Court Opinion

ID: 9954570
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2024-03-26 16:11:25.917739+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:11:53.063388
License: Public Domain

J-S45020-23

NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT O.P. 65.37

  COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA                 :   IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
                                               :        PENNSYLVANIA
                                               :
                v.                             :
                                               :
                                               :
  KEVIN ALFO JARA SANCHEZ III                  :
                                               :
                       Appellant               :   No. 280 MDA 2023

       Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence Entered January 5, 2023
    In the Court of Common Pleas of Bradford County Criminal Division at
                      No(s): CP-08-CR-0000247-2022

BEFORE:      BOWES, J., LAZARUS, J., and STEVENS, P.J.E.*

MEMORANDUM BY LAZARUS, J.:                             FILED: MARCH 26, 2024

       Kevin Alfo Jara Sanchez, III, appeals from the judgment of sentence,

entered in the Court of Common Pleas of Bradford County, after he pled guilty1

to two counts of aggravated assault,2 one count of persons not to possess

firearms,3 and one count of aggravated cruelty to animals.4           Upon careful

review, we affirm.

____________________________________________

* Former Justice specially assigned to the Superior Court.

1 Sanchez entered a hybrid guilty plea to dismiss all remaining charges, which

included, inter alia, attempted criminal homicide, strangulation, rape, and
sexual assault; however, sentencing remained at the discretion of the trial
court.

2 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 2702(a)(1).

3 Id. at § 6105(a)(1).

4 Id. at § 5534(a)(2).
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      On or about February 8, 2022, Jara Sanchez assaulted his then-

girlfriend (victim). The assault included a firearm being discharged at least

once in the victim’s direction and a separate attack with a knife. See N.T.

Sentencing Hearing, 1/5/23, at 10-11. During the attack, Jara Sanchez held

a gun to the victim’s head and beat her with the gun.         In addition, Jara

Sanchez when fired the weapon, a bullet struck the victim’s dog, resulting in

the dog’s death. In the aftermath, Jara Sanchez dragged the deceased dog

across the home and burned much of the body. Id. at 11, 24-25. As a result

of the assault, the victim suffered eight broken ribs, a punctured lung, a

broken wrist, and widespread bruising. Id. at 23.

      On December 1, 2022, Jara Sanchez pled guilty before the Honorable

Evan S. Williams, III, to the above-stated offenses. On January 5, 2023, after

ordering a presentence investigation report (PSI), Judge Williams sentenced

Jara Sanchez to a term of 8½ to 20 years’ incarceration for each of the

aggravated assault convictions, 5 to 10 years’ incarceration for the persons

not to possess conviction, and 3 to 7 years’ incarceration for the cruelty to

animals conviction. The terms were imposed consecutively, for an aggregate

sentence of 25 to 57 years’ incarceration at a state correctional institution.

      Jara Sanchez filed a motion for reconsideration of sentence on January

9, 2023, asserting that the sentence was excessive and requesting a

concurrent sentence within a lower range of the Sentencing Guidelines. See

Post Sentence Motion, 1/9/23. On January 19, 2023, the trial court denied

Jara Sanchez’s motion, but did modify the sentence to include a one-year

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period of reentry supervision consecutive to his incarceration, pursuant to 61

Pa.C.S.A. § 6137.2.

       On February 21, 2023,5 Jara Sanchez filed a timely notice of appeal and

court-ordered Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b) concise statement of errors complained of on

appeal. Jara Sanchez sets forth the following issue on appeal:

       Whether the sentencing court abused its discretion in imposing an
       excessive sentence [that] failed to consider [his] rehabilitative
       needs []?

Appellant’s Brief, at 8.

       Jara Sanchez challenges the discretionary aspects of his sentence. Such

a claim is not appealable as of right; rather, a defendant’s appeal is considered

a petition for permission to appeal. Commonwealth v. Williams, 562 A.2d

1385, 1386-87 (Pa. Super. 1989) (en banc). Before this Court can address

such a discretionary challenge, an appellant must invoke this Court’s

jurisdiction by: (1) filing a timely notice of appeal, see Pa.R.A.P. 902 and

903; (2) properly preserving the issue at sentencing or in a motion to

reconsider and modify sentence, see Pa.R.Crim.P. 720; (3) including in his

brief a concise statement of reasons relied upon for allowance of appeal

pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 2119(f); and (4) raising a substantial question that the

____________________________________________

5 The notice of appeal was timely, as the 30-day appeal period ended on a

Saturday and the following Monday was a legal holiday. See 1 Pa.C.S.A. §
1908 (“Whenever the last day of any such time period shall fall on a Saturday
or Sunday, or on any day made a legal holiday by the laws of this
Commonwealth or of the United States, such day shall be omitted from the
computation.”); Pa.R.A.P. 903 (notice of appeal to be filed within 30 days after
entry of order from which appeal is taken).

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sentence appealed from is not appropriate under the Sentencing Code.

Commonwealth v. Swope, 123 A.3d 333, 337 (Pa. Super. 2015).                The

existence of a substantial question must be determined on a case-by-case

basis. Commonwealth v. Cruz-Centeno, 668 A.2d 536, 545 (Pa. Super.

1995).

      In this case, Jara Sanchez filed a timely notice of appeal, preserved the

issue in his post-sentence motion, and included the requisite Rule 2119(f)

statement in his brief, and, thus, has met the first three requirements for

review. See Appellant’s Brief, at 7. Therefore, we now determine whether

Jara Sanchez has raised a substantial question. In his Rule 2119(f) statement,

Jara Sanchez contends that the trial court did not adequately consider his

rehabilitative needs and imposed an excessive sentence when it ordered each

sentence to run consecutively. Id. at 7. Specifically, Jara Sanchez argues

that the court sentenced him only based on the seriousness of the offense,

gave no consideration to his statement that fatally shooting the victim’s dog

was an accident, and was overly influenced by the victim’s statement to the

court and graphic pictures presented by the Commonwealth. Id. at 14-16.

      This Court has held that an excessive sentence claim, in conjunction

with an assertion that the court failed to consider rehabilitative needs and

mitigating factors, raises a substantial question. See Swope, 123 A.3d at

339 (substantial question raised where defendant challenged consecutive

sentences as excessive and claimed court failed to consider rehabilitative

needs and mitigating factors); Commonwealth v. Raven, 97 A.3d 1244,

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1253 (Pa. Super. 2014) (excessive sentence claim in conjunction with

assertion that court failed to consider mitigating factors raises substantial

question). Accordingly, we will consider the merits of Jara Sanchez’s claim.

      Our standard of review of the discretionary aspects of a sentence is as

follows:

      Sentencing is a matter vested in the sound discretion of the
      sentencing judge, and a sentence will not be disturbed on appeal
      absent a manifest abuse of discretion. In this context, an abuse
      of discretion is not shown merely by an error in judgment. Rather,
      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.

Commonwealth v. Shugars, 895 A.2d 1270, 1275 (Pa. Super. 2006).

Further, the Appellate Court may not reweigh the factors considered by the

trial court when imposing sentence. Commonwealth v. Macias, 968 A.2d

773, 778 (Pa. Super. 2009).      Finally, where the sentencing court has the

benefit of reviewing a PSI, we presume that the judge was “aware of relevant

information   regarding   the   defendant’s    character   and   weighed       those

considerations along with mitigating statutory factors.” Commonwealth v.

Hallock, 603 A.2d 612, 616 (Pa. Super. 1992).

      Pursuant to the Pennsylvania Sentencing Code, an appellate court must

vacate a sentence if the trial court erroneously applied the Sentencing

Guidelines, if the circumstances of the case would cause the application of the

guidelines to be clearly unreasonable, or if the court sentenced outside the

guidelines in an unreasonable manner.         See 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9781(c).         In

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reviewing the record on appeal from a discretionary aspects of sentencing

claim, we consider:

       (1) The nature and circumstances of the offense and the history
       and characteristics of the defendant.

       (2) The opportunity of the sentencing court to observe the
       defendant, including any presentence investigation.

       (3) The findings upon which the sentence was based.

       (4) The guidelines promulgated by the commission.

Id. at § 9781(d).

       Jara Sanchez argues that while he was sentenced within the standard-

range,6 the court’s application of the guidelines was unreasonable in his case.

See Appellant’s Brief, at 14; see also 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9781(c)(2). In support

of his argument, Jara Sanchez cites to Commonwealth v. Coulverson, 34

A.3d 135 (Pa. Super. 2011), where the defendant argued that his aggregate

sentence of 18 to 90 years in prison was “manifestly excessive and that the

____________________________________________

6 Given the applicable offense gravity scores and Jara Sanchez’s prior record

score, the standard-range sentences were as follows: (1) aggravated assault
with a deadly weapon, minimum of 90 to 102 months; (2) aggravated assault,
minimum of 84 to 102 months; (3) persons not to possess, minimum of 60
months; and (4) aggravated cruelty to animals, minimum of 27 to 40 months.
See 204 Pa. Code § 303.16(a) (Basic Sentencing Matrix).

The trial court sentenced Jara Sanchez to a minimum term of incarceration of
102 months for each aggravated assault conviction, 60 months for persons
not to possess, and 36 months for aggravated cruelty to animals, all within
the standard range of the sentencing guidelines. Each sentence was ordered
to be served consecutively. See N.T. Sentencing Hearing, 1/5/23, at 7-9, 35-
36, 39.

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trial court failed to state sufficient reasons on the record to justify its

imposition.” Id. at 139. In Coulverson, this Court found that:

      [the trial court’s] discussion of sentencing rationale [was] so
      summary as to offer no suggestion that it considered anything
      other than the seriousness of Coulverson’s offenses. . . .[T]he
      court offered no acknowledgement whatsoever of the Sentencing
      Guidelines except to document that the lower end of the sentences
      it imposed was in the standard range.

Id. at 146.    Moreover, “the court’s discussion offers a regrettably scant

explanation for imposition of sentence on any of Coulverson’s convictions.”

Id. The Court emphasized that a sentence “may still be excessive” if the lower

end of the sentence is within the standard guidelines range, but “the upper

end of the sentence imposes a term unlikely to end during the defendant’s

natural life span[.]” Id. at 148.

      Jara Sanchez suggests that, similar to Coulverson, his minimum

sentence falls within the standard guidelines, but his maximum sentence

reaches the statutory limits. See Appellant’s Brief, at 14 (citing Coulverson,

34 A.3d at 143). In addition, he asserts that the trial court determined his

sentence solely “because of the seriousness of his offense, as evidenced by

the sentencing transcript.” Id. As such, Jara Sanchez argues that, just like

in Coulverson, his sentences for both aggravated assaults were clearly

unreasonable. See id.; see also Coulverson, 34 A.3d at 150.

      With respect to his sentence for aggravated cruelty to an animal, Jara

Sanchez argues that the court failed to consider his rehabilitative needs when

it applied the sentence consecutive to his other sentences. See Appellant’s

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Brief, at 15.   Jara Sanchez suggests that the court was influenced by “an

emotional statement by the victim regarding her dog[,] as well as graphic

images of the dog’s attempted cremation[.]” Id. at 16 (citations omitted).

Jara Sanchez states that, instead, the court should have considered that the

dog’s death was an “unintended by-product of [a] single criminal episode” and

that he had no criminal history relating to cruelty to animals. Id. at 15-16.

Therefore, applying this sentence consecutively, rather than concurrently as

consistent with his rehabilitative needs, was clearly unreasonable. Id. at 17-

18. We disagree.

      During sentencing, the court had the benefit of a PSI and highlighted

that the report included information about Jara Sanchez’s education, alcohol

use, mental health history, employment history, and criminal history. See

N.T. Sentencing Hearing, 1/5/23, at 10. The court also stated that the PSI

noted that Jara Sanchez had three protection from abuse (PFA) order

violations while incarcerated and awaiting adjudication in the instant matter,

and was convicted for contacting the victim in violation of that PFA order. Id.

at 11. At sentencing, Judge Williams heard from Jara Sanchez’s counsel, Kyle

Rude, Esquire, about his client’s mental health issues, that Jara Sanchez never

intended to harm the victim’s dog, and that he took responsibility for his

actions. Id. 14-17. Judge Williams then gave Jara Sanchez the opportunity

to speak, which he declined. Id. at 18.

      After hearing argument from the Commonwealth, the court heard from

the victim, in addition to a submitted victim statement, about her fear of

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people coming after her, her permanent injuries and physical pain because of

the assault, that her dog was her “best friend,” and that she asked Jara

Sanchez to stop hitting her during the assault, but he did not listen. Id. at

28-29. Jara Sanchez was again given the opportunity to speak, at which time

he admitted to his actions, admitted to violating the PFA order three times,

admitted what he did was wrong, and apologized to the victim and asked for

her forgiveness. Id. at 30-31. However, he also attempted to suggest other

possible causes of the victim’s permanent injuries, denied killing the victim’s

dog, and said he did not try to kill the victim. Id. at 31-32.

      Before determining Jara Sanchez’s sentence, the trial court noted the

severity of the victim’s injuries and significance of the assault, the testimony

presented at the hearing, the circumstances of the assault, and Jara Sanchez’s

background, stating, “[I am] familiar with everything.” Id. at 34-35. Judge

Williams further stated the following as reasoning for the sentence imposed:

      I think these sentences appropriately reflect the serious nature of
      the crimes, the impact on the victim and the community. They
      recognize that Mr. [Jara] Sanchez may have had [] or may
      continue to have some emotional or mental difficulties. [] [E]ach
      of these sentences will be run consecutive to each other.

Id. at 36. In its January 5, 2023 sentencing order, the trial court also included

the following statement:

      Each sentence is imposed for the reasons stated of record,
      including the nature and circumstances of the criminal conduct,
      the impact on the victim and the community, the need to
      incarcerate [Jara Sanchez] for an extended period of time[,] as
      well as require [Jara Sanchez] to be subject to supervision if and
      when he is granted parole, as well as the history and
      characteristics of [Jara Sanchez] as set forth in the [PSI].

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Sentencing Order, 1/5/23.

      Finally, after denying Jara Sanchez’s post-sentence motion to modify his

sentence, Judge Williams provided an additional explanation for the sentence

imposed.

      Contrary to [Jara Sanchez’s] claims, the sentence imposed by the
      [c]ourt of total confinement of twenty-five (25) to fifty-seven (57)
      years was appropriate given (i) the nature and circumstances of
      the criminal conduct, which included throwing a knife and
      discharging a firearm (that [Jara Sanchez] was prohibited from
      having) at or toward the victim, (ii) the physical injuries [Jara
      Sanchez] caused to the victim, which included broken ribs, a
      broken wrist, and external and internal injuries, (iii) the lasting
      emotional and physical impact on the victim, (iv) the impact on
      the community, which was significant given the extreme nature of
      the conduct, (v) the need for [Jara Sanchez] to receive a
      significant sentence of total confinement to protect the community
      and to try to ensure that when [Jara Sanchez] is released he would
      be subject to supervision on parole for an extended period of time,
      (vi) the sentencing guidelines, (vii) the fact the criminal conduct
      involved separate and distinct actions and separate and distinct
      crimes that resulted in separate and distinct harm, and (viii) the
      rehabilitative needs, history, and condition of [Jara Sanchez].

Order, 1/19/23, at ¶ 3. In addition, in response to Jara Sanchez’s argument

that “his treatment of the deceased dog had a larger than appropriate impact”

on the sentencing court, Judge Williams stated that Jara Sanchez’s “treatment

of the deceased dog (which he apparently burned), had little, if any, bearing

on the sentence as compared to [Jara Sanchez’s] treatment of the living

victim.” Id. at ¶ 4.

      The court’s reasons for the sentence imposed, clearly stated above, in

conjunction with the court’s review of the PSI, were sufficient to demonstrate

that the court properly considered all relevant factors when imposing Jara

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Sanchez’s sentence. See Hallock, supra. Further, we may not reweigh the

sentencing factors considered by the trial court when imposing sentence. See

Macias, supra. Accordingly, Jara Sanchez’s claim that the court imposed an

excessive sentence and failed to consider his rehabilitative needs, and

imposed a clearly unreasonable consecutive sentence, lacks merit. We find

no abuse of discretion. See Shugars, supra.

     Judgment of sentence affirmed.

Judgment Entered.

Benjamin D. Kohler, Esq.
Prothonotary

Date: 03/26/2024

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