AI Case Brief
Generate an AI-powered case brief with:
📋Key Facts
⚖️Legal Issues
📚Court Holding
💡Reasoning
🎯Significance
Estimated cost: $0.10–$0.50 per brief, depending on opinion length and retries
Full Opinion
[[COURTLISTENER_SUBOPINION {"id":"10782369","type":"010combined","part":"opinion","author":null,"source_field":"html_with_citations"}]]
J-A06016-24
NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT O.P. 65.37
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
: PENNSYLVANIA
v. :
:
JUSTIN MARTINEZ :
:
Appellant :
:
: No. 600 WDA 2023
Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence Entered May 22, 2023
In the Court of Common Pleas of Westmoreland County Criminal Division
at No(s): CP-65-CR-0000231-2020,
CP-65-CR-0005559-2019
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
: PENNSYLVANIA
:
v. :
:
:
JUSTIN JUAN DE LA CRUZ MARTINEZ :
:
Appellant : No. 601 WDA 2023
Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence Entered May 22, 2023
In the Court of Common Pleas of Westmoreland County Criminal Division
at No(s): CP-65-CR-0000231-2020,
CP-65-CR-0005559-2019
BEFORE: LAZARUS, P.J., PANELLA, P.J.E., and BECK, J.
JUDGMENT ORDER BY PANELLA, P.J.E.: FILED: MARCH 4, 2024
Justin Martinez appeals from the judgment of sentence entered in the
Court of Common Pleas of Westmoreland County on May 22, 2023 at docket
Nos. 5559-2019 and 231-2020. After careful review, we conclude Martinez’s
brief violates the Pennsylvania Rules of Appellate Procedure to such a degree
J-A06016-24
that it impedes our review. The only contention raised in Martinez’s brief is a
rambling narrative which restates his factual defense at the time of trial, which
was rejected by the finder of fact. Although we could dismiss this appeal on
this basis alone, we adopt the trial court’s well-written and comprehensive
OPINION PURSUANT TO RULE 1925, dated July 20, 2023, which is attached
hereto, as it explains that the verdicts were based upon competent and
substantial evidence.
This case is to be removed from the Argument list of March 5, 2024.
Judgment of Sentence affirmed.
FILED: 3/4/2024
-2-
Circulated 03/01/2024 02:01 PM
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA,
CREVENAL DIVISION
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
Nos. 5559 C2019
V.
231 C"2020
JUSTIN JUAN DE LA CRUZ MARTINEZ,
Defendant..
OPINION PURSUANT TO RULE 1925,
AND NOW, this U day of July, 2023, the Court files the`herein Rule 1925(a) Opinion
following the filing of the Defendant's Notices of Appeal ,and Concise . Statement of Errors
Complained of on Appeal:
No. 5559 C2019
On November 20, 2019, acriminal complaint was .filed charging the defendant with
Disorderly Conduct, 1& Pa.C.S. § 5503(a)(4), and Resisting Arrest, 18 Pa.C:S. § 5104. These
charges arose out of an incident where the defendant. was alleged to have videorecorded the secure
area of the communications room at the Pennsylvania State Police ICiski. Valley barracks, refused
to comply with police directives to surrender the recording, and forcibly resisted police efforts to
obtain the recording.
On December 23, 2019, the. defendant waived counsel, and appeared pro .se before
Magisterial District Judge Jason Buczak for apreliminary hearing. At the conclusion of the
evidence, all charges. were held for court.
On January 27, 2020, a Criminal Information was filed, charging the defendant with
Disorderly Conduct, 18 Pa.C.S. § 5503(a)(4), and Resisting Arrest, 18 Pa.C.S. § 5104.
On February 25, 2020, the defendant was formally arraigned on the Commonwealth's
Information.
On March 12, 2020, .the Commonwealth filed aNotice consolidating this case with No.
231 C 2020.
N6.231 C 2020
:
On December 3, 2019, a criminal .complaint was filed charging 'the defendant with
Trespass, .18 Pa.C.S. §3503(b)(1)(y), and Disorderly Conduct; 18 Pa.C.S. §55.03(a)(4). These
charges arose out of an incident at the start of the school. day on November 19, 2019, where it was
alleged that the defendant, wearing aunicom head mask and carrying asign,. stood on the: property
of the Deity Area .High School and on the berm of the road immediately adjacent to the.school's
driveway, .impeding entry into the school and distressing students, parents, and teachers, at atime
after written notice was given to him that he was not permitted on school property.
On January 15, 2020, the defendant: waived co»nsel and appeared pro se before Magisterial
District Judge Mark Bihk for apreliminary hearing. At the conclusion of the evidence ;all charges
were held for court.
On March 12, 2020,."a Criminal Information was filed, charging.the defendant with Defiant
Trespass; .18 ' Pa.C.S. §3501(b)(1)(v), and two counts of Disorderly Conduct„ 18 Pa.C.S.
§5503(a)(4):
On March. 12, 2020, the Commonwealth filed a. Notice: consolidating this case with No.
5559 C2019.
2.
On June 9, 2020, the defendant was formally arraigned on the Commonwealth's
Information.
Nos. 5559 C 2019 and 231 C 2020
On September 18, 2020, and November 9, 2020, the defendant pro se filed fourteen
motions. These were. heard by -the Honorable Christopher A. Feliciani on January 13, 2021;and
resolved by agreement or order.
On February' 5;.2021, the Commonwealth filed. amotion to modify the defendant's bail.
On February'8, 2021., the defendant pro se filed eight additional motions. These. were heard
on February 19, 2021., and, after an evidentiary hearing, denied.
On, February 8, 2021, after an evidentiary hearing, the Court ordered modification of the
defendant's bond. toinclude conditions of home electronic monitoring and no iaternet access until
further order of court.. The Court also driected the defendant to remove the video from social
media which was the subject of the Commonwealth's motion.
On.February . 1.6, 2021, the Court ordered the defendant to obtain apsychiatric evaluation.
On February 19, 2021, the defendant pro se filed an additional three motions. These were
denied by Court Order dated February 22, 2021.
On February 22, 202:1.,.and .February 25, 2021, the defendant pro se filed an additional four
motions. On March 1, 2021, `the Office of the Public Defender of Westmoreland County entered
its appearance on defendant's behalf. On March 2, 2021, the Court issue an Order denying the
defendant's pro se motions without prejudice to re-filing as counseled motions.
3
On May 26, 2021;, defendant, through counsel, filed aPetition for Writ of Habeas Corpus.
An evidentiary hearing on this motion was, held on September 8, 2021, December 13, 2021, and
December 15, 2021. Habeas Corpus relief was denied by Order dated December 1S, 202.1.
On July 12, 2021., defendant, through counsel, filed amotion for bond modification: On
July 23, 2021., the Court granted defendant's motion and ordered that he be released from home
electronic monitoring and:.participate in recommended treatment.
On October 12, 202-1, counsel. moved to withdraw from representation, citing
disagreements between the defendant and courisel. On October 26, 2021, after, ahearing, the Court
granted leave for the Office, of the Public Defender to withdraw and, at the defendants reques₹,.
appointed stand-by counsel,
On November 15, 2021, after new criminal charges were filed against the defendant, a
detainer was issued directing that the defendant be incarcerated. On December 1, 2021, after a
hearing, the Court denied that Commonwealth's motion to revoke bond and ordered that the
defendant be released'on home electronic monitoring.
On February 8, 2022, ahearing was held on several motions that were filed by the
defendant. At the conclusion of the hearing, the Court ordered that additional discovery materials
be provided to the defendant and that the .defendant be released from home electronic monitoring.
By Order dated April 14, 2022 ;.
the ,Court directed that the defendant's two cases which
Were consolidated be listed for a. jury trial.
By Order dated July 13, 2022, the Court denied the defendant's request to consolidate new
criminal charges at No. 338 C 2022. for trial with the two cases captioned above.
On August 22, 2022,; trial commenced before Judge Feliciani, sitting with. ajury. On
August 29, 2022, at No. 5559 C2019, the jury returned verdicts of guilty as to Count 1(Disorderly
4
Conduct) and not guilty as to Count 2(
Resisting Arrest) and, at No. 231 C 2020, verdicts of not
guilty as to 'Count 1 (Defiant. Trespass) and. guilty as to Count 2: (Disorderly Conduct)..Sentencing
was deferred pending apre-sentence investigation.
On September 7;2022, defendant pro se filed eight motions seeking various forms of post-
trial relief.
On September 9, 2022,, defendant filed aNotice of Appeal with .the Superior Court of
Pennsylvania, docketed at No. 1.037 WDA 2.022. On January 27, 2023, this appeal was quashed
after the Superior Court found that ,it was premature. On March 1.4, 2023, the record was
remanded/remitted to the trial court.
On March 30, 2023, Judge Feliciani.recused himself from further proceedings in all three
cases involving the defendant, including the .two, which are the subject of this Court's opinion
pursuant to 'Rule.1925.
On. May 22, 2023, the undersigned, having assumed judicial responsibility for the cases
docketed at the above numbers and terms, sentenced the defendant at No. 231 C 2020 to aperiod
of incarceration for fifteen days to one. year, with credit for.fifteen days which were previously
served. The defendant was further awarded credit for the time served on home electronic
monitoring and, supervision was closed., At No. 5559 C 201.9, the defendant was sentenced to a
period of incarceration for fifteen. days to one year, with credit for fifteen days which were.
previously served, `concurrent with the sentence imposed at No. 231 C 2020. The defendant was
further awarded credit for. the time served on home electronic monitoring and supervision was
closed.
On May 23, 2023, the defendant timely filed an-appeal to the Pennsylvania,Superior Court.
Further, the defendant timely filed aConcise. Statement of Errors Complained of'on Appeal raising
the following issues: the sufficiency of the evidence regarding the conviction at No. 231 C2020,
arguing that his conduct -
was. in furtherance of alegitimate purpose of protesting; the sufficiency
of the evidence regarding the conviction at .No. 5559 G 2.019., arguing that his conduct was in
furtherance of alegitimate purpose of filing acomplaint with the Pennsylvania State Police; and
the propriety of the jury instruction on Disorderly Conduct regarding evaluation of :the alleged
conduct using astandard of reasonableness instead of individual intent.
This Opinion is in support of the Order, of Sentence, imposed on May 22, 2023, at both case
numbers.
Statement of Facts
The facts,, adduced from the testimony at trial, read in the light most, favorable to the.
Commonwealth,' may be summarized as follows:
On or about August 29, 2019, .
Justin Juan de La Cruz Martinez (hereinafter "the
defendant") emailed Eric Curry (hereinafter "Curry"), the superintendent of Derry Area School
District, and. Rod Bisi .(hereinafter "Bisi"), the principal of Grandview Elementary School,
requesting to come to Grandview School as part of.his .anti-bullying campaign. (TT 316-321; 368;
533) 2 On behalf of the. school_ district, Ned Nakles, Esq, the district's solicitor, sent Martinez a
cease-and-desist, letter directing the defendant to stay off school grounds.and stating that.the police
would be alerted and it would be, considered trespass should .Martinez enter school. property. (TT
379-381; 383-384.;431;583) Nakles further.advisedthe defendant.that the.school district could not
1 See discussion below.
2 The- letters "TT" followed by numerals refer to the transcript of the trial,
6
control his movements outside of school property so long as the defendant did not interfere with
the school activities or transportation, (TT 353;403-4.04; 409; 411; 413-414; 417) The defendant,
upon receiving the denial from Curry and Nakles, informed them that he would be at .
Grandview
School on November 7, 2019, regardless of whether the district supported his presence. (TT 341;
343;.345; 376; 383; 41.0; 421).
On November 7, 2019, the. defendant: stood beside State Route 982, outside of the entrance
of Grandview School in Derry, Westiuoreland County, Pennsylvania, wearing aunicorn mask and
holding an anti-bullying sign. (TT 354; 404-405; 427; 437; 522) At about 7:30 am., the school
began to field telephone calls from parents who were ,concerned for_ their children's safety .and
confused about the defendant's presence near the school. (TT 405; 415; 419-420; 422; 453; 459;
462;472-475; 481-487; 505-508.; 511; 516; 557-560) Some parents reported to the school and.
police that the defendant was standing on school property. (TT 43'5-441; 44.7; 450; 466-468; 53.0;
560.; 562) Additionally, cars had begun to redirect and switch lanes, honking at each other,
attempting to avoid the defendant and.slowing down, affecting the transportation of students to the
school. (TT 405; 415; 419.-420;. 422; 450; 454; 470; 578; 594; 598; 620) The traffic worsened as
students arrived and worsened again when the police arrived on scene, (TT 601; 631; 1180)
Thomas Esposito, (hereinafter, "Esposito"), was the school's safety officer at the time of
the incident. When .he arrived on campus, he was not initially concerned by the defendant's
presence as he mistook the defendant .for the Chic-fl-A cow. (TT 576-577) Upon. entering the
school, Esposito was summoned to the office, informed of the evolving situation, and told to go
look into the. scene near the road. He observed the defendant standing, near the school's marquee.
(TT 576) Esposito's main objective was to ensure' the safety of the building. (TT 576) He was
'concerned for the safety and welfare of staff and students in relation to the defendant, as well as
7
possible traffic issues. (TT 578) Esposito had been made aware of the fact that the defendant had
been disallowed .from being on school property that day and became concerned that the defendant
was the masked individual.. (TT 583)
.Jeff Kelly, the dean of students for the middle and high school, received a. call of 'amasked
individual walking around the school premises. (TT 646-648) He testified that the situation gave
him afeeling of "angst" as students had begun to arrive on campus and there was expected to be
over athousand students:present that day..(1650.; 646; 649;. 668; 672; 679,) Kelly had been made
aware of the defendant's social media posts and apparent plans to protest' on Nbvember 7as well
as the fact. that he had been disallowed` from being on .campus that day. (TT 667;'669; 671;, 673)
Kelly could not positively identify the area on which the defendant was standing as , school
property. (TT 660)
Kelly reported the defendant's presence to Casey Long (hereinafter, "Long"), the principal
of the high school. Long immediately called the superintendent and the police reporting the
defendant as amasked person causing concerns of violence and athreat to safety to his students.
(1"1 589;. 592;. 594; 595; 597; 598; 620; 621) Long also reported that he thought the masked
individual could be the defendant. and reported this possibility to the police. Long could not say
positively that the defendant was on school property, just that he was "pretty dam close." This
proximity justified. calling the authorities to ascertain whether or'not there was.a threat to the safety
of the school. (TT 597; 629) When more students. began to arrive .on campus and the police had
not yet arrived,.Long called the police for asecond time: Long also reported to the police that he
thought the masked individual could be the defendant as he was aware that the defendant.had been
denied access to the school that day.
8
Police Officer Randy Glick, (hereinafter, "Glick") received the report that the defendant
was on school, property, despite being previously disallowed from.being there. (TT 753) Glick was
somewhat familiar with the defendant as he.had spoken with the defendant on previous occasions
regarding his protests. (TT 754) When he arrived at the school, Glick walked over to the defendant
and asked him what he was doing and informed him. of the.reports of trespassing., (TT 1169)
Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Stephanie Smith (hereinafter; "Stephanie Smith")
arrived on scene after receiving areport of amasked individual outside of Grandview School who
was causing alarm to parents and:staff..(TT 712; 732-733) Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Ty
Smith (hereinafter;. "Ty Smith",), received similar reports and proceeded to the scene with lights
and siren activated, as is protocol for responding to school concerns, especially with, the "school-
shooter culture." (TT (683; 685-686) When he got there, he noted that traffic was heavy, as
students had begun. to arrive. (
TT688) When Stephanie Smith arrived,, she observed the defendant
on the berm.of the road, walking across the.driveway of the school, ,which -
she, believed to be school
property. (TT 714-715; 71.8; 720; 723; 8.6.1.-862) Upon exiting her vehicle, Stephanie Smith
requested that the defendant remove the unicorn mask and show aphoto ID. (TT 1173) The
defendant removed the unicorn mask, revealing another.mask underneath,, and showed Stephanie
Smith acard 'which identified him as "the Bully Monster." (TT 71.9; 882 -
883; 1171 -
1173; 1176)
When he removed his mask, Ty Smith iecognized him from a.social.media post about asituation
in Derry. (TT 690) Glick also:recognized the defendant when he removed his unicorn mask. (TT
754) The defendant then.gave Stephanie Smith his Pennsylvania driver's license.. (TT 1177)
The troopers .considered that the :
defendant was exercising his right to protest but were
concerned that he was protesting in away that was causing adisruption .and creating, a.
safety
hazard for students, staff, parents, and troopers. (TT 766768) Ty "Smith also agreed that the
9
defendant, by protesting, was exercising his civil rights. (TT 73 9) After reviewing maps of the area
and considering where the defendant was standing, it was decided that adisorderly conduct charge
was appropriate. (TT 693.
;703) At trial, Glick testified that this incident represents disorderly
conduct "all day long." (TT 788) Glick, at that time, did not file the official charge for trespassing ;
as nobody presented him with evidence thatthe defendant had been. on school property., (TT 769).
The troopers pointed out the traffic issues to the defendant, but he disagreed that the traffic
was.anything worse than normal school drop-off traffic. (TT 1180) Ty Smith asked the defendant
to leave, but the defendant asserted thathe was exercising his rights and was..attempting to attract
attention to the issue of .bullying. (TT 1185) The defendant then asked the troopers if he was
trespassing and stated that, if they could not. positively identify the area on which.he was standing
as school property; `it was his .intention to stay and protest. (TT 1189) Stephanie Smith then
informed the defendant that .it was her intention to arrest him unless he left the school area,, citing
the reports from parents who believed the defendant was trespassing on school property, as well
as the disruptive nature of the situation. as reason for the possible arrest:. (TT 728; 864-866.; 1196)
The defendant asked the troopers for a:phone. number to call to reach their superiors, which they
gave him, (TT 1197) At this point, the defendant left the area, of the school. (TT 1197) After the
defendant left, the troopers. radioed the, barracks to alert them that the situation.had been handled
(TT 732; 737) Stephanie Smith testified that she regarded the defendant as athreat because he
made acomment that he would be back and that he enjoys .confrontation. (TT 736) After reviewing
the evidence of this incident Pennsylvania State Police- Corporal Jhirison Shepbard, (hereinafter;
"Shephard"), testified that the "totality of the circumstances was creating ahazardous situation,
especially given the roadside nature of the interaction with Martinez. (TT 867-868)
10
At trial, the defendant provided character witnesses who testified to his peaceful nature
of his
(TT 932; 940; 954; 960; 962; 966; 975; 982). He also showed numerous photos and videos -
prior protests., in which he can be seen wearing masks.and waving anti-bullying sign (TT 1080-
1086; 1102-1130).
On or about November. 19, 2019, the defendant proceeded to the Pennsylvania State Police:
Barracks inKiski Valley. Prior to his arrival. at the barracks on November 19, 2019, the defendant
called Ma Provenzo .(hereinafter, "Provenzo"), the communications. officer at the time of the
incident. In this call, he reported that he was going to come to the barracks in relation to filing
complaints. (TT 794; 120 1) Upon arrival in the lobby, the defendant called Provenzo .again to alert
her that he was there. (TT 797) Provenzo advised the defendant that he would not be able to record
in the restricted area or have his phone pointed toward the window. (TT 825) The restriction on
recording is also posted inside the barracks, as this is an. issue addressed with any individual who
enters the lobby. (TT 829) Provenzo alerted Shephard of the defendant's arrival at the: barracks.
The defendant inquired as to the status of his previously filed complaints, as this was. the eighth
day after they had.been filed. (TT 833-834) 4 Shephardinstructed him to slide any.new complaints
under the window. Because one of the complaints was against Sheppard, the defendant did not
want to'directiy give him the complaint, so he refused to slide it under the window and sat. down.
3Prior to this date, he had filed averbal complaint against Stephanie Smith and Ty Smith, alleging
afalse arrest in relation to the events which transpired on November 7, 2019. (TT 823; 850; 853;
1199) While he was at the barracks .previously, the defendant was.recording with his cellphone,
but was not directing the recording towards the window or the.restricted area, so this: recording
was not considered problematic at the time. ( TT 825; 829; 876; 1204) Shephard, who received the
complaint;advised the defendant that he would have information about the complaint in a, week.
(TT 834; 870-872)
4.In. addition to those against Stephanie Smith and Ty Smith, the defendant had filed complaints
_
a,cgainst Corporal Shephard, Sergeant Stallone, and an internal affairs officer. (TT 1200; 1211)
11
(TT 820 834; 873; 1203) Because, the defendant was recording this interaction, Shephard gave
him orders to not record in the direction of the .restricted area. Shephard could not. tell if the
defendant was recording the secured area with the front camera" or himself with the back camera.
(TT 902-903) The :defendant continued to record, ignoring Shephard's orders to hold his phone
out"to the side. Every time the defendant would move his phone to the side, he would immediately
bring it back to the front, recording toward, the restricted area. (
TT 879=881; 891-892; 899-900;
1204) Shephard was concerned about. Martinez recording classified and confidential information,.
including information regarding victims and.arrestees, that could be available in"the restricted area.
(TT 837) Because of these concerns, Shephard attempted to seize the defendant'"s phone, resulting
in astruggle. (TT 820 835-83.6; 840; 896-897;1206-1208) Shephard ordered the defendant to get
on the ground and told hirn that he was under arrest, at which point the.. struggle ceased. (TT 81.3=
816; 841; 1208) Martinez was, placed under arrest, handcuffed, patted down, and escorted to the
patrol room. Following this incident, Shephard filed criminal charges against the defendant. (TT
830; 838) The defendant's. cell phone was confiscated, asearch warrant was secured, and the
videos of the incident were recovered from the phone. (TT 832) Shephard testified that the
defendant "disrupted operations of.my dispatcher, another crime corporal, acrime unit member,"
as well as his own efforts .to..oversee"patrol duties: (TT 837;. 881)
1. Sufficiency of the Evidence
The standard of review for claims of insufficient evidence. is well-settled. With respect to
such claims, we consider the evidence in the light most favorable to the Commonwealth as verdict
winner. In that light, we decide if the evidence and all reasonable inferences from that evidence
are sufficient to establish the elements of the offense beyond areasonable doubt." Commonwealth
12
v. Devries.
112 A.3d 663, 667
(Pa. Super. 2015) (citations omitted); Commonwealth v. Barkman,
-- A;3d —, 2023 Pa Super. 87, at *J5 (May .19, 2023);. and Commonwealth v. Arias;
286 A.3d 341
,.
349 (Pa. Super. 2022). "This standard is equally applicable to cases where. the evidence is
circumstantial rather than direct so long as the combination of the evidence links the accused to
the clime beyond areasonable.doubt.". Commonwealth v. Antidormi,
84 A.3d 736,756
(
Pa. Super.
201.4), app. den..
626 Pa. 681
.,
95 A.3d 275
(2014); Commonwealth v. Estepp,
17 A.3d 939, 943
(Pa. Super. 2011)(citing Commonwealth v. Brooks ;
7 A.3d 852
, 856-857 .(Pa. Super. 2010));
Commonwealth v. Becker ;No. 1841 MDA 20.19, 2021 WL156138;3, at *4 (Pa. Super. Ct. April
21, 2021.)(non-precedential decision); and Commonwealth v. Zarnoch, No. 105 MDA 2020,.
2021
WL 1328798
, at * 2 (Pa. Super. Ct. April 9, 2021)(non-precedential decision) .
The prosecution must be given the benefit .of all reasonable inferences, to be drawn from
the evidence. Commonwealth, v. 'Widmer,
744 A.2d, 745
., 751-52 (Pa. 2000)(citations omitted),
Commonwealth v. Buchanan, No. 858 MDA 2020,
2021 WL 944420
, at *4-5 (Pa. Super. Ct:
March 12,.2021)(non-precedential decision). The factfinder is free'to believe all, part, or none of
the evidence, and credibility: determinations rest solely within the purview of the
factfinder. Commonwealth v. Treiber,
874 A.2d 26,30
(
Pa. 2005); Commonwealth v. Watson, No.
1694.EDA 2019,
2020 WL 5269916
,. at *5 (Pa. Super. Ct: September 4., 2020)(non-precedential
decision); and Antidormi,
84 A.3d at 756
-Moreover, any doubts. concerning adefendant's guilt ate
to be resolved by the factfinder unless the evidence was so weak. and inconclusive that no.
probability of fact could be drawn from that evidence, Commonwealth v. Kane ;
10 A.3d 327, 332
(Pa. Super. 2010) ;app. den, . 29 A.3d. 796 (Pa. 2011); and Commonwealth w Martin, No. 1361
MDA 2019,
2020 WL 3960350
, at.*2.(Pa. Super. Ct. July 13, 2020)(non-precedential decision).
13
Finally, although aconviction must be based on more than mere suspicion or conjecture,
the Commonwealth.need not establish guilt. to a mathematical 'certainty, Comm onwealth.v.
Martuscelli,
54 A.3d 940
,. 947 (Pa. Super. .2012); Martin, at *2, or preclude every possibility of
innocence. Barkman.'at * 15 Commonwealth v. Knox, 21.
9 A.3d 186,195
(Pa. Super. 2019), app..
den.,
228 A.3d 256
(Pa. 2020); Commonwealth v. Melvin,
103 A.3d 1, 39-40
(Pa. Super. 2014);
and. Commonwealth v. Bailey, No. 1220 EDA 2020,
2021 WL 655439
, at *I1 (Pa. Super. Ct.
February 19, 2021.)(non-precedential decision)'.
The defendant was convicted at each case of Disorderly Conduct, 18 Pa.C.S. §5503(a)(4).
"A person is guilty of disorderly conduct if, with intent to cause public inconvenience, annoyance.'
or alarm, or recklessly creating a. risk thereof, he ... creates ahazardous or physically .offensive
condition by any act which serves-no legitimate purpose of the actor." 18 Pa-C.S.A. § 5503(a)(4).
The offense .of disorderly conduct has the "specific purpose ... to preserve the 'public peace."
Commonwealth v. Hock,
728 A.2d 943, 947
(Pa. 1999) (citation omitted). "The cardinal feature
of the crime of disorderly conduct is public unruliness which can .or does lead to tumult and
disorder." .
Hock;.
728 A.2d at 946
(citation omitted). The goal of Section 5503 is to protect. the
community from public unruliness leading to tumult or disorder; it is not:a "catchall for every act
which annoys or disturbs people." Commonwealth v.. Mauz;
122 A.3d 1039, 1041
(Pa. Super.
2015) (quoting Commonwealth v. Maerz,
879 A.2d 1267, 1269
(Pa. Super: 2005)).
Commonwealth v. Coniker,
290 A.3d 725, 735
(Pa. Super. 2023). "ft has aspecific purpose; it has
adefinite objective ;it is intended to preserve the public peace." Mauz,
122 A.3d at 1041
(citation
omitted). Commonwealth v. Broa, No. 1.233. WDA 2022,
2023 WL 4173820
, at * 6 (Pa. Super.
Ct. Jigne.26 ;.2023)(non-precedential decision).
14
"First, Section 5503 .requires proof that the defendant had one of"two alternative mental
states: "intent to cause public "inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or recklessly creating arisk
thereof." 18 Pa,C.S.A. § 5503 (emphasis added) ;The Commonwealth can thus ;sustain adisorderly
conduct conviction with .evidence that the defendant recklessly created a risk of public
inconvenience, annoyance, or alarm, even if he lacked the .intent to do so. Commonwealth v. Troy,
832 A.2d 1089
,.1094 (Pa. Super, 2003) (citing Commonwealth v, Kidd,
442 A.2d 826
, .827 (Pa.
Super. 1982))." Conker,
290 A.3d at 735
. "The mens rea requirement of th[e disorderly conduct]
statute demands proof that:appellaut by his .actions intentionally [caused] or recklessly created a
risk [of causing] apublic inconvenience, annoyance or alarm." Commonwealth V. Gilbert,
674
A.2d 294
,286 (Pa. Super.1996); see also 18 Pa.C.S. § 5503(a). (defendant must actwith the "intent
to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or recklessly creating arisk thereof')., "The
specific intent, requirement of this statute may be: met by ashowing of areckless disregard of the.
risk of public inconvenience,, annoyance, or alarm, even if the appellant's intent was to send a
message to acertain individual, rather than to cause public inconvenience, annoyance, or alarm:"
Maerz,
879 A.2d at 1269
(citation.and .quotation marks omitted). Commonwealth v. McConnell,
244 A.3d 44, 51
(Pa. Super. 2020),.
Second, Section 5503(a)(4) requires. proof that adefendant "create[d] ahazardous or
physically offensive condition by any act which serves no legitimate purpose of the actoh" 18.
Pa.C.S.A. § 5503(a)(4). "A condition is ` hazardous' if.it ` involves danger, or risk' of `the possibility
of injuries resulting from public disorders! Commonwealth v. Roth,
531 A.2d 1133, 1137
(Pa.
Super. 1:987), app, den.,
541 A.2d 1137
(Pa.1988); Commonwealth V. Williams,
574 A.2d 1161,
1
.1.64 (Pa. Super. 100). A hazardous "condition has been defined as one that involves "danger [ox]
risk," Roth,
531 A.2d at 113
'7. "The dangers and risks against which the disorderly conduct statute
I5:
are directed are the possibility of injuries resulting from public disorders." Williams..
574 A.2d at
1
.164. "The reckless creation of arisk of public alarm, annoyance. or inconvenience is as .criminal
as actually causing such sentiments." Commonwealth v. Reynolds,
835 A.2d 720
,'731 (Pa.
Super.2003). By contrast, the meaning of `Physically offensive condition' ` encompasses direct
assaults on.the physical senses of members of the public' as opposed to `merely morally offensive'
conduct. Commonwealth v. McConnell,
244 A.3d 44, 49
(Pa. Super. 202.0). The Commonwealth
needs to prove that the defendant created either ahazardous condition or aphysically offensive
condition,, not both. See, McConnell; 244 A,3d.at 49 n.3. Conker,
290 A.3d at 735-736
.
The defendant appears to challenge the sufficiency of the evidence at No. 23'1 C 2020 by
asserting that he was engaging in alegitimate .act of protest. A "legitimate purpose" under the
disorderly conduct statute encompasses "conduct which is lawfully and constitutionally
protected." Roth, 531 A.2d at.1137. It is'long settled, however, that the First.Amendment does not
bar aconviction for disorderly conduct'. See. Starzell v. City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 533
F.3d.193, 204 (3d. Cir. 2005). For example; in Commonwealth v.'Hushes,
410 A.2d 1272
(Pa.
Super. 1979), the Court found sufficient evidence of disorderly conduct without offending the First
Amendment where in the presence of members of the general public the defendant shouted
obscenities "although the principal intent ofthe defendant may have been to.inmilt the police rather
than to cause [p]ublic inconvenience, annoyance, or alarm." Hughes,
410 A.2d at 1274
, in Roth.
the Court found that the defendant created ahazardous condition by disrupting'Easter Sunday
services with asymbolic act of'protest; Noting the "emotionally charged atmosphere," the Court
reasoned that the protestors' approach could have, caused altercations with the church members,
holding that the defendants` actions "transgressed from peaceful protest to civil disobedience" and
therefore lacked alegifimate1purpose under the disorderly conduct statute: Roth, 531A-2d at 1137-
16
X1.3 8; ,
Conker,
290 A.3d at 735
. In McConnell, the Court found sufficient evidence of disorderly
conduct despite the defendant's claim that his use of bright floodlights was alegitimate act .
of
protest, observing that, "[elven to the extent Appellant could claim to have been exercising his
right to free. speech by turning on the floodlights as a `protest,' his attempt to evade liability for
disorderly conduct fails because he did not exercise his rights in areasonable manner: McConnell,
244 A,3d at 52=53, In Commonwealth v. Cosby, No, 2057 EDA 2021,
2022 WL 4361906
(Pa.
Super. Ct. September 21, 2022),, app.. den.,
293 A.3d 561
(Pa. 2023)(non-precedential decision),
the Court found sufficient evidence of disorderly conduct where the defendant screamed
profanities and loudly made offensive remarks while she .stood on the public sidewalk outside of
aprivate residence finding that, although the defendant "may have intended to send amessage to
the residents of the house specifically, the record reflects that by.initiating these interactions in
public, the defendant acted with a reckless disregard for the risk of public inconvenience,
annoyance, or alarm." Cosby, at * 7-8.
Turning to the .evidence in the defendant's case, the evidence 'shows that the . defendant
caused significant disruption, to the peaceful and safe trafficking of students to their school during
the beginning of the school day, He was dressed in amask. and shouting, loudly while standing at
and/or on theentrance to the school driveway, drawing attention to himseLf and away from the safe
operation of vehicles and pedestrians who were attempting, to access the school, Parents called the
school complaining about the defendant's activities which were causing alarm to the students and
blocking traffic. School. staff and police officers who observed the defendant's actions were
similarly concerned about the disruptive effect of the defendant's presence and behavior. As such,
the defendant's activities crossed the line from serving :any suggested legitimate purpose to
17
creating a'hazardous .and offensive condition which caused public inconvenience, annoyance and
alarm.
Regarding the sufficiency of the evidence at No. 5559 C' 2019;. a review of the
Commonwealth's proof shows that the evidence. supports the conviction of Disorderly Conduct.
Despite, aproper request, the defendantrefused to stop recording of an. area where confidential and
protected activities of the police were.o conducted. He then proceeded to create adisruption in the
lobby of state police barracks. Initially; the evidence supports the conclusion that the lobby of the
barracks is a.public place. "Public" is defined. in Section 5503(a)(4) as any place "affecting or
likely to affect persons in a place to which the public or asubstantial group has access; among the
places included are highways,. transport facilities, schools, prisons, apartment houses, places of
business or amusement, any neighborhood, or any premises Which are open to the public:" 18
Pa.C.S..§5503(6). As a.place of business which was open to the public, the.lobby of the barracks
is apublic area. Next,. the :evidence shows that the defendant's actions did not have alegitimate
purpose. Although the defendant appears to argue that he was conducting the legitimate activity
of seeking information about complaints he had filed against various state police employees, the,
evidence shows that he was, instead pursuing the activity of attempting to record an:area which
was protected from public access. As such, the evidence proves that the defendant's actions had
no legitimate. purpose. Finally, the evidence proves that the defendant's actions caused asignificant
disruption to the business of the state police and any members of the public who required their
services.
H Jury Instructions
18
11q defendant raises an issue concerning the jury instructions, claiming error in the Courts
instruction regarding criminal intent.
Before tuming to the merits of the defendant's arguments, this Court must first address
whether the defendant waived any issue claiming error in the, jury charge when he failed to
interpose an obj ection to the jury instructions after the charge was delivered to the jury but before
the: jury retired to deliberate. In Commonwealth v. Pressley,
887 A.2d. 220
(Pa, 2005), the
Pennsylvania.Supreme Court, interpreting Rules of Criminal Procedure 6035 and 647,6 held that
"the mere submission and subsequent, denial of proposed points for charge that are inconsistent
with or omitted from the instructions actually given will not suffice to..preserve an issue, absent a
sRule 603 provides
Rule 603. Exceptions.
(A) Any ruling of the judge on an objection or motion made during'the trial of any action
or proceeding shall have the effect of asealed exception in .favor of the party adversely
aff. ected without the necessity of aformal.request or notation made, on the record,
(B) This rule shall not be applicable to the charge to the jury.
6Rule 647 provides in pertinent .part:
Rule 647. Request for,Instructions, Charge to the Airy, and Preliminary Instructions.
(A) Before the taking of evidence, the trial judge shall give instructions to the jurors as
provided in Rule 626.
(B) Any party may submit to the trial judge- written requests for instructions to the jury.
Such requests shall be submitted within a, reasonable time before -the closing arguments,.
and at the same time copies thereof shall be furnished to the other parties. Before closing
arguments, the trial judge shall inform the parties on the record of the judge's rulings on
all written requests and which instructions; shall be submitted to the jury' in writing.'The
trial judge shall. charge the jury after the arguments are completed.
(C) No portions of the charge nor omissions from the charge may be assigned as error,
unless specific objections are made thereto before the jury retires to deliberate. All such
objections shall be made beyond the hearing of the jury.
19
specific objection or exception to the charge or the trial court's ruling respecting, the points."
Presslev,
887 A.2d at 225
. The Court explained;.
The pertinent rules; therefore, require a.specific objection to the charge. or
an exception to the trial court's ruling, on aproposed point to preserve an
issue involving ajury instruction. Although,obligating counsel to take this
additional step where aspecific point for charge has been rejected may
appear counterintuitive, as the requested, instruction can be viewed as
alerting the trial court, to adefendant's substantive legal position, it serves
the salutary purpose of .affording the court an opportunity to avoid or
remediate potential error; thereby eliminating the need for appellate
review of an otherwise correctable issue.
Pressley, 887 A..2d at 224. Failure to comply with the requirement that atimely objection be
lodged after the jury has been charged results in waiver of any objection to the jury instructions
even where an objection was made at aprior charging conference. Commonwealth v. Parker, 1.04
A:3d 17, 29 (Pa Super, 2014); Commonwealth v. Cosby,
224 A.3d 372
,. 421-422 (Pa. Super.
2019), vacated on other grounds, 252 A.361092 (Pa. 2021)(objections to jury charge is waived
where no objection was posed aftrial after jury was instructed and beforeahey retired to deliberate);
and Commonwealth v. Sinclair, No. 1289 EDA 2022,
2023 WL 2583850
, of '* 5 (Pa. Super. Ct.
March 21, 2023)(non-precedential decision)(Objection to jury. instructions is waived where there.
was no objection made to jury instructions after they were .given to the juiy).
In defendant's case, during the trial there was extensive discussion. and argument -about the
jury instructions prior to the Court's delivering the charge..(TT 1.323 — 1343) When asked whether
there were any concerns about the jury .charge before retiring the jury for deliberations, however,
the defendant did not raise an, objection. (TT 1370) Thus; by accepting the jury charge, the
defendant waived any issues concerning the jury instructions. The defendant also accepted the
Court's responses to jury'questions. (TT 1373; 1390; 1391) His arguments about error in the jury
charge, therefore, are not properly preserved for consideration by this Court.
20
Even. should these issues not be deemed waived, this Court finds that they lack merit. A
review of the Court's instructions demonstrates that the jury was properly instructed regarding
mens.rea and -
the consideration of the defendant's exercise.of alegitimate right to protest. There
was no error in the jury instructions.
cc: Justin Juan De La Cruz Martinez, 502N. 12 tk Ave. ;Albany, IL 61230
Anthony Iannamorelli, Esq., 2N.. Main Street, Ste. 206, Greensburg; PA 15601
Peter Flanigan,, Esq., Office of the Criminal Court Aetministrator
21Case Information
- Court
- Pa. Super. Ct.
- Decision Date
- March 4, 2024
- Status
- Precedential