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NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37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. :
:
:
MATTHEW RYAN BRYANT :
:
Appellant : No. 1351 MDA 2019
Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence Entered July 15, 2019
In the Court of Common Pleas of Lackawanna County Criminal Division at
No(s): CP-35-CR-0001501-2018
BEFORE: OLSON, J., MURRAY, J., and COLINS, J.*
MEMORANDUM BY MURRAY, J.: FILED MAY 21, 2020
Matthew Ryan Bryant (Appellant) appeals from the judgment of
sentence imposed after he pled guilty to two counts of rape of a child. 1 We
affirm.
During an interview with the Scranton Police Department Special Victims
Unit on July 20, 2018, Appellant admitted to engaging in sexual intercourse
with two minors who were both less than 13 years of age. See Trial Court
Opinion, 11/20/19, at 4. On October 31, 2018, Appellant pled guilty to two
counts of rape of a child. The trial court deferred sentencing for the
preparation of a pre-sentence investigation (PSI) report. On May 17, 2019,
the trial court sentenced Appellant to an aggregate 24 to 60 years of
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* Retired Senior Judge assigned to the Superior Court.
1 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 3121(c).
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incarceration and designated Appellant a sexually violent predator (SVP)
under the Pennsylvania Sexual Offenders Registration and Notification Act
(SORNA), 42 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 9799.10-9799.41. See N.T., 5/17/19, at 34.
On May 22, 2019, the Commonwealth filed a post-sentence motion to
modify Appellant’s sentence to include a restitution component for the Victims
Compensation Assistance Program. Although still represented by counsel, on
June 3, 2019, Appellant filed a pro se petition pursuant to the Post Conviction
Relief Act (PCRA), 42 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 9541-9546, challenging the discretionary
aspects of his sentence and seeking to vacate his SVP designation. On June
7, 2019, Appellant filed a counseled motion for reconsideration of sentence,
raising identical claims to those raised in his pro se PCRA petition. The trial
court dismissed Appellant’s pro se PCRA petition as premature on June 14,
2019.
On July 15, 2019, the trial court issued an order disposing of both
parties’ post-sentence motions and modifying its May 17, 2019 sentencing
order. In its order, the court granted the Commonwealth’s request for
restitution, vacated Appellant’s SVP designation, but denied Appellant’s
motion for reconsideration of sentence on all other grounds. This timely
appeal followed.2 Both Appellant and the trial court have complied with
Pennsylvania Rule of Appellate Procedure 1925.
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2 Because the Commonwealth filed a timely motion to modify sentence,
Appellant had 30 days from the trial court’s July 15, 2019 order to file his
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Appellant presents a single issue for our review:
WHETHER THE COURT ERRED AND/OR ABUSED ITS DISCRETION
IN SENTENCING [APPELLANT] TO 24 TO 60 YEARS
INCARCERATION WHEN THE COURT CONSIDERED IRRELEVANT
AND IMPERMISSIBLE EVIDENCE, THE COURT ONLY CONSIDERED
THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE OFFENSE WHILE FAILING TO
CONSIDER THE CHARACTER OF [APPELLANT], AND THE
SENTENCE WAS MANIFESTLY EXCESSIVE?
Appellant’s Brief at 3.
Appellant challenges the discretionary aspects of his sentence. “The
right to appellate review of the discretionary aspects of a sentence is not
absolute, and must be considered a petition for permission to appeal.”
Commonwealth v. Buterbaugh, 91 A.3d 1247, 1265 (Pa. Super. 2014).
“An appellant must satisfy a four-part test to invoke this Court’s jurisdiction
when challenging the discretionary aspects of a sentence.” Id. We conduct
this four-part test to determine whether:
(1) the appellant preserved the issue either by raising it at the
time of sentencing or in a post[-]sentence motion; (2) the
appellant filed a timely notice of appeal; (3) the appellant set forth
a concise statement of reasons relied upon for the allowance of
appeal pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 2119(f); and (4) the appellant raises
a substantial question for our review.
Commonwealth v. Baker, 72 A.3d 652, 662 (Pa. Super. 2013) (citation
omitted). “A defendant presents a substantial question when he sets forth a
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appeal. See Pa.R.Crim.P. 720(A)(4) (“If the Commonwealth files a timely
motion to modify sentence pursuant to Rule 721, the defendant’s notice of
appeal shall be filed within 30 days of the entry of the order disposing of the
Commonwealth’s motion.”). Therefore, Appellant’s appeal filed August 9,
2019 is timely.
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plausible argument that the sentence violates a provision of the sentencing
code or is contrary to the fundamental norms of the sentencing process.”
Commonwealth v. Dodge, 77 A.3d 1263, 1268 (Pa. Super. 2013) (citations
omitted).
Appellant has complied with the first three prongs of the test by raising
his discretionary sentencing claim in a post-sentence motion,3 filing a timely
notice of appeal, and including in his brief a Rule 2119(f) concise statement.
See Appellant’s Brief at 10-11. Therefore, we examine whether Appellant
presents a substantial question for review.
Appellant argues that the trial court imposed an excessive sentence and
considered an impermissible factor in doing so. Appellant’s Brief at 10.
Appellant’s claim raises a substantial question. See Commonwealth v.
Allen, 24 A.3d 1058, 1064-65 (Pa. Super. 2011) (“[A] claim that a sentence
is excessive because the trial court relied on an impermissible factor raises a
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3 Appellant’s motion for reconsideration of sentence was filed more than 10
days after the imposition of his sentence. See Pa.R.Crim.P. 720(A)(1)
(requiring post-sentence motions be filed within 10 days after the imposition
of sentence). However, the trial court expressly granted Appellant permission
to file his motion nunc pro tunc. Order, 7/15/19 (“[Appellant’s] Motion for
Reconsideration of Sentence shall be considered nunc pro tunc . . .”); see
also Commonwealth v. Dreves, 839 A.2d 1122, 1128 (Pa. Super. 2003)
(“If the trial court chooses to permit a defendant to file a post-sentence motion
nunc pro tunc, the court must do so expressly.”). Appellant’s post-sentence
motion is therefore timely. See Commonwealth v. Wright, 846 A.2d 730,
734 (Pa. Super. 2004) (“[W]hen the trial court grants a request to file a post-
sentence motion nunc pro tunc, the post-sentence motion filed as a result
must be treated as though it were filed within the 10-day period following the
imposition of sentence.”) (citation omitted).
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substantial question.”) (citations omitted). Appellant additionally asserts that
the trial court failed to consider his character. Appellant’s Brief at 10. This
claim also raises a substantial question. See Commonwealth v. Swope,
123 A.3d 333, 340 (Pa. Super. 2015) (“This Court has also held that an
excessive sentence claim—in conjunction with an assertion that the court
failed to consider mitigating factors—raises a substantial question.”) (citations
omitted).
In reviewing Appellant’s sentencing challenge, we recognize:
Sentencing is a matter vested in the sound discretion of the
sentencing judge. The standard employed when reviewing the
discretionary aspects of sentencing is very narrow. We may
reverse only if the sentencing court abused its discretion or
committed an error of law. A sentence will not be disturbed on
appeal absent a manifest abuse of discretion. In this context, an
abuse of discretion is not shown merely by an error in judgment.
Rather, the appellant must establish, by reference to the record,
that the sentencing court ignored or misapplied the law, exercised
its judgment for reasons of partiality, prejudice, bias or ill will, or
arrived at a manifestly unreasonable decision. We must accord
the sentencing court’s decision great weight because it was in the
best position to review the defendant’s character, defiance or
indifference, and the overall effect and nature of the crime.
Commonwealth v. Cook, 941 A.2d 7, 11-12 (Pa. Super. 2007) (citations
omitted).
The relevant portion of 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9721(b) states:
In selecting from the alternatives set forth in subsection (a), the
court shall follow the general principle that the sentence imposed
should call for confinement that is consistent with the protection
of the public, the gravity of the offense as it relates to the impact
on the life of the victim and on the community, and the
rehabilitative needs of the defendant. . . . In every case in which
the court imposes a sentence for a felony or misdemeanor . . . the
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court shall make as a part of the record, and disclose in open court
at the time of sentencing, a statement of the reason or reasons
for the sentence imposed.
Id.
Additionally:
[When] imposing sentence, the trial court is required to consider
the particular circumstances of the offense and the character of
the defendant. The trial court should refer to the defendant’s prior
criminal record, age, personal characteristics, and potential for
rehabilitation. However, where the sentencing judge had the
benefit of a presentence investigation report, it will be presumed
that he or she was aware of the relevant information regarding
the defendant’s character and weighed those considerations along
with mitigating statutory factors.
Commonwealth v. Fowler, 893 A.2d 758, 767-68 (Pa. Super. 2006) (citing
Commonwealth v. Boyer, 856 A.2d 149, 154 (Pa. Super. 2004)).
Appellant claims the trial court abused its discretion by considering an
impermissible factor in fashioning his sentence. See Appellant’s Brief at 13-
18. Specifically, Appellant states, “[b]y allowing the arresting officer to testify
and issue opinions and unsubstantiated hearsay about someone he does not
know outside of the one day he interrogated him, the trial court considered
irrelevant and impermissible factors when it imposed its manifestly excessive
sentence.” Id. at 15.
With regard to impermissible sentencing factors, we have stated:
A sentence is invalid if the record discloses that the sentencing
court may have relied in whole or in part upon an impermissible
consideration. This is so because the court violates the
defendant’s right to due process if, in deciding upon the sentence,
it considers unreliable information, or information affecting the
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court’s impartiality, or information that it is otherwise unfair to
hold against the defendant.
Commonwealth v. Downing, 990 A.2d 788, 793 (Pa. Super. 2010)
(citations omitted). However, we are only required to vacate the sentence if
we conclude the court relied upon impermissible factors when imposing its
sentence.
In deciding whether a trial judge considered only permissible
factors in sentencing a defendant, an appellate court must, of
necessity, review all of the judge’s comments. Moreover, in
making this determination it is not necessary that an appellate
court be convinced that the trial judge in fact relied upon an
erroneous consideration; it is sufficient to render a sentence
invalid if it reasonably appears from the record that the trial court
relied in whole or in part upon such a factor.
Commonwealth v. Scott, 860 A.2d 1029, 1030 (Pa. Super. 2004) (citation
omitted).
The trial court provided the following rationale for Appellant’s sentence
at the May 17, 2019 hearing:
[Appellant], [t]he [c]ourt had an opportunity to hear the
arguments of counsel, review the presentence investigation, and,
more importantly, review the facts of this particular case, and, in
all the years I’ve been involved with the criminal justice system, I
find this to be one of the most heinous crimes that can be
committed; those that are upon children. I question as to how
long this conduct could have or would have gone on if not for the
fact that you were caught. Not only -- even in your words you
said -- not only did you violate the trust of those two children, but
you shattered their innocence, and it’s something that’s going to
affect them for the rest of their lives, and you did this while they
were under your care, which is very concerning for [t]he [c]ourt
as well. And based upon my review of all the facts and the
presentence investigation, I consider you not only a danger to
children, but society as a whole. I considered the nature and the
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gravity [of the] offenses, and, as such, it will be the sentence of
this court as follows. . . .
N.T., 5/17/19, at 51-52.
We discern no error. At sentencing, the trial court did not mention or
reference the arresting officer’s testimony when imposing Appellant’s
standard-range sentence. See id. Thus, we cannot conclude that the court
relied upon an impermissible factor. See Scott, 860 A.2d at 1030.
Further, “where the sentencing court imposed a standard-range
sentence with the benefit of a pre-sentence report, we will not consider the
sentence excessive.” Commonwealth v. Corley, 31 A.3d 293, 298 (Pa.
Super. 2011). “In those circumstances, we can assume the sentencing court
was aware of relevant information regarding the defendant’s character and
weighed those considerations along with mitigating statutory factors.” Id.
Here, in addition to reading and referencing the PSI report, the trial court
specifically addressed the “heinous” nature of Appellant’s crimes, the impact
on the victims, and the danger Appellant poses to the public. Accordingly, we
find no merit to Appellant’s claim that the trial court imposed an excessive
sentence.
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Judgment of sentence affirmed.
Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary
Date: 5/21/2020
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