Court Opinion

ID: 4314579
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2018-09-21 19:28:27.943525+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:44:46.343073
License: Public Domain

J-S49005-18

NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37

    COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA               :   IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
                                               :        PENNSYLVANIA
                                               :
                v.                             :
                                               :
                                               :
    TERRANCE JOB DAVIS, JR.                    :
                                               :
                       Appellant               :   No. 1973 MDA 2017

            Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence August 28, 2017
    In the Court of Common Pleas of York County Criminal Division at No(s):
                           CP-67-CR-0006256-2016

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

MEMORANDUM BY SHOGAN, J.:                          FILED SEPTEMBER 21, 2018

       Terrance Job Davis, Jr. (“Appellant”) appeals from the judgment of

sentence entered on August 28, 2017, in the Court of Common Pleas of York

County. We affirm.

       This case arose from Appellant’s involvement in the robbery of Timothy

Laniewski (the “Victim”), with two co-defendants on August 3, 2016. A jury

convicted Appellant on July 11, 2017, of criminal conspiracy to commit

robbery, robbery by threatening serious bodily injury, robbery by threatening

immediate bodily injury, theft by unlawful taking, and receiving stolen

property.1     The trial court sentenced Appellant on August 28, 2017, to

incarceration for an aggregate term of five to ten years. Appellant filed a

____________________________________________

1 18 Pa.C.S. §§ 903(a)(1), 3701(a)(1)(ii), 3701(a)(1)(iv), 3921(a), and
3925(a), respectively.
____________________________________
* Former Justice specially assigned to the Superior Court.
J-S49005-18

timely post-sentence motion, which the trial court denied.          This appeal

followed. Appellant and the trial court complied with Pa.R.A.P. 1925.

      Appellant presents the following questions for our review:

      1.    Whether there was insufficient evidence presented by the
      Commonwealth at trial to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that
      [Appellant] conspired with [his] co-defendants to commit the
      crime of Robbery.

      2.   Whether there was insufficient evidence presented by the
      Commonwealth at trial to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that
      [Appellant] committed Theft by Unlawful Taking.

      3.   Whether there was insufficient evidence presented by the
      Commonwealth at trial to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that
      [Appellant] committed Receiving Stolen Property.

      4.    Whether there was insufficient evidence presented by the
      Commonwealth at trial to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that
      [Appellant] committed Robbery by threat of immediate serious
      bodily injury.

      5.    Whether there was insufficient evidence presented by the
      Commonwealth at trial to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that
      [Appellant] committed Robbery by threat of immediate bodily
      injury.

      6.    Whether the verdict of the jury was against the weight of
      the evidence where the jury’s verdict could not have been based
      on the facts presented, but mere speculation and conjecture.

Appellant’s Brief at 4.

      In reviewing Appellant’s brief, we note that Appellant has failed to

comply with Pa.R.A.P. 2119(a). That rule provides:

      The argument shall be divided into as many parts as there are
      questions to be argued; and shall have at the head of each part—
      in distinctive type or in type distinctively displayed—the particular
      point treated therein, followed by such discussion and citation of
      authorities as are deemed pertinent.

                                      -2-
J-S49005-18

Pa.R.A.P. 2119(a). Moreover, we have explained, “The failure to develop an

adequate argument in an appellate brief may result in waiver of the claim

under Pa.R.A.P. 2119.” Commonwealth v. Beshore, 916 A.2d 1128, 1140

(Pa. Super. 2008).

      Here, Appellant’s two-page argument is not divided into parts that

correspond with the issues he presents, and his argument consists merely of

bald assertions and citations to authority without analysis. Appellant has not

developed adequate arguments explaining how the evidence was insufficient

to sustain the verdicts of conspiracy, robbery, theft by unlawful taking,

receiving stolen property, and he has not adequately analyzed how the weight

of the evidence was contrary to the verdict.     Nor has Appellant included

citations to the record in support of any such arguments. We shall not develop

an argument for Appellant, nor shall we scour the record to find evidence to

support it.   Beshore, 916 A.2d at 1140.      Consequently, we could deem

Appellant’s sufficiency and weight challenges waived. Id.

      However, we observe that the trial court’s Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a) opinion

incorporates its exhaustive analysis and rationale from its well-reasoned

memorandum order denying Appellant’s post-sentence motions. Trial Court

Opinion, 3/2/18, at 2–5; Trial Court Memorandum Order, 11/29/17, at 1–11.

After review, we are satisfied that those decisions thoroughly address and

correctly dispose of Appellant’s issues on appeal. Accordingly, we affirm the

                                    -3-
J-S49005-18

judgment of sentence on the basis of the trial court’s Rule 1925(a) opinion

and incorporated memorandum opinion.2

       Judgment of sentence affirmed.

Judgment Entered.

Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary

Date: 09/21/2018

____________________________________________

2 The parties are directed to attach a copy of the trial court’s March 2, 2018
opinion and November 29, 2017 memorandum order in the event of further
proceedings in this matter.

                                           -4-
                                                                         Circulated 08/20/2018 11 :16 AM

    IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF YORK COUNTY1 PENNSYLVANIA

COMMONWEAL TH OF PENNSYLVANIA                        NO. CP-67-CR-6256-2016

             v.

TERRANCE DAVIS, JR.,
               Defendant

APPEARANCES:
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                       TRIAL COURT'S 1925(a) STATEMENT

      Defendant has appealed to the Superior Court from the Trial Court's order

imposing sentence entered on August 28, 2017, and the Order Denying Post-Sentence

Motion entered on November 29, 2017.

      The Trial Court issued a directive to Defendant on December 28, 2017, to file a

Statement of Errors Complained of on Appeal (hereinafter "Statement") pursuant to

Pennsylvania Rule of Appellate Procedure 1925(b ).   Due to a conflict, Attorney John

Hamme was permitted to withdraw and Attorney Heather Reiner was appointed to

represent Defendant on January 4, 2018.    Defendant's Statement was filed on February

26, 2018.

      This 1925(a) Statement is submitted as a supplement to the record and the Trial

Court's orders of August 28, 2017 and November 29, 2017.
SUFFICIENCY OF THE EVIDENCE-STANDARD

      "In reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence, we examine whether the evidence

admitted at trial, and all reasonable inferences drawn therefrom, viewed in a light most

favorable to the Commonwealth as verdict winner, support the jury's finding of all the

elements of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt.     Commonwealth v. Montalvo, 598
Pa. 263, 956 A.2d 926 (2008).    "In applying this standard, [] the Commonwealth may

sustain its burden by means of wholly circumstantial evidence."    Id.

SUFFICIENCY - CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT ROBBERY

       Defendant contends in his complaint 1(a) that "[t]here was insufficient evidence to

prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the Defendant conspired with his co-defendants,

Balijah Davis and Miquan Johnson, to commit the crime of Robbery, as charged in Count

1 of the Criminal Information." This complaint was addressed by the Trial Court in the

Trial Court's "Memorandum Order Denying Defendant's Post-Sentence Motion"

(hereinafter "Memorandum"), a copy of which is scanned with this 1925(a) Statement.

As a result, the Trial Court refers the Superior Court to the Trial Court's Memorandum,

11/29/17, pages 2-7.

SUFFICIENCY-THEFT BY UNLAWFUL TAKING

       Defendant contends in his complaint 1 (b) that "[t]here was insufficient evidence to

prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the Defendant committed theft by unlawfully taking

movable property from Timothy Laniewski with the intent to deprive him of said property."

                                             2
The evidence presented at trial was sufficient to find Defendant guilty of Robbery.      Ergo,

that evidence was also sufficient to find Defendant guilty of Theft by Unlawful Taking.

Therefore, this contention is without merit.

SUFFICIENCY - RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY

       Defendant contends in his complaint 1 (c) that "[t]here was insufficient evidence to

prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the Defendant intentionally received, retained, or

disposed of Timothy Laniewski's movable property knowing that the property was stolen."

       While Defendant makes no specific argument regarding this complaint, the

evidence in this case is sufficient to support the conviction for Receiving Stolen Property.

The evidence presented at trial proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Defendant

conspired with two other individuals to commit robbery and, in fact, robbed Timothy

Laniewski.   In the course of this robbery, items taken from Mr. Laniewski included his

wallet, Burger King hat, cell phone, and two Burger King sandwiches.       Since Defendant

participated in this robbery, it is clear that the property had been stolen and that he knew

that it had been stolen.

       While the Commonwealth was still required to establish the conscious control or

dominion over the stolen property, "if the evidence established a conspiracy, of which the

accused is a member, and that conspiracy had as its objective the possession of the

goods, or the possession of the goods served as a means to achieve the objective of the

conspiracy, this requirement would be satisfied." Com. v. Deemer, 316 Pa.Super. 28,

33, 462 A.2d 776 (1983)(citation omitted).     In this case, with the exception of the
sandwiches, the items taken from Mr. Laniewski were discovered in the vehicle in which

Defendant was riding when it was pulled over for a traffic stop only two blocks from where

the robbery occurred.   The sandwiches were not recovered because the evidence

presented indicated that Defendant ate the two Burger King sandwiches.      Given the

foregoing, the evidence established a conspiracy, that Defendant was a member of that

conspiracy, and that the objective of the conspiracy was the possession of the goods

being carried by Mr. Laniewski.   Hence, the evidence was sufficient to establish that

Defendant had the conscious control or dominion over those goods taken from Mr.

Laniewski.   Therefore, there was sufficient evidence to support Defendant's conviction

for Receiving Stolen Property.

SUFFICIENCY- ROBBERY

       Defendant contends in his complaint 1(d) that "[t]here was insufficient evidence to

prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the Defendant, in the course of committing a theft,

placed Timothy Laniewski in fear of immediate serious bodily injury." This complaint was

addressed by the Trial Court in the Trial Court's Memorandum.     As a result, the Trial

Court refers the Superior Court to the Trial Court's Memorandum, 11/29/17, pages 7-8.

SUFFICIENCY- ROBBERY

       Defendant contends in his complaint 1 (e) that "[t]here was insufficient evidence to

prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the Defendant, in the course of committing a theft,

threatened Timothy Laniewski with immediate bodily injury." This complaint was

                                             4
--·      addressed by the Trial Court in the Trial Court's Memorandum.     As a result, the Trial
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         Court refers the Superior Court to the Trial Court's Memorandum, 11/29/17, pages 7�8 .
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1'       WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE

               Defendant contends in his complaint 2 that "[t]he verdict of the jury was against the

         weight of the evidence where the jury's verdict could not have been based on the facts

;:.,     presented, but mere speculation and conjecture." This complaint was addressed by the

         Trial Court in the Trial Court's Memorandum. As a result, the Trial Court refers the

         Superior Court to the Trial Court's Memorandum, 11/29/17, pages 9-11.

               The Clerk of Courts is directed to provide a copy of this order to Attorney Heather

         Reiner and to Attorney James Zamkotowicz.

                                                         BY THE-C)OURT:
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                                                     5
        IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF .YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

    COMMONWEAL TH OF PENNSYLVANIA                           NO. CP-67-CR-6256-2016

                 v.

          TERRANCE JOB DAVIS, JR.,

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                 JOHN M. HAMME, Esquire
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                            MEMORANDUM ORDER DENYING
                         DEFENDANT'S POST-SENTENCE MOTION

           Before this Court for disposition is "Defendant's Post-Sentence Motion"

    (hereinafter "Motion") filed on August 31, 2017.   Defendant's "Brief in Support of

    Defendant's Post-Sentence Motion" was filed on September 21, 20.17.       The

    Commonwealth filed the "Commonwealth's Memorandum of Law in Opposition to the

    Defendant's Post-Sentence Motions" on September 29, 2017.         For the reasons set forth

    below, all requests for relief made in Defendant's Motion are HEREBY DENIED.

    MOTION FOR JUDGMENT OF ACQUITTAL

           Defendant contends that the evidence presented at trial is insufficient to find him

    guilty in Counts 1 (Criminal Conspiracy to Commit Robbery), 3 (Theft By Unlawful Taking

    - Movable Property), 4 (Receiving Stolen Property), 5 (Robbery), and 6 (Robbery).

           "ln reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence, we examine whether the evidence
admitted at trial, and all reasonable inferences drawn therefrom, viewed in a light most

favorable to the Commonwealth as verdict winner, support the jury's finding of all the

elements of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt.     Commonwealth v. Montalvo, 598
Pa. 263, 956 A.2d 926 (2008).    "In applying this standard, [] the Commonwealth may

sustain its burden by means of wholly circumstantial evidence."   Id.

       Specifically, Defendant contends that "the Commonwealth failed to prove beyond

a reasonable doubt that Defendant conspired with another to threaten Timothy Laniewski

with immediate serious bodily injury." This contention is without merit.

       First, the Commonwealth does notneed to prove that Defendant conspired with

another "to threaten Timothy Laniewski with immediate serious bodily injury."    For the

offense of Criminal Conspiracy to Commit Robbery, the Commonwealth need only prove

that Defendant conspired with another to commit a crime, in this case the crime of

Robbery.     The specific details of the Robbery need not be discussed.    Pa. SSJI (Crim)

12.903(A).

       Second, the Commonwealth did present sufficient evidence to prove beyond a

reasonable doubt that Defendant conspired with another to commit the crime of Robbery.

       To sustain a conviction for criminal conspiracy, the Commonwealth must
       establish that the defendant (1) entered an agreement to commit or aid
       in an unlawful act with another person or persons, (2) with a shared
       criminal intent and, (3) an overt act was done in furtherance of the
       conspiracy. This overt act need not be committed by the defendant; it
       need only be committed by a co-conspirator.

Commonwealth v. Johnson, 719 A.2d 778, 784-785 (Pa. Super. 1998) ( citations

omitted).

       While the Victim, Timothy Laniewski, was unable to identify the three

                                             2
individuals who robbed him because they were wearing masks at the time and

never took them off (N. T., 7 /10/17, pages 79, 85), he was able to provide a

limited description of those individuals.   Mr. Laniewski testified that because of

their voices, he assumed the individuals who robbed him were all male.           (N.T.,

7/10/17, page 69).    In addition, he could tell that the individuals were all

African-American because he was able to see their necks and around their

wrists (when their sleeves pulled away from the bottom of their glo.ves).        (N.T.,

7/10/17, page 69).

        The Victim's limited description of the robbers, combined with the other credible

evidence presented, proved Defendant's involvement in the robbery beyond a

reasonable doubt.     Miquan Johnson testified that:

    •   On 8/3/16, Mr. Johnson was with his child's mother, Precious Smith (N.T., 7/10/17,
        page 115}; and

    •   Ms. Smith received a phone call from Defendant and Balijah Davis wherein they
        asked for a ride N.T., 7/10/17, page 116); and

    •   While they were in the vehicle, there was discussion about doing a robbery and the
        subject was brought up by Defendant (N.T., 7/10/17, page 117); and

    •     Defendant asked Ms. Smith for a ride so he could go do a robbery (N.T., 7/10/17,
        · page 117); and

    •   Defendant asked Mr. Johnson to be a lookout, which he did (N.T., 7/10/17, page
        117); and

    •   During the robbery, Defendant was wearing a black hoody and black pants, as well
        as a cut-out mask made from a shirt and a Halloween mask (N.T., 7/10/17, pages
        117-118); and

    •    Defendant had a black BB gun with him (N.T., 7/10/17, page 119); and

    •    Defendant pulled Mr. Laniewski into the breezeway and proceeded to rob him
                                                3
.-
1
! -

            1   (N.T., 7/10/17, page 120); and

        •       Defendant put the gun up to Mr. Laniewski's head (N.T., 7/10/17, page 120); and

        •       They took Mr. Laniewski's wallet, phone, and a Burger King bag (N.T., 7/10/17,
                page 121 ); and

         •      The robbery took place in a breezeway off of West Market St. (N.T., 7/10/17, page
                117); and

         •      After Mr. Johnson, Defendant and Mr. Davis left the breezeway they went back to
                the van (N.T., 7/10/17, pages 122-123); and

         •      Mr. Johnson sat in the front passenger seat, next to the driver; Balijah Davis sat in
                the second row, and Defendant sat in the third row (N.T., 7/10/17); and

         •      The Victim's wallet was given to Mr. Johnson, who placed it in a glove box
                underneath his seat (N.T., 7/10/17, page 123); and

         •      There were two whoppers, a Burger King hat and a cell phone (N.T., 7 /10/17, page
                124); and

         •      Balijah Davis had the cell phone and Defendant had the Burger King bag (N.T.,
                7/10/17, page 124); and

         •      Defendant ate both of the sandwiches (N.T., 7/10/17, page 124); and

         •      The masks were thrown into the rear cargo area of the van once they were pulled
                over [by the police] (N.T., 7/10/17, page 124).

      Mr. Johnson also testified that:

         •      He pied guilty to Robbery, which was graded as an F2 [felony 2], in regard to this
                incident (N.T., 7/10/17, page 124); and

         •      Mr. Johnson's Robbery charge was not graded as an F1 [felony 1] because of his
                agreement to testify for the Commonwealth (N.T., 7/10/17, page 124); and

         •      Mr. Johnson is also hoping to be eligible for boot camp as part of the consideration
                he is getting for testifying [for the Commonwealth] (N .T., 7 /10/17, page 125); and

            •   The agreement [with the Commonwealth] was for Mr. Johnson to testify truthfully
                (N.T., 7/10/17, page 125); and

                                                       4
        •   Mr. Johnson was hoping to get a better sentence in exchange for his testimony
            (N.T., 7/10/17, page 126).

     As a result, the jury was well aware of the consideration Mr. Johnson was getting in

     exchange for his testimony, and they were entitled to give his testimony whatever weight

     they deemed proper.

            Moreover, and despite Defendant's contention to the contrary, there was other

     credible evidence presented which corroborated Mr. Johnson's testimony and pertained
J

     to Defendant's involvement in the robbery.

           Mr. Laniewski testified that the items that were taken from him were his wallet, cell
       .,
,J   phone, headphones, his Burger King work hat, a pack of cigarettes, and two sandwiches.

     (N.T., 7/10/17, pages 64, 76).

            Also, on the night in question, approximately 2 blocks from where the robbery took

     place, Officer Bradley Polinski and Officer Bridgette Wilson initiated a traffic stop of a

     white minivan.   (N.T., 7/10/17, pages 89, 97).    Both Officers made an in-court

     identification of Defendant as one of the passengers in the vehicle.     (N.T., 7/10/17.

     pages 90, 99).   The driver of the vehicle was Precious Smith (the mother of Mr.

     Johnson's child), and there were three male passengers, along with a juvenile female and

     a baby in the vehicle.   (N.T., 7/10/17, pages 98, 99, 107-108) .. The three male

     passengers were identified as Defendant, Miquan Johnson, and Balijah Davis.          (N.T.,

     7/10/17, pages 98-99).

            Furthermore, Officer Gregory Schick testified that he was on duty on the night in

     question and received a call for a robbery.    (N.T., 7/10/17, page 135).   After speaking

     with the Victim, Officer Schick went to the scene of a traffic stop where West York [police]

                                                   5
had a van pulled over.      (N.T., 7/10/17, page 136). Officer Schick further testified that

the individuals inside the vehicle matched the description of the robbery suspects given

by the Victim.     (N.T., 7/10/17, page 136).

          The testimony of these Officers corroborates Mr. .Johnson'e testimony regarding

the type of vehicle involved and the identity of the individuals in the vehicle on the night in

question.

          Also, during the traffic stop, Officer Polinski heard a radio transmission about a

robbery which occurred in the area of W. Market Street, and that there were masks

involved.     (N.T., 7/10/17, page 99).   Upon a search of the vehicle, the Officers

discovered masks, sunglasses, and a black BB gun which resembles a semiautomatic

pistol.    (N.T., 7/10/17, pages 91, 92, 95, 102-105; Commonwealth's Exhibits# 2, 4, 5).

Mr. Laniewski was shown photos of the masks recovered from the vehicle

(Commonwealth's Exhibit #'s 2 and 3), and he identified them as the masks worn by the

individuals who robbed him.       (N.T., 7/10/17, pages 73-75).

          A more complete search discovered Mr. Laniewski's wallet, cell phone, and Burger

King employee hat.       (N.T., 7/10/17, pages 100, 101 ). The Victim's wallet was found in

the front seat underneath Mr. Johnson, and the Victim's cell phone was found in Mr.

Davis' pocket.      (N .T., 7 /10/17, page 100). This evidence corroborates Mr. Johnson's

testimony regarding what items were used in the commission of the robbery, the items

taken from the Victim, and who had the items and where they were located in the vehicle

after the robbery.

          Given the foregoing, there was sufficient credible evidence provided to prove that

                                                6
Defendant entered into an agreement to commit the unlawful act of Robbery with Miquan

Johnson and Balijah Davis, and that they had a shared criminal intent to do so.        The

overt acts in furtherance of this agreement were driving to the location, identifying the

Victim, and proceeding to rob the Victim.

       Defendant further contends that "the Commonwealth failed to prove beyond a

reasonable doubt that Defendant, in the course of committing a theft, threatened Timothy

Laniewski with immediate serious bodily injury."     In support of this contention, Defendant

claims that "the only evidence the Commonwealth presented to prove that Defendant

took place in the robbery, was the testimony of Miquan Johnson, who agreed to testify

against Defendant after accepting· a lesser sentence for his involvement in the robbery of

Mr. Laniewski in exchange for his testimony against Defendant." This contention is

belied by the record and without merit.

       To find Defendant guilty of Robbery, a First Degree Felony, the jury needed to find

that Defendant either threatened the victim with serious bodily injury, or intentionally put

the victim in fear of immediate serious bodily injury.    Similarly, to find Defendant guilty of

Robbery, a Second Degree Felony, the jury needed to find that Defendant either

threatened the victim with immediate bodily injury, or intentionally put the victim in fear of

immediate bodily injury.

       Miquan Johnson testified that Defendant not only participated in the robbery, but

that he was the one holding the black BB gun to the Victim's head during the commission

of that robbery.   (N.T.; 7/10/17, pages 119-120).       In addition, and as previously

indicated, there was other evidence presented that not only proved Defendant's

                                              7
participation in the robbery, but also corroborated much of Mr. Johnson's testimony.

Moreover, the jury heard testimony regarding the consideration Mr. Johnson received for

his testimony.   Despite this consideration, the jury, being entitled to give his testimony

whatever weight they deemed proper, found Mr. Johnson to be credible.

    Moreover, Mr. Laniewski testified that during the robbery, one of the individuals was

directly in front of him holding a gun.   (N.T., 7/10/17, page 70).   He described the gun as

being all black, indicated that he is not good with types of guns, but that it looked like a 9

mm type.    (N.T., 7/10/17, page 70).     Furthermore, Mr. Laniewski testified that the

person with the gun pointed it directly at his forehead.   (N.T., 7 /10/17, page 70).   Finally,

Mr. Laniewski testified that at the time of the robbery he believed the gun was real and

that he was scared he was going to die.       (N.T., 7/10/17, page 72).

       In addition, Mr. Laniewski was shown a photo of a gun (Commonwealth's Exhibit#

2), and he identified the gun in that photo as the gun that was pointed at his head.      (N.T.,

7/10/17, page 73).    The gun that was in the photo (Commonwealth's Exhibit# 2) is the

same gun that was discovered in the vehicle by Officer Bridgette Wilson after the vehicle

stop on the night in question.    (N.T., 7/10/17, pages 91�92).

       Given the foregoing, there was sufficient credible evidence to prove beyond a

reasonable doubt that Defendant, by holding a gun to Mr. Laniewski's head during the

course of robbing him, intentionally put Mr. Laniewski in fear of immediate serious bodily

injury and in fear of immediate bodily injury.

       The evidence admitted at trial, and all reasonable inferences drawn therefrom,

supports the jury's finding of all the elements of the offenses beyond a reasonable doubt

                                                 8
and Defendant's Motion for Judgment of Acquittal is HEREBY DENIED.

NEW TRIAL - WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE

       Defendant contends that he is entitled to a new trial on the grounds that the

verdicts were contrary to the weight of the evidence.

       "A challenge to the weight of the evidence is directed to the discretion of the trial

judge, who heard the same evidence and who possesses only narrow authority to upset a

jury verdict."   Commonwealth v. Sanchez, 36 A.3d 24, 26-27 (Pa. 2011)(citation

omitted). "The trial judge may not grant relief based merely on 'some conflict in

testimony or because the judge would reach a different conclusion on the same facts."

&    "The finder of fact- here, the jury - exclusively weighs the evidence, assesses the

credibility of witnesses, and may choose to believe all, part, or none of the evidence."     1si.
"Issues of witness credibility include questions of inconsistent testimony and improper

motive."   kl    "Relief on a weight of the evidence claim is reserved for 'extraordinary

circumstances, when the jury's verdict is so contrary to the evidence as to shock one's

sense of justice and the award of a new trial is imperative so that right may be given

another opportunity to prevail."    kl
        In this case, Defendant claims that "the evidence presented at trial, at best,

marginally supports the verdict of guilty of all counts[,]" and that the "verdict was not

based upon the facts presented, but was a product of speculation and conjecture."           In

support of this contention, Defendant claims that "the weight of the evidence presented at

trial showed that Defendant was not at the scene of the robbery and a jury would be

                                               9
unable to provide a reasonable verdict of guilty based from the aforementioned evidence

presented." This contention is without merit.

       The Victim, Mr. Laniewski, testified that he left work that evening between 12:15

and 12:30 a.m. (N.T., 7 /10/17, pages 63, 81).        Mr. laniewski further testified that he

walks home from work, and that it takes him 45 minutes to an hour to do so.           (N.T.,

7/10/17, pages 64, 81).   Mr. Laniewski testified that the incident in question occurred

"[s]omewhere around 1 a.m., give or take a few minutes" (N.T., 7/10/17, page 81 }, and

that the entire incident lasted about 2-3 minutes.       (N.T., 7/10/17, pages 76, 84).

       Defense witness Johara Wilson testified that she saw Defendant around 1 :30, 2:00

a.m. out in front of her house on the night in question (N.T., 7/11/17, pages 145-146).

However, on cross-examination, Ms. Wilson also testified that:

   •   She had just woke up and went outside because she was bored (N.T., 7/11/17,
       page 149); and

   •   She has known Defendant for 5 years and considers him a friend (N.T., 7/11/17,
       page 149).

Moreover, as a rebuttal witness and on re-direct, Officer Polinski testified that Ms.

Wilson's address is about six (6) city blocks from where the robbery took place (N.T.,

7/11/17, page 161}, and that it would take approximately 15-.20 �inutes to walk six blocks

in his jurisdiction (N.T., 7/11/17, page 165).

       Either the jury, being entitled to believe all, part, or none of the evidence, did not

find Ms. Wilson to be credible or, given the close proximity of her home to the crime

scene, did not find her testimony to be exculpatory.        Given the foregoing, and because

on the night in question Defendant was discovered by the police in a vehicle about two (2)

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blocks away from where the robbery occurred, with two other African American males,

with some of the Victim's belongings, along with the masks and gun that were used in the

commission of the robbery, it was reasonable for them to find Ms. Wilson's testimony

incredible.

       Hence, and contrary to Defendant's contention, the jury's verdict of guilty on all

counts submitted was not based on speculation and conjecture, but on direct and

circumstantlatevldence.     The evidence set forth above was sufficient to find Defendant

guilty of all of those offenses beyond a reasonable doubt.      (While Defendant makes no

specific argument regarding Theft by Unlawful Taking and Receiving Stolen Property,

those offenses are lesser included offenses of Robbery. The evidence presented at trial

was sufficient to find Defendant guilty of Robbery.     Ergo the evidence was also sufficient

to find Defendant guilty of Theft by Unlawful Taking and Receiving Stolen Property.)

       Given the foregoing, the jury's verdict is not so contrary to the evidence as to shock

the conscience of the Court.     Therefore a new trial is not warranted and Defendant's

Motion for a New Trial is HEREBY DENIED.

NOTICE TO DEFENDANT

        Defendant is HEREBY NOTIFIED that he has the right to appeal this order and that

if he wishes to do so, must file the notice of appeal within thirty (30) days after entry of this

order; that he has the right to assistance of counsel in the preparation of the appeal; the

right, if Defendant is indigent, to appeal in forma pauperis and to proceed with assigned

counsel as provided in Pa.R.Crim.P; 122; and the qualified right to bail under

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Pa.R.Crim.P. 521 (8).

      The Clerk of Courts is directed to provide a copy of this order to Attorney John

Hamme, Defendant Terrance Davis, Jr., and to Assistant District Attorney Jared Mellott.

      Date:    /! :zq, 17

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