Court Opinion

ID: 9763816
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-29 02:56:28.329531+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:29:49.846819
License: Public Domain

*570ZAPPALA, Justice,
concurring.
Given our decision in Commonwealth v. Williams, 557 Pa. 207, 732 A.2d 1167 (1999), and the Commonwealth’s assent to Appellant’s application requesting remand, I join the majority’s decision to remand to the PCRA court as it improperly adopted the Commonwealth’s motion to dismiss rather than issue a substantive opinion. I write separately, however, to express my view regarding the manner in which claims of appellate counsel’s ineffectiveness are to be preserved and developed pursuant to the Post Conviction Relief Act, 42 Pa.C.S. § 9541 et seq.
First, as the author of the Court’s majority opinion in Commonwealth v. Marrero, 561 Pa. 100, 748 A.2d 202 (2000), I point out that the opinion in that case was never intended as a guide to the bench and bar regarding the development of ineffectiveness of counsel claims, including appellate counsel, but merely expressed our view that the boilerplate assertion of all prior counsels’ ineffectiveness was sufficient to overcome waiver. We did not set forth in detail how such claims should be developed pursuant to the PCRA. It is at this juncture that the Court is attempting to provide guidance concerning the development of such claims. I therefore set forth my view on such matter.
Pursuant to the plain language of the Act, one seeking relief on the grounds of ineffective assistance of counsel must plead and prove by a preponderance of the evidence: (1) ineffective assistance of counsel which, in the circumstances of the particular case, so undermined the truth-determining process that no reliable adjudication of guilt or innocence could have taken place, id. at Section 9543(A)(2)(ii); (2) that the allegation of error has not been previously litigated or waived, id. at Section 9543(A)(3); and, (3) that the failure to litigate the issue prior to or during trial or on direct appeal could not have been the result of any rational, strategic or tactical decision by counsel. Id. at Section 9543(A)(4).1
*571The petitioner must further satisfy the well-established three-part test demonstrating ineffectiveness of counsel: (1) that there is merit to the underlying claim; (2) that counsel had no reasonable basis for his or her conduct; and (3) that the petitioner was prejudiced by counsel’s performance, i.e., that there is a reasonable probability that, but for the act or omission challenged, the outcome of the proceeding would have been different. Commonwealth v. Holloway, 559 Pa. 258, 739 A.2d 1039 (1999).
With regard to how a petitioner is to present a claim of ineffective counsel in their petition for post-conviction relief, I believe the various opinions commingle the terms “pleading” and “proving” and appear to require that a petitioner prove his or her case in the pleadings in order for the court to address the claims on the merits. I believe that this effectively turns the statute on its head and renders a PCRA proceeding merely a paper shuffle where the petitioner is denied the opportunity to demonstrate eligibility for relief. This is not consistent with the statutory language of the Act or the criminal rules applicable to PCRA proceedings.
Section 9543 of the Act, where the “plead and prove” language originates, refers solely to the “Eligibility for [post-conviction] relief.” The section does not speak to any prerequisites a petitioner must satisfy in order to have a claim considered by the court.2 As long as the petitioner has set *572forth “each ground relied upon in support of the relief requested,” as set forth in Pa.R.Cr.P. 1502(b) (Content of Petition for Post Conviction Collateral Relief; Request for Discovery), and attaches any relevant affidavits or other evidence in support of the grounds for relief where required in accordance with Pa.R.Cr.P. 1502(d), the petitioner is entitled to review of the claim by the trial court. This is not to say that' our Court is precluded from dismissing a claim on appeal from denial of PCRA relief on the grounds that the petitioner failed to adequately develop an argument in support thereof (e.g., failed to demonstrate that the claim was not waived or that counsel did not have a reasonable basis for his conduct). This principle, however, is not unique to PCRA petitions, but may arise in appeals of any context where an appellant fails to support a claim with authority or sufficient argument.
In determining whether a petitioner is entitled to relief on a particular claim, the trial court must initially consider whether an evidentiary hearing is necessary. Pursuant to Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure 1507 (Disposition Without Hearing) and 1509 (Procedures for Petitions in Death Penalty Cases; Hearing; Disposition), a petition may be dismissed without a hearing if the judge is satisfied that there are no genuine issues concerning any material fact and that the petitioner is not entitled to post-conviction collateral relief. Stated differently, where the facts alleged, if proven, would not entitle a petitioner to relief, then an evidentiary hearing is not required.
Finally, recognizing that this case involves layered ineffectiveness claims, neither the statute nor the criminal rules require a petitioner to attach affidavits from all prior counsel to support an ineffectiveness claim. In order to be entitled to relief, a petitioner must explain why “the failure to litigate the issue prior to or during trial or on direct appeal could not have been the result of any rational, strategic or tactical decision by counsel.” 42 Pa.C.S. § 9543(A)(4).
*573Along this vein, I note my disagreement with Mr. Justice Castille’s approach regarding a petitioner’s demonstration of appellate counsel’s ineffectiveness. He notes that
To prevail on such a claim, the petitioner must, at a minimum, not only identify a waived issue of apparent merit, but also explain why he believes the claim he now faults appellate counsel for failing to raise must be deemed clearly stronger than the claims counsel actually raised, such that counsel was constitutionally obligated to perceive and raise them.
Concurring and dissenting opinion at 782 A.2d at 532. Under the jurisprudence of this Court, this is simply not required. See Commonwealth v. Townsell, 474 Pa. 563, 379 A.2d 98 (1977) (holding that a substantial matter of arguable merit is not to be abandoned on the ground that it might de-emphasize another issue). Accord Commonwealth v. Yocham, 483 Pa. 478, 397 A.2d 766 (1979).
Accordingly, I concur in the result reached by the majority.

. As in any claim under the PCRA, a petitioner must also plead and prove the general requirements under Section 9543(A) regarding the *571criminal status of the petitioner at the time relief is sought. Further, the petition must be timely filed in accordance with Section 9545(B)(1).

. In fact, the trial court has the authority to order amendment of a defective PCRA petition. Pennsylvania Rule of Criminal Procedure 1505(b) provides that "when a petition for post-conviction collateral relief is defective as originally filed, the judge shall order amendment of the petition, indicate the nature of the defects, and specify the time within which an amended petition shall be filed.” Pa.R.Cr.P. 1505(b) (emphasis added). The rule further states that “if the order directing amendment is not complied with, the petition may be dismissed without a hearing.” The Comment to the Rule states that the term "defective”
is intended to include petitions that are inadequate, insufficient, or irregular for any reason; for example, petitions that lack particularity; petitions that do not comply substantially with Rule 1502 (Content of Petition for Post Conviction Collateral Relief; Request for Discoveiy); petitions that appear to be patently frivolous; petitions *572that do not allege acts which would support relief; petitions that raise issues the defendant did not preserve properly or were finally determined at prior proceedings.