Com. v. Oliver, J. ( 2018 )

J-S06043-18
NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
: PENNSYLVANIA
:
v. :
:
:
JOHN OLIVER JR., :
:
Appellant : No. 717 EDA 2017
Appeal from the PCRA Order February 16, 2017
in the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County,
Criminal Division at No(s): CP-51-CR-0409581-1997
BEFORE: BOWES, J., McLAUGHLIN, J., and MUSMANNO, J.
MEMORANDUM BY MUSMANNO, J.: FILED MARCH 22, 2018
John Oliver, Jr. (“Oliver”), pro se, appeals from the Order dismissing his
pro se Petition for relief, which the court of common pleas treated as his fifth
Petition filed pursuant to the Post Conviction Relief Act (“PCRA”).1 See 42
Pa.C.S.A. §§ 9541-9546. We affirm.
The PCRA court concisely summarized the relevant procedural history in
its Opinion, which we incorporate as though fully stated herein. See PCRA
Court Opinion, 2/28/17, at 1-3.
In this timely appeal, Oliver presents the following issue for our review:
“May a criminal court judge[,] within its discretion[,] change the caption
headed [sic] of a pro se petitioner to a PCRA[,] and den[y] relief the same
____________________________________________
1 See Commonwealth v. Jackson, 30 A.3d 516, 521 (Pa. Super. 2011)
(stating that this Court has “repeatedly held that any petition filed after the
judgment of sentence becomes final will be treated as a PCRA petition.”)
(citation and ellipses omitted).
J-S06043-18
without an evidentiary hearing?” Brief for Appellant at 6 (citations to statutory
and case law omitted).
“In reviewing the [dismissal] of PCRA relief, we examine whether the
PCRA court’s determination is supported by the record and free of legal error.”
Commonwealth v. Montalvo, 114 A.3d 401, 409 (Pa. 2015) (citation and
internal quotation marks omitted). We further note that a PCRA court may
decline to hold a hearing on a PCRA petition if the petitioner’s claim is patently
frivolous and is without a trace of support in either the record or from other
evidence. Commonwealth v. Derrickson, 923 A.2d 466, 468 (Pa. Super.
2007); see also Pa.R.Crim.P. 907 (setting forth conditions whereby a PCRA
petition may be dismissed without a hearing).
In its Opinion, the PCRA court cogently addressed Oliver’s claim,
summarized the applicable law, and correctly determined that the court (1)
properly treated Oliver’s Petition as being filed under the PCRA; and (2) lacked
jurisdiction to address the Petition due to its untimeliness. See PCRA Court
Opinion, 2/28/17, at 3-6. We agree with the PCRA court’s apt reasoning and
determination and therefore affirm on this basis in rejecting Oliver’s sole issue
on appeal. See id.
Accordingly, as both the PCRA court and this Court lack jurisdiction to
address the merits of Oliver’s untimely fifth PCRA Petition, we affirm the Order
dismissing the Petition.
Order affirmed.
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J-S06043-18
Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary
Date: 3/22/18
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Circulated 02/28/2018 05:11 PM
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IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF PHILADELPHIA COUNTY FIL·ED·
FIRST JUDIC°fAL:'DISTRIC1' OF.PENNSYLVANIA
CRIMINAL TRIAt DIVISION FEB 2� 201W
•
Criminal Appeals Unii
. first Judicia\ District of I
COMMONWEALTH OF CP-51-CR-0409581-1997
PENNSYLVANIA
v.
JOHN OLIVER
OPINION ..
BY: Patricia A Mcinerney, J. February 28, 2017
This is an appeal from an order dismissing Defendant John Oliver's fifth (or
subsequent) petition for relief under the Post Conviction Relief Act, 42 Pa. C.S. §§ 9541-
9546. Because the petition/letter at issue was filed more than one year after the judgment
of sentence became final and none of the exceptions to the one-year time bar were alleged
much less proven, this Court properly dismissed it without a_ hearing and should be
affinned.1
I. BACKGROUND
In March of 1996, Defendant John Olivet ("Defendant") raped his mentally
challenged l 4-year-oid biological daughter while also first threatening to kill her and then
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offering to payher $20.00. On June 30, 1998, following a four-day jury trial in which
This Court received correspondence from Defendant John Oliver dated September
30, 2016. While almost completely incomprehensible, the Court could make out that he
was asking/petitioning: "why at the.age of 79-years old petitioner's requested for
expungement of all non prior convictions and his entirety criminal history, as well as his
time served credit of 19-months shall not be granted:" While not filed as such, the Court
treated this correspondence as a petition for relief pursuant to the Post-Conviction Relief
Act, 42 Pa. C.S. §§ 9541-9546. .
£/.. F
Defendant chose to represent himself, Defendant was convicted of rape and corrupting the
morals of a minor. He was thereafter sentenced to. a term of 10 to 20 years of imprisonment
for the rape charge and a consecutive term of 5 years of probation for the corruption of
minors charge. Defendant filed a direct appeal, which the Superior Court of Pennsylvania
dismissed on May 21, 1999 for failure of counsel to file a brief.
On June 18, I 999, Defendant filed a prose petition pursuant to the Post Conviction
Relief Act ("PCRA"), 42 Pa. C.S. §§ 9541-9546, seeking the reinstatement of his direct
appeal rights nunc pro tune. Defendant's request was granted. Counsel for Defendant
then filed a nunc pro tune appeal. On August 22, 2000, judgment of sentence was affirmed
by the Superior Court. Defendant did not thereafter file a petition for allowance of appeal
with the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.
Subsequently, Defendant filed four PCRA petitions, all of which were dismissed.
Presently, this Court received correspondence from Defendant dated September 30, 2016.
While almost completely incomprehensible, the Court could make out that he was
asking/petitioning: "why at the age of 79-years old petitioner's requested for expungement
of all non prior convictions and his entirety criminal history, as well as his time served
credit of 19-months shall not be granted." (Def. 's Correspondence, Sept. 30, 2016 (sic)).
While not filed as such, the Court treated Defendant's September 30, 2016
correspondence as a PCRA petition. On January 23, 2017, this Court gave notice pursuant
to Pennsylvania Rule of Criminal Procedure 907 of its intention to dismiss the petition as
untimely filed and not invoking an exception to the PCRA's timeliness provision as well as
being without merit. No response having been filed by Defendant, the Court dismissed the
petition as untimely by order dated February 16, 2017. That same day, Defendant .
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appealed.
In the instant notice of appeal, Defendant states he is "appealjing] from the denial
of due process and equal protection clause by grabbing [his] habeas corpus ... [ and]
changing it into a PCRA and den[ying]. .. the same!!" (Def.'s Notice of Appeal, Feb. 16,
20 l 7(some changes to font). The Court issues this opinion in support ofthe order
dismissing Defendant's fifth (or subsequent) PCRA petition.
II. DISCUSSION
As a preliminary matter, the Court did not err in determining Defendant's
September 30, 2016 correspondence should be considered a PCRA petition. The Superior
Court has explained:
It is well settled that any collateral petition raising issues with respect to
remedies offered under the PCRA will be considered a PCRA petition.
However, a petition raising a claim for which the PCRA does not offer a
remedy will not be considered a PCRA petition. Thus, the question then
becomes whether petitioner had an available remedy under the PCRA[.]
Commonwealth v. Deaner, 779 A.2d 578, 580 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2001) (citations and
quotations omitted).
In most relevant 'part, Defendant's correspondence suggests the Court failed to give
him credit for time served. The Superior Court has already determined a defendant's
"challenge to the trial court's failure to award credit for time spent in custody prior to
sentencing involves the legality-of sentence." Commonwealth v. Beck, 848 A.2d 989, 989
(Pa. Super. Ct. 2004). The Superior Court has also already determined "[i]ssues concerning
the legality of sentence are cognizable under the PCRA.'' Id. As such, to the extent that
Defendant's correspondence suggests the Court failed to give him credit for time served,
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there was no error in determining his correspondence should be treated as a PCRA.2• 3 id.
(holding a collateral challenge to legality of the sentence imposed by the trial court for
failing to give credit for time served should be treated as a PCRA petition despite being
labeled a habeas corpus petition).
42 Pa. C.S. § 9545 addresses jurisdiction and proceedings in post conviction relief
matters. Defendant's petition was subject to the timing requirements of Section 9545(b),
which first provide that: "Any petition under this subchapter, including 'a second or
subsequent petition, shall be filed within one year of the date the judgment becomes
final. ... " 42 Pa. C.S. § 9545(b)(1). Pursuant to Section 9545(b)(3), "a judgment becomes
final at the conclusion of direct review, including discretionary review in the Supreme
. .
Court of the United States and the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania; or at the expiration of
time for seeking the review:" 42 Pa. C.S. § 9545(b)(3).
Here, Defendant's judgment of sentence became final on September 21, 2 000. The
Superior Court affirmed the judgment of sentence on August 22, 2000. The judgment of
sentence became final 30 days thereafter-upon the expiration of the time period within
which Defendant had to file- a petition for allowance of appeal with the Supreme Court of
Pennsylvania. See Pa. R. App. P. l 113(a). As the instant petition was clearly not filed
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If Defendant is challenging the computation of his sentence by the Department of
Corrections ("DOC"), the Court would note a petition for writ of habeas corpus in the trial
court "is not the proper vehicle to raise his claim."' Co,nrtJJJ_nwealth v. "Jf.ygtt, 115 A.3d 876,
879�80 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2015). Rather, the proper vehicle would be an original action in the
Commonwealth Court challenging the DOC's computation, not an action in the trial court
challenging the same. Id. at 880.
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To whatever extent relevant, the Court would- also note an irunate does not have a
., due process right to petition for expungement while incarcerated. Commonwealth v.
\Wallace, 97 A.Jd 310, 322 (Pa. 2014).
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within one year of the judgment
.
of sentence becoming final, an . exception to the one-year
time-bar would have to be applicable.
At subsections (b)(l_)(i)-(iii), Section 9545 provides three very limited
circumstances which allow_for review of a petition not filed within its one-year time
. limitation. 42 Pa. C.S. § _9545 (b )(1 )(i)-(iii). In order to invoke one of these exceptions, the
petition must allege and the petitioner must prove that:
(i) the failure to raise the claim previously was the result of interference by
government officials with the presentation of the claim in violation of the
Constitution or laws of this Commonwealth or the Constitution or laws of
the United States;
. (ii) the facts upon which the claim is predicated were unknown to
the petitioner andcould not.have been ascertained by the exercise of due
diligence; or
(iii) the right asserted is a constitutional right that was recognized by the
Supreme Court of the United States or the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
after the time period provided in this 'section and has been held by th_at court
to apply retroactively.
42 Pa. C.S. § 9545(b)(l).
The PCRA also makes it "clear that where ... the petition is untimely, it is the
petitioner's burden to plead in the petition and prove that one ofthe exceptions applies."
Commonwealth v. Beasley, 741 A.2d 1258, 1261 (Pa. 1999), citing 42 Pa. C.S. §
9545(b)(l). "Thatburden necessarily entails an acknowledgement by the petitioner that the_
PCRA petition under review is untimely but that one or more of the exceptions apply."
Beasley, 741 A.2d at 1261.
Here, Defendant did not meet his burden. Defendant's petition did not
acknowledge its untimeliness or allege the applicability of any exception. Therefore, as
Defendant did not meet his burden of first acknowledging the untimeliness of his petition
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. ' . . •, .
'
and then alleging and proving that one of the exceptions applied, this Court properly
dismissed
. .
Defendant's petition
.
asuntimely and was without
.
jurisdiction to consider the
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merits of the petition. See Commonwealth v. Murray, 753 A.2d 201, 203 (Pa. 2000)
(noting "the PCRA's timeliness requirements leave the courts without jurisdiction to
consider the merits of a PCRA petition that is filed in an untimely manner, unless the
petition alleges, and the petitioner proyes, that one or more of the enumerated exceptions to
the timeliness requirements appliesto the claims raised therein."),
· WHEREFORE, for the above mentioned reasons, this Court's order dismissing
Defendant's petition as untimely should _be affirmed.
·BY THE COURT:
.Jj((
McINERNEY, J_
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