10.07.2015 Views

Response in Opposition to the Commonwealth's Motion to Vacate

Response in Opposition to the Commonwealth's Motion to Vacate

Response in Opposition to the Commonwealth's Motion to Vacate

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about a robbery, but ra<strong>the</strong>r "about Mr. Norwood hav<strong>in</strong>g sex with Terry," and that Mr. Williams"snapped" at <strong>the</strong> time of <strong>the</strong> offense. Affidavit of Marc Draper, 9111/12, ~ 8. Mr. Draper fur<strong>the</strong>rswore that he would not have talked <strong>to</strong> anyone work<strong>in</strong>g on behalf of Mr. Williams prior <strong>to</strong> January2012, when he signed his fust declaration. rd., ~ 9. Mr. Draper <strong>the</strong>n swore <strong>to</strong> each of hisdeclarations and <strong>the</strong>y were notarized.In a Supplemental Notice of Fil<strong>in</strong>g, also filed on September 13, <strong>the</strong> defense submitted thatMr. Draper's affidavits made aprimafacie show<strong>in</strong>g of timel<strong>in</strong>ess:First, under subsection (b)(1 )(i), <strong>the</strong> affidavit( s) establish "<strong>in</strong>terference bygovernment officials" (M., <strong>in</strong>ter alia, 9/11112 affidavit at paragraph 8-"<strong>the</strong>y did notwant me <strong>to</strong> say <strong>the</strong> case <strong>in</strong>volved a relationship. They wanted me <strong>to</strong> say it was onlya robbery. Ms. Foulkes made it clear with me that I had <strong>to</strong> stick <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> s<strong>to</strong>ry that thiscase was only about a robbery. r followed what <strong>the</strong>y <strong>to</strong>ld me and stuck <strong>to</strong> it over <strong>the</strong>years.") Second, under subsection (b)(2), <strong>the</strong> affidavit(s) establish that <strong>the</strong> claim,which turns on Marc Draper's evidence about <strong>the</strong> kill<strong>in</strong>g of Mr. Norwood and <strong>the</strong><strong>Commonwealth's</strong> suppression of that evidence and presentation of a slanted version<strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> jury, is properly before this Court, (M., <strong>in</strong>ter alia, 9111/12 affidavit atparagraph 9 ("I would not talk <strong>to</strong> Terry's lawyers before [January 9,2012] .. .1 wouldnot talk. .. ")). As Petitioner has pled a claim that falls with<strong>in</strong> section 9545(b), <strong>the</strong>Court has jurisdiction, see Commonwealth v. Bennett, 930 A.2d 1264, 1270-71 (Pa.2007), and "[q]uestions (as <strong>to</strong> proof) require fur<strong>the</strong>r fact-f<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>gs"; this Court, "asfactf<strong>in</strong>der," must determ<strong>in</strong>e at a hear<strong>in</strong>g whe<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong> "proof requirement" is met. rd.,930 A.2d 1264, 1270-71 (Pa. 2007).Supplemental Notice of Fil<strong>in</strong>g, at 1-2.Judge Sarm<strong>in</strong>aheard additional oral argument on September 14, 2012, at which Mr. Williamsargued that his plead<strong>in</strong>gs and proffers made a prima facie show<strong>in</strong>g of timel<strong>in</strong>ess, requir<strong>in</strong>g that anevidentiary hear<strong>in</strong>g be held. See,~, NT 9/14/12,5-6. At <strong>the</strong> conclusion of September 14, 2012proceed<strong>in</strong>gs, based on Mr. Williams' allegations and proffers, Judge Sarm<strong>in</strong>a found that he had madea sufficient prima facie show<strong>in</strong>g of timel<strong>in</strong>ess under section 9545(b)(1 )-(2) <strong>to</strong> require that anevidentiary hear<strong>in</strong>g be held, consistent with Bennett, supra. NT 9/14112,69.11

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