J -S19006-19
NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA
v.
CHRISTOPHER M. WILLIAMS
Appellant : No. 2344 EDA 2018 Appeal from the PCRA Order Entered July 10, 2018 In the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County Criminal Division at No(s): CP-51-CR-0004715-2011
BEFORE: LAZARUS, J., KUNSELMAN, J., and STRASSBURGER*, J.
MEMORANDUM BY LAZARUS, J.: FILED JULY 16, 2019
Christopher M. Williams appeals from the order, entered in the Court of
Common Pleas of Philadelphia County, denying his petition filed pursuant to
the Post Conviction Relief Act ("PCRA"), 42 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 9541-9546. On
appeal, PCRA counsel filed an "Anders Brief" and an application to withdraw.'
I Counsel filed a brief pursuant to Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738 (1967), apparently under the mistaken belief that an Anders brief is required where counsel seeks to withdraw on appeal from the denial of PCRA relief. A Turner/Finley no -merit letter, however, is the appropriate filing. See Commonwealth v. Turner, 544 A.2d 927 (1988); Commonwealth v. Finley, 550 A.2d 213 (1988). However, because an Anders brief provides greater protection to a defendant, this Court may accept an Anders brief in lieu of a Turner/Finley letter. Commonwealth v. Widgins, 29 A.3d 816, 817 n.2 (Pa. Super. 2011).
Retired Senior Judge assigned to the Superior Court. J -S19006-19
Based on our review of the record, we affirm the PCRA court's order dismissing
Williams' petition and grant PCRA counsel's petition to withdraw.
On April 5, 2011, Williams was arrested on numerous charges related to
the violent robbery of a hearing -impaired man. On March 9, 2012, a jury
found Williams guilty of robbery,2 conspiracy to commit robbery,3 and burglary.4 On May 16, 2012, the trial court sentenced Williams to an aggregate term of ten to thirty years' incarceration. Williams filed a direct
appeal to this Court, which affirmed his judgment of sentence on June 20,
2013. See Commonwealth v. Williams, 1526 EDA 2012 (Pa. Super. filed
June 20, 2013) (unpublished memorandum decision). The Supreme Court of
Pennsylvania denied his petition for allowance of appeal on December 3, 2013.
See Commonwealth v. Williams, 370 EAL 2013 (Pa. 2013).
On December 8, 2014, Williams filed a pro se PCRA petition. The PCRA
court appointed counsel, J. Matthew Wolfe, Esquire, who filed an amended
PCRA petition on July 22, 2016. In the amended petition, Williams argued
that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to obtain surveillance videos from
the crime area that would have shown Williams was not involved in the offenses for which he was convicted. Williams also requested discovery to
2 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 3701(a)(1)(ii).
3 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 903.
4 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 3502(a).
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allow him to obtain copies of the surveillance videos, either from the District
Attorney or via subpoena, as well as a hearing to examine Williams and trial
counsel, Public Defender Krista Quinn, Esquire, on the record. PCRA counsel
attached certifications to the amended petition. The certifications averred
Williams would testify at a PCRA hearing that he informed his trial counsel of
the videotape, and that trial counsel would testify "as to her knowledge of the
existence of the videotapes, her efforts to obtain them and the reasons why she
did not present said evidence." Williams Amended PCRA Petition, at 3-4.
The record does not contain an order granting or denying Williams'
request for discovery. However, in response to the PCRA court's directive, in
a letter dated June 6, 2018, the Assistant District Attorney stated that she
found nothing in the Commonwealth's "trial file" to suggest the
Commonwealth ever possessed any surveillance videos. The Commonwealth
filed a motion to dismiss on May 9, 2018. Williams did not respond to the
motion. On July 6, 2018, the PCRA court dismissed the petition.5 PCRA
counsel filed a notice of appeal and a statement pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 1925(c),
stating his intent to file an Anders brief. The PCRA court did not issue a Rule
1925(a) opinion.
5 We note with displeasure the PCRA court's failure to issue the mandatory notice of intent to dismiss prior to dismissing the petition without a hearing. Pa.R.Crim.P. 907. However, Williams has not raised the issue; thus, it is waived. See Commonwealth v. Guthrie, 749 A.2d 502, 503 (Pa. Super. 2000). As discussed infra, we found the appeal meritless. Therefore, the error was harmless. -3 J -S19006-19
We first consider whether counsel has complied with the technical requirements necessary to withdraw under Turner/Finley.
Counsel petitioning to withdraw from PCRA representation must proceed [under Turner/Finley and] must review the case zealously. Turner/Finley counsel must then submit a "no -merit" letter to the [PCRA] court, or [a] brief on appeal to this Court, detailing the nature and extent of counsel's diligent review of the case, listing the issues [that] petitioner wants to have reviewed, explaining why and how those issues lack merit, and requesting permission to withdraw.
Counsel must also send to the petitioner: (1) a copy of the "no merit" letter/brief; (2) a copy of counsel's petition to withdraw; and (3) a statement advising petitioner of the right to proceed pro se or by new counsel. * * * Where counsel submits a petition and no -merit letter that satisfy the technical demands of Turner/Finley, the court-[PCRA] court or this Court-must then conduct its own review of the merits of the case. If the court agrees with counsel that the claims are without merit, the court will permit counsel to withdraw and deny relief.
Commonwealth v. Doty, 48 A.3d 451, 454 (Pa. Super. 2012) (quoting Commonwealth v. Wrecks, 931 A.2d 717, 721 (Pa. Super. 2007)).
Williams' counsel has complied with the technical requirements of Turner and Finley. Counsel filed a brief with this Court that includes a recitation of the facts, an accurate recitation of the governing legal authority,
and a legal analysis which explains counsel's conclusion that Williams' PCRA
appeal is meritless. Counsel submitted a copy of this brief to Williams, along
with a letter explaining Williams' further appellate rights and a copy of the
petition to withdraw.
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Counsel having satisfied the above requirements, we must examine the
record to determine if the PCRA court erred in denying relief without a hearing.
Commonwealth v. Burton, 121 A.3d 1063, 1067 (Pa. Super. 2015). Counsel has requested to withdraw; therefore, we must independently review
the record to determine whether there exist any potentially meritorious issues.
Commonwealth v. Pitts, 981 A.2d 875, 876 n. 1 (Pa. 2009). Here, we find
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J -S19006-19
NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA
v.
CHRISTOPHER M. WILLIAMS
Appellant : No. 2344 EDA 2018 Appeal from the PCRA Order Entered July 10, 2018 In the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County Criminal Division at No(s): CP-51-CR-0004715-2011
BEFORE: LAZARUS, J., KUNSELMAN, J., and STRASSBURGER*, J.
MEMORANDUM BY LAZARUS, J.: FILED JULY 16, 2019
Christopher M. Williams appeals from the order, entered in the Court of
Common Pleas of Philadelphia County, denying his petition filed pursuant to
the Post Conviction Relief Act ("PCRA"), 42 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 9541-9546. On
appeal, PCRA counsel filed an "Anders Brief" and an application to withdraw.'
I Counsel filed a brief pursuant to Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738 (1967), apparently under the mistaken belief that an Anders brief is required where counsel seeks to withdraw on appeal from the denial of PCRA relief. A Turner/Finley no -merit letter, however, is the appropriate filing. See Commonwealth v. Turner, 544 A.2d 927 (1988); Commonwealth v. Finley, 550 A.2d 213 (1988). However, because an Anders brief provides greater protection to a defendant, this Court may accept an Anders brief in lieu of a Turner/Finley letter. Commonwealth v. Widgins, 29 A.3d 816, 817 n.2 (Pa. Super. 2011).
Retired Senior Judge assigned to the Superior Court. J -S19006-19
Based on our review of the record, we affirm the PCRA court's order dismissing
Williams' petition and grant PCRA counsel's petition to withdraw.
On April 5, 2011, Williams was arrested on numerous charges related to
the violent robbery of a hearing -impaired man. On March 9, 2012, a jury
found Williams guilty of robbery,2 conspiracy to commit robbery,3 and burglary.4 On May 16, 2012, the trial court sentenced Williams to an aggregate term of ten to thirty years' incarceration. Williams filed a direct
appeal to this Court, which affirmed his judgment of sentence on June 20,
2013. See Commonwealth v. Williams, 1526 EDA 2012 (Pa. Super. filed
June 20, 2013) (unpublished memorandum decision). The Supreme Court of
Pennsylvania denied his petition for allowance of appeal on December 3, 2013.
See Commonwealth v. Williams, 370 EAL 2013 (Pa. 2013).
On December 8, 2014, Williams filed a pro se PCRA petition. The PCRA
court appointed counsel, J. Matthew Wolfe, Esquire, who filed an amended
PCRA petition on July 22, 2016. In the amended petition, Williams argued
that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to obtain surveillance videos from
the crime area that would have shown Williams was not involved in the offenses for which he was convicted. Williams also requested discovery to
2 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 3701(a)(1)(ii).
3 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 903.
4 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 3502(a).
-2 J -S19006-19
allow him to obtain copies of the surveillance videos, either from the District
Attorney or via subpoena, as well as a hearing to examine Williams and trial
counsel, Public Defender Krista Quinn, Esquire, on the record. PCRA counsel
attached certifications to the amended petition. The certifications averred
Williams would testify at a PCRA hearing that he informed his trial counsel of
the videotape, and that trial counsel would testify "as to her knowledge of the
existence of the videotapes, her efforts to obtain them and the reasons why she
did not present said evidence." Williams Amended PCRA Petition, at 3-4.
The record does not contain an order granting or denying Williams'
request for discovery. However, in response to the PCRA court's directive, in
a letter dated June 6, 2018, the Assistant District Attorney stated that she
found nothing in the Commonwealth's "trial file" to suggest the
Commonwealth ever possessed any surveillance videos. The Commonwealth
filed a motion to dismiss on May 9, 2018. Williams did not respond to the
motion. On July 6, 2018, the PCRA court dismissed the petition.5 PCRA
counsel filed a notice of appeal and a statement pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 1925(c),
stating his intent to file an Anders brief. The PCRA court did not issue a Rule
1925(a) opinion.
5 We note with displeasure the PCRA court's failure to issue the mandatory notice of intent to dismiss prior to dismissing the petition without a hearing. Pa.R.Crim.P. 907. However, Williams has not raised the issue; thus, it is waived. See Commonwealth v. Guthrie, 749 A.2d 502, 503 (Pa. Super. 2000). As discussed infra, we found the appeal meritless. Therefore, the error was harmless. -3 J -S19006-19
We first consider whether counsel has complied with the technical requirements necessary to withdraw under Turner/Finley.
Counsel petitioning to withdraw from PCRA representation must proceed [under Turner/Finley and] must review the case zealously. Turner/Finley counsel must then submit a "no -merit" letter to the [PCRA] court, or [a] brief on appeal to this Court, detailing the nature and extent of counsel's diligent review of the case, listing the issues [that] petitioner wants to have reviewed, explaining why and how those issues lack merit, and requesting permission to withdraw.
Counsel must also send to the petitioner: (1) a copy of the "no merit" letter/brief; (2) a copy of counsel's petition to withdraw; and (3) a statement advising petitioner of the right to proceed pro se or by new counsel. * * * Where counsel submits a petition and no -merit letter that satisfy the technical demands of Turner/Finley, the court-[PCRA] court or this Court-must then conduct its own review of the merits of the case. If the court agrees with counsel that the claims are without merit, the court will permit counsel to withdraw and deny relief.
Commonwealth v. Doty, 48 A.3d 451, 454 (Pa. Super. 2012) (quoting Commonwealth v. Wrecks, 931 A.2d 717, 721 (Pa. Super. 2007)).
Williams' counsel has complied with the technical requirements of Turner and Finley. Counsel filed a brief with this Court that includes a recitation of the facts, an accurate recitation of the governing legal authority,
and a legal analysis which explains counsel's conclusion that Williams' PCRA
appeal is meritless. Counsel submitted a copy of this brief to Williams, along
with a letter explaining Williams' further appellate rights and a copy of the
petition to withdraw.
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Counsel having satisfied the above requirements, we must examine the
record to determine if the PCRA court erred in denying relief without a hearing.
Commonwealth v. Burton, 121 A.3d 1063, 1067 (Pa. Super. 2015). Counsel has requested to withdraw; therefore, we must independently review
the record to determine whether there exist any potentially meritorious issues.
Commonwealth v. Pitts, 981 A.2d 875, 876 n. 1 (Pa. 2009). Here, we find
no merit in Williams' ineffective assistance of counsel claim.
A petitioner's right to an evidentiary hearing is not absolute. "It is within
the PCRA court's discretion to decline to hold a hearing if the petitioner's claim
is patently frivolous and has no support either in the record or other evidence."
Commonwealth v. Wah, 42 A.3d 335, 338 (Pa. Super. 2012) (quoting Commonwealth v. Turetsky, 925 A.2d 876, 882 (Pa. Super. 2007) (internal
citations omitted)). For a PCRA court to deny relief without a hearing, there
must be no genuine issue of material fact. See Pa.R.Crim.P. 907.
Williams' issue concerns trial counsel's effectiveness. We presume
counsel was effective, and it is Williams' burden to prove otherwise. See
Commonwealth v. Fears, 86 A.3d 795, 804 (Pa. 2014). To prevail on an ineffectiveness claim, Williams' must establish:
(1) the underlying claim has arguable merit; (2) no reasonable basis existed for counsel's actions or failure to act; and (3) [appellant] suffered prejudice as a result of counsel's error such that there is a reasonable probability that the result of the proceeding would have been different absent such error.
-5 J -S19006-19
Commonwealth v. Lesko, 15 A.3d 345, 373 (Pa. 2011). Williams must
prove each element; merely alleging each element is not sufficient. See
Commonwealth v. Mason, 130 A.3d 601, 618 (Pa. 2015). A reasonable basis does not require that counsel chose the most logical course of action,
but that the decision had some reasonable basis. Commonwealth v. Bardo,
105 A.3d 678, 684 (Pa. 2014). "To demonstrate prejudice, a petitioner must
show that there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel's actions or
inactions, the result of the proceeding would have been different." Mason,
130 A.3d at 618 (citing Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 684 (1984)).
Here, PCRA counsel certified that Williams would testify that he told
trial counsel of the video surveillance before the trial. Trial counsel did not
offer such evidence at trial. Williams has clearly pled sufficient facts to raise
a genuine issue concerning the first two elements of his claim of ineffective
counsel. However, Williams has failed to show how he can prove the third
element, prejudice. PCRA counsel explained that neither the Commonwealth
nor the trial counsel possesses the surveillance video; without the surveillance
video, Williams cannot demonstrate a reasonable probability that the result of
the proceeding would have been different. See Lesko, 15 A.3d at 373. Because Williams has not shown he can prove the prejudice prong of the
Strickland test, his ineffective assistance of counsel claim is meritless. See
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Commonwealth v. Becker, 192 A.3d 107, 112 (Pa. Super. 2018) (failure to
establish any prong of the Strickland test is fatal to the claim).
Order affirmed. Petition to withdraw granted.
Judgment Entered.
J seph D. Seletyn, Prothonotary
Date: 7/16/19
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