J-S58006-15
NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
PENNSYLVANIA
Appellee
v.
JOSEPH KLECHA,
Appellant No. 205 MDA 2015
Appeal from the PCRA Order January 8, 2015
in the Court of Common Pleas of Lackawanna County
Criminal Division at Nos.: CP-35-CR-0002654-2012
CP-35-CR-0002830-2012
BEFORE: GANTMAN, P.J., OLSON, J., and PLATT, J.*
MEMORANDUM BY PLATT, J.: FILED NOVEMBER 13, 2015
Appellant, Joseph Klecha, appeals pro se from the order dismissing his
petition for relief pursuant to the Post Conviction Relief Act (PCRA), 42
Pa.C.S.A. §§ 9541–9546, without a hearing. We affirm on the basis of the
PCRA court’s memorandum opinion.
In its opinion, the court fully and correctly sets forth the relevant facts
and procedural history of this case. Therefore, we have no reason to restate
them at length here. For context and the convenience of the reader, we
note briefly that Appellant entered into a negotiated guilty plea to two
counts of aggravated assault, two counts of recklessly endangering another
person, one count of resisting arrest, one count of criminal mischief, and two
____________________________________________
*
Retired Senior Judge assigned to the Superior Court.
J-S58006-15
counts of delivery of a controlled substance. In consideration of his plea,
twenty-one other charges against Appellant were nolle prossed.
The charges arose out of a controlled buy of heroin from Appellant by
undercover Pennsylvania State Police. When the state police tried to arrest
him, Appellant attempted to flee, in part by ramming the vehicles in front of
him and behind him. He seriously injured four state police in this failed
effort to escape.
On May 1, 2013, the court imposed an aggregate sentence of not less
than nine nor more than eighteen years’ imprisonment.1 (See N.T.
Sentencing, 5/01/13, at 13). The court also ordered restitution in the
amount of $1541 to the Pennsylvania State Police for damage to the vehicle;
a mental health evaluation and a drug and alcohol evaluation; and an order
that Appellant not consume any drugs or alcohol while he is on supervision.
(See id.). All sentences were within the standard range of the sentencing
guidelines. (See id. at 14). This Court affirmed the judgment of sentence.
Appellant filed a timely PCRA petition. The court appointed counsel, who
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1
This sentence consisted of sentences of five to ten years for each count of
aggravated assault, concurrent to one another; six to twelve months on
each count of recklessly endangering, concurrent to one another; six to
twelve months for resisting arrest, consecutive; six to twelve months for
criminal mischief, consecutive; and eighteen to thirty-six months on each
count of delivery, consecutive. (See N.T., Sentencing, 5/1/13, at 12-13).
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filed a Turner/Finley “no merit” letter and the court permitted him to
withdraw.2 This timely appeal followed.3
Appellant raises four questions for our review:
A. Whether the PCRA court erred in dismissing PCRA
petition without a hearing on ineffective assistance of guilty plea
counsel where counsel misadvised Appellant would receive 5 to
10 years concurrent sentences if he [entered a] plea of guilty?
B. Whether the PCRA court erred in dismissing PCRA
petition without a hearing on ineffective assistance of guilty plea
Counsel where counsel permitted [A]ppellant to enter into a
unknowing, unintelligent, and involuntary plea where information
was known to counsel of [A]ppellant’s mental health and
incompetence to understand what was transpiring during [the]
plea colloquy?
C. Whether the PCRA court erred in dismissing PCRA
petition without a hearing on claim(s) the court erred in
imposing sentence prior to ordering a mental health evaluation?
D Whether this case should be remanded for a [sic]
evidentiary hearing to develope [sic] the record on all claims of
errors?
(Appellant’s Brief, at 4).
Our standard of review of a PCRA court’s decision is limited to
examining whether the PCRA court’s findings of fact are supported by the
record, and whether its conclusions of law are free of legal error. See
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2
See Commonwealth v. Turner, 544 A.2d 927 (Pa. 1988);
Commonwealth v. Finley, 550 A.2d 213 (Pa. Super. 1988) (en banc).
3
Appellant timely filed a statement of errors. See Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b). On
March 31, 2015, the PCRA court filed a Rule 1925(a) statement, referencing
its October 21, 2014 Memorandum and Notice of Intent to Dismiss to explain
the reasons for its dismissal. See Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a).
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Commonwealth v. Hanible, 30 A.3d 426, 438 (Pa. 2011). The scope of
review is limited to the findings of the PCRA court and the evidence of
record, viewed in the light most favorable to the prevailing party at the trial
level. See id.
After a thorough review of the record, the briefs of the parties, the
applicable law, and the well-reasoned opinion of the PCRA court we conclude
that there is no merit to the issues Appellant has raised on appeal. The
court opinion properly disposes of the questions presented. (See
Memorandum and Notice of Intent to Dismiss, 10/21/14, at 4-6) (finding:
(1) the trial court conducted a thorough colloquy at the guilty plea hearing in
which Appellant denied he had been promised anything in exchange for his
plea other than that the remaining charges would be nolle prossed; a
hearing was unnecessary; (2) the trial court had the benefit of a pre-
sentence investigation report, and received updated information from plea
counsel about Appellant’s mental health issues, so that the court was fully
informed of these matters when it determined that Appellant’s plea was
knowing and voluntary; (3) the court properly considered Appellant’s mental
health and medical issues prior to sentencing; and (4) the petition lacked
merit and a hearing was unnecessary). The PCRA court properly dismissed
Appellant’s petition without a hearing. No remand is required.
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Order affirmed.
Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary
Date: 11/13/2015
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CLERK OF JUDICIAL
RECORDS CRIMINAL
DIVISION
ZDIY OCT 21 Af7111 13
COMMONWEALTH OF : IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
PENNSYLVANIA OF LACKAWANNA COUNTY
vs. CRIMINAL ACTION
JOSEPH KLECHA,
Defendant NOS. 12-CR-2654 & 2830
............................................................................................................
···················MEMORANDUMANffNOTICE
·········································································
OF INTENT TO DISMISS
················
Defendant, Joseph Klecha, has filed a Petition for Post Conviction Collateral Relief.
For the reasons explained below, the court is issuing a Notice of Intent to Dismiss the
petition pursuant to Rule 907 of the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure.
PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
On February 1, 2013, the defendant pled guilty to two counts of aggravated assault,
two counts of recklessly endangering another person, one count of resisting arrest, one count
of criminal mischief, and two counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled
substance, and in exchange, the 21 other charges pending against the defendant were nolle
prossed. The charges in 12-CR-2654 arose on August 23, 2012, when the state police
conducted a controlled buy of heroin from the defendant, and when they tried to arrest him,
he attempted to flee and ran over four state troopers with his vehicle, injuring each of them,
as well as damaging a patrol car. The charges in 12-CR-2830 arose on July 11, 2012, when
the defendant was in possession of a controlled substance with the intent to deliver.
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On May 1, 2013, the defendant was sentenced. The defendant's attorney provided the
court with updated information on the defendant's mental health and medical issues and
stated that the defendant had been taking classes in prison and had no misconducts.
Transcript of May 1, 2013 Sentencing at 7. She indicated that the defendant had a drug
addiction and asked the court to consider these mitigating factors and consider concurrent
sentences in 12-CR-2654. Id. at 8-9. The court stated that if this had been a typical drug
arrest and the defendant had submitted to the authority of the law when confronted by the
police, this would be a case where the court could focus on the defendant's rehabilitation. Id.
at 10. The defendant, however, made his addictive problems and mental health issues
someone else's problems, so the court cannot focus just on rehabilitation, but must look at
the impact that this has had on the victims and their families and send a message that this
conduct cannot and will not be tolerated. Id. The court stated that because the defendant
endangered several of those who are on the front line of defending the public and they are
still suffering the effects of his conduct, a serious sentence is required. Id. at 11. The court
stated that it did consider the entire contents of the presentence file, the defendant's
rehabilitative needs and his prior history. Id. The court was aware that the defendant does
not have a background of violence, but the fact that he was intoxicated at the time of these
crimes does not excuse his conduct nor minimize the impact on those who were on the
receiving end of it. Id. The court stated that it was considering the sentencing guidelines
prepared by the probation office, and in case no. 12-CR-2654, imposed a sentence of 5 to 10
years on the first aggravated assault charge and 5 to 10 years on the second aggravated
assault charge to be served concurrently, Id. at 12. The court imposed a 6 to 12 month
sentence on each of the recklessly endangering charges to be served concurrently. Id. The
court imposed a 6 to 12 month sentence on the resisting arrest charge, a 6 to 12 month
sentence on the criminal mischief charge, and an 18 to 3 6 month sentence on the possession
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with intent to deliver heroin charge, each to be served consecutively to the prior sentences.
Id. at 12-13. In case no. 12-CR-2830, the court imposed an 18 to 36 month sentence on the
possession with intent to deliver heroin charge, to be served consecutively. Id. at 13. The
court stated that the aggregate sentence is 9 to 18 years, and ordered $1541 in restitution. Id.
The court also ordered a mental health and drug and alcohol evaluation. Id. The court noted
that the sentences fall within the standard range of the sentencing guidelines and that the
court took into consideration the facts previously noted, the nature and gravity of the offense,
the impact on the community, the defendant's rehabilitative needs and the contents of the
presentence file. Id. at 14.
On May 7, 2013 the defendant filed a motion for reconsideration of sentence which
was denied on May 9, 2013. On May 28, 2013, the defendant filed a Notice of Appeal, and
on January 6, 2014, the Superior Court affirmed the judgment of sentence.
On March 26, 2014, the defendant filed a Petition for Post Conviction Collateral
Relief. Kurt Lynott, Esq. was appointed to represent the defendant. On April 25, 2014, the
Commonwealth filed a response to the PCRA petition. On August 6, 2014, Mr. Lynott filed
a Motion to Withdraw as Counsel Pursuant to a Turner-Finley Letter.
DISCUSSION
A. Defendant'sPetition
In his PCRA petition, the defendant alleges that his attorney at his preliminary
hearing was ineffective, his attorney at his plea was ineffective because she told him the
maximum sentence he faced was 5-10 years and the judge would run the sentences
concurrent, and his sentence was unlawful because the court did not have his mental health
information available to consider prior to sentencing.
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In his August 6, 2014, Turner-Finley letter, Mr. Lynott states that the petition lacks
merit. He states that the defendant admitted his guilt and the court conducted a colloquy
I
with him and explained the sentences he faced. He states that the defendant stated that he
understood the plea and the sentences he faced. He states that the defendant's guilty plea
was entered knowingly, voluntarily and intelligently. The defendant said at the time of the
plea that he understood the charges and the factual basis for the plea, that he understood the
rights that he was giving up, and that he was aware of the sentence that could be imposed
and that the sentencing was discretionary with the court regardless of any agreement with
the Commonwealth. Mr. Lynott states that the defendant is bound by these statements
made at the time of the plea and cannot now contradict them.
B. Analysis
In order to prevail on an ineffectiveness claim, the defendant must demonstrate: (1)
his claims have arguable merit, (2) counsel had no reasonable basis for his actions, and (3)
counsel's actions prejudiced the defendant. Commonwealth v. Spatz, 870 A.2d 822 (Pa.
2005), cert. denied, 546 U.S. 984 (2005); Commonwealth v. Allen, 732 A.2d 582 (Pa.
1999). Counsel is presumed to be effective and it is the defendant's burden to prove
ineffectiveness. Commonwealth v. Singley, 868 A.2d 403 (Pa. 2005), cert. denied, 546
U.S. 1021 (2005). Further, the ineffectiveness must have 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). Allegations of ineffectiveness when a guilty plea has
been entered will serve as a basis for relief only if the ineffectiveness caused the defendant
to enter an involuntary or unknowing plea. Allen, 732 A.2d at 587. '"The law does not
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require that [the defendant] be pleased with the outcome of his decision to enter a plea of
guilty; all that is required is that [the defendant's] decision to plead guilty be knowingly,
voluntarily, and intelligently made.'" Commonwealth v. Mendoza, 730 A.2d 503, 506 (Pa.
Super. 1999) (quoting Commonwealth v. Yager, 685 A.2d 1000, 1003 (Pa. Super. 1996)).
Dissatisfaction with a sentence is not grounds to withdraw a guilty plea. Commonwealth v.
Myers, 642 A.2d 1103 (Pa. Super. 1994).
In his petition, the defendant asserts that his attorney at his preliminary hearing was
ineffective. However, when the defendant pled guilty in this case, he waived the right to
challenge anything but the legality of his sentence and the validity of his plea, and his
assertions of deficiencies at the preliminary hearing stage or the Commonwealth's failure
to establish a prima facie case were rendered moot. Commonwealth v. Jones, 929 A.2d
205 (Pa. 2007).
The defendant also asserts that his attorney at his guilty plea was ineffective
because she told him that the maximum sentence he would receive would be 5 to 10 years
and that the sentences would run concurrent. When the defendant pled guilty on February
1, 2013, the court conducted an extended colloquy with him and the defendant answered all
questions coherently and appropriately. Transcript of February 1, 2013 Plea Proceeding.
The court went through the details of the plea agreement with him and explained that he
faced a 78 year maximum sentence if the sentences were run consecutive to each other, and
the defendant said that he understood. Id. at 8. The court asked him again if he understood
that the total maximum penalty he could receive was 78 years, and he said that he fully
understood that. Id. at 9. The court asked him if he had been promised anything in
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exchange for his plea beyond that his remaining charges would be dropped, and he said that ·
there had not been any other promises. Id. at 8. The Commonwealth stated the factual
basis for each of the charges to which he was pleading guilty, and the defendant admitted
his guilt on each. Id. at 10-15. The defendant entered a knowing and voluntary plea and
cannot now contradict his statements made at the time of the plea that he understood that
the plea agreement was that the Commonwealth would nolle prosse the remaining charges
against him, that he faced a 78 year maximum sentence and that the sentences could be
consecutive to each other. Dissatisfaction with a sentence is not grounds to withdraw a
guilty plea. Commonwealth v. Myers, 642 A.2d 1103 (Pa. Super. 1994).
Finally, the defendant's assertion that the court did not consider his mental health
information before sentencing him is incorrect. The defendant's attorney provided the
court with updated information on the defendant's mental health and medical issues prior to
sentencing. Transcript of May 1, 2013 Sentencing at 7. The court also considered the
entire presentence investigative file. Thus, the court was aware of the defendant's mental
health issues prior to sentencing, and ordered a drug and alcohol evaluation and mental
health evaluation as part of the sentencing so that the defendant could receive further
treatment while in prison.
For the foregoing reasons, the defendant's request for post conviction collateral
relief is denied. A Notice oflntent to Dismiss consistent with this memorandum follows.
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CLERK Of J\JD_\CIAL
RECORDS CRIMINAL
D\V\S\ON
ZGl~ OC1 21 Pir1 ll 13
COMMONWEALTH OF : IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
PENNSYLVANIA OF LACKAWANNA COUNTY
vs. CRIMINAL ACTION
JOSEPH KLECHA,
Defendant NOS. 12-CR-2654 & 2830
................ ...................................................................................
........................................................................... ........................
NOTICE OF INTENT TO DISMISS UNDER PENNSYLVANIA RULE OF
CRIMINAL PROCEDURE 907
TO: Joseph Klecha, Defendant
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that this Court intends to dismiss your
Petition for Post Conviction Collateral Relief without a hearing because your petition is
without merit, as is more fully set forth in the attached Memorandum. You have a right to
respond to this Notice; if you choose to do so, you must file your response within twenty (20)
days of this Notice.
Date: October _J_l_, 2014
cc:
Defendant
Office of District Attorney