J-A28023-20
2021 PA Super 52
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
: PENNSYLVANIA
:
v. :
:
:
KEITH ANTHONY ROSARIO :
:
Appellant : No. 1700 WDA 2019
Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence Entered February 18, 2020
In the Court of Common Pleas of Washington County Criminal Division at
No(s): CP-63-CR-0002611-2017
BEFORE: OLSON, J., MURRAY, J., and McCAFFERY, J.
OPINION BY MURRAY, J.: FILED: March 23, 2021
Keith Anthony Rosario (Appellant) appeals from the judgment of
sentence imposed after a jury convicted him of one count of attempted
homicide, two counts of aggravated assault, two counts of kidnapping, and
one count of conspiracy to commit criminal homicide, aggravated assault, and
kidnapping.1
FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
In the first ten pages of its Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a) opinion, the trial court
recounted the procedural history of this case, accurately observing that it “is
quite lengthy and complex.” Trial Court Opinion, 2/24/20, at 2 n.2. The trial
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1 18 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 901, 2501, 2702, 2901, and 903.
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court also detailed the evidence presented at Appellant’s four-day jury trial.2
See id. at 10-24. The evidence at trial expanded on the factual recitation in
the affidavit of probable cause, which states:
On 09/05/17 at approximately 2233 hours, PSP was dispatched to
the listed location for a report of a gunshot and a male screaming
for help. Upon the arrival of PSP units contact was made with
Marcus STANCIK. STANCIK related that he had been shot in the
head by a male known to him by the nickname of “Sin.” Tpr.
WEBB who was familiar with “Sin” asked do you mean ROSARIO
to which STANCIK replied, yes, Keith ROSARIO. STANCIK was
treated at the scene for an injury to his neck and was
subsequently transported to Allegheny General Hospital (AGH).
At AGH STANCIK was diagnosed with a gunshot wound to the neck
at the base of the skull and a bullet was found to be present in his
neck upon xray.
[The Affiant] interviewed STANCIK at AGH and STANCIK related
he had known “Sin” for about a week. “Sin” lived on Ewing Street
near Grove Street. STANCIK stayed at “Sin’s” for several nights.
“Sin” was described as a 27 year old Puerto Rican from New York.
STANCIK was walking along Rt 40 when he was approached by a
vehicle in which a male exited and requested STANCIK get in.
STANCIK refused and the vehicle left. About 15 minutes later
STANCIK was walking in an alley off of Rt 40 when “Sin” and two
other individuals stopped a vehicle near him. Sin and another
male exited the vehicle, STANCIK was assaulted and then thrown
in the vehicle. STANCIK was placed in the back of the vehicle
between Sin and another male. Then they drove STANCIK to
another location and “Sin” removed STANCIK from the vehicle and
shot him in the back of the head.
Affidavit of Probable Cause, 9/6/17.
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2 The court noted it addressed Appellant’s omnibus pretrial motion (which
included Appellant’s motions for discovery, severance of trials, severance of
offenses, suppression, dismissal as “multiplicitous and duplicitous,” writ of
Habeas Corpus, change of venue and modification of bail) by separate Opinion
and Order issued September 11, 2018. Trial Court Opinion, 2/24/20, at 4.
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In a criminal complaint filed on September 6, 2017, the Commonwealth
charged Appellant with attempted murder, alleging, “[Appellant] did
intentionally attempt to cause the death of another human being by . . .
shooting Marcus Stancik in the neck . . .” Criminal Complaint, 9/6/17, at 2.
It also charged him with two counts of aggravated assault, stating Appellant
“did attempt to cause or did intentionally, knowingly or recklessly cause
serious bodily injury to Marcus Stancik under circumstances manifesting an
extreme indifference to the value of human life . . . by shooting him with a
firearm . . .” and “[Appellant] did attempt to cause or did intentionally or
knowingly cause bodily injury to Marcus Stancik with a deadly weapon . . .
[Appellant] did use a firearm to shoot Stancik in the neck . . .” Id. at 2, 4.
The Commonwealth also charged Appellant with conspiracy to commit
aggravated assault based on Appellant shooting Stancik in the neck with a
firearm. Id. at 3.
The Commonwealth filed a criminal information on November 9, 2017.
It stated in pertinent part:
COUNT 1: Criminal Attempt - Homicide
18 Pa.C.S. § 901(a) - 18 Pa.C.S. § 2501(a) - Felony 1st
DEGREE The Actor, with the intent to commit the crime of criminal
homicide, in violation of Section 2501 of the Pennsylvania Crimes
Code, did an act or acts that constituted a substantial step toward
the commission of that crime, that is, the Actor,, acting alone
and/or with others, did intentionally shoot MARCUS STANCIK in
the neck, and/or head with a firearm, in violation of Section
901(a) of the Pennsylvania Crimes Code, Act of December
6,1972:, 18 Pa.C.S, § 901(a), as amended.
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COUNT 2: Aggravated Assault
18 Pa.C.S. § 2702(a)(1) - Felony 1st DEGREE
The Actor did attempt to cause serious bodily injury to another, or
caused such injury intentionally, knowingly or recklessly under
circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of
human life, that is, the Actor, acting alone and/or with others, did
shoot MARCUS STANCIK in the neck and/or head with a firearm
intentionally, knowingly or recklessly under circumstances
manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life, in
violation of Section 2702(a)(1) of the Pennsylvania: Crime Code,
Act of December 6, 1972, 18 Pa. C.S. § 2702(a)(1), as amended.
COUNT 3: Aggravated Assault
18 Pa.C.S. § 2702(a)(4) - Felony 2nd DEGREE
The Actor attempted to cause or intentionally, knowingly or
recklessly caused bodily injury to another with a deadly weapon,
that is, the Actor, acting alone and/or with others, did shoot
MARCUS STANCIK in the neck and/or head with a firearm, in
violation of Section 2702(a)(4) of the Pennsylvania Crimes Code,
Act of December 6,1972,18 Pa.C.S. § 2702(a)(4), as amended.
***
COUNT 6: Criminal Conspiracy
18 Pa.C.S, § 903(a)(1) - Felony 1st DEGREE
The Actor, With the intent of promoting or facilitating the crimes
of criminal homicide and/or aggravated assault and/or
kidnapping, in violation of Sections 2501 and/or 2702 and/or 2901
of the Pennsylvania Crimes Code, agreed with another person or
persons, namely, RICHARD LACKS, that they or one or more of
them would engage in conduct which constitutes the crime of
criminal homicide and/or aggravated assault and/or kidnapping,
and the Actor committed an overt act or acts in furtherance
thereof, in violation of Section 903 of the Pennsylvania Crimes
Code, Act of December 6, 1972, 18 Pa.C.S. § 903, as amended.
Criminal Information, 11/9/17, at unnumbered pages 1-2.
A jury trial commenced on February 4, 2019. The jury convicted
Appellant on February 7, 2019. The verdict sheet read with respect to the
charge of criminal conspiracy, which was count 6:
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If you find the defendant guilty at Count 6 [which the jury did]
please indicate whether the following crimes were proven beyond
a reasonable doubt as the objective of the conspiracy:
a) Criminal Homicide Agree Disagree
b) Aggravated Assault Agree Disagree
c) Kidnapping Agree Disagree
Verdict, 2/7/19. The jury circled agree on all three crimes. Id.
On June 3, 2019, the trial court sentenced Appellant to an aggregate
35½ to 90 years of incarceration. Appellant filed post-sentence motions which
were denied by operation of law on October 17, 2019. Appellant filed this
timely appeal; both he and the trial court have complied with Pennsylvania
Rule of Appellate Procedure 1925.
Notably, the trial court entered an order correcting Appellant’s sentence
on February 18, 2020, “to reflect that, at Count 6, [Appellant] was sentenced
on the Charge of Conspiracy to Commit Aggravated Assault. All other
terms and conditions of the Judgment of Sentence shall remain in effect.”
Order, 2/18/20 (bold in original). Citing both the record and legal authority,
the court stated:
because the typographical error made by the court reporter is
patent and obvious, this Court retains the power to correct it
although the 30-day period has expired.
Order, 2/18/20.
The record, particularly the transcript from the sentencing hearing,
confirms the court only sentenced Appellant for conspiracy to commit
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aggravated assault, rather than conspiracy to commit homicide, aggravated
assault, and kidnapping. See, e.g., N.T., 6/3/19, at 27. We have explained:
“Trial courts have the power to alter or modify a criminal sentence
within thirty days after entry, if no appeal is taken.”
Commonwealth v. Quinlan, 639 A.2d 1235, 1238 (Pa. Super.
1994), appeal dismissed as improvidently granted, 675 A.2d 711
(1996). See also 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 5505 (stating except as
otherwise provided or prescribed by law, court upon notice to
parties may modify or rescind any order within 30 days after its
entry, notwithstanding prior termination of any term of court, if
no appeal from such order has been taken or allowed).
Nevertheless, once the thirty-day period expires, the trial court
usually loses the power to alter its orders. An exception to this
general rule exists to correct “clear clerical errors.” . . .
“[A]n alleged error must qualify as a clear clerical error (or a
patent and obvious mistake) in order to be amenable to
correction.” Commonwealth v. Borrin, 12 A.3d 466, 473 (Pa.
Super. 2011) (en banc), aff’d, 80 A.3d 1219 (Pa. 2013).
This Court’s case law has addressed the situations where
... the terms of a defendant’s sentence as stated at the
sentencing hearing conflict (or are deemed incompatible)
with the terms of the defendant’s sentence as stated in the
sentencing order.
In these circumstances, for a trial court to exercise its
inherent authority and enter an order correcting a
defendant’s written sentence to conform with the terms of
the sentencing hearing, the trial court’s intention to impose
a certain sentence must be obvious on the face of the
sentencing transcript. ... Stated differently, only when a
trial court’s intentions are clearly and unambiguously
declared during the sentencing hearing can there be a
“clear clerical error” on the face of the record, and the
[signed] sentencing order subject to later correction.
Commonwealth v. Kremer, 206 A.3d 543, 547–48 (Pa. Super. 2019)
(some case citations modified or omitted).
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Here, the record reflects the clerical error involving the wording of the
court’s sentence at Count 6, which had no impact on the mathematical
calculation of Appellant’s 35½ – 90 year sentence. The trial court explained
that “due to the court stenographer’s error, the [June 3, 2019] sentencing
order states that Appellant was sentenced on criminal conspiracy to commit
homicide, aggravated assault, and kidnapping. However, Appellant was only
sentenced on criminal conspiracy to commit aggravated assault.” Trial Court
Opinion, 2/24/20, at 9 n.8; see also id. at 41-42 (citing transcript from
sentencing hearing and stating “court stenographer’s error undoubtedly
qualifies as a clear clerical error.”). We therefore proceed to address the
issues Appellant raises on appeal.3
ISSUES
I. Did the trial court err in denying [Appellant]’s motion to
suppress the .40 caliber handgun found in [Appellant]’s home by
concluding Tyree King, a teenager, had apparent authority to
consent to a police search of [Appellant]’s home when police
believed [Appellant] inside?
II. Did the jury convict on the charge of criminal conspiracy based
upon insufficient evidence?
III. Did the trial court abuse its discretion in imposing a sentence
that was manifestly excessive and/or unduly harsh making it
unreasonable under 42 Pa.C.S. §9781(c)(2) because 1) it was
disproportionate to [Appellant]’s crimes of conviction and without
consideration of him as an individual and his character references
after consideration of the factors in 42 Pa.C.S. § 9721(b); 2) it
implied [Appellant] cannot be rehabilitated; and 3) it subjected
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3 For ease of disposition, we have reordered the issues in Appellant’s brief.
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[Appellant] to imprisonment and/or parole supervision for the
remainder of his natural life?
IV. Do [Appellant]’s individual sentences and aggregate sentence
of 35½ years to 90 years imprisonment violate the prohibition
against cruel and unusual punishments under both the federal and
Pennsylvania Constitutions?
V. Did the trial court err by sentencing [Appellant] on charges of
criminal attempt-homicide and criminal conspiracy in violation of
18 Pa.C.S. § 906?
VI. Did the trial court err in imposing two separate sentences for
same-episode conduct constituting a “kidnapping” under 18
Pa.C.S. § 2901(a)(2) and (a)(3)?
Appellant’s Brief at 10-11.
Suppression
In his first issue, Appellant argues suppression was improper because
Tyree King, who consented to the search of Appellant’s residence, lacked
authority to do so. Appellant emphasizes King’s youth, being “sixteen or
seventeen,” and claims “the record does not establish King had apparent
authority or that the police could reasonably believe King had such authority.”
Appellant’s Brief at 51, 53.
At the outset, we recognize our review,
is limited to determining whether the factual findings are
supported by the record and whether the legal conclusions drawn
from those facts are correct. We are bound by the suppression
court’s factual findings so long as they are supported by the
record; our standard of review on questions of law is de
novo. Where, as here, the defendant is appealing the ruling of
the suppression court, we may consider only the evidence of the
Commonwealth and so much of the evidence for the defense as
remains uncontradicted. Our scope of review of suppression
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rulings includes only the suppression hearing record and excludes
evidence elicited at trial.
Commonwealth v. Yandamuri, 159 A.3d 503, 516 (Pa. 2017) (citations
omitted). Additionally, “[i]t is within the suppression court’s sole province as
factfinder to pass on the credibility of witnesses and the weight to be given to
their testimony. The suppression court is free to believe all, some or none of
the evidence presented at the suppression hearing.” Commonwealth v.
Byrd, 185 A.3d 1015, 1019 (Pa. Super. 2018) (citation omitted).
At Appellant’s pretrial hearing, the court observed “there are nine parts
to his omnibus.” N.T., 5/4/18, at 5. However, the only pretrial issue before
us on appeal is Appellant’s claim that the court erred in denying his request
to suppress a handgun recovered from his residence.
Appellant did not testify or present any witnesses at the pretrial hearing.
The only testimony relevant to his suppression claim came from Pennsylvania
State Troopers Fred Scott and Mateo Herrera. Trooper Scott stated that he
was dispatched to Appellant’s residence while he and his partner “were on a
call at that time, out at a scene,” which was “a serious incident,” and “based
on the circumstances, we related to the City of Washington they should be on
the lookout for an individual whose name we had gotten at that time was
[Appellant].” Id. at 40-41. When Trooper Scott arrived, “three individuals
were outside the residence at that time directly in front of the residence . . .
on the front stoop or sidewalk.” Id. at 42. Other police were already on the
scene and “indicated these three people were the only people inside, to their
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knowledge, inside the residence.” Id. Two of the individuals were “younger
white females” and the third was Tyree King, “a younger black male [who]
indicated he was house-sitting for [Appellant] and that he was watching his
dog as well. He gave the impression [Appellant] was out of town.” Id. at 43.
Trooper Scott testified he “asked Mr. King for consent to look for
[Appellant] within the residence [because] we had some concerns about his
danger level and wanted to make sure he wasn’t currently inside the house.”
Id. at 44. Trooper Scott told Tyree King “we just wanted to look for”
Appellant; although Trooper Scott had no reason not to believe Tyree King
was house-sitting for Appellant, and “felt [King’s] indication was accurate,” he
also stated he “did not believe [Appellant] was out of town.” Id. at 45-46.
This testimony does not support Appellant’s claim that Trooper Scott “believed
King a liar and [Appellant] to be present inside, [such that] apparent authority
as a housesitter/dog-sitter could not reside with King and thus law
enforcement could not rely on King’s consent to search [the residence].”
Appellant’s Brief at 54-55.
In addition, Trooper Scott’s partner, Trooper Herrera, testified to being
dispatched to Appellant’s residence because the officers were looking for
Appellant “due to a serious criminal incident that happened on Cove Road.”
Id. at 56. Trooper Herrera corroborated Trooper Scott’s testimony that three
individuals were standing outside the residence; the male, Tyree King,
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indicated he was house-sitting while Appellant was out of town, and Tyree
King consented to a search of the residence. Id. at 56-57.
On this record, Appellant argues:
[Trooper] Scott is clear that he did not believe King in this regard
and that he believed [Appellant] [was] inside his residence at 449
Ewing. Yet, no one obtained a search warrant for the residence.
The suppression court used circular logic to validate the search of
[the residence] that uncovered the handgun by finding apparent
authority to consent.
Appellant’s Brief at 53. He continues:
[Trooper] Scott’s disbelief of King’s statement that [Appellant]
was not inside is fatal to a conclusion that apparent authority
existed in King because only [Appellant’s] absence from [the
residence] would give King authority to consent. As Scott believed
King a liar and [Appellant] to be present inside, apparent authority
as a housesitter/dog-sitter could not reside with King and thus law
enforcement could not rely on King’s consent to search.
Id. at 54-55.
The record does not support Appellant’s claim that Trooper Scott “was
clear that he did not believe King,” “believed Appellant was inside his
residence,” and “believed King a liar.” Officer Scott specifically stated he “had
no reason not to believe King,” but “did not believe [Appellant] was out of
town,” and “wanted to make sure [Appellant] wasn’t currently in the house.”
In addition, both Officer Scott and Officer Herrera testified they were looking
for Appellant because he was suspected of being involved in a serious criminal
incident and may be dangerous.
The suppression court rejected Appellant’s argument, citing the
Supreme Court’s decision in Commonwealth v. Strader, 931 A.2d 630,634
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(Pa. 2007), and finding Tyree King had apparent authority to consent to the
search. The court correctly explained that “police must make a determination
on whether the facts available to them at the moment would lead a reasonable
person of reasonable caution to believe that the consenting party had
authority over the premises.” Suppression Court Opinion, 9/11/18, at 4
(citing Strader, supra).
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court explained:
The Fourth Amendment protects the people from unreasonable
searches and seizures. A warrantless search or seizure is
presumptively unreasonable under the Fourth Amendment,
subject to a few specifically established, well-delineated
exceptions. One such exception is a consensual search, which a
third party can provide to police, known as the apparent authority
exception.
A third party with apparent authority over the area to be searched
may provide police with consent to search. Third party consent is
valid when police reasonably believe a third party has authority to
consent. Specifically, the apparent authority exception turns on
whether the facts available to police at the moment would lead a
person of reasonable caution to believe the consenting third party
had authority over the premises. If the person asserting authority
to consent did not have such authority, that mistake is
constitutionally excusable if police reasonably believed the
consenter had such authority and police acted on facts leading
sensibly to their conclusions of probability.
Strader, 931 A.2d at 634.
Consent in Strader was given by an individual named Thornton. The
Court stated:
[Police] knocked on the apartment door. A man who identified
himself as Thornton answered the door. Detective Knox showed
Thornton a wanted poster of Shields and asked Thornton whether
he knew him; Thornton responded he did not. Detective Knox
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asked Thornton whether appellant was in the apartment, and
Thornton said “no, he would be back shortly.” Thornton stated
he was there temporarily, and he and another man in the
apartment had been there for about a day. Detective Knox asked
Thornton whether he was in charge of the apartment. Thornton
responded, “yes.” Detective Knox asked Thornton for permission
to search the apartment for Shields; Thornton consented.
Id. at 632 (citations omitted, bold emphasis added). The Court continued,
Here, police did not immediately ask Thornton if they could enter;
instead, they spoke with him and determined appellant was not
present. Before police sought permission to enter the apartment,
they asked Thornton whether he had authority to control who
entered the apartment. Once Thornton indicated he was in control,
police asked him, as an occupant who expressly claimed authority
to control the apartment, whether they could enter. The fact
police knew appellant was likely to return soon is significantly less
important here; police were searching for Shields as a fugitive,
making time of the essence so that police could capture Shields
and protect the public.
Id. at 635.
Although the appellant in Strader was not the fugitive sought by police
in their search, the case is similar because Thornton, who gave consent, was
“there temporarily,” like Tyree King, and likewise, time was of the essence
because Appellant, although not a fugitive, was sought by police because he
was suspected of involvement in a “dangerous incident,” and thought to “pose
a danger.” N.T., 5/4/18, at 41. Confirming Trooper Scott’s testimony,
Trooper Herrera stated police “were looking for [Appellant] at this time due to
a serious criminal incident that happened.” Id. at 56.
The suppression court found that “given the totality of the
circumstances, King’s age by itself does not invalidate his consent for the
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search.” Suppression Court Opinion, 9/11/18, at 6. The court noted that
King’s age was the “only distinction,” and “given the substantial similarities in
Strader to the present case . . . the police acted reasonably in their belief
that King controlled access to the premise and had apparent authority to
consent to search.” Id. at 7. We agree. Appellant’s suppression issue does
not merit relief.
Sufficiency as to Conspiracy
Appellant next claims there was insufficient evidence to support his
criminal conspiracy conviction. Appellant asserts “[t]he facts do not establish
beyond a reasonable doubt that [Appellant] entered into a conspiracy with
Lacks and King to commit kidnapping, aggravated assault and homicide
against Stancik.”4 Appellant’s Brief at 66. Appellant filed his brief on July 6,
2020, nearly four months after the court corrected its sentence to indicate
that it only sentenced Appellant for conspiracy to commit aggravated assault.
Appellant disregards the correction in his sufficiency argument,5 and focuses
on the statutory elements of conspiracy. See Appellant’s Brief at 64-71.
____________________________________________
4We note, as cited above, the criminal information only charged Appellant
with entering into a conspiracy with Lacks, not King. Criminal Information,
11/9/17, at unnumbered page 1.
5Appellant acknowledges the correction in his sentencing argument, where
he vaguely states: “The trial court’s sentence of [Appellant] for Conspiracy to
Commit Aggravated Assault also creates a distinction without a difference
among the objects of the conspiracy that raises an academic sentencing
guidelines argument unnecessary to resolve here.” Appellant’s Brief at 40-
41.
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We begin with our standard of review:
A claim challenging the sufficiency of the evidence presents a
question of law. Commonwealth v. Widmer, 560 Pa. 308, 744
A.2d 745, 751 (Pa. Super. 2000). We must determine “whether
the evidence is sufficient to prove every element of the crime
beyond a reasonable doubt.” Commonwealth v. Hughes, 521
Pa. 423, 555 A.2d 1264, 1267 (1989). We “must view evidence in
the light most favorable to the Commonwealth as the verdict
winner, and accept as true all evidence and all reasonable
inferences therefrom upon which, if believed, the fact finder
properly could have based its verdict.” Id.
Our Supreme Court has instructed:
[T]he facts and 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. 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. Ratsamy, 594 Pa. 176, 934 A.2d 1233,
1236 n.2 (2007).
Commonwealth v. Thomas, 65 A.3d 939, 943 (Pa. Super. 2013).
With respect to criminal conspiracy, the trier of fact must find: (1) the
defendant intended to commit or aid in the commission of the criminal act;
(2) the defendant entered into an agreement with another (a “co-conspirator”)
to engage in the crime; and (3) the defendant or one or more of the other co-
conspirators committed an overt act in furtherance of the agreed upon crime.
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18 Pa.C.S.A. § 903. The essence of a criminal conspiracy is the agreement
between co-conspirators.
Mere association with the perpetrators, mere presence at the
scene, or mere knowledge of the crime is insufficient to establish
that a defendant was part of a conspiratorial agreement to commit
the crime. There needs to be some additional proof that the
defendant intended to commit the crime along with his co-
conspirator. Direct evidence of the defendant’s criminal intent or
the conspiratorial agreement, however, is rarely available.
Consequently, the defendant’s intent as well as the agreement is
almost always proven through circumstantial evidence, such as by
the relations, conduct or circumstances of the parties or overt acts
on the part of the co-conspirators. Once the trier of fact finds that
there was an agreement and the defendant intentionally entered
into the agreement, that defendant may be liable for the overt
acts committed in furtherance of the conspiracy regardless of
which co-conspirator committed the act.
Commonwealth v. Golphin, 161 A.3d 1009, 1018–19 (Pa. Super. 2017)
(citations omitted).
The crux of Appellant’s argument is that there was insufficient evidence
to support his conspiracy conviction because there was no evidence of an
explicit agreement or criminal intent. He claims “the evidence reveals
[Appellant’s] actions were his own,” and his actions “can best be described as
spontaneous.” Appellant’s Brief at 70-71. Appellant asserts that “[n]othing
suggests [Appellant’s] actions were planned, or an agreement to do harm to
Stancik existed between [Appellant] and anyone else. The actions of Lacks []
do not evidence an agreement, but a lack of knowledge where [Appellant’s]
intent lied.” Id. at 70. The record does not support this argument.
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As noted and adopted above, the trial court devoted nearly 14 pages to
its recitation of the evidence presented to the jury at trial. See Trial Court
Opinion, 2/24/20, at 10-24. With regard to Appellant’s conspiracy conviction,
the court explained:
Appellant and Richard Lacks clearly engaged in a criminal
conspiracy to commit homicide, aggravated assault, and
kidnapping. The evidence demonstrates that, upon initially
sighting Mr. Stancik, Mr. Lacks phoned Appellant and informed
him he had just seen Mr. Stancik. Appellant then met Mr. Lacks
and Mr. King and the parties began to search for Mr. Stancik in
the silver Honda Pilot, with Appellant driving the vehicle. When
they found Mr. Stancik, Mr. Lacks actively participated in the
kidnapping of Mr. Stancik when he aided Appellant in assaulting
him and forcing him into the vehicle.
Mr. Lacks also aided Appellant during the commission of the
crime in several other ways. First, upon Appellant’s request, he
drove to the residence at 449 Ewing Street so that Appellant could
obtain the .22 caliber handgun, and personally retrieved the
handgun from the residence and gave it to Appellant. Appellant
held this handgun against Mr. Stancik while in the vehicle and then
later used it to shoot him. Furthermore, he complied with
Appellant’s request to drive towards any nearby body of water.
Additionally, Mr. Lacks was able to hear Appellant’s verbal threats
of violence against Mr. Stancik in the vehicle: “‘Shut the fuck up.
You’re getting what you deserve, you piece of shit[,]’” and “‘Shut
the fuck up. I’ll leave you on the side of the road.’” (Trial Tr. Vol.
1, 120:4-6; Trial Tr. Vol. 2, 17:9-11.) According to Mr. Stancik,
Mr. Lacks was in possession of a .40 caliber handgun while in the
vehicle. Finally, Mr. Lacks was present at the body of water near
400 Cove Road where Appellant shot Mr. Stancik and testified that
he heard a gunshot after Appellant forced Mr. Stancik into the
woods.
The foregoing facts indicate that Appellant and Mr. Lacks
were engaged in a conspiratorial agreement to kidnap, assault,
and murder Mr. Stancik. . . . Appellant and Mr. Lacks were
associated with one another; furthermore, they each had
knowledge of the crime, were present at the scene of the crime,
and participated in the object of the conspiracy. This [c]ourt
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ultimately finds that the jury properly inferred a criminal
conspiracy to commit homicide, aggravated assault, and
kidnapping between Appellant and Mr. Lacks, and thus, the
Commonwealth has sustained its burden with regard to this
offense.
Id. at 55-56 (citing Commonwealth v. Mitchell, 135 A.3d 1097, 1102-03
(Pa. Super. 2016)).
We agree with the trial court, and therefore find no merit to Appellant’s
sufficiency argument.
SENTENCING
In his third issue, 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
plausible argument that the sentence violates a provision of the sentencing
code or is contrary to the fundamental norms of the sentencing process.”
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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 timely post-sentence motion, filing a
timely notice of appeal, and including a Rule 2119(f) concise statement in his
brief. See Appellant’s Brief at 23-26. Therefore, we examine whether
Appellant presents a substantial question.
Appellant contends: (1) the sentence “is disproportionate to the crime
of conviction and without consideration of [Appellant] as an individual;” (2)
“the sentencing court implied . . . he is without the possibility of
rehabilitation;” and (3) the imposition of consecutive sentences resulted in an
“excessive aggregate sentence.” Appellant’s Brief at 24-25. Each of these
claims raises a substantial question. See Commonwealth v. Swope, 123
A.3d 333, 338-39 (Pa. Super. 2015) (claim that imposition of consecutive
sentences resulted in excessive aggregate sentence may raise substantial
question); Baker, 72 A.3d at 662 (claim that failure to account for
rehabilitative needs resulted in excessive sentence raises substantial
question).
We review Appellant’s claim mindful of the following:
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
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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).
Instantly, the trial court explained:
. . . Contrary to Appellant’s assertion, this [c]ourt did
consider Appellant’s individual characteristics and the character
references submitted on his behalf. Prior to sentencing, the
[c]ourt thoroughly reviewed the presentence investigation report
prepared by John Pankopf. (Sent. Hr’g Tr. 25:17-19.) In addition,
the [c]ourt considered the character references submitted by
Kattiria Rosario Gonzalez, Venus Sepulveda, Samantha Nelson,
Ava Rivera, Alexi Mendez, Angel Mendez, and Ada Mendez. (Sent.
Hr’g Tr. 25:25-26:4.) The [c]ourt also heard testimony from Ava
Rivera, Appellant’s mother, and Kattiria Rosario Gonzalez,
Appellant’s sister, at the sentencing hearing. (Sent. Hr’g Tr. 10:7-
12:14.) Finally, contrary to Appellant’s argument, this [c]ourt did
not suggest that Appellant could not be rehabilitated but merely
stated that the “prior attempts to rehabilitate [Appellant] have
failed.” (Sent. Hr’g Tr. 29:17-18.) The [c]ourt emphasized that
Appellant “had been paroled less than four months prior to this
incident and was under the supervision of the Board of Probation
and Parole,” and was also “subject to consecutive probationary
sentences on two prior drug offenses,” when the incident
occurred. (Sent. Hr’g Tr. 29:8-12.) Further, the offense for which
Appellant was on parole was a “firearms offense,” and yet,
Appellant used a firearm in the instant matter. (Sent. Hr’g Tr.
29:18-21.) In imposing sentence, this [c]ourt had a duty to
address the rehabilitative needs of Appellant, and therefore, this
consideration was entirely proper.
The [c]ourt’s reasoning for the aggravated sentence, which
has previously been stated in its entirety, was set forth clearly and
thoroughly and with regard for the factors under Section 9721(b).
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Under the particular circumstances of this case, an aggravated
sentence was in no way unreasonable, manifestly excessive, or
unduly harsh. Appellant’s prior failed attempts at rehabilitation,
his involving a minor in this violent crime, his lack of remorse, and
the sheer brutality of the crime itself indicated to this [c]ourt that
an aggravated sentence was appropriate. Ultimately, this [c]ourt
finds that its sentence was entirely reasonable under the
circumstances, that it complied with Section 9721(b) in all
respects, and that it also considered any mitigating factors in
fashioning the sentence.
Trial Court Opinion, 2/24/20, at 32-33.
There is no merit to Appellant’s contention that the trial court imposed
a “manifestly excessive” sentence “disproportionate to the crimes of
conviction and without consideration of [Appellant] as an indvidual, his
character references or factors in 42 Pa.C.S. § 9721(b),” or that it “implied .
. . he is without the possibility of rehabilitation.” Appellant’s Brief at 24-25.
The trial court had the benefit of a PSI. “Where pre-sentence reports exist,
we shall continue to presume that the sentencing judge was aware of relevant
information regarding the defendant’s character and weighed those
considerations along with mitigating statutory factors.” Commonwealth v.
Devers, 546 A.2d 12, 18 (Pa. 1988). Moreover, it expressly acknowledged
Appellant’s character references and testimony on Appellant’s behalf.
We also agree the imposition of consecutive sentences did not result in
an “excessive aggregate sentence.” Appellant, while on supervised release,
kidnapped Stancik, beat him both with his fists and with the gun, threatened
him, and forced him to a remote area. He dragged him from the car, shot
him execution-style in the back of his head, and when the first shot was not
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fatal, attempted a second shot, failing only because the gun jammed. We find
the aggregate sentence of 35½ to 90 years is not grossly disparate to
Appellant’s conduct and does not “viscerally appear as patently
‘unreasonable.’” Commonwealth v. Gonzalez–Dejusus, 994 A.2d 595,
599 (Pa. Super. 2010).
Next, Appellant maintains his “individual sentences and aggregate
sentence of 35½ years to 90 years’ imprisonment violate the prohibition
against cruel and unusual punishments under both the Federal and
Pennsylvania Constitutions.”6 Appellant’s Brief at 57. We disagree.
[T]he guarantee against cruel punishment contained in the
Pennsylvania Constitution, Article 1, Section 13, provides no
broader protections against cruel and unusual punishment than
those extended under the Eighth Amendment to the United States
Constitution. The Eighth Amendment does not require strict
proportionality between the crime committed and the sentence
imposed; rather, it forbids only extreme sentences that are
grossly disproportionate to the crime.
In Commonwealth v. Spells, [ ] 612 A.2d 458, 462, 417 Pa.
Super. 233 (1992) (en banc), this Court applied the three-prong
test for Eighth Amendment proportionality review set forth by the
United States Supreme Court in Solem v. Helm, 463 U.S. 277,
103 S. Ct. 3001, 77 L. Ed. 2d 637[ ] (1983):
[A] court's proportionality analysis under the Eighth
Amendment should be guided by objective criteria,
including (i) the gravity of the offense and the
harshness of the penalty; (ii) the sentences imposed
on other criminals in the same jurisdiction; and (iii)
____________________________________________
6 An individual’s right to be free from cruel and unusual punishment is a
nonwaivable challenge to the legality of the sentence. Commonwealth v.
Seskey, 86 A.3d 237, 241 (Pa. Super. 2014).
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the sentences imposed for commission of the same
crime in other jurisdictions.
Spells, 612 A.2d at 462 (quoting Solem, 463 U.S. at 292[ ] ).
However, this Court is not obligated to reach the second and third
prongs of the Spells test unless a threshold comparison of the
crime committed and the sentence imposed leads to an inference
of gross disproportionality.
Commonwealth v. Lankford, 164 A.3d 1250, 1252-53 (Pa. Super. 2017)
(some citations and quotation marks omitted).
Here, the trial court properly found that Appellant failed to satisfy the
first prong of the Spells test. Trial Court Opinion, 2/24/20, at 25-27. Given
the seriousness of Appellant’s offenses, Appellant’s sentence is not grossly
disproportionate to the crime, and does not violate prohibitions against cruel
and unusual punishment. Further, because Appellant has not satisfied the
first prong of Spells, we need not address the second and third prongs.
Finally, in his two remaining issues, Appellant challenges the legality of
his sentence. He first argues that his sentence on criminal attempt —
homicide and criminal conspiracy — violates 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 906. Appellant’s
Brief at 35-42. He also maintains his “two separate sentences for kidnapping
for the same-episode conduct are illegal sentences.” Id. at 42-49.
We have stated:
The issue of whether a sentence is illegal is a question of law;
therefore, our task is to determine whether the trial court erred
as a matter of law and, in doing so, our scope of review is plenary.
Additionally, the trial court’s application of a statute is a question
of law that compels plenary review to determine whether the court
committed an error of law.
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Commonwealth v. Williams, 871 A.2d 254, 262 (Pa. Super. 2005) (citations
and quotation marks omitted). Further, challenges to the legality of sentence
cannot be waived and may be raised for the first time on appeal.
Commonwealth v. Dickson, 918 A.2d 95, 99 (Pa. 2007) (“challenges to
sentences based upon their legality” are not subject to waiver).
Appellant first claims his sentence for conspiracy is illegal, asserting,
“[18 Pa.C.S.A.] Section 906 prohibits sentencing on both of these findings of
guilt.” Appellant’s Brief at 37 (citations omitted). Section 906 states, “A
person may not be convicted of more than one of the inchoate crimes of
criminal attempt, criminal solicitation or criminal conspiracy for conduct
designed to commit or to culminate in the commission of the same
crime.” 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 906 (emphasis added). Upon review, we find the
recent Pennsylvania Supreme Court decision in Commonwealth v. King, 234
A.3d 549 (Pa. 2020) to be dispositive.7
In King, the defendant was the passenger in a car driven by a co-
conspirator when he fired at least nine bullets at the victim; she survived but
suffered serious injuries. King, 234 A.3d at 553. In pertinent part, the
criminal information charged the defendant with attempted murder,
____________________________________________
7The Supreme Court decided King on July 21, 2020, approximately two weeks
after Appellant filed his brief.
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aggravated assault, and a single count of conspiracy. Id. Relevant to our
analysis, the trial court sentenced the defendant to consecutive terms of 20
to 40 years for attempted murder, and 10 to 20 years for conspiracy to commit
aggravated assault.8 This Court affirmed the judgment of sentence. On
appeal to the Supreme Court, the defendant argued that the imposition of
consecutive sentences for the inchoate crimes of attempted murder and
conspiracy to commit aggravated assault violated Section 906. Id. at 566.
The Supreme Court summarized the defendant/appellant’s argument as
follows:
despite being charged and convicted of both conspiracy to commit
murder and conspiracy to commit aggravated assault, there was
only one conspiracy under Section 903(c), as both crimes were
“the object of the same agreement or continuous conspiratorial
agreement.” King’s Brief at 27 (quoting 18 Pa.C.S. § 903(c)).
Accordingly, he argues the Superior Court erred in “finding there
were two separate conspiracies where there was only one
agreement.” Id. at 28. King maintains that the Superior Court
incorrectly relied on [Commonwealth v.] Kelly[, 78 A.3d 1136
(Pa. Super. 2013),] for the proposition that an offender may be
sentenced on both attempted murder and conspiracy to commit
aggravated assault because the two offenses are not necessarily
designed to culminate in the commission of the same crime. Id.
King argues that this rationale “confuses § 906, which is
concerned with the underlying crimes, with § 903(c), which is
concerned with the number of separate agreements.” Id.
Id. at 566-67.
____________________________________________
8 Like this case, the initial sentencing order was incorrect; it indicated the
conspiracy sentence was for conspiracy to commit murder. The trial court
subsequently corrected the error to reflect that defendant was sentenced for
conspiracy to commit aggravated assault. King, 234 A.3d at 553.
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The Supreme Court agreed. It noted the criminal information only
charged a single count of conspiracy, and while the verdict sheet listed two
conspiracy charges — conspiracy to commit murder and conspiracy to commit
aggravated assault — it listed them under one count, Count 2, on the criminal
information. Id. at 568. The Court found there was a single conspiracy, i.e.,
to kill the victim. Id. at 569. It opined:
The Commonwealth’s legal argument assumes that there existed
a separate conspiracy to commit aggravated assault that was not
subsumed within the conspiracy to kill. But a person cannot
conspire to kill a targeted individual and not concurrently conspire
to commit aggravated assault against the same individual. This
Court has held that “[t]he act necessary to establish the offense
of attempted murder – a substantial step towards an intentional
killing – includes, indeed, coincides with, the same act which was
necessary to establish the offense of aggravated assault, namely,
the infliction of serious bodily injury.” Commonwealth v.
Anderson, 538 Pa. 574, 650 A.2d 20, 24 (1994). As such, the
single object of both the attempt and conspiracy convictions was
[the victim’s] murder, and thus, pursuant to Section 906, King
could be convicted (i.e., sentenced) for only one of these inchoate
crimes.
***
The plain language of the specific statute governing this scenario
precludes multiple sentences because there is no possibility that
the conspiracy to commit aggravated assault existed
independently of any conspiracy to kill, nor does the
Commonwealth allege any kind of temporal separation or other
circumstances to suggest that two conspiratorial agreements
could have existed.
By enacting Section 906, the General Assembly declared that
where a defendant tries to achieve a result – in this case, murder
– but fails to do so, he may only be punished once in the absence
of distinct criminal objectives. We thus find that King is entitled
to relief.
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Id. at 569-70, 572 (footnotes omitted).
Instantly, the Commonwealth acknowledges King. Commonwealth
Brief at 18. However, the Commonwealth attempts to distinguish King by
arguing “there are distinct criminal objectives.” Id. at 19. The
Commonwealth asserts there was an agreement between Appellant,
Lacks, and King, that one more of them would kidnap and assault
Marcus Stancik, the latter two offenses being committed in the
alleyway and with a firearm in the backseat of the Honda Pilot. It
is only after those offenses were committed, and thus the
conspiracy then existing ended, that [Appellant] directed Lacks
and King to find a body of water. For his part, if the conspiracy
had not ended before, King ended the conspiracy at that point,
handing the phone to Lacks and stating, “I don’t want no parts of
it.”
Once at the chosen body of water, Dam#4 in South Franklin
Township, only [Appellant] got out of the vehicle with Stancik,
whose head was still covered. Only [Appellant] had retrieved the
firearm at that point. Only [Appellant] walked Stancik to the
water’s edge and shot him in the back of the head. In fact, it is
only because of [Appellant’s] ineffectiveness or the firearm’s
malfunction, combined with good luck, that Stancik survived.
Once at the dam, [Appellant’s] criminal objective changed to
kidnapping and homicide of Stancik. Because there are separate
and distinct criminal objectives between the attempted homicide
and the conspiracy to commit aggravated assault offenses, the
conviction and sentence does not run afoul of § 906 or the
Supreme Court’s analysis in King.
Id. at 19-20.
We are not persuaded by this argument. After careful review, we find
the Commonwealth’s account of events to be at odds with the record; in
addition, their account undercuts their argument that the evidence was
sufficient to sustain Appellant’s conviction of conspiracy to commit homicide,
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aggravated assault, and kidnapping. As set forth above, the criminal
complaint described aggravated assault as being the shooting of Stancik in
the neck, not the beating in the alleyway or the pistol whipping in the car.
Criminal Complaint, 9/6/17, at 2-3. The shooting was the same act referenced
in the attempted murder charge. Id. at 2. In the criminal information, also
cited above, the Commonwealth likewise based the aggravated assault
charges on Appellant shooting Stancik in the neck. Criminal Information,
11/9/17, at unnumbered page 1. The Commonwealth did not name King as
a participant in the conspiracy; they only identified Richard Lacks as a co-
conspirator, and stated the conspiracy as being “and/or” with respect to
homicide, kidnapping and aggravated assault. Id. at unnumbered page 2.
In its opening, the Commonwealth spoke about the events as a
continuous episode, and never mentioned or suggested that the conspiracy
ended when Appellant and Stancik reached the water. N.T., 2/5/19, at 20-
25. In its closing argument, the Commonwealth described King as an
accomplice, not a co-conspirator. N.T., 2/7/19, at 25. Again, at no point did
the Commonwealth suggest there were multiple conspiracies; to the contrary,
the Commonwealth described a single, continuous criminal episode. Id. at
12-29.
The trial court, in its charge to the jury, stated the conspiracy charge
was: “to commit criminal homicide and/or aggravated assault and/or
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kidnapping.” Id. at 57-58. It specifically named Lacks as the co-conspirator,
not Lacks and King. Id. at 61. The trial court addressed the jury as follows:
The information alleges that the defendant conspired with Richard
Lacks to commit homicide and/or aggravated assault and/or
kidnapping and that one or several overt acts were done. As far
as numbers are concerned, the minimum requirements for
conspiracy are an agreement between two people to commit one
crime and one overt act committed by one of them. Thus, you
may find the defendant guilty if you are satisfied that he conspired
with at least one alleged co-conspirator to commit at least one
alleged object crime and that he or that person did at least one
alleged overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
Before any defendant can be convicted, the 12 jurors must agree
on the same person whom the defendant allegedly conspired with,
the same object crime and the same overt act. And by object:
crime, I mean attempted homicide, aggravated assault or
kidnapping; those are the object crimes.
***
As general rule, if conspirators have agreed to commit a crime and
after that one of them does any act to carry out or advance their
agreement, then he has done an overt act in furtherance of their
conspiracy. The other conspirators do not have to participate in
the overt act or even know about it. In a sense, they are partners,
and like partners, they are responsible for each other’s actions.
On the verdict sheet, there will be a special section for the crime
of conspiracy. If you find that the Commonwealth has proved the
defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, you will be asked to
mark the crime or crimes that you find proved beyond a
reasonable doubt as the objective of the conspiracy. I charge you
that a conspiracy can have as its objective one crime or many
crimes, but it is your task to determine what objective has been
proved beyond a reasonable doubt.
Id. at 61-63. After this charge, the jury returned their verdict of guilty as to
conspiracy, and found the objects of the conspiracy were homicide,
aggravated assault, and kidnapping. Verdict, 2/7/19.
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It was not until sentencing that the Commonwealth first attempted to
distinguish conspiracy to commit aggravated assault from the other objects
(homicide and kidnapping), when it requested the trial court sentence
Appellant only for conspiracy to commit aggravated assault. N.T., 6/3/19, at
19. In its opinion, the trial court acknowledged that sentencing Appellant on
both attempted homicide and criminal conspiracy to commit homicide would
run afoul of Section 906. Trial Court Opinion, 2/24/20, at 41. The opinion
was written prior to the Supreme Court’s decision in King, and relies entirely
on our opinion in Kelly, which King effectively overruled. See King at 570-
71.
Consistent with the foregoing, we find the Commonwealth’s argument
unpersuasive. This case is analogous to King insofar as the jury found
Appellant engaged in a conspiracy to commit homicide, aggravated assault,
and kidnapping, but, “because [Appellant] failed in his attempt to [kill the
victim, Appellant] could not be sentenced to serve separate terms for the
inchoate crime of conspiracy and attempt.” King, 234 A.3d at 568.
Accordingly, we vacate the sentence for conspiracy.
Appellant also challenges his sentences for kidnapping, stating:
[Appellant] was illegally sentenced to consecutive sentences
under 18 Pa.C.S. § 2901(a)(2) and (a)(3) for kidnapping Stancik.
This is because the statutory construction of 18 Pa.C.S. § 2901
and the double jeopardy clauses of the Fifth Amendment to the
U.S. Constitution and the Pennsylvania Constitution, Article I,
Section 10 prohibit entry of a judgment of sentence under both
18 Pa.C.S. § 2901(a)(2) and (a)(3) as they are the same criminal
act.
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Appellant’s Brief at 42.
Although Appellant did not raise this claim before the trial court, a
challenge to the legality a sentence is not waivable. Dickson, 918 A.2d at
99. As Appellant’s challenge is one of statutory interpretation,
[o]ur review is further governed by the Statutory Construction
Act, 1 Pa.C.S.A. § 1501 et seq., under which our paramount
interpretative task is to give effect to the intent of our General
Assembly in enacting the particular legislation under review. See
1 Pa.C.S.A. § 1921(a) (“The object of all interpretation and
construction of statutes is to ascertain and effectuate the intention
of the General Assembly. Every statute shall be construed, if
possible, to give effect to all its provisions.”). Generally, the best
indication of the General Assembly’s intent may be found in the
plain language of the statute. In this regard, it is not for the courts
to add, by interpretation, to a statute, a requirement which the
legislature did not see fit to include. Consequently, as a matter
of statutory interpretation, although one is admonished to listen
to what a statute says; one must also listen attentively to what it
does not say.
Commonwealth v. Devries, 112 A.3d 663, 670 (Pa. Super. 2015) (citations
omitted).
The crime of kidnapping is defined as follows:
(a) Offense defined.--Except as provided in subsection (a.1), 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:
(1) To hold for ransom or reward, or as a shield or hostage.
(2) To facilitate commission of any felony or flight
thereafter.
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(3) To inflict bodily injury on or to terrorize the victim or
another.
(4) To interfere with the performance by public officials of
any governmental or political function.
18 Pa.C.S.A. § 2901(a)(1)-(4) (emphasis added).
Appellant argues:
The statute makes clear that the actus reus of kidnapping has a
static definition but the mens rea is a changing variable.
[Appellant] was convicted of two counts of kidnapping, with the
two differing intents from (a)(2) and (a)(3), respectively. The act
of kidnapping for each of these counts was plead and presented
at trial to be the same acts that were committed in one episode.
The “any” in reference to the alternative intent makes it clear that
at least one of the intents is necessary to convict, but that
possessing multiple intents does not allow for multiple convictions
for one kidnapping episode.
Appellant’s Brief at 43. Appellant relies on this Court’s decision in
Commonwealth v. Lopez, 663 A.2d 746 (Pa. Super. 1995).
In Lopez, the appellant pled nolo contendere to two counts of arson,
endangering person, under 18 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 3301(a)(1)(i) and (ii), arising
from a single fire. Lopez, 663 A.2d at 747. At sentencing, over appellant’s
objections, the trial court sentenced her to consecutive sentences of four to
ten years imprisonment at each count. On appeal, she argued her sentence
was illegal because, “18 Pa.C.S.A. § 3301(a)(1)(i) and 18 Pa.C.S.A. §
3301(a)(1)(ii) . . . are not themselves separate offenses, but rather are
alternative means for satisfying 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 3301(a)(1).” Id. at 748. We
agreed, rejecting the Commonwealth’s argument that the two sections of the
statute, “protect distinct and separate state interests.” Id. We explained:
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Instantly, employing our Supreme Court’s example [in
Commonwealth ex rel. Specter v. Vignola, 285 A.2d 869, 871
(Pa. 1971)], it is our conclusion that the word “or,” used in its
ordinary sense, indicates an alternative between two or more
unlike actions. Applying that definition to 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 3301(a),
we read the statute to mean that any person who either
“recklessly places another person in danger of death or bodily
injury” or “commits the act with the purpose of destroying or
damaging an inhabited building or occupied structure of another”
may be prosecuted for and convicted of committing arson
endangering persons. However, it simply does not follow from
this reading that a person who commits both of the above acts
may be sentenced twice for arson endangering persons when only
one criminal offense, i.e., starting one fire, has been committed.
Not only does such a reading ignore the plain meaning of the word
“or,” but if applied could raise grave constitutional issues. See
Commonwealth v. Bostic, 500 Pa. 345, 456 A.2d 1320 (1983)
(intent of double jeopardy clause is to prevent courts from
imposing more than one punishment under particular legislative
enactment); Commonwealth v. Ayala, 492 Pa. 418, 424 A.2d
1260 (1981) (where, practically speaking, there was only one
offense against Commonwealth, defendant may only be punished
for one offense, despite number of chargeable offenses arising out
of single transaction); Commonwealth v. Williams, 344
Pa.Super. 108, 496 A.2d 31 (1985) (same). Accordingly, because
this Court must resolve a statutory issue by reference to the
statute’s express language, we hold that the trial court’s reading
of § 3301(a) was in error.
Id. at 749.
We see no meaningful distinction between the statutory interpretation
of the arson statute in Lopez and the kidnapping statute at issue here. A
person commits the single crime of kidnapping if he or she satisfies, “any” of
the intentions expressed in 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 2901(a)(1)-(4). Therefore, 18
Pa.C.S.A. § 2901(a)(2) and 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 2901(a)(3) “are not themselves
separate offenses, but rather are alternative means for satisfying 18 Pa.C.S.A.
§ [2901(a)].” Id. at 748. If a defendant is proven to have more than one of
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the expressed intentions, he can be convicted under two sections of the
statute, but he cannot be sentenced under both, “when only one criminal
offense, i.e., [a single kidnapping], has been committed.” Id.
On appeal, the Commonwealth asserts Lopez is inapposite because
Appellant committed two kidnappings. Commonwealth Brief at 21. In
support, the Commonwealth for the second time makes an argument that is
at odds with the record. Id. at 20-21. The Commonwealth states:
[Appellant] participated in two separate and distinct kidnapping
acts. The first was the literal kidnapping of Marcus Stancik off the
alleyway near Hayes Avenue in Washington where he was
assaulted, the hood placed over his head, and then forced into the
backseat of the Honda Pilot between [Appellant] and Tyree King,
and eventually the retrieved firearm shoved in Stancik’s side by
[Appellant] while the actors drove around. This act constituted
the removal of Stancik a substantial distance with the intent to
inflict bodily harm or terrorize him, under § 2901(a)(3). The
second kidnapping act was by [Appellant] alone when he took
Stancik out of the Honda, hood still over his head and walked him
to the water’s edge intending to kill him. The separate act, and
separate intent to facilitate the commission of the felony
(attempted) murder, is separate and apart from the kidnapping
across the street.
Id.
In addition to being implausible, this is not the argument the
Commonwealth made to the jury. In its closing, the Commonwealth recounted
a single kidnapping, which included the forcing of Stancik into the car, holding
him at gunpoint, taking him out of the car, and walking him to the water.
N.T., 2/7/19, at 21, 26, 28. The Commonwealth also argued that Appellant’s
act of shooting Stancik was part of the conspiracy between Appellant and
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Lacks, not a separate act where Appellant acted alone. Id. at 27. The
Commonwealth’s appellate argument is not logical, where anytime an
individual is forced into a vehicle, and then removed from the vehicle by
kidnappers, there would be two separate kidnappings. Had Stancik escaped
and been recaptured, for example, we might be inclined to give credence to
the Commonwealth’s argument. However, our review compels our agreement
with Appellant that there was a single kidnapping, albeit one in which the
Commonwealth proved intent under two subsections of 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 2901.
As such, and pursuant to Lopez, we vacate Appellant’s two kidnapping
sentences. See Lopez 663 A.2d at 749. This disposition, like our disposition
vacating Appellant’s sentence for conspiracy, compels remand.
See Commonwealth v. Bartrug, 732 A.2d 1287 (Pa. Super. 1999), appeal
denied, 561 Pa. 651, 747 A.2d 896 (1999) (holding sentencing error on one
count in multi-count case generally requires all sentences for all counts to be
vacated so court can restructure entire sentencing scheme).
OUTSTANDING MOTIONS
Appellant filed an application for relief on October 19, 2020, in which he
requested we take judicial notice of a criminal information filed against Richard
Lacks. On October 28, 2019, the Commonwealth responded by filing an
application to strike, requesting that any reference to Mr. Lacks’ criminal
information be stricken because a criminal information “constitutes allegations
and is not evidence.” Application to Strike, 10/28/19, at ¶ 2. Appellant
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responded on November 11, 2019. He “admitted that a criminal information
was not introduced into evidence at the jury trial of the Appellant below.”
Answer to Application to Strike, 11/11/19, at ¶ 2. “It is black letter law in this
jurisdiction that an appellate court cannot consider anything which is not part
of the record in the case.” Commonwealth v. Martz, 926 A.2d 514, 524
(Pa. Super. 2007). For “purposes of appellate review, what is not of record
does not exist.” Commonwealth v. Holley, 945 A.2d 241, 246 (Pa. Super.
2008). Accordingly, we deny Appellant’s application for judicial notice, and
grant the Commonwealth’s application to strike.
ORDER
Denial of suppression affirmed. Convictions affirmed. Judgment of
sentence vacated. Case remanded for resentencing consistent with this
decision. Application for judicial notice denied. Application to strike granted.
Jurisdiction relinquished.
Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary
Date: 3/23/2021
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