Court Opinion

ID: 4690678
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-05-27 16:14:30.571942+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:05:01.064809
License: Public Domain

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NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37

 COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA          :   IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
                                       :        PENNSYLVANIA
                                       :
              v.                       :
                                       :
                                       :
 DAVID MCKINNEY                        :
                                       :
                   Appellant           :   No. 1567 EDA 2020

   Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence Entered September 11, 2019
 In the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County Criminal Division at
                    No(s): CP-51-CR-0012574-2012

 COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA          :   IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
                                       :        PENNSYLVANIA
                                       :
              v.                       :
                                       :
                                       :
 DAVID MCKINNEY                        :
                                       :
                   Appellant           :   No. 1573 EDA 2020

      Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence Entered August 23, 2019
 In the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County Criminal Division at
                     No(s): CP-51-CR-0004519-2015

BEFORE: LAZARUS, J., NICHOLS, J., and MUSMANNO, J.

MEMORANDUM BY MUSMANNO, J.:                        Filed: May 27, 2021

     David McKinney (“McKinney”) appeals from the judgments of sentence
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imposed following the revocation of his probation.1 We affirm.

       On November 16, 2015, McKinney entered a negotiated guilty plea to

possession of an instrument of crime and simple assault at No. 12574-2012.

The trial court sentenced McKinney, pursuant to the plea agreement, to time

served to 23 months in prison, with immediate parole, followed by an

aggregate term of 5 years of probation.

       On March 4, 2016, McKinney entered a negotiated guilty plea to

burglary, criminal trespass, and violation of a protective order at No. 4519-

2015. The trial court sentenced McKinney, pursuant to the plea agreement,

to 18-36 months in prison, with credit for time served, followed by 3 years of

probation, to be supervised by the mental health unit.

       The revocation court summarized what next transpired as follows:

              During probation, [McKinney] tested positive for
       amphetamines, cocaine and marijuana. He eventually completed
       a program at the Keystone Center on January 11, 2019[,] and
       upon release, failed to follow through and go to the recovery
       house as planned[.]      [McKinney] could not be located for
       approximately 60 days after he was discharged from the Keystone
       Center. Wanted cards were issued on or about February 15, 2019.
       On or about March 14, 2019, [McKinney] phoned his probation
       officer and admitted to her that he had relapsed. [McKinney] was
       instructed to turn himself into the probation officer on Tuesday,

____________________________________________

1The revocation court revoked McKinney’s probation and resentenced him at
docket numbers CP-51-CR-0012574-2012 (“No. 12574-2012”) and CP-51-
CR-0004519-2015 (“No. 4519-2015”) on August 23, 2019. On September
11, 2019, the revocation court amended the revocation sentence imposed at
No. 12574-2012. McKinney filed a separate Notice of Appeal at each docket
number. Because McKinney’s briefs in each appeal present identical claims
and arguments, we will address his appeals together.

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        March 19, 2019; however, on March 17[, 2019, McKinney] was
        detained on the probation warrant.

               On May 31, 2019, a Gagnon II[2] hearing was held and
        [McKinney] was found to be in violation of probation[,] and [his]
        probation was revoked [at both docket numbers]. A pre-sentence
        [investigation] report [(“PSI”)] and mental health evaluation
        w[ere] ordered. On August 23, 2019, [McKinney] was sentenced
        to a term of two[-]and[-]one[-]half (2½) to five (5) years of
        incarceration on the conviction of possessing an instrument of
        crime[,] and a concurrent term of one (1) to two (2) years of
        incarceration for simple assault was imposed under [No. 12574-
        2012]. [McKinney] was also sentenced to a consecutive term of
        two[-]and[-]one[-]half (2½) to five (5) years of incarceration[,]
        plus five (5) years of probation on the burglary … conviction under
        [No. 4519-2015]. The aggregate[] sentence imposed was five (5)
        to ten (10) years of incarceration[,] followed by five (5) years of
        probation. Credit for time served was ordered.

              On September 3, 2019, [McKinney’s] counsel filed a Motion
        to Modify Sentence. On September 11, 2019, a hearing was held
        on the [M]otion[,] and the [M]otion was denied as to [No. 4519-
        2015]. Under [No.12574-2012], the [M]otion was granted in part,
        [and] denied in part; reducing [McKinney’s] sentence to a term of
        one[-]and[-]one[-]half (1½) to three (3) years of incarceration on
        the conviction of possessing an instrument of crime[,] … and a
        concurrent term of one (1) to two (2) years of incarceration for
        simple assault.     Thereby reducing the aggregate[] sentence
        imposed to four (4) to eight (8) years of incarceration[,] followed
        by five (5) years of probation. Credit for time served was ordered.
        …

Trial Court Opinion, 12/1/20, at 2-3 (footnote added).

        On October 18, 2019, McKinney filed a Petition for relief pursuant to the

Post Conviction Relief Act (“PCRA”)3 at both docket numbers, arguing that

____________________________________________

2   See Gagnon v. Scarpelli, 411 U.S. 778 (1973).

3   See 42 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 9541-9546.

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counsel mistakenly failed to file a timely notice of appeal, as requested by

McKinney, and seeking reinstatement of McKinney’s direct appeal rights, nunc

pro tunc. The PCRA court granted McKinney relief, and McKinney filed his

Notices of Appeal, nunc pro tunc, on July 31, 2020.        The revocation court

subsequently ordered McKinney to file a Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b) Concise Statement

of errors complained of on appeal, and McKinney timely complied.

      On appeal, McKinney raises the following issue for our review:

      Is the sentence imposed for a technical violation of probation
      unduly harsh and excessive, and greater than that necessary to
      vindicate the [c]ourt’s authority under the circumstances where:

           a. [C]onfinement in a state correctional facility for the term
           imposed is not the least restrictive sentence necessary to
           effectuate the aims of Pennsylvania’s sentencing laws[,] and is
           the sentence greater than that which would be consistent with
           [the] protection of the public, the gravity of [McKinney’s]
           conduct as it relates to the impact on the life of others in the
           community, and the rehabilitative needs of [McKinney];

           b. [A]nd where the [trial] court did not adequately consider
           [McKinney’s] age, rehabilitative needs, his acceptance of
           responsibility for his crime and violation, his progress toward
           rehabilitation and the supportive environment available to
           [McKinney]?

Brief for Appellant at 4.

      McKinney argues that his sentence was excessive, particularly because

he committed a technical violation of probation, rather than a new criminal

offense.    Id. at 34-35.   McKinney points to several pieces of information

included in his PSI, including, inter alia, his history of substance abuse and

mental health issues, and his treatment history for both issues. Id. at 37.

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According to McKinney, his behavior does not indicate that he is likely to

commit another crime, and a prison sentence is not necessary to vindicate the

court’s authority.   Id. at 40-41.   Specifically, McKinney points out that he

turned himself into his probation officer, and argues that he has accepted

responsibility, shown remorse, and taken steps toward rehabilitation. Id. at

40.   McKinney also argues that the sentence is not consistent with his

rehabilitative needs, because he is already enrolled and “flourishing” in

rehabilitative programs outside of prison. Id. at 41-42.

      McKinney challenges the discretionary aspects of his sentence, from

which there is no automatic right to appeal.        See Commonwealth v.

Mastromarino, 2 A.3d 581, 585 (Pa. Super. 2010). In considering such a

challenge,

      [w]e conduct a four-part analysis to determine: (1) whether the
      appellant has filed a timely notice of appeal, see Pa.R.A.P. 902
      and 903; (2) whether the issue was properly preserved at
      sentencing or in a motion to reconsider and modify sentence, see
      Pa.R.Crim.P. [720]; (3) whether the appellant’s brief has a fatal
      defect, Pa.R.A.P. 2119(f); and (4) whether there is a substantial
      question that the sentence appealed from is not appropriate under
      the Sentencing Code, 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9781(b).

                                     ***

      The determination of what constitutes a substantial question must
      be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. A substantial question
      exists only when the appellant advances a colorable argument
      that the sentencing judge’s actions were either: (1) inconsistent
      with a specific provision of the Sentencing Code; or (2) contrary
      to the fundamental norms which underlie the sentencing process.

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Commonwealth v. Moury, 992 A.2d 162, 170 (Pa. Super. 2010) (quotation

marks and some citations omitted).

      Here, McKinney filed Notices of Appeal, nunc pro tunc, preserved his

claim in his Motion to Modify Sentence, and included a separate Pa.R.A.P.

2119(f) Statement in his appellate briefs. Additionally, McKinney’s claim that

the revocation court imposed an excessive sentence, following a technical

violation, without adequately considering the required sentencing factors and

his rehabilitative needs, raise a substantial question for our review.          See

Commonwealth v. Caldwell, 117 A.3d 763, 770 (Pa. Super. 2015) (en

banc) (stating that “[t]his Court has [] held that an excessive sentence claim—

in conjunction with an assertion that the [trial] court failed to consider

mitigating factors—raises a substantial question.” (citing Commonwealth v.

Raven, 97 A.3d 1244, 1253 (Pa. Super. 2014)); Commonwealth v. Colon,

102 A.3d 1033, 1043 (Pa. Super. 2014) (concluding that “[a]ppellant’s claim

that the trial court sentenced him to a term of total confinement based solely

on a technical violation raises a substantial question for our review.”). Thus,

we will address the merits of McKinney’s discretionary sentencing claim.

      Our standard of review 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 ill-will.

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Colon, 102 A.3d at 1043.

            The reason for this broad discretion and deferential standard
     of appellate review is that the sentencing court is in the best
     position to measure various factors and determine the proper
     penalty for a particular offense based upon an evaluation of the
     individual circumstances before it. Simply stated, the sentencing
     court sentences flesh-and-blood defendants[,] and the nuances of
     sentencing decisions are difficult to gauge from the cold transcript
     used upon appellate review. Moreover, the sentencing court
     enjoys an institutional advantage to appellate review, bringing to
     its decisions an expertise, experience, and judgment that should
     not be lightly disturbed.

            The sentencing court’s institutional advantage is, perhaps,
     more pronounced in fashioning a sentence following the revocation
     of probation, which is qualitatively different than an initial
     sentencing proceeding. At initial sentencing, all of the rules and
     procedures designed to inform the court and to cabin its
     discretionary sentencing authority properly are involved and play
     a crucial role. However, it is a different matter when a defendant
     appears before the court for sentencing proceedings following a
     violation of the mercy bestowed upon him in the form of a
     probationary sentence. For example, in such a case, contrary to
     when an initial sentence is imposed, the Sentencing Guidelines do
     not apply, and the revocation court is not cabined by Section
     9721(b)’s requirement 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.A. § 9721.

Commonwealth v. Pasture, 107 A.3d 21, 27 (Pa. 2014) (some citations and

quotation marks omitted).

     Upon revocation of probation, a sentencing court may choose from any

of the sentencing options that existed at the time of the original sentence,

including incarceration. 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9771(b). However, the imposition of

total confinement upon revocation requires a finding that either “(1) the

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defendant has been convicted of another crime; or (2) the conduct of the

defendant indicates that it is likely that he will commit another crime if he is

not imprisoned; or (3) such a sentence is essential to vindicate the authority

of the court.” Id. § 9771(c).

      Moreover, “[i]n every case in which the court … resentences an offender

following revocation of probation, … the court shall make as part of the record,

and disclose in open court at the time of sentencing, a statement of the reason

or reasons for the sentence imposed.” Id. § 9721(b); see also Pa.R.Crim.P.

708(D)(2) (providing that “[t]he judge shall state on the record the reasons

for the sentence imposed.”). However, following the revocation of probation,

a sentencing court need not undertake a lengthy discourse for its reasons for

imposing a sentence or specifically reference the statutes in question. See

Pasture, 107 A.3d at 28 (stating that “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.”).

      Here, the revocation court sentenced McKinney to an aggregate term of

4-8 years in prison, with credit for time served, plus 5 years of probation,

following the revocation of his probation. During the revocation hearing, the

revocation court    heard from McKinney’s counsel, who           acknowledged

McKinney’s long history of substance abuse, but explained that McKinney was

in treatment and doing well.     See N.T., 8/23/19, at 6, 8.      Counsel also

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recounted McKinney’s difficult upbringing and family history of substance

abuse. Id. at 7.

      McKinney also spoke on his own behalf. McKinney personally recounted

his experiences in treatment programs. Id. at 14. Additionally, McKinney

stated as follows:

      This might have been a long road for me, taking a long time to
      come to the conclusion that I have an addiction, but it’s not
      something that you address -- you have to address it day-to-day,
      not, I gotta beat it, I’m clean for 13 years and then relapse. You
      have to stay with the program. I didn’t take advantage of
      everything that was offered to me. …

Id. at 12.

      McKinney’s father, David McKinney, Sr., also testified regarding his own

history with substance abuse, his sobriety, and his intention to help McKinney

after his release. See id. at 18-23.

      After hearing testimony, the revocation court stated its reasons for

imposing the sentence:

      To say that you broke a few rules is putting it mildly.

            Mr. McKinney, at this point in your life, you should have
      been well beyond that. I dare say we’re nowhere near where you
      need to be before you can be out on the street sober. Can you do
      it? Absolutely. But I would be remiss if I were to allow you at this
      point in time, because to do so is to invite potential violence and
      continued drug use and/or a possible death to you from overdose.

             The efforts to rehabilitate you since a juvenile have gone on
      to date. Obviously, relapses are a part of addiction, but with you
      it’s a lot more than that.          13 arrests, 12 convictions, 9
      commitments, 11 violations, three pending, including two before
      this [c]ourt, eight revocations.

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           You reported an extremely difficult childhood, to which I
     alluded and I was referring to what you had noted in the [PSI]. I
     do think that quite a bit of what you have to say is self-serving
     and manipulative. I don’t doubt that there were great difficulties.
     Your dad completely admits that. But I also sense that even when
     you were a juvenile there were attempts to reign you in and not
     exhibit a lack of control of your behavior that you continued to do
     in terms of the upbringing.

            I do note that you are an extremely intelligent human being.
     And as you indicated, you have vocational training in various
     trades that can help you. You attended -- you were educated,
     after you moved out of Bucks County, educated in Florida at a
     program for academically gifted children.          You attended an
     academy in Melbourne. You were expelled. You transferred to a
     different location, dropped out of ninth grade at age 15, left
     school, did obtain your GED while incarcerated in one of your prior
     stays at SCI Coal Township.

           You enrolled in Seminole Community College at some point
     in the early 2000s. And I think that’s where you picked up the
     classes in sheet metal work, duct installation. Your dad had
     apparently offered several methods to continue to work, mostly
     employed by a general contracting company, between April and
     August [] 2018.

            Your substance abuse history includes alcohol, marijuana,
     methamphetamines, cocaine, LSD, psilocybin mushrooms. First
     claimed to be drinking at the age of three. Continual relapses.
     Positive testings as well under [the c]ourt’s supervision. Various
     attempts at treatment, not the least of which at age 15, inpatient,
     admitted to [a] treatment center in Florida, Keystone Center in
     Chester, PA, later discharged [o]n January 11, 2019. Directed to
     enter a recovery house in Levittown, did not go. Checked into
     Gaudenzia, checked out. Open warrants.

           The reports I received from the probation department that
     generated the request for detention, I reviewed them as well, and
     they describe the litany, particularly within the Gagnon
     summaries, of efforts on the part of your probation department -
     - our probation department to reign you back in.

           In May 2018, you transferred to [the] mental health unit,
     released from custody, submitted a diluted drug test [in July and

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     August 2018], positive for cocaine and marijuana. … And then
     they were trying to get you into JFK Behavioral Health, claimed to
     be there enrolled. Then apparently in September last year, after
     various attempts to contact you, they became aware of the fact
     that the address listed was a vacant house. Attempted routine
     visits. Reported address, homeowner denied that you ever lived
     there. Updated address. Positive testing for amphetamines at
     final office visit [in] October 2018. …

           November 2018[, you] tested positive[ for] amphetamines,
     marijuana again. Then the incident in December involving waking
     up, wherever you woke up, with a dead body at that residence.
     Checked yourself into Keystone. Plan was to get you into Life’s
     Journey Recovery House in Levittown. Discharged in January.
     Plan to rent at Decatur Street.

           Attempt to locate you unsuccessful. Voicemail contact,
     claimed you would eventually show up again, but you wanted to
     take care of whatever health concern you said you had. Check at
     Decatur Street[;] actually, you had not been residing there as
     previously stated. Wanted cards were issued. Whereabouts were
     unknown in February.

           In March, voice message from you to the officer, admitted
     relapse, informed of the warrant, and then he was finally
     detained….

     ….

           The bail commissioner, trial commissioner decided, for
     whatever reason, to let you out and released the detainer on two
     cases…. Claimed you’re going to go find employment, find
     treatment. Off we go. …

          …[You c]heck in and out [of] Friends Hospital. And then you
     became aggressive with the officer when she was trying to figure
     out what was going on with you.

            And I just reviewed the highlights in addition to the other
     positive testings that were listed here and the review of your PSI.
     It is clear to me, sir, that you did not heed any of this [c]ourt’s
     direction, and that if left to your own devices, like you have been
     left on multiple occasions, you would be right back here again with
     new cases. That’s why I detained you. Quite frankly, I couldn’t

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      trust you out there.     And I do sense that you couldn’t trust
      yourself.

Id. at 23-29; see also Trial Court Opinion, 12/1/20, at 8-9 (stating that the

revocation court imposed a prison sentence “only after [McKinney] had

violated probation with multiple failed drug tests, refused treatment and

demonstrated overall non-compliant behavior that clearly indicated that

probation had been ineffective as a rehabilitative or crime deterrent tool.”).

Moreover, the revocation court explicitly stated that it had reviewed the PSI

and mental health assessment.       Id. at 6; see also Commonwealth v.

Ventura, 975 A.2d 1128, 1135 (Pa. Super. 2009) (stating that “where the

trial court is informed by a [PSI], it is presumed that the court is aware of all

appropriate sentencing factors and considerations, and that where the court

has been so informed, its discretion should not be disturbed.”).

      The record therefore confirms that the revocation court was provided

with sufficient information to make a fully-informed sentencing decision

following the revocation of McKinney’s probation, and that the court

adequately considered the relevant sentencing factors.              Additionally,

McKinney’s aggregate post-revocation sentence is not manifestly excessive.

See generally Commonwealth v. Schutzues, 54 A.3d 86, 99 (Pa. Super.

2012) (stating that “[a] trial court does not necessarily abuse its discretion in

imposing a seemingly harsh post-revocation sentence where the defendant

originally received a lenient sentence and then failed to adhere [to] the

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conditions imposed on him.”). Discerning no abuse of discretion by the trial

court, we will not disrupt McKinney’s sentence on appeal.

     Judgment of sentence affirmed.

     Judge Lazarus joins the memorandum.

     Judge Nichols concurs in the result.

Judgment Entered.

Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary

Date: 5/27/21

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