Commonwealth v. Thomas

OPINION

Justice EAKIN.

Leroy Thomas appeals from the order denying him relief pursuant to the Post Conviction Relief Act (PCRA), 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 9541-9546. We affirm.

A jury convicted appellant of first degree murder and related offenses for the shooting death of Kenneth Rankine.1 At the penalty phase, the jury found one aggravating circumstance: appellant had been convicted of a previous murder. 42 Pa.C.S. § 9711(d)(ll). The jury found no mitigating circumstances2 and sentenced him to death. See 42 Pa.C.S. § 9711(c)(iv).

Appellant received new counsel and filed a direct appeal, claiming…