Commonwealth v. Sunday

13 Pa. D. & C.5th 406
CourtPennsylvania Court of Common Pleas, Lawrence County
DecidedJune 21, 2010
Docketno. 1208 of 2009
StatusPublished

This text of 13 Pa. D. & C.5th 406 (Commonwealth v. Sunday) 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. Sunday, 13 Pa. D. & C.5th 406 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2010).

Opinion

COX, J.,

Before the court for disposition is the omnibus pretrial motion filed on behalf of the defendant Joshua Scott Sunday, in which he argues the Commonwealth failed to establish a prima facie case that the defendant committed criminal attempt to commit involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, criminal attempt to commit sexual assault, unlawful contact with a minor, criminal attempt to commit indecent assault, indecent assault, harassment and corruption of minors.

On October 23, 2009, the victim, A.M., was babysitting for her brother1 at his home when she met the defendant, who lived near her brother’s residence. A.M. was bom on March 27, 1996, and at the time of these incidents she was 13 years old. The defendant was 26 years old at that time. The defendant entered the residence while the victim’s brother was still present. The victim initially met the defendant while she was using her [409]*409brother’s computer and she had a picture of her friend on the screen. The defendant indicated that he wanted to “get together” with the victim’s friend and offered to drive the victim to her friend’s residence. It must be noted that the defendant was informed of the victim’s age when they first met.

Although it is unclear as to the sequence of events, it appears that the interactions between the victim and the defendant are as follows: At the preliminary hearing, A.M. explained that the defendant made her feel uncomfortable on several occasions. During the first occurrence, the defendant asked A.M. three times, twice as he was leaving the residence, if she wanted to play a game called “just the tip.” A.M was unaware of what that phrase meant at the time the defendant made the request. She subsequently discovered that it meant he wanted to place his penis in her mouth. On another occasion, while sitting together on the front porch of A.M.’s brother’s residence, the defendant placed A.M.’s leg on his chest, pulled up her pant leg and ran his hand across her bare leg. A.M. also testified that the defendant stated, you shaved, you’re a proper woman or proper girl. Additionally, the defendant removed A.M. ’s sock and told her that he had a foot fetish. In response, A.M. immediately pulled her foot away from the defendant and she walked into the house. A.M. also recalled that the defendant pulled up her pant leg and asked if he could have a taste, which indicated that he wanted to perform oral sex on her. It was not fully developed at the preliminary hearing whether these incidents occurred on the same day. However, A.M. testified at the preliminary hearing that the defendant did [410]*410not try to physically force her to engage in sexual activity.

The defendant was subsequently charged with criminal attempt to commit involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a person less than 16 years of age,2 criminal attempt to commit sexual assault,3 corruption of minors,4 unlawful contact with a minor,5 criminal attempt to commit indecent assault-person less than 16 years of age,6 indecent assault-person less than 16 years of age7 and harassment.8 OnNovember 12,2009, a preliminary hearing was held before Magisterial District Judge Melissa A. Amodie. The charges were bound over to this court and the defendant now contends that the Commonwealth failed to establish a prima facie case for each count on the information.

Where a criminal defendant seeks to challenge the sufficiency of the evidence presented at his preliminary hearing, he may do so by filing a writ of habeas corpus. Commonwealth v. McBride, 528 Pa. 153, 595 A.2d 589 (1991). “The purpose of a preliminary hearing is to avoid the incarceration or trial of a defendant unless there is sufficient evidence to establish a crime was committed and the probability the defendant could be connected with the crime.” Commonwealth v. Fox, 422 Pa. Super. [411]*411224, 234, 619 A.2d 327, 332 (1993) (quoting Commonwealth v. Tyler, 402 Pa. Super. 429, 433, 587 A.2d 326, 328 (1991)).

In evaluating an accused’s entitlement to pretrial habeas corpus relief, a trial court must determine whether there is sufficient evidence to make out a prima facie case that the defendant committed the crime with which he or she is charged. Commonwealth v. Hock, 556 Pa. 409, 728 A.2d 943 (1999). In a pretrial habeas corpus proceeding, as in a preliminary hearing, the Commonwealth has the burden of establishing a prima facie case, offering some proof to establish each material element of the offense as charged. Commonwealth v. Owen, 397 Pa. Super. 507, 580 A.2d 412 (1990). This doesnotmean that the prosecution must prove the accused guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, but rather, the prosecution must establish “sufficient probable cause” that the accused has committed the offense. Commonwealth v. Prosdocimo, 331 Pa. Super. 51, 479 A.2d 1073 (1984). The standard in determining whether a defendant is properly held for court is: (a) that the record reveals a prima facie showing that a crime or crimes have been committed; and (b) that the defendant was in some way legally responsible. Liciaga v. Court of Common Pleas of Lehigh County, 523 Pa. 258, 566 A.2d 246 (1989). Aprima facie case consists of evidence, read in the light most favorable to the Commonwealth, that sufficiently establishes both the commission of a crime and that the accused is probably the perpetrator of that crime. Commonwealth v. Fountain, 811 A.2d 24 (Pa. Super. 2002).

[412]*412The Commonwealth establishes a prima facie case when it produces evidence that, if accepted as true, would warrant the trial judge to allow the case to go to a jury. Commonwealth v. Marti, 779 A.2d 1177, 1180 (Pa. Super. 2001). The weight and credibility of the evidence is not a factor at this stage, the Commonwealth need only demonstrate sufficient probable cause to believe the person charged has committed the offense. Id. As a result of the Commonwealth bearing the minor burden of establishing a prima facie case, a witness’ credibility is not an issue at a preliminary hearing. Commonwealth v. Fox, 422 Pa. Super. 225, 619 A.2d 327 (1993). The committing magistrate is precluded from considering the credibility of a witness who is called upon to testify during the preliminary hearing. Liciaga, supra. Neither is it for the court ruling on the motion for writ of habeas corpus to assess the credibility of the witnesses presented at the preliminary hearing. Commonwealth v. Carmody, 799 A.2d 143 (Pa. Super. 2002).

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Commonwealth v. McBride
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Commonwealth v. White
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Commonwealth v. Tyler
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Ward v. State
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Commonwealth v. Fox
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Hatch v. Superior Court
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Bluebook (online)
13 Pa. D. & C.5th 406, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/commonwealth-v-sunday-pactcompllawren-2010.