Case Information
*1 J-S77045-17 NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
COMMONWEALTH OF : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA : PENNSYLVANIA
: :
v. : : :
MICHAEL WHALLEY : : No. 153 MDA 2017 Appellant Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence June 2, 2016 In the Court of Common Pleas of Luzerne County Civil Division at No(s): 13809-2015 BEFORE: BENDER, P.J.E., LAZARUS, J., and STEVENS*, P.J.E. MEMORANDUM BY STEVENS, P.J.E.: FILED DECEMBER 29, 2017
Appellant, Michael Whalley, appeals from the judgment of sentence entered in the Court of Common Pleas of Luzerne County, which found Appellant guilty on four counts of Indirect Criminal Contempt for Violation of Order or Agreement (“ICC”), 23 Pa.C.S.A. § 6114. In addition, Appellant’s counsel, Amanda Young, Esquire (“Attorney Young”), has filed a Motion to Withdraw as Appellate Counsel as well as a brief pursuant to Anders v. California , 386 U.S. 738, 744 (1967) (“hereinafter the “ Anders Brief”) and Commonwealth v. Santiago , 978 A.2d 349 (Pa. 2009). In response, Appellant filed a pro se application for in forma pauperis status and appointment of new counsel. We grant Attorney Young’s Motion to Withdraw, deny Appellant’s responsive pro se application, and affirm Appellant’s judgment of sentence. ____________________________________ * Former Justice specially assigned to the Superior Court.
J-S77045-17
*2
The trial court aptly sets forth the factual and procedural history of the instant case as follows: On December 14, 2015, [A.S. 1 ,] (“Plaintiff”), filed a Petition for Protection from Abuse, (“PFA”), complaint, and a temporary order was issued. A final order was entered on December 29, 2015, against Defendant [hereinafter Appellant], for a period of three (3) years. Prior to the entry of the final PFA and after the entry of the PFA Appellant was charged in a series of violations of the terms of the PFA orders. Initially, on December 28, 2015, Appellant was arrested for violating the temporary PFA order by allegedly contacting Plaintiff by phone and text messages about topics unrelated to their children and was charged with one count of Contempt for Violation of Order or Agreement, 23 Pa.C.S.A. §§
6114(A).
Again, on January 6, 2015, Appellant was arrested for violating the PFA order for a second time by sending letters, approximately fourteen (14) pages in length, to Plaintiff. Appellant was charged with one count of Contempt for Violation of Order or Agreement, 23 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 6114(A). An Indirect Criminal Contempt hearing was scheduled before the Honorable Michael T. Vough, for January 21, 2016, pertaining to violation number one (1), which occurred on December 28, 2015, and violation number two (2), which occurred on January 6, 2016. Appellant pled guilty and was sentenced on each violation to a term of incarceration for a period of six (6) months consecutive to each other and to any sentence he was serving. The PFA order remained in effect. Thereafter, on March 24, 2016, Appellant was charged with Contempt for Violation of Order for violating the PFA for the third (3) time. Again, on April 11, 2016, Appellant was charged with one count of Contempt for Violation of Order for violating the PFA for the fourth (4) time.
____________________________________________ 1 We have used the victim’s initials to protect her identity.
- 2 -
J-S77045-17
*3 Again, on April 18, 2016, Appellant was charged with two separate counts of Contempt for Violation of Order for violating the PFA for the fifth (5) and sixth (6) time. On June 2, 2016, an Indirect Criminal Contempt hearing was held pertaining to violation numbers three (3), four (4), five (5), and six (6). After a full hearing, Appellant was found guilty of all violations and sentenced as follows: violation number three – six months’ incarceration; violation number four – six months’ incarceration consecutive to violation number three; violation number five – six months’ incarceration consecutive to violation number four; and violation number six – six months’ [probation] consecutive to violation number five[, for an aggregate sentence of eighteen months’ incarceration to be followed by six months’ probation.] The Protection from Abuse Order was extended for a period of three years from the date of the ICC hearing with an expiration date of June 2, 2019. On June 15, 2016, Appellant filed a Motion for Reconsideration and a video hearing was conducted on August 30, 2016. The matter was taken under advisement. On December 22, 2016, Appellant’s Motion was denied. Thereafter, on January 13, 2017, Appellant filed a Notice of Appeal. On January 23, 2017, an order was issued directing Appellant to file of record a Concise Statement of Errors Complained of on Appeal pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b) and serve a copy of same upon the District Attorney and this Court pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b)(1). The Order required the Statement to concisely identify each ruling or error Appellant intends to challenge with sufficient detail to identify all pertinent issues for the Judge to consider. Further, the Order provided that any issue not properly included in the Concise Statement and timely filed and served within twenty-one (21) days of the date of the Order shall be deemed waived pursuant to Rule 1925(b). On March 3, 2017, Appellant through his counsel filed a Concise Statement of Errors Complained of on Appeal pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b)[, raising the following issue for appellate review:]
The Trial Court erred and abused its discretion in finding Mr. Whalley guilty of indirect criminal contempt on violation #6, when the alleged written
- 3 -
J-S77045-17
*4 statements in question were directed to an individual who was not a protected person under the PFA Act and the underlying PFA did not specifically prohibit contact with said individual.
Trial Court Opinion, dated 6/28/2017, at 1-3. Counsel has since filed a petition to withdraw on the basis of frivolity. We must, therefore, first rule on the request to withdraw without reviewing the merits of the underlying issues. Commonwealth v. Blauser , 166 A.3d 428 (Pa.Super. 2017). In order to withdraw from appellate representation pursuant to Anders , certain procedural and substantive requirements must be met. Procedurally, counsel must 1) petition the court for leave to withdraw stating that, after making a conscientious examination of the record, counsel has determined that the appeal would be frivolous; 2) furnish a copy of the brief to the defendant; and 3) advise the defendant that he or she has the right to retain private counsel or raise additional arguments that the defendant deems worthy of the court's attention. See Commonwealth v. Cartrette , 83 A.3d 1030 (Pa.Super. 2013) ( en banc ).
Attorney Young’s petition to withdraw sets forth that she has reviewed the entire record, and concluded that there are no actual or potential non- frivolous issues. The petition includes a copy of the letter sent to Appellant, which informed Appellant of his rights pursuant to Commonwealth v. Millisock , 873 A.2d 748 (Pa.Super. 2005), namely, that he had the right to retain new counsel, or proceed pro se and raise additional arguments on his own behalf. Additionally, the letter states that Appellant was supplied with a
- 4 -
J-S77045-17
*5 copy of the Anders brief, 2 and the withdrawal petition contains proof of service on Appellant. 3 To date, Appellant has not responded to the petition to withdraw as counsel. Therefore, the procedural requirements have been satisfied.
We now examine whether the brief meets the substantive requirements as set forth by our Supreme Court in Santiago . The brief must: (1) provide a summary of the procedural history and facts, with citations to the record; (2) refer to anything in the record that counsel believes arguably supports the appeal; (3) set forth counsel's conclusion that the appeal is frivolous; and (4) state counsel's reasons for concluding that the appeal is frivolous. Counsel should articulate the relevant facts of record, controlling case law, and/or statutes on point that have led to the conclusion that the appeal is frivolous.
Commonwealth v. Daniels , 999 A.2d 590, 593 (Pa.Super. 2010) (citing Santiago , supra at 361).
The issue raised in the Anders brief asserts that the trial court abused its discretion in finding Appellant guilty of ICC for violations 3, 4, 5, and 6 ____________________________________________ 2 Although the brief does not contain proof of service on Appellant, counsel’s Millisock letter references it as having been enclosed. 3 By order dated November 11, 2017, this Court granted counsel’s request to amend her withdrawal petition to include a quotation from a letter that Appellant sent her on October 28, 2017. Counsel avers that the excerpt indicates there is a conflict of interest and arguably contains a threat, which underscores the need for her to withdraw.
- 5 -
J-S77045-17
*6 where the Commonwealth failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Appellant intentionally violated PFA orders. Our standard of review of a contempt order is as follows:
A trial court's finding of contempt will not be disturbed absent an abuse of discretion. Commonwealth v. Baker , 564 Pa. 192, 198, 766 A.2d 328, 331 (2001). An appellate court cannot find an abuse of discretion merely for an error of judgment unless, in reaching a conclusion, the trial court overrides or misapplies the law or its judgment is manifestly unreasonable. Id.
Commonwealth v. Ashton , 824 A.2d 1198, 1202 (Pa.Super. 2003). “A charge of indirect criminal contempt consists of a claim that a violation of an Order or Decree of court occurred outside the presence of the court.” Commonwealth v. Brumbaugh , 932 A.2d 108, 109 (Pa.Super. 2007). The elements of indirect criminal contempt include: “1) the order was sufficiently definite, clear, and specific to the contemnor as to leave no doubt of the conduct prohibited; 2) the contemnor had notice of the order; 3) the act constituting the violation must have been volitional; and 4) the contemnor must have acted with wrongful intent.” Id. (citing Commonwealth v. Walsh, 36 A.3d 613, 619 (Pa. Super. 2012).
In the Anders brief, counsel sets forth the terms of the PFA, which prohibited Appellant from, inter alia , having any contact with Plaintiff, either directly or indirectly, by any means, and she indicates that Appellant denied writing the letters that were sent to Plaintiff, as he testified he could not have sent the letters from prison as he was accused of doing.
- 6 -
J-S77045-17
*7 Counsel asserts the appeal is frivolous because Appellant, while aware of the clearly-worded PFA order, wrote the letters addressed to Plaintiff. Plaintiff testified that the letters were written in Appellant’s handwriting and bore Appellant’s return address at SCI Waymart. The court reviewed the letters and concluded that Appellant authored the letters and sent them with nefarious intent. “I’ve had an opportunity to review all the correspondence that are here. It’s very personal. It’s very detailed. It’s disturbing. It’s threatening[,]” the court concluded. N.T. 1/26/17 at 36. Moreover, counsel observes, the court acted appropriately in its exclusive role of finder of fact when it found Appellant’s testimony disavowing authorship wholly incredible.
We agree with counsel’s position that Appellant’s challenge is frivolous, as the evidence sufficed to prove each element of ICC beyond a reasonable doubt and supported the court’s credibility determination discrediting Appellant’s testimony. 4 Thus, we determine that counsel should be permitted to withdraw.
On our independent review of the merits of the case, where we make an independent judgment deciding whether the appeal is in fact wholly frivolous, see Commonwealth v. Wrecks , 931 A.2d 717, 721 (Pa.Super. 2007), we have found no indication of non-frivolous issues.
We now turn to Appellant's request for in forma pauperis status and appointment of substitute appellate counsel. There is no question that an ____________________________________________ 4 To this end, we adopt the reasoning of the trial court’s June 28, 2017, opinion.
- 7 -
J-S77045-17
*8 indigent prisoner is entitled to free legal counsel to assist him on direct appeal. See U.S. Const. amend. VI; Pa. Const. art. 1, § 9. Our review of the case law, however, convinces us that Appellant is not entitled to substitute counsel at this point in his case.
We note that “the right to appointed counsel does not include the right to counsel of the defendant's choice.” Commonwealth v. Albrecht , 720 A.2d 693, 709 (Pa. 1998); see also Commonwealth v. Philistin , 53 A.3d 1, 16 (Pa. 2012). In addition, our Supreme Court has concluded that once a reviewing court is satisfied with counsel's assessment of the appeal as wholly frivolous, counsel has fully discharged his or her responsibility to an appellant and can do no more. Commonwealth v. McClendon , 434 A.2d 1185, 1188 (Pa. 1981); see Commonwealth v. Santiago , 978 A.2d at 359–61.
Here, this Court has agreed with appellate counsel's conclusion that Appellant's appeal is wholly frivolous. As such, appellate counsel has fully discharged her duty and responsibility to Appellant, and Appellant is not entitled to appointment of substitute appellate counsel at public expense to redo the appeal. See id. ; Santiago v. Commonwealth, Pa. Bd. of Prob. & Parole , 506 A.2d 517, 520 (Pa. Cmwlth. 1986). Accordingly, we deny Appellant's motion.
Accordingly, the petition of Amanda Young, Esq. to withdraw as counsel is granted. Appellant’s pro se application for in forma pauperis status and appointment of new counsel is denied. Judgment of sentence is affirmed.
- 8 -
J-S77045-17
*9 Judgment Entered. Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq. Prothonotary Date: 12/29/17
- 9 - *10 Circulated 12/19/2017 10:45 AM COURT OF COMMON OF LUZERNE COUNTY
COMMONWEAL TH OF PEN IA Plaintiff v. CIVIL DIVISION MICHAEL JUSTIN WHALLEY Defendant NO. 13809 OF 2015
OPINION
Factual and Procedural History On December 14, 2015 � -:llll ("Plaintiff"), filed a Petition for Protection from Abuse, ("PFA"), complaint, and a temporary order was issued. A final order was entered on December 29, 2015 against Defendant, Michael Justin Whalley ("Defendant"), for a period of three (3) years.
Prior to the entry of the final PFA and after the entry of the PFA the Defendant was charged in a series of violations of the terms of the PFA orders. Initially, on December 28, 2015, the Defendant was arrested for violating the temporary Protection from Abuse Order ('PFA") by allegedly contacting Plaintiff by phone and text messages about topics unrelated to their children and was charged with one count of Contempt for Violation of Order or Agreement, 23 § 6114 §§ A
Again, on January 6, 2015, the Defendant was arrested for violating the Protection from Abuse Order ("PFA") for a second time by sending letters, approximately fourteen(14) pages in length, to Plaintiff. The Defendant was charged with one count of Contempt for Violation of Order or Agreement, 23 § 6114 §§ A
*11 A n I n d i r e c t C r i m i na l C on t e m p t h ea r i ng w a s s c h e d u l e d b e f o r e t h e H o n o r a b l e M i ch a e l T . V o u g h , f o r J a n ua r y 2 1 ; 2 0 1 6 p e r t a i n i n g t o v i o l a t i o n n u m b e r o n e ( 1 ), w h i ch o c c u r r e d o n D e c e m b e r 2 8 , 2 0 1 5 a n d v i o l a t i o n n u m be r t w o ( 2 ) , w h i c h o c c u r r e d o n J a n u a r y 6 , 2 0 1 6 . T h e D e f e n d a n t p i e d g u i l t y a n d w a s s e n t e n c e d o n e a c h v i o l a t i o n t o a t e r m o f i nc a r c e r a t i o n f o r a p e r i o d o f s i x ( 6 ) m o n t hs c o n s e c u t i v e t o e ac h o t h e r a n d t o a ny s e n t e n c e h e w a s s e r v i n g . T h e P F A o r d e r r e m a i n e d i n e ff e c t.
T h e r e a ft e r , o n M a r c h 2 4 , 2 0 1 6 , t h e D e f e n da n t w a s c h a r g e d w i t h C o n t e m p t f o r V i o l a t i o n o f O r d e r f o r v i o l a t i n g t h e P F A f o r t h e t h i r d ( 3 ) t i m e . A g a i n , o n A p r i l 1 1 , 2 0 1 6 t h e De f e n d a n t w as c h a r g e d w i t h o n e c o u n t o f C o n t e m p t f o r V i o l a t i o n o f O r d e r f o r v i o l a t i n g t h e P F A f o r t h e f o u r t h ( 4 ) t i m e .
A g a i n , o n A p r i l 1 8 , 2 0 1 6 , t h e D e f e nd a n t w a s c h a r g e d w i t h t w o s e p a r a t e c o u n t s o f C o n t e m p t f o r V i o l a t i o n o f O r d e r f o r v i o l a t i ng t h e P F A f o r t h e f i ft h ( 5 ) a nd s i x t h ( 6 ) t i m e . O n J u n e 2 , 2 0 1 6 , a n I n d i r e c t C r i m i n a l C o n t e m p t h e a r i n g w a s h e l d p e r t a i n i n g t o v i o l a t i o n n u m be r t h r e e ( 3 ) , f o u r ( 4 ) , f i v e ( 5 ) , a nd s i x ( 6 ) . A ft e r a f u ll h e a r i n g , t h e d e f e n d a n t w a s f o un d g u il t y o f a ll v i o l a t i o n s a nd s e n t e n c ed a s f o l l o w s : V i o l a t i o n n u m b e r t h r e e - s i x ( 6 ) m on t hs i n ca r c e r a t i o n ; V i o l a t i o n n u m b e r f o u r - s i x ( 6 ) m o n t h s i n ca r c e r a t i o n c o ns e c u t i v e t o v i o l a t i o n n u m b e r t h r e e ( 3 ) ; V i o l a t i o n n u m be r f i v e - s i x ( 6 ) m o n t h s i n c a r c e r a t i o n c on s e cu t i v e t o v i o l a t i o n n u m b e r f o u r ( 4 ) ; V i o l a t i o n n u m be r s i x - s i x ( 6 ) m on t h s i n ca r c e r a t i on c o n s e c u t i v e t o v i o l a t i o n n u m be r f i v e ( 5 ) . T h e P r o t e c t i o n f r o m A b u s e o r d e r w a s e x t en d e d f o r a p e r i o d o f t h r e e ( 3 ) y e a rs f r o m t h e d a t e o f t h e I CC h e a r i ng w i t h a n e x p i r a t i o n d a t e o f J un e 2 , 2 0 1 9 .
O n J u n e 1 5 , 2 0 1 6 , De f e n d a n t f il e d a M o t i o n f o r R e c o n s i d e r a t i o n a n d a v i d e o h e a r i n g w a s c on du c t e d o n A u g u s t 3 0 , 2 0 1 6 . T h e m a tt e r w a s t ak e n u n d e r a d v i s e m e n t. *12 O n D e c e m be r 2 2 , 2 0 1 6 , t h e D e f e n d a n t ' s M o t i o n t o M o d i f y a n d R educ e S en t en c ed w a s d e n i e d . T h e r e a ft e r , o n J a nua r y 1 3 , 2 0 1 7 , D e f e n d a n t f i l e d a N o t i c e o f A p pe a l .
O n J a n u a r y 2 3 , 2 0 1 7 a n o r d e r w a s i s s u e d d i r ec t i n g De f e nd a n t t o f il e o f r eco r d a C o n c i s e S t a t e m e n t o f E r r o r s C o m p l a i n e d o f o n A p p e a l p u r s u a n t t o Pa . R . A . P . 1 9 2 5 ( b ) a n d s e r v e a c op y o f s a m e u po n t h e D i s t r i c t A tt o r n e y a nd t h i s C o u r t p u r s u a n t t o Pa . R . A . P . 1 9 25 ( b ) ( 1 ). T h e O r d e r r e q u i r e d t h e S t a t e m e n t t o c o n c i s e l y i d e n t i f y e ach r u l i n g o r e r r o r A p p e ll a n t i n t en ds t o c h a ll en g e w i t h s u ff i c i e n t d e t a i l t o i d e n t i f y a ll p e r t i n e n t i s s u e s f o r t h e J u d g e t o c o n s i d e r . F u r t h e r , t h e O r d e r p r o v i d e d t h a t a n y i s s u e n o t p r o p e r l y i n c l u d e d i n t h e C o n c i s e S t a t e m e n t a n d t i m e l y f il e d a n d s e r v e d w i t h i n t w e n t y - o n e ( 2 1) d a y s o f t h e d a t e o f t h e O r d e r s ha ll b e d e e m e d w a i ved p u r s u a n t t o R u l e 1 9 25 ( b ).
O n M a r c h 3 , 2 0 1 7 t h e D e f e n d a n t t h r o u gh h i s c o un s e l f il e a C o n c i s e S t a t e m e n t o f E r r o r s C o m p l a i n e d o f o n A pp e a l Pu r s u a n t t o Pa . R . A . P . 1 9 25 ( b ) . T h e n o t i ce o f a pp e a l w as e rr on eo u s l y s e n t t o t h e L u z e r n e C o un t y D i s t r i c t A t t o r n e y s O ff i c e a nd t h e r e w as n o r es po n s e a s t o D e f e n d a n t ' s c o n c i s e s t a t e m e n t o f e r r o r s a t f il i n g o f t h e o p i n i o n . D e f e nd a n t ' s a p p ea l i s s u e s a r e as f o ll o w s :
1 . T h e T r i a l C o u r t e r r e d a n d a b u s e d i t s d i s c r e t i o n i n f i nd i n g M r . . W h a ll e y g u il t y o f i n d i r e c t c r i m i n a l c o n t e m p t o n v i o l a t i o n · #6 , w h en t h e a ll e g e d w r i t t en s t a t e m e n t s i n q u e s t i on w e r e d i r e c t ed t o a n i nd i v i d u a l w h o w a s n o t a p r o t e c t e d p e r s o n u n d e r t h e P F A A c t a n d t h e u n d e r l y i n g P F A d i d n o t s p e c i f i ca ll y p r o h i b i t c on t a c t w i t h s a i d i n d i v i d u a l .
T h e D e ce m b e r 2 9 , 2 0 1 5 f i n a l o r d e r P F A w as e n t e r e d a f t e r a H e a r i n g c o n d u c t ed b y t h e c o u r t a n d t e s t i m o ny p r e s e n t ed . A ft e r a f i nd i ng o f a b u s e b a s e d u po n t h e t e s t i m o ny a n d c r e d i b i l i t y d e t e r m i n a t i o n s , t h e f i n a l P F A O r d e r w a s en t e r e d a s f o ll o w s :
• D e f e n d a n t s h a ll n o t a b u s e n o t a bu s e , s t a l k , h a r a s s , t h r e a t e n o r a tt e m p t t o u s e p hy s i c a l f o r c e t h a t w o u l d r e a s o n ab l y b e e x p e c t ed t o c a u s e b od i l y i n j u r y t o *13 P l a i n t i ff o r a ny o t h e r p r o t e c t e d p e r s o n i n a n y p l a c e w h e r e t h e y m i g h t b e f o u n d . . . e v . i c t ed a nd e x c l u d e d f r o m t h e r e s i d e nc e a t il l l ff l l -
• D e f e nd . a n t . i s c os .. r . w .
i
i . ,
1
1 ' f . l l l i l J l 11 1 il . . • Ex c e p t a s p r o v i d e d i n p a r a g r a p h 5 o f t h i s o r d e r , D e f e nd a n t i s p r oh i b i t e d f r o m h a v i n g A N Y C O N T A C T w i t h P l a i n t i ff , e i t h e r d i r e c t l y o r i nd i r e c t l y , o r a ny o t h e r p e r s on p r o t e c t e d u n d e r t h i s o r d e r , a t a n y l o c a t i o n , i n c l u d i ng b u t n o t li m i t e d t o a n y c o n t ac t a t P l a i n t i ff s s c h o o l , b u s i ne s s , o r p l a c e o f e m p l o y m e n t. D e f e n d a n t i s s p e c i f i c a ll y o r d e r e d t o s t a y a w a y f r o m t h e f o ll o w i ng l o c a t i o n s f o r t h e d u r a t i on o f t h i s o r d e r : C V S , C a r e y A v e .
• Ex pe c t a s p r o v i d e d i n p a r a g r a p h 5 o f t h i s o r d e r , D e f e n d a n t s h a ll n o t c on t a c t P l a i n t i ff , o r a ny o t h e r p e r s o n p r o t e c t e d u n d e r t h i s O r d e r , b y t e l ep h o n e o r - b y a ny o t h e r m e a n s , i n c l u d i n g t h r o ug h t h i r d p e r s o n s .
• . T e m p o r a r y � u s � o d y o f t h e m i _ n o r c h il d r e n . & I I U I I J N . J p a n d m £ 1 1 8 ... _ . , s g 1 v en t � . • T h e c o s t s o f t h i s a c t i o n a r e i m p o s e d o n D e f e n d a n t. • B e c au s e t h i s o r d e r f o l l o w e d a c on t e s t e d p r o c e e d i n g s , o r a h e a r i n g a t w h i c h
D e f e nd a n t w a s n o t p r es e n t , d e s p i t e b e i ng s e r v e d w i t h a c op y o f t h e p e t i t i on , t e m p o r a r y o r d e r a n d n o t i c e o f t h e d a t e , t i m e a nd p l a ce o f t h e h e a r i n g , D e f e n d a n t i s o r d e r ed t o p a y a n a d d i t i o n a l $ 1 0 0 s u r c h a r g e t o t h e c o u r t , w h i ch s ha ll b e d i s t r i b u t e d i n t h e m a n n e r s e t f o r t h i n 2 3 Pa . C . S . A . § 6 1 0 6 ( d ) .
• A ll p r o v i s i o ns o f t h i s o r d e r s h a l l e xp i r e i n t h r ee ( 3 ) y ea r s , o n 1 2 / 2 9 / 2 0 1 8 .
I
C C C O M P L A I N TS M a r c h 2 4 [1] 2 0 1 6 V I O L A T I O N # 3
I n r e g a r d t o V i o l a t i o n n u m be r t h r e e ( 3 ) , P l a i n t i ff r e c e i ve d v i a U S m a il f r o m M i c h ae l J . W h a ll e y , w h o w as c u rr en t l y a n i n m a t e a t S C I W ay m a r t . T h e l e tt e r s h o w e d a r e t u r n a dd r e s s as : M i c h a e l J . W h a ll e y , i n m a t e n u m b e r K G 8 0 64 F - 2 b o ck , S . C . 1 . W a y m a r t P . O . B o x 2 5 6 , W a y m a r t . P A , 1 8 4 74 - 0 2 56 , I n m a t e M a i l P A D e p a r t m en t s o f
� W t - - � T h e l e tt e r w a s f i v e { 5 ) p a g e s l on g a n d c ov e r e d b o t h f r o n t a n d [1] 1 ! 1 1 , t O : • • • • • • • " C o r r e c t i o ns . T h e l e tt e r w as a dd r e s s e d t o � *14 letter were correspondence with/to Plaintiff numerous references to her. The letter also attempted to convince Plaintiff to return to a romantic relationship with Whalley. April 11, 2016 VIOLATION #4
In regard to Violation number four (4), Plaintiff received correspondence via US mail from Michael J. Whalley, who was currently an inmate at SCI Waymart. The letter showed a return address as: Michael J. Whalley, inmate number KG8064 F-2 bock, S.C.I. Waymart P.O. Box 256, Waymart PA, 18474-0256, Inmate Mail PA Departments
. of Corrections. The letter was addressed to lllml(I-
'
� . ·lf. , � ,_· h • � ' � . I;. and back. The contents of the letter with/to Plaintiff made numerous references to her. The contents of the letter attempted to convince Plaintiff to return to a romantic relationship with Whalley. April 18, 2016 VIOLATION #5
In regard to Violation number five (5), Plaintiff received a letter via US mail from Michael J. Whalley, who was currently an inmate at SCI Waymart. The letter showed a return address as: Michael J. Whalley, inmate number KG8064 F-2 bock, S.C.I. Waymart P.O. Box 256, Waymart PA, 18474-0256, Inmate Mail PA Departments of
� · The letter was seven (7) pages long and covered both front and back. The contents of the letter with/to Plaintiff made numerous references to her. The with Whalley.
5 *15 A p r i l 1 8 , 2 0 1 6 V I O L A T I O N # 6 I n r eg a r d t o V i o l a t i o n n u m b e r s i x ( 6 ) [1] P l a i n t i ff r ec e i v e d a l e tt e r v i a U S m a il f r o m M i ch ae l J . W h a ll e y , w h o w as c u r r e n t l y a n i n m a t e a t S C I W ay m a r t . T h e l e tt e r s h o w e d a r e t u r n a d d r e s s a s : M i c h a e l J . W h a l l e y , i n m a t e n u m b e r K G 8 064 F - 2 b o ck , S . C . I . W a y m a r t P . O . B o x 2 5 6 , W a y m a r t P A , 1 8 4 74 - 0 2 5 6 , I n m a t e M a i l P A D e p a r t m e n t s o f C o r r e c t i o ns . T h e l e tt e r w a s a d d r e s s e d t o .. l U l � I I I U ( - ! 11 0 1 l t M I . N ll f l.
. ........, , a n d w a s r e ce i ve d o n A p r i l 1 4 , 2 0 1 6 . T h e l e tt e r w as t h i r t y ( 3 0 ) p a g e s l o n g a n d c o ve r e d b o t h f r o n t a n d b ac k . T h e c o n t en t s o f t h e l e t t e r w i t h / t o P l a i n t i f f m a d e n u m e r o u s r e f e r e n c e s t o h e r . T h e c o n t e n t s o f t h e l e tt e r a tt e m p t e d t o c o n v i n ce 1 J l l l l · · t o r e t u r n t o a r o m a n t i c r e l a t i o nsh i p w i t h W h a l l e y .
I
C C H E A R I N G
A n I n d i r e c t C r i m i n a l C o n t e m p t h e a r i n g w as h e l d o n J un e 2 , 2 0 1 6 , b e f o r e t h e H o no r a b l e T i n a P . G a r t l e y , p e r t a i n i n g t o v i o l a t i o n n u m b e r t h r e e ( 3 ) , f o u r ( 4 ) , f i ve ( 5 ) , a n d s i x ( 6 ) , w h e r e i n P l a i n t i ff w a s r e p r e s e n t ed o n b e h a l f o f t h e C o m m o n w e a l t h a n d D e f e n d an t w as r e p r e s e n t ed b y M e g a n E . A n d e r s o n , E sq u i r e . A t t h e h e a r i n g , t h e
D e f e n d a n t , 1 J I J U L ... a n � , t e s t i f i e d . - : � • J l l l l l W t e s t i f i e d t h a t s h e w a s i n a r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h t h e D e f e n d a n t f o r a bo u t s i x y e a r s a n d t h a t t h e y h a d t w o c h il d r en t o g e t h e r . Sh e a l s o n o t e d f o r t h e r e c o r d t h a t s h e f i l e d a P r o t e c t i o n f r o m A b u s e O r d e r t h a t w a s p u t i n e ff e c t i n D ece m be r . Sh e t h e n i nd i c t ed t h a t o n M a r c h o f 2 0 1 5 , s h e h a d r e ce i v e d c o n t a c t f r o m t h e D e f e n d a n t t h r o u g h l e tt e r s . ( N . T . p p . 7 - 8 ) .
*16 A ft e r s h e r e v i e w e d C o m m o n w e a l t h ' s E xh i b i t 1 , a n e n v e l op e w i t h h e r a d d r e ss o n i t , s h e n o t e d t h a t s h e r ec og n i z e d De f e n d a n t ' s h a n d w r i t i ng a nd c o n f i r m e d t h a t t h e a dd r e s s l i s t e d w a s D e f e n d a n t ' s r e t u r n a d d r e ss . S h e t h en r e v i e w e d t h e l e tt e r s h e f o u nd i n t h e e n v e l op e i n h e r m a il bo x a n d c o n f i r m e d t h a t s h e k n e w t h a t t h e l e t t e r w as a d d r es s e d t o h e r b e c a us e " W h a ll e y s t a r t s t h e l e tt e r o ff ; t o m y b ea u t i f u l d e a r e s t l o v e o f m y l i f e , " w h i ch w as o n e o f t he d i ff e r e n t w ay s t h e De f e n d a n t h a d a d d r e ss e d h e r p r e v i o u s l y . Sh e t e s t i f i ed t h a t w i t h i n t h e l e tt e r , t he D e f e n d an t a s k e d f o r f o r g i v e n e s s , a n d s t a t ed t h a t h e h ad k n o w n w h e r e s h e h a d b e e n l i v i n g a ll a l o n g b u t t h a t h e w a n t e d t o g i v e h e r s o m e s pace , s o t h a t i s w hy h e d i d n o t w r i t e . ( N . T . p p . 8 - 1 0 ) .
A ft e r r e v i e w i n g C o m m o n w e a l t h ' s E x h i b i t 2 , P l a i n t i ff c o n f i r m e d t h a t i t w a s a n o t h e r e nve l o p e d a d d r es s e d t o h e r , d a t e d A p r i l 1 , 2 0 1 6 . Sh e t e s t i f i e d t h a t w i t h i n t h e e n v e l o p e , s he f o u n d a n o t h e r l e tt e r a d d r e s s e d t o h e r t h a t s t a t ed t h a t h e w a s m a d a t h e r f o r e v e r y t h i n g t h a t w as h a ppe n i n g ; t h a t h e l o ve d h e r ; h e w a n t e d h e r t o g i v e h i m a n o t h e r c h a n c e a n d t h a t h e i s g o i n g t o m a k e h e r h a p p y . ( N . T . p p . 1 1 - 1 2 ) .
Up o n r e v i e w o f C o m m o n w e a l t h ' s E x h i b i t 3 , P l a i n t i ff c o n f i r m e d t h a t i t w a s a n o t h e r e n v e l o pe a d d r e ss e d t o h e r , d a t e d A p r il 7 , 2 0 1 6 . S h e t e s t i f i e d t h a t t h e l e tt e r w i t h i n t h e e n v e l o pe d w a s f r o m t h e D e f e n da n t a n d i d e n t i f i e d t h e h a n d w r i t i n g a s t h e D e f e nd an t ' s . Sh e a t t e s t ed t h a t De f e n d a n t a s k ed h e r t o t a k e t h e c h il d r en t o v i s i t h i s p a t e r n a l g r an d p a r e n t s o n h i s b eh a l f a n d a l s o a c c us e d h e r o f h o l d i n g g r u d ge s a n d k e e p i n g t h e i r c h il d r e n f r o m h i s g r a n d p a r e n t s . ( N . T . p p . 1 2 - 1 3 ) .
I n r e v i e w i n g C o m m o n w e a l t h ' s E x h i b i t 5 , s h e t es t i f i e d t h a t i t w a s a b i g g e r e nv e l o p e d a d d r e s s e d t o h e r f r o m D e f e n d a n t d a t e d A p r i l 1 4 , 2 0 1 6 . S h e t e s t i f i e d t h a t t h r o u g h o u t t h e l e t t e r t h e De f e n d a n t s p ok e a b ou t h e r n e w b o y f r i e n d , 1 11 . l l a , a n d
*17 th ned did want her to with Plaintiff testified that she was very upset and distraught after repeatedly receiving letters from the Defendant (N.T. pp. 13-14).
On cross-examine, she testified that she was concerned about threats because he did not seem to get that she did not want to be with him anymore and that no contact is no contact. (N.T. pp. 16-17). She noted as follows:
There is no contact, period. He knows this, and he's aware of this, and still continues to write, and of course, I'm not going to write back. I'm not going to write back and say leave me alone. I'm going to give it to who I need to give it to, and that's it. I'll take the letters who I need to take the letters to. I'm not going to respond back. It seems like it's really upsetting him. And then for him to write the guy I'm with now and making threats and saying things in these letters, it's uncalled for. It's uncalled for. No contact is no contact. (N.T. p. 17). [1] --lf testified that he received a letter addressed to him from the .... .. ' " ... -- � t,..,!,a,.c.'.,_ ••• , � Defendant. Defense Counsel then objected to the relevance of his testimony.
Ms. Sperrazza: Your Honor, she asked why she's afraid of these letter. She said the threats that were made to her boyfriend who's living at the same house as she is, which are mentioned in the letters to her, how he's going to deal with the boyfriend. I think this is more than relevant. It's him showing her what he's going to do to any men in her life." (N.T. p. 18).
Defendant Objection The Court: Sir, He says in a letter I'm reading that I wrote
him letters threatening him. That letter says that ·he wrote him a letter, and that, "when I see him he's going to need a wheel chair. Remember my nickname is Tyson. Remember what I did to the big guy at the Outsiders." He goes on and he actually acknowledges in these letters that he
8 *18 w r o t e t h r e a t i ng l e tt e r s t o t h i s p e r s o n . S o I w il l a ll o w I t " ( N . T . p . 1 8 ) .
t e s t i f i e d t h a t h e li v e s w i t h - - · a nd h e r t w o c h i l d r e n . H e a l s o n o t e d M r . ' t h a t h e h a d r e c e i v e d a l e tt e r f r o m M i k e W h a ll e y , w i t h t h r e a t s o f w h a t h e i s g o i n g t o d o t o h i m w h e n h e g e t s o u t. ( N . T . p p . 1 9 ) . I n v e s t i g a t i on t h a t h e w a s a p a r t o f d u r i n g t h e t i m e h e r e c e i ve d t h a t l e tt e r l 9 f t e s t i f i e d t h a t t h e t h r ea t e n i n g l e t t e r s s t a r t e d b a c k i n D e c e m b e r a n d t h a t t h e o n g o i n g i n v e s t i g a t i o n d i d n o t h a p p e n u n t i l M a r c h o r A p r i l . ( N . T . p p . 2 1 -2 2 ) .
M
I C H A E L W H A LL E Y
A ft e r r ev i e w o f Co m m o n w e a l t h ' s E x h i b i t 1 , p o s t a g e f r o m 3 /1 8 / 2 0 1 6 , t h e De f e n d a n t t e s t i f i e d t h e f o ll o w i ng : De f en d a n t: " Y o u r h o n o r , e v e r y p i e c e o f m a i l t h a t I s e n t o u t i s c l o s e l y m o n i t o r e d a n d r ec o r d e d i n m y m o n t h l y a c c oun t s t a t e m e n t s a l o n g w i t h c a s h s li p s t h a t I h a v e f il e d o u t t h a t h a v e t o m a t c h t h e a d d r e ss o n t h e e n v e l op e d . T h i s e n v e l o p e r i g h t h e r e (i nd i c a t i n g ) t h a t ' s d a t ed 3 / 1 - 8 o f 2 0 1 6 , t h i s i s a 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 , 6 , 7 - t h i s i s a n 8 - p ag e l e tt e r , Y o u r H o n o r , w h i c h w ou l d r e q u i r e m e t o p ay p o s t a g e a t t h e D O C , · N o w I h a v e a c a s h s li p h e r e .. " ( N . T . p . 2 5 )
C o m m o n w e a l t h : Y o u r H o n o r , o b j e c t i o n t o a ny c a s h s l i p s o r r e co r d s t h a t a r e b e i ng p r e s e n t e d b y t h e D e f e nd a n t T h e y h a ve n ' t b ee n p r o p e r l y v e r i f i e d . H e k e e p s t a l k i ng a bo u t a b u s i n e s s r e c o r d t h a t ' s r ec o r d e d b y t h e D O C . ( N . T . p . 2 5 )
T h e C o u r t : . . . . . A n d t h e r e h a s t o b e a q u e s t i o n i n f r o n t o f y ou a s w h a t ' s w h a t. T h e s i m p l e q u e s t i o n i s , d i d y ou w r i t e t h e s e l e tt e r s ? ( N . T . p . 2 · 5 )
*19 D e f e n d a n t: N o , Y ou r H o n o r , I d i d n ' t a n d t h e s e a c c o u n t s t a t e m e n t s w i ll p r ov e t h a t I d i d n o t b e ca u s e t h e p o s t a g e w i l l n o t m a t c h u p w i t h a n y o f m y p o s t s - a n y o f m y m a i l t h a t I s e n t o u t a n d w h o I s e n t i t t o . ( N . T . p . 2 5 )
T h e r e a ft e r , t h e O b j e c t i o n a s t o t h e d o c u m e n t a t i o n p r o v i d e d b y t h e D e f e nd a n t w a s s u s t a i ne d . [1] T h e De f e nd a n t t h e n t e s t i f i e d t h a t h e d i d n o t w r i t e a n y o f t h e l e tt e r s b e c a u s e n o n e o f t h e s i g n a t u r e s w e r e h i s . H e f u r t h e r a tt es t e d t h a t h e h a d r e a s o n t o b e l i e v e s o m eo n e e l s e p en n e d t h e l e tt e r s b e c a u s e h e w a s g e tt i n g o u t w i t h i n t w o m o n t h s a n d t h a t t h e y k n e w t h a t o n c e h e d i d h e w a s g o i n g t o p u r s u e c r i m i n a l p r oc e e d i n g s a ga i n s t P l a i n t i ff . T h e b a s i s o f t h e c r i m i n a l c h a r g e s w a s t h a t P l a i n t i ff s t o l e o v e r f o u r t h o us a nd e i gh t h un d r e d ( $ 4 , 8 0 0 . 0 0 ) d o ll a rs o u t o f h i s p e r s o n a l b a n k i n g a c c oun t. ( N . T . p . 2 9 ) .
D u r i n g c r o s s - e x a m i n a t i o n , t h e D e f e nd a n t t e s t i f i ed t h a t s o m e o n e e l s e t y p e d t h o s e e n v e l o p s a n d t h a t t h o s e e n v e l op e s w e r e n o t l i k e t h e o n e s h e w a s g i v e n a t S C I W a y m a r t . T h e D e f e n d an t t h e n t es t i f i e d t o t h e n a m e s o f h i s c h il d r e n , a nd c o n f i r m e d t h a t h e w a s p r ev i o u s l y P l a i n t i ff ' s f i a nc e , j u s t a s s i g n e d i n t h e l e tt e r s . ( N . T . p . 3 2 ) .
L
A W A N D A R GU M E N T
I. T h e T r i a l C o u r t e r r e d a n d a b u s ed i t s d i s c r e t i o n i n f i n d i n g M r . W h a ll e y g u il t y o f i n d i r e c t c r i m i n a l c o n t e m p t o n v i o l a t i o n # 6 , w h en t h e a ll e g e d w r i tt e n s t a t e m en t s i n q u es t i on w e r e d i r e c t e d t o a n i n d i v i d u a l w h o w a s n o t a p r o t e c t e d p e r s o n u n de r t h e P F A A c t a n d t h e u n d e r l y i n g P F A d i d n o t s p ec i f i c a ll y p r o h i b i t c o n t a c t w i t h s a i d i n d i v i d u a l .
T h e D e f en da n t a ll e g e s t h a t t h e c ou r t e r r e d a nd a b u s e d i t s d i s c r e t i on i n f i n d i n g h i m g u i l t y o f i n d i r e c t c r i m i n a l c o n t e m p t o n v i o l a t i o n # 6 . V i o l a t i o n n u m b e r s i x ( 6 ) w a s a [1] L a t e r o n t h e c o u r t a ll o w e d t h e c a s h s l i p s a s D e f e n d a n t ' s E x h i b i t. . ( N . T . p p . 3 4 - 3 5 ) .
1 *20 l e tt e r f r o m M i c h ae l J . W h a l t e y , w h o w a s c u r r e n t l y a n i n m a t e a t S C I W a y m a r t . T h e l e tt e r s h o w ed a r e t u r n a d d r e s s a s : M i c h a e l J . W h a ll ey , i n m a t e n u m be r K G 8 06 4 F - 2 b o c k , S . C . I. W a y m a r t P . O . B o x 2 5 6 , W ay m a r t P A , 1 8 4 74 - 0 256 , I n m a t e M a i l P A D e pa r t m e n t s o f C o r r e c t i o n s . T h e l e t t e r w a s a d d r e s s e d t o J I J J · lll - l l fl H r l l • m -- l M [1] ·
· � · T h e l e tt e r w as t h i r t y ( 3 0 ) p a g e s l ong a n d c o v e r e d b o t h fr o n t a nd b ac k . T h e c on t e n t s o f t h e l e tt e r w e r e c l e a r l y a d i r e c t c o r r e s p o nd e n c e w i t h / t o � w h i c h m a d e n u m e r o u s r e f e r e nc e s t o h e r . T h e c o n t en t s o f t h e l e tt e r w e r e c l e a r l y a n a t t e m p t t o c o n v i n ce - t o r e t u r n t o a r o m a n t i c r e l a t i o ns h i p w i t h D e f e n d a n t.
A ga i n a n d t o c l a r i f y , I C C Nu m be r s i x p e r t a i ns t o a l e tt e r a dd r es s e d t o t h e P l a i n t i ff f r o m t h e D e f e n d a n t a t S C I W a y m a r t r e ce i ved b y P l a i n t i ff o n A p r il 1 4 , 2 0 1 6 . I t i s a t h i r t y ( 3 0 ) p a g e l e tt e r .
T h e D e f e n d a n t c o n t ends t h a t h e w a s c h a r g e d f o r w r i tt e n s t a t e m e n t s d i r e c t e d t o a n i n d i v i d u a l w h o w a s n o t a p r o t e c t e d p e r s o n u n d e r t h e P F A A c t a n d t h e u nd e r l y i n g P F A d i d n o t s pe c i f i c a ll y p r o h i b i t c o n t a c t w i t h s a i d i n d i v i d u a l . T h e w r i tt e n s t a t e m e n t t h e D e f e n d a n t a ll e g e s h e i s b e i n g c h a r g e d ov e r w a s a f i v e ( 5 ) p ag e l e tt e r t o - ll J b l .
T h e D e f e n d a n t i s c l ea r l y w r o n g . H e w a s c h a r g e d i n I C C n u m b e r s i x w i t h c o rr e s p o n d e n c e f r o m t h e De f e n dan t d i r e c t l y t o t h e P l a i n t i ff . T h e c on f us i o n m ay b e b a s ed u p o n E xh i b i t 6 a t t h e I C C h e a r i n g , ( E x h i b i t 6 i s a l e t t e r fr o m t h e D e f e nd a n t t o n o r a b a s i s f o r a n y I C C v i o l a t i o n . M o r e o v e r n o I C C w a s f i l e d r e g a r d i n g -- l d n t h a t h e i s n o t a p a r t y t o t h e P F A .
F u r t h e r t w o e x h i b i t s w e r e m a r k e d # 6 , t h e s e c o n d b e i n g a n e n v e l ope a d d r es s e d t o P l a i n t i ff f r o m De f e n d a n t w i t h t h e f o ll o w i n g n o t ed o n t h e b a c k o f t h e e n v e l ope : " P l e a s e 1 *21 r e ad t h i s w h e n y ou r a l o n e . I m ( s i c ) r e a ll y s o r r y P l e a s e d o n ' t b e m a d a n y m o r e P l e a s e f o r g i v e m e f o r a ll t h e w r o n g I ve ( s i c ) d o n e . I r eg r e t m y m i s t a k e s s w e e t h e a r t . " T h e r e c o r d a nd c r i m i n a l c o m p l a i n t c l ea r l y i ll u s t r a t e s t h a t v i o l a t i o n n u m be r s i x ( 6 ) w as f o r a t h i r t y ( 3 0 ) p a g e l e tt e r a d d r e ss ed t o �
T h e C o m m o n w e a l t h n o t e d t h e o n l y l e tt e r s t h e y w e r e a d d r es s i n g i n t h e I C C f i l e d w e r e d i r e c t c o r r e s po n d e n c e f r o m t h e D e f e n d a n t t o t h e P l a i n t i ff . M s . S p e r r a z z a : Y ou r Ho n o r , t h e v i c t i m h a s t e s t i f i e d a nd b e e n a b l e t o i d e n t i f y
b o t h t h e a d d r e ss t h a t t h e y c a m e f r o m t h e D O C , w h e r e t h e D e f e n d an t i s , t h a t t h e y w e r e d e l i n e a t e d w i t h h i s i n m a t e n u m b e r a n d t h a t t hey a r e , i nd e e d , h i s h a nd w r i t i ng . F u r t h e r m o r e , s h e ' s a l s o b ee n a b l e t o i d en t i f y t h e w a y i n w h i c h h e a d d r e s s e s t h e m u l t i - p a g e l e t t e r s t h a t i n c l u d e i n f o r m a t i o n t h a t h e k n o w s a bo u t t h e i r f a m i l y , a bo u t t h e i r c h il d r e n , a nd a b o u t t h e s i t u a t i o n t h a t l ed t o t h e P F A i n a nd o f i t se l f . O f c o u r s e h e w r o t e t h e s e l e tt e r s . He m a k e s t h a t c l e a r w i t h i n t h e n a t u r e o f t h e m a n d h o w h e a dd r e ss e s h i s f i a n c e a n dh o w h e s i g n s t h e m .
T h e Co u r t : C l e a r l y , I ' ve h a d a n o ppo r t u n i t y t o r e v i e w a ll t h e c o r r e s p on d e n c e t h a t a r e h e r e . I t ' s v e r y p e rs o n a l . I t ' s v e r y d e t a i l e d . I t ' s d i s t u r b i n g . I t ' s t h r e a t e n i n g . U n e q u i v o c a ll y w h e n i t s a y s i n o n e o f t h e l e t t e r , " P l e ase s t op b e i n g l i k e t h i s . " " I f o r g a v e y o u . W hy c an ' t y o u f o r g i v e m e ? " " l l o v e y o u . c o m p l e t e l y . " " Y ou ' r e m y e v e r y t h i n g . " " F o r b e tt e r o r w o r s e , u n t i l d ea t h d o e s u s p a r t . " " T h a t ' s h o w d ee p o u r l o v e r u n s , " i s c o nc e r n i n g . Y o u r H o n o r , I n e ve r w r o t e t h a t.
M r . W h a ll e y : I n t he m i d s t o f t h e s e l e t t e r s , t h e r e ' s p h o t og r a p hs o f y ou a n d y o u r T h e Co u r t : s o n t h a t a r e a tt a c h e d t o o n e o f t h e m . T h e y w e r e p u ll e d o ff h e r Fa c eb o ok , Y o u r Ho n o r . M r . W h a ll e y : I n l e tt e r No . 4 i t s a ys , " W r i t e m e a l e tt e r . S e n d i t t o m e a s i ff m ! M • � T h e C o u r t : ' 1 m l w r o t e i t t o m e , t h e n y o u w o n ' t g e t i n a n y t r o u b l e . I j u s t w a n t y o u b ' a ' c k . I ' m t r y i n g t o p r o v e m y l o ve f o r y o u , lllll t P l ea s e s t a r t t r us t i ng m e . "
( N . T . p p . 3 5 - 3 7 ) . 1
C
*22 O N C L US I O N A s n o t e d , I C C # 6 w a s a l e tt e r f r o m t h e De f e n d a n t t o t h e P l a i n t i ff. T h e l e tt e r t o · � , l i s t e d a s o n e o f t h e E x h i b i t s #6 , a n d h i s t e s t i m o n y w e r e n o t a s ep a r a t e I C C . T h e y w e r e o ff e r ed b y t h e C o m m o n w e a l t h i n t h e i r c a s e i n c h i e f r e g a r d i n g I C C v i o l a t i o ns 3 , 4 , 5 & 6 . T h e f i n d i n g o f g u i l t r e g a r d i ng I C C # 6 w a s b a s ed u p o n t h e t h i r t y p a g e c o r r e s pon d e n c e r e ce i v e d b y P l a i n t i ff A ft e r a t h o r o u g h r ev i e w o f t he s u b m i s s i o n s b y t h e pa r t i e s , t h e c e r t i f i e d r e co r d , a n d r e l e v a n t l a w , t h e r e i s n o s u b s t a n t i v e m e r i t t o D e f e n d a n t ' s a p p e a l .
E
N D O F O P I N I O N 1
