Court Opinion

ID: 3171067
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-01-20 22:06:33.654708+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:56:53.549799
License: Public Domain

J-S05008-16

NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA,                    IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
                                                       PENNSYLVANIA
                            Appellee

                       v.

JOSHUA MITCHELL MARKELWITZ,

                            Appellant                 No. 575 MDA 2015

      Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence Entered December 30, 2014
               In the Court of Common Pleas of Dauphin County
                          Criminal Division at No(s):
                           CP-22-CR-0000319-2013
                           CP-22-CR-0000325-2013

BEFORE: BENDER, P.J.E., SHOGAN, J., and PLATT, J.*

MEMORANDUM BY BENDER, P.J.E.:                     FILED JANUARY 20, 2016

        Appellant, Joshua Mitchell Markelwitz, appeals from the December 30,

2014 judgment of sentence of an aggregate term of 12 to 24 years’

incarceration, following by 8 years’ probation, imposed after he entered a

negotiated guilty plea to numerous sexual offenses committed against two

minor, female victims. Appellant challenges the court’s imposition of a $600

fine and $757.04 in restitution, as well as the weight of the evidence to

support the court’s designating him as a sexually violent predator.      After

careful review, we affirm.

____________________________________________

*
    Retired Senior Judge assigned to the Superior Court.
J-S05008-16

     We have examined the certified record, the briefs of the parties, and

the applicable law. Additionally, we have reviewed the thorough opinion of

The Honorable Richard A. Lewis, President Judge of the Dauphin County

Court of Common Pleas.      We conclude that President Judge Lewis’ well-

reasoned opinion accurately disposes of the issues presented by Appellant.

Accordingly, we adopt President Judge Lewis’ opinion as our own and affirm

Appellant’s judgment of sentence on the rationale set forth therein.

     Judgment of sentence affirmed.

Judgment Entered.

Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary

Date: 1/20/2016

                                    -2-
                                                                                 Circulated 12/23/2015 08:50 AM

     COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA                            IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
                                                             DAUPHIN COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

                            V.                               DOCKET NO.: 319, 325 CR 2013

     JOSHUA MARKELWITZ                                       (575 MDA 2015)

                                     MEMORANDUM OPINION

           Appellant, Joshua Markelwitz ("Markelwitz") is appealing this Court's judgment of

    sentence entered December 22, 2014. This opinion is written pursuant to Pa.RAP.

    1925(a).

                                     PROCEDURAL HISTORY

          At both of the above-captioned dockets. Appellant was charged with the following
                                 1
    offenses: Rape of Child, Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse (IDSI) with a Child,2

    IDSI -- Person Less Than 16 Years of Age,3 Aggravated Indecent Assault - _

    Complainant Less Than .13 Years of Age, 4 Aggravated Indecent Assault - Complainant

Less Than 16 Years of Age,5 Indecent Assault - Person Less Than 13 Years of Age, 6

Indecent Assault - Person Less Than 16 Years of Age,7 Indecent Exposure," Unlawful

1
  18 Pa.C.S. §3121(C).
2
  18 Pa.C.S. §3123(B).
318
     Pa.C.S. §3123(A)(7).
4
  18 Pa.C.S. §3125(A)(7).
5
  18 Pa.C.S. §3125(A)(8).
6
  18 Pa.C.S. §3126(A)(7).
7
  18 Pa.C.S. §3126(A)(8).
8
  18 Pa.C.S. §3127(A).

                                                J-f --- II (
                                                 '

                                                     I
                                                         I

                                                                  ~

                                                                      "
    Contact With a Minor - Sexual Offenses,9 Corruption of Minors (3 counts), 1° Criminal

    Solicitation - Dissemination of Photo/Film of Child Sex Acts,11 Indecent Assault Without

    Consent, 12 Sexual Abuse of Children - Photographing/Filming/Depicting           on Computer
                                                                            14
    of Child Sex Act, 13 Unlawful Contact With a Minor - Sexual Abuse,           and Furnishing

    Liquor to a Minor.15 On June 5, 2014, Markelwitz entered into a negotiated guilty plea

    agreement resolving the charges at both dockets.16

           The Commonwealth filed a Notice of Intent to have defendant classified as a

    sexually violent predator. This Court ordered an assessment by the Sexual Offenders

    Assessment Board (SOAB). Upon defendant's motion, this Court continued sentencing

    pending the SOAB assessment. On December 22, 2014, a hearing was held for the

    purpose of determining whether Markelwitz should be classified as a sexually violent

predator (SVP).

          At the conclusion of the December 22, 2014 hearing, this Court found that

Markelwitz should be classified as a sexually violent predator. He was notified regarding

the Tier Ill sexual offender lifetime registration requirements and sentence was

imposed. In accordance with the plea agreement, Markelwitz was sentenced at both

dockets to an aggregate term of incarceration of 144 to 288 months followed by a 96

9
   18 Pa.C.S. §6318(A)(1).
1018
      Pa.C.S. §6301(A)(1).
11
    18 Pa.C.S. §902(A).
12
    18 Pa.C.S. §3126(A)(1).
13
    18 Pa.C.S. §6312(8).
14
    18 Pa.C.S. §6318(A)(5).
15
    18 Pa.C.S. §6310.1(A).
16
   Pursuant to the negotiated agreement, counts 1,2,4 and 6 were withdrawn by the Commonwealth at
Docket No. 325 CR 2013.

                                                 2
     month consecutive term of state probation."        Along with fines totaling $600 and

     payment of the costs of prosecution, this Court ordered restitution in the amount of

     $757.04 to the Crime Victim's Compensation Fund.

             Post-Sentence Motions were timely filed and subsequently denied by order

     dated February 25, 2015. A Notice of Appeal to the Pennsylvania Superior Court was

     filed on March 27, 2015.   In compliance with this Court's Order, Markelwitz timely filed a

     Statement of Errors Complained of on Appeal Pursuant to Pa. R.A. P. 1925(b) raising the

     following issues for review:

             1.     The trial court imposed an illegal sentence where it failed to inquire
            into Appellant's ability to pay a fine pursuant to 42 Pa.C.S.A. 9726(b)-(d)
            and illegally awarded restitution to a third-party instead of the victim.

           2.       The trial court erred in denying Appellant's Post-Sentence Motion
           where his fine was excessive and unreasonable and constitutes too
           severe a punishment where the trial court failed to inquire into Appellant's
           ability to pay a fine pursuant to 42 Pa.C.S.A. 9726(b)-(d) and illegally
           awarded restitution to a third-party instead of the victim.

            3.     The trial court erred in denying Appellant's Post-Sentence Motion
           where Appellant's Sexually Violent Predator designation was against the
           weight of the evidence so as to shock one's sense of justice where the
           Commonwealth did not demonstrate that a proper balancing of the
                                           18,
           statutorily prescribed factors      including but limited to the nature of the
           offense, Appellant's prior offense history, and Appellant's risk of
           reoffending, indicated that Appellant is a sexually violent predator.

           For the reasons set forth below, this Court finds that Appellant's claims of error

are without merit.

17
    As pointed out by counsel in Defendant's Post-Sentence Motion andthe Commonwealth's Answer
thereto, this Court notes that the probationary sentence at 325 CR 2013 was mistakenly reflected on the
docket as running consecutive to Count 8 instead of consecutive to Count 9, per the plea agreement. This
matter was addressed in the Court's February 25, 2015 order disposing of Defendant's Post-Sentence
Motion.
18
   r11 42 Pa.C.S.A. 9799.24. (Footnote in original).

                                                   3
                                      FACTUAL BACKGROUND

              The charges in this matter stem from Markelwitz's improper and illegal sexual

     relationships with two minor females he had access to by virtue of his position as a

     leader of a church youth group and as a volunteer with a high school. One relationship

     took place when the female victim was between 12-14 years old. The other relationship

     involved a high school student who was between 16-17 years old. Depending on the

     individual victim, Markelwitz's inappropriate and unlawful sexual behavior included oral

     intercourse, digital penetration, indecent touching and the exchange of sexually explicit

     photographs.     Markelwitz also furnished alcohol to one of the minors. Markelwitz

     befriended the victims a_s a sort of mentor prior to initiating sexual contact and ensured

     the victim's silence through threats of physical harm to them and their family members.

            Following his guilty plea, this Court held a hearing to determine his status as a

 sexually violent predator (SVP). The Commonwealth presented the testimony of Dr.

 Robert M. Stein ("Dr. Stein") and Markelwitz presented the testimony of Dr. Timothy P.

 Foley ("Dr. Foley"). Each doctor was qualified as expert witness. (Notes of Testimony,

 SVP at 10; 48-49).19

           Dr. Stein has a private psychology practice and also performs assessments for

the Pennsylvania Sexual Offenders Assessment Board (SOAB). (N.T. SVP at 4-5). Dr.

Stein testified that he has assessed more than 1500 sexual offenders and has testified

as an expert in his field more than 400 times. To perform his assessment, Dr. Stein

reviewed a report from the SOAB investigator, a response from defense counsel, the

19
     Herein after "N.T. SVP."

                                                 4
  affidavits of probable cause, the criminal informations and police complaints filed in both

  cases, the case surveillance materials including the recording of a phone call and the

  computer forensic analysis of Markelwitz's computer, and the Children's Resource

  Center reports and records. (N.T. SVP at 7). Markelwitz did not participate in the

 assessment: (Id.) Dr. Stein considered the fifteen (15) statutory factors in forming his

 opinion as to whether Markelwitz should be classified as an SVP and submitted a report

 of his findings for the record. (N.T. SVP at 69). At the hearing, Dr. Stein testified to his

 conclusion on each finding. (N.T. SVP at 8-13).

        Dr. Stein's assessment resulted in him opining within a reasonable degree of

 professional certainty that Appellant should be designated a sexually violent predator.

 (N.T., SVP at 21-22). More specifically, Dr. Stein testified that Appellant suffers from

 the mental disorder called paraphilic disorder non-consent due to his sexual relationship

with a non-mature, non-consenting partner that took place over a period of more than

six months which condition he believes is incurable. (N.T., SVP at 15; 19). Dr. Stein

found several factors significant when forming his opinion, including: Markelwitz

perpetrated his crimes on more than one unrelated victim; he was clearly an adult

during the commission of his crimes which consisted of repetitive penetrative sexual

acts involving a victim beginning at the age of 12; one incident involved handcuffs; and

a military court-martial for drawing down on a commanding officer that resulted in a "bad

conduct" discharge. (N. T. SVP at 11-15).

       Dr. Stein found that Markelwitz's actions, which included penetrative sexual acts

with an individual beginning at the age of 12 at a time when he was 23 years old were

indicative of sexual deviance. (N.T. SVP at 13-14). He acknowledged that due to the

                                             5
 other vicitrn's age, he did not factor that relationship into his finding of sexual deviance;

 however, he considered Markelwitz's action with regard to the 16 year old victim as an

 aggravating factor as it was part of an anti-social "rule-breaking" pattern of behavior.

 His disciplinary discharge from the military was also seen as indicative of the same anti-

 social behavior pattern. (N. T. SVP at 17-18). Dr. Stein testified that his assessment

 indicated a likelihood that Markelwitz would reoffend based on the lengthy pattern of

 improper sexual behavior, the predatory nature of the way he used his leadership

 positions to initiate the relationship, the grooming of a victim with expensive gifts, and

 the threats of harm if the vicitims revealed the relationships as a way of continuing the

 relationships. (N.T. SVP at 20-21).

        Dr. Foley testified that he reviewed the same materials as Dr. Stein and also

 made his assessment without evaluating Markelwitz in person. (N.T. SVP at 50-51). Dr .

. Foley also submitted a report of his findings and testified regarding the differences

between his conclusions and Dr. Stein's conclusions. (N.T. SVP at 51-69). Notably

though, Dr. Foley did not dispute that Markelwitz's actions were predatory in nature.

(N.T. SVP at 61).

       Dr. Foley disagreed with Dr. Stein's diagnosis that Markelwitz suffers from

paraphilic disorder non-consent. (N.T. SVP at 51). He views the diagnosis as too vague

of a classification and believes this is the reason why it has been removed from the

DSM-IV as of the publication of the DSM-V. Dr. Foley stated that the paraphilic disorder

is used for rarer types of disorders like necrophilia or bestiality. (N.T. SVP at 51-54).

Instead of relying upon the DSM-IV or DSM-V for his evaluation of Appellant, Dr. Foley

used the Static-99R, an actuarial tool to formulate his opinion regarding Markelwitz's

                                              6
  status as an SVP. (N.T. at SVP at 56-57). Dr. Foley explained that when an evaluator

  considers the ten areas of evaluation on the test, each is assigned a number score

  depending on the corresponding answer. He stated that the Static-99R allows a

  clinician to form an opinion as to the dangerousness of a defendant or the likelihood of

  sexual misconduct going forward. (N.T. SVP at 56). After testifying to the Static-99R's

 factors as applied to Markelwitz, Dr. Foley concluded that he scored in the low range

 with regard to the risk of reoffending. (N.T. SVP at 58-60). As to his opinion on whether

 Appellant met the statutory criteria for classification as an SVP, Dr. Foley opined that he

 did not. His opinion was based on what he described as a lack of a sufficient basis to

 find a mental abnormality that would make him likely to commit sexually violent acts in

 the future. (N.T. SVP at 60-61). This Court ultimately found thatthe statutory criteria

 had been met and Markelwitz should be classified as an SVP.

                                         DISCUSSION

        Although presented separately by Markelwitz as different issues on appeal, his

first two claims essentially raise the same two issues in two different ways: 1) this Court .

failed to inquire into Appellant's ability to pay his fines pursuant to 42 Pa.C.S. §9726(b)-

(d); 2) the illegality of this Court's order of restitution to a third party instead of the

victim. We will address all arguments relating to the fines and all issues relating to the

restitution together.

       With respect to the fines imposed in this case, Markelwitz claims that his

sentence is illegal because this Court failed to inquire into his ability to pay. We

disagree.

                                               7
          A court is statutorily authorized to impose a fine as part of a criminal sentence

  which also involves partial or total confinement or probation. 42 Pa.C.S. § 9726(b). The

  defendant's ability to pay the fine must appear of record; however, imposition of a fine is

  not precluded merely because the defendant cannot pay the fine immediately or

  because he cannot do so without difficulty. 42 Pa.C.S. §9726(c)(1); Commonwealth v.

  Thomas, 879 A.2d 246, 264 (2005) citing Commonwealth v. Church, 513 Pa. 534,

  540, 522 A.2d 30, 33 (1987). This Court submits the record reveals that proper

 consideration was given to Markelwitz's ability to pay the $600 fine at the time of

 sentencing.

        The record shows that Markelwitz was previously in the military and was gainfully

 employed at the time of his arrest. These facts are indicative of skills and training which

 may be used to perform a job while incarcerated to earn money for the payment of his

 fines. He will be incarcerated for such a lengthy period of time, it is not unreasonable to

 conclude that he will have ample time to pay the fines. Additionally, the issue of

Appellant's financial circumstances was raised by his counsel at the sentencing hearing

and, therefore, considered. (N.T. Sentencing at 31). This Court was also informed by

the written guilty plea colloquy that Markelwitz was facing a maximum aggregate fine

$190,000. This Court clearly acknowledged the issue on the record and specifically

stated" ... I'll keep the fines relatively low. It's not here to impose a financial penalty, it's

really the incarceration that is key .... " (N.T. Sentencing at 34). The record makes clear

that this Court properly complied with 42 Pa.C.S. § 9726 by considering Markelwitz's

ability to pay a very small fine. With respect to the fine imposed in this matter, this

                                                8
     Court finds that the sentence is not illegal and Appellant's Post-Sentence Motion was

     properly denied.

            Regarding the restitution ordered in this case, Markelwitz argues that this Court

     erred in denying his Post-Sentence Motion and that his sentence is illegal because the

     restitution was "illegally awarded to a third-party instead of the victim." We find that

     Appellant's claims are again without merit.

            Restitution was ordered in the amount of $757.04 payable to the Crime Victims

    Compensation Board. (N. T. Sentencing at 26; 45). The Crime Victims Compensation

    Fund is defined in the Fiscal Code as:

           "Crime Victim's Compensation Fund" shall mean the special nonlapsing
           fund created by the act of November 24, 1998 (P.L. 882, No. 111 ), 11201
           known as the "Crime Victims Act (CVA)." 72 Pa.C.S.A. § 1301.1.

           The CVA's definition of "Victim" includes: A parent or legal guardian of a child

    who is a direct victim, except when the parent or·legal guardian of the child is the

    alleged offender. 18 P .S. § 11.103.   Additionally, "Out-of-Pocket losses" are, by

    definition, reimbursable under the CVA include "other reasonable expenses which are

    deemed necessary as a direct result of the criminal incident."    18 P .S. § 11.103.

          The Crimes Code at 18 Pa.C.S. § 1106(a), which governs the imposition of

mandatory restitution at sentencing provides:

          (a) General rule.--Upon conviction for any crime wherein property has
          been stolen, converted or otherwise unlawfully obtained, or its value
          substantially decreased as a direct result of the crime, or wherein the
          victim suffered personal injury directly resulting from the crime, the

2° Footnote in originalomitted.
                                                 9
              offender shall be sentenced to make restitution in addition to the
              punishment prescribed therefor.

             The statute defines victim as:

              "Victlm." As defined in section 479.1 of the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L. 177,
             No. 175), known as The Administrative Code of 1929.11211 The term
             includes the Crime Victim's Compensation Fund if compensation has been
             paid by the Crime Victim's Compensation Fund to the victim and any
             insurance company that has compensated the victim for loss under an
             insurance contract. 18 Pa.C.S. § 1106(h).

             As noted by the Superior Court in Commonwealth v. Lebarre,22 section 479.1 of

     the Administrative Code was repealed and the repealed provision "indicates generally

     that its subject matter, 'which related to rights of and services for crime victims,' is now

     located in the Crime Victims Act, 18 P.S. § 11.101        et seq.   (71 P.S. § 180-9.1)   In

     Lebarre, the Superior Court concluded that "the definition of 'victim' in the Crime

     Victims Act applies to Section 1106 restitution through a general cross-reference              to ... "

     the repealed section 479.1 which is now located in the Crime Victims Act at §11.103.

 The Pennsylvania Supreme Court acknowledged the Superior Court's conclusion on

 this issue in Commonwealth v. Hall, 622 Pa. 396, n. 5 (2013).

            Turning to the instant matter, the record is clear that the restitution order was

 entered to reimburse the Pennsylvania Crime Victims Fund. (N.T. Sentencing at 22; 45).

 Ma.rkelwitz argues on appeal that the restitution was improperly ordered to be paid to a

third party; however, he does not specify whether his assertion of error is based on the

Fund being the recipient of the reimbursement or the fact that the money the Fund had

disbursed was to a victim's mother for missing work in connection with her minor

daughter's needs relating to this case.           If he is arguing that the Fund is the improper

21
     Footnote in original: 71 P.S. § 180-9.1.
22
     961 A.2d 176, 179, n. 9 (Pa. Super. 2008).

                                                     10
      third-party recipient, his position is erroneous. The definition of "victim" under 18

      Pa.C.S. §1106(h) explicitly includes the Crime Victim's Compensation Fund ("Fund").

      Additionally, the application of the CVA to the Crimes Code provision in 18 Pa.C.S. §

      1106 was found to be appropriate by the Superior Court in Lebarre and subsequently

      recognized by the Supreme Court in Hall. Nonetheless, even if Markelwitz is

     contending that the third party who is the subject of the restitution order is the victim's

     mother, a reasonable reading of the CVA provisions, as set forth above, clearly

     supports this Court's actions with respect to the restitution order in this matter. The CVA

     language explicitly states that a "victim" includes the parent or legal guardian of a "direct

     victim" and the wage losses incurred by the victim's mother would qualify as "out-of-

     pocket expenses which are deemed necessary as a direct result of the criminal

     incident." 18 P.S. § 11.103. Therefore, Appellant's arguments regarding the restitution

     ordered in this case fail in all respects.

            Finally, Markelwitz challenges this Court's finding that he is a sexually violent

 predator (SVP) who should be subjected to the appropriate registration requirements

                                                                            23
 under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).               He contends that

 the finding is against the weight of the evidence presented at the hearing. Again we

 disagree.

           A challenge to a determination of SVP status requires a reviewing court to view

the evidence:

                  "in the light most favorable to the Commonwealth. The
                  reviewing court may not weigh the evidence or substitute its
23
  Formerly known as Megan's Law (42 Pa.C.S.§§9791-9799.9), SORNA was enacted as part of the
Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006. See 42 Pa.C.S. §§9799.10, et seq.

                                                  11
                judgment for that of the trial court. The clear and convincing
                standard requires evidence that is so clear, direct, weighty
                and convincing as to enable [the trier of fact] to come to a
                clear conviction, without hesitancy, of the truth of the precise
                facts [at] issue. Commonwealth v. Plucinski, 868 A.2d 20, 25
                (Pa.Super. 2005) (internal citations and quotation marks
               omitted). The scope of review is plenary. Commonwealth v.
               Brooks, 7 A.3d 852 (Pa.Super. 2010), appeal denied, 610
               Pa. 614, 21 A.3d 1189 (2011 ). '[A]n expert's opinion, which
               is rendered to a reasonable degree of professional certainty,
               is itself evidence."' Commonwealth v. Fuentes, 991 A.2d
               935, 944 (Pa. Super. 2010) (en bane), appeal denied, 608
               Pa. 645, 12 A.3d 370 (2010) (emphasis in original).

 Commonwealth v. Prendes, 2014 PA Super 151, 97 A.3d 337, 355-56 (2014).

        The process of determining SVP status is statutorily-mandated and well-defined.

The triggering event is a conviction for one or more offenses specified in 42 Pa.C.S.A. §

9799.14, which, in turn, prompts the trial court to order an SVP assessment by the

Sexual Offenders Assessment Board (SOAB). Then, "a member of the board as

designated by the administrative officer of the board shall conduct an assessment of the

individual to determine if the individual should be classified as a sexually violent

predator. The board shall establish standards for evaluations and for evaluators

conducting the assessments."     42 Pa.C.S. § 9799.24(b): An assessment shall include,

but not be limited to, an examination of the following:

       (1) Facts of the current offense, including:

              (i) Whether the offense involved multiple victims.

             (ii) Whether the individual exceeded the means necessary to
      achieve the offense.

             (iii) The nature of the sexual contact with the victim.

             (iv) Relationship of the individual to the victim.

             (v) Age of the victim.

                                             12
                 (vi) Whether the offense included a display of unusual cruelty by
         the individual during the commission of the crime.

                 (vii) The mental capacity of the victim.

         (2) Prior offense history, including:

                 (i) The individual's   prior criminal record.

                 (ii) Whether the individual    completed         any prior sentences.

                (iii) Whether the individual     participated      in available   programs   for
         sexual offenders.

         (3) Characteristics   of the individual,    including:

                (i) Age.
                (ii) Use of illegal drugs.

                (iii) Any mental illness, mental disability or mental abnormality.

              (iv) Behavioral characteristics that contribute to the individual's
        conduct.

        (4) Factors that are supported in a sexual offender assessment field as
        criteria reasonably related to the risk of reoffense. (42 Pa.C.S.A. §
        9799.24(b)(1) - (4)) .

        In Commonwealth v. Prendes, the Superior Court has recently restated the

 necessary findings when deciding to deem an individual a sexually violent predator:

        " ... the Commonwealth must first show [the individual] 'has been convicted
       of a sexually violent offense as set forth in [section 9799.14] .... '"
        Commonwealth v. Askew, 907 A.2d 624, 629 (Pa.Super. 2006), appeal
       denied, 591 Pa. 709, 919 A.2d 954 (2007). See also 42 Pa.C.S.A. §
       9799.12. "Secondly, the Commonwealth must show that the individual has
       'a mental abnormality or personality disorder that makes [him] likely to
       engage in predatory sexually violent offenses.' " Askew, supra. When the
       Commonwealth meets this burden, the trial court then makes the final
       determination on the defendant's status as an SVP. [Commonwealth v.
       Kopicz, 840 A.2d 342, 351 (Pa.Super. 2003).] .

Commonwealth v. Prendes, 97 A.3d 337, 357-58 (2014).

       With respect to the first finding, it is undisputed that Appellant pied guilty to more

than one criminal offense that come under the definition of a sexually violent offense

                                                    13
   which triggers an SVP inquiry under SORNA pursuant to 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 9799.12-

  9799.14. In addition, as represented by the parties on the record, Appellant's predatory

  behavior is not in dispute. (N.T. SVP at 20-21; 61). Therefore, the ultimate issue for

  determination at the SVP hearing was whether the Commonwealth established by clear

  and convincing evidence the existence of a mental abnormality or personality disorder.

  (N.T., SVP at 61).

            As previously discussed, Dr. Stein, and Dr. Timothy Foley reviewed the same

  documents, reports and Appellant's criminal history as part of their respective

 evaluations and Dr. Foley also reviewed Dr. Stein's report. Notably, Appellant was

 afforded the opportunity to participate in Dr. Stein's assessment, but he declined.

            Upon consideration of all evidence presented, this Court found that the

 Commonwealth met its burden that Appellant should be classified as a Sexually Violent

 Predator. Review of the record indicates that for the reasons set forth below, this

 Court's finding is amply supported by the weight of the evidence and, as such,

Appellant's claim is without merit.

       SORNA defines mental abnormality as:

       11Mental
                 abnormality." A congenital or acquired condition of a person that
       affects the emotional or volitional capacity of the person in a manner that
       predisposes that person to the commission of criminal sexual acts to a
       degree that makes the person a menace to the health and safety of other
       persons. 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9799.12.

Dr. Stein described Appellant's behavior as a sexually victimizing relationship which

started when one of the victims. was twelve ( 12) years old. The victimization consisted

                                              14
   of multiple acts over the course of approximately two years and included penetrative

  acts. Once again, we note that predatory behavior was conceded in this case.

         With respect to the Section 9799.24 factors, Dr. Stein determined that more than

  one victim was involved and, although Appellant did not exceed the means necessary to

  commit the conduct, psychological force was utilized to control the relationship and

  there was an incident involving handcuffs and physical force. The factors he found

  relevant to his conclusion that Appellant's behavior is consistent with deviant sexual

  interest were the nature of the penetrative sexual conduct as well as the young age of

 the victim when the conduct began. Also relevant to Dr. Stein's opinion was the lengthy

 nature of the relationship as perpetuated by Appellant. According to Dr. Stein, these

 factors coupled with the non-consenting nature of the relationship with a non-mature

 female meet the criteria of the mental abnormality diagnosis for Other Specified

 Parapbllla: Nonconsent.

        Dr. Stein described Markelwitz's military discharge due to violent behavior

coupled with the other illegal sexual relationship with a minor as being indicative of an

anti-social "rule-breaking" pattern of behavior. Dr. Stein emphasized that Appellant was

clearly an adult at the age of 23 when these events took place which is entirely

consistent with sexual deviance. Dr. Stein unequivocally opined that all of these factors

led him to conclude Appellant is a high risk of re-offense.

       Upon review of all the evidence, this Court finds that he carefully considered

each of the statutory factors and weighed the relevance of each to conclude that

Markelwitz suffers from a mental abnormality that puts him at a greater risk to reoffend.

                                            15
  Despite Dr. Foley's position that the materials reviewed did not provide sufficient

 evidence to support Dr. Stein's diagnosis and finding of mental abnormality, when the

 evidence is reviewed as whole, there is ample support for Dr. Stein's opinion. Upon

 close review of the record, this Court finds that Dr. Stein thoroughly evaluated

 Appellant's case and presented an abundance of clear and convincing evidence to

 support his opinion that the SVP classification is appropriate in this case.

        In conclusion, this Court finds that the issues raised by Appellant on review are

 without merit.

                                           Rf81=lARD/A.~LEWIS, PRES. JUDGE

MEMORANDUM DATE:           41 _ /
                              I

                                    ,l, a) J §                                          ..
                                                                                      --·
                                                                                      ..
                                                                                              .-.,
                                                                                              S2
                                                                                              \JI
                                                                                              ;cs-
                                                                                              cG,
                                                                                                          l
                                                                                                          rr:
                                                                                                          :::oc
                                                                                                          :::K -~-,
                                                                                 ·-o ::c                      o; .. _·   -
                                                                                 rn:::.:;::    (.,.)          ·-., c-
                                                                                 :z.,!-                            n·
                                                                                 ZC?            :p.,          C}
                                                                                                              c:
                                                                                 J:,-0          :1:
                                                                                                              .--
                                                                                       c:
                                                                                       - .      0
                                                                                                N
                                                                                                    .          .....

                                                                                                    Q"\

DISTRIBUTION:      c;{ <]3--):5     @ //   4-11'L
Dauphin Co. District Attorney's Office ) 6
Ryan H. Lysaght, Esq., Asst. Public Defender, Dauphin Co./ D
Clerk of Courts (-(__
Superior Court Prothonotary /11 a I J
FILE - Judge Lewis ) D

                                             16