Court Opinion

ID: 9952736
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2024-03-20 16:14:39.361644+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:44:04.413451
License: Public Domain

J-A12040-23

NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT O.P. 65.37

  COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA                 :   IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
                                               :        PENNSYLVANIA
                                               :
                v.                             :
                                               :
                                               :
  RAMELL SCOTT HURDLE                          :
                                               :
                       Appellant               :   No. 1627 EDA 2022

             Appeal from the PCRA Order Entered May 31, 2022
     In the Court of Common Pleas of Lehigh County Criminal Division at
                      No(s): CP-39-CR-0002509-2019

BEFORE: OLSON, J., NICHOLS, J., and McLAUGHLIN, J.

MEMORANDUM BY McLAUGHLIN, J.:                           FILED MARCH 20, 2024

       Ramell Scott Hurdle appeals from the order denying his Post Conviction

Relief Act (“PCRA”) petition. See 42 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 9541-9546. Hurdle’s counsel

has filed a Turner/Finley1 brief and a motion to withdraw as counsel, and

Hurdle has filed a pro se response. We affirm the order denying Hurdle’s PCRA

petition and grant counsel’s motion to withdraw.

       Following a jury trial in June 2021, Hurdle was found guilty of two counts

of trafficking in individuals, one count of criminal use of a communication

facility, and five counts of promoting prostitution.2 The jury found Hurdle not

guilty of aggravated assault and simple assault.3 He was sentenced to an
____________________________________________

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

Finley, 550 A.2d 213 (Pa.Super. 1988) (en banc).

2 18 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 3011(a), 7512(a), and 5902(b), respectively.

3 18 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 2702(a)(1) and 2701(a), respectively.
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aggregate term of 19 to 41 years of imprisonment. Broken down, he was

sentenced to five to 10 years’ imprisonment on each of the two counts of

trafficking in individuals; two to five years’ imprisonment on the criminal use

of a communication facility; two to five years’ imprisonment on two of the

promoting prostitution counts; and one to two years’ imprisonment on the

remaining three counts of promoting prostitution. All the sentences were

ordered to run consecutively to each other.

      In July 2021, Hurdle filed a PCRA petition. Counsel was appointed and

filed an amended PCRA petition. The amended petition alleged that counsel

was ineffective for failing to properly prepare Hurdle to testify at trial. See

Amended Petition for Post-Conviction Relief, filed 12/30/21, at ¶ 10.

      At an evidentiary hearing, Hurdle’s trial counsel testified that he has

been a criminal defense attorney for 30 years and has tried over 100 jury

trials. N.T., 5/10/22, at 33-34. Counsel testified that he met with Hurdle

approximately 30 times in preparation for trial. Id. at 40-41, 50. He stated

that Hurdle conceded to him that he was guilty of promoting prostitution, but

he denied that he was guilty of human trafficking, aggravated assault, and

simple assault. Id. at 37-38. Counsel’s strategy was therefore to have Hurdle

truthfully testify and take “ownership over some of the activity that was

indefensible” and then contest the remaining charges. Id. at 38-39. He

stressed to Hurdle to be truthful while testifying. Id. at 44-45. Counsel

explained to Hurdle the ramifications of admitting guilt to some charges “but

we wanted to try to beat the most serious [charges].” Id. at 48-49. Counsel

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testified that Hurdle agreed with this strategy. Id. at 38. Counsel noted that

his strategy prevailed because the jury acquitted Hurdle of aggravated assault

– the most serious charge – and simple assault. Id. at 46-47. He believed that

Hurdle testified well and that his testimony was solely the reason he was found

not guilty of those charges. Id. at 47-48.

      Counsel further testified that it was in Hurdle’s best intertest to testify

because   he   believed   that   the   victim   was a   good   witness for    the

Commonwealth, Hurdle was articulate and intelligent, and, in his experience,

juries want to hear from the defendant in criminal cases. Id. at 43-44. Counsel

testified that he went over Hurdle’s testimony numerous times, including any

possible questions that he might be asked. Id. at 45-56. He did a “practice

direct and cross” examination with Hurdle over a series of 10 meetings. Id.

at 49. Counsel also confirmed that when the trial court colloquied Hurdle

whether it was his decision to testify, Hurdle replied, “Yes.” Id. at 47.

      Hurdle testified that he met with counsel approximately eight times

between March 2021 and his trial in June 2021. Id. at 10. Hurdle stated that

he told counsel he did not want to testify at trial, but that counsel “was egging

[him] on to take the stand.” Id. at 13, 15. Hurdle stated that counsel did not

do a practice direct or cross examination with him or any other preparation in

anticipation of him testifying prior to trial. Id. at 13-15, 17. Hurdle maintained

that he was unprepared to testify. Id. at 23. He also testified that counsel did

not explain that admitting guilt to certain changes took away the

Commonwealth’s burden of proof to prove those charges. Id. at 17-18.

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      On cross-examination, Hurdle conceded that “[i]t was my choice to

testify.” Id. at 25. He also said that when the trial court colloquied him about

whether he had enough time to talk to his attorney about his right to testify,

he lied and said, “Yes.” Id. at 24. Hurdle further acknowledged that he was

acquitted of the charges of aggravated assault and simple assault. Id. at 26.

      After the hearing, on May 31, 2022, the court denied Hurdle’s petition.

This appeal followed.

      Counsel’s Turner/Finley brief identifies one potential issue: whether

the PCRA court erred in failing to find trial counsel was ineffective for not

properly preparing Hurdle to testify at trial. See Turner/Finley Br. at 3

(unpaginated). Hurdle’s pro se response to counsel’s Turner/Finley brief

raises several claims of ineffectiveness of PCRA counsel. See Pro Se Response

to Appellate Counsel’s Turney/Finley Brief and to Withdraw as Counsel (“Pro

Se Response”), filed 1/23/24, at 10-31.

      Before addressing the merits, we first must determine whether counsel

has satisfied the procedural requirements of a motion to withdraw. A

Turner/Finley brief must detail the nature and extent of counsel’s review,

list each issue the petitioner wishes to have reviewed, and provide an

explanation of why the petitioner’s issues are meritless. Commonwealth v.

Widgins,    29   A.3d   816,   818   (Pa.Super.   2011).   Counsel   also   must

contemporaneously send to the petitioner a copy of the “no-merit” letter/brief,

a copy of counsel’s motion to withdraw, and a statement advising the

petitioner of the right to proceed pro se or with new counsel. Id. If counsel

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satisfies the technical requirements, this Court must conduct its own review

of the merits of the case. Commonwealth v. Wrecks, 931 A.2d 717, 721

(Pa.Super. 2007). If we agree with counsel that the claims are without merit,

we will allow counsel to withdraw and deny relief. Id.

      Here, counsel has substantially complied with the requirements of

Turner/Finley. Counsel detailed his review of the record and concluded that

Hurdle’s claim is meritless. He also provided the Turner/Finley brief to

Hurdle and advised him of his right to retain new counsel or proceed pro se.

Counsel additionally provided Hurdle with a copy of the motion to withdraw.

Thus, we proceed to the issue counsel has identified.

      On appeal from the denial or grant of relief under the PCRA, our review

is limited to determining “whether the PCRA court’s ruling is supported by the

record and free of legal error.” Commonwealth v. Presley, 193 A.3d 436,

442 (Pa.Super. 2018) (citation omitted). “The PCRA court’s factual findings

are binding if the record supports them, and we review the court’s legal

conclusions de novo.” Commonwealth v. Prater, 256 A.3d 1274, 1282

(Pa.Super. 2021). “A PCRA court passes on witness credibility at PCRA

hearings, and its credibility determinations should be provided great deference

by reviewing courts.” Commonwealth v. Johnson, 966 A.2d 523, 539 (Pa.

2009).

      “[C]ounsel is presumed to be effective and the burden of demonstrating

ineffectiveness rests on [the petitioner].” Commonwealth v. Rivera, 10 A.3d

1276, 1279 (Pa.Super. 2010). To obtain relief based on a claim of

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ineffectiveness, a petitioner must establish: “(1) his underlying claim is of

arguable merit; (2) counsel had no reasonable basis for his action or inaction;

and (3) the petitioner suffered actual prejudice as a result.” Commonwealth

v. Spotz, 84 A.3d 294, 311 (Pa. 2014). Prejudice in this context means that,

“absent counsel’s conduct, there is a reasonable probability the outcome of

the proceedings would have been different.” Commonwealth v. Velazquez,

216 A.3d 1146, 1149 (Pa.Super. 2019) (citation omitted). A failure to meet

any of these prongs bars a petitioner from obtaining relief. Commonwealth

v. Sneed, 45 A.3d 1096, 1106 (Pa. 2012).

      In addressing Hurdle’s claim, the PCRA court made the following findings

of fact:

           [Trial counsel] regularly met with [Hurdle] to discuss the
           evidence and their defense strategy of the case, as well as
           to prepare for trial. Indeed, [trial counsel] met with [Hurdle]
           more than thirty (30) times over the course of
           approximately one (1) year. As the discovery was reviewed
           and [Hurdle’s] admission of involvement developed, [trial
           counsel’s] evaluation of the case evolved throughout this
           time frame. In particular, initially [Hurdle] indicated that he
           merely provided transportation to the victim to the motel
           and was not involved in promoting prostitution. However, in
           light of the evidence produced during discovery, such as
           email exchanges in which [Hurdle] agreed to bring condoms
           to the victim’s motel room and delineated the charges for
           services that would be performed, it became clear to [trial
           counsel] that [Hurdle] had to take ownership over the
           indefensible charges of promoting prostitution. While willing
           to admit his criminal conduct in promoting prostitution,
           [Hurdle] denied being involved in human trafficking or
           aggravated assault. Consequently, [trial counsel’s] strategy
           was to have [Hurdle] tell the truth and concede promoting
           prostitution, while vehemently challenging the charges of

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       human trafficking and aggravating assault. [Hurdle] agreed
       with this strategy.

       Believing that [Hurdle] possessed charisma and was
       articulate and intelligent, [trial counsel] conveyed to
       [Hurdle] that he thought, in his professional opinion, that
       [Hurdle] should take the stand in his defense to counter the
       testimony of the victim. Indeed, the victim made a very
       good witness at trial, and [trial counsel] believed that it was
       necessary to present testimony to counter her version of
       events in order to allow him to make an argument to the
       jury. Based on [trial counsel’s] years of experience, he
       found that a jury desires to hear from the accused. Thus,
       [trial counsel] related to [Hurdle] that he believed that it
       was in [Hurdle’s] best interest to testify. [Hurdle]
       wholeheartedly agreed with [trial counsel’s] suggestion and
       advice. Moreover, this [c]ourt colloquied [Hurdle] prior to
       his testifying at trial to assure that it was his decision, and
       his decision alone, to testify. This [c]ourt also queried
       [Hurdle] to confirm that he had sufficient time to speak with
       his attorney about whether or not he would testify and that
       he was comfortable with his decision. [Hurdle] affirmed that
       he wanted to testify.

       Prior to testifying, [trial counsel] and [Hurdle] reviewed his
       testimony on numerous occasions. Over the course of
       approximately ten (10) meetings, [trial counsel] discussed
       the testimony that [Hurdle] should provide and the
       questions that would be posed to him on direct examination.
       In addition to reviewing direct testimony, cross-examination
       was practiced and discussed. [Trial counsel] counseled
       [Hurdle] and impressed upon him that it was important to
       tell the truth because it was within the jury’s province to
       disregard all of his testimony if they would find that he lied
       in one aspect of his testimony. Consequently, during his
       testimony, as was done by [trial counsel] during opening
       argument, [Hurdle] conceded to promoting prostitution, but
       vehemently denied that he hurt the victim or committed
       human trafficking. [Trial counsel] believed, in his
       professional opinion, that [Hurdle] presented himself well to
       the jury. In fact, [trial counsel] indicated that the
       effectiveness of the [Hurdle’s] testimony at trial could be
       gleaned from the verdict. Indeed, [Hurdle] was found not
       guilty of [a]ggravated and [s]imple [a]ssault.

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PCRA Court Opinion, filed 5/31/22, at 3-5 (footnotes omitted).

      We agree this claim lacks merit. As the PCRA court noted, the evidence

reflects that counsel met with Hurdle on over 30 occasions prior to trial and

discussed their trial strategy together. Counsel also practiced direct and cross-

examination with Hurdle and advised Hurdle to testify truthfully. The PCRA

court found trial counsel’s testimony credible and evidently credited his

testimony over Hurdle’s testimony. See id. at 8. The evidence supports the

conclusion that trial counsel adequately prepared Hurdle to testify at trial.

Accordingly, this ineffectiveness claim fails.

      We next consider the issues raised in Hurdle’s Pro Se Response to

counsel’s Turney/Finley brief and motion to withdraw. Hurdle raises three

claims that PCRA counsel was ineffective. First, Hurdle asserts that PCRA

counsel was ineffective for failing to argue that trial counsel was ineffective

when he did not adequately object to the Commonwealth’s use of hearsay

testimony at Hurdle’s preliminary hearing to establish a prima facie case in

violation of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s decision in Commonwealth v.

McClelland, 233 A.3d 717 (Pa. 2020) (holding hearsay evidence alone is

insufficient to establish a prima facie case at a preliminary hearing). Pro Se

Response at 10-12.

      Hurdle maintains that at the preliminary hearing, the alleged victim did

not appear; thus, he argues that the court improperly determined that a prima

facie case had been established based on hearsay alone. Id. at 15. He notes

that while trial counsel filed an omnibus pretrial motion raising this issue, that

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motion was denied. Id. at 16. Hurdle asserts that PCRA counsel should have

argued that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to sufficiently present a

competent and legal basis for the filing of the motion. Id. at 16, 18.

      “The purpose of a preliminary hearing is to avoid the incarceration or

trial of a defendant unless there is sufficient evidence to establish that a crime

was committed and a probability that the defendant was connected

therewith.” Commonwealth v. Sanchez, 82 A.3d 943, 984 (Pa. 2013). “Its

purpose is not to prove [a] defendant’s guilt.” Commonwealth v. Tyler, 587

A.2d 326, 328 (Pa.Super. 1991) (emphasis removed). “[O]nce a defendant

has gone to trial and has been found guilty of the crime or crimes charged,

any defect in the preliminary hearing is rendered immaterial.” Sanchez, 82

A.3d at 984.

      Here, after the preliminary hearing, Hurdle’s case proceeded to trial,

and the jury found him guilty of promoting prostitution, trafficking in

individuals, and criminal use of a communication facility. Any defect in the

preliminary hearing was rendered immaterial by the guilty verdicts. See id.

Accordingly, trial counsel’s alleged failure to file an adequate habeas corpus

petition challenging the Commonwealth’s reliance on hearsay at the

preliminary hearing was immaterial, and trial counsel cannot be deemed

ineffective for failing to raise this claim. See Commonwealth v. Spotz, 896

A.2d 1191, 1210 (Pa. 2006) (stating “[c]ounsel will not be deemed ineffective

for failing to raise a meritless claim”). Hurdle cannot establish PCRA counsel

was ineffective for failing to pursue this issue. See Commonwealth v.

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Chmiel, 30 A.3d 1111, 1128 (Pa. 2011) (concluding that “if the petitioner

cannot prove the underlying claim of trial counsel ineffectiveness, then

petitioner’s derivative claim of appellate counsel ineffectiveness of necessity

must fail”). Consequently, Hurdle is not entitled to relief on this issue.

      Hurdle next maintains that PCRA counsel was ineffective for failing to

raise trial counsel’s ineffectiveness for failing to object to the amendments to

Hurdle’s criminal information. Pro Se Response at 19. He emphasizes that he

was initially charged with the sole offense of promoting prostitution. However,

after the matter was bound for trial, the Commonwealth filed an amended

information with seven additional charges, including trafficking in individuals

and criminal use of a communication facility. Id. at 19-20. Hurdle argues that

counsel was ineffective for failing to object to these amendments, which were

“highly prejudicial[.]” Id. at 21.

      “The purpose of an [i]nformation or an [i]ndictment is to provide the

accused with sufficient notice to prepare a defense, and to ensure that he will

not be tried twice for the same act.” Commonwealth v. Alston, 651 A.2d

1092, 1095 (Pa. 1994). An information “is sufficient if it sets forth the

elements of the offense intended to be charged with sufficient detail that the

defendant is apprised of what he must be prepared to meet, and may plead

double jeopardy in a future prosecution based on the same set of events.” Id.

      Pennsylvania Rule of Criminal Procedure 564 governs the amendment

of an information and provides:

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        The court may allow an information to be amended,
        provided that the information as amended does not charge
        offenses arising from a different set of events and that the
        amended charges are not so materially different from the
        original charge that the defendant would be unfairly
        prejudiced. Upon amendment, the court may grant such
        postponement of trial or other relief as is necessary in the
        interests of justice.

Pa.R.Crim.P. 564.

     When considering a Rule 564 amendment,

        the Court will look to whether the appellant was fully
        apprised of the factual scenario which supports the charges
        against him. Where the crimes specified in the original
        information involved the same basic elements and arose out
        of the same factual situation as the crime added by the
        amendment, the appellant is deemed to have been placed
        on notice regarding his alleged criminal conduct and no
        prejudice to defendant results.

Commonwealth v. Beck, 78 A.3d 656, 660 (Pa.Super. 2013) (citation

omitted). The Commonwealth may amend the information, even on the day

of trial, so long as it does not prejudice the defendant. Commonwealth v.

Sinclair, 897 A.2d 1218, 1224 (Pa.Super. 2006). In determining whether a

defendant would suffer prejudice, the following factors are taken into

consideration:

     (1) whether the amendment changes the factual scenario
     supporting the charges; (2) whether the amendment adds new
     facts previously unknown to the defendant; (3) whether the entire
     factual scenario was developed during a preliminary hearing; (4)
     whether the description of the charges changed with the
     amendment; (5) whether a change in defense strategy was
     necessitated by the amendment; and (6) whether the timing of
     the Commonwealth’s request for amendment allowed for ample
     notice and preparation.

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Commonwealth v. Mentzer, 18 A.3d 1200, 1203 (Pa.Super. 2011) (citation

omitted).

      Here, Hurdle has failed to demonstrate that the amendments prejudiced

him. The amended information was filed three months after his arrest and

almost two years before his trial. The crime indicated in the original criminal

complaint involved the same basic elements and arose out of the same factual

situation as the crimes added by the amendments, namely Hurdle’s

involvement in the prostitution of the victim. Thus, Hurdle was put on notice

of his criminal conduct, and he was not prejudiced by the amendments.

Accordingly, PCRA counsel was not ineffective in failing to pursue this claim.

      Lastly, Hurdle argues that PCRA counsel was ineffective for failing to

allege that trial counsel was ineffective when he failed to argue that Hurdle’s

convictions merged for sentencing purposes. Pro Se Response at 25. Hurdle

maintains that merger was warranted because all eight counts stemmed from

a single act. Id. at 29. He contends that the charges of criminal use of a

communication facility and promoting prostitution were lesser included

offenses and his sentence on those charges should have merged with the

greater offense of trafficking in individuals. Id. at 30.

      The Sentencing Code governs merger for sentencing purposes and

provides:

         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. Where crimes

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         merge for sentencing purposes, the court may sentence the
         defendant only on the higher graded offense.

42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9765. Therefore, crimes do not merge for sentencing purposes

unless: “1) the crimes arise from a single criminal act; and 2) all of the

statutory elements of one of the offenses are included in the statutory

elements of the other.” Commonwealth v. Baldwin, 985 A.2d 830, 833 (Pa.

2009). “To determine whether offenses are greater and lesser-included

offenses, we compare the elements of the offenses.” Commonwealth v.

Watson, 228 A.3d 928, 941 (Pa.Super. 2020) (citation omitted). “If both

crimes require proof of at least one element that the other does not, then the

sentences do not merge.” Id. (citation omitted).

      Here, Hurdle was found guilty of trafficking in individuals, promoting

prostitution, and criminal use of a communication facility. These three crimes

are not crimes in which all the statutory elements of an offense are included

in the statutory elements of another offense. Compare 18 Pa.C.S.A. §

3011(a)(1) and (2), with 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 5902(b)(1), (3), (4), (6), and (8),

and 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 7512(a). Merger was therefore not proper, and Hurdle is

not entitled to relief on this claim.

      Motion to withdraw as counsel granted. Order affirmed.

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Date: 3/20/2024

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