J-S35034-16

NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF

: PENNSYLVANIA

v. :

:

RAMON WALL, :

:

Appellant : No. 1789 EDA 2015

Appeal from the PCRA Order June 3, 2015

in the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County,

Criminal Division, No(s): CP-51-CR-0005311-2013

BEFORE: FORD ELLIOTT, P.J.E., BENDER, P.J.E. and MUSMANNO, J.

MEMORANDUM BY MUSMANNO, J.: FILED JUNE 17, 2016

Ramon Wall (“Wall”) appeals, pro se, from the Order dismissing his 

first Petition for relief filed pursuant to the Post Conviction Relief Act 

(“PCRA”). See 42 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 9541-9546. We affirm.

The PCRA court set forth the relevant underlying history as follows:

On March 1, 2013, [Wall] met his significant other, Chemyra 

Johnson (“Johnson”), at her place of employment and accused 

her of cheating on him. He then slapped her several times with 

an open palm and slammed her head into a metal gate while 

shouting obscenities at her. Later that day, the two of them 

arrived at Johnson’s apartment, where [Wall] continued to 

accuse her of cheating on him and told her that the only way she 

would be rid of him would be if one of them were to die. 

Johnson snuck into her bathroom and called the police but [Wall] 

entered the bathroom and began to choke her. The police

arrived at the apartment and rang the doorbell, at which time 

[Wall] turned off the lights. The police eventually were able to 

enter the apartment with the assistance of the landlord and 

arrested [Wall].

[Wall] was subsequently sentenced[,] pursuant to his negotiated 

plea[,] to 5 to 10 years[’

]

state incarceration plus 5 years[’

]

probation on the aggravated assault charge. On July 23, 2013, 
J-S35034-16

- 2 -

[Wall] sent a pro se letter to th[e trial c]ourt requesting 

withdrawal of his guilty plea. On August 12, 2013, th[e trial 

c]ourt informed [Wall] that, as more than 30 days had passed 

since his sentencing date, th[e trial c]ourt was without 

jurisdiction to [permit withdrawal of] the plea. On December 3, 

2013, [Wall] filed a pro se [PCRA P]etition ... arguing that trial

counsel was ineffective for advising him to plead guilty.

 

... John P. Cotter, Esquire [(“Cotter”)], was appointed PCRA 

counsel. On March 19, 2015, [] Cotter filed a [Turner/Finley1] 

letter stating that the issues raised in [Wall’s] [P]etition were 

without merit. On May 5, 2015, th[e PCRA c]ourt sent [Wall] a 

[N]otice pursuant to Rule 907, indicating that his [P]etition 

would be dismissed because [Cotter] had determined that the 

issues raised therein were without merit. On May 15, 2015, 

[Wall] sent a response to the 907 [N]otice. On June 3, 2015, 

after independent review of [Wall’s] pro se [P]etition, [Cotter’s 

Turner/Finley] letter, and [Wall’s] [response] to the 907 

[N]otice, th[e PCRA c]ourt dismissed [Wall]’s petition .... On 

June 12, 2015, [Wall] appealed the dismissal of his PCRA 

[P]etition....

PCRA Court Opinion, 7/10/15, at 2-3 (footnote added).

On appeal, Wall raises the following questions for our review:

I. [Whether] Exhibit A, along with A-1, validates that the 

attorney for the Commonwealth, trial counsel, [the] PCRA 

court, PCRA counsel[], court stenographer, clerk of court, 

and [the] trial court,[] as paid by the state[], ... had 

violated [his rights pursuant] to Pa.R.Crim.P. Rule 230; 

230(B)(3); 230(B)(1); and under the Fourteenth 

Amendment of the U.S. Constitution[,] as such relates to 

[Wall] being provided with ... complete and unredacted 

discovery [materials] for inspection to perfect the issues 

raised on appeal[?]

II. [Whether] Exhibit B, along with B-1, validates that[] the 

attorney for the Commonwealth,[] as paid by the state[], 

... had failed to present evidence and witnesses[] to 

 

1 See Commonwealth v. Turner, 544 A.2d 927 (Pa. 1988); 

Commonwealth v. Finley, 550 A.2d 213 (Pa. Super. 1988) (en banc).
J-S35034-16

- 3 -

establish a prima facie case[,] as such relates to an 

[indictment] again[st] [Wall?]

III. [Whether] Exhibit C, C-1, C-2[,] C-3[,] C-4, [validates] 

that[] the [trial] counsel[,] as paid by the state[], ... 

violate[d] the attorney/client privilege[,] as such relates to 

providing [Wall] with ineffective assistance of counsel[?]

Brief for Appellant at 6 (some capitalization omitted). 

We review an order dismissing a petition under the PCRA 

in the light most favorable to the prevailing party at the PCRA 

level. This review is limited to the findings of the PCRA court 

and the evidence of record. We will not disturb a PCRA court’s 

ruling if it is supported by evidence of record and is free of legal 

error.

Commonwealth v. Ford, 44 A.3d 1190, 1194 (Pa. Super. 2012) (citations 

omitted).

In his first claim, Wall contends that the PCRA court improperly 

withheld discovery from him. See Brief for Appellant at 10-12. Wall argues 

that he was not provided with various documents, including, inter alia, the 

grand jury transcripts, medical documents detailing the victim’s injuries, 

DNA analysis, a log of his prison phone calls, the arrest and search warrants, 

witness statements, and investigation reports. Id. at 11-12; see also id. at 

16-17.

On August 27, 2015, in response to Wall’s “Application For Order 

Mandating Clerk Of Courts And/Or Court Stenographer To Fernish [sic] Court 

Records And Transcribed Notes Of Testimony In Forma Pauperis,” this Court 

entered an Order directing the PCRA court to provide Wall with all requested 

documents and relevant notes of testimony. See Order, 8/27/15. The PCRA 
J-S35034-16

- 4 -

court entered an Order on October 26, 2015, stating that it had provided all 

of the requested documents to Wall. See Order, 10/26/15.

Here, Wall does not demonstrate that the PCRA court committed any 

error after it provided him with the requested documents. To the extent 

Wall now seeks documents that he did not request, we conclude that such a 

claim is without merit. See Pa.R.Crim.P. 902(E)(1) (stating that under the 

PCRA, “no discovery shall be permitted at any stage of the proceedings, 

except upon leave of court after a showing of exceptional circumstances.”). 

Based upon the foregoing, Wall is not entitled to relief on his first claim.

In his second claim, Wall contends that the prosecutor committed 

prosecutorial misconduct by not dismissing the charges against him. Brief 

for Appellant at 13. Wall argues that the Commonwealth failed to present 

evidence and witnesses to establish a prima facie case under the Indictment. 

Id. at 14-15, 18-20.

Here, Wall did not raise this claim in his PCRA Petition; thus, it is 

waived on appeal. See Commonwealth v. Santiago, 855 A.2d 682, 691 

(Pa. 2004) (stating that “a claim not raised in a PCRA petition cannot be 

raised for the first time on appeal.”). Moreover, even if he had raised the 

issue in his PCRA Petition, this claim is not cognizable under the PCRA. See 
J-S35034-16

- 5 -

42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9543(a)(2). Thus, Wall’s second claim on appeal lacks 

merit.2

In his third claim, Wall contends that his plea counsel was ineffective 

for failing to investigate evidence and witnesses, file pretrial motions, 

explain the grand jury rules to him, and file a motion to dismiss the charges. 

Brief for Appellant at 21-34.

To succeed on such an ineffectiveness claim, Wall must demonstrate 

by the preponderance of the evidence that

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

course of conduct pursued by counsel did not have some 

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

for counsel’s ineffectiveness, there is a reasonable probability 

that the outcome of the proceedings would have been different. 

Commonwealth v. Ali, 10 A.3d 282, 291 (Pa. 2010). A petitioner’s failure 

to satisfy any prong of the ineffectiveness test requires rejection of the 

claim. Commonwealth v. Burno, 94 A.3d 956, 972 (Pa. 2014). Counsel is 

presumed to be effective, and the burden is on the appellant to prove 

otherwise. Commonwealth v. Watkins, 108 A.3d 692, 702 (Pa. 2014).

A criminal defendant has the right to effective counsel 

during a plea process as well as during trial. The law does not 

require that appellant be pleased with the outcome of his 

decision to enter a plea of guilty. Instead, the defendant must 

show that counsel’s deficient stewardship resulted in a manifest 

 

2 Wall also baldly claims that his negotiated sentence was illegal pursuant to 

Alleyne v. United States, 133 S. Ct. 2151 (2013). Brief for Appellant at 

13. However, Wall did not raise this claim in his PCRA Petition, nor has Wall 

demonstrated that Alleyne applies to his case. See Santiago, 855 A.2d at 

691. To the extent Wall raises a sufficiency of evidence claim, we conclude 

that the claim is waived for failing to raise it in his PCRA Petition. See id. 
J-S35034-16

- 6 -

injustice, for example, by facilitating entry of an unknowing, 

involuntary, or unintelligent plea. The voluntariness of the plea 

depends on whether counsel’s advice was within the range of 

competence demanded of attorneys in criminal cases. 

Therefore, allegations of ineffectiveness in connection with the 

entry of a guilty plea will serve as a basis for relief only if the 

ineffectiveness caused appellant to enter an involuntary or 

unknowing plea. 

Our law is clear that, to be valid, a guilty plea must be 

knowingly, voluntarily and intelligently entered. There is no 

absolute right to withdraw a guilty plea, and the decision as to 

whether to allow a defendant to do so is a matter within the 

sound discretion of the trial court. To withdraw a plea after 

sentencing, a defendant must make a showing of prejudice 

amounting to “manifest injustice.” A plea rises to the level of 

manifest injustice when it was entered into involuntarily, 

unknowingly, or unintelligently. A defendant’s disappointment in 

the sentence imposed does not constitute “manifest injustice.”

Commonwealth v. Bedell, 954 A.2d 1209, 1212 (Pa. Super. 2008) 

(citations, brackets, and quotation marks omitted).

In order to ensure a voluntary, knowing, and intelligent plea, trial 

courts are required to ask the following questions in the guilty plea colloquy:

1) Does the defendant understand the nature of the charges 

to which he or she is pleading guilty or nolo contendere?

2) Is there a factual basis for the plea?

3) Does the defendant understand that he or she has the 

right to a trial by jury?

4) Does the defendant understand that he or she is presumed

innocent until found guilty?

5) Is the defendant aware of the permissible ranges of 

sentences and/or fines for the offenses charged?
J-S35034-16

- 7 -

6) Is the defendant aware that the judge is not bound by the 

terms of any plea agreement tendered unless the judge 

accepts such agreement?

Id.; see also Pa.R.Crim.P. 590, cmt. “The guilty plea colloquy must 

affirmatively demonstrate that the defendant understood what the plea 

connoted and its consequences.” Commonwealth v. Lewis, 708 A.2d 497, 

501 (Pa. Super. 1998). “Once a defendant has entered a plea of guilty, it is 

presumed that he was aware of what he was doing, and the burden of 

proving involuntariness is upon him.” Commonwealth v. Stork, 737 A.2d 

789, 790 (Pa. Super. 1999) (citation and internal brackets omitted). “In

determining whether a guilty plea was entered knowingly and voluntarily, ... 

a court is free to consider the totality of the circumstances surrounding the 

plea.” Commonwealth v. Flanagan, 854 A.2d 489, 513 (Pa. 2004) 

(citation and internal quotation marks omitted). 

At the plea colloquy, Wall stated that he understood the English 

language, and that he was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs. See 

N.T., 6/10/13, at 3. Wall understood the charges against him, and admitted 

to the facts that led to those charges. Id. at 4, 6-8. Wall also stated that 

by pleading guilty, he understood that he was foregoing certain rights, 

including, inter alia, the presumption of innocence, the right to a jury trial, 

and most of his direct appeal rights. Id. at 4-5, 12-13. Wall affirmed that 

he was pleading guilty of his own free will and that he was satisfied with his 

attorney’s representation. Id. at 3, 5. Further, the trial court informed Wall 
J-S35034-16

- 8 -

about the maximum possible sentence and thereafter, imposed the 

negotiated sentence. Id. at 4, 10. 

Based upon our review of the totality of the circumstances, we 

conclude that Wall knowingly and voluntarily entered the guilty plea. Wall 

has not argued or demonstrated that plea counsel’s alleged errors caused 

him to tender an unknowing and involuntary plea. See PCRA Court Opinion, 

7/10/15, at 5; see also Bedell, 954 A.2d at 1212. Indeed, Wall accepted 

the factual basis of the guilty plea and admitted to committing aggravated 

assault. Moreover, Wall confirmed that he understood the rights he was 

foregoing by pleading guilty, indicated that he was pleased with the 

representation of counsel, and stated that no one had coerced him into 

pleading guilty. See Commonwealth v. Muhammad, 794 A.2d 378, 384 

(Pa. Super. 2002) (stating that appellant cannot claim that he involuntarily 

entered a guilty plea where he stated that no one threatened him to plead 

guilty); see also Commonwealth v. Tareila, 895 A.2d 1266, 1267 (Pa. 

Super. 2006) (stating that “[t]he entry of a guilty plea constitutes a waiver 

of all defects and defenses except lack of jurisdiction, invalidity of the plea, 

and illegality of the sentence.”). In light of the guilty plea colloquy, we 

conclude that Wall knowingly and voluntarily entered the guilty plea, and 

that Wall’s claims of ineffective assistance of plea counsel do not entitle him 

to relief. See Commonwealth v. Yeomans, 24 A.3d 1044, 1047 (Pa. 

Super. 2011) (stating that a person who elects to plead guilty is bound by 
J-S35034-16

- 9 -

the statements he made during the plea colloquy and may not later assert 

grounds for withdrawing the plea which contradict those statements); 

Lewis, 708 A.2d at 502 (noting that where the appellant stated at his 

colloquy that he was satisfied with counsel’s representation, appellant’s 

ineffective assistance of counsel claim was without merit); Commonwealth 

v. Shekerko, 639 A.2d 810, 815 (Pa. Super. 1994) (concluding that 

because appellant’s plea was knowingly entered, plea counsel was not 

ineffective).

Order affirmed.

Judgment Entered.

Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.

Prothonotary

Date: 6/17/2016