COM. v. TAYLOR

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Docket Number

No. 951 MDA 2003.

Attorney(S)

Paul W. Muller, Harrisburg, for appellant. James P. Barker, Asst. Dist. Atty., Harrisburg, for Com., appellee.

Judges

OPINION BY LALLY-GREEN, J.:

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Smart Summary

Factual and Procedural Background

On August 13, 2002, Morris Smith, an 84-year-old man, was attacked in his garage while feeding stray animals. The assailant struck Smith from behind and rifled through his pockets before fleeing. Police received a description from Smith and later interviewed witness Craig Paige, who stated that Appellant James M. Taylor had told him he intended to rob Smith and was seen entering and exiting the victim's garage shortly before police arrived. On August 15, 2002, Appellant was charged with robbery, aggravated assault, and burglary, and was arrested the same day. Following Smith's death on August 16, 2002, Appellant was additionally charged with criminal homicide. Appellant filed a motion to suppress statements made during a police interview on August 15, 2002, which was denied. After a jury trial beginning May 12, 2003, Appellant was found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment on May 16, 2003. This appeal followed.

Legal Issues Presented

Whether the trial court erred in denying Appellant's motion to suppress his statement to police on the basis that it was tainted by an unlawful arrest due to lack of probable cause.

Arguments of the Parties

Appellant's Arguments

The police lacked probable cause to arrest Appellant because the affidavit supporting the arrest warrant omitted material information.
The omitted information included witness Paige's inability to accurately describe the garage, the timing and location of the ambulance and victim, and the fact that Paige was interviewed several days after the incident rather than at the scene.
Paige's credibility was further undermined by the fact that a local bail bondsman, who was the victim's nephew, offered Paige money for information implicating someone.
If these omissions had been included, the affidavit would not have established probable cause for Appellant's arrest.

The opinion does not contain a detailed account of the appellee's arguments.

Table of Precedents Cited

Precedent	Rule or Principle Cited For	Application by the Court
Illinois v. Gates, 462 U.S. 213 (1983)	Established the "totality of the circumstances" test for probable cause; probable cause requires only a fair probability of criminal activity.	The court applied this standard to evaluate whether the affidavit provided a substantial basis for probable cause.
Commonwealth v. Jones, 506 Pa. 262, 484 A.2d 1383 (1984)	Probable cause must be assessed in a common sense, nontechnical manner; magistrates must have a substantial basis for probable cause.	The court relied on this to emphasize deference to the magistrate's probable cause determination.
Commonwealth v. Fromal, 572 A.2d 711 (Pa.Super. 1990)	Appellate courts accord utmost deference to trial court’s probable cause determinations and limit inquiry to the affidavit’s four corners.	The court limited its review to the affidavit and upheld the trial court’s probable cause finding.
Commonwealth v. Rogers, 615 A.2d 55 (Pa.Super. 1992)	Clarified the totality of the circumstances test and the proper review of probable cause on appeal.	Supported the court’s standard of review and probable cause assessment.
Commonwealth v. Hannon, 837 A.2d 551 (Pa.Super. 2003)	Probable cause requires a practical, common sense decision based on all known circumstances, including hearsay.	Reinforced the application of the totality of the circumstances approach to probable cause here.
Wagner v. Waitlevertch, 774 A.2d 1247 (Pa.Super. 2001)	Framework for analyzing false statements in affidavits: must be knowingly false and necessary to probable cause.	Distinguished false statements from omissions; Appellant did not allege false statements.
Franks v. Delaware, 438 U.S. 154 (1978)	Established the standard for challenging affidavits based on false statements.	Referenced in discussing the difference between false statements and omissions.
United States v. Jacobs, 986 F.2d 1231 (8th Cir. 1993)	Omissions are made with reckless disregard if any reasonable person would know the omitted fact is material to probable cause.	Cited to adopt a standard for omissions with reckless disregard.
Wilson v. Russo, 212 F.3d 781 (3d Cir. 2000)	Test for omissions in affidavits: whether officer withheld highly relevant facts and whether affidavit would still establish probable cause if the omitted facts were included.	Adopted by this court as the standard for evaluating omissions in probable cause affidavits.
United States v. Frost, 999 F.2d 737 (3d Cir. 1993)	For omissions, courts inquire if probable cause would exist if omitted facts were included.	Applied to conclude that omitted details did not negate probable cause.
Commonwealth v. Baker, 615 A.2d 23 (Pa. 1992)	Evidence of police misconduct relevant but not fatal if affidavit still supports probable cause.	Supported the principle that omissions do not invalidate probable cause if the affidavit remains sufficient.
Commonwealth v. Ceriani, 600 A.2d 1282 (Pa.Super. 1991)	Omission of informant’s background not fatal where affidavit still establishes probable cause.	Supported the court’s conclusion that omitted information here was not fatal.
Commonwealth v. Yerger, 482 A.2d 984 (Pa.Super. 1984)	Misleading omissions do not require invalidation of warrant if affidavit still shows probable cause.	Applied to affirm that omissions here did not invalidate probable cause.

Court's Reasoning and Analysis

The court began by reiterating the deferential standard of review on motions to suppress, emphasizing that appellate review is limited to the record supporting the suppression court's factual findings and legal conclusions. The central legal question concerned whether the police had probable cause to arrest Appellant despite alleged omissions in the affidavit supporting the arrest warrant.

The court examined the nature of the omissions alleged by Appellant, finding that they related to minor inconsistencies and background facts about witness Paige's testimony and credibility rather than false statements. The court distinguished between false statements and omissions, applying the framework from federal appellate decisions that omissions are actionable only if made with reckless disregard for their materiality and if the affidavit would lack probable cause if the omitted facts were included.

Applying this test, the court found that Officer Schriver did not withhold any highly relevant information with reckless disregard. The affidavit explicitly stated that Paige was interviewed at police headquarters and included Paige's statements implicating Appellant. The court further determined that even if the omitted details about Paige's inability to recall certain specifics and the timing of events were included, the affidavit would still establish probable cause. The suppression court's conclusion that the affidavit provided sufficient probable cause was therefore upheld, and the denial of the motion to suppress was affirmed.

Holding and Implications

The court's final decision is AFFIRMANCE of the judgment of sentence entered on May 16, 2003.

The direct effect of this decision is that Appellant's conviction and life sentence are upheld. The court did not establish new precedent but confirmed the application of established legal principles regarding probable cause, omissions in affidavits, and the proper standard of appellate review in suppression motions.

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COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, Appellee v. JAMES M. TAYLOR, Appellant.

OPINION BY LALLY-GREEN, J.:

¶ 1 Appellant, James M. Taylor, appeals from the judgment of sentence entered on May 16, 2003. We affirm.

¶ 2 The facts are as follows. On August 13, 2002, Harrisburg Police received a 911 call from the victim, Morris Smith. Smith, an 84-year-old man, had been struck from behind on the right side of the face while in his garage feeding stray cats and birds. As he lay on the ground, Smith felt the perpetrator going through his pockets. Smith saw the perpetrator fleeing and described him to police.

The record reflects that the trial court failed to file an opinion.

¶ 3 Police interviewed witness Craig Paige at the Harrisburg Police Bureau. Paige stated that Appellant told him he was going to rob the victim. Paige saw Appellant go into the victim's garage and come back out a short time later.

¶ 4 On August 15, 2002, a criminal complaint was filed charging Appellant with robbery, aggravated assault, and burglary. Police arrested Appellant on the same day, August 15, 2002. On August 17, 2002, a new criminal complaint charged Appellant with criminal homicide for the death of Smith, who died on August 16, 2002, from the injuries inflicted by Appellant.

¶ 5 On March 12, 2003, Appellant filed a motion seeking suppression of statements made at the Harrisburg Police Station on August 15, 2002. A hearing occurred wherein, inter alia, Appellant stated that he had been taken to the station on August 15, 2002, where he had been interviewed and had given the police a statement implicating himself in the robbery of Smith. N.T., Suppression Hearing, 5/7-12/03, at 12, 15-16. After the hearing, the court denied Appellant's motion to suppress. On May 12, 2003, a jury trial began. On May 16, Appellant was found guilty of all charges and sentenced to life imprisonment. This appeal followed.

¶ 6 Appellant raises one issue on appeal:

Whether the trial court erred when it denied Appellant's motion to suppress his statement to police because it was tainted by an unlawful arrest?

Appellant's Brief at 4.

¶ 7 When reviewing an order denying a motion to suppress evidence, we are limited to determining whether the evidence of record supports the factual findings, inferences and legal conclusions of the suppression court. Commonwealth v. Bennett, 827 A.2d 469, 475 (Pa.Super. 2003). In so doing, we consider only the evidence of the prosecution along with defense evidence that, fairly read in the context of the entire record, remains uncontradicted. Commonwealth v. Fitzpatrick, 666 A.2d 323, 325 (Pa.Super. 1995). Furthermore, questions of credibility and the weight to be accorded to witness testimony are issues within the sound discretion of the trial court. Id. If the record supports the factual findings of the trial court, we may reverse only for an error of law. Id.

¶ 8 Appellant claims that the Harrisburg Police lacked probable cause to arrest him. Specifically, Appellant claims that the police omitted material information when they submitted a probable cause affidavit in support of an arrest warrant for Appellant. Appellant contends that if the omitted information had been included, the affidavit would not have provided probable cause.

The test in this Commonwealth for determining whether probable cause exists for the issuance of an arrest warrant is the "totality of the circumstances." Illinois v. Gates, 462 U.S. 213 (1983). In determining whether probable cause exists, a magistrate is not required to find a showing of criminal activity; mere probability of such criminal activity is sufficient for probable cause. Furthermore, the information offered to demonstrate probable cause must be viewed in "a common sense, nontechnical, ungrudging and positive manner." Commonwealth v. Jones, 506 Pa. 262, 484 A.2d 1383 (1984). Our duty on appeal is to ensure that the magistrate had a "substantial basis for concluding that probable cause exists." Commonwealth v. Fromal, 572 A.2d 711, 718 ([Pa.Super.] 1990) ( quoting Illinois v. Gates, supra, 462 U.S. at 238-239). A trial court's determination of probable cause is accorded the utmost deference on appeal. We must limit our inquiry to the information within the four corners of the affidavit submitted in support of probable cause when determining whether the warrant was issued upon probable cause.

Commonwealth v. Rogers, 615 A.2d 55, 62 (Pa.Super. 1992) (citations omitted). Regarding when probable cause to arrest exists, we recently stated that:

Probable cause is determined by considering the totality of the circumstances. Illinois v. Gates, 462 U.S. 213 (1983). Under the totality of the circumstances, a police officer must make a practical common sense decision whether, given all of the circumstances known to him at that time, including hearsay information, there is a fair probability that a crime was committed and that the suspect committed the crime.

Commonwealth v. Hannon, 837 A.2d 551, 554 (Pa.Super. 2003), appeal denied, 2004 Pa. LEXIS 757 (Pa. Apr. 6, 2004).

¶ 9 Again, Appellant argues that probable cause was lacking because the police omitted material information from the affidavit of probable cause. Specifically, Appellant asserts that Officer Jeffrey Schriver omitted information about the eyewitness, Paige. Appellant points to Paige's inability to describe correctly the garage where the robbery took place and his inability to describe accurately when the ambulance arrived and where the victim was found. Appellant also complains that the victim's nephew, a local bail bondsman, had offered Paige money for information implicating someone in the crime. Appellant further asserts that Officer Schriver omitted that Paige was not interviewed at the scene but was arrested and interviewed several days later. Appellant claims that if these omitted facts had been in the affidavit, then they would have established that Paige was present when the incident occurred, stayed at the scene, and talked to police afterwards, but they would not have implicated Appellant. Thus, Appellant contends that sufficient probable cause for issuance of the arrest warrant was lacking.

Appellant's assertion focuses on minor details such as Paige not being able to recall the color of the brick in the victim's garage where the incident occurred.

¶ 10 This Court has addressed the related question of false statements in affidavits of probable cause. Appellant, however, does not allege that false statements were made. Moreover, there is a significant difference between false statements and omissions. Our sister court, the Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, has set forth the following framework for analyzing omissions:

In that context, Appellant must show: (1) "a false statement knowingly and intentionally, or with reckless disregard for the truth, was included by the affiant in the warrant affidavit," and (2) "the allegedly false statement is necessary to the finding of probable cause." Wagner v. Waitlevertch, 774 A.2d 1247, 1253 (Pa.Super. 2001), citing, Franks v. Delaware, 438 U.S. 154 (1978); Lippay v. Christos, 996 F.2d 1490, 1501 (3d Cir. Pa. 1993).

All storytelling involves an element of selectivity. We cannot demand that police officers relate the entire history of events leading up to a warrant application with every potentially evocative detail that would interest a novelist or gossip (". . . the witness blushed when I mentioned the gun, and blinked six times while studying the photographic array. I noticed his hand crept up to his lips (which were chapped) . . ."). On the other hand, one of the reasons for requiring a neutral magistrate to evaluate probable cause is that an uninterested party is presumably better suited to review and evaluate the facts than an officer pursuing a lead. "The point of the Fourth Amendment, which often is not grasped by zealous officers, is not that it denies law enforcement the support of the usual inferences which reasonable men draw from evidence. Its protection consists in requiring that those inferences be drawn by a neutral and detached magistrate instead of being judged by the officer engaged in the often competitive enterprise of ferreting out crime." Johnson v. United States, 333 U.S. 10, 13-14, 92 L.Ed. 436, 68 S.Ct. 367 (1948) (cited in Payton v. New York, 445 U.S. 573, 586 n. 24, 63 L.Ed.2d 639, 100 S.Ct. 1371 (1980)). It follows that a police officer cannot make unilateral decisions about the materiality of information, or, after satisfying him- or herself that probable cause exists, merely inform the magistrate or judge of inculpatory evidence.

Recognizing the tension between the extreme models that could arise if either of these competing concerns were taken alone — requiring a police officer to tell all, and permitting a police officer to independently determine materiality — we follow the common sense approach of the Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit and hold that omissions are made with reckless disregard if an officer withholds a fact in his ken that "any reasonable person would have known that this was the kind of thing the judge would wish to know." United States v. Jacobs, 986 F.2d 1231, 1235 (8th Cir. 1993). In Jacobs, the court concluded that the officer acted with reckless disregard when he told the magistrate that a drug sniffing dog showed "interest" in the bag of the defendant but failed to inform the magistrate that it had not gone into "alert." Id. at 1234. "Because of the highly relevant nature of the omitted information," the court held that "the omission occurred at least with reckless disregard of its effect upon the affidavit."

Wilson v. Russo, 212 F.3d 781, 787-788 (3d Cir. N.J. 2000).

¶ 11 The materiality of omissions in a probable cause determination has not been explicitly addressed by our state courts. However, our sister federal court, the Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, addressed this question in United States v. Frost, 999 F.2d 737, 743 (3d Cir. Pa. 1993), cert. denied, 510 U.S. 1001 (1993). In Frost, the circuit court held that where an omission, rather than a misrepresentation, is the basis for a challenge to an affidavit for an arrest warrant, a court should inquire whether the affidavit would have provided probable cause if it had contained a disclosure of the omitted information. Id.

In Commonwealth v. Ryerson, 817 A.2d 510, 514 (Pa.Super. 2003), this Court recognized the distinction between false statements and omissions. Because the appellant in Ryerson challenged the omission of certain facts in the affidavit of probable cause, but cited cases only relating to false statements, we determined that the issue was waived for lack of meaningful development.

¶ 12 We adopt as our own the circuit court's reasoning regarding omissions. Thus, where omissions are the basis for a challenge to an affidavit of probable cause in an arrest warrant, we apply the following test: (1) whether the officer withheld a highly relevant fact within his knowledge, where "any reasonable person would have known that this was the kind of thing the judge would wish to know"; and (2) whether the affidavit would have provided probable cause if it had contained a disclosure of the omitted information. Wilson; Frost; accord, Commonwealth v. Baker, 615 A.2d 23, 26-27 (Pa. 1992) (evidence of the police's "corrupting influence" on a witness would have been highly relevant to the magistrate's finding of probable cause, but even if this information had been included, the affidavit still would have provided probable cause); Commonwealth v. Ceriani, 600 A.2d 1282, 1285 (Pa.Super. 1991) (omission of an informant's prior record and possible drug addiction was not fatal, because the affidavit would have provided probable cause even if this information had been included), appeal denied, 614 A.2d 1138 (Pa. 1992); Commonwealth v. Yerger, 482 A.2d 984, 990-991 (Pa.Super. 1984), appeal denied, 544 A.2d 446 (Pa. 1988) (where officer's statements in an affidavit were technically correct but "misleading by omission," and where the omission was deliberate, invalidation of the warrant was not necessary because the omission was "not an attempt to create probable cause where none existed" and because the affidavit still would have presented probable cause if the full information had been included).

¶ 13 The affidavit states, in relevant part:

On 08/15/02 we interviewed Craig Paige at the Harrisburg Police Bureau/Criminal Investigation Division in reference to this issue. He told us that he was present when this robbery occurred. Paige stated James Taylor told him he was going to rob the victim. Paige then saw Taylor go into the garage and come back out a very short time later. This was where the victim was at. A few minutes later, police arrived in the area. Paige identified James Taylor as the accused in this incident.

See, Harrisburg Bureau of Police Probable Cause Affidavit. We observe that the affidavit clearly stated that Paige was interviewed on August 15, 2002 at police headquarters.

¶ 14 After a suppression hearing, the suppression court stated the following:

Well, it is always good practice to afford the issuing authority as much information as may be practical and relevant at the time.

Now, having said that, the law has not certainly progressed in this Commonwealth to the point that the officers — but we are clearly instructed that we are to read the totality of what is in the warrant together with the face of the application for the warrant itself.

When we do that, we believe that the information that was provided to the district justice at night court in this circumstance was clearly sufficient to establish probable cause. And that's the key, probable cause.

It's not proof beyond a reasonable doubt. It is probable cause. And the two elements of probable cause primarily — they vary in their recitation or how you articulate them.

Basically A, that a crime or crimes were committed and that there is a reason to believe that the charged person, the Defendant, was the person or one of the persons responsible for committing those crimes.

It would have been insufficient to just make bald allegations or assertions that the Defendant in this particular case committed some crimes that are charged at that time.

However, we are satisfied that reading the affidavit of probable cause as a whole, there was more than sufficient information given to the district justice that would warrant the issuance of the arrest warrant and the search warrant for the residence where he resided.

N.T., 5/12/03, at 49-51.

¶ 15 The record reflects that the affidavit submitted to District Justice Lindsey was sworn by Officer Jeffrey Schriver on August 15, 2002. See, Harrisburg Bureau of Police Probable Cause Affidavit. Officer Schriver has been employed by the Harrisburg City Police as an investigator for the past 12 years. N.T., 5/7-12/03, at 5. Officer Schriver noted in the affidavit that he attempted to locate witnesses to the incident. Id. at 7. Officer Schriver located and interviewed Craig Paige. Id. In his interview, Paige stated that Appellant confided in him that Appellant was going to rob the victim. Id. Paige also said that he witnesses Appellant enter the victim's garage and exit it a short time later. Id. at 7-8. Paige identified Appellant as the perpetrator when police arrived on the scene a short time later. Id. at 8.

¶ 16 In summary, our review of the record fails to reflect that Officer Schriver made an omission with reckless disregard for its effect on the affidavit by withholding highly relevant information. Wilson. We further conclude that the affidavit would have provided probable cause even if it had contained a disclosure of the omitted information about affiant Paige's inability to recall the color of the brick in the victim's garage and inability to describe precisely when the ambulance arrived and where the victim was found. Frost. Accordingly, the suppression court did not abuse its discretion in denying Appellant's motion to suppress.

¶ 17 Judgment of sentence affirmed.