Majority Opinion: Commonwealth v. Johnson

8/10/2019 Majority Opinion: Commonwealth v. Johnson

1/69

[J-3-2014]

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA

EASTERN DISTRICT

CASTILLE, C.J., SAYLOR, EAKIN, AER, TODD, M!CAFFERY, STEVENS, JJ.

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA,

Appellee

v.

CHRISTOPHER LYNN JOHNSON,

Appellant

:::::::::

:::::

No. 6! CAP

Appeal "#o$ t%e J&'($ent o" Senten)eente#e' on *!+!+-!*- /po0t10enten)e$ot2on0 'en2e' !-+*3+-!*34 2n t%e Cot o"Co$$on Plea0 C#2$2nal 52v202on o" A'a$0Co&nt at No. CP1!*1CR1!!!**!1-!*!.

T%e T#2al Cot ente#e' an o#'e# (#ant2n(

$ot2on to #e2n0tate appeal #2(%t0 n&n) p#ot&n) on !+*6+-!*3.

AR78E5: Ma#)% **, -!*

OPINION ANNOUNCIN" THE JUD"MENT OF THE COURT

MR. JUSTICE STEVENS DECIDED# D$!$%&$' 30, 2014

T%20 20 a '2#e)t appeal "#o$ t%e 9&'($ent o" 0enten)e o" 'eat% "ollo2n( t%e

)onv2)t2on o" Appellant C%#20top%e# Lnn Jo%n0on /;Appellant


2/69

J131-!*D 1 -

T%e #e)o#' #eveal0 t%at on t%e n2(%t o" Nove$?e# **, -!*!, O""2)e# 5av2' 7#ove, a

5ep&t W2l'l2"e Con0e#vat2on O""2)e# o" t%e Penn0lvan2a 7a$e Co$$2002on, a0

pat#oll2n( t%e a#ea nea# 7ett0?( Nat2onal M2l2ta# Pa# 2n F#ee'o$ Ton0%2p, A'a$0

Co&nt %en %e 2n"o#$e' A'a$0 Co&nt ** )ente# at *!:3- p.$. t%at %e %a'

en)o&nte#e' a ve%2)le ;0potl2(%t2n(. O""2)e# a#?a(ello 'ete)te' no p&l0e %en %e eGa$2ne' O""2)e# 7#ove, %o

%a' ?een 0%ot t%#ee t2$e0, 2n)l&'2n( a "atal 0%ot to t%e ?a) o" t%e ne).

Fo# t%e 02G %o lea'2n( &p to t%at t#a(2) 0%oot2n(, -B ea#1ol' Appellant an' %20

* ea#1ol' "#2en' Ran La&$ann %a' ?een '#2n2n( ?ee# an' '#2v2n( Appellant0 p2)1&p

t#&) 2n t%e a#ea loo2n( "o# 'ee# to 0%oot. N.T. B1>*>. Ea#l2e# t%at a"te#noon,

La&$ann %a' #etne' %o$e "#o$ o# at a?o&t :!! p.$. to "2n' Appellant a2t2n( t%e#e

2t% t%e o'o# o" an al)o%ol )alle' ; anana0< on %20 ?#eat%. N.T. at B6. La&$ann

pe#)e2ve' Appellant to ?e ;al2n( "2ne, tal2n( "2ne,< t%o&(% %e ;0ee$e' to ?e $a?e a

3 ;Spotl2(%t2n(< 20 a te#$ 'enot2n( t%e 02(%t2n( o" 'ee# o# ot%e# 2l'l2"e at n2(%t 2t% t%e a2'

o" a %2(% poe#e' 0potl2(%t.


3/69

J131-!*D 1 3

l2ttle t2p0 l2e ?&e' a l2ttle ?2t. He a0 2n' o" (2((l, $o#e o# le00 9&0t 2n' o" (2((le' at

t%e 0$alle0t l2ttle t%2n(0 a l2ttle ?2t.< N.T. at BB, B. La&$ann, a l2)en0e' %&nte#,

?#o&(%t %20 )o$po&n' ?o 2t% %2$ an' #o'e pa00en(e# a0 Appellant '#ove )apa?l, 2n

La&$ann0 op2n2on, "o# t%e app#oG2$atel "2ve $2n&te '#2ve to t%e Jo%n0on0 %&nt2n( )a?2n

o"" O##tanna Roa'. N.T. at B1!.

A"te# '#2n2n( a ?ee# o# to, t%e to $en 0%ot La&$ann0 )o$po&n' ?o, an'

Appellant0 )#o00?o an' .-- lon( #2"le 2t% a 0)ope to $ae 0e t%e e#e 0t2ll ;02(%te'

2n.< N.T. at !. T%e ale' alon( t%e t#ee l2ne an' )l2$?e' &p 2nto t%e2# t#ee 0tan', a

t%#ee to "o "oot 2'e lan'2n( a))e002?le ? an *10tep, lean2n( $etal la''e#, N.T. at

. La&$an )a##2e' %20 )o$po&n' ?o &p t%e la''e# %2le Appellant $a'e %20 a &p

t%e la''e# )a##2n( %20 )#o00?o 2t%o&t an p#o?le$. N.T. at . T%e to 0at on t%e

t#ee 0tan' &nt2l 'a# 2t%o&t an 0a"et #e0t#a2nt0, '#an ?ee#, an' at)%e' "o# 'ee#. N.T.

at !. Ove# t%e )oe o" t%e2# t2$e t%e#e, La&$an 0a Appellant '#2n 02G o# 0even

)an0 "#o$ a *-1pa) o" &' L2(%t %2le %e %a' to o# t%#ee. N.T. at , !. Anot%e#

0o)e o" ?ee# ava2la?le t%at n2(%t a0 a 0$all 0to) o" )an0 ept 2n t%e )#ee, t%o&(%

La&$ann '2' not 0tate 'e"2n2t2vel %et%e# Appellant '#an an "#o$ t%at 0to). N.T. at

-13. La&$ann a0 ;p#ett 0e,< ?&t not )e#ta2n, t%at all e$pt2e0 e#e t%#on 2nto t%e

?e' o" t%e p2)1&p t#&). N.T. at 3. At 'a#, t%e $en )l2$?e' 'on "#o$ t%e t#ee 0tan'

an' ale' ?a) to t%e )a?2n, an' a(a2n, La&$ann 0a not%2n( a?o&t Appellant to

2n'2)ate %e a0 %av2n( '2""2)&lt 2t% %20 ?alan)e. N.T. at *. Ot%e# t%an t%e $o$ent

Appellant &2)l ent ?a) 2nto t%e )a?2n ?e"o#e ?oa#'2n( t%e p2)1&p an' leav2n(, t%e

to $en e#e to(et%e# t%e ent2#e t2$e. N.T. at .


4/69

J131-!*D 1

Appellant '#ove t%e to to Ro00 O#)%a#', %e#e t%e ?e(an 0potl2(%t2n( "o# 'ee#.

N.T. at 1>. Appellant %a' no p#o?le$ ne(ot2at2n( t%e o#)%a#'0 #oa'0, %2)%

La&$ann 'e0)#2?e' a0 ;9&0t l2ttle '2#t lane0 2'e eno&(% "o# a ve%2)le< an' ;a l2ttle ?&$p

"#o$ t2$e to t2$e,D< 2t% one %an' on t%e %eel %2le 02$&ltaneo&0l %ol'2n( a 0potl2(%t

o&t t%e '#2ve#0 02'e 2n'o 2t% t%e ot%e#, La&$ann te0t2"2e'. N.T. at . T%e to

0potte' a n&$?e# o" 'ee# 2t%o&t an atte$pt to %&nt, an' t%en le"t t%e o#)%a#'. T%e

'#ove alon( lo)al #oa'0, tn2n( "#e&entl, ent a)#o00 a ?#2'(e, 'on a 0tone lane, an'

a)#o00 a )#ee &nt2l t%e a##2ve' at Re' Ro) Roa'. N.T. at >!!. La&$ann 2tne00e'

Appellant '#2n ;a "e< $o#e ?ee#0 "#o$ t%e &' L2(%t *-1pa) 'n( t%20 t2$e, ?&t note'

t%at Appellant ne(ot2ate' a 0t#et)% o" #oa' %e#e t%e to %a' (otten 0t&) onl ten 'a0

ea#l2e#. N.T. at >!3.

Appellant 0toppe' t%e p2)1&p %en %20 0potl2(%t 0%one &pon a 'oe. He leane'

o&t t%e 2n'o an' ove# t%e #oo" an' )ont2n&e' to a2$ t%e l2(%t '2#e)tl on a 'oe

po02t2one' -! to -> a#'0 aa 2n a "2el' alon( t%e pa00en(e# 02'e a0 La&$ann #e(20te#e'

a 0t#2e 9&0t ?e%2n' t%e 'ee#0 le"t 0%o&l'e# 2t% %20 )o$po&n' ?o. N.T. at >!3, >!>.

T%e to '2' not #et#2eve t%e 'ee#, opt2n( 2n0tea' to (2ve 2t t2$e to '2e. N.T. at >!B.

Appellant '#ove "t%e# alon( Re' Ro) Roa' a?o&t a "e %&n'#e' a#'0 %en %e

0potte' a 'ee# 2n a "2el' on t%e '#2ve#0 02'e. N.T. at >!B. Sa2n( %e ante' t%e 'ee#, %e

?a)e' &p 2nto a '#2vea to )%an(e '2#e)t2on0 on Re' Ro) Roa'. He #e(a2ne' 02(%t o"

t%e 'ee# an' 0%one a l2(%t on 2t %2le La&$ann po2nte' t%e .-- lon( #2"le o&t02'e t%e

pa00en(e# 02'e 2n'o an' "2#e', ?&t %e $200e'. Appellant (#a??e' t%e #2"le "#o$ %20

po02t2on 2n t%e '#2ve#0 0eat an' leane' a)#o00 t%e )on0ole to poe %20 ?o' o&t t%e

pa00en(e# 2n'o %2le 0t2ll %ol'2n( t%e 0potl2(%t 2t% %20 le"t %an'. He t%en ?#a)e' t%e


5/69

J131-!*D 1 >

#2"le ?eteen %20 #2(%t a#$ an' to#0o an' "2#e' t2)e at t%e 'ee#, )a&02n( 2t to 0t&$?le an'

"all. N.T. at >!B1>*-. On )#o00 eGa$2nat2on, La&$ann )on"2#$e' t%at Appellant, %o$

%e 'e0)#2?e' a0 an ;ave#a(e 0%ot,< o&l' %ave &0e' %20 #2(%t %an' to p&ll t%e t#2((e#,

02n( t%e oval leve# ?eneat% t%e t#2((e# 'on to '20)%a#(e t%e 0%ell an' ?a) &p to loa'

t%e neGt 0%ell 2nto pla)e, an' t%en p&ll t%e t#2((e# to tae t%e 0e)on' 0%ot. N.T. at >6616B.

Appellant '#ove o"", leav2n( t%e 'ee# "o# late# #et#2eval, an' tne' 'on nea#?

S)%#2ve# Roa' %en %e an' La&$ann not2)e' %ea'l2(%t0 appea# "#o$ ?e%2n'. N.T. at

>*6. La&$ann 0a2' %e ?el2eve' 2t a0 ;5NR< an' Appellant #epl2e' ;5o o& t%2nK< a0

t%e 0a ?l&e an' #e' ove#%ea' l2(%t0 a)t2vate'. N.T. at >*6. Appellant )ont2n&e' to

'#2ve a#o&n' a ?en' an' p&lle' ove# alon(02'e t%e #oa' nea# p2ne t#ee0 an' #oa'02'e

?#&0%. N.T. at >*B. On )#o001eGa$2nat2on, La&$ann 2n020te' Appellant p&lle' ove#

2$$e'2atel, at t%e "2#0t 0a"e oppo#t&n2t, &pon 0ee2n( t%e ove#%ea' l2(%t0. N.T. at >B6.

e"o#e t%e2# en)o&nte# 2t% O""2)e# 7#ove o&l' ?e(2n, La&$ann o##2e' alo&'

t%at t%e e#e 2n a lot o" t#o&?le "o# 0%oot2n( t%e 'ee#, to %2)% Appellant #epl2e' 'Dont

o##, I (ot o&, ?&t I$ not (o2n( ?a) to 9a2l. N.T. at >*. Appellant 0a2' t%20 2n a

no#$al tone l2e %e a0 ?e2n( 0e#2o&0, ?&t La&$annD '2' not tae 2t a0 t%#eaten2n(...l2e

%e a0 (o2n( to %a#$ an?o'.N.T. at >*.

T%e #e$a2ne' 0eate' a0 O""2)e# 7#ove a''#e00e' t%e$ ? lo&'0peae# "#o$ %20

pat#ol S8V. N.T. at >*B. He o#'e#e' Appellant to tn o"" t%e en(2ne an' '#op t%e e0

o&t o" t%e '#2ve#0 02'e 2n'o, an' Appellant )o$pl2e'. N.T. at >*B1*. O""2)e# 7#ove

t%en '2#e)te' Appellant to lean %20 a#$ o&t02'e t%e '#2ve#0 02'e 2n'o, open t%e '#2ve#0

P#e0&$a?l, La&$ann &0e' t%e 5NR a)#on$ "o# ;5epa#t$ent o" Natal Re0o)e0,*B.


6/69

J131-!*D 1 6

02'e 'oo# &02n( t%e eGte#2o# %an'le, 0tep o&t02'e t%e ve%2)le, )lo0e t%e 'oo#, an' 0tan'

2t% %20 %an'0 atop t%e ve%2)le. A(a2n, Appellant )o$pl2e'. N.T. at >*.

W%en O""2)e# 7#ove a0e' 2" t%e#e e#e an pa00en(e#0 2n t%e ve%2)le, Appellant

no''e', an' O""2)e# 7#ove (ave La&$ann t%e 0a$e 2n0t#&)t2on0 "o# eG2t2n( an' pla)2n(

%20 %an'0 on t%e ve%2)le alon(02'e Appellant. N.T. at >*1>-!. A"te# o#'e#2n( t%e $en to

#e$a2n 0t2ll at t%at t2$e, O""2)e# 7#ove #e$a2ne' 2n %20 ve%2)le "o# a?o&t one $2n&te. He

a0e' 2" t%e#e e#e eapon0 2n t%e )a# an', 2" 0o, %e#e, an' Appellant an0e#e' t%e#e

e#e eapon0 2n t%e ?a) 0eat o" t%e )a?. N.T. at >--.

It a0 at t%20 t2$e Appellant %20pe#e' to La&$ann t%at %e %a' a .> on %20 02'e.

N.T. at >-*. La&$ann a#ne' t%e#e a0 not%2n( %e )o&l' 'o a?o&t 2t an' t%at 2t o&l' ?e

'20)ove#e' an' taen aa. N.T. at >-*. O""2)e# 7#ove t%en o#'e#e' Appellant to pla)e

%20 %an'0 on %20 %ea' an' al ?a)a#'0 toa#'0 t%e pat#ol )a#. Appellant a0 a?le to

)o$pl. N.T. at >--, >B. O""2)e# 7#ove app#oa)%e' Appellant an' pla)e' a %an')&"" on

%2$, p#o$pt2n( Appellant to ell W%at '2' I 'oK W% a$ I ?e2n( a##e0te'K N.T. at >-31-.

O""2)e# 7#ove (ave no an0e# an' Appellant ?e(an to #e020t. O""2)e# 7#ove0 vo2)e #o0e,

La&$ann te0t2"2e', a0 %e 200&e' "o o# "2ve )o$$an'0 'n( t%e 0t#&((le "o# Appellant

to (et 'on on t%e (#o&n'. T%e neGt t%2n( La&$ann %ea#' a0 t%e 0o&n' o" (&n0%ot0,

an' La&$ann '#oppe' to t%e (#o&n' ?e%2n' t%e t#&) an' lo0t 02(%t o" t%e en)o&nte#. N.T.

at >->1-6. W%en %e peee' "o# a 0e)on', La&$ann 0a Appellant 0tan'2n( 2n a

?a)a#' lean2n( po0te an' "2#2n( at lea0t t%#ee $o#e 0%ot0 2n #ap2' 0&))e002on 2t% t%e

(&n 2n %20 #2(%t %an' an' #2(%t a#$ "&ll eGten'e'. N.T. at >-B, >3!, >3*, >*. La&$ann

0)#ea$e' Appellant0 na$e an' t%en eve#t%2n( ent 02lent.

W%en La&$ann looe' &p, %e 0a Appellant #20e "#o$ a l2n( po02t2on, #&n "o# %20

t#&), an' 0t&$?le an' "all %2le ell2n( I$ %2t, I$ %2t. N.T. at >33. Appellant #ea)%e'

a#o&n' on t%e (#o&n' nea# t%e '#2ve#0 02'e o" %20 ve%2)le an' "o&n' %20 e0 %e#e %e


7/69

J131-!*D 1 B

'20)a#'e' t%e$ $2n&te0 ?e"o#e a0 2n0t#&)te'. N.T. at >3>. La&$ann 0too' &p an' a0

o#'e#e' ? Appellant to (et 2n t%e p2)1&p. N.T. at >3>. La&$ann t%en looe' ove# at t%e

pat#ol ve%2)le an' )o&l' 0ee O""2)e# 7#ove l2n( 2t% %20 %ea' "a)2n( t%e #ea# t2#e0 an' %20

le(0 po2nte' to t%e $2''le o" t%e #oa'. La&$ann ?oa#'e' t%e p2)1&p an' Appellant

0ta#te' t%e en(2ne, p&t 2t 2n '#2ve, an' 0pe' o"". N.T. at >3>.

Leav2n( t%e 0)ene at ?eteen 6! to ! $2le0 pe# %o, Appellant $a'e n&$e#o&0

tn0 an' nav2(ate' t%e #eal na##o...?&$p an' #eal 2n' pat%a0 %e %a' ea#l2e#

&0e' to (et to Re' Ro) Roa'. N.T. at >36, >3. A0 Appellant '#ove 2n t%20 $anne#,

La&$ann o?0e#ve' %2$ open t%e )ente# )on0ole an' #ea)% a#o&n' to (#a? %at

La&$ann ?el2eve' to ?e a )l2p "o# %20 .>, %2)% al#ea' la on %20 lap a0 %e '#ove. N.T. at

>3. La&$ann ?el2eve' 2t to ?e a )l2p ?e)a&0e Appellant t%e#ea"te# leane' "o#a#' ove#

%20 lap an' La&$ann %ea#' t%e )l2) l2e a 0nap no20e a0 %en a )l2p (et0 p&0%e' 2nto a

%an'(&n. N.T. at >3. La&$ann ept tell2n( Appellant t%at %e ante' to (et o&t o" t%e

p2)1&p, an' a?o&t "o to "2ve $2n&te0 2nto %20 "l2(%t, Appellant 0toppe' at a #al 0top 02(n

an' alloe' La&$ann to (#a? %20 ?elon(2n(0 an' (et o&t o" t%e ve%2)le. N.T. at >3B.

Ho late#, La&$ann 'en2e' nole'(e o" t%e 2n)2'ent %en 2nve0t2(ato#0 v202te'

%20 %o&0e, 0a2n( t%at Appellant %a' '#oppe' %2$ o"" at %20 (2#l"#2en'0 %o&0e at 6:3! p.$.

N.T. at >!. He #e)ante' %20 "al0e 0tate$ent t%e "ollo2n( $o#n2n(, %oeve#, an'

p#ov2'e' 2nve0t2(ato#0 2t% a "&ll ee2tne00 #epo#t o" t%e )#2$e, alt%o&(% %e 2t%%el' an

a'$2002on to %20 %av2n( 2lle' a 'ee# 2t% %20 ?o an' "2#e' at anot%e# 'ee# 2t% a .-- #2"le

&nt2l 9&0t to ee0 ?e"o#e t#2al. N.T. at >1>>!, >>-, >*, 6!-.

W%en a0e' at Appellant0 )ap2tal t#2al %et%e# %e ?el2eve' Appellant a0 '#&n at

an t2$e 'n( t%e event0 o" Nove$?e# **, -!*!, La&$ann an0e#e' no. N.T. at >>3.

Appellant 0ee$e' no#$al an' )a&0e' La&$ann no )on)e#n0 %2le %e '#ove t%#o&(%o&t

t%e even2n(, %e 0a2'. T%e#e e#e t2$e0 %e 2n' o" (2((le' a l2ttle ?2t. T%at0 %en I too


8/69

J131-!*D 1

2t t%at $a?e %e a0 t2p0. L2e I o&l'nt )on02'e# %2$ '#&n, ?&t %e a0 "eel2n( t%e

al)o%ol. N.T. at >>.

Late# 2n %20 te0t2$on, %e ela?o#ate' t%at, to %2$, t2p0 an' ?&e' $eant %al"a

?eteen 0o?e# an' '#&n. N.T. at >B*. He al0o 0tate' %e a0 not 0t#2)tl )o&nt2n( t%e

n&$?e# o" ?ee#0 Appellant '#an an' t%at 02G o# 0even a0 a #o&(% e0t2$ate. N.T. at

>B3. La&$ann #e2te#ate' t%at %2le %e 0a Appellant p&ll t%e )lea# ?a( o" "&ll ?ee# )an0

o&t o" t%e )#ee to )%e) on t%e$, %e neve# 0a Appellant p&ll a ?ee# o&t o" t%e ?a(. N.T.

at >B31B.

T%e "ollo2n( $o#n2n(, at app#oG2$atel :3! a.$., E'$&n' M2lle# a0 '#2v2n(

alon( 2n(%a$ Roa' 2n F#anl2n Ton0%2p 2n %20 o# )apa)2t on %at %e 'e0)#2?e' a0 a

)ool ?&t 0&nn an' plea0ant 'a %en %e 0potte' Appellant l2$p2n( alon( t%e 02'e o" t%e

#oa'. N.T. +->+*- at -!1*. Not no2n( Appellant, M2lle# neve#t%ele00 0toppe' an'

a0e' 2" %e nee'e' a #2'e, ?&t Appellant a)te' ;aloo"< an' '2' not 0ee$ to ant one. N.T.

at -*. M2lle# 0a2' ;o& loo l2e oe %t,< an' Appellant t%en a))epte' %20 2nv2tat2on

"o# a #2'e. N.T. at -*1-. Appellant (ave %20 'e0t2nat2on an' '2#e)te' M2lle# a0 t%e

'#ove. W%en M2lle# a0e' % Appellant a0 l2$p2n(, Appellant eGpla2ne' %e %a'

0l2ppe' on a #o) &p 2n t%e %2ll0. N.T. at -3. M2lle# '#ove t%e app#oG2$atel to $2le0

toa#' Appellant0 O##tanna Roa' %&nt2n( )a?2n, an' a0 %e tne' onto O##tanna Roa',

%e )o&l' 0ee pol2)e )a#0 a%ea'. A?o&t ten pol2)e o""2)e#0 )onve#(e' on %20 t#&) %en

%e 0toppe' 2n t%e '2#t lane lea'2n( to t%e )a?2n, M2lle# 0a2', an' Appellant '2' ;not%2n(. 2t% t%e le"t %an'. N.T. at 3*13--. W%en a0e' %o %e $ana(e' to (#a?

t%e (&n, %e eGpla2ne' t%at, %2le &02n( %20 ?o' to ?lo) O""2)e# 7#ove0 02(%tl2ne to t%e

(&n, %e &0e' %20 le"t %an' to $an2p&late t%e #elea0e on t%e %ol0te#, '#a t%e (&n, an'

t#an0"e# 2t to %20 #2(%t %an' to ?e(2n "2#2n(. N.T. at 3--. He an' O""2)e# 7#ove eG)%an(e'

(&n"2#e, Appellant #epo#te', an' a"te#a#' %e #et#eate' to %20 ve%2)le an' '#ove aa

2t%o&t )%e)2n( on O""2)e# 7#ove0 )on'2t2on. N.T. at 3--13-3.

Appellant 0a2' %e '#ove &p to a #oa' o"" o" Tea?e## an' Mo&nta2n Col' Sp#2n(0

Roa', pa#e' %20 t#&), an' ?e(an t#avel2n( ? "oot. N.T. at 3-. He a0)en'e' a 0teep

0lope 2n t%e oo'0 &nt2l %e #ea)%e' a %2(% pea, an' t%#e %20 .> %an'(&n 'on one

02'e o" t%e pea an' t%#e %20 %ol0te# 'on t%e ot%e# 02'e. N.T. at 3-. He atte$pte' to

t#eat t%e (&n0%ot o&n' to %20 %2p ? )2n)%2n( %20 leat%e# ?elt to a)t a0 a ton2&et, %e

0a2', to p#ov2'e )o$p#e002on to t%e o&n'. N.T. at 3-.

5n( t%20 2n2t2al ten $2n&te 2nte#v2e, T#oope# Nav2t0 "o&n' Appellant0

an0e#0 ;ve# $&)%< #e0pon02ve to t%e &e0t2on0 ?e2n( p&t to %2$. N.T. at 3-B1-.

Appellant '2' not 02$pl an0e# ;e0< o# ;no,< ?&t, 2n0tea' p#ov2'e' 'eta2le' an0e#0

'e$on0t#at2n( an &n'e#0tan'2n( o" t%e &e0t2on0 a0e', t%e t#oope# 0tate'. N.T. at 3-.

Nota?l, T#oope# Nav2t0 te0t2"2e', Appellant (ave no 2n'2)at2on o" eGpe#2en)2n( pa2n o#

'20)o$"o#t 'n( t%e 2nte#v2e. N.T. at 3-. He $a2nta2ne' ee )onta)t t%#o&(%o&t an',

2t appea#e' to T#oope# Nav2t0 2n %20 eGpe#2en)e, 0poe 2n an &n(&a#'e' $anne#

)on020tent 2t% t%e (2v2n( o" t#&t%"&l an0e#0. N.T. at 3-.


11/69

J131-!*D 1 **

T#oope# Nav2t0 pa&0e' t%e 2nte#v2e %en EMS a##2ve' to t#eat an' t#an0po#t

Appellant to a %o0p2tal. N.T. at 3-613-B. He (a2ne' a))e00 to a vo2)e #e)o#'e# 2n t%e

$eant2$e, an' %e an' anot%e# "&ll &n2"o#$e' t#oope# a2te' a?o&t ten $2n&te0 %2le

EMT0 p#epa#e' Appellant. T%e event&all ?oa#'e' t%e a$?&lan)e 2t% t%#ee EMT0

an' Appellant to #e0&$e t%e 2nte#v2e. N.T. at 3-. On)e 2n02'e, T#oope# Nav2t0

?e(an #e)o#'2n( an' %el' t%e #e)o#'e# 2n "#ont o" Appellant %e#e %e )o&l' 0ee 2t. N.T. at

33!133*.

Po#t2on0 o" t%e #e)o#'2n( e#e plae' at t#2al. N.T. at 33B. At t%e o&t0et, Appellant

)an ?e %ea#' 0a2n( ;o&)%, o&)%, o&)%,D< %2)% T#oope# Nav2t0 att#2?&te' to

Appellant0 ?e2n( pla)e' on %20 ?a) on t%e l2tte# )a&02n( %2$ to l2e '2#e)tl on %20 )&""e'

#20t0. N.T. at 33. T%e t#oope#0 #e$ove' t%e )&""0, #epo02t2one' Appellant0 a#$0 to t%e

"#ont o" %20 ?o', an' )&""e' ea)% %an' to t%e nea#e0t 02'e#a2l o" t%e 0t#et)%e# "o# )o$"o#t,

(2v2n( Appellant a?o&t 02G o# e2(%t 2n)%e0 o" $o?2l2t 2t% ea)% a#$. N.T. at 33.

At t%at po2nt, T#oope# Nav2t0 not2)e' t%e EMT p#epa#2n( to a'$2n20te# $o#p%2ne

to Appellant. He )an ?e %ea#' on t%e tape a02n( 2" %e )o&l' %ave "2ve $2n&te0 to #e)o#'

Appellant0 0tate$ent ?e"o#e t%e $o#p%2ne a0 a'$2n20te#e', an' t%e EMT an0e#e'

;t%at0 "2ne.< N.T. at 33.

T#oope# Nav2t0 2tne00e' no )%an(e 2n Appellant0 $ental 0tat&0 'n( t%e

)oe o" %20 2nte##o(at2on. N.T. at 3!. ;He a0 ve# )o%e#ent. He a0 )al$. He a0

attent2ve. He a0 ?e2n( #e0pe)t"&l an' pol2te an' %e a0 an0e#2n( $ &e0t2on0

a))o#'2n(l an' eGpo&n'2n( on %20 an0e#0,D< T#oope# Nav2t0 te0t2"2e'. N.T. at 3!.

T%e #e)o#'e' 0tate$ent ?e(an 2t% t%e &e0t2on: ;e"o#e e 0poe, '2' I #ea' o&

0o$et%2n(K< an' t%e an0e# a0 ;Yea%, M2#an'a #2(%t0.< Appellant )on"2#$e' %e ne

%at M2#an'a #2(%t0 e#e an' 'en2e' %av2n( an 2lle(al '#&(0 2n %20 00te$. N.T. at 3*.


12/69

J131-!*D 1 *-

W%en a0e' %o $an ?ee#0 %e %a' '#&n, Appellant an0e#e' ;to to t%#ee.< N.T. at

3-.

Appellant a)nole'(e' %av2n( po00e00e' t%e .> %an'(&n "o# t%#ee ea#0,

0ta#t2n( 0%o#tl a"te# %20 #elea0e "#o$ p#20on. He an0e#e' &e0t2on0 a?o&t t%e

02l%o&ette ta#(et0 o?0e#ve' at %20 )a?2n an' too )#e'2t "o# t%e )lo0e0t (#o&p2n( o" t%#ee

?&llet %ole0, att#2?&t2n( %20 a))a) "#o$ 3> a#'0 o&t to %av2n( taen a ;no#$al< 0tan)e

2n0tea' o" tn2n( t%e (&n 02'ea0, %2)% %e %a' appa#entl 'one on %20 ot%e# p#a)t2)e

0%ot0. N.T. at 31>. Appellant al0o too )#e'2t "o# 0%oot2n( t%e 'ee# on Re' Ro)

Roa', 0a2n( %e a0 p#ett 0e %20 0%ot %2t 2t0 $a#, an' t%o&(%t t%e 'ee# a0 a

$e)%an2)al 'e)o at "2#0t l2e t%e 2n' %e 0a2' %e %a' 0een on I#on Sp#2n(0 Roa' ?e)a&0e

2t %a' not $ove' a"te# t%e "2#0t 0%ot. N.T. at 3>. W%en a0e' a?o&t t%e %ol0te#e' .> on

%20 le"t %2p, Appellant eGpla2ne' t%at t%e %ol0te# a0 a la)%a ?#an', an(le' on t%e le"t

%2p to allo t%e (&n to (o 0t#a2(%t 2nto t%e #2(%t %an' #ea)%2n( a)#o00 an' 'e02(ne' to

#e&2#e t%e p&0% o" a #elea0e ?&tton ?e"o#e one '#a0 0o t%e (&n ont "all. N.T. at 36.

T%e neGt po#t2on o" t%e #e)o#'e' 2nte#v2e 2nvolve' T#oope# Nav2t0 not2n(

Appellant0 #e&e0t to tn t%e tape #e)o#'e# o"" 0o %e )o&l' a''#e00 a top2) o"" t%e #e)o#'.

T#oope# Nav2t0 late# eGpla2ne' at t#2al t%at Appellant 20%e' to a'v20e t%e t#oope# o"

Ran La&$ann0 pa#t2)2pat2on 2n t%e poa)%2n( o" a 'ee# t%e n2(%t ?e"o#e. N.T. at 3.

T#oope# Nav2t0 )on"2#$e' on )#o001eGa$2nat2on t%at Appellant0 2n2t2al 0tate$ent

an' %20 #e)o#'e' 0tate$ent e#e e00ent2all 2'ent2)al. No%e#e 2n e2t%e# 0tate$ent, t%e

t#oope# te0t2"2e', '2' Appellant eGpl2)2tl a'$2t t%at %e atte$pte' to 0%oot '2#e)tl at o# 2ll

O""2)e# 7#ove. N.T. at 3>.

5o)to# e#n M2)%ael H&(%e0, Yo# Ho0p2tal 0ta"" t#a&$a 0(eon te0t2"2e' t%at at

a?o&t **:!! a.$. on t%e $o#n2n( o" Nove$?e# *-, -!*!, Appellant a0 ?#o&(%t to %20

t#a&$a &n2t "o# t%e po002?2l2t o" a 0e#2o&0 (&n1#elate' 2n9. N.T. at 36. H20 v2tal 02(n0


13/69


14/69

J131-!*D 1 *

T#2al )o$$en)e' 2n t%e Cot o" Co$$on Plea0 o" A'a$0 Co&nt on Septe$?e#

-, -!*-, 2t% t%e Hono#a?le M2)%ael A. 7eo#(e p#e02'2n(. On O)to?e# 3, -!*-, t%e 9

#etne' a (&2lt ve#'2)t on t%e )%a#(e o" $'e# 2n t%e "2#0t 'e(#ee an' #elate' )%a#(e0.

T%e )a0e p#o)ee'e' to penalt p%a0e %e#e t%e Co$$onealt% 0o&(%t t%e 'eat%

penalt on "o a((#avat2n( "a)to#0: t%at t%e v2)t2$ a0 a la en"o#)e$ent o""2)2al, -

Pa.C.S. = B**/'4/*4@ t%at t%e v2)t2$ a0 a p#o0e)&t2on 2tne00 2lle' "o# t%e ppo0e o"

p#e0ent2n( %20 te0t2$on, = B**/'4/>4@ t%at t%e 2ll2n( %appene' %2le 2n t%e pe#pet#at2on

o" a "elon, = B**/'4/64@ an' t%at t%e 'e"en'ant %a' a 02(n2"2)ant %20to# o" "elon

)onv2)t2on0 2nvolv2n( t%e &0e o# t%#eat o" v2olen)e to t%e pe#0on, = B**/'4/4.

Appellant0 p#o""e# "o)&0e' on %20 lov2n( #elat2on0%2p 2t% "#2en'0 an' "a$2l, 2n pa#t2)&la#

%20 n2ne ea# ol' 'a&(%te#, Ja0$2ne, an' t%e 0&?0tant2al 2$pa2#$ent %e eGpe#2en)e' "#o$

al)o%ol )on0&$pt2on. At t%e )on)l&02on o" t%e penalt p%a0e, t%e 9 "o&n' to

a((#avat2n( )2#)&$0tan)e011t%at t%e v2)t2$ a0 a la en"o#)e$ent o""2)e# an' t%at t%e

2ll2n( o))#e' %2le 2n t%e pe#pet#at2on o" a "elon11%e#ea0 onl one $2t2(at2n(

)2#)&$0tan)e a0 "o&n', t%e )at)%1all at - Pa.C.S. = B**/e4/4. Con)l&'2n(

&nan2$o&0l t%at t%e a((#avat2n( )2#)&$0tan)e0 o&te2(%e' t%e $2t2(at2n(

)2#)&$0tan)e0, t%e 9 0enten)e' Appellant to 'eat% "o# t%e $'e# o" O""2)e# 7#ove.

T%e t#2al )ot 0&?0e&entl 'en2e' Appellant0 $ot2on "o# #e)on02'e#at2on on

O)to?e# *>, -!*-. T%20 '2#e)t appeal "olloe', 2n %2)% Appellant #a20e0

t%#ee (&2lt1p%a0e 200&e0 an' 02G penalt p%a0e 200&e0 "o# o #ev2e.

I. S())*!*$+! ) /$ E*$+!$ ) F*' D$'$$ M('$' C+*!*+.

e"o#e a''#e002n( Appellant0 en&$e#ate' 200&e0, e )on02'e#, a0 e $&0t 2n all

)ap2tal )a0e0, %et%e# t%e ev2'en)e 20 0&""2)2ent to 0&ppo#t t%e )onv2)t2on0 o" "2#0t 'e(#ee

$'e#. Co$$onealt% v. ettle$oe#, > A.-' 3B, - n.3 /Pa. *-4. e)a&0e


15/69

J131-!*D 1 *>

ev2'ent2a# 0&""2)2en) p#e0ent0 a &e0t2on o" la, o 0tan'a#' o" #ev2e 20 de novoan'

o 0)ope o" #ev2e 20 plena#. Co$$onealt% v. San)%e, 36 A.3'. -, 3B /Pa. -!**4.

;In #ev2e2n( t%e 0&""2)2en) o" t%e ev2'en)e, e $&0t 'ete#$2ne %et%e# t%e

ev2'en)e a'$2tte' at t#2al, an' all #ea0ona?le 2n"e#en)e0 '#an "#o$ t%at ev2'en)e, %en

v2ee' 2n t%e l2(%t $o0t "avo#a?le to t%e Co$$onealt% a0 ve#'2)t 2nne#, a0 0&""2)2ent

to ena?le t%e "a)t "2n'e# to )on)l&'e t%at t%e Co$$onealt% e0ta?l20%e' all o" t%e

ele$ent0 o" t%e o""en0e ?eon' a #ea0ona?le 'o&?t.< Co$$onealt% v. Fea#0, 36 A.-'

>-, >> /Pa. -!!34. T%e Co$$onealt% $a 0&0ta2n t%20 ?'en ? $ean0 o" %oll

)2#)&$0tant2al ev2'en)e. Co$$onealt% v. Montalvo,>6 A.-' -6, 3- /Pa. -!!4.

To o?ta2n a )onv2)t2on o" "2#0t 'e(#ee $'e#, t%e Co$$onealt% $&0t

p#ove t%at a %&$an ?e2n( a0 &nla"&ll 2lle', t%at t%e 'e"en'antpe#pet#ate' t%e 2ll2n(, an' t%at t%e 'e"en'ant a)te' 2t% $al2)e an' a0pe)2"2) 2ntent to 2ll. Co$$onealt% v. enne', D > A.-' *6, -!/Pa.D -!!4. Se)t2on ->!- o" t%e C#2$e0 Co'e 'e"2ne0 $'e# o" t%e "2#0t'e(#ee a0 an ;2ntent2onal 2ll2n(,< * Pa.C.S. = ->!-/a4, %2)%, 2n tn, 20'e"2ne' a0 a ;D2ll2n( ? $ean0 o" po20on, o# ? l2n( 2n a2t, o# ? an ot%e#2n' o" 2ll"&l, 'el2?e#ate an' p#e$e'2tate' 2ll2n(.< I'.at = ->!-/'4. It 20ell10ettle' t%at 0pe)2"2) 2ntent to 2ll )an ?e e0ta?l20%e' t%#o&(%

)2#)&$0tant2al ev2'en)e 0&)% a0 t%e &0e o" a 'ea'l eapon on a v2tal pa#to" t%e v2)t2$0 ?o'. Co$$onealt% v. Re(a, D 33 A.-' B, *!! /Pa.D-!!B4.

Co$$onealt% v. 52a$on', 3 A.3' **, *-6 /Pa. -!*34.

T%e ev2'en)e a0 0et "o#t% a?ove an' a'$2tte' 2n Appellant0 9 t#2al 0&""2)e' to

0&ppo#t %20 )onv2)t2on o" "2#0t 'e(#ee $'e#. ot% Appellant0 an' Ran La&$ann0

0tate$ent0 2'ent2"2e' Appellant a0 t%e $an %o 0%ot O""2)e# 7#ove a"te# $a2n( t%e

)on02'e#e' 'e)202on t%at %e o&l' not (o ?a) to p#20on. In t%at #e0pe)t, La&$ann

p#ov2'e' ee2tne00 te0t2$on t%o#o&(%l 'eta2l2n( t%e )2#)&$0tan)e0 2n %2)% Appellant

0%ot O""2)e# 7#ove $&lt2ple t2$e0, 2n)l&'2n( a "atal 0%ot to t%e ne).

Appellant al0o 'e$on0t#ate' no p%02)al o# $ental 2$pa2#$ent "#o$ al)o%ol &p to

an' 2n)l&'2n( t%e t2$e o" t%e 0%oot2n(, 2n La&$ann0 op2n2on, a0 Appellant a)te' an'


16/69

J131-!*D 1 *6

)o$$&n2)ate' 2n a no#$al $anne#. He a0 a?le to nav2(ate na##o, 2n' #oa'0 %2le

a2$2n( a 0potl2(%t an' to 0%oot a))atel at 'ee# %2le %ol'2n( a l2(%t "#o$ 2n02'e %20

t#&). He p&lle' ove# at t%e "2#0t ava2la?le 0a"e 0pot %en O""2)e# 7#ove %a' a)t2vate' %20

ove#%ea' l2(%t0. He 0tate' )lea#l t%at %e &n'e#0too' La&$ann0 )on)e#n a?o&t t%e2#

2$pen'2n( a##e0t "o# poa)%2n(, ?&t )al$l 0a2' %e a0 not (o2n( ?a) to p#20on. He a0

a?le to &n'e#0tan' an' eGe)&te O""2)e# 7#ove0 p%02)all 'e$an'2n( o#'e#0 to eG2t t%e

ve%2)le 2n a )o&nte#2nt&2t2ve a an' al ?a)a#'0 toa#' t%e o""2)e# 2t% %20 %an'0

atop %20 %ea'. He eG%2?2te' )oo#'2nat2on an' 'eGte#2t 2n "#ee2n( %20 )&""e' #2(%t %an'

"#o$ t%e o""2)e# %2le 02$&ltaneo&0l p#e002n( t%e #elea0e ?&tton to %20 %ol0te# 2t% %20 le"t

%an', '#a2n( %20 (&n, an' 02t)%2n( 2t to %20 #2(%t %an' to )o$$en)e "2#2n( at O""2)e#

7#ove. He avo2'e' )#a0%2n( t%e p2)1&p 'n( %20 %2(%10pee' "l2(%t "#o$ t%e 0)ene, an'

%e %ono#e' La&$ann0 #e&e0t to ?e let o&t o" t%e p2)1&p t#&) ? )o$2n( to a 0top at a

#al 0top 02(n an' allo2n( La&$ann to (at%e# %20 ?elon(2n(0 an' eG2t t%e p2)1&p.

Appellant (ave a 0tate$ent t%e "ollo2n( $o#n2n( t%at not onl )onta2ne'

2n)#2$2nat2n( )ontent ?&t al0o '20plae' een #e)olle)t2on o" 0e&en)e an' 'eta2l a?o&t

t%e p#2o# even2n(, pe#$2tt2n( t%e #ea0ona?le 2n"e#en)e t%at '#2n '2' not a""e)t %20 "a)&lt2e0

2n an a pe#t2nent to t%e ele$ent o" "o#$2n( 0pe)2"2) 2ntent. H20 a'$2tte'l ?a'

'e)202on0 le' to O""2)e# 7#ove0 'eat%, Appellant )on"e00e' to T#oope# Nav2t0, an' %e

p#ov2'e' an a))o&nt #e"le)t2n( a $2n'0et 'n( t%e en)o&nte# t%at a0 a?le to ?ot%

app#e)2ate t%e 2$pl2)at2on0 o" %20 poa)%2n( an' (&n po00e002on an' 'el2?e#ate ove# %20

opt2on0 an' &n'e#0tan' t%e2# #e0pe)t2ve )on0e&en)e0. One eGa$ple o" t%e latte# 20

%en %e )on02'e#e' t#2n( to %2'e %20 .> "#o$ O""2)e# 7#ove ? to002n( 2t &n'e# t%e p2)&p

t#&) a0 %e 0too' alon(02'e 2t, %e 0a2' 2n %20 0tate$ent p#e0&$a?l to 0%o %e %a'

t%o&(%t o" non1)on"#ontat2onal po002?2l2t2e0. He )lea#l #e9e)te' t%20 opt2on a0 "&t2le,

%oeve#, )%oo02n( 2n0tea' to en(a(e O""2)e# 7#ove 2n v2olen)e to avo2' a##e0t.


17/69

J131-!*D 1 *B

On t%e 200&e o" Appellant0 al)o%ol &0e on t%e n2(%t 2n &e0t2on an' to %at eGtent,

2" an, 2t a""e)te' %20 0tate o" $2n' at t%e t2$e o" t%e 0%oot2n(, t%e Co$$onealt%0

toG2)olo( eGpe#t, J. Wa#' 5onovan, M.5., op2ne' to a #ea0ona?le 'e(#ee o" $e'2)al

)e#ta2nt t%at Appellant ;a0 "&ll )apa?le o" "o#$2n( 2ntent an' %a' )apa?2l2t o" #at2onal

9&'($ent.< N.T. +-+*- at *!6B. Spe)2"2)all, even %en "a)to#2n( Appellant0 ;?&e' to .-- pe#)ent, 5#. Wa#'

2nte#p#ete' Appellant0 p%02)al 'ee'0 an' 0tate$ent0 at t%e )#2t2)al t2$e pe#2o', alon(

2t% %20 )lea# $e$o# o" t%e ent2#e even2n( a0 'e$on0t#at2n( %2(%e# )o(n2t2ve "&n)t2on2n(

)on020tent 2t% an 2nta)t $ental 0tate )apa?le o" "o#$2n( 0pe)2"2) 2ntent. N.T. +-+*- at

*!61*!6. F2nall, t%e a&top0 #epo#t an' ?all20t2)0 ev2'en)e p#ov2'e' "t%e# ev2'en)e

e0ta?l20%2n( t%at a$on( t%e 0even 0%ot0 Appellant "2#e' at O""2)e# 7#ove "#o$ )lo0e

#an(e, t%#ee 0t#&) t%e o""2)e#, 2n)l&'2n( a "atal one to a v2tal pa#t o" t%e ?o'11t%e o""2)e#0

ne). A))o#'2n(l, e )on)l&'e t%e#e a0 0&""2)2ent ev2'en)e e0ta?l20%2n( t%at

Appellant 0%ot O""2)e# 7#ove to 'eat% 2t% $al2)e an' t%e 0pe)2"2) 2ntent to 2ll.

II. P$+5-P/$ A%**+ ) R$&(5 E*$+!$

Appellant a#(&e0 t%at t%e loe# )ot e##e' 2n a'$2tt2n( a 0even ea#1ol'

)onv2)t2on "o# En'an(e#2n( t%e Wel"a#e o" a C%2l'11%20 t%en "oteen $ont%1ol' 'a&(%te#,

Ja0$2ne11a0 #e?&ttal to %20 Se)t2on B**/e4/4 ;)at)% all< $2t2(at2on p#o""e# t%at %e

)#entl 0%a#e0 a )lo0e an' lov2n( #elat2on0%2p 2t% no e2(%t ea#1ol' Ja0$2ne,

e0pe)2all %e#e 0&)% ev2'en)e a0 a'$2tte' 2t%o&t "t%e# l2$2t2n( 2n0t#&)t2on. T%e

#e?&ttal ev2'en)e not onl 2n"la$e' t%e pa002on0 o" t%e 9 ? 2n"o#$2n( 2t t%at %e %a'

'#2ven ove# *!! $2le0 pe# %o 2t% %20 to''le# 'a&(%te# 2n t%e )a#, Appellant )onten'0,

?&t al0o "a2le' t%e te0t o" #elevan), a0 2t 2nvolve' an a)t "a# too #e$ote 2n t2$e "#o$ t%e


18/69

J131-!*D 1 *

0pe)2"2) 'e"en0e p#o""e# t%at Appellant currentlyo""e#0 02(n2"2)ant e$ot2onal 0&ppo#t to %20

'a&(%te# an' o&l' )ont2n&e to 'o 0o %2le 2n)a#)e#ate'. N.T. at *>. A0 0&)%, t%e

)ot0 'en2al o" Appellant0 $ot2on in limine 0ee2n( eG)l&02on o" t%e p#2o# o""en0e

)on0t2t&te' #eve#02?le e##o# &n'e# R&le0 o" Ev2'en)e ! an' !3, a0 ell a0 &n'e# t%e

E2(%t% an' Foteent% A$en'$ent0, Appellant a00e#t0.

T%e Co$$onealt% #e0pon'0 t%at t%e t#2al )ot p#ope#l a'$2tte' t%e #e?&ttal

ev2'en)e ?e)a&0e Appellant0 Se)t2on B**/e4/4 p#e0entat2on ent "a# ?eon' t%e

)#ent pa#ent1)%2l' #elat2on0%2p %en 2t 2n)l&'e' te0t2$on 'e0)#2?2n(, an' a 0l2'e 0%o

'ep2)t2n(, t%e2# #elat2on0%2p "#o$ ea#0 a(o, )lo0e 2n t2$e to t%e -!!> o""en0e. A0 0&)%,

t%e $2t2(at2on p#o""e# a0 0&?9e)t to )%allen(e 2t% #e0pe)t to 2t0 0&((e0t2on t%at

Appellant a0 a #e0pon02?le, lov2n( "at%e# t%#o&(%o&t t%e )oe o" %20 pa#ent%oo',

a#(&e0 t%e Co$$onealt%.

T%e 0tan'a#' o" #ev2e "o# t%e 'en2al o" a $ot2on in limine 20 an a?&0e o" '20)#et2on.

Co$$onealt% v. Ro0en, - A.3' , 3 /Pa. -!*-4. ;An a?&0e o" '20)#et2on 20 $o#e

t%an 9&0t an e##o# 2n 9&'($ent an', on appeal, t%e t#2al )ot 2ll not ?e "o&n' to %ave

a?&0e' 2t0 '20)#et2on &nle00 t%e #e)o#' '20)lo0e0 t%at t%e 9&'($ent eGe#)20e' a0

$an2"e0tl &n#ea0ona?le, o# t%e #e0&lt o" pa#t2al2t, p#e9&'2)e, ?2a0 o# 2ll12ll.6. On )#o001eGa$2nat2on,

0%e a0 a0e' %et%e# 0%e ne o" %20 -!!> )onv2)t2on "o# an 2n)2'ent 2n %2)% %e a0

en(a(e' 2n a %2(% 0pee' )%a0e 2t% t%e pol2)e %2le %20 'a&(%te# a0 2n t%e ?a) 0eat, to

%2)% 7a#'e #e0pon'e' ;no, I a0nt aa#e o" t%at. It 'oe0nt )%an(e $ op2n2on,


19/69

J131-!*D 1 *

t%o&(%.< N.T. *>. To t%e &e0t2on o" %et%e# 0%e o&l' 0t2ll )on02'e# Appellant a ve#

(oo', lov2n(, #e0pon02?le "at%e#, 7a#'e #epl2e' ;Well, $a?e eG)ept "o# t%at one 2n)2'ent.

T%e#e0 a lot $o#e to ?e2n( a "at%e# t%an 9&0t one 02n(le 2n)2'ent. N.T. at *>.

Appellant0 o&n(e# 020te#, #an' Jo%n0on, 'e0)#2?e' t%e lov2n( #elat2on0%2p

?eteen Appellant an' Ja0$2ne, 0a2n( ;0D%e0 ala0 ?een 'a''0 (2#l 02n)e t%e 'a

0%e a0 ?o#n. C%#20top%e# o&l' 'o ant%2n( "o# %e#.< N.T. at *>>>. 5n( %e#

te0t2$on, a v2'eo a0 plae' 'ep2)t2n( Ja0$2ne0 t%2#' ?2#t%'a pa#t %2le #an'

Jo%n0on na##ate' 0)ene0 eGpla2n2n( %o Appellant (ot t%e )ae, p#epa#e' t%e %ole 'a

?e"o#e%an', an' 'ote' on Ja0$2ne at t%e pa#t 2n a va#2et o" a0. N.T. at *>>1>.

#an' al0o 'e0)#2?e' %o Appellant %elpe' #a20e %e# 0on an' ;ta&(%t %2$ %o to ?e a

?o< 'n( t%20 0a$e t2$e"#a$e. ;He o&l' 'o ant%2n( "o# t%e$ to l2ttle ?a?2e0,D6!16*. S%e al0o te0t2"2e' a0 to %o Appellant too ?ette# )a#e

o" %e# t%an t%e2# "at%e# '2' %en t%e e#e )%2l'#en (#o2n( &p to(et%e#. N.T. *>B-.

Appellant0 $ot%e#, 2$?e#l Toppe#, (ave eGten02ve te0t2$on a?o&t Appellant0

%20to# a0 a "at%e# 0ta#t2n( "#o$ t%e 'a Ja0$2ne a0 ?o#n: ;I )o&l' 0ee t%e l2(%t0 2n %20

ee0 a0 02)D l2e t%e l2(%t0. I )o&l' 0ee t%e ?ea&t t%at %e 0a 2n %e# l2e t%e 'a %e

a0 ?o#n t%at I 0a 2n %2$.< N.T. at *!1*. Toppe# 'e0)#2?e' %o Appellant a00&$e'

p#2$a# #e0pon02?2l2t "o# Ja0$2ne0 e$ot2onal an' "2nan)2al 0&ppo#t %en Ja0$2ne a0

a#o&n' one ea# ol' ?e)a&0e o" t%e $ot%e#0 '#&( &02n( l2"e0tle:

[TOPPER]: ;He o&l' 0a, $o$, I )ant eep $ ee0 open an$o#e.He 0a0,Im afraid Jasmine is going to get hurt. Can o& )o$e %e#e an'

9&0t let $e (et an %o 02)D 0leep, to %o, 0o$et%2n( l2e t%at an' I'

(o (et %e# an' ?#2n( %e# ?a) to o# 2t% $e. . . . So$et2$e0 I' %ave toa2t &nt2l I (ot o"" o# at t%#ee o# "o 0o %e )o&l' (et a )o&ple %o 0leep?e"o#e %e %a' to (o ?a) to o# an' 0o$et2$e0 0%e' 0%o &p 9&0t ?e"o#e%e %a' to (o to o#. S%e o&l' ?e o&t, o& no, 0%e a0 #&nn2n(a#o&n' 2t% "#2en'0 an' 11


20/69

J131-!*D 1 -!

N.T. at *- /e$p%a020 a''e'4. Toppe# al0o na##ate' a 0l2'e 0%o %2)% 2n)l&'e'

p%oto0 'ep2)t2n(, a$on( ot%e# t%2n(0, Appellant an' Ja0$2ne to(et%e# 2n %e# "2#0t ea#0.

N.T. at *1*>!!.

T%e t#2al )ot0 #&l2n( a0 )o##e)t, a0 t%e #e)o#' )on"2#$0 Appellant0 p#o""e# a0

not )on"2ne' to %20 )#ent #elat2on0%2p 2t% %20 'a&(%te# ?&t eGten'e' ell ?a) to a t2$e

p#oG2$ate to %20 -!!> o""en0e. Te0t2$on #e"e##e' to %20 pa#ent2n( t%#o&(% t%e ea#0,

%2le ot%e# 2tne00e0 'e0)#2?e' %20 'a&(%te# a0 %av2n( ?een ;'a''0 (2#l 02n)e t%e 'a

0%e a0 ?o#n.< N.T. *>>>. A''2t2onal )%a#a)te# ev2'en)e po#t#a2n( Appellant a0 a $an

non to ?e lov2n( an' #el2(2o&0, 2n' an' %elp"&l to ne2(%?o#0, an' %o0e ?e%av2o# &p to

t%e t2$e o" t%e $'e# %a' ?een non1a00a&lt2ve, al0o $a'e #elevant #e?&ttal ev2'en)e

#eveal2n( a $o$ent 2n t%20 t2$e pe#2o' %e#e Appellant po0e' a 0e#2o&0 t%#eat to %20 )%2l'

2t% )on'&)t $a#e' ? a '20#e(a#' "o# %e# 0a"et an' el"a#e.

Cont#a# to Appellant0 )ontent2on, t%e#e"o#e, a'$2002on o" Appellant0 -!!>

En'an(e#2n( t%e Wel"a#e o" a C%2l' )onv2)t2on a0 #elevant #e0pon0e to %20 0&?0e)t2on

/e4/4 p#o""e#, a0 2t ?o#e &pon $2t2(at2on ev2'en)e o""e#e' to 0%o Appellant a0 a lov2n(

an' )a#2n( "at%e# t%#o&(%o&t Ja0$2ne0 l2"e.6 To Appellant0 Pa.R.E. !3 a#(&$ent t%at

t%e 'an(e# o" &n"a2# p#e9&'2)e a#202n( "#o$ ev2'en)e o" %20 p#2o# )onv2)t2on o&te2(%e' 2t0

p#o?at2ve val&e 2t% #e0pe)t to t%e 200&e o" Appellant0 %20to# a0 a lov2n(, )a#2n(, an'

0el"le00 pa#ent, ell1taen 20 t%e t#2al )ot0 #e0pon0e t%at an p#e9&'2)e 2n t%e a'$2002on

a0 not an &n"a2# #e0&lt o" a 9 potent2al e$ot2onal #e0pon0e ?&t a0, 2n0tea', a "a2#

#e0&lt "#o$ t%e nate o" Appellant0 a)t 2t0el". N.T. at *36.B We t%&0 "2n' no $e#2t to t%20

)la2$.

6 A0 0&)%, e 'ee$ $e#2tle00 Appellant0 a#(&$ent t%at a'$2002on o" %20 p#2o# )onv2)t2ona$o&nte' to t%e 2nt#o'&)t2on o" a non10tat&to#, a''2t2onal a((#avat2n( )2#)&$0tan)e t%at&n'&l ;o?l2te#ate'< %20 $2t2(at2on p#o""e#. P#ope#l a'$2tte' #e?&ttal ev2'en)e 'oe0 not"all &n'e# 0&)% )ate(o#. See Co$$onealt% v. Le0o, *> A.3' 3>, 3! /Pa. -!**4.

/)ont2n&e'Q4


21/69

J131-!*D 1 -*

III. P$+5 P/$ I+'(!*+ + /$ A665*!&5$ S+' ) R$*$7 )'V5(+' I+8*!*+ M***+ F!'

Appellant neGt a00e#t0 t%e 0enten)2n( )ot e##oneo&0l )%a#(e' t%e 9 t%at t%e

0a$e 0tan'a#' appl2)a?le 2n t%e (&2lt p%a0e 'ete#$2nat2on o" %et%e# 2ntoG2)at2on

'2$2n20%e' Appellant0 )apa)2t to "o#$ t%e 0pe)2"2) 2ntent to 2ll al0o appl2e' 2n t%e penalt

p%a0e 'ete#$2nat2on o" %et%e# %20 vol&nta# 2ntoG2)at2on 0e#ve' a0 a $2t2(at2n(

)2#)&$0tan)e &n'e# e2t%e# - Pa.C.S. = B**/e4/34 an' t%e ;)at)%1all< $2t2(ato# o" -

Pa.C.S. = B**/e4/4. In 0o e&at2n( t%e penalt 0tan'a#' 2t% a (&2lt 0tan'a#' t%e 9

%a' al#ea' appl2e' to #e9e)t %20 vol&nta# 2ntoG2)at2on 'e"en0e, Appellant )onten'0, t%e

loe# )ot ;)ate(o#2)all ?a##e' t%e penalt1p%a0e 9 "#o$ )on02'e#2n(< %20 %eav

)on0&$pt2on o" al)o%ol on t%e 'a o" t%e $'e# a0 a $2t2(at2n( "a)to#an' t%&0 'en2e'

%2$ %20 #2(%t0 &n'e# t%e Penn0lvan2a 'eat% penalt 0tat&te an' t%e E2(%t% an'

/Q)ont2n&e'4B Appellant #a20e0 an a'9&n)t a#(&$ent t%at a l2$2t2n( 2n0t#&)t2on a0 #e&2#e' to )e t%e2n"la$$ato# e""e)t t%at a'$2002on o" %20 p#2o# )onv2)t2on alle(e'l %a' on t%e 9.

Appellant a2ve' t%20 )la2$ t%#o&(% %20 02len)e 'n( ?ot% t%e a'$2002on o" t%e ev2'en)ean' at t%e )on)l&02on o" 9 2n0t#&)t2on0, pa#t2)&la#l 2n l2(%t o" t%e )ot0 p#e1%ea#2n(a00an)e t%at 2t o&l' (2ve a l2$2t2n( 2n0t#&)t2on ;at Appellant0 #e&e0t< 0%o&l' t%eCo$$onealt% o""e# 2nto ev2'en)e %20 p#2o# )onv2)t2on. See Co$$onealt% v. Jo%n0on,66 A.-' B, *! /Pa. *>4 /'ee$2n( a2ve' appellant0 )la2$ o" e##oneo&0 o$2002on o"a )at2ve 2n0t#&)t2on %en appellant "a2le' to p&e t%e 2n0t#&)t2on4. Mo#eove#,Pa.R.A.P. *-> a2ve# appl2e0, a0 Appellant "a2le' to 2n)l&'e t%20 )la2$ 2n %20 )on)20e0tate$ent o" $atte#0 )o$pla2ne' o" on appeal. See Co$$onealt% v. Lo#',>>3 Pa. *>,B* A.-' 3!6 /*4 /%ol'2n( 200&e0 not #a20e' 2n R&le *-> )on)20e 0tate$ent a#ea2ve'4.

= B**/e4/34 p#ov2'e0 "o# a $2t2(at2n( )2#)&$0tan)e %en ;tD%e )apa)2t o" t%e

'e"en'ant to app#e)2ate t%e )#2$2nal2t o" %20 )on'&)t o# to )on"o#$ %20 )on'&)t to t%e#e&2#e$ent0 o" la a0 0&?0tant2all 2$pa2#e'.*-, >- n. * /Pa. -!**4.*!

See Co$$onealt% v. Spot, B A.3' 63, **B /Pa. -!*-4

*! In 72?0on, t%20 Cot #e)o(n2e' t%at 0&?0tant2al 2$pa2#$ent o" e2t%e# )apa)2t a0

0tate' '209&n)t2vel 2n 0&?0e)t2on /e4/34, 2.e., )apa)2t to app#e)2ate t%e )#2$2nal2t o" one0

)on'&)t o# to )on"o#$ one0 )on'&)t to t%e #e&2#e$ent0 o" t%e la, )o&l' 0tan' alone a0

a $ean0 ? %2)% to 0e)e t%e $2t2(ato#: ;T%e#e 20 no '20p&te t%at Appellee

app#e)2ate' t%e )#2$2nal2t o" %20 )on'&)t, "o# #ea0on0 al#ea' eGpla2ne'. T%e onl

&e0t2on 20 t%e 'e(#ee to %2)% t%e PCRA ev2'en)e o&l' %ave 'e$on0t#ate' to t%e 9

t%at Appellee a0 0&?0tant2all 2$pa2#e' 2n %20 )apa)2t to )on"o#$ to t%e la.< I'. at

>-1-. T%o&(% #e)o(n22n( a )on)ept&al '2""e#en)e ?eteen t%e to 0&?0e)t2on /e4/34

eGp#e002on0, e 0t2ll a)nole'(e' appl2)at2on o" t%e 0a$e ev2'ent2a# 0tan'a#' to ?ot%.

A0 0&)%, 2n 0pe)2"2)all a00e002n( t%e appellee+'e"en'ant0 )apa)2t to )on"o#$ to t%e

la, e appl2e', ove# t%e appellee0 oppo02n( a#(&$ent, t%e (&2lt1p%a0e vol&nta#

2ntoG2)at2on 'e"en0e 0tan'a#' 2n a))o#'an)e 2t% ?2n'2n( p#e)e'ent t%at lo(2)al

p#e)l&02on appl2e' (2ven t%e "a)t0 o" t%e )a0e. I'. at >- /)2t2n( Co$$onealt% v. Flo#,

A.-' 6!6, 6-B n. B /Pa. -!*!4 /#e)o(n22n( t%at, to 'e$on0t#ate t%e /e4/34 $2t2(ato#

?a0e' on vol&nta# 2ntoG2)at2on, t%e 'e"en'ant $&0t %ave ?een ;ove#%el$e' o#

/)ont2n&e'Q4


23/69

J131-!*D 1 -3

/#e)o(n22n( "2#0t 'e(#ee $'e# )onv2)t2on lo(2)all p#e)l&'e0 appl2)at2on o" t%e /e4/34

$2t2(ato#4@ Ma#2nell2, *! A.-' at *-BB /appl2n( (&2lt p%a0e 0tan'a#' "o# vol&nta#

2ntoG2)at2on 2n penalt p%a0e4. ** In 0o 'o2n(, o Cot e""e)t2vel appl2e'

2nte#)%an(ea?l ?eteen (&2lt p%a0e an' penalt p%a0e t%e 0tan'a#' t%at a 'e"en'ant

$&0t 0%o %e a0 0o ove#%el$e' ? 2ntoG2)at2on a0 to ?e 2n)apa?le o" "o#$2n( t%e

0pe)2"2) 2ntent to 2ll at t%e t2$e o" t%e $'e#.

T%e Co$$onealt% "2#0t #e0pon'0 t%at Appellant a2ve' t%20 )la2$ ? $a2n( a

va(&e an' &n'evelope' o?9e)t2on to t%e 9 )%a#(e. ?ot% o?9e)t2n( a$?2(&o&0l at

02'e1?a# t%at t%e )%a#(e 2$pl2)ate' ;one o" o $2t2(ato#0< an' #e"&02n( t%e )ot0

2nv2tat2on to eGpl2)ate, an0e#2n( 2n0tea', ;t%at0 2t, t%an o&, J&'(e,D< Appellant "atall

/Q)ont2n&e'4ove#poe#e' ? al)o%ol to t%e po2nt o" lo02n( %20 "a)&lt2e0 0o a0 to ?e 2n)apa?le o" "o#$2n(

a 0pe)2"2) 2ntent to 2ll3*, n.*.

It 20 2n l2(%t o" t%20 p#e)e'ent t%at e )on02'e#, infra, Appellant0 &n'e#l2n( &e0t2on o"%et%e# t%e 0e)on' pa#t o" t%e /e4/34 $2t2(ato#11#e(a#'2n( a 0&?0tant2all 2$pa2#e')apa)2t to )on"o#$ one0 )on'&)t to t%e #e&2#e$ent0 o" t%e la112$po0e0 a le000t#2n(ent 0tan'a#' t%an t%e (&2lt p%a0e 0tan'a#' on 0pe)2"2) 2ntent a#t2)&late' a?ove.

**O 9p#&'en)e o&l' 0ee$ to allo t%at eG)ept2on0 to o o?0e#vat2on on lo(2)alp#e)l&02on $a atten' 2n0tan)e0 %e#e t%e penalt p%a0e 'e"en'ant 2nt#o'&)e0 a (#eate#&ant&$ o# &al2t o" vol&nta# 2ntoG2)at2on ev2'en)e t%an %e '2' 2n t%e (&2lt12nno)en)ep%a0e. Fo# eGa$ple, a penalt1p%a0e 'e"en'ant $a ele)t to a?an'on a "a2le'(&2lt1p%a0e ;$20taen 2'ent2t+al2?2< 'e"en0e, to %2)% 2ntoG2)at2on ev2'en)e o&l' %ave?een 2##elevant, an' p#e00 an /e4/34 $2t2(at2on )a0e t%#o&(% ev2'en)e o" %20 2ntoG2)ate'0tate at t%e t2$e o" t%e $'e#. So, too, $a a (ene#al (&2lt1p%a0e 0t#ate( o" "o#e(o2n(a vol&nta# 2ntoG2)at2on 'e"en0e ?e)a&0e o" 2t0 potent2al to 0pan a've#0e )%a#a)te#

9&'($ent0, 0ee 72?0on at >-B /)olle)t2n( )a0e0 #e)o(n22n( a((#avat2n( e""e)t o"vol&nta# 2ntoG2)at2on 'e"en0e4, ?e a?an'one' 2n a penalt1p%a0e 'e)202on t%at a ne)oe o" a)t2on 20 ne)e00a#. In t%e )a0e sub judice, Appellant $a'e no en%an)e$ento" %20 (&2lt1p%a0e 2ntoG2)at2on p#o""e# 2n t%e penalt1p%a0e.


24/69

J131-!*D 1 -

o$2tte' to 0pe)2" %et%e# 2t a0 t%e $2t2(ato# at 0&?0e)t2on /e4/34 o# 0&?0e)t2on /e4/4

t%at a0, 2n %20 op2n2on, &n'&l a""e)te' ? t%e )%a#(e. T%e Co$$onealt% al0o a#(&e0

t%at Appellant e""e)t2vel a))e'e' to t%e )%a#(e %en %e #epl2e' ;t%e#e $a ?e< to t%e

)ot0 )o$$ent t%at ;t%e#e0 a )a0e #2(%t on po2nt< 2n 0&ppo#t o" t%e )%a#(e, t%e#e?

p#ov2'2n( alte#nate (#o&n'0 "o# a2ve#.

In an event, t%e Co$$onealt% )onten'0, Appellant0 )la2$ 20 $e#2tle00 a0 to t%e

/e4/34 $2t2(ato# (2ven ?2n'2n( p#e)e'ent o" t%20 Cot t%at t%e 0tan'a#'0 a#e t%e 0a$e.

A0 "o# Appellant0 a#(&$ent a00a2l2n( t%e )%a#(e 2t% #e0pe)t to t%e 0&?0e)t2on /e4/4

$2t2(ato#, t%e Co$$onealt% po2nt0 to t%e 'ea#t% o" vol&nta# 2ntoG2)at2on ev2'en)e %e

o""e#e' "o# t%20 $2t2(ato#: ;5e"en'ant0 '#2n2n( on t%e 'a an' n2(%t o" t%e $'e# a0 a

0$all an' %a#'l pe#0&a02ve a0pe)t o" t%e 'e"en0e $2t2(at2on )a0e. It0 p#2$a#, 2" not

eG)l&02ve, #elevan)e a0 to t%e eGt#e$e $ental o# e$ot2onal '20t?an)e an'

0&?0tant2al 2$pa2#$ent $2t2(ato#0.< #2e" "o# Appellee at -.

At t%e penalt p%a0e %ea#2n(, t%e t#2al )ot 200&e' t%e "ollo2n( pe#t2nent

2n0t#&)t2on:

THE COURT# No, la'2e0 an' (entle$en, 2n t%20 )a0e t%e 5e"en'ant %a00et "o#t% an' t%e Senten)2n( Co'e 2'ent2"2e0 %at a#e non a0 $2t2(at2n("a)to#0. A0 I 'e0)#2?e' ea#l2e# "o# o&, $2t2(at2n( "a)to#0 $&0t ?e onlp#oven ? a p#epon'e#an)e o" t%e ev2'en)e.

T%e $2t2(at2n( "a)to#0 2'ent2"2e' ? t%e 'e"en0e 2n)l&'e t%e "ollo2n(:

T%e $2t2(at2n( "a)to# alle(e' t%at C%#20top%e# Jo%n0on a0 &n'e# t%e2n"l&en)e o" eGt#e$e $ental o# e$ot2onal '20t?an)e. A 0e)on' an'0epa#ate $2t2(at2n( "a)to# t%at t%e )apa)2t o" C%#20top%e# Jo%n0on toapp#e)2ate t%e )#2$2nal2t o" %20 )on'&)t o# to )on"o#$ %20 )on'&)t to t%e#e&2#e$ent0 o" la a0 0&?0tant2all 2$pa2#e', an' t%e t%2#' $2t2(at2n("a)to# %2)% 20 2'ent2"2e' 2011)on020t0 o" ev2'en)e o" $2t2(at2on )on)e#n2n(t%e )%a#a)te# an' #e)o#' o" C%#20top%e# Jo%n0on an' t%e )2#)&$0tan)e0 o"%20 o""en0e.


25/69

J131-!*D 1 ->

In t%at #e(a#', la'2e0 an' (entle$en, t%e . . . 5e"en'ant %a0 2'ent2"2e'"a)to#0 t%at t%e o&l' l2e o& to )on02'e# 2n 'ete#$2n2n( %et%e# t%at$2t2(at2n( )2#)&$0tan)e eG20t0.

T%o0e "a)to#0 )on020t o" t%e "ollo2n(: T%at M#. Jo%n0on a0 &n'e# t%e

2n"l&en)e o" al)o%ol %en t%e a))2'ent o))#e'. In regard to thatparticular factor, ladies and gentlemen, the same standard of determiningits applicability , which I described during the guilt phase of this trial, isapplicable. In other words defining whether or not that is a consideration.

N.T. *!++*- at *1> /e$p%a020 a''e'4.

5n( 0&?0e&ent 02'e1?a# '20)&002on0 a?o&t t%e )%a#(e, Appellant #a20e' t%e

"ollo2n( o?9e)t2on to t%e a?ove 2n0t#&)t2on on vol&nta# 2ntoG2)at2on:

DEFENSE COUNSEL# We e#e11a(a2n, e e#e 9&0t o?9e)t2n( to t%e

2n0t#&)t2on0 on t%e v2)t2$ 2$pa)t ev2'en)e t%at e %a' tale' a?o&t ?e"o#e.I 'ont t%2 t%at a0 on t%e #e)o#'. An' I %a' a &e0t2on "o# o& ?e)a&0eo& 0a2' 2t &2)l an' I a0nt 0e I &n'e#0too' 2t. We %a' alle(e' a0 oneo" o $2t2(ato#0 %e a0 &n'e# t%e 2n"l&en)e o" al)o%ol an' '2' o& 0a t%e0a$e 0tan'a#' appl2e' a0 t%e le(al 2ntoG2)at2on "o# "2#0t to t%2#' 'e(#eeK

THE COURT: I '2'.

DEFENSE COUNSEL# Well, e o&l' o?9e)t to t%at.

THE COURT# I ?el2eve t%e#e0 a )a0e #2(%t on po2nt on t%at.

DEFENSE COUNSEL# T%e#e $a ?e.

THE COURT# An )o$$entK

PROSECUTOR# Nope.

DEFENSE COUNSEL# T%at0 2t. T%an o&, J&'(e.

THE COURT# All #2(%t.

N.T. at *6!16*.

T%20 o?9e)t2on le"t t%e t#2al )ot to 0pe)&late a0 to %2)% $2t2(at2n( "a)to# 'e"en0e

)o&n0el #e"e##e' 2n %20 o?9e)t2on. P#e0&$2n( t%e )o$peten) o" )o&n0el, a0 e $&0t

&n'e# S2Gt% A$en'$ent 'e)202onal la, e $a p#e0&$e )o&n0el ne t%at "o# nea#l a

'e)a'e o 9p#&'en)e %a' %el' an' #ea""2#$e' 2n t%e 0&?0e)t2on /e4/34 )onteGt t%at


26/69

J131-!*D 1 -6

t%e (&2lt an' penalt p%a0e 0tan'a#'0 "o# vol&nta# 2ntoG2)at2on e#e "&n)t2onall

e&2valent, %e#ea0 t%e 0&?0e)t2on /e4/4 2n&2# allo0 a loe# 0tan'a#' pe#$2tt2n( all

$2t2(at2on ev2'en)e to ?e )on02'e#e', See 72?0on, 0&p#a. It )o&l' t%e#e"o#e #ea0ona?l

?e 2n"e##e' t%at )o&n0el o?9e)te' to t%e appl2)at2on o" t%e (&2lt p%a0e vol&nta#

2ntoG2)at2on 0tan'a#' to t%e 9 'el2?e#at2on0 on t%e /e4/4 $2t2(at2on o""e#. It 20 9&0t a0

#ea0ona?le &n'e# t%e 0a$e p#e0&$pt2on o" S2Gt% A$en'$ent )o$peten)e, %oeve#, t%at

)o&n0el '2#e)te' %20 o?9e)t2on to t%e 0&?0e)t2on /e4/34 p#o""e# a0 a )on0t2t&t2onal

)%allen(e to t%e )#ent 0tate o" o #elevant 9p#&'en)e. A0 )an ?e 0een, one )annot

?e 0e a0 to %2)% $2t2(ato# )o&n0el a)t&all #e"e##e'.

In'ee', t%e t#2al )ot 2nv2te' 'e"en0e )o&n0el to eGpl2)ate %20 po02t2on, an'

pe#%ap0 2" )o&n0el '2' 0o t%e )ot )o&l' %ave '20)e#ne' t%e 0pe)2"2) o?9e)t2on la2' ?e"o#e

2t an' )on02'e#e' on t%e #e)o#' %et%e# a $o'2"2)at2on to t%e 2n0t#&)t2on a0 ne)e00a#.

A0 t%e #e)o#' 0tan'0, %oeve#, Appellant 'e)l2ne' t%e )ot0 2nv2tat2on to )la#2" %20

a$?2(&o&0 o?9e)t2on, leav2n( t%e p#e)20e ?a020 "o# )o&n0el0 o?9e)t2on 2n'ete#$2na?le.

A0 e $a not ?a0e o #ev2e on p#e0&$pt2on0 an' 0pe)&lat2on a?o&t %at )o&n0el

$eant %en %e o""e#e' an a$?2(&o&0 o?9e)t2on to t%e )ot, 2nvo)at2on o" t%e a2ve#

'o)t#2ne 20 app#op#2ate. SeeCo$$onealt% v. P#e00le,B A.-' --!, -- /Pa. -!!>4.

/#e&2#2n( a 0pe)2"2) o?9e)t2on to t%e )%a#(e to p#e0e#ve an 200&e 2nvolv2n( a 9

2n0t#&)t2on4.

Even 2" e e#e to a''#e00 Appellant0 ?a#e a00e#t2on0 t%at *4 a 'e)a'e0 o#t% o"

9p#&'en)e 2'ent2"2n( t%e app#op#2ate 0tan'a#' "o# vol&nta# 2ntoG2)at2on 2n t%e penalt

p%a0e 20 ?a0e' &pon a "lae' 2nte#p#etat2on o" an 2nappo02te 0e$2nal )a0e@ -4 t%e

lan(&a(e o" t%e /e4/34 $2t2(ato# a0 a %ole p#e0ent0 a le00 0t#2n(ent 0tan'a#' t%an t%at

appl2)a?le 2n a (&2lt1p%a0e vol&nta# 2ntoG2)at2on 'e"en0e@ 34 at lea0t one o" t%e /e4/34

$2t2(ato# )o$ponent pa#t0, 2.e., t%e 2n)apa)2t to )on"o#$ one0 )on'&)t to t%e


27/69

J131-!*D 1 -B

#e&2#e$ent0 o" t%e la )onte$plate0 an a0pe)t o" t%e $ental 0tate '20t2n)t "#o$ 2ntent

t%at )annot, a0 a $atte# o" l2n(&20t2)0, ?e )onte$plate' ? t%e (&2lt p%a0e 0tan'a#'@ an'

4 t%e a?ove 2n0t#&)t2on )o$pletel p#e)l&'e' t%e 9 "#o$ )on02'e#2n( t%e e""e)t0 o"

Appellant0 alle(e' %eav '#2n2n( 2n 2t0 /e4/4 'el2?e#at2on0, e o&l' "2n' ea)% a00e#t2on

a0 ?#2e"e' p#e0ent0 a0 a ?#oa' p#ono&n)e$ent %2)%, t%o&(% elo&ent to t%e eGtent 2t 20

$a'e, 20 nonet%ele00 'evo2' o" 0pe)2"2) #e"e#en)e0 o" 0&ppo#t 2n t%e #e)o#' an' la)2n( 2n

'evelope' anal020. One eGa$ple 20 t%e pa&)2t o" a#(&$entat2on on al)o%ol0 e""e)t on

Appellant0 )apa)2t to )on"o#$ %20 )on'&)t to t%e #e&2#e$ent0 o" t%e la, t%e 0e)on'

eGp#e002on o" t%e = B**/e4/34 $2t2(at2n( )2#)&$0tan)e. In'ee', t%e onl #e"e#en)e

Appellant $ae0 to %20 0&?0e)t2on /e4/34 p#o""e# 20 ;Appellant o""e#e' ev2'en)e o" %20

%eav )on0&$pt2on o" al)o%ol t%e 'a o" t%e 2n)2'ent a0 $2t2(at2n( "a)to#0 &n'e# . . . -

Pa.C.S. = B**/e4/34 /a?2l2t to app#e)2ate )#2$2nal )on'&)t a0 0&?0tant2all 2$pa2#e'4.! pa(e0 #e$ove'

"#o$ t%e ?e(2nn2n( o" t%e toG2)olo(20t0 te0t2$on. W2t% no a))o&nt o", o# 'evelope'

'20)&002on a?o&t, t%e toG2)olo(20t0 "2n'2n(0 an' t%e 02(n2"2)an)e t%e#eo" 2n t%e a#(&$ent

0e)t2on o" %20 ?#2e", e "2n' a 0e)on' ?a020 &pon %2)% Appellant "a2le' to p#e0e#ve t%20

200&e "o# o #ev2e.

In an event, o on #ev2e o" te0t2$on o""e#e' ? Appellant0 toG2)olo(20t 0%o0

2t to %ave ?een e&2vo)al at ?e0t on t%e e""e)t0 al)o%ol %a' on Appellant0 poe#0 o"

9&'($ent an' 2ntent "o#$at2on a0 t%e eGpe#t a0 )on"#onte' 2t% eGa$ple0 o" Appellant0

0pe)2"2) a)t2on0 an' 0tate$ent0 2t% #e0pe)t to t%e t2$e lea'2n( &p to, 2n)l&'2n(, an' a"te#

%e 0%ot O""2)e# 7#ove. T%e#e a0 0o$e 2n'2)at2on t%at at a .-- AC, %2)% #ep#e0ente'

t%e a?0ol&te %2(%e0t n&$?e# 2n t%e %pot%et2)al AC #an(e o" .*> to .-- pe#)ent at t%e

t2$e o" t%e 0%oot2n( #en'e#e' "#o$ t%e ev2'en)e, one )o&l' 0&""e# 2$pa2#$ent o" 9&'($ent

an' &n'e#(o a '202n%2?2to# e""e)t, ?&t no "t%e# ela?o#at2on a0 $a'e on t%at po2nt.

T%e toG2)olo(20t al0o op2ne' t%at Appellant0 a?2l2t to pe#"o#$ t%e '20t#a)te' ta00

2nvolve' 2n a2$2n( a 0potl2(%t to loo "o# 'ee# %2le '#2v2n(, a))atel 0%oot2n( a 'ee# 2t%

to 0%ot0, an' '#2v2n( aa to eva'e 'ete)t2on o" %20 2lle(al )on'&)t 2t% t%e 2ntent2on o"

#etn2n( late# to #et#2eve t%e 'ee# #e"le)te' %2(%e# level0 o" )o(n2t2ve "&n)t2on, %2)%

$2l2tate' toa#' 2n"e##2n( loe# 'e(#ee0 o" 2$pa2#$ent to %20 )o(n2t2ve a?2l2t2e0. T%20

e&2vo)at2on $an2"e0te' 2t0el" at t%e )on)l&02on o" t%e toG2)olo(20t0 te0t2$on, %e#e t%e

$o0t %e )o&l' 0tate to a #ea0ona?le 'e(#ee o" $e'2)al )e#ta2nt a0 t%at, even at t%e

%pot%et2)al0 top en' .-- AC, ;2t )o&l' %appen< t%at ;an 2n'2v2'&al )o&l' lo0e %20

"a)&lt2e0 nee'e' to "o#$ t%e 0pe)2"2) 2ntent to 2ll,< N.T. at *!!, an' t%at 0&)% op2n2on

appl2e0 to t%20 )a0e. N.T. at *!B. To t%e "ollo1&p &e0t2on 2$$e'2atel po0e' ? t%e

Co$$onealt% a0 to %et%e# one )an 2n"e# "#o$ t%e )%allen(2n( )2#)&$0tan)e0


31/69

J131-!*D 1 3*

ove#)o$e ? Appellant 2n poa)%2n( a 'ee#119&0t $2n&te0 ?e"o#e t%e pol2)e en)o&nte#11a

0pe)2"2) 2ntent to 2ll t%e 'ee#, t%e toG2)olo(20t an0e#0 ;e0.< N.T. at *!B1. S&)% a

&al2"2e' an' e&2vo)al op2n2on "a2le' to la an ev2'ent2a# "o&n'at2on "o# an /e4/34

$2t2(at2on 2n0t#&)t2on.

IV. C%6'*$ 9'/ R$%': *+ P$+5 P/$ O6$+*+ S$%$+

Appellant neGt )%a#(e0 #eve#02?le e##o# 2t% t%e )ot0 #e"&0al to (#ant $20t#2al 2n

#e0pon0e to t%e p#o0e)&to#0 penalt p%a0e open2n( #e$a#0 2nv2t2n( t%e 9 to )on02'e#

%et%e# t%e $2t2(at2on ev2'en)e 2t a0 a?o&t to %ea# )on)e#n2n( t%e l2"e o" Appellant

o&te2(%0 t%e l2"e o" t%e v2)t2$. Spe)2"2)all, t%e )ont#ove#02al #e$a# ent a0 "ollo0:

Yo& 2ll ?e a0e' at t%e )on)l&02on o" t%20 0enten)2n( %ea#2n( to loo at t%e"a)t0 p#e0ente' 2n $2t2(at2on an' t%e "a)t0 p#e0ente' 2n a((#avat2on. W%enl20ten2n( to t%e te0t2$on )on)e#n2n( t%e l2"e o" t%e 5e"en'ant, t%e one&e0t2on I o&l' l2e o& to t%2n a?o&t %en %ea#2n( all t%e te0t2$on 2n t%e0enten)2n( %ea#2n( 20 'oe0 an o" t%at ev2'en)e o&te2(% t%e l2"e o" O""2)e#7#oveK

N.T. at *!B. 5e"en0e )o&n0el o?9e)te' an' $ove' "o# a $20t#2al. S2'e1?a# '20)&002on

en0&e' 'n( %2)% t%e t#2al )ot "o&n' 2t ne)e00a# to %ave t%e 9 #e$ove' to t%e

'el2?e#at2on #oo$. A"te# 'en2n( 'e"en0e )o&n0el0 $ot2on, t%e )ot )alle' "o# t%e 9

#etn an' t%en 200&e' t%e "ollo2n( )at2ve 2n0t#&)t2on:

THE COURT# Yo oat% 2n t%20 $atte#, la'2e0 an' (entle$en,)o$$2t0 o& to a "a2# an' 2$pa#t2al )on02'e#at2on o" t%e ev2'en)e to'ete#$2ne t%e "a)t0. On)e o oat% allo0 o& to 'ete#$2ne t%o0e "a)t0,o& a#e t%en #e&2#e' to appl to t%o0e "a)t0 t%e la %2)% I (2ve o& an't%en #ea)% an app#op#2ate 0enten)e0 ?a0e' &pon t%e "a)t0 a0 o& an' o&alone 'ete#$2ne an' t%e la (2ven to o& ? t%e )ot.

La'2e0 an' (entle$en, I 2ll #e$2n' o& on)e a(a2n t%at t%e a((#avat2n()2#)&$0tan)e0 %2)% %ave ?een 2'ent2"2e' a#e t%e a((#avat2n()2#)&$0tan)e0 %2)% t%e Co$$onealt% 20 alle(2n(. T%e $&0t ?e p#oven? p#oo" ?eon' a #ea0ona?le 'o&?t. T%e 'e"en0e %a0 2'ent2"2e' $2t2(at2n()2#)&$0tan)e0. On)e a(a2n, t%o0e a#e $2t2(at2n( )2#)&$0tan)e0 %2)%$&0t ?e p#oven ? p#epon'e#an)e o" t%e ev2'en)e.


32/69

J131-!*D 1 3-

Yo o?l2(at2on a0 9o#0 %en t%20 $atte# p#o)ee'0 to 0enten)2n(, an' I 2ll(2ve o& $o#e 'eta2le' 2n0t#&)t2on0 at t%e )on)l&02on, 20 to e2(% t%o0ea((#avat2n( )2#)&$0tan)e0 a(a2n0t t%e $2t2(at2n( )2#)&$0tan)e0.

Yo& $a onl tae 2nto a))o&nt 2n t%at ?alan)2n( p#o)e00 t%e a((#avat2n(

)2#)&$0tan)e0 %2)% e#e p#oven to o& ? p#oo" ?eon' a #ea0ona?le'o&?t an' t%e $2t2(at2n( ev2'en)e, 2" an, %2)% a0 p#oven to o& ? ap#epon'e#an)e o" t%e ev2'en)e. It 20 not a p#ope# )on02'e#at2on to e2(%t%e val&e o" one l2"e a(a2n0t anot%e# l2"e an' o& $a not 'o 0o. T%ato&l' ?e a v2olat2on o" o oat%.

N.T. *!+-+*- at **!1**.

Appellant a)nole'(e0 t%e p#e0&$pt2on &n'e# t%e la t%at 9e0 "ollo

)ot1200&e' 2n0t#&)t2on0, ?&t a#(&e0 t%at ;o#'0 on)e 0poe )an neve# ?e #e)alle',D3 Pa. 6>, 6-, 33 A.-' B, *!*6 /-!!B4 /)2tat2on o$2tte'4.

;It 20 ell10ettle' t%at, 'n( t%e penalt p%a0e, %e#e t%e p#e0&$pt2on o"

2nno)en)e no lon(e# appl2e0, a p#o0e)&to# 20 a""o#'e' #ea0ona?le lat2t&'e an' $a

p#ope#l )o$$ent on t%e ev2'en)e 2t% o#ato#2)al "la2#.< Co$$onealt% v. F#ee$an, -B

A.-' 3>, ! /Pa. -!!34 /)olle)t2n( )a0e04. ;CDo$$ent0 ? a p#o0e)&to# 'o not

)on0t2t&te #eve#02?le e##o# &nle00 t%e2# &navo2'a?le e""e)t a0 to p#e9&'2)e t%e 9,

"o#$2n( 2n t%e2# $2n'0 a "2Ge' ?2a0 an' %o0t2l2t toa#' t%e 'e"en'ant 0&)% t%at t%e )o&l'

not e2(% t%e ev2'en)e o?9e)t2vel an' #en'e# a t#&e penalt 'ete#$2nat2on.


34/69

J131-!*D 1 3

Co$$onealt% v. Jo%n0on,66 A.-' B, *!B /Pa. *>4, cert. denied,>* 8.S. -B, **B

S.Ct. !, *36 L.E'.-' 6 /*64.

T%e eG)e#pt a?ove 0%o0 t%at t%e p#o0e)&to# a0e' t%e 9 to a0 2t0el" %et%e#

an o" Appellant0 $2t2(at2on ev2'en)e o&te2(%e' t%e l2"e o" O""2)e# 7#ove. T%e t#2al

)ot0 2nte#p#etat2on o" t%20 #e&e0t a0 t%at 2t a0e' 9o#0 to a002(n a e2(%t to t%e

#e0pe)t2ve l2ve0 o" Appellant an' O""2)e# 7#ove an' t%en 'e)2'e %o0e l2"e a0 o#t%

$o#e. T%20, t%e t#2al )ot "o&n', a0 2$pe#$2002?le an' #e&2#e' an 2$$e'2ate )at2ve

2n0t#&)t2on. T%e Co$$onealt%0 2n020ten)e, on t%e ot%e# %an', 20 t%at t%e p#o0e)&to#

a0 atte$pt2n( to "o)&0 9o#0 on t%e2# event&al o?l2(at2on to e2(% t%e $2t2(at2on

ev2'en)e a(a2n0t t%e Se)t2on B**/'4/*4 a((#avat2n( )2#)&$0tan)e o" %av2n( 2lle' an

o""2)e# 'n( t%e pe#"o#$an)e o" %20 '&t2e0. T%e t#an0)#2pt 0%o0 t%at t%e p#o0e)&to# '2'

2$$e'2atel o""e# t%20 po02t2on 2n #e0pon0e to t%e o?9e)t2on, %e#e2n %e 0tate' ;%De 20 a

la en"o#)e$ent o""2)e# 20 t%e a((#avato#, t%e 2ll2n( o" a la en"o#)e$ent o""2)e# 2n t%e

l2ne o" '&t. T%at0 %at 2t $ean0. T%at0 %at a0 0a2'.< N.T. at *!.

T%e 200&e a0 p#e0ente', t%e#e"o#e, 20 %et%e# t%e p#o0e)&to#2al )o$$ent a0 ?ot%

2$p#ope# an' 0o p#e9&'2)2al t%at 2t #en'e#e' t#2al "&n'a$entall &n"a2#. In2t2all, %2le e

'o not #e9e)t o&t1o"1%an' t%e po002?2l2t t%at a 9o# $a %ave &n'e#0too' t%e p#o0e)&to#0

#e$a# a0 a #e"e#en)e to t%e /'4/*4 a((#avato#, 0ee infra, a pla2n #ea'2n( o" t%e 0tate$ent

#e&2#e0 t%at e 0&?o#'2nate t%20 po002?2l2t to t%e )ot0 2nte#p#etat2on, 2.e., t%at t%e

p#o0e)&to# 2$p#ope#l 2nv2te' t%e 9 to e2(% ;t%e l2"e< o" O""2)e# 7#ove a(a2n0t

Appellant0 $2t2(at2on p#e0entat2on o" %20 l2"e.

P#o0e)&to#2al )all0 to )on02'e# v2)t2$ 2$pa)t ev2'en)e alon(02'e a 'e"en'ant0

$2t2(at2on ev2'en)e %ave 2n)#ea02n(l )o$e 2nto p#a)t2)e "ollo2n( t%e 8n2te' State0

S&p#e$e Cot 'e)202on 2n Pane v. Tenne00ee, >!* 8.S. ! /**4, %2)% #e)o(n2e'


35/69

J131-!*D 1 3>

t%e )on0t2t&t2onal2t o" v2)t2$ 2$pa)t 0tate$ent0.* In Pane, t%e Cot #e)on02'e#e'

p#2o# %ol'2n(0 p#o%2?2t2n( t%e a'$2002on o" v2)t2$ 2$pa)t ev2'en)e 2n )#2$2nal t#2al0. I'. at

*B1-B. Ove##&l2n( ?ot% oot% v. Ma#lan', - 8.S. 6 /*B4 /'20)e#n2n( E2(%t%

A$en'$ent v2olat2on 2n a'$2002on o" v2)t2$ 2$pa)t 0tate$ent0, %2)% p#ove 2##elevant to

'e"en'ant0 )&lpa?2l2t an' #20 a#?2t#a# an' )ap#2)2o&0 2$po02t2on o" 'eat% penalt4 an'

So&t% Ca#ol2na v. 7at%e#0, ! 8.S. !> /*4 /%ol'2n( ev2'en)e o" $'e# v2)t2$0

pe#0onal )%a#a)te#20t2)0 2##elevant to )2#)&$0tan)e0 o" t%e )#2$e an' t%&0 v2olat2ve o"

E2(%t% A$en'$ent4, Pane o?0e#ve' t%at ;a State $a p#ope#l )on)l&'e t%at "o# t%e 9

to a00e00 $ean2n("&ll t%e 'e"en'ant0 $o#al )&lpa?2l2t an' ?la$eo#t%2ne00, 2t 0%o&l'

%ave ?e"o#e 2t at t%e 0enten)2n( p%a0e ev2'en)e o" t%e 0pe)2"2) %a#$ )a&0e' ? t%e

'e"en'ant.< I'. at ->. T%e oot% pa#a'2($, t%e Cot op2ne', ;&n"a2#l e2(%te' t%e

0)ale0 2n a )ap2tal t#2al@ %2le v2#t&all no l2$2t0 a#e pla)e' on t%e #elevant $2t2(at2n(

ev2'en)e a )ap2tal 'e"en'ant $a 2nt#o'&)e )on)e#n2n( %20 on )2#)&$0tan)e0, t%e State

20 ?a##e' "#o$ e2t%e# o""e#2n( a (l2$p0e o" t%e l2"e %2)% a 'e"en'ant )%o0e to

eGt2n(&20%,< 2'. at --, /&ot2n( M2ll0 v. Ma#lan', 6 8.S. 36B, 3B /*4 /Re%n&20t,

C.J., '200ent2n(44, o# ;'e$on0t#at2n( t%e lo00 to t%e v2)t2$0 "a$2l an' to 0o)2et %2)%

%a0 #e0&lte' "#o$ t%e 'e"en'ant0 %o$2)2'e.< I'. A))o#'2n(l, t%e Cot %el' t%at ;2" t%e

State )%oo0e0 to pe#$2t t%e a'$2002on o" v2)t2$12$pa)t ev2'en)e an' p#o0e)&to#2al

a#(&$ent on t%at 0&?9e)t, t%e E2(%t% A$en'$ent e#e)t0 noper se?a#.< I'. at -B.

T%e onl )on0t2t&t2on10o)e' l2$2t Pane #e)o(n2e' #e(a#'2n( t%e ot%e#20e

)on0t2t&t2onall val2' &0e o" v2)t2$12$pa)t ev2'en)e a0 2n t%e Foteent% A$en'$ent0

5&e P#o)e00 Cla&0e: ;2Dn t%e event t%at ev2'en)e 20 2nt#o'&)e' t%at 20 0o &n'&l

* W2t% o 'e)202on 2n Co$$onealt% v. Mean0, BB3 A.-' *3 /Pa. -!!*4, t%20Co$$onealt% 9o2ne' t%e $a9o#2t o" 0tate0 pe#$2tt2n( v2)t2$12$pa)t 0tate$ent0 allo2n(ev2'en)e o" t%e v2)t2$0 pe#0onal )%a#a)te#20t2)0 an' t%e %a#$ 0&0ta2ne' ? t%e v2)t2$0"a$2l an' )o$$&n2t.


36/69

J131-!*D 1 36

p#e9&'2)2al t%at 2t #en'e#0 t%e t#2al "&n'a$entall &n"a2#, t%e 5&e P#o)e00 Cla&0e o" t%e

Foteent% A$en'$ent p#ov2'e0 a $e)%an20$ "o# #el2e".< I'. at ->. W%2le Pane

p#ov2'e' no eGpl2)2t 'el2neat2on ?eteen "a2# an' &n'&l p#e9&'2)2al )o$$enta# 2n t%20

#e(a#', 2t '2' o?0e#ve t%at t%e#e a0 ;no #ea0on< to t#eat v2)t2$12$pa)t ev2'en)e

;'2""e#entl t%an ot%e# #elevant ev2'en)e,D< an' )2te' 5a#'en v. Wa2n#2(%t, BB 8.S. *6

/*64 a0 a&t%o#2t on t%e appl2)at2on o" '&e p#o)e00 l2$2t0.

5a#'en a''#e00e' %et%e# a p#o0e)&to#0 eGt#e$e an' &n&e0t2ona?l 2$p#ope#

)o$$ent0 $a'e 'n( t%e (&2lt p%a0e o" a )ap2tal $'e# t#2al e#e 0o &n"a2# a0 to #en'e#

t%e 'e"en'ant0 )onv2)t2on a 'en2al o" '&e p#o)e00. ;It 20 not eno&(% t%at t%e

p#o0e)&to#0 #e$a#0 e#e &n'e02#a?le o# even &n2ve#0all )on'e$ne'. T%e #elevant

&e0t2on 20 %et%e# t%e p#o0e)&to#0 )o$$ent0 ;0o 2n"e)te' t%e t#2al 2t% &n"a2#ne00 a0 to

$ae t%e #e0&lt2n( )onv2)t2on a 'en2al o" '&e p#o)e00.< 5a#'en at ** /&ot2n( 5onnell

v. 5eC%#20to"o#o, *6 8.S. 63B /*B44. A0 0&)%, t%e )ot 2n $a2n( 2t0 '&e p#o)e00

2n&2# )on02'e#e' t%e )%allen(e' )on'&)t 2n #elat2on to t%e p#o)ee'2n( a0 a %ole.

Appl2n( t%e ;na##o 0tan'a#' o" #ev2eD o" '&e p#o)e00,< I'., t%e Cot "2#0t

)on02'e#e' t%e nate an' eGtent o" t%e 2$p#ope# a#(&$ent an' 'ete#$2ne' t%e a#(&$ent

;'2' not $an2p&late o# $200tate t%e ev2'en)e, no# '2' 2t 2$pl2)ate ot%e# 0pe)2"2) #2(%t0 o"

t%e a))&0e' 0&)% a0 t%e #2(%t to )o&n0el o# t%e #2(%t to #e$a2n 02lent.< I'. at **1-.

Ot%e# "a)to#0 2n"l&en)2n( t%e Cot0 '&e p#o)e00 anal020 2n)l&'e': $&)% o" t%e

a#(&$ent a0 #e0pon02ve to t%e open2n( 0&$$at2on ? t%e 'e"en0e /a po2nt not $eant to

eG)&0e t%e 2$p#op#2et o" t%e a#(&$ent ?&t to %elp ?ette# a0)e#ta2n t%e e""e)t o" t%e

)o$$ent ? pla)2n( 2t 2n )onteGt4@ t%e 200&an)e o" )at2ve 2n0t#&)t2on0 t%at t%e 9

'e)202on $&0t ?e ?a0e' on ev2'en)e alone an' t%at a#(&$ent0 o" )o&n0el e#e not

ev2'en)e@ t%e e2(%t o" t%e ev2'en)e a(a2n0t t%e 'e"en'ant a0 %eav@ an' 'e"en0e

)o&n0el0 ;ve# e""e)t2veD< #e?&ttal a#(&$ent ;tn2n( $&)% o" t%e p#o0e)&to#0 )lo02n(


37/69

J131-!*D 1 3B

a#(&$ent a(a2n0t t%e$ ? pla)2n( 2tD 2n a l2(%t t%at a0 $o#e l2el to en(en'e# 0t#on(

'20app#oval t%an #e0&lt 2n 2n"la$e' pa002on0 a(a2n0t pet2t2one#.< I'. Fo# t%e0e #ea0on0,

t%e Cot )on)l&'e' t%e 'e"en'ant0 t#2al ;a0 not pe#"e)t11"e a#e11?&t ne2t%e# a0 2t

"&n'a$entall &n"a2#.< I'. at *3 /)2tat2on to "e'e#al '20t#2)t )ot 'e)202on o$2tte'4.

A0 #e"e#en)e' 2n Pane, t%e#e"o#e, 2t 20 ev2'ent t%at t%e 5a#'en an' 5eC%#20to"o#o

app#oa)% appl2e0 to a '&e p#o)e00 )%allen(e to p#o0e)&to#2al )o$$ent #elat2n( to

v2)t2$12$pa)t an' )%a#a)te#20t2)0 ev2'en)e. A0 a lo(2)al eGten02on, t%e p#o0e)&to#2al

p#a)t2)e o" a02n( a 9 to )on02'e# t%e 'e"en'ant0 $2t2(at2on ev2'en)e 2n l2(%t o" 2$pa)t

an' pe#0onal )%a#a)te#20t2) ev2'en)e o" t%e v2)t2$0 l2"e 20 l2e20e app#op#2ate &n'e# t%e

ae(20 o" Pane an' 2t0 'e)la#at2on t%at ;t%e#e 20 not%2n( &n"a2# a?o&t allo2n( t%e 9 to

?ea# 2n $2n' t%at %a#$ 2.e., t%at %a#$ )a&0e' ? t%e lo00 o" t%e v2)t2$0 l2"eD at the same

timea0 2t )on02'e#0 t%e $2t2(at2n( ev2'en)e 2nt#o'&)e' ? t%e 'e"en'ant.< Pane at -6

/e$p%a020 a''e'4. A0 "o# t%e p#a)t2)al #e0&lt o" en(a(2n( 2n t%20 'el2?e#at2ve eGe#)20e,

t%e ve# a)t o" e2(%2n( $2t2(at2on ev2'en)e 2n l2(%t o" v2)t2$ 2$pa)t+)%a#a)te#20t2)0

ev2'en)e 20 en'o#0e' ? t%e Cot0 op2n2on t%at a 9 $a "a2#l )on02'e# ?ot% ;at t%e

0a$e t2$e< %en 'e)2'2n( &lt2$atel t%e e2(%t (2ven to a((#avat2n( an' $2t2(at2n(

"a)to#0, #e0pe)t2vel.

In t%e )a0e sub judice, %oeve#, t%e &e0t2on a#20e0 %et%e# t%e p#o0e)&to#0

eGpl2)2t )all "o# t%e 9 to )on02'e# %et%e# Appellant0 $2t2(at2on ev2'en)e o&te2(%e'

;t%e l2"e< o" O""2)e# 7#ove )o$e0 &n'e# t%e a?ove anal020, a0 t%e 0tate$ent a0 $a'e

(oe0 ?eon' a02n( t%e 9 $e#el to )on02'e# v2)t2$ 2$pa)t+)%a#a)te#20t2)0 ev2'en)e

an' $2t2(at2on ev2'en)e to(et%e#. T%e )on)e#n e$e#(e0 t%at t%e p#o0e)&to#0 a#(&$ent

a0 a#t2)&late' o&l' 2n0tea' )a&0et%e 9 to ?el2eve 2t a0 ta0e' 2t% e2(%2n(one l2"e

a(a2n0t anot%e# 2n an a#?2t#a# p#o)e'e11one ne2t%e# #e"le)t2n( t%e "a)t0 o" t%e )a0e no#

eGp#e00e' 2n t%e la t%e 0o#e to appl 2n 'el2?e#at2on011%e#e? 2t 0%o&l' 2$po0e


38/69

J131-!*D 1 3

'eat% 02$pl 2" 2t "2n'0 Appellant0 l2"e 20 o#t% le00 t%an O""2)e# 7#ove0. In t%20 #e0pe)t,

t%e#e"o#e, t%e p#o0e)&to#2al )o$$ent "ell o&t02'e t%e #eal$ o" Pane pa#a'2($ an' a0

pla2nl 2napp#op#2ate.

In o v2e, %oeve#, t%e total2t o" )2#)&$0tan)e0 0#o&n'2n( t%e )o$$ent

p#evente' 2t "#o$ p#e9&'2)2n( t%e 9. Loo2n( at t%e eGtent an' nate o" t%e open2n(

)o$$ent, e 0ee 2t a0 a ?#2e", 2n'ee' t#&n)ate' #e$a# not )o&)%e' 2n an ot%e#20e

e$ot2onall 2n"la$$ato# plea #e)all2n( (#ap%2) 'eta2l0 o" t%e )#2$e o# 'e0)#2?2n(

Appellant 2n 'e#o(ato# te#$0, an' t%e )ot0 0&0ta2n2n( o" t%e 'e"en0e o?9e)t2on

0toppe' t%e )o$$ent 0%o#t o" 2n)l&'2n( an ove#t '20)&002on on t%e #elat2ve o#t% o" ea)%

l2"e.*> Al0o (o2n( to t%e nate o" t%e #e$a# an' 2t0 potent2al "o# p#e9&'2)e 20 t%e

#ea0ona?le, al?e2t 'e)2'e'l le00e# po002?2l2t &n'e# t%e "a)t0 t%at a 9o# )o&l' %ave

&n'e#0too' 2t a0 a #e&e0t to "o)&0 pa#t2)&la# attent2on on %o t%e $2t2(at2n( p#o""e#

e2(%e' a(a2n0t t%e en&$e#ate' a((#avat2n( "a)to# at B**/'4/*4 t%at Appellant too t%e

*> Co$pa#e H&$p%#2e0 v. O$2nt, 3B F.3' -!6 /t%C2#.-!!>4, 2n %2)% t%e )2#)&2t )ot

#ev2ee' t%e total2t o" )2#)&$0tan)e0 an' #e9e)te' a )%a#(e o" "&n'a$ental &n"a2#ne00 2nt%e p#o0e)&to#0 )lo02n( at t%e 0enten)2n( p%a0e. T%e 0tate$ent0 2n &e0t2on 2n)l&'e'/*4 ;Q%en o& loo at t%e )%a#a)te# o" t%20 5e"en'ant, an' %en o& loo at t%e v2)t2$D,%o p#o"ane %en o& loo at all t%e )2#)&$0tan)e0 o" t%20 )#2$e an' o" t%20 5e"en'ant,%o p#o"ane to (2ve t%20 $an a (2"t o" l2"e &n'e# t%e0e )2#)&$0tan)e0. /-!!4.


39/69

J131-!*D 1 3

l2"e o" a &n2"o#$e' o""2)e# 2n t%e l2ne o" '&t. T%o&(%, a0 note' a?ove, e 0&?o#'2nate

t%20 po002?2l2t to t%e "a# (#eate# l2el2%oo' t%at t%e 9 o&l' %ave pe#)e2ve' t%e #e$a#

a0 a )o$pa#at2ve o#t%a#(&$ent, an' e a#e )a&t2o&0 not to ot%e#20e ove#0tate t%20

0e)on'a# a0pe)t o" t%e #e$a#, e neve#t%ele00 "2n' t%20 po002?2l2t 0e#ve' a0 an

a''2t2onal te$pe#2n( "eate &n'e# t%e "a)t0.

Mo0t 2n0t#&$ental, %oeve#, 2n a##e0t2n( an potent2al p#e9&'2)e atten'ant to t%e

)o$$ent a0 t%e t#2al )ot0 02"t an' &ne&2vo)al #e0pon0e 2n 200&2n( a 'eta2le', an'

)o$p#e%en02ve )at2ve 2n0t#&)t2on #e$2n'2n( t%e 9 t%at 2t a0 p#o%2?2te' "#o$ ?a02n(

2t0 0enten)e on t%e )o$pa#at2ve o#t% o" t%e v2)t2$0 an' 'e"en'ant0 #e0pe)t2ve l2ve0,

an' t%at 2t $&0t, 2n0tea', $ae 2t0 0enten)2n( 'e)202on on t%e ev2'en)e alone an' 2n

a))o#'an)e 2t% 2n0t#&)t2on0 on appl2)a?le la.*6 F2nall, a to an' one1%al" 'a penalt

t#2al #eplete 2t% ev2'en)e %oll &n#elate' to t%e )ont#ove#02al#e$a# "olloe', an' t%e

9 #etne' 2t% a ve#'2)t t%at 'en2e' 0eve#al #e&e0te' a((#avat2n( )2#)&$0tan)e0 an'

(#ante' t%e 0&?0e)t2on /e4/4 $2t2(at2n( )2#)&$0tan)e0, "t%e# '20pell2n( t%e not2on o" an

2n"la$e' 9 #en'e#2n( a ve#'2)t on pa002on0 #at%e# t%an #ea0on. 72ven t%e0e

)2#)&$0tan)e0 o" #e)o#', t%e#e"o#e, e "2n' &nava2l2n( Appellant0 )la2$ t%at t%e

p#o0e)&to#0 open2n( #e$a# #en'e#e' %20 penalt t#2al "&n'a$entall &n"a2#.

V. P'$!5(*+ 9*+$ T$*%+ R$5*+ A66$55+; P('6'$ S$%$+) R$%'$

Appellant neGt a00e#t0 t%at t%e loe# )ot e##e' %en 2t #&le' %20 p#o""e# o"

te0t2$on "#o$ "#2en'0 an' "a$2l #elat2n( %20 #e)ent 0tate$ent0 o" #e$o#0e '2' not &al2"

"o# a'$2002on a0 Pa.R.E. !3/*4 /p#e0ent 0en0e 2$p#e002on4 o# !3/34 /t%en eG20t2n(

*6 In $o0t 2n0tan)e0, t%e la p#e0&$e0 t%at t%e 9 2ll "ollo t%e 2n0t#&)t2on0 o" t%e)ot. Co$$onealt% v. Re(a, 33 A.-' B, *!*6 /Pa. -!!B4.


40/69

J131-!*D 1 !

$ental, e$ot2onal, o# p%02)al )on'2t2on4 eG)ept2on0 to t%e R&le a(a2n0t Hea#0a.

Spe)2"2)all, t%e t#2al )ot pe#$2tte' t%e 2tne00e0 to te0t2" a0 to t%e2# o?0e#vat2on0 o"

Appellant 'n( t%e2# $eet2n(0 2t% %2$ ?&t not to t%e pa#t2)&la# 0tate$ent0 %e $a'e.

N.T. at *!. a##2n( t%e 0tate$ent0, Appellant )onten'0, v2olate' %20 #2(%t0 not onl

&n'e# t%e #&le0 o" ev2'en)e t%e$0elve0, ?&t al0o &n'e# t%e t%an' *t%A$en'$ent0

$an'ate t%at #el2a?le $2t2(at2on ev2'en)e, #e(a#'le00 o" 0tate ev2'ent2a# #&le0, ?e

a'$2tte' a0 a#t2)&late' 2n C%a$?e#0 v. M2002002pp2, *! 8.S. -, 3!!1!* /*B34.

T%e Co$$onealt% #e0pon'0 t%at Appellant %a0 a2ve' %20 )on0t2t&t2onal

)%allen(e "o# "a2le to #a20e 2t "2#0t ?e"o#e t%e t#2al )ot, a0 %e l2$2te' %20 a#(&$ent to t%e2#

a'$2002?2l2t &n'e# t%e Penn0lvan2a R&le0 o" Ev2'en)e, %2)%, t%e Co$$onealt%

)ont2n&e0, p#ov2'e' no pat%a to a'$2002on 2n an event ?e)a&0e t%e 0tate$ent0

2nvolve' ne2t%e# p#e0entl o?0e#ve' )on'2t2on0 o# event0 a0 )onte$plate' ? R&le !*/*4

no# o?0e#vat2on0 o" %20 )onte$po#aneo&0 e$ot2on0 $a'e 2n t%e a?0en)e o" a $ot2ve to

'e)e2ve, a0 #e&2#e' ? R&le !3/34.

T%e "ollo2n( 02'e1?a# eG)%an(e )o$p#20e0 t%e ent2#e '20)&002on on t%e $atte#:

5e"en0e Co&n0elD: Yo Hono#, 2n )%a$?e#0 e 9&0t %a' a'20)&002on #e(a#'2n( ev2'en)e t%at e ante' to p#e0ent. We %ave#ep#e0ente' to t%e Cot t%at e %ave $&lt2ple 2tne00e0 2n)l&'2n( t%e)#ent 2tne00, 2$ Toppe#@ %e# %&0?an', Ro(e# Toppe#@ t%e 5e"en'ant0)o&02n, L2n'a Yate0: an' 020te#, #an' Jo%n0on@ a$on( ot%e#0 %o o&l'te0t2" t%at %e %a0 p#o)la2$e' to t%e$ on $&lt2ple o))a02on0 %20 #e$o#0ean' %20 #e(#et "o# %at %appene'.

We#e a02n( t%e Cot to a'$2t t%at &n'e# R&le !3/*4, %2)% o&l' ?ep#e0ent 0en0e 2$p#e002on o# &n'e# !3/34, %2)% o&l' ?e t%en eG20t2n(

e$ot2onal )on'2t2on. We t%2n a#e a'$2002?le 11 t%o0e 0tate$ent0 o&l' ?ea'$2002?le &n'e# t%o0e eG)ept2on0 to t%e %ea#0a #&le.

P#o0e)&to#D: Yo Hono#, e#e o?9e)t2n( to t%at ?e)a&0e "o# an&$?e# o" #ea0on0, ?&t 2t0 %ea#0a an' e 'ont t%2n 2t (oe0 to 0tate o"$2n' 2n t%20 &n'e# t%e0e )2#)&$0tan)e0.


41/69

J131-!*D 1 *

THE CO8RT: All #2(%t. T%e o?9e)t2on 2ll ?e 0&0ta2ne'. T%e'e"en0e 20 pe#$2tte' to %ave 2tne00e0 'e0)#2?e o?9e)t2ve o?0e#vat2on0 o"t%e 5e"en'ant. Hoeve#, t%e $a not te0t2" a0 to 0tate$ent0 $a'e ?%2$ to t%e$, t%at 20 %ea#0a, an' 2t 20 not a'$2002?le an' 'oe0 not $eet t%eeG)ept2on0 o&tl2ne' ? t%e 'e"en0e.

N.T. 6+*+*- at *1!.

R&l2n(0 on t%e a'$2002?2l2t o" ev2'en)e, 2n)l&'2n( ev2'en)e p#o""e#e' at t%e

penalt p%a0e o" a )ap2tal t#2al, a#e 2t%2n t%e '20)#et2on o" t%e t#2al 9&'(e, an' 0&)% #&l2n(0

2ll "o#$ no ?a020 "o# appellate #el2e" a?0ent an a?&0e o" '20)#et2on. Co$$onealt% v.

Re2',** A.-' >3!, >>! /Pa. -!!-4. See al0o Co$$onealt% v. Ra(an,6> A.-' **,

* /Pa. *4 /not2n( t%e 'ete#$2nat2on o" %et%e# %ea#0a, 0tate o" $2n' 0tate$ent0

a#e a'$2002?le 20 2t%2n t%e 0o&n' '20)#et2on o" t%e t#2al )ot an' 2ll ?e #eve#0e' onl

&pon an a?&0e o" t%at '20)#et2on4.

A )ap2tal 'e"en'ant at t%e penalt %ea#2n( $a p#e0ent #elevant ev2'en)e 2n

$2t2(at2on. - Pa.C.S. = B**/a4/-4@ Co$$onealt% v. Ma, B A.-' B>!, B6> /Pa. -!!>4.

Ev2'en)e 20 #elevant to $2t2(at2on 2" 2t 20 p#o?at2ve o" an o" t%e en&$e#ate' $2t2(at2n(

)2#)&$0tan)e0 0et "o#t% 2n - Pa.C.S. = B**/e4. I'. ;72ven t%e ?#oa' 0tan'a#'

(ove#n2n( %at &al2"2e0 a0 $2t2(at2on ev2'en)e, e %ave no 'o&?t t%at a 'e"en'ant0

te0t2$on2al eGp#e002on o" #e$o#0e at t%e penalt p%a0e )o&l' ?e 'ee$e' #elevant to %20

)%a#a)te#.< Ma at B66.

Hea#0a 20 ;a 0tate$ent, ot%e# t%an one $a'e ? t%e 'e)la#ant %2le te0t2"2n( at

t%e t#2al o# %ea#2n(, o""e#e' 2n ev2'en)e to p#ove t%e t#&t% o" t%e $atte# a00e#te'.< Pa.R.E.

!*/)4@ Co$$onealt% v. M)C#ae,3- A.-' *!-6, *!3 /Pa. -!!34. R&le !- p#ov2'e0

t%at, ;%Dea#0a 20 not a'$2002?le eG)ept a0 p#ov2'e' ? t%e0e #&le0 t%e R&le0 o"

Ev2'en)eD, ot%e# #&le0 p#e0)#2?e' ? t%e Penn0lvan2a S&p#e$e Cot, o# ? 0tat&te.< I' .

at *!3. Alt%o&(% e a#e not 2n"o#$e' %at 0tate$ent0, eGa)tl, t%e p#o""e#e'

2tne00e0 o&l' %ave att#2?&te' to Appellant, e t%2n 2t #ea0ona?le to 2n"e# "#o$ t%e

)o&n0el0 $ot2on to t%e )ot an' Appellant0 on te0t2$on2al eGp#e002on o" #e$o#0e at


42/69

J131-!*D 1 -

penalt t#2al t%at t%e 0tate$ent0 #ep#e0ente' '2#e)t eGp#e002on0 o" #e$o#0e, 2n t%e nate

o" ;I$ 0o## "o# %at %appene'.< A0 0&)%, Appellant0 alle(e' 0tate$ent0 e#e #elevant

to $2t2(at2on, ?&t e#e al0o o""e#e' "o# t%e2# t#&t%112n'ee' t%e e#e #elevant onl 2" &0e'

"o# t%at ppo0e11an' t%&0 )lea#l o&l' %ave )on0t2t&te' %ea#0a.

On %et%e# t%e 0tate$ent0 e#e nonet%ele00 a'$2002?le, t%e a?ove eG)e#pt "#o$

t%e penalt %ea#2n( 0%o0 'e"en0e )o&n0el o""e#e' 0&$$a#2l t%at a'$2002on a0

#e&2#e' &n'e# 0tate o" $2n' eG)ept2on0 to t%e #&le a(a2n0t %ea#0a a0 a#t2)&late' 2n

Pa.R.E. !3/*4 an' /34.*B T%e )ot, %oeve#, #e9e)te' t%e p#o""e# a0 "a2l2n( to $eet t%e

eG)ept2on0, an' 'e"en0e )o&n0el '20)&00e' t%e $atte# no "t%e#. Co&n0el no

)onten'0 t%at t%e )ot e##e' 2n p#e)l&'2n( Appellant0 0tate$ent0 o" #e$o#0e t%#o&(%

*BR&le !3,E8!$6*+ /$ R(5$ A*+ H$'--R$'5$ ) 9/$/$' /$

D$!5'+ I A*5&5$ 9*+$, p#ov2'e0 2n pe#t2nent pa#t:

T%e "ollo2n( a#e not eG)l&'e' ? t%e #&le a(a2n0t %ea#0a, #e(a#'le00 o"%et%e# t%e 'e)la#ant 20 ava2la?le a0 a 2tne00:


43/69

J131-!*D 1 3

"#2en'0 an' "a$2l ?e)a&0e t%e 0tate$ent0 e#e ?ot% #elevant to t%e )#2t2)al 200&e o"

$2t2(at2on 2n t%e penalt p%a0e o" t#2al an' t#&0to#t%, (2ven t%e e#e /*4 0tate$ent0

a(a2n0t 2nte#e0t, /-4 0pontaneo&0l $a'e to "a$2l, /34 )o##o?o#ate' ? %20 on

penalt1p%a0e te0t2$on, an' /4 0&?9e)t to )#o001eGa$2nat2on. We '20a(#ee, a0

)o&n0el "a2le' to e'2" t%e )ot 0&""2)2entl a0 to t%e t#&0to#t%2ne00 )o$ponent o" t%e

p#o""e#e' te0t2$on.

Appo02te 9p#&'en)e %a0 'en2e' )ate(o#2)al a))eptan)e o" %ea#0a te0t2$on

a0 to an o&t1o"1)ot 'e"en'ant0 0tate$ent o" #e$o#0e, #e&2#2n( 2n0tea' an a''2t2onal

$ea0e o" t#&0to#t%2ne00 ?eon' t%at %2)% 0p#2n(0 "#o$ t%e te$po#al )oo#'2nat2on o"

t%e 0tate$ent an' t%e #e$o#0e"&l e$ot2on on %2)% 2t #e$a#0. In Ma, 0&p#a, t%e )ap2tal

'e"en'ant 0o&(%t to a'$2t a0 $2t2(at2on t%e te0t2$on o" %20 v2)t2$0 to a'&lt 'a&(%te#0,

%o o&l' %ave te0t2"2e' t%at 'e"en'ant apolo(2e' an' eGp#e00e' #e$o#0e 'n( t%e2#

"a)e1to1"a)e $eet2n( 2t% t%e$ an' 2n a t%#ee1pa(e lette#. T%e 'a&(%te#0, %o e#e

oppo0e' to t%e 'eat% penalt, e#e 2ll2n( an' ava2la?le to te0t2" #e(a#'2n( Appellant0

eGp#e002on0 o" #e$o#0e, ?&t t%e t#2al )ot #&le' t%e %ea#0a p#o""e# 2na'$2002?le 2t%o&t

t%e a''2t2onal a00an)e0 t%at )#o001eGa$2nat2on o" t%e 'e"en'ant o&l' ?#2n(. We

&p%el' t%e #&l2n(, #ea0on2n(:

T%e )a0e sub judice20 ve# 02$2la# to Co$$onealt% v.DYo&n(, 63B A.-'*3*3 /Pa.D*34]2n %2)% t%e 'e"en'ant al0o 'e)l2ne' to te0t2" on %20 on?e%al" 'n( t%e penalt p%a0e. In an atte$pt to p#e0ent ev2'en)e o" %20#e$o#0e, t%e 'e"en'ant t%e#e 0o&(%t to 2nt#o'&)e lette#0 %e %a' #2tten to a$e$?e# o" a #el2(2o&0 o#'e# )on)e#n2n( %20 )a0e, ?&t t%e t#2al )ot #&le't%at t%e lette#0 e#e 2na'$2002?le %ea#0a. On appeal, t%20 Cot %el' t%att%e t#2al )ot p#ope#l eG)l&'e' t%e lette#0 ?e)a&0e t%e Co$$onealt%

)o&l' not )#o001eGa$2ne t%e 'e"en'ant #e(a#'2n( t%e2# )ontent. T%20 Cot0pe)2"2)all note' t%at ;to allo t%e lette#0 2nto ev2'en)e o&l' %ave ?eentanta$o&nt to (#ant2n( t%e 'e"en'antD t%e #2(%t o" allo)&t2on ... %2)% #2(%tD%a0 ?een a?#o(ate' an' #epla)e' ? t%e 0tat&to# la %2)% 0pe)2"2e0p#o)e'e0 "o# 0enten)2n( "o# "2#0t1'e(#ee $'e#.< I'.at *3--. T%e "a)tt%at t%e ev2'en)e %e#e o&l' %ave ?een a'$2tte' t%#o&(% te0t2$on,%e#ea0 t%e ev2'en)e 2n Yo&n( o&l' %ave ?een a'$2tte' t%#o&(% lette#0,$ae0 no #elevant '2""e#en)e. ot% )on0t2t&te %ea#0a. In ?ot%


44/69


45/69

J131-!*D 1 >

---, -3, 36 A.-' >-!, >-> /*B44 /e$p%a020 a''e'4. See al0o Co$$onealt% v.

Lonen?e#(, 3- A.-' *-B, *-B /Pa. *B4 /;In a''2t2on to t%e ne)e002t "o# t%e 0tate

o" $2n'D eG)ept2on, t%e a'$2002on o" t%20 tpe o" ev2'en)e 20 9&0t2"2e' ?e)a&0e t%e

)2#)&$0tan)e0 2n %2)% t%e0e &tte#an)e0 e#e $a'e 2n'2)ate t%at t%e a))atel

#e"le)te' t%e 'e)la#ant0 0tate o" $2n' at t%at t2$e an' t%e#e a0 an a?0en)e o" a $ot2ve

to 'e)e2ve.


46/69

J131-!*D 1 6

ev2'en)e@ o# /34 t%e p#e9&'2)2al e""e)t o" t%e e##o# 20 0o 2n02(n2"2)ant ? )o$pa#20on to t%e

ot%e# ev2'en)e t%at 2t 20 )lea# ?eon' a #ea0ona?le 'o&?t t%at t%e e##o# )o&l' not %ave

)ont#2?&te' to t%e 9 'e)202on #e(a#'2n( t%e 'eat% penalt. Co$$onealt% v. S$2t%,

6* A.-' -, B /-!!4 /2nte#nal )2tat2on an' &otat2on $a#0 o$2tte'4.

He#e, Appellant pe#0onall eGp#e00e' %20 #e$o#0e %en %e apolo(2e' to t%e

7#ove "a$2l "#o$ t%e 2tne00 0tan'. T%20 a0 t%e )lea#e0t, $o0t '2#e)t eGp#e002on o"

#e$o#0e ava2la?le a0 2t (ave t%e 9 t%e oppo#t&n2t to a00e00 t%e 02n)e#2t o" Appellant0

0tate$ent. Mo#eove#, t%e 9 %ea#' te0t2$on "#o$ to "a2t% $2n20te#0 t%at Appellant

p#e0ente' a0 2tne00e0 to %20 )%a#a)te#. Spe)2"2)all, P#20on pa0to# Ronal' Co#'ell

te0t2"2e' t%at Appellant a0 a )on020tentl 'evo&t an' eGe$pla# 0t&'ent at %20 p#20on

?2?le le00on0 %o 'e02#e' 2n0t#&)t2on an' )onve#0at2on on "o#$2n( a #elat2on0%2p 2t% 7o'

an' #epentan)e. N.T. at *>-B1-. Pa0to# Ro?e#t He## al0o te0t2"2e' t%at Appellant

'20plae' a level an' )o$pleG2t o" #el2(2o&0 0ea#)%2n( )on020tent 2t% (en&2ne #e"le)t2on

an' a le(2t2$ate atte$pt to (a2n an &n'e#0tan'2n( o" ?2?l2)al tea)%2n( t%at $a'e 0en0e to

%2$. N.T. at *>313>. He## te0t2"2e' a0 to %20 pe#0onal eGpe#2en)e 2t% 0o1)alle' ;p#20on

)onve#02on0,< %e#e2n 2n$ate0 "e2(n ne"o&n' 0p2#2t&al 2n02(%t a?o&t t%e2# p#2o# )#2$2nal

l2ve0 "o# t%e 0ole ppo0e o" o?ta2n2n( "avo#a?le #e0&lt0 2n pen'2n( le(al p#o)ee'2n(0, ?&t

He## '2""e#ent2ate' Appellant0 app#oa)% to an' pa#t2)2pat2on 2n t%e "a2t% eGe#)20e0 %e

a'$2n20te#e' "#o$ t%e t%at tp2)all p#a)t2)e' ? )%a#latan0. N.T. at *>3>.

Ho t%e0e t%#ee a))o&nt0 o" Appellant0 alle(e'l #e$o#0e"&l, #e"le)t2ve, an'

#epentant 0tate o" $2n' p#ov2'e' $ate#2all '2""e#ent o# 2n"e#2o# ev2'en)e on t%e 0&?9e)t a0

)o$pa#e' to t%e eG)l&'e' p#o""e#, Appellant 'oe0 not eGpla2n an' e 'o not pe#)e2ve.

We t%e#e"o#e 'ee$ %a#$le00 an e##o# atten'2n( t%e eG)l&02on o" )&$&lat2ve te0t2$on

a0 to Appellant0 alle(e' #e$o#0e.

VI. D$+*5 ) A66$55+; M*+ ?(/ /$ A'*+ F!' /A66$55+ K*55$ 9/*5$ *+ /$ P$'6$'*+ ) F$5+


47/69

J131-!*D 1 B

Appellant neGt )onten'0 t%at t%e loe# )ot e##e' 2n 'en2n( %20 $ot2on to &a0%

t%e a((#avat2n( "a)to# t%at %e 2lle' %2le ;2n pe#pet#at2on o" a "elon< &n'e# - Pa.C.S. =

B**/'4/64 %en %20 &n'e#l2n( "elon )onv2)t2on a0 "o# Pe#0on0 not to Po00e00 a

F2#ea#$. ;T%e onl "elon2e0 t%at t%e le(20late 2nten'e' a0 a((#avat2n( )2#)&$0tan)e0,!-/'4.*

#2e"

"o# Appellant at 3*. T%20 Cot %a0 #e9e)te' t%e 2'ent2)al )la2$ 2n ?ot% Co$$onealt% v.

Wale#, 6>6 A.-' ! /Pa. *>4 /%ol'2n( 9 $a )on02'e# &n'e#l2n( "elon )onv2)t2on o"

)#2$2nal t#e0pa00 a0 "elon "o# ppo0e0 o" Senten)2n( Co'e0 = B**/'4/64 a((#avato#4

an' Co$$onealt% v. Ro?2n0on, BB A.-' 33 /Pa. -!!>4 /%ol'2n( ;"elon< "o# ppo0e0

o" /'4/64 a#e not t%o0e en&$e#ate' 2n Se)t2on ->!-/'4, ?&t, 2n0tea', t%o0e )onte$plate'

2n C#2$e0 Co'e at * Pa.C.S. = *!* et 0e.4. Appellant 'e)la#e0, %oeve#, ;t%e t2$e 20

#2pe "o# Ro?2n0on to ?e ove##&le'D< an', to t%at en', p#ov2'e0 an a#(&$ent t%at, %e 0a0,

;#e2te#ate0 t%e )onv2n)2n( teGt&al an' le(20lat2ve %20to# a#(&$ent0 a'van)e' ? t%e

Ro?2n0on 'e"en'antQ.< #2e" "o# Appellant at 3*.

In'ee', a0 Appellant a)nole'(e0, o 'e)202on 2n Ro?2n0on #ea""2#$e'

9p#&'en)e 0et "o#t% 2n Wale# t%at a 9 $a "2n' an ;2n pe#pet#at2on o" a "elon!-/'4 'e"2ne0 ;pe#pet#at2on o" a "elon< a0 ;tD%e a)t o" t%e 'e"en'ant 2nen(a(2n( 2n o# ?e2n( an a))o$pl2)e 2n t%e )o$$2002on o", o# an atte$pt to )o$$2t, o#"l2(%t a"te# )o$$2tt2n(, o# atte$pt2n( to )o$$2t #o??e#, #ape, o# 'ev2ate 0eG&al2nte#)oe ? "o#)e o# t%#eat o" "o#)e, a#0on, ?(la# o# 2'napp2n(.


48/69

J131-!*D 1

'eat% penalt 0tat&te to a))o$$o'ate )on0t2t&t2onal #e&2#e$ent0 e0po&0e' 2n t%e

8n2te' State0 S&p#e$e Cot 'e)202on 2n F$an v. 7eo#(2a, ! 8.S. -3, - S.Ct.

-B-6, 33 L.E'.-' 36 /*B-4, an' #e"o#$at2on 2nto p#e0ent1'a C#2$e Co'e0 Se)t2on

->!- /$'e# 0tat&te4 an' Senten)2n( Co'e0 Se)t2on B** /'eat% penalt 0tat&te4

2na've#tentl o$2tte' 2$po#t2n( 2nto Se)t2on B** t%e 'e"2n2t2onal 0e)t2on o" Se)t2on ->!-

a0 a ne)e00a# )o$ponent. Ro?2n0on, BB at 6. O 7ene#al A00e$?l a$en'e' -

Pa.C.S. = B** ;on no le00 t%an "2ve o))a02on0< 02n)e o 'e)202on 2n Wale#, e note',

an' 2n no a$en'$ent '2' 2t alte# t%e pe#t2nent la a0 2nte#p#ete' ? t%20 Cot. I'. So, e

%el', a0 appl2)a?le t%e ell10ettle' p#e0&$pt2on o" 0tat&to# )on0t#&)t2on t%at o

2nte#p#etat2on a0 2n a))o#'an)e 2t% le(20lat2ve 2ntent. I'. /)2t2n( * Pa.C.S. = *--/4@

Fonne# v. S%an'on, In)., B- A.-' !3, !6 /Pa. *44.

A v2(o#o&0 '200ent, a&t%o#e' ? J&0t2)e Salo#, note' t%at t%e appellant %a'

p#ov2'e' an eGten02ve le(20lat2ve %20to# o" Se)t2on0 B** an' ->!-, to(et%e# 2t% a

ell1'evelope' a#(&$ent 2n 0&ppo#t o" l2$2t2n( t%e Se)t2on B**/'4/64 a((#avato# to t%e

02G en&$e#ate' "elon2e0 o" Se)t2on ->!-. A p#o?2n( an' )o$p#e%en02ve anal020 o" t%e

o#2(2nal 0eve#an)e, 0&?0e&ent a$en'$ent0 to t%e )ap2tal 0enten)2n( 0)%e$e, an' t%e

#e0&ltant 2n)a#nat2on0 an' 2te#at2on0 o" ea)% Se)t2on "olloe', 2t% t%e '200ent &lt2$atel

op2n2n( t%at Se)t2on ->!-/'4 avo2'0 a$?2(&2t an' ;(a2n0 "&ll $ean2n( onl %en #ea' 2n

)on9&n)t2on 2t% t%e 'eat% penalt 0tat&te.< Ro?2n0on, at >B. Con9o2n2n( t%e 0tat&te0 2n

0&)% a a a0 to l2$2t "elon2e0 &al2"2n( a0 an a((#avato# 2n 0enten)2n(, J&0t2)e Salo#

op2ne', al2(n0 pe#"e)tl 2t% t%e 8n2te' State0 S&p#e$e Cot0 $an'ate t%at )a#e"&ll

'e"2ne', na##o2n( )#2te#2a appl a0 a t%#e0%ol' to 'eat% el2(2?2l2t. I'. To 9&0t2)e0 9o2ne'

J&0t2)e Salo# 2n '200ent.

In Ro?2n0on, t%e#e"o#e, t%20 Cot #e9e)te' ealo&0 a'vo)a) an' #o?&0t '200ent

on t%e ve# 0a$e 200&e an' a#(&$ent t%at 20 no #a20e' %e#e2n. Appellant )on)e'e0 a0


49/69

J131-!*D 1

$&)% %en %e 0tate0 ;2Dn Ro?2n0on, t%e 'e"en'ant0 a#(&$ent0 e#e 0&?0tant2all t%e

0a$e a0 t%e one0 2n t%20 ?#2e"Q.< #2e" "o# Appellant at -.* We a(#ee, an' t%e#e"o#e

'ee$ Ro?2n0on ?2n'2n( p#e)e'ent, pa#t2)&la#l (2ven Appellant0 #e2te#at2on0 o" t%e

'e"en'ant0 &nava2l2n( a#(&$ent0 $a'e 2n t%at )a0e. Ft%e#$o#e, 9&0t a0 e 2n"e##e' 2n

Ro?2n0on an a))o#'an)e ?eteen le(20lat2ve 2ntent an' o p#2o# 2nte#p#etat2on0 o" t%e la

"#o$ t%e 7ene#al A00e$?l0 "a2le to alte# t%e la 0&?0e&entl, 0o e )ont2n&e to 2n"e#

a))o#'an)e 2n o #ev2e o" t%e )a0e 0&? 9&'2)e, %e#e t%e 7ene#al A00e$?l %a0 le"t t%e

la &nalte#e' "o# n2ne ea#0 "ollo2n( t%e "&ll1'evelope' t#eat$ent t%e 200&e #e)e2ve' 2n

Ro?2n0on. A))o#'2n(l, e '20$200 t%20 )la2$ a0 $e#2tle00.

VII. A%**+ ) V*!*% I%6! E*$+!$

Appellant neGt )onten'0 t%e )ot )o$$2tte' #eve#02?le e##o# %en 2t 2n0t#&)te' t%e

9 on t%e &0e o" v2)t2$ 2$pa)t ev2'en)e, a0 t%e )ot0 lan(&a(e alloe' t%e 9 to &0e

v2)t2$ 2$pa)t a0 a 0&pe# non10tat&to# a((#avato#. Appellant "2le' a p#e1%ea#2n( $ot2on

0ee2n( to p#e)l&'e t%e Co$$onealt% "#o$ o""e#2n( v2)t2$ 2$pa)t ev2'en)e. T%e loe#

)ot 'e

Majority Opinion: Commonwealth v. Johnson

Documents

Transcript of Majority Opinion: Commonwealth v. Johnson