Com. v. Beatty, B.

J-S60007-19

2020 PA Super 21

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF

: PENNSYLVANIA

:

v. :

:

:

BRANDON COLE BEATTY :

:

Appellant : No. 426 MDA 2019

Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence Entered December 19, 2018

In the Court of Common Pleas of York County Criminal Division at No(s):

CP-67-CR-0005344-2017

BEFORE: SHOGAN, J., STABILE, J., and PELLEGRINI, J.*

OPINION BY SHOGAN, J.: FILED: FEBRUARY 4, 2020

Appellant, Brandon Cole Beatty, appeals from the judgment of sentence

entered following his conviction of criminal conspiracy to possess a controlled

substance with intent to deliver (“PWID”).1 We vacate and remand for

resentencing.2

The trial court summarized the factual and procedural history of this

case as follows:

[Appellant’s] jury trial began on October 29th, 2018. The

Commonwealth presented substantial evidence related to the

death of De’Andre Gaskins [(“Gaskins”)], for which [Appellant]

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* Retired Senior Judge assigned to the Superior Court.

1 18 Pa.C.S. § 903(a)(1), 35 P.S. § 780-113(a)(30).

2 We note our disapproval of the Commonwealth’s failure to file a brief in this

matter.

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was charged with drug delivery resulting in death.1,[3] The jury

found [Appellant] not guilty of that charge. However he was found

guilty of criminal conspiracy to deliver heroin with fentanyl. The

evidence presented for that charge is as follows.

1 The decedent, [Gaskins,] died of Fentanyl Toxicity.

The Commonwealth presented the testimony of Jamel Tuff

[(“Tuff”)]. Tuff had numerous pending charges involving dealing

narcotics, specifically fentanyl, including also being charged with

drug delivery resulting in death for the death of the victim in this

case, [Gaskins]. Tuff testified that he had no agreement with the

Commonwealth as to his pending charges in exchange for his

testimony, and had not been offered immunity by the

Commonwealth for his testimony. Tuff stated that while he had

no agreement with the Commonwealth for his testimony, he

hoped for consideration for the sentences he faced for his charges

and was partially motivated by this to testify. Tuff was a user of

illegal drugs, regularly abusing opiates and cocaine. At the time

of his testimony, Tuff had been incarcerated at the York County

Prison for 22 months, during which his health significantly

improved as he was not able to abuse drugs as he had been on

the streets. Tuff testified he had no knowledge as to the

manufacture or chemical composition of the illegal substances he

ingested. He testified, for example, that if he wanted cocaine and

purchased powder, the only way he would know the powder was

cocaine and not baking soda, would be to ingest the drugs.

Tuff testified that he would sell drugs to support his habit.

He would get 10 to 15 grams of heroin, and sell just enough of it

to make a profit so that he could get another 10 to 15 grams to

keep the cycle going, with the remaining drugs going to personal

use. Tuff knew [Gaskins] from high school, and would

occasionally do drugs with him. On December 23rd, 2016, Tuff

met with Gaskins because Gaskins wanted to purchase heroin

from [Tuff].

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3 Appellant was charged with four counts: count 1, drug delivery resulting in

death, 18 Pa.C.S. § 2506(a); count 2, manufacture, deliver or possession with

intent to manufacture or deliver, 35 P.S. § 780-113(a)(30); count 3, criminal

conspiracy to manufacture, deliver or possession with intent to manufacture

or deliver, 18 Pa.C.S. § 903(a)(1)–35 P.S. § 780-113(a)(30); and count 4,

involuntary manslaughter, 18 Pa.C.S. § 2504(a).

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Gaskins arrived at the place Tuff was living at the time and

was given what was believed to be heroin, which was purchased

from [Appellant]. After Gaskins injected the supposed heroin he

told Tuff that he wanted more. Tuff and Shane Ditzler already had

a meeting arranged with [Appellant] to purchase more heroin.

The meeting with [Appellant] was to take place behind a nearby

Turkey Hill [store]. Tuff testified that he then received a phone

call from [Appellant] to meet behind the Turkey Hill a block away.

When they arrived, [Appellant] was alone in his car, sitting in the

driver’s seat.

Tuff testified that he and Ditzler then sat in the car, Ditz[l]er

in the front passenger’s seat and Tuff in the backseat. Tuff

testified that the intent of getting in the car was to purchase heroin

from [Appellant]. Eventually Gaskins arrived at the car because

Tuff and Ditzler needed his money to help pay [Appellant] and for

Gaskins to get his share of the heroin. Tuff testified that the

money went from Gaskins to Ditzler and then Ditzler gave the total

to [Appellant]. Tuff further testified that the heroin went from

[Appellant] to Ditzler and Tuff, where Tuff separated it into two

(2) bags, and Gaskins was given his share. Tuff then got out of

[Appellant’s] car and walked back to the apartment. Gaskins

walked with Tuff as far as the Turkey Hill. Tuff testified that Ditzler

stayed in the car with [Appellant] and they went to go get other

drugs for Ditzler. Tuff testified that at the time he had no other

sources of supply for heroin other than [Appellant]. Tuff was

familiar with where [Appellant] was living at the time and

identified the location as King Street and Edgar Street in York.

Tuff also testified that if Gaskins were not a part of the transaction,

he and Ditzler still would have met with [Appellant] to purchase

heroin.

The Commonwealth then presented testimony of Shane

Ditzler. Ditzler had numerous pending charges involving dealing

narcotics, specifically fentanyl, including also being charged with

drug delivery resulting in death for the death of the victim in this

case, [Gaskins]. Ditzler testified that he had no agreement with

the Commonwealth as to his pending charges in exchange for his

testimony, and had not been offered immunity by the

Commonwealth for his testimony. Ditzler stated that while he had

no agreement with the Commonwealth for his testimony, he

hoped for consideration for the sentences he faced for his charges

and was partially motivated by this to testify.

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Ditzler testified that other than ingesting, he had no way of

knowing what the substance was that he purchased for his own

use and sale to others. Ditzler was spending between $50 and

$200 daily on drugs in December of 2016. Ditzler would sell drugs

to support his habit, and he would just sell enough in order to

maintain his habit. Ditzler testified that on December 23, 2016,

Tuff brought Gaskins to where Ditzler was staying at the time, sold

Gaskins heroin and Gaskins injected it. Ditzler planned on buying

drugs from [Appellant] that day and before Gaskins arrived Ditzler

had a buy set up with [Appellant]. Ditzler testified that he and

Tuff were out of heroin and Gaskins wanted more, so a deal to

also purchase heroin from [Appellant] was set up.

Ditzler testified that all three walked toward Turkey Hill to

meet with [Appellant]. Tuff and Ditzler walked to [Appellant’s]

car and Tuff received a phone call from [Appellant] that he was

ready to meet. Ditzler testified that it wasn’t unusual to meet in

[Appellant’s] car, but they would also meet at [Appellant’s] house

located off Edgar Street. At [Appellant’s] car Ditzler got in the

front passenger’s seat and Tuff sat in the backseat. Ditzler

testified that eventually Gaskins walked up to the car as well.

Ditzler testified that Tuff split up the heroin they bought from

[Appellant]. Ditzler testified that Tuff then got out of the car and

left the area with Gaskins. Ditzler left the area with [Appellant] in

his car to go and get the drug known as “Molly.”

The Commonwealth also called Detective Patrick Gartrell,

Northern York County Regional Police and York County Drug Task

Force, to testify[.] Detective Gartrell assisted in the investigation

concerning the present matter. Specifically, Gartrell obtained the

security surveillance video from the Turkey Hill as part of the

investigation. Based on his interactions with Tuff, Ditzler, and

Gaskins[,] Detective Gartrell was able to identify them in the

surveillance video as it was played in open court with the jury

present. Gartrell testified that Tuff, Ditzler, and Gaskins were in

the area of the Turkey Hill. Tuff and Ditzler began walking west

toward Mason Avenue, and eventually Gaskins followed them.

Approximately 4 minutes later in the video[,] Gaskins and Tuff

returned to the Turkey Hill before separating.

The Commonwealth next called Detective Michael Hine,

Northern York County Regional Police, to testify. Detective Hine

testified that Shane Ditzler was interviewed three (3) times

concerning the investigation in this case. Hine testified that across

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the interviews with Ditzler the scene, number and identities of the

peo[p]le present remained consistent. Specifically, Ditzler was

consistent in the fact that [Appellant] was at the location where

the drug deal took place. Detective Hine testified that he was able

to determine [Appellant’s] address to be 11 Edgar Street in York,

the same address pointed out by Tuff and Ditzler.

After the Commonwealth closed its case in chief, [Appellant]

elected not to testify, and put on no evidence. After both parties

closed and the instructions were given, the jury retired to

deliberate, and in turn returned a verdict of guilty on the charge

of criminal conspiracy to deliver heroin with fentanyl. The Court

sentenced [Appellant] to 84 to 168 months for the crime of

criminal conspiracy to deliver heroin with fentanyl.

[Appellant] timely filed a notice of appeal,[4] and then

submitted a statement as directed.

Trial Court Opinion, 5/30/19, at 2-7 (internal citations omitted).

Appellant presents the following issues for our review:

Did the jury err in finding sufficient evidence to support a

conviction as there was no evidence presented to support a

conspiracy to deliver[] heroin with fentanyl?

Was the verdict of the jury against the weight of the evidence and

did the [l]ower [c]ourt err in not finding so after the issue was

raised in a Post Sentence Motion?

Did the [l]ower [c]ourt abuse its discretion in sentencing Appellant

to seven to fourteen years in prison for being found guilty of a

crime which had a standard range of sentence of 21 to 27 months

and a maximum sentence of fifteen years?

Appellant’s Brief at 6.5

____________________________________________

4 A post-sentence motion was also filed; it was denied on February 27, 2019.

5 We need not reach an issue regarding sentencing if we were to find in

Appellant’s favor on one of his other claims. Thus, we have renumbered

Appellant’s issues and will address his claims of insufficient evidence and

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In his first issue, Appellant argues that there was insufficient evidence

to establish that there was an agreement to deliver heroin with fentanyl.

Appellant’s Brief at 20. Appellant asserts that the Commonwealth’s argument

during trial was that the agreement was to deliver only heroin. Id. Appellant

states that there was no evidence that there was an agreement to deliver

heroin with fentanyl. Id. Appellant further maintains that “[t]he

Commonwealth had every right to charge Appellant with [intent to deliver

heroin] but chose not to.” Id. at 21. As a result, Appellant contends: “To

ignore the clear meaning of the charge and the verdict slip is improper. The

jury erred in finding the Appellant guilty of the charge of Conspiracy [to deliver

heroin and fentanyl] and the [l]ower [c]ourt erred in not correcting this

mistake.” Id.

The standard for evaluating sufficiency claims is as follows:

The standard we apply in reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence

is whether viewing all the evidence admitted at trial in the light

most favorable to the verdict winner, there is sufficient evidence

to enable the fact-finder to find every element of the crime beyond

a reasonable doubt. In applying the above test, we may not weigh

the evidence and substitute our judgment for the fact-finder’s].

In addition, we note that the facts and circumstances established

by the Commonwealth need not preclude every possibility of

innocence. Any doubts regarding a defendant’s guilt may be

resolved by the fact-finder unless the evidence is so weak and

inconclusive that as a matter of law no probability of fact may be

drawn from the combined circumstances. The Commonwealth

may sustain its burden of proving every element of the crime

beyond a reasonable doubt by means of wholly circumstantial

evidence. Moreover, in applying the above test, the entire record

____________________________________________

weight of the evidence claims first. Commonwealth v. Shamberger, 788

A.2d 408, 412 (Pa. Super. 2001).

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must be evaluated and all evidence actually received must be

considered. Finally, the finder of fact while passing upon the

credibility of witnesses and the weight of the evidence produced,

is free to believe all, part or none of the evidence.

Commonwealth v. Estepp, 17 A.3d 939, 943-944 (Pa. Super. 2011).

Pursuant to the Crimes Code, conspiracy is defined as follows:

§ 903. Criminal conspiracy

(a) Definition of conspiracy.-- A person is guilty of conspiracy

with another person or persons to commit a crime if with the intent

of promoting or facilitating its commission he:

(1) agrees with such other person or persons that they

or one or more of them will engage in conduct which

constitutes such crime or an attempt or solicitation to

commit such crime; or

(2) agrees to aid such other person or persons in the

planning or commission of such crime or of an attempt

or solicitation to commit such crime.

18 Pa.C.S. § 903(a).

A conspiracy is almost always proved through circumstantial

evidence. The conduct of the parties and the circumstances

surrounding their conduct may create a web of evidence linking

the accused to the alleged conspiracy beyond a reasonable doubt.

Commonwealth v. Lambert, 795 A.2d 1010, 1016 (Pa. Super. 2002)

(internal citations and quotation marks omitted).

To sustain a conviction of criminal conspiracy:

The Commonwealth must establish that the defendant (1) entered

into 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 done in furtherance of the conspiracy. Circumstantial

evidence may provide proof of the conspiracy. The conduct of the

parties and the circumstances surrounding such conduct may

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create a web of evidence linking the accused to the alleged

conspiracy beyond a reasonable doubt.

Additionally[,] an agreement can be inferred from a variety of

circumstances including, but not limited to, the relation between

the parties, knowledge of and participation in the crime, and the

circumstances and conduct of the parties surrounding the criminal

episode. These factors may coalesce to establish a conspiratorial

agreement beyond a reasonable doubt where one factor alone

might fail.

Commonwealth v. Bricker, 882 A.2d 1008, 1017 (Pa. Super. 2005)

(internal citation omitted).

Furthermore, PWID is defined as follows:

(a) The following acts and the causing thereof within the

Commonwealth are hereby prohibited:

* * *

(30) Except as authorized by this act, the

manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to

manufacture or deliver, a controlled substance by a

person not registered under this act, or a practitioner

not registered or licensed by the appropriate State

board, or knowingly creating, delivering or possessing

with intent to deliver, a counterfeit controlled

substance.

18 P.S. § 780-113(a)(30).

In addressing this issue, the trial court provided the following analysis:

Under 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 903(a)(1), criminal conspiracy, the

Commonwealth does not have to prove that there was an express

agreement to perform the criminal act; rather, a shared

understanding that the crime would be committed is sufficient.

Commonwealth v. Nypaver, 69 A.3d 708 (Pa.Super. 2013).

There are four factors to be utilized in deciding if a conspiracy

existed: 1) an association between alleged conspirators; 2)

knowledge of the commission of the crime; 3) presence at the

scene of the crime; and 4) in some situations, participation in the

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object of the conspiracy. Commonwealth v. Feliciano, 67 A.3d

19, 25 (Pa.Super.2013). Here, [Appellant] had an association

with his co-defendants, in that they both testified to knowing

[Appellant] for years and bought drugs from him before. In fact,

[Tuff] testified that [Appellant] was his only supplier at the time.

As they were all in the vehicle when the deal occurred, then the

third factor is satisfied as they were at the scene of the crime. As

for the final two factors, all participants had knowledge of and

participation in the crime, as [Appellant] was the point of contact

for Tuff and Ditzler to obtain drugs for their own use and sale, and

both testified to contacting [Appellant] on the date of incident in

order to arrange for a sale.

While [Appellant] asserts that the testimony of the co-

conspirators only concerned a sale of heroin and there was no

express mention of an agreement to purchase heroin with

fentanyl, this argument is not persuasive. [Tuff] and [Ditzler]

testified that the only way they could tell exactly what the

substance was that they purchased was by ingestion. A jury could

reasonabl[y] infer from this testimony that [Appellant] conspired

to deliver heroin regardless of what it was mixed or cut with,

including fentanyl. Additionally, the conspiracy found only needs

to be an agreement to commit an unlawful act, which in this

instance was possession with the intent to deliver a controlled

substance. Whether that substance is heroin or heroin with

fentanyl is of no moment. By these facts, a jury could reasonably

find [Appellant] guilty of criminal conspiracy to deliver[] of heroin

with fentanyl beyond a reasonable doubt.

Trial Court Opinion, 5/30/19, at 9-10 (footnote omitted).

The statute defining the offense of possession with intent to deliver

proscribes delivery of a controlled substance. 18 P.S. 780-113(a)(3). The

provision itself does not designate the controlled substance. In other words,

the specific identity of the controlled substance is not an element of the

offense. The identity is only relevant for gradation and penalties based on the

relevant schedule. 18 P.S. § 780-104. Specifically, heroin is a Schedule I

substance, 18 P.S. § 780-104 (1)(ii)(10); Fentanyl is a schedule II substance,

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18 P.S. § 780-104(2)(ii)(6). Section 780-113(f)(1) provides the following with

regard to a violation of Section (a)(30) resulting from PWID of schedule I or

II controlled substances:

(f) Any person who violates clause (12), (14) or (30) of subsection

(a) with respect to:

(1) A controlled substance or counterfeit substance

classified in Schedule I or II which is a narcotic drug,

is guilty of a felony and upon conviction thereof shall

be sentenced to imprisonment not exceeding fifteen

years, or to pay a fine not exceeding two hundred fifty

thousand dollars ($250,000), or both or such larger

amount as is sufficient to exhaust the assets utilized

in and the profits obtained from the illegal activity.

35 P.S. § 780-113(f)(1) (internal footnote omitted).

The evidence of record, viewed in the light most favorable to the

Commonwealth, supports that conclusion that Appellant was in possession of

a controlled substance with intent to deliver it. Furthermore, as the trial court

explained, the elements of criminal conspiracy are also met. Accordingly, the

trial court did not err in concluding that there was sufficient evidence of record

to establish that Appellant had conspired to provide a controlled substance to

the victim.

The fact that the substance was heroin with fentanyl, not solely heroin,

is of no significance for purposes of establishing the elements of the statute.

Heroin and fentanyl are both controlled substances. Moreover, this Court has

explained:

A person who intends to possess a controlled substance, believes

he possesses a controlled substance, and in fact possesses a

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controlled substance is guilty of [possession of a controlled

substance]. The only knowledge that is required to sustain the

conviction is knowledge of the controlled nature of the substance.

The defendant need not know the chemical name or the precise

chemical nature of the substance.

Commonwealth v. Sweeting, 528 A.2d 978, 980 (Pa. Super. 1987). Thus,

the evidence supports the conclusion that the parties conspired to possess

with intent to deliver a controlled substance. Appellant is entitled to no relief

on this claim.

Appellant next contends that his convictions for possession with intent

to deliver and conspiracy were against the weight of the evidence. Appellant’s

Brief at 22. In support of his claim, Appellant argues that there was no

evidence presented that there was a conspiracy to deliver heroin with fentanyl.

Id. Appellant maintains that as a result, a verdict was entered “that was not

supported by any evidence and the [l]ower [c]ourt did not correct the error.

The decision of the [l]ower [c]ourt serves to shock one’s sense of justice.” Id.

at 23.

“A motion for a new trial based on a claim that the verdict is against the

weight of the evidence is addressed to the discretion of the trial court.”

Commonwealth v. Clay, 64 A.3d 1049, 1054-1055 (Pa. 2013).

An appellate court’s standard of review when presented with

a weight of the evidence claim is distinct from the standard of

review applied by the trial court:

Appellate review of a weight claim is a review of

the exercise of discretion, not of the underlying

question of whether the verdict is against the weight

of the evidence. Because the trial judge has had the

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opportunity to hear and see the evidence presented,

an appellate court will give the gravest consideration

to the findings and reasons advanced by the trial

judge when reviewing a trial court’s determination

that the verdict is against the weight of the evidence.

One of the least assailable reasons for granting or

denying a new trial is the lower court’s conviction that

the verdict was or was not against the weight of the

evidence and that a new trial should be granted in the

interest of justice.

Id. at 1055 (internal citations and emphasis omitted).

As discussed in our analysis of Appellant’s sufficiency-of-the-evidence

claim, evidence regarding the specific controlled substance delivered was

unnecessary for a conviction of the charged crime. As explained, both heroin

and fentanyl are controlled substances, possession and delivery of which are

proscribed by 18 Pa.C.S. § 780-113(a)(30). Moreover, we concluded that

there was sufficient evidence of record to convict Appellant of conspiracy to

deliver a controlled substance. As a result, Appellant’s contention that the

Commonwealth’s lack of evidence regarding an intent to deliver heroin with

fentanyl is of no moment, and does not result in the trial court’s conclusion

being against the weight of the evidence. Because we discern no abuse of

discretion, Appellant is entitled to no relief on this claim.

In his final issue, Appellant argues that the trial court abused its

discretion by sentencing him to seven to fourteen years of incarceration.

Appellant’s Brief at 17. Appellant asserts that the conspiracy conviction had

an offense gravity score of six, with the standard range of sentencing being

twenty-one to twenty-seven months. Id. Appellant states that he was

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sentenced to seven to fourteen years of incarceration. Id. However,

Appellant also acknowledges “that the maximum that Appellant could have

received on the [c]onspiracy charge was 15 years and the [c]ourt’s sentence

did not exceed this.” Id. at 17-18. Furthermore, Appellant argues that the

trial court erred because:

In the present case, it appears that the [c]ourt sentenced

Appellant by considering the totality of the charges as opposed to

what Appellant was found guilty of. In addition, by stressing

Appellant’s prior drug offenses the [c]ourt appeared to consider

the prior offenses not only in calculating a prior record but also in

going outside the aggravated range.

Id. at 18.

We note that “[t]he right to appellate review of the discretionary aspects

of a sentence is not absolute.” Commonwealth v. Zirkle, 107 A.3d 127,

132 (Pa. Super. 2014). Rather, where an appellant challenges the

discretionary aspects of a sentence, the appeal should be considered a petition

for allowance of appeal. Commonwealth v. W.H.M., 932 A.2d 155, 163 (Pa.

Super. 2007).

As we observed in Commonwealth v. Moury, 992 A.2d 162 (Pa.

Super. 2010):

An appellant challenging the discretionary aspects of his

sentence must invoke this Court’s jurisdiction by satisfying a four-

part test:

We conduct a four-part analysis to determine:

(1) whether appellant has filed a timely notice of

appeal, see Pa.R.A.P. 902 and 903; (2) whether the

issue was properly preserved at sentencing or in a

motion to reconsider and modify sentence, see

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Pa.R.Crim.P. 720; (3) whether appellant’s brief has a

fatal defect, Pa.R.A.P. 2119(f); and (4) whether there

is a substantial question that the sentence appealed

from is not appropriate under the Sentencing Code,

42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9781(b).

Id. at 170 (citing Commonwealth v. Evans, 901 A.2d 528, 533 (Pa. Super.

2006)).

Here, the first three requirements of the four-part test are met:

Appellant filed a timely appeal; Appellant preserved the issue of imposition of

an excessive sentence in his post-sentence motion; and Appellant included a

statement raising this issue in his brief pursuant to Rule 2119(f). Moury, 992

A.2d at 170. Therefore, we address whether Appellant raises a substantial

question requiring us to review the discretionary aspects of the sentence

imposed by the sentencing court.

“We examine an appellant’s Rule 2119(f) statement to determine

whether a substantial question exists.” Commonwealth v. Ahmad, 961

A.2d 884, 886-887 (Pa. Super. 2008). Allowance of appeal will be permitted

only when the appellate court determines that there is a substantial question

that the sentence is not appropriate under the Sentencing Code.

Commonwealth v. Hartle, 894 A.2d 800, 805 (Pa. Super. 2006). A

substantial question exists where an appellant sets forth a plausible argument

that the sentence violates a particular provision of the Sentencing Code or is

contrary to the fundamental norms underlying the sentencing process. Id.

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In his Pa.R.A.P. 2119(f) statement, Appellant asserts that the trial court

imposed a sentence of eighty-four to 168 months, which was beyond the

aggravated guidelines range. Appellant’s Brief at 14. Appellant further

maintains that the trial court erred for the following reasons:

The reasoning given by the [c]ourt was that Appellant had four

prior possession with intent to deliver charges. When Appellant

argued that this was taken into account with his prior record score,

the [c]ourt stated in its 1925 Opinion that “the fact that this

matter involved deadly drugs of opioids was also considered.” It

is well established that a [c]ourt cannot punish a defendant for

taking a case to trial. In this case, Appellant went to trial and was

found not guilty of three of the four charges. It is argued that by

imposing the sentence that the [c]ourt did, Appellant was

punished for charges in which he exercised his right to a trial and

was found not guilty.

Appellant’s Brief at 14-15.

Appellant’s claim raises a substantial question for our review. See

Commonwealth v. Rodda, 723 A.2d 212, 214 (Pa. Super. 1999) (“Where

the appellant asserts that the trial court failed to state sufficiently its reasons

for imposing sentence outside the sentencing guidelines, we will conclude that

the appellant has stated a substantial question for our review.”). Because

Appellant has presented a substantial question, we proceed with our analysis.

Where, as here, a court imposes a sentence outside of the Sentencing

Guidelines, the court must provide, in open court, a contemporaneous

statement of reasons in support of its sentence. 42 Pa.C.S. § 9721(b).

[A sentencing] judge ... [must] demonstrate on the record,

as a proper starting point, its awareness of the sentencing

guidelines. Having done so, the sentencing court may deviate

from the guidelines, if necessary, to fashion a sentence which

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takes into account the protection of the public, the rehabilitative

needs of the defendant, and the gravity of the particular offense

as it relates to the impact on the life of the victim and the

community, so long as it also states of record the factual basis

and specific reasons which compelled it to deviate from the

guideline range.

Commonwealth v. Bowen, 55 A.3d 1254, 1264 (Pa. Super. 2012) (citation

and brackets omitted).

Moreover, in Commonwealth v. Griffin, 804 A.2d 1 (Pa. Super. 2002),

a panel of this Court also stated:

[W]hen deviating from the sentencing guidelines, a trial judge

must indicate that he understands the suggested ranges.

Commonwealth v. Rodda, 1999 PA Super 2, 723 A.2d 212, 214

(Pa. Super. 1999) (en banc). However, there is no requirement

that a sentencing court must evoke “magic words” in a verbatim

recitation of the guidelines ranges to satisfy this requirement. Id.

at 215. Our law is clear that, when imposing a sentence, the trial

court has rendered a proper “contemporaneous statement” under

the mandate of the Sentencing Code “so long as the record

demonstrates with clarity that the court considered the sentencing

guidelines in a rational and systematic way and made a

dispassionate decision to depart from them.” Id. at 216.

Griffin, 804 A.2d at 8.

At the sentencing hearing, the trial court stated the following in imposing

Appellant’s sentence:

Presentence investigation report was ordered to be

completed prior to the sentencing. It is noted the [c]ourt reviewed

and considered its contents. [Appellant’s] prior record score is a

five. The charges before this [c]ourt for sentencing have the

following offense gravity score: CC delivery of heroin is a six.

* * *

Let me address a couple of matters before I impose the sentence.

The defense is right in part and not so right in part on one thing

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which is that the prior deliveries are already incorporated into the

prior record score. We don’t, you know, double that up in terms

of sentencing or aggravation. Defense is absolutely correct on

that.

However, what is not incorporated into the prior record

score is rehabilitative potential and remorse. Those are separate

considerations by the [c]ourt in terms of sentencing.

Rehabilitative potential and remorse do not set the prior record

score. That is a mathematical calculation based on prior record.

When a Defendant, any Defendant, commits the same crime

again and again, the same crime, the [c]ourt may properly weigh

that on the issue of remorse and rehabilitative potential the

likelihood that the Defendant will re-offend again. The [c]ourt

may properly consider that in regard to whether or not the

Defendant is a danger to the community.

And the [c]ourt is going to do so in this case. The fact that

[Appellant] has committed this same crime of felony drug offenses

and that this is his fifth PWID, the [c]ourt does consider to be an

aggravating factor in this case.

And when the fifth PWID involves the deadly drugs of heroin

and fentanyl, the [c]ourt may essentially consider that on his fifth

offense to be an aggravating factor due to the lack of rehabilitative

potential and the lack of remorse. And we will do so in this case.

The [c]ourt will not consider in any way and it would be

highly improper for the [c]ourt to consider the fact that

[Appellant] has pending charges. That is absolutely out of

bounds. I don’t care. [Appellant] is absolutely presumed to be

innocent of those pending charges. And it would be a tremendous

miscarriage of justice for merely pending charges to weigh into

this matter whatsoever and it will not. That shouldn’t have even

been in the PSI report. The [c]ourt will completely disregard that.

All right. What else? I need to make clear what we are

doing here and what we’re not doing here. The jury did not find

[Appellant] guilty of drug delivery resulting in death. This

[c]ourt’s sentence in no way is holding [Appellant] responsible for

[Gaskin’s] death. They found him guilty of criminal conspiracy of

the delivery of heroin with fentanyl. We can’t look behind that

verdict.

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* * *

[Appellant] has an extensive criminal background as an

adult going back to 2000 beginning with carrying a firearm without

a license. It is noted he has five PWIDs, the firearms offense.

He’s got terroristic threats from 2012 amongst a series of

misdemeanors for drug crimes, false swearing, and harassment.

He’s a career criminal. He has shown no rehabilitative potential

or remorse concerning the matter before this [c]ourt. He is

entitled to maintain his innocence on appeal. That’s a right that

he has and the [c]ourt will not hold that against him.

But the [c]ourt will note that he sought to impeach the

verdict in his PSI. With [Appellant’s] record of drug dealing, he

has demonstrated a lack of remorse and rehabilitation. His

disregard for public safety which is reflected not only in his drug

dealing but in his prior gun offenses and his threat offenses, the

[c]ourt finds that [Appellant] is an extreme risk to public safety.

He needs to be separated from society for an extensive period of

time to promote public safety.

He will be sentenced in the aggravated range to punish,

to deter him, to deter others from engaging in a lifetime of criminal

conduct, and to protect society from [Appellant] continuing to deal

deadly drugs.

Due to lack of remorse and lack of rehabilitative potential,

this [c]ourt is convinced that as soon as he is released from prison,

he will continue his criminal ways and he will continue to deal

deadly drugs to the public.

Taking all of these factors into consideration, as well as the

testimony of the witnesses . . . [t]hat [Appellant] was clearly

engaging in a life of dealing drugs and profiting from that drug

trade. This was not an isolated incident.

The [c]ourt sentences [Appellant] in 5344 of 2017, Count 3,

to a period of 7 to 14 years in a State Correctional Institution. A

$35,000 fine is imposed to ensure that he does not gain benefit of

his illicit drug proceeds. The court costs are assessed. He is not

RRRI eligible. He’ll have 475 days credit.

N.T., Sentencing, 12/19/18, at 6-12 (emphasis added).

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As indicated, Appellant was sentenced beyond the aggravated

Sentencing Guidelines range.6 There is no indication of record that the

sentencing judge was aware of the applicable guideline ranges, and the extent

of his deviation from the guidelines in sentencing Appellant. In fact, the trial

court stated that it was sentencing Appellant “in the aggravated range.” N.T.,

Sentencing, 12/19/18, at 12. We note that the trial court stated in its

Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a) opinion that “[t]he [c]ourt expressly stated on the record

its reasons for sentencing [Appellant] outside of the guideline ranges for his

conviction.” Trial Court Opinion, 5/30/19, at 8. A review of the sentencing

transcript, however, does not reflect that the trial court understood that it was

sentencing Appellant outside of the guideline ranges at the time of

sentencing.7

____________________________________________

6 For a conviction having a prior record score of five and an offense gravity

score of six, the standard minimum range is twenty-one to twenty-seven

months, and the aggravated range is twenty-seven to thirty-three months.

204 Pa.Code § 303.16(a). Appellant’s minimum sentence of eighty-four

months is beyond the aggravated range. We further note that Appellant’s

sentence was not illegal because it did not exceed the statutory maximum of

fifteen years. 18 Pa.C.S. § 905; 18 P.S. § 780-113(f)(1) (conviction of

conspiracy PWID for schedule I and II controlled substances carries a

maximum statutory sentence of fifteen years).

7 In Commonwealth v. Flowers, 149 A.3d 867 (Pa. Super. 2016), the trial

court failed to comply with the requirements of Section 9721(b) when it

sentenced the appellant outside of the guideline ranges. The trial court placed

its reasoning in its Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a) opinion, but this Court found that

statement to be insufficient because it was not given “in open court at the

time of sentencing,” vacated the judgment of sentence, and remanded for

resentencing. Id. at 876.

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In Commonwealth v. Byrd, 657 A.2d 961 (Pa. Super. 1995), this

Court dealt with a similar factual scenario.8 In Byrd, at sentencing the trial

court stated that it was sentencing the appellant in the aggravated range, but

in fact sentenced the appellant outside of the Sentencing Guidelines. Id. at

963. This Court reiterated that “[w]hile deviation from the guidelines is

permitted, the Sentencing Code requires that the court place of record its

reasons for such deviation.” Id. In vacating the appellant’s judgment of

sentence and remanding for resentencing, this Court explained:

Here, the sentencing transcript reveals that the sentencing

court failed to set forth in [the a]ppellant’s presence the

permissible range of sentences under the guidelines. Moreover,

while the sentencing court did provide reasons for the sentence

imposed, these reasons were advanced to support a sentence in

the aggravated range. Nowhere did the court indicate that it was

in fact sentencing [the a]ppellant outside of the guidelines and

provide a contemporaneous statement of its reason for such

deviation. Accordingly, we vacate the judgment of sentence and

remand for resentencing.

Id. at 964.

Thus, in the case sub judice, similar to Byrd, while the trial court

provided its reasons for the sentence at sentencing, these reasons were

advanced to support a sentence in the aggravated range. Nowhere did the

court indicate that it was in fact sentencing Appellant outside of the guidelines,

____________________________________________

8 This Court in Rodda affirmed the Byrd holding even after “dispel[ling] the

misconception . . . that a sentencing court must evoke ‘magic words’ in a

verbatim recitation of the guidelines range to satisfy the mandate of the

Sentencing Code.” Rodda, 723 A.2d at 215.

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nor did it provide a contemporaneous statement of its reasons for such

deviation. Accordingly, because the requirements of Section 9721(b) have

not been met, we are required to vacate the judgment of sentence and remand

for resentencing in compliance with the rules. This decision is not meant to

be interpreted as commentary or analysis of the length of the sentence

imposed. This decision notes only that the trial court must fulfill its duty to

provide a contemporaneous statement of reasons from deviating from the

guidelines at the time of imposition of sentence. Resentencing shall take place

within ninety days of the return of the certified record to the trial court.

Judgment of sentence vacated. This matter is remanded for

resentencing. Jurisdiction relinquished.

Judgment Entered.

Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.

Prothonotary

Date: 02/04/2020

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