J-S67029-17

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* Former Justice specially assigned to the Superior Court.

NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA

v.

WILLIAM LEWIS,

Appellant

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IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF

PENNSYLVANIA

No. 3825 EDA 2016

Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence November 10, 2016

in the Court of Common Pleas of Chester County 

Criminal Division at No(s): CP-15-CR-0001072-2000

BEFORE: GANTMAN, P.J., MUSMANNO, J., and STEVENS*, P.J.E.

MEMORANDUM BY MUSMANNO, J.: FILED DECEMBER 19, 2017

William Lewis (“Lewis”) appeals from the judgment of sentence 

imposed following his conviction of twelve counts each of robbery (inflict or 

intentionally put in fear of bodily injury), robbery (threaten or intentionally 

put in fear of serious bodily injury), simple assault (physical menace),

terroristic threats, unlawful restraint (risk of injury), unlawful restraint 

(involuntary servitude); two counts of simple assault (causing or attempting 

to cause bodily injury); and one count each of conspiracy to commit robbery

(threaten or intentionally put in fear of serious bodily injury), conspiracy to 
J-S67029-17

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commit robbery (inflict or intentionally put in fear of bodily injury), theft by 

unlawful taking, and receiving stolen property.1 We affirm. 

In its Opinion, the trial court set forth the relevant factual and 

procedural history, which we adopt for the purpose of this appeal. See Trial 

Court Opinion, 3/29/17, at 1-2. 

On appeal, Lewis raises the following issues for our review:

1. Did the [trial c]ourt error [sic] by permitting Detective William 

Cahill [(“Detective Cahill”)] to offer an expert opinion on the 

meaning of “Code of the Streets” as it related to the trial 

testimony of James Sadler [(“Sadler”)] and Edward Davis 

[(“Davis”),] without first qualifying [Detective Cahill] as an 

expert[,] or requiring the Commonwealth to provide a report 

in advance of trial outlining his qualifications and his opinion 

on that particular subject matter[,] and the basis of that 

opinion[,] which was heavily relied upon by the 

Commonwealth in their closing argument at trial?

2. Did the [trial c]ourt err by failing to instruct the jury prior to 

deliberations on how they should consider the fact that both 

[] Sadler and [] Davis had crimen falsi convictions?

Brief for Appellant at 5. 

In his first issue, Lewis contends that “[c]ourts have held that ‘code 

language’ is a highly specialized area, requiring knowledge of particular 

meanings of words in various neighborhoods.” Id. at 28-29. Lewis asserts 

that the average person would not be familiar with the term “Code of the 

Streets.” Id. at 28. Lewis claims that when Detective Cahill testified about 

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1 See 18 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 3701(a)(1)(i), (ii); 2701(a)(3); 2706; 2902(1), (2); 

2701(a)(1); 903; 3921(a); 3925(a).
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the term “Code of the Streets,” he was deciphering code language that 

required specialized knowledge of particular meanings. Id. at 29. Lewis 

argues that, because the Commonwealth never asked the trial court to 

accept Detective Cahill as an expert, the court should have sustained 

defense counsel’s objection to Detective Cahill’s testimony. Id. Lewis 

contends that Detective Cahill’s testimony as to having worked in 

Philadelphia, Lancaster, Reading, Allentown and New York “is proof that [he] 

is an expert in street jargon[,] and that his specialized expert knowledge of 

code language was only gained by his exposure to coded language of these 

different neighborhoods.” Id. at 30. Lewis asserts that Detective Cahill’s 

testimony should have been precluded because there was no basis for his 

opinion under Pa.R.E. 701 and 702. Brief for Appellant at 31. Lewis claims 

that the admission of Detective Cahill’s testimony was not harmless error 

and constitutes reversible error. Id. at 31-32. According to Lewis, “the 

Commonwealth was permitted to question Detective Cahill as a lay witness, 

when he was using his expertise and specialized knowledge to decipher 

highly specialized coded language.” Id. Lewis argues that “[t]he 

explanation of the ‘Code of the Streets’ by Detective Cahill was used to 

suggest why Sadler and Davis may recant their previous testimony.” Id. at 

33. Lewis contends that “[w]ithout the prejudicial testimony of [Detective] 

Cahill ... the jury may have accepted the testimony of Sadler and Davis as 

true and correct[,] and acquitted Lewis.” Id. 
J-S67029-17

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Our standard of review for considering whether a ruling on the

admissibility of evidence was proper is well settled:

Admission of evidence is a matter within the sound discretion of

the trial court, and will not be reversed absent a showing that

the trial court clearly abused its discretion. Commonwealth v.

Chmiel, 558 Pa. 478, 738 A.2d 406, 414 (Pa. 1999). Not

merely an error in judgment, an abuse of discretion occurs when

“the law is overridden or misapplied, or the judgment exercised

is manifestly unreasonable, or the result of partiality, prejudice,

bias, or ill-will, as shown by the evidence on record.” 

Commonwealth v. McAleer, 561 Pa. 129, 748 A.2d 670 (Pa.

2000).

Commonwealth v. Montalvo, 986 A.2d 84, 94 (Pa. 2009) (quoting

Commonwealth v. Cooper, 941 A.2d 655, 668 (Pa. 2007)).

In its Opinion, the trial court addressed Lewis’s first issue, set forth the 

relevant law, and determined that the issue lacks merit. See Trial Court 

Opinion, 3/29/17, at 3-4 (wherein the trial court determined that Detective 

Cahill did not need to be qualified as an expert because he “merely testified 

to a matter of general fact acquired through his employment as a police 

officer for 29 years and[,] therefore[,] well[-]within his knowledge as the 

affiant in the case.”); see also id. at 4-5 (wherein the trial court determined 

that, even if the admission of Detective Cahill’s testimony was in error, such 

error was harmless, as the evidence of Lewis’s guilt was overwhelming).

2

 

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2 Notably, even if the testimony provided by Detective Cahill could be 

characterized as an expert opinion, Lewis concedes that Detective Cahill was 

an expert in street jargon. See Brief for Appellant at 30. 
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We agree with the reasoning of the trial court, and affirm on this basis as to

Lewis’s first issue. See id. at 3-5.

In his second issue, Lewis contends that the trial court erred by failing 

to instruct the jury, prior to deliberations, on how they should consider the 

testimony of Sadler and Davis due to their past crimen falsi convictions. 

Brief for Appellant at 34-37.

In its Opinion, the trial court addressed Lewis’s second issue, set forth 

the relevant law, and determined that the issue was waived. See Trial Court 

Opinion, 3/29/17, at 5 (wherein the trial court determined that the issue was 

waived because it was not raised before the trial court); see also id.

(wherein the trial court further determined that the issue was also waived 

because Lewis’s description of the issue in his Concise Statement was too 

vague for the trial court to identify and address the issue). We agree with 

the reasoning of the trial court, and affirm on this basis as to Lewis’s second

issue. See id.

3

Judgment of sentence affirmed.

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3 Even if Lewis had properly preserved this issue, we would have concluded 

that it lacks merit for the reasons stated by the trial court in its Opinion. 

See Trial Court Opinion, 3/29/17, at 5-6.
J-S67029-17

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Judgment Entered.

Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.

Prothonotary

Date: 12/19/2017
Circulated 12/05/2017 11:04 AM

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA : IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS 

CHESTER COUNTY, PE1'.,TNSYLVA .. 1'-lIA 

vs. 

CRlMINAL ACTION 

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AND NOW, this�day of March, 2017, this Opinion is filed pursuant to Pa. R.A.P. 

WILLIAM LEWIS 

Ronald C. Yen, Esq., Chief Deputy District Attorney 

Mark J. Conte, Esq., A Hurney for the Def end ant 

1925 and in response to William Lewis' (hereinafter, "Defendant") timely Concise Statement of 

Errors Complained of on Appeal and Amended Concise Statement of Errors Complained of on 

Appeal (hereinafter referred to collectively as "Concise Statements"). 

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY 

We set forth only as much 01' the procedural history that is necessary for the issuance of 

this Opinion. On October 5, 2015, after a trial by jury, Defendant was convicted of twelve (17.) 

counts of Robbery (threaten or intentionally put in fear of serious bodily injury), twelve (12) 

counts of Robbery (inflict or intentionally put in fear of bodily injury), one (1) count of 

Conspiracy to commit Robbery (threaten or intentionally put iu Iear of serious bodily injury), 

one (1) count of Conspiracy to commit Robbery (inflict or intentionally put in fear of bodily 

injury), 

two (2) counts of Simple Assault (causing or attempting to cause bodily injury), twelve 

(12) counts of Simple Assault (physical menace), twelve ( 12) counts of Terroristic Threats, 

twelve ( 12) counts of Unlawful Restraint (risk of injury), twelve (12) counts of Unlawful 

Restraint (involuntary servitude), one (1) count of Theft by Unlawful Taking ("TBUT''), and one 

(I) count of Receiving Stolen Property ("RSP").

1 On January 20, 2016 Defendant received an 

aggregate sentence of29.5 to 75 years imprisonment, which was based in part on the number of 

victims, the severity of the offenses," and Defendant's prior record score of three (3)? Defendant 

received 546 days credit for time served. 

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The jury acquitted Defendant of Possessing Instruments of Crime ("PIC'') and Firearms Not to be Carried 

Without a License. See Verdict, I 0/5/l 5. 

During the commission of the robbery, multiple victims were taken at gunpoint, hound, gagged and 

threatened with death. · 

The various prior offenses occurred both as an adult and a juvenile. 
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On January 29, 2016, Defendant filed a counseled post-trial motion (hereinafter, 

"Motion"). On October 12, 2016, that Motion was granted in part and denied in part. 

Spccifical ly, the Court agreed with Defendant's Motion that Count 15 of the Criminal 

Information (TBUT) should have merged with one of the Robbery counts for sentencing 

purposes. 

4 The Court denied all other requested relied contained in the Motion. 

On December 8, 2016, Defendant filed the instant appeal from the jury's verdict and 

judgment of sentence imposed in this matter. By Order dated December 14, 20 l 6, the Court 

directed Defendant to file of record and serve upon the undersigned a Concise Statement of 

Errors Complained of on Appeal (hereinafter, "Concise Statement"). On January 3, 20 t 7, 

Defendant filed a counseled Concise Statement. On January 4, 2017, counsel filed an Amended 

Concise Statement of Errors Complained of on Appeal (hereinafter, '' Amended Concise 

Statement"), 

5 

'Tlie un<.fodying facts in suppoffofDeferidant's·conviclions and'givfffg·rise to this appeal 

are as follows. On January 9, 2000, Defendant along with four accomplices or co-conspirators 

committed an armed robbery of the Genuardi's Supermarket located in East Goshen Township, 

Chester County. Specifically, at approximately 10:37 p.m., four armed gunman, dressed like 

terrorists, entered. the store'' and used duct tape to restrain several employees and a delivery 

driver in the rear of the store before removing money from the office safe. 

7 During the course of 

the robbery, three of the victims were injured and one of those injured victims required 

emergency medical attention at Brandywine Hospital for head trauma. 

Shortly after the robbery, Defendant fled to North Carolina. Defendant was able to 

remain at large and evade capture for 14 years by assuming a false identity. On July 24, 2014, 

Detective Lieutenant William Cahill of the Westtown East Goshen Regional Police Department 

(hereinafter, «Department"), along with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation 

(hereinafter, "FBI") and Cumberland County, North Carolina Sheriff's Office, located Defendant 

in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Defendant was subsequently arrested in North Carolina and 

extradited back to Chester County, Pennsylvania to stand trial for the charged offenses. 

DISCUSSION. 

ln his Concise Statements, Defendant raises two (2) issues for appellate review. Those 

issues verbatim are as follows: 

Consequently, on November 10, 2016, the Court vacated the l to 5 year sentence imposed on Count 15 of 

the Criminal Information. All other terms and conditions of the original sentence remained unchanged. 

' In his Amended Concise Statement, Defendant raised one ( l) additional argument that was not set forth in 

his original Concise Statement. 

The final co-conspirator, fames Sadler, was a Genuardl's employee who was working the night of the 

robbery. Therefore, Mr. Sadler was already inside the store and did not enter the premises with the other coconspirators. 

The evidence adduced at trial established that the amount of the theft ofGenuardl's property totaled 

$28, 146.20 . 

2 

(:(Jf�. !'}::f/31/ · 1? l:2: ?.5 

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1. The Court erredby permitting Detective William Cahill to offer an expert opinion on the 

meaning of the "Code of the Street" as it related to the trial testimony of James Sadler 

and Edward Davis without first qualifying him as an expert or requiring the 

Commonwealth to provide a report in advance of trial outlining his qualifications and his 

opinion on that particular subject matter and the basis of that opinion which was heavily 

relied upon by the Commonwealth in their closing argument at trial. 

2. The Court erred by failing lo instruct the jury prior to deliberation on how they should 

consider the fact that both James Sadler and Edward Davis had crimen falsi convictions. 

Amended Concise Statement, 1/4/17. As the Court will explain, both of the issues raised by 

Defendant lack sufficient merit and can form no basis for a successful appeal. 

...... ··-.. In his first issll.�_rai��.� on app_eal DefengapJ co�t�!1ds that the Court erred by_Q.�.nnitti.ri.g . 

Detective Lieutenant Cahill to testify as to the meaning of the "Code of the Street" as it related to 

the testimony of co-conspirators James Sadler and Edward Davis without first qualifying the 

detective as an expert and requiring him to provide a report in advance of his testimony. \Ve 

disagree with Defendant' s argument. · 

It is well-established that the Pennsylvania Rules of Evidence differentiate between the 

requirements for expert and lay witnesses. Rule 701 states in relevant part: 

Opinion Testimony by Lay Witnesses 

If a witness is not testifying as an expert, testimony in the form of 

an opinion is limited to one that is: 

(a) rationally based on the witness's perception; 

(b) helpful to clearly understanding the witness's testimony or to 

determining a fact in issue; and 

( c) not based on scientific, technical, or other specialized 

knowledge within the scope of Rule 702. 

Pa.RE. 701. 

Conversely, Rule 702 states in relevant part: 

Testimony by Expert Witnesses 

A witness who is qualified as an expert by knowledge, skill, 

experience, training, or education may testify in the form of an 

opinion or otherwise if: 

(a) the expert's scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge 

is beyond that possessed by the average layperson; 

3 

COC 09/3%/� 17 1H:Z�
(b) the expert's scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge 

will help the trier of fact to understand the evidence or lo 

determine a fact in issue; and 

(c) the expert's methodology is generally accepted in the relevant 

field. 

Pa.R.E. 702. 

Herc, Detective Lieutenant Cahill's trial testimony was not improper "expert" testimony 

as claimed by Defendant. Even assuming it was opinion testimony, Pa.R.E. 701 allows for 

opinion testimony by lay witnesses. Detective Cahill testified at trial that he is very familiar with 

the meaning of the "Code of the Street" from conducting numerous police investigations and 

extensive career in law enforcement. N.T., 10/2/15, at 23--24. It is undisputed that Detective 

Lieutenant Cahill has been employed by the Westtown East Goshen Regional Police Department 

as a detective and patrolmen for approximately 29 years. Therefore, he is responsib1e for 

investigating all types of crimes and interviewing witnesses in multiple jurisdictions. N.'L, 

t 0/1/15, at 200-201. Accordingly, even if the detective's testimony constituted opinion 

evidence, it still comported with tbe rules of evidence. 

Based on his education, training, and experience Detective Cahill was permitted to testify 

that in his experience the phrase "Code of the Street" means that "it's a no-no to talk to the 

police and give up information about your friends and people in your neighborhood. It's nut 

accepted on the street."! Id. at 24-25. The trial record evidences that the prosecutor presented 

the detective as a fact or lay witness. Detective Lieutenant Cahill merely testifiedto a matter of 

general fact acquired through his employment as a police officer for 29 years and therefore well 

within his .knowledge as the affiant in the case. As such, he did not need to be qualified as an 

expert or 'author a report prior to testifying at trial. 

Furthermore, the testimony at issue was rationally based on Detective Lieutenant Cahill' s 

personal observation of two co-conspirators at trial and the rational perception of their trial 

testimony. The detective offered a reasonable explanation to the jury as to why co-conspirators 

James Sadler and Edward Davis' trial testimony differed from their prior testimony. As the 

affiant in the case, Detective Lieutenant Cahill's testimony helped the jury understand and 

reconcile recantation testimony with prior testimony. Id. However, the reason the coconspirators testified contrary to their prior sworn testimony is of less importance then the fact 

that they changed their testimony. The credibility of all witnesses and the weight to be accorded 

the evidence produced arc matters within the province of the trier of fact. II ere, the jury was free 

to believe all, some or none of the evidence introduced at trial. Commonwealth v. Smith, 467 

A.2d 1120 (Pa. 1983); Commonwealth v. Nelson, 467 A.2d 638 (Pa. Super. l 9&3). Accordingly, 

the testimony was based upon Detective Cahill's perception and experience and it was helpful to 

a determination of facts in issue, the participation in the robbery by Defendant. 

Moreover; we conclude that the admission of Detective Lieutenant Cahill's testimony as 

to the meaning of the "Code of the Street", even if erroneous, as Defendant argues, constitutes de 

minims error in spite of the overwhelming evidence of Defendant's guilt. It is well-established 

. that not all errors at trial entitle a defendant 10 a new trial. Commonwealth v. Watson, 945 A.2d 

3 The Court permitted this testimony over the objection of defense counsel. 

4 

.:oc 03/3.:!./ J.'7 l.2�2'5 
174 (Pa. Super. 2008); Commonwealth v. West, 834 A.2d 625 (Pa. Super. 2003), appeal denied, 

889 A.2d 12 t 6 (Pa. 2003 ). 

The doctrine of "harmless error" is a technique of appellate review designed to advance 

judicial economy by obviating the necessity for a retrial where the appellate: court is convinced 

that a trial error was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt. Commonwealth v . Allshouse, 985 A.2d 

847 (Pa. 2009), Petition for Certiorari filed, 78 U.S.L.W. 3689 (May 13, 20 IO)(No. 09-1396). It 

is premised on the well-settled proposition that a defendant is entitled to a fair trial, but not a 

perfect one. Commonwealth v. Drummond, 775 A.2d 849, S53 (Pa. Super, 2001), appeal denied, 

790 A.2d 1013 (Pa. 200 l ). Harmless error exists if ( l) the error did not prejudice the defendant 

or the prejudice was de minimus: (2) the erroneously admitted evidence was merely cumulative 

of other untainted.substantially similar) and properly admitted evidence; or (3) the properly 

admitted and uncontradieted evidence admitted at trial was so overwhelming and the 

prejudicial effect of the error was so Insignificant by comparison that the error could not 

have contril,utcd to"d1e verdict. Commonwealih V. Simn1()}1S, 662 A.2d 621 Pa. (1995)·-- ----··· .... 

(emphasis added). Accordingly, we conclude that Defendant's first issue raised on appeal lacks 

arguable merit. 

Insofar as Defendant's final contention is concerned that the Court erred by foiling 10 

instruct the jury prior to deliberation on how they should consider the fact that both Mr. Sadler 

and Mr. Davis had crimen falsi convictions; we deem this issue waived. 

The fatal flaw with Defendant's argument is that the issue was neither raised in the trial 

Court nor properly preserved for appellate review. Sec Pa R.A. P. 302(0). tty requiring that an 

issue be considered waived if raised for the first time on appeal, appellate courts ensure that the 

trial court that initially hears a dispute has had an opportunity to consider the issue.' Lincoln 

Philadelphia Realty Assoc. v. Bd. or Revisi.9.J) of .T���s of Philadelphia, 758 A.2d 1178, 1186 

(Pa. 2000). This j urisprudential mandate is also grounded upon the principle that a trial court, 

like an administrative agency, must be given the opportunity to correct its errors as early as 

possible. Wing v. Com. Unernploym�nl. Cqmp. Bd. of Review. 43 6 A.2d 179, l 81 (Pa. 198 l ). 

Notwithstanding that this issue is procedurally defaulted, we will attempt to substantively 

"< .. ldress it tu the extent that we are able to identify the claimed error. Defendant's Amended 

Concise Statement does little to aid our review of this issue. Specifically, the Amended Concise 

Statement fails to indicate where in the record a crimen falsi instruction was requested. · 

Therefore, the issue raised on appeal is also waived because Defendant's Amended Concise 

Statement is too vague for the trial court to identify and address the issue to be raised on appeal. 

1n other words, a Concise Statement which is too vague to allow the court to identify the issues 

raised on appeal is the functional equivalent of no Concise Statement at all. See Commonwealth 

v. Dowling, 778 A.2d 683, 687 (Pa. Super. 2001); Commonwealth v. Butler, 756 A.2d 55, 57 (Pa. 

Super. 2000). 

Despite this fatal omission, out scouring of the trial record reveals that trial counsel did 

not request a crimen falsi instruction or objected to the Court's jury charge. Rather, during a 

charging conference with the Court, trial counsel stated that he was not requesting a crimenfalsi 

instruction with respect to Mr. Sadler. In fact, trial counsel received his requested instruction 

that because Mr. Sadler will have a future parole hearing he may have a bias or interest in the 

5 
outcome of this case. N.T., 10/2/15, al 93-94; N.T.� I 0/5/15, at 87-89. Accordingly, the Court 

did not err by failing to instruct the jury before deliberation regarding a charge that was never 

requested by the parties. 

In light of the foregoing, we respectfully request that the Superior Court affirm the 

. verdict of the jury and Defendant's judgment of sentence. 

BY THE COURT: 

·····-· William P. Mahon, J. 

6·