Opinion ID: 2056703
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Improper Completion of Verdict Form

Text: Appellant next contends that he is entitled to a new penalty phase hearing because the trial court erred in refusing to grant a mistrial, or, alternatively, impose a sentence of life imprisonment, after the jury returned its verdict slip without indicating whether it found any mitigating circumstances. When the jury returned from its deliberations, the jury foreperson announced the verdict and the jurors were individually polled as to the sentence of death recommended for each defendant. The verdict was recorded, and the court thanked the jurors for their service and excused them, at which time they returned to the jury room to collect their belongings. Almost immediately, Appellant's counsel noted that the jury allegedly left a portion of the verdict slip blank, namely, the portion relating to mitigating circumstances. It was also alleged that the jury failed to complete the final page of the verdict sheet that referred to life imprisonment. By this time, the jurors had been in the jury room for approximately one minute, with no outside contact or intervention. Over defense counsel's objection, the trial judge called the jurors back into the courtroom and advised them that they needed to return to the jury room to complete the verdict slip, specifically indicating whether or not any mitigating circumstances had been found by any individual juror. The jury completed the form, indicating that there were no mitigating circumstances. The jury also indicated N/A on the final page of the verdict sheet referring to a sentence of life imprisonment. When the jurors were recalled to the courtroom, they were individually polled, and each juror agreed no mitigating circumstances were found. The Commonwealth contends that Appellant waived this claim by failing to raise it in his original Rule 1925(b) statement. See Commonwealth Brief at 51. We agree Appellant failed to do so, but further recognize that, on April 17, 2006, Appellant filed a supplemental 1925(b) statement wherein he raised this sole issue, and that the trial court addressed the issue on the merits in its opinion. However, the docket does not indicate that Appellant requested, or was granted, permission by the trial court to file a supplemental 1925(b) statement, and arguably his supplemental filing was thus insufficient to avert waiver. See Commonwealth v. Woods, 909 A.2d 372, 377-78 (Pa.Super.2006) (holding, under prior version of Pa.R.A.P.1925, an appellant may not file an untimely supplemental 1925(b) statement without leave of court, and an attempt to unilaterally reserve the right, in the original 1925(b) statement, to file a supplemental statement will not suffice). Moreover, the fact that the trial court addressed the issue in its 1925(a) opinion would not save Appellant's claim. See Commonwealth v. Castillo, 585 Pa. 395, 403, 888 A.2d 775, 780 (2005) (any issues not raised in a 1925(b) statement will be deemed waived, regardless of whether the trial court addresses the issue). Regardless, even if Appellant's claim is not waived, he is not entitled to relief, for the same reasons that we rejected a similar claim raised by Appellant's co-defendant Bond on appeal. See Commonwealth v. Bond, ___ Pa. ___, 985 A.2d 810 (2009).