### J - S40030 - 18

________________ ____________________ * Retired Senior Judge assigned to the Superior Court. NON - PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37 COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA

Appellee v. TYREE J. BROWN

Appellant : : : : : : : : : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF

PENNSYLVANIA

No. 2699 EDA 2017 Appeal from the PCRA Order July 13, 2017 in the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County Criminal Division at No.: CP - 51 - CR - 0011343 - 2007 BEFORE: LAZARUS, J., DUBOW, J., and PLATT*, J. MEMORANDUM BY PLATT, J.: FILED SEPTEMBER 12, 2018 Appellant, Tyree J. Brown, appeals pro se from the order d ismissing his second petition for relief pursuant to the Post Conviction Relief Act (PCRA), 42 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 9541 – 9546 , as untimely . We affirm on the basis of the PCRA court’s opinions . In its opinions, t he PCRA court aptly explains the factual and procedural history of this case. ( See PCRA Court Opinion, 12/15/17, at 1 - 8; PCRA Ct. Op., 7/21/14, at 1 - 11). Therefore, we need not recou nt them at length here. We note briefly for the convenience of the reader that o n February 23, 2009, Appellant entered a counselled , negotiated guilty plea to third degree murder and related offenses in connection with an armed robbery of a convenience store perpetrated by Appellant and his co - conspirator on June

### J - S40030 - 18

- 2 -

25, 2007. During the course of the robbery Appellant wounded the store’s owner with a sawed off shotgun. His co - conspirator killed a customer. Appellant confessed to these crimes. The guilty plea avoided a mandatory term of life imprisonment for second - degree murder. The court sentenced Appellant to an aggregate term of not less than twenty - eight years’ nor more than sixty years of incarceration in a state correctional institution. Appellant’s judgment of sentence became final on March 25, 2009, thirty days after the entry of his negotiated plea on February 23, 2009. Appellant file d his first PCRA petition July 16, 2012, three years after his judgment of sentence became final. The PCRA court dismissed the appeal, this Court affirmed, and our Supreme Court denied allowance of appeal. ( See PCRA Ct. Op., 12/15/17, at 1 - 2). More than six years after his judgment of sentence became final, Appellant filed the instant second PCRA petition, pro se , on October 22, 2015 . It was untimely by over six years. Appellant raises eight questions on appeal. [ 1. ] Did [Appellant] request [ ] an appeal? [ 2. ] Was counsel ineffective for failing [to file a] requested appeal? [ 3. ] Did trial counsel completely disregard his client’s requested appeal?

### J - S40030 - 18

- 3 - [ 4. ] Did trial counsel completely disregard state and federal requirements to file an Anders 1 

### brief to be excused from representation? [ 5. ] Did counsel just ignore his client’s constitutional right to an appeal? [ 6. ] Since [counsel] was never properly excused from record is it safe to say [he] still represent[s Appellant] client? [ 7. ] Did [Appellant] properly meet [exception] standards? [ 8. ] Did [Appellant] fall under the "public record" standards? (Appellant’s Brief, at 3). On June 21, 2018, Appellant also filed a pro se application for relief, citing Pennsylvania Rule of Appell ate Procedure 2185 , (Time for S erving and F iling B riefs ), and Pa.R.A.P. 2188 , ( Consequence of Failure to File Brief, and Reproduced Records ). Appellant asked this Court to bar the Commonwealth ’s brief, unless this Court gave it permission to proceed. ( Se e Application ( Motion ) , 6/21/18). The Commonwealth served its brief, late after extensions, on July 2, 2018. Our standard and scope of review for PCRA claims are well - settled : We review an order dismissing a petition under the PCRA in the light most favorable to the prevailing party at the PCRA level. This review is limited to the findings of the PCRA court and the evidence of record. We will not disturb a PCRA court ’ s ruling if it

_________________ ____________________ _______ 1 

### See Anders v. California , 386 U.S. 738 (1967). The brief that accompanies court - appointed appellate counsel ’ s petition to withdraw from representation is commonly referred to as an Anders brief. See Commonwealth v. Santiago , 978 A.2d 349, 351 n.1 ( Pa. 2009) .

### J - S40030 - 18

- 4 -

is supported by evidence of record and is free of legal error. This Court may affirm a PCRA court ’ s decision on any grounds if the record supports it. We grant great deference to the factual findings of the PCRA court and will not disturb those findings unless they have no support in the record. However, we afford no suc h deference to its legal conclusions. Further, where the petitioner raises questions of law, our standard of review is de novo and our scope of review is plenary. Commonwealth v. Reed , 107 A.3d 137, 140 ( Pa. Super. 2014) (citation omitted). Additionally ,

[T]he time limitations pursuant to . . . the PCRA are jurisdictional. [Jurisdictional time] limitations are mandatory and interpreted literally; thus, a court has no authority to extend filing periods except as the statute permits. If the petition is determined to be untimely, and no exception has been pled and proven, the petition must be dismissed without a hearing because Pennsylvania courts are without jurisdiction to consider the merits of the petition. Id. at 140 – 41 (citations omitted). Here, a fter a thorough review of the record, the briefs of the parties, the applicable law, and the well - reasoned opinions of the Honorable Leon W. Tucker, we conclude that Appellant’s petition is untimely with no statutory exception to the one - year PCRA time lim it pleaded and proven. Accordingly, we affirm on the basis of the trial court’s opinions. Moreover , we note the confirmation by the PCRA court that Appellant’s multiple claims of ineffective assistance and abandonment of trial counsel were previously litigated in his 2014 appeal. ( See PCRA Ct . Op . , 12/15/17 , at 1 - 8 ; see also PCRA Ct. Op., 7/21/14 , at 1 - 11 ). Order affirmed. Motion to bar Commonwealth’s brief denied as moot.

### J - S40030 - 18

- 5 -

Judgment Entered. Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq. Prothonotary Date: 9/12/18C i r cu l a t e d 0 8 / 2 1 / 2 0 1 8 0 4 : 2 4 P M

3- 200 7 c om m . v . B ro w n . T y re e J . C P -5 1 - C R .00 1 1 34 O p in ion 

### C O M M O N W E A L T H O F P ENN S Y L V AN I A 

### v . T Y RE E 

### J . B R O W

N

L E O N W . T U C KE R , 

### J . 

# \

\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ I 7 17 6 5 06 1 5 1 

# · V � ' ' P � E D · JU L 2 : l 2 0 1 4 

## c · rim i n a l A p p e a l s 

## U n i t . F i rs � ie, W i s t r i c t o f P A C P - 5 1 - C R - 0 0 1 1 3 4 3 - 2 0 0 7 S U P E R I O R C O U R T 

### N o . 12 2 8 E D A 2 0 1 4 D A T E : 

### Ju l y 2 1 , 2 0 1 4 C O U R T O F C O M M O N P L E A S F I R S T JU D I C I A L D I S T RI C T

I. 

### P R O C E D U RA L H I S T O R Y T h i s m att e r c o m e s b e fo r e th e S u p e ri o r C o urt o f P e nn s y l v an i a o n a p p e a l fr o m th e d i s m i s s a l o f Ap p e ll ant T yr e e B r o wn ' s (h e r e i n a ft e r r e fe rr e d t o a s " B ro wn " ) p ro s e 

### P o s t C o nv i c t i o n R e l i e f A c t P e t i t i o n ( h e r e i n a ft e r r e fe rr e d t o as " P C RA P e t i ti o n " ) . ' O n F e b ru ary 2 3 , 2 0 0 9 , p urs uant t o n e g o ti at i o n b e tw e e n th e p art i e s , B ro wn p i e d g u i l ty t o th e fo ll o w i n g o ff

e n s e s : M ur d e r o f th e Th i r d D e g r e e ( " M ur d e r " ) , 1 8 P A . C . S . 

### § 2 5 0 2 ( c ) ; R o b b e r y

- T hr e at e n i n g S e ri o u s B o d i l y In j ur y ( " R o b b e ry " ) , 1 8 P A . C. S . 

### § 3 7 0 1 ( a ) ( l ) ( i i ) ; an d C ri m i n al C o n s p i r a c y - E n g a g i n g i n M ur d e r o f th e Th i r d D e gr e e ( " C o n s p i r a c y " ) , 1 8 P A . C. S . 

### § 9 0 3 ( a ) ( l ) . O n F e b ru ar

y 2 3 , 2 0 0 9 , th e C o urt s e nt e n c e d B ro wn t o th e fo ll o w i n g t e rm s o f i n c ar c e rat i o n : tw e nty t o fo rty ( 2 0 - 4 0 ) y e ar s i n c ar c e rat i o n fo r M ur d e r , c o n s e c ut i v e t o e i g ht t o tw e nty ( 8 - 2 0 ) y e ar s i n c ar c e rati o n fo r R o b b e ry t o run c o n c urr e ntl y w i th e i ght t o tw e nty ( 8 - 2 0 ) y e ar s i n c ar c e rat i o n fo r C o ns p i r a c y . B r o wn w a s r e p r e s e nt e d b y D ani e ] S t e v e n s o n , E s qu ir e at tri a l . B e c au s e B r o wn d i d n o t fi l e a p o s t - s e nt e n c e m o t i o n o r n o ti c e o f a p p e a l , h i s s e nt e n c e b e c am e fi n a l th i rty d ay s fr o m s e nt e n c i n g , M ar c h 2 5 , 2 0 0 9 . 4 2 P a . C. S . § 

### 9 5 4 5 ( b ) ( 3 ) ; P a . R . A . P . 9 0 3 . B r o wn a ll e g e d l y as k e d T ri a l C o un s e l t o fi l e an a p p e a l o n th e d at e o f hi s s e nt e n ci n g , F e b ru ar y 2 3 , 2 0 0 9 . P C RA P e t at 2 . B r o wn a ll e g e d l y n e v e r h e ar d fr o m T ri a l C o un s e l an d wr o t e a . l e tt e r i n qu i r i n g ab o ut th e s t at u s o f h i s a

p p e al o n M ar c h 2 5 , 2 0 0 9 . I d . 

### A tt a c h e d t o B r o wn ' s P C RAP e t i ti o n w a s a l e tt e r a p p e ari n g t o b e fr o m B ro wn t o T ri a l C o un s e l. P C RA P e t. ( E x . A ) . C o ntr ary t o h i s c l a i m th at h e s e nt a l e tt e r M ar c h 2 5 , 2 0 0 9 , th e l e tt e r att a c h e d t o h i s p e t i t i o n i s d at e d M ar c h 5 , 2 0 0 9 , an d i n d i c at e s th at i t w a s B ro wn ' s s e c o n d l e tt e r t o T ri a l C o un s e l a lth o u g h B ro wn ' s P e t i t i o n i s s i l e nt r e g ar d i n g o th e r l e tt e r s . I d. Ap p ro x i m at e l y thr e e y e ar s l at e r , o n M ar c h 1 9 , 2 0 1 2 , B ro wn a ll e g e s th at h e wro t e th e S u p e r i o r C o urt o fP e nn s y l v an i a t o i n qu ir e a b o ut th e s t atu s o f h i s a

p p e a l. P C RA P e t. at 2 . O n Jun e 4 , 2 0 1 2 , B ro wn w a s a ll e g e d l y i n f o rm e d b y th e P ro th o n o t ar y ' s O f fi c e o f th e S u

p e r i o r C o urt th at th e y h a d n o a

p p e a l o n fil e . I

d. B ro wn att a c h e d th e a ll e g e d l e tt e r fr o m th e P ro th o n o t ary ' s O ffi c e I t o h i s P e t i t i o n . P C RA P e t. ( E x . A ) . O n Ju l y 6 , 2 0 1 2 , B ro wn unt i m e l y fi l e d a p ro s e P C RA P e t i t i o n , th e r e i n a s k i n g th e C o urt t o r e i n s t at e h i s a

p p e a l r i g ht s b e c au s e T ri a l C o un s e l w a s i n e ff e c t i v e an d a

b an d o n e d h i m b e c au s e c o un s e l d i d n o t fi l e B ro wn ' s r e qu e s t e d a p p e a l. B ro wn ' s s e nt e n c e b e c am e fi n a l o n M ar c h 2 5 , 2 0 0 9 a s n o m o t i o n o r n o t i c e o f a p p e a l w a s fi l e d . 4 2 P a . C . S . § 9 5 4 5 ( b ) ( 3 ) ; P a . R . A . P . 9 0 3 . B ro wn th e n h a d o n e y e ar , unt i l M ar c h 2 5 , 2 0 1 0 , t o fi l e a P C RA P e t i t i o n . 4 2 P a . C. S . 

### § 9 5 4 5 ( b ) (I ) . T hu s , B ro wn ' s p ro s e P C RA P e t i ti o n o n Ju l y 6 , 2 0 1 2 w a s m o r e th an tw o y e ar s a f t e r th e s t at

ut e o f li m i t at i o n s e xp i r e d an d m or e th an thr e e y e ar s a ft e r h i s s e nt e n c e b e c am e fi n a l. O n Au g u s t 9 , 2 0 1 2 , B ro wn fi l e d an unt i m e l y M o t i o n t o Am e n d h i s p ro s e P C RA P e t i t i o n , c h ar a c t e r i z i n g h i s cl a i m a s o n e u p o n wh i c h th e fa c t s w e r e unk n o wn t o h i m an d c o u l d n o t h av e b e e n as c e rt a i n e d b y th e e x e r c i s e o f d u e d i l i g e n c e . P C RA P e t. A m e n d . B ro wn furth e r c l a i m e d th at s i n c e h e w a s n o t aw ar e o f th e fa c t s unt i l h e r e c e i v e d n o t i c e fr o m th e P ro th o n o t ary ' s O ffi c e o f th e S u

p e ri o r C o urt o n Jun e 4 , 2 0 1 2 , h i s cl a i m w a s p r e s e nt e d w e ll w i th i n 6 0 d ay s . I d . O n M ay 5 , 2 0 1 3 , B ro wn w a s a p p o i nt e d P C RA C o un s e l , Jo hn P . C o tt e r , E s qu i r e .

2O n S e p t e mb e r 2 4 , 2 0 13 , P C RA C o un s e l , a c t i n g i n a c c o r d an c e w i th C o m m o n w e a lt

h v . F i n le y , 5 5 0 A. 2 d 2 1 3 ( P a . S u p e r. 1 9 8 8 ) , fil e d a M o t i o n t o W i th draw a s C o un s e l an d a l e tt e r s t at i n g th at th e i s s u e s ra i s e d i n B ro wn ' s p ro s e P C RA p e t i t i o n w e r e m e ri t l e s s an d th at n o i s s u e s o f ar g u ab l e m e r i t c o u l d b e ra i s e d i n a c o un s e l e d p e t i t i o n . O n Janu ary 13 , 2 0 1 4 , a ft e r c o n d u c t i n g i t s o wn i n d e p e n d e nt r e v i e w o f th e r e c o r d , th i s C o urt a g r e e d w i th P C RA C o un s e l an d i s s u e d N o t i c e o f Int e nt t o D i s m i s s p ur s u ant . t o Pa . R i C r i m . P, 9 0 7. B r o wn fi l e d h i s r e s p o n s e o n F e b ru ar y , 7 , 2 0 1 4 . T h e C o urt fo rm a ll y d i s m i s s e d B ro wn ' s P C RA p e t i ti o n b y o r d e r d at e d M ar c h 1 7 , 2 0 1 4 an d gr ant e d P C RA C o un s e l l e av e t o w i th draw fr o m furth e r r e p r e s e nt at i o n o fB ro wn . O n Ap r i l 1 0 , 2 0 1 4 , B ro wn t i m e l y fil e d a N o t i c e o f Ap p e a l t o th e S u p e r i o r C o urt . O n Ap ri l 1 7 , 2 0 1 4 , th e C o urt o r d e r e d B ro wn t o fi l e a C o n c i s e S t at e m e nt o f M att e r s C o mp l a i n e d o f p ur s u ant t o Pa . R . A . P. 1 9 2 5 ( b ) ( " 1 92 5 (b ) S t at e m e nt " ) . O n M ay 7 , 2 0 1 4 , B ro wn c o mp l i e d an d fi l e d h i s 1 92 5 ( b ) S t at e m e nt wh e r e i n s t at i n g th e fo ll o w i n g c l a i m s o f e rr o r : I . T h e P C RA c o urt e rr e d i n d e nyi n g Ap p e ll ant ' s P C RA p e t i t i o n w i th o ut a h e ar i n g i n l i g ht o f M a r ti n e z v . R y a n , 13 2 S . C t. 13 0 9 ( 2 0 1 2 ) an d C o m m o n w e a lt

h v . G ra n t

, 8 13 A. 2 d 7 2 6 ( P a . S u p e r . 2 0 0 2 ) . 2 . P C RA c o un s e l w a s i n e ff e c t i v e i n fa i li n g t o p ro p e r l y i nv e s t i g at e Ap p e ll ant ' s i s s u e s an d fi l e a p ro p e r am e n d e d p e t i t i o n t o r e s t o r e Ap p e ll ant ' s d ir e c t a p p e a l ri g h t s a s r e qu i r e d I un d e r th e c a s e s o f

M a r t i n e z an d G ra n t

. 3 . T r i a l c o un s e l w a s i n e ff e c t i v e i n fa i l i n g t o c o mp l y w i th Ap p e ll ant ' s w i s h e s t o s ub m i t r e c o n s i d e r at i o n an d

/ o r d i r e c t a

p p e a l wh e n i n qu i r e d b y tri a l c o urt a s t o Ap p e ll ant ' s i nt e nt i o n s t o a

p p e a l i n v i o l at i o n w i th th e h o l d i n g i n R o e v . F lo res - O r te

g a , 1 2 0 S . C t. I 0 2 9 ( 2 0 0 0 ) . 4 . T r i a l c o un s e l w a s i n e ff e c t i v e i n w a i v i n g p r e - s e nt e n c e i nv e s t i g at i o n r e p o rt an d d e p r i v i n g tr i a l c o urt th e o p p o rt

un i ty t o r e v i e w an d a s s e s s Ap p e ll ant ' s p r i o r r e c o r d , c h ara c t e r i s t i c s , e t c . i n c o n s i d e rat i o n o f s e nt e n c i n g wh e r e c i r c um s t an c e s c l e ar l y d e p i c t n o r e as o n ab l y c o mp e t e nt ' l awy e r w o u l d h av e d o n e s o thu s d e p ri v i n g Ap p e ll ant o f h i s e nt i tl e m e nt s un d e r U. S . C O N S T. am e n d . V I , X I V an d P a . C o n s t. A rt. 1 § 9 . 3

### 5 . T ri al c o urt e rr e d i n i mp o s i n g 2 8 - 6 0 y e ar t e rm , wh e r e Ap p e ll ant' s rank i n g w a s a " 2 "

un d e r th e s e nt e n c i n g gu i d e l i n e s , wh e r e th e s e nt e n c e o n s u c h r ank i n g w a s at 9 6 m o nth s , an d wh e r e th e c o urt fa il e d t o p ro v i d e c o nt e mp o ran e o u s wri tt e n s t at e m e nt o f i t s r e a s o n s fo r i mp o s i n g a t e rm e x c e e di n g th e g u i d e li n e s , vi o l at i n g th e h o l d i n g i n C o m m o n w e a l t

h v . M i c ke ll , 

### 5 9 8 A. 2 d 1 0 0 3 ( P a . S u

p e r . 1 9 9 1 ) . 6 . P C RA c o urt e r

r e d 

### i n a c c e p t i n g P C RA C o un s e l ' s " n o m e ri t " l e tt e r an d fa i l e d t o r e qu i r e c o un s e l t o p ro p e r l y r e p r e s e nt Ap p e ll ant' s i s s u e s 

### as m an d at e d i n th e c a s e o f E v i tt s v . L u c e y , 

### 1 0 5 S . C t. 8 3 0 ( 1 9 8 5 ) an d C o m m o n w e a lth v . Pri o volo s , 

### 7 4 6 A. 2 d 6 2 1 ( P a . S u p e r . 2 0 0 0 ) . 

### II . F a c ts , T h e fo ll o w i n g fa c t s w e r e p r e s e nt e d b y th e C o mm o nw e a l th an d a dm i tt e d 

### as tru e b y B ro wn i n c o urt . N . T . T r i a l ( 0 2 /2 3 / 0 9 ) 1 4- 1 8 : A t a p p r o x i m at e l y 1 : 0 3 A M o n Jun e 2 5 , 2 0 0 7 , B r o wn an d c o d e fe n d ant w e r e o ut s i d e a l o c a l s t o r e . I

d . 

### at 1 4 . Ar o un d th e s am e t i m e , L ay e e B i l i ty , th e v i c t i m , p ark e d h i s c ar an d e nt e r e d th e s t o r e . I

d . 

### at 1 4 - 1 5 . A f

t e r w at c h i n g B i l i ty e nt e r , B ro wn an d c o d e fe n dant d e c i d e d t o r o b h i m . I d. 

### at 1 5 . C o d e fe n d ant h a d a r e v o l v e r an d B ro wn r e tri e v e d a s aw e d - o ff s h o t g un fr o m ar o un d th e c o m e r. I d . 

### Up o n e nt e r i n g th e s t o r e w i th th e i r w e a p o n s , B ro wn an d c o d e fe n d ant s urr o un d e d B i l i ty an d B r o wn d i s c h ar g e d hi s s h o t gun . 

### I d . T h e b l as t p i e r c e d thr o u g h p l e x i g l as s i n th e s t o r e an d i n j ur e d th e o wn e r L i n Li u wh o w a s b e h i n d th e g l a s s . 

### I d. at 1 5 - 1 6 . T h e b l a s t d i d n o t h i t B i li ty , b ut c au s e d h i m t o fa l l. 

### I

d. at 1 5 . C o d e fe n d ant s ub s e qu e ntl y fi r e d i nt o B i li ty ' s c h e s t an d tw i c e i nt o h i s b a c k . 

### I d. at 1 6 . C o d e fe n d ant th e n l e ft th e s t o r e an d B ro wn fo ll o w e d a ft e r . 

### I d . S o m e p ro c e e d s w e r e t ak e n fr o m B i l i ty ' s b o dy , b ut s o m e m o n e y w a s l e ft o n th e gr o un d n e ar b y . I d. 

### T h e i n c i d e nt w a s c a p tur e d o n th e s t o r e ' s v i d e o s urv e i ll an c e t a p e . I d. 

### L i u , th e s t o r e o wn e r , w a s ab l e t o i d e nti f y th e c o d e fe n d ant , wh o s ub s e qu e ntl y i d e nt i fi ed B ro wn . I

d . 

### at 1 6 . B ro wn g av e a fu ll c o n f es s i o n t o h o m i c i d e d e t e c t i v e s a dm i tt i n g hi s ro l e i n th e ro b b e ry , hi s p o s s e s s i o n o f th e s h o t g un , an d th at th e s h o t g un d i s c h ar g e d d ur i n g th e i n c i d e nt. I

d. 

### at 41 6 - 1 7 . 

### In e x c h an g e fo r B ro wn ' s a dm i s s i o n s , th e C o mm o nw e a lth l o w e r e d th e o ri g i n a l c h ar g e

fr o m M ur d e r o f th e S e c o n d D e gr e e t o M ur d e r o f th e T h i r d D e g r e e , I d . at 1 7 . A d i s c u s s i o n e n s u e s . II I. L e g a l A n a ly s i s A . B r o w n h a s w a i v e d a ll i s s u e s n o t p r o p e r ly r a i s e d i n h i s 

### l 9 2 5 ( b ) S t a t e m e n t. 

### It i s w e ll s e tt l e d th at wh e n th e tri a l c o urt o r d e r s an a p p e ll ant t o s ub m i t a 1 9 2 5 ( b ) S t at e m e nt , i t i s a c ru c i a l c o mp o n e nt o f th e a p p e ll at e p ro c e s s . C

o m m o n w e a l t

h v . L o rd

, 7 1 9 A. 2 d 3 0 6 , 3 0 7 ( P a . 1 9 9 8 ) . Pa . R . A . P. 1 9 2 5 (b ) r e qu i r e s th at th e s t at e m e nt o f i s s u e s c o mp l a i n e d o f s h a ll b e c o n c i s e an d s e t fo rth o n l y th o s e ru li n g s o r e rr o r s th at a p p e ll ant i nt e n d s t o c h a ll e n g e . P a . R . A. P . 1 9 2 5 ( b ) ( 4 ) ( i ) . I s s u e s n o t ra i s e d i n a c c o r d an c e w i th th e p ro v i s i o n s o f Pa . R . A . P. I 9 2 5 (

b ) ar e w a i v e d . P a . R. A. P . 1 9 2 5 (b ) ( 4 ) ( v i i ) . 

### it i s a l s o w e ll s e tt l e d th at wh e n th e tr i a l c o urt o r d e r s an a p p e ll ant t o s ub m i t a 1 9 2 5 ( b ) S t at e m e nt , th at s t at e m e nt mu s t i n d i c at e , w i th s p e c ifi c it y , th e e rr o r t o b e a d dr e s s e d o n a p p e a l. C o m m o n w e a lt

h v . M c C r e e, 8 5 7 A. 2 d 1 8 8 , 1 9 2 ( P a . S u p e r. C t. 2 0 0 4 ) ( e mp h a s i s a d d e d ) . F urth e rm o r e , e v e n i f b y c h an c e th e tri a l c o urt c o rr e c t l y gu e s s e s th e i s s u e s th e a p p e ll ant ra i s e s o n a p p e a l an d wri t e s an o p i n i o n p ur s u ant t o th at s u p p o s i t i o n , th e i s s u e s ar e s t i ll w a i v e d . C o m m o n w e a lt

h v . H e g g i n s , 8 0 9 A. 2 d 9 0 8 , 9 1 1 ( P a . S u p e r. 2 0 0 2 ) . H e r e , i n h i s 1 9 2 5 ( b ) S t at e m e nt , B ro wn d i d n o t ra i s e any e x c e p t i o n s t o th e s t at ut e o f l i m i t at i o n s c o nt a i n e d i n 4 2 Pa . C S. 9 5 4 5 (b

) . T h e r e fo r e , a ll c l a i m s r e g ar d i n g th e t i m e l i n e s s o f B ro wn ' s P C RA P e t i t i o n ar e w a i v e d . 4 2 P a . C . S . § 9 5 4 5 ( b ) ( l ) . H o w e v e r , B ro wn d i d a ll e g e an e x c e p t i o n i n hi s unt i m e l y M o t i o n t o A m e n d · h i s P C RA P e t i t i o n . T h e C o urt un d e r s t an d i n g th at B ro wn p ro c e e d s p ro s e, g u e s s e d th at B ro wn i nt e n d e d t o p r e s e rv e th e c l a i m e d e x c e p t i o n o n a p p e a l. T h i s i s n o t th e C o urt ' s u s u a l c u s t o m . E v e n i f th e C o urt p ro p e r l y g u e s s e d B ro wn ' s 

### 5c l a i m e d e x c e p ti o n , i t i s w a i v e d o n a p p e a l fo r h i s fa i l ur e t o c o mp l y w i th Pa . R . A . P. 1 9 2 5 ( b ) . E v e n c o n s i d e r i n g th e cl a i m e d e x c e p t i o n , B ro wn ' s ra i s e d i s s u e s ar e n o n e th e l e s s w i th o ut m e r i t.



### B . B ro w n ' s P C RA P e t i ti o n i s u n ti m e ly w i t h o u t e x c e p t i o n . Un d e r 4 2 Pa . C

S. § 9 5 4 1 e t s e q . , c o mm o n l y kn o wn a s th e P o s t - C o nv i c t i o n R e l i e f A c t , a p e t i t i o n e r mu s t p ro v e b y a p r e p o n d e r an c e o f th e e v i d e n c e th at h i s a ll e g ati o n s o f e rr o r h av e n o t b e e n p r e v i o u s l y li t i g at e d o r w a i v e d i n o r d e r t o b e e l i g i b l e fo r r e l i e f. 4 2 P a . C . S . § 9 5 4 3 ( a ) ( 3 ) . In a d d i t i o n , a P C RA p e t i t i o n , i n c l u d i n g a s e c o n d o r s ub s e qu e nt p e t i t i o n , mu s t o r d i n ar i l y b e fil e d w i th i n o n e y e ar o f th e d at e th e un d e rl yi n g j u d gm e nt b e c o m e s fi n a l. 4 2 P a . C. S . § 9 5 4 5 ( b ) ( l ) . A j u d gm e nt i s d e e m e d fi n a l " at th e c o n c l u s i o n o f d i r e c t r e v i e w , i n cl u d i n g d i s c r e t i o n ar y r e v i e w i n th e S u p r e m e C o urt o f th e Un i t e d S t at e s an d th e S u p r e m e C o urt o f P e nn s y l v an i a , o r at th e e xp i rat i o n o f t i m e fo r s e e k i n g r e v i e w . " 4 2 P a . C . S . § 9 5 4 5 ( b ) ( 3 ) . . H e r e , B ro wn w a s s e nt e n c e d o n F e b ru ary 2 3 , 2 0 0 9 . B e c au s e B ro wn d i d n o t fi l e a p o s t s e nt e n c e m o t i o n o r n o t i c e o f a p p e a l , h i s s e nt e n c e b e c am e fi n a l th i rty d ay s fr o m h i s h e ar i n g , M ar c h 2 5 , 2 0 0 9 . 4 2 P a . C . S . § 9 5 4 5 (b ) ( 3 ) ; P a . R . A. P . 9 0 3 . B ro wn fi l e d h i s P C RA P e t i t i o n o n Ju l y 6 , 2 0 1 2 ; o v e r thr e e ( 3 ) y e ar s a ft e r th e d at e o f fi n a l i ty . B ro wn ' s P C RA P e t i t i o n i s unt i m e l y p ur s u ant t o 4 2 Pa . C

S. § 9 5 4 5 (b

)( J ) . T h e r e fo r e B ro wn ' s P C RA c l a i m i s unt i m e l y . D e s p i t e th e o n e - y e ar fi li n g d e a d li n e , th e P C RA p e rm i t s th e l at e fil i n g o f a p e t i t i o n wh e r e a p e t i t i o n e r a ll e g e s an d p ro v e s o n e o f thr e e n an- o w e x c e p t i o n s . 4 2 P a . C. S . § 9 5 4 5 ( b ) ( l ) ( i ) - ( i i i) . A p e t i t i o n e r mu s t p l e a d th e s e e x c e p t i o n s e xp l i c i t l y an d s at i s f y th e b ur d e n o f p ro o f ; th e s e e x c e p t i o n s mu s t b e ra i s e d w i th i n s i x ty ( 6 0 ) d ay s o f th e d at e th e c l a i m c o u l d h av e b e e n p r e s e nt e d . I d . at § 9 5 4 5 ( b ) ( 2 ) . O ut s i d e o f th e s e n arr o w e x c e p ti o n s , P e nn s y l v an i a c o urt s h av e n o j uri s d i c t i o n t o a d dr e s s th e s ub s t ant i v e m e r i t s o f P C RA p e t i t i o n s th at ar e unt i m e l y w i th o ut e x c e p t i o n . C o m m o n w e a l t

h v . R o b i n s o n , 8 3 7 A. 2 d 1 1 5 7 ( P a . 2 0 0 3 ) ; C o m m o n w e a lt

h v . G a m b o a - T

a y lo r , 7 5 3 A. 2 d 78 0 , 78 3 ( P a . 2 0 0 0 ) . 6H e r e , B ro wn c l a i m s 

### § 9 5 4 5 ( b ) (J )( ii ) a p p l i e s - " th e fa c t s u

p o n wh i c h th e cl a i m i s p r e d i c at e d w e r e unk

n o wn t o th e p e t i t i o n e r an d c o u l d n o t h av e b e e n a s c e rt a i n e d b y th e e x e r c i s e o f d u e d i li g e n c e . " P C RA P e t. Am e n d . Wh e n e s t ab l i s h i n g s u c h a c l a i m , a p e t i t i o n e r mu s t t ak e r e a s o n ab l e s t e p s t o p ro t e c t h i s o wn i nt e r e s t s , an d e xp l a i n why h e c o u l d n o t h av e o b t a i n e d th e a ll e g e d n e w fa c t s e ar l i e r t o d e m o n s tr at e d u e d i l i g e n c e . C

o m m o n w e a lt

h v. M o n a c o , 9 9 6 A . 2 d 1 0 7 6 , 1 0 8 0 ( P a . S u

p e r. 2 0 1 0 ) ( int e rn a l c i t at i o n s o m i tt e d ) . I n h i s 1 92 5 ( b ) S t at e m e nt , B ro wn cl a im s th at T r i a l C o un s e l w a s i n e ff e c t i v e at tri a l an d ab an d o n e d h i m b y n o t fi l i n g a d i r e c t a p p e a l. 1 9 2 5 ( b ) S t a e m e nt 

## ,r ,r 3 - 4 . T h e C o urt a s s um e s th at B ro wn i nt e n d e d t o p r e s e rv e th e r e l at e d i s s u e th at h i s i n e ff e c t i v e a s s i s t an c e o f c o un s e l cl a i m i s t i m e l y p ur s u ant t o th e a f t e r - d i s c o v e r e d e v i d e n c e e x c e p t i o n t o th e s t atut e o f li m i t at i o n s . P C RA P e t. Am e n d . I n i t i a ll y , th e C o urt n o t e s th at , p ur s u ant t o 4 2 Pa . C. S . 

### § 9 5 4 5 ( b )( 2 ) , B ro wn h a s a b ur d e n o f p ro v i n g th at h e ra i s e d h i s a f t e r - d i s c o v e r e d e v i d e n c e c l a i m w i th i n s i x ty ( 6 0 ) d ay s o f th e d at e th e a ll e g e d n e w fa c t s w e r e d i s c o v e r e d . In r e g ar d s t o a f t e r - d i s c o v e r e d e v i d e n c e an d cl a i m s o f c o un s e l i n e ff

e c t i v e n e s s , th e C o urt i n C o m m o n w e a l t

h v. C a rr , 7 6 8 A. 2 d 1 1 6 4 , 1 1 6 5 , 1 1 6 7 ( P a . S u p e r. 2 0 0 1 ) , h e l d th at a d e fe n d ant' s r e c e nt d i s c o v e r y o f T ri a l C o un s e l' s fa i l ur e t o fi l e a d i r e c t a p p e a l o n h i s b e h a l f

, d o e s n o t c o n s t i t

ut e a f t e r - d i s c o v e r e d e v i d e n c e , an d th at s u c h c l a i m s c ann o t b e u s e d t o c i r c umv e nt th e P C RA ' s s t at ut o r y t i m e b ar . S p e c i fi c a ll y , th e p e t i ti o n e r i n C a rr ar g u e d , a s h e re , th at T ri a l C o un s e l fa i l e d t o fi l e a r e qu e s t e d d i r e c t a p p e a l. 

### I d . at 1 1 6 6 . In h o l d i n g th at p e t i t i o n e r ' s c l a i m d i d n o t qu a l i fy a s a ft e r - d i s c o v e r e d e v i d e n c e , th e C o urt s t at e d th at , a b s e nt a s h o w i n g o f d

u e d i l i g e n c e , " th e m e r e d i s c o v e r y o f tr i a l c o un s e l ' s fa i l ur e t o fi l e a d i r e c t a p p e a l , a f t e r th e o n e - y e ar w i n d o w t o fi l e a P C RA p e t i t i o n , d o e s n o t p l a c e [ th e p e t i t i o n e r ] un d e r

7s ub s e c t i o n 9 5 4 5 ( b ) ( l ) ( i i ) . " I d . at 1 1 6 8 . A c c o r d i n g l y , th e P C RA C o urt i n C a rr J a c k e d j uri s d i c t i o n t o e nt e rt a i n [ th e p e t i t i o n e r ' s ] p e t i t i o n fo r r e l i e f. " I d . at 1 1 6 8 . F i r s t , B ro wn ' s cl a i m i s un av a i li n g un d e r C a rr. B ro wn cl a i m s th at h i s c o un s e l w a s i n e ff e c t i v e fo r fa i l i n g t o fi l e a d i r e c t a p p e a l. S u c h a c l a i m d o e s n o t qu a li f y un d e r th e a ft e r d i s c o v e r e d e v i d e n c e e x c e p t i o n . C a rr , 7 6 8 A. 2 d at 11 6 8 . T h e C o urt a l s o o b s e rv e s th at B ro wn d i d n o t m e e t h i s b ur d e n o f s h o w in g d i l i g e n c e i n d i s c o v e r i n g th at T ri a l C o un s e l w a s i n e ff e c t i v e at tri a l an d d i d n o t fi l e an a p p e a l. B ro wn h a s fa i l e d t o p r e s e nt t o th e C o urt any e v i d e n c e o f any r e as o n why , thro u g h th e e x e r c i s e o f d u e d i li g e n c e , th e fa c t th at c o un s e l w a s i n e ff e c t i v e at tr i a l an d d i d n o t fi l e an a

p p e a l w a s n o t d i s c o v e rab l e t o h i m i n th e thr e e y e ar s b e tw e e n h i s s e nt e n c i n g an d P C RA P e t i t i o n . M

o n a c o , 9 9 6 A. 2 d at 1 0 8 0 . S e c o n d , Br o wn d i d n o t m e e t h i s b ur d e n o f s h o w i n g th at h e ra i s e d h i s a f t e r - d i s c o v e r e d e v i d e n c e cl a i m w i th i n s i x ty ( 6 0 ) d ay s o f th e d at e th e a ll e g e d n e w fa c t s w e r e d i s c o v e r e d . 4 2 P a . C. S . § 9 5 4 5 ( b ) ( 2 ) . B ro wn ' s i n i t i a l P C RA P e t i t i o n fil e d Ju l y 6 , 2 0 1 2 m e r e l y m a d e a cl a i m o f i n e ff e c t i v e c o un s e l. B ro wn d i d n o t c h ar a c t e r i z e hi s cl ai m a s an a ft e r - d i s c o v e r e d e v i d e n c e c l a i m unti l h e fi l e d a M o t i o n t o Am e n d h i s o ri g i n a l P e t i t i o n o n Au g u s t 9 , 2 0 1 2 . Au gu s t 9 , 2 0 1 2 w a s 6 6 d ay s fr o m wh i c h B ro wn c l a i m s h e fi r s t l e arn e d T r i a l C o un s e l a b an d o n e d h i m . P C RA P e t. T hu s , B ro wn h a s fa i l e d t o m e e t th e s i x ty ( 6 0 ) d ay t i m e l i n e s s r e qu i r e m e nt fo r h i s c l a i m th at T ri a l C o un s e l i n e ff

e c t i v e n e s s i s a ft e r - d i s c o v e r e d e v i d e n c e . W i th o ut e xp l an at i o n o r e x c u s e , B ro wn w a i t e d thr e e y e ar s t o wr i t e th e S u p e ri o r C o urt a ft e r T r i a l C o un s e l fa il e d t o r e s p o n d t o h i s l e tt e r. B ro wn c o u l d h av e an d s h o u l d h av e in qu i r e d mu c h s o o n e r. B ro wn ' s c l a i m o f a ft e r - d i s c o v e r e d e v i d e n c e fa i l s .

C. B r o w n ' s c l a i m t h a t h i s s e n t e n c e w a s i m p r o p e r i s w i t h o u t m e r i t . B ro wn cl a i m s th e tri a l c o urt e r r e d i n i mp o s i n g hi s s e nt e n c e o f 2 8 - 6 0 y e ar s wh e r e B ro wn ' s " rank i n g w a s a 2 un d e r th e s e nt e n c i n g gu i d e li n e s , wh e r e th e s e nt e n c e o n s u c h rank i n g 

### 8w a s at 96 m o nth s , an d , wh e r e th e c o urt fa i l e d t o p ro v i d e c o nt e mp o ran e o u s wri tt e n s t at e m e nt o f

i t s r e a s o n ( s ) fo r i mp o s i n g a t e rm e x c e e d i n g th e gu i d e l i n e s " thu s v i o l at i n g C o m m o n w e a lt

h v. M i c k e ll , 5 9 8 A. 2 d 1 0 0 3 ( P a . S u p e r . 1 9 9 1 ) . 1 92 5 ( b ) S t at e m e nt 

### ,i 5 . I n r e v i e w i n g B ro wn ' s unt i m e l y P C RA P e t i t i o n an d hi s M o t i o n t o A m e n d , th e C o urt fi n d s th at B ro wn ra i s e d th e c l a i m o f i ll e g a l s e nt e n c e fo r th e fi r s t t i m e i n h i s 1 9 2 5 ( b ) S t at e m e nt. 

### I d. ; P C RA P e t . ; P C RA P e t. A m e n d . T h e r e fo r e , p ur s u ant t o Pa . R . A . P. 3 0 2 ( a ) , i s s u e s n o t ra i s e d i n th e l o w e r c o urt ar e w a i v e d an d c ann o t b e ra i s e d fo r th e fi r s t t i m e o n a p p e a l. B ro wn ' s cl a i m o f i ll e g a l i ty o f s e nt e n c e i s a l s o unt i m e l y . H e h a s n o t a ll e g e d o r att e mp t e d t o p ro v e any § 9 5 4 5 (

b )( l ) e x c e p t i o n s t o th e o n e - y e ar d e a d li n e fo r th i s c l a i m . P C RA P e t ; 1 9 2 5 ( b ) S t at e m e nt. T h e cl a i m i s th e r e fo r e a l s o t i m e - b arr e d an d w i th o ut m e ri t. Wh i l e n o t r e qu i r e d t o d o s o , th e C o urt r e v i e w e d B ro wn ' s c l a i m an d d e t e rm i n e d h i s s e nt e n c e w a s p ro p e r. B ro wn ' s p r i or r e c o r d s c or e w a s " 2 , " b ut h i s o ff e n s e gr av i ty s c o r e w a s " 1 4 " fo r M ur d e r i n th e T h i r d D e g r e e p ur s u ant t o 2 0 4 Pa . C o d e 

### § 3 0 3 . 1 5 . B ro wn ' s c l a i m th at th e m ax i mum s e nt e n c e a ll o w e d w a s 9 6 m o nth s i s i n c o rr e c t. A c c o r d i n g t o th e s e nt e n c i n g m atr i x i n 2 0 4 Pa . C

o d e§ 3 0 3 . 1 6 (

a ) , a p ri o r r e c o r d s c o r e o f " 2 " an d an o ff

e n s e gr av i ty s c o r e o f " 1 4 " h a s a 96 - y e ar s t at

ut o r y li m i t. T h e r e fo r e , B ro wn ' s s e nt e n c e o f 2 8 - 6 0 y e ars w a s p ro p e r a s i t i s w e ll b e l o w th e 96 - y e ar s t at

ut o ry l i m i t. 

### D . P C RA C o u n s e l p ro p e r ly a n d e f fe c t i v e ly i n v e s t i g a t e d B r o w n ' s P C RA p e t i t i o n . B ro wn cl a i m s P C RA c o un s e l w a s i n e ff e c t i v e i n fa i l i n g t o p ro p e r l y i nv e s ti g at e B ro wn ' s i s s u e s an d fi l e a p ro p e r l y am e n d e d p e t i t i o n a s r e qu i r e d un d e r M a r t i n e z v . R y a n , 1 3 2 S . C t. 1 3 0 9 ( 2 0 1 2 ) an d C

o m m o n w e a lt

h v. G ra n t

, 8 1 3 A. 2 d 7 2 6 ( P a . S u p e r . 2 0 0 2 ) . 1 9 2 5 ( b ) S t at e m e nt 

### ,i 2 . B ro wn a l s o c l a i m s th e P C RA c o urt e rr e d i n a c c e p t i n g P C RA C o un s e l ' s " n o m e r i t " l e tt e r an d 9fa i li n g t o r e qu i r e C o un s e l t o p ro p e rl y r e p r e s e nt B ro wn a s m an d at e d 

### b y E v i tt s v . L u c e y , 1 0 5 S . C t. 8 3 0 ( 1 9 8 5 ) an d C

o m m o n w e a lt

h v . Prio v o lo s, 7 4 6 A. 2 d 6 2 1 ( P a . S u p e r . 2 0 0 0 ) . 1 92 5 ( b ) S t at e m e nt

A P C RA p e t i t i o n e r i s e nt i tl e d t o h av e c o un s e l a p p o i nt e d o n a fi r s t P C RA P e t i t i o n t o m ak e a d e t e rm i n at i o n a s t o wh e th e r th e cl a i m h a s m e ri t. C o m m o n w e a lt

h v . F e r gu s o n , 72 2 A. 2 d 1 77 ( P a . S u p e r. C t. 1 9 9 8 ) . P ur s u ant t o F i n le y, 5 5 0 A . 2 d 2 13 , an d C o m m o n w e a lt

h v . T u rn e r , 5 4 4 A. 2 d 92 7 ( P a . S u

p e r. C t. 1 9 8 8 ) , i f

, a f t e r d u e i nv e s t i g at i o n , a

p p o i nt e d P C RA c o un s e l b e l i e v e s th at n o m e r i t fo r any P C RA c l a i m e x i s t s , c o un s e l m ay p e t i t i o n t o w i th draw h i s a p p e aran c e . Up o n i n d e p e n d e nt r e v i e w , i f th e C o urt a gr e e s th at P C RA c o un s e l h a s s at i s fi e d th e r e qu i r e m e nt s l a i d o ut i n F i n le y c o n c e rn i n g c o un s e l ' s r e v i e w o f th e fi l e , an d a gr e e s w i th th e c o n cl u s i o n th at n o m e ri t e x i s t s a s t o th e i s s u e s ra i s e d i n th e p ro s e P C RA P e t i ti o n , th e c o urt m ay p e rmi t P C RA c o un s e l t o w i th draw an d d i s m i s s th e p e t i t i o n w i th o ut a h e ari n g . C o m m o n w e a lth v . G lo v e r , 7 3 8 A. 2 d 3 9 7 , 4 2 0 ( P a . S u p e r . C t. 1 9 9 9 ) . H e r e , a ft e r c o n d

u c t i n g i t s o wn r e v i e w o f th e r e c o r d , th e C o urt a gr e e d w i th P C RA C o un s e l an d fo un d th e i s s u e s ra i s e d i n B ro wn ' s p ro s e P C RA P e t i t i o n t o b e w i th o ut m e ri t b e c au s e th e s e nt e n c e g i v e n w a s l e g a l an d B ro wn ' s P C RA w a s unt i m e l y . T h e r e fo r e , th e C o urt p ro p e r l y d i s m i s s e d B ro wn ' s p ro s e P C RA P e t i t i o n an d gr ant e d a p p o i nt e d P C RA c o un s e l l e av e t o w i th draw . E . T h e C o u r t p r o p e r ly d i s m i s s e d t h e a c t i o n w i t h o u t h o l d i n g a n 

### e v i d e nti ar y h e a r i n g . B ro wn ar g u e s th at h e w a s e nt i t l e d t o an e v i d e nt i ary h e ar i n g i n l i g ht o f M a r ti n e z v . R y a n , 13 2 S . C t. 1 3 0 9 ( 2 0 1 2 ) an d C o m m o n w e a lt

h v . G ra n t

, 8 1 3 A . 2 d 7 2 6 ( P a . S u p e r. 2 0 0 2 ) . 1 92 5 ( b ) S t at e m e nt � 1 . 1 0Un d e r th e P e nn s y l v an i a R u l e s o f C ri m i n a l P ro c e d ur e , a tri a l c o urt m ay d i s m i s s a P C RA p e t i t i o n w i th o ut a h e ar i n g o n l y i f th e C o urt d e t e rm i n e s th at th e r e ar e n o g e nu i n e i s s u e s o f m at e r i a l fa c t an d th at th e d e fe n d ant i s n o t e nt i t l e d t o p o s t - c o nv i c t i o n c o ll at e ra l r e li e f , an d n o p urp o s e w o u l d b e s e rv e d b y any furth e r p ro c e e d i n g s . P a . R. C r i m . P . 9 0 7 . T h e r e i s n o ab s o l ut e ri g ht t o an e v i d e nt i ar

y h e ar i n g o n a P C RA p e t i t i o n . 

### C o m m o n w e a lt

h v . J o n es, 9 4 2 A . 2 d 9 0 3 , 9 0 6 ( P a . S u p e r. 2 0 0 8 ) . H e r e , th e C o urt d e t e rm i n e d th at th e r e ar e n o t g e nu i n e i s s u e s o f m at e r i a l fa c t ; B ro wn ' s cl a i m s ar e ti m e - b arr e d . T h e r e i s n o d i s p ut e o f fa c t r e g ar d i n g th e unt i m e l i n e s s o f B ro wn ' s P C RA P e t i t i o n . B ro wn i s n o t e nt i t l e d t o p o s t - c o nv i c t i o n c o ll at e ra l r e l i e f. I V . C o n cl u s i o n B ro wn h a s w a i v e d num e ro u s cl a i m s i n hi s 1 92 5 ( b ) S t at e m e nt b y ra i s i n g th e m fo r th e fi rs t ti m e o n a

p p e a l o r b y n o t a ll e g i n g e x c e p t i o n s t o th e s t at ut e o f l i m i t at i o n s . D e s p i t e w a i v i n g m o s t o f th e m , th e C o urt fo un d B ro wn ' s cl a i m s t o b e w i th o ut m e r i t n o n e th e l e s s . Up o n i n d e p e n d e nt r e v i e w o f th e r e c o r d , th i s C o urt a gr e e d w i th a p p o int e d P C RA c o un s e l th at B ro wn ' s 

### p ro s e P C RA P e t i t i o n l a c k e d m e r i t. A s n o i s s u e s o f m at e r i a l fa c t s e x i s t e d , n o e v i d e nt i ar y h e ar i n g w a s r e qu i r e d . T h i s C am i ' s ru l i n g s h o u l d s t an d .

11C O U R T O F C O M M O N P L E A S O F P H I L AD E L P H I A C O U N T Y C RI M I N AL T R I A L D I V I S I O N C O M M O N W E AL T H V . T Y RE E B R O W N , C P - 5 1 - C R - 0 0 11 3 4 3 - 2 0 0 7 , 1 2 2 8 E D A 2 0 1 4 O p i n i o n P R O O F O F S E R VI CE I h e r e b y c e rt i fy th at I am th i s d ay s e rv i n g th e fo r e g o in g C o urt O r d e r u p o n th e p e r s o n ( s ) an d i n th e 

### m ann e r i n d i c at e d b e l o w , whi c h s e rv i c e s at i s fi e s th e r e qui r e m e nt s o f P A . R . C RI M . P . 1 1 4 : D e f e n s e C o u n s e l / Pa r t y :

T y p e o f S e rv i c e : D i s tr i c t A tto r

n ey :

T y p e o f S e r v i c e : P e ti ti o n e r :

T y p e o f S e rv i c e :

D at e d : /' 

# / 2 

# I / f 

# l-/ Jo hn P . C o tt e r , E s qu i r e

2 5 4 1 S . B ro a d S tr e e t P h i l a d e lp h i a , P a 1 9 1 4 8 ( ) P e r s o n a l ( X ) F i r s t C l a s s M a i l ( ) O th e r H u g h B um s , Jr . , E s qu i r e P C RA 

### Un i t , D i s tr i c t A tt o rn e y ' s O ffi c e W i d e n e r B u i l d i n g 3 S o uth P e nn S q . P h i l a d e lp hi a , P A 1 9 10 7 ( ) P e r s o n a l ( X ) F i r s t C l a s s M ai l ( ) O th e r M r . T yr ee B r o wn H Y - 1 3 9 4 S C I F o r e s t P O B o x 9 4 5 M ari e nv i l l e , P A 1 6 2 3 9 - 0 3 0 7 ( ) P e r s o n a l ( ) F i rs t C l as s M a i l ( X ) C e rt i fi e d M a i l

1 2C i r cu l a t e d 0 8 / 2 1 / 2 0 1 8 0 4 : 2 4 P M C O U R T O F C O M M O N P L E A S O F P H I L A D E L P H I A C O U N T Y F I R S T JU D I C I A L D I S T RI C T O F P ENN S Y L V A N I A C RI M I N A L T RI A L D I V I S I O N C O M M O N W E A L T H O F P ENN S Y L V A N I A 

# R e c e i v e d D E C 1 5 

## 2 0 1 7 Offi ce o f J u d i c i a l R eco rd s Ap pe al � o st 

### T rial



### v . T Y RE E B R O W

N 

### S u p e r i o r C o urt N o . 2 6 9 9 E D A 2 0 1 7 C P - 5 1 - C R - O O 11 3 4 3 - 2 0 0 7 T h i s a p p e a l c o m e s b e fo r e th e S u p e ri o r C o urt fo ll o w i n g th e d i s m i s s a l o f a P o s t C o nv i c t i o n R e li e f A c t 1 ( " P C RA " ) p e t i t i o n fi l e d o n O c t o b e r 2 2 , 2 0 1 5 b y T yr e e J . B r o wn ( h e r e i n a ft e r

" P e t i t i o n e r " ) . 

### I . P r o c e d

ur a l H i s t o r

y O n F e b ru ar

y 2 3 , 2 0 0 9 , p ur s u ant t o n e g o t i at i o n b e tw e e n th e p art i e s , P e t i t i o n e r e nt e r e d a gu i lty p l e a o n th e c h ar g e s o f th i r d d e g r e e mur d e r2 , r o b b e ry' , an d c r i m i n a l c o n s p i r a cy " . O n F e b ru ar y 2 3 , 2 0 0 9 , th i s c o urt s e nt e n c e d P e t i t i o n e r t o tw e nty to fo rty ( 2 0 - 4 0 ) y e ar s i n c ar c e rat i o n fo r mur d e r , c o n s e c ut i v e t o e i g ht t o tw e nty ( 8 - 2 0 ) y e ar s i n c ar c e r at i o n fo r ro b b e r y t o run c o n c ur

r e nt l y w i th e i g h t t � tw e nty ( 8 - 2 0 ) y e ar s i n c ar c e rat i o n fo r c o n s p i r a c y . P e t i t i o n e r d i d n o t fil e any p o s t - s e nt e n c e m o t i o n s o r a p p e a l h i s j u d g m e nt o f s e nt e n c e thu s P e t i t i o n e r ' s s e nt e n c e b e c am e fi n a l o n M ar c h 2 5 , 2 0 0 9 , th i rty ( 3 0 ) d ay s a ft e r s e nt e n c i n g . 5 O n Ju l y 1 6 , 2 0 1 2 , thr e e y e ar s a ft e r h i s j u d g m e nt o f s e nt e n c e b e c am e fi n a l , P e t i t i o n e r fil e d h i s fi r s t P C R

A p e t i t i o n cl a i m i n g i n e ff e c t i v e a s s i s t an c e o f tr i a l c o un s e l. O n J anu ar y 1 3 , 2 0 1 4 , 1 4 2 P a . C . S . §

§ 9 5 4 1 - 9 5 4 6 ( W e s t 2 0 1 6 ) . 2 1 8 P a . C . S . § 2 5 0 2 ( c ) ( W e s t 2 0 1 6 ) . 3 1 8 P a . C . S . § 3 7 0 1 ( a ) ( l ) ( i i ) ( W e s t 2 0 1 6 ) . 4 1 8 P a . C. S . 

### § 9 0 3 ( a ) ( l ) ( W e s t 2 0 1 6 . ) 5 4 2 P a . C . S . § 9 5 4 5 ( b ) ( 3 ) ; P a . R . A . P . 9 0 3 ( W e s t 2 0 1 6 ) . C P - 5 1 - C R -00 1 1 34 3 · 2 00 7 C om m . v . B row n . T y r e e J . O p irueo 

# I III I 

# II I I II I I II I I II II II I I 8 0 . 4 4 3 5 4 6 6 1

### th e H o n o r a b l e Ju d g e L e o n W . T u c k e r i s s u e d a " n o t i c e o f i nt e nt t o d i s m i s s " ( " 9 0 7 n o t i c e " ) p ur s u ant t o Pa . R . C

r i m . P. R u le 9 0 7

. 

### T h e P C RA c o urt fo rm a ll y d i s m i s s e d th e p e t i t i o n o n M ar c h 1 7 , 2 0 1 4 . T h e S u

p e ri o r C o urt o f P e n � s y l v an i a a ff irm e d th e d e n i a l o f th e P C RA p e t i t i o n o n F e b ru ar

y 1 3 , 2 0 1 5 . C

o m m o n w e a l t

h 11 . B r o wn , 

### 1 2 0 A . 3 d 3 8 1 ( P a . S u p e r 2 0 1 4 ) . O n Janu ary 3 0 , 2 0 1 5 th e P e nn s y l v an i a S u p r e m e C o urt d e n i e d a p e t i t i o n fo r a ll o w an c e o f a p p e a l. C o m m o n w e a lth v . B ro w n , 

### 1 1 7 A . 3 d 1 2 8 0 ( P a . 2 0 I 5 ) . T h e P e t i t i o n e r fil e d th e i n s t ant unt i m e l y p ro s e 

### P C RA , h i s s e c o n d , o n O c t o b e r 2 2 , 2 0 I 5 . P e t i t i o n e r s u

b s e qu e nt l y fi l e d tw o am e n d e d P C R A p e t i t i o n s o n Janu ar

y 1 4 , 2 0 1 6 , an d Ju l y 2 0 , 2 0 1 6 . T h e c o urt i s s u e d a 9 0 7 n o t i c e o n M ay 3 1 , 2 0 1 7 , an d fo rm a ll y d i s m i s s e d th e p e t i t i o n a s unt i m e l y o n Ju l y 1 3 , 2 0 I 7 . O n Au g u s t I 0 , 2 0 1 7 , P e t i t i o n e r fi l e d a N o t i c e o f Ap p e a l t o th e S u p e ri o r C o urt o f P e nn s y l v an i a . O n S e p t e mb e r 6 , 2 0 1 7 th e c o urt o r d e r e d P e t i t i o n e r t o fi l e a C o n c i s e S t at e m e nt o f M att e r s C o mp l a i n e d o f O n Ap p e a l ( " 1 9 2 5 ( b ) S t at e m e nt " ) p ur s u ant t o Pa . R .A . P. J 9 2 5 ( b ) . 

### O n S e p t e mb e r l 9 , 2 0 1 7 , P e t i t i o n e r c o mp l i e d an d fil e d h i s 1 9 2 5 ( b ) S t at e m e nt wh e r e i n s t at i n g th e fo l l o w i n g c l a i m s o f e rr o r v e r b at i m : I . P C RA an d S e nt e n c i n g c o urt fa i l e d t o a c kn o w l e d g e p e t i t i o n e r fa ll s un d e r th e e x c e p t i o n o f

9 5 4 5 ( b ) ( l ) ( i i ) d

u e t o h i m b e i n g a

b an d o n e d b y tri a l c o un s e l. F i n d i n g th at c o un s e l ' s " Ab an d o nm e n t " c an b e a n e w l y d i s c o v e r e d fa c t fo r p ur p o s e s o f t i m e l i n e s s e x c e p t i o n . 2 . S e nt e n c i n g j u d g e fa i l e d t o a c k n o w l e d g e th at p e t i t i o n e r w a s cl e arl y ab an d o n e d i n th e m o s t c ru c i a l p h a s e o f a p o s s i b l e a p p e a l wh e n p e t i t i o n e r cl e arl y a s k e d fo r an a p p e a l o n h i s b e h a l f i n o p e n c o urt . 3 . S e nt e n c i n g j u d g e fa i l e d t o o r d e r c o un s e l t o fil e An d e r ' s B ri e f b e fo r e h e c o u l d o f fi c i a ll y b e d i s m i s s e d fr o m r e p r e s e nt at i o n o f th e p e t i t i o n e r . 4 . S e nt e n c i n g j u d g e fa i l e d t o p ro t e c t p e t i t i o n e r fr o m e x c e p t i n g [ s i c ] an i ll e g a l n e g o t i at e d p l e a wh e r e th e s e nt e n c e o f 

### C RI M IN A L C O N S P I RA C Y an d 

### 3 r t1 D E C RE E M U RD E R s h o u l d h av e m e r g e d fo r s e nt e n c i n g i n s t e a d o f b e i n g ran c o n s e c ut i v e . 25 . 

### S e nt e n c i n g j u d g e , c o un s e l , o r d i s tri c t att o rn e y fa i l e d t o e xp l a i n th e e l e m e nt s o f th e

c h ar g e s th at i t i s i mp o s s i b l e t o c o mm i t C RI M IN A L C O N S P I R A C Y t o c o mm i t 3 rd 

### D E G RE E M U RD E R . An d C o mm o nw e a l th mu s t p ro v e th at p e t i t i o n e r c o n s p i r e d t o c o mm i t an un i nt e nt i o n a l a c t. 6 . D o ub l e j e o p ar dy i s p r o h i b i t e d b y th e U . S . c o n s t i t ut i o n [ s i c ] . T h e S u

p r e m e c o urt [ s i c ] h a s h e l d th at th e D o u

b l e J e o p ar dy cl au s e p r o t e c t s a g a i n s t mu lt i p l e p un i s hm e nt s fo r th e s am e o ff

e n s e . P e t i t i o n e r i s b e i n g p un i s h e d fo r 3 r t1 

### D E G RE E M U RD E R an d a l s o fo r C RI M IN A L C O N S P I RA C Y , R O B B E R Y [ s i c ] · 7 . C o un s e l fa i l e d t o p r o p e rl y i nv e s t i g at e a m o r e c o n s i d e ra b l e p l e a wh e r e th e p e t i t i o n e r h a d a p ri o r r e c o r d s c o r e o f a ( 2 ) an d a g r av i ty s c o r e o f a ( 1 4 ) . An d i s n o w s e nt e n c e d i n th e ( RE Y O C ) r e p e at e d v i o l e nt o ff e n d e r c at e g o r

y . 8 . C o un s e l I n e ff

e c t i v e fo r fa i l i n g t o s u

b m i t r e qu e s t e d a

p p e a l wh e n p e t i t i o n e r cl e arl y w ant e d t o e x e r c i s e h i s ri g ht t o d o s o . 9 . P C R A c o un s e l 

### I n e f

f e c t i v e fo r fa i l i n g t o ar gu e th at s e nt e n c i n g c o un s e l s a c t i o n s w e r e s o unr e a s o n a

b l e th at n o c o mp e t e nt att o rn e y w o u l d h av e c h o s e n i t , an d th at th e t i m e l i n e s s o f th e p e t i t i o n s h o u l d h av e b e e n c h a ll e n g e d . I 0 . P e t i t i o n e r h a d n o r e a s o n t o b e l i e v e h e w a s a b an d o n e d th e c o un s e l wh o w a s s u p p o s e [ s i c ] t o b e p r o t e c t i n g h i s c o n s t i t ut i o n a l ri g ht t o an a

p p e a l. An d p e t i t i o n e r h a s n o a c c e s s t o " P u

b li c R e c o r d s " t o l e arn o f i t. 1 1. 

### E v i d e nt i ar

y h e ar i n g s h o u l d b e g rant e d t o e s t ab l i s h o n r e c o r d i f p e t i t i o n e r s ri g ht t o a p p e a l w a s un l aw fu ll y v i o l at e d b y c o un s e l. An d s h o u l d th e y b e r e i n s t at e d NU N C P R O T U N C. II . D i s c u s s i o n T h e P C R A c o urt p ro p e rl y d i s m i s s e d P e t i t i o n e r ' s " P e t i t i o n fo r P o s t C o nv i c t i o n C o ll at e r a l R e l i e f ' a s i t w a s unt i m e l y fi l e d w i th o ut e x c e p t i o n an d th i s c o urt w a s w i th o ut j uri s d i c t i o n t o m ak e a d e t e rm i n at i o n o n th e m e ri t s o f th e cl a i m . Un d e r 4 2 P a . C o n s . S t at. § § 9 5 4 1 - 9 5 4 6 , 

### c o mm o n l y kn o wn a s th e P o s t C o nv i c t i o n R e l i e f A c t , a p e t i t i o n e r i s r e qu i r e d t o p l e a d an d p r o v e b y a p r e p o n d e ran c e o f th e e v i d e n c e th at h e w a s 3

### c o nv i c t e d o r s e nt e n c e d a s a r e s u lt o f o n e o f th e g ro un d s e num e r at e d i n s u b s e c t i o n ( a ) ( 2 ) t o o b t a i . n p o s t - c o nv i c t i o n r e l i e f. 4 2 P a . C . S . § 

### 9 5 4 3 ( a ) ( 2 ) . H e mu s t a l s o p ro v e th e c l a i m e d e r r o r s w e r e n o t p r e v i o u s l y l i t i g at e d o r w a i v e d an d " th e fa i l ur e t o l i t i g at e . th e i s s u e p r i o r t o o r d uri n g tri a l , . . o r o n d i r e c t a

p p e a l c o u l d n o t h av e b e e n th e r e s u l t o f any rat i o n a l , s trat e g i c o r t a c t i c a l d e c i s i o n b y c o un s e l. " Id. 

### § 9 5 4 3 ( a ) ( 4 ) . An i s s u e i s c o n s i d e r e d p r e v i o u s l y l i t i g at e d i f " th e h i g h e s t a p p e l l at e c o urt i n wh i c h th e p e t i t i o n e r c o u l d h av e h a d r e v i e w a s a m att e r o f ri g ht h a s r u l e d o n th e m e r i t s o f th e i s s u e . " Id. 

### § 

### 9 5 4 4 ( a ) ( 2 ) . An i s s u e i s c o n s i d e r e d w a i v e d " i f th e p e t i t i o n e r c o u l d h av e ra i s e d i t b ut fa i l e d t o d o s o b e fo r e tr i a l , at tri a l , d uri n g un i t ar

y r e v i e w , o n a

p p e a l o r i n a p ri o r s t at e p o s t c o nv i c t i o n p r o c e e d i n g . " Id. 

### § 

### 9 5 4 4 ( b ) . A . T h e P C R

A C o urt w a s w i th o ut j uri s d i c t i o n t o m ak e a d e t e r m i n at i o n o n th e m e ri t s o f th e P C R

A p e t i t i o n b e c au s e i t w a s m an i f e s t l y un t i m e l y w i th o ut e x c e p t i o n . 

### A p e t i t i o n e r mu s t fi l e a P C RA p e t i t i o n , i n c l u d i n g s e c o n d an d s u b s e qu e nt p e t i t i o n s , w i th i n o n e y e ar o f th e d at e wh e n th e j u d g m e nt b e c o m e s fi n a l. 4 2 P a . C. S . § 

### 9 5 4 5 ( b ) . A 

### j u d g m e nt i s c o n s i d e r e d fi n a l at th e c l o s e o f d i r e c t r e v i e w o r wh e n th e t i m e t o s e e k r e v i e w e xp i r e s . Id. 

### § 

### 9 5 4 5 ( b ) ( 3 ) . T h e r e ar e thr e e e x c e p t i o n s t o th e o n e - y e ar t i m e l i m i t at i o n : ( i ) th e fa i l ur e t o ra i s e th e c l a i m p r e v i o u s l y w a s th e r e s u l t o f i nt e r f e r e n c e b y g o v e rnm e nt o ffi c i a l s w i th th e p r e s e nt at i o n o f th e c l a i m i n v i o l at i o n o f th e C o n s t i t ut i o n o r l aw s o f th i s C o mm o nw e a l th o r th e C o n s t i t ut i o n o r l aw s o f th e Un i t e d S t at e s ; ( i i ) th e fa c t s u

p o n wh i c h th e cl a i m i s p r e d i c at e d w e r e unk n o wn t o th e p e t i t i o n e r an d c o u l d n o t h av e b e e n a s c e rt a i n e d b y th e e x e r c i s e o f d u e d i l i g e n c e ; o r ( i i i ) th e r i g ht a s s e rt e d i s a c o n s t i t ut i o n a l r i g ht th at w a s r e c o g n i z e d b y th e S u p r e m e C o urt o f th e Un i t e d S t at e s o r th e S u p r e m e C o urt o f P e nn s y l v an i a a f t e r th e t i m e p e ri o d p r o v i d e d i n th i s s e c t i o n an d h a s b e e n h e l d b y th at c o urt t o a p p l y r e tr o a c t i v e l y .

4

### I

d. § 

### 9 5 4 5 ( b ) (l ) . P e nn s y l v an i a c o urt s h av e n o j uri s d i c t i o n t o a d dr e s s th e s ub s t ant i v e m e ri t s o f P C R A p e t i t i o n s th at ar e unt i m e l y w i th o ut e x c e p t i o n . S e e e . g . C o m m o n w e a lt

h. v . R o b i n s o n , 

### 8 3 7 A . 2 d 1 1 5 7 , I 1 6 3 ( P a . 2 0 0 3 ) ; C o m m o n w e a lth v . /-la

/I , 

### 77 1 A . 2 d 1 2 3 2 , 1 2 3 4 ( P a . 2 0 0 I ) ( " P e nn s y l v an i a c o urt s l a c k j uri s d i c t i o n t o e nt e rt a i n unt i m e l y P C R A p e t i t i o n s . ' } E v e n 

### i f th e p e t i t i o n e r i s s e rv i n g an i ll e g a l s e nt e n c e , wh i c h i s r e v i e w ab l e un d e r th e P C R A , h i s c l a i m i s s t i l l s u b j e c t t o th e t i m e l i m i t at i o n s un d e r th e P C RA . C o m m o n w e a lth v. F

a h y, 

### 7 3 7 A . 2 d 2 1 4 , 2 2 3 ( P a . 1 9 9 9 ) . P e t i t i o n e r ' s j u d g m e nt o f s e nt e n c e b e c am e fi n a l M ar c h 2 5 ,. 2 0 0 9 , th i rty ( 3 0 ) d ay s a f t e r 

### th e e ntr y o f h i s n e g o t i at e d gu i l ty p l e a o n F e b ru ar y 2 3 , 2 0 0 9 . T h e in s t ant p e t i t i o n , P e t i t i o n e r ' s s e c o n d , fi l e d O c t o b e r 2 2 , 2 0 1 5 , w a s m an i f e s t l y unt i m e l y b y a

p p r o x i m at e l y s i x ( 6 ) y e ar s . I l. P e t i t i o n e r h a s fa i l e d t o e s t a b li s h a t i m e l i n e s s e x c e p t i o n fo r h i s un t i m e l y p e t i t i o n . 

### P e t i t i o n e r att e mp t s t o e s t a b l i s h an e x c e p t i o n fo r h i s unt i m e l y p e t i t i o n un d e r th e " n e w l y d i s c o v e r e d fa c t " e x c e p t i o n o f th e P C RA . P e t i t i o n e r c o nt e n d s th e P C RA an d s e nt e n c i n g c o urt s fa i l e d t o a c k

n o w l e d g e a

b an d o nm e nt b y c o un s e l w a s a n e w l y - d i s c o v e r e d fa c t fo r th e p urp o s e s o f th e t i m e l i n e s s e x c e p t i o n . ( 1 9 2 5 ( b ) S t at e m e nt 

## 1 1 ) ; 4 2 P a . C . S . § 

### 9 5 4 5 ( b ) (l ) ( i i ) . H o w e v e r , P e t i t i o n e r p r e v i o u s l y ar g u e d th i s p r e c i s e i s s u e o n a p p e a l o f h i s fi r s t P C RA p e t i t i o n in 2 0 1 4 . T o b e e l i g i b l e fo r p o s t - c o nv i c t i o n r e l i e f , th e p e t i t i o n e r mu s t e s t a

b l i s h th at h i s c l a i m s h av e n o t b e e n p r e v i o u s l y l i t i g at e d o r w a i v e d . i d . 

### 9 5 4 3 § 

### ( a ) ( 3 ) . An i s s u e h a s b e e n p r e v i o u s l y l i t i g at e d wh e n " i t h a s b e e n ra i s e d an d d e c i d e d i n a p ro c e e d i n g c o l l at e r a l l yatt a c k i n g th e c o nv i c t i o n o r s e nt e n c e . " Id

. 

### 9 5 4 4 § 

### ( a ) ( 3 ) . P e t i t i o n e r ' s c l a i m o f a

b an d o nm e nt o f tri a l c o un s e l w a s p r e v i o u s l y l i t i g at e d i n h i s fir s t P C RA p e t i t i o n i n 2 0 1 4 an d th e S u p e r i o r C o urt a ffi rm e d th e d i s m i s s a l o f th i s e x a c t c l a i m . T h e

5

### P C R

A c o urt fo un d th at : 1 . P e t i t i o n e r ' s cl a i m o f i n e ff e c t i v e a s s i s t an c e o f c o un s e l fo r fa i l ur e t o fi l e 

### a d i r e c t a p p e a l o n P e t i t i o n e r ' s b e h a l f d i d n o t c o n s t i t ut e 

### a n e w l y - d i s c o v e r e d fa c t fo r th e p ur p o s e s o f c i r c umv e nt i n g th e P C RA s t at ut o r y t i m e b ar ; an d 

### 2 . P e t i t i o n e r d i d n o t m e e t h i s b ur d e n o f s h o w i n g th at h e ra i s e d th e n e w l y - d i s c o v e r e d fa c t w i th i n s i x ty ( 6 0 ) d ay s o f th e d at e th e a ll e g e d n e w fa c t s w e r e d i s c o v e r e d a s r e qu i r e d b y § 9 5 4 5 ( b ) ( l ) ( i i ) . C o m m o n w e a lth o

f P e n n s y lv a n i a v . T y re e B ro w n , 

### 2 0 1 4 T r i a l C o urt O p i n i o n at 6 - 7 . T hu s , P e t i t i o n e r d o e s n o t m e e t th e n e w l y d i s c o v e r e d fa c t e x c e p t i o n fo r th e p ur p o s e s o f c i r c umv e nt i n g th e P C RA s t at ut o r y t i m e - b ar. A d d i t i o n a ll y , P e t i t i o n e r ' s mu l t i p l e cl a i m s o f in e ff e c t i v e a s s i s t an c e an d ab an d o nm e nt o f tri a l c o un s e l in h i s f

9 2 S ( b ) S t at e m e nt w e r e p r e v i o u s l y l i t i g at e d in h i s 2 0 1 4 a p p e a l. ( 1 9 2 5 ( b ) S t at e rn e nt j '[ 

### I , 2 , an d 8 . ) T h e r e fo r e , p ur s u ant t o th e P C RA , P e t i t i o n e r i s i n e l i g i b l e fo r r e l i e fo n h i s p r e v i o u s l y li t i g at e d c l a i m s . 4 2 P a . C . S . 

### § 9 5 4 3 ( a ) ( 3 ) .

2 . T h e r e m a i n d e r o f P e t i t i o n e r ' s cl a i m s ar c un t i m e l y w i th o ut e x c e p t i o n an d w a i v e d . 

### T h e r e m a i n d e r o f P e t i t i o n e r ' s c l a i m s , � 1 3 - 7 

### an d 9 - 1 0 ar e unt i m e l y w i th o ut e x c e p t i o n an d w a i v e d . ( I 

### 92 S ( b ) S t at e m e nt ) . I n a d d i t i o n t o th e s p e c i fi c ru l e s o n w a i v e r un d e r th e P C R A , p e t i t i o n e r s mu s t a l s o c o mp l y w i th th e P e nn s y l v an i a R u l e s o f Ap p e l l at e P r o c e d

ur e . S p e c i fi c a ll y

" i s s u e s n o t r a i s e d i n th e l o w e r c o urt ar e w a i v e d an d c ann o t b e ra i s e d fo r th e fi r s t t i m e o n a p p e a l. " P a . R . A. P . 

### 3 0 2 ( a ) . I n r e v i e w i n g P e t i t i o n e r ' s unt i m e l y P C R .A p e t i t i o n an d s u b s e qu e nt m o t i o n s t o am e n d , th e c o urt fi n d s th at P e t i t i o n e r ' s cl a i m s i n 

## � i i 3 - 7 , 9 an d 1 0 w e r e r a i s e d fo r th e fi r s t t i m e i n P e t i t i o n e r ' s 1 92 5 ( b ) S t at e m e nt . P ur s u ant t o Pa . R . A . P. 3 0 2 ( a ) 

### th e s e i s s u e s c ann o t b e ra i s e d fo r th e fi r s t t i m e o n a p p e a l an d ar e th e r e fo r e w a i v e d . F urth e rm o r e , th e a fo r e m e nt i o n e d c l a i m s ar e unt i m e l y

6

### w i th o ut e x c e p t i o n b e c au s e th e y w e r e n o t ra i s e d w i th i n o n e y e ar o f P e t i t i o n e r ' s j u d g m e nt

b e c o m i n g fi n a l a s r e qu i r e d b y th e P C RA . 4 2 P a . C. S . 

### § 9 5 4 5 ( b ) . B . T h e P C RA C o urt p r o p e r l y 

### d i s m i s s e d P e t i t i o n e r ' s c l a i m w i th o ut an 

### e v i d c n t i ary h e ari n g . 

### P e t i t i o n e r ar g u e s th at h e w a s e nt i t l e d t o an e v i d e nt i ar y h e ar i n g t o e s t a

b l i s h i f h i s ri g ht t o a p p e a l w a s un l aw fu l l y v i o l at e d b y c o un s e l. ( I 9 2 5 ( b ) S t at e m e nt 

## i 1 1 I ) . H o w e v e r , th e r i g ht t o an e v i d e nt i ar y h e ari n g i s n o t a

b s o l ut e an d th e c o urt d e t e r m i n e d an e v i d e nt i ar

y h e ar i n g w a s n o t w arr ant e d a s th e r e w a s n o g e nu i n e i s s u e s o f m at e ri a l fa c t i n d i s p ut e . A c o urt m ay d i s m i s s a p e t i t i o n w i th o ut an e v i d e nt i ar y h e ari n g wh e n " th e r e ar e n o g e nu i n e i s s u e s c o n c e rn i n g any m at e ri a l fa c t an d th at th e d e fe n d ant i s n o t e nt i t l e d t o p o s t - c o nv i c t i o n c o ll at e r a l r e l i e f

, an d n o p ur

p o s e w o u l d b e s e rv e d b y any furth e r p ro c e e d i n g s . " P a . R . C ri m . P . 9 0 7 ( I ) ( W e s t 2 0 1 6 ) . I t i s at th e d i s c r e t i o n o f th e P C R A c o urt t o g rant an e v i d e nt i ar y h e ari n g an d th e c o urt m ay p ro p e rl y d e ny a r e qu e s t fo r a h e ari n g wh e n th e c l a i m s p r e s e nt e d ar e p at e nt l y fri v o l o u s an d w i th o ut s u

p p o rt i n th e r e c o r d o r o th e r e v i d e n c e . C o m m o n w e a l t

h v. J o rd a n , 

### 77 2 A . 2 d 1 0 1 1 , I O 1 4 ( P a . S u

p e r. 2 0 0 l ) . I fth e r e c o r d r e v e a l s th at th e r e ar e n o g e nu i n e i s s u e s o f m at e r i a l fa c t r e g ar d i n g o n e o fp e t i t i o n e r ' s s u b s t ant i v e cl a i m s , th e n an e v i d e nt i ar y h e ari n g w i ll n o t s e rv e any p ur

p o s e . S e e e . g. C o m m o n w e a lt

h v. Pa y n e, 

### 7 9 4 A. 2 d 9 0 2 ( P a . S u p e r 2 0 0 2 ) ( h o l d i n g th e P C R

A c o urt d i d n o t e rr i n th e d e n i a l o f a P C RA e v i d e nt i ar y h e ari n g b e c au s e p e t i t i o n e r ' s s u

b s t ant i v e cl a i m s s h o u l d b e d e c i d e d o n th e e x i s t i n g r e c o r d ) . H e r e , th e c o urt d e t e rm i n e d th at th e r e ar e n o g e nu i n e i s s u e s o f m at e r i a l fa c t , P e t i t i o n e r ' s c l a i m i s unt i m e l y w i th o ut e x c e p t i o n . T h e r e ar e n o d i s p ut e s o f fa c t r e g ar d i n g th e t i m e li n e s s o f P e t i t i o n e r ' s P C RA p e t i t i o n th e r e fo r e P e t i t i o n e r i s n o t e nt i t l e d t o an e v i d e nt i ar y h e ar i n g .

7Il l. C o n cl u s i o n



### P e t i t i o n e r h a s fa i l e d t o e s t ab l i s h an e x c e p t i o n fo r h i s unt i m e l y p e t i t i o n . F o r th e r e a s o n s s e t fo rth ab o v e , P e t i t i o n e r ' s p e t i t i o n w a s d e n i e d a s unt i m e l y .

S u p e rv i s i n g u d g e , C r i m i n a l D i v i s i o n



### A I V

8

### C O U R T O f C O M M O N P L E A S O F P H I L A D E L P H I A C O U N T Y C RI M IN A L T RI A L D I V I S I O N C O M M O N W E A L T H v . T Y RE E B R O W N , C P - 5 1 - C R - 0 0 1 13 4 3 - 2 0 0 7 O P IN I O N P R O O F O F S E R V I C E 

### I h e r e b y c e rt i f

y th at I am th i s d ay s e rv i n g th e fo r e g o i n g C o urt O r d e r u p o n th e p e r s o n ( s ) an d in th e m ann e r i n d i c at e d b e l o w , i n a c c o r d an c e w i th th e r e qu i r e m e nt s o f P A . R . C RJM . P . 1 1 4 : Pe t i t i o n e r :

T y p e a / S e rv i c e :

D i s tr i c t A tto rn e

y :

T y p e a / S e rv i c e : 

### M r . T yr e e B ro wn # H Y l 3 9 4

S C I C o a l T o wn s h i p I K e ll e y D ri v e C o a l T o wn s h i p , P A 1 7 8 6 6 - I 0 2 0 ( ) P e r s o n a l ( ) F i r s t C l a s s M a i l ( X ) C e rt i fi e d

R o b i n G o d fr e y , E s qu i r e P C RA Un i t , D i s tr i c t A tt o rn e y ' s O ffi c e W i d e n e r B u i l d i n g 3 S o uth P e nn S qu ar e P h i l a d e lp h i a , P A 1 9 1 0 7 ( ) P e r s o n a l ( X ) F i r s t C l a s s M a i l. ( ) O th e r

9