J-S16016-16
NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
PENNSYLVANIA
Appellee
v.
PRINCE ISAAC
Appellant No. 1797 EDA 2015
Appeal from the PCRA Order May 8, 2015
In the Court of Common Pleas of Chester County
Criminal Division at No(s): CP-15-CR-0002120-2007
BEFORE: OTT, J., DUBOW, J., and JENKINS, J.
MEMORANDUM BY OTT, J.: FILED JULY 19, 2016
Prince Isaac brings this appeal from the order entered May 8, 2015, in
the Court of Common Pleas of Chester County, that denied his first petition
filed pursuant to the Pennsylvania Post Conviction Relief Act (PCRA), 42
Pa.C.S. §§ 9541–9546. A jury convicted Isaac of murder in the first degree
and conspiracy,1 and the trial court sentenced him to life imprisonment.
Isaac raises numerous claims of appellate counsel’s ineffectiveness. Based
upon the following, we affirm in part, and vacate in part, and remand for
further proceedings.
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1
18 Pa.C.S. §§ 2502(a) and 903(a)(2).
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We recount the relevant facts and procedural history as set forth in
this Court’s decision on direct appeal, and the PCRA court’s opinion, as
follows:
[Isaac] and his brother and co-conspirator, Shamek Hynson
[Hynson], had a powerful motive to kill the victim, Omar Reid
[the victim], on October 18, 2004. The murder was an act of
retaliation against [the victim] for an incident involving another
one of their brothers – Ramek Neal -- that took place nearly one
year earlier. On November 5, 2003, at approximately 10:30
p.m., Neal and another individual broke into [the victim’s]
apartment at 416 Victoria Drive, in the Regency Park complex
located in Coatesville, Chester County, Pennsylvania. Neal
brandished a pistol while demanding [the victim’s] property.
[The victim] fought back and in self-defense shot Neal, leaving
Neal paralyzed from the neck down. This November 2003
incident was the subject of subsequent family meetings attended
by both [Isaac] and Hynson.
On October 18, 2004, at approximately 11:00 p.m., [Isaac]
drove Hynson to [the victim’s] apartment at 416 Victoria Drive in
a Kia automobile that had been taken from a couple in
Lancaster, Pennsylvania, to be used in the murder. Hynson got
out of the Kia and knocked on [the victim]’s front door. As [the
victim] opened the door, Hynson asked “are you Omar?” and
then shot [the victim] six times. Shell casings were ejected from
Hynson’s pistol and left at the murder scene. [The victim]
collapsed and died on top of his five-year-old son, who had been
on the living room floor near the front door. After the shooting,
[Isaac] gestured to Hynson, from inside the Kia, to “hurry up.”
This was observed by a witness looking out the window of her
apartment. Hynson ran to the Kia, which was waiting for him
with the front passenger’s door open. After Hynson got into the
Kia, he closed the door, and [Isaac] sped away from the scene.
A police officer happened to be driving into the Regency Park
complex when a 911 dispatcher advised him of the shooting. The
officer spotted the Kia and gave chase. During the chase, the
murder weapon -- a Hi-Point .380 -- was thrown from the car
into the brush next to a railroad track. Due to the wet roadway,
[Isaac] lost control and crashed the Kia into a ditch. [Isaac] and
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Hynson fled in different directions, and neither was apprehended
by police at that time.
Other individuals in [Isaac’s] Buick Riviera (another getaway
vehicle) had been waiting, as planned, near the Regency Park
complex and observed the police chasing the Kia to the location
in Coatesville where [Isaac] had earlier switched from driving his
own car, the Buick, and begun driving the Kia. They picked up
Hynson, and Hynson told them that he had “just shot a man,”
that he and [Isaac] were being chased, and that [Isaac] was still
running from the police. Hynson and others then drove around
Coatesville looking for [Isaac] and trying to find the gun that had
been “tossed” during the getaway chase. Neither [Isaac] nor the
gun was located, so they visited Ramek Neal to advise him of
what happened and then returned to Lancaster. [Isaac] also
made his way back to Lancaster. When he arrived, he was wet,
he had a gash on his head, and his clothing was ripped. [Isaac]
told his friends that, while being chased by the police, he had
crashed the Kia and then had to run on foot.
[Isaac’s] fingerprints were found on the interior driver’s door
window of the crashed Kia. DNA testing confirmed the presence
of Hynson’s blood on the interior passenger’s side of the Kia.
Gunshot residue was also found inside the Kia. The murder
weapon was found almost a year later by a woman walking her
dog near the railroad tracks along [Isaac’s] escape route. That
weapon was traced back to a straw purchase in North Carolina
made by Tolanda Williams, the mother of Hynson’s child.
Williams testified that during the week before the murder, she
went with [Isaac] and Hynson to several pawn and gun shops in
[Isaac’s] Buick, to be the straw purchaser of guns. The tag
number of [Isaac’s] Buick was written down by one of the shop
owners who became suspicious of one of the transactions.
During cross-examination, the gun shop owner identified [Isaac]
as the driver of the Buick. The Hi-Point .380 murder weapon was
also used by Hynson to shoot Edward Cameron in Lancaster at
approximately 4:30 p.m. on October 18, 2004 -- less than seven
hours before [the victim] was murdered in Coatesville. Shell
casings from the two shootings were all matched to the Hi-Point
.380 found along the escape route. Cell phone records indicated
that [Isaac’s] cell phone was active and used in the Coatesville
area during and after the time of the murder.
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Commonwealth v. Isaac, 46 A.3d 830 (Pa. Super. 2012) (unpublished
memorandum, at 1–2, quoting Trial Court Opinion, 10/26/09, at 1-4),
appeal denied, 50 A.3d 125 (Pa. 2012). Police arrested Isaac on April 11,
2006, and charged him with murder of the first degree, murder of the third
degree, criminal conspiracy to aid and engage in homicide, and other related
offenses.2
… On July 1, 2009, after a six day trial in which he represented
himself with standby counsel, a jury convicted [Isaac] of murder
in the first degree [and conspiracy] in the death of Mr. Reid.
[Isaac’s] brother, Shamek Hynson, pled guilty to Mr. Reid’s
murder in a separate proceeding. On July 8, 2009, [Isaac] was
sentenced to life in prison. The Pennsylvania Superior Court
affirmed his judgment of sentence on February 29, 2012. On
August 13, 2012, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court denied his
petition for allowance of appeal. [See Commonwealth v.
Isaac, 46 A.3d 830 (Pa. Super. 2012), appeal denied, 50 A.3d
125 (Pa. 2012).]
On November 12, 2013, represented by new counsel, [Isaac]
filed a PCRA petition in which he raised seven claims of appellate
counsel ineffectiveness. The Commonwealth subsequently filed
its answer to [Isaac’s] petition, and on October 16, 2014, we
held a PCRA hearing on [Isaac’s] claims.
PCRA Court Opinion, 5/8/2015, at 1–2 (“Factual and Procedural History”).
At the October 16, 2014, hearing, PCRA counsel “argued one claim of
appellate counsel ineffectiveness and rested on the contents of his PCRA
petition for the other six claims.” PRCA Court Opinion, 5/8/2015, at 2. The
certified record does not contain a transcript for the October 16, 2014
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2
See 18 Pa.C.S. §§ 2502(a), 2502(c), and 903(a)(1), (a)(2), respectively.
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hearing. Isaac states in his brief that “[t]he lower court held a hearing on
October 16, 2014 where no additional evidence was presented.” Isaac’s Brief
at 34. On May 8, 2015, the PCRA court denied relief, and this appeal
followed.3
Isaac raises the following issues for our review:
A. Was appellate counsel constitutionally ineffective for
failing to raise on direct appeal, or in her Statement of
Errors Claimed of on Appeal, that [Isacc’s] waiver of his
state and federal constitutional right to counsel was not
knowing, intelligent, or voluntary, because the trial court
conducted a constitutionally defective oral and written
colloquy by failing to apprise [Isaac] of the elements of
the offenses, failing to assure petitioner understood those
rights to which he expressly denied understanding, and
failing to receive a signed sufficiently detailed written
waiver?
B. Was appellate counsel ineffective for failing to properly
raise on direct appeal that the trial court abused its
discretion in permitting the Commonwealth to introduce
evidence relating to Tolanda Williams’ purchase of
weapons for Shamek Hynson and [Issac] other than the
murder weapon (the .380), and permitting the testimony
of Joseph LaJueunesse, as the purchases and the facts
surrounding those purchases were not relevant for Rule
404(b) purposes, were duplicative of other evidence
introduced, and the prejudicial effect substantially
outweighed the probative value?
C. Was appellate counsel ineffective for failing to properly
raise on appeal that the trial court erred in prohibiting the
admission of Michael Fowler’s admission to Gregory
Stacey and Taquan Isaac that he (Fowler) and Shamek
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3
Isaac timely complied with the PCRA court’s order to file a concise
statement, pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b).
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Hynson killed Omar Reid as an exception to hearsay
under Pennsylvania Rule of Evidence 804(b)(3)?
D. Was appellate counsel ineffective for failing to raise on
appeal that the trial court erred in permitting the
Commonwealth to introduce [Isaac’s] statements to
Lindsay Colon that [Isaac] “persuasive[ly]” told her to
“plead the Fifth” when testifying against him because the
statement was not relevant and unduly prejudicial as it
was made in reference to a criminal matter unrelated to
the instant charges, and the trial court failed to require a
proper foundation as to its relevance over [Isaac’s]
objection.
E. Was appellate counsel ineffective for failing to raise in her
1925(b) Statement of Errors Complained of on Appeal
that the trial court abused its discretion by permitting the
Commonwealth to impeach Michael Fowler with extrinsic
evidence of an unadopted and unsworn summary written
by a police officer of statements allegedly made during a
proffer discussion?
F. Was appellate counsel ineffective for failing to raise on
appeal that the prosecutor committed misconduct during
the closing argument by characterizing [Isaac] as a
“player” and positing his guilt by association with the
unrelated crimes of his witnesses, which independently
and in the aggregate inflamed the passions of the jury
causing undue prejudice?
G. Did appellate counsel’s cumulative errors in failing to
raise all of the above claims result in prejudice as the
result of the trial would have been different if the trial
court had not committed the errors alleged?
Isaac’s Brief at 5–7.
Our standard of review of the denial of a PCRA petition is limited to
examining whether the evidence of record supports the court's
determination and whether its decision is free of legal error.
Commonwealth v. Conway, 14 A.3d 101, 108 (Pa. Super. 2011). This
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Court grants great deference to the findings of the PCRA court if the record
contains any support for those findings. Commonwealth v. Boyd, 923 A.2d
513, 515 (Pa. Super. 2007).
Isaac first argues appellate counsel was ineffective in failing to
properly raise on direct appeal that the trial court’s waiver of counsel
colloquy was constitutionally defective and that his waiver of counsel was
not knowing, intelligent, and voluntary. Isaac contends the trial court
conducted a constitutionally defective oral and written colloquy by failing to
apprise Isaac of the elements of the offenses, failing to assure Isaac
understood those rights which he expressly denied understanding, and
failing to receive a signed sufficiently detailed written waiver. Isaac argues
appellate counsel was ineffective because the challenge to his waiver of trial
counsel was solely on the basis that he was incompetent to do so.
Even though Isaac’s appellate brief presented the claim, as follows:
“Whether the Defendant was denied his right to a fair trial when the Court
granted Defendant’s motion to Waive Counsel and to Proceed in Propria
Persona,”4 this Court found waiver. This Court stated:
The next issue presented is whether the trial court erred in
granting appellant’s request to waive counsel and proceed in
propria persona. In his Rule 1925(b) statement, appellant
claimed that the court “relied on his technical legal knowledge and
courtroom skill and not his competency to stand trial.” (See
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4
Commonwealth v. Isaac, 46 A.3d 830 (Pa. Super. 2012) (unpublished
memorandum, at 6, citing Isaac’s Brief at 7)
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docket #148.) We find this issue to be waived as it is raised for
the first time on appeal. See Pa.R.A.P. 302(a) (issues not raised
in the lower court are waived and cannot be raised for the first
time on appeal). Appellant did not object to proceeding pro se
either prior to or during the time of trial. Nor has appellant
challenged the validity of the waiver itself by suggesting
that the trial court’s colloquy was defective. Instead, he
has lodged an objection at the time of appeal based solely
on his competency.
Commonwealth v. Isaac, 46 A.3d 830 (Pa. Super. 2012) (unpublished
memorandum, at 10) (emphasis supplied).
The Commonwealth takes the position the issue has been “previously
litigated” in this Court and, therefore, should be dismissed. See
Commonwealth Brief at 15, citing 42 Pa.C.S. § 9543(a)(3).5 However, we
are not persuaded by the Commonwealth’s argument. On direct appeal
Isaac challenged his self-representation by framing the issue in the concise
statement as “his competency to stand trial” — a distinctly separate issue
from the waiver of counsel colloquy claim. This Court pointed out that Isaac
had not challenged the colloquy as defective. Since Isaac could have raised
the issue of the colloquy on direct appeal, see Commonwealth v. Davido,
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5
Section 9545(a)(3) requires that in order to be eligible for relief, a
petitioner must show that “the allegation of error has not been previously
litigated or waived.” 42 Pa.C.S. § 9545(a)(3). See also 42 Pa.C.S. §
9544(a)(2), (a)(3) (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; or it has been raised and decided
in a proceeding collaterally attacking the conviction or sentence.”).
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868 A.2d 431, 437–438 (Pa. 2005),6 the issue has been waived and cannot
be litigated in a PCRA petition. See 42 Pa.C.S. § 9544(b) (issues are waived
for purposes of PCRA review if the petitioner could have raised them on
appeal). Nevertheless, Isaac’s claim that appellate counsel was ineffective
for failing to raise the issue on direct appeal is not waived. A claim of trial
court error is different from a collateral claim of ineffectiveness of appellate
counsel for failure to raise and preserve the issue for direct review. See
Commonwealth v. Collins, 888 A.2d 564, 571 (Pa. 2005). Therefore, we
will proceed to consider Isaac’s claim of appellate counsel’s ineffectiveness
for failing to challenge the waiver of counsel colloquy on direct appeal.
To obtain relief on a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, a PCRA
petitioner must satisfy the performance and prejudice test set forth in
Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687 (1984). This Court has
applied the Strickland test by looking to the following three elements that
must be satisfied: (1) the underlying claim has arguable merit; (2) counsel
had no reasonable basis for his actions or failure to act; and (3) the PCRA
petitioner suffered prejudice as a result of counsel's error, with prejudice
measured by whether there is a reasonable probability that the result of the
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6
In Davido, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that “it is up to the trial
court, and not counsel, to ensure that a colloquy is performed if the
defendant has invoked his right to self-representation.” 868 A.2d at 437.
The Davido Court held that the issue of an insufficient waiver of counsel
colloquy could be raised on direct appeal and did not have to be raised as an
ineffective assistance of counsel claim. Id. at 437–438.
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proceeding would have been different. Commonwealth v. Pierce, 527
A.2d 973, 975 (Pa. 1987). Counsel is presumed to have rendered effective
assistance. Commonwealth v. Montalvo, 986 A.2d 84, 102 (Pa. 2009).
To succeed on a stand-alone claim of appellate counsel’s ineffectiveness, a
PCRA petitioner must demonstrate that appellate counsel was ineffective in
the manner by which he litigated the claim on appeal. Commonwealth v.
Koehler, 36 A.3d 121, 142 (Pa. 2012).
Isaac argues that if appellate counsel adequately raised the waiver of
counsel colloquy issue on direct appeal, this Court would have awarded him
a new trial. See Isaac’s Brief, at 45.
Pennsylvania Rule of Criminal Procedure 121 sets out the framework
for inquiry into a defendant’s request for self-representation. The Rule
states, in relevant part:
(A)(2) To ensure that the defendant’s waiver of the right to
counsel is knowing, voluntary, and intelligent, the judge or
issuing authority, at a minimum, shall elicit the following
information from the defendant:
(a) that the defendant understands that he or she has
the right to be represented by counsel, and the right to
have free counsel appointed if the defendant is indigent;
(b) that the defendant understands the nature of the
charges against the defendant and the elements of each
of those charges;
(c) that the defendant is aware of the permissible range
of sentences and/or fines for the offenses charged;
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(d) that the defendant understands that if he or she
waives the right to counsel, the defendant will still be
bound by all the normal rules of procedure and that
counsel would be familiar with these rules;
(e) that the defendant understands that there are
possible defenses to these charges that counsel might be
aware of, and if these defenses are not raised at trial,
they may be lost permanently; and
(f) that the defendant understands that, in addition to
defenses, the defendant has many rights that, if not
timely asserted, may be lost permanently; and that if
errors occur and are not timely objected to, or otherwise
timely raised by the defendant, these errors may be lost
permanently.
Pa. R. Crim. P. 121(A)(2).
Turning to the facts of the present case, on September 18, 2008, Isaac
filed in open court a pro se “motion to waive counsel and proceed in propria
persona.” Two oral colloquies followed. At the first colloquy on September
18, 2008, the trial court questioned Isaac by following a written colloquy
form. Isaac stated on the record that he did not know the elements of the
offenses, and the trial court ultimately decided that Isaac should continue
with his counsel, but left the issue open for Isaac to raise in the future. See
N.T., 9/18/2008, at 61–62. Thereafter, Isaac moved to proceed pro se on
October 2, 2008. When the court attempted to question Isaac again by
following the written colloquy form,7 Isaac acted in a contumacious manner
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7
Isaac did not sign a written colloquy form.
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and replied to the court’s questions with irrelevant answers such as “these
proceedings are void,” and “I stand by my affidavit of specific negative
averment.” The colloquy ended with the trial court granting Isaac’s request
to represent himself and allowing Isaac to waive counsel and proceed pro
se.8 See N.T., 10/2/2008 at 29. However, “although the colloquies were
extensive, [the trial court] did not specifically list for [Isaac] each element of
each of the charges against him.” PCRA Court Opinion, 5/8/2015, at 4–5.
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has indicated that it is “the trial
judge who [is] ultimately responsible for ensuring that the defendant is
questioned about the six areas discussed above and for determining whether
the defendant was indeed making an informed and independent decision to
waive counsel.” Davido, supra, 868 A.2d at 437 (quotations and citation
omitted). Likewise, it is the trial judge who has “the duty to ensure that a
defendant’s right to counsel was protected.” Id. (quotations and citations
omitted). Once a defendant expresses a desire to represent himself, the
“[f]ailure to conduct a thorough on-the-record colloquy before allowing a
defendant to proceed to trial pro se constitutes reversible error.”
Commonwealth v. Houtz, 856 A.2d 119, 124 (Pa. Super. 2004) (citation
omitted) (vacating judgment of sentence where trial court’s waiver of
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8
The trial court appointed the two attorneys representing Isaac as stand by
counsel. See N.T., 10/08/2009, at 29.
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counsel colloquy did not ensure appellant understood, inter alia, the nature
and elements of the charges and the range of penalties the court could
impose).
The trial court must “cover all of the areas set forth in the comment to
Rule 121, to ascertain whether Appellant was executing a knowing,
voluntary and intelligent waiver of counsel.” Houtz, supra at 130.
“Regardless of the defendant’s prior experience with the justice system, a
penetrating and comprehensive colloquy is mandated.” Id. at 124 (citation
omitted). “[W]e may not apply a totality analysis to a waiver of counsel
colloquy.” Commonwealth v. Payson, 723 A.2d 695, 704 (Pa. Super.
1999). Furthermore, “the appointment of standby counsel does not
eliminate or alter [Rule 121’s] requirement.” Commonwealth v. Brazil,
701 A.2d 216, 219 (Pa. 1997).
In Commonwealth v. Clyburn, 42 A.3d 296 (Pa. Super. 2012), this
Court held that Clyburn’s waiver of her right to counsel was inadequate and
awarded her a new trial where the trial court did not “specify the charges
brought against [Clyburn] and the elements of each of those charges.” Id.
at 301. This Court, in a footnote, rejected the Commonwealth’s argument
that the defendant could not prevail because she had failed to establish how
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she was prejudiced by lack of counsel.9 Clyburn was decided on February
27, 2012, two days before this Court affirmed Isaac’s judgment of sentence.
Isaac asserts he “correctly argues precisely what the appellant argued
in Clyburn, that the waiver was not knowing, intelligent and voluntary
because the colloquy was ineffective.” Isaac’s Brief at 47. Isaac maintains
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9
The Clyburn Court opined:
Relying upon Commonwealth v. Meehan, 427 Pa. Super. 261,
628 A.2d 1151, 1159 (Pa. Super. 1993), Commonwealth v.
Davis, 393 Pa. Super. 88, 573 A.2d 1101, 1108 n.7 (Pa. Super.
1990), Commonwealth v. Bastone, 321 Pa. Super. 232, 467
A.2d 1339, 1341 (Pa. Super. 1983), and Commonwealth v.
Carver, 292 Pa. Super. 177, 436 A.2d 1209, 1211 (Pa. Super.
1981), the Commonwealth argues that Appellant is not entitled
to relief because she fails to establish how she was prejudiced by
the lack of counsel. See Commonwealth’s Brief at 11 n.2. We
conclude these cases are inapposite because they involve
matters with different procedural postures. Both Meehan and
Davis were on appeal under the Post Conviction Relief Act
("PCRA"), 42 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 9541-9546. The cases of Bastone
and Carver involved matters where counsel was not present at
the preliminary hearing stages.
****
Our research has revealed there is no need for a showing of
prejudice when a defendant proceeded to trial without a legally
sufficient waiver of her constitutional right to counsel. See
Commonwealth v. Brazil, 549 Pa. 321, 701 A.2d 216 (1997)
(granting new trial for defective waiver colloquy without
analyzing whether the appellant suffered prejudice); Houtz, 856
A.2d at 130 (same). See also Payson, 723 A.2d at 704 (“[A]ny
shortcoming relative to this colloquy cannot be gauged to the
quality of an accused’s self-representation nor justified on the
basis of his prior experience with the system.”).
Id. at 302 n.3.
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that he must show “that counsel was deficient in failing to raise the
meritorious claim, and that this Court would have vacated his conviction on
direct appeal if not for counsel’s failure [and h]e succeeds on both prongs.”
Id. Given that the trial court’s colloquy in this case did not specify the
elements of each of the charged offenses and that this Court stated Isaac
failed to raise the issue of validity of the waiver of counsel colloquy, we
conclude Isaac’s claim has arguable merit.
It is significant, however, that the posture of this case differs from
Clyburn. Due to the discrepancy between Isaac’s counseled Rule 1925(b)
claim, which challenged “competency,” and the issue raised by counsel on
appeal, namely, a challenge to the court’s grant of Isaac’s motion to waive
counsel, we are presented with a PCRA claim of ineffective assistance of
counsel for waiving the issue of the adequacy of the Rule 121 colloquy, as
opposed to a preserved issue challenging the colloquy as in Clyburn. As
such, appellate counsel’s manner of litigating the direct appeal is directly at
issue. However, the record does not reveal appellate counsel’s reasoning
since no witnesses testified at the PCRA hearing.
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has instructed that “a lawyer should
not be held ineffective without first having an opportunity to address the
accusation in some fashion.” Commonwealth v. Colavita, 993 A.2d 874,
895 (Pa. 2010). “The fact that an appellate court, reviewing a cold trial
record, cannot prognosticate a reasonable basis for a particular failure to
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raise a plausible objection does not necessarily prove that an objectively
reasonable basis was lacking.” Id. at 896, quoting Commonwealth v.
Spotz, 870 A.2d 822, 832 (Pa. 2005).
We conclude that appellate counsel must have the opportunity to state
her reasons for the course of action taken when she filed the Rule 1925(b)
statement.10 Accordingly, we hold that an evidentiary hearing is necessary
to develop the record for this claim. Further, as we are remanding for a
hearing concerning the existence of a reasonable basis for counsel’s actions,
the PCRA court should make any assessment of prejudice in the first
instance. See Spotz, at 835.
Our discussion, however, does not end here, since Isaac has raised
various other claims of appellate counsel’s ineffectiveness. Therefore, we
will address these claims sequentially. We reiterate that under the Pierce
test a petitioner must show: 1) the underlying claim is of arguable merit; 2)
no reasonable basis existed for counsel’s action or inaction; and 3) counsel’s
error caused prejudice such that there is a reasonable probability that the
result of the proceeding would have been different absent such error.
Pierce, supra, 527 A.2d at 975.
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10
We note that Clyburn was not issued until after appellate counsel had
filed Isaac’s Rule 1925(b) statement and that the Clyburn Court specifically
addressed the issue of prejudice in a footnote to its decision.
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In the second issue, Isaac claims appellate counsel was ineffective in
failing to challenge on direct appeal the trial court’s evidentiary ruling
permitting the Commonwealth to introduce evidence relating to Tolanda
Williams’ straw purchase of weapons for Shamek Hynson and Isaac, and
permitting the testimony of Joseph LaJueunesse.
By way of background, the PCRA court explained:
Tolanda Williams is the mother of Shamek Hynson’s child. At
trial she testified that on October 14, 2004, she purchased the
[.380] gun used in the murder of Omar Reid for Shamek
Hynson. She also testified about other straw purchases of
firearms that she made for Hynson, and for [Isaac], on October
15, 2004.
PCRA Court Opinion, 5/8/2015, at 10 (record citations omitted). 11
Isaac argues the evidence concerning his purchase of guns other than
the murder weapon was irrelevant and inadmissible. We disagree.
“The admissibility of evidence is within the sound discretion of the trial
court, and we will not disturb an evidentiary ruling absent an abuse of that
discretion. Commonwealth v. Arrington, 86 A.3d 831, 842 (Pa. 2014).
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11
We note that although Isaac’s argument, as stated, references the
testimony of Joseph LaJeunesse, Isaac does not specifically mention
LaJeunesse in his discussion of this ineffectiveness issue. LaJeunesse, owner
of the Varmint Hunters Den in South Carolina, testified that on October 15,
2004, Williams and several men came into his store. He stated Williams
bought a Tec-22, while three males waited for her in a Buick Riviera. On
cross-examination by Isaac, LaJeunesse identified Isaac as the driver of the
Buick. See N.T. 6/23/2009, at 153–169.
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Pennsylvania Rule of Evidence 404, governing the admission of “prior
bad acts,” provides, in relevant part:
(b) Other crimes, wrongs, or acts.
(1) Evidence of other crimes, wrongs, or acts is not
admissible to prove the character of a person in order to
show action in conformity therewith.
(2) Evidence of other crimes, wrongs, or acts may be
admitted for other purposes, such as proof of motive,
opportunity, intent, preparation, plan, knowledge, identity
or absence of mistake or accident.
(3) Evidence of other crimes, wrongs, or acts proffered
under subsection (b)(2) of this rule may be admitted in a
criminal case only upon a showing that the
probative value of the evidence outweighs its potential
for prejudice.
Pa.R.E. Rule 404(b)(1)-(3). “If such evidence is admitted, the trial court
must instruct the jury as to the limited purpose for which they may consider
the evidence of a defendant’s prior bad acts.” Commonwealth v. Davis,
737 A.2d 792, 796 (Pa. Super. 1999) (citation omitted).
Here, the PCRA court, citing Pa.R.E. 404(b), rejected Isaac’s
argument, opining:
Instantly, the challenged evidence was properly admitted for the
limited purpose of showing opportunity and possession of the
murder weapon, and [Isaac’s] joint action with Shamek Hynson
related to the firearm. In addition, the admission was subject to
cautionary instructions to the jury. Twice, the Court instructed
the jury it was not to regard this testimony as evidence of
[Isaac’s] bad character or his criminal tendencies, but rather
only for the limited purpose previously outlined.
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PCRA Court Opinion, 5/8/2015, at 10–11 (record citations omitted). We
agree with the Rule 404(b) analysis of the PCRA court and its conclusion that
Isaac’s claim is without merit. See e.g., Commonwealth v. Briggs, 12
A.2d 291 (Pa. 2011) (testimony of appellant’s previous purchase of gun that
was not the murder weapon admissible because it constituted part of the
sequence of events forming the history of this case). Accordingly, his claim
of appellate counsel’s ineffectiveness for failing to raise this issue on appeal
must fail.
In his third claim, Isaac contends appellate counsel was ineffective for
failing to challenge the trial court’s evidentiary ruling that prohibited
evidence regarding Michael Fowler’s admission that he and Shamek Hynson
killed Omar Reid as an exception to hearsay under Pennsylvania Rule of
Evidence 804(b)(3).
At the time of trial, Pa.R.E. 804(b)(3) provided:
(b) Hearsay Exceptions. The following statements, as
hereinafter defined, are not excluded by the hearsay rule if the
declarant is unavailable as a witness:
***
(3) Statements against interest. A statement which was at
the time of its making so far contrary to the declarant’s
pecuniary or proprietary interest, or so far tended to subject the
declarant to civil or criminal liability, or to render invalid a claim
by the declarant against another, that a reasonable person in the
declarant’s position would not have made the statement unless
believing it to be true. In a criminal case, a statement tending to
expose the declarant to criminal liability is not admissible unless
corroborating circumstances clearly indicate the trustworthiness
of the statement.
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Pa.R.E. 804(b)(3).
By way of background, Fowler testified for the defense. On cross
examination by the prosecutor, Fowler testified, “I don’t remember none of
this. I don’t remember me saying the statement [to police].” N.T.,
6/29/2009, at 943. Thereafter, Isaac attempted to elicit testimony from
defense witnesses Gregory Stacey and Taquan Isaac, who is Isaac’s
cousin,12 that Fowler had confessed to this murder when they were
incarcerated together. The prosecutor objected and the trial court precluded
the testimony. See N.T., 6/29/2009, at 967, 970–971.
The next day, the trial court again considered Rule 804(b)(3), and
allowed Isaac to make a proffer from Taquan Isaac regarding Fowler’s
alleged admission. Despite the fact that Fowler had testified, the trial court
found that Fowler was “unavailable” based upon lack of memory, thereby
meeting the unavailability requirement of Rule 804(b). See N.T.,
6/30/2009, at 1023. However, the trial court determined that Fowler’s
purported admission did not meet the trustworthiness requirement of Rule
804(b)(3), and was therefore inadmissible. Id. at 1030.
Having reviewed Taquan Isaac’s proferred testimony, we find no
arguable merit in Isaac’s claim of trial court error. As the trial court noted
from Taquan’s testimony, Fowler’s statement to Taquon that “they took care
____________________________________________
12
See N.T., 6/29/2009, at 973.
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of that,” was a “[p]retty broad statement.” N.T., 6/30/2009, at 1028.
Furthermore, although Isaac argued to the court following the proffer that
Fowler was good friends with Taquon and would confide in him, Taquon’s
proffer did not specify his relationship with Fowler and explain why Fowler
would admit to Taquon that he was culpable for the murder that had
resulted in the conviction of Taquon’s cousin, Isaac. See Commonwealth
v. Yarris, 731 A.2d 581, 591–592 (Pa. 1999) (Rule 804(b)(3) corroborating
circumstances lacking where the witness recalled only limited details of the
declarant’s alleged confession, did not know the alleged declarant very well,
and could not explain why the declarant would offer a confession to her).
Accordingly, this claim and the related ineffectiveness claim fail.
In the fourth issue, Isaac contends appellate counsel was ineffective
for failing to challenge the trial court’s evidentiary ruling that allowed the
Commonwealth to introduce Isaac’s statements to Lindsay Colon that he
“persuasive[ly]” told her to “plead the fifth.” Isaac’s Brief at 65. Isaac
contends Colon’s testimony was irrelevant and no foundation was laid to
establish its relevance. Specifically, Isaac argues that his statement to
Colon was made in reference to his Federal case, in which she was also a
witness. Isaac maintains the court’s suggestion that he could cross-examine
Colon on the relevance of the statement would force him to introduce his
unrelated criminal record to the jury.
Here, on direct examination, Colon testified:
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Q Again, Ms. Colon, during 2006 and 2007, did you have
conversations with [Isaac] about you testifying against him?
A Yes.
Q And what did he say to you about that?
A That I could possibly plead the Fifth.
Q And how was he saying this to you?
A Just persuasive.
Q Was he trying to persuade you?
A Yes.
N.T., 6/24/2009, at 438. On cross examination, regarding this issue, Isaac
asked Colon, “Did I tell you to plead the Fifth in this case,” to which Colon
responded “No.” Id. at 483.
“[A]ny attempt by a defendant to interfere with a witness’s testimony
is admissible to show a defendant’s consciousness of guilt.”
Commonwealth v. Rega, 933 A.2d 997, 1009 (Pa. Super. 2007). As the
criminal complaint against Isaac was filed on April 11, 2006, the
Commonwealth established a proper foundation by showing that the
conversations occurred during 2006-2007, and relevancy by showing that
the conversations involved Isaac’s coaching Colon regarding her testifying
against him. On this record, we conclude Isaac’s argument that the trial
court abused its discretion in admitting Isaac’s statements encouraging
Colon to “plead the Fifth” lacks arguable merit. Accordingly, Isaac’s claim of
appellate counsel’s ineffectiveness warrants no relief.
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In the fifth issue, Isaac contends appellate counsel was ineffective for
failing to challenge on direct appeal the trial court’s ruling that permitted the
Commonwealth to impeach defense witness Michael Fowler with extrinsic
evidence of an unsigned and unverified police statement. Isaac relies on
Commonwealth v. Simmons, 622 A.2d 621 (Pa. 1995), stating:
In Simmons, our Supreme Court declared: “A written report
which is only a summary of the words of the victim and not
verbatim notes from the victim cannot be used to impeach the
victim on cross examination since it would be unfair to allow a
witness to be impeached on a police officer’s interpretation of
what was said rather than the witness’ verbatim words.” Id. at
631[.]
Isaac’s Brief at 68. Isaac maintains “[t]he trial court erred in permitting
impeachment through Michael Fowler’s alleged statement which was neither
his statement, nor signed nor adopted by him. The purported statement
was only a summary written after the fact by Detective Winters. It was not
verbatim and not his statement.” Id. at 68.
At trial, Isaac brought up Fowler’s March, 2006, statement to police
during his direct examination of Fowler. He asked Fowler if he recalled
making a statement in March, 2006, to detectives. See N.T., 6/29/2009, at
928. Fowler answered, “No. I remember making a statement in [20]04.”
Id.
On cross-examination, the Commonwealth asked Fowler about his
March, 2006 meeting with detectives. The following exchange occurred:
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Q March 8th, 2006 you told detectives from Lancaster City
Detectives that you went down to Coatsville on October 18 th of
2004 in two cars; isn’t that correct?
A. No.
Q. You told them that in one car was Prince Isaac, Shamek
Hynson and yourself, correct?
A. No. I never been to Coatesville.
MR. ISAAC: Objection. At this time I ask
Commonwealth produce the statement to show the
defendant- - I mean, excuse me, the witness.
THE COURT: Fair enough.
MR. BARRAZA: Certainly.
THE COURT: Exhibit number please?
MR. BARRAZA: This was marked number 94, Your Honor.
BY MR. BARRAZA:
Q. Mr. Fowler, is that the police report of the interview you had
with Lancaster City detectives on March 8, 2006?
A. Yes, that’s a police report.
Q. That’s the date you met with Detective Switzer and Detective
Winters; isn’t that correct?
A. I’m not sure.
Q. But you did meet with them?
A. I did meet with them.
Q. Yes. And you spoke with them about the incidents of October
18, 2004; isn’t that correct?
A. I’m not sure.
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Q. And you told them that you went to Coatesville on October
18, 2004 in two vehicles; isn’t that correct?
A. Never been to Coatesville.
Q. You told them that in one vehicle -- Prince Isaac, Shamek
Hynson and Michael Fowler were in one vehicle; isn’t that
correct?
A. That’s not correct.
Q. In the other vehicle was Lindsay, Shanika?
MR. ISAAC: Your Honor, I object at this time. This is
improper impeachment. Witness did not sign the
statement. Witness says he doesn’t recall. This is
improper.
N.T. 6/29/2009, at 936–938 (emphasis added). Thereafter, the trial court
permitted the Commonwealth to cross examine Fowler on the police
statement.
We find no arguable merit in Isaac’s claim. The fallacy of Isaac’s
argument is that the Commonwealth, in questioning Fowler about his prior
inconsistent statement, did not attempt to introduce the police document to
impeach him. See Pa.R.E. 613(a) (“A witness may be examined concerning
a prior inconsistent statement made by a witness to impeach the witness’s
credibility.”). Rather, the introduction of the extrinsic evidence of the police
statement resulted from Isaac’s request that the Commonwealth show
Fowler the document during the Commonwealth’s cross-examination of
Fowler. Isaac himself opened the door to the Commonwealth’s questioning
Fowler in this context. Therefore, we conclude there is no arguable merit in
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Isaac’s claim of trial court error. It follows that his claim of appellate
counsel’s ineffectiveness fails.
In his penultimate issue, Isaac contends that appellate counsel was
ineffective for failing to raise on direct appeal the claim that “the prosecutor
committed misconduct by calling [Isaac] a ‘player’ and positing his guilt by
association with the unrelated crimes of his witnesses.” Isaac’s Brief at 71.
When the issue of prosecutorial misconduct is raised on direct appeal,
our inquiry “center[s] on whether the defendant was deprived of
a fair trial, not deprived of a perfect trial.” Commonwealth v.
LaCava, 542 Pa. 160, 666 A.2d 221, 231 (Pa. 1995) (citing
Commonwealth v. Holloway, 524 Pa. 342, 572 A.2d 687, 693
(Pa. 1990)). It is well-settled that a “prosecutor must be free to
present his or her arguments with logical force and vigor.”
Commonwealth v. Hutchinson, 611 Pa. 280, 25 A.3d 277,
306 (Pa. 2011). Comments grounded upon the evidence or
reasonable inferences therefrom are not objectionable, nor are
comments that constitute “oratorical flair.” Id. at 307.
Furthermore, the prosecution must be permitted to respond to
defense counsel’s arguments. Id. Consequently, this Court has
permitted vigorous prosecutorial advocacy provided that “there
is a reasonable basis in the record for the [prosecutor's]
comments.” Commonwealth v. Robinson, 581 Pa. 154, 864
A.2d 460, 516-17 (Pa. 2004). A prosecutor’s remarks do not
constitute reversible error unless their unavoidable effect would
prejudice the jurors, forming in their minds fixed bias and
hostility toward the defendant so that they could not weigh the
evidence objectively and render a true verdict. Commonwealth
v. Bond, 539 Pa. 299, 652 A.2d 308, 315 (Pa. 1995). Finally, we
review the allegedly improper remarks in the context of the
closing argument as a whole. LaCava, 666 A.2d at 235.
Commonwealth v. Sneed, 45 A.3d 1096, 1109–1110 (Pa. 2012).
The first alleged instance of prosecutorial misconduct occurred during
the closing when the prosecutor was discussing Isaac’s testimony:
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MR. CONTE: … We already know that Mr. Isaac is by his own
admission a liar. This isn’t me saying it. It’s the defendant
saying it. …
****
He is not even honest in his personal life. He testified that he
had I think if I can remember the number at least four girlfriends
at least. That was –
MR. ISAAC: Objection, Your Honor. There was no testimony
that I had four girlfriends.
MR. CONTE: Well, let’s say four different women in at least two
different states. I guess it is a question of semantics –
girlfriends, women. You know what they call someone who has
women everywhere? They call him a player. They call him a
player.
MR. ISAAC: Objection, Your Honor. That’s not in evidence.
THE COURT: It’s argument, sir. Objection is overruled.
N.T., 7/1/2009, at 1358, 1362. The second alleged instance of prosecutorial
misconduct occurred during the closing, as follows:
MR. CONTE: The defendant stood up here for most of his closing
argument and did everything he could to assassinate the
character of those witnesses. Who do you think witnesses in [a]
case like this are going to be? Think about that. You think I’m
going to parade a guidance counsellor, veterinarian, school
teacher as witnesses? Are those the type of people that
associated with the defendant?
Id., at 1387.
Based on our review of the prosecutor’s closing, we agree with the
PCRA court that neither comment was improper. The “player” comment is
plainly oratorical flair. In addition, the prosecutor’s argument regarding the
Commonwealth’s witnesses who were associated with Isaac was fair
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response to Isaac’s closing argument attacking those witnesses. As such,
this issue is lacking in arguable merit and cannot support an ineffectiveness
claim.
Finally, Isaac claims that appellate counsel’s cumulative errors in
failing to raise all of the above claims resulted in prejudice. When post-
conviction claims are rejected for lack of merit or arguable merit, no basis
exists for an accumulation claim. Commonwealth v. Koehler, 36 A.3d 121,
161 (Pa. 2012). “When the failure of individual claims is grounded in lack of
prejudice, however, then the cumulative prejudice from those individual
claims may properly be assessed.” Id.
Although we remand for an evidentiary hearing on Isaac’s first claim,
he cannot ultimately prevail, i.e., gain a new trial, on his accumulation claim.
This is so because he has only one claim with merit or arguable merit. In this
appeal, we have found that all other substantive claims of ineffective
assistance lack arguable merit. Therefore, it is impossible for Isaac to show
cumulative prejudice.
Based on the above, we affirm the PCRA court’s order in part, and
vacate in part, and remand for an evidentiary hearing as stated herein.
Order affirmed in part and vacated in part. Case remanded for further
proceedings. Jurisdiction relinquished.
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Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary
Date: 7/19/2016
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