### J - S39011 - 19

____________________________________ * Former Justice specially assigned to the Superior Court. NON - PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37 COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA

Appellee v. JAMAL JONES Appellant : : : : : : : : : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF

PENNSYLVANIA

No. 1989 EDA 2018 Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence May 14 , 2018 In the Court of Comm on Pleas of Philadelphia County Criminal Division at No(s): CP - 51 - CR - 0000591 - 2016 BEFORE: GANTMAN, P.J.E., STABILE, J., and STEVENS*, P.J.E. MEMORANDUM BY GANTMAN, P.J.E.: FILED AUGUST 28, 2019 Appellant, Jamal Jones, appeals from the judgment of sentence entered in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas, following his nolo contendere plea to attempted murder and persons not to possess firea rms. 1 

### We affirm. In its opinion, the trial court fully and correctly set forth the relevant facts and procedural history of this case. Therefore, we have no reason to restate them. Procedurally, we add Appellant timely filed a post - sentence motion on May 24, 2018 , which t he court denied on June 4, 2018 . Appellant timely filed a notice of appeal on July 3, 2018. On July 16, 2018, the court ordered Appellant to file a concise statement of errors complained of on appeal

_________________ ____________________ _______ 1 

### 18 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 901(a) and 6105 (a)(1), respectively.

### J - S39011 - 19

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under Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b) ; Appellant complied on July 27, 2018. Appellant raises two issues for our review: WHETHER THE TRIAL CO URT ABUSED ITS DISCR ETION IN DENYING APPELLANT’S MOTION TO WITHDRAW H IS PRE SENTENCE NOLO CONTENDERE PLEA, WHERE THE MOT ION TO WITHDRAW A GUILTY PLEA A ND OR NOLO CONTENDERE PLEA PRIOR TO SENTEN CING IS TO BE LIBERA LLY GRANTED FOR ANY FAIR AND JUST REASON, AP PELLANT ASSERTED FAIR AND JU ST REASON OF HIS INN OCENCE, AND THE COMMONWEALTH WOULD NOT BE SUBSTANTIALLY PREJUD ICED? WHETHER THE TRIAL CO URT ABUSED IT S DISCRETION IN IMPOSING A MANIFESTLY EXCESSIVE SENTENCE ABOVE THE APPLICABLE AGGRA VATED GUIDELINE RANG E, WHICH DID NOT TAKE INTO AC COUNT APPELLANT’S ST RIDES TOWARD REHABILITATIO N WHILE INCARCERATED , THEREBY VIOLATING TH E FUNDAMENTAL NORMS OF SENTENCING AN D THE SENTENCING COD E? ( Appellant’s Brief at 4). Review of the denial of a pre - sentence motion to withdraw a nolo contendere plea implicates the following :

[W]e recognize that at “ any time before the imposition of sentence, the court may, in its discretion, permit, upon motion of the defendant , or direct sua sponte , the withdrawal of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere and the substitution of a plea of not guilty.” Pa.R.Crim.P 591(A). The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania recently clarified the standard of review for considering a trial court's decision regarding a defendant's pre - sentence motion to withdraw a [ nolo contendere plea ] : Trial courts have discretion in determining whether a wi thdrawal request will be granted; such discretion is to be administered liberally in favor of the accused; and any demonstration by a defendant of a fair - and just reason will suffice to support a grant, unless withdrawal would work substantial prejudice to the

### J - S39011 - 19

- 3 - Commonwealth. Commonwealth v. Carrasquillo , 631 Pa. 692, [ 704, ] 115 A.3d 1284, 1285, 1291 – 92 (2015) (holding there is no per se rule regarding pre - sentence request to withdraw a plea , and bare assertion of innocence is not a sufficient reason to require a court to grant such request). We will disturb a trial court ’ s decision on a request to withdraw a guilty plea only if we conclude that the trial court abused its discretion. Common wealth v. Gordy , 73 A.3d 620, 624 (Pa.Super. 2013) [, appeal denied , 624 Pa. 687, 87 A.3d 318 (2014)] . Commonwealth v. Davis , 191 A.3d 883, 888 - 90 (Pa.Super. 2018) , appeal denied , ___ Pa. ___, 200 A.3d 2 (2019) . Also , c hallenges to the discretionary aspects of sentencing do not entitle an appellant to an appeal as of right. Commonwealth v. Sierra , 752 A.2d 910 (Pa.Super. 2000). Prior to reaching the merits of a discretionary sentencing issue:

[W]e conduct a four - part a nalysis to determine: (1) whether appellant has filed a timely notice of appeal, see Pa.R.A.P. 902 and 903; (2) whether the issue was properly preserved at sentencing or in a motion to reconsider and modify sentence, see Pa.R.Crim.P. 720; (3) whether appel lant’s brief has a fatal defect, Pa.R.A.P. 2119(f); and (4) whether there is a substantial question that the sentence appealed from is not appropriate under the Sentencing Code, 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9781(b). Commonwealth v. Evans , 901 A.2d 528, 533 (Pa.Super. 2006), appeal denied , 589 Pa. 727, 909 A.2d 303 (2006) (internal citations omitted) . Objections to the discretionary aspects of a sentence are generally waived if they are not raised at the sentencing hearing or raised in a motion to modify the sentence imposed at that hearing. Commonwealth v. Mann , 820 A.2d

### J - S39011 - 19

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788 (Pa.Super. 2003), appeal denied , 574 Pa. 759, 831 A.2d 599 (2003). Our standard of review concerning the discretionary aspects of sentencing is as follows:

Sentencing is a matter vested in the sound discretion of the sentencing judge, and a sentence will not be disturbed on appeal absent a manifest abuse of discretion. In this context, an abuse of discretion is not shown merely by an error in judgment. Rath er, the appellant must establish, by reference to the record, that the sentencing court ignored or misapplied the law, exercised its judgment for reasons of partiality, prejudice, bias or ill will, or arrived at a manifestly unreasonable decision. Commo nwealth v. Hyland , 875 A.2d 1175, 1184 (Pa.Super. 2005), appeal denied , 586 Pa. 723, 890 A.2d 1057 (2005). Under Section 9721(b), “the court shall follow the general principle that the sentence imposed should call for confinement that is consistent with t he protection of the public, the gravity of the offense as it relates to the impact on the life of the victim and on the community, and the rehabilitative needs of the defendant.” 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9721(b). The record as a whole must reflect the sentencing court’s consideration of the facts of the case and the defendant’s character. Commonwealth v. Crump , 995 A.2d 1280, 1283 (Pa.Super. 2010), appeal denied , 608 Pa. 661, 13 A.3d 475 (2010). “In particular, the court should refer to the defendant’s prior cri minal record, his age, personal characteristics and his potential for rehabilitation.” Commonwealth v. Griffin, 804 A.2d 1, 10 (Pa.Super. 2002), appeal denied , 582 Pa. 671, 868 A.2d 1198 (2005), cert denied , 545 U.S. 1148, 125 S.Ct. 2984, 162 L.Ed.2d 902 (2005).

### J - S39011 - 19

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After a thorough review of the record, the briefs of the parties, the applicable law, and the well - reasoned opinion of the Honorable Timika Lane , we conclude Appellant’s issues merit no relief. The trial court opinion comprehensively discusses and properly disposes of the questions presented. ( See Trial Court Opinion, filed January 11, 2019 , at 2 - 8 ) (finding : (1) Appellant presented implausible, bare assertion of innocence wholly undermined by Commonwealth’s considera ble evidence against him; facts set forth at plea hearing showed that during cookout with at least 15 people, fight broke out ; when Appellant arrived on scene, he brandished silver automatic handgun and fired four shots into crowd; four eyewitnesses identi fied Appellant as shooter; this compelling evidence of Appellant’s guilt rendered his claim of innocence implausible; Appellant presented no facts to support his claim of innocence; instead, Appellant ma de only blanket claim that witnesses were biased agai nst him , without any support for that assertion; court did not abuse its discretion in denying Appellant’s pre - sentence motion to withdraw his plea; (2) court properly weighed nature and circumstances of offense, facts upon which convictions were based, Ap pellant’s observable characteristics and efforts toward rehabilitation, and sentencing guidelines; nature of Appellant’s actions was particularly disturbing and demonstrate d his callous disregard for human life; court imposed mitigated sentence, below reco mmended standard guidelines ( given Appellant’s prior record score coupled with offense gravity scores ) , acknowledging that Appellant had

### J - S39011 - 19

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accepted responsibility and had made notable efforts at rehabilitation; court did not abuse sentencing discretion ). Ac cordingly, we affirm based on the trial court opinion . Judgment of sentence affirmed. Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq. Prothonotary
Date: 8/28/19Circulated 08/07/2019 09:55 AM

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### n o lo c o n te n d e re p l e a p ri o r t o s e n t e n c in g i s t o b e li b e r al l y g r an t e d fo r any fa i r an dj u s t r e a s o n , Ap p e ll an t a s s e rt e d fa i r an d j u s t r e a s o n o f hi s inn o ce n c e , an d th e C o mm o nw e a l th w o u l d n o t b e s ub s t an t i a ll y p r e j u di c e d ? " 2 . Wh e th e r " th e tr i a l c o urt ab u s e d i t s d i s c r e t i o n i n imp o s i n g a m an i fe s t l y e x c e s s i v e s e n t e n c e , ab o v e th e a

p p l i c ab l e a g g r av at e d g u i d e l i n e r an g e , w h i c h d i d n o t t ak e i n t o a c c o un t Ap p e ll an t ' s s tri d e s t o w ar d r e h ab ili t at i o n w h il e i n c ar c e r at e d , th e r e b y v i o l at i n g th e fun d am e n t a l n o rm s o f s e n t e n c i n g an d th e s e n t e n c i n g c o d e ? "F A C T S O n M ay 2 5 , 2 0 1 5 , ar o un d 8 : 1 6 p . m . , s e v e r a l p e o p l e w e r e att e n d i n g a fam il y c o o k o u t at 1 9 1 8 E a s t M o nm o u th S tr e e t. (N . T . 0 7 /1 2 / 2 0 1 7 at 8 . ) . A r o un d th i s t i m e , tw o fam il y m e mb e r s b e g an t o ar g u e at th e o p p o s i t e e n d o f th e b l o c k , n e ar 1 9 4 6 -4 8 E . M anm o uth S tr e e t. ( I d. )
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### o f fo ur s h o t s , s tr i k i n g o n e v ic t i m , R o b e rt M c C a s ki ll , i n th e b a c k. ( I d at 9 . ) . T h eb u l l e t e n t e r e d M r . M c C a s k ill ' s b a c k an d tr av e l e d thr o u g h h i s c h e s t c av i ty . 

### (I d. at 9 - 1 0 . ) . M r . M c C a s k ill w a s i mm e d i at e l y ru s h e d t o T e mp l e U n i v e r s i ty H o s p i t a l , w h e r e h e w a s i n t u b at e d an d h e l d fo r th e r e m a i n d e r o f th e w e e k. 

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### fo ur fi r e d c artri d g e c a s i n g s fr o m th e s c e n e an d d e t e rm i n e d th at e a c h c a s i n g w a s fi r e d fr o m th e s am e g un . ( I d at 1 0 .). A d d i t i o n al l y , an e y e w i tn e s s , T e rr e ll T r a p p , i d e n t i fi e d th e Ap p e ll an t 

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j u d i c e t o th e C o m m o nw e a lth . 

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d
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e n d an t s t at e d th at , c o n tr ary t o h i s s t at e m e n t s m a d e d uri n g th e c o ll o quy , h e r e m e mb e r e d th e n i g h t i n qu e s t i o n an d th at h e d i d n o t a c t u a ll y ra p e th e v i c t i m . 

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d. H o w e v e r , th e d e f

e n d an t ' s ' ct a i m s d i r e c tl y c o n tra d i c t e d th e c o mp e ll i n g e v i d e n c e p r e s e n t e d b y th e C o m m o nw e a lth ; s p e c i fi c a ll y , th e d e f e n d an t ' s D N A m at c h e d th e D N A s amp l e s t ak e n fr o m th e 

### 3v i c t i m ' s r a p e k i t. 

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p e r i o r C o urt fo un d th at h e d i d n o t p r e s e n t a p l au s i b l e c l a i m o f i nn o c e n c e , an d " th e b i z arr e s t at e m e n t s m a d e . . i n a s s o c i at i o n w i th h i s d e cl arat i o n o f i nn o c e n c e w h o ll y un d e rm i n e d i t s p l au s i b il i ty , p art i c u l ar l y i n l i g h t o f th e C o mm o nw e a l th ' s s tro n g e v i d e n c e s u p p o rt i n g g u i l t. " 

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p e r i o r C o urt fo un d th at th e d e fe n d an t d i d p r e s e n t a p l au s i b l e cl a i m o f i nn o c e n c e . I 5 6 A. 3 d 1 1 8 5 , 1 1 9 1 ( P a . S u p e r. 2 0 1 7 ) . T h e d e f

e n d an t , I s l a s , w a s c h ar g e d w i th th r e e c o un t s o f i n d e c e n t a s s au l t. 

### I d. at 1 1 8 7 . T hr e e d ay s b e fo r e tri a l , I s l a s p l e d g u il ty t o o n e c o un t o f i n d e c e n t a s s au l t. 

### I d. D ur i n g th e h e ar i n g o n h i s m o t i o n t o w i th dr aw , I s l a s t e s t i fi e d th at: h e d i d n o t c o m m i t th e a ll e g e d c r i m e s ; h e m a i n t a i n e d h i s i nn o c e n c e w h e n h e w a s i n i t i a ll y i n t e rv i e w e d b y l aw e n fo r c e m e n t ; i f th e c r i m e o c c ur r e d a s a ll e g e d , th e o th e r p art i e s w h o w e r e p r e s e n t w o u l d h av e w i tn e s s e d th e a ll e g e d c o n d u c t ; th e v i c t i m h a d a m o t i v e t o fab ri c at e th e c h ar g e s ; an d th at h e w a s o f g o o d c h ara c t e r , h a d n o c r i m i n a l r e c o r d , an d h a d n e v e r r e c e i v e d a s i m i l ar c o mp l a i n t i n th e m any y e ar s h e s p e n t w o rk i n g i n h i s fi e l d . 

### I d. at 1 1 9 1 . T h e d e f

e n d an t furth e r t e s ti fi e d th at h i s n e w c o un s e l e xp l a i n e d t o h i m , a s p r i o r c o un s e l h a d n o t , h i s av a i l ab l e d e f e n s e s , i n cl u d i n g h i s a

b ili ty t o c a ll c h ara c t e r w i tn e s s e s o n h i s b e h a l f I d B a s e d o n th e s e fa c ts , th e S u p e r i o r C o urt c o n cl u d e d th at th e d e fe n d an t p r e s e n t e d a c o l o r ab l e cl a i m o f i nn o c e n c e an d a

" fa i r an d j u s t " r e a s o n fo r th e w i th dr aw a l o f h i s p l e a . 

### I d I n th e c a s e at b ar , th e Ap p e ll an t h a s p r e s e n t e d an i mp l au s i b l e , b ar e a s s e rt i o n o fi nn o c e n c ean a s s e rt i o n w h o ll y un d e rm i n e d b y th e c o n s i d e r ab l e e v i d e n c e p r e s e n t e d a g ai n s t h i m . H e r e , d ur i n g th e Ap p e ll an t ' s n o lo c o n te n d e r e c o ll o quy , th e fo ll o w i n g fa c t s w e r e r e a d i n t o e vi d e n c e : O n M ay 2 5 , 2 0 1 5 , ar o un d 8 : 1 6 p . m . , th e r e w e r e " at l e a s t fi ft e e n " p e o p l e e n j o y i n g a fam i l y c o o k o ut at 1 9 1 8 E a s t M o nm o uth S tr e e t. (N . T . 0 7 / 1 2 / 2 0 1 7 at 8 . ) . A r o un d th i s ti m e , tw o fam il y m e mb e r s b e g an t o ar g u e at th e o p p o s i t e e n d o fth e b l o c k , n e ar 1 9 4 6 -4 8 E . M anm o uth S tr e e t. (I d )
. A s th e ar g um e n t

4e s c a l at e d.a f e w a d d i t i o n a l f

am i l y m e mb e r s w a l k e d t o w ar d s th e e n d o f th e b l o c k t o s e e w h at w a s g o i n g o n . ( I d. ) . Wh e n th e Ap p e ll an t arri v e d at th e s c e n e , h e p u ll e d o ut a " s i l v e r aut o m at i c h an d g un "
an d fi r e d fo ur s h o t s i n t o th e c r o w d , s tr i k i n g o n e v i c t i m i n th e 

### b a c k . ( I d. at 8 - 9 . ) . T h e v i c t i m w as i mm e d i at e l y ru s h e d t o T e mp l e U n i v e r s i ty H o s p i t a l , w h e r e h e w a s i n t u b at e d an d h e l d fo r th e r e m a i n d e r o f th e w e e k. 

### ( I d at 9 . ) . F i n a ll y , fo ur e y e w i tn e s s e s i d e n t i fi e d th e Ap p e ll an t a s th e i n d i v i d u a l w h o fi r e d i n t o th e c r o w d (N . T . 0 7 / 1 2 / 2 0 1 7 at 10 ; 0 5 / 1 4 / 2 0 1 8 at 1 8 ) . H e r e , th e r e i s s u c h c o mp e lli n g e v i d e n c e o f th e Ap p e ll an t' s g ui l t th at h i s cl a i m o fi nn o c e n c e i s h i g h l y i mp l au s i b l e . F urth e r , th e Ap p e ll an t h a s n o t p r e s e n t e d any fa c t s th at s u p p o rt h i s a s s e rt i o n o f i nn o c e n c e . U n l i k e th e a p p e ll an t i n 

### I

s la s , th e Ap p e ll an t i n th e c a s e at b ar h a s m e r e l y m a d e a b l ank e t a s s e rt i o n th at th e w i tn e s s e s a g a i n s t h i m ar e b i a s e d . (N . T . 0 4 / 0 9 / 2 0 1 8 at 4 ) . H e cl a i m s th at th e w i tn e s s e s ar e " o ut t o fr am e h i m , " w i th o ut p o i n t i n g t o any fa c t s th at s u p p o rt th i s th e o ry or e xp l a i n th e w i tn e s s e s ' p o s s i b l e m o t i v e s fo r d o i n g s o . 

### (I d at 4 ) . T h e c a s e at b ar i s a l s o d i s t i n g u i s h ab l e fr o m 

### I

s l a s b e c au s e th e r e w e r e mu lt i p l e e y e w i tn e s s e s i n th e i n s t an t c a s e w h o o b s e rv e d th e a ll e g e d c o n d u c t an d i d e n t i fi e d th e Ap p e ll an t a s th e s h o o t e r . 

### (N .T . 0 5 / 1 4 / 2 0 1 8 at 1 8 ) . T hu s , d u e t o th e s i g n i fi c an t e v i d e n c e s u p p o rt i n g th e Ap p e ll an t ' s g u il t an d th e Ap p e ll an t' s fa i l ur e t o p r e s e n t a p l au s i b l e c l a i m o fi nn o c e n c e , i t i s cl e ar th at th i s c o urt n e i th e r e rr e d n o r ab u s e d i t s d i s c r e t i o n i n d e ny i n g th e Ap p e ll an t' s m o t i o n t o w i th dr aw h i s p l e a o f 

### n o l o c o n te n de re . II . T h e tr i a l c o urt d i d n o t e r r o r a b u s e i t s d i s c r e ti o n i n s e n t e n ci n g th e Ap p e ll an t t o tw e l v e t o tw e n ty - fo ur y e ar s o f i n c ar c e r a t i o n , fo ll o w e d b y an e i g h t - y e ar p r o b a t i o n 

### ta il . A s e n t e n c i n g c o urt i s i n th e " b e s t p o s i t i o n t o m e a s ur e fa c t o r s s u c h a s th e n at ur e o f th e c r i m e , d e fe n d an t ' s c h ar a c t e r , th e d e fe n d an t' s di s p l ay o fr e m o r s e , d e fi an c e , o r i n di ff e r e n c e , " an d i s th e r e fo r e g i v e n b ro a d d e fe r e n c e . C o m m o n w e a lt

h v . R i g g s , 6 3 A J d 7 8 0 , 7 8 6 ( P a . S u p e r . 2 0 1 2 ) . A s e n t e n c e mu s t b e wi th i n th e s t atut o ry l i m i t s an d s h o u l d r e qu i r e c o n fi n e m e n t th at i s c o n s i s t e n t w i th


### 5th e p ro t e c t i o n o fth e p ub l i c , th e g r av i ty o f th e o ff e n s e an d th e r e h ab ili t at i v e n e e d s o f th e d e fe n d an t. C o m m o n w e a l th
. v . C

o r s o n , 4 4 4 A . 2 d 1 7 0 , 1 72 ( P a . S u p e r . 1 9 8 2 ) ( i n t e rn a l c i t at i o n s o m i tt e d ) . I f th e s e n t e n c e i mp o s e d i s w i th i n th e s t at ut o r y li m i t s , th e r e i s n o ab u s e o f d i s c r e t i o n un l e s s th e s e n t e n c e i s m an i fe s t l y e x c e s s i v e s o a s t o i n fli c t t o o s e v e r e a p un i s h m e n t. 

### I d. A n a b u s e o f d i s c r e t i o n i s m o r e th an j u s t an e rr o r i n j u d g m e n t an d , o n a p p e a l , th e tri a l c o urt 

### w ill n o t b e fo un d t o h av e a b u s e d i t s d i s c r e t i o n un l e s s th e a p p e ll an t c an e s t ab li s h , b y r e fe r e n c e t o th e r e c o r d , th at th e s e n t e n ci n g c o urt e x e r c i s e d i t s j u d g m e n t fo r r e a s o n s o f p art i a li ty , p r e j u d ic e , b i a s , o r ill
- wi ll . C o m m o n w e a l t

h. v . Cla r k e, 7 0 A .3 d 1 2 8 1 , 1 2 8 7 ( P a . S u p e r . 2 0 13 ) . R e a s o n a

b l e n e s s o f

th e s e n t e n c e i mp o s e d 

### b y th e tri a l c o urt i s b a s e d o n : ( 1 ) th e n at ur e an d c i r c um s t an c e s o f th e o ff e n c e an d th e h i s t o ry an d c h ara c t e ri s t i c s o f th e d e f e n d an t ; ( 2 ) th e o p p o rt

un i ty o f th e s e n t e n ci n g c o urt t o o b s e rv e th e d e fe n d an t , i n cl u di n g any p r e s e n t e n c e i n v e s t i g at i o n ; ( 3 ) th e fi n d i n g s u p o n w h i c h th e s e n t e n c e w a s b a s e d ; an d ( 4 ) th e g u i d e li n e s p ro mu l g at e d b y th e c o m m i s s i o n . 4 2 P a . C . S . A. 

### § 9 7 8 l ( d ) . I n th e c a s e at b ar , th i s c o urt d i d n o t e rr i n i mp o s i n g i t s s e n t e n c e o f tw e l v e t o tw e n ty - fo ur y e ar s o f i n c ar c e rat i o n - fo ll o w e d b y a c o n s e c ut i v e e i g h t y e ar s o f r e p o rt i n g p ro b at i o n . T h i s c o urt p ro p e r l y w e i g h e d th e n at ur e an d c i r c um s t an c e s o f th e o ff e n s e , th e fa c t s u

p o n w h i c h th e c o nv i c t i o n . w a s b a s e d , th e d e f

e n d an t ' s o b s e rv ab l e c h ara c t e r i s t i c s an d e f fo rt s t o w ar d r e h a

b i l i t at i o n , an d th e C o mm i s s i o n o n S e n t e n c i n g ' s s u g g e s t e d g u i d e l i n e s . F i r s t , th e n at

ur e o f Ap p e ll an t ' s a c t i o n s i s p art i c u l arl y d i s t ur b i n g an d d e m o n s tr at e s th e Ap p e ll an t' s c a ll o u s d i s r e g ar d fo r hum an li f e . T h e Ap p e ll an t fi r e d fo ur s h o t s d i r e c tl y i n t o a c ro w d o f p e o p l e , kn o w i n g th at h i s v i c t i m s c o u l d b e s e r i o u s l y i n j ur e d o r ki ll e d . (N . T . 0 7 /1 2 /2 0 1 7 at 9 . ) . H i s a c t i o n s w e r e e s p e ci a ll y s h o c k i n g , a s m any o f th e p e o p l e i n th e c r o w d w e r e th e Ap p e ll an t ' s l o n g - t e rm n e i g hb o r s an d a c qu a i n t an c e s . (N . T . 0 5 /1 4 / 2 0 1 8 at 1 8 ) . F urth e r , th e Ap p e ll an t ' s a c t i o n s r e s u l t e d i n s e r i o u s b o d i l y i n j ury ; o n e o f th e b u ll e t s s tru c k a v i c t i m , M r . M c C a s k i ll , i n th e b a c k an d


### 6

### t o r e thr o u g h h i s c h e s t c av i ty . (N . T . 0 7 / 1 2 / 2 0 1 7 at 9 - 10 . ) . T h e i n j uri e s r e qu i r e d th e v i c t i m t o b e ru s h e d t o th e h o s p i t a l , i n t

u b at e d , an d h e l d fo r th e r e m a i n d e r o fth e w e e k. (I d
. 

### at 9 . ) . A l th o u g h e a c h v i c t i m s urv i v e d th e i n ci d e n t , th e Ap p e ll an t ' s a c t i o n s c o u l d h av e r e s u lt e d i n s e v e r a l s e r i o u s i n j uri e s o r fat a l i t i e s - a fa c t th at th i s c o urt c r i t i c a ll y c o n s i d e r e d w h e n i mp o s i n g i t s s e n t e n c e . N o n e th e l e s s , th i s c o urt i mp o s e d a m i t i g at e d s e n t e n c e , a c k n o w l e d g i n g th at th e Ap p e ll an t a c c e p t e d r e s p o n s i b i li ty an d m a d e n o t ab l e e f

fo rt s t o w ar d s r e h ab i l i t at i o n . S p e ci fi c a ll y , th i s c o urt s t at e d : I 

### d i d tak e i n t o c o n s i d e r at i o n th e th i n g s th at y o u s a i d t o d ay , th e p r o gr am s th at y o u ' v e e nr o ll e d i n p ri s o n , an d I 

### th i nk th at y o u ar e 

### o n y o ur w ay . I 

### th i nk th at th i s i s s t ill a p ro c e s s . . . my r e a s o n i n g fo r th i s [ m i t i g at i o n ] ar e a s I 

### s t at e d . A ll th e 

### p r o g r amm i n g th at y o u h av e d o n e i n p r i s o n an d th e c o mp e lli n g ar gum e nt th at I' v e h e ar d an d th e d e f e n s e ar g um e n t , a s w e ll a s th e c h an g e s th at I s e e ar e s t art i n g 

### t o c o m e an d th at y o u d i d p l e a d n o c o n t e s t an d th at y o u s t art e d t o a c c e p t r e s p o n s ib i l i ty fo r th i s . (N .T . 0 5 / 1 4 / 2 0 1 7 

### at 2 7 - 2 8 ) . 

### T h i s c o urt a l s o c o n s i d e r e d th e g u i d e l i n e s p ut fo rth b y th e C o mm i s s i o n o n S e n t e n c i n g . F o r h i s c o nv i c t i o n o f att e mp t e d mur d e r , Ap p e ll an t w a s s e n t e n c e d t o tw e l v e t o tw e n ty - fo ur y e ar s o f i n c ar c e rat i o n - fo ll o w e d b y a c o n s e c ut i v e e i g h t y e ar s o f r e p o rt i n g p r o b at i o n fo r h i s c o nv i c t i o n un d e r V U F A 6 1 0 5 . (N . T . 0 5 / 1 4 / 2 0 1 8 at 2 7 ) . Th e Ap p e ll an t h a s a p r i o r r e c o r d s c o r e o f fo ur . A tt e mp t e d mur d e r w i th s e r i o u s b o d il y i n j ury h a s an o ff

e n s e g rav i ty s c o r e o f fo urt e e n , an d a 

### V U F A 6 1 0 5 v i o l at i o n h a s an o ff

e n s e g r av i ty s c o r e o f

t e n . (I d. 

### at 5 --6 , 1 6 ) . Th e a

p p li c ab l e C o mm i s s i o n o n S e n t e n c i n g g u i d e l i n e s r e c o mm e n d " 1 5 Y z- 3 1 y e ar s w i th a 1 8 6 s t at ut o ry l i m i t " fo r att e mp t e d mur d e r w i th s e r i o u s b o d i l y i n

j ur y . (I d 

### at 1 6 ) . F o r v i o l at i o n s un d e r 

### V U F A 6 1 0 5 , th e g u i d e li n e s r e c o mm e n d 4 8 --6 0 m o n th s , p l u s o r m i nu s tw el v e . (I d. 

### at 1 7 ) . T hu s , i t w o u l d h av e b e e n w e ll w i th i n th i s c o urt ' s d i s c r e t i o n t o s e n t e n c e th e Ap p e ll an t t o a m i n i mum o f tw e n ty y e ar s an d s i x m o n th s o fi n c ar c e r at i o n . H o w e v e r , th i s c o urt s e n t e n c e d th e Ap p e ll an t t o tw e l v e t o tw e n ty - fo ur y e ar s o f i n c ar c e r at i o n , fo ll o w e d b y a c o n s e c ut i v e e i g h t y e ar s o f r e p o rt i n g p r o b at i o n , a c kn o w l e d g i n g th at th e Ap p e ll an t s h o w e d r e m o r s e , a c c e p t e d r e s p o n s i b i li ty , an d m a d e m e an i n g f ul e f fo rt s t o w ar d r e h a

b ili t at i o n . (N .T .



### 70 5 / 1 4 / 2 0 1 7 at 2 7 - 2 8 ) . F i n a ll y , th i s c o urt c o n s i d e r e d th e r e h ab i l i t at i v e n e e d s o f th e Ap p e ll an t an d

o r d e r e d th at th e Ap p e ll an t un d e r g o an g e r m an a g e m e n t an d j o b tr a i n i n g . (I d
. )
. T hu s , 

### i t i s cl e ar th at th e Ap p e ll an t ' s s e n t e n c e i s n o t " m an i f e s t l y e x c e s s i v e , " an d th i s c o urt n e i th e r e rr e d n o r a b u s e d i t s d i s c r e t i o n .



### 8

### C O N C L U S I O N A ft e r r e a d i n g th e a

p p li c a b l e s t at ut e s , c a s e l aw s , an d ru l e s , th e tri a l c o urt h a s n e i th e r e rr e d
n o r a b u s e d i t s d i s c r e t i o n . A c c o r d i n g l y , th e tr i a l c o urt ' s d e c i s i o n s h o u l d b e a ffi rm e d .


### B Y T H E C O U R T :

L a n e , 

### J .

9C

o m m o n w e a l t

h 

### v . J a m a l J o n es P R O O F 

### O F S E R V I C E 

### C P - 5 l
- C R - 0 0 0 0 5 9 1 - 2 0 1 6

I 

### h e r e b y c e rt i f

y th at I 

### am th i s d ay s e rv i n g th e fo r e g o i n g C o urt O p i n i o n u p o n 

### th e p e r s o n ( s ) , an d i n th e m ann e r i n d i c at e d b el o w , w h i c h s e rv i c e s at i s fi e s th e r e qu i r e m e n t s o f P a . R . C ri m . P . 1 1 4 : D e fe n s e C o un s e l : E ar l R ayn o r

2 3 4 N . P e a c h S tr e e t P hi l a d e l p h i a , P A 1 9 1 3 9 T yp e o f S e rv i c e : ( x ) F ir s t C l a s s M a i l ( ) C e rt ifi e d ( ) P e r s o n a l S e rv i c e D i s tr i c t A tt o rn e y : 

### L arry G o o d e , E s qu i r e

C h i e f , Ap p e a l s U n i t P hi l a d e l p h i a D i s tri c t A tt o rn e y ' s O ffi c e Thr e e S o uth P e nn S quar e P hi l a d e l p h i a, P A 1 9 10 7 - 3 4 9 9 T yp e o f S e rv i c e : ( x ) F i r s t C l a s s M a il ( ) . C e rt i fi e d ( ) P e r s o n a l S e rv i c e