Commonwealth v. Chaudhary

34 Pa. D. & C.5th 225
CourtPennsylvania Court of Common Pleas, Lawrence County
DecidedOctober 2, 2013
DocketNos. 117 of 2012, C.R. and 1256 of 2012, C.R.
StatusPublished

This text of 34 Pa. D. & C.5th 225 (Commonwealth v. Chaudhary) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas, Lawrence County primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Commonwealth v. Chaudhary, 34 Pa. D. & C.5th 225 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2013).

Opinion

PICCIONE, «/.,

Before the court for disposition is the Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (hereinafter, the “petition”) filed onbehalf ofthe defendant, Imran Chaudhary (hereinafter, the “defendant”). The defendant was charged with one count of receiving stolen property pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 3925(a) at both case numbers listed above. The petition contends that the Commonwealth has failed to state a prima facie case against the defendant with respect to the charges.

The charge at case filed at number 1117 of 2012 arises from events allegedly taking place on September 23,2012. Before commencing the hearing, the parties stipulated that the ATV was reportedly stolen and ultimately found by its owner in the ball fields of Mahoningtown at a later date. Mr. Andrew Heaton (hereinafter, “Heaton”) testified at the defendant’s preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge David B. Rishel on October 11, 2012. Heaton testified that while walking on Wampum Road toward the ball field on September 15, 2012, he saw two individuals standing on opposite sides of an ATV, each attempting to start the engine. Heaton testified that the ATV was green with missing decals and a broken piece on the left side. Heaton testified that one of the individuals with the ATV was the defendant, whom Heaton had recognized from prior sighting. Heaton thought the ATV had broken down, and he offered to help them push the ATV. The individuals told Heaton that the engine was just cold, but it still worked, so Heaton walked away. After continuing toward the ball field, Heaton testified that he heard the ATV’s engine start; Heaton turned around, but he did not see the individuals or the ATV.

Heaton testified that he received a telephone call at the end of a ball game on September 23, 2012 from Mr. [227]*227Matthew Reighert (hereinafter, “Reighert”). Reighert told Heaton that his ATV was parked in the grass next to the parking lot. He told Heaton that he found the ATV in the woods beyond the outfield and parked it in the grass. Reighert asked Heaton to wait at the field with the ATV until his father was able to pick it up, and Heaton obliged. Heaton testified that he was certain this ATV was the same ATV he saw with the defendant on September 15,2012.

The charge at case number 1256 of 2012 arises from events allegedly taking place on September 17, 2012. On that date, Officer Terry Dolquist (hereinafter, “Officer Dolquist”) of the City of New Castle Police Department spoke with Mr. Larry Maori (hereinafter, “Maori”). Maori told Officer Dolquist that he returned home and noticed his free standing bronze fire pit was missing from his yard. He told Officer Dolquist that he found the remnant of the fire pit in the back yard of 225 S. Ashland Avenue, New Castle, Lawrence County. While Macri was out of town, his wife informed him that on Saturday, September 15,2012, a number of people were outside 225 S. Ashland Avenue with a bon fire.

Officer Dolquist went to 225 S. Ashland Avenue and spoke with the defendant. Officer Dolquist informed the defendant of the circumstances regarding the fire pit, but the defendant told Officer Dolquist he would have to speak with his parents. Officer Dolquist spoke to an individual who identified himself as the defendant’s father on the telephone. The man told Officer Dolquist that he had been out of town for weeks and his wife, Ms. Carlisa Santana (hereinafter, “Santana”) should be home. Officer Dolquist attempted to call Santana several times with the number provided to him by the man who identified himself as the defendant’s father, but Officer Dolquist was [228]*228unsuccessful. Officer Dolquist also attempted to speak with Santana a number of times at 225 S. Ashland Avenue but was similarly unsuccessful. In the affidavit of probable cause, Officer Dolquist avers that he is familiar with the defendant and knows that his parents are often away from home, and he found no evidence that the persons to whom the house belongs reside therein. As a result of these facts, the defendant was charged with receiving stolen property for the fire pit.

The defendant filed the petition for both cases discussed above. In his petition, the defendant argues that the Commonwealth has failed to present sufficient evidence to establish a prima facie case to support a charge of receiving stolen property in both cases. As such, the defendant requests this court dismiss the charges at both case numbers.

Filing a petition for writ of habeas corpus is the recognized method for challenging a finding that the Commonwealth has established a prima facie case at the preliminaiy hearing stage. Comm. v. Karlson, 674 A.2d 249 (Pa. Super. 1996). See also Comm. v. McBride, 595 A.2d 589 (Pa. 1995); Comm. v. Carmody, 799 A.2d 143 (Pa. Super. 2002). On review, the trial court must find that the Commonwealth presented sufficient evidence to make a prima facie showing that the defendant committed the crime with which he or she is charged. Comm. v. Hock, 728 A.2d 943 (Pa. 1999).

In order to establish a prima facie showing, the Commonwealth must present evidence establishing that the crime charged was committed and that there is a probability that the defendant committed the charged crime. Comm. v. Fox, 619 A.2d 327 (Pa. Super. 1993). To prove these two things, the Commonwealth must [229]*229offer some proof to establish each material element of the offense charged. Comm. v. Owen, 580 A.2d 412 (Pa. Super. 1990). It is not necessaiy that the Commonwealth prove each element beyond a reasonable doubt. Comm. v. Prosdocimo, 479 A.2d 1073 (Pa. Super. 1994). The Commonwealth need only meet the evidentiary standard of showing “sufficient probable cause” that the defendant committed the offense. Id. Aprima facie case is established when the Commonwealth submits evidence that, if true, would warrant the trial judge to permit the case to go to a jury. Comm. v. Marti, 779 A.2d 1177 (Pa. Super. 2001). Weight or credibility of the evidence presented is not at issue at a preliminary hearing. Id. The Commonwealth need only to present evidence concerning each element of the crime charged, and the Commonwealth is entitled to all reasonable inferences that can be drawn from the evidence presented. Id.

As stated above, the defendant is charged with two counts of receiving stolen property pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 3925(a). “A person is guilty of theft if he intentionally receives, retains, or disposes of movable property of another knowing that it has been stolen, or believing that it has probably been stolen, unless the property is received, retained, or disposed with intent to restore it to the owner.” 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 3925(a). “[T]he word ‘receiving’ means acquiring possession, control or title, or lending on the security of the property.” Id. at § 3925(b).

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Related

Commonwealth v. Hock
728 A.2d 943 (Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, 1999)
Commonwealth v. Carmody
799 A.2d 143 (Superior Court of Pennsylvania, 2002)
Commonwealth v. Foreman
797 A.2d 1005 (Superior Court of Pennsylvania, 2002)
Commonwealth v. Owen
580 A.2d 412 (Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, 1990)
Commonwealth v. Brady
560 A.2d 802 (Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, 1989)
Commonwealth v. Marti
779 A.2d 1177 (Superior Court of Pennsylvania, 2001)
Commonwealth v. Karlson
674 A.2d 249 (Superior Court of Pennsylvania, 1996)
Commonwealth v. McBride
595 A.2d 589 (Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, 1991)
Commonwealth v. Grekis
601 A.2d 1275 (Superior Court of Pennsylvania, 1992)
Commonwealth v. Fox
619 A.2d 327 (Superior Court of Pennsylvania, 1993)
Commonwealth v. Gore
406 A.2d 1112 (Superior Court of Pennsylvania, 1979)
Commonwealth v. Prosdocimo
479 A.2d 1073 (Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, 1984)

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Bluebook (online)
34 Pa. D. & C.5th 225, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/commonwealth-v-chaudhary-pactcompllawren-2013.