Court Opinion

ID: 4456245
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2019-11-15 18:10:21.625712+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:19:50.656909
License: Public Domain

J-S27025-19

NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37

 COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA             :   IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
                                          :        PENNSYLVANIA
                    Appellant             :
                                          :
                                          :
              v.                          :
                                          :
                                          :
 DAVID MICHAEL GILSON                     :   No. 1491 WDA 2018

          Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence October 9, 2018
            In the Court of Common Pleas of Crawford County
           Criminal Division at No(s): CP-20-CR-0001112-2017

BEFORE:    OLSON, J., OTT, J., and COLINS*, J.

MEMORANDUM BY OTT, J.:                         FILED NOVEMBER 15, 2019

      The Commonwealth appeals from the judgment of sentence imposed on

October 9, 2018, in the Court of Common Pleas of Crawford County, after the

trial court granted the motion of appellee, David Michael Gilson, to modify his

sentence, and resentenced him to a term below the mitigated range of the

sentencing guidelines. On appeal, the Commonwealth argues: (1) the trial

court abused its discretion by ignoring the provisions of 42 Pa.C.S. § 9721(b)

and failing to consider the guidelines when choosing from its available

sentencing options; and (2) the court relied on impermissible factors in

imposing a sentence that was outside the guidelines and below the mitigated

range. Based on the following, we affirm.

      Gilson’s conviction stems from a domestic violence incident that

occurred on October 9, 2017. Neither the probable cause affidavit nor the

transcript from the guilty plea colloquy are included in the certified record.

____________________________________
* Retired Senior Judge assigned to the Superior Court.
J-S27025-19

Therefore, the facts underlying Gilson’s guilty plea are not readily available.1

What we can discern from the testimony and discussion at the sentencing

hearings is the victim, Shalesha Labow, was Gilson’s former girlfriend and

mother of his three-year old daughter. On the day in question, Gilson and

Labow got into an argument after Labow discovered Gilson had been

unfaithful.    The argument escalated, during which time Gilson cornered

Labow, pulled her hair, put her in a headlock, and threatened to kill her unless

she unlocked her cell phone. See N.T., 9/5/2018, at 18. He then hit her in

her head with the phone.         See id.       During the incident, which lasted only

about eight minutes, Labow received a cut on her hand, which she believed

she obtained from wood trim or a nail sticking out of her door.2           See N.T.,

10/2/2018, at 14. After police arrived and arrested Gilson, they found a knife,

as well as three firearms (two rifles and a shotgun) stored in the bedroom

____________________________________________

1 The victim’s handwritten statement to police is included in the Presentence
Investigation Report. However, as will be explained infra, the victim clarified
and changed some of the details surrounding the incident when testifying at
Gilson’s sentencing hearings.

2 In her statement to police, Labow claimed Gilson cut the palm of her hand
with a knife.     See Victim/Witness Statement Form, Shalesha Labow,
10/10/2017, at unnumbered 2. However, at the initial sentencing hearing,
Labow testified she cut her hand on a door, and there was “still blood” on the
door to corroborate that fact. See N.T., 9/5/2018, at 21. When asked about
the discrepancy, she explained: “At first, I didn’t know what cut me and the
cops said that [the knife] cut me. The cop took the knife. My blood was not
found on the knife.” Id.

                                           -2-
J-S27025-19

closet.3 See id. at 11. Gilson is not permitted to possess a firearm because

of a prior felony conviction.4

       Gilson was subsequently charged with persons not to possess firearms

(a first-degree felony), aggravated assault, terroristic threats, simple assault,

recklessly endangering another person, and harassment. 5 On May 3, 2018,

Gilson entered a guilty plea to one count each of persons not to possess

firearms and terroristic threats.        As per the plea agreement, the firearms

offense was modified to substitute Subsection 6105(c)(2) for Subsection (b)

as the underlying offense, and the terroristic threats offense was modified to

delete reference to a weapon. See Trial Court Opinion, 10/30/2018, at 1 n.2.

____________________________________________

3  In her statement to police, Labow claimed Gilson “grabbed a gun out of the
closet and said I will blow a hole in the door and blow your head off.”
Victim/Witness Statement Form, Shalesha Labow, 10/10/2017, at
unnumbered 1. However, at the sentencing modification hearing, Labow
clarified she never saw Gilson retrieve a gun during the incident because she
was inside the bathroom with the door closed. See N.T., 10/2/2018, at 11.
She only surmised he did so because she knew there were guns stored in the
closet, and she heard a door shut when he threatened to shoot her. See id.
at 11-12. Furthermore, while defense counsel told the trial court it was his
understanding the guns “were found in a closet[,]” the prosecutor noted the
file did not “state specifically where they were found.” N.T., 10/2/2018, at 6-
7.

4In his presentence investigation report, Gilson stated that although he knew
he was not permitted to possess a firearm, he was storing them for a friend
and he believed “they would be safer with him.” Pre-Sentence Report,
9/5/2018, at 3.

5See 18 Pa.C.S. §§ 6105(a)(1), 2702(a)(4), 2706(a)(1), 2701(a)(1), 2705,
and 2709(a)(1), respectively.

                                           -3-
J-S27025-19

Therefore, both offenses were graded as first-degree misdemeanors, and the

Commonwealth agreed to recommend concurrent sentences. See 18 Pa.C.S.

§§ 6106(c)(2) and 2706(a)(1); Trial Court Opinion, 10/30/2018, at 2. At the

September 5, 2018, sentencing hearing, the trial court sentenced Gilson to a

term of 21 to 60 months’ imprisonment on the firearms charge, and a

concurrent 18 to 60 months’ imprisonment on the terroristic threats charge.

The firearms sentence fell within the mitigated range of the sentencing

guidelines, and the terroristic threats sentence was in the standard range.6

Gilson’s prior record score reflected he was a repeat felony offender (RFEL)

because of three felony convictions that occurred between 1995 and 1998.

       Gilson filed a timely motion to modify his sentence, and the trial court

held a modification hearing on October 2, 2018.            At that time, Labow

requested the court reduce Gilson’s prison term.       At the conclusion of the

hearing, the trial court granted Gilson’s motion, and amended his sentence as

follows:

       a. As to Court 1, Persons Not to Possess, Use, Manufacture, etc.
       Firearms, a misdemeanor of the first degree, [Gilson] shall serve
       an Intermediate Punishment Sentence of 60 months with the first
       8 months to be served in the Crawford County Correctional Facility
       with full credit for all time served prior to now, with work release,
       to be followed by 4 months of House Arrest/Electronic Monitoring.
       The balance of the Intermediate Punishment sentence will be

____________________________________________

6  The guidelines range for Gilson’s convictions were as follows: (1) for the
firearms offense, 27 to 30 months’ imprisonment in the standard range, and
21 months in the mitigated range; and (2) for terroristic threats, 12 to 18
months’ imprisonment in the standard range, and nine months in the
mitigated range. See Guideline Sentence Form, 9/5/2018.

                                           -4-
J-S27025-19

       served under the supervision of the Adult Probation/Parole
       Department.

       b. As to Count 3, Terroristic Threats, a misdemeanor of the first
       degree, the sentence of the Court is for [Gilson] to serve an
       Intermediate Punishment Sentence of 60 months with the first 8
       months to be served in the Crawford County Correctional Facility
       with full credit for all time served prior to now, with work release,
       to be followed by 4 months of House Arrest/Electronic Monitoring.
       The balance of the Intermediate Punishment sentence will be
       served under the supervision of the Adult Probation/Parole
       Department.

       This sentence will run concurrent with the sentence imposed at
       Count 1.

Memorandum and Order, 10/8/2018, at 3-4.               The court also specified

additional conditions of Gilson’s Intermediate Punishment sentence, including

treatment for his mental health issues and drug and alcohol addiction. See

id. at 4. This timely Commonwealth appeal followed.7

       Both of the issues raised by the Commonwealth on appeal challenge the

discretionary aspects of Gilson’s sentence. Such a claim is not appealable as

of right, but “must be considered a petition for permission to appeal.”

Commonwealth v. Best, 120 A.3d 329, 348 (Pa. Super. 2015) (quotation

omitted). In order to obtain review of a discretionary sentencing claim, the

Commonwealth must include in its brief a concise statement of the reasons

relied upon for allowance of appeal pursuant to Pennsylvania Rule of Appellate

Procedure 2119(f).       See Pa.R.A.P. 2119(f).   The concise statement “must
____________________________________________

7 On October 19, 2018, the trial court ordered the Commonwealth to file a
concise statement of errors complained of on appeal pursuant to Pa.R.A.P.
1925(b). The Commonwealth filed a concise statement on October 26, 2018.
The trial court issued an opinion pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a) on October 30,
2018.

                                           -5-
J-S27025-19

demonstrate that a substantial question exists as to whether the sentence

imposed is inappropriate under the Sentencing Code.” Commonwealth v.

Hock, 936 A.2d 515 (Pa. Super. 2007). A substantial question exists when

an appellant sets forth “a colorable argument that the sentence imposed is

either inconsistent with a specific provision of the Sentencing Code or is

contrary to the fundamental norms underlying the sentencing process.”

Commonwealth v. Ventura, 975 A.2d 1128, 1133 (Pa. Super. 2009), appeal

denied, 987 A.2d 161 (Pa. 2009) (citation omitted).

      Here, the Commonwealth contends in its Rule 2119(f) statement the

trial court imposed an “excessively lenient sentence that was an unreasonable

downward    deviation   below   the   mitigated   range   of   the   sentencing

guidelines[.]” Commonwealth’s Brief at unnumbered 13. Further, it asserts,

in doing so, the court “impermissibly ignored the requirements of 42 Pa.C.S.A.

§ 9721(b), and additionally relied on impermissible factors[.]”         Id. at

unnumbered 14. We conclude the Commonwealth has raised a substantial

question justifying our review. See Commonwealth v. Ball, 166 A.3d 367,

369-370 (Pa. Super. 2017) (allegation that sentence constituted unreasonable

deviation   from   sentencing   guidelines   raised   substantial    question);

Commonwealth v. McIntosh, 911 A.2d 513, 520 (Pa. Super. 2006)

(allegation that court relied on impermissible factors in imposing lenient

sentence raised substantial question), aff’d in part, rev’d in part (on other

grounds), 922 A.2d 873 (Pa. 2007).

      Preliminarily, we note:

                                      -6-
J-S27025-19

     We review the trial court’s sentencing scheme for abuse of
     discretion. “[A]n abuse of discretion is more than a mere error of
     judgment; thus, a sentencing court will not have abused its
     discretion unless the record discloses that the judgment exercised
     was manifestly unreasonable, or the result of partiality, prejudice,
     bias or ill-will.”

Ball, supra, 166 A.3d at 370 (citation omitted).

     Section 9721 of the Sentencing Code instructs that, in determining the

proper sentence for a defendant,

     the court shall follow the general principle that the sentence
     imposed should call for confinement that is consistent with the
     protection of the public, the gravity of the offense as it relates to
     the impact on the life of the victim and on the community, and
     the rehabilitative needs of the defendant.

42 Pa.C.S. § 9721(b). Section 9781 sets forth the paramaters of appellate

review of a sentence. See 42 Pa.C.S. § 9781. Subsection (d) provides that

when reviewing a sentence on appeal, the appellate court should consider:

     (1) The nature and circumstances of the offense and the history
     and characteristics of the defendant.

     (2) The opportunity of the sentencing court to observe the
     defendant, including any presentence investigation.

     (3) The findings upon which the sentence was based.

     (4) The guidelines promulgated by the commission.

42 Pa.C.S. § 9781(d). Furthermore, when, as here, the trial court imposes a

sentence that falls outside the sentencing guidelines, Subsection 9781(c)(3)

instructs the appellate court to vacate the sentence and remand for

resentencing only if it determines the sentence is “unreasonable.” 42 Pa.C.S.

§ 9781(c)(3).

                                     -7-
J-S27025-19

     Yet, what makes a sentence “unreasonable” is not defined in the
     statute. Generally speaking, “unreasonable” commonly connotes
     a decision that is “irrational” or “not guided by sound judgment.”
     The Random House Dictionary of the English Language, 2084 (2nd
     ed.1987); see 1 Pa.C.S. § 1903 (words to be construed according
     to their common and approved usage).              While a general
     understanding of unreasonableness is helpful, in this context, it is
     apparent that the General Assembly has intended the concept of
     unreasonableness to be a fluid one, as exemplified by the four
     factors set forth in Section 9781(d) to be considered in making
     this determination. Indeed, based upon the very factors set out
     in Section 9781(d), it is clear that the General Assembly intended
     the concept of unreasonableness to be inherently a circumstance-
     dependent concept that is flexible in understanding and lacking
     precise definition. Cf. United States v. Crosby, 397 F.3d 103,
     115 (2nd Cir. 2005)(explaining concept or reasonableness in
     context of sentencing matters).

     Thus, given its nature, we decline to fashion any concrete rules as
     to the unreasonableness inquiry for a sentence that falls outside
     of applicable guidelines under Section 9781(c)(3). We are of the
     view, however, that the Legislature intended that considerations
     found in Section 9721 inform appellate review for
     unreasonableness. That is, while a sentence may be found to be
     unreasonable after review of Section 9781(d)’s four statutory
     factors, in addition a sentence may also be unreasonable if the
     appellate court finds that the sentence was imposed without
     express or implicit consideration by the sentencing court of the
     general standards applicable to sentencing found in Section 9721,
     i.e., the protection of the public; the gravity of the offense in
     relation to the impact on the victim and the community; and the
     rehabilitative needs of the defendant. 42 Pa.C.S. § 9721(b).
     Moreover, even though the unreasonableness inquiry lacks precise
     boundaries, we are confident that rejection of a sentencing court’s
     imposition of sentence on unreasonableness grounds would occur
     infrequently, whether the sentence is above or below the guideline
     ranges, especially when the unreasonableness inquiry is
     conducted using the proper standard of review.

Commonwealth v. Walls, 926 A.2d 957, 963–964 (Pa. 2007). With this

background in mind, we consider the allegations raised by the Commonwealth

on appeal.

                                    -8-
J-S27025-19

      First, the Commonwealth argues the trial court failed to consider the

factors listed in Subsection 9721(b) before resentencing Gilson to a term of

county intermediate punishment (“CIP”).         See Commonwealth’s Brief at

unnumbered 16. According to the Commonwealth, the trial court determined

that “so long as an offender is CIP eligible, then CIP is within the discretion of

the sentencing court regardless of the guidelines.” Id. at unnumbered 17. It

maintains, however, a court must consider the factors in Subsection 9721(b)

“to determine if the offender should be placed on CIP, in other words eligibility

is the starting point.”   Id. at unnumbered 18.       Here, the Commonwealth

emphasizes Gilson’s prior record included two older burglaries and a drug

delivery felony, plus “several other misdemeanors with two of those being

assaults in the years 2001 and 2007.” Id. Because the record displayed an

“ongoing pattern of violence and the bottom of the mitigated range [was]

almost two years in prison,” the Commonwealth insists “the imposition of CIP

is an abuse of discretion.” Id. at 19.

      To the extent the Commonwealth implies Gilson was ineligible to receive

a CIP sentence based upon his prior record, we find that claim waived because

it was not included in the Commonwealth’s Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b) concise

statement. Rather, the Commonwealth framed its sole issue in the concise

statement as follows:

      The court erred when it abused its discretion in sentencing the
      defendant to a sentence outside the guidelines well below the
      bottom of the mitigated range in violation of the sentencing code
      and the fundamental norms concerning the sentencing process.

                                      -9-
J-S27025-19

Concise Statement of Matters Complained of on Appeal, 10/26/2018.             The

Commonwealth did not challenge Gilson’s eligibility to receive a CIP sentence,

and therefore, that issue is waived. See Commonwealth v. Edwards, 874
A.2d 1192, 1195-1196 (Pa. Super. 2005) (Commonwealth’s failure to

challenge reasonableness of defendant’s expectation of privacy in Rule

1925(b) statement waived issue on appeal).

      Furthermore,    the   record   demonstrates   the   trial   court   properly

considered the Section 9721(b) factors before determining a CIP sentence was

appropriate. At the original sentencing hearing on September 5, 2018, the

trial court had the benefit of a pre-sentence investigation report, which

detailed Gilson’s troubled upbringing, history of untreated mental illness, and

drug and alcohol addiction. The report also included a victim impact statement

in which Labow requested the court impose “a longer parole sentence” with

“very little jail time” so that Gilson could continue to parent her children. See

Pre-Sentence Report, 9/5/2018, at 7-8, Victim Impact Statement, 7/6/2018.

At that time, the court imposed a mitigated range sentence for the firearms

offense, and a standard range sentence for the terroristic threats charge.

      Following Gilson’s request for a further reduction, the trial court held a

modification hearing, and ultimately determined a CIP sentence was

appropriate. In its October 9, 2018, memorandum and order, the trial court

emphasized the victim “unequivocally expressed her dissatisfaction” with the

original sentence imposed, and implored the court not to allow the “roughly

eight minute encounter that gave rise to the charges … [to] overshadow all of

                                     - 10 -
J-S27025-19

the efforts made by [Gilson] in materially changing the course of his life from

when he was a juvenile and a young man.”              Memorandum and Order,

10/9/2018, at 1. Moreover, the victim clarified she did not observe Gilson use

any weapons during the incident, and she believed Gilson’s conduct was “likely

the result of an untreated mental illness.” Id. at 1-2. The court noted Gilson’s

“early childhood, childhood, adolescent years and early adulthood were

marked by significant adverse experiences[,]” including a mother who was a

prostitute and eventually died from an overdose, and an absentee father who

was murdered the day before Gilson was going to be reunited with him. Id.

at 2.    The trial court further emphasized Gilson’s felony convictions occurred

during his late adolescence and early adulthood, 20 years before the incident

that gave rise to the charges herein. The court noted:

         [Gilson’s] remorse for his conduct is extraordinarily profound.
        One of the reasons the Court denied bail pending the filing of a
        post sentence motion or an appeal was because of the Court’s
        concern over [Gilson’s] distraught nature. Before this incident,
        [Gilson] had achieved a relatively high level of stability when
        compared to his past. He was clean and sober. He was financially
        successful, with a good reputation and he is reported to have been
        a very good father. All of this evaporated after the filing of these
        charges, sending him into a tail spin.

Id.

        With regard to the firearms offense, the court observed:          (1) the

firearms were rifles, not handguns; (2) Gilson only constructively possessed

the firearms because he was storing them for a friend; and (3) “there was no

evidence that the rifles were used in connection with the terroristic threats

conviction.” Id. With respect to the terroristic threats conviction, the court

                                       - 11 -
J-S27025-19

stated Labow “convinced the Court that the punishment for [Gilson’s] conduct

should not deprive him of an opportunity to restore his previous good

reputation, improve his life and actively parent their child.” Id. at 3. Lastly,

the trial court explained that it could “more closely monitor[]” Gilson’s

rehabilitation by imposing a county sentence, including supervisory conditions

regarding drug, alcohol and mental health treatment. Id.

      The factors cited by the trial court in support of its sentence track those

listed in Section 9721(b). Although the court recognized Gilson’s convictions

were serious offenses, it also acknowledged Gilson did not physically possess

a firearm during the incident, and Gilson’s threat to his ex-girlfriend appeared

to be out of character and driven, in part, by untreated mental illness. The

court specifically asked Labow if she feared Gilson, to which she replied, “No,

I don’t.” N.T., 10/2/2018, at 17. The trial court acted well within its discretion

when it found Labow’s testimony credible. See Commonwealth v. Derry,

150 A.3d 987, 998 (Pa. Super. 2016). It is evident from the record that the

court did not believe Gilson posed a threat to the public, and both his

rehabilitative needs as well as the needs of the victim, would be better served

by a CIP sentence. Indeed, our review of the factors listed in both Sections

9721(b) and 9781(d) does not lead to the conclusion that the court imposed

an “unreasonable” sentence.        Rather, the court carefully weighed the

testimony of Labow, Gilson’s background, and his credible demonstration of

remorse, against the circumstances surrounding the incident, and sentencing

                                      - 12 -
J-S27025-19

guideline ranges. Finding no abuse of discretion on the part of the trial court,

we conclude the Commonwealth’s first issue fails.

      Next, the Commonwealth contends the trial court abused its discretion

when it reduced Gilson’s sentence based upon improper factors, namely the

three reasons listed in the court’s October 8, 2018, memorandum and order:

“the firearms in question were long guns, [] the victim of the terroristic threats

desires this outcome, and [] the court can better supervise [Gilson’s]

rehabilitation.” Commonwealth’s Brief at unnumbered 19.

      The Commonwealth first argues “guns are guns,” so that the type of

firearm Gilson constructively possessed was irrelevant because he was not

permitted to possess any firearm. Id. at unnumbered 20. Further, the fact

Gilson claimed he was holding the guns for a friend who was “prohibited from

possessing firearms” should have been an aggravating factor, rather than a

mitigating factor. Id. With respect to Labow’s plea for a reduced sentence,

the Commonwealth emphasizes Labow was only the victim of the terroristic

threats charge, whereas the victim of the firearms charge was “society/the

Commonwealth.”      Id. at unnumbered 22.       It cites to Commonwealth v.

Sims, 728 A.2d 357 (Pa. Super. 1999), appeal denied, 743 A.2d 918 (Pa.

1999), for the proposition that one victim’s statement cannot be used to

mitigate a sentence relating to a different victim.           Lastly, while the

Commonwealth recognizes a court may be able to more closely monitor a

defendant housed locally, the advantages of “county level supervision” should

not alone be sufficient to justify a CIP sentence. Commonwealth’s Brief at

                                     - 13 -
J-S27025-19

unnumbered 23. Indeed, the Commonwealth insists the trial court’s “focus

on rehabilitation has completely forced out any other factors which makes the

sentence in this case unreasonable.” Id.

       Again, our review of the record reveals no abuse of discretion on the

part of the trial court. First, the trial court appropriately considered the fact

that there was “no evidence [] the rifles [Gilson constructively possessed]

were used in connection with the terroristic threats conviction.” Trial Court

Memorandum and Order, 10/9/2018, at 2. Although we recognize the offense

of persons not to possess does not require the defendant to have used the

firearm in connection with a crime, the court could consider Gilson’s

explanation for his constructive possession of the rifles as a mitigating factor.8

While the fact the firearms were not handguns does not itself mitigate the

crime, the court scrutinized this fact in conjunction with Gilson’s background

and explanation for his constructive possession.

       Further, the Commonwealth correctly states that Labow is not the

“victim” of the firearms offense.        Nevertheless, because the seizure of the

firearms stemmed from the incident involving Labow, we find the trial court

could consider Labow’s plea for a sentence reduction in determining the

____________________________________________

8 Gilson told the Pre-Sentence Investigator that “he was storing the firearms
for a friend, and although he knew he couldn’t possess them, they would be
safer with him.” Pre-Sentence Report, 9/5/2018, at 3. Counsel further
explained during the sentence modification hearing that Gilson “had a friend
who apparently was on supervision … [and since] Gilson was not on
supervision [] he agreed to take possession of those while the person was …
disabled from possessing [the] firearms.” N.T., 10/2/2018, at 6.

                                          - 14 -
J-S27025-19

appropriate overall sentencing scheme.        Moreover, the Commonwealth’s

reliance on Sims, supra, is misplaced.        In that case, the defendant was

convicted of two counts of simple assault based upon a domestic abuse

incident involving his girlfriend and one of her daughters, a nine-year old

whom he threw down the steps and punched in the head. See Sims, supra,

728 A.2d at 358. In imposing a sentence below the mitigated range of the

guidelines, the court relied upon the following facts: the defendant’s girlfriend

did not want to see the prosecution pursued, the victims did not require

medical attention, the defendant was in need of mental health treatment, the

defendant’s prior record contained only one crime of violence that occurred 13

years prior, and the defendant pled guilty so that the victim would not have

to testify. See id.

      On appeal by the Commonwealth, a panel of this Court concluded the

trial court abused its discretion in imposing such a lenient sentence. The panel

emphasized the victim’s request for leniency was precipitated by threats from

the defendant. She specifically informed the court she was reluctant to testify

because she was “afraid that [the defendant] would get mad and maybe hurt

[her] or [her] family.”    Id. at 359 (record citation omitted).      The panel

commented:       “This    uncontroverted   evidence   shows    [the   defendant]

intimidated [the victim] in an attempt to avoid being tried and sentenced; that

she succumbed is not mitigation.” Id. Additionally, the panel concluded the

defendant’s “success in coercing the mother was certainly not a reason to

impose a lesser sentence for the crime against the child, assaulted for trying

                                     - 15 -
J-S27025-19

to save her mother from [the defendant] in the first place.” Id. The panel

opined: “A sentence only one-third the mitigated minimum guideline sentence

for assaulting this courageous girl is hard to understand, and certainly may

not be based upon the word of her still frightened mother.” 9 Id. at 359-360.

Accordingly, the Sims panel’s focus on different victims of different crimes

involved facts clearly distinguishable from those before us.     Indeed, here,

there was no specified second victim, and Labow’s request for leniency was

not prompted by her fear of Gilson. Rather, when the court specifically asked

Labow if she was afraid of Gilson, she unequivocally stated she did not fear

him. See N.T., 10/2/2018, at 17.

       Additionally, while the Commonwealth concedes it is a “truism” that local

supervision of Gilson would allow the court to more closely monitor his

rehabilitation, nevertheless, it argues Gilson’s rehabilitative needs should not

take priority over all other factors. Commonwealth’s Brief at unnumbered 22-

23.   However, as explained supra, the trial court considered a number of

factors before reducing Gilson’s sentence to a term of CIP, including:      the

victim’s genuine request for leniency; the age of Gilson’s prior felony

convictions; Gilson’s untreated mental health issues; the tumultuous

____________________________________________

9 The panel also found the trial court’s determination that the defendant was
remorseful contradicted the pre-sentence investigator’s opinion that the
defendant “lacked sincerity and honesty.” See Sims, supra, 728 A.2d at
360. Overall, based upon the full record, the panel determined the court’s
stated reasons for the sentence imposed did “not mitigate the offense or
offender” and did not justify a sentence below the mitigated range of the
guidelines. Id.

                                          - 16 -
J-S27025-19

circumstances involving Gilson’s upbringing; Gilson’s sincere remorse for

these crimes; and the circumstances surrounding Gilson’s possession of the

firearms. Accordingly, upon our review of the record, we find no abuse of

discretion on the part of the trial court.

      Judgment of sentence affirmed.

Judgment Entered.

Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary

Date: 11/15/2019

                                      - 17 -