[J-11-2023] IN THE SUPREME COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA EASTERN DISTRICT
TODD, C.J., DONOHUE, DOUGHERTY, WECHT, MUNDY, BROBSON, JJ.
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, : No. 794 CAP : Appellant : Appeal from the Order entered on : December 27, 2021 in the Court of : Common Pleas, Wayne County, v. : Criminal Division at No. 64 of 1991. : : SUBMITTED: January 18, 2023 MICHAEL CONFORTI, : : Appellee :
OPINION
JUSTICE MUNDY DECIDED: October 23, 2023 In this direct capital appeal, the Commonwealth appeals the PCRA court’s grant
of relief to Appellee Michael Conforti, vacating his convictions for murder of the first
degree, kidnapping, rape, criminal conspiracy to commit murder, criminal conspiracy to
commit rape and criminal conspiracy to commit kidnapping and his resulting death
sentence. For the reasons set forth below, we affirm the PCRA court’s order vacating
Conforti’s convictions.
I. Background
Conforti’s convictions and sentence stem from the kidnapping, rape, and murder
of the victim, Kathleen Harbison. A full recitation of the circumstances surrounding Ms.
Harbison’s murder is not necessary for the purpose of addressing the issues currently
before the Court. Briefly, however, this Court previously summarized those
circumstances as such: On December 20, 1990, [Ms.] Harbison [ ] was with her friend Sue Fritz at Cousins Restaurant and Bar in Wayne County. While there she was seen in the company of [Mr. Conforti] and James Bellman, both of whom she had met for the first time. During the early morning hours of December 21, 1990, Ms. Harbison left the bar to warm up her car while Ms. Fritz said goodbye to some friends. A few minutes later Ms. Fritz found Ms. Harbison’s car in the parking lot with the engine running, the driver door locked, the passenger door unlocked, the heater running, the radio on high volume and Ms. Harbison’s purse on the seat. Ms. Harbison was nowhere to be found. Bellman was seen in his car, parked next to Ms. Harbison’s car, before Ms. Fritz came outside.
* * *
[Ms.] Harbison’s body was found on December 22, 1990, in a secluded wooded area in Wayne County. The cause of death was multiple stab wounds. She had been stabbed twelve times. Four of the wounds were lethal. There was evidence that Ms. Harbison had been bound [ ] both at the wrists and ankles by handcuffs and that the acts were committed by more than one individual. Commonwealth v. Conforti, 626 A.2d 129, 131 (Pa. 1993).
Subsequently, Conforti and Bellman were arrested and charged with several
offenses related to Ms. Harbison’s death. The two men’s cases proceeded independently
of each other, and they were tried separately in simultaneous trials in the Wayne County
courthouse, with then-Wayne County District Attorney (and future judge) Raymond
Hamill 1 prosecuting Bellman, and then-Assistant District Attorney Mark Zimmer
prosecuting Conforti. Relevantly, after the close of testimony in Bellman’s trial, but prior
to closing arguments, Hamill, Bellman, and Bellman’s trial counsel Jeffrey Wander had a
meeting in a conference room in the back of the courtroom. After their meeting, Bellman
informed Hamill that he would testify on behalf of the Commonwealth in Conforti’s then
1 After Bellman’s trial, District Attorney Hamill left the Wayne County District Attorney’s
Office. He subsequently became a judge on the Wayne County Court of Common Pleas. The PCRA court refers to him as District Attorney Hamill in its opinion while the parties refer to him as Judge Hamill in their briefs. For simplicity, we will refer to him as Hamill.
[J-11-2023] - 2 ongoing trial. We previously summarized Bellman’s testimony at Conforti’s trial as
follows:
On December 21, 1990 at approximately 2:00 a.m., [Bellman] and Ms. Harbison left the bar in Wayne County and went to [Conforti’s] trailer home in Pike County. [Conforti] forced Ms. Harbison to engage in oral sex after directing Bellman to handcuff Ms. Harbison. [Conforti] then indicated to Bellman that he wanted to kill Ms. Harbison. The victim was then placed in Bellman's car and driven to an isolated dirt road in Wayne County where she was pulled from the car by [Conforti] and Bellman. [Conforti] then repeatedly stabbed Ms. Harbison with a knife he had obtained from his trailer before they had left.
Bellman further testified as follows: that after the killing, he and [Conforti] stopped at the Ledgedale Bridge where [Conforti] threw the knife and handcuffs into the water. They then burned all of their blood-stained clothing and the car mats from Bellman's car in [Conforti’s] burn barrel and cleaned and vacuumed [Conforti’s] trailer and Bellman's car. Bellman identified the knife recovered from under the bridge as being the murder weapon. Id.
Bellman further testified that he did not have a plea agreement with the
Commonwealth in exchange for his testimony and that he decided to testify, at least
partially, due to his feelings for Ms. Harbison’s family. Conforti Trial N.T., 9/19/1991, 13-
14. The day after Bellman’s testimony, Attorney Zimmer and Attorney Robert Bryan,
Conforti’s trial counsel, agreed to a factual stipulation, read into evidence by the court:
The Commonwealth and Defense have stipulated that after James Bellman had informed the District Attorney that he wished to testify at this trial -- that is to say the trial of [Conforti] -- the District Attorney told him that if he did so and pled guilty to first degree murder in his own trial, the District Attorney would not seek the death penalty.
Mr. Hamill, the District Attorney, further told James Bellman that if he did not plead guilty he would receive no consideration for his testimony against [Conforti].
At the time Mr. Bellman testified in this trial here yesterday, he had not made up his mind which of these options he wished to take.
[J-11-2023] - 3 Since that time, he has pled guilty to first degree murder and he has been sentenced to life in prison. Conforti Trial N.T., 9/20/1991, 35-36 (internal quotations omitted). Conforti testified in his
own defense, contradicting Bellman’s testimony, and denying any involvement in Ms.
Harbison’s murder. Conforti Trial. N.T., 9/19/1991, 130-131. The jury convicted Conforti
of the above referenced offenses and he was sentenced to death on the first-degree
murder charge. The trial court denied all post-sentence motions, and this Court affirmed
Conforti’s conviction and judgment of sentence on direct appeal. See Commonwealth v.
Conforti, 626 A.2d 129 (Pa. 1993).
On December 21, 1995, Conforti filed a timely pro se petition pursuant to the Post
Conviction Relief Act (“PCRA”), 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 9541-9546. Thus began the case’s
protracted journey to this Court. That journey included the filing of multiple amended and
supplemental petitions, assignment to multiple senior judges, and the Attorney General
assuming responsibility for the case from the Wayne County District Attorney’s Office.
Eventually the case was assigned to Senior Judge Linda Wallach Miller, who held multiple
hearings in the case between October 2018 and November 2021. 2
Relevant to the issues currently before the Court, immediately prior to the PCRA
hearing on November 5, 2021, the Commonwealth provided Conforti’s counsel with two
mental health reports relating to Bellman from 1980. PCRA Hearing N.T., 11/5/2021, 9.
The reports were created as part of a criminal case Bellman had in Wayne County in
1979, during which he was represented by Hamill who was in private practice at the time.
At the hearing on November 8, 2021, the parties entered the following stipulation
regarding those reports:
There has been a stipulation by and between counsel that, after the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) entered its appearance for the
2 By the time Judge Wallach Miller conducted the PCRA hearings Bellman was deceased,
having died by suicide in 2004 while in prison.
[J-11-2023] - 4 Commonwealth in Commonwealth v. Conforti, 64-1990, in the Wayne County Court of Common Pleas, the OAG was provided with the file maintained by the Wayne County District Attorney’s Office in connection with this case. This file has been in the possession of the OAG since that time.
Counsel further stipulate that Exhibit D-28 is a true and correct copy of a document that was contained in the Wayne County District Attorney’s file for Commonwealth v. Conforti, and that the Commonwealth provided counsel for Mr. Conforti with a copy of this document on November 5, 2021. The document was in a folder labeled “Misc. Police Reports” and counsel for the Commonwealth from the [OAG] was unaware of its presence prior to its discovery and disclosure. PCRA Hearing N.T., 11/5/2021, 191, Ex. D-29.
On December 27, 2021, Judge Wallach Miller (the “PCRA court”) granted Conforti’s
Amended Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus and for Collateral Relief from Criminal
Conviction on multiple grounds and “vacate[d] [Conforti’s] convictions and sentences in
this matter due to the Constitutional violations detailed” in her accompanying opinion.
PCRA Ct. Order, 12/27/2021.
II. PCRA Court Opinion
In its opinion 3 the PCRA court first addressed Conforti’s assertions that the
Commonwealth committed multiple Brady4 violations during his trial. The first set of
alleged Brady violations surround Bellman’s testimony. According to the PCRA court,
just before closing arguments in Bellman’s trial, Hamill “took Bellman into a backroom off
the courtroom to talk,” and the court “assumed” Bellman’s trial counsel, Jeffrey Wander,
was also present during this conversation. PCRA Ct. Op., 12/27/2021, 3. The court
accepted Hamill’s PCRA testimony that during that meeting he explained to Bellman that
the case against Conforti was weak and that Conforti could be acquitted, and that Bellman
3 The PCRA Court opinion makes very minimal citations to the record in support of its
findings. As such, it is not always clear what evidence the court is relying upon. 4 Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83 (1963).
[J-11-2023] - 5 should testify to avoid that from happening. Id. During the conversation, someone also
suggested that Bellman should testify so Ms. Harbison’s family would know what
happened. The PCRA court further found that Hamill told Bellman that “should he testify
against Conforti and then enter a guilty plea, the Commonwealth would not request the
death penalty.” Id. In support of this finding, the court relied on the stipulation entered at
Conforti’s trial the day after Bellman testified and the PCRA hearing testimony of Attorney
Zimmer regarding the preparation of the stipulation. The court found Attorney Zimmer
credibly testified that he prepared the stipulation after discussion with and input from
Hamill. Id. at 3-4. In finding Attorney Zimmer’s testimony in this regard credible, the
PCRA court rejected Hamill’s testimony that the contents of the stipulation were false,
that Bellman said he was not making a deal to testify against Conforti, and that Hamill did
not offer Bellman a life sentence in exchange for Bellman’s testimony. Id. at 4.
The PCRA court next addressed alleged ongoing plea negotiations between the
Commonwealth and Bellman leading up to Bellman’s decision to testify. As set forth by
the PCRA court, Hamill testified that he and Attorney Wander had discussions prior to
trial about Bellman testifying, but Bellman always refused. Id. The PCRA court also cited
exchanges between Attorney Wander and the trial court during Bellman’s guilty plea
hearing in support of its conclusion that plea negotiations had been ongoing for some
time prior to Bellman’s testimony. In one exchange, the trial court asked Attorney Wander
if he had discussed the plea with Bellman, and Attorney Wander responded “[y]es, Your
Honor, the discussions although not finalized until moments ago have been ongoing for
several weeks.” Id. at 5 [(quoting Bellman Guilty Plea Hearing N.T., 9/19/1991, 4)]. In
another exchange cited by the PCRA court, the trial court asked Attorney Wander if he
had discussed the plea thoroughly with Bellman, and Attorney Wander responded “[y]es,
Your Honor, I’ve discussed this with him on numerous occasions culminating today . . . ”
[J-11-2023] - 6 Id. [(quoting Bellman Guilty Plea Hearing N.T., 9/19/1991, 8)]. According to the PCRA
court, in his PCRA hearing testimony, Hamill could not recall what, if any, conversations
he had with Attorney Wander absent asking if Bellman was interested in testifying but “did
not contradict the on the record representations of [Attorney Wander] that discussions
were numerous or that they had been ongoing for several weeks.” Id. The PCRA court
further surmised that “[c]learly, any [d]efense [a]ttorney worth his salt . . . would begin
discussions with the prosecutor to make some sort of deal favorable to his client,” and
that it is “reasonable to find that a life sentence instead of a sentence of death is
favorable.” Id. The court further determined that at Conforti’s trial, Attorney Bryan wanted
to undermine Bellman’s testimony by attacking his credibility and convince the jury he
was only testifying to avoid the death penalty. Id.
In the PCRA court’s view, “Brady requires that any cooperation agreement, or even
an implication, promise or understanding that a Commonwealth witness would receive
favorable treatment as a result of his cooperation, must be given to the defense.” Id. at
6 (citing Commonwealth v. Bagnall, 235 A.3d 1075 (Pa. 2020); Commonwealth v. Strong,
761 A.2d 1167 (Pa. 2000); Commonwealth v. Moose, 602 A.2d 1265 (Pa. 1992)). Further,
according to the PCRA court, “[e]ven absent an ‘understanding’ or ‘implication’ of
favorable treatment in the future, any material showing that a Commonwealth witness
was looking for favorable treatment or otherwise was motivated to curry favor with the
prosecution is ‘textbook impeachment evidence’ and must be disclosed.” Id. (citing
Commonwealth v. Johnson, 174 A.3d 1050 (Pa. 2017)). Applying those principles to its
factual findings surrounding Bellman’s decision to testify at Conforti’s trial, the PCRA court
determined that Bellman was negotiating with the Commonwealth for weeks prior to his
testimony and that it was “reasonable” for the court to find that the ongoing “discussions
between [] Hamill and Attorney Wander were negotiations to have Bellman testify to
[J-11-2023] - 7 bolster a weak case against Conforti and in return Bellman would escape the death
penalty.” Id.
The PCRA court then turned to Conforti’s allegations of Brady violations regarding
information about Bellman’s mental health. Specifically, Hamill, while in private practice,
represented Bellman in a case from 1979 where Bellman was charged with several
offenses stemming from his assault of two teenage girls. As part of his representation of
Bellman in that matter, Hamill requested funding from the trial court to have Bellman
evaluated in pursuit of a possible insanity defense. Bellman was then evaluated by
psychiatrists Dr. Bernard Willis and Dr. John Lesniak, both of whom prepared written
reports. 5 Dr. Lesniak’s report incorporated within it a report prepared by psychologist Dr.
Anthony Galdieri. According to the PCRA court, Doctors Willis and Lesniak both
diagnosed Bellman as a sociopath, while Dr. Galdieri found Bellman’s prominent traits
appeared to be sociopathic, narcissistic, and paranoid behavioral patterns. The PCRA
court found Hamill received these reports in May of 1980. Id. at 8. The court further
found that the reports “remained in the possession of the Commonwealth and only
surfaced” during the PCRA hearing on November 5, 2021. Id. As such, according to the
PCRA court, none of the evidence of Bellman’s mental health issues was disclosed to
Attorney Bryan prior to or during Conforti’s trial. Id.
The PCRA court found that the information contained in the reports would have
been extremely damaging to Bellman’s credibility. Id. at 9. According to the PCRA court,
the reports would have given Attorney Bryan “the ability to call the authors of these reports
to tell the jury what they determined to be Bellman’s mental health issues.” Id. Further,
in the PCRA court’s view, the reports also would have given Attorney Bryan a “heads up”
5 Dr. Lesniak’s report is in the record and references Dr. Willis’ report. R.R. at 1164a. Dr. Willis’ report, however, is not in the record.
[J-11-2023] - 8 that Bellman might testify against Conforti “in light of the findings in all of the reports that
Bellman had no empathy for others, was selfish, narcissistic, and felt no guilt.” Id. The
court rejected the Commonwealth’s argument that because the reports were generated
approximately eleven years prior to Conforti’s trial they would have been inadmissible. In
its view, the reports would have been admissible, noting that Bellman had been
incarcerated for six of those years. Id. Further, the PCRA court found that even if the
reports were inadmissible, “they would [have been] a powerful tool for the defense in
many ways” as Bellman was the Commonwealth’s key witness, Conforti maintained his
innocence, and the rest of the evidence against Conforti was circumstantial. Id.
In light of its findings regarding the reports, the PCRA court discussed the Third
Circuit’s decision in Dennis v. Secretary, Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, 834
F.3d 263 (3d Cir. 2016), where the Third Circuit affirmed the district court’s grant of federal
habeas relief as a result of Brady violations by the Commonwealth in suppressing several
pieces of favorable evidence. According to the PCRA court, Dennis held that Brady
material does not have to be evidence that would have resulted in an acquittal, but rather
must only be evidence that would undermine the public’s confidence in the jury verdict.
PCRA Ct. Op., 12/27/2021, 9-10. The lower court further opined that Dennis held that
Brady material need not be admissible evidence and instead could simply be information
that could be used to attack the credibility of an investigation or witness. Id. at 10.
Further relying on Dennis, the PCRA court rejected any contention by the
Commonwealth that there was no Brady violation because Conforti and his counsel could
have obtained the information regarding Bellman’s mental health from sources other than
the Commonwealth. Id. In the PCRA court’s view, the Dennis court unequivocally
rejected the application of a due diligence requirement in Brady analysis, finding the
Supreme Court had never endorsed such a concept and that a defendant is entitled to
[J-11-2023] - 9 presume that prosecutors will disclose the information they are required to disclose. Id.
The court found that Hamill knew about the reports and had an obligation to turn them
over to the defense, even though he obtained them while representing Bellman.
Next, the PCRA court addressed Conforti’s contention that Attorney Bryan was
ineffective during the penalty phase of his trial for failing to properly investigate and
present available mitigating evidence. The court recounted that Conforti suffered a
severe brain injury in an automobile accident in 1974 at the age of eighteen, after which
his family reported that his personality changed. Id. at 11. It cited deposition testimony
from family members that after the accident Conforti went from outgoing and social to
someone that “couldn’t focus, couldn’t handle money, couldn’t hold a job, was childlike[,]
and easily taken advantage of.” Id.
The PCRA court also stated it heard expert testimony from three defense
witnesses, specifically neurologist Dr. Jonathan H. Pincus and neuropsychologists Dr.
Michael Gelbort and Dr. Barry Crown. Id. at 11-12. 6 The court also related that it heard
testimony from the Commonwealth’s expert, neuropsychologist Dr. Corwin Boake.
According to the PCRA court, all four of the experts reached the same conclusion that
“Conforti sustained a traumatic brain injury as a result of the auto accident which left him
with cognitive deficiencies which affected the ‘executive functions’ of his brain.” Id. at 12.
The PCRA court also noted that Attorney Bryan testified that he thought Conforti had
“thought pattern problems.” Id. at 13. However, the PCRA court found, Attorney Bryan
did not request funding from the trial court to have Conforti evaluated. The PCRA court
determined that a reasonable defense attorney that believed his client had “thought
pattern problems” should have requested a psychological evaluation. Id. at 14. Further,
6 In its opinion the PCRA court indicated it heard testimony from all three defense experts,
but one of those experts, Dr. Pincus, did not testify during the PCRA proceedings.
[J-11-2023] - 10 the court found that Attorney Bryan only briefly spoke to members of Conforti’s family on
a break during trial but could not even remember to which family members he spoke. Id.
at 13. As such, the court found Attorney Bryan failed to investigate Conforti’s family or
social history, arrange for mental health evaluations, or gather records relating to
Conforti’s medical history. Id. at 15.
The only witness Attorney Bryan called during the penalty phase was Conforti
himself, and the only other evidence he presented was a stipulation that Conforti did not
have a prior criminal record. During his testimony at the sentencing phase, Conforti had,
what the PCRA court described as, an “outburst” that it deemed “surprising and shocking
even when reading the transcript and gives [the PCRA court] insight into the death
finding.” Id. The PCRA court described Conforti’s actions as “[e]vidently, unable to cope
with what was occurring, [Conforti] told the jury to sentence him to death ‘if you think I did
this.’” Id. 14-15. The PCRA court concluded that had Attorney Bryan been effective, the
jury would have been informed of Conforti’s cognitive damage and “known to view
Conforti’s statement as evidence of his cognitive limitations and the outcome may have
been different.” Id. at 15.
In addition, according to the court, defense counsel in a capital case is required to
conduct a thorough investigation of the defendant’s background to discover any available
mitigating evidence. Id. (citing Porter v. McCollum, 558 U.S. 30 (2009)). In the court’s
view, this investigation must include interviewing family members and other individuals
familiar with the defendant’s life history, obtaining records pertaining to the defendant’s
background, and obtaining appropriate expert evaluations. Id. (citing Williams v. Taylor,
529 U.S. 362 (2000)).
The PCRA court concluded Conforti was prejudiced by Attorney Bryan’s failures in
the penalty phase. The court stated prejudice is established in the penalty phase of a
[J-11-2023] - 11 capital trial “if there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel’s ineffectiveness, a
single juror would have voted for life.” Id. (citing Williams, 529 U.S. at 393-94). In its
view, if the expert evidence presented at the PCRA hearing was presented to the jury,
there is a reasonable probability that it would have “impacted at least one juror.” Id. at
16. The court also observed that a defendant is entitled to a new sentencing hearing
when the unpresented evidence would have supported the finding of at least one
additional mitigating factor. Id. (citing Commonwealth v. Housman, 226 A.3d 1249, 1286-
87 (Pa. 2020)). The court found that the expert testimony would have supported a finding
of mitigation under 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 9711(e)(2) and (3). 7
Lastly, the PCRA court addressed Conforti’s argument that “he was denied his
constitutional right to due process and a reliable sentencing hearing because of the
cumulative prejudice of the errors set forth in his [p]etitions.” Id. According to the court,
the ineffective assistance of counsel test set forth in Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S.
668 (1984), “requires that prejudice be evaluated in light of the cumulative effect of all
constitutional deficiencies by counsel.” Further, according to the court, “cumulative error
or prejudice may provide a basis for relief whether or not the effect of individual errors
warrant relief.” Id. (citing Kyles v. Whitley, 514 U.S. 419 (1995); Commonwealth v. Spotz,
7 § 9711. Sentencing procedure for murder of the first degree
(e) Mitigating circumstances. – Mitigating circumstances shall include the following:
(2) The defendant was under the influence of extreme mental or emotional disturbance.
(3) The capacity of the defendant to appreciate the criminality of his conduct or to conform his conduct to the requirements of law was substantially impaired.
42 Pa.C.S. §§ 9711(e)(2) and (3).
[J-11-2023] - 12 18 A.3d 244 (Pa. 2011)). The court concluded that the cumulative effect of Attorney
Bryan’s errors and the constitutional errors by the Commonwealth so undermined the
fairness of Conforti’s trial and sentencing proceeding that he is entitled to relief. Id. at 16-
17.
III. Issues
The Commonwealth appealed the PCRA court’s holding, raising the following
issues:
1. Did the PCRA court err in granting relief on a waived claim that the Commonwealth violated Brady[ v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83 (1963)] by failing to disclose an inadmissible and irrelevant psychiatric report that was not material under Brady?
2. Did the PCRA court err in granting relief on a waived claim that the Commonwealth violated Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83 (1963), by failing to disclose plea negotiations with the codefendant where no such negotiations occurred and the jury was apprised of the terms of the plea agreement at trial?
3. Is a remand for further development of the record appropriate where the PCRA court vacated defendant’s sentence based on ineffectiveness of counsel but in doing so relied on improper evidence and improperly limited the Commonwealth’s ability to rebut defendant’s claim?
4. Did the PCRA court err in vacating defendant’s convictions based on cumulative error where the individual clams of error were waived and meritless and the remaining penalty-phase claim cannot justify the reversal of defendant’s convictions? Commonwealth’s Brief at 4 (reordered for ease of discussion).
IV. Discussion
On appeal we review the PCRA court’s holding for a determination of whether the
ruling is supported by the record and free of legal error. Commonwealth v. Wharton, 263
A.3d 561, 567 (Pa. 2021) (citing Commonwealth v. Washington, 927 A.2d 586, 593 (Pa.
2007)). We apply a de novo standard of review to the PCRA court’s legal conclusions.
Id. (citing Commonwealth v. Roney, 79 A.3d 595, 603 (Pa. 2013)). “The scope of review
[J-11-2023] - 13 is limited to the findings of the PCRA court and the evidence of record, viewed in the light
most favorable to the prevailing party at the PCRA court level.” Commonwealth v.
Koehler, 36 A.3d 121, 177-78 (Pa. 2012) (citing Commonwealth v. Colavita, 993 A.2d
873, 886 (Pa. 2010)).
The Commonwealth asserts that the PCRA court erred by finding it violated Brady
in failing to disclose Bellman’s psychiatric reports that were created during his 1979
criminal case. The PCRA court found that the Commonwealth and Hamill, in his role as
Bellman’s defense attorney, received the psychiatric reports in question in June of 1980
and that the reports remained in the possession of the Commonwealth until it turned them
over to Conforti’s counsel prior to the PCRA hearing on November 5, 2021. PCRA Ct.
Op., 12/27/2021, 8. The law governing Brady claims is well settled: 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. The Supreme Court subsequently held that the duty to disclose such evidence is applicable even if there has been no request by the accused, and that the duty may encompass impeachment evidence as well as directly exculpatory evidence. Furthermore, the prosecution’s Brady obligation extends to exculpatory evidence in the files of police agencies of the same government bringing the prosecution. Commonwealth v. Lambert, 884 A.2d 848, 853-54 (Pa. 2005) (internal citations and
quotations omitted). The prosecution’s duty under Brady is limited as “the Constitution is
not violated every time the government fails or chooses not to disclose evidence that
might prove helpful to the defense.” Kyles, 514 U.S. at 436-37 (citing U.S. v. Bagley, 473
U.S. 667, 675 and n.7 (1985)). “Thus, there are three necessary components that
demonstrate a violation of the Brady strictures: the evidence was favorable to the
accused, either because it is exculpatory or because it impeaches; the evidence was
suppressed by the prosecution, either willfully or inadvertently; and prejudice ensued.”
[J-11-2023] - 14 Lambert, 994 A.2d at 854 (quoting Commonwealth v. Burke, 781 A.2d 1136, 1141 (Pa.
2001)).
Initially, the Commonwealth argues Conforti waived any claim that it violated Brady
by not raising his claim sooner. According to the Commonwealth, Conforti relies on
Bellman’s averments in pleadings from the 1979 case that Bellman was insane and
requested funding for a psychiatric evaluation. Bellman’s averments occurred in
pleadings from 1980 and Conforti’s trial took place in 1991, more than a decade later.
The Commonwealth asserts Conforti’s failure to raise a Brady claim related to these
averments in his post-verdict motions or on direct appeal resulted in the issue being
waived for PCRA purposes. Commonwealth’s Brief at 54 (citing 42 Pa.C.S. § 9543(a)(3);
Chmiel, 30 A.3d at 1129-30). The Commonwealth’s waiver argument, however,
misconstrues the PCRA court’s finding. The court did not find the Commonwealth
violated Brady by failing to disclose the existence of the averments in Bellman’s
pleadings. Rather, as the Commonwealth recognizes, id. at 54 n.5, the court determined
the Commonwealth’s failure to disclose the psychiatric reports prepared as part of the
1979 case, rather than the averments themselves, violated Brady. PCRA Court Op.,
12/27/2021, 7-8.
In order to be eligible for relief under the PCRA, a petitioner must plead and prove
that the issue was not previously litigated or waived. 42 Pa.C.S. § 9543(a)(3). An issue
is waived for PCRA purposes if it could have been raised earlier in the proceedings, at
trial, post-trial, or on direct appeal. 42 Pa.C.S. 9544(b); Commonwealth v. Bomar, 104
A.3d 1179, 1191 (Pa. 2014); Roney, 79 A.3d at 609. Contrary to the Commonwealth’s
assertion, Conforti could not have raised his current Brady claim during post-trial motions
or on direct appeal, because he did not have Bellman’s psychiatric reports at that time.
The parties stipulated that the Commonwealth did not provide the reports to Conforti until
[J-11-2023] - 15 November 5, 2021, after they were discovered by the attorney for the Commonwealth in
the file provided to the Attorney General’s Office by the Wayne County District Attorney’s
Office. PCRA Hearing N.T., 11/8/2021, 191, Ex D-29. Conforti then made an oral motion
to amend his petition to include the newly disclosed reports at the end of the PCRA
hearing on November 8, 2021, a request the PCRA court granted. Id. at 195; PCRA Ct.
Order, 11/8/2021. As such, Conforti raised his Brady claim at the earliest possible
instance, a mere three days after obtaining the records. This claim is, therefore, not
waived under Section 9543(3). 8
Substantively, the Commonwealth first argues the PCRA court’s finding that the
reports were in the Commonwealth’s possession in 1980 is not supported by the record.
While the Commonwealth concedes it obviously came into possession of the reports at
some point prior to the November 5, 2021 hearing where it disclosed them, it contends
there is no evidence that proves when the Commonwealth actually obtained the reports
or that it had access to or knowledge of them during Conforti’s 1991 trial.
Commonwealth’s Brief at 57. In support of his position that the record supports the PCRA
court’s finding, Conforti points to a pleading filed by the Commonwealth in Bellman’s 1979
8 In response to the Commonwealth’s waiver argument, Conforti, like the PCRA court,
relies on the Third Circuit’s decision in Dennis to argue that there is no due diligence requirement for a defendant asserting a Brady claim. We observe that the Third Circuit’s pronouncement in Dennis that Brady does not include a due diligence requirement, Dennis, 834 F.3d at 890, is in apparent conflict with caselaw from this Court that there is no Brady violation where a defendant could have uncovered the undisclosed evidence with reasonable diligence. See, e.g., Bagnall, 235 A.3d at 1091; Commonwealth v. Morris, 822 A.2d 684, 696 (Pa. 2003); Commonwealth v. Carson, 914 A.2d 220, 245 (Pa. 2006). This apparent conflict is not directly before us, and its resolution is unnecessary for disposing of the Commonwealth’s waiver argument. We note, however, that while this Court is clearly bound by the holdings of the United States Supreme Court on issues of federal law, we are not bound by the holdings of the Third Circuit on such issues. Hall v. Pennsylvania Bd. Of Probation and Parole, 851 A.2d 859, 865 (Pa. 2004).
[J-11-2023] - 16 case where the Commonwealth stated it received Dr. Lesniak’s report on May 7, 1980.
Conforti’s Brief at 70. Conforti further argues that he questioned Hamill about the pleading
during his PCRA testimony and that Hamill testified he did not remember if he provided
the Commonwealth with Bellman’s psychiatric reports in 1980 but that there were times
in his practice when he would provide such reports to the Commonwealth. Id. (citing
PCRA Hearing N.T., 11/8/21, 82-83, 96).
The pleading Conforti cites is entitled “Statement [o]f Facts” and was filed by the
Commonwealth in Bellman’s 1979 case in opposition to Bellman’s motion to dismiss and
in support of the Commonwealth’s request for an extension of time in which to begin trial.
Statement of Facts, 5 (unpaginated); R.R. 1409a. Within the pleading the Commonwealth
states ‘[a]ccording to the examining psychiatrist, Dr. John Lesniak arrangements were not
made for the examination until May 7, 1980, and the report was not received until
approximately June 8, 1980 by the defendant’s counsel and June 23, 1980 by the
Commonwealth.” Id, at 1-2 (unpaginated); R.R. 1405a-1406a (emphasis added). The
Commonwealth’s acknowledgement in this pleading that the Commonwealth was in
possession of the Lesniak and Galdieri 9 reports in 1980 supports the PCRA court’s
finding. 10 We further observe that the reports turned over by the Commonwealth contain
what appear to be contemporaneous handwritten notes indicating possible sentence
recommendations. These notes further support the conclusion that the Commonwealth
was in possession of the reports in 1980. See Lesniak Report; R.R. 1464a-1470.
9 The Galdieri report was attached to the Lesniak report.
10 The PCRA court found that both Hamill and the Commonwealth received the Lesniak
report in May 1980. PCRA Ct. Op., 12/27/2021, 8. The pleading indicates that Hamill received the report in May 1980 but that the Commonwealth did not receive it until a month later in June 1980. The one-month difference between the PCRA court’s determination and date indicated in the Statement of Facts is immaterial as, based on either date, the Commonwealth was in possession of the reports well before Conforti’s trial in 1991.
[J-11-2023] - 17 Importantly, not only did the Commonwealth possess the reports in 1980 but the
reports were located in Conforti’s case file. Through the parties’ stipulation, the
Commonwealth acknowledged the psychiatric reports were located in its Conforti case
file the Attorney General received from the Wayne County District Attorney’s Office and
that they were in a file folder within the case file marked “Misc. Police Reports.” PCRA
Hearing N.T., 11/8/2021, 191. Pursuant to Brady, a prosecutor’s disclosure obligation
includes evidence known to or readily ascertainable to the government actors involved in
the defendant’s prosecution. Commonwealth v. Weis, 81 A.3d 767, 792 (Pa. 2013). The
fact that the psychiatric reports were located in the Commonwealth’s Conforti case file
demonstrates that the reports were readily ascertainable and available to the
Commonwealth. The nondisclosure of the reports located in the Commonwealth’s
Conforti case file violated Brady. The Commonwealth cannot hide behind its failure to
disclose the reports earlier, which was its obligation, to now argue Conforti cannot prove
exactly when the Commonwealth came into possession of those reports. The
Commonwealth had an obligation to disclose the reports which were in its case file and
failed to so do.
As to the substance of the reports, the Commonwealth argues that they are not
material under Brady because there is not a reasonable probability that had the reports
been disclosed the result of Conforti’s trial would have been different. Commonwealth’s
Brief at 58 (citing Commonwealth v. Willis, 46 A.3d 648, 650 (Pa. 2012)). To this end, the
Commonwealth contends the reports were inadmissible hearsay so the jury would not
have been made aware of them. Id. at 58-59 (citing, inter alia, Commonwealth v. Brown,
342 A.2d 84, 91 (Pa. 1975)). In addition to being hearsay, the Commonwealth maintains
the reports would have also been inadmissible as they were irrelevant. Even if the reports
would have been admissible, the Commonwealth argues Conforti failed to prove their
[J-11-2023] - 18 admission would have likely resulted in a different outcome as the reports do not establish
that Conforti did not participate in Ms. Harbison’s murder.
The Commonwealth further contends that the reports could not have been used to
impeach Bellman’s credibility because only mental health disabilities that “impair a
witness’s ability to observe, recall, or report events are relevant and admissible to
impeach credibility.” Id. at 60 (citing Commonwealth v. Davido, 106 A.3d 611, 637 (Pa.
2014)). In the Commonwealth’s view, nothing in the reports establish that Bellman was
unable to accurately observe, recall, or report what happened during Ms. Harbison’s
murder ten years after the preparation of the reports.
The Commonwealth acknowledges that inadmissible evidence may be material for
Brady purposes, but only, in its view, where the defendant can show there is a reasonable
probability that had the evidence been disclosed the result of the proceeding would have
been different. Id. (citing Commonwealth v. Willis, 46 A.3d 648, 650 (Pa. 2012)).
According to the Commonwealth, in order to so prove, Conforti “would have had to show
that the report would have led to other specific evidence that would have changed the
outcome of his trial.” Id. at 52 (citing Willis, 46 A.3d at 650). The Commonwealth asserts
that the jury was aware of Bellman’s potential motive to testify favorably for the
Commonwealth and heard argument that Bellman was a liar and instructions from the
trial court about how to assess his credibility. As such, disclosure of the reports would
not have changed the outcome of the trial.
In response, Conforti argues a witness’ mental health issues are admissible to
undermine the reliability and credibility of the witness. Conforti’s Brief at 37 (citing
Commonwealth v. Mason, 518 A.2d 282, 285-87 (Pa. 1986); Cohen v. Albert Einstein
Med. Ctr., 592 A.2d 720, 726 (Pa. Super. 1991)). He further argues that a defendant has
a right to present evidence so long as it is relevant and not excluded by an established
[J-11-2023] - 19 evidentiary rule, including evidence “showing the commission of a crime by someone
else.” Id. (quoting Commonwealth v. Ward, 605 A.2d 796, 797 (Pa. 1992)). According to
Conforti, Bellman’s mental health issues were also impeaching. He argues “Bellman’s
status as a sociopath, including his compulsion to blame others for his actions, his
attempts to deceive evaluators, and his inability to feel guilt, made his testimony against
Mr. Conforti unreliable as it impacted his ‘ability to perceive events and to truthfully relate
the facts to which he testified at trial.’” Id. at 40 (quoting Commonwealth v. Davis, 674
A.2d 214, 216 (Pa. 1996)). The reports, Conforti asserts, also would have reflected that
Bellman was a sophisticated actor in the criminal justice system and that his explosive
rage and ingrained pattern of behavior established his inclination and capacity to commit
the crime on his own. Conforti asserts this would have supported his argument that
Bellman murdered Ms. Harbison on his own. For these reasons, Conforti contends the
PCRA court correctly held that the reports were favorable to the defense, and “that the
information included in these psychiatric and psychological reports would have been
extremely damaging to Bellman’s credibility.” Id. at 41 (quoting PCRA Ct. Op.,
12/27/2021, 9).
As to materiality, Conforti contends that had the Commonwealth disclosed
Bellman’s mental health issues the jury would have known of his severe mental problems
that exposed “his unreliability as a witness, corroborated the defense’s argument that he
committed this crime by himself, and shown that he had the inclination and capacity to do
so.” Id. at 47. In Conforti’s view, even if the reports were not admissible, they were
material because they could have been used to impeach or corral Bellman’s testimony by
questioning him on his diagnosis as a sociopath and other issues set forth in the reports.
Further Conforti contends disclosure of the reports would have prepared Attorney Bryan
for Bellman’s last-minute appearance as a Commonwealth witness, instead of being
[J-11-2023] - 20 surprised by his decision to testify, allowing time to properly prepare for cross-
examination.
We addressed the nondisclosure of a witness’s mental health issues in the Brady
context in Davido, where we stated:
When a witness suffers from a mental disability relevant to his or her ability to accurately observe, recall or report events, the jury must be informed of the disability in order to assist it in properly assessing the weight and credibility of the witness’s testimony. The evidence can be said to affect credibility when it shows that the witness’s mental disorganization impaired his or her capacity to observe an event at the time of its occurrence, to maintain a clear recollection of it, or to communicate the observation accurately and truthfully at trial. Davido, 106 A.3d at 637 (internal citation omitted); see also Davis, 674 A.2d at 216
(affirming the Superior Court’s holding that a defendant was entitled to the
complainant/witness’s mental health records provided to the Commonwealth possibly
indicating the complainant/witness was a pathological liar in order to confront the witness
at trial).
The PCRA court found the psychiatric reports would have been beneficial to
Conforti at trial for a multitude of reasons, including an incorrect conclusion that they
would have been admissible evidence themselves, but failed to analyze the reports in the
context of standard this Court set out in Davido. See PCRA Ct. Op., 12/27/2021, 9. This
failure, however, does not bar this Court from affirming the PCRA court’s decision on
other grounds. See In re A.J.R.-H., 188 A.3d 1157, 1176-77 (Pa. 2018) (the right-for-any-
reason doctrine permits an appellate court to affirm the trial court’s decision on any basis
that is supported by the record). Unlike the PCRA court, Conforti applies the contents of
the reports to the applicable legal framework. To that extent, he argues that “Bellman’s
status as a sociopath, including his compulsion to blame others for his actions, his
attempts to deceive the evaluators, and his inability to feel guilt, made his testimony
[J-11-2023] - 21 against Mr. Conforti unreliable as it impacted his ‘ability to perceive events and to truthfully
relate the facts to which he testified at trial.’” Conforti’s Brief at 40 (quoting Davis, 674
A.2d at 216).
After a careful review of the reports, we agree with Conforti’s assessment. In his
report, Dr. Lesniak found that Bellman suffered from a personality disorder that causes
him to be “selfish, impulsive and unable to feel guilt or learn from experience.” Lesniak
Report at 2; R.R. 1465a. Dr. Lesniak further determined that Bellman “fit the clinical
psychiatric picture of a sociopathic or antisocial personality” and “blame[s] others for his
behavior.” Id. For his part, Dr. Galdieri found that Bellman had “little or no trust for others.”
Galdieri Report at 2; R.R. 1469a. Bellman’s “predominant traits appear to be sociopathic,
along with narcissistic, paranoid behavior patterns.” Id. at 3; R.R. 1470a. The doctors’
respective findings addressed Bellman’s ability to “communicate [his] observation[s]
accurately and truthfully at” Conforti’s trial. Davido, 106 A.3d at 637. Specifically, the
doctors’ findings that Bellman was unable to feel guilt, had a willingness to blame others,
and had a sociopathic personality seriously call into question his ability to truthfully testify
regarding the circumstances surrounding Ms. Harbison’s murder. The reports, therefore,
satisfy the standard we set out in Davido for when a witness’ mental health issues affect
a witness’ credibility. See id. As such, the reports qualify as impeachment evidence that
was favorable to Conforti and are thus Brady material. Lambert, 994 A.2d at 854. The
Commonwealth was required to turn the reports over to Conforti so he could have used
them during cross examination to inform the jury of Bellman’s mental health issues so it
could accurately assess his credibility. In addition to be used to attack Bellman’s
credibility, the reports would have also been of use in Conforti’s counsel’s preparation in
anticipation of Bellman’s cross-examination.
[J-11-2023] - 22 The last requirement of a Brady claim is prejudice. Under Brady, prejudice occurs
when a defendant shows a “reasonable probability that had the evidence been disclosed
to the defense, the result of the proceeding would have been different.” Commonwealth
v. Bomar, 104 A.3d at 1189 (quoting Burke, 781 A.2d at 1141). “A reasonable probability
is a probability sufficient to undermine confidence in the outcome.” Commonwealth v.
Koehler, 36 A.3d 121, 133 (Pa. 2012) (quoting Commonwealth v. Paddy, 15 A.3d 431,
450 (Pa. 2011)). In other words, “the undisclosed evidence must be ‘material to guilt or
punishment.’” Bomar, 104 A.3d at 1189 (quoting Commonwealth v. Paddy, 800 A.2d 294,
395 (Pa. 2002)). In addition, “evidence of a witness’s mental health will be material only
if it ‘undermines [the witness’s] reliability [ ] or calls into question his ability to perceive,
remember and narrate perceptions accurately.’” Lesko v. Pennsylvania Dept. of Corr.,
33 F.4th 211, 233 (3d Cir. 2022) (quoting United States v. Georgiou, 777 F.3d 125, 144
(3d Cir. 2015) (brackets in original)).
The PCRA court found that Bellman was the Commonwealth’s key witness against
Conforti at trial. PCRA Ct. Op., 12/27/2021, 8. The record supports this conclusion.
Outside of Bellman’s testimony, the Commonwealth’s case against Conforti was entirely
circumstantial. The importance of Bellman’s testimony to the Commonwealth’s case was
acknowledged by Attorney Zimmer and Hamill, the original prosecutors, during their
respective PCRA hearing testimony. Attorney Zimmer testified that without Bellman’s
testimony, the case against Conforti was completely circumstantial. PCRA Hearing N.T.,
11/8/2021, 103. Hamill testified that, during his conversation with Bellman and Attorney
Wander discussing the possibility of Bellman testifying, the men discussed “the fact that
we were unsure what any verdict would be in the Mr. Conforti trial and that it was very
possible that Mr. Conforti may be acquitted at the same time it was possible he may be
convicted.” Id. at 13. The risk of Conforti being acquitted was the reason Hamill wanted
[J-11-2023] - 23 Bellman to testify. Id. at 68. Hamill explained the reasoning behind his assessment of
the case against Conforti, testifying that while the circumstantial evidence against each
defendant was mostly the same, unlike Bellman, Conforti had not given a statement
inculpating himself in Ms. Harbison’s murder. Id. at 15.
A review of the evidence presented at Conforti’s trial supports the prosecutor’s
assessment of their case. Prior to Bellman’s testimony, the Commonwealth did not
produce any evidence directly connecting Conforti to Ms. Harbison’s murder. 11 Bellman’s
testimony was the linchpin directly connecting that circumstantial evidence to Conforti.
Bellman testified that Conforti produced the handcuffs, directed Bellman to handcuff Ms.
Harbison and then sexually assaulted her. Conforti Trial N.T., 9/19/1991, 23. He further
testified that it was Conforti’s idea to kill Ms. Harbison, id. at 22, and that Conforti obtained
the knife from his trailer after they placed Ms. Harbison in the back of Bellman’s car. Id.
at 26. Bellman also asserted Conforti was the one who physically murdered Ms. Harbison
while minimizing his own involvement, testifying that Conforti stabbed Ms. Harbison while
Bellman puked and dry heaved. Id. at 30-33. Bellman testified he never stabbed Ms.
Harbison and that when Bellman said he could not kill anyone, Conforti called him a
“pussy” and said he had “no fucking balls to do nothing.” Id. at 33, 30. In Bellman’s
version of events, Conforti was the main actor in Ms. Harbison’s murder. Conforti testified
on his own behalf, denied any involvement in Ms. Harbison’s murder, directly
contradicting Bellman’s testimony. Id. at 130-31.
Testifying in his own defense, Conforti’s version of events differed significantly from
Bellman’s version. According to Conforti, shortly after he returned to his trailer from the
11 The Commonwealth did present evidence that a pubic hair found in Ms. Harbison’s
pubic region “exhibited the same microscopic features or characteristics as the pubic hair from” Conforti. Conforti Trial N.T., 9/18/1991, 50. The evidence did not definitively conclude the questioned pubic hair belonged to Conforti.
[J-11-2023] - 24 bar, “Bellman [came] in the house and he’s rushing, [h]ey, Mike, you still got those
handcuffs []?”. Id. at 107. Conforti continued that Bellman said, “I’m going to have some
fun with some girl tonight, can I borrow them.” Id. Conforti testified he then retrieved two
pairs of handcuffs from his bedroom and handed them to Bellman and then Bellman left
the trailer. Id. at 107-08; 110. Conforti continued that after Bellman left, he went to sleep,
waking up around eight or nine the next morning. Id. at 117. When he awoke, Bellman
was on the couch in the living room. Id. at 117-18. In Conforti’s version of events he had
no involvement in Ms. Harbison’s murder, directly contradicting Bellman’s testimony. Id.
at 130-31.
Attorney Zimmer then highlighted Bellman’s testimony in his closing. He asserted
that Bellman was the only person besides Ms. Harbison that could tell the jury what
happened and that his testimony showed that either Bellman committed the murder, or
he did it in the company of Conforti. Conforti Trial N.T., 9/20/1991, 92. He argued that
the evidence supported Bellman’s testimony because the handcuffs, Ms. Harbison’s
glasses, and the murder weapon were found where Bellman said they would be. Id. at
109. Finally, Attorney Zimmer asked the jury if Bellman, as he broke down on the witness
stand, looked like someone who would initiate the stabbing or more like someone who
would dry heave while someone else stabbed Ms. Harbison. Id.
Bellman’s testimony was critical to the Commonwealth’s case and was directly
contradicted by Conforti’s own testimony. Bellman’s credibility was, therefore, crucial to
the case, and the Commonwealth argued that the jury should believe his testimony. If
the Lesniak and Galdieri Reports had been disclosed to Conforti, he would have been
able to cross examine Bellman on the mental health issues set out in those reports and
attack his credibility. His diagnosis as a sociopath who did not feel guilt for his actions
and tended to blame others would have called into question the credibility of his testimony
[J-11-2023] - 25 implicating Conforti as the primary actor in Ms. Harbison’s murder while minimizing his
own involvement. As the reports call Bellman’s reliability into issue, they are material.
Further, because of the importance of Bellman’s testimony, if those reports were properly
disclosed there is a reasonable probability the result of Conforti’s trial would have been
different, as it could have led the jury to discredit Bellman’s testimony and given more
credit to Conforti’s testimony that he was not involved in Ms. Harbison’s murder. Conforti
was prejudiced by the Commonwealth’s nondisclosure. Lastly, unlike the alleged Brady
material in Lambert, Bellman’s psychiatric reports were not cumulative of any other
available impeachment evidence. See Lambert, 884 A.2d at 856.
V. Conclusion
We affirm the PCRA court’s determination that the Commonwealth committed a
Brady violation by failing to disclose Bellman’s psychological reports. Conforti’s judgment
of sentence is vacated. 12
Chief Justice Todd and Justices Donohue, Dougherty, Wecht and Brobson join the opinion.
12 As we uphold the PCRA court’s vacation of Conforti’s convictions and sentence on this
basis, we need not address the other issues raised by the Commonwealth.
[J-11-2023] - 26