Com. v. Satcher, R. ( 2017 )

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NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
PENNSYLVANIA
Appellee
v.
RANDALL LUTR SATCHER, JR.,
Appellant No. 2194 EDA 2016
Appeal from the PCRA Order June 9, 2016
in the Court of Common Pleas of Montgomery County
Criminal Division at No.: CP-46-CR-0009301-2014
BEFORE: BOWES, J., SOLANO, J., and PLATT, J.*
MEMORANDUM BY PLATT, J.: FILED JUNE 23, 2017
Appellant, Randall Lutr Satcher, Jr., appeals, pro se, from the order of
June 9, 2016, which dismissed, without a hearing, his first counseled petition
brought under the Post Conviction Relief Act (PCRA), 42 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 9541-
9546. We affirm.
We take the underlying facts and procedural history in this matter
from our independent review of the certified record.
On February 9, 2015, the Commonwealth filed a criminal information
charging Appellant with nine counts of robbery, one count of criminal
conspiracy, two counts of aggravated assault, one count of theft by unlawful
taking, one count of receiving stolen property, one count of possession of an
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*
Retired Senior Judge assigned to the Superior Court.
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instrument of crime, two counts of simple assault, two counts of reckless
endangerment, and two counts of unlawful restraint. The charges arose out
of the October 2013 home invasion of the residence of Sang Koo and Bong
Ho Park in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. During the incident,
Appellant assaulted Bong Ho Park with a blunt object.
On August 5, 2015, after the start of a jury trial, Appellant entered a
negotiated guilty plea to one count of robbery and one count of conspiracy
to commit robbery. The trial court immediately sentenced Appellant in
accordance with the terms of the plea agreement to a term of incarceration
of not less than five nor more than ten years to be followed by a five-year
term of probation. Appellant never sought to withdraw his guilty plea and
did not file a direct appeal.
On December 28, 2105, Appellant, acting pro se, filed a timely PCRA
petition. On January 14, 2016, the PCRA court appointed counsel. On
March 14, 2016, counsel filed a petition to withdraw. 1 On April 5, 2016, the
PCRA court granted counsel’s request to withdraw and issued notice of its
intent to dismiss the petition pursuant to Pennsylvania Rule of Criminal
Procedure 907(1). Appellant did not file a response to the Rule 907 notice.
On June 9, 2016, the PCRA court dismissed Appellant’s PCRA petition. On
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1
See Commonwealth v. Turner, 544 A.2d 927 (Pa. 1988);
Commonwealth v. Finley, 550 A.2d 213 (Pa. Super. 1988) (en banc).
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July 11, 2016, Appellant filed a timely2 notice of appeal. The PCRA court did
not order Appellant to file a concise statement of errors complained of on
appeal. See Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b). On July 25, 2016, the PCRA court issued an
opinion discussing only the question of the timeliness of Appellant’s appeal.
See Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a).
On appeal, Appellant raises the following questions for our review.3
I. Was trial counsel ineffective for failing to protect
Appellant’s constitutional rights where a faulty identification was
entered into the record where the description of the actor did not
match Appellant?
II. Was counsel ineffective where Appellant was not permitted
to face his accuser?
III. Was Appellant’s right to confrontation violated where the
detective testified to a witness[’s] statement?
IV. Did the PCRA court err as a matter of law when it
dismissed Appellant’s PCRA petition?
(Appellant’s Brief, at 4) (unnecessary capitalization omitted).
Appellant appeals from the denial of his first PCRA petition. We review
the denial of a post-conviction petition to determine whether the record
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2
The thirtieth day after denial of his petition, July 9, 2016, was a Saturday.
Thus, Appellant had until Monday, July 11, 2016, to file his notice of appeal.
However, “the prisoner mailbox rule provides that a pro se prisoner’s
document is deemed filed on the date he delivers it to prison authorities for
mailing.” Commonwealth v. Chambers, 35 A.3d 34, 38 (Pa. Super.
2011), appeal denied, 46 A.3d 715 (Pa. 2012) (citation omitted).
Appellant’s notice of appeal is postmarked July 11, 2016, thus his appeal is
timely filed.
3
We have reordered the issues in Appellant’s brief.
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supports the PCRA court’s findings and whether its order is otherwise free of
legal error. See Commonwealth v. Faulk, 21 A.3d 1196, 1199 (Pa. Super.
2011). To be eligible for relief pursuant to the PCRA, Appellant must
establish, inter alia, that his conviction or sentence resulted from one or
more of the enumerated errors or defects found in 42 Pa.C.S.A. §
9543(a)(2). See 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9543(a)(2). He must also establish that
the issues raised in the PCRA petition have not been previously litigated or
waived. See 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9543(a)(3). An allegation of error “is waived if
the petitioner could have raised it but failed to do so before trial, at trial,
during unitary review, on appeal or in a prior state postconviction
proceeding.” 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9544(b). Further,
. . . a PCRA petitioner is not automatically entitled to an
evidentiary hearing. We review the PCRA court’s decision
dismissing a petition without a hearing for an abuse of
discretion.
[T]he right to an evidentiary hearing on a post-
conviction petition is not absolute. It is within the
PCRA court’s discretion to decline to hold a hearing if
the petitioner’s claim is patently frivolous and has no
support either in the record or other evidence. It is
the responsibility of the reviewing court on appeal to
examine each issue raised in the PCRA petition in
light of the record certified before it in order to
determine if the PCRA court erred in its
determination that there were no genuine issues of
material fact in controversy and in denying relief
without conducting an evidentiary hearing.
Commonwealth v. Miller, 102 A.3d 988, 992 (Pa. Super. 2014) (citations
omitted).
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Here, Appellant contends that he received ineffective assistance of
plea counsel. (See Appellant’s Brief, at 8-11). “A criminal defendant has
the right to effective counsel during a plea process as well as during trial.”
Commonwealth v. Rathfon, 899 A.2d 365, 369 (Pa. Super. 2006) (citation
omitted). Further, “[a]llegations of ineffectiveness in connection with the
entry of a guilty plea will serve as a basis for relief only if the ineffectiveness
caused the defendant to enter an involuntary or unknowing plea.”
Commonwealth v. Hickman, 799 A.2d 136, 141 (Pa. Super. 2002)
(citation omitted). Also, “[w]here the defendant enters his plea on the
advice of counsel, the voluntariness of the plea depends upon whether
counsel’s advice was within the range of competence demanded of attorneys
in criminal cases.” Id. (internal quotation marks and citations omitted).
We presume that counsel is effective, and Appellant bears the burden
to prove otherwise. See Commonwealth v. Bennett, 57 A.3d 1185, 1195
(Pa. 2012). The test for ineffective assistance of counsel is the same under
both the Federal and Pennsylvania Constitutions. See Strickland v.
Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687-88 (1984); Commonwealth v. Jones,
815 A.2d 598, 611 (Pa. 2002). An appellant must demonstrate that: (1) his
underlying claim is of arguable merit; (2) the particular course of conduct
pursued by counsel did not have some reasonable basis designed to
effectuate his interests; and (3) but for counsel’s ineffectiveness, there is a
reasonable probability that the outcome of the proceedings would have been
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different. See Commonwealth v. Pierce, 786 A.2d 203, 213 (Pa. 2001),
abrogated on other grounds, Commonwealth v. Grant, 813 A.2d 726 (Pa.
2002). A failure to satisfy any prong of the test for ineffectiveness will
require rejection of the claim. See Jones, supra at 611. Where, as here,
Appellant pleaded guilty, in order to satisfy the prejudice requirement, he
must show that “there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel’s
errors, he would not have pleaded guilty and would have insisted on going to
trial.” Rathfon, supra at 370 (citation omitted).
In the first issue, Appellant claims that counsel was ineffective for not
challenging the “faulty identification” of him by the victim. (Appellant’s
Brief, at 8). However, Appellant waived this issue.
Appellant’s argument consists of three sentences; the first recounts
the victim’s description of the assailant. (See id.). The second summarizes
co-defendant Sean Favors’ description of Appellant. (See id.). The third
states that Appellant wants to preserve this issue in case of a new trial.
(See id.).
Appellant’s argument is in contravention of Pennsylvania Rule of
Appellate Procedure 2119, because he fails to provide pertinent law or
discussion of this issue, or any citation to the certified record. (See id.);
see also Pa.R.A.P. 2119(a)-(c), (e). It is all but impossible to ascertain
Appellant’s argument. “This Court will not act as counsel and will not
develop arguments on behalf of an appellant.” Commonwealth v. Hardy,
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918 A.2d 766, 771 (Pa. Super. 2007), appeal denied, 940 A.2d 362 (Pa.
2008) (citation omitted). When such deficiencies in a brief hinder our ability
to conduct meaningful appellate review, we can dismiss the appeal entirely
or find certain issues to be waived. See id. Because Appellant has not
satisfied his burden by developing this issue in any fashion, we deem it
waived. See Pa.R.A.P. 2101, 2119(a)-(c), (e); Hardy, supra at 771.
In the second and third issues, both concerning the Appellant’s
preliminary hearing, Appellant claims that counsel was ineffective for
denying him the right to confront his accuser, (see Appellant’s Brief, at 8-
10); and for allowing Detective Thomas Witting, III to testify about Sean
Favors’ statement to the police. (See id. at 11). However, this Court has
held that once a defendant has pleaded guilty or gone to trial and been
found guilty he cannot establish actual prejudice relative to alleged errors
that took place at a preliminary hearing. See Commonwealth v. Sanchez,
82 A.3d 943, 984 (Pa. 2013), cert. denied, 135 S.Ct. 154 (2014); see also
Commonwealth v. Lyons, 568 A.2d 1266, 12698 (Pa. Super. 1989),
appeal denied, 583 A.2d 792 (Pa. 1990) (concluding counsel was not
ineffective where appellant failed to show that “the absence of a preliminary
hearing in any way undermined the truth determining process so as to
render unreliable this trial court’s finding of guilty.”); Commonwealth v.
Bowman, 325 A.2d 818, 819 (Pa. Super. 1971) (holding issues regarding
preliminary hearing not appealable where appellant entered voluntary guilty
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plea). Therefore, the second and third claims of ineffective assistance of
plea counsel must fail.
Appellant also appears to claim generally that these errors by counsel
discussed in his first three issues unlawfully induced him to plead guilty.
(See Appellant’s Brief, at 7-8). This issue lacks merit.
We have held that where the record clearly shows that the court
conducted a thorough guilty plea colloquy and that the defendant
understood his rights and the nature of the charges against him, the plea is
voluntary. See Commonwealth v. McCauley, 797 A.2d 920, 922 (Pa.
Super. 2001). In examining whether the defendant understood the nature
and consequences of his plea, we look to the totality of the circumstances.
See id. At a minimum, the trial court must inquire into the following six
areas:
(1) Does the defendant understand the nature of the charges
to which he is pleading guilty?
(2) Is there a factual basis for the plea?
(3) Does the defendant understand that he has a right to trial
by jury?
(4) Does the defendant understand that he is presumed
innocent until he is found guilty?
(5) Is the defendant aware of the permissible ranges of
sentences and/or fines for the offenses charged?
(6) Is the defendant aware that the judge is not bound by the
terms of any plea agreement tendered unless the judge
accepts such agreement?
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Id. (citation omitted); see also Pa.R.Crim.P. 590, Comment.
Defense counsel or the attorney for the Commonwealth, as permitted
by the court, may conduct this examination. See Pa.R.Crim.P. 590,
Comment. Moreover, the examination may consist of both a written
colloquy that the defendant read, completed, and signed, and made a part of
the record; and an on-the-record oral examination. See id.Here, the record demonstrates that, in the totality of the
circumstances, Appellant’s guilty plea was voluntary, knowing and
intelligent. Appellant, after being informed of all his rights, stated that he
wished to plead guilty. (See N.T. Guilty Plea Hearing, 8/05/15, at 19-21;
Written Guilty Plea Colloquy, 8/05/15, at 1-9). He acknowledged in the
written plea colloquy that he understood that he was giving up his right to
trial by jury or by the court sitting as the finder of fact; relinquishing his
right to file pre-trial motions; and knew the sentencing ranges. (See
Written Plea Colloquy, at 3-7). He stated that no one forced or threatened
him. (See N.T. Plea Hearing, at 20-21; Written Plea Colloquy, at 6).
Appellant agreed that he understood the negotiated sentence and that he
would have limited appellate rights. (See N.T. Plea Hearing, at 20; Written
Plea Colloquy, at 5).
The statements made during a plea colloquy bind a criminal defendant.
See Commonwealth v. Muhammad, 794 A.2d 378, 384 (Pa. Super.
2002). Thus, a defendant cannot assert grounds for withdrawing the plea
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that contradict statements made at that time. See Commonwealth v.
Stork, 737 A.2d 789, 790-91 (Pa. Super. 1999), appeal denied, 764 A.2d
1068 (Pa. 2000). Further, “[t]he law does not require that appellant be
pleased with the outcome of his decision to enter a plea of guilty: ‘All that is
required is that [appellant’s] decision to plead guilty be knowingly,
voluntarily and intelligently made.’” Commonwealth v. Yager, 685 A.2d
1000, 1004 (Pa. Super. 1996) (en banc), appeal denied, 701 A.2d 577 (Pa.
1997) (citation omitted). Here, there is nothing on the record to support
Appellant’s contention that his plea was either coerced or invalid. See
McCauley, supra at 922. Thus, his claim that he received ineffective
assistance of plea counsel lacks merit. See Jones, supra at 611.
In the final claim, Appellant argues that the PCRA court erred in
dismissing his petition without an evidentiary hearing. (See Appellant’s
Brief, at 7-8). The Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure provide the
PCRA court with the discretion to dismiss a PCRA petition without an
evidentiary hearing if it is patently without merit. See Pa.R.Crim.P. 907.
Because Appellant’s ineffective assistance of counsel claims lack merit as
pleaded, he is not entitled to an evidentiary hearing. See Miller, supra at
992.
Accordingly, for the reasons discussed above, we affirm the PCRA
court’s dismissal of Appellant’s PCRA petition without a hearing.
Order affirmed.
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Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary
Date: 6/23/2017
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