J-S43024-18
NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
: PENNSYLVANIA
:
v. :
:
:
GEROD MAURICE JARRETT, :
:
Appellant : No. 29 WDA 2018
Appeal from the PCRA Order December 6, 2017
In the Court of Common Pleas of Erie County Criminal Division at No(s):
CP-25-CR-0001882-2013,
CP-25-CR-0001884-2013
BEFORE: STABILE, J., DUBOW, J., and NICHOLS, J.
MEMORANDUM BY DUBOW, J.: FILED JANUARY 29, 2019
Appellant Gerod Maurice Jarrett seeks review of the Order entered on
December 6, 2017, denying his first Petition filed pursuant to the Post
Conviction Relief Act, 42 Pa.C.S. §9541-9546 (“PCRA”). Appellant challenges
the stewardship of trial and appellate counsel and the legality of his sentence.
We affirm.
The factual and procedural history of this case is set forth in this Court’s
Memorandum affirming Appellant’s Judgment of Sentence imposed after a jury
found him guilty of Robbery and related offenses. See Commonwealth v.
Jarrett, No. 1197 WDA 2014 (Pa. Super. filed July 7, 2015).1 The Supreme
____________________________________________
1In sum, Appellant robbed a man at gunpoint in the City of Erie on April 8.
2013. The victim subsequently obtained a sawed off shotgun to retaliate.
Police officers arrested the victim because of the weapon. The victim identified
J-S43024-18
Court denied allowance of appeal on December 22, 2015. Appellant’s
Judgment of Sentence became final ninety days later on March 14, 2016, when
his time for seeking review from the U.S. Supreme Court expired. See U.S.
Ct. R. 13.
On January 23, 2017, Appellant timely filed his PCRA Petition pro se,
raising twelve issues. The court appointed counsel, who filed a
Turner/Finley2 letter and a Petition to Withdraw as counsel asserting that
the Petition was untimely. After Appellant objected to counsel’s
Turner/Finley letter and Motion to Withdraw,3 the PCRA Court directed
____________________________________________
Appellant as the shooter after looking at a photo array compiled by
investigating police detectives. The victim also described the jewelry that was
stolen from his person and the black semiautomatic pistol used in the robbery.
Police arrested Appellant and recovered a black handgun and the victim’s
jewelry from Appellant’s car. Appellant had a bifurcated trial.
2Commonwealth v. Turner, 544 A.2d 927 (Pa. 1988); Commonwealth
v. Finley, 550 A.2d 213 (Pa. Super. 1988) (en banc).
3 Appellant also filed a complaint with the Attorney Disciplinary Board. The
Disciplinary Board investigated the complaint, spoke with PCRA counsel, and
concluded counsel had simply made an error which he indicated he would
correct. See Letter from Office of Disciplinary Counsel, dated 4/27/17.
Appellant, acting pro se, forwarded a copy of the Disciplinary Board letter to
the PCRA Court and requested that new counsel be appointed, noting that
appointed counsel “at no time during the course of his representation …
attempted to gather any information from me for purposes of preparing an
Amended PCRA Petition[.]” See Letter from Appellant to Hon. John Garhart,
filed 5/11/17. The court of common pleas (“CCP”) docket indicates that the
court clerk forwarded Appellant’s letter to PCRA counsel and to the PCRA judge
on May 11, 2017. No further action was taken on Appellant’s request.
Appellant’s PCRA counsel continues to represent him in this Appeal.
-2-
J-S43024-18
counsel to “re-examine the facts and law underpinning his Turner/Finley [ ]
letter,” and “[i]n the event the subject PCRA petition is found to be timely,
this Court directs [appointed counsel] to thoroughly examine the merits of
each of Petitioner’s substantive claims” and file an amended or supplemental
PCRA Petition or submit a No Merit letter within 30 days. Order, filed 4/17/17.4
On June 26, 2017, counsel filed a “Supplement” to Appellant’s pro se
PCRA Petition in which he “rescinded” his Turner/Finley letter and his Motion
to Withdraw as counsel because “a substantive review and evaluation of
Petitioner’s underlying PCRA claims is warranted.” In the Supplement, PCRA
counsel addressed Appellant’s challenge to the legality of sentence, and
restated Appellant’s other issues in one or two sentences without providing
any substantive review and evaluation of Appellant’s remaining claims.
On October 24, 2017, the Court held a hearing limited to the issue of
why trial counsel did not present Ebony Flemings as a defense witness at trial.
On October 30, 2017, the court issued a “Notice of Intent to Dismiss without
____________________________________________
4 Counsel thereafter filed a Motion for Extension of Time, acknowledging that
he had “misapprehended the procedural history” of Appellant’s case and
requesting a 45-day extension to file the “appropriate supplemental pleading
given … that Petitioner has pled numerous claims[.]” Motion, filed 5/11/17 at
¶¶5, 7. The Court granted the counsel’s Motion.
-3-
J-S43024-18
a Hearing pursuant to Pa.R.Crim.P. 907.”5 On December 6, 2017, the PCRA
dismissed the PCRA Petition.
Appellant timely appealed and filed a Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b) Statement. The
PCRA court filed a “1925(a) Opinion,” incorporating its Rule 907 Notice. PCRA
Ct.’s “1925(a) Opinion,” filed Jan. 29, 2018.
Appellant raises the following issues for this Court’s review:
1. Whether [Appellant] presented a legally viable claim possessed
of arguable merit that would compel the striking of the sentence
and resentencing in light of the U.S. Supreme Court case of
Alleyne v. United States, [570 U.S. 99] (2013)?
2. Whether [Appellant] states a claim for relief under Section
9714(a)(2), “the three strike law” as there was no factual or legal
predicate for purposes of subjection him to the three strike law in
that there was no predicate of a second strike in his criminal
history for purposes of instigating and applying the three strike
law for the instant case?
3. Whether [Appellant was afforded ineffective [assistance] of
counsel for failure to file a suppression motion seeking the
suppression of the firearm as sought by [Appellant] in a written
directive to counsel?
4. Whether [Appellant] was afforded ineffective assistance of
counsel in that [] defense counsel only met with him twice prior
to trial and then principally for the purpose of relaying plea offers
____________________________________________
5 In its Rule 907 Notice, the PCRA court addressed Appellant’s challenge to
the legality of sentence, Appellant’s claims of trial counsel’s ineffectiveness for
failing to request suppression of the gun and failing to call Ebony Flemings,
and Appellant’s claim of an alleged Brady violation. See Rule 907 Notice,
filed 10/30/17, at 6-15. The PCRA court discussed trial counsel’s testimony
regarding why Ebony Flemings did not testify at trial, referencing the Oct. 24,
2017 hearing. Id. at 15. With respect to the other ineffectiveness claims,
the court concluded: “[a]fter close analysis, Petitioner’s remaining claims are
vague, undecipherable, or clearly frivolous. As such, we will not address those
claims herein.” Rule 907 Notice at 5.
-4-
J-S43024-18
to him instead of coordinating with [Appellant] for purposes of the
preparation of a defense for trial?
5. Whether [Appellant] was afforded ineffective assistance of
counsel in failing to argue that given the circumstance that the
alleged victim, Bryce Moffett, who had an extensive criminal
record, was found in possession of a sawed-off shotgun, that
Moffet [sic] was motivated and had an interest n falsely accusing
and concocting the allegations against [Appellant] to offset and
draw the attention of the police from his own criminal conduct in
regard to possessing a prohibited firearm?
6. Whether Counsel was ineffective in failing to call Ebony
Flemings as a defense witness or otherwise upon her failure to
abide by a subpoena to move for a continuance of the trial or a
mistrial given the absence of this material witness for the defense?
7. Whether the Commonwealth committed a Brady violation in
failing to provide evidence requested in discovery in the nature of
small pictures that were introduced at trial of the alleged victim’s
jewelry?
Appellant’s Brief at 2-3 (reordered).
Standard and Scope of Review
We review the denial of a PCRA Petition to determine whether the record
supports the PCRA court’s findings and whether its order is otherwise free of
legal error. Commonwealth v. Fears, 86 A.3d 795, 803 (Pa. 2014). This
Court grants great deference to the findings of the PCRA court if they are
supported by the record. Commonwealth v. Boyd, 923 A.2d 513, 515 (Pa.
Super. 2007). We give no such deference, however, to the court’s legal
conclusions. Commonwealth v. Ford, 44 A.3d 1190, 1194 (Pa. Super.
2012).
-5-
J-S43024-18
Legality of Sentence
In Appellant’s first two issues, he challenges the sentencing court’s
application of 42 Pa.C.S. § 9714(a)(2), the three-strikes sentencing provision
that imposes a mandatory minimum term of incarceration of 25 years if a
defendant has previously been convicted of two crimes of violence.6 Appellant
avers that Alleyne v. United States, 570 U.S. 99 (2013), “has now been
applied in the Commonwealth to serve to strike certain mandatory minimum
sentencing schemes.” Appellant’s Brief at 7. He also asserts, without telling
us what the prior convictions are, that his “prior criminal convictions did not
comport with a crime of violence as mandated under this sentencing
provision.” Appellant’s Brief at 7. Appellant concludes, without any analysis
at all, that his “case falls squarely within the parameters of” Alleyne, supra,
and Commonwealth v. Newman, 99 A.3d 86 (Pa. Super. 2014). Appellant’s
Brief at 7.
In Alleyne v. United States, 570 U.S. 99 (2013), the U.S. Supreme
Court held that “facts that increase mandatory minimum sentences must be
____________________________________________
6 Appellant’s prior crimes include (1) on May 8, 2001, at Allegheny County
docket 11762 of 1999, Appellant pled guilty to one count of Burglary pursuant
to 18 Pa.C.S. § 3502(a), and one count of Robbery pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S. §
3701(a)(1); (2) on February 3, 2004, at Allegheny County docket 14837 of
2002, Appellant pled guilty to 5 counts of Robbery pursuant to 18 Pa. C.S. §
3701(a)(1) and one count of Aggravated Assault pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S. §
2702(a). Rule 907 Notice of Intent, dated Oct. 30, 2017, at 7 (citing
Commonwealth’s Notice of Applicability of Mandatory Minimum Sentence,
dated Apr. 15, 2014, at ¶¶2-3).
-6-
J-S43024-18
submitted to the jury” and must be found beyond a reasonable doubt.
Alleyne, supra at 116. Alleyne is an extension of the Supreme Court's line
of cases beginning with Apprendi v. New Jersey, 530 U.S. 466 (2000).
Most relevant to the case before us, the Apprendi Court specifically exempted
the fact of a prior conviction from its holding. Id. Thus, the Commonwealth
need not present the existence of a prior conviction to a jury and prove it
beyond a reasonable doubt before a trial court may impose a mandatory
sentence based upon that conviction. See Commonwealth v. Hale, 85 A.3d
570, 585 n. 13 (Pa. Super. 2013) (“Prior convictions are the remaining
exception to [Apprendi and Alleyne], insofar as a fact-finder is not required
to determine disputed convictions beyond a reasonable doubt to comport with
the Sixth Amendment jury trial right.”). See also Commonwealth v.
Griffin, 804 A.2d 1, 18 (Pa. Super. 2002) (observing that in the wake of
Apprendi, if an enhanced sentence is based upon the fact of a prior
conviction, then the sentence is constitutional). Because the application of
the mandatory sentence for a third-strike offense is triggered exclusively by
the existence of a prior conviction, Alleyne has no application here.
Pennsylvania’s three-strike rule provides, in relevant part, as follows:
(a) Mandatory sentence.--
(1) Any person who is convicted in any court of this
Commonwealth of a crime of violence shall, if at the time of the
commission of the current offense the person had previously been
convicted of a crime of violence, be sentenced to a minimum
sentence of at least ten years of total confinement,
notwithstanding any other provision of this title or other statute
-7-
J-S43024-18
to the contrary. Upon a second conviction for a crime of violence,
the court shall give the person oral and written notice of the
penalties under this section for a third conviction for a crime of
violence. Failure to provide such notice shall not render the
offender ineligible to be sentenced under paragraph (2).
(2) Where the person had at the time of the commission of the
current offense previously been convicted of two or more such
crimes of violence arising from separate criminal transactions, the
person shall be sentenced to a minimum sentence of at least 25
years of total confinement, notwithstanding any other provision of
this title or other statute to the contrary. Proof that the offender
received notice of or otherwise knew or should have known of the
penalties under this paragraph shall not be required. Upon
conviction for a third or subsequent crime of violence the court
may, if it determines that 25 years of total confinement is
insufficient to protect the public safety, sentence the offender to
life imprisonment without parole.
42 Pa. C.S. § 9714(a)(1), (2).
Section 9714(g) defines “crime of violence” to include burglary and
robbery. “Thus, the sentence enhancement applies to a person who is
convicted of robbery or burglary and has previously been convicted of two or
more crimes of violence arising from separate criminal transactions.”
Commonwealth v. McClintic, 909 A.2d 1241, 1249 (Pa. 2006).
At Appellant’s sentencing hearing, after Appellant’s counsel objected to
the application of the three-strike rule, Appellant admitted that he had been
convicted of the prior robbery and burglary crimes noted above. See N.T.
Sentencing, 6/27/17, at 9-12.
In its “Rule 907 Notice,” the PCRA court reviewed the three-strikes
provision, as well as the public policy supporting it, before concluding:
-8-
J-S43024-18
[Appellant] had two prior robbery convictions on two separate
Allegheny County dockets arising from two separate criminal
transactions. [Appellant] admitted to those prior robbery
convictions and admitted that those convictions at those particular
dockets were indeed his. This Court afforded [Appellant] every
opportunity to contest the fact of his two prior convictions as the
foundation for a sentence under the Three Strikes sentencing
statute. [Appellant] declined to contest those convictions.
[Appellant’s] conviction in Erie County at the above noted Docket
number was his third conviction for a violent offense. Therefore,
[Appellant] was lawfully sentenced pursuant to the mandatory
Three Strikes Offender provisions of 42 Pa.C.S. § 9714(a)(1)-(2).
Rule 907 Notice of Intent at 9.
We conclude that the PCRA Court properly dismissed Appellant’s
Alleyne challenge and the challenge to the application of the three-strikes
rule. Appellant admitted that he had committed both robberies and the
burglary offense, both of which are predicate “crimes of violence” as defined
in Section 9714(g). Therefore, the language of Section 9714(a)(2) required
a sentence enhancement for Appellant because he was convicted of a crime
of violence, robbery or burglary, and “at the time of the commission of the
current offense,” had two convictions for predicate crimes. Accordingly,
Appellant’s first and second issues are without merit.7
____________________________________________
7 To the extent Appellant asserts in one sentence that trial and appellate
counsel were ineffective for failing to raise these legality of sentence issues,
no relief is due. See Commonwealth v. Freeland, 106 A.3d 768, 778 (Pa.
Super. 2014) (citation omitted) (observing that “it is axiomatic that counsel
will not be considered ineffective for failing to pursue meritless claims.”
(brackets and citation omitted)).
-9-
J-S43024-18
Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
Appellant’s next four issues pertain to the stewardship provided by trial
counsel. The law presumes counsel has rendered effective assistance, and
the burden of demonstrating ineffectiveness rests with an appellant.
Commonwealth v. Rivera, 10 A.3d 1276, 1279 (Pa. Super. 2010). To
satisfy this burden, Appellant must plead and prove by a preponderance of
the evidence that: (1) the underlying legal claim has arguable merit; (2)
counsel had no reasonable basis for acting or failing to act; and (3) the
petitioner suffered resulting prejudice. Commonwealth v. Reyes-
Rodriguez, 111 A.3d 775, 780 (Pa. Super. 2015); Commonwealth v.
Pierce, 527 A.2d 973, 975-76 (Pa. 1987). A petitioner must prove all three
factors or the claim fails. Commonwealth v. Baumhammers, 92 A.3d 708,
719 (Pa. 2014). Courts will not find counsel ineffective for failing to pursue a
baseless or meritless claim. Commonwealth v. Taylor, 933 A.2d 1035,
1042 (Pa. Super. 2007).
We will address each of the issues underlying the four ineffectiveness
claims seriatim.
Suppression
Appellant contends that trial counsel should have filed a Motion to
Suppress the firearm because “[t]he firearm and the jewelry of the alleged
victim, Bryce Moffett, were the product of a search and seizure of [Appellant’s]
vehicle and constituted a significant factor in the cumulative evidence
- 10 -
J-S43024-18
proffered by the Commonwealth. The failure to articulate and raise a
suppression claim to the subject search and seizure served to unduly prejudice
[Appellant].” Appellant’s Brief at 9.
Appellant fails to provide any development of the suppression claim
beyond the above conclusory statements. We could, thus, find the issue
waived. However, the PCRA court addressed the issue, after noting:
“[Appellant] claims the firearm presented into evidence was prejudicial
because other than the victim’s testimony, there was no proof that it was the
same firearm used in the robbery.” Rule 907 Notice, dated 10/30/17, at 9.
The PCRA court noted the following facts with respect to the firearm:
At trial, Erie Police Detective Jason Triana testified that Bryce
Moffett provided a specific description of Appellant’s firearm. A
firearm matching Moffett’s description was recovered from
Appellant’s vehicle. Furthermore, Moffett identified the recovered
firearm as the weapon used in the robbery.
After the testimony of Detective Triana, [Appellant’s] counsel
moved to strike the admission of the firearm into evidence. In
response, the following discussion occurred:
Defense counsel: Just a couple of things, Your Honor. I
didn’t want to interrupt, and based on the testimony that’s
presented, I would move to strike the admission of the gun
into evidence. Under the circumstances that we have here,
while the witness has already testified and Mr. Moffett has
testified that it’s the same gun. Obviously he can’t identify
the same gun.
The court: It’s similar.
Defense counsel: Similar. In this particular case there – and
while, in fact, the officer – the detective has testified that the
firearm was found in the gun, there has been –
- 11 -
J-S43024-18
The Court: In the car, you mean?
Defense counsel: I’m sorry, in the car.
The Court: Under the driver’s seat?
Defense counsel: The car under the driver’s seat. We don’t
have any testimony that, in fact – other than hearsay
information, that Appellant was driving the vehicle or was in
– nearby to the particular gun.
The court: I think you do. I don’t need to hear from the
prosecutor. There’s testimony that his officer arrived there
moments after the car stopped and sees Appellant outside
the car and he doesn’t see anyone else there. So I think
there’s clearly, by circumstantial evidence and the exclusion
of the obvious, there’s no one else there and he’s in
handcuffs. Did he see him behind the wheel operating the
vehicle? No, but he arrives within moments, from a fair
reading of the evidence, and he’s there in handcuffs and no
one else is around, so I think that’s enough.
Would it have been better if the Commonwealth produced the
officer that stopped him? I think it would have been. I don’t
think it’s required for the motion, at this point in time.
(Complete Trial Transcript (Day 1), 04/10/14, at 125-26). Based
upon the above, there was no error in admitting the firearm into
evidence. As noted above, Moffett provided police with a specific
description of the firearm which was shortly thereafter recovered
at the scene of the [Appellants] arrest. Moffett unequivocally
testified that the recovered firearm was the weapon [Appellant]
used during the robbery. [ ] Accordingly, the firearm was properly
admitted into evidence. Furthermore, [Appellant’s] counsel was
not ineffective for failing to object to its admission, since he did
object and said objections was appropriately denied.
PCRA Ct. Rule 907 Notice, at 10-11 (internal citation to N.T. and footnote
omitted; some brackets omitted).
- 12 -
J-S43024-18
In light of the above analysis, we cannot conclude that Appellant
suffered any prejudice from his counsel’s failure to file a motion to suppress
as it would likely have been denied. Thus, this ineffectiveness claim fails.
Counsel’s alleged lack of preparation
Appellant next avers that trial counsel provided ineffective assistance
because he met with Appellant only twice prior to trial to convey plea offers
from the Commonwealth. He contends only that at no time did counsel meet
with him to prepare for trial or discuss strategy. Appellant’s Brief at 9-10.
Appellant has failed to provide any argument beyond this bare assertion.8
“The failure to develop an adequate argument in an appellate brief may
result in waiver of the claim under Pa.R.A.P. 2119.” Commonwealth v.
Beshore, 916 A.2d 1128, 1140 (Pa. Super. 2007) (citation, quotation marks
and brackets omitted). “While this Court may overlook minor defects or
omissions in an appellant's brief, we will not act as his or her appellate
counsel.” Commonwealth v. Freeman, 128 A.3d 1231, 1249 (Pa. Super.
2015) (citation omitted). Appellant has made no effort whatsoever to discuss
the applicable law or to link the facts of his case to that law. His failure to
____________________________________________
8 Moreover, Appellant’s brief averment fails to impugn trial counsel’s strategy,
which, based on our review of the record, appeared to be that the robbery
never occurred and the victim was lying because he himself had been arrested
for carrying a sawed-off shotgun. See N.T. Trial, 4/11/14, at 19. Appellant
does not assert that he disagreed with that strategy or how counsel presented
that strategy at trial.
- 13 -
J-S43024-18
develop a coherent legal argument in support of his claim results in waiver of
this issue. See also Pa.R.A.P. 2119 (briefing requirements).
Failure to argue the victim’s motive to lie
Appellant next asserts that counsel was ineffective for failing to argue
that the victim falsely accused Appellant due to his own extensive criminal
record. See Appellant’s Brief at 10. Again, Appellant fails to develop this
argument. He does not cite to the record or to case law. He provides no legal
analysis. For these reasons alone, we conclude he has waived the claim. See
Pa.R.A.P. 2119, Beshore, supra, Freeman, supra.
Moreover, our review of the transcript from the closing argument belies
Appellant’s claim. Defense counsel’s closing argument focused solely on the
victim’s motive to lie and the victim’s prior record. N.T. Trial, 4/11/14, at 4-
22. Thus, even if the claim were not waived, we would conclude it is without
merit.
Failure to ensure presence of witness at trial
In his next issue, presented in one sentence, Appellant contends counsel
was ineffective “in failing to call Ebony Flemings as a defense witness or
otherwise upon her failure to abide by subpoena to move for a continuance of
the trial or a mistrial given the absence of this material witness for the
defense.” Appellant’s Brief at 11. As with the prior issues, Appellant has
utterly failed to develop an argument on this issue and it is, thus, waived.
- 14 -
J-S43024-18
Moreover, this issue is the sole issue upon which the PCRA Court held a
hearing. Appellant fails to acknowledge the PCRA court’s disposition of this
issue, as provided in its Pa.R.Crim.P. 907 Notice. In addressing this issue, the
PCRA court noted that Appellant’s trial counsel had testified that he had, in
fact, subpoenaed Ms. Flemings to testify at trial; the subpoena was duly
served; and on the day of trial, she failed to appear. Tr.Ct.Op., at 15. Counsel
also testified that “when a witness failed to appear for trial, it was his regular
practice to consult with his client in order to determine whether they should
proceed without the witness or whether they should request a continuance
until the witness could be found.” Id. The PCRA court noted that trial counsel
did not have a recollection of what happened after Ms. Flemings failed to
appear. The court also observed that counsel had testified that there were
downsides to calling Ms. Flemings because she would have placed Appellant
at the scene of the crime. Id.
In order to establish ineffective assistance for failing to call a witness,
the petitioner must prove, inter alia, that the witness was available and willing
to testify for the defense, and that the witness’s testimony “would have been
beneficial under the circumstances of the case.” Commonwealth v. Sneed,
45 A.3d 1096, 1109 (Pa. 2012) (citation omitted). Because Ms. Flemings fled
prior to trial, Appellant cannot prove that she was available and willing to
testify for the defense. In fact, her fleeing is a clear indication that she was
not available or willing to testify. Moreover, counsel testified that her
- 15 -
J-S43024-18
testimony would have put Appellant at the scene of the crime, which would
not have been beneficial to Appellant. Thus, even if Appellant had not waived
this claim, we would conclude it is meritless.
Brady Claim
Appellant’s last claim is that the Commonwealth violated Brady9 by
failing to provide small pictures of the victim’s jewelry to defense counsel
before presenting them to the jury at trial, and trial counsel was ineffective
for failing to object to the admission of the photos. Appellant’s Brief at 10.
Once again, Appellant has failed to develop this claim beyond its bare
allegations. It is, thus, waived.
Moreover, even if Appellant had not waived the issue, it would garner
no relief. In Brady, the United States Supreme Court held that “the
suppression by the prosecution of evidence favorable to an accused upon
request violates due process where the evidence is material either to guilt or
to punishment, irrespective of the good faith or bad faith of the prosecution.”
373 U.S. at 87.
The PCRA Court addressed this claim as follows:
Here, Petitioner claims that the photographs of the victim’s
jewelry found in [Appellant’s] vehicle were admitted into evidence
without having been disclosed to the defense and without
objection by Appellant’s trial counsel. To be clear, this is not a
Brady situation in which exculpatory or impeachment evidence
was withheld from trial or from the defense. On the contrary,
Appellant complains that the photos that the Commonwealth
____________________________________________
9 Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83, 87 (1963).
- 16 -
J-S43024-18
submitted at trial were used to condemn Appellant and that
defense counsel was not prepared to defend against the previously
undisclosed photographs. Since the purportedly undisclosed
photographs do not constitute materially exculpatory or
impeachment evidence, Brady is inapplicable.
Rule 907 Notice at 13.
We agree with the PCRA court’s analysis. The photographs were not
favorable to Appellant and were, thus, not directly exculpatory evidence or
impeachment evidence. Accordingly, there was no Brady violation. Because
there is no merit to the underlying issue, Appellant’s ineffectiveness claim
fails.
Based on our review, we conclude that the PCRA court’s dismissal is
supported by the record and free of legal error.
Order affirmed.
Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary
Date: 1/29/2019
- 17 -