Com. v. Clemons, D. ( 2018 )

J-S78026-17
NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
: PENNSYLVANIA
:
v. :
:
:
DERRICK S. CLEMONS, :
:
Appellant : No. 758 WDA 2017
Appeal from the PCRA Order December 9, 2016
In the Court of Common Pleas of Indiana County
Criminal Division at No.: CP-32-CR-0000970-2014
BEFORE: OLSON, J., DUBOW, J., and STRASSBURGER, J.*
MEMORANDUM BY DUBOW, J.: FILED APRIL 25, 2018
Appellant, Derrick S. Clemons, appeals from the Order entered in the
Indiana County Court of Common Pleas dismissing his first Petition filed
under the Post Conviction Relief Act (“PCRA”), 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 9541-9546.
After careful review, we affirm on the basis of the PCRA court’s December 9,
2016 Opinion.
In an Opinion filed on December 9, 2016, the PCRA court detailed the
factual history underlying the instant appeal. See PCRA Court Opinion,
12/9/16, at 1-2. We adopt the PCRA court’s recitation of the facts for the
purpose of this appeal. In summary, on January 9, 2015, Appellant entered
a negotiated guilty plea to one count of Corrupt Organizations, one count of
Criminal Conspiracy, and three counts of Possession of a Controlled
____________________________________
* Retired Senior Judge assigned to the Superior Court.
J-S78026-17
Substance with Intent to Deliver (“PWID”) in connection with his
involvement in heroin trafficking.1 On April 17, 2015, the trial court
sentenced Appellant to an aggregate term of 2 to 15 years’ incarceration.
Appellant did not appeal.
On March 10, 2016, Appellant filed a pro se PCRA Petition alleging,
inter alia, that plea counsel’s ineffectiveness caused him to enter an
involuntary and unknowing guilty plea. The PCRA court appointed counsel,
and counsel filed an Amended PCRA Petition on August 9, 2016. The PCRA
court held an evidentiary hearing on September 30, 2016, at which
Appellant, Office of Attorney General Narcotics Agent James Farmer, and
plea counsel James Wray, Esq. testified.
On December 9, 2016, the PCRA court dismissed Appellant’s PCRA
Petition in an Opinion and Order.
Appellant filed a timely Notice of Appeal. Both Appellant and the PCRA
court complied with Pa.R.A.P. 1925.2
Appellant presents three issues for our review:
[1.] Whether defense counsel was ineffective counsel by not
filing a motion to suppress any body recordings that were
obtain[ed] unlawfully by the Commonwealth?
____________________________________________
1 18 Pa.C.S. § 911; 18 Pa.C.S. § 903; and 35 P.S. § 780-113(a)(30),
respectively.
2 In its brief Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a) Opinion, the PCRA court adopted its
December 9, 2016 Opinion.
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J-S78026-17
[2.] Whether defense counsel was ineffective counsel to [sic]
properly communicate with [Appellant] about his case, which
ultimately caused [Appellant] to plead guilty?
[3.] Whether defense counsel was ineffective counsel because
defense counsel failed to forward discovery to [Appellant] until
after the plea hearing, causing [Appellant] to plead guilty to the
respective charges?
Appellant’s Brief at 6 (capitalization omitted).
We review the denial of a PCRA Petition to determine whether the
record supports the PCRA court’s findings and whether its order is otherwise
free of legal error. Commonwealth v. Fears, 86 A.3d 795, 803 (Pa.
2014). This Court grants great deference to the findings of the PCRA court if
they are supported by the record. Commonwealth v. Boyd, 923 A.2d 513,
515 (Pa. Super. 2007). We give no such deference, however, to the court’s
legal conclusions. Commonwealth v. Ford, 44 A.3d 1190, 1194 (Pa.
Super. 2012).
The law presumes counsel has rendered effective assistance.
Commonwealth v. Rivera, 10 A.3d 1276, 1279 (Pa. Super. 2010). The
burden of demonstrating ineffectiveness rests on Appellant. Id. To satisfy
this burden, Appellant must plead and prove by a preponderance of the
evidence 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 challenged proceeding would have been different.” Commonwealth
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J-S78026-17
v. Fulton, 830 A.2d 567, 572 (Pa. 2003) (citations omitted). Failure to
satisfy any prong of the test will result in rejection of the appellant’s
ineffective assistance of counsel claim. Commonwealth v. Jones, 811
A.2d 994, 1002 (Pa. 2002).
The right of a criminal defendant to effective counsel extends to the
plea process. Commonwealth v. Bedell, 954 A.2d 1209, 1212 (Pa. Super.
2008) (citation omitted). Where a petitioner presents ineffective assistance
of counsel claims in connection with the entry of a guilty plea, we will only
grant relief “if the ineffectiveness caused the defendant to enter an
involuntary or unknowing plea.” Commonwealth v. Wah, 42 A.3d 335,
338 (Pa. Super. 2012) (citations omitted). “Where the defendant enters his
plea on the advice of counsel, the voluntariness of the plea depends on
whether counsel’s advice was within the range of competence demanded of
attorneys in criminal cases.” Id. at 338-39 (citations omitted). “The law
does not require that appellant be pleased with the outcome of his decision
to enter a plea of guilty.” Bedell, supra at 1212 (citation omitted).
The Honorable William J. Martin, sitting as the PCRA court, has
authored a comprehensive, thorough, and well-reasoned Opinion, citing
relevant case law in addressing Appellant’s claims. The record supports the
PCRA court’s findings and the Order is otherwise free of legal error. We,
thus, affirm on the basis of the PCRA court’s December 9, 2016 Opinion.
See PCRA Court Opinion, 12/9/16, at 2-5 (concluding it properly dismissed
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J-S78026-17
Appellant’s PCRA Petition because: (1) plea counsel was not ineffective for
failing to file a meritless motion to suppress intercepted texts and oral
communications because investigators obtained consent from confidential
informants and otherwise complied with the Wiretapping and Electronic
Surveillance Control Act, in particular 18 Pa.C.S. § 5704 (“Exceptions to
prohibition of interception and disclosure of communications”); (2) plea
counsel was not ineffective for failing to communicate with Appellant insofar
as plea counsel had three phone conversations and met with Appellant
before Appellant entered his guilty plea; and (3) plea counsel was not
ineffective for failing to provide Appellant with discovery because plea
counsel provided a discovery packet to Appellant before his sentencing and
Appellant took no action based on the information he obtained).
The parties are instructed to attach a copy of the PCRA court’s
December 9, 2016 Opinion to all future filings.
Order affirmed.
Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary
Date: 4/25/2018
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Circulated 03/29/2018 11:19 AM
��--COMMONWEALTH
--Q.�"'"' �.M
OF IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
PENNSYLVANIA INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
VS NO. 970 CRIM 2014
I
DERRICK STEVEN CLEMONS, \D
Defendant.
U1
OPINION AND ORDER OF COURT en
MARTIN, P.J.
This matter is before the Court on Petitioner Derrick Clemons' Petition for Post-
Conviction Collateral Relief pursuant to the Post-Conviction Collateral Relief Act (PCRA). A
hearing on the Petition was held September 30, 2016. Petitioner was arrested as a result of an
investigation into heroin trafficking by agents of the Office of Attorney General, Bureau of
Narcotics Investigation and Drug Control (BNI) and the Indiana County District Attorney's
Drug Task Force. The Indiana Borough Police Department began making controlled purchases
of heroin from Petitioner through confidential informants in January 2013, and continued to do
so through June 2014. On June 10, 2014, BNI agents and Task Force Officers from the Indiana
County District Attorney's Drug Task Force executed a search warrant on Petitioner's
residence, seizing drugs. cash. surveillance cameras, and vehicles. Members of a Grand Jury
recommended that criminal proceedings be instituted as a result of the investigation.
Petitioner entered a plea of guilty to the offenses of Corrupt Organizations, 18 Pa.
C.S.A. §911 (b )(3 ), a felony of the first degree; Criminal Conspiracy to Delivery of a Controlled
Substance, Less Than One Gram of Heroin, 18 Pa. C.S.A. §903(a)(l), 35 P.S. §780-113(a)(30),
an ungraded felony; Delivery of a Controlled Substance, 5.3 Grams of Heroin, a second or
subsequent offense, 35 P.S. §780-113(a)(30), an ungraded felony; Delivery of a Controlled
Substance, 2 Grams of Heroin, a second or subsequent offense, 35 P.S. §780-l 13(a)(30), an
ungraded felony; and, Possession With Intent to Deliver, 5.3 Grams of Heroin, a second or
subsequent offense, 35 P.S. §780-l l 3(a)(30), an ungraded felony.
On April 17, 2015, as to the offense of Criminal Conspiracy to Delivery of a Controlled
Substance, Petitioner was sentenced to incarceration at a State Correctional Institution for a
period of not less than two (2) years nor more than fifteen ( 15) years. As to the offense of
Delivery of a Controlled Substance, 5.3 Grams of Heroin, a second or subsequent offense,
Petitioner was sentenced to incarceration of not less than two (2) years nor more than fifteen
(15) years. As to the offense of Delivery of a Controlled Substance, 2 Grams of Heroin, a
second or subsequent offense, Petitioner was also sentenced to incarceration for not less than
two (2) years nor more than fifteen ( 15) years. No sentence was imposed for the offense of
Possession With Intent to Deliver, 5.3 Grams of Heroin, a second or subsequent offense, as it
merged with another offense. All sentences were to run concurrently, and no direct appeal was
taken. Petitioner was represented throughout all proceedings by Attorney James Wray. For the
reasons set forth below, the Petition is DENIED.
Petitioner seeks relief on the basis that counsel was ineffective for the following
reasons: (1) for failing to file a motion to suppress intercepted texts and oral communications;
(2) for causing him to enter an involuntary or unknowing guilty plea; (3) for not maintaining
adequate communication with Petitioner; and (4) for failing to provide Petitioner with his
discovery packet until approximately two weeks prior to his sentencing.
The relevant portions of the PCRA are set forth below and Petitioner must prove each
by a preponderance of the evidence:
(1) That the petitioner has been convicted of a crime under the laws of this
Commonwealth and is at the time relief is granted:
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(i) currently serving a sentence of imprisonment, probation or parole for
the crime:
(2) That the conviction or sentence resulted from one or more of the following:
(i) A violation of the Constitution of this Commonwealth or the
Constitution or laws of the United States which, in the
circumstances of the particular case. so undermined the truth-
determining process that no reliable adjudication of guilt or
innocence could have taken place.
(ii) Ineffective assistance of counsel, which, in the circumstances of
the particular case, so undermined the truth-determining process
that no reliable adjudication of guilt or innocence could have taken
place.
(3) That the allegation of error has not been previously litigated or waived.
( 4) That the failure to litigate the issue prior to or during trial, during unitary
review or on direct appeal could not have been the result of any rational, strategic
or tactical decision by counsel.
When presented with a claim of ineffectiveness of counsel, Pennsylvania follows the
performance and prejudice test set forth in Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687, 104
S. Ct. 2052, 80 L. Ed. 2d 674 (1984). To prevail, Petitioner must establish that:
"( 1) the underlying claim has arguable merit; (2) no reasonable basis existed for
counsel's actions or failure to act; and (3) the petitioner suffered prejudice as a
result of counsel's error, with prejudice measured by whether there is a reasonable
probability that the result of the proceeding would have been different."
Commonwealth v. Robinson, 82 A.3d 998, 1005 (Pa. 2013) (citing Commonwealth v. Pierce,
527 A.2d 973, 975 (Pa. 1987)). These elements are in no particular order, and a claim may fail
under any necessary element. Robinson at 1005 ( citing Commonwealth v. Albrecht, 720 A.2d
693,701 (Pa. 1998n.
Petitioner argues that the interception of his communications with confidential informants
was illegal because it was done absent a warrant or proper consent and that it constituted a
violation of the Wiretapping and Electronic Surveillance Act, specifically the provisions of 18
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Pa. C.S. §5704(2)(ii) providing a requirement of authorization for the interception of
conversations.
Petitioner has cited a case discussing the requirements for consent, although a thorough
reading of that decision reveals an outcome contrary to the one Petitioner seeks. See
Commonwealth v. Barone, 566 A.2d 908, 909 (Pa. Super. 1989). The restriction on surveillance
by law enforcement requires that "one of the parties must give prior consent to such an
interception. Interceptions are also limited to communications involving suspected criminal
activities. When acting within these limitations, law enforcement authorities violate no
constitutional rights of the parties by intercepting conversations where one of the conversants
has consented to have the conversation recorded." Barone, at 911. Additionally, "surveillance
conducted with the consent of the party to the conversation is not subject to the exacting standards
of authorization required for non-consensual surveillance under the Wiretap Act. Id. (Quoting
Commonwealth v. Checca, 491 A.2d 1358, 1364 (Pa. Super. 1989)). Here, the confidential
informants consented to participate in the interception of their communications with Petitioner.
The consent of one party is sufficient to permit surveillance, therefore, Petitioner's argument as
to the absence of consent lacks merit. There were also no additional requirements for
authorization pursuant to the Wiretap Act because the consent of one party had been obtained.
The first element for prevailing on an ineffectiveness of counsel claim is that the claim
must be of arguable merit. At the hearing on the matter, Attorney Wray testified that he did not
file any motions on Petitioner's behalf because no meritorious reasons existed for him to do so.
A review of the requirements for consent supports Attorney Wray's explanation for not filing a
motion to suppress. Here, no meritorious claim existed, therefore, counsel cannot be deemed
ineffective for failing to file a motion to advance one. This reasoning also applies to
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Petitioner's second argument that counsel was ineffective for not realizing the surveillance was
illegal and as a result, encouraging Petitioner to enter a guilty plea. Contrary to Petitioner's
claim, the surveillance was legally conducted, and this claim has no merit.
Petitioner's next claims counsel was ineffective for failing to adequately communicate
with him regarding his case. Petitioner alleges that counsel did not return his phone calls and
only met with him one time. Attorney Wray testified that he was appointed to represent
Petitioner after his preliminary hearing, had three phone conversations with him, and met with
him before a plea was entered. This claim also lacks merit, as counsel did communicate with
Petitioner prior to his plea and sentence.
Finally, Petitioner claims that counsel was ineffective for failing to provide him with his
discovery packet until approximately two weeks before sentencing and after his guilty plea had
already been entered. Attorney Wray testified that the discovery packet was provided after a
plea was entered, however, he disputed that it was not provided until two weeks before
sentencing. Regardless of the disagreement as to when the packet was provided, no prejudice
to Petitioner exists. At any time prior to sentencing, Petitioner could have withdrawn his guilty
plea should he have decided that he no longer wished to proceed with it. Counsel cannot be
deemed ineffective where the discovery packet was provided prior to sentencing, giving
Petitioner the opportunity to change his plea.
Wherefore, the Court makes the following Order.
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COMMONWEALTH OF IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
PENNSYLVANIA INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
vs NO. 970 CRIM 2014
DERRICK STEVEN CLEMONS,
Defendant.
ORDER OF COURT
MARTIN, P.J.
And now, this _q��__
-' day of December, 2016, upon due consideration of
Petitioner's petition and hearing seeking Post-Conviction Collateral Relief, it is hereby
ORDERED and DECREED that the petition DENIED.
BY THE COURT,
p
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