Com. v. Davis, G.

J-S70034-16

NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF

: PENNSYLVANIA

v. :

:

GARY DAVIS, :

:

Appellant : No. 238 EDA 2016

Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence August 18, 2015

in the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County,

Criminal Division, No(s): CP-51-CR-0002634-2013

BEFORE: OLSON, OTT and MUSMANNO, JJ.

MEMORANDUM BY MUSMANNO, J.: FILED OCTOBER 19, 2016

Gary Davis (“Davis”) appeals the judgment of sentence imposed

following his conviction of murder of the third degree and possessing an

instrument of crime.1 We affirm.

In its Opinion, the trial court set forth in detail the relevant factual and

procedural history, which we adopt for the purpose of this appeal. See Trial

Court Opinion, 3/4/16, at 2-21.

On appeal, Davis raises the following issues for our review:

I. Did the lower court err in permitting the Commonwealth to

introduce evidence that members of [Davis’s] and [Irving

Vaughn’s (“Vaughn”)] families were involved in an ongoing

dispute arising out of alleged drug dealing activities[,]

where this evidence failed to satisfy the admissibility

requirements of Pa.R.E. 403 and 404?

1

See 18 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 2502(c), 907(a). Although Davis was convicted of

additional related offenses, he does not challenge those convictions in this

appeal.

J-S70034-16

II. Was the evidence sufficient to support [Davis’s]

convictions for third-degree murder and possessing an

instrument of crime[,] where the Commonwealth failed to

prove beyond a reasonable doubt that [Davis] did not

justifiably act in self-defense at the time of the shooting?

III. Did the lower court abuse its discretion in sentencing

[Davis] to a manifestly excessive aggregate sentence of 30

to 60 years imprisonment[,] where the court based its

sentence solely on the seriousness of the offense and its

impact on [Vaughn’s] family[,] and failed to consider all

relevant sentencing factors, including [Davis’s] serious

mental health issues, lack of a criminal record for violent

offenses, and his expressions of remorse?

Brief for Appellant at 5 (capitalization omitted).

In his first issue, Davis contends that the trial court erred by ruling

that the Commonwealth could elicit testimony at trial that Davis and Vaughn

were members of rival drug dealing groups. Id. at 11. Davis points to the

trial court’s determination that the evidence was admissible because

“[Davis’s] motive to kill Vaughn grew out of the longstanding hostility and

prior acts of violence resulting from drug dealing between the two families …

much as it would have been had [Davis] and Vaughn simply been in more

formal gang organizations.” Id. at 13 (citing Trial Court Opinion, 3/4/16, at

25). Davis asserts that none of the evidence introduced at trial supports this

theory. Brief for Appellant at 13. Davis points to the testimony of LeShay

Hague (“Hague”), a cousin of Davis and a friend of Vaughn, that she did not

sense any tension between the two men and that they “[didn’t] have no

beef.” Id. (citing N.T., 2/11/15, at 168). Davis also points to his own

testimony that he was not involved in any dispute with Vaughn or Vaughn’s

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J-S70034-16

family over drug-dealing territory. Brief for Appellant at 13. Based on this

evidence, Davis argues, “there was no logical connection between [his] drug

dealing activities and the shooting of [] Vaughn, and the contested evidence

should have been deemed inadmissible.” Id.

Davis contends that “the evidence was introduced solely to show his

propensity for criminal activity and to invite the jury to speculate that[,]

because he was involved in drug trafficking activity, he must be guilty of the

charged crimes.” Id. at 15. Davis asserts that such a basis for admissibility

is prohibited by Pa.R.E. 404(b). Brief for Appellant at 15. Additionally,

Davis claims that “the potential for unfair prejudice resulting from the

admission of the evidence was high, as the trial court failed to instruct the

jury on how to properly consider evidence of [Davis’s] drug trafficking

activity.” Id. Davis argues that, rather than instructing the jury to consider

the evidence as probative of the issue of motive, the trial court told the jury

“only to consider the evidence as proof that [Davis] was selling drugs on the

night of the shooting.” Id. at 16.

The trial court set forth the relevant law, addressed Davis’s first issue,

and concluded that it lacks merit. See Trial Court Opinion, 3/4/16, at 22-

26. We agree with the reasoning of the trial court and affirm on this basis

as to Davis’s first issue. See id.

In his second issue, Davis contends that his convictions for third-

degree murder and possessing an instrument of crime cannot stand because

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J-S70034-16

the Commonwealth failed to establish beyond a reasonable doubt that he did

not act in self-defense during the confrontation with Vaughn. See Brief for

Appellant at 17, 19-21. Davis maintains that he shot Vaughn in self-defense

after unsuccessfully attempting to leave the restroom, and after Vaughn had

pinned him against a wall. Id. at 17. Davis asserts that, as Vaughn was

reaching for his gun, Davis noticed that Vaughn had a second gun, which

Davis then grabbed and used to shoot Vaughn. Id. at 21. Davis claims that

his “account of the incident dovetailed with the statement of [] Hague, who

told Detective [Gregory] Santamala that …[w]hen the bathroom door flew

open, [] Hague looked inside and saw [] Vaughn had [Davis] ‘grabbed up by

his collar in the corner of the bathroom, and he was reaching in his

waistband for a gun.’” Id. at 21-22 (citing N.T., 2/12/15, at 23). Davis

argues that the trial court erred by relying on the testimony of Albert Chu,

M.D., an assistant medical examiner, that Vaughn would have been

immediately paralyzed by the initial gunshot to the back of his neck, and

that Davis’s further use of deadly force against Vaughn was not necessary

due to Vaughn’s paralysis. Id. at 22. Davis contends that a claim of self-

defense cannot be defeated “by showing that he delivered more blows than

necessary as long as he was in the heat of conflict and reasonably believed

he was fighting for his life.” Id. (citing Commonwealth v. Fisher, 420

A.2d 427 (Pa. 1980)). According to Davis, Vaughn’s provocation and the

circumstances surrounding the altercation must also be considered when

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J-S70034-16

determining whether Davis’s belief as to the amount of force used was

justified. Brief for Appellant at 24; see also id. (wherein Davis emphasizes

that he was unarmed, had unsuccessfully tried to leave the bathroom, was

being held by the neck by Vaughn, Vaughn was reaching for his gun, and

that Davis fired the gunshots in rapid succession after managing to get a

hold of Vaughn’s second gun).

The trial court set forth the relevant law, addressed Davis’s second

issue, and concluded that it lacks merit. See Trial Court Opinion, 3/4/16, at

28-32. We agree with the reasoning of the trial court and affirm on this

basis as to Davis’s second issue. See id.

In his third claim, Davis contends that the trial court abused its

discretion by sentencing him to an aggregate sentence of 30 to 60 years in

prison based “solely on the seriousness of the crime and the impact on

[Vaughn’s] family, while ignoring substantial evidence that would have

supported the imposition of a mitigated sentence.” Brief for Appellant at 27.

Davis challenges the discretionary aspects of his sentence.

“Challenges to the discretionary aspects of sentencing do not entitle an

appellant to review as of right.” Commonwealth v. Moury, 992 A.2d 162,

170 (Pa. Super. 2010). Prior to reaching the merits of a discretionary

sentencing issue,

[this Court conducts] 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

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J-S70034-16

sentence, see Pa.R.Crim.P. [720]; (3) whether appellant’s brief

has a fatal defect, [see] 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, [see] 42

Pa.C.S.A. § 9781(b).

Moury, 992 A.2d at 170 (citation omitted).

The determination of whether a particular issue constitutes a

substantial question must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Commonwealth v. Roden, 730 A.2d 995, 997 (Pa. Super. 1999).

However, we will be inclined to allow an appeal where an appellant advances

a colorable argument that the trial judge’s actions were (1) inconsistent with

a specific provision of the Sentencing Code; or (2) contrary to the

fundamental norms which underlie the sentencing process. Id.

In the instant case, Davis filed a timely Notice of Appeal. However,

Davis preserved only a limited number of claims in his timely post-sentence

Motion; namely, whether the trial court, in fashioning Davis’s sentence, did

not adequately consider (1) his history of mental illness; (2) that he acted

under strong provocation; and (3) his lack of a criminal record for violent

offenses. See Motion for Reconsideration of Sentence, 8/27/15, at 1-2.

Although Davis included in his appellate brief a separate Rule 2119(f)

statement, the only claims that were raised in that statement, which were

also included in his post-trial Motion, were his claims that the trial court, in

fashioning his sentence, failed to consider (1) his psychiatric history; and (2)

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J-S70034-16

lack of a history for violent crimes.2 See Brief for Appellant at 26. As such,

Davis is in technical compliance with the requirements to challenge the

discretionary aspects of a sentence with regard to these latter two claims.

Commonwealth v. Rhoades, 8 A.3d 912, 916 (Pa. Super. 2010). Thus,

we will proceed to determine whether these two claims present a substantial

question for our review.

Davis first argues that the trial court failed to adequately consider his

mental health issues. See Brief for Appellant at 29 (noting his difficult

childhood, psychological problems, anger management issues and manic

depression). Notably, Davis does not allege that the trial court was unaware

of his mental health issues. Indeed, Davis indicates that, at the sentencing

hearing, his counsel “highlighted [Davis’s] lengthy history of documented

mental health issues, including childhood depression and manifestations of

bipolar disorder.” Id. at 28.

This Court has held on numerous occasions that a claim of inadequate

consideration of mental health issues does not raise a substantial question

for our review. See Commonwealth v. Haynes, 125 A.3d 800, 807 (Pa.

Super. 2015); see also Commonwealth v. Diaz, 867 A.2d 1285, 1287

2

To the extent that Davis attempts to raise additional discretionary aspects

claims for the first time on appeal, we decline to review them. See

Commonwealth v. Kennedy, 868 A.2d 582, 593 (Pa. Super. 2005)

(declining to address the merits of the appellant’s challenges to the

discretionary aspects of his sentence where such challenges were not

specifically preserved in his motion to modify sentence).

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J-S70034-16

(Pa. Super. 2005) (noting that, although “[m]ental illness is clearly a factor

that may be considered in sentencing … it does not mandate a modification

or reduction in any sentence that would or could be imposed.”).

Moreover, the trial court had the benefit of a pre-sentence

investigation report (“PSI”). See Trial Court Opinion, 3/4/16, at 35. Where

a sentencing court is informed by a PSI, “it is presumed that the court is

aware of all appropriate sentencing factors and considerations, and that

where the court has been so informed, its discretion should not be

disturbed.” Commonwealth v. Ventura, 975 A.2d 1128, 1135 (Pa. Super.

2009) (citing Commonwealth v. Devers, 546 A.2d 12, 18 (Pa. 1988)).

Thus, we conclude that this claim fails to present a substantial question for

review.

Davis also claims that the trial court failed to adequately consider that,

prior to the incident in question, he had never been convicted of a crime of

violence. Brief for Appellant at 29.

As noted above, a claim that a sentencing court failed to consider or

did not adequately consider certain mitigating factors does not raise a

substantial question that the standard-range sentence was inappropriate.

See Commonwealth v. Lewis, 911 A.2d 558, 567 (Pa. Super. 2006); see

also Ventura, supra. Thus, we conclude that this claim fails to present a

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J-S70034-16

substantial question for review.3 Accordingly, we cannot address Davis’s

sentencing claim.

Judgment of sentence affirmed.

Judgment Entered.

Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.

Prothonotary

Date: 10/19/2016

3

Notably, with regard to his discretionary aspects of sentencing claim, Davis

has not raised an issue that his sentence is “(1) inconsistent with a specific

provision of the Sentencing Code; or (2) contrary to the fundamental norms

which underlie the sentencing process.” Roden, 730 A.2d at 997.

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Circulated 09/27/2016 09:44 AM

.•. FILED

IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS MAR O 4 2018

FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA

CRIMINAL TRIAL DIVISION . Crimlfl5! i-l~p:2is iJn!t

First JudicialOjSUiCt Of PA

COMMONWEALTH CP-51-CR-0002634-2013

vs.

SUPERIOR COURT

GARY DAVIS 238 EDA 2016

BRINKLEY, J. MARCH 4, 2016

OPINION

Defendant Gary Davis appeared before this Court for a jury trial and was found guilty of

third-degree murder, violations of the Uniform Firearm Act (VUFA) 6105 and 6106, possession

of an instrument of crime (PIC), and recklessly endangering another person (REAP). This Court

sentenced Defendant to 20 to 40 years state incarceration on the third-degree murder charge, 5 to

IO years state incarceration on the VUFA 6 I 05 charge, 3 to 6 years ~tate incarceration on the

VUFA 6106 charge, and 2 to 4 years state incarceration on the PIC charge. This Court imposed

no further penalty on the REAP charge. The sentences on all charges were to run consecutive to

one· another, for a total aggregate sentence of 30 to 60 years state incarceration. Defendant

appealed the judgment of sentence to the Superior Court and raised the following issues on

appeal: (1) Whether this Court erred when it allowed the Commonwealth to introduce other acts

evidence; (2) Whether the evidence was sufficient to find Defendant guilty of third-degree

murder and PIC; and (3) Whether the aggregate sentence imposed by this Court was excessive.

PROCEDURAL HISTORY

Ori December 20, 2012, Defendant was arrested and charged with murder, VUFA 6105

and 6106, PIC;and REAP. From February 10 to February 17, 2015, a trial was held in the

presence of a jury. On February 23, 2015, the jury found Defendant guilty of third-degree

murder, VUFA 6106, PIC and REAP. On that same day, Defendant executed a valid waiver of

his right to a jury trial and this Court found him guilty of VUFA 6105. On August 18, 2015, this

Court sentenced Defendant to 20 to 40 years state incarceration on the third-degree murder

charge, 5 to 10 years state incarceration on the VUF A 6105 charge, 3 to 6 years state

incarceration on the VUF A 6106 charge, and 2 to 4 years state incarceration on the PIC charge.

This Court imposed no further penalty on the REAP charge. The sentences on all charges were to

run consecutive to one another, for a total aggregate sentence of 30 to 60 years state

incarceration. On August 27, 2015, Defendant filed a motion for reconsideration of sentence,

which was denied by operation of law on December 28, 2015. On January 6, 2016, Defendant

filed a Notice of Appeal to the Superior Court. On February 8, 2016, after receiving the complete

notes of testimony, this Court ordered Defendant to file a Concise Statement of Errors pursuant

to Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b), and Defendant did so on February 19, 2016.

FACTS

Trial began in this matter on February 10, 2015. Defendant was represented at trial by

John McMahon, Esquire, while the attorney for the Commonwealth was Alisa Shver, Esquire.

The Commonwealth called Officer Jason Wentzell ("Wentzell") as its first witness. Wentzell

testified that he had been a police officer for 18 years and had .been assigned to the l 61h District

throughout his career. Wentzell further testified that, on December 8, 2012, he was by himself

when he got a call to respond to a shooting at a bar on 537 North 35th Street. Wentzell stated that

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he was roughly three minutes away from the location and that, when he arrived on location, two

police cars and three officers were already at the bar. Wentzell testified that, as soon as he

entered the bar, the manager approached him and told him that the entire incident had been

caught on videotape. Wentzell further testified that the manager showed him roughly 5 minutes

of the footage and that he was able to identify Defendant as the shooter. Wentzell stated that he

recognized Defendant from the area he patrolled and that he put Defendant's description over the

police radio. Wentzell further stated that he left the bar and went to a nearby area Defendant

frequented, but Defendant was not there. Wentzell testified that the area was right around the

corner from the bar and that he arrived there in less than a minute. Wentzell further testified that

he continued to look for Defendant during his shifts following the shooting, but was unable to

find him. The Commonwealth then played Commonwealth Exhibit C-39 for Wentzell. Wentzell

testified that the video depicted the bathroom area in the rear of the Easy Corner Bar. Wentzell

further testified that he recognized Defendant and LeShay Hague ("Hague") in the video. (N.T.

2/10/2015 p. 96-112).

The Commonwealth called Albert Chu ("Chu") as its. next witness. Chu testified that he

had worked at the Philadelphia Medical Examiner's Office since July 2014 and previously had

worked as an Assistant Medical Examiner at the Harris County Institute of Forensic Science in

Houston for 9 years. Chu further testified that he completed a one-year forensic pathology

fellowship at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for the State of Maryland, medical

school at the State University of New York in Buffalo, and a residency training program in

anatomic and clinical pathology at the Hospital -of the University of Pennsylvania. Chu stated

that he had performed over two thousand autopsies in his career and testified as an expert in the

field of forensic pathology nearly one hundred times. The Commonwealth subsequently offered,

. 3

and this Court accepted, Chu as an expert in the field of forensic pathology. Id. at 121-24.

Chu testified that he did not perform the autopsy on the decedent, Irving Vaughn

("Vaughn'') but had reviewed the report prepared by Dr. Gary Collins ("Collins") and was able

to confirm the findings of the report, although he did not agree with all of its findings. Chu stated

the first injury described was a perforating gunshot wound to the neck which injured the voice

box, fifth cervical vertebrae, and spinal cord, as well as the skin and soft tissue. Chu further

stated that the injury was potentially fatal and that Vaughn would have suffered instantaneous

paralysis of all four limbs. Chu testified that Collins concluded that the entrance wound was on

the front of the neck and the exit wound was on the back, but he did not agree with this finding.

Chu further testified that, based on the photographs taken at the autopsy and the video of the

incident, he believed that the bullet likely entered from the back and exited through the front of

the neck. Chu stated that, based on the photographs from the autopsy alone, it was difficult to tell

which wound was the entrance and exit wound and that it was his review of the video which

made him believe that the entrance wound was on the back. Id. at 124-35.

Chu testified that the second injury was a gunshot wound to the left side of the back,

while the third injury was another gunshot wound to the back which was lower than the second

injury. Chu further testified that both wounds appeared to be entrance wounds and that there

were corresponding exit wounds on the front of the chest. Chu stated that Vaughn had an

additional gunshot wound to the left shoulder from which a bullet wasrecovered. Chu further

stated· that the wound was an atypical gunshot wound, based on its irregular abrasion and hole,

and that something would have interfered with the bullet before it entered the body. Chu testified

that Vaughn also had a perforating wound on the middle finger of his right hand. Chu further

testified that the wound on Vaughn's finger had gunpowder stippling, which indicated that the

4

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gun was within two feet of him when it was fired. Chu stated that, based on the atypical nature of

the shoulder wound, it was possible that the bullet passed through Vaughn's finger and then went

into his shoulder. Chu further stated that Vaughn had an abrasion of the skin on his forehead. Id.

at 136-43.

Chu testified that Vaughn was 5' 1 O" tall and weighed 170 pounds. Chu further testified

that Vaughn tested positive for Promethazine and Codeine, which were commonly seen in

prescription cough syrup, and ethanol. Chu testified that Vaughn's blood-alcohol content was

.06; which was below the legal limit to drive. The Commonwealth then played Commonwealth

Exhibit C-39 for Chu. Chu testified that he observed Vaughn walk out of the bathroom under his

own power, which indicated that he could not have suffered the wound to his neck already,

which resulted in instant paralysis. Chu further testified that, shortly after Vaughn exited the

bathroom, he suddenly collapsed face forward and the gun appeared to be behind his head. Chu

stated that the most likely explanation for Vaughn's collapse was that he had just received the

neck wound and that the bullet had come from behind. Chu testified that the official cause of

death was multiple gunshot wounds. Chu further testified that the two gunshot wounds to

Vaughn's chest were life threatening and would have created internal and external bleeding that

would have prevented Vaughn's left lung from functioning correctly. Chu stated that the wounds

would have resulted in death within minutes. Chu further stated that neither the gunshot wound

to the shoulder nor the wound to the right hand were immediately life-threatening. Id. at 154-63.

The Commonwealth called Officer Terry Tull ("Tull") as its next witness. Tull testified

that he had been a police officer for 18 years and had been assigned to the crime scene unit for 6

years. Tull further testified that he responded to the Easy Comer Bar on December 8, 2012. Tull

stated that he recovered a .45-caliber Winchester fired cartridge casing and a .45-caliber PMC

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fired cartridge casing in the vicinity of a pinball machine near the rear of the property. Tull

further stated that he collected two blood samples and recovered a copper jacket from a bullet in

the vicinity of the bathroom. Tull testified that he recovered the lead core of a bullet, another .45-

caliber fired cartridge casing and another copper jacket in the hallway near the bathroom and a

bullet from the women's bathroom. Tull further testified that the bathroom was approximately

three-feet wide and five-feet long. Tull stated that one shell-top Adidas sneaker was found on the

floor next to the very edge of the bar while a cell-phone protective frame was found near the

opening of the bar. Tull further stated that he never recovered a second shoe or a cell phone. Tull

testified that he submitted the blood swabs to Criminalistics and the ballistic evidence to the

Firearms Identification Unit. (N.T. 2/11/2015 p. 9-36).

The Commonwealth called Officer William Kozlowski ("Kozlowksi") as its next witness.

Kozlowski testified that he had been a police officer for 10 years and had been assigned to the

l 61h District for 8 years. Kozlowski further testified that he responded to the Easy Comer Bar on

December 8, 2012 for a shooting. Kozlowski stated that he was in a radio patrol car about a

block-and-a-half away with his partner, Officer McGinnis ("McGinnis"), when they received the

call. Kozlowski testified that he stopped the vehicle approximately two houses away from the bar

and, as he and McGinnis approached the bar, he saw people walking very fast out of it.

Kozlowski further testified that he and McGinnis entered the bar and stopped people from

exiting it. Kozlowski stated that he went to the rear of the bar and saw Vaughn lying face down

ori the floor near the bathrooms. Id. at 50-55.

Kozlowski testified that he did not recognize Vaughn and noticed that Vaughn had been

shot approximately three times in the torso area. Kozlowski further testified that he immediately

radioed for medics and additional patrol cars. Kozlowski stated that medics were on the scene

6

' .

immediately, as their station house was next door to the bar, and they flipped Vaughn over.

Kozlowski furth~r stated that he put his hand near Vaughn's nose area to see if he was breathing

but he did not feel any breath. Kozlowski also stated that he did not see Vaughn move and that

Vaughn did not speak to him. Kozlowski testified that medics took Vaughn out through the back

of the bar and that McGinnis went with them. Kozlowski further testified that Wentzell had

arrived at the bar by that time and together they went with the manager of the bar to review the

surveillance video. Kozlowski stated that he watched the footage and recognized Defendant.

Kozlowski further stated that Defendant stayed in the area of 600 North 34th Street and he went

to that area the next day to look for him but did not find him. Kozlowski further stated that he

continued to look in that area for the 5 or 6 days following the shooting but did not find

Defendant. Kozlowski testified that, in addition to relaying Defendant's description over police

radio, he also relayed the description of a black female and another male who had approached

Vaughn while he was laying on the ground. Id. at 55-60.

The Commonwealth called McGinnis as its next witness. McGinnis testified that he had

been a police officer for 6Yl years and that he was working with Kozlowski on December 8, 2012

when they responded to a homicide at the Easy Corner Bar on 35th and Haverford. McGinnis

further testified that Vaughn was face down and unresponsive when they first saw him and that

medics turned him over. McGinnis stated that he went in the ambulance with Vaughn and that

medical personnel handed him a bullet projectile and empty shell casing from the inside of

Vaughn's jacket. McGinnis further stated that he placed thoseitems on a property receipt and

transported them to the Firearms Identification Unit. Id. at 67- 70.

The Commonwealth called Maurice McDonald ("McDonald") as its next witness.

Mclfonald testified that he was currently in custody for violating his probation and that he had an

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open case for drug possession. McDonald further testified that he was on probation for picking

up a handgun he found on Vaughn's body and giving it away. McDonald stated that he had

known Vaughn since he was 9 years old and that the two of them became friends as he got older.

McDonald further stated that he and Vaughn would hang out around 381h Street in West

Philadelphia every day. McDonald testified that, on December 8, 2012, he and Vaughn went to

the Easy Corner Bar at 35th and Haverford to get something to eat and drink. McDonald further

testified that he and Vaughn did not go to the bar with anyone else and that they were at the bar

for approximately 90 minutes. McDonald stated that he saw a couple women at the bar that he

knew and that Vaughn had a pleasant conversation with someone that McDonald did not know.

McDonald further stated that the-atmosphere was friendly. McDonald testified that he was sitting

in a chair eating when he heard a couple of gunshots. McDonald further testified that he jumped

up and ran to the back of the bar, where he saw Vaughn dying. McDonald stated that he saw a

gun hanging off Vaughn' s side, so he took it off him and left the bar. McDonald further stated

that he did not know that Vaughn had been carrying the gun and that he took it off Vaughn

because he did-not know that Vaughn was going to die and did not want Vaughn to get in trouble

for the gun. Id. at 74-86.

McDonald testified that he was subsequently picked up by police and willingly went with

them to the station for questioning. McDonald further testified that he remembered talking with

Hague on the night in question and that Vaughn spoke with her as well. McDonald stated that he

was sitting at the bar eating while Vaughn and Hague were talking and that, after she whispered

in Vaughn's ear, the two of them went to the back of the bar together. McDonald further stated

. that he remembered seeing a man wearing an izar at the bar, but he did not pay any attention to

· the man nor did he remember seeing the man speak to Vaughn. McDonald testified that he heard

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four or five gunshots from the back of the bar and that the people in the bar left in a panic.

McDonald further testified that he assumed Vaughn was still in the back as he never saw Vaughn

return . McDonald stated that Vaughn was laying face down on his stomach and that Vaughn

turned his head towards him and moaned after he asked Vaughn if he was hit. McDonald further

stated that Vaughn's head was the only part of his body that moved and that Vaughn was trying

to nod his head. McDonald testified that it was around that time that he noticed the handle of a

gun hanging off of Vaughn's waistband. McDonald further testified that the gun was a black and

green semiautomatic. Id. at 86-99.

The Commonwealth then played Commonwealth Exhibit C-39 for McDonald. McDonald

testified that he recognized Vaughn and Hague on the video, and that there was a man with

cornrows wearing an izar that he did not recognize. McDonald further testified that Vaughn was

carrying a drink and eating a piece of.chicken. McDonald stated that Hague then grabbed

Vaughn with her right hand and together they walked towards the bathrooms with the other man.

McDonald further stated that, four minutes after Vaughn went towards the bathroom, he stood up

and Hague ran towards him. McDonald testified that Hague was jumping up and down as she

heard the gunshots. McDonald further testified that, thirty seconds later, he saw himself next to

Vaughn's body taking the gun from him. McDonald further stated that he was charged with

receiving stolen property and obstruction of law enforcement and that he pied guilty to the

obstruction charge. McDonald testified that he had never seen that gun in Vaughn's possession,

that he was not carrying a gun on himself that night, and that Vaughn did not seem to have any

problems with anyone in the bar. McDonald further testified that he gave a statement to police on

December 14, 2012 and that he identified a photograph of Hague at that time but was unable to

identify anyone else in the photographs he was shown. Id. at 101-13.

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The Commonwealth called Officer Norman DeFields ("DeFields") as its next witness.

DeFields testified that he had been a police officer for 25 years and had been with the Firearms

Identification Unit for 9 years. DeFields further testified that he had completed an in-house

training program, and had gone to numerous armorer's courses, the New England manufacturers'

tour, the ATF Serial Number Restoration School, the FBI Bullet Trajectory Reconstruction

School and numerous Medical Examiners conferences. DeFields stated that he had been

qualified as an expert in firearms identification and ballistics in state and federal court in

Philadelphia. DeFields was subsequently offered and accepted by this Court as an expert in

firearms identification. Id. at 126-30.

DeFields testified that he examined the ballistic evidence recovered at the Easy Corner

Bar on December 8, 2012. De Fields further testified that he received four fired cartridge casings

and that all of the fired cartridge casings were .45-caliber automatic-type. DeFields stated that all

four fired cartridge casings were fired from the same gun, but he did not receive any firearm with

which to compare to the fired cartridge casings. DeFields further stated that he received a

copper-alloy full-metal jacketed bullet, B-1, which had a land and groove impression of six right.

DeFields testified that the bullet's nose area was flattened and blood and tissue-like materials

were attached to the base area. DeFields further testified that he received a second bullet from

the scene, B-2, which had a land and groove impression of six right. DeFields stated that he

received a third bullet, B-3, from the Medical Examiner's Office and that the bullet was a .45-

caliber copper alloy with a land and groove impression of six right and no major deformation.

De Fields further stated. that he received two bullet jacket fragments, BJF 1 and BJF2, which were

consistent with being from the same fractured bullet jacket. DeFields testified that bullets 1

10

' ..

through 3 and bullet jacket fragments 1 and 2 were all consistent with having been fired from the

same firearm. Id. at 131, 150-56.

The Commonwealth called Hague as its next witness. Hague testified that she was friends

with Vaughn and that Defendant was her cousin. Hague further testified that she was on

probation for forgery, theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property and access device

fraud, and that she pied guilty to those offenses in October 2013. Hague stated that, on December

8, 2012, she went to the Easy Corner Bar with a friend at around 11 p.m. to have a drink. Hague

further stated that the bar was busy that night and she recognized people from her neighborhood

there, including Defendant, Vaughn, and McDonald. Hague testified that she had a pleasant

conversation with Vaughn and McDonald but she could not remember whether Defendant and

Vaughn ever spoke to each other that night. Hague further testified that Defendant and Vaughn

were not friends but did not have any problems with each other. Hague stated that she did not

remember what time the shooting took place. Hague further stated that she did not remember

walking with Defendant andVaughn to the bathroom area in the back of the bar or seeing

Defendant and Vaughn together in the women's bathroom. Hague testified that she did not

remember seeing Vaughn's-body, hearing any gunshots or running out of the bar. Id. at 157-74.

Hague testified that police came to her house the next morning and brought her down to

the Homicide Division at gth and Race. Hague further testified that she watched the surveillance

video with the detectives and gave a statement. The Commonwealth then played· Commonwealth

Exhibit C-39 for Hague. Hague testified that she recognized herself and Defendant in the video.

Hague further testified that Defendant was wearing an izar and had a drink or cigarettes in his

hands. Hague stated that the video showed her having a conversation with Vaughn and whisper

something into his ear, but she could not remember what she said to Vaughn. Hague further

11

.,

stated that the video showed her standing with Defendant about 8 minutes after she spoke with

Vaughn, but she did not remember whether she spoke with Defendant. Hague testified that

Defendant then walked towards the back of the bar and that she followed him. Hague further

testified that, as she and Defendant walked to the back of the bar, she tapped Vaug~ on his

stomach and all three of them walked together towards the back of the bar. Hague stated that

Vaughn was eating at the time and there did not seem to be any tension betwee.n Defendant and

Vaughn. Hague further stated that there was no indication of any fight between them and neither

of them indicated that they did not want to go to the back of the bar. Id. at 174-93.

Hague testified that, approximately 20 seconds after she walked to the back of the bar

with Defendant and Vaughn, she walked away and began to talk with McDonald. Hague further

testified that, 15 seconds later, the video showed Defendant close the door to the bathroom and

her cousin, "Shi", enter the adjacent bathroom. Hague 'stated that, 100 seconds after Defendant

closed the door to the bathroom, the video showed her motion towards Shi, engage in a

conversation with.him.iand point in the direction of the bathroom. Hague further stated that, 30

seconds later, the door to the bathroom flew open and she looked into the bathroom. Hague

. .

testified that she saw Defendant and Vaughn fighting and ran. Hague further testified that she

saw a gun but was not sure who had the gun. Hague stated that she did not remember what the

gun looked like and that Vaughn was holding it up in the air as they were fighting. Hague further

stated that she did not leave the area, even though she saw the gun, because she thought the fight

would get broken up. Hague testified that, 4 seconds later, the video showed her jump up. Hague

further testified that she jumped because she heard the shots, but did not remember how many

shots she heard. Hague stated that it was at that point that she left the bar. Id. at 194-207.

12

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Hague testified that, when she gave her statement to the police, her answers were not

written down contemporaneously and she never reviewed her statement. Hague further testified

that she refused to sign and date her statement, but she did so after viewing the video. Hague

stated that she had not spoken to anyone in the courtroom about the case and had only seen her

statement for the first time when it was shown to her by defense counsel two days prior. The

· Commonwealth then showedHague the statement she gave to police. Hague testified that she

saw her handwriting and the date she gave the statement on each page of the statement and the

photographs attached to the statement. Hague further testified that the statement showed she was

brought into Homicide by police at 8:35 a.m. and that she gave her statement at 8:50 a.m. Hague

testified that the statement did not say anything about Vaughn holding a gun in the air nor had

she previously told the District Attorney's Office that Vaughn was holding a gun in the air.

Hague further testified that she was intoxicated and had not slept the night before when she gave

the statement. Hague testified that she identified Defendant as the shooter to police but she only

heard the gunshots arid never saw who was shooting. (N.T. 2/12/2015 p. 7-23).

The Commonwealth then played Commonwealth Exhibit C-39 for Hague. Hague

testified that the video showed her turn around with her hands in the air when Defendant fired at

least one shot at Vaughn. Hague further testified that she was near the deejay booth when

Vaughn collapsed and she was looking in the direction of Defendant, although she was unsure

where exactly she was looking. Hague testified that she did not remember seeing Vaughn

gripping Defendant by his shirt collar and did not remember what she saw when she looked at

them in the bathroom stall. Hague further testified that she did not remember when she first saw

the gun and that she had never seen a person carrying a gun before as she did not hang around

people who carried guns. Hague testified Shi's full name was Shi Tyler and that he was

13

I

·1

I I > ••

Defendant's half-brother. Hague further testified Shi and Defendant were not close, but had a

friendly relationship. Id. at 24-34.

• I Hague testified thatshe remembered police asking her why Defendant and Vaughn went

to the bathroom together and she gave the following answer, "to talk, it was a beef between

[Vaughn], young boys, and [Defendant]." Hague further testified that the video showed

Defendant standing in front of her and talking to someone in his vicinity shortly before walking

to the back of the bar. Hague testified that she did not know whether they had a conversation or

what that conversation would have been about. Hague further testified that the video showed

Defendant walk past Vaughn 30 seconds later and that she then grabbed Vaughn by his stomach.

Hague testified that she walked with Vaughn to the bathroom and that she stood in the doorway

of the bathroom as Vaughn and Defendant were in there together. Hague further testified that she

was talking to Vaughn at that time but she did not remember if Vaughn and Defendant were

talking to each other. Hague testified that Defendant never said anything to her while he was in

the bathroom with Vaughn and did not express any fear of being in the bathroom with Vaughn.

Hague further testified that Vaughn did not seem to be angry. Id. at 36-54.

Hague testified that she stayed near the bathroom while Defendant and Vaughn were

there and that Defendant's brother, Shi, at one point entered the bathroom next to them. Hague

further testified that Defendant never asked her to talk to Vaughn and that she did not remember

the content of her conversations with Vaughn or Defendant. Hague stated that she did not know

that Defendant and Vaughn were going to talk to each other and that she did not set Vaughn up.

Hague further stated that she did not speak to Defendant after talking to Vaughn and she did not

facilitate their conversation in the bathroom. Hague testified that she did not ensure that Vaughn

· went into the bathroom with Defendant and that she did not stand guard near the bathroom while

14

they were in there. Hague further testified that she never motioned towards the bathroom they

were in while she was speaking with Shi. Id. at 57-67.

The Commonwealth called Detective Robert Hesser ("Hesser") as its next witness.

Hesser testified that he hadbeen a police officer for 26 years and had been a detective with the

Homicide Division for 10 years. Hesser further testified that he was the assigned detective for

the killing of Vaughn and that he went to the scene after-receiving notification that Vaughn had

died. Hesser stated that he worked in conjunction with the Crime Scene Unit at the scene and that

they collected one jacket, one sneaker, video, one set of keys, ballistics, blood, photographs and

sketches from the Easy Comer Bar. Hesser further stated that the surveillance video was turned

over to Detective James Dunlap ("Dunlap"). Hesser testified that he interviewed between 15 to

. 20 witnesses, including Hague. Hesser further testified a quantity of narcotics were recovered

from the victim's body by officer DeJesus and placed on a property receipt. Hesser stated the

narcotics included a glass jar with a black lid containing a purple liquid alleged to be syrup, 26

small Ziploc packets containing an off-white chunky substance alleged to be crack cocaine,

seven small clear jars with yellow lids and a scorpion design with a green weed substance, and

one clear plastic baggie containing a greed weed substance alleged to be marijuana. Hesser

further stated that the crack cocaine was probably intended to be sold. Id. 100-10.

Hesser testified that Defendant was identified as the shooter and a warrant was issued for

his arrest on December 8, 2012. Hesser further testified that Defendant was ultimately arrested

on December 20, 2012 by the Homicide Division Fugitive Squad. Hesser stated that Defendant

was arrested at 5308 Magnolia Street in the Logan neighborhood of Philadelphia and that the gun

used to shoot Vaughn was notrecovered, Hesser further stated he was never contacted by

Defendant or anyone on Defendant's behalf in the time period between when the arrest warrant

15

' I

was issued and when Defendant was ultimately arrested. Hesser testified that Defendant was

5 '8" tall, weighed 15 5 pounds and listed his home address as 3223 Mount Vernon Street, which

was near the Easy Comer Bar. Hesser further testified that DNA swabs were taken from

Defendant and that he requested a comparison with the DNA samples collected from the scene.

Id. at 110-22.

The Commonwealth called Detective Gregory Santamala ("Santamala") as its next

witness. Santamala testified that he was present when Detective Jacobs conducted the interview

with Hague on December 8, 2012. Santamala further testified that Jacobs typed Hague's answers

verbatim and that Hague was given the opportunity to review her answers and make any

corrections. Santamala testified that the statement was three pages long, withthree photographs

attached, and that Hague signedher name and the date on the statement and on each photograph.

Id. at 143-49.

Santamala then read from the statement Hague gave to the police. Santamala testified

that, in response to the question, "Can you please state in your own words what occurred during

the shooting death of Irving Vaughn?" Hague gave the following answer,

"I was up front with [Vaughn], playing with [Vaughn]. I seen

[Vaughn] and [Defendant] walking off toward the bathroom. I

grabbed [V aughn' s] hand and started walking with him. As I was

still talking to him, lpeep in the bathroom while [Vaughn] and

[Defendant] wasstill in there, and I started playing with both of

them, and I walked off. I started playing with Shi. Shi ran in the

bathroom and waited until he came out and started talking to him.

As me and Shi was talking, then we both heard the bathroom door

fly open. We walk to the bathroom, and we peeped in, and I saw

[Vaughn] had [Defendant] gripped up by his collar in the comer

of the bathroom, and· he was reaching in his waistband for the

gun. They were tussling with a gun.

I ran out of the bathroom to get help. I peep back around and seen

[Defendant] halfway out of the bathroom, and shots were fired and

I jumped back and ran."

16

' .

Santamala further testified that Hague stated to the police that she saw Defendant shoot Vaughn

and heard about three gunshots. Santamala testified that Hague identified photographs of

Defendant, Vaughn, and Mcfronaldand that she did not appear to be intoxicated during her

statement. Id. at 149-55.

The Commonwealth called Dunlap as its next witness. Dunlap testified that he worked

for the Philadelphia Police Homicide Unit and did most of the cellphone and video work for the

unit. Dunlap further testified that he was part of a co-op with the FBI Digital Image and Video

Response Team and that he had training from the FBI Audio/Video Unit at Quantico and the

Law Enforcement Video Association out oflndianapolis University. Dunlap testified that he was

one of the teachers in the Digital Image and Video Response Team with the FBI and that he had

taught police officers from Baltimore, Boston and Seattle on best methods for recovery and

storage of video. Dunlap ·further testified that he previously had been-called as an expert in state

and federa_l court in Philadelphia. Dunlap was subsequently offered and accepted by this Court as

. .

an expert in forensic video recovery and securing of the video assigned to him. Id. at 160-63.

Dunlap testified that there were nine cameras at the Easy Comer Bar and that he received

video from.cameras 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, and 8. Dunlap further testified that the time-stamp on the videos

was running only 45 seconds fast and was therefore fairly accurate. Dunlap stated that he

reviewed the footage with the assigned detective and made a compilation of the video. Dunlap

further stated that he did not see any interactions between Defendant and Vaughn until the actual

incident: Id. at 163-69.

The Commonwealth then read a stipulation that, at the time of the incident, Defendant did

not have a valid license to carry a firearm in the city of Philadelphia. The Commonwealth further

stipulated that if Benjamin Levin ("Levin") was called to testify, he would testify that he was a

17

forensic scientist with the City of Philadelphia and that he conducted a DNA report for items

recovered from inside the bar and compared them to swabs taken from Defendant. Levin would

further testify that, to a reasonable degree of scientific certainty, Defendant was the major source

for the DNA found on the shoe, jacket, comb and hat recovered from the Easy Corner Bar. Id. at

173-75. After reading these stipulations, ·the Commonwealth rested. Id. at 176.

The defense called Gary Tyler ("Tyler") as its next witness. Tyler testified that he was

Defendant's father and that he.occasionally worked at the Easy Comer Bar. Tyler further

testified that he was working the door at the Easy Comer Bar on December 8, 2012 and that,

during that night, Defendant approached him and told him that he was worried about Vaughn's

presence at the bar. Tyler stated that he told Defendant not to worry and enjoy himself. Tyler

further testified that he had known Vaughn since he was a little kid and that he was friendly with

Vaughn's family. (N.T. 2/13/2015 p. 4-8).

The defense called Defendant as its next witness. Defendant testified that he resided at

3223 Mount Vernon with his grandfather and, at the time of the shooting, his mother lived on

Magnolia Street. Defendant further testified that he frequented the Easy Corner Bar on a regular

basis to drink, sell marijuana and spend time with his friends. Defendant stated that, on

December 8, 2012, he went to the bar by himself and arrived between 9:00 to 9:30 p.m.

Defendant further stated that he was wearing black jeans, an izar, white Adidas sneakers and a

black leather jacket. Defendant testified that he was carrying marijuana on the right side of his

izar and that he also had his phone, charger, cigarettes and kufi on his person. Defendant further

testified that he was not armed when he went to the bar and that he was not expecting any

problems at the bar. Defendant stated that the bar was having a fish fry that night and it was a

little busier than usual. Id. at 29-34.

18

Defendant testified ·that, once at the bar, he talked to people he knew, sold marijuana and

drank. Defendant further testified that he eventually noticed Vaughn at the bar, which was

unexpected as Vaughn and his friends usually drank at a bar on 37tti and Aspen. Defendant stated

that he was sitting at the front of the bar when Vaughn came in with McDonald, whom he did not

know. Defendant further stated that he felt uneasy when he saw Vaughn, as it was unusual for

him to be at the bar and because Vaughn was wearing at-shirt with a picture of his cousin on it.

Defendant testified that his friend had been charged with the murder of Vaughn's cousin but was

acquitted at trial. Defendant further testified that Vaughn's cousin had been killed at the Easy

Comer Bar. Defendant stated that he approached Tyler after he saw Vaughn and told him that he

felt worried that Vaughn and McDonald were there. Defendant further stated that Tyler told him

that it was alright. Id. at 35-42.

Defendant testified that there was a feud at that time between people who lived on 34tti

Street and people who lived on 381h Street. Defendant further testified that people who lived on

34tti Street tended to frequent the Easy Corner Bar while people who lived on 3gth Street tended

to go to Candy's on 37th and Aspen. Defendant stated that he was feeling good and enjoying

himself as the night wore on and was not looking for a confrontation with Vaughn. Defendant

further stated that he was 5'6" tall and weighed 145 pounds at the time. Defendant testified that

· he was talking with one of Hague's friends when Hague approached him and said that Vaughn

wanted to talk to him. Defendant further testified that he told her he did not want to talk with

Vaughn because he was uncomfortable doing so. Id. at 42-47.

Defendant testified that he went to the bathroom to roll a marijuana joint. Defendant

stated that he previously used the bathrooms at the bar to roll marijuana and that he used

whatever bathroom was available. Defendant further testified that he did not expect Vaughn to

19

: .

follow him to the bathroom and that he did not want to see Vaughn in the bathroom. Defendant

stated that he had his back towards the open bathroom door while he rolled his marijuana and the

music was too loud to hear anybody walking towards the bathroom. Defendant testified that he

spent approximately 35 seconds rolling the marijuana and, when he turned around to leave the

bathroom, he saw Vaughn standing near the sink. Defendant further testified that the bathroom

was small and he was worried when he saw Vaughn standing approximately two inches in front

of him. Defendant stated that he asked Vaughn, "What's up?" and Vaughn responded, "Close the

door." Defendant further stated that Vaughn appeared to be a little drunk and high. Id. at 47-55.

Defendant testified that he peeked out the door of the bathroom to make sure McDonald

was not outside waiting to jump him then shut the door. Defendant further testified that he did

not leave the bathroom because he thought that he and Vaughn were going to have a friendly

conversation. Defendant stated that he asked Vaughn, "What do you want to talk about?" and

Vaughn replied, "You know I don't fuck with y'all down here like that." Defendant testified that

Vaughn started making angry faces and balling up his fists so he tried to leave the bathroom but

was pushed back by Vaughn. Defendant further testified that he smacked Vaughn's hand away

from him and then a fight broke out between them. Defendant stated that Vaughn was bigger and

stronger than him, and was throwing him around the bathroom. Defendant further stated that no

punches were thrown, but they slammed each other against the walls. Id. at 55-59.

Defendant testified that, at one point during the fight, he was able to grab a hold of the

doorknob and tried to run out but was unable to because Vaughn was grabbing him. Defendant

stated that Vaughn had him gripped by his collar and pinned up against the wall. Defendant

further stated that Vaughn' s free hand was reaching for a _gun in his waistband so he put his hand

on Vaughn's wrist so he could not pull the gun out. Defendant testified that he could see the

20

• •

black and grey handle of the gun and he had not known Vaughn was carrying a gun until then.

Defendant further testified that he was scared that he was going to get killed when he saw the

gun. Defendant stated that he saw the handle of another gun on the other side of Vaughn's

waistband and he reached to grab that gun. Defendant further stated that on his second try he was

able to grab hold of the gun and pull it out. Defendant testified that Vaughn then pushed him

away" and he was able to raise his arm and fire the gun. Id. at 59-66.

Defendant testified that he fired the gun because he was afraid for his life and that he was

not aiming at any specific part of Vaughn's body. Defendant further testified that the time

between when he grabbed the gun and when he fired was very quick. Defendant stated that, after

he shot Vaughn, he concealed the gun in his izar, took three steps and then ran to the front door.

Defendant further stated that, as he ran to the front door, McDonald tried to grab his ankle, which

was how he lost his shoe. Defendant testified that he exited the bar and ran three block up

Haverford Avenue toward 31st Street. Defendant further testified that he walked over the bridge

towards North Philadelphia and threw the gun in the Schuylkill River. Defendant stated that he

went to North Philadelphia because he had friends in· the neighborhood. Defendant further stated

that he called his brother, who picked him up and took him to their mother's house at 53rd and

Magnolia in Germantown. Defendant testified that he found out that Vaughn died the next day

and he contacted an attorney but was unable to afford one at that time. Defendant further testified

that he was arrested on December 20, 2012 and did not resist when he was arrested. Id. at 66- 72.

After Defendant testified, the defense rested. ·

ISSUES

I. WHETHER THIS COURT ERRED WHEN IT GRANTED THE

COMMONWEALTH'S MOTION TO INTRODUCE OTHERACTS

EVIDENCE.

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.

II. WHETHERTHE EVIDENCE WAS SUFFICIENT TO FIND DEFENDANT

GUILTY OF THIRD-DEGREE MURDER AND POSSESSION OF AN

INSTRUMENT OF CRIME.

III. WHETHER THE AGGREGATE SENTENCE IMPOSED BY THIS

COURT WAS EXCESSIVE.

DISCUSSION

I. THIS COURT DID NOT ERR WHEN IT GRANTED THE

COMMONWEALTH'SMOTION TO INTRODUCE OTHER ACTS

EVIDENCE.

This Court did not err when it granted the Commonwealth's motion to introduceevidence

of other acts to show motive. It is well established that the admissibility of evidence is solely

within the discretion of the trial court and its decision will not be disturbed on appeal absent an

abuse of that discretion. An abuse of discretion is not merely an error of judgment, but is rather

the overriding or misapplication of the law or an 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, 2015 PA Super 138, 119 A.3d 353, 357-58 (2015) (citing

Commonwealth v. Harris, 884 A.2d 920, 924 (Pa.Super.2005)).

Where the trial court has stated a "reason for its decision, the scope of review is limited to

an examination of the stated reason." Commonwealth v. Weakley, 2009 PA Super 74, 972 A.2d

1182, 1189 (quoting Commonwealth v. Strong, 825 A.2d 658, 665 (Pa.Super.2003)). An abuse

of discretion may not be found merely because an appellate court might have reached a different

conclusion. Commonwealth v. Perry, 612 Pa. 557, 32 A.3d 232, 236 (2011) (quoting

Commonwealth v. Walls, 592 Pa. 557, 926 A.2d 957, 961 (2007)). To constitute reversible error,

an evidentiary ruling must not onJy be erroneous, but also harmful or prejudicial to the

complaining party. Commonwealth v. Lopez, 2012 PA Super 161, 57 A.3d 74, 81 (2012). An

evidentiary error of the trial court will be deemed harmless on appeal where the appellate court is

22

• I

convinced, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the error could not have contributed to the verdict.

Commonwealth v. Patterson, 625 Pa. 104, 91 A.3d 55 (2014) (citing Commonwealth v. DeJesus,

584 Pa. 29, 880 A.2d 608, 614 (2005)).

Evidence of a defendant's prior criminal activity is inadmissible to demonstrate his bad

character or criminal propensity. Commonwealth v, Cox, 2015 PA Super 103, 115 A.3d 333, 337

(2015) (citing Commonwealth v. Collins, 70 A.3d 1245, 1251-1252 (Pa.Super.2013)). The same

evidence may be admissible for various legitimate purposes, however, provided that its probative

value outweighs the prejudicial effect likely to result from its admission, and an appropriate

limiting instruction is given. Id. One such evidentiary purpose is to demonstrate the defendant's

motive for committing the crime charged. Id. To be admissible under this exception, there must

be a specific 'logical connection' between the other act and the crime at issue which establishes

that the crime currently being considered grew out of or was in any way caused by the prior set

of facts and circumstances. Id. (citing Commonwealth v. Ross, 57 A.3d 85, 100

(Pa.Super.2012)). Evidence that the defendant was involved in a drug distribution organization

and that victim was involved in a rival organization is not improper evidence of prior bad acts,

where it is relevant to show motive. See Commonwealth v. Collins, 2013 PA Super 158, 70 A.3d

1245, 1252 (2013) (citing Commonwealth v. Childress, 452 Pa.Super. 37, 680 A.2d 1184, 1187-·

88 (1996)): Although evidence of prior occurrences which is too remote is not properly

admissible, it is generally true that remoteness of the prior instances of hostility affects the

weight of that evidence and not its admissibility. Commonwealth v. Chamberlain, 612 Pa. 107,

30 A.3d 381, 420 (2011) (citing Commonwealth v. Drumheller, 570 Pa. 117, 808 A.2d 893, 905

(2002)).

23

r

. .

1. This Court did not err when it granted the Commonwealth's motion

to introduce evidence that Defendant's and Vaughn's families were in

an ongoing dispute arising out of drug dealing.

This Court did not err when it granted the Commonwealth's motion to introduce evidence

that Defendant's and Vaughn's families were in an ongoing dispute arising out of drug dealing.

Moreover, even if this Court had granting the motion, any such error was harmless. Prior to trial,

the Commonwealth filed a· motion to admit evidence that there had been prior, ongoing violence

between Defendant's and Vaughn's families arising out of drug dealing. The Commonwealth

argued that the evidence was relevant to prove Defendant's motive to kill Vaughn and to explain

why Vaughn and Defendant went to the bathroom to talk "about the young boys". The

Commonwealth further argued that the case law routinely allowed evidence of rival drug dealing

as a motive to commit murder. (N.T. 11/24/2014 p. 23-26). Defendant argued in response that

the evidence was too vague to be probative and that allegations of drug dealing would present an

extreme danger of unfair prejudice. Defendant further argued that, if the evidence of an ongoing

dispute were to be admitted, this Court should omit any references to drug dealing. Id. at 27-31.

This Court allowed the Commonwealth to introduce evidence that Defendant's and Vaughn's

families were in an ongoing dispute arising out of drug dealing and cited to the cases provided by

the Commonwealth in support. This Court noted that in Commonwealth v. Rogers, the Superior

Court allowed evidence that the defendant was affiliated with a drug gang and had been tasked

with watching the organization's drug houses where the defendant was on trial for murdering

two members of a rival drug gang. See Commonwealth v. Rogers, 615 A.2d 55 (Pa.Super. 1992).

This Court further noted that in Commonwealth v. Gwaltney, the Superior Court allowed

evidence that the decedent and the defendant were members of a rival gang to establish

defendant's motive for a stabbing and in Commonwealth v. Gelber, the Superior Court allowed

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Gelber, the Superior Court allowed evidence of defendant's prior felony conviction for drugs to

establish motive. See Commonwealth v. Gwaltney, 497 Pa. 505, 442 A.2d 236 (1982); see also

Commonwealth v. Gelber, 594 A.2d 672 (Pa.Super. 1991). This Court stated the case law

allowed evidence of rival gang activity so Jong as a cautionary instruction was issued. (N.T.

ll/24/2014p. 31-33).

This Court did not err when it granted the Commonwealth's motion to introduce evidence

that Defendant's and Vaughn's families were involved in an ongoing dispute arising out of drug

dealing. As this Court noted, the case law in Pennsylvania has consistently allowed evidence of

rival gang activity involving drug dealing when that gang activity provided the motive for the

defendant to murder the decedent. As the activities of the families in the instant case mirrored

gang activity insomuch as they involved participants in rival groups who were engaged in drug

dealing and occasional violence against members of the other group, the case law regarding rival

gang activity providing motive was instructive for the case at hand. As Defendant's motive to

kill Vaughn grew out of the longstanding hostility and prior acts of violence resulting from drug

· dealing between the two families, the evidence of such motive was admissible much as it would

have been had Defendant and Vaughn simply been in more formal gang organizations.

Moreover, even if this Court erred in granting the Commonwealth's motion to introduce the

evidence, any such error was harmless. Aside from Hesser's testimony that various drugs were

found on Vaughn's body, Defendant's own testimony that he was selling marijuana at the bar on

the night in question and that his friend had been accused but acquitted in the murder of

Vaughn's cousin, the jury heard no other evidence that Defendant or Vaughn were involved in

drug dealing or that there was an ongoing dispute between Defendant's and Vaughn's families

arising out of prior acts of violence and drug dealing. Furthermore, this Court instructed the jury

25

. .

that it was only to consider evidence that Defendant was selling drugs at the Easy Comer Bar to

showDefendant's activities at the bar and not to show criminal propensity or infer guilt.

Specifically, this Court instructed the jury,

"You have heard evidence tending to prove the. defendant was

guilty of selling drugs for which he is not on trial. I am speaking

of the testimony to the effect that the defendant was selling

drugs outside the Easy Comer Bar. This evidence is before you

for a limited purpose: that is, to show - partially show the

defendant's activities at the Easy Comer Bar.

This evidence must not be considered by you in any other way

other than the purposes I just stated. You must not regard the

evidence as tending to show that the defendant was a person

of bad character or criminal tendencies from which you may

be inclined to infer guilt."

(N.T. 2/17/2015 p. 52). Therefore, it is exceedingly unlikely that the evidence could possibly

have contributed to the jury's verdict, especially given the ample evidence which otherwise

implicated Defendant. Thus, even if this Court erred in granting the Commonwealth's motion,

any such error was harmless.

2. This Courtdid not err when it granted the Commonwealth's motion

to introduceevidence that Defendant threatenedVaughn several

months prior to the shooting.

This Court did not err when it granted the Commonwealth's motion to introduce evidence

that Defendant threatened to kill Vaughn at a murder trial several months prior to the shooting.

Moreover, even if this Court had erred in granting such motion, any such error was harmless.

Prior to trial, the Commonwealth filed a motion to admit evidence that Defendant said to

Vaughn, "you're next, nigga" during the trial of Defendant's friend, Tyree Berry, for the murder

of Vaughn's cousin, Ronald Saunders, seven months prior to the shooting in the instant case. The

Commonwealth argued that evidence that Defendant had threatened to kill Vaughn prior to the

shooting was relevant to show motive in the instant case as well as to rebut Defendant's self-

26

defense argument by showing that Defendant was the aggressor in the instant case. (N.T.

11/24/2014 p. 23-26). Defendant argued in response that the evidence was unduly prejudicial

given the spontaneous nature in which the shooting occurred as well as the fact that the threat

occurred seven months prior to the shooting and there appeared to be no animosity between the

two on the surveillance tapes. Id. at 27-31, 37-39, 41. This Court granted the Commonwealth's

motion to introduce the evidence as the threat was very specific and admissible under the case

law provided by the Commonwealth. Id. at 44-45.

This Court did not err when it granted the Commonwealth's motion to introduce evidence

that Defendant threatened to kill Vaughn several months prior to the shooting. Contrary to

Defendant's assertions, the threats Defendant made against Vaughn were highly probative of

Defendant's intent andmotive to kill Vaughn and rebutted Defendant's claims that the shooting

was a spontaneous act of self-defense rather than a planned ambush. Moreover, the seven-month

delay between when the threat was made and when the shooting occurred more properly went to

the weight that the jury placed upon the evidence as opposed to its admissibility, especially in

consideration of the fact that the threat was made in the context of an ongoing feud between

Defendant's and Vaughn's families dating back to 2004. Furthermore, even if this Court had

erred in granting the Commonwealth's motion to admit evidence that Defendant threatened to

kill Vaughn several months prior to the shooting, any such error was harmless as the

Commonwealth never actually introduced such evidence at trial. Therefore, the evidence could

not possibly have contributed to the jury's verdict as the jury never heard the challenged

evidence.

II. THE EVIDENCE WAS SUFFICIENT TO FIND DEFENDANT GUILTY

OF THIRD-DEGREE MURDER AND POSSESSION OF AN

INSTRUMENT OF CRIME.

27

I • ti • t

1. Sufficiency of the evidence.

A review of the sufficiency of the evidence to support a conviction requires that the

evidence be reviewed in the light most favorable to the Commonwealth as verdict winner.

Commonwealth v. Levy, 2013 PA Super 331, 83 A.3d 457, 461 (2013) (quoting Commonwealth

v. Williams, 871 A.2d 254, 259 (Pa.Super. 2005)). The Commonwealth is also entitled to all

favorable inferences which may be drawn from the evidence. Commonwealth v. Kelly, 2013 PA

Super 276, 78 A.3d 1136, 1139 (2013) (citing Commonwealth v. Hopkins, 67 A.3d 817, 820

(Pa.Super. 2013)). The evidence put forth by the Commonwealth will be considered sufficient if

it establishes each material element of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt, even if by wholly

circumstantial evidence. Commonwealth v. Franklin, 2013 PA Super 153, 69 A.34 719, 722

(2013) (citing Commonwealth v. Brewer, 876 A.2d·1029, 1032 (2001)).

When determining whether the evidence is sufficient to support a guilty verdict, the

appellate court must examine the entire trial record and consider all of the evidence actually

received. Commonwealth v. Graham, 2013 PA Super 306, 81 A.3d 137, 142 (2013) (quoting

Commonwealth v. Brown, 23 A.3d 544, 559-60 (Pa.Super 2011)). However, the trier of fact is

entitled to believe all, part or none of the evidence received at trial and the appellate court cannot

substitute its judgment for that of the fact-finder. Commonwealth v. Fabian, 2013 PA Super 6,

60 A.3d 146, 151 (2013) (quoting Commonwealth v. Jones, 886 A.2d 689, 704 (Pa.Super.

2005)). The facts and circumstances established by the Commonwealth need not eliminate any

possibility of the defendant's innocence; rather, any doubt is to be resolved by the fact-finder

unless the evidence is so weak and inconclusive that, as a matter of law, no probability of fact

could be concluded. Commonwealth v. Stays, 2013 PA Super 170, 70 A.3d 1256, 1266 (2013)

(citing Commonwealth v. Aguado, 760 A.2d 1181, 1185 (Pa.Super. 2000)).

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• • •

2. The evidence was sufficient to find Defendant guilty of third-degree

murder.

The evidence presented at trial was sufficient to find Defendant guilty of third-degree

murder. Third degree murder occurs when a person commits a killing which is neither intentional

nor committed during the perpetration of a felony, but contains the requisite malice.

Commonwealth v. Morris, 2008 PA Super 235, 958 A.2d 569, 576 (2008) (citing

Commonwealth v. Tielsch, 934 A.2d 81, 94 (Pa.Super.2007). Malice is not merely ill-will but,

rather, wickedness of disposition, hardness of heart, recklessness of consequences, and a mind

regardless of social duty. Id. (citing Commonwealth v. Hardy, 918 A.2d 766, 774

(Pa.Super.2007)). Malice may be found where the defendant consciously disregarded an

unjustified and extremely high risk that his actions might cause serious bodily injury.

Commonwealth v. Dunphy, 2011 PA Super 100, 20 A.3d 1215, 1219 (2011) (citing

Commonwealth v. DiStefano, 782 A.2d 574, 582 (Pa.Super.2001)). Malice may be inferred by

considering the totality of the circumstances. Id. (citing Commonwealth v. Thomas, 440

Pa.Super. 564, 656 A.2d 514, 516 (1995)). Malice may be inferred from the use of a deadly

weapon on a vital part of the victim's body. Commonwealth v. Ventura, 2009 PA Super 96, 975

A.2d 1128, 1142 (2009) (citing Commonwealth v. Gooding, 818 A.2d 546, 550

(Pa.Super.2003)).

A defense of "imperfect self-defense" exists where the defendant actually, but

unreasonably, believed that deadly force was necessary. Commonwealth v. Truong, 2012 PA

Super 8, 36 A.3d 592, 599 (2012) (citing Commonwealth v. Marks, 704 A.2d 1095, 1100

(Pa.Super.1997)). When a defendant raises the issue of self-defense, the Commonwealth bears

the burden to disprove such a defense beyond a reasonable doubt. Ventura, 975 A.2d at 1143

(citing Commonwealth v. Bullock, 948 A.2d 818, 824 (Pa.Super.2008)). The Commonwealth

29

. . .

sustains this burden if it establishes at least one of the following: ( 1) the accused did not

reasonably believe that he was in danger of death or serious bodily injury; (2) the accused

provoked or continued the use of force; or (3) the accused had a duty to retreat and the retreat

was possible with complete safety. Id. (citing Commonwealth v. McClendon, 874 A.2d 1223,

1230 (Pa.Super.2005)). The Commonwealth need only prove one of these elements beyond a

reasonable doubt to sufficiently disprove a self-defense claim. Id. (citing Commonwealth v.

Burns, 765 A.2d 1144, 1149 (Pa.Super.2000)).

In the case at bar, the evidence was sufficient to find Defendant guilty of third-degree

murder. Chu testified that Vaughn suffered five gunshot wounds, including two potentially fatal

wounds to the back of his torso and one to the back of his neck which resulted in immediate full-

body paralysis. Chu further testified that the video at the scene showed Vaughn walk out of the

bathroom under his own power, then a gun appeared behind his head and Vaughn collapsed

forward, which Chu testified was consistent with Vaughn receiving the paralyzing wound to the

back of his neck. Wentzell and Kozlowski each testified at trial that they viewed surveillance

footage of the shooting and immediately identified Defendant as the shooter. Hague testified that

she identified Defendant as the shooter to police. Moreover, the Commonwealth introduced

sufficient evidence to disprove Defendant's claims of self-defense. Chu testified that Vaughn

would have been paralyzed in all four limbs immediately after he received the gunshot wound to

the back of his neck. However, the surveillance footage from the bar showed Defendant fire two

additional shots into Vaughn's torso from behind. Chu testified that these two gunshots wounds

would have resulted in internal and external bleeding that would have caused death within

minutes. Furthermore, Defendant's own testimony belied his claims that Vaughn was the initial

aggressor as Defendant testified that Vaughn told him that he did not want any trouble when they

30

. ' '* , I

were in the bathroom together. Additionally, Defendant's testimony that he was intimidated by

Vaughn's presence at the bar was rendered incredible by surveillance footage of the incident as

well as Hague's and Santamala's testimony, which indicated that Defendant set up the meeting

in the bathroom. Thus, the Commonwealth provided sufficient evidence that Defendant killed

Vaughn with malice when he shot him in the neck from behind and that Defendant continued to

use deadly force against Vaughn after such force could not possibly have been necessary, due to

Vaughn's paralysis. Therefore, the evidence was sufficient to find Defendant guilty of third-

degree murder.

3. The evidence was sufficient to find Defendant guilty of possession of

an instrument of crime.

The evidence presented at trial was sufficient to find Defendant guilty of possession of an

instrument of crime (PIC). A person commits a misdemeanor of the first degree if he possesses

any instrument of crime with intent to employ it criminally. 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 907(a). An

instrument of crime is defined as "[a]nything specially made or specially adapted for criminal

use" or "[a]nything used for criminal purposes and possessed by the actor under circumstances

not manifestly appropriate for lawful uses it may have." Commonwealth v. Stokes, 2011 PA

Super 261, 38 A.3d 846, 854 (2011 ). It is undisputed that a gun can be an instrument of crime.

Id. Once the factfinder concluded that the defendant was the slayer and that the death resulted

from the infliction of a gunshot wound,. the factfinder could logically have concluded from all of

the evidence that the defendant had possession of a gun, that the gun was an instrument

commonly used for criminal purposes, and that his possession of the gun was, under the

circumstances, not manifestly appropriate for any lawful use that the gun may have had.

Commonwealth v. Buford, 2014 PA Super 224, 101 A.3d 1182, 1190 (2014) (citing

Commonwealth v. Woodbury, 329 Pa.Super. 34, 477 A.2d 890, 893-94 (1984)).

31

In the case at bar, the evidence was sufficient to find Defendant guilty of PIC. Wentzell

and Kozlowski each testified that they viewed surveillance footage of the shooting and

immediately recognized Defendant as the shooter. Hague testified that she identified Defendant

as the shooter to police. Chu testified that Vaughn died as a result of multiple gunshot wounds,

including gunshot wounds to the back of his neck and torso, and that the surveillance video

showed a gun behind Vaughn's head as he received the gunshot wound to the back of his head.

Tull testified that he recovered copper jackets, fired cartridge casings and a bullet from the area

in and around the bathroom. DeFields testified that the bullets and bullet jacket fragments

recovered from the scene were all consistent with having been fired from the same firearm. Thus,

there was sufficient evidence for the jury to conclude that Defendant had possession of a gun,

that the gun was an instrument commonly used for criminal purposes, and that his possession of

the gun was, under the· circumstances, not manifestly appropriate for any lawful use that the gun

may have had. Therefore, the evidence was sufficient to find Defendant guilty of PIC.

III. THE AGGREGATE SENTENCE IMPOSED BY THIS COURT WAS NOT

EXCESSIVE.

The aggregate sentence of 30 to 60 years state incarceration imposed by this Court was

not excessive. Sentencing is a matter vested in the sound discretion of the sentencing judge, and

a sentence will not be disturbed on appeal absent a manifest abuse of discretion. Commonwealth

v. Johnson, 2015 PA Super 221, 125 A.3d 822, 826 (2015) (citing Commonwealth v. Disalvo, 70

A.3d 900, 903 (Pa.Super.2013)). In this context, an abuse of discretion is not shown merely by

an. error in judgment. Rather, the appellant must establish, by reference to the record, that the

sentencing court ignored or misapplied the law, exercised its judgment for reasons of partiality,

prejudice, bias or ill will, or arrived at a manifestly unreasonable decision. Id. The rationale

behind such broad discretion and the concomitantly deferential standard of appellate review is

32

. ..

~

that the sentencing court is "in the best position to determine the proper penalty for a particular

offense based upon an evaluation of the individual circumstances before it." Commonwealth v.

Williams, 2013 PS Super 151, 69 A.3d 735, 740 (2013) (citing Commonwealth v. Walls, 592 Pa.

557, 926 A.2d 957, 961 (2007)). The appellate court shall vacate the sentence and remand the

case to the sentencing court with instructions if it finds: (1) the sentencing court purported to

sentence within the sentencing guidelines but applied the guidelines erroneously; (2) the

sentencing court sentenced within the sentencing guidelines but the case involves circumstances

where the application of the guidelines would be clearly unreasonable; or (3) the sentencing

court sentenced outside the sentencing guidelines and the sentence is unreasonable. In all other

cases the appellate court shall affirm the sentence imposed by the sentencing court.

Commonwealth v. Dodge, 2013 PA Super 253, 77 A.3d 1263, 1274 (2013) (citing 42 Pa.C.S. §

9781(c)). In reviewing the record, the Superior Court considers: (1) The nature and

circumstances of the offense and the history and characteristics of the defendant; (2) the

opportunity of the sentencing court to observe the defendant, including any presentence

investigation; (3) the findings upon which the sentence was based; and (4) the guidelines

promulgated by the commission. Id. (citing 42 Pa.C.S. § 9781(d)).

Where the trial court has the benefit of a pre-sentence report, the Superior Court

presumes that the court was aware of relevant information regarding the defendant's character

and weighed those considerations along with any mitigating factors. Johnson, 125 A.3d at 827

(citing Commonwealth v. Seagraves, 103 A.3d 839, 842 (Pa.Super.2014)). A pre-sentence report

constitutes the record and speaks for itself. Commonwealth v. Best, 2015 PA Super 151, 120

A.3d 329, 348 (2015) (citing Commonwealth v. Devers, 519 Pa. 88, 546 A.2d 12, 18 (1988)).

Having been fully informed by the pre-sentence report, the sentencing court's discretion should

33

,·~ :, ....

not be disturbed. This is particularly true in those circumstances where it can be demonstrated

that the judge had any degree of awareness of the sentencing considerations, and there the

Superior Court will presume also that the weighing process took place in a meaningful fashion.

Id. at 348-49. Thus, when the trial court has a pre-sentence investigation report, there is no merit

to a defendant's assertion that the court did not consider his rehabilitative needs in imposing his

sentence. Id. at 349.

In the case at bar, the parties were in agreement that Defendant had a prior record score

of 4 (N.T. Sentencing 8/18/2015 p. 5). For the charge of third-degree murder with a deadly

weapon enhancement, the offense gravity score was a 14, making the guideline range 186

months to the statutory limit, plus or minus 12. For the charge of VUF A 6105, the offense

gravity score was a 10, making the guideline range 48 to 60 months, plus or minus 12. For the

charge ofVUFA 6106, the offense gravity score was a 9, making the guideline range 3 to 48

months, plus or minus 12. For the charge of PIC with a deadly weapon enhancement, the offense

gravity score was a 4, making the guideline range 12 to 23 months, plus or minus 3. For the

charge of REAP, the offense gravity score was a 2, making the guideline range 6 to 12 months,

plus or minus 3. Id. at 5-7. This Court subsequently sentenced Defendant to 20 to 40 years state

incarceration on the third-degree murder charge, 5 to 10 years state incarceration on the VUFA

6105 charge, 3 to 6 years state incarceration on the VUFA 6106 charge, 2 to 4 years state

incarceration on the PIC charge, and imposed no further penalty on the REAP charge.

Thus, Defendant's sentence was within the range established by the sentencing guidelines

and not unreasonable in light of the factors set forth in 42 Pa. C.S.A. § 9781 ( d). As this Court

noted in imposing the sentence, Defendant's crime had a uniquely grave impact on the victim's

family as Vaughn's and Defendant's families were related by blood and the woman who raised

34

... t!

Vaughn was in fact raising Defendant's close relative or child as well. Furthermore, this Court

stated that Defendant had a long history of anger management issues, beginning when he was

arrested at 16 for shoving a police officer at his school. This Court noted that, on January 25,

2009, Defendant was arrested for striking the mother of his child while she was holding their

one-year-old. This Court further noted that Defendant punched the victim in the face, causing her

to fall while holding the child, and continued to strike the victim despite his own family

members trying to pull him away. Moreover, Defendant's claim that this Court did not consider

his mitigating factors or rehabilitative needs is without merit as this Court had access to a pre-

sentence investigation report, along with the Commonwealth and the defense's sentencing

memos, and incorporated by reference those reports into the record. Therefore, the aggregate

sentence of 30 to 60 years state incarceration imposed by this Court was not excessive.

35

' ,,.. '; \• _ .......

CONCLUSION

After a review of the applicable rules of evidence, statutes, case law and testimony, this

Court committed no error. This Court did not err when it granted the Commonwealth's motion

to introduce other acts evidence.The evidence was sufficient to find Defendant guilty of third-

degree murder and possession of an instrument of crime. The total aggregate sentence imposed

by this Court was not excessive. Therefore, this Court's judgment of sentence should be upheld

on appeal.

36