Court Opinion

ID: 4546008
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2020-07-02 16:17:48.316291+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:49:42.343271
License: Public Domain

J-A04007-20

NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37

    COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA               :   IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
                                               :        PENNSYLVANIA
                                               :
                v.                             :
                                               :
                                               :
    MICHAEL MCDOWELL                           :
                                               :
                       Appellant               :   No. 2621 EDA 2018

        Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence Entered August 31, 2018
             In the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County
             Criminal Division at No(s): CP-51-CR-0004138-2016

BEFORE:      PANELLA, P.J., STRASSBURGER, J.*, and COLINS, J.*

MEMORANDUM BY PANELLA, P.J.: Filed: July 2, 2020

        Michael McDowell appeals from the judgment of sentence, of 8 to 16

years’ imprisonment, after a jury convicted him of one count each of

aggravated assault,1 accidents involving personal injury,2 accident involving

damage attended vehicle or property,3 and aggravated assault by vehicle.4

On appeal, Appellant raises five issues, claiming the trial court erred in: (1)

instructing the jury there was no evidence admitted at trial regarding

____________________________________________

*   Retired Senior Judge assigned to the Superior Court.

1   18 Pa.C.S.A. § 2702(a)(1).

2   75 Pa.C.S.A. § 3742(a).

3   75 Pa.C.S.A. § 3743(a).

4   75 Pa.C.S.A. § 3732.1(a).
J-A04007-20

Appellant’s shirt sleeve length; (2) finding the evidence sufficient to sustain

his conviction because the Commonwealth failed to prove “serious bodily

injury”; (3) interrogating defense witness Shawn Rooney during a Fifth

Amendment colloquy about the content and reliability of his proposed alibi

testimony; (4) denying Appellant’s request to play the entire content of a

prison   telephone   call   rather   than   just   the   portion   offered   by   the

Commonwealth; and (5) allowing the Commonwealth to allude to the fact

Appellant had been previously incarcerated. See Appellant’s Brief, at 10-11.

After review, we affirm.

      On January 19, 2016, in the mid-afternoon, a truck owned by

Appellant’s friend, Sean Fishgold, rear-ended a vehicle driven by Augustine

Swaray, on the 7300 block of Torresdale Avenue in the City and County of

Philadelphia. The truck hit Swaray’s car with such force it struck a tree and

another parked vehicle.

      Swaray was unable to identify the truck’s driver either before or during

trial, although he did narrow down a double blind photo array to two

photographs, one of which was Appellant’s. Approximately one week after the

accident, Swaray gave a description of the driver to the police.

      At trial, Swaray was unable to recall the description. N.T. Trial, 6/12/18,

at 64.   During cross-examination, defense counsel read this description to

Swaray which included the information Appellant was wearing, a “short-

sleeved shirt” which was “white.” Id. at 66. Mr. Swaray affirmed the shirt

                                       -2-
J-A04007-20

color and the shirt was a t-shirt but never confirmed the sleeve-length.

Defense counsel did not question Swaray as to whether the driver had any

tattoos on his arms. Id. at 62-69. Swaray was not injured as a result of the

accident, although his car suffered $800.00 worth of damage.

       After hitting Swaray’s car, the truck attempted to leave the scene, drove

directly into the opposing lane of traffic and struck a vehicle driven and owned

by Michelle Hunter head-on, totaling it. The driver attempted to extricate his

vehicle from hers but was unsuccessful, and he fled the scene on foot.

       Michelle Hunter was the only witness to identify Appellant. She gave a

description of Appellant to the police, selected his photo from a double blind

array, and identified him both at the preliminary hearing and at trial. Hunter

described Appellant as wearing a white t-shirt but never mentioned and was

never questioned about the length of the sleeves.5 Id. at 88, 92. Defense

counsel did not question her about any tattoos she might have observed on

Appellant’s arms. See id. at 81-92.

       While searching the vehicle, the police found the operating keys on a

ring with multiple gym passes; all of the passes belonged to Appellant. See

____________________________________________

5 The only other reference to what Appellant was wearing on the day of the
accident came during the cross-examination of Philadelphia Police Officer
James Tonkinson, who executed the search warrant on Appellant’s residence.
One of the items mentioned on a search warrant was a white t-shirt, again
there was no testimony or reference on the warrant as to whether it was a
long-sleeved or shirt-sleeved t-shirt. Id. at 181.

                                           -3-
J-A04007-20
id. at 44-45. The police were able to determine Fishgold was at the gym at

the time of the accident. See id. at 40. He admitted to the police Appellant

was a friend and fellow roofer who had borrowed the truck on at least one

previous occasion. See id. at 48, 225.

      As a result of the car accident, Hunter suffered from “traumatic brain

injury. . . . bruised ribs, bruised [ ] collarbone. . . concussion.” Id. at 76. She

said she had to attend cognitive brain therapy, was unable to walk or “function

correctly” for two weeks, was unable to work for four to five months, could

not care for her children for three weeks, and was unable to drive a car for six

months. Id. at 77-79. Further, defense counsel stipulated to the admission

of Hunter’s medical records and that

      . . . the medical records indicate that Michelle Hunter was admitted
      to Aria Torresdale Hospital 3:11 p.m. on January [19], 2016. She
      received among other things a CT scan of her head where the
      doctors found trauma, soft tissue damage and swelling in her
      frontal brain area.

            Miss Hunter was diagnosed with a closed head wound, a
      contusion to her forehead and trauma to her brain. She was
      discharged from the hospital later that night.
Id. at 191-92.

      At trial, Appellant did not present any evidence regarding either the

length of his shirt sleeves or whether he had tattoos on his arms at the time

of the accident, two years earlier. Immediately prior to closing, Appellant sua

sponte began to disrobe because he wanted the jury to see his tattooed arms.

N.T. Trial, 6/13/18, at 26.     However, when the trial court asked defense

                                       -4-
J-A04007-20

counsel if he wanted to put on rebuttal evidence regarding the tattoos, counsel

declined. Id. at 27-28. The trial court did permit the jury to view Appellant

in short sleeves with no testimony. Id. at 29-30.

       Appellant called two witnesses on his behalf, a co-worker, Shawn

Rooney, who testified he believed Appellant was at work with him at the time

of the accident. Appellant also called Fishgold, who testified Appellant had not

borrowed the truck from him that day and thought Appellant had left his gym

passes in the truck earlier.

       On June 13, 2018, the jury convicted Appellant of aggravated assault,

aggravated assault by vehicle, and one count each of leaving the scene of

accident involving damage to property and personal injury. On August 13,

2018, the trial court sentenced Appellant. Appellant did not file any post-

sentence motions. The instant, timely appeal followed.6

       In his first claim, Appellant contends the trial court abused its discretion

by instructing the jury there had been no clarifying evidence admitted at trial

regarding Appellant’s sleeve length. Appellant’s Brief, at 17-37. We disagree.

       The standard governing our review of a challenge to jury instructions is

as follows:

       When reviewing a challenge to part of a jury instruction, we must
       review the jury charge as a whole to determine if it is fair and
____________________________________________

6 In response to the trial court’s January 29, 2019 order, Appellant filed a
concise statement of errors complained of on appeal on February 19, 2019.
On May 30, 2019, the trial court issued an opinion.

                                           -5-
J-A04007-20

      complete. A trial court has wide discretion in phrasing its jury
      instructions, and can choose its own words as long as the law is
      clearly, adequately, and accurately presented to the jury for its
      consideration. The trial court commits an abuse of discretion only
      when there is an inaccurate statement of the law.

Commonwealth v. Jones, 954 A.2d 1194, 1198 (Pa. Super. 2008) (citation

omitted).

      Appellant does not take issue with the trial court’s initial jury charge and

does not point to any inaccurate statement of the law.         However, during

deliberation, the jury returned with questions. The first was when Appellant

got his tattoos. See N.T. Trial, 6/13/18 at 99. The second was, “the shirt the

defendant was alleged to be wearing at the time of the accident, the white T-

shirt does the testimony clarify if it was long or short sleeved?” Id.

      The parties agreed there was no evidence entered about when Appellant

got the tattoos.   See id. at 100.      With respect to the sleeve issue, the

Commonwealth argued there was no testimony clarifying the sleeve length.

See id. Defense counsel noted Swaray’s statement to the police mentioned

sleeve length but the trial court stated the jury’s question was about

testimony, not the police statement and believed there was no testimony

regarding sleeve length. See id.

      Defense counsel then admitted he could not recall any testimony

regarding the sleeve length. See id. Accordingly, the trial court charged the

jury that the answer to their second question was “no.” Id. at 104. Appellant

did not object to the answer and did not take an exception. See id.

                                      -6-
J-A04007-20

      Because Appellant did not object, take an exception, or file a post-

sentence motion regarding this claim, raising it for the first time in his Rule

1925(b) statement, we find this issue is not properly before us.         While

Appellant noted an initial concern about the proposed answer, he then

acknowledged he could not recall any testimony about sleeve length.

Appellant did not object to the charge as given or take an exception. As a

result, the claim is waived. See Pa.R.Crim.P. 647(B); Commonwealth v.

Laird, 988 A.2d 618, 646 (Pa. 2008); Commonwealth v. Parker, 104 A.3d

17, 29-30 (Pa. Super. 2014); see also Commonwealth v. Coleman, 19

A.3d 1111, 1118 (Pa. Super. 2011) (issues raised for first time in Rule 1925(b)

statement are waived).

      In any event, the claim lacks merit.    Appellant contends this case is

controlled by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s decision in Commonwealth

v. Wilmer, 254 A.2d 24, 26-27 (Pa. 1969). See Appellant’s Brief, at 28-31.

We disagree.

      In Wilmer, a rape case in which the defendant was caught while having

sex with the victim, the jury came back several times with questions regarding

the pants the defendant wore at the time of the incident and whether they

had fluid stains on them. See Wilmer, 254 A.2d at 26. Each time the trial

court charged the jury that the pants had not been put into evidence and the

evidence was legally sufficient to convict the defendant even without the

pants. Our Supreme Court held this was proper. See id.

                                     -7-
J-A04007-20

      However, the trial court also charged the jury the pants were of no

evidentiary value and would be of no use in determining guilt or innocence.

See id. The Supreme Court found this was improper. See id. While a trial

court is permitted to comment on the evidence, it cannot instruct the jury

about the value or lack of value of a particular piece of evidence or its absence.

See id. at 26-27.

      Here, the trial court never commented on the value of any particular

piece of evidence or told the jury to disregard the issue of sleeve length or

Appellant’s tattoos. Moreover, the court instructed the jury throughout trial

and in its final charge, that the jury was the finder-of-fact and was responsible

for reconciling any conflicts in the testimony. See e.g. N.T. Trial 6/12/18, at

11 and 16; 6/13/18, at 67-70. Wilmer is simply inapposite. Appellant’s first

claim is both waived and would not merit relief.

      In his second claim, Appellant contends the evidence was insufficient to

sustain his convictions for aggravated assault and aggravated assault by

vehicle because the Commonwealth failed to prove serious bodily injury. We

disagree.

      Our standard of review for a challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence

is as follows:

      The determination of whether sufficient evidence exists to support
      the verdict is a question of law; accordingly, our standard of
      review is de novo and our scope of review is plenary. In assessing
      [a] sufficiency challenge, we must determine whether viewing all
      the evidence admitted at trial in the light most favorable to the
      [Commonwealth], there is sufficient evidence to enable the

                                      -8-
J-A04007-20

      factfinder to find every element of the crime beyond a reasonable
      doubt.     [T]he facts and circumstances established by the
      Commonwealth need not preclude every possibility of innocence.
      . . . [T]he finder of fact while passing upon the credibility of
      witnesses and the weight of the evidence produced, is free to
      believe all, part[,] or none of the evidence.

Commonwealth v. Edwards, 177 A.3d 963, 969-970 (Pa. Super. 2018)

(quotation marks and citations omitted, brackets in original).

      The crime of aggravated assault occurs when a person “attempts to

cause serious bodily injury to another, or causes such injury intentionally,

knowingly or recklessly under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference

to the value of human life[.]”    18 Pa.C.S.A. § 2702(a)(1).     The crime of

aggravated assault by vehicle occurs when a person “recklessly or with gross

negligence causes serious bodily injury to another person while engaged in

the violation of any law of this Commonwealth or municipal ordinance applying

to the operation or use of a vehicle or to the regulation of traffic[.]”    75

Pa.C.S.A. § 3721.1(a). Of primary importance to Appellant’s arguments, the

Crimes Code defines “[s]erious bodily injury” as “[b]odily injury which creates

a substantial risk of death or which causes serious, permanent disfigurement,

or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or

organ.” 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 2301.

      Initially, we note Appellant’s sufficiency claim is less a claim the

Commonwealth did not make out the elements of the offense than a claim the

jury should have not have credited Ms. Hunter’s testimony about the extent

of her injuries and that defense counsel erred in entering into the above-

                                     -9-
J-A04007-20

quoted stipulation because the medical records did not support it. However,

an argument the finder of fact should not have credited a witness’s testimony

goes to the weight, not the sufficiency of the evidence. See Commonwealth

v. W.H.M., Jr., 932 A.2d 155, 160 (Pa. Super. 2007) (finding claim jury

should not have believed victim’s version of events goes to weight, not

sufficiency of evidence).    Moreover, a claim counsel was ineffective for

entering into a stipulation is not cognizable on direct appeal, absent

circumstances not applicable here. See Commonwealth v. Holmes, 79 A.3d

562, 576 (Pa. 2013) (“claims of ineffective assistance of counsel are to be

deferred to PCRA review; trial courts should not entertain claims of

ineffectiveness upon post-verdict motions; and such claims should not be

reviewed upon direct appeal.”).

      Regardless, the injuries delineated above are sufficient to show serious

bodily injury. See Commonwealth v. Rife, 312 A.2d 406, 409 (Pa. 1973)

(holding evidence of skull fracture and concussion sufficient to show serious

bodily injury); see also Commonwealth v. Cassidy, 668 A.2d 1143, 1146

(Pa. Super. 1995) (holding evidence victim had cast put on wrist, wore back

brace, and had difficulty moving for two months sufficient to show serious

bodily injury). Appellant’s second claim does not merit relief.

      In his third claim, Appellant alleges the trial court erred when it allowed

the Commonwealth to play portions of a prison telephone call between

Appellant and a third party, rather than playing the entire telephone call in

                                     - 10 -
J-A04007-20

violation of Pennsylvania Rule of Evidence 106. However, Appellant waived

this claim.

      Here, it is not apparent Appellant preserved this issue. Our review of

the record demonstrates it was Appellant, not defense counsel, who wanted

the whole telephone call played. See N.T. Trial, 6/13/18, at 4-8. Moreover,

the record reflects, after the trial court declined to play the entire telephone

call, defense counsel and the Commonwealth worked out an agreement as to

what portions of the telephone call they would play for the jury. See id. at

15. Defense counsel actually stated in reference to the agreement, “I think

we’re great.” Id.

      Pennsylvania law does not allow hybrid representation either at trial or

on the appellate level. See Commonwealth v. Padilla, 80 A.3d 1238, 1259

(Pa. 2013). Moreover, the United States Supreme Court has held there are

numerous choices relating to the conduct of trial, and, with respect to choices

by counsel regarding the admission of evidence, the defendant is bound. See

United States v. Gonzalez, 553 U.S. 242, 248-49 (2008). Therefore, at

least for purposes of direct appeal, Appellant cannot avoid waiver by claiming

he personally wished to have the entire telephone call played and disagreed

with counsel’s decision to enter into an agreement with the Commonwealth.

      However, even if we were to find Appellant preserved the claim at trial,

we would still find waiver. There is no transcript of the call contained in the

record and neither party quotes from either the stipulated portions of it or the

                                     - 11 -
J-A04007-20

full call in their brief. While a CD-R is included in the certified record, it is not

playable. It is impossible for this Court to address the merits of Appellant’s

claim and make a proper determination, without hearing the telephone call to

determine whether the trial court abused its discretion in denying his request.

It is an appellant’s responsibility to ensure that the certified record contains

all the items necessary to review his claims. See Commonwealth v. B.D.G.,

959 A.2d 362, 372 (Pa. Super. 2008) (en banc). “When a claim is dependent

on materials not provided in the certified record, that claim is considered

waived.” Commonwealth v. Petroll, 696 A.2d 817, 836 (Pa. Super. 1997)

(citation omitted). As a result, Appellant waived his third claim for this reason

as well.

      In his fourth claim, Appellant maintains the trial court violated his due

process rights by engaging in a lengthy colloquy with his purported alibi

witness, Shawn Rooney, in violation of the United States Supreme Court’s per

curiam decision in Webb v. Texas, 409 U.S. 95 (1972).              See Appellant’s

Brief, at 47-52. We disagree.

      At the time of trial, Appellant’s alibi witness was in custody. See N.T.

Trial, 6/12/18, at 155. His attorney was unavailable that day and the trial

court, without initial objection and outside the presence of the jury,

questioned Rooney to ensure there were no Fifth Amendment issues. See id.

at 155-59. Rooney indicated, despite defense counsel’s representation to the

contrary, he had not discussed his proposed testimony with his attorney. See

                                       - 12 -
J-A04007-20

id. at 159-60.     Without prompting, Rooney then began to discuss the

substance of his testimony, admitting he did not remember the date he was

supposed to be giving an alibi for and ultimately, after a few questions by the

trial court, giving an alibi for the wrong year. See id. at 160-61.

       After both the trial court and defense counsel expressed their confusion,

the trial court continued to question Rooney, over defense counsel’s objection,

about the substance of his testimony. It expressed its concern, based upon

the statements made by Rooney, that Rooney had been coached into giving a

false alibi.

       Further, Rooney admitted his written alibi statement had not been

written by him but by other individuals with personal and pecuniary interests

in the outcome of the case.      See id. at 162-74.     While the trial court’s

questioning of Rooney was extensive, at no point did it threaten him and

Rooney later testified on behalf of Appellant. See id. at 202-22.

       Appellant claims this questioning ran afoul of the Supreme Court’s ruling

in Webb, violating his right to due process. However, his reliance on Webb

is misplaced. In Webb, the trial judge singled out the only defense witness

and proceeded to threaten to personally bring perjury charges against him

and discussed the possible penalties for perjury. See Webb, 409 U.S. at 96-

98. As a result of these remarks the witness refused to testify. See id. The

Supreme Court concluded the selection of this particular witness, the

excessively strong admonition, and the unwarranted assumption the witness

                                     - 13 -
J-A04007-20

intended to lie, violated defendant’s right to due process as it “effectively

drove the witness off the stand.” Id. at 98.

      Here, unlike in Webb, while the trial court may have questioned Rooney

extensively, it neither threatened nor admonished him. Further, Rooney was

not the only defense witness. Lastly, again unlike in Webb, Rooney testified

on Appellant’s behalf.   Under these circumstances, the trial court did not

violate Appellant’s due process rights. See id. at 97-98. Appellant’s fourth

claim does not merit relief.

      In his fifth and final claim, Appellant argues the prosecutor committed

misconduct when he alluded to Appellant’s prior incarceration during cross-

examination of defense witness Sean Fishgold. See Appellant’s Brief, at 52-

53. However, Appellant waived this claim.

      This Court has stated, “[i]n order to preserve a claim of prosecutorial

misconduct for appeal, a defendant must make an objection and move for a

mistrial.” Commonwealth v. Sasse, 921 A.2d 1229, 1238 (Pa. Super. 2007)

(citation omitted).

      During cross-examination of Fishgold, the following exchange occurred:

      [The Commonwealth]: Mr. Fishgold, how are you doing, sir?

      [Mr. Fishgold]: Good.

      [The Commonwealth]: Let’s see. Just first of all, fair to say you’re
      pretty good friends with [Appellant] right?

      [Mr. Fishgold]: Correct.

                                     - 14 -
J-A04007-20

      [The Commonwealth]: During the brief time when he was
      incarcerated, you looked after his kids.

      [Mr. Fishgold]: Uh-hun.

      [The Commonwealth]: Is that right? Is that a yes?

      [Mr. Fishgold]: Yes.

      [The Commonwealth]: Cool. And pretty close with his family?

      [Mr. Fishgold]: Yes.

      [The Commonwealth]: Do you know Mr. Rooney as well?

      [Mr. Fishgold]: Yes.

N.T. Trial, 6/12/18, at 232-33.

      Therefore, the record reflects Appellant did not object to the question.

Appellant does not point to any location in the record where he moved for a

mistrial, or sought other relief, and our review of the record likewise did not

identify any such action. See Pa.R.A.P. 2119(e); see also Appellant’s Brief,

at 52-53. Because Appellant did not preserve this issue in the trial court, he

has waived it for purposes of appeal.      See Manley, 985 A.2d at 267 n.8;

Sasse, 921 A.2d at 1238.

      Moreover, the claim is without merit. The following standards govern

our review of the denial of a motion for mistrial:

         In criminal trials, declaration of a mistrial serves to eliminate
         the negative effect wrought upon a defendant when
         prejudicial elements are injected into the case or otherwise
         discovered at trial. By nullifying the tainted process of the
         former trial and allowing a new trial to convene, declaration
         of a mistrial serves not only the defendant’s interest but,
         equally important, the public’s interest in fair trials designed

                                      - 15 -
J-A04007-20

         to end in just judgments. Accordingly, the trial court is
         vested with discretion to grant a mistrial whenever the
         alleged prejudicial event may reasonably be said to deprive
         the defendant of a fair and impartial trial. In making its
         determination, the court must discern whether misconduct
         or prejudicial error actually occurred, and if so, . . . assess
         the degree of any resulting prejudice. Our review of the
         resulting order is constrained to determining whether the
         court abused its discretion. Judicial discretion requires
         action in conformity with [the] law on facts and
         circumstances before the trial court after hearing and
         consideration. Consequently, the court abuses its discretion
         if, in resolving the issue for decision, it misapplies the law
         or exercises its discretion in a manner lacking reason.

Commonwealth v. Jaynes, 135 A.3d 606, 615 (Pa. Super. 2016) (citation

omitted). “A mistrial is an extreme remedy that is required only where the

challenged event deprived the accused of a fair and impartial trial.”

Commonwealth v. Smith, 131 A.3d 467, 475 (Pa. 2015) (citation omitted).

“The trial court is in the best position to assess the effect of an allegedly

prejudicial statement on the jury, and as such, the grant or denial of a mistrial

will not be overturned absent an abuse of discretion.” Commonwealth v.

Parker, 957 A.2d 311, 319 (Pa. Super. 2008) (citation omitted).

      In this case, the Commonwealth made a fleeting reference to Appellant’s

incarceration and then moved to a series of questions about Fishgold’s

relationship with other individuals in Appellant’s circle of friends.         The

Commonwealth never mentioned Appellant’s incarceration again. We are hard

pressed to understand how this fleeting reference could have deprived

Appellant of a fair trial. In any event, the jury was ultimately going to learn of

Appellant’s incarceration because of the playing of the prison call. See N.T.

                                     - 16 -
J-A04007-20

Trial, 6/13/18, at 19. Therefore, even if Appellant had preserved the claim,

we would conclude Appellant was not entitled to a mistrial on this basis.

      Appellant’s issues are either waived or lack merit. Thus, we affirm the

judgment of sentence.

      Judgment of sentence affirmed.

      Judge Strassburger joins the memorandum.

      Judge Colins notes dissent.

Judgment Entered.

Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary

Date: 7/2/20

                                    - 17 -