Court Opinion

ID: 4247959
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2018-02-23 18:26:33.363219+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:43:23.210103
License: Public Domain

J-A03004-18

NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37

    COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA               :   IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
                                               :        PENNSYLVANIA
                      Appellee                 :
                                               :
               v.                              :
                                               :
    ANTONIO HATCHETT                           :
                                               :
                      Appellant                :        No. 15 EDA 2017

           Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence December 1, 2016
             In the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County
             Criminal Division at No(s): CP-51-CR-0012786-2015

BEFORE:      GANTMAN, P.J., McLAUGHLIN, J., and PLATT*, J.

MEMORANDUM BY GANTMAN, P.J.:                         FILED FEBRUARY 23, 2018

        Appellant, Antonio Hatchett, appeals from the judgment of sentence

entered in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas, after his bench

trial convictions for possession of a firearm prohibited, carrying a firearm

without a license, and carrying a firearm on a public street in Philadelphia.1

We affirm.

        The relevant facts and procedural history of this case are as follows.

           On October 6, 2015, at about 8:30 p.m., Philadelphia
           Highway Patrolmen Timothy Stephan and Keith White were
           on routine patrol in the area of the 100 block of East
           Rockland Street in Philadelphia when they observed a
           vehicle with heavily tinted windows, which they stopped
           for violations of the Vehicle Code.    The vehicle was
           occupied by Appellant, who was in the backseat, Tyreek
____________________________________________

1   18 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 6105(a)(1), 6106(a)(1), and 6108, respectively.

____________________________________
* Retired Senior Judge assigned to the Superior Court.
J-A03004-18

       Smith [(“Co-defendant”)], who was in the front passenger
       seat, and a third male, who was driving.              Upon
       approaching the males, Officer Stephan observed that
       Appellant had an identification card in his hand.       As
       Appellant attempted to hand the card to the officer,
       [Appellant’s] hand was shaking, and he began to breathe
       more heavily as he looked at the officer. The officer also
       observed green leafy material on the backseat floor of the
       vehicle that he believed was marijuana residue and
       detected an odor of burnt marijuana. Officer Stephan
       thereafter inspected the inside of the vehicle using his
       flashlight and noticed that the headrest attached to the
       front passenger [seat] had been stripped of its foam insert
       thereby creating a pocket. He also observed that material
       had been removed from the back of the front passenger
       seat, which he believed could have created a hidden
       compartment in the seat.

       Upon observing these alterations to the car, along with the
       nervousness manifested by the vehicle’s occupants, the
       officers became concerned so they returned to their
       vehicle and called for back-up. While the officers sat in
       their vehicle waiting for back-up, it appeared to them that
       the males in the vehicle were moving about inside it.

       When back-up arrived, Officer Stephan, Officer White, and
       the two back-up officers once again approached the
       vehicle.    Officer Stephan observed that Appellant was
       sweating even more profusely and breathing more heavily
       than he was during the initial encounter. After removing
       the three males from the vehicle, Officer Stephan
       confirmed that alterations had been made to the front
       passenger headrest, which had an indentation in the form
       of a handgun. He also confirmed alterations to the back of
       the front passenger seat. After Officer Stephan made
       these observations, Officer White proceeded from the
       driver’s side of the vehicle to its passenger side, lifted up
       the back seat, which he observed was not locked in to its
       bracket and was pulled away from the rear part of the seat
       creating a gap. He then recovered an operable black 9
       millimeter Ruger handgun loaded with sixteen live rounds,
       located directly under where Appellant was seated. A
       check of the serial number on the weapon revealed that
       the gun had been stolen and, as a result of the discovery

                                   -2-
J-A03004-18

           of the gun, Appellant and [Co-defendant], the registered
           owner of the vehicle, were taken into custody. Neither
           person had a valid permit to carry a firearm.

           Prior to the stop of the vehicle in this instance, Officer
           Stephan had conversations with Appellant and, on those
           occasions, Appellant did not exhibit nervousness or profuse
           sweating during those encounters.          Officer Stephan
           indicated that he did not observe the firearm before it was
           recovered and that he did not see Appellant reach under
           the seat.

(Trial Court Opinion, filed April 25, 2017, at 2-3).

        The court held a bench trial on September 15, 2016, and that same

day, convicted Appellant of possession of a firearm prohibited, carrying a

firearm without a license, and carrying a firearm on a public street in

Philadelphia.    On December 1, 2016, the court sentenced Appellant to an

aggregate term of six to twelve years’ imprisonment, plus five years’

probation. Appellant timely filed a post-sentence motion on December 13,

2016, which the court denied the following day.        On December 22, 2016,

Appellant timely filed a pro se notice of appeal. The court, on December 28,

2016, ordered Appellant to file a concise statement of errors complained of

on appeal, pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b).        The court appointed appellate

counsel on January 4, 2017, and issued a new Rule 1925(b) order on

January 5, 2017.       After the court granted multiple extensions of time,

Appellant timely filed a counseled Rule 1925(b) statement on March 27,

2017.

        Appellant raises the following issues for our review:

                                       -3-
J-A03004-18

         WERE THE VERDICT OF GUILTY AND JUDGMENT OF
         SENTENCE ON ALL OFFENSES (VIOLATION OF THE
         UNIFORM FIREARM ACT [18 PA.C.S.A.] § 6105,
         VIOLATION OF THE UNIFORM FIREARM ACT [18 PA.C.S.A.]
         § 6106, VIOLATION OF THE UNIFORM FIREARM ACT [18
         PA.C.S.A.] § 6108…) AGAINST THE WEIGHT OF THE
         EVIDENCE WHERE THE COMMONWEALTH COULD NOT
         PROVE ACTUAL OR CONSTRUCTIVE POSSESSION OF THE
         FIREARM, AS THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE PRESENTED THAT
         [APPELLANT] (1) EVER POSSESSED THE FIREARM, AND
         (2) HAD KNOWLEDGE OF, OR COULD EXERCISE
         CONSCIOUS DOMINION OR CONTROL OVER, THE FIREARM
         FOUND UNDER THE REAR SEAT CUSHION IN A VEHICLE
         THAT DID NOT BELONG TO HIM, WHEN HE WAS MERELY A
         REAR PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE AND APPEARED
         NERVOUS WHEN STOPPED BY THE POLICE?

         WAS THE VERDICT OF GUILTY (VIOLATION OF THE
         UNIFORM FIREARM ACT [18 PA.C.S.A.] § 6105,
         VIOLATION OF THE UNIFORM FIREARM ACT [18 PA.C.S.A.]
         § 6106, VIOLATION OF THE UNIFORM FIREARM ACT [18
         PA.C.S.A.] § 6108…) AGAINST THE WEIGHT OF THE
         EVIDENCE WHERE THE COMMONWEALTH COULD NOT
         PROVE ACTUAL OR CONSTRUCTIVE POSSESSION OF THE
         FIREARM, AS THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE PRESENTED THAT
         [APPELLANT] (1) EVER POSSESSED THE FIREARM, AND
         (2) HAD KNOWLEDGE OF, OR COULD EXERCISE
         CONSCIOUS DOMINION OR CONTROL OVER, THE FIREARM
         FOUND UNDER THE REAR SEAT CUSHION IN A VEHICLE
         THAT DID NOT BELONG TO HIM, WHEN HE WAS MERELY A
         REAR PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE AND APPEARED
         NERVOUS WHEN STOPPED BY THE POLICE, AND THE
         VERDICT SHOCKS THE CONSCIENCE?

(Appellant’s Brief at 5-6).

      After a thorough review of the record, the briefs of the parties, the

applicable law, and the well-reasoned opinion of the Honorable Daniel D.

McCaffery, we conclude Appellant’s issues merit no relief.   The trial court

opinion comprehensively discusses and properly disposes of the questions

                                   -4-
J-A03004-18

presented. (See Trial Court Opinion, supra, at 4-8) (finding: (1) evidence

established Appellant constructively possessed firearm in vehicle; Appellant

hastily gave identification to Officer Stephan, even though Appellant knew

Officer Stephan; police saw gun-shaped cut-out in headrest situated in front

of Appellant; alterations had been made to front passenger seat; Appellant

became increasingly and unusually nervous as investigation of vehicle

progressed; rear passenger seat where Appellant sat was unlatched;

occupants of vehicle made noticeable movement inside vehicle after police

initiated traffic stop; police discovered gun directly under Appellant;

therefore, totality of circumstances of traffic stop indicated Appellant knew

gun   was   present   and     had   intent   and   power      to   control    gun;   (2)

Commonwealth       presented    credible     testimony   at    trial   that   Appellant

possessed firearm in public in Philadelphia without license; although police

did not observe Appellant place gun under his seat, circumstantial evidence

allowed court to conclude Appellant’s firearms convictions did not shock

conscience; specifically, police observed Appellant acting visibly nervous

during traffic stop, Appellant’s seat was unhooked and loose, and police

discovered gun directly under Appellant’s seat; court correctly found verdict

was consistent with weight of evidence). Accordingly, we affirm on the basis

of the trial court opinion.

      Judgment of sentence affirmed.

                                       -5-
J-A03004-18

Judgment Entered.

Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary

Date:2/23/18

                          -6-
                                                                                                       Circulated 02/15/2018 03:21 PM

                             IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
                        FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA
                            TRIAL DIVISION-CRIMINAL SECTION

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA                                    : PHILADELPHIA COURT
                                                                : OF COMMON PLEAS
                                                                : CRIMINAL TRIAL DIVISION

                           v.                    FILED            CP-51-CR-0012786-2015
                                             APR 2 52017
ANTONIO HATCHETT                       Office of Judicial Recoros
                                         Appeals/Post Tria1
                                                                         CP-51-CR-0012786·2015 Comm. v. Hatchett, Antonio
                                                                                            Opinion

                                                    OPINION
                                                                              111111111111111 II Ill I I Ill
                                                                                       7938084261
MCCAFFERY, J

         Antonio Hatchett (hereinafter "Appellant") appeals from the judgment of sentence

imposed by this Court on December l, 2016. For the reasons set forth below, it is suggested that

the judgment of sentence be affirmed.

PROCEDURAL HISTORY

         On September 15, 2016, Appellant was tried before this Court, sitting without a jury, and

found guilty of Possession of a Firearm Prohibited, 18 Pa.C.S. § 6105, Carrying a Firearm

Without a License, 18 Pa.C.S. § 6106, and Carrying a Firearm on a Public Street, 18 Pa.C.S. §

6108.1 On December 1, 2016, this Court imposed an aggregate sentence of six to twelve years'

incarceration followed by five years' probation. Following the imposition of sentence, Appellant

filed a post-sentence motion which this Court denied on December 14, 2016. Appellant

thereafter filed a notice of appeal and a court ordered Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b) statement. In his

1
 Appellant was tried jointly with Tyreek Smith, who was acquitted. Appellant was tried on the 6105 charge after
being convicted of the other two offenses. Following a stipulation to evidence indicating that Appellant had a prior
conviction that made him ineligible to possess a firearm,and all of the evidence presented at trial, he was found
guilty of violating section 6105. (N.T. 58).

                                                          1
1925(b) statement, Appellant asserts that the evidence was insufficient to sustain the convictions,

that the guilty verdict was against the weight of the evidence, and that the Court committed an

abuse of discretion with respect to the admission of certain evidence.

FACTUAL IDSTORY

            On October 6, 2015, at about 8:30 p.m., Philadelphia Highway Patrolmen Timothy

Stephan and Keith White were on routine patrol in the area of the 100 block of East Rockland

Street in Philadelphia when they observed a vehicle with heavily tinted windows, which they

stopped for violations of the Vehicle Code.                        (N.T. 10-11). 2 The vehicle was occupied by

Appellant, who was in the backseat, Tyreek Smith, who was in the front passenger seat, and a

third male, who was driving.                 (N.T. 10-11). Upon approaching the males, Officer Stephan

observed that Appellant had an identification card in his hand. As Appellant attempted to hand

the card to the officer, his hand was shaking, and he began to breathe more heavily as he looked

at the officer. (N.T. 13, 15). The officer also observed green leafy material on the backseat floor

of the vehicle that he believed was marijuana residue and detected an odor of burnt marijuana.

(N.T. 14).3 Officer Stephan thereafter inspected the inside of the vehicle using his flashlight and

noticed that the headrest attached to the front passenger had been stripped of its foam insert

thereby creating a pocket. (N.T. 17). He also observed that material had been removed from the

back of the front passenger seat, which he believed could have created a hidden compartment in

the seat. (N.T. 17-18).

            Upon observing these alterations to the car, along with the nervousness manifested by the

vehicle's occupants, the officers became concerned so they returned to their vehicle and called

for back-up.         (N.T. 18, 44). While the officers sat in their vehicle waiting for back-up, it

2
    Unless otherwise indicated, all references to the record refer to the transcript of Appellant's trial.
3
    The other two passengers manifested nervousness as well. (N.T. 15).

                                                               2
appeared to them that the males in the vehicle were moving about inside it. (N.T. 18-19, 44).

        When back-up arrived, Officer Stephan, Officer White, and the two back-up officers once

again approached the vehicle. Officer Stephan observed that Appellant was sweating even more

profusely and breathing more heavily than he was during the initial encounter. (N.T. 19). After

removing the three males from the vehicle, Officer Stephan confirmed that alterations had been

made to the front passenger headrest, which had an indentation in the form of a handgun. He also

confirmed alterations to the back of the front passenger seat.                (N.T. 19, 29). After Officer

Stephan made these observations, Officer White proceeded from the driver's side of the vehicle

to its passenger side, lifted up the back seat, which he observed was not locked in to its bracket

and was pulled away from the rear part of the seat creating a gap. He then recovered an operable

black 9 millimeter Ruger handgun loaded with sixteen live rounds, located directly under where

Appellant was seated .. (N.T. 19-20, 28, 34, 44-45, 49).4 A check of the serial number on the

weapon revealed that the gun had been stolen and, as a result of the discovery of the gun,

Appellant and Smith, the registered owner of the vehicle, were taken into custody.                    (N.T. 20,

45). Neither person had a valid permit to carry a firearm. (N.T. 20, 48).

        Prior to the stop of the vehicle in this instance, Officer Stephan had conversations with

Appellant and, on those occasions, Appellant did not exhibit nervousness or profuse sweating

during the prior encounters. (N.T. 27). Officer Stephan indicated that he did not observe the

firearm before it was recovered and that he did not see Appellant reach under the seat. (N.T. 34,

37).

4
 A comparison of the recovered gun to the gun-shaped indentation in the altered headrest revealed that the gun
matched the indentation. (N.T. 28, 46). A DNA test performed on the gun detected male DNA but it could not be
connected to any individual. (N.T. 50).

                                                        3
DISCUSSION

        In his 1925(b) statement, Appellant argues in his first two claims that the verdicts were

against the weight of the evidence and that the evidence was insufficient to sustain the verdicts

because the Commonwealth failed to establish that Appellant possessed the gun, exercised

dominion and control over the gun, or had knowledge of the presence of the gun under the seat.

He further asserts that these issues have merit because he was merely present in the car and that

the evidence related to his nervousness did not prove his guilt. He lastly claims that this Court

committed an abuse of discretion by permitting the Commonwealth to present evidence that

during prior encounters with Officer Stephan, Appellant did not exhibit nervousness.

       With regard to Appellant's sufficiency claim, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has

provided the following standard of review:

                       [T]he critical inquiry on review of the sufficiency of the
               evidence to support a criminal conviction... does not require a
               court to 'ask itself whether it believes that the evidence at the trial
               established guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Instead, it must
               determine simply whether the evidence believed by the fact-finder
               was sufficient to support the verdict. .. [A]ll of the evidence and
               any inferences drawn therefrom must be viewed in the light most
               favorable to the Commonwealth as the verdict winner.

Commonwealth v. Ratsamy, 934 A.2d 1233, 1235-1236 (Pa. 2007) (emphasis in original).

       The Commonwealth need not establish guilt to a mathematical certainty, and it may

sustain its burden by means of wholly circumstantial evidence. Commonwealth v. Duncan, 932
A.2d 226, 231 (Pa. Super. 2007) (citation omitted). A reviewing court may not substitute its

judgment for that of the fact finder, and where the record contains support for the convictions,

they may not be disturbed. Id. Lastly, the finder of fact is free to believe some, all, or none of the

evidence presented. Commonwealth v. Hartle, 894 A.2d 800, 804 (Pa. Super. 2006).

       Section 6105 provides that a person who has been convicted of any of several enumerated

                                                  4
felonies, including burglary, "shall not possess, use, control, sell, transfer or manufacture or

obtain a license to possess, use, control, sell, transfer or manufacture a firearm in this

Commonwealth." 18 Pa.C.S. § 6105 (a)(l). A person commits the crime of carrying a firearm

without a license, 18 Pa. C.S. § 6106, if he or she carries a concealed firearm upon his or her

person while lacking a license. Finally, a person violates 18 Pa. C.S. § 6108, if he or she carries

a "firearm, rifle or shotgun at any time upon the public streets or upon any public property" in

Philadelphia unless licensed to do so or exempt from the license requirement. For purposes of

these sections, a "firearm" is "[a]ny pistol or revolver with a barrel length less than 15 inches,

any shotgun with a barrel length less than 18 inches or any rifle with a barrel length less than 16

inches, or any pistol, revolver, rifle or shotgun with an overall length of less than 26 inches." 18

Pa. C.S. § 6102.

       The evidence adduced at trial established that Appellant constructively possessed the

operable firearm discovered in the car. To prove constructive possession, the Commonwealth

must show that the accused "exercise[d] a conscious dominion over the illegal [contraband.]"

Commonwealth v. Valette, 613 A.2d 548, 550 (Pa. 1992). Conscious dominion is the "power to

control the contraband and the intent to exercise that control." Id., citing Corrunonwealth v.

Mudrick, 507 A.2d 1212, 1213 (Pa. 1986).          The Superior Court has noted, .. [c]onstructive

possession by its nature is not amenable to "bright line" tests. We have held, therefore, that it

may be established by the totality of the circumstances." Conunonwealth v. Carroll, 507 A.2d
819, 821 (Pa. 1986). Finally, circumstantial evidence can prove constructive possession,

Corrunonwealth v. Carter, 450 A.2d 142, 144 (Pa. Super. 1982).

       Drawing all inferences in favor of the Commonwealth as the law requires, it is clear that

the evidence was sufficient to sustain the verdict finding Appellant guilty of the three firearms

                                                 5
charges. Starting with Appellant's haste to give Officer Stephan his identification even though

he knew the officer, the gun-shaped cut-out in the headrest situated in front of Appellant, the

alterations made to the front seat, Appellant's unusual and extreme nervousness that worsened as

the investigation continued, the unlatched back seat, the movement of the men in the car after

being stopped by the officers herein, and the discovery of the gun directly under Appellant all

coalesced to prove Appellant had knowledge of the gun's presence, that he had the intent to

posses the gun, and that he had the power to control the weapon. Accordingly, it is respectfully

suggested that the instant claim be deemed lacking in merit. 5

       It is also suggested that Appellant's weight of the evidence claim also lacks merit. The

standard in reviewing a weight of the evidence claim is well-settled:

               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. Because the trial judge has had
               the opportunity to hear and see the evidence presented, an
               appellate court will give the gravest consideration to the findings
               and reasons advanced by the trial judge when reviewing a trial
               court's determination that the verdict is against the weight of the
               evidence. One of the least assailable reasons for granting or
               denying a new trial is the lower court's convict ion that the verdict
               was or was not against the weight of the evidence and that a new
               trial should be granted in the interest of justice.

Commonwealth v. Clay, 64 A.3d 1049, 1055 (Pa. 2013} (emphasis and citations omitted); see

also Commonwealth v. Sanchez, 36 .3d 24, 27 (Pa. 2011) (stating that "[r]elief on a weight of the

evidence claim is reserved for extraordinary circumstances, when the jury's verdict is so contrary

5
  Appellant's extreme nervousness manifested consciousness of guilt. See Commonwealth v.
Hughes, 865 A.2d 761, 792 (Pa. 2004) ("The conduct of an accused following a crime, including
 'manifestations of mental distress,' is admissible as tending to show guilt.") (quoting in part
Commonwealth v. Homeyer, 94 A.2d 743, 747 (Pa. 1953) ("mental distress, fear at the time of or
just before or just after discovery of the crime" are indicators of guilt)).
                                                6
to the evidence as to shock one's sense of justice and the award of a new trial is imperative so

that right may be given another opportunity to prevail." (citation omitted)).

        The initial determination regarding the weight of the evidence is for the fact-finder.

Commonwealth v. Jarowecki, 923 A.2d 425, 433 (Pa. Super. 2007). The trier of fact is free to

believe all, some or none of the evidence. Id. A reviewing court is not permitted to substitute its

judgment for that of the fact-finder. Commonwealth v. Small, 741 A.2d 666, 672 (Pa. 1999).

When the challenge to the weight of the evidence is predicated on the credibility of trial

testimony, appellate review of a trial court's decision is extremely limited. Unless the evidence is

so unreliable and/or contradictory as to make any verdict based thereon pure conjecture, weight

of evidence claims shall be rejected. Commonwealth v. Rossetti, 863 A.2d 1185, 1191 (Pa.

Super. 2004 ).

       Applying the foregoing to the instant matter, the Court's verdict does not shock the

conscience for the same reasons set forth above in the discussion of Appellant's sufficiency

claim. The Commonwealth presented credible testimony that Appellant possessed a firearm

without a license permitting him to possess a firearm on a public street of Philadelphia at a time

when he was prohibited from doing so. Although Appellant was not observed placing the gun

under the seat, the other evidence showing that he was nervous, the back seat upon which

Appellant was sitting was unhooked and loose, and that the gun was found directly under him all

caused this Court to conclude that the verdict did not shock the conscience.          As noted in

Commonwealth v. Conway, 14 A.3d 101 (Pa. Super. 2011), reargument denied (Mar. 16, 2011),

appeal denied, 29 A.3d 795 (2011), "[i]n DNA, as in other areas, an absence of evidence is not

evidence of absence." Thus, it is clear that this Court did not commit an abuse of discretion in

                                                 7
denying Appellant's weight claim and it is respectfully suggested that the decision to deny

Appellant relief on his weight claim be affirmed.

       In his final claim, Appellant asserts that it was an abuse of discretion to admit, over

objection, evidence that during prior non-custodial interactions with Officer Stephan, Appellant

did not appear nervous and acted normally. (N.T. 13-14, 27). The admissibility of evidence is

solely within the discretion of the trial court and will be reversed only if the trial court has

abused its discretion. An abuse of discretion is not merely an error of judgment, but is rather the

overriding or misapplication of the law, or the exercise of judgment that is manifestly

unreasonable, or the result of bias, prejudice, ill-will or partiality, as shown by the evidence of

record. Commonwealth v. Hernandez, 39 A.2d 406, 411 (Pa.Super. 2012), quoting

Commonwealth v. Herb, 852 A.2d 356, 363 (Pa.Super. 2004). Pennsylvania Rule of Evidence

401 defines 'relevant evidence' as "evidence having any tendency to make the existence of any

fact that is of consequence to the determination of the action more probable or less probable than

it would be without the evidence."

                 Admissibility of evidence depends on relevance and probative
         value. Evidence is relevant if it logically tends to establish a material fact
         in the case, tends to make a fact at issue more or less probable or supports
         a reasonable inference or presumption regarding a material fact.

Commonwealth v. Stallworth, 781 A.2d 110, 117 (Pa. 2001), citing Commonwealth v. Crews,

640 A.2d 395 (Pa. 1994); Commonwealth v. Bardo, 709 A.2d.871 (Pa. 1988).

       The application of the foregoing establish that this Court did not commit an abuse of

discretion by overruling Appellant's objection to the introduction of the evidence under review.

The fact that Appellant exhibited nervousness that, in Officer Stephan's opinion, was out of the

ordinary was relevant and admissible. As noted above, extreme nervousness establishes

consciousness of guilt. Therefore, the fact that Appellant was extremely and unusually nervous

                                                 8
made his lack of such behavior when he was in Officer Stephan's presence previously relevant.

Therefore, this Court did not commit an abuse of discretion and Appellant's claim should be

deemed lacking in merit. 6

CONCLUSION

        Based on the foregoing, it is respectfully suggested that the judgment of sentence entered

in this matter against Appellant be affirmed.

                                                                      BY THE COURT,

Date:   ��4o/Y

6
 In any event, the evidence of guilt was overwhelming and any error in allowing the admission of this evidence was
harmless. See Commonwealth v. Dejesus, 880 A.2d 608 (Pa. 2005) (holding that because evidence of guilt was
overwhelming, any error caused by admission of prejudicial evidence was harmless).

                                                        9
                             CERTIFICATION OF SERVICE

                                      b-
       I, James Molinari, Esquire, Law clerk to the Honorable Daniel D. Mccaffery hereby
                     ') ,n4 day of
certifies that on the �               �1,L,         , 2017, by first class mail, postage prepaid, a
true and correct copy of the attached opinion was served upon the following:

Leo M. Mulvihill, Jr., Esquire
2424 East York Street-Suite 111
Philadelphia, Pa. 19123

Hugh Bums, Esquire
Chief-Appeals Unit
Office of the Philadelphia
District Attorney
Three South Penn Square
Philadelphia, PA 19107

                                                              James Molinari, Esquire

                                               10