Court Opinion

ID: 9401285
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-06-12 17:10:14.65124+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:19:51.772597
License: Public Domain

J-A06017-23

NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT OP 65.37

    COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA               :   IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
                                               :        PENNSYLVANIA
                                               :
                v.                             :
                                               :
                                               :
    JOSEPH PLESO                               :
                                               :
                       Appellant               :   No. 528 WDA 2022

         Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence Entered March 23, 2022
      In the Court of Common Pleas of Fayette County Criminal Division at
                        No(s): CP-26-CR-0001211-2021

BEFORE:      OLSON, J., NICHOLS, J., and PELLEGRINI, J.*

MEMORANDUM BY NICHOLS, J.:                               FILED: JUNE 12, 2023

        Appellant Joseph Pleso appeals from the judgment of sentence imposed

following his conviction for driving under the influence (DUI)—general

impairment (first offense) and a related summary offense. Appellant argues

that the trial court erred in denying his motion to suppress. Appellant also

raises claims concerning the trial court’s evidentiary rulings and challenges

the sufficiency and weight of the evidence. We affirm.

        The trial court set forth the following summary of the factual history:

        At approximately 5:07 p.m. on August 3, 2020, Pennsylvania
        State Police Trooper Michael Quinn [(Corporal Quinn)] was
        conducting radar surveillance in an unmarked patrol unit in the
        vicinity of the intersection of Auto Auction Road and PA State
        Route 51 near Uniontown when he observed a vehicle traveling
        Southbound in the left lane of PA State Route 51 at a high rate of
        speed. [Corporal] Quinn measured the vehicle’s speed at 62 MPH
____________________________________________

*   Retired Senior Judge assigned to the Superior Court.
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     using his radar gun. The Commonwealth submitted the certificate
     of calibration for [Corporal] Quinn’s radar gun. The [trial court
     took] judicial notice of the fact that the posted speed limit on PA
     State Route 51 is 45 MPH for at least two miles before this location
     and that there is a 45 MPH speed limit sign approximately three
     hundred feet before the location where the vehicle was first seen.

     [Corporal] Quinn activated his patrol unit’s lights and siren and
     began pursuing the vehicle. The Commonwealth submitted the
     Mobile Video Recording (MVR) of the incident. The [trial court]
     reviewed the MVR of the incident. The vehicle’s high rate of speed
     is evident from the MVR. [Corporal] Quinn pursued the vehicle for
     approximately three tenths of a mile.           The vehicle then
     decelerated forcibly, crossed the right lane without signaling, and
     came to a stop on the right shoulder of PA State Route 51 . . . .

     The [trial court] notes that this incident took place during peak
     rush hour.      The MVR shows that several vehicles drove
     dangerously close to [Appellant] as he stood upon the fog line.
     The [trial court] also notes that this incident took place
     approximately one car length before an entrance to a large Ollie’s
     parking lot. [Appellant] evidently chose to stop the vehicle on the
     busy highway by choice, forgoing the much safer (and adjacent)
     parking lot.

     [Corporal] Quinn began ordering [Appellant] to get back in the
     vehicle for his own safety. [Appellant], however, did not get back
     in the vehicle, but continued to stand [] on the fog line of PA State
     Route 51 and shout at [Corporal] Quinn. [Corporal] Quinn called
     for backup. At one point, [Appellant] shouted that he “had a
     knife.” [Appellant] then walked over to the grassy area between
     the shoulder of PA State Route 51 and the Ollie’s parking lot.
     Three additional patrol vehicles arrived on the scene. [Appellant]
     refused to identify himself and was handcuffed. [Corporal] Quinn
     informed [Appellant] that he was in an investigative detention.
     [Corporal] Quinn walked to the vehicle and, through its closed
     windows, observed vomit in the driver’s seat area. Meanwhile,
     [Appellant] continued to equivocate and make nonchalant
     comments to the Troopers about criminal law. [Corporal] Quinn
     asked [Appellant] why there was vomit in the vehicle. [Appellant]
     told [Corporal] Quinn that he had recently drank a fifth of vodka.

                                     -2-
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Trial Ct. Op. & Order, 9/20/21, at 1-3.          Following the stop, Appellant was

charged with DUI–general impairment, carrying and exhibiting driver’s license

on demand, driving vehicle at safe speed, maximum speed limit, and careless

driving.1

       Appellant subsequently filed a pretrial motion in which he argued,

among other things, that his statement to Corporal Quinn should be

suppressed.     See Appellant’s Omnibus Pretrial Motion for Relief, 8/23/21.

Following a hearing, the trial court denied Appellant’s motion.        The matter

proceeded to a non-jury trial on February 15, 2022. Ultimately, the trial court

convicted Appellant of DUI and exceeding the maximum speed limit and

acquitted Appellant of the remaining charges. On March 23, 2022, the trial

court sentenced Appellant to a term of six months’ probation. Appellant timely

filed post-sentence motions, which the trial court denied.

       Appellant filed a timely notice of appeal and a court-ordered Pa.R.A.P.

1925(b) statement. In lieu of a Rule 1925(a) opinion, the trial court issued

an order adopting its prior opinion and order denying Appellant’s pretrial

motion. See Trial Ct. Op. & Order, 9/20/21.

       On appeal, Appellant raises the following issues:

       1. Whether the trial court erred and abused its discretion in
          denying Appellant’s motion to suppress because the
          Commonwealth did not meet its burden of proof without the
          presence and testimony of Corporal Quinn to demonstrate that
____________________________________________

1 75 Pa.C.S. §§ 3802(a)(1), 1511(a), 3361, 3362(a)(3), and 3714(a),
respectively.

                                           -3-
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           Appellant’s arrest and interrogation without establishing the
           corpus delicti and issuing Miranda[2] warnings was lawful and
           his statements admissible[?]

        2. Whether the trial court erred and abused its discretion in
           denying Appellant’s motion for continuance of the trial because
           the witness from Uniontown Hospital to authenticate the blood
           result taken from Appellant failed to show despite being
           properly subpoenaed, there was no evidence to support the sua
           sponte scientific analysis used to discredit and devalue the
           potential weight of such blood evidence, including the finding
           that Appellant “the person tested” could have manipulated the
           test results, there was no evidence defense counsel could have
           obtained sealed hospital records, there was advance notice of
           the proffered scientific evidence to the Commonwealth, and the
           test of Appellant’s blood alcohol content was the only objective
           scientific evidence available in determining whether alcohol had
           impaired his ability to safely drive and the probative value of
           this evidence far outweighed any prejudice from the delay of a
           continuance so the subpoena could be properly enforced[?]

        3. Whether the trial court erred and abused its discretion in
           terminating and/or circumscribing defense counsel’s cross-
           examination of [Corporal] Quinn because the best-evidence
           rule does not apply to the MVR recording and audio transcript
           so as to proscribe or limit cross-examination or impeachment
           as unnecessary after direct testimony was given, and the
           credibility of [Corporal] Quinn was at issue and the
           Commonwealth’s case based primarily on his opinion of that
           Appellant was under the influence of alcohol to such a degree
           as to render him incapable of safe driving[?]

        4. Whether the trial court erred and abused its discretion in
           denying Appellant’s motion for judgment of acquittal because
           the evidence presented by the Commonwealth was insufficient
           to support each element of the charge of DUI at Count 1, and
           the evidence was insufficient to support a guilty verdict beyond
           a reasonable doubt as to said count and charge insofar as there
           being nothing more than the appearance of possible vomit –
           undermined by the failure to verify it was vomit despite having
           the opportunity to do so and to preserve any such alleged
           evidence[?]
____________________________________________

2   Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436 (1966).

                                           -4-
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      5. Whether the trial court erred and abused its discretion in
         denying Appellant’s motion for new trial because the guilty
         verdict at Count 1 for the charge of DUI was against the weight
         of the evidence presented at trial in that there was no evidence
         that Appellant’s behavior was indicative of alcohol impairing his
         ability to drive safely and to the contrary the evidence was that
         his behavior in getting out of the car and refusing to get back
         in was based on his concern for safety and his distrust of the
         police and that this behavior caused Cpl. Quinn to be concerned
         for his own safety and not concerned that Appellant was too
         drunk to drive[?]

Appellant’s Brief at 4-6.

                            Motion to Suppress

      In his first claim, Appellant argues that the trial court erred in denying

his motion to suppress. Id. at 13. Specifically, Appellant asserts that because

Corporal Quinn did not testify at the suppression hearing, the Commonwealth

failed to meet the corpus delicti rule or establish that Appellant’s non-

Mirandized statements were admissible. Id.

      When reviewing the denial of a motion to suppress evidence, we employ

the following standard of review:

      [O]ur review is limited to determining whether the factual findings
      are supported by the record and whether the legal conclusions
      drawn from those facts are correct. We are bound by the
      suppression court’s factual findings so long as they are supported
      by the record; our standard of review on questions of law is de
      novo. Where, as here, the defendant is appealing the ruling of
      the suppression court, we may consider only the evidence of the
      Commonwealth and so much of the evidence for the defense as
      remains uncontradicted. Our scope of review of suppression
      rulings includes only the suppression hearing record and excludes
      evidence elicited at trial.

                                     -5-
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Commonwealth v. Lear, 290 A.3d 709, 715 (Pa. Super. 2023) (citations

omitted and formatting altered).

      First, with respect to corpus delicti, Appellant argues that the

Commonwealth failed to establish corpus delicti for both DUI and speeding.

Appellant’s   Brief   at   13.   Specifically,   Appellant   contends   that   the

Commonwealth failed to establish that the crimes actually occurred before

Appellant admitted to consuming a fifth of vodka. Id. at 14.

      This Court has explained:

      The corpus delicti rule is a rule of evidence. Our standard of
      review on appeals challenging an evidentiary ruling of the [trial]
      court is limited to a determination of whether the court abused its
      discretion.

      The corpus [delicti] . . . rule places the burden on the prosecution
      to establish that a crime has actually occurred before a confession
      or admission of the accused connecting him to the crime can be
      admitted. The Commonwealth need not prove the existence of a
      crime beyond a reasonable doubt as an element in establishing
      the corpus delicti of a crime, but the evidence must be more
      consistent with a crime than with [an] accident. The corpus
      delicti, or “body of the crime,” may be proven by circumstantial
      evidence. . . .

                                   *    *    *

      Establishing the corpus delicti in Pennsylvania is a two-step
      process. The first step concerns the trial judge’s admission of the
      accused’s statements and the second step concerns the fact
      finder’s consideration of those statements. In order for the
      statement to be admitted, the Commonwealth must prove the
      corpus delicti by a preponderance of the evidence. In order for
      the statement to be considered by the fact finder, the
      Commonwealth must establish the corpus delicti beyond a
      reasonable doubt.

      Simply put, the Commonwealth cannot convict a defendant solely
      upon their confession.

                                       -6-
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Interest of G.E.W., 233 A.3d 893, 900 (Pa. Super. 2020) (citations omitted

and formatting altered).

      Here, the trial court explained:

      At the time [Appellant] made the statement to [Corporal] Quinn
      that he had recently drank a fifth of vodka, the [trial court]
      reiterates:

      That [Appellant] had been observed driving 62 MPH in a 45 MPH
      zone;

      That he had decelerated forcibly;

      That he had exited his vehicle . . . ;

      That he had shouted at [Corporal] Quinn;

      That he had shouted at [Corporal] Quinn that he “had a knife,”

      That backup had arrived;

      That he had exhibited bizarre and fluctuating emotions;

      That he had refused to identify himself;

      That he had been handcuffed a short distance away from the
      vehicle, and that [Corporal] Quinn had observed vomit in the
      driver’s seat of the vehicle.

Trial Ct. Op. & Order at 7 (some formatting altered).

      Based on our review of the record, we discern no abuse of discretion by

the trial court in rejecting Appellant’s corpus delicti claim. See Lear, 290 A.3d

at 715. As noted by the trial court, the Commonwealth presented, at the

suppression hearing, a video of Appellant’s encounter with Corporal Quinn.

See N.T. Omnibus Hr’g, 9/13/21, at 7-8. Therefore, even without Appellant’s

statements, the Commonwealth established the corpus delicti for DUI. See

                                      -7-
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Lear, 290 A.3d at 715; Commonwealth v. Murray, 174 A.3d 1147, 1154

(Pa. Super. 2017). Therefore, Appellant’s corpus delicti claim is without merit.

      Next, with respect to Appellant’s Miranda claim, Appellant contends

that Appellant was “handcuffed, forcibly detained, and fully ‘in custody’ for the

purpose and requirement of the issuance of Miranda warnings.” Appellant’s

Brief at 18.    Appellant further argues that at the time of his “alleged

incriminating statement, he was completely unaware of [Corporal] Quinn’s

reason for the interrogation or that it was his suspicion that he was driving

while intoxicated.” Id.

      In reviewing Appellant’s claim, we are guided by the following principles:

      Initially, we note the courts have recognized there are three levels
      of interaction between the police and citizens: (1) a mere
      encounter, (2) an investigative detention, and (3) a custodial
      detention. Thus, we have stated:

      A mere encounter can be any formal or informal interaction
      between an officer and a citizen, but will normally be an inquiry
      by the officer of a citizen. The hallmark of this interaction is that
      it carries no official compulsion to stop or respond.

      In contrast, an investigative detention, by implication, carries an
      official compulsion to stop and respond, but the detention is
      temporary, unless it results in the formation of probable cause for
      arrest, and does not possess the coercive conditions consistent
      with a formal arrest. Since this interaction has elements of official
      compulsion it requires reasonable suspicion of unlawful activity.
      In further contrast, a custodial detention occurs when the nature,
      duration and conditions of an investigative detention become so
      coercive as to be, practically speaking, the functional equivalent
      of an arrest.

      It is long-settled that Miranda warnings are only required for the
      third-level interaction, i.e., custodial interrogation. However, it is
      equally settled law that a motor vehicle stop is generally a second-
      level interaction, an investigative detention. During a traffic stop,

                                      -8-
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        it is inherently reasonable for an officer to order the driver of the
        vehicle to alight from the car. Further, the officer may ask the
        detainee a moderate number of questions to determine his
        identity and to try to obtain information confirming or dispelling
        the officer’s suspicions. For their safety, police officers may
        handcuff individuals during an investigative detention.

        An investigative detention may develop into a custodial detention.
        The key difference between an investigative and a custodial
        detention is that the latter involves such coercive conditions as to
        constitute the functional equivalent of an arrest. The court
        considers the totality of the circumstances to determine if an
        encounter is investigatory or custodial.

        The numerous factors used to determine whether a detention has
        evolved into an arrest include the cause for the detention, the
        detention’s length, the detention’s location, whether the suspect
        was transported against his or her will, whether physical restraints
        were used, whether the police used or threatened force, and the
        character of the investigative methods used to confirm or dispel
        the suspicions of the police.      Moreover, we note custodial
        interrogation has been defined as questioning initiated by the
        police after a person has been taken into custody or otherwise
        deprived of his or her freedom of action in any significant way.
        Further, an interrogation occurs when the police should know that
        their words or actions are reasonably likely to elicit an
        incriminating response from the suspect.

Commonwealth v. Spence, 290 A.3d 301, 314-15 (Pa. Super. 2023)

(citations omitted and formatting altered).

        In the instant case, the trial court explained:

        The [trial court] finds that under the totality of the circumstances,
        [Appellant] was in an investigative detention at the time he made
        the statement that he had recently drank a fifth of vodka. . . .
        [T]he fact that [Appellant] was handcuffed was merely part and
        parcel of ensuring officer safety during a lawful Terry[3] stop
        (which [Corporal] Quinn was justified in conducting because he
        had observed unusual and dangerous conduct on the part of
        [Appellant], had identified himself as a police officer, had made
____________________________________________

3   Terry v. Ohio, 392 U.S. 1 (1968).

                                           -9-
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      reasonable inquiries, and because [Appellant] had told him that
      he had a knife). Moreover, [Appellant] had refused to identify
      himself. . . . For all of these reasons, the [trial court] concludes
      that at the time [Appellant] made the statement, his detention
      was still investigative in nature, and that he was therefore not
      entitled to the protections of Miranda. Accordingly, his statement
      is fully admissible.

Trial Ct. Op. & Order at 9 (parenthesis in original).

      Based on our review of the record, we find no error in the trial court’s

legal conclusions. See Lear, 290 A.3d at 715. As noted by the trial court,

the police handcuffed Appellant for officer safety while the investigative

detention was still ongoing.        See Spence, 290 A.3d at 314; see also

Commonwealth v. Wright, 224 A.3d 1104, 1109 (Pa. Super. 2019)

(explaining   that   police    officers   may      handcuff   individuals   during    an

investigative detention for officer safety). Moreover, Appellant’s admission

that he had consumed a fifth of vodka was the result of questions from the

police designed to either confirm or dispel their suspicion of DUI.                  See

Spence, 290 A.3d at 314; see also Commonwealth v. Hampton, 204 A.3d

452, 457 (Pa. Super. 2019) (stating that an investigative detention may

continue “only so long as is necessary to confirm or dispel [an officer’s]

suspicion”). For these reasons, Appellant is not entitled to relief.

                              Motion for Continuance

      In his second issue, Appellant argues that the trial court abused its

discretion when it denied his motion for a continuance. Appellant’s Brief at

19.   Specifically, Appellant notes that he requested a continuance after a

Uniontown Hospital employee failed to appear for court, despite having been

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served with a valid subpoena. Id. Appellant alleges that “there is no dispute

that Appellant’s subpoena was valid and properly served and thus a

continuance should have been granted so the subpoena could be properly

enforced to protect Appellant’s right to a fair trial.” Id. Although Appellant

acknowledges that a subpoena may be quashed at the discretion of the court,

the trial court in this case “engaged in a far flung analysis to reach the

conclusion that the subpoena was to be quashed.” Id.

      Initially, it is well settled that appellate briefs must conform to the

requirements set forth in the appellate rules. In re Ullman, 995 A.2d 1207,

1211 (Pa. Super. 2010). If the defects in an appellant’s brief “are substantial,

the appeal or other matter may be quashed or dismissed.” Pa.R.A.P. 2101.

      The appellate rules set forth specific requirements for the required

content of an appellate brief.     See Pa.R.A.P. 2111(a).      Specifically, Rule

2119(c) provides that “[i]f reference is made to the pleadings, evidence,

charge, opinion or order, or any other matter appearing in the record, the

argument must set forth, in immediate connection therewith, or in a footnote

thereto, a reference to the place in the record where the matter referred to

appears.” Pa.R.A.P. 2119(c).

      Additionally, we note that it is an appellant’s duty to present sufficiently

developed arguments for our review, which include references to the record

and citations to legal authority. Commonwealth v. Hardy, 918 A.2d 766,

771 (Pa. Super. 2007) (citing Pa.R.A.P. 2119). Failure to do so may result in

waiver. Id.

                                     - 11 -
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      Here, Appellant’s entire argument consists of three sentences and

centers on his claim that the trial court improperly quashed his subpoena for

the Uniontown Hospital employee.     See Appellant’s Brief at 19.    However,

Appellant fails to direct this Court to any point in the record where the trial

court allegedly quashed Appellant’s subpoena.        See Pa.R.A.P. 2119(c).

Further, Appellant fails to cite any statute or case law that would support his

position that the trial court improperly denied his motion for a continuance.

See Hardy, 918 A.2d at 771. As this Court has repeatedly cautioned, we will

not craft arguments for parties or otherwise act as counsel.        See e.g.,

Commonwealth v. Tchirkow, 160 A.3d 798, 804 (Pa. Super. 2017).

Therefore, we conclude that Appellant has waived this issue for appellate

review.

                  Cross-Examination of Corporal Quinn

      In his next issue, Appellant claims that the trial court abused its

discretion when it “terminated and/or circumscribe[ed]” Appellant’s cross-

examination of Corporal Quinn because “the credibility of Corporal Quinn was

at issue and the Commonwealth’s case based primarily on his opinion [] that

Appellant was under the influence of alcohol to such a degree as to render him

incapable of safe driving.”    Appellant’s Brief at 19-20 (some formatting

altered). Appellant’s remaining argument on this issue is as follows:

      A trial court is to balance the degree to which an accommodation
      for a witness will assist the witness in testifying in a truthful
      manner against any possible prejudice to the defendant’s right to
      a fair trial. Commonwealth v. Purnell, 259 A.3d 947 (Pa.
      Super. 2021). Instantly, the accommodation for [Corporal] Quinn

                                    - 12 -
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      by the trial court insofar as thwarting defense counsel’s cross-
      examination in the name of the best evidence rule clearly did not
      assist him in testifying truthfully and instead allowed him to avoid
      impeachment for inconsistencies in his testimony when compared
      to the MVR video and audio transcript and the prejudice to
      Appellant’s right to a fair trial was extreme and irreparable.

Id. at 20.

      However, Appellant does not cite to any instances in the record in which

the trial court improperly intervened during Appellant’s cross-examination of

Corporal Quinn, nor does Appellant explain in any detail how the trial court

abused its discretion. As noted above, we will not develop arguments on an

appellant’s behalf, nor will we examine the record for any possible errors by

the trial court as it relates to Corporal Quinn’s cross-examination.         See

Tchirkow, 160 A.3d at 804; Pa.R.A.P. 2119. For these reasons, we find that

Appellant has waived this issue for review.

                        Sufficiency of the Evidence

      Next, Appellant challenges the sufficiency of the evidence for his DUI

conviction. Appellant’s Brief at 20. Initially, Appellant does not contest that

he was driving, operating, or otherwise in physical control of the movement

of his vehicle.     Id. at 20-25.       Instead, Appellant claims that the

Commonwealth failed to establish that he had imbibed enough alcohol to

impair his ability to safely drive, operate, or be in physical control of his

vehicle. Id. at 23-25. In support, Appellant argues that the Commonwealth

based its theory of the case solely upon the appearance of “possible” vomit.

Id. at 20.    Appellant further alleges that the Commonwealth could have

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verified that the substance observed in Appellant’s vehicle actually was vomit,

“despite having the opportunity to do so and to preserve any such alleged

evidence.”   Id.   Therefore, Appellant concludes that the Commonwealth’s

evidence was “insufficient to support each element of the charge of DUI . . .

and the evidence was insufficient to support a guilty verdict beyond a

reasonable doubt[.]” Id. at 25.

      Our standard of review when presented with a sufficiency of the

evidence claim is as follows:

      The standard we apply in reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence
      is whether viewing all the evidence admitted at trial in the light
      most favorable to the verdict winner, there is sufficient evidence
      to enable the fact-finder to find every element of the crime beyond
      a reasonable doubt. In applying the above test, we may not weigh
      the evidence and substitute our judgment for the fact-finder. In
      addition, we note that the facts and circumstances established by
      the Commonwealth need not preclude every possibility of
      innocence. Any doubts regarding a defendant’s guilt may be
      resolved by the fact-finder unless the evidence is so weak and
      inconclusive that as a matter of law no probability of fact may be
      drawn from the combined circumstances. The Commonwealth
      may sustain its burden of proof of proving every element of the
      crime beyond a reasonable doubt by means of wholly
      circumstantial evidence. Moreover, in applying the above test,
      the entire record must be evaluated and all the evidence actually
      received must be considered. Finally, the trier of fact while
      passing on the credibility of witnesses and the weight of the
      evidence produced, is free to believe all, part[,] or none of the
      evidence.

Commonwealth v. Bragg, 133 A.3d 328, 330-31 (Pa. Super. 2016) (citation

omitted).

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       In order to sustain a conviction for DUI under Section 3802(a)(1) of the

Motor Vehicle Code, the Commonwealth must prove that the defendant drove,

operated, or was otherwise in physical control of the movement of a vehicle

after imbibing a sufficient amount of alcohol that rendered him incapable of

safely driving, operating, or otherwise being in physical control of the

movement of a vehicle. 75 Pa.C.S. § 3802(a)(1).

       This Court has explained:

       Substantial impairment, in this context, means a diminution or
       enfeeblement in the ability to exercise judgment, to deliberate, or
       to react prudently to changing circumstances and conditions.
       Further, we have held that a police officer who has perceived a
       defendant’s appearance and conduct is competent to express an
       opinion, in a prosecution for DUI, as to the defendant’s state of
       intoxication and ability to safely drive a vehicle.

Commonwealth v. Banks, 253 A.3d 768, 775 (Pa. Super. 2021) (citations

omitted and formatting altered), appeal denied, 267 A.3d 1213 (Pa. 2021).

       Here, at trial, Corporal Quinn testified that, in his opinion, Appellant had

imbibed a sufficient amount of alcohol, such that it rendered him incapable of

safely driving. N.T. Trial at 20. First, Corporal Quinn testified that Appellant

was operating his vehicle at a high rate of speed. Id. at 12.4 After initiating

the traffic stop, Corporal Quinn noted that Appellant had bloodshot eyes, the

odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from his person, and that Appellant

had something wet on his clothing. Id. at 16-17. When Corporal Quinn asked

____________________________________________

4Specifically, Corporal Quinn testified that Appellant was driving 62 miles per
hour in a 45 miles per hour zone. Id. at 14.

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Appellant if he had anything to drink, Appellant responded by saying that he

had consumed a fifth of vodka.       Id. at 17.      Corporal Quinn also observed

Appellant to have slurred and “thick” speech. Id. Further, Corporal Quinn

testified that he could observe vomit on the inside of Appellant’s vehicle on

driver’s side and around the center console.          Id. at 18.   During Corporal

Quinn’s testimony, the Commonwealth introduced a copy of the MVR from

Corporal Quinn’s vehicle, which the trial court admitted into evidence. Id. at

21, 24.

      Following our review of the record, and viewing the evidence in the light

most favorable to the Commonwealth, we conclude that the Commonwealth

presented sufficient evidence to warrant the conviction of DUI. See Bragg,

133 A.3d at 330-31; see also Banks, 253 A.3d at 775; 75 Pa.C.S. §

3802(a)(1). As noted previously, Corporal Quinn’s testimony provided the

trial court with sufficient circumstantial evidence that Appellant had imbibed

a sufficient amount of alcohol such that it rendered him incapable of safely

driving, operating, or being in physical control of a vehicle.          Therefore,

Appellant is not entitled to relief on this claim.

                           Weight of the Evidence

      In his final issue, Appellant contends that his conviction for DUI was

against the weight of the evidence.       Appellant’s Brief at 25.     Specifically,

Appellant argues that the Commonwealth failed to introduce evidence that

Appellant’s behavior was “indicative of alcohol impairing his ability to drive

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safely[.]” Id. Instead, Appellant states that his behavior was the result of

Appellant’s concern for his own safety due to his distrust of the police. Id.

       Our standard of review for an appeal from the trial court’s denial of a

weight of the evidence claim is well settled.

       [O]ur standard of review for a weight-of-the-evidence claim is an
       abuse of discretion. As we have often reminded appellants, an
       appellate court’s standard of review when presented with a weight
       of the evidence claim is distinct from the standard of review
       applied by the trial court. Appellate review of a weight claim is a
       review of the exercise of discretion, not of the underlying question
       of whether the verdict is against the weight of the evidence.

Commonwealth v. Rogers, 259 A.3d 539, 541 (Pa. Super. 2021) (citations

omitted and formatting altered).

       In the instant case, Appellant’s argument for his weight of the evidence

claim consists of little more than a restatement of Appellant’s theory of the

case. See Appellant’s Brief at 25-28. At no point does Appellant articulate,

or even argue, how the trial court abused its discretion when it denied

Appellant’s weight of the evidence motion. See Rogers, 259 A.3d at 541.

Moreover, Appellant does not cite to any case law aside from a description of

the elements of DUI.         Appellant’s Brief at 25 (citing Commonwealth v.

Palmer, 751 A.2d 223, 228 (Pa. Super. 2000)).5 Accordingly, we find that

____________________________________________

5We note that Palmer is inapposite to any weight of the evidence analysis,
as the Palmer Court was asked to review the sufficiency of the evidence and
whether the trial court erred when it denied Appellant’s motion to suppress.
Id., 751 A.2d at 225. As this Court has previously observed, weight and
sufficiency of the evidence claims are distinct. See Commonwealth v.
(Footnote Continued Next Page)

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J-A06017-23

Appellant has waived his weight-of-the-evidence claim on appeal.        See

Hardy, 918 A.2d at 771.

       Judgment of sentence affirmed.

Judgment Entered.

Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary

Date: 6/12/2023

____________________________________________

Rivera, 238 A.3d 482, 495 (Pa. Super. 2020). “A true weight of the evidence
challenge concedes that sufficient evidence exists to sustain the verdict but
questions which evidence is to be believed.” Commonwealth v. Charlton,
902 A.2d 554, 561 (Pa. Super. 2006) (citation omitted).

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