Commonwealth, Aplt v. Dimatteo, P. ( 2018 )

[J-52-2017] [MO: Mundy, J.]
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA
MIDDLE DISTRICT
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, : No. 10 MAP 2017
:
Appellant : Appeal from the Order of the Superior
: Court at No. 2820 EDA 2015 dated July
: 25, 2016, reconsideration denied
v. : September 22, 2016, Reversing the
: PCRA Order, Vacating the Judgment of
: Sentence and remanding for
PHILLIP DIMATTEO, : resentencing of the Chester County
: Court of Common Pleas, Criminal
Appellee : Division, dated August 24, 2015 at No.
: CP-15-CR-4033-2011.
:
: SUBMITTED: June 16, 2017
CONCURRING OPINION
JUSTICE BAER DECIDED: January 18, 2018
The aggregate sentence received by Appellee Phillip DiMatteo (“DiMatteo”)
included mandatory minimum terms of imprisonment pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S. § 7508,
which, as the Majority explains, “prescribes various mandatory minimum sentences for
certain violations of the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act . . .
predicated on the weight and classification of the controlled substance.” Majority
Opinion at 2. By way of a timely-filed petition brought under the Post Conviction Relief
Act (“PCRA”), 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 9541-9546, DiMatteo challenges the legality of his
mandatory minimum sentences, claiming that the United States Supreme Court’s
decision in Alleyne v. United States, 570 U.S. 99 (2013), renders Section 7508
unconstitutional. The PCRA court denied the petition, but the Superior Court reversed,
holding that DiMatteo’s mandatory minimum sentences are illegal. In terms of relief, the
Superior Court vacated DiMatteo’s judgment of sentence and remanded for
resentencing.
This Court granted allowance of appeal to examine several aspects of DiMatteo’s
sentencing claim and its relationship to the PCRA. The Majority affirms the Superior
Court’s judgment. I agree with the Majority Opinion to the extent that it holds that: (1) a
claim challenging the legality of a sentence is cognizable under the PCRA; (2) Alleyne
renders Section 7508 unconstitutional; (3) because DiMatteo had not exhausted his
right to appeal his judgment of sentence when the Supreme Court decided Alleyne, that
change in the law is available to DiMatteo and renders his sentence illegal; and (4) the
appropriate relief for DiMatteo’s illegal sentence is for the trial court to resentence him
without application of Section 7508. I write separately because, inter alia, I believe the
Court should address, even if only briefly, why Alleyne renders Section 7508
unconstitutional and because the manner in which I would have disposed of this matter
differs from that of the Majority, particularly with regard to the relief due to DiMatteo. I
set forth my reasoning as follows.
As to the first holding noted above, under Section 9542 of the PCRA, the
Legislature defined the scope of the PCRA by clearly and unambiguously explaining
that it provides for an action by which a person serving an illegal sentence may obtain
collateral relief. 42 Pa.C.S. § 9542. Yet, to be eligible for PCRA relief, a petitioner must
plead and prove that his conviction or sentence resulted from one or more of the
circumstances delineated under Subsection 9543(a)(2) of the PCRA. 42 Pa.C.S
§ 9543(a)(2). The only circumstance listed under that subsection which directly involves
the legality of sentences is contained in Subsection 9543(a)(2)(vii). This subsection
states that, to be eligible for PCRA relief, the petitioner must plead and prove that he
received a sentence greater than the lawful maximum. 42 Pa.C.S. § 9543(a)(2)(vii).
[J-52-2017] [MO: Mundy, J.] - 2
As the Majority seems to suggest, when the Legislature enacted the PCRA,
DiMatteo’s sentencing claim did not exist, and the traditional understanding of an illegal
sentence was one that exceeded the lawful maximum. Majority Opinion at 17. Indeed,
as the Majority points out, this Court only recently held that, when a defendant attacks
the propriety of his mandatory minimum sentence based upon Alleyne, he presents a
non-waiveable challenge to the legality of his sentence. See id. (explaining
Commonwealth v. Barnes, 151 A.3d 121 (Pa. 2016)). When this evolution in the law is
coupled with the facts that: (1) this Court has long held that the legality of a sentence
falls under the purview of the PCRA, Majority Opinion at 17 (quoting Commonwealth v.
Fahy, 737 A.2d 214, 223 (Pa. 1999)); and (2) the PCRA represents the sole means by
which to obtain collateral relief in this Commonwealth, 42 Pa.C.S. § 9542, I believe it is
proper to conclude that a claim generally challenging the legality of a sentence is
cognizable under the PCRA and gives rise to a petitioner’s eligibility for PCRA relief.
I next turn my attention to Alleyne’s impact on Section 7508. In Alleyne, the
United States Supreme Court established a new constitutional rule of law consistent
with the Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution. Commonwealth v. Wolfe,
140 A.3d 651, 653 (Pa. 2016). Specifically, “[t]he Alleyne Court held that any fact that,
by law, increases the penalty for a crime must be treated as an element of the offense,
submitted to a jury rather than a judge, and found beyond a reasonable doubt.” Id.Several aspects of Section 7508 violate the rule announced in Alleyne. In particular,
Section 7508 states that the provisions of the statute are not an element of the crime
and that the Commonwealth is not required to provide pre-conviction notice of the
statute’s applicability to defendants. 18 Pa.C.S. § 7508(b). Further, Section 7508
requires judicial fact-finding regarding the weight of controlled substances, and the
section mandates that the weight of controlled substances needs to be established only
[J-52-2017] [MO: Mundy, J.] - 3
by a preponderance of the evidence, rather than by a reasonable doubt. Id. This Court
has found that this combination of directives violates Alleyne. Wolfe, supra.
Accordingly, Alleyne renders Section 7508 unconstitutional.
Next, the question remains whether DiMatteo can benefit from Alleyne given
that, in Commonwealth v. Washington, 142 A.3d 810, 820 (Pa. 2016), this Court held
that “Alleyne does not apply retroactively to cases pending on collateral review[.]” I
agree with the Majority that Washington does not apply to DiMatteo’s circumstances
because, unlike the situation at issue in Washington, DiMatteo is not seeking to apply
Alleyne retroactively by way of collateral review. Instead, he is seeking PCRA relief for
a sentencing claim that was available to him on direct review.1
More specifically, it is a well-settled principle of criminal law that “a judgment is
not final until the availability of appeal has been exhausted, and any judicial changes in
the law are applicable to a case prior to final judgment.” Commonwealth v. Lee, 368
A.2d 690, 692 (Pa. 1977). Here, the Supreme Court decided Alleyne on June 17, 2013,
and DiMatteo’s “judgment” did not become final until July 12, 2013, i.e., 30 days after
the trial court denied his timely-filed post-sentence motion. Pa.R.Crim.P. 720(A)(2)(a).
Because a direct appeal of DiMatteo’s judgment of sentence still was available to him
when the High Court decided Alleyne, that change in the law is applicable to DiMatteo’s
case. Accordingly, Alleyne renders illegal the sentences DiMatteo received pursuant to
42 Pa.C.S. § 7508.
1
Generally speaking, for purposes of the PCRA, an issue is waived if the petitioner
could have raised it during trial or on direct appeal from his judgment of sentence. 42
Pa.C.S. § 9544(b). However, as explained above, when a defendant attacks the
propriety of his mandatory minimum sentence based upon Alleyne, he presents a non-
waiveable challenge to the legality of his sentence. Barnes, supra.
[J-52-2017] [MO: Mundy, J.] - 4
Lastly, this appeal requires the Court to consider what form of relief DiMatteo
should receive to remedy his illegal sentences.2 It is useful to review Wolfe briefly for
guidance as to the appropriate relief in this case. Wolfe appealed his judgment of
sentence to the Superior Court. Commonwealth v. Wolfe, 106 A.3d 800 (Pa. Super.
2014). His sentence included a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment pursuant to
42 Pa.C.S. § 9718(a)(1). The Superior Court determined that Alleyne rendered Wolfe’s
mandatory minimum sentence illegal. In terms of relief, the court vacated Wolfe’s
judgment of sentence and remanded the case to the trial court for resentencing without
application of Subsection 9718(a)(1). Id. at 806. This Court ultimately agreed with the
Superior Court’s determination that Alleyne rendered Wolfe’s sentence illegal. Wolfe,
140 A.3d 651. After reaching this conclusion, the Court affirmed the Superior Court’s
disposition and, thus, tacitly approved of the relief that the Superior Court provided to
Wolfe. Id. at 663.
In the present matter, the Superior Court provided DiMatteo with the same relief
that it afforded Wolfe; yet, the Commonwealth argues that such relief is inappropriate in
this case. According to the Commonwealth, DiMatteo and the Commonwealth entered
into a plea agreement. The Commonwealth concedes that the parties did not negotiate
a particularized sentence. However, the Commonwealth states that, as part of the
agreement, it withdrew 349 counts with which DiMatteo had been charged. The
Commonwealth asserts, “This decision and agreement was premised in part on the
mandatory sentences that applied to the counts to which [DiMatteo] pled guilty.”
Commonwealth’s Brief at 27. The Commonwealth takes the position that, if this Court
2
The PCRA provides courts with a variety of remedies for meritorious claims. See 42
Pa.C.S. § 9546(a) (“If the court rules in favor of the petitioner, it shall order appropriate
relief and issue supplementary orders as to rearraignment, retrial, custody, bail,
discharge, correction of sentence or other matters that are necessary and proper.”).
[J-52-2017] [MO: Mundy, J.] - 5
concludes that DiMatteo’s sentence is illegal, then the Commonwealth will be deprived
of the benefit of its bargain. The Commonwealth suggests that the appropriate remedy
for DiMatteo’s illegal sentences is “to vacate the entire plea and remand for trial on all
the original charges.” Id. at 34. Notably, the Commonwealth fails to cite to any portion
of the certified record to support its position that there existed a quid pro quo regarding
the Commonwealth’s withdrawal of charges in exchange for DiMatteo pleading guilty to
the remaining counts mandating a minimum period of incarceration.
DiMatteo argues, inter alia, that the Commonwealth’s position is not supported by
the record. DiMatteo’s Brief at 22. As a general matter, DiMatteo posits that there was
no plea agreement in this case. Rather, according to DiMatteo, he entered an open
plea of guilty, which was approved by the trial court. Id. at 23 (citing Pa.R.Crim.P.
590(A) (explaining that a defendant may plead guilty with the consent of the judge and
that the judge can accept the plea after determining, on the record, that the plea is
being tendered voluntarily and understandingly)). DiMatteo also points out that his
written plea colloquy: (1) specifically advised him that he could challenge the legality of
his sentence on appeal; and (2) indicated that the parties did not enter a plea
agreement. Similarly, he maintains that, during his sentencing hearing, the court
informed him that he could challenge his sentence on appeal. Id. (citing N.T., 2/6/2013,
at 55).
DiMatteo further contends that the record does not support the Commonwealth’s
suggestion that “the on the record guilty plea was in reality premised in part on an
unstated agreement to receive mandatory sentences (that could not be challenged on
appeal), with the Commonwealth also agreeing to drop some charges.” Id. at 24.
DiMatteo insists that “[t]here is no evidence that any charges were dropped as part of
an agreement.” Id. at 25 (emphasis in original). For these reasons, DiMatteo
[J-52-2017] [MO: Mundy, J.] - 6
advocates that this Court should affirm the Superior Court’s disposition of this matter
and remand the case for resentencing without consideration of Section 7508.
DiMatteo’s account of the record is accurate. DiMatteo’s written guilty plea
colloquy confirms that the parties did not enter a plea agreement; rather, DiMatteo
tendered an open plea of guilty. Guilty Plea Colloquy, 11/20/2012, at 3. Moreover, that
written colloquy contemplated that DiMatteo could challenge the propriety of the
sentence that the trial court eventually would impose. Id. at 7-8. In addition, during his
sentencing hearing, the trial court specifically informed DiMatteo that he could challenge
his sentence in a post-sentence motion or on appeal. N.T., 2/6/2013, at 54-57. Lastly,
as noted above, the Commonwealth fails to cite to anything in the record to support its
contention that it withdrew some of DiMatteo’s charges in exchange for DiMatteo
receiving mandatory minimum sentences, and my independent review of the record did
not produce support for the Commonwealth’s position. In fact, it appears that the
Commonwealth withdrew some of DiMatteo’s charges for administrative convenience.
See Commonwealth’s Sentencing Memorandum, 2/5/2013, at 7 (“In order to save on
paperwork yet continue to reflect the nature and extent of defendant’s crime, the
Commonwealth reduced the number of counts to which the defendant would plead
guilty from 111 Counts to 55 Counts.”). Accordingly, I agree with the Majority’s decision
to provide DiMatteo relief in the form a new sentencing hearing without consideration of
Section 7508.
For all of these reasons, like the Majority, I conclude that the Court should affirm
the Superior Court’s judgment, which reversed the PCRA court’s order, vacated
DiMatteo’s judgment of sentence, and remanded for resentencing without consideration
of Section 7508.
Justices Todd and Wecht join this concurring opinion.
[J-52-2017] [MO: Mundy, J.] - 7