J-S47001-24
NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT O.P. 65.37
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF : PENNSYLVANIA : v. : : : JASON CISNE : : Appellant : No. 632 EDA 2024
Appeal from the PCRA Order Entered April 4, 2022 In the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County Criminal Division at No(s): CP-51-CR-0006829-2008
BEFORE: KUNSELMAN, J., SULLIVAN, J., and BECK, J.
MEMORANDUM BY SULLIVAN, J.: FILED JUNE 12, 2025
Jason Cisne (“Cisne”) appeals pro se from the order dismissing his
petition filed pursuant to the Post Conviction Relief Act (“PCRA”). 1 We affirm
in part and vacate in part and remand for further proceedings. Specifically,
we affirm the order in all respects except for the issue of whether Cisne is due
credit for time served in custody prior to his plea and sentencing.
The relevant factual and procedural history of this case is as follows. In
March 2010, Cisne pled guilty to third-degree murder, possession of a firearm
prohibited (“person not to possess”), and possessing an instrument of crime.
The factual basis included a statement by an eyewitness to the murder, Javier
Selgado (“Selgado”), in which Selgado stated that around 11:00 p.m., he saw
Phillip Underwood (“Underwood”) lying face-up on a sidewalk, when Cisne
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1 See 42 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 9541-9546. J-S47001-24
pulled out a gun and shot Underwood in the left shoulder, two times in the
chest, the abdomen, and the left thigh. See N.T., 3/1/10, at 9. Additionally,
an expert in forensic pathology opined that the multiple gunshot wounds
caused Underwood’s death, and the manner of death was homicide. Further,
Cisne had a prior conviction for possession with intent to deliver a controlled
substance, making him ineligible to possess a firearm. See id. at 9-10.
At the guilty plea hearing, Cisne stated, under oath, that he was
pleading guilty because he was guilty, that it was his voluntary decision, that
we was not suffering from mental health issues, nor was he under the
influence of any drugs or alcohol. See id. at 6-7. Additionally, he stated he
was satisfied with the representation by plea counsel, Joseph Santaguida, Esq.
(“Attorney Santaguida”). See id. at 8. Cisne then waived his right to a
presentence investigation report (“PSI”). See id. at 11. During allocution,
Cisne apologized to Selgado’s family and explained: “I was young. I made a
decision. It cost me my freedom. It cost my family, too. God forgives. I
hope they can forgive me, too. That’s all I can say. There’s nothing much
else I can do to bring him back. That’s why I’m taking this guilty plea.” Id.
at 21. The trial court thereafter sentenced Cisne to the jointly recommended
sentence of twenty-five to fifty years of imprisonment. See id. at 2-3
(statement of negotiated recommended sentence); id. at 22 (imposition of
sentence in accordance with the negotiated guilty plea). Accord Order,
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3/1/10 (imposing an aggregate sentence of twenty-five to fifty years of
imprisonment).
Cisne did not take a direct appeal, but filed a first PCRA petition, which
the PCRA court dismissed. This Court likewise determined Cisne’s issues were
meritless except for his claim that plea counsel failed to file a requested direct
appeal. This Court vacated the dismissal order and remanded for an
evidentiary hearing on the limited issue of whether plea counsel failed to file
a requested direct appeal. The PCRA court subsequently granted relief and
reinstated Cisne’s direct appeal rights. On direct appeal, this Court vacated
the judgment of sentence and remanded for the trial court to determine
whether Cisne had been subjected to an unconstitutional mandatory minimum
sentence. See Commonwealth v. Cisne, No. 1179 EDA 2017 (Pa. Super.
2019) (unpublished memorandum at 2-3) (summarizing the procedural
history of this case). The trial court concluded Cisne had not been subjected
to an unconstitutional mandatory minimum sentence, and reimposed the
same sentence in March 2017, and this Court affirmed on January 7, 2019.
See id. at 1, 4, 7. Cisne did not file a petition for allowance of appeal with
our Supreme Court. Thereafter, on December 6, 2019, he filed a timely pro
se PCRA petition.
In his pro se petition, Cisne asserted the following claims: (1) the trial
court erred in failing to order a PSI and by not stating on the record its reasons
for the sentence; (2) the court imposed an illegal mandatory minimum
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sentence; (3) counsel at the 2017 resentencing hearing failed to timely file a
post-sentence motion; (4) the trial court deviated from the applicable
sentencing guidelines; (5) the trial court failed to award credit for time served;
and (6) Attorney Santaguida was ineffective for failing to investigate alibi
witnesses prior to Cisne’s guilty plea. See generally PCRA Pet., 12/6/19.
The PCRA court appointed counsel (“PCRA counsel”), 2 who filed a “no
merit” letter pursuant to Commonwealth v. Turner, 544 A.2d 927 (Pa.
1988) and Commonwealth v. Finley, 550 A.2d 213 (Pa. Super. 1988) (en
banc). See Finley Letter, 2/5/22. PCRA counsel also moved to withdraw.
See Motion to Withdraw, 2/6/22. The PCRA court issued a Pa.R.Crim.P. 907
notice of its intent to dismiss the case in March 2022 and dismissed the
petition on April 4, 2022.3 Cisne later submitted two pro se filings in
September and December 2022 seeking the docket for his case and indicating
he had not been served with the dismissal order, after which the PCRA court
granted PCRA counsel’s motion to withdraw and reinstated Cisne’s right to
appeal from the dismissal order. See Order, 2/9/24. Cisne timely appealed,
2The appointment order appears to be missing from the certified record. However, the docket indicates PCRA counsel was appointed in August 2021.
3 The order dismissing Cisne’s PCRA petition is not contained in the certified
record, though it is docketed on April 4, 2022.
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see Notice of Appeal, 2/20/24, and both he and the PCRA court complied with
Pa.R.A.P. 1925.4
Cisne raises the following issues for our review:
I. Did [Cisne] have ineffective assistance of counsel [rendered by several prior attorneys]?
II. Did the Commonwealth withheld [sic] evidence [in] Cisne's favor?
III. I am confined in violation of the [c]onstitution, laws, or treaties-of the United States[.]
IV. Did all prior counsel provided ineffective assistance of counsel when they failed to investigate this case and Cisne pled guilty in the account [sic] he would get 15-30 years?
V. Does the sentencing merge to 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9765 for this single incident so I should have received 20-40 years?
VI. Did the Common Pleas Court error [sic] by adopting PCRA counsel’s no-merit letter[,] and PCRA counsel provided ineffectiveness in violation of the 6th Amendment?
VII. Did PCRA and all counsel’s [sic] above rendered ineffectiveness by failing to amend PCRA and failed to raise all issues preserved in state court ? . . ..
VIII. Is [Cisne] entitled to remand and new counsel appointed to raise all ground for relief?
IX. Is [Cisne] entitled to a hearing with new counsel appointed ?
4 We note with disapproval that Cisne raised eleven asserted errors in his Rule
1925(b) statement, yet the PCRA court responded to just one of them in its opinion. Compare Rule 1925(b) Statement, 3/14/24 with PCRA Ct. Op., 7/25/24.
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X. Is [Cisne] confined in violation of Brady, and Strickland court[5] [sic] and nothing was done on the (3) remands by the Superior Court . . .?
XI. Did the sentencing court fail to award all credit for everyday [sic] Cisne was confined resulting in an illegal sentence ?
Cisne’s Br. at 4-5 (issues re-ordered for ease of disposition).
Our standard of review of an order dismissing a PCRA petition is well-
settled:
Our 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 from legal error. We view the record in the light most favorable to the prevailing party in the PCRA court. We are bound by any credibility determinations made by the PCRA court where they are supported by the record. However, we review the PCRA court’s legal conclusions de novo.
Commonwealth v. Staton, 184 A.3d 949, 954 (Pa. 2018) (internal citation
and quotations omitted). “Moreover, we must conduct our review in the light
most favorable to the prevailing party, in this instance, the Commonwealth.”
Commonwealth v. Rizor, 304 A.3d 1034, 1058 (Pa. 2023) (internal citation
omitted). The PCRA petitioner “has the burden to persuade this Court that
the PCRA court erred and that such error requires relief.” Commonwealth
v. Wholaver, 177 A.3d 136, 144–45 (Pa. 2018) (internal citations omitted).
Further, “it is well settled that this Court may affirm a valid judgment or order
5 See Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83 (1963); Strickland v. Washington,
466 U.S. 668 (1984).
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for any reason appearing as of record.” Id. at 145 (internal citation omitted).
Lastly, a PCRA court may decline to hold an evidentiary hearing if a claim is
patently frivolous and has no support in the record or other evidence; but if
there are factual issues to be resolved, the court should hold an evidentiary
hearing. See Commonwealth v. Grayson, 212 A.3d 1047, 1054 (Pa. Super.
2019).
In his first issue, Cisne asserts ineffective assistance of counsel,
apparently as it pertains to the validity of his guilty plea. For ineffective
assistance of counsel claims, the petitioner bears the burden of demonstrating
(1) that the underlying claim is of arguable merit; (2) that counsel had no
reasonable basis designed to effectuate the petitioner’s interests for the act
or omission in question; and (3) that counsel’s ineffectiveness actually
prejudiced the petitioner. See Commonwealth v. Moser, 921 A.2d 526,
531 (Pa. Super. 2007).6
6 Regarding “arguable merit,” this Court has provided that, “[t]he first inquiry
in an ineffectiveness claim is always whether the issue/argument/tactic which counsel has foregone and which forms the basis for the assertion of ineffectiveness is of arguable merit; for counsel cannot be considered ineffective for failing to assert a meritless claim.” Commonwealth v. Lott, 581 A.2d 612, 614 (Pa. Super. 1990) (internal citation and quotations omitted). For the “reasonable basis” prong, the petitioner must show that counsel “had no reasonable basis designed to effectuate his client’s interests.” Id. (internal citation and quotations omitted). Lastly, to establish prejudice, the petitioner “must show that there is a reasonable probability that the outcome of the proceedings would have been different but for counsel’s action or inaction.” Commonwealth v. Brown, 161 A.3d 960, 965 (Pa. Super. 2017) (internal citation omitted).
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An assertion of ineffectiveness in connection with the entry of a guilty
plea merits relief only if the ineffectiveness caused the defendant to enter an
involuntary or unknown plea:
Where the defendant enters his plea on the advice of counsel, the voluntariness of the plea depends on whether counsel’s advice was within the range of competence demanded of attorneys in criminal cases. Thus, to establish prejudice, the defendant must show that there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel’s errors, he would not have pleaded guilty and would have insisted on going to trial.
Commonwealth v. Pier, 182 A.3d 476, 478–79 (Pa. Super. 2018) (internal
citations, quotations, and footnote omitted). Following successful plea
negotiations and a plea of guilty, a defendant is bound by his statements made
during the plea colloquy. See Commonwealth v. Reid, 117 A.3d 777, 783
(Pa. Super. 2015). “The law does not require that [the defendant] be pleased
with the outcome of his decision to enter a plea of guilty: All that is required
is that his decision to plead guilty be knowingly, voluntarily, and intelligently
made.” Commonwealth. v. Timchak, 69 A.3d 765, 770 (Pa. Super. 2013)
(internal citation, quotations, and brackets omitted). Accord
Commonwealth v. Brown, 48 A.3d 1275, 1277 (Pa. Super. 2012).
Cisne argues that he received ineffective assistance of counsel because
all of his attorneys failed to investigate his case or consider his alibi defense.
See Cisne’s Br. at 8. Cisne attaches to his brief affidavits purportedly by the
mother of his child, and her mother, indicating he was home at the time of
Selgado’s murder. See id. at App’x C.
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Following our review, we conclude this issue merits no relief. 7 We note
Cisne pled guilty and received the agreed-upon sentence. At the sentencing
hearing, he indicated he was satisfied with Attorney Santaguida’s
representation, affirmed that he was pleading guilty because he was guilty,
and that the plea was voluntary. Additionally, the factual basis of the plea
included a statement by an eyewitness to the murder incriminating Cisne.
Further, and crucially, Cisne fails to show prejudice, i.e., that but for Attorney
Santaguida’s alleged ineffectiveness in failing to interview Cisne’s alibi
witnesses, there was a reasonable probability that Cisne would not have
pleaded guilty, but instead would have proceeded to trial. See Pier, 182 A.3d
at 478-79 (requiring a showing of prejudice in support of a challenge to the
validity of a guilty plea). Accordingly, Cisne is due no relief on his first issue.
In his second issue, Cisne argues the Commonwealth withheld favorable
evidence, including witnesses, physical evidence, discovery, and that it relied
on “false testimony” to convict him. See Cisne’s Br. at 9. Before considering
the merits of this issue, we must determine whether it is waived. Where an
appellant fails to develop an issue or cite legal authority, we will find waiver
of that issue. See Commonwealth v. Midgley, 289 A.3d 1111, 1118 (Pa.
7 As a threshold matter, we note this claim arguably has been previously litigated. In Commonwealth v. Cisne, No. 1133 EDA 2013 (Pa. Super. 2014) (unpublished memorandum at 4-5), this Court held that Cisne’s claim that plea counsel failed to interview witnesses was meritless. However, our review of Cisne’s PCRA prior petition reveals that he did not plead the names of the witnesses plea counsel allegedly failed to interview.
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Super. 2023) (discussing Pa.R.A.P. 2119(a)). This Court will find waiver
where an appellant presents generalized assertions, consisting of factually and
legally undeveloped claims, in lieu of argument. See Commonwealth v.
Spotz, 18 A.3d 244, 262 n.9, 326 (Pa. 2011).
Our review of Cisne’s brief on this issue discloses that he asserts the
Commonwealth withheld witnesses and physical evidence and full discovery,
and presented false testimony, but he fails to specify which evidence the
Commonwealth withheld—or which false evidence it relied on—and how it
prejudiced him. See Cisne’s Br. at 9-10. Cisne’s argument is thus factually
and legally undeveloped, which impedes our review. Consequently, this issue
is waived. See Spotz, 18 A.3d at 262 n.9.
In his third issue, Cisne argues several constitutional violations and
contests the sufficiency of the evidence of his convictions. We note Cisne’s
argument consists of one paragraph of factually and legally unsupported
assertions of constitutional violations. See Cisne’s Br. at 10. This
undeveloped issue is waived. See Midgley, 289 A.3d at 1118; Spotz, 18
A.3d at 262 n.9, 326.
In his fourth issue, Cisne argues prior counsel were ineffective for failing
to procure a PSI; plea counsel coerced him into pleading guilty by promising
him a fifteen- to thirty-year sentence and that the trial court sentenced him
outside of the plea agreement. See Cisne’s Br. at 11.
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Following our review, we conclude these arguments merit no relief. The
record shows Cisne affirmed that he had not been coerced into pleading guilty,
and that the negotiated sentence of an aggregate of twenty-five to fifty years
of imprisonment was placed on the record prior to his plea, and the trial court
sentenced him in accordance with the negotiated plea agreement. See N.T.,
3/1/10, at 2-4, 6-7, 22. Additionally, as noted above, Cisne waived his right
to a PSI as part of a negotiated plea. See id. at 2, 11. Because a PSI would
have served no purpose in these circumstances, counsel cannot be ineffective
for advising Cisne to waive his right to a PSI. See Commonwealth v. Myhre,
256 A.3d 39, 2021 WL 1990226 (Pa. Super. 2021) (unpublished memorandum
at *4, *12) (affirming a denial of relief under these circumstances because,
while the petitioner pled guilty without a PSI, the PSI would not have changed
the sentence imposed because the petitioner was sentenced pursuant to a
negotiated plea agreement); Pa.R.A.P. 126(b).8
8 To the extent Cisne challenges his sentence directly because the trial court
did not order a PSI, this argument is waived. Cisne could have raised the absence of a PSI on direct appeal, but did not. See 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9543(a)(3); Commonwealth v. Conforti, 303 A.3d 715, 726 (Pa. 2023) (discussing section 9543(a)(3)). Additionally, a challenge to a sentence imposed without a PSI goes to the discretionary aspects of the sentence. See, e.g., Commonwealth v. Finney, 135 A.3d 1028, 1030-31 (Pa. Super. 2016) (assertion of sentencing error arising from a lack of a PSI relates to the discretionary aspects of sentencing). Challenges to the discretionary aspects of sentencing are not cognizable under the PCRA. See Commonwealth v. Hernandez, 328 A.3d 1159, 1165 n.3 (Pa. Super. 2024) (discretionary aspects of sentencing not cognizable at the PCRA stage). Additionally, a guilty plea amounts to waiver of, inter alia, challenges to the discretionary aspects (Footnote Continued Next Page)
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In his fifth issue, Cisne argues his sentence was illegal because his
sentences for third-degree murder and person not to possess should have
merged. See Cisne’s Br. at 11. Based on our review, this issue merits no
relief, as third-degree murder and person not to possess do not merge for
sentencing purposes. See 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9765 (prescribing merger where
crimes arise from a single criminal act and all of the statutory elements of one
offense are included in the elements of the other offense); Commonwealth
v. McCamey, 154 A.3d 352, 357 n.3 (Pa. Super. 2017) (discussing merger).
Here, third-degree murder requires the killing of an individual (in this case,
perpetrated with a firearm), while persons not to possess does not require a
killing; and, conversely, persons not to possess requires the possession of a
firearm with a prior disqualifying conviction, whereas a killing can be
accomplished without a prior conviction disqualifying the perpetrator from
possessing a firearm. Compare 18 Pa.C.S.A. 2502(c) with id., § 6105(a)(1).
Thus, each offense contains an element the other does not, and the
convictions do not merge for purposes of sentencing. See 42 Pa.C.S.A.
§ 9765.
In his sixth and seventh issues, Cisne argues PCRA counsel was
ineffective for filing a Turner/Finley letter. Cisne suggests that, had PCRA
counsel investigated his case, PCRA counsel would not have filed a “no merit”
of the sentence imposed pursuant to the terms of the guilty plea. See, e.g., Commonwealth v. Morrison, 173 A.3d 286, 290 (Pa. Super. 2017).
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letter, and, accordingly, PCRA counsel was ineffective, and the PCRA court
erred in dismissing his petition on this basis. See Cisne’s Br. at 12. While a
PCRA petitioner may argue for PCRA counsel’s ineffectiveness at the first
opportunity, which includes appellate review, this Court may either remand
the case for further proceedings to address material facts at issue, or,
alternatively, dispose of such claims where relief is plainly unavailable as a
matter of law. See Commonwealth v. Lawrence, 309 A.3d 152, 155 (Pa.
Super. 2024).
Our review reveals that PCRA counsel filed a “no merit” letter addressing
Cisne’s six PCRA claims. See generally Finley Letter, 2/5/22. Apart from
suggesting that PCRA counsel was ineffective merely for filing a “no merit”
letter, Cisne fails to advance anything other than boilerplate assertions of
ineffectiveness. See Cisne’s Br. at 12. This is insufficient to sustain an
appellant’s burden of showing PCRA counsel’s ineffectiveness. See
Commonwealth v. Gibson, 318 A.3d 927, 934 (Pa. Super. 2024) (noting
that boilerplate allegations and bald assertions “cannot satisfy a petitioner’s
burden to prove that counsel was ineffective”). Indeed, the appointment of
PCRA counsel, who then files a Turner/Finley letter, vindicates a petitioner’s
right to counsel, absent specific reasons that PCRA counsel’s withdrawal was
improper or that counsel was ineffective. See id. at 933.
In his eighth issue, Cisne argues he is entitled to a remand for the
appointment of new counsel to litigate his claims. Cisne advances generalized
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assertions of error without factual or legal development, and accordingly, this
issue is waived. See Midgley, 289 A.3d at 1118; Spotz, 18 A.3d at 262 n.9,
326; Gibson, 318 A.3d at 934.9 Accordingly, Cisne is not entitled to the
appointment of new counsel for any of his non-meritorious claims.
In his ninth and tenth issues, Cisne argues he is entitled to a remand
for an evidentiary hearing with newly appointed counsel to litigate his
ineffectiveness claim against Attorney Santaguida for failing to investigate his
alibi witnesses. See Cisne’s Br. at 13-14. As we noted in our review of Cisne’s
first issue, the matter of Cisne’s alibi witnesses is meritless given the
circumstances of his guilty plea. Accordingly, relief is plainly unavailable as a
matter of law, and Cisne is entitled to neither a remand nor appointment of
new counsel for this issue. See Lawrence, 309 A.3d at 155.
In his eleventh issue, Cisne asserts the PCRA court erred in dismissing
his petition insofar as he raised a claim for credit for time served prior to his
sentence. We note that an assertion that the trial court failed to award credit
for time spent in custody prior to sentencing involves the legality of the
9 Cisne suggests in passing that counsel for his resentencing hearing was ineffective for failing to file a post-sentence motion, but he does not specify what that motion should have contained or how he was prejudiced thereby. See Cisne’s Br. at 13. This argument is waived. See Spotz, 18 A.3d at 262 n.9. See also Commonwealth v. Smith, 181 A.3d 1168, 1186 (Pa. Super. 2018) (assertion of ineffectiveness for failure to file a post-sentence motion requires a showing of prejudice).
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sentence and is cognizable under the PCRA. See Commonwealth v. Fowler,
930 A.2d 586, 595 (Pa. Super. 2007).
42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9760(1) provides that a trial court shall give credit to a
defendant “for all time spent in custody as a result of the criminal charge for
which a prison sentence is imposed or as a result of the conduct on which such
a charge is based. Credit shall include credit for time spent in custody prior
to trial, during trial, pending sentence, and pending the resolution of an
appeal.” 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9760(1). This Court has explained that section 9760
embodies the principle that “a defendant should be given credit for time spent
in custody prior to sentencing for a particular offense.” Fowler, 930 A.2d at
595 (internal citation and quotations omitted) (emphasis in original).
Here, Cisne asserts he was detained solely on these charges in June
2007 in New Jersey and was extradited to Pennsylvania in March 2008. See
Cisne’s Br. at 12. He argues the trial court was required to give him credit for
time served dating back to June 2007. See also PCRA Pet., 12/6/19, at 7.
At neither his original sentencing, nor at the hearing at which the court
reimposed the same sentence, did the trial court address the issue of credit
for time served. See N.T., 3/1/10, at 21-23; N.T., 3/10/17, at 13-15. Nor
do the written sentencing orders address this question. See Sentencing
Order, 3/1/10; Sentencing Order, 3/10/17. Rather, the trial court merely
indicated that the sentence imposed in this case is concurrent to any other
sentences Cisne was serving at the time. See, e.g., N.T., 3/10/17, at 13-14.
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However whether Cisne was in fact serving any other sentences, and, if so,
from what jurisdictions and for what dates, is unclear from the record. 10
Accordingly, we are constrained to vacate the order dismissing Cisne’s
petition, and remand for further proceedings, on the limited issue of the
PCRA court determining whether Cisne was entitled to credit for time spent in
custody prior to his plea and sentencing, pursuant to section 9760(1), and, if
so, the amount of that credit. See Grayson, 212 A.3d at 1054 (a PCRA court
should hold an evidentiary hearing if there are factual issues to be resolved).
In sum: we affirm the PCRA court’s order dismissing Cisne’s petition in
all respects except for the limited issue of Cisne’s claim for time-served credit.
10 The Commonwealth suggests that Cisne received the credit he was due because of the imposition of a concurrent sentence. Because the record is unclear about what charges Cisne was incarcerated for, and when, we must reject this argument. Cf. Commonwealth’s Br. at 17-18. PCRA counsel, as well as the PCRA court, concluded responsibility for calculating Cisne’s credit lay with the Department of Corrections. See Finley Letter, 2/5/22, at 5; Rule 907 Notice, 3/14/22, at ¶ 5. This Court has explained that erroneous computations by the Department of Corrections should be brought via an original action in the Commonwealth Court; ambiguity in the sentence imposed by the court should be raised in the trial court via writ of habeas corpus ad subjiciendum; and “only when the petitioner challenges the legality of a trial court’s alleged failure to award credit for time served as required by law in imposing sentence [is that challenge] deemed cognizable . . . in PCRA proceedings.” Commonwealth v. Wheeler, 314 A.3d 1286, 1289 (Pa. Super. 2024) (internal citation omitted). Here, Cisne apparently challenges the legality of the trial court’s imposition of a sentence without credit for time served as required by law. Accordingly, it is properly raised in a PCRA petition, rather than an original action in the Commonwealth Court against the Department of Corrections.
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The PCRA court is directed to appoint new counsel to Cisne, 11 after which the
court shall hold a hearing limited to this claim, and thereafter issue an order
granting or denying PCRA relief.
Order affirmed in part, vacated in part, and remanded for further
proceedings consistent with this decision. Jurisdiction relinquished.
Date: 6/12/2025
11 PCRA petitioners have a rule-based right to the appointment of counsel for
a first petition. See Commonwealth v. Laird, 331 A.3d 579, 595 (Pa. 2025). Additionally, petitioners have a rule-based right to appointment of counsel for any claim for which the PCRA court holds an evidentiary hearing. See Pa.R.Crim.P. 904(D).
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