OPINION

Chief Justice CAPPY.

Ronald Collins, Appellant herein, appeals from the order of the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County denying his guilt phase claims under the Post-Conviction Relief Act (PCRA), 42 Pa.C.S. § 9541 et seq. The Commonwealth appeals from that same order, which granted Appellant relief in the form of a new penalty phase hearing. For the reasons stated herein, we affirm the Order of the Court of Common Pleas.

On October 21, 1994, a jury convicted Appellant of two counts of first degree murder and one count each of aggravated assault, reckless endangerment, and possession of an instrument of crime. Following the penalty phase hearing, the jury found two aggravating circumstances related to each of the murders and one mitigating circumstance. The jury then found that the aggravating circumstances outweighed the mitigating circumstance in both cases and fixed the penalty at death. This court affirmed the sentences of death on November 20, 1997, and the United States Supreme Court denied his petition for certiorari on November 30, 1998.

The Governor of Pennsylvania signed a warrant authorizing Appellant's execution for February 4, 1999. Appellant then filed a Stay of Execution and a pro se Petition for Post Conviction Collateral Relief on December 17, 1998. The PCRA court stayed Appellant's execution pending resolution of the PCRA litigation and appointed new counsel. New counsel filed an amended Petition on August 15, 2000. The PCRA court held evidentiary hearings on Appellant's Petition.

Following the evidentiary hearing, the PCRA court affirmed the first degree murder convictions but granted a new penalty phase hearing. In granting a new penalty phase hearing, the PCRA court analogized this case to the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit case of Jermyn v. Horn, 266 F.3d 257 (3d Cir. 2001), in which the court concluded that the lack of directed and specific testimony about Jermyn's childhood and its impact on Jermyn's mental illness left the jury's awareness of his mental state incomplete.

It is from this order that the parties appeal. Initially, we note that this court has jurisdiction over Appellant's petition as a direct appeal from the denial of post conviction relief in a death penalty case. 42 Pa.C.S. § 9546(d). Additionally, this court has jurisdiction to review the denial of Appellant's guilt phase claims even though the PCRA court vacated Appellant's sentence of death. See Commonwealth v. Bryant, 566 Pa. 307, 780 A.2d 646, 648 (2001) (indicating that review of the PCRA court's decision denying guilt phase relief should precede the imposition of a new sentence by the trial court).

Turning to Appellant's guilt phase claims, the PCRA court concluded that two of Appellant's claims were previously litigated. In response, Appellant argued that this court's case law holding that "previously litigated" issues, as defined by 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 9543(a)(3) and 9544(a)(2), could not be overcome by forwarding a claim of counsel's ineffectiveness conflicted with the Sixth Amendment right to effective assistance of counsel. We acknowledged that Appellant's argument was worthy of closer consideration and ordered the parties to file supplemental briefs on the following issue:

Whether the previously litigated doctrine as interpreted by this court as precluding claims of ineffectiveness that are raised for the first time in a collateral proceeding is constitutional and if not, what the proper interpretation of "previously litigated" is as set forth in 42 Pa.C.S. § 9544(b).

Per Curiam Order of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, 9/30/2004.

Appellant's general argument is simply that an interpretation of "previously litigated" that has the effect of precluding claims of ineffectiveness, which have not been raised previously, does not give adequate consideration to rights granted in the federal and state constitutions or to the nature of ineffectiveness claims. In support of his argument, Appellant contends that the statutory language is clear and merely prohibits a defendant from presenting an "identical" issue. Appellant then argues that this court's interpretation of "previously litigated" as encompassing claims of counsel's ineffectiveness ignores that the discrete issue of counsel's ineffectiveness has not been litigated. Appellant points out that a defendant has a right to effective assistance of counsel at trial and on direct appeal under both the federal and Pennsylvania Constitutions. Evitts v. Lucey, 469 U.S. 387, 105 S.Ct. 830, 83 L.Ed.2d 821 (1985) (interpreting the U.S. Constitution amend. VI as including the right to effective assistance of direct appeal counsel); PA. CONST. art. 1, § 9 and art. V, § 9. Thus, Appellant concludes that this court's interpretation of "previously litigated" to include claims attacking counsel's effectiveness undermines the constitutional right to counsel by precluding a defendant from attacking counsel's performance.

Appellant continues that an interpretation of "previously litigated" as precluding ineffectiveness claims fails to acknowledge that post-conviction review is often the only means by which a criminal defendant can challenge the effectiveness of his prior counsel, including his direct appeal counsel. Appellant also points out that the reason for the statutory provision — the concern with finality and the prevention of repetitive and vexatious filings — is of less moment today than it was 35 years ago, since this court has strictly interpreted the one-year time limitations of the PCRA, which by itself prevents repetitive and vexatious filings. For these reasons, Appellant offers that this court should interpret § 9544(a)(2) literally, as limiting only those filings which raise claims of trial court error or ineffectiveness that were actually presented to and decided on direct appeal.

The Commonwealth responds that the PCRA's previous litigation provision does not infringe upon a defendant's constitutional right to counsel. Rather, the provision simply precludes a previously rejected claim of trial court error from serving as the basis of an allegation of counsel's ineffectiveness. Such a result is consonant with the PCRA's bedrock principles of finality. See Commonwealth v. Peterkin, 554 Pa. 547, 722 A.2d 638, 642 (1998); Commonwealth v. Haag, 570 Pa. 289, 809 A.2d 271, 287 (2002). Thus, the PCRA's unambiguous provision should continue to be interpreted to foreclose repetitive claims that were litigated on direct appeal and to ensure finality in judgments. The Commonwealth asserts that the "previous litigation" bar is merely the codification of the "law of the case" doctrine, which provides that later phases of a litigated matter should not reopen issues decided by another judge of the same court or by a higher court involved in the earlier phases of the matter. Furthermore, in the interest of stare decisis, this court should uphold its numerous cases interpreting the PCRA's previous litigation provision. The Commonwealth points out that this court has consistently interpreted the previous litigation doctrine to preclude reconsideration of a claim that serves as the basis for an allegation of ineffectiveness if the underlying issue was rejected on direct appeal. E.g., Commonwealth v. Bond, 572 Pa. 588, 819 A.2d 33 (2002); Commonwealth v. McCall, 567 Pa. 165, 786 A.2d 191 (2001); Commonwealth v. Carpenter, 555 Pa. 434, 725 A.2d 154 (1999). For all these reasons, the Commonwealth concludes that this court should continue to interpret the PCRA's previous litigation provision to preclude reconsideration of an issue, even when the issue is raised in the context of ineffective assistance of counsel.

With that in mind, we turn to the relevant statutory provisions, which are as follows:

(a) General rule. — To be eligible for relief under this subchapter, the petitioner must plead and prove by a preponderance of the evidence all of the following:

* * * * * *

(3) That the allegation of error has not been previously litigated or waived.

42 Pa.C.S. § 9543(a)(3).

(a) Previous litigation. — For purposes of this subchapter, an issue has been previously litigated if:

* * * * * *

(2) the highest appellate court in which the petitioner could have had review as a matter of right has ruled on the merits of the issue;

42 Pa.C.S. § 9544(a)(2).

From these subsections, it is clear that the relevant statutory inquiry is the term "issue." 42 Pa.C.S. § 9544(a)(2). There is nothing in this subsection defining "issue". That term, as used in "pleading and practice," is understood to mean "a single, certain, and material point, deduced by the allegations and pleadings of the parties, which is affirmed on the one side and denied on the other." BLACK'S LAW DICTIONARY, 6th ed. 831. Thus, "issue" refers to the discrete legal ground that was forwarded on direct appeal and would have entitled the defendant to relief. See, e.g., Sanders v. United States, 373 U.S. 1, 83 S.Ct. 1068, 10 L.Ed.2d 148 (1963) (defining "grounds" as "a sufficient legal basis for granting the relief sought by the applicant"). The theories or allegations in support of the ground are simply a subset of the issue presented. Stated another way, there can be many theories or allegations in support of a single issue, but ultimately, § 9544(a)(2) refers to the discrete legal ground raised and decided on direct review. Thus, at the most basic level, this section prevents the relitigation of the same legal ground under alternative theories or allegations. See, e.g., Commonwealth v. Wilson, 452 Pa. 376, 305 A.2d 9 (1973) (concluding that a new theory in support of the same claim of trial counsel ineffectiveness was unavailing since the claim was decided adversely to petitioner in his previous direct appeal); Commonwealth v. Slavik, 449 Pa. 424, 297 A.2d 920 (1972) ("A defendant is not entitled to relitigate the validity of his plea every time he offers a new theory or argument which he had not previously advanced."). Based upon our understanding of the term "issue" for purposes of § 9544(a)(2), the question before us today is simply whether a claim of ineffectiveness is a discrete legal ground or merely an alternative theory in support of the same underlying issue that was raised on direct appeal.

It was not until the mid-1990's that this question appeared with relative frequency. The origin of this question can be traced to this court's decision in Commonwealth v. Peterkin, 538 Pa. 455, 649 A.2d 121 (1994), wherein we set forth, in cursory fashion, the burdens of proof a PCRA petitioner has including that

post-conviction review of claims previously litigated on appeal cannot be obtained by alleging ineffective assistance of prior counsel and by presenting new theories of relief to support previously litigated claims. Commonwealth v. Wilson, 452 Pa. 376, 305 A.2d 9 (1973).

Peterkin, 649 A.2d at 123 (emphasis added). The court did not explore the contours of this phrase, but in applying this rule to the facts of the case, we held a claim "previously litigated" when Peterkin raised claims of ineffectiveness on direct appeal and then attempted to raise these same ineffectiveness claims on collateral review. Id. at 124. Thus, the meaning of "previously litigated" in that context was clear since the appellant was attempting to raise the same issues in both proceedings. The court also noted, however, that the appellant also challenged appellate counsel's conduct for failing to raise or brief this issue on appeal. This claim was found to be "in substance, the one discussed above and therefore, is deemed previously litigated." Id. at 124 n. 3.

Following Peterkin, this phrase was often employed in a way that claims of trial counsel ineffectiveness that were based on an issue that was raised on direct appeal were precluded as "previously litigated"; and the merit of the claim relating to counsel's conduct and the adequacy of his representation were never examined. See, e.g., Commonwealth v. Christy, 540 Pa. 192, 656 A.2d 877 (1995) (reversed on other grounds); Commonwealth v. Travaglia, 541 Pa. 108, 661 A.2d 352 (1995). Indeed, in Commonwealth v. Albrecht, 554 Pa. 31, 720 A.2d 693, 703 (1998), we explained this concept more fully as follows:

Appellant's attempt to evade this requirement by claiming that appellate counsel must have been ineffective because he should have succeeded on this issue if properly presented is unavailing. The requirement that a claim for PCRA relief not be previously litigated would be rendered a nullity if this court could be compelled to revisit every issue decided on direct appeal upon the bald assertion that that decision was erroneous.

Albrecht, 720 A.2d at 703; see also Commonwealth v. Abu-Jamal, 574 Pa. 724, 833 A.2d 719 (2003); Commonwealth v. Bond, 572 Pa. 588, 819 A.2d 33 (2002); Commonwealth v. Bracey, 568 Pa. 264, 795 A.2d 935 (2001); Commonwealth v. Pursell, 555 Pa. 233, 724 A.2d 293 (1999). Thus, our case law has analogized a claim of counsel ineffectiveness to an "alternative theory" or allegation in support of the same issue. We have done so, however, without fully analyzing whether the nature of an ineffectiveness claim is a discrete legal ground that would entitle a defendant to relief, and not some alternative theory or allegation. This distinction has been highlighted in our recent case law and we have emphasized that the underlying claim of error is different from the collateral claim of ineffectiveness in circumstances different from those at issue in this case. See Commonwealth v. Gribble, 580 Pa. 647, 863 A.2d 455, 471-72 (2004); Commonwealth v. Jones, 572 Pa. 343, 815 A.2d 598, 615 (2002); Commonwealth v. Williams, 566 Pa. 553, 782 A.2d 517, 535 (2001). Moreover, by citing to Kimmelman v. Morrison, 477 U.S. 365, 106 S.Ct. 2574, 91 L.Ed.2d 305 (1986), we have indicated that while the underlying claim of trial court error is relevant to assessing a claim of ineffectiveness, it is only relevant to the extent that it impacts assessment under the three prong ineffectiveness test. Gribble, 863 A.2d at 472; Jones, 815 A.2d at 615; Williams, 782 A.2d at 535. Thus, we now turn our attention to the nature of an ineffectiveness claim.

As noted above, the United States and Pennsylvania Constitutions provide a defendant with the right to effective assistance of counsel. Evitts v. Lucey, 469 U.S. 387, 105 S.Ct. 830, 83 L.Ed.2d 821 (1985) (interpreting the U.S. Constitution amend. VI as including the right to effective assistance of direct appeal counsel); PA. CONST. art. 1, § 9 and art. V, § 9. In Kimmelman, the court considered whether a defendant could raise a Sixth Amendment, ineffectiveness claim, on collateral review attacking counsel's performance with regard to a Fourth Amendment claim. The case of Stone v. Powell, 428 U.S. 465, 96 S.Ct. 3037, 49 L.Ed.2d 1067 (1976) established that Fourth Amendment claims were not available for purposes of habeas corpus review, since the remedy for a Fourth Amendment violation — the exclusionary rule — existed to deter police conduct. Thus, in Kimmelman, the state argued that a Sixth Amendment claim raising a Fourth Amendment issue, i.e., trial counsel's failure to litigate a suppression motion, was barred based on the reasoning of Stone.

The Supreme Court rejected the prosecution's argument since claims related to the Fourth Amendment and Sixth Amendment were distinct. Indeed, "while respondent's defaulted Fourth Amendment claim is one element of proof of his Sixth Amendment claim, the two claims have separate identities and reflect different constitutional values." Kimmelman, 477 U.S. at 375, 106 S.Ct. 2574. "The essence of an ineffective-assistance claim is that counsel's unprofessional errors so upset the adversarial balance between defense and prosecution that the trial was rendered unfair and the verdict rendered suspect." Id. at 374-75, 106 S.Ct. 2574.

"The right to counsel is a fundamental right of criminal defendants; it assures the fairness and thus the legitimacy of our adversary process." Id. at 377, 106 S.Ct. 2574. "Without counsel the right to a fair trial itself would be of little consequence." Id. The court then noted that collateral review is frequently the only means through which an accused can effectuate the right to counsel and extending Stone to prohibit review of ineffectiveness claims would effectively deny a defendant the opportunity to vindicate the Sixth Amendment right to counsel. Id. at 378, 106 S.Ct. 2574. Accordingly, the court could not conclude, as it had in Stone, "that restriction of federal habeas review would not severely interfere with the protection of the constitutional right asserted by the habeas petitioner." Id.

We find that Kimmelman lends support to Appellant's argument regarding the distinct nature of Sixth Amendment claims and highlights that the underlying claim of error is only one component of the Sixth Amendment ineffectiveness claim. At least one other court has come to the same conclusion. In Molina v. Rison, 886 F.2d 1124 (9th Cir. 1989), the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals considered whether an allegation that counsel failed to move for the recusal of the trial judge alleged in defendant's first petition under 28 U.S.C. § 2255, barred a subsequent claim seeking to raise the recusal issue directly in a second petition. After noting the existence of Kimmelman, the court explained that "a claim of ineffective assistance with regard to an issue is `distinct' from any claim concerning the underlying issue itself, `both in nature and in the requisite elements of proof.'" Id. at 1130. Based upon Kimmelman, the court concluded that "the basic nature and thrust of Molina's recusal claim is different from that of his ineffective assistance claim." Id. Accordingly, Molina's recusal claim was not successive, and he was not barred from raising the recusal issue directly in his second petition under § 2255.

What is clear from Kimmelman and Molina is that ineffectiveness claims are distinct' from those claims that are raised on direct appeal. The former claims challenge the adequacy of representation rather than the conviction of the defendant. Accordingly, we are persuaded by Appellant's position that a Sixth Amendment claim of ineffectiveness raises a distinct legal ground for purposes of state PCRA review under § 9544(a)(2). Ultimately, the claim may fail on the arguable merit or prejudice prong for the reasons discussed on direct appeal, but a Sixth Amendment claim raises a distinct issue for purposes of the PCRA and must be treated as such. Cf. Commonwealth v. Gribble, 580 Pa. 647, 863 A.2d 455, 462 (2004) (noting alternatively that even if the ineffectiveness claim was not previously litigated, the severance theory underlying the claim of ineffectiveness fails for the same reason the Bruton v. United States, 391 U.S. 123, 88 S.Ct. 1620, 20 L.Ed.2d 476 (1968) theory failed on direct appeal). For these reasons, we believe that a PCRA court should recognize ineffectiveness claims as distinct issues and review them under the three-prong ineffectiveness standard announced in Pierce. Consistent with this standard, the petitioner must establish that: (1) the underlying claim has arguable merit; (2) counsel whose effectiveness is being challenged did not have a reasonable basis for his or her actions or failure to act; and (3) the petitioner suffered prejudice as a result of that counsel's deficient performance. Pierce, 527 A.2d at 976-77.

Turning to the instant case, we now consider the merits of those claims dismissed by the PCRA court as previously litigated. See, e.g., Blackwell v. Com., State Ethics Com'n, 527 Pa. 172, 589 A.2d 1094, 1101 (1991) (holding that new rules of procedure are commonly applied only to the case currently pending before the court). Furthermore, we will remand this matter to the PCRA court for further consideration only if we find that the claims that were considered "previously litigated" by the PCRA court are in need of further elucidation and cannot be evaluated by this court. Commonwealth v. Rush, 576 Pa. 3, 838 A.2d 651, 656 (2003).

The first claim that the PCRA court dismissed as previously litigated was a claim that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to raise a due process claim in support of the issue that the trial court should not have joined the aggravated assault charge from an unrelated shooting to the murder charges involved in the instant case.

On direct appeal, Appellant argued that the trial court erred in denying his motion to sever the charge of aggravated assault from the first degree murder convictions. Collins, 703 A.2d at 422. In denying Appellant's claim, we explained that the proper test in considering a motion to sever offenses that are not based on the same act, requires a consideration of: whether the evidence of each of the offenses would be admissible in a separate trial for the other; whether such evidence is capable of separation by the jury so as to avoid danger or confusion; and whether the defendant will be unduly prejudiced by the consolidation. Id. (citing Commonwealth v. Lark, 518 Pa. 290, 543 A.2d 491, 496-97 (1988) for the proposition of the proper rule for deciding a motion to sever under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure). We analyzed each of these considerations and concluded that the evidence of the offenses of aggravated assault and first degree murder would have been admissible in separate trials for each other as either evidence of motive, to demonstrate the natural development of the case, or evidence of intent; a jury was capable of separating the evidence since the criminal offenses were distinguishable in time, space, and the characters involved; and Appellant was not unduly prejudiced by consolidation. Id. at 423.

Appellant now forwards his claim of ineffectiveness by relying on the Due Process Clause of the United States Constitution. By Appellant's own admission, however, the factors to consider in assessing a due process claim when offenses have been joined is similar to the test we employed on direct appeal. See id. In fact, according to Appellant, in applying the federal, due process test, the court must consider the same three factors that we considered on direct appeal in addition to whether the trial court gave an adequate limiting instruction. Appellant's Brief at 55. As we made clear in our discussion of "previously litigated" claims, although we will analyze a distinct claim of ineffectiveness that is based on the underlying issue that was litigated on direct appeal, in many cases, those claims will fail for the same reasons as they failed on direct appeal.

In considering the merits of Appellant's claim, we need not reassess the Due Process claim anew, since the factors that we considered on direct appeal are the same as the factors Appellant now asks us to consider on collateral review. The additional factor that exists under the federal test as set forth by Appellant provides no relief, as Appellant does not claim that the trial court failed to give an "adequate limiting instruction," and our independent review of the record reveals that the trial court gave such an instruction. N.T., 10/20/1994, at 20. Accordingly, for the reasons discussed on direct appeal, Appellant cannot establish that this claim has arguable merit, and this claim of ineffectiveness fails.

The second claim that the PCRA court dismissed as "previously litigated" also fails to entitle Appellant to relief. On direct appeal, Appellant raised a hearsay challenge to the testimony of two witnesses. This court determined that the hearsay statements were properly admitted under the state of mind exception to the hearsay rule. Collins, 703 A.2d at 425. Appellant now argues that counsel was ineffective for failing to forward a claim that the statements violated the Confrontation Clause. Specifically, Appellant argues that the state of mind exception to the hearsay rule is neither "firmly rooted" nor do the statements herein contain "particularized guarantees of trustworthiness" sufficient to evade application of the Confrontation Clause.

The statements Appellant is referring to were made by Dawn Anderson, one of the victims in the instant case, who made statements on the night she was killed that "they" were going to shoot her in the head, N.T., 10/19/1994, at 99, and that she was going "to work" around the corner and would be back if "they" don't kill me, N.T., 10/18/1994, at 85. Both of these statements were introduced through the witnesses to whom the statements were made. One of the witnesses was allowed to further testify that she understood "they" to mean Appellant and his co-actor, Shawn Wilson, N.T., 10/18/1994, 109-10. During closing arguments, the prosecutor returned to the hearsay statements and emphasized that the statements demonstrated where Dawn Anderson was going when she left the witnesses' presence and her words "shortly before she was killed," in conjunction with the other evidence, pointed to one thing: "that [Appellant] killed those people." N.T., 10/20/1994, at 53.

The Confrontation Clause provides that "in all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right . . . to be confronted with the witnesses against him." U.S. CONST. amend. VI. The Confrontation Clause is applicable to the States through the Fourteenth Amendment. Pointer v. Texas, 380 U.S. 400, 85 S.Ct. 1065, 13 L.Ed.2d 923 (1965). At its most basic level, the Sixth Amendment's Confrontation Clause seeks to ensure that the trial is fair and reliable by preserving an accused's right to cross-examine and confront the witnesses against him. See Commonwealth v. Robins, 571 Pa. 248, 812 A.2d 514, 520 (2002) (Opinion Announcing the Judgment of the Court).

One way in which the Confrontation Clause can be violated is by the admission of hearsay statements against the defendant as substantive evidence. In those instances, the court must consider the unavailability of the declarant and the reliability of the statements. Ohio v. Roberts, 448 U.S. 56, 66-67, 100 S.Ct. 2531, 65 L.Ed.2d 597 (1980). In assessing the reliability of the statements, the court must decide whether the statements were admitted pursuant to a "firmly rooted hearsay exception" or the circumstances in which the statements were made contained "particularized guarantees of trustworthiness" such that adversarial testing would be expected to add little, if anything, to the statement's reliability. Roberts, 448 U.S. at 66, 100 S.Ct. 2531.

We have explained that whether an exception is "firmly rooted," for purposes of Sixth Amendment jurisprudence is to be treated as a question of federal law. Robins, 812 A.2d at 524. In that vein, we note that several federal jurisdictions considering this question have concluded that the state of mind exception is a firmly rooted exception to the hearsay law. Horton v. Allen, 370 F.3d 75, 85 (1st Cir. 2004); Evans v. Luebbers, 371 F.3d 438 (8th Cir. 2004) (relying on Lenza v. Wyrick, 665 F.2d 804 (8th Cir. 1981)); Hayes v. York, 311 F.3d 321, 324-25 (4th Cir. 2002); Moore v. Reynolds, 153 F.3d 1086, 1107 (10th Cir. 1998) (relying on Lenza v. Wyrick, 665 F.2d 804 (8th Cir. 1981)); Terrovona v. Kincheloe, 852 F.2d 424, 427 (9th Cir. 1988). The federal courts have reasoned that the exception has been a longstanding one that has been recognized by every jurisdiction in the country. Horton, 370 F.3d at 85; Hayes, 311 F.3d at 325. Further, such statements are deemed reliable because of their "spontaneity and resulting probable sincerity." Horton, supra ( quoting McCormick on Evidence, § 274 (5th ed. 1999)). For these reasons, the rationale behind the state of mind exception is similar to the other exceptions that have been deemed "firmly rooted."

We find the reasoning of the federal courts persuasive and see no reason to conduct an independent review of the exception. Accordingly, we agree that the state of mind exception is "firmly rooted" for purposes of the Confrontation Clause and Appellant cannot establish that his clam of ineffectiveness has arguable merit.

The next claim that Appellant raises is that the trial court unduly restricted Appellant's ability to present his defense by prohibiting him from showing the jury a picture of his co-actor, Shawn Wilson, holding a gun that was the same or similar to the murder weapon used to kill the two victims in this case. The trial court questioned the relevance of the photo and ruled that such evidence was only admissible if Appellant could establish when the photo was taken. Appellant argues that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to attempt to have one of the Commonwealth's witnesses, Mark Sisco, date the photograph, since "effective counsel" would have asked the witness if he could date the photograph. Appellant also urges that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to raise the issue of trial court error on direct appeal. Alternatively, Appellant argues that the Commonwealth erred in failing to reveal this information to trial counsel. According to Appellant, trial counsel did not know of the existence of this "critical exculpatory evidence" until it was revealed to him by present counsel.

As demonstrated by Appellant's arguments, Appellant raises this claim in three different ways, and we will address them seriatim. First, Appellant argues that the trial court erred by excluding this evidence and that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to raise this claim of trial court error on direct appeal. In order to prevail on this claim, Appellant must establish trial court error to establish that the claim has arguable merit.

It is well settled that the admission of evidence is within the sound discretion of the trial court. Commonwealth v. Robinson, 554 Pa. 293, 721 A.2d 344, 350 (1998). The threshold inquiry with admission of evidence is whether the evidence is relevant. "Evidence is relevant if it logically tends to establish a material fact in the case, tends to make a fact at issue more or less probable, or supports a reasonable inference or presumption regarding the existence of a material fact." Id. (quoting Commonwealth v. Spiewak, 533 Pa. 1, 617 A.2d 696, 699 (1992)).

In this case, the trial court questioned the relevance of the photograph and concluded that the photograph was only relevant if the defense could establish that the photograph was taken at or near the time of the murders in question. This was reasonable, since a temporal relationship between the photograph and the murders would lend some credence to the inference that Appellant was attempting to establish — that Wilson was the shooter. Trial counsel, however, did not establish the date of the photograph and therefore, the trial court did not err in excluding the proffered evidence. Accordingly, Appellant cannot establish that his claim regarding trial counsel's failure to raise this issue on appeal had arguable merit, and Appellant is not entitled to relief on this claim.

Alternatively, Appellant argues that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to question Mark Sisco as to whether he knew the date this photo was taken. The prejudice Appellant alleges is that he was prevented from presenting his defense that Shawn Wilson committed the murders instead of him. That argument, however, is unavailing, since there was nothing that prevented Appellant from arguing that there was another person in the apartment at the time of the shooting who had a gun. N.T., 10/18/1994, at 46. Indeed, at trial, it was established that Shawn Wilson was in the apartment with Appellant at the time of the shootings. N.T., 10/18/1994, at 44-48. Accordingly, Appellant cannot establish that he was prejudiced by the trial court's ruling, and this issue fails on that basis alone. Commonwealth v. Travaglia, 541 Pa. 108, 661 A.2d 352, 357 (1995) ("If it is clear that Appellant has not met the prejudice prong of the ineffectiveness standard, the claim may be dismissed on that basis alone and the court need not first determine whether the first and second prongs have been met.").

Lastly, Appellant argues that the Commonwealth withheld this "exculpatory" material in violation of Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83, 83 S.Ct. 1194, 10 L.Ed.2d 215 (1963). In order for a defendant to establish the existence of a Brady violation, he must establish that there has been a suppression by the prosecution of either exculpatory or impeachment evidence that was favorable to the accused, and that the omission of such evidence prejudiced the defendant. See Commonwealth v. Morris, 573 Pa. 157, 822 A.2d 684, 696 (2003); Commonwealth v. Paddy, 569 Pa. 47, 800 A.2d 294, 305 (2002). Further, no Brady violation occurs where the parties had equal access to the information or if the defendant knew or could have uncovered such evidence with reasonable diligence. Morris supra.

In this case, trial counsel had equal access to the information, since trial counsel called Mark Sisco to the stand at trial for additional cross-examination. N.T., 10/19/1994, at 14-22. There is simply no basis for Appellant to contend that the Commonwealth withheld this evidence. Indeed, by Appellant's prior argument, he acknowledges that counsel could have uncovered this information with reasonable diligence. Accordingly, this issue is without merit.

Appellant next raises three arguments in support of his claim that counsel was ineffective for failing to challenge the ballistics evidence. First, Appellant asserts that the Commonwealth's ballistic evidence was erroneous, since it did not compare the bullets from the Mark Sisco shooting to the bullets taken from the scene of the instant murders. Rather, the expert erroneously compared the bullets taken from the scene of the instant murders to other bullets taken from the scene of the instant murders. Second, Appellant alleges that the Commonwealth violated Brady by suppressing ballistic evidence taken from the scene of a separate shooting that was also attributed to Appellant. Lastly, Appellant contends that the PCRA court erred in denying him an evidentiary hearing to determine whether trial counsel was ineffective for failing to request a fingerprint investigation be performed to find latent fingerprints on the bullets or fired cartridge casings.

Appellant's first argument is confounding. Even accepting Appellant's allegation that the documents that supported the expert testimony were confusing, the confusion in no way affected the ballistics expert's testimony at trial. Rather, the witness clearly testified that there were three bullets retrieved from the Mark Sisco shooting and that, following his examination of the bullets, he concluded to a reasonable degree of scientific certainty that two of the bullets were fired from the same weapon. N.T., 10/18/1994, at 161-63. The expert witness then testified that he examined the bullets from the instant murders and compared those "to the bullets . . . from Mark Sisco." Id. at 165-66. Again, he concluded that the bullets were fired from the same weapon as that used in the shooting of Mark Sisco. Accordingly, the record does not support Appellant's allegation that the expert erroneously compared the ballistics evidence from the same shooting.

Appellant's reliance on Brady is similarly unavailing, since there is simply no basis for concluding that another bullet exists. Appellant bases his allegation on a witness that testified at Shawn Wilson's trial that she saw the police take a bullet out of a doorframe following the shooting. Aside from this one statement, however, Appellant points to nothing in support of his Brady claim, which would demonstrate that the Commonwealth possesses additional ballistics evidence that it failed to reveal to Appellant.

Lastly, it is well settled that that a PCRA court does not need to conduct a hearing on all issues related to counsel's ineffectiveness. Pa.R.Crim.P. 909(B); see Commonwealth v. Lewis, 560 Pa. 240, 743 A.2d 907 (2000). A trial court's decision not to hold a hearing will only be reversed when the trial court abused its discretion.

Like the prior argument, Appellant has not pointed to any evidence indicating that there were fingerprints on the bullets or casings taken from the scene of the crime or that such evidence, even if it existed, would have been exculpatory. Accordingly, Appellant cannot establish that he was prejudiced by trial counsel's action and this issue is without merit. Travaglia, supra.

Having concluded that the guilt phase issues do not entitle Appellant to relief, we now turn to the penalty phase issues. Appellant forwards two penalty phase issues in support of his petition for relief that were not addressed by the PCRA court, since it determined a third claim merited Appellant relief. The PCRA court awarded Appellant relief on his claim that trial counsel did not adequately investigate and present available mitigating evidence during the penalty phase. The Commonwealth challenges this determination and we will consider this issue first.

In this case, in awarding a new penalty phase hearing, the PCRA court focused on four main points: trial counsel did not uncover evidence related to Appellant's abusive childhood; trial counsel did not uncover evidence related to a head trauma sustained by Appellant in 1990; trial counsel failed to review Appellant's school and psychological records; and Dr. Tepper's testimony at the PCRA hearing. Regarding Appellant's background, at the PCRA hearing, Appellant presented five family members who testified to the fact that he was abused by his father, paternal grandfather, and mother's boyfriends. The family members also testified as to Appellant's head trauma that he sustained in 1990. With regard to two of Appellant's family members, who testified contrary to their testimony at the penalty phase of the trial, the PCRA court determined that they only met with trial counsel "briefly" immediately prior to the penalty phase hearing. At that meeting, they were told to say "good things" about Appellant. Furthermore, in support of the remaining findings, the PCRA court relied on the fact that counsel failed to secure relevant school and mental health records, which would have demonstrated that Appellant was diagnosed with serious emotional problems from an early age and that such problems were compounded by a head injury he sustained in 1990. Dr. Tepper testified that had he been presented with the documents he now had in his possession, he would have advised trial counsel to obtain a neurological examination and neuropsychological testing. At the PCRA hearing, Appellant presented two other experts corroborating Dr. Tepper's testimony. All three experts testified that given Appellant's cognitive defects and his emotional problems, Appellant was under the influence of extreme mental or emotional disturbance, 42 Pa.C.S. § 9711(e)(2), and his capacity to appreciate the criminality of his conduct or conform his conduct to the requirements of law was substantially impaired, 42 Pa.C.S. § 9711(e)(3). For these reasons, the PCRA court concluded that the evidence was relevant to two additional mitigating circumstances and that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to investigate evidence of mitigation. Accordingly, the court ordered a new penalty phase hearing.

The crux of the controversy regarding this issue is the performance prong of Strickland (arguable merit and lack of reasonable strategy in Pennsylvania). See, e.g., Commonwealth v. Malloy, 579 Pa. 425, 856 A.2d 767 (Pa. 2004). The question of whether the PCRA court erred in its determination that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to investigate and present mitigating circumstances depends upon a myriad of factors including the mitigation evidence that was actually presented, the reasonableness of counsel's investigation, and the mitigation evidence that could have been presented. See Malloy. None of these factors, however, is in and of itself dispositive of the question presented, since even if the investigation by counsel was unreasonable, such a fact alone will not result in relief if the claimant cannot demonstrate that he was prejudiced by counsel's conduct. See, e.g., Commonwealth v. Brown, 582 Pa. 461, 872 A.2d 1139, 1150 (explaining that a showing of prejudice is always a prerequisite to a claim alleging the ineffectiveness of counsel).

A recent trilogy of cases highlights the fact that the reasonableness of counsel's investigation into mitigating circumstances is determined on a case by case basis. In Malloy, we provided an extensive roadmap for resolving this prong of the ineffectiveness inquiry. We reiterated the United States Supreme Court's focus in undertaking such an inquiry, explaining that "our principal concern in deciding whether [counsel] exercised `reasonable professional judgment' is not whether counsel should have presented a mitigation case. Rather, we focus on whether the investigation supporting counsel's decision not to introduce mitigating evidence of [appellant's] background was itself reasonable." Malloy, 856 A.2d at 784 (quoting Wiggins v. Smith, 539 U.S. 510, 522-23, 123 S.Ct. 2527, 156 L.Ed.2d 471 (2003) (emphasis in original)).

In considering this question in Malloy, we first considered the investigation that counsel performed and the evidence that counsel presented. We pointed out that counsel's overall trial preparation was lacking, as it consisted of minimal meetings with the appellant and his family members. Id. at 786, 788. We also noted that mitigation evidence concerning the appellant's background was available at the time of trial. Id. at 786. Thus, we concluded that the appellant proved that there were certain factors in his background which were easily discoverable even with minimal investigation. Id. at 788. After reaching this conclusion we further explained that "the onus is not upon a criminal defendant to identify what types of evidence may be relevant and require development and pursuit. Counsel's duty is to discover [mitigating] evidence through his own efforts, including pointed questioning of his client." Id. at 788.

We then acknowledged that counsel's investigation is dependent, in part, upon the information given to counsel by the appellant in the course of his investigation. We made clear, however, that "strategic choices made after less than complete investigation are reasonable precisely to the extent that reasonable professional judgments support the limitations on investigation." Id. Ultimately, we found that the failure of counsel to investigate was not based upon strategy, since counsel failed to conduct a cursory review of the appellant's background. "This is not a case where trial counsel had attempted to elicit relevant mitigation information from his client and family members, only to have childhood abuse, family problems, or other potential mitigation evidence within their knowledge not be mentioned." Id. For these reasons, in Malloy, we concluded that counsel's investigation was unreasonable.

In Brown, we were again asked to consider the reasonableness of counsel's investigation and presentation of mitigation evidence at the penalty phase. We first pointed out that the record at the time of trial indicated that the appellant did not suffer from any mental illness or abuse that would have prompted counsel to conduct a further investigation. Brown, 872 A.2d at 1150. Specifically, we noted that the information available to trial counsel did not alert counsel to further investigate such issues, since the appellant told the police he had never been treated for mental health issues; a presentence investigation report prepared by a psychologist indicated that the appellant reported no history of neurological, suicidal, or psychiatric problems; and the record indicated that the appellant had not been abused by his father. Id. at 1149 (referring back to the lack of record evidence in support of his claim regarding self defense). Thus, we concluded that the issue did not have arguable merit and the appellant did not prove that counsel did not undertake a reasonable investigation on the basis of the record that existed at the time of trial.

Lastly, in Commonwealth v. Hall, 582 Pa. 526, 872 A.2d 1177 (2005), we again faced an issue related to counsel's investigation and presentation of mitigation evidence. In disposing of this claim, we first noted that the "bald allegations" forwarded by the appellant, did not demonstrate that he suffered from any mental deficiencies as a result of the alleged abuse. Id. at 1188. Furthermore, in considering counsel's investigation, we found that trial counsel spoke with the appellant, his family, and friends for the express purpose of obtaining mitigating evidence, yet counsel was never informed of any alleged mental condition or of any mental abuse allegedly suffered by the appellant as a child. Id. at 1189. Indeed, we noted that over the appellant's objection, trial counsel put the appellant's mother on the stand to testify as to the appellant's good character and trial counsel testified that he did not put the remaining witnesses on the stand in light of the appellant's wish that no witnesses be called to testify on his behalf. Id. at 1190. Accordingly, we concluded that the appellant "has failed to demonstrate that his counsel was ineffective when he essentially followed [the appellant's] wishes in not presenting additional mitigating evidence." Id.

Considering the findings of fact of the PCRA court and the evidence adduced at the PCRA hearing in the light most favorable to Appellant, we find that Appellant is entitled to relief on his claim of ineffectiveness. We are aware that this case is a step removed from Malloy, since here, counsel presented evidence of Appellant's "good character" and also presented expert testimony demonstrating that Appellant had low intelligence, a history of drug and alcohol abuse, a lack of self esteem, and that Appellant lacked a male role model in his life because his father left the family when Appellant was young. Further complicating matters is the fact that Dr. Tepper asked Appellant whether he sustained any head injuries, and Appellant told him no. N.T., 11/8/2001, at 225. Moreover, at the PCRA hearing, it was suggested that Appellant's mother was uncooperative with trial counsel in preparing for Appellant's penalty phase and did not meet extensively with counsel. Thus, there was evidence that counsel did some investigation for Appellant's penalty phase hearing.

We find, however, that even in light of these differences, similar to the counsel in Malloy, counsel did not undertake a "reasonable" investigation. Counsel could not remember whether he asked either Appellant or his family members whether Appellant had any medical history. N.T., 11/9/2001, at 77. Counsel admitted, however, that he did not ask Appellant or his family members whether Appellant ever sustained a head injury. N.T., 11/16/2001, at 17. Indeed, one of the witnesses at the PCRA hearing, who also testified at the penalty phase hearing, testified that she was aware of Appellant's head injury, but was only interviewed by counsel immediately before trial for a brief period of time and was told only to say "good things" about Appellant. N.T., 11/16/2001, at 55-57.

Additionally, counsel admitted that he did not obtain Appellant's school records, N.T. 11/9/2001, at 62, and never obtained a "social history" of Appellant from either Appellant or his family members, N.T., 11/16/2001, at 40. Counsel understood a "social history" to include information regarding Appellant's background, i.e., whether Appellant had learning difficulties and significant problems in adolescence. Id. Based upon the testimony of the PCRA hearing, it appears that this testimony was readily accessible to counsel; and, like the situation in Malloy, was not uncovered because of counsel's failure to undertake a thorough investigation. Furthermore, aside from Appellant's misleading statement to Dr. Tepper, there was simply no evidence to suggest that relevant information was withheld during the interview process by Appellant or his family members. Malloy, 856 A.2d at 788. Indeed, as the PCRA court found, it was unclear whether the extended family members were even given the opportunity to give counsel relevant information about Appellant, since counsel met with them briefly and told them only to say "good things" about Appellant.

The instant case is distinct from Brown, simply because here, there was relevant evidence that was available at the time of trial that could have been uncovered with minimal investigation. There is no question that medical records existed at the time of trial that would have demonstrated a serious head injury. If counsel had uncovered such evidence, the evidence would have led to a difference in the expert's recommendation to counsel and the expert's testimony at the penalty phase. In fact, such evidence would have led to the presentation of two additional mitigating circumstances, neither of which was offered during the penalty phase. Furthermore, unlike the situation in Hall, in this case, Appellant has presented more than "bald allegations" in support of his contentions and, as demonstrated by the expert evidence adduced at the PCRA hearing, has demonstrated that he suffered mental deficiencies as a result of the head injury and childhood abuse. For these reasons, we agree with the PCRA court's determination that counsel did not conduct a reasonable investigation to uncover the relevant mitigating evidence and thus, conclude that the Appellant established that his claim has arguable merit and counsel lacked a reasonable trial strategy.

Having concluded that counsel's investigation was not reasonable, we still must consider whether such failure prejudiced Appellant. Brown, 872 A.2d at 1150. In this case, Appellant's experts testified that such evidence was relevant to establishing two additional mitigating factors that were not presented at trial. Thus, had the jury heard all of the relevant evidence, there is a reasonable probability that at least one juror would have found an additional mitigating circumstance and struck a different balance in weighing the aggravating and mitigating circumstances. See Malloy, 856 A.2d at 789.

For the reasons stated herein, we affirm the PCRA court's order denying Appellant relief on his guilt phase issues and granting relief on his penalty phase issue discussed supra. Accordingly, this matter is remanded for a new penalty phase hearing.

Justice NIGRO, Justice NEWMAN and Justice BAER join the opinion.

Justice SAYLOR files a concurring opinion.

Justice CASTILLE files a concurring and dissenting opinion in which Justice EAKIN joins.