Com. v. Johnson, K.

J-S13035-16

NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
: PENNSYLVANIA
:
v. :
:
KEITH JOHNSON :
:
Appellant :
: No. 1169 WDA 2015

Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence July 17, 2015
in the Court of Common Pleas of Fayette County Criminal Division
at No(s): CP-26-CR-0001643-2014

BEFORE: LAZARUS, STABILE, and FITZGERALD,* JJ.

MEMORANDUM BY FITZGERALD, J.: FILED MAY 27, 2016

Appellant, Keith Johnson, appeals from the judgment of sentence

entered in the Fayette County Court of Common Pleas following a jury trial

and convictions for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon,1 kidnapping,2

unlawful restraint-risk of serious bodily injury,3 unlawful restraint of a minor-

risk of serious bodily injury,4 false imprisonment,5 false imprisonment of a

*
Former Justice specially assigned to the Superior Court.
1
18 Pa.C.S. § 2702(a)(4).
2
18 Pa.C.S. § 2901(a)(2)-(3).
3
18 Pa.C.S. § 2902(a)(1).
4
18 Pa.C.S. § 2902(b)(1).
5
18 Pa.C.S. § 2903(a).
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minor,6 robbery,7 burglary,8 criminal trespass,9 theft by unlawful taking,10

unauthorized use of a motor vehicle,11 terroristic threats,12 and conspiracy13

to commit, inter alia, aggravated assault. Appellant raises multiple issues on

appeal, and we affirm.

We adopt the facts and procedural history set forth in the trial court’s

opinion. See Trial Ct. Op., 9/25/15, at 3-10, 11-13. On July 17, 2015, the

court sentenced Appellant to an aggregate sentence of twenty-eight to fifty-

six years’ imprisonment. On July 20, 2015, Appellant timely filed a post-

sentence motion challenging the sentence and the court order for a sexual

offender assessment for registration under the Sexual Offender Registration

and Notification Act14 (“SORNA”), due to his conviction for unlawful restraint

of a minor. He also claimed that ordering such an assessment in his case is

unconstitutional. Appellant did not challenge the weight of the evidence.

6
18 Pa.C.S. § 2903(b).
7
18 Pa.C.S. § 3701(a)(1)(ii).
8
18 Pa.C.S. § 3502(a)(1).
9
18 Pa.C.S. § 3503(a)(1)(i).
10
18 Pa.C.S. § 3921(a).
11
18 Pa.C.S. § 3928(a).
12
18 Pa.C.S. § 2706(a)(1).
13
18 Pa.C.S. § 903.
14
42 Pa.C.S. §§ 9799.10–9799.41.

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The court denied Appellant’s post-sentence motion on July 27, 2015.

On July 29, 2015, Appellant filed a notice of appeal and a non-court ordered

Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b) statement. On September 25, 2015, the court filed its

responsive Rule 1925(a) decision.

Appellant raises the following eight issues:

1. Did the court err in denying all of Appellant’s motion for
mistrial?

2. Did the court err in denying the motions for judgment of
acquittal as to all charges related to the alleged minor
victim as the victim of those offenses did not testify in
violation of Appellant’s right to confront his accuser?

3. Did the Commonwealth fail to establish that Appellant
participated in any of the offenses as they did not prove
Appellant’s presence at the scene of the incident or
corroborate that he received any of the items taken?

4. Did the court err in denying Appellant’s motion for
judgment of acquit[t]al as to kidnapping charges regarding
Ronald and Jonathon Packroni in that they were never
removed from the residence or kept in isolation?[15]

5. Did the Commonwealth fail to prove beyond a
reasonable doubt the Appellant caused serious bodily
injury as required by the elements of aggravated assault?

6. Did the Commonwealth fail to prove beyond a
reasonable doubt that the Appellant had any unlawful
contact with the minor victim since there was no physical
evidence presented in the instant case?

7. Is it unconstitutional to require an Appellant to register
for a lifetime when said registration requirement exceeds
the statutory maximum penalty for Appellant’s offense?

15
Appellant has withdrawn this issue in his brief. Appellant’s Brief at 20.

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8. Is the Adam Walsh statute unconstitutional in requiring
the an [sic] Appellant to register for a lifetime?

Appellant’s Brief at 7-8.16

In support of his first issue, Appellant contends the court erred in

denying his three motions for mistrial. With respect to his first motion,

Appellant contends the witness intended to bias the jury against Appellant.

See Trial Ct. Op. at 9-10 (exchange between one of the victims and

Appellant in which Appellant held a gun to the victim’s head and asked “do

you remember this?”). He asserts the Commonwealth was not permitted to

use an uncharged prior bad act to prejudice him. Appellant’s Brief at 12.

Appellant disagrees with the trial court’s categorization of the exchange as

“at most a subtle reference to a prior incident.” Id. (quoting Trial Ct. Op. at

10).

Appellant’s second motion for mistrial was in response to testimony by

Misty Danko, Appellant’s paramour, that their relationship “was an abusive

relationship.” Trial Ct. Op. at 11. Appellant classifies her testimony as a

reference to a prior uncharged bad act casting him in a bad light.

Appellant’s Brief at 13. He points out the court had warned the prosecutor

to avoid such references after his initial motion for mistrial. Id. Appellant

16
We are disappointed the Commonwealth did not file a brief.

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posits that the second witness’s reference established a pattern of

misconduct by the Commonwealth’s witnesses.

It was also in response to his paramour’s testimony that Appellant

moved for a mistrial for the third time. His paramour testified that while she

was incarcerated, she became aware that Appellant was also in the same

jail. Trial Ct. Op. at 12-13. Appellant contends there was no reason to state

he was incarcerated and her testimony was used to disparage him before the

jury. He again contends this evidences a pattern of misconduct by the

prosecutor and the Commonwealth’s witnesses. We conclude Appellant is

not entitled to relief.

In Commonwealth v. Wright, 961 A.2d 119 (Pa. 2008), our

Supreme Court stated:

The review of a trial court’s denial of a motion for a
mistrial is limited to determining whether the trial court
abused its discretion. . . . A trial court may grant a
mistrial only where the incident upon which the motion is
based is of such a nature that its unavoidable effect is to
deprive the defendant of a fair trial by preventing the jury
from weighing and rendering a true verdict.

Id. at 142 (citations and quotation marks omitted).

An error will be deemed harmless where the appellate
court concludes beyond a reasonable doubt that the error
could not have contributed to the verdict. If there is a
reasonable probability that the error may have contributed
to the verdict, it is not harmless. In reaching that
conclusion, the reviewing court will find an error harmless
where the uncontradicted evidence of guilt is so
overwhelming, so that by comparison, the error is
insignificant.

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Commonwealth v. Kuder, 62 A.3d 1038, 1052 (Pa. Super. 2013) (citation

omitted) (discussing harmless error standard after unconstitutional reference

to defendant’s right to remain silent), appeal denied, 114 A.3d 416 (Pa.

2015).

Ordinarily, admission of testimony which describes, or
from which the jury may infer, past criminal conduct by a
defendant constitutes reversible error. However, not all
such references warrant reversal. An isolated passing
reference to prior criminal activity will not warrant reversal
unless the record indicates that prejudice resulted from the
remark. There is no per se rule which requires a new trial
for every passing reference to prior criminal conduct.
Additionally, the possible prejudicial effect of a witness’
reference to prior criminal conduct by the defendant may,
under certain circumstances, be removed by a cautionary
instruction.

Commonwealth v. Maute, 485 A.2d 1138, 1143 (Pa. Super. 1984)

(citations omitted); accord Commonwealth v. Fletcher, 41 A.3d 892, 895

(Pa. Super. 2012).

We will not invalidate a trial court’s decision to admit
evidence absent an abuse of discretion. In general,
evidence of uncharged crimes and prior bad acts is
inadmissible to demonstrate a defendant’s propensity to
commit the crime charged. Our Supreme Court has stated
that

The Commonwealth must prove beyond a reasonable
doubt that a defendant has committed the particular
crime of which he is accused, and it may not strip
him of the presumption of innocence by proving that
he has committed other criminal acts. There are, of
course, important exceptions to the rule where the
prior criminal acts are so closely related to the crime
charged that they show, inter alia, motive, intent,
malice, identity, or a common scheme, plan or
design.

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Commonwealth v. Stafford, 749 A.2d 489, 495 (Pa. Super. 2000)

(citations omitted).

Instantly, assuming that the court erred, we examine whether the

“uncontradicted evidence of guilt[, i.e., evidence exclusive of the instant

disputed testimony,] is so overwhelming, so that by comparison,” the errors

are insignificant. See Kuder, 62 A.3d at 1052. In this case, all of the adult

victims testified, each of whom identified Appellant as the culprit. See, e.g.,

N.T., 7/6-7/8/15, at 28, 118, 160. Appellant’s paramour—who was also

present during the crimes—also inculpated Appellant. See, e.g., id. at 239-

42. After a careful review of the entire record, the uncontradicted evidence

at trial—including the victims’ testimony and surveillance footage—

identifying Appellant as the perpetrator is so overwhelming as to render any

alleged errors insignificant by comparison. See Kuder, 62 A.3d at 1052.

For background regarding Appellant’s second issue, we reproduce the

following exchange during the testimony by the minor victim’s father:

[Assistant district attorney]. And can you tell the members
of the jury what impact this encounter has had on [the
minor victim] if any?

[Appellant’s counsel]: Objection. He can’t editorialize as to
what goes on with [the minor victim]. If he’s going to be a
[sic] alleged victim in the case, [the minor victim] will
have to come testify.

[Assistant district attorney]: Your Honor, he is [the minor
victim’s] father. [The minor victim] is obviously a minor
child, he can testify as to what happened---

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J-S13035-16

[Appellant’s counsel]: Your Honor---

The court: I don’t want him to speculate as far as any kind
of medical diagnosis or anything like that.

[Assistant district attorney]: We’re not asking him to
testify to medical diagnosis.

[Appellant’s counsel]: Your Honor, he can’t---

[Assistant district attorney]: Your Honor, we can certainly
hear testimony as to the effect that he has observed from
his son.

[Appellant’s counsel]: Your Honor, he’s not telepathic, he
has no powers of mind control, he can’t place himself and
state what his son feels. I object.

The court: Overruled. You can answer.

[Father]. My son has repeatedly stated---

[Appellant’s counsel]: Hearsay.

The court: Overruled.

A. ---stated to me directly that he is going to hurt the bad
guys that hurt his dad.

[Appellant’s counsel]: Same objection, Your Honor.

The court: It’s overruled. Go ahead and finish.

A. And he is [sic] repeatedly and repeatedly has said this
and it’s been a year over a year and a half and just
recently he’s brought it back again. My son, I’ve tried
everything and tried to have nobody talk about it in front
of him the situation to keep it away from him, I told his
mother please do not bring this up to him because I don’t
want him to have this on his mind but he has repeatedly
over the year and a half has told me he’s gonna get a gun
and protect his dad from the bad guys that hurt his father.

[Appellant’s counsel]: Same objection, Your Honor.

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The court: Overruled.

N.T. Trial at 113-14.

Appellant complains that the court permitted the minor victim’s father

to testify as to one statement by the minor victim, as set forth above.

Appellant’s Brief at 17. Appellant also argues the court should have granted

his motion for judgment of acquittal for the crimes involving the minor

victim, as he could not confront his minor accuser. Id. at 16. He concedes

that the other “victim/witnesses” could testify about the impact of the

actions he and his co-conspirators had on the minor victim. Id. But

Appellant maintains that “their perceptions cannot be attributed to the minor

victim.” Id. In Appellant’s view, the violation of his right to cross-examine

the minor victim is self-evident and the court should have vacated the

judgment of sentence for any conviction involving the minor victim. Id. at

17.

As noted above, the Commonwealth did not file an appellate brief.

The trial court, however, opined that Appellant’s right to confront the

witnesses against him was not violated because “the allegations against

Appellant regarding the minor victim did not come from the minor victim.”

Trial Ct. Op. at 14. The court observed that “the allegations came from the

other victims who all testified at trial [on] their observations of what

happened that night with respect to the minor victim,” and Appellant cross-

examined those other victims. Id. With respect to the minor victim’s sole

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statement, the trial court opined that the statement did not implicate

Appellant. Id. We hold Appellant is due no relief.

Initially, we note that other than a reference to the Confrontation

Clause in the United States and Pennsylvania Constitutions, Appellant’s two-

page argument is devoid of any legal citation and argument. See

Appellant’s Brief at 16-17. Thus, we find it waived. See Commonwealth

v. Johnson, 985 A.2d 915, 924 (Pa. 2009) (holding, “where an appellate

brief fails to provide any discussion of a claim with citation to relevant

authority or fails to develop the issue in any other meaningful fashion

capable of review, that claim is waived.” (citations omitted)).

In any event,

whether a defendant has been denied his right to confront
a witness under the Confrontation Clause of the Sixth
Amendment to the United States Constitution, made
applicable to the States via the Fourteenth Amendment, is
a question of law, for which our standard of review is de
novo and our scope of review is plenary.

In re N.C., 105 A.3d 1199, 1210 (Pa. 2014) (citations omitted).17

17
“[T]he text of the Pennsylvania Constitution guaranteeing accused persons
the right to confront the witnesses against them was made identical to the
text of the Confrontation Clause in the Sixth Amendment to the United
States Constitution. Specifically, the accused has the right ‘to be confronted
with the witnesses against him.’” Commonwealth v. Williams, 84 A.3d
680, 682 n.2 (Pa. 2014). “Accordingly, our Confrontation Clause analysis in
the present case would be the same under both the United States
Constitution and the Pennsylvania Constitution.” See In re N.C., 105 A.3d
at 1210 n.15.

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The Confrontation Clause of the Sixth Amendment,
made applicable to the States via the Fourteenth
Amendment, provides that in all criminal prosecutions, the
accused shall enjoy the right to be confronted with the
witnesses against him . . . . In Crawford [v.
Washington, 541 U.S. 36, 51 (2004)], the Court held that
the Sixth Amendment guarantees a defendant’s right to
confront those who bear testimony against him, and
defined “testimony” as “a solemn declaration or affirmation
made for the purpose of establishing or proving some
fact.”

Commonwealth v. Yohe, 79 A.3d 520, 544 (Pa. 2013) (citation, brackets,

footnote, and some quotation marks omitted).

The Crawford Court explained that the Confrontation Clause applies

to witnesses against the accused. Crawford, 541 U.S. at 51 (citation

omitted). “An accuser who makes a formal statement to government

officers bears testimony in a sense that a person who makes a casual

remark to an acquaintance does not.” Id. The Confrontation Clause also

bars “admission of testimonial statements of a witness who did not appear at

trial unless he was unavailable to testify, and the defendant had had a prior

opportunity for cross-examination.” Id. at 53-54. It necessarily follows that

the Confrontation Clause is not triggered when (1) a witness does not testify

or (2) the prosecution does not present a testimonial statement, i.e., “a

solemn declaration or affirmation made for the purpose of establishing or

proving some fact,” by an unavailable witness. Id. at 51, 53-54, 59; Yohe,

79 A.3d at 544.

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Instantly, the minor victim did not testify. The Commonwealth

introduced no testimonial statement by the minor victim. The minor victim’s

statement, as recounted by his father, was not made under oath for the

purpose of establishing a particular fact. See Yohe, 79 A.3d at 544. In

fact, the only out-of-court testimonial statement introduced by the

Commonwealth was by Ms. Danko, who also testified at trial. N.T. Trial at

288. Because the minor victim was not a trial witness and did not proffer

any testimony, the Confrontation Clause is not implicated. See Crawford,

541 U.S. at 51; Yohe, 79 A.3d at 544. Appellant, under these

circumstances, has no right to confront the minor victim. See Crawford,

541 U.S. at 51; Yohe, 79 A.3d at 544. Thus, even if Appellant did not waive

the issue, we would have concluded it lacked merit. See In re N.C., 105

A.3d at 1120.

For his third claim, Appellant challenged the sufficiency of evidence for

all of his convictions. He argues that the Commonwealth never established

he received or possessed any of the stolen items. Appellant’s Brief at 18.

Appellant, however, has not cited or analyzed any law whatsoever. See id.

at 18-19. Accordingly, he has waived the issue. See Johnson, 985 A.2d at

924.

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In support of his fifth18 issue, Appellant challenges whether the

Commonwealth met its burden that he caused “serious bodily injury” for his

aggravated assault conviction. Appellant’s Brief at 21. He acknowledges

that all of the victims “claimed substantial pain and blood loss” but “none of

them sought medical treatment.” Id. Appellant also underscores the lack

of, in his view, other corroborative evidence. Id. at 21-22. He therefore

requests a new trial.19 Id. at 22. We conclude Appellant is due no relief.

The standard of review for a challenge to the sufficiency of evidence is

de novo, as it is a question of law. Commonwealth v. Ratsamy, 934 A.2d

1233, 1235 (Pa. 2007).

[T]he critical inquiry on review of the sufficiency of the
evidence to support a criminal conviction . . . does not
require a court to ask itself whether it believes that the
evidence at the trial established guilt beyond a reasonable
doubt. Instead, it must determine simply whether the

18
As noted above, Appellant withdrew his fourth issue from consideration by
this Court. See Appellant’s Brief at 20.
19
We note the following:

A claim challenging the sufficiency of the evidence, if
granted, would preclude retrial under the double jeopardy
provisions of the Fifth Amendment to the United States
Constitution, and Article I, Section 10 of the Pennsylvania
Constitution, Tibbs v. Florida, 457 U.S. 31, 102 S. Ct.
2211, 72 L. Ed. 2d 652 (1982); Commonwealth v.
Vogel, 501 Pa. 314, 461 A.2d 604 (1983), whereas a
claim challenging the weight of the evidence if granted
would permit a second trial. Id.

Commonwealth v. Widmer, 744 A.2d 745, 751 (Pa. 2000).

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evidence believed by the fact-finder was sufficient to
support the verdict.

* * *

When reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence, an
appellate court must determine whether the evidence, and
all reasonable inferences deducible from that, viewed in
the light most favorable to the Commonwealth as verdict
winner, are sufficient to establish all of the elements of the
offense beyond a reasonable doubt.

Id. at 1235-36, 1237 (citations and some punctuation omitted).

In contrast to a sufficiency claim, a challenge to the credibility of a

witness is a weight claim. Commonwealth v. Paquette, 301 A.2d 837,

841 (Pa. 1973). Such a claim must be raised before the trial court first or it

is waived on appeal. Commonwealth v. Sherwood, 982 A.2d 483, 494

(Pa. 2009); see also Pa.R.Crim.P. 607(A).

Pennsylvania law defines aggravated assault, in relevant part, as

follows:

(a) Offense defined.—A person is guilty of aggravated
assault if he:

* * *

(4) attempts to cause or intentionally or knowingly
causes bodily injury to another with a deadly weapon;

18 Pa.C.S. § 2702(a)(4).

Instantly, Appellant’s claim—that the witnesses were not credible

given the absence of corroborative evidence—is more fairly described as a

challenge to the weight of the evidence. See Paquette, 301 A.2d at 841.

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Indeed, Appellant requested a new trial, and such relief is barred by a

successful challenge to the sufficiency of evidence. See Widmer, 744 A.2d

at 751. Because Appellant did not challenge the weight of the evidence

before the trial court, he has waived it on appeal. See Pa.R.Crim.P. 607(A);

Sherwood, 982 A.2d at 494. Regardless, construing Appellant’s claim as a

sufficiency challenge, after reviewing the record in the light most favorable

to the Commonwealth, we easily conclude that the evidence established that

Appellant and his cohorts struck the victims with firearms causing bodily

harm. See, e.g., N.T. Trial, 7/6-7/7/15, at 157-60. Contrary to Appellant’s

argument, see Appellant’s Brief at 21, the Commonwealth was not required

to establish “serious” bodily harm. See 18 Pa.C.S. § 2702(a)(4).

For Appellant’s sixth claim, he argues that the evidence was

insufficient to sustain his convictions for unlawful restraint of a minor. See

Appellant’s Brief at 23-24. Appellant, however, failed to cite or analyze any

law whatsoever, see id., and has thus waived the issue on appeal. See

Johnson, 985 A.2d at 924.

We summarize Appellant’s arguments for his seventh and eighth

issues. For his seventh issue, Appellant underscores the absence of any

sexual offenses against the minor victim. He asserts that his convictions for

unlawful restraint of a minor and false imprisonment of a minor are Tier III

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sexual offenses under SORNA.20 He contends the purpose of SORNA is to

ensure sexual offenders are registered and instantly, there were no sexual

offenses. Appellant points out that the Sexual Offenders Assessment Board

did not find him to be a sexually violent predator. He opines that (1) SORNA

is unconstitutional, and (2) lifetime registration under SORNA is cruel and

unusual punishment, illegal, and also unconstitutional. In support of his

eighth issue, Appellant also contends SORNA’s lifetime registration

requirement is unconstitutional. Appellant apparently challenges SORNA as

it applies to him, as well as on its face.21 We hold he is due no relief.

The standard of review follows:

Because statutory interpretation is a question of law, our
standard of review is de novo, and our scope of review is
plenary.

The object of interpretation and construction of all
statutes is to ascertain and effectuate the intention
of the General Assembly. When the words of a
statute are clear and free from all ambiguity, their
plain language is generally the best indication of
legislative intent. A reviewing court should resort to
other considerations to determine legislative intent

20
Appellant is partially correct. Appellant’s conviction for unlawful restraint
of a minor-risk of serious bodily injury, 18 Pa.C.S. § 2902(b)(1), is a Tier I
sexual offense. 42 Pa.C.S. § 9799.14(b)(1) (citing 18 Pa.C.S. § 2902(b)).
Similarly, his conviction for false imprisonment of a minor, 18 Pa.C.S. §
2903(b), is also a Tier I sexual offense. 42 Pa.C.S. § 9799.14(b) (citing 18
Pa.C.S. § 2903(b)). A Tier III sexual offense is defined as, inter alia,
including two or more Tier I convictions. 42 Pa.C.S. § 9799.14(d)(16).
21
For his eighth issue, Appellant’s constitutional challenge spans a scant
one-and-a-half pages in his appellate brief.

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only when the words of the statute are not explicit.
In ascertaining legislative intent, this Court is guided
by, among other things, the primary purpose of the
statute, . . . , and the consequences of a particular
interpretation.

Braun v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., 24 A.3d 875, 953 (Pa. Super. 2011)

(citations omitted), aff’d, 106 A.3d 656 (Pa. 2014).

The standard of review follows:

A statute will not be found unconstitutional unless it
clearly, palpably, and plainly violates the Constitution. If
there is any doubt as to whether a challenger has met this
high burden, then we will resolve that doubt in favor of the
statute’s constitutionality. The constitutionality of a
statute presents a question of law for which our standard
of review is de novo and our scope of review is plenary.

Commonwealth v. Veon, 109 A.3d 754, 763 (Pa. Super. 2015) (internal

quotation marks, brackets, and citations omitted), appeal granted in part,

121 A.3d 954 (Pa. 2015). A facial constitutional challenge to a statute is

waived if the challenger fails to notify the Pennsylvania Attorney General.

See Pa.R.A.P. 521; Kepple v. Fairman Drilling Co., 615 A.2d 1298, 1303

(Pa. 1992) (holding appellant waived facial constitutional challenge to

statute by failing to notify attorney general under Rule 521).

A defendant convicted of a “sexually violent offense” is required to

register with the police under SORNA. 42 Pa.C.S. § 9799.13. A “sexually

violent offense” is defined as “An offense specified in section 9799.14

(relating to sexual offenses and tier system) as a Tier I, Tier II or Tier III

sexual offense.” 42 Pa.C.S. § 9799.12. Unlawful restraint of a minor and

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false imprisonment of a minor are defined as Tier I sexual offenses. 42

Pa.C.S. § 9799.14(b)(1)-(2). Two or more convictions of a Tier I sexual

offense is considered a Tier III sexual offense. 42 Pa.C.S. § 9799.14(d)(16).

In Commonwealth v. McDonough, 96 A.3d 1067 (Pa. Super. 2014),

appeal denied, 108 A.3d 34 (Pa. 2015), the defendant, who was not

classified as a sexually violent predator, argued SORNA was

“unconstitutional and illegal to require an individual to register as a sex

offender for 15 years for a crime that carries a maximum penalty of only two

years in prison.” Id. at 1070. The McDonough Court rejected the

defendant’s argument:

Because we do not view the registration
requirements as punitive but, rather, remedial, we
do not perceive mandating compliance by
offenders who have served their maximum
term to be improper. Furthermore, the fact that
an offender may be held until such information is
furnished is no different from confining someone in a
civil contempt proceeding. While any imprisonment,
of course, has punitive and deterrent effects, it must
be viewed as remedial if release is conditioned upon
one’s willingness to comply with a particular
mandate.

Commonwealth v. Gaffney, 557 Pa. 327, 733 A.2d 616,
622 (1999) (emphasis added) (citations omitted).
Similarly, in [Commonwealth v. Benner, 853 A.2d 1068
(Pa. Super. 2004)], this Court also recognized that:

The registration provisions of Megan’s Law do not
constitute criminal punishment. The registration
requirement is properly characterized as a collateral
consequence of the defendant’s plea, as it cannot be
considered to have a definite, immediate and largely
automatic effect on a defendant’s punishment.

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* * *

Because the registration requirements under Megan’s
Law impose only collateral consequences of the
actual sentence, their application is not limited by
the factors that control the imposition of sentence.
Thus, while a defendant may be subject to conviction
only under statutes in effect on the date of his acts,
and sentence configuration under the guidelines in
effect on that same date, the application of the
registration requirements under Megan’s Law is not
so limited. This is so due to the collateral nature of
the registration requirement.

Benner, 853 A.2d at 1070–71.

While Gaffney and Benner were decided prior to the
effective date of SORNA, the same principles behind the
registration requirements for sexual offenders under
Megan’s Law apply to those subject to SORNA. Namely, to
effectuate, through remedial legislation, the non-punitive
goal of public safety. Gaffney, 733 A.2d at 619; see 42
Pa.C.S. § 9791(a) (legislative findings and declaration of
policy behind registration of sexual offenders). In fact,
one of the main purposes behind SORNA is to fortify the
registration provisions applicable to such offenders. See 42
Pa.C.S. § 9799.10 (purpose of registration of sexual
offenders under SORNA); see also H.R. 75, 195th Gen.
Assemb. Reg. Sess. (Pa. 2012). With this purpose in
mind, we cannot find that the law is unconstitutional as it
applies to McDonough.

Id. at 1071.

Instantly, SORNA’s statutory language is unambiguous: unlawful

restraint of a minor and false imprisonment of a minor are defined as Tier I

sexual offenses. 42 Pa.C.S. § 9799.14(b)(1)-(2). Similarly, two or more

Tier I convictions is included in the definition of a Tier III sexual offense. 42

Pa.C.S. § 9799.14(d)(16). SORNA did not include any language requiring a

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sexual component for these offenses as a prerequisite for sexual offender

registration. See Braun, 24 A.3d at 953. Because SORNA’s language is

unambiguous, we cannot resort to other considerations. See id.

Accordingly, notwithstanding the absence of any sexual offenses against the

minor victim, Appellant is not exempt from SORNA’s mandatory lifetime

registration requirement. See id. Because Appellant was convicted of two

Tier I sexual offenses, he is considered to have committed a Tier III sexual

offense, see 42 Pa.C.S. § 9799.14(d)(16), and thus, Appellant is required to

register for his lifetime. See 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 9799.13, 9799.15(a). We have

no discretion to disregard the plain, unambiguous language of SORNA.22

See Braun, 24 A.3d at 953.

Similarly, we are bound by the McDonough Court’s rationale, and

hold that SORNA is not unconstitutional as applied to Appellant. See

McDonough, 96 A.3d at 1071. SORNA’s lifetime registration requirement

for Appellant, which exceeds his sentence of imprisonment, is constitutional

as applied to him. See id. To the extent Appellant raised a facial challenge,

he waived it by failing to comply with Pa.R.A.P. 521. See Pa.R.A.P. 521;

Kepple, 615 A.2d at 1303 (holding appellant waived facial constitutional

challenge to statute by failing to notify attorney general under Rule 521).

For all these reasons, we affirm Appellant’s judgment of sentence.

22
The legislature has deemed it appropriate to require registration for
offenses that lack a sexual component.

- 20 -
J-S13035-16

Judgment of sentence affirmed.

Judgment Entered.

Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary

Date: 5/27/2016

- 21 -
 Circulated 04/27/2016 11:41 AM

IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF FAYETTE COUNTY,
PENNSYLVANIA

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, : CRIMINAL ACTION

v.

KEITH ARNOLD JOHNSON, : NO. 1643 OF 2014

Defendant/ Appellant.

: JUDGE JOSEPH :NI. GEORGE, JR.

ATTORNEYS AND LAW FIRMS

Jennifer M. Casini, Esquire, Assistant District Attorney, For the Commonwealth

Michael J. Garofalo, Esquire, Assistant Public Defender, For the Appellant

OPINION
GEORGE, J. September 25, 2015

Following a trial by jury, Appellant, Keith Arnold Johnson, was found guilty of

three (3) counts of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, three (3) counts of

Kidnapping, three (3) counts of Unlawful Restraint-Risk of Bodily Injury, one (1)

count of Unlawful Restraint of a Minor-Risk of Bodily Injury, three (3) counts of False

Imprisonment, one (1) count of False Imprisonment of a Minor, three (3) counts of

Robbery, two (2) counts of Burglary, two (2) counts of Criminal Trespass, two (2)

counts of Theft by Unlawful Taking, one (1) count of Unauthorized Use of a Motor

Vehicle, four (4) counts of Terroristic Threats, and one (1) count of Criminal

Conspiracy. Appellant was sentenced to a term of imprisonment for a period of not

less than twenty-eight (28) years nor more than fifty-six (56) years. Additionally,

1
Appellant was informed of his duty to register for life under Pennsylvania's Sexual

Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA). Appellant filed a timely post-

sentence motion and the Court denied same. He filed a direct appeal to the Superior

Court of Pennsylvania. This Opinion is in support of the verdict of the jury.

CONCISE ISSUES

Appellant filed the following Statement of Errors Complained of on Appeal:

1. DID THE COURT ERR IN DENYING ALL OF APPELLANT'S MOTIONS
FOR MISTRIAL?

2. DID THE COURT ERR IN DENYING THE MOTIONS FOR JUDGMENT OF
ACQUITTAL AS TO ALL CHARGES RELATED TO THE ALLEGED MINOR
VICTIM AS THE VICTIM OF THOSE OFFENSES DID NOT TESTIFY IN
VIOLATION OF APPELLANT'S RIGHT TO CONFRONT HIS ACCUSER?

3. DID THE CO.lVIMONWEALTHFAIL TO ESTABLISH THAT APPELLANT
PARTICIPATED IN ANY OF THE OFFENSES AS THEY DID NOT PROVE
APPELLANT'S PRESENCE AT THE SCENE OF THE INCIDENT OR
CORROBORATE THAT HE RECEIVED ANY OF THE ITEMS TAKEN?

4. DID THE COURT ERR IN DENYING THE APPELLANT'S MOTION FOR
JUDGMENT OF ACQUITTAL AS TO KIDNAPPING CHARGES
REGARDING RONALD AND JONATHAN PACKRONI IN THAT THEY
WERE NEVER REMOVED FROM THE RESIDENCE OR KEPT IN
ISOLATION?

5. DID THE COMMONWEALTH FAIL TO PROVE BEYOND A REASONABLE
DOUBT THE APPELLANT CAUSED SERIOUS BODILY INJURY AS
REQUIRED BY THE ELEMENTS OF AGGRAVATEDASSAULT?

6. DID THE COMMONWEALTH FAIL TO PROVE BEYOND A REASONABLE
DOUBT THAT THE APPELLANT HAD Al"'N UNLAWFUL CONTACT ·wITH
THE MINOR VICTIM SINCE THERE WAS NO PHYSICAL EVIDENCE
PRESENTED IN THE INSTANT CASE?

7. IS IT UNCONSTITUTIONAL TO REQUIRE Al"\1 APPELLANT TO REGISTER
FOR A LIFETIME vVHEN SAID REGISTRATION REQUIREMENT
EXCEEDS THE STATUTORY MA.t'\IMUMPENALTY FOR APPELLANT'S
OFFENSE?

2
 8. IS THE ADAlYI ·wALSH STATUTE UNCONSTITUTIONAL IN REQUIRING
THE APPELLANT TO REGISTER FOR A LIFETIME?

FACTS

On January 13, 2014, Ronald Packroni and his brother Jonathan Packroni

were at their residence at 613 North Water Street in Masontown, Fayette County,

Pennsylvania. Jonathan had joint custody of his four-year-old son, Connor Packroni,

who was also at the residence that day. Around 11:30 that evening, a friend of the

Packroni brothers, Jonathan Byers, came over to the residence, where the three

individuals watched a movie and smoked a joint of marijuana. (T.T. p. 86, 152-153).

Connor was in his bedroom sleeping at the time.

Earlier that clay, Ronald invited Misty Danko, the mother of his children to

come over that evening. (T.T. pp. 18, 20-21, 227). Danko was in a sexual relationship

with Ronald, but was also in a relationship with Appellant. (T.T. pp. 219-20).

Appellant suggested to Danko that she should go to Ronald's house so Appellant

would have access to the residence to steal any money or drugs. (T.T. pp. 222, 227).

Later that evening, Danko and Appellant went to a bar to meet up with Bernard

Richardson. Danko testified that she overheard Appellant and Richardson talking

about getting a third person to go out to the Packroni residence. (T.T. pp. 228-29).

After that, the three of them, along with a fourth individual, Broderick Harris drove

to Ronald's house. (T.T. pp. 230-31).

Appellant drove Danko, Richardson, and Harris from Uniontown to

Masontown, where they pulled up to an alley on the side of the Packroni residence.

3
 Appellant, Richardson, and Harris exited the vehicle and went up to the Packroni

house, with the intent to scope out the residence to see who was all present. (T.T. p.

232). They were gone for several minutes and returned to the vehicle. (T.T. p. 233).

At that point, a discussion between the four took place, in which Danko was to go into

the house and unlock the door so Appellant, Richardson, and Harris could enter the

home. (T.T. pp. 233-34). After said discussion, the four of them went to Sheetz in

Carmichaels, approximately five minutes from the Packroni house. (T.T. pp. 234,

304). Once they arrived at Sheetz, Appellant went into the store, while Danko,

Richardson, and Harris remained in the vehicle. (T.T. p. 235). Appellant was in the

store for about five minutes, got back into the vehicle, and they then drove back to

the Packroni home. (T.T. p. 235). Danko dropped Appellant, Richardson, and Harris

off on a street leading up to the Packroni residence. (T.T. p. 235). Danko then

proceeded to the Packroni house and met Ronald at the door leading into the kitchen.

(T.T. p. 236).

Ronald opened the door for Danko, closed and locked the door, and the two

went back to Ronald's room to have sex. (T.T. pp. 22-23). At that time, Jonathan was

in his bedroom while Byers was on the couch in the living room. (T.T. pp. 86, 154).

At one point during the sexual encounter, Danko stopped and went into the kitchen

to get a glass of water. (T.T. p. 23).

Danko got a glass of water and started to pace back and forth. (T.T. pp. 24-

25). Ronald noticed the odd behavior by Danko and proceeded to the kitchen. (T. T.

pp. 24-25). At the same time, Danko unlocked the kitchen door and three masked

4
 men entered the residence. (T.T. pp. 25, 237-38). Ronald was met by a man, later

identified as Appellant, who pointed a gun in his face. (T.T. pp. 25-27). Appellant

was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and a bandana that covered his face from his

nose down. (T.T. p. 26). When Ronald was met by Appellant in the hallway, he was

able to see his eyes and his forehead. (T.T. p. 26). Ronald was hit several times in

the face with the gun and was herded into the living room. (T.T. p. 30). When he

entered the living room, he noticed Byers was being beaten by the other two masked

men, later identified as Broderick Harris and Bernard Richardson, with their guns

and their fists. (T.T. pp. 31, 154-55). Ronald was ordered to get clown on the floor,

where he again was hit numerous times in the back of the head with the gun. (T.T.

p. 30).

After Ronald was forced into the living room, Appellant went into Jonathan's

bedroom and woke him up by gunpoint. (T.T. p. 89). Jonathan too was forced into

the living room and was hit in the back of the head by a hard object and forced onto

the ground. (T.T. pp. 92-93). At this point, all three victims were in the living room

area, with Byers by the couch, and Ronald and Jonathan lying next to each other.

(T.T. pp. 35, 96).

After Appellant and his co-conspirators gathered the adult victims into the

living room, they started to ask for money and threatened to kill them and Connor if

they did not comply with their demands. (T.T. pp. 35, 93-94, 173). Simultaneously,

the adult victims were being kicked and struck with the guns possessed by the

assailants. Appellant then searched Byers and took his wallet, which contained one

5
 hundred and twenty dollars, a bank card, and took his keys and cell phone. (T.T. pp.

173-74).

After he searched Byers, Appellant let Byers go into the bathroom to clean up

his face so Appellant could take Byers to an ATM machine to withdraw money. (T.T.

pp. 37, 97, 174). Byers was escorted out of the Packroni residence by Appellant and

Richardson. (T.T. pp. 175, 178). They drove off in Ronald's car to an ATM machine

on Main Street in Masontown. (T.T. p. 176). Appellant drove the car and threatened

Byers that if he did not get money from Byers, then someone was going to get shot.

(T.T. pp. 176-177). Byers was seated in the front passenger seat, while Richardson

was in the seat behind Byers with a gun pointed at his head. (T.T. pp. 176, 178).

When they arrived at the ATM machine, Byers and Appellant exited the vehicle and

went up to the ATM machine. (T.T. p. 178). Appellant stood to the right of Byers

with a gun in his hand, gave him Byers' bank card, and ordered him to make a

withdraw. (T.T. p. 179). After several attempts of trying to withdraw cash, Byers

was unsuccessful, prompting Appellant to order Byers to get in the car where they

went back to the Packroni house. (T.T. pp. 179-180, 182).

'While Byers was escorted to the ATM machine, Harris and Danko stayed

behind at the Packroni residence. (T.T. p. 98). Ronald and Jonathan were taken from

the living room to the hallway next to their bedrooms, while Danko was ordered to

search their bedrooms. (T.T. pp. 98-99).

When Byers arrived back at the house, he was forced to lie on his stomach and

his hands were tied behind his back. (T.T. p. 184). Appellant and Harris pointed

6
 their guns at Byers and demanded information about where they could get money.

(T.T. pp. 184-85). Byers told them he had money at his house in a specific location.1

(T.T. pp. 44, 185, 192, 245). Appellant took the house key from Byers and took Danko

with him. (T.T. pp. 44, 185, 192).

When Appellant and Danko went to the Byers residence, Richardson and

Harris were still at the Packroni home. By this time, all three victims were in the

living room and tied up with cords from the telephone and the television. (T.T. pp.

101-02, 184). One co-conspirator continued to ransack the bedrooms. (T.T. p. 102).

He eventually went into Connor's room and asked him "where's your daddy's money

at." (T.T. pp. 42, 104). Connor was pulled away from his room and taken into

Jonathan's room. (T.T. pp. 104, 186). After Jonathan pleaded repeatedly to leave

Connor alone, Connor was put back in his room. (T.T. p. 104).

Once Appellant and Danko arrived at the Byers' house, they entered the

basement area of the house. (T.T. p. 246). Danko took the money and handed it to

Johnson. (T.T. p. 246). Appellant then ransacked the basement, took a watch, and

left the premises. (T.T. p. 194-95, 247).

After that, Appellant and Danko drove back to the Packroni house and picked

up Richardson and Harris. (T.T. pp. 48, 249-250). They then drove to the Tuskegee

apartment complex in Uniontown. (T.T. p. 250). Once there, Appellant divided the

money amongst the four of them. (T.T. pp. 251-53).

1
Jonathan Byers resided with his parents at the time of this incident. His parents were
home when Appellant and Danko broke into his house.

7
 After Appellant, Richardson, Harris, and Danko left the Packroni house, the

victims untied themselves, got Connor from his room, and . went down to the

neighbor's house. (T.T. pp. 109-110, 189-90). They called 9-1-1 and Officer Thomas

O'Barto of the Masontown Police Department was dispatched and an ambulance was

called. (T.T. pp. 325-326).

Officer O'Barto obtained a quick synopsis of what happened from the victims.

(T.T. p. 326). He went to the Packroni house, secured the scene, and called for

additional backup. (T.T. p. 326). Officer O'Barto then obtained video footage from

the Sheetz in Carmichaels and the ATM video from the First National Bank on Main

Street in Masontown for the morning hours of January 14, 2014. (T.T. p. 333). He

also obtained photos from surveillance cameras at Uniontown Hospital on the clay

before the incident. (T.T. p. 333). The photos at Uniontown Hospital showed Danko

with Appellant, who was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with red lining. The

video at the ATM showed Byers with a masked man who was also wearing a black

hooded sweatshirt with red lining. (T.T. p. 345). His investigation led him to Danko

and eventually to Appellant, Richardson, and Harris.

DISCUSSION

I. Appellant's motions for mistrial were denied as Appellant was not
unfairly prejudiced in the eyes of the jury
Appellant's first concise issue is whether the Court erred in denying all of

Appellant's motions for mistrial.

A motion for a mistrial is within the discretion of the trial
court. [A] mistrial [upon motion of one of the parties] is
required only when an incident is of such a nature that its
unavoidable effect is to deprive the appellant of a fair and

8
 impartial trial. It is within the trial court's discretion to
determine whether a defendant was prejudiced by the
incident that is the basis of a motion for a mistrial. On
appeal, [the appellate court's) standard of review is
whether the trial court abused that discretion. An abuse of
discretion is more than an error in judgment. On appeal,
the trial court will not be found to have abused its
discretion unless the record discloses that the judgment
exercised by the trial court was manifestly unreasonable,
or the result of partiality, prejudice, bias, or ill-will.

Commonwealth v. Tejeda, 834 A.2d 619, 623 (Pa. Super. 2003) (citations omitted).

Appellant's first motion for a mistrial was made when Byers was testifying.

During trial, the exchange between the prosecutor and Byers relevant to the subject

of the motion was as follows:

Q: Did you [Mr. Byers] have the opportunity to ascertain who the other
individual was who was hitting and kicking you along with Broderick Harris?

A:Yes.

Q: Can you tell us who that individual was?

A: Yes. It was Keith Johnson.

Q: And how are you aware it was Keith Johnson?

A: I know who Keith Johnson is.

Q: What type of clothing was Keith Johnson wearing?

A: He had a jacket on and a mask from the nose down and dark colored
pants.

Q: Okay. And did Keith Johnson make any statements to you during this
encounter?

A:Yes.

Q: And tell the members of the jury what statements that Keith Johnson
made to you?

9
 A: 'When I was down on the floor he knelt down beside me and held his gun in
my face and said do you remember this?

T.T. pp. 159-160. (emphasis added).

Appellant objected, arguing that by Byers saying "do you remember this," it

eluded to a prior incident, thus prejudicing Appellant in the eyes of the jury. The

Court, outside the presence of the jury, conducted a brief colloquy with Byers about

the meaning of the statement. The colloquy revealed Byers knew Appellant from a

prior incident involving a firearm.

The Pennsylvania Superior court has stated that "every unwise or irrelevant

remark made in the course of a trial by a judge, a witness, or counsel does not compel

the granting of a new trial." Commonwealth u. Marker, 331 A.2cl 883, 887 (Pa.Super.

1974). Byers' statement was at most a subtle reference to a prior incident involving

Appellant. No direct statements regarding said incident was mentioned by Byers or

the prosecutor. "[Ijt is only those references that expressly or by reasonable

implication also indicate some involvement in prior criminal activity that rise to the

level of prejudicial error." Commonuiealth u. Young, 578 Pa. 71, 77, 849 A.2cl 1152,

1156 (2004).

In Commonwealth v. Lark, 462 A.2d 1329 (Pa. Super. 1983), the police

recovered from Lark's residence a book that contained phone numbers. At trial, a

detective testified that the book had been submitted to the F.B.I. Lark's counsel

moved for a mistrial, arguing the reference to the F.B.I. indicated Lark had prior

contact with law enforcement. Lark's motion was denied. Lark appealed and raised

10
 as an issue that the trial court should have granted the motion for mistrial. The

Superior Court agreed with the trial court, noting the "jury would have to indulge in

gross speculation" to conclude Lark had engaged in prior criminal activity. Lark, 462

A.2d at 1337.

Likewise, the jury in this case would also have had to indulge in gross

speculation to conclude Byers' testimony referred to a prior incident between Byers

and Appellant. Byers did not inform the jurors on how he knew Appellant prior to

this incident and it would be an unreasonable leap to conclude a prior bad act by

Appellant. See Commonwealth u. Zabala, 449 A.2cl 583 (Pa. Super. 1982) (detective's

testimony that he knew defendant and where he lived because he arrested him was

not prejudicial); Comrnonuiealth. v. Starks, 484 Pa. 399, 399 A.2d 353 (1979)

(detective's testimony that he knew defendant's nickname from other contacts with

defendant did not provide a reasonable implication of prior criminal activity by

defendant). Thus, Appellant's first motion for mistrial was properly denied.

Appellant's second motion for mistrial came during Danko's testimony. When

asked about the type of relationship she had with Appellant, Danko testified "it was

an abusive relationship." (T.T. p. 223). Appellant objected and motioned for a

mistrial, arguing the characterization of the relationship between Danko and

Appellant testified to by Danko was done to prejudice Appellant in front of the jury.

Although Appellant's motion for a mistrial was denied, this Court sustained

Appellant's objection to the description of the relationship. Additionally, the jury was

11
 provided with cautionary instructions, directing them to disregard Danko's portrayal

of her relationship with Appellant.

As mentioned above, every unwise or irrelevant remark uttered by a witness

does not compel the court to grant a mistrial. While there may have been some

prejudice to Appellant, the comment by Danko did not rise to the level of prejudice

required to grant a mistrial. Moreover, the jury was cautioned to disregard said

comment. Since the presumption in our law is that the jury follows court instructions,

cautionary instructions are adequate to overcome possible prejudice and a motion for

mistrial is not warranted. Commonwealth v. Fetter, 770 A.2d 762 (Pa. Super. 2001)

(although witness's statements that defendant was a "compulsive liar" and that

"everything that comes out of his mouth isn't true," the court's cautionary instructions

were adequate to cure and overcome any prejudice towards defendant). Therefore,

Appellant's second motion for mistrial was denied.

Appellant's last motion for mistrial came when the prosecutor for the

Commonwealth mentioned Appellant's incarceration status when questioning

Danko. The relevant portion of Danko's testimony was as follows:

Q: And at some point were you incarcerated in regard to this incident?

A:Yes.

Q: And where were you initially incarcerated?

A: At the Fayette County Jail.

Q: At some point in time after your arrest and incarceration at the Fayette
County Jail, are you aware of whether Keith Johnson became incarcerated in
the Fayette County Jail?

12
 A: Yes he was.

T.T. p. 260.

"[T]here is no rule in Pennsylvania which prohibits reference to a defendant's

incarceration awaiting trial or arrest for the crimes charged." Commonwealth v.

Johnson, 576 Pa. 23, 52, 838 A.2cl 663, 680 (2003). Furthermore, brief mention of a

defendant's incarceration will not unduly prejudice the defendant. Commonwealth

v. Horne, 89 A.3d 277 (Pa. Super. 2014). Only a constant reminder of a defendant's

incarceration status will rise to the level of a mistrial because the jury's judgment

may be affected and ultimately prejudice the defendant. Estelle v. Williams, 425 U.S.

501 (1976).

In this case, there was only one question by the prosecutor regarding

Appellant's incarceration status and an affirmative response by Danko. This

exchange amounted to a passing reference which did not constitute a constant

reminder of Appellant's status as an inmate at the Fayette County Jail. Like the

other two motions for mistrial, this one was properly denied and thus Appellant's first

concise issue is without merit.

II. Appellant's Confrontation Clause rights were not violated since
he cross-examined the witnesses against him

Appellant's second concise issue is whether the Court erred in denying his

motions for judgment of acquittal as to all charges relating to the minor victim.

Specifically, Appellant argues the charges related to the minor victim should have

been dismissed because the minor victim did not testify at trial in violation of

13
 Appellant's right to confront his accuser. The Confrontation Clause of the Sixth

Amendment of the federal constitution and article 1, section 9 of the Pennsylvania

Constitution affords a defendant on trial the right to confront the witnesses against

him.

Although the minor victim did not testify at trial, the allegations against

Appellant regarding the minor victim did not come from the minor victim. Rather,

the allegations came from the other victims who all testified at trial their

observations of what happened that night with respect to the minor victim. Appellant

had the opportunity and did in fact cross-examine the other victims on their

observations made during the course of the evening and what transpired with

Appellant, his co-conspirators, and the minor victim. At that point, it was up to the

jury to determine the weight and credibility of the testimony provided by the other

victims. Finally, while one statement from the minor victim was introduced at trial,

the statement did not allege any wrongdoing by Appellant towards the minor victim.s

Therefore, Appellant's third concise issue is without merit.

III. The Commonwealth provided sufficient evidence that Appellant
was at the scene of the incident and received the stolen items

Appellant's next concise issue is whether the Commonwealth established

sufficient evidence that Appellant was at the scene of the incident or received any of

the items taken.

The standard of review for a challenge to the sufficiency of
the evidence is to determine whether, when viewed in a

2The statement made by the minor victim introduced at trial was "[the minor victim] is
going to hurt the bad guys that hurt his clad." ('l'.T. p. 113).

14
 light most favorable to the verdict winner, the evidence at
trial and all reasonable inferences therefrom is sufficient
for the trier of fact to find that each element of the crimes
charged is established beyond a reasonable doubt. The
Commonwealth may sustain its burden of proving every
element beyond a reasonable doubt by means of wholly
circumstantial evidence.

The facts and circumstances established by the
Commonwealth need not preclude every possibility of
innocence. Any doubt raised as to the accused's guilt is to
be resolved by the fact-finder. [In this context, Courts] do
not assess credibility nor ... assign weight to any of the
testimony of record. Therefore, we will not disturb the
verdict unless the evidence is so weak and inconclusive
that as a matter oflaw no probability of fact may be drawn
from the combined circumstances.

Commonwealth v. Vogelsang, 90 A.3cl 717, 719 (Pa.Super. 2014).

Danko testified that Appellant was at the scene of the incident. At the time of

this incident, Danko was dating Appellant and conspired with him to help him gain

entry into the Packroni residence. While Danko was a co-defendant in this case, the

jury was made aware of that fact and was instructed to proceed with caution when

examining her testimony.

However, her testimony was supported by other evidence. Byers identified

Appellant as one of the assailants who was kicking and hitting him. He testified he

was aware one of the men was Appellant because he knew who Appellant was prior

to this incident. Furthermore, both Packroni brothers testified that Appellant was

the man that pointed a gun in their face and forced them into the living room area."

:, Both Packroni brothers testified that Appellant was wearing a banclana mask but only
covered a portion of his face, from his nose down. Thus, they were able to see his eyes and
forehead.

15
 Jonathan Packroni also testified that during the police investigation, Officer O'Barto

presented him with a list of pictures at the Masontown Police Department and he

picked Appellant out as the man who woke him up at gun point.

The Commonwealth also provided physical evidence connecting Appellant to

the Packroni residence that night. The jury was shown photo stills that showed

Appellant and Danko at Uniontown Hospital the day before the incident, a video from

an ATM machine of Byers and a masked man located on Main Street in Masontown,

and a video of Appellant at a Sheetz gas station two miles from the Packroni residence

. around 3:10 a.m. on the day of the incident.

The photo stills from Uniontown Hospital depict Appellant wearing a black

hooded sweatshirt with red lining inside the hooded part of the sweatshirt. The video

from the ATM machine shows Byers and a man wearing what appears to be the same

hooded sweatshirt that Appellant wore to Uniontown Hospital the day before. Of

course that was up to the jury to determine whether it was the same hooded

sweatshirt. However, it was a reasonable inference to make, specifically since Byers

testified that Appellant forced him from the residence to the ATM machine to

withdraw money. Finally, the video from Sheetz shows Appellant walking into the

store around 3: 10 a.m. on the morning of the incident. As Officer O'Barto testified,

this video placed Appellant within two miles of the crime scene.

The direct evidence provided by Danko and the three adult victims along with

the circumstantial evidence from the video and photos provided by the

16
 Commonwealth is sufficient to establish Appellant was present at the scene of the

incident.

The Commonwealth also provided sufficient evidence that Appellant took and

received items taken from the Packroni and Byers residences. Appellant, along with

Danko, entered the Byers residence on 333 Fairview Avenue in Masontown, without

consent and took $50,000 in cash. Danko testified that she got the money in the house

and gave it to the Appellant, who eventually divided the money and gave some of it

to Danko, Richardson, and Harris. Byers too testified that Appellant searched him

at the Packroni residence at took the money out of his wallet. Therefore, Appellant's

third concise issue is without merit.

IV. The Conunonwealth proved Ronald and Jonathan Packroni were
kept in isolation, thus satisfying the kidnapping charges against
them

Appellant's next concise issue is whether the Court erred in denying

Appellant's motion for judgment of acquittal as to the kidnapping charges relating to

Ronald and Jonathan Packroni. "A motion for judgment of acquittal challenges the

sufficiency of the evidence to sustain a conviction on a particular charge, and is

granted only in cases in which the Commonwealth has failed to carry its burden

regarding that charge. Commoneioaltli v. Foster, 33 A.3d 632, 635 (Pa. Super. 2011).

Appellant was charged with two subsections of Kidnapping:

(a) Offense defined.-- Except as provided in subsection
(a. I), a person is guilty of kidnapping if he unlawfully
removes another a substantial distance under the
circumstances from the place where he is found, or if he
unlawfully confines another for a substantial period in a
place of isolation, with any of the following intentions:

17
 (2) to facilitate commission of any felony or flight
thereafter.

(3) to inflict bodily injury on or to terrorize the
victim or another.

18 Pa. C.S. § 2901(a)(2),(3). Appellant specifically argues Ronald and Jonathan were

never removed from the residence or kept in isolation.

The evidence provided at trial shows the Packroni brothers were unlawfully

confined for a substantial period of time in a place of isolation. The fact that the

incident took place in the living room of the Packroni residence does not automatically

negate the "place of isolation" requirement. A person has been confined to a place of

isolation when the victim has been isolated from the usual protections of society,

regardless of geographic isolation. Comnwnwealth v. Mease, 516 A.2d 24, 26 (Pa.

Super. 1986).

Here, both victims were taken to the living room area of their house and forced

onto the ground. They were held at gunpoint and were repeatedly threatened.

Moreover, their hands and feet were tied from cords ripped from the telephone and

television. The incident occurred at their house, in the early morning hours, and

without police knowledge, making discovery or rescue unlikely. See In re T.G., 836

A.2cl 1003 (Pa. Super. 2003) (one's own apartment in a city can be a "place of isolation"

if detention is under circumstances which make discovery or rescue unlikely);

Comrnonioealth. u. Jenkins, 687 A.2cl 836 (Pa. Super. 1996) (defendant's actions

created a "place of isolation" within victim's home even though police arrived

18
 approximately 20 minutes after incident began as no one was able to reach victims

for five hours and the fate of the victims was exclusively within defendant's control).

Furthermore, while it is unclear the amount of time that elapsed during this

incident, the exact duration is a factor in determining whether the incident lasted a

substantial period of time. Other factors include the mental state of the victim and

whether the restraint was criminally significant in that it increased the risk of harm

to the victim. Commonwealth v. Hughes, 399 A.2d 694, 698 (Pa. Super. 1979);

Commonwealth v. Markman, 591 Pa. 249, 273, 916 A.2d 586, 600 (2007). Since the

Packroni brothers were confined for a substantial period in a place of isolation,

Appellant's fourth concise issue is without merit.

V. The Commonwea lth sustained its burden in proving Appellant
caused bodily injury required by the elernerrts of Aggravated
Assault with a Deadly Weapon

Appellant's next concise issue is whether the Commonwealth failed to prove

beyond a reasonable doubt that Appellant caused serious bodily injury required by

the elements of aggravated assault. Appellant was charged with three counts of

Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, A person is guilty of this subsection of

aggravated assault if he attempts to cause or intentionally or knowingly causes bodily

injury to another with a deadly weapon. 18 Pa. C.S. § 2702(a)(4). Thus, the

Commonwealth only had to prove Appellant caused bodily injury.

Based on the evidence provided at trial, in light most favorable to the

Commonwealth, the Commonwealth proved beyond a reasonable doubt the charges

of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Testimonial evidence was presented

19
 that Appellant and his co-conspirators struck his victims in the head with a firearm, 4

resulting in blood loss and significant pain.s Moreover, Appellant took such action in

order for the victims to comply with his demands, thus proving he acted intentionally.

Since the Commonwealth proved beyond a reasonable doubt the elements of

Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, then Appellant's fifth concise issue is

without merit.

VI. Appellant formed an agreement with his co-conspirators which
made him criminally liable for the acts of his co-conspirators

Appellant's next concise issue is whether the Commonwealth failed to prove

that Appellant had any unlawful contact with the minor victim since no physical

evidence was presented in the case. With respect to the charges against the minor

victim, Appellant was convicted of Unlawful Restraint of a Minor, False

Imprisonment of a Minor, and Terroristic Threats.

The Commonwealth can prove beyond a reasonable doubt its case based solely

on testimonial evidence. There is no requirement that the Commonwealth prove the

elements of its case with respect to the charges against the minor victim with physical

evidence.

Appellant is correct that the evidence is limited on whether Appellant came

into contact with the minor victim. Testimonial evidence does show that one of the

assailants woke the minor victim up from his bed, took him out of his room and into

A firearm, whether loaded or not, is included in the definition of a deadly weapon. 18 Pa.
'1
C.S. § 2301.

5
Bodily injury is defined as impairment of physical or substantial pain. 18 Pa. C.S. § 2301.
20
 Jonathan's room, and asked him about a safe at the residence. The evidence shows

that this occurred while Appellant and Danko went to the Byers residence to steal

the $50,000 in cash that belonged to Byers.

Nevertheless, Appellant is still guilty of the offenses committed against the

minor victim because of the law on criminal conspiracy in Pennsylvania.

Once there is evidence of the presence of a conspiracy,
conspirators are liable for acts of co-conspirators
committed in furtherance of the conspiracy. Even if the
conspirator did not act as a principal in committing the
underlying crime, he is still criminally liable for the actions
of his co-conspirators taken in furtherance of the
conspiracy. The general rule of law pertaining to the
culpability of conspirators is that each individual member
of the conspiracy is criminally responsible for the acts of
his co-conspirators committed in furtherance of the
conspiracy. The co-conspirator rule assigns legal
culpability equally to all members of the conspiracy. All co-
conspirators are responsible for actions undertaken in
furtherance of the conspiracy regardless of their individual
knowledge of such actions and regardless of which member
of the conspiracy undertook the action.

Comtnoruuealili v. Lambert, 795 A.2d 1010, 1016-17 (Pa. Super. 2002) (citations

omitted).

An agreement was formed between Appellant, Richardson, Harris, and Danko.

The agreement was that Danko would use her relationship with Ronald to enter the

house, determine who was all in the house and where they were located, and let the

other co-conspirators in the house. At that time, the agreement was that the co-

conspirators, including Appellant, would enter the house with guns and masks on

and steal money and drugs, if any, from the residence. During the incident, Appellant

21
 and his co-conspirators used force and threats in order to get the victims to comply

with their demands.

Even though Appellant did not come into contact with the minor victim, it was

foreseeable and in furtherance of the conspiracy that one of the co-conspirators would

use the minor victim as a way to get the victims to comply with their demands. The

testimonial evidence provided at trial was enough to prove an agreement was made

amongst Appellant and his co-conspirators and thus Appellant was responsible for

the underlying offenses of Unlawful Restraint of a Minor and False Imprisonment of

a Minor. Therefore, Appellant's sixth concise issue is without merit.

VII. SORNA's requirements are not unconstitutional since they are not
punitive in nature and merely a collateral consequence of
Appellant's convictions

Appellant contends in his next concise issue that it is unconstitutional to

require him to register for a period that exceeds the statutory maximum of the crime

for which he was sentenced. Essentially, Appellant believes the registration

requirements constitute punitive measures. The United States Supreme Court

announced a two-prong test where the court must first inquire into whether the

legislature's intent was to impose punishment, and, if not, whether the measures are

nonetheless punitive in its effect. Smith v. Doe, 538 U.S. 84.

The first prong requires a look at the General Assembly's intent in its

enactment of SORNA. Specifically, the General Assembly decided to strengthen the

registration laws of sexual offenders.

This Commonwealth's laws regarding registration of
sexual offenders need to be strengthened. The Adam

22
 Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 provides a
mechanism for the Commonwealth to increase its
regulation of sexual offenders in a manner which is
nonpuniiiue but offers an increased measure of protection
to the citizens of this Commonwealth.

42 Pa. C.S. § 9799.ll(a)(2) (emphasis added).

Furthermore, the General Assembly's declared policy states:

It is the policy of the Commonwealth to require the
exchange of relevant information about sexual offenders
among public agencies and officials and to authorize the
release of necessary and relevant information about sexual
offenders to members of the general public as a means of
assuring public protection and shall not be construed as
punitive.

42 Pa. C.S. § 9799. ll(b)(2) (emphasis added).

The statute states clearly that the purpose of the act is not to punish the

offender, but to protect the general public. Moreover, the General Assembly

referenced it twice, thus reinforcing its intent. We conclude the General Assembly's

purpose of registration was not to impose punishment. See Commonwealth v.

Mcilonough; 96 A.3d 1067 (Pa. Super. 2014); Commonwealth v. Balchick, 1720 WDA

2014.

The effect of SO RNA is also nonpunitive. At the time of sentencing, Appellant

was informed that as a result of convictions of Unlawful Restraint of a Minor and

False Imprisonment of a Minor, he is a Tier III offender and required to register under

SO RNA for the remainder of his life.

Nevertheless, the registration requirements have no effect on an offender's

term of imprisonment or the amount of fine imposed for the underlying offense. The

23
 registration requirement is a "collateral consequence of the defendant's plea, as it

cannot be considered to have a definite, immediate and largely automatic effect on a

defendant's punishment." Commonuiealtli v. Benner, 853 A.2d 1068, 1070 (Pa. Super.

2004).

Furthermore, the Act's registration and notification requirements do not

significantly restrain registrants, who remain free to live where they choose, come

and go as they · please, and seek whatever employment they may desire.

Commonwealth v. Maldonado, 576 Pa. 101, 838 A.2d 710, 717 (2003); William,s, 574

Pa. at 506, 832 A.2d at 973. Since SORNA's registration requirements. are

nonpunitive in both intent and effect, then Appellant's seventh concise issue is

without merit.

VIII. The Adam Walsh Act is constitutional as its registration
requirements are remedial in nature

Appellant's last concise issue is whether the Adam Walsh Act is

unconstitutional in requiring Appellant to register as a lifetime offender. The

General Assembly found that "[s]exual offenders pose a high risk of committing

additional sexual offenses and protection of the public from this type of offender is a

paramount governmental interest." 42 Pa. C.S. § 9799. l l(a)(4). To combat recidivism

and protect the public, the legislature requires an offender to register for fifteen

years, twenty-five years, or life, depending on the crime(s) committed. Appellant's

convictions fell into the Tier III category, thus mandating him to register for life.

Requiring him to meet those conditions is not excessive by the very nature that the

registration requirements are not punitive.

24
 Although the discrepancy between his sentencing term and his registration

term may seem excessive, Pennsylvania Supreme Court has ruled, "[bjecause we do

not view the registration requirements as punitive but, rather, remedial, we do not

perceive mandating compliance by offenders who have served their maximum term

to be improper." Commonwealth u. Gaffney, 557 Pa 327, 733 A.2cl 616, 622 (1999).

Unless and until Appellant presents credible evidence to combat the General

Assembly's purpose and legislative findings of SORNA, his obligation to register for

life is constitutional. Therefore, we find Appellant's last concise issue without merit.

B~THE~T:

ATTEST:

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