Commonwealth v. Matias

OPINION BY

MUSMANNO, J.:

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania appeals from the Order granting the Post Conviction Relief Act¹ (“PCRA”) Petition filed by Sixto Matías (“Matías”), and granting Matías a new trial. We affirm.

In its Opinion, the PCRA court recounted the history underlying the instant appeal as follows:

In July [ ] 2007, [Matías] was charged with involuntary deviate sexual intercourse (IDSI) [] in violation of 18 Pa. C.S.[A.] § 3128; aggravated indecent assault [] in violation of 18 Pa.C.S.[A.] § 8125; indecent assault[ ] in violation of 18 Pa.C.S.[A.] § 3127; and corruption of minors [ ] in violation of 18 Pa.C.S.[A.] § 6301 based on the allegation of [RJ, then a thirteen[-]year[-]old neighbor and friend of [Matias’s] daughter, [K], then eight years old. [R.] claimed that [Matí-as] sexually assaulted her on two occasions during the late spring or summer of 2007. She testified that both events occurred in the basement of [Matias’s] home at 4241 Markland Street in Philadelphia.

After a trial ..., the jury convicted [Matías] of [the above-described charges]. On September 4, 2009, [Mati-as’s] attorney filed a Post Conviction Petition for Extraordinary Relief contending that the verdict was against the weight of the evidence and that trial counsel’s representation of [Matías] was ineffective. Pierre LaTour, Esquire [“LaTour”], was trial counsel. [Matías] hired [the law firm of A. Charles Peruto, Jr., Esquire] after the trial and before September 4,2009.[²]

On September 8, 2009, [the trial court] denied [Matias’s] Petition for Extraordinary Relief. On that same day, [the trial court] sentenced [Matías] to the mandatory minimum sentence of not less than ten years nor more than twenty years on the IDSI count; a concurrent term of five years to ten years on the Aggravated Indecent Assault count; and a concurrent term of one year to two years on the Corruption of a Minor count. The indecent assault count merged with the Aggravated Indecent Assault count. [Matías] did not file an appeal from this judgment of sentence.

PCRA Court Opinion, 12/7/10, at 1-2 (emphasis omitted; footnote added).

On November 18, 2009, Matías filed the PCRA Petition underlying the instant appeal. The PCRA court conducted an evi-dentiary hearing on the claims raised by Matías. On December 7, 2010, the PCRA court entered an Order granting Matias’s Petition, vacating Matias’s judgment of sentence, and awarding Matías a new trial. In doing so, the PCRA court stated that Matías “was prejudiced by the ineffectiveness of counsel; and [ ] the jury’s verdict was against the weight of the evidence.” PCRA Court Order, 12/7/10. Thereafter, the Commonwealth filed the instant timely appeal, and a court-ordered Pennsylvania Rule of Appellate Procedure 1925(b) Concise Statement.

The Commonwealth presents the following issues for our review:

Whether the PCRA court erred in granting [Matías] a new trial on grounds of weight of the evidence and ineffective assistance of trial counsel, where:

trial counsel was not ineffective for not calling [Matias’s] child as a witness where her testimony could not have materially impeached that of the victim[,] but could have undermined other defense testimony; [ ]

trial counsel was not ineffective for not introducing redundant evidence in the form of photographs demonstrating the absence of a bathroom in [Matias’s] basement, where this fact was uncontested and had been conceded on direct examination!; and]

[a challenge to the] weight of the evidence is not a cognizable claim under the PCRA[.]

Brief for the Commonwealth at 2 (issues renumbered).

“In reviewing the propriety of an order granting or denying PCRA relief, an appellate court is limited to ascertaining whether the record supports the determination of the PCRA court and whether the ruling is free of legal error.” Commonwealth v. Johnson, 600 Pa. 329, 966 A.2d 523, 532 (2009). We pay great deference to the findings of the PCRA court, “but its legal determinations are subject to our plenary review.” Id.

The Commonwealth first challenges the PCRA court’s determination that Matias’s counsel rendered ineffective assistance by failing to call Matias’s daughter, K, as a witness. Brief for the Commonwealth at 18. In support, the Commonwealth disputes the PCRA court’s finding that K.’s testimony would have contradicted the testimony of R., the complainant. Id. According to the Commonwealth, K. was only seven years old at the time of the hearing; K. admitted to being focused on a video game at the time of the incident; and K.’s testimony was inconsistent with Matias’s assertions at trial. Id. at 19. Although Matías had testified that he did not have an opportunity to assault the complainant, the Commonwealth points out K.’s ac-knowledgement that Matías sat on the couch with the children and had a game controller in his hand. Id. at 19, 20. Therefore, the Commonwealth asserts, K.’s testimony could have corroborated the testimony of the victim, and contradicted that of Matías. Id. at 20.

To prevail on a petition for PCRA relief, a petitioner must plead and prove, by a preponderance of the evidence, that his conviction or sentence resulted from one or more of the circumstances enumerated in 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9543(a)(2). These circumstances include ineffectiveness 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.A. § 9543(a)(2)(ii).

To be eligible for relief based on a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, a PCRA petitioner must demonstrate, by a preponderance of the evidence, that (1) the underlying claim is of arguable merit; (2) no reasonable basis existed for counsel’s action or omission; and (3) there is a reasonable probability that the result of the proceeding would have been different absent such error. Commonwealth v. Steele, 599 Pa. 341, 961 A.2d 786, 796 (2008). With regard to the second, ie., the “reasonable basis” prong, this Court will conclude that counsel’s chosen strategy lacked a reasonable basis only if the appellant proves that “an alternative not chosen offered a potential for success substantially greater than the course actually pursued.” Commonwealth v. Williams, 587 Pa. 304, 899 A.2d 1060, 1064 (2006) (citation omitted). To establish the third prong, ie., prejudice, the appellant 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. Dennis, 597 Pa. 159, 950 A.2d 945, 954 (2008).

In reviewing this determination, we are cognizant that

[w]hen raising a claim of ineffectiveness for the failure to call a potential witness, a petitioner satisfies the performance and prejudice requirements of the [Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984) ] test by establishing that: (1) the witness existed; (2) the witness was available to testify for the defense; (3) counsel knew of, or should have known of, the existence of the witness; (4) the witness was willing to testify for the defense; and (5) the absence of the testimony of the witness was so prejudicial as to have denied the defendant a fair trial....

Commonwealth v. Sneed, 45 A.3d 1096, 1108-09 (Pa.2012). “To demonstrate Strickland prejudice, a petitioner must show how the uncalled witnesses’ testimony would have been beneficial under the circumstances of the case.” Sneed, 45 A.3d at 1109. Counsel will not be found ineffective for failing to call a witness “unless the petitioner can show that the witness’s testimony would have been helpful to the defense. A failure to call a witness is not per se ineffective assistance of counsel for such decision usually involves matters of trial strategy.” Id. (internal quotation marks and citations omitted).

In its Opinion, the PCRA Court explained its reasoning as follows:

The jury convicted [Matías] of charges that were based upon [R.’s] testimony. [R.’s] testimony was bizarre, unbelievable and ever changing....

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At its core, this case concerned [R.’s] word against [Matias’s] word.... LaT-our did not present a key available witness, [K.,] who would have contradicted [R.’s] testimony. The Commonwealth might argue that this was a strategic decision by LaTour, not to call [K.] However, [K.’s] testimony was of critical significance because [K.’s] testimony would contradict [R.’s] testimony. LaT-our’s course of conduct was without any reasonable basis designed to effectuate [Matias’s] best defense.

According to [R.’s] testimony, [K] was an eyewitness to the alleged molestation. LaTour did not even interview [K.] during the trial[. N.T., 11/9/10 (PCRA Evi-dentiary Hearing), at 36-37.] However, [the PCRA c]ourt believes that no competent attorney would have not interviewed [K.] to judge whether [K.] would have made a good witness for the defense. [R.] claims that [K.] was present during the first sexual assaultf,] which occurred on the couch. [K] would have testified that [Matías] did not do the vile acts that [R.] claims that [Matías] did to her. [K.] did testify at the 2010 PCRA Evidentiary Hearing held by [the PCRA c]ourt and denied that [Matías] did the vile acts that [the complainant] claims that [Matías] did to her.

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[R.] and her mother and step-father lived across the street from [Matías] and his family. [R.] became friends with [K.] [R.’s] step-father described [R.] as somewhat socially and mentally challenged. [RJ was unable to make friends with girls her own age. It seemed that only [K.] was willing to be her friend. [R.] testified that she, [K] and [Matías] played a video game as they sat on a couch in the Matías’ basement. It was on this occasion that the first sexual assault was alleged to have occurred. [R.] described to the jury how the three were positioned on the couch. While seated between [Matías] and [K], [R.] testified that [Matías] reached behind her back and placed his hand down into her pants and rubbed his hand on her bare buttocks. This account was bizarre and it was different from her statement to the Philadelphia police detectives and her testimony at the preliminary hearing. In both her statements to police and her previous testimony, [R.] testified that [K] was not in the basement when [Matías] sexually assaulted her on the first occasion. For the first time on direct examination at trial, [R.] testified that [K.] was seated on the couch during the first sexual assault. This change in testimony presented a sound reason to call [K.] as a witness. If called as a witness, [K.] would have testified that she, [R.] and [Matías] sat on a couch in the Matías’ basement on only one occasion. [K.] would have testified that [Ma-tías] set up the video game for her and [R.] and then [Matías] went upstairs[,] leaving only [K.] and [R.] on the couch. [K.] was 8 years old in May 2009.[K] was at the 2010 PCRA Evidentiary Hearing held by [the PCRA c]ourt with her mother. [Matías] and Mrs. Matías asked LaTour to call [K.] as a witness[,] but LaTour decided otherwise because of her young age and because the jury might not like [Matías] calling his daughter to testify. LaTour also testified that he never spoke with [K.] to determine what her testimony would be. In conclusion, LaTour decided not to call [K] without ever interviewing her. At the 2010 PCRA Evidentiary Hearing ..., [K.] completely contradicted [R.’s] testimony.

PCRA Court Opinion, 12/9/10, at Z-A, 5-6 (citations omitted). The notes of testimony from the PCRA court’s evidentiary hearing confirm its findings. See N.T., 11/10/10, at 37 (wherein K. testified that Matías only went into the basement to put games together, checked that they worked, after which he would leave the basement); 38 (wherein K. testified that Matías had remained in the basement only a few minutes before going upstairs); 39 (wherein K. testified that nothing out of the ordinary took place while Matías was in the basement).

Upon reviewing the record, we discern no error or abuse of discretion by the PCRA court. The record supports the PCRA court’s observation that the Commonwealth’s case against Matías rested entirely upon the credibility of R., and the PCRA court’s determination that the absence of K.’s testimony was so prejudicial as to deny Matías a fair trial. Accordingly, we cannot grant the Commonwealth relief on this claim.

The Commonwealth also challenges the PCRA court’s grant of relief based upon LaTour’s failure to present photographic evidence regarding the absence of a bathroom in Matias’s basement. Brief for the Commonwealth at 21-22. The Commonwealth disputes the PCRA court’s finding that the photographs would have negated R.’s credibility. Id. at 22. According to the Commonwealth, the photographs of the Matías basement would have corroborated R.’s testimony that there was a sink in the basement. Id.

In granting Matías PCRA relief, the PCRA court opined as follows:

At its core, this case concerned [R.’s] word against [Matias’s] word. In order to win an acquittal, the defense had to discredit [R.’s] testimony. The defense had photographic evidence in its possession that would cast great doubt on [R.’s] believability. LaTour did not present that photographic evidence to the jury....

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[R.] testified at trial that a sexual assault by [Matías] occurred in the bathroom in [Matias’s] basement. LaTour did not investigate the case properly because he did not view the crime scene, the Matías’ basement. Therefore, LaT-our was unaware that there was no bathroom in the basement. Furthermore, [Matías] and his wife gave LaTour photographs of their basement[,] which photographs LaTour either misplaced or failed to recognize the relevance thereof. LaTour did not present these photographs of the Matías’ basement into evidence at the trial. These photographs conclusively proved that there was no bathroom in the Matías’ basement which would have conclusively destroyed [R.’s] testimony and her credibility. This Court finds as fact that [Matías] and his wife gave LaTour the photographs of the basement. These photographs of the Matías’ basement were of critical importance to [Matias’s] defense....

The jury[,] during its deliberations^] sent a note to [the trial e]ourt dated May 22, 2009 (Jury’s Note) which stated:

What was [R.’s] testimony in describing the “bathroom” in the basement where she was allegedly molested? As can be seen by the Jury’s Note,

the jury obviously had trouble with the inconsistencies and credibility in [R.’s] testimony. The jury had completely discounted [R.’s] testimony about the alleged molestation on the couch as simply preposterous where [Matías] would have had to have at least three hands to do everything that [R.] in her testimony said he did. The jury was pondering the credibility of [R.’s] testimony concerning the bathroom in the basement. At the time, [the trial c]ourt was not aware that there was no bathroom in the basement. If the Jury had these photographs of the Matías’ basement in the jury deliberation room, they would be a constant reminder that [R.] lied and the jury’s verdict would have been for acquittal.

PCRA Court Opinion, 12/9/10, at 4-5 (emphasis in original).

The record supports the PCRA court’s determination that Matias’s claim has merit, LaTour had no reasonable basis for not investigating and presenting the photographs at trial, and that LaTour’s dereliction caused Matías prejudice. Discerning no error or abuse of discretion by the PCRA court in granting Matías relief, we affirm the Order of the PCRA court.³

Order affirmed.

Judge MUNDY files a Dissenting Opinion.

1 . 42 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 9541-9546.

2 . At this point in time, Mark. A. Hinrichs, Esquire (“Attorney Hinrichs"), and A. Charles Peruto, Jr., Esquire (“Attorney Peruto"), represented Matías.

3 . In its Opinion, the PCRA court concluded that the verdict was against the weight of the evidence. We view the PCRA court's conclusion only in the context of whether LaTour’s ineffectiveness caused Matías prejudice.