Commonwealth v. Pech
Commonwealth v. Pech
Opinion of the Court
The defendant, Pov Pech, was convicted after a jury trial of two counts of possession of a large capacity weapon in violation of G. L. c. 269, § 10(m ). Following the entry of the guilty verdicts, the defendant was arraigned on the portions of the indictments alleging that he was a habitual offender, see G. L. c. 279, § 25. After a bench trial, the judge found the defendant guilty of being a habitual offender. On appeal the defendant contends that (1) the judge abused his discretion by admitting in evidence Google searches conducted on his cellular telephone (cell phone); (2) there was insufficient evidence to establish that he illegally possessed the firearms seized; (3) the judge gave an erroneous jury instruction on the elements of constructive possession; (4) the burden of proving firearms licensure was improperly shifted to the defendant; and (5) the defendant did not knowingly and voluntarily waive his right to a jury trial on the habitual offender charge. We affirm the underlying possession convictions but vacate the findings that the defendant is a habitual offender.
1. Google searches. The defendant contends that the judge's admission of expert testimony concerning the defendant's Google searches for a "P19 handgun, 9 millimeter" and "MAC-11" on his cell phone was error. Because this issue is raised for the first time on appeal, we review for error, and if there is error, for a substantial risk of a miscarriage of justice. See Commonwealth v. Alphas,
The cell phone belonged to the defendant, and "a jury could [therefore] reasonably infer that it was the defendant who conducted the searches." Commonwealth v. Keown,
Here, the content of the Google searches was clearly relevant. See Commonwealth v. Vera,
2. Sufficiency. The defendant maintains that the judge erred in denying his motion for required findings of not guilty because the evidence at trial was insufficient to satisfy the Commonwealth's burden of proving constructive possession of the firearms. To establish constructive possession, the Commonwealth must prove that the defendant had "knowledge coupled with the ability and intention to exercise dominion and control" over the firearms. Commonwealth v. Sann Than,
We review the sufficiency of the evidence under the now familiar Latimore standard. See Commonwealth v. Latimore,
First, there was evidence that the defendant lived in the apartment. See Commonwealth v. Charlton,
Second, the evidence permitted the jury to find that the defendant stayed in the bedroom where the two loaded high capacity firearms were discovered.
3. Jury instruction. The defendant maintains that the judge gave an erroneous jury instruction regarding constructive possession. The defendant did not object to the instruction at trial. We review for error and, if any, for a substantial risk of a miscarriage of justice. Commonwealth v. St. Louis,
The instruction in this case accurately conveyed to the jury the meaning of the phrase "constructive possession." The judge instructed the jury,
"A person who ... knowingly has both the power and the intention at any given time to exercise dominion, power, or control over the object, is in constructive possession of the object. Thus, constructive possession means knowledge of the location of an object combined with the ability and intention to exercise dominion and control over it."
The defendant takes issue with the use of the word "power" instead of "ability" in the first sentence of the instruction.
"[W]hen reviewing a judge's instructions to a jury, we do not consider phrases in isolation, but rather '[w]e evaluate the instruction as a whole, looking for the interpretation a reasonable juror would place on the judge's words.' " Commonwealth v. Glacken,
4. Firearms. The defendant further maintains that the evidence of unlawful possession was insufficient because the Commonwealth failed to present evidence that he was not licensed to own firearms. The Supreme Judicial Court has repeatedly held that licensure is an affirmative defense as to which the defendant bears the burden of proof. See Commonwealth v. Powell,
5. Habitual criminal. As the Commonwealth concedes, the defendant's convictions on the habitual offender portions of the indictments must be vacated and remanded for further proceedings as the record does not indicate that he knowingly and voluntarily waived his right to a jury trial on these indictments. See Commonwealth v. Dussault,
The underlying convictions on two indictments charging possession of a large capacity weapon are affirmed. The habitual offender judgments are vacated, and the findings are set aside. The matter is remanded for further proceedings consistent with this memorandum and order.
So ordered.
Affirmed in part, vacated in part, and remanded.
When executing the search warrant that led to the defendant's arrest, Detective Borodawka asked the defendant where he lived. In reply the defendant pointed to the apartment and said, "I live there." In addition, the defendant told two other detectives-on separate occasions-that he lived in the apartment. There was countervailing evidence-the girl friend claimed that he did not live there, the defendant was not on the lease, and he offered evidence that he lived elsewhere. However, "[t]he task of assessing the cogency of evidence and resolving conflicting testimony, with rare exceptions not applicable here, is the exclusive province of the jury." Commonwealth v. Ragland,
One firearm was hidden under a pillow on the bed, and the other was found in a duffel bag on the floor.
Six children were in the apartment when the warrant was served, ranging in ages from three months old to fifteen years old.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.