845, 851 (Pa. 2001).

Cannon, 22 A.3d at 217-18 (some citations omitted).

Instantly, the Commonwealth redacted Miller’s statement and

substituted all references to Collier and Freeman with the neutral phrases

“the first guy” and “the second guy.” The trial court then instructed the jury

to consider Miller’s confession as evidence against Miller only, and not as

evidence against Collier or Freeman. Freeman acknowledges that

Pennsylvania courts consistently have held that such a method of redaction

satisfies the dictates of Bruton. See Travers, 768 A.2d at 851;

Commonwealth v. McGlone, 716 A.2d 1280, 1286 (Pa. Super. 1998)

(holding that use of the phrase “the other man” not only eliminates the

name of the defendant, i.e., the Bruton proscription, it also eliminates a

suggestion of alteration).

Nevertheless, Freeman argues that “the number of times that [‘the

second guy’] was used in this case was unconscionable.” Brief for Freeman

at 19. He maintains that, because the phrase “the second guy” was used

over twenty times throughout Miler’s statement, “the jury saw right through

this redaction and assumed that Miller was speaking about Collier and

Freeman.” Id. Freeman does not cite any legal authority to support his

contention that a defendant’s confrontation rights are violated where a

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substituted neutral term appears too frequently in a redacted statement, and

we are aware of none. To the contrary, the United States Supreme Court

has declined to extend its holding in Bruton to a co-defendant’s confession

that was redacted to omit any reference to the defendant, but could be

linked to the defendant by inference or implication. See Richardson, 481

U.S. at 211.

In light of the governing principles in this area, as most recently

elucidated in Cannon, the redaction here, combined with the trial court’s

cautionary instruction, sufficed to protect Freeman’s Sixth Amendment right

to confrontation. Because the redacted statement facially was not

incriminating, the trial court did not err in denying Freeman’s motion to

sever.

In his ninth issue, Freeman argues that “the [trial] court erred in

denying [his] motion to exclude cell phone testimony.” Brief for Freeman at

19. Specifically, Freeman argues that the trial court should have held a

Frye8 hearing to determine whether the methodology used by the

Commonwealth’s cellular telephone network expert is generally accepted in

the scientific community. We disagree.

“[T]he admission of expert scientific testimony is an evidentiary matter

for the trial court’s discretion and should not be disturbed on appeal unless

____________________________________________

8
Frye v. United States, 293 F. 1013 (D.C. Cir. 1923).

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the trial court abuses its discretion.” Grady v. Frito-Lay, Inc., 839 A.2d

1038, 1046 (Pa. 2003). “[T]he proponent of expert scientific evidence bears

the burden of establishing all of the elements for its admission under Pa.R.E.

702, which includes showing that the Frye rule is satisfied.” Id. at 1045.

In determining whether novel scientific evidence is admissible in
criminal trials, Pennsylvania courts apply the test set forth in
Frye. See Commonwealth v. Topa, 369 A.2d 1277, 1281 (Pa.
1977) (adopting the Frye test). Pursuant to Frye, to be
admissible, such evidence must have gained general acceptance
in the relevant scientific community. This Court has generally
required that both the theory and technique underlying novel
scientific evidence must be generally accepted.

Commonwealth v. Blasioli, 713 A.2d 1117, 1119 (Pa. 1998) (some

citations omitted; footnote omitted).

“[A] Frye hearing is warranted when a trial judge has articulable

grounds to believe that an expert witness has not applied accepted scientific

methodology in a conventional fashion in reaching his or her conclusions.”

Betz v. Pneumo Abex, LLC, 44 A.3d 27, 53 (Pa. 2012). Instantly,

Freeman filed a motion in limine, which provided as follows:

1. The Commonwealth intends to introduce evidence from
[Freeman’s] cell phone records to prove his whereabouts at
the time of the home invasion and murder.

2. The proponent of said testimony must explain the manner in
which cell phone signals are received by cell phone towers in
a given geographic area.

3. Said testimony will require an expert’s scientific, technical or
other specialized knowledge that is beyond that possessed by
the average layperson.

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4. Said testimony should be excluded under Pennsylvania Rule
of Evidence 702, which requires that the “expert’s
methodology is generally accepted in the relevant field.”
Pa.R.E. 702(c); Frye v. United States, 293 F. 1013 (D.C.
Cir. 1923).

5. The Commonwealth has not provided an expert report
regarding the testimony to be offered in regard to
[Freeman’s] cell phone usage.

6. [Freeman] requests that the court direct the Commonwealth
to furnish such an expert report in accordance with
Pennsylvania Rule of Criminal Procedure 573(B)(2)(b).

WHEREFORE, [Freeman] moves for the exclusion of any cell
phone testimony.

Freeman’s Motion to Exclude Cell Phone Testimony, 1/10/2014, at 1

(unnumbered).

Because the Commonwealth had not yet provided Freeman with an

expert report when he filed his motion in limine, he did not, and could not,

allege specifically how the Commonwealth’s expert testimony failed to meet

the Frye standard. The trial court, in order to give Freeman an opportunity

to amend his motion, did not rule on it until after the Commonwealth served

him with a copy of its expert’s report. Trial Court Opinion, 1/28/2015, at 21.

Freeman did not file an amended motion. On April 15, 2014, the day that

Freeman’s trial commenced, the court entered an order denying his motion

without prejudice to any further objections Freeman might have raised at

trial.

The trial court, in its April 15, 2014 order, agreed with Freeman that

the Commonwealth’s cell phone location evidence “required the testimony of

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a witness qualified as an expert in the relevant field.” Id. at 22. However,

the trial court held that Freeman failed to plead any facts in support of his

proposed remedy (i.e., exclusion of the Commonwealth’s “cell phone

testimony”). Accordingly, the trial court held that Freeman “retained the

right to object to the evidence at issue on grounds other than the conclusory

assertion that the expert’s methodology was not generally accepted in the

[scientific community].” Id.

Before this Court, Freeman now argues that “he was deprived of his

right to a Frye hearing[.]” Brief for Freeman at 21. This argument is

unavailing for two reasons. First, Freeman did not request a Frye hearing.

In his motion in limine, Freeman sought to exclude the Commonwealth’s cell

phone location evidence; he never averred that a hearing was necessary to

develop his claim. Second, Freeman’s conclusory motion did not merit a

Frye hearing. As explained supra, “a Frye hearing is warranted when a trial

judge has articulable grounds to believe that an expert witness has not

applied accepted scientific methodology in a conventional fashion in reaching

his or her conclusions.” Betz, 44 A.3d at 53 (emphasis added). Freeman’s

motion did not include any facts to suggest that the Commonwealth’s expert

failed to apply the accepted scientific methodology in reaching his

conclusions. Indeed, because Freeman filed his motion before the

Commonwealth had provided him with an expert report, he necessarily could

not have made such a showing. The trial court did not abuse its discretion

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by not holding a Frye hearing, which the circumstances did not warrant and

Freeman did not request.9

In his tenth issue, Freeman contends that “the evidence at trial was

insufficient to sustain a conviction of the crimes charged.” Brief for Freeman

at 21.10 Freeman has waived this issue.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has explained that Rule 1925 is a

crucial component of the appellate process, which “is intended to aid trial

judges in identifying and focusing upon those issues which the parties plan

to raise on appeal.” Commonwealth v. Lord, 719 A.2d 306, 308 (Pa.

1998). “When an appellant fails adequately to identify in a concise manner

____________________________________________

9
In his brief, Freeman notes that his co-defendant, Collier, also filed a
motion to exclude the Commonwealth’s expert testimony “regarding cell site
coverage.” Brief for Freeman at 21. Freeman contends that the trial court,
in response to Collier’s motion, held that “the proposed testimony [was] not
admissible by reason of failing to satisfy the standard established by Frye.”
Id. Freeman misrepresents the trial court’s order, which he purports to
quote directly. The court actually held that “the proposed testimony [was]
not inadmissible by reason of failing to satisfy the standard established by
Frye.” Order, 4/15/2014, at 1 (emphasis added).
10
When examining a challenge to the sufficiency of evidence:
Evidence will be deemed sufficient to support the verdict when it
establishes each material element of the crime charged and the
commission thereof by the accused, beyond a reasonable
doubt. . . . When reviewing a sufficiency claim the court is
required to view the evidence in the light most favorable to the
verdict winner giving the prosecution the benefit of all
reasonable inferences to be drawn from the evidence.
Commonwealth v. Widmer, 744 A.2d 745, 751 (Pa. 2000) (citations
omitted).

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the issues sought to be pursued on appeal, the trial court is impeded in its

preparation of a legal analysis which is pertinent to those issues.” In re

Estate of Daubert, 757 A.2d 962, 963 (Pa. Super. 2000). “In other words,

a Concise Statement which is too vague to allow the court to identify the

issues raised on appeal is the functional equivalent of no Concise Statement

at all.” Commonwealth v. Dowling, 778 A.2d 683, 686 (Pa. Super. 2001).

“In order to preserve a challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence on

appeal, an appellant’s Rule 1925(b) statement must state with specificity the

element or elements upon which the appellant alleges that the evidence was

insufficient.” Commonwealth v. Garland, 63 A.3d 339, 344 (Pa. Super.

2013) (citing Commonwealth v. Gibbs, 981 A.2d 274, 281 (Pa. Super.

2009)). “Such specificity is of particular importance in cases where, as here,

the appellant was convicted of multiple crimes each of which contains

numerous elements that the Commonwealth must prove beyond a

reasonable doubt.” Gibbs, 981 A.2d at 281.

In his Rule 1925(b) statement, Freeman argued only that “[t]he

evidence at trial was insufficient to sustain a conviction of the crimes

charged.” Freeman’s Concise Statement, 1/28/2015, at 1 (unnumbered).

Freeman’s 1925(b) statement does not specify which element or elements of

the relevant crimes, or even which crimes, the Commonwealth failed to

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prove beyond a reasonable doubt.11 This assertion is far too vague to

warrant meaningful appellate review. See Garland, supra. Thus, Freeman

has waived his challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence.

Freeman also has waived his eleventh issue, wherein he challenges the

weight of the evidence. Here too, Freeman failed to specify in his Rule

1925(b) statement which verdict or verdicts were contrary to the weight of

the evidence, and he neglected to offer specific reasons as to why those

verdicts were contrary to the weight of the evidence. Instead, Freeman

asserted only that “[t]he verdict of the jury was against the weight of the

evidence.” Freeman’s Concise Statement, 1/28/2015, at 1 (unnumbered).

As explained supra, “a Concise Statement which is too vague to allow the

court to identify the issues raised on appeal is the functional equivalent of no

Concise Statement at all.” Dowling, 778 A.2d at 686; see

Commonwealth v. Seibert, 799 A.2d 54, 62 (Pa. Super. 2002) (holding

that appellant waived his challenge to the weight of the evidence where his

1925(b) statement merely asserted that “[t]he verdict of the jury was

against the weight of the credible evidence as to all of the charges”).

In his final issue, Freeman contends that “there was unlawful jury

tampering by the prosecution.” Brief for Freeman at 24. Freeman has

waived this issue because his appellate brief falls hopelessly short of

____________________________________________

11
Freeman’s appellate brief similarly lacks any discussion of the offenses
for which he was convicted or the elements thereof.

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presenting it in a manner sufficient to justify our review. Without even

noting our standard of appellate review, Freeman’s substantive argument on

this claim begins and ends with the unsubstantiated assertion that “the

prosecutor and the lead detective were in the jury room during

deliberations.”12 Brief for Freeman at 24. Freeman then concludes, without

any supporting legal analysis, that the trial court should have held an

evidentiary hearing to address his allegation. Id.

“The failure to develop an adequate argument in an appellate brief

may result in waiver of the claim under Pa.R.A.P. 2119.” Commonwealth

v. Beshore, 916 A.2d 1128, 1140 (Pa. Super. 2007) (citation, quotation

marks and brackets omitted). While this Court may overlook minor defects

or omissions in an appellant’s brief, we will not act as his or her appellate

counsel. Bombar v. W. Am. Ins. Co., 932 A.2d 78, 93 (Pa. Super. 2007).

Freeman has made no effort whatsoever to discuss the applicable law or to

link the facts of his case to that law. His failure to develop a coherent legal

argument in support of his claim results in waiver of this issue.

Judgment of sentence affirmed.

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12
In violation of Pa.R.A.P. 2119(e), Freeman does not direct us to the
specific place in the record where he preserved this issue for our review. He
also has failed to comply with Pa.R.A.P. 2111, which requires that an
appellant append to his or her brief a copy of the statement of errors
complained of on appeal filed with the trial court.

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Judgment Entered.

Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary

Date: 12/2/2015

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