J-S67042-16

*Former Justice specially assigned to the Superior Court.

NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF

PENNSYLVANIA

Appellee

v.

RAHEEM JOHNSON

Appellant No. 3762 EDA 2015

Appeal from the PCRA Order December 14, 2015

In the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County

Criminal Division at No(s): CP-51-CR-0007442-2010

BEFORE: FORD ELLIOTT, P.J.E., RANSOM, J., and STEVENS, P.J.E.*

MEMORANDUM BY STEVENS, P.J.E.: FILED OCTOBER 14, 2016

Raheem Johnson (“Appellant”) appeals from the order entered in the 

Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County dismissing his first petition 

filed under the Post Conviction Relief Act (“PCRA”), 42 Pa.C.S. § 9541 et 

seq. without an evidentiary hearing. We affirm.

On November 13, 2009, Appellant fatally shot eighteen year-old 

Legrand Peterkin outside of Larry’s Bar on 5th Street in Philadelphia. 

Eyewitness Angelica Swint knew both men, as she was Peterkin’s cousin and 

briefly dated Appellant in 2008. N.T., 10/4/11, at 154, 167. On the evening 

in question, she was inside Larry’s awaiting the arrival of her child’s father, 

Christopher Marshall, who was Peterkin’s best friend, when she noticed 

Appellant standing across the room. N.T. at 155-56. Appellant’s presence 

caused her concern because Peterkin had recently told her he sought 
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revenge against Appellant for group-ambushing him in a nearby store a 

week earlier. Specifically, Peterkin said he planned to “smack the shit out of 

Rah-Rah [Appellant’s nickname].” N.T. at 226. Peterkin was larger than 

Appellant and had a boxing background.

Before Marshall arrived at Larry’s, Swint received a phone call from 

Peterkin, and she told him Appellant was inside the bar. N.T. at 159. 

Marshall and Peterkin arrived shortly thereafter and Swint went outside to 

talk to Peterkin, who was underage and could not enter the bar. N.T. at 

161. Appellant, meanwhile, had preceded Swint out the door and walked 

over to a jeep, where he put something in his pocket. N.T. at 162-63. 

Swint asked Peterkin if he was okay and he told her Appellant and he were 

going to talk about what happened the week before. N.T. at 164. Peterkin 

then gave Swint a look as if to say “get back in the bar.” N.T. at 163. 

Before she reentered Larry’s, she saw the two men talking and thought 

everything was all right. N.T. at 169, 207. Nevertheless, once she returned 

to her table, she asked Marshall to go outside to watch over matters, which 

he did. N.T. at 170.

From about thirty feet away, Marshall could see the men talking 

momentarily until Peterkin attempted to punch Appellant but missed. N.T. 

10/5/16 at 49. Appellant ducked back, pulled a gun out from his waistband, 

and pointed it at Peterkin. Id. Appellant lowered the gun briefly but then 

pointed it again at Peterkin and shot him. Id. Marshall observed Peterkin 
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run down the block away from Appellant, but Appellant pursued him while 

firing about five or six more shots. N.T. at 50.

Marshall followed the men and came upon them as they struggled on 

the ground with each other. Id. He pulled Appellant off Peterkin and 

grabbed the gun, but three of Appellant’s friends wrestled him to the 

ground, took the gun from his pocket, and ran. N.T. at 51. 

Inside Larry’s Bar, the noise was too loud to hear the gunfire, but 

someone ran inside and hollered “they’re shooting.” N.T. 10/4/16 at 171, 

208. Swint went outside and heard more shots. N.T. at 176-77. She and 

others continued toward the end of the block from where the shots 

emanated and found Appellant standing motionless at a curb and a wounded 

Peterkin sitting on a flight of steps. N.T. at 184-190. Swint grabbed 

Appellant by his hoodie and repeatedly asked why he shot Peterkin, but 

Appellant just looked at her and said nothing. N.T. at 180. Swint released 

him and went to Peterkin, and Appellant fled before police arrived. Once 

there, police obtained Peterkin’s identification of Appellant as his assailant. 

Peterkin was transported to Albert Einstein Medical Center, where he 

died days later from complications of multiple gunshot wounds to his back, 

right side of his thigh, right buttock, left thigh, and left middle finger. N.T. 

at 119-134. The medical examiner ruled the manner of death a homicide, 

with the gun shot penetrating the back and exiting the lower chest causing 

the fatal wound. N.T. at 129.
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On October 6, 2011, a jury convicted Appellant of Third Degree 

Murder, 18 Pa.C.S. § 2502(c) and Violation of the Uniform Firearms Act 

(VUFA), 18 Pa.C.S. § 6108. On January 20, 2012, the court sentenced 

Appellant to twenty to forty years’ incarceration for the murder conviction, 

with a two and one-half to five year sentence for VUFA to run concurrently. 

After the trial court denied post-sentence motions, Appellant filed a 

counseled appeal to the Superior Court, which, on September 24, 2013, 

affirmed judgment of sentence. 

On August 4, 2014, Appellant filed a timely pro se PCRA petition, and 

the court appointed counsel, who filed a supplemental PCRA petition. The 

court, however, issued a Pa.R.Crim.P. 907 Notice to Dismiss on November 

12, 2015, and formally dismissed Appellant’s petition on December 15, 

2015. This timely appeal followed.

Appellant presents the following four issues for our review:

I. Is Appellant entitled to post-conviction relief in the form of 

a new trial or a remand for an evidentiary hearing since 

trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance of counsel?

A. Is Appellant entitled to post-conviction relief in 

the form of a new trial or a remand for an 

evidentiary hearing as a result of the ineffective 

assistance of trial counsel for failing to request a 

jury instruction as to “heat of passion” voluntary 

manslaughter?

B. Is Appellant entitled to post-conviction relief in 

the form of a new trial or a remand for an 

evidentiary hearing as a result of the ineffective 

assistance of appellate counsel for failing to 

properly argue the issue concerning the trial 
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court’s refusal to instruct the jury as to imperfect 

self-defense voluntary manslaughter?

C. Is Appellant entitled to post-conviction relief in 

the form of a new trial or a remand for an 

evidentiary hearing as a result of the ineffective 

assistance of trial counsel for failing to request 

the trial court to instruct the jury that the 

testimony of Angelica Swint emanated from a 

polluted source?

D. Is Appellant entitled to post-conviction relief in 

the form of resentencing or a remand for an 

evidentiary hearing as a result of the ineffective 

assistance of trial counsel for failing to object to 

the presentence investigation report and the 

ineffectiveness of appellate counsel for failing to 

raise in the direct appeal the issue concerning the 

excessiveness of Appellant’s sentence?

Appellant’s brief at 4-5.

As we have stated:

[t]his Court's standard of review regarding an order dismissing a 

petition under the PCRA is whether the determination of the 

PCRA court is supported by evidence of record and is free of 

legal error. In evaluating a PCRA court's decision, our scope of 

review is limited to the findings of the PCRA court and the 

evidence of record, viewed in the light most favorable to the 

prevailing party at the trial level. We may affirm a PCRA court's 

decision on any grounds if it is supported by the record.

Commonwealth v. Rivera, 10 A.3d 1276, 1279 (Pa.Super. 2010) (internal 

citations omitted). Moreover, 

[T]he right to an evidentiary hearing on a post-conviction 

petition is not absolute. Commonwealth v. Jordan, 772 A.2d 

1011, 1014 (Pa.Super. 2001). It is within the PCRA court's 

discretion to decline to hold a hearing if the petitioner's claim is 

patently frivolous and has no support either in the record or 

other evidence. Id. It is the responsibility of the reviewing 
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court on appeal to examine each issue raised in the PCRA 

petition in light of the record certified before it in order to 

determine if the PCRA court erred in its determination that there 

were no genuine issues of material fact in controversy and in 

denying relief without conducting an evidentiary hearing. 

Commonwealth v. Hardcastle, 701 A.2d 541, 542–43 (Pa. 

1997).

Commonwealth v. Wah, 42 A.3d 335, 338 (Pa.Super. 2012) (citations 

modified). 

To be eligible for relief under the PCRA, the petitioner must plead and 

prove by a preponderance of the evidence that his conviction or sentence 

resulted from “one or more” of the seven, specifically enumerated 

circumstances listed in 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9543(a)(2). One of these statutorily 

enumerated circumstances is the “[i]neffectiveness of counsel which, in the 

circumstances of the particular case, so undermined the truth-determining 

process that no reliable adjudication of guilt or innocence could have taken 

place.” 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9543(a)(2)(ii).

Counsel is, however, presumed to be effective and “the burden of 

demonstrating ineffectiveness rests on [A]ppellant.” Commonwealth v. 

Rivera, 10 A.3d 1276, 1279 (Pa.Super. 2010). To satisfy this burden, 

Appellant must plead and prove by a preponderance of the evidence that:

(1) his underlying claim is of arguable merit; (2) the particular 

course of conduct pursued by counsel did not have some 

reasonable basis designed to effectuate his interests; and, (3) 

but for counsel's ineffectiveness, there is a reasonable 

probability that the outcome of the challenged proceedings 

would have been different.
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Commonwealth v. Fulton, 830 A.2d 567, 572 (Pa.2003). “A failure to 

satisfy any prong of the test for ineffectiveness will require rejection of the 

claim.” Id. In the context of a challenge to the discretionary aspects of 

one's sentence, prejudice may be established only by pleading and proving 

that the challenge would have resulted in “a reduction in the sentence.” 

Commonwealth v. Reaves, 923 A.2d 1119, 1032 (Pa. 2007) (internal 

quotations and citations omitted) at 1032.

Having reviewed Appellant’s brief,1the certified record, and the trial 

court's well-written Pa.R.A.P.1925(a) opinion, we have determined that the 

Honorable Rose Marie DeFino-Nastasi, in her opinion, cogently and 

comprehensively disposes of the issues presented on appeal, and so we 

affirm based on that opinion. See PCRA Court Opinion, filed March 15, 

2016. With respect to the final issue regarding appellate counsel’s alleged 

ineffective failure to challenge the discretionary aspects of Appellant’s 

twenty to forty-year sentence of incarceration, we add that a claim 

regarding the discretionary aspects of a sentence raised in the context of an 

ineffectiveness claim is cognizable under the PCRA. Commonwealth v. 

Watson, 835 A.2d 786, 801 (Pa.Super. 2003) (contrasting claim challenging 

discretionary aspects of a sentence directly, which is not cognizable), 

Commonwealth v. Wrecks, 934 A.2d 1287, 1289 (Pa.Super. 2007). We 

____________________________________________

1 The Commonwealth failed to file a “Brief for Appellee” in this matter.
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also agree that the trial court applied a standard guideline range sentence 

under 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 303.17(b), “Deadly Weapon Enhancement/Used 

Matrix,” which, given Appellant’s offense gravity score of fourteen and prior 

record score of one, set a range from 102 months to Statutory Limit, +/- 12 

months.

In his statement of reasons for allowance of sentencing appeal, 

Appellant contends that the trial court reviewed a misrepresentative presentence investigation report containing “arrest information that was either 

inconclusive, resulted in a not guilty verdict, was dismissed for lack of 

evidence and/or resulted in withdrawal of the case,” and from which was 

missing both the standard Sentencing Guidelines and the Deadly Weapon 

Possessed Enhancement guidelines, Appellant claims. Appellant’s brief at 

15. His sentence for third degree murder, he continues, did not “reflect[ ] 

proper consideration of [his] history, character, and condition...,” Id. at 16, 

and was not consistent with the protection of the public, the gravity of the 

offense as it relates to the impact on the life of the victim and on the 

community, and the rehabilitative needs of Appellant. Id. at 17. 

Assuming, arguendo, that Appellant sets forth a substantial question 

regarding the court’s discretion warranting review on the merits, we observe 

initially that his argument fails to allege that, let alone explain how, the 

court was actually misled by his presentence investigation report, which 

renders the first allegation raised in his concise statement pointless. To this 

point, the sentencing record reveals that defense counsel, without 
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opposition, noted that a series of drug-related arrests listed in Appellant’s 

juvenile record resulted in zero adjudications of delinquency. As such, we 

discern no confusion or controversy regarding the court’s consideration of 

Appellant’s prior record, including his juvenile record. N.T. 1/20/12 at 8-9.

Next, Appellant frequently refers to his sentence as a statutory 

maximum sentence in isolation, as if it were not also within the standard 

range guideline sentence under the Deadly Weapons Enhancement/Used 

matrix. Moreover, Appellant dedicates the vast majority of his argument to 

setting forth the law applicable to a discretionary aspects appeal without 

developing a meaningful discussion about what personal factors the trial 

court improperly failed to weigh in imposing its standard range sentence. In 

this respect, Appellant offers only the controversial-at-best positions that 

Peterkin was the aggressor—despite the fact that it was Appellant who went 

out to meet Peterkin with a loaded firearm at the ready—and that he used 

his gun with a self-defense mindset—a claim unsupported by eyewitness and 

expert testimonies confirming he was in pursuit of a fleeing Peterkin when 

he fired the majority of his shots, including the fatal shot through Peterkin’s 

back. 

Notwithstanding Appellant’s argument, the notes of testimony from 

the sentencing hearing show the court tailored its sentence to Appellant’s 

individual circumstances. It heard statements from family members 

attesting to Appellant’s family values, his record of good parenting to his five 

children, and his acts of kindness to friends. N.T. at 5-8. The court also 
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received argument from defense counsel explaining that the juvenile system 

never supplied Appellant with treatment for his obvious drug problem, and 

that it was not until his arrest and gun conviction in 2009 that he first 

received help in that regard. N.T. at 9. 

Finally, the court stated that it reviewed the pre-sentence report, the 

mental health report, the sentencing memorandum filed on behalf of the 

Commonwealth, the letters given to the court on Appellant’s behalf, and 

listened very carefully to the evidence presented to it during the hearing. 

N.T. at 21. Only then did the court acknowledge what it viewed as 

exacerbating circumstances, namely, that Appellant knew not only the victim 

but also his family, still decided to bring a handgun to a fistfight against an 

18 year-old, fatally shot him in the back as he was running away, and 

caused grief to a large part of their community in the process. N.T. at 21-

23. 

We, therefore, find no arguable merit to Appellant’s claim of ineffective 

assistance of defense counsel, for he cites to nothing in the record to 

support the position that the court failed to consider all pertinent sentencing 

factors in imposing a standard range sentence under the Deadly Weapons 

Enhanced/Used matrix. Accordingly, we reject Appellant’s final 

ineffectiveness claim.

Order is Affirmed.
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Judgment Entered.

Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.

Prothonotary

Date: 10/14/2016
1 

On October 29, 2014, Petitioner filed a supplemental PCRA petition. 

Relief Act (PCRA). 

On August 4, 2014, Petitioner filed a timely, prose petition under the Post-Conviction 

On September 24, 2013, the Superior Court affirmed the judgment of sentence. 

was denied without a hearing on January 31, 2012. 

On January 27, 2012, Petitioner filed a Motion for Reconsideration of Sentence, which 

conviction, to run concurrently. 

third degree murder conviction; and two and a half (2 Yi) to five ( 5) years for the VUF A § 6108 

On January 20, 2012, Petitioner was sentenced to twenty (20) to forty ( 40) years for the 

6108, as a misdemeanor of the first degree. 

felony of the first degree; and Violation of the Uniform Firearms Act (VUFA), 18 Pa.C.S. § 

Honorable Rose Marie Defino-Nastasi, of Third Degree Murder, 18 Pa.C.S. § 2502(c), as a 

On October 6, 2011, Petitioner was found guilty after a jury trial, presided over by the 

PROCEDURAL HISTORY 

Rose Marie Defino-Nastasi, J. 

FILED 

MAR 152016 

~-· Grimm.a~ Appeals Unit 

l,rst Jud1cral District ot PA 

OPINION 

11111/IIII IIII II/ II Ill Ill 

7420140311 

RAHEEM JOHNSON 

CP-51-CR0007442-20 1762 EDA 2015 1° Comm v Johnson. Raheem 

Opinion 

v. 

COMMONWEAL TH OF PENNSYLVANIA CP-51-CR-0007442-2010 

CRIMINAL TRIAL DIVISION 

IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF PHILADELPHIA 

Circulated 09/20/2016 10:42 AM
2 

On November 13, 2009, Raheem Johnson (Petitioner) was speaking with Legrand 

Peterkin (decedent) outside of Larry's Bar on 5th Street in Philadelphia. At some point, the 

decedent swung at Petitioner, but failed to land his punch. Petitioner then drew a handgun from 

STATEMENT OF FACTS 

On February 27, 2015, PCRA counsel, Mitchell Strutin, Esq., filed an amended petition. 

On August 31, 2015, the Commonwealth filed a Motion to Dismiss. 

On November 12, 2015, the Court issued a 907 Notice. 

On December 14, 2015, the Court formally dismissed Petitioner's PCRA petition. 

On December 15, 2015, Petitioner filed the instant appeal to the Superior Court. 

On January 16, 2016, Petitioner filed a 1925(b) Statements of Matters Complained of on 

Appeal, pursuant to an Order of the Court, claiming that: 

1. Trial counsel was ineffective for failing to request a jury instruction as to "heat of 

passion" voluntary manslaughter. 

2. Appellate counsel was ineffective for failing to properly argue the issue concerning 

the trial court's refusal to instruct the jury as to imperfect self-defense voluntary 

manslaughter. 

3. Trial counsel was ineffective for failing to request a "corrupt source" instruction with 

regard to the testimony of Angelica Swint. 

4. Trial counsel was ineffective for failing to object to the pre-sentence investigation 

report. 

5. Appellate counsel was ineffective for failing to argue on direct appeal that 

Petitioner's sentence was excessive. 
3 

Issue I 

Petitioner argues that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to request a "heat of 

passion" voluntary manslaughter jury instruction. Petitioner's claim fails at the outset because it 

Hull, 982 A.2d 1020 (Pa. Super. 2009). 

Petitioner asserts five claims of ineffective assistance of counsel in his Rule 1925(b) 

· Statement of Matters Complained of on Appeal. 

Counsel is presumed to be effective, and a petitioner has the burden to establish counsel's 

ineffectiveness. Com. v. Reid, 99 A.3d 427, 435 (Pa. 2014) (citing Com. v. Miller, 819 A.2d 504 

(Pa. 2002)). To establish ineffective assistance of counsel, a petitioner must demonstrate that: (1) 

the underlying claim is of arguable merit; (2) counsel's action or inaction was not grounded on 

any reasonable basis designed to effectuate the petitioner's interest; and (3) counsel's action or 

inaction was prejudicial to petitioner. Com. v. 0 'Bidos, 849 A.2d 243, 249 (Pa. Super. 2004) 

(quoting Com. v. Costa, 742 A.2d 1076, 1077 (Pa. 1999)); see Strickland v. Washington, 466 

U.S. 668 (1984). "A failure to satisfy any prong of the test for ineffectiveness will require 

rejection of the claim." Com. v. Bedell, 954 A.2d 1209, 1211 (Pa. Super. 2008) (quoting Com. v. 

Bryant, 855 A.2d 726, 736 (Pa. 2004)). If the claim is without merit, the court's inquiry ends, 

because counsel will not be deemed ineffective for failing to pursue a meritless issue. Com. v. 

ANALYSIS 

his waistband and pointed it at the decedent. The decedent turned to run. Petitioner ran after the 

decedent, shooting him multiple times - in the back, right thigh, right buttock, left thigh, and left 

middle finger. On November 21, 2009, the decedent died from complications of multiple gunshot 

wounds. The manner of death was homicide. 
4 

is without arguable merit. 

To receive a "heat of passion" voluntary manslaughter instruction, the petitioner must 

demonstrate that there was evidence in the record that supports such an instruction. Com. v. 

Sanchez, 82 A.3d 943, 979 (Pa. 2013). Specifically, evidence that demonstrates that at the time 

of the killing, the petitioner acted under a sudden and intense passion resulting from serious 

provocation from the victim. Sanchez, 82 A.3d at 979. The ultimate test to determine whether 

provocation by the victim was sufficient remains, "whether a reasonable man who was 

confronted with the provoking events would became impassioned to the extent that his mind was 

incapable of cool reflection." Com. v. Hutchinson, 25 A.3d 277, 314-15 (Pa. 2011) (quoting 

Com. v. Thornton, 431 A.2d 248, 252 (Pa. 1981)). Neither words of provocation nor slight 

assault are sufficient to reduce murder to manslaughter. See Com. v. Sheppard, 648 A.2d 563, 

566 (Pa. Super. 1994) (serious provocation was not established when the victim struck 

defendant's brother and arguments ensued between defendant and victim); Com. v. Cartagena, 

416 A.2d 560, 563 (Pa. Super. 1979) (stating that a punch by the victim was not legally adequate 

provocation for the defendant to stab the victim). 

In this case, there was no evidence of serious provocation in the record to support a "heat 

of passion" voluntary manslaughter instruction. Testimony at trial showed that Petitioner and the 

decedent were speaking outside of a bar. At some point, the decedent attempted to punch 

Petitioner, but missed. Petitioner then drew a handgun and shot the decedent multiple times: in 

the back, right thigh, right buttock, left thigh, and left middle finger. N. T. 10/05/11 at pp. 44-49. 

The mere fact that the decedent swung at Petitioner, who "ducked back," is insufficient to 

warrant a "heat of passion" instruction under the law. Thus, Petitioner's claim that counsel was 
5 

ineffective for failing to request a "heat of passion" voluntary manslaughter instruction is 

without merit. Counsel will not be deemed ineffective for failing to assert a meritless issue. 

Issue II 

Petitioner argues that appellate counsel was ineffective for failing to properly argue the 

issue concerning the trial court's refusal to instruct the jury as to imperfect self-defense voluntary 

manslaughter on direct appeal. Petitioner's claim fails at the outset because there was no 

evidentiary basis to support a finding that the Petitioner shot the decedent in self-defense. 

"Before the issue of self-defense may be submitted to a jury for consideration, a valid 

claim of self-defense must be made out as a matter of law, and this determination must be made 

by the trial judge." Com. v. Chine, 40 A.3d 1239, 1244 (Pa. Super. 2012) (citing Com. v. 

Hansley, 24 A.3d 410, 420 (Pa. Super. 2011) (quoting Com. v. Mayfield, 585 A.2d 1069, 1070- 

71 (Pa. Super. 1991) ( en bane)). "Such claim may consist of evidence from whatever source. 

Such evidence may be adduced by the defendant as part of his case, or conceivably, may be 

found in the Commonwealth's own case in chief or be elicited through cross-examination. 

However, such evidence from whatever source must speak to three specific elements for a claim 

of self-defense to be placed in issue for a jury's consideration." Hansley, 24 A.3d at 420-21. 

A claim of self-defense requires evidence establishing three elements: (a) the defendant 

reasonably believed that he was in imminent danger of death or serious bodily injury and that it 

was necessary to use deadly force against the victim to prevent such harm; (b) that the defendant 

was free from fault in provoking the difficulty which culminated in the slaying; and ( c) that the 

defendant did not violate any duty to retreat." Com. v. Mouzon, 53 A.3d 738, 740 (Pa. 2012). 

The lesser defense of imperfect self-defense "is imperfect in only one respect-an 
6 

unreasonable rather than a reasonable belief that deadly force was required to save the actor's 

life. All other principles of justification under 18 Pa.C.S. § 505 must [be satisfied to prove] 

unreasonable belief voluntary manslaughter." Com. v. Bracey, 795 A.2d 935, 947 (Pa. 2001). If 

the defendant was not free from fault, neither self-defense nor imperfect self-defense is viable. 

Com. v. Sepulveda, 55 A.3d 1108, 1124-25 (Pa. 2012). 

Trial counsel requested an imperfect self-defense jury charge based on Angelica Swint's 

testimony that Petitioner "looked scared." The trial court denied the request, finding that there 

was no evidence presented to support a claim of self-defense such that the jury would have a 

possible basis for finding it: 

"There has been no evidence presented as to the state of mind of this Defendant 

from any source whatsoever, so the jury would have to engage in conjecture on 

what the state of mind of the Defendant was because there is nothing in evidence. 

I don't even think you can use circumstantial evidence on that from what we 

have, so I will not confuse the jury with that." 

N.T.10/06/11 atp. 17. 

In the Rule l 925(b) statement on direct appeal, appellate counsel argued that the trial 

court erred in failing to charge the jury on imperfect self-defense. However, appellate counsel 

abandoned this argument in the appellate brief, indicating to the Superior Court that imperfect 

self-defense was not at issue in this case. Appellate counsel was correct. 

Testimony at trial showed that the decedent threw a single punch at Petitioner and 

missed. Petitioner then pulled a gun from his waistband. As the decedent turned to run away, 

Petitioner chased the decedent, shooting him as he fled. N.T. 10/05/11 at pp 49-50. Petitioner's 
7 

A corrupt source instruction is appropriate in cases where the evidence is sufficient to 

present a jury question with respect to whether the witness was an accomplice (i.e., when the 

witness could be indicted for the crime which the accused is charged). Com. v. Busanet, 54 A.3d 

35, 70 (Pa. 2012); Com. v. Weiss, 81 A.3d 767, 805 (Pa. 2013). A "corrupt source" instruction is 

Petitioner claims trial counsel was ineffective for failing to request a "corrupt source" 

instruction with regard to the testimony of Angelica Swint. 

A "corrupt source" instruction advises the jury that, if they find a witness who testified 

against the defendant was an accomplice of the defendant, then they should deem that witness a 

"corrupt and polluted source" and consider the testimony with caution. Com. v. Collins, 957 

A.2d 237, 262 (Pa. 2008). An accomplice is defined as a person who, with the "intent of 

promoting or facilitating the offense, [ s ]he aids, agrees, or attempts to aid such other person in 

planning or committing it." Pa.C.S. § 306 (c)(l)(ii). A person can be indicted as an accomplice 

when the evidence has established that she "knowingly and voluntarily cooperate[d] or aid[ed] 

another in the commission of a crime" with the intent to assist the principal. Com. v. Hall, 867 

A.2d 619, 630 (Pa. Super. 2005). 

decision to respond to the decedent's punch by shooting him multiple times does not constitute 

proper justification under Section 505, and does not meet the three elements required to establish 

self-defense. The trial court properly determined as a matter of law that Petitioner was not 

entitled to a jury instruction on imperfect self-defense under the facts of this case, and therefore, 

appellate counsel will not be deemed ineffective for abandoning this argument on direct appeal. 

Since Petitioner's underlying claim is without arguable merit, his ineffectiveness claim must fail. 

Issue III 
8 

not warranted where the evidence shows that the witness was merely present during the crime. 

Collins, 957 A.2d at 263. Where there is no evidence that would permit a jury to infer that a 

witness was an accomplice, the court may conclude as a matter of law that she was not an 

accomplice and refuse to give the accomplice instruction. Hall, 867 A.2d at 630. 

Petitioner's claim is without merit because there was no evidence presented at trial from 

which the jury could infer that Angelica Swint was an accomplice of the Petitioner. Ms. Swint 

told the decedent that Petitioner was at the bar. The evidence did not present a jury question as to 

whether she knowingly and voluntarily cooperated or aided Petitioner in the shooting death of 

the decedent. Since the evidence was insufficient to present a jury question as to whether Ms. 

Swint was an accomplice, Petitioner's claim that counsel was ineffective for failing to request a 

"corrupt and polluted source" jury charge is without merit. 

Issue IV 

Petitioner argues trial counsel was ineffective for failing to object to the pre-sentence 

investigation report, which contained arrest information that was either inconclusive, resulted in 

a not guilty verdict, was dismissed for lack of evidence and/or resulted in withdrawal of the case. 

A pre-sentence investigation report includes information regarding the circumstances of 

the offense and the character of a defendant that is sufficient to assist the judge in determining a 

sentence. Pa. R. Crim. P. 702(A)(3). Traditionally, Pennsylvania courts "have not applied the law 

of evidence in its full rigor in proceedings such as preliminary hearings, bail hearings, grand jury 

proceedings, sentencing hearings, parole and probation hearings, extradition or rendition 

hearings, and others." Pa. R.E. 101 ( emphasis added). It is well settled that the sentencing court 

may consider a defendant's prior arrests that did not result in convictions "as long as the court 
9 

The record reflects that the sentencing court reviewed the pre-sentence investigation 

report, the mental health report, sentencing memorandum, and letters sent to the Court on behalf 

of the Petitioner. N.T. 01/20/12 at pp. 21-23. Petitioner was sentenced within the guidelines. 

There is nothing in the record indicating that the Court relied on Petitioner's prior arrests when 

imposing its sentence. Thus, this claim is without merit. 

Issue V 

Petitioner argues that appellate counsel was ineffective for failing to argue on direct 

appeal that his sentence was excessive. 

Sentencing is a "matter vested in the sound discretion of the sentencing judge, and a 

sentence will not be disturbed on appeal absent a manifest abuse of discretion." Com. v. 

Ferguson, 893 A.2d 735, 739 (Pa. Super. 2006) (citing Com. v. Hyland, 875 A.2d 1175, 1184 

(Pa. Super. 2005)). "An abuse of discretion involves a sentence which was manifestly 

unreasonable, or which resulted from partiality, prejudice, bias or ill will. Com v. McAfee, 849 

A.2d 270, 275 (Pa. Super. 2004). It is more than just an error in judgment. Id. 

In Pennsylvania, sentencing is individualized and requires the trial court to "fashion a 

sentence that is consistent with the protection of the public, the gravity of the offense as it relates 

to the impact on the life of the victim and on the community, and the rehabilitative needs of the 

defendant[.]" Com. v. Baker, 72 A.3d 652, 663 (Pa. Super. 2013). If the sentence did not exceed 

the statutory maximum sentence for the conviction, the sentence is legal and not excessive. 

Baker, 72 A.3d at 660. 

recognizes that the defendant had not been convicted of the charges." Com. v. Johnson, 481 A.2d 

1212, 1214 (Pa. Super. 1984). 
10 

Petitioner's claim is without merit. Petitioner received an aggregate sentence of twenty 

(20) to forty ( 40) years. The offense gravity score (OGS) for Third-Degree Murder is fourteen 

(14). The Defendant's prior record score was a one (1). The Sentencing Guidelines with the 

Deadly Weapon Enhancement provide for a sentence of 102 months to the statutory limit of 

twenty (20) years. Petitioner concedes that his sentence of twenty (20) to forty (40) years for 

third degree murder is within the sentencing guidelines. 

The record reflects that the sentencing court considered the specific facts of this case 

when fashioning Petitioner's sentence. N.T. 01/20/12 at pp. 21-23. The sentence imposed was 

neither unreasonable nor the result of partiality, prejudice, bias or ill will; it did not violate 

sentencing norms nor was it excessively harsh. Furthermore, trial counsel filed a post-sentence 

motion for reconsideration of the sentence, which the Court denied without a hearing. Counsel 

will not be held ineffective for failing to assert a meritless claim. 

CONCLUSION 

Based on the foregoing, the Court's denial of the PCRA petition should be affirmed. 

By the Court: 
r Alfaro, Esq. 

aw Clerk to the Honorable Rose Marie Defino-Nastasi 

Date: 03/15/2016 

Type of Service: ( ) Personal ( ) First Class Mail (x) Inter-Office 

Philadelphia District Attorney's Office 

PCRA Unit 

Widener Bldg. 

3 South Penn Square 

Philadelphia, PA 19107 

District Attorney: 

Type of Service: () Personal (x) First Class Mail () Other, Please Specify 

Mitchell Strutin, Esq. 

Strutin & Smarro 

1515 Market Street, Suite 1200 

Philadelphia, PA 19102 

Counsel: 

Type of Service: ( ) Personal (x) First Class Mail () Other, Please Specify 

Raheem Johnson, KJ 4977 

SCI Huntingdon 

1100 Pike Street 

Huntingdon, PA 16654 

Appellant: 

I hereby certify that I am this day serving the foregoing Court Order upon the person(s ), and in 

the manner indicated below, which service satisfies the requirements of Pa.R.Crim.P. 114: 

Proof of Service 

Commonwealth v. Raheem Johnson 

CP-51-CR-0007442-2010 

Opinion