Com. v. Mayfield, L. ( 2020 )


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  • J-S63023-19
    NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
    COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA               :   IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
    :        PENNSYLVANIA
    :
    v.                             :
    :
    :
    LAMAR MAYFIELD                             :
    :
    Appellant               :   No. 2737 EDA 2018
    Appeal from the PCRA Order Entered July 11, 2017
    In the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County Criminal Division at
    No(s): CP-51-CR-0008294-2009
    BEFORE:      GANTMAN, P.J.E., MURRAY, J., and STRASSBURGER, J.*
    MEMORANDUM BY MURRAY, J.:                             FILED JANUARY 08, 2020
    Lamar Mayfield (Appellant) appeals from the order dismissing his
    petition filed pursuant to the Post Conviction Relief Act (PCRA), 42 Pa.C.S.A.
    §§ 9541-9546. We affirm.
    A prior panel of this Court summarized the pertinent facts:
    On July 31, 2007, Officer Thomas Kuhn, a member of the
    Philadelphia narcotics unit, received a complaint of illegal gun and
    drug activity at 606 West Mayfield Street in Philadelphia. The
    complaint implicated “a black male, bald, with a beard that may
    go by the name of Kevin . . . Anderson.” N.T., 4/2/12, at 70. That
    same day, Officer Kuhn and his partner, Officer Roberson, initiated
    an investigation of the suspect property by meeting with a
    confidential informant (“CI”).
    After determining that the CI was carrying neither money nor
    drugs, the officers provided the CI with $40.00 pre-recorded
    money, and directed him to 606 West Mayfield Street. Appellant
    was sitting on the front steps of the two-story house, and
    ____________________________________________
    *   Retired Senior Judge assigned to the Superior Court.
    J-S63023-19
    conversing with an unidentified man. As the officers watched, the
    CI and Appellant had a brief conversation, after which Appellant
    got up and entered the house through the unlocked front door.
    Within minutes, he exited the house, said something to the CI,
    and dropped an object into the CI’s hand. In exchange, the CI
    gave Appellant the $40.00 buy money. The CI then returned to
    the officers and gave them eight red-tinted Ziploc bags of
    marijuana.
    Officer Kuhn prepared a search warrant application for 606 West
    Mayfield Street. On the warrant, the officer listed the owner of
    record of the property, Aqueelah Barrett. Unaware of Appellant’s
    true identity, Officer Kuhn listed the person observed making the
    drug deal as “occupant,” and offered the following description:
    “one black male . . . 28 to 32 years old, dark-complected and . . .
    bald.” N.T., 4/2/12, at 86.
    On August 1, 2007, at 9:15 p.m., Officer Kuhn and other officers
    met to execute the warrant. When no one responded to the
    officers’ knock and announcement that they were serving a bench
    warrant, they gained entry by using a battering ram on the front
    door. In the living room, Officer Roberson apprehended Ms.
    Barrett, who was seated next to her one to two month old infant,
    who was in a baby carrier. Next to the baby was a large Ziploc
    bag filled with 272.8 grams of marijuana. From the living room
    the officer also recovered three scales, a mirror, a sifter and a
    razor blade. All of these items contained a white powdery residue.
    Elsewhere on the first floor, the officers confiscated hundreds of
    unused Ziploc bags with various tints and markings, including red-
    tinted bags identical to those the CI had delivered to Officers Kuhn
    and Roberson the day before.
    Lieutenant Joseph Bologna proceeded to the second floor of the
    house accompanied by Officer McDonnel and entered the front
    bedroom. When the officers lifted the mattress of the bed, they
    discovered the following: 1) a Tazer; 2) a .45 caliber Ruger loaded
    with five rounds; 3) a black Cobra Arms .380 with one round in
    the chamber and six in the magazine; 4) a .40 caliber Taurus with
    one round in the chamber, ten in the magazine, and two extra
    magazines; 5) a Hungarian Arms 9-millimeter with one round in
    the chamber and thirteen in the magazine; and 6) a silver Cobra
    9-millimeter, Model MAC11, with one round in the chamber and
    thirty-five in the magazine.
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    In a drawer in the smaller of the two nightstands, the officers
    found $1935.00 in cash in various denominations, including the
    two twenty dollar bills of prerecorded buy money the CI had used
    to purchase the marijuana from Appellant the day before.
    *     *     *
    During the search, other officers uncovered a second cache of five
    firearms in the basement of the house. They found the following:
    1) a .380 caliber AMT silver model Backup with a magazine of five
    rounds; 2) a .22 caliber ERMA LA with a magazine of five rounds;
    3) an AR-15 rifle with two magazines containing 30 rounds each;
    4) a 7.62 X 39 caliber Norinco MAK-90; and 5) an AK-47. In
    addition to the weapons, the officers found four bags of
    ammunition matching the guns.
    Also recovered from the basement in the same area as the guns
    was a black duffle bag containing two rolls of duct tape, a can of
    pepper spray, two black ski masks with holes cut out for the eyes
    and mouth, two pairs of black gloves, a fake beard, a fake
    mustache, a mirror, a bottle of spirit gum, and a bottle of spirit
    gum remover.
    Commonwealth v. Mayfield, 3315 EDA 2012, at *1-4 (Pa. Super. March 4,
    2014) (unpublished memorandum).        After executing the search warrant,
    police prepared an arrest warrant for Appellant; however, Appellant remained
    at large until May 24, 2009, when police apprehended him.
    Following a jury trial, Appellant was convicted of possession of a
    controlled substance, possessing marijuana with intent to deliver (PWID),
    possession of drug paraphernalia, criminal conspiracy, using or possessing
    drug paraphernalia, seven counts of possessing an instrument of crime, five
    counts of possessing an offensive weapon, three counts of possession of a
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    firearm, and two counts of receiving stolen property.1          The trial court
    sentenced Appellant to an aggregate term of 10 to 20 years of imprisonment.
    Appellant appealed without success to both this Court and the Pennsylvania
    Supreme Court.
    On March 23, 2015, Appellant filed a timely pro se PCRA petition.
    Counsel was appointed and filed an amended PCRA petition on July 15, 2016.
    On February 15, 2017, the Commonwealth filed a motion to dismiss
    Appellant’s PCRA petition as meritless. The PCRA court issued notice of its
    intent to dismiss Appellant’s petition pursuant to Rule 907 of the Pennsylvania
    Rules of Criminal Procedure. Appellant did not file a response. The PCRA
    court formally dismissed Appellant’s petition on July 11, 2017. This timely
    appeal followed.      Both the PCRA court and Appellant have complied with
    Pa.R.A.P. 1925.
    Appellant presents the following “Statement of Questions Involved,” in
    his brief: “Whether the court erred in not granting relief on the PCRA petition.”
    Appellant’s Brief at 8.       Preliminarily, we find Appellant’s Pa.R.A.P. 2116
    statement of questions presented to be vague and overly broad. However,
    Appellant articulates three issues in the Argument section of his brief for our
    review: (1) whether Appellate Counsel was ineffective for failing to challenge
    the sufficiency of the evidence on direct appeal; (2) whether Appellate Counsel
    was ineffective for failing to challenge the denial of the motion to compel the
    ____________________________________________
    135 P.S. § 780-113(a)(16), (30), and (32); 18 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 903, 907(a),
    908(a), 6105(a)(1), and 3925(a).
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    identity of the confidential informant (CI); and (3) whether Appellant was
    prejudiced by after discovered evidence that the police officer assigned to his
    case was under criminal investigation for planting drugs and making false
    arrests.    Since Appellant’s failure to comply with our Rules of Appellate
    Procedure does not impede our ability to review the issues, we address the
    merits of this appeal.2
    We review the denial of PCRA relief by “examining whether the PCRA
    court’s findings of fact are supported by the record, and whether its
    conclusions of law are free from legal error.” Commonwealth v. Busanet,
    
    54 A.3d 35
    , 45 (Pa. 2012). “Our 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 party who prevailed in the PCRA court proceeding.” Id.
    ____________________________________________
    2   We remind Appellant’s counsel of our Rules of Appellate Procedure.
    (a) General Rule. The statement of the questions involved must
    state concisely the issues to be resolved, expressed in the terms
    and circumstances of the case but without unnecessary detail.
    The statement will be deemed to include every subsidiary question
    fairly comprised therein. No question will be considered
    unless it is stated in the statement of questions involved or
    is fairly suggested thereby.          Each question shall be
    followed by an answer stating simply whether the court or
    government unit agreed, disagreed, did not answer, or did
    not address the question. If a qualified answer was given to
    the question, appellant shall indicate the nature of the
    qualification, or if the question was not answered or addressed
    and the record shows the reason for such failure, the reason shall
    be stated briefly in each instance without quoting the court or
    government unit below.
    Pa.R.A.P. 2116(a) (emphasis added).
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    Appellant’s first and second issue each allege ineffective assistance of
    Appellate Counsel. With respect to ineffective assistance of counsel claims,
    our Supreme Court has stated:
    It is well-settled that counsel is presumed to have been effective
    and that the petitioner bears the burden of proving counsel’s
    alleged ineffectiveness. Commonwealth v. Cooper, 
    941 A.2d 655
    , 664 (Pa. 2007). To overcome this presumption, a petitioner
    must establish that: (1) the underlying substantive claim has
    arguable merit; (2) counsel did not have a reasonable basis for
    his or her act or omission; and (3) the petitioner suffered
    prejudice as a result of counsel’s deficient performance, “that is,
    a reasonable probability that but for counsel's act or omission, the
    outcome of the proceeding would have been different.” 
    Id. A PCRA
    petitioner must address each of these prongs on appeal.
    See Commonwealth v. Natividad, 
    938 A.2d 310
    , 322 (Pa.
    2007) (explaining that “appellants continue to bear the burden of
    pleading and proving each of the Pierce elements on appeal to
    this Court”). A petitioner’s failure to satisfy any prong of this test
    is fatal to the claim. 
    Cooper, 941 A.2d at 664
    .
    Commonwealth v. Wholaver, 
    177 A.3d 136
    , 144 (Pa. 2018) (citations
    modified).
    In his first issue, Appellant argues that Appellate Counsel was ineffective
    for failing to preserve his challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence for his
    PWID conviction on direct appeal. Appellant asserts that there was insufficient
    evidence to prove that he had the specific intent to deliver a controlled
    substance to another person. Appellant’s Brief at 19-20. Appellant contends
    that because he “was not seen actually delivering a controlled substance to
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    another person,” the Commonwealth failed to meet its burden of proving every
    element of PWID. 
    Id. at 19-20.3
    In reviewing a challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence, we
    recognize:
    As a general matter, our standard of review of sufficiency
    claims requires that we evaluate the record in the light most
    favorable to the verdict winner giving the prosecution the benefit
    of all reasonable inferences to be drawn from the evidence.
    Evidence will be deemed sufficient to support the verdict when it
    establishes each material element of the crime charged and the
    commission thereof by the accused, beyond a reasonable doubt.
    Nevertheless, the Commonwealth need not establish guilt to a
    mathematical certainty. Any doubt about the defendant’s guilt is
    to be resolved by the fact finder unless the evidence is so weak
    and inconclusive that, as a matter of law, no probability of fact
    can be drawn from the combined circumstances.
    The Commonwealth may sustain its burden by means of
    wholly circumstantial evidence. Accordingly, [t]he fact that the
    evidence establishing a defendant’s participation in a crime is
    circumstantial does not preclude a conviction where the evidence
    coupled with the reasonable inferences drawn therefrom
    overcomes the presumption of innocence. Significantly, we may
    not substitute our judgment for that of the fact finder; thus, so
    long as the evidence adduced, accepted in the light most favorable
    to the Commonwealth, demonstrates the respective elements of
    a defendant’s crimes beyond a reasonable doubt, the appellant’s
    convictions will be upheld.
    Commonwealth v. Franklin, 
    69 A.3d 719
    , 722-23 (Pa. Super. 2013)
    (internal quotations and citations omitted).     Importantly, “the jury, which
    passes upon the weight and credibility of each witness’s testimony, is free to
    ____________________________________________
    3 Appellant argues only that the evidence was insufficient to prove that he
    intended to deliver a controlled substance. Appellant does not challenge
    whether he possessed (or constructively possessed) the controlled substance.
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    believe all, part, or none of the evidence.” Commonwealth v. Ramtahal,
    
    33 A.3d 602
    , 607 (Pa. 2011).
    Section 780-113 of the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and
    Cosmetic Act defines PWID as follows: “Except as authorized by this act, the
    manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver, a
    controlled substance by a person not registered under this act, or a
    practitioner not registered or licensed by the appropriate State board, or
    knowingly creating, delivering or possessing with intent to deliver, a
    counterfeit controlled substance.”    35 P.S. 780-113(a)(30).    To sustain a
    conviction for PWID, “the Commonwealth must prove both the possession of
    the controlled substance and the intent to deliver the controlled substance.”
    Commonwealth v. Lee, 
    956 A.2d 1024
    , 1028 (Pa. Super. 2008) (citations
    omitted).
    “[T]he intent to deliver may be inferred from possession of a large
    quantity of controlled substances. It follows that possession of a small amount
    of a controlled substance supports the conclusion that there is an absence of
    intent to deliver.”   
    Id. If the
    quantity of the controlled substance is not
    dispositive as to the intent, the court may look to other factors. 
    Id. Other factors
    to consider when determining whether a defendant
    intended to deliver a controlled substance include the manner in
    which the controlled substance was packaged, the behavior of the
    defendant, the presence of drug paraphernalia, and . . . [the]
    sums of cash found in possession of the defendant. The final factor
    to be considered is expert testimony. Expert opinion testimony is
    admissible concerning whether the facts surrounding the
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    possession of controlled substances are consistent with an intent
    to deliver rather than with an intent to possess it for personal use.
    Commonwealth v. Ratsamy, 
    934 A.2d 1233
    , 1237–38 (Pa. 2007)
    (quotation and internal quotation marks omitted).
    Here, the evidence supports the jury’s finding that Appellant possessed
    marijuana with the intent to deliver. Relevantly, the record reveals that the
    following items were recovered from Appellant’s residence: a large Ziploc bag
    containing 272.8 grams of marijuana, three scales, a mirror, a sifter, a razor
    blade, and a “couple hundred” unused Ziploc bags with various tints and
    markings, including red-tinted bags identical to those the CI received in the
    controlled drug buy. N.T., 4/2/12, at 98-101; see also Commonwealth’s Ex.
    C-6. “[P]ossession with intent to deliver can be inferred from the quantity of
    the drugs possessed and other surrounding circumstances, such as lack of
    paraphernalia for consumption.” Commonwealth v. Jones, 
    874 A.2d 108
    ,
    121 (Pa. Super. 2005); see also Commonwealth v. Bess, 
    789 A.2d 757
    ,
    761–62 (Pa. Super. 2002) (possession of significant sums of cash, $158.00,
    absence of drug paraphernalia, and 2.2 grams of cocaine, supported
    conviction of PWID). The large quantity of marijuana, in combination with the
    “hundreds” of unused Ziploc bags, which matched those given to the CI during
    the controlled buy, was sufficient for the jury to find that Appellant had the
    intent to deliver a controlled substance.
    Because Appellant’s challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence
    supporting his PWID conviction lacks merit, Appellate Counsel was not
    ineffective for failing to preserve the claim. Commonwealth v. Sneed, 45
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    A.3d 1096, 1115 (Pa. 2012) (“Counsel will not be deemed ineffective for failing
    to raise a meritless claim.”).4
    In his second issue, Appellant asserts that Appellate Counsel was
    ineffective for failing to challenge the trial court’s denial of his motion to
    compel the identity of the CI. Appellant avers that he was convicted based
    upon the testimony of the police officer who accompanied the CI. Because
    the CI was “an active participant” in the transaction, Appellant contends that
    the CI’s identity should be disclosed. Appellant’s Brief at 23. The PCRA court
    rejected this claim upon finding that it lacked arguable merit. PCRA Court
    Opinion, 2/4/19, at 8-9. Following our review of the record, we agree.
    Whether the identity of a CI who was also an eyewitness shall be
    disclosed is a matter left to the discretion of the trial court. Rule 573 of the
    Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure provides:
    *      *        *
    (2) Discretionary With the Court.
    (a) In all court cases, except as otherwise provided in Rules
    230 (Disclosure of Testimony Before Investigating Grand
    Jury) and 556.10 (Secrecy; Disclosure), if the defendant files
    ____________________________________________
    4 In a single sentence, Appellant raises a second sufficiency claim in the
    context of ineffective assistance of Appellate Counsel, and argues that “the
    Commonwealth failed to prove that Appellant actually or constructively
    possessed any of the weapons.” Appellant’s Brief at 20. Aside from this bald
    assertion, Appellant fails to develop an argument or present pertinent
    authority that his claim has arguable merit. Accordingly, Appellant’s issue is
    waived. Commonwealth v. Roche, 
    153 A.3d 1063
    , 1072 (Pa. Super. 2017)
    (“the failure to properly develop a claim renders an issue waived.”).
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    a motion for pretrial discovery, the court may order the
    Commonwealth to allow the defendant's attorney to inspect
    and copy or photograph any of the following requested items,
    upon a showing that they are material to the preparation of
    the defense, and that the request is reasonable:
    (i) the names and addresses of eyewitnesses[.]
    Pa.R.Crim.P. 573(B)(2)(a)(i) (emphasis added).         When ruling on such a
    request, the trial court must consider the following standards as set forth by
    the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania:
    This Court has adopted the guidelines articulated by the United
    States Supreme Court in Roviaro v. United States, 
    353 U.S. 53
    ,
    
    77 S. Ct. 623
    , 
    1 L. Ed. 2d 639
    (1957), to guide trial courts in the
    exercise of their discretion in cases where, as here, the defendant
    requests the identity of a confidential informant who is also an
    eyewitness:
    We believe that no fixed rule with respect to disclosure
    [of the confidential informant’s identity] is justifiable.
    The problem is one that calls for balancing the public
    interest in protecting the flow of information against
    the individual’s right to prepare his defense. Whether
    a proper balance renders the nondisclosure erroneous
    must depend on the particular circumstances of each
    case, taking into consideration the crime charged, the
    possible defenses, the possible significance of the
    informer’s testimony and other relevant factors.
    Commonwealth v. Carter, 
    427 Pa. 53
    , 59, 
    233 A.2d 284
    , 287
    (1967), (quoting Roviaro, at 60–62, 
    77 S. Ct. 623
    ).
    *     *        *
    Further, before an informant’s identity may be revealed, the
    defendant must establish pursuant to Pa.R.Crim.P. 305(B)
    that the information sought is material to the preparation
    of the defense and that the request is reasonable.
    Commonwealth v. Roebuck, 
    545 Pa. 471
    , 477, 
    681 A.2d 1279
    ,
    1283 (1996). Only after a showing by the defendant that the
    information sought is material and the request reasonable is the
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    trial court called upon to exercise its discretion to determine
    whether the information is to be revealed.
    Commonwealth v. Bing, 
    713 A.2d 56
    , 58 (Pa. 1998) (emphasis added).
    Appellant argues that the trial court erred in its ruling because the
    identity of the CI was “material” to the preparation of his defense. Appellant
    asserts:
    This is a case where the informant was an active participant in the
    offense for which the Appellant stood trial. Therefore, under
    Rovario, the disclosure and production of the informant should
    have been required to ensure a fair trial. On the only day the
    Appellant was seen involved in a drug transaction the informant
    was an active participant in the transaction. This is not a situation
    where the informant is a mere tipster who had no real connection
    to the illegal activity. The informant is the only disinterested
    person who could contradict the officer’s testimony.
    Appellant’s Brief at 23.
    Given the nature of his offenses (PWID and related offenses), we agree
    with the PCRA court’s conclusion that Appellant failed to meet the standards
    set forth by our Supreme Court. Appellant sought the identity of the CI to
    corroborate his account of what occurred and to “contradict the officer’s
    testimony.” 
    Id. However, while
    Appellant appears to be advancing a theory
    of misidentification, Appellant also concedes that he “was seen involved in a
    drug transaction the informant was an active participant in[.]” 
    Id. Appellant does
    not deny being present at the transaction or having ever met Officer
    Kuhn.      Rather, Appellant merely argues that while he was present at the
    transaction, he did not intend to deliver a controlled substance to another
    person. 
    Id. at 19.
    Appellant has failed to establish the material need for the
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    disclosure of the CI’s identity.   Thus, Appellant’s argument in support of
    counsel’s ineffectiveness regarding the disclosure of the CI’s identity fails.
    Finally, in his third issue, Appellant asserts that he is entitled to relief
    on the basis of exculpatory after-discovered evidence; specifically, that Officer
    Kuhn was under criminal investigation for “planting drugs and making false
    arrests.” Appellant’s Brief at 24. To be entitled to relief under the PCRA on
    this basis, the petitioner must plead and prove by a preponderance of the
    evidence “[t]he unavailability at the time of trial of exculpatory evidence that
    has subsequently become available and would have changed the outcome of
    the trial if it had been introduced.” 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9543(a)(2)(vi).          Our
    Supreme Court summarized:
    To obtain relief based on after-discovered evidence, [an] appellant
    must demonstrate that the evidence: (1) could not have been
    obtained prior to the conclusion of the trial by the exercise of
    reasonable diligence; (2) is not merely corroborative or
    cumulative; (3) will not be used solely to impeach the credibility
    of a witness; and (4) would likely result in a different verdict if a
    new trial were granted.
    Commonwealth v. Pagan, 
    950 A.2d 270
    , 292 (Pa. 2008) (citations omitted).
    “The test is conjunctive; the [appellant] must show by a preponderance of the
    evidence that each of these factors has been met in order for a new trial to be
    warranted.” Commonwealth v. Padillas, 
    997 A.2d 356
    , 363 (Pa. Super.
    2010) (citation omitted). Further, when reviewing the decision to grant or
    deny a new trial on the basis of after-discovered evidence, an appellate court
    is to determine whether the PCRA court committed an abuse of discretion or
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    error of law that controlled the outcome of the case. Commonwealth v.
    Reese, 
    663 A.2d 206
    (Pa. Super. 1995).
    Instantly, Appellant is not entitled to relief because this issue was
    previously litigated and addressed on the merits by this Court in Appellant’s
    direct appeal. See N.T., 4/2/12, at 104-121; Mayfield, 3315 EDA 2012, at
    *11-14; see also 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9543(a)(3) (to be eligible for post conviction
    relief, petitioner must plead and prove issue not previously litigated).
    An issue has been previously litigated when “it has been raised and
    decided in a proceeding collaterally attacking the conviction or sentence.” 42
    Pa.C.S.A. § 9543(a)(3). On direct appeal, Appellant argued that the trial court
    abused its discretion by prohibiting him “from presenting testimony at trial
    showing [his co-defendant’s] case had been dismissed without a trial because
    [Officer Kuhn] had been under investigation, which the defense sought to
    introduce because it tended to show that [Office Kuhn] had a motive to
    incriminate [Appellant] and to show a possible bias.” Mayfield, 3315 EDA
    2012, at * 11-12 (quoting Appellant’s Brief at 6-7). Appellant based this claim
    on a notation in Appellant’s co-defendant’s docket, which read: “October 15th,
    2009, Commonwealth not ready, police officer [failure to appear] pending
    investigation.” 
    Id. at *13
    (quoting N.T., 4/2/12, at 103-04).
    This Court rejected Appellant’s claim, concluding:
    Unfortunately for Appellant, there was insufficient evidence to
    support defense counsel’s speculation as to the reason for Officer
    Kuhn’s testimony.    At the time of Appellant’s trial, it was
    undisputed that although the officer had been the subject of both
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    federal and internal investigations, he had been cleared of any
    wrongdoing.” See N.T., 4/2/12, at 60.
    . . . Appellant conceded that he did not possess any evidence
    regarding the result of the investigations of Officer Kuhn. . . . As
    stated by the trial court: “[I]n this case we don’t have any finding
    that [Officer Kuhn] was found even in violation of any police
    violations [sic], in violation of any laws. We just have the word
    that you have, ‘investigation,’ and nothing more.” 
    Id. at 116.
    Mayfield, 3315 EDA 2012, at *13-14.
    Thus, having previously litigated this issue, Appellant is not permitted
    to resurrect it by asserting a new theory under the guise of after-discovered
    evidence. Commonwealth v. Bond, 
    819 A.2d 33
    , 39 (Pa. 2002) (it is well
    settled that a PCRA petitioner cannot obtain review of previously litigated
    claims by presenting new theories of relief).
    Even if Appellant’s claim of after-discovered evidence had been properly
    raised for the first time, it would fail because Appellant did not identify
    testimony, physical evidence, documentation or other matters that would
    constitute after-discovered evidence such that a trial court has the authority
    to grant a new trial.   The “evidence” that Appellant offers to support his
    allegations of Officer Kuhn’s wrongdoing is unrelated to this case.
    Moreover, a defendant seeking a new trial must demonstrate he will not
    use the alleged after-discovered evidence “solely to impeach a witness’s
    credibility.” Commonwealth v. Castro, 
    93 A.3d 818
    , 821 n.7 (Pa. 2014)
    (citation omitted).   Appellant admits that he would use this “evidence” to
    attack the credibility of Officer Kuhn’s testimony. Appellant’s Brief at 24 (“The
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    new evidence would have likely compelled a different verdict and the Appellant
    was entitled to it for impeachment purposes.”).     A new trial may not be
    granted on this basis alone. 
    Id. at 827
    n.13 (Pa. 2014) (noting that “[e]ven
    if his impeachment would ‘destroy and obliterate’ a witness, it is still
    impeachment[.]”).
    Order affirmed.
    Judgment Entered.
    Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
    Prothonotary
    Date: 1/8/20
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