Commonwealth v. Manley
Commonwealth v. Manley
Opinion of the Court
This appeal arises from convictions on four counts of delivery or possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, namely heroin, under The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act,
The record in this case discloses the following facts. On December 1,1972, State Trooper Benjamin Brooks, a narcotics undercover agent, went to appellant’s home. Brooks was accompanied by Oscar Jenkins, an informant. Appellant transferred to Brooks a bag containing five bundles of heroin and collected $500. Later, appellant gave the money to Robert Mangini, who had provided the drugs. Appellant was permitted to retain $125 from the sale.
A second transaction occurred between Brooks and appellant on December 15, 1972, at which time Donna Jackson, a crime commission agent, and Constance Allen, Jenkins’ girlfriend, were present with Jenkins.
Two further transactions, involving six bundles and two bundles respectively, occurred at the appellant’s home on January 12, and January 13, 1973. Mangini was present at the third transaction. Appellant received $100 for the final sale.
Appellant was arrested on February 20, 1973. Trial which began on October 25, 1973, resulted in a mistrial. A second trial, postponed by numerous delays and continuances, finally began on April 11, 1975. Appellant defended on the basis of entrapment, saying that he participated in these transac
Appellant's first contention is that the prosecution failed to comply with a pre-trial order regarding disclosure of the informer's whereabouts. A defendant's right to disclosure of an informer is recognized in given circumstances. See, McCray v. Illinois, 386 U.S. 300, 87 S.Ct. 1056, 18 L.Ed.2d 62 (1967); Roviaro v. United States, 353 U.S. 53, 77 S.Ct. 623, 1 L.Ed.2d 639 (1957); Commonwealth v. Carter, 427 Pa. 53, 233 A.2d 284 (1967). The obligation of physically producing an informer, however, is not ordinarily imposed upon the prosecution.
Appellant maintains that the Commonwealth was instructed by pre-trial order to reveal the whereabouts of the informer, Jenkins, appellant’s admitted friend. Moreover, appellant insists that the prosecution had a duty to produce Jenkins. After a careful review of the order, we find it difficult to say what was required of the prosecution.
Interpreting the pre-trial order to require only full disclosure of known whereabouts, rather than production of the informer, comports with current law, since the prosecution is not compelled to call all material eye-witnesses at trial. See Commonwealth v. Horn, 395 Pa. 585, 150 A.2d 872 (1959); Commonwealth ex rel. Sprangle v. Maroney, 423 Pa. 589, 225 A.2d 236 (1967). Moreover, in this case in which one and one half years were consumed in pre-trial delays and continuances, most of them at appellant's request, it would
One of the most significant deficiencies in appellant’s position is that he made no pre-trial request for enforcement of the order as he now construes it. Rather, as late as January 27,1975, and February 13, 1975, appellant requested continuances so that he could locate witnesses, among them, Jenkins. At trial, appellant’s counsel conceded that the prosecution was not required to go out and find the informer or the eye-witnesses. In any event, appellant was not prejudiced, since he personally received leads as to Jenkins’ whereabouts just before trial, but failed to find his friend after reasonable efforts. Appellant located Ms. Allen, Jenkins’ girlfriend, who testified on appellant’s behalf.
Appellant's second contention is that he is entitled to dismissal of his indictments under Pa.R.Crim.P. 1100. During the interim between the mistrial and commencement of a new trial, appellant made several unsuccessful requests for dismissal under Pa.R.Crim.P. 1100(e). Then, on December 9, 1974, appellant executed a waiver of "the 270 day rule and as to speedy trial."
Appellant cites Commonwealth v. Woods, 461 Pa. 255, 336 A.2d 273 (1975), in which our supreme court held that a new trial which commenced after ninety days from the date of the grant of the new trial was in violation of Pa.R.Crim.P. 1100(e).
Appellant next asserts that he was subjected to double jeopardy by being required to undergo a new trial after the first resulted in a mistrial.
The primary consideration in determining the existence of double jeopardy is a defendant's "valued right to have his trial completed by a particular tribunal." United States v. Jorn, 400 U.S. 470, 484, 91 S.Ct. 547, 557, 27 L.Ed.2d 543 (1971) (plurality opinion) (Harlan, J.). The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has held that "[d]ouble jeopardy attaches if a mistrial is declared without `manifest necessity' or without the defendant's request or consent. (citations omitted)." Commonwealth v. Wideman, 453 Pa. 119, 122, 306 A.2d 894, 895 (1973). In the instant case, appellant argues that he did not consent to a mistrial and that manifest necessity did not exist. We note first, however, that appellant did effectively consent to a mistrial. Although he did not personally request a mistrial, appellant made no objection when his counsel did so. Therefore, we conclude that counsel's request was binding on appellant. See, Commonwealth ex rel. Bell v. Rundle, 420 Pa. 127, 216 A.2d 57, cert. denied, 384 U.S. 966, 86 S.Ct. 1599, 16 L.Ed.2d 678 (1966); Commonwealth v. Nagel, 246 Pa.Super. 576, 371 A.2d 983 (1977).
The existence of manifest necessity further negates appellant's double jeopardy claim. The concept of manifest necessity was briefly detailed by Justice Story in United States v. Perez, 22 U.S. (9 Wheat.) 579, 6 L.Ed. 165 (1824):
*86 “The law has invested Courts of justice with the authority to discharge a jury from giving any verdict, whenever, in their opinion, taking all the circumstances into consideration, there is manifest necessity for the act, or the ends of justice would otherwise be defeated. They are to exercise a sound discretion on the subject; and it is impossible to define all the circumstances which would render it proper to interfere. To be sure, the power ought to be used with the greatest caution, under urgent circumstances, and for very plain and obvious causes . . . ”
In Commonwealth v. Robson, 461 Pa. 615, 337 A.2d 573, cert. denied, 423 U.S. 934, 96 S.Ct. 290, 46 L.Ed.2d 265 (1975), the supreme court found manifest necessity on facts identical to those in this case, i.e., illness of the presiding judge which was expected to delay trial for two weeks or more. In such a case, a mistrial is the natural result of the "practical inability of the original tribunal to complete the trial." Id. 461 Pa. at 621, 337 A.2d at 576. Taking all of the circumstances into consideration, we find an urgent situation in which the trial court could have properly declared a mistrial sua sponte. Both manifest necessity and appellant's consent prompted mistrial, and therefore, appellant was not subject to double jeopardy.
Appellant also contends that he is entitled to a new trial or dismissal of his indictments because evidence he presented established entrapment as a matter of law. The evidence reveals that appellant told Jenkins throughout the subject transactions that he did not deal in drugs and he had no personal access to them. Appellant testified that it was only after repeated telephone calls from his. friend that he finally agreed to help Jenkins to secure drugs. Appellant further testified, however, that his prior friendship with Jenkins was marked by only one social encounter in a bar, and that there were no telephone calls and no visits by either of the men to the other’s home. Yet, it was on the strength of that friendship alone, appellant insists, that he agreed to “help” Jenkins by admittedly dealing in drugs, which he knew to be illegal. In spite of his assertion that his only motivation for
When considering a defense of entrapment, rather than focus on a particular defendant's readiness to commit the crime, we will look at the police conduct to determine whether there is a substantial risk that the offense would be committed by one innocently disposed. Commonwealth v. Jones, 242 Pa.Super. 303, 363 A.2d 1281 (1976). In the instant case, although Trooper Brooks knew of Jenkins' friendship with appellant, there was no evidence to establish that Brooks knew what contacts Jenkins made with appellant in his attempt to procure drugs, or the number of contacts that occurred before the first sale. There was no evidence showing that Brooks encouraged Jenkins' repeated requests in order to wear down appellant's resolve.
Courts have recognized that:
“[w]hile it is true that under normal circumstances entrapment is usually a jury question, where the evidence points to only one conclusion the question may be decided as a matter of law, just as any other factual issues admitting of only one conclusion.”
United States v. Klosterman, 248 F.2d 191, 195 (3d Cir. 1957), cited in, Commonwealth v. Mott, 234 Pa.Super. 52, 58, 334 A.2d 771, 774-75 (1975). The evidence in this case does not point clearly to only one conclusion, that of entrapment, as appellant asserts. Therefore, the trial judge was correct in presenting the issue to the jury with appropriate instructions.
Appellant next maintains that the prosecution’s failure to present evidence to establish the particular amounts of heroin sold by appellant entitles him to dismissal of the indictments or a new trial. The record shows, however, that there was evidence that appellant sold 800 packets of heroin. A defense witness estimated street value to lie between $4,800 and $12,000, while a chemist, a witness for the prosecution, estimated the value to be $10,000. We note
Appellant's objection to a technicality in the court's instruction on the definition of reasonable doubt is waived, since not preserved in the lower court. Commonwealth v. Clair, 458 Pa. 418, 326 A.2d 272 (1974).
Appellant submits that the trial judge improperly precluded cross-examination of Trooper Brooks concerning a December 23, 1972, transaction. There was no prior testimony regarding the incident. Although appellant contends that the evidence was integral to establishing his entrapment defense, no further evidence concerning this transaction was offered by the defense. Moreover, appellant chose not to call Brooks as his own witness, as he could have done.
The parameters of cross-examination are within the discretion of the trial judge. Commonwealth v. Donnelly, 233 Pa.Super. 396, 336 A.2d 632 (1975); Commonwealth v. Marino, 213 Pa.Super. 88, 245 A.2d 868 (1968). Here, the judge properly limited appellant's counsel to the scope of direct examination and to matters already established as relevant. Although appellant's counsel sought to make a motion at the time his cross-examination was forestalled, he acquiesced in the court's request that he postpone his motion and did not subsequently pursue it. Therefore, the court had no knowledge of appellant's hope to establish the transaction's relevance or of how he intended to do so.
Appellant’s final objection, that Brooks made a prejudicial comment when he stated that because the transaction of December 23, 1972, was not covered in the indictments he was not going to go into the matter, is totally frivolous. We note first that this claim of prejudice was not timely submitted to the lower court for consideration.
Judgment affirmed.
. Act of April 14, 1972, P.L. 233, No. 64, § 13(a)(13) [35 P.S. § 780-113(a)(13)] as amended.
. Act of June 24, 1939, P.L. 872, § 302 (18 P.S. § 4302).
. There is conflicting testimony as to which transactions Jackson, Allen and Mangini witnessed. Apparently, however, the three were present during at least two of the sales.
. The judge originally ordered routine disclosure of the informer’s known addresses. When appellant’s counsel persisted, the judge ordered the district attorney, “if he [could] find the informant to produce him.” The judge concluded, “and, to make any reasonable efforts therein.”
. Rule 1100(e) has since been amended to permit a maximum of 120 days between the grant of a new trial and its commencement.
Dissenting Opinion
dissenting:
Appellant contends that the Commonwealth violated former Rule 1100(e) because it failed to retry him within 90 days after a lower court order declaring a mistrial.
These are the facts relevant to appellant’s Rule 1100 claim: On October 29, 1973, appellant’s initial trial in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas ended in a mistrial when the trial judge became ill after testimony had begun. On December 27, 1973, a continuance was granted from November 20, 1973, to January 21, 1974, because appellant’s attorney was engaged in another trial.
In Commonwealth v. Myrick, 468 Pa. 155, 161, 360 A.2d 598, 600 (1976), the Supreme Court held that a defendant may waive speedy trial rights protected by Rule 1100. The Court stated that: "Rule 1100 is a rule of criminal procedure designed to implement and protect a defendant's constitutional right to a speedy trial. Its particular terms, however, are neither directly granted by nor required by the Constitution. Nevertheless, the basic requirements for making a valid waiver of constitutional rights, . . . are instructive in our consideration of the validity of a claimed waiver of the protections of rule 1100." Before a court can determine that a defendant has waived his constitutional rights, the record must demonstrate that the decision to waive these rights is an informed and voluntary act of the defendant. The Commonwealth bears the burden of establishing the validity of any waiver. Commonwealth v. Myrick, supra 468 Pa. at 162, 360 A.2d at 600.
In the instant case, the record contains a certified statement, signed by appellant and his counsel, which provides, in pertinent part: “. . Honorable ALEX BONAVITA-COLA orders case continued to January 27, 1975 . Def. atty. on trial in Fed. Court ... I, the defendant waive the 270 day rule and as to speedy trial.” The Majority construes this statement as a blanket waiver of appellant’s Rule 1100 rights. 1 believe, however, that this statement clearly reflects a negotiated bargain: Judge BONA VI-TACOLA agreed to continue appellant’s trial until his attorney finished his federal court obligations, provided that appellant agreed to waive his Rule 1100 rights for the period of time consumed in the future by the continuance.
I also find it difficult to believe that a defendant with an appreciation of his bargaining position would knowingly waive his right to include the period before a requested continuance in his Rule 1100 computations. When asking for a continuance which would extend the trial date beyond the expiration of the applicable Rule 1100 period, a defendant must be prepared, if requested, to waive any delay caused by the continuance for purposes of Rule 1100. See Commonwealth v. Hickson, 235 Pa.Super. 496, 344 A.2d 617 (1975). The waiver of any delay stemming from the continuance is the quid pro quo for the grant of the requested continuance. However, the period prior to the desired continuance normally has no relevance to this bargaining equation. A defendant who waives this prior period has nothing to gain and everything to lose. Therefore, I find it highly improbable that appellant who had filed three Rule 1100(f) applications before the December 9, 1974 continuance, would knowingly waive any Rule 1100 rights accruing before December 9,1974, when he would gain nothing in exchange for this waiver.
Because the certified statement clearly reflects a negotiated bargain—a continuance in exchange for waiver of Rule 1100 rights from December 9, 1974, to January 27, 1975,— and because appellant had nothing to gain from a blanket Rule 1100 waiver, I am unwilling to find that the Commonwealth has met its burden of demonstrating that appellant made an informed and voluntary decision to waive his Rule
Former Rule 1100(e) provided: "A new trial shall commence within a period of ninety (90) days after the entry of an order by the trial court or an appellate court granting a new trial." The Commonwealth asserts that this rule did not apply to orders granting a new trial after a mistrial; instead, the rule only applied to new trials granted on the basis of post-verdict motions. I disagree. In Commonwealth v. Woods, 461 Pa. 255, 336 A.2d 273 (1975), our Supreme Court decided that former Rule 1100(e) applied to any court order granting a new trial entered after June 8, 1973, the date of Rule 1100's adoption. Specifically, the Court held that the Commonwealth violated Rule 1100(e) because it failed to retry the defendant within 90 days after a Supreme Court order granting a new trial. See also Commonwealth v. O'Shea, 465 Pa. 491, 350 A.2d 872 (1976). I discern no meaningful distinction between a trial court order granting a new trial because of a mistrial and a trial or appellate court order granting a new trial on the basis of post-verdict motions. In either case, a second trial within 90 days is required by the wording of former Rule 1100(e) and is consonant with the desire of the Supreme Court to expedite the trial and retrial of criminal cases.
I must now determine whether the Commonwealth complied with its obligation to retry appellant within 90 days after the October 29, 1973 mistrial. In computing this 90 day period, the Commonwealth may exclude (1) extensions granted pursuant to a Rule 1100(c) petition, (2) Rule 1100(d)(1) periods of delay resulting from the unavailability of defendant or his counsel, and (3) Rule 1100(d)(2) periods
. See Pa.R.Crim.P. 1100(e) (1974-75 Supp.). On December 9, 1974, the Supreme Court amended Rule 1100(e). See Pa.R.Crim.P. 1100(e); 19 P.S. Appendix. (Effective Dec. 9, 1974).
. The record lists the reason for the continuance as “attorney on trial.” I will assume that this continuance was granted at the behest of appellant’s attorney. However, lower courts must try to be more specific in stating the reasons for continuances.
. Rule 1100(f) provides: “At any time before trial, the defendant or his attorney may apply to the court for an order dismissing the charges with prejudice on the ground that this Rule has been violated. A copy of such application shall be served upon the attorney for the Commonwealth, who shall also have the right to be heard thereon. Any order granting such application shall dismiss the charges with prejudice and discharge the defendant.”
. The Commonwealth could automatically exclude periods of delay resulting from the unavailability of appellant’s counsel in computing
. I note that appellant’s signed waiver refers to the “270 day rule” instead of the shorter 90 day Rule 1100(e) period. I do not believe that this affects the validity of appellant’s Rule 1100 waiver pertaining to the period between December 9, 1974, to January 27, 1975.
. Amended Rule 1100(e) now provides:
“(1) When a trial court has granted a new trial and no appeal has been perfected, the new trial shall commence within one hundred and twenty (120) days after the date of the order granting a new trial.
“(2) When an appellate court has granted a new trial, or has affirmed an order of a trial court granting a new trial, the new trial shall commence within one hundred and twenty (120) days after the appellate court remands the record to the trial court. The date of remand shall be the date as it appears in the appellate court docket.”
I intimate no opinion as to the applicability of amended Rule 1100(e) to orders granting a new trial after a mistrial.
. Rule 1100(c) and (d) provide:
“(c) At any time prior to the expiration of the period for commencement of trial, the attorney for the Commonwealth may apply to the court for an order extending the time for commencement of trial. A copy of such application shall be served upon the defendant through his attorney, if any, and the defendant shall also have the right to be heard thereon. Such application shall be granted only if trial cannot be commenced within the prescribed period despite due diligence by the Commonwealth. Any order granting such application shall specify the date or period within which trial shall be commenced.
“(d) In determining the period for commencement of trial, there shall be excluded therefrom such period of delay at any stage of the proceedings as result from:
“(1) the unavailability of the defendant or his attorney;
“(2) any continuance in excess of thirty (30) days granted at the request of the defendant or his attorney, provided that only the period beyond the thirtieth (30th) day shall be so excluded.”
. In reaching this conclusion, I have excluded the following periods from my Rule 1100(e) calculations: (1) November 20, 1973 to January 21, 1974 (defense attorney engaged in other trial), (2) June 6, 1974, to July 15, 1974 (same reason), (3) July 22, 1974, to September 19, 1974 (defense attorney ill), (4) December 9, 1974, to January 27, 1975 (appellant waived this period of time in exchange for continuance), (5) February 25, 1975, to April 7, 1975 (defense attorney ill),
Reference
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- COMMONWEALTH of Pennsylvania v. Lloyd MANLEY, Appellant
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