recognizing that an appellant’s threat against a witness would have been admissible as substantive evidence of the appellant’s consciousness of guilt
How later courts described this case
- recognizing that an appellant’s threat against a witness would have been admissible as substantive evidence of the appellant’s consciousness of guilt
Written by the judges who cited it.
The opinion
J-S19033-16
NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
: PENNSYLVANIA
v. :
:
JAMES IYEKEKPOLOR, :
:
Appellant : No. 3150 EDA 2014
Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence September 18, 2014
in the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County,
Criminal Division, No(s): CP-51-CR-0011512-2012
BEFORE: BENDER, P.J.E., STABILE and MUSMANNO, JJ.
MEMORANDUM BY MUSMANNO, J.: FILED MAY 23, 2016
James Iyekekpolor (“Iyekekpolor”) appeals from the judgment of
sentence entered following his conviction of simple assault and recklessly
endangering another person (“REAP”).1 We affirm.
In its Opinion, the trial court summarized the factual history
underlying the instant appeal, which we incorporate herein by reference.
See Trial Court Opinion, 3/17/15, at 2-4 (unnumbered).
A jury convicted Iyekekpolor of the above-described charges. The trial
court sentenced Iyekekpolor to a prison term of one to two years for his
conviction of simple assault. For his conviction of REAP, the trial court
sentenced Iyekekpolor to a consecutive prison term of one to two years.
Iyekekpolor filed a post-sentence Motion, which the trial court denied.
Thereafter, Iyekekpolor filed the instant timely appeal, followed by a court-
1
18 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 2702, 2705.
J-S19033-16
ordered Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b) Concise Statement of matters complained of on
appeal.
Iyekekpolor presents the following claims for our review:
1. Did the trial court err by permitting the Commonwealth to
play a 911 recording wherein the caller was relaying information
that was relayed to her, and which she did not personally
observe, as such admission allowed the introduction of
inadmissible double hearsay?
2. Did the trial court err by ruling that an allegation from a
Commonwealth witness that [Iyekekpolor] encountered her after
her testimony would be admissible[,] even though the allegation
was uncorroborated, uncharged, and unproven?
Brief for Appellant at 4.
Iyekekpolor first claims that the trial court improperly admitted the
911 recording of a caller relaying information from a third person, under the
excited utterance exception to the rule against hearsay. Id. at 9.
Iyekekpolor states that the caller “was apparently inside the school and
relaying information to the police that she did not personally observe.” Id.
According to Iyekekpolor, the recording “does not evince that the caller was
suffering from or dominated by ‘nervous excitement.’” Id. at 10. Further,
Iyekekpolor argues, the caller did not actually experience the startling event.
Id. Because the caller did not witness the event, Iyekekpolor contends that
the evidence was inadmissible under this exception. Id. at 10-11.
Iyekekpolor further argues that the above evidence was not admissible
under the “present sense impression” exception to the rule against hearsay.
Id. at 11. Once again, Iyekekpolor bases his claim upon the fact that the
-2-
J-S19033-16
caller did not actually witness the event. Id. Iyekekpolor states that “this
does not satisfy the requirements of the exception that the declarant
‘perceive’ the event.” Id.
“The admissibility of evidence is at the discretion of the trial court and
only a showing of an abuse of that discretion, and resulting prejudice,
constitutes reversible error.” Commonwealth v. Glass, 50 A.3d 720, 724-
25 (Pa. Super. 2012) (citation and internal quotation marks omitted).
As this Court has explained,
[h]earsay is an out-of-court statement offered to prove the truth
of the matter asserted in the statement. As a general rule,
hearsay is inadmissible, because such evidence lacks guarantees
of trustworthiness fundamental to our system of jurisprudence.
The rule against admitting hearsay evidence stems from its
presumed unreliability, because the declarant cannot be
challenged regarding the accuracy of the statement. However,
certain exceptions have been fashioned to accommodate certain
classes of hearsay that are substantially more trustworthy than
hearsay in general, and thus merit exception to the hearsay rule.
Commonwealth v. Kuder, 62 A.3d 1038, 1055 (Pa. Super. 2013).
The excited utterance exception to the rule against hearsay applies
when there is a “statement relating to a startling event or condition, made
while the declarant was under the stress of the excitement that it caused.”
Pa.R.E. 803(2). There is no requirement that the statement describes or
explains the startling event or condition, but it does have to relate to it.
Pa.R.E. 803(2), cmt. Applying Rule 803(2), our Pennsylvania Supreme
Court has stated that a statement, made under the following circumstances,
is considered an excited utterance:
-3-
J-S19033-16
[A] spontaneous declaration by a person whose mind has been
suddenly made subject to an overpowering emotion caused by
some unexpected and shocking occurrence, which that person
has just participated in or closely witnessed, and made in
reference to some phase of that occurrence which he perceived,
and this declaration must be made so near the occurrence both
in time and place as to exclude the likelihood of its having
emanated in whole or in part from his reflective faculties….
Thus, it must be shown first, that [the declarant] had
witnessed an event sufficiently startling and so close in
point of time as to render her reflective thought processes
inoperable and, second, that her declarations were a
spontaneous reaction to that startling event.
Commonwealth v. Sherwood, 982 A.2d 483, 495-96 (Pa. Super. 2009)
(emphasis added, citation omitted). “The crucial question, regardless of
time lapse, is whether, at the time the statement is made, the nervous
excitement continues to dominate while the reflective processes remain in
abeyance.” Id.
Rule 803(1) permits the admissibility of a “present sense impression”
as an exception to the rule against hearsay. A present sense impression is
defined as “a statement describing or explaining an event or condition made
while the declarant was perceiving the event or condition, or
immediately thereafter.” Pa.R.E. 803(1) (emphasis added). The “declarant
need not be excited or otherwise emotionally affected by the event or
condition perceived.” Pa.R.E. 803(1), cmt.
At issue in this appeal is the trial court’s admission of the 911
telephone call identified at trial as “Track 3,” and designated as Trial Exhibit
C-8. The content of Track 3 is as follows:
-4-
J-S19033-16
[Dispatcher]: Philadelphia Police.
[Caller]: Hi, um, I have a parent fight out at 22 nd and Norris
Streets. There are adults beating each other up outside.
[Dispatcher]: I’m sorry, what’s going on?
[Caller]: Uh, there are adults beating each other up on the
corner of 22nd and Norris. I’m calling from [inaudible] Frederick
Douglas Charger School.
[Dispatcher]: Alright, we’ll be out there as soon as possible.
[Caller]: There, the man is bleeding severely.
[Dispatcher]: Do you need an ambulance?
[Caller]: Yes, hopefully, yes.
[Dispatcher]: Hold on.
[Caller]: Three men, two men on one, and one female.
[Call is transferred to Fire Department Dispatcher]
[Dispatcher]: Philadelphia Fire Department [inaudible] what’s
the address?
[Caller]: Hi, uh, it’s 2118 West Norris Street. There’s a man
severely beaten in the street, bleeding from the head.
[Dispatcher]: … West Norris Ma’am, or East Norris?
[Caller]: Yes. West Norris.
[Dispatcher]: He’s outside?
[Caller]: Yes, he’s outside on the street.
[Dispatcher]: Are they still going after him?
[Caller]: Uh, they just left. They just [] threw the weapon in
the yard and left.
-5-
J-S19033-16
[Dispatcher]: Ok was it a shooting or a stabbing?
[Caller]: I don’t know, it looked like um, I saw them throw a
metal rod in the field.
[Dispatcher]: Alright, does the man appear to be moving at all?
[Caller]: He is moving, he’s getting up, but his face is badly
beaten.
[Dispatcher]: Alright, is anybody over there with him?
[Caller]: There’s a female screaming. He’s, he’s disoriented,
he’s trying to stand up right now.
[Dispatcher]: Tell, tell her to keep him on the ground. Tell her
not to try to get up and move him.
[Caller]: OK[,] I’m actually, I don’t know that it’s safe for me to
go outside, um I’m looking through a window right now.
[Dispatcher]: Just tell her, tell her, tell the woman that is with
him to keep him on the ground, not to move him, tell him not to
try and get up. Somebody’s on the way over, the more he
moves the more likely he is to hurt himself.
[Caller is heard speaking to another person]
[Caller]: He stabbed her. He stabbed her, so there’s a
knife involved. Um, we’re going to lock down our building,
yeah, we’re going to lock down our building, I don’t think we
need to let our students out. Ok, um ….
[Dispatcher]: Did you say he’s armed with a knife?
[Caller]: Uh, there was a knife, I just got a report that
another observer saw a knife, so we need to lock down
the building [].
[Caller]: Um, I’m going to, do I need to stay on the phone with
you?
[Dispatcher]: Not unless you want to, ma’am.
-6-
J-S19033-16
[Caller]: Ok, ok[,] I’m going to go take care of the kids. Thank
you.
Trial Exhibit C-8 (admitted at N.T., 5/15/14, at 59) (emphasis added).
Our review of the record discloses that, contrary to Iyekekpolor’s
contention, the caller relayed her present sense impression of what was
taking place outside of the window. Further, the events that were relayed
by the caller were “sufficiently startling and so close in point of time as to
render her reflective thought processes inoperable[,]” and that were “a
spontaneous reaction to that startling event.” Sherwood, 982 A.2d at 96.
In the above-quoted 911 telephone conversation, the caller made one
statement referring to information relayed by a third person. Specifically,
the 911 caller referred to having received confirmation that a knife was
involved in the altercation. Trial Exhibit C-8. Upon our review, we conclude
that any error in the admission of this statement constituted harmless error.
As our Supreme Court has recognized,
[h]armless error exists if the record demonstrates either: (1) the
error did not prejudice the defendant or the prejudice was de
minimis; or (2) the erroneously admitted evidence was merely
cumulative of other untainted evidence which was substantially
similar to the erroneously admitted evidence; or (3) the properly
admitted and uncontradicted evidence of guilt was so
overwhelming and the prejudicial effect of the error was so
insignificant by comparison that the error could not have
contributed to the verdict.
Commonwealth v. Hairston, 84 A.3d 657, 671-72 (Pa. 2014) (citation
omitted).
-7-
J-S19033-16
Here, the caller’s mention of a knife was cumulative to the testimony
of other, properly admitted evidence. See N.T., 5/14/14, at 28 (wherein
witness Regina Anderson testified as to the use of a knife during the
altercation); see also N.T., 5/15/14, at 24 (wherein Detective Sean
McCaffery testified that he found a knife in a vehicle at the scene), 29
(wherein Officer John Monahan (“Officer Monahan”) testified that he
observed cuts on Iyekekpolor), 34 (wherein Officer Monahan testified that a
person at the scene directed him to the knife located in Iyekekpolor’s
vehicle). Further, the caller, herself, stated that a person had been
“stabbed.” Trial Exhibit C-8. Because the caller’s relay of information
regarding a knife was cumulative to other, properly admitted evidence, we
conclude that any error in its admission was harmless. See Hairston, 84
A.3d at 671-72. Accordingly, we cannot grant Iyekekpolor relief on this
claim.
Iyekekpolor next claims that the trial court improperly admitted
testimony regarding an encounter between Commonwealth witness Regina
Anderson (“Anderson”) and Iyekekpolor following Anderson’s testimony.
Brief for Appellant at 12. According to Iyekekpolor, the Commonwealth
sought leave of court to present “this supposed evidence of ‘witness
intimidation,’ but in arguing its position, conceded that it could not do so in
its case-in-chief because the alleged ‘bad act’ was as of then unproven.” Id.
Iyekekpolor challenges the trial court’s ruling that Anderson’s allegation
-8-
J-S19033-16
would be admissible as evidence of Iyekekpolor’s consciousness of guilt. Id.
Iyekekpolor contends that, because Anderson’s testimony had concluded,
Iyekekpolor could not have affected her testimony. Id. at 12-13.
In its Opinion, the trial court addressed Iyekekpolor’s claim, and
concluded that it lacks merit. See Trial Court Opinion, 3/17/15, at 11-12
(unnumbered). We agree with the sound reasoning of the trial court, as set
forth above, and affirm on this basis with regard to Iyekekpolor’s second
claim. See id.; see also Commonwealth v. Rickabaugh, 706 A.2d 826,
839 (Pa. Super. 1997) (recognizing that an appellant’s threat against a
witness would have been admissible as substantive evidence of the
appellant’s consciousness of guilt).
Judgment of sentence affirmed.
Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary
Date: 5/23/2016
-9-
Circulated 04/20/2016 03:25 PM
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
FOR THE FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRIC.T OF PENNSYL
TRIAL DIVISION - CRIMINAL
v ANI~
.
'L. E·. 0.
J . ··
COMMONWEALTH . -~-"_,CP-51-CR-0011512-201.
· ~: MAR
. . 1 7 2015
F t;r,mm:a! Appeals Unit
v. irst Jud1c1al District of PA
JAMES IYEKEKPOLOR /
COMMONWEALTH CP-51-CR-OO11513-2012
··~::·
CP-51.CR-0011512-2012 Comm. v. lyekekpolor. James
v. Memorandum Opinion
RICHARD SCHENCK
1111111111111111 II I I I I
7270644471
Ill
MEMORANDUM OPINION
CAMPBELL, J March 11 , 2015
Proc~dural History
Defendants James Iyekekpolor and Richard Schenck were charged with aggravated
assault and related offenses occurring on September 6, 2012.
On May 12, 2014, the case proceeded to triaroefore this Court, sitting with a jury. On
May 19, 2014, the jury returned its verdicts. Defendant Iyekekpolor was convicted of simple
assault (18 Pa.C.S. § 2702) and recklessly endangering another person (18 Pa.C.S. § 2705)
(REAP). Defendant Schenck was convicted of possession of an instrument of a crime ( 18
Pa.C.S. § 907(A)) (PIC), simple assault (18 Pa.C.s:·'§'~2702), and REAP.
On September 18, 2014, Iyekekpolor was sentenced to 1-2 years incarceration on the
simple assault and 1-2 years on the REAP. The sentences were to run consecutively, for an
aggregate sentence of 2-4 years incarceration.
lyekekpolor's post-sentence motion for recoifsideration of sentence was filed on
September 23, 2014. The motion for reconsideration was denied on September 24, 2014.
A timely Notice of Appeal was filed on behalf oflyekekpolor on October 21, 2014.
On November 4, 2014, the Court entered an order directing the filing of a Statement of
Matters Complained of on Appeal, pursuant to Pa.R.~_.P. 1925(b). The time for filing the Rule
l 925(b) statement was extended by order dated December 1 7, 2014
On November 6, 2014, Schenck was sentenced to 2 Y2 - 5 years incarceration on the PIC
charge, 1-2 years on the simple assault and 1-2 years on the REAP. The sentences were each to
run consecutively, for an aggregate sentence of 4 h.::.-'c.2 years incarceration.
A timely Notice of Appeal was filed on behalf of Schenck on November 19, 2014.
On December 17, 2014, the Court entered an order directing the filing of a Statement of
Matters Complained of on Appeal, pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. l 925(b ).
On January 29, 2015, a Statement.pursuant _to~Ra.R.A.P. l 925(b) was filed on behalf of
Schenck.
On February 2, 2015, a Statement pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. l 925(b) was filed on behalf of
Iyekekpolor.
FactualHistory
The evidence adduced at trial, viewed in the light most favorable to the Commonwealth
as the verdict winner, established the following:
On the afternoon of September 6, 2012, Defendant Iyekekpolor was at the Frederick
Douglas School, where his five year old gaughter is,,~ student. The child's mother is Shakera
·····-·
Pritchett. N.T 5/13/14, pp. 51. Ms. Pritchett is the girlfriend of Complainant, Theodore Long.
N.T. 5/13/14, pp. 53. Defendant Iyekekpolor had full custody of the child. N.T. 5/13/14, pp. 51-
54.
Pritchett and Long arrived at the school to pick up the child. Pritchett noticed Defendant
'!-~· .,,··-~~r.'1-
...
Iyekekpolor's vehicle outside. She entered the school where she encountered Defendant
Iyekekpolor. When he saw Pritchett, he said "Bitch, you're next" and started walking toward
her. Pritchett left the school and walked toward Long, as Defendant Iyekekpolor followed.
Long stepped between them and a "tussle" ensured. N.T. 5/13/14, pp. 54-55, 92-93; N.T.
,,-•~0\j.s,<··
5/14/14, pp. 59-61, 77-78, 94. Defendant Iyekekpolor pulled out a knife and cut Long in the face,
near his left eye. N.T. 5/13/14, pp. 55; N.T. 5/14/14, pp. 61-62, 78-79, 97.
Defendant Schenck then approached with an object that appeared to be a stick, but which
proved to be a crowbar, which he swung,~ striking ~ong on the arm and Pritchett on the leg. N.T.
~-::,,4;.,·,
5/13/14, pp. 55, 57-59; N.T. ~/14/14, pp. 37, 45, 63, 79. Pritchett tried to pull Iyekekpolor off
of Long, but she got hit in the head and recalls nothing after that. N.T. 5/13/14, pp. 59, 63. At
some point the knife was grabbed by Long, who used it against Iyekekpolor, before it was taken
away from him. N.T. 5/13/14, pp. 82-84; N.T. 5/14/14, pp. 64-65, 85-86, 99-100. Long
"'~' .. --,.~,iz:'1,'t
suffered cuts to his face, fractures to his skull, a fractured arm requiring surgical insertion of a
rod, injury to his leg, a broken nose, fractured jaw, and multiple other cuts, contusions and
abrasions. N.T. 5/14/14, pp. 57, 67-72. Defendant Iyekekpolor suffered multiple stab wounds
to his left chest, left arm, left hand, right hand and left leg. N.T. 5/15/14, pp. 90-91.
Police Officer Daniel Rivera, along with his partner Officer Monahan, responded to a
radio call of a fight on the highway. As the officers approached the school at 22nd and Norris
Streets in Philadelphia they were flagged down by a woman in obvious distress, who had blood
spatter on her clothing and appeared disarrayed. N.T. 5/13/14, pp. 9-10. This woman proved to
be Shakera Pritchett. N. T. 5/13/14, pp. 51.
The officers observed three men who appeared to be fighting; two were bloody and
appeared wounded in some way. N.T. 5/13/14, pp. 10-11, 24, 28-29, 32. The officers separated
the three and placed Long in the back of the radio patrol car (RPC). Long was bleeding heavily
from the face and head and there was blood all over his clothing. Defendant Iyekekpolor was
also bleeding from stab wounds to his chest, and Defendant Schenck had blood spattered on him.
N.T. 5/13/14, pp. 10-11. There were heavy areas of blood at the scene, and a crowbar with blood
on it. N.T. 5/13/14, pp. 12-15.
The officers were informed that a knife that had been used in the fight had been dropped
in the back of a vehicle later determined to belong to Defendant Iyekekpolor. Officer Monahan
looked through the window of the vehicle and observed the knife. N.T. 5/13/14, pp. 15, 33-35;
N.T. 5/15/14, pp. 24-28. Defendant Schenck threw the crowbar over a gate into the schoolyard.
N.T. 5/14/14, pp. 33-34.
.-'~~~~~-
Ms. Pritchett identified Defendants to the officers as having attacked her boyfriend,
Theodore Long. N.T. 5/13/14, p. 20.
Because of his injuries, Long was transported to Temple University Hospital Emergency
Room by other officers who had responded to the scene. N.T. 5/13/14, pp. 19-20.
Discussion
Defendant Schenck raises four issues: 1) Evidence was insufficient to disprove defense of
justification; 2) Error to permit introduction of complete 911 tapes (also raised by Iyekekpolor);
3) Error to permit statement of Commonwealth witness regarding prior uncharged assaultive
conduct; 4) Failure to give a missing witness instruction (also raised by Iyekekpolor).
Defendant Iyekekpolor raises three additional issues: 1) Error to permit evidence of
Defendant's alleged statement to a Commonwealth witness; 2) Denial of mistrial based upon
allegedly improper statement of prosecutor; 3) Sentence constituted an abuse of discretion where
it exceeded aggravated range of Sentencing Guidelines and where Defendant was improperly
declared ineligible for boot camp.
1. The evidence was sufficient.to disprove.j:efense of justification(Schenck).
A claim challenging the sufficiency of the evidence presents a question oflaw.
Commonwealth v. Widmer, 560 Pa. 308, 744 A.2d 745, 751 (2000). We must determine "whether
the evidence is sufficient to prove every element of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt."
Commonwealth v. Hughes, 521 Pa. 423, .555 A.2d 1264, 1267 (1989). We "must view evidence
·-,;-,;.,,~;~·
in the light most favorable to the Commonwealth as the verdict winner, and accept as true all
evidence and all reasonable inferences therefrom upon which, if believed, the fact finder
. properly could.have based its verdict." Id.
Our Supreme Court has instructed:
[T]he 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. Moreover, in applying the above test, the entire record
must be evaluated and all evidence actually received must be considered. Finally,
the trier of fact while passing upon the credibility of witnesses and the weight of
the evidence produced, is free to believe all,._paii or none of the evidence.
Commonwealth v. Ratsamy, 594 Pa. 176, 934 A.2d 1233, 1236 n. 2 (2007).
Commonwealth v. Thomas, 65 A.3d 939, 943 (Pa. Super. 2013).
18 Pa.C.S. § 506, relating to use of force for the protection of other persons, provides:
(a) General rule. -- The use of force upon or toward the person of another is justifiable
to protect a third person when: ,_ '"'"~,,.,
(1) the actor would be justified under section 505 (relating to use of force in self-
protection) in using such force to protect himself against the injury he believes to be
threatened to the person whom he seeks to protect;
(2) under the circumstances as the actor believes them to be, the person whom he
seeks to protect would be justified in using such protective force; and
(3) the actor believes that his intervention is necessary for the protection of such
other person.
(b) Exception. -- Notwithstanding subsection (a), the actor is not obliged to retreat to
any greater extent than the person whom he seeks to protect.
The Supreme Court has recently explained:
To prevail on a justification defense, the defendant must show (1) he reasonably believed
he [or the person he sought to protect] was in imminent danger of death or serious bodily
injury and that it was necessary to use ... force against the victim to prevent such harm;
(2) he [ or the person he sought to protect] was free from fault in provoking the difficulty;
and (3) he [ or the person he sought to protect] did not violate any duty to retreat.
Commonwealth v. Sepulveda, 618 Pa. 262, 55 A.3d 1108, 1124 (2012). Moreover, the
Commonwealth sustains its burden of disproving self-defense if it proves any of the
following: "that the [defendant or'the personhe sought to protect] was not free from fault
in provoking or continuing the difficulty which resulted in the [injury]; that the
[defendant] did not reasonably believe that [he or the person he sought to protect] was in
imminent danger of death or great bodily harm, and that it was necessary to [ use force] in
order to save [himself or another] therefrom; or that the [ defendant] violated a duty to
retreat or avoid the danger." Id. at 1124 (quotation, quotation marks, footnote omitted).
Commonwealth v. Spatz, 84 A.3d 294, 316 n. 16 (Pa. 2014). See also Commonwealth v. Cooke,
405 A.2d 1290 (Pa. Super. 1979).
Here there was ample evidence demonstrating that Defendant Schenk, and Iyekekpolor,
the person Schenck allegedly sought to protect, were not free from fault in continuing the
incident. To the contrary, the evidence established that Defendant Iyekekpolor started the
confrontation, pulled a knife and was inflicting life-threatening injuries upon the yet unarmed
Long, before Schenck joined the attack on Long. Under these circumstances the jury could have
reasonably found both that there was insufficient evidence of justification. If the jury found that
there was a viable justification defense, it could have reasonably concluded that the
Commonwealth's evidence disproved the defense beyond a reasonable doubt as to both
Iyekekpolor (as the person initiating and continuing the assault) and Schenk (as the seeking to
protect him). The jury could have also reasonably concluded that the Commonwealth's evidence
disproved beyond a reasonable doubt that Long posed an imminent threat of serious bodily injury
necessitating the use of force by Iyekekpolor and Schenk.
2. It was not error to permit introduction of complete 911 tapes. (Schenck and
Iyekekpolor).
It is axiomatic that the admissibility of evidence is solely within the discretion of the trial
abused its discretion. Commonwealth v.
court and will be reversed only if the trial-~,· court has •:'"s.~_cce.·
Seilhamer, 862 A.2d 1263, 1270 (Pa. Super. 2004).
Here, the Commonwealth was permitted to play the 911 tapes reflecting persons calling
in to report the incident. The tapes were admissible both as excited utterances and present sense
impressions under Pa.R.E. 803(1) and (2),:
An excited utterance, as an exception to the hearsay rule, is "a statement relating to a
startling event or condition made while the declarant was under the stress of excitement caused
by the event or condition . ." Pa.RE,, Rule 803(2). The Comment to this exception states that "this
exception has a more narrow base than the exception for a present sense impression, because it
"-">., _,-,;'."'',Y.;;:ef
requires an event or condition that is startling." Id., Comment-1998 (emphasis in original).
Further, "an excited utterance (1) need not describe the startling event; it need only relate to it,
and (2) need not be made contemporaneously with, or immediately after, the startling event. Id.
(emphasis in original); see also Commonwealth v. Carmody, 799 A.2d 143 (Pa. Super. 2002).
·:.;..-..
With respect to excited utterances by unidentified bystanders, the law in Pennsylvania
has evolved to add an additional proofrequirement for admissibility. In order to assure
that an unidentified bystander actually witnessed an event which is relevant at the time of
trial, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has held that that it is incumbent upon the party
seeking the admission of the out-of-court statement to demonstrate by the use of "other
corroborating evidence" that the declarant actually viewed the event "of which he
speaks." Carney v. Pennsylvania Railroad Co., 428 Pa. 489, 496, 240 A.2d 71, 75 (1968).
In Upshur, the Superior Court, relying uporf'Garney, ruled that it was reversible error to
admit this type of statement pursuant to the res gestae exception when "the out-of-court
assertion by the unidentified bystander did not demonstrate that the declarant actually
viewed the event of which he spoke". Upshur, 764 A.2d at 75 (citing Carney); see also
Williamson v. Philadelphia Transportation Co., 244 Pa. Super. 492, 368 A.2d 1292 (Pa.
Super. 1976).
Commonwealth v. Hood, 872 A.2d 175, 181-182 (Pa. Super. 2005).1
I "Pa.R.E.Rule 803(1 ), the present sense impression exception to the rule against hearsay, does not explicitly adopt
The present sense impression exception to the-rule against hearsay, under Pa.R.E., Rule
803(1 ), allows the admission of "a statement describing or explaining an event or condition
made while the declarant was perceiving the event or condition, or immediately thereafter .... "
regardless of the availability of the declarant to testify at trial. The observation must be made at
the time of the event or shortly thereafter, making it unlikely that the declarant had the
opportunity to form an intent to misstate his observation. Consequently, the trustworthiness of
the statement depends upon the timing of the declaration. Commonwealtn v. Gray, 867 A.2d 560
(Pa. Super. 2005).
Another Court of Common Pleasfaced a similar questions regarding a 911 tape. Judge
Manning wrote:
The 911 tape was admissible as a present sense impression. Pa. R. Evid. 803 ( 1 ).
Commonwealth v. Cunningham, 2002 PA Super 249, 805 A.2d 566 (Pa.Super. 2002). In
Cunningham, the Court held that the tape of a 911 call made by witnesses to a robbery
was admissible as a present sense impression. The present sense impression exception to
the hearsay rule permits testimony of declarations concerning conditions or non-exciting
events observed by the declarant. Commonwealth v. Harper, 419 Pa. Super. 1, 614 A.2d
1180, 1183 (1992). The observation must be made at the time of the event or so shortly
thereafter that it is unlikely that the declarant had the opportunity to form the purpose of
misstating his observation. Commonwealth v. Blackwell, 343 Pa. Super. 201, 494 A.2d
426, 431 (1985). In addition, the present sense impression does not require that the
comments be made to another person also present at the scene, but may be made over the
telephone. Commonwealth v. Harris, 442 Pa. Super. 6, 658 A.2d 392, 395 (1995). Here,
the witness was describing the events as they.were occurring. Clearly, she did not have
the opportunity to reflect on what she saw and form a purpose for misstating her
observation. The fact that she was available as a witness was immaterial.
Commonwealth v. Poplawski, 2012 Pa. Dist. & Cnty. Dec. LEXIS 434, 34-35 (Pa. County Ct.
2012).
Here, we concluded that the multiple calls, .the.coordination of the information with the
testimony of known witnesses, as well as the majority of the 911 calls which qualified as present
sense impressions, provided the necessary corroboration to admit the calls as both excited
the Carney rule, and no case subsequent to codification has done so either." Commonwealth v. Hood, 872 A.2d at
183.
·-~-·
utterances and present sense impressions.
3. It was not error to permit statement of Commonwealth witness regarding prior
uncharged assaultive conduct. (Schenck) .
.-. . -:~,-
Defendant Schenk objects to a reference in Complainant Long's statement, which was
published to the jury, which refers to a prior instance of assaultive conduct by Defendant
Iyekekpolor against Ms. Pritchett.
First, we cannot see how admission of that portion of the statement prejudiced Schenck.
-~· ,.;;11,"'."1'ii:•'"'f
Moreover, the statement regarding Long's knowledge was admissible to explain Long's state of
mind when he stepped between the fleeing Ms. Pritchett and the angry Mr. Iyekekpolor who was
pursuing her.
In discussing similar evidence of physical conduct in a domestic relationship, the
Supreme Court stated:
While it is true that evidence of prior crimes and bad acts is generally inadmissible if
offered for the sole purpose of demonstrating the defendant's bad character or criminal
propensity, the same evidence may be admissible where relevant for another purpose.
Pa.R.E. 404(b)(2); Kemp, 753 A.2d at 1284. Examples of other such relevant purposes
include showing the defendant's motive in committing the crime on trial, the absence of
~istake or acciden~, a common scheme or ~~~n, or to establish identity. Releva~t to the
mstant case, the evidence may also be admitted where the acts were part of a chain or
sequence of events that formed the history of the case and were part of its natural
development. Kemp, 753 A.2d at 1284. Of course, in addition to the relevance
requirement, any ruling on the admissibility of evidence is subject to the probative
value/prejudicial effect balancing that attends all evidentiary rulings. See Pa.R.E. 403;
Commonwealth v. Dallman, 518 Pa. 86, 541 A.2d 319, 321-22 (Pa. 1988).
Commonwealth v. Powell, 956 A.2d 406," 419 (Pa. 2-.Q.08). , .......'.!'·~~
Here, the evidence was admissible as part of showing the nature of the relationship,
including events even earlier that day, that caused Complainant Long to be concerned for the
safety of Ms. Pritchett and the intentions of Defendant Iyekekpo!or, and which played a role in
prompting him to get between his girlfriend and Iyekekpolor.
--- ,~-
4. It was not error to deny the request for a missing witness instruction. (Schenck
and Iyekekpolor).
Defendants assert that the Court should have given a missing witness instruction to the
jury in regard to the persons heard in the 911 tapes, and as to an unknown person who spoke to
Police Officer Monahan at the scene. N.T. 5/13/14, pp. 25-27.
The missing witness advers~ infe.:,~nce rule provides that, when a potential witness is
~~··;...;.-..:·
available to only one of the parties to a trial, and it appears that the witness has special
information material to the issues at trial, and the witness's testimony would not merely be
cumulative, if such party does not produce the testimony of this witness, the jury may draw an
inference that the witness's testimony would have been unfavorable to the party having control of
··;~,.
the witness. Commonwealth v. Boyle, 733 A.2d 633, 638 (Pa. Super. 1999).
The missing witness instruction is not proper where: (1) the witness is so hostile or
prejudiced against the party expected to call him that there is a small possibility of obtaining
unbiased truth; (2) the testimony of such a witness is comparatively unimportant, cumulative, or
inferior to that already presented; (3) the uncalled witness is equally available to both parties; (4)
there is a satisfactory explanation as to why the party failed to call such a witness; (5) the witness
is not available or not within the control of the party against whom the negative inference is
desired; and (6) the testimony of the uncalled witness is not within the scope of the natural
interest of the party failing to produce him. Commonwealth v. Evans, 664 A.2d 570, 573-574
(Pa. Super. 1995).
Here, there was nothing to show that the 911 callers or the person Officer Monahan spoke
to at the scene were available or within the control of the Commonwealth. Likewise, as to the
latter, even if the identify was known and the person was in control of the Commonwealth, the
testimony is not within the scope of the Commonwealth's interest.
The point is that the where a witness is in available to and in control of a party, to the
exclusion of the opposing party, and that witness would reasonably be expected to support the
non-calling party's case, then, and only then, would a missing witness instruction be appropriate.
Because those factors were not present in this case, a missing witness instruction was
inappropriate and it was not en-or to refuse to deliver such an instruction to the jury.
5. It was not error to permit evidence of Defendant lyekekpolor's alleged statement
to a Commonwealth witness. (Iyekekpolor).
During a lunch break in the trial proceedings, Defendant Iyekekpolor confronted
Commonwealth witness Regina Anderson, who had-testified that morning. According to Ms.
Anderson, as proffered by the Commonwealth: "Regina Anderson was approached by Mr.
Iyekekpolor at which point he stated to her, 'I know you be around that area. I know where you
be at. Stop. Stop."' N.T. 5/14/14, p. 115. Based upon the information, the Court revoked
Defendant's bail and the Commonwealthindicated that it intended to recall Ms. Anderson in
rebuttal.
The following morning Defendant Iyekekpolor moved in limine to preclude Ms.
Anderson from testifying. N.T. 5/15/14, pp. 4-9. The Commonwealth indicated that it intended
to recall Anderson and present her testimony about the-alleged conversation as evidence of
Defendant Iyekekpolor' s consciousness of guilt. N. T. 5/15/14, p. 9. The Court denied the
motion and ruled that if the Commonwealth called the witness, the Court would charge the jury
that it may consider the evidence as consciousness of guilt. N.T. 5/15/14, p. 10. Apparently, this
ruling, and the decision of the Commonwealth to rest.without calling Ms. Anderson, prompted
Defendant, in consultation with his counsel, to decide not to testify and to not call character
witnesses on his behalf. See N.T. 5/14/14, pp. 115-124; N.T. 5/15/14, pp. 76, 79-86.
Threats against a Commonwealth witness by a defendant are admissible to demonstrate
consciousness of guilt. Commonwealth v-Johnson, 8~8 A.2d 663, 680 (Pa. 2003). For whatever
reason, the Commonwealth elected not to present such testimony in its case in chief, although it
could have done so then or in rebuttal. Defendant Iyekekpolor was free to take the stand and to
present character testimony. However, under these circumstances, he made a strategic decision
to deprive the Commonwealth of the opportunity to present the testimony of threats to its
witness, by electing not to testify or present character evidence.
·~·
The decision to permit the Commonwealth to present the admissible threats evidence was
correct. That this correct evidentiary ruling created a quandary for Defendant which he resolved
by withholding his evidence does not establish en-or.
6. It was not error to deny the motion for a mistrialbased upon the allegedly
improperstatementof prosecutor.(Iyekekpolor),
Following closing arguments Defendants moved for a mistrial based upon the prosecutor
saying that the defendants had the "audacity" to claim they were acting in self-defense. N.T.
5/15/14, pp. 98-99.
Ideally, it might have been preferable for the Commonwealth not to suggest that the
defense asserted by Defendants was audacious. However, we think that the line of argument was
a fair comment on the defense of justification and self-defense outlined and advocated by
Defendants.
A prosecutor is permitted to comment and respond to the defense in closing, and even
" [a] remark by a prosecutor, otherwise improper, may be appropriate if it is in fair response to
the argument and comment of defense counsel.'' Commonwealth v. Trivigno, 750 A.2d 243, 249
(Pa. 2000) (plurality opinion).
Accordingly, the motion for a mistrial based upon the prosecutor's closing was
appropriately denied.
7. The court did not abuse its discretionin sentencing Defendantlyekekpolor.
On September 18, 2014, Defendant Iyekekpolor was sentenced to 1-2 years incarceration
on the simple assault and 1-2 years on the REAP. The.sentences were each to run consecutively,
for an aggregate sentence of 2-4 years incarceration. Defendant asserts that this sentence, which
was well in excess of the Sentencing Guidelines range.' constituted a "make-up" sentence, based
on impermissible factors, including the weapons involved in the incident, the conduct of the co-
defendant, the nature of the injuries incurred by Complainant, and Defendant's mid-trial threats
to a Commonwealth witness. Defendant's Post-Sentence Motion,~~ 7-10.
In fashioning a sentence, "[tjhe court e court.shall follow the general principle that the
sentence imposed should call for confinement that is consistent with the protection of the public,
the gravity of the offense as it relates to the impact on the life of the victim and on the
community, and the rehabilitative needs of the defendant." 42 Pa.C.S. § 9721(b).
This Court did just that. As noted-at the time.of sentencing, the conduct for which
Defendant was convicted was "far beyond the heartland of the guidelines.". N.T. 12/18/14, p. 22.
In determining the appropriate sentence here, we considered:. the fact that Defendant and his
uncle assaulted Mr. Long with a knife and a crowbar; caused him to suffer multiple stab wounds,
multiple fractures and other injuries; that-the criminal.conduct occurred in front of a school, at
dismissal time, in the presence of children and their families; that numerous people were so
distressed by the conduct they observed that they called 911; and that the conduct by Defendant
was lawless and defiant. We also considered the long-term effects of the injuries to Mr. Long,
including the change to his speech from his injuries.cly.T. 12/18/14, pp. 22-23. We also
considered the conduct of Defendant in approaching and threatening Commonwealth witness
Anderson right after she gave evidence against him at trial. N.T. 12118/14,p. 24.
The Court also concluded that society needed to be protected from Defendant and
expressed its hope that the period incarceration would.have a rehabilitative effect that would
enable him to come back and not be dangerous. N. T. 12/18/14, p. 24.
The conduct here constituted a most egregious example of simple assault and REAP.
2 Defendant's Offense Gravity Score was 3, and his Prior Record Score was 0, yielding a Guideline range of RS- I
plus or minus 3.
·,·~·~·
Commonwealth v. James Iyekekpolor CP-51-CR-11512-2012
Commonwealth v. Richard Schenck Case Number: CP-51-CR-11513-:-2012
rRooF oF··'sE::Rv1cE
I hereby certify that I am this day serving the foregoing upon the person(s), and in the
manner indicated above, which service satisfies the requirements of Pa.R.Crim.P.114:
Defense Counsel/Party:
Todd Mosser, Esquire
2 Penn Center.Suite 1723'""--t
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Counsel for Defendant, James Jyekekpolar
Aaron Charles Finestone, Esquire
P.O. Box 22392
Philadelphia, PA 19110
Counsel for Defendant, Richard Schenck
Type of Service: ( ) Personal (X) First Class Mail
District Attorney:
Hugh Burns, Esquire
Office of the District Attorney
Three South Penn Square ,-,.-
0 .... ,
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Type of Service ( ) Personal (X) First Class Mail
Dated: March 17, 2015
Vanessa A. Montone
Judicial Secretary to
Honorable Giovanni 0. Campbell