Court Opinion

ID: 9757929
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-28 23:04:58.378128+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:28:45.607360
License: Public Domain

DISSENTING OPINION BY
Judge SIMPSON.
I respectfully dissent. I believe the trial court erred in holding the Commonwealth failed to establish the Vehicle was derivative contraband and there was not a sufficient nexus between it and Sadler’s crime.
In support of its forfeiture petition, the Commonwealth presented the testimony of Echevarria and incorporated by reference Sandler’s criminal trial transcript. Eche-varria testified he met with Sandler on two occasions. During one of the meetings, he sat with Sandler inside the Vehicle1 and negotiated a price of $25,000 for the hit. Sandler indicated to Echevarria that they “had a deal.” (R.R. 366) Therefore, the crime of solicitation to commit murder was complete.
The Commonwealth need not produce evidence directly linking the seized property to illegal activity in order to establish the requisite nexus between the two. Commonwealth v. $6,425.00 Seized from Esquilin, 583 Pa. 544, 880 A.2d 523 (2005). Forfeiture has been granted in instances where the requisite nexus was less tenuous than it is here. In Commonwealth v. Mitchell, 833 A.2d 1220 (Pa.Cmwlth.2003), the defendant’s vehicle was subject to forfeiture when it was used to transport mari*213juana to the point of sale. It was unclear whether the vehicle was used merely for transportation or whether the sale took place inside the vehicle.
Similarly, in Commonwealth v. One 1988 Ford Coupe, VIN No. 1FABP41A9JF143651, 393 Pa.Super. 320, 574 A.2d 631 (1990), the Superior Court upheld forfeiture of a vehicle used on one occasion to pick up cocaine sold to a police informant. Also, in Commonwealth v. One 1979 Lincoln Four Door Sedan, 344 Pa.Super. 171, 496 A.2d 397 (1985), the Superior Court affirmed the forfeiture of a vehicle used to bring food to workers at an illicit methamphetamine manufacturer.
Here, use of the Vehicle facilitated completion of the agreement to commit murder. “It is the use to which the property is put that renders property, otherwise lawful, rightful to have, use, and possess, subject to seizure and forfeiture.” One 1988 Ford Coupe, 574 A.2d at 639.
Sandler used the Vehicle to negotiate and agree upon the terms of a murder-for-hire plot. Because he feared discovery, he used the Vehicle to avoid detection and to ease his suspicions that Echevarria was an undercover police officer. The Vehicle was not used merely as transportation, but also as a covert meeting place to solicit murder. I would therefore hold the Commonwealth’s evidence established a sufficient nexus between the Vehicle and San-dler’s illegal activity so as to transform the Vehicle into derivative contraband.
I would further conclude forfeiture is reasonable. In Commonwealth v. Real Prop- and Improvements Commonly Known as 5444 Spruce Street, Phila., 574 Pa. 423, 832 A.2d 396 (2003), our Supreme Court adopted the principle enunciated in United States v. Bajakajian, 524 U.S. 321, 118 S.Ct. 2028, 141 L.Ed.2d 314 (1998), that punitive forfeitures violate the Excessive Fines Clause of the Eighth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution2 if the fine is grossly disproportional to the gravity of the offense. In determining whether the property’s value is outweighed by the gravity of the offense, the Court identified the following factors to be considered: the penalty imposed compared to the maximum penalty available for the crime; whether the violation was an isolated matter or part of a pattern of misbehavior; and the resulting harm from the crime charged. 5444 Spruce Street.
Sandler failed to offer any evidence of the Vehicle’s value or that its value was grossly disproportionate to the gravity of his offense. He was convicted of solicitation to commit murder, which carries an offense gravity score of 13, see 42 Pa.C.S. § 9721, and was sentenced to serve 8 to 25 years. He was further ordered to pay a series of fines and costs amounting to $42,107.69.
Given the high offense gravity score, the lengthy prison sentence, the costs and fines imposed, and the lack of evidence regarding the Vehicle’s value, I would conclude the Vehicle’s value is not disproportionate to the offense committed. 5444 Spruce Street; Mitchell (where vehicle was used to transport marijuana, forfeiture of a vehicle valued at $1,980 was not grossly disproportionate to the gravity of the offense or in excess of maximum fine).
I would reverse the trial court’s order and require forfeiture of the Vehicle.
Judge LEADBETTER joins in this dissent.

. The parties originally met inside a restaurant. Sandler had prepared written questions so he did not have to speak. Because Eche-varria was wired and there was surveillance of the meeting, Echevarria wanted to talk outside the restaurant. Sandler would not get inside Echevarria's car; therefore, the parties met in Sandler’s car. (R.R. 358-363) Although the trial court found Echevarria suggested the meeting take place in the Vehicle, Echevarria testified at the criminal trial that Sandler chose to conduct the meeting in his car. (R.R. 360)

. U.S. Const, amend. VIII.