Court Opinion

ID: 4347387
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2018-12-05 16:32:01.844481+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:49:41.973109
License: Public Domain

J-A22039-18, J-A22040-18

                               2018 PA Super 330

 COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA            :   IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
                                         :        PENNSYLVANIA
                                         :
             v.                          :
                                         :
                                         :
 DAUDA SANUSIE JABBIE                    :
                                         :
                   Appellant             :   No. 4025 EDA 2017

         Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence November 14, 2017
   In the Court of Common Pleas of Delaware County Criminal Division at
                      No(s): CP-23-CR-0003728-2016

 COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA            :   IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
                                         :        PENNSYLVANIA
                                         :
             v.                          :
                                         :
                                         :
 DAUDA SANUSIE JABBIE                    :
                                         :
                   Appellant             :   No. 4026 EDA 2017

         Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence November 14, 2017
   In the Court of Common Pleas of Delaware County Criminal Division at
                      No(s): CP-23-CR-0005497-2016

BEFORE:    BENDER, P.J.E., NICHOLS, J., and STEVENS*, P.J.E.

OPINION BY STEVENS, P.J.E.:                    FILED DECEMBER 05, 2018

     Appellant, Dauda Sausie Jabbie, appeals from the judgments of

sentence entered in the Court of Common Pleas of Delaware County after he

entered counseled pleas of nolo contendere to one count of criminal trespass

in docketed case 5497 of 2016 and to one count each of access device fraud

and theft of lost property in docketed case 3728 of 2016. Appellant contends

his pleas were not knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily made. We affirm.

____________________________________
* Former Justice specially assigned to the Superior Court.
J-A22039-18

      On May 31, 2016, the Haverford Township Police arrested Appellant and

charged him with two counts of forgery, eleven counts of access device fraud,

eleven counts of identity theft, and one count of theft of property.

Represented by counsel, Appellant waived his preliminary hearing on all

charges except the two counts of forgery, which the Commonwealth had

withdrawn.

      On January 5, 2017, Appellant underwent a Psychological and

Competency Evaluation by a neuropsychologist, who determined him to be

incompetent and in need of both psychiatric medication and inpatient

stabilization.   Defendant’s Motion Seeking Competency Determination,

1/23/17. Specifically, the written evaluation stated Appellant “had sufficient

cognitive capacity to proceed to trial but lacked psychological stability. His

current depressed state with complete lack of motivation would impact both

his ability to communicate with counsel and his rational understanding of the

trial process.” Psychological and Competency Evaluation, 1/20/17, at 3.

      In this regard, it was the neuropsychologist’s opinion that Appellant did

not present as an individual afflicted with mental illness akin to schizophrenia,

as was suggested by Appellant’s father.      Instead, because Appellant “was

capable of rationale responses, understanding evaluator’s requests, and did

not show the physical disorganization . . . or delusions/hallucinations typically

associated with a psychotic episode[,] his presentation was more consistent

with an individual who was depressed and lacking any motivation to improve

his overall situation.” Id. at 2.

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        By order dated February 7, 2017, based in large part on the Evaluation’s

recommendation       and   conclusion,    the   trial   court   deemed    Appellant

incompetent to stand trial. Appellant came under the care of a psychiatrist at

Mercy Philadelphia Hospital and was referred to The Consortium, Inc., which

is a counseling and therapy organization located in Philadelphia. N.T., 2/21/17

at 3.    His treatments also included taking medication.           Id.   The court

subsequently ordered that Appellant’s caregivers were to provide weekly

updates to the Commonwealth and the court regarding the restoration of

Appellant’s competency. N.T. 4/25/17, at 3-4.

        On August 7, 2017, Appellant underwent an “Updated Competency

Assessment” by Jerry M. Lazaroff, Ph.D. of the Delaware County Court of

Common Pleas’ Department of Diagnostic Services.                Despite Appellant’s

mental health difficulties, which included extreme depression, anxiety, and a

diagnosis of Schizoaffective disorder requiring medication, Dr. Lazaroff

deemed Appellant competent to stand trial.

        According to Dr. Lazaroff, Appellant “was able to provide details about

his offenses and understands why he was arrested. He expressed dismay and

remorse concerning his actions.” Id. at 3. It was also Dr. Lazaroff’s opinion

that Appellant should be able to control himself in the courtroom and is

capable of assisting with his defense. Id.

        Dr. Lazaroff recommended that Appellant’s attorney “spend extra time

with him to ensure that he understands all of his options when he appears in

Court.” Id. at 4. Appellant should, however, “continue to receive outpatient

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mental health services at The Consortium and remain on his medication,” Dr.

Lazaroff opined. Id.

      On October 31, 2017, the court conducted a status hearing, at which

defense counsel indicated he was negotiating a plea bargain with the

Commonwealth. N.T. 10/31/17 at 4. The Commonwealth confirmed it had

offered Appellant a plea deal, but it clarified the offer was firm and not subject

to change. Defense counsel requested time to confer with Appellant regarding

the Commonwealth’s offer, and the court agreed to schedule a follow-up

hearing for the next week. Id. at 5.

      At the next hearing, which took place on November 8, 2017, Defense

Counsel’s associate made an appearance in Defense Counsel’s stead and

advised the court that Defense Counsel had filed a motion to withdraw from

representation. Specifically, Defense Counsel’s motion claimed Appellant and

he had reached an “impasse,” manifested by Appellant’s unwillingness to help

prepare his defense by showing for scheduled meetings.

      Concerned that Appellant’s failure to work on his defense suggested an

increased risk of flight, particularly given Appellant’s lack of United States

citizenship, the court revoked Appellant’s bail.      The court explained that

detaining Appellant would facilitate a meeting between Defense Counsel and

Appellant and perhaps prevent Defense Counsel from withdrawing.              N.T.

11/8/17, at 3-5.   The court scheduled a hearing for the next week to assess

the status of Appellant’s representation. Id. at 4-5.

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       On November 14, 2017, Defense Counsel appeared with Appellant and

informed the court that Appellant and he had a productive meeting at the

prison, resolved their conflicts, and agreed Appellant was prepared to enter

his pleas of nolo contendere. N.T. 11/14/17, at 3-4. Appellant’s father, who

was present at the hearing, also agreed with Appellant’s decision to plead nolo

contendere. Id. at 3.

       The Commonwealth advised the court that in light of Appellant’s plea it

amended count one of the criminal information in docketed case 5497 of 2016

to reflect criminal trespass, graded as a third-degree felony. Id. at 5. As part

of the plea bargain, it recommended a sentence of time served to 23 months’

incarceration, to be followed by three years’ probation. Id. at 6. For count

two,   third-degree   felony   access   device   fraud,   the   Commonwealth

recommended three years’ probation. Id. at 7.

       For docketed case 3728 of 2016, the Commonwealth recommended a

sentence of seven years’ county probation on count three, access device fraud.

For count five, theft of lost property, a misdemeanor of the third degree, the

recommended sentence was one year’s probation consecutive to count three.

The aggregate sentence of four years’ probation under docketed case 3728

was to run concurrently to the sentence imposed under docketed case 5497,

the Commonwealth recommended. Id. at 10-11.

       The court conducted a full colloquy, in which Appellant confirmed he was

a 25 year-old native of Sierra Leone, graduated high school, and has lived in

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the United States for five years. Id. at 11. Appellant verified he can read,

write, and understand the English language. Id.

      Appellant agreed he was receiving mental health treatment and taking

medication for his mental condition at the time of his pleas. Id. at 11-12.

Appellant denied, however, that the medication adversely affected his ability

to understand the sentencing proceedings taking place, and he confirmed he

understood what he was doing. Id. at 12.

      Appellant also acknowledged Defense Counsel had petitioned to

withdraw representation, but he assured the court they had resolved their

differences and he was satisfied with Defense Counsel’s representation

throughout proceedings, including on the day of the plea. He acknowledged

he discussed options with Defense Counsel, with his own parents, and with an

immigration attorney, and he understood the nature and consequences of his

pleas. Id. at 13-14. Finally, Appellant’s post-sentence and appellate rights

were explained to, and acknowledged by, Appellant. Id. at 15-18.

      The Court accepted the negotiated plea terms, and imposed sentences

of time served to 23 months’ incarceration in the first case and an aggregate

eight years’ probation in the second case, to run concurrently. Appellant did

not object to any aspect of his pleas or his sentences, nor did he file a no post-

sentence motion challenging either.

      Through new counsel, Appellant filed a timely notice of appeal.

However, new counsel filed a belated court-ordered Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b)

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Statement.    The trial court opines 1925 waiver should apply, but it also

addresses the merits of Appellant’s issues in the alternative.

      Appellant presents the following questions for our consideration:

      I.     [IS] THE APPELLANT [] ENTITLED TO WITHDRAW HIS
             GUILTY PLEA BECAUSE HE DID NOT ENTER IT
             KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY, AND INTELLIGENTLY[?]

      II.    [MAY] THE VALIDITY OF THE GUILTY PLEA [ ] BE
             RAISED ON APPEAL WHERE FORMER COUNSEL
             WITHDREW DUE TO AN IMPASSE AND STATUTORY
             TIME LIMIT ON PLEA WITHDRAWAL HAD PASSED[?]

      III. [WAS] THE STATEMENT OF MATTERS COMPLAINED OF
           ON APPEAL PURSUANT TO Pa.R.A.P. § 1925(b) []
           TIMELY FILED?

Appellant’s brief, at 2.

      Before addressing Appellant’s substantive issues, we address his third

issue concerning his failure to file a court-ordered Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b)

statement in a timely manner. In a criminal matter, Rule 1925(c)(3) requires

remand for the filing of a 1925(b) statement and corresponding 1925(a)

opinion where counsel has completely failed to file a court-ordered 1925(b)

statement. See Commonwealth v. Burton, 973 A.2d 428 (Pa.Super. 2009)

(recognizing counsel’s failure to file 1925 statement on behalf of criminal

defendant, resulting in waiver of all claims asserted on direct appeal,

represents actual or constructive denial of assistance of counsel for which

prejudice is legally presumed) (citing Commonwealth v. Hailey, 870 A.2d

795, 800 (Pa. 2005)).

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      Where, instead, counsel has filed an untimely Rule 1925(b) statement,

our procedure is to remand to allow for preparation of a responsive trial court

opinion.   Burton, 973 A.2d at 432.      Where, however, the trial court has

already filed an opinion addressing the issues presented in the belated Rule

1925(b) statement, we may readily consider the merits of the issues, thus

obviating the need for remand. Id. at 433.

      Here, although the trial court’s Rule 1925(a) opinion recommends we

invoke Rule 1925 waiver for Appellant’s untimely filing, it nevertheless

addresses the merits of Appellant’s claims in the alternative.       Therefore,

because we have a responsive Rule 1925(a) opinion at our present disposal,

we may consider the merits of the issues raised on appeal.

      In Appellant’s first issue, he challenges the validity of his nolo

contendere pleas. Specifically, he alleges that his six-day detention without

medication rendered him incapable of entering knowing, voluntary, and

intelligent pleas.

      At the outset, we note that “in terms of its effect upon a case, a plea of

nolo contendere is treated the same as a guilty plea.” Commonwealth v.

V.G., 9 A.3d 222, 226 (Pa.Super. 2010) (citation omitted). Generally, “upon

entry of a guilty plea, a defendant waives all claims and defenses other than

those sounding in the jurisdiction of the court, the validity of the plea, and

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what    has    been    termed     the   ‘legality’   of   the   sentence   imposed[.]”

Commonwealth v. Eisenberg, 98 A.3d 1268, 1275 (Pa. 2014).1

       This Court reviews the denial of a post-sentence motion to withdraw a

guilty plea by the following standard.

       It is well-settled that the decision whether to permit a defendant
       to withdraw a guilty plea is within the sound discretion of the trial
       court. Although no absolute right to withdraw a guilty plea exists
       in Pennsylvania, the standard applied differs depending on
       whether the defendant seeks to withdraw the plea before or after
       sentencing. When a defendant seeks to withdraw a plea after
       sentencing, he must demonstrate prejudice on the order of
       manifest injustice. [A] defendant may withdraw his guilty plea
       after sentencing only where necessary to correct manifest
       injustice.

       ***

       Manifest injustice occurs when the plea is not tendered knowingly,
       intelligently, voluntarily, and understandingly. In determining
       whether a plea is valid, the court must examine the totality of
       circumstances surrounding the plea. Pennsylvania law presumes
       a defendant who entered a guilty plea was aware of what he was
       doing, and the defendant bears the burden of proving otherwise.

Commonwealth v. Hart, 174 A.3d 660, 664–65 (Pa. Super. 2017) (internal

citations and quotation marks omitted). Inter alia, the law imposes a stricter
____________________________________________

1 Though not included in Appellant’s Statement of Questions presented,
Appellant begins the Argument section of his brief positing that the revocation
of bail six days prior to accepting Appellant’s counseled plea of nolo
contendere violated Pa.R.Crim.P. 526, Conditions of Bail Bond. Because such
a claim does not implicate the jurisdiction of the court, the validity of the plea,
or the legality of the sentence imposed, it is beyond our scope of review.
Moreover, to the extent Appellant also attempts to connect the revocation of
bail with the validity of his subsequent plea, the record suggests otherwise,
as all interested parties agreed that Appellant’s meeting with counsel during
his detainment was fruitful and facilitated a knowing, intelligent, and voluntary
plea. See infra.

                                           -9-
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standard for post-sentence withdrawal motions in order to balance “the

tension ... between the individual’s fundamental right to a trial and the need

for finality in the proceedings.” Commonwealth v. Gunter, 771 A.2d 767

(Pa. 2001); Commonwealth v. Hvizda, 116 A.3d 1103, 1106 (Pa. 2015).

      Additionally, “a defendant is bound by the statements which he makes

during his plea colloquy.” Commonwealth v. Barnes, 687 A.2d 1163, 1167

(Pa. 1997) (citations omitted).     Therefore, a defendant “may not assert

grounds for withdrawing the plea that contradict statements made when he

pled guilty,” and he may not recant the representations he made in court when

he entered his guilty plea. Id. (citation omitted). Moreover, the law does not

require that a defendant be pleased with the outcome of his decision to plead

guilty. The law requires only that a defendant’s decision to plead guilty be

made knowingly, voluntarily, and intelligently. See Commonwealth v.

Moser, 921 A.2d 526, 528–529 (Pa.Super. 2007).

      Initially, we note that Appellant failed to raise his challenge first with

the trial court, either on the record or in a post-sentence motion. Generally,

“[i]ssues not raised in the [trial] court are waived and cannot be raised for the

first time on appeal.” Pa.R.A.P. 302(a); see also Commonwealth v. Miller,

80 A.3d 806, 811 (Pa. Super. 2013) (stating that “[b]y requiring that an issue

be considered waived if raised for the first time on appeal, our [appellate

C]ourts ensure that the trial court that initially hears a dispute has had an

opportunity to consider the issue.”) (citation omitted).       “[A] request to

withdraw a guilty plea on the grounds that it was involuntary is one of the

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claims that must be raised by motion in the trial court in order to be reviewed

on direct appeal.” Commonwealth v. Rush, 959 A.2d 945, 949 (Pa. Super.

2008). Nevertheless, regardless of Appellant’s apparent waiver, we discern

that his claim fails on its merits.2

       This Court has established six topics that must be covered by a valid

plea colloquy: “1) the nature of the charges, 2) the factual basis for the plea,

3) the right to a jury trial, 4) the presumption of innocence, 5) the sentencing

ranges, and 6) the plea court's power to deviate from any recommended

sentence.” Commonwealth v. Morrison, 878 A.2d 102, 107 (Pa. Super.

2005); see also Pa.R.Crim.P. 590, cmt.             Here, our review discloses that

Appellant completed extensive nolo contendere plea colloquies, both written

and oral, covering all necessary topics for a valid plea colloquy. See Written

Guilty Plea/Nolo Contendere Statement, C.R. #34; Oral Colloquy, 11/14/17,

at 11-18.

       While represented by counsel, Appellant clearly stated that he entered

into the plea agreement knowingly and voluntarily, and the trial court

confirmed as much at the conclusion of the oral plea colloquy. See Written

Statement, at 4; N.T., 11/14/17 at 13-14. Notably, in this regard, Appellant

____________________________________________

2 In the alternative to finding waiver, we engage in merits review. Therefore,
we need not address Appellant’s second issue, where he argues baldly that he
could not meet the ten-day period for filing post-sentence motions because
present counsel first entered his appearance after such time. As discussed
infra, Appellant’s challenge to the validity of his plea is devoid of merit.

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asserted he was taking his necessary medication and understood both the

questions asked of him and the nature and consequences of his pleas. N.T.,

11/14/17, at 11-12.3
____________________________________________

3 The following excerpt from Appellant’s oral colloquy, where he addresses the
issue of his medication usage and its effects, if any, on his ability to
understand, demonstrates Appellant’s lucidity during the proceeding.

       DEFENSE COUNSEL: Okay, and you are in mental health
       treatment now, isn’t that correct?

       APPELLANT:           Yes, sir.

       DEFENSE COUNSEL: Prior to being incarcerated last week were
       you taking any medication?

       APPELLANT:           Yes.

       DEFENSE COUNSEL: What kind of medication were you taking?

       THE COURT:           I’m sorry, what?

       DEFENSE COUNSEL: Before he was incarcerated last week,
       Judge, he was taking medication?

       THE COURT:           And what was it?

       DEFENSE COUNSEL: What was the medication?

       APPELLANT:           (inaudible) and respidol [ph.]

       DEFENSE COUNSEL: But you are not on medication now?

       APPELLANT:           I am still on medication.

       DEFENSE COUNSEL: You are, okay. And is that medication
       affecting your ability to understand what you are doing today?

       APPELLANT:           No.

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       Based on Appellant’s rational and unequivocal answers to questions put

to him in two comprehensive colloquies, we discern no merit to his appellate

challenge alleging that he was incapable of entering a valid plea because of

lack of access to his medication. Accordingly, Appellant’s challenge affords

him no relief.

     Judgments of sentence affirmed.
Judgment Entered.

Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary

Date: 12/5/18

____________________________________________

       DEFENSE COUNSEL: You understand what is going on?

       APPELLANT:           Yes, sir.

N.T. 11/14/17, at 11-12.

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