Court Opinion

ID: 4649187
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-01-05 19:11:23.42329+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:01:22.426657
License: Public Domain

J-S46004-20

NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37

 COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA             :   IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
                                          :        PENNSYLVANIA
                                          :
                 v.                       :
                                          :
                                          :
 KHYLIL HODGE                             :
                                          :
                      Appellant           :   No. 2156 EDA 2019

        Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence Entered June 24, 2019
  In the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County Criminal Division at
                      No(s): CP-51-CR-1101541-2004

BEFORE: BENDER, P.J.E., SHOGAN, J., and MUSMANNO, J.

MEMORANDUM BY BENDER, P.J.E.:                       FILED JANUARY 5, 2021

      Appellant, Khylil Hodge, appeals from the judgment of sentence of 2½

to 5 years’ incarceration, imposed after the court revoked a term of probation

that Appellant was serving for his conviction of possession with intent to

deliver (PWID). Appellant solely challenges the discretionary aspects of his

revocation sentence. After careful review, we are constrained to quash this

appeal.

      The facts of Appellant’s underlying PWID conviction are not necessary

to our disposition of his appeal. Briefly, Appellant pled guilty to PWID in 2005

and, over the following 12 years, he repeatedly violated his probation and was

resentenced for that offense. On December 11, 2017, he committed a fourth

violation, which once again resulted in the revocation of his probation. On

June 24, 2019, the trial court resentenced Appellant to 2½ to 5 years’

incarceration.
J-S46004-20

      Appellant filed a timely, post-sentence motion on June 28, 2019.

However, before the court ruled on that motion, Appellant filed a notice of

appeal on July 24, 2019.     The court thereafter ordered Appellant to file a

Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b) concise statement of errors complained of on appeal, and

he timely complied. The court then issued a Rule 1925(a) opinion on February

28, 2020.

      Herein, Appellant states one issue for our review:

      Did not the [trial] court violate the tenets of the Sentencing Code,
      which mandate individualized sentencing, where the court did not
      state adequate grounds for imposing its sentence, failed to
      consider [A]ppellant’s background, character or rehabilitative
      needs, and imposed an excessive sentence of 2½ to 5 years of
      incarceration, which was in excess of what was necessary to
      address the gravity of the offense, the protection of the
      community[,] and [A]ppellant’s rehabilitative needs?

Appellant’s Brief at 3.

      Before we can review Appellant’s sentencing challenge, we must address

the fact that his timely-filed, post-sentence motion was apparently never ruled

on by the trial court. Pennsylvania Rule of Criminal Procedure 720 states:

      (A) Timing.

                                      ***

      (2) If the defendant files a timely post-sentence motion, the notice
      of appeal shall be filed:

         (a) within 30 days of the entry of the order deciding the
         motion;

         (b) within 30 days of the entry of the order denying the
         motion by operation of law in cases in which the judge fails
         to decide the motion; or

                                     -2-
J-S46004-20

          (c) within 30 days of the entry of the order memorializing
          the withdrawal in cases in which the defendant withdraws
          the motion.

Pa.R.Crim.P. 720(A)(2). Our Supreme Court has held that when a premature

appeal is filed during the pendency of post-sentence motions, the trial court

retains jurisdiction to decide the motions, and the appeal is perfected upon

the filing of an order denying post-sentence motions. Commonwealth v.

Cooper, 27 A.3d 994, 1008 (Pa. 2011).            However, “no direct appeal may

proceed while a timely post-sentence motion or motion to modify sentence is

pending, and any such appeal is rendered premature.” Id. at 1005.

       Here, Appellant’s timely-filed, post-sentence motion was not ruled on

by the trial court, denied by operation of law, or withdrawn by Appellant.1 The

disposition of that outstanding motion is necessary both to perfect his appeal,

and to preserve the discretionary-aspects-of-sentencing claim he is raising

herein.    Consequently, we must quash this appeal, without prejudice to

Appellant’s right to file another appeal after the entry of a final order disposing

of his post-sentence motion.

       Appeal quashed. Jurisdiction relinquished.

____________________________________________

1The Commonwealth asserts that the motion was denied, but the record does
not support that claim. See Commonwealth’s Brief at 8. For its part, the trial
court makes no mention of Appellant’s post-sentence motion in its Rule
1925(a) opinion. See Trial Court Opinion, 2/28/20, at 5.

                                           -3-
J-S46004-20

Judgment Entered.

Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary

Date: 1/05/2021

                          -4-
                                                                                                     0 Li
                                                                                CirculateP6730/2020 10:05 AM

                         IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
                    FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA
                             CRIMINAL TRIAL DIVISION

COMMONWEALTH                                                         CP-51-CR-1101541-2004

                                                                                      FILED

       vs.
                                                                                   Fa 2 8 2020
                                                                               OM% Wiltkial Recants
                                                                                  ftettelkstifti
                                                                     SUPERIOR COURT
KHYLIL HODGE                                                         2156 EDA 2019

                                            OPINION

BRINICLEY, J.                                                        FEBRUARY 28, 2020

       Defendant Khylil Hodge appeared before this Court for a violation of probation hearing.

This Court found him in direct violation and sentenced him to an aggregate term of 2    1/4   to 5

years state incarceration. Defendant appealed this judgment of sentence and raised the following

issues on appeal: (1) whether the sentence imposed was manifestly excessive and unreasonable;

(2) whether the trial court failed to state adequate reasons for the sentence imposed; and (3)

whether the trial court failed to give individualized consideration to Defendant's personal

history, rehabilitative needs and background. This Court's judgment of sentence should be

affirmed.

                                  PROCEDURAL HISTORY

       On January 24, 2005, Defendant appeared before this Court and pled guilty to Possession

with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance (PWID). This Court sentenced Defendant to his
negotiated sentence of one year in the County Intermediate Punishment (IP) program, with six

months of house arrest and outpatient drug treatment at Gaudenzia Outreach, phis six months

reporting probation, Defendant was ordered to seek and maintain employment, complete drug

treatment and random urinalysis, perform 40 hours of community service, and pay all applicable

fines, costs and fees,

        On December 21, 2006, Defendant appeared before this Court for his first violation

hearing, This Court found him in technical violation for failing to attend drug treatment and not

reporting to his probation officer. Defendant was also arrested and charged with knowing and

intentional possession of a controlled substance (K&D; this charge was subsequently dismissed.

This Court revoked his IP probation and sentenced him to           1   11/2 to 23   months county

incarceration plus        3   years reporting probation, Defendant was ordered to complete 90 days in the

Options drug treatment program, earn his GED, complete job training, and_undergo random

urinalysis.

        On August 14, 2010, Defendant appeared before this Court for his second violation

hearing. This Court found him in technical violation and revoked his probation. Defendant was

sentenced to   11   1/2   to 23 months county incarceration plus 6 years reporting probation, with credit

for time served. This Court recommended that Defendant serve this sentence at Hoffman Hall,

 and ordered him to complete drug treatment, earn his GED, obtain job training, undergo random

 urinalysis, pay applicable costs and fees, and remain re-entry eligible.

         On June 24, 2013, Defendant was released on parole. On November 18, 2013, Defendant

 appeared before this Court for his third violation hearing; he was found in technical violation for

 failing to find a job and not paying fines and costs. Probation was allowed to continue. He

 appeared before this Court numerous times throughout 2013 and 2014 for status hearings; each

                                                         2
time this Court permitted his probation to continue, On October 13, 2014, while serving

probation, Defendant was arrested and charged with knowing and intentional possession of a

controlled substance and patronizing prostitutes. On June 23, 2015, Defendant appeared before

this Court and pled guilty to these charges. This Court sentenced him to his negotiated sentence

of six months reporting probation on each count, to run concurrently with one another. On that

same day, this Court found him in direct violation of his probation but allowed his probation to

continue.

       On April   1,   2016, Defendant appeared before this Court for a status hearing. This Court

continued the matter so that Defendant could bring in documentation showing proof of

employment, drug treatment attendance, and progress towards his GED. On August 13, 2017,

Defendant was arrested and charged with theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property, and

access device fraud, On November 29, 2017, Defendant appeared before the Honorable Arnold

L. New and pled guilty to access device fraud. Judge    New sentenced him to nine months

reporting probation.

        On December 11, 2017, Defendant appeared before this Court for this fourth violation

hearing. First, this Court reviewed Defendant's criminal history since his original guilty plea in

 2005. This Court also reviewed the Probation Department Summary Report and incorporated it

 into the record by reference. The probation report recommended that Defendant's probation be

 revoked. (N.T. 12111/17, p. 1-8). Defense counsel stated that Defendant started a new job at

 Dollar Tree, continued to take GED classes twice a week, and re -enrolled in outpatient drug

 therapy at Casa Consejeria. Defense counsel also stated that Defendant had a certificate of

 achievement from the Center for Literacy dated September 2016 for an adult basic education

 course, but that he did not have a pay stub yet from Dollar Tree. Defense counsel acknowledged

                                                    3
that Defendant had incurred a direct violation, but asked this Court to defer sentencing so that

Defendant could have an opportunity to bring in documentation about his job, education, and

drug treatment. Id, at 8-12. The Commonwealth recommended probation revocation and stated

that there would be no objection to a deferred sentencing date, Id, at 12. Next, Defendant spoke

on his own behalf. He stated that he was recently hired by Dollar Tree through a temp agency

and had been working as a cleaner on the side. He stated that he was taking "pre-tests" to prepare

for the GED exam. He explained that he pled guilty to "a credit card thing." Id, at 12. This Court

found Defendant in direct violation and deferred sentencing until February 26, 2018, instructing

Defendant to bring in any necessary documentation regarding his employment, GED classes, and

drug treatment. Id. at 13.

        On February 26, 2018, Defendant failed to appear for sentencing. On June 24, 2019,

more than   a   year later, he finally appeared before this Court for sentencing. First, after reviewing

Defendant's criminal history since his original appearance before this Court in 2005, this Court

found Defendant in contempt for failing to appear at his previous sentencing date after Defendant

provided no reason for not showing up. (N.T, 6(24/19, p. 4-8). Next, defense counsel conceded

that Defendant was in technical and direct violation, and that he had failed to earn his GED,

failed to get drug treatment, and failed to bring proof of employment with him. She stated that he

had been employed for the past two months at Friendly's restaurant at Neshaminy Mall. She

acknowledged that Defendant had a "tortured history" due to "repeated technical and direct

violations." She asked this Court to consider Defendant's employment and recommended a

county sentence with work release eligibility and possible Recidivism Risk Reduction Incentive

(RRRI) eligibility. In the alternative, she recommended a      1   to   3   year term of incarceration. Id. at

 8-9. The Commonwealth stated that it agreed with defense counsel's recommendation, and

                                                     4
argued that a probation tail was not appropriate. Id. at 9. Next, Defendant spoke on his own

behalf, He stated that he had been working and keeping himself together, but that his last job

didn't pay enough so he had been working "under the table." He stated that he planned to work

on his diploma. Id. at 9-10. This Court found Defendant in technical violation in addition to his

direct violation from having pled guilty to access device fraud. This Court sentenced Defendant

to 2    1/2   to   5   years state incarceration, with RRRI eligibility. Defendant was ordered to earn his

GED, complete job training, undergo random urinalysis, and pay costs and fines at a rate of $25

per month. Id. at 10- 1 I.

              On.      July 24, 2019, Defendant file a Notice of Appeal to Superior Court. The court

reporters who attended the December 11, 2017 and June 24, 2019 violation of probation hearings

are no longer employed by the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania; thus, there was a

significant delay in receiving the transcribed notes of testimony from these proceedings. This

Court received the June 24, 2019 notes of testimony on December 19, 2019; the notes from the

December 11, 2017 hearing were received on January 29, 2020. On January 15, 2020, this Court

ordered that defense counsel file a Concise Statement of Errors Complained of on Appeal

Pursuant to Rule 1925(b) and defense counsel did so on January 31, 2020.

                                                        ISSUES

   L           WHETHER THE SENTENCE IMPOSED WAS MANIFESTLY EXCESSIVE AND
               UNREASONABLE.

  II.          WHETHER THE TRIAL COURT FAILED TO STATE ADEQUATE REASONS
               FOR THE SENTENCE IMPOSED.

 M.            WHETHER THE TRIAL COURT FAILED TO GIVE INDIVIDUALIZED
               CONSIDERATION TO DEFENDANT'S PERSONAL HISTORY,
               REHABILITATIVE NEEDS AND BACKGROUND.

                                                             5
                                           DISCUSSION

               THE SENTENCE IMPOSED WAS NOT MANIFESTLY EXCESSIVE OR
               UNREASONABLE.

       Defendant claims that this Court erred when it sentenced him to 2       1/2   to 5 years state

incarceration after finding him in technical and direct violation, arguing that this sentence was

manifestly excessive and unreasonable. This claim is without merit. The standard of review for

sentences imposed following a revocation of probation is well -settled;

                The imposition of sentence following the revocation of probation
                is vested within the sound discretion of the trial court, which,
                absent an abuse of that discretion, will not be disturbed on appeal.
                An abuse of discretion is more than an error in judgment-a
                sentencing court has not abused its discretion unless the record
                discloses that the judgment exercised was manifestly unreasonable,
                or the result of partiality, prejudice, bias or

Commonwealth v. Swope, 123              333 (Pa,Super.2015)                                  v. Colon,

102 A.3d 1033, 1043 (Pa.Super.2014)).

        When considering an appeal from a sentence imposed after the revocation of probation or

parole, appellate review is limited to the determination of "the validity of the probation

revocation proceedings and the authority of the sentencing court to consider the same sentencing

alternatives it had at the time of the initial sentencing." Commonwealth v. MacGregor, 2006 PA

Super. 336, 2006 Pa, Super. LEXIS 4088,       3   (2006) (citing 42 Pa.C,S, § 9771(c));

Commonwealth v, Gheen, 455 Pa. Super. 499, 688 A.2d 1206, 1207 (1997)). The sentencing

court is limited only by the maximum sentence it could have imposed at the time of the original

sentencing.   14.   Pursuant to 204 Pa. Code 3 03.1(b), sentencing guidelines do not apply to

sentences imposed as a result of revocation of probation, intermediate punishment or parole.

Once probation or parole has been revoked, a sentence of total confinement may be imposed if

                                                     6
any of the following conditions exist; the defendant has been convicted of another crime; the

conduct of the defendant indicates that it is likely that he will commit another crime if he is not

imprisoned; or, such a sentence is essential to vindicate the authority of court. 42 Pa.C.S.A.         §

9771(c); Commonwealth v, Coolbaugh, 2001 PA Super, 77, 770 A.2d 788, 792 (2001). There is

no requirement that a sentencing court's imposition of sentence be the "minimum possible

confinement." Walls, 592 Pa. at 571, 926 A.2d at 965.

        In the case at bar, this Court properly sentenced Defendant to 2      1/2   to 5 years state

incarceration after finding him in direct and technical violation of his probation. This sentence

was within the statutory limits and was reasonable after considering all relevant factors. As

stated above, the length of incarceration was solely within this Court's discretion and was limited

only by the maximum sentence that could have been imposed at the original sentencing. Under

Pennsylvania law, the maximum sentence for PWID, an ungraded felony, is 10 years, $25,000

fine, or both. This Court sentenced Defendant to 2     1/2   to 5 years state incarceration with RRRI

eligibility. This sentence was well within the statutory limits and was a reasonable exercise of

this Court's discretion in light of Defendant pleading guilty to new crimes, failing to appear at

his sentencing, and failing to comply with the terms and conditions of his sentence.

        Indeed, this was Defendant's fourth violation of probation hearing since his initial

 negotiated guilty plea in 2005. After Defendant violated the terms of his original sentence of

 County IP probation, this Court imposed another county sentence with terms and conditions,

 including drug treatment, GED classes, and job training, designed to help Defendant turn his life

 around. When Defendant violated the terms of his probation again for not reporting, using drugs

 and getting arrested for theft, this Court once again imposed a county sentence. Once he was

 released on probation, this Court scheduled numerous status hearings to help Defendant stay on

                                                   7
the light track, When he appeared for status hearings and was still using drugs, still unemployed,

and still had not obtained a GED, this Court allowed his probation to continue to give him more

time to work on his rehabilitation. In 2015, he pled guilty to K&I and patronizing a prostitute.

Although these were direct violations, this Court allowed Defendant's probation to continue.

Instead of using these numerous opportunities to turn his life around, Defendant continued to use

drugs, failed to comply with any of the terms and conditions of his probation, and absconded

from supervision. After this Court found him in direct violation on December 11, 2017 for

pleading guilty to access device fraud, upon request of Defendant's counsel, this Court continued

his sentencing to a later date so that Defendant could bring in documentation of employmeht and

GED classes. Instead of using this chance to show his progress, Defendant failed to appear.

When he finally did appear for sentencing more than a year later, he had done nothing he was

supposed to do. After taking all of this into consideration, this Court found it appropriate to

 impose a 2 1/2 to 5 year state sentence. As stated above, there is no requirement that this Court

impose the "minimum possible sentence," Rather, based upon Defendant's ongoing failure to

 take the necessary steps to comply with the teams and conditions of probation, including

 incurring a direct violation, this Court found it appropriate to sentence Defendant to a term of

 state incarceration.

         IL      THIS COURT STATED ADEQUATE REASONS FOR THE SENTENCE
                 IMPOSED.

         The Court stated sufficient reasons on the record justifying the sentence imposed. At the

 time of sentencing, the judge is obligated to state on the record the reason for the sentenced

 imposed, however the explanation need not be lengthy and "a discourse on the court's sentencing

 philosophy is not required," Pa. R. Crim.   P.   708(C)(2); Commonwealth v. Malovich, 903 A.2d
1247 (Pa.Super.2006) (quoting Commonwealth v. McAfee, 849 A.2d 270, 275 (Pa.Super.

                                                     8
2004)). The purpose of this requirement is to provide "a procedural mechanism for the aggrieved

party both to attempt to rebut the court's explanation and inclination before the sentence

proceeding ends, and to identify and frame substantive claims for post sentence motions or

appeal," Commonwealth v. Reaves. 592 Pa. 134, 150-151, 923 A,2d 1119, 1129 (2007).

According to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court:

               VOP proceedings are often short and to the point. A convicted
               defendant released into the community under such control of the
               sentencing judge, who violates the terms of his release and thereby
               betrays the judge's trust, is rarely in a strong position. Unless the
               defendant's lapses are explainable, or there has been some mistake
               of fact, the question of whether release will be terminated, and if
               so, the length of incarceration, rests peculiarly within the discretion
               of the VOP judge. In instances where parole is revoked, the reason
               for revocation and sentence are usually obvious, and there is not
               much that the judge would need to say.

ld, at 153, fn, 12. More recently in Pasture, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court explained:

               Simply put, since the defendant has previously appeared before the
               sentencing court, the stated reasons for a revocation sentence need
               not be as elaborate as that which is required at initial sentencing.
               The rationale for this is obvious. When sentencing is a
               consequence of the revocation of probation, the judge is already
               fully informed as to the facts and circumstances of both the crime
               and the nature of the defendant, particularly where, as here, the
               trial judge had the benefit of a PSI during the initial sentencing
               proceedings,

107 A,3d at 453 (citing Walls, 592 Pa. at 574 n.7, 926 A.2d at 967 n.7). "[W]here the revocation

sentence was adequately considered and sufficiently explained on the record by the revocation

judge, in light of the judge's experience with the defendant and awareness of the circumstances

of the probation violation, under the appropriate deference standard of review, the sentence, if

within the statutory bounds, is peculiarly within the judge's discretion. Id. at 454.

       In the case at bar, this Court had significant experience with this Defendant and was fully

informed of the facts and circumstances of Defendant's nature and criminal history. There was

                                                  9
no need for lengthy reasons for the sentence since the reasons were glaringly obvious. The record

shows that Defendant was in direct violation after pleading guilty to access device fraud. He also

incurred several technical violations for failing to complete drug treatment, failing to maintain

employment, and failing to earn his GED. In addition, he failed to appear at his prior sentencing

hearing and, as a result, was found in contempt. At sentencing, defense counsel conceded that

Defendant was in direct and technical violation and acknowledged his "long tortured history with

[this Court] with repeated technical violations and direct violations." This Court was extremely

well acquainted with Defendant's history and circumstances as he had appeared before her

numerous times since his original guilty plea in 2005, As stated above, when the reason for

revocation and sentence is obvious, there is not much more the judge would need to say. Reaves,

supra. Since there was no question that Defendant was in direct and technical violation of his

probation, this Court properly revoked his probation sentenced him to 2        'A   to 5 years state

incarceration.

       HI.       THIS COURT GAVE INDIVIDUALIZED CONSIDERATION TO
                 DEFENDANT'S PERSONAL HISTORY, REHABILITATIVE NEEDS
                 AND BACKGROUND.

       This Court fashioned an individualized sentence for Defendant by properly considering

the factors set forth in 42 Pa.C.S.A.   §   9721: the protection of the public, the gravity of

Defendant's offense in relation to the impact on the victim and the community, and his

rehabilitative needs. Since his guilty plea in 2005, the Court had given Defendant numerous

chances to rehabilitate himself through the county intermediate punishment program, outpatient

drug treatment, county probation and parole, and county incarceration. Unfortunately, Defendant

failed to take his sentence seriously and his conduct while on probation indicated that he was not

making meaningful progress towards rehabilitation. Revocation and a state sentence was an

                                                     10
appropriate sentence under the circumstances since Defendant was in direct violation of his

probation after having pled guilty to access device fraud and was in technical violation for failing

to comply with any   of the terms and conditions of his sentence, In order to craft an

individualized sentence, this Court considered Defendant's history since his original guilty plea

in 2005,   reviewed the probation officer's summary report and recommendation, heard argument

from defense counsel and the Commonwealth, and listened to Defendant's allocution. After

taking all of this into consideration, this Court found it appropriate to impose a 2 1/2 to   5   year

state sentence. This judgment of sentence should be affirmed.

                                                 11
                                        CONCLUSION

       After reviewing all applicable case law, statutes, and testimony, this Court committed no

error, This Court properly sentenced Defendant to 2   1/2   to 5 years state incarceration after finding

him in direct and technical violation, Accordingly, this Court's judgment of sentence should be

affirmed,

                                                                                     BY THE COURT;

                                                                                                       J.

                                               12