Court Opinion

ID: 4378816
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2019-03-20 16:39:21.857212+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:49:22.483130
License: Public Domain

J-S02044-19

NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37

 COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA            :   IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
                                         :        PENNSYLVANIA
                   Appellee              :
                                         :
              v.                         :
                                         :
 ALONZO WALLACE                          :
                                         :
                   Appellant             :        No. 882 EDA 2018

                Appeal from the PCRA Order March 9, 2018
           In the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County
           Criminal Division at No(s): CP-51-CR-0008101-2014

BEFORE: GANTMAN, P.J.E., KUNSELMAN, J., and FORD ELLIOTT, P.J.E.

MEMORANDUM BY GANTMAN, P.J.E.:                     FILED MARCH 20, 2019

     Appellant, Alonzo Wallace, appeals pro se from the order entered in the

Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas, which denied his first petition

filed under the Post Conviction Relief Act (“PCRA”), at 42 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 9541-

9546. We affirm.

     The relevant facts and procedural history of this case are as follows. In

early January 2014, Appellant’s coconspirator, Kimberly Cook, encountered

and befriended Victim, a pizza delivery driver.    While exchanging phone

numbers with Victim, Cook observed US currency on the floor of Victim’s

vehicle. Cook told her boyfriend, co-defendant Hakim Blatch, about Victim

and asked Blatch to rob Victim.       Blatch agreed and arranged for co-

defendants, Appellant and Quadir Jeffries, to aid in the robbery. On January

18, 2014, Cook arranged to meet Victim under the pretense of a sexual
J-S02044-19

encounter.     Once at Victim’s apartment, Cook allowed Blatch, Jeffries, and

Appellant to enter the building. Blatch, Jeffries, and Appellant then attacked

Victim, beat him, and stole a tin containing marijuana and cash.           When

Victim’s neighbor heard the commotion and opened his door to see what was

happening, Appellant shot at the neighbor through the door. The bullet struck

Victim’s neighbor in his left arm.

       Victim, Victim’s neighbor, and Appellant’s cohorts identified Appellant as

the shooter in the case, and police arrested Appellant on June 11, 2014. On

December 10, 2015, a jury convicted Appellant of two counts of aggravated

assault, plus one count each of burglary, robbery, conspiracy, and carrying a

firearm without a license.       The court sentenced Appellant on February 17,

2016, to an aggregate thirty (30) to sixty (60) years’ imprisonment. This

Court affirmed the judgment of sentence on April 17, 2017.                  See

Commonwealth v. Wallace, 169 A.3d 1170 (Pa.Super. 2017) (unpublished

memorandum).

       On May 11, 2017, Appellant filed a pro se PCRA petition.       The court

appointed PCRA counsel, who filed an amended petition seeking reinstatement

of Appellant’s rights to file a petition for allowance of appeal with our Supreme

Court, but he later withdrew that request.       On December 8, 2017, PCRA

counsel filed a Turner/Finley1 letter and a motion to withdraw as counsel.

____________________________________________

1 Commonwealth v. Turner, 518 Pa. 491, 544 A.2d 927 (1988);
Commonwealth v. Finley, 550 A.2d 213 (1988).

                                           -2-
J-S02044-19

Counsel supplemented his Turner/Finley letter on January 10, 2018. On

January 26, 2018, the court issued notice of its intent to dismiss the PCRA

petition without a hearing, per Pa.R.Crim.P. 907. Appellant pro se responded

on February 15, 2018. On March 9, 2018, the court dismissed Appellant’s

PCRA petition and granted counsel’s motion to withdraw. Appellant timely

filed a notice of appeal on March 23, 2018.    On the same day, the court

ordered Appellant to file a concise statement of errors complained of on

appeal, per Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b); Appellant timely complied.

     Appellant raises the following issues on appeal:

     I.  (a) DID THE PCRA COURT ERR WHEN IT DENIED
     [APPELLANT’S] PCRA PETITION WHEN TRIAL COUNSEL WAS
     INEFFECTIVE FOR FAILING TO TIMELY FILE OMNIBUS
     PRETRIAL MOTIONS?

         (b) WAS PCRA COUNSEL INEFFECTIVE FOR FAILING TO
     ARGUE THIS ISSUE AND REQUEST AN EVIDENTIARY
     HEARING?

     II. (a) DID THE PCRA COURT ERR WHEN IT DENIED
     [APPELLANT’S] PCRA PETITION CLAIMING TRIAL COUNSEL
     WAS INEFFECTIVE FOR FAILING TO FILE A SEVERANCE
     MOTION PRE-TRIAL?

         (b) WAS PCRA COUNSEL INEFFECTIVE FOR FAILING TO
     ARGUE THIS ISSUE AND REQUEST AN EVIDENTIARY
     HEARING?

     III. (a) DID THE PCRA COURT ERR WHEN IT DENIED
     [APPELLANT’S] PCRA PETITION WHEN TRIAL COUNSEL FAILED
     TO FILE A MOTION ARGUING THE WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE
     POST-SENTENCE?

         (b) WAS PCRA COUNSEL INEFFECTIVE FOR FAILING TO
     ARGUE THIS ISSUE AND REQUEST AN EVIDENTIARY
     HEARING?

                                   -3-
J-S02044-19

     IV. (a) DID THE PCRA COURT ERR WHEN IT DENIED
     [APPELLANT’S] PCRA PETITION WHEN TRIAL COUNSEL FAILED
     TO OBJECT TO COMMONWEALTH WITNESS, KIMBERLY COOK’S
     HEARSAY TESTIMONY?

         (b) WAS PCRA COUNSEL INEFFECTIVE FOR FAILING TO
     ARGUE THIS ISSUE AND REQUEST AN EVIDENTIARY
     HEARING?

     V.  (a) DID THE PCRA COURT ERR WHEN IT DENIED
     [APPELLANT’S] PCRA PETITION WHEN TRIAL COUNSEL FAILED
     TO PROVIDE EFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL BY
     ARGUING THE MERGER DOCTRINE?

         (b) WAS THE PCRA COUNSEL INEFFECTIVE FOR FAILING
     TO ARGUE THIS ISSUE AND REQUEST AN EVIDENTIARY
     HEARING?

     VI. (a) DID THE COMMONWEALTH FAIL TO PROVE THE
     ELEMENTS OF AGGRAVATED ASSAULT W/SERIOUS INJURY
     WITH REGARDS TO MR. SCOTT?

     VII. (a) DID THE PCRA COURT ERR WHEN IT DENIED
     [APPELLANT’S] PCRA PETITION?

         (b) DID PCRA COUNSEL, JOHN P. COTTER PROVIDE
     INEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL WHEN HE FILED A
     TURNER/FINLEY LETTER AND FAILED TO ARGUE ANY OF THE
     ABOVE SEVEN ISSUES WHEN ALL SEVEN ISSUES HAVE MERIT
     AND PCRA COUNSEL WAS INEFFECTIVE FOR FAILING TO
     REQUEST AN EVIDENTIARY HEARING?

     VIII. ATTORNEY ROBERT E. TRIMBLE (TRIAL COUNSEL)
     PROVIDED INEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL FOR
     FAILING TO REQUEST A KLOIBER INSTRUCTION PURSUANT
     TO COMMONWEALTH V. KLOIBER, [378 PA. 412, 106 A.2D
     820 (1954)] AND WAS ATTORNEY COTTER (PCRA COUNSEL)
     INEFFECTIVE FOR FAILING TO PRESENT THIS CLAIM IN AN
     AMENDED PCRA PETITION WHEN [APPELLANT] RAISED THIS
     ISSUE IN HIS 907 RESPONSE?

     IX. WAS ATTORNEY JOHN P. COTTER (PCRA COUNSEL)
     INEFFECTIVE FOR FAILING TO REQUEST AN EVIDENTIARY

                              -4-
J-S02044-19

      HEARING WHEN [APPELLANT] PRESENTED “MATERIAL FACTS”
      WITHIN HIS PRO SE PCRA PETITION AND DID JUDGE
      BRONSON ABUSE HIS DISCRETION FOR FAILING TO ADDRESS
      [APPELLANT’S] ISSUES IN AN INDEPENDENT REVIEW AND
      OPINION AND DID THE HONORABLE JUDGE GLENN B.
      BRONSON ABUSE HIS D[I]SCRETION FOR FAILING TO ORDER
      THE COMMONWEALTH FILE AN ANSWER PURSUANT TO RULE
      906?

(Appellant’s Brief at 10-11).

      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 (Pa.Super. 2011), appeal denied, 612 Pa. 687, 29 A.3d 795

(2011). This 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 (Pa.Super. 2007), appeal denied, 593 Pa. 754, 932 A.2d 74

(2007). We give no such deference, however, to the court’s legal conclusions.

Commonwealth v. Ford, 44 A.3d 1190 (Pa.Super. 2012).                 Further, a

petitioner is not entitled to a PCRA hearing as a matter of right; the PCRA

court can decline to hold a hearing if there is no genuine issue concerning any

material fact, the petitioner is not entitled to relief, and no purpose would be

served by any further proceedings. Commonwealth v. Wah, 42 A.3d 335

(Pa.Super. 2012).

      After a thorough review of the record, the briefs of the parties, the

applicable law, and the well-reasoned opinion of the Honorable Glenn B.

Bronson, we conclude Appellant’s issues merit no relief.       The PCRA court

                                     -5-
J-S02044-19

opinion comprehensively discusses and properly disposes of the questions

presented. (See PCRA Court Opinion, filed May 25, 2018, at 3-15) (finding:

(1) Appellant fails to identify form of relief counsel should have sought in

omnibus pretrial motion so claim is technically waived; absent reason to file

pretrial motion, counsel cannot be deemed ineffective for failing to file one;

(2) record belies Appellant’s severance claim, where counsel did file motion

for severance, which court properly denied after hearing; (3) record belies

Appellant’s weight claim, where counsel did file post-sentence motion

challenging weight of evidence, which court properly denied and appellate

court rejected on appeal; (4) Appellant’s hearsay claim lacks arguable merit,

where prior statements were admissible under exceptions to hearsay rule,

such as prior inconsistent statements to police, which witness signed and

adopted; statements of Appellant were admissible as admission of party

opponent or in furtherance of ongoing conspiracy; (5) Appellant’s merger

claim lacks arguable merit, where aggravated assault and robbery did not

merge for sentencing purposes under circumstances of this case; (6) record

belies Appellant’s sufficiency claim, where counsel did file post-sentence

motion    challenging    sufficiency   of    evidence   regarding    aggravated

assault/serious bodily injury, which court properly denied and appellate court

rejected on appeal; (8) Appellant’s Kloiber issue lacks arguable merit, where

counsel had no reason to request instruction; witness had adequate basis for

identification of Appellant and had no difficulty identifying him in video stills

                                       -6-
J-S02044-19

from crime scene, in photo array, and at trial; (7) and (9) Appellant’s issues

were frivolous or lacked arguable merit, so PCRA counsel cannot be deemed

ineffective for filing Turner/Finley no-merit letter; likewise, PCRA court had

no reason to hold hearing on Appellant’s claims). The record supports the

court’s decision to deny PCRA relief without a hearing on the grounds asserted.

Accordingly, we affirm based on the PCRA court’s opinion.

      Order affirmed.

Judgment Entered.

Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary

Date: 3/20/19

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                                                IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
       2018 HAY 25 PH 2: �2                FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA
     Otf/CE OF JlJD/.,                              CRIMINAL TRIAL DIVISION
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         OF   IYt�COMM©NWEALTH
              t.                 OF                                                  CP-5 t-CR-0008101-2014
                       PENNSYLVANIA
                                                                             cp.51 -CR-0008101-2014 Comm. v. Wallace, Alonzo
                                                                                                Opinion
                                 v.
                       ALONZO WALLA CE                                                   llll    llllll
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                                                                OPINION

                       BRONSON, J.                                                   May 25, 2018

                       On December 10, 2015, fol lowing a jury trial before this Court, defendant Alonzo

        Wallace was convicted of two counts of aggravated assault (18 Pa.C.S. § 2702(a)(l)), and one

        count each of burglary (18 Pa.C.S. § 3502(a)(l)), robbery (18 Pa.C.S. § 3701(a)(l)(ii)), .

        conspiracy to commit robbery ( 18 Pa.C.S. §§ 903 & 3701 ), and carrying a firearm without a

        license (1_8 Pa.C.S. § 6106). Defendant was jointly tried with co-defendants Quadir Jeffries and

        H�kini..Blatch. On February 17, 2016, the Court imposed consecutive terms of 10 to 20 years

        imprisonment for robbery and IO to 20 years imprisonment for each count of aggravated assault,

        with concurrent terms of 3 to 6 years imprisonment for conspiracy to commit robbery, 5 to 10

        years imprisonment for burglary, and 3 � to 7 years imprisonment for carrying a firearm without

        a license, for an aggregate sentence of 30 to 60 years imprisonment. Defendant was represented

        at trial, sentencing, and on appeal by Robert Trimble, Esquire.

                       On appeal, Mr. Trimble filed a petition to withdraw with the Superior Court, along with a

        brief stating that the appeal was frivolous pursuant to Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738 (1967)

        and Commonwealth v. Santiago, 978 A.2d 349 (Pa. 2009). On April 17, 2017, the Superior
Court affirmed the judgment of sentence and granted counsel's petition to withdraw, agreeing

that the appeal was wholly frivolous. Superior Court Opinion, filed April 17, 2017 at p. 1.

       On May 11, 201 7, defendant filed a pro se petition under the under the Post Conviction

Relief Act ("PCRA"). John Cotter, Esquire was appointed to represent defendant on June 8,

2017. On June 21, 2017, Mr. Cotter submitted an Amended Petition on defendant's behalf:

seeking reinstatement of defendant's allocatur rights, which he later withdrew. On December 8,

2017, Mr. Cotter filed a letter stating that there was no merit to defendant's claims for collateral

relief(" Finley Letter"). On January 10, 2018, Mr. Cotter submitted a Supplemental Finley

Letter. On January 26, 2018, the Court issued notice, pursuant to Pa.R.Crim.P. 907 ("907

Notice") of its intention to dismiss defendant's petition without a hearing. Defendant submitted

a response to the Court's 907 Notice on February 27, 2018. On March 9, 2018, the Court

dismissed defendant's PCRA petition and granted Mr. Cotter's motion to withdraw his

appearance.

       Defendant prose has now appealed the Court's dismissal of his PCRA Petition, alleging

that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to do the following: 1) file omnibus pretrial motions;

2) file a severance motion; 3) raise a weight of the evidence claim in a post-sentence motion; 4)

object to witness Kimberly Cook's hearsay testimony; 5) argue the merger doctrine; 6). challenge

the sufficiency of the evidence as to the aggravated assault conviction regarding victim Michael

Scott; and 7) request a Kloiber instruction. Statement of Matters Complained of on Appeal

(Pa.R.A.P. l 925(b)) ("Statement of Matters") at   �11 1-7.   In addition, defendant contends that

PCRA counsel was ineffective for failing to raise these claims of trial counsel ineffectiveness

and for failing to request an evidentiary hearing on the issues. Id. Defendant also separately

alleges that PCRA counsel was ineffective for filing a Finley Jetter and failing to argue that the

                                                   2
above claims had merit. Id. at ,i 8. For the reasons set forth below, defendant's claims are either

without merit or waived, and the PCRA Court's order dismissing his petition should be affirmed.

                                   II. FACTUAL BACKGROUND

       The facts of this case are summarized in the Superior Court's opinion of April 17, 2017,

affirming the trial court's judgment of sentence on direct appeal. See Superior Court Opinion,

filed April 17, 2017 at pp. 2-5.

                                          Ill. DISCUSSION

       If court-appointed counsel for a PCRA petitioner determines that the issues the petitioner

raises for collateral review are meritless, and the PCRA court concurs, counsel may withdraw

and the petitioner may proceed pro se, by privately retained counsel, or not at all. Finley, 5 SO

A.2d at 218. To be permitted to withdraw, petitioner's counsel must file a no-merit letter, or

"Finley letter," detailing the nature and extent of counsel's review and listing each issue the

petitioner wished to raise, with counsel's explanation as to why the issues are rneritless.

Commonwealth v. Pills, 981 A.2d 875, 876 n.1 (Pa. 2009) (citing Finley, 550A.2d at215). After

reviewing a Finley letter, the PCRA court isrequired to independently review the record to

evaluate the petitioner's claims. Id. A PCRA petition may be dismissed without a hearing if the

Court determines that there are no claims of arguable merit and no purpose would be served by

further proceedings. Commonwealth v. Lignons, 971 A.2d J 125, I 143 (Pa. 2009); see

Pa.R.Crim.P. 907(1).

       In his Finley Letter and Supplemental Finley Letter, Mr. Cotter stated his opinion that

defendant's claims had no arguable merit. After an independent review of the record, the Court

agrees with Mr. Cotter. Each of defendant's PCRA appellate claims is considered below.

                                                 3
         Initially, the Court notes that all of defendant's claims are premised upon his contention

that he received ineffective assistance of counsel. Under Pennsylvania law, counsel is presumed

to be effective and the burden to prove otherwise lies with the petitioner. Commonwealth v.

Basemore, 744 A.2d 717, 728 (Pa. 2000), n. l O (citing Commonwealth v. Copenhefer, 719 A.2d

242, 250 (Pa. 1998)). To obtain collateral relief based on the ineffective assistance of counsel, a

petitioner must show that counsel's representation fell below accepted standards of advocacy and

that as a result thereof, the petitioner was prejudiced. Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668,

694 (1984). In Pennsylvania, the Strickland standard is interpreted as requiring proof that: (1)

the claim underlying the ineffectiveness claim had arguable merit; (2) counsel's actions lacked

any reasonable basis; and (3) the ineffectiveness of counsel caused the petitioner prejudice.

Commonwealth v. Miller, 987 A.2d 638, 648 (Pa. 2009); Commonwealth v. Pierce, 527 A.2d

973, 97 5 (Pa. 1987). To satisfy the third prong of the test, the petitioner must prove that, but for

counsel's error, there is a reasonable probability that the outcome of the proceeding would have

been different. Commonwealth v. Sneed, 899 A.2d 1067, 1084 (Pa. 2006) (citing Strickland, 466

U.S. at 694). If the PCRA court determines that any one of the three prongs cannot be met, then

the court need not hold an evidentiary hearing as such a hearing would serve no purpose.

Commonwealth v. Jones, 942 A.2d 903, 906 (Pa. Super.), appeal denied, 956 A.2d 433 (Pa.

2008).

         A. Failure to File Omnibus Pretrial Motion for Relief

         Defendant first claims that trial counsel was ineffective for "failing to timely file omni-

bus pre-trial motions," and that PCRA counsel was ineffective for failing to argue this issue and

request an evidentiary hearing. Statement of Matters at�[ I. Defendant fails, however, to

identify any form of relief that trial counsel should have sought in an omnibus motion.

                                                   4
Accordingly, this claim is waived. See Commonwealth v. Cannon, 954 A.2d 1222, 1228 (Pa.

Super. 2008), app. denied, 964 A.2d 893 (Pa. 2009) (where a defendant makes a vague and

generalized objection on appeal that leaves the trial court to guess at his claims, those claims are

deemed to have been waived).

        Even if the claim had not been waived, it would still not entitle defendant to PCRA relief.

In his Finley Letter, Mr. Cotter stated his opinion that counsel had no reason to file an omnibus

pretrial motion. Finley Letter at p. 1. After independently reviewing the record, the Court agrees

with Mr. Cotter's assessment. Therefore, trial counsel could not have been ineffective for failing

to file an omnibus pretrial motion, and PCRA counsel was not ineffective for failing to present

this claim. No relief is due.

         B. Failure lo File Motion for Severance

         Defendant next claims that trial counsel was ineffective for "foiling to file a severance

motion pre-trial." Statement of Matters at ir 2. Additionally, defendant claims that PCRA

counsel was ineffective for failing to argue and request an evidentiary hearing on this issue. Id.

         Defendant's claim, as stated, is frivolous. The record demonstrates that trial counsel did

make a pre-trial severance motion in this case, which the Court denied after hearing argument.'

Moreover, defendant could not make a cognizable PCRA claim that the Court erred in denying

his severance motion since that claim could have, but was not, raised on direct_ appeal. 42

Pa.C.S. § 9544(b) ("an issue is waived if the petitioner could have raised it but failed to do so

before trial, at trial, [or] on appeal"); see Commonwealth v. Lambert, 797 A.2d 232, 240 (Pa.

I Because the severance issue involved an ongoing homicide investigation, the Court sealed the portion of the notes

of testimony regarding the arguments on the motion. However, the unsealed portion of the transcript clearly
revealed that a severance motion was made by trial counsel and that the motion was heard and decided. N.T.
 I 2/ l/2015 at 11-13. Moreover, although the courtroom was cleared of spectators during the argument, the defendant
was present throughout. Id at 13. Having discovered that the argument transcript was stil I sealed, the Court
unsealed the transcript and forwarded a copy to defendant on May 25, 2018.

                                                         5
2001 ). Defendant could have, however, raised a claim in his PCRA petition that appellate

counsel was ineffective for failing to raise the severance issue on direct appeal.2 Such a claim,

however, would be meritless.

         The Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure provide that "[ d]efendants charged in

separate indictments or informations may be tried together if they are alleged to have participated

in the same act or transaction or in the same series of acts or transactions constituting an offense

or offenses." Pa.R.Crim.P. 582(A)(2). The Rules further provide that "[tjhe court may order

separate trials of...dcfendants ... if it appears any party may be prejudiced by ... defendants being

tried together." Pa.R.Crim.P. 583. However, "it is well established that 'the law favors a joint

trial when criminal conspiracy is charged.'" Commonwealth v. Serrano, 61 A.3d 279, 285 (Pa.

Super. 2013) (quoting Commonwealth v. Colon, 846 A.2d 747, 753-754 (Pa. Super. 2004)).

Here, all three defendants were charged with conspiring to rob the complainant, Ronald McNeil,

and were alleged to have acted together to break into McNeil's apartment, and to beat and take

property from him. Accordingly, the defendants were properly joined for trial under Rule 582.

         ln his pro se petition, defendant argued that he was prejudiced by the joinder because of

evidence presented at trial that Commonwealth witness Kimberly Cook was involved in criminal

activity with co-defendant Hakim Blatch, unrelated to the instant case. In particular.defendant

contended that because Cook admitted to unrelated drug activities with Blatch, the jury likely

associated defendant with such criminal activity as well. Pro Se Petition at pp. I 0, 13-14. In

addition, defendant contended that he was unfairly barred from questioning Cook about a

homicide case involving Blatch and Cook due to the joinder. Id. at 13. Defendant contends that

2
 As stated above, Robert Trimble represented defendant both at trial and on appeal. Mr. Trimble filed an Anders
brief on direct appeal stating counsel's conclusion that the appeal was wholly frivolous. He did not raise the Court's
decision on the severance motion as an arguable issue in his Anders brief.

                                                          6
defendant, in a separate trial, could have made a compelling argument that the robbery at issue

was part of a criminal scheme involving Cook and Blatch that did not involve defendant. Id. at

    14.

           Defendant's argument is without merit. It is true that Cook was Blatch's girlfriend, and

that Cook was responsible for setting up the robbery of McNeil. In particular, Cook had seen

McNeil with cash, and as a result, set up a date with him, ostensibly for sex. Unbeknownst to

McNeil, Cook had enlisted Blatch, who in turn, enlisted defendant and co-defendant Jeffries, to

follow Cook to McNeil's house, where they beat and robbed him after Cook let them in. As a

resuJt, Cook pied guilty to multiple charges pursuant to a cooperation agreement with the

Commonwealth. N.T. 12/7/2015               at   122-123. It is also true that while cooperating with the

Commonwealth, Cook admitted to being involved in delivering drug proceeds for an ex-

boyfriend. Id. at 173-175. However, contrary to defendant's argument, there was never any

evidence that the ex-boyfriend was Blatch; rather, it was someone in Jamaica who was never

identified during the trial. Id. at 215-216. Cook's involvement in the robbery at issue, her

unrelated criminal activities, and her cooperation agreement, were all compelling impeachment

material and would have been admitted at trial, for the benefit of any of the defendants,

regardless of whether severance had been granted. There is no reason to believe that the

evidence of Cook's wrongdoing and her relationship with Blatch would have come into evidence

any differently at a severed trial where defendant was being tried without Blatch and Jeffries.

           As for the homicide investigation, it is true that ballistics evidence connected the crimes

here at issue to a homicide.' In particular, during the robbery here at issue, when one of robbery

victim McNeil's neighbors, Michael Scott, heard a commotion and opened his door to see what

3   No evidence alluding to the homicide was ever presented to the jury.

                                                            7
was happening, defendant turned and shot him. N.T. 12/3/15 at 140-141, 146, 227; 12/7/15 at

95. The ballistics evidence from that shot matched the ballistics in an unrelated homicide

investigation. N.T. 12/ 1/2015 (previously sealed transcript regarding severance motion) at 14.

Contrary to defendant's argument, there was never any evidence at any time, nor has any been

proffered by defendant, suggesting that Cook was involved in that homicide. Accordingly, no

defendant would have been permitted to cross-examine Cook about the homicide regardless of

whether the cases were tried jointly or separately.

        In addition, while defendant does not present the argument in his petition, trial counsel

argued that defendant's case be severed so that counsel could attempt to prove that co-defendants

Blatch and Jeffries committed the unrelated homicide with a third co-conspirator, who was not

defendant Wallace. N .T. 12/1/2015 (previously sealed transcript regarding severance motion) at

14-16. He contended that if defendant's case was severed, such evidence could be presented.

However, counsel proffered no admissible evidence to support his contention. Even if he had,

the Court would not have permitted defendant, at a severed trial, to put Blatch and Jeffries on

trial for the unrelated homicide and to prove that they committed the honiicide with someone

other than defendant, so that defendant could make the attenuated argument that someone other

than defendant must have then committed the robbery with Blatch and Jeffries. The probative

value of sue� evidence would be far outweighed by the potential for undue delay and confusion

of the issues.

        Accordingly, defendant's severance motion was without merit and was properly denied

by the Court. For that reason, appellate counsel could not have been ineffective for failing to

raise the issue on direct appeal, and PCRA counsel could not have ineffective for failing to argue

it. No relief is due.

                                                 8
       C. Failure to Challenge Weight of the Evidence in a Post-Sentence Motion

       Defendant next claims that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to "file a motion

arguing the weight of the evidence post-sentence." Statement of Matters at 13. Additionally,

defendant claims that PCRA counsel was ineffective for failing to argue and request an

evidentiary hearing on this issue. id. However, trial counsel did file a post-sentence motion

challenging the weight of the evidence, which the Court denied on April 4, 2016. See Post Trial

Motion for Reconsideration ofI Sentence and/or for New Trial, filed 2/17/16 at p. 2.

       Nor can defendant claim that appellate counsel was ineffective for failing to raise the

issue on appeal. In his Anders brief, counsel raised the weight of the evidence as an arguable

issue. The Superior Court agreed with counsel that the issue was frivolous. See Superior Court

Opinion, filed April 17, 2017 at pp. 12-13.

       Finally, since both trial counsel and appellate counsel raised the weight claim, and since

the claim was rejected by the Superior Court, PCRA counsel could not have been ineffective for

failing to raise any claim premised upon the weight of the evidence. No relief is due.

       D. Failure   lo   Raise Hearsay Objection During Kimberly Cook ·.1· Testimony

       Defendant next claims that trial counsel was ineffective for failing "to object to the

Commonwealth witness, Kimberly Cook's hearsay testimony." Statement of Matters at� 4.

Additionally, defendant claims that PCRA counsel was ineffective for failing to argue and

request an evidentiary hearing on this issue. id. Both claims are without merit.

       The hearsay at issue pertains to conversations among defendant, co-defendants Blatch

and Jeffries, and Cook at a speakeasy following the robbery. The hearsay claim is twofold: first,

after Cook, during her trial testimony, described the conversations in a manner inconsistent with

her prior statements to police> the relevant questions and answers from her prior out-of-court

                                                  9
statements were admitted to the jury; and second, Cook was permitted, both in her testimony

before the jury, and through her prior statements, to recount for the jury what defendant and

Blatch said during the speakeasy conversation. See PCRA petition at pp. 21-27. Because all of

these statements were admissible under exceptions to the hearsay rule, defendant's claim is

without merit.

           As to Cook's prior statements to the police, they were admissible for their truth as prior

inconsistent statements that were signed and adopted by the declarant, See Pa.R.E. 803. I ( l )(b).

In the relevant portions of the statements, Cook told police that immediately following the

murder, she, defendant, and co-defendants Blatch and 'Jeffries met outside a speakeasy in South

Philadelphia. N.T. 12/7/15 at 95. According to Cook, during that meeting, defendant said that

"he [defendant] panicked and he heard the guy come to the door and he shot the door." N.T.

12/7/15 at 95. ln addition, Cook told police that while the group was still outside the speakeasy,

Blatch said that "by the time he got upstairs, Quadir and Zo4 had pistol-whipped the guy and he

was laying on the floor." N.T. 12/7/15 at 98.

           Because Cook, in her statements to police, recounted out-of court-statements of

defendant and Blatch, a second level of hearsay was admitted, which requires separate

exceptions to the hearsay rule. As to what Cook said she heard defendant say, any statements of

the defendant were admissible against him as admissions by a party-opponent. See Pa.R.E.

803(25)(A) (providing exception to the hearsay rule for a party's statement offered against that

party). As for the statement of Blaich, that was admissible under the co-conspirator exception to

the hearsay rule. That exception applies when the statement "was made by the party's

coconspirator during and in furtherance of the conspiracy." Pa.R.E. 803(25)(E). Here, the

4
    During her testimony, Cook identified "Zo" 10 be defendant, Alonzo Wallace. N.T. 12/7/15 at 62w63.

                                                          10
conspiracy was ongoing, as Cook told police that while these statements were being made,

Blaich was dividing the proceeds from the robbery and offering them to the participants. N.T.

12/7/15 at 102-103. Furthermore, Blatch's statement was made in furtherance of the conspiracy,

as he was informing his co-conspirator, namely Cook, of what occurred during the robbery. See

Commonwealth v. Johnson, 838 A.2d 663, 677 (Pa. 2003) (holding ''in furtherance requirement"

is met when a co-conspirator informs another conspirator of the progress of the conspiracy).

       Because the challenged testimony was admissible in evidence, trial counsel could not

have been ineffective for failing to object to its admission. Accordingly, PCRA counsel cannot

have been ineffective for failing to argue the issue. No relief is due.

       E. Failure to Argue Merger

       Defendant next claims that trial counsel was ineffective for foiling to "argu [ e] the merger

doctrine." Statement of Matters at   ir 5.   In particular, defendant argues that his convictions for

aggravated assault should have merged with his robbery conviction. Pro Se Petition         at   pp. 28-

30. Additionally, defendant claims that PCRA counsel was ineffective for failing to argue and

request an evidentiary hearing on this issue. Statement of Matters at     15.   Both claims are

without merit.

       "No crimes shall merge for sentencing purposes unless the crimes arise from a single

criminal act and all of the statutory elements of one offense are included in the statutory elements

of the other offense." 42 Pa.C.S. § 9765; see Commonwealth v. Golphin, 161 A.Jd 1009, 1028-

29 (Pa, Super. 2017). Defendant was convicted of two counts of aggravated assault: one

premised upon the beating and pistol-whipping of victim Ronald McNeil during the robbery; and

one premised upon defendant shooting victim Michael Scott, when Scott peered outside his door

while McNeil was being beaten. Accordingly, the aggravated assault premised upon the

                                                    11
shooting of Scott, and the robbery of McNeil, involved different victims and different criminal

acts and clearly do not merge.

        Although the aggravated assault and the robbery of McNeil did arise from the same

criminal act, they also do not merge. Neither aggravated assault, nor robbery encompasses all of

the statutory elements of the other offense. To be convicted of aggravated assault as a felony of

the first degree, the Commonwealth must prove that a defendant '"attempt[ed] to cause serious

bodily injury to another, or cause[d] such injury intentionally, knowingly or recklessly under

circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life." Commonwealth v.

Fortune, 68 A.3d 980, 984 (Pa. Super. 2013) (quoting 18 Pa.C.S. § 2702(a)( !)). To be convicted

of robbery, the Commonwealth must prove that while in the course of committing a theft, a

defendant "inflictjed] serious bodily injury upon another," or "threatenled] another with or

intentionally put him in fear of immediate serious bodily injury." Commonwealth v. Robinson,

936 A.2d I 07, 109 n.3 (Pa. Super. 2007). Unlike robbery, aggravated assault can be committed

without committing a theft. Unlike aggravated assault, a robbery can be committed without the

perpetrator acting with any ·specific mental state when causing serious bodily injury. For that

reason, robbery and aggravated assault do not merge. Commonwealth v. Payne, 868 A.2d 1257,

1263 (Pa. Super. 2005),

       Because defendant's merger argument has no merit, trial counsel could not have been

ineffective for failing to present it. Furthermore, PCRA counsel cannot have been ineffective for

foiling to raise a meritless claim. No relief is due.

       F Failure to Challenge Sufficiency of the Evidence

        Defendant next claims that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to challenge the

sufficiency of the evidence," "when the Commonwealth did not prove aggravated assault/serious

                                                   12
injury with regards to Mr. Scott." Statement of Matters at if 6. Additionally, defendant claims

that PCRA counsel was ineffective for failing to argue and request an evidentiary hearing on this

issue. Id. However, trial counsel did file a post-sentence motion challenging the sufficiency of

the evidence, which the Court denied on April 4, 2016. See Post Trial Motion for

Reconsideration of Sentence and/or for New Trial, filed 2/ 17 /16 at p. 2.

          Nor can defendant claim that appellate counsel was ineffective for failing to raise the

issue on appeal. In bis Anders brief, counsel raised the sufficiency of the evidence as an

arguable issue. The Superior Court agreed with counsel that the issue was frivolous. See

Superior Court Opinion, filed April I 7, 20 I 7 al pp. 8-12.

          Finally, since both trial counsel and appellate counsel raised the sufficiency claim, and

since the claim was rejected by the Superior Court, PCRA counsel could not have been

ineffective for failing to raise any claim premised upon the sufficiency of the evidence. No relief

is due.

          G. Failure to Request a K/o;ber Charge

          Defendant next claims that trial counsel was ineffective for failing "to request a Kloiber

instruction." Statement of Matters at 17. In his prose petition, defendant argued that he was

entitled to a Kloiber charge as to Kimberly Cook's identification because Cook had only met

defendant once before the robbery and the identification was made when Cook was far away

from defendant and it was dark outside. Pro Se Petition at pp. 32·33. Additionally, defendant

claims that PCRA counsel was ineffective for failing to argue and request an evidentiary hearing

on this issue. Statement of Matters at� 7. Both claims are without merit.

          A Kloiber charge instructs the jury to receive a witness's identification of a perpetrator

with caution where the eyewitness: (1) did not have an opportunity to clearly view the

                                                    13
perpetrator; (2) equivocated on the identification of the perpetrator; or (3) had a problem making

an identification in the past. Commonwealth v, Kloiber, 106 A.2d 820, 826-27 (Pa.), cert.

denied, 348 U.S. 875 (1954); see Commonwealth v. Rios, 920 A.2d 790, 804 (Pa. 2007). A

Kloiber charge is not appropriate where an eyewitness's identification of the defendant was

always positive and the opportunity for the witness to observe the defendant was good. Kloiber,

I 06 A.2d at 826; Commonwealth v. Upshur, 764 A.2d 69, 77 (Pa. Super. 2000).

       Here, none of the factors that would warrant a Kloiber charge was present. Cook had not

only known defendant before the robbery, but she was also a co-conspirator of the defendant.

N.T. 12/7/15 at 62. Cook testified that after meeting one of the victims, Ronald McNeil, she

asked her boyfriend, Blatch to rob McNeil. N.T. 12/7/15 at 60, 68-70. Blatch agreed and

arranged to have Jeffries and defendant aid in the robbery. N.T. 12/7/15 at 71-72, 75-76. Cook

testified that on the evening of the robbery, she, Blatch and Jeffries picked defendant up in South

Philadelphia, and thereafter, the group traveled to 56t11 Street so Cook could meet up with

McNeil. N.T. 12/7/15 at 75, 77. The plan was for Cook to accompany McNeil to his house,

while Blatch, Jeffries, and defendant followed in a separate car. N.T. 12/7/15 at 78-79. Cook

testified that once she was at McNeil's home, she met defendant and Je ffries at the door, let them

inside, and pointed to the room where McNeil was. N.T. 12/7/15 at 86. Following the robbery,

she met Blatch, Jeffries, and defendant outside the speakeasy in South Philadelphia, where they

discussed the robbery. N.T. 12/7 /15 at 91-92. Furthermore, the record demonstrates that Cook

had no difficulty identifying defendant at any time. She identified defendant in video stills from

the crime scene, in a photo array, and al trial. N.T. 12/7/15 at 60, l 16-118.

       Accordingly, there was no basis for trial counsel to request a Kloiber charge regarding

Cook's identification of the defendant. Counsel's failure to do so, therefore, could not have

                                                  14
deprived defendant of effective assistance of counsel. Furthermore, PCRA counsel cannot have

been ineffective for failing to raise a meritless claim.

          H. PCRA Counsel's Ineffectiveness

          Finally, defendant alleges that PCRA counsel was ineffective for filing a Finley Letter

when all of the above issues were of merit. Statement of Matters at� 8. For the reasons set forth

above, all of defendant's claims are merit less. For that reason, PCRA counsel could not have

been ineffective for foiling to present them, and instead, correctly filed a Finley letter. No relief

is due.

                                             IV. CONCLUSION

          For all of the foregoing reasons, the Court's order dismissing defendant's PCRA petition

should be affirmed.

                                                       BY THE COURT:

                                                       GLENN B. BRONSON, J.

                                                  15
Commonwealth v. Alonzo Wallace                                        CP-51-CR-0008101-2014
Type of Order: 1925(a) Opinion

                                      PROOF OF SERVICE

I hereby certify that I am this day serving the foregoing Court Order upon the person(s), and in the
manner indicated below, which service satisfies the requirements of Pa.R.Crim.P.114:

Defense Counsel/Party:
                              Alonzo Wallace
                              MK-2400
                              SCf Greene
                              175 Progress Drive
                              Waynesburg, PA 15370

Type of Service:       () Personal () First Class Mail (X) Other, please specify: Certified Mail

District Attorney:
                              Lawrence Goode, Esquire
                              Interim Supervisor, Appeals Unit
                              Office of the District Attorney
                              Three South Penn Square
                              Philadelphia, PA 19107-3499

Type of Service:       () Personal (X) First Class Mail () Other, please specify:

Additional Counsel/Party:
                              Joseph D. Seletyn, Esquire
                               Prothonotary
                              Office of the Prothonotary - Superior Court
                              530 Walnut Street, Suite 315
                               Philadelphia, PA 19106

Type of Service:       () Personal (X) First Class Mail () Other, please specify:

Dated: May 25, 2018

h/t�AJ
  �ire
Law Clerk to Hon. Glenn B. Bronson