Court Opinion

ID: 9959068
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2024-04-10 16:11:34.463855+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:18:25.499355
License: Public Domain

J-A07029-24

NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT O.P. 65.37

    COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA               :   IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
                                               :        PENNSYLVANIA
                       Appellant               :
                                               :
                                               :
                v.                             :
                                               :
                                               :
    MICHELLE L PULIZZI                         :   No. 770 MDA 2023

                  Appeal from the Order Entered May 25, 2023
               In the Court of Common Pleas of Lycoming County
              Criminal Division at No(s): CP-41-CR-0001481-2022

BEFORE:      STABILE, J., SULLIVAN, J., and STEVENS, P.J.E.*

MEMORANDUM BY SULLIVAN, J.:                              FILED APRIL 10, 2024

       The Commonwealth has filed an interlocutory appeal from the order

denying its motion to limit the scope of the defense’s cross-examination of the

victim. We affirm.1

____________________________________________

* Former Justice specially assigned to the Superior Court.

1 The Commonwealth has certified that the instant order will terminate or
substantially handicap the prosecution. See Pa.R.A.P. 311(d). However, we
note that our Supreme Court has held that Rule 311(d) is limited to “pretrial
ruling[s] result[ing] in the suppression, preclusion or exclusion of
Commonwealth evidence.” Commonwealth v. Cosnek, 836 A.2d 871, 877
(Pa. 2003). Accord Commonwealth v. McKnight, 305 A.3d 582, 586 (Pa.
Super. 2023) (citing Cosnek for the proposition that “[a] Commonwealth[]
appeal from a pretrial ruling that denied its motion in limine to exclude certain
defense evidence [is] not appealable under Rule 311(d)”). However, we may
exercise jurisdiction over this interlocutory appeal under the collateral order
doctrine pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 313. See, e.g., Commonwealth v. Jerdon,
229 A.3d 278, 284 (Pa. Super. 2019) (this Court exercising jurisdiction
pursuant to Rule 313 in context of a Commonwealth appeal from an
(Footnote Continued Next Page)
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       The trial court set forth the factual and procedural history of this case:

             By way of background, Michelle Pulizzi [(“Pulizzi”)] was
       charged with criminal solicitation of institutional sexual assault
       and institutional sexual assault-sexual contact with a student. The
       Commonwealth . . . alleged that between February 1, 2018 and
       June 10, 2018, [] Pulizzi engaged in sexual conversations,
       exchanged nude photographs, and set up a time and date to have
       sexual intercourse with J.T., a[n] 18[-]year[-]old high school
       student. She also allegedly “made out” with J.T. and touched or
       rubbed her hand over his pants in his groin area. J.T. did not
       disclose these alleged activities until after he was charged with
       unlawful contact with a minor, rape of a child, involuntary deviate
       sexual intercourse (IDSI), sexual assault, indecent assault of a
       complainant less than 13 years of age, indecent assault without
       consent, and indecent exposure in 2022.

              On May 16, 2023, a jury was selected[,] and the trial was
       scheduled for May 25, 2023. Between jury selection and the trial
       date, both parties filed motions, one of which was [] Pulizzi’s
       second motion in limine that sought to permit defense counsel to
       introduce into evidence at the time of trial the docket sheet of
       J.T.’s charges. During the morning of May 24, 2023, the court
       held argument on the motion and granted in part the defense
       motion.     During the afternoon on May 24, 2023, the
       Commonwealth sent an email to the court and defense counsel[,]
       requesting that the name of the charges against J.T. be
       precluded[,] as such would only serve to inflame the jury. The
       Commonwealth relied on the case of Commonwealth v. Lane,
       621 A.2d 566 (Pa. 1993)[,] and asserted that “the [Pennsylvania]
       Supreme Court upheld the decision of the trial court to limit the
       defense to referring to pending charges against a prosecution
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evidentiary ruling permitting the defense to admit certain evidence, where (1)
the issue does not require this Court to decide the defendant’s potential guilt
or innocence; (2) the evidentiary issue pertained to the complainant’s privacy
and thus implicated rights “deeply rooted in public policy going beyond the
particular litigation at hand”; and (3) appellate review, if delayed, could occur
after an acquittal, after which the Commonwealth would lose the ability to
pursue the issue because of the constitutional prohibition against double
jeopardy). See also Miller v. Shutt, --- A.3d ----, 2024 WL 926929 (Pa.
Super. 2024) (noting that “[t]his Court may inquire at any time, sua sponte,
whether an order is appealable”) (internal citation and quotations omitted).

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     witness as other serious felonies.” The Commonwealth asked the
     court to address this issue the next morning prior to the start of
     trial.

            Immediately prior to the time scheduled for trial to
     commence, the court permitted counsel for both parties to argue
     their positions on the record. The Commonwealth argued to
     preclude the defense from stating the names of any of the charges
     filed against J.T. and to limit the information to the fact that J.T.
     was charged with a felony of the first degree with a maximum
     possible sentence of 40 years. Defense counsel argued that the
     court had already ruled in his client’s favor the previous day and
     he was concerned with the way this issue came to the court.
     Nevertheless, he was prepared to counter the Commonwealth’s
     arguments and relied on Commonwealth v. Davis, 652 A.[2]d
     885 (Pa. Super. 1994) to argue that the victim, as an accuser,
     must be subject to the utmost scrutiny, particularly where, as
     here, there were no other witnesses to corroborate the accuser’s
     testimony.      Each attorney then responded to the other’s
     arguments. The court took a brief recess to review the cases cited
     by the attorneys. Then it returned to the courtroom and ruled in
     favor of the defense and overruled the Commonwealth’s objection.
     However, the court explained that it would provide a cautionary
     instruction to the jury at the time the evidence was presented.
     The court reduced [to writing] its ruling [in] an order that
     specifically set forth the cautionary instruction it intended to read
     to the jury. [See] Order, 05/25/[]23. The prosecutor asked for
     a brief recess to consult with other members of the District
     Attorney’s Office. After the recess, the prosecutor indicated that
     the Commonwealth was going to appeal the court’s ruling, and the
     court discharged the jury without the jury being sworn.

          On May 26, 2023, the Commonwealth filed its notice of
     appeal. . . ..

Trial Court Opinion, 8/31/23, at 1-3 (footnote omitted). Both the trial court

and the Commonwealth complied with Pa.R.A.P. 1925.

     The Commonwealth raises the following issue for our review:

     Whether the [c]ourt erred in denying the Commonwealth’s
     request to preclude the defense from introducing evidence
     regarding the specific pending charges against the victim, and to

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      limit the defense to stating that the highest offense is a felony of
      the first degree with a maximum penalty of 40 years.

Commonwealth’s Brief at 7.

      Our standard of review is as follows: “[T]he scope and limits of cross-

examination are within the discretion of the trial court and its rulings will not

be reversed absent a clear abuse of that discretion or an error of law.”

Commonwealth v. Mullins, 665 A.2d 1275, 1277 (Pa. Super. 1995)

(internal citations omitted). An abuse of discretion “is not merely an error of

judgment, but if in reaching a conclusion the law is overridden or misapplied,

or the judgment exercised is manifestly unreasonable, or the result of

partiality, prejudice, bias or ill-will . . ..” Commonwealth v. Brooker, 103

A.3d 325, 332 (Pa. Super. 2014) (internal citation omitted).

      In its sole appellate issue, the Commonwealth argues the trial court

abused its discretion in permitting Pulizzi to cross-examine the victim in this

case, J.T., using the name of an offense for which he was charged at the time

he reported Pulizzi to the police and which was pending at the time of trial.

This Court has set forth the law as follows: A witness may be cross-examined

as to any matter tending to show interest or bias. See Mullins, 665 A.2d at

1277. Additionally:

             [When] a prosecution witness may be biased in favor of the
      prosecution because of outstanding criminal charges or because
      of any non-final criminal disposition against him within the same
      jurisdiction, that possible bias, in fairness, must be made known
      to the jury. Even if the prosecutor has made no promises, either
      on the present case or on other pending criminal matters, the
      witness may hope for favorable treatment from the prosecutor if

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     the witness presently testifies in a way that is helpful to the
     prosecution. And if that possibility exists, the jury should know
     about it.

           The jury may choose to believe the witness even after it
     learns of actual promises made or possible promises of leniency
     which may be made in the future, but the defendant, under the
     right guaranteed in the Pennsylvania Constitution to confront
     witnesses against him, must have the opportunity at least to raise
     some doubt in the mind of the jury as to whether the prosecution
     witness is biased. It is not for the court to determine whether the
     cross-examination for bias would affect the jury’s determination
     of the case.

Id. (internal citation and indentation omitted). Thus:

           [T]he right guaranteed by Art. I Section 9 of the
     Pennsylvania Constitution to confront witnesses against a
     defendant in a criminal case entails that a criminal defendant must
     be permitted to challenge a witness’ self-interest by questioning
     him about possible or actual favored treatment by the prosecuting
     authority in the case at bar, or in any other non-final matter
     involving the same prosecuting authority.

Commonwealth v. Ocasio, 574 A.2d 1165, 1167 (Pa. Super. 1990).

     This Court has explained:

           The opportunity to impeach a witness is particularly
     important when the determination of a defendant’s guilt or
     innocence depends on the credibility of the questioned witness. .
     . . Furthermore, a witness’ status as accuser does not obviate the
     need for full cross-examination. To the contrary, the victim,
     as accuser, must be subject to the utmost scrutiny if his
     accusations are to fairly form the basis of the criminal
     prosecution at hand.

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Mullins, 665 A.2d at 1278 (internal citations and quotations omitted;

emphasis added). Accord Commonwealth v. Evans, 512 A.2d 626, 631-

32 (Pa. 1986).2

       The Commonwealth argues the trial court abused its discretion by

permitting Pulizzi to ask J.T. about his pending rape charges, specifically, the

name of the offense. The Commonwealth stresses that “at no point has the

Commonwealth taken the position that [Pulizzi] should be precluded from

getting into the maximum penalties and grading of what was the lead charge

against him . . ., [r]ape of a child.” Commonwealth’s Brief at 12. 3 Rather,

the Commonwealth’s objection is based on the “extreme stigma” attached to

the name of the offense that, it maintains, “even with a cautionary instruction,

would be so turned against [J.T.] upon hearing it that [the jury] would be

unable or unwilling to hear the testimony he offered and come to a reasoned

conclusion based on it.” Id. The Commonwealth emphasizes that “[r]ape of

____________________________________________

2 Pursuant to Pa.R.E. 403, “[t]he court may exclude relevant evidence if its

probative value is outweighed by a danger of one or more of the following:
unfair prejudice, confusing the issues, misleading the jury, undue delay,
wasting time, or needlessly presenting cumulative evidence.”

3 The Commonwealth asserts that the charges against J.T. were “withdrawn .

. . on grounds unrelated to his willingness to testify [as] a victim in the matter
against [Pulizzi].” Commonwealth’s Brief at 11. The Commonwealth
concedes Pulizzi would still be entitled to cross-examine J.T. about
the charges that were pending at the time he reported Pulizzi. See id.
at 11-12.

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a child is simply put one of the worst crimes imaginable in the collective

consciousness,” and the “prejudicial effect is incalculable . . ..” Id. at 14.

      The trial court considered the Commonwealth’s issue and concluded it

merits no relief:

             The Commonwealth contended that the defense should be
      precluded from mentioning the names of the victim’s crimes
      because it is unduly prejudicial. The court could not agree. The
      alleged victim, J.T., is charged with unlawful contact with a minor,
      rape of a child, [IDSI] with a child, sexual assault, indecent assault
      of a complainant, less than 13 years of age, indecent assault
      without consent, and indecent exposure.           J.T. reported the
      offenses filed against [Pulizzi] over four years after they occurred
      and shortly after J.T. was charged. The defense argued that the
      sexual nature of the charges against J.T. and the timing of the
      filing of the charges and the progression of [Pulizzi’s] case as
      compared to J.T.’s case was information that was relevant and
      admissible to bring out bias of J.T. in favor of the Commonwealth
      in the form of hope for or expectation of leniency on his pending
      charges. The court agreed.

            The name of the crime and the potential penalties that could
      be imposed are what show[] the extent of the potential bias that
      the witness has in favor of the Commonwealth. Furthermore,
      under the facts and circumstances of this case; the fact that the
      alleged victim is charged with serious sexual offenses is not unduly
      prejudicial because [Pulizzi] is also charged with sexual offenses.
      The charges against each are similarly distasteful in the eyes of
      the community: The court also intended to limit the jury’s use of
      the evidence regarding [J.T.’s] pending charges with [a]
      cautionary instruction . . ..

Trial Court Opinion, 9/18/23, at 6-7.

      Following our review, and mindful of our standard of review, we discern

no abuse of discretion by the trial court. It is uncontested that a witness may

be cross-examined about any matter tending to show interest or bias. See

Mullins, 665 A.2d at 1277.       Further, while we acknowledge that a rape

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allegation against J.T. is prejudicial, we nevertheless note that the prejudice

must be balanced against the probative value of the evidence. This Court has

noted that defendants have a constitutional right pursuant to Article I, Section

9 of the Pennsylvania Constitution to this effect. See Ocasio, 574 A.2d at

1167. Additionally, where, as here, the determination of the defendant’s guilt

or innocence hinges on the credibility of the witness, the opportunity to

impeach is “particularly important,” and where the victim is the only witness

at issue, that person “must be subject to the utmost scrutiny if his accusations

are to fairly form the basis of the criminal prosecution at hand.” Mullins, 665

A.2d at 1278.     We cannot say that the prejudice to the Commonwealth

outweighs the defendant’s constitutional right to challenge J.T.’s self-interest

in this matter; instead, it is “particularly important” that J.T.’s testimony be

subject to the “utmost scrutiny.” Id. That J.T. reported Pulizzi four years

after the events at issue, and only shortly after J.T. was charged with

unrelated sexual offenses certainly goes to his bias and the jury should know

about the possibility that J.T. hoped for favorable treatment in his criminal

case.

        We are unpersuaded by the Commonwealth’s reliance on Lane. There,

our Supreme Court held it was error, albeit harmless error, for the trial court

to prohibit references to the charges of kidnapping and attempted rape during

cross-examination of a Commonwealth witness. See Lane, 621 A.2d at 567.

Lane lends the Commonwealth no support for several reasons. First, in Lane,

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our Supreme Court held the prohibition was erroneous.         See id.   Further,

Lane is distinguishable because the witness in that case was not the victim,

but a witness who had testified that the appellant there had confessed to a

murder. Additionally, Lane was a plurality decision and non-binding. See

Commonwealth v. A.R., 80 A.3d 1180, 1183 (Pa. 2013).                Lastly, and

notwithstanding Lane, preclusion of evidence of bias is not harmless error

where, inter alia, “there [are] no other witnesses who corroborated the

victim’s testimony . . .[, and m]oreover, the victim [is] the crucial prosecution

witness because []he was the victim of the crime[, and c]redibility of the victim

and [defendant is] also a key issue . . ..” Davis, 652 A.2d at 889.

      For the foregoing reasons, the Commonwealth is due no relief.

      Order affirmed.

Judgment Entered.

Benjamin D. Kohler, Esq.
Prothonotary

Date: 04/10/2024

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