People v. Marcum , 2022 IL App (4th) 200656-U ( 2022 )

NOTICE 2022 IL App (4th) 200656-UThis Order was filed under
FILED
Supreme Court Rule 23 and is NO. 4-20-0656 June 9, 2022
not precedent except in the Carla Bender
limited circumstances allowed 4th District Appellate
under Rule 23(e)(1).
IN THE APPELLATE COURT Court, IL
OF ILLINOIS
FOURTH DISTRICT
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, ) Appeal from the
Plaintiff-Appellee, ) Circuit Court of
v. ) Ford County
CLAYTON T. MARCUM, ) No. 20CF53
Defendant-Appellant. )
) Honorable
) Matthew John Fitton,
) Judge Presiding.
JUSTICE TURNER delivered the judgment of the court.
Presiding Justice Knecht and Justice Cavanagh concurred in the judgment.
ORDER
¶1 Held: The State failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt defendant was in a dating
relationship with the victim, warranting a reduction of defendant’s aggravated
domestic battery convictions to aggravated battery. Defendant failed to establish
plain error as to his other claims.
¶2 In July 2020, the State charged defendant, Clayton T. Marcum, by information
with two counts of aggravated domestic battery (720 ILCS 5/12-3.3(a) (West 2018)) for a
September 1, 2019, attack on Greg Rudin. The State had previously charged defendant with
aggravated battery (720 ILCS 5/12-3.05(a)(1) (West 2018)) for the attack on Greg in Ford
County case No. 19-CF-72 (case 72). After an October 2020 jury trial, the jury found defendant
guilty of both aggravated domestic battery charges in this case. At the December 2020
sentencing hearing, the Ford County circuit court sentenced defendant to consecutive prison
terms of seven years on each count.
¶3 Defendant appeals, contending (1) his statutory right to a speedy trial was
violated, (2) his right to counsel was violated due to incomplete admonishments under Illinois
Supreme Court Rule 401 (eff. July 1, 1984), (3) the State’s evidence was insufficient to prove
him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of aggravated domestic battery, and (4) his right to remain
silent was violated. We affirm in part, reverse in part, and remand the cause to the circuit court
for a new sentencing hearing.
¶4 I. BACKGROUND
¶5 At around 7:30 a.m. on September 1, 2019, Paxton police officer Brandon Ryan
received a dispatch to Schoolhouse Apartments based on a report of a naked male lying behind
the apartments. When Officer Ryan arrived, he observed a half-naked male, who was later
identified as Greg Rudin. Greg appeared to have been lying outside on his back for a while and
was not wearing pants and underwear. According to Officer Ryan, Greg looked to have been in
a fight because he had swollen ears, dried blood on him, a dislocated jaw, and black eyes. An
ambulance arrived and took Greg to the hospital where he was diagnosed with a subarachnoid
hemorrhage and broken ribs. Two people at the scene told Officer Ryan they thought Greg had
been upstairs with defendant. Officer Ryan located defendant and spoke with him. Defendant
admitted he and Greg were friends and Greg had been in his apartment the previous evening.
They had been drinking and wrestling. Defendant stated Greg left at 10 p.m. and went home.
Later in the day, Officer Ryan obtained a search warrant for defendant’s apartment. During the
search, blood was found on a mattress in the apartment and in the stairwell outside defendant’s
apartment.
¶6 A. Case 72
¶7 On September 1, 2019, defendant was arrested for both aggravated battery (720
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ILCS 5/12-3.05(a)(1) (West 2018)) and obstructing justice (720 ILCS 5/31-4(a) (West 2018)).
On September 3, 2019, the trial court set defendant’s bond, but defendant did not post bond. On
September 27, 2019, the State charged defendant by information with one count of aggravated
battery, which asserted that, in committing a battery, defendant knowingly caused great bodily
harm to Greg, in that he struck Greg about the head and body. The charge also noted defendant
may receive an extended-term sentence due to his prior conviction for aggravated battery in
Iroquois County case No. 12-CF-11. See 730 ILCS 5/5-4.5-40(a) (West 2018). Three days later,
the trial court held the preliminary hearing.
¶8 At the beginning of the preliminary hearing, the trial court appointed defendant
counsel. The State presented the testimony of Officer Ryan. Officer Ryan testified he was told
during the investigation defendant and Greg were in a “dating relationship of sorts.” He also
testified that, before the State filed the charge in this case, defendant made contact with Paxton
police sergeant Robert Yates at the jail. Officer Ryan testified that, during defendant’s
conversation with Sergeant Yates, defendant explained he and Greg were “fighting like MMA
fighters or UFC fighters” and not wrestling on September 1, 2019. Defendant admitted to
Sergeant Yates that, during the fighting, he had struck Greg in the head causing blood to come
out of Greg’s mouth. When they were done fighting, defendant and Greg left defendant’s
apartment together, and Greg fell. After Greg fell, defendant stomped on him. Defendant
demonstrated a “pretty hefty strike” for Sergeant Yates. At the conclusion of the hearing, the
court found probable cause. At defendant’s request, the case was set for the January 2020 jury
term.
¶9 In January 2020, the State moved for an extension of the speedy-trial term under
section 103-5(c) of the Code of Criminal Procedure (Procedure Code) (725 ILCS 5/103-5(c)
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(West 2018)), noting it was still waiting on deoxyribonucleic acid analysis results. Defendant
objected to the motion, and the trial court granted the State’s motion. The court set defendant’s
jury trial for April 13, 2020. In March 2020, the State made an offer of an eight-year sentencing
cap in exchange for defendant’s plea of guilty. After consulting with his attorney, defendant
rejected the State’s offer and noted he wanted his attorney removed from the case. On April 13,
2020, the court continued the case to the July 2020 jury term due to an administrative order and
the parties’ agreement. After a May 22, 2020, hearing, the court allowed defendant to proceed
pro se. On July 6, 2020, the State moved to dismiss the charge in case 72, which the court
granted.
¶ 10 B. This Case
¶ 11 On July 6, 2020, the State filed the two aggravated domestic battery charges in
this case. Count I alleged that, in committing domestic battery, defendant knowingly caused
great bodily harm to Greg, defendant’s family or household member, in that defendant struck
Greg in the face with his fist and caused a subarachnoid hemorrhage. Count II asserted that, in
committing domestic battery, defendant knowingly caused great bodily harm to Greg,
defendant’s family or household member, in that defendant stomped on Greg with his foot
causing rib fractures. Both counts noted defendant may be sentenced to an extended term of 7 to
14 years’ imprisonment due to his prior residential burglary conviction in Iroquois County case
No. 13-CF-31.
¶ 12 The trial court held an arraignment hearing the day the State filed the charges in
this case. The court read the two counts to defendant and noted he may be sentenced to an
extended term of 7 to 14 years’ imprisonment due to a prior residential burglary conviction. The
court also explained defendant was subject to 85% sentencing and not day-for-day credit.
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Defendant asked if the counts were aggravated batteries, and the court noted the charge was
aggravated domestic battery. After reading the charges and explaining the possible penalties, the
court noted defendant was representing himself in case 72 and asked defendant if he wanted to
continue representing himself, hire counsel, or have the court appoint counsel. Defendant stated
he still wanted to represent himself. The court then asked defendant if he understood the
charges, and defendant replied in the affirmative. Next, the court asked the following: “The
minimum and maximum penalties, including in this case the possible extended, you are extended
term eligible? You also understand that the sentencing, the sentencing range, the mandatory
supervised release and the applicable amount of probation, fines, assessments, restitution are
applicable; you do understand that; right?” Defendant replied, “Uh-huh.” The court also
confirmed defendant understood he could have counsel appointed for him without cost if he was
indigent and the attorney representing the State was an experienced prosecutor and not
defendant’s attorney. Last, the court asked defendant if he wished to waive his right to counsel,
and defendant said, “Yeah.”
¶ 13 After waiving his right to counsel, defendant questioned the filing of new charges,
and the trial court noted its lack of involvement in that decision and told defendant, if he wanted
to file any motion, he would need to put it in writing and send it to the circuit clerk’s office. The
court set the preliminary hearing, set bond, and noted the State’s voluntary dismissal of the
charge in case 72. Defendant continued to ask questions. The court again informed defendant he
needed to file a written motion and explained the new charges against him, including the possible
extended-term sentence of up to 14 years’ imprisonment. Defendant then asked about the state
of emergency due to COVID-19 and him being in custody, and the court told him the supreme
court’s ruling started the 120-day period over. Defendant then complained about being in
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custody for almost a year, and the court told defendant the speedy-trial period starts over every
time it is continued by agreement. Defendant then asked if the State could continue to file
different charges, and the court told defendant to send the prosecutor a letter or file a written
motion.
¶ 14 On August 4, 2020, the circuit court held the preliminary hearing, at which
Officer Ryan and defendant testified. After hearing the testimony, the court found the State had
proven probable cause. The court then explained to defendant what he was responsible for in
preparing for trial. Defendant asked if his case was still aggravated battery with intent to do
bodily harm, and the court responded the charge was a Class 2 felony of “straight” domestic
battery.
¶ 15 At the beginning of defendant’s October 2020 jury trial, the trial court again
explained the two aggravated domestic battery charges and the sentencing possibilities, including
an extended-term sentence of up to 14 years’ imprisonment. The court asked defendant if he
understood the charges and possible penalties, and defendant questioned the charge of
aggravated domestic battery. The court noted he had arraigned defendant on aggravated
domestic battery and again asked if he understood what he was charged with and the possible
penalties. The following dialogue then took place:
“MR. MARCUM [(DEFENDANT)]: Yes. I just wanted to make sure it
wasn’t like two or three charges at one time.
THE COURT: No. We are doing the one case, and we are doing two
counts of aggravated battery.
MR. KILLIAN [STATE’S ATTORNEY)]: Aggravated domestic battery.
THE COURT: Aggravated domestic battery.
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MR. MARCUM: So, I got one charge?
THE COURT: Two charges, one case. One case, he has alleged two
separate charges. One being the hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage.
MR. MARCUM: If I am found guilty, I am charged with two charges?
MR. KILLIAN: If you are found guilty on both, you are going to be
sentenced to one sentence.
THE COURT: You will not be sentenced twice.
MR. MARCUM: Oh, so I would be looking at seven to 14 years?
THE COURT: Yes.
MR. MARCUM: Okay. Just want to make sure.”
After the above dialogue, the court indicated its desire to again address defendant’s waiver of
counsel. Defendant indicated he had no problem representing himself. The court then asked
defendant a series of questions admonishing him about the difficulties and pitfalls of self-
representation. Defendant answered each question in the affirmative and did not have any
questions at the end of the admonishments.
¶ 16 Next, the State’s Attorney put on the record defendant had been offered a
sentencing cap of 10 years’ imprisonment if he pleaded guilty to one of the charges, and
defendant declined the offer. In explaining the offer to defendant, the court noted defendant’s
mandatory supervised release term was four years. Defendant indicated he was still rejecting the
State’s offer.
¶ 17 The State presented the testimony of the following witnesses: (1) Officer Ryan;
(2) Mark Day, an emergency room physician; (3) Paxton police officer Chad Johnson; (4) Coy
Cornett, Chief of the Paxton Police Department; (5) Robin Stadeli, a paramedic; (6) Jennifer
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Macritchie, an Illinois State Police forensic scientist; (7) Patti Rudin, the victim’s spouse; and
(8) Sergeant Yates. It also presented several exhibits, including the recording from Sergeant
Yates’s body camera during his conversation with defendant at the Ford County jail. Defendant
did not present any evidence. The evidence relevant to the issues on appeal is set forth below.
¶ 18 Officer Ryan testified he decided to speak with defendant a second time on
September 1, 2019, because Officer Ryan had learned “[t]here was more of a relationship
between the two.”
¶ 19 Patti testified she had been married to Greg for 29 years, but they had been
separated for the past 11 years. At the time of the incident, Greg had his own apartment.
¶ 20 Sergeant Yates testified defendant wanted to meet with him on September 6,
2019. Sergeant Yates and Chief Cornett had a conversation with defendant that day. During the
interview, defendant indicated he had formed a relationship with Greg, and the relationship had
turned sexual.
¶ 21 The recording of Sergeant Yates’s interview of defendant was played for the jury.
During the interview, defendant stated he had the “hots” for a girl named Carrie and went with
Carrie to a residence. There, he met Greg on the Tuesday morning before the incident.
Defendant stated he stayed at the residence a couple of nights and then noted Tuesday morning
until Wednesday morning. On Wednesday morning, he left the residence with Greg. Defendant
again stated they spent the night. Defendant further stated they went to defendant’s apartment on
Wednesday morning and did things but suggested they did not have sex. He explained Greg
gave defendant “a blow job” and defendant “jacked [Greg] off.” Defendant denied they did
things not to the extreme like sex. Defendant appeared uncomfortable talking about the sexual
encounter. Greg left defendant’s apartment. On Wednesday afternoon, defendant tried calling
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Greg, but he would not answer. Defendant went back to the residence where he first met Greg,
and Greg was there. Two females at the residence were jealous about defendant being “all over”
Greg or Greg being “all over” defendant. Greg came over to defendant’s apartment on Saturday.
They drank together and had plans to go out to a bar when the incident occurred. During the
interview, defendant stated he had nothing against Greg and Greg seemed like a nice guy.
¶ 22 On the third day of trial and after the State had presented its first six witnesses,
the prosecutor noted the residential burglary case stated on the Law Enforcement Agencies Data
Sheet (LEADS) under defendant’s name was not actually defendant’s case. The trial court asked
defendant if he had been convicted of residential burglary, and defendant replied in the negative.
The court noted defendant was not subject to extended-term sentencing. The prosecutor then
offered defendant a sentence of seven years’ imprisonment in exchange for a guilty plea to one
count of aggravated domestic battery, and defendant declined the offer.
¶ 23 At the conclusion of the trial, the jury found defendant guilty of both aggravated
domestic battery charges. The trial court then noted it believed a presentence investigation
report should be ordered and asked for any objections. The prosecutor answered in the negative,
and defendant did not reply. The court explained to defendant a member of court services would
talk to him and prepare a presentence investigation report. The court then ordered the
presentence investigation report and asked the parties the amount of time needed for sentencing.
Defendant replied it could be today if possible. The court stated it could not conduct the
sentencing hearing that day because it had ordered a presentence investigation report. The
prosecutor stated two hours, and the court asked defendant if that sounded correct. Defendant
asked, “Two hours today?” and the court again noted it had ordered a presentence investigation
report. The court set the date of the sentencing hearing and stated the following: “And Mr.
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Marcum, for your benefit, I would admonish you that you want to cooperate with the Court
Services as to the pre-sentence investigation. I am not sure who will be sent over, but someone
will come over and speak to you.”
¶ 24 Defendant did cooperate with court services, and Rocky Marron drafted the
presentence investigation report. The report noted defendant claimed he had put Greg in an
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) move in which defendant had his arm around Greg’s
neck and his leg around Greg’s waist, stretching him out. Defendant demonstrated the move for
Marron. Defendant also expressed his frustration of being in jail for horseplay and denied
stomping Greg that hard. Additionally, without prompting, defendant noted he had punched
another inmate in jail for bragging about beating up a woman. The report noted another cellmate
of defendant’s had been injured and defendant was kept in a solitary environment for most of his
jail time due to concerns for the welfare of other inmates. Marron recommended a sentence
other than a community-based option because he did not believe defendant could be trusted to
not commit further acts of violence. He believed defendant posed a continuous risk to
community safety.
¶ 25 On December 9, 2020, the trial court held the sentencing hearing, and the State
presented the testimony of Marron and Patti, the victim’s wife. During his testimony, Marron
demonstrated the UFC move that defendant demonstrated during his interview with Marron. He
also testified defendant’s attitude about the incident was minimizing and defendant had no
appreciation for the damage he caused. Marron further noted defendant had numerous prior
convictions for violent acts. He opined a community-based disposition was not appropriate for
defendant. Patti testified Greg was in the intensive care unit on life support with traumatic brain
injuries, broken ribs, and other injuries for three weeks after the incident and spent another two
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and a half months in the hospital. In November 2019, Greg was taken to the Danville Care
Center because he could not care for himself.
¶ 26 In his argument, the prosecutor requested a seven-year sentence for both counts
and the imposition of discretionary consecutive sentences under section 5-8-4(c)(1) of the
Unified Code of Corrections (730 ILCS 5/5-8-4(c)(1) (West 2018)). He argued the charges were
based on two separate and distinct acts. Defendant requested probation and noted he did not
intend to hurt Greg. The trial court found defendant was a danger to the public and sentenced
him to consecutive seven-year prison terms.
¶ 27 On December 28, 2020, defendant filed his timely notice of appeal in compliance
with Illinois Supreme Court Rule 606 (eff. July 1, 2017), which stated he was only appealing his
sentences. On January 4, 2020, defendant filed a timely amended notice of appeal, challenging
both his convictions and sentences. Ill. S. Ct. Rs. 303(b)(5), 606(d) (eff. July 1, 2017).
Accordingly, this court has jurisdiction of defendant’s convictions and sentences under Illinois
Supreme Court Rule 603 (eff. Feb. 6, 2013).
¶ 28 II. ANALYSIS
¶ 29 A. Speedy Trial Violation
¶ 30 Defendant first asserts his statutory right to a speedy trial provided by section
103-5(a) of the Procedure Code (725 ILCS 5/103-5(a) (West 2018)) was violated. He argues the
State’s aggravated domestic battery charges in this case were subject to compulsory joinder with
the aggravated battery charge filed in case 72 and the aggravated domestic battery charges were
filed outside the applicable 120-day term. The State asserts defendant has forfeited this
argument for failing to file a motion to discharge before trial. In reply, defendant contends this
court should not apply forfeiture because a motion would have been futile, and in the alternative,
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he seeks review under the plain-error doctrine (Ill. S. Ct. R. 615(a) (eff. Jan. 1, 1967)).
¶ 31 1. Forfeiture
¶ 32 Our supreme court has instructed “one of the two most important tasks of an
appellate court panel when beginning the review of a case *** is to determine which issue or
issues, if any, have been forfeited.” People v. Smith, 228 Ill. 2d 95, 106, 885 N.E.2d 1053, 1059
(2008). It is well-established that, to preserve errors for review, the defendant must (1) object to
an alleged error at trial and (2) raise the alleged error in a posttrial motion to avoid forfeiture of
the issue on appeal. People v. Enoch, 122 Ill. 2d 176, 186, 522 N.E.2d 1124, 1130 (1988). In
this case, defendant did not file a posttrial motion.
¶ 33 Additionally, as argued by the State, section 114-1 of the Procedure Code
addresses motions to dismiss criminal charges and lists the failure to place defendant on trial in
compliance with section 103-5 as one of the grounds for a motion to dismiss. 725 ILCS
5/114-1(a)(1) (West 2018). Section 114-1(b) of the Procedure Code (725 ILCS 5/114-1(b) (West
2018)) then provides grounds not raised in a timely filed motion to dismiss are waived (two
exceptions are listed but are inapplicable here). Thus, section 114-1 specifically provides a
defendant forfeits the claim of a violation of the provisions of section 103-5 of the Procedure
Code related to a speedy trial unless the defendant files a motion for discharge prior to trial.
People v. Pearson, 88 Ill. 2d 210, 217, 430 N.E.2d 990, 993 (1981). Additionally, supreme court
decisions have long held the defendant’s right to discharge granted by the statute is forfeited if
not asserted by the defendant prior to conviction. Pearson, 88 Ill. 2d at 216, 430 N.E.2d at 992.
Here, defendant did not file a motion to discharge.
¶ 34 In his reply brief, defendant first asserts a motion to discharge would have been
futile given the trial court’s statements regarding speedy trial calculations and cites People v.
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Davis, 378 Ill. App. 3d 1, 880 N.E.2d 1046 (2007). In Davis, 378 Ill. App. 3d at 10, 880 N.E.2d
at 1054, the reviewing court noted the waiver rule is relaxed when the objection is to the circuit
court’s own conduct because the objection would have fallen on deaf ears. There, the reviewing
court declined to relax the waiver rule because an objection would not have been a criticism of
the court’s decision and no reason was shown a request to clarify the defendant’s answer would
have fallen on deaf ears. Davis, 378 Ill. App. 3d at 10-11, 880 N.E.2d at 1055.
¶ 35 Here, defendant, who was pro se, was asking the trial court questions about his
speedy trial term, and the court was responding. While the answers may not all have been
legally correct, a motion to discharge would not have been directed at the court’s conduct as in
Davis. If defendant had filed a motion to discharge, then the State would have had an
opportunity to reply, and the trial court could have further examined the issue. Nothing suggests
the trial court would not have reconsidered the statements it made in court if it had the benefit of
legal research. Thus, we disagree a motion to discharge would have necessarily been futile in
this instance. Accordingly, we agree with the State defendant forfeited this issue.
¶ 36 Defendant further contends, if we find forfeiture, this court should review the
issue under the plain-error doctrine. See People v. Hartfield, 2022 IL 126729, ¶ 33 (addressing
the first step of the plain-error analysis where the defendant did not file a pretrial motion raising
a speedy-trial violation and did not raise the matter in a posttrial motion). The plain-error
doctrine permits a reviewing court to consider unpreserved error under the following two
scenarios:
“(1) a clear or obvious error occurred and the evidence is so closely balanced that
the error alone threatened to tip the scales of justice against the defendant,
regardless of the seriousness of the error, or (2) a clear or obvious error occurred
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and that error is so serious that it affected the fairness of the defendant’s trial and
challenged the integrity of the judicial process, regardless of the closeness of the
evidence.” People v. Sargent, 239 Ill. 2d 166, 189, 940 N.E.2d 1045, 1058
(2010).
We begin a plain-error analysis by first determining whether any error occurred at all. Sargent,
239 Ill. 2d at 189, 940 N.E.2d at 1059. If error did occur, this court then considers whether
either of the two prongs of the plain-error doctrine has been satisfied. Sargent, 239 Ill. 2d at
189-90, 940 N.E.2d at 1059. “Under both prongs of the plain-error doctrine, the defendant has
the burden of persuasion.” People v. Hillier, 237 Ill. 2d 539, 545, 931 N.E.2d 1184, 1187
(2010). If the defendant fails to meet his or her burden of persuasion, the reviewing court applies
the procedural default. Hillier, 237 Ill. 2d at 545, 931 N.E.2d at 1187. Accordingly, we address
whether a statutory speedy-trial violation occurred.
¶ 37 2. Statutory Speedy Trial
¶ 38 This court reviews de novo the ultimate determination of whether a defendant’s
constitutional speedy-trial right has been violated. People v. Crane, 195 Ill. 2d 42, 52, 743
N.E.2d 555, 562 (2001). Under the speedy trial statute, a defendant in custody must be tried
within 120 days from the date he or she was taken into custody “unless delay is occasioned by
the defendant.” 725 ILCS 5/103-5(a) (West 2018). Whenever the defendant causes a period of
delay or otherwise agrees to a delay, the 120-day speedy trial period is tolled. People v.
Woodrum, 223 Ill. 2d 286, 299, 860 N.E.2d 259, 269 (2006). The speedy-trial analysis
“becomes more complicated when [the] defendant is charged with multiple, but factually related,
offenses at different times.” People v. Williams, 204 Ill. 2d 191, 198, 788 N.E.2d 1126, 1131
(2003). In those cases, “the speedy-trial guarantee is tempered by compulsory joinder
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principles.” Williams, 204 Ill. 2d at 198, 788 N.E.2d at 1131.
¶ 39 The compulsory joinder statute provides, in pertinent part, the following:
“If the several offenses are known to the proper prosecuting officer at the time of
commencing the prosecution and are within the jurisdiction of a single court, they
must be prosecuted in a single prosecution, except as provided in Subsection (c)
[(where the court may order a separate trial in the interest of justice)], if they are
based on the same act.” 720 ILCS 5/3-3(b) (West 2018).
However, the compulsory joinder statute does not apply to “the situation in which several
offenses—either repeated violations of the same statutory provision or violations of different
provisions—arise from a series of acts which are closely related with respect to the offender’s
single purpose or plan.” (Internal quotation marks omitted.) Williams, 204 Ill. 2d at 199, 788
N.E.2d at 1132. Likewise, the “same act” language does not include independent acts, which
constitute different offenses where the multiple offenses arise from a series of related acts.
Williams, 204 Ill. 2d at 199, 788 N.E.2d at 1132.
¶ 40 The State asserts the compulsory joinder statute does not apply because defendant
cannot establish (1) the facts for the aggravated domestic battery charges were known to the
prosecutor at the time of the commencement of the prosecution and (2) the aggravated domestic
battery charges were based on the same act as the original charge. Regarding the first issue, the
compulsory joinder statute requires “the several offenses are known to the proper prosecuting
officer at the time of commencing the prosecution.” (Emphasis added.) 720 ILCS 5/3-3(b)
(West 2018). The “knowledge” requirement provides a fairly high threshold to trigger
compulsory joinder. People v. Luciano, 2013 IL App (2d) 110792, ¶ 72, 988 N.E.2d 943.
Illinois courts have defined “knowledge” or “known to the proper prosecuting officer” as “the
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conscious awareness of evidence that is sufficient to give the State a reasonable chance to secure
a conviction.” Luciano, 2013 IL App (2d) 110792, ¶ 78. “When the State has that awareness
necessarily defies universal definition, and thus it must be determined on a case-by-case basis.”
Luciano, 2013 IL App (2d) 110792, ¶ 78. Additionally, the prosecution’s discretion “should be
considered when evaluating the State’s knowledge of the evidence and facts for purposes of
determining whether a later charge was subject to compulsory joinder with the original charge.”
Luciano, 2013 IL App (2d) 110792, ¶ 75.
¶ 41 Defendant notes that, five days after the altercation, he told investigating officers
about the nature of his relationship with Greg and the fact he struck Greg in the face and stomped
on him. That interview was three weeks before the State filed the original aggravated battery
charge on September 27, 2019. The State asserts the record is silent as to whether the proper
prosecuting officer was consciously aware of defendant’s statements in the police interview
when the original charge was filed. Defendant disagrees the record is silent and notes Police
Officer Brandon Ryan’s testimony at the September 30, 2019, preliminary hearing on the
original aggravated battery charge. There, the prosecutor asked Officer Ryan, if during his
investigation, he was told defendant and Greg were in “a dating relationship of sorts.” The
prosecutor also asked Officer Ryan about the conversation between Sergeant Yates and
defendant at the county jail. Officer Ryan testified defendant demonstrated to Sergeant Yates
how he stomped on Greg when he was on the ground and struck Greg’s head during the
altercation. The body camera recording of Sergeant Yates’s conversation with defendant on
September 6, 2019, was played for the jury at defendant’s trial and was the State’s sole evidence
of a dating relationship between defendant and Greg. Given the prosecutor was aware at the
preliminary hearing of Sergeant Yates’s discussion with defendant and the relationship between
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defendant and Greg, we find the prosecutor did have conscious awareness of evidence which in
the prosecutor’s view was sufficient to give the State a reasonable chance to secure a conviction
for aggravated domestic battery.
¶ 42 Regarding the same act, the State contends defendant did not establish both
charges of aggravated domestic battery were the same act as striking the victim about the head
and body, which was alleged in the initial information. We disagree. When an incident consists
of multiple, separate acts, Illinois courts look to the charging instrument to determine whether
the defendant can be convicted of and sentenced on multiple offenses. See People v. Crespo,
203 Ill. 2d 335, 343-45, 788 N.E.2d 1117, 1122-23 (2001). If the State charges the incident as a
collective act, our supreme court has held the State cannot argue after trial the multiple physical
actions support multiple convictions. Crespo, 203 Ill. 2d at 343-45, 788 N.E.2d at 1122-23. As
in Crespo, we examine the original aggravated battery charge and find the State charged the
attack on Greg as a collective act, which would include defendant striking Greg with his hand
and with his foot. As defendant notes, the prosecutor at the preliminary hearing on the original
charge used both “stomp” and “strike” to describe defendant’s use of his foot to make contact
with Greg’s body. Thus, we find the aggravated domestic battery charges were based on the
same act as the original aggravated battery charge and the compulsory joinder statute applies.
¶ 43 When criminal charges are required to be brought in a single prosecution, the
speedy-trial period begins to run when the defendant is in custody on the original charge, even if
the State brings some of the charges at a later date. See People v. Quigley, 183 Ill. 2d 1, 13, 697
N.E.2d 735, 741 (1998) (addressing the 160-day term under section 103-5(b)). In other words,
the new and additional charges are subject to the same statutory limitation applicable to the
original charges. Williams, 204 Ill. 2d at 201, 788 N.E.2d at 1133. “Continuances obtained in
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connection with the trial of the original charges cannot be attributed to defendants with respect to
the new and additional charges because these new and additional charges were not before the
court when those continuances were obtained.” (Internal quotation marks omitted.) Williams,
204 Ill. 2d at 201, 788 N.E.2d at 1133. However, the aforementioned rule does not apply if the
original charging instrument gives a defendant adequate notice of the subsequent charges
because the defendant’s ability to prepare for trial on those charges is not hindered in any way by
the subsequent charges. People v. Phipps, 238 Ill. 2d 54, 67-68, 933 N.E.2d 1186, 1194 (2010).
The State does not challenge defendant’s argument the above exception to the rule in Williams is
inapplicable to the subsequent charges in defendant’s case. As such, we do not address the
exception and find the Williams rule applies in this case.
¶ 44 Here, the State filed the subsequent charges more than nine months after the
original charge. The State does not challenge defendant’s explanation of how the 120-day period
expired before the trial court granted the State an extension of the speedy-trial term in case 72 in
January 2020. Since the delay attributable to defendant with the original charge is not applicable
to the subsequent charges under the rule in Williams, the 120-day speedy trial period for the
subsequent charges had expired well before the State filed them. Accordingly, defendant’s
statutory speedy trial right was violated.
¶ 45 3. Plain Error
¶ 46 Since we have found an error, we address whether the error constitutes plain
error. As stated, defendant bears the burden of proving plain error. Hillier, 237 Ill. 2d at 545,
931 N.E.2d at 1187. He asserts second-prong plain error and, thus, must show the error was so
serious it affected the fairness of his trial and challenged the integrity of the judicial process.
Defendant’s entire plain-error argument is the following:
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“As a result, this Court should review for plain error as [defendant] established
both that clear and obvious error occurred and the circuit court’s speedy-trial error
affected the fairness of his trial and challenged the integrity of the judicial
process. (Opening Brief, p. 14-25). See Ill. S. Ct. R. 615(a); People v. Smith,
2016 IL App (3d) 140235, ¶ 10 (noting that where a defendant failed to properly
preserve a speedy-trial matter for review, it is reviewable for plain error because it
implicates fundamental constitutional concerns); McKinney, 2011 IL Ap (1st)
100317, ¶ 29.”
Defendant did not assert plain error in his opening brief.
¶ 47 Our supreme court recently addressed a statutory speedy-trial claim and noted the
following: “The people of Illinois possess both constitutional and statutory rights to a speedy
trial. U.S. Const., amends. VI, XIV; Ill. Const. 1970, art. I, § 8; 725 ILCS 5/103-5(a) (West
2020). Although Illinois’s speedy trial statutes implement the constitutional right, the statutory
and constitutional rights are not coextensive.” (Emphasis added.) Hartfield, 2022 IL 126729,
¶ 32. In this case, defendant only claims a statutory violation.
¶ 48 Our supreme court has yet to address whether a statutory speedy-trial violation
can constitute second-prong plain error. See People v. Staake, 2017 IL 121755, ¶ 33, 102 N.E.3d
217 (finding it unnecessary in that case to determine whether the appellate court precedent
finding a forfeited error involving a statutory speedy-trial violation is reviewable as second-
prong plain error should be overruled). In the appellate court cases cited by defendant, the courts
found second-prong plain error based on a statutory speedy-trial violation with no analysis. See
People v. Smith, 2016 IL App (3d) 140235, ¶¶ 10, 21, 55 N.E.3d 719 (citing People v.
McKinney, 2011 IL App (1st) 100317, 962 N.E.2d 1084, and simply restating what constitutes
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second-prong plain error); McKinney, 2011 IL App (1st) 100317, ¶¶ 29, 31 (finding no error and
simply citing People v. Gay, 376 Ill. App. 3d 796, 799, 878 N.E.2d 805, 808 (2007), for the
principle a statutory violation is second-prong plain error). In Gay, 376 Ill. App. 3d at 799, 801,
878 N.E.2d at 808, 810, the reviewing court found no error but noted it was reviewing the issue
under the plain-error doctrine because “a speedy trial is a substantial, fundamental right (People
v. Crane, 195 Ill. 2d 42, 46, 743 N.E.2d 555, 559 (2001)).” Our supreme court’s decision in
Crane involved only the issue of whether the defendant’s constitutional speedy-trial right had
been violated. Crane, 195 Ill. 2d at 48-49, 743 N.E.2d at 560. Thus, the cases defendant cited
do not establish the proposition any statutory speedy trial violation constitutes second-prong
plain error.
¶ 49 In this case, the State did not have an opportunity to respond to defendant’s plain
error argument because defendant raised it in his reply brief. However, in Staake, 2017 IL
121755, ¶ 32, the State challenged the assertion all statutory speedy-trial violations are second-
prong plain error. The State pointed out the constitutional and statutory rights to a speedy trial
are not coextensive. It further noted the legislature, having created the statutory speedy-trial
right, also took that right away from the defendant for failure to timely raise it, i.e., deeming it
“waived” in the words of the statute. Last, the State urged only a speedy-trial claim rising to a
constitutional dimension may be subject to second-prong plain error review.
¶ 50 Our supreme court has explained the plain error doctrine as follows:
“The plain-error doctrine is not a general saving clause preserving for review all
errors affecting substantial rights whether or not they have been brought to the
attention of the trial court. [Citation.] Instead, it is a narrow and limited
exception to the general rule of forfeiture, whose purpose is to protect the rights
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of the defendant and the integrity and reputation of the judicial process.” (Internal
quotation marks omitted.) People v. Allen, 222 Ill. 2d 340, 353, 856 N.E.2d 349,
356 (2006).
Moreover, under the second prong of the doctrine, “even constitutional errors can be forfeited
[citation] if the error is not of such magnitude that it deprives the defendant of a fair trial.” Allen,
222 Ill. 2d at 352, 856 N.E.2d at 356.
¶ 51 As noted earlier in our analysis, the legislature has provided for the forfeiture of a
statutory speedy-trial violation if the violation is not timely raised. See 725 ILCS 5/114-1(b)
(West 2018). Thus, a statutory speedy-trial violation does not alone result in an unfair trial or
challenge the integrity of the judicial process. If it did, then the legislature would not have
provided for its forfeiture. As such, a defendant must demonstrate his statutory speedy-trial
violation deprived him of a fair trial or challenged the integrity of the judicial process to establish
second-prong plain error. Defendant’s very brief plain error argument does not establish that.
Since defendant did not meet his burden, we apply the doctrine of forfeiture.
¶ 52 B. Right to Counsel
¶ 53 Defendant next asserts his right to counsel was violated because he did not
knowingly waive the right because the circuit court failed to substantially comply with Illinois
Supreme Court Rule 401(a) (eff. July 1, 1984). The State suggests the trial court did
substantially comply with the rule and defendant was not prejudiced by any error. This court
reviews de novo compliance with a supreme court rule. People v. Gallano, 2019 IL App (1st)
160570, ¶ 26, 147 N.E.3d 912.
¶ 54 Like the speedy-trial violation, defendant did not raise this issue in a posttrial
motion. In his reply brief, defendant contends the State forfeited any claim of defendant’s
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forfeiture by failing to raise it. See People v. Bahena, 2020 IL App (1st) 180197, ¶ 29, 170
N.E.3d 1014. Regardless of whether defendant preserved the error for review or whether plain-
error review is appropriate, the initial inquiry is whether an error occurred. See Hartfield, 2022
IL 126729, ¶ 33 (finding no error instead of addressing forfeiture or the appropriateness of plain-
error review).
¶ 55 The sixth amendment to the United States Constitution (U.S. Const., amend. VI)
“guarantees an accused in a criminal proceeding both the right to the assistance of counsel and
the correlative right to proceed without counsel.” People v. Haynes, 174 Ill. 2d 204, 235, 673
N.E.2d 318, 332 (1996). Rule 401(a) sets forth procedures for the waiver of the right to counsel
and provides the following:
“(a) Waiver of Counsel. Any waiver of counsel shall be in open court.
The court shall not permit a waiver of counsel by a person accused of an offense
punishable by imprisonment without first, by addressing the defendant personally
in open court, informing him of and determining that he understands the
following:
(1) the nature of the charge;
(2) the minimum and maximum sentence prescribed by law,
including, when applicable, the penalty to which the defendant may be
subjected because of prior convictions or consecutive sentences; and
(3) that he has a right to counsel and, if he is indigent, to have
counsel appointed for him by the court.” Ill. S. Ct. R. 401(a) (eff. July 1,
1984).
Rule 401’s purpose is “to ensure that a waiver of counsel is knowingly and intelligently made.”
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(Internal quotation marks omitted.) People v. Reese, 2017 IL 120011, ¶ 62, 102 N.E.3d 126.
However, strict, technical compliance with Rule 401 is not always required. Reese, 2017 IL
120011, ¶ 62. “Substantial compliance is sufficient for a valid waiver of counsel if the record
indicates the waiver was made knowingly and intelligently and the trial court’s admonishment
did not prejudice the defendant’s rights.” Reese, 2017 IL 120011, ¶ 62. As defendant notes,
compliance with Rule 401 is examined based on the information provided to the defendant
before his or her waiver. People v. Span, 2021 IL App (2d) 180966, ¶ 19, 185 N.E.3d 311. This
court assesses each waiver of counsel on its own particular facts. Reese, 2017 IL 120011, ¶ 62.
Defendant asserts the trial court erred by (1) informing him he was eligible for extended-term
sentencing, (2) stating the wrong term of mandatory supervised release (MSR), and (3) failing to
state defendant could receive consecutive sentences.
¶ 56 In Reese, 2017 IL 120011, ¶ 64, the defendant argued the trial court failed to
provide sufficient Rule 401(a) admonitions because the court did not state defendant’s sentences
would run consecutively to his existing natural-life sentence for murder. There, the defendant
was informed “he was facing ‘massive time’ if convicted of even some of the charged offenses in
[the] case.” Reese, 2017 IL 120011, ¶ 64. Specifically, the trial court told defendant the
maximum sentence was 160 years’ imprisonment on two of the charges alone. Reese, 2017 IL
120011, ¶ 64. The supreme court did not see how informing the defendant the potential 160-year
sentence in this case would also be served consecutively to his natural-life sentence for murder
could have affected his decision on whether to waive counsel and proceed pro se. Reese, 2017
IL 120011, ¶ 64. It found the record showed the defendant’s waiver of counsel was made
knowingly and intelligently and the admonitions did not prejudice the defendant’s rights. Reese,
2017 IL 120011, ¶ 65. As such, the supreme court concluded the defendant’s waiver of counsel
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was valid, and the defendant had not established a clear or obvious error.
¶ 57 Defendant cites People v. Bahrs, 2013 IL App (4th) 110903, ¶ 14, 988 N.E.2d
773, where this court concluded the trial court failed to comply with Rule 401(a)(2). We found
the trial court did not inform defendant of the true maximum penalty he faced because it did not
tell the defendant a prison sentence for aggravated fleeing would run consecutively to the other
two prison terms. Bahrs, 2013 IL App (4th) 110903, ¶ 14. We explained that, with concurrent
sentences, the maximum penalty the defendant would have faced was only 30 years’
imprisonment plus mandatory supervised release. Bahrs, 2013 IL App (4th) 110903, ¶ 14.
However, if the prison term for aggravated fleeing had to run consecutively to the other 2 prison
terms, the maximum penalty defendant would have faced was 33 years’ imprisonment plus
mandatory supervised release. Bahrs, 2013 IL App (4th) 110903, ¶ 14. Thus, the consecutive
nature of the aggravated fleeing sentence made a difference in defendant’s exposure. Bahrs,
2013 IL App (4th) 110903, ¶ 14. We noted a trial court’s understating the maximum penalty
does not satisfy Rule 401(a), “except, perhaps, in the unusual case in which the defendant has
such a high degree of legal expertise that one may confidently assume he or she already knows
the maximum penalty.” Bahrs, 2013 IL App (4th) 110903, ¶ 15. As such, the trial court’s
admonitions regarding the maximum penalty must be accurate and complete, which includes
informing the defendant of the consecutive running of any prison term. Bahrs, 2013 IL App
(4th) 110903, ¶ 15.
¶ 58 First, the information provided to the trial court at the time of the Rule 401(a)
admonishments did indicate defendant was extended-term eligible. The error in the LEADS
sheet for defendant was not discovered until after defendant’s trial had begun. Second, the
court’s MSR admonishment was greater than what the actual MSR term was. Defendant cites no
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cases indicating a greater maximum term is prejudicial to the defendant in waiving his right to
counsel. Third, while the trial court did not admonish defendant it had the discretion to impose
consecutive sentences, the court did admonish defendant he could receive a prison sentence of up
to 14 years. The court again admonished defendant at the beginning of trial he could receive up
to a 14-year prison term due to extended-term sentencing. The record is clear defendant
understood he could receive a 14-year sentence before his trial began, and defendant still chose
to represent himself. In this case, the court informed defendant multiple times of his true
maximum penalty when it informed him of a possible prison term of up to 14 years. Thus, this
case is distinguishable from Bahrs, where the defendant could have received a sentence beyond
the admonished maximum due to consecutive sentencing.
¶ 59 Additionally, given defendant chose to proceed pro se knowing he faced a prison
term of up to 14 years, we fail to see how an admonishment informing defendant he faced a
maximum of 7 years’ imprisonment on each count and the two counts could be consecutive
would have affected his decision to proceed pro se. Defendant’s counsel suggests defendant
may have found it unlikely he would receive an extended-term sentence when deciding to
proceed pro se given he was aware he did not have a prior residential burglary conviction.
However, defendant indicated multiple times he understood he could receive a prison term of 14
years and did not give any indication he believed he was not subject to extended-term
sentencing. Here, defendant had knowledge he could receive a 14-year prison term when he
waived his right to counsel at arraignment and before trial. As such, his ultimate 14-year
sentence was not prejudicial. On the facts of this case, we find the trial court substantially
complied with Rule 401(a), and thus defendant’s waiver of counsel was valid.
¶ 60 Defendant further asserts the trial court should have admonished him again under
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Rule 401(a) before it proceeded to sentencing. Citing People v. Simpson, 172 Ill. 2d 117, 138,
665 N.E.2d 1228, 1239 (1996), defendant notes the “continuing waiver” rule, which provides an
intelligently and knowingly made waiver of counsel applies to all phases of trial, except for
“significantly changed circumstances or a later request for counsel.” The supreme court noted,
“Circumstances requiring readmonishment before sentencing include lengthy delays between
trial phases, newly discovered evidence which might require or justify advice of counsel, new
charges brought, or a request from defendant.” Simpson, 172 Ill. 2d at 138, 665 N.E.2d at 1239.
However, as previously explained, the change in circumstances, which was the discovery
defendant was not extended-term eligible, did not alter the true maximum penalty defendant was
facing. Defendant fails to assert how the court correctly explaining the details of why he could
receive up to a sentence of 14 years’ imprisonment would have affected his decision to proceed
pro se. Defendant did not give any indication he wanted counsel’s assistance at sentencing.
¶ 61 Accordingly, we find defendant’s right to counsel was not violated.
¶ 62 C. Sufficiency of the Evidence
¶ 63 Defendant contends the State’s evidence was insufficient to prove beyond a
reasonable doubt he committed the offense of aggravated domestic battery because the State
failed to establish Greg was defendant’s family or household member. The State asserts its
evidence was sufficient. A defendant may raise a challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence for
the first time on appeal. People v. Carter, 2021 IL 125954, ¶ 41. Our supreme court has set
forth the following standard of review for insufficiency of the evidence claims:
“It is well settled that, when reviewing a challenge to the sufficiency of the
evidence, a reviewing court must determine whether, after viewing the evidence
in the light most favorable to the prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have
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found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. [Citation.]
All reasonable inferences from the evidence must be drawn in favor of the
prosecution. [Citation.] This court will not reverse the trial court’s judgment
unless the evidence is so unreasonable, improbable, or unsatisfactory as to create
a reasonable doubt of the defendant’s guilt.” (Internal quotation marks omitted.)
People v. Cline, 2022 IL 126383, ¶ 25.
¶ 64 Section 12-0.1 of the Criminal Code of 2012 (Criminal Code) (720 ILCS 5/12-0.1
(West 2018) provides, in pertinent part, the following:
“ ‘Family or household members’ include *** persons who have or have
had a dating or engagement relationship ***. For purposes of this Article, neither
a casual acquaintanceship nor ordinary fraternization between 2 individuals in
business or social contexts shall be deemed to constitute a dating relationship.”
The statute does not provide any further guidance on determining whether two individuals are in
a dating relationship, but numerous appellate court decisions have addressed the issue. As the
appellate court has previously recognized, a potential difficulty with this term might arise when a
relationship is new because “[s]ome people might define one date as a ‘dating relationship,’
while others may not do so until after several dates.” People v. Johnson, 341 Ill. App. 3d 583,
588, 793 N.E.2d 774, 778 (2003). However, Illinois courts have found one date is insufficient to
establish a dating relationship. See Alison C. v. Westcott, 343 Ill. App. 3d 648, 653, 798 N.E.2d
813, 817 (2003); People v. Young, 362 Ill. App. 3d 843, 845, 852, 840 N.E.2d 825, 827, 832
(2005). Moreover, a reviewing court has found evidence of the defendant and the victim having
numerous sexual encounters insufficient to show the defendant and the victim had a dating
relationship. People v. Howard, 2012 IL App (3d) 100925, ¶ 10, 970 N.E.2d 63.
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¶ 65 Illinois courts have defined a dating relationship as a “ ‘serious courtship’: ‘at a
minimum, an established relationship with a significant romantic focus.’ ” People v. Allen, 2020
IL App (2d) 180473, ¶ 21, 161 N.E.3d 1201 (quoting Young, 362 Ill. App. 3d at 851, 840 N.E.2d
at 832). “Romantic” is to be interpreted broadly, “encompass[ing] relationships that are
‘romantic’ in a conventional sense and those that are mainly sexual.” (Emphasis in the original.)
Allen, 2020 IL App (2d) 180473, ¶ 21. For a dating relationship to exist, a “degree of romantic
reciprocity” must be present, but “complete reciprocity of interest” is not required. Allen, 2020
IL App (2d) 180473, ¶¶ 21-22. For example, a dating relationship may exist if “one party is
seeking sex and the other a chocolate-and-flowers romance.” Allen, 2020 IL App (2d) 180473,
¶ 22.
¶ 66 In Allen, 2020 IL App (2d) 180473, ¶ 23, the reviewing court concluded the
State’s evidence was sufficient for a reasonable trier of fact to find the defendant was in a
“dating relationship” as defined in section 12-0.1. In reaching that conclusion, the court noted
the defendant’s suggestion, the victim wanted a “boyfriend” and he wanted sex, did not preclude
the pair from having a dating relationship. Allen, 2020 IL App (2d) 180473, ¶ 23. Moreover, the
victim testified she and defendant not only met to have sex but also regularly ate together and
watched movies at the defendant’s house. Allen, 2020 IL App (2d) 180473, ¶ 23. They “had
done so ‘on and off’ for about eight months.” Allen, 2020 IL App (2d) 180473, ¶ 23.
¶ 67 Here, the evidence at trial showed defendant met Greg on Tuesday morning at a
friend’s home. They both spent Tuesday night at the friend’s home, and on Wednesday morning,
they went to defendant’s apartment where they engaged in sexual activity. Greg then left
defendant’s apartment. The two got together later in the day on Wednesday with friends, and
two of the friends were jealous of defendant and Greg being all over each other. Defendant’s
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explanation is unclear about whether he and Greg spent Wednesday night together at the friend’s
residence. Greg then came over to defendant’s apartment on Saturday. They were drinking
together and were planning on going out to a bar when the incident occurred.
¶ 68 Unlike in Allen, defendant and Greg had only known each other for five days and
had only one sexual encounter. They never spent the night together at one of their residences.
Moreover, the State presented no evidence defendant and Greg referred to each other as
boyfriend or considered the other one to be a boyfriend. Given the pair had only known each for
a very short period of time, did not even see each other every day during that brief period, and
had only one sexual encounter, we agree with defendant the State’s evidence is insufficient for a
rational trier of fact to have found beyond a reasonable doubt a dating relationship existed
between defendant and Greg.
¶ 69 Given the insufficient evidence, defendant cannot be convicted of the Class 2
felony of aggravated domestic battery, and thus we reduce defendant’s convictions to the Class 3
felony of aggravated battery. See Howard, 2012 IL App (3d) 100925, ¶ 11. Defendant’s seven-
year sentences are greater than the sentencing range for a Class 3 felony (730 ILCS 5/5-4.5-40(a)
(West 2018)), and thus we remand the case to the circuit court for resentencing. We find no
merit in defendant’s request for the sentencing hearing to be before a different judge.
¶ 70 D. Right to Remain Silent
¶ 71 Defendant last asserts his right to remain silent was violated because the trial
court ordered him to cooperate with the preparation of the presentence investigation report,
despite defendant’s desire to proceed directly to sentencing without the presentence investigation
report. The State then presented some of the information obtained from defendant in aggravation
at defendant’s sentencing hearing. The State asserts defendant forfeited this claim by not raising
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an objection in the trial court and in a motion to reconsider sentence. It further argues defendant
cannot establish plain error because the trial court did not order defendant to cooperate with the
probation department. In his reply brief, defendant seeks review under the plain-error doctrine
and points out every argument the State failed to make. However, as previously stated, it is
defendant who bears the burden of proving plain error, and the State’s argument was anticipatory
of the argument defendant did not make in his initial brief, despite the obvious forfeiture of the
issue. Regardless, we agree with the State the trial court did not err.
¶ 72 In support of his argument, defendant cites People v. Woods, 2018 IL App (1st)
153323, ¶ 37, 140 N.E.3d 798, where the reviewing court found second-prong plain error based
on the trial court insisting the defendant cooperate with the presentence investigation report and
then using that information against him. There, the defendant was specifically told by the trial
court he had to talk to pretrial services after the defendant had previously declined to answer any
questions for the initial presentence investigation report. Woods, 2018 IL App (1st) 153323, ¶ 9.
After the court’s instruction, the defendant completed an interview for a new presentence
investigation report, which was filed with the trial court. Woods, 2018 IL App (1st) 153323,
¶ 10. The reviewing court noted the trial court appeared to have taken only a negative view of
information in the new presentence investigation report, which could have also been viewed as
mitigating. Woods, 2018 IL App (1st) 153323, ¶ 35.
¶ 73 Here, after the jury verdict, the trial court indicated it believed a presentence
investigation report should be ordered and asked if either party objected. The State answered in
the negative. Defendant did not answer. The court then explained to defendant what a
presentence investigation report was and then asked how much time was needed for sentencing.
Defendant then noted that same day would work, if possible. The court noted that was not
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possible because the court ordered a presentence investigation report. The State responded two
hours, and defendant then asked whether it was two hours that day. The court again noted it had
ordered a presentence investigation report and the report needed to be prepared for sentencing.
The court stated a possible date for the sentencing hearing, and the State agreed with it. The
court then stated to defendant, “I would admonish you that you want to cooperate with the Court
Services as to the pre-sentence investigation.”
¶ 74 While defendant wanted to have the sentencing hearing the same day as his trial,
he did not expressly refuse to participate in a presentence investigation report like the defendant
in Woods. We disagree with defendant the record indicates defendant clearly did not want to
participate in the preparation of the presentence investigation report. Defendant did not make an
objection when the court asked if there was any objection to its ordering a presentence
investigation report. The only clear thing is defendant desired to have a sentencing hearing that
day. Moreover, the court did not order defendant to cooperate with the presentence investigation
like in Woods, but instead suggested defendant should want to cooperate with the presentence
investigation report. Defendant takes issue with the court’s failure to warn him anything he said
during the presentence investigation could be used against him. However, it was defendant who
chose to proceed without counsel, and counsel could have explained the positive and negatives
of participating in the presentence investigation report.
¶ 75 Accordingly, we find defendant’s right to remain silent was not violated.
¶ 76 III. CONCLUSION
¶ 77 For the reasons stated, we reverse defendant’s convictions for aggravated
domestic battery and remand the cause to the Ford County circuit court for sentencing on two
counts of aggravated battery. The circuit court’s judgment is affirmed in all other respects.
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¶ 78 Affirmed in part and reversed in part.
¶ 79 Cause remanded.
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