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

Appell ee v. JERONE ANDRE MOORE

Appell ant : : : : : : : : : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF

PENNSYLVANIA

No. 820 MDA 2017 Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence April 10, 2017 In the Court of Common Pleas of Luzerne County Criminal Division at No(s): CP - 40 - CR - 0003215 - 2015 BEFORE: GANTMAN, P.J., OTT, J., and KUNSELMAN, J. MEMORANDUM BY GANTMAN, P.J.: FILED AUGUST 10, 2018 Appellant, Jerone Andre Moore, appeals from the judgment of sentence entered in the Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas, following his jury trial convictions of attempted murder and kidnapping. 1 We affirm. The relevant facts and procedural history of this case are as follows . Appellant and Victim met on October 3, 2014. Appellant took Victim to a party on the evening of October 4, 2014, at the home of Chloe Isaacs , Appellant’s friend . Followin g the party, Appellant and Victim returned to Victim’s apartment , where they engaged in consensual sexual intercourse. In the early morning hours of October 5, 2014, Ms. Isaacs and another party guest, Emily Evelock , went to Victim’s apartment, looking fo r a stolen iPhone. Ms. Isaacs,

_________________ ____________________ _______ 1 18 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 901 and 2901(a)(3), respectively.J - S20033 - 18

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Ms. Evelock, and Appellant forced Victim into Ms. Isaacs’ car, and they drove back to Ms. Isaacs’ apartment. Ms. Isaacs, Ms. Evelock, and two other female party guests stripped Victim and placed her inside a plastic garbage bag. They beat Victim and stubbed out cigarettes on her face. Appellant and Nyg ee Taylor then transported Victim from Ms. Isaacs’ kitchen into the attic an d stuffed Victim inside a garbage barrel. After about four hours, Appellant, Mr. Taylor, and Darnell Evans placed Victim inside the trunk of Ms. Isaacs’ car, and drove to the woods. Appellant and Mr. Taylor led Victim, from behind, into the woods. Appel lant tried to cut Victim with a razor blade, but Victim blocked it with her hand. Next, using Mr. Evans’ knife, Appellant slashed Vict im’s neck. Victim played dead . O nce her attackers were gone from the scene, she sought aid at a nearby house . Appell ant’s jury trial began on February 21, 2017. Ms. Isaacs testified , over a d efense o bjection , that Mr. Taylor had criticized Appellant for going into a store after the crime with Victim’s blood still on his hands. The court additionally admitted into evid ence a text message sent from Appellant ’s phone to his girlfriend on October 6, 2014, one day after the incident. The message read, “A lot of shit went down bae n its bad I need to leave [sic].” On February 24, 2017, the jury convicted Appellant of attem pted murder and kidnapping .J - S20033 - 18

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Following Appellant’s conviction, the court ordered a presentence investigation (“PSI”) report . On April 6, 2017, the Commonwealth filed a motion to amend the PSI report to increase Appellant’s prior record score from three to five , based on Appellant’s prior conviction of manslaughter in New York 2 and to apply the deadly weapon enhancement. On April 10, 2017, the court sentenced Appellant to an aggregate term of twenty - six (26) to sixty (60) years’ incarceration. Appellant filed a timely post - sentence motion on April 13, 2017 , which the court denied on May 9, 2017 . On May 16, 2017, Appellant timely filed a notice of appeal. The court ordered Appellant on May 18, 2017, to file a concise statement of errors complai ned of on appeal pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b). Appellant timely complied on June 5, 2017. Appellant raises six issues for our review: (1) WHETHER THE TRIAL CO URT ERRED BY ADMITTI NG CHLOE ISSACS’ HEARSAY TESTIMONY UNDER TH E CO CONSPIRATOR EXCEPTIO N TO THE HEARSAY RULE, PA .R.E. 803(25)(E)? (2) WHETHER THE TRIAL CO UT ERRED WHEN IT DETERMINED THAT [APP ELLANT]’S PREVIOUS N EW YORK STATE CONVICTION WAS EQUIVALENT TO PENNSYLVANIA’S THIRD DEGREE MURDER STATU TE THEREBY MAKING [APPE LLANT]’S PRIOR RECOR D SCORE 5 INSTEAD OF 3? (3) WHETHER THE TRIAL CO URT ERRED BY ADMITTI NG TEXT MESSAGES INTO E VIDENCE WHEN THE COMMONWEALTH DID NOT AUTHENTICATE THE TE XT

_________________ ____________________ _______ 2 N.Y. Penal Law § 125.20.J - S20033 - 18

- 4 - MESSAGES AS BEING SE NT BY [APPELLANT] UN DER PA.R.E. 901? (4) WHETHER THE JURY’S D ETERMINATION THAT TH E VICTIM SU FFERED SERIOUS BODILY INJURY WAS SUPPORTED BY INSUFFI CIENT EVIDENCE SINCE NO MEDICAL EXPERT TESTI FIED, NO TREATING PH YSICIAN TESTIFIED, ...VICTIM’S INJURIES WERE NOT L IFE THREATENING, AND THE RE WAS NO EVIDENCE T O PROVE THAT...VICTIM’S SCAR W AS PERMANENT? (5) WHETHER THE JURY’S D ETERMINATION THAT...VI CTIM SUFFERED A SERIOUS B ODILY INJURY WAS AGA INST THE WEIGHT OF THE EVIDEN CE SINCE NO MEDICAL EXPERT TESTIFIED, NO TREATI NG PHYSICIAN TESTIFI ED, ...VICTIM’S INJURIES W ERE NOT LIFE THREATE NING, AND THERE WAS NO EVIDENC E TO PROVE THAT...VICTI M’S SCAR WAS PERMANENT? (6) WHETHER THE SENTENCI NG STRUCTURE IN 18 PA.C.S.A. § 1102(C) IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL UNDER APPRENDI V. NEW JERSEY , 530 U.S. 466[, 120 S.CT. 2348, 147 L.ED.2D 43 5] (2000) AND WHETHE R THE TRIAL COURT IMPERMISSIBLY PERFORMED A LEGISLAT IVE FUNCTION BY ADDING T HE SERIOUS BODILY IN JURY QUESTION TO THE VERD ICT SLIP IN AN ATTEM PT TO REMEDY THE UNCONSTIT IONAL ITY OF 18 PA.C.S.A. § 1102(C)? ( Appellant’s Brief at 7 - 8). 3 Preliminarily, “to preserve their claims for appellate review, appellants must comply whenever the trial court orders them to file a Statement of [Errors] Complained of on Appeal pursuant to [Rule] 1925. Any issues not raised in a [Rule] 1925(b) statement will be deemed waived.” Commonwealth v. Castillo , 585 Pa. 395, 403, 888 A.2d 775, 780 (2005)

_________________ ____________________ _______ 3 Issues reordered for purposes of disposition.J - S20033 - 18

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(quoting Commonwealth v. Lord , 553 Pa. 415, 420, 719 A.2d 306, 309 (1998)). Instantly, Appellant did not raise his third appellate issue , which challenges the a dmission of a text message into evidence, in his Rule 1925(b) statement. Consequently, Appellant’s third issue is waived. See id. After a thorough review of the record, the briefs of the parties, the applicable law, and the well - reasoned opinion of th e Honorable David W. Lupas, we conclude Appellant’s issues one and two merit no relief. The trial court opinion comprehensively discusses and properly disposes of the questions presented. ( See Trial Court Opinion, filed November 27, 2017, at 3 - 5, 12 - 14 ) (finding : ( 1 ) preponderance of evidence convinced court there was conspiracy between Appellant and declarant, Mr. Taylor , for purposes of admitting evidence, when Commonwealth offered Ms. Is a acs’ testimony regarding Mr. Taylor’s statement; additionally, Mr . Taylor made declarations during conspiracy, in course of concealing evidence, and in furtherance of common design of evading capture; Ms. Isa acs’ testimony about Mr. Taylor’s statement met co - conspirator exception to hearsay rule; (2 ) court allowed amend ment of Appellant’s prior record score to include Appellant’s New York conviction for first - degree manslaughter because New York’s first - degree manslaughter offense is sufficiently similar to Pennsylvania’s third - degree murder offense) . Accordingly, as to Appellant’s first and second issues , we affirm based on the trial court opinion. In his fourth and fifth issue s combined , Appellant argues theJ - S20033 - 18

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Commonwealth presented in sufficient evidence for a jury to find Victim sustained a serious bodily injury . Appellant contends the verdict that Victim was in substantial risk of death shocks one’s sense of justice and is against the weight of the evidence. Appellant avers no medical expert or treating physician testified , Victim’s injuries were not life threa tening , and there was no evidence to prove V ictim’s neck scar was permanent . Appellant concludes this Court should grant him a new trial or vacate his sentence. We disagree. The following principles apply to challenges to the sufficiency of the eviden ce:

The standard we apply in reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence is whether viewing all the evidence admitted at trial in the light most favorable to the verdict winner, there is sufficient evidence to enable the fact - finder to find every element of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. In applying [the above] test, we may not weigh the evidence and substitute our judgment for the fact - finder. In addition, we note that the facts and circumstances established by the Commonwealth need not preclude ever y possibility of innocence. Any doubts regarding a defendant’s guilt may be resolved by the fact - finder unless the evidence is so weak and inconclusive that as a matter of law no probability of fact may be drawn from the combined circumstances. The Commo nwealth may sustain its burden of proving every element of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt by means of wholly circumstantial evidence. Moreover, in applying the above test, the entire record must be evaluated and all evidence actually received must be considered. Finally, the [finder] 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. Jones , 874 A.2d 108, 120 - 21 (Pa.Super. 2005) (quoting Commonwealth v. Bullick, 830 A. 2d 998, 1000 (Pa.Super. 2003)).J - S20033 - 18

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Our standard of review for a challenge to the weight of the evidence is as follows:

The weight of the evidence is exclusively for the finder of fact who is free to believe all, part, or none of the evidence and to determine the credibility of the witnesses. An appellate court cannot substitute its judgment for that of the finder of fact. Thus, we may only reverse the lower court’s verdict if it is so contrary to the evidence as to shock one’ s sense of justice. Moreover, where the trial court has ruled on the weight claim below, an appellate court’s role is not to consider the underlying question of whether the verdict is against the weight of the evidence. Rather, appellate review is limite d to whether the trial court palpably abused its discretion in ruling on the weight claim. Commonwealth v. Champney, 574 Pa. 435, 444, 832 A.2d 403, 408 (2003), cert. denied , 542 U.S. 939, 124 S.Ct. 2906, 159 L.Ed.2d 816 (2004) (internal citations omitted).

Under the Crimes Code, “[a] person commits an attempt when with intent to commit a specific crime, he does any act which constitutes a substantial step towards the commission of the crime.” 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 901(a). A person may be convicted of at tempted murder if he takes a substantial step toward the commission of a killing, with the specific intent in mind to commit such an act. See 18 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 901, 2502. The substantial step test broadens the scope of attempt liability by concentrating on the acts the defendant has done and does not any longer focus on the acts remaining to be done before the actual commission of the crime. The mens rea required for first - degree murder, specific intent to kill, may be established solely from circumstantia l evidence. [T]he law permits the fact finder to infer that one intends the natural and probable consequences of his acts. Commonwealth v. Jackson , 955 A.2d 441, 444 (Pa.Super. 2008), appeal denied , 600 Pa. 760, 967 A.2d 958 (2009) (most internal citations andJ - S20033 - 18

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quotation marks omitted). The Crimes Code defines “serious bodily injury” as “[b]odily injury which creates a substantial risk of death or which causes serious, permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ.” 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 2301. See also Commonwealth v. Reid , 867 A.2d 1280, 1284 (Pa. Super. 2005) , appeal denied , 586 Pa. 725, 890 A.2d 1058 (2005) ( noting slashed throat constituted serious bodily injury ). Instantly, Appellant and company took Victim into the woods ; Appellant slashed Victim’s neck and scalp with a knife and left her to die. Appellant’s slashing of Victim’s neck and leaving the scene created a substantial risk of V ictim’s death. See 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 2301; Reid , supra . Therefore, the Commonwealth presented suffic ient evidence to sustain the jury’s finding of serious bodily injury . See Jones , supra . Additiona lly, the jury’s finding of serious bodily injury did not shock the court’s conscience . Thus, the court properly denied Appellant’s weight of the evidence claim . See Champney , supra . In his sixth issue, Appellant argues the Commonwealth did not notify Appellant of its intent to prove serious bodily inju ry , a fact that increases the stat utory maximum penalty for a crime and must be prove d beyond a reasonable doubt , under A pprendi v. New Jersey, 530 U.S. 466 , 120 S.Ct. 2348, 147 L . Ed.2d 435 (2000) . Appellant submits serious bodily injury is a sentence enhancer that the legislature and Section 1102(c) do not allow a trialJ - S20033 - 18

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court to present to a jury. Appellant analogizes to Commonwealth v. Valentine , 101 A.3d 801 (Pa.Super. 2014), appeal denied , 633 Pa. 749, 124 A.3d 309 (2015) , which declared Sections 9 712 and 9713 unconstitutional under Alleyne v. United States , 570 U.S. 99, 133 S.Ct. 2151, 186 L.Ed.2d 314 (2013), because each statute required proof at sentencing of a fact that could increase the mandatory minimum sentence . Appellant avers Section 1102 intended a judge to decide serious bodily injury at sentencing , even though the statute does not contain a - proof - at - sentencing subsection. Appellant maintains the court impermissibly performed a legislative function when it allowed the verdict slip to in clude serious bodily injury. Appellant concludes this Court should vacate his judgment of sentence and remand for resentencing in accordance with the twenty (20) year statutory maximum for attempted murder without serious bodily injury. We disagree. A challenge to the legality of a sentence is a question of law. Commonwealth v. Barnes , 167 A.3d 110, 116 (Pa.Super. 2017) ( en banc ) . Thus, our standard of review is de novo and our scope of review is plenary. Id. The sentence for attempted murder is as follows:

§ 1102. Sentence for murder, murder of unborn child and murder of law enforcement officer * * * (c) Attempt, solicitation and conspiracy. — Notwithstanding section 1103(1) (relating to sentence of imprisonment for felony), a person who has been convictedJ - S20033 - 18

- 10 - of attempt, solicitation or conspiracy to commit murder, murder of an unborn child or murder of a law enforcement officer where serious bodily injury results may be sentenced to a term of imprisonment which shall be fixed by the court a t not more than 40 years. Where serious bodily injury does not result, the person may be sentenced to a term of imprisonment which shall be fixed by the court at not more than 20 years. 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 1102(c) (emphasis added). The Commonwealth must gi ve a defendant notice that it seeks to prove serious bodily injury in order for the 40 - year maximum sentence for attempted murder to apply . Barnes, supra . “Serious bodily injury is a fact that must be proven before a maximum sentence of [40] years may be imposed for attempted homicide.” Id. at 117. See also Commonwealth v. Johnson , 910 A.2d 60 (Pa.Super. 2006), appeal denied , 592 Pa. 766, 923 A.2d 1173 (2007) (stating jury has sole responsibility to find beyond reasonable doubt whether serious bodily injury resulted from attempted murder). Instantly , the Commonwealth filed an amended criminal information on February 10, 2017, which stated:

AMENDED INFORMATION COUNT 1 – Criminal Attempt to Murder of the 1st Degree – 18 Pa.C.S.A. [§] 901(a) – 18 [Pa.]C.S.A. [§] 2502(a) – (Homicide 1) [Appellant] committed an attempt when, with intent to commit the crime of Murder of the 1st Degree, 18 Pa.C. S.A. [§] 2502(a), [Appellant] did an act which constituted a substantial step toward the commission of the aforesaid crime causing serious bodily injury to [Victim] with a knife. (Amended Criminal Information, filed February 10, 2017, at 1). BeforeJ - S20033 - 18

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deli beration, the court instructed the jury as follows:

THE COURT: [Appellant] has been charged with attempted murder. To find [Appellant] guilty of this offense, you must find that the following three elements have been proven beyond a reasonable doubt. Fir st, that [Appellant] did a certain act. And in this case, it’s alleged he cut someone with a knife. Second, that at the time of this alleged act, [Appellant] had the specific intent to kill [Victim]; that is, he had a fully formed intent to kill and he w as conscious of his own intentions. And third, that the act constituted a substantial step toward the commission of the killing [Appellant] intended to bring about. * * * If you are satisfied that the three elements of attempted murder have been proven beyond a reasonable doubt, you should find [Appellant] guilty; otherwise, you must find [Appellant] not guilty of this crime. You will see later when I give you the verdict slip, you’ll be asked to consider something else. If, and only if you should find [Appellant] guilty of attempted murder beyond a reasonable doubt. If and only if you find [Appellant] guilty of the attempted murder of [Victim], you must answer the following question: Do you, the jury, find beyond a reasonable doubt that [A ppellant’s] attempt to commit murder caused serious bodily injury to [Victim]? Let me define for you what serious bodily injury is. Serious bodily injury is bodily injury that creates a substantial risk of death or that causes serious permanent disfigure ment or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ. (N .T. , 2/24/17 , at 662 - 64). T he jury completed the verdict slip as follows:

VERDICT SLIPJ - S20033 - 18

- 12 - AND NOW, this 24 [th] day of February, 2017, we the jury...find [Appellant] , as follows: CRIMINAL ATTEMPT TO COMMIT MURDER OF THE FIRST DEGREE On the charge of criminal attempt to commit murder of the first degree, we find [Appellant]: GUILTY

_____X

_____ NOT GUILTY

___________ If and only if you find [Appellant] guilty of the Attempted Murder of [Victim] answer the following question: Do you the Jury find beyond a reasonable doubt that [Appellant’s] attempt to commit murder caused Serious Bodily Injury to [Victim]? YES

_____X

_____ NO

_____ ______ (Verdict Slip, Febru ary 24, 2017, at 1). The record demonstrates the Commonwealth gave adequate notice to Appellant of its intent to prove serious bodily injury in the amended criminal information. See Barnes, supra . Additionally, the court properly instructed the jury o n the elements of serious bodily injury , and the jury found beyond a reasonable doubt that Appellant’s attempted murder caused serious bodily injury to Victim. See id. ; Johnson, supra . Therefore, the court’s imposition of the 40 - year maximum sentence did not violate Apprendi . Accordingly, we affirm the judgment of sentence.J - S20033 - 18

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Judgment of sentence affirmed. Judgment Entered. Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq. Prothonotary Date: 8/10/2018Circulated 07/23/2018 10:18 AM 1 1 T H J U D I C I A L D I S T R I C T O F P E N N S Y LVA N I A C O M M O N W EA L

T H O F P E N N S Y LVA N I A

. J E R O N E M O O R E D e f e n d a n t 

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### O P I N I O N B Y : T H E H O N O RA B L E D AV I D W
. L U P AS 

### I. F A C T S A N D P R O C E D U RA L H I S T O RY : I N T H E C O U RT O F C O M M O N P L E AS O F L U Z E R N E C O U N TY C R I M I N A L D I V I S I O N
N O
. 3 2 1 5 o f 2 0 1 5

O n N o v e m b e r 1 2 , 2 0 1 5 , t h e L u z e rn e C o u n ty Di s t r i ct Atto rn e y fi l e d a te n ( 1 0 ) co u n t I n fo r m a t i o n d o c k e t e d to n u m b e r 3 2 1 5 o f 2 0 1 5 c h a rg i n g t h e a b o v e n a m e d D e f e n d a n t w i t h Att e m p t C ri m i n a l H o m i c i d e , 1 8 P a . C
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. A. § 9 0 1 , C ri m i n a l C o n s p i ra cy , 1 8 P a . C
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. A. § 9 0 3 ( a ) ( 1 ) , Ag g ra v a t e d As s a u l t , 1 0 P a C
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. A. § 2 7 0 2 { a ) ( 1 ) ; K i d n a p p i n g , 1 8 P a . C
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. A. § 2 9 0 1 ( a ) ( 3 ) a n d o t h e r re l a te d o ff e n s e s . 1 S u b s e q u e n t to a j u ry t ri a l co m m e n c i n g o n F e b ru a ry 2 1 , 2 0 1 7 , t h e D e f e n d a n t wa s

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o u n d g u il ty o f C o u n t O n e ( 1 ) C ri m i n a l Atte m p t to C o m m i t H o m i c i d e a n d C o u n t F o u r ( 4 ) K i d n a p p i n g . 2 A 

### P re - S e n te n ce I n v e s t i g a t i o n wa s o rd e re d to b e c o m p l e t e d b y t h e L u z e rn e C o u n ty Ad u l t P ro b a ti o n a n d P a ro l e D e p a rt m e n t , ! • . a n d a s e n t e n c i n g d a t e wa s s c h e d u l e d
. O n A p ril 6 , 2 0 1 7 t h e C o m m o n w e a l t h fil e d a M o t i o n s e e k i n g to a m e n d t h e p re s e n t e n c e i n v e s t i g a t i o n re p o rt t a k i n g i s s u e w i t h t h e D e f e n d a n t ' s p ri o r re c o rd s c o re a n d

I Th e C o mmo nw ealth sub s equently fil ed tw o .. Amended Inf

o anati o n s o n S ep tember 22 , 2 0 1 6 and F ebruary 1 0 , 2 0 1 7 . 2 Th e C o mmo nwe alth withdrew C ount s tw o (2 ) and thre e { 3 ) at th e c o nclu si o n o f the evi dentiuy p o rti o n o f the tri al . . (N . T . p . 5 8 6 ) S e e al s o (N . T . p . 6 3 9 - 64 0 ) · 

### 1s e e k i n g t h e a p p li c a t i o n o f th e d e a d l y w e a p o n s e n t e n c i n g e n h a n c e m e n t c i t i n g 2 0 4 P a .

C o d e 

### § 3 0 3
. 1 O ( a ) ( 2 ) ( iii )
. T h e C o m m o n w e a l t h a s s e rte d th a t t h e D e f e n d a n t ' s a ct u a l p ri o r re co rd s c o re w a s fi v e ( 5 ) a n d t h e P re - S e n t e n c e I n v e s t i g a t i o n re p o rt wh i c h re p re s e n ted t h e D e f e n d a n t ' s p ri o r re co rd s c o re a t t h re e ( 3 ) w a s e r ro n e o u s . T h e D e f e n d a n t , t h ro u g h h i s c o u n s e l , fi l e d a b ri e f i n o p p o s i ti o n to t h e C o m m o n w e a l t h ' s M o t i o n o n A p r il 7 , 2 0 1 7
. D e f e n d a n t s o u g h t a s e n t e n c e re l y i n g o n t h e p ri o r re co rd o f t h re e ( 3 ) ; a s ta t u to ry m a x i m u m · li m i t o f tw e n ty ( 2 0 } y e a rs f o r co u n t o n e ( 1 ) a n d n o a p p li c a t i o n o f t h e d e a d l y we a p o n s e n t e n c i n g e n h a n ce m e n t. A rg u m e n ts w e re e n t e rta i n e d a t t h e s e n t e n c i n g h e a ri n g a n d a fte r c a re fu l · c o n s i d e ra t i o n o f t h e p a rt i e s ' b ri e f s , t h e a rg u m e n ts o f co u n s e l a n d re l e v a n t l e g a l a u t h o ri ty , we ru l e d o n t h e i s s u e s fi n d i n g t h a t t h e d e a d l y w e a p o n e n h a n c e m e n t d i d a p p l y to c o u n t o n e ( 1 ) ; t h a t t h e s ta t u to ry m a x i m u m f o r co u n t o n e ( 1 ) wa s f

o rty ( 4 0 ) y e a rs o f i n c a rc e ra t i o n a n d t h a t t h e D e f e n d a n t ' s p ri o r re co rd s c o re w a s f i v e ( 5 )3
. ( N
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. S e n t e n c i n g p . 1 7 - 1 8 )
. A s e n t e n c i n g h e a ri n g co m m e n c e d o n A p r il 1 0 , 2 0 1 7 , w h e n t h e D e f e n d a n t wa s s e n t e n c e d o n C o u n t 1 to a t e r m o f i m p ri s o n m e n t i n a s ta te co r re ct i o n a l i n s t i t u t i o n o f n o t l e s s t h a n tw e n ty ( 2 0 ) y e a rs to n o m o re t h a n fo rty ( 4 0 ) y e a rs . O n C o u n t 4 , t h e D e f e n d a n t wa s s e n t e n c e d to a t e r m o f i m p ri s o n m e n t o f s i x ( 6 ) y e a rs to tw e n ty ( 2 0 ) y e a rs to r u n c o n s e c u t i v e to t h e s e n te n c e o n C o u n t 1
. ( S e n te n c i n g N
. T
. p a g e 2 7 ) T h e D e f e n d a n t wa s s u b s e q u e n t l y a d v i s e d b y t h i s C o u rt o f h i s p o s t- s e n t e n c e ri g h ts b e fo re . t h e h e a ri n g co n c l u d e d
. ( S e n t e n c i n g N
. T
. p a g e s 2 9 - 3 0 )

3 C oun s el fo r the C o mmonwe alth with a pp ropri ate c andor c onc e de d th at th e de adly we a pon s entencing enhanc ement di d no t a pp ly to c ount four (4 ) ki dna pp ing and th ere fore we c on s i dere d that re que st to hav e b e en withdrawn . (N . T . S entencingp . 1 2 ) 2O n A p ril 1 3 , 2 0 1 7 , t h e D e f e n d a n t , t h ro u g h h i s co u n s e l , fil e d P o s t S e n t e n c e M o t i o n s . 

### B y O rd e r d a t e d M a y 9 , 2 0 1 7 w e d e n i e d D e f e n d a n t ' s P o s t- S e n t e n c e M o t i o n s . O n M a y 1 6 , 2 0 1 7 , th e D e f e n d a n t fi l e d a N o ti c e o f A p p e a l. Th i s C o u rt o rd e re d , o n M a y 1 8 , 2 0 1 7 , t h a t t h e D e f

e n d a n t fi l e a C o n c i s e S ta t e m e n t o f E rro rs C o m p l a i n e d o f o n A p p e a l p u rs u a n t to P a . RA P
. 1 9 2 5 ( b ) a n d re q u e s t e d t h e C o m m o n w e a l t h to re s p o n d t h e re to . T h e D e f e n d a n t ' s R u l e 1 9 2 5 ( b ) S t a t e m e n t w a s s u b m i tt e d o n J u n e 5 , 2 0 1 7 , a n d t h e C o m m o n w e a l th ' s re s p o n s e , fo ll ow i n g a n O rd e r g ra n t i n g a n e xt e n s i o n o f t i m e w it h i n w h i c h to fi l e a re s p o n s e , w a s fi l e d o n J u n e 2 6 , 2 0 1 7
. F o r t h e re a s o n s s e t fo rt h b e l ow , w e b e li e v e t h e D e f e n d a n t ' s a ll e g a t i o n s o f e r ro r a re w i t h o u t- m e ri t a n d , t h e re fo re , t h e v e rd i ct a n d j u d g m e n t o f s e n t e n c e s h o u l d b e a ffi rm e d
. 

### II
. LAW A N D D I S C U S S I O N : C o u n s e l ra i s e s e l e v e n ( 1 1 ) i s s u e s o n a p p e a l a s o u t li n e d i n t h e D e fe n d a n t ' s C o n c i s e S ta t e m e n t o f M a tt e rs C o m p l a i n e d o f o n A p p e a l. S o m e o f t h e a ll e g a t i o n s o f e r ro r a re f a ct u a ll y a n d l e g a ll y re l a t ed
. T h e re fo re , w e wi ll d i s c u s s s o m e o f t h e a ll e g e d e r ro rs u n d e r o n e s u b s e ct i o n .



### A. E v i d e n t i a ry I s s u e s T h e D e f e n d a n t a ll e g e s t h a t w e e r re d i n a ll o w i n g C h l o e I s s a cs to t e s t i fy to a s t a t e m e n t m a d e b y N yg e e T a y l o r, a co -d e f e n d a n t. O v e r a D e f

e n s e O bj e ct i o n , t h e w i t n e s s t e s t i fi e d t h a t N yg e e T a y l o r a d m o n i s h e d t h e D e f e n d a n t fo r a p p a re n t l y h a v i n g e n t e re d a re ta il s to re s o o n a ft e r t h e a tt e m p t e d k ill i n g w i t h t h e v i cti m ' s b l o o d o n h i s h a n d s a n d h i s c u r re n cy . ( N
. T
. p . 2 8 6 ) C o u n s e l fo r t h e C o m m o n w e a lt h p ro ff e re d t h a t t h e s ta t e m e n t wa s m a d e i n fu rt h e ra n ce o f t h e co n s p i ra cy a n d w e o v e rr u l e d D e f e n d a n t' s o bj e cti o n .



### 3

### I t i s we ll s e tt l e d t h a t t h e a d m i s s i o n o f e v i d e n c e i s w i t h i n t h e s o u n d d i s c re t i o n o f

t h e t ri a l co u rt a n d d e te r m i n a t i o n s o f a d m i s s i b ili ty 

### w ill n o t b e re v e rs e d o n a p p e a l a b s e n t a c l e a r a b u s e o f d i s c re t i o n . C o m m o n we a l t h v . C h m i e l , 7 3 8 A. 2 d 4 0 6 , 4 1 4 ( 1 9 9 9 ) c e rt
. d e ni e d
. 

### 5 2 8 U S 1 1 3 1 ( 2 0 0 0 )
. A n a b u s e o f d i s c re t i o n i s n o t m e re l y a n e r ro r o f j u d g m e n t. C o m m o n we a l t h v . A ll b u rn , 7 2 1 A
. 2 d 3 6 3 , 3 6 6 ( P a . _ S u p e r 1 9 9 8 ) A n a b u s e o f d i s c re t i o n o c c u rs w h e re t h e re co rd d e m o n s t ra te s t h a t " t h e co u rt ; i n re a c h i n g 

### a co n c l u s i o n , o v e rri d e s o r m i s a p p li e s t h e l a w , o r e xe rc i s e s i ts j u d g m e n t i n 

### a m a n i f e s t l y u nre a s o n a b l e m a n n e r w h i c h i s t h e re s u l t o f p a rt i a li ty , p re j u d i c e , b i a s o r 

### ill w il l. " ,lg,_ I n 

### t h e p re s e n t ca s e t h e s ta te m e n t o f N yg e e T a y l o r i s p l a i n l y h e a rs a y . O u r a n a l ys i s d o e s n o t e n d t h e re h ow e v e r b e ca u s e . co u n s e l fo r t h e C o m m o n w e a l t h · a s s e rte d t h a t a h e a rs a y e xc e p t i o n , p a rt i c u l a rl y , t h e co - co n s p i ra to r h e a rs a y e xc e p t i o n p u rs u a n t to P a . 

### R. E v i d
. 8 0 3 ( 2 5 ) ( e ) , a u t h o ri z e d t h e a d m i s s i o n o f t h e s ta te m e n t.
· P e n n s y l v a n i a R u l e o f E v i d e n c e 8 0 2 p ro v i d e s t h a t , " H e a rs a y i s n o t a d m i s s i b l e e x c e p t a s p ro v i d e d b y t h e s e ru l e s , b y o t h e r ru l e s p re s c ri b e d b y t h e P e n n s y l v a n i a S u p re m e C o u rt , o r b y s ta t u te . " P a R. E . 

### 8 0 2
. H e a rs a y i s a n o u t- o f - co u rt s ta te m e n t off e re d to p ro v e t h e t ru t h o f t h e m a tte r a s s e rte d i n t h e s ta te m e n t. C o m m o n we a l t h v . L a i c h , 5 6 6 P a . 1 9 , 2 5 , 

### 7 7 7 A. 2 d 1 0 5 7 , 1 0 6 0 · ( 2 0 0 1 ) c i ti n g C o m m o n we a l t h v . P u ks a r, 5 5 9 P a . 

### 3 5 8 , 7 4 0 

### A. 2 d 2 1 9 , 2 2 5 ( 1 9 9 9 ) , c e rt
. d e n i e d , 5 3 1 U
. S
. 8 2 9 , 1 2 1 S
. C t. 7 9 , 

### 1 4 8 L. E d
. 2 d 4 2 ( 2 0 0 0 )
. W e n o te t h a t t h e p a rty s e e k i n g to o ff e r h e a rs a y b e a rs t h e b u rd e n o f p ro o f a n d m u s t p e rs u a d e t h e co u rt t h a t t h e h e a rs a y s ta te m e n t i s a d m i s s i b l e a g a i n s t t h e p a rty o p p o n e n t. H a rri s v . T o ys 11 

### R II U s - P e n n . I n c . , 8 8 0 A. 2 d 1 2 7 0 , S u p e r . 2 0 0 5 , a p p e a l d e n i e d 8 9 5 A. 2 d 1 2 6 2 , 5 8 6 P a . 7 7 0
. T h e co - co n s p i ra to r e xc e p t i o n to t h e h e a rs a y r u l e re q u i re s : 4

### ( 1 ) t h e e x i s te n c e o f a co n s p i ra cy b e twe e n t h e d e c l a ra n t a n d t h e d e f e n d a n t m u s t b e d e m o n s t ra te d b y a p re p o n d e ra n c e o f t h e e v i d e n c e , ( 2 ) t h e s ta te m e n ts m u s t b e s h ow n to h a v e b e e n m a d e d u ri n g t h e co u rs e o f t h e co n s p i ra cy , a n d ( 3 ) 

### t h e y m u s t h a v e b e e n m a d e in 

### fu rt h e ra n c e o f t h e co m m o n d e s 1 g n .' C o m m o n w e a l t h 

### v . J o h n s o n , 8 3 8 A. 2 d 6 6 3 , 5 7 6 P a . 2 3 , S u p . 2 0 0 3 , re a rg u m e n t d e n i e d , c e rt i o ra ri d e n i e d 1 2 5 S
. C t. 6 1 7 , 5 4 3 U
. S
. 1 0 0 8 , 1 6 0 L. E d
. 2 d 4 7 1
. S e e a l s o P a . R. 

### E. 8 0 3 ( 2 5 ) ( E )
. At t h e t i m e t h e s ta te m e n t a t
. i s s u e 

### wa s off e re d , we we re co n v i n c e d b y a p re p o n d e ra n c e o f t h e e v i d e n c e t h a t t h e re wa s a co n s p i ra cy b e twe e n t h e D e f e n d a n t a n d t h e d e cl a ra n t , N yg e e T a y l o r. Ad d i t i o n a ll y , we f o u n d t h a t t h e d e c l a ra t i o n s we re m a d e d u ri n g t h e co n s p i ra cy a n d t h a t t h e y we re m a d e i n t h e co u rs e o f co n c e a li n g e v i d e n c e a n d i n fu rt h e ra n c e o f t h e co m m o n d e s i g n o f e v a d i n g ca p t u re . S e e C o m m o n we a l t h v . C o c c i o l e tt i , 4 9 3 P a . 1 0 3 , 1 1 3 , 4 2 5 A. 2 d 3 8 7 , 3 9 2 ( 1 9 8 1 )
. S e e 

### a l s o C o m m o n we a l t h v . C u ll , 6 5 6 A. 2 d 4 7 6 ( P a . 1 9 9 5 ) a n d C o m m o n we a l t h v . H a a g , 5 6 2 A. 2 d 2 8 9 ( P a . 1 9 8 9 ) 4 • 

### Ac co rd i n g l y , we re m a i n p e rs u a d e d t h a t t h e a d m i s s i o n o f t h e h e a rs a y s ta te m e n t wa s a u t h o ri z e d b y b o t h t h e P e n n s y l v a n i a R u l e s o f E v i d e n c e 

### a n d re l e v a n t ca s e l a w . 5 

### T h e D e f e n d a n t n e xt co m p l a i n s t h a t we e r re d i n d e n y i n g h i s m o t i o n f o r a m i s t ri a l. ( N
. T
. p . 3 3 2 )

4 We found th e fac t s o f

th e p re s ent c o ntro v ersy anal o g ou s to C o mm onw e alth v . fuag , 5 6 2 A . 2 d 2 8 9 (P a . 1 9 8 9 ) . In H aag , a c o - de f

endant a ske d a third p arty to de s troy c a sh re gi ste :r re c eip t s fo r item s u s e d in th e c o mmi s s i on o fth e crime . I t wa s th en h e l d th at thi s s tatem ent w a s a c o ntinuati o n o f th e o ri ginal c o n sp iracy and th e attemp t to c o nc e al th e evi denc e w a s in furth eranc e o fth e c o n sp iracy . I d . W e likewi s e found th at Nyg e e T ayl o t' s s tatement whi ch in e s s enc e dire c te d th e D ef

endant to c o nc e al evi denc e o fth e crime , in thi s c a s e b l o o dy h ands , wa s al s o made d uring th e c on sp itacy and with th e go al 

## o f avo i ding dete c ti o n thu s furthering th e c o n sp itacy . 5 W e no te th at th e h e ars ay s tatement likewi s e di d no t o ff end th e C o n f

rontati o n C l au s e o fthe Unite d S tate s C o n s tituti on b e c au s e th e s tatement w a s no n - te s tim o ni al . S e e . Crawf ord v . Wa shingto n , 5 4 1 U . S . 3 6 (2 0 0 4 ) ; S e e al s o C ommonwe alth v . Ho lto n , 9 0 6 A . 2 d 1 24 6 (P a . S u p er . 2 0 0 6 ) 5

### T h i s i s s u e i s wa i v e d
. T h e D e f e n d a n t ' s co u n s e l d i d n o t o b j e ct a t t h e t i m e t h e co m p l a i n e d o f i n q u i ry wa s m a d e i n re s p o n s e to h i s c ro s s exa m i n a t i o n q u e s t i o n i n g . ( N
. T
. p . 3 2 3 - 3 2 4 ) I n s te a d , d e f e n s e co u n s e l co n t i n u e d to c ro s s e xa m i n e t h e w i t n e s s a n d o n l y a t t h e co n c l u s i o n o f th e w i t n e s s ' s te s ti m o n y d i d co u n s e l ra i s e t h e o b j e ct i o n . ( N
. T
. p . 3 2 6 ) I n o rd e r to p re s e rv e a n i s s u e fo r a p p e a l a t i m e l y a n d s p e c i fi c o b j e cti o n m u s t b e m a d e . C o m m o n w e a l t h v . T u c. ke r, 1 4 3 A. 3 d 9 5 5 , ( P a . S u p e r. 2 0 1 6 ) S e e a l s o : C o m m o n we a l t h v . B o ri n g , 4 5 3 P a S u p e r . 6 0 0 , 6 8 4 A. 2 d 5 6 1 ( P a . 1 9 9 0 ) ( H o l d i n g t h a t a m o t i o n fo r a m i s t ri a l m a d e s u b s e q u e n t to a s u s ta i n e d o b j e ct i o n wa s u n ti m e l y w h e n d e f e rre d u n ti l t h e co n c l u s i o n o f t h e w i t n e s s te s t i m o n y a co n s i d e ra b l e l e n g t h o f t i m e a fte r t h e p rej u d i c i a l re m a r k o c c u r re d ) I n t h e p re s e n t ca s e , li k � T u c ke r, co u n s e l f a i l e d to m a ke h i s o b j e ct i o n u n til a fte r t h e co m p l e t i o n o f b o t h d i re ct a n d c ro s s e xa m i n a ti o n . Ac co rd i n g l y , h i s o b

j e ct i o n i s u n t i m e l y a n d t h i s i s s u e i s wa i ve d
. D e f e n d a n t n e xt a ll e g e s w e e rre d i n p re c l u d i n g re f e re n c e to N yg e e T a y l o r' s g u il ty p l e a . ( N
. T
. p . 3 3 3 - 3 3 6 ) W e d i s a g re e . D u ri n g t h e co u rs e o f t h e t ri a l i n t h i s m a tte r, t h e C o m m o n we a l t h m a d e a n o ra l m o t i o n i n li m i n e to p re c l u d e t h e a d m i s s i o n o f a n y e v i d e n c e re l a t i v e to t h e co - d e f e n d a n t N yg e e T a y l o r' s g u il ty p l e a . F o ll ow i n g a rg u m e n t o u ts i d e t h e p re s e n c e o f t h e j u ry , we g ra n te d C o m m o n we a l t h ' s M o t i o n i n l. l rn i n e to e x c l u d e e v i d e n c e o f N yg e e T a y l o r' s g u i l ty' p l e a fi n d i n g t h e p ro ff e re d e v i d e n c e wa s ' 

### i rre l e v a n t. ( N
. T
. p . I d
. ) I t h a s b e e n h e l d b y o u r P e n n s y l v a n i a S u p re m e C o u rt t h a t 11 

### i t i s we ll s e tt l e d t h a t t h e a d m i s s i o n 

### o fe v i d e n c e i s w i t h i n t h e s o u n d d i s c re t i o n o f t h e T ri a l C o u rt
. " C o m m o n w e a l t h v . C o lli n s , 8 8 8 A. 2 d 5 6 4 , 5 7 7 ( P a . 2 0 0 5 )
. Ad d i t i o n a ll y , d e te r m i n a t i o n s o f a d m i s s i b ili ty w ill n o t b e re v e rs e d o n a pp e a l a b s e n t a c l e ar a b u s e o f d i s c re t i o n . 6

### C o m m o n we a l t h v . C h m i e l , 7 3 8 A. 2 d 4 0 6 , 4 1 4 ( 1 9 9 9 ) c e rt
. d e n i e d
. q 2 8 U S 1 1 3 1 ( 2 0 0 0 )
.

A t ri a l co u rt' s ru l i n g o n . a m o t i o n i n I i m i n e i s " fi n a l , co n c l u s i v e a n d b i n d i n g a t t ri a l , " u n l e s s t h e C o m m o n w e a l t h fil e s a n i n te rl o c u to ry a p p e a l. C o m m o n w e a lt h v . P a d ill a , 9 2 3 A. 2 d 1 1 8 9 , ( P a . S u p e r . 2 0 0 7 ).T h e s ta n d a rd o f re v i e w fo r a t ri a l co u rt' s ru li n g o n m o t i o n s i n li m i n e i s a b u s e o f d i s c re t i o n . C o m m o n we a l t h v . Ro s e n , 4 2 A
. 3 d 9 8 8 ( P a . 2 0 1 2 ) A n a b u s e o f d i s c re t i o n . i s n o t s h own m e re l y b y a n e r ro r i n j u d g m e n t. R a th e r, t h e D e f e n d a n t m u s t e s ta b li s h , b y a p p ro p ri a te re f e re n ce to t h e re co rd , t h a t t h e s e n te n c i n g j u d g e i g n o re d o r. m i s a p p li e d t h e l a w , e xe rc i s e d h i s j u d g m e n t fo r re a s o n s o f p a rt i a li ty , p re j u d i c e , b i a s , o r ill -w ill , o r a r ri v e d a t a m a n i f e s t l y u n re a s o n a b l e d e c i s i o n . · C o m m o n we a l t h v . Z u rb u rg , 9 3 7 A
. 2 d 1 1 3 1 ( P a . Su p e r . 2 0 0 7 )
. R u l e 4 0 1 o f t h e P e n n s y l v a n i a R u l e s o f E v i d e n c e s ta te s , " R e l e v a n t e v i d e n c e m e a n s

. . 

### e v i d e n c e h a v i n g a n y te n d e n cy to m a ke th e e x i s te n c e o f a n y f a ct t h a t i s o f co n s e q u e n ce to t h e d e te rm i n a t i o n o f t h e a cti o n m o re p ro b a b l e o r l e s s p ro b a b l e t h a n i t wo u l d b e w i t h o u t t h e e v i d e n c e . " P a . R E. 4 0 1
. A l s o , R u l e 4 0 3 s ta te s , "A l t h o u g h re l e v a n t , e v i d e n c e m a y b e e x c l u d e d i f i ts p ro b a t i v e v a l u e i s o utwe i g h e d b y t h e d a n g e r of u n f a i r p rej u d i c e , co n fu s i o n o f t h e i s s u e s , o r m i s l e a d i n g t h e j u ry , o r b y co n s i d e ra t i o n s of u n d u e d e l a y , wa s te o f t i m e , o r n e e d l e s s p re s e n ta ti o n o f c u m u l a t i v e e v i d e n c e . " P a . R E
. 

### 4 0 3 . W e fu rt h e r n o te t h a t a i t h o u g h a d e f e n d a n t d o e s i n d e e d h a v e a fu n d a m e n ta l ri g h t to p re s e n t d e f

e n s i v e e v i d e n c e , t h a t ri g h t i s n o t a b s o l u te . S u c h e v i d e n c e i s a d m i s s i b l e p ro v i d e d t h a t i t i s re l e v a n t a n d n o t e xcl u d e d b y a n e s ta b li s h e d e v i d e n ti a ry r u l e . " C o m m o n we a l t h 

# v . S e i b e rt , 2 0 0 2 PA S u p e r 1 5 , 7 9 9 A. 2 d 5 4 , 6 7 ( P a . S u p e r . 2 0 0 2 ) ( i n te rn a l q u o ta t i o n m a rks a n d c i ta t i o n o m i tte d )
. S e e a l s o C h a m b e rs v . M i s s i s s i p p i , 4 1 O U
. S
. 2 8 4 , 9 3 S
. C t.
. 1 0 3 8 , · 3 5 

### L. E d
. 2 d 2 9 7 ( 1 9 7 3 )
. O u r P e n n s y l v a n i a S u p re m e C o u rt 7h a s o b s e rv e d t h a t a n a c c u s e d e x e rc i s i n g h i s o r h e r r i g h t to p re s e n t e v i d e n c e " m u s t

co m p l y w i t h e s t a b l i s h e d r u l e s o f p ro c e d u re a n d e v i d e n c e .. . . " C o m m o n w e a l t h v . B ra c e ro , 5 1 5 P a . 3 5 5 , 3 6 3 , 5 2 8 A. 2 d 9 3 6 , 9 3 9 ( 1 9 8 7 ) ( q u o t i n g C h a m b e rs , 4 1. 0 U
. S
. a t
I n t h e p re s e n t c a s e , t h e D e f e n d a n t wa s b a r re d fro m p re s e n t i n g t h e j u ry w i t h e v i d e n c e o f t h e c o- d e f e n d a n t ' s g u il ty p l e a a n d s e n t e n c e b e c a u s e t h a t e v i d e n c e wa s s i m p l y n o t re l e v a n t to a n y o f t h e i s s u � s b e fo re t h e j u ry . E v i d e n c e i s n o t re l e v a n t " u n l e s s t h e i n f e re n c e s o u g h t to b e . ra i s e d b y i t b e a rs u p o n a m a tt e r i n i s s u e a n d re n d e rs t h e d e s i re d i n f

e re n ce. m o re p ro b a b l e t h a n i t wo u l d b e w i t h o u t t h e e v i d e n c e . " C o m m o n w e a l t h v . V a ll e j o , 5 3 2 P a . 5 5 8 , 6 1 6 A. 2 d 9 7 4 , 9 7 6 ( P a . 1 9 9 2 )
. T h e e v i d e n c e p ro ff e re d h e re , a

. ' co - d e f e n d a n t' s g u il ty p l e a , wa s re p re s e n t e d b y d e f e n d a n t' s co u n s e l to b e re l e v a n t to e s ta bl i s h t h a t D e f

e n d a n t wa s n o t g u i l ty b e c a u s e t h e co - d e f e n d a n t h a d a d m i tte d g u il t.
. ( N
. T. p . 3 3 4 ) O n e c o - d e f e n d a n t ' s g u il t d o e s n o t c re a te t h e i n f e re n c e o f a n o t h e r' s i n n o c e n c e i n a ca s e l i ke t h e i n s ta n t o n e w h e re it w a s a ll e g e d t h a t t h e D e f e n d a n t a n d h i s co -d e f e n d a n t c o n s p i re d to k ill a n d d i d a tte m p t to k ill a n o t h e r h u m a n b e i n q . N yg e e T a y l o r' s g u il ty p l e a h a d n o b e a ri n g o n t h e i s s u e s b e i n g t r i e d a g a i n s t D e f e n d a n t. T h e p ro p o s e d t e s t i m o n y/e v i d e n c e w a s i r re l e v a n t. H o w e v e r, e v e n i f t h e e v i d e n c e wa s d e e m e d re l e v a n t , i ts p ro b a t i v e v a l u e w a s c l e a r ly o u tw e i g h e d b y t h e d a n g e r o f u n f a i r p re j u d i c e to t h e C o m m o n w e a l t h a n d co n fu s i o n o f t h e i s s u e s f o r t h e 

### j ury . Ac co rd i n g l y , D e f e n d a n t ' s a ll e g a t i o n o f e r ro r i s w i t h o u t m e ri t. D e f e n d a n t n e xt a ll e g e s t h a t 

## we e rre d a d m i tt i n g a t e xt m e s s a g e re p re s e n t e d to b e e v i d e n c e o f co n s c i o u s n e s s o f g u il t: W e d i s a g ree .

8W e i n co rp o ra te b y re f e re n c e o u r p ri o r re c i ta t i o n o f t h e re l e v a n t c a s e l a w a n d s ta t u to ry a u t h o ri ty re g a rd i n g t h e a d m i s s i o n o f re l e v a n t e v i d e n c e . W e f u rt h e r n o te t h a t w e d i d n o t i n s t r u ct t h e j u ry o n co n s c i o u s n e s s o f g u il t. T h e s ta t e m e n t a t i s s u e w a s re t ri e v e d fro m w h a t wa s re p re s e n te tj 

## to b e t h e D e f e n d a n t' s c e ll u l a r t e l e p h o n e . ( N
. T
. p . 4 8 4 -4 8 9 ) T h e i te m re p re s e n te d to b e t h e D e f e n d a n t ' s p h o n e wa s a d m i tte d i n to e v i d e n c e w i t h o u t o b

j e ct i o n . . ( N .T
. p 4 8 4 ) D e f e n s e co u n s e l' s s u b s e q u e n t l y m a d e two o b j e ct i o n s re g a rd i n g t h e s ta t e m e n t , "A l o t o f s h i t we n t d ow n b a e n i ts b a d I n e e d to l e a v e . " ( N
. T. 

### p . 4 8 4 - 4 8 7 ) D e f

e n d a n t ' s fi rs t o b

j e ct i o n wa s a s fo ll ows : M r . L a m p m a n : " J u d g e , 

### 'I' m g o i n g to o bj e ct to t h a t b a s e d u p o n t h e f a ct t h a t n e i t h e r 

### I n o r t h e co m m o n w e a l t h k n o w w h o t h i s m e s s a g e i s b e i n g s e n t to a n d w h a t t h e co n te xt o f t h e co n v e rs a t i o n i s . I u n d e rs ta n d t h e C o m m o n w e . a l t h i s � y i n g t h a t i t wa s s e n t fro m m y c l i e n t ' s p h o n e to s o m e o n e ; b u t a g a i n , I t h i n k co n te xt h e re m a tte rs . " ( N .T
. 

### p . 4 8 4 ) M s . S p e ra z z a : Yo u r h o n o r, t h e 

### b e s tw ay t h a t T ro o p e r U rb a n c a n co n te xt u a l i z e i t i s to s a y t h a t i t wa s s e n t o n t h i s t i m e o n t h i s d a y . I f h e w a n ts to a rg u e t h e co n te xt o f t h e a d m i s s i o n , h e c a n d o t h a t ; b u t t h a t d o e s n ' t
. ke e p it fro m co m i n g i n . M r . L a m p m a n : J u d g e , 

### I j u s t - I ' m n o t s u re i t' s a d m i s s i b l e . 

### I d o n ' t k n o w h ow- - - M s . S p e r ra z z a : I t wa s o n h i s p h o n e t h a t wa s l e g a ll y o b ta i n e d i n t h e s e a rc h
. M r . L a m p m a n : I ' m n o t s a y i n g - I a g re e t h a t h e co n s e n te d to h a v i n g h i s p h o n e s e a rc h e d , b u t 

### I d o n ' t t h i n k i t ' s a n a d m i s s i o n . M s . P h i lli p s : I t i s . M s . S p e r ra zz a : A l o t o f s h i t we n t d ow n b a e 

### n i ts b a d I n e ed to l e a v e . I t co n s c i o u s n e s s o f g u i l t. M r. L a m p m a n : 

### No , I d o n ' t t h i n k i t i s . A n 9 h e co u l d b e ta l k i n g a b o u t s o m e t h i n g e l s e . ( N
. T
. 

### p . 4 8 4 -4 8 5 ) S u b s e q u e n t l y t h e co u rt a ll owe d t h e C o m m o n w e a l t h to p ro c e e d 

### to a d m i t t h e p ro ff e re d e v i d e n c e . ( N
. T
. p . 4 8 5 ) W e n o te t h a t t h e o ff e n s e d a te f

o r t h e D e f

e n d a n t ' s c h a rg e s a s a ll e g e d i n t h e C ri m i n a l I n fo rm a t i o n wa s O cto b e r 5 , 2 0 1 4
. T h e t e xt m e s s a g e 

### 9a t i s s u e w h i c h t h e p a rt i e s co n c e d e wa s s e n t fro m a te l e p h o n e b e l o n g i n g to t h e

. D e f e n d a n t wa s s e n t o n O cto b e r 5 t h 2 0 1 4
. ( N
. T
. p . 4 8 9 ) ; We a ll o we d t h e e v i d e n c e b e ca u s e we fo u n d t h e e v i d e n c e to b e re l e v a n t. D e f e n s e co u n s e l' s o b

j e ct i o n wa s t h a t t h e co n te xt o f t h e m e s s a g e wa s n o t b e tte r d e v e l o p e d
. W e ov e r ru l e d h i s o b j e cti o n b e c a u s e d e m o n s t ra t i n g t h e co n t e xt o f a n a d m i s s i o n i s n o t a p re re q u i s i te to a d m i s s i b ili ty .

_ T h e p ro p o n e n t o ff

e ri n g t h e e v i d e n c e n e e d o n l y p e rs u a d e t h e co u rt t h a t t h e e v i d e n c e i s re l e v a n t. F li g h t s o o n a fte r a c ri m e i s re l e v a n t a n d m a y i n d i ca te co n s c i o u s n e s s o f g u il t. C o m m o n we a l t h v . B ru c e , 7 1 7 A. 2 d 1 0 3 3 , . 1 0 3 7 - 3 8 ( P a . S u p e r 1 9 9 8 )
. W e d e te r m i n e d t h a t t h e e v i d e n c e wa s re l e v a n t a n d a ll owe d t h e e v i d e n c e to b e p re s e n te d
. I f t h e re wa s a n a l te rn a t i v e co n t e xt w h i c h co u l d h a v e e x p l a i n e d awa y t h e i n f e re n c e t h e C o m m o n we a l t h s o u g h t to c re a te co u n s e l wa s fre e to p u rs u e t h a t. D e f e n s e co u n s e l' s s e co n d o bj e ct i o n to t h i s l i n e o f q u e s t i o n i n g to o k i s s u e w i t h t h e w i t n e s s ' te s t i m o n y t h a t t h e D e f e n d a n t wa s t h e s o u rc e o f t h e m e s s a g e . ( N
. T
. p . 4 8 7 ) D e f e n d a n t' s a ll e g a t i o n o f e r ro r i n h i s co n c i s e s ta te m e n t d o e s a d d re s s t h i s o bj e ct i o n s o we d e c l i n e to a n a l yz e t h e i s s u e o r w ri te i n s u p p o rt o f o u r r u li n g . D e f e n d a n t n e xt a ll e g e s we e r re d " i n li m i t i n g M r . M o o re ' s co n fro n ta t i o n r i g h ts co n c e rn i n g T ro o p e r U r b a n ' s i n v e s t i g a t i o n re p o rts . " W e d i s a g re e . D e f e n d a n t' s co u n s e l s o u g h t to i n t ro d u c e t h e s ta t e m e n ts o f t h i rd p a rt i e s t h ro u g h h i s q u e s t i o n i n g o f a t ro o p e r w i t h t h e P e n n s y l v a n i a S ta te P o li c e w h o a u t h ore d s e v e ra l re p o rts i n t h e co u rs e o f h i s l nv e s t i q a t l o n , F o ll ow i n g t h e � rg u m e n ts o f co u n s e l a t s i d e b a r, we co n c l u d e d t h a t t h e p u rp o rte d e v i d e n c e wa s h e a rs a y w i t h o u t e x c e p ti o n a n d co n s e q u e n t l y w e d e e m e d t h e e v i d e n c e i n a d m i s s i b l e . ( N
. T
. 

### p , 5 4 2 ) P e n n s y l v a n i a R u l e of E v i d e n c e 8 0 2 p ro v i d e s t h a t , " H e a rs a y i s n o t a d m i s s i b l e e x ce p t a s p ro v i d e d b y t h e s e · IO

### ru l e s , b y o t h e r ru l e s p re s c ri b e d b y t h e P e n n s y l v a n i a S u p re m e C o u rt , o r b y s ta t u te . " P a



### RE. 8 0 2
. H e a rs a y i s a n o u t- o f - co u rt s ta te m e n t o ff

e re d to p ro v e t h e t ru t h o f t h e m a tte r a s s e rte d i n t h e s ta te m e n t. C o m m o n we a l th v . L a i c h , 5 6 6 P a . 

### 1 9 , 2 5 , 7 7 7 A. 2 d 

### 1 0 5 7 , 1 0 6 0 (2 0 0 1 ) c i t in g C o m m o n we a l t h v . P u ks a r, 5 5 9 P a . 

### 3 5 8 , 7 4 0 A. 2 d 

### 2 1 9 , 2 2 5 

### ( 1 9 9 9 ) , ce rt
. d e n i e d , 

### 5 3 1 U
. S
. 

### 8 2 9 , 1 2 1 S
. C t. 

### 7 9 , 1 4 8 L. E d
. 2 d 4 2 ( 2
. 0 0 0 )
. T e s t i m o n i a l s ta te m e n ts o f t h i rd p a rt i e s m a d e to l a w e n f o rce m e n t offi c e rs a re h e a rs a y a n d t h e o ffi c e r m e m o ri a li z i n g t h e s ta te m e n t i n to a w ri tte n re p o rt i s n o t i ts e lf a h e a rs a y e xc e p t i o n . C o m m o n w e a l t h v . M a y , 

### 8 9 8 A. 2 d 5 5 9 ( P a . 2 0 0 6 )
. T h e D e f e n d a n t , w h o a s t h e p ro p o n e n t o ff e ri n g t h e h e a rs a y e v i d e n c e b e a rs 1 h e b u rd e n o f p ro o f , off e re d n o e xce p t i o n to t h e p ro h i b i ti o n a g a i n s t h e a rs a y i n re s p o n s e to t h e C o m m o n we a lt h ' s o bj e cti o n . S e e H a rri s v . T o ys " R " U s - P e n n , 

### los . 8 8 0 A. 2 d 

### 1 2 7 0 , S u p e r . 2 0 0 5 , a p p e a l d e n i e d 8 9 5 A. 2 d 

### 1 2 6 2 , 5 8 6 P a . 7 7 0
. We fu rt h e r fi n d n o i n d i ca t i o n t h a t t h e D e f e n d a n t' s co n fro n ta t i o n ri g h ts we re i m p li ca te d o r o ff e n d e d b y o u r r u li n g . C o u n s e l wa s fre e to ca ll t h e w i tn e s s e s w h o s e te s t i m o n y h e s o u g h t to i n tro d u ce . T h i s i s s u e i s w it h o u t m e ri t a n d D e f e n d a n t' s a p p e a l f

a i l s . D e f e n d a n t n e xt a ll e g e s t h e co u rt a b u s e d i ts d i s c re t i o n b y o v e r ru li n g D e f e n d a n t ' s o b

j e ct i o n to h i s w i t n e s s , t h e co - d e f e n d a n t N yg e e T a y l o r i n vo k i n g h i s F i ft h A m e n d m e n t p ri v i l e g e o u ts i d e t h e p re s e n ce o f t h e j u ry . T h i s a ll e g a t i o n o f e rro r i s m e ri t l e s s . An a b u s e o f d i s c re ti o n i s n o t s h ow n m e re l y b y a n e r ro r i n j u d g m e n t. R a t h e r, t h e D e f e n d a n t m u s t e s ta b li s h , b y a p p ro p ri a te re f e re n c e to t h e re co rd , t h a t t h e s e n te n c i n g j u d g e i g n o re d o r m i s a p p li e d t h e l a w , e xe rc i s e d h i s j u d g m e n t f o r re a s o n s o f p a rti a l ity , p re

j u d i ce , b i a s , o r ill -w ill , o r a r ri v e d a t a m a n i f e s t l y u n re a s o n a b l e d e c i s i o n . C o m m o n we a l t h v . Z u r b u rg , 9 3 7 A. 2 d 

### 1 1 3 1 ( P a . S u p e r . 2 0 0 7 )
. 11
.

### T h e re i s n o m a n d a to ry p ro c e d u re f o r i n v o k i n g p ri v il e g e t h o u g h o u r H o n o ra b l e S u p e ri o r C o u rt h a s i n d i ca te d i t i s a c c e p ta b l e to co n d u ct a n i n c a m e ra re v i ew o u ts i d e t h e p re s e n c e o f t h e j u ry . C o m m o n w e a l t h v . T re a t , 8 4 8 A. 2 d 

### 1 4 7 ( P a . S u p e r. 2 0 0 4 ) S e e a l s o C o m m o n we a l t h v . Ro d g e rs , 

### 4 7 2 P a . 4 3 5 , 

### 3 7 2 A. 2 d 

### 7 7 1 ( 1 9 9 7 ) . We b ro u g h t t h e w i t n e s s b e fo re t h e co u rt o u ts i d e t h e p re s e n c e o f t h e j u ry a n d f o ll ow i n g a h e a ri n g we d e t e r m i n e d t h a t t h e w i t n e s s b o t h i n v o ke d F i ft h A m e n d m e n t p ri v il e g e a n d t h a t h e wa s e n t i t l e d to i n v o ke t h a t p ri v il e g e . 6 

### ( N
. T
. p . 5 7 9 - 5 8 2 ) 

### S e e a l s o M i t c h e ll v . U n i te d S ta te s , 5 2 6 U
. S
. 3 1 4 ( 1 9 9 9 )
. B e ca u s e t h e j u ry m a y n o t i n t u i t a n y i n f e re n c e fro m t h e p u rp o rte d w i t n e s s ' s te s t i m o n y , n o l e g i t i m a te p u r p o s e wo u l d b e s e rv e d b y h i s i n vo k i n g p ri v il e g e i n t h e i r p re s e n c e . T h u s , t h e h e a ri n g wa s co n d u cte d o u ts i d e t h e p re s e n c e o f t h e j u ry b e ca u s e t h e te s t i m o n y a n d a rg u m e n t o n t h e i s s u e wa s n o t re l e v a n t. to a n y i s s u e b e fo re t h e j u ry . B
. S e n te n c i n g I s s u e s D e f e n d a n t' s co n c i s e s ta t e m e n t ra i s e s a s e ri e s o f s e n te n c i n g i s s u e s w h i c h we w ill a n a l yz e co l l e ct i v e l y . I n s u m t h e D e f e n d a n t a ll e g e s t h a t w e e r re d b y a p p l y i n g a n e r ro n e o u s p ri o r re co rd s co re ; ' e r re d 

### i n a p p l y i n g t h e d e a d l y we a p o n s e n te n c i n g e n h a n c e m e n t ; s e n te n c e d t h e D e f e n d a n t i n e xc e s s o f t h e s ta t u to ry m a x i m u m s e n te n c e ; e r re d b y p l a c i n g t h e i s s u e o f s e ri o u s b o d il y i nj u ry o n t h e v e rd i ct s li p ; a n d a b u s e d o u r d i s c re t i o n i n s e n t e n c i n g t h e D e f e n d a n t. W e fi n d e a c h o f t h e s e a l l e g a t i o n s to b e m e ri t l e s s .

6 D e f endant' s c oun s el c onc e de d that hi s purp o rte d witne ss , Mr. Nyge e T ayl or c oul d invoke F ifth Amendment privil e g e . (N '.T. p . 5 5 9 - 5 6 0 ) We pre s i de d o ver th e guilty p l e a for the witne s s Nyg e e T ayl or and after the c ond uc t o fa he aring and a c are ful revi ew o fthe entire re c o rd in thi s matter we indep endently determine d that Mr. T ayl or wa s entitl ed to invoke privil e g e . 1 2N o t i n g t h a t w e a re c o n s t ra i n e d to u s e t h e d e a d l y w e a p o n s e n t e n c i n g e n h a n c e m e n t

w h e re t h e f

a cts wa r ra n t i ts a p p l i c a t i o n , w e fo u n d t h a t t h e d e a d l y w e a p o n e n h a n c e m e n t d i d a p p l y to co u n t o n e ( 1 } b e c a u s e i t w a s a b u n d a n t l y c l e a r t h a t a k n i f e w a s u s e d to i n fli ct t h e i nj u ry · u p o n t h e v i cti m i n t h e c a s e . S e e C o m m o n w e a l t h v . S e p t a k , 5 1 8 A. 2 d
. 1 2 8 4 ( 1 9 8 6 ) ( N
. T
. p . 1 9 9 - 2 0 1 } T h e D e f

e n d a n t ' s · co m p l a i n t re l a t i v e to h i s p ri o r re co rd s c o re a l s o f a il s . T h e s e n t e n c i n g co u rt m u s t c o n s i d e r t h e s e n t e n c i n g

_g u i d e li n e s . 4 2 P a . C
. S
. A. § 9 7 2 1 ( b ) ; 2 0 4 P a . C o d e 3 0 3_. 1 ( a )
. J u d g e D o n a h u e w r i t i n g fo r t h e co u rt i n C o m m o n w e a l t h v . S p e n n y s u c c i n ct l y p re s e n t e d t h e s e n t e n c i n g g u i d e li n e c a l c u l a t i o n a s f o ll o ws : " T o d e te r m i n e t h e
· g u i d e l i n e s fo r e a c h c o n v i ct i o n , t h e t ri a l c o u rt m u s t e s ta b l i s h t h e o ff e n s e g ra v i ty s c o re a n d , o f re l e v a n c e to t h i s a p p e a l , t h e d e f e n d a n t ' s p ri o r re c o rd s co re . 2 0 4 P a C o d e § 3 0 3
. 2 ( a ) T h e p ri o r re co rd s co re i s b a s e d o n t h e n u m b e r a n d ty p e o f p ri o r co n v i ct i o n s t h e d e f e n d a n t h a s o n h i s o r h e r c r i m i n a l re c o rd
. 2 0 4 P a . C o d e § 3 0 3
. 4 ( a )
. E a c h p ri o r co n v i ct i o n i s g i v e n a p o i n t v a l u e ra n g i n g b e tw e e n o n e a n d fo u r p o i n ts . S e e g e n e ra ll y 2 0 4 P a . C o d e § § 3 0 3
. 7 , 3 0 3
. 1 5
. S e ct i o n s 3 0 3
. 7 a n d 3 0 3
. 1 5 s e t f o rt h a p o i n t v a l u e f

or e v e ry P e n n s y l v a n i a c ri m i n a l o ff e n s e . " C o m m o n w e a l t h v . S p e n n y , 1 2 8 A. 2 d 2 3 4 , ( P a . S u p e r 2 0 1 5 )
. T h e p re - s e n t e n c e i n v e s t i g a t i o n re p o rt , h e re i n a ft e r, P S I , re p re s e n te d t h a t t h e D e f e n d a n t ' s p ri o r re co rd s c o re wa s t h re e ( 3 )
. T h e C o m m o n w e a l t h ' s M o t i o n to a m e n d t h e P S I w h i c h a rg u e d t h a t D e f e n d a n t ' s p ri o r re c o rd
. s co re wa s f i v e ( 5 ) i n c l u d e d e x h i b i ts m a r ke d " a " , " b " a n d " c " w h i c h re s p e ct i v e l y i d e n ti fi e d t h e D e f e n d a n t ' s re l e v a n t c ri m i n a l h i s to ry e v i d e n c i n g a co n v i ct i o n fo r " m a n s l a u g h t e r i n t h e 1 s t : w i t h i n t e n t to c a u s e s e ri o u s p h ys i c a l i nj u ry , " N e w Yo r k S t a t e ' s s t a t u t e d e fi n i n g m a n s l a u g h t e r i n t h e fi rs t d e g re e a n d

13

### N e w Yo r k S ta te ' s s ta t u te g o v e rn i n g p e ri o d s o f i n c a rc e ra t i o n fo r v a ri o u s g ra d e s of f e l o n i e s . ( C o m m o n we a l t h ' s b ri e f A p ri l 6 , 2 0 1 7 )
. I n C o m m o n w e a l t h v . B o l d e n , t h e H o n o ra b l e S u p e ri o r C o u rt · s e t f o rt h t h e m e t h o d to r ca l c u l a ti n g p ri o r re co rd s co re p o i n ts fo r co n v i ct i o n s o u ts i d e P e n n s y l v a n i a .



# . . C o m m o n we a l t h v . B o l d e n , 5 3 2 A. 2 d 1 1 7 2 , ( P a S u p e r 1 9 8 7 )
. B o l d e n re q u i re s a ca re fu l a n d i n d e p e n d e n t a n a l ys i s o f t h e e l e m e n ts o f t h e o u t o f s ta te co n v i ct i o n . I d
. Th e n e xt p a rt o f t h e a n a l ys i s i s to t h e n co m p a re t h e e l e m e n ts o f t h e f o re i g n co n v i ct i o n to a n e q u i v a l e n t P e n n s y l v a n i a o ff

e n s e . I d
. S e cti o n 3 0 3
. S ( f) o f t h e P e n n s y l v a n i a C o d e cod i fi e s t h e ru l e s e t fo rt h i n B o l d e n . 2 0 4 P a . C o d e 3 0 3
. S (f)
. E x h i b i t " b " a tta c h e d to t h e C o m m o n we a l t h ' s m o t i o n to a m e n d t h e P S I i n c l u d e d a co p y o f N e w Yo r k S ta te ' s s ta t u te f o r fi rs t d e g ree m a n s l a u g h te r w h i c h re a d a s fo ll ows : A pe rs o n i s g u il ty o f m a n s l a u g h te r i n t h e fi rs t d e g ree w h e n : ( 1 ) W i t h i n te n t to ca u s e s e ri o u s p h ys i ca l i nj u ry , h e c a u s e s t h e d e a t h o f s u c h p e rs o n o r o f a t h i rd p e rs o n . E x h i b i t " b " C o m m o n we a l t h ' s m o t i o n to a m e n d P S I. D e f e n d a n t' s co u n s e l a rg u e d t h a t th e 

### N e w Yo r k co n v i ct i o n wa s e q u i v a l e n t to l n vo l u n tary m a n s l a u g h te r . ( N
. T
. S e n te n c i n g p . 8 ) w e · co n s i d e re d th e p a rt i e s ' b r J e f s a n d a rg u m e n ts a n d we co n c l u d e d t h a t t h e D e f e n d a n t' s N e w Yo r k co n v i ct i o n wa s e q u i v a l e n t to P e n n s y l v a n i a ' s t h i rd d e g re e . m u rd e r s ta t u te . P u rs u a n t to 

### 2 0 4 P a . C o d e 

### § 3 0 3
. 1 5 , t h i rd d e g re e m u rd e r, 1 8 P a . C
. S
. A § 2 5 0 2 ( c ) , wa rra n ts t h a t fo u r ( 4 ) p ri o r re co rd s co re p o i n ts b e a s s e s s e d to t h e D e f

e n d a n t. Ac co rd i n g l y , D e f e n d a n t ' s a p p e a l f

a il s . D e f e n d a n t a l s o a ll e g e s t h a t t h e e v i d e n c e wa s i n s u ffi c i e n t a n d t h a t t h e v e rd i ct i s a g a i n s t t h e we i g h t o f t h e e v i d e n c e . I n s o f a r a s D e f e n d a n t' s co n c i s e s ta te m e n t re f e re n c e s t h e a rg u m e n ts m a d e i n h i s P o s t S e n te n ce m o t i o n w h i c h wa s fi l e d o n A p ri l 1 3 , 2 0 1 7 , we a re a b l e to i d e n t i fy w i t h s u ff i c i e n t s p e c i fi c ity t h e i s s u e h e i n te n d s to ra i s e , p a rt i c u l a rl y , t h a t

1 4

## "

' · , t h e j u ry ' s d e te r m i n a t i o n t h a t t h e v i ct i m s u ff e re d s e ri o u s b o d i l y i nj u ry wa s b a s e d u p o n i n s u ff i c i e n t e v i d e n c e . H a v i n g p re s i d e d o v e r t h e t ri a l i n t h i s m a tte r, we co n c l u d e t h a t t h e · e v i d e n c e p re s e n te d wa s m o re t h a n s u ffi c i e n t to e n a b l e t h e jury to d e te r m i n e t h a t t h e v i ct i m s u s ta i n e a a s e ri o u s_ b o a 1 1 y m J u ry . W h e n re v i e w i n g a s u ffi c i e n cy o f t h e e v i d e n c e c l a i m , a co u rt e xa m i n e s a ll e v i d e n c e a n d re a s o n a b l e i n f e re n c e s t h e re fro m i n a li g h t m o s t f a v o ra b l e to t h e v e rd i ct w i n n e r, a n d t h e n d e t e rm i n e s w h e re t h e e v i d e n c e i s s u ffi c i e n t to e n a b l e a f a ct fi n d e r to d e te rm i n e t h a t a ll e l e m e n ts o f t h e o ff e n s e s we re e s ta b li s h e d b e yo n d a re a s o n a b l e · d o u b t. C o m m o n w e a l t h v . H a w k i n s , 5 4 9 P a . 3 5 2 , 7 0 1 A. 2 d 4 9 2 , 4 9 9 ( P a . 1 Q 9 7 )
. O n l y w h e re t h e e v i d e n c e o ff e re d to s u p p o rt t h e v e rd i ct i s i n co n t ra d i ct i o n to t h e p h ys i ca l f a cts , i n co n t ra v e n t i o n to h u m a n e x p e ri e n c e a n d t h e l a w o f n a t u re , i s i t d e e m e d i n s u ffi c i e n t a s am a tte r o f l a w . C o m m o n w e a l t h v . Ro b i n s o n , 8 1 7 A. 2 d
. 1 1 5 3 , 1 1 5 8 ( P a . S u p e r . 2 0 0 3 q u o t i n g C o m m o n we a l t h v . S a n ta n a , 4 6 0 P a . 4 8 2 , 3 3 3 A. 2 d 8 7 6 ( 1 9 7 5 ) )
. T h e e v i d e n c e m u s t b e v i e we d i n t h e li g h t m o s t f a vo ra b l e to t h e C o m m o n w e a l t h a s v e rd i ct w i n n e r, a c c e p t a s t ru e a ll t h e e v i d e n c e a n d a ll re a s o n a b l e i n f e re n ce s u p o n w h i c h , i f b e li e v e d , t h e j u ry co u l d p ro p e rl y h a v e b a s e d i ts v e rd i ct , a n d d e te r m i n e w h e t h e r s u c h e v i d e n c e a n d i n f

e re n c e s a re s u ffi c i e n t i n l a w to p ro v e g u il t b e yo n d a re a s o n a b l e d o u b t. C o m m o n w e a l t h v . S c a te n a , 5 0 8 P a . 5 1 2 , 4 9 8 A. 2 d 1 3 1 4 , 1 3 1 7 ( 1 9 8 5 )
. Afte r a ca re fu l re v i e w o f t h e re co rd , a n d h a v i n g i n te n tl y p re s i d e d o v e r t h e p re s e n ta t i o n o f t h e e v i d e n c e , w e fi n d n o re a s o n to d o u b t t h e j u ry ' s v e rd i ct. C o m p l a i n ts t h a t a v e rd i ct i s a g a i n s t t h e we i g h t o f t h e e v i d e n c e co n c e d e t h a t t h e re i s s u ffi c i e n t e v i d e n c e to s u s ta i n t h e v e rd i ct. C o m m o n w e a l t h v . W i d m e r, 7 4 4 A. 2 d 7 4 5
· ( P a . 2 0 0 0 ) c i t i n g C o m m o n w e a l t h v . W h i te m a n , 4 8 5 A. 2 d 4 5 9 ( 1 9 8 4 )
. T h e we i g h t o f t h e
1 5e v i d e n c e i s a q u e s t i o n fo r t h e fi n d e r o f f a ct. C o m m o n w e a l t h

.v . J a c ks o n , 4 8 5 A. 2 d 1 1 0 2 , 1 1 0 4 ( 1 9 8 4 )
. A n a p p e ll a t e c o u rt " c a n o n l y re v e rs e t h e l o we r co u rts v e rd i ct if 

### it i s s o co n t ra ry t ot h e e v i d e n c e a s to s h o c k o n e ' s s e n s e o fj u s t i c e . " C o m m o n w e a l t h v . W h i t n e y , 

### 51 2 A
. 2 d 1 1 5 2 { P a . 1 9 8 6 )
. D e f e n d a n t ' s p o s t s e n t e n ce m o ti o n fi l ed
. o n A p r il
. 1 3 , 2 0 1 7 p ro p e rl y s u b m i tt e d t h e i s s u e to o u r d i s c re t i o n . P a . 

### R. C ri m . 6 0 7 S e e a l s o C o m m o n w e a l t h v . W i d m e r, 6 9 8 A. 2 d 2 1 1 ( P a . 1 9 9 7 )
. W e d e n ied D e f e n d a n t' s m o t i o n b e ca u s e t h e v e rd i ct d i d n o t s h o c k o u r s e n s e o fj u s t i c e . Afte r a c a re fu l re v i e w o f t h e e n t i re re c o rd i n t h i s m a tt e r, o u r o p i n i o n h a s n o t c h a n g e d
. Acco rd i n g l y , D e f e n d a n t ' s m o t i o n f a il s . W e a l s o t h e re fo re fo u n d t h a t t h e a p p ro p ri a t e s ta t u to ry m a x i m u m p e n a l ty fo r co u n t o n e ( 1 ) w a s fo rty ( 4 0 ) y e a rs p u rs u a n t to 1 8 P a . C
. S
. § 1 1 0 2 ( c ) a n d 1 8 P a . C
. S
. § 2 3 0 1 w h i c h d e fi n e s s e ri o u s b o d il y i nj u ry . W e i n s t r u ct ed t h e j u ry a s to w h a t c o n s t i t u t e s s e ri o u s 

# - b o d il y i nj u ry . ( N
. T
. p . 6 64 ) Th e v e rd i ct s li p i n t h i s c a s e s p e c i f i c a ll y a s ke d t h e j u ry i f t h e y fo u n d b e y o n d a re a s o n a b l e d o u b t t h a t t h e v i ct i m s u s t a i n e d a . s e ri o u s b o d il y i nj u ry a n d t h e y u n a n i m o u s l y re s p o n d e d i n t h e a ffi rm a t i v e . T h e v i ct i m i n t h i s c a s e t e s t ifi e d t h a t t h e D e f e n d a n t c u t h e r h a n d a n d h e r th ro a t j N
. T , 1 9 9 � 2 0 1 ) C o n s e q u e n t l y , w e d i d n o t h e s i ta t e to s e n t e n ce t h e D e f

e n d a n t to a m a x i m u m o f f o rty ( 4 0 ) y e a rs o f i n c a rc e ra t i o n o n co u n t o n e ( 1 ) p u rs u a n t to 1 8 P a . C
. S
. § 1 1 0 2 ( c}
. N o r i s t h e D e f

e n d a n t' s s e n t e n ce ill e g a l p u rs u a n t to A ll e y n e v . U n i t e d S ta t e s , 1 3 3
. S
. C t. 2 1 5 1 ( 2 0 1 3 ) o r C o m m o n w e a l t h v . V a l e n t i n e , 1 0 1 

### A. 3 d 8 0 1 ( P a . S u p e r. 2 0 1 4 )

. N e i t h e r o f t h o s e ca s e s s t a n d f o r t h e p ro p o s i t i o n t h a t 1 8 P a . C
. S
. § 1 1 0 2 ( c ) i s re n d e re d m o o t. T h e L e g i s l a t u re p ro m u l g a t e d 1 8 P a . C
. S
. § 1 1 0 2 ( c} a n d i n th e a b s e n c e o f a u t h o ri ty s u g g e s t i n g o t h e rw i s e w e e n d e a v o r to g i v e 

### it e ff e ct. T o th a t e n d , w e p l a c e d t h e i s s u e o n 

### 1 6t h e v e rd i ct s l i p a s k i n g t h e j u ry i f t h e y f o u n d t h a t t h e v i ct i m s u s ta i n e d a s e ri o u s b o d i l y i nj u ry b e yo n d 

# a re a s o n a b l e d o u b t. A ll e y n e v . U n i t e d S ta t e s re q u i re s t h a t a n y f a ct t h a t i n c re a s e s t h e m a n d a to ry m i n i m u m i s a n e l e m e n t o f t h e c ri m e t h a t m u s t b e s u b m i tt e d to t h e j u ry . A ll e y n e v . U n i te d S ta t e s , 1 3 3 S
. C t. 2 1 5 1 ( 2 0 1 3 )
. T h e S u p e ri o r C o u rt ' s O p i n i o n i n Va l e n t i n e , re a cti n g to t h e h o l d i n g i n A ll e y n e a d d re s s e s 4 2 P a C
. S
. § 9 7 1 2 a n d 4 2 P a . C
. S
. A § 9 7 1 3
. T h e s e s ta t u t e s a re p l a i n l y d i s t i n g u i s h a b l e fro m 1 8 P a . C
. S
. § 1 1 0 2
. B o t h o f t h e s ta t u t e s a d d re s s e d i n Va l e n t i n e i n c l u d e a " p ro o f a t s e n t e n c i n g " re q u i re m e n t w h i c h d i re cts h o w a c o u rt s h o u l d p ro c e e d p ri o r to i m p o s i n g a m a n d a to ry m i n i m u m s e n t e n c e . S e e 4 2 P a . C
. S
. 9 7 1 2 ( b ) a n d 4 2 P a . C
. S
. 9 7 1 3 ( c )
. T h e s e ct i o n p u rs u a n t to w h i c h t h e D e f e n d a n t w a s s e n t e n c e d , 1 8 P a . C
. S
. § 1 1 0 2 , d o e s n o t re q u i re p ro o f a t s e n t e n c i n g l i k e t h e s ta t u te s i n t h e c a s e s c i te d b y D e f e n d a n t. C o n s e q u e n t l y , t h e p ro c e d u re w e u s e d to d e t e r m i n e w h e t h e r t h e v i ct i m s u s ta i n e d a s e ri o u s b o d i l y i nj u ry d o e s n o t o ff e n d t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n o r t h e h o l d i n g i n A ll e y n e . S e e C o m m o n w e a l t h v . J o h n s o n , 9 1 0 A. 2 d 6 0 ( P a S u p e r. 2 0 0 6 ) Ac co rd i n g l �
. D e f e n d a n t ' s a p p e a l f a il s . D e f e n d a n t a l s o a ll e g e s t h a t t h e co u rt a b u s e d i ts d i s c re t i o n i n s e n te n c i n g h i m to tw e n ty- s i x ( 2 6 ) to s i xty ( 6 0 ) y e a rs o f i n c a rc e ra t i o n . I n i t i a ll y , we n o t e t h a t t h e s e n te n c e s i m p o s e d w e re w i t h i n t h e s t a n d a rd ra n g e o f s e n t e n c i n g g u i d e li n e s g o v e rn i n g t h e a b o v e re f e re n c e d c ri m e s , a n d s a i d s e n t e n c e s w e re a n . a p p ro p ri a te e xe rc i s e o f t h e C o u rt ' s d i s c re t i o n . F u rt h e r m o re , t h e s e ri o u s n a t u re o f t h e o ff e n s e s a n d t h e i m p a ct o f t h e c ri m e o n t h e v i ct i m w e re c o n s i d e re d p ri o r to i m p o s i t i o n o f s e n t e n c e . T h e D e f e n d a n t ' s a ct i o n s a s p re s e n t e d a t t r i a l a re i n to l e ra b l e i n a c i v ili z e d s o c i e ty a n d a l e n g t h y s e n te n c e i s wa r ra n t e d .'
1 7T h e D e f e n d a n t' s c h a ll e n g e to t h i s C o u rt ' s d i s c re t i o n i n f a s h i o n i n g t h e s e n te n c e s i m p o s e d o n A p r il 1 0 , 2 0 · 1 7 d o e s n o t p re s e n t a s u b s t a n t i a l q u e s t i o n p e r m i tt i n g a p p e l l a te re v i e w . o f t h e d i s c re ti o n a ry a s p e cts o f s e n t e n c i n g . C o m m o n w e a lt h v . M cW i lli a m s , 8 8 7 A
. 2 ct7M:f

8 7 ( P a . S u p e r . 2 T h e l a w i n t h i s C o m m o n w e a l t h i s c l e a r. T h e re i s n o a b s o l u t e r i g h t to a p p e a l t h e d i s c re t i o n a ry a s p e cts o f a s e n t e n c e . C o m m o n w e a l t h v . M o u z o n , 5 7 1 P a . 4 1 9 , 8 1 2 A. 2 d 6 1 7 ( 2 0 0 2 )
. R a t h e r, a ll o w a n c e o f a p p e a l w ill b e p e r m i tt e d o n l y . w h e n t h e a p p e ll a t e co u rt d e t e r m i n e s t h a t t h e re i s a s u b s t a n t i a l q u e s t i o n t h a t t h e s e n te n c e i s n o t a p p ro p ri a te u n d e r t h e S e n t e n c i n g C o d e . · · T h e d e t e r m i n a t i o n o f w h a t c o n s t i t u t e s a s u b s ta n t i a l q u e s t i o n i s m a d e o n a c a s e b y c a s e b a s i s . C o m m o n w e a l t h v . M c N a b b , 8 1 9 A. 2 d 5 4 ( P a . S u p e r . 2 0 0 3 )
. A s u b s ta n t i a l q u e s t i o n e x i s ts w h e re a n a p p e ll a n t s e ts f o rt h a p l a u s i b l e a rg u m e n t t h a t t h e s e n t e n c e v i o l a t e s a p a rt i c u l a r p ro v l s l o n o f t h e S e n te n c i n g C o d e o r i s co n t ra ry to t h e f u n d a m e n ta l n o r m s u n d e rl y i n g t h e s e n t e n c i n g p ro c e s s . C o m m o n w e a l t h v . B o y e r, 8 5 6 A. 2 d 1 4 9 ( P a . S u p e r. 2 0 0 4 )
. H e re , n o s u c h a rg u m e n t wa s p o s i t e d b y t h e D e f e n d a n t. T h e D e f e n d a n t ' s m e re d i s s a t i s f a ct i o n w i t h h i s s e n t e n c e e n ti t l e s h i m to n o re l i e f
. F o r e a c h o f t h e re a s o n s o u t li n e d a b o v e , t h e D e f e n d a n t ' s a ll eg a t i o n s o f e r ro r a re w i t h o u t m e r i t. Ac c o rd i n g l y , t h e v e rd i ct a n d j u d g m e n t o f s e n te n ce s h o u l d b e a ffi rm e d
. E N D O F O P I N I O N

1 8