Court Opinion

ID: 4276655
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2018-05-18 18:42:36.831763+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:33:53.671351
License: Public Domain

J-S19030-18

NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37

    COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA               :   IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
                                               :        PENNSYLVANIA
                                               :
                v.                             :
                                               :
                                               :
    GARY BRENNAN,                              :
                                               :
                       Appellant               :   No. 3555 EDA 2017

           Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence September 14, 2017
      In the Court of Common Pleas of Monroe County Criminal Division at
                        No(s): CP-45-CR-0000570-2017

BEFORE: SHOGAN, J., NICHOLS, J., and PLATT, J.*

MEMORANDUM BY NICHOLS, J.:                                 FILED MAY 18, 2018

        Appellant Gary Brennan appeals from the judgment of sentence imposed

following his guilty plea to aggravated indecent assault of a child without

consent–victim less than 13 years old.1 Appellant challenges the discretionary

aspects of his sentence. We affirm.

        We summarize the relevant factual and procedural history as follows.

On February 15, 2017, Appellant was charged with four counts each of

aggravated indecent assault, endangering welfare of children,2 corruption of

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*   Retired Senior Judge assigned to the Superior Court.

1   18 Pa.C.S. § 3125(b).

2   18 Pa.C.S. § 4304(a)(1).
J-S19030-18

minors,3 and indecent exposure.4 The charges stemmed from allegations by

Appellant’s minor granddaughter, who reported that Appellant sexually

assaulted her on numerous occasions from 2011 to 2016, when she was nine

to thirteen years of age. See Affidavit of Probable Cause, 2/5/17.

        On April 26, 2017, Appellant entered an open guilty plea to one count

of aggravated indecent assault. See Guilty Plea Colloquy and Plea, 3/26/17.

Sentencing was deferred pending the preparation of a pre-sentence

investigation report (PSI) and an assessment by the Sexual Offenders

Assessment Board (SOAB) in accordance with the Sex Offender Registration

and Notification Act (SORNA).5 At the sentencing hearing on September 14,

2017, the trial court determined that Appellant was not a sexually violent

predator (SVP), and subsequently classified him as a tier three offender, which

____________________________________________

3   18 Pa.C.S. § 6301(a)(1)(ii).

4   18 Pa.C.S. § 3127(a).

5 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 9799.10-9799.41 (subsequently amended by 2018, Feb. 21,
P.L. 27, No. 10 (“Act 10”)). Although Appellant does not challenge the lifetime
registration period imposed in this case, we acknowledge that there have been
significant developments in law surrounding SORNA.              See Act 10;
Commonwealth v. Muniz, 164 A.3d 1189 (Pa. 2017), cert. denied,
Pennsylvania v. Muniz, 138 S. Ct. 925 (2018); Commonwealth v. Butler,
173 A.3d 1212 (Pa. Super. 2017); see also Commonwealth v. Lawrence,
99 A.3d 116, 124 (Pa. Super. 2014) (holding ex post facto challenge to
sentencing may be waived). We note here that aggravated indecent assault
has been classified as a lifetime registration offense since 2000 and has
remained a lifetime registration offense under any iteration of the law up to
the present.

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requires lifetime registration. N.T., 9/14/17, at 42-43, 59. At that time, the

court sentenced Appellant to an aggravated guideline-range sentence of 72-

144 months’ incarceration.6 Id. at 59.

        Appellant filed a motion for reconsideration on September 26, 2017,

which the court denied on October 2, 2017. Appellant subsequently filed a

timely notice of appeal on November 2, 2017. Both Appellant and the trial

court complied with Pa.R.A.P. 1925.

        Appellant raises a single issue for our review:

        Whether the [s]entencing [c]ourt abused its discretion in
        sentencing in the aggravated range, particularly in light of the
        mitigating factors of Appellant’s full contrition, old age, voluntary
        sexual offender treatment, and lack of any criminal history[.]

Appellant’s Brief at 4.7

        Appellant’s issue implicates the discretionary aspects of his sentence. It

is well-settled that a challenge to the discretionary aspects of sentencing is

not automatically reviewable as a matter of right.           Commonwealth v.

McNear, 852 A.2d 401, 407 (Pa. Super. 2004). To reach the merits of a

discretionary issue, this Court must determine whether the appellant: (1)

preserved the issue either by raising it at the time of sentencing or in a post-

sentence motion; (2) filed a timely notice of appeal; (3) set forth a concise
____________________________________________

6 Appellant had a prior record score of zero and an offense gravity score of
twelve. N.T., 9/14/17, at 59. Therefore, the standard-range minimum
sentence was forty-eight to sixty-six months, plus or minus twelve months for
aggravating or mitigating factors. See 204 Pa.Code § 303.16(a).

7   We note that the Commonwealth did not file a brief in this matter.

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statement of reasons relied upon for the allowance of his appeal pursuant to

Pa.R.A.P. 2119(f); and (4) raises a substantial question for our review.

Commonwealth v. Dunphy, 20 A.3d 1215, 1220 (Pa. Super. 2011) (citation

omitted).

      Here, Appellant filed a timely notice of appeal and preserved the issue

in a post-sentence motion. Although Appellant’s brief does not contain a Rule

2119(f) statement, the Commonwealth did not object. See Commonwealth

v. Robertson, 874 A.2d 1200, 1211 (Pa. Super. 2005) (finding that when an

appellant fails to include a Rule 2119(f) statement in an appellate brief, and

the Commonwealth has not objected, this Court can overlook the omission

and review the issue if a substantial question is evident from appellant’s brief).

Therefore, we proceed to whether Appellant has raised a substantial question.

      “The determination of whether a substantial question exists must be

determined on a case-by-case basis.”       Commonwealth v. Hartman, 908
A.2d 316, 320 (Pa. Super. 2006) (citation omitted). This Court has explained

that: “[a] substantial question exists where an 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.”           Id. (citation

omitted).

      With reference to 42 Pa.C.S. § 9781(c) and (d), and § 9721(b) of the

Sentencing Code, Appellant argues that the trial court “arrived at a clearly

unreasonable result” in sentencing the sixty-nine-year-old Appellant to a

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minimum of seven years in prison, which “is tantamount to sentencing the

Appellant to die in prison.” Appellant’s Brief at 10. He further claims that the

sentence “does not adequately account for the Appellant’s complete lack of

criminal history and substantial demonstration of remorse.” Id. Finally, he

argues that the sentence is particularly inappropriate given the low likelihood

of recidivism and his treatment for paraphilic disorder, which “encourages

optimism in his future life and in addressing his rehabilitative needs.” Id. at

11.

      In essence, Appellant contends that the court failed to give adequate

weight to mitigating factors. “This Court has held on numerous occasions that

a claim of inadequate consideration of mitigating factors does not raise a

substantial question for our review.” Commonwealth v. Disalvo, 70 A.3d
900, 903 (Pa. Super. 2013) (citation omitted). However, we have also held

that “an excessive sentence claim – in conjunction with an assertion that the

court failed to consider mitigating factors – raises a substantial question.”

Commonwealth v. Caldwell, 117 A.3d 763, 769 (Pa. Super. 2015) (en

banc) (citation omitted). Additionally,

      [i]n determining whether a substantial question exists, this Court
      does not examine the merits of whether the sentence is actually
      excessive.    Rather, we look to whether the appellant has
      forwarded a plausible argument that the sentence, when it is
      within the guideline ranges, is clearly unreasonable.
      Concomitantly, the substantial question determination does not
      require the court to decide the merits of whether the sentence is
      clearly unreasonable.

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Commonwealth v. Dodge, 77 A.3d 1263, 1270 (Pa. Super. 2013) (citation

omitted).    Therefore, we conclude that Appellant’s claim constitutes a

substantial question for our review.

       “Sentencing is a matter vested within the discretion of the trial court

and will not      be   disturbed absent       a manifest abuse          of discretion.”

Commonwealth v. Crump, 995 A.2d 1280, 1282 (Pa. Super. 2010) (citing

Commonwealth v. Johnson, 967 A.2d 1001 (Pa. Super. 2009)). “An abuse

of   discretion   requires   the   trial   court   to   have    acted   with   manifest

unreasonableness, or partiality, prejudice, bias, or ill-will, or such lack of

support so as to be clearly erroneous.” Id. (citing Commonwealth v. Walls,

926 A.2d 957 (Pa. 2007)).

       “When imposing sentence, a court is required to consider the particular

circumstances     of the     offense   and the      character    of the    defendant.”

Commonwealth v. Griffin, 804 A.2d 1, 10 (Pa. Super. 2002) (citation

omitted).    “In particular, the court should refer to the defendant’s prior

criminal record, his age, personal characteristics and his potential for

rehabilitation.” Id. Additionally, “[a] sentencing court need not undertake a

lengthy discourse for its reasons for imposing a sentence or specifically

reference the statute in question, but the record as a whole must reflect the

sentencing court’s consideration of the facts of the crime and character of the

offender.” Crump, 995 A.2d at 1283 (citation omitted).

       This Court may not reweigh the factors considered by the trial court

when imposing sentence. Commonwealth v. Macias, 968 A.2d 773, 778

                                           -6-
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(Pa. Super. 2009) (citation omitted). Where the trial court is informed by a

PSI, we presume “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.” Commonwealth v. Ventura, 975 A.2d
1128, 1135 (Pa. Super. 2009) (citation omitted).

       Here, Appellant’s sentence was in the aggravated range of the standard

sentencing guidelines. Therefore, we may only reverse the trial court if we

find that the circumstances of the case rendered the application of the

guidelines “clearly unreasonable.” 42 Pa.C.S. § 9781(c). Our review of the

reasonableness is based upon the factors contained in 42 Pa.C.S. § 9781(d),

and the trial court’s consideration of the general sentencing standards

contained in 42 Pa.C.S. § 9721(b).8 See Commonwealth v. Baker, 72 A.3d
652, 663 (Pa. Super. 2013).

____________________________________________

8 Section 9721(b) states 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(d) provides:

       In reviewing the record, the appellate court shall have regard for:

       (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.

                                           -7-
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       Prior to imposing Appellant’s sentence, the trial court provided the

following explanation:

       [Appellant] is presently age [sixty-nine] with, again, a zero prior
       record score. In fact, this represents his -- this incident represents
       his first adult arrest and his first conviction. The incident at issue
       here occurred when he was between the ages of -- I believe it was
       [sixty-three] and [sixty-nine] – [sixty-three] and [sixty-eight]. It
       happened over at least a four-year period. The victim is his nine
       to thirteen-year-old granddaughter, and certainly the facts here
       are very disturbing.

       The victim apparently came to [Appellant’s] house to visit with her
       father. It appears that the parents were separated, and she would
       spend weekends or certain days visiting with her father. And her
       -- [Appellant] lived with the father and those visits occurred.

       But while she was there, you took advantage of her . . . . And you
       did it over a period of time. And it’s serious what you did, it’s
       disturbing what you did, and it’s had a profound effect on a lot of
       people, mostly on your young granddaughter, [Victim], here who
       just read a statement to me. And I’ve heard from her in another
       letter that she wrote to me and I can see the effect that it’s had
       on her. And it may very well last her lifetime that she’s going to
       have to deal with this. And it’s troubling.

       And I know it isn’t listed as an aggravating circumstance, but I
       believe it is an aggravating circumstance, the impact on [Victim].
       And in this case, I find that it’s significant. You’re her grandfather
       and you’re supposed to keep your grandchild safe and secure. And
       instead, you’re taking advantage of her sexually and it happened
       over a significant period of time and she was young. She was, as
       we heard, prepubescent at the time this started. It continued
       through her puberty years.

____________________________________________

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

       (4) The guidelines promulgated by the commission.

42 Pa.C.S. § 9781(d).

                                           -8-
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     And I recognize that here today you have seemingly accepted
     responsibility and apologized, but you do certainly minimize your
     behavior at least in the pre-sentence investigation report. The
     statements were outlined by the district attorney. And it certainly
     sounds close to blaming [Victim] for the position that she was in,
     and that’s not what happened here. You’re the one that is at fault
     here. You were the adult and you sexually violated your
     granddaughter, Mr. Brennan. And she had no fault at all in any of
     this. And for you to blame her and to minimize your behavior is
     not appropriate.

     I did [review] some other letters that were attached, some family
     and friends. [Victim’s mother] attached a letter too just outlining
     the issues that [Victim] has been dealing with.

     And, you know, these kids haven’t had an easy life . . . . I’ve --
     I’m familiar with some of [Victim’s family members]. They’ve
     appeared before me. One of them is here today. They have been
     in court. They’ve had problems and issues; struggling with
     addiction, their mother is an alcoholic, their parents are
     separated, now I’m hearing [Victim] was in the foster care system.
     You know, it wasn’t easy for them. And you know, you were
     somebody that could have been a positive role model and helped
     them, but instead you took advantage of them, at least [Victim]
     here.

     And you know, your friend [who spoke on behalf of Appellant at
     sentencing] says he could never see it coming, right? Probably
     nobody could, but that’s how this happens. You know, I can’t tell
     you how many people come in here and tell me, I could have never
     imagined that he or she would have done that. They were always
     such a good neighbor, a good friend. You know, but this kind of
     stuff happens in secret, behind closed doors; and people don’t
     know about it, except the individuals that are involved in it.

     You were her grandfather. She called you Pop Pop. You were in a
     position of trust. That’s an aggravating circumstance. The fact that
     you minimized and rationalized your behavior is an aggravating
     circumstance. The impact on the victim, the extraordinary impact
     on the victim, on her life is an aggravating circumstance.

     So I’m going to impose the sentence in this case, after
     consideration of the guideline ranges, within the aggravated
     range. I’m not going to impose the sentence requested by the
     district attorney, that being a departure sentence.

                                    -9-
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N.T., 9/14/17, at 59-63.

      Our review of the record in light of section 9781(d) reveals that the trial

court gave due consideration to each of the relevant sentencing factors,

including Appellant’s age, as well as the sentencing guidelines, the contents

of the PSI, and the testimony offered at sentencing. Moreover, we discern no

basis to conclude that the court’s decision to sentence in the aggravated range

of the sentencing guidelines was “clearly unreasonable.” See 42 Pa.C.S. §

9781(c); Baker, 72 A.3d at 663.

      Judgment of sentence affirmed.

Judgment Entered.

Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary

Date: 5/18/18

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