Opinion ID: 4360924
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Protection from Abuse Order

Text: In late 2011, Clemons and Kunco were involved in a romantic relationship, and had lived together in the recent past. On December 18, 2011, at around 4:00 a.m., Kunco entered Clemons’ residence and found him asleep. Clemons awoke and started 1 This Court has exclusive and automatic jurisdiction over capital appeals pursuant to 42 Pa.C.S. § 722(4) and 42 Pa.C.S. § 9546(d). screaming at Kunco. Clemons grabbed her by the arms and neck, leaving bruises and marks. Clemons also punched and scratched Kunco in the face. After the assault, Clemons went back to sleep. Kunco called her mother, who subsequently took Kunco to a police station to report the assault. Police officers advised Kunco to seek a protection from abuse order (“PFA”). On December 19, 2011, Kunco filed a petition for a PFA in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County. Therein, Kunco recounted the assault and asserted that she feared for her safety. She also indicated that Clemons had threatened to kill himself. The court (per the Honorable Arnold Klein) issued a temporary PFA, which was scheduled to expire on December 27, 2011. At approximately the same time that the PFA issued, police filed simple assault charges against Clemons, and a warrant issued for his arrest. Kunco went to a hospital to be treated for her injuries. As part of the examination, hospital staff took photographs of her injuries. One such photograph depicted injuries on Kunco’s face, including scratches on her nose and cheeks and swelling and bruising around her eyes. A hearing to extend the temporary PFA was scheduled for December 27, 2011. However, that hearing was continued until January 23, 2012, by order of the Honorable Kathryn Hens-Greco, Administrative Judge. Judge Hens-Greco also extended the active status of the temporary PFA to the new hearing date. Clemons never was served with a copy of either the original PFA or the paperwork extending the PFA’s active status. Nonetheless, Clemons knew that Kunco had obtained the PFA and that there was a pending warrant for his arrest. See Notes of Testimony (“N.T.”), Vol. I, 5/4/2015, at 67. Thus, at all times relevant to this appeal, Clemons knew that he was prohibited from contacting Kunco. [J-16-2018] - 2 B. The Evening of January 11, 2012 and the Morning of January 12, 2012 On January 10, 2012, Clemons and Kunco began a Facebook conversation during which Clemons acknowledged that Kunco had obtained a PFA against him. The conversation on that date centered upon Clemons’ apparent decision to turn himself in to the police. Kunco encouraged Clemons to stop running and to surrender to the authorities. She told Clemons that she loved him, that she was sorry, and that she missed him. The conversation continued into January 11, 2012. Clemons repeated his plan to turn himself in, but said that he would not do so without first seeing Kunco. Clemons told Kunco that he would kill himself if she did not agree to meet him. He even told her that he already had purchased a gun. Clemons insisted that Kunco was the only person that could help him. Kunco was conflicted. She had positive feelings for Clemons, including love and empathy. At the same time, she was terrified of him. She repeatedly told Clemons that she was afraid of him, and that she was furious with him for putting her in that position. Kunco also felt that meeting Clemons would be a betrayal of her friends and family, who did not want her to associate in any way with Clemons due to the prior domestic abuse. Kunco explained to Clemons directly that seeing him would hurt everyone else in her life who loved her. Nonetheless, even though she felt that “[t]his is such a bad idea,” N.T., Vol. I, 5/4/2015, at 74; Commonwealth’s Ex. 2, she relented and agreed to meet him. At approximately 5:30 p.m., Kunco, driving a black Toyota two-door convertible, picked Clemons up on Maytide Street in Brentwood, Allegheny County. Shortly thereafter, Kunco and Clemons drove to a PNC Bank branch in Brentwood, where Kunco used an ATM to withdraw funds. Amanda Stasiowski also was at the bank. Stasiowski observed Kunco, wearing a bright pink Point Park University sweatshirt, walk from the [J-16-2018] - 3 ATM to the black Toyota and enter the car on the driver’s side. Stasiowski also saw the profile of a person sitting in the passenger seat, but she could not identify that person. Video footage from surveillance cameras at the bank later confirmed this account. Stasiowski was the last person (other than Clemons) to see Kunco alive. Over the next few hours, Clemons used Kunco’s debit card as well as a card belonging to Kunco’s father, Paul Kunco. Clemons used Kunco’s card to purchase gas at a service station in Washington, Pennsylvania. At approximately 12:30 a.m. on January 12, 2012, Clemons unsuccessfully attempted to withdraw funds from a drivethrough ATM at a bank in Washington using Kunco’s card. Surveillance footage confirmed the attempt, although it did not capture Clemons’ face. The surveillance footage did show the left arm of the person using the ATM. That arm bore tattoos identical to those on Clemons’ left arm. At 2:10 a.m., Clemons entered a Walmart in Washington, where he used Paul Kunco’s debit card to purchase a video game system. Clemons then returned to Kunco’s car and drove away. This sequence of events also was captured by surveillance video. At 6:00 a.m., Clemons tried to buy cigarettes at Winkle’s Gas Station in Cecil Township. Leah-Ann Andrews, the attendant, knew Clemons from frequent prior interactions at the station. Despite this familiarity, Andrews asked Clemons for identification before selling him the cigarettes. Andrews detected no signs of intoxication, but noted that Clemons appeared nervous and fidgety. Instead of producing identification, Clemons held out an orange PNC Bank debit card. Clemons then turned around, walked out of the store, entered Kunco’s vehicle, and drove away. [J-16-2018] - 4 C. The Initial Investigation Meanwhile, a few hours after Kunco picked up Clemons, Kunco’s mother (Kathy Kunco) had grown concerned about Kunco’s whereabouts. At approximately 8:36 p.m. on January 11, 2012, accompanied by Donny Makowski (Kunco’s stepfather), Kathy Kunco went to the Baldwin Borough police station to report Kunco missing. The two met with Officer Sean Biagini, telling him that they believed that Clemons might be involved in Kunco’s disappearance. Officer Biagini was able to learn of a number of addresses at which Clemons might be located. Officer Biagini dispatched other officers of his agency to attempt to find Clemons at those locations. Officer Biagini also broadcast a BOLO (“be on the lookout”) alert for Clemons, Kunco, and Kunco’s vehicle within a fifty-mile radius. During the initial stages of the investigation, Officer Biagini learned that there may have been an active warrant for Clemons’ arrest. In light of this information, Officer Biagini contacted Washington County Probation Services in order to ascertain whether that department knew of Clemons’ most recent address. Officer Biagini also had Kathy Kunco and Makowski complete a missing persons form, which the officer then submitted into a nationwide system that catalogues missing persons for law enforcement agencies. Kathy Kunco also provided Officer Biagini with both Kunco’s and Clemons’ mobile telephone numbers. Officer Biagini transmitted the numbers to the supervisor of Baldwin Borough’s dispatch center. The supervisor then “pinged” those numbers, a process that approximates the location of a particular cell phone based upon the location of the tower with which that phone is communicating via cellular signal. The “ping” indicated that Kunco’s and Clemons’ phones were within close proximity to one another, and that they were “pinging” off of a tower in Hickory Township, Washington County. Officer Biagini notified the Pennsylvania State Police (the agency providing law enforcement services [J-16-2018] - 5 for Hickory Township) that Kunco and Clemons could be in that vicinity, and requested that troopers canvass that area for Kunco’s vehicle. Officer Biagini continued to direct the investigation from the Baldwin Borough station, including requesting follow-up “pings” in an attempt to track Kunco’s and Clemons’ movements. Officer Biagini then learned of suspicious activity involving a debit card linked to Kunco’s father, Paul Kunco. Officer Biagini contacted Paul Kunco and informed him that someone had used, attempted to use, or was in the process of using his debit card that night. The police used those attempted transactions, and those using Kunco’s debit card, in an effort to track Clemons’ movements. Still, they could not locate Clemons or Kunco. At approximately 9:24 a.m. on January 12, 2012, Officer James Falconer of the Cecil Township Police Department in Washington County was dispatched to Gladden Road to investigate a car crash. When Officer Falconer arrived, he observed Kunco’s vehicle resting against a tree off the road. The vehicle was still running in forward gear. Officer Falconer opined that the vehicle failed to negotiate a bend in the road, drove off the road, and collided with the tree. Officer Falconer opened the driver’s door, but found no one inside. However, he observed a significant amount of blood and human feces on the back seat. He walked around the vehicle and opened the passenger’s door. On the seat, the officer found a purse. He then reported the crash to 911 operators and asked that the vehicle’s registration be checked in order to identify the owner. Dispatch informed him that the vehicle was the subject of a BOLO. By that time, a firefighter and paramedics had arrived at the scene. One of the paramedics had put the car in park and turned off the engine. Officer Falconer immediately told everyone to get away from what he now considered a crime scene. The officer also closed both ends of Gladden Road. [J-16-2018] - 6 A few hours later, Corporal Richard Hunter of the Pennsylvania State Police’s Forensic Services Unit arrived at the site of the crash and processed the scene. After photographing and videotaping the scene, Corporal Hunter opened the Toyota’s driverside door and immediately noticed blood on the interior of that door as well as a significant amount of blood in the back seat. Corporal Hunter and his team retrieved numerous physical items laying on the ground outside of the car. They found, inter alia, a red butane lighter, a CO2 cartridge, and a Sheetz coffee cup. The team also recovered three Coors Light beer cans on the ground near the car. All three cans were empty. One can had a puncture hole in the side. Another can was sealed at the top, but had a dent on the side that perforated the can and permitted the liquid to drain out. Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Todd Porter, also with the Forensic Services Unit, examined the vehicle further. Inside, he found Kunco’s driver’s license, a bra, a bloody pair of women’s pants, and a medical document with Clemons’ name on it. Trooper Porter removed the back seat, which had been soaked through with blood, and found additional pooling of blood underneath. The trooper found no drugs or alcohol (or even empty alcohol containers) inside the car. However, he did discover a plastic bag containing a white residue, as well as a piece of Chore Boy, which is a steel wool pad that commonly is used to facilitate the smoking of crack-cocaine.2 At approximately the same time that Officer Falconer located the Toyota, William Baholich and Eric Schaude, employees of Bankson Engineers, Inc., were driving on Washington Avenue and Sabo Road in Hickory Township in order to begin a survey of the surrounding land for purposes of determining where to place water and sewer lines. 2 When crack-cocaine is smoked using a pipe or a tube, a piece of Chore Boy, or other brand of steel wool, typically is placed in the pipe to prevent the rock of crackcocaine from rolling down the pipe into the user’s mouth. This also ensures that the rock stays in place while being heated with a flame to produce the smoke to be inhaled. See generally, N.T., Vol. IV, 5/7/2015, at 183-84. [J-16-2018] - 7 As the men drove along Sabo Road, Schaude noticed a bright pink sweatshirt lying among the leaves at the base of a tree. Although the presence of the colorful shirt among the brown leaves and dirt raised the men’s suspicions, they drove on in order to continue their survey of the land. They agreed to return later in order to investigate the sweatshirt. At approximately 11:20 a.m., Baholich and Schaude did return to the area of Sabo Road. Upon seeing the sweatshirt, they parked their truck. They noticed what appeared to be drag marks in the mud leading from the road into the woods. They then walked over to the sweatshirt, which had blood on it. They also found a pair of women’s underwear and a sock lying amid the leaves. Finally, Baholich and Schaude saw what they believed was an outline of a human body. In order to confirm this, they moved a few leaves, revealing a socked foot. They then called 911. When Corporal Hunter finished processing the Toyota, he drove to the location where Baholich and Schaude had found the body, which was approximately seven to eight miles from Gladden Road. As Corporal Hunter examined the scene, he noticed that the pink sweatshirt was saturated with blood around the waist area and was draped over the body. A twenty or thirty pound decomposing tree stump had been rolled on top of the body. Corporal Hunter scanned the area around the drag marks and the body. He found a bottle of spray deodorant, a styrofoam cup, and a purple woman’s shirt. Finally, he located an empty Bud Light beer can. At 2:42 p.m., Washington County Coroner Timothy Warco reported to Sabo Road in order to inspect the body. Coroner Warco removed the tree stump and the leaves, revealing a naked woman’s body. There was a severe, deep laceration across the woman’s throat. Based upon the nature of this wound, Coroner Warco expected to find an extraordinary amount of blood around and under the body. But he found no pooling [J-16-2018] - 8 of blood whatsoever. Thus, the Coroner deduced that the injury must have been inflicted at a different location. Warco arranged for the body to be transported to the morgue for autopsy. There, Donny Makowski (Kunco’s stepfather) confirmed that the victim in fact was Karissa Kunco. Forensic pathologist Abdulrezak Shakir, M.D., performed an autopsy on Kunco’s body. Dr. Shakir observed an incision across Kunco’s entire neck and throat area. The wound penetrated through her throat all the way to her spine. The injury would cause a significant amount of bleeding, possible defecation due to the shock of the injury, and a quick death. Dr. Shakir observed no defensive wounds or indicia of a struggle, nor did he detect any trauma to Kunco’s genitalia. Dr. Shakir determined that the wound to the neck was the cause of Kunco’s death, and that the manner of that death was homicide. D. Clemons’ Actions After the Murder In the days leading up to the murder, Clemons had been staying in the Carrick section of Pittsburgh, along with Randol Taylor and Samantha Rush, Taylor’s girlfriend. Taylor allowed Clemons, who had been his friend for twelve or thirteen years, to live with him and Rush because Clemons had nowhere else to live. Throughout their friendship, Taylor and Clemons drank alcohol and used drugs together on an almost daily basis, including Ecstasy, marijuana, and opioid pills. However, in the days leading up to, and including January 11, 2012, Taylor did not see Clemons ingest or imbibe any intoxicating substances. On January 11, 2012, Taylor and Rush left the residence to buy groceries sometime between 5:00 and 6:00 p.m. Taylor did not take his cell phone with him when the two left. He left the phone in the residence with Clemons. When Taylor returned approximately forty-five minutes later, both Clemons and the cell phone were gone. [J-16-2018] - 9 Taylor used Rush’s phone to call his own phone. Clemons answered the call and told Taylor that he would return soon. However, Clemons did not come back that night. Taylor tried to contact Clemons throughout the night, but Clemons did not answer the calls. At approximately 8:00 a.m. on January 12, 2012, Clemons called Taylor. Clemons was crying and stated, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry. She’s dead.” N.T., Vol. II, 5/5/2015, at 157. Taylor also started crying, but he did not ask who was dead. Clemons threatened to kill himself, which concerned Taylor because Clemons had attempted suicide once before. Taylor ended the phone call, and he and Rush left the residence to retrieve Clemons. Clemons called Rush and directed her to Kunco’s crashed vehicle on Gladden Road. When Rush and Taylor pulled up, Clemons exited the driver’s seat of Kunco’s vehicle and entered Rush’s vehicle. No one spoke as the trio traveled back to Taylor’s and Rush’s residence. Notably, during that period, Clemons exhibited no signs of intoxication. Upon arrival, Taylor called his father, Robert Taylor (“Robert”). Taylor was crying, and told Robert that he was scared. Robert drove immediately to Taylor’s residence. Robert informed Clemons that morning news reports had implicated Clemons in Kunco’s disappearance. Robert asked Clemons if the allegations were true; Clemons admitted that there was some truth to the claims. Robert told Clemons that Clemons could not stay at Taylor’s home. Robert drove Clemons and Taylor to Robert’s residence in the Allentown section of Pittsburgh. Robert fed Clemons and then told him that he could not stay there either. A few hours later, Robert and Taylor left Robert’s residence to visit a family member at a local hospital. On the way, Robert dropped Clemons off at a residence on Beltzhoover Avenue in Pittsburgh. Robert did not see Clemons again until approximately 7:00 p.m., when Clemons appeared on Robert’s doorstep. [J-16-2018] - 10 On the morning of January 12, 2012, Freda Thorpe, Clemons’ mother, was attending a conference in Atlanta, Georgia. Thorpe received a call from Kunco’s mother, who informed Thorpe that Kunco had gone missing and that authorities believed that Clemons was connected to Kunco’s disappearance. Thorpe’s daughter also called to tell Thorpe that Clemons was being identified on the Pittsburgh area news as a possible perpetrator. Later that morning, Thorpe learned that Kunco was found dead. She repeatedly tried to contact Clemons, but to no avail. Immediately, Thorpe flew back to Pittsburgh. Shortly after the plane landed, Clemons called Thorpe. He refused to tell her where he was, but insisted that he had nothing to do with Kunco’s death. Clemons and Thorpe remained in phone contact throughout the day. During those calls, Clemons told Thorpe that he was high on drugs, and that he intended to continue to use drugs as the day progressed. Clemons had experienced difficulties with drugs and alcohol since the age of fourteen, problems that he attempted to overcome in multiple stints in rehabilitation facilities. Having supported Clemons during those experiences, Thorpe recognized that Clemons was intoxicated when he talked to her on the phone. Eventually, Clemons agreed to meet Thorpe at a residence on Beltzhoover Avenue. However, Clemons never arrived. Thorpe subsequently learned that Clemons had appeared at Robert’s house. She called Robert, who confirmed that Clemons had returned to Robert’s house around 7:00 pm. Robert told Thorpe that he would keep Clemons there until she arrived. When Thorpe entered Robert’s house, she noticed that Clemons looked “skinny, malnutritioned, . . . just, like, sloppy.” N.T., Vol. IV, 5/7/2015, at 119. He “reeked of alcohol and some kind of smoke.” Id. at 127. Thorpe’s brother, who accompanied Thorpe, observed that Clemons’ eyes were red and watery, and that Clemons appeared to be under the influence of either alcohol or drugs. Thorpe went to [J-16-2018] - 11 Clemons and hugged him. She asked him if he knew anything about what had happened to Kunco. Clemons denied responsibility, and stated, “Everything is a blackout. No, Mom.” Id. at 110. E. The Pennsylvania State Police Barracks After some effort, Thorpe convinced Clemons to turn himself in. On the drive to the police station, Clemons sat in the middle of the back seat. Thorpe’s pastor, Melanie Davis, sat in the front passenger seat. From that distance, Pastor Davis could smell an odor of alcohol coming from Clemons. The smell was so pungent that Pastor Davis felt compelled to offer Clemons a piece of chewing gum, which Clemons accepted. Clemons surrendered at the Pennsylvania State Police barracks in Washington, Pennsylvania, just before midnight on January 12, 2012. Clemons was met by Trooper Pierre Wilson. Trooper Wilson assisted Clemons out of the vehicle. This was done pursuant to protocol, not because Clemons was having trouble getting out of the car. Clemons was docile and quiet. The trooper noticed that Clemons had bloodshot eyes and smelled strongly of alcohol. However, despite exhibiting outward indicia of alcohol consumption, Clemons did not stumble or fall at any point, did not lean against the trooper for balance, did not ask for assistance or clarification on any directive, and did not evince any other signs of intoxication as he was escorted through the barracks. Trooper Thomas Schuster assisted Trooper Wilson in taking Clemons into custody. He, too, picked up a “heavy scent” of alcohol coming from Clemons. N.T., Vol. III, 5/6/2015, at 121. Once inside the barracks and in an interview room, Trooper Schuster informed Clemons that he was under arrest, and he advised Clemons of his Miranda3 rights. Clemons did not elect to waive those rights, nor did he acknowledge that he 3 Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436 (1966). [J-16-2018] - 12 understood those rights. Instead, Clemons simply uttered: “I just want to let you guys know you have it all wrong. I did not kidnap her. She picked me up at the top of Maytide. We stopped at the bank, began to argue. She hit me in the head. That’s all I remember.” Id. at 123. Clemons clearly articulated these words, and did not exhibit any other common signs of intoxication. Upon a cursory inspection of Clemons’ outer appearance, Trooper Schuster observed what appeared to be blood spots on Clemons’ shoes. Trooper Schuster took the shoes into custody as potential physical evidence. F. Forensic Testing Michelle Barch, an expert in serology, examined a number of items for the presence of blood or semen. On Clemons’ shoes, Barch found nine separate spots that tested positive for human blood. She also found human blood on samples taken from fingernail clippings from both of Clemons’ hands. Barch also examined genetic material obtained from Kunco’s vagina. Barch identified the presence of intact sperm cells in the vaginal sample. That the sperm cells were intact means that they were deposited inside the vagina within twenty-four hours before the sample was obtained. Branch also found the presence of blood in the vaginal sample. All of the serological samples were then submitted for DNA testing. Julia Brolley, an expert in DNA profiling and analysis, examined the samples. Using known samples from both Kunco and Clemons, Brolley first determined that the blood spots on Clemons’ shoes matched Kunco’s blood. Next, Brolley concluded that the blood samples taken from underneath Clemons’ fingernails were mixed samples that matched Clemons, Kunco, and possibly a third person. As well, Brolley examined the [J-16-2018] - 13 genetic profile created from the sample obtained from Kunco’s vagina, and found that the majority of the spermatozoa portion of the sample matched Clemons’ DNA profile. G. Pre-Trial Motions Clemons was charged in Washington County with criminal homicide, 18 Pa.C.S. § 2501, aggravated assault, 18 Pa.C.S. § 2702, abuse of a corpse, 18 Pa.C.S. § 5510, unauthorized use of automobiles, 18 Pa.C.S. § 3928, tampering with physical evidence, 18 Pa.C.S. § 4910, and two counts of access device fraud, 18 Pa.C.S. § 4106. On May 1, 2012, the Commonwealth filed a “Notice of Aggravating Circumstances,” informing Clemons that it intended to pursue the death penalty. On November 12, 2012, Clemons filed various pretrial motions, including a motion for change of venue and a motion to suppress his statement to the police. In his motion for a change of venue, Clemons maintained that the amount of pretrial publicity and negative online activity that was generated by the case made it “impossible for [Clemons] to receive a fair trial in Washington County.” Omnibus Pretrial Motion, 11/12/2013, at 6 (unpaginated). In support of his claim, Clemons alleged the following: 23. The case at bar has received a tremendous amount of notoriety. 24. The case has been followed by televised news on all local stations, has been reported [] in the newspaper and has been argued about in social media. . . . 25. The relatives of Karissa Kunco have expressed their opinions on a website entitled “Rot in Hell Jordan Clemons”. . . . 26. There is also “Karissa’s Army” which has become vocal in the area. One of the recent activities sponsored by “Karissa’s Army” was a [fundraiser] at Station Square where it was made public knowledge that Karissa Kunco was murdered by Jordan Clemons. . . . 27. The television show “Made” on October 15[,] 2012 aired on MTV, featured [an] individual whose favorite charity is a campaign against [J-16-2018] - 14 domestic violence because one of her friends was murdered by Jordan Clemons. . . . 28. The Canon[-McMillan] School District held a “Demi Brae Cuccia Awareness Assembly” in April and guest speakers discussed the case and it was mentioned that Karissa Kunco was murdered by Jordan Clemons. The students then reported home and told their parents[,] all [of whom are] potential jurors[,] of the topic. 29. There is also a Karissa’s Law website dedicated to proposed legislation on Domestic Violence. . . . 30. Unsolicited supporters of [Clemons] have also begun a racially motivated campaign on a website called Blackfootsoldier.com, on behalf of [Clemons] which in many ways could have a negative impact on the trial. . . . Id. at 4-5. Clemons attached to his motion numerous documentary exhibits in support of these averments, including newspaper articles referencing the murder, posts from the “Rot in Hell Jordan Clemons” Facebook page, and racially charged online arguments from “Blackfootsoldier.com.” Clemons’ case initially was assigned to the Honorable Katherine B. Emery, of the Court of Common Pleas of Washington County. On April 3, 2014, Judge Emery held a hearing on Clemons’ motion for a change of venue. At the hearing, Clemons’ counsel contended that this case had garnered more than the typical amount of media coverage, and, perhaps more importantly, had fostered social organization and action that had polluted the pool of potential jurors. Counsel pointed out that “Karissa’s Army” held regular public events to discuss the case, including two such events in that particular month. Clemons’ attorney also noted that the “Karissa’s Army” Facebook page had 4,261 followers, a significant number in proportion to the population of Washington County. Finally, counsel expressed his concern that the attention and activity only would escalate as trial approached. [J-16-2018] - 15 The Assistant District Attorney (“ADA”) pointed out that Clemons’ trial was scheduled to occur thirty months after the murder. The ADA argued that any impact of the pretrial activity would not affect a Washington County jury pool because Kunco was from Allegheny County, which is where most of the relevant activities occurred. Further, the ADA disputed Clemons’ characterization of “Karissa’s Army” as effectively an organization created to generate animosity toward Clemons. To the contrary, the ADA asserted, the group was focused on preventing domestic violence, not on inflicting vengeance upon Clemons. By order and opinion dated April 23, 2014, Judge Emery denied Clemons’ motion. In her opinion, Judge Emery outlined the governing legal principles and then examined whether the pretrial publicity outlined by Clemons created actual prejudice or was so sensational or inflammatory as to require prejudice to be presumed. Judge Emery first determined that she was unable to ascertain whether actual prejudice existed until the jury selection process commenced. Thus, she denied Clemons’ motion on this particular point without prejudice to renewal of the issue during voir dire. Trial Ct. Op., 4/23/2014, at 3-4. Judge Emery then reviewed the material submitted in conjunction with Clemons’ motion in order to determine whether prejudice should be presumed. Judge Emery first examined the newspaper reports of the murder. She noted that the articles generally were factual and objective. Some of the articles mentioned the PFA that Kunco had obtained against Clemons, and some referenced Clemons’ prior criminal record. Judge Emery concluded that “these scattered reports are not so extensive, sustained, and pervasive as to saturate the pool of potential jurors.” Id. at 4. Even if these references were problematic, Judge Emery explained, there would be a sufficient “cooling-off period” [J-16-2018] - 16 between the date of publication and the “yet-to-be scheduled trial.” Id. Thus, Judge Emery held, the news articles did not require a presumption of prejudice. Judge Emery then focused upon the “Rot in Hell Jordan Clemons” Facebook page, which, the judge acknowledged, required of a reader only a cursory review in order to determine that the participants on that page had predetermined Clemons’ guilt. The page’s users did not celebrate Kunco’s life. Instead, they used the page to “direct and vent anger” toward Clemons. Id. “They are surely inflammatory and slanted towards conviction, though it is apparent that many of the commenting users were in some way connected to the victim through friends and family.” Id. Despite the vitriol, Judge Emery did not find that this page, and the comments thereon, warranted a presumption of prejudice. First, the primary users would not be eligible jurors because of their connection to Kunco. Second, the Facebook page did not indicate whether the users and commenters resided in Washington County, from where the jury would be selected. Judge Emery observed that, because both Kunco and Clemons were Allegheny County residents, “it may be that the majority of these comments are from residents in that area,” rather than from Washington County. Id. at 5. Accordingly, Judge Emery was not convinced that this page created publicity “so extensive, sustained, and pervasive to so [sic] saturate the communities of Washington County.” Id. Next, Judge Emery considered the impact that “Karissa’s Army” had on the court’s ability to empanel a fair and impartial jury in Washington County. Judge Emery characterized the group as one that “not only serves to share memories of [Kunco], but is also active in the community with attempts to educate the public on domestic violence.” Id. The group maintained a Facebook page, conducted public events, and even had a member who appeared on an MTV show to state that her favorite charity was one that advocated efforts against domestic violence. A news article about that member’s [J-16-2018] - 17 appearance mentioned once that Clemons was accused of Kunco’s murder. Judge Emery found that “the group’s small web presence and brief reference on a television program” did not create publicity at a level that necessitated a change of venue. Id. However, the group’s public events concerned Judge Emery. “Without question, [Clemons] should not be referred [to] as the assailant unless he is convicted of that crime. An event held within this County or other matters that predetermine [Clemons’] guilt without trial have the potential to create prejudice within the community.” Id. at 6 (footnote omitted). Because Clemons provided no details or specificity regarding any of the group’s other public events, Judge Emery focused on the single domestic violence event cited, which occurred at Canon McMillan Senior High School. Judge Emery pointed out that, if a student went home and told a parent (and potential juror) about the event, and if the parent formed a fixed opinion about Clemons’ guilt, that parent would be ineligible to serve on the jury. Thus, although the event may have created the potential for actual prejudice (an issue Clemons would have to take up at jury selection), nothing about the Canon McMillan event struck Judge Emery as so inflammatory or pervasive as to require the court to presume prejudice. Finally, Judge Emery considered the “Blackfootsolidier.com” website, which the judge explained existed to promote a racist agenda and advocated that Clemons must be innocent because of nothing more than Clemons’ and Kunco’s respective racial identities. Although the website was plainly inflammatory and sensational, nothing presented in Clemons’ averments or at the hearing convinced Judge Emery that the website had any discernible impact upon the pool of potential jurors in Washington County. Consequently, Judge Emery concluded that the instances of publicity identified by Clemons did not mandate a presumption of prejudice, either individually or in the aggregate. Thus, Judge Emery denied the motion for a change of venue. [J-16-2018] - 18 In his omnibus pretrial motion, Clemons sought to suppress the statement that he made to Trooper Schuster at the Pennsylvania State Police barracks. Clemons asserted that, based upon a number of factors, his statement was involuntary. First, he argued, he never waived his Miranda rights orally or via a written form. Second, Clemons alleged that he was intoxicated, fatigued, and suffering from a headache during his interaction with Trooper Schuster. Finally, maintained Clemons, after he made the statement, he asked for an attorney and the questioning stopped. According to Clemons, the combination of these three factors rendered his statement involuntary. On May 16, 2014, Judge Emery held a hearing on Clemons’ suppression motion. At the hearing, Trooper Wilson testified that, upon his arrival at the police barracks, Clemons smelled of alcohol and had bloodshot eyes. However, Clemons did not stumble or require assistance in exiting the vehicle when he surrendered. Nor did Trooper Wilson observe Clemons experience any difficulties in complying with police directives as he was patted down and escorted to an interview room. Clemons spoke quietly, but did not slur or mumble. Trooper Schuster also testified at the suppression hearing. Though he too detected the odor of alcohol emanating from Clemons, he recalled as well that Clemons did not exhibit a staggered gait or manifest any inability to comprehend the procedures due to intoxication. Once Clemons was seated in an interview room, Trooper Schuster asked whether he needed anything. Clemons replied only that his head was hurting. Trooper Schuster then informed Clemons that he was under arrest for Kunco’s murder. He provided Clemons the standard Miranda warnings. Trooper Schuster also told Clemons that, if he waived his right to remain silent, he could reverse that decision at any point. In response to the warnings, Clemons neither acknowledged that he understood his rights nor affirmatively indicated his intention to waive them. Instead, Trooper [J-16-2018] - 19 Schuster testified, Clemons spontaneously stated that, “he just wanted to let us know that we had it all wrong, that when he saw the news, he did not kidnap the victim, and you could see by the Facebook postings, that she met with him or picked him up on top of Maytide under her own free will.” N.T., Suppression Hearing, 5/16/2014, at 25. Trooper Schuster told him that they were interested in hearing Clemons’ side of the story. Clemons explained briefly that, after Kunco picked him up, they went to a PNC Bank branch. At some point thereafter, they got into an argument and Kunco punched him in the head. Clemons asserted that those events were all that he could remember about the evening in question. Trooper Schuster asked Clemons to sign a waiver of his constitutional rights as outlined in the Miranda warnings. Clemons refused to sign the form and then invoked his right to counsel. Trooper Schuster ended the interview at that point. Trooper Schuster testified that Clemons did not slur his speech nor mispronounce his words during the brief interrogation. Clemons called his mother (Thorpe) to testify as a witness on his behalf at the suppression hearing. Thorpe recounted the phone conversations and interactions that she had with Clemons on January 12, 2012. She testified that Clemons was “slurred, slow, muted personality, snappy.” Id. at 46. Thorpe testified that Clemons’ “whole demeanor was down,” and that he smelled of alcohol and an odor of smoke that she could not identify other than that it was not the smell of cigarette smoke. Id. at 49. Based upon these observations, Thorpe believed that Clemons was high or intoxicated. In fact, in one phone conversation, Clemons told her that he was high and that he intended to obtain and ingest more drugs throughout the day. Thorpe’s brother, Commodore Perry Kemp, testified that he flew back from Georgia with Thorpe when Thorpe learned that Clemons was implicated in Kunco’s [J-16-2018] - 20 murder. Kemp was in the car with Clemons when Thorpe drove him to surrender. Kemp observed that Clemons smelled of alcohol, and that his behavior was out of character. Kemp believed that Clemons was intoxicated. Melanie Davis, Clemons’ pastor, also testified. She explained that she picked Thorpe up at the airport on January 12, 2012. She drove with Thorpe to pick up Clemons at Robert’s house. When they entered the residence, Pastor Davis noted that Clemons was sitting slumped down on the couch. His eyes were bloodshot and he smelled of alcohol. Pastor Davis testified that the odor of alcohol was so strong that she provided Clemons chewing gum to mute the scent. Following briefing from the parties, in an order and opinion dated July 15, 2014, Judge Emery rejected Clemons’ contentions that he did not actually waive his constitutional rights and that, if he did, the decision was involuntary in light of his level of intoxication. As to the former, Judge Emery first found, as a matter of fact, that Trooper Schuster administered Miranda warnings to Clemons and asked Clemons only whether he would waive his constitutional rights. Instead of responding to that question, Clemons volunteered a statement pertaining to how the police “had it all wrong.” Trial Ct. Op., 7/15/2014, at 3-4. The “statement[ was] unsolicited and made with no obligation.” Id. at 4. Thus, the question for Judge Emery became whether Clemons’ utterance of that statement constituted an intent to waive his constitutional rights. Judge Emery resolved this inquiry as follows: This Court finds that [Clemons] did manifest a desire to waive his right to remain silent. At no time did he express any confusion after the officer had explained his rights. Further, no question about the victim’s death was ever posed to him. [Clemons] freely volunteered his statements. Only upon the request to sign the waiver did he invoke his right to an attorney. Doing so demonstrated that [Clemons] was aware of his rights and, while willing to waive his right to remain silent, he wished to invoke his right to counsel. Based on these facts, [this Court] cannot find that [Clemons] understood [J-16-2018] - 21 only one of the rights explained to him. Accordingly, this Court finds that [Clemons] manifested a desire to waive his right to remain silent. Id. at 4-5. Judge Emery then turned her attention to Clemons’ claim that he was too intoxicated to voluntarily waive his constitutional rights. Judge Emery determined that, although Clemons was intoxicated (voluntarily), he was not so inebriated that his decision to utter a statement to the police was involuntary. The judge highlighted the facts that Clemons was able to walk without assistance, to understand and respond to the questions posed to him, and to invoke his right to counsel. Consequently, Judge Emery denied Clemons’ suppression motion. H. Trial and Sentencing Eventually, Clemons’ case was transferred to the Honorable Gary Gilman for trial. Jury selection began on March 11, 2015, and ended on March 24, 2015. During voir dire, Clemons did not renew his motion for a change of venue based upon actual prejudice. The guilt phase of Clemons’ capital trial began on May 4, 2015. The Commonwealth and Clemons presented a substantial amount of testimony and evidence, which established the facts summarized above. At the conclusion of the evidence, Clemons requested that Judge Gilman instruct the jury on “voluntary intoxication or drug condition as a defense to first-degree murder.” N.T., Vol. V., 5/11/2015, at 4. Pennsylvania’s suggested standard instruction in this regard reads as follows: 8.308B (Crim) Voluntary Intoxication or Drugged Condition as Defense to First-Degree Murder 1. I'll begin with some general rules about [intoxication] [drugged conditions]. Generally speaking, a person who voluntarily used [intoxicants] [drugs] is not allowed to claim as a defense that he or she was so [intoxicated] [drugged] that he or she was legally incapable of committing a crime. Nor is the person allowed to rely on evidence of his or her own [J-16-2018] - 22 [intoxication] [drugged condition] to prove that he or she lacked an intent, knowledge, or other mental state required for a particular crime. 2. These general rules do not apply to a charge of first-degree murder. The defendant is permitted to claim as a defense that he or she was so overpowered by [intoxicants] [drugs] that the defendant had lost control of his or her faculties and was incapable of forming the specific intent to kill required for first-degree murder. 3. The Commonwealth has the burden of disproving this defense. Thus, you cannot find the defendant guilty of first-degree murder unless you are satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant, despite any [intoxicated] [drugged condition], was at the time capable of forming a specific intent to kill and did in fact form that intent. [As I told you earlier, a specific intent to kill means [a conscious, fully formed intention to kill] [description].] 4. Voluntary [intoxication] [drugged condition] may reduce a murder from first-degree to third-degree but no lower. The general rules apply to lesser crimes. They prevent a defendant from using his or her own voluntary [intoxication] [drugged condition] in any way to defend himself or herself against an accusation of third-degree murder [voluntary manslaughter] [name all other charged crimes or lesser included offenses that are in issue]. 8.308B (Crim) Voluntary Intoxication or Drugged Condition as Defense to First-Degree Murder, Pa. SSJI (Crim), § 8.308B. Judge Gilman rejected Clemons’ request for this instruction. The judge explained his reasoning for doing so on the record, as follows: I did decide that I would not permit [the defense and instruction], and it’s really based upon the case of Commonwealth v. Reiff, [413 A.2d 672 (Pa. 1980)], and in that case, the Supreme Court upheld the trial Court for not permitting the intoxication defense, and I thought there were some very similar facts in that case to this case. Specifically, in that case, this defendant went drinking at a saloon and drank approximately two-and-a-half quarts of beer during a certain period of time, and then he leaves and he goes out and kills somebody. And in that case the Court found it important that there was no evidence that the appellant ingested intoxicants after leaving the saloon because there was testimony that the appellant, the defendant in that case, exhibited “no signs of intoxication and that there was nothing unusual about appellant’s behavior.” [J-16-2018] - 23 That being said, and there was no evidence of when -- as I said, there was no evidence that the appellant ingested any intoxicants after leaving Kacy’s Saloon. In this case, we don’t know when Mr. Clemons ingested, assuming he did, we don’t. This could have taken place before, it could have taken place after the death, and the most recent testimony of someone seeing him after she passed away, Miss Kunco passed away, is that he was not. So combined with the testimony of, that would be Mr. Taylor, indicating that Mr. Clemons seemed normal to him and the fact that we clearly don’t know, assuming he did, have intoxicants, we don’t know when it happened. So for that reason, I’m not allowing it. N.T., Vol. V, 5/11/2015, at 3-4. During closing arguments, Clemons did not deny that he killed Kunco. Instead, through counsel, he urged the jury to consider whether the Commonwealth had proven that he had acted with specific intent to kill. Clemons focused upon gas station attendant Leah-Ann Andrews’ testimony that he appeared nervous and fidgety around the time of the murder. He pointed to the nature of the car crash, which he maintained indicated that he was not functioning with a sound and sober mind. He highlighted for the jury the empty beer cans, Chore Boy, and empty baggie with white residue located at the scene of the crash. Taken together, Clemons argued, these factors demonstrated that he was not capable of forming a specific intent to kill. Consequently, Clemons implored the jury to find that the Commonwealth had failed to prove that Clemons killed Kunco willfully and with premeditation, a failure that would necessitate a verdict of third-degree murder, rather than first-degree. Following instructions and deliberations, the jury rejected Clemons’ arguments and convicted him of first-degree murder, aggravated assault, abuse of a corpse, tampering with evidence, and access device fraud.4 4 Clemons was acquitted of the second count of access device fraud and a count of unauthorized use of automobiles [J-16-2018] - 24 On May 12, 2015, the penalty phase of the trial commenced. After evidentiary presentations, the jury unanimously found two aggravating factors: (1) “The defendant has a significant history of felony convictions involving the use or threat of violence to the person,” see 42 Pa.C.S. § 9711(d)(9);5 and (2) “At the time of the killing the defendant was subject to a court order restricting in any way the defendant's behavior toward the victim pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S. Ch. 61 (relating to protection from abuse) or any other order of a court of common pleas or of the minor judiciary designed in whole or in part to protect the victim from the defendant.” Id. § 9711(d)(18). One or more jurors found two mitigating factors: (1) Clemons’ mentally and physically abusive childhood; and (2) Clemons’ drug and alcohol history.6 The jury unanimously found that the aggravating circumstances outweighed any mitigating circumstance. N.T., Vol. VIII, 5/14/2015, at 82-83. Consequently, the jury recommended that Clemons be sentenced to death. On May 15, 2015, Judge Gilman formally sentenced Clemons to death on the firstdegree murder conviction. Judge Gilman further sentenced Clemons to an aggregate term of twenty-one to forty-two months’ incarceration on Clemons’ remaining convictions, to run concurrently with the death sentence.