J-S11025-21
NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF : PENNSYLVANIA : v. : : : TERRANCE EDWIN PRATT : : Appellant : No. 810 WDA 2020
Appeal from the PCRA Order Entered July 10, 2020, in the Court of Common Pleas of Fayette County, Criminal Division at No(s): CP-26-CR-0000937-2016.
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF : PENNSYLVANIA : v. : : : TERRANCE EDWIN PRATT : : Appellant : No. 811 WDA 2020
Appeal from the PCRA Order Entered July 10, 2020, in the Court of Common Pleas of Fayette County, Criminal Division at No(s): CP-26-CR-0000938-2016.
BEFORE: STABILE, J., KUNSELMAN, J., and COLINS, J.*
MEMORANDUM BY KUNSELMAN, J.: FILED: JULY 8, 2021
In these consolidated, pro se appeals, Terrance Edwin Pratt asserts that
the court erred in denying his second petition for relief filed pursuant to the
____________________________________________
* Retired Senior Judge assigned to the Superior Court. J-S11025-21
Post Conviction Relief Act (“PCRA”) at two different dockets. 42 Pa.C.S.A. §§
9541-46. We affirm.
The Commonwealth charged Pratt with multiple drug and firearm-
related charges at the above dockets. Although the dockets were consolidated
below, for whatever reason, at separate trials, a jury convicted Pratt of
multiple charges at both dockets. At Case 937 of 2016, the trial court
sentenced Pratt to an aggregate term of one to three years of incarceration.
At Case 938 of 2016, the trial court sentenced Pratt to an aggregate term of
two to four years of incarceration.
Pratt filed separate appeals. This Court affirmed Pratt’s judgment of
sentence at Case 938 of 2016 on January 31, 2018, and our Supreme Court
denied his petition for allowance of appeal on July 9, 2018. Commonwealth
v. Pratt, 183 A.3d 1101 (Pa. Super. 2018) (non-precedential decision),
appeal denied, 189 A.3d 377 (Pa. 2018). We affirmed his judgment of
sentence at Case 937 of 2016 on February 14, 2018, and our Supreme Court
denied his petition for allowance of appeal on August 15, 2018.
Commonwealth v. Pratt, 185 A.3d 1120 (Pa. Super. 2018) (non-
precedential decision), appeal denied, 191 A.3d 742 (Pa. 2018). Pratt did not
seek further review at either docket.
On March 11, 2019, Pratt filed a timely PCRA petition at Case 937 of
2016, and a timely PCRA petition at Case 938 of 2016 on March 21, 2019. In
these petitions, Pratt alleged a constitutional violation, the ineffective
assistance of counsel, and the unavailability at the time of trial of exculpatory
-2- J-S11025-21
evidence. The PCRA court appointed the same attorney at each docket. After
being granted an extension, PCRA counsel filed a motion to withdraw and 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) at both dockets.
On September 9, 2019, at each docket, the PCRA court issued a
Pa.R.Crim.P. 907 notice of its intent to dismiss Pratt’s PCRA petition without a
hearing. That same day, the PCRA entered an order granting PCRA counsel’s
motion to withdraw. By order entered September 30, 2019, the PCRA court
denied the PCRA petitions. Pratt did not file an appeal at either docket.
On March 16, 2020, Pratt filed a second PCRA at Case 937 of 2016 (No.
810 WDA 2020). In this petition, he asserted that he now possessed
exculpatory evidence that was unavailable at the time of his trial. On April
20, 2020, Pratt filed a second PCRA petition at 938 of 2016 (No. 811 WDA
2020). In this petition, he alleged the ineffective assistance of trial counsel.
On May 14, 2020, the PCRA court issued separate Rule 907 notices of
its intent to dismiss Pratt’s second PCRA petitions because the issues raised
by Pratt had been previously litigated in Pratt’s first PCRA petitions. See 42
Pa.C.S.A.§ 9544(a). Pratt filed a response at each docket. By order entered
July 10, 2020, the PCRA court dismissed Pratt’s second PCRA petitions. These
timely appeals followed. Both Pratt and the PCRA court have complied with
Pa.R.A.P. 1925.
-3- J-S11025-21
This Court’s standard of review regarding an order dismissing a petition
under the PCRA is whether the determination of the PCRA court is supported
by the evidence of record and is free of legal error. Commonwealth v.
Garcia, 23 A.3d 1059, 1061 (Pa. Super. 2011). “The PCRA court’s findings
will not be disturbed unless there is no support for the findings in the certified
record.” Commonwealth v. Wah, 42 A.3d 335, 338 (Pa. Super. 2012).
Before addressing the issues Pratt raises on appeal, we must first
determine whether Pratt’s second PCRA petitions were timely filed. 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)). A PCRA
petition invoking one of these statutory exceptions must be filed within one
year of the date the claim could have been presented.” 42 Pa.C.S.A. §
9545(b)(2). Finally, 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)
-4- J-S11025-21
(providing that issues not raised before the lower court are waived and cannot
be raised for the first time on appeal).
Here, at No. 810 WDA 2020, Pratt’s judgment of sentence became final
on November 13, 2018, ninety days after our Supreme Court denied his
petition for allowance of appeal and the time for filing a writ of certiorari to
the United States Supreme Court expired. See 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9545(b)(3);
U.S.Sup.Ct.R. 13. Therefore, Pratt had until November 13, 2019, to file a
timely petition. Because Pratt filed his second petition in 2020, it is untimely
unless he has satisfied his burden of pleading and proving that one of the
enumerated exceptions applies. See Hernandez, supra.
At No. 811 WDA 2020, Pratt’s judgment of sentence became final on
Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI
J-S11025-21
NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF : PENNSYLVANIA : v. : : : TERRANCE EDWIN PRATT : : Appellant : No. 810 WDA 2020
Appeal from the PCRA Order Entered July 10, 2020, in the Court of Common Pleas of Fayette County, Criminal Division at No(s): CP-26-CR-0000937-2016.
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF : PENNSYLVANIA : v. : : : TERRANCE EDWIN PRATT : : Appellant : No. 811 WDA 2020
Appeal from the PCRA Order Entered July 10, 2020, in the Court of Common Pleas of Fayette County, Criminal Division at No(s): CP-26-CR-0000938-2016.
BEFORE: STABILE, J., KUNSELMAN, J., and COLINS, J.*
MEMORANDUM BY KUNSELMAN, J.: FILED: JULY 8, 2021
In these consolidated, pro se appeals, Terrance Edwin Pratt asserts that
the court erred in denying his second petition for relief filed pursuant to the
____________________________________________
* Retired Senior Judge assigned to the Superior Court. J-S11025-21
Post Conviction Relief Act (“PCRA”) at two different dockets. 42 Pa.C.S.A. §§
9541-46. We affirm.
The Commonwealth charged Pratt with multiple drug and firearm-
related charges at the above dockets. Although the dockets were consolidated
below, for whatever reason, at separate trials, a jury convicted Pratt of
multiple charges at both dockets. At Case 937 of 2016, the trial court
sentenced Pratt to an aggregate term of one to three years of incarceration.
At Case 938 of 2016, the trial court sentenced Pratt to an aggregate term of
two to four years of incarceration.
Pratt filed separate appeals. This Court affirmed Pratt’s judgment of
sentence at Case 938 of 2016 on January 31, 2018, and our Supreme Court
denied his petition for allowance of appeal on July 9, 2018. Commonwealth
v. Pratt, 183 A.3d 1101 (Pa. Super. 2018) (non-precedential decision),
appeal denied, 189 A.3d 377 (Pa. 2018). We affirmed his judgment of
sentence at Case 937 of 2016 on February 14, 2018, and our Supreme Court
denied his petition for allowance of appeal on August 15, 2018.
Commonwealth v. Pratt, 185 A.3d 1120 (Pa. Super. 2018) (non-
precedential decision), appeal denied, 191 A.3d 742 (Pa. 2018). Pratt did not
seek further review at either docket.
On March 11, 2019, Pratt filed a timely PCRA petition at Case 937 of
2016, and a timely PCRA petition at Case 938 of 2016 on March 21, 2019. In
these petitions, Pratt alleged a constitutional violation, the ineffective
assistance of counsel, and the unavailability at the time of trial of exculpatory
-2- J-S11025-21
evidence. The PCRA court appointed the same attorney at each docket. After
being granted an extension, PCRA counsel filed a motion to withdraw and 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) at both dockets.
On September 9, 2019, at each docket, the PCRA court issued a
Pa.R.Crim.P. 907 notice of its intent to dismiss Pratt’s PCRA petition without a
hearing. That same day, the PCRA entered an order granting PCRA counsel’s
motion to withdraw. By order entered September 30, 2019, the PCRA court
denied the PCRA petitions. Pratt did not file an appeal at either docket.
On March 16, 2020, Pratt filed a second PCRA at Case 937 of 2016 (No.
810 WDA 2020). In this petition, he asserted that he now possessed
exculpatory evidence that was unavailable at the time of his trial. On April
20, 2020, Pratt filed a second PCRA petition at 938 of 2016 (No. 811 WDA
2020). In this petition, he alleged the ineffective assistance of trial counsel.
On May 14, 2020, the PCRA court issued separate Rule 907 notices of
its intent to dismiss Pratt’s second PCRA petitions because the issues raised
by Pratt had been previously litigated in Pratt’s first PCRA petitions. See 42
Pa.C.S.A.§ 9544(a). Pratt filed a response at each docket. By order entered
July 10, 2020, the PCRA court dismissed Pratt’s second PCRA petitions. These
timely appeals followed. Both Pratt and the PCRA court have complied with
Pa.R.A.P. 1925.
-3- J-S11025-21
This Court’s standard of review regarding an order dismissing a petition
under the PCRA is whether the determination of the PCRA court is supported
by the evidence of record and is free of legal error. Commonwealth v.
Garcia, 23 A.3d 1059, 1061 (Pa. Super. 2011). “The PCRA court’s findings
will not be disturbed unless there is no support for the findings in the certified
record.” Commonwealth v. Wah, 42 A.3d 335, 338 (Pa. Super. 2012).
Before addressing the issues Pratt raises on appeal, we must first
determine whether Pratt’s second PCRA petitions were timely filed. 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)). A PCRA
petition invoking one of these statutory exceptions must be filed within one
year of the date the claim could have been presented.” 42 Pa.C.S.A. §
9545(b)(2). Finally, 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)
-4- J-S11025-21
(providing that issues not raised before the lower court are waived and cannot
be raised for the first time on appeal).
Here, at No. 810 WDA 2020, Pratt’s judgment of sentence became final
on November 13, 2018, ninety days after our Supreme Court denied his
petition for allowance of appeal and the time for filing a writ of certiorari to
the United States Supreme Court expired. See 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9545(b)(3);
U.S.Sup.Ct.R. 13. Therefore, Pratt had until November 13, 2019, to file a
timely petition. Because Pratt filed his second petition in 2020, it is untimely
unless he has satisfied his burden of pleading and proving that one of the
enumerated exceptions applies. See Hernandez, supra.
At No. 811 WDA 2020, Pratt’s judgment of sentence became final on
October 9, 2018, ninety days after our Supreme Court denied his petition for
allowance of appeal and the time for filing a writ of certiorari to the United
States Supreme Court expired. See 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9545(b)(3); U.S.Sup.Ct.R.
13. Therefore, Pratt had until October 9, 2019, to file a timely petition. Once
again, because Pratt filed his second petition in 2020, it is untimely unless he
has satisfied his burden of pleading and proving that one of the enumerated
exceptions applies. See Hernandez, supra.
Pratt has failed to plead and prove any exception to the PCRA’s time
bar. In his second petitions, Pratt did not acknowledge the PCRA’s time
restrictions or the exceptions thereto. Thus, the PCRA court lacked jurisdiction
to consider the merits of Pratt’s second PCRA petitions. We therefore affirm
its order denying post-conviction relief. See Commonwealth v. Benner,
-5- J-S11025-21
147 A.3d 915, 919 (Pa. Super. 2016) (reiterating that, on appeal in PCRA
proceedings, the Superior Court may affirm a PCRA court’s decision in any
grounds if the record supports it).
Order affirmed.
Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq. Prothonotary
Date: 7/8/2021
-6-