Com. v. Harper, I.
This text of Com. v. Harper, I. (Com. v. Harper, I.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Superior Court of Pennsylvania primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.
Opinion
J-S20013-20
NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF : PENNSYLVANIA : v. : : : IRVIN HARPER : : Appellant : No. 3468 EDA 2018
Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence Entered October 11, 2018 In the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County Criminal Division at No(s): CP-51-CR-0011481-2016, CP-51-CR-0011482-2016
BEFORE: SHOGAN, J., STABILE, J., and McLAUGHLIN, J.
MEMORANDUM BY SHOGAN, J.: Filed: October 8, 2020
Irvin Harper (“Appellant”) appeals from the judgment of sentence entered
after a consolidated jury trial of trial court docket numbers CP-51-CR-001141-
2016 and CP-51-CR-00011482-2016. After careful review, we affirm on the
basis of the trial court opinion.
On July 6, 2018, a jury found Appellant guilty of possession with intent
to deliver at CR-XX-XXXXXXX-2016 and possession of a firearm without a license
at CP-51-CR-0011482-2016.1 After the trial, Appellant pled guilty to two counts
of possession of a firearm prohibited.2 On October 11, 2018, Appellant was
sentenced to an aggregate term of incarceration of ten to twenty years followed
____________________________________________
1 35 P.S. § 780-113(a)(30) and 18 Pa.C.S. § 6106, respectively.
2 18 Pa.C.S. § 6105. J-S20013-20
by seven years of probation. Appellant’s post-sentence motion was denied on
October 22, 2018.
On November 19, 2018, Appellant timely filed two notices of appeal.
Appellant listed both docket numbers on both notices of appeal. However, the
trial court clerk of courts sent only one notice of appeal to this Court for filing;
thus, both appeals were assigned a single docket number in this Court—3468 EDA
2018.
On March 5, 2019, Appellant filed a motion to proceed pro se and an
Application for Writ of Mandamus and of Extraordinary Relief. On March 17, 2019,
counsel filed an Application to Withdraw as counsel. Upon consideration of these
motions, this Court remanded the matter for the trial court to conduct a hearing
pursuant to Commonwealth v. Grazier, 713 A.2d 81 (Pa. 1998). The trial court
held a Grazier hearing on April 29, 2019, and ruled that Appellant was permitted
to proceed pro se. Order, 6/24/19, at unnumbered 1. On September 6, 2019,
Appellant filed a supplemental Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b) statement of matters
complained of on appeal, and on November 4, 2019, the trial court filed a
supplemental Rule 1925(a) opinion.3
Before we address the merits, we must determine whether these
appeals are properly before us. The record reveals that on November 19,
3 Prior to his withdrawal, Appellant’s counsel filed two separate Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b) statements raising identical issues. Two different trial court judges issued opinions pursuant to Rule 1925, one addressing and upholding certain pretrial rulings and the other resolving a sentencing issue against Appellant. Those opinions are not germane to our discussion today.
-2- J-S20013-20
2018, Appellant filed identical notices of appeal at trial court docket numbers
CP-51-CR-0011481-2016 and CP-51-CR-0011482-2016. In Commonwealth
v. Walker, 185 A.3d 969 (Pa. 2018), our Supreme Court explained that “[t]he
Official Note to Rule 341 provides a bright-line mandatory instruction to
practitioners to file separate notices of appeal.” Id. at 976-977. “Where . . .
one or more orders resolves issues arising on more than one docket or relating
to more than one judgment, separate notices of appeals must be filed.” Id.
at 976 (quoting Pa.R.A.P. 341, note). The failure to file separate notices of
appeal at each docket requires the appellate court to quash the appeal. Id.
at 977. Our Supreme Court held that Walker applies prospectively to appeals
filed after June 1, 2018. Id.
After our Supreme Court filed its decision in Walker, a panel of our
Court decided Commonwealth v. Creese, 216 A.3d 1142 (Pa. Super. 2019).
In Creese, the Majority concluded that the appellant did not comply with the
requirements set forth in Walker. Specifically, the appellant in Creese filed
four identical notices of appeal, each listing all four trial court docket numbers.
Creese, 216 A.3d at 1144. The Majority quashed the appeals, holding “[this
Court] may not accept a notice of appeal listing multiple docket numbers, even
if those notices are included in the records of each case. Instead, a notice of
appeal may contain only one docket number.” Id.
In the instant case, because Appellant’s notices of appeal each displayed
more than one docket number, we issued a Rule to Show as to why the appeals
should not be quashed pursuant to Walker. Rule to Show Cause, 1/3/19.
-3- J-S20013-20
Appellant filed a timely response explaining that he filed two notices of appeal.
Response to Rule to Show Cause, 1/3/19. The Rule was discharged on January
4, 2019, and the matter was referred to this panel. However, during the
pendency of the instant appeals, an en banc panel of this Court expressly
overruled Creese’s mandate that a notice of appeal may contain only one
docket number. Commonwealth v. Johnson, ___ A.3d ___, ___, 2020 PA
Super 164, *5 (Pa. Super. filed July 9, 2020) (en banc)). Specifically, the en
banc Court opined that where an appellant files a separate notice of appeal at
each trial court docket, “[t]he fact that each notice of appeal listed [more than
one trial court docket number] does not invalidate [the] notices of appeal.”
Id. Thus, pursuant to Johnson, although Appellant’s separate notices of
appeal bore more than one docket number, the notices of appeal do not run
afoul of Walker or Pa.R.A.P. 341. Accordingly, we conclude that Appellant may
proceed with his appeal.
We initially observe that Appellant’s handwritten, pro se brief fails to
comply with the Rules of Appellate Procedure in numerous ways. The
Pennsylvania Rules of Appellate Procedure provide guidelines regarding the
required content of an appellate brief as follows:
Rule 2111. Brief of the Appellant
(a) General Rule. The brief of the appellant, except as otherwise prescribed by these rules, shall consist of the following matters, separately and distinctly entitled and in the following order:
(1) Statement of jurisdiction.
-4- J-S20013-20
(2) Order or other determination in question.
(3) Statement of both the scope of review and the standard of review.
(4) Statement of the questions involved.
(5) Statement of the case
(6) Summary of the argument.
* * *
(8) Argument for appellant.
(9) A short conclusion stating the precise relief sought.
(10) The opinions and pleadings specified in Subdivisions (b) and (c) of this rule.
(11) In the Superior Court, a copy of the statement of the matters complained of on appeal filed with the trial court pursuant to Rule 1925(b), or an averment that no order requiring a Rule 1925(b) statement was entered.
Pa.R.A.P. 2111(a)(1)–(6); (a)(8)–(11).
Appellant’s brief blatantly violates this rule, as it fails to include a
statement of jurisdiction, the order or other determination in question, a
summary of argument, a statement of the questions involved, a statement of
the case, and a summary of the argument. Appellant also failed to attach
copies of the trial court opinion and Appellant’s Rule 1925(b) supplemental
statement to his brief.
Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI
J-S20013-20
NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF : PENNSYLVANIA : v. : : : IRVIN HARPER : : Appellant : No. 3468 EDA 2018
Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence Entered October 11, 2018 In the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County Criminal Division at No(s): CP-51-CR-0011481-2016, CP-51-CR-0011482-2016
BEFORE: SHOGAN, J., STABILE, J., and McLAUGHLIN, J.
MEMORANDUM BY SHOGAN, J.: Filed: October 8, 2020
Irvin Harper (“Appellant”) appeals from the judgment of sentence entered
after a consolidated jury trial of trial court docket numbers CP-51-CR-001141-
2016 and CP-51-CR-00011482-2016. After careful review, we affirm on the
basis of the trial court opinion.
On July 6, 2018, a jury found Appellant guilty of possession with intent
to deliver at CR-XX-XXXXXXX-2016 and possession of a firearm without a license
at CP-51-CR-0011482-2016.1 After the trial, Appellant pled guilty to two counts
of possession of a firearm prohibited.2 On October 11, 2018, Appellant was
sentenced to an aggregate term of incarceration of ten to twenty years followed
____________________________________________
1 35 P.S. § 780-113(a)(30) and 18 Pa.C.S. § 6106, respectively.
2 18 Pa.C.S. § 6105. J-S20013-20
by seven years of probation. Appellant’s post-sentence motion was denied on
October 22, 2018.
On November 19, 2018, Appellant timely filed two notices of appeal.
Appellant listed both docket numbers on both notices of appeal. However, the
trial court clerk of courts sent only one notice of appeal to this Court for filing;
thus, both appeals were assigned a single docket number in this Court—3468 EDA
2018.
On March 5, 2019, Appellant filed a motion to proceed pro se and an
Application for Writ of Mandamus and of Extraordinary Relief. On March 17, 2019,
counsel filed an Application to Withdraw as counsel. Upon consideration of these
motions, this Court remanded the matter for the trial court to conduct a hearing
pursuant to Commonwealth v. Grazier, 713 A.2d 81 (Pa. 1998). The trial court
held a Grazier hearing on April 29, 2019, and ruled that Appellant was permitted
to proceed pro se. Order, 6/24/19, at unnumbered 1. On September 6, 2019,
Appellant filed a supplemental Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b) statement of matters
complained of on appeal, and on November 4, 2019, the trial court filed a
supplemental Rule 1925(a) opinion.3
Before we address the merits, we must determine whether these
appeals are properly before us. The record reveals that on November 19,
3 Prior to his withdrawal, Appellant’s counsel filed two separate Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b) statements raising identical issues. Two different trial court judges issued opinions pursuant to Rule 1925, one addressing and upholding certain pretrial rulings and the other resolving a sentencing issue against Appellant. Those opinions are not germane to our discussion today.
-2- J-S20013-20
2018, Appellant filed identical notices of appeal at trial court docket numbers
CP-51-CR-0011481-2016 and CP-51-CR-0011482-2016. In Commonwealth
v. Walker, 185 A.3d 969 (Pa. 2018), our Supreme Court explained that “[t]he
Official Note to Rule 341 provides a bright-line mandatory instruction to
practitioners to file separate notices of appeal.” Id. at 976-977. “Where . . .
one or more orders resolves issues arising on more than one docket or relating
to more than one judgment, separate notices of appeals must be filed.” Id.
at 976 (quoting Pa.R.A.P. 341, note). The failure to file separate notices of
appeal at each docket requires the appellate court to quash the appeal. Id.
at 977. Our Supreme Court held that Walker applies prospectively to appeals
filed after June 1, 2018. Id.
After our Supreme Court filed its decision in Walker, a panel of our
Court decided Commonwealth v. Creese, 216 A.3d 1142 (Pa. Super. 2019).
In Creese, the Majority concluded that the appellant did not comply with the
requirements set forth in Walker. Specifically, the appellant in Creese filed
four identical notices of appeal, each listing all four trial court docket numbers.
Creese, 216 A.3d at 1144. The Majority quashed the appeals, holding “[this
Court] may not accept a notice of appeal listing multiple docket numbers, even
if those notices are included in the records of each case. Instead, a notice of
appeal may contain only one docket number.” Id.
In the instant case, because Appellant’s notices of appeal each displayed
more than one docket number, we issued a Rule to Show as to why the appeals
should not be quashed pursuant to Walker. Rule to Show Cause, 1/3/19.
-3- J-S20013-20
Appellant filed a timely response explaining that he filed two notices of appeal.
Response to Rule to Show Cause, 1/3/19. The Rule was discharged on January
4, 2019, and the matter was referred to this panel. However, during the
pendency of the instant appeals, an en banc panel of this Court expressly
overruled Creese’s mandate that a notice of appeal may contain only one
docket number. Commonwealth v. Johnson, ___ A.3d ___, ___, 2020 PA
Super 164, *5 (Pa. Super. filed July 9, 2020) (en banc)). Specifically, the en
banc Court opined that where an appellant files a separate notice of appeal at
each trial court docket, “[t]he fact that each notice of appeal listed [more than
one trial court docket number] does not invalidate [the] notices of appeal.”
Id. Thus, pursuant to Johnson, although Appellant’s separate notices of
appeal bore more than one docket number, the notices of appeal do not run
afoul of Walker or Pa.R.A.P. 341. Accordingly, we conclude that Appellant may
proceed with his appeal.
We initially observe that Appellant’s handwritten, pro se brief fails to
comply with the Rules of Appellate Procedure in numerous ways. The
Pennsylvania Rules of Appellate Procedure provide guidelines regarding the
required content of an appellate brief as follows:
Rule 2111. Brief of the Appellant
(a) General Rule. The brief of the appellant, except as otherwise prescribed by these rules, shall consist of the following matters, separately and distinctly entitled and in the following order:
(1) Statement of jurisdiction.
-4- J-S20013-20
(2) Order or other determination in question.
(3) Statement of both the scope of review and the standard of review.
(4) Statement of the questions involved.
(5) Statement of the case
(6) Summary of the argument.
* * *
(8) Argument for appellant.
(9) A short conclusion stating the precise relief sought.
(10) The opinions and pleadings specified in Subdivisions (b) and (c) of this rule.
(11) In the Superior Court, a copy of the statement of the matters complained of on appeal filed with the trial court pursuant to Rule 1925(b), or an averment that no order requiring a Rule 1925(b) statement was entered.
Pa.R.A.P. 2111(a)(1)–(6); (a)(8)–(11).
Appellant’s brief blatantly violates this rule, as it fails to include a
statement of jurisdiction, the order or other determination in question, a
summary of argument, a statement of the questions involved, a statement of
the case, and a summary of the argument. Appellant also failed to attach
copies of the trial court opinion and Appellant’s Rule 1925(b) supplemental
statement to his brief.
We could readily conclude that Appellant’s appeal must be quashed
pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 2101. When a party’s brief fails to conform to the Rules
-5- J-S20013-20
of Appellate Procedure and the defects are substantial, an appellate court
may, in its discretion, quash or dismiss the appeal. Pa.R.A.P. 2101; see also
Commonwealth v. Tchirkow, 160 A.3d 798, 804 (Pa. Super. 2017).
(Superior Court may quash or dismiss an appeal if the appellant fails to
conform to the requirements set forth in the Pennsylvania Rules of Appellate
Procedure.). Moreover, although this Court is willing to liberally construe
materials filed by a pro se litigant, pro se status confers no special benefit
upon the appellant. Id.
Although Appellant's brief is deficient, we conclude that it does not
completely prohibit our review. Thus, we decline to quash the appeal and
instead, affirm on the well-reasoned opinion of the Honorable J. Scott O’Keefe
filed November 4, 2019. The trial court opinion comprehensively discusses
and properly disposes of the issues raised in Appellant’s supplemental Rule
1925(b) statement of matters complained of on appeal. See Trial Court
Opinion, 11/4/19, at 8–10 (concluding Appellant’s complaints about the lack
of a preliminary hearing were waived and rendered meaningless by the jury’s
guilty verdict); at 11–12 (finding Appellant declined to litigate a motion to
suppress); at 13 (determining the cases were properly consolidated for trial);
at 14–16 (noting Appellant was not entitled to hybrid representation or
representation by counsel of his choice); at 18–19 (deciding Appellant waived
claims pf prosecutorial misconduct and that the allegations were without
record support); at 20–22 (concluding the evidence was sufficient to support
-6- J-S20013-20
the convictions); and, at 24 (discerning no error in the admission of a gun into
evidence).
Thus, we affirm on the basis of the trial court’s opinion. The parties are
instructed to attach a copy of the opinion filed on November 4, 2019, to any
future filing that references our decision.
Finally, on April 13, 2020, Appellant filed a motion for relief, requesting
that a copy of the memorandum filed in this matter be mailed directly to him
at SCI-Phoenix. We grant the motion and direct the Prothonotary of this Court
to mail a paper copy of the memorandum to:
Irvin Harper
SCI Phoenix
NP-3252
P.O. Box 244
Collegeville, PA 19426
Motion for relief granted. Judgment of sentence affirmed.
Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq. Prothonotary
Date: 10/8/20
-7- Circulated 09/08/2020 11:11 PM
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF PHILADELPHIA covNTy , FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA CRIMINAL TRIAL DIVISION
Vs 3468 EDA 2018
CP-51-CR-0011481-2016 IRVIN HARPER CP-51-CR-0011482-2016
SUPPLEMENTAL OPINION
O'KEEFE, J.
Defendant, Irvin Harper, appeals the judgment of sentence for possession of a controlled
substance with intent to deliver and possession of a firearm prohibited, resulting in an aggregate
sentence of eight to sixteen years' incarceration. This supplemental opinion addresses the add-
itional issues raised by the defendant, pro se, pursuant to the Order of the Superior Court of August
15, 2019.
PROCEDURAL HISTORY:
Mr. Harper was arrested on November 4, 2016, and charged with possession of a controlled
substance with intent to deliver, possession of a controlled substance and possession of a firearm
prohibited, docketed at MC-51-CR-0031155-2016. Appellant was arrested at the same time for
two counts each of rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, sexual assault, indecent assault,
indecent exposure and one count each of kidnapping, possession of a firearm prohibited, unlawful
restraint, firearms not to be carried without a license, carrying firearms in public in Philadelphia,
terroristic threats and simple assault at MC-51-CR-0031158-2016. Additionally, Mr. Harper was
1 charged at MC-51-CR-0031159-2016 with two counts each of rape, involuntary deviate sexual
intercourse and indecent assault with one count each of kidnapping, unlawful restraint, sexual as-
sault, indecent exposure, terroristic threats, simple assault and recklessly endangering another per-
son.
The cases were presented to a grand jury and informations were filed on December 19,
2016. Consolidation was ordered on June 6, 2018 (the subject of a separate opinion) and the matter
eventually sent to the undersigned for trial. A jury trial was held from June 27" through July 6,
2018, at which time the defendant was only convicted of the drug charges. Mr. Harper then pled
guilty to the bifurcated charge of possession of a firearm prohibited. Appellant was thereafter
sentenced to three to six years' incarceration for possession with intent to deliver, a consecutive
five to ten years' incarceration for the possession of the firearm prohibited for an aggregate
sentence of eight to sixteen years in prison. Post -sentence motions were filed and denied without
a hearing and timely appeal made to the Superior Court. On February 22, 2019, this court filed an
opinion addressing the only issued raised alleging an excessive sentence.
There is a long and tortured history from that time forward. On March 4th, appellant filed
a motion to proceed pro se as well as an Application for Writ of Mandamus and of Extraordinary
Relief. On March 17, counsel filed an Application to Withdraw as counsel. Upon consideration
of these motions, the Superior Court remanded the matter for the trial court to conduct a Grazier'
hearing on March 25, 2019. Mr. Harper followed this with an Application to Compel on March
29th. On April 16th, the Superior Court ordered that the defendant's pro se motions be forwarded
to appointed counsel noting that pro se filings by counseled appellants are disapproved2. On April
Commonwealth v. Grazier, 552 Pa. 9, 713 A.2d 81 (1998). 2 Commonwealth v. Ellis, 534 Pa. 176, 626 A.2d 1137 (1993); Commonwealth v. Jette, 611 Pa. 166, 23 A.3d 1032 (2011).
2 29th, the trial court conducted the remanded Grazier hearing and ruled that the defendant's request
to proceed pro se was knowing, intelligent and voluntary and as such Appellant was permitted to
self-represent with his court -appointed attorney to remain as back-up counsel. On May 20, 2019,
Mr. Harper filed an Application for Relief with the Superior Court, after which the court required
this court to notify them in writing of the pro se application determination. On June 27th, the trial
court notified the Superior Court of the Grazier hearing of April 29" and its decision that the
defendant's request to self-represent was granted. Mr. Harper filed another Application for Relief
on June 28th and again on July 31(1 as well a Motion to Amend his 1925(b) Statement on July 8'.
Additionally the defendant filed a Motion for Full Discovery as well as a Motion to Disregard the
1925(b) previously filed by his counsel on the same day. On July 10th, the Superior Court granted
an extension of time for Appellant to file his brief until September 11th. Mr. Harper filed a new
Application for Stay on July 24th, an Application for Relief on August 5th, and a third Application
for Extension of Time to File Brief on August 14". The next day, August 15", the Superior Court
granted the extension of time for Appellant to file his brief until October 11, 2019, further man-
dating that no further extensions of time would be granted. At the same time, the Superior Court
also entered an order remanding the case for 120 days for the trial court to provide the defendant
with the notes of testimony and documents that the trial court deems necessary and relevant so
that the defendant could make a complete assessment of the issues raised on appeal. A true and
correct copy of the transmittal letter and documents that the trial court provided to the defendant
is attached to this supplemental opinion. On September 6, 2019, the defendant filed a supplemental
1925(b) statement, the subject of this supplemental opinion.
STANDARD OF REVIEW:
3 Whether or not separate indictments should be consolidated is within the sole discretion of
the trial court and will only be reversed for a manifest abuse of that discretion resulting in prejudice
and clear injustice to the defendant. Commonwealth v. Newman, 528 Pa. 393, 398, 598 A.2d 275,
277 (1991) (citing Commonwealth v. Lark, 518 Pa. 290, 543 A.2d 491 (1988)).
The decision to allow an individual to represent himself is within the sound discretion of
the trial court and will not be reversed absent a showing that the trial court clearly abused its
discretion. An abuse of discretion occurs when the law is overridden or misapplied, or the judg-
ment exercised was manifestly unreasonable. Commonwealth v. El, 602 Pa. 126, 142, 977 A.2d
1158, 1166-67 (2018).
The denial of a request to remove court-appointed counsel and appoint new counsel is
within the sound discretion of the court and will not be reversed absent an abuse of that discretion.
Commonwealth v. Spatz, 562 Pa. 498, 518, 756 A.2d 1139, 1150 (2000) (citing Commonwealth v.
Segers, 460 Pa. 149, 154, 331 A.2d 462, 465 (1975)).
When reviewing a claim of prosecutorial misconduct, the standard of review is limited to
whether the trial court abused its discretion. Commonwealth v. Melvin, 103 A.3d 1, 26 (Pa.Su-
per.2014).
The standard of review for a claim of insufficiency of the evidence is that an appellate court
must view the evidence in a light most favorable to the Commonwealth as the verdict winner, and
determine whether the evidence presented at trial, including all reasonable inferences that may be
drawn therefrom, was sufficient to prove all of the elements of the crime beyond a reasonable
doubt. See Commonwealth v. McCalman, 795 A.2d 412 (Pa.Super. 2002).
The admission of evidence is within the sound discretion of the trial court and will not be
4 reversed absent a showing that the trial court clearly abused its discretion. An abuse of discretion
occurs when the law is overridden or misapplied, or the judgment exercised was manifestly unrea-
sonable. Commonwealth v. Handfield, 34 A.3d 187, 207-08 (Pa.Super. 2011).
FACTS
The testimony presented at trial was that in December of 2015, Fatima Vaccarella was
living at the Covenant House, a homeless shelter in the Germantown section of Philadelphia. (N.T.
6-28-2018, pp. 42-45). The shelter required the residents to obtain employment or be enrolled in
school, or they would be asked to leave. Ms. Vaccarella was walking in a park near the shelter
when she was approached by the defendant who asked her if she needed a job, offering her em-
ployment hairdressing, washing hair and cleaning. (N.T. 6-28-2018, pp. 46-48). She accepted the
offer and accompanied Harper to his house, where the defendant said he had to retrieve something.
(N.T. 6-28-2018, pp. 47-49). Ms. Vaccarella related that once inside, the defendant brandished a
gun from the inside of his jacket and told her to remove her clothes and to do what he told her.
(N.T. 6-28-2018, pp. 49-55). The complainant thither testified that the defendant told her to per-
form oral sex upon him and then engage in sexual intercourse with Harper ejaculating on her chest,
and that she was too seared to say anything, just complying to get it all over with. (N.T. 6-28-
2018, pp. 49-55). Harper had told the complainant that his nickname was "Gotti". (N.T. 6-28-
2018, p. 63, 65). Ms. Vaccarella returned to Covenant House but admitted that she had exchanged
phone numbers with the defendant and that the incident was repeated later because she was still
scared of him and somehow thought he would still get her a job. (N.T. 6-28-2018, pp. 57-60).
The complainant further testified that sometime later, she was outside the homeless shelter when
the defendant approached, telling her he wanted her again. Ms. Vaccarella told him no and ran
back inside the shelter. Obviously upset and shaking, her roommate pressed her as to what was
5 wrong and she told her roommate everything, eventually being moved from the shelter and making
a statement to the police. (N.T. 6-28-2018, pp. 60-65). In the statement, the victim admitted to
having previously being involved in prostitution a few years earlier when living in Egypt. (N.T.
6-28-2018, pp. 64-66).
Jessica Tokarczyk testified that when she was twenty-one years old she resided at the Cov-
enant House around October 2016 for approximately three months. (N.T. 6-28-2018, pp. 96-98).
The defendant approached her, in a group of people, and offered her money to help him with a
drug run. (N.T. 6-28-2018, pp. 98-100). This complainant checked with 'Robin', another resident
of the Covenant House, and after receiving assurances that he was alright, Tokarczyk left with
appellant. (N.T. 6-28-2018, pp. 97-103). Harper left her in the park for a short time and then
reappeared with a car. They rode around for a while, evidently completing his drug run, ending
back at his house with hoagies. (N.T. 6-28-2018, pp. 97-101). Mr. Harper had informed this
complainant as well that his nickname was "Gotti". (N.T. 6-28-2018, pp. 97-114). This complain-
ant testified that while upstairs the defendant told her she needed to keep her word, that he had
given her twenty-five dollars for a drug run, bought her a hoagie and a drink and then he stripped
down to his underwear. Tokarczyk stated that she repeatedly told him she did not want to do this,
but felt pressured. This complainant stated that the defendant forced her to perform oral sex on
him while she was sitting on the bed. (N.T. 6-28-2018, pp. 130-133). She finally removed her
clothes and appellant had sexual intercourse with her. (MT. 6-28-2018, pp. 114-119). Harper put
his telephone number in this complainant's cellphone and dropped her off a short distance from
the Covenant House. Later that day, Tokarczyk told another resident of what happened, then an
administrator, and subsequently the police. (N.T. 6-28-2018, pp. 119-126).
Arlacia Curtis testified that she was a resident of the Covenant House in the spring of 2015
6 when the defendant approached her and asked if she needed a job. Ms. Curtis responded no and
walked away from Mr. Harper. (N.T. 6-28-2018, pp. 189-194). This witness further testified that
she was walking with her roommate, Bella, when "Gotti" was walking by the door of the Covenant
House and said something to Bella which made her extremely upset and she then ran away. When
pressed, Bella told her that "Gotti" had offered her a job and that when they went back to his place
to fill out an online application on his computer that he pulled out a gun and told her to go upstairs
and get undressed. (N.T. 6-28-2018, pp. 190-196).
Toni Seibert is a registered nurse who has worked for the Philadelphia Sexual Assault Re-
sponse Center for the past twenty years and testified that on October 17, 2016, she examined Jes-
sica Tocarzyk and as part of that exam she took a report on what the victim said happened with
appellant. (N.T. 6-29-2018, pp. 54-72). Aimee Della Porta testified that she was a social worker
at the Covenant House since March of 2015, and that she spoke with both Bella and Jessica as to
the allegations concerning this defendant. (N.T. 7-2-2018, pp. 6-12).
Detective Daniel O'Malley of the Special Victims Unit of the Philadelphia Police Depart-
ment testified that he was assigned detective of the defendant's cases, that he reviewed the reports
as to both victims, including photo arrays and acknowledgments that 626 Federal Street was the
place of both occurrences and that he applied for the search warrants in these cases as well as
assisted in the execution of the warrants. (N.T. 7-2-2018, pp. 37-92). Detective O'Malley testified
that appellant and others were present when the warrants were executed, as to the blue steel hand-
gun with a silver barrel and trigger loaded with nine live rounds recovered from a piece of Tup-
perware from the kitchen in the property; a large amount of narcotics on the kitchen table with
packaging and scales, as well as in a bowl in the kitchen cabinet; and money that the defendant
attempted to hand to the landlord when the police entered the premises. (N.T. 7-2-2018, pp. 60-
7 68).
Officer Kevin Keyes testified that he is employed by the Philadelphia Police Department
in the Narcotics Field Unit and is a stipulated expert in the field of narcotics. Officer Keyes said
he reviewed the reports concerning the confiscated 134 grams of cocaine, two baggies of heroin
weighing 20.118 grams, grinders, a scale and packaging, and came to the conclusion that the drugs
were possessed with the intent to deliver. (N.T. 6-29-2018, pp. 35-45).
LEGAL DISCUSSION
PRELIMINARY HEARING
Appellant raises several complaints concerning the prosecution's presenting his charges to
an indicting grand jury instead of holding a preliminary hearing. It needs to be noted that the law
in Pennsylvania is crystal clear that once a defendant has gone to trial and been found guilty of a
crime, any defect in the preliminary hearing is rendered immaterial. Commonwealth v. Tyler, 402
Pa.Super. 429, 432, 587 A.2d 326, 328 (1991); Commonwealth v. McCullough, 501 Pa. 423, 461
A.2d 1229 (1983); Commonwealth v. Waters, 491 Pa. 85, 418 A.2d 312 (1980); Commonwealth
v. Allen, 475 Pa. 165, 379 A.2d 1335 (1977). Accordingly, all of appellant's complaints about the
lack of a preliminary hearing are without merit. For the sake of thoroughness, the defendant's
grievances will be addressed in the order in which they have been presented in the defendant's
1925(b) statement.
"1.appellant [sic] asserts that his garanteed [sic] right to a preliminary hearing was violated regarding docket number #cp-51-cr-0011481-2016, it was a clear err [sic] of the trial court and this violated appellants [sic] garanteed [sic] right to his four- teenth amendment's [sic] due process and Article one [sic] section nine of the Penn- sylvania state constitution [sic]." Supplemental Statement of Matters Complained of on Appeal, p. 1.
First, this issue has been waived. The law in Pennsylvania is crystal clear that issues first
8 raised on appeal and not raised in the trial court are deemed waived. Pa.R.A.P. 302(a).
Commonwealth v. Cain, 2006 Pa.Super. 228, 906 A.2d 1242 (Pa.Super. 2006) Specifically,
complaints concerning an indictment or preliminary hearing must be raised in a motion to quash
the indictment or information or they are waived. See Pa.R.Crim.P. 556.4(C); Commonwealth v.
Hodge, 279 Pa.Super. 232, 245, 411 A.2d 503, 509 (1979).
Addressing the issue on its merits, neither the United States nor the Pennsylvania Consti-
tutions provide a constitutional right to a preliminary hearing by a defendant in a criminal pro-
ceeding. Commonwealth v. Mayberry, 459 Pa. 91, 103, 327 A.2d 86, 92 (1974) (citing Coleman
v. Alabama, 399 U.S. 1, 90 S.Ct. 1999, 26 L.Ed.2d 387 (1970); Connnonweallh v. McCloskey, 443
Pa. 117, 131-133, 277 A.2d 764, 771-772, cert. denied, 404 U.S. 1000, 92 S.Ct. 563, 30 L.Ed.2d
552 (1971)). The pertinent section of Article I, section 9 of the Pennsylvania Constitution states:
"In all criminal prosecutions the accused hath a right to be heard by himself and his counsel, to
demand the nature and cause of the accusation against him, to be confronted with the witnesses
against him, to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and, in prosecutions
by indictment or information, a speedy public trial by an impartial jury of the vicinage..." Clearly,
the cited provision of the Pennsylvania Constitution does not confer upon a defendant a right to a
preliminary hearing, and in fact specifies prosecutions by indictment or information. As there is
no constitutional right to a preliminary hearing, the defendant was not denied a constitutional right
by proceeding by way of a grand jury.
"2.appellant [sic] asserts that the common pleas court of PHILA- DELPHIA [sic] never retained subject matters [sic] jurisdiction of #cp-51-cr-0011481-2016 and it was a err [sic] of the court ton [sic] hold appellants [sic] trial in june [sic] 2018 and to sentence him on 10-11-2018 due to this docket not going to a municipal court for a probable cause hearing first." Supplemental Statement of Matters Complained of on Appeal, p. 1.
9 It is assumed that Harper is again bemoaning the lack of a preliminary hearing. The de-
fendant's cases proceeded by way of presentment to a grand jury followed by the issuance of bills
of information, as provided by Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure 556 et seq. As this issue
was just discussed in the previous section of this opinion, there is no need for it to be reargued
here. LikeWise, the defendant was convicted by a jury of drug and gun charges, and as noted
previously any defect in a preliminary hearing is immaterial. Commonwealth v. Tyler, supra;
Commonwealth v. McCullough, supra.
"4.appellant [sic] asserts that the trial court made a major err [sic] in concert with the prosecution when they violated rule 556,and [sic] 556.2 and misused the indicting grand jury procedures,the [sic] trial court abused its descretion [sic] by allowing the prosecution to bring #cp-51-cr=0011481-2016 [sic] in front of a grand jury knowing that docket had nothing to do with the other two cases that involved two witnesses who accused appellant of two separate crimes that went to the grand jury only because of allegations of witness intimida- tion.appellant [sic] asserts that #CP-51-CR-0011481-2016 was a seperate [sic] case of narcotics and gun violations and that case had nothing to do with the witnesses this was a violation of rule 556,556.2 [sic] and a clear violation of the 14 amendments [sic] due process and article [sic] one section nine of the pennsylvania [sic] state constitution the rights of the accused and the right for appellant to have a preliminary hearing [sic]." Supplemental Statement of Matters Complained of on Appeal, p. 1.
Again, the lack of a preliminary hearing is of no consequence once a defendant has been
convicted by a jury of the charges complained of. Additionally, this issue is likewise waived. The
law in Pennsylvania is crystal clear that issues first raised on appeal and not raised in the trial court
are deemed waived. Pa.R.A.P. 302(a). Specifically, complaints concerning an indictment or pre-
liminary hearing must be raised in a motion to quash the indictment or information or they are
waived. See Pa.R.Crim.P. 556.4(C); Commonwealth v. Hodge, 279 Pa.Super. 232, 245, 411 A.2d
503, 509 (1979).
10 "5.appelant [sic] asserts that his right to be confronted by the officers who found the narcotics was violated when they failed to testify at a preliminary hearing to show they had probable cause as to the drug and gun violations,those [sic] officers didnt [sic] testify at appellants [sic] trial and this was a clear violation of appellants [sic] right to cross-examination of witnesses against him violating the six amend- ments [sic] confrontation clause." Supplemental Statement of Matters Complained of on Appeal, pp. 1-2.
In addition to the fact that the defendant has been found guilty by a jury and the immateri-
ality under the law of the lack of a preliminary hearing as previously discussed in this opinion, the
defendant pled guilty to the charge of 18 Pa.C.S. § 6105, Persons not to possess, use, manufacture,
control, sell or transfer firearms. (N.T. 7-9-2018, pp. 1-9).
SUPPRESSION MOTION
Harper next complains that this court failed to conduct a hearing on his oral motion to
suppress. Specifically:
"3.the [sic] trial court err [sic] when it did not allow appellant who ask the court threw [sic] a [sic] oral motion to have a suppression hearing regarding #cp-51-cr-0011481-2016,the [sic] trial court abused its descretion [sic] by not allowing appellant to have a gar- anteed [sic] right of a suppression hearing on 6-26-18 this [sic] was a clear violation of pa.r.crim.p.581 [sic] and the fourth amendment amd [sic] article [sic] one section 8 of the pemmsylvania [sic] state constitution and due process." Supplemental Statement of Matters Complained of on Appeal, p. 1.
Appellant's claim fails for several reasons. First, when the trial court asked Harper if he
wanted the court to review the affidavit of probable cause as a 'four corners suppression motion',
the defendant twice responded no, he did not want the court to review it. (N.T. 6-26-2018, pp. 7-
11). It is elementary that if a defendant specifically refuses to allow the court to review the affi-
davit of probable cause as an issue of suppression, he is obviously precluded from claiming the
11 court erred in failing to hear a motion to suppress on that issue. Additionally, the defendant was
represented by extremely able counsel who had specifically discussed a four corners motion with
the defendant. Counsel advised the defendant that he could not proceed with such a motion as it
would have been frivolous and that he could not file a motion that he did not have a good faith
basis for. (N.T. 6-26-2018, 7-9).
Finally, as noted above, the defendant was represented by counsel, and the law in Pennsyl-
vania is crystal clear: a defendant in a criminal case has no constitutional right to act as co -counsel
before the trial court while represented by an attorney. Connnonwectlth v. Pursell, 555 Pa. 233,
724 A.2d 293, 301 (1999) (citing Commonwealth v. Ellis, 534 Pa. 176, 626 A.2d 1137 (1993)).
Pro se actions have no legal effect where the defendant is represented by counsel and as such, any
such application for relief is a nullity. Id. Our Supreme Court has opined that the proper procedure
is to refer the pleading to counsel and to take no further action on the proposed pleading unless
counsel files and moves on the motion. Commonwealth v. Jette, 611 Pa. 166, 23 A.3d 1032 (2011);
Commonwealth v Glacken, 32 A.3d 750, 753 (Pa.Super. 2011).
CONSOLIDATION OF CASES
Appellant further contends that the pre-trial court erred in consolidating his cases for trial.
"6.the [sic] trial court err [sic] and abused its descretion [sic] when it allowed the three cases to be consolidated on june 6 2018. [sic] Judge giovanni o campbell [sic] abused his descretion [sic] the [sic] three cases had no common plan or scheme and they were not com- mitted in the same act or on the same day and this prejudiced the jury and confused the jury." Supplemental Statement of Matters Complained of on Appeal, p. 2.
Rule 582(A) of the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure provides, in relevant part:
"(1) Offenses charged in separate indictments or informations may be tried together if: (a) the
evidence of each of the offenses would be admissible in a separate trial for the other and is capable
12 of separation by the jury so that there is no danger of confusion." Consolidation of offenses re-
quires the prosecution to show that there are shared similarities and details of each crime tending
to show motive; intent; absence of mistake or accident; common scheme, plan or design such that
proof of one tends to prove the other; or to establish the identity of the person charged. Common-
wealth v. Newman, 528 Pa. 393, 399, 598 A.2d 275, 278 (1991) (citing Commonwealth v. Lark,
518 Pa. 290, 303, 543 A.2d 491, 497 (1988)). The commonality between the two cases is obvious.
Both women claim to be approached by the defendant outside of the Covenant House in the Ger-
mantown section of Philadelphia -a homeless shelter that requires its residents to be employed; offering both employment; taking both back to his apartment, forcing each to have sex with him
and returning them near their residence when finished. Given the similarities of the two incidents,
evidence of each offense would have been admissible in a separate trial for the other. Moreover,
the distinct offenses were readily capable of separation by the jury so there was no danger of con-
fusion. Although there were similarities, the two incidents were easily distinguishable from each
other. As to the prejudice component, it is extremely important to note that the defendant was
acquitted of any of the sexual offenses, merely found guilty of the drugs found in his apartment
and the gun charge to which he pled guilty.
The law is clear that the trial court's decision whether to consolidate separate indictments
is within the sole discretion of the trial court and will only be reversed for a manifest abuse of that
discretion resulting in prejudice and clear injustice to the defendant. Commonwealth v. Newman,
528 Pa. 393, 398, 598 A.2d 275, 277 (1991) (citing Commonwealth v. Lark, 518 Pa. 290, 543 A.2d
491 (1988)). Accordingly, this claim of the defendant is without merit.
SELF -REPRESENTATION
The defendant now claims he was denied his right of self-representation and that as such
13 he is entitled to a new trial. A criminal defendant's right to counsel includes the right to waive
counsel and represent one's self. Commonwealth v. El, 602 Pa. 126, 134, 977 A.2d 1158, 1162
(2018) (citing Faretta v. California, 422 U.S. 806, 95 S.Ct. 2525, 45 L.Ed.2d 562 (1975); Com-
monwealth v. Szuchon, 506 Pa. 228, 484 A.2d 1365 (1984)). However, the right of self-represen-
tation is not automatic. Only timely, clear and unequivocal requests trigger an inquiry into whether
the request is knowing, intelligent and voluntary. Commonwealth y El, supra (citing Faretta v.
California, supra, 422 U.S. at 836; Commonwealth v. Davido, 582 Pa. 52, 868 A.2d 431, 438
(2005), cert. denied, 546 U.S. 1020, 126 S.Ct. 660, 163 L.Ed.2d 534 (2005)).
Particularly the defendant avers:
"7.the [sic] trial court abused its descretion [sic] by not having a grazier [sic] hearing when appellant filed a motion on 1-25-2018 asking the trial court to proceed pro se,the [sic] court never heard his motion and held [sic] a proper hearing,this [sic] forced appellant to use a [sic] ineffective counsel james [sic] Lloyd esq. [sic] violat- ing his 6 [sic] amendment right." Supplemental Statement of Matters Complained of on Appeal. p. 2.
The basis of the defendant's claim is that he filed what was titled an Omnibus Motion on
January 25, 2018, wherein Harper asked that the court appoint him "a co -counsel" as well as an
investigator. (Motion of 1-25-2018). Appellant already had counsel appointed to represent him-
in fact this was the defendant's third counsel, having already had the Defender Association of
Philadelphia as well as W. Fred Harrison, Jr., Esquire representing him. A request to have co -
counsel appointed is inappropriate given that, as previously noted, the courts will not allow hybrid
representation. Commonwealth v. Purcell, 555 Pa. 233, 724 A.2d 293, 302 (1999) (citing Com-
monwealth Y Ellis, 534 Pa. 176, 626 A.2d 1137 (1993)); Commonwealth V. Jette, 611 Pa. 166, 23
A.3d 1032 (2011); Commonwealth v. Glacken, 32 A.3d 750, 753 (Pa.Super. 2011). Mr. Harper's
request to have co -counsel was inappropriate.
14 Additionally, prior to trial, Mr. Harper complained that he did not want the assigned attor-
ney to represent him. (N. T. 6-26-2018, pp. 3-14). Appellant never requested to represent himself
- only that he did not want this attorney, and at that time the trial court advised appellant that he
did not have the right to a court -appointed attorney of his choosing. At that point Harper did not
ask to represent himself (N.T. 6-26-2018, pp. 3-14). Had he done so, a Grazier3 hearing would
have been held. Harper's failure to request to represent himself at that time is a waiver of any such
complaint. Commonwealth v. El, supra (citing Faretta v. California, supra; Commonwealth v.
David°, supra).
FAILURE TO APPOINT NEW COUNSEL
Contrary to the defendant's previous claim, Harper also contends that the trial court erred
in failing to remove court -appointed counsel and appoint new counsel, specifically:
"8.appellant [sic] assert [sic] that it was a err [sic] of the trial court when on 6-26-1028 [sic] he ask [sic] the court to remove attorney james lloyd esq [sic] due to them having a fall [sic] out the [sic] court abused its descretion [sic] and this violatrd [sic] appellants 6 [sic] amendment right to proper counsel and a fair trial." Supplemental Statement of Matters Complained of on Appeal, p. 2.
Amazingly, the defendant points to the same exchange as in the previous section of this
opinion to contend he was asking for new counsel, not to proceed pro se. The defendant com-
plained that he did not want his then counsel, but when asked specifically what his complaint was
with counsel, the only answer provided was that he wanted a motion to suppress. As noted earlier,
when the trial court inquired if the defendant wanted the court to review the four corners of the
affidavit as a four corners suppression motion, the defendant declined.
Although the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution provides that a criminal
3 Commonwealth v. Crazier, 552 Pa. 9, 713 A.2d 81 (1998).
15 defendant is entitled to representation by counsel at all critical stages of the prosecution, a defend-
ant who does not employ an attorney at his own expense, but has court -appointed counsel at public
expense, does not have the right to counsel of his choosing. Commonwealth v. Kelly, 5 A.3d 370,
377-78 (Pa.Super.2010) (citing Commonwealth v. Lucarelli, 601 Pa. 185, 971 A.2d 1173, 1178-
79 (2009)). See also Commonwealth v. Meehan, 427 Pa.Super. 261, 270-71, 628 A.2d 1151, 1155
(1993); Commonwealth v. Neal, 387 Pa.Super. 165, 174-75, 563 A.2d 1236, 1241 (1989).
Furthermore, only when the defendant has presented a substantial, clear and unequivocal reasons
for a change of appointed counsel will new counsel be appointed. "A motion for change of counsel
by a defendant for whom counsel has been appointed shall not be granted except for substantial
reasons." Pa.R.Crim.P. 122(C). In order to satisfy this standard, the accused must demonstrate he
has an irreconcilable difference with counsel that precludes the attorney from representing him.
Commonwealth v. Spotz, 562 Pa. 498, 518, 576 A.2d 1139, 1150 (2000) (citing Commonwealth v.
Tyler, 468 Pa. 193, 197, 360 A.2d 617, 619 (1976)). Appellant's unspecified and un-enumerated
allegations did not warrant dismissal of his court -appointed counsel and appointment of a new
attorney. Although counsel and appellant did not like working with each other, Harper offered no
reason why counsel would be incapable of zealously representing him. The defendant's failure to
specify any substantial reason for the removal of counsel required the court to continue appointed
counsel's representation, and therefore no abuse of discretion. As such, the defendant's claim is
without merit.
PROSECUTORIAL MISCONDUCT
Harper next attacks the prosecution alleging deliberate misconduct, to wit:
"9.appellant [sic] asserts that the commonwealth [sic] used false omitted affidavits geting [sic] probable cause for appellants [sic] ar- rest and search warrants that was provided by detective omalley [sic] #695 and this evidence was used threw [sic] out appellants [sic] trial
16 proceedings violating his right to a fair trial and appellant asserted a motion to the court on 9-7-2017 asking for a franks [sic] hearing to challenge the veracity of the trufulness [sic] of the affidavits." Supplemental Statement of Matters Complained of on Appeal, p. 2.
As well as:
"10.appellant [sic] asserts that a.d.a elizabeth Tischer [sic] is in direct violation of prosecutorial misconduct [sic] when she in [sic] concert with detective omalley [sic] #695 to use [sic] false affidavits and false testimony to the court knowing that information was false and she failed to fix the false testimony to the court knowing that infor- mation was false and she failed to fix the false statements used against appellant." Supplemental Statement of Matters Complained of on Appeal, p. 2.
And:
"14. Appellant asserts that prosecutor Elizabeth Fischer is in direct violation of prosecutorial misconduct [sic] when she lied to the court regarding the weight of the narcotics to make appellant appear to be a larger drug dealer then [sic] he was said to be to enhance appel- lant's sentence if he was found guilty. The prosecution also pre- sented Officer Keys [sic] who lied on the stand and framed appellant as to the weight of the narcotics and appellant has the proof from the lab reports. A.D.A. Fischer lied to the trial court and she also pre- sented Officer Key's [sic] who lied and framed appellant and she failed to correct that testimony knowing Officer Key's [sic] lied to the court and provided false information." Supplemental Statement of Matters Complained of on Appeal, p. 3.
Our courts have defined such misconduct as when "the prosecutor, a person who holds a
unique position of trust in our society, has abused that trust in order to prejudice and deliberately
mislead [the factfinder]." Commonwealth v. Melvin, 103 A.3d 1, 26 (Pa.Super.2014) (quoting
Commonwealth v. Pierce, 537 Pa. 514, 645 A.2d 189, 197 (1994)). "Prosecutorial misconduct
will justify a new trial where the unavoidable effect of the conduct or language was to prejudice
17 the factfinder to the extent that the factfinder was rendered incapable of fairly weighing the evi-
dence and entering an objective verdict. If the prosecutorial misconduct contributed to the verdict,
it will be deemed prejudicial and a new trial will be required." Commonwealth v. Melvin, 103
A.3d I, 26 (Pa.Super.2014) (quoting Commonwealth v. Francis, 445 Pa.Super. 353, 665 A.2d 821,
824 (1995)).
As concerns the first two allegations of misconduct, Pennsylvania Rule of Appellate Pro-
cedure 1925(b) requires that the Statement of Matters Complained of on Appeal must sufficiently,
concisely and coherently identify the issues to be raised. See Commonwealth v. Ray, 134 A.3d
1109, 1114 (Pa.Super.2016); Commonwealth v. Dowling, 778 A.2d 683 (Pa.Super.2001). As the
Superior Court has noted, "Rule 1925 is intended to aid trial judges in identifying and focusing
upon those issues which the parties plan to raise on appeal. Rule 1925 is thus a crucial component
of the appellate process." Commonwealth v. Lord, 553 Pa. 415, 719 A.2d 306, 308 (1998). When
a defendant fails to adequately identify, in a concise manner, the issues he seeks to pursue on
appeal, the trial court is impeded in its preparation of a legal analysis pertinent to those issues.
Commonwealth v. Dowling, supra, 778 A.2d at 686; Commonwealth v. Ray, supra; In re Estate of
Dauber!, 757 A.2d 962, 963 (Pa.Super.2000). "When a court has to guess what issues an appellant
is appealing, that is not enough for meaningful review." Commonwealth v. Butler, 756 A.2d 55,
57 (Pa.Super.2000) (citing Giles v. Douglas, 747 A.2d 1236, 1237 (Pa.Super.2000)). Appellant
does not identify what false or omitted statements were included in the affidavit of probable cause
or propounded by the attorney and/or detective for the Commonwealth. Having no idea of what
error the defendant is claiming, these issues in Appellant's statement fails to adequately identify
the point of contention, and therefore it is waived.
Likewise, Harper's final contention of misconduct claims the prosecution mischaracterized
18 the weight of the drugs involved, failing to sufficiently develop the claim in order to allow this
court to adequately review the allegation. Accordingly, this issue is likewise waived. Common-
wealth v. Dowling, supra, 778 A.2d at 686; Commonwealth v. Ray, supra; In re Estate of Daubed,
757 A.2d 962, 963 (Pa.Super.2000).
Appellant claims that the facts presented in the application for search and arrest warrants
were false and presented in reckless disregard of the truth. A thorough review of the record fails
to substantiate this claim at all, and Harper fails to produce any evidence to support his claims.
The record is void of any confirmation of the defendant's claim that the underlying circumstances
were false or that the officers presented false information to the issuing authority knowingly and
deliberately or in reckless disregard of the truth or that the defendant presented enough evidence
to require a hearing. See Franks v Delaware, 438 U.S. 154, 171, 98 S.Ct. 2674, 2684, 57 L.Ed.2d
667 (1978); Commonwealth v. Iannaccio, 505 Pa. 414, 426, 480 A.2d 966, 972 (1984); Common-
wealth v. Hall, 451 Pa. 201, 206, 302 A.2d 342, 345 (1973). Accordingly, these claims need to be
dismissed.
SUFFICIENCY OF THE EVIDENCE
Defendant next contends that there was insufficient evidence presented at trial to find him
guilty of any of the charges of which he was convicted. When evaluating a claim of insufficiency
of the evidence, we must determine "whether the evidence is sufficient to prove every element of
the crime beyond a reasonable doubt." Commonwealth v. Hughes, 521 Pa. 423, 555 A.2d 1264,
1267 (1989). Further, the evidence must be viewed "in the light most favorable to the Common-
wealth as the verdict winner, and accept as true all evidence and all reasonable inferences there-
from upon which, if believed, the fact finder properly could have based its verdict." Id "Any
doubts regarding a defendant's guilt may be resolved by the fact-finder unless the evidence is so
19 weak and inconclusive that as a matter of law no probability of fact may be drawn from the com-
bined circumstances." Commonwealth v. Watley, 81 A.3d 108, 113 (Pa.Super.2013) (en bane);
Commonwealth v. Thomas, 65 A.3d 939, 943 (Pa.Super.2013) (citing Commonwealth v. Ratsamy,
594 Pa. 176, 934 A.2d 1233, 1236 n. 2 (2007)). Furthermore, the prosecution may sustain its
burden of proving every element of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt by means of wholly
circumstantial evidence. Commonwealth v. DiStefano, 782 A.2d 574, 582 (Pa.Super. 2001). Only
where the evidence is so weak and inconclusive that, as a matter of law, no probability of fact can
be drawn from the combined circumstances is a defendant entitled to relief. Commonwealth v.
Watley, 81 A.3d 108, 113 (Pa.Super.2013) (en bane). The appellate court does not re -weigh the
evidence or substitute their judgment for that of the fact -finder. Id.
Specifically the defendant complains:
"11.appellant [sic] asserts that the commonwealth's [sic] evidence was insufficient to convict him of a violation of firearms in public when the jury found him not guilty of every other charge involned [sic] with a violation of firearms,the [sis] prosecution never pre- sented to the trial court a gun regarding #cp-51-cr-0011482-2016 and it was a err [sic] of the court to allow the commonwealth [sic] to put the appellant on trial for a gun that was never recoverd [sic] and presented to the court that was the silver gun that was used in the crime and this confused the jury." Supplemental Statement of Matters Complained of on Appeal, p. 2.
"13. Appellant asserts that the Commonwealth never proved Appel- lant had a concious [sic] dominion over the contraband or that Ap- pellant had constructive possession over the narcotics and the gun that was found in the apartment." Supplemental Statement of Matters Complained of on Appeal, p. 3.
Appellant's contention is that insufficient evidence was presented to convict him of pos-
session of a gun as well as narcotics. First, it has to be noted that the defendant pled guilty to the
20 gun charge. (N.T. 7-09-2018, pp. 3-9).
The Crier: "Irvin Harper, to this docket number, CP-51-CR- 0011481-2016, you are being charged with firearm prohibited, how do you plead? The Defendant: Guilty. The Crier: And to this docket number, CP-51-CR-0011482- 2016, you are being charged with possession of a firearm prohibited, how do you plead? The Defendant: Guilty." (N.T. 7-9-2018, pp. 8-9). Accordingly, the defendant's complaint is without merit.
As to the complaint concerning the drugs, the apartment from which the drugs were con-
fiscated was the apartment the two complainants identified as to where they were taken, the drugs,
together with the bagging material, grinder and scales were on the kitchen table, with the para-
phernalia, in plain view of everyone in the premises. (N.T. 7-02-2018, pp. 48-57; N.T. 6-29-2018,
pp. 6-12). The defendant was on the premises when the arrest warrant was being served and his
license was registered at that address. (N.T. 7-2-2018, pp. 48-60). Mr. Harper was attempting to
give the owner of the apartment building a large sum of money. (N.T. 7-2-2018, pp. 59-60). The
defendant occupied the third floor of the building, where the narcotics were found. (N.T. 7-2-
2018, pp. 59-65). The complainant Fatima Vaccarella had described the gun that she was assaulted
with as a silver gun. The loaded gun found in the third floor of 626 Federal Street was a blue gun,
with a silver colored barrel, a silver colored rod and a silver colored trigger. (N.T. 7-2-2018, pp.
63-66). A set of keys with the dog tags of Samuel Harper together with various proofs of residence
for Irving Harper and Turquoise Lee Claxton were recovered from the third floor of the premises.
(N.T. 7-2-2018, pp. 64-67).
The crux of the defendant's complaint is that since there were other people, specifically his
girlfriend, who had access to the apartment that he could not be found in possession of the drugs.
Our Supreme Court has opined
21 "Constructive possession is a legal fiction, a pragmatic construct to deal with the realities of criminal law enforcement. Constructive possession is an inference arising from a set of facts that possession of the contraband was more likely than not. We have defined con- structive possession as 'conscious dominion."'
Commonwealth v. Mudrick, 510 Pa. 305, 308, 507 A.2d 1212, 1213 (1986) (citing Commonwealth
v. Davis, 444 Pa. 11, 280 A.2d 119, 121 (1971)). To prove conscious dominion, the prosecution
must present evidence to show that the defendant had both the power to control the narcotics and
the intent to exercise such control. Commonwealth v. Heidler, 741 A.2d 213, 216 (Pa.Super.
1999); Commonwealth v. Gladden, 445 Pa.Super. 434, 665 A.2d 1201 (1995), appeal denied, 544
Pa. 624, 675 A.2d 1243 (1996); Commonwealth v. Magwood, 371 Pa.Super. 620, 538 A.2d 908
(1988), appeal denied, 519 Pa. 653, 546 A.2d 57 (1988). When the contraband is not found on the
defendant's person, constructive possession can be shown to satisfy the prosecution's evidentiary
burden and constructive possession may be established by the totality of the circumstances. Com-
monwealth v. Macolino, 503 Pa. 201, 206, 469 A.2d 132, 134 (1983), Commonwealth v. Fortune,
456 Pa. 365, 318 A.2d 327 (1974). The Commonwealth may establish the elements of the crime
entirely by circumstantial evidence. Commonwealth v. Ramos, 392 Pa.Super. 583, 573 A.2d 1027,
1032 (1990), allocator denied, 589 A.2d 692 (1990).
In the present case, it is crystal clear that sufficient evidence was presented to find the
defendant in possession of the narcotics in his apartment, which he had exited only when the police
were entering the building - after taking a gas powered saw to the iron gate. Several proofs of
residence identified the premises as the defendant's residence, the Department of Motor Vehicles
has the defendant's vehicle registered to the premises, and the two complainants had identified
Harper's apartment. Additionally, the victim, Jessica Tokarczyk, testified that when the defendant
22 first contacted her, he told her he needed to do a drug run and asked her to go with him, which she
did. The evidence was not only sufficient, but overwhelming.
ADMISSIBILITY OF EVIDENCE
The defendant's last complaint is that the trial court improperly allowed the admission of
evidence during trial, specifically:
"12.appellant [sic] asserts that it was a err [sic] of the court to permit the black gun that was recoverd [sic] on federal street [sic] the day he was arrested and it was a clear err [sic] when judge o campbell [sic] ruled that the gun was admissible and was allowed to be con- solidated at his trial knowing the witness steated [sic] it was a silver gun and that confused the jury." Supplemental Statement of Matters Complained of on Appeal, p. 2.
The standard of review for a claim of inadmissibility of evidence is that the admission of
evidence is within the sound discretion of the trial court and will not be reversed absent a showing
that the trial court clearly abused its discretion. An abuse of discretion occurs when the law is
overridden or misapplied, or the judgment exercised was manifestly unreasonable. Common-
wealth v. Handheld, 34 A.3d 187, 207-08 (Pa.Super. 2011).
Appellant contends the pre-trial court erred in allowing the prosecution to present the hand-
gun found in the defendant's apartment during the trial, alleging that it was not the gun that the
complainant described. While it is true that Ms. Vaccarella told the police that the gun she was
threatened with by the defendant was a big silver gun, the pistol retrieved from the defendant's
apartment was a blue steel gun, the barrel, rod and trigger and trigger guard were all silver. The
law recognizes that all relevant evidence presented by the prosecution is intended to prejudice the
defendant -it is only the evidence that is so prejudicial that it would inflame the jury that becomes inadmissible. The trial court is not required to sanitize the trial to eliminate any unpleasant facts
from the jury's consideration. If the facts form part of the history and natural development of the
23 events and offenses with which the defendant is charged. Commonwealth v. Brouster, 863 A.2d
588, 592 (Pa.Super.2004) (citing Commonwealth v. Serge, 837 A.2d 1255, 1260-61 (Pa.Su-
per.2003)).
Our Supreme Court has ruled
"[a] weapon shown to have been in a defendant's possession may properly be admitted into evidence, even though it cannot pos- itively be identified as the weapon used in the commission of a par- ticular crime, if it tends to prove that the defendant had a weapon similar to the one used in the perpetration of the crime."
Commonwealth v. Brouster, 863 A.2d 588, 592 (Pa.Super.2004) (quoting Commonwealth v. Wil-
liams, 537 Pa. 1, 16, 640 A.2d 1251 (1994)). In the instant case, the pre-trial court did not abuse
its discretion by permitting the Commonwealth to present the handgun found in the defendant's
apartment to the jury. The probative value of the handgun outweighed any prejudice to this de-
fendant. Accordingly, this issue is without merit.
Accordingly, the judgment of sentence of this court should be affirmed.
BY THE COURT:
DATE: November 4, 2019
24 IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF PHILADELPHIA COUNTY
FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA
Proof of Service
I hereby certify that I am on this day serving the foregoing Court's Opinion upon the per- son(s), and in the manner indicated below, which service satisfies the requirements of Pa.R.Crim.P. 114:
Defendant: Mr. Irvin Harper #NP -3252 S.C.I. Phoenix P.O. Box 244 Collegeville, PA 19426
Defense Attorney: James Lloyd, Esquire 1315 Walnut Street, Suite 1605 Philadelphia, PA 19107
Type of Service: ( ) Personal (X) First Class Mail ( ) Interoffice ( ) Other, please specify
District Attorney: Lawrence Jonathan Goode, Esquire Appeals Unit District Attorney's Office 3 South Penn Square Philadelphia, PA 19107
Type of Service: ( ) Personal ( ) First Class Mail (X) Interoffice ( ) Other, pjfase specify
Date: November 4, 2019 Allison M. O'Kleleile, Law C I
25 FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA COURT OF COMMON PLEAS JUDICIAL CHAMBERS
J. SCOTT O'KEEFE THE JUSTICE JUANITA KIDD STOUT CENTER JUDGE FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE 1301 FILBERT STREET, SUITE 1221 PHILADELPHIA, PA 19107 (215) 683-7080/81 FAX: (215)683-7082 August 29, 2019
Mr. Irvin Harper, #NP3252 SCI Phoenix PO Box 244 Collegeville, PA 19426
RE: Commonwealth v. Irvin Harper CP-51-CR-0011481-2016 CP-51-CR-0011482-2016 3468 EDA 2018
Dear Mr. Harper:
Pursuant to the Order of the Superior Court filed August 15, 2019, I am enclosing herewith the following notes of testimony: June 26, 2018, June 27, 2018, June 28, 2018, June 29, 2018, July 2, 2018, July 5, 2018, July 6, 2018, July 9, 2018, October 11, 2018, and April 29, 2018.
Also enclosed herewith Motion to Modify and Reconsider Sentence with Denial. Trial Exhibit List, notes of testimony December 13, 2016, 75-49 Detective O'Malley (C-2), Affidavit of Probable Cause (C- 3), Sketch "Gotti" (C-4), Arrest Paperwork (229 Flow chart, Medical - checklist-Exhibit C-5), 483 -Jessica Tokarczyk (C-6), 483 -Aimee Della-Porta (C-7), 483 Robin Holmes (C-8), 483-Fatimah Vaccarella (C-9), 483 Arlacia Curis (C-10), 483 Cara Mastro (C-11), - Photo array 10-18-2016 (C-12), photo imager Fatimah Vaccarella (C-13), photo arrays 10-20- 16 and 10-24-16 (C14), PSARC Meds (C-15), Search Warrant 198201 (C-16), Certificate of non-licensure (C17), Search Warrant 198202 (C-18), Search Warrant 198203 (C-19), Search warrant 198211 (C-20), Property Receipt 3276840 (C-21), Property Receipt 3276839 (C-22), Property Receipt 3276948 (C-23), Property Receipt 3276915 (C-24), Property Receipt 3276914 (C-25), Property Receipt 3276949 (C-26), Property Receipt 3257599 (C-27), Property Receipt 3265301 (C-28), Property Receipt 3257600 (C-29), Property Receipt 3276950 (C-30), Trace Report (C-31), DNA reports (C-32), Seizure analysis (C-33), Ballistics Report (C-34), 75-49 and PARS (C-35), photos of Federal Street (C-40), Photos of Marion Street (C-41), Photos of Grand Marquis (C-42), photos from PSARC (C-43), Stipulation (C-47), Search Warrant 204116 (C-48), Property Receipt 3310793 (C-49), Stipulation (C-50), text messages (D-1).
FILE COPY Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter.
Very truly yours,
62.dee&ght- O 1 Allison M. O'Keefe, Law Cler to The Honorable J. Scott O'Keefe, Judge
JSO'Kilk Enclosures
cc: District Attorney's Office (w/o enclosures) Appeals Division 3 South Penn Square Philadelphia, PA
James Lloyd, Esquire (w/o enclosures) 1315 Walnut Street Suite 1605 Philadelphia, PA 19107
Related
Cite This Page — Counsel Stack
Com. v. Harper, I., Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/com-v-harper-i-pasuperct-2020.