Court Opinion

ID: 4579750
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2020-10-22 18:11:16.436123+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:40:38.218250
License: Public Domain

J. S34045/20

NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION – SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA,             :    IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
                                          :          PENNSYLVANIA
                         Appellant        :
                                          :
                    v.                    :         No. 1915 MDA 2019
                                          :
JOSE E. CRUZ                              :

                Appeal from the Order Entered October 21, 2019,
               in the Court of Common Pleas of Schuylkill County
                Criminal Division at No. CP-54-CR-0000748-2019

BEFORE: PANELLA, P.J., BENDER, P.J.E. AND FORD ELLIOTT, P.J.E.

MEMORANDUM BY FORD ELLIOTT, P.J.E.:              FILED OCTOBER 22, 2020

      The Commonwealth appeals the October 21, 2019 order, entered in the

Court of Common Pleas of Schuylkill County, granting, in part, and denying,

in part, Jose E. Cruz’ petition for writ of habeas corpus.1 After careful review,

we affirm the order.

      The facts, as summarized by the trial court, are as follows:

            On March 18, 2019, at 12:40 a.m., a dispatch went
            out reporting that a male was attempting to force his
            way into the residence at 507 Mahantongo Street in
            the City of Pottsville and that a shot had been fired.
            Corporal [Charles] Webber and Officers [Michael]
            Messner and [Cory] Rainis responded to the scene.
            Troopers [Christopher] Rooney and [Michael] Pahira

1 The Commonwealth’s appeal is proper because it has complied with
Pa.R.A.P. 311(d) (permitting the Commonwealth to appeal “from an order that
does not end the entire case where the Commonwealth certifies in the notice
of appeal that the order will terminate or substantially handicap the
prosecution”).
J. S34045/20

          also heard the dispatch and went to the scene to
          assist, arriving shortly after the Pottsville officers.

          When the officers approached the residence, they saw
          Cruz standing on the front porch. He was told to raise
          his hands and not to try entering the residence.
          Instead, he walked down from the porch and crossed
          the street, entering the side yard of the residence
          which was bordered by a low wrought iron fence. As
          he crossed the street, the officers were directing him
          to get his hands up where they could see them, but
          he kept his hands down by his side.

          As he entered the yard, Cruz pulled out a handgun,
          pointed at his own head, and pulled the trigger. It
          failed to fire. As Cpl. Webber was yelling to Cruz not
          to do it, Cruz pulled the gun down and manipulated
          the slide, trying to rack a round. As he tried to
          manipulate the slide on the gun, he was hit by a Taser
          fired by Officer Rainis, and he dropped to the ground.

          Cruz was lying on the ground, on his side, with his feet
          pointing toward the officers, who were spread out on
          the pavement but outside the fence. Officer Rainis
          was activating the current from his Taser, which
          appeared to have immobilized Cruz’s legs, but Cruz
          was still moving his arms and trying to rack the slide
          of his gun to chamber a round. He again began to
          raise the gun to his head, and Troopers Rooney and
          Pahira shot their Tasers at Cruz.

          The Tasers were not blocking out the movement of
          Cruz’s upper body.        Cruz continued trying to
          manipulate the slide on his gun. The slide was locked
          to the rear, and the gun could not be fired with the
          slide in that position. Cruz then moved his left hand
          on top of the gun, extended the firearm and began
          sweeping it toward Tpr. Rooney. The trooper only had
          his Taser out. The fence in front of him offered no real
          cover, and he was defenseless.

          As Tpr. Rooney described it, Cruz was at the 12 o’clock
          position, and Tpr. Rooney at 6 o’clock. Cruz was
          sweeping the muzzle of his gun from twelve toward

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            six.    When it reached the 4 o’clock position,
            Tpr. Rooney dropped to the ground and yelled to the
            other officers to fire because Cruz was pointing the
            gun at him. Cpl. Webber and Officer Messner both
            fired their weapons.

            Cruz was struck twice. The officers called for an
            ambulance and treated his wounds until medical
            personnel arrived.

Trial court opinion, 10/21/19 at 1-3 (abbreviations in original).

      After a preliminary hearing on April 24, 2019, Cruz was held for court

on numerous charges stemming from the March 18, 2019 incident.           On

May 13, 2019, a criminal information was filed charging Cruz with the

following criminal offenses:

            Count 1:     criminal attempt to commit criminal
            homicide of a law enforcement officer;

            Counts 2-6: assault of a law enforcement officer;

            Counts 7-11: aggravated assault of a police officer;

            Counts 12-16:      aggravated assault with a deadly
            weapon;

            Count 17: person not to possess firearm;

            Count 18:     firearms not to be carried without a
            license;

            Count 19:     possession with intent to deliver a
            controlled substance;

            Count 20: possessing instruments of crime;

            Count 21: resisting arrest;

            Count 22-26: recklessly endangering another person;

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             Counts 27-31:    criminal attempt to commit simple
             assault; and

             Count 32: possession of a controlled substance.2

See criminal information,3 5/13/19.

        Cruz filed a petition for writ of habeas corpus on July 25, 2019. On

October 21, 2019, the trial court granted the motion in part, and dismissed

Counts 1 through 16 and 27 through 31.         The motion was denied as to

Counts 23 to 26. The remaining counts were unaffected by the trial court’s

order. The same date, the Commonwealth appealed the October 21, 2019

order. The trial court ordered the Commonwealth to file a concise statement

of errors complained of on appeal pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b).        The

Commonwealth timely complied.          Thereafter, the trial court filed its

Rule 1925(a) opinion, stating that it had addressed the issues raised in the

Commonwealth’s Rule 1925(b) statement in its opinion filed October 21,

2019.

        The sole issue raised by the Commonwealth on appeal is:

             Whether the [trial] court’s dismissal of charges was a
             manifest    abuse     of    discretion    where    the
             Commonwealth established a prima facie case for
             the charges of criminal attempt to commit murder of
             a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault of a

2 18 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 901(a) [2507(a)], 2702.1(a), 2702(a)(2), 2702(a)(4),
6105(a)(1), 6106(a)(1), 35 P.S. § 780-113(a)(30), 18 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 907(b),
5104, 2705, 901(a) [2701(a)(2)], and 35 P.S. § 780-113(a)(16), respectively.

3On July 17, 2019, the trial court granted the Commonwealth’s uncontested
motion to amend the criminal information to correct the wording of
Counts 2-6. The amended information was filed July 23, 2019.

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             police officer, and aggravated assault with a deadly
             weapon, and the court’s resolution was contrary to the
             standards for analyzing the sufficiency of evidence to
             support a prima facie case?

Commonwealth’s brief at 4 (full capitalization omitted).

      Our scope of review of a trial court’s decision to grant habeas corpus

relief is as follows:

             When reviewing a trial court’s decision to grant a
             habeas corpus petition, we will not reverse the trial
             court’s decision absent a manifest abuse of discretion.
             In order to constitute an abuse of discretion, the
             record must disclose that the trial court exercised
             manifestly unreasonable judgment or based its
             decision on ill will, bias or prejudice. Furthermore, our
             scope of review is limited to determining whether the
             Commonwealth has established a prima facie case.
             In criminal matters, a prima facie case is that
             measure of evidence which, if accepted as true, would
             justify the conclusion that the defendant committed
             the offense charged.

Commonwealth v. Heckman, 66 A.3d 765, 768 (Pa.Super. 2013), appeal

denied, 83 A.3d 414 (Pa. 2013). “[T]he Commonwealth’s prima facie case

for a charged crime is a question of law as to which an appellate court’s review

is plenary.” Commonwealth v. Karetny, 880 A.2d 505, 513 (Pa. 2005).

             A petition for writ of habeas corpus is the correct
             method for a defendant to test whether the
             Commonwealth has, before trial, established a
             prima facie case.        To demonstrate that a
             prima facie case exists, the Commonwealth must
             produce evidence of every material element of the
             charged offense(s) as well as the defendant’s
             complicity therein. In an effort to meet its burden,
             the Commonwealth may utilize the evidence
             presented at the preliminary hearing and also may
             submit additional proof.

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             Proof beyond a reasonable doubt is not required at the
             habeas stage, but the Commonwealth’s evidence
             must be such that, if accepted as true, it would justify
             a trial court in submitting the case to a jury.
             Additionally, in the course of deciding a habeas
             petition, a court must view the evidence and its
             reasonable inferences in the light most favorable to
             the Commonwealth.         Suspicion and conjecture,
             however, are unacceptable.

Commonwealth v. Predmore, 199 A.3d 925, 928-929 (Pa.Super. 2018)

(citations omitted), appeal denied, 208 A.3d 459 (Pa. 2019).

        The Commonwealth claims that:

             The [trial] court exercised manifestly unreasonable
             judgment as demonstrated by the court’s failure to
             view the evidence in the light most favorable to the
             Commonwealth and to give effect to reasonable
             inferences drawn from the evidence, in contravention
             of the standards for reviewing and analyzing the
             sufficiency of evidence to support a prima facie case.

Commonwealth’s brief at 9-10. With respect to criminal attempt to commit

criminal homicide of a law enforcement officer, the Commonwealth argues

that Cruz “took a substantial step toward the commission of first-degree

murder of a law enforcement officer when he racked the slide of his gun and

pointed it at Trooper Rooney.” (Id. at 11.) The Commonwealth contends that

although Cruz initially wished to commit suicide, his intent “shifted to a

homicidal intent when he decided to point his weapon at Trooper Rooney.”

(Id.)

        A criminal attempt occurs when a person, “with intent to commit a

specific crime, does any act which constitutes a substantial step toward the

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commission of that crime.” 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 901(a). “A person commits murder

of a law enforcement officer of the first degree who intentionally kills a law

enforcement officer while in the performance of duty knowing the victim is a

law enforcement officer.” 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 2507.

            In the case of attempted murder, “a person may be
            convicted if he takes a substantial step toward the
            commission of a killing with the specific intent in mind
            to commit such an act.” Commonwealth v. Dale,
            836 A.2d 150, 153 (Pa.Super. 2003) (citations
            omitted).     The intent to kill must be shown.
            Commonwealth v. Griffin, 456 A.2d 171, 178
            (Pa.Super. 1983). The firing of a bullet in the general
            area of vital organs can alone be sufficient to prove
            specific intent to kill.      See Commonwealth v.
            Manley, 985 A.2d 256, 272 (Pa.Super. 2009). As this
            [c]ourt held in Commonwealth v. Mapp, 335 A.2d
779, 781 (Pa.Super. 1975), an attempted murder is
            completed by the discharge of a weapon at a person
            with intent to kill, even if no injury results.

Commonwealth v. Markowski, 2020 WL 3960358, *2 (Pa.Super. July 13,

2020) (unpublished memorandum).

            [A]ttempted murder is composed of two primary
            elements. The mens rea element of the offense is
            specific intent to kill, which is identical to the
            mens rea element of murder in the first degree. The
            actus reus element of the offense is the commission
            of one or more acts which collectively constitute a
            substantial step toward the commission of a killing.

Commonwealth v. Predmore, 199 A.3d 925, 929 (Pa.Super. 2018), appeal

denied, 208 A.3d 459 (Pa. 2019).

      In order to present a prima facie case that Cruz attempted to murder

Trooper Rooney, the Commonwealth had to present evidence that Cruz had

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the specific intent to kill the trooper and committed an act which constituted

a substantial step toward that end. See Commonwealth v. Blakeney, 946
A.2d 645, 652 (Pa. 2008). Here, the trial court found that the Commonwealth

did not present prima facie evidence that Cruz had the intent to kill

Trooper Rooney.

            Cruz had made no statements expressing a desire to
            kill or even harm any of the officers. He had already
            tried to shoot himself at least once when he pointed
            the gun at his [appellant’s] head and pulled the
            trigger. He was raising the gun again towards his
            head      when    he    was     [t]ased.        Although
            [Trooper] Rooney could not see the slide as Cruz
            swept the gun in his direction, the slide was still back
            when Officer Messner picked up the gun to clear it.
            He testified that he had to clear a spent cartridge, and
            Cruz had not successfully fired the gun while the
            officers were present. The gun could not be fired with
            the slide in the rear position, a fact which does not
            support an intent to kill.

Trial court opinion, 10/21/19 at 8. We find the trial court did not abuse its

discretion in granting Cruz’ petition for writ of habeas corpus as to the charge

of criminal attempt to commit criminal homicide of a law enforcement officer.

      The Commonwealth next contends that it established a prima facie

case of the aggravated assault of a police officer, 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 2702.1(a).

The Commonwealth asserts that the elements of proof for aggravated assault

of a police officer “are essentially the same as for criminal attempt to commit

murder of a law enforcement officer,” and “incorporates by reference its

argument and reasoning” set forth in support of the latter. (Commonwealth’s

brief at 13 (extraneous capitalization omitted).) The Commonwealth further

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contends that Cruz committed aggravated assault against Officers Messner

and Rainis, Corporal Webber, and Trooper Pahira, based on the doctrine of

transferred intent, because Cruz pointed the gun at Trooper Rooney. (Id.)

The Commonwealth’s arguments are without merit.

      Pursuant to Section 2702.1 of the Pennsylvania Crimes Code, a person

commits “assault of [a] law enforcement officer” when he “attempts to cause

or intentionally or knowingly causes bodily injury to a law enforcement officer,

while in the performance of duty and with knowledge that the victim is a law

enforcement officer, by discharging a firearm.” 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 2702.1(a).

            [I]n order for the Commonwealth to establish a
            prima [facie] case for the offense of assault of law
            enforcement officer . . . the Commonwealth is
            required to set forth evidence that: (1) the defendant
            attempted to cause, or intentionally or knowingly
            caused, bodily injury, (2) the victim was a law
            enforcement officer acting in the performance of his
            duty, (3) the defendant had knowledge the victim was
            a law enforcement officer, and (4) in attempting to
            cause, or intentionally or knowingly causing such
            bodily injury, the defendant discharged a firearm.

Commonwealth v. Landis, 48 A.3d 432, 445 (Pa.Super. 2012).

      The Commonwealth presented no evidence that Cruz discharged his

firearm. In fact, as noted by the trial court, when Officer Messner picked up

the gun, he had to clear a spent cartridge, and the gun could not be fired with

the slide in the rear position. (See trial court opinion, 10/21/19 at 8.) As the

Commonwealth could not establish this crucial element of aggravated assault

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of a police officer, the trial court properly granted habeas corpus relief as to

these charges.

      Lastly, the Commonwealth contends the trial court abused its discretion

in not finding a prima facie case of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon,

18 Pa.C.S.A. § 2702(a)(4).      The Commonwealth again asserts that the

elements of proof for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon “are

substantially the same as criminal attempt to commit murder of a law

enforcement officer and aggravated assault of a police officer” and

“incorporates by reference its argument and reasoning” set forth in support of

those offenses.    (Commonwealth’s brief at 15 (extraneous capitalization

omitted).) No further argument is advanced by the Commonwealth.

      “A person is guilty of aggravated assault if he attempts to cause or

intentionally or knowingly causes bodily injury to another with a deadly

weapon.” 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 2702(a)(4). When, as here, the alleged victim does

not sustain serious bodily injury, the Commonwealth must prove that the

appellant acted with specific intent to cause serious bodily injury.       See

Commonwealth v. Holley, 945 A.2d 241, 247 (Pa.Super. 2008), appeal

denied, 959 A.2d 928 (Pa. 2008).              The trial court found that the

“Commonwealth’s evidence [was] deficient regarding the specific intent to

cause serious bodily injury for the same reasons it failed to prove intent to

kill.” (See trial court opinion, 10/21/19 at at 9.) We discern no abuse of

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discretion on the part of the trial court in dismissing the charges of aggravated

assault with a deadly weapon.

      Order affirmed.

Judgment Entered.

Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary

Date: 10/22/2020

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