Court Opinion

ID: 9376031
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-03-01 17:07:11.019243+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:17:03.903641
License: Public Domain

J-S45007-22

NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37

 COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA         :   IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
                                      :        PENNSYLVANIA
                                      :
              v.                      :
                                      :
                                      :
 ANTHONY BRIGHT                       :
                                      :
                   Appellant          :   No. 1290 EDA 2022

    Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence Entered December 9, 2021
  In the Court of Common Pleas of Montgomery County Criminal Division
                    at No(s): CP-46-CR-0004886-2019

 COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA         :   IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
                                      :        PENNSYLVANIA
                                      :
              v.                      :
                                      :
                                      :
 ANTHONY BRIGHT                       :
                                      :
                   Appellant          :   No. 1291 EDA 2022

    Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence Entered December 9, 2021
  In the Court of Common Pleas of Montgomery County Criminal Division
                    at No(s): CP-46-CR-0004887-2019

BEFORE: OLSON, J., STABILE, J., and MURRAY, J.

MEMORANDUM BY OLSON, J.:                         FILED MARCH 1, 2023

     Appellant, Anthony Bright, appeals from the judgment of sentence

entered on December 8, 2021, following his jury trial convictions for

strangulation, unlawful restraint, terroristic threats, possession of an
J-S45007-22

instrument of crime and two counts each of simple assault and aggravated

assault.1 We affirm.

       We briefly set forth the facts and procedural history of this case as

follows. On April 1, 2018, at 12:55 a.m., police responded to a Montgomery

County residence after receiving a domestic violence report. When the police

arrived, they encountered a female victim who was visibly shaken with a

swollen lip. The victim told authorities that Appellant, her ex-boyfriend who

still lived with her, kicked in her locked bedroom door, pushed her onto a bed,

straddled her, and punched her several times in the face following a verbal

argument.     When the victim demanded Appellant leave the residence, he

refused. When the victim tried to escape, Appellant slammed her against a

wall. Eventually, the victim escaped to a neighbor’s house where the neighbor

called the police. The victim later accompanied the police to the station house

and provided a statement. After returning home, the victim changed the locks

at her residence. The next morning, the victim obtained a temporary order

for the Protection From Abuse (PFA) against Appellant.

       Later in the evening of April 1, 2018 around 9:10 p.m., Appellant called

the victim. Appellant asked the victim what she had told the police and told

her that he was coming to her residence to retrieve his work clothes. In a

subsequent call, the victim informed Appellant that she had obtained a PFA

against him and told him to stay away.           Appellant became agitated and
____________________________________________

1  18 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 2718(a)(1), 2902(a)(1), 2706(a)(1), 907(a), 2701(a)(1)
(two counts), 2702(a)(1), and 2702(a)(4), respectively.

                                           -2-
J-S45007-22

threatened the victim, telling her that “she was going to pay for that.” Fearing

for her safety, the victim packed a bag and left the residence to stay with a

friend.   She encountered Appellant standing in the alleyway behind the

residence. When the victim tried to flee, Appellant tackled her and choked

her with both hands until the victim lost consciousness, despite her attempt

to free herself by intentionally urinating. The victim regained consciousness

on the floor in the basement of her residence and thwarted Appellant’s attempt

to choke her with the string from her sweatshirt. Appellant took a metal file

from a workbench and struck the victim on her arms and back while the victim

tried to protect her head. The victim eventually escaped, but once outside

Appellant put his hand over the victim’s mouth and his arm around her neck

until she passed out. When the victim regained consciousness, she was on

the ground outside by herself. The victim then drove to the police station to

report the incident.   The police observed that the victim had a swollen

forehead, lip, and tongue, a bloody nose, red marks on both sides of her neck,

lacerations on both knees and elbows, and large red marks at the top of her

back. The police transported the victim to Abington Memorial Hospital. Upon

subsequent surveillance of the scene, police discovered a pool of blood outside

of the basement and on the door and a welcome mat.              Police arrested

Appellant.

      Following a five-day trial commencing on August 31, 2021, the jury

convicted Appellant of the aforementioned crimes. On December 9, 2021, the

                                     -3-
J-S45007-22

trial court imposed an aggregate sentence of nine-and-one-half to 19 years of

imprisonment. This timely appeal resulted.2

       On appeal, Appellant raises the following issues for our review:

       1. Whether the trial court abused its discretion in refusing to allow
          questions into potential jurors’ qualifications based on their
          responses on the questionnaires that indicated that they may
          not be able to be fair and impartial?

       2. Whether there was sufficient evidence presented at trial to
          sustain Appellant’s conviction for aggravated assault under 18
          Pa.C.S.[A.] § 2702(a)(1) where the victim lost consciousness
          and was left bloodied and bruised but Appellant did not cause
          or attempt to cause permanent disfigurement, or protracted
          loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or
          organ?

       3. Whether there was sufficient evidence presented at trial to
          sustain Appellant’s conviction for aggravated assault with a
          deadly weapon under 18 Pa.C.S.[A.] § 2702(a)(4) where
          Appellant smacked the victim with a metal file in the arms and
          back?

       4. Whether there was sufficient evidence presented at trial to
          sustain the jury’s finding that [] Appellant was “subject to” a
          protection from abuse order under 18 Pa.C.S.[A.]
          § 2718(d)(3)(i) where he was not served with the order and
          the victim merely mentioned it to him?

       5. Whether the trial court abused its discretion when it sentenced
          Appellant to an aggregate of [nine-and-one-half] to 19 years

____________________________________________

2   Appellant filed timely post-sentence motions. On April 13, 2022, the trial
court denied relief. On May 6, 2022, Appellant filed a notice of appeal. By
order entered on May 10, 2022, the trial court directed Appellant to file a
concise statement of errors complained of on appeal pursuant to Pa.R.A.P.
1925(b). Following the grant of an extension, Appellant complied timely. The
trial court issued an opinion pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a) on August 11,
2022.

                                           -4-
J-S45007-22

         of incarceration when it focused only on the crime and not the
         rehabilitative needs of [] Appellant?

Appellant’s Brief at 7-8.

      In his first issue presented, Appellant claims that the trial court abused

its discretion when it precluded defense counsel’s efforts to ask potential

jurors about their responses to a written questionnaire which differed from

their oral responses later given in open court indicating that they could be fair

and impartial. Id. at 35-47. More specifically, Appellant argues that the trial

court denied defense counsel “an opportunity to determine if prospective

jurors should be struck for cause when it precluded [defense counsel] from

inquiring into their responses on the [initial] questionnaires.” Id. at 39.

Appellant asserts that defense counsel “merely wanted to question them

because their questionnaires indicated that they might not be able to be fair

and impartial.”    Id. at 41.     Three potential jurors “responded on their

confidential questionnaire that they would be more likely to believe the

testimony of a police officer” and another potential juror “stated on [his or

her] questionnaire that [he or she] had a disability that would interfere with

their ability to serve as a juror.” Id. at 43. Appellant suggests the trial court

erred by denying requests to strike potential jurors for cause by “repeatedly

explaining” to the venire, in open court while they were under oath, that their

oral answers to additional questioning by the court “controls … regardless of

the answers they provided on the questionnaire.” Id. at 40; see also id. at

36 (record citation omitted) (“The trial court here explicitly told the venire that

‘[t]he only responses that count are the responses given now under oath in

                                       -5-
J-S45007-22

this courtroom in the presence of the defendant and the attorneys.’”).

Appellant claims that Pa.R.Crim.P. 632, mandates consideration of the

standard, confidential juror information questionnaire and the trial court was

required to permit Appellant to supplement the court’s oral examination with

further inquiry. Id. at 36; see also id. at 38 (“Presumably, the court here

could not be bothered with allowing further inquiry into the potential jurors’

qualifications because it would have taken up more time.”).           Appellant

contends that he is entitled to a new trial as a result. Id. at 47.

      This Court has observed:

      The single goal in permitting questioning of prospective jurors is
      to provide the accused with a competent, fair, impartial and
      unprejudiced jury.      However, it is not intended to provide
      appellant with a better basis upon which to utilize his peremptory
      challenges. The inquiry should be strictly confined to disclosing
      qualifications or lack of qualifications and should focus on whether
      a juror has formed a fixed opinion as to an accused's guilt or
      innocence. Furthermore, the scope of voir dire rests in the sound
      discretion of the trial judge and his or her decisions will not be
      reversed unless palpable error is established.

Commonwealth v. Hathaway, 500 A.2d 443, 447 (Pa. Super. 1985)

(citations omitted).

      Moreover, our Supreme Court has stated:

      A criminal defendant's right to an impartial jury is explicitly
      guaranteed by Article I, section 9 of the Pennsylvania
      Constitution. The jury selection process is crucial to the
      preservation of that right. …

      It must be remembered the purpose of the voir dire examination
      is to provide an opportunity to counsel to assess the qualifications
      of prospective jurors to serve. It is therefore appropriate to use
      such an examination to disclose fixed opinions or to expose other

                                     -6-
J-S45007-22

      reasons for disqualification. Thus[,] the inquiry must be directed
      at ascertaining whether the venireperson is competent and
      capable of rendering a fair, impartial and unbiased verdict. The
      law also recognizes that prospective jurors were not cultivated in
      hermetically sealed environments free of all beliefs, conceptions
      and views. The question relevant to a determination of
      qualification is whether any biases or prejudices can be put aside
      upon the proper instruction of the court.

      A challenge for cause to service by a prospective juror should be
      sustained and that juror excused where that juror demonstrates
      through his conduct and answers a likelihood of prejudice. The
      decision whether to disqualify a venireman is within the discretion
      of the trial court and will not be disturbed on appeal absent a
      palpable abuse of that discretion.

Commonwealth v. Penn, 132 A.3d 498, 502 (Pa. Super. 2016), quoting

Commonwealth v. Ingber, 531 A.2d 1101, 1102–1103 (Pa. 1987) (internal

quotations and citations omitted).        Stated another way, “the 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.”

Penn, 132 A.3d at 502, citing Commonwealth v. DeHart, 516 A.2d 656,

663 (Pa. 1986); see also Commonwealth v. Chambers, 685 A.2d 96, 107

(Pa. 1996) (“[A] trial judge may properly refuse to excuse a juror for cause

when the judge believes that the juror would be fair and impartial.”).

      Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure 631 and 632 govern the

examination and challenges of trial jurors. Initially, jurors complete a written,

standard, confidential juror information questionnaire. See Pa.R.Crim.P. 632;

see also Pa.R.Crim.P. 631(E).       Thereafter, “[t]he judge may permit the

                                      -7-
J-S45007-22

defense and the prosecution to conduct [further oral] examination of

prospective jurors or the judge may conduct the examination … as the judge

deems proper.” Pa.R.Crim.P. 631(E) (emphasis added). As explained by

our Supreme Court, in an opinion announcing the judgment of the Court:

      The Rules of Criminal Procedure permit trial courts to use juror
      information questionnaires in conjunction with the examination of
      prospective jurors. [Pa.R.Crim.P. 631(D).] The comments to the
      Rules indicate that the questionnaire serves to facilitate and
      expedite voir dire and that it is to be used as an aid in the oral
      examination of jurors.         The comments explain that the
      questionnaires, which provide the judge and attorneys with basic
      background information about the jurors, eliminate the need for
      many commonly asked questions but are to be used in conjunction
      with and not as a substitute for oral examination. The comments
      further add that while nothing in the rules is intended to preclude
      oral questioning during voir dire, the scope of voir dire is within
      the discretion of the trial judge. [See Pa.R.Crim.P. 631 cmt. and
      632 cmt.]

                           *            *            *

      That the scope of voir dire is in the discretion of the trial court is
      well-settled Pennsylvania law. The opportunity to observe the
      demeanor of the prospective juror and the tenor of the juror's
      answers is indispensable to the judge in determining whether a
      fair trial can be had in the community. Claims of impartiality by
      prospective jurors are subject to scrutiny for credibility and
      reliability as is any testimony, and the judgment of the trial court
      is necessarily accorded great weight. Decisions of the trial judge
      concerning voir dire will therefore not be reversed in the absence
      of palpable error.

Commonwealth v. Ellison, 902 A.2d 419, 424 (Pa. 2006) (footnotes

incorporated; internal citations and quotations omitted).

      When a challenged juror initially expresses a predisposition to credit the

testimony of a police officer over that of a civilian witness, the prospective

                                      -8-
J-S45007-22

juror’s qualification to serve may be further explored by the court, under oath,

as a means to assess whether he or she would be able to set aside personal

inclinations and evaluate the evidence in accordance with the court’s

instructions. See Commonwealth v. W.P., 2017 WL 1380759, at *5 (Pa.

Super. 2017) (“[A]n initial expression of sympathy or predisposition toward

one party does not automatically require disqualification; [i]nstead, the trial

court has the option of further examining the potential juror to determine if

he or she would be able to put aside those feelings and fairly evaluate the

evidence    presented     at   trial.”)     comparing   Ingber,     supra      and

Commonwealth v. Johnson, 445 A.2d 509 (Pa. Super. 1982).

      In this case, there is no dispute that the venire completed written juror

questionnaires as required pursuant to Pa.R.Crim.P. 632.           When several

potential jurors indicated that they believed they could not be fair and,

impartial or unbiased and were more likely to believe a police officer than a

civilian witness, they were specifically identified by defense counsel. See Trial

Court Opinion, 8/11/2022, at 5. The trial court then conducted additional voir

dire of these potential jurors in open court, explained the questions on the

questionnaire more thoroughly, and told them to be candid and honest while

under oath. Id. at 5-6. The trial court concluded:

      The court was able to observe the demeanor of these prospective
      jurors when they answered [oral questions posed by the court]
      and, following an assessment of their credibility and ability to be
      impartial, the court determined that these individuals could follow
      its instructions and serve their duty fairly, impartially, and without
      any bias.      These prospective jurors’ responses under oath
      satisfactorily answered whether they could be fair, impartial, and

                                          -9-
J-S45007-22

       unprejudiced.   The unequivocal response from these jurors
       provided no basis for further inquiry.

       Therefore, the court did not abuse its discretion in denying
       [Appellant’s] request to question individual members of the
       venire.

Id. at 6-7 (case citations omitted).

       We agree with the trial court’s analysis. Here, the trial court complied

with Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure 631 and 632.         There is no

question that the potential jurors filled out a preliminary questionnaire under

Rule 632. The trial court, in turn, used the questionnaires in conjunction with,

and not as a substitute for, its subsequent oral examination under

Pa.R.Crim.P. 631(E). Rule 631(E) also gave the trial court discretion to permit

Appellant to conduct additional questioning; however, the trial court

determined that jurors unequivocally responded that they could be fair and

impartial and there was no basis for further inquiry.3     We accord the trial

court’s credibility determination with great weight and discern no palpable

error. Accordingly, Appellant’s first claim lacks merit.

       Appellant’s next three issues challenge the sufficiency of the evidence

supporting several of his convictions and, on these issues, we adhere to the

following standards:

____________________________________________

3   The trial court specifically asked the venire whether anyone worked in law
enforcement or had a parent, spouse, sibling, or child who worked in law
enforcement. N.T., 8/31/2021, at 27-28. Two potential jurors answered
affirmatively, but when further questioned stated that it would not prevent
them from being fair and impartial in this case. Id. at 28-29.

                                          - 10 -
J-S45007-22

      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 this 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 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 evidence actually received must be
      considered. Finally, the trier of fact, while passing upon the
      credibility of witnesses and the weight of the evidence produced,
      is free to believe all, part, or none of the evidence.

Commonwealth v. Dixon, 276 A.3d 794, 800 (Pa. Super. 2022) (internal

citation and original brackets omitted).

      In his second issue presented, Appellant contends there was insufficient

evidence to support his conviction for aggravated assault under 18 Pa.C.S.A.

§ 2702(a)(1) because the Commonwealth failed to prove that Appellant

caused or attempted to cause serious bodily injury. Id. at 48. Appellant’s

brief concedes that “the abuse that [the victim] sustained at the hands of

[Appellant] was certainly serious” but argues there was no evidence that the

victim suffered serious, permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or

impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ. Id. at 50-51.

Appellant contends that the evidence presented showed he lacked the

requisite intent and the circumstances of the case do not support the inference

                                    - 11 -
J-S45007-22

that he intended to inflict greater injury than that which was actually inflicted.

Id. at 56-57.

       Section 2702 of the Crimes Code provides, in pertinent part:

      (a) Offense defined.--A person is guilty of aggravated assault if
      he:

         (1) attempts to cause serious bodily injury to another, or
         causes such injury intentionally, knowingly or recklessly
         under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to
         the value of human life[.]

18 Pa.C.S.A. § 2702(a)(1).      “Serious bodily injury” is defined as “[b]odily

injury which creates a substantial risk of death or which causes serious,

permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of

any bodily member or organ.” 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 2301(a). This Court has further

explained:

      For aggravated assault purposes, an attempt is found where the
      accused, with the required specific intent, acts in a manner which
      constitutes a substantial step toward perpetrating a serious bodily
      injury upon another. A person acts intentionally with respect to a
      material element of an offense when ... it is his conscious object
      to engage in conduct of that nature or to cause such a result. As
      intent is a subjective frame of mind, it is of necessity difficult of
      direct proof. Accordingly, we recognize that intent can be proven
      by direct or circumstantial evidence; it may be inferred from acts
      or conduct or from the attendant circumstances.

Commonwealth v. Matthews, 870 A.2d 924, 929 (Pa. Super. 2005) (en

banc) (internal quotation marks, citations, and brackets omitted).

      Here, in view of the totality of circumstances, the trial court determined

that Appellant attempted to cause serious bodily injury. As the trial court

                                     - 12 -
J-S45007-22

noted, two telephone calls immediately preceding the “April 1, 2018 late

evening attack demonstrated [Appellant] was angry [because the victim]

involved the police following the [earlier] morning attack and [because she]

obtained a PFA [o]rder.” Trial Court Opinion, 8/11,2022, at 10. Appellant

specifically stated, “Bitch, you did what? … All right, you’re going to pay for

that.” Id. Appellant hung up on the victim, immediately showed up at her

residence, tackled her to the ground, and strangled her to the point she lost

consciousness. Id. Upon review of the record and applicable law, we agree

with the trial court’s conclusion that there was sufficient evidence that

Appellant attempted to cause serious bodily injury which created a substantial

risk of death.

      In his third issue presented, with regard to his conviction for aggravated

assault with a deadly weapon pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 2702(a)(4),

Appellant claims “[t]he jury was wrong to conclude that the metal file [used

during the incident in question] constituted a deadly weapon because it is not

designed as a weapon” and that he “used it to smack [the victim] in her arms

and back.” Id. at 61. Appellant posits that such actions constituted simple

assault rather than aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Id.         In sum,

Appellant maintains:

      It was not as if [Appellant] attempted to hit [the victim] in the
      face with the file while she was unconscious. He did not use the
      metal file to stab her. In spite of [the victim’s] testimony that she
      blocked him from hitting her in the face with the file, there was no
      evidence presented to conclude that she was capable of
      preventing [Appellant] from doing what he willed with her.

                                     - 13 -
J-S45007-22

Id. at 61-62.

      A person is guilty of aggravated assault under 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 2702(a)(4)

if he “attempts to cause or intentionally or knowingly causes bodily injury to

another with a deadly weapon.” 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 2702(a)(4). A deadly weapon

is defined as “any firearm, loaded or unloaded, or any device designed as a

weapon and capable of producing death or serious bodily injury, or any other

device or instrumentality which, in the manner in which it is used or intended

to be used, is calculated or likely to produce death or serious bodily injury.”

18 Pa.C.S.A. § 2301.

      This Court has stated:

      Items not normally considered deadly weapons can take on such
      status based upon their use under the circumstances.
      Commonwealth v. Raybuck, 915 A.2d 125, 128 (Pa. Super.
      2006) (concluding commercial mouse poison placed in sandwich
      was a deadly weapon) (citing Commonwealth v. Scullin, 607
      A.2d 750, 753 (Pa. Super. 1992) (finding tire iron thrown at victim
      was a deadly weapon), appeal denied, 621 A.2d 579 (Pa. 1992));
      Commonwealth v. Cornish, 589 A.2d 718, 721 (Pa. Super.
      1991) (recognizing fireplace poker used to strike victim
      constituted a deadly weapon). “The definition of deadly weapon
      does not demand that the person in control of the object intended
      to injure or kill the victim.” Scullin, 607 A.2d 753.

Commonwealth v. Solomon, 151 A.3d 672, 677 (Pa. Super. 2016).

      In this case, the trial court determined that the metal file Appellant

struck the victim with constituted a deadly weapon, opining:

      A sharp metal file when violently and indiscriminately thrusted
      toward another individual’s face and other body parts is calculated
      or likely to produce serious, permanent disfigurement, or
      protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily
      member or organ. Further, the lacerations on [the victim’s] body

                                    - 14 -
J-S45007-22

       demonstrated that [Appellant] had struck her with the metal file
       with a substantial amount of force.

Trial Court Opinion, 8/11,2022, at 11.

       Upon review, we agree.           The Commonwealth introduced sufficient

evidence that the metal file was a device, not normally considered a deadly

weapon, but was used by Appellant in a manner likely to produce death or

serious bodily injury.      In fact, a metal file is akin to the items used, and

ultimately found to be deadly weapons, in both Scullin and Cornish, a tire

iron and a fireplace poker, respectively, as set forth above.       As such, we

believe that the evidence was sufficient to support Appellant’s conviction for

aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.4

       In his fourth issue presented, Appellant argues that there was

insufficient evidence that he received sufficient notice of the PFA order the

victim filed to support his first-degree felony conviction for strangulation under

18 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 2718(a)(1) and (d)(3)(i). Appellant’s Brief at 63-67. In sum,

Appellant argues:

       Here, the evidence that [Appellant] was notified of the PFA order
       was [the victim] testifying that she told him on the phone that he
       should not be contacting her because of the [PFA] order [she filed
       earlier that day], which she said angered him. There is no
       question, though, that [Appellant] was not served with the
       paperwork explaining the order until after he was arrested in this
       matter.    There was no evidence presented that [Appellant]

____________________________________________

4 Furthermore, we note that the trial court also found that, in the alternative,
the string that Appellant pulled from the victim’s sweatshirt and used in
attempt to apply pressure to the victim’s neck also constituted a deadly
weapon. See Trial Court Opinion, 8/11,2022, at 11. Appellant does not
challenge that determination on appeal.

                                          - 15 -
J-S45007-22

       understood what a PFA [order] was nor that he was aware of the
       consequences of violating one[.]

Id. at 66.     As such, Appellant asserts that he must be resentenced for a

second-degree felony strangulation conviction. Id. at 67.

       The relevant portion of the Crimes Code provides, in pertinent part:

       (a) Offense defined.--A person commits the offense of
       strangulation if the person knowingly or intentionally impedes the
       breathing or circulation of the blood of another person by:

          (1) applying pressure to the throat or neck[.]

18 Pa.C.S.A. § 2718(a)(1).         “A violation for this section shall constitute a

felony of the first[-]degree if … at the time of the commission of the offense,

the defendant is subject to an active protection from abuse order … that covers

the victim[.]” 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 2718(d)(3)(i).

       While our research has not revealed caselaw directly on point with

Appellant’s contention regarding the grading of a strangulation offense with a

PFA aggravator, our Supreme Court has interpreted whether a defendant

“either be given actual notice or have the equivalent knowledge of a PFA

order” in order to be “subject to” a sentencing aggravator under 42 Pa.C.S.A.

§ 9711(d)(18).5      See Commonwealth v. Staton, 38 A.3d 785, 794 (Pa.

____________________________________________

5   “At the time of the killing the defendant was subject to a court order
restricting in any way the defendant's behavior toward the victim pursuant to
23 Pa.C.S. Ch. 61 (relating to protection from abuse) or any other order of a
court of common pleas or of the minor judiciary designed in whole or in part
to protect the victim from the defendant.” 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9711(d)(18).

                                          - 16 -
J-S45007-22

2012), citing Commonwealth v. Stallworth, 781 A.2d 110, 124 (Pa. 2001).

The Staton Court ultimately determined:

      The question [becomes] whether there was sufficient evidence
      that appellant had the equivalent knowledge or anecdotal
      knowledge of the PFA order[.]

                          *            *           *

      In any case, civil or criminal, party admissions or confessions are
      not required to establish necessary facts. Evidence of conduct,
      circumstantial evidence, and logical inferences may suffice to
      prove certain facts.

Staton, 38 A.3d at 794.        Further, examining this Court’s decision in

Commonwealth v. Padilla, 885 A.2d 994 (Pa. Super. 2005), the Staton

Court recognized that “a telephone conversation with a police officer was

adequate to convey notice that a PFA order had been entered against a

defendant for purposes of a conviction for indirect criminal contempt […]

constituting actual notice or its equivalent, even in the absence of personal

service of the actual order.” Id.

      In this case, the trial court, relying on Staton, Stallworth, and Padilla,

concluded that “the evidence was sufficient to establish that [Appellant] had

equivalent knowledge or anecdotal knowledge of the temporary PFA order[.]”

Trial Court Opinion, 8/11/2022, at 14. The trial court found that the victim

specifically told Appellant to stay away from her because she had obtained a

PFA order against him. Id. at 13. Appellant reacted angrily and told her that

she would pay for it. Id. at 14. During the subsequent attack, the victim

pleaded with Appellant to leave and even told him that she would “drop the

                                    - 17 -
J-S45007-22

PFA” if he would go.    Id.    Based upon this record, including the victim’s

testimony and evidence of Appellant’s conduct and logical inferences, we

believe there was sufficient evidence to support application of the grading

enhancement set forth within Section 2718(3)(i) since the victim supplied

Appellant with anecdotal or equivalent knowledge that there was a temporary

PFA order entered against him by the victim at the time he strangled her. As

such, Appellant’s fourth issue lacks merit.

      Finally, Appellant argues that his aggregate sentence is excessive and

that the trial court abused its discretion by focusing solely on the nature of

the crimes without considering his rehabilitative needs. Appellant’s Brief at

68-72.   Appellant concedes that each individual sentence was within the

guidelines but claims the trial court focused on his conduct which it

characterized as "cowardly” and “egregious” and “explicitly stated that

[Appellant] was not remorseful even though he expressed remorse in the

pre-sentence investigation report and multiple times at the sentencing

hearing.”   Id. at 70-71.     Instead, Appellant suggests that the trial court

“aggregated sentences on multiple charges in this matter for no other reason

than to punish [Appellant] which is an abuse of discretion requiring the matter

be remanded for resentencing.” Id. at 72.

      This claim challenges the discretionary aspects of Appellant’s sentence.

Pursuant to statute, Appellant does not have an automatic right to appeal the

discretionary aspects of his sentence. See 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9781(b). Instead,

Appellant must petition this Court for permission to appeal the discretionary

                                     - 18 -
J-S45007-22

aspects of his sentence. Id. As this Court has explained, in order to reach

the merits of a discretionary aspects claim,

      we must engage in a four[-]part analysis to determine: (1)
      whether the appeal is timely; (2) whether Appellant preserved his
      [or her] issue; (3) whether Appellant's brief includes a concise
      statement of the reasons relied upon for allowance of appeal with
      respect to the discretionary aspects of sentence; and (4) whether
      the concise statement raises a substantial question that the
      sentence is appropriate under the [S]entencing [C]ode.

Commonwealth v. Williams, 198 A.3d 1181, 1186 (Pa. Super. 2018)

(citation omitted).    Here, Appellant has complied with the first three

requirements.   He filed a post-sentence motion preserving the sentencing

issue, filed a timely notice of appeal, and included a concise statement of the

reasons relied upon pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 2119. As such, we must examine

whether Appellant raises a substantial question.

      “A defendant presents a substantial question when he sets forth a

plausible argument that the sentence violates a provision of the sentencing

code or is contrary to the fundamental norms of the sentencing process.”

Commonwealth v. Dodge, 77 A.3d 1263, 1268–1269 (Pa. Super. 2013)

(internal citations, quotations, and footnote omitted). Additionally, we have

stated:

      To make it clear, a defendant may raise a substantial question
      where he receives consecutive sentences within the guideline
      ranges if the case involves circumstances where the application of
      the guidelines would be clearly unreasonable, resulting in an
      excessive sentence; however, a bald claim of excessiveness due
      to the consecutive nature of a sentence will not raise a substantial
      question.

                                     - 19 -
J-S45007-22

     In 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.

Id. at 1270 (internal citations, quotations, and footnote omitted); see also

Commonwealth v. Moury, 992 A.2d 162, 171–172 (Pa. Super. 2010) (“The

imposition of consecutive, rather than concurrent, sentences may raise a

substantial question in only the most extreme circumstances, such as where

the aggregate sentence is unduly harsh, considering the nature of the crimes

and the length of imprisonment.”).

     Here, the trial court sentenced Appellant to “an aggregate sentence of

nine and one-half (9½) to nineteen (19) years of imprisonment.” Trial Court

Opinion, 8/11/2022, at 16. The trial court imposed consecutive sentences

consisting of “a standard rage sentence of eleven (11) to twenty-two (22)

months of imprisonment with respect to one of the simple assault charges, a

standard range sentence of seventy-one (71) to one hundred and forty-two

(142) months of imprisonment with respect to the strangulation – throat/neck

charge and a standard range sentence of thirty-two (32) to sixty-four (64)

months of imprisonment with respect to the aggravated assault with a deadly

weapon charge.” Id. at 16-17. The trial court further noted that Appellant’s

sentences on the remaining criminal “counts either merged for sentencing

purposes or the court ran them concurrent.” Id. at 17.

                                     - 20 -
J-S45007-22

      There is no dispute that none of Appellant’s sentences exceeded the

statutory maximum for each separate offense. Furthermore, the trial court's

decision to sentence Appellant to consecutive terms of imprisonment does not

raise the aggregate sentence to, what appears upon its face to be, an

excessive level in light of the criminal conduct in this case. Appellant's bald

claim that his aggregate sentence was excessive does not forward a plausible

argument that his guideline sentences were clearly unreasonable.         Hence,

Appellant has not raised a substantial question for our review.

      Even if Appellant raised a substantial question, we conclude that the

trial court did not abuse its discretion in sentencing. Our standard of review

is as follows:

      An appellate court will not disturb the sentencing court's judgment
      absent a manifest abuse of discretion. In order to constitute an
      abuse of discretion, a sentence must either exceed the statutory
      limits or be so manifestly excessive as to constitute an abuse of
      discretion. To demonstrate that the sentencing court abused its
      discretion, the appellant must establish, by reference to the
      record, that the sentencing court ignored or misapplied the law,
      exercised its judgment for reasons of partiality, prejudice, bias or
      ill will, or arrived at a manifestly unreasonable decision. As long
      as the trial court's reasons demonstrate that it weighed the
      Sentencing Guidelines with the facts of the crime and the
      defendant's character in a meaningful fashion, the court's
      sentence should not be disturbed.

      Our Supreme Court has determined that where the trial court is
      informed by a pre-sentence report [(“PSI”)], it is presumed 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.

                                     - 21 -
J-S45007-22

Commonwealth v. Morgan, 258 A.3d 1147, 1157–1158 (Pa. Super. 2021)

(internal citations and quotations omitted).

      Here, the trial court opined:

      The court also had the benefit of a PSI report and considered all
      of the rehabilitative and mitigating factors related to [Appellant]
      contained therein. Additionally, the court considered all other
      factors required under 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9721(b), such as the
      sentencing guidelines.      The court also had the benefit of
      sentencing memorand[a] prepared by the Commonwealth and
      defense counsel. Defense counsel also read letters drafted by
      [Appellant’s] sisters and a close friend which referenced, inter alia,
      the assistance [Appellant] provided to his mother and his children.
      Therefore, the record indicates the court was aware of relevant
      information     regarding    [Appellant’s]    character,    including
      rehabilitative needs and mitigating factors, and weighed this
      information when it imposed sentence.

Trial Court Opinion, 8/11/2022, at 17. Ultimately, the trial court determined

Appellant’s sentence was imposed based upon his violent criminal history, the

multiple, “brutal” crimes committed against the victim over a protracted

period, the psychological impact of the crimes upon her, and the danger

Appellant posed to the public. Id. at 17-20. Finally, the trial court determined

that Appellant was not entitled to a “volume discount” for the crimes. Id. at

19. Here, the trial court had the benefit of a PSI report and demonstrated

that it weighed the sentencing guidelines together with the facts of the crimes

and Appellant’s character in a meaningful fashion. Moreover, the sentences

neither exceeded the statutory limits nor were manifestly excessive. As a

result, we discern no abuse of discretion and Appellant is not entitled to relief

on his discretionary aspect of sentencing claim.

                                      - 22 -
J-S45007-22

     Judgment of sentence affirmed.

Judgment Entered.

Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary

Date: 3/01/2023

                                 - 23 -