Commonwealth v. Gilliam
Commonwealth v. Gilliam
Concurring Opinion
concurring:
I agree with the majority that appellant’s Rule 1100
Appellant maintains that the lower court improperly concluded that certain periods of delay were caused by him.
. Pa.R.Crim.P., Rule 1100, 42 Pa.C.S.A.
. The lower court and appellant refer to particular periods of delay as “chargeable” to either party. It should be noted that in Commonwealth v. Shelton, 469 Pa. 8, 364 A.2d 694 (1976), the Supreme Court expressly denounced the wording of Rule 1100 issues in this manner: “... [Sjuch terminology only serves to confuse the issue and thereby tends to cause confusion in the application of the Rule.... [Arguments relating to Rule 1100 are properly advanced by employing the terminology of the Rule.” Id., 469 Pa. at 13-14, 364 A.2d at 696-697. See also Commonwealth v. Goodman, 260 Pa.Super. 266, 393 A.2d 1256 (1978).
Opinion of the Court
On August 14, 1978, Ulysses Gilliam, appellant, was convicted at a bench trial of robbery, criminal conspiracy, simple assault, and possession of an instrument of crime. Post-verdict motions were filed and denied. Gilliam was sentenced to concurrent terms of imprisonment of four to ten years for robbery, four to ten years for criminal conspiracy, one to two years for simple assault, and two to five years for possession of an instrument of crime.
Gilliam and his codefendant, Bernard Carr, had a complaint filed against them on November 16, 1977. Thus, under Rule 1100, trial was to commence by May 14, 1978. On January 12, 1978, trial was scheduled to begin. The Commonwealth, Gilliam and defense counsel all appeared, however, defense counsel requested a continuance to enable the defense to obtain the notes of testimony from the
On March 21, 1978, Gilliam’s and Carr’s cases were listed to be tried jointly. A pretrial hearing on Carr’s motion to suppress evidence was heard before the trial court. The suppression motions were denied, however, the suppression hearing judge recused himself, sun sponte, from trial. Trial was then set for April 19, 1978. On April 19, 1978, Gilliam and Carr both failed to appear for trial because they were on trial elsewhere and accordingly unavailable. A new trial date was set for May 11, 1978. On May 11, 1978, the complainant failed to appear and a new trial date was set for June 22, 1978. The next day, May 12, 1978, the Commonwealth filed a petition for an extension under Rule 1100(c).
Gilliam contends the Commonwealth did not take reasonable steps to assure the complainant would appear on May 11, 1978 and that, therefore, the trial court erred in granting an extension on June 9,1978. The record disclosed that on May 2, 1978, the Commonwealth attempted to serve a subpoena
In deciding whether the lower court properly granted the Commonwealth’s petition to extend, we must examine the record in light of the following principle:
The Commonwealth has the burden, by a preponderance of the evidence, of showing it has met the requirements of Rule 1100(c). Cf. Commonwealth v. Wade, 475 Pa. 399, 380 A.2d 782 (1977); Commonwealth v. Mitchell, 472 Pa. 553, 372 A.2d 826 (1977). Furthermore, in reviewing a hearing court’s ruling that the Commonwealth has met its burden, we consider only the evidence presented by the Commonwealth and so much evidence, as fairly read in the context of the record as a whole, remains uncontradicted. See Commonwealth v. Mitchell, supra. Commonwealth v. Ehredt, supra 485 Pa. 191 at 194, 401 A.2d 358 at 360. [485 Pa. 191, 401 A.2d 358 (1979) ]
Commonwealth v. Freeman, 280 Pa.Super. 462, 421 A.2d 814, 817 (1980).
We also note that while it is clear that the unavailability of a Commonwealth witness is a relevant factor in determining whether an extension should be granted, see Commonwealth v. Brown, 252 Pa.Super. 365, 381 A.2d 961 (1977), it is just as clear that bare statements by the Commonwealth’s attorney of witness unavailability, without more, do not establish due diligence within the standards outlined in Pa.R.Crim.P. 1100(c). See Commonwealth v. Ehredt, 485 Pa. 191, 401 A.2d 358 (1979); Commonwealth v. Jackson, 269 Pa.Super. 249, 409 A.2d 873 (1979).
Commonwealth v. Schuster, 288 Pa.Super. 310, 315-316, 431 A.2d 1063, 1065-1066 (1981). We hold that the Commonwealth exercised due diligence in its attempts to serve a subpoena upon the complainant. The unavailability of the Commonwealth’s witness occurred despite its due diligence. Commonwealth v. Thompson, 292 Pa.Super. 108, 436 A.2d 1028 (1981), Commonwealth v. Brown, 251 Pa.Super. 179, 380
Gilliam contends further, that the trial court erred in computing the extension it granted until June 23, 1978. Thus, Gilliam argues that the second 1100(c) extension sought by the Commonwealth was not timely.
Gilliam asserts that he was not responsible for all the delays and as such the first 1100(c) extension should only have been granted until June 1, 1978. However, the record clearly indicates that each continuance was granted until the next available trial date and that Gilliam did not object to the continuances. Accordingly, Gilliam cannot now argue that the delays were improperly charged to his responsibility. Rule 1100(c) refers to the due diligence of the prosecuting attorney’s office. It does not refer to the judiciary. The fact that the trial dates were not available at an earlier time does not reflect upon the diligence of the Commonwealth.
Judgment of sentence affirmed, except the sentence for simple assault is vacated.
. We note that Gilliam was convicted of simple assault, a lesser included offense of the robbery conviction. Simple assault merges with robbery for sentencing purposes. Commonwealth v. Bryant, 282 Pa.Super. 600, 423 A.2d 407 (1980). We are permitted to examine an issue of an illegal sentence sua sponte. Commonwealth v. Aeschbacher, 276 Pa.Super. 554, 419 A.2d 596 (1980). While the trial court sought to vacate the simple assault sentence in its opinion of November 13, 1979, it was without jurisdiction to do so. Pa.R. A.P. Rule 1701. We are satisfied that the sentence for simple assault was improperly imposed. Commonwealth v. Crocker, 280 Pa.Super. 470, 421 A.2d 818 (1980). Accordingly, we vacate the sentence imposed for simple assault.
. Rule 1100(c) provides:
(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.
. Moreover, in compliance with Commonwealth v. Mayfield, 469 Pa. 214, 364 A.2d 1345 (1976), the record shows the causes of the court delay and the reasons why the delay could not be avoided.
. Gilliam’s codefendant, Carr, appealed to this court contending that his trial was not brought within the time constraints provided in Rule 1100. We affirmed the decision of the trial court which denied Carr’s Rule 1100(c) petition in Commonwealth v. Carr, 292 Pa.Super. 137, 436 A.2d 1189 (1981). We are convinced that the reasons stated in
Reference
- Full Case Name
- COMMONWEALTH of Pennsylvania v. Ulysses GILLIAM, Appellant
- Cited By
- 16 cases
- Status
- Published