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NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
: PENNSYLVANIA
:
v. :
:
:
AMBER WILKINSON :
:
Appellant : No. 1885 MDA 2017
Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence Entered November 2, 2017
In the Court of Common Pleas of Luzerne County Criminal Division at
No(s): CP-40-CR-0004406-2016
BEFORE: GANTMAN, P.J., NICHOLS, J., and FORD ELLIOTT, P.J.E.
MEMORANDUM BY NICHOLS, J.: FILED OCTOBER 19, 2018
Appellant Amber Wilkinson appeals from the judgment of sentence
imposed following her conviction of driving under the influence 1 (DUI)—
general impairment at a non-jury trial. Appellant raises sufficiency and weight
of the evidence claims. Appellant also asserts that the trial court improperly
permitted a police officer to testify regarding the administration of field
sobriety tests when a different officer had administered the tests. We affirm.
On August 22, 2016, at approximately 4:00 p.m., Appellant was
operating a vehicle near the intersection of Kidder and Mundy Streets in
Wilkes-Barre. Appellant drove through an intersection and hit the front end
of another vehicle, ripping off its front bumper. N.T., 9/27/17, at 6.
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1 75 Pa.C.S. § 3802(a)(1).
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Wilkes-Barre City Police Officer Sara Chmielewski immediately
responded to a report of the accident. Id. at 5. Officer Chmielewski spoke
with Appellant and noticed that Appellant’s speech was slow and slurred and
that Appellant’s eyes were “glossy” and red. Id. at 7-8. Appellant admitted
that she was driving and had taken muscle relaxers “in the last day.” Id. at
7, 9.
Officer Chmielewski requested that Acting Sergeant Corey Dumont
come to the location to conduct field sobriety tests.2 Once he arrived,
Sergeant Dumont asked Wilkinson to perform tests while Officer Chmielewski
observed from several feet away. Id. at 8, 15. Appellant performed poorly
on the field sobriety tests as demonstrated by her lack of balance and inability
to count her steps correctly. Id. at 9. Appellant was unable to blow into a
portable breath test device properly despite being instructed on how to do so.
Id. at 10. Appellant told the police to “just take [her] in already.” Id.
Appellant was transported to the hospital, where she refused to have her blood
drawn, and from there she was transported to the police station. Id. at 11,
22-23.
Appellant was charged with DUI—general impairment, and a non-jury
trial was held on September 27, 2017. Officer Chmielewski testified for the
Commonwealth, and, in relevant part, described Appellant’s poor performance
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2Officer Chmielewski was not certified to perform field sobriety tests, although
certification was not required to administer the tests. See N.T. at 14.
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during the field sobriety tests. Appellant’s counsel did not object.3 See id. at
8-9. Sergeant Dumont did not testify at trial.
Appellant testified that she did not believe the accident was her fault
because the light was green when she went through the intersection. Id. at
18. Appellant stated that she had taken one prescribed muscle relaxant the
evening before, but suggested that it would not affect her ability to drive
because she takes it and uses heavy machinery at work while on the
medication. Id. at 20, 22. Appellant also stated that she had difficulty
completing the field sobriety tests because her sciatica was “acting up” and
“the sun was glaring in [her] eyes.” Id. at 21. Appellant’s mother also
testified, stating that she knows what Appellant looks like while intoxicated
and that Appellant was not intoxicated when she picked her up from the police
station around 8:00 p.m. the day of the incident. Id. at 26-27.
The trial court found Appellant guilty of DUI—general impairment. On
November 2, 2017, the court sentenced Appellant to forty-eight hours to six
months of incarceration.4
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3 Appellant’s counsel did object when Officer Chmielewski testified that
Appellant took the breath test twice. The trial court overruled the objection
because the Commonwealth was not seeking to introduce any results through
the testimony, but merely the fact that Appellant was unable to complete the
test. See N.T. at 10.
4 Appellant was not subject to an enhanced sentence for her refusal of a blood
test.
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Appellant filed a timely notice of appeal.5 Appellant and the trial court
complied with Pa.R.A.P. 1925.
Appellant raises the six issues, which we have reordered as follows:
1. Whether the [trial c]ourt erred in not ruling that the evidence
was insufficient as a matter of law to establish [Appellant’s]
guilt beyond a reasonable doubt on the charges[.]
2. Whether the [trial c]ourt erred in not finding that [Appellant]
was innocent as a matter of law as the Commonwealth did not
meet its burden of proof that [Appellant] operated her motor
vehicle while impaired[.]
3. Whether the [trial c]ourt erred in finding [Appellant] guilty of
the criminal charges because the [c]ourt’s verdict was based
on insufficient evidence and/or was against the weight of the
evidence[.]
4. Whether the evidence submitted at trial by the Commonwealth
was insufficient as a matter of law to establish [Appellant’s]
guilt beyond a reasonable doubt on the charges[.]
5. Whether the [t]rial [c]ourt improperly admitted into evidence
and then relied in error upon responding Officer Chmielewski’s
testimony as to the methods and manner of the administration
of the [f]ield [s]obriety [t]ests by certified Acting Sergeant
Corey Dumont, and in permitting Officer Chmielewski to testify
as to the conclusions of the officer who administered them, but
who was not present in [c]ourt and subject to the cross-
examination of [Appellant.]
6. Whether the [t]rial [c]ourt improperly permitted Officer
Chmielewski to express an opinion as to the methods and
manner of the administration of the [f]ield [s]obriety [t]ests by
Acting Sergeant Corey Dumont, who did not testify at [t]rial[.]
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5The thirtieth day after sentencing fell on December 2, 2017, a Saturday.
See Pa.R.A.P. 903(a). Therefore, Appellant’s notice of appeal, filed Monday,
December 4, 2017, was timely. See 1 Pa.C.S. § 1908.
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Appellant’s Brief at 4-5.
Appellant’s first four issues challenge the sufficiency and weight of the
evidence.6 Appellant asserts that Officer Chmielewski did not observe
Appellant driving. Id. at 24. Appellant also argues that Officer Chmielewski
did not establish she was intoxicated. See id. at 24-26. Specifically,
Appellant contends that the officer did not explain how she knew Appellant’s
speech was slurred when the officer had never heard her speak before. Id.
at 24. Appellant notes that that she had difficulties performing the field
sobriety tests because of a back injury and the sun being in her eyes. Id. at
24-25. Further, Appellant argues that the trial court “ignored the testimony
of [] Appellant and her [m]other and convicted [her]” of DUI—general
impairment. Id. at 26. Appellant also asserts that “at the [t]rial below, no
testimony had been proffered to establish that alcohol was the cause of
[Appellant’s] alleged impaired ability to drive safely.” Id. at 27.
It is well-settled that
[t]he standard we apply in reviewing 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. In applying [the above] test,
we may not weigh the evidence and substitute our judgment for
the fact-finder. In addition, we note that the facts and
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6 To the extent Appellant raises a challenge to the weight of the evidence, this
issue is waived because Appellant raised it for the first time in her Rule
1925(b) statement. See Pa.R.Crim.P. 607(A) (providing that a claim that a
verdict is against the weight of the evidence must be raised in a motion for a
new trial); Commonwealth v. Sherwood, 982 A.2d 483, 494 (Pa. 2009).
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circumstances established by the Commonwealth need not
preclude every possibility of innocence. Any doubts regarding a
defendant’s guilt may be resolved by the fact-finder unless the
evidence is so weak and inconclusive that as a matter of law no
probability of fact may be drawn from the combined
circumstances. The Commonwealth may sustain its burden of
proving every element of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt by
means of wholly circumstantial evidence. Moreover, in applying
the above test, the entire record must be evaluated and all
evidence actually received must be considered. Finally, the [trier]
of fact while passing upon the credibility of witnesses and the
weight of the evidence produced, is free to believe all, part or none
of the evidence.
Commonwealth v. Tucker, 143 A.3d 955, 964 (Pa. Super. 2016) (citation
omitted), appeal denied, 165 A.3d 895 (Pa. 2017).
Section 3802(a)(1) defines DUI—general impairment as follows: “An
individual may not drive, operate or be in actual physical control of the
movement of a vehicle after imbibing a sufficient amount of alcohol such that
the individual is rendered incapable of safely driving, operating or being in
actual physical control of the movement of the vehicle.” 75 Pa.C.S. §
3802(a)(1) (emphasis added). Accordingly, the Commonwealth has the
burden of proving “(1) that the defendant was the operator of a motor vehicle
and (2) that while operating the vehicle, the defendant was under the
influence of alcohol to such a degree as to render him or her incapable of safe
driving.” Commonwealth v. Smith, 831 A.2d 636, 638 (Pa. Super. 2003).
Regarding the type, quantum, and quality of evidence necessary to
prove a violation of DUI—general impairment, we note the following:
Section 3802(a)(1), like its predecessor [DUI statute], is a general
provision and provides no specific restraint upon the
Commonwealth in the manner in which it may prove that an
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accused operated a vehicle under the influence of alcohol to a
degree which rendered him incapable of safe driving . . . . The
types of evidence that the Commonwealth may proffer in a
subsection 3802(a)(1) prosecution include but are not limited to,
the following: the offender’s actions and behavior, including
manner of driving and ability to pass field sobriety tests;
demeanor, including toward the investigating officer; physical
appearance, particularly bloodshot eyes and other physical signs
of intoxication; odor of alcohol, and slurred speech. . . . The weight
to be assigned these various types of evidence presents a question
for the fact-finder, who may rely on his or her experience,
common sense, and/or expert testimony. Regardless of the type
of evidence that the Commonwealth proffers to support its case,
the focus of subsection 3802(a)(1) remains on the inability of the
individual to drive safely due to consumption of alcohol—not on a
particular blood alcohol level.
Commonwealth v. Eichler, 133 A.3d 775, 790 (Pa. Super. 2016), appeal
denied, 161 A.3d 791 (Pa. 2016) (citation omitted). We note that “classic
signs of intoxication[ include] red, glassy eyes and slurred, slow speech.”
Commonwealth v. Teems, 74 A.3d 142, 147 (Pa. Super. 2013).
At the outset, we note that there was ample evidence that Appellant
was driving, especially considering that Appellant admitted she was operating
the vehicle involved in the accident. N.T. at 7. Thus, the first element of the
offense of DUI—general impairment was satisfied. See Smith, 831 A.2d at
638.
As to the second element of DUI—general impairment, requiring that
Appellant was operating the vehicle while under the influence, we note that
Officer Chmielewski responded to the scene shortly after receiving a report
that the accident occurred. Upon arriving, the officer immediately observed
signs that Appellant had consumed alcohol that impaired her ability to drive.
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In particular, the evidence that the Commonwealth properly proffered to show
that Appellant was impaired by alcohol included that Appellant had slurred
speech, red, glossy eyes, and lacked an ability to balance. See Eichler, 133
A.3d at 790; Teems, 74 A.3d at 147. These indicia of intoxication support
an inference that Appellant was impaired by alcohol consumption. Tucker,
143 A.3d at 964. Accordingly, the Commonwealth satisfied the second
element of DUI—general impairment such that Appellant is not entitled to
relief.
Appellant’s final two issues regarding Officer Chmielewski’s testimony
are related and we address them together. Appellant asserts that the trial
court improperly allowed Officer Chmielewski to “express an opinion as to the
methods and manner of administration of the [f]ield [s]obriety [t]ests by
Acting Sergeant Corey Dumont, and to testify as to Acting Sergeant Dumont’s
conclusions.” Id. at 19. Appellant further argues that “[b]ecause it required
specialized knowledge, Officer Chmielewski’s testimony was inadmissible as
‘lay opinion,’” and “Officer Chmielewski could not have testified as an expert
in this case [because] Officer Chmielewski was not ‘qualified’ as an expert[.]”
Id. at 21 (citing Pa.R.E. 701, 702).
Initially, we note that this issue is waived because of the failure of
counsel to object at trial to Officer Chmielewski’s observations regarding
Appellant being off balance and failing to count her steps properly during the
field sobriety tests. See Pa.R.A.P. 302(a). Additionally, Appellant failed to
include this issue in her concise statement. See Commonwealth v.
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Barnhart, 933 A.2d 1061, 1066 n.10 (Pa. Super. 2007) (citation omitted)
(indicating that an appellant’s failure to include an issue in a Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b)
statement results in waiver of the issue).
Even if this issue were not waived, Officer Chmielewski did not testify
as an expert and was permitted to provide lay testimony on the subject of
Appellant’s signs of intoxication.
In general,
[t]he standard of review employed when faced with a challenge to
the trial court’s decision as to whether or not to admit evidence is
well settled. Questions concerning the admissibility of evidence
lie within the sound discretion of the trial court, and a reviewing
court will not reverse the trial court’s decision absent a clear abuse
of discretion. Abuse of discretion is not merely an error of
judgment, but rather 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. Young, 989 A.2d 920, 924 (Pa. Super. 2010) (citations
omitted).
Pennsylvania Rule of Evidence 702 provides:
A witness who is qualified as an expert by knowledge, skill,
experience, training, or education may testify in the form of an
opinion or otherwise if:
(a) the expert’s scientific, technical, or other specialized
knowledge is beyond that possessed by the average
layperson;
(b) the expert’s scientific, technical, or other specialized
knowledge will help the trier of fact to understand the
evidence or to determine a fact in issue; and
(c) the expert’s methodology is generally accepted in the
relevant field.
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Pa.R.E. 702. Pennsylvania Rule of Evidence 701 provides:
If a witness is not testifying as an expert, testimony in the form
of an opinion is limited to one that is:
(a) rationally based on the witness’s perception;
(b) helpful to clearly understanding the witness’s testimony
or to determining a fact in issue; and
(c) not based on scientific, technical, or other specialized
knowledge within the scope of Rule 702.
Pa.R.E. 701. A layperson is permitted to testify to certain indicia of
intoxication. See Commonwealth v. Ragan, 652 A.2d 925, 928 (Pa. Super.
1995) (noting that “non-expert testimony is admissible to prove intoxication
where such testimony is based upon the witness’ observation of the
defendant’s acts and speech and where the witness can opine as to whether
the defendant was [intoxicated]”).7
Here, the Commonwealth was not required to qualify Officer
Chmielewski as an expert in order for her to testify to her own observations
of Appellant’s failure to follow instructions. Moreover, Officer Chmielewski did
not testify that Appellant was considered to be under the influence specifically
for failing a field sobriety test or that Appellant had failed any of the tests.
Rather, the officer testified to indicia of intoxication to which a layperson is
permitted to testify, including Appellant’s slurred speech, red, glossy eyes,
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7 We may rely on case law predating the enactment of the Pennsylvania Rules
of Evidence to the extent the case law does not contradict the
rules. Commonwealth v. Aikens, 990 A.2d 1181, 1185 n.2 (Pa. Super.
2010).
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and inability to maintain her balance. See id. Accordingly, the trial court did
not err in permitting Officer Chmielewski’s testimony on this subject.
Judgment of sentence affirmed.
Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary
Date: 10/19/2018
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Com. v. Wilkinson, A.
Combined Opinion