Opinion ID: 1926869
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Appellant's Cross-Appeal[7]

Text: Appellant raises several trial errors, styled in terms of ineffectiveness of trial counsel, which were properly preserved in appellant's supplemental post-verdict motion for a new trial filed by new post-verdict counsel who is also appellate counsel. In this context, allegations of trial counsel's ineffectiveness should be initially set forth at a hearing in the trial court prior to assertion, on direct appeal, of trial errors couched in terms of ineffective stewardship so that a reviewing court may conclude whether or not trial counsel may have been ineffective. Commonwealth v. Johnson, 325 Pa.Super. 186, 472 A.2d 710 (1984). Instantly, the hearing on trial counsel's ineffectiveness focused on the following claims of defective representation [8]  failure to object to the omission of a renunciation defense charge; failure to object to the court's omission to charge the jury on lesser included offenses; trial counsel's introduction into the trial that the victim had obtained a weapon during the incident; and failure to request certain jury instructions or to object to omission of same. We begin by noting that the standard for determining counsel's ineffectiveness is based upon a presumption of competent stewardship and that the burden of proving otherwise is on the defendant. Commonwealth v. Diggs, 351 Pa.Super. 444, 506 A.2d 431 (1986). Counsel's assistance is deemed effective once it has been determined that the course chosen had some reasonable basis designed to effectuate the client's interests, not whether other alternatives not chosen were more reasonable after a hindsight assessment of the record. Commonwealth v. Bennett, 512 Pa. 525, 517 A.2d 1248 (1986); Commonwealth v. Griffin, 511 Pa. 553, 515 A.2d 865 (1986), citing Commonwealth ex rel. Washington v. Maroney, 427 Pa. 599, 235 A.2d 349 (1967). To make out a claim of ineffectiveness, a defendant must first demonstrate that the underlying issue is of arguable merit. If so, then inquiry must be made whether the course chosen by counsel was not reasonably designed to protect his (the client's) best interests and whether counsel's dereliction so prejudiced the client as to deny him the right to a fair trial. Commonwealth v. Diggs, supra ; Commonwealth v. Blagman, 350 Pa.Super. 367, 504 A.2d 883 (1986). See also Commonwealth v. Bennett, supra ; Commonwealth v. Griffin, supra . Appellant's first ineffectiveness issue concerns the failure of his trial counsel to object to the admissibility of hearsay statements by Commonwealth witness Marlene Arnold concerning a phone conversation she and her daughter, the victim, had immediately after the latter's episode with appellant, by Commonwealth witnesses Patrick and Craig Pryor, the victim's brothers, and by Angelina Mason, her neighbor, regarding the victim's conversations with them on the night in question concerning appellant's conduct towards her. The trial court concluded that the statements and conversations of the victim with these witnesses were admissible under the excited utterance exception to the hearsay rule. We have defined excited utterance in the following terms: [It must be] a spontaneous declaration by a person whose mind has been suddenly made subject to an overpowering emotion caused by some unexpected and shocking occurrence, which that person had just participated in or closely witnessed, and made in reference to some phase of that occurrence which he perceived, and this declaration must be made so near the occurrence both in time and place as to exclude the likelihood of its having emanated in whole or in part from his reflective faculties. Commonwealth v. Pronkonskie, 477 Pa. 132, 137, 383 A.2d 858, 860 (1978). Accordingly, we adopt the reasoning of the trial court on this issue (Trial Court Op. pp. 2-4). As to appellant's complaint regarding the admission of the telephone conversation between Marlene Arnold and the victim prior to the occurrence, arguably, this testimony is not hearsay because the declarant/victim was examined on direct and was subjected to cross-examination on this matter. Commonwealth v. Galloway, 336 Pa.Super. 225, 485 A.2d 776 (1984). Even so, the error of admitting a hearsay statement will be deemed harmless if it did not affect the jury's verdict beyond a reasonable doubt. Such a finding may be made if the prejudice accruing to appellant is de minimis when compared to the Commonwealth's overwhelming evidence pointing to guilt. Commonwealth v. Brady, 338 Pa.Super. 137, 487 A.2d 891 (1985). Instantly, the testimony of the victim regarding the events in her apartment leading up to the actual attack and her description of the attack in specific terms, which was believed by the jury, was alone sufficient to support appellant's conviction for attempted rape despite contrary evidence from appellant. Commonwealth v. Stoner, supra . Cf. Commonwealth v. Flynn, 314 Pa.Super. 162, 460 A.2d 816 (1983) (no medical testimony needed to corroborate rape victim's testimony, if believed, to support rape conviction). Since we cannot conclude that the exclusion of the testimony of the telephone conversation between the victim and her mother would have culminated in a different result for appellant, we hold this error, if any, harmless and deem appellant's ineffectiveness claim meritless. Thus, no further inquiry is necessary as to the competence of counsel's assistance in this regard, Commonwealth v. Bennett, supra ; Commonwealth v. Griffin, supra , for counsel will not be deemed ineffective for failing to pursue a meritless claim. Commonwealth v. Diggs, supra ; Commonwealth v. Blagman, supra . See also Commonwealth v. Bennett, supra ; Commonwealth v. Griffin, supra . Appellant next contends that counsel was ineffective in not requesting certain instructions and in failing to object to the impropriety of other instructions. First, appellant claims that trial counsel was ineffective in failing to request the falsus in uno, falsus in omnibus instruction. Again, we adopt the rationale of the trial court (Op. p. 6) in this regard because the record does not disclose willful and corrupt falsehood on the part of the victim but merely self-contradiction, at most, when she failed to recall on direct examination that appellant had digitally penetrated her vagina prior to performance of oral sex and the attempted rape (N.T. 44) and that she had gone into the kitchen to obtain a knife after the incident (N.T. 86). In assessing the credibility of a witness, it is within the province of the trier of fact to weigh it in accordance with the evidence adduced. Commonwealth v. Shaver, 501 Pa. 167, 460 A.2d 742 (1983). The trier of fact in this case, the jury, in passing upon the credibility of a witness and in determining the weight to be accorded to the evidence, is free to believe all, part or none of the evidence. Commonwealth v. Claypool, 508 Pa. 198, 495 A.2d 176 (1985); Commonwealth v. Shirey, 343 Pa.Super. 189, 494 A.2d 420 (1985). For this reason, we also reject appellant's claim that counsel was ineffective in not objecting to the charge that appellant had a vital interest in the outcome of the case. We have held this type of jury instruction to be proper. Commonwealth v. Dolny, 235 Pa.Super. 241, 342 A.2d 399 (1975). The instantly complained of charge reads as follows: Now, the defendant took the stand as a witness in this case. In considering the defendant's testimony you are to follow the general instructions that I just gave you for judging the credibility of any witness. And you should not disbelieve the defendant's testimony merely because he is the defendant. In weighing his testimony; [sic] however, you may consider the fact that he has a vital interest in the outcome of this trial. You should take the defendant's interest into account along with all of the other facts and circumstances in the case in deciding on what credibility his testimony deserves. (N.T. 259) (Emphasis added). Here, we perceive no error in the charge and therefore determine that appellant's ineffectiveness claim is meritless. Commonwealth v. Bennett, supra ; Commonwealth v. Griffin, supra . Counsel will not be deemed ineffective for failing to pursue a meritless claim. Commonwealth v. Diggs, supra ; Commonwealth v. Blagman, supra . See also Commonwealth v. Bennett, supra ; Commonwealth v. Griffin, supra . It is also well settled that even the uncorroborated testimony of a prosecution witness may be sufficient to convict despite contrary evidence from the defense if the trier of fact, based on the evidence before it, chooses to lend credibility to the former. Commonwealth v. Stoner, supra ; Commonwealth v. White, 341 Pa.Super. 261, 491 A.2d 252 (1985). Hence, appellant's assertion that trial counsel failed to object to the trial court's charge that appellant could be convicted on the testimony of the victim, alone, (N.T. 260-61) is equally frivolous, Commonwealth v. Bennett, supra ; Commonwealth v. Griffin, supra , and counsel will not be deemed ineffective here for his omission to raise such a baseless objection. Id; Commonwealth v. Diggs, supra ; Commonwealth v. Blagman, supra . Appellant's next two contentions of ineffective trial stewardship concern the failure to request or to object to the omission of instructions on lesser included offenses and the defense of renunciation of the attempted rape charge. We accord no merit to either. With respect to the former, appellant argues that counsel was ineffective in failing to request or to object to the omission of a charge on the crimes of indecent assault, indecent exposure, simple assault and harassment, in addition to involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and attempted rape. Appellant was only charged with the latter two offenses. We agree with the lower court's reasoning that counsel's omission to act here was a legitimate defense strategy designed not to inject into the minds of the jurors some suggestion of compromise or alternative to acquittal on the attempt charge. So lawyers quite properly exclude these lesser included offenses on a regular basis, because you offer them a lesser included offense and that is exactly what you are going to get, a conviction on it. You give them an area of compromise that otherwise isn't in the case. And I think that is quite proper strategy. (Ineffectiveness Hearing Testimony 28-29). In this context we note that if the substance of the evidence would logically culminate in no result other than either acquittal or a finding of guilt on the subject charge, then no instruction is necessary on any alternate lesser offense to which the evidence produced does not relate. Commonwealth v. Showalter, 275 Pa.Super. 1, 418 A.2d 580 (1980). See also Commonwealth v. Coleman, 344 Pa.Super. 481, 496 A.2d 1207 (1985) (trial court not required to charge upon law having no relation to evidence presented at trial). The trial court also viewed, correctly, we think, the omission to request or to object to the failure to charge the jury on the defense of renunciation as another legitimate defense tactic which was aimed at acquittal of the attempt charge. It further reasoned that giving this charge would serve no purpose but to impress upon the jurors' minds the notion that appellant may well be guilty of the charge and that this instruction would do nothing more for appellant but to frustrate or at least weaken his stance on his innocence of the charge against him. We agree. Appellant is not entitled to a new trial when the alternative chosen, in counsel's view, offered a potential for success substantially greater than another course not pursued, without prejudice to the client. Commonwealth v. Johnson, 347 Pa.Super. 93, 500 A.2d 173 (1985). If the alternative not selected offered a substantially greater potential for success than the tactic utilized, only then does ineffectiveness occur. Commonwealth v. Clemmons, 505 Pa. 356, 479 A.2d 955 (1984). Lastly, appellant contends that trial counsel was ineffective for bringing out on recross examination of the victim that she had obtained a knife from the kitchen after the subject incident. We again agree with the trial court that trial counsel's introduction of this fact into the case served as a legitimate trial strategy to discredit the victim's trial testimony by demonstrating an inconsistency with her prior testimony given at the preliminary hearing. At the ineffectiveness hearing, trial counsel, examined by the trial prosecutor, testified as to the reason for this tactic: Q. Prior to the time you asked these questions about the knife, had Miss Pryor been questioned before about whether or not she had gotten a weapon? A. I believe she had been questioned at the preliminary hearing, by you and by me. She had been questioned by you in the Commonwealth's case. I asked her on cross-examination about the knife. And I believe on recross I had again questioned her about a weapon. Not specifically a knife. Towards the tail end of her testimony she mentioned a knife for the first time ever. And I just left it at that. That it was incredible that she couldn't remember that after four or five interrogations. Q. But, on direct when I asked her about a weapon, what was her answer at trial, if you recall? A. Her answers also were until my final recross, no weapon. Q. And then on recross she brought out about the knife? A. She discovered that there was a knife in her kitchen, yes. Q. Now at that point, when you conducted the recross of Miss Pryor, what was your evaluation of whether or not she was being a credible witness at the time she was testifying? A. My evaluation was that she was incredible and I felt the jury would feel the same way. ..... Q. What about her demeanor on the stand as you watched it during the trial? A. Incredible. Q. You did not feel at that time that she was in any way believable; is that correct? A. I felt that she was incredible. Q. Would you view her answers about this knife as an inconsistency with her prior testimony? A. Yes. (Ineffectiveness Hearing Testimony 10-12). From the record of this hearing, it appears that trial counsel offered the introduction of the testimony concerning the knife as a viable trial technique believed to have a substantially greater potential for acquittal of appellant than its non-introduction without prejudicing him. Commonwealth v. Johnson, supra . Thus, no ineffectiveness occurred here since the alternative not selected (i.e., the non-introduction of the knife testimony) did not offer a greater potential for acquittal. Commonwealth v. Clemmons, supra . The course here chosen by counsel had some reasonable basis designed to effectuate appellant's interests, i.e., acquittal of the attempted rape charge, and did not so prejudice appellant's right to a fair trial. Commonwealth v. Diggs, supra ; Commonwealth v. Blagman, supra . We do not perceive it our role to make a hindsight evaluation of the record to determine whether alternatives not selected were more reasonable so long as the course chosen here, as we have stated, had some reasonable basis to promote appellant's interests. Commonwealth v. Bennett, supra ; Commonwealth v. Griffin, supra . We therefore affirm the judgment of sentence for appellant's conviction of attempted rape. Order arresting judgment on the charge of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse reversed and vacated and jury verdict reinstated on this charge. Judgment of sentence on the charge of attempted rape affirmed. Jurisdiction relinquished. POPOVICH, J., files a concurring and dissenting opinion. POPOVICH, Judge, concurring and dissenting: I have no dispute with the Majority's determination that the prosecution is afforded the right to appeal the trial court's arrest of judgment, since such a ruling is an appealable order. See Dissenting Opinion by Popovich, J. in Commonwealth v. Williams, 360 Pa.Super. 23, 519 A.2d 971 (1986), citing United States v. Wilson, 420 U.S. 332, 95 S.Ct. 1013, 43 L.Ed.2d 232 (1975) for an identical proposition. Nor do I find fault with the affirmance of the judgment of sentence for attempted rape. However, on the question of whether the conduct by the appellee upon the victim (cunnilingus) falls within the perimeters of 18 Pa.C.S. § 3123 (Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse), I am not convinced it does. § 3123 makes specific reference to the act(s) proscribed, e.g., deviate sexual intercourse. This term of art is defined in the Crimes Code at § 3101 to encompass: Sexual intercourse per os or per anus between human beings who are not husband and wife, and any form of sexual intercourse with an animal. Further, in the same section, sexual intercourse is described to constitute: In addition to its ordinary meaning, includes intercourse per os or per anus, with some penetration however slight; emission is not required. The Majority's efforts to extrapolate the inclusion of the proscribed conduct charged against the appellee from a recitation of the historical basis for the Crimes Code, i.e., the Penal Code of 1939 and the Model Penal Code of the American Law Institute, is detrimental as much as it is beneficial to its objective. For instance, the referred to § 213.2 of the Proposed Official Draft of the Model Penal Code, and the applicable definitional provisions (§ 213.0), along with the earlier mentioned § 3123 of the Crimes Code and the relevant definitional terms there do not make any reference to the conduct sought to be included within § 3123. The Majority does not dispute this. Its reference to the predecessor to § 3123 is unavailing since that statute (18 P.S. § 4501  Sodomy) was more broadly worded by the inclusion of the terms carnal knowledge as the catch-all phrase, and its subsequent interpretation to include cunnilingus was not repugnant to the principles associated with statutory construction, i.e., give effect and meaning to the laws enacted by the Legislature when possible and do not find them to be, e.g., unconstitutionally void for vagueness absent evidence that is clear on the subject. However, instantly, the statute in question is more narrowly circumscribed by definitional language, which, when viewed in toto with the remainder of Chapter 31 covering Sexual Offenses, would result in the appellee's acts of sexual conduct to be violative of the indecent assault statute, 18 Pa.C.S. § 3126. It reads in relevant part: A person who has indecent contact with another not his spouse, or causes such other to have indecent contact with him is guilty of indecent assault, a misdemeanor of the second degree, if: (1) He does so without the consent of the other person; In turn, indecent contact is elaborated upon as to its meaning by the Legislature, again, in the definitional provision of the Crimes Code to include: Any touching of the sexual or other intimate parts of the person for the purpose of arousing or gratifying sexual desire, in either person. Giving the statutes their reasonable and common sense meaning leads this writer to conclude that the appellee's conduct falls squarely and more logically within the ambit of § 3126. This is accomplished without any strained analysis of the law and its historical antecedent. Accordingly, finding that the Majority's trek through the preceding law and its underpinnings is unwarranted and unconvincing, I cannot embrace its logic. To do so would overlook the obvious proscription of the appellee's conduct by § 3126. One need not proceed any further in determining under which provision of the law the appellee's acts were violative of. The Commonwealth, having failed to charge the accused with such a violation, the jury's verdict should not stand. Thus, I would affirm the trial court's arrest of judgment on the offense of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse. Nonetheless, the factual scenario under scrutiny here, in light of the indecent assault statute, leads me to conclude, under a lesser-included-offense analysis, that the trial court would have the authority to find the accused guilty of such a lesser charge. See, e.g., Commonwealth v. Adams, 333 Pa.Super. 312, 482 A.2d 583 (1984); Commonwealth v. Temple, 258 Pa.Super. 269, 392 A.2d 788 (1978). The appellee could not complain that he was not put on notice by the charge of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse of his potential liability under the indecent assault statute since the facts, albeit do not rise to the level of intercourse, they unquestionably establish indecent contact done for the purpose of arousing or gratifying sexual desire. Thus, although I do not join in the affirmance of the sentence for involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, the appellee could be found guilty of indecent assault. The fact that the lesser offense (indecent assault) is subsumed by the greater offense (involuntary deviate sexual intercourse) would discount any argument proffered by the accused that he was not put on notice of the potential liability under the former. Thus, both notice and subsumption of the lesser charge by the greater charge are present to justify such a result. Accordingly, finding that I can only join in a portion of the majority's opinion, I respectfully dissent in part.