Court Opinion

ID: 9729822
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 14:49:35.189688+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:26:01.394728
License: Public Domain

HOFFMAN, Judge,
concurring:
Appellant was convicted of conspiracy to commit burglary 1 and receiving stolen property.2 He raises three contentions for our consideration: (1) the Commonwealth produced insufficient evidence to support a conviction of criminal conspiracy; (2) the Commonwealth produced insufficient evidence to support a conviction of receiving stolen property; and (3) the trial court erred in denying appellant’s motion to suppress physical evidence obtained through an allegedly illegal search and seizure. First, I would hold that appellant’s counsel properly preserved these contentions for our review by making oral post-verdict motions in accordance with Rule 1123(b), Pa.R.Crim.P., 19 P.S. Appendix. Accordingly, I would reach the merits of appellant’s claims and hold that the Commonwealth did not produce sufficient evidence to support convictions of criminal conspiracy and receiving stolen property. I would vacate the judgments of sentence imposed on appellant and order him discharged.
Rule 1123 provides, in pertinent part:
“(a) Within seven (7) days after a finding of guilt, the defendant shall have the right to file written motions for *12a new trial and in arrest of judgment. Only those grounds may be considered which were raised in pre-trial proceedings or at trial, unless the trial judge, upon cause shown, allows otherwise. Argument shall be scheduled and heard promptly after such motions are filed, and only those issues raised and the grounds relied upon in the motions may be argued. If the grounds asserted do not require a transcript, neither the filing nor argument of post-verdict motions shall be delayed for lack of a transcript of the notes of testimony.
(b) If the defendant agrees on the record, the post-verdict motions may be made orally at the conclusion of the trial. The defendant may also within the seven (7)-day period on the record voluntarily and understanding^ waive the filing of post-verdict motions. Prior to the acceptance of such waiver the trial judge shall, pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Rule, advise the defendant on the record that his waiving of post-verdict motions shall preclude his raising on appeal any issues which might have been raised in such motions.
(c) Upon the finding of guilt, the trial judge shall advise the defendant on the record: (1) of his right to file post-verdict motions and of his right to the assistance of counsel in the filing of such motions and on appeal of any issues raised therein; (2) of the time within which he must do so as set forth in paragraph (a); and (3) that only the grounds contained in such motions may be raised on appeal.”
In the case at bar, the trial judge and appellant’s counsel engaged in the following interchange:
“THE COURT: Will you advise your client of his right of appeal?
“[DEFENSE COUNSEL]: Yes, Your Honor. Will he have the usual seven days to file a motion for a new trial?
“THE COURT: And now that I have entered the sentence, he has a right of appeal.
*13“[DEFENSE COUNSEL]: Come to think of it, that’s correct. Prior to the sentencing, then, Your Honor, since I wasn’t thinking, I would like to.
“THE COURT: You can make your motions in arrest of judgment.
“[DEFENSE COUNSEL]: I’d like to make a motion in arrest of judgment or for a new trial.
“THE COURT: Right. You may do that to protect yourself on the record.
“[DEFENSE COUNSEL]: That’s correct, and the reasons for that would [be] the standard reasons. I would argue that the verdict is against the weight of evidence, that the verdict is not based on the law. I would further argue that the testimony in this case from the complaining witness never proved that the items that were found in [appellant’s] possession were really the complaining witness’s items, that his testimony was in fact that he couldn’t be sure they were his; they were only similar to the items that were taken from him. I would also argue that the denial of [appellant’s] motion to suppress was improper, that the officer had no probable cause to stop him at 6:00 in the morning and to look into the box and discover the items that he discovered, and further, that the evidence does not show — there was no evidence at all of any conspiracy here or any involvement by [appellant] with the other two men involved in this. They were seen by two witnesses. [Appellant] was not seen there at the time. In fact, one of the officers testified that the items found in [appellant’s] possession were placed back into the garage so that, in fact, the Commonwealth’s testimony established that [appellant] could not have been involved in that burglary and could not have conspired with these men; and that [appellant] was found six hours later a block from the crime — six houses. He could have gone a lot further than a block. Indicating that, if anything here, we have a totally separated crime or a possibility of a finding of items lying on the sidewalk, or as I — well, Your Honor, all other arguments I made before .
*14“THE COURT: And the motion in arrest of judgment and for new trial is denied.
“The sentence previously imposed is reimposed.”
I would hold that appellant’s counsel properly preserved his contentions for our review by making oral post-verdict motions on the record at the conclusion of trial in accordance with Rule 1123(b). These motions are properly before us, despite the fact that appellant did not indicate his personal agreement to the making of these motions.3 I believe that the Supreme Court formulated Rule 1123(b) and (c) to protect a defendant from unknowingly waiving his rights of appeal. Sections (b) and (c) of Rule 1123 inform the defendant of his appellate rights and require his participation before he can be deemed to have waived them. For example, Rule 1123(c) requires that the trial court advise a defendant of his right to file post-verdict motions and of the consequences that attach to failure to file.4 Rule 1123(b) allows a defendant to waive knowingly and voluntarily the filing of post-verdict motions after the trial court advises him that waiver will preclude an appeal on any issues which might have been raised in such motions. The defendant must personally make this waiver. The requirement that a defendant agree on the record to the making of oral post-verdict motions should be construed consistently with the other provisions contained in Rule 1123. In short, this provision should be construed to protect, not defeat, a de*15fendant’s appellate rights. The trial court should inform the defendant of the prejudice that could result if counsel does not reserve the right to file written post-verdict motions. The court should then solicit and obtain a defendant’s agreement to the oral motions.5 The appellant in the case at bar should not be penalized for the trial court’s failure to obtain his consent. Only this result comports with the thrust of Rule 1123(b) and (c); a contrary result is tantamount to the disfavored practice of presuming a waiver of valuable appellate rights from a silent record. Cf. Boykin v. Alabama, 395 U.S. 238, 89 S.Ct. 1709, 23 L.Ed.2d 274 (1969); Carnley v. Cochran, 369 U.S. 506, 82 S.Ct. 884, 8 L.Ed.2d 70 (1962); Johnson v. Zerbst, 304 U.S. 458, 58 S.Ct. 1019, 82 L.Ed. 1461 (1938); Commonwealth v. Cornitcher, 447 Pa. 539, 291 A.2d 521 (1972); Commonwealth v. Swain, 237 Pa.Super. 322, 354 A.2d 256 (1975). Therefore, I conclude that the oral post-verdict motions made at the conclusion of trial properly preserved appellant’s claims for our review, despite the lack of express consent on the record by appellant to the making of the motions. Cf. Commonwealth v. Ruckinger, 239 Pa.Super. 520, 362 A.2d 317 (1976); Commonwealth v. Bhojwani, 242 Pa.Super. 406, 364 A.2d 335 (1976).6
At approximately 11:30 p. m. on February 18, 1975, an eyewitness informed the police that two individuals were breaking into his neighbor’s garage. The eyewitness saw two shadows in the garage. When the police arrived, the two individuals ran out of the garage. One dropped something in the driveway and ran into the bushes on the adjoining property. The other individual ran up the street *16carrying something in his hands. The police quickly apprehended two suspects.
At 5:40 a. m., February 19, 1975, a police officer who had responded to the earlier burglary call observed appellant pulling a handcart with three cartons on it. Appellant was two blocks from the scene of the earlier burglary. The officer stopped appellant and questioned him as to his destination. Appellant responded that “he had brought some stuff from home he was taking to his boss’ house.” The officer asked appellant the location of his boss’s home. According to the police officer, appellant’s only response’was to “just [keep] pointing over there, over there.” While talking to appellant, the police officer noticed two one-gallon cans of Sears anti-freeze on the handcart and remembered seeing six one-gallon containers of Sears anti-freeze at the scene of the earlier break-in. Appellant was asked what the other boxes contained; he responded: “I just got stuff.” The police officer then opened the two remaining cartons and discovered ten cans of M & R brand anti-freeze and various tools. He arrested appellant and transported him, and the articles in his possession, to the complainant’s garage. The complainant could not positively identify the items, but stated that the handcart, the trash barrel, and some anti-freeze cans were the same kind as those owned by him.
On August 14, 1975, the lower court denied appellant’s motion to suppress. On the same day, appellant and a co-defendant, one of the suspects arrested immediately after the burglary, were tried together. The lower court reserved judgment until September 4, 1975. At that time, the trial court found appellant guilty of criminal conspiracy to commit burglary and of receiving stolen property and sentenced him to concurrent 6 to 23 months’ terms of imprisonment. The lower court also conditioned parole on appellant’s in-patient participation in a drug rehabilitation program. As quoted above, appellant’s counsel then made oral motions in arrest of judgment and for a new trial. The lower court denied the motions and this appeal followed.
*17Appellant’s first contention is that the evidence was insufficient to convict him of criminal conspiracy to commit burglary. Section 903(a) of the Crimes Code defines conspiracy as follows:
“(a) A person is guilty of conspiracy with another person or persons to commit a crime if with the intent of promoting or facilitating its commission he:
“(1) agrees with such other person or persons that they or one or more of them will engage in conduct which, constitutes such crime or an attempt or solicitation to commit such crime; or “(2) agrees to aid such other person or persons in the planning or commission of such crime or of an attempt or solicitation to commit such crime.”
The Supreme Court in Commonwealth v. Yobbagy, 410 Pa. 172, 176-177, 188 A.2d 750, 752 (1963), summarized the standards which govern claims of insufficient evidence of criminal conspiracy: “. . . (1) the Commonwealth must be given the benefit of all favorable testimony and all reasonable inferences arising therefrom: Commonwealth v. Moore, 398 Pa. 198, 202, 157 A.2d 65; Commonwealth v. Wright, 383 Pa. 532, 536, 119 A.2d 492; (2) evidence to sustain a charge of conspiracy must be such as reasonably and naturally justifies an inference of guilt of the accused and is of such volume and quality as to overcome the presumption of innocence and satisfy the jury of the accused’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.” While circumstantial evidence may suffice to prove criminal partnership, “[t]he heart of every conspiracy is a common understanding no matter how it comes into being.” Id., 410 Pa. at 177, 188 A.2d at 752. (Emphasis supplied). The Commonwealth must prove that the accused entered into an unlawful agreement and participated in the offense with knowledge of that agreement. Commonwealth v. Yobbagy, supra. See also Commonwealth v. Minnich, 236 Pa.Super. 285, 344 A.2d 525 (1975); Commonwealth v. Armbruster, 225 Pa.Super. 415, 311 A.2d 672 (1973); Commonwealth v. Santana, 216 Pa.Super. 183, 264 A.2d 724 (1970); Commonwealth v. Zebrak, 216 *18Pa.Super. 33, 260 A.2d 480 (1969); Commonwealth v. Schwartz, 210 Pa.Super. 360, 233 A.2d 904 (1967), affirmed, 432 Pa. 522, 248 A.2d 506 (1968).
Quite simply, the Commonwealth did not prove the common understanding which must underlie a conviction for criminal conspiracy. The Commonwealth did not introduce any evidence which either directly or circumstantially connected appellant with the two other suspects arrested for burglary. Even giving the Commonwealth the benefit of all favorable testimony and all reasonable inferences therefrom, the Commonwealth established only that appellant was discovered with some goods of the same type as were stored in the complainant’s garage prior to the February 18 break-in. No one identified appellant as a participant in the break-in nor did anyone even testify that appellant knew the two suspects arrested immediately after the burglary. Assuming that the goods in appellant’s possession were, in fact, taken from complainant’s garage,7 appellant might have performed an independent burglary or he might have discovered the goods scattered outside after the first burglary. In sum, the Commonwealth introduced no evidence allowing the inference of an unlawful agreement or a common understanding between appellant and the participants in the break-in. Appellant’s conviction on the conspiracy count could only be based upon impermissible suspicion and conjecture. Commonwealth v. Yobaggy, supra; Commonwealth v. Santana, supra. Therefore, I would vacate the judgment of sentence imposed on appellant on the charge of criminal conspiracy.
Appellant’s second contention is that the evidence was insufficient to prove that he received stolen property. “In a prosecution for receiving stolen property, the Commonwealth must prove beyond a reasonable doubt the three elements of the crime: (1) that certain goods were stolen; *19(2) that the defendant received some or all of the goods; and (3) that he received them knowing or having reason to know that the goods were stolen. Commonwealth v. Davis, 444 Pa. 11, 280 A.2d 119 (1971).” Commonwealth v. White, 233 Pa.Super. 195, 198, 334 A.2d 757, 759 (1975). See also Commonwealth v. Henderson, 451 Pa. 452, 304 A.2d 154 (1973); Commonwealth v. Justice, 230 Pa.Super. 537, 326 A.2d 564 (1974).
Appellant specifically contends that the Commonwealth did not introduce sufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the goods found in his possession on February 19, 1975, were stolen. The complainant testified that a police officer brought appellant to his garage on the morning of February 19, 1975. The police officer showed the complainant articles in appellant’s possession at the time of his arrest, including a trash barrel, a cart, and some cans of anti-freeze. The complainant testified that he identified the items as belonging to him. However, upon closer questioning by the Commonwealth, complainant testified that he could not identify the anti-freeze cans other than that they were the same brand (Sears) as those kept in his garage.8 He also could not testify as to how many, if any, cans were missing. The complainant also testified that the handcart and trash barrel were similar in kind to ones kept in his garage before February 19, and missing thereafter, but he could not be certain that these items belonged to him because there were no identifying marks on either article. Finally, a police officer testified that the complainant identified some tools in appellant’s possession. The complainant, however, testified that he did not remember the officer showing him any tools nor was he even sure that any tools had been taken on February 18, or 19. In sum, complainant’s testimony did not establish that any Sears anti-freeze cans or tools were taken from complainant’s garage on February 18, or 19, nor did his testimony prove that the cart, trash barrel, tools, and anti-freeze cans were actually in his *20garage before February 19. Therefore, the Commonwealth did not show beyond a reasonable doubt that the goods came from complainant’s garage. See Commonwealth v. Vozzelli, 217 Pa.Super. 18, 268 A.2d 132 (1970); cf. Commonwealth v. Gold, 155 Pa.Super. 364, 38 A.2d 486 (1944). I would vacate the judgment of sentence on the charge of receiving stolen goods. Because I would vacate the sentences imposed on appellant for both charges of which he was convicted, I would order appellant discharged.9
CERCONE and SPAETH, JJ., join in this concurring opinion.

. The Crimes Code, Act of Dec. 6, 1972, P.L. 1482, No. 334, § 1; 18 Pa.C.S. §§ 903, 3502.

. The Crimes Code, supra; 18 Pa.C.S. § 3925.

. It would be unreasonable in the extreme to expect a defendant to join spontaneously in counsel’s making of oral post-verdict motions. The incongruity of such an expectation is particularly apparent in light of the following dialogue at the conclusion of trial:
“[Defense Counsel]: I’d like to make a motion in arrest of judgment or for a new trial.
“The Court: Right. You may do so to protect yourself on the record.” We cannot require an accused, undoubtedly unschooled in the intricacies of the Rules of Criminal Procedure, to correct both the trial court and his attorney.

. In the instant case, the trial court did not comply with Rule 1123(c). This omission in itself is a serious error which may require relief for a defendant. Cf. Commonwealth v. Miller, 232 Pa.Super. 171, 335 A.2d 528 (1975). Because I am convinced that appellant properly preserved his claims, I do not decide what relief a defendant might be entitled to when Rule 1123(c) is violated.

. If the trial court accepts counsel’s oral post-verdict motions without informing defendant of the consequences and securing his consent, then the defendant will not be precluded from filing additional motions pursuant to Rule 1123(a). If, however, the trial court has fully complied with Rule 1123(c) and defendant does not file these additional written motions within seven days after the verdict, then he will have waived his Rule 1123(a) rights. Commonwealth v. Blair, 460 Pa. 31, 331 A.2d 213 (1975).

. Commonwealth v. Blair, supra, only construed Rule 1123(a) and does not in any way affect the applicability and operation of Rule 1123(b). See Commonwealth v. Ruckinger, supra.

. The evidence, viewed in the light most favorable to the Commonwealth, does not compel this assumption. As discussed infra, I believe that the Commonwealth did not adduce sufficient evidence to establish beyond a reasonable doubt that the goods were removed from complainant’s garage.

. The police recovered some cans of M & R anti-freeze after searching the cartons in appellant’s possession. The complainant never testified that he owned these cans.

. Because of this conclusion, I do not address appellant’s claim that the search and seizure in this case violated the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution.