Com. v. Pacheco, R.

J-S59001-14
NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
: PENNSYLVANIA
Appellee :
:
v. :
:
RAUL PACHECO, :
:
Appellant : No. 726 EDA 2013
Appeal from the PCRA Order Entered February 5, 2013,
In the Court of Common Pleas of Northampton County,
Criminal Division, at No. CP-48-CR-0003795-2011.
BEFORE: SHOGAN, J., LAZARUS, J. and STRASSBURGER,* J.
MEMORANDUM BY SHOGAN, J.: FILED FEBRUARY 10, 2015
Appellant, Raul Pacheco, appeals pro se from the order denying his
petition for relief filed pursuant to the Post Conviction Relief Act (“PCRA”),
42 Pa.C.S. §§ 9541-9546. We affirm.
We summarize the procedural history of this case as follows. 1 On
January 26, 2012, Appellant pled guilty to one count of attempted burglary.
On March 30, 2012, the trial court sentenced Appellant to a term of
incarceration of three to ten years, followed by a term of probation of five
*
Retired Senior Judge assigned to the Superior Court.
1
For an exhaustive recitation of the factual and procedural history of this
matter, we direct the reader to pages two through twenty-two of the PCRA
court’s opinion of May 16, 2013. Although the PCRA court’s opinion includes
facts pertaining to multiple lower court docket numbers, only the matter at
docket number CP-48-CR-0003795-2011 is the subject of this appeal.
J-S59001-14
years. On May 18, 2012, the trial court further sentenced Appellant to pay
restitution in the amount of $26,751.54. Appellant did not file a direct
appeal.
On October 18, 2012, Appellant filed, pro se, the instant PCRA
petition. On October 20, 2012, the PCRA court appointed counsel.
Thereafter, PCRA counsel filed a Turner/Finley letter.2 On January 7, 2013,
pursuant to Pa.R.Crim.P. 907, the PCRA court issued notice of its intent to
dismiss Appellant’s PCRA petition in twenty days. In an order entered
February 5, 2013, the PCRA court denied Appellant’s PCRA petition and
granted appointed counsel’s request to withdraw. Subsequently, on
February 6, 2013, the PCRA court received from Appellant a pro se “Letter in
Response,” dated February 4, 2013, attempting to address the PCRA court’s
notice of intent to dismiss. Also on February 6, 2013, the PCRA court
entered an order denying Appellant’s pro se “Letter in Response.” This
timely appeal followed.
Appellant presents in his pro se brief the following issues for our
review, which we reproduce verbatim:
a) WHETHER COUNSELS NO MERIT LETTER MUST BE REVIEWED
UNDER THE SIXTH AMENDMENT RIGHT TO EFFECTIVE PCRA
COUNSEL AS RULE 904 IS AN INDEPENDENT STATE LAW
GROUND, IN ADDITION PLEA COUNSEL PROVIDED INEFFECTIVE
ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL BY INDUCING A PLEA WHICH WAS
2
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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NOT KNOWING OR INTELLIGENT AND IS DEVOID OF ITS
VOLUNTARY CHARACTER AS A MATTER OF LAW.
b) WHETHER PLEA COUNSEL UNLAWFULLY INDUCED THE PLEA
ON ILL ADVISE THE COURT WOULD IMPOSE CONCURRENT
SENTENCES AND THE JUDGE DID NOT EXPLAIN THE FULL
RAMIFICATION IT COULD IMPOSE A CONSECUTIVE SENTENCE.
c) WHETHER COUNSEL ILL ADVISED THE APPELLANT TO ENTER
A PLEA WHEN NO FACTUAL BASIS EXISTED FOR THE
SUFFICIENCY OF ATTEMPTED BURGLARY.
Appellant’s Brief at 2.
Our standard of review of an order denying PCRA relief is whether the
record supports the PCRA court’s determination and whether the PCRA
court’s determination is free of legal error. Commonwealth v. Phillips, 31
A.3d 317, 319 (Pa. Super. 2011) (citing Commonwealth v. Berry, 877
A.2d 479, 482 (Pa. Super. 2005)). The PCRA court’s findings will not be
disturbed unless there is no support for the findings in the certified record.
Id. (citing Commonwealth v. Carr, 768 A.2d 1164, 1166 (Pa. Super.
2001)).
In order to succeed on a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, an
appellant must demonstrate (1) that the underlying claim is of arguable
merit; (2) that counsel’s performance lacked a reasonable basis; and (3)
that the ineffectiveness of counsel caused the appellant prejudice.
Commonwealth v. Pierce, 786 A.2d 203, 213 (Pa. 2001). We have
explained that trial counsel cannot be deemed ineffective for failing to
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pursue a meritless claim. Commonwealth v. Loner, 836 A.2d 125, 132
(Pa. Super. 2003) (en banc). Moreover, with regard to the second prong,
we have reiterated that trial counsel’s approach must be “so unreasonable
that no competent lawyer would have chosen it.” Commonwealth v.
Ervin, 766 A.2d 859, 862-863 (Pa. Super. 2000) (quoting Commonwealth
v. Miller, 431 A.2d 233 (Pa. 1981)).
Our Supreme Court has long defined “reasonableness” as follows:
Our inquiry ceases and counsel’s assistance is deemed
constitutionally effective once we are able to conclude that the
particular course chosen by counsel had some reasonable basis
designed to effectuate his client’s interests. The test is not
whether other alternatives were more reasonable, employing a
hindsight evaluation of the record. Although weigh the
alternatives we must, the balance tips in favor of a finding of
effective assistance as soon as it is determined that trial
counsel’s decision had any reasonable basis.
Commonwealth v. Pierce, 527 A.2d 973, 975 (Pa. 1987) (quoting
Commonwealth ex rel. Washington v. Maroney, 235 A.2d 349 (Pa.
1967)) (emphasis in original).
In addition, we are mindful that prejudice requires proof that there is a
reasonable probability that, but for counsel’s error, the outcome of the
proceeding would have been different. Pierce, 786 A.2d at 213. “A failure
to satisfy any prong of the ineffectiveness test requires rejection of the claim
of ineffectiveness.” Commonwealth v. Daniels, 963 A.2d 409, 419 (Pa.
2009) (citing Commonwealth v. Sneed, 899 A.2d 1067 (Pa. 2006)). Thus,
when it is clear that an appellant has failed to meet the prejudice prong of
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an ineffective assistance of counsel claim, the claim may be disposed of on
that basis alone, without a determination of whether the first two prongs
have been met. Commonwealth v. Baker, 880 A.2d 654, 656 (Pa. Super.
2005).
It is presumed that the petitioner’s counsel was effective, unless the
petitioner proves otherwise. Commonwealth v. Williams, 732 A.2d 1167,
1177 (Pa. 1999). We are bound by the PCRA court’s credibility
determinations where there is support for them in the record.
Commonwealth v. Battle, 883 A.2d 641, 648 (Pa. Super. 2005) (citing
Commonwealth v. Abu-Jamal, 720 A.2d 79 (Pa. 1998)).
Furthermore, claims of ineffective assistance of counsel are not self-
proving. Commonwealth v. Wharton, 811 A.2d 978, 986 (Pa. 2002).
“[A] post-conviction petitioner must, at a minimum, present argumentation
relative to each layer of ineffective assistance, on all three prongs of the
ineffectiveness standard….” Commonwealth v. D’Amato, 856 A.2d 806,
812 (Pa. 2004). “[A]n underdeveloped argument, which fails to
meaningfully discuss and apply the standard governing the review of
ineffectiveness claims, simply does not satisfy Appellant’s burden of
establishing that he is entitled to relief.” Commonwealth v. Bracey, 795
A.2d 935, 940 n.4 (Pa. 2001).
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We have reviewed the briefs of the parties, the relevant law, the
certified record before us on appeal, and the thorough opinion of the PCRA
court dated May 16, 2013. We conclude that each of the issues presented
by Appellant lacks merit and the PCRA court’s well-crafted opinion
adequately addresses Appellant’s claims on appeal. Accordingly, we affirm
on the basis of the PCRA court’s opinion and adopt its reasoning as our own.
The parties are directed to attach a copy of that opinion in the event of
further proceedings in this matter.
Order affirmed.
Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary
Date: 2/10/2015
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1925(a) STATEMENT
AND NOW, this 16th day of May, 2013, the Court issues the following
statement:
Following guilty pleas and sentencing on charges of attempted
burglary in two related cases, Defendant Raul Pacheco ("Pacheco") filed a
Petition for Post Conviction Collateral Relief pursuant to the Post Conviction
Relief Act ("PCRA"), 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9541 et seq., which this Court denied.
Pacheco then filed a timely Notice of Appeal to the Superior Court of
Pennsylvania. On April 1, 2013, pursuant to our request under Pa.R.A.P.
1925(b), we received Pacheco's Concise Statement of Matters Complairied of
on Appeal. For the reasons set forth below, we respectfully suggest that
Pacheco's appeal lacks merit and should be dismissed.
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BACKGROUND
Although Pacheco's PCRA Petition was filed only in the instant matter,
he was sentenced on charges in two related cases, and the issues relevant
to the PCRA determination depend on facts from both cases. Accordingly,
the Court will discuss the factual background for both.
The Criminal Conduct
On May 19, 2011, there was a burglary at the home of Scott and
Natalie Arnold at 323 Prospect Avenue in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. See Aff.
of Det. Bradford Jones, Bethlehem Police Dep't, Commonwealth v. Pacheco,
C-48-CR-3795-2011 (C.P. Northampton Co. Oct. 25, 2011) ("Jones Aff.")
4l~ 2-3. The burglary occurred while the Arnolds were at work. See id. 'll 4.
The burglar forced entry to the home from the back door and stole a
significant amount of jewelry. See id. In a second burglary at the home on
July 11, 2011, the burglar stole a BB gun and a green mountain bike. See
id'l]6.
On July 4, 2011, there was a burglary at the home of Joseph Koch of
955 Jeter Avenue in Bethlehem. See id. ~ 5. The burglary occurred while
Koch was at work. See id. The burglar forced entry by breaking a window
at the back of the house and stole numerous items, including jewelry, rare
coins, and binoculars. See id. At the time of the burglary, Koch's neighbor
saw a white male with a tattoo on his forearm riding a bicycle in Koch's
driveway. See id.
2
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b
On the morning of August 8, 2011, officers from the Fountain Hill
Police Department responded to a burglar alarm at the home of Paul and
Sharon Kipila at 1116 Seneca Street in Bethlehem. See id. ~ 8. The
attempted burglary occurred while the Kipilas were at work. See id. The
burglar forced entry at the back of the house. See id. However, the Kipilas
determined that nothing was missing. See id. The officers surmised that
the burglar had fled when the alarm sounded. See id.
Later in the morning of August 8, 2011, a man attempted to burglarize
the home of Nancy Arnold at 961 Moravia Street in Bethlehem, about half a
mile from the Kipilas' house. See Aff. of Investigator Christopher Leidy,
Lower Saucon Police Dep't, Commonwealth v. Pacheco, C-48-CR-2975-2011
(Aug. 15,2011) ("Leidy Aff.") ~~ 1-2; Jones Aff. ~ 7; Notes of Testimony,
Commonwealth v. Pacheco, OTN No. T080000-4, 2975-2011 (C.P.
Northampton Co. Sept. 22, 2011) ("N.T. Sept. 22, 2011") at 19. Nancy
Arnold heard her doorbell ring three times but did not answer it. See N.T.
Sept. 22, 2011 at 4-5. Shortly thereafter, she heard glass break. See id. at
5. She entered her kitchen and saw a man breaking the window. See id. at
6. Investigator Christopher Leidy of the Lower Saucon Police Department
and other officers responded to Nancy Arnold's 911 call. See N.T. Sept. 22,
2011 at 19-20. Nancy Arnold told the police that the man who had broken
her window was a medium-skinned man, possibly Hispanic, in his forties,
with no facial hair, and that he had been wearing a dark blue hat and a tan
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"
shirt with the sleeves rolled up. See Leidy Aff. 'fl 3. She said that when she
confronted him, he rode away on a blue-gray bicycle. See id. 'Il 4.
The Police Investigations
Nancy Arnold's neighbor had made a surveillance video of the man
who had broken her window, and Nancy Arnold confirmed that the man in
the video was the man she had seen. See Leidy Aff. '!I'll 5-6. The Lower
Saucon Police Department publicized a photograph of the suspect taken from
the neighbor's surveillance video. See Leidy Aff. '11 8. In the photograph,
the suspect, a white male, was wearing a cream-colored, short-sleeved,
button-down shirt and a black baseball cap with blue writing on the front.
See Jones Aff. 'II 7. He was pushing a green mountain bike. See id. A
tattoo was visible on his forearm. See id. Detective Bradford Jones of the
Bethlehem Police Department saw the photograph and connected it with the
green mountain bike that Scott Arnold had reported stolen. See Jones Aff.
'11 7. Scott Arnold later positively identified the green mountain bike in the
photograph as his. See id. '11 8.
Video from security cameras at the Republican Club near the Kipilas'
house showed a white male wearing a cream-colored, Short-sleeved, button-
down shirt and a black baseball cap with blue writing on the front, pushing a
green mountain bike. See id. '11 9. According to the time stamp on the
video, at 10:44 a.m., the man stowed the mountain bike at the back of the
Republican Club, approached the Kipilas' house, and checked the perimeter.
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,.
See id. At 10:46 a.m., he moved to the back of the Kipilas' house. At 10:49
a.m., he fled the house, returned to the Republican Club, retrieved the green
mountain bike, and rode away. See id. The Kipilas' security company
received an alarm from the back door of the Kipilas' home at 10:49 a.m.
See Jones Aff. ~ 10.
After publicizing the photograph of the burglary suspect, Investigator
Leidy received an anonymous tip that the man in the photograph lived in an
apartment at 1535 E. 9th Street in Bethlehem and that the green mountain
bike in the photograph was at the apartment. See Leidy Aff. 'fl 9.
Investigator Leidy went to the address and met a man who told him that the
burglary suspect was his mother's boyfriend. See id. 'fl 11. The mother told
him that her boyfriend was Pacheco. See Leidy Aff. ~ 13. Outside the
apartment, Leidy found the green mountain bike and the black baseball cap.
See id. 'fl 12. Scott Arnold confirmed that the green mountain bike was his.
See Jones Aff. 1111.
After obtaining search warrants, Detective Jones and Investigator
Leidy searched Pacheco's apartment and recovered numerous stolen items,
including a black bag filled with jewelry, Scott Arnold's BB gun, and a pair of
binoculars and a rare coin belonging to Koch. See Jones Aff. ~1111-12. On
August 18, 2011, Pacheco was arrested. See Jones Aff. 1!J13. At the time of
his arrest, he was riding a bicycle and wearing a cream-colored, short-
sleeved, button-down shirt. See id.
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..
Docket Number 2975-2011
On October 13, 2011, Pacheco was charged in connection with the
August 8, 2011 window-smashing incident that had occurred at Nancy
Arnold's home at 961 Moravia Street. See Criminal Information,
Commonwealth v. Pacheco, C-48-CR-2975-2011 at 1 (C.P. Northampton Co.
Oct. 13, 2011). He was charged with one count of criminal attempt to
commit burglary under 18 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 901(a) and 3502(a), one count of
criminal trespass under 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 3503(a)(1)(ii), and one count of
criminal mischief under 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 3304(a)(5). The charges under
Docket Number 2975-2011 involved only the August 8, 2011 incident at
Nancy Arnold's house. See id.
On September 22, 2011, a preliminary hearing in Docket Number
2975-2011 was held before Magisterial District Judge David W. Tidd. See
N.T. Sept. 22, 2011. Nancy Arnold testified that she had seen the burglar at
her home clearly. She said, "I saw him banging on the glass breaking it. I
went face-to-face with him." Id. She said she was approximately six to
twelve inches from the man and looked directly into his face for
approximately ten seconds. See id. at 10-13. She said that after he fled,
she went to her dining room window and watched him ride away on a blue
bicycle. See id. at 5-6, 13. She pOinted to Pacheco in the courtroom and
identified him as the man she had seen breaking her window. See id. at 5.
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Pacheco was represented by Michael P. Corcoran, Esquire, who cross-
examined Nancy Arnold and Investigator Leidy. See id. at 6, 17. Attorney
Corcoran elicited from Nancy Arnold that she recalled Pacheco as having
facial hair, which contradicted the description she had given police on the
day of the incident. See id. at 16. District Judge Tidd found that the
Commonwealth had met its burden of proof to establish a prima facie case,
and he bound the charges over for trial. See id. at 16, 21-22.
On January 3, 2012, Pacheco pled guilty to one count of attempted
burglary in connection with the August 8, 2011 incident at Nancy Arnold's
house. See Notes of Testimony, Commonwealth v. Pacheco, C-48-CR-2975-
2011 (C.P. Northampton Co. Jan. 3, 2012) ("N.T. Jan. 3, 2012"). Pacheco
and his counsel, Attorney Corcoran, executed a written guilty plea statement
and engaged in a verbal guilty plea colloquy with the Court in which Pacheco
acknowledged that he had been informed, among other things, (1) that the
maximum sentence for the charge to which he was pleading guilty was
twenty years in prison and a $25,000 fine; (2) that the Court was not bound
by the terms of any plea agreement he might have negotiated with the
Commonwealth; (3) that he was waiving any right to file pretrial motions to
challenge the Commonwealth's evidence; (4) that even after his guilty plea
was accepted by the Court, he would have a right to file a motion to
withdraw his guilty at any time prior to sentencing; (5) that if he wished to
move to~ withdraw his plea after sentencing on the grounds that it was
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involuntary or that counsel had been ineffective, any such motion would
have to be filed within ten (10) days of sentencing; and (6) that if the Court
did not allow him to withdraw his plea, he would be entitled to appeal the
Court's decision. See Guilty Plea Statement (Colloquy), Commonwealth v.
Pacheco, C-48-CR-2975-2011 (C.P. Northampton Co. Jan. 3, 2012)("Guilty
Plea Statement 2975"), Nos. 27, 28, 30, 32, 33, 34, 35; N.T. Jan. 3, 2012 at
2-14.
The Court explained to Pacheco that given his prior record score and
the offense gravity score, a standard-range sentence could be up to fifty-two
months as a minimum and that an aggravated sentence could be up to
sixty-one months as a minimum. See N.T. Jan. 3, 2012 at 3. Pacheco
acknowledged that he was pleading guilty of his own free will and had not
been threatened or coerced by anyone. See Guilty Plea Statement 2975-
2011, Nos. 37-41. He agreed that the Commonwealth's recitation of the
facts was correct. See N.T. Jan. 3, 2012 at 13. He acknowledged that he
was satisfied with the services of his attorney. See Guilty Plea Statement
2975-2011, Nos. 42-45. He acknowledged that he had pled guilty in front of
a judge in the past. See N.T. Jan. 3, 2012 at 10. The Court accepted
Pacheco's plea, ordered a presentence investigation, and deferred
sentenCing to March 9, 2012. See id. at 14.
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Case Number 3795-2011
On October 25, 2011, under a separate docket number, Pacheco was
charged in connection with all of the above-described criminal conduct other
than the August 8, 2011 incident at Nancy Arnold's house. See Criminal
Complaint, Commonwealth v. Pacheco, C-48-CR-3795-2011 (C.P.
Northampton Co. Oct. 25, 2011) ("Criminal Complaint 3795"). In connection
with his May 19, 2011 theft of jewelry from the home of Scott and Natalie
Arnold at 323 Prospect Avenue, Pacheco was charged with one count of
burglary under 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 3502(a), one count of criminal trespass under
18 Pa.C.S.A. § 3503(a)(1)(ii), one count of theft by unlawful taking under
18 Pa.C.S.A. § 3921(a)(1), and one count of receiving stolen property under
18 Pa.C.S.A. § 3925(a)(1). See id. In connection with Pacheco's July 11,
2011 theft of the mountain bike and BB gun from the same address, he was
charged with one count of theft by unlawful taking under 18 Pa.C.S.A.
§ 3921(a)(1) and one count of receiving stolen property under 18 Pa.C.S.A.
§ 3925(a)(1). See id.
In connection with his July 4, 2011 theft of coins, jewelry, binoculars,
and other items from the home of Joseph Koch at 955 Jeter Avenue,
Pacheco was charged with one count of burglary under 18 Pa.C.S.A. §
3502(a), one count of criminal trespass under 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 3503(a)(1)(ii),
one count of theft by unlawful taking under 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 3921(a)(1), and
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9
one count of receiving stolen property under 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 3925(a)(1).
See id.
In connection with the August 8, 2011 forced entry of the home of
Paul and Sharon Kipila at 1116 Seneca Street, Pacheco was charged with
one count of criminal attempt to commit burglary under 18 Pa.C.S.A.
§ 90l(a) and 3502(a) and one count of criminal trespass under 18 Pa.C.S.A.
§ 3503(a)(1)(ii). See id.
A preliminary hearing was scheduled for November 4, 2011, but on
that day, Pacheco requested and was granted a continuance until November
23, 2011 in order to permit him to secure legal representation. See Criminal
Docket Sheet, Commonwealth v, Raul Pacheco, C-48-CR-3795-2011 (C.P.
Northampton Co. Nov. 4, 2011) ("Docket Sheet 3795"). However, Pacheco
did not secure legal representation by November 23, 2011, and he was
therefore unrepresented at the Preliminary Hearing. On November 23,
2011, the preliminary hearing was held before Magisterial District Judge
James F. Stocklas, who bound the charges over for trial. See Docket Sheet
3795 (Nov. 23, 2011).
On January 12, 2012, nine days after he had pled guilty to the one
count of attempted burglary in Case Number 2975-2011 involving Nancy
Arnold, Pacheco pled guilty to one count of attempted burglary in case
Number 3795-2011. See Executed Criminal Information in Docket Number
3795-2011. The guilty plea in Docket Number 3795-2011 related solely to
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the attempted burglary at the home of Paul and Sharon Kipila at 1116
Seneca Street. See id. At that time, Pacheco was represented by Vivian
Zumas, Esquire, and he and his counsel executed a written guilty plea
statement essentially identical to the guilty plea statement Pacheco had
executed in Case Number 2795-2011. See Guilty Plea Statement
(Colloquy), Commonwealth v. Pacheco, C-48-CR-3795-2011 (C.P.
Northampton Co. Jan. 11, 2012) ("Guilty Plea Statement 3795").
At the verbal guilty plea colloquy, which occurred on January 26,
2012, Pacheco's counsel told the Court that Pacheco was involved in two
other cases, i.e., Docket Number 2795-2011 and an escape case, and that
Pacheco's guilty plea in Case Number 3975-2011 was "part of the universal
deal we worked out to settle all three separate cases." Notes of Testimony,
Commonwealth v. Pacheco, C-48-CR-3795-100 at 2 (C.P. Northampton Co.
Jan. 26, 2012) ("N.T. Jan. 26, 2012"). Ms. Zumas said that the
Commonwealth would nolle prosequi the escape case as part of the
settlement. See id. The Commonwealth agreed with Attorney Zumas's
characterization of the settlement. See id. at 3. The Court reviewed the
same questions it had reviewed at Pacheco's guilty plea colloquy in Docket
Number 2975-2011, and Pacheco gave similar answers. See id. at 4-11.
The Court reminded Pacheco that the Court was not bound by the terms of
any plea agreement he had negotiated with the Commonwealth and that the
maximum sentence for the crime to which he was pleading guilty was twenty
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years in prison and a $25,000 fine. See id. at 9. Pacheco acknowledged
that the Commonwealth's recitation of the facts was correct. See id. at 12.
The Court accepted Pacheco's guilty plea, ordered a presentence
investigation, and deferred sentencing to March 9, 2012, stating, "and that
will be the same time as Mr. Pacheco's sentence on the other burglary that
he pled guilty to a few weeks ago." Id. at 13.
Pacheco completed a statement detailing his post-sentence rights,
including his rights to challenge his sentence, challenge the validity of his
guilty plea, and move to withdraw his guilty plea. See Post-Sentencing
Colloquy--Important Sentence Information, Commonwealth v. Pacheco, C-
48-CR-3795-2011 (C.P. Northampton Co. Jan. 26, 2012) ("Post-Sentencing
Statement"). The document was signed by Pacheco and both of his counsel.
See id.
Sentencing
At the sentencing hearing on March 9, 2012, the parties informed the
Court that the plea agreement included an agreed-upon sentence of five to
ten years, and the Court advised Pacheco that it would not accept the
agreed-upon sentence. See Notes of Testimony, Commonwealth v. Pacheco,
C-48-CR-3795-2011 (C.P. Northampton Co. Mar. 9,2012) ("N.T. Mar. 9,
2012") at 2. The Court postponed the sentencing for another three weeks in
order to give Pacheco time to consider whether, in light of the Court's
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intentions, he wished to withdraw his guilty pleas or proceed with
sentencing. See id.
THE COURT: They have an agreement of a sentence of 5
to 10 years in state prison. I told the attorneys at the time of
the guilty plea that I would not accept the agreed upon
sentence. I wanted to sentence Mr. Pacheco according to the
law and according to his prior criminal record. I informed him of
that today that I would not accept the sentencing agreement. I
have that right as a judge not to accept a sentencing agreement.
Mr. Pacheco is now unsure whether he wishes to retain his
guilty plea or if he wants to withdraw his guilty plea and proceed
to a jury trial. Mr. McGinley [attorney for the Commonwealth],
what is your position?
MR. MCGINLEY: I informed Mr. Pacheco that if he is found
guilty on these current charges and because of his prior record,
which is specifically violent, he potentially would be looking at 50
years mandatory on each of those charges and combined that
would be 100 years. It would be a life sentence if he were to
take this to trial. I put him on notice that according to law that
the Court would be seeking mandatories should it proceed to
trial.
THE COURT: [W]e are giVing Mr. Pacheco three weeks
until March 30 for him to make a decision on whether he wants
to retain the two guilty pleas and proceed to sentencing under
those guilty pleas with me or if he wants to proceed toa jury
trial in front of me ....
Id. at 2-3.
At the sentencing hearing on March 3D, 2012, the Court inquired
whether Mr. Pacheco had made a decision.
THE COURT: We were in this matter previously and Mr. Pacheco
was unsure whether he was continuing with his guilty plea or
whether he wanted to withdraw the guilty plea and go to trial.
Ms. Zumas, you're here as well for Mr. Pacheco?
MS. ZUMAS: That's correct.
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THE COURT: Mr. Corcoran, you're here for Mr. Pacheco?
MR.CORCORAN: I am.
THE COURT: And Mike McGinley is here for the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
MR. MCGINLEY: Yes, Judge.
THE COURT: Do you have a report for me, Counsel?
MR. CORCORAN: Yes. At this point, Your Honor, I did
have an opportunity to confer with Mr. Pacheco on Wednesday
and Thursday and, at this point in time, he's expressed a desire
to continue with sentencing.
THE COURT: As I advised you when you entered your pleas of
guilty, Mr. Pacheco, you had a right to file your motion to
withdraw those pleas. No such motion has been filed. Do you
wish your guilty pleas to stand at this point or do you wish to
withdraw your guilty pleas and proceed to a trial by jury in both
cases?
MR. PACHECO: Wish for my plea to stand.
Notes of Testimony, Commonwealth v. Pacheco, C-48-CR-3795-2011 (C.P.
Northampton Co. Mar. 30, 2012) ("N.T. Mar. 30, 2012") at 2-3.
Attorney Corcoran, Pacheco's counsel in Docket Number 2975-2011,
asked the Court to consider imposing the sentences in the two cases
concurrently. See id. at 9. Attorney Corcoran's request placed Pacheco on
notice that the Court might choose to impose the two sentences
consecutively.
Mr. CORCORAN: .... We're standing here today and we
understand, Your Honor, that you have the last say with respect
to sentencing, Mr. Pacheco understands that, but I would
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14
respectfully ask Your Honor to consider imposing a term of
incarceration or sentence that's close to what defense counsel
and the Commonwealth reached in this case which was 5 to 10
years. I would further ask that whatever sentence Your Honor
imposes that they run concurrently, both the case that Ms.
Zumas is handling and the one that I'm handling.
Id. at 9.
On the charge of criminal attempt to commit burglary in Docket
Number 2975-2011, the Court sentenced Pacheco to a term of imprisonment
in a state correctional institution for a minimum period of four years to a
maximum period of ten years, to pay the costs of prosecution, to serve a
consecutive term of five years of probation, and to pay restitution to Nancy
Arnold in the amount of $380. See id. at 22. On the charge of criminal
attempt to commit burglary in Docket Number 3795-2011, the Court
sentenced Pacheco to serve a term of imprisonment in a state correctional
institution for a minimum period of three years to a maximum period of ten
years and to serve a consecutive term of five years of probation. See id. at
22-23. The Court ordered the sentences of imprisonment and parole to run
consecutive to each other and the sentences of probation to run consecutive
to each other and consecutive to the sentences of imprisonment and parole.
See id. at 23. Thus, Pacheco's total sentence was a minimum period of
seven years to a maximum period of twenty years followed by a consecutive
term of ten years of probation. See id. l
10n May 22, 2012, upon agreement of the parties and at the Commonwealth's
request, an Order was entered in Docket Number 3795-2011 amending the
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15
In explaining the sentence to Pacheco, the Court pOinted out that the
Commonwealth had already given Pacheco a significant benefit by removing
numerous other crimes from his plea agreement. See id. at 23. The Court
stated that although Pacheco had accepted responsibility for his crimes, had
recently stopped abusing substances, and had shown remorse, there were
many factors weighing against him, including his extensive prior criminal
record dating back to 1977 involving multiple felony convictions, the fact
that he had previously served decades in prison and had not been
rehabilitated, his lack of a positive family support system, and his weak
employment record. See id. at 20-21. The Court noted that Pacheco had a
prior record score of R-FEL, which meant he was a repeat felony offender,
i.e., that he had six convictions on felonies of the first or second degree,
which, in his case, included armed robbery, aggravated assault, indecent
sexual assault, forgery, theft, and burglary. See id. at 17. The Court
pOinted out that, as an adult, Pacheco had been convicted on at least twenty
different occasions. The Court stated: "You are, indeed, a career criminal."
Id. at 21.
Attorney Corcoran told the Court that Pacheco had previously
completed a statement informing him of his post-sentence rights and said, "I
can review them with him again." Id. at 24. The Court asked, "Mr. Pacheco,
do you recall signing a document which set forth your rights that you have
sentence to reflect a restitution amount of $26,751.54. See Commonwealth v.
Pacheco, C-48-CR-3795-2011 (C.P. Northampton Co. May 18, 2012).
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post-sentence regarding any challenge to my sentence or appealing my
sentence to the Superior Court?" Id. at 24. Pacheco answered, "I believe I
do." Id. Pacheco took no direct appeal from his judgment of sentence.
The PCRA Petition
On October 18, 2012, Pacheco filed a PCRA Petition in Docket Number
3795-2011, alleging that (1) a constitutional violation had so undermined
the truth-determining process that no reliable adjudication of guilt or
innocence could have taken place; (2) ineffective assistance of counsel had
so undermined the truth-determining process that no reliable adjudication of
guilt or innocence could have taken place; and (3) his guilty plea had been
unlawfully induced. See PCRA Petition, Commonwealth v. Pacheco, C-48-
CR-3795-2011 at 2 (C.P. Northampton Co. Oct. 18, 2012) ("PCRA Petition").
Pacheco asserted the following in support of his claims: (1) counsel
did not spend adequate time with him; (2) he was not represented by
counsel at the preliminary hearing and was denied the opportunity to
postpone the proceeding to obtain counsel; (3) the Commonwealth's
evidence was insufficient to convict him of attempted burglary; (4) his
counsel had inappropriately influenced him to plead guilty by advising him
that the Court would run his two sentences concurrently; (5) the sentencing
judge did not explain the difference between consecutive and concurrent
sentences and did not tell him that the sentences could be made
consecutive; (6) his plea was not knowing and voluntary, because he was
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not apprised of the maximum punishment possible; (7) counsel did not
object to the sentence or explain his post-sentencing rights to him; and
(8) had he not been "deluded by counsel's urging," he would not have pled
guilty. PCRA Petition at 3. Pacheco sought an evidentiary hearing,
revocation of his conviction and sentence, and transcripts of the preliminary
hearing, relevant record, and sentenCing colloquy. See id. at 5-7.
On October 19, 2012, the Court appointed Alex J. Karam, Jr., Esquire
as PCRA counsel. See Commonwealth v. Pacheco, C-48-CR-3795-2000 (C.P.
Northampton Co. Oct. 19, 2012). Although the PCRA Petition had been filed
only under Docket Number 3795-2011, because the cases were interrelated,
the Court apPointed Attorney Karam under both Docket Number 3795-2011
and 2795-2011. See id.
On October 24, 2012, Attorney Karam submitted a four-page no-merit
letter in which he stated that he had reviewed the files in the two criminal
cases, including the Criminal Informations signed by Pacheco, the PSI
Report, the guilty plea transcripts of January 3, 2012 and January 26, 2012,
the written Guilty Plea Colloquies signed by Pacheco, and the Post-
Sentencing Rights form signed by Pacheco. See Letter of Alexander J.
Karam, Jr., Esq. at 2 (Oct. 24,2012) ("No-Merit Letter"). He concluded that
Pacheco's guilty pleas were knowing and voluntary; that he had admitted his
guilt; that he had not been coerced in any way; that he had acknowledged in
his guilty plea statements that pleading guilty waived his rights to challenge
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his lack of representation at the preliminary hearing and the
Commonwealth's prima facie case; that he had admitted that he was
satisfied with his attorneys' services; that the evidence against him was
overwhelming and that his attorneys' recommendations to plead guilty were
therefore in his best interests; that he was aware that the Court was not
bound by the terms of his plea agreement; that he was aware that there was
a maximum prison term of twenty years under each charge to which he had
pled guilty; that, given his lengthy criminal history, it was implausible that
he was not aware that the Court could impose consecutive sentences; and
that there was no basis on which to challenge his sentences, since they were
in the standard ranges and the Court had discretion to make the sentences
consecutive. See id. at 1-3. In the letter, Attorney Karam requested that he
be allowed to withdraw as PCRA counsel. See id. at 3.
On October 29, 2012, Pacheco wrote a response to the No-Merit Letter
and sent a copy to the Court. See Letter of Raul Pacheco (Oct. 29, 2012).
Pacheco's letter largely repeated the arguments in his PCRA Petition. See id.
at 1-2.
On January 7, 2013, the Court issued a Notice of Intent to Dismiss
Without Hearing and allowed Pacheco twenty days to respond. See
Commonwealth v. Pacheco, C-48-CR-3795-2011 (C.P. Northampton Co. Jan.
7, 2013). When no response was received within the time allowed, on
February 5, 2013, the Court issued an Order denying the PCRA Petition and
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granting Attorney Karam's request to withdraw as PCRA counsel. See
Commonwealth v. Pacheco, C-48-CR-3795-2011 (C.P. Northampton Co. Feb.
5, 2013).
On February 6, 2013, the Court received a handwritten letter from
Pacheco responding to the Notice of Intent to Dismiss Without Hearing. See
Letter of Raul Pacheco (Feb. 6, 2013). In the letter, Pacheco reiterated the
claims he had raised in his PCRA Petition. See id. The Court treated
Pacheco's letter as a pro se motion for reconsideration of the January 7,
2013 Notice of Intention to Dismiss Without Hearing and, on February 6,
2013, denied the motion for reconsideration. See Commonwealth v.
Pacheco, C-48-CR-3795-2011 (C.P. Northampton Co. Feb. 6, 2013).
The Appeal
On February 27, 2013, Pacheco filed a Notice of Appeal from the
February 5, 2013 Order denying his PCRA Petition. See Notice of Appeal,
Commonwealth v. Pacheco, C-48-CR-3795-2011 (C.P. Northampton Co. Feb.
27, 2012). On March 7, 2013, the Court issued an Order directing Pacheco
to file a Statement of Matters Complained of on Appeal within twenty-one
days. See Commonwealth v. Pacheco, C-48-CR-3795-2011 (C.P.
Northampton Co. Mar. 7, 2013).
On April 1, 2013, Pacheco filed his Statement of Matters Complained of
on Appeal. See Statement of Matters Complained of on Appeal,
Commonwealth v. Pacheco, C-48-CR-3795-2011 (C.P. Northampton Co. Apr.
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1, 2013) ("Statement of Matters Complained of on Appeal"). Although
Pacheco's claims were inartfully drafted, interpreting them broadly and
considering them together with the allegations in his PCRA Petition and his
February 6, 2013 letter responding to the Notice of Intent To Dismiss
Without Hearing, he appears to raise the following issues:
First, as more fully set forth below, Pacheco asserts that his guilty plea
was involuntary and unknowing, because his counsel, Vivian Zumas,
rendered ineffective assistance by (1) advising him to plead guilty to
attempted burglary when there was no factual basis for the plea; (2) failing
to challenge the sufficiency of the Commonwealth's prima facie case
presented at the preliminary hearing; (3) failing to challenge the Court's
alleged denial of his right to representation by counsel at the preliminary
hearing; (4) erroneously advising him that the Court would likely honor the
agreed-upon sentence of five to ten years in his plea agreement and failing
to advise him that the Court could impose consecutive sentences; (5) failing
to advise him to move to withdraw his guilty plea after the Court declined to
honor the agreed-upon sentence; and (6) failing to advise him to move to
withdraw his guilty on the ground that the Commonwealth violated its
alleged agreement that it would "remain silent" and refrain from asking the
Court to impose a longer sentence than the agreed-upon sentence. See id.
at 1-2.
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Second, Pacheco asserts that the No-Merit Letter does not satisfy the
requirements established by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in
Commonwealth v. Turner, 544 A.2d 927 CPa. 1988) and further defined by
the Pennsylvania Superior Court in Commonwealth v. Finley, 550 A.2d 213
CPa. Super. 1988). See Statement of Matters Complained of on Appeal at 1.
In his Statement of Matters Complained of on Appeal, Pacheco appears
to have abandoned his claims that (1) counsel did not spend enough time
with him and (2) counsel did not explain his post-sentence rights to him.
See Commonwealth v. Hill, 16 A.3d 484, 494 CPa. 2011) C[A]ny issue not
raised in a Rule 1925Ca) statement will be deemed waived .... ").
DISCUSSION
Standard of Review on Appeal
On appeal from grant or denial of post-conviction relief, review is
limited to whether the PCRA court's determination is supported by the
evidence of record and free of legal error. See Commonwealth v. Morales,
701 A.2d 516, 520 CPa. 1997); Commonwealth v. Ousley, 21 A.3d 1238,
1241-42 & nn. 2,3 CPa. Super. 2011). The PCRA Court's findings will not be
disturbed if they are supported by the record. See Ousley, 21 A.3d at 1241-
42 & nn. 2,3; Commonwealth v. Yager, 685 A.2d 1000, 1003 CPa. Super.
1996) Cen banc).
Grounds for PCRA Relief
To be eligible for PCRA relief, a petitioner must plead and prove
by a preponderance of the evidence that his or her conviction or
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sentence resulted from one or more of the circumstances
enumerated in 42 Pa.C.S. § 9S43(a)(2). These circumstances
include a violation of the Pennsylvania or United States
Constitution and ineffective assistance of counsel which "so
undermined the truth-determining process that no reliable
adjudication of guilt or innocence could have taken place." 42
Pa.C.S. § 9543(a)(2)(i). Furthermore, a petitioner must establish
that the claims of error raised in the PCRA petition have not
been previously litigated or waived, and 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." 42 Pa.C.S. §9543(a)(3)
and (4); Washington, supra at 593. An issue has been 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
post[ -]conviction proceeding." 42 Pa.C.S. §9544(b). An issue
has been previously litigated if "the highest appellate court in
which the petitioner could have had review as a matter of right
has ruled on the merits of the issue." 42 Pa.C.S. § 9544(a)(2).
Commonwealth v. Chmiel, 30 A.3d 1111, 1127 (Pa. 2011).
Previous Litigation and Waiver
None of the claims raised in Pacheco's Rule 1925(a) Statement has
been previously litigated. Pacheco did not take a direct appeal from his
judgment of sentence.
As a general matter, claims that could have been raised on direct
appeal, but were not, are waived and therefore cannot serve as a basis for
peRA relief. See Commonwealth v. Hanyon, 772 A.2d 1033, 1035 (Pa.
Super. 2001) ("Ordinarily, absent extraordinary circumstances, the failure to
file a direct appeal from the judgment of sentence amounts to waiver of any
claim which could have been raised in such an appeal, thereby precluding
collateral relief."). However, claims of ineffective assistance of counsel may
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not be raised on direct appeal but must be deferred until collateral review
and therefore may be raised for the first time in a PCRA Petition. See
Commonwealth v. Grant, 813 A.2d 726, 738 CPa. 2002) (,,[A] petitioner
should wait to raise claims of ineffective assistance of trial counsel until
collateral review. . .. [AJ claim raising trial counsel ineffectiveness will no
longer be considered waived because new counsel on direct appeal did not
raise a claim related to prior counsel's ineffectiveness.").
Based on the above-cited authorities, to the extent that Pacheco's
claims are not based on ineffective assistance of counsel, he waived them by
failing to take a direct appeal. It is unclear whether all of Pacheco's claims
are premised on ineffective assistance of counsel, because his Statement of
Matters Complained of on Appeal is inartfully drafted. In addition, many of
his assertions are stated ambiguously and could be intended to support
more than one claim. As more fully set forth below, taking all of his filings
together, reading each claim in the broadest terms, and giving Pacheco the
benefit of the doubt in order to avoid waiver, the Court will proceed on the
assumption that all of Pacheco's claims are premised on ineffective
assistance of counsel. 2
2When an issue in a Rule 1925(a) Statement is so vague that the Court has to
guess what the appellant is trying to say, the issue is deemed to be waived on
appeal. See Commonwealth v. Dowling, 778 A.2d 683, 686-87 (Pa. Super. 2001)
("EA] Concise Statement which is too vague to allow the court to identify the issues
raised on appeal is the functional equivalent of no Concise Statement at all.").
Thus, although the Court has attempted to read Pacheco's claims in the most
charitable light, to the extent that they remain too vague or ambiguous to permit
clear interpretation, they should be deemed waived.
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Ineffective Assistance
Our standard of review when faced with a claim of ineffective
assistance of counsel is well settled. First, we note that counsel
is presumed to be effective and the burden of demonstrating
ineffectiveness rests on [the petitioner].
A petitioner must show (1) that the underlying claim has merit;
(2) counsel had no reasonable strategic basis for his or her
action or inaction; and (3) but for the errors or omissions of
counsel, there is a reasonable probability that the outcome of
the proceedings would have been different. The failure to prove
anyone of these prongs results in the failure of petitioner's
claim.
Commonwealth v. Ousley, 21 A.3d 1238, 1244 (Pa. Super. 2011) (quoting
Commonwealth v. Rivera, 10 A.3d 1276, 1279 (Pa. 2010)).
"Allegations of ineffectiveness in connection with the entry of a guilty
plea will serve as a basis for relief only if the ineffectiveness caused
appellant to enter an involuntary or unknowing plea." Commonwealth v.
Allen, 732 A.2d 582, 587 (Pa. 1999); accord Commonwealth v. Flanagan,
854 A.2d 489, 502 (Pa. 2004). The Court will now examine each of
Pacheco's claims to determine whether counsel was ineffective and, if so,
whether it caused Pacheco to enter an involuntary or unknowing plea.
Factual Basis for Pacheco's Guilty Plea
In his PCRA Petition, Pacheco asserted: "Defendants [sic] guilty plea
was promoted by counsels urging in that a guilty verdict was likely at trial ..
. . Had defendant not been deluded by counsels urging defendant would
have plead [sic] not guilty." PCRA Petition at 3. In his letter in response to
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the Notice of Intent To Dismiss Without Hearing, Pacheco asserted:
"[C]ounsel lacked information and/or did not discuss the possibility that the
defendant's charge may be temporily [sic] and logically related to
defendant's other pending case .... " Letter Responding to the Notice of
Intent To Dismiss Without Hearing at 2 (Feb. 6,2013). On appeal, Pacheco
asserts, "Here, plea counsel ill advised on the Attempted Burglary, when
under the totality of the circumstances the elements demonstrate criminal
trespass .... Clearly, the defendant was prejudiced by plea counsel's ill
advise [sic] and inducement of the plea .... The Plea was not knowing or
voluntary when it was ill advised." Statement of Matters Complained of on
Appeal at 2.
Reading these statements together, Pacheco appears to be arguing
that his plea was involuntary and unknowing, because his counsel was
ineffective in advising him to plead guilty to attempted burglary when there
was not a factual basis for the plea, i.e., there was no evidence that he had
the specific intent to steal anything from the Kipilas' house. See
Commonwealth v. D'Collanfield, 805 A.2d 1244, 1247 (Pa. Super. 2002)
(where defendant argued that his counsel had advised him to plead guilty
without proof of requisite intent, court held that "the true nature of
[defendant's] claim is whether he entered a guilty plea without a factual
basis due to counsel's ineffectiveness."). To the extent Pacheco is arguing
that there was not a factual basis for his plea, we disagree.
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When the Court asked the Commonwealth to state the factual basis for
the plea, the Commonwealth stated as follows:
MR. MCGINLEY; Yes, Judge, there are three different sets
of victims in this case. The Commonwealth is withdrawing the
charges related to two of them; however, they do remain victims
for purposes of sentencing and purposes of restitution. The
victims are Scott and Natalie Arnold in the first set, Joseph Kuch
[sic] in the second, and Paul and Sharon Kipila in the third. Now
the charge that Mr. Pacheco is pleading guilty to relates to Paul
and Sharon Kipila of the residence of 1116 Seneca Street in
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
The evidence that the Commonwealth would have
presented is that on April -- excuse me, August 8, 2011, at the
address of 1116 Seneca Street belonging to the Kipilas, there
was a report of a burglar alarm going off. That alarm was
audible, it was sounding. The residents returned to their home,
nothing had been disturbed except for the door was forced open.
Later that day -- excuse me -- on the 11th of August, Paul
and Sharon Kipila locate talk to the officer involved and stated
they noticed a white male walking through the parking lot of the
Republican Club that day. Once our officers observed the
footage at the Republican Club they saw a video of the
defendant walking through a parking lot with a green bike that
had previously been reported stolen from one of the previous
burglaries.
On -- later that month Detective Leity [siC] of Lower
Saucon Police Department and Bradford Jones of Bethlehem
Police Department executed a search warrant at the residence
where the defendant was living with his paramour at the time.
Inside they found the green mountain bike, a black hat with blue
writing that had previously been in other burglary surveillance
videos as well as a coin and other property belonging to victims
in the previous cases that I mentioned.
N.T. Jan. 26, 2012 at 11-12. Thus, the factual basis for the plea included
evidence from the cases of Scott and Natalie Arnold and Joseph Koch.
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This evidence was more than sufficient to provide a factual basis for
Pacheco's plea to attempted burglary. In a prosecution for attempted
burglary under 18 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 901(a) and 3502(a), the Commonwealth
must establish both (1) the intent to make unauthorized entry to the house
and (2) the intent to commit theft after entry. See Commonwealth v.
Turner, 434 A.2d 827, 829 (Pa. Super. 1981). "It is a well-known principle
that specific intent to commit a crime 'may be found in [defendant's]
conduct, or from the attendant circumstances together with all reasonable
inferences therefrom.'" Id. Pacheco's behavior on the surveillance video
from the Republican Club, which was very similar to the defendant's conduct
in Turner, establishes that Pacheco intended to make unauthorized entry to
the Kipilas' house. See id. at 830.
The fresh pry marks on the door, [defendant's] periodic checks
to ensure that his conduct was unobserved, and his
abandonment of his endeavors when police sirens were heard in
the vicinity all support the inference that [defendant] intended to
effectuate an unauthorized entry into the house.
Id.
The same behavior is enough to establish intent to commit theft after
entry. See Commonwealth v. Morgan, 401 A.2d 1182, 1187 (Pa. Super.
1979) (en bane) (intent to commit theft was shown by evidence that the
defendant gained unauthorized entry to a private home after determining
that the occupants were away). Evidence that Pacheco used a similar
modus operandi at the homes of Scott and Natalie Arnold and Joseph Koch,
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together with the fact that Pacheco was found in possession of items stolen
from those homes, establishes that Pacheco intended to commit theft upon
entry into the Kipilas' home. See Commonwealth v. Lasch, 347 A.2d 690,
(Pa. 1975).
[W]here evidence of other crimes has an independent relevance
to the crime being tried -- where it tends to prove such elements
as motive, intent, absence of mistake or accident, a common
scheme, plan or design embracing the commission of two or
more crimes so related to each other that proof of one tends to
prove the others, or the identity of the person charged with the
crime being tried -- it is admissible for such limited purpose.
[d. (multiple burglaries could be tied together where all took place in the
same area and the defendants were found with items stolen from each
victim); accord Commonwealth v. Gonzales, 443 A.2d 301, (Pa. Super.
1982) (in burglary trial, proof of defendant's intent was supported by
evidence that defendant had gained unauthorized entry to the same house
in the past and had told the owner that owner owed the defendant money);
(Commonwealth v. Barnhart, 434 A.2d 191, 193 (Pa. Super. 1981)
(although defendant was seated in his car while his companions committed a
burglary, evidence that he had participated in three other burglaries
immediately prior to the crime in question was relevant to show that
defendant was not an innocent bystander); Commonwealth v. Gusciora, 82
A.2d 540, 542 (Pa. Super. 1951) (defendants' convictions for burglary were
supported by evidence that defendants had used containers stolen from one
store to carry goods stolen from another store).
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Here, there was overwhelming evidence that Pacheco was a
professional burglar who regularly broke into homes and stole valuables. His
identity was established through the surveillance video from the Republican
Club, Pacheco's consistent modus operandi, his consistent choice of clothing,
his practice of riding the same stolen bicycle when committing a burglary,
and the fact that police had recovered numerous stolen items from his
apartment. Thus, any claim that Pacheco's counsel advised him to enter a
guilty plea without a factual basis has no merit.
In addition, Pacheco's counsel had sound reasons for her advice that
he plead guilty. She knew that if the case proceeded to trial, the
Commonwealth could have connected him to the burglary involving Nancy
Arnold, who would have described Pacheco smashing her window in vivid
detail. Given the strong likelihood of conviction and the mandatory prison
sentences Pacheco would have faced had he been convicted, it would have
been unwise for him to proceed to trial, and his counsel was not ineffective
for advising against that course of action. Thus, Pacheco has failed to show
ineffective assistance of counsel in connection with this claim.
Failure To Challenge the Commonwealth's Prima Facie Case
In his PCRA Petition, Pacheco asserted: "Prima Facie was not
established to indicate that defendant was the perpetrator of attempted
burglary charge." PCRA Petition at 3. In his letter in response to the Notice
of Intent To Dismiss Without Hearing, Pacheco asserted: "[C]ounsel lacked
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"
information and/or did not discuss the possibility that the defendant's charge
may be temporily [sic] and logically related to defendant's other pending
case .... " Letter Responding to the Notice of Intent To Dismiss Without
Hearing at 2 (Feb. 6, 2013). On appeal, Pacheco asserts, "Here, plea
counsel ill advised on the Attempted Burglary, when under the totality of the
circumstances the elements demonstrate criminal trespass .... Clearly, the
defendant was prejudiced by plea counsel's ill advise [sic] and inducement of
the plea .... The Plea was not knowing or voluntary when it was ill
advised." Statement of Matters Complained of on Appeal at 2.
Reading these statements together, Pacheco appears to be arguing
that his guilty plea was involuntary and unknowing, because counsel was
ineffective in (1) failing to explain to him that she could file a motion
challenging the sufficiency of the Commonwealth's prima facie case
presented at his preliminary hearing and (2) failing to file such a motion.
We disagree.
Absent a demonstration of ineffective assistance of counsel, Pacheco
cannot overcome the fact that he waived his rights to file pretrial motions
challenging the sufficiency of the Commonwealth's case. See Guilty Plea
Colloquy No. 3795-2011, Question 30. In addition, once there has been an
adjudication of guilt, any defect in the preliminary hearing becomes moot.
See Commonwealth v. McCullough, 461 A.2d 1229 (Pa. 1983) (failure of
Commonwealth to establish a prima facie case at the preliminary hearing
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"
was immaterial where the Commonwealth met its burden of proving the
offense beyond a reasonable doubt at trial); Commonwealth v. Lee, 662
A.2d 645, 650 (Pa. Super. 1995) (adjudication of guilt renders moot any
claim that the Commonwealth failed to establish a prima facie case at the
preliminary hearing); Commonwealth v. Hale, 2010 WL 5620793 (C.P.
Northampton Co. May 4, 2010) (issue as to whether Commonwealth
established a prima facie case at the preliminary hearing was rendered moot
once defendant pled guilty). Thus, Pacheco has failed to demonstrate any
right to relief with respect to this claim.
Failure To Challenge Lack of Representation at the Preliminary Hearing
In his PCRA Petition, Pacheco asserted: "Defendant was not
represented by counsel at his preliminary hearing; was denied the
opportunity to postpone proceeding to obtain counsel and defendant did not
waive the hearing." PCRA Petition at 3. In his letter responding to the
Notice of Intent To Dismiss Without Hearing, Pacheco wrote a lengthy
paragraph about the alleged denial of his right to counsel at the preliminary
hearing, followed immediately by the statement, "I claim that my plea was
not knowingly or intelligently made because 'under the theory the plea of
guilty is not binding upon a defendant when induced by fear, promises,
improper persuasion or ignorance' as taken from Com. v. Scolari 415 Pa.
218 1964." Letter Responding to Notice of Intent to Dismiss Without
Hearing at 2 (Feb. 6, 2013). On appeal, Pacheco asserts:
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·,
"
There is no dispute the defendant was not represented at his
Preliminary [sic] by counsel at a critical stage of adjudication,
specifically the Preliminary hearing. Accordingly, the denial of
the Sixth Amendment Right voids the conviction .... Clearly, the
defect of the preliminary Hearing would have been challenged
prior to a plea, which the Sixth Amendment attached.
Statement of Matters Complained of on Appeal at 1-2.
Once again, the nature of Pacheco's claim is not entirely clear.
However, the Court treats this issue as a claim that Pacheco's plea was
involuntary and unknowing because his counsel was ineffective in (1) failing
to explain to him that she could file a motion challenging the alleged denial
of counsel at the preliminary hearing; and (2) failing to file such a motion.
Claims for ineffective assistance of counsel in the conduct of the
preliminary hearing are not cognizable under the PCRA, because they do not
implicate the truth-determining process. See Commonwealth v. Lassen, 659
A.2d 999, 1007 (Pa. Super. 1995); Commonwealth v. Hale, 2010 WL
5620793 (C.P. Northampton Co. May 4,2010); Commonwealth v. Tirado,
2007 WL 6921343 (C.P. Lehigh Co. Nov. 21, 2007).
Even if denial of counsel at the preliminary hearing were cognizable
under the PCRA, such denial would not be deemed reversible error unless
the defendant could show prejudice, i.e., a reasonable probability that
absent the error, the outcome would have been different. See Ditch v.
Grace, 479 F.3d 249, 258-59 (3d Cir. 2007) (applying Pennsylvania law)
(even though defendant was "unquestionably denied his right to counsel at
the preliminary hearing" where witness made in-court identification, and
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" .
even though the uncounseled identification was per se inadmissible, such
that "trial counsel's performance fell below an objective standard of
reasonableness when he did not file a motion to suppress the identification,"
nevertheless, defendant could not show prejudice, since "the jury's verdict
was supported by overwhelming evidence of guilt involving unchallenged
ballistics evidence, and therefore "counsel was not constitutionally ineffective
for failing to seek to suppress the identification made at the preliminary
hearing"); Commonwealth v. Bastone, 467 A.2d 1339, 1341 (Pa. Super.
1983) (even if defendant had been improperly denied his right to counsel at
the preliminary hearing, any such denial would have been harmless error,
since "appellant has not alleged that any prejudice resulted from the
absence of counsel at the preliminary hearing"); Commonwealth v. Carver,
436 A.2d 1209, 1211 (Pa. Super. 1981) (although defendant was blatantly
denied his right to counsel at preliminary hearing where in-court
identifications were made, and same eyewitnesses later identified defendant
at trial, denial of counsel at the preliminary hearing did not constitute
reversible error, because defendant could not show that representation at
preliminary hearing would have changed the outcome: witnesses'
identifications were based on close observation in good light within one hour
of the crime and were "certain and unshakeable").
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" "
Similarly here, given that there was overwhelming evidence of guilt, it
is unlikely that having counsel present at Pacheco's preliminary hearing
would have changed the outcome. Thus, it would have been futile for
Pacheco's counsel to challenge his lack of representation at the preliminary
hearing. Counsel cannot be deemed ineffective for failing to pursue a
baseless claim. See Commonwealth v. Gaerttner, 649 A.2d 139 cPa. Super.
1994).
Pacheco does not allege that he suffered any prejudice. Because
Pacheco has alleged no prejudice from the lack of representation, he has
failed to carry his burden of showing that he is entitled to PCRA relief. 3
Failure To Advise of the Possibility of Consecutive Sentences
In his PCRA Petition, Pacheco asserted:
Defendants [sic] guilty plea was promoted by counsels urging in
that a gUilty verdict was likely at trial and that sentenCing judge
would render a concurrent sentence with defendants other
pending burglary charge . . . . SentenCing judge did not explain
to defendant the difference between a concurrent sentence and a
consecutive sentence and was not told by judge that a
consecutive sentence could be imposed . . . . Defendants [sic]
guilty plea was not knowingly, understandingly and intelligently
entered because he was not fully apprised of the maximum
sentence possible.
3 We note that it is incorrect that Pacheco was denied a postponement of the
preliminary hearing in order to obtain counsel. The Criminal Docket Sheet shows
that Pacheco was granted a continuance of the preliminary hearing on November 4,
2011 for the express purpose of securing legal representation. See Criminal Docket
Sheet, Commonwealth v. Raul Pacheco, C-48-CR-3795-2011 (C.P. Northampton
Co. Nov. 4, 2011).
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"
In his letter responding to the Notice of Intent to Dismiss Without
Hearing, Pacheco stated: Defendant would not have plead [sic] guilty if
(according to ABA Standards 2nd ed. 1980 14-1, 4(ii)) 'The maximum
possible sentence on the charge, including that possibility from consecutive
sentences' had been explained to him." Letter Responding to Notice of
Intent To Dismiss Without Hearing at 2 (Feb. 6, 2013).
PCRA Petition at 3. On appeal, Pacheco states:
Clearly, the defendant was prejudiced by plea counsel's ill advise
[sic] and inducement of the plea .... The defendant avers that
plea counsel provided ineffective assistance of counsel by his
failure to withdraw the plea, per the violation of the agreement
between the Commonwealth and defense counsel that a five to
ten year sentence would be imposed.
Statement of Matters Complained of on Appeal at 2.
Reading these statements together, Pacheco appears to be arguing
that his guilty plea was involuntary and unknowing, because counsel was
ineffective in (1) failing to explain to him that the Court might impose
consecutive sentences; and (2) failing to move to withdraw his guilty plea
based on the Court's failure to inform the defendant of the possibility of
consecutive sentences. We disagree.
Pacheco's signed Guilty Plea Statements and verbal guilty-plea
colloquies indicated that he knew that each count to which he pled guilty
carried a maximum penalty of twenty years in prison and that the Court was
not bound by the agreed-upon sentence in Pacheco's plea agreement. The
record reflects that the Court told Pacheco prior to sentenCing that the Court
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would not adhere to the agreed-upon sentence but intended to sentence
Pacheco "according to the law and according to his prior criminal record."
N.T. Mar. 9, 2012 at 2. The Court allowed Pacheco three extra weeks to
consider whether, in light of the Court's intentions, he wished to withdraw
his guilty pleas or proceed to sentencing. Although the record does not
reflect that the Court specifically advised Pacheco that his sentences might
be made consecutive, Pacheco's own counsel asked the Court, in front of
Pacheco, to consider making the sentences concurrent, which placed
Pacheco on notice that the sentences might be made consecutive. See N.T.
Mar. 30, 2012 at 9.
A defendant suffers no prejudice from a failure to advise of the
possibility of consecutive sentences as long as the defendant is advised of
the maximum sentence possible on each individual count and the aggregate
sentence is no greater than the maximum sentence possible on anyone
count. See Commonwealth v. Carter, 656 A.2d 463, 466 (Pa. 1995)
("[W]here the aggregate sentence falls within the minimum and maximum
sentence that can be imposed on a single count of the crimes charged,
[defendant] was not prejudiced for not being informed of the maximum total
sentence he risked by pleading nolo contendere. ").
On the charge of criminal attempt to commit burglary in Docket
Number 2975-2011, the Court sentenced Pacheco to a term of imprisonment
in a state correctional institution for a minimum period of four years to a
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maximum period of ten years. See N.T. Mar. 30, 2012 at 22. On the charge
of criminal attempt to commit burglary in Docket Number 3795-2011, the
Court sentenced Pacheco to serve a term of imprisonment in a state
correctional institution for a minimum period of three years to a maximum
period of ten years. See id. at 22-23. The Court ordered the sentences of
imprisonment and parole to run consecutive to each other. See id. at 23.
Thus, Pacheco's aggregate sentence of imprisonment was a minimum period
of seven years to a maximum period of twenty years. See id. Assuming
arguendo that Pacheco was not aware that the Court might impose
consecutive sentences, because his aggregate sentence of imprisonment
falls within the minimum and maximum that could have been imposed on a
single count of the crimes charged, i.e., a minimum term of ten years to a
maximum term of twenty years, Pacheco has suffered no prejudice from any
alleged failure to inform him of the possibility of consecutive sentences. See
Carter, 656 A.2d at 466. Based on the above-cited authority, the Court
concludes that Pacheco's guilty plea was knowing and voluntary.
Failure To Withdraw Plea After Court Rejected Agreed-Upon Sentence
In his PCRA Petition, in addition to the above claims concerning the
consecutive sentence and the maximum sentence possible, Pacheco
asserted: "Counsel did not object to sentence, nor explain post sentenCing
appeal rights to defendant." PCRA Petition at 3. On appeal, Pacheco states:
Clearly, the defendant was prejudiced by plea counsel's ill advise
[sic] and inducement of the plea .... The defendant avers that
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plea counsel provided ineffective assistance of counsel by his
failure to withdraw the plea, per the violation of the agreement
between the Commonwealth and defense counsel that a five to
ten year sentence would be imposed .... It is true the Court is
not bounds by a plea agreement. However, it is settled law a
defendant may withdraw the plea under such circumstances.
Statement of Matters Complained of on Appeal at 2.
Reading these statements together, Pacheco appears to be arguing
that his guilty plea was involuntary and unknowing, because counsel was
ineffective in (1) failing to advise him that the Court might reject the
agreed-upon sentence; and (2) failing to move to withdraw his guilty plea
based on the Court's rejection of the agreed-upon sentence. We disagree.
At the March 9, 2012 hearing, the Court told Pacheco that it would not
adhere to the agreed-upon sentence. The Court told Pacheco that it was his
choice whether to withdraw his guilty pleas or proceed to sentencing. The
attorney for the Commonwealth explained to Pacheco what his sentencing
options would be if he proceeded to trial. The Court gave Pacheco three
weeks to consider whether, in light of the Court's intentions, he wanted to
withdraw his plea or proceed with sentencing. On March 30, 2012, just
before imposing sentence, the Court again asked Pacheco whether he
wished to withdraw his guilty pleas. Pacheco told the Court, "Wish for my
plea to stand./I N.T. Mar. 30, 2012 at 3. Pacheco cannot now credibly
contend that he was ignorant of his right to withdraw his plea due to
ineffective assistance of counsel.
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"
The Commonwealth's Failure To "Remain Silent"
Finally, Pacheco claims that the Commonwealth "did not remain silent
and violated the agreement." Statement of Matters Complained of on
Appeal at 2. Pacheco is presumably suggesting that the Commonwealth
agreed not to request a sentence longer than the agreed-upon sentence but
then read Nancy Arnold's letter asking that Pacheco be "prosecuted for each
of his offenses." N.T. Mar. 30, 2012 at 16. Pacheco did not include this
issue in his PCRA Petition or in any of his submissions to the Court prior to
the denial of the Petition. He is raising it for the first time in his Statement
of Matters Complained of on Appeal. "It is well settled that 'issues not raised
in a PCRA petition cannot be considered on appeal. '" Commonwealth v.
Ousley, 21 A.3d 1238, 1242 (Pa. Super. 2011) (quoting Commonwealth v.
Lauro, 819 A.2d 100, 104 CPa. Super. 2003)). Accordingly, this claim has
been waived on appeal.
Sufficiency of PCRA Counsel's No-Merit Letter
Pacheco asserts that PCRA counsel's No-Merit Letter was deficient in
that it failed to satisfy the requirements established by the Pennsylvania
Supreme Court in Commonwealth v. Turner, 544 A.2d 927 CPa. 1988) and
further defined by the Pennsylvania Superior Court in Commonwealth v.
Finley, 550 A.2d 213 (Pa. Super. 1988). We disagree.
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,
When court-appointed counsel concludes that the issues raised in a
PCRA Petition are without merit l counsel fully satisfies his professional
obligation under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure by filing a
letter in which he (1) details the nature and extent of his review; (2) lists
the issues raised in the PCRA Petition; and (3) explains why he has
concluded that the issues have no merit. See Turnerl 544 A.2d at 928;
FinleYI 550 A.2d at 215. If the Court conducts its own independent review
and agrees with counsel that the issues are meritless l PCRA counsel may be
permitted to withdraw. See Turnerl 544 A.2d at 928; FinleYI 550 A.2d at
215. At that timel the petitioner "will be permitted to proceed pro sel or by
privately retained counsellor not at all." Turnerl 544 A.2d at 928-29.
Here l PCRA counsel filed a four-page letter in which he stated that he
had reviewed the files in the two criminal cases l including the Criminal
Informations signed by Pacheco l the PSI Reportl the guilty plea transcripts
of January 3 1 2012 and January 26 1 2012 1 the written Guilty Plea Colloquies
signed by Pacheco l and the Post-Sentencing Rights form signed by Pacheco.
See No-Merit Letter at 2. PCRA counsel listed each of the issues raised in
the peRA Petition and explained in detail why he had concluded that the
issues were without merit l providing specific citations to the record. See id.
at 2-3. Pacheco asserts that the No-Merit Letter was deficient in that it does
not include citation to legal authority. See Statement of Matters Complained
of on Appeal at 1. Howeverl Turner and Finley do not require that counsel
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"
include citation to legal authority, nor has Pacheco cited any case that so
holds. Accordingly, the Court concludes that counsel's No-Merit Letter
satisfied the standards set forth in Turner and Finley.
CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, we respectfully suggest that Pacheco's
appeal lacks merit and should be dismissed.
BY THE COURT,
•
~ o~~
lIY~" ~~~7! ~ >""
I ~-
MICHAEL J. KOURY, JR., J. "
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