Court Opinion

ID: 4690676
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-05-27 16:14:29.710196+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:05:00.898087
License: Public Domain

J-S20001-19

NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37

 COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA        :   IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
                                     :         PENNSYLVANIA
                                     :
              v.                     :
                                     :
                                     :
 CHRISTOPHER MICHAEL RODLAND,        :
                                     :
                   Appellant         :      No. 1087 WDA 2017

         Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence April 19, 2001
             in the Court of Common Pleas of Blair County
         Criminal Division at No(s): CP-07-CR-0000890-1999,
         CP-07-CR-0000891-1999, CP-07-CR-0000892-1999,
         CP-07-CR-0000893-1999, CP-07-CR-0000894-1999,
         CP-07-CR-0000896-1999, CP-07-CR-0000898-1999,
         CP-07-CR-0000899-1999, CP-07-CR-0000900-1999,
         CP-07-CR-0000904-1999, CP-07-CR-0000905-1999,
         CP-07-CR-0000907-1999, CP-07-CR-0000908-1999,
         CP-07-CR-0000909-1999, CP-07-CR-0000910-1999,
         CP-07-CR-0000912-1999, CP-07-CR-0000913-1999,
         CP-07-CR-0001014-2000, CP-07-CR-0001107-1999,
           CP-07-CR-0001108-1999, CP-07-CR-0001112-19

 COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA        :   IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
                                     :         PENNSYLVANIA
                                     :
              v.                     :
                                     :
                                     :
 CHRISTOPHER MICHAEL RODLAND,        :
                                     :
                   Appellant         :      No. 1088 WDA 2017
J-S20001-19

           Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence January 19, 2001
                in the Court of Common Pleas of Blair County
            Criminal Division at No(s): CP-07-CR-0000895-1999,
             CP-07-CR-0000897-1999, CP-07-CR-0000903-1999,
                           CP-07-CR-0000911-1999

    COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA                 :   IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
                                                 :         PENNSYLVANIA
                                                 :
                v.                               :
                                                 :
                                                 :
    CHRISTOPHER MICHAEL RODLAND,                 :
                                                 :
                       Appellant                 :      No. 1089 WDA 2017

                  Appeal from the PCRA Order June 13, 2017
                 in the Court of Common Pleas of Blair County
             Criminal Division at No(s): CP-07-CR-0000890-1999,
             CP-07-CR-0000891-1999, CP-07-CR-0000892-1999,
             CP-07-CR-0000893-1999, CP-07-CR-0000894-1999,
             CP-07-CR-0000895-1999, CP-07-CR-0000896-1999,
             CP-07-CR-0000898-1999, CP-07-CR-0000899-1999,
             CP-07-CR-0000900-1999, CP-07-CR-0000904-1999,
             CP-07-CR-0000905-1999, CP-07-CR-0000907-1999,
             CP-07-CR-0000908-1999, CP-07-CR-0000909-1999,
             CP-07-CR-0000910-1999, CP-07-CR-0000911-1999,
             CP-07-CR-0000912-1999, CP-07-CR-0000913-1999,
             CP-07-CR-0001014-2000, CP-07-CR-0001107-1999,
              CP-07-CR-0001108-1999, CP-07-CR-0001112-1999

BEFORE: GANTMAN, P.J.E., McLAUGHLIN, J., and MUSMANNO, J.

MEMORANDUM BY MUSMANNO, J.:                                FILED: MAY 27, 2021

        Christopher Rodland (“Rodland”) appeals, nunc pro tunc, from the

judgments of sentence entered following his convictions of arson1 and related

____________________________________________

1   See generally 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 3301.

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crimes. Rodland additionally appeals from the Order of the Post Conviction

Relief Act2 (“PCRA”) court, which reinstated his direct appeal rights, nunc pro

tunc, but denied relief on several of Rodland’s other claims, and declined to

order resentencing as to all counts. As to Rodland’s judgments of sentence,

and, as directed by our Supreme Court on remand, after reconsideration based

upon our Supreme Court’s decision in Commonwealth v. Cochran, 244 A.3d

413 (Pa. 2021), we affirm in part, and vacate and remand for resentencing in

part.

        In Commonwealth v. Rodland, 4 A.3d 687 (Pa. Super. 2010)

(unpublished memorandum), appeal denied, 13 A.3d 477 (Pa. 2010), this

Court briefly summarized some of the protracted history underlying the instant

appeal as follows:

               [T]his case has a convoluted procedural history…. [T]here
        were thirty or more criminal complaints filed against [Rodland].
        He pled guilty to some charges and underwent two jury trials—
        one involving various arson charges and another involving a
        second set of arson charges. After those trials, he was convicted
        and sentenced to extended periods of incarceration. [Rodland]
        then attempted to proceed on direct appeal[,] but his appeals
        were dismissed, apparently because his counsel failed to file
        briefs. [Rodland] filed numerous [P]etitions under the [PCRA],
        perhaps eleven of them, as well as collateral appeals from some
        of the denials of those [P]etitions. Eventually, this case came to
        the point where [Rodland’s] direct appeal rights were reinstated,
        [and he filed nunc pro tunc appeals from his judgments of
        sentence.]

____________________________________________

2   42 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 9541-9546.

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Id. (unpublished memorandum at 1-2).

       On direct appeal, nunc pro tunc, this Court found all but one issue

waived, based upon defects in Rodland’s appellate brief.      Id. (unpublished

memorandum at 3). This Court found no merit to Rodland’s claim that his

inculpatory statements to Altoona Police Detective Roger White (“Detective

White”) should have been suppressed, and affirmed Rodland’s judgments of

sentence, after which the Pennsylvania Supreme Court denied allowance of

appeal. Id. (unpublished memorandum at 3-5).

       On February 23, 2011, Rodland filed a Petition for relief pursuant to the

PCRA.3 Rodland filed a Supplemental Petition on July 20, 2011. The PCRA

court appointed counsel, who filed an Amended PCRA Petition. New counsel

was appointed in April 2012, who filed Supplemental PCRA Petitions in 2013.

On June 13, 2017, following a hearing, the PCRA court entered an Order

reinstating Rodland’s direct appeal rights, nunc pro tunc, and vacating one of

Rodland’s sentences.          Thereafter, Rodland filed direct appeals of his

judgments of sentence, and an appeal of the PCRA court’s Order.4

____________________________________________

3Rodland additionally sought bail pending his appeal, which the PCRA court
denied. On appeal, this Court affirmed the Order of the PCRA court, after
which the Pennsylvania Supreme Court denied allowance of appeal. See
Commonwealth v. Rodland, 64 A.3d 275 (Pa. Super. 2013), appeal
denied, 2018 Pa. LEXIS 2436.

4 On June 1, 2018, our Supreme Court held, in a decision to be applied
prospectively only, that “when a single order resolves issues arising on more
than one lower court docket, separate notices of appeal must be filed. The

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       On appeal, this Court affirmed the Order of the PCRA court, vacated the

judgments of sentence at CR 890, 894, 907, 910 and 1014 of 1999, and

affirmed all other judgments of sentence. See Commonwealth v. Rodland,

220 A.3d 624 (Pa. Super. 2019) (unpublished memorandum at 29-30). On

allowance of appeal, our Supreme Court vacated and remanded for

reconsideration of our decision, in light of its Opinion in Cochran.         See

Commonwealth v. Rodland, 2021 Pa. LEXIS 1386.

       Rodland presents the following claims for our review:

       1. Whether … the [PCRA] court should have set [] Rodland’s case
          for resentencing after vacating the sentence of one of the
          counts he was convicted on[], as it upset the overall sentencing
          scheme?

       2. Whether [] Rodland’s guilty pleas were unlawfully induced by
          the promise of Detective White to speak favorably at his
          sentencing, and whether the Commonwealth violated a plea
          bargain when Detective White failed to speak of [] Rodland’s
          cooperation at sentencing?

       3. Whether the sentencing court erred by leaving open the
          amount of restitution after the date [] Rodland was sentenced?

       4. Whether the trial court erred by permitting evidence of other
          bad acts/uncharged conduct to be put [before] the jury at []
          Rodland’s trial on December 5 & 6, 2000[?]

       5. Whether the trial court erred by allowing paper copies of []
          Rodland’s alleged confession to go back with the jury during
          deliberations?

       6. Whether [] Rodland’s speedy trial rights were violated?
____________________________________________

failure to do so will result in quashal of the appeal.” Commonwealth v.
Walker, 185 A.3d 969, 977 (Pa. 2018). Rodland filed the instant appeals
prior to the filing of our Supreme Court’s decision in Walker.

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     7. Whether the sentencing court erred by improperly considering
        Rodland’s expunged juvenile record and a threatening letter
        received by a prosecutor alleged to have come from [] Rodland,
        but was never properly investigated?

     8. Whether the Commonwealth withheld evidence favorable to []
        Rodland, thereby rendering [] Rodland’s guilty plea unknowing
        and involuntary?

     9. Whether [] Rodland’s trial counsel should have been held
        ineffective for failing to present evidence of [Rodland’s] mental
        health at sentencing?

Brief for Appellant at 5-7 (issues renumbered).

     Rodland first argues that the PCRA court erred when it vacated one, but

not all, of his sentences, to allow resentencing on all charges.    Id. at 15.

According to Rodland, the trial court previously had nolle prossed Count I at

Criminal Information Number CR 909 of 1999. Id.         However, at the later

guilty plea colloquy, Rodland mistakenly entered a guilty plea to Count I, and

the trial court sentenced Rodland on that Count. Id. at 16. Rodland points

out that the PCRA court correctly recognized this mistake, and properly

vacated Rodland’s sentence at Count I.      Id. (citing PCRA Court Opinion,

6/13/17, at 15).   However, Rodland challenges the PCRA court’s failure to

vacate all of his sentences, and remand for resentencing on the remaining

charges. Id. at 17. Rodland argues that, because the PCRA court’s Order

upset his sentencing scheme, all of his sentences should have been vacated,

and the case remanded for resentencing on all charges. Id. Rodland cites

Commonwealth v. Bartrug, 732 A.2d 1287 (Pa. Super. 1999), in support.

                                    -6-
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       In reviewing an illegal sentence claim, “[t]he issue … is a question of

law and, as such, our scope of review is plenary and our standard of review is

de novo.”     Commonwealth v. Williams, 920 A.2d 887, 889 (Pa. Super.

2007) (citation omitted).

       In Bartrug, this Court held that “when an illegal sentence has been

imposed, the sentence must be corrected. Likewise, … if a trial court errs in

its sentence on one count in a multi-count case, then all sentences for all

counts will be vacated, so that the court can restructure its entire sentencing

scheme.”5 Bartrug, 732 A.2d at 1289 (citations omitted). However, where

vacating one sentence does not upset the trial court’s sentencing scheme,

there is no need to remand for resentencing. Commonwealth v. Thur, 906

A.2d 552, 569 (Pa. Super. 2006); see also Commonwealth v. Robinson,

817 A.2d 1153, 1163 n.14 (Pa. Super. 2003) (declining to remand for

resentencing, where the reversal of one sentence did not “upset the court’s

sentencing scheme[,] as the sentence we reverse here had been ordered to

run concurrent to the sentence imposed on the [other] conviction.”).

____________________________________________

5 See Commonwealth v. Goldhammer, 517 A.2d 1280, 1283 (Pa. 1980)
(recognizing that, “when a defendant challenges one of several
interdependent sentences, he, in effect, challenges the entire sentencing
plan.”).

                                           -7-
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        Our review discloses that, at Count I, docketed at CR 909 of 1999,

Rodland was charged with arson-endangering persons,6 as to property located

at 700 E. 2nd Avenue in Altoona, Pennsylvania. See Criminal Information,

6/21/99. Our review also discloses that, at Count II, Rodland was charged

with arson-endangering property,7 for property located at 701 1st Avenue in

Altoona. See id. By an Order entered on November 14, 2000, the trial court

nolle prossed Count I. Trial Court Order, 11/14/00. Notwithstanding, Count

I improperly was included in Rodland’s guilty plea colloquy, and at sentencing.

At Count I, the trial court sentenced Rodland to 3 to 6 years in prison. This

sentence was imposed consecutive to Rodland’s other sentences at other

docket numbers. At Count II, the trial court imposed a prison term of 1-2

years, to run concurrent with Rodland’s sentence at Count I.       Contrary to

Rodland’s assertions, the sentence imposed at Count II was imposed

consecutive to all charges, except those imposed at Count I. Under these

circumstances, we conclude that, by vacating the sentence at Count I, the

PCRA court did not upset the trial court’s sentencing scheme. See Robinson,

817 A.2d at 1163 n.14. Therefore, we discern no error in the PCRA court’s

failure to require resentencing on all of Rodland’s convictions.

____________________________________________

6   See 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 3301(a)(i).

7   See 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 3301(a)(ii).

                                           -8-
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      In his second claim, Rodland argues that his guilty pleas were unlawfully

induced by a promise, made by Detective White, to speak favorably of

Rodland’s cooperation at sentencing.     Brief for Appellant at 19.    Rodland

argues that he waived his right to a jury trial and entered a guilty plea based

upon Detective White’s promise to make Rodland’s cooperation known to the

sentencing court. Id. at 22.

      “In determining whether a guilty plea was entered knowingly and

voluntarily, … a court is free to consider the totality of the circumstances

surrounding the plea.” Commonwealth v. Flanagan, 854 A.2d 489, 513

(Pa. 2004) (citations and internal quotation marks omitted).          “Our law

presumes that a defendant who enters a guilty plea was aware of what he was

doing.   He bears the burden of proving otherwise.”       Commonwealth v.

Yeomans, 24 A.3d 1044, 1047 (Pa. Super. 2011) (citation omitted).           “A

person who elects to plead guilty is bound by the statements he makes in

open court while under oath and may not later assert grounds for withdrawing

the plea which contradict the statements he made at his plea colloquy.” Id.

(citation omitted).

      Our review discloses that Rodland’s present claim contradicts the

statements he made in his written and oral guilty plea colloquies.      In his

written guilty plea colloquy, Rodland was asked whether any promises or deals

had been offered in exchange for his guilty plea. See Written Plea Colloquy,

2/26/01, at ¶ 35. Rodland stated that he was promised a 5 to 10-year prison

                                     -9-
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term, consecutive to his current sentence, but made no mention of a promise

made by Detective White. See id. at ¶¶ 35-36. During the oral guilty plea

colloquy, the trial court inquired of Rodland whether any promises had been

made regarding his pleas, to which Rodland responded in the negative. N.T.

(Plea Colloquy), 4/2/01, at 8-9. As Rodland is bound by these statements,

we cannot grant him relief on his claim.8

       In his third claim, Rodland argues that the trial court, at CR 890, 894,

907, 910 and 1014 of 1999, improperly failed to set the amount of restitution.

Brief for Appellant at 24.       Rodland asserts that the trial court allowed the

District Attorney 30 days within which to provide documentation, but the

award was not entered within the 30-day time period. Id. Rodland asserts

____________________________________________

8 Rodland’s reliance upon the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s decision in
Commonwealth v. Gibbs, 553 A.2d 409 (Pa. 1989), and this Court’s decision
in Commonwealth v. Morgan, 606 A.2d 467 (Pa. Super. 1992), is
misplaced. In Gibbs, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court concluded that the
defendant had been impermissibly induced to make a confession after the
defendant stated, “Maybe I should talk to a lawyer.” Gibbs, 553 A.2d at 409.
The police officer had thereafter responded, “I really don’t know what good it
would do. The only thing is I would tell the District Attorney you cooperated
for whatever good that would be, but I would have no idea whether it would
help your case or not.” Id. In Morgan, this Court extended the rationale in
Gibbs to include situations in which the promise of favorable treatment by the
district attorney is used to induce a defendant to waive his right against self-
incrimination. Morgan, 606 A.2d at 469. These cases have not been
extended to apply where, as here, a defendant contradicts his statements
made during the guilty plea colloquy.

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that the judgments of sentence that left open the amount of restitution are

illegal. Id.

      As this Court has explained,

      a challenge to a court’s authority to impose restitution is generally
      considered to be a challenge to the legality of the sentence. A
      challenge to the legality of a sentence ... may be entertained as
      long as the reviewing court has jurisdiction. It is also well-
      established that [i]f no statutory authorization exists for a
      particular sentence, that sentence is illegal and subject to
      correction. An illegal sentence must be vacated. Issues relating
      to the legality of a sentence are questions of law[; as a result,
      o]ur standard of review over such questions is de novo and our
      scope of review is plenary.

Commonwealth v. Rivera, 95 A.3d 913, 915-16 (Pa. Super. 2014) (internal

quotation marks and citations omitted).

      Restitution, as a part of a defendant’s sentence, is authorized by 18

Pa.C.S.A. § 1106. Section 1106 provides, in relevant part, as follows:

      § 1106. Restitution for injuries to person or property

      (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, … the offender shall be sentenced to make restitution
      in addition to the punishment prescribed therefor.

                                     ***

      (c) Mandatory restitution. —

                                     ***

         (2) At the time of sentencing the court shall specify the amount
         and method of restitution. In determining the amount and
         method of restitution, the court:

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           (i) Shall consider the extent of injury suffered by the victim,
           the victim’s request for restitution ... and such other matters
           as it deems appropriate.

           (ii) May order restitution in a lump sum, by monthly
           installments or according to such other schedule as it deems
           just.

                                       ***

        (4)

           (i) It shall be the responsibility of the district attorneys of the
           respective counties to make a recommendation to the court
           at or prior to the time of sentencing as to the amount of
           restitution to be ordered. This recommendation shall be
           based upon information solicited by the district attorney and
           received from the victim.

           (ii) Where the district attorney has solicited information from
           the victims as provided in subparagraph (i) and has received
           no response, the district attorney shall, based on other
           available information, make a recommendation to the court
           for restitution.

18 Pa.C.S.A. § 1106.

      Thus, “[t]he plain text of the statute requires the trial court to specify

the amount of restitution at the time of the original sentencing[,] as well as a

method of payment.” Commonwealth v. Gentry, 101 A.3d 813, 818 (Pa.

Super. 2014). “This provides the defendant with certainty as to his sentence,

and at the same time allows for subsequent modification, if necessary.”

Commonwealth v. Dinoia, 801 A.2d 1254, 1257 (Pa. Super. 2002). Cf.

Commonwealth v. Mariani, 869 A.2d 484, 486 (Pa. Super. 2005) (deeming

a restitution order illegal where the trial court, at the time of sentencing,

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declined to set any amount of restitution, and instead scheduled a subsequent

hearing on the restitution issue).

      Recently, our Supreme Court entered its decision in Cochran, and we

have been directed to reconsider this issue in light of its decision.     See

Commonwealth v. Rodland¸ 2021 Pa. LEXIS 1386.               In Cochran, the

defendant pled guilty to charges resulting from the damages he inflicted, while

intoxicated, on a vacation home owned by his grandparents. Cochran, 244

A.3d at 415. However, the defendant “disputed whether he was responsible

for that total amount [of restitution] the Commonwealth requested, because

some of the destroyed or damaged property had belonged to him.”       Id. The

defendant requested that “a hearing be scheduled to determine the proper

restitution amount. The trial court granted the request and proceeded with

the guilty plea colloquy.” Id. “Following the entry of the plea, the trial

court proceeded to the non-restitution aspects of sentencing.” Id. The trial

court imposed prison terms and scheduled a restitution hearing for two

months later. Id.     The defendant filed a formal motion for a restitution

hearing. Id.

      When the first restitution hearing could not be completed in the time

allotted, the matter was continued to another date. Id. at 416. On both

dates, the defendant objected to the jurisdiction of the court, as more than

30 days had passed since sentencing. Id. The trial court denied the motion,

and imposed restitution. Id.    At the second hearing, the defendant objected

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to the trial court’s jurisdiction on the grounds that his sentence had become

final 30 days after the initial imposition of incarceration. Id. The trial court

disagreed, imposed an order of restitution, and the defendant appealed. Id.

      Ultimately, our Supreme Court held that the trial court’s order of

restitution was a legal sentence, because the defendant had requested the

restitution hearing:

      The circumstances of this particular case are unique in that [the
      defendant] at the time of [the initial] sentencing agreed to
      proceed with sentencing but disputed the restitution amount
      and requested an additional hearing. There is nothing in the
      Rules of Criminal Procedure or the Judicial Code that precludes a
      sentencing court from conducting a sentencing proceeding over
      multiple days as the needs of the parties and the court’s schedule
      may necessitate. Accordingly, the trial court announced the
      incarceration portion of the sentence with other conditions in an
      order dated June 29, 2017. In response to [the defendant’s]
      request, the order included setting a date for a further hearing on
      August 28, 2017 to address certain factual issues about the
      ownership of the damaged property included in the
      Commonwealth’s valuation of restitution. On this record, it is
      apparent the sentencing court proceeded with a segmented or
      bifurcated sentencing hearing, resulting in a complete and final
      order only on September 15, 2017. Viewed in this manner, the
      sentence is compliant with Section 1106 and the issues raised by
      [the defendant] and addressed by the Superior Court [are] moot.

            … Because the final complete sentencing order was entered
      on September 15, 2017, we conclude [the defendant] had no basis
      to challenge the sentencing court's jurisdiction under Section 1106
      (c)(2).

Id. at 421 (emphasis added).

      Here, unlike in Cochran, the trial court directed that the Commonwealth

submit documentation for its claim of restitution to the trial court within 30

days. See N.T. (Sentencing), 4/23/01, at 11, 13, 17, 21, 29. No hearing was

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scheduled and no motion challenging the amount of restitution was pending.

Further, the record does not reflect a clear intention by the trial court to

bifurcate the sentencing, as the Supreme Court had specifically observed in

Cochran. We therefore conclude that Cochran is distinguishable, and not

applicable to the present case.

      In the instant case, our review of the record discloses that the trial court

considered the issue of restitution separately, as to the charges at each docket

number. For example, at docket number CR 1112 of 1999, the trial court

required Rodland to pay restitution to Lisa Smithmyer in the amount of

$250.00, and to Millvale Mutual Insurance Company in the amount of

$2,417.97. N.T. (Sentencing), 4/23/01, at 13. At docket number CR 908 of

1999, the trial court directed that restitution of $2,175.00 be paid to David

Gormley, related to the charges at that docket number.           Id. at 23.    By

contrast, at docket numbers CR 892, 893, 891, 898, 905, 906, 909, 912, 913

and 1108 of 1999, the trial court, at each number, expressly stated that no

claim for restitution was made regarding the charges at that number. Id. at

3, 4, 5, 9, 12, 15, 25, 26, 28.

      However, at docket numbers CR 890, 894, 907, 910 and 1014 of 1999,

the trial court left open the amount of restitution. See N.T. (Sentencing),

4/23/01, at 11, 13, 17, 21, 29. Rodland is correct that, in this case, the open

restitution Orders constituted illegal sentences.       Because the sentences

imposed at each of these docket numbers were integrated sentences, intended

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to consist of both confinement and monetary elements, and because these

elements were not imposed contemporaneously, the illegality of one part

invalidates the whole sentence at those docket numbers. See Mariani, 869

A.2d at 487 (stating that because the sentence in that case “was an integrated

one intended from the outset to consist of both confinement and monetary

elements, and because both were not imposed contemporaneously, the

illegality of one part invalidates the whole.”).   We therefore vacate the

sentences imposed at docket numbers CR 890, 894, 907, 910 and 1014 of

1999, which included open orders of restitution, and remand for resentencing

at those docket numbers.9

       In his fourth claim, Rodland argues that the trial court improperly

allowed evidence of other bad acts/uncharged conduct to be considered by

the jury at his trial on December 5 and 6, 2000. Brief for Appellant at 25.

According to Rodland, evidence of “other crimes and uncharged bad acts was

presented to the jury in [his] trial for offenses charged [at docket numbers]

[CR] 895, 897, 903 and 911 of 1999.” Id. at 26. In particular, Rodland states

that the trial court improperly admitted evidence concerning the offenses

charged at [CR] 902 [of] 1999, and other “uncharged events.” Id. at 26-27.

____________________________________________

9 In vacating the open restitution Orders, we do not upset the trial court’s
sentencing scheme at the remaining docket numbers.          The trial court
separately considered restitution at each docket number, and provided an
integrated sentence as to the charges listed under each docket number. We
therefore leave intact Rodland’s remaining sentences.

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Rodland states that this ruling “went against the purpose of the [O]rder

severing the cases, entered on October 4, 2000[,] in [CR] 890 [of] 1999 [and]

902 [of] 1999.” Id. at 27. Rodland acknowledges that no limiting instruction

was requested or issued. Id. at 27-28.

     The admission of evidence

     is within the sound discretion of the trial court and will be reversed
     only upon a showing that the trial court clearly abused its
     discretion. An abuse of discretion is not merely an error of
     judgment, but is rather the overriding or misapplication of the law,
     or the exercise of judgment that is manifestly unreasonable, or
     the result of bias, prejudice, ill-will or partiality, as shown by the
     evidence of record.

Commonwealth v. Tyson, 119 A.3d 353, 357-58 (Pa. Super. 2015) (en

banc).

     “All relevant evidence is admissible, except as otherwise provided by

law.” Pa.R.E. 402. “Evidence is relevant if … it has any tendency to make a

fact more or less probable than it would be without the evidence … and … the

fact is of consequence in determining the action.” Pa.R.E. 401(a)-(b). “The

court may exclude relevant evidence if its probative value is outweighed by a

danger of … unfair prejudice[.]” Pa.R.E. 403. We recognize that “all evidence

in a criminal proceeding is prejudicial to the defendant, and … relevant

evidence is to be excluded only when it is so prejudicial that it may inflame

the jury to make a decision based upon something other than the legal

propositions relevant to the case.” Commonwealth v. Colon, 846 A.2d 747,

753 (Pa. Super. 2004) (citation and internal quotation marks omitted).

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      Pennsylvania Rule of Evidence 404 generally prohibits the admission of

evidence of a crime, wrong or other act to prove a person’s character, in order

to show that on a particular occasion the person acted in accordance with the

character. Pa.R.E. 404(b)(1). However, such evidence may be admissible to

prove motive, opportunity, intent, preparation, plan, knowledge, identity,

absence of mistake or lack of accident, if the probative value of the evidence

outweighs its potential for unfair prejudice. Pa.R.E. 404(b)(2).

      Our review of the record discloses that prior to the testimony of

Detective White, defense counsel challenged the admissibility of portions of

Rodland’s inculpatory statement to police. N.T., 12/4/00, at 219. At that

time, the following discussion ensued:

      [The Commonwealth]: [The statement] says … on this day I
      [(Rodland)] had my bicycle in town and I was riding around
      looking for another place I could possibl[y] do for a fire and that
      would have been sort of out of range where me and [Rodland’s
      friend, Nathan,] had previously done fires, had come up to the
      area of Garfield Park. That’s the only reference—is that the only
      reference you’re talking about?

      [Defense Counsel]: That is the one reference.

      [The Commonwealth]: That’s the only one I’m aware of.

      [Defense Counsel]: There’s also [a] reference to in the woods,
      looking to create a brush fire, a reference that since they had to
      start doing a lot of the fires and also at the time of lighter, and
      the time lighter—I had used the lighter that we initially used at
      the other fires, that me and Nathan had used.

      [The Commonwealth]: Your Honor … [the] defense is I didn’t do
      it[,] so it goes to identity and it goes to motive, it goes to why
      he was setting these places—this particular house on fire, I was
      looking to create a fire, a house I could easily do.

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      …

      I was on my bicycle looking for another place that could possibly
      do and that would have been out of range for where me and
      Nathan had previously done fires.

      THE COURT: On the last statement[,] he was going to a house
      that he had—was going to burn and he saw the carport and went
      in because that was an easier one, so I think your objection is well
      founded from your viewpoint, overruled, because it goes to a
      continuing course of conduct and it also specifically goes to this
      house at … 2414 11th Avenue, and the rest of it is just background,
      I think makes statements as to other fires (inaudible) other fires
      today, it doesn’t necessarily mean for other fires (inaudible) brush
      fire, that goes to show what he’s doing, not necessarily what he’s
      trying, so the objection is overruled….

Id. at 221-22 (emphasis added). During his testimony, Detective White read

Rodland’s statement out loud to the jury. Id. at 226-29. When asked about

his knowledge of the fire at 2414 11th Avenue, in Altoona, Rodland stated the

following:

      On this day, I had my bicycle in town and I was riding around
      looking for another place I could possibly do for a fire, that would
      have been sort of out of range where me and Nathan had
      previously done fires and came up to the area of Garfield park,
      found a house that looked abandoned initially. I found brush that
      I was going to attempt to do and I found a house that looked
      abandoned, came up the side of the house, lit, I believe it was
      paper that was sitting on the porch, paper or some type of
      insulation, I believe insulation, for modeling paper that was laying
      on the front porch. I had lit that on fire and then I left the area.

Id. at 227.

      Upon our review of the testimony, we discern no error or abuse of

discretion by the trial court in admitting testimony regarding Rodland’s

statement. As Rodland had denied setting the fires, this evidence was relevant

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to the issues of identity and motive.10            Because we discern no abuse of

discretion or error, we cannot grant Rodland relief on this claim.11

       In his fifth claim, Rodland argues that the trial court improperly allowed

hard copies of Rodland’s confession to be given to the jury during its

deliberations. Brief for Appellant at 28. According to Rodland, the trial court,

off the record, determined that a portion of Rodland’s statement could be sent

out with the jury during deliberations. Id. at 29.

       Our review of the record discloses nothing that would support Rodland’s

claim. At trial, the trial court directed that the Rodland’s statement would not

be given to the jury.         N.T., 12/4/00, at 47-48.      During the Hearing to

Supplement the Record, conducted on December 18, 2017, Rodland’s trial

counsel testified that he did not recall the statement being given to the jury.

N.T., 12/18/17, at 38, 40.         Rodland confirmed that he did not personally

observe any documents being sent out with the jury during deliberations. Id.

at 15. The trial judge did not recall the documents being given to the jury,

and further stated that he would not have allowed a written confession to be

sent out with the jury during deliberations. Id. at 47. The prosecutor testified

____________________________________________

10Detective White testified that, when asked why Rodland had set the fires,
Rodland responded that he “wanted to create a large, basically a situation
where the City of Altoona couldn’t handle all of the fires in one day.” N.T.,
12/5/00, at 89.

11 Contrary to Rodland’s assertion, it is not clear that the admitted evidence
referred to fires other than those at issue during the trial.

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that the statement was not sent out with the jury during deliberations. Id. at

52, 55. Because there is no support for Rodland’s claim in the record, we

cannot grant him relief.

      In his sixth claim, Rodland claims that the trial court erred in not

granting his Motion to dismiss the charges based upon a violation of

Pa.R.Crim.P. 600 (formerly Rule 1100). Brief for Appellant at 30. According

to Rodland, there were over 400 days of non-excludable time, for purposes of

the Rule 600 calculation. Id. at 36. Specifically, Rodland directs our attention

to the following time periods: May 5, 1999, through December 29, 1999;

January 31, 2000, through May 2, 2000; from May 8, 2000, through July 7,

2000; and from July 11, 2000, through November 9, 2000. Id. at 37-38.

Citing Commonwealth v. Hill, 736 A.2d 578 (Pa. 1999), Rodland contends

that the filing of a pretrial motion does not automatically render him

unavailable; “rather, he is unavailable if a delay in the commencement of a

trial is cause[d] by the motion.” Brief for Appellant at 37. If there is a delay,

Rodland argues, the Commonwealth must establish that it exercised due

diligence in responding to the motion. Id. Rodland asserts that either the

time period is excludable, because it caused no delay of the trial, or that the

time is attributable to the Commonwealth, as it did not take action to oppose

or respond to the Motion. Id.

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       “In evaluating Rule [600] issues, our standard of review of a trial court’s

decision is whether the trial court abused its discretion.” Hill, 736 A.2d at

581.

       As our Supreme Court has explained,

       [b]y the terms of Rule 600, the Commonwealth must bring a
       defendant to trial within 365 days from the date upon which a
       written criminal complaint is filed. Pa.R.Crim.P. 600(A)(2)(a).
       However, the Rule 600 run date may be adjusted pursuant to the
       computational directives set forth in Subsection (C) of the Rule.
       For purposes of the Rule 600 computation, “periods of delay at
       any stage of the proceedings caused by the Commonwealth[,]
       when the Commonwealth has failed to exercise due diligence[,]
       shall be included in the computation of the time within which trial
       must commence.” Id. 600(C)(1). “Any other periods of delay,”
       including those caused by the defendant, “shall be excluded from
       the computation.” Id. When considering a Rule 600 motion, the
       court must identify each period of delay and attribute it to the
       responsible party, then adjust the 365-day tally to arrive at the
       latest date upon which the Commonwealth may try the defendant.
       Absent a demonstration of due diligence, establishing that the
       Commonwealth has done “everything reasonable within its power
       to guarantee that [the] trial begins on time,” Commonwealth v.
       Matis, 551 Pa. 220, 710 A.2d 12, 17 (Pa. 1998), the
       Commonwealth’s failure to bring the defendant to trial before the
       expiration of the Rule 600 time period constitutes grounds for
       dismissal of the charges with prejudice.        See Pa.R.Crim.P.
       600(D)(1).

Commonwealth v. Barbour, 189 A.3d 944, 947 (Pa. 2018).

       In Hill, our Supreme Court opined that the filing of a pretrial motion

does not automatically render a defendant unavailable for trial for purposes

of the Rule:

       When a defendant is deemed unavailable for trial, the time is
       excludable from the Rule [600] calculation; however, the mere
       filing of a pretrial motion by a defendant does not automatically
       render him unavailable.         Rather, a defendant is only

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      unavailable for trial if a delay in the commencement of trial
      is caused by the filing of the pretrial motion. If a delay is
      created, in order to establish that the delay is excludable, the
      Commonwealth must demonstrate, by a preponderance of the
      evidence, that it exercised due diligence in opposing or responding
      to the pretrial motion. A delay caused by the Commonwealth’s
      lack of due diligence will not constitute excludable time.

Hill, 736 A.2d at 587 (emphasis added).

      The Commonwealth filed its Criminal Complaint against Rodland on May

5, 1999. Thus, the mechanical run date for Rule 600 purposes was May 4,

2000. Rodland’s trial commenced on December 4, 2000, 214 days beyond

the mechanical run date.

      Our review discloses that the trial court initially set a trial date of

November 20, 1999.      On November 19, 1999, Rodland filed a Motion for

Change of Counsel. The trial court denied the Motion on November 23, 1999.

However, on December 29, 1999, the trial court granted defense counsel’s

Motion for a continuance until February 17, 2000.      Thus, the time periods

between November 19, 1999, and November 23, 1999, and from December

29, 1999, to February 17, 2000, a total of 54 days, are excludable for purposes

of Rule 600.

      On January 31, 2000, Rodland filed Omnibus Pretrial Motions. The trial

court scheduled and conducted a hearing on the Omnibus Pretrial Motions on

May 2, 2000. We conclude that the time period from February 17, 2000, to

May 2, 2000, 75 days, was excludable time, as the delay was caused by the

filing of the Omnibus Pretrial Motions, and the trial court’s scheduling of a

                                    - 23 -
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hearing on those Motions. See Commonwealth v. McCarthy, 180 A.3d 368,

376 (Pa. Super. 2018) (recognizing that a delay that resulted from the

unavailability of time on trial court’s calendar was excludable from the Rule

600 calculation); Commonwealth v. Frye, 909 A.2d 853, 859 (Pa. Super.

2006) (stating that, “[i]n conducting the due diligence inquiry, our

jurisprudence has excused such delay resulting from court congestion.”).

      Our review of the record discloses that a continuation of the hearing was

scheduled to take place on June 26, 2000, and the Commonwealth moved to

continue the hearing until July 7, 2000. We conclude that this time period is

not excludable for purposes of Rule 600.

      Defense counsel requested a continuance from July 7, 2000, until July

14, 2000. This time period, 8 days, is excludable time.

      The trial court concluded its hearing on Rodland’s Omnibus Pretrial

Motion on July 14, 2000.     The trial court received the briefs on Rodland’s

Motions on September 15, 2000, and entered its Opinion and Order resolving

the Motions on October 4, 2000. The time period from July 14, 2000, through

October 4, 2000, 83 days, is excludable time caused by judicial scheduling.

See McCarthy, 180 A.3d at 376.

      Factoring in the 220 days of excludable time, the adjusted run date for

Rule 600 purposes was December 10, 2000.             Because Rodland’s trial

commenced on December 4, 2000, we discern no abuse of discretion by the

trial court in rejecting Rodland’s Rule 600 claim.

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        In his seventh claim, Rodland argues that the trial court improperly

considered his expunged juvenile record, and a threatening letter received by

the prosecutor, at sentencing. Brief for Appellant at 39. Rodland asserts that

the sentencing court had incorrect information that he began committing

crimes at age 9, and that the prosecutor had received a threatening letter and

intimated that it was from Rodland. Id. at 41. Rodland asserts that the court

should not have considered such information at sentencing. Id.

        Rodland’s claim that the trial court considered impermissible factors at

sentencing is a challenge to the discretionary aspects of sentencing. “The

right to appeal a discretionary aspect of sentence is not absolute.”

Commonwealth v. Dunphy, 20 A.3d 1215, 1220 (Pa. Super. 2011). Rather,

where an appellant challenges the discretionary aspects of a sentence, we

should     regard   his   appeal     as   a    petition   for   allowance   of   appeal.

Commonwealth v. W.H.M., 932 A.2d 155, 162 (Pa. Super. 2007). Before a

challenge to the sentence will be heard on the merits, an appellant, in order

to invoke the Court’s jurisdiction, must set forth in his brief a separate and

concise statement of reasons relied upon in support of his appeal. Pa.R.A.P.

2119(f);12    Commonwealth v. Ladamus, 896 A.2d 592, 595 (Pa. Super.

____________________________________________

12   Rule 2119(f) states the following:

            An appellant who challenges the discretionary aspects of a
            sentence in a criminal matter shall set forth in his brief a
            concise statement of the reasons relied upon for allowance

                                          - 25 -
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2006). Where an appellant fails to comply with Pa.R.A.P. 2119(f), and the

Commonwealth objects, the issue is waived for purposes of review.

Commonwealth v. Montgomery, 861 A.2d 304, 308 (Pa. Super. 2004).

        Here, Rodland’s brief does not include a Rule 2119(f) statement, and

the Commonwealth has objected to its omission. See Commonwealth’s Brief

at 35.      Accordingly, Rodland has waived this issue for review.          See

Montgomery, 861 A.2d at 308.

        In his eighth claim, Rodland argues that the Commonwealth withheld

favorable evidence, i.e., a note stating that one of the fires could have been

accidental. Brief for Appellant at 41. Rodland asserts that the Commonwealth

withheld this evidence, in violation of Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83

(1963), and that the omission caused him to tender an unknowing guilty plea.

Brief for Appellant at 41.       Rodland asserts that on January 20, 2011, he

received a “Complaint Summary” regarding the fire at 619 Crawford Avenue.13

Id. at 43. Rodland contends that this Complaint Summary indicated that the

fire appeared to be electrical in nature. Id. Rodland asserts that, had he

known of this report, he would not have tendered a guilty plea. Id.

____________________________________________

            of appeal with respect to the discretionary aspects of a
            sentence. The statement shall immediately precede the
            argument on the merits with respect to the discretionary
            aspects of sentence.

 Pa.R.A.P. 2119(f).

13   Rodland pled guilty to arson related to this fire at CR 892 of 1999.

                                          - 26 -
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      In Brady, the United States Supreme Court held that a defendant’s due

process rights are violated when the prosecution withholds favorable, material

evidence from the defense.      Brady, 373 U.S. at 87.       To prove a Brady

violation, the defendant bears the burden of demonstrating that (1) the

prosecutor has suppressed evidence; (2) the evidence, whether exculpatory

or impeaching, is helpful to the defendant; and (3) the suppression prejudiced

the defendant. Commonwealth v. Koehler, 36 A.3d 121, 133 (Pa. 2012)

(citation omitted).   “Therefore, even if the first two prongs have been

established, a defendant must establish that he was prejudiced by the failure

to disclose.” Commonwealth v. Pugh, 101 A.3d 820, 825 (Pa. Super. 2014).

“To establish prejudice, the defendant must prove that there is a reasonable

probability that, had the evidence been disclosed to the defense, the result of

the proceeding would have been different.” Id. (internal quotation marks and

citation omitted).

      In its Opinion, the PCRA court addressed this claim as follows:

      The record reflects that in the case of the report that “the fire
      appeared to be electrical in nature,” the first on the scene
      reporting officer only had a cursory look at the initial scene of the
      crime. This report would likely have had little, if any, effect on
      the jury in light of further investigation disproving the electrical
      fire statement….

PCRA Court Opinion, 6/13/17, at 16-17.         We agree with and adopt the

reasoning of the PCRA court, in rejecting this claim. See id. Rodland further

fails to establish how knowledge of the initial statement would have altered

his decision to plead guilty to setting this fire. Because Rodland has failed to

                                     - 27 -
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establish prejudice resulting from the Commonwealth’s alleged failure to

disclose, we cannot grant him relief on this claim. See Pugh, supra.

      In his ninth and final claim, Rodland argues that the PCRA court erred

by determining that his claim of ineffective assistance by his trial counsel at

sentencing, John Siford, Esquire (“Attorney Siford”), lacks merit.      Brief for

Appellant at 44. Rodland asserts that Attorney Siford should have presented

evidence regarding his mental health at sentencing.        Id. at 46.   Rodland

directs our attention to his testimony, during the PCRA hearing, that he had

received treatment through the Blair County Mental Health Agency for

behavior problems at school and at home. Id. at 47. Rodland also detailed

his mental health treatment through the juvenile justice system.             Id.

According to Rodland, there is “no indication that Attorney Siford ever sought

any of the providers to discuss [] Rodland’s conditions and how they could

relate to his offenses.”   Id. at 47-48.      Rodland claims that his counsel’s

inaction deprived the sentencing court of mitigating information and

information regarding his potential for rehabilitation. Id. at 48.

      As our Supreme Court has explained,

      [c]ounsel is presumed to be effective, …; to overcome the
      presumption, [the petitioner] has to satisfy the performance and
      prejudice test set forth in Strickland [v. Washington, 466 U.S.
      668 (1984)]. In Pennsylvania, we have applied the Strickland
      test by looking to three elements[:] whether[] (1) the underlying
      claim has arguable merit; (2) no reasonable basis existed for
      counsel’s actions or failure to act; and (3) the defendant has
      shown that he suffered prejudice as a result of counsel’s lapse,
      i.e., that there is a reasonable probability that the result of the
      proceeding … would have been different if counsel had objected.

                                     - 28 -
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      If a claim fails under any necessary element of the Strickland
      test, the court may proceed to that element first.

Commonwealth v. Bennett, 57 A.3d 1185, 1195-96 (Pa. 2012) (some

citations omitted).

      In its Opinion, the PCRA court addressed this claim as follows:

      [Rodland] has not provided specific evidence to establish that
      Attorney Siford’s failure to present [Rodland’s] mental health
      history was not a strategy of the attorney. Attorney Siford may
      have reasonably concluded that introduction of such evidence
      would be ineffective or even harmful to [Rodland]. [Rodland] has
      failed to overcome the presumption of effectiveness required by
      law. Additionally, [Rodland] has failed to establish [that] the
      information would have changed the outcome of the trial.

PCRA Court Opinion, 6/13/17, at 22-23. We agree with and affirm on the

basis of the PCRA court’s reasoning, as set forth above. See id.

      In summary, we vacate the judgments of sentence imposed at docket

numbers CR 890, 894, 907, 910 and 1014 of 1999, and remand for

resentencing at those docket numbers. In all other respects, we affirm the

judgments of sentence and Order of the PCRA Court.

      We additionally note that Rodland filed a Motion to Strike certain

documents attached as exhibits to the Commonwealth’s Brief. Because we

address the inclusion of the documents in the certified record, in Rodland’s

appeals filed at Nos. 1244-1271 WDA 2018, we deny the instant Motion to

Strike as moot.

      Motion to Strike denied as moot.         PCRA Court Order affirmed.

Judgments of sentence entered at CR 890, 894, 907, 910 and 1014 of 1999

                                    - 29 -
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vacated.   Case remanded for resentencing at those docket numbers,

consistent with this Memorandum.         Remaining judgments of sentence

affirmed. Superior Court jurisdiction relinquished.

Judgment Entered.

Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary

Date: 5/27/2021

                                    - 30 -