Opinion ID: 2317878
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 11

Heading: Criminal Complaint

Text: Appellant contends that the trial court erred by refusing to dismiss the criminal information because it was based on a fatally defective criminal complaint. According to Appellant, the criminal complaint was fatally defective because it was not supported by a legally sufficient affidavit of probable cause. Second, he claims that it was fatally defective because it failed to set forth all of the essential elements of the crimes charged; specifically, malice (with respect to homicide), and that Appellant broke into a building (with respect to criminal trespass). Finally, Appellant argues that the complaint was unconstitutionally vague because, although it alleged that he acted intentionally, knowingly, recklessly, or negligently, it did not specify which state of mind he possessed. The Commonwealth argues that the argument premised on the affidavit of probable cause is defeated by Commonwealth v. Abdul-Salaam, 544 Pa. 514, 678 A.2d 342 (1996), which held that any issue concerning a defect in the affidavit of probable cause becomes moot upon the district justice's finding at the preliminary hearing that a prima facie case has been established. Additionally, the Commonwealth argues that contrary to Appellant's assertion, the criminal complaint set forth all of the requisite elements for each crime. The trial court held that the complaint was supported by a legally sufficient affidavit of probable cause and there was no merit to Appellant's assertion that the complaint failed to charge all of the requisite elements. Finally, the trial court held that the states of mind charged in the complaint are not mutually exclusive, and the complaint was therefore not unconstitutionally vague, because the Commonwealth charged that Appellant possessed all of those states of mind. Turning to the first of Appellant's arguments, regarding the validity of the affidavit of probable cause, we agree with the Commonwealth. Upon the district justice's finding at the preliminary hearing that a prima facie case had been established, any issue concerning a defect in the affidavit or probable cause became moot. Abdul-Salaam, 678 A.2d at 349. Concerning the second argument regarding the essential elements of the crimes charged, we observe that the criminal complaint and information both alleged, with respect to murder, that Appellant committed the murders by shooting the victims, thereby causing their deaths. Although the complaint did not use the term malice, the assertions contained therein adequately implied malice. See, e.g., Commonwealth v. Carbone, 524 Pa. 551, 574 A.2d 584 (1990) (there is a presumption that using a weapon on a vital part of the body implies malice); Commonwealth v. D'Ambro, 500 Pa. 303, 456 A.2d 140, 143 n. 5 (1983) (same). Additionally, criminal trespass occurs when, inter alia, an individual breaks into any building or occupied structure or separately secured or occupied portion thereof. 18 Pa.C.S. § 3503. The complaint merely alleged that Appellant did enter the victim's home. However, the grand jury's presentment was incorporated into the affidavit of probable cause supporting the criminal complaint, and alleged in sufficient detail that the shooter gained entry into the victims' home by throwing a typewriter through the door. Appellant's claim that the complaint failed to allege that he broke into a building is therefore without merit. Finally, with respect to Appellant's contention that the criminal complaint was unconstitutionally vague, Appellant has not developed his claim or cited to relevant authority as support. There is no unconstitutionally impermissible vagueness in charging, simultaneously, that Appellant acted intentionally, knowingly, recklessly, or negligently. As the trial court noted, the Commonwealth was charging that Appellant possessed all of those states of mind. No relief is warranted.