### J - S 2 30 12 - 1 9 NON - PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37 COMMONWEALTH OF PENN SYLVANIA, IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA Appellee v. BOBBY HALL, Appellant No. 1027 WDA 2018 Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence Entered February 28 , 201 8 In the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County Criminal Division at No(s): CP - 02 - CR - 000 5761 - 201 7 BEFORE: BENDER, P.J.E., NICHOLS , J., and COLINS , J. * 

### MEMORANDUM BY BENDER, P.J.E.: FILED JUNE 18, 2019 Appellant, Bobby Hall, appeals from the judgment of sentence of an aggregate term of 2 years’ probation, imposed after he was convicted , following a non - jury trial, of simple assault (18 Pa.C.S. § 2701(a)(1)) and official oppression (18 Pa.C.S. § 5301(1)). We affirm. Appellant presents the following two issues for our review: I. There was insufficient evidence to support the conviction for simple assault where the medical report stated that Michael Miller did not suffer any injuries and the Commonwealth failed to establish that Hall intended or attempted to cause any injury to Michael Miller, and the trial court erred in denying the post - se ntence motion raising this claim. II. There was insufficient evidence to support the conviction for official oppression where the Commonwealth failed to establish that Michael Miller was mistreated by [Appellant]

_________________ __________ ______ ____ _______
* 

### Retired Senior Judge assigned to the Superior Court.

### J - S230 1 2 - 19

- 2 - in [Appellant’s] capacity as a corrections offi cer, where: (1) Micha el Miller did not appear for tr i a l and offer any supporting testimony; (b) the Commonwealth failed to offer into evidence any written prison policies and procedures to establish [Appellant’s] conduct was unlawful; and (c) the Commonwea lth failed to establish whether [Appellant] knowingly and illegally acted in bad faith in response to Michael Miller spitting in his face, and the trial court erred in denying the post - sentence motion raising this claim. Appellant’s Brief at 5. We have rev iewed the certified record, the briefs of the parties, and the applicable law. Additionally, we have reviewed the thorough and well reasoned opinion of the Honorable Beth A. Lazzara of the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County. We conclude that Judge Lazzara’s opinion accurately disposes of the issues presented by Appellant. Accordingly, we adopt her opinion as our own and affirm Appellant’s judgment of sentence for the reasons set forth therein. Judgment of sentence affirmed. Judgment Entered. Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq. Prothonotary Date: 6/18/2019Circulated 05/22/2019 12:35 PM

I N T H E C O U RT O F C O M M O N P L E AS O F A L L E G H E N Y C O U N TY , P E N N S Y LVA N I A C R I M I N A L D I V I S I O N


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### 2 8 , 2 0 1 8 , f o ll ow i n g a n o n -

j u ry t ri a l t h a t to o k p l a ce o n F e b ru a ry 

### 2 8 . 2 0 1 8 . T h e D e f e n d a n t wa s c h a rg e d w i t h S i m p l e As s a u l t ( 1 8 P a . C . S . A. § 2 7 0 1 ( a ) ( 1 ) ) a n d O ffi c i a l O p p re s s i o n ( 1 8 P a C . S . A. § 5 3 0 1 ( 1 ) . At t h e co n c l u s i o n o f t ri a l , t h i s co u rt f o u n d t h e D e f

e n d a n t g u i l ty o f b o t h c h a rg e s . T h e D e f e n d a n t wa i ve d h i s ri g h t to a P re s e n te n c e R e p o rt a n d p ro c e e d e d to s e n te n c i n g i m m e d i a te l y fo ll ow i n g h i s co n v i ct i o n s .

T h e D e f e n d a n t wa s s e n te n c e d to two ( 2 ) ye a rs o f p ro b a ti o n a t e a c h co u n t , o rd e re d to ru n co n c u r re n tl y . A N o C o n ta ct O rd e r wa s i m p o s e d , p ro h i b i t i n g t h e D e f e n d a n t fro m h a v l n g co n ta ct w i t h i n m a te s M i c h a e l M ill e r a n d J a m i e P a i n te r. T h e D e f e n d a n t wa s o rd e re d to p a y co u rt co s ts .A p o s t- s e n te n c e m o ti o n wa s fil e d b y t h e D e f e n d a n t o n M a rc h 1 2 , 2 0 1 8 . O n M a rc h 1 6 , 2 0 1 8 , a p p e ll a te co u n s e l e n te re d h e r a p p e a ra n ce o n t h e re co rd . O n M a rc h 2 3 , 2 0 1 8 , t h e D e f

e n d a n t' s t ri a l co u n s e l s o u g h t l e a v e to w i t h d raw fro m re p re s e n ta ti o n . H i s re q u e s t wa s g ra n te d t h a t s a m e d a y . A s u p p l e m e n ta l p o s t s e n te n c e m o ti o n wa s fi l e d o n M a y 1 4 , 2 0 1 8 . T h e m o ti o n wa s h e a rd a n d d e n i e d o n J u n e 1 9 , 2 0 1 8 . T h i s ti m e l y a p p e a l fo ll owe d .

O n A u g u s t 1 , 2 0 1 8 , t h i s co u rt i s s u e d a n O rd e r p u rs u a n t to P a . R. A. P
. 1 9 2 5 ( b } , d i re ct i n g t h e D e f

e n d a n t to fi l e a C o n c i s e S ta te m e n t o f M a tte rs C o m p l a i n e d o f o n A p p e a l ( " C o n c i s e S ta te m e n t " ) n o l a te r t h a n A u g u s t 2 4 , 2 0 1 8 . O n A u g u s t 2 4 , 2 0 1 8 , t h e D e fe n d a n t fil e d a ti m e l y C o n c i s e S ta te m e n t a n d ra i s e d t h e fo ll ow i n g a ll e g a t i o n s o f e rro r o n a p p e a l : a . T h e re wa s i n s u ffi ci e n t e v i d e n c e to s u p p o rt t h e co n v i cti o n fo r s i m p l e a s s a u l t w h e re t h e m e d i ca l re p o rt s ta te d t h a t M i c h a e l M ill e r d i d n o t s u ff e r a n y I nj u ri e s a n d t h e C o m m o n we a l t h f a il e d to e s ta b ll s h t h a t H a ll i n te n d e d o r a tte m p te d to ca u s e a n y i nj u ry to M i c h a e l M ill e r, a n d t h e t ri a l co u rt e r re d i n d e n y i n g t h e p o s t- s e n te n ce m o t i o n ra i s i n g t h i s c l a i m . b . T h e re wa s i n s u ffi c i e n t e v i d e n c e to s u p p o rt t h e co n v i ct i o n fo r offi c i a l o p p re s s i o n w h e re t h e C o m m o n we a l t h f a il e d to e s ta b l i s h t h a t M i c h a e l M i ll e r wa s m i s t re a te d b y H a ll i n h i s ca p a c i ty a s a co r re ct i o n s offi c e r w h e re , ( a ) M i c h a e l M ill e r d l d n o t a p p e a r fo r t ri a l a n d off e r a n y s u p p o rt i n g te s t i m o n y ; ( b } t h e C o m m o n we a l t h f a i l e d to o ff

e r i n to e v i d e n c e a n y w ri tte n p ri s o n p o li c i e s a n d p ro ce d u re s to e s ta b l is h B o b b y H a ll ' s co n d u ct wa s u n l awfu l ; a n d ( c ) t h e C o m m o n we a l t h f a il e d to e s ta b l i s h w h e t h e r H a ll k n ow i n g l y a n d Ill e g a ll y a cte d i n b a d f a i t h i n re s p o n s e to M i c h a e l M i ll e r s p i tt i n g i n h i s f a c e , a n d t h e t ri a l co u rt e r re d i n d e n y i n g t h e p o s t- s e n te n ce m o ti o n ra i s i n g t h i s c l a i m . ( C o n c i s e S ta te m e n t , p p . 2 -4 ) .

2

### T h e D e f e n d a n t' s co n te n t i o n s a re w i t h o u t m e ri t. T h i s co u rt re s p e ctfu ll y re q u e s ts t h a t t h e D e f

e n d a n t' s co n v i cti o n s a n d s e n te n ce s b e u p h e l d fo r t h e re a s o n s t h a t f o ll ow .

I . FA C T U A L BA C K G R O U N D 

### O n t h e e ve n i n g of D e ce m b e r 1 0 , 2 0 1 6 , t h e D e f e n d a n t , a P e n n s y l va n i a S ta te D e p a rt m e n t of C o r re cti o n s O ffi ce r ( " C O " ) , wa s wo rk i n g a s a " co n t ro l b o o t h offi ce r' ' ( a l s o k n ow n a s a " b u b b l e co n t ro l offi ce r' ' ) o n t h e A- 2 0 0 B l o c k a t t h e S ta te C o rre cti o n a l I n s tit u ti o n a t P i tts b u rg h ( " S C I P i tts b u rg h " ) . ( T ri a l T ra n s c ri p t ( " TI " ) , 2 /2 8/ 1 8 , p p . 1 2 - 1 4 , 1 0 0 ) . As a C O , t h e D e f

e n d a n t wa s re s p o n s i b l e f o r " p ro v i d [ i n g ] s e c u ri ty fo r t h e p ri s o n , i n m a te s , a n d s ta ff. " ( TI , p . 1 1 ) . It 

### i s a l s o t h e d u ty of a C O to e n s u re i n m a te co m p l i a n ce w i t h t h e ru l e s a n d re g u l a ti o n s of t h e D e p a rt m e n t of C o rre cti o n s , a s we ll a s e n s u re s ta ff co m p l i a n ce w it h t h e co d e of e t h i cs . ( TI , p p . 1 1 , 1 2 ) . As a co n t ro l b o o t h offi ce r, t h e D e f e n d a n t wa s re s p o n s i b l e fo r ove rs e e i n g t h a t " a ll p a s s e s a re i s s u e d o u t , a ll m o ve m e n ts a re b e i n g m a d e a t a ll t i m e s , " a n d t h a t " ce ll d o o rs a re b e i n g o p e n e d p ro p e rl y a t a ll t i m e s . " ( TT , p . 1 4 ) . O n D e ce m b e r 1 0 , 2 0 1 6 , t h e D e f e n d a n t wa s wo rk i n g t h e s a m e s h ift a s h i s co -wo rke r, C O J o h n B e zts . ( TT , p p . 1 2 - 1 3 ) . T h e s h i ft b e g a n a t 1 4 : 0 0 h o u rs ( o r 2 p . m . ) . ( TI , p p . 1 2 - 1 3 ) .

At a p p rox i m a te l y 6 : 5 0 p . m . , C O B e zts wa s p re p a ri n g to p e rf o rm ce ll co m p li a n ce c h e c ks i n t h e p o d , w h i c h wa s a t h e ra p e u ti c co m m u n i ty f o r d ru g a n d a l co h o l t re a t m e n t. ( TI , p p . 1 4 - 1 6 , 7 4 ) . T h e D e f e n d a n t s p e c ifi ca l l y a s ke d C O B e zts to co n d u ct a co m p li a n ce c h e c k of a ce ll w h i c h b e l o n g e d to I n m a te M i c h a e l M il l e r a n d h i s ce ll m a te , 3J a m i e P a i n te r. ( TI , 

### pp . 1 5 - 1 6 , 3 1 , 5 5 , 5 7 ) . U n b e k n ow n s t to C O B e zts , t h e D e f e n d a n t re q u e s te d t h e co m p li a n c e c h e c k o f I n m a te M i ii e r' s ce ll b e ca u s e t h e D e f e n d a n t a n d M ill e r h a d g o tte n i n to a n a rg u m e n t a b o u t " ya rd t i m e " s h o rt l y b e fo re t h e co m p li a n c e c h e c ks . 

### ( TT , p p . 5 6 - 5 8 ) . C O B e zts a g re e d to p e rf o r m t h e c h e c k . 

### ( IT , p p . 1 5 - 1 6 , 3 1 ) . 

### C O B e zts , a l o n g w i t h a n o t h e r co rre cti o n s offi ce r, C O M i tc h e ll , we re i n s i d e o f t h e ce ll < co n d u cti n g t h e co m p li a n c e c h e c k w h e n I n m a te M ill e r co m m e n te d to C O B e zts t h a t B e zts wa s o n l y p e rf

o rm i n g t h e co m p ll a n ce c h e c k " b e ca u s e o f t h a t f a t a s s i n t h e [ 

## J co n t ro l ce n te r. " 

### ( TT , 

### pp . 1 6 , 5 8 ) . C O B e zts wa rn e d I n m a te M ill e r to wa t c h w h a t h e s a i d a b o u t t h e offi c e rs i n fro n t o f o t h e r co rre cti o n s o ffi c e rs . ( TT , p . 1 6 ) . I n m a te P a i n te r a l s o to l d I n m a te M i ll e r " to b e q u i e t b e ca u s e O ffi ce r B e zts wa s j u s t d o i n g h i s j o b . " 

### ( IT , 

### p . 1 6 ) .

Afte r co m p l e t i n g t h e co m p l i a n c e c h e c k a n d d i s co v e ri n g co n t ra b a n d i n t h e f o rm o f two s m a l l p o rta b l e ra d i o s , C O B e zts re t u rn e d to t h e co n t ro l b o o t h a n d re l a ye d t h e re s u l ts o f h i s s e a rc h to t h e D e f e n d a n t. 

### (IT , 

### pp . 1 6 - 1 7 , 3 1 - 3 2 , 5 8 ) . C O B e zts a l s o to l d t h e D e f e n d a n t t h a t " I n m a te M ill e r ca ll e d h i m 

## a f a t a s s . " 

### ( IT , 

### pp . 1 7 , 3 3 - 3 4 ) . T h e D e f e n d a n t b e ca m e ve ry a n g ry . 

### ( TI , p , 1 7 ) . H e a s ke d C O B e zts w h e t h e r I n m a te M ill e r

" a ct u a ll y s a i d t h a t , " a n d C O B e zts co n fi rm e d t h a t h e d i d . 

### ( TI , p , 

### 1 7 ) . T h e D e f e n d a n t' s

" f a c e t u rn e d re d , a n d h e b o l te d o u t o f t h e co n t ro l b o o t h . " 

### ( TI , 

### p . 1 7 ) . C O B e zts d i d n o t k n ow w h y t h e D e f

e n d a n t h a d l e ft t h e co n t ro l b o o t h , b u t h e o b s e rv e d t h e D e f e n d a n t wa l k i n g v e ry q u i c k l y towa rd s I n m a te M ill e r' s ce ll , w h i c h wa s c l o s e d a n d s e c u re d a t t h a t t i m e . 

### ( TT , p p , 

### 1 7 - 2 0 , 3 6 ) . C O B e zts te s t ifi e d t h a t t h e re wa s n o re a s o n , a c co rd i n g to h i s t ra i n i n g a n d ex p e ri e n c e , fo r t h e D e f e n d a n t to l e a v e t h e co n t ro l b o o t h a t t h a t ti m e . 

### ( IT , p . 1 8 ) . 4C O B e zts wa tc h e d fro m n e a r t h e ve s ti b u l e d o o r of h i s p o d a s t h e D e f e n d a n t a p p ro a c h e d I n m a te M i ll e r' s ce l l. ( TT , p p . 1 9 , 3 6 ) . C O B e zts co u l d n o t u n d e rs ta n d e xa ctl y w h a t t h e D e f

e n d a n t wa s s a y i n g to I n m a te M ill e r, b u t h e wa s a b l e to h e a r t h e D e f e n d a n t " h o ll e ri n g , s c re a m i n g a t I n m a te M i ll e r, " a n d " u s i n g p rof a n i ty" , d e s c ri b i n g t h e D e f e n d a n t a s " u p s e t a n d i ra te . " ( TT , p p . 1 9 - 2 0 , 3 6 , 5 8 ) . T h e D e f e n d a n t wa s t h e o n l y p e rs o n t h a t C O B e zts h e a rd u s i n g p ro f a n i ty . ( TI , p p . 2 0 , 2 2 ) . Ac co rd i n g to I n m a te P a i n te r, I n m a te M ill e r " l o o ke d a t O ffi ce r H a ll a n d s a i d : Yo u r p ro b l e m i s , yo u f a t fu c k , yo u g e t n o p * s s y , z e ro p ' s s y . " ( TT , p . 5 8 ) . At t h i s p o i n t , t h e D e f e n d a n t t u rn e d to C O B e zts a n d to l d h i m to " [ o ] p e n t h e fu c k i n g d o o r, o p e n t h e fu c k i n g d o o r n ow" . ( TT , p p . 2 0 , 3 8 - 3 9 , 5 8 ) . C O M i tc h e ll , w h o wa s i n s i d e o f t h e co n t ro l b o o t h a t t h a t t i m e , re l u cta n t l y o p e n e d t h e ce ll d o o r fo r t h e D e f e n d a n t. ( TT , p p . 2 0 , 4 0 ) .

C O B e zts o b s e rve d t h e D e f e n d a n t e n te r I n m a te M ill e r' s ce l l. ( TT , p . 2 0 ) . S i n c e h e wa s t h e o n l y o ffi c e r o n t h e u n i t e q u i p p e d w i t h " O C s p ra y , " a c h e m i ca l s p ra y u s e d to b re a k u p i n m a te a l te rca t i o n s , C O B e zts d e c i d e d to p ro ce e d to I n m a te M ill e r' s ce ll , n u m b e r 2 0 1 3 , a n d s ta n d o u ts i d e o f t h e ce l l. ( TT , p p . 2 0 - 2 1 , 2 3 ) . T h e D e f e n d a n t h a d b e e n a rg u i n g a t t h e ce ll d o o r f o r a p p rox i m a te l y o n e m i n u te o r l e s s b e fo re C O B e zts h e a d e d u p to t h e ce ll . ( TT , p . 3 6 ) . I n f a ct , t h e D e f

e n d a n t wa s a l re a d y i n s i d e of t h e ce ll b e f o re C O B e zts we n t u p t h e s te p s l e a d i n g to t h e ce ll d o o r. ( TT , p . 4 0 ) . H owe v e r, d u ri n g t h e e n t i re i n c i d e n t , C O B e zts o n l y l o s t s i g h t of t h e D e f e n d a n t f o r a p p rox i m a te l y t h re e ( 3 ) to fo u r (4 ) s e co n d s . ( TT , p . 4 0 ) .

5W h e n C O B e zts a p p ro a c h e d t h e ce ll , h e o b s e rv e d I n m a te M ill e r s i tti n g a t t h e

e d g e of h i s b e d o n t h e b o tto m b u n k , f a c i n g t h e d e s k . ( TT , p p . 2 2 , 5 8 - 5 9 ) . H i s ce ll m a t e , I n m a te P a i n te r, wa s a l s o i n s i d e of t h e ce ll , s ta n d i n g b y t h e d e s k a g a i n s t t h e wa l l. ( TT , p p . 2 2 , 5 5 , 5 8 - 5 9 ) . 

### C O B e zts s a w t h e D e f e n d a n t e n te r t h e ce ll a n d s ta rt p o i n ti n g a t I n m a te M ill e r. ( TT , p . 2 3 ) . T h e D e f e n d a n t co n ti n u e d 

## to s c re a m a n d u s e p ro f a n i ty w h il e I n m a te M ill e r "

j u s t s a t t h e re " o n t h e b e d . {TT , p . 2 3 ) .

At n o ti m e d i d 

### C O B e zts s e e I n m a te M ill e r s p i t o n t h e D e f e n d a n t. ( TT , p , 2 2 ) . H e d i d , h owe v e r, s e e t h e D e f e n d a n t cl e n c h h i s ri g h t fi s t a n d h i t I n m a te M ill e r i n t h e f a c e . ( TT , p . 2 3 ) . 

### C O B e zts t h e n s aw t h e D e f e n d a n t h i t I n m a te M ill e r i n t h e c h e s t w i t h a n o p e n - h a n d e d b a c k- h a n d w h il e I n m a te M ill e r wa s s t i ll s i tt i n g o n t h e e d g e o f t h e b e d . ( TT , p . 2 3 ) . 

### C O B e zts s a w t h e D e f e n d a n t l e a n fo rwa rd o n to I n m a te M iii e r a n d g ra b h i m b y t h e n e c k w i t h b o t h h a n d s . {TT , p p . 2 3 - 2 4 ) . Ac co rd i n g to I n m a te P a i n te r, t h e D e f e n d a n t g ra b b e d I n m a te M ill e r " u p b y t h e t h ro a t a n d p u t h i m d ow n o n t h e b u n k a n d s m a c ke d h i m i n t h e m o u t h a n d ca ll e d h i m a p * s s y . H e s m a c ke d [ h i m ] a co u p l e ti m e s a n d s a i d : Yo u ' re a p * s s y , b i tc h . S a y i t n ow . S a y s o m e t h i n g to m y f a c e n ow , b i t c h . " 

### ( TT , p . 5 9 ) .

A p p rox i m a te l y o n e m i n u te l a te r, t h e D e f e n d a n t s to o d u p , t u rn e d towa rd s 

### C O B e zts , a n d a s ke d h i m fo r h i s h a n d c u ff s . ( TT , p p . 2 3 - 2 4 , 4 1 , 5 9 ) . H e to l d 

### C O B e zts to

" ca ll i t i n a s a s ta ff a s s a u l t b e ca u s e h e g o t s p i t o n . " 

### ( TT , p p . 2 4 , 4 0 -4 1 ) . 

### C O B e zts g a v e t h e D e f e n d a n t h i s h a n d c u ff

s , b u t s ta ye d o u ts i d e o f t h e ce l l. ( TT , p p . 2 4 , 5 1 ) . 

### C O B e zts

6d i d n o t " ca ll 

### i t i n a s a s ta ff a s s a u l t " b e ca u s e h e " d i d n o t s e e I n m a te M i ll e r s p i t o n " t h e

D e f e n d a n t. ( TI , p . 4 1 ) . I n s te a d , h e s i m p l y re q u e s te d " a s s i s ta n c e u p i n A l p h a 2 0 0 , B s i d e . " ( TI , p p . 4 1 - 4 2 ) . I n m a te P a i n te r te s t i fi e d t h a t I n m a te M i ll e r n e v e r s p i t o n t h e D e f e n d a n t a n d n e v e r a tte m p te d to a s s a u l t h i m i n a n y wa y . ( TI , p . 6 3 ) .

T h e D e f e n d a n t o rd e re d I n m a te M ill e r to s ta n d u p s o t h a t h e co u l d p l a c e M ill e r i n h a n d c u ff

s . ( TI , p p . 2 4 - 2 5 ) . As h e wa s re m o v i n g I n m a te M ill e r fro m t h e ce ll , t h e D e f e n d a n t h a d h i s h a n d s b e h i n d I n m a te M ill e r' s b a c k a n d wa s u s i n g fo rc e to p u s h h i m o u t o f t h e ce l l. ( TT , p . 2 5 ) . I n m a te P a i n te r s aw t h e D e f e n d a n t sw i n g I n m a te M iii e r a ro u n d , ca u s i n g I n m a te M il l e r to h i t t h e s i d e of h i s h e a d o n t h e co m e r o f a s h e l v i n g u n i t a n d fa l l. ( TI , p p . 2 5 - 2 6 , 5 9 ) . C O B e zts te s ti fi e d t h a t " i t l o o ke d li ke [ I n m a te M i ll e r ] e i t h e r

" s l i p p e d o n t h e b l a n ke t o r [wa s ] p u s h e d fro m b e h i n d . " ( TT , p . 2 5 ) . I n m a te P a i n te r te s ti fi e d t h a t h e h e a rd t h e D e f e n d a n t s a y , " yo u s l i p p e d o n t h e ru g , " b u t n o te d t h a t " t h e re wa s n o r u g o r o b

j e ct o n t h e fl o o r w h a ts o e v e r. " ( TI , p . 5 9 ) .

I n m a te M ill e r a p p e a re d to b e " fi d g e t i n g " a t t h a t p o i n t , p e r h a p s i n d i ca t i n g re s i s ta n c e , a n d s o C O B e zts s h owe d h i m h i s O C s p ra y ca n a n d to l d h i m t h a t i f h e co m p l i e d w i t h t h e o rd e rs t h e n h e wo u l d b e ta ke n to t h e m e d i ca l u n i t. ( TI , p . 2 6 ) . P e r t h e p o l i cy of t h e D e p a rt m e n t of C o r re cti o n s , I n m a te M i ll e r wa s e s co rte d o u t o f t h e ce ll b y t h e D e f

e n d a n t a n d C O B e zts . ( TI , p p . 2 6 , 7 5 ) . W � e n t h e y a r ri v e d i n t h e v e s ti b u l e a re a of t h e p o d , t h e D e f e n d a n t s h o ve d I n m a te M i ll e r i n to a m e m b e r of t h e re s p o n s e te a m , te lli n g t h e re s p o n d e r to " [ g ] e t t h i s m o t h e r fu c ke r o u t o f h e re . H e s p i t o n m e . " ( TT , 7p p . 

### 2 7 , 4 2 ; 7 5 ) . I n m a te M i ll e r wa s t h e n ta ke n to t h e m e d i ca l u n i t. ( TT , p p . 2 7 , 

### 7 5 ) .

U p o n exa m i n a t i o n , m e d i ca l p e rs o n n e l d i d n o t o b s e rv e a n y v i s i b l e i nj u ri e s to I n m a te 

### M ill e r. ( TT , 

### p . 7 8 ) .

C O B e zts p ro c e e d e d to co m p l e te a n i n c i d e n t re p o rt o u t li n i n g h i s ow n a ct i o n s i n re l a t i o n to t h e i n c i d e n t t h a t h a d j u s t o c c u r re d . 

### {TT , p p . 2 7 - 2 8 , 4 2 , 4 4-4 5 , 5 0 ) . H e t h e n re t u rn e d to h i s p o d a n d a p o l o g i z e d to I n m a te P a i n te r a n d t h e o t h e r i n m a te s ' 'f o r w h a t t h e y o b s e rve d a n d h e a rd " o n h i s p o d . ( TT , p . 2 9 ) . I n m a te P a i n te r wa s " u p s e t " a b o u t t h e i n c i d e n t b u t h e to l d C O B e zts , " yo u h a d n o t h i n g to d o w i t h t h i s . " {TT , p . 2 9 ) . H e a l s o to l d C O B e zts , " M o u b e tte r d o t h e ri g h t t h i n g . " ( TT , p . 6 1 ) .

II . D I S C U S S I O N J A . T h e ev i d e n c e p re s e n te d a t t ri a l wa s s u ffi c i e n t t o s u p p o rt t h e D e f e n d a n t ' s c o n v i ct i o n s fo r S i m p l e As s a u l t a n d O ffi c i a l O p p re s s i o n . T h e a p p e ll a te co u rt e m p l o ys a de n o v a s ta n d a rd of re v i e w fo r c h a ll e n g e s to t h e s u ffi c i e n cy of e v i d e n c e . C o m m o n we a l t h v . N e ys m i t h , - - - A. 3 d - - - - . 2 0 1 8 W L 3 1 5 3 6 9 1 , a t * 4 ( P a . S u p e r. 2 0 1 8 ) . O u r a p p e ll a te co u rts h a v e ex p l a i n e d t h i s s ta n d a rd a s f o ll ows : [ O ] u r s ta n d a rd of re v i ew o f s u ffi c i e n cy c l a i m s re q u i re s t h a t we e va l u a te t h e re co rd " l n t h e l i g h t m o s t f a vo ra b l e to t h e v e rd i ct w i n n e r g i v i n g t h e p ro s e c u ti o n t h e b e n e f

i t of a ll re a s o n a b l e i n f

e re n c e s to b e d raw n fro m t h e e v i d e n c e . " C o m m o n we a l t h v . W i d m e r, 7 4 4 A. 2 d 7 4 5 , 7 5 1 ( P a . 2 0 0 0 ) . " E v i d e n c e w i ll b e d e e m e d s u ffi c i e n t to s u p p o rt t h e v e rd i ct w h e n i t e s ta b l i s h e s e a c h m a te ri a l e l e m e n t o f t h e c ri m e c h a rg e d a n d t h e 8co m m i s s i o n t h e re o f b y t h e a c c u s 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 we a l t h v . B rewe r, 8 7 6 A2 d 1 0 2 9 , 1 0 3 2 ( P a . S u p e r. 2 0 0 5 ) . N e v e rt h e l e s s , " t h e C o m m o n we a l t h n e e d n o t e s ta b l i s h g u ilt to a m a t h e m a ti ca l ce rta i n ty . " I d . ; s e e a l s o C o m m o n we a lt h v . Ag u a d o , 7 6 0 A. 2 d 1 1 8 1 , 1 1 8 5 ( P a . S u p e r. 2 0 0 0 ) ( " [T] h e fa cts a n d c i rc u m s ta n c e s e s ta b li s h e d b y t h e C o m m o n we a l t h n e e d n o t b e a b s o l u te l y i n co m p a t i b l e w i t h t h e d e f e n d a n t ' s i n n o c e n c e " ) . A n y d o u b t a b o u t t h e d e f e n d a n t ' s g u ilt i s to b e re s o l v e d b y t h e f

a ct fi n d e r u n l e s s t h e e v i d e n c e i s s o we a k a n d i n co n c l u s i v e t h a t , a s a m a tte r o f l aw , n o p ro b a b ili ty o f f a ct ca n b e d raw n fro m t h e co m b i n e d c i rc u m s ta n c e s . S e e C o m m o n we a l t h v . D i S te f a n o , 7 8 2 A. 2 d 

### 5 74, 5 8 2 ( P a . S u p e r. 2 0 0 1 ) . T h e C o m m o n we a l t h m a y s u s ta i n i ts b u rd e n b y m e a n s o f w h o ll y c i rc u m s ta n ti a l e v i d e n c e . S e e B rewe r, 8 7 6 A. 2 d a t 1 0 3 2 . Ac co rd i n g l y , " [t] h e f a ct t h a t t h e e v i d e n c e e s ta b l i s h i n g a d e f e n d a n t ' s p a rt i c i p a ti o n i n a c ri m e i s c i rc u m s ta n t i a l d o e s n o t p re c l u d e a co n v i cti o n w h e re t h e e v i d e n c e co u p l e d w i t h t h e re a s o n a b l e i n f e re n ce s d raw n t h e re fro m o v e rco m e s t h e p re s u m p t i o n of i n n o c e n c e . " 

## M:. ( q u o ti n g C o m m o n we a l t h v . M u rp h y , 7 9 5 A. 2 d 1 0 2 5 , 1 0 3 8 - 3 9 ( P a . S u p e r. 2 0 0 2 ) ) . S i g n i f i ca n tl y , we m a y n o t s u b s tit u te o u r j u d g m e n t fo r t h a t of t h e f a ct fi n d e r; t h u s , s o l o n g a s t h e e v i d e n c e a d d u ce d , a c ce p te 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 we a l t h , d e m o n s t ra te s t h e re s p e ct i v e e l e m e n ts o f a d e f e n d a n t ' s c ri m e s b e yo n d a re a s o n a b l e d o u b t , t h e a p p e ll a n t' s co n v i cti o n s w ill b e u p h e l d . S e e B rewe r, 8 7 6 A. 2 d a t 1 0 3 2 . C o m m o n we a l t h v . Ra h m a n , 7 5 A3 d 4 9 7 , 5 0 0 - 0 1 ( P a . S u p e r. 2 0 1 3 ) ( q u o ti n g C o m m o n we a l t h v . P e tty i o h n , 6 4 A. 3 d 1 0 7 2 ( P a . S u p e r. 2 0 1 3 ) ) ( c i ta t i o n s o m i tte d ) . I t i s c l e a r t h a t " t h e e v i d e n c e e s ta b l i s h e d a t t ri a l n e e d n o t p re c l u d e e v e ry p o s s i b ili ty o f i n n o c e n c e a n d t h e fa ct-fi n d e r I s fre e to b e li e ve a ll , p a rt , o r n o n e of t h e e v i d e n c e p re s e n te d . " C o m m o n we a l t h v . B row n , 5 2 A. 3 d 3 2 0 , 3 2 3 ( P a . S u p e r. 2 0 1 2 ) . 'W h e re t h e re i s s u ffi c l e n t e v i d e n c e to e n a b l e t h e t ri e r o f f a ct to fi n d e v e ry e l e m e n t o f t h e c ri m e h a s b e e n 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 , t h e 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 m u s t 

### fa i l. " 

## llh a t 3 2 3 .

9

### Si mp l e A ssa ul t I n o rd e r to s u s ta i n i ts b u rd e n o f p ro o f fo r a s i m p l e a s s a u lt , t h e C o m m o n we a l t h m u s t s h ow t h a t t h e D e f e n d a n t " a tte m p t [ e d ] to ca u s e o r i n te n ti o n a l l y 1 k n ow i n g l y o r re c k l e s s l y ca u s e [ d ] b o d i l y i nj u ry to a n o t h e r. ]" 1 8 P a . C . S . 

### § 2 7 0 1 ( a ) ( 1 ) . " B o d il y i nj u ry ' i s d e fi n e d a s " ( i ] m p a i r m e n t o f p h ys i ca l co n d iti o n o r s u b s ta n t i a l p a i n . " 1 8 P a . C . S . 

### § 2 3 0 1 .
" T h e C o m m o n we a l t h n e e d n o t e s ta b li s h t h a t t h e v i cti m a ct u a ll y s u ff e re d b o d il y i nj u ry ; ra t h e r, i t i s s u ffi c i e n t to s u p p o rt a co n v i ct i o n I f t h e C o m m o n we a l t h e s ta b l i s h e s a n a tte m p t to I n fli ct b o d i l y i nj u ry . " C o m m o n we a l t h v . R i c h a rd s o n , 6 3 6 A. 2 d 1 1 9 5 , 1 1 9 6 ( P a . S u p e r. 1 9 9 4 ) . ' T h i s i n te n t m a y b e s h ow n b y ci rc u m s ta n c e s w h i c h re a s o n a b l y s u g g e s t t h a t a d e f

e n d a n t i n te n d e d to ca u s e i nj u ry . " 

## kh a t 1 1 9 6 ( i n te rn a l c i ta t i o n s o m i tte d ) .

T h e D e f e n d a n t co n te n d s t h a t t h i s co u rt e rre d w h e n i t fo u n d t h e e v i d e n c e s u ffi c i e n t to s u p p o rt a s i m p l e a s s a u l t co n v i ct i o n . H e a rg u e s t h a t t h e C o m m o n we a l t h f a il e d to p ro v e t h a t h e i n te n d e d to ca u s e i nj u ry to M i c h a e l M i ll e r . I n s u p p o rt o f t h a t a rg u m e n t , t h e D e f

e n d a n t c i te s to t h e m e d i ca l re p o rt , w h i c h d i d n o t n o te a n y v i s i b l e i nj u ri e s o n I n m a te M ill e r. ( C o n c i s e S ta te m e n t p . 2 ) . T h i s co n te n t i o n h a s n o m e ri t.

T h e e v i d e n c e v i e we d i n t h e li g h t m o s t fa vo ra b l e to t h e C o m m o n we a l t h 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 t h a t t h e D e f e n d a n t , a t t h e v e ry l e a s t , a tte m p te d to ca u s e b o d il y i nj u ry to M i c h a e l M ill e r. T h i s co u rt s a t a s t h e f a ct-fi n d e r d u ri n g t ri a l , a n d , a s s u c h , t h e i s s u e of c re d i b i lity wa s s o l e l y fo r t h i s co u rt to re s o l v e . Afte r ca re fu ll y

1 0s t u d y i n g t h e to n e a n d d e m e a n o r o f t h e w i t n e s s e s , t h e co u rt fo u n d t h a t t h e te s ti m o n y o f

C O B e zts wa s co m p e lli n g , co n s i s te n t , a n d ca r ri e d w i t h i t t h e " ri n g o f t ru t h . "

T o s u m m a ri z e , C O B e zts o b s e rve d t h a t t h e D e f e n d a n t b e co m e i ra te a fte r l e a rn i n g t h a t I n m a te M ill e r h a d ca l l e d h i m a ' 'f a t a s s . " 

### (TT . p . 1 7 ) . H e fu rt h e r o b s e rv e d t h a t t h e D e f

e n d a n t ' s f

a c e t u rn e d re d a fte r l e a rn i n g o f t h e co m m e n t , a n d t h e n h e wa t c h e d t h e D e f

e n d a n t a b ru p tl y , a n d i n e x p li ca b l y , l e a v e h i s p o s t , s to rm o v e r to I n m a te M ill e r' s ce ll , s c re a m p rof a n i t i e s a t h i m t h ro u g h t h e d o o r, a n d d e m a n d t h a t t h e ce ll d o o r b e o p e n e d . 

### (TT , p p . 1 7 - 2 0 ) . M o re o v e r, C O B e zts p e rs o n a ll y o b s e rve d t h e D e f e n d a n t e n te r t h e ce ll a n d h i t I n m a te M ill e r tw i c e - - fi rs t w i t h a c l o s e d fi s t to t h e f a c e , a n d t h e n a s e co n d s t ri ke to t h e c h e s t. 

### { TT , p . 2 3 ) . C O B e zts s aw t h e D e f e n d a n t l e a n o v e r I n m a te M ill e r, w h o wa s s t ill s i tt i n g o n h i s b e d , a n d g ra b h i m b y t h e n e c k w i t h b o t h of h i s h a n d s . 

### (TT , p p . 2 2 - 2 3 ) . P u n c h i n g a p e rs o n w i t h a c l o s e d f i s t i n t h e f

a c e , s t ri k i n g a p e rs o n f o rc e fu ll y i n t h e c h e s t a n d p l a c i n g b o t h h a n d s a ro u n d a p e rs o n ' s n e c k a re c l e a r a tte m p ts to ca u s e i nj u ry to a n o t h e r.

C O B e zts ' te s t i m o n y wa s fo u n d to b e t ru t h fu l b y t h i s co u rt fo r s e v e ra l re a s o n s . F i rs t , C O B e zts h a d h i s e ye s o n t h e D e f e n d a n t fo r a ll b u t fo u r (4 ) s e co n d s o f t h e i n c i d e n t , d u ri n g w h i c h ti m e h e n e v e r s aw I n m a te M ill e r s p i t o n t h e D e f e n d a n t , b u t h e d i d w i t n e s s t h e D e f

e n d a n t' s a s s a u l ti v e b e h a v i o r, b o t h v e r b a ll y a n d p h ys i ca ll y , towa rd I n m a te M i ii e r. 

### (TT . p p . 2 2 , 4 0 ) . S e co n d , C O B e zts h a d n o m o t i v e o r re a s o n to f a b ri ca te h i s te s t i m o n y , a s h e h a d n e v e r m e t I n m a te M ill e r u n til t h e d a y o f t h e i n c i d e n t. A l s o , h e 1 1

### n o l o n g e r wo rke d a t S C I P i tts b u rg h , a n d , a s s u c h , wa s n o t t ry i n g to co ve r fo r o r p ro te ct

I n m a te M ill e r. ( TT , p p . 1 1 , 2 9 ) . C O B e zts ' te s ti m o n y a l s o wa s s u b s ta n ti a ll y co rro b o ra te d b y I n m a te P a i n te r, e s p e c i a ll y w i t h re s p e ct to ke y p o i n ts re g a rd i n g t h e i n c i d e n t , i n c l u d i n g t h e g e n e ra l n a rra ti ve , t h e s p e c i fi cs of t h e i n te ra cti o n , t h e n u m b e r of t i m e s t h a t t h e D e f e n d a n t h i t I n m a te M i ll e r, t h e f a ct t h a t t h e D e fe n d a n t g ra b b e d h i m b y 

### t h e n e c k , a n d t h e fa ct t h a t t h e D e f

e n d a n t wa s I n ce s s a n t l y swe a ri n g a t I n m a te M i ll e r. ( TT , p . 5 9 ) . I n m a te P a i n te r wa s i n s i d e of t h e ce ll i m m e d i a te l y p ri o r to , a n d d u ri n g t h e a s s a u l t , a n d h e a l s o te s ti fi e d t h a t h e n e ve r s aw I n m a te M ill e r s p i t o n t h e D e f e n d a n t. ( TT , p . 6 3 ) . H e d i d , h owe ve r, s e e t h e D e f e n d a n t h i t I n m a te M ill e r i n t h e m o u t h m o re t h a n o n ce . ( TT , p . 5 9 ) . L a s t l y , t h e f

a ct t h a t C O B e zts wo u l d off e r te s t i m o n y t h a t a d v e rs e l y a ff e cte d a co ll e a g u e m a ke s h i s te s ti m o n y e ve n m o re b e li e va b l e .

T h e D e f e n d a n t te s t i fi e d a t t ri a l , a n d h e off e re d a d i ff

e re n t a cco u n t of t h e e ve n ts of t h a t d a y . H owe ve r, t h i s co u rt d i d n o t fi n d t h e D e f e n d a n t' s te s t i m o n y to b e c re d i b l e a t a l l. F o r exa m p l e , t h i s co u rt d i d n o t b e li e ve t h e D e f e n d a n t' s cl a i m t h a t h e wa s s p i t o n . Two of t h e t h re e p e o p l e p re s e n t d u ri n g t h e I n c i d e n t te s t i fi e d t h a t I n m a te M iU e r n e ve r s p i t o n t h e D e f e n d a n t. F u rt h e r, t h e f

a ct t h a t t h e D e f e n d a n t s u p p o s e d l y wa i te d t h re e ( 3 ) h o u rs b e fo re s e e k i n g m e d i ca l a tte n t i o n afte r ex p o s u re to a p o te n ti a l i n f e cti o n - ca rry i n g s u b s ta n ce d e fi e d c re d i b il i ty . ( TT , p p . 8 0 - 8 1 ) . F ra n k l y , t h e co u rt b e li e ve d t h a t t h e s p i tt i n g c l a i m wa s a n afte r-t h e fa ct j u s t i fi ca ti o n t h a t wa s co n t ri ve d to ex p l a i n awa y h i s b e h a v i o r. Ad d i t i o n a ll y , afte r wa tc h i n g t h e D e f

e n d a n t te s t i fy , i t wa s e a s y f o r t h i s co u rt to s e e h ow h i s te m p e ra m e n t h a d l e d h i m to s u c h a n e m o t i o n a l o ve r- re a cti o n to I n m a te M ill e r' s 1 2co m m e n t. E s s e n ti a ll y , t h e D e f e n d a n t' s ow n d e m e a n o r l e n t s u b s ta n ti a l c re d i b ll i ty to t h e te s ti m o n y o f C O B e zts a n d I n m a te P a i n te r. T h e D e f e n d a n t' s b e h a v i o r o f c h a rg i n g o v e r to t h e ce ll a fte r l e a rn i n g t h a t I n m a te M ill e r h a d ca ll e d h i m a n o ff e n s i v e n a m e , d e m a n d i n g t h a t t h e ce ll b e o p e n e d , towe ri n g o v e r t h e i n m a te w h il e p u n c h i n g h i m i n t h e f a c e a n d h i tt i n g h i m i n t h e c h e s t , g ra b b i n g h i s n e c k , a n d swe a ri n g a t h i m , a ll s u p p o rt a fi n d i n g of i n te n t , a n d a tte m p t , to ca u s e b o d ll y i nj u ry .

T h e D e f

e n d a n t ' s re l i a n c e o n t h e m e d i ca l re p o rt i s u n a v a ili n g . a s i t h a s a l re a d y b e e n n o te d t h a t t h e re i s n o re q u i re m e n t t h a t a n a ct u a l i nj u ry b e s u s ta i n e d to p ro v e a s i m p l e a s s a u l t. R i c h a rd s o n , 

### s u p r a, a t 1 1 9 6 . T h u s , t h e f

a ct t h a t n o i nj u ri e s we re o b s e rva b l e o n I n m a te M i ll e r w i t h i n m i n u te s of t h e i n c i d e n t d o e s n o t p re c l u d e a fi n d i n g t h a t t h e D e f e n d a n t s p e ci fi ca ll y i n te n d e d to ca u s e s u c h I nj u ry w h e n h e p u n c h e d M ill e r i n t h e f a c e , h i t h i m i n t h e c h e s t , a n d g ra b b e d h i m b y t h e n e c k . T h e co u rt a l s o n o te s t h a t i t wo u l d b e re a s o n a b l e to I n f e r t h a t I n m a te M i ll e r f e l t p a i n fro m t h e a s s a u l t , a n d t h a t t h e l a c k of te s ti m o n y re g a rd i n g p a i n d o e s n o t p re cl u d e a fi n d i n g t h a t t h e D e f e n d a n t ca u s e d b o d i l y I nj u ry . Se e C o m m o n we a l t h v . J o rg e n s o n , 4 9 2 A. 2 d 2 ( P a . S u p e r. 1 9 8 5 ) , 

### r e v ' d . on o t h e r gr o un d s, 5 1 7 A. 2 d 1 2 8 7 ( P a . 1 9 8 6 ) O u ry m a y i n f e r t h a t tw i c e s t ri k i n g a p e rs o n a c ro s s t h e f a c e ca u s e s p a i n e v e n i f t h e re i s n o t te s ti m o n y of p a i n ) . C o m m o n we a l t h v . B a rn e tt , 3 8 4 A. 2 d 9 6 5 , 9 6 8 ( P a . S u p e r. 1 9 7 8 ) (w h e re a p p e ll a n t s t ru c k o n e offi c e r w i t h h i s fi s ts a n d s t ru g g l e d w i t h a n o t h e r offi ce r, e v i d e n c e wa s s u ffi c i e n t to p ro v e a p p e ll a n t

" a t l e a s t a tte m p te d a s i m p l e a s s a u lt u p o n b o t h offi c e rs " ) . 1 3I n a n y e v e n t , t h e D e f e n d a n t ' s a ct i o n s we re i n te n t i o n a l , a n d t h e c i rc u m s ta n c e s s u rro u n d i n g t h o s e a ct i o n s we re s u ffi c i e n t to p ro v e t h a t h e , a t t h e v e ry l e a s t , a tte m p te d to ca u s e b o d i l y i nj u ry . T h i s co u rt wa s fre e to b e l i e v e a ll ; p a rt , o r n o n e o f t h e e v i d e n c e , a n d t h e e v i d e n c 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 we a l t h a s v e rd i ct-w i n n e r, wa s m o re t h a n s u ffi c i e n t to fi n d , b e yo n d a re a s o n a b l e d o u b t, t h a t t h e D e f e n d a n t h a d a s p e c ifi c i n te n t to ca u s e b o d il y i nj u ry to I n m a te M iU e r.


### O ffici a l O pp r e ssi on T h e O ffi c i a l O p p re s s i o n s ta t u te s ta te s , i n re l e v a n t p a rt , t h a t: " [ a ] p e rs o n a cti n g o r p u rp o rt i n g to a ct i n a n offi c i a l ca p a c i ty o r ta k i n g a d va n ta g e o f s u c h a ct u a l o r p u rp o rte d c a p a c i ty co m m i ts a m i s d e m e a n o r o f t h e s e co n d d e g re e i f , k n ow i n g t h a t h i s co n d u ct i s ill e g a l , h e s u b

j e cts a n o t h e r to a r re s t , d e te n ti o n , s e a rc h , s e i z u re , 

### m i s t r e a t m e n t , d i s p o s s e s s i o n , a s s e s s m e n t , l i e n o r o t h e r i n fri n g e m e n t o f p e rs o n a l o r p ro p e rty ri g h ts . 1 8 P a . C . S . A. § 5 3 0 1 ( 1 ) . " T h e s ta t u te wa s b ro a d l y d ra fte d to i n cl u d e a ll o p p o rt u n iti e s f o r o p p re s s i v e u s e o f offi c i a l p owe r. " C o m m o n we a l t h v . C h e c ca , 4 9 1 , A. 2 d 1 3 5 8 , 1 3 6 6 ( P a . S u p e r. 1 9 8 5 ) . T h e offi c i a l o p p re s s i o n s ta t u te wa s i n te n d e d " to re a c h n u m e ro u s s i t u a ti o n s w h e re i n a n offi c i a l e n g a g e s i n w ro n g d o i n g w h il e a cti n g i n h i s offi c i a l ca p a c i ty . " 

## KL a t 1 3 6 7 . T h e s ta t u te " a p p li e s 

# to . . . a ggr e ssiv e a c t i on a ga i n s t t h e i n d iv idua l . " 

## kl a t 1 3 6 6 ( e m p h a s i s a d d e d ) .

1 4T h e D e fe n d a n t a rg u e s t h a t t h i s co u rt e rre d i n fi n d i n g t h a t t h e e v i d e n c e wa s

s u ffi c i e n t to s u s ta i n a co n v i ct i o n fo r O ffi c i a l O p p re s s i o n . H e a rg u e s t h a t t h e C o m m o n we a l t h f

a il e d to p ro v e t h a t I n m a te M ill e r wa s m i s t re a te d b y t h e D e f e n d a n t i n h i s c a p a c i ty a s a co r re ct i o n s off i c e r b e ca u s e I n m a te M i ll e r d i d n o t a p p e a r fo r t ri a l a n d b e ca u s e t h e C o m m o n we a l t h " f a i l e d to off

e r i n to e v i d e n c e a n y w ri tte n p ri s o n p o li c i e s a n d p ro ce d u re s " to e s ta b li s h t h a t t h e D e f e n d a n t ' s " co n d u ct wa s u n l awfu l. " ( C o n c i s e S ta te m e n t , p p . 2 - 3 ) . T h e D e f e n d a n t a l s o a rg u e s t h a t t h e C o m m o n we a l t h f a il e d to e s ta b li s h w h e t h e r t h e D e f e n d a n t " k n ow i n g l y a n d I ll e g a ll y a cte d i n b a d fa i t h i n re s p o n s e to M i c h a e l M il l e r s p i tt i n g o n h i s fa c e . . . . " ( C o n ci s e S ta te m e n t , p . 3 ) . T h i s co n te n t i o n a l s o l a c ks m e ri t.

As a n I n i ti a l m a tte r, I n m a te M i ll e r' s a b s e n c e a t t ri a l d i d n o t p re cl u d e a co n v i ct i o n b e ca u s e t h e te s ti m o n y of t h e two ( 2 ) e yew i t n e s s e s w h o d i re ctl y o b s e rv e d t h e D e f e n d a n t ' s co n d u ct wa s m o re t h a n s u ffi c i e n t to p ro v e t h e c h a rg e . F u rt h e r m o re , t h i s co u rt d i d n o t re q u i re e v i d e n c e of a n y fo rm a l p o li c i e s o r p ro c e d u re s to co m p re h e n d t h a t a n o n - d u ty co rre ct i o n s offi c e r p h ys i ca ll y a s s a u l ti n g a n i n m a te w i t h o u t s u ffi c i e n t j u s t ifi ca ti o n i s u n l a wfu l. I t m u s t b e p o i n te d o u t t h a t t h e re wa s n o s u g g e s ti o n a t a n y ti m e t h a t t h e D e f

e n d a n t wa s off

- d u ty o r n o t w i t h i n t h e s co p e o f h i s e m p l o y m e n t d u ti e s a s a co rre cti o n s offi c e r w h e n t h i s i n c i d e n t o c c u r re d . T h e co u rt n o te s , h owe v e r, t h a t t h e re wa s te s ti m o n y re g a rd i n g h ow t h e D e f e n d a n t v i o l a te d p ri s o n p o l i cy a n d p ro c e d u re w h e n h e l e ft t h e co n t ro l b o o t h w i t h o u t a l e g i ti m a te re a s o n a n d w h e n h e e n te re d t h e ce ll w i t h o u t fi rs t a s k i n g t h e i n m a te s to e x i t. ( TT , p p . 1 8 , 2 7 - 2 8 ) .

1 5I n a n y e v e n t , t h e c i rc u m s ta n ce s s u rro u n d i n g t h e a s s a u l t we re m o re t h a n

s u ffi c i e n t to p ro v e t h a t t h e D e f e n d a n t a b u s e d h i s p owe r a s a co r re ct i o n s offi c e r a n d m i s t re a te d I n m a te M ill e r. T h e a s s a u l t o c c u r re d i n a s m a ll , 8 x 1 O ce ll , i n a n a re a t h a t w a s o u ts i d e t h e a m b i t o f t h e s u rv e ill a n c e ca m e ra s . ( TI , p p . 6 0 - 6 1 , 7 4 ) . I t i s re a s o n a b l e to i n fe r t h a t , b e ca u s e t h e a s s a u l t o c c u r re d i n s u c h s m a ll q u a rte rs , o u t o f p u b li c v i e w , t h e t h re a te n i n g n a t u re of t h e e n t i re i n te ra cti o n wa s s i g n i fi ca n t l y h e i g h te n e d . ( TI , p p . 3 6 - _ 

### 3 7 ) . F u rt h e r, I n m a te M ill e r wa s s e a te d o n t h e e d g e o f h i s b e d w h e n t h e D e f e n d a n t e n te re d t h e ce ll a n d b e g a n h i tt i n g , g ra b b i n g , a n d swe a ri n g a t h i m , a n d M ill e r re m a i n e d s e a te d d u ri n g t h e a s s a u l t. ( TI , p p . 2 3 , 5 8 - 5 9 ) . T h e re wa s a l s o a s u b s ta n ti a l p h ys i ca l d i s p a ri ty b e twe e n t h e D e f e n d a n t a n d I n m a te M ill e r, s i n c e t h e D e f e n d a n t wa s " a b i g g u y " a n d I n m a te M ill e r wa s o n l y 5 '4 " a n d 1 4 0 p o u n d s . ( TI , p p . 2 3 - 2 4 , 5 9 ) .

As n o te d e a rli e r, t h i s co u rt d i d n o t b e l i e v e t h e D e f e n d a n t ' s te s t i m o n y t h a t I n m a te M ill e r s p i t o n h i m . T o t h e co n t ra ry , t h e co u rt b e li e v e d t h a t t h e o n l y t h i n g w h i c h p ro vo ke d t h e D e f e n d a n t' s a g g re s s i v e , h o s til e a n d p h ys i ca ll y a b u s i v e co n d u ct wa s t h e f a ct t h a t h e wa s ca ll e d a n off

e n s i v e n a m e . T h e D e f e n d a n t' s b e h a v i o r i s p re c i s e l y t h e k i n d t h a t t h e s ta t u te wa s d e s i g n e d to e n co m p a s s . W h i l e I n m a te M ill e r m a y h a v e h u rt t h e D e f e n d a n t' s f

e e li n g s , ce rta i n l y t h e D e f e n d a n t d i d n o t re q u i re a m a n u a l o r p o l i c i e s a n d p ro c e d u re s to i n f

o rm h i m t h a t h i s b ru ti s h , a g g re s s i v e a n d v i o l e n t re s p o n s e to n a m e ca lli n g wa s u n l awfu l. T h e D e f e n d a n t a b u s e d h i s p o s i ti o n a s a co rre ct i o n s offi c e r w h e n h e l e ft h i s p o s t w it h o u t j u s ti fi ca ti o n , d e m a n d e d e n t ry i n to M ill e r' s ce ll , a n d co m m i tte d a n a s s a u l t t h e re i n s i m p l y b e ca u s e h e wa s a n g ry o r off e n d e d t h a t h e wa s ca ll e d a n a m e . Ac co rd i n g l y , t h e e v i d e n c e p re s e n te d b y t h e C o m m o n we a l t h wa s s u ffi c i e n t to p ro v e 1 6

### b e yo n d a re a s o n a b l e d o u b t t h a t t h e D e f e n d a n t m i s t re a te d I n m a te M ill e r w h il e a ct i n g i n h i s offi ci a l ca p a c i ty . T h i s co u rt re s p e ctfu ll y re q u e s ts t h a t t h e D e f e n d a n t' s co n te n t i o n s b e re j e cte d o n a p p e a l.

Ill . C O N C L U S I O N 

### T h e D e f e n d a n t' s a ll e g a t i o n s of e rro r o n a p p e a l a re w i t h o u t m e ri t. B a s e d o n t h e f o re g o i n g , s u ffi c i e n t e v i d e n ce wa s p re s e n te d to s u p p o rt t h e D e f e n d a n t' s co n v i ct i o n s fo r s i m p l e a s s a u l t a n d offi c i a l o p p re s s i o n . T h e D e fe n d a n t' s co n v i cti o n s s h o u l d , t h e refo re , b e u p h e l d . 

### BY T H E C O U RT :

DAT E

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