Com. v. Tolentino, V. ( 2016 )

J. S55017/16
NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
: PENNSYLVANIA
:
:
v. :
:
VINCENT TOLENTINO :
:
Appellant : No. 2752 EDA 2015
Appeal from the PCRA Order August 25, 2015
In the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County
Criminal Division at No(s): CP-51-CR-0000017-2009
CP-51-CR0000018-2009
BEFORE: LAZARUS, J., DUBOW, J., and STEVENS, P.J.E.*
MEMORANDUM BY DUBOW, J.: FILED SEPTEMBER 15, 2016
Appellant, Vincent Tolentino, appeals from the Order denying his first
petition for relief pursuant to the Post Conviction Relief Act (“PCRA”), 42
Pa.C.S. §§ 9541-46, without an evidentiary hearing. After careful review,
we affirm.
The PCRA court’s Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a) Opinion includes a thorough and
complete narrative of the facts and procedural history in this case, which we
adopt for purposes of our disposition. See PCRA Ct. Op., 11/3/15, at 1-3.
In sum, after a jury trial, Appellant was convicted of one count each of
Burglary and Simple Assault, and two counts of Terroristic Threats. The
*
Former Justice specially assigned to the Superior Court.
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court sentenced him to an aggregate term of 12½ to 25 years’ incarceration.
This Court affirmed the Judgment of Sentence and our Supreme Court
denied allocatur.
Appellant filed a timely PCRA Petition, which he amended after the
appointment of counsel, raising claims of ineffective assistance of counsel.
After providing Notice pursuant to Pa.R.Crim.P. 907, the PCRA court
dismissed the Petition without a hearing. Appellant timely appealed.
In his brief, Appellant raises the following two issues for our review,
which we have reordered for ease of disposition:
1. Whether the [j]udge was in error in not granting relief
on the PCRA petition alleging counsel was ineffective.
2. Whether the judge was in error in denying [ ]
Appellant’s PCRA petition without an evidentiary hearing
on the issues raised in the amended PCRA petition
regarding trial counsel’s ineffectiveness.
Appellant’s Brief at 9.
In Appellant’s first issue, he avers that the PCRA court erred in
concluding his trial counsel was not ineffective. Id. at 17-30. We disagree.
“Our standard of review in PCRA appeals is limited to determining
whether the findings of the PCRA court are supported by the record and free
from legal error.” Commonwealth v. Johnson, 966 A.2d 523, 532 (Pa.
2009) (citation omitted).
In his Brief, Appellant argues counsel provided ineffective assistance
because: (1) trial counsel failed to request a hearing to determine
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Appellant’s competency to stand trial; (2) trial counsel failed to file a post-
sentence motion challenging the verdict as against the weight of the
evidence; (3) trial counsel was ineffective in advising Appellant not to testify
at trial; (4) trial counsel failed to request a lesser included charge instruction
of trespass; and (5) trial counsel failed to interview and call as defense
witnesses Michael Colosi and Thomas McLaughlin. See Appellant’s Brief at
18-30.
In its November 3, 2015 Opinion, the PCRA court thoroughly and
cogently addressed its reasons for concluding that none of Appellant’s
allegations of ineffectiveness of trial counsel had merit. Our review of the
record supports the PCRA court’s conclusions. Accordingly, with respect to
Appellant’s first issue, we affirm on the basis of the PCRA court’s opinion.
See PCRA Ct. Op. at 3-19.
In his second issue, Appellant claims the PCRA court erred in
dismissing his Amended PCRA Petition without a hearing. Appellant’s Brief
at 16-17. We disagree.
There is no absolute right to an evidentiary hearing, and a PCRA court
has discretion to deny a PCRA petition without a hearing “if the PCRA court
determines that the petitioner’s claim is patently frivolous and is without a
trace of support in either the record or from other evidence.”
Commonwealth v. Hart, 911 A.2d 939, 941 (Pa. Super. 2006) (citation
omitted). When the PCRA court denies a petition without an evidentiary
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hearing, we “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. Khalifah, 852 A.2d 1238, 1240 (Pa. Super. 2004)
(citing Commonwealth v. Hardcastle, 701 A.2d 541, 542-43 (Pa. 1997)).
As discussed supra, the trial court properly concluded that Appellant’s
claims of ineffective assistance of trial counsel lacked merit. Therefore,
since Appellant’s claims were “patently frivolous and [ ] without a trace of
support in either the record or from other evidence[,]” we conclude that the
trial court did not err in denying relief without conducting an evidentiary
hearing. See Hart, 911 A.2d at 941.
The parties are instructed to attach a copy of the PCRA court’s
November 3, 2015 Opinion to any further filings.
Order affirmed.
Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary
Date: 9/15/2016
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Circulated 08/30/2016 12:26 PM
RECEIVED
NOV p 3 2015
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIIAPPEALSJPOSTTRIAL
CRIMINAL TRIAL DIVISION
COMMONWEALTH CP-Sl-CR-0000017-2009
CP-51-CR-0000018-2009
vs.
SUPERIOR COURT
VINCENT TOLENTINO 2752 EDA 2015
BRINKLEY, J. NOVEMBER 3, 2015
OPINION
Defendant Vincent Tolentino filed a petition for relief pursuant to the Post Conviction
Relief Act (PCRA), 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9541 et seq. (eff. Jan. 16, 1996), raising a claim based upon
ineffective assistance of counsel. After independent review of Defendant's pro_ se petition, PCRA
Counsel's amended and supplemental petitions, the Commonwealth's motions to dismiss and
Defendant's reply to the 907 notice, this Court dismissed Defendant's petition as being without
merit. Defendant appealed the dismissal of his petition to the Superior Court. The sole issue in
this opinion is whether this Court properly dismissed Defendant's petition without a hearing as
being without merit. This Court's decision should be affirmed.
PROCEDURAL HISTORY AND FACTS
On November 30, 2008, Defendant was arrested and charged with burglary, two counts
·of terroristic threats, possession of an instrument of crime (PICt recklessly endangering another
person (REAP), and simple assault. On April 14, 2010, the Commonwealth filed a motion to
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have a witness, Samuel Colosi ("Samuel"), be declared unavailable pursuant to Pa.R.E. 804(a)(4)
and to allow the Commonwealth to admit his former testimony pursuant to Pa.R.E. 804(b)(l).
On April 19, 2010, this Court granted the Commonwealth's motion to declare Samuel
unavailable and allowed the Commonwealth to introduce the testimony that Samuel gave at the
preliminary hearing with the exception of the testimony pertaining to his identification of
Defendant.
From May 17 to May 21, 2010, a jury trial was held in the presence of this Court,
Defendant was represented at trial by John Konchak, Esquire. On May 24, 2010, the jury found
Defendant guilty of burglary, both counts of terroristic threats, and simple assault. On October 7,
2010, this Court sentenced Defendant to IO to 20 years state incarceration on the burglary charge
and 2Yi to 5 years state incarceration on each charge of terroristic threats, to run concurrently
with one another but consecutive to the sentence imposed on the burglary charge. This Court
imposed no further penalty on the simple assault charge, for a total aggregate sentence of 12Yi to
25 years state incarceration. On October 29, 2010, Defendant, through counsel, filed a Notice of
Appeal to the Superior Court, On June 30, 2011, this Court filed its opinion in the matter. On
April 20, 2012, the Superior Court affirmed the judgment of sentence. On May 17, 2012,
Defendant filed a Petition for Allowance of Appeal with the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. On
November 8, 2012, the Supreme Court denied Defendant's Petition for Allowance of Appeal.
On November 8, 2013, Defendant filed a prose petition pursuant to the PCRA, alleging
ineffective assistance of counsel. On February 28, 2014, Peter A. Levin, Esquire, was appointed
PCRA counsel. On October 20, 2014, Mr. Levin filed an amended petition alleging ineffective
assistance of counsel based upon trial counsel's failure to request a hearing to determine
Defendant's competency to stand trial, failure to file a post-sentence motion that the verdict was
2
against the weight of the evidence, failure to request a lesser included charge instruction of
criminal trespass, failure to request a new trial due to the trial court's answering a jury question
without counsel being present, and for advising Defendant not to testify. On May 6, 2015, the
Commonwealth filed a motion to dismiss. On June 18, 2015, Mr. Levin filed a supplemental
petition, adding an additional claim that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to interview and
call Michael Colosi ("Michael") and Thomas McLaughlin ("McLaughlin") as defense witnesses.
On July 22, 2015, the Commonwealth filed a motion to dismiss Defendant's supplemental
petition.
On August 3, 2015, this Court sent Defendant a notice pursuant to Rule 907, indicating
that his petition would be dismissed as without merit. On August 14, 2015, Defendant filed a
reply to the 907 notice. On August 26, 2015, after independent review of Defendant's pro se
petition, PCRA counsel's amended petition and supplemental petition, the Commonwealth's
motions to dismiss, and Defendant's reply to the 907 notice, this Court dismissed Defendant's
petition as without merit. On September 11, 2015, Defendant appealed the dismissal of his
petition to the Superior Court.
ISSUE
I. WHETHER THIS COURT PROPERLY DISMISSED DEFENDANT'S
PETITION AS WITHOUT MERIT.
DISCUSSION
I. THIS COURT PROPERLY DISMISSED DEFENDANT'S PETITION AS
WITHOUT MERIT.
This Court properly dismissed Defendant's petition without a hearing as being without
merit. When reviewing the denial of PCRA relief, the appellate court's review is limited to
determining whether the PCRA court's findings are supported by the record and without legal
3
error. Commonwealth v. Edmiston, 619 Pa. 549, 65 A.3d 339, 345 (2013) (citing
Commonwealth v. Breakiron, 566 Pa. 323, 781 A.2d 94, 97 n. 4 (2001)). The court's scope of
review is limited to the findings of the PCRA court and the evidence on the record of the PCRA
court's hearing, viewed in light most favorable to the prevailing party, Commonwealth v. Fahy,
598 Pa. 584, 959 A.2d 312, 316 (2008) (citing Commonwealth v. Duffey, 585 Pa. 493, 889 A.2d
56, 61 (2005)). The burden is on the petitioner in the PCRA petition to demonstrate by a
preponderance of the evidence that he or she is eligible for PCRA relief. 42 Pa.C.S.A § 9543.
To establish trial counsel's ineffectiveness, a petitioner must demonstrate: ( 1) the
underlying claim has arguable merit; (2) counsel had no reasonable basis for the course of action
or inaction chosen; and (3) counsel's action or inaction prejudiced the petitioner. Commonwealth
v. Freeland, 2014 PA Super 274, 106 A.3d 768, 775 (2014) (citing Commonwealth v. Pierce, 515
Pa. 153, 527 A.2d 973 (1987)). A PCRA petitioner will be granted relief only when he proves,
by a preponderance of the evidence, that his conviction or sentence resulted from the 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.
Id. (citing 42 Pa.C.S. § 9543(a)(2)(ii)). Counsel's assistance is deemed constitutionally effective
once the court determines that the defendant has not established any one of the prongs of the
ineffectiveness test. Id. (citing Commonwealth v. Rolan, 964 A.2d 398, 406 (Pa.Super.2008)) ..
To establish prejudice, the defendant must show that there is a reasonable probability that the
outcome of the proceedings would have been different but for counsel's action or inaction.
Commonwealth v. Davido, 106 A.3d 611, 621 (Pa. 2014) (citing Commonwealth v. Williams,
587 Pa. 304, 899 A.2d 1060, 1064 (2006)).
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1. Trial counsel was not ineffective for failing to request a hearing to determine
Defendant's competency to stand trial.
Trial counsel was not ineffective for failing to request a hearing to determine Defendant's
competency to stand trial. A defendant is presumed to be competent to stand trial.
Commonwealth v. Smith, 609 Pa. 605, 17 A.3d 873, 899 (2011) (citing Commonwealth v.
Rainey, 593 Pa. 67, 928 A.2d 215, 236 (2007)). The burden, therefore, is on the defendant to
prove, by a preponderance of the evidence, that he was incompetent to stand trial. Id. To prove
that he was incompetent, the defendant must establish that he was either unable to understand the
nature of the proceedings against him or to participate in his own defense. Id. at 899-900.
Assertions that there are substantial questions about the defendant's competency, even if
believed, do not satisfy the defendant's burden to prove that he was incompetent to stand trial. Id.
(citing Rainey, 928 A.2d at 236; Commonwealth v. Romero, 595 Pa. 275, 938 A.2d 362, 374-75
(2007)). Without evidence that he was actually incompetent to stand trial, the defendant cannot
prevail on a claim that counsel was ineffective for failing to obtain a competency hearing. Id.In the case at bar, Defendant's claim that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to
request a hearing to determine Defendant's competency to stand trial is without merit. During
trial, this Court conducted an extensive colloquy regarding Defendant's ability to understand the
nature of the proceedings against him. After the Commonwealth had rested, the following
exchange took place:
"THE COURT: Right now, as you stand in this courtroom, are you under
the influence of drugs or alcohol?
DEFENDANT: I'm on psychiatric medication.
THE COURT: What are you on, right now?
DEFENDANT: Thorazine, Zoloft, Cogentin.
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THE COURT: Did you take them today?
DEFENDANT: They didn't give them to me.
THE COURT: Okay, when is the last time you took medication?
DEFENDANT: A few days ago. With the trial being today, so when I go
back to the prison, they will have the medication when I go
back.
THE COURT: Okay, so you haven't had your medication for three days.
DEFENDANT: No.
THE COURT: Okay. Well, you understand why you're here for today,
right?
DEFENDANT: Yes.
THE COURT: Why are you here today?
DEFENDANT: Because rm charged with a crime.
THE COURT: And you've been here listening to the testimony that's said,
right?
DEFENDANT: Yes.
THE COURT: Have you understood everything that's been done and said
throughout the trial?
DEFENDANT: I understand."
(N.T. 5/21/2010 p. 26-27). After discussing the effects that his medication had on him, this
Court then stated to Defendant, "Well, the reason I'm asking you these questions is, I want to be
sure that you understand everything that's going on and you do, is that right?", to which
Defendant responded, "Yes." Id. at 28-29. Moreover, Defendant has failed to offer any evidence
that he was unable to understand the nature of the proceedings against him or to participate in his
own defense. To the contrary, Defendant in his amended PCRA petition stated that he told trial
counsel multiple times during trial that he wished to testify on his own behalf so that he could
6
deny his involvement in the incident and explain what happened from his own perspective. Thus,
there is every indication that, despite not taking his medication, Defendant understood the nature
of the proceedings against him and actively sought to rationally participate in his own defense.
Therefore, trial counsel could not be ineffective for failing to request a psychiatric evaluation to
determine Defendant's competency to stand trial as there was no evidence that Defendant was
actually incompetent to stand trial.
2. Trial counsel was not ineffective for failing to file a post-sentence motion that
the verdict was against the weight of the evidence.
Trial counsel was not ineffective for failing to file a post-sentence motion that the verdict
was against the weight of the evidence. If counsel fails to raise an issue in post-verdict motions
or on appeal, he is deemed to be ineffective only if the issue is of arguable merit. Commonwealth
v. Franklin, 2003 PA Super 165, 823 A.2d 906, 908 (2003) (citing Commonwealth v. Wilkerson,
490 Pa. 296, 416 A.2d 4 77 (1980)). This is so because an accused has no absolute right to raise
baseless claims and counsel cannot be faulted for not advancing issues which will not at least
arguably obtain some relief for the accused. Id. In Commonwealth v. Luster, the Superior Court
held that trial counsel was not ineffective for failing to raise a post-sentence challenge to the
weight of the evidence when trial counsel indicated that he believed the issue at trial involved a
misapplication of the law by the jury rather than a misapprehension of the facts and therefore
filed a post-sentence motion challenging the sufficiency of the evidence rather than the weight of
the evidence. See Commonwealth v. Luster, 2013 PA Super 204, 71 A.3d 1029, 1049.
Moreover, the PCRA court determined that even if the claim had been raised, it would have
found that "the jury's verdict was not so contrary to the evidence as to shock one's sense of
justice' and that it "would not have granted a new trial on a weight of the evidence argument."
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Under Pennsylvania law, a weight of the evidence claim concedes that the evidence was
sufficient to sustain the verdict. Commonwealth v. Lyons, 622 Pa. 91, 79 A.3d 1053, 1067
(2013) (citing Commonwealth v. Widmer, 560 Pa. 308, 744 A.2d 745, 751-52 (2000)). The
weight of the evidence is "exclusively for the finder of fact who is free to believe all, part, or
none of the evidence and to determine the credibility of the witnesses." Luster, 71 A.3d at 1049(quoting Commonwealth v. Champney, 574 Pa. 435, 832 A.2d 403, 408 (2003)). A verdict is not
contrary to the weight of the evidence because of a conflict in testimony or because the
reviewing court on the same facts might have arrived at a different conclusion than the fact-
finder. Commonwealth v. Morales, 91 A.3d 80, 91 (Pa. 2014) (quoting Commonwealth v. Tharp,
574 Pa. 202, 830 A.2d 519, 528 (2003)). Rather, a new trial is warranted only when the jury's
verdict is so contrary to the evidence that it shocks one's sense of justice and the award of a new
trial is imperative so that right may be given another opportunity to prevail. Id.In the case at bar, Defendant claimed that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to file a
post-sentence motion that the verdict was against the weight of the evidence. As Defendant's
underlying weight of the evidence claim was without merit, trial counsel was not ineffective for
failing to file a post-sentence motion raising that claim. Margaret Curran ("Cmrnn") testified at
trial that she was at her parents' home at 931 Cantrell Street on November 29, 2008 when
Defendant knocked on the door and asked to see her brother, Michael. Curran further testified
that she told Defendant that Michael was not home, at which time Defendant asked to speak with
her father, Samuel, but Curran told Defendant to leave Samuel out of any issue he may have had
with Michael. (N.T. 5/20/10 p. 6-9).
Margaret Colosi ("Margaref') testified at trial that she was at her home at 931 Cantrell
Street on November 30, 2008, when Defendant knocked loudly on her door and asked to see
8
Michael. Margaret further testified that, despite repeatedly telling Defendant that Michael was
not home and that he was not allowed in the house, Defendant told her that he was coming in.
Margaret stated that she started yelling and her husband, Samuel, who was attached to an oxygen
tank, came to investigate. Margaret further stated that Defendant then punched Samuel multiple
times and she fell to the ground, injuring her hand. Margaret testified that Defendant left the
house and yelled that he would return to blow the house up. Id. at 26-53.
After being declared unavailable for trial by this Court, the Commonwealth introduced
the testimony that Samuel gave at the preliminary hearing. Samuel testified at the preliminary
hearing that, at around 1:50 p.m. on November 30, 2008, he was sitting in the parlor at his house
at 931 Cantrell Street when he heard someone banging on his door. Samuel further testified at
the preliminary hearing that his wife answered the door, at which time Defendant pushed his way
into their house. Samuel stated that his wife was yelling at Defendant to leave their house and he
went over to try to help his wife. Samuel further stated that Defendant then punched him in his
face, shoulders, upper arms and chest. Samuel testified at the preliminary hearing that he and his
wife were eventually able to push Defendant out of their house, at which time he saw what
appeared to be the handle of a gun in Defendant's waistband. Samuel further testified that
Defendant said as he was leaving that he would be back and that he was going to "blow this f'ing
house down." Samuel stated that Defendant did not have permission to enter their home and
they called the police on him. (N.T. 12/30/2008 p. 5~9).
Officer Joseph McCann ("Mccann") testified at trial that, on November 30, 2008, he
responded to a radio call of a man with a gun at 931 Cantrell Street. McCann further testified
that, upon arriving at the scene, he came into contact with Samuel and Margaret, who told him
that Margaret had heard a loud banging at the door and, when she went to answer it, there was a
9
white male there who wanted to speak with Michael. McCann stated that Margaret told him that
the male pushed his way into their house after she told him that Michael was not home and
Samuel came to investigate after she started screaming. Margaret further told him that the male
struck Samuel several times in the face and left in a car. McCann testified that Samuel's right
eye was swollen and he was having difficulty breathing. McCann further testified that the police
searched the neighborhood for a vehicle matching the description that Margaret gave and, upon
finding and stopping one, the passenger got out of the car and ran away. McCann stated that the
passenger was arrested a few blocks away and was identified as Defendant. McCann further
stated that Defendant was taken back to 931 Cantrell Street, where Margaret and Samuel
positively identified him as the man who attacked them. Id. at 106-20.
Thus, the jury heard from multiple witnesses that Defendant entered the residence at 931
Cantrell Street and asked to see Michael in an aggressive manner on two separate occasions in
November 2008. The jury further heard from multiple witnesses that Defendant was told on both
occasions that he did not have permission to enter the house and that, on the second occasion,
Defendant became violent and assaulted Samuel and Margaret before threatening to do further
harm to them. The jury also heard from multiple witnesses that Defendant punched Samuel
multiple times, causing bruising and swelling, and the Commonwealth introduced photographs
of Samuel's injuries. Defendant, on the other hand, argued that he did not have the intent to
commit a crime when he entered their residence and that he did not intend to cause bodily harm
to either Samuel or Margaret. However, this argument was belied by the evidence presented that
Defendant came to the house in an aggressive manner on two separate occasions and then
punched Samuel multiple times in various parts of his body after entering their house. Thus, the
evidence presented at trial was consistent, credible and overwhelming that the Defendant entered
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the Colosi's residence at 931 Cantrell Street without permission and with the intent to commit a
crime. Furthermore, the evidence was consistent, credible, and overwhelming that, after
Defendant entered their residence, he punched Samuel multiple times with the intention to cause
bodily injury and threatened to cause more harm to them. Therefore, the jury's verdict was not
so contrary to the evidence so as to shock one's sense of justice and any weight of the evidence
claim advanced by trial counsel in a post-trial motion would have been without merit.
Consequently, trial counsel was not ineffective for failing to file a post-sentence motion
challenging the weight of the evidence.
3. Trial counsel was not ineffective for advising Defendant not to testify.
Trial counsel was not ineffective for advising Defendant not to testify. The appropriate
standard for assessing whether a defendant was prejudiced by trial counsel's ineffectiveness
regarding the waiver of his right to testify is whether the result of the waiver proceeding would
have been different absent counsel's ineffectiveness. Commonwealth v. Walker, 2015 PA Super
17, 110 A.3d 1000, 1005 (2015). Claims alleging ineffectiveness of counsel premised on
allegations that trial counsel's actions interfered with an accused's right to testify require a
defendant to prove either that "counsel interfered with his right to testify, or that counsel gave
specific advice so unreasonable as to vitiate a knowing and intelligent decision to testify on his
own behalf." Commonwealth v. Miller, 987 A.2d 638, 660 (2009) (citing Commonwealth v.
Nieves, 560 Pa. 529, 746 A.2d 1102, 1104 (2000)). Counsel is not ineffective where counsel's
decision to not call defendant was reasonable, such as where defendant could be impeached with
his prior record of crimen falsi offenses. Commonwealth v. Daniels, 2010 PA Super 112, 999
A.2d 590 (2010) (Commonwealth v. Whitney, 550 Pa. 618, 630, 708 A.2d 471, 476 (1998)).
Where a defendant voluntarily waives his right to testify after a colloquy, he generally cannot
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argue that trial counsel was ineffective in failing to call him to the stand. Conunonwealth v.
Rigg, 2014 PA Super 11, 84 A.3d 1080, 1086 (2014) (citing Commonwealth v. Peay, 806 A.2d
22, 29 (Pa.Super.2002)).
In the case at bar, Defendant claimed that trial counsel was ineffective for advising him
not to testify at trial. This claim is without merit After the Commonwealth rested, this Court
conducted a colloquy with Defendant regarding his decision not to testify at trial. During the
colloquy, the following exchange took place:
"THE COURT: Now your lawyer has indicated that you do not wish to give
testimony in this case, is that right?
DEFENDANT: Yes, I don't want-
THE COURT: Okay.
DEFENDANT: I can't testify.
THE COURT: Did you have an opportunity to discuss the advantages and
disadvantages of giving testimony in this case with your
lawyer?
DEFENDANT: Yes.
THE COURT: And based upon those discussions with your lawyer, is it
your decision not to give testimony in this case?
DEFENDANT: Yeah, because of my past record.
THE COURT: And did anyone threaten you, or force you or make you
come to that decision?
DEFENDANT: No.
THE COURT: Have you made that decision of your own free will?
DEFENDANT: Yes."
(N.T. 5/21/2010 p. 29-30). As Defendant indicated during this colloquy, he had two prior
convictions for robbery that could have been introduced by the Commonwealth at trial as crimen
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falsi evidence. In advising Defendant not to testify, trial counsel acted reasonably to avoid
introducing this evidence of Defendant's prior convictions and Defendant evidently agreed with
the soundness of counsel's advice based upon his answers to this Court's colloquy. Moreover,
Defendant has failed to prove that trial counsel interfered with his right to testify, as his colloquy
answers indicate that he made the decision on his own free will and counsel did not in any way
threaten or force him to waive his right to testify. Thus, Defendant's claim that trial counsel was
ineffective for advising him not to testify is without merit.
4. Trial counsel was not ineffective for failing to request a lesser included
charge instruction of criminal trespass.
Trial counsel was not ineffective for failing to request a lesser included charge instruction
of criminal trespass. In a majority decision, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania in
Conunonwealth v. Baldwin held that the plain language of Section 9765 revealed a legislative
intent "to preclude the courts of this Commonwealth from merging sentences for two offenses
that are based on a single criminal act unless all of the statutory elements of one of the offenses
are included in the statutory elements of the other". Conunonwealth v. Quintua, 2012 PA Super
219, 56 A.3d 399, 401 (2012) (quoting Commonwealth v. Baldwin, 604 Pa. 34, 985 A.2d 830,
837 (2009)). Therefore, notwithstanding the plurality's conclusion in Commonwealth v. Jones
regarding merger of criminal trespass and burglary, the current state of merger law in
Pennsylvania makes clear there is no merger if each offense requires proof of an element the
other does not. Id. (citing Commonwealth v. Taggart, 997 A.2d 1189, 1200-01 (Pa.Super.2010)).
The "practical, hybrid approach" espoused in the Jones lead opinion is not the proper test for
merger. Id. The plain language of the respective statutes demonstrates why criminal trespass and
burglary do not merge. Id. at 402. Criminal trespass contains an element of knowledge-a person
committing that offense must know he is not privileged to enter the premises. Burglary has no
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such knowledge requirement. Id. Burglary does, however, require intent to commit a crime
within the premises, an element that criminal trespass lacks. Id. As each offense requires proof of
an element the other does not, they should not merge. Id. Trial counsel cannot be ineffective for
failing to request a lesser included charge instrnction of criminal trespass because criminal
trespass is not a lesser included offense of burglary. Commonwealth v. Harrison, 444 Pa.Super.
103, 663 A.2d 238, 238-39 (1995).
In the case at bar, Defendant claimed that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to
request an instrnction for a lesser included charge of criminal trespass. As the Superior Court
reiterated in Ouintua, criminal trespass is not a lesser included offense of burglary, as each
offense requires proof of an element the other does not. Consequently, Defendant's claim that
trial counsel was ineffective for failing to request a lesser included offense instrnction for
criminal trespass was without merit as criminal trespass is not a lesser included offense of
burglary.
Even if criminal trespass was a lesser included offense of burglary, Defendant was not
prejudiced by trial counsel's failure to request a lesser included offense instruction as the
evidence was more than sufficient to find Defendant guilty of burglary. The Commonwealth
presented evidence from multiple witnesses that Defendant acted in an aggressive, bullying and
violent manner when he entered the Colosi's property. Notably, after being told by Margaret
that he did not have permission to enter their property, Defendant pushed Margaret and punched
Samuel as he tried to gain access to their home. As the intent to commit a crime after entry may
be inferred from the circumstances surrounding the entry, there was sufficient evidence for the
jury to infer that Defendant intended to commit a crime within the Colosi's property based upon
the violent and aggressive manner in which entered their residence. Thus, even if trial counsel
14
had requested and was granted a lesser included offense instruction for criminal trespass, the jury
would have still found Defendant guilty of burglary. Therefore, even if criminal trespass was a
lesser included offense of burglary, trial counsel was not ineffective for failing to request a lesser
included offense instruction as no prejudice accrued to Defendant from his failure to do so.
5, Trial counsel was not ineffective for failing to request a new trial after the
trial court answered a jury question without counsel being present.
Trial counsel was not ineffective for failing to request a new trial after the trial court
answered a jury question without counsel being present. The reason for prohibiting a trial judge
from communicating with a jury ex parte is to prevent the court from unduly influencing the jury
and to afford counsel an opportunity to become aware and to seek to correct any error which
might occur. Commonwealth v. Freeland, 2014 PA Super 274, 106 A.3d 768, 779 (2014) (citing
Commonwealth v. Bradley, 501 Pa. 25, 459 A.2d 733, 734 (1983)). Where there is no showing
either that the court's actions may have influenced the jury or that its directions were erroneous,
then the reason for the rule dissolves. Id. Pennsylvania law generally requires a showing that ex
parte communications with a jury resulted in prejudice in order to wan-ant relief. Commonwealth
v. Daniels, 104 A.3d 267, 296 (Pa. 2014) (citing Commonwealth v. Ali, 608 Pa. 71, 10 A.3d 282,
313 (2010)).
In Commonwealth v. Freeland, the Superior Court denied Defendant's ineffective
assistance of counsel claim based upon trial counsel's failure to object when the trial court
answered a jury question without counsel being present. See Freedland, 106 A.3d at 780.
Specifically, the jury asked to see a copy of the trial transcript and the court responded, without
counsel being present, that the jury had to rely on its memory of the testimony. Id. at 772. In
denying Defendant's ineffective assistance of counsel claim, the Superior Court stated that the
trial court did no more than tell the jury that they were not permitted to have a copy of the trial
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transcript and that the court's response was proper under Pennsylvania Rule of Criminal
Procedure 646(C)(l). Id. at 779-80. The Superior Court further stated that, as the defendant's
claim was therefore without arguable merit, trial counsel had a reasonable basis for declining to
object and could not have been ineffective. Id. at 780.
In the case at bar, Defendant claimed that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to
request a new trial after this Court answered a jury's question without defense counsel being
present. At 4:35 p.m. on May 21, 2010, the jury requested to see the transcript of Curran's
testimony. With the Commonwealth attorney present but defense counsel absent, this Court
indicated to the court officer to tell the jury that they would have to rely on their own memory
and notes. (N.T. 5/21/2010 p. 137). Then, at 4:57 p.m., the jury informed this Court that they had
reached a unanimous agreement on all charges except for two and were unable to come to an
agreement on those two charges. Again with the Commonwealth present but defense counsel
absent, this Court indicated that it would dismiss the jury for the day and tell them not to discuss
the case over the weekend with anyone. Id. at 137-38. As in Freedland, the extent of this Court's
ex parte conservations consisted of correctly informing the jury that they were not entitled to the
transcript of a witness's testimony and then dismissing them for the day. Moreover, Defendant
has not and cannot show that either of these ex pa rte communications resulted in prejudice to
him. As there was no reasonable basis for trial counsel to object to either of these ex parte
communications and no prejudice accrued to Defendant on the basis of either of them, trial
counsel was not ineffective for failing to request a new trial after this Court communicated with
the jury without defense counsel being present.
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6. Trial counsel was not ineffective for failing to interview and call Michael
Colosi and Thomas McLaughlin as defense witnesses.
Trial counsel was not ineffective for failing to call Michael and McLaughlin as witnesses.
When raising a claim of ineffectiveness for the failure to call a potential witness, the defendant
must establish that the witness existed, that the witness was available to testify for the defense,
that counsel knew of, or should have known of, the existence of the witness, that the witness was
willing to testify for the defense, and that the absence of the testimony of the witness was so
prejudicial as to have denied the defendant a fair trial. Commonwealth v. Matias, 2013 PA Super
53, 63 A.3d 807, 810-11 (2013) (citing Commonwealth v. Sneed, 45 A.3d 1096, 1108-09
(Pa.2012)). To demonstrate the necessary prejudice, the defendant must show how the uncalled
witnesses' testimony would have been beneficial under the circumstances of the case. Id. Counsel
will not be found ineffective for failing to call a witness unless the defendant can show that the
witness's testimony would have been helpful to the defense. Id.Neglecting to call a witness differs from failing to investigate a witness in a subtle but
important way. Commonwealth v. Pander, 2014 PA Super 201, 100 A.3d 626, 638 (2014) (citing
Commonwealth v. Stewm1, 84 A.3d 701 (Pa.Super.2013)). The failure to investigate "presents an
issue of arguable merit where the record demonstrates that counsel did not perform an
investigation." Id. It can be unreasonable per se to conduct no investigation into known
witnesses. Id. Importantly, a petitioner still must demonstrate prejudice. Id. at 638-39. To
demonstrate prejudice where the allegation is the failure to interview a witness, the petitioner
must show that there is a reasonable probability that the testimony the witness would have
provided would have led to a different outcome at trial. Id. at 639 (citing Commonwealth v.
Dennis, 597 Pa. 159, 950 A.2d 945, 961 (2008)). In this respect, a failure to investigate and
interview a witness claim overlaps with declining to call a witness since the petitioner must
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prove: (i) the witness existed; (ii) the witness was available to testify; (iii) counsel knew of, or
should have known of, the existence of the witness; (iv) the witness was willing to testify; and
(v) the absence of the testimony was so prejudicial as to have denied the defendant a fair trial. Id.(citing Commonwealth v. Dennis, 609 Pa. 442, 17 A.3d 297, 302 (2011)).
In the case at bar, Defendant claimed that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to
interview and call Michael and McLaughlin as witnesses. This claim is entirely without merit as
Defendant has failed to show in any manner that trial counsel did not interview either Michael or
Mcl.aughlin, that either of them would have been available and willing to testify for the defense
at trial, and that the absence of their testimony was so prejudicial as to deny Defendant a fair
trial.
With regard to Mcl.aughlin, Defendant simply claimed that he was the driver of the
vehicle that Defendant got into after the incident. Defendant made no further showing as to what
the content of McLaughlin's testimony could possibly be or how that testimony would have led
to a different outcome at trial, especially considering that the sole interaction Defendant
apparently had with McLaughlin occurred entirely after the crimes in question had been
completed. Moreover, Defendant has failed to offer any proof whatsoever that McLaughlin was
available and willing to testify at his trial.
With regard to Michael, Defendant claimed that, if he were called to testify, he would
have testified that Defendant had permission to enter the house and would have refuted the
testimony the Commonwealth offered at trial, although Defendant did not specify exactly what
testimony Michael would have refuted. However, Defendant failed to show that the absence of
Michael's testimony was so prejudicial as to deny Defendant a fair trial. To the contrary,
Margaret testified at trial that Michael was not home at the time of the incident and that she told
18
Defendant that he did not have permission to enter their home. Samuel testified at the
preliminary hearing that Defendant did not have permission to enter their home. Moreover,
Curran testified at trial that, on the day prior to the incident, Defendant came to her parents'
house to look for Michael and she told him that he did not permission to enter their home. Thus,
the jury heard testimony from multiple witnesses that Defendant did not have permission to enter
the property which therefore directly contradicted Michael's proposed testimony. Consequently,
it is unclear how the absence of this testimony, especially in light of the fact that Michael was
not even present in the house at the time of the incident, was so prejudicial to Defendant so as to
deny him a fair trial. Furthermore, Defendant has failed to offer any proof that Michael was
willing to testify on Defendant's behalf at trial, a failure that is particularly notable in light of the
fact that Defendant was on trial for assaulting Michael's elderly parents. Therefore, Defendant's
claim that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to interview and call Michael and McLaughlin
as defense witnesses is without merit.
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CONCLUSION
After review of the applicable case law, testimony and statutes, this Court committed no
error. Defendant's PCRA petition was properly dismissed without a hearing as being without
merit. Accordingly, this Court's decision should be affirmed.
!J~TH: COURT:
f!JJO'l:i!et{L
. pF) J.
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