Com. v. Heppenstall, J.

Superior Court of Pennsylvania·Decided June 26, 2019·No. 1128 WDA 2018·Unpublished

Opinion

NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF : PENNSYLVANIA

:

v. :

:

:

JOSIE ANN HEPPENSTALL :

:

Appellant : No. 1128 WDA 2018

Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence Dated August 1, 2018 In the Court of Common Pleas of Greene County Criminal Division at No(s): CP-30-CR-0000016-2018

BEFORE: GANTMAN, P.J.E., McLAUGHLIN, J., and MUSMANNO, J. MEMORANDUM BY McLAUGHLIN, J.: FILED JUNE 26, 2019 Josie Ann Heppenstall appeals from the judgment of sentence entered following her jury-trial convictions for firearms not to be carried without a license and fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer while endangering a law enforcement officer or member of the general public by engaging in a high-speed chase.1 She argues that the court erred in denying her motion for acquittal, in admitting evidence, and in providing an inadequate cautionary instruction. She further contends that her conviction cannot stand because the jury returned inconsistent verdicts. We affirm.

Heppenstall was arrested following a high-speed chase that occurred around 8:30 p.m. on December 22, 2017, and charged with fleeing or

attempting to elude a police officer while engaging in a high speed chase,

1 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 6106(a)(2) and 75 Pa.C.S.A. § 3733(a), (a.2)(2)(iii), respectively.

firearms not to be carried without a license, persons not to possess firearms, 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 6105(a)(1), possession of a small amount of marijuana, 35 P.S. § 780-113(a)(31), and possession of drug paraphernalia, id. at 780- 113(a)(32).

Before the start of trial, the Commonwealth nolle prossed the possession of a small amount of marijuana charge because the substance had not been tested. N.T., 5/10/18, at 4. The trial court then also dismissed the possession of drug paraphernalia charge. Id. at 6-7. The trial court instructed the parties “to not mention the search of [Heppenstall’s] purse,” which was where the marijuana was discovered, “during the testimony in chief.” Id. at 8.

The case proceeded to a jury trial. During opening statements, defense counsel stated the defense would “not offer any evidence to disprove that [Heppenstall] sped away from the police,” and stated that Heppenstall “eluded the police.” Id. at 25-26.

The Commonwealth then presented the testimony of Officer Zack Howard, who testified that he was waiting at a red light when he heard a car moving at a high rate of speed. Id. at 28. He then observed the car go through an intersection at a high rate of speed. Id. Officer Howard activated his emergency overhead lights and siren and attempted to initiate a traffic stop. Id. Officer Howard followed the vehicle, which continued at a high rate of speed. Id. at 29. In an attempt to stop the vehicle, Officer Howard was traveling at maximum of 70 miles per hour on a road that had a 25-mile-per- hour speed limit. Id. He observed the vehicle’s headlights go off for about five

seconds, and then reactivate. Id. Officer Howard finally caught the vehicle after the vehicle crashed, and landed in a backyard, 100 feet from the roadway. Id. at 31.

Officer Howard testified that Heppenstall was the driver and sole occupant of the car, which was titled and registered in Heppenstall’s name. Id. at 38, 40. Officer Howard discovered a Hi-Point, 45-caliber pistol on the floor under Heppenstall’s feet. Id. at 42. Heppenstall did not have a license to carry the firearm. Id. at 45. Officer Howard testified there was documentation that Heppenstall’s husband, Samuel Heppenstall (“Samuel”), had purchased the firearm. Id. at 47. Officer Howard testified that Heppenstall told him the firearm belonged to her husband. She informed Officer Howard that her husband’s tactical vest also was in the car and claimed that she did not stop because her brakes were not working. Id. at 48.

During Officer Howard’s testimony, the Commonwealth played for the jury a video from the dashboard camera of the police car. The trial court asked Heppenstall whether she had an objection, and counsel stated, “[n]o objection if the Court feels it’s appropriate and necessary.” Id. at 31. Following the video, the Commonwealth moved for the admission of photographs showing the curve just prior to where the vehicle crashed. Id. at 36. Heppenstall objected, noting the photographs were cumulative of the video. Id. The trial court overruled the objection and permitted the admission of the photographs. Id.

On cross-examination of Officer Howard, the following occurred:

Q: And were you able to determine whether the tactical vest also belonged to –

[Assistant District Attorney (“ADA”)]: I’ll object, Your Honor to the relevance of the vest, it’s not been –

[Defense Counsel]: It’s certainly relevant because –

The Court: Overrule. Overrule, I understand, but I don’t think –

[ADA]: Well, it’s not legal to have a tactical vest in your vehicle.

The Court: No, no, overrule, and I don’t want to say why.

Go ahead.

Id. at 52-53. Further, Officer Howard responded “[n]o” when asked, “Other than the fact that the gun was at or near her feet at the time you noticed it, is there any other evidence that you have that she had the intent to control or even knew this gun was in the car?” Id. at 58.

The Commonwealth next called a certified mechanic, Tony Staggers, to testify as an expert. Heppenstall objected, stating his testimony was cumulative because “[w]e’ve already seen pictures, we’ve seen the dashboard, I’ve already indicated her guilt as to this.” Id. at 61. The trial court overruled the objection and permitted his testimony.

Staggers testimony included the following:

Q. In late December of last year, what inspection work did you do on a Ford Focus belonging to a Ms. Heppenstall?

A. Yes, I was asked to look the vehicle over because supposedly the brakes did not work and accelerator supposedly stopped and –

[Defense counsel]: Objection, I don’t think there was any testimony –

The Court: That’s fine, you’re right. So sustain the objection and forget about the last. It was just why he looked at it.

So disregard the last statement. Go ahead, Mr. Lock.

Id. at 63.

Staggers then testified that the brakes were “in real good working order.” Id. When the ADA asked Staggers about the condition of the throttle and accelerator, defense counsel objected, noting “there’s no[] testimony with respect to the accelerator not working, I feel it’s not relevant.” Id. at 63-64. The trial court overruled the objection, reasoning, “I think the mechanical condition is relevant and not particularly prejudicial.” Id. at 64. Staggers testified that the throttle and accelerator were in working order. Id.

The Commonwealth rested and Heppenstall moved to dismiss the firearm charges, arguing the Commonwealth did not establish Heppenstall had dominion over or the ability to control the firearm, or that she was aware the firearm was in the car. Id. at 65-66. The trial court denied the motion, finding the issue was for the trier of fact. Id. at 66.

Heppenstall’s husband, Samuel, testified for the defense. Samuel is employed as a security guard and a member of the US Army National Guard. Id. at 70. He testified that he purchased the gun found in the vehicle and usually carried the gun on his person for protection. Id. at 70-71, 74.2 According to his testimony, on December 22, 2017, he and Heppenstall had only one operational vehicle. Id. at 76. He testified that he had been using

2 Among the admitted pictures of the gun was a picture of Samuel in the tactical vest with the firearm. N.T., 5/10/18, at 75.

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