### J - S34012 - 19

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

v. TREY DARON GUNTER Appellant : : : : : : : : : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA

No. 1185 WDA 2018 Appeal from the PCRA Order Entered July 27, 2018 In the Court of Common Pleas of Erie County Criminal Division at No(s): CP - 25 - CR - 0003499 - 2014 BEFORE: DUBOW, J., McLAUGHLIN, J., and COLINS*, J. MEMORANDUM BY DUBOW, J.: FILED AUGUST 13, 2019 Appellant, Trey Daron Gunter, appeals from the July 27, 2018 Order entered in the Erie County Court of Common Pleas dismissing his first Petition filed pursuant to the Post Conviction Relief Act (“PCRA”), 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 9541 - 9546 , without a hearing . After careful review, we affirm. The underlying facts and procedural history are, briefly, as follows. On November 17, 2014, Appellant and two other men , Ryan Andrews and Michael Barron, initiated a physical alte rcation with the victim , Tobiah Johnson, which ended when Appellant shot the victim in the back , killing him . On January 20, 2015, the Commonwealth charged Appellant with Criminal Homicide, Aggravated Assault, Recklessly Endangering Another Person, Posse ssing Instruments of Crime, and Conspiracy to Commit Criminal Homicide. On September 23, 2015, Appellant entered into an open guilty plea

### J - S34012 - 19

- 2 - to Third - Degree Murder. 1 , 2 

### On February 9, 2016, the trial court sentenced Appellant to a term of 15 to 40 years’ in carceration. Appellant filed a Motion to Modify Sentence, which the trial court denied. Appellant filed a direct appeal from his Judgment of Sentence challenging the voluntariness of his plea and the discretionary aspects of his sentence. On May 8, 2017, this Court affirmed Appellant’s Judgment of Sentence. See Commonwealth v. Gunter , 170 A.3d 1200 (Pa. Super. 2017) (unpublished memorandum) . Appellant did not file a Petition for Allowance of Appeal with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. His Judgment of Sentence, therefore, became final on August 8, 2017. See 42 Pa.C.S. § 9545(b)(3). On January 19, 2018, Appellant timely filed pro se the instant PCRA Petition in which he claimed that his trial counsel had been ineffective and that he rece ntly become aware of exculpatory evidence . See Petition, 1/19/18, at 2, 4. The PCRA court appointed counsel, who on May 14, 2018 , filed a Supplemental PCRA Petition . In the Supplemental Petition, Appellant developed his newly - discovered evidence claim. 3 

### In particular, he alleged that

_________________ __________ ______ ____ _______ 1 

### 18 Pa.C.S. § 2502(c). 2 

### In exchange for his plea, the Commonwealth nolle prossed the remaining charges . 3 

### Appellant did not, however, reiterate or develop further his ineffective assistance of counsel claim.

### J - S34012 - 19

- 3 - the Commonwealth’s key witness, Darsche Jackson, had published a Facebook Live video in which she disclosed that she had new information about the sequence of events that led to Appellant shooting the victim, including that the victim had fired the first shot. 4 

### Supplemental Petition, 5/14/18, at 1. Appellant asserted that this disclosure was contrary to Ms. Jackson’s previous statements to police and her testimony at Appellant’s preliminary hearing. Id. Appellant “fully confirmed and documented” this new account of events and, therefore, claimed that it established “evidence of provocation” by the victim and a “factual and legal predicate for the invocation of a claim of self- defense” which Appellant’s plea counsel had pr eviously dismissed. 5 

### Id. at 1 - 2. Appellant claims that if this evidence had been known to him, he would not have entered a guilty plea and instead would have invoked a “self- defense” or “defense of others” justification at trial. Id. at 2. In light of this alleged newly - discovered evidence, Appellant sought leave to withdraw his guilty plea. In support of his claims, Appellant appended to his Supplemental Petition his affidavit explaining the nature of the discovery of the new evidence and a copy

_________________ __________ ______ ____ _______ 4 

### In a letter to his attorney dated April 30, 2018, Appellant notes that Ms. Jackson published the Facebook Live video on November 17, 2016, but claims he only became aware of it on January 9, 2017. 5 

### Mr. Andrews and Mr. Barron also pleaded guilty to offen ses arising from this altercation. Neither co - defendant raised the possibility of a self- defense claim.

### J - S34012 - 19

- 4 - of a transcript of a March 31, 2018 interview of Ms. Jackson conducted by a private investigator, Mr. Barry W. Fox, at Appellant’s behest. On July 3, 2018, the PCRA court notified Appellant of its intent to dismiss his Petition without a hearing pursuant to Pa .R.Crim.P. 907. Appellant did not file a Response to the court’s Rule 907 Notice. On July 27, the PCRA court dismissed Appellant’s Petition without a hearing. Both Appellant and the PCRA court complied with Pa.R.A.P. 1925. 6 

### Appellant raises the followi ng issue on appeal: [] Whether the PCRA [c]ourt erred by failing to grant relief when Appellant presented exculpatory evidence that had become available after sentencing and would have changed the outcome of the proceeding? Appellant’s Brief at 4. Appella nt claims that the PCRA court erred in dismissing his Petition without a hearing because Ms. Jackson’s statement is exculpatory and would have changed the outcome of the proceeding had Appellant known it before entering his guilty plea. Id. at 19 - 23. We review the denial of a PCRA Petition to determine whether the record supports the PCRA court’ s findings and whether its order is otherwise free of legal error. Commonwealth v. Fears , 86 A.3d 795, 803 (Pa. 2014). This Court grants great deference to th e findings of the PCRA court if they are supported by t he record. Commonwealth v. Boyd , 923 A.2d 513, 515 (Pa.

_________________ __________ ______ ____ _______ 6 

### In its Rule 1925(a) Opinion, the PCRA court relied on its July 3, 2018 Rule 907 Notice to explain its reasons for dismissing Appellant’s Petition. We, therefore, refer to the court’s Rule 907 Notice as its “Opinion.”

### J - S34012 - 19

- 5 - Super. 2007). We give no such d eference, however, to the court’s legal conclusions. Commonwealth v. Ford , 44 A.3d 1190, 1194 (Pa. Super. 2012) . To be eligible for relief pursuant to the PCRA, Appellant must establish, inter alia , that his conviction or sentence resulted from one or more of the enumerated errors or defects found in 42 Pa.C.S. § 9543(a)(2). Appellant must also establish that the issues raised in the PCRA petition have not been previously litigated or waived. 42 Pa.C.S. § 9543(a)(3). An allegation of error “is waived if the petitioner could have raised it but failed to do so before trial, at trial, during unitary review, on appeal [,] or in a prior state postconviction proceeding.” 42 Pa.C.S. § 9544(b). Relevant here, t he PCRA provides relief for a petitioner who demonstrates his conviction or sentence resulted from “[t]he unavailability at the time of trial of exculpatory eviden ce that has subsequently become available and would have changed the outcome of the trial if it had been introduced.” 42 Pa.C.S. § 9543(a)(2)(vi). To establish a claim of newly discovered evidence, a petitioner must prove that: “ (1) the evidence has been discovered after trial and it could not have been obtained at or prior to trial through reasonable diligence; (2) the evidence is not cumulative; (3) it is not being used solely to impeach credibility; and (4) it would likely compel a different verdict. ” Commonwealth v. Sepulveda , 144 A.3d 1270, 1276 n.14 (Pa. 2016). Newly discovered evidence must be producible and admissible in order to entitle a petitioner to relief. Commonwealth v. Castro , 93 A.3d

### J - S34012 - 19

- 6 - 818, 825 (Pa. 2014). There is no right to a PCRA hear ing; a hearing is unnecessary where the PCRA court can determine from the record that there are no genuine issues of material fact. Commonwealth v. Jones , 942 A.2d 903, 906 (Pa. Super. 2008). Appellant notes that, in her preliminary hearing testimony, Ms . Jackson testified that she did not see wh ere the first shot came from and that the shot came from “an unknown source.” Appellant’s Brief at 11 - 13 ( citing N.T., 12/16/14, at 16, 38 ) . She then testified that Appellant fired the first shot. Id. at 14 ( citing N.T. at 40) . Appellant emphasizes , however, that, when later interviewed by the private investigator hired by Appellant after learning of Ms. Jackson’s Facebook Live video, Ms. Jackson stated that it was the victim, and not Appellant, who fired the first shot. Id. at 14 - 15. Appellant also avers that the PCRA court erred by failing to hold an evidentiary hearing on his claim. Id. at 23 - 25. The Honorable John J. Trucilla, who presided over all stages of this proceeding, has authored a comprehensive , thorough, and well - reasoned Opinion, citing to the record and relevant case law in addressing Appellant’s claim. See PC RA Court Opinion, 7/3/18, at 5 - 9 (concluding: (1) that Ms. Jackson’s testimony is irrelevant to Appellant ’s subjective belief as to wh ether he was in imminent fear of death or serious bodily injury at the time of the incident; and (2) that Appellant failed to satisfy the four requisite elements of a meritorious “after discovered evidence” claim because Ms. Jackson’s post - conviction state ment: (a) is not exculpatory; (b) is cumulative and

### J - S34012 - 19

- 7 - corroborative of her prior statement; (c) was available to Appellant prior to his guilty plea; and (d) would not have compelled a different outcome ) . The record supports the PCRA court’s findings and its Order is otherwise free of legal error. We, thus, affirm on the basis of the PCRA court’s July 3, 2018 Opinion. 7 

### Order affirmed. Judgment Entered. Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq. Prothonotary Date: 8/13/2019

_________________ __________ ______ ____ _______ 7 

### Moreover, because it was clear from the record that Appellant was not entitled to relief, the PCRA court did not err in not holding an evidentiary hearing on Appellant’s claims.

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



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### be d i s m i s s e d . T h e p urp o s e o f th e P C RA i s t o af fo r d p e r s o ns wh o h av e b e e n c o nv i ct e d o f a cri m e th e y di d n o t c o mm i t an av e nu e to o b t a i n c o ll at e ral re li e f . 4 2 P a . C . S . A. § 9 5 4 2 . Th e P C RA e li gib ili ty s t atut e p r o v i d e s : ( a) G e n e ra l 

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th e fo ll o w i n g : ( 1 ) T h at th e p e t it i o n e r h a s b e e n co nv i c t e d o f a c ri m e un d e r th e l aw s o f thi s C o mm o nw e a l th an d i s 

### at th e ti m e r e li e f i s grant e d :

6 A lth o u gh P e t i ti o n e r ' s c o nv i c t i o n r e s u lt e d fr o m a gu il ty p l e a r ath e r th an as a r es u l t o f tri al , " a ft e r - di s co v e re d e v i d e n ce wh i c h w o u l d j u s ti fy a n e w tri al w o u l d a l s o e nti t l e d e f en dant t o wi th dr aw h i s gu il ty p l e a " an d a p p li e s in th e c o nt e xt o f a P C RA p r o c e e d i n g . C o m m o n w e a lt

h v. Pe o p les, 3 1 9 A . 2 d 6 7 9 , 6 8 1 ( P a. 1 9 7 4 ) . 

### 4.... . ... . , . ....., ..,... - . , � · - · · · ..-. - .. . 

### ( i ) c urr e ntly s e rv i n g a s e nt e n ce o f i mp ri s o nm e nt , p r o b at i o n o r p ar o l e fo r th e c ri m e ; ( ii ) aw ai ti n g e x e c uti o n o f a s e nte n c e o fd e ath fo r th e c ri m e ; o r (i ii ) s e rv i n g a s e nt e n ce wh i c h mus t e xp ir e b e fo r e th e pe rs o n m ay c o mm e n c e s e rv i n g th e d i s p ut ed s ent e n c e . ( 2 ) Th at th e co nv i c ti o n o r s e nt e n c e r e s u l t e d fro m o n e o r m o r e o f th e fo ll o wi n g : 

### (i ) A vi o l ati o n o f th e C o n s ti tuti o n o f thi s C o mm o nw ea l th o r th e C o n s t i tuti o n o r l aw s o f th e Uni t e d S t at e s wh i c h , i n th e c i rc um s t an c es o f th e p arti c u l ar c a s e , s o un d e rmin ed th e truth - d e t e rmi ni n g p ro c e s s that . n o re li ab l e a d

j u d i c ati o n o f gui l t o r inn o c e n c e c o ul d h av e t ak e n p l a ce . (i i ) In e ff e c ti v e as s i s t an ce o f c o uns e l wh i c h , i n th e c i r c um s tan ce s o f th e p arti c u l ar _s as e , . s o....... un d e rmi n ed - - th e . truth � d e t e rm i nin g - · · p ro c e s s - tfi af " n o · - · - · · · - · · r e l i ab l e a d

j u di c ati o n o f gui lt o r i nn o c e n c e c o u l d h av e tak e n p l a c e . ( iii ) A p l e a o f gu i l ty un l aw fu ll y i n d u c e d wh e re th e c i r c ums t an c e s m ak e · i t · li k el y that th e i n d

u ce m e nt c au s ed th e p e ti ti o n e r t o p l e a d guil ty an d th e pe ti ti o n e r i s i nn o ce nt. ( i v ) T h e i mp r o pe r o b s tr

u c ti o n b y g o v e r

nm e nt o f fi c i al s o f th e p e ti ti o n er ' s ri ght o f a

p p e al wh e r e a m e ri t o ri o u s a p p ea l ab l e i s s u e e x i s t e d an d w as p r o pe rl y p r e s e rv e d i n th e tri a l c o urt . ( v ) D e l e t e d . ( v i ) T h e un av ai l ab ili ty at th e ti m e o f tri a l o f e x c u lp at o ry e v i d e n ce that h as s ub s eque ntl y b e c o m e av ai l ab l e an d w o u l d h av e c h an g ed th e o ut c o m e o f th e tri al i f i t h a d b e e n i ntr o d u ced . ( v ii ) T h e i mp o s i ti o n o fa s e nt e n ce gre at e r th an th e l awful m ax i mum . ( v i i i ) A p ro c e edi n g 

### in a trib un a l wi th o ut j uri sdi c ti o n . ( 3 ) Th at th e al l e g ati o n o f e rr o r h as n o t b e e n p re vi o us l y li ti g at e d o r w ai v e d . ( 4 ) T h at th e f

ai l ure t o li ti g at e th e i s s u e p ri o r to o r 

### d uri n g tri a l , d

uri n g 

### uni tary r e v i e w o r o n di r e c t a

p p e a l co u l d n o t h av e be en th e r e s u l t o f any rati o n al , s tr at e gi c o r ta c ti c a l d e c i s i o n b y co un s e l. 4 2 P a . C . S .A . 

### § 9 5 4 3 . B e fo r e d e l v i n g i nt o th e s p ec i fi c s o f P e ti ti o n e r ' s ar gum e nt , th i s C o urt o b s erv es th at n o am o unt o f aft e r d i s c o v e r e d e v i d e n c e w o u l d al l o w P e ti ti o n e r t o c r e d i b l y c o nt e n d th at h e n o w ha s p ro o f th at h e a c t e d i n s e l f - d e fe n s e . H i s co nt e nti o n th at h e w a s unaw ar e o f th e f ac tu al an d l e g a l p r e di cat e fo r a s e l f

- d e f e n s e cl ai m an d w a s d e p ri v e d o f th i s d e f e n s e i s p at e ntl y m e ri tl e ss b ecaus e i t i s s i mp l y c o ntr ary t o th e l aw . " Th e u s e o f fo r c e u po n o r t o war d an o th e r p e rs o n i s j us ti fi ab l e wh e n th e a c t o r be li e v e s that s u c h fo r c e i s i mm e di at e ly n e c e ss ary fo r th e p urp o s e o f p ro te c t in g


### 5

## • ' h i m s e l f a g ai n s t th e u s e o f unl aw fu l fo r c e b y s u c h o th e r p e r s o n o n th e p r e se nt o c cas i o n . " 1 8

P a . C . S . A . § 

### 5 0 5 ( a) ( e mp h as i s ad d e d) .

I n o rd e r fo r a d e fe n d ant t o s u cce s s fu lly cl a i m s e l f - d e fe n s e , h e o r s h e mu st m e e t th e fo ll o win g thr e e e l e m e nt s : (1 ) th e d e fe n d ant r e a s o n ab l y b e l i e v e d th at h e w as in imm in e nt d an g e r o f d eath o r se ri o u s b o d il y in j ur y an d th at th e u s e o f d ea d l y fo rc e w a s n e c e s s ary t o p re v e nt s u c h h arm ; ( 2 ) th e d e fe n d ant d i d n o t p ro v o k e th e i n ci d e nt whi c h re s ul t e d i n th e v i c ti m ' s d e ath ; an d ( 3 ) th e d e fe n d ant di d n o t v i o l at e any d uty t o r e tr e at. 

### C o m m o n w e a ltb v. Mo uzon , 6 1 7 P a. 5 2 7 , 5 3 A . 3 d 7 3 8 , 7 4 0 ( 2 0 1 2 ) ( c i tat i o n s o m i tt ed) . A s p r e vi o us l y n o t e d , th e C o mm o nw e a lth h as th e b urd e n 

### . o f

d i s p ro v i n g se lf

- d e fe n s e · be y o n d 

### . a -r e as o n a

b l e d o ub t · an d m ay · · · d o s o b y di s p ro v i n g any o n e o f th e thre e s e l f - d e fe n s e e l e m e nts th e d e fe n d ant mu s t m e e t. I

d . 

### at 7 4 0-:- 7 4 1 . C o m m o n w e a lt

h v. Pa tte r

s o n , 

### 1 8 0 A . 3 d 1 2 1 7 , 1 2 3 1 ( P a. S u p e r . 2 0 1 8 ) . Thu s , fo r P e ti ti o n er t o av ai l h i m s e l f o f a s e l f

- d e f en s e c l a i m , h e w o u l d h av e t o e s tab l i s hth at th e v i c ti m , T o b i ah Jo hn s o n , w a s ai m e d , an d th at P e t iti o n e r r e as o n ab l y be li e v e d h e w as in i mm i n e nt fe ar o f d e ath o r s eri o us bo d il y in j ur y . P e ti ti o n e r n e v er as se rt e d thi s p o s i ti o n at any ti m e , n o r di d e i th e r o f 

### his co d e f en d ants . i P e ti ti o n e r p ro v o k ed thi s i n c i d e nt b y co n s p i ri n g wi th tw o c o - d e fe n d ant s to 

### dri v e t o T o b i ah Jo hn s o n ' s a

p artm e nt an d t o fo rc i b ly t ak e a fi r e arm fro m hi m th at P e ti t i o n e r be li e v ed was 

### hi s . S i mp ly s t at e d , i t i s di s i n g e nu o u s 

### an d ; i n fa c t , e rro n e o u s fo r P e ti t i o n e r t o a s se rt th at hi s a ffi rm ati v e d e fe ns e w as s o m e h o w p r e di c t e d o n wh at D ar s c h e J ac k s o n s aw o r di d n o t se e . O nl y P e ti ti o n e r h ad th e " k e y s " t o h i s s e lf - d e fe n s e c l a i m , n o t D ars c h e J ac ks o n o r any o th e r wi tn es s fo r that m att er . I n o th e r w o rd s , i t i s P e ti ti o n e r ' s be li e f at th e ti m e o fth e i n c i d e nt o f wh e th e r h e fe l t h i s li fe o r s o m e o n e e l s e ' s w a s i n i mm i n e nt d an g e r o f d e ath o r s e ri o u s bo d il y in j ury . 

### P e ti ti on e r ' s s ub j e c ti v e be li e f c ann o t 

### be d e t e rm i n ed b y wh at � m o th e r p e rso n , s u c h a s D ars c h e J ac k s o n , kn e w . If 

### P e ti t i o n e r di d n o t b e li e v e th at h e w as un d e r i mmi n e nt thr e at o f d e ath o r s e ri o u s b o dily in j ury

7 

### T hi s C o urt a l s o p r e s i d e d o v er P e t i ti o n e r ' s c o - d e fe n d ant ' s ca s e s . B o th p l e d gui l ty , an d n e i th e r o n e ra i s e d th e po s s ib ili ty o f a s e l f - d e fe n s e c l ai m .

6o r th at an o th e r p e r s o n 

### was, th e n P e t i t i o n e r c ann o t a s s e rt a c o l o rab l e s e l f -d e fe nse cl a i m . A c c o r d i n g l y , P e t i t i o n e r w o u l d n e v e r b e ab l e t o c re d ib l y a s s e rt th at h i s s e nt e n ce r e s u l t ed fr o m

" th e un av a i l ab ili ty at th e t i m e o f tri a l o f e x c u lp at o ry e v i d e n c e th at ha s su b s equ e ntl y be co m e av a i l ab l e an d w o u l d hav e c h an g e d th e o ut c o m e o f th e tri a l i f i t ha d b e e n i ntr o d u ce d " s o t o a ff

o rd h i m c o ll at e ra l r e l i e f p ur s u ant t o th e P C RA . 4 2 P a . C . S . A . § 9 5 4 3 ( a) ( 2 ) ( v i ) . F urth er re fut in g P e t i t i o n e r ' s c l a i mw as h i s kn o w i n g an dv o lunt ari l y a dm i s s i o n th at h e s h o t T o b i ah J o hn so n w i th m a l i ce . wh i c h w ill b e d i s c u s s e d i n furth e r . d e ta i l , 

### in f ra . A s s um in g , a r

gu e ndo , th at P e t i t i o n e r' s . fi r s t .th e o ry o f r e l i ef s o m e h o w survi v e s l e g al s c rut i ny an d i s n o t m e ri t l e s s , P e t i t i o n e r ' s cl a i m th at h e s h o ul d be p e rm i tt e d t o w i th dr aw hi s 

### gu il ty p l e a b e cau s e aft e r di s c o v e r e d e v i d e n c e e s t ab li s h e s hi s inn o c e n c e w o u l d n o n e th e l e s s 

### fa il . I n o r d e r fo r P e t i t i o n e r t o b e e li g ib l e fo r po s t - co nv i c ti o n c o ll at e r a l r e li e fb a s e d u p o n a fte r di s c o v e r e d e v i d e n c e , h e mu s t p ro v e : " ( I ) th e e v i d e n c e h a s be e n di s c o v e r e d a ft e r tri al an d i t c o u l d n o t h av e be e n o b t ai n e d at o r p ri o r t o tri al thro u g h r e as o n ab l e d ili g e n c e ; ( 2 ) th e e v i d e n ce i s n o t c umul ati v e ; ( 3 ) i t i s n o t b e i n g us e d s o l e l y t o i mp e a c h c r ed ib ili ty ; an d ( 4 ) i t w o ul d li k e l y c o mp e l a d i ff e re nt v e r d i c t. " 

### C

o m m o n w e a lt

h v. J o h n s o n , 1 7 9 A. 3 d 11 0 5 , 1 1 2 3 (P a . S u p e r . 2 0 1 8 ) ( c i t i n g 

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

h v. C o x , 6 3 6 P a . 6 0 3 , 6 1 4 , 1 4 6 A. 3 d 2 2 1 , 2 2 8 ( 2 0 1 6 ) ) . A s w ill n o w b e d i s c u ss e d , P e t i t i o n e r c ann o t m e e t h i s b urd e n o f p r o v i n g th e e l e m e nt s o fthi s t e s t. P e t i t i o n e r c l a i m s D ar s c h e J a c k s o n "r e c ant ed " h e r e ar li e r s t at e m e nt s t o p o li ce an d h e r t e s t i m o ny at h i s P r e li m i n ary H e ari n g , wh i c h c o ns t i t ut e s a ft e r d i s c o v e re d e v i d e n c e th at h e w a s j u s t i fi e d i n th e kill i n g o f T o b i ah Jo hns o n . H o w e v e r , a r e v i e w o f D ar s c h e Ja c k s o n ' s p o st c o nv i c t i o n s t at e m e nt , wh i c h i s att a c h e d t o th e c o un s e l e d S u p p l e m e nt t o M o t i o n F o r P o st C o nv i c t i o n C o ll at e ra l R e l i e f , e v i d e n c e s th at that D ar s c h e Ja c ks o n n e v e r r e c ant e d h e r t e st im o ny , n o r d o e s i t co nt a i n any e x c u lp at o ry s t at e m e nts r e g ard in g P e ti t i o n e r ' s i nv o l v e m e nt 

### in thi s mur d e r . 7I n s t e ad , th e p ro ff e r e d s t at e m e nt , i n fa c t , co rr o b o r at e s an d i s cumu l at i v e o f D ar s c h e J ac k s o n ' s p ri o r s t at e m e nt s an d o fh e r te st im o ny at P e t i t i o n e r ' s P r e l i mi n ary H e ari n g wh e r e s h e t e s ti fi ed th at s h e w i tn e s s e d th e c o n fr o nt at i o n , as s au l t , an d mur d e r o f T o b i ah Jo hn s o n . D ar s c h e J ac ks o n c o n s i s t e ntl y s t at e d s h e s aw an unkn o wn m al e a p p r o a c h T o b i ah J o hn s o n fr o m b e h i n d , p unch h im i n th e h e a d , an d kn o c k h i m t o th e g r o un d . 8 N . T . , P r e l im i n ary H e ari n g , 

### 1 2 / 1 6 /1 4 , at 

### 1 5 . Wh i l e 

### · ' th eu nkn o w n m al e c o nti nu e d t o b e at- T o b i ah J o hn s o n , a v e h i cl e b a c k e d i nt o - th e p ark i n g l o t wh e r e

. th e .. . a s s aul t wa s o c c urri n g , _ an d P e t it i o n e r 

### e me rg e d , I d.

_ _ 

### at. 

### 1 i � J l , 

## J [j

_ .
_ _ P e t i t i 9 11 � r

_ 9 � g a,ri r epeitt � <J 1 Y . s tri ki n g th e v i c t im o n th e h e a d w i th th e b utt o f h i s gun . 

### I d . at 

### 1 6 . D ar s c h e Ja c k s o n th e n

. . r ep o rt e d , " A co u

p l e o f s e co n d s g o p as t as [P e ti ti o n e r ] i s h i tt i n g h i m , th e n I h e ar d a 

### fir st s h o t. " 

### I d . at 

### 1 7 , 3 8 - 3 9 ( re l ay i n g s h e h e ar d a gun s h o t p ri o r t o P e ti t i o n e r fat a ll y s h o o ti n g T o b i ah J o hn s o n ) . D ar s c h e J a c k s o n h e ar d P e ti t i o n e r r e a c t t o th e gun s h o t b y e x c l ai m i n g th at T o b i ah J o hns o n s t ill h a d th e gun o n h i m , thus e v i d en ci n g h i s kn o w l ed g e o f th e f ac t. 

### I d. at 

### 1 8 . 

### On c r o s s e x am i n at i o n , P e ti ti o n e r ' s co un s e l e v e n cl ari fi e d that i t T o b i ah Jo hn s o n wh o fi r e d th e fi r s t s h o t 

### I d . at. 3 9 . C l e arly , D ar s c h e Ja c k s o n d i d n o t r e cant h e r p ri o r t e s ti m o ny . N o r d o h e r p o s t - co nv i c ti o n s t at e m e nt s co n s t i tut e " aft e r d i s c o v e r e d e v i d e n c e . " P e t i ti o n e r al w ay s kn e wth at T o b i ah J o hns o n ' s w e a p o n d i s c h arg e d fi r s t , n o t o n l y b e cau s e D ar sc h e J a c k s o n t e s t i fi e d t o i t in P e t i ti o n e r ' s p res en ce an d was · c ro s s - e x am i n e d o n th e d e t a il s b y P e ti ti o n e r ' s co un s e l , b ut al s o b e c au s e P e t i ti o n e r w as p hy s i c al l y p r e s e nt wh e n th at e v e nt o cc urr e d . I n fa c t , P e t i ti o n e r e xp re s s l y d e m o ns trat e d h i s aw ar en es s o f th at fa c t th at. T o b i ah J o hn s o n ' s gun d i s c h arg e d wh e n h e r e a c t e d 

### to th e gun s h o t b y e x c l ai m i n g t o h i s c o h o rt th at T o b i ah J o hn s o n s t ill h a d th e gun o n h i m. T hu s , th e c ont e nt o f D ars c h e Ja c k s o n ' s p o s t - c o nv i c ti o n s tat e m e nt w a s n o t d i s c o v e r e d a f t e r P e t i t i o n e r ' s co nv i c t i o n,

8 T hi s i n d i v i d

u a l w as l at e r i d e nti fi e d as M i c h a e l B ar r o n . 8

### an d d o e s n o t w arr ant po s t - co nv i c ti o n r e li e f b e c au s e i t 

### i s e v i d e n ce th at w a s av a il ab l e t o P e ti ti o n er

p ri o r t o h i s 

### gu il ty p l e a . 

### S

e e J o h n s o n , C o x , s u p ra . A d d it i o n a ll y , D ars c h e Ja c k s o n ' s p o s t - c o nv i c ti o n s tat e m e nt d o e s n o t p r o vi d e any b as i s fo r P e ti ti o n e r t o c l ai m th at th e c o nte nt th e r e i n w o u l d h av e c o mp e ll e d a d i ff e r ent o ut c o m e 

### than th e o n e that r e s u l t e d fr o m h i s gu i l ty p l e a . 

### S e e J o h n s o n , C o x , s u p ra . As di s c us s e d 

### s u

p ra, P et i ti o n e r w as ; · at a ll ti m e s , aw ar e th at T o b i ah Jo hn s o n ' s gun d i s c h ar g ed p ri or ' to P e ti t i o n e r s h o o ti n g h i m 

### in . th e . b a c k.

_

_P e ti ti o n e r al o n e . kn e w wh e th e r h e . r e a s o n ab l y b e l i e v e d . th at hi s . l i f eo r s o m e o n e - el se ' s

. w as i n i mm i n e nt d an g e r o f d e ath o r s e ri o us bo di l y i n j ury s o . t o a s s e rt s e l f

- d e f e n se . Thu s , D ar s c h e J a c k s o n ' s p o s t c o nvi c ti o n s t at e m e nt c o u l d n o t h av e p r o v i d e d h im wi th th e f actu al o r l e g al p r e di cat e t o argu e th at th e h o m i c i d e w as j us ti fi e d , an d , th e r e fo r e , w o u l d n o t h av e re s u lt e d i n a di ff e r e nt o ut c o m e . 

### J

o h n s o n, C o x , s u p ra . A g a i n , w ith o ut b e i n g unn e c e s s ari l y r ed un dant, P e t it i o n e r ' s kn o wi n g an d v o lunt ary .p l e a c i rc umv e nt s h i s c urr e nt argum e nt. A c co rdi n g ly , P e t it i o n e r ' s c l a i m i s d e v o i d o f l e g al an d fa c t ua l m e rit , an d d o e s n o t warr ant r e l i e f . 

### In s um , P e ti ti o n e r h as n o t m e t h i s b urd e n o fp r o vi n g th at h e i s e nt i tl e d t o c o ll at e ral re li e f f ro m hi s co nvi c t i o n b e c au s e h e c ann o t e s tab li s h " [ t j h e un av ai l ab ili ty at th e ti m e o f tria l o f e x c u lp at o r

y e v i d e n c e th at h a s s ub s e qu ent ly b e c o m e av ai l ab l e an d w o u l d h av e c h an g ed th e o ut co m e o f th e tri a l i f i t h a d b e e n i ntr o d u c e d " o r th e n e c e s s ary e l e m e nt s o f aft e r di s c o v e re d e v i d e n c e . 4 2 P a . C . S . A . § 9 5 4 3 ( a) ( 2 ) ( v i ) ; 

### s e e a ls o J o h ns o n , C o x , s u p ra . Co n s e qu e nt ly , thi s cl a im mu s t fa i l. N e xt , i n h i s

### p ro s e M o ti o n fo r P o s t C o nvi c t i o n Re li e f , P e ti ti o n e r c l a i ms h e i s e li g ib l e fo r r e li e fp ur s u ant t o 4 2 P a . C .S . A. 

### § 9 5 4 3 ( a) ( 2 ) ( ii ) b e c au s e hi s " [ t j ri a l c o un s e l m i s a

p p li e d th e se l f

d e fe n s e l aw wh i c h c au s ed [P e t i ti o n e r ] t o p l e a d an d a cc ep t a gu il ty p l ea . " M o t i o n fo r P o s t

9C o nvi c ti o n C o ll at e r a l Re li e f , 1 /1 9 / 1 8 at 4 . 9 H o w e v e r , i n th e s ub se qu e nt , c o un s e l e d S u p p l e m e nt T o M o ti o n F o r P o s t C o nv i c t i o n C o ll at e r a l R e li e f , th i s i s s u e i s n o t r a i s e d . A c c o r d i n g ly , th e c l a i m i s n o t p r e se rv ed , an d i s w ai v e d . 

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

h v. J o h n s o n , 1 7 9 A .3 d 11 5 3 , 11 5 7 

### (P a. S u p e r . 2 0 1 8 ) ( c o un s e l e d s u

p p l e m e nt t o 

### p ros e P C RA p e t i t i o n th at d i d n o t a d dre s s th e i s s u e s i n th e 

### p ro s e p e t i ti o n r e s ul t e d i n w ai v e r o f sai d c l ai m s ) . H o w e v e r , e v e n i f th e cl a i m th at co un s e l' s i n e ff e c ti v e n e s s i n d

u c ed 

### P e ti ti o n e rto p l e a d gu il ty w as p r e s e rv e d , 

### i t i s o n c e a g ai n d e v o i d o f 

### m e ri t · an d mus t , th e r e fo r e , b e d i s m i s s e d .

( , . "'

. 

### . . I n o r d e r . fo r P e t i t i o n e r 

### to o b t ain p o s t c o nv i c ti o n r e li e f o n gr o un d s th at hi s c o un s e l r e n d e r e d i n e ff

e c t i v e as s i s tan c e , h e i s r e qu i re d t o p r o v e : th e un d e rl y in g c l a i m i s o f ar gu ab l e m e ri t , 

### c o un s e l ' s pe r fo rman c e l ac k e d a r e as o n ab l e b as i s , an d c o un s e l ' s i n e ff ec ti v e n e s s c aus e d h i m p r e j u di c e . 

### C o m m o n w e a lth v . P i e rc e, 5 6 7 P a . 1 8 6 , 7 8 6 A. 2 d 2 0 3 , 2 13 ( 2 0 0 1) ; 

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

h v. P ie rc e, 5 1 5 P a . 1 5 3 , 5 2 7 A . 2 d 9 7 3 ( 1 9 8 7) . P r e j u d i c e i n th e co nt e xt o f in e ff e c t i v e ass i s tan c e o f c o un s e l m ean s d e m o n s tr at i n g th e r e i s a r e a s o n ab l e p r o b ab ili ty th at , b ut fo r c o un se l' s e rr o r , th e o ut c o m e o f th e p ro c e e d i n g w o u l d h av e b e e n d i ff ere nt. 

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

h v. K im b a ll , 5 5 5 P a . 2 9 9 , 72 4 A . 2 d 3 2 6 , 3 3 2 ( 1 9 9 9 ) . Th i s s t an d ar d i s th e s am e i n th e P C RA c o nt e xt as wh e n i n e ff e c t i v e n e s s · c l ai ms 

### are r a i s e d o n d i re c t r e v i e w . 

### I d . F a ilur e t o e s tab li s h any p r o n g o f th e t e s t w ill d e fe at an i n e ff

e c ti v e n e s s c l ai m . 

### C

o mm o n w e alt

h v . B as e m o re, 5 6 0 P a . 2 5 8 , 7 4 4 A . 2 d 7 1 7 , 7 3 8 n . 2 3 ( 2 0 0 0 ) ( c i ti n g 

### C o m m o n w e a lth v. R o llin s, 5 5 8 P a . 5 3 2 , 7 3 8 A . 2 d 4 3 5 , 4 4 1 (1 9 9 9 ) ( o r d in ari l y , p o s t - c o nv i c t i o n c l a i m o f i n e ff e c t i v e as s i s tan c e o f co un s e l m ay b e d e n i e d b y s h o wi n g p e t i ti o n e r' s e v i d e n c e fa il s t o m e e t any o n e o f thr e e p r o n g s fo r cl a i m ) ) . 

### C o m. v. S o la n o , 6 3 4 P a . 2 1 8 , 2 3 0 , 1 2 9 A. 3 d 11 5 6 , 1 1 6 2 - 6 3 ( 20 1 5 ) ( c i ti n g 

### C o m m o n w e alt

h v. K e a to n , 6 1 5 P a . 6 7 5 , 4 5 A. 3 d 1 0 5 0 , 1 0 6 0 ( 2 0 1 2 ) ) .

9 P e t i ti o n e r a g a i n ar gu e s a g ai n s t h i m s e l f 

### b y adv an c i n g th i s c l a i m . F o r tri a l co uns e l t o b e i n e ff e c t i v e fo r " m i s a

p p l y i n g " th e l aw o f s e l f

- d e fe nse , tri a l c o un s e l h a d 

### to h av e kn o w l e d g e o fthi s fa c tua l p re d i c at e 

### an d e rr o n eo us l y adv i s e d P e t i t i o n e r o f th e li k e li h o o d o f p r e v ail in g at 

### a tri al b y ar gui n g j u s t i fi ab l e h o m i c i d e . Th i s c o nt e nti o n i s i n d i re c t c o ntr a d i c t i o n o f P e t i t i o n e r ' s fi rs t argum ent th at h e o n l y l e arn e d th at T o b i ah J o hn s o n ' s w e a p o n d i s c h ar g ed fi r s t a ft e r h e w as al rea d y co nv i c t ed . 10• ' , . ' G e n e r a ll y , co uns e l' s as s i s tan c e i s d e e m e d co n s ti t ut i o n a ll y e ff

e c t i v e 

### i f h e c h o s e a p arti c ul ar co urs e o f c o n d u c t th at h a d s o m e r e a s o n ab l e b a s i s d e s i g n ed t o e ff

e c t uat e h i s c li e nt ' s i nt e r e s t s . 

### S e e A li, s u

p ra . Wh e r e m att e r s o f s tr at e gy an d t ac t i c s ar e co n c e rn ed , " [ a ] fi n d i n g th at a c h o s e n s tr at e gy l a c k e d a r e as o n ab l e b a s i s i s n o t w arr ant ed un l e s s i t c an b e c o n c lu d e d th at an a l t ern at i v e n o t c h o s e n o ff e r e d a p o t e nti al fo r s u c ce s s s ub s tanti a ll y g r e at e r th an th e c o ur s e a c tu al l y p ur s u e d . 

### · - C o m; v. S p o t z , 6 2 4 P a . 4 , 3 3 - 3 4 , 8 4 A. 3 d 2 9 4 , 3 11 - 1 2 ( 2 0 1 4 ) ( i nt e rn al qu o tati o ns an d ci tati o n s

. : o m i tt e d) .

Ap p l y i n g th e l aw t o th e c a se 

### su b j u di ce, i t i s e v i d e nt th at P e ti ti o n e r ' s cl ai m th at co uns e l w as i n e ff

e c ti v e f ai l s . P e ti ti o n e r i s un d e rth e m is a p p r e h e n s i o n

_th at h e c o u l d h av e s u cc ess ful l y argu e d th at h e s h o t T o b i ah Jo hn s o n i n s e l f - d e f e n s e h a d Att o rn e y C a

p o z z i e ff e c t i v e l y a dv i se d him o fth e l aw p e rt ai n i n g t o th e d e fe n s e .

I n o r d e r fo r a d e fe n d ant t o s u cce s s fu ll y cl aim s el f - d e fe n s e , h e o r s h e mu s t m e e t th e fo ll o wi n g thr e e e l e m e nt s : ( 1 ) th e d e fe n d ant r e as o n ab l y b e li e v e d th at h e w as i n imm i n ent d an g er o f d e ath o r s e ri o u s b o d il y i n j ury an d th at th e u s e o f d e a d l y fo r c e w a s n ec e s s ary t o p r e v e nt s u c h harm ; ( 2 ) th e d e fe n d ant d i d n o t p ro v o k e th e in c i d e nt whi c h r e s u l t e d i n th e v i c t im ' s d e ath ; an d ( 3 ) th e d e fe n d ant di d n o t vi o l at e any d uty t o re tr e at. 

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

h v. M o uzo n , 6 1 7 P a . 5 2 7 , 5 3 A. 3 d 7 3 8 , 7 4 0 ( 2 0 1 2 ) ( c i t at i o ns o m i tt e d) . A s p r e v i o u s l y n o te d , th e C o mm o nw e al th h as th e b ur d e n o fd i s p ro v i n g s e l f - d e fe n s e b e y o n d a r e as o n ab l e d o ub t an d m ay d o s o b y di s p r o v i n g any o n e o f th e thr e e s e l f -d e fe n s e e l e m e nt s th e d e fe n d ant mu st m e e t. 

### I

d. at 74 0 - 7 4 1 . 

### C o m m o n w ea lt

h v. Pa tters on , 1 8 0 A. 3 d 1 2 1 7 , 1 2 3 1 (P a . S u p e r . 2 0 1 8 ) . I n th e i n s t ant ca s e , a s e l f - d e fe ns e cl a i m w as cl e arly un av a il ab l e t o P e ti t i o n er . 

### The f a c ts d e m o ns trat e : th at a ft e r T o b i ah Jo hn s o n s t o l e P e t i t i o n er ' s fi re arm , P e t i t i o n e r dro v e t o T o b i ah
· · Jo hn s o n ' s a

p artm ent wi th tw o a c c e s so ri e s an d c o n fr o nt e d h i m o ut s i d e h i s a partm e nt." 

### S

e e .N . T . , P r e li m i nary H e ari n g , at 1 2 - 1 4 . Wh e n T o b i ah Jo hns o n c am e o ut s i d e , o n e o f P e ti t i o n e r ' s co h o rt s

" p un c he d h i m i n hi s h e a d , kn o c k i n g him t o th e gro un d , " at wh i c h p o i nt P e t i t i o n e r g o t o ut o fth e v e h i c l e an d a s s au l t e d th e v i c t i m . 

### I d . at 1 6 . P e ti ti o n e r r e pe at e d l y b lu d g e o n ed T o b i ah J ohns o n 

### 11, . . ... wi th th e b utt o f hi s gun . 

### I d . 1 6 - 1 7 , 3 9 . A ft e r T o b i ah Jo hn s o n ' s w e a p o n d i s c h arg e d , P e t it i o n e r p au s e d th e as s au l t l o n g e n o u gh t o c o mm e nt th at T o b i ah Jo hn s o n s t ill h a d a gun o n h i s pe r s o n , an d th e n r e s um e d th e v i c i o u s b e at i n g . 

### I d . at 1 8 . Wh e n T o b i ah J o hn s o n 

### att e mp t e d t o 

### g et t o h i s fe e t , P et i t i o n e r s h o t h i m i n th e b a c k . 

### I d. at 1 8 , 4 1 , 4 7 . T h e s e fa c t s e s t ab l i s h th at P et i t i o n e r p r o v o k ed th e d e ad l y e n c o unt er an d e v i s c e r at e any ar gum e nt th at h e o n l y us e d d e ad l y fo rc e · · b e c au s e . h e r e a s o n ab l y be li e v e d h e o r an o th e r p e rs o n w as i n i mm i n e nt d an g e r o f d e ath o r s eri o u s · · ' 

### b o d i l y inj ury ,

. . . . . ., . . _ lyf

o � eo v: e � , th e r e c o r d c o ntr a d i c t s P e t i ti o n e r ' s a ll e g at i o n . that . Att o rn e y C a p o zz i . " m i s a p p li e d th e s e l f

- d e f e ns e l aw whi c h c au s e d [ P e ti ti o n e r ] t o p l e a d an d a c ce p t a gui l ty p l e a ' ' o r th at P e ti ti o n er i n any w ay m i s un d e r s t o o d th e l aw . M o ti o n F o r P o s t C o nvi c ti o n C o ll at e ra l Re l i e f , 

### 1 / 1 9 / 1 8 at 

### 4 . In " D e f e n d ant T r e y Gunt e r ' s S e nt e n c i n g 

### M e m o r an d um , " Att o rn e y C a

p o z z i e xp l i c i t l y st at e d , " M r . Gunt e r un d e r s t an d s th at b y tr av e li n g t o D ars c h e Ja c k s o n ' s a p artm e nt , wi th a fi r e arm an d c o n fr o nt i n g M r . Jo hn s o n abo ut 

### his s t o l e n p r o p erty h e p ro v o k e d th e co n f ro ntat i o n an d , thu s , th e d e f

e n s e o f s e l f

- d e fe ns e i s un av a il ab l e t o h i m . " D e fe n d ant T re y Gunte r ' s S e nt e n c i n g M e m o ran d

um , 1 2 / 3 0 / 1 5 at 2 - 3 , n . 1. I n th e sam e d o c um e nt , Att o rn e y C a p o zzi ci t ed t o th e r e l e v ant s tat

ut e , whi c h st at e s th at 

### an i n d i vi d ua l i s j u s ti fi e d i n u s i n g fo r c e u p o n an o th e r p e r s o n " wh e n th e a c t o r b e li e v e s th at s u c h fo r c e i s i mm e di at el y n e c e s s ary fo r th e p urp o se o f p r o t e c t i n g h i m s e l f a g ai ns t th e u s e o f un l awfu l fo rc e b y s u c h o th e r p e r s o n o n th e p res e nt o c c a s i o n . " 

### I

d . ( ci t i n g 1 8 P a . C . S . A . § 5 0 5 ( a) ) . F urth e rm o r e , Att o rn e y C a p o z zi c i te d t o re l ev ant c a se l aw s tat i n g that th e C o mm o nw ea l th m ay d i s p ro v e a d e f e n d ant' s c l ai m o f s el f

- d e fe ns e b y . e s t ab li s h i n g th at th e d e f e n d er p r o vo k e d th e i n c i d e nt. 

### I d . ( c i ti n g 

### C

o m mo n w e a ltb v. C

h in e, 4 0 A 3 d 1 2 3 9 , 1 2 4 3 ( P a . S u p er . 2 0 1 2 ) ) . Th e r e fo r e , Att o rn e y C a po z z i , a s e as o n e d an d e xperi e n ce d v e t e r an o f c ri m i n a l p r a c ti ce , th o r o u g hl y e xp l ai n e d th e un av ai l ab ili ty o f 

### a j u s t i fi c ati o n d e fe n s e 1 2 � t

.. .( e . g . , s e l f - d e f e n s e ) t o P e ti t i o n e r . Th e s tark r e a li ty o f th i s c as e i s th e fa c t s d o n o t an d n e v e r wi ll s u p p o rt th e d e fe n s e o f s e l f - d e f e n s e , P et i t i o n e r und e rs t o o d th i s an d kn o wi n g l y , i nte lli g e ntly an d v o luntar il y a dmi tte d h e s h o t T o b i ah Jo hn s o n w i th m a li ce an d n o t i n s e l f - d e fe n s e . L a s tl y , u p o n r e v i e w o f th e r e c o rd , i t i s c l e ar th at P e ti ti o n e r ' s p l e a o f gu il ty w as kn o wi n g an d v o lunt ary , At th e p l e a h earin g h e l d o n S e pt e mb e r 2 3 , 2 0 1 5 , A s s i stant D i s tri c t Att o rn e y R o g e r B au e r qu e s ti o n ed P e ti t i o n e rab o ut wh e th e r- P e t i t i o n er un d e r s t ood th e p l e a a g r e e m ent an d P e ti ti o n e r i n d i c ate d

_

_ h e d i d . un d e r s tan d th e a gr ee m e nt an d ent e r e d i nt o i t kn o win g l y an d v o luntari l y , a s d e m o ns tr at e d b y th e fo ll o wi n g co ll o quy : M r . B au e r : T h e p l e a a g ree m e nt i s at p ar a gr a p h fi v e . F o r th e r e co r d th e d e f en dant w ill p l e a d gui l ty t o C o unt O n e , am e n d i n g th e c h arg e 

### o f c ri m i n a l h o m i c i d e t o murd e r o f th e th i rd d e g r e e . T h e r e m a i n i n g c h arg es wi ll b e n o l [ s i c ] p ro s s e d w i th th e c o s t o fp ro s e c ut i o n u p o n th e d e fe n d ant , an d fo r p ur po s e s o f th e S e nt e n c in g Gu i d e l i n e s th e d e a dl y w e apo ns e nhan c e m e nt u s e d 

### w ill a p p l y at C o unt O n e . I s th at y o ur un d e r s t an d i n g o f th e p l ea a g reem e nt i n thi s c a s e , s i r ? M r . Gunt e r : Y e s , s i r . M r . B au e r : D i d y o u hav e a c h an c e t o r e v i e w thi s fo rm w i th y o ur 

### att o rn e y ? M r . Gunt e r : Y e s , s ir . M r . B au e r : D o y o u hav e any qu es t i o ns o n th e 

### ri ghts th at y o u h av e an d th e ri ght s y o u g i v e u p , th e m ax i mum p e na l ty o r th e p l ea a g r e e m e nt? M r . Gunt e r : N o , s i r . M r . B au e r : I s e e ab o v e th e li n e " d e fe n d ant " a s i g nat ur e , i s that y o ur s ? 

### Mr . Gunt e r : Y e s . M r . B au e r : D i d y o u s i g n th i s fo rm t o d ay b e cau s e y o u un d e r st an d e v e ryth i n g w i th in thi s d o c um e nt ? M r . Gunt e r : Y e s , s i r . N . T . , Gu il ty P l e a , 9 /2 3 /1 5 at 9 - 10 . Att o rn e y B au e r th e n e xp l ai n e d th e c h arg e a g a i n s t P e ti ti o n e r , whi c h h ad b ee n am e n d ed fr o m fi r st - d e gr e e mur d e r t o thi r d - d e g r e e murd e r . Aft e r Att o rn e y B au e r 1 3g av e a th o ro u g h e xp l an ati o n o f th e am e n d e d c h arg e , P e ti ti o n e r e xp li c i t l y s t at e d h e w as p l e a d i n g

gu i lty , as d e m o n s tr at e d b y th e fo ll o wi n g c o ll o quy : 

### M r . B au e r : M r . Gunt e r , 

### I h av e t o adv i s e y o u o f th e l e g al an d fa c tu al b as i s fo r y o ur p l ea. Th e C o mm o nw e a l th al l e g e s th at o n o r ab o ut N o v e mb e r 1 7 , 2 0 1 4 , th at y o u , T r e y D arri n Gunt e r , di d d i re c tl y o r b y v irt u e o f y o ur c o mp l i c i ty , i nt e nt i o n a ll y , kn o w i n g l y , o r r e c k l e s s l y , an d w i th m al i c e , at 1 2 3 W at e r S tr e e t

. i n a p arki n g l o t b e h i n d a p artm e nt numb e r 2 7 - E i n th e b o ro u gh o f E d i nb o ro , E ri e C o unty , c aus e th e d e ath o f an o th e r hum an be i n g , s p e c i fi c al l y T o b i ah

• ' r , .. r -, · • • · • · . · , i :J o bn s o n ,- i n th at y o u ,- T r e y D arri n Gunt er , di d s h o o t th e vi c t im .rT o b i ah. J o hns o n , r e s ul ti n g i n hi s d e ath , th er e b y c o mm i tti n g th e c rim e o f mur d e r i n th e th i r d d e g r e e . _ . . . M a l i c e un d e r th e l aw i s d e fi n e d a s w i c k e dn e s s o f di s p o s i t i o n , h ar dn e s s o f h e art, c ru e l ty , a r e c kl e s s n e s s o f th e co n s e qu e n c e s , an d an e xtr e m e i n d i ff e r e n ce t o th e v alu e o f

hum an l if

e . D o y o u un d e rs t an d th e l e g a l an d fa c tu al b as i s fo r C o unt O n e a s am e n d e d t o mur d e r i n th e th i r d d e gr e e ? 

### M r . Gunt e r : Y e s , s i r . 

### M r . B au e r : H o w d o y o u p l e a d t o C o unt O n e ? 

### M r . Gunt e r : Gui l ty . 

### I d . at 11 - 1 2 . A d di ti o n a ll y , th e C o urt th o ro u gh l y qu e s ti o n ed P e ti ti o n e r ab o ut wh e th e r h e un d e rs t oo d th e p l e a a gr e e m e nt. A g a i n , P e ti ti o n e r i n di cat e d h e fu ll y un d e rs t o o d th e a gre e m e nt an d e nt e red i nt o i t kn o w i n g ly an d v o lunt aril y , as d e m o n s tr at e d b y th e fo ll o wi n g co ll oquy : T h e 

### C o urt : . . . L o o ki n g at th e n o w am e n d e d c harg e at C o unt O n e , M r . Gunt e r , y o u h a d i n d i c at e d y o ur p l e a o f gui l ty an d 

### I w ant 

### to a sk y o u n o w , i s th at wh at y o u , i n fa c t , d i d o n th at d at e i n qu e s ti o n a s r e a d i n thi s C o urt ? 

### M r . Gunt e r : Y e s , s i r . 

### T h e C o urt : H as any o n e 

### in any w ay p ro m i s e d y o u s o m e thi n g o r c o e rc ed y o u i n any w ay t o t e ll m e s o m eth i n g th at wa s n ' t tru e ? 

### M r . Gunt e r : N o , s i r . 

### T h e C o urt : H av e th e r e b e e n any p r o m i s e s m a d e t o y o u o uts i d e o f wh at ha s b e e n i d e nti fi e d h e r e in th i s c o urtro o m ? 1 4

### M r . Gunt e r : N o , s i r . T h e C o urt: I' m s at i s fi e d th e r e ' s a l e g a l an d f act u al b a s i s t o s u

p p o rt C o unt O n e . I' m al s o s at i s fi e d th at h i s p l e a o f gui l ty w as kn o wi n gl y an d v o lunt aril y e nt e r e d . L e t m e a l s o as k y o u , wi th r e s p e c t t o th e fi r s t s h e e t , th e Un d e r s t an di n g o f Ri ght s P ri o r t o th e Gu il ty P l e a , M r . Gunt e r , a g ai n , di d y o u h av e en o u gh o p p o rtun ity t o di s c u s s th is matt e r wi th y o ur atto rn e y , Att o rn e y C a p o z z i ? 

### M r f G u n t e r : Y e s , 

### s i r. . : . . . : · · · T h e C o urt : W e r e 

### Y O \l c o mp l e t e l ysat i s fi ed w i th h i s rep r e s e nt at i o n ? M r . Gunt e r : Y e s , s i r . T h e C o urt : An d o uts i d e o fth e a gr e e m e nt as s e t fo rth i n p ar a gra p h fi v e ) h as any o n e m a d e any o th e r p r o m i s e s n o t wri tt e n i n th at p ara gr a p h ? M r . Gunt e r : N o , s i r . T h e C o urt : D o y o u fu ll y un d e rs t an d th e max i mum p e n a l ty an d t e rm s o f in carc e r ati o n a s th e w o r st c ase s c e n ari o ? 

### In o th e r w o r ds that i s what th e m ax i mum r ep r e s e nt s f

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