Court Opinion

ID: 3169391
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-01-13 21:06:13.917316+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:16:20.156739
License: Public Domain

J-S67042-15

NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA,                    IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
                                                       PENNSYLVANIA
                            Appellee

                       v.

SANTOS LUIS RODRIGUEZ,

                            Appellant                No. 1020 MDA 2015

                   Appeal from the Order Entered June 5, 2015
               in the Court of Common Pleas of Lancaster County
               Criminal Division at No.: CP-36-CR-0005754-2010

BEFORE: BOWES, J., PANELLA, J., and PLATT, J.*

MEMORANDUM BY PLATT, J.:                          FILED JANUARY 13, 2016

        Appellant, Santos Luis Rodriguez, appeals from the order denying his

counseled first petition for relief pursuant to the Post Conviction Relief Act

(PCRA), 42 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 9541–9546, after a hearing. Appellant claims that

his girlfriend and one-time co-defendant, who pleaded guilty to the same

charges with which he was charged, is now willing to testify on his behalf; he

asserts this constitutes after-discovered evidence, warranting a new trial.

He also alleges the ineffectiveness of trial counsel. We affirm on the basis of

the PCRA court opinion.

____________________________________________

*
    Retired Senior Judge assigned to the Superior Court.
J-S67042-15

        In its opinion, the court fully and correctly sets forth the relevant facts

and procedural history of this case. Therefore, we have no reason to restate

them at length here.

        For context and convenience of reference, we note briefly that a jury

convicted     Appellant     of   aggravated      assault,   robbery,   and    criminal

conspiracy.1     Appellant’s conviction arose out of the knife stabbing and

robbery of the victim, Darnell Gonzalez.

        There is no dispute that on the day in question, Gonzalez had

consumed seven thirty-two ounce pitchers of Coors Light beer at a local bar

and delicatessen.2 Maria Rivera, Appellant’s girlfriend, who had been sitting

with him in the bar, approached Gonzalez and asked him for money.

Gonzalez asked for sex. He testified that after some negotiation over price,

lured by the proposition of sex with Rivera for money, he left the bar with

her. In the alley behind the bar, Appellant stabbed Gonzalez from behind

and demanded money.           Gonzalez responded that he had none.           Appellant

and Rivera fled.      Gonzalez managed to make his way home and call the

police.
____________________________________________

1
  Appellant’s conviction constituted a “second strike” offense, based on a
prior conviction for manslaughter. (See N.T. Sentencing, 3/02/12, at 13).
The court sentenced him to an aggregate term of not less than twenty-four
nor more than sixty years’ incarceration in a state correctional institution.
This Court affirmed the judgment of sentence. (See Commonwealth v.
Rodriguez, 64 A.3d 291 (Pa. Super. 2013) (unpublished memorandum)).
2
    He was later found to have a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .292%.

                                           -2-
J-S67042-15

        Appellant and Rivera were arrested several hours later, when an

investigating police officer spotted them and noticed their resemblance to

the people in the surveillance video from the bar, including their clothing and

the backpacks they had with them. The police found a knife in one of the

backpacks, which they identified as the weapon used in the crime.

        It is undisputed that in his initial report to the police Gonzalez lied

about his negotiation with Rivera over sex for money. He later claimed that,

as an undocumented alien, he feared that if he told the police he had

solicited a prostitute, he would be deported. In any event, the interaction

between Appellant, Rivera and Gonzalez in the bar was captured on the bar’s

surveillance video, which was authenticated by the owner and played to the

jury at trial.3

        Pertinent to the claims in this appeal, at trial defense counsel argued

to the jury that the knife found in the backpack was clean, and had no blood

on it, “not even a speck of blood, nothing, no blood. No blood on the knife.”

(N.T. Trial, 1/04/12, at 85).

        Also at trial, in final argument, the prosecutor alluded to the

surveillance video, as showing that Appellant was acting in concert with

Rivera.    He argued further that Rivera was “working Mr. Gonzalez hard,”

____________________________________________

3
    There was no audio to accompany the video.

                                           -3-
J-S67042-15

while Gonzalez was “sort of minding his own business.” (N.T. Trial, 1/05/12,

at 339-40).

       Noting that Rivera had already left the bar (and returned) several

times, the prosecutor added, “[I]t looks like she’s saying this is your last

chance[.]” (Id. at 340).4 Appellant maintains on appeal that this comment

was “complete speculation” and defense counsel was ineffective for not

objecting to it. (Appellant’s Brief, at 23 (citing N.T. Trial, 1/05/12, at 340);

see also id. at 340-41).

       On November 16, 2011, Rivera entered a guilty plea to the same

offenses charged against Appellant. (See PCRA Court Opinion, 6/05/15, at

5). After this Court affirmed his judgment of sentence, Appellant filed the

instant PCRA petition.        The PCRA court appointed counsel, who filed an

amended petition, which the court denied, after a hearing.        (See Opinion

and Order, 6/05/15). This timely appeal followed.5

       Appellant raises four questions on appeal:

           A. Whether the [PCRA] court erred in denying [Appellant’s]
       amended PCRA when the testimony of Maria de Los Angeles
____________________________________________

4
  Appellant’s quotation is incomplete. The full sentence reads as follows:
“There’s even a time towards the end of that thing where she’s at the bar
with the door open and she’s like basically almost as if ─ it looks like she’s
saying this is your last chance and he’s sitting there.” (N.T. Trial, 1/05/12, at
340).
5
   The PCRA court filed an order on June 17, 2015, referencing its opinion
filed on June 5, 2015. (See Order, 6/17/15); see also Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a).
The court did not order a statement of errors. See Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b).

                                           -4-
J-S67042-15

      Rivera constituted after discovered exculpatory evidence
      justifying the award of a new trial under 42 Pa.C.S.A.
      § 9543(a)(2)(vi)?

             B. Whether the [PCRA] court erred in denying [Appellant’s]
      amended PCRA [petition] when trial counsel was ineffective by
      failing to file a meritorious motion challenging the weight of the
      evidence?

             C. Whether the [PCRA] court erred in denying [Appellant’s]
      amended PCRA [petition] when trial counsel was ineffective by
      failing to argue to the jury that the knife which the
      Commonwealth claimed was the assault weapon did not have
      any blood on it?

             D. Whether the [PCRA] court erred in denying [Appellant’s]
      amended PCRA [petition] when trial counsel was ineffective by
      failing to object and move for a mistrial when the prosecutor
      made an improper argument which was speculative and
      contained his personal opinion concerning the credibility of the
      evidence presented?

(Appellant’s Brief, at 4).

             Our standard and scope of review for the denial of a PCRA
      petition is well-settled.

               [A]n appellate court reviews the PCRA court’s
         findings of fact to determine whether they are supported
         by the record, and reviews its conclusions of law to
         determine whether they are free from legal error. The
         scope of review is limited to the findings of the PCRA court
         and the evidence of record, viewed in the light most
         favorable to the prevailing party at the trial level.

      Commonwealth v. Spotz, 84 A.3d 294, 311 (Pa. 2014)
      (citations and internal quotation marks omitted).

                To establish trial counsel’s ineffectiveness, a
         petitioner must demonstrate: (1) the underlying claim has
         arguable merit; (2) counsel had no reasonable basis for
         the course of action or inaction chosen; and (3) counsel’s
         action or inaction prejudiced the petitioner.        See
         Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 104 S. Ct.

                                    -5-
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       2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984); Commonwealth v. Pierce,
       515 Pa. 153, 527 A.2d 973 (1987).

     Id. at 303 n. 3. Furthermore,

              [A] PCRA petitioner will be granted relief only when
       he proves, by a preponderance of the evidence, that his
       conviction or sentence resulted from the 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.      42 Pa.C.S. § 9543(a)(2)(ii).
       Counsel is presumed effective, and to rebut that
       presumption, the PCRA petitioner must demonstrate that
       counsel’s performance was deficient and that such
       deficiency prejudiced him.

     Id. at 311–12 (most case citations, internal quotation marks and
     other punctuation omitted). “Counsel’s assistance is deemed
     constitutionally effective once this Court determines that the
     defendant has not established any one of the prongs of the
     ineffectiveness test.” Commonwealth v. Rolan, 964 A.2d 398,
     406 (Pa. Super. 2008) (citations and internal quotation marks
     omitted) (emphasis in original). Additionally,

             [Our Supreme] Court has recognized that counsel
       are not constitutionally required to forward any and all
       possible objections at trial, and the decision of when to
       interrupt oftentimes is a function of overall defense
       strategy being brought to bear upon issues which arise
       unexpectedly at trial and require split-second decision-
       making by counsel.       Under some circumstances, trial
       counsel may forego objecting to an objectionable remark
       or seeking a cautionary instruction on a particular point
       because objections sometimes highlight the issue for the
       jury, and curative instructions always do.

     Commonwealth v. Koehler, 614 Pa. 159, 36 A.3d 121, 146
     (2012) (case citations, internal quotation marks and other
     punctuation omitted). This Court analyzes PCRA appeals “in the
     light most favorable to the prevailing party at the PCRA
     level.” Rykard, supra at 1183 (emphasis added); see also
     Spotz, supra at 311 (“The scope of review is limited to the
     findings of the PCRA court and the evidence of record, viewed

                                     -6-
J-S67042-15

     in the light most favorable to the prevailing party at the
     trial level.”) (emphasis added).

           Our Supreme Court has explained:

            “As a general and practical matter, it is more difficult for a
     defendant to prevail on a claim litigated through the lens of
     counsel ineffectiveness, rather than as a preserved claim of trial
     court error.” Commonwealth v. Gribble, 580 Pa. 647, 863
     A.2d 455, 472 (2004). This Court has addressed the difference
     as follows:

            [A] defendant [raising a claim of ineffective assistance of
     counsel] is required to show actual prejudice; that is, that
     counsel’s ineffectiveness was of such magnitude that it ‘could
     have reasonably had an adverse effect on the outcome of the
     proceedings.’ Pierce, 515 Pa. at 162, 527 A.2d at 977. . . . In
     a collateral attack, we first presume that counsel is effective, and
     that not every error by counsel can or will result in a
     constitutional violation of a defendant’s Sixth Amendment right
     to counsel. Pierce, supra.

     Gribble, 580 Pa. at 676, 863 A.2d at 472 (emphasis in original).
     Id. at 315.

Commonwealth v. Freeland, 106 A.3d 768, 775-76 (Pa. Super. 2014).

     Here, after a thorough review of the record, the briefs of the parties,

the applicable law, and the well-reasoned opinion of the PCRA court we

conclude that there is no merit to the issues Appellant has raised on appeal.

The PCRA court opinion properly disposes of the questions presented. (See

PCRA Ct. Op., 6/05/15, at 4-10) (concluding that: (1) PCRA court properly

denied petition based on proposed testimony from accomplice Rivera where

Rivera had previously pleaded guilty to same charges she now proposed to

deny; evidence is not newly discovered since Appellant would have known of

Rivera’s proposed testimony, because their consistent position had been that

                                     -7-
J-S67042-15

they left the bar together but separately from Gonzalez; and Appellant failed

to prove outcome would likely have been different, as Commonwealth could

have cross-examined Rivera about her denial based on contradictory

statements at her guilty plea proceedings; (2) Appellant failed to prove

meritorious weight claim by preponderance of the evidence, and jury finding

that victim’s testimony was credible did not shock conscience of the court;

defense counsel was not ineffective for declining to raise meritless claim; (3)

claim that defense counsel was ineffective for failure to argue knife had no

blood on it was contradicted by the record which confirms that defense

counsel argued vigorously that knife had no blood on it; and (4) prosecutor’s

observation about surveillance video was permissible fair comment on

evidence, and defense counsel had reasonable basis for declining to object).

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

      Order affirmed.

Judgment Entered.

Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary

Date: 1/13/2016

                                     -8-
                                                                                   Circulated 12/15/2015 04:37 PM

          IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF LANCASTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
                                                      CRIMINAL

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    BY: REINAKER, J.                                                                      -u           en
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    June 5, 2015

            The Defendant, Santos Luiz Rodriguez, has filed an Amended Petition for Post-

    Conviction Relief. The Defendant argues that he is entitled to post conviction relief on four

grounds: (1) the Defendant is entitled to relief based on newly discovered exculpatory evidence;

(2) Trial Counsel was ineffective for failing to file a motion to challenge the weight of evidence;

(3) Trial Counsel was ineffective for failing to argue to jury evidence regarding the weapon; and

(4) Trial Counsel was ineffective for failing to object and move for mistrial when prosecutor

made an improper argument. The Court finds that the Defendant's Amended Petition for Post-

Conviction Relief will be Denied.

                                            Procedural and Factual Background

           On January 5, 2012 the Defendant was found guilty by a jury of one count of aggravated

assault, 1 one count ofrobbery,2 and one count of criminal conspiracy to commit robbery.3 The

Defendant was sentenced on March 2, 2012 and received consecutive sentences of eight (8) to

twenty (20) years' incarceration for the aggravated assault conviction, six (6) to twenty (20)

1   18 Pa.C.S. § 2702(a)(l).
2
    18 Pa.C.S. § 370l(a)(l)(i).
3
    18 Pa.C.S. § 903(a)(l), 18 Pa.C.S. § 903(a)(2).
                                                                                 Circulated 12/15/2015 04:37 PM

years' incarceration for the robbery conviction, and ten (10) to twenty (20) years' incarceration

for the criminal conspiracy conviction. Therefore, the Defendant received an aggregate sentence

of twenty-four (24) to sixty (60) years' incarceration.

        On March 6, 2012 the Defendant filed a post-sentence motion to modify sentence which

was denied. The Defendant then filed his Notice of Appeal on April 12, 2012. The Superior

Court affirmed the judgment on January 31, 2013. The Defendant then filed his timely prose

motion for Post-Conviction Collateral Relief on December 23, 2013. The Defendant was

appointed counsel and an amended petition was filed on July 24, 2014. The Court held an

evidentiary hearing on February 18, 2015. At the conclusion of the hearing, the Court ordered

both parties to file briefs. Both parties submitted their briefs and the matter is ready for decision,

        On September 25, 2010, around 8:00 p.m., Darnell Gonzalez ("Gonzalez"), the victim,

entered Lee's Deli, a local bar, on Columbia Ave in the City of Lancaster. (Notes of Trial

Testimony, 1/4/12, (hereinafter ''N.T.T.") at 134, 158-59, 162.) Gonzalez sat with a friend at the

serving counter and drank seven, 32 ounce pitchers of Coor's Light. (Id. at 150, 162-163.) After

his friend left the bar, Gonzalez moved to a rear room in the bar and continued to drink beer in a

booth. (Id. at 163-164.) The Defendant, Santos Luiz Rodriguez, and his co-defendant, Maria

Rivera, were seated in an adjacent booth with numerous backpacks on the floor. (Id. at 164, 176-

77.) The Defendant and Rivera had entered the bar earlier in the afternoon and had previously

known Gonzalez. (Id. at 136-137.) Rivera approached Gonzalez and spoke to him in Spanish,

asking for Gonzalez to buy her a beer, which he then did. (Id. at 164, 166.) Rivera then asked

him for money, but Gonzalez told her that she would have to do something in return for the

money. (Id. at 168.) Rivera responded and offered sex with Gonzalez for the money. (Id. at 168.)

Gonzalez told her that he only had $20, but Rivera insisted on getting $30. (Id. at 169.)

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Meanwhile, the Defendant was seated at the adjacent table while Rivera and Gonzalez were

talking. (Id. at 169.) While Rivera and Gonzalez were talking in Spanish, she would occasionally

speak to the Defendant in English, and since Gonzalez is not fluent in English, he could not

understand what the Defendant and Rivera were discussing. (Id. at 1 71.)

        Rivera and Gonzalez agreed that Gonzalez would give Rivera money in exchange for sex,

and after the agreement Rivera and the Defendant left the bar for a few moments. (Id. at 136-37,

172.) After they returned, Rivera and Gonzalez left the bar together to go to his apartment

nearby. Gonzalez testified that he did not see the Defendant when he left the bar with Rivera. (Id.

at 173.) Gonzalez and Rivera exited the bar through the back door and began to walk down the

rear alleyway together. (Id. at 181.) While Gonzalez walked down the alley, he felt a burning

pain in his left side and turned and saw the Defendant. The Defendant then demanded Gonzalez

give him his money. (Id. at 191.) As Gonzalez backed away from the Defendant, he felt his side

with his hand and saw blood. The Defendant continued to demand money from Gonzalez and he

told him he didn't have any and Gonzalez proceeded to run home a few blocks away. (Id. at 191-

194.)

        Gonzalez then called the police and was taken to Lancaster General Hospital by

ambulance and underwent exploratory surgery to determine the extent of his injuries. (Id. at

102.) Dr. Matthew Edavettel, a trauma surgeon at Lancaster General Hospital, performed the

surgery and testified that the stab wound was near Gonzalez' colon, spleen, and kidney. (Id. at

97-100.) Dr. Edavettel determined that no major organs were damaged, but conducted an

invasive exploration of his internal organs to rule out additional injury. (Id. at 103-04.) Dr.

Edavettel testified that Gonzalez' blood alcohol level was 0.292%. (Id. at 105.)

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        Lancaster City Bureau of Police investigated the event and met with the owner of Lee's

Deli to review surveillance videos recorded at the bar. (Id. at 236-37.) The Defendant and Rivera

were observed on the videos and the police broadcasted their physical, clothing, and baggage

descriptions. (Id. at 238.) Approximately four hours later, the Defendant and Rivera were found

walking on Conestoga Street in Lancaster and were arrested and transported to the police station.

(Id. at 240-241.) At the station, their bags were searched and the police located a knife. (Id. at

245-247.) The Defendant was subsequently charged with one count of aggravated assault, one

count of robbery, and one count of criminal conspiracy to commit robbery.

                                             Discussion

        In his motion, the Defendant raises four claims, the first claim involves after discovered

evidence under 42 Pa. C.S.A. §9543(a)(2)(vi). The Defendant asserts that his co-defendant,

Maria Rivera, was unavailable to provide testimony at the time of trial and her testimony would

have changed the outcome of the trial if it was introduced.    Under this claim, a defendant must

prove:"(1) the evidence has been discovered after trial and it could not have been obtained at or

prior to trial through reasonable diligence; (2) the evidence is not cumulative; (3) it is not being

used solely to impeach credibility; and (4) it would likely compel a different verdict."

Commonwealth v. D' Amato, 856 A.2d 906, 823 (Pa. 2004).

       The Defendant has now provided an Affidavit written by his co-defendant, Maria Rivera,

as well as testimony. The Defendant was convicted of offenses that arose out of the alleged

assault and robbery of Gonzalez. The Commonwealth argued that the Defendant and his co-

defendant, Maria Rivera, agreed to rob Gonzalez. In Rivera's affidavit and testimony, she stated

that she and the Defendant were not guilty of stabbing Gonzalez because they walked in a

different direction from Gonzalez as they left Lee's Deli. The Defendant also asserts that his trial

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counsel, Attorney Encarnacion, was aware of Rivera and did not call her as a witness since he

was advised by her attorney that she was not going to testify. (Notes of testimony of PCRA

("hereinafter "N.T.PCRA") at 5.) The Defendant states that since Rivera is paroled from her state

prison sentence, she is ready, willing, and able to testify to facts that are exculpatory for the

Defendant and had a reasonable explanation as to why she was unable to testify at trial. The

Defendant asserts that Rivera's testimony would likely result in a verdict of not guilty and since

the victim's credibility was an issue and he provided inconsistent statements, Rivera's testimony

would provide concrete evidence to contradict Gonzalez's incredible testimony.

        However, the Defendant fails to explain how he was unaware of what his co-defendant

would testify to. The Defendant asserts that his co-defendant would testify that he was not

present at the stabbing because he walked in a different direction, but the Defendant would have

known this information prior to trial since he was with his co-defendant. In addition, the

Defendant cannot prove that Rivera's testimony would have likely resulted in a different verdict.

Had Rivera testified, the Commonwealth would most likely have cross-examined Rivera on the

fact that she had already entered a guilty plea to the same offenses that the Defendant was

charged with on November 16, 2011. Rivera was not sentenced until January 4, 2012, which

occurred as the Defendant's trial was proceeding. During her sentencing she admitted that she

was standing next to the victim when the stabbing occurred. (Notes of Testimony of Sentencing

Maria Rivera on 1/4/12, at 11.) Since Rivera's testimony contradicts her statements during her

guilty plea and sentencing, the Defendant cannot prove that Rivera's testimony would likely

compel a different verdict. Therefore, this claim is without merit.

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          The Defendant also raises three ineffectiveness claims. The following standards apply to

the determination of ineffectiveness issues.

          The law presumes that counsel was effective and the Defendant has the burden of proving

ineffectiveness.    Commonwealth v. Brooks, 839 A.2d 245, 248 (Pa. 2003). Therefore, to prevail

on an ineffectiveness claim, the Defendant must demonstrate that: (1) the underlying claim is of

arguable merit; (2) counsel's performance lacked a reasonable basis; and (3) counsel's

performance caused him prejudice. Commonwealth v. Miller, 746 A.2d 592 (Pa. 2000). In

addition, a defendant that claims ineffective assistance of counsel must identify the acts or

omissions by counsel that cannot be considered the result of reasonable, professional judgment.

A reasonable basis must be something more than a hunch-a blind guess on the part of counsel is

tantamount to providing the defendant no counsel at all. Commonwealth v. Jones, 871 A.2d 1258

(2005).

          In his first claim, the Defendant asserts that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to

challenge the weight of the evidence through a post-verdict motion. Counsel cannot be

considered to have provided ineffective assistance of counsel for failing to raise a claim on

appeal that is meritless. Commonwealth v. Thuy, 623 A.2d 327 (Pa.Super. 1993). The Cami can

only grant a new trial on a claim that the verdict was against the weight of evidence "only where

the verdict is so contrary to the evidence as to shock one's sense of justice." Commonwealth v.

Davidson, 860 A.2d 575, 581 (Pa.Super. 2004). Here, the verdict was not so contrary to the

evidence as to shock one's sense of justice.

          The Defendant claims that the evidence presented was inherently contradictory and weak

since the Commonwealth only established through video evidence that the Defendant was at or

near the location of the victim when the victim and the Defendant were inside the bar in

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question. However, the victim testified that the Defendant and Rivera were in the bar on the

night in question, they were sitting together before Rivera came to talk to the victim, and the

victim then went to sit with the Defendant and Rivera. (Notes of Trial Testimony (hereinafter

"N.T.T.") at 164-66.) The Defendant and Rivera also left the bar for a short period of time and

returned before the victim left with Rivera. (Id. at 172.) The Commonwealth corroborated this

testimony by presenting a video from the bar which showed what occurred inside Lee's Deli. (Id.

at 174-81.) The victim also testified that he saw the Defendant in the alley when he felt pain in

his side and the Defendant then asked him for money. (Id. at 182, 191.)

        The Defendant asserts that the victim's status as an undocumented alien and had a blood

alcohol content of .292% did not make him a credible witness. However, the jury was unaware

of the victim's immigration status and it has no relevance in the case because it was excluded

from evidence. The jury had the opportunity to judge the credibility of the victim's testimony

and it does not shock the judicial conscience that the jury found the victim's testimony credible.

The Defendant also asserts that there was no blood found on the knife and the Commonwealth's

theory that the Defendant possessed the knife used in the assault is invalid because there was no

evidence linking the knife to the assault of the victim. The jury reaching a conclusion that the

Defendant possessed the knife would not shock judicial conscience either. The Defendant was

not arrested until four hours after the incident. (Id. at 240.) This would have given the Defendant

ample time to clean the knife.

       Therefore, since there were no meritorious claims in filing a post-verdict motion

challenging the weight of the evidence, the Defendant's claim that he received ineffective

assistance of counsel is meritless.

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        The Defendant's next claim asserts that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to argue

to the jury that the knife that was claimed as the assault weapon did not have any blood on it.

The Defendant states that the Commonwealth relied on eyewitness identification from the victim

and corroborated his testimony only with video evidence and a knife taken from the Defendant

when he was arrested and thought to be the assault weapon. (Id. at 341.) The Defendant believes

that, since the knife did not have any blood on it, it is logical to assume that a knife used to stab

someone in the abdomen would have some traces of blood on it. Since the Commonwealth did

not introduce any evidence of blood on the knife, his trial counsel should have argued this fact to

the jury as an indication of innocence. The Defendant believes that his trial counsel had no

reasonable strategic basis for failing to argue the lack of blood, was ineffective for thinking that

it was not significant, and the Defendant was prejudiced since the jury did not hear this argument

and it could have changed the verdict. (N.T.PCRA. at 7-8.)

        The Court finds this claim as meritless because trial counsel commented on the lack of

blood on the knife in his opening statement. During his opening statement, counsel stated "the

knife has his fingerprint. No blood. No blood, not even a speck of blood, nothing, no blood."

(N.T.T. at 85.) Therefore, the jury was aware of the argument that there was no blood on the

knife. In addition, trial counsel testified that he had reasonable strategic basis to focus on

impeaching the main witness

        " ... through various different statements that were made in the preliminary
       hearing, and the Court allowed [him} extensive use of his prior testimony
       at the preliminary hearing to do so. I mean, he was obviously stabbed, you
       know, that's-and he was bleeding. There was- we did make a deal out of
       the lack of blood and whether there was a trail of blood leading to where
       he was walking or not walking. "

(N.T.PCRA. at 7.)

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        Therefore, the Defendant cannot prove that if trial counsel had mentioned the lack of

blood again during closing statements that it would have rendered a different verdict and the

issue is meritless.

        Finally, the Defendant's last claim asserting ineffective assistance of counsel for failing

to object and move for a mistrial after the prosecutor made an improper argument during closing

argument is meritless. The Defendant claims that trial counsel should have objected after the

prosecutor stated during closing argument:

         "Remember, [Rivera} left the bar a couple of times. There's even a time
        towards the end of that thing where she's at the bar with the door open
        and she's like basically almost of if- it looks like she's saying this is your
        last chance and he 's sitting here. "

(N.T.T. at 340.)

        The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania has established that a "prosecutor is in a unique

position as both an administrator of justice and an advocate. Accordingly, we have stressed that

prosecutorial conduct in argument is a matter of special concern because of the possibility that

the jury will give special weight to the prosecutor's arguments .... " Commonwealth v. Dennis,

715 A.2d 404, 419 (Pa. 1998); see also Commonwealth v. Potter, 285 A.2d 492 (1971);

Commonwealth v. Toney, 266 A.2d 732 (1970). However, the Court also noted that a prosecutor

must have "reasonable latitude in presenting his case and must be free, as well, to make his

arguments with "logical force and vigor. ... " Dennis, 715 A.2d at 419, quoting Commonwealth v.

Cronin, 346 A.2d 59, 62 (1975). In addition, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania has stated that

when

       "considering a claim of prosecutorial misconduct, our inquiry 'is centered
       on whether the defendant was deprived of a fair trial, not deprived of a
       perfect trial.' Commonwealth v. La Cava, 666 A.2d 221, 231 ( citing
       Commonwealth v. Holloway, 572 A.2d 687, 692 (1990). Thus, a
       prosecutor's remarks do not constitute reversible error unless their

                                                  9
                                                                               Circulated 12/15/2015 04:37 PM

        unavoidable effect was to prejudice the jury, forming in their minds fixed
        bias and hostility toward the defendant so that the jury could not weigh the
        evidence objectively and render a true verdict. Commonwealth v. Bond,
        652 A.2d 308, 315 (1995). Further, the allegedly improper remarks must
        be viewed in light of the entire context of the closing argument as a whole.
        LaCava, 666 A.2d at 23 5."

        Commonwealth v. Ligons, 971 A.2d 1125, 1157 (Pa. 2009).

        Here, the prosecutor's comments were a reasonable comment and conclusion taken from

the evidence presented at trial. The prosecutor was arguing what the co-defendant's body

language and actions seemed to portray in the video evidence. However, Trial Counsel testified

during the evidentiary hearing that he believes the statement is consistent with what the video

shows and therefore, had no reason to believe the argument was inappropriate. (N.T.PCRA. at 9-

10.) Therefore, trial counsel had a reasonable basis for not objecting to the statement since he

also considered the objection to be meritless.

       Finally, the Defendant did not suffer prejudice because the jury was not so wholly biased

that they could not objectively weigh the evidence and render a true verdict because the Trial

Court also properly instructed the jury. The Trial Court cautioned the jury in regard to the

closing statements, that

        "Even though these arguments do not constitute evidence, you should
       consider them carefully. In their arguments, counsel will call to your
       attention the evidence which they consider material and will ask you to
       draw certain inferences from that evidence.
               Please keep in mind that you are not bound by their recollection of
       the evidence. It is your recollection of the evidence and your recollection
       alone which must guide your deliberations.
               If there is a discrepancy between counsel's recollection and your
       recollection, you are bound by your own recollection.
               Furthermore, you are not limited in your consideration of the
       evidence to that which is mentioned by counsel. You must consider all of
       the evidence which you consider material to the issues involved.
               To the extent that the inferences which counsel ask you to draw are
       supported by the evidence and appeal to your reason and judgment, you
       may consider them in your deliberations. "

                                                 10
                                                                              Circulated 12/15/2015 04:37 PM

(N.T.T. at 319.)

        Therefore, the jury is presumed to have followed these instructions and the Defendant's

claim is meritless.

        Accordingly, I enter the following:

                                               11
                                                                                                          Circulated 12/15/2015 04:37 PM

                                  IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF LANCASTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
                                                           CRIMIN    AL

                          COMMONWEALTH            OF PENNSYLVANIA

                                                  v.                                     No. 5754-2010

                          SANTOS LUIS RODRIGUEZ

                                                                            ORDER
                                  AND NOW, this        0'    day of June, 2015 after a hearing on the Amended Petition for

                          Post-Conviction Collateral Relief filed December 23, 2013, it is hereby ordered that the petition

                          is DENIED.

                                                                   BY THE COURTJ.·

 ! certify this doclmient to be flied~                                       T:>           ~
 m the Lancaster County Off-ice of
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                              of the Courts.
                                           ti,.
                                                  /2_ ,.                '    ~

                                                                   DENNIS E . REINAKER
ift.                 ~tJI .              £)            ~-          PRESIDENT JUDGE
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                     'Y':,·:iJ
                       • ·{~.j'
                                       Joshua G Parsons
                                                 •
                                                                   June 5, 2015
  .,,.,,;31?3 • t;;11:<>~,-,,~~
       •(tr          \\
                                       Clerk of the Courts
              ""'"'"" ATTEST:

                          Copies to:

                          Vincent J. Quinn, Esquire
                          Amber Czemiakowski, Esquire

                                                                             12