### J - S01033 - 18

NON - PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37 COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA

Appellee v. THOMAS G. MOORE

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

PENNSYLVANIA

No. 1035 MDA 2017 Appeal from the PCRA Order May 30, 2017 In the Court of C ommon Pleas of Lancaster County Criminal Division at No(s): CP - 36 - CR - 0000238 - 2015 BEFORE: GANTMAN, P.J., MURRAY, J., and MUSMANNO, J. MEMORANDUM BY GANTMAN, P.J.: FILED FEBRUARY 06, 2018 Appellant, Thomas G. Moore, appeals pro se from the order entered in the Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas, which denied and dismissed hi s petition filed under the Post - Conviction Relief Act (“PCRA”) at 42 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 9541 - 9546. We affirm. In its opinion, the PCRA court fully and correctly set forth the relevant facts and procedural history of this case. Therefore, we have no reason to restate them. Appellant raises the following issues on appeal: WAS...APPELLANT COERCE D INTO ENTERING AN UNLAWFULLY INDUCED G UILTY PLEA BY THE TR IAL COURT? WAS TRIAL COUNSEL IN EFFECTIVE FOR ALLOWI NG AND COERCING APPELLANT T O ACCEPT AN INVOLUNTARY GUILTY PLEA AND FOR WITHHOLDING EXCULPA [TORY] EVIDENCE FROM APPELLANT?

### J - S01033 - 18

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(Ap pellant’s Brief at 5, unpaginated). Our standard of review of a grant or denial of a PCRA petition is limited to examining whether the evidence of record supports the court’s determination and whether its decision is free of legal error. Commonwealth v. Wholaver, ___ A.3d ___, 2018 WL 359368 *4 ( filed January 11, 2018) . This Court grants great deference to the findings of the PCRA court if the record contains any support for those findings. Commonwealth v. Ward- Green , 141 A.3d 527 (Pa.Super. 2016) . We exercise de novo review over the PCRA court’s legal conclusions. Id. A petitioner is not entitled to a PCRA hearing as a matter of right; the PCRA court can decline to hold a hearing if there is no genuine issue concerning any material fact, the pe titioner is not entitled to PCRA relief, and no purpose would be served by any further proceedings. Commonwealth v. Wah , 42 A.3d 335, 338 (Pa.Super. 2012) (citing Commonwealth v. Hardcastle , 549 Pa. 450, 701 A.2d 541 (1997) ) . After a thorough review of the record, the briefs of the parties, the applicable law, and the reasoned opinion of the Honorable David L. Ashworth, we conclude Appellant’s issues merit no relief. The PCRA court opinion comprehensively discusses and properly disposes of the question s presented. ( See PCRA Court Opinion, filed May 30, 2017, at 14 - 27) (finding: ( 1 - 2 ) plea court conducted lengthy inquiry at oral guilty plea colloquy on record; court advised Appellant of charges against him and

### J - S01033 - 18

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explained elements of those offenses; court also advised Appellant that he was waiving his right to jury trial and presumption of innocence; Appellant acknowledged he understood his rights, and it was his choice to plead guilty; during colloquy, court also reviewed maximum sentences and sentencing guidelines for each charge; Appellant stated he understood his maximum sentence ; Commonwealth summarized on record factual basis for Appellant’s guilty plea; Appellant admitted facts Commonwealth recited; Appellant signed written guilty plea colloquy; at o ral colloquy, Appellant indicated he had reviewed written plea colloquy with counsel and had no questions for counsel or court regard ing written plea colloquy; record establishes Appellant knowingly, voluntarily , and intelligently entered guilty plea; reco rd belies Appellant’s claim that despite colloquies, plea counsel induced Appellant to plead guilty by telling him if he proceeded to trial, he would receive death penalty and would not hold his child again; at guilty plea hearing, Appellant swore he had d ecided to plea d guilty of his own volition and no promises, threats, or guarantees had been made to or against him to force his guilty plea ; under terms of negotiated plea, Commonwealth agreed it would not seek death penalty and would nolle pros two other charges in exchange for plea; Appellant’s responses at oral guilty plea colloquy made clear that he pled guilty to avoid possibility of d eath penalty; Appellant gained substantial benefit through guilty plea because he eliminated very real potential for de ath penalty as well as convictions and sentences on two

### J - S01033 - 18

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other charges; finally, threat of death penalty is not illegal inducement of guilty plea; Appellant’s claim plea counsel was ineffective for failing to provide defense and exculpatory evidence in disc overy is waived, because this ineffectiveness claim does not impact validity of Appellant’s guilty plea; even if ineffectiveness issue were properly before court, Appellant failed to suggest any defense that plea counsel ignored ; menta l health defense was not viable because , at guilty plea hearing, Appellant admitted he had not been treated for mental illness and could read, write, and understand English language ). Accordingly, we affirm based on the PCRA court opinion. Order affirmed. Judgment Entered. Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq. Prothonotary Date: 02/06/2018Circulated 01/25/2018 02:47 PM

I N T H E C O U RT O F C O M M O N P L E AS O F LA N CAS T E R C O U N TY , P E N N S Y LVA N I A C R I M I N A L C O M M O N W E A LT H O F P E N N S Y LVA N I A



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. Moo re ?}! (./) -0 :t> p l e a d e d g u i l ty o n F e b ru a ry 5 , 2 0 1 6 , to t h e m u rd e r o f N i co l e M a t h e ws o n i n e x c h a n g e f o r t h e C o m m o n w e a l t h ' s a g re e m e n t to w i t h d raw t h e n o t i c e o f a g g ra v a t i n g c i rc u m s ta n c e s to s u p p o rt t h e d e a t h p e n a l ty , a n d to d i s m i s s c e rta i n o t h e r c h a rg e s . H e re c e i v e d a l i f e s e n t e n c e fo r m u rd e r i n t h e fi rs t d e g re e to b e fo ll o w e d b y a c o n s e c u t i v e s e n te n c e o f 2 0 to 4 0 y e a rs ' i n c a rc e ra t i o n o n t h e re m a i n i n g fi v e re l a t e d o ff e n s e s . F o r t h e re a s o n s s e t fo rt h b e l o w , M o o re ' s 

### p ro s e P C RA p e t i t i o n w ill b e d i s m i s s e d w i t h o u t a h e a ri n g . 1 

### I
. B a c kg ro u n d T h e re l e v a n t f

a cts a n d t h e p ro c e d u ra l h i s to ry o f t h i s c a s e m a y b e s u m m a ri z e d a s fo ll o ws . 2 O n M o n d a y , D e c e m b e r 1 5 , 2 0 1 4 , a t a p p ro x i m a te l y 9 : 1 0 a . m . , M a t h e ws o n , a

1 U n d e r R u l e 9 0 7 of t h e P e n n s y l v a n i a R u l e s of C ri m i n a l P ro c e d u re , a P C RA co u rt m a y d i s p o s e of p o s t co n v i cti o n co ll a te ra l re l i e f p e t i t i o n s w i t h o u t a h e a ri n g i f i t i s s a ti s f i e d a f te r re v i e w i n g t h e m a te ri a l s s u b m i tte d t h a t n o g e n u i n e i s s u e s o f m a te ri a l f a ct ex i s t a n d t h a t t h e p e t i t i o n e r i s n o t e n t i tl e d to p o s t co n v i cti o n re l i e f
.

2 1 a m a d o p t i n g 

### in to io t h e f a ct u a l h i s to ry s e t f

o rt h i n m y o p i n i o n o f N o v e m b e r 3 , 2 0 1 6 , fi l e d i n t h e co m p a n i o n ca s e o f C o m m o n w e a l t h v . R u tte r a t I n fo r m a t i o n N o . 0 2 8 7 - 2 0 1 5 , w h i c h d i s p o s e d of t h a t d e f

e n d a n t ' s p o s t- s e n te n c e m o t i o n to m o d i f y s e n te n ce . T h e R u tte r t ra n s c ri p ts , 

## 3/3 2 - y e a r- o l d e l e m e n ta ry s c h o o l t e a c h e r, wa s fo u n d d e a d o n h e r l i v i n g ro o m f l o o r a t 7 1 0 N o rt h F ra n k l i n S t re e t i n t h e C i ty o f L a n c a s t e r . ( R u tt e r N o v . 3 , 2 0 1 6 S li p o p . a t 1
. ) L a te r t h a t s a m e d a y , t h e L a n c a s t e r C i ty B u re a u o f P o li c e re c e i ve d i n f o rm a t i o n t h a t M a rc u s R u tt e r, w h o w a s t h e n 1 6 y e a rs o l d , wa s i n p o s s e s s i o n o f a n i P h o n e w h i c h a p p e a re d to h a v e b e l o n g e d to M a t h e ws o n . ( I d
. ) P o l i c e w e n t to R u tte r' s re s i d e n c e l o c a te d a t 7 3 0 D E a s t M a ri o n S t re e t i n t h e C i ty o f L a n c a s te r a n d s p o ke w i t h h i s m o t h e r, S h e r ry M o u n t , a n d s te p - f

a t h e r, B re n d o n M o u n t , w h o a l s o re s i d e d t h e re . ( I d
. a t 1 - 2
. ) Afte r a co n s e n t to s e a rc h wa s re c e i v e d fro m R u tte r' s p a re n ts , p o l i c e s e i z e d a n i P h o n e , i P a d a n d l a p to p co m p u t e r w h i c h t h e y b e l i e v e d h a d b e e n s to l e n fro m t h e h o m e o f M a t h e ws o n . ( I d
. a t 2
. ) S h o rt l y t h e re a fte r, a t a p p rox i m a te l y 1 0 : 0 0 p . m . o n D e c e m b e r 1 5 , 2 0 1 4 , R u tt e r wa s ta ke n i n to c u s to d y n e a r h i s h o m e fo r p o s s e s s i o n o f s to l e n p ro p e rty . ( R u tte r N o v . 3 , 2 0 1 6 S l i p o p . a t 2
. ) Afte r s i g n i n g 

### a M i ra n d a W a rn i n g s wa i v e r, a n d i n t h e p re s e n c e o f h i s m o t h e r, R u tte r to l d t h e p o l i c e t h a t h e a n d M o o re h a d e n te re d M a t h e ws o n ' s g a ra g e a n d h o m e i n t h e e a rl y m o rn i n g h o u rs o f D e c e m b e r 1 5 , 2 0 1 4
. T h e y to o k s e v e ra l i te m s t h a t b e l o n g e d to M a t h e ws o n , i n c l u d i n g h e r c a r, 

### P h o n e , i P a d a n d l a p to p . L a t e r, t h e y re t u rn e d to h e r h o m e to ta ke m o re i t e m s . I t w a s d u ri n g t h i s s e co n d i ll e g a l e n t ry t h a t M a t h e ws o n w a s k i ll e d
. 3 ( I d
. )
e x h i b i ts , a n d p l e a d i n g s fro m w h i c h t h e f a cts we re c u ll e d h a v e n o t b e e n m a d e a p a rt o f M o o re ' s o f fi c i a l fi l e . T h e re fo re , I h a v e c i te d o n l y to m y N o v e m b e r 3 , 2 0 1 6 s l i p o p i n i o n a n d h a v e n o t i n c l u d e d s p e c i f

i c re f e re n c e s to t h e R u tte r re co rd
. 3 R u tte r wa s c h a rg e d a s a co - co n s p i ra to r a n d e n te re d a n o p e n g u i l ty p l e a o n J u l y 1 1 , 2 0 1 6 , to t h e c h a rg e s o f h o m i c i d e , b u rg l a ry , co n s p i ra cy , ro b b e ry , t h e f t b y u n l awfu l ta k i n g , a n d a c ce s s d e v i c e fra u d i n e x c h a n g e f o r t h e C o m m o n we a l t h ' s a g re e m e n t to d i s m i s s t h e c h a rg e s of t h e f t b y u n l a wfu l ta k i n g a n d i n vo l u n ta ry d e v i a te s e x u a l i n te rco u rs e , a n d to re p l a ce t h e c h a rg e of c ri m i n a l co n s p i ra cy to co m m i t b u rg l a ry w i t h co n s p i ra cy to co m m i t m u rd e r. I t wa s fu rt h e r a g re e d t h a t a s e n te n c e of li f

e w i t h o u t p a ro l e wo u l d n o t b e i m p o s e d ; h owe v e r, t h e s e n te n ce o n e a c h co u n t wa s to b e s e rv e d co n s e c u ti v e l y to o n e a n o t h e r. O n J u l y 2 9 , 2 0 1 6 , R u tte r wa s s e n te n ce d 

### 2

### F ro m t h e re co rd , d e v e l o p e d a t t h e R u tte r p re - t ri a l m o t i o n s h e a ri n g , g u i l ty p l e a

p ro c e e d i n g a n d s e n te n c i n g h e a ri n g , t h e f o ll ow i n g t i m e li n e h a s b e e n re co n s t ru cte d
. S o m e t i m e b e twe e n 1 : 1 5 

### a n d 3 : 2 0 a . m . o n t h e m o rn i n g of D e ce m b e r 1 5 , 2 0 1 4 , R u tte r a n d M o o re wa l ke d fro m R u tte r' s h o m e o n E a s t M a ri o n S t re e t to N o rt h F ra n k l i n S t re e t , i ll e g a ll y e n te re d t h e h o m e o f N i co l e M a t h e ws o n , a n d to o k s e v e ra l i te m s t h a t b e l o n g e d to M a t h e ws o n , i n c l u d i n g h e r i P a d a n d l a p to p . ( R u tte r N o v . 3 , 2 0 1 6 S l i p o p . a t 3
. ) T h e p e rp e t ra to rs a l s o e n te re d M a t h e ws o n ' s g a ra g e a n d s to l e h e r v e h i c l e . V i d e o e v i d e n ce 4 

### ca p t u re d M o o re d ri v i n g M a t h e ws o n ' s v e h i c l e s o u t h o n N o rt h F ra n k l i n S t re e t a t 3 : 2 2 a . m . w i t h R u tte r i n t h e fro n t p a s s e n g e r s e a t. T h e y c ro s s e d o v e r N e w H o ll a n d Av e n u e a n d co n t i n u e d s t ra i g h t o n N o rt h F ra n k l i n S t re e t to t h e 7 0 0 b l o c k of E a s t M a ri o n S t re e t. ( I d
. ) 

### M o o re p a rke d M a t h e ws o n ' s ca r n e a r R u tte r' s h o m e a n d t h e y wa i te d f o r R u tte r' s m o t h e r to l e a v e t h e h o u s e fo r wo rk
. S h e r ry M o u n t to l d t h e p o li c e t h a t s h e s e n t h e r s o n a m e s s a g e o n F a c e b o o k a t 3 : 3 5 a . m . , a s k i n g w h e re h e wa s . ( R u tte r N o v . 3 , 2 0 1 6 S li p to a n a g g re g a te te rm o f 5 4 to 1 0 9 y e a rs ' i n ca rce ra t i o n . F o r t h e of f e n s e o f fi rs t d e g re e m u rd e r, R u tte r, a s a j u v e n i l e , wa s s e n te n ce d to t h e m a n d a to ry m i n i m u m te rm of i m p ri s o n m e n t o f n o t l e s s t h a n 3 5 ye a rs n o r m o re t h a n 7 0 ye a rs . T h e fo ll ow i n g co n s e c u t i ve s e n te n ce s we re i m p o s e d fo r t h e re m a i n i n g c h a rg e s : 1 0 to 2 0 ye a rs ' i n ca rce ra t i o n fo r co n s p i ra cy to co m m i t m u rd e r; 5 - 1 /2 to 1 1 ye a rs ' i n ca rce ra t i o n f o r ro b b e ry ; 2 to 4 ye a rs ' i n ca rce ra t i o n f o r b u rg l a ry ; 9 to 2 4 m o n t h s ' i n ca rce ra ti o n f

o r re ce i v i n g s to l e n p ro p e rty ; a n d 9 to 2 4 m o n t h s ' i n ca rc e ra t i o n f o r a c ce s s d e v i ce fra u d
. ( R u tte r N o v . 3 , 2 0 1 6 S l i p o p . a t 1 4 - 1 6
. ) R u tte r fi l e d a d i re ct a p p e a l to t h e S u p e ri o r C o u rt fro m h i s j u d g m e n t of s e n te n ce o f J u l y 2 9 , 2 0 1 6 , a s fi n a l i z e d b y t h e d e n i a l of h i s p o s t s e n te n ce m o ti o n o n N o v e m b e r 3 , 2 0 1 6
. S e e 1 9 9 5 M D A 2 0 1 6
. T h a t a p p e a l i s p re s e n t l y p e n d i n g .

4 T h e v i d e o e v i d e n ce i n t h i s ca s e wa s ca p t u re d b y t h e L a n ca s te r S a f e ty C o a l i t i o n s u rv e i ll a n c e ca m e ra s , a s we ll a s p ri v a te s u rv e ill a n ce ca m e ra s a t n e i g h b o rh o o d b u s i n e s s e s , i n c l u d i n g T u r ke y H ill , Ad p ri n ts , D o ll y ' s L a u n d ry a n d C u s to m H o t W h i p s . ( R u tte r N o v . 3 , 2 0 1 6 S l i p o p . a t 3 n . 2
. ) T h e fo ll ow i n g n o te a p p e a rs o n t h e v i d e o ti m e li n e p re p a re d b y t h e C o m m o n we a l t h : " T i m e s ta m p s n o t ca l i b ra te d b e twe e n ca m e ra s fro m va ri o u s s ys te m s . T h e m e n t i o n e d t i m e s ta m p s a re fro m e a c h i n d i v i d u a l s ys te m a n d a re a n a p p rox i m a te t i m e . " ( I d
. ) S o m e t i m e s ta m p s a re o ff a s m u c h a s fo u r m i n u te s . ( I d
. ) 

### 3o p . a t 3
. ) W h e n s h e re c e i v e d n o re s p o n s e , s h e m e s s a g e d h i m a g a i n a t 3 : 3 9 a . m .

te ll i n g h i m " t h a t h e b e tte r g e t u p fo r a fu ll d a y o f s c h o o l. " ( I d
. ) Ag a i n , s h e re c e i v e d n o re s p o n s e . M rs . M o u n t l e ft t h e h o u s e a n d w a l ke d to wo r k s o m e t i m e b e tw e e n 3 : 4 0 a n d 3 : 5 0 a . m . ( I d
. ) Afte r o b s e rv i n g h i s m o t h e r l e a v e fo r wo r k , R u tte r e n t e re d t h e h o m e a n d d ro p p e d o ff M a t h e ws o n ' s i P a d a n d l a p to p i n h i s ro o m . ( R u tte r N o v . 3 , 2 0 1 6 S l i p o p . a t 4
. ) At a p p ro x i m a t e l y 4 : 2 2 a . m . , R u tte r a n d M o o re a re s e e n o n ca m e ra w a l k i n g n o rt h o n N o rt h F ra n k l i n S t re e t , a c ro s s N e w H o ll a n d Av e n u e , a n d e n t e ri n g t h e a ll e y b e h i n d M a t h e ws o n ' s re s i d e n c e . ( I d
. ) R u tte r a n d M o o re re e n t e re d t h e re a r o f t h e h o u s e a t 7 1 0 N o rt h F ra n k l i n S t re e t a n d M a t h e ws o n , w h o wa s i n h e r s e co n d fl o o r b e d ro o m , wa s aw a ke n e d a fte r h e a ri n g n o i s e s d o w n s ta i rs . ( R u tte r N o v . 3 , 2 0 1 6 S l i p o p . a t 4
. ) S h e w a s co n fro n t e d b y R u tte r a n d M o o re o n t h e s e co n d fl o o r o f h e r h o m e a n d re t re a te d b a c k i n to h e r b e d ro o m . T h e i n t r u d e rs fo rc e d t h e i r w a y i n to h e r b e d ro o m a n d b o u n d M a t h e ws o n ' s h a n d s b e h i n d h e r b a c k w i t h a n e xte n s i o n co rd
. I t w a s w h il e M a t h e ws o n wa s b o u n d u p s ta i rs i n h e r b e d ro o m t h a t t h e P I N n u m b e r fo r h e r b a n k c a rd w a s o b ta i n e d fro m h e r, a n d e n te re d a n d s a v e d i n t h e " n o te " s e ct i o n o f h e r i P h o n e a t 4 : 5 7 a . m . ( I d
. ) R u tte r s t a y e d w i t h t h e v i ct i m i n h e r h o m e w h i l e M o o re re m o v e d M a t h e ws o n ' s b i cy cl e fro m t h e g a ra g e , ro d e to w h e re h e r v e h i cl e h a d e a rl i e r b e e n l e ft o n E a s t M a ri o n S t re e t , d ro v e t h e v e h i c l e b a c k to t h e F ra n k l i n S t re e t h o u s e a n d re - p a r ke d i t i n t h e g a ra g e . T h i s i s co n fi rm e d b y s e c u ri ty c a m e ra f o o ta g e s h ow i n g M o o re ri d i n g M a t h e ws o n ' s b i cy cl e , a t a p p ro x i m a t e l y 5 : 0 0 a . m . , fro m t h e a ll e ywa y b e h i n d h e r h o u s e o n to R e y n o l d s Av e n u e , t h e n s o u t h o n N o rt h F ra n k li n S t re e t i n t h e d i re ct i o n o f R u tte r' s 

### 4

### h o u s e . ( R u tte r N o v . 3 , 2 0 1 6 S li p o p . a t 4 - 5
. ) T h e b i cy c l e , a n d t h e m i l k c ra te a n d

b u n g e e co rd s t h a t h a d b e e n a tta c h e d to M a t h e ws o n ' s b i cy c l e , we re l a te r f o u n d d i s ca rd e d n e xt to R u tte r' s re s i d e n c e a t 

### 7 3 0 0 E a s t M a ri o n S t re e t. M i n u te s l a te r, t h e v i cti m ' s ca r, w h i c h h a d b e e n p a r ke d n e a r R u tte r' s h o m e , i s s e e n co m i n g o u t o f B u r rowe s Av e n u e o n to N o rt h F ra n k l i n S t re e t a n d t ra v e l s b e h i n d t h e v i ct i m ' s h o u s e . M o ore p a r ke d t h e c a r i n t h e g a ra g e a n d to o k o ff o n fo o t. ( I d
. ) At a p p rox i m a te l y 5 : 1 0 a . m . , M o o re i s s e e n wa l k i n g fro m R e y n o l d s Av e n u e o n to N o rt h F ra n k l i n S t re e t to t h e T u r ke y H ill o n N e w H o ll a n d Ave n u e . ( R u tte r N o v . 

### 3 , 2 0 1 6 S l i p o p . a t 5
. ) M o o re i s ca u g h t o n ca m e ra w i t h d raw i n g $ 5 0 0 fro m M a t h e ws o n ' s b a n k a c co u n t fro m t h e T u r ke y H ill AT M a t a p p ro x i m a te l y 

### 5 : 1 8 a . m . M o o re i s n e xt o b s e rv e d o n ca m e ra ru n n i n g o n N e w H o ll a n d Av e n u e to N o rt h F ra n k l i n S t re e t a t 5 : 2 5 a . m . ( I d
. ) M o o re s p l i t M a t h e ws o n ' s m o n e y w i t h R u tte r w h e n h e re t u rn e d to M a t h ews o n ' s h o u s e . ( I d
. a t 5 - 6
. ) O v e r t h e n e xt 5 5 m i n u te s , N i co l e M a t h e ws o n wa s b ru ta ll y m u rd e re d
. R u tte r e x p l a i n e d to t h e p o li c e t h a t M a t h ews o n h a d to b e k ill e d b e c a u s e s h e h a d s e e n M o o re ' s f a c e . 5 

### ( R u tte r N o v . 3 , 2 0 1 6 S l i p o p . a t 6
. ) T h e " S c e n e R e co n s t ru ct i o n " fro m t h e L a n ca s te r C o u n ty F o re n s i c U n i t B l o o d s ta i n P a tte rn A n a l ys i s R e p o rt p re p a re d b y D e te ct i v e S co tt E e l m a n d e ta i l e d t h e i n i ti a l a s s a u l t o n M a t h ews o n i n h e r b e d ro o m : T h e s i te o f t h e i n i t i a l b l o o d l e tt i n g e v e n t i s t h e s e co n d fl o o r e a s t b e d ro o m . T h e h e i g h t o f t h e b l o o d s ta i n s , n o n e o f w h i c h we re h i g h e r t h a n 3 6 i n c h e s , i n d i ca te s t h a t t h e v i ct i m wa s o n o r n e a r t h e fl o o r a t t h e t i m e o f t h e b l o o d l e tt i n g e v e n ts . T h e i m p a ct s p a tte r p a tte rn s i n d i ff e re n t d i re ct i o n s

5 R u tte r, o n t h e o t h e r h a n d , c l a i m e d to b e we a ri n g a m a s k
. ( R u tte r N o v . 3 , 2 0 1 6 S l i p o p . a t 6 n . 3 ) A m a s k wa s fo u n d i n M a t h ews o n ' s ca r a n d D N A a n a l ys i s co n fi r m e d t h a t R u tte r h a d i n f a ct wo rn t h e m a s k
. ( I d
. ) 

### 5i n d i c a t e t h a t t h e re w e re a m i n i m u m o f s e v e n b l o ws . B a s e d o n t h e ty p e o f i nj u ri e s to h e r h e a d a n d t h e i m p a ct s p a tte r, t h e b l ows w e re c re a te d w i t h a l a rg e r b l u n t o r d u ll e d g e d i t e m . T h e p ill o w fo u n d i n t h e h a ll wa y wa s i n i t i a ll y u n d e r t h e v i ct i m ' s h e a d a t t h e t i m e o f t h e b l ows . B a s e d u p o n t h e i m p a ct s p a tte r p a tte rn s a n d t h e v o i d p a tte rn s , a t l e a s t o n e o f t h e a cto r( s ) s to o d o n t h e s o u t h s i d e o f t h e a re a r u g a s t h e b l ows w e re i n f l i cte d
. . . . " ( I d
. ) R u tt e r i d e n t i fi e d t h e w e a p o n u s e d o n M a t h e ws o n a s a s h o v e l
. " ( I d
. ) D e te ct i v e E e l m a n fu rt h e r re co n s t r u cte d t h e s c e n e a s t h e a s s a u l t m o v e d fro m t h e s e co n d fl o o r b e d ro o m to t h e fi rs t fl o o r l i v i n g ro o m : [ M a t h e ws o n ) w a s t h e n d ra g g e d fro m t h e e a s t b e d ro o m f e e t fi rs t d o w n t h e h a ll w a y a n d l a i d a t t h e to p o f t h e s te p s . T h i s ca n b e d e d u c e d fro m t h e w i p e p a tte rn o f t h e b l o o d s o a ke d h a i r a n d t h e l a c k o f fo o twe a r i m p re s s i o n s i n t h e w i p e p a tte rn s a c ro s s t h e s e c o n d fl o o r h a ll w a y . T h e p o o l i n g b l o o d s ta i n i n t h a t a re a i n d i c a t e s a l a c k o f m o v e m e n t a n d co n t i n u e d b l e e d i n g fo r a p e ri o d o f ti m e . T h e a cto r( s ) t h e n d ra g g e d o r p u s h e d h e r d o w n t h e s ta i rs ca u s i n g h e r h e a d to m o v e fro m o n e s i d e o f t h e s ta i rs to t h e o t h e r a s s h e t ra v e l e d d o w n t h e s ta i rs . T h i s c a n b e d e d u c e d b y t h e w i p e p a tt e rn s c re a te d b y t h e b l o o d y h a i r co n ta ct i n g t h e s o u t h wa ll a t t h e to p o f t h e s t e p s , t h e w i p e p a tte rn s c re a t e d b y t h e b l o o d y h a i r co n ta cti n g t h e n o rt h w a ll o f t h e s ta i rw a y a b o u t 5 s ta i rs fro m t h e to p a n d w i p e p a tte rn s c re a te d b y t h e b l o o d y h a i r m a k i n g co n ta ct w i t h t h e s o u t h wa ll o f t h e s t a i rwa y a p p ro x i m a te l y 5 s ta i rs fro m t h e b o tto m . At t h e b o tto m , s h e e i t h e r s t r u c k t h e b o tto m o f t h e s ta i rs w i t h h e r l owe r h a l f ca u s i n g t h e u p p e r h a l f to ro ta te a g a i n s t t h e s o u t h wa ll o r s h e w a s s a t u p ri g h t b y t h e a cto r( s ) a n d p u s h e d o v e r to g e t h e r a wa y fro m t h e s ta i rs . T h i s c a n b e d e d u c e d b y t h e w i p e b l o o d s ta i n p a tte rn a n d l a rg e v o l u m e b l o o d s ta i n p a tt e rn s a g a i n s t t h e s o u t h w a ll a t t h e b o tto m of t h e s ta i rs a n d t h e a rc p a tte rn o f m o v e m e n t i n t h e b l o o d s ta i n s .

6 T h e s h o v e l wa s n e v e r re co v e re d
. M o o re to l d t h e p o l i ce t h a t t h e s h o v e l , w h i c h h a d b e e n b ro ke n i n to two p i e ce s , wa s p i c ke d u p b y h i m a t t h e b o tto m of t h e s te p s , p l a ce d b y h i m i n a w h i te p l a s t i c t ra s h b a g w h i c h h e fo u n d i n a l i n e n c l o s e t o n t h e s e co n d f l o o r, p u t i n t h e t ru n k of M a t h e ws o n ' s ca r, a n d u l t i m a te l y t h row n i n a d u m p s te r a t S te rl i n g P l a c e A p a rt m e n ts . M o o re d e s c ri b e d t h e s h o v e l f

o r p o l i c e a s b e i n g t h re e f e e t l o n g a n d h a v i n g " a h a n d l e l i ke t h e ty p e t h a t wo u l d b e o n a swo rd " w i t h t h e e n d b e i n g s q u a re m e ta l. ( R u tte r N o v . 3 , 2 0 1 6 S l i p o p . a t 6 n . 4
. ) 

### 6T h e v i ct i m l a y o n t h e fl o o r b l e e d i n g fro m o p e n wo u n d s i n t h e a re a o f t h e b o tto m o f t h e s ta i rs . T h i s i s e v i d e n t b y t h e l a rg e vo l u m e o f p o o l i n g b l o o d i n t h e a re a o f t h e b o tto m o f t h e s ta i rs . T h e v i ct i m wa s d ra g g e d a c ro s s t h e l i v i n g ro o m f l o o r to t h e a re a o f t h e ra d i a to r o n t h e e a s t w a l l. T h i s i s e v i d e n t fro m t h e w i p e a n d sw i p e s ta i n s to t h e a re a o f p o o l i n g a t t h e b o tto m o f t h e s t a i rs . S h e wa s l e a n e d a g a i n s t t h e ra d i a to r a n d wa s t h e n m o v e d i n a c l o c kw i s e d i re ct i o n a c ro s s t h e fl o o r w h i l e co n t i n u i n g to b l e e d fro m t h e wo un d s to h e r h e a d
. S h e w a s a g a i n m o v e d to h e r fi n a l re s t p o s i t i o n m o s t l i ke l y b y ro ta t i n g h e r b o d y . T h i s wa s e v i d e n t fro m t h e w i p e a n d sw i p e s ta i n s i n t h e a re a o f t h e l a rg e r p o o l e d b l o o d s ta i n . T h e re w e re fu rt h e r b l ows t h a t o c c u r re d i n t h i s a re a to i n c l u d e i m p a ct s p a tte r u n d e r t h e e n d ta b l e n e xt to t h e co u c h
. T h e v i ct i m l a y h e re w i t h co n t i n u i n g b l o o d f l o w fro m t h e o p e n wo u n d s . ( R u tte r N o v . 3 , 2 0 1 6 S l i p o p . a t 7
. ) O n c e a t t h e b o tto m o f t h e s ta i rs , M a t h e ws o n wa s t i e d to t h e b a n i s te r a n d c h o ke d w i t h a n e xt e n s i o n co rd , a b e l t , a n d a s c a rf
. ( I d
. a t 7 - 8
. ) S h e w a s f

i n a ll y s ta b b e d i n t h e b a c k m u l t i p l e t i m e s . ( I d
. a t 8
. ) T h e P o s t m o rt e m R e p o rt p re p a re d b y W a y n e K
. R o s s , M .D
. , F o re n s i c P a t h o l o g i s t , d e s c ri b e d M a t h e ws o n ' s i nj u ri e s : T h e re i s e v i d e n c e o f m u l t i p l e s t ri ke s to h e r h e a d a n d b o d y d u e to s h o v e l i m p a ct , a n d m u l t i p l e s ta b wo u n d s s e c o n d a ry to b e i n g s ta b b e d w i t h a k n i f

e . A l t h o u g h t h e re a re m u l t i p l e s ta b wo u n d s a n d t h e re i s e v i d e n c e o f h e m o r rh a g e i n t h e s e a re a s , t h e k n i f e d o e s n o t p e n e t ra te i n to t h e v e rte b ra l co l u m n o f t h e n e c k n o r d o e s i t p e n e t ra te i n to t h e c h e s t. T h e s ta b wo u n d p a t h s a re fro n t to b a c k o r b a c k to fro n t a n d e xte n d e d t h ro u g h t h e s u b c u ta n e o u s f a t a n d m u s c u l a t u re . T h e y a re a ll w i t h i n 1 i n c h o r s o . T h e b ru i s e s to t h e b a c k a re co m p a ti b l e w i t h b l u n t fo rc e t ra u m a to t h a t re g i o n . T h e b ru i s e s to t h e h e a rt a n d l i v e r a re co m p a ti b l e w i t h s i g n i fi c a n t c h e s t co m p re s s i o n i n c l u d i n g s u ff o c a t i o n . T h e a b ra s i o n p a tte rn to t h e fro n t o f t h e n e c k i s i n d i c a t i v e o f l i g a t u re s t ra n g u l a t i o n . T h e b ru i s e s to t h e h yo i d b o n e a n d t h y ro i d c a rt i l a g e a n d t h e l e ft ca ro t i d a rte ry i n d i c a te s e v e re co m p re s s i o n fo rc e s l e a d i n g to s t ra n g u l a t i o n . T h e c u ts to t h e r i g h t s i d e o f t h e n e c k i n d i c a te m u l t i p l e c u ts to t h a t a re a . T h e i m p a cts to t h e h e a d re s u l t e d i n m u l t i p l e fra ct u re s i n c l u d i n g a l a rg e c u rv i l i n e a r fra ct u re t h a t e xt e n d s fro m t h e l e ft s i d e o f t h e h e a d to t h e ri g h t s i d e o f t h e h e a d a l o n g t h e b a s e o f t h e s k u ll
. I n a d d i t i o n , t h e re a re co m m i n u te d fra ct u re s n o t e d to t h e ri g h t p o s te ri o r s k u l l. C o n t u s i o n s a re o b s e rv e d d i re ct l y u n d e rn e a t h t h i s a re a - to t h e b ra i n - 

### 7i n d i c a t i n g s e v e re p e n e t ra t i n g fo rc e o n e to t h e b ra i n i ts e l f
. T h e re i s e v i d e n c e o f b l e e d i n g o n o r a b o u t t h e b ra i n i n c l u d i n g s u b d u ra l b l o o d d u e to d e c e l e ra t i o n i nj u ri e s o r o t h e r. T h e l a c e ra t i o n s to t h e s c a l p a n d /o r o t h e r b l u n t fo rc e i m p a cts s u c h a s b e i n g p u ll e d d o w n t h e s ta i rs c a n c a u s e a n d /o r co n t ri b u t e to t h e b l e e d i n g to t h e b ra i n . T h e re a re m u l t i p l e l i g a t u re s a ro u n d t h e n e c k
. T h e a b ra s i o n p a tte rn i s co n s i s te n t w i t h t h a t fro m t h e s c a rf a n d /o r t h e e l e ct r i c a l co rd /o t h e r w ra p p e d a ro u n d h e r n e c k
. T h e re i s a l s o e v i d e n c e of d e e p h e m o r r h a g e i n t h e n e c k i n d i c a ti n g t h a t s h e w a s a l i v e w h e n s h e wa s b e i n g s t ra n g l e d
. T h i s a l s o g o e s h a n d i n h a n d w i t h t h e p ro t r u d i n g to n g u e , t h e b i t e m a r k to t h e to n g u e a n d h e m o r r h a g e s a ro u n d t h e e n d o f t h e to n g u e w h i c h i n d i c a t e s h e i s a li v e a n d s t ra n g l e d d u ri n g t h i s t i m e p e ri o d
. T h e l a c e ra t i o n s to h e r a n u s , w h i c h w e re p h o to g ra p h e d a n d p u t i n c a s s e tt e s , i n d i c a t e t h a t s h e w a s p e n e t ra te d . . . B l o o d s ta i n s a re i d e n t i fi e d t h ro u g h o u t t h e h o u s e a n d i n d i c a te t h a t s h e wa s a s s a u l te d i n t h e b e d ro o m , d ra g g e d d o w n t h e s ta i rs a n d t h e n co n t i n u a ll y a s s a u l t e d i n t h e s e d o w n s ta i rs ro o m s . . . . ( R u tt e r N o v . 3 , 2 0 1 6 S l i p o p . a t 8 - 9
. ) Aft e r i n fl i ct i n g t h e s e f

a ta l i nj u ri e s u p o n N i co l e M a t h ews o n , R u tt e r a n d M o o re f l e d t h e s c e n e i n h e r c a r . At a p p ro x i m a t e l y 6 : 2 1 a . m . M a t h e ws o n ' s c a r w a s s e e n o n c a m e ra t ra v e l i n g s o u t h o n N o rt h F ra n k l i n S t re e t , c ro s s i n g o v e r N e w H o ll a n d Av e n u e , i n t h e d i re ct i o n o f E a s t M a ri o n S t re e t. ( R u tte r N o v . 3 , 2 0 1 6 S l i p o p . a t 9
. ) R u tte r wa s t h e n d ro p p e d o ff a t h i s h o m e b y M o o re a t a p p ro x i m a te l y 6 : 2 7 a. m . , a n d M o o re p ro c e e d e d to t h e S t e r li n g P l a c e A p a rt m e n ts , w h e re M a t h e ws o n ' s v e h i c l e wa s a b a n d o n e d
. ( I d
. ) O n c e h o m e , R u tte r F a c e b o o k- m e s s a g e d M o o re , to o k a s h owe r, a n d we n t to s c h o o l w i t h t h e v i ct i m ' s i P h o n e to s e l l. ( R u tte r N o v . 3 , 2 0 1 6 S l i p o p . a t 9
. ) At a p p ro x i m a te l y 9 : 1 0 a . m . , N i c o l e M a t h e ws o n ' s b o yfri e n d a rri v e d a t h e r h o m e , e n te re d t h e fro n t d o o r a n d fo u n d t h e v i ct i m n o n re s p o n s i v e . 7 T h e p o l i c e we re n o t i fi e d a n d

7 M a t h ews o n ' s b o yfri e n d re ce i v e d a te l e p h o n e ca ll fro m M a t h e ws o n ' s p ri n c i p a l w h o wa s co n c e rn e d fo r h e r b e ca u s e s h e h a d n o t a r ri v e d a t t h e B row n s tow n E l e m e n ta ry S c h o o l w h e re s h e wo r ke d
. ( R u tte r N o v . 3 , 2 0 1 6 S l i p o p . a t 1 0 n . 7 ) 

### 8a r ri v e d o n t h e s c e n e s h o rt l y t h e re a fte r, a l o n g w i t h m e d i c a l p e rs o n n e l a n d t h e F i re

D e p a rt m e n t. M a t h e ws o n w a s p ro n o u n c e d d e a d a t t h e s ce n e . ( I d
. a t 1 0
. ) T h ro u g h o u t t h e s c h o o l d a y , R u tte r a n d M o o re t ra d e d F a c e b o o k m e s s a g e s to e a c h o t h e r a b o u t s e lli n g t h e i P h o n e , w h a t ' s g o i n g to h a p p e n w i t h t h e s to l e n ca r, a n d b u y i n g m a rij u a n a . ( R u tte r N o v . 3 , 2 0 1 6 S l i p o p . a t 1 0
. ) Afte r s c h o o l a t a p p rox i m a t e l y 3 : 5 1 p . m . , R u tt e r F a c e b o o k- m e s s a g e d M o o re a s k i n g " i f t h e t i m e i s u p a n d c a n [yo u ] g ra b m o re b re a d , " a n a p p a re n t re f e re n c e to c h e c k i n g w h e t h e r t h e AT M c a rd b e l o n g i n g to M a t h e ws o n co u l d b e u s e d to w i t h d ra w m o re m o n e y fro m h e r a c co u n t. R u tte r we n t h o m e b ri e fl y a t 5 : 3 0 p . m . a n d h i d M a t h e ws o n ' s i P h o n e i n h i s b e d ro o m b e fo re g o i n g b a c k to M c c a s ke y . R u tte r t h e n a tte n d e d a b a s ke t b a ll g a m e a t t h e h i g h s c h o o l a t 7 : 0 0 p . m . , w h e re h e co n v e rs e d w i t h M o o re o v e r F a c e b o o k re g a rd i n g t h e p o l i c e fi n d i n g t h e b o d y . ( I d
. ) L a te r t h a t e v e n i n g , t h e L a n c a s te r C i ty P o l i c e re c e i v e d i n fo r m a t i o n fro m a M c c a s ke y H i g h S c h o o l s t u d e n t t h a t R u tt e r w a s i n p o s s e s s i o n o f a n i P h o n e w h i c h a p p e a re d to h a v e b e l o n g e d to M a t h e ws o n . ( R u tte r N o v . 3 , 2 0 1 6 S l i p o p . a t 1 1
. ) A ro u n d 9 : 0 0 p . m . , p o l i c e w e n t to R u tte r' s re s i d e n c e a n d , aft e r a co n s e n t to s e a rc h wa s re c e i v e d fro m R u tte r' s p a re n ts , p o l i c e s e i z e d a n i P h o n e , i P a d a n d l a p to p co m p u t e r b e l o n g i n g to M a t h e ws o n w h i c h h a d b e e n h i d d e n i n R u tt e r' s b e d ro o m . ( I d
. ) S h o rt l y t h e re a fte r, a t a p p rox i m a t e l y 1 0 : 0 0 p . m . o n D e c e m b e r 1 5 , 2 0 1 4 , a s h e w a s w a l k i n g h o m e fro m M c C a s ke y H i g h S c h o o l , R u tte r wa s a r re s te d fo r p o s s e s s i o n o f s to l e n p ro p e rty . ( R u tte r N o v . 3 , 2 0 1 6 S l i p o p . a t 1 1
. ) At t h e p o l i c e s ta t i o n , R u tte r' s b e l o n g i n g s w e re i n v e n to ri e d
. A m o n g t h e t h i n g s fo u n d o n h i s p e rs o n wa s a p p ro x i m a t e l y $ 2 3 0 - w h a t w a s l e ft o f h i s h a l f o f t h e $ 5 0 0 ta ke n fro m M a t h e ws o n ' s a c co u n t a fte r 

### 9

### h a v i n g p a i d fo r a d m i s s i o n to t h e b a s ke t b a ll g a m e a n d h a v i n g b o u g h t s o m e fo o d
. ( l d
. )

Afte r s i g n i n g 

### a M i ra n d a W a rn i n g s wa i v e r, a n d i n t h e p re s e n c e of h i s m o t h e r, R u tte r g a v e a v i d e o a n d a u d i o re co rd e d s ta te m e n t to t h e p o l i ce i n w h i c h h e a d m i tte d to co n s p i ri n g w i t h M o o re to b u rg l a ri z e M a t h e ws o n ' s h o m e , s te a l h e r b e l o n g i n g s , u n l awfu l l y a c c e s s h e r b a n k a c co u n t , a n d u l t i m a te l y k ill h e r. ( I d
. ) O n D e c e m b e r 1 6 , 2 0 1 4 , t h e p o l i ce l o ca te d t h e v i ct i m ' s v e h i c l e i n t h e p a r k i n g l o t a t S te rl i n g P l a ce A p a rt m e n ts . T h e s a m e d a y , M o o re wa s a r re s te d i n s i d e a n a p a rt m e n t t h e re o n a re ce i v i n g s to l e n p ro p e rty wa r ra n t. At t h e p o l i ce s ta t i o n , M o o re ' s cl o t h i n g wa s re m o v e d a n d b l o o d wa s o b s e rv e d o n h i s swe a t p a n ts . ( M o o re B o o k i n g R e p o rt
. ) T h e n e xt d a y , M o o re wa s c h a rg e d w i t h c ri m i n a l h o m i c i d e , i n v o l u n ta ry d e v i a te s e x u a l i n te rco u rs e , 8 

### b u rg l a ry , c ri m i n a l co n s p i ra cy to co m m i t b u rg l a ry , ro b b e ry , a c ce s s d e v i ce fra u d , re ce i v i n g s to l e n p ro p e rty , a n d t h e ft b y u n l a wfu l ta k i n g . 9 

### M o o re m a d e a k n ow i n g , vo l u n ta ry a n d i n te lli g e n t wa i v e r of h i s ri g h t to a p re li m i n a ry h e a ri n g o n J a n u a ry 9 , 2 0 1 5 ( s e e Wa i v e r of P re l i m i n a ry H e a ri n g s i g n e d b y M o o re ) , a n d m e t w i t h t h e p o l i c e l a te r t h a t a fte rn o o n fo r a n i n te rv i ew . Afte r s i g n i n g a 

### M i ra n d a W a rn i n g s wa i v e r, a n d i n t h e p re s e n c e o f h i s a tto rn e y , M o o re g a v e a v i d e o a n d a u d i o re co rd e d s ta te m e n t to t h e p o l i c e i n w h i c h h e a d m i tte d to h i s p a rt i c i p a t i o n w i t h R u tte r i n b u rg l a ri z i n g M a t h e ws o n ' s h o m e , s te a l i n g h e r b e l o n g i n g s , a n d u n l a wfu ll y a c c e s s i n g h e r b a n k a c co u n t. H e d e n i e d a n y re s p o n s i b ili ty f or M a t h e ws o n ' s d e a t h ,

8 T h e fo re n s i c e v i d e n c e e s ta b li s h e d t h a t t h e v i ct i m h a d b e e n a n a ll y p e n e t ra te d b y fo rce . (S e e M o o re C ri m i n a l C o m p l a i n t , Af fi d a v i t o f P ro b a b l e C a u s e a tff 8
. ) 9 1 8 P a . C
. S
. A. 

### § 2 5 0 1 ( a ) , 1 8 P a . C
. S
. A. 

### § 3 5 0 2 ( a ) ( 1 ) , 1 8 P a . C
. S
. A
. 

### § 9 0 3 , 1 8 P a . C
. S
. A. 

### § 3 7 0 1 ( a ) ( 1 )( i v ) , 1 8 P a . C
. S
. A. 

### § 4 1 0 6 ( a )( 1 ) ( i ) , 1 8 P a . C
. S
. A. 

### § 3 9 2 5 ( a ) , 1 8 P a . C
. S
. A. 

### § 3 1 2 3 ( a ) ( 1 ) , a n d 1 8 P a . C
. S
. A. 

### § 3 9 2 1 ( a ) , re s p e ct i v e l y . 

### 1 0a l t h o u g h h e a c k n o w l e d g e d t h a t s h e w a s s t i ll a l i v e w h e n h e e n te re d t h e h o m e t h e l a s t

t i m e , a n d h e f

a i l e d to ta ke a n y a ct i o n to h e l p h e r. ( M o o re P o l i c e I n t e rv i e w a t 3 - 1 4
. ) P u rs u a n t to R u l e 8 0 2 o f t h e P e n n s y l v a n i a R u l e s o f C ri m i n a l P ro c e d u re , t h e C o m m o n w e a l t h fi l e d a N o t i c e o f I n t e n t to S e e k a S e n t e n ce o f D e a t h a g a i n s t M o o re o n J a n u a ry 3 0 , 2 0 1 5
. S p e c i fi c a ll y , t h e C o m m o n w e a l t h b e l i e ve d i t co u l d p ro v e two s ta t u to ry a g g ra v a t i n g c i rc u m s ta n c e s : ( 1 ) a k i lli n g w h i l e i n t h e p e r p e t ra t i o n o f t h re e f e l o n i e s , n a m e l y i n v o l u n ta ry d e v i a te s e x u a l i n t e rco u rs e , b u rg l a ry a n d ro b b e ry , 4 2 P a . C
. S
. A. 

### § § 9 7 1 1 ( d ) ( 6 ) ; a n d ( 2 ) t h e k i lli n g w a s co m m i tte d 

### b y m e a n s o f to rt u re . 4 2 P a . C
. S
. A
. 

### § § 9 7 1 1 ( d ) ( 8 )
. O n F e b ru a ry 6 , 2 0 1 5 , t h e C o m m o n we a l t h g a v e n o t i c e p u rs u a n t to P a . R. C ri m . P
. 5 8 2 ( b )( 1 ) o f i ts i n t e n t to co n s o l i d a te t h e c a s e s o f R u tte r a n d M o o re fo r t ri a l. O n S e p t e m b e r 2 8 , 2 0 1 5 , M o o re fi l e d a n O m n i b u s P re - T ri a l M o t i o n w h i c h i n cl u d e d , 

### i

n t e r a l ia , a m o t i o n to co n t i n u e t ri a l , w h i c h wa s t h e n s c h e d u l e d fo r J a n u a ry 1 1 , 2 0 1 6
. F o ll o w i n g a co n f e re n c e w i t h co u n s e l , t ri a l wa s re s c h e d u l e d to A p ri l 1 2 , 2 0 1 6
. O n J a n u a ry 1 1 , 2 0 1 6 , M o o re fi l e d a m o t i o n to s e v e r h i s ca s e fro m h i s j u v e n il e co d e f e n d a n t , R u tte r . I n e x c h a n g e fo r t h e C o m m o n w e a l t h d ro p p i n g t h e d e a t h p e n a l ty , o n F e b ru a ry 5 , 2 0 1 6 , M o o re a g re e d to e n t e r a p l e a o f g u i l ty to t h e c h a rg e s o f f i rs t d e g re e m u rd e r, b u rg l a ry , c ri m i n a l co n s p i ra cy , ro b b e ry , re c e i v i n g s to l e n p ro p e rty , a n d a c ce s s d e v i c e fra u d
. ( N .T
. , M o o re G u i l ty P l e a/S e n te n c i n g a t 2 - 3
. ) T h e re c e i v i n g s to l e n p ro p e rty " a n d i n v o l u n ta ry d e v i a te s e x u a l i n t e rco u rs e c h a rg e s w e re 

### n o /l e p ro ss e d a s p a rt o f t h e

1 0 T h i s c h a rg e re l a te d to t h e v i ct i m ' s a u to m o b i l e . (Se e I n f o rm a t i o n a t C o u n t 6
. ) 1 1

### n e g o t i a te d p l e a a g re e m e n t. ( I d
. a t 3
. ) T h e p ro ff e re d n e g o t i a te d p l e a wa s a c ce p te d a fte r a t h o ro u g h o n - t h e - re co rd co ll o q u y e s ta b l i s h e d t h a t M o ore wa s e n te ri n g t h e p l e a k n ow i n g l y , vo l u n ta ri l y a n d i n te lli g e n t l y . ( I d
. a t 3 5 , 5 4
. ) I n a c co rd a n c e w i t h t h e p l e a a g re e m e n t , t h e C o u rt i m p o s e d a m a n d a to ry s e n te n c e of l i f

e w i t h o u t t h e p o s s i b i l i ty o f p a ro l e o n t h e f i rs t d e g re e m u rd e r co n v i ct i o n . 1 1 

### ( N .T
. , M o o re G u i l ty P l e a/S e n te n c i n g a t 5 4
. ) T h e C o u rt fu rt h e r o rd e re d t h e fo ll ow i n g co n s e c u t i v e s e n te n c e s a s p e r t h e n e g o t i a te d p l e a a g re e m e n t: 

### ( 1 ) 5 to 

### 1 0 ye a rs ' i n ca rc e ra t i o n o n t h e b u rg l a ry co n v i ct i o n ; ( 2 ) 5 

### to 

### 1 0 y e a rs ' i n c a rc e ra t i o n o n t h e c ri m i n a l co n s p i ra cy co n v i ct i o n ; a n d ( 3 ) 1 O 

### to 2 0 

### ye a rs ' i n ca rc e ra t i o n o n t h e ro b b e ry co n v i ct i o n . ( I d
. a t 5 4 - 5 5
. ) F i n a l l y , co n c u r re n t s e n te n c e s o f o n e to two ye a rs ' i n ca rce ra t i o n we re i m p o s e d o n t h e t h e ft b y u n l a wfu l d e ce p t i o n . co n v i ct i o n a n d a c ce s s d e v i c e fra u d co n v i ct i o n s . ( I d
. a t 5 5
. ) Ac co rd i n g l y , t h e a g g re g a te s e n te n ce i s l i f e i n p ri s o n w i t h o u t t h e p o s s i b ili ty of p a ro l e , w i t h a co n s e c u t i v e p e ri o d o f i n ca rc e ra t i o n o f 2 0 

### to 4 0 

### ye a rs . R e s t i t u t i o n wa s o rd e re d i n t h e a m o u n t o f $ 3 8 , 5 6 6
. 7 7 , to b e a m e n d e d fo r t h e co s ts of o n g o i n g co u n s e li n g fo r t h e v i ct i m ' s f a m il y m e m b e rs . ( I d
. ) M o o re ' s s e n te n c e a l s o i n c l u d e d fi n e s a n d co s ts a s s o c i a te d w i t h e a c h co u n t. ( I d
. a t 2 . ) 

### At t h e co n c l u s i o n o f t h e g u i l ty p l e a/s e n te n ci n g h e a ri n g , I re v i e we d w i t h M o o re h i s ri g h ts to fi l e p o s t s e n te n c e m o t i o n s w i t h i n 

### 1 O d a ys a n d a d i re ct a p p e a l to t h e S u p e ri o r C o u rt o f P e n n s y l v a n i a w i t h i n 3 0 

### d a ys . ( N
. T. , 

### M o o re G u i l ty P l e a/S e n te n c i n g a t 5 7
. ) 

### M o o re ' s p o s t s e n te n c e ri g h ts we re a l s o s e t fo rt h i n t h e s e ve n - p a g e w ri tte n co ll o q u y

11 P e n n s y l v a n i a l aw m a n d a te s t h a t if a p e rs o n i s fo u n d g u i l ty of f i rs t d e g re e m u rd e r a n d d o e s n o t re c e i v e t h e d e a t h p e n a l ty h e o r s h e w ill re ce i v e a s e n te n ce of l i f e i m p ri s o n m e n t w i t h o u t t h e p o s s i b i l i ty o f p a ro l e . S e e 1 8 P a . C
. S
. A
. 

### § 1 1 0 2 ( a ) ( 1 )
. ( N
. T. , M o o re G u i l ty P l e a/ 

### S e n te n c i n g a t 2 3
. ) 

### 1 2

### fo r m s i g n e d b y M o o re . ( S e e M o o re G u i l ty P l e a C o ll o q u y a n d P o s t- S e n te n ce R i g h ts a t



## 1l 1l 5 5 - 7 5
. ) M o o re fi l e d n o p o s t s e n te n c e m o t i o n s , n o r d i d h e fi l e a d i re ct a p p e a l to t h e S u p e ri o r C o u rt o f P e n n s y l v a n i a fro m h i s j u d g m e n t o f s e n te n c e i m p o s e d o n F e b ru a ry 5 , 2 0 1 6
. M o o re wa s re p re s e n te d a t h i s g u il ty p l e a a n d s e n te n c i n g b y co u rt- a p p o i n te d co u n s e l , J e ffre y 

### A. C o n ra d , E s q u i re , a n d E d w i n G
. P fu rs i c h , IV , E s q u i re . O n J a n u a ry 3 1 , 2 0 1 7 , 1 2 

### M o o re , a ct i n g p r o s e, 

### f i l e d t h e i n s ta n t ti m e l y p e t i ti o n f o r p o s t co n v i cti o n co ll a te ra l re l i e f , 1 3 

### c h a ll e n g i n g ' h i s a tto rn e y' s e ff e ct i v e n e s s a n d t h e a ll e g e d u n l awfu l i n d u c e m e n t of h i s g u i l ty p l e a . ( S e e P ro Se 

### P C RA P e t i t i o n a t 

## 1l 1 0
. ) P u rs u a n t to R u l e 9 0 4 (A ) of t h e P e n n s y l v a n i a R u l e s of C ri m i n a l P ro ce d u re , R a n d a ll L. 

### M i ll e r, E s q u i re , wa s a p p o i n te d to re p re s e n t M o o re o n h i s co ll a te ra l c l a i m s a n d wa s g ra n te d l e a v e to fi l e a n a m e n d e d p e t i ti o n , i f a p p ro p ri a te . Afte r a ca re fu l a n d co n s c i e n t i o u s re v i ew of t h e e n t i re re co rd , Atto rn e y M ill e r co n cl u d e d t h a t t h e p ro s e 

### p e t i t i o n d i d n o t p re s e n t a n y i s s u e s o f a rg u a b l e m e ri t a n d wa s fri v o l o u s a s a m a tte r o f l a w . Ac co rd i n g l y , h e s u b m i tte d a " n o m e ri t " l e tte r 1 4 

### a n d re q u e s t to w i t h d raw o n A p ri l 2 4 , 2 0 1 7
. Afte r re v i ew i n g t h e p r

o s e 

### P C RA p e t i t i o n a n d co u n s e l ' s " n o m e ri t l e tte r, " I fo u n d t h a t t h e re we re n o d i s p u te d i s s u e s of f a ct , M o o re wa s n o t e n t i t l e d to p o s t co n v i ct i o n

1 2 T h e p l e a d i n g i s d e e m e d f i l e d o n t h e d a te o f m a ili n g , J a n u a ry 3 1 , 2 0 1 7 , ra t h e r t h a n t h e d a te o f d o c ke t i n g , F e b ru a ry 9 , 2 0 1 7 , p u rs u a n t to t h e " p ri s o n e r m a i l b ox ru l e . " S e e C o m m o n we a l t h v . C rawfo rd , 1 7 A. 3 d 1 2 7 9 , 1 2 8 1 ( P a . S u p e r. 2 0 1 1 ) ( " U n d e r t h e p ri s o n e r m a i l b o x ru l e , we d e e m a p ro s e d o c u m e n t fi l e d o n t h e d a te i t i s p l a c e d i n t h e h a n d s o f p ri s o n a u t h o ri t i e s fo r m a ili n g . " )
.

1 3 1 n o te t h a t M o o re ' s P C RA p e ti t i o n wa s fi l e d w i t h i n o n e y e a r of t h e d a te h i s j u d g m e n t b e c a m e fi n a l. As s u c h , h i s p e ti t i o n wa s fi l e d i n a t i m e l y m a n n e r. S e e 4 2 P a . C
. S
. A. 

### § 9 5 4 5 ( b )
.

14 T h i s wa s fi l e d p u rs u a n t to C o m m o n we a l t h v . T u rn e r, 5 1 8 P a . 4 9 1 , 5 4 4 A. 2 d 9 2 7 ( 1 9 8 8 ) , a n d C o m m o n we a l t h v . F i n l e y , 3 7 9 P a . S u p e r. 3 9 0 , 5 5 0 A. 2 d 2 1 3 ( 1 9 8 8 )
. 

### 1 3c o ll a t e ra l re li e f, a n d n o p u rp o s e wo u l d b e s e rv e d b y a n y fu rt h e r p ro c e e d i n g s .

T h e re fo re , o n A p ri l 2 5 , 2 0 1 7 , p u rs u a n t to P a . R. C ri m . P
. 9 0 7 ( 1 ) , I f i l e d a n o t i c e o f m y i n t e n ti o n to d i s m i s s t h e 

### p ro s e P C RA p e t i t i o n w i t h o u t a h e a ri n g . M o o re w a s g i v e n 3 0 d a ys to fi l e a n a m e n d e d p e t i t i o n o r to o t h e rw i s e re s p o n d to t h e C o u rt ' s N o t i c e . H e s u b m i tt e d a t i m e l y re s p o n s e o n M a y 2 5 , 2 0 1 7
. T h i s m a tte r i s n ow ri p e fo r d i s p o s i t i o n . 

### II
. 

### E li g i b ili ty fo r P C RA Re li e f I n i t i a ll y , 

### I n o t e t h a t " [t] h e e n t ry o f a g u i l ty p l e a co n s t i t u t e s a wa i v e r o f a ll d e f e n s e s a n d d e f e cts e x c e p t c l a i m s o f l a c k o f j u ri s d i ct i o n , i n v a l i d g u i l ty p l e a , a n d ill e g a l s e n t e n c e . " 

### C o m m o n we a l t h v . Ke n n e d y , 

### 8 6 8 A
. 2 d 5 8 2 , 5 9 3 ( P a . S u p e r. 2 0 0 5 )
. M o o re h a s n o t c h a ll e n g e d t h e j u ri s d i ct i o n o f t h i s C o u rt o r t h e l e g a li ty o f h i s s e n t e n c e . M o o re d o e s d i s p u t e , h o w e v e r, t h e v a l i d i ty o f h i s g u i l ty p l e a . I n s u c h a c a s e , p o s t co n v i ct i o n re l i e f i s a v a i l a b l e i f a p e t i t i o n e r p l e a d s a n d p ro v e s 

### b y a p re p o n d e ra n c e o f t h e e v i d e n c e t h a t h i s g u il ty p l e a w a s u n l a wfu ll y i n d u c e d w h e re t h e c i rc u m s t a n c e s m a d e i t l i ke l y t h e i n d u c e m e n t c a u s e d t h e p e ti t i o n e r to p l e a d g u i l ty a n d t h e p e t i t i o n e r i s i n n o c e n t. 

### S e e 4 2 P a . C
. S
. A. 

### § 9 5 4 3 ( a ) ( 2 ) ( i i i )
. 1 5 W h i l e 

### a d e f

e n d a n t i s e n t i t l e d to e ff e ct i v e re p re s e n ta t i o n d u ri n g t h e p l e a p ro c e s s , 

### C o m m o n we a l t h v . B e d e ll , 9 5 4 A
. 2 d 1 2 0 9 , 1 2 1 2 ( P a . S u p e r. 2 0 0 8 ) , a ll e g a t i o n s o f i n e ff e ct i v e n e s s i n co n n e ct i o n w i t h t h e e n t ry o f 

### a g u il ty p l e a w ill s e rv e a s a b a s i s f o r re l i e f o n l y i f t h e i n e ff

e ct i v e n e s s ca us e d t h e d e f e n d a n t to e n t e r a n i n v o l u n t a ry o r u n k n ow i n g

1 5 S i n c e M o o re p l e a d e d g u i l ty , t h e t ru t h - d e te rm i n i n g p ro ce s s i s n o t i m p l i ca te d u n d e r 4 2 P a . C
. S
. A
. 

### § 9 5 4 3 ( a ) ( 2 ) ( ii )
. Ra t h e r, h i s i n e f f e ct i v e n e s s c l a i m i n t h e co n te xt o f a n a tta c k o n t h e v a l i d i ty o f h i s g u i l ty p l e a f a ll s u n d e r§ 9 5 4 3 ( a )( 2 )( i i i )
.

1 4

### p l e a . C o m m o n we a l t h v . Wa h , 

### 4 2 A. 3 d 3 3 5 , 3 3 8 - 3 9 ( P a . S u p e r. 2 0 1 2 ) ( c i ta t i o n s a n d

q u o ta t i o n m a r ks o m i tte d )
. T h i s i s s i m i l a r to t h e " m a n i f e s t i nj u s t i ce " s ta n d a rd u s e d w h e n e v a l u a ti n g a m o t i o n to w i t h d raw a p l e a a fte r s e n te n c i n g . B e d e ll , 

### s u p r a . 

### " T h e l aw d o e s n o t re q u i re t h a t [t h e d e f e n d a n t] b e p l e a s e d w i t h t h e o u t co m e o f h i s d e c i s i o n to e n te r a p l e a o f g u i l ty ; ra t h e r ' [ a ] II t h a t i s re q u i re d i s t h a t [t h e d e f e n d a n t ' s ] d e c i s i o n to p l e a d g u i l ty b e k n ow i n g l y , vo l u n ta ri l y a n d i n te lli g e n t l y m a d e . " ' C o m m o n we a l t h v . B row n , 

### 4 8 A. 3 d 1 2 7 5 , 1 2 7 7 ( P a . S u p e r. 2 0 1 2 ) ( ci ta t i o n o m i tte d )
. O n c e a d e f e n d a n t e n te rs a g u il ty p l e a , i t i s p re s u m e d h e wa s awa re of h i s a ct i o n s a n d , t h u s , t h e b u rd e n of d e m o n s t ra t i n g i n v o l u n ta ri n e s s i s u p o n h i m . C o m m o n we a l t h v . W ill i s , 

### 6 8 A. 3 d 9 9 7 , 1 0 0 2 ( P a . S u p e r. 2 0 1 3 )
. I n d e te r m i n i n g w h e t h e r a d e f e n d a n t e n te re d i n to a p l e a of g u i l ty k n ow i n g l y , vo l u n ta ri l y a n d i n te lli g e n tl y , t h e P C RA co u rt " i s fre e to co n s i d e r t h e to ta li ty o f t h e c i rc u m s ta n ce s s u r ro u n d i n g t h e p l e a , . . . i n c l u d i n g , b u t n o t l i m i te d to , t ra n s c ri p ts fro m o t h e r p ro ce e d i n g s , ' o ff

- t h e - re co rd ' co m m u n i ca t i o n s w i t h co u n s e l , a n d w ri tte n p l e a a g re e m e n ts . " C o m m o n we a l t h v . A ll e n , 

### 5 5 7 P a . 1 3 5 , 1 4 6 -4 7 , 7 3 2 A. 2 d 5 8 2 , 5 8 8 - 8 9 ( 1 9 9 9 )
. M o re o v e r, " [ a ] d e f e n d a n t i s b o u n d b y t h e s ta te m e n ts m a d e d u ri n g t h e p l e a co ll o q u y , a n d a d e f

e n d a n t m a y n o t l a te r off e r re a s o n s fo r w i t h d raw i n g t h e p l e a t h a t co n t ra d i ct s ta te m e n ts m a d e w h e n h e p i e d
. " B row n , 

### s u p r a . 

### T o s u c c e e d i n s h ow i n g p rej u d i ce fo r a c l a i m o f i n e ff e ct i v e n e s s i n co n n e ct i o n w i t h a g u i l ty p l e a , t h e d e f

e n d a n t " m u s t s h ow t h a t i t i s re a s o n a b l y p ro b a b l e t h a t , b u t f o r co u n s e l ' s e r ro rs , h e wo u l d n o t h a v e p l e a d e d g u i l ty a n d wo u l d h a v e g o n e to t ri a l. " C o m m o n we a l t h v . H i c k m a n , 

### 7 9 9 A. 2 d 1 3 6 , 1 4 1 ( P a . S u p e r. 

### 2 0 0 2 ) . M o re o v e r, w h e re 1 5

### t h e d e f

e n d a n t e n te rs h i s p l e a o n t h e a d v i c e of co u n s e l , " t h e vo l u n ta ri n e s s o f t h e p l e a d e p e n d s o n w h e t h e r co u n s e l ' s a d v i c e wa s w i t h i n t h e ra n g e o f co m p e te n ce d e m a n d e d of a tto rn e ys i n c ri m i n a l ca s e s . " I d
. ( q u o t i n g 

### M c M a n n v . R i c h a rd s o n , 

### 3 9 7 U
. S
. 7 5 9 , 7 7 1 ( 1 9 7 0 ) )
. H e re , M o o re c l a i m s h i s t ri a l co u n s e l' s i n e ff e cti v e n e s s ca u s e d h i m to e n te r a n i n v a li d p l e a . I n s u p p o rt o f t h i s a rg u m e n t , h e a v e rs : ( 1 ) t ri a l co u n s e l a ll owe d M o o re to e n te r i n to a n e g o t i a te d g u i l ty p l e a t h a t wa s n o t i n te lli g e n t , k n ow i n g a n d vo l u n ta ry ; ( 2 ) M o o re ' s g u i l ty p l e a wa s u n l awfu ll y i n d u c e d w h e n h i s t ri a l a tto rn e y , M r. C o nra d , i n fo r m e d h i m t h a t h e m a y n e v e r h o l d h i s c h il d a g a i n d u ri n g a re c e s s i n t h e g u il ty p l e a/s e n te n c i n g h e a ri n g o u ts i d e t h e p re s e n ce of t h e C o u rt ; ( 3 ) t ri a l co u n s e l s h o u l d h a v e l i t i g a te d t h e i s s u e s co n ta i n e d i n t h e o m n i b u s p re t ri a l m o t i o n ; ( 4 ) 

### t ri a l co u n s e l a l l e g e d l y fo rg e d M o o re ' s s i g n a t u re o n t h e wa i v e r o f a r ra i g n m e n t fo r m ; a n d ( 5 ) t ri a l co u n s e l wa s i n e ff e ct i v e b e ca u s e h e fa i l e d to p ro v i d e M o o re w i t h a d e f e n s e or ex c u l p a to ry e v i d e n ce f a vo ra b l e to M o o re . F o r t h e re a s o n s t h a t f o ll ow , M o o re ' s cl a i m of i n e ff e ct i v e a s s i s ta n c e o f co u n s e l m u s t f

a i l. 

### Ill
. D i s c u s s i o n 

### I b e g i n m y a n a l ys i s a s to t h e vo l u n ta ry , k n ow i n g a n d i n te lli g e n t n a t u re of M o o re ' s p l e a b y e xa m i n i n g t h e to ta l i ty o f t h e c i rc u m s ta n c e s s u r ro u n d i n g t h e p l e a . T h e p ro ce d u re fo r p l e a s a n d p l e a a g re e m e n ts i s s e t f o rt h i n R u l e 5 9 0 o f t h e P e n n s y l v a n i a R u l e s of C ri m i n a l P ro c e d u re . B e f o re a j u d g e m a y a c ce p t a p l e a of g u i l ty , h e m u s t d e te r m i n e , a fte r i n q u i ry o f t h e d e f e n d a n t , t h a t t h e p l e a i s u n d e rs ta n d i n g l y a n d

1 6v o l u n t a ri l y t e n d e re d
. P a . R. C ri m . P
. 5 9 0 (A )( 3 )
. 1 6 T h e co m m e n t to t h i s R u l e n o t e s , t h a t

" a t a m i n i m u m , " t h e j u d g e s h o u l d a s k t h e fo ll ow i n g q u e s t i o n s i n t h e g u i l ty p l e a co ll o q u y : ( 1 ) D o e s t h e d e f

e n d a n t u n d e rs ta n d t h e n a t u re o f t h e c h a rg e s to w h i c h h e i s p l e a d i n g g u i l ty ; ( 2 ) I s t h e re a f

a ct u a l b a s i s fo r t h e p l e a ; ( 3 ) D o e s t h e d e f e n d a n t u n d e rs ta n d t h a t h e h a s t h e ri g h t to t ri a l b y j u ry ; (4 ) D o e s t h e d e f e n d a n t u n d e rs ta n d t h a t h e i s p re s u m e d i n n o c e n t u n t i l h e i s fo u n d g u il ty ; ( 5 ) I s t h e d e f e n d a n t a w a re o f t h e p e r m i s s i b l e ra n g e o f s e n t e n c e s a n d /o r fi n e s fo r t h e o ff e n s e s c h a rg e d ; a n d ( 6 ) I s t h e d e f e n d a n t a wa re t h a t t h e j u d g e i s n o t b o u n d b y t h e t e r m s o f a n y p l e a a g re e m e n t t e n d e re d u n l e s s t h e j u d g e a c c e p ts s u c h a g re e m e n t. O u r S u p re m e C o u rt h a s h e l d t h a t i n q u i ry i n to t h e s e s i x a re a s i s e s s e n t i a l to e n s u re a k n o w i n g , v o l u n t a ry a n d i n t e lli g e n t p l e a . C o m m o n we a l t h v . F l a n a g a n , 5 7 8 P a . 5 8 7 , 6 0 5 , 8 5 4 A. 2 d 4 8 9 , 5 0 0 ( 2 0 0 4 )
. 

### S e e a l so C o m m o n we a l t h v . W i lli s , 4 7 1 P a . 5 0 , 5 1 - 5 2 , 3 6 9 A. 2 d 1 1 8 9 , 1 1 8 9 - 9 0 ( 1 9 7 7 ) ; C o m m o n we a l t h v . B e d e ll , 9 5 4 A. 2 d 1 2 0 9 , 1 2 1 2 ( P a . S u p e r . 2 0 0 8 )
. T h e co m m e n t to R u l e 5 9 0 d o e s a ll ow t h a t a d e t e r m i n a ti o n i n to t h e s e a re a s m a y b e a c c o m p l i s h e d b y a w ri tt e n c o ll o q u y t h a t i s " re a d , co m p l e t e d , s i g n e d b y t h e d e f e n d a n t , a n d m a d e p a rt o f t h e re co rd o f t h e p l e a p ro c e e d i n g s , " s u p p l e m e n te d b y s o m e

_o n - t h e - re co rd o ra l e x a m i n a t i o n . I n t h i s c a s e , t h e re co rd e s ta b l i s h e s t h a t I

1 6 R u l e 5 9 0 p ro v i d e s i n re l e v a n t p a rt a s fo ll ows : ( 1 ) P l e a s s h a ll b e ta ke n i n o p e n co u rt
. ( 2 ) A d e f e n d a n t m a y p l e a d n o t g u i l ty , g u il ty , o r, w i t h t h e co n s e n t o f t h e j u d g e , n o l o co n te n d e re . I f t h e d e f e n d a n t re fu s e s to p l e a d , t h e j u d g e s h a ll e n te r a p l e a o f n o t g u i l ty o n t h e d e f e n d a n t ' s b e h a l f

. ( 3 ) T h e j u d g e m a y re fu s e to a c c e p t a p l e a o f g u i l ty o r n o l o co n te n d e re , a n d s h a ll n o t a c c e p t i t u n l e s s t h e j u d g e d e te r m i n e s a fte r i n q u i ry 

### of t h e d e f e n d a n t t h a t t h e p l e a i s vo l u n ta ri l y a n d u n d e rs ta n d i n g l y te n d e re d
. S u c h i n q u i ry s h a ll a p p e a r o n t h e re co rd
. P a . R. C ri m . P
. 5 9 0 (A )
. 1 7

### co n d u cte d a l e n g t h y a n d t h o ro u g h i n q u i ry i n to t h e s i x d e s i g n a te d a re a s i d e n t i fi e d

a b o v e . I a d v i s e d M o o re of t h e c h a rg e s a g a i n s t h i m a n d e x p l a i n e d t h e e l e m e n ts o f t h o s e o ff e n s e s a s d e fi n e d b y t h e C ri m e s C o d e a n d t h e P e n n s y l v a n i a S ta n d a rd J u ry I n s t ru ct i o n s ( C ri m i n a l )
. ( N
. T
. , M o o re G u il ty P l e a/S e n te n c i n g a t 1 9 - 2 6
. ) M o o re wa s a l s o a d v i s e d t h a t b y p l e a d i n g g u il ty h e wa s wa i v i n g h i s ri g h ts to a j u ry t ri a l , t h e p re s u m p t i o n o f i n n o c e n c e , a n d o t h e r re l e v a n t a tt ri b u te s of p ro ce d u ra l d u e p ro ce s s . ( I d
. a t 5 - 8 , 1 3 , 1 9
. ) H e a c k n ow l ed g e d t h a t h e u n d e rs to o d t h a t h e wa s i n n o ce n t u n t il p ro v e n g u i l ty , h e d i d n o t h a v e to p l e a d g u il ty , a n d t h a t i t wa s h i s c h o i c e to p l e a d g u i l ty . ( I d
. a t 6 , 1 3 ) T h e m a x i m u m s e n te n ce s a n d s e n te n c i n g g u i d e l i n e s fo r e a c h c h a rg e we re a l s o re v i ewe d w i t h M o o re d u ri n g t h e co ll o q u y . ( N
. T
. , M o o re G u i l ty P l e a/S e n te n c i n g a t 2 3 - 2 8
. ) M o o re s ta te d t h a t h e u n d e rs to od t h a t t h e m a x i m u m s e n te n ce , i f a ll t h e c h a rg e s we re s e n te n ce d co n s e c u t i v e l y , wo u l d b e li f e w i t h o u t p a ro l e p l u s 8 1 ye a rs i n j a i l , a n d 

### a fi n e of $ 1 3 0 , 0 0 0
. 0 0
. (I d
. 

### a t 2 7
. ) 

### As re q u i re d b y P a . R. C ri m . P
. 5 9 0 , a t ri a l co u rt m u s t a l s o s a t i s fy i ts e lf t h a t t h e re i s a f a ct u a l b a s i s f

o r t h e p l e a . C o m m o n w e a l th v . F l u h a rty , 4 2 9 

### P a . S u p e r . 2 1 3 , 2 1 9 , 6 3 2 A. 2 d 3 1 2 , 3 1 5 ( 1 9 9 3 )
. I n t h e i n s ta n t ca s e , I re v i e we d t h e f a ct u a l b a s i s o f t h e p l e a , a s s u m m a ri z e d b y F i rs t As s i s ta n t Di s t ri ct Atto rn e y C h ri s to p h e r L a rs e n . ( N
. T
. , M o o re G u i l ty P l e a/S e n te n c i n g a t 3 1 - 3 3
. ) M o o re a d m i tte d to t h e f a cts re ci te d b y t h e p ro s e c u to r wh i c h f o rm e d t h e b a s e s fo r t h e c h a rg e s ; t h u s , d e f e a t i n g a cl a i m of i n n o ce n c e . ( I d
. a t 3 3
. ) T h e re we re c l e a r a d m i s s i o n s o f g u i l t b y M o o re , a s we ll a s s u b s ta n ti a l i n d e p e n d e n t e v i d e n c e of g u il t. I n li g h t of t h e to ta l i ty o f t h e c i rc u m s ta n ce s s u r ro u n d i n g t h e p l e a i n t h i s ca s e , i t i s c l e a r t h a t t h e re wa s a s u ffi c i e n t f a ct u a l b a s i s fo r t h e p l e a to b e d ee m e d k n ow i n g l y a n d vo l u n ta ri l y e n te re d
. F o r M o o re to n ow s u g g e s t t h a t h e wa s u n l awfu ll y 1 8i n d u c e d i n to e n t e ri n g i n to t h e n e g o t i a t e d p l e a b e c a u s e h e i s i n n o c e n t of t h e o ff e n s e s to w h i c h h e p i e d g u i l ty i s co n t ra ry to t h e f a cts o f t h i s c a s e . I n a d d i t i o n to t h e co ll o q u y i n o p e n co u rt , M o o re s i g n e d a 7 - p a g e , 7 7 - q u e s t i o n w ri tte n g u i l ty p l e a " l o n g fo r m " co m p l e t e d b y d e f e n s e co u n s e l
. (

S e e M o o re G u i l ty P l e a C o ll o q u y . ) I n t h i s d o c u m e n t , M o o re m a n i f e s t e d h i s u n d e rs t a n d i n g o f t h e o ff e n s e s a g a i n s t h i m , t h e m a x i m u m s e n t e n c e s a n d t h e p ro c e d u ra l d u e p ro c e s s ri g h ts wa i v e d b y a g u i l ty p l e a . H e i n d i c a t e d t h a t h e re v i e w e d t h e co ll o q u y f o r m w i t h h i s a tto rn e y a n d s i g n e d i t. ( I d
. ) M o o re h a d n o q u e s t i o n s o f h i s a tto rn e y o r o f t h e C o u rt re g a rd i n g t h e fo r m . T h u s , t h e re c o rd c l e a rl y e s ta b l i s h e s t h a t M o o re wa s a w a re o f h i s c h a rg e s ( N
. T
. , M o o re G u il ty P l e a a n d S e n t e n c i n g a t 2 0 - 2 6 ) , t h a t h e u n d e rs to o d t h e n a t u re o f t h e s e c h a rg e s ( I d
. ) , t h a t h e w a s g i v i n g u p h i s ri g h t to a j u ry t ri a l a n d t h e p re s u m p t i o n o f i n n o c e n c e ( l d
. a t 5 , 1 3 ) , a n d t h a t t h e m u rd e r c h a rg e c a r r i e d a m a x i m u m j a i l t e r m o f l i f e w i t h o u t p a ro l e . ( I d
. a t 2 7 - 2 8
. ) M o re o v e r, M o o re i n d i c a te d t h a t h e k n e w h e d i d n o t h a v e to p l e a d g u i l ty a n d t h a t i t wa s h i s v o l u n ta ry d e c i s i o n to p l e a d g u i l ty . ( S e e M o o re G u i l ty P l e a C o ll o q u y a t 11 11 1 0 , 4 9
. ) M o o re d e n i e d b e i n g f o rc e d to p l e a d g u i l ty , a n d i n d i c a te d t h a t i t w a s h i s d e c i s i o n to p l e a d g u i l ty o f h i s ow n fre e w i l l. ( I d
. a t 11 � 5 0 - 5 1
. ) I n t h e i n s ta n t c a s e , M o o re w a s f a c i n g a g ri m a l te rn a ti v e w h e n h e e l e cte d to e n te r a n e g o t i a te d p l e a to t h e m u rd e r c h a rg e . H e f a c e d a p o s s i b l e d e a t h p e n a l ty i f co n v i cte d a t t ri a l. ( N
. T. , M o o re G u i l ty P l e a/S e n t e n c i n g a t 1 8 ; 

### s e e a l so M o o re G u i l ty P l e a C o ll o q u y a t 

### ,i 3 5
. ) M o o re h a d a b s o l u t e l y n o t h i n g to g a i n b y a t ri a l a n d m u c h to g a i n b y p l e a d i n g . B e c a u s e o f t h e o v e rw h e l m i n g e v i d e n c e a g a i n s t h i m , a t ri a l wa s p re c i s e l y w h a t n e i t h e r M o o re n o r h i s a tto rn e y wa n t e d
. T h e re co rd d e m o n s t ra t e s t h a t M o o re v o l u n ta ri l y , 

### 1 9k n o w i n g l y a n d u n d e rs ta n d i n g l y co n s e n t e d to t h e i m p o s i t i o n o f a l i f e s e n t e n c e b e c a u s e t h e C o m m o n w e a l t h h a d s u ffi c i e n t e v i d e n c e ( 1 ) to co n v i n ce a j u ry b e y o n d a re a s o n a b l e d o u b t t h a t M o o re wa s g u i l ty o f a ll c h a rg e s a n d ( 2 ) to p ro v e t h e two s ta t u to ry a g g ra v a t i n g c i rc u m s t a n c e s to s u p p o rt t h e d e a t h p e n a l ty . B y t h e n a t u re , e xte n t a n d to n e o f t h e g u i l ty p l e a h e a ri n g , t h i s C o u rt wa s w e ll s a t i s fi e d t h a t Atto rn e y C o nra d h a d fu ll y e x e c u te d h i s d u t i e s i n a d v i s i n g M o o re o f t h e n a t u re o f t h e c h a rg e s a n d t h e p o s s i b l e co n s e q u e n c e s o f h i s p l e a . D e f e n s e co u n s e l a d v i s e d t h e C o u rt t h a t h i s c li e n t w a s e n t e ri n g a k n o w i n g , vo l u n ta ry a n d i n t e lli g e n t p l e a . ( N .T
. , M o o re G u i l ty P l e a /S e n t e n c i n g a t 3 4
. ) B a s e d u p o n t h e re p re s e n ta t i o n s b y M o o re , h i s a tto rn e y a n d t h e C o m m o n w e a l t h , t h e n e g o ti a t e d g u i l ty p l e a p re s e n t e d o n M o o re ' s b e h a l f wa s a c c e p t e d b y t h e C o u rt
. ( N .T
. , M o o re G u i l ty P l e a /S e n te n c i n g a t 3 5
. ) O n re v i e w , co n s i d e ri n g a ll t h e c i rc u m s ta n c e s a tte n d a n t to t h e p l e a , i n cl u d i n g t h e a d e q u a cy o f t h e o ra l a n d w ri tte n p l e a co ll o q u i e s , M o o re ' s re s p o n s e s t h e re i n , a n d t h e re p re s e n ta t i o n s b y d e f e n s e co u n s e l , t h e g u i l ty p l e a wa s k n o w i n g , v o l u n ta ry a n d i n t e lli g e n t , a n d w a s p ro p e rl y a c c e p te d
. M o o re , h o we v e r, c l a i m s t h a t h i s g u i l ty p l e a i s n o n e t h e l e s s i n v a l i d b a s e d o n t h e i n e ff e ct i v e a s s i s ta n c e o f co u n s e l. S p e c i fi c a ll y , M o o re n ow co n t e n d s t h a t , d e s p i te w h a t wa s s a i d d u ri n g t h e o ra l co ll o q u y a n d w h a t w a s s p e c i fi c a ll y s p e ll e d o u t i n t h e w ri tte n co ll o q u y , i t w a s n o t h i s i n t e n ti o n to p l e a d g u i l ty a n d t h a t co u n s e l u n l a wfu ll y i n d u c e d h i m to p l e a d g u i l ty b y t h re a t e n i n g t h a t i f M o o re ' s c a s e w e n t to t ri a l a n d h e w a s co n v i cte d , h e wo u l d g e t t h e d e a t h p e n a l ty a n d wo u l d n e v e r h o l d h i s c h i l d a g a i n . 

### (S e e Pr o Se P C RA P e tit i o n a t 

### ,i 1 5 (A ) ( 1 )
. ) T h e re co rd b e l i e s t h i s a s s e rt i o n . 

### 2 0

### At t h e g u i l ty p l e a/s e n te n c i n g h e a ri n g , M o o re te s t i fi e d t h a t i t wa s h i s d e c i s i o n to

wa i v e a j u ry t ri a l a n d p l e a d g u i l ty of h i s ow n fre e w i l l , a n d t h a t n o p ro m i s e s , t h re a ts o r g u a ra n te e s h a d b e e n m a d e to o r a g a i n s t h i m to fo rce h i m to p l e a d g u i l ty . 

### ( N
. T. , M o o re G u i l ty P l e a/S e n te n c i n g a t 6 , 3 1 ; s e e a l s o 

### M o o re G u il ty P l e a C o ll o q u y a t 

## ,r ,r 4 9 - 5 2
. ) T h i s e xc h a n g e w i t h t h e C o u rt o c c u r re d a fte r t h e re c e s s i n t h e p ro c e e d i n g w h e re i n t h e a ll e g e d " t h re a t" wa s m a d e b y Atto rn e y C o n ra d
. T h u s , t h e o n l y e v i d e n ce s u g g e s t i n g t h a t M o ore ' s g u i l ty p l e a wa s i n d u ce d b y co u n s e l' s a l l e g e d t h re a t i s M o o re ' s p roff e re d te s t i m o n y , w h i c h d i re ct l y co n t ra d i cts h i s ow n s ta te m e n ts m a d e d u ri n g t h e ora l p l e a co ll o q u y a n d o n t h e w ri tte n co ll o q u y . T h e l o n g s ta n d i n g r u l e of P e n n s y l v a n i a l a w i s t h a t a d e f e n d a n t m a y n o t c h a ll e n g e h i s g u il ty p l e a b y a s s e rt i n g t h a t h e li e d w h i l e u n d e r o a t h , e v e n i f h e a v e rs t h a t co u n s e l i n d u ce d t h e l i e s . . . . A p e rs o n w h o e l e cts to p l e a d g u il ty i s b o u n d b y t h e s ta te m e n ts h e m a ke s i n o p e n co u rt w h i l e u n d e r o a t h a n d h e m a y n o t l a te r a s s e rt g ro u n d s fo r w i t h d raw i n g t h e p l e a w h i c h co n t ra d i ct t h e s ta te m e n ts h e m a d e a t h i s p l e a co ll o q u y . . . A c ri m i n a l d e f

e n d a n t w h o e l e cts to p l e a d g u i l ty h a s 

## a d u ty to a n swe r q u e s t i o n s t ru t h fu ll y . W e [ ca n n o t] p e rm i t a d e f e n d a n t to p o s t p o n e t h e fi n a l d i s p o s i t i o n of h i s ca s e b y l y i n g to t h e co u rt a n d l a te r a ll e g i n g t h a t h i s l i e s we re i n d u ce d b y t h e p ro m p t i n g o f co u n s e l.
. . C o m m o n we a l t h v . P o ll a rd , 

### 8 3 2 A. 2 d 5 1 7 , 5 2 3 - 2 4 ( P a . S u p e r . 2 0 0 3 ) ( c i ta t i o n s o m i tte d )
. M o re o v e r, t h i s a ll e g e d t h re a t b y t ri a l co u n s e l d i d n o t re n d e r M o o re ' s d e c i s i o n to p l e a d g u i l ty o n e t h a t wa s n o t k n ow i n g , i n te lli g e n t a n d vo l u n ta ry . I n t h e C o m m o n we a l t h ' s fo rm a l n o t i c e p u rs u a n t to P a . R. C ri m . P
. 

### 8 0 2 o f i ts i n te n t to s e e k a s e n te n ce o f d e a t h a g a i n s t M o o re , t h e C o m m o n we a l t h i n d i ca te d t h a t i t b e li e v e d i t co u l d p ro v e two s ta t u to ry a g g ra v a t i n g c i rc u m s ta n c e s a t t ri a l : ( 1 ) M o o re co m m i tte d t h e k i lli n g 2 1w h i l e i n t h e p e r p e t ra t i o n o f t h re e f e l o n i e s , n a m e l y i n v o l u n ta ry d e v i a te s e x u a l i n t e rco u rs e , b u rg l a ry a n d ro b b e ry , 4 2 P a . C
. S
. A. 

### § 9 7 1 1 ( d ) ( 6 ) ; a n d ( 2 ) M o o re co m m i tte d t h e m u rd e r b y m e a n s o f to rt u re . 4 2 P a . C
. S
. A
. 

### § 9 7 1 1 ( d )( B )
. G i v e n t h e e xte n s i v e te s ti m o n i a l , p h ys i c a l a n d e x p e rt e v i d e n c e i n t h i s c a s e , i n c l u d i n g M o o re ' s ow n a d m i s s i o n s , a n d t h e b ru ta l n a t u re o f t h e v i ct i m ' s d e a t h , a s e n t e n c e o f d e a t h wa s a v e ry re a l p o s s i b i lity fo r M o o re . B e i n g o n d e a t h row wo u l d p re v e n t M o ore fro m h o l d i n g h i s c h i l d a g a i n . U n d e r t h e t e r m s o f t h e n e g o t i a t e d p l e a , t h e C o m m o n w e a l t h a g re e d to fo re g o i ts o p p o rt u n i ty to s e e k i m p o s i t i o n o f t h e d e a t h p e n a l ty a n d , i n a d d i t i o n , a g re e d to 

### n o /le p ro s two o f t h e c h a rg e s i n re t u rn f o r M o o re ' s p l e a o f g u i l ty to fi rs t d e g re e m u rd e r . I t w a s cl e a r fro m t h e re s p o n s e s w h i c h M o o re m a d e d u ri n g t h e ca re fu l , l e n g t h y a n d t h o ro u g h g u i l ty p l e a co ll o q u y t h a t h i s d e s i re to a v o i d e x p o s u re to t h e d e a t h p e n a l ty wa s t h e re a s o n fo r h i s p l e a . T h u s , M o o re g a i n e d a s u b s ta n t i a l b e n e f i t b y p l e a d i n g g u i l ty s i n c e , b y s o d o i n g , h e n o t o n l y e l i m i n a te d t h e p o te n t i a l fo r t h e i m p o s i t i o n o f t h e d e a t h s e n t e n c e b u t h e a l s o a v o i d e d p o te n t i a l co n v i ct i o n s a n d s e n te n c e s o n two o t h e r c h a rg e s w h i c h t h e C o m m o n w e a l t h h a d a g re e d to 

### n o /le p r o s i n a c co rd a n c e w i t h t h e te r m s o f t h e n e g o t i a t e d p l e a . M o o re fu rt h e r s e c u re d t h e o p p o rt u n i ty o f h o l d i n g h i s c h i l d a g a i n , a l b e i t i n 

### a s ta t e co r re cti o n a l i n s t i t u t i o n . F i n a ll y , i t i s w e ll s e tt l e d t h a t t h e t h re a t o f re c e i v i n g t h e d e a t h p e n a l ty a fte r t ri a l i s n o t a n i ll e g a l i n d u c e m e n t o f a g u il ty p l e a . 

### C o m m o n we a l t h v . B l a c kwe ll , 6 4 7 A. 2 d 9 1 5 , 9 2 2 - 2 3 ( P a . S u p e r. 1 9 9 4 )
. 

### Se e a l s o 

### C o m m o n we a l t h v . W i l c ox , 3 1 2 

### P a . S u p e r . 1 8 4 , 1 8 9 - 9 0 , 4 5 8 A
. 2 d 5 7 5 , 5 7 8 - 7 9 ( 1 9 8 3 ) ( g u i l ty p l e a n o t i n v o l u n t a ry o n g ro u n d t h a t
2 2p ro s e c u to r u n f a i rl y b a rg a i n e d w i t h a n u n re a l i s t i c t h re a t o f t h e d e a t h p e n a l ty w h e re d e s i re to a v o i d e x p o s u re to d e a t h p e n a l ty wa s re a s o n fo r p l e a to m u rd e r)
. Ac co rd i n g l y , t h i s i s s u e l a c ks m e ri t. N e xt , M o o re a rg u e s t h a t h i s t ri a l co u n s e l w a s i n e ff e ct i v e fo r f

a i l i n g to l i t i g a te t h e i s s u e s co n ta i n e d i n h i s o m n i b u s p re t ri a l m o t i o n . D u ri n g t h e o ra l co ll o q u y , M o o re a c k n o w l e d g e d t h a t b y p l e a d i n g g u i l ty h e w a s w a i v i n g a n y ri g h ts t h a t m a y e x i s t w i t h re g a rd to t h e two p re t ri a l m o t i o n s w h i c h h i s co u n s e l h a d fi l e d , a n d wa s , e s s e n t i a ll y ,
" a s k i n g t h a t t h o s e m o t i o n s b e d i s m i s s e d o r n o t a d d re s s e d
. " ( N .T
. , M o o re G u i l ty P l e a/S e n t e n c i n g a t 8
. ) Li ke w i s e , i n t h e w ri tte n g u i l ty p l e a co ll o q u y , M o o re m a n i f e s te d h i s u n d e rs t a n d i n g t h a t , b y p l e a d i n g g u i l ty , h e wa s g i v i n g u p h i s ri g h t to b e h e a rd o n a n y fil e d p re t ri a l m o t i o n s . ( M o o re G u i l ty P l e a C o l l o q u y a t 

### ,I 2 3
. ) T h u s , M o o re ' s c l a i m i s d e f e a t e d b y h i s ow n s ta t e m e n ts m a d e d u ri n g t h e o ra l p l e a co ll o q u y a n d o n t h e w ri tte n co l l o q u y . M o o re ' s n e xt i s s u e re g a rd i n g co u n s e l ' s a ll e g e d fra u d u l e n t wa i v e r of h i s a r ra i g n m e n t 1 7 a l s o l a c ks m e ri t. As n o te d a b o v e , to s u c c e e d i n s h o w i n g p re j u d i c e fo r a c l a i m o f i n e ff

e ct i v e n e s s i n co n n e ct i o n w i t h a g u i l ty p l e a , t h e d e f e n d a n t " m u s t s h ow t h a t i t i s re a s o n a b l y p ro b a b l e t h a t , b u t fo r co u n s e l ' s e r ro rs , h e wo u l d n o t h a v e p l e a d e d g u i l ty

1 1 A d e f e n d a n t m a y wa i v e h i s a p p e a ra n ce a t a f o r m a l a rra i g n m e n t if " t h e d e f e n d a n t a n d co u n s e l s i g n a n d fi l e w i t h t h e c l e rk of t h e co u rts a wa i v e r o f a p p e a ra n c e a t a rra i g n m e n t , " w i t h a n a c k n ow l e d g m e n t t h a t t h e d e f e n d a n t u n d e rs ta n d s t h e n a t u re of t h e c h a rg e s a n d i s a d v i s e d o f h i s d u e p ro c e s s ri g h ts to fi l e p re - t ri a l m o t i o n s a n d t h e t i m e p e ri o d s a s s o c i a te d w i t h e a c h
. P a . R. C ri m . P 5 7 1 ( 0 ) ( 2 ) ( e m p h a s i s a d d e d )
. M o o re c l a i m s Atto rn e y C o n ra d " co m m i te d [s i c] fra u d b y fo rg i n g [ M o o re ' s ] s i g n a t u re to wa i v e A r ra i g n m e n t o n F e b ru a ry 1 3 th , 2 0 1 5
. " ( S e e Pr o S e P C RA P e t i t i o n a t 

### 1J 1 5 ( 8 ) ( 9 ) ; s e e a/s o Pr o s e P C RA P e t i t i o n , E x h i b i t "A"
. ) I n fa ct , Atto rn e y C o nra d s i g n e d M o o re ' s n a m e a n d t h e n p l a c e d h i s i n i t i a l s b e s i d e t h e s i g n a t u re , i n d i ca t i n g i t wa s n o t a n a tte m p t a t fo rg e ry . 2 3a n d wo u l d h a v e g o n e to t ri a l. " 

### H i c k m a n , 7 9 9 A. 2 d a t 1 4 1
. M o o re ' s c l a i m re g a rd i n g t ri a l

co u n s e l ' s a ll e g e d fo rg e ry o n a wa i v e r o f a r ra i g n m e n t f o r m h a d n o b e a ri n g o n h i s d e ci s i o n to p l e a d g u i l ty . M o o re c a n n o t d e m o n s t ra te h o w t h i s a ll e g a t i o n , i f t ru e , wo u l d h a v e e ff e cte d t h e o u t co m e o f t h e s e p ro c e e d i n g s ; t h u s , h e c a n n o t p ro v e p re j u d i c e .
" T h e m a i n p u r p o s e s o f a r ra i g n m e n t a re : to e n s u re t h a t t h e d e f e n d a n t i s a d v i s e d o f t h e c h a rg e s ; to h a v e c o u n s e l e n t e r a n a p p e a ra n c e . . . ; a n d to co m m e n c e t h e p e ri o d o f t i m e w i t h i n w h i c h to i n i t i a te p re t ri a l d i s c o v e ry a n d fi l e o t h e r m o t i o n s . " P a . R
. C ri m . P
. 5 7 1 , C o m m e n t. T h e re co rd e s ta b l i s h e s t h a t M o o re wa s fu ll y a d v i s e d o f t h e n a t u re o f t h e c h a rg e s o v e r a m o n t h b e fo re h i s s c h e d u l e d f o r m a l a r ra i g n m e n t 1 8 a n d t h a t t ri a l co u n s e l , w h o h a d e n t e re d h i s a p p e a ra n c e , t i m e l y i n i t i a te d p re t ri a l d i s co v e ry a n d fi l e d o t h e r re l e v a n t m o t i o n s . 1 9 T h u s , t h e m a i n p u r p o s e s o f a r ra i g n m e n t h a d b e e n s a t i s fi e d , a n d M o o re c a n e s ta b li s h n o p rej u d i c e b y c o u n s e l ' s wa i v e r o f a r ra i g n m e n t. S e e 

### C o m m o n we a l t h v . J o h o n o s o n , 8 4 4 A
. 2 d 5 5 6 , 5 6 4 ( P a . S u p e r. 2 0 0 4 ) ( i n e ff e ct i v e n e s s c l a i m b a s e d u p o n a ll e g a t i o n t h a t d e f e n s e co u n s e l f

o rg e d d e f

e n d a n t ' s s i g n a t u re o n a wa v i e r o f a r ra i g n m e n t f a i l e d f o r l a c k o f d e m o n s t ra b l e p re j u d i c e ) ; 

### C o m m o n we a l t h 

### v . Keys e r, 2 4 2 0 E D A 2 0 1 5 , 2 0 1 6 W L 5 2 6 6 6 0 0 , a t * 9 ( P a . S u p e r . J u l y 2 0 , 2 0 1 6 ) ( s a m e )
. T h i s c l a i m , t h e re fo re , i s fr i v o l o u s a n d m u s t b e re j e cte d
. 

### Se e C o m m o n we a l t h 

## v. P a o l e ll o , 5 4 2 P a . 4 7 , 6 6 5 A. 2 d 4 3 9 , 4 5 4 ( 1 9 9 5 ) (w h e re i t i s c l e a r t h a t a d e f e n d a n t h a s

1 ° F o ll ow i n g t h e wa i v e r of h i s p re li m i n a ry h e a ri n g o n J a n u a ry 9 , 2 0 1 5 , M o o re m e t w i t h t h e p o l i c e l a te r t h a t a f

te rn o o n f o r a n i n te rv i ew . At t h a t t i m e , M o o re wa s fu ll y a d v i s e d o f t h e n a t u re o f t h e c h a rg e s a g a i n s t h i m . (S e e M o o re P o li c e I n te rv i ew . )

1 9 S e e, f o r exa mp l

e, m o t i o n fo r fu n d s to h i re i n v e s t i g a to r fil e d M a rc h 1 3 , 2 0 1 5 , m o t i o n f o r fu n d s to h i re p s y c h o l o g i s t f i l e d J u l y 8 , 2 0 1 5 , m o t i o n f o r fu n d s to re ta i n m i t i g a t i o n s p e c i a l i s t fi l e d J u l y 2 0 , 2 0 1 5 , a n d o m n i b u s p re t ri a l m o ti o n fi l e d S e p te m b e r 2 8 , 2 0 1 5
. 2 4f

a i l e d to p ro v e p rej u d i c e , a n i n e ff e ct i v e a s s i s ta n c e c l a i m m a y b e d i s p o s e d o f o n t h a t b a s i s a l o n e )
. L a s t l y , M o o re m a i n ta i n s t h a t t ri a l c o u n s e l w a s i n e ff e ct i v e b e c a u s e h e f

a il e d to p ro v i d e M o o re w i t h a d e f e n s e o r p re s e n t e x c u l p a to ry e v i d e n c e f a v o ra b l e to M o o re . T h i s a ll e g a t i o n i s w i t h o u t a rg u a b l e m e ri t a s s u c h a n a ll e g a ti o n i s n o t co g n i z a b l e u n d e r t h e P C RA
. As n o t e d a b o v e , a ll g ro u n d s o f a p p e a l a re w a i v e d a fte r a g u i l ty p l e a h a s b e e n e n t e re d e x c e p t c h a ll e n g e s to t h e v o l u n ta ri n e s s o f t h e p l e a , t h e j u ri s d i ct i o n o f t h e s e n t e n c i n g co u rt , a n d t h e l e g a l i ty o f t h e s e n t e n c e . 

### Ke n n e d y , 8 6 8 A. 2 d a t 5 9 3
. M o o re ' s s o l e c h a ll e n g e i s to t h e v a li d i ty o f h i s p l e a , a n d t h i s cl a i m s i m p l y d o e s n o t i m p a ct t h e v a l i d i ty o f M o o re ' s p l e a . As s u m i n g , 

### a rg u e n d

o, t h a t t h e i s s u e o f t ri a l co u n s e l' s f a i l u re to e s ta b l i s h a d e f e n s e o r p re s e n t e x c u l p a to ry e v i d e n c e s o m e h o w i m p l i ca t e s a n i n v a li d p l e a , t h e i s s u e s t i ll h a s n o m e ri t. M o o re d o e s n o t s u g g e s t a n y d e f e n s e i n h i s 

### p ro s e p e t i t i o n t h a t t ri a l co u n s e l f

a i l e d to e x p l o re . At t h e g u il ty p l e a /s e n t e n c i n g h e a ri n g , M o o re a d m i tte d t h a t h e c a n re a d , w ri t e a n d u n d e rs ta n d t h e E n g l i s h l a n g u a g e a n d t h a t h e g ra d u a t e d fro m h i g h s c h o o l. ( N
. T. , M o o re G u il ty P l e a /S e n t e n c i n g a t 5
. ) H e a d m i tte d t h a t h e h a s n e v e r b e e n t re a te d fo r a n y ty p e o f m e n ta l ill n e s s . ( l d
. ; 

### s e e a l s o M o o re G u i l ty P l e a C o ll o q u y a t 

## ml 3 - 6
. ) A m e n ta l h e a l t h d e f e n s e wa s n o t a v i a b l e o p t i o n fo r t ri a l co u n s e l to p re s e n t
. "

2 0 T ri a l co u n s e l re ce i v e d $ 2 , 5 0 0
. 0 0 to h i re t h e s e rv i c e s of a p s y c h o l o g i s t f o r p u rp o s e s o f M o o re ' s d e f

e n s e . S p e c i fi ca ll y , co u n s e l n o te d i n t h e m o t i o n f o r f u n d s t h a t " i t i s i m p e ra t i v e t h a t [ M o o re ] h a v e a co m p l e te p s y c h o l o g i ca l e v a l u a t i o n p e rf o r m e d b y a co m p e te n t m e d i ca l e x p e rt to d e te r m i n e [ M o o re ' s ] co g n i t i v e a b i l i t i e s . " ( M o t i o n f o r F u n d s to H i re P s y c h o l o g i s t a t 

### ,i 6
. ) H a d t h e e v a l u a ti o n re v e a l e d a s i g n i fi ca n t m e n ta l i m p a i rm e n t , t ri a l co u n s e l wo u l d h a v e p re s e n te d a m e n ta l i n f

i rm i ty d e f e n s e . 

### 2 5I f M o o re ' s c l a i m o f i n e ff e ct i v e n e s s i s re l a t e d to co u n s e l ' s f a i l u re to p ro p e rl y i n v e s t i g a t e M o o re ' s c l a i m o f i n n o c e n c e , M o o re m u s t p o i n t to a s p e c i f i c h a r m s u ff

e re d a s a re s u l t o f t ri a l c o u n s e l ' s a ll e g e d fa il u re , a n d m u s t s h o w t h a t a n i n v e s t i g a t i o n wo u l d I h a v e u n c o v e re d s o m e t h i n g t h a t wo u l d h a v e b e e n h e l p fu l to M o o re ' s c a s e . 

### Se e C o m m o n we a l t h v . Ra i n e y , 5 9 3 P a . 6 7 , 1 0 2 , 9 2 8 A
. 2 d 2 1 5 , 2 3 6 ( 2 0 0 7 )
. I t i s i m p o rta n t to fi rs t n o t e t h a t M o o re ' s c l a i m o f i n n o c e n c e i s co n t ra d i cte d b y h i s a d m i s s i o n o f t h e f a cts s u p p o rt i n g t h e e l e m e n ts o f e a c h o ff e n s e to w h i c h h e p l e a d e d g u il ty . ( N
. T
. , M o o re G u il ty P l e a /S e n t e n ci n g a t 3 3
. ) Ad d i t i o n a ll y , M o o re ' s re co rd e d s ta te m e n t to t h e p o l i c e , t h e re co rd e d s ta t e m e n t o f co - c o n s p i ra to r, R u tt e r, t h e s c i e n t i f i c e v i d e n c e co n n e ct i n g M o o re to t h e c ri m e s c e n e , a n d M o o re ' s u s e o f t h e v i ct i m ' s AT M c a rd t h e n i g h t o f t h e h o m i c i d e , d e f

e a t M o o re ' s cl a i m o f i n n o c e n c e . G i v e n t h e e v i d e n c e i n t h i s c a s e , M o o re c a n n o t e s ta b l i s h t h a t t h e re i s a re a s o n a b l e p ro b a b i l i ty t h a t t h e o u t c o m e o f h i s c a s e wo u l d h a v e b e e n d i ff e re n t b u t fo r co u n s e l ' s a ll e g e d i n e ff e ct i v e n e s s i n f

a i l i n g to i n v e s t i g a t e f

o r e x c u l p a to ry e v i d e n c e . 

### Se e C h m i e l , 6 1 2 P a . a t 3 6 2 , 3 0 A. 3 d a t 1 1 2 7 - 2 8
. T h e re wa s n o l a c k o f e v i d e n c e l i n k i n g M o o re to t h e s e c ri m e s . Ac co rd i n g l y , M o o re h a s n o t m e t t h e b u rd e n o f p ro o f fo r t h i s P C RA c l a i m . T h e C o m m o n w e a l t h w a s s e e k i n g t h e d e a t h p e n a l ty i n t h i s c a s e , a n d t h e p l e a b a rg a i n s e c u re d b y d e f e n s e co u n s e l a v o i d e d a p o t e n t i a l d e a t h p e n a l ty . M o o re m a y n o t b e p l e a s e d w i t h t h e re s u l ts o f h i s n e g o ti a t e d g u i l ty p l e a , b u t h e c a n n o t n ow o b ta i n re l i e f b y c l a i m i n g h e f

e l t p re s s u re d b y t ri a l co u n s e l to p l e a d g u il ty . T h e e v i d e n c e s i m p l y d o e s n o t s u p p o rt M o o re ' s c l a i m o f u n l a wfu l i n d u c e m e n t o r i n e ff e ct i v e a s s i s ta n c e o f co u n s e l.
2 6

### IV . C o n c l u s i o n F o r t h e re a s o n s s e t fo rt h a b o v e , T h o m a s G re g o ry M o o re ' s 

### p ro s e p e ti t i o n fo r p o s t co n v i ct i o n c o ll a t e ra l re l i e f w i ll b e d i s m i s s e d w i t h o u t fu rt h e r p ro c e e d i n g s . Ac co rd i n g l y , I e n t e r t h e fo ll ow i n g :



### 2 7I N T H E C O U RT O F C O M M O N P L E AS O F LA N C AS T E R C O U N TY, P E N N S Y LVA N I A C R I M I N A L C O M M O N W E A L T H O F P E N N S Y LVA N I A



### v . N o . 023r - 2 0 1 5

O R D E R T H O M AS G R E G O RY M O O R E r - )> � ::z -..I q , ::;y; � ::c::i, U) -< -I (.,,) � 0 � A N D N O W , t h i s 3 0 1 h d a y o f M a y , 2 0 1 7 , i t i s h e re b y O R D E R E D t h a t T h o m a s � re � 

# g z - ::::0 M o o re ' s p ro s e p e t i t i o n f o r p o s t co n v i ct i o n co ll a te ra l re l i e f i s D I S M I S S E D w i t h o u t a � a ri � � 

# =u en T h e re a re n o g e n u i n e i s s u e s co n ce rn i n g a n y m a te ri a l f a ct , M o o re i s n o t e n t i t l e d to � s t co n v i ct i o n co ll a te ra l re l i e f, a n d n o p u rp o s e wo u l d b e s e rv e d b y a n y fu rt h e r p ro ce e d i n g s . F u rt h e r, t h e A p ri l 2 4 , 2 0 1 7 , l e tte r of M o o re ' s co u rt- a p p o i n te d a tto rn e y , R a n d a ll L. M ill e r, E s q u i re , a co p y of w h i c h wa s a tta c h e d to t h i s C o u rt ' s R u l e 9 0 7 N o ti ce f i l e d o n A p ri l 2 5 , 2 0 1 7 , s ta te s t h a t t h e p ro s e p e t i t i o n i s l a c k i n g i n m e ri t a s a m a tte r of l aw , a co n c l u s i o n w i t h w h i c h I a g re e a f te r m y i n d e p e n d e n t re v i ew of t h e re co rd
. Ac co rd i n g l y , M r. M i ll e r i s g ra n te d l e a v e to w i t h d raw a s co u n s e l. P u rs u a n t to P a . R. C ri m . P
. 9 0 7 ( 4 ) , t h i s C o u rt a d v i s e s M o o re t h a t h e h a s t h e ri g h t to a p p e a l fro m t h i s O rd e r . M o o re s h a ll h a v e 3 0 d a ys fro m t h e d a te o f t h i s fi n a l O rd e r to a p p e a l to t h e S u p e ri o r C o u rt of P e n n s y l v a n i a . F a i l u re to a p p e a l w i t h i n 3 0 d a ys w ill re s u l t i n t h e l o s s of a p p e ll a te ri g h ts .

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### V: . T h o m a s G re g o ry M o o re , # M P - 1 9 8 3 , S C I -A l b i o n , 1Q ?; f § t � o u te 1_. a ;, A l b i o n ; :PA
. , . . . . 1 6 4 7 5 - 0 0 0 2 - C E RT I F I E D M A I L • · . · . ..:;\. ,

I N T H E C O U RT O F C O M M O N P L E AS O F LA N C AS T E R C O U N TY , P E N N S Y LVA N I A C R I M I N A L C O M M O N W E A L T H O F P E N N S Y LVA N I A 

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v . T H O M AS G
. M O O R E N o . 0 2 3 8 - 2 0 1 5

P a . R . A . P . 1 9 2 5 ( a ) M E M O RA N D U M O F O P I N I O N B Y : AS H W O RT H , J
. , J U N E 2 8 , 2 0 1 7 D e f e n d a n t T h o m a s G
. M o o re h a s fi l e d a n a p p e a l to t h e S u p e ri o r C o u rt o f i r-, . � ; .... } i : : : ".'!"I :; J� :

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### p ro s e P C RA p e t i t io n . T h e re a s o ns fo r t h a t d e c i s i o n a re s ta te d i n m y M a y 3 0 , 2 0 1 7 , O p i n i o n . T h e re fo re , I re l y o n t h a t O p i n i o n to co m p l y w i t h P a . R. A
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# v L. AS H W O RT H J U D G E

C o p i e s to : S u s a n E
. M o y e r, As s i s ta n t Di s t ri ct Atto rn e y

T h o m a s G
. M o o re , # M P 1 9 8 3 , S C I -A l b i o n , 1 0 7 4 5 R o u te 1 8 , A l b i o n , PA 1 6 4 7 5 - 0 0 0 2