### J - S38025 - 20

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

v. JEYDIUS ISAIAH ESPADA

Appellant : : : : : : : : : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF

PENNSYLVANIA

No. 639 MDA 2020 Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence Entered March 3, 2020 In the Court of Common Pleas of Berks County Criminal Division at

No(s): CP - 06 - CR - 0003866 - 2018 BEFORE: KUNSELMAN, J., McLAUGHLIN, J., and STEVENS, P.J.E. * 

### MEMORANDUM BY McLAUGHLIN, J.: FILED: OCTOBER 7, 2020 Jeydius Isaiah Espada appeals from the judgment of sentence imp osed following his conviction for Third - Degree Murder , Aggravated Assault , Firearms Not to Be Carried Without a License , and Possession of an Instrument of Crime . 1 

### On appeal, Espada claims the verdict for each count was against the weight of the evidence , and that the evidence was insufficient to establish that he possessed a concealed firearm, and possessed a fi rearm with the intent to employ it criminally , rendering the evidence insufficient to support any of the four guilty verdicts. We affirm on the basis of the trial court ’s opinion.

_________________ ____________________ _______ * 

### Former Justice specially assigned to the Superior Court. 1 

### See 18 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 2502(c), 2702, 6106, and 907 respectively.

### J - S38025 - 20

- 2 -

In its opinion, the trial court sets forth the relevant fact ual and procedu ral history of this case. See Trial Court Opinion, 5/22/20, at 1 - 5. Espada was convicted of the aforementioned charges after a jury trial during which the jury was entrusted to decide whether Espada or his associate , Savage Guzman (“Savage”) , was the shooter. Both Savage and his half brother Jerel Guzman (“Jerel”) testified that Espada shot the victim; however, Espada accused Savage of h aving shot the victim. The jury found credible the testimony of Savage and Jerel , and acquitted Espada of First - Degre e Murder , but found him guilty of all other charges. Espada raises three questions on appeal. Whether the verdicts convicting [Espada] of Murder of the Third Degree, Aggravated Assault, Firearms Not to be Carried Without a License, and Possession of a Fi rearm were against the weight of the evidence? Whether the evidence was insufficient to establish [Espada] possessed a firearm in a vehicle or concealed on or about his person? Whether the evidence was insufficient to establish [Espada] possessed a firearm concealed upon his person with intent to employ it criminally? Espada’s Br. at 11 - 12 (emphasis omitted) . After a thorough review of the record, the parties’ briefs, the applicable law , and the well - reasoned opinion of the trial court, we conclude that the re is no merit to the issues Espada has raised on appeal. The trial court properly disposes of Espada’s weight and sufficiency challenges, and we do not find its rejection of his weight challenge to be an abuse of discretion. See Trial Ct.

### J - S38025 - 20

- 3 -

Op., at 5 - 13 (co ncluding that (1) guilty verdicts for Third Degree Murder , Aggravated Assault , Firearms Not to Be Carried Without License , and Possession of an Instrument of Crime were not against weight of evidence; (2) evidence was sufficient to establish that Espada po ssessed a gun concealed on his person, and used it to shoot his victim in the chest, killing him ). Accordingly, we affirm on the basis of the trial court ’s opinion. Judgment of sentence affirmed. Judgment Entered. Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq. Prothonotary Date: 10/ 0 7/2020, . i



### C O M M O NWE AL T H O F

P ENN S YL V AN IA

V s . JE YD IU S I S AI A H E S P AD A C i r c u l a t e d 0 9 / 1 6 / 2 0 2 0 0 9 : 2 1 A M



### IN T HE C O U RT O F C O M M O N P L E A S O F B E RK S C O UN T Y , PENN S YL V AN IA C RI M IN AL D N I S I O N

A S S I GN E D T O : F UD EM AN , J.
M e m o r an d

um O p i ni o n M ay 2 2 , 2 0 2 0 M ad e l yn F u d e m an, J .



### P R O C E D U RAL H I S T O R Y

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th e F i r st D e g r e e 1 , 

### Co unt 2 - M ur d e r o f th e T hir d D e g r e e 2 , 

### C o unt 3 - A g g rav at ed A s s au l t 3 , 

### C o unt 4 - F i r e arm s N o t to be C arri e d w i th o ut L i c ens e " , an d C o unt 5 - P o s se s s in g I n s trum e nt o f C r irn e 5 • 

### F o ll o win g a fo ur ( 4 ) day j ury 

### tri a l , o n J anuary 1 6 , 2 0 2 0 , Ap p e ll ant w a s fo un d n o t g u il ty t o C o unt 

### 1 ; an d g u il ty t o c o unt s 2 , 3 , 4 an d 5 . O n M ar c h 3 , 2 0 2 0 , Ap pe ll ant w as s ent e n c e d t o 1 7 y e ar s 

### and 3 m o nths t o 3 4 y e ar s an d 6 m o nth s t o a s t at e c o rr e c ti o n al fa c ili ty . O n Ap ri l 1 7 , 20 2 0 , Ap p e l lant fil e d a N o t i c e o f Ap p eal t o th e S u p e ri o r C o urt o f P e nn s y l v an ia fr o m th e o r d e r d at e d M ar c h 3 , 2 0 20 . O n Ap r il 2 3 , 2 0 2 0 , thi s co urt o r d er e d Ap p e ll ant t o fi l e a C o n c i s e S t at e m ent o f E rr o rs C o mp l ain e d o f o n Ap p e a l wi th i n

1 1 8 P a . C . S .A § 2 5 02 § § A 2 1 8 P a . C. S . A § 2 5 0 2 § § C 3 1 8 P a . C. S . A § 2 7 0 2 § § A 1 4 1 8 P a . C. S .A § 6 1 0 6 § § A l � 1 8 P a . C. S . A § 9 0 7 § § B 

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C o n c i s e S tat e m e nt o fE rr o rs al l e g i ng th e fo ll o w i n g : 1 . Th e C o mm o nw e al th d i d n o t pr e s e nt s u ffi c i e nt e v i d e n c e t o e sta b li s h th at Ap p e ll ant w i th m al i c e c au s ed th e d e ath o f th e v i c t i m . 2 . Th e C o mm o nw e al th d i d n o t p r e s ent s u ffi c i e nt e v i d e n c e t o e s t ab li s h th at Ap p e ll ant ' s c o n d u c t w as an 

### att e mp t t o caus e s e ri o u s b o di l y in j ury . 3 . Th e C o mm o nw e al th d i d n o t pr e s e nt s uf fi c i e nt e v i d e n c e t o e st ab li s h th at App e ll ant e v e r p o s s e s s e d a s e m i aut o m at i c h an d gun r e g ard i n g C o unt 

### 4 . 4 . Th e C o mm o nw e a l th d i d n o t pr e s e nt s uffi c i ent e v i d e n c e t o e s t ab li s h th at Ap p e ll ant e v e r p o s s e s s e d a se mi aut o m at i c h an d g un re g ar d in g C o unt 5 . 5 . 

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th e e v i d e n c e i s c o ntr ary to 

### th e v e r d i c t o f g u il t e nt er e d ag ai n st Ap p e ll ant f o r C o unt 2 - 

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th e Thi r d De g r e e . 6 . Th e w e i g h t o fth e e v i d e n c e i s c ontr ary t o th e v er d i c t o f g u il t ent e r e d a gain s t Ap pe ll ant fo r C o unt 3 + 

### A g g r av at e d As sau l t. 7 . 

### T h e w e i g ht o f th e e v i d e n c e i s c o ntrary t o th e v e r d i c t o f g u il t e nt er e d a g ai ns t Ap pe ll ant fo r C o unt 4 - 

### F i re arm s N o t t o b e C arri e d W i th o ut a L i c ens e . 8 . T h e w ei g ht o f th e e v i d e n c e i s c o ntr ary to 

### th e v e r di c t o f g ui l t e nt e r e d a g ain s t Ap pe ll ant · fo r C o unt 

### 5 - P o s s e s s i n g I n strum e nt 

### o f C ri m e . D I S C U S S I O N S t at e m e n t o f F a c t s 

### A t a p p r o x i m at e l y 1 am . o n M ay 6 , 2 0 1 8 , Ap pe ll ant an d Jo s e Al m o d o v ar ( " S av a g e " ) dr o v e I n d an e s i a Wri g h t ( " Ap ri l " ) t o an aft e r - h o ur s p arty at 3 2 6 N o rth F r o nt S tr e e t , R e a d i ng , B e rk s C o unty , P e nn s y l v ani a . 

### N o t e s o f T e s t i m o ny, J u ry T r i a l , J a n u a ry 1 3 , 

## 2 02 0 t

h ro ug h J a n u a r y 1 6 , 

## 2 "1 if / f, � f 1J.?, J dt .s 6 ; � i J 7 - l3 8 . Ap p e ll ant an d S ava g e d i d n o t r e mai n at th e p arty . I d 

### Ap ri l 

### S S : 8 k J 

### 2 c! A 

### i i � Ll i OZ 2

### w as th e g ir l fr i e n d o fD am i an H o s k i n g ( ' 'v i c t im " ) N. 

### T. a t 

### 5 4 . Th e V i c t i m w as n o t p re s e nt at th e

p arty wh e n Ap ri l arri v e d , b ut h e arri v e d l at e r . N. 

### T. a t 5 7 . 

### E ar li e r i n th e d ay , V i c t i m an d Ap ri l h a d an ar g um e nt an d i gn o re d e a c h o th e r at th e p arty . N. 

### T. a t 5 8 . 

### Apri l i nvi t e d S av a g e t o c o m e b a c k t o th e p arty b y t e x t be cau se V i c t im w as fl irt i n g wi th o th e r g i rl s . 

### I d Ap ri l w ent o ut s i d e t o w ai t fo r: 

### S ava g e t o arri v e . N. 

### T. a t 5 9 . Ap p e ll ant an d S av a g e arr i v e d at th e p arty i n a F o r d E xp e di ti o n a fe w m i nut e s aft e r Ap ri l ' s t e x t. N. 

### T. a t 5 9 ; 1 3 9 ; C o m m o nw e a lth E

x h i b it 2 0 0 . Th e p arty w a s h e l d i n a p r i v at e h o m e w i th an e ntr an c e h a ll w ay se p ar at in g th e fi rs t - fl o o r a p artm e nt an d th e st e p s l e a d i n g t o th e u p st a i r s a p artm e nt. 

### N

T. a t 5 9 ; 8 0, 1 3 9 . S av a g e e nt e r e d th e h al l way an d 

### was patt e d d o wn b y a d oo rm an fo r w e a p o n s . N. T

. 

### a t 6 0 . T h e d o o rm an fo un d n o w e a po n o n S av ag e . i

d 

### Ap pe ll ant st ay e d at th e fr o nt d o o r an d w as n o t s e ar c h e d fo r w e a p o n s . 

### N T. a t 6 1 . V i c t i m wh o w a s i n th e e ntr anc e h a ll w ay y e ll e d t o S av a g e th at h e c o u l d n o t c o m e i nto th e p arty . 

### N T. a t 6 2 ; 1 5 0 . S av a g e s ai d O K an d be g an t o w al k aw ay , an d as h e di d , V i c t i m s t arte d a v e r ba l al t e r c at i o n wi th S av a g e . N . 

### T. a t 6 2 - 63 ; 1 5 0 - 1 5 1. Ap ri l te s t ifi e d that sh e c o ul d n o t h ear wh at w as b e i n g sa i d b e c au se th e n o i s e l e v e l w a s v e ry l o u d wi th m o r e th an 7 0 p e o p l e i n th e s m a ll fi r s t - fl o o r a

p artm e nt o f a c i ty r o w h o m e w i th mu s i c p l ay i n g . 

### N T. a t 

### 63. V i c t i m thr e w e i th e r a 

### dri nk o r a bo tt l e n e ar S av a g e an d Ap p e ll ant as th e y w e r e d e p arti n g . N. 

### T. a t 64 . S av a g e cl a i m e d i t w as a b o tt l e o f C o r o na , an d i t hi t App e ll an t 

### N T. a t 1 5 2 . A t 

### this p o i nt , o th e r g i r ls at th e p arty dr a g g e d Ap ri l i nt o th e a

p artm e nt s o s h e o nl y h e ar d a l o t o f y e lli n g an d s c r e am i n g an d th e n h e ar d g un s h o t s . 

### N

T. a t 65 - 6 6

. S av a g e t e s t i fi e d th at App e ll ant y e ll e d t o V i c ti m t o c o m e o ut s i d e an d c o c k e d a h an d g un b ac k . f J. ' .R i ! J f:.: J :? ! � � : · � i t e d th e p r o p e rty an d r an t o th e ri g h t . N T. 

### a t 1 5 3 . S ava g e s ai d h e 

### S S : 8 W lt 2 2 J J : , 1 

### G � u z 3

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urn e d ar o un d an d s aw Ap pe ll ant wi th th e g un ; s aw a mu z z l e fl a s h , an d h e ar d a s i n g l e g un s h o t an d a s h e c o nt i nu e d t o run ; h e h e ar d an o th e r g un s h o t. 

### I d. S av a g e r e t

urn e d h o m e i n th e F o r d E xp e d i ti o n . 

### I

d. B o th S av a g e an d h i s h a l f - b ro th er , J e r el Gu z m an ( " J e r el " ) t e s ti fi ed th at S av a g e t o l d J e r e l wh at h a d j u s t tr an s p i r e d at th e p arty an d th at Ap pe ll ant s h o t V i c t i m . 

### N. T. a t 1 5 4 ; 1 9 1 . 

### A ft e r th e g un s h o t s , Ap ri l t e s ti fi e d th at s h e c am e o ut o fth e a p artm e nt an d s aw V i c ti m l ay in g th e r e an d s h e a c c o mp ani e d h i m t o th e h o s p i t a l wh e r e h e d i e d . N. 

### T a t 6 6- 6 7 . 

### J e r e l te s t i fi e d th at h e r e a d o n F a c e b o o k an d i n a n e w s p a p e r art i cl e th at V i c t i m d i e d . 

### N. T . a t 1 9 1 - 1 9 2 . 

### A ft e r r e a d i n g a b o ut th e h o m i c i d e , J e r e l c al l e d C ri m e A l e rt an d i n fo rm e d th e m th at h i s b r o th e r S av a g e , an d Ap p e ll ant w e r e i nv o l v e d i n th e i n ci d e nt. 

### N. T. a t 1 9 2 ; 2 0 5 . 

### O n M ay 8 , 2 0 1 8 ; d ay s a ft e r th e s h o o t i n g , J er e l s p o k e t o Ap pe ll ant o n th e p h o n e t o fi n d o ut wh e r e th e fi r e arm w a s l o c at ed . N. 

### T a t 1 9 3 - 1 9 5 . 

### J e r e l t e s ti fi e d th at h e p r e t e n d e d th at h e w a s a s s i s ti n g th e Ap p e ll ant an d d i d n o t w an t Ap p e ll ant t o kn o w th at h e w a s c o - o pe r ati n g wi th p o li c e . 

### N. T a t 1 9 5 . 

### J e r e l fo un d th e fi r e arm w i th Ap pe ll ant ' s as s i s t an c e , an d Ap pe ll ant , S av a g e an d J e r e l m e t at a p ro p e rty i n H amb ur g , B e rk s C o unty , P e nn s y l v an ia t o b r e ak a p art th e fi r e arm , a .4 0 c a li b e r s e m i aut o m at i c h an d g un , w i p e th e p art s w i th b l e a c h an d hi d e th e m . 

### N. T a t 1 9 3 - 1 9 5 . 

### L at e r , J e re l a s k e d Ap p e ll ant t o t e ll h i m wh at h a d h a p pe n e d th at n i g h t at th e p arty . N. 

### T. a t 1 9 7- 1 9 8 . 

### Ap p e ll ant t o l d J e r e l b a s i c a ll y th e s am e s to ry th at S av a g e t o l d h i m . l d. ; 2 0 7 . 

### I n a d d i ti o n , Ap p e ll ant t o l d J ar e l th at h e s h o t th e V i c t i m t o p r o t e c t S av a g e an d w o u l d d o i t a g a i n i f n e c e s s ary . I d. : 2 0 7 . 

### O n M ay 9 , 2 0 2 0 , Je r e l l e arn e d th at th e Ap pe ll ant w as p l ann i n g t o g o t o F l o ri d a, s o J e r e l c al l e d D e t e c ti v e C e d e n o o f th e R e a d in g P o li c e t o e xp r e s s h i s c o n c e rn th at Ap p e ll ant w o u l d l e av e b e fo r e p o li c e c o u l d c o m e t o th e H amb ur g p r o p e rty . I d. 

### R e a d i n g P o li c e a s s e mb l e d a t e am an d 4w e n t t o th e H amb ur g p r o p e rty . 

### N. T 3 0 6 - 3 0 7 . A fe m a l e a ll o w e d p o li c e t o e nte r an d th e y fo un d J e r e l an d S av a g e i n th e li vi n g ro o m an d fo un d Ap p e ll ant h i d i n g b e h i n d a c o un t e r i n th e k i tc h e n . I d. Ap p e ll ant w a s tak e n i n t o p o li c e c us t o dy . 

### N. T a t 3 2 2 . T h e p r i m ary tr i al w i tn e s s e s fo r th e C o mm o nw e a l th , S av a g e an d J e r e l , e a c h h a d s ub s t ant i a l an d o b vi o us p e rs o na l i n t e r e s t i n th e o ut c o m e o f th e c a s e . Ap p e ll an t a c c us e d S av a g e o f k ill i n g V ic t i m . B o th S av a g e an d J e r e l t e s t i fi e d c r e d i b l y , an d o th e r th an Ap p e ll an t ' s t e s ti m o ny th at S av a g e s h o t V ic ti m , th e d e fe n s e p ro d u c e d n o t e s t i m o ny o r e v i d e n c e t o r e b ut S av a g e an d J e r e l . Th e j ury cl e ar l y un d e r s t o o d th e p o te n t i a l i mp a c t o f e a c h o f th e w i tn e s s e s ' i n t e r e s t o n th e i r t e s t i m o ny an d w e i g h e d th e t e s t i m o ny w i th a ll th e o th e r e v i d e n c e .

S uf fi c i e n c y o f th e E v i d e n c e - S tan d ar d o f R e v i e w
Ap p e ll ant a ll e g e s e i g h t e rr o r s , fo ur o f wh ic h as s e rt th e e v i d e n c e w a s i n s u ffi ci e n t t o s u p p o rt th e j ury ' s v e r d ic t. Wh e n r e v i e w i ng a c h a ll e n g e t o th e s u ffi ci en c y o f th e e vi d e n c e s u p p o rt i ng a d e fe n d an t ' s c o nv ic ti o n , an a p p e ll at e c o urt i s r e qu i r e d t o e v a l u at e th e r e c o r d " i n th e li g h t m o s t fav o r a

b l e t o th e v e r d ic t w i nn e r g i vi n g th e p r o s e c ut i o n th e b e n e fi t o f a ll r e a s o n a b l e i n f e r e n c e s t o b e dr awn fr o m th e e v i d e n c e . " C o m m o n w e a l t

h v . R a h m an , 7 5 A . 3 d 4 9 7 , 5 0 0 ( P a . S u p e r . 2 0 1 3 ) ( c i t at i o n o m i tt e d ) . T h e t e s t fo r d e t e rm i n i n g th e s u f fi ci e n c y o f th e e vi d e n c e i s wh e th e r , v i e w i n g th e e vi d e n c e i n th e li g h t m o s t fav o ra

b l e t o th e C o mm o nw e a l th a s th e v e r d i c t wi nn e r an d dr awi n g al l p r o p e r i n fe r e n c e s fav o r a b l e t o th e C o mm o nw e a l th , th e j ury c o u l d h av e d e t e rm i n e d th at



### 5

### a ll o f th e e l e m e nt s o f th e c rim e h av e b e e n e s t ab li s h e d b e y o n d a r e a s o n ab l e d o ub t. T h e

C o mm o nw e a l th m ay s u s t a i n i ts b ur d e n o f p r o v i n g e v e ry e l e m ent o f th e c ri m e be y o n d a r e a s o n ab l e d o ub t b y m e an s o f wh o ll y ci r c um s tanti a l e v i d e n c e . T h e fa c t s an d ci rc um s tan c e s e s tab li s h e d b y th e C o mm o nw e a l th n e e d n o t b e ab s o l ut e l y in c o mp at i b l e w i th th e d e fe n d ant ' s i nn o c e n c e , b ut th e qu e s ti o n o f any d o ub t i s fo r th e j ury 

### un l es s th e e v i d e n c e i s s o w e ak an d i n c o n cl u s i v e th at , a s a m att e r o f l aw , n o p r o b ab ili ty o f fa c t c an b e dr awn fr o m th e c o mb i n e d ci r c um s t an c e s . 

### C o m m o n w e a l t

h v. S m i t h , 8 4 8 A . 2 d 9 7 3 , 9 7 7 ( P a . S u pe r . 2 0 0 4 ) ( ci t ati o n o m i tt e d ) . An 

### a p pe ll at e c o urt " m ay n o t s u bs t i tut e [ i ts ] j u d g m e nt fo r th at o f th e fa c t fi n d e r ; thu s , s o l o n g as th e e v i d e n c e a d d

u c e d , a c c e p t e d in 

### th e li g h t m o s t fav o rab l e t o th e C o mm o nw e a l th , d e m o n s tr at e s th e r e s p e c ti v e el e m e nts o f a d e fe n d ant ' s c ri m e s b e y o n d a r e a s o n a b l e d o u b t , th e a p p e ll ant ' s c o nv i c t i o n wi ll b e u p h e l d . " 

### R a h m a n , 7 5 A. 3 d at 5 0 1.
S u ffi ci e n c y o f E v i d e n c e - M a li c e 

### Ap p e ll ant ' s fi r s t c h a ll e n g e i s th at th e C o nun o nw e a l th d i d n o t p r e s e nt s u f fi ci e n t e v i d e n c e t o e s tab li s h th at Ap p e ll ant w i th m a li c e c au se d d eath o f v ic t im . T h ir d - d e g r e e mur d e r i s d e fi n e d i n th e C r im e s C o d e a s " [ a ll ] o th e r k i n d s o f mur d e r " o th e r th an fi r st - d e gr e e mur d e r o r s ec o n d - d e g re e mur d e r . 1 8 Pa . C

S. § 2 5 0 2 (

c ) . 

### " T h e e l e m e nts o f th ir d - d e gr e e mur d er , as d e v e l o pe d b y cas e l aw , are a k i lli n g d o n e w i th l e g al m a li c e , b ut wi th o ut th e s p e ci fi c i nt e nt t o k ill r e qu i re d i n fi r s t - d e g r e e mur d e r. " 

### C

o m m o n w e a l t

h v. H ill , 6 2 9 A . 2 d 9 4 9 , 9 5 1 ( P a . S u p e r . 1 9 9 3 ) . T h e S u

p e ri o r C o urt i n 

### H ill ci t e s 

### C o m m o n w e a l t

h v . D ru m , 5 8 P a . 9 (1 8 6 8 ) , t o d e fi n e m a li c e : " r e c k l e s s n e s s o f



### 6c o n s e qu e n c e s , an d a m i n d r e g ar d l e s s o f s o ci a l d uty , a l th o u g h a p art ic u l ar p e r s o n m ay n o t b e i n t e n d e d t o b e i n

j ur e d . " 6 2 9 A .2 d at 9 5 1 . M a li c e m ay b e i n fe rr e d fr o m th e i nt e nti o n a l u s e o f a d e a d l y w e a

p o n o n a vi t a l p art o f th e b o dy . 

### C o m m o nw e a lt

h v . H i n c h cl iff e, 4 7 9 P a . 5 5 1 , 3 8 8 A . 2 d 1 0 6 8 , 

### c e r t . d e n i e d, 4 3 9 U . S . 9 8 9 , 9 9 S . C t. 5 8 8 , 5 8 L. E d . 2 d 6 6 3 (1 9 7 8 ) . H e r e , S av a g e w a s p att e d d o wn fo r w e a p o n s b y th e d o o rm an wh o d e c i d e d wh i c h i n d i v i d u a l s w o u l d b e a ll o w e d i nto th e p arty . N T. 

### a t 5 

### 9 - 6 0 . D ur i n g th e p at d o wn , Ap r il o b s e rv e d th at th e d o o rm an d i d n o t d i s c o v e r any w e a p o n s o n S av a g e . N

T. 

### a t 6 0 . Ap p e ll ant w a s n e v e r p att e d d o wn b e c au s e h e n e v e r att e mp t e d t o e n t e r th e p arty , r e m a i n i n g b y th e o uts i d e d o o r. N T. 

### a t 6 0 - 6 1 . T h i s fa c t

u a l s c e n ari o c r e at e s at l e a s t a s tr o n g i n fe r e n c e th at Ap p e ll an t w a s th e s h o o te r b e c au s e S av a g e d i d n o t p o s s e s s a fi r e arm o n h i s p e r s o n i mm e d i at e l y p ri o r t o s h o t s b e i n g fi re d . S av a g e t e s ti fi e d th at a ft e r h e ran o ut o fth e b u il d i n g , h e s aw Ap p e ll ant h o l d i n g a fi r e arm , s aw th e mu z z l e fl a s h , an d h e ar d a s h o t fi r e d . N T. 

### a t 1 5 3 . A s S av a g e c o n t i nu e d t o r un , h e h e ar d an o th e r s h o t fir e d . i

d T h i s c o mp o rts w i th th e t e s t i m o ny o f th e p ath o l o g i s t , 

### Dr . N e il H o ff m an , wh o s ai d th at V i c t i m r e c e i v e d tw o g un s h o t w o un d s . N T . 

### a t 2 4 7 - 2 4 8 . T h e c r e d i b ili ty o f S av a g e ' s t e s t i m o ny , a s w e ll a s th at o f J e r e l , an d any o th e r w i tn e s s , i s th e s o l e p r o v i n c e o fth e j ury . T h i s j ury kn e w th e s e l f

- i n t e r e s t wh i c h m ay h av e i n fl u e n c e d b o th S av a g e , h i s h a l f - b r o th e r J e r e l an d Ap p e ll ant. A c c o r d i n g t o J e r e l , Ap p e ll ant a dm i tt e d th at h e s h o t th e V i c t i m try i n g t o p r o te c t h i s fr i e n d S av a g e an d th at h e w o u l d d o i t a g a i n i f e v e r n e c e s s ary t o p ro t e c t S av a g e . N T. 1 9 7 - 1 9 8 . C l e ar l y , a s r e fl e c t e d b y th ei r v e r d i c t , th e j ury b e li e v e d J ar el ' s t e s t i m o ny th at Ap p e ll ant kn e w wh e r e th e h an d g un w a s p l a c e d a ft e r th e ki lli n g an d d i r e c te d J ar el o n wh e r e i t c o u l d b e r e c o v e r ed . N T. 

### a t 1 9 4 . D r . H o f fm an p e r fo rm e d th e aut o p s y o n V i c t i m an d t e s t i fi e d th at c au s e o f d e ath w a s " a 7b il at e r a l h e m o th o r ax d u e t o a g un s h o t t o th e c h e st . " N T a t 2 4 8 - 2 5 0 . A c c o r d i n g t o H i n c h cl iff e , m a li c e m ay b e i n f

e rr e d fr o m th e i nt e nti o na l us e o f a d e a d l y w e a p o n o n a vi t a l p art o f th e bo dy . 3 8 8 A . 2 d at 10 6 8 . A h an d g un i s a d e a d l y w e a p o n an d th e c h e s t an d a

b d o m i n a l r e g i o n c o nta i ns m any v i ta l o r g an s . Ap p e ll ant c an b e r e a so na b l y c h ar g e d w i th th e kn o w l e d g e th at g un s h o t s t o th e c h e s t an d ab d o me n ar e l ik e l y t o c au s e g rav e i n j ury o r d e ath . A c c o r d i n g l y , th e fa c ts a d d u c e d at tr i a l ar e s u ffi ci e nt t o s u

p p o rt th e e l e m e nt o f m a li c e an d th e v e r d i c t o f g u il ty t o C o unt 2 . S u ffi ci e n c y o f E v i d e n c e - S e r i o u s B o d il y I n i un:: S e c o n d , Ap p e ll ant c h a ll e n g e s th at th e C o mm o nw e a l th d i d n o t pre s e nt s u ffi c i e nt e v i d e n c e t o e s t ab li s h th at Ap p e ll ant' s c o n d u c t w a s an att e mp t t o cau se s e ri o u s l y b o d il y i n j ury . A p er s o n m ay be c o nvi c t e d o f a g g r av at e d a s sau l t g ra d e d a s a fi r s t d e g r e e f el o ny i f h e
" att e mp ts t o c au se s e ri o u s b o d il y in j ury t o an o th e r , o r c au s e s s u c h i n j ury i nt e nti o n a ll y , kn o wi n g l y o r r e c k l es s l y un d e r c i r c um s t an c e s m an i f e s ti n g e x tr e m e i n d i ff

e r e n c e t o th e v a l u e o f hum an 

### li fe . .. . " 1 8 Pa . C

S. § 2 7 0 2 (

a )( l ) . " S e r i o u s b o d il y i n

j ury " m e an s " [ b

j o d i l y i n j ury wh i c h c r e at e s a s u

b s t ant i a l 

### ri sk o f d e ath o r wh i c h c au s e s s e ri o u s , p e rm an e nt d i s fi g ur e m e nt , o r p r o tr a c t e d l o s s o r i mp a i rm e nt o f th e fun c t i o n o f any b o d il y m e mb e r o r o r g an . " 1 8 Pa . C S. § 2 3 0 1 . H e r e , c r e d i b l e t e s t i m o ny at tr i a l e s t ab li s h e d th at Ap p e ll ant n o t o n l y att e mp t e d t o c au s e , b ut h e d i d i n fa c t c au s e s e ri o us b o d il y i n j ury t o V i c t i m b y s h o o ti n g V ic ti m tw i c e . 

### N. T a t 2 4 8 - 2 5 0 . T h e s am e an a l y s i s a p p li e d t o th e p r e v i o u s c h a ll e n g e is a p p li c ab l e t o th e i n s tant o n e wi th o ut any n e e d fo r f

urth e r d e v e l o p m e nt. 8S u ffi ci e n c y o f E v i d e n c e - P o s s e s s io n o fF i r e arm



### Th i r d , Ap p e ll ant c ha ll e n g e s wh e th e r th e C o mm o nw e a l th p r e s e nt e d s uffi ci e nt e vi d e n c e t o e s t ab li s h th at Ap p e ll ant p o s s e s s e d a s e m i aut o m at i c h an d g un .

a ) O ff e n s e d e fi n e d . - - ( I ) E x c e p t a s p r o v i d e d in 

### p ara g r a p h ( 2 ) ; any p e r so n wh o c arr i e s a fi re arm i n any v e h i cl e o r any p e rs o n wh o c arr i e s a fi r e arm c o n c e a l e d o n o r a b o ut h i s pe rs o n , e x c e p t i n h i s p l a c e o f a bo d e o r fi x e d p l a c e o f b u s i n e s s , w i th o ut a v a li d an d l aw fu ll y i s s u e d li c e ns e un d e r th i s c h a p t e r c o mm i t s a fe l o ny o fth e th i r d d e g r e e . ( 2 ) A p e r s o n wh o 

### is o th e rw i s e e li g i b l e t o p o s s e ss a v a li d li c e n s e un d e r th is c h a p t e r b ut c ar

r i e s a fi r e arm i n any v e hi cl e o r any pe r s o n wh o c arri e s a fi r e arm c o n c e a l e d o n o r a bo ut h i s pe r s o n , e x c e p t i n h i s p l a c e o f a b o d e o r fi x e d p l a c e o f

b u s i n e s s , w i th o ut a v a li d an d l aw fu ll y i s s u e d li c e n s e an d h as n o t c o mm i tt e d any oth e r c ri m i n a l v i o l at i o n c o mm i t s a m i s d e m e an o r o f th e fi r s t d e gr e e . 1 8 Pa . C S. A . § 6 1 0 6 A l. 

### H e r e , J 

### e r e l t e s t i fi e d th at App e ll ant an d S av a g e c o- o wn e d an d s h ar e d a h an d g un . N. T. 2 0 3 . 

### V i d e o fo o t a g e at tri a l s h o w s Ap p e ll ant arr i v i n g at th e p arty w e ari n g an o v e r s i z e d h o o d i e - typ e s w e at s h i rt . C

o m m o n w e a lt

h E x h i b i t 2 0 0 ; 2 68 ; 

### N. T. a t 3 2 3 - 3 2 5 . 

### D e t e c t i v e C e d e n o t e s t i fi e d : Q 

### G o i n g b a c k th e n t o th e c am e ra at 3 5 0 N o rth F r o nt S tr e e t . I wi l l 9p l ay o n e m o r e t i m e an d th e n c ut t o th e n e x t p e rt i n e nt t i m e s t amp . D o y o u n o t ic e any th i n g a

b o ut th e w ay th at th e d e f e n d ant i s w a l k i n g o r wh at h e i s d o i n g w i th h i s h an d s ? A H e h a d h i s h an d s i n h i s p o c k e t s . L e ft h an d i n h i s p o c k e t. A t o n e p o i n t h i s r i g h t h an d i s a l m o s t li k e p att i n g h i s p o c k e t s a l m o s t c h e c k i n g i f s o m e th i n g i s i n th e r e . N. T. 

### 3 2 3 - 3 2 4 . T h e v i d e o s h o w s h o w e a s i l y Ap p e ll an t c o u l d h av e c o n c e al e d a w e a p o n un d e r h i s h o o d i e . P ri o r t o S av a g e runn i n g , h e s a i d s aw th e Ap p e ll ant c o c k b a c k a h an d g un . 

### N. T. 

### a t 1 5 1 . S h o rt l y th e r e a ft e r , S av a g e s aw Ap p e ll ant h o l d i n g a h an d g un , s aw a mu z z l e fl as h an d h e ar d th e g uns h o ts . N. 

### T. 

### a t 1 5 3. A s d i s c u s s e d 

### s u p ra , S av a g e w a s p att e d d o wn fo r w e a p o n s ; Ap p e ll ant w a s n o t. 

### N. T. 

### a t 6 0 - 6 1 . A c c o r d i n g t o J ar e l , Ap p e ll ant a dm i tt e d th at h e s h o t th e V i c ti m . N. 

### T. 

### a t 1 9 7- 1 9 8, an d Ap p e ll ant d ir e c t e d J ar e l t o th e l o c at i o n o f th e d i s c ar d e d h an d g un . 

### N. T. 

### a t 1 9 4 . I n a d d i t i o n , D e t e c ti v e C e d e n o t e s t i fi e d th at Ap p e ll ant d i d n o t p o s s e s s a li c e ns e t o c arry a fi r e arm n o r w a s 2 3 6 N o rth F r o n t Ap p e ll an t' s h o m e o r p l a c e o f b u s i n e s s . 

### N. T. 

### 3 13 ; C o m m o n w e a l t

h E x h i b i t 2 6 6 . N e i th e r a s s e rt i o n w a s c h a ll e n g e d b y th e D e f e n s e . T h e e v i d e n c e i s m o r e th an s u ffi ci e nt t o s u p p o rt th e j ury ' s g u il ty v e r d i c t o n th i s c o unt.

S u ffi c i e n c y o f E v i d e n c e - P o s s e s s i n g In s tr um e n t o f C r i m e
F o urth , Ap p e ll an t c h a ll e n g e s th at th e C o mm o nw e al th d i d n o t p r e s e nt s u ffi ci e nt e v i d e n c e th at Ap p e ll ant e v e r p o s s e s s e d an i n s trum e nt o f c r i m e , n am e l y a s e m i aut o m ati c h an d g un .

( b ) P o s s e s s i o n o f w e a

p o n . - - A p e rs o n c o mm i ts a m i s d e m e an o r o f th e

10fi r s t d e g r e e i f h e p o s se s se s a fi r e arm o r o th e r w e a p o n c o n c e a l e d u p o n h i s p e r s o n w i th int e n t t o e mp l o y i t c ri mi n a ll y . 1 8 Pa . C S. A § 9 0 7

. T h e s am e an a l y s i s a

p p li e d t o th e p r e v i o u s c h a ll e n g e i s a p p li c ab l e t o th e i n s t ant o n e w i th o ut furth e r d e v e l o p m e nt. A d d i t i o n al l y , b y c o c ki n g th e h an d g un b a c k an d y e lli n g at th e V i c ti m t o c o m e o ut s i d e , b y p u lli n g th e tri g g e r an d s h oo t i n g th e V i c t i m . th e r e i s s u ff i c i e n t e v i d e n c e t o e s tab li s h th at th e Ap p e ll ant h a d th e i nt e n t t o e mp l o y th e h an d g un c ri m i n a ll y . ' ' A p e rs o n a c t s i n t e n t i o n a ll y wi th re s p ec t t o a m at e r i a l e l e m e nt o f an o ff e n s e wh e n : ( i ) i f th e el e m e nt i nv o l v e s th e n at ur e o f h i s c o n d

u c t o r a r e s u l t th e r e o f

. i t i s h i s c o n s ci o u s o b

j e c t t o e n g a g e i n c o n d

u c t o fth at n atur e o r t o c au s e s u c h a r e su l t . . ; " 1 8 Pa . C, S. A . § ( b )( l ) ( i ) . T h e e v i d e n c e i s s u f

fi c i e n t t o s u

p p o rt th e j ury ' s v e r d i c t o f g ui l ty t o th i s C o unt.

W e i g h t o f th e E v i d e n c e - S t an d ar d o f R e v i e w

Ap p e ll an t ' s l as t fo ur e rr o r s c l ai m s th at h i s c o nv i c t i o n w as a g ain s t th e w e i g h t o f th e e v i d e n c e . Ap p e ll an t ar g u e s th at th e w e i g h t o f th e e v i d e n c e i s c o ntr ary t o th e v e r d i c t o f g u il t fo r M ur d e r o f

th e T h i r d D e g r e e , A g g r av at e d A s sau l t , F i r e arm s N o t t o be C arr i e d W i th o ut a L i c e n s e , an d P o s s e s s i n g I n s trum e nts o f C ri m e . 

### 1 1" A tru e w ei g h t o f th e e v i d e n c e c h al l e n g e c o n c e d e s th at s u ffi ci e n t e v i d e n c e e xi s t s t o

s u s t a i n th e v e r d ic t b ut qu e s t i o n s wh i c h e v i d e n c e i s t o b e b e li e v e d . " 

### C o m m o nw e a lt

h v . 

### C h a r l to n , 9 0 2 A . 2 d 5 5 4 � 5 6 1 ( P a . S u p e r . 2 00 6 ) ( c it at i o n o m i tt e d ) . Th e w e i g h t o f th e e v i d e n c e i s e x cl u s i v e l y fo r th e fi n d e r o f fa c t w h o i s fr e e t o b e li e v e a ll , p art , o r n o n e o f th e e v i d e n c e an d t o d e t e rm i n e th e c r e d i b ili ty o f th e wi tn e s s e s . A n a pp e ll at e c o urt c ann o t s ub s ti t ut e i t s j u d g m e nt fo r th at o f th e fi n d e r o f fa c t. T hu s , w e m ay o n l y r e v e r s e th e l o w e r c o urt ' s v e r d ic t i f i t i s s o c o ntr ary t o th e e v i d e n c e a s t o s h o c k o n e ' s s e n s e o f j u st ic e . M o r e o v er , wh e r e th e tr i a l c o urt h as ru l e d o n th e w e i g h t cl a i m b e l o w , an a p p e ll at e c o urt ' s r o l e i s n o t t o c o n s i d e r th e un d e r l y i n g qu e s t i o n o f wh e th e r th e v e r d i c t i s ag a i n s t th e w e i g h t o f th e e v i d e n c e . R ath e r , ap p e ll at e r e v i e w i s li m i t e d t o wh e th e r th e tri a l c o urt p a l p ab l y a

b u s e d i t s d i s c r e t i o n i n ru li n g o n th e w e i g h t cl a i m . 

### C o m m o n w e a lth v. C h a m p n e y , 8 3 2 A. 2 d 4 0 3 , 4 0 8 ( P a . 2 0 0 3 ) ( ci t ati o n s o m i tt e d ) . Ap p e ll ant cl ai m s th at th e v e r d i c t w a s a g a i n s t th e w e i g h t o f th e e v i d e n c e . H o w e v e r , a s s e t fo rth ab o v e i n th i s c o urt ' s an al y s i s o f th e s u ffi ci e n c y o f th e e v i d e n c e , th e v e r d ic t w as n o t un s u p p o rt e d b y o r co ntr ary t o th e e v i d e n c e . R ath e r , th e c o mp e ti n g e v i d e n c e w a s p r o v i d e d b y w i tn e s s e s w h o 

### al l h a d e n o rm o u s p e r s o n a l i nt e r e s t i n th e o ut c o m e . Wh e n J e r e l a s s i s t e d D e t e c t i v e C e d e n o i n r e c o v e ry o f th e h an d gun an d ap p r e h e n s i o n o f Ap p e l lant , J e r e l h a d n o o p e n c h ar g e s . N T J 9 9 � 2 0 1 . H o w e v e r , atth e t i m e o f tri a l , J e r e l w as fa ci n g F el o ny R o b b e ry c h ar g e s an d t e s t i fi e d th at h e w a s n o t p r o m i s e d any th i n g i n e x c h an g e fo r h i s t e s t i m o ny . 

### I d . Th e j ury e v a l u at e d th e t e s t i m o ny an d e v i d e n c e , d e t e rm i n e d th e c r e d i b ili ty o f th e wi tn e s s e s an d , w h e n a s s e s s i n g th e w e i g h t o f th e e v i d e n c e , be li e v e d th e e v i d e n c e p r e s e nt e d b y th e p r o s e c ut i o n an d r e n d e r e d a g u il ty v e r d i c t. T h e r e w as n o t e s ti m o ny o r e vi d e n c e , o th e r th an th at o ff e r e d b y 1 2

### Ap pe ll ant , co ntr ary t o o r i n c o n s i s t e nt 

### wi th th e v e r d i c t. T h e j ury p r o p e r l y c h o s e wh at t e s t i m o ny

t o b e li e v e .

B Y T HE C O U RT :

1 3