J-S27044-17
NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
PENNSYLVANIA
Appellee
v.
KARIEM JOHNSON,
Appellant No. 1364 EDA 2016
Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence April 20, 2016
in the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County
Criminal Division at No.: CP-51-CR-0005327-2015
BEFORE: GANTMAN, P.J., OTT, J., and PLATT, J.*
MEMORANDUM BY PLATT, J.: FILED MAY 10, 2017
Appellant, Kariem Johnson, appeals from the judgment of sentence
imposed April 20, 2016, following his non-jury trial conviction of robbery,
simple assault, violations of the Uniform Firearms Act, possessing an
instrument of a crime, and recklessly endangering another person.1
Appellant challenges the weight and sufficiency of the evidence supporting
his conviction, and argues that the court erred in admitting testimony from
the preliminary hearing. We affirm.
We take the factual and procedural history in this matter from our
review of the certified record, and the trial court’s July 22, 2016 opinion.
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*
Retired Senior Judge assigned to the Superior Court.
1
18 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 3701(a)(1)(iv), 2701(a), 6110.2(a), 6106(a)(1), 6108,
6105(a)(1), 907(a), and 2705(a) respectively.
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On March 22, 2015, at 8:30 in the evening, several people
were inside of Eddie Barrow’s Barbershop/Speakeasy located at
201 North 60th Street in Philadelphia. It was closing time and
[Appellant] was asked to leave. Upon approaching the door,
[Appellant] spun around, pulled out a gun and announced [“]this
is a stick up[.”] [Appellant] pointed the gun at the proprietor,
Charles Dunning, and soon thereafter the occupants of the shop
snatched the gun away from [Appellant], [and] subdued [him],
holding him there until the police arrived. After disarming
[Appellant], one of the victims, Loochi, took the gun and put it in
the trunk of his car. When the police inquired about the gun,
Jimmy Carr got the keys to the trunk and showed the police
where the gun was located. A ballistic report was entered into
evidence that the recovered firearm was operable and loaded.
(Trial Court Opinion, 7/22/16, at 3) (record citations omitted).
The trial court conducted a non-jury trial in this matter on February
11, 2016, during which it permitted the Commonwealth to offer the May 22,
2015, preliminary hearing notes of testimony of Charles Dunning, who had
passed away prior to trial. (See N.T. Trial, 2/11/16, at 10-34). At the
conclusion of the trial, the court found Appellant guilty of all charges. On
April 20, 2016, Appellant was sentenced to an aggregate sentence of not
less than five, nor more than ten years of incarceration, followed by five
years of probation. The court denied Appellant’s motion for reconsideration
of sentence on April 27, 2016. This timely appeal followed.2
Appellant raises three questions on appeal:
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2
Pursuant to the trial court’s order, Appellant filed his statement of matters
complained of on appeal on June 3, 2016. The court issued its opinion on
July 22, 2016. See Pa.R.A.P. 1925.
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I. Whether the trial [court] erred as a matter of law by finding
the Appellant guilty of the charges in this case, a verdict which
was against the weight and sufficiency of the evidence[?]
II. Whether the trial [court] erred as a matter of law by denying
the motion for judgment of aquittal [sic] during the trial in this
case[?]
III. Whether the motion [court] erred as a matter of law by
granting the admissibility of the notes of testimony from the
preliminary hearing into trial[?]
(Appellant’s Brief, at 7) (unnecessary capitalization omitted).3
In his first issue, Appellant attempts to challenge both the sufficiency
and the weight of the evidence to support his conviction. (See id. at 10-
13). However, he has waived both of these claims.
[W]here 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. It is not the obligation of [an appellate court . .
.] to formulate [a]ppellant’s arguments for him. Moreover,
because the burden rests with the appealing party to develop the
argument sufficiently, an appellee’s failure to advocate for
waiver is of no moment.
Wirth v. Commonwealth, 95 A.3d 822, 837 (Pa. 2014) (quotation marks
and citations omitted); see also Commonwealth v. Bryant, 57 A.3d 191,
197 n.8 (Pa. Super. 2012) (finding waiver where appellant’s discussion
focused solely on arguments related to sufficiency of evidence).
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3
Although this Court granted the Commonwealth’s application for an
extension of time to file a brief, the Commonwealth did not do so.
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Here, Appellant failed to develop any argument that his conviction was
against the weight of the evidence. (See Appellant’s Brief, at 10-13).
Instead he simply argued “the Commonwealth has failed to demonstrate
that the Appellant is guilty of the charges in this case beyond a reasonable
doubt. Additionally the verdict is against the weight and sufficiency of the
evidence.” (Id. at 13). Appellant’s argument includes no further discussion
with respect to the weight of the evidence. Accordingly, we conclude that
Appellant has waived his challenge to the weight of the evidence. See
Wirth, supra at 837; Bryant, supra at 197 n.8.
Additionally, Appellant has waived his challenge to the sufficiency of
the evidence.
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. 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. . . .
Commonwealth v. Garland, 63 A.3d 339, 344 (Pa. Super. 2013) (citations
and quotation marks omitted).
Here, Appellant’s concise statement of errors complained of on appeal
merely states: “The trial [court] erred as a matter of law by finding
[Appellant] guilty of the charges in this case, a verdict which was against the
weight and sufficiency of the evidence.” (See Statement of Errors
Complained of on Appeal, 6/03/16). Appellant’s statement of the questions
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involved is equally vague. (See Appellant’s Brief, at 7). Appellant fails to
specify the crimes and element or elements for which he alleges the
evidence was insufficient. Thus, we conclude Appellant has waived his
challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence. See Garland, supra at 344.
Moreover, we observe that even if Appellant had not waived his
sufficiency claim, it would not merit relief. In his discussion, Appellant
argues that the evidence was insufficient “to prove beyond a reasonable
doubt that [he] is guilty of robbery because the Commonwealth has failed to
demonstrate that [he] intentionally put another in fear of immediate serious
bodily injury.” (Appellant’s Brief, at 13). We disagree.
Our standard for evaluating sufficiency of the evidence is
whether the evidence, viewed in the light most favorable to the
Commonwealth [as verdict winner], is sufficient to enable a
reasonable [fact-finder] to find every element of the crime
beyond a reasonable doubt. [T]he entire trial record must be
evaluated and all evidence actually received must be considered,
whether or not the trial court’s rulings thereon were correct.
Moreover, [t]he Commonwealth may sustain its burden of
proving every element of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt
by means of wholly circumstantial evidence. Finally, the trier of
fact, while passing upon the credibility of witnesses and the
weight to be afforded the evidence produced, is free to believe
all, part or none of the evidence.
Commonwealth v. Shull, 148 A.3d 820, 844 (Pa. Super. 2016) (citation
omitted).
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Here, following the non-jury trial, the court convicted Appellant of
robbery graded as a felony of the second degree.4 Under Section
3701(a)(1)(iv), a defendant is guilty of robbery if, while in the course of
committing a theft, he “inflicts bodily injury upon another or threatens
another with or intentionally puts him in fear of immediate bodily injury[.]”
18 Pa.C.S.A. § 3701(a)(1)(iv).
“An aggressive act intended to place the victim in fear that he was in
danger of immediate physical harm was sufficient to elevate an attempted
theft to robbery, [see] 18 Pa.C.S.[A.] § 3701(a)(1)(iv). Whether the victim
was in fact put in fear under such circumstances was not controlling.”
Commonwealth v. Leatherbury, 473 A.2d 1040, 1042 (Pa. Super. 1984)
(citations omitted).
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4
Both the trial court and Appellant discuss the sufficiency of the evidence to
support Appellant’s robbery, a felony of the first degree, conviction pursuant
to 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 3701(a)(1)(ii); however, a review of the certified record,
including the notes of testimony from the non-jury trial and sentencing,
reveals that Appellant was convicted of robbery as a felony of the second
degree and was sentenced accordingly, to not less than five nor more than
ten years’ incarceration. (See Appellant’s Brief, at 12-13; Trial Ct. Op., at
4; see also N.T. Trial, at 117; N.T. Sentencing, 4/20/16, at 10; Order,
4/20/16, at unnumbered page 2); 18 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 3701(a)(1)(ii), (iv).
Therefore, we evaluate Appellant’s claim to discern whether the evidence
was sufficient to support his conviction of robbery as a felony of the second
degree in violation of section 3701(a)(1)(iv). See Commonwealth v.
Taggart, 997 A.2d 1189, 1197 n.10 (Pa. Super. 2010), appeal denied, 17
A.3d 1254 (Pa. 2011) (“[I]t is established that we can affirm the trial court
on any valid basis.”).
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Here, testimony at trial demonstrated that Appellant pulled out a gun,
pointed it at Mr. Dunning, and stated, “this is a stick up.” (N.T. Trial, at 13).
Viewed in the light most favorable to the Commonwealth, as verdict winner,
such evidence was sufficient to establish that Appellant threatened Mr.
Dunning with serious bodily injury, and put the other patrons of the
speakeasy in fear of immediate bodily injury. See Shull, supra at 844;
Leatherbury, supra at 1042 (reasoning “[n]either the fact that [the
appellants] did not inflict bodily injury nor that they were unsuccessful in
obtaining the victim’s money was controlling.”). Accordingly, we conclude
the evidence presented was sufficient to support Appellant’s conviction for
robbery graded as a felony of the second degree. See Taggart, supra at
1197 n.10. Therefore, even if not waived, Appellant’s challenge to the
sufficiency of the evidence would fail.
In his second issue, Appellant argues that the trial court erred when it
denied his motion for acquittal. (See Appellant’s Brief, at 14).5 “A motion
for judgment of acquittal challenges the sufficiency of the evidence to
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5
Appellant’s half-page argument on this matter is underdeveloped, does not
include citation to the record, and fails to set forth a legal argument,
supported by case law and based on the facts of this case, that he is entitled
to relief. See Pa.R.A.P. 2119(a)-(c). Therefore, we could also conclude that
he has waived this claim. See Pa.R.A.P. 2101; Commonwealth v. Gibbs,
981 A.2d 274, 281 (Pa. Super. 2009), appeal denied, 3 A.3d 670 (Pa. 2010)
(finding claim waived where appellant’s argument is underdeveloped and
fails to develop argument supported by legal authority). However, we
decline to do so.
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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.” Commonwealth v. Hutchinson, 947 A.2d 800, 805 (Pa. Super.
2008), appeal denied, 980 A.2d 606 (Pa. 2009) (citations omitted). As
discussed above, we conclude that the evidence was sufficient to support
Appellant’s conviction.6 We decline to reevaluate the sufficiency of the
evidence.
In his final issue, Appellant claims that the trial court erred by
admitting Mr. Dunning’s testimony from the preliminary hearing. (See
Appellant’s Brief, at 15-18). Specifically, he argues that the notes of
testimony were hearsay evidence, which the court should not have admitted
because he did not have a full and fair opportunity to cross-examine Mr.
Dunning. (See id. at 17). Appellant contends that the opportunity to cross-
examine was limited because Mr. Dunning had testified at a preliminary
hearing, which “is a much less searching exploration into the merits of a
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6
Appellant invites us to “evaluate the entire record, and read in the light
most favorable to the defense, to determine whether the evidence
presented at trial . . . was sufficient to prove all of the elements of the crime
beyond a reasonable doubt.” (Appellant’s Brief, at 14) (emphasis added).
However, he misstates the standard of review for denial of a motion for
judgment of acquittal. The appropriate standard of review for this challenge
to the sufficiency of the evidence “is whether viewing all the evidence
admitted at trial in the light most favorable to the verdict winner, there is
sufficient evidence to enable the fact-finder to find every element of the
crime beyond a reasonable doubt.” Hutchinson, supra at 805 (citations
omitted) (emphasis added).
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case than a trial because a preliminary hearing serves the limited function of
establishing a prima facie case against the accused.” (Id.) (citation
omitted). Appellant’s claim does not merit relief.
“Questions concerning the admissibility of evidence lie within the
sound discretion of the trial court, and we will not reverse the court’s
decision on such a question absent a clear abuse of discretion.”
Commonwealth v. Chmiel, 738 A.2d 406, 414 (Pa. 1999), cert. denied,
528 U.S. 1131 (2000) (citation omitted). An abuse of discretion constitutes
“not merely an error of judgment, but where the judgment is manifestly
unreasonable or where the law is not applied or where the record shows that
the action is a result of partiality, prejudice, bias or ill will.”
Commonwealth v. Widmer, 744 A.2d 745, 753 (Pa. 2000) (citation
omitted).
“The Commonwealth may not be deprived of its ability to present
inculpatory evidence at trial merely because the defendant, despite having
the opportunity to do so, did not cross-examine the witness at the
preliminary hearing stage as extensively as he might have done at trial.”
Commonwealth v. Johnson, 758 A.2d 166, 169 (Pa. Super. 2000), appeal
denied, 781 A.2d 140 (Pa. 2001) (citation omitted); see also
Commonwealth v. Bazemore, 614 A.2d 684, 687 (Pa. 1992) (reasoning
that “[w]hether prior testimony was given at trial or at any other
proceeding, where, as here, admission of that prior testimony is being
sought as substantive evidence against the accused, we conclude that the
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standard to be applied is that of full and fair opportunity to cross-examine.”)
(emphasis omitted).
Here, the trial court explained its reasoning for admitting Mr.
Dunning’s preliminary hearing testimony as follows:
That Mr. Dunning was unavailable is beyond question.
Likewise, the notes of testimony clearly show [Appellant] was
represented at the time of the preliminary hearing. The only
other issue is whether [Appellant] had a full and fair opportunity
to cross-examine the declarant. The issue is not whether new
counsel would have made other inquiry, but whether or not
there was the opportunity to cross-examine the witness.
Further, it is not whether that cross-examination was effective
that is dipositive. It is crystal clear that our courts have
uniformly decided that the admissibility of former testimony and
its ability to withstand Confrontation Clause challenges derives
not from the actual conduct or content of cross-examination, but
from its availability. The notes of testimony clearly show that
[Appellant] had a full and fair opportunity to cross-examine the
declarant at the preliminary hearing and as such [Appellant’s]
complaint is without merit.
(Trial Ct. Op., at 7) (emphasis in original; quotation marks and citations
omitted).
Upon review, we conclude that the trial court did not abuse its
discretion in admitting Mr. Dunning’s preliminary hearing testimony, where
Mr. Dunning was unavailable at trial, and defense counsel had a full and fair
opportunity to cross-examine him during the preliminary hearing. See
Widmer, supra at 753; Chmiel, supra at 414. Appellant’s final issue does
not merit relief.
Judgment of sentence affirmed.
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Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary
Date: 5/10/2017
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