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J-S24044-21
NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P.65.37
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
: PENNSYLVANIA
:
v. :
:
:
JOHN P. STIVER :
:
Appellant : No. 907 WDA 2020
Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence Entered July 31, 2020
In the Court of Common Pleas of Blair County Criminal Division at No(s):
CP-07-CR-0001897-2018
BEFORE: DUBOW, J., KING, J., and STEVENS, P.J.E.*
MEMORANDUM BY STEVENS, P.J.E.: FILED: SEPTEMBER 27, 2021
Appellant John P. Stiver appeals from the judgment of sentence of life
imprisonment entered in the Court of Common Pleas of Blair County on July
31, 2020, following his convictions of first-degree murder1 and numerous,
related offenses after a five-day jury trial which commenced on January 27,
2020, and ended on January 31, 2020. Following a careful review, we affirm.
On July 26, 2018, after an unsuccessful drug deal which had occurred
earlier that day, Appellant shot and killed David Hoover. The trial court set
forth the relevant facts leading up to the homicide as follows:
This case boils down to the Appellant, Dillion Bryan and
Edward “Cowboy” Clemens lying in wait for Mark Adams and the
decedent, David Hoover, in the church parking lot at Bethany
Lutheran Church. On July 26, 2018 at approximately 2:16 p.m.,
there was a prior drug transaction at the Sheetz Store on Chestnut
____________________________________________
* Former Justice specially assigned to the Superior Court.
1 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 2502.
J-S24044-21
Avenue wherein Edward “Cowboy” Clemens rode with the
Appellant to the Sheetz Store. Clemens entered the store and
made a drug transaction with David Hoover in the men's restroom.
The agreement was that Clemens would provide an 8 ball of
cocaine for $250. Within the Sheetz Store, Clemens obtained the
$250 from Hoover and also provided two Klonopin pills for $10.
The two Klonopin pills came from the Appellant as there were prior
arrangements between Clemens and the Appellant to obtain such
Klonopins, including specifically a text message about obtaining
“pins”. It was the intent of both Clemens and the Appellant to
“burn” Hoover. They had no intent to provide him the 8 ball of
cocaine on the date in question. Clemens confirmed that the
Appellant was part of the plan to burn Hoover. Clemens claimed
that Hoover had stolen $360 from an envelope within his
residence at a prior time. Clemens took the $250, returned to
[Appellnt’s] vehicle, and they drove away. [R.R. # 47, E. Clemen's
testimony, 1/28/20, pp. 111-114]. Hoover went to Mark Adam's
vehicle and waited. Clemens had told him to wait and that he
would be back in approximately 15 minutes. [R.R. #47, M. Adams,
1/28/20, pp. 50-53].
After Hoover and Adams waited about 30-45 minutes, they
realized that they had been burned. Hoover tried to call Clemens
twenty-five (25) times without success. [R.R. # 54, Detective D.
Dey, 1/29/20, pp. 184-189; [R.R. #45, Sergeant Merritts,
1130/20, p. 101], At that time, Adams returned to work. [R.R.
#47, M. Adams, 1/28/20, pp. 53-54].
After Adams got off work at 4:00 p.m., he picked up Hoover
and they drove through Altoona looking for Clemens with the
intent to get their money back. They found Clemens with 2 other
people (including the Appellant) in an alley at Third Avenue.
Adams revealed to Hoover that he had a bat in the trunk of his
white Chevrolet Malibu. Hoover retrieved the bat and walked over
toward Clemens and his two companions. Clemens yelled “I'll get
your money”, at which time the other two individuals (the
Appellant and Bryan) got into the Ford Fusion and left. [R.R. #47,
M. Adams, 1/28/20, pp. 54-60]. There was ultimately a high
speed chase through Altoona wherein Adams and Hoover lost the
Appellant and Clemens. [R.R. #47, M. Adams, 1/28/20, p. 60].
The Appellant ultimately drove to the church parking lot and
parked the vehicle. Clemens was walking along the alley and then
hid behind a dumpster. He also hid hypodermic needles, which
were later found by police. [R.R. # 47, Patrolman Trent, 1/28/20,
pp. 19-20]; [R.R. # 53, Patrolman M. Angermeier, 1/27/20, p.
188]. When the Appellant arrived on scene and parked his vehicle,
-2-
J-S24044-21
Clemens walked toward the vehicle. The Appellant got out of the
vehicle, went to his trunk, obtained the shotgun and put it in his
backseat. [R.R. #45, Sergeant Merritts, 11/30/20, pp. 92-93].
The Appellant admitted this in his statement to Sergeant Merritts.
The white Chevrolet Impala, in which Adams was driving and
David Hoover was a passenger, then stopped in the alley by the
parking lot. [R.R. # 47, M. Adams, 1/28/20, pp. 62-63]. Hoover
got out of the vehicle, walked around the back of the Appellant's
blue Ford Fusion, went along the passenger side, carrying a
baseball bat. Hoover did not possess a gun. At no time did Hoover
enter the vehicle, nor attempt to enter the vehicle, nor attempt to
remove the Appellant or Bryan from the vehicle. At no time did
Hoover threaten anyone. The Appellant subsequently backed up
his vehicle, reached out the driver's window and shot Hoover with
the 12-gauge shotgun that he obtained from his father's
residence. The Appellant then drove away at a high rate of speed.
[R.R. #47, M. Adams, 1/28/20, pp. 63-67, 81-82].
Clemens confirmed that when he got back into the blue Ford
Fusion after the incident (which he claimed he did not witness),
that the Appellant stated “I killed him,” referring to Hoover. [R.R.
#47, E. Clemens, 1/28/20, p. 119].
The forensic pathologist, Dr. Kevin Whaley, testified that
Hoover was approximately 10 to 12 feet away from the Appellant
when the shot occurred. Hoover subsequently fell to the ground
and laid dying in the parking lot, surrounded by a pool of blood.
[R.R. #54, Dr. Whaley, 1129120, pp. 145,158-161]. These events
were confirmed by the testimony of Mark Adams (whom the jury
found to be a credible witness), the surveillance videos of
neighbors, and as re-created by the computer generated
animation (CGA). The entire incident lasted only approximately 40
seconds. After the shooting, the Appellant was observed speeding
down an alleyway, captured by surveillance video. [R.R. #47,
Patrolman G. Trent, 1/28/20, p. 32; M. Adams, 1/28/20, p. 67];
[R.R. #45, Sergeant Merritts, 1/30/20, p. 115]. Bryan was in the
Appellant's car. An individual who appeared to be Clemens was
seen running from the scene. Adams drove his white vehicle
around Hoover's body, out the alley, then took a left onto Second
Avenue and parked. [R.R. #46, M. Adams, 1/31/20, pp. 37-38].
Adams called 911 and waited on scene until the police arrived.
[R.R. #47, M. Adams, 1/28/20, pp. 67-68, 72]; [R.R. #53,
Patrolman M. Miller, 1127120, pp. 122-124]; [R.R. #45, Sergeant
Merritts, 1/30/20, p. 79].
Trial Court Opinion, filed 3/26/21, at 86-90.
-3-
J-S24044-21
On February 11, 2020, Appellant filed his Post-Trial Motion. Contained
therein was a “Motion for a Mistrial based on a Brady[2] Violation” and “Motion
to Dismiss Criminal Charges Due to Prosecutorial Misconduct.” On February
24, 2020, Appellant filed his Amended Post-Trial Motion wherein he added
subsections entitled “Prejudiced Juror Should Not Have Been Allowed to
Deliberate” and “Motion for Judgment Notwithstanding the Verdict.” Following
a hearing on July 7, 2020, the trial court denied Appellant’s Post- Trial Motions
along with Appellant’s Petition to Reopen on July 30, 2020.
Appellant was sentenced on July 31, 2020, to life in prison and
concurrent prison terms for his non-merging convictions. On August 26, 2020,
Appellant filed a timely Notice of Appeal. The trial court ordered Appellant to
file a concise statement of matters complained of on appeal on August 27,
2020, and Appellant complied on September 17, 2020, at which time he
presented fourteen (14) issues for the trial court’s review.
In his brief, Appellant presents the following Statement of the Questions
Involved:
I. Whether the denial of court-appointed experts to an indigent
defendant in a self-defense case to challenge the positions and
shot trajectory deprived [Appellant] of his Fifth Amendment Rights
and fundamental Due Process.
II. Whether the trial court erred in allowing the Commonwealth to
present a Computer-Generated Animation solely based on its
version of the incident after denying an indigent [Appellant’s]
____________________________________________
2 Brady v. Maryland,
373 U.S. 83
(1963).
-4-
J-S24044-21
request for a similar opportunity of experts given the severity of
the charges and complexity of the evidence.
III. Whether failing to preserve exculpatory evidence – and denial
of opportunity to introduce evidence of Brady violation – violated
[Appellant’s] Due Process rights.
IV. Whether impermissible juror bias and prejudgment of guilt
deprived [Appellant] of a fair trial.
V. Whether introduction of ancient convictions to impeach a
defense witness was prejudicial error.
VI. Whether denying application of the Castle Doctrine to
[Appellant] using deadly force in self-defense from an Aggressor
with deadly weaponry while occupying his vehicle was erroneous.
VII. Whether the exclusion of evidence regarding a witness’
mental health condition was reversible error.
VIII. Whether introduction of gruesome and inflammatory autopsy
photographs lacking probative value was prejudicial error.
IX. Whether the denial of severance of charges unduly prejudiced
Mr. Stiver.
X. Whether the denial of judgment notwithstanding the verdict
was error where the evidence was insufficient to establish guilt of
murder to shock one’s conscience requiring reversal.
Brief for Appellant at 8-9.
This Court reviews each of Appellant’s issues under the following
standards of review:
Appellant’s first issue challenges the trial court’s decision not to appoint
him an expert although he was an indigent defendant. In criminal matters,
our standard of review of challenges related to the appointment of an expert
witness for the defense is as follows:
-5-
J-S24044-21
The provision of public funds to hire experts to assist in the
defense against criminal charges is a decision vested in the sound
discretion of the [trial] court and a denial[,] thereof[,] will not be
reversed absent an abuse of that discretion.
Commonwealth v. Cannon,
954 A.2d 1222, 1226
(Pa.Super. 2008), appeal
denied,
964 A.2d 893
(Pa. 2009). Moreover,
[i]t is well-established that indigent defendants have a right to
access the same resources as non-indigent defendants in criminal
proceedings. The state has an affirmative duty to furnish indigent
defendants the same protections accorded those financially able
to obtain them. Procedural due process guarantees that a
defendant has the right to present competent evidence in his
defense, and the state must ensure that an indigent defendant
has fair opportunity to present his defense.
Commonwealth v. Konias,
136 A.3d 1014, 1019
(Pa.Super. 2016) (citations
and quotation marks omitted), appeal denied,
145 A.3d 724
(Pa. 2016). The
Commonwealth, however, “is not obligated to pay for the services of an expert
simply because a defendant requests one.” Konias,
136 A.3d at 1020-1021
(citation omitted). Rather, the defendant must demonstrate “the content and
relevancy of the proposed expert testimony before such a request will be
granted.” Commonwealth v. Curnutte,
871 A.2d 839, 842
(Pa.Super. 2005)
(citation omitted). A request for an expert witness, whose necessity is based
upon mere speculation as to the assistance the expert will provide to the
defense, does not warrant the appropriation of public funds. Commonwealth
v. Harris,
703 A.2d 441, 449
(Pa. 1997), cert. denied,
525 U.S. 1015
(1998).
-6-
J-S24044-21
Appellant’s second, seventh and eighth issues challenge the trial court’s
evidentiary rulings. The following standard governs this Court’s review of the
admissibility of evidence:
Admission of evidence is within the sound discretion of the
trial court and will be reversed only upon a showing that the trial
court clearly abused its discretion. Admissibility depends on
relevance and probative value. Evidence is relevant if it logically
tends to establish a material fact in the case, tends to make a fact
at issue more or less probable or supports a reasonable inference
or presumption regarding a material fact.
Judicial discretion requires action in conformity with law,
upon facts and circumstances judicially before the court, after
hearing and due consideration. An abuse of discretion is not
merely an error of judgment, but if in reaching a conclusion the
law is overridden or misapplied or the judgment exercised is
manifestly unreasonable, or the result of partiality, prejudice,
bias, or ill will, as shown by the evidence or the record, discretion
is abused.
Commonwealth v. Borovichka,
18 A.3d 1242, 1253
(Pa.Super. 2011)
(quoting Commonwealth v. Levanduski,
907 A.2d 3
, 13–14 (Pa. Super.
2006) (en banc ) (internal citations omitted)).
The admission of demonstrative evidence, like a computer-generated
animation, requires a trial court to weigh the possible probative value and
prejudicial effects of the animation. This is a matter within the discretion of
the trial judge which this Court will not overturn absent an abuse of that
discretion. See Commonwealth v. Serge,
586 Pa. 671, 682
,
896 A.2d 1170,
1177
(2006); Commonwealth v. Ford,
451 Pa. 81
,
301 A.2d 856, 858
(1973).
Furthermore, our Supreme Court has explained that
-7-
J-S24044-21
[w]hen a witness suffers from a mental disability relevant to his
or her ability to accurately observe, recall or report events, the
jury must be informed of the disability in order to assist it in
properly assessing the weight and credibility of the witness's
testimony. The evidence can be said to affect credibility when it
shows that the witness's mental disorganization impaired his or
her capacity to observe an event at the time of its occurrence, to
maintain a clear recollection of it, or to communicate the
observation accurately and truthfully at trial.
Commonwealth v. Davido,
630 Pa. 217, 260
,
106 A.3d 611, 637
(2014)
(citations omitted).
When considering the admissibility of photographs of a homicide victim,
which by their very nature can be quite disturbing, the trial court must engage
in a two-step analysis:
First a trial court must determine whether the photograph
is inflammatory. If not, it may be admitted if it has relevance and
can assist the jury's understanding of the facts. If the photograph
is inflammatory, the trial court must decide whether or not the
photographs are of such essential evidentiary value that their
need clearly outweighs the likelihood of inflaming the minds and
passions of the jurors.
Commonwealth v. Pruitt,
597 Pa. 307, 327
,
951 A.2d 307, 319
(2008)
(internal brackets and citation omitted). As the Supreme Court recognized,
photographic images of a homicide victim are often relevant to determining
the intent element of the crime of first-degree murder.
Id.
Thirdly, Appellant asserts his due process rights were violated as a result
of the Commonwealth’s failure to preserve and provide him with certain
exculpatory evidence. This issue presents a question of law, for which our
standard of review is de novo and our scope of review is plenary.”
-8-
J-S24044-21
Commonwealth v. Bagnall,
235 A.3d 1075
, 1084 (Pa.2020). Our Supreme
Court summarized the law relevant to the adjudication of such claims as
follows:
The law governing alleged Brady violations is well-settled.
In Brady, the United States Supreme Court held that the
suppression by the prosecution of evidence favorable to an
accused upon request violates due process where the evidence is
material either to guilt or to punishment, irrespective of the good
faith or bad faith of the prosecution. The Supreme Court
subsequently held that the duty to disclose such evidence is
applicable even if there has been no request by the accused, and
that the duty may encompass impeachment evidence as well as
directly exculpatory evidence. Furthermore, the prosecution's
Brady obligation extends to exculpatory evidence in the files of
police agencies of the same government bringing the prosecution.
On the question of materiality, the Court has noted that such
evidence is material if there is a reasonable probability that, had
the evidence been disclosed to the defense, the result of the
proceeding would have been different. The materiality inquiry is
not just a matter of determining whether, after discounting the
inculpatory evidence in light of the undisclosed evidence, the
remaining evidence is sufficient to support the jury's conclusions.
Rather, the question is whether the favorable evidence could
reasonably be taken to put the whole case in such a different light
as to undermine confidence in the verdict. Thus, there are three
necessary components that demonstrate a violation of the Brady
strictures: the evidence was favorable to the accused, either
because it is exculpatory or because it impeaches; the evidence
was suppressed by the prosecution, either willfully or
inadvertently; and prejudice ensued.
Commonwealth v. Lambert,
584 Pa. 461, 470-71
,
884 A.2d 848, 853-54
(2005).
Next, Appellant sets forth a biased juror claim as a result of Juror
Number Eleven’s statements made at the outset of the last day of trial. In
this regard, this Court has stated the following:
-9-
J-S24044-21
“The decision to discharge a juror is within the sound
discretion of the trial court and will not be disturbed absent an
abuse of that discretion.” Commonwealth v. Carter,
537 Pa.
233
,
643 A.2d 61, 70
(1994). “This discretion exists even after
the jury has been [e]mpanelled and the juror sworn.”
Id.
(emphasis added). Our Supreme Court explained that “a finding
regarding a venireman's impartiality ‘is based upon
determinations of demeanor and credibility that are peculiarly
within a trial [court]'s province. ... [Its] predominant function in
determining juror bias involves credibility findings whose basis
cannot be easily discerned from an appellate record.’ ” Smith,
540 A.2d at 256 (quoting Wainwright v. Witt,
469 U.S. 412
,
428–29,
105 S.Ct. 844
,
83 L.Ed.2d 841
(1985)). It is the
appellant's burden to show that the jury was not impartial.
Commonwealth v. Noel,
629 Pa. 100
,
104 A.3d 1156, 1169
(2014). Further, this Court has found that per se prejudice does
not result where a juror becomes upset during the trial. See
Commonwealth v. Pander,
100 A.3d 626, 632
(Pa.Super. 2014)
(en banc ).
In Commonwealth v. Briggs, [
608 Pa. 430
,
12 A.3d 29
(2011)] our Supreme Court set forth the standard for prospective
juror disqualification:
The test for determining whether a prospective juror
should be disqualified is whether he is willing and able
to eliminate the influence of any scruples and render a
verdict according to the evidence, and this is to be
determined on the basis of answers to questions and
demeanor. ... It must be determined whether any biases
or prejudices can be put aside on proper instruction of
the court. ... A challenge for cause should be granted
when the prospective juror has such a close relationship,
familial, financial, or situational, with the parties,
counsel, victims, or witnesses that the court will
presume a likelihood of prejudice or demonstrates a
likelihood of prejudice by his or her conduct or answers
to questions.
608 Pa. 430
,
12 A.3d 291
, 333 (2011) (quoting Commonwealth
v. Cox,
603 Pa. 223
,
983 A.2d 666, 682
(2009)).
While most cases address the issue of prospective jurors,
we have employed the same analysis in cases where a question
arises about a juror's impartiality during trial. See Pander,
100
A.3d at 632
(“While Hale and the cases discussed therein involved
juror challenges prior to trial, we find the discussion therein apt
....”); Carter,
643 A.2d at 70
(“Th[e trial court's] discretion exists
- 10 -
J-S24044-21
even after the jury has been [e]mpanel[ ]ed and the juror
sworn.”).
Commonwealth v. Rush,
162 A.3d 530
, 537–38 (Pa.Super. 2017)
(emphasis in original, some brackets added).
In his fifth question, Appellant argues the trial court erred in permitting
the Commonwealth to impeach a defense witness with numerous convictions,
including burglary and theft, that occurred decades prior to trial. With regard
to the impeachment of witnesses for prior offenses, this Court has observed
that:
“[f]or the purpose of attacking the credibility of any witness,
evidence that the witness has been convicted of a crime, whether
by verdict, or by plea of guilty or nolo contendere, shall be
admitted if it involved dishonesty or false statement.” Pa.R.E.
609(a). “Crimes involving dishonesty or false statement [are]
commonly referred to as crimen falsi crimes.” Commonwealth v.
Moser,
999 A.2d 602, 607
(Pa.Super. 2010). “[C]rimen falsi
involves the element of falsehood, and includes everything which
has a tendency to injuriously affect the administration of justice
by the introduction of falsehood and fraud.” Commonwealth v.
Jones,
334 Pa. 321, 323
,
5 A.2d 804, 805
(1939).
Commonwealth v. Davis,
17 A.3d 390, 395
(Pa.Super. 2011). If the
conviction is more than ten years old, it “is admissible only if...its probative
value substantially outweighs its prejudicial effect...and the proponent gives
an adverse party reasonable written notice of the intent to use it so that the
party has a fair opportunity to contest its use.” Pa.R.E. 609(b).
Next, Appellant posits the trial court erred in failing to allow Appellant
to apply the Castle Doctrine to his alleged use of force in self-defense. In this
regard, this Court has stated:
- 11 -
J-S24044-21
When a court instructs the jury, the objective is to explain to the
jury how it should approach its task and the factors it should
consider in reaching its verdict. In examining jury instructions, our
standard of review is to determine whether the trial court
committed a clear abuse of discretion or an error of law controlling
the outcome of the case. A charge will be found adequate unless
the issues are not made clear, the jury was misled by the
instructions, or there was an omission from the charge amounting
to a fundamental error. Moreover, in reviewing a challenge to a
jury instruction, the entire charge is considered, not merely
discrete portions thereof. The trial court is free to use its own
expressions[,] as long as the concepts at issue are clearly and
accurately presented to the jury.
Commonwealth v. Bradley,
232 A.3d 747, 759
(Pa.Super. 2020) (internal
citations, quotations, and original brackets omitted).
Appellant further claims his charges for Possession with Intent to Deliver
and Theft by Unlawful Taking should have been severed from the homicide
charges. Our standard of review of the denial of a motion to sever is as
follows: “Joinder and severance of separate indictments for trial is a
discretionary function of the trial court; consequently, the trial court's decision
is subject to review for abuse of that discretion.” Commonwealth v.
Brookins,
10 A.3d 1251, 1255
(Pa.Super. 2010), appeal denied,
610 Pa. 625
,
22 A.3d 1033
(2011). In addition,
The traditional justification for permissible joinder of offenses or
consolidation of indictments appears to be the judicial economy
which results from a single trial. The argument against joinder or
consolidation is that where a defendant is tried at one trial for
several offenses, several kinds of prejudice may occur: (1) [t]he
defendant may be confounded in presenting defenses, as where
his defense to one charge is inconsistent with his defenses to the
others; (2) the jury may use the evidence of one of the offenses
to infer a criminal disposition and on the basis of that inference,
convict the defendant of the other offenses; and (3) the jury may
- 12 -
J-S24044-21
cumulate the evidence of the various offenses to find guilt when,
if the evidence of each offense had been considered separately, it
would not so find.
Commonwealth v. Janda,
14 A.3d 147, 155
(Pa.Super. 2011) (quoting
Commonwealth v. Morris,
493 Pa. 164, 171
,
425 A.2d 715, 718
(1981)).
“Thus[,] in arriving at a meaningful standard to guide the trial court in its
exercise of discretion, and to permit appellate courts to determine whether
the trial court abused this discretion, we must weigh the possibility of
prejudice and injustice caused by the consolidation against the consideration
of judicial economy.”
Id.
Finally, Appellant states that in light of all of the aforesaid, the trial
court’s failure to grant his motion for Judgment for Acquittal or Judgment
Notwithstanding the Verdict constitutes reversible error and the matter should
be remanded for a new trial. Specifically, Appellant avers he lacked the
requisite mental state to commit murder.3 We consider this issue mindful of
the following:
____________________________________________
3 A criminal homicide constitutes murder of the first degree when it is
committed by an intentional killing. 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 2502. Intentional killing is
defined as “killing by means of poison, or by lying in wait, or by any other kind
of willful, deliberate and premeditated killing.” Id. To establish the offense of
first-degree murder, the Commonwealth must prove, (1) a human being was
unlawfully killed; (2) the defendant was responsible for the killing; and (3) the
defendant acted with malice and a specific intent to kill. Commonwealth v.
Padilla,
80 A.3d 1238, 1244
(Pa. 2013). For first degree murder, a killing is
with malice if the perpetrator acts with an intent to kill; “it is the specific intent
to kill which distinguishes murder in the first degree from lesser grades of
murder.” Commonwealth v. Simpson,
754 A.2d 1264, 1269
(Pa. 2000).
(Footnote Continued Next Page)
- 13 -
J-S24044-21
A motion for judgment of acquittal challenges the sufficiency
of the evidence to sustain a conviction on a particular charge, and
is granted only in cases in which the Commonwealth has failed to
carry its burden regarding that charge.
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 a reasonable doubt.
We keep in mind that it was for the trier of fact to determine the
weight of the evidence and the credibility of witnesses. The jury
was free to believe all, part or none of the evidence. This Court
may not weigh the evidence or substitute its judgment for that of
the factfinder.
Commonwealth v. Devries,
112 A.3d 663, 667
(Pa.Super. 2015) (citations
omitted). “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 crime beyond a reasonable doubt.” Commonwealth
v. Antidormi,
84 A.3d 736, 756
(Pa.Super. 2014).
We have reviewed the certified record including the transcripts from the
five-day jury trial, Appellant’s brief, the applicable law, and the ninety-five
page, well-reasoned Opinion authored by the Honorable Timothy M. Sullivan
of the Blair County Court of Common Pleas and filed on March 26, 2021,
pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a).
____________________________________________
“Specific intent to kill can be inferred from the use of a deadly weapon upon
a vital part of the victim's body.” See Commonwealth v. Padilla,
80 A.3d
1238, 1244
(Pa. 2013).
- 14 -
J-S24044-21
Upon doing so, we conclude that Judge Sullivan’s Opinion precisely sets
forth the relevant standards of review this Court must employ in analyzing
each issue Appellant presents on appeal and meticulously and accurately
disposes of each claim mindful of the same. Applying the applicable standards
of review set forth above to the trial court’s analysis, we discern no abuse of
discretion or error of law.
Accordingly, we adopt Judge Sullivan’s Opinion as our own and affirm
the judgment of sentence on that basis. We direct the parties to attach the
trial court's opinion in the event of further proceedings in this matter.
Judgment of sentence affirmed.
Judge Kings joins the memorandum.
Judge Dubow files a concurring memorandum in which Judge King joins
and President Judge Emeritus Stevens concurs in the result.
Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary
Date: 9/27/2021
- 15 -
Received 3/26/2021 11:45:27 AMCirculated 07/28/2021
Superior Court 12:49
Western PM
District
Filed 3/26/2021 11:45:00 AM Superior Court Western District
907 WDA 2020
IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
APPELLEE SUPERIOR COURT DOCKET
907 WDA 2020
TRIAL COURT DOCKET NO:
CP-07-CR-0001897 —2018
V.
JOHN P. STIVER, 11,
APPELLANT
HON. TIMOTHY M. SULLIVAN PRESIDING JUDGE
PETER J. WEEKS, ESQUIRE DISTRICT ATTORNEY
NICHOLE M. SMITH, ESQUIRE FIRST ASST. DISTRICT ATTORNEY
KRISTEN L. ANASTASI, ESQUIRE COUNSEL FOR APPELLANT
OPINION PURSUANT TO RULE 1925(a) OF THE
PA RULES OF APPELLATE PROCEDURE
FACTUAL/PROCEDURAL HISTORY.
After jury trial held January 27-31, 2020, the Appellant, John P. Stiver, II, was
convicted of First Degree Murder and related charges for an incident which occurred
in the Bethany Lutheran Church parking lot within the City of Altoona, Blair County,
PA on Thursday, July 26, 2018. On such date, the Appellant shot and killed the
1
victim, David Hoover. The Co-Affiants were Detective Sergeant Terry Merritts and
Patrolman Nathan Snyder of the Altoona Police Department.
A Post Trial Motion was filed on behalf of the Appellant on February 11, 2020
[Reproduced Record #37]. An Amended Post Trial Motion was then filed on February
27, 2020. [R.R. #39]. A hearing was originally scheduled on April 15, 2020; however,
due to the Statewide Judicial Emergency and the closure of the courts to the public,
an Order was entered on April 2, 2020 [R.R. #42] continuing the matter. The hearing
was subsequently held on July 7, 2020 at which time the Appellant presented the
testimony of Kimberly A. Benton and her husband, Frank Benton, Jr. After
submissions of Memoranda of Law by both the Commonwealth [R.R. #55] and the
Appellant, we entered an Opinion and Order dated July 30, 2020 denying and
dismissing the Appellant's Amended Post Trial Motions, as well as the Appellant's
Petition to Reopen. [R.R. #56]. The matter proceeded to sentencing on July 31, 2020
at which time the Appellant received alife sentence for his conviction of Murder of the
First Degree and concurrent sentences relative to his non-merging convictions. [R.R.
#59].
2
On August 26, 2020, the Appellant timely filed a Notice of Appeal to the
Superior Court. [R.R. #63]. We entered a Rule 1925(b) Order on August 27, 2020
[R.R. #65] directing the Appellant to file his Concise Statement of Errors Complained
of on Appeal within twenty-one days' service of our Rule 1925(b) Order. The
Appellant complied, filing his Statement of Matters Complained of on Appeal on
September 17, 2020. [R.R. #67]. The Appellant raised fourteen separate alleged
errors which will be addressed below.
The Appellant's alleged errors involve issues which have been previously
addressed through pretrial and post trial motions and opinions issued by this court.
Rather than attach our pretrial and post trial opinions and orders as exhibits to this
Rule 1925(a) Opinion, we will incorporate and repeat same herein so that all of the
Appellant's alleged errors are addressed in one Opinion.
MATTERS COMPLAINED OF ON APPEAL:
1. Denial of Castle Doctrine Defense.
Applicable Law.
Our standard of review in regard to atrial court's decisions on jury instructions
is well-settled: "[O]ur standard of review when considering the denial of jury
instructions is one of deference-an appellate court will reverse acourt's decision only
3
when it abused its discretion or committed an error of law." Commonwealth v.
Galvin,
603 Pa. 625, 651
,
985 A.2d 783, 798-99
(2009).
At issue are the following subsections of 18 Pa. C.S. §505:
(b) Limitations on justifying necessity for use of force
(2.1) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (2.2), an
actor is presumed to have areasonable belief that deadly
force is immediately necessary to protect himself against
death, serious bodily injury, kidnapping or sexual
intercourse compelled by force or threat if both of the
following exist:
(i) The person against whom the force is
used is in the process of unlawfully and
forcefully entering, or has unlawfully and
forcefully entered and is present within, a
dwelling, residence or occupied vehicle; or the
person against whom the force is used is or is
attempting to unlawfully and forcefully remove
another against that other's will from the
dwelling, residence or occupied vehicle.
(ii) The actor knows or has reason to believe
that the unlawful and forceful entry or act is
occurring or has occurred.
(2.2) The presumption set forth in paragraph (2.1) does
not apply if:
4
(iii) the actor is engaged in acriminal activity or is using
the dwelling, residence or occupied vehicle to further a
criminal activity.
18 Pa. C.S. §505(b)(2.1), (2.2).
The "castle doctrine" is an evidentiary means by which a defendant
may attempt to prove justification by self-defense. The castle doctrine is
subject to a similar, initial standard by which courts must assess the
appropriateness of a self-defense instruction, namely, that a valid claim of
self-defense, or the castle doctrine, must be made out as amatter of law, and
this determination must be made by the trial judge. A court does not
necessarily assess burdens of proof when considering applicability of acastle
doctrine jury instruction, but instead whether there was any evidence to justify
the instruction. Commonwealth v. Cannavo,
199 A.3d 1282,1287-1288
(Pa.
Super. 2018).
5
Discussion.
During the fifth and final day of trial, January 31, 2020, we entertained
oral argument from counsel relative to whether we should charge the jury on
the castle doctrine. The following constitutes the arguments placed on record
by counsel:
ATTORNEY ANASTASI: Judge, we have argument on the
Castle Doctrine. Ibelieve that that would go one step
further, meaning, Mr. Stiver would not have the duty to
retreat. Castle Doctrine does extend to occupied vehicles.
He was in his occupied vehicle at the time. We contend he
was not engaged in criminal activity. Criminal activity was
defined as either a misdemeanor or a felony at the time.
He did not have that. The only thing they do have, the
firearm, but he's only charged with a summary, so, that
would take that out of the criminal activity portion that the
statute requires. If the Commonwealth would argue that
the drug deal or the theft is part of the criminal activity to
meet that requirement for him to have aduty to retreat, the
case law when they're talking about it is it's
contemporaneous, like, the person couldn't receive the
Castle Doctrine in his house because he had afirearm and
he's 6105, he can't possess afirearm. This deal -- the drug
deal and the theft occurred three and a half hours prior to
the use of force. We believe that that is nowhere close in
time in being contemporaneous that the Courts have
carved out, Imean, it's very sparse law on this part of the
Castle Doctrine but the cases that we do have, it's
immediate. What they are doing, having the gun in his
hand when he's 6105 and he can't have it, something to
that effect but they don't contemplate activity -- criminal
activity hours prior to and then, Imean, if it took these guys
aweek to find him, then he can't use the Castle Doctrine in
his house because aweek ago, there was adrug deal. So,
we would state that the Castle Doctrine does apply, which
6
would permit Mr. Stiver not have to retreat. That's all.
Thank you.
BY THE COURT: Attorney Anastasi, thank you. Attorney
Weeks.
ATTORNEY WEEKS: Thank you, Your Honor. Your Honor,
I would initially point out that Attorney Anastasi has
advanced no evidence in this case that Mr. Hoover was
attempting to enter the vehicle of the defendant. That is a
requirement of the Castle Doctrine. Not even Dillion Bryan
advanced any claim that the decedent was attempting to
enter. Dillion Bryan did testify that he believed Mr. Hoover
was striking the car multiple times with a bat; never said
anything about an attempt to enter the vehicle. For that
reason and that reason alone, the Castle Doctrine would
not be available in this case. Even assuming arguendo that
some witness had been produced by Attorney Anastasi that
claimed the decedent was trying to enter the vehicle, this
defendant is involved in criminal activity in numerous ways.
Initially, he illegally has possession of a firearm that's
loaded in his vehicle. That is for Your Honor to determine.
He has, Isubmit, we have shown evidence that he had
controlled substances in his pocket. More pertinently, we
have shown evidence that he had controlled substances in
the center console of his vehicle atop his expired photo ID
with the blue straw. Both of those are misdemeanors in this
Commonwealth, as was the charge of paraphernalia. This is
not a paraphernalia case. This is not a possession case.
That still applies, though, when Your Honor is evaluating
whether this defendant can avail himself of the Castle
Doctrine. And, finally, Attorney Anastasi has suggested
numerous times over the course of the pendency of this
litigation that the drug deal and theft from Sheetz has no
bearing on what happened in the church parking lot. Your
Honor, that is the causation of this homicide. Mr. Hoover
and Mr. Adams are trying to find the defendant and Mr.
Clemens because the defendant and Mr. Clemens are
charged with stealing $250 from them. Mr. Hoover and Mr.
Adams met with Mr. Clemens and Mr. Stiver at Sheetz
where drugs were exchanged and more money was
exchanged with the promise of drugs. That is directly on
point to what happened and, in fact, the testimony, Isubmit,
from both sides is clear that once the iightbulb goes off in
7
Mr. Hoover's head that they're not coming back with the
cocaine that Iordered, he begins immediately both pursuing
them and calling everyone that he can think of to try to
locate where they are. So, to argue that that criminal
conduct has no bearing on whether the Castle Doctrine
applies, Isubmit, is not a realistic argument. However, I
don't think Your Honor needs to get that far because, again,
there has to be some evidence of record, some claim even
that the decedent was trying to enter the vehicle and, here,
we just don't have that. So, as a matter of law, this is not
one of the cases where the Castle Doctrine would apply
because we don't have an attempt by the decedent to enter
the vehicle. If for some reason Your Honor finds that that is
not fatal to the Castle Doctrine applying, there are
numerous ways this defendant was engaged in criminal
activity that should bar him from being able to seek refuge
under the Castle Doctrine. Iwould ask that the jury -- that
not only Your Honor find that the Castle Doctrine does not
apply but that Your Honor indicate to the jury -- because the
Castle Doctrine is something that people throughout the
Commonwealth -- not just lawyers but everyday citizens are
very aware of the Castle Doctrine. The Castle Doctrine
simply does not apply in this case because of this
defendant's bad behavior and because of that, Iwould ask
the jury to be instructed that the Castle Doctrine does not
apply.
[R.R. #46, 1/31/20 Transcript, pp. 62-66].
We denied the Appellant's request for jury instruction relative to the
castle doctrine and stated on the record the following:
BY THE COURT: We'll note again we're back on the
record in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania vs. John
Stiver, II, CR 1897-2018. I'd note we're in the presence of
counsel and Mr. Stiver outside the presence of the jury.
So, I'll just read this into the record: We agree with the
Commonwealth that the Castle Doctrine does not apply
under 18 Pa. C.S. Section 505(b), the limitation section,
specifically, 2.1. There is no evidence that David Hoover
unlawfully and forcefully entered the defendant's vehicle or
attempted to do so or that he tried to remove the defendant
8
from his vehicle. At no time did anyone ever testify that
David Hoover entered or tried to enter the defendant's
vehicle. At most, there was testimony that David Hoover
walked around the back of the defendant's vehicle and
along the passenger side and may have struck the vehicle
in the back with his bat. Further, under 2.2, the
presumption that an actor had a reasonable belief that
deadly force is immediately necessary to protect himself
against death or serious bodily injury does not apply if,
under subsection 3(i), the actor [is] engaged in criminal
activity or is using the occupied vehicle to further criminal
activity. In this case, there is evidence pertaining to the
prior drug transaction that occurred at the Sheetz store.
The alleged theft of $250, possession of drug
paraphernalia and possession of acontrolled substance on
both the defendant's person and in the console of his car.
Therefore, we find as amatter of law that the defendant is
not entitled to an instruction on the Castle Doctrine. We
will note an objection of record by the defendant to the
Court's ruling.
[R.R. #46, 1/31/20 T., pp. 72-73].
Thus, we submit that the facts evinced at trial did not justify an
instruction on the castle doctrine, and we assert that this alleged error lacks
merit.
2. Denial of Motion for Mistrial.
In his Amended Post-Trial Motion filed February 24, 2020 [R.R. #39], the
Appellant sought a mistrial for an alleged Brady violation, claiming that the police
withheld exculpatory evidence of a video-tape depicting the decedent with a deadly
weapon. This issue was addressed in our Opinion and Order dated July 30, 2020
[R.R. #56], which we incorporate and re-state herein.
9
Applicable Law:
The law governing alleged Brady violations is well-settled. [Brady v.
Maryland,
373 U.S. 83
,
83 S.Ct. 1194
(1963)]. In Brady, the United States Supreme
Court held that "the suppression by the prosecution of evidence favorable to an
accused upon request violates due process where the evidence is material either to
guilt or to punishment, irrespective of the good faith or bad faith of the prosecution."
Brady,
373 U.S. at 87
,
83 S.Ct. at 1196-1197
.
Furthermore, the prosecution's obligation extends to exculpatory evidence in
the files of police agencies of the same government bringing the prosecution. Kyles
v. Whitley,
514 U.S. 419, 437-438
,
115 S.Ct. 1555, 1567-1568
,
131 L.Ed.2d 490
(1995); Commonwealth v. Burke,
566 Pa. 402, 413
,
781 A.2d 1136, 1142
(2001).
On the question of materiality, the court has noted that "[s]uch evidence is
material 'if there is a reasonable probability that, had the evidence been disclosed to
the defense, the result of the proceeding would have been different.' The materiality
inquiry is not just a matter of determining whether, after discounting the inculpatory
evidence in light of the undisclosed evidence, the remaining evidence is sufficient to
support the jury's conclusions. 'Rather, the question is whether 'the favorable
evidence could reasonably be taken to put the whole case in such adifferent light as
10
to undermine confidence in the verdict."' Thus, there are three necessary components
that demonstrate aviolation of the Brady strictures: the evidence was favorable to
the accused, either because it is exculpatory or because it impeaches; the evidence
was suppressed by the prosecution, either willfully or inadvertently; and prejudice
ensued." Commonwealth v. Burke, supra.,
781 A.2d at 1141
(internal citations
omitted).
Discussion:
In his Amended Motion [R.R. #39], the Appellant alleged that on or about July
26, 2018 (date of incident), the Altoona Police Department entered the residence of
Frank & Kimberly Benton to view surveillance footage from the security cameras
mounted on their home. The Appellant claimed that such surveillance footage
revealed evidence favorable to the defense and that "the police deliberately and
consciously decided not to collect the surveillance tape nor did they request
preservation of the same . ." [¶3 of Amended Post Trial Motion]. The Appellant
further alleged that the Benton video tape depicted the decedent (David Hoover) ...
"advancing on the Defendant with a deadly weapon in conformance with the
Defendant's Justification defense." [¶3].
11
The Appellant asserted that the police failed to document within any incident
reports that they entered the Benton residence or viewed the Benton videotape [¶4];
that the Commonwealth failed to provide any report of the police meeting with Ms.
Benton or inform defense counsel of the exculpatory video contents [¶6] and that
such video "would have shown the aggressor's mannerisms, mood and tone." [T7].
The Appellant also asserted that the Benton video tape constituted mandatory
discovery, i.e., evidence that was "favorable to the accused that is material either to
guilt or to punishment including information that tends to exculpate the defendant, to-
mitigate the level of the defendant's culpability, to support apotential defense, or that
tends to impeach a prosecution of witnesses' credibility," pursuant to Pa.R.Crim.P.
573. [¶10]. As aresult, the Appellant asserted aBrady violation.
In support of his post trial motion, the Appellant presented the testimony of
Kimberly A. Benton and her husband, Frank Benton, Jr., during our July 7, 2020
hearing. Mr. & Mrs. Benton reside at 208 4th Avenue, Altoona, PA 16602, in close
proximately to the Bethany Lutheran Church parking lot where the subject incident
took place. [R.R. #48, 7/7/20, T., p. 1]. During her testimony, Mrs. Benton confirmed
that they had surveillance cameras installed at their home and that such video will
tape over itself after 90 days. [R. R. #48, 7/7/20, T., p. 3]. She confirmed that any
12
video related to the July 26, 2018 incident has been taped over. The Benton's have
three separate video cameras, one facing Second Street, one facing Fourth Avenue
and one facing the back of their home. [R.R. #48, 7/7/20, T., p. 4]. After learning of
the shooting, Mrs. Benton personally watched the video, and it was her recollection
that she saw awhite vehicle driving up Second Street and then parking. [R.R. #48,
7/7/20, T., p. 4]. She recalls seeing aman get out of this vehicle, going to the trunk,
and taking something out. She was unable to specifically identify the item being
removed from the trunk. She did describe it as a"large object" and stated that she
assumed it was abaseball bat since there are children that often play baseball in the
nearby lot. [R.R. #48, 717/20, T., p. 5]. She acknowledged that after retrieving this
item, the male went to his right at an angle and that she was unable to observe
anything else on the video. [R.R. #48, 7/7/20, T., p. 5]. She testified that when the
man got the item out of the trunk, he initially held it up, but as he was walking, he was
holding it down to his side. [R.R. #48, 7/7/20, T., pp. 11-12]. She also did not
observe any other adult individuals. She confirmed that there is no audio on their
surveillance tapes. [R.R. #48, 7/7/20, T., pp. 5-6].
13
Mrs. Benton confirmed that Altoona Police Officers came to their residence,
although she recalled that only one officer came into their home. [R.R. #48, 717/20, T.,
p. 6]. She indicated that this was approximately 1hour after the shooting. [R.R. #48,
7/7/20, T., p. 9]. Mrs. Benton confirmed that no police officer ever asked her to retain
the tape or requested acopy of the tape, or to preserve the tape. [R.R. #48,717120, T.,
pp. 10-11].
On cross-examination, Mrs. Benton acknowledged that Detective Shane
Strobel came to their home in May of 2020 and inquired about placement of their
surveillance cameras and the angles of same. [R.R. #48, 7/7/20, T., p. 13]. Certain
slides were presented during our hearing which she confirmed showed the various
angles from their three cameras. Slide No. 2, wherein the camera faced Fourth
Avenue and toward First Street, showed her front porch. [R.R. #48, 7/7/20, T., p. 13].
She acknowledged that one cannot see the Bethany Church parking lot as the
camera was mounted. [R.R. #48, 7/7/20, T., p. 14]. She confirmed the position of this
camera is the same today as it was on July 26, 2018. [R.R. #48, 717120, T., p. 14].
She also acknowledged that Slide No. 3, involving the camera facing the backyard
and the alley way between Fourth and Fifth Avenue, does not allow one to see the
parking lot or Bethany Church at all. [R.R. #48, 717120, T., p. 14]. As to Slide No. 4,
14
facing Fourth Avenue, Mrs. Benton acknowledged that the church parking lot is in the
upper corner and that you cannot see the entire parking loft. She also admitted that
the view is obstructed by her own front porch, a pole and ahouse across the street.
She acknowledged that you cannot see the wall of the Bethany Church, nor the alley
that runs between the church and the parking lot. [R.R. #48, 717120, T., pp. 14-16].
Mrs. Benton confirmed that she never told anyone, including defense counsel,
that the item retrieved from the white vehicle's trunk was a handgun. [R.R. #48,
7/7/20, T., p. 19]. She also admitted that she never showed defense counsel these
various camera angles, nor that the video would have showed the victim acting
aggressively. [R.R. #48, 7/7/20, T., pp. 20-21]. She acknowledged that she saw the
white vehicle go down Fourth Avenue and turn up Second Street. She did not know
where the vehicle may have turned around. She could not see where the vehicle
went. [R.R. #48, 717120, T., p. 22]. Mrs. Benton confirmed that she did not know the
identity of the police officer who came to the residence and further acknowledged that
at no time did she ever provide the video to the Altoona Police Department. [R.R. #48,
7/7120, T., pp. 27-28]. Finally, she confirmed that Slide No. 5, which was video
footage taken from a neighbor's residence (Christopher Irvin), showed more of the
15
church parking lot than any of her videos. She also agreed that Mr. Irvin's video had
audio. [R.R. #48, 717120, T., pp. 28-29].
During our July 7, 2020 hearing, Frank Benton, Jr. also testified. He is
Kimberly's wife and confirmed the location of the three surveillance cameras mounted
on their home. On the date of incident, he recalled a police officer walking up and
down the block asking if anyone had video surveillance. [R.R. #48, 717120, T., p. 30].
He told police that he did, and a police officer came into his home and watched the
video. Mr. Benton, who also watched the video, recalled seeing awhite car go down
Fourth Avenue, come to a stop sign, take a right on Second Street and then come
back down, parking in between two trees at the edge of the parking lot. He recalled
seeing amale get out of the driver's seat and retrieve something out of the trunk. He
was carrying this item beside him and went off on an angle across the church parking
lot. [R.R. #48, 717/20, T., pp. 30-32]. Mr. Benton asked the officer if he needed acopy
of the video, to which he claimed the officer advised that he would be back in touch
with him if he needed the video for evidence. Mr. Benton confirmed that he never
heard from anyone from the Altoona Police Department, nor did he meet with anyone
involving the case prior to trial. [R.R. #48, 7/7/20, T., p. 33].
16
On cross-examination, it was Mr. Benton's belief that he observed the white
car turn around and park before the shooting and that it would surprise him if the
testimony at trial revealed that the white car turned around after the shooting. [R. R.
#48, 7/7/20, T., p. 35]. Mr. Benton admitted that Slide No. 5, which was the video
tape from Christopher Irvin's home, showed a larger portion of the church parking lot
than any of the Benton videos. [RR. #48, 7/7/20, T., p. 36]. He recalled speaking to a
female police officer on the day of the shooting and providing certain information
regarding the video. [R.R. #48, 7/7/20, T., pp. 36-37]. Mr. Benton identified the white
vehicle in Slide No. 20 as being the vehicle he observed when watching the video
tape. [R.R. #48, 7/7/20, T., p. 39]. He recalled watching the video two to three times,
but acknowledged that it has been approximately two years ago since he last watched
it. [R.R. #48, 717/20, T., p. 40]. He recalled seeing Lieutenant Ashley Day traversing
the street after the shooting, but Lieutenant Day did not come into their home.
Instead, Lieutenant Day went into Mr. Irvin's home. [R.R. #48, 717/20, T., pp. 40-41].
Mr. Benton indicated that the police officer who came into their home was a male
[R.R. #48, 7/7/20, T., p. 41]; however, he does not know his name. [R.R. #48, 7/7/20,
T., p. 46]. Mr. Benton also testified that he never advised defense counsel that
Lieutenant Day came into their home. [R.R. #48, 7/7/20, T., pp. 42-43]. When shown
17
Slide No. 4, Mr. Benton confirmed that it only shows a corner of the parking lot, but
that you cannot see the wall of the Bethany Lutheran Church, nor the upper right
portion of the parking lot. [R.R. #48, 717/20, T., pp. 46-47].
At the conclusion of Mr. Benton's testimony, there were certain stipulations
entered of record by counsel; specifically, that the video surveillance tape obtained
from Christopher Irvin's home was provided by the Commonwealth to the defense
during discovery and that it was corrupted; that Mr. Irvin was making highly
inflammatory comments relative to the incident on social media; and that there was a
joint decision made by the Commonwealth and the defense not to play Mr. Irvin's
video to the jury during the trial. jR.R. #48, 717/20, T., pp. 50-52].
In response to the Appellant's post-trial motion, the Commonwealth asserted
that at no time did it ever have any video in its possession from Mr. & Mrs. Benton's
residence. Additionally, the Commonwealth asserted that it never had any reason to
believe that the contents of the video materially differed from the Commonwealth's
theory of the case, the physical evidence and the eye witness statements. Further, it
pointed out that the Altoona Police Department incident report, page 19, put defense
counsel on notice that video surveillance existed at the Benton residence as of July
26, 2018. [R.R. #52].
18
The Commonwealth also asserted that there were several meetings with the
defense to review and explain all of the video footage seized during the investigation
including the video provided by Sheetz, Marsha Pippetti, William Kuny and
Christopher Irvin. [R.R. #52].
The Commonwealth acknowledged that Mrs. Benton did report to the District
Attorney's Office for a pretrial interview; however, at no time did she disclose any
information that was materially different or inconsistent with the Commonwealth's
theory of the case, or any other inculpatory or exculpatory evidence that was not
previously provided to the defense. [R.R. #52].
It is important to note that the Commonwealth conceded throughout the trial
that the decedent was wielding a baseball bat, including at the time of the shooting.
Based upon the foregoing, we found that the Benton video was never collected
and thus, it was never in the possession of the Commonwealth nor the Altoona Police
Department. Further, neither Mr. nor Mrs. Benton specifically described the item being
retrieved from the white vehicle trunk as being a baseball bat. Significantly, at the
time of trial, the Commonwealth's evidence clearly established that the victim, David
Hoover, was brandishing abaseball bat, even possibly striking the blue Ford Fusion
vehicle in which the Appellant and Dillion Bryan were passengers. The evidence
19
presented by the Commonwealth demonstrated the aggressive behavior by the
victim. The computer generated animation (CGA) also clearly showed that Mr. Hoover
was holding abaseball bat during the subject incident. JR.R.#56].
Our analysis of the above led to several conclusions. The Benton video tapes
were never in the possession of the Blair County District Attorney's Office nor the
Altoona Police Department. Mr. & Mrs. Benton's testimony confirmed as much. The
fact that the Bentons had video footage from their home was disclosed to defense
counsel during discovery. Neither Mr. nor Mrs. Benton specifically described the item
being retrieved from the trunk of the white vehicle by an unknown male as abaseball
bat. At most, Mrs. Benton described it as a"large object", which she assumed was a
baseball bat. At no time did Mr. or Mrs. Benton observe any other adult individual in
their video footage. Their observations were limited and of short duration. Their video
did not capture what occurred in the parking lot between David Hoover and the
Appellant. Even if one would assume that the item retrieved from the trunk of the
white vehicle was a bat, such is merely cumulative of the substantial evidence
presented to the jury during trial that Mr. Hoover had a bat in his possession. The
Commonwealth acknowledged and took ownership of the fact that on the date in
question, its victim (David Hoover) had a bat in his hands during the confrontation
20
with the Appellant in the church parking lot. We found absolutely no evidence of bad
faith nor the withholding of material evidence by the Commonwealth nor the Altoona
Police Department. We did not find that presentation of this limited evidence
contained within the Benton video(s) would have resulted in a different outcome for
the Appellant, nor in any way called into question the veracity of the jury's verdict.
[R.R. #56].
Thus, we submit that the Appellant's alleged error lacks merit.
3. Denial of Motion to Reopen.
Discussion:
Based upon the same rationale set forth in No. 2 above, we denied the
Appellant's Motion to Reopen in our Opinion and Order dated July 30, 2020 [R.R.
#56] (which we incorporate herein). Further, the Appellant presented no statutory
authority nor case law supporting his request that the court should have "reopened"
the record after jury verdict.
4. Denial to Remove Juror.
This issue was addressed in our Opinion and Order dated July 30, 2020 [R.R.
#56], which we incorporate and re-state herein:
21
Applicable Law:
The decision to discharge ajuror is within the sound discretion of the trial court,
even after the jury has been empaneled and sworn, and will not be disturbed in the
absence of an abuse of that discretion. Commonwealth v. Smith,
206 A.3d 551,
562
(Pa. Super. 2019). When there is no evidence to support the trial court's decision
to remove a juror, the court has abused its discretion. Bruckshaw v. Frankford
Hosp. of City of Philadelphia,
58 A. 3d 102, 111
(Pa. 2012).
Discussion:
In his amended post-trial motion [R.R. #39], the Appellant argued that acertain
Juror demonstrated bias and should have been removed from the panel. The court
tipstave, Lou Kensinger, brought to our attention a conversation she had with Juror
#11 after court concluded on Thursday, January 30, 2020. Once this was brought to
the court's attention, we directed our tipstaves to segregate Juror #11 when she
reported to court the morning of Friday, January 31, 2020, which they did. Juror #11
was kept in the lawyer's lobby away from all other jurors. In the presence of counsel
and the Appellant, but outside the presence of the jury, Ms. Kensinger was sworn and
described what happened the evening before. [R.R. #46, 1/31/20, T., pp. 7-11]. We
22
then called Juror #11 to testify as to her conversation with the tipstave. Juror #11 did
confirm that she had a conversation with Ms. Kensinger and expressed frustration
with the defense witness, Dillion Bryan. She expressed frustration that Dillion Bryan
could not identify the Appellant in court, when he was with him in the car on the day of
the shooting. [R.R. #46, 1/31/20, T., p. 11]. She also personally felt that he was
"higher than akite". [R.R. #46, 1/31/20, T., pp. 12 and 15]. She admitted that she did
not find Mr. Bryan to be a credible witness. However, Juror #11 also confirmed that
she had not prejudged the case [R.R. #46, 1/31120, T., p. 16]; that she could still
afford the Appellant his presumption of innocence and that she would hold the
Commonwealth to its burden of proving each element of the crimes charged beyond a
reasonable doubt. [R.R. #46, 1/31/20, T., pp. 17-18]. She also indicated that there
were still questions that she had in her own mind. [R.R. #46, 1/31/20, T., p. 18].
{Quite frankly, we found this specific testimony to be favorable to the defense}. We
heard arguments from counsel and then denied Attorney Anastasi's motion to strike
for cause. [R.R. #46, 1/31/20, T., pp. 20-23]. In doing so, we were satisfied, based
upon Juror #11's responses to the court and counsels' questions under oath, as well
as our observations of her demeanor, that she was being honest and sincere relative
to her testimony that she remained afair and impartial juror.
23
We also note that Juror #11 was wise enough to ensure that her discussion
with the tipstave, which was elicited by the tipstave, occurred outside the presence of
all the other jurors. She did not share her personal feelings about Mr. Bryan as a
witness with any other juror. [R.R. #46,1/31/20, T., pp. 12-13]. In further support of our
ruling, we, including counsel, questioned the competency of Mr. Bryan when he was
called as adefense witness. In fact, we conducted an on-the-record colloquy, outside
the presence of the jury, to ensure his competency to testify. [R.R. #45, 1/30/20, T.,
pp. 176-182]. After such colloquy, we found him competent to testify. Attorney Weeks
indicated that Mr. Bryan "gave one of the most bizarre testimonies" he has ever
witnessed. [R.R. #46, 1/31/20, T., p. 21]. If this were a trial by court, we would not
have found Mr. Bryan to be acredible witness by any stretch of the imagination. We
firmly believe that no fair, objective and impartial juror would have found Mr. Bryan's
testimony to be credible. His testimony was not supported by any other evidence in
the case.
We believe our decision in this case is supported by a recent Superior Court
decision in Commonwealth v. Marrero,
217 A.3d 888
(Pa. Super. 2019), In
Marrero, ajuror made acomment during the course of aconversation amongst jurors
regarding the concept of facing trial before ajury of one's peers, stating that none of
24
the jurors was a peer of the defendant. Although the defendant took the juror's
comment as referring to his Latino heritage, when questioned by the court about this
comment, the juror said she was referring to the fact that she was older than the
defendant. The court believed the juror's testimony that she had not involved race and
would deliberate fairly and impartially.
217 A.3d at 892
.
In the case at bar, Juror #11 made a comment during her colloquy with the
court and counsel that "I don't deal well with millennial snot-nosed kids and he didn't
even know where he was ... Ihad a meltdown over it because Ipersonally feel he
was higher than akite ..." [R.R. #46, 1/31/20, T., pp. 11-12]. There are afew factors
in our situation even more favorable than what existed in Marrero. Here, Juror #11's
comments were about aparticular witness, not the Appellant. Further, her comments
were made privately to a single tipstave (after the tipstave invited the conversation)
and did not occur in the presence of any other juror. Juror #11 did not share her
personal thoughts regarding Mr. Bryan with any other juror.
Therefore, we found no fault in Juror #11 reaching the conclusion that Mr.
Bryan was not a credible witness upon the conclusion of his testimony. Such is
human nature. The most important factors in our determination were that Juror #11
could still afford the Appellant his presumption of innocence; that she would hold the
25
Commonwealth to its burden of proof; that she had not prejudged the Appellant's
guilt; and that she was and could remain fair and impartial. We found her testimony in
all these respects to be honest and entirely credible.
5. Introduction of Evidence of Conviction.
The Appellant claims that we committed error in allowing the Commonwealth to
impeach defense witness, Kenneth Lafferty, by a40 year old conviction.
Applicable Law.
"[E]vidence of prior convictions can be introduced for the purpose of
impeaching the credibility of awitness if the conviction was for an offense involving
dishonesty or false statement, and the date of the conviction or the last day of
confinement is within ten years of the trial date. If aperiod greater than ten years has
expired the presiding judge must determine whether the value of the evidence
substantially outweighs its prejudicial effect." Commonwealth v. Randall,
515 Pa.
410, 415
,
528 A.2d 1326, 1329
(1987).
In order to determine whether the value of aremote crimen fatsi conviction
substantially outweighs its prejudicial effect, the court looks to 5factors. Those factors
include: "(1) the degree to which the commission of the prior offense reflects upon
26
the veracity of the defendant-witness; (2) the likelihood, in view of the nature and
extent of the prior record, that it would have a greater tendency to smear the
character of the defendant and suggest apropensity to commit the crime for which he
stands charged, rather than provide a legitimate reason for discrediting him as an
untruthful person; (3) the age and circumstances of the defendant; (4) the strength of
the prosecution's case and the prosecution's need to resort to this evidence as
compared with the availability to the defense of other witnesses through which its
version of the events surrounding the incident can be presented; and (5) the
existence of alternative means of attacking the defendant's credibility." !d at 1328.
"It is only when the crimen falsi conviction is more than ten years old ... that
evidence of the conviction becomes conditioned on the probative value of the
evidence substantially outweighing its potential prejudicial effect." Commonwealth v.
Hoover,
630 Pa. 599, 612-13
,
107 A.3d 723, 730-31
(2014), citing Pa. R.E. 609(b)(1).
This determination is within the discretion of the trial court using the 5factors listed in
Randall as aguide in that discretionary determination. Id,
[T]he decision to admit or exclude evidence is committed to the trial court's
sound discretion and its evidentiary rulings will only be reversed upon ashowing that
it abused that discretion." Commonwealth v. Laird,
605 Pa. 137, 168
,
988 A.2d 618
,
27
636 (2010). "[T]he Superior Court may reverse an evidentiary ruling only upon a
showing that the trial court abused that discretion. A determination that atrial court
abused its discretion in making an evidentiary ruling "may not be made `merely
because an appellate court might have reached adifferent conclusion, but requires a
result of manifest unreasonableness, or partiality, prejudice, bias, or ill-will, or such a
lack of support so as to be clearly erroneous." Commonwealth v. Hoover, supra,,
107 A.3d at 729
(quoting Commonwealth v. Sherwood,
603 Pa. 92
,
982 A.2d 483,
495
(2009)).
Discussion:
On January 30, 2020, the fourth day of trial, the defense called Kenneth R.
Lafferty as awitness [R.R. #45, 1130/20, T., pp. 156-175]. During his testimony, Mr.
Lafferty stated, inter alia, that he was friends with the victim, David Hoover, that they
spoke on the phone all the time and that Mr. Hoover came to his house "almost every
day." [R.R. #45, 1130/20, T., p. 157].
Mr. Lafferty testified that on the date of incident (July 26, 2018), that he
received 5or 6phone calls from Mr. Hoover. He said that Mr. Hoover asked if Eddie
("Cowboy" Clemens) was with him and then told him "that Eddie had ripped his friend
off and he was looking for him ...". Mr. Hoover explained that the incident was
28
about drugs. Mr. Lafferty further testified: "... he [Hoover] talked about going and
finding him and stuff and then he said well my friend has agun and Isaid let your
friend deal with it. He said my friend has agun and he said he's going to kill him."
[R.R. #45, 1/30/20, T., pp. 157-158]. Mr. Lafferty testified that Mr. Hoover was "upset"
and confirmed that he was mad. [R.R. #45, 1/30/20 T., p. 158]. He also stated that
these phone calls occurred between 3:00-5:00 p.m. [R.R. #45, 1/30/20, T., pp. 158-
159].
When it came time for the Commonwealth to cross-examine Mr. Lafferty, the
following exchange occurred on the record at sidebar:
BY ATTORNEY WEEKS: Your Honor, Ibelieve the
Commonwealth's objection to the witness's testimony is
on record. Because of the distance in time the
Commonwealth was just able to run the witness's criminal
history. We were not aware Attorney Anastasi was calling
this witness. As she had indicated before, she was calling
adifferent witness first. 1immediately upon receiving the
name and date of birth of the witness we did ask our office
to run it. They did. This individual has numerous theft
[convictions]. They are outside the ten year lookback.
We are asking Your Honor to allow us to impeach him
with that information. We believe it would be appropriate
in this case for the following reasons. One, he and he
alone has this evidence of this phone call. Attorney
Anastasi waived her opportunity to ask Mark Adams about
the phone call and the veracity of this witness will -- the
jury's determination of this witness's veracity is going to
determine basically this entire case now because this
witness is testifying that the decedent threatened to kill the
defendant and his associate over a phone call that he
didn't report to the police from almost two years. So we
believe it's —
29
BY ATTORNEY SMITH: It was never reported to the
police so we're clear.
BY ATTORNEY WEEKS: Yeah, he's never reported it to
the police but only reported it to Attorney Anastasi after
being approached by the defendant's family on Tuesday.
BY THE COURT: Attorney Anastasi, your response.
BY ATTORNEY ANASTASI: It's completely inappropriate
to put in his record. It's past the ten year lookback. Like
they're saying 1haven't seen it but it's past ten years and
there's been no -- just because it's a surprise witness,
even though Ihave given proffers on him twice, it's still not
enough to introduce some old record.
BY ATTORNEY WEEKS: Your Honor, Iapologize for
interrupting but the witness has been proffered twice but
in the last hour and ahalf or two hours and the Court can
employ abalancing test after ten years to decide whether
the prejudicial effect outweighs the probative value. Here
submit the probative value is extremely high.
BY THE COURT: Counsel, what I'm going to do is I'm
going to grant the Commonwealth's motion. Obviously
beyond that ten year period is within the Court's
discretion. Because of the unique circumstances of this
particular witness, the unique circumstances in his
testimony and the fact that there was late disclosure I'll
grant the Commonwealth's request. You can impeach
him by crimen falsi beyond the ten years.
[R.R. #45, 1/30120 T., pp. 164-165].
There were numerous crimen falsi convictions for Mr. Lafferty, including a1976
theft by unlawful taking; a 1986 theft of property and receiving stolen property; and a
2000 theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property. [R.R. #45, 1/30/20 T., pp.
165-167].
30
In rebuttal, the Commonwealth called Detective Randy Feathers of the D.A.'s
Office, who testified as to Mr. Lafferty's prior convictions based upon his review of the
NCIC federal data base. [RR. #46, 1/31/20 T., pp. 41-43]. Detective Feathers
confirmed that Mr. Lafferty had prior convictions in 1976 for theft by unlawful taking, in
1986 for theft by deception and receiving stolen property; and in 2000 for theft by
unlawful taking and receiving stolen property, all occurring in Pennsylvania. [R.R. #46,
1/3'1/20, T., pp. 43-44, Com. Ex. 39].
Detective Feathers also confirmed that there was a 1975 conviction in the
State of Florida for burglary; and finally, a2012 conviction in Maryland for theft of less
than $100. [R.R. #46, 1/31/20, T., p. 46].
It is important to point out that this impeachment by prior crimen falsi
convictions was of a defense witness, not the Appellant himself. In applying the 5-
factor test set forth in Randall above, as it may be relevant to awitness, we find:
(1) the degree to which the commission of the prior offense(s) reflects upon
the veracity of the [witness]. Here, there were five (5) different crimen falsi convictions
occurring over a37-year time frame in three different states. Clearly, the number, time
period and different locations could call the witness' veracity into question in the
minds of the jurors.
31
{2} the likelihood, in view of the nature and extent of the prior record, that it
would have agreater tendency to smear the character of the defendant and suggest a
propensity to commit the crime for which he stands charged, rather than provide a
legitimate reason for discrediting him as an untruthful person: There is no evidence
that the Appellant was involved or even knew Mr. Lafferty at the time of any of his
prior crimen falsi convictions. In fact, the Appellant was not born until September
25,1984, well after the 1975 and 1976 convictions. He would have been two years old
at the time of Mr. Lafferty's 1986 conviction, and 14 years old at the time of the 2000
conviction. Thus, Mr. Lafferty's prior convictions in no way smeared the character of
the Appellant nor in any way suggested apropensity to commit the crimes for which
he was charged. The sole purpose for which the prior crimen falsi convictions were
utilized was to impeach the credibility of Mr. Lafferty.
32
(3) the age and circumstances of the defendant. As set forth above, the
Appellant was thirty-five (35) years old as of the time of trial.
(4) the strength of the prosecution's case and the prosecution's need to
resort to this evidence as compared with the availability to the defense of other
witnesses through which its version of the events surrounding the incident can be
presented. As the Commonwealth argued at side-bar and as set forth above, Mr.
Lafferty was the only witness who testified that Mr. Hoover and his associate had a
gun and threatened to kill the Appellant. Mr. Lafferty claimed this threat occurred just
a few hours before the shooting. During a phone call on the date of incident, Mr.
Lafferty described Mr. Hoover as being upset and mad. Mr. Lafferty never reported
this phone call to law enforcement.
Other than calling into question the lack of disclosure to the police and Mr.
Lafferty's friendship with the Appellant's parents [R.R. #45, T., p. 170-171), there was
no other direct avenue for the Commonwealth to impeach Mr. Lafferty's credibility as
a witness, other than to introduce his prior crimen falsi convictions. The defense
presented other witnesses (Diillion Bryan and Tina Paullin) to support the Appellant's
version of the events. Mr. Bryan testified to the events surrounding the shooting in
the parking lot in support of the Appellant's self-defense claim. The direct
33
impeachment evidence for Mr. Lafferty was critical for the Commonwealth in meeting
its burden of refuting the Appellant's self-defense claim.
(5) the existence of alternative means of attacking the witness' credibility.-
This has been addressed above.
Therefore, at trial, we concluded that the probative value of the evidence of Mr.
Lafferty's prior crimen falsi convictions substantially outweighed it potential prejudicial
effect, and permitted the Commonwealth to impeach him thereby.
We would also note that in our closing instructions, we provided the jury the
Suggested Standard Instruction 4.08D-Impeachment — Prior Conviction (Witness
Only), as follows:
You also heard evidence that Ken Lafferty, awitness called by
the defense, had been convicted of prior crimes of crimen talsi.
The only purpose for which you may consider evidence of
these prior convictions is in deciding whether or not to believe
all or part of the testimony of Mr. Lafferty. In doing so, you may
consider the type of crimes committed, how long ago they were
committed and how it may affect the likelihood that Mr. Lafferty
testified truthfully in this case.
[R.R. #46, 1/31/20, T., pp. 176-177].
As aresult of the foregoing, we submit that this alleged error lacks merit.
34
6. Denial of Motion for Court-
Appointed Medical Expert.
7. Denial of Motion for Court-Appointed Firearms and Ballistics, Force
Science, Self-Defense and Shootinq Scene Reconstruction Expert.
S. Denial of Motion for Court-Appointed Investigator.
We submit that there is overlap relative to these alleged errors, therefore, they
will be addressed collectively below. We also addressed these issues pre-trial in our
Opinions and Orders entered April 29, 20'19 [R.R. #11] & July 9, 2019 [R.R. #15],
which we incorporate herein.
Applicable Law:
"There is no constitutional mandate, either federal or state, that experts be
appointed at public expense to assist in the preparation of a defense whenever
requested by one accused of acrime." Commonwealth v. Gelormo,
327 Pa. Super.
219, 229
,
475 A.2d 765, 770
(Pa. Super.1984). "Under the law of Pennsylvania ... the
appointment of an expert witness or an investigator to assist in the preparation of a
defense is vested in the sound discretion of the trial court." Id, at 769. "[T]he trial
court will not be found to have abused its discretion in the absence of aclear showing
as to the content, relevancy and materiality of the testimony of the potential
witnesses." Commonwealth v. Bell,
706 A.2d 855, 862
(Pa. Super. 1998).
35
Discussion:
We initially addressed the Appellant's motion for experts in our Opinion and
Order of April 29, 2019 after hearing held April 2, 2019, wherein we denied the
Appellant's motion without prejudice to the filing of amore detailed motion identifying
the name and professional address of the proposed expert; the specific field of
expertise; the fee schedule and retainer being sought by such expert for review of all
relevant records and issuance of an expert report; and the anticipated time and fees
required if the expert would be needed to testify at trial. We also denied the
Appellant's motion for appointment of an investigator without prejudice to file a
supplemental motion providing more detailed information similar to the above [R.R.,
#11, 4/29/19 Opinion, pp. 17-18].
The Appellant filed a Supplemental Omnibus Pretrial Motion, which included a
Motion for Appointment of a Medical Expert, Firearm and Ballistics, Force Science,
Self-Defense and Shooting Scene Reconstruction Expert as well as a Motion for
Appointment of Investigator. We held a hearing on June 18, 2019 to address the
various pre-trial motions.
36
During the hearing, Attorney Anastasi identified Mr. Mickey McComb as a
firearms and ballistics expert. His curriculum vitae and fee schedule was admitted into
the record. [R. R. #41, 6/18/19 T., p. 5].
The Appellant also testified during our June 18, 2019 hearing. The Appellant
testified as to his financial situation. He acknowledged that he hired Attorney Anastasi
in her private capacity and that she was paid a $15,000 retainer. [R.R. #41, 6/18/19
T., pp. 6-9].
During the June 18, 2019 hearing, we requested Attorney Anastasi to place on
the record why she believed that the defense needed its own court-appointed forensic
pathologist. The following was her response:
BY THE COURT: Okay, Attorney Anastasi, what Iwould
like you to do, if you could, if you could supplement the
record and tell me why you believe that you need --I
understand that Mr. Stiver and as far as his financial
circumstances, but if you could establish for the record
please why you believe that the defense needs the Court
to appoint these particular experts in some detail.
Attorney Anastasi: Okay. Your Honor, for the medical
expert first, the forensic pathologist, the Commonwealth
is their essential theory of the case is that Mr. Hoover
was shot while attempting to turn and run away. Ihave
spoken to the pathologist that we would like as an expert
and that is even where the shot went into, that is sheer
speculation. That just because the head may have been
turned one way or another, they cannot pinpoint it is
because of oh Isaw agun and Iam going to turn to run.
More than oh there was afly on me and so Iturned my
head. He was still shot in the front in the neck. His own,
37
Mr. Hoover's own, friend that was in the vehicle had
never said that he was turning his [head] or turned his
body to run away. So we would need the forensic
pathologist to --him really more than anyone else to
rebut the Commonwealth's pathologist saying that where
he was shot in the neck that to make the connection and
the correlation that that meant that he was turning his
head because he saw a gun and he was retreating with
his deadly weapon.
BY THE COURT: Attorney Anastasi, let me ask you this.
If the Court did not grant your request to appoint the
medical expert, would that in any way preclude you from
making those same arguments or raising those same
issues in cross-examination of the Commonwealth's
expert and/or in closing arguments to the jury?
ATTORNEY ANASTASI: Which we would do
alternatively. 1don't know --Ihaven't spoken to the
Commonwealth's pathologist, but if we don't get the
expert we would be crossing him on that.
BY THE COURT: Iguess what Ireally want to ensure is
that if the Court denies your request for acourt-appointed
medical expert, what prejudice do you believe that you
would have, Mr. Stiver would have relative to his defense
at the time of trial?
ATTORNEY ANASTASI: Well, if their expert is getting up
and saying that the decedent was retreating at the time
that he was being shot, we believe that us not having the
expert we are at a disadvantage of not having another
pair of eyes look at this to say that just because --the
head turns, the neck doesn't. Just because the head
was turned one way to make the correlation it is because
he saw a gun and he was going to turn to run. That is
why we would be at the disadvantage by not having our
own expert say that that is sheer speculation that you can
just because of where he was shot. Imean Mr. Stiver is
sitting in avehicle with his arm out the window shooting.
You know, it is not going to be aperfect shot.
BY THE COURT: And you have had the opportunity to
review the Commonwealth's pathologist expert report?
ATTORNEY ANASTASI: Mh-hm.
BY THE COURT: Yes?
ATTORNEY ANASTASI: Yes.
BY THE COURT: Okay, and does the Commonwealth
pathologist make any indication in his report as to
whether --Imean is there any dispute that Mr. Stiver
was sitting in his vehicle at the time [the decedent] was
shot?
ATTORNEY ANASTASI: No, I don't believe that the
Commonwealth has any dispute about that.
BY THE COURT: Okay.
ATTORNEY ANASTASI: The pathologist does say in his
report of greatest significance is where he was shot with
what was exposed the other side would have had to be
turned, but to make the leap that is because of him
seeing agun.
BY THE COURT: Do you expect your expert to dispute
the location of where the bullet entered the victim?
ATTORNEY ANASTASI: Ido not.
BY THE COURT: The arguments then that you are
making do you believe as Mr. Stiver's attorney you could
make those same arguments to the jury again, to the jury
cross-examination --Iam sorry --to the expert in cross-
examination to the jury at the time of closing argument?
ATTORNEY ANASTASI: Icould, Judge, but Imean I
am stuck with the witnesses answer and, if he says he
was the head was turned because he saw agun and he
was running. Imean however ludicrous that would
sound to make, I'm still stuck with his answer.
BY THE COURT: If the Court allows that answer.
ATTORNEY ANASTASI: Right, which we would —-
39
BY THE COURT: Object to.
ATTORNEY ANASTASI: Yes, but there would be a
motion in limine too that whole questioning.
BY THE COURT: Okay, Attorney Anastasi, anything
else you want to place on the record relative to the
forensic pathologist expert?
ATTORNEY ANASTASI: Your Honor, Iwould just say
that he would be the expert that we would of greatest
importance Iguess in this case.
[R.R. #41, 6/18/19 T., pp. 16-20].
We then asked Attorney Anastasi to establish the need for a court-appointed
firearms and ballistics expert. The following exchange took place:
BY THE COURT: Okay, and then Attorney Anastasi
turning to the firearms and ballistic expert. If you could
establish on the record the defense need for that
particular expert?
ATTORNEY ANASTASI: Your Honor, this case really
does come down to use of force and deadly force that if it
was justified and things about the weapon, and that is
why [we] would be seeking the expert that we are looking
for of course does the reconstruction, but he also looks
into self-defense for science. Ireally don't think this
would be much of aballistic case, but definitely the use of
force with what is at issue in this case is why we would
be asking for that.
BY THE COURT: And do you anticipate that being the
primary defense [,] self-defense in this case?
ATTORNEY ANASTASI: Yes, Judge, yes.
BY THE COURT: Okay, Attorney Anastasi, anything else
that you want to add to the record relative to the firearms
ballistic expert [force] science experts?
40
ATTORNEY ANASTASI: No, Your Honor.
We then heard from District Attorney Weeks, who stated:
ATTORNEY WEEKS: Judge, dealing with the first of the
issue of the pathologist, Iwould like to read the cause of
death cited to [by] the forensic pathologist in the report
provided by the Commonwealth to Attorney Anastasi.
"Mr. Hoover was struck by a single shotgun wound which
injured structures within the face, neck and upper region
of the right chest. Of greatest significance is complete
transection of the right carotid artery and perforation of the
right subclavian artery with copious associated
hemorrhage. Alignment of the various wound tracks and
abrasion margins place and muzzle of the weapon on the
[decedent's] left side and the decedent's head turned to
the left." Isee nowhere any of the items [that] Attorney
Anastasi raise as abasis for procuring an expert report in
the field of the forensic pathologist as to the cause and
manner of death. The Commonwealth's theory of the case
relative to the position of Mr. Hoover depends, Your
Honor, on the positon of the defendant's car, the position
which Isubmit and Ihave shared this with Attorney
Anastasi Ican extrapolate through where the shotgun
shell pellets were found or recovered from items in the
parking lot, particularly, a signpost from the defendant's
statement, and other individual statements as to where
the defendant was when he [fired] the fatal shot. Nowhere
does this forensic pathologist say that Mr. Hoover was
going forward or going backward or turning around. He
would not be able to say that. Now what he can be asked
by both parties are hypothetical questions which Iwould
fully intend to ask him and Attorney Anastasi can cross-
examine him on that. But essentially, the way Isee it,
your Honor, is Attorney Anastasi is asking for roughly
$10,000 of taxpayer money to have a report that says
exactly what this report says. That he was shot on the left
side of his neck. Idon't believe that there is any way to
dispute that. The issue for trial and for the jury is could
Mr. Hoover been shot on the left side of his neck with his
head turned to the left if he was advancing on Mr. Stiver.
That is of no moment for the forensic pathologist. That is
a combination of the pathological report in the autopsy,
41
the reconstruction of the scene, where evidence was
found at the scene, and where the shooter places himself
at the same. All of those factors together are going to
paint that picture not the cause and manner death. So if
there is no dispute to the cause and manner of death, I
don't see any basis for this expert certainly not an expert
that would be funded entirely by tax dollars to the tune of
what looks like might be up around $10,000. Moving to
the use of force expert, your Honor, Iwould first argue that
this use of force expert appears that Ihave only had a
moment to look at his C.V., but he appears to be aforce
expert like most use of force experts. A person who trains
police and other law-enforcement on when to use deadly
force and [when] not to use deadly force, and what kind of
force to use and what kind of situation. All of that is out
the window in this case because the defendant is not a
law-enforcement officer who is acting within his or her
capacity as alaw enforcement officer when he took David
Hoover's life. Simply put, Your Honor, most of the
background that use of force expert has in the instruction
and training that they have given and received don't apply
to his case. Even more pressing, Iwould submit, is that
this petition to hire use of force expert Ibelieve is not yet
ripe. We have not yet got to the stage of pretrial motions,
but I would submit that we will where the Court determines
whether this defendant has at his utility self-defense or the
Castle Doctrine. Isubmit, he clearly does not and will not
be afforded the Castle Doctrine and the jury should not be
instructed that it is even an option for them to consider.
This defendant was in commission of multiple crimes. He
was in unlawful possession of a firearm he used to take
Mr. Hoover's life. He had controlled substances within his
vehicle. He had just committed a sale of controlled
substances hours earlier to the decedent and was
involved in stealing two hundred dollars from the decedent
with the promise [of] the sale of cocaine when he and his
co-conspirator had no intention of selling cocaine. For all
of those factors, Your Honor, there is no way that this
defendant could avail himself of the Castle Doctrine.
believe the Commonwealth versus Cannavo C A N N A
V O and Ihave acite here for the Court, 199 A.3rd 1282
and it was decided on December 3rd, 2018. In that Court it
was a felon not to possess who shot someone and
attempted to use the Castle Doctrine to say hey Idid not
42
have the duty to retreat in my own home because of the
Castle Doctrine. The Court ruled that he could not use it
because he was aperson not to use afirearm. Icite that
for two reasons. One, that individual is in unlawful
possession of a firearm. Mr. Stiver was in unlawful
possession of his firearm under the circumstances of his
case and by his own admission. Two, and more
importantly, that case is clear that it is the Court's decision
as to whether the Doctrine can be applied or considered
by the jury not something that has to be given to the jury
for them to decide legally if it applies. So the
Commonwealth's argument in this case will be that Mr.
Stiver cannot receive the Castle Doctrine instruction
because he was in commission of in fact a multitude of
crimes prior to and during his slaying of Mr. Hoover. As
far as justification goes, Ibelieve my review of the law
anyone can raise justification for the crime of first-degree
murder. Ido not believe that Mr. Stiver can raise the
crime of justification for third-degree murder or any of the
lesser degrees of homicide or aggravated assault whether
it be serious bodily injury or bodily injury with a deadly
weapon. Iwould cite for the Court Ibelieve it is 18 P.S.
5036. It is justification generally choice of evils.
Essentially what it says is when the actor here that would
be Mr. Stiver was reckless or negligent in bringing about
the situation requiring a choice of harm or evils or
appraising the necessary --necessity, excuse me, for his
conduct, the justification afforded by this section is
unavailable in a prosecution for any offense from which
recklessness or negligence as the case may be suffices to
establish culpability. Reckless conduct is an element of
third-degree murder and certainly an element of both
aggravated assaults. So in this case, the Commonwealth
will be arguing that not only can this defendant not avail
himself [of] the Castle Doctrine which if he could would
mean that he did not have a duty to retreat. And the
Commonwealth believes that it can and will establish that
he had aduty to retreat from someone who is on foot with
a baseball bat when he was in a car that was not
encumbered by anything else in a parking lot that was
open. But secondarily, that this defendant cannot say for
the crimes of third-degree murder the lesser murderers or
aggravated assault any degree that he was justified or
that it was a shooting in self-defense because he was
43
most certainly engaged in reckless and negligent conduct
that brought about this situation. It was him and his co-
conspirator that sold drugs. It was him and his co-
conspirator that said that they would get two hundred
dollars['] worth of cocaine for David Hoover after they took
his money. It was him and his co-conspirator that fled
throughout the city without seeking any intervention by
law-enforcement. And it was this defendant but by his own
admission returned to his home to retrieve a shotgun
which he loaded and placed in his car. So, Your Honor,
for those reasons Idon't believe it would be appropriate to
appoint a use of force expert. One, because the [force]
signs that dealt with by the expert seems to be law-
enforcement use of force. Two, because when everything
comes down to it at least the Commonwealth's [argument]
is going to be pretrial that Mr. Stiver [can't] avail himself of
those defenses. Thank you, Your Honor.
[R.R. #41, 6/18/19 T., pp. 20-26].
After oral argument, we entered an Opinion and Order dated July 9, 2019 [R.R.
#15] which we incorporate and re-state below.
Motion for Appointment of Medical Expert:
Applicable Law:
The decision of whether to appoint an expert witness to assist
in preparation of the defense is within the sound discretion of the trial
court. Commonwealth v. Curnette,
871 A.2d 839
(Pa. Super. 2005).
Indigent defendants have a right to access the same resources as
non-indigent defendants in criminal proceedings, and state cannot
discriminate against defendants on basis of their indigency.
44
Commonwealth v. Franklin,
823 A.2d 906, 909
(Pa. Super. 2003).
State has an affirmative duty to furnish indigent defendants the same
protections accorded to those financially able to obtain them.
Commonwealth v. Sweeney,
533 A.2d 473, 480
(Pa. Super. 1987).
Procedural due process guarantees that the defendant has a right to
present competent evidence in his defense, and state must ensure
that indigent defendant has afair opportunity to present his defense.
Ake v. Oklahoma,
470 U.S. 68, 76
,
105 S.Ct. 1087
,
84 L.Ed.2d 53
(1985).
It is true that the Commonwealth is not obligated to pay for the
services of an expert simply because a defendant requests one.
Commonwealth v. Carter,
643 A.2d 61, 73
(Pa. 1994). There must
be some showing as to the content and relevancy of the proposed
expert testimony before such a request will be granted.
Commonwealth v. Bell,
706 A.2d 855, 862
(Pa. Super. 1998).
The Appellant seeks that the court appoint a medical expert,
more specifically, an expert in forensic pathology, and has identified
Dr. Michael W. Johnson of Allentown, PA as the potential defense
45
expert. At the time of our hearing, Dr. Johnson's Curriculum Vitae
and Fee Schedule, which were attached to the Supplemental
i
Omnibus Pretrial Motion, were incorporated into the record. [R.R. #41,
6/18119 Hearing Transcript, p. 5]. According to his fee schedule, Dr.
Johnson is seeking aretainer of $750.00 and will charge $375.00 per
hour.
The Appellant testified during our June 18, 2019 hearing. He
has been incarcerated in the Blair County Prison since July, 2018.
[R. R. #41, 6/18/19 T., p. 11]. At the present time, he testified that he
has no sources of income nor any money in his jail account. He
testified that he has no bank accounts of any nature [R.R. #41,
6/18/19 T., p. 7], nor any financial holdings such as a certificates of
deposit, stocks, bonds, etc. [R.R. #41, 6/18/19 T., p. 15]. He has no
interest in any real estate. [R.R. #41, 6/18/19 T., p. 14]. He does not
receive any government subsidies. [R.R. #41, 6/18119 T., p. 7]. He
was last employed in mid-2017 in a part-time landscaping job,
wherein he indicates that he was paid $9.00 per hour. The Appellant
testified that he held that job for approximately 3months until he was
the victim of adog bite [R.R. #41, 6/18/19 T., pp. 10-11] and suffered
serious injuries. [R.R. #41, 6/18/19 T., pp. 7-8]. He indicated that he
filed acivil lawsuit, but has not received any financial settlement. [R.R.
#41, 6/18/19 T., pp. 8& 15]. It is his understanding that such lawsuit
has been dismissed. [R.R. #41, 6/18/19 T., pp. 14-15].
The Appellant owns two vehicles, a 2012 Ford Fusion, which
he said has an approximate value of $10,000 and is paid for. That
vehicle is currently in the possession of the Altoona Police
Department. He also owns a 2001 Chevrolet Silverado, which he
claims has no value since the engine "blew up". [R.R. #41, 6/18/19 T.,
pp. 12-14].
The Appellant has hired Attorney Kristen Anastasi as private
counsel. Pursuant to his fee agreement, $15,000 was paid to his legal
counsel. It is his understanding that such retainer will cover all
aspects of legal representation relative to this case. [R.R. #41,
6/18/19 T., pp. 8-10]. Mr. Stiver testified that the retainer was actually
paid by his father. What was interesting relative to the Appellant's
testimony in this regard is that he was not sure of the spelling of his
47
father's first name, nor whether his father is currently retired [R.R.
#41, 6/18/19 T., pp. 11-12], thus calling into the question the
Appellant's credibility relative to his alleged indigency and the true
source of the payment of the retainer to private counsel.
During our June 18, 2019 hearing, Attorney Anastasi
acknowledged that the defense is not questioning the cause nor
manner of death, nor are they questioning the location of the bullet
entry into the victim's body. [R.R. #41, 6/18/19 T., p. 19]. Defense
counsel expressed a concern as to whether the Commonwealth's
medical expert may opine that the victim was retreating at the time the
Appellant shot him and/or that the victim's head was turned in a
particular direction. [R.R. #41, 6/18/19 T., pp. 16-18].
At the time of hearing, Attorney Weeks read into the record the
conclusion of the Commonwealth's pathologist as to the cause and
manner of death. [R.R. #41, 6/18/19 T., p. 21]. The Commonwealth's
forensic pathologist stated in his report: "Mr. Hoover was struck by a
single shotgun wound which injured structures within the face, neck
and upper region of the right chest. Of greatest significance is
48
complete transection of the right carotid artery and perforation of the
right subclavian artery with copious associated hemorrhage.
Alignment of the various wound tracks and abrasion margins place
[the] muzzle of the weapon on the decedent's left side and the
decedent's head turned to the left." [R.R. #41, 6118/19 T., p. 21].
There is no indication by the Commonwealth's expert in his report as
to whether the victim was going forward, turning around, etc. [R.R.
#41, 6/18/19 T., pp. 21-22). Attorney Weeks also noted that the theory
of the Commonwealth's case relative to the position of the victim
depends, at least in part, on the position of the Appellant's car. There
were shotgun shells found in the parking lot area around the
Appellant's car. [R.R. #41, 6/18/19 T., pp. 2122].
Therefore, with there being no challenge to the cause and
manner of death opined by the Commonwealth's medical expert, we
find that the Defendant has not established a need for this court to
appoint a defense medical expert. His motion with respect thereto is
denied and dismissed. (emphasis in original).
[R.R. #15, Opinion and Order dated July 9, 2419, pp. 3-7].
49
Motion for Appointment of Firearm & Ballistics, Force Science,
Self-
Defense & Shooting Scene Reconstruction Expert:
Attorney Anastasi indicated that at the time of trial, the
Appellant will assert that he was acting in self-defense and/or that his
actions were justified. [R.R. #41, 6/18/19 T., p. 20]. Thus, they desire
the court to appoint an expert witness to support this defense. The
potential defense expert is seeking a non-[refundable] retainer of
$1,500. Per his fee schedule, he will charge $150 per hour, but $200
per hour to prepare awritten report. His court appearance fee is $450
for three hours. [R.R. #41, 6/18119 Defendant's Exhibit 2, T., p. 5;
R.R. #14]. The Commonwealth objects, noting that the prior
experience of the Appellant's potential expert, Mickey McComb,
based upon his Curriculum Vitae [R.R. #41, 6/18/19 Defendant's
Exhibit 1, T., p. 5; R.R. #14], is training police and other law
enforcement officers on when to use deadly force and the appropriate
level of such force dependent upon the circumstances. The
Commonwealth asserts that such prior training/experience would not
be relevant to this case. [R. R. #41, 6/18/19 T., pp. 22-23]. Further,
the Commonwealth asserts that the "Castle Doctrine" is not applicable
50
under the factual scenario involved in this case. [R.R. #41, 6/18/19
T., pp. 23-24].
The Defendant has raised the probability that at the time of
trial, he will raise the defense of self-defense/justification and/or the
"Castle Doctrine".
"Self-defense" is codified under 18 Pa. C.S. §505(a),
which reads as follows:
(a) Use of force justifiable for protection of the
person. The use of force upon or toward another
person is justifiable when the actor believes that such
force is immediately necessary for the purpose of
protecting himself against the use of unlawful force by
such other person on the present occasion.
§505(b) sets forth a number of limitations on the use of self-
defense. At the time of trial, before self-defense may be at issue,
there must be some evidence from whatever source to justify afinding
of self-defense. Commonwealth v. Bailey,
471 A.2d 551, 553
(Pa.
Super. 1984). A jury charge on self-defense must be given upon
request where the jury would have a possible basis for finding self-
defense. If there is evidence presented that could support aclaim of
self-defense, it is up to the fact-finder to pass upon its credibility and,
51
therefore, it is improper for atrial court to exclude such consideration
by refusing acharge thereon.
Id.
(internal citations omitted).
The defense of "justification" is codified in 18 Pa. C.S. §503, which
reads as follows:
(a) General rule. - Conduct which the actor believes to be
necessary to avoid aharm or evil to himself or to another is justifiable if:
(1) the harm or evil sought to be avoided by such conduct is
greater than that sought to be prevented by the law defining the
offense charged;
(2) neither this title nor other law defining the offense provides
exceptions or defenses dealing with the specific situation
involved; and
(3) a legislative purpose to exclude the justification claimed
does not otherwise plainly appear.
(b) Choice of evils. -Where the actor was reckless or negligent
in bringing about the situation requiring achoice of harms or evils or in
appraising the necessity for his conduct, the justification afforded by this
section is unavailable in a prosecution for any offense for which
recklessness or negligence, as the case may be, suffices to establish
culpability.
52
The case of Commonwealth v McClendon,
874 A.2d 1223
(Pa.
Super. 2005) provides us further guidance on the principles of self-
defense and justification. In McClendon, the defendant was convicted
of aggravated assault, violations of the Uniform Firearms Act, and
possession of instrument of crime. On appeal, the Pennsylvania
Superior Court affirmed. During the trial, the defendant argued that he
acted in self-defense. The McClendon court stated that where an
accused raises the defense of self-defense, the burden is on the
Commonwealth to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused's
act was not justifiable self-defense, and the Commonwealth 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 or; (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. at 1229-1230
. When the accused raises the
defense of self-defense, it is within the province of the jury to determine
whether the accused's belief that he was in danger of death or serious
53
bodily injury was reasonable, whether he was free of provocation, and
whether he had no duty to retreat.
Id.
(internal citation omitted).
Further, the McClendon court held that the self-
defense/justification instruction stating that the justification rule will not
apply if the defendant was negligent or reckless in bringing about the
situation requiring achoice of harms or evils was proper; the instruction
informed the jury that a defendant's recklessly bringing about the
difficulty which raised the necessity of his self-defense conduct would
defeat his defense of justification.
Id. at 1233
. The self
defense/justification instruction which permitted the jury to negate self-
defense if it found that the defendant recklessly brought about or
caused his rivals to fire their guns at defendant was a case-specific
instruction and was tantamount to the standard self-defense charge's
prohibition against provocation or continuation of the difficulty, and thus,
the instruction was adequate.
Id.
Turning to the "castle doctrine", such doctrine is subject to a
similar, initial standard by which courts must assess the appropriateness
of aself-defense instruction, namely, that avalid claim of self-defense, or
54
the castle doctrine, must be made out as a matter of law, and this
determination must be made by the trial judge. The "castle doctrine' is an
evidentiary means by which a defendant may attempt to prove
justification by self-defense. Commonwealth v. Cannovo,
199 A.3d
1282, 1287
(Pa. Super. 2018). (internal citations omitted).
Potentially at issue in the case before us are the following
subsections of 18 Pa. C.S. §505:
(b) Limitations on justifying for use of force
(2.1) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph
(2.2), an actor is presumed to have areasonable
belief that deadly force is immediately necessary
to protect himself against death, serious bodily
injury, kidnapping or sexual intercourse
compelled by force or threat if both of the
following conditions exist:
(i) The person against whom the force is used
is in the process of unlawfully and forcefully
entering, or has unlawfully and forcefully entered
and is present within, a dwelling, residence or
occupied vehicle; or the person against whom
the force is used is or is attempting to unlawfully
and forcefully remove another against that
other's will from the dwelling, residence or
occupied vehicle.
55
(ii) The actor knows or has reason to
believe that the unlawful and forceful entry
or act is occurring or has occurred.
(2.2) The presumption set forth in paragraph (2.1)
does not apply if:
(iii) the actor is engaged in acriminal activity or
is using the dwelling, residence or occupied
vehicle to further acriminal activity; or
18 Pa. C.S. §505(b)(2.1), (2.2).
Therefore, we have set forth the principles of self-
defense/justification and the castle doctrine above. Our ruling herein
denying the Defendant's request for a court-appointed expert witness in
no way precludes the Defendant from asserting aself defense/justification
defense at the time of trial. Thus, we find no prejudice to him.
As to whether we actually charge the jury on self
defense/justification and/or the castle doctrine, we will defer any
decision relative thereto until after admission of the evidence during
trial and prior to closing arguments. (emphasis in original).
56
Our "final" pre-trial ruling was set forth in our January 13, 2020 Order [R.R. #30],
wherein we held, pertinent to this particular issue:
5. The Defendant's request for a Medical Expert, a Firearms
Expert and its own CGA Expert is denied. Relative to a CGA
expert, the Defendant has been provided the opportunity to
submit evidence deemed favorable to his defense to the CGA
expert, Officer Gibson, to re-create a CGA, at the
Commonwealth's expense.
As to a Medical Expert and Firearms Expert, all discovery in this
matter was provided by the Commonwealth to Attorney Anastasi
by November 19, 2018. The Commonwealth's pathologist report
and autopsy report have been in Attorney Anastasi's possession
for greater than one (1) year. We do not agree with the
Defendant's assertion that the Commonwealth's CGA somehow
constitutes "new evidence". The Commonwealth's CGA was
created based upon documentation provided in discovery (e.g.,
witness statements; the Defendant's statements; photographs;
the pathology report; etc.).
The jury selection and jury trial dates were established in our
Order of September 19, 2019. The Defendant's renewed request
for these expert witnesses is untimely. Attorney Anastasi asserts,
in her Petition, that "[b]ecause of the Commonwealth's
submission of their CGA imminent to trial the undersigned must
neglect general trial preparation time to adequately prepare the
CGA ... leaving the undersigned in the untenable position of
having to prepare the case at the same time as trying it."
[Petition for Continuance, ¶8]. The record does not support that
assertion. Attorney Anastasi has been involved in this case from
its inception, being originally hired as private counsel. We have
held several status conferences and pre-trial hearings. She has
been in possession of the Commonwealth's discovery for over
one (1) year. She has been aware of the trial dates for over three
(3) months. The information that the Commonwealth provided the
CGA expert to create the church parking lot animation derived
from evidentiary material exchanged in discovery. Likewise, the
evidentiary material that the defense would like to utilize in the
creation of its version of the CGA has been in the possession of
57
Attorney Anastasi for more than one (1) year. During our prior
status conferences and pre-trial hearings, Attorney Anastasi has
demonstrated that she is very familiar with the evidentiary
material exchanged in discovery. Thus, we have no doubt that
she can (and already has) identify evidentiary material that she
believes is favorable to the defense and provide same to Officer
Gibson.
Finally, we believe it is critical to quote from our prior Opinion
and Order dated July 9, 2019 (which we incorporate herein),
when we addressed the Defendant's initial request to appoint a
Medical Expert, more specifically, an expert in forensic
pathology, in the person of Dr. Michael W. Johnson of Allentown,
PA:
During our June 18, 2019 hearing, Attorney Anastasi
acknowledged that the defense is not questioning the
cause nor manner of death, nor are they questioning
the location of the bullet entry into the victim's body.
IT., p. 19]. Defense counsel expressed aconcern as
to whether the Commonwealth's medical expert may
opine that the victim was retreating at the time the
Defendant shot him and/or that the victim's head was
turned in aparticular direction. IT., pp. 16-18].
At the time of hearing, Attorney Weeks read into the
record the conclusion of the Commonwealth's
pathologist as to the cause and manner of death. IT.,
p. 21]. The Commonwealth's forensic pathologist
stated in his report: "Mr. Hoover was struck by a
single shotgun wound which injured structures within
the face, neck and upper region of the right chest. Of
greatest significance is complete transection of the
right carotid artery and perforation of the right
subclavian artery with copious associated
hemorrhage. Alignment of the various wound tracks
and abrasion margins place [the] muzzle of the
weapon on the decedent's left side and the
decedent's head turned to the left." IT., p. 211. There
is no indication by the Commonwealth's expert in his
report as to whether the victim was going forward,
turning around, etc. IT., pp. 21-22). Attorney Weeks
also noted that the theory of the Commonwealth's
case relative to the position of the victim depends, at
58
least in part, on the position of the Defendant's car.
There were shotgun shells found in the parking lot
area around the Defendant's car. [T., pp. 21-22].
Therefore, with there being no challenge to the cause
and manner of death opined by the Commonwealth's
medical expert, we find that that the Defendant has
not established a need for this court to appoint a
defense medical expert. His motion with respect
thereto is denied and dismissed.
[July 9, 2019 Opinion and Order, pp. 6-7]
[R. R. #30, Order of 1/13/20, pp. 3-7].
Ultimately, we did not charge the jury on the Castle Doctrine, but permitted the
Appellant to present his self-defense theory to the jury, which they rejected.
In summary fashion, we did not find that the Appellant ever established aneed
for the court to appoint the expert witnesses and investigator he sought. The
defense never established with any specificity the content, relevancy and materiality
of any proposed expert's proffered testimony. The defense did not dispute the cause
and manner of death of the victim. Upon his arrest, the Appellant provided a
statement to police admitting that he shot and killed David Hoover in the Bethany
Lutheran Church parking lot. His claim was that he acted in self-defense. His self-
defense theory was presented to the jury and rejected.
59
Finally, relative to the appointment of an investigator, the defense was
provided all discovery well in advance of trial. The defense has not set forth any
potential witness that they were unable to meet with or contact due to a lack of an
investigator, nor how they were prejudiced thereby.
We submit that each of these alleged errors lack merit.
9. Introduction of Computer-Generated Animation.
The Commonwealth put the Court and defense on notice in the early stages of
pre-trial proceedings of its intent to utilize computer-generated animation (CGA) in its
case-in-chief. We conducted hearing on January 6, 2020 and then entered an
Opinion and Order dated January 7, 2020 initially denying the Commonwealth's
request. [R.R. #27]. The Commonwealth filed aMotion to Reconsider on January 8,
2020. We scheduled further hearing on the motion and, thereafter, issued an Opinion
and Order dated January 9, 2020, wherein we granted the Commonwealth's Motion to
Reconsider, allowing presentation of the CGA during trial. [R.R. #28]. In our Order
with Opinion entered January 9, 2020, we stated the following:
AND NOW, this 9th day of January, 2020, after oral argument
held this date, it is hereby ORDERED, DIRECTED and
DECREED that the Commonwealth's Motion to Reconsider is
granted. Therefore, the Commonwealth shall be permitted
to present the computer generated animation (CGA) prepared
by Officer Jeremy Gibson during its case-in-chief. During the
trial and prior to the presentation of the CGA, and once again
60
during our closing charge to the jury, we will provide a
cautionary instruction to the jury, consistent with what was set
forth in the case of Commonwealth v. Serge,
896 A.2d
1170, 1186-1187
(Pa. 2006).
In our prior Opinion and Order entered January 7, 2020, we
specifically found that the Commonwealth met the first two
prongs set forth in
Serge, supra.,
i.e., that the CGA was
properly authenticated through the testimony of Officer
Gibson; and that it was relevant, as it clearly, concisely and
accurately depicts the Commonwealth's theory of the case.
We are satisfied that the CGA will aid the jury in the
comprehension of the collective testimonies of the witnesses
without use of extraneous graphics or information. See
Serge,
896 A.2d at 1182
.
What this court found problematic was the third prong, i.e.,
whether its probative value was outweighed by its prejudice.
In entering our Opinion and Order dated January 7, 2020, we
found that this third prong was not satisfied by the
Commonwealth. Such concern was based upon the
economic disparity between the Commonwealth and the
Defendant, as well as a prior request by the Defendant to
receive court funds to procure a shooting scene
reconstruction expert. In its Motion to Reconsider, and as set
forth during our hearing, the Commonwealth pointed out that
the Defendant's original pretrial motion requested two (2)
experts, including a "firearm, ballistics, force science, self-
defense and shooting scene reconstruction expert". Later, the
Defendant, in a supplemental pretrial motion, specifically
identified Emanuel Kapelsohn to be the court-appointed
expert in the field of Firearm and Ballistics, Force Science,
Deadly Force, Self-Defense Use of Force and Shooting
Scene Reconstruction. This expert was proffered as an
expert in the operation and use of firearms. As the
Commonwealth acknowledged, Mr. Kapelsohn is eminently
qualified in these areas, based upon review of his Curriculum
Vitae. There was, however, no proffer of this expert's
qualifications or experience relative to crime scene re-
creation, reconstruction, re-enactment, or more specifically
(as it pertains to our case), crime scene animation. Upon
review of Mr. Kapelsohn's C.V., we agree with the
Commonwealth that this expert is not qualified to produce a
CGA or other animation of the crime scene. Further, at no
61
time, either in writing or during any prior court proceedings,
did the defense ever request that an expert be appointed to
undertake aCGA until the January 6, 2020 hearing, and only
after the Commonwealth's presentation of its own CGA
through our evidentiary hearing.
Therefore, and importantly for our decision hereunder, the
Commonwealth has raised a substantial question as to the
validity of the basis for our original decision.
The Commonwealth has asserted that the CGA is a vital
piece of demonstrative evidence and that without same, it will
be handicapped from effectively presenting its case to the
jury. The Commonwealth states that the positions and
movements of both parties during the shooting constantly
changed and that there is no reasonable way for the
Commonwealth to accurately demonstrate the fluidity of the
Defendant and the decedent's positions based upon verbal
descriptions alone. Further, the positions of the Defendant
and decedent are instrumental in meeting the
Commonwealth's burden to dispute an anticipated self-
defense claim. The Commonwealth claims that the CGA is
its "best evidence" to demonstrate the trajectory of the
gunshot (the victim was struck from the right with his head
turned to the left), the distance of the gunshot (10 to 25 feet),
and the location of the decedent when he was struck
(Evidence marker 5) to support its theory of the case, i.e., that
the Defendant was not acting in self-defense and had two
clear paths to retreat.
During our hearing held this date, the Commonwealth
presented two possible remedies to address the court's
concern. We find each to be fair and equitable. The first is
that the Commonwealth's expert, Officer Gibson, is willing to
create a CGA based upon the Defendant's theory as to what
occurred in the church parking lot on the date in question, so
long as the information provided is based upon matters
exchanged in discovery (e.g., the Defendant's statements,
witness statements, photographs, pathology report, etc.). It is
our understanding that the measurements taken within the
church parking lot, where the shooting occurred, are not
disputed. The Commonwealth acknowledged that two
potential areas where the defense could seek a recreation of
the CGA is the angle of the trajectory of the shot, as well as
62
the position of the Defendant. Therefore, if the Defendant
desires Officer Gibson to recreate a CGA based upon the
defense theory as to what occurred in the church parking lot,
Attorney Anastasi shall make immediate and direct contact
with Officer Gibson to provide the information to be utilized in
the creation of the CGA for potential use by the Defendant, so
long as such information is factually possible based upon the
discovery exchanged to date. Attorney Anastasi shall contact
Officer Gibson and provide such pertinent information no later
than close of business WOO p.m.) on Friday, January 10,
2020. The parties shall fully cooperate in the identification
and production of such information/documentation to Officer
Gibson. Officer Gibson shall then recreate such CGA as
soon as possible thereafter. The admission of the
Defendant's CGA shall be subject to the same scrutiny we
employed relative to the Commonwealth's CGA, i.e.,
satisfying the three prong test set forth in
Serge, supra.
In so ruling, we are satisfied that the remedy offered by the
Commonwealth provides the defense an opportunity to have
a"fair and equitable playing field".
As the Serge court opined: "The law does not, and should
not, prohibit proficient professional employment of new
technology in the courtroom. This is after all, the twenty-first
century. As such, we must turn to the traditional factors
considered in determining if a particular CGA is admissible."
896 A.2d at 1178
.
In consideration of the above, we do not want to create a
precedent that in every case where the Commonwealth
desires to present a CGA to the jury, that all a defendant
needs to assert is economic disparity and force the trial court
to decide between one of two options, either precluding the
Commonwealth from use of a CGA, or utilizing significant
court funds to appoint the defendant his/her own expert.
A defendant does not have an absolute right to a court
appointed [expert]. [See, e.g., Commonwealth v, Bardo,
709
A.2d 871
(Pa. 1998)]. The Serge court also stated:
"Similarly, there can be no obligation to provide the defendant
the finances necessary to create a CGA of his or her own".
876 A.2d at 1185. The Commonwealth's offer, in effect,
63
presents an opportunity for the Defendant to create his own
CGA in this case.
The Defendant's request for a CGA to be created to include
the high speed chase that allegedly occurred prior to the
shooting in the church parking lot is denied. The CGA will be
limited to the events that occurred in the church parking lot.
[R. R. #28].
During our jury trial, the Commonwealth utilized the CGA during its case-in-
chief when it called Mark Adams to testify. Mr. Adams was with the decedent, David
Hoover, on the date of the subject incident. During Mr. Adams' testimony, the CGA
was utilized as demonstrative evidence to aid the witness in his explanation to the jury
as to the identification of his white vehicle and the blue Ford Fusion in which the
Appellant and Mr. Bryan were occupants; the movement of those vehicles both
immediately prior to and after the shooting, and the movement and position of David
Hoover leading up to the point of shooting. [R.R. #47, 9/28/20 T., pp. 76-80].
Before allowing the Commonwealth to show the CGA to the jury, we gave the
following cautionary instruction:
BY THE COURT: Okay. You may be seated.
Members of the jury, you're going to hear a reference
with Mr. Adams' testimony to computer-generated
animation, often referred to as CGA. The parties in a
case are permitted to use photographs, drawings and
other exhibits to illustrate apoint that they are attempting
to make in a case. This is what we refer to as
demonstrative evidence. We refer to this type of
evidence as demonstrative evidence as opposed to
64
substantive evidence since it is offered merely to
demonstrate or illustrate a point rather than as actual
proof of that point. With the advent of the digital age,
computers are now used to produce this type of
demonstrative evidence. At a pre-trial hearing several
weeks ago, the Commonwealth presented the testimony
of Officer Jeremy Gibson of the State College Police
Department. We determined Officer Gibson --we found
Officer Gibson to be an expert witness in computer-
generated animation. He testified during this hearing that
the computer-generated animation, which will now be
shown to you is afair and accurate illustration as to how
this shooting allegedly occurred per the Commonwealth's
theory. Officer Gibson described how he produced the
three-dimensional drawings with computer software to
depict those opinions and, thereafter, transform them
onto this DVD to produce moving images, which will be
played for you. What you are about to be shown is
commonly referred to as a computer-generated exhibit.
There are two types of computer-generated exhibits. The
first is what we call a simulation and the second is what
we refer to as an animation. In a simulation, data is
entered into a computer which is pre-programmed to
perform certain calculations by applying, for example, the
laws of physics, mathematical formulas and other
scientific principles in order for the computer itself to draw
conclusions and to attempt to re-create an incident. The
end product of a simulation represents the computer
program's conclusion of what happened and the results
of the computer simulation serve as the basis for the
testifying expert's opinion of what happened. In contrast,
an animation is simply a graphic depiction or illustration
that an expert has prepared based upon the information
or data provided to him with his computations and
analysis. With an animation, the computer does not
perform any scientific calculations or develop any
opinions as is the case with the simulation. An
animation consists of computer-generated drawings,
which are assembled frame by frame and when viewed
sequentially produce the image of motion, thus, an
animation is merely a graphic depiction or illustration or
recreation which an expert witness has already devised
through the information and data provided to him with his
own calculations and analysis. Please understand that
65
what you're about to view is an animation not a
simulation. This computer-generated animation is a
demonstrative exhibit, not substantive evidence and it is
being offered solely as an illustration of the
Commonwealth's version of events as recreated by
Officer Gibson. You should not confuse art with reality
and should not view the animation as a definitive
recreation of the actual incident. The series of pictures
which have been drawn by the computer and transferred
onto the tape for our review are no different from a
witness sketching aseries of drawings on paper and then
fanning those pages to portray moving images of his or
opinion. Remember, the demonstrative animation is only
as good as the underlying testimony, data, assumptions
and opinions that serve as the basis for its images and
the computer maxim, garbage in-garbage out applies
equally to computer animations. Like all other evidence
in this case, you may accept it or reject it, that is, the
computer-generated animation in whole or in part. I
caution you again that the animation may only be
considered for demonstrative purposes only. Always
bear in mind that the Commonwealth must still meet its
burden of proving all the elements of the offenses
charged beyond areasonable doubt. Thank you.
[R.R. #47, 1/28/24 T., pp. 73-76].
We gave an abbreviated version of the same instruction prior to utilization of
the CGA by Commonwealth expert witness, Dr. Kevin Whaley, as set forth below:
BY THE COURT: Members of the jury, you may recall
that Iread you cautionary instruction yesterday about
the computer-generated animation, often referred to as
aCGA. Ijust want to remind you again that a computer-
generated animation is offered to you solely as
demonstrative evidence and not substantive evidence,
and like all of the other evidence in this case, you may
accept it or reject it in whole or in part. Icaution you
again that the animation may only be considered for
demonstrative purposes only and please keep in mind
that the Commonwealth must still meet its burden of
66
proving all the elements of the offenses charged beyond
areasonable doubt. Thank you.
[R.R. #54, 1/29/20 T., pp. 148-149].
Dr. Whaley utilized the CGA to assist the jurors in understanding his testimony
regarding the range of the shot, the position of the decedent including where he was
standing when he was shot, and the trajectory or path of the shotgun blast as it hit the
decedent.
[R.R.#54, 1/29/20 T., pp. 161-163; 164-166].
Finally, during our closing instructions, we gave the complete cautionary
instruction as set forth above. [R.R. #46, 1/3'1/20 T., pp. 177-178]. Thus, we are
satisfied that the Commonwealth satisfied the three prongs set forth in
Serge, supra.
and that the CGA's presentation to the jury during trial greatly assisted the jury in
understanding the events surrounding the incident on July 26, 2018. Such
demonstrative evidence also helped the jury assess whether Appellant's self-defense
claim was valid.
Based upon the foregoing, we submit this alleged error lacks merit.
67
10. Denial of Evidence of Mental Health Condition.
Applicable Law:
In general, the competency of awitness to testify is presumed, and the burden
of demonstrating incompetency of the witness falls on the party objecting to that
witness's competency. Commonwealth v. Short,
278 Pa. Super. 581, 586
,
420 A.2d
694, 696
(Pa. Super. 1980); Commonwealth v. Anderson,
381 Pa. Super. 1, 7
,
552
A.2d 1064, 1067
(Pa. Super. 1988). "The competency of a witness to testify is a
matter within the sound discretion of the trial judge, whose decision will not be
reversed absent a clear abuse of discretion." Commonwealth v. Trudell,
371 Pa.
Super. 353, 359
,
538 A.2d 53, 56
(Pa. Super. 1988), citing Commonwealth v. Short,
278 Pa. Super. 581
,
420 A.2d 694, 696
(Pa. Super.1980) and Commonwealth v.
Chuck,
227 Pa. Super. 612
,
323 A.2d 123
(Pa. Super. 1974).
The breadth of discretion of the court in determining whether a witness is
competent is wide as the trial judge has the opportunity to personally observe and
evaluate the demeanor and sincerity of the witness. Commonwealth v.
Trudell,
supra.,
citing Commonwealth v. Mangello,
250 Pa. Super. 202, 206
,
378 A.2d 897,
899
(Pa. Super. 1977). When the witness is a sane adult, the court need not even
68
conduct inquiry into competency unless it has some doubt concerning the witness's
competency after having observed the witness.
Id.
citing Commonwealth v. Fulton,
318 Pa. Super., 470,
465 A.2d 650
(Pa. Super. 1983); Commonwealth v.
Anderson,
supra, at 1067
.
Discussion:
This allegation of error concerns Commonwealth witness, Robert Poullos, who
was a jailhouse informant who had a conversation with the Appellant in the
committing area of the Blair County Prison.'
During our June 18, 2019 pre-trial hearing, it was acknowledged that at one
point, Mr. Poullos was on suicide watch within the prison and eventually transferred to
Torrence State Hospital. No further details were ever developed of record. It is
conceded by the defense that as of the time of our pre-trial hearing, Mr. Poullos was
competent to testify. [R.R.#41, 6/18/19, T., pp. 35-36].
The Appellant never further developed the record as it pertained to the relevant
time frame when Mr. Poullos was under suicide watch or transitioned to Torrence
State Hospital, as compared to when he had his conversation with the Appellant in
the committing area of the Blair County Prison.
i1Vlr. Poullos' testimony is set forth in detail on pp. 9192 of this Rule 125(a) Opinion below.
69
We were able to observe Mr. Poullos' demeanor during his testimony. There
was no question in our mind that Mr. Poullos was fully competent to testify. Ultimately,
Mr. Poullos' statement to police, wherein he provided information based upon his
conversation with the Appellant, including the location of the expended shotgun shell
hidden in the middle of the woods at the Appellant's father's home, was verified by
police investigation.
We submit this alleged error lacks merit.
11. Introduction of Inflammatory Autopsy Photographs,
Applicable Law:
The admission of evidence is within the sound discretion of the trial court and
will not be reversed absent an abuse of that discretion. Commonwealth v.
Alderman,
811 A.2d 592, 595
(Pa. Super. 2002).
In determining whether evidence should be admitted, the trial court must weigh
the relevance and probative value of the evidence against the prejudicial impact of
that evidence. Evidence is "relevant" if it logically tends to establish amaterial fact in
the case or tends to support a reasonable inference regarding the material fact.
Id.
citing Commonwealth v. Reid,
811 A.2d 530
, 550 {2002}.
70
The question of admissibility of photographs of a corpse in a homicide case is
a matter within the discretion of the trial judge, and only an abuse of that discretion
will constitute error. When trial judge is confronted with gruesome or potentially
inflammatory photographs, the test for determining their admissibility is whether or not
photographs are of such essential evidentiary value that their need clearly outweighs
the likelihood of inflaming the minds and passions of the jurors. Commonwealth v.
Schroth,
388 A.2d 1034, 1036
(Pa. 1978).
A photograph which is not deemed to be inflammatory may be admitted so
long as it has relevance and can assist the jury's understanding of the facts of the
case before it. Where a photograph possesses gruesome or inflammatory qualities
likely to inflame the passions of the viewer, the court must apply the "essential
evidentiary value" balancing test. The rationale for the additional requirement of the
"essential evidentiary value" balancing test where the exhibit possesses inflammatory
potential is that afair trial demands exclusion of this possible source of prejudice even
though the evidence is otherwise relevant and competent, unless, that evidence is
essential to proof of the prosecution's case.
Id., at 1036-1037
.
71
A photograph will not be excluded merely because of its horrid or gruesome
qualities, but rather, the more inflammatory the photograph, the greater the essential
evidentiary value which must be demonstrated for it to be admitted. A photograph of
a corpse is not per se potentially inflammatory for purposes of determining its
admissibility.
Id., at 1037
.
Admission of photographs is largely within discretion of the trial judge, and the
fact that a photograph may be inflammatory or gruesome in itself is not sufficient to
exclude it; but if such photograph is admitted, the trial judge should warn the jury not
to allow its shocking nature to inflame their emotions or affect or influence their
verdict. Commonwealth v. Robinson,
249 A.2d 536, 538
(Pa. 1969).
The admission of photographs by the trial judge or lower court will not be
reversed except for palpable abuse of discretion.
Id.
Discussion:
We conducted a separate hearing on November 6, 2019 in the presence of
counsel and the Appellant to review the autopsy photographs. We incorporate the
transcript from said hearing in its entirety. [R.R. #20]. During the hearing, Attorney
Weeks confirmed that the Commonwealth had met with Attorney Anastasi to review
the photographs. The Commonwealth, on its own accord, eliminated from
72
consideration for use at trial over 100 photos from the autopsy itself. [R.R. #20,
1116/19 T., p. 2]. The Commonwealth presented the autopsy photographs for which
there was no objection and then the photographs for which there was an objection.
During the November 6, 2019 hearing, the Commonwealth agreed to crop
and/or grayscale several autopsy photographs that were called into question. [R.R.
#20, 11/6/19, T., pp. 3, 6, 12, 13-14, 15-16, 28 & 30].
We made certain rulings on the admissibility of the autopsy photographs on the
record during our November 6, 2019 hearing, which we incorporate herein. We also
took certain photographs under advisement and then entered a subsequent Opinion
and Order on November 20, 2019, which we incorporate herein in its entirety. [R.R.
#18].
We would also note that before the autopsy photos were shown to the jury, we
provided the following cautionary instruction:
BY THE COURT: Members of the jury, before we show you the
autopsy photographs, Ijust want to instruct you as follows:
Members of the jury, Ijust want to caution you at this time you
are going to be shown certain autopsy photographs of the
victim, David Hoover. Some of you may be troubled by these
photos. It may invoke some emotion within you. It is very
important, however, that you do not allow the autopsy
photographs in any way to inflame your emotions or influence
your verdict. It is important that you keep in mind that emotion
and/or sympathy are not to be part of your assessment of the
evidence nor ultimately your deliberations and have nothing to
do with the duty that you are obligated to carry out. That duty is
73
to weigh all of the evidence fairly and impartially in fulfilling your
role as the true finders of fact. Thank you.
[R.R. #54, 1/29/20 T., pp. 147-148].
Therefore, we submit that the court and counsel engaged in extensive efforts
to lessen the gruesome nature of any autopsy photographs prior to trial. Further, we
are satisfied that the autopsy photographs admitted into evidence were relevant and
probative of the issues at hand and outweighed any prejudicial effect. The autopsy
photographs were utilized by the Commonwealth's forensic pathologist expert, Dr.
Kevin Whaley, to aid the jury in their understanding of the decedent's injuries and
cause and manner of death. [R.R. #54, 1/29120 T., pp. 147-157].
Finally, we provided the jury the cautionary instruction, as set forth above, so
as to ensure that their emotions would not be inflamed, nor would the photographs
affect or influence their verdict. As a result of the foregoing, we submit that this
alleged error lacks merit.
12. Denial of Motion to Suppress.
Contained within the Appellant's Omnibus Pretrial Motion for Relief filed April 1,
2019, was a Motion to Suppress [R.R. #8, p. 11, ¶¶47-53]. The Commonwealth filed
an Answer to the Appellant's Pretrial Motion for Relief on June 17, 2019. [R.R. #13].
74
We entered an Opinion and Order dated July 9, 2019 [R.R. #15] (which we
incorporate and re-state herein) that addressed, inter alia, the Appellant's suppression
motion as set forth below:
Applicable Law:
Where amotion to suppress has been filed, the burden is on the Commonwealth
to establish by a preponderance of the evidence that the challenged evidence is
admissible. Commonwealth v. Smith,
784 A.2d 182, 186
(Pa. Super. 2001) citing
Commonwealth v. James,
486 A.2d 376
(Pa. 1985).
Miranda warnings are required whenever a person in custody is interrogated
by law enforcement. A person is in custody whenever, "he is physically deprived of
his freedom in any significant way or is placed in asituation in which he reasonably
believes that his freedom of action or movement is restricted by such interrogation."
Commonwealth v. Chacko,
459 A.2d 311, 314
(Pa. 1983). Further, whenever a
defendant is in custody for any reason, he must be issued his rights prior to any
interrogation. ld,
The Commonwealth bears the burden of establishing whether a defendant
voluntarily and knowingly waived his right to counsel. Commonwealth v.
Meachum,
711 A.2d 1029, 1032
(Pa. Super. 1998). A waiver must be explicit in
75
order to be effective.
Id.
Such explicit waiver may be an oral, written or physical
manifestation.
Id.
In order to determine the voluntariness of a waiver, it must be determined
whether, "the waiver was the result of an intentional choice that was not subjected
to undue governmental pressure. Commonwealth v. Ellis,
700 A.2d 948, 955
(Pa.
Super. 1997). To determine whether the waiver was knowing and intelligent, we
focus on, "whether the defendant was aware of the nature of the choice that he
made in relinquishing his Miranda rights."
Id.
A waiver may be knowing and
intelligent even though the person accused was medicated or under the effect of
medication where there is no evidence of any impairment of cognitive functions. Id
Before using a defendant's statement against him, the Commonwealth must
establish by apreponderance of the evidence that the statement was given freely and
voluntarily. Commonwealth v. Nester,
709 A.2d 879
(Pa. 1998). When adefendant
is informed of his rights, and he understands them and still makes a voluntary and
knowing statement, the statement is admissible. Commonwealth v. Baker,
614 A.2d
663
(Pa. 1992).
76
In order to determine the voluntariness of a confession and the validity of the
waiver of the right to remain silent, it is necessary to consider the totality of the
circumstances. Commonwealth v. Perez,
845 A.2d 779
(Pa. 2004); and
Commonwealth v. Baez,
720 A.2d 711
(Pa. 1998).
When assessing voluntariness pursuant to the totality of the circumstances, a
court should look at the following factors: the duration and means of the interrogation;
the physical and psychological state of the accused; the conditions attendant to the
detention; the attitude of the interrogator; and any and all other factors that could
drain a person's ability to withstand suggestion and coercion. Commonwealth v.
Edmiston,
634 A.2d 1078
(Pa. 1993).
Miranda warnings are not required where there is no custodial interrogation. A
person is in "custody" for purposes of acustodial interrogation, when he is physically
deprived of his freedom in any significant way, or is placed in asituation in which he
reasonably believes that his freedom of action or movement is restricted by the
interrogation. Commonwealth v. Nester,
709 A.2d 879
(Pa. 1998).
77
In addition, the courts have indicated that in evaluating the voluntariness of a
confession, the Supreme Court will give great weight to the fact that adefendant was
fully apprised of and expressly waived his Miranda rights, including the right to
counsel and the right to remain silent, before any substantive questioning began and
well before any alleged inducement to confess. Commonwealth v. Templin,
795
A.2d 959
(Pa. 2002).
Discussion:
During our June 18, 2019 hearing, Detective Sergeant Terry Merritts testified.
We found his testimony to be credible in all respects. As a result, we found that the
Appellant was in custody at the time he provided a statement to Detective Sergeant
Merritts within the intake area of the Altoona Police Department station. We further
found that the Appellant was provided his Miranda warnings, which the Appellant
acknowledged and that he voluntarily signed arights waiver form. The Appellant then
provided a statement for which there is both an audio and visual recording. At no
time did the Appellant ever request an attorney, nor did he ever indicate that he
wanted to cease cooperating and stop providing answers. [R.R. #41, 6/18/19 T., pp.
45--47]. There is no evidence that the Appellant was subject to undue influence,
pressure or coercion of any manner whatsoever. [R.R. #41, 6/18/19 T., pp. 47-48].
78
During his questioning, the Defendant responded to the questions in an appropriate
manner. [R.R. #41, 6118/19 T., p. 52]. He exhibited no signs of being under the
influence of any drugs, alcohol or medication. [R.R. #41, 6/18/19 T., p. 57].
Detective Sergeant Merritts had interviewed the Appellant on aprior occasion,
wherein a juvenile came forward and reported that he had been sexually assaulted.
The juvenile identified the Appellant as a witness to the prior sexual assault.
Detective Sergeant Merritts interviewed the Appellant as a potential witness. [R.R.
#41, 6/18/19 T., pp. 4344]. During that interview, the Appellant was provided his
Miranda warnings [R.R., #41, 6/18/19 T., pp. 51 & 58] and voluntarily waived same
and provided a statement to Detective Sergeant Merritts. This entire interview lasted
less than Y2 hour. [R.R. #41, 6/18/19 T., p. 49]. There was no evidence to support the
Appellant's claim that Detective Sergeant Merritts was "working closely" with the
Appellant on this unrelated sexual abuse investigation. The mere fact that Appellant
provided a voluntary statement to Detective Sergeant Merritts in an unrelated case
has no bearing on the voluntariness of the statement provided by the Appellant in this
case after being provided his Miranda warnings and waiving same. Thus, the
Appellant's Motion to Suppress was denied and dismissed.
[R.R. #15, Opinion and Order dated July 9, 2019, pp. 14-19].
79
13. Denial of Motion to Sever.
This issue was addressed in our pre-trial Opinion and Order dated April 29,
2019 [R.R. # 11], which we incorporate and re-state herein.
Applicable Law:
The Defendant has filed a Motion to Sever based upon Pa.R.Crim.P. 583,
which states:
The court may order separate trials of offenses or defendants, or
provide other appropriate relief, if it appears that any party may
be prejudiced by offenses or defendants being tried together.
The purpose of the compulsory joinder statute, viewed as awhole, is twofold:
(1) to protect adefendant from "the governmental harassment of being subjected to
successive trials for offenses stemming from the same criminal episode;" and (2) to
ensure "finality without unduly burdening the judicial process by repetitious litigation."
Commonwealth v. Fithian,
961 A.2d 66, 76
(Pa. 2008), quoting Commonwealth v.
Failor,
770 A.2d 310, 313
(Pa. 2001) and Commonwealth v. Hude,
458 A.2d 177,
180
(Pa. 1983).
80
To determine whether various acts constitute asingle criminal episode, we are
to consider two factors: (1) the logical relationship between the acts, and (2) the
temporal relationship between the acts. Commonwealth v. Hude, supra.,
458 A.2d
at 181, 183
.
In defining what acts constitute a single criminal episode for purposes of the
compulsory joinder rule, the court must consider the temporal sequence of events and
the logical relationship between the acts. A "logical relationship" exists between the
criminal acts which are the subject of the compulsory joinder claim where the
sequence of the criminal acts reveals a substantial duplication of issues of law and
fact. Commonwealth v. Anthony,
717 A.2d 1015
(Pa. 1998).
Discussion:
The Appellant sought to sever the charges of Possession with Intent to
Deliver/Delivery, Criminal Conspiracy (object crime being PWID) and Theft by
Unlawful Taking from the remaining offenses. The Appellant argued that the drug
offenses involved two different types of drugs, multiple people and that evidence of
same would be prejudicial to the defense. Further, the Appellant argued that the drug
81
transaction occurred four hours prior to the shooting and was not part of the same
criminal episode. I
,
Based upon our findings of fact set forth in our April 29, 2019 Opinion, we
agreed with the Commonwealth that the crimes the Appellant sought to sever "not
only go to the heart of the issue as to whether this Appellant has a justification
defense available to him, and whether this Appellant can avail himself of the Castle
i
Doctrine, but they provide the motive for everything that happened after the drug
transaction." [R. R. #10, 4/2/19 T., pp. 6-7].
We found as follows: Even though the subject incident may have occurred
over several hours, there can be no dispute that it constitutes a single continuous
criminal episode. There is both a logical and temporal relationship between the acts.
See Commonwealth v.
Hude, supra.
The earlier drug transaction "gone bad", where
the Defendant and Mr. Clemens took $250 from Mr. Hoover without any intention of
providing him the 8-ball of cocaine, formulates the basis and provides an explanation
for everything that occurred later in the day, including the confrontation and ultimately
the shooting of Mr. Hoover by the Appellant. To sever these specific counts would
leave the jury confused and speculating on why there was any confrontation between
82
Mr. Hoover and the Appellant in the parking lot on July 26, 2018. As a result, the
Defendant's Motion to Sever is denied and dismissed.
Thus, we submit this alleged error lacks merit.
94. Denial of Motion for Judgment Notwithstandinq the Verdict.
This claim was raised in the Appellant's Amended Post-Trial Motion [R.R. #38],
which we addressed in our Opinion and Order entered July 30, 2020 [R.R.#56]. We
incorporate and re-state same below.
Applicable Law:
Admission of Evidence:
The admissibility of evidence is at the discretion of the trial court, and only a
showing of an abuse of that discretion, and resulting prejudice, constitutes reversible
error. Commonwealth v. Ballard,
80 A.3d 380, 392
(Pa. 2013).
Sufficiency of Evidence:
The standard applied in reviewing the sufficiency of evidence is whether
viewing all the evidence admitted at trial in the light most favorable to the verdict
winner, there is sufficient evidence to enable the fact-finder to find every element of
the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. On a challenge to the sufficiency of the
evidence, the reviewing court may not weigh the evidence and substitute its judgment
83
for that of the fact-finder. On achallenge to the sufficiency of the evidence, facts and
circumstances established by the Commonwealth need not preclude every possibility
of innocence. Commonwealth v. Troy,
832 A.2d 1089, 1092
(Pa. Super. 2003).
Any doubts regarding a defendant's guilt may be resolved by the fact-finder
unless the evidence is so weak and inconclusive that as amatter of law no probability
of fact may be drawn from the combined circumstances. The Commonwealth may
sustain its burden of proving every element of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt
by means of wholly circumstantial evidence. On a challenge to the sufficiency of the
evidence, the entire record must be evaluated and all evidence actually received must
be considered. The trier of fact, while passing on the credibility of witnesses and the
weight of the evidence produced, is free to believe all, part or none of the evidence.
Id.
Weight of Evidence:
The finder of fact is the exclusive judge of the weight of the evidence as the
fact finder is free to believe all, part, or none of the evidence presented and
determines the credibility of the witnesses. An appellate court cannot substitute its
judgment for that of the finder of fact; therefore, it will reverse a jury's verdict and
grant a new trial only where the verdict is so contrary to the evidence as to shock
84
one's sense of justice. Commonwealth v, Rabold,
920 A.2d 857, 860
(Pa. Super.
2007).
Discussion.
To obtain a first-degree murder conviction, the Commonwealth must
demonstrate that a human being was unlawfully killed, the defendant perpetrated the
killing, and the defendant acted with malice and a specific intent to kill.
Commonwealth v. Mattison,
82 A. 3d 386, 392
, (Pa. 2013).
Specific intent to kill, as an element of first-degree murder, can be established
through circumstantial evidence, such as the use of adeadly weapon on avital part of
the victim's body.
Id. at 392
.
First, during the initial investigation, the Appellant, after being provided his
Miranda warnings, provided a statement to Sergeant Merritts of the Altoona Police
Department that he had shot and killed David Hoover in the Bethany Lutheran Church
parking lot on the date in question, using a single shot shotgun. [RR. #45, 1/30/20,
T., pp. 90-91]. Therefore, the identity of the shooter, the type of weapon utilized, and
the cause of death were never at issue.
85
This case boils down to the Appellant, Dillion Bryan and Edward "Cowboy"
Clemens lying in wait for Mark Adams and the decedent, David Hoover, in the church
parking lot at Bethany Lutheran Church. On July 26, 2018 at approximately 2:16 p.m.,
there was a prior drug transaction at the Sheetz Store on Chestnut Avenue wherein
Edward "Cowboy" Clemens rode with the Appellant to the Sheetz Store. Clemens
entered the store and made a drug transaction with David Hoover in the men's
restroom. The agreement was that Clemens would provide an 8 ball of cocaine for
$250. Within the Sheetz Store, Clemens obtained the $250 from Hoover and also
provided two Klonopin pills for $10. The two Klonopin pills came from the Appellant
as there were prior arrangements between Clemens and the Appellant to obtain such
Klonopins, including specifically a text message about obtaining "pins". It was the
intent of both Clemens and the Appellant to "burn" Hoover. They had no intent to
provide him the 8ball of cocaine on the date in question. Clemens confirmed that the
Appellant was part of the plan to burn Hoover. Clemens claimed that Hoover had
stolen $360 from an envelope within his residence at aprior time. Clemens took the
$250, returned to Stiver's vehicle, and they drove away. [R.R. # 47, E. Clemen's
testimony, 1/28/20, pp. 111-114]. Hoover went to Mark Adam's vehicle and waited.
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Clemens had told him to wait and that he would be back in approximately 15 minutes.
[R.R. #47, M. Adams, 1/28/20, pp. 50-53].
After Hoover and Adams waited about 30-45 minutes, they realized that they
had been burned. Hoover tried to call Clemens twenty-five (25) times without
success. [R.R. # 54, Detective D. Dey, 1/29/20, pp. 184-189; [R.R. #45, Sergeant
Merritts, 1130/20, p. 101], At that time, Adams returned to work. [R.R. #47, M. Adams,
1/28/20, pp. 53-54].
After Adams got off work at 4:00 p.m., he picked up Hoover and they drove
through Altoona looking for Clemens with the intent to get their money back. They
found Clemens with 2 other people (including the Appellant) in an alley at Third
Avenue. Adams revealed to Hoover that he had a bat in the trunk of his white
Chevrolet Malibu. Hoover retrieved the bat and walked over toward Clemens and his
two companions. Clemens yelled "I'll get your money", at which time the other two
individuals (the Appellant and Bryan) got into the Ford Fusion and left. [R.R. #47, M.
Adams, 1/28/20, pp. 54-60]. There was ultimately a high speed chase through
Altoona wherein Adams and Hoover lost the Appellant and Clemens. [R.R. #47, M.
Adams, 1/28/20, p. 60]. The Appellant ultimately drove to the church parking lot and
parked the vehicle. Clemens was walking along the alley and then hid behind a
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dumpster. He also hid hypodermic needles, which were later found by police. [R.R. #
47, Patrolman Trent, 1/28/20, pp. 19-20]; [R.R. # 53, Patrolman M. Angermeier,
1/27/20, p. 188]. When the Appellant arrived on scene and parked his vehicle,
Clemens walked toward the vehicle. The Appellant got out of the vehicle, went to his
trunk, obtained the shotgun and put it in his backseat. [R.R. #45, Sergeant Merritts,
1130/20, pp. 92-93]. The Appellant admitted this in his statement to Sergeant Merritts.
The white Chevrolet Impala, in which Adams was driving and David Hoover was a
passenger, then stopped in the alley by the parking lot. [R.R. # 47, M. Adams,
1/28/20, pp. 62-63]. Hoover got out of the vehicle, walked around the back of the
Appellant's blue Ford Fusion, went along the passenger side, carrying abaseball bat.
Hoover did not possess agun. At no time did Hoover enter the vehicle, nor attempt to
enter the vehicle, nor attempt to remove the Appellant or Bryan from the vehicle. At
no time did Hoover threaten anyone. The Appellant subsequently backed up his
vehicle, reached out the driver's window and shot Hoover with the 12-gauge shotgun
that he obtained from his father's residence. The Appellant then drove away at ahigh
rate of speed. [R.R. #47, M. Adams, 1/28/20, pp. 63-67, 81-82].
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Clemens confirmed that when he got back into the blue Ford Fusion after the
incident (which he claimed he did not witness), that the Appellant stated "I killed him,"
referring to Hoover. [R.R. #47, E. Clemens, 1/28/20, p. 119].
The forensic pathologist, Dr. Kevin Whaley, testified that Hoover was
approximately 10 to 12 feet away from the Appellant when the shot occurred.
Hoover subsequently fell to the ground and laid dying in the parking lot, surrounded
by a pool of blood. [R.R. #54, Dr. Whaley, 1129120, pp. 145,158-161]. These events
were confirmed by the testimony of Mark Adams (whom the jury found to be a
credible witness), the surveillance videos of neighbors, and as re-created by the
computer generated animation (CGA). The entire incident lasted only approximately
40 seconds. After the shooting, the Appellant was observed speeding down an
alleyway, captured by surveillance video. [R.R. #47, Patrolman G. Trent, 1/28/20, p.
32; M. Adams, 1/28/20, p. 67]; [R.R. #45, Sergeant Merritts, 1/30/20, p. 115]. Bryan
was in the Appellant's car. An individual who appeared to be Clemens was seen
running from the scene. Adams drove his white vehicle around Hoover's body, out
the alley, then took a left onto Second Avenue and parked. [R.R. #46, M. Adams,
1/31/20, pp. 37-38]. Adams called 911 and waited on scene until the police arrived.
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[R.R. #47, M. Adams, 1/28/20, pp. 67-68, 72]; [R.R. #53, Patrolman M. Miller, 1127120,
pp. 122-124]; [R.R. #45, Sergeant Merritts, 1/30/20, p. 79].
At all times Adams cooperated with the police. His statement to the police was
consistent with his testimony at trial. [R.R. #45, Sergeant Merritts, 1130/20, pp. 79 &
128]. The Commonwealth's evidence also showed that the Appellant had two means
of retreat, driving through the alley, as he did after the shooting, or taking a right
within the church parking lot and leaving by another means of ingress/egress. [R.R.
#47, M. Adams, 1/28120, p. 67; video surveillance). The jury clearly found that the
Appellant did not fulfill his duty to retreat, thus defeating his self-defense claim.
We also ruled as a matter of law that the Castle Doctrine did not apply since
under 18 Pa. C.S.A. §505 (2.1), there was no evidence that Hoover was in the
process of unlawfully and forcibly entering or attempting to forcibly enter the
Appellant's vehicle, nor any evidence that he was attempting to remove the Appellant
from his vehicle. Therefore, there could be no evidence that the Defendant, as the
actor, knew or had reason to believe that Hoover was unlawfully and forcibly entering
his vehicle. 18 Pa. C.S.A. §505 (2.1).
90
Further, under 18 Pa. C.S.A. §505 (2.2), we found that the Appellant was
engaging in criminal activity and/or using the occupied vehicle to further criminal
activity, including but not limited to possession of a controlled substance on both his
person and in his vehicle console; carrying a loaded weapon within his vehicle; as
well as the prior drug transaction and theft of $250 that occurred in Sheetz, which is
certainly related to the later shooting in the parking lot.
In further support of the jury's finding of Murder in the First Degree, there was
the testimony of Robert Poullos. Poullos was in the committing area of the Blair
County Prison when the Appellant and Clemens were brought in after the incident.
Poullos did not know the Appellant at the time, but knew Clemens. The Appellant
admitted to Poullos that he was involved in the homicide and provided details. The
Appellant said he "shot some guy over a drug deal." He explained how they were
supposed to give this guy (referring to Hoover) cocaine, but he owed them money and
they weren't going to give it to him. The Appellant said "Dillion" and Clemens were
with him. The Appellant told Poullos the shooting occurred in a parking lot. The
Appellant explained how he reached into his back seat for apre-loaded shotgun and
shot out the driver's window. He described it as being "awkward." He said the victim
was turning around and that he "aimed for the throat" and that is where he shot him.
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Poullos testified that the Appellant also made astatement that he "would have run the
fat fucker over" but that he didn't want to "mess up my car and put adent in it." The
Appellant [indicated] that he then drove to his father's house and cleaned the gun.
[R.R. #54, R. Poullos, 1/29/20, pp. 68, 71-78, 82-85].
Poullos also testified as to his conversation with Clemens in the commitment
area at the county jail. Clemens revealed to him that the Appellant had asked him to
hide the shotgun shell and that he complied, hiding it under a rock in the woods.
Poullos confirmed that after these conversations with the Appellant and Clemens, he
asked to speak to Sergeant Merritts. [R.R. #54, R. Poullos, 1129/20, pp 86-87].
What is critical is that Poullos was in an isolated area within the prison and
had no access to any tv, radio, or social media, thus bolstering his credibility as a
witness. [R.R. #54, R. Poullos, 1/29/20, p. 70]. The shotgun shell was subsequently
found by the police under arock at acamp site at John Stiver, Sr.'s residence, exactly
where Clemens told Poullos it would be. [R.R. #45, Sergeant Merritts, 1/30/20, pp. 89-
90].
Further, the testimony revealed that the police arrived at the crime scene within
afew minutes after the shooting and fully secured the premises and preserved the
evidence. [R.R. #53, Sergeant D. Vasil, 1/27/20, p. 84; Patrolman M. Miller, 1/27120,
92
p. 122]; [R.R.#45, Sergeant Merritts, 1130/20, p. 76]. It is significant that the only
person who stayed on scene was Mark Adams. The Appellant, Bryan and Clemens
all fled from the scene.
The Appellant's father, John Stiver, Sr., and his brother, Brad Stiver, both
confirmed that the 12-gauge shotgun used to shoot Hoover belonged to the Appellant,
via stipulation entered on the record by counsel. [R.R. #47, 1/28/20, pp. 174-177].
The Commonwealth proved that there were 8calls/texts between the Appellant
and Clemens between 5:00 p.m. and the time of shooting. The 911 call was made at
5:34 p.m. In fact, a text message from the Appellant to Clemens approximately 5
minutes before the 911 call said "I am here". [R.R. #45, Sergeant Merritts, 1/30/20,
p.111]. This is further evidence that there was aplan formulated by the Appellant and
Clemens and that the Appellant was lying in wait for the victim.
There was no credible evidence that Hoover or Adams ever had agun in their
possession on the date of incident. In fact, there is no credible evidence that Hoover
ever made any threatening comments to the Appellant. It is clear that the jury
discounted the testimony of Kenneth Lafferty, who claimed that during a telephone
conversation on July 26, 2018 with his friend, David Hoover, that Hoover made a
comment that his "buddy has a gun and is going to kill them." Lafferty also
93
acknowledged that he was friends with the Appellant and the Appellant's family. The
Commonwealth impeached his credibility by presenting evidence as to his crimes falsi
convictions in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Florida. [R.R. #46, R. Feathers, 1/31/20,
pp. 44 and 46].
Finally, we provided the jury the charge of consciousness of guilt, which was
supported by the evidence. The Appellant fled the scene, as set forth above. After
the Appellant picked Clemens up, the Appellant drove to his father's residence, where
he hid his vehicle in the brush behind an old garage at his father's house. The
Appellant also returned the gun to his father's house [R.R. #47, E. Clemens, 1/28/20,
pp. 119-121], but hid it in a closet on the porch obscured by clothes that were
hanging. [R.R. #47, Detective C. Moser, 1/28120, p. 186];[R.R. #45, Sergeant Merritts,
1/30/20, p. 94]. At that time, the Appellant borrowed a truck and traveled with
Clemens back to his apartment which he shared with Joshua Creswell. While there,
Creswell shaved the Appellant's head. The Appellant also gathered camping gear.
[R.R. #47, E. Clemens, 1128/20, p. 121; J. Creswell, 1/28/20, p. 151]; [R.R. #54,
Patrolman D. Dey, 1/29/20, pp. 180-181]. After purchasing cigarettes and a case of
beer, the Appellant and Clemens drove back to Mr. Stiver, Sr.'s house. The Appellant
pitched atent in an area of the woods that could not be seen from the house or the
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road. The Appellant told Clemens to hide the shotgun shell. [R.R. #47, E. Clemens,
1/28120, pp. 122-124]. The Appellant then hid in atent and did not come out until the
police arrived on scene and collapsed his tent, cut it open and pulled him out, after he
refused to abide by verbal commands to exit the tent. [R.R. #54, Sergeant T. Walters,
1/29120, pp. 44-47, Officer R. Benzel, 1/29/20, pp. 50-54, 56-62].
Based upon the foregoing, and in viewing the evidence in light most favorable
to the Commonwealth as the verdict winner, we found that the evidence was more
than sufficient to support afirst degree murder conviction.
[R. R. #56, 7/30/20 Opinion, pp. 18-29].
We submit there is no merit to this alleged error.
Conclusion:
Based upon the foregoing, we submit that each of the Appellant's alleged
errors lack merit and respectfully request your Honorable Superior Court to affirm the
judgment of sentence.
Respectfully Submitted,
d
The HonorableyTimothy M. Sullivan
October :2 ,2020
95Case Information
- Court
- Pa. Super. Ct.
- Decision Date
- September 27, 2021
- Status
- Precedential