J-S01029-24
NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT O.P. 65.37
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF : PENNSYLVANIA : v. : : : MARK QUINTIN GALLOWAY : : Appellant : No. 623 MDA 2023
Appeal from the PCRA Order Entered April 13, 2023 In the Court of Common Pleas of Lancaster County Criminal Division at No(s): CP-36-CR-0003033-2007
BEFORE: PANELLA, P.J.E., KUNSELMAN, J., and COLINS, J.*
MEMORANDUM BY KUNSELMAN, J.: FILED: APRIL 4, 2024
Mark Quintin Galloway appeals pro se from the order denying his
untimely-filed petition pursuant to the Post Conviction Relief Act (“PCRA”). 42
Pa.C.S.A. §§ 9541-46. For the reasons that follow, we affirm.
The pertinent facts and procedural history may be summarized as
follows: On September 8, 2008, Galloway entered an open guilty plea to four
counts of attempted murder, five counts of aggravated assault, and other
charges after he shot at a group of people. On December 22, 2008, the trial
court sentenced him to an aggregate term of 41½ to 100 years in prison.
Galloway filed a post-sentence motion, which the trial court denied. Galloway
appealed. On January 6, 2010, we affirmed his judgment of sentence.
____________________________________________
* Retired Senior Judge assigned to the Superior Court. J-S01029-24
Commonwealth v. Galloway, 991 A.2d 356 (Pa. Super. 2010) (non-
precedential decision). Galloway did not seek further review.
On June 15, 2010, Galloway filed a timely pro se PCRA petition, and the
PCRA court appointed counsel. On February 22, 2011, PCRA counsel filed an
amended petition. The PCRA court held an evidentiary hearing on June 9,
2011, at which Galloway and trial counsel testified. By order entered
September 1, 2011, the PCRA court denied Galloway’s petition. Galloway
appealed. We affirmed the denial of post-conviction relief on July 19, 2012,
and our Supreme Court denied Galloway’s petition of allowance of appeal on
April 26, 2013. Commonwealth v. Galloway, 55 A.3d 141 (Pa. Super.
2012) (non-precedential decision), appeal denied, 67 A.3d 794 (Pa. 2013).
On April 20, 2015, Galloway filed a pro se “Motion for Modification of
Order,” which the PCRA court treated as a second PCRA petition. On April 28,
2015, the PCRA court issued a Pa.R.A.P. 907 notice of its intent to dismiss
Galloway’s petition as untimely and establishing no time-bar exception.
Galloway filed a response. By order entered June 24, 2015, the PCRA court
denied Galloway’s petition. Galloway appealed. On July 25, 2015, we affirmed
the PCRA court’s order denying Galloway post-conviction relief.
Commonwealth v. Galloway, 154 A.3d 869 (Pa. Super. 2016) (non-
precedential decision). On December 28, 2016, our Supreme Court denied
Galloway’s petition for allowance of appeal. Commonwealth v. Galloway,
164 A.3d 478 (Pa. 2016).
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On December 21, 2021, Galloway filed the petition at issue which he
titled: “Petition for Post Conviction Relief Nunc Pro Tunc.” Thereafter,
Galloway filed a pro se motion for leave to amend his petition, as well as an
amended petition. The PCRA court appointed counsel. On July 28, 2022,
PCRA counsel filed a “no-merit” letter and a motion to withdraw, pursuant to
Commonwealth v. Turner, 544 A.2d 927 (Pa. 1988), and Commonwealth
v. Finley, 550 A.2d 213 (Pa. Super. 1988) (en banc). In response, Galloway
filed a motion for leave to file an amended petition, which the PCRA court
granted, and Galloway filed an amended PCRA petition on September 26,
2022. In his amended petition, Galloway argued that, although his petition
was untimely, he could establish the timeliness exception of interference by
government officials, 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9545(b)(1)(i), based upon our Supreme
Court’s decision in Commonwealth v. Bradley, 261 A.3d 381 (Pa. 2021).
On March 6, 2023, the PCRA court issued a Rule 907 notice of its intent
to dismiss Galloway’s amended PCRA petition without a hearing because it
was untimely filed. The court also permitted PCRA counsel to withdraw.
Galloway filed a response. By order entered April 13, 2023, the PCRA court
dismissed Galloway’s petition. This appeal followed. Both Galloway and the
PCRA court have complied with Pa.R.A.P. 1925.
Galloway raises the following two issues on appeal, which we state
verbatim:
(1) If the 907/Pitts Rule was created, by the Courts, as a method to raise a claim of ineffective assistance of PCRA
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counsel, then the 907/Pitts Rule is deemed flawed by the Courts isn’t that government interference?
(2) If the same Court created the 907/Pitts Rule, to raise PCRA counsel’s ineffectiveness, rules that the 907/Pitts Rule interfered with defendants right to raise an ineffective claim of PCRA counsel isn’t that government interference?
Galloway’s Brief at 4.
Before addressing these issues, we first determine whether the PCRA
court correctly concluded that his 2021 petition was untimely filed, and that
Galloway failed to establish a time-bar exception. The timeliness of a post-
conviction petition is jurisdictional. Commonwealth v. Hernandez, 79 A.3d
649, 651 (Pa. Super. 2013). Generally, a petition for relief under the PCRA,
including a second or subsequent petition, must be filed within one year of the
date the judgment becomes final unless the petition alleges, and the petitioner
proves, that an exception to the time for filing the petition is met.
The three narrow statutory exceptions to the one-year time bar are as
follows: “(1) interference by government officials in the presentation of the
claim; (2) newly discovered facts; and (3) an after-recognized constitutional
right.” Commonwealth v. Brandon, 51 A.3d 231, 233-34 (Pa. Super. 2012)
(citing 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9545(b)(1)(i-iii)). In addition, exceptions to the PCRA’s
time bar must be pled in the petition and may not be raised for the first time
on appeal. Commonwealth v. Burton, 936 A.2d 521, 525 (Pa. Super.
2007); see also Pa.R.A.P. 302(a) (providing that issues not raised before the
lower court are waived and cannot be raised for the first time on appeal).
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Moreover, a PCRA petitioner must file his petition “within one year of the date
the claim could have been presented.” 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9545(b)(2).
Finally, if a PCRA petition is untimely and the petitioner has not pled and
proven an exception, “neither this Court nor the [PCRA] court has jurisdiction
over the petition. Without jurisdiction, we simply do not have the legal
authority to address the substantive claims.” Commonwealth v.
Derrickson, 923 A.2d 466, 468 (Pa. Super. 2007) (citation omitted).
Here, Galloway’s judgment of sentence became final on February 5,
2010, thirty days after he failed to file a petition for allowance of appeal with
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J-S01029-24
NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT O.P. 65.37
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF : PENNSYLVANIA : v. : : : MARK QUINTIN GALLOWAY : : Appellant : No. 623 MDA 2023
Appeal from the PCRA Order Entered April 13, 2023 In the Court of Common Pleas of Lancaster County Criminal Division at No(s): CP-36-CR-0003033-2007
BEFORE: PANELLA, P.J.E., KUNSELMAN, J., and COLINS, J.*
MEMORANDUM BY KUNSELMAN, J.: FILED: APRIL 4, 2024
Mark Quintin Galloway appeals pro se from the order denying his
untimely-filed petition pursuant to the Post Conviction Relief Act (“PCRA”). 42
Pa.C.S.A. §§ 9541-46. For the reasons that follow, we affirm.
The pertinent facts and procedural history may be summarized as
follows: On September 8, 2008, Galloway entered an open guilty plea to four
counts of attempted murder, five counts of aggravated assault, and other
charges after he shot at a group of people. On December 22, 2008, the trial
court sentenced him to an aggregate term of 41½ to 100 years in prison.
Galloway filed a post-sentence motion, which the trial court denied. Galloway
appealed. On January 6, 2010, we affirmed his judgment of sentence.
____________________________________________
* Retired Senior Judge assigned to the Superior Court. J-S01029-24
Commonwealth v. Galloway, 991 A.2d 356 (Pa. Super. 2010) (non-
precedential decision). Galloway did not seek further review.
On June 15, 2010, Galloway filed a timely pro se PCRA petition, and the
PCRA court appointed counsel. On February 22, 2011, PCRA counsel filed an
amended petition. The PCRA court held an evidentiary hearing on June 9,
2011, at which Galloway and trial counsel testified. By order entered
September 1, 2011, the PCRA court denied Galloway’s petition. Galloway
appealed. We affirmed the denial of post-conviction relief on July 19, 2012,
and our Supreme Court denied Galloway’s petition of allowance of appeal on
April 26, 2013. Commonwealth v. Galloway, 55 A.3d 141 (Pa. Super.
2012) (non-precedential decision), appeal denied, 67 A.3d 794 (Pa. 2013).
On April 20, 2015, Galloway filed a pro se “Motion for Modification of
Order,” which the PCRA court treated as a second PCRA petition. On April 28,
2015, the PCRA court issued a Pa.R.A.P. 907 notice of its intent to dismiss
Galloway’s petition as untimely and establishing no time-bar exception.
Galloway filed a response. By order entered June 24, 2015, the PCRA court
denied Galloway’s petition. Galloway appealed. On July 25, 2015, we affirmed
the PCRA court’s order denying Galloway post-conviction relief.
Commonwealth v. Galloway, 154 A.3d 869 (Pa. Super. 2016) (non-
precedential decision). On December 28, 2016, our Supreme Court denied
Galloway’s petition for allowance of appeal. Commonwealth v. Galloway,
164 A.3d 478 (Pa. 2016).
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On December 21, 2021, Galloway filed the petition at issue which he
titled: “Petition for Post Conviction Relief Nunc Pro Tunc.” Thereafter,
Galloway filed a pro se motion for leave to amend his petition, as well as an
amended petition. The PCRA court appointed counsel. On July 28, 2022,
PCRA counsel filed a “no-merit” letter and a motion to withdraw, pursuant to
Commonwealth v. Turner, 544 A.2d 927 (Pa. 1988), and Commonwealth
v. Finley, 550 A.2d 213 (Pa. Super. 1988) (en banc). In response, Galloway
filed a motion for leave to file an amended petition, which the PCRA court
granted, and Galloway filed an amended PCRA petition on September 26,
2022. In his amended petition, Galloway argued that, although his petition
was untimely, he could establish the timeliness exception of interference by
government officials, 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9545(b)(1)(i), based upon our Supreme
Court’s decision in Commonwealth v. Bradley, 261 A.3d 381 (Pa. 2021).
On March 6, 2023, the PCRA court issued a Rule 907 notice of its intent
to dismiss Galloway’s amended PCRA petition without a hearing because it
was untimely filed. The court also permitted PCRA counsel to withdraw.
Galloway filed a response. By order entered April 13, 2023, the PCRA court
dismissed Galloway’s petition. This appeal followed. Both Galloway and the
PCRA court have complied with Pa.R.A.P. 1925.
Galloway raises the following two issues on appeal, which we state
verbatim:
(1) If the 907/Pitts Rule was created, by the Courts, as a method to raise a claim of ineffective assistance of PCRA
-3- J-S01029-24
counsel, then the 907/Pitts Rule is deemed flawed by the Courts isn’t that government interference?
(2) If the same Court created the 907/Pitts Rule, to raise PCRA counsel’s ineffectiveness, rules that the 907/Pitts Rule interfered with defendants right to raise an ineffective claim of PCRA counsel isn’t that government interference?
Galloway’s Brief at 4.
Before addressing these issues, we first determine whether the PCRA
court correctly concluded that his 2021 petition was untimely filed, and that
Galloway failed to establish a time-bar exception. The timeliness of a post-
conviction petition is jurisdictional. Commonwealth v. Hernandez, 79 A.3d
649, 651 (Pa. Super. 2013). Generally, a petition for relief under the PCRA,
including a second or subsequent petition, must be filed within one year of the
date the judgment becomes final unless the petition alleges, and the petitioner
proves, that an exception to the time for filing the petition is met.
The three narrow statutory exceptions to the one-year time bar are as
follows: “(1) interference by government officials in the presentation of the
claim; (2) newly discovered facts; and (3) an after-recognized constitutional
right.” Commonwealth v. Brandon, 51 A.3d 231, 233-34 (Pa. Super. 2012)
(citing 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9545(b)(1)(i-iii)). In addition, exceptions to the PCRA’s
time bar must be pled in the petition and may not be raised for the first time
on appeal. Commonwealth v. Burton, 936 A.2d 521, 525 (Pa. Super.
2007); see also Pa.R.A.P. 302(a) (providing that issues not raised before the
lower court are waived and cannot be raised for the first time on appeal).
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Moreover, a PCRA petitioner must file his petition “within one year of the date
the claim could have been presented.” 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9545(b)(2).
Finally, if a PCRA petition is untimely and the petitioner has not pled and
proven an exception, “neither this Court nor the [PCRA] court has jurisdiction
over the petition. Without jurisdiction, we simply do not have the legal
authority to address the substantive claims.” Commonwealth v.
Derrickson, 923 A.2d 466, 468 (Pa. Super. 2007) (citation omitted).
Here, Galloway’s judgment of sentence became final on February 5,
2010, thirty days after he failed to file a petition for allowance of appeal with
our Supreme Court. See 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9545(b)(3). Therefore, Galloway
had until February 7, 2011 to file a timely PCRA petition. 1 As Galloway filed
the petition at issue in 2021, it is patently untimely unless he has satisfied his
burden of pleading and proving that one of the enumerated exceptions
applies. See Hernandez, supra.
Galloway has failed to plead and prove any exception to the PCRA’s time
bar. In his amended petition Galloway argued that our Supreme Court’s
Bradley decision, which changed the manner in which a petitioner could raise
a claim of PCRA counsel’s ineffectiveness constituted “interference by
government officials.” We cannot agree.
1 Because the one-year date fell on a Saturday, Galloway had until the following Monday to file a timely petition for allowance of appeal. See generally, 1 Pa.C.S.A. § 1908.
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Our Supreme Court has described this time-bar exception as follows:
The governmental interference exception permits an otherwise untimely PCRA petition to be filed if it pleads and proves that “the failure to raise the claim previously was the result of interference by government officials with the presentation of the claim in violation of the Constitution or laws of this Commonwealth or the Constitution or laws of the United States[.]” 42 Pa.C.S. § 9545(b)(1)(i). In other words, [the PCRA petitioner] is required to show but for the interference of a government actor “he could not have filed his claim earlier.”
Commonwealth v. Staton, 184 A.3d 949, 955 ( Pa. 2018) (citation omitted).
Galloway cites no case authority for his proposition that a change in
Pennsylvania decisional law constitutes government interference. Indeed,
recent persuasive authority from this Court has rejected a claim that our
Supreme Court’s Bradley decision provides a basis for establishing the
governmental interference exception. See generally, Commonwealth v.
Gray, 304 A.3d 732 (Pa. Super. 2023) (non-precedential decision).
Moreover, as noted by the PCRA court, although Galloway was claiming
governmental interference, he actually wished to rely upon the Brady decision
to raise his PCRA counsel ineffectiveness claims anew. The court explained:
[Galloway] argues that the Bradley decision operates to reset the finality of his judgment [of sentence] to the date of the Bradley Opinion. This would effectively give [Galloway] one year from October 21, 2021, to file a PCRA. The [PCRA court] does not agree with this interpretation of Bradley. There is no indication in Bradley, that the Supreme Court intended the decision to reset the finality of all judgments [of sentence] decided before its Opinion. The [PCRA court] refuses to extend Bradley to allow it to operate as a reset to the finality of judgments to the date of the Bradley opinion.
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Rule 907 Notice, 3/6/23, at 6. See also Gray, at *3 (explaining that relying
on Bradley is more properly construed as pleading the ‘new constitutional
right’ exception at Section 9545(b)(1)(iii)).
Our review of recent precedent supports the PCRA court’s conclusions.
This Court has held that “[n]othing in Bradley creates a right to file a second
PCRA outside the PCRA’s one-year time limit as a method of raising
ineffectiveness of PCRA counsel or permits recognition of such a right.”
Commonwealth v. Stahl, 292 A.3d 1130, 1136 (Pa. Super. 2023). The
Stahl court clarified that “our Supreme Court in Bradley unambiguously
rejected the filing of a successive untimely PCRA petition as a permissible
method of vindicating the right to effective representation by PCRA counsel.”
Id.
In sum, Galloway’s serial PCRA petition is untimely, and he has failed to
establish a time-bar exception. As such, both the PCRA court and this Court
lack jurisdiction to consider his substantive claims. Derrickson, supra. We
therefore affirm the PCRA court’s order denying Galloway post-conviction
relief.
Order affirmed.
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Judgment Entered.
Benjamin D. Kohler, Esq. Prothonotary
Date: 04/04/2024
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