Opinion ID: 3028340
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: First Post-Conviction Relief Proceeding

Text: On April 25, 1988, Nara filed a pro se petition and brief for post-conviction relief under the Pennsylvania Post Conviction Hearing Act (PCHA).1 In his brief, Nara claimed (1) the court violated his constitutional rights by accepting his pleas while he was mentally incompetent; and (2) his trial counsel, Gentile, was ineffective for failing to have his competency evaluated. Judge Franks appointed Fayette County Public Defender Richard E. Bower to represent Nara and held evidentiary hearings at which Nara, his father, his two brothers, and Attorney Gentile testified. After the hearings, Judge Franks, treating the petition as alleging only ineffective assistance of counsel, concluded that Gentile was not ineffective, and denied the petition.2 Bower filed an appeal on Nara’s behalf to the Superior Court raising only his ineffective assistance of counsel claim. The Superior Court denied Nara’s appeal for failing to conform to the newly-enacted PCRA, 42 PA. STAT. ANN. 1. The Pennsylvania legislature replaced the PCHA with the Post Conviction Relief Act (PCRA) 12 days before Nara filed his petition. Nara’s appointed counsel, Mr. Bower, did not amend Nara’s petition to comply with the PCRA.