Opinion ID: 3166634
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: 2d 624 (2005)).61 Docket entry dated 3/1/06.

Text: 61 Atkins left to the individual states the responsibility of setting procedures to assess a defendant's claim of intellectual disability. Atkins, 536 U.S. at 317, 122 S.Ct. at 2250. In Miller, this Court established the prevailing standard for Atkins claims in Pennsylvania: a defendant must show, by a preponderance of the evidence, that he is “[intellectually disabled]” under the definitions provided by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) or the American Association of Mental Retardation (AAMR), which was renamed the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Difficulties (AAIDD). Miller, 585 Pa. at 155, 888 A.2d at 631. These clinical definitions are as follows: The AAMR defines mental retardation as a “disability characterized by significant limitations both in intellectual functioning and in adaptive behavior as expressed in the conceptual, social, and practical adaptive skills.” Mental Retardation[: Definition, Classifications, and Systems of Supports 1 (10th ed. 2002) (Mental Retardation) ] at 1. The (continuedL) [J-1-2015] - 79 On September 29, 2006, however, Appellant authored a pro se letter to Judge Jones requesting the court to disregard the Atkins claim filed by counsel. Pro se letter filed 9/29/06. In doing so, the letter referenced the testing that had been performed by Dr. Gerald Cooke indicating that Appellant had an IQ of 78, expressed Appellant’s understanding that “[intellectual disability] is characterized by an IQ of less than 70,” and suggested “for that reason the Atkins petition doesn’t apply to me.” Id. Without acknowledging Appellant’s pro se letter to Judge Jones, Appellant’s PCRA counsel filed a motion for a jury trial on the Atkins claim on December 13, 2006. Appellant appeared before the court on January 23, 2007, and he read a prepared statement that he was “absolutely not retarded” and reiterated that he did not wish to pursue an Atkins claim. Though Appellant was sworn in prior to making the statement, the court directed that he was not subject to questioning by either side, which prompted the following objection before Appellant completed his prepared statement: (Lcontinued) American Psychiatric Association defines mental retardation as “significantly subaverage intellectual functioning (an I.Q. of approximately 70 or below) with onset before age 18 years and concurrent deficits or impairments in adaptive functioning.” [Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed. 1992) (DSM–IV),] at 37. Thus, ... both definitions of mental retardation incorporate three concepts: 1) limited intellectual functioning; 2) significant adaptive limitations; and 3) age of onset. Id. at 153, 888 A.2d at 629–30 (footnote omitted). In sum, a defendant may establish “mental retardation” under either the AAMR (AAIDD) or APA/DSM–IV definition by showing by a preponderance of the evidence that he has limited intellectual functioning, significant adaptive limitations, and the onset of his subaverage intellectual functioning began before he turned 18 years old. Williams, 619 Pa. at 224, 61 A.3d at 982. Commonweath v. Hackett, 626 Pa. 593-94, 99 A.3d 11, 26-27 (2014). [J-1-2015] - 80 [COMMONWEALTH]: My objection is, if the defendant wrote a letter, it is inappropriate for him to sit here and read it to the Court. Nobody has a copy of it. I mean, if he wants to testify, he should testify and be cross-examined. I don’t know of a procedure where he just writes a letter that only he knows about and is going to sit here and read it to the Court. THE COURT: I understand your concern and the basis for your objection. At this juncture, I’m simply inviting Mr. Mason to apprise the Court as to whether or not he wishes to pursue the issue of Atkins versus Virginia. Mr. Mason, can you cut to the chase? [APPELLANT]: Should I start from the beginning? THE COURT: Why don’t you answer that question?