Court Opinion

ID: 4231981
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2017-12-22 20:23:54.97247+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:42:55.657761
License: Public Domain

J-A23017-17

NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37

 COMMONWEALTH OF                       :   IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
 PENNSYLVANIA                          :        PENNSYLVANIA
                                       :
                                       :
              v.                       :
                                       :
                                       :
 RAHEEM WILLIAMS                       :
                                       :   No. 1249 EDA 2016
                   Appellant

          Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence January 20, 2016
            In the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County
           Criminal Division at No(s): CP-51-CR-0015842-2013,
                                       CP-51-CR-0015843-2013,
                                       CP-51-CR-0015844-2013

BEFORE:   PANELLA, J., DUBOW, J., and FITZGERALD*, J.

MEMORANDUM BY PANELLA, J.                     FILED DECEMBER 22, 2017

     Appellant, Raheem Williams, appeals from the judgment of sentence

following his convictions on multiple counts of attempted murder and other

related charges. We affirm.

     For a recitation of the complete factual background and procedural

history of this case, we direct the interested reader to the trial court’s

comprehensive opinion. See Trial Court Opinion, filed 12/22/16, at 1-11.

     Briefly, in August 2013, a fistfight between two groups of men escalated

into a shootout, with two men firing weapons into the crowd. One person was

wounded. The next day, two other people connected with the fight were

wounded in another shooting outside of one of the victims’ homes. Police

questioned a witness, Rakeem Hall, who identified Appellant in a photo array

____________________________________
* Former Justice specially assigned to the Superior Court.
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as one of the men who began firing into the crowd. Hall also stated that

Appellant shot Hall’s brother and a neighbor outside of Hall’s residence.

Kaleem Shelton, who separately pled guilty to charges in connection with the

first shootout, likewise identified Appellant as the other gunman firing into the

crowd, and as the person who shot Hall’s brother and neighbor.

       Following his arrest, Appellant filed a motion to suppress the photo

identification made by Hall. The court denied the motion, and Appellant

proceeded to a jury trial. At trial, both Hall and Shelton refused to testify, and

their prior signed statements were admitted into evidence.1 The jury convicted

Appellant of three counts each of attempted murder and aggravated assault,

and one count each of firearms not to be carried without a license, carrying

firearms on a public street in Philadelphia, and possession of an instrument of

crime.   The    court    imposed     an    aggregate   sentence   of   25-50   years’

incarceration. This timely appeal follows.

       On appeal, Appellant challenges five issues. He first contends the trial

court improperly denied his motion to suppress Hall’s photo identification. The

____________________________________________

1 The trial transcript is not in the certified record. Appellant requested a copy
of the transcript in the trial court. For whatever reason, the trial court did not
forward the transcript along with the certified record. A copy of the transcript
is in Appellant’s reproduced record, and the Commonwealth has not objected
to that copy. In the interest of judicial economy, we have not requested the
trial court to locate and forward the official transcript, see Commmonwealth
v. Preston, 904 A.2d 1, 7 (Pa. Super.2006) (en banc), but have elected to
use the one provided in the reproduced record. Accord Commonwealth v.
Walls, 926 A.2d 957, 959 n.1 (Pa. 2007) (relying on pre-sentence
investigation report that appeared only in reproduced record where neither
party challenged the validity of the report).

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police, Appellant argues, were unnecessarily suggestive in presenting Hall with

the photo array by implying that he had to choose one of the images before

him, rather than giving Hall the option not to select a photo if he did not

recognize the gunman. We disagree.

      When reviewing a denial of a suppression motion, “we must consider

only the evidence of the prosecution and so much of the evidence of the

defense as remains uncontradicted when read in the context of the record as

a whole.” Commonwealth v. Eichinger, 915 A.2d 1122, 1134 (Pa. 2007).

We are not bound by the suppression court’s legal conclusions and review the

suppression court’s application of the law to the facts de novo. See

Commonwealth v. Myers, 118 A.3d 1122, 1125 (Pa. Super. 2015).

      In contrast, we defer to the suppression court’s findings of fact as it is

in the bailiwick of the suppression court to assess the credibility of witnesses

and the weight to be given to their testimony. See id. “It is within the

suppression court’s sole province as factfinder to pass on the credibility of

witnesses and the weight to be given to their testimony. The suppression court

is free to believe all, some or none of the evidence presented at the

suppression hearing.” Commonwealth v. Elmobdy, 823 A.2d 180, 183 (Pa.

Super. 2003) (citations omitted).

      “Whether an out of court identification is to be suppressed as unreliable,

and therefore violative of due process, is determined from the totality of the

circumstances.” Commonwealth v. Fulmore, 25 A.3d 340, 346 (Pa. Super.

2011) (citation omitted). Identification evidence will not be suppressed,

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except in cases where “the identification procedure used was so impermissibly

suggestive as to give rise to a very substantial likelihood of irreparable

misidentification.” Commonwealth v. Stiles, 143 A.3d 968, 978 (Pa. Super.

2016) (citation omitted). “Suggestiveness in the identification process is a

factor to be considered in determining the admissibility of such evidence, but

suggestiveness alone does not warrant exclusion.” Fulmore, 25 A.3d at 346.

(internal quotation marks and citation omitted). Suggestiveness occurs in an

identification procedure where the police emphasize or otherwise isolate a

suspect. See Commonwealth v. Davis, 17 A.3d 390, 394 (Pa. Super. 2011).

         Appellant’s argument is misleading at best. Hall told police officers that

he knew “Bam” (Appellant’s nickname) was the shooter. Hall’s decision not to

cooperate at trial notwithstanding, Appellant cannot fairly maintain that the

police     procedures    used   here   created    a   “substantial   likelihood   of

misidentification.” The police culled a list from their database, using Hall’s

description of Appellant, a person Hall knew. They produced pictures of seven

other people in conjunction with Appellant’s picture—all men in their 20s with

close-cropped dreadlocks and similar skin tones and features. Appellant does

not suggest, nor does the record show, that the police asked Appellant to do

anything more than “identify the shooter.” N.T. Suppression Hearing, 10/5/15,

at 9.

         Again, Appellant was someone Hall knew as “Bam” prior to the both

shootings. We find nothing in the record to support Appellant’s assertions that

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the trial court erred by not suppressing the photo identification, and we decline

to reverse on those grounds.

      In Appellant’s second issue, he challenges the trial court’s conduct

during the voir dire jury selection process. Specifically, Appellant contends the

court erred by not allowing him to conduct individual questioning of jurors to

elicit evidence of potential racial bias.

      “[T]he purpose of voir dire is to ensure the empaneling of a fair and

impartial jury capable of following the instructions on the law as provided by

the trial court.” Commonwealth v. Paolello, 665 A.2d 439, 450 (Pa. 1995)

(citation omitted). “[T]he test of disqualification is the juror’s ability and

willingness to eliminate the influence of his scruples and render a verdict

according to the evidence. This determination is to be made by the trial judge

based on the juror’s answers and demeanor and will not be reversed absent

a palpable abuse of discretion.” Commonwealth v. Penn, 132 A.3d 498, 502

(Pa. Super. 2016).

      “Voir dire is not to be utilized as a tool for the attorneys to ascertain the

effectiveness of potential trial strategies.” Paolello, 665 A.2d at 451 (holding

that counsel was not permitted to question jurors during voir dire about their

attitudes toward alcohol in case where victim’s death involved alcohol

consumption). The trial court has discretion in determining whether counsel

may pose separate questions to potential jurors during voir dire. See

Commonwealth v. Mattison, 82 A.3d 386, 397 (Pa. 2013) (citation omitted)

(holding trial court did not abuse its discretion when it precluded defense

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counsel’s proposed questions to jury venire about defendant’s prior murder

conviction). Indeed, despite counsel’s request, the court may decline to ask

voir dire questions on race where particularly sensitive racial issues are not

present, and raising such issues risks unnecessarily injecting race into the

proceedings. See Commonwealth v. Richardson, 473 A.2d 1361, 1363 (Pa.

1984). See also Commonwealth v. Glaspy, 616 A.2d 1359, 1362 (Pa.

1992) (describing point at which racial considerations were introduced into

the case and it became appropriate for the trial court to individually question

potential jurors on prejudices they may have held).

      The trial court here did not allow Appellant to ask additional questions

about jurors’ possible bias regarding statements made by police officers.

However, this was after the court had asked jurors whether they could be fair

and open-minded, and after it already informed jurors they may not give a

police officer’s testimony any additional weight simply because of the officer’s

status as a law enforcement agent. Any jurors who indicated on their

individual questionnaire that they would give an officer’s testimony more

weight were individually questioned in order for the court to ascertain whether

they could follow the court’s instructions with respect to law enforcement

testimony. Each juror answered in the affirmative. To the extent Appellant

challenges these questions as “cursory, superficial, [and] leading,” we decline

to find that the court erred in this line of questioning.

      Counsel also avers the trial court erred by not permitting trial counsel

to question potential jurors during voir dire about their views on guns and gun

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violence, or on their racial attitudes. Counsel’s own explanation as to why he

wanted to ask those questions demonstrates his intent to use this line of

reasoning as a framing device for Appellant’s case.

      Counsel advanced no reason as to why the case might be racially

sensitive, but instead baldly stated: “[T]here’s nothing [in the questionnaire]

about the current situation that young African American men are constantly

in the media talking about guns in – particular guns and shootings and could

that possibly impact the prejudice in any way that this case involves a young

African American male accused of shooting and having a gun.” N.T. Jury

Selection, 10/7/15, at 43-44.

      Voir dire is not an appropriate opportunity for counsel to assess the

value of particular trial strategies. See Paolello, 665 A.2d at 451. The trial

court acted well within its discretion in not permitting counsel to individually

question jurors about their racial attitudes or views on firearms. Thus, we find

the court did not err when it refused to permit defense counsel’s proposed line

of questioning.

      In Appellant’s third issue, he claims the Commonwealth improperly

bolstered   Kaleem       Shelton’s   testimony   by    noting   the    Commonwealth

prosecuted Shelton for his role in the crimes, and the same court presided

over Shelton’s guilty plea hearing. We disagree.

      The trial court has discretion over the admissibility of evidence, and its

decision    will   not    be   disturbed    unless    it   abuses     that   discretion.

Commonwealth v. Lam, 684 A.2d 153, 158 (Pa. Super. 1996). “Improper

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bolstering of a witness occurs when the Commonwealth places the prestige of

the government behind the witness through personal assurances of his or her

veracity, or the Commonwealth indicates that information which is not before

the jury supports the witness’ testimony.” Id. (citations omitted). The

Commonwealth may introduce evidence of a witness’ plea agreement in

testimony at trial. See Commonwealth v. Bricker, 581 A.2d 147, 155 (Pa.

1990).

         There is no merit in Appellant’s third issue. The Commonwealth noted

while reading the transcript of Shelton’s prior police statement that it had

charged Shelton for his participation in the crimes at issue in this case, and

Shelton pled guilty. The Commonwealth indicated that the same court

presiding over Appellant’s case accepted Shelton’s plea. At no point did the

Commonwealth place its authority behind Shelton’s statement, or otherwise

bolster Shelton’s credibility. Counsel for the Commonwealth did not personally

assure jurors that Shelton was a truthful witness, nor did counsel imply the

court was convinced of Shelton’s truthfulness. Indeed, the Commonwealth

clearly and carefully emphasized that Shelton was also a participant in the

crimes, and that he had been sentenced to time in prison for his role.

Introducing evidence of Shelton’s own criminal responsibility for actions in this

case does not constitute improper bolstering. Appellant is due no relief on this

issue.

         In Appellant’s fourth issue, he claims the trial court erred by admitting

hearsay when it permitted the Commonwealth to read into evidence Raquane

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Hall’s out-of-court statement to his brother, Rakeem Hall. We find this issue

waived.

      Pennsylvania Rule of Evidence 103(a) provides that a party may claim

error in the admission of evidence only if he makes a timely objection on the

record and states the specific ground for the objection, unless it was apparent

from the context. See Pa.R.E. 103(a)(1)(A)-(B). “We have long held that

‘[f]ailure to raise a contemporaneous objection to the evidence at trial waives

that claim on appeal.’” Commonwealth v. Tha, 64 A.3d 704, 713 (Pa. Super.

2013) (citing, among others, Pa.R.A.P. 302(a).

      At trial, the Commonwealth read portions of Rakeem Hall’s prior police

statement into evidence after he refused to cooperate. See N.T. Trial,

10/8/15, at 25-61. The Commonwealth also introduced sections of the

statement where Rakeem Hall recounted a conversation with his girlfriend’s

uncle, as well as text messages between Hall and his girlfriend. See id., at

32, 36. Rakeem Hall’s statement included an allegation from his brother

Raquane, in which Raquane described who shot him and Rakeem concluded

that the person described was Appellant. See id., at 59-60. While Appellant’s

counsel specifically objected to the introduction of the statement between

Rakeem Hall and his girlfriend’s uncle, and to the text messages, he failed to

object to the declaration Raquane allegedly relayed to Rakeem over the

phone, which Rakeem memorialized in his police statement.

      The court gave Appellant’s counsel an opportunity to clarify his

objections before cross-examination, and counsel again stated his belief that

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the text messages and the conversation between Rakeem and his girlfriend’s

uncle was inadmissible. See id., at 66-69. The court denied this objection,

and Appellant specifically does not raise this issue on appeal. See Appellant’s

Brief, at 42. Appellant did not raise a specific and timely objection to the

introduction of the testimony regarding what Raquane Hall said to Rakeem

about the person who shot him. As Appellant failed to specifically object to

this testimony, the issue is not preserved for appellate review.

      Appellant’s final issue challenges the trial court’s alleged limitations on

his cross-examination of Commonwealth witnesses, and the admission of

Kaleem Shelton’s written statement to police.

      The trial court has broad discretion in determining the scope and limits

of cross-examination, and the court’s decision will not be reversed unless it

clearly abused that discretion. See Commonwealth v. Briggs, 12 A.3d 291,

335 (Pa. 2011). “Although the right of cross-examination is a fundamental

right, it is not absolute.” Commonwealth v. Rosser, 135 A.3d 1077, 1088

(Pa. Super. 2016) (citation omitted). The right of confrontation does not

permit fishing expeditions. See id. “On cross-examination, counsel may

question the witness concerning subjects raised during direct examination,

may refute inferences raised during direct testimony, and may attempt to

discredit a witness through questions about acts or omissions inconsistent with

his testimony.” Commonwealth v. Robinson, 877 A.2d 433, 449 (Pa. 2005)

(citation omitted).

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      “[T]he admission of a prior inconsistent statement of a non-party

witness shall be used as substantive evidence only when: (1) the statement

was given under oath at a formal legal proceeding; or (2) the statement is

reduced to a writing signed and adopted by the declarant; or (3) the statement

is recorded verbatim contemporaneously with the making of the statement.”

Commonwealth v. Hanible, 30 A.3d 426, 445 (Pa. 2011) (citation omitted)

(holding witness’ adoption of statement at trial unnecessary to prove that

witness previously signed and adopted statement when made).

      During cross-examination of Rakeem Hall, Appellant’s counsel asked

him about statements Hall’s brother Raquane made to police. See N.T. Trial,

10/8/15, at 97. Appellant avers this testimony was properly within the scope

of cross-examination, as the Commonwealth had previously elicited testimony

that Raquane told Rakeem Appellant had shot him. However, Rakeem’s

statement to police, which the Commonwealth partially read into the record

on direct, concerned what Raquane directly related to Rakeem, not what

Raquane told the police. Neither the Commonwealth nor Appellant presented

any evidence that Rakeem was present during, or had direct knowledge of,

Raquane’s interview with police. Thus, the court properly sustained the

Commonwealth’s objection to Appellant’s counsel’s question.

      Appellant also objects to the court’s limitation of his cross-examination

of Kaleem Shelton. Appellant contends that this limitation restricted him from

eliciting information that could have allowed the jury to more fully evaluate

Shelton’s credibility.

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      Appellant’s counsel questioned Shelton at length about Shelton’s

purported reading comprehension issues, in order to undermine the veracity

of Shelton’s signed statement, which a police officer transcribed by hand. See

N.T. Trial, 10/9/15, at 60-66. Counsel then asked Detective Wolkowicz, who

had taken Shelton’s statement, about Shelton’s ability to understand him.

Notably, counsel did not ask the detective if he believed Shelton understood

him; instead, counsel asked Detective Wolkowicz how Shelton “would know

the difference between what you’re reading to him and what you’re saying to

him[.]” Id., at 102. This question called for the detective to speculate as to

what Shelton may have understood, which not a fact the detective could

properly   testify   to.   The   trial   court    did   not   err   in   sustaining   the

Commonwealth’s objection.

      To the extent Appellant asserts that Shelton’s statement should have

been excluded from evidence because of Shelton’s purported lack of ability to

understand it, this argument is also baseless. Shelton testified he signed the

document. See id., at 43. On direct examination, Detective Wolkowicz

testified he read the statement to Shelton line-by-line, and that Shelton

agreed with each line before signing the statement at the end of the

document. Id at 78. Appellant’s argument that Shelton did not understand

what the detective wrote was thus properly submitted as argument for the

fact-finder to consider, rather than as a reason to preclude Shelton’s prior

inconsistent statement from evidence altogether.

      Judgment of sentence affirmed.

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     Judge Dubow joins the memorandum.

     Justice Fitzgerald concurs in the result.

Judgment Entered.

Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary

Date: 12/22/2017

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