J - S17018 - 20

NON - PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37 COMMONWEALTH OF PENN SYLVANIA IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA Appellee v. DANIEL EUGENE CONRAD Appellant No. 1906 MDA 2019 Appeal from the PCRA Order Entered October 15 , 2019 In the Court of Common Pleas of Lebanon County Criminal Division at No . : CP - 38 - CR - 0000007 - 2017 BEFORE: PANELLA, P.J., STABILE, J., and FORD ELLIOTT, P.J.E. MEMORANDUM BY STABILE, J.: FILED JULY 23, 2020 Appellant Daniel Eugene Conrad appeals from the October 15, 2019 order of the Court of Common Pleas of Lebanon County (“PCRA court”), which denied his petition under the Post Conviction Relief Act, 42 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 9541 - 46. Upon review, we affirm . Because of an incident that o ccurred on September 2, 2016, Appellant was charged with driving under the influence (DUI) of a Schedule II or II I controlled substance (methamphetamine) , DUI — controlled substance, and driving while operating privilege is suspended or revoked. 1 The case proceeded to a jury trial, at which only the Commonwealth offered testimony. First, the Commonwealth called to the stand Trooper Morgan Bright, Pennsylva nia State Police. Trooper Bright testified that, on September 2,

_________________ ____________________ _______ 1 75 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 3802(d)(1)(ii), (d)(2), and 1543(a), re spectively.J - S17018 - 20

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2016, he was assigned to patrol duty when he responded to a dispatch at 11:40 p.m. of someone being followed. N.T. Trial, 4/18/18, at 7 - 8. Trooper Bright testified that he responded to 6 S outh Lancaster Street in Jonestown Borough, Lebanon County, which was in his jurisdiction. Id. at 8. Upon arrival, Trooper Bright observed Appellant standing alone outside a legally parked black Chevrolet S - 10 pickup truck. Id. According to Trooper Bri ght, no one else was around Appellant. Id. He recalled that the parking space the truck occupied was right off a public road and could only be accessed by travelling on a public road. Id. at 8 - 9. Trooper Bright testified that he had passed the spot whe re the truck was parked approximately five to ten minutes prior to responding to the dispatch . Id. at 17. At that time, Trooper Bright did not observe the pickup truck in the parking spot. Id. Trooper Bright testified that he spoke with Appellant who related that, all night, he was being followed by “unknown individuals” “from Hazelton all the way down here to Jonestown.” Id. at 9. Appellant did not provide any specifics on or description of the individuals. Id. According to Trooper Bright, Appell ant remarked that the ordeal had been on the news and he “had been ducking and dodging” the individuals. Id. Trooper Bright recalled that Appellant was “fidgety and nervous” and his speech was “paranoid and repetitive.” Id. Trooper Bright testified tha t, based upon his training and experience, he recognized Appellant’s mannerisms to be consistent with methamphetamine use. Id. at 10. He explained that paranoia and hallucinations are indicators of methamphetamine use. Id. at 16.J - S17018 - 20

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Trooper Bright then asked Appellant whether he had used drugs, Appellant responded in the negative. Id. at 10. Thereafter, Trooper Bright perform ed a field sobriety test on Appellant. Trooper Bright conducted a “check of his eyes looking for different indicator of impairment, as well as the Modified Rhomberg Balance Test , the results of which were consistent with drug impairment. Id. at 11 - 14. Trooper Bright explained: “The count was off. He had a fast count, which was consistent with a stimulant such as meth amphetamine. I observed body tremors, eyelid tremors also consistent.” Id. at 14. Trooper Bright recalled that Appellant refused to perform further testing on account of an alleged foot injury. Id. at 14 - 15. Trooper Bright testified that he then asked Appellant again whether he had taken any drugs. Id. at 15. According to Trooper Bright’s testimony, Appellant remarked that “he did one bump of meth around 10 p.m.” Id. Trooper Bright explained a bump of meth as “basically like a single use. Sometime s, they will put it on their hand, snort it off an object.” Id. Trooper Bright testified that he asked Appellant several times whether he had driven the pickup truck. Id. at 16. Each time, according to Trooper Bright, Appellant answered in the affirm ative. Id. Appellant also admitted to driving the truck prior to calling the police. Id. Trooper Bright explained that the reason he asked Appellant multiple times whether he was driving the truck was to “verify that he was actually in full control of that vehicle within a reasonable close amount of time since I did not observe him driving the vehicle at any point.” Id. at 16 - 17. Appellant had no companions with him thatJ - S17018 - 20

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night — he was alone. Id. at 22. Trooper Bright recalled removing a set of keys f rom Appellant, but was uncertain if a vehicle key was on the key ring. Id. at 22 - 23. The Commonwealth played for the jury a video of the traffic stop in question that seemingly confirmed Trooper Bright’s account of the incident. Id. at 18 - 20 . The Com monwealth next offered the testimony of Trooper James Paparella. Trooper Paparella testified that, on September 2, 2016, he was on patrol duty with Trooper Bright when they received and responded to the dispatch at 6 South Lancaster Street in Jonestown. Id. at 31. He testified that he did not recall the pickup truck being in the area when he and Trooper Bright had driven through it approximately 10 minutes prior to responding to the dispatch. Id. at 32. Trooper Paparella recalled that when they encount ered Appellant, he appeared “extremely nervous,” “repetitive,” and “seemed to be paranoid with what he was speaking about.” Id. at 33. Trooper Paparella testified that he heard Appellant’s admission to methamphetamine use and noticed nobody else with or around Appellant. Id. Trooper Paparella recalled that Appellant “said that he had spoken to different officers and that there was helicopters involved. It was on the news, that we should have known about it. But there was no reports that we found that were legitimate.” Id. at 34. Trooper Paparella testified that he ran the pickup truck’s plate and the truck came back registered to Appellant. Id. At the trial, the parties stipulated to the following facts:J - S17018 - 20

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On September 2, 2016, at approximately 11:5 0 p.m., [Appellant] was placed under arrest for DUI by [Trooper Bright]. [Appellant] consented to legal blood draw. [Appellant] was transported to the Good Samaritan Hospital for blood testing. The blood was drawn at 12:34 a.m. on September 3, 2016, by McKenzie Schneck, a phlebotomist at the hospital. [Appellant’s] blood was subsequently submitted to the MedTox Laboratories for analysis. MedTox Laboratories is an approved testing facility for detecting the presence of controlled substance pursuant to 4 6 Pa. Bulletin 76. [Appellant’s] w - blood sample was analyzed and certified by Karla J. Walker, Director with MedTox Laboratories at 3:51 p.m. on September 13, 2016. Dr. Walker has been appropriately educated and trained to conduct such work. Her educati on and training has been memorialized in her Curriculum Vitae[.] And Dr. Walker’s testing revealed the presence of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance in amount of 42 nanograms per milliliter and amphetamine, Schedule II controlled substan ce, a metabolite of methamphetamine in the amount of 11 nanograms per milliliter, in [Appellant’s] blood. . . . And at all times, [Appellant’s] blood sample was appropriately maintained and preserved for chain of custody purposes. Id. at 36 - 37. The jury found Appellant guilty of DUI of a Schedule II or III controlled substance (methamphetamine) and driving while operating privilege was suspended or revoked , a summary offense . The jury, however, acquitted Appellant of DUI — controlled substance. On June 6 , 2018, the trial court sentenced Appellant to , inter alia , two to five years’ imprisonment for DUI . 2 Appellant filed post - sentence motions, which the court denied on October 10, 2018. Appellant did not file a direct appeal. On April 22, 2019, Appella nt pro se filed the instant PCRA petition, his first, alleging several ineffective assistance of counsel claims. The PCRA court appointed counsel who filed an amended PCRA petition on May 23, 2019. Following evidentiary hearings, the PCRA court, on Octob er 15, 2019, denied Appellant’s petition for collateral relief. Appellant appealed. The PCRA court

_________________ ____________________ _______ 2 The court imposed only a fine of $200.00 for the summary offense.J - S17018 - 20

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directed Appellant to file a Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b) statement of errors complained of on appeal. Appellant complied, raising five assertio ns of error. In resp onse, the PCRA court issued a Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a) opinion, concluding that Appellant is not entitled to relief. On appeal, 3 Appellant presents five issues for our review. [I.] Whether Appellant was denied his constitutionally guaranteed right to effective representation when trial counsel failed to adequately defend Appellant by failing to argue a defense to the charges and failing to properly cross - examine witnesses? [II.] Whether Appellant was denied his constitutionally guaranteed right to effective rep resentation when trial counsel failed to subpoena Ms. Sim cott to testify at trial that Appellant was not in control of the key to the vehicle and therefore was not in control of the vehicle. [Trial court] also failed to call additional witnesses? [III.] W hether Appellant was denied his constitutionally guaranteed right to effective representation when trial counsel failed to request the complete jury trial transcript and therefore was unable to appeal the issue of inadequate jury instructions as it related to the elements of DUI? [IV.] Whether Appellant was denied his constitutionally guaranteed right to effective representation when trial counsel failed to allow Appellant to testify? [V.] Whether Appellant was denied his constitutionally guaranteed right t o effective representation when trial counsel failed to object to the following comments made by the Commonwealth at trial: “Defendant didn’t take the stand,” and “Defendant was handcuffed and placed into the back of the vehicle”? Appellant Brief at 4 - 5.

_________________ ____________________ _______ 3 “In reviewing the denial of PCRA relief, we examine whether the PCRA court’s determination ‘is supported by the record and free of legal error.’” Commonwealth v. Fears , 86 A.3d 795, 803 (Pa. 2014) (quoting Commonwealth v. Rainey, 928 A.2d 215, 223 (Pa. 2007)).J - S17018 - 20

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As stated, Appellant’s claims before us involve ineffective assistance of counsel. A PCRA petitioner is entitled to relief if he pleads and proves that prior counsel rendered ineffective assista nce of counsel. 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9543(a)(2)(ii). “To prevail on an [ineffectiveness] claim, a PCRA petitioner must plead and prove by a preponderance of the evidence that (1) the underlying legal claim has arguable merit; (2) counsel had no reasonable basis for acting or failing to act; and (3) the petitioner suffe red resulting prejudice.” Commonwealth v. Reyes - Rodriguez , 111 A.3d 775, 780 (Pa. Super. 2015) ( en banc ). “A petitioner must prove all three factors of the “ Pierce [ 4 ] test,” or the claim fails.” Id. Put differently, “[t]he burden of proving ineffective ness rests with Appellant.” Commonwealth v. Chmiel , 889 A.2d 501, 540 (Pa. 2005). Instantly, after careful review of the record, and the relevant case law, we conclude that the PCRA court accurately and thoroughly addressed the merits of Appellant’s issues . See PCRA Court Opinion, 1/2/20, at 8 - 16. The PCRA court determined that Appellant’s first issue, whether trial counsel adequately defended him with respect to the Commonwealth’s argument that Appellant had driven the pickup truck prior to the troopers’ arrival, lacked merit. Id. at 10 - 11. The court reasoned that counsel not only cross - examined the troopers about whether Appellant possessed the keys to the truck on the night in question, but also argued to the jury that insufficient evidence existed

_________________ ____________________ _______ 4 Commonwealth v. Pierce , 527 A.2d 973 (Pa. 1987).J - S17018 - 20

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to conclude that Appellant was operating the truck. Additionally, trial counsel credibly testified at the PCRA hearing that Appellant admitted to her that he had been driving the tru ck. Id. The PCRA court also found Appellant’s second issue to lack merit. Id. at 11 - 13. Appellant alleged that trial counsel was ineffective in failing to subpoena Melissa Simcott to establish that she , not him, had driven the truck on the night at iss ue. The PCRA court found that Appellant never mentioned Ms. Simcott’s name to trial counsel or law enforcement at any point prior to or at the time of trial. Additionally, the court determined that, despite multiple opportunities over a period of three m onths , Appellant was either unable or unwilling to call Ms. Simcott t o testify at the PCRA hearing to offer the alleged exculpatory evidence. Id. at 12 - 13. With respect to Appellant’s third issue, relating to jury instructions, the PCRA court concluded that it too lacked merit. The court explained that the jury was instructed properly on the DUI charge. Id. at 13 - 14. Similarly, Appellant also does not obtain relief on his fourth issue. Appellant argues that his trial counsel prevented him from testifying at trial. The PCRA court found Appellant’s allegations to be self - serving and incredible. In crediting counsel’s testimony, the PCRA court concluded that Appellant, on his own volition, decided to remain silent during trial. Id. at 14. The court found that trial counsel did not coerce Appellant into reaching this decision. Furthermore , the PCRA court also found that Appellant had admitted to counsel throughout the proceedings that he drove the pickup truck. Finally, the PCRA court concluded that Appellant’s fifth issue also lacked merit. Appellant argues that theJ - S17018 - 20

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Commonwealth stated to the jury during closing argument that Appellant “didn’t take the stand . ” The PCRA court found this argument to be incredible and inconsistent with the record. Th e court found that the transcript “establishes beyond any doubt that the prosecutor never mentioned or sought to take advantage of [Appellant’s] failure to testify at trial.” Id. at 16. In sum, we conclude that Appellant’s ineffective assistance of coun sel claims lack merit. Accordingly, we affirm the PCRA court’s October 15, 2019 order denying Appellant PCRA relief . We further direct that a copy of the PCRA court’s January 2, 2020 Rule 1925(a) opinion be attached to any future filings in this case. Order affirmed.
Judgment Entered. Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq. Prothonotary Date: 07/23/2020

## ' ) C i rc u l a te d 0 6/2 6/2 0 2 0 1 1 : 5 4 A M



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. F o r re a s o n s t h a t we w i l l a rt i c u l a t e i n m o re d e ta i l w i t h i n t h e b o d y of t h i s O p i n i o n , we ca te g o r i c a l l y re j e ct t h e D E F E N D A N T' s re c e n t a n d s e l f - s e r v i n g p ro c l a m a t i o n s t h a t s o m e o n e e l s e wa s o p e ra t i n g t h e v e h i c l e . 

### I. FA C T S O n O cto b e r 6 , 2 0 1 6 , D a n i e l C o nra d ( h e re a fte r D E F E N D A N T ) wa s c h a rg e d w i t h o n e ( 1 ) co u n t of D r i v i n g U n d e r t h e I n fl u e n c e ( D U I ) o f a S c h e d u l e I I o r I C o n t ro l l e d S u b s ta n c e , o n e ( 1 ) co u n t o f D U I of a C o n t ro l l e d S u b s ta n c e - I n c a p a b l e of S a f e D ri v i n g , a n d o n e ( 1 ) co u n t of D r i v i n g W h il e O p e ra t i n g P ri v i l e g e s a re s u s p e n d e d o r R e v o ke d
. T h e s e c h a rg e s re l a t e d to a n i n c i d e n t t h a t o c c u r re d o n S e p te m b e r 2 , 2 0 1 6 , w h e n T ro o p e r M o rg a n B r i g h t ( h e re a f

te r B R I G H T ) a n d T ro o p e r J a m e s P a p a re l l a ( h e re a f te r PA PA R E L LA ) re s p o n d e d to a d i s p a t c h of s o m e o n e b e i n g f o l l ow e d a t a ro u n d 1 1 :4 0 p m , a t 6 S o u t h L a n c a s te r S t re e t i n J o n e s tow n B o ro u g h , L e b a n o n C o u n ty , P e n n s y l v a n i a . ( N
. T
. 7 - 8 ) D E F E N D A N T wa s s ta n d i n g o u ts i d e of a b l a c k C h e vy S - 1 0 p i c k u p t ru c k
. T h e t ru c k wa s l e g a l l y p a r ke d i n a p a r k i n g s ta l l fa c i n g i n towa rd s t h e c u rb
. ( N
. T
. 8 )
. T h e p a r k i n g s p o t 2wa s w i t h i n . a J o n e s tow n B o ro u g h o p e n p a r k i n g l o t a c c e s s i b l e o n l y b y

t ra v e l i n g o n a ro a d w a y i n P e n n s y l v a n i a . ( N
. T
. 9 )
. T h a t p a r k i n g s p o t wa s v a c a n t 1 0 - 1 5 m i n u t e s b e fo re t h e d i s p a t c h
. ( N
. T
. 1 7 )
. B R I G H T s p o ke to D E F E N D A N T
. D E F E N D A N T re l a t e d to B R I G H T t h a t h e wa s b e i n g fo l l ow e d b y u n k n ow n i n d i v i d u a l s " a l l n i g h t fro m H a z e l to n a l l t h e w a y d ow n h e re to J o n e s tow n . " B R I G H T i n d i c a t e d t h a t D E F E N D A N T

" m e n t i o n e d t h a t i t h a d b e e n o n t h e n e ws , a n d t h a t h e h a d b e e n d u c k i n g a n d d o d g i n g t h e m a ro u n d t h e B o ro u g h a l l n i g h t
. " ( N
. T
. 9 )
. B a s e d o n B R I G H T' s t ra i n i n g a n d ex p e r i e n c e , B R I G H T a s s e s s e d t h a t D E F E N D A N T p re s e n t e d a ct i o n s t h a t a re co n s i s t e n t w i t h m e t h a m p h e t a m i n e d ru g u s e . T h e s e a ct i o n s i n c l u d e d p a ra n o i a a n d re p e t i t i v e s p e e c h , fi d g e t i n g m o v e m e n ts a n d n e r v o u s a ct i v i ty . B R I G H T a s ke d D E F E N DA N T if h e h a d u s e d d ru g s a n d D E F E N D A N T i n i t i a l l y s a i d n o . ( N
. T
. 1 0 )
. D E F E N D A N T wa s u n a w a re of t h e t i m e o f d a y , b e l i e v i n g i t wa s a ct u a l l y two a n d o n e - h a l f h o u rs e a r li e r t h a n t h e a ct u a l t i m e of n e a r l y m i d n i g h t
. D E F E N D A N T re l a t e d t h a t h e wa s t i re d fro m d r i v i n g a l l d a y . ( N
. T
. 1 0 - 1 1 )
. B R I G H T a g a i n a s ke d D E F E N D A N T i f h e h a d u s e m e t h a m p h e t a m i n e . D E F E N D A N T a g a i n d e n i e d u s e . B R I G H T p e r

fo rm e d fi e l d s o b r i e ty te s ts o n D E F E N D A N T
. B R I G H T co n d u ct e d a " c h e c k of h i s e y e s l o o k i n g f o r d i f f e re n t i n d i c a to rs of i m p a i r m e n t , a s w e l l a s t h e m o d i fi e d R o m b e rg B a l a n c e T e s t
. " ( N
. T
. 1 1 )
. B R I G H T o b s e r

v e d t h a t D E F E N D A N T d i s p l a y e d s y m p to m s s h ow i n g " s o m e i n d i c a t i o n o f i m p a i rm e n t " to b e c o n s i s t e n t w i t h m e t h a m p h e ta m i n e u s e .


### 3( N
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. 1 4 )
. B R I G H T a s ke d to co n d u ct o t h e r fi e l d s o b r i e ty te s ts .

D E F E N D A N T d e m u r re d a n d " i m p l i e d t h a t h e h a d a m e d i c a l co n d i t i o n w i t h h i s f e e t t h a t wo u I d i m p a i r - i m p e d e h i s a b i I i ty to co n d u ct t h e te s ts . " ( N
. T
. 1 4 - 1 5 )
. B R I G H T a g a i n a s ke d D E F E N D A N T if h e h a d u s e d m e t h a m p h e ta m i n e . D E F E N D A N T to l d B R I G H T h e h a d " u s e d i t e a r l i e r i n t h e d a y . H e d i d o n e b u m p o f m e t h a ro u n d 1 0 p . m . " ( N
. T
. 1 5 )
. PA PA R E L LA o b s e r v e d D E F E N DA N T' s m a n n e r i s m s to b e n e r v o u s , re p e t i t i v e a n d p a ra n o i d
. ( N
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. 3 3 )
. PA PA R E L LA h e a rd D E F E N D A N T a d m i t to u s i n g m e t h a m p h e ta m i n e . ( N
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. 3 3 )
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. D E F E N D A N T to l d B R I G H T t h a t h e w a s d r i v i n g j u s t p r i o r to ca l l i n g t h e P e n n s y l v a n i a S t a t e P o l i c e to re p o rt b e i n g fo l l ow e d
. B R I G H T i n d i c a te d t h a t p a ra n o i a a n d h a l I u c i n a t i o n s a re co n s i s te n t i n d i c a to rs of m e t h a m p h e ta m i n e u s e . B R I G H T a s ke d m a n y t i m e s to v e r i f y t h a t D E F E N D A N T "wa s a ct u a l l y i n co n t ro l of t h a t v e h i c l e w i t h i n a re a s o n a b l e c l o s e a m o u n t o f t i m e s i n c e I [ B R I G H T] d i d n o t a ct u a l l y o b s e r v e h i m d r i v i n g t h e v e h i c l e a t a n y p o i n t
. " ( N
. T
. 1 6 - 1 7 )
. B R I G H T a n d PA PA R E L LA h a d d r i v e n t h ro u g h t h e a re a w h e re t h e v e h i c l e wa s 5 to 1 O m i n u t e s p r i o r to re c e i v i n g t h e d i s p a t c h ca l l i n v o l v i n g D E F E N D A N T
. B R I G H T a n d PA PA R E L LA d i d n o t s e e t h e p i c k u p a t t h a t t i m e . ( N
. T
. 1 7 , 2 2 , 3 2 )
. At t h e t i m e of d i s p a t c h , n o co m p a n i o n s we re w i t h D E F E N D A N T
. ( N
. T
. 2 2 , 3 3 ) D E F E N D A N T' s ke ys a n d wa l l e t we re re m o v e d


### 4fro m D E F E N D A N T
. B R I G H T d i d n o t co n fi rm t h a t t h e re wa s a v e h i c l e ke y

i n t h e s e t of ke ys . ( N
. T
. 2 3 ) B R I G H T d i d n o t o b s e r v e d ru g p a ra p h e rn a l i a i n p l a i n v i e w o f t h e v e h i c l e . T h e re w a s n o i n d i c a t i o n t h a t d ru g s we re u s e d re c e n t l y i n s i d e t h e v e h i c l e . ( N
. T
. 2 2 - 2 3 )
. D E F E N D A N T co n s e n t e d to a l e g a l b l o o d d raw , w h i c h wa s co n d u cte d a t 1 2 : 3 4 a . m . o n S e p te m b e r 3 , 2 0 1 6 a t t h e G o o d S a m a r i t a n H o s p i ta l , L e b a n o n , P e n n s y l v a n i a . ( N
. T
. 3 6 )
. D E F E N D A N T' s w h o l e - b l o o d s a m p l e a n a l ys i s re v e a l e d t h e p re s e n c e of m e t h a m p h e ta m i n e a n d a m p h e ta m i n e . ( N
. T
. 3 6 - 3 7 )
. I I. P R O C E D U RA L H I S T O RY O n A p r i l 1 8 , 2 0 1 8 , t h e D E F E N D A N T wa s t ri e d a n d fo u n d g u i l ty b y a L e b a n o n C o u n ty j u r y o n c h a rg e s o f D r i v i n g U n d e r t h e I n f l u e n c e of a C o n t ro l l e d S u b s t a n c e . H e wa s fo u n d g u i l ty b y t h i s C o u rt o f D ri v i n g W h i l e O p e ra t i n g P r i v i l e g e s W e re S u s p e n d e d o r R e v o ke d
. O n J u n e 6 , 2 0 1 8 , t h e D E F E N D A N T w a s s e n t e n c e d to s e r v e two ( 2 ) to fi v e ( 5 ) ye a rs i n a S ta te C o r re ct i o n a l fa c i l i ty . S h o rt l y t h e re a f t e r , t h e D E F E N D A N T fi l e d P o s tS e n t e n c e M o t i o n s . T h i s C o u rt d e n i e d t h o s e P o s t- S e n t e n c e M o t i o n s v i a a n O p i n i o n d a te d O cto b e r 1 0 , 2 0 1 8
. O n A p r i l 2 2 , 2 0 1 9 , t h e D E F E N D A N T fi l e d a p r o s e P C RA P e t i t i o n . W e a p p o i n t e d Atto rn e y M e l i s s a M o n tg o m e r y to re p re s e n t t h e D E F E N D A N T re g a rd i n g h i s P C RA
. A n i n i t i a l h e a r i n g w a s co n d u cte d o n J u l y 8 , 2 0 1 9
. As i s t h e c u s to m o f t h i s C o u rt , a n d b e fo re a n y te s t i m o n y wa s p re s e n te d , we


### 5s o l i c i t e d a s t a te m e n t fro m t h e D E F E N DA N T' s a tto rn e y a b o u t t h e i s s u e s t h a t

we re b e i n g p u rs u e d
. T h e fo l l ow i n g i s s u e s we re i d e n t i fi e d : ( 1 ) T h a t t r i a I co u n s e I wa s i n e ff e ct i v e f o r fa i l i n g to p re s e n t e v i d e n ce t h a t wo u l d h a v e p ro v e n t h a t t h e D E F E N D A N T wa s n o t d r i v i n g ; ( 2 ) T h a t d e f

e n s e co u n s e l wa s i n e f f e ct i v e fo r f

a i l i n g to ca l l M e l i s s a S i m co tt a s a w i t n e s s . Ac co rd i n g to t h e D E F E N D A N T , M s . S i m co tt wo u l d h a v e a c k n ow l e d g e d t h a t s h e w a s d r i v i n g t h e v e h i c l e . ( 3 ) T h a t d e f

e n s e co u n s e l f

a i l e d to o b

j e ct to t h e C o u r

t ' s i n s t ru ct i o n t h a t o m i tte d co n t ro l of t h e m o v e m e n t of a v e h i c l e a s a n e l e m e n t of t h e D U I off

e n s e . (4 ) T h a t t ri a l co u n s e l p re v e n t e d t h e D E F E N D A N T fro m te s t i f y i n g . A n d ( 5 ) T h a t t ri a l co u n s e l f a i l e d to o b

j e ct w h e n t h e p ro s e c u to r a rg u e d d u r i n g s u m m a t i o n t h a t t h e D E F E N D A N T s h o u l d b e co n v i cte d b e c a u s e h e c h o s e n o t to te s t i f y . Af te r we b e g a n to h e a r te s t i m o n y , i t b e ca m e q u i c k l y a p p a re n t t h a t b o t h s i d e s s h o u l d h a v e s u b p o e n a e d w i t n e s s e s w h o h a d m a te r i a l i n f o rm a t i o n re g a rd i n g t h e i s s u e s o u t l i n e d a b o v e . T o e n a b l e t h e p a rt i e s to s u b p o e n a t h e n e e d e d w i t n e s s e s , we s u s p e n d e d te s t i m a n y a n d re - s c h e d u l e d t h e co n c l u s i o n o f t h e P C RA h e a r i n g f o r O cto b e r 1 0 , 2 0 1 9
. O n O cto b e r 1 0 , 2 0 1 9 , D E F E N D A N T' s t r i a l co u n s e l , E l i z a b e t h J u d d , p ro v i d e d te s t i m o n y . H ow e v e r , t h e D E F E N D A N T co u l d n o t o r wo u l d n o t p re s e n t te s t i m o n y fro m h i s p ro p o s e d w i t n e s s , M e l i s s a S i m co tt
.


### 6At t h e co n c l u s i o n of te s t i m o n y , we i s s u e d a C o u rt O rd e r d a t e d

O cto b e r 1 5 , 2 0 1 9 to d e n y t h e D E F E N D A N T' s P C RA P e t i t i o n . T h e D E F E N DA N T fi l e d a n A p p e a l. W e s o l i c i t e d a C o n c i s e S ta te m e n t of E r ro rs fro m t h e D E F E N D A N T' s co u n s e l. O n e w a s p ro v i d e d o n D e c e m b e r 5 , 2 0 1 9
. T h e D E F E N D A N T' s R u l e 1 9 2 5 i s s u e s w e re s i m i l a r , b u t n o t i d e n t i c a l to t h e o n e s h e ra i s e d p r i o r to co m m e n c e m e n t of t h e P C RA p ro c e e d i n g . T h e i s s u e s t h e D E F E N D A N T i d e n t i f i e d i n h i s P C RA P e t i t i o n we re a s fo ll ows : ( 1 ) T h a t d e f

e n s e co u n s e l wa s i n e f f e ct i v e f o r f a i l i n g to e s ta b l i s h t h a t t h e D E F E N D A N T wa s n o t o p e ra t i n g a m o to r v e h i c l e o n O cto b e r 6 , 2 0 1 6
. ( 2 ) T h a t t r i a l co u n s e l wa s i n e f f e ct i v e fo r fa i l i n g to s u b p o e n a M e l i s s a S i m co tt
. ( 3 ) T h a t t r i a l co u n s e l w a s i n e f f e ct i v e fo r n o t re q u e s t i n g a t ra n s c r i p t of t h e j u ry i n s t ru ct i o n s p ro v i d e d b y t h e C o u rt
. (4 ) T h a t t r i a l co u n s e l wa s i n e f f e ct i v e fo r " n o t a l l ow i n g " t h e D E F E N D A N T to te s t i f y , a n d ( 5 ) T h a t t r i a l co u n s e l w a s i n e f f e ct i v e fo r fil i n g to o b j e ct to t h e p ro s e c u to r' s s u m m a t i o n . A l t h o u g h we a re l o a t h e to re q u e s t o u r a l re a d y ov e r- b u rd e n e d co u rt re p o rt e rs to p re p a re a d d i t i o n a I t ra n s c r i p ts , w e n e v e rt h e l e s s s o I i c i te d a t ra n s c r i p t of t h e p o rt i o n of t h e P ro s e c u to r' s s u m m a t i o n a n d o u r j u r y i n s t ru ct i o n s t h a t a d d re s s e d t h e e l e m e n ts of t h e D U I off e n s e . T h a t t ra n s c r i p t



### 7h a s b e e n p re p a re d a n d i s n o w p a rt o f t h e re co rd i n t h i s ca s e . I t c l e a rl y

s h o ws t h a t t h i s C o u rt d i d te l l t h e j u r y t h a t co n t ro l o v e r t h e m o v e m e n t o f a m o to r v e h i c l e i s a n e l e m e n t to a n y D U I of f e n s e . W e w i l l a d d re s s a l l o f t h e D E F E N D A N T' s P C RA i s s u e s w i t h i n t h e b o d y of t h i s O p i n i o n .

Il l. L E G A L P R I N C I P L E S G OV E R N I N G P C RA P E T I T I O N S T h e P C RA p ro v i d e s fo r a n a ct i o n b y w h i c h i n n o c e n t p e rs o n s co n v i ct e d of c ri m e s t h a t t h e y d i d n o t co m m i t a n d p e rs o n s s e r v i n g i l l e g a l s e n t e n c e s ca n o b ta i n re l i e f
. 4 2 P a . C
. S
. 

### § 9 5 4 2
. T h e P C RA i s t h e ex c l u s i v e m e t h o d b y w h i c h co l l a t e ra l re l i e f m a y b e o b ta i n e d i n P e n n s y l v a n i a . Co m m o n w

e a lt h v . Ch es t

e r , 7 3 3 A
. 2 d 1 2 4 2 , 1 2 5 0 ( P a . 1 9 9 9 )
. T o b e e l i g i b l e fo r re l i e f u n d e r t h e P C RA , a d e f e n d a n t m u s t p ro v e t h e fo l l o w i n g e l e m e n ts 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 : ( 1 ) H e m u s t p ro v e t h a t h e h a s b e e n co n v i cte d o f a c r i m e u n d e r t h e l a ws of t h i s C o m m o n w e a l t h a n d t h a t h e i s s e r

v i n g a s e n t e n c e o f i m p ri s o n m e n t , p ro b a t i o n o r p a ro l e f o r a c r i m e ; ( 2 ) h e m u s t p ro v e t h a t t h e co n v i ct i o n re s u l t e d fro m o n e o f t h e e n u m e ra t e d e r ro rs l i s te d i n 

### § 9 5 4 3 ( a )( 2 ) ; a n d ( 3 ) h e m u s t p ro v e t h a t t h e a l l e g a t i o n of e r ro r h a s n o t b e e n p re v i o u s l y l i t i g a te d o r wa i v e d
. F i n a l l y , h e m u s t p ro v e t h a t t h e fa i l u re to l i t i g a te t h e i s s u e p ri o r to o r d u ri n g t ri a l co u l d n o t h a v e b e e n t h e re s u l t of a n y ra t i o n a l , s t ra te g i c o r ta ct i ca l d e c i s i o n b y co u n s e l. 4 2 P a . C
. S
. 

### § 9 5 4 3 ( a )
.


### 8T r i a l co u n s e l w i ll a l wa ys b e p re s u m e d e f f e ct i v e , a n d t h e D e f e n d a n t b e a rs t h e b u rd e n of p ro v i n g o t h e r w i s e . Co m m o n w

e a lt h v . L e w i s, 7 0 8 A
. 2 d 4 9 7 , 5 0 0 ( P a . S u p e r . 1 9 8 8 ) ( c i t i n g Co m m o n w e a lt h v . W i ll i a m s, 5 7 0 A
. 2 d 7 5 , 8 1 ( P a . 1 9 9 0 ) )
. I n d e te rm i n i n g w h e t h e r co u n s e l re n d e re d i n e f f e ct i v e a s s i s t a n c e , t h e co u rt m u s t fi rs t d e te r m i n e w h e t h e r t h e i s s u e u n d e rl y i n g t h e c l a i m of i n e f

f e ct i v e n e s s i s of a rg u a b l e m e r i t
. Co m m o n w e a lt h v . D i Ni c o l a, 7 5 1 A
. 2 d 1 9 7 , 1 9 8 ( P a . S u p e r . 2 0 0 0 ) ( c i t i n g Co m m o n w e a lt h v . Jo h ns o n, 5 8 8 A
. 2 d 1 3 0 3 , 1 3 0 5 ( P a . 1 9 9 1 ) )
. I f t h e c l a i m i s w i t h o u t a rg u a b l e m e r i t , t h e C o u rt ' s i n q u i r

y e n d s , b e c a u s e co u n s e l c a n n o t b e d e e m e d i n e f f e ct i v e fo r fa i l i n g to p u rs u e a m e r it l e s s i s s u e . D i Ni c o l a, 7 5 1 A
. 2 d a t 1 9 8
. If a d e f

e n d a n t ' s u n d e rl y i n g c l a i m i s of a rg u a b l e m e r i t , w e m u s t ex a m i n e t h e a ct i o n c h o s e n b y t r i a l co u n s e l i n o rd e r to a s c e rta i n if t h a t a ct i o n w a s d e s i g n e d to e ff e ct u a t e t h e D e f

e n d a n t ' s i n te re s t. 

### Id
. T h e f

a ct t h a t t r i a l co u n s e l ' s s t ra t e g y m a y n o t u l t i m a t e l y h a v e l e d to a n a cq u i tt a l d o e s n o t re n d e r t h e s t ra t e g y l e g a l l y d e fi c i e n t
. Co m m o n w e a lt h v . S p o t z , 8 9 6 A
. 2 d 1 1 9 1 , 1 2 3 5 ( P a . 2 0 0 6 )
. T h e D e f e n d a n t m u s t e s ta b l i s h t h a t b u t fo r co u n s e l ' s d e fi c i e n t p e r fo r m a n c e , t h e re s u l t of h i s t ri a l wo u l d l i ke l y h a v e b e e n d i f

f e re n t. D i

Ni c o l a, 7 5 1 A
. 2 d a t 1 9 8
.

9

### I V
. A N A LYS I S

A
. P ro o f t h a t t h e D E F E N D A N T wa s D r i v i n g T h e D E F E N D A N T n ow c l a i m s t h a t h i s t r i a l co u n s e l wa s i n e ff e ct i v e fo r fa i l i n g to q u e s t i o n t h e i n v e s t i g a t i n g p o l i c e offi c e r a b o u t t h e l o c a t i o n of t h e D E F E N DA N T' s ke ys , t h e l o c a t i o n w h e re t h e D E F E N DA N T wa s s t a n d i n g a n d t h e fa ct t h a t t h e offi c e r f a i l e d to fe e l t h e h o o d of t h e D E F E N D A N T' s v e h i c l e i n o rd e r to a s c e rta i n if i t wa s w a rm . T h e p u rp o s e of s u c h te s t i m o n y w a s to o s t e n s i b l y e s t a b l i s h t h a t t h e D E F E N D A N T h a d n o t o p e ra t e d t h e p i c k- u p t ru c k p ri o r to a r r i v a l of p o l i c e . A re v i e w of t h e t ri a l t ra n s c r i p t re v e a l s t h a t Atto rn e y J u d d d i d i n fa ct q u e s t i o n t h e i n v e s t i g a t i n g offi c e rs a b o u t t h e l o c a t i o n of t h e D E F E N D A N T' s ke ys a n d t h e fa ct t h a t t h e of fi c e rs d i d n o t o b s e r v e t h e D E F E N D A N T d r i v i n g t h e v e h i c l e . T r i a l co u n s e l d i d i n fa ct a rg u e to t h e j u r y t h a t t h e re wa s i n s u f fi c i e n t p ro o f t h a t t h e D E F E N D A N T h a d b e e n o p e ra t i n g a v e h i c l e . M o re i m p o rta n t
. Atto rn e y J u d d p ro v i d e d c re d i b l e te s t i m o n y a t t h e t i m e of t h e P C RA H e a ri n g t h a t h e r c l i e n t a d m i tt e d to h e r t h a t h e h a d b e e n d r i v i n g t h e . v e h i c l e . W h i l e i t i s t ru e t h a t Atto rn e y J u d d d i d n o t s o l i c i t i n f o rm a t i o n a b o u t w h e t h e r t h e p o l i c e fe l t t h e h o o d o f t h e p i c k- u p t ru c k , g i v e n t h e to t a l i ty of a l l of t h e re s t of t h e i n f o r m a t i o n p re s e n t e d , a n d g i v e n t h a t Atto rn e y J u d d wo u l d h a v e h a d n o w a y o f k n ow i n g w h e t h e r t h e p o l i c e d i d i n fa ct d e te ct wa r m t h fro m t h e h o o d of t h e D E F E N D A N T' s v e h i c l e , we c a n n o t a n d w i l l n o t e q u a t e Atto rn e y J u d d ' s f a i l u re to a s k t h a t o n e q u e s t i o n w i t h i n e ff

e ct i v e n e s s .


### 1 0I n p o i n t of f a ct , t h e re wa s ov e r w h e l m i n g e v i d e n c e t h a t D E F E N D A N T o p e ra te d t h e p i c k- u p t ru c k
. S t a te P o l i c e te s t i fi e d t h a t o n m u l t i p l e o c c a s i o n s a n d i n m u l t i p l e w a ys , t h e D E F E N D A N T h i m s e l f a d m i tt e d t h a t h e h a d b e e n o p e ra t i n g t h e v e h i c l e . I n f a ct , h e m a d e a b i z a r re c l a i m t h a t h e h a d b e e n i n v o l v e d i n a l e n g t h y c h a s e t h a t b e g a n i n H a z e l to n a n d e n d e d i n J o n e s tow n w h e re p o l i c e e n co u n t e re d h i m a n d h i s v e h i c l e . L o o k i n g a t t h e to ta l i ty of t h e re c o rd b e fo re u s , we c a n n o t a n d w i ll n o t d e c l a re Atto r n e y J u d d to b e i n e f f e ct i v e f o r fa il i n g to re b u t w h a t wa s l i ke l y u n a s s a i l a b l e - t h a t t h e D E F E N D A N T h a d o p e ra te d t h e p i c k- u p t ru c k p r i o r to h i s e n co u n t e r w i t h p o li c e . B
. T e s t i m o n y of M e l i s s a S i m c o tt T h e D E F E N D A N T c l a i m s t h a t t r i a l co u n s e l s h o u l d h a v e s u b p o e n a e d M e l i s s a S i m c o tt
. H e c l a i m s t h a t M s . S i m c o tt wo u l d a c k n ow l e d g e t h a t s h e wa s d r i v i n g t h e v e h i c l e a n d h e w a s n o t
. I n J u l y a t t h e t i m e of t h e fi rs t P C RA H e a r i n g , w e a d v i s e d t h e D E F E N D A N T t h a t h e wo u l d h a v e to p ro c u re M s . S i m co tt ' s te s t i m o n y i n s u p p o rt of h i s b a l d a l l e g a t i o n s . W e a f fo rd e d t h e D E F E N D A N T w i t h t h re e ( 3 ) m o n t h s to d o s o . E v e n i n t h a t t i m e p e r i o d , t h e D E F E N D A N T wa s u n a b l e o r u n w i l l i n g to p ro c u re te s t i m o n y fro m M e l i s s a S i m c o tt to co r ro b o ra te h i s s e l f - s e r v i n g c l a i m t h a t s h e wa s d ri v i n g t h e p i c k- u p t ru c k
. I t i s co m m o n fo r co n v i ct e d d e f e n d a n ts to fil e P RA c l a i m s b a s e d u p o n t h e p re m i s e t h a t t h e i r l a wy e r s h o u l d h a v e b u t d i d n o t s u b p o e n a te s t i m o n y
1 1fro m w i t n e s s e s . T h e l e g a l p r i n c i p l e s g o v e rn i n g s u c h s i t u a t i o n s a re v e r y w e l l e s ta b l i s h e d
. A d e f e n s e a tto rn e y ' s f

a i l u re to ca l l c e rta i n w i t n e s s e s d o e s n o t co n s t i t u te p e r s e i n e f f e ct i v e n e s s . Co m m o n w e a lt h v . W as h i n g t o n, 5 9 2 P a . 6 9 8 , 9 2 7 A
. 2 d 5 8 6 , 5 9 9 ( 2 0 0 7 )
. I n e s ta b l i s h i n g w h e t h e r d e f

e n s e co u n s e l wa s i n e ff e ct i v e fo r f

a i l i n g to ca l l w i t n e s s e s , a d e f e n d a n t m u s t d e m o n s t ra t e t h a t 1 ) t h e w i t n e s s e s ex i s te d a n d we re a v a i l a b l e ; 2 ) co u n s e l wa s awa re of t h e ex i s t e n c e of t h e w i t n e s s e s , o r s h o u l d h a v e k n ow n of t h e i r ex i s t e n c e a n d a v a i l a b i l i ty ; 3 ) t h e p ro p o s e d w i t n e s s e s we re re a d y , w i 1 1 i n g a n d , a b l e to te s t i f y o n b e h a l f of t h e d e f e n d a n t ; a n d 4 ) t h e a b s e n c e of t h e p ro p o s e d te s t i m o n y p re j u d i c e d h i m . Co m m o n w

e a lt h v . Ha ll , 5 4 9 P a . 2 6 9 , 2 9 0 - 9 2 , 7 0 1 A
. 2 d 1 9 0 , 2 0 1 ( P a . 1 9 9 7 )
. I n t h i s ca s e , t h e re co rd i s d e v o i d of a n y e v i d e n c e - o t h e r t h a n t h e i n c re d i b l e a n d s e l f - s e r v i n g c l a i m s of t h e D E F E N D A N T h i m s e l f - t h a t M e l i s s a S i m c o tt wa s d r i v i n g t h e p i c k- u p t ru c k o n O cto b e r 1 6 , 2 0 1 6
. M e l i s s a S i m co tt wa s n o t l o c a t e d i n t h e v i c i n i ty of t h e p i c k- u p t ru c k w h e n p o l i c e a r r i v e d
. T h e D E F E N D A N T d i d n o t te l l p o l i c e t h a t t h e v e h i c l e h a d b e e n o p e ra t e d b y M e l i s s a S i m c o tt
. T h e D E F E N D A N T n e v e r to l d h i s ow n l a wy e r t h a t M e l i s s a S i m co tt wa s t h e d r i v e r . D e s p i t e b e i n g g i v e n t h re e ( 3 ) m o n t h s to p ro c u re M s . S i m c o tt ' s p u r p o rt e d l y ex c u l p a to r y te s t i m o n y , t h e D E F E N D A N T wa s e i t h e r u n w i l l i n g o r u n a b l e to p ro c u re te s t i m o n y o r e v i d e n c e t h a t s h e wa s i n f a ct t h e d r i v e r of t h e p i c k- u p t ru c k
. U n d e r s u c h

1 2c i rc u m s ta n c e s , t h e D E F E N D A N T' s c l a i m t h a t t r i a l co u n s e l wa s i n e f f e ct i v e fo r f a i l i n g to s u b p o e n a M e l i s s a S i m c o tt m u s t f a i l.
C
. T ra n s c r i p t of J u r

y I n s t ru ct i o n s N o w h e re i s t h e D E F E N D A N T' s d e s p e ra t i o n b e tt e r ex e m p l i fi e d t h a n i t i s w i t h re s p e ct to h i s a rg u m e n t a b o u t t h e C o u rt ' s j u r y i n s t ru ct i o n s . W i t h o u t a n yt h i n g o t h e r t h a n h i s ow n m i s g u i d e d h o p e s , t h e D E F E N D A N T a rg u e s t h a t t h i s C o u rt fa i l e d to i n s t ru ct t h e j u r y t h a t p h ys i c a l co n t ro l of t h e m o v e m e n t of a m o to r v e h i c l e w a s a n e l e m e n t of t h e D U I of f e n s e . N e i t h e r t h e p ro s e c u to r n o r t h e D E F E N D A N T' s a tto rn e y re c a ll e d t h e ty p e of g l a r i n g o m i s s i o n t h a t t h e D E F E N D A N T d e s c r i b e d
. I n a d d i t i o n , t h i s j u r i s t h a s co n d u ct e d h u n d re d s of D U I t r i a l s d u r i n g h i s twe n ty ( 2 0 ) ye a rs o n t h e b e n c h
. N e v e r h a v e we fa i l e d to i n s t ru ct a j u r y a b o u t t h e " p h ys i c a l co n t ro l of t h e m o v e m e n t of a v e h i c l e " e l e m e n t
. T h i s C o u rt i s v e r

y re l u ct a n t to ov e rb u rd e n L e b a n o n C o u n ty ' s a l re a d y o v e r wo r ke d co u rt re p o rt e rs b y re q u i r i n g t h e m to p re p a re a t ra n s c r i p t s i m p l y b e c a u s e a d e f

e n d a n t m a ke s a c l a i m t h a t we k n o w i s n o t a c c u ra te . N e v e rt h e l e s s , s o t h a t t h i s d o e s n o t d e v o l v e i n to a b a tt l e of m e m o r i e s , we d i d p ro c u re a t ra n s c r i p t of t h e p o rt i o n of o u r j u r y i n s t r u ct i o n t h a t a d d re s s e d t h e e l e m e n ts of D U 

### I. T h a t t ra n s c r i p t i s n o w p a rt of t h e re co rd
. I t c l e a r l y re v e a l s t h a t t h i s C o u rt p ro p e r l y i n s t ru ct e d t h e j u r y t h a t p h ys i c a l co n t ro l of t h e m o v e m e n t of a m o to r v e h i c l e i s a n e l e m e n t of t h e D U I off e n s e .

1 3Ac co rd i n g l y , t h e D E F E N D A N T' s P C RA c l a i m re g a rd i n g t h e j u r y i n s t ru ct i o n of t h i s C o u rt m u s t b e d e n i e d
. D
. T e s t i m o n y of t h e D E F E N D A N T T h e D E F E N D A N T c l a i m s t h a t h i s l a wy e r p re v e n t e d h i m fro m te s t i f y i n g . P re s u m a b l y , t h e D E F E N D A N T wa n t e d to te l I t h e j u r y t h a t h e w a s n o t t h e d ri v e r of t h e p i c k- u p o n O cto b e r 1 6 , 2 0 1 6
. W e re j e ct t h e D E F E N D A N T' s a rg u m e n t f o r m u l t i p l e re a s o n s . T r i a l co u n s e l E l i z a b e t h J u d d p re s e n t e d c re d i b l e te s t i m o n y t h a t s h e a n d t h e D E F E N D A N T d i s c u s s e d t h e q u e s t i o n o f w h e t h e r o r n o t to te s t i f y . Atto rn e y J u d d s ta te d t h a t t h e D E F E N D A N T m a d e t h e d e c i s i o n n o t to te s t i f y a n d t h a t s h e n e v e r co e rce d h i m i n to m a k i n g t h i s d e c i s i o n . W e fi n d Atto rn e y J u d d ' s te s t i m o n y to b e c re d i b l e . W e co n c l u d e a s a fi n d i n g of fa ct t h a t t h e D E F E N D A N T h i m s e l f c h o s e n o t to te s t i f y a n d t h a t c h o i c e wa s n o t fo rc e d u p o n h i m b y Atto r n e y J u d d
. A l t h o u g h t h e a b o v e fi n d i n g d i s p o s e s o f t h e D E F E N D A N T' s a rg u m e n t , w e a l s o n e e d to p o i n t o u t t h a t t h ro u g h o u t t h e p ro c e e d i n g s , t h e D E F E N D A N T a d

m i tt e d to Atto rn e y J u d d t h a t h e d ro v e t h e p i c k- u p t ru c k
. As a l a wy e r , Atto rn e y J u d d h a s a d u ty n o t to s u b o rn p e r j u r y o r p re s e n t te s t i m o n y s h e k n ows to b e f a l s e . T o t h e exte n t t h a t t h e D E F E N D A N T n ow b e l i e v e s h e s h o u l d h a v e b e e n c a l l e d a s a w i t n e s s to d e n y d r i v i n g , s u c h te s t i m o n y wo u l d h a v e b e e n i n co n s i s t e n t w i t h i n f o rm a t i o n t h e D E F E N D A N T p ro v i d e d p r i v a te l y to Atto rn e y J u d d
. T h i s i n co n s i s te n cy wo u l d h a v e


### 1 4c re a t e d a d i l e m m a i n o p e n C o u rt fo r Atto rn e y J u d d a s s o o n a s s h e re a l i z e d

t h e D E F E N D A N T wa s l y i n g to t h e j u r y . T h i s i s a s e co n d a r y re a s o n w h y Atto rn e y J u d d ca n n o t b e d e e m e d i n e f f e ct i v e f

o r fa i l i n g to ca l l t h e D E F E N D A N T a s a w i t n e s s . E
. P ro s e c u t i o n ' s C l o s i n g A rg u m e n ts T h e D E F E N D A N T' s l a s t i s s u e i s a g a i n d e p e n d e n t u p o n h i s fa u l ty a n d s e l f - s e r v i n g m e m o r

y of w h a t o c c u rre d a t t ri a l. D E F E N DA N T a rg u e s t h a t t h e p ro s e c u to r i m p ro p e rl y co m m e n t e d u p o n h i s fa i l u re to ta ke t h e w i t n e s s s t a n d
. T h e C o u rt d o e s n o t re m e m b e r s u c h a n a rg u m e n t
. N e i t h e r d i d t h e D E F E N D A N T' s t r i a l co u n s e l. O n c e a g a i n , we h a v e a s ke d o n e of o u r ov e rb u rd e n e d co u rt re p o rt e rs to ta k e t h e t i m e to u n n e c e s s a ri l y t ra n s c r i b e t h e p ro s e c u to r' s c l o s i n g a rg u m e n t
. T h a t t ra n s c r i p t i o n i s p a rt of t h e re co rd
. As w i t h t h e c l o s i n g i n s t ru ct i o n , t h e t ra n s c r i p t e s ta b l i s h e s b e yo n d a n y d o u b t t h a t t h e p ro s e c u to r n e v e r m e n t i o n e d o r s o u g h t to ta ke a d v a n ta g e of t h e D E F E N D A N T' s f

a i l u re to te s t i f

y a t t r i a l. O n c e a g a i n , t h i s a rg u m e n t b y t h e D E F E N D A N T i s n o t h i n g m o re t h a n a re d h e r r i n g . I t p ro v i d e s n o g ro u n d f o r re l i e f u n d e r t h e P C RA
. V . C O N C L U S I O N T h e re i s a b s o l u t e l y n o t v a l i d i ty to a n y of t h e D E F E N D A N T' s P C RA a rg u m e n ts . I t i s i n d e e d u n fo rt u n a t e t h a t t h e D E F E N D A N T' s b o g u s a rg u m e n ts fo rc e d t h e ta x p a y e rs of t h i s co m m u n i ty to p a y f o r a l a wy e r to


### 1 5re p re s e n t t h e D E F E N D A N T , a p ro s e c u to r to i n v e s t i g a t e a n d re b u t t h e

D E F E N D A N T' s a rg u m e n ts a n d co u rt re p o rte rs w h o w e re fo rc e d to u n n e c e s s a r i l y p re p a re t ra n s c r i p t i o n s to p ro v e w h a t e v e r yo n e i n v o l v e d i n t h i s ca s e a l re a d y k n e w - t h a t t h i s D E F E N D A N T i s s o d e s p e ra t e t h a t h e w i l l s to p a t n o t h i n g , i n c l u d i n g fa b r i c a t i o n of c l a i m s , to a v o i d re s p o n s i b i l i ty to r h i s ow n co n d u ct. W e w i ll n ow g i v e t h i s ca s e to t h e P e n n s y l v a n i a S u p e r i o r C o u rt w i t h o u r re c o m m e n d a t i o n t h a t t h e D E F E N DA N T' s a rg u m e n ts b e re j e ct e d co m p l e t e l y .



### 1 6