J-S16016-16

NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF

PENNSYLVANIA

Appellee

v.

PRINCE ISAAC

Appellant No. 1797 EDA 2015

Appeal from the PCRA Order May 8, 2015

In the Court of Common Pleas of Chester County

Criminal Division at No(s): CP-15-CR-0002120-2007

BEFORE: OTT, J., DUBOW, J., and JENKINS, J. 

MEMORANDUM BY OTT, J.: FILED JULY 19, 2016

Prince Isaac brings this appeal from the order entered May 8, 2015, in 

the Court of Common Pleas of Chester County, that denied his first petition 

filed pursuant to the Pennsylvania Post Conviction Relief Act (PCRA), 42 

Pa.C.S. §§ 9541–9546. A jury convicted Isaac of murder in the first degree 

and conspiracy,1and the trial court sentenced him to life imprisonment. 

Isaac raises numerous claims of appellate counsel’s ineffectiveness. Based 

upon the following, we affirm in part, and vacate in part, and remand for 

further proceedings.

____________________________________________

1 18 Pa.C.S. §§ 2502(a) and 903(a)(2).
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We recount the relevant facts and procedural history as set forth in 

this Court’s decision on direct appeal, and the PCRA court’s opinion, as 

follows:

[Isaac] and his brother and co-conspirator, Shamek Hynson 

[Hynson], had a powerful motive to kill the victim, Omar Reid 

[the victim], on October 18, 2004. The murder was an act of 

retaliation against [the victim] for an incident involving another 

one of their brothers – Ramek Neal -- that took place nearly one 

year earlier. On November 5, 2003, at approximately 10:30 

p.m., Neal and another individual broke into [the victim’s] 

apartment at 416 Victoria Drive, in the Regency Park complex 

located in Coatesville, Chester County, Pennsylvania. Neal 

brandished a pistol while demanding [the victim’s] property. 

[The victim] fought back and in self-defense shot Neal, leaving 

Neal paralyzed from the neck down. This November 2003 

incident was the subject of subsequent family meetings attended 

by both [Isaac] and Hynson. 

On October 18, 2004, at approximately 11:00 p.m., [Isaac] 

drove Hynson to [the victim’s] apartment at 416 Victoria Drive in 

a Kia automobile that had been taken from a couple in 

Lancaster, Pennsylvania, to be used in the murder. Hynson got 

out of the Kia and knocked on [the victim]’s front door. As [the 

victim] opened the door, Hynson asked “are you Omar?” and 

then shot [the victim] six times. Shell casings were ejected from 

Hynson’s pistol and left at the murder scene. [The victim] 

collapsed and died on top of his five-year-old son, who had been 

on the living room floor near the front door. After the shooting, 

[Isaac] gestured to Hynson, from inside the Kia, to “hurry up.” 

This was observed by a witness looking out the window of her 

apartment. Hynson ran to the Kia, which was waiting for him 

with the front passenger’s door open. After Hynson got into the 

Kia, he closed the door, and [Isaac] sped away from the scene. 

A police officer happened to be driving into the Regency Park 

complex when a 911 dispatcher advised him of the shooting. The 

officer spotted the Kia and gave chase. During the chase, the 

murder weapon -- a Hi-Point .380 -- was thrown from the car 

into the brush next to a railroad track. Due to the wet roadway, 

[Isaac] lost control and crashed the Kia into a ditch. [Isaac] and 
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Hynson fled in different directions, and neither was apprehended 

by police at that time. 

Other individuals in [Isaac’s] Buick Riviera (another getaway 

vehicle) had been waiting, as planned, near the Regency Park 

complex and observed the police chasing the Kia to the location 

in Coatesville where [Isaac] had earlier switched from driving his 

own car, the Buick, and begun driving the Kia. They picked up 

Hynson, and Hynson told them that he had “just shot a man,” 

that he and [Isaac] were being chased, and that [Isaac] was still 

running from the police. Hynson and others then drove around 

Coatesville looking for [Isaac] and trying to find the gun that had 

been “tossed” during the getaway chase. Neither [Isaac] nor the 

gun was located, so they visited Ramek Neal to advise him of 

what happened and then returned to Lancaster. [Isaac] also 

made his way back to Lancaster. When he arrived, he was wet, 

he had a gash on his head, and his clothing was ripped. [Isaac] 

told his friends that, while being chased by the police, he had 

crashed the Kia and then had to run on foot.

[Isaac’s] fingerprints were found on the interior driver’s door 

window of the crashed Kia. DNA testing confirmed the presence 

of Hynson’s blood on the interior passenger’s side of the Kia. 

Gunshot residue was also found inside the Kia. The murder 

weapon was found almost a year later by a woman walking her 

dog near the railroad tracks along [Isaac’s] escape route. That 

weapon was traced back to a straw purchase in North Carolina 

made by Tolanda Williams, the mother of Hynson’s child. 

Williams testified that during the week before the murder, she 

went with [Isaac] and Hynson to several pawn and gun shops in 

[Isaac’s] Buick, to be the straw purchaser of guns. The tag 

number of [Isaac’s] Buick was written down by one of the shop 

owners who became suspicious of one of the transactions. 

During cross-examination, the gun shop owner identified [Isaac] 

as the driver of the Buick. The Hi-Point .380 murder weapon was 

also used by Hynson to shoot Edward Cameron in Lancaster at 

approximately 4:30 p.m. on October 18, 2004 -- less than seven 

hours before [the victim] was murdered in Coatesville. Shell 

casings from the two shootings were all matched to the Hi-Point 

.380 found along the escape route. Cell phone records indicated 

that [Isaac’s] cell phone was active and used in the Coatesville 

area during and after the time of the murder.
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Commonwealth v. Isaac, 46 A.3d 830 (Pa. Super. 2012) (unpublished 

memorandum, at 1–2, quoting Trial Court Opinion, 10/26/09, at 1-4), 

appeal denied, 50 A.3d 125 (Pa. 2012). Police arrested Isaac on April 11, 

2006, and charged him with murder of the first degree, murder of the third 

degree, criminal conspiracy to aid and engage in homicide, and other related 

offenses.2

... On July 1, 2009, after a six day trial in which he represented 

himself with standby counsel, a jury convicted [Isaac] of murder 

in the first degree [and conspiracy] in the death of Mr. Reid. 

[Isaac’s] brother, Shamek Hynson, pled guilty to Mr. Reid’s 

murder in a separate proceeding. On July 8, 2009, [Isaac] was 

sentenced to life in prison. The Pennsylvania Superior Court 

affirmed his judgment of sentence on February 29, 2012. On 

August 13, 2012, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court denied his 

petition for allowance of appeal. [See Commonwealth v. 

Isaac, 46 A.3d 830 (Pa. Super. 2012), appeal denied, 50 A.3d 

125 (Pa. 2012).]

On November 12, 2013, represented by new counsel, [Isaac] 

filed a PCRA petition in which he raised seven claims of appellate 

counsel ineffectiveness. The Commonwealth subsequently filed 

its answer to [Isaac’s] petition, and on October 16, 2014, we 

held a PCRA hearing on [Isaac’s] claims.

PCRA Court Opinion, 5/8/2015, at 1–2 (“Factual and Procedural History”). 

At the October 16, 2014, hearing, PCRA counsel “argued one claim of 

appellate counsel ineffectiveness and rested on the contents of his PCRA 

petition for the other six claims.” PRCA Court Opinion, 5/8/2015, at 2. The 

certified record does not contain a transcript for the October 16, 2014 

____________________________________________

2 See 18 Pa.C.S. §§ 2502(a), 2502(c), and 903(a)(1), (a)(2), respectively. 
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hearing. Isaac states in his brief that “[t]he lower court held a hearing on 

October 16, 2014 where no additional evidence was presented.” Isaac’s Brief 

at 34. On May 8, 2015, the PCRA court denied relief, and this appeal 

followed.3

Isaac raises the following issues for our review:

A. Was appellate counsel constitutionally ineffective for 

failing to raise on direct appeal, or in her Statement of 

Errors Claimed of on Appeal, that [Isacc’s] waiver of his 

state and federal constitutional right to counsel was not 

knowing, intelligent, or voluntary, because the trial court 

conducted a constitutionally defective oral and written 

colloquy by failing to apprise [Isaac] of the elements of 

the offenses, failing to assure petitioner understood those 

rights to which he expressly denied understanding, and 

failing to receive a signed sufficiently detailed written 

waiver?

B. Was appellate counsel ineffective for failing to properly 

raise on direct appeal that the trial court abused its 

discretion in permitting the Commonwealth to introduce 

evidence relating to Tolanda Williams’ purchase of 

weapons for Shamek Hynson and [Issac] other than the 

murder weapon (the .380), and permitting the testimony 

of Joseph LaJueunesse, as the purchases and the facts 

surrounding those purchases were not relevant for Rule 

404(b) purposes, were duplicative of other evidence 

introduced, and the prejudicial effect substantially 

outweighed the probative value?

C. Was appellate counsel ineffective for failing to properly 

raise on appeal that the trial court erred in prohibiting the 

admission of Michael Fowler’s admission to Gregory 

Stacey and Taquan Isaac that he (Fowler) and Shamek 

____________________________________________

3

Isaac timely complied with the PCRA court’s order to file a concise 

statement, pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b).
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Hynson killed Omar Reid as an exception to hearsay 

under Pennsylvania Rule of Evidence 804(b)(3)?

D. Was appellate counsel ineffective for failing to raise on 

appeal that the trial court erred in permitting the 

Commonwealth to introduce [Isaac’s] statements to 

Lindsay Colon that [Isaac] “persuasive[ly]” told her to 

“plead the Fifth” when testifying against him because the 

statement was not relevant and unduly prejudicial as it 

was made in reference to a criminal matter unrelated to 

the instant charges, and the trial court failed to require a 

proper foundation as to its relevance over [Isaac’s] 

objection.

E. Was appellate counsel ineffective for failing to raise in her 

1925(b) Statement of Errors Complained of on Appeal 

that the trial court abused its discretion by permitting the 

Commonwealth to impeach Michael Fowler with extrinsic 

evidence of an unadopted and unsworn summary written 

by a police officer of statements allegedly made during a 

proffer discussion?

F. Was appellate counsel ineffective for failing to raise on 

appeal that the prosecutor committed misconduct during 

the closing argument by characterizing [Isaac] as a 

“player” and positing his guilt by association with the 

unrelated crimes of his witnesses, which independently 

and in the aggregate inflamed the passions of the jury 

causing undue prejudice?

G. Did appellate counsel’s cumulative errors in failing to 

raise all of the above claims result in prejudice as the 

result of the trial would have been different if the trial 

court had not committed the errors alleged?

Isaac’s Brief at 5–7.

Our standard of review of the 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. Conway, 14 A.3d 101, 108 (Pa. Super. 2011). This 
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Court grants great deference to the findings of the PCRA court if the record 

contains any support for those findings. Commonwealth v. Boyd, 923 A.2d 

513, 515 (Pa. Super. 2007). 

Isaac first argues appellate counsel was ineffective in failing to 

properly raise on direct appeal that the trial court’s waiver of counsel 

colloquy was constitutionally defective and that his waiver of counsel was 

not knowing, intelligent, and voluntary. Isaac contends the trial court 

conducted a constitutionally defective oral and written colloquy by failing to 

apprise Isaac of the elements of the offenses, failing to assure Isaac 

understood those rights which he expressly denied understanding, and 

failing to receive a signed sufficiently detailed written waiver. Isaac argues 

appellate counsel was ineffective because the challenge to his waiver of trial 

counsel was solely on the basis that he was incompetent to do so.

Even though Isaac’s appellate brief presented the claim, as follows: 

“Whether the Defendant was denied his right to a fair trial when the Court 

granted Defendant’s motion to Waive Counsel and to Proceed in Propria 

Persona,”4this Court found waiver. This Court stated:

The next issue presented is whether the trial court erred in 

granting appellant’s request to waive counsel and proceed in 

propria persona. In his Rule 1925(b) statement, appellant 

claimed that the court “relied on his technical legal knowledge and 

courtroom skill and not his competency to stand trial.” (See

____________________________________________

4 Commonwealth v. Isaac, 46 A.3d 830 (Pa. Super. 2012) (unpublished 

memorandum, at 6, citing Isaac’s Brief at 7)
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docket #148.) We find this issue to be waived as it is raised for 

the first time on appeal. See Pa.R.A.P. 302(a) (issues not raised 

in the lower court are waived and cannot be raised for the first 

time on appeal). Appellant did not object to proceeding pro se 

either prior to or during the time of trial. Nor has appellant 

challenged the validity of the waiver itself by suggesting 

that the trial court’s colloquy was defective. Instead, he 

has lodged an objection at the time of appeal based solely 

on his competency.

Commonwealth v. Isaac, 46 A.3d 830 (Pa. Super. 2012) (unpublished 

memorandum, at 10) (emphasis supplied). 

The Commonwealth takes the position the issue has been “previously 

litigated” in this Court and, therefore, should be dismissed. See 

Commonwealth Brief at 15, citing 42 Pa.C.S. § 9543(a)(3).5 However, we 

are not persuaded by the Commonwealth’s argument. On direct appeal 

Isaac challenged his self-representation by framing the issue in the concise 

statement as “his competency to stand trial” — a distinctly separate issue 

from the waiver of counsel colloquy claim. This Court pointed out that Isaac 

had not challenged the colloquy as defective. Since Isaac could have raised 

the issue of the colloquy on direct appeal, see Commonwealth v. Davido, 

____________________________________________

5 Section 9545(a)(3) requires that in order to be eligible for relief, a 

petitioner must show that “the allegation of error has not been previously 

litigated or waived.” 42 Pa.C.S. § 9545(a)(3). See also 42 Pa.C.S. § 

9544(a)(2), (a)(3) (an issue has been previously litigated if “the highest 

appellate court in which the petitioner could have had review as a matter of 

right has ruled on the merits of the issue; or it has been raised and decided 

in a proceeding collaterally attacking the conviction or sentence.”).
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868 A.2d 431, 437–438 (Pa. 2005),6the issue has been waived and cannot 

be litigated in a PCRA petition. See 42 Pa.C.S. § 9544(b) (issues are waived 

for purposes of PCRA review if the petitioner could have raised them on 

appeal). Nevertheless, Isaac’s claim that appellate counsel was ineffective 

for failing to raise the issue on direct appeal is not waived. A claim of trial 

court error is different from a collateral claim of ineffectiveness of appellate 

counsel for failure to raise and preserve the issue for direct review. See 

Commonwealth v. Collins, 888 A.2d 564, 571 (Pa. 2005). Therefore, we 

will proceed to consider Isaac’s claim of appellate counsel’s ineffectiveness 

for failing to challenge the waiver of counsel colloquy on direct appeal.

To obtain relief on a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, a PCRA 

petitioner must satisfy the performance and prejudice test set forth in 

Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687 (1984). This Court has 

applied the Strickland test by looking to the following three elements that 

must be satisfied: (1) the underlying claim has arguable merit; (2) counsel 

had no reasonable basis for his actions or failure to act; and (3) the PCRA 

petitioner suffered prejudice as a result of counsel's error, with prejudice 

measured by whether there is a reasonable probability that the result of the 

____________________________________________

6

In Davido, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that “it is up to the trial 

court, and not counsel, to ensure that a colloquy is performed if the 

defendant has invoked his right to self-representation.” 868 A.2d at 437. 

The Davido Court held that the issue of an insufficient waiver of counsel 

colloquy could be raised on direct appeal and did not have to be raised as an 

ineffective assistance of counsel claim. Id. at 437–438.
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proceeding would have been different. Commonwealth v. Pierce, 527 

A.2d 973, 975 (Pa. 1987). Counsel is presumed to have rendered effective 

assistance. Commonwealth v. Montalvo, 986 A.2d 84, 102 (Pa. 2009). 

To succeed on a stand-alone claim of appellate counsel’s ineffectiveness, a 

PCRA petitioner must demonstrate that appellate counsel was ineffective in 

the manner by which he litigated the claim on appeal. Commonwealth v. 

Koehler, 36 A.3d 121, 142 (Pa. 2012). 

Isaac argues that if appellate counsel adequately raised the waiver of 

counsel colloquy issue on direct appeal, this Court would have awarded him 

a new trial. See Isaac’s Brief, at 45. 

Pennsylvania Rule of Criminal Procedure 121 sets out the framework 

for inquiry into a defendant’s request for self-representation. The Rule 

states, in relevant part:

(A)(2) To ensure that the defendant’s waiver of the right to 

counsel is knowing, voluntary, and intelligent, the judge or 

issuing authority, at a minimum, shall elicit the following 

information from the defendant:

(a) that the defendant understands that he or she has 

the right to be represented by counsel, and the right to 

have free counsel appointed if the defendant is indigent;

(b) that the defendant understands the nature of the 

charges against the defendant and the elements of each 

of those charges;

(c) that the defendant is aware of the permissible range 

of sentences and/or fines for the offenses charged;
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(d) that the defendant understands that if he or she 

waives the right to counsel, the defendant will still be 

bound by all the normal rules of procedure and that 

counsel would be familiar with these rules;

(e) that the defendant understands that there are 

possible defenses to these charges that counsel might be 

aware of, and if these defenses are not raised at trial, 

they may be lost permanently; and

(f) that the defendant understands that, in addition to 

defenses, the defendant has many rights that, if not 

timely asserted, may be lost permanently; and that if 

errors occur and are not timely objected to, or otherwise 

timely raised by the defendant, these errors may be lost 

permanently.

Pa. R. Crim. P. 121(A)(2).

Turning to the facts of the present case, on September 18, 2008, Isaac 

filed in open court a pro se “motion to waive counsel and proceed in propria 

persona.” Two oral colloquies followed. At the first colloquy on September 

18, 2008, the trial court questioned Isaac by following a written colloquy 

form. Isaac stated on the record that he did not know the elements of the 

offenses, and the trial court ultimately decided that Isaac should continue 

with his counsel, but left the issue open for Isaac to raise in the future. See 

N.T., 9/18/2008, at 61–62. Thereafter, Isaac moved to proceed pro se on 

October 2, 2008. When the court attempted to question Isaac again by 

following the written colloquy form,7Isaac acted in a contumacious manner 

____________________________________________

7

Isaac did not sign a written colloquy form.
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and replied to the court’s questions with irrelevant answers such as “these 

proceedings are void,” and “I stand by my affidavit of specific negative 

averment.” The colloquy ended with the trial court granting Isaac’s request 

to represent himself and allowing Isaac to waive counsel and proceed pro 

se.

8

 See N.T., 10/2/2008 at 29. However, “although the colloquies were 

extensive, [the trial court] did not specifically list for [Isaac] each element of 

each of the charges against him.” PCRA Court Opinion, 5/8/2015, at 4–5.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has indicated that it is “the trial 

judge who [is] ultimately responsible for ensuring that the defendant is 

questioned about the six areas discussed above and for determining whether 

the defendant was indeed making an informed and independent decision to 

waive counsel.” Davido, supra, 868 A.2d at 437 (quotations and citation 

omitted). Likewise, it is the trial judge who has “the duty to ensure that a 

defendant’s right to counsel was protected.” Id. (quotations and citations 

omitted). Once a defendant expresses a desire to represent himself, the

“[f]ailure to conduct a thorough on-the-record colloquy before allowing a 

defendant to proceed to trial pro se constitutes reversible error.” 

Commonwealth v. Houtz, 856 A.2d 119, 124 (Pa. Super. 2004) (citation 

omitted) (vacating judgment of sentence where trial court’s waiver of 

____________________________________________

8 The trial court appointed the two attorneys representing Isaac as stand by 

counsel. See N.T., 10/08/2009, at 29.
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counsel colloquy did not ensure appellant understood, inter alia, the nature 

and elements of the charges and the range of penalties the court could 

impose).

The trial court must “cover all of the areas set forth in the comment to 

Rule 121, to ascertain whether Appellant was executing a knowing, 

voluntary and intelligent waiver of counsel.” Houtz, supra at 130. 

“Regardless of the defendant’s prior experience with the justice system, a 

penetrating and comprehensive colloquy is mandated.” Id. at 124 (citation 

omitted). “[W]e may not apply a totality analysis to a waiver of counsel 

colloquy.” Commonwealth v. Payson, 723 A.2d 695, 704 (Pa. Super. 

1999). Furthermore, “the appointment of standby counsel does not 

eliminate or alter [Rule 121’s] requirement.” Commonwealth v. Brazil, 

701 A.2d 216, 219 (Pa. 1997). 

In Commonwealth v. Clyburn, 42 A.3d 296 (Pa. Super. 2012), this 

Court held that Clyburn’s waiver of her right to counsel was inadequate and 

awarded her a new trial where the trial court did not “specify the charges 

brought against [Clyburn] and the elements of each of those charges.” Id. 

at 301. This Court, in a footnote, rejected the Commonwealth’s argument 

that the defendant could not prevail because she had failed to establish how 
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she was prejudiced by lack of counsel.9 Clyburn was decided on February 

27, 2012, two days before this Court affirmed Isaac’s judgment of sentence.

Isaac asserts he “correctly argues precisely what the appellant argued 

in Clyburn, that the waiver was not knowing, intelligent and voluntary 

because the colloquy was ineffective.” Isaac’s Brief at 47. Isaac maintains 

____________________________________________

9 The Clyburn Court opined:

Relying upon Commonwealth v. Meehan, 427 Pa. Super. 261, 

628 A.2d 1151, 1159 (Pa. Super. 1993), Commonwealth v. 

Davis, 393 Pa. Super. 88, 573 A.2d 1101, 1108 n.7 (Pa. Super. 

1990), Commonwealth v. Bastone, 321 Pa. Super. 232, 467 

A.2d 1339, 1341 (Pa. Super. 1983), and Commonwealth v. 

Carver, 292 Pa. Super. 177, 436 A.2d 1209, 1211 (Pa. Super. 

1981), the Commonwealth argues that Appellant is not entitled 

to relief because she fails to establish how she was prejudiced by 

the lack of counsel. See Commonwealth’s Brief at 11 n.2. We 

conclude these cases are inapposite because they involve 

matters with different procedural postures. Both Meehan and 

Davis were on appeal under the Post Conviction Relief Act 

("PCRA"), 42 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 9541-9546. The cases of Bastone

and Carver involved matters where counsel was not present at 

the preliminary hearing stages.

****

Our research has revealed there is no need for a showing of 

prejudice when a defendant proceeded to trial without a legally 

sufficient waiver of her constitutional right to counsel. See 

Commonwealth v. Brazil, 549 Pa. 321, 701 A.2d 216 (1997)

(granting new trial for defective waiver colloquy without 

analyzing whether the appellant suffered prejudice); Houtz, 856 

A.2d at 130 (same). See also Payson, 723 A.2d at 704 (“[A]ny

shortcoming relative to this colloquy cannot be gauged to the 

quality of an accused’s self-representation nor justified on the 

basis of his prior experience with the system.”).

Id. at 302 n.3.
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that he must show “that counsel was deficient in failing to raise the 

meritorious claim, and that this Court would have vacated his conviction on 

direct appeal if not for counsel’s failure [and h]e succeeds on both prongs.” 

Id. Given that the trial court’s colloquy in this case did not specify the 

elements of each of the charged offenses and that this Court stated Isaac 

failed to raise the issue of validity of the waiver of counsel colloquy, we 

conclude Isaac’s claim has arguable merit.

It is significant, however, that the posture of this case differs from 

Clyburn. Due to the discrepancy between Isaac’s counseled Rule 1925(b) 

claim, which challenged “competency,” and the issue raised by counsel on 

appeal, namely, a challenge to the court’s grant of Isaac’s motion to waive 

counsel, we are presented with a PCRA claim of ineffective assistance of 

counsel for waiving the issue of the adequacy of the Rule 121 colloquy, as 

opposed to a preserved issue challenging the colloquy as in Clyburn. As 

such, appellate counsel’s manner of litigating the direct appeal is directly at 

issue. However, the record does not reveal appellate counsel’s reasoning 

since no witnesses testified at the PCRA hearing.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has instructed that “a lawyer should 

not be held ineffective without first having an opportunity to address the 

accusation in some fashion.” Commonwealth v. Colavita, 993 A.2d 874, 

895 (Pa. 2010). “The fact that an appellate court, reviewing a cold trial 

record, cannot prognosticate a reasonable basis for a particular failure to 
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raise a plausible objection does not necessarily prove that an objectively 

reasonable basis was lacking.” Id. at 896, quoting Commonwealth v. 

Spotz, 870 A.2d 822, 832 (Pa. 2005). 

We conclude that appellate counsel must have the opportunity to state 

her reasons for the course of action taken when she filed the Rule 1925(b) 

statement.10 Accordingly, we hold that an evidentiary hearing is necessary 

to develop the record for this claim. Further, as we are remanding for a 

hearing concerning the existence of a reasonable basis for counsel’s actions, 

the PCRA court should make any assessment of prejudice in the first 

instance. See Spotz, at 835. 

Our discussion, however, does not end here, since Isaac has raised 

various other claims of appellate counsel’s ineffectiveness. Therefore, we 

will address these claims sequentially. We reiterate that under the Pierce

test a petitioner must show: 1) the underlying claim is of arguable merit; 2) 

no reasonable basis existed for counsel’s action or inaction; and 3) counsel’s 

error caused prejudice such that there is a reasonable probability that the 

result of the proceeding would have been different absent such error. 

Pierce, supra, 527 A.2d at 975. 

____________________________________________

10 We note that Clyburn was not issued until after appellate counsel had 

filed Isaac’s Rule 1925(b) statement and that the Clyburn Court specifically 

addressed the issue of prejudice in a footnote to its decision.
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In the second issue, Isaac claims appellate counsel was ineffective in 

failing to challenge on direct appeal the trial court’s evidentiary ruling 

permitting the Commonwealth to introduce evidence relating to Tolanda 

Williams’ straw purchase of weapons for Shamek Hynson and Isaac, and 

permitting the testimony of Joseph LaJueunesse. 

By way of background, the PCRA court explained:

Tolanda Williams is the mother of Shamek Hynson’s child. At 

trial she testified that on October 14, 2004, she purchased the 

[.380] gun used in the murder of Omar Reid for Shamek 

Hynson. She also testified about other straw purchases of 

firearms that she made for Hynson, and for [Isaac], on October 

15, 2004. 

PCRA Court Opinion, 5/8/2015, at 10 (record citations omitted). 11 

Isaac argues the evidence concerning his purchase of guns other than 

the murder weapon was irrelevant and inadmissible. We disagree.

“The admissibility of evidence is within the sound discretion of the trial 

court, and we will not disturb an evidentiary ruling absent an abuse of that 

discretion. Commonwealth v. Arrington, 86 A.3d 831, 842 (Pa. 2014).

____________________________________________

11 We note that although Isaac’s argument, as stated, references the 

testimony of Joseph LaJeunesse, Isaac does not specifically mention 

LaJeunesse in his discussion of this ineffectiveness issue. LaJeunesse, owner 

of the Varmint Hunters Den in South Carolina, testified that on October 15, 

2004, Williams and several men came into his store. He stated Williams 

bought a Tec-22, while three males waited for her in a Buick Riviera. On 

cross-examination by Isaac, LaJeunesse identified Isaac as the driver of the 

Buick. See N.T. 6/23/2009, at 153–169.
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Pennsylvania Rule of Evidence 404, governing the admission of “prior 

bad acts,” provides, in relevant part:

(b) Other crimes, wrongs, or acts.

(1) Evidence of other crimes, wrongs, or acts is not 

admissible to prove the character of a person in order to 

show action in conformity therewith.

(2) Evidence of other crimes, wrongs, or acts may be 

admitted for other purposes, such as proof of motive, 

opportunity, intent, preparation, plan, knowledge, identity 

or absence of mistake or accident.

(3) Evidence of other crimes, wrongs, or acts proffered 

under subsection (b)(2) of this rule may be admitted in a 

criminal case only upon a showing that the 

probative value of the evidence outweighs its potential 

for prejudice.

Pa.R.E. Rule 404(b)(1)-(3). “If such evidence is admitted, the trial court 

must instruct the jury as to the limited purpose for which they may consider 

the evidence of a defendant’s prior bad acts.” Commonwealth v. Davis, 

737 A.2d 792, 796 (Pa. Super. 1999) (citation omitted).

Here, the PCRA court, citing Pa.R.E. 404(b), rejected Isaac’s 

argument, opining:

Instantly, the challenged evidence was properly admitted for the 

limited purpose of showing opportunity and possession of the 

murder weapon, and [Isaac’s] joint action with Shamek Hynson 

related to the firearm. In addition, the admission was subject to 

cautionary instructions to the jury. Twice, the Court instructed 

the jury it was not to regard this testimony as evidence of 

[Isaac’s] bad character or his criminal tendencies, but rather 

only for the limited purpose previously outlined.
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PCRA Court Opinion, 5/8/2015, at 10–11 (record citations omitted). We 

agree with the Rule 404(b) analysis of the PCRA court and its conclusion that 

Isaac’s claim is without merit. See e.g., Commonwealth v. Briggs, 12 

A.2d 291 (Pa. 2011) (testimony of appellant’s previous purchase of gun that 

was not the murder weapon admissible because it constituted part of the 

sequence of events forming the history of this case). Accordingly, his claim 

of appellate counsel’s ineffectiveness for failing to raise this issue on appeal 

must fail.

In his third claim, Isaac contends appellate counsel was ineffective for 

failing to challenge the trial court’s evidentiary ruling that prohibited 

evidence regarding Michael Fowler’s admission that he and Shamek Hynson 

killed Omar Reid as an exception to hearsay under Pennsylvania Rule of 

Evidence 804(b)(3).

At the time of trial, Pa.R.E. 804(b)(3) provided:

(b) Hearsay Exceptions. The following statements, as 

hereinafter defined, are not excluded by the hearsay rule if the 

declarant is unavailable as a witness:

* * *

(3) Statements against interest. A statement which was at 

the time of its making so far contrary to the declarant’s 

pecuniary or proprietary interest, or so far tended to subject the 

declarant to civil or criminal liability, or to render invalid a claim 

by the declarant against another, that a reasonable person in the 

declarant’s position would not have made the statement unless 

believing it to be true. In a criminal case, a statement tending to 

expose the declarant to criminal liability is not admissible unless 

corroborating circumstances clearly indicate the trustworthiness 

of the statement.
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Pa.R.E. 804(b)(3).

By way of background, Fowler testified for the defense. On cross 

examination by the prosecutor, Fowler testified, “I don’t remember none of 

this. I don’t remember me saying the statement [to police].” N.T., 

6/29/2009, at 943. Thereafter, Isaac attempted to elicit testimony from 

defense witnesses Gregory Stacey and Taquan Isaac, who is Isaac’s 

cousin,12 that Fowler had confessed to this murder when they were 

incarcerated together. The prosecutor objected and the trial court precluded 

the testimony. See N.T., 6/29/2009, at 967, 970–971. 

The next day, the trial court again considered Rule 804(b)(3), and 

allowed Isaac to make a proffer from Taquan Isaac regarding Fowler’s 

alleged admission. Despite the fact that Fowler had testified, the trial court 

found that Fowler was “unavailable” based upon lack of memory, thereby 

meeting the unavailability requirement of Rule 804(b). See N.T., 

6/30/2009, at 1023. However, the trial court determined that Fowler’s 

purported admission did not meet the trustworthiness requirement of Rule 

804(b)(3), and was therefore inadmissible. Id. at 1030.

Having reviewed Taquan Isaac’s proferred testimony, we find no 

arguable merit in Isaac’s claim of trial court error. As the trial court noted 

from Taquan’s testimony, Fowler’s statement to Taquon that “they took care 

____________________________________________

12 See N.T., 6/29/2009, at 973. 
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of that,” was a “[p]retty broad statement.” N.T., 6/30/2009, at 1028. 

Furthermore, although Isaac argued to the court following the proffer that 

Fowler was good friends with Taquon and would confide in him, Taquon’s 

proffer did not specify his relationship with Fowler and explain why Fowler 

would admit to Taquon that he was culpable for the murder that had 

resulted in the conviction of Taquon’s cousin, Isaac. See Commonwealth 

v. Yarris, 731 A.2d 581, 591–592 (Pa. 1999) (Rule 804(b)(3) corroborating

circumstances lacking where the witness recalled only limited details of the 

declarant’s alleged confession, did not know the alleged declarant very well, 

and could not explain why the declarant would offer a confession to her). 

Accordingly, this claim and the related ineffectiveness claim fail.

In the fourth issue, Isaac contends appellate counsel was ineffective 

for failing to challenge the trial court’s evidentiary ruling that allowed the 

Commonwealth to introduce Isaac’s statements to Lindsay Colon that he 

“persuasive[ly]” told her to “plead the fifth.” Isaac’s Brief at 65. Isaac 

contends Colon’s testimony was irrelevant and no foundation was laid to 

establish its relevance. Specifically, Isaac argues that his statement to 

Colon was made in reference to his Federal case, in which she was also a 

witness. Isaac maintains the court’s suggestion that he could cross-examine 

Colon on the relevance of the statement would force him to introduce his 

unrelated criminal record to the jury.

Here, on direct examination, Colon testified:
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Q Again, Ms. Colon, during 2006 and 2007, did you have 

conversations with [Isaac] about you testifying against him?

A Yes.

Q And what did he say to you about that?

A That I could possibly plead the Fifth.

Q And how was he saying this to you?

A Just persuasive.

Q Was he trying to persuade you?

A Yes.

N.T., 6/24/2009, at 438. On cross examination, regarding this issue, Isaac 

asked Colon, “Did I tell you to plead the Fifth in this case,” to which Colon 

responded “No.” Id. at 483.

“[A]ny attempt by a defendant to interfere with a witness’s testimony 

is admissible to show a defendant’s consciousness of guilt.” 

Commonwealth v. Rega, 933 A.2d 997, 1009 (Pa. Super. 2007). As the 

criminal complaint against Isaac was filed on April 11, 2006, the 

Commonwealth established a proper foundation by showing that the 

conversations occurred during 2006-2007, and relevancy by showing that 

the conversations involved Isaac’s coaching Colon regarding her testifying 

against him. On this record, we conclude Isaac’s argument that the trial 

court abused its discretion in admitting Isaac’s statements encouraging 

Colon to “plead the Fifth” lacks arguable merit. Accordingly, Isaac’s claim of 

appellate counsel’s ineffectiveness warrants no relief.
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In the fifth issue, Isaac contends appellate counsel was ineffective for 

failing to challenge on direct appeal the trial court’s ruling that permitted the 

Commonwealth to impeach defense witness Michael Fowler with extrinsic 

evidence of an unsigned and unverified police statement. Isaac relies on 

Commonwealth v. Simmons, 622 A.2d 621 (Pa. 1995), stating:

In Simmons, our Supreme Court declared: “A written report 

which is only a summary of the words of the victim and not 

verbatim notes from the victim cannot be used to impeach the 

victim on cross examination since it would be unfair to allow a 

witness to be impeached on a police officer’s interpretation of 

what was said rather than the witness’ verbatim words.” Id. at 

631[.]

Isaac’s Brief at 68. Isaac maintains “[t]he trial court erred in permitting 

impeachment through Michael Fowler’s alleged statement which was neither 

his statement, nor signed nor adopted by him. The purported statement 

was only a summary written after the fact by Detective Winters. It was not 

verbatim and not his statement.” Id. at 68.

At trial, Isaac brought up Fowler’s March, 2006, statement to police 

during his direct examination of Fowler. He asked Fowler if he recalled 

making a statement in March, 2006, to detectives. See N.T., 6/29/2009, at 

928. Fowler answered, “No. I remember making a statement in [20]04.” 

Id. 

On cross-examination, the Commonwealth asked Fowler about his 

March, 2006 meeting with detectives. The following exchange occurred:
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Q March 8th, 2006 you told detectives from Lancaster City 

Detectives that you went down to Coatsville on October 18th of 

2004 in two cars; isn’t that correct?

A. No.

Q. You told them that in one car was Prince Isaac, Shamek 

Hynson and yourself, correct?

A. No. I never been to Coatesville.

MR. ISAAC: Objection. At this time I ask 

Commonwealth produce the statement to show the 

defendant- - I mean, excuse me, the witness.

THE COURT: Fair enough.

MR. BARRAZA: Certainly.

THE COURT: Exhibit number please?

MR. BARRAZA: This was marked number 94, Your Honor.

BY MR. BARRAZA:

Q. Mr. Fowler, is that the police report of the interview you had 

with Lancaster City detectives on March 8, 2006?

A. Yes, that’s a police report. 

Q. That’s the date you met with Detective Switzer and Detective 

Winters; isn’t that correct?

A. I’m not sure.

Q. But you did meet with them?

A. I did meet with them.

Q. Yes. And you spoke with them about the incidents of October 

18, 2004; isn’t that correct?

A. I’m not sure.
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Q. And you told them that you went to Coatesville on October 

18, 2004 in two vehicles; isn’t that correct?

A. Never been to Coatesville.

Q. You told them that in one vehicle -- Prince Isaac, Shamek 

Hynson and Michael Fowler were in one vehicle; isn’t that 

correct?

A. That’s not correct.

Q. In the other vehicle was Lindsay, Shanika?

MR. ISAAC: Your Honor, I object at this time. This is 

improper impeachment. Witness did not sign the 

statement. Witness says he doesn’t recall. This is 

improper. 

N.T. 6/29/2009, at 936–938 (emphasis added). Thereafter, the trial court 

permitted the Commonwealth to cross examine Fowler on the police 

statement. 

We find no arguable merit in Isaac’s claim. The fallacy of Isaac’s 

argument is that the Commonwealth, in questioning Fowler about his prior 

inconsistent statement, did not attempt to introduce the police document to 

impeach him. See Pa.R.E. 613(a) (“A witness may be examined concerning 

a prior inconsistent statement made by a witness to impeach the witness’s 

credibility.”). Rather, the introduction of the extrinsic evidence of the police 

statement resulted from Isaac’s request that the Commonwealth show 

Fowler the document during the Commonwealth’s cross-examination of 

Fowler. Isaac himself opened the door to the Commonwealth’s questioning 

Fowler in this context. Therefore, we conclude there is no arguable merit in 
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Isaac’s claim of trial court error. It follows that his claim of appellate 

counsel’s ineffectiveness fails.

In his penultimate issue, Isaac contends that appellate counsel was 

ineffective for failing to raise on direct appeal the claim that “the prosecutor 

committed misconduct by calling [Isaac] a ‘player’ and positing his guilt by 

association with the unrelated crimes of his witnesses.” Isaac’s Brief at 71. 

When the issue of prosecutorial misconduct is raised on direct appeal,

our inquiry “center[s] on whether the defendant was deprived of 

a fair trial, not deprived of a perfect trial.” Commonwealth v. 

LaCava, 542 Pa. 160, 666 A.2d 221, 231 (Pa. 1995) (citing 

Commonwealth v. Holloway, 524 Pa. 342, 572 A.2d 687, 693 

(Pa. 1990)). It is well-settled that a “prosecutor must be free to 

present his or her arguments with logical force and vigor.”

Commonwealth v. Hutchinson, 611 Pa. 280, 25 A.3d 277, 

306 (Pa. 2011). Comments grounded upon the evidence or 

reasonable inferences therefrom are not objectionable, nor are 

comments that constitute “oratorical flair.” Id. at 307. 

Furthermore, the prosecution must be permitted to respond to 

defense counsel’s arguments. Id. Consequently, this Court has 

permitted vigorous prosecutorial advocacy provided that “there 

is a reasonable basis in the record for the [prosecutor's] 

comments.” Commonwealth v. Robinson, 581 Pa. 154, 864 

A.2d 460, 516-17 (Pa. 2004). A prosecutor’s remarks do not 

constitute reversible error unless their unavoidable effect would 

prejudice the jurors, forming in their minds fixed bias and 

hostility toward the defendant so that they could not weigh the 

evidence objectively and render a true verdict. Commonwealth 

v. Bond, 539 Pa. 299, 652 A.2d 308, 315 (Pa. 1995). Finally, we 

review the allegedly improper remarks in the context of the 

closing argument as a whole. LaCava, 666 A.2d at 235.

Commonwealth v. Sneed, 45 A.3d 1096, 1109–1110 (Pa. 2012).

The first alleged instance of prosecutorial misconduct occurred during 

the closing when the prosecutor was discussing Isaac’s testimony:
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MR. CONTE: ... We already know that Mr. Isaac is by his own 

admission a liar. This isn’t me saying it. It’s the defendant 

saying it. ...

****

He is not even honest in his personal life. He testified that he 

had I think if I can remember the number at least four girlfriends 

at least. That was –

MR. ISAAC: Objection, Your Honor. There was no testimony 

that I had four girlfriends.

MR. CONTE: Well, let’s say four different women in at least two 

different states. I guess it is a question of semantics –

girlfriends, women. You know what they call someone who has 

women everywhere? They call him a player. They call him a 

player.

MR. ISAAC: Objection, Your Honor. That’s not in evidence.

THE COURT: It’s argument, sir. Objection is overruled.

N.T., 7/1/2009, at 1358, 1362. The second alleged instance of prosecutorial 

misconduct occurred during the closing, as follows:

MR. CONTE: The defendant stood up here for most of his closing 

argument and did everything he could to assassinate the 

character of those witnesses. Who do you think witnesses in [a] 

case like this are going to be? Think about that. You think I’m 

going to parade a guidance counsellor, veterinarian, school 

teacher as witnesses? Are those the type of people that 

associated with the defendant?

Id., at 1387.

Based on our review of the prosecutor’s closing, we agree with the 

PCRA court that neither comment was improper. The “player” comment is 

plainly oratorical flair. In addition, the prosecutor’s argument regarding the 

Commonwealth’s witnesses who were associated with Isaac was fair 
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response to Isaac’s closing argument attacking those witnesses. As such, 

this issue is lacking in arguable merit and cannot support an ineffectiveness 

claim.

Finally, Isaac claims that appellate counsel’s cumulative errors in 

failing to raise all of the above claims resulted in prejudice. When postconviction claims are rejected for lack of merit or arguable merit, no basis 

exists for an accumulation claim. Commonwealth v. Koehler, 36 A.3d 121, 

161 (Pa. 2012). “When the failure of individual claims is grounded in lack of 

prejudice, however, then the cumulative prejudice from those individual 

claims may properly be assessed.” Id.

Although we remand for an evidentiary hearing on Isaac’s first claim, 

he cannot ultimately prevail, i.e., gain a new trial, on his accumulation claim. 

This is so because he has only one claim with merit or arguable merit. In this 

appeal, we have found that all other substantive claims of ineffective 

assistance lack arguable merit. Therefore, it is impossible for Isaac to show 

cumulative prejudice.

Based on the above, we affirm the PCRA court’s order in part, and 

vacate in part, and remand for an evidentiary hearing as stated herein.

Order affirmed in part and vacated in part. Case remanded for further 

proceedings. Jurisdiction relinquished. 
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Judgment Entered.

Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.

Prothonotary

Date: 7/19/2016