People v. Willis ( 2013 )

2013 IL App (1st) 110233THIRD DIVISION
September 30, 2013
No. 1-11-0233
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, ) Appeal from the
) Circuit Court of
Plaintiff-Appellee, ) Cook County.
)
v. ) No. 08 CR 12569 (02)
)
ARSENIO WILLIS, ) The Honorable
) William G. Lacy,
Defendant-Appellant. ) Judge Presiding.
PRESIDING JUSTICE HYMAN delivered the judgment of the court, with opinion.
Justices Neville and Pucinski concurred in the judgment and opinion.
OPINION
¶1 Sixteen years old at the time the crime was committed, defendant Arsenio Willis was
tried as an adult as required under the Illinois Juvenile Court Act of 1987 (705 ILCS 405/5-130
(West 2010)). Section 5-130 of that Act mandates automatic transfer to criminal court of 15- and
16-year-olds charged with certain Class X felonies. A jury found Arsenio guilty of first degree
murder with a firearm and aggravated battery with a firearm (accountability). The trial court
sentenced him to 63 years in the adult prison system. A crucial issue in this appeal is the
constitutionality of section 5-130 of the Juvenile Court Act (705 ILCS 405/5-130 (West 2010)),
particularly following three recent United States Supreme Court cases recognizing the
fundamental differences between juvenile offenders and adults.
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¶2 Arsenio also argues:
(i) the State failed to prove him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt;
(ii) the State's closing argument prejudiced him by misrepresenting the level of
proof required to find him accountable, disparaging his counsel, and
misrepresenting the evidence;
(iii) his 63-year sentence is unconstitutionally excessive and disproportionate to
his codefendant's 53-year sentence; and
(iv) the trial court failed to make a Krankel inquiry (People v. Krankel, 102 Ill. 2d
181 (1984)) into his counsel's allegation of his own ineffectiveness.
¶3 Although we find the precedent regarding the constitutionality of the Juvenile Court Act's
automatic transfer troubling, we choose to follow it at this time because the recent United States
Supreme Court cases on which Arsenio relies do not convince us otherwise. In addition, we
affirm Arsenio's convictions for first degree murder and aggravated battery with a firearm
(accountability). The evidence, when viewed most favorably to the prosecution, supports a
finding of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt on both of Arsenio's convictions. Two eyewitnesses
identified Arsenio and his codefendant as the only individuals with guns and as firing the guns at
the time the victims were shot.
¶4 As to the State's closing arguments, we find the State adequately confined its arguments
to the evidence and the reasonable inferences to be drawn from that evidence. Nor did the State
misrepresent the burden of proof or the evidence and did not disparage Arsenio's counsel. And,
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based on the trial court's comments during sentencing, we uphold Arsenio's sentences as a proper
exercise of the sentencing court's discretion.
¶5 Finally, following a thorough review of the record, we hold the trial court failed to
conduct a preliminary inquiry into the factual basis of Arsenio's posttrial claim of ineffective
assistance of trial counsel as required by Krankel. The trial court should have engaged in a
discussion with Arsenio or, considering Arsenio's age, his defense counsel concerning the
defense counsel's claim and later, the spontaneous withdrawal of that claim. We remand for a
Krankel hearing.
¶6 Background
¶7 Defendant Arsenio Willis and codefendant David Hill, both 16-year-olds, were charged
with four counts of the first degree murder of Romaz Lucas and one count of attempted first
degree murder of Charles Barrows. Arsenio and Hill were tried in simultaneous jury trials.
Arsenio was found guilty of first degree murder with a firearm and aggravated battery with a
firearm. He was sentenced to consecutive terms of 33 years for the first degree murder
conviction, with 15 years for statutory firearm enhancement, and 15 years for aggravated battery
with a firearm conviction.
¶8 A cousin of Romaz Lucas', Romeo McCollum, testified that on the morning of May 16,
2008, he, Lucas, and Charles Barrows went to McCollum's grandmother's house at 5347 West
Race where, along with others, they played dice on the patio in the backyard. Around 3 p.m.,
Arsenio, Hill, and Demario Williams arrived. Lucas asked Williams for the $100 that he claimed
Williams owed him. Hill stepped in and told Lucas that he "wasn't getting nothing."
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McCollum, facing Hill, saw Hill pull out a gun. Lucas told Hill to put the gun down and, "Let's
fight like men." McCollum testified that Hill's gun was nearly parallel to the ground and pointed
at Lucas at the time of Hill's first shot. Lucas tried to wrestle the gun away from Hill, when
another shot went off, but McCollum could not tell who fired it.
¶9 McCollum testified that Arsenio had been sitting on the stairs by the gate when the fight
began. McCollum saw Arsenio fire his gun at Lucas while Lucas lay on the ground, and Arsenio
fired more than once. On hearing gunshots, the occupants of the backyard scattered in all
directions. As McCollum tried to help the mortally wounded Lucas, he saw Hill running away
along with Arsenio.
¶ 10 McCollum testified he saw no one with a weapon other than Hill and Arsenio. He could
not recall if more shots were fired after he ran to Lucas. But, when confronted with his grand
jury testimony, he acknowledged he may have told the grand jury that while leaning over Lucas,
he heard a few more shots come from the same area as the original shots. The day after the
shooting, McCollum identified Arsenio and Hill in separate photo arrays as "the guys that shot
[his] cousin."
¶ 11 Charles Barrows testified that he was playing dice in the backyard, and although he was
not paying attention to the conversations, recalled hearing something said about Williams owing
Lucas money. Burrows testified Hill interjected himself into the conversation before pulling a
gun from his pocket, precipitating a fight between Hill and Lucas, with Lucas struggling to get
the gun out of Hill's hand. The gun fired while pointed toward Lucas's legs. Everyone scattered,
said Barrows, and additional gunshots went off. Burrows saw Arsenio "shooting in the yard,"
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and believed Arsenio was trying to help his friend Hill get away. As Hill ran, Burrows saw
Arsenio shooting at the people still there. He heard three gunshots.
¶ 12 Burrows testified that Arsenio fired the shot that hit the side of his body. Burrows ran
out to the alley before collapsing and could not recall whether Arsenio stuck around or not.
Burrows testified the only guns he saw in the backyard belonged to Arsenio and Hill. Burrows
knew Arsenio had shot him because only Arsenio was shooting in the backyard at the time.
¶ 13 Detectives interviewed Burrows at the hospital, where his injuries required a month-long
stay. From a photo array, Burrows identified Arsenio as the individual who shot him and Hill as
the individual who first displayed a gun and fought with Lucas. In a lineup on June 15, 2008,
Burrows identified Arsenio as the individual "shooting in the yard," and who shot him, and
identified Hill as the individual who was "upping the gun."
¶ 14 Demario Williams testified that on May 16, 2008, while on his way home with his friend,
Arsenio, they came across Hill who told Williams about the dice game. When he arrived at the
dice game, Williams was wearing headphones, and he testified he did not initially hear what
Lucas said to him. Williams recalled removing the headphones, and telling Lucas that he did not
have the money to pay him back, but would pay when he did. At this time, Arsenio was sitting
by the stairs leading to the back porch. Williams put his headphones back on, and as he was
about to leave, saw Lucas approach Hill, and the two engage in a conversation. Hill had his
hands in his pockets.
¶ 15 Williams saw Hill pull a gun from his right pocket as Lucas was "coming towards" him.
Williams testified that before seeing the gun in Hill's hand, he did not know Hill had a gun. He
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said Hill raised his arm at a 30–degree angle, but did not point the gun at anyone. The last thing
Williams heard before leaving the backyard was Lucas saying, "What do you need a gun for?
We can fight." Williams said he heard nothing else due to the headphones. The last thing he saw
before leaving the backyard was Lucas reaching for Hill's gun. Williams heard only one shot.
He did not see Hill shoot Lucas or see Arsenio with a gun.
¶ 16 On the sound of a single gunshot, Williams ran toward his mother in the front yard, and at
her request, went inside the house. The next day Williams identified Hill from a photo array.
¶ 17 Demario Williams's mother, Sheila Williams, testified that she lived with her four sons at
the house. At 3 p.m., she was on her front porch with her sister, brother, some of her children,
and neighbors when her son, Demario Williams, arrived with Arsenio and Hill. She told them
about the dice game in the backyard. The front porch is about 15 feet from the alley where the
backyard gate is located. About five or six minutes later, she heard a single gunshot come from
the backyard and went into the alley on the side of the house toward the side gate to see what
happened. There, she saw Demario, wearing his headphones, running toward her. She told her
son to go inside the house.
¶ 18 She saw Arsenio fall from her fence and, as he did, he turned his head and made eye
contact with her. She testified the butt of the gun was in his right hand, which was elevated and
moving. When she saw Arsenio fall, she did not hear a gunshot. She turned and went back
toward her house, and that is when she saw someone, whom she could not identify, run to the
back fence and try to climb over it. With her back toward the backyard, she heard a second
gunshot. Then, a third and possibly a fourth. She testified that initially she heard one gunshot
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and later, a group of shots. She saw Lucas in the alley with her sister holding him in her arms; he
had been shot. Rose Elam was standing next to them. She said she did not see Hill with a gun
that day.
¶ 19 Sheila Williams was confronted with her grand jury testimony from June 11, 2009, in
which she testified that she saw Arsenio fall with his right hand elevated and shooting toward the
backyard. She testified she remembered the questions before the grand jury, but could not recall
giving the answers. On cross, she admitted she testified before the grand jury that she saw
Arsenio shooting a gun into the backyard.
¶ 20 The day after the shooting, Shelia Williams identified Arsenio and Hill in photographic
arrays. She returned to Area 5 Headquarters on June 5, 2008, and identified Hill in a physical
lineup as having been in her backyard on the day of the shooting. That same day, she spoke with
detectives and an assistant State's Attorney (ASA) concerning what she had witnessed on May
16. The ASA asked permission to put her statement in writing, which at trial was identified by
Shelia as People's Exhibit 17. Initially, Sheila said she did not recall saying in her statement that
she saw Arsenio coming out of the gate backwards and seeing his arm jerking as he fired the gun.
Despite testifying that she did say that to the ASA, she could not remember "what exactly
happened at what particular time."
¶ 21 Shelia testified that Arsenio was a friend of her son's and often at her house. She
admitted that she did not want anything "bad" to happen to Arsenio.
¶ 22 ASA Maryann Planey testified that on June 11, 2009, she spoke with Sheila Williams
about the shooting, and brought her before the grand jury. Planey read to the jury from Shelia
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Williams's grand jury testimony, in which she testified that she saw Arsenio "falling out of the
backyard with his right hand elevated," and "his arm was jerking [as] he was shooting toward the
back of the yard." She also saw the handle of the gun.
¶ 23 Another witness, Rose Elam lived on the first floor of 5347 West Race. On May 16,
around 3 p.m., she was in the front yard with her grandchildren when she saw two boys pass her
and go to the backyard. She testified that three or four minutes later she heard a gunshot, and ran
to her grandchildren, telling them to get under the porch. Then she went toward the back of the
house and, on her way, saw Sheila Williams, who was either in the back or heading that way. She
also saw the same two boys coming toward her. Elam did not see anyone with them. Hill was
running out of the back first, followed closely behind by the other boy.
¶ 24 The gunshots had stopped by the time Elam saw Hill running toward her. She heard only
two gunshots. She saw a gun in Hill's hand as he tried to put it in to the side of his waistband;
the other boy had a gun tucked down the side of his pants. Both boys went east on Race Street.
When she saw the bleeding Lucas running out of the yard, she went to help him. Elam also
testified she had seen Hill playing with the same gun in the front of the house on both Monday
and Friday the week before the shooting.
¶ 25 On May 20, 2008, Elam met with detectives at Area Five. She identified Hill and
Arsenio from photographic arrays as the two boys she saw on May 16. She told the detectives
that one of them was wearing a red jersey and the other, a black, hooded sweatshirt, at the time of
the shooting, and that the one wearing the red jersey was trying to hide a gun. Elam told
Detective Valkerner that after hearing the gunshots, she clearly observed the face of the boy
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wearing the red jersey as he walked past her, but did not see the face of the boy wearing the black
sweatshirt. On June 5, 2008, Elam returned to Area Five and identified Hill in a lineup.
¶ 26 Following Elam's direct examination, defense counsel moved for a mistrial arguing Elam
said Arsenio had a gun for the first time during her trial testimony. Defense counsel's motion
was denied and the court advised counsel to cross-examine her on the issue if he wished.
¶ 27 Chicago police forensic investigator Peter Larcher testified he collected the physical
evidence at the scene, including two blood swabs, one from the alley and one from the backyard;
a cartridge case; and articles of clothing. The cartridge, which resembled a .22-caliber bullet,
was unmarked and no latent impressions suitable for comparison were found. Chicago police
evidence technician Hill Caldbeck testified that on May 17, he went to 5515 West Hirsh, an
address other than where the shooting occurred, to recover a weapon which was inside a plastic
bag lying in the alley. He recovered a revolver with three bullets.
¶ 28 Cook County Assistant Medical Examiner Valerie Arangelovich performed an autopsy of
Lucas. He received two gunshots–a right chest wound and right thigh wound. Arangelovich
recovered a deformed, medium-caliber bullet from Lucas's body. She found no evidence of
close– range firing. Arangelovich opined the cause of Lucas's death was multiple gunshot
wounds and the manner of death was homicide.
¶ 29 Forensic scientist Brian Parr was qualified as an expert in the field of firearm and tool
mark identification. He examined the cartridge case recovered by Officer Larcher, the revolver
recovered by Officer Caldbeck, and the bullet recovered by medical examiner Arangelovich
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from Lucas's body. Parr opined the recovered firearm was a .38 special caliber revolver and the
fired bullet was not fired by the firearm. The fired cartridge case was of a .22-caliber long rifle.
¶ 30 The court denied Arsenio's and Hill's motions for directed verdicts. Both defendants
declined to testify on their own behalf.
¶ 31 Arsenio entered into evidence the stipulated testimony of Detectives Toraskowitz,
Valkner, and Gilger, and ASA Tristian. Detective Toraskowitz would testify that when he
interviewed Elam on May 16, she did not say that Arsenio possessed a firearm or that she saw
Hill with a firearm before the May 16 incident. Detective Valkner would testify that Elam did
not tell him that she saw Arsenio with a firearm. Further, Detective Valkner would testify that
Elam told him that when she saw Hill with a handgun, he was wearing a red jersey and
attempting to conceal the handgun under his right armpit. Detective Gilger and ASA Tristian
would testify that on June 5, 2008, Elam gave a written statement in their presence and that she
did not state that she saw Arsenio with a firearm.
¶ 32 The jury found Arsenio guilty of first degree murder and aggravated discharge of a
firearm. The jury also determined that Arsenio was armed with a firearm during the commission
of the offense of first degree murder.
¶ 33 Arsenio was sentenced to consecutive terms of 33 years for the first degree murder
conviction, plus 15 years for the statutory firearm enhancement, and 15 years for his aggravated
battery with a firearms conviction. Codefendant Hill was sentenced to a term of 28 years for the
first degree murder conviction, plus 15 years for the statutory firearm enhancement, and 10 years
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for his aggravated battery with a firearms conviction. The court denied Arsenio's motion to
reduce his sentence.
¶ 34 Arsenio Willis timely appealed.
¶ 35 ANALYSIS
¶ 36 We will first address the constitutional arguments Arsenio raises concerning the
automatic transfer provision of the Juvenile Court Act. Second, we will address his arguments
regarding the effectiveness of his trial counsel as it relates to People v. Krankel, 102 Ill. 2d 181(1984), and its progeny. Finally, we will address the remainder of his arguments, including the
sufficiency of the evidence, the propriety of the State's closing arguments, and the
constitutionality of his sentence.
¶ 37 Automatic Transfer Provision of the Juvenile Court Act
¶ 38 Arsenio challenges the constitutionality of the automatic transfer provision of the Illinois
Juvenile Court Act of 1987 (Juvenile Court Act) (705 ILCS 405/5-130 (West 2010)), which
statutorily excludes 15- and 16-year-olds charged with certain crimes from the jurisdiction of the
juvenile court. Arsenio argues the automatic transfer provision violates federal and state due
process, the eight amendment's prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment, and the
proportionality clause of the Illinois Constitution. Arsenio also claims the statute is
unconstitutional as applied.
¶ 39 Ever since the Illinois legislature enacted "An Act to regulate the treatment and control of
dependent, neglected and delinquent children" (1899 Ill. Laws 131)—or the Illinois Juvenile
Court Act—on July 1, 1899, Illinois has been a national leader in the field of juvenile justice.
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The first juvenile court in the country was located in Chicago across the street from Hull House,
an effective and prominent social service agency founded by social reformer Jane Addams. It
was Addams who rallied the movement for a separate juvenile justice system, which would
remove children from being tried and imprisoned by the adult criminal system. During the
intervening decades, however, the pendulum has swung back and forth on the legal system's
handling of juvenile offenders as adults.
¶ 40 One fundamental shift that has occurred nationwide, and in Illinois since the 1980s, is the
proliferation of juvenile transfer laws increasing the number and variety of offenses eligible for
transfer to criminal courts while lowering age restrictions. Of the three primary methods of
transfer, judicial waiver (case filed in juvenile court and evidentiary hearing based on articulated
standards), prosecutorial discretion (case filed in either juvenile or criminal court without
hearing), and statutory exclusion (case by operation of law heard by criminal court), section 5-
130 of the Juvenile Court Act adopts the statutory exclusion method, subjecting juvenile
offenders, based on their alleged criminal activity involved, to the adult criminal system and all
that entails.
¶ 41 Section 5-130(1)(a)(i) of the Juvenile Court Act provides, "[t]he definition of delinquent
minor under Section 5-120 of this Article shall not apply to any minor who at the time of an
offense was at least 15 years of age and who is charged with *** first degree murder." 705 ILCS
405/5-130(1)(a)(i) (West 2010). Under section 5-130(1)(c)(i), the trial court had "available any
or all dispositions prescribed for that offense under Chapter V of the Unified Code of
Corrections." 705 ILCS 405/5-130(1)(c)(i) (West 2010). Section 5-4.5-20(a) of the Unified
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Code of Corrections provides that the sentencing range for first degree murder is 20 to 60 years
of imprisonment. 730 ILCS 5/5-4.5-20(a) (West 2010). Accordingly, under the automatic
transfer provision of section 5-130, once Arsenio was charged with first degree murder, his case
proceeded in criminal court, where he was subject to a minimum 20-year prison sentence,
without any initial consideration for his age, an analysis of his mental culpability or any other
relevant information such as his propensity for rehabilitation.
¶ 42 Arsenio acknowledges that the Illinois Supreme Court has previously decided that the
automatic transfer provision at issue here complies with constitutional requirements (see, e.g.
People v. J.S., 103 Ill. 2d 395, 405 (1984); People v. M.A., 124 Ill. 2d 135, 147 (1988)), but
argues that the court's rationale must be revisited in light of three recent United States Supreme
Court cases, Roper v. Simmons, 543 U.S. 551 (2005), Graham v. Florida, 560 U.S. 48 (2010),
and Miller v. Alabama, __ U.S.___, 132 S. Ct. 2455 (2012), as well as the renewed trend to treat
juvenile offenders differently than adult offenders. Arsenio argues that based on the precedents
of Roper, Graham, and Miller, it is no longer rational to automatically transfer juvenile offenders
to adult court without considering their youthfulness and rehabilitative potential.
¶ 43 We review the constitutionality of a statute de novo. People ex rel. Birkett v. Konetski,
233 Ill. 2d 185, 200 (2009). Our supreme court has instructed us that statutes "are presumed
constitutional" and that a party challenging the validity of a statue bears the burden of rebutting
that presumption. People v. Cornelius, 213 Ill. 2d 178, 189 (2004). "Moreover, ' "it is our duty
to construe acts of the legislature so as to uphold their constitutionality and validity if it can
reasonably be done, and, further, that if their construction is doubtful, the doubt will be resolved
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in favor of the validity of the law attacked." [Citations.]' " Davis v. Brown, 221 Ill. 2d 435, 442
(2006) (quoting People v. Inghram, 118 Ill. 2d 140, 146 (1987)).
¶ 44 Although Roper, Graham, and Miller address constitutional challenges to sentencing
statutes, we agree their analysis bears consideration when discussing the constitutionality of an
automatic transfer provision. In Roper, the 17-year-old defendant was tried and convicted as an
adult for murder; he was sentenced to death under Missouri law. The United States Supreme
Court held the eighth and fourteenth amendments prohibit the execution of juvenile defendants
who were under the age of 18 at the time of the commission of their crime. Roper, 543 U.S. at
578. The Court identified "[t]hree general differences between juveniles under 18 and adults
[which] demonstrate that juvenile offenders cannot with reliability be classified among the worst
offenders." Roper, 543 U.S. at 569. The first distinction was a lack of maturity and an
"underdeveloped sense of responsibility" among youth. (Internal quotation marks omitted.)
Roper, 543 U.S. at 569. The second, that juveniles are more easily influenced by outside
pressure, particularly peer pressure. Lastly, that the character of a juvenile offender has not been
fully formed yet, meaning his or her personality traits are still susceptible to change. Roper, 543
U.S. at 569-70. The Court reasoned "[t]he susceptibility of juveniles to immature and
irresponsible behavior means 'their irresponsible conduct is not as morally reprehensible as that
of an adult.' " Roper, 543 U.S. at 570 (quoting Thompson v. Oklahoma, 487 U.S. 815, 835
(1988)).
¶ 45 In Graham, the 16-year-old defendant participated in an attempted robbery. Under
Florida's transfer provision, at the discretion of the prosecutor, he was charged as an adult. He
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pled guilty to armed burglary with assault and battery and attempted armed robbery. Initially, he
was sentenced to concurrent three-year terms of probation, but when he violated his probation by
committing a home-invasion robbery, possessing a firearm, associating with others engaged in
criminal activity, and resisting arrest, his probation was revoked and he was sentenced to life in
prison without parole. Graham, 560 U.S. at ___, 130 S. Ct. at 2018-20. The Supreme Court
ruled it is unconstitutional to impose a life sentence without parole for a juvenile who did not
commit a homicide in light of the goal of rehabilitation. Graham, 560 U.S. at ___, 130 S. Ct. at
2029-30. The Supreme Court held that "[b]y denying the defendant the right to reenter the
community, the State makes an irrevocable judgment about that person's value and place in
society. This judgment is not appropriate in light of a juvenile nonhomicide offender's capacity
for change and limited moral culpability." Graham, 560 U.S. at ___, 130 S. Ct. at 2030. The
Court made clear, however, "[t]he Eighth Amendment does not foreclose the possibility that
persons convicted of nonhomicide crimes committed before adulthood will remain behind bars
for life. It does forbid States from making the judgment at the outset that those offenders never
will be fit to reenter society." Graham, 560 U.S. at ___, 130 S. Ct. at 2030.
¶ 46 The Miller decision, like Roper and Graham, was decided on a constitutional challenge to
a sentencing statute. State law mandated that the two 14-year-old offenders, who were convicted
of murder, be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, even if the judge or
jury would have thought that the defendants' youth and other individual characteristics, along
with the nature of the crime, made a lesser sentence more appropriate. Miller, __ U.S.___, 132
S. Ct. at 2460. The United States Supreme Court held that mandatory life imprisonment without
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parole for juvenile offenders, those under 18 years of age at the time of their crime, violates the
eight amendment's prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment because it "runs afoul of our
cases' requirement of individualized sentencing for defendants facing the most serious penalties."
Miller, __ U.S.___, 132 S. Ct. at 2460. In holding as it did, the Supreme Court found the
sentencing scheme troubling because it prevented the sentencing court from considering the
"juvenile's 'lessened culpability' and 'greater capacity for change.' " Miller, __ U.S.___, 132 S.
Ct. at 2460 (quoting Graham, 560 U.S. at___, ___, 130 S. Ct. at 2026-2027, 2029-2030).
¶ 47 Despite the growing trend to treat juvenile offenders differently than adult offenders, this
court, in both People v. Salas, 2011 IL App (1st) 091880, and People v. Jackson, 2012 IL App
(1st) 100398, addressed, and rejected, the constitutional arguments Arsenio now raises against
the automatic transfer provision of the Juvenile Court Act. Arsenio argues that Salas and
Jackson were wrongly decided. In People v. Salas, the court held that the automatic transfer
provision of the Juvenile Court Act did not deprive a defendant of his or her due process rights.
People v. Salas, 2011 IL App (1st) 091880. Likewise, in People v. Jackson, we analyzed a
defendant's substantive and procedural due process arguments to determine whether the
automatic transfer provision violated the constitutional guarantee that a person may not be
deprived of liberty without due process of law or whether the procedural mechanisms employed
in the statute require that the defendant be given the opportunity to be heard in both a meaningful
time and manner. Jackson, 2012 IL App (1st) 100398, ¶13. Doing so, the court held, "People v.
J.S. remains on solid footing with the Supreme Court's holdings in Roper and Graham."
Jackson, 2012 IL App (1st) 100398, ¶16.
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¶ 48 Similar to the defendant in Jackson, Arsenio argues that automatic transfer of 15- and 16-
year-old offenders to adult court without a hearing to address whether the legitimate penological
justifications for adult sentencing practices apply to the juvenile offenders is a violation of his
procedural and substantive due process rights. See Jackson, 2012 IL App (1st) 100398, ¶17. In
Jackson, the defendant's argument was deemed without merit, our supreme court having
considered the due process argument as it applied to the automatic transfer provision of the
Juvenile Court Act in People v. J.S. Id.; see also People v. Salas, 2011 IL App (1st) 091880, ¶¶
76-80 (rejecting due process challenges to automatic transfer statute, finding Roper and Graham
were inapplicable and J.S. remains binding).
¶ 49 Arsenio further argues the automatic transfer provision violates the eight amendment's
prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment because it requires that all 15- and 16-year-olds
who are charged with certain crimes be transferred to adult criminal court without consideration
of their adolescence. The eighth amendment provides: "Excessive bail shall not be required, nor
excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted." U.S. Const., amend. VIII.
Arsenio argues that Roper and Graham require reconsideration of automatic transfer provisions
and that none of the legitimate penological goals of retribution, deterrence, incapacitation, and
rehabilitation are met by automatically transferring 15- and 16-year-old juveniles to adult
criminal court.
¶ 50 While this court has already addressed whether the automatic transfer provision
constitutes cruel and unusual punishment and determined it does not (Salas, 2011 IL App (1st)
091880, ¶66; Jackson, 2012 IL App (1st) 100398, ¶17), Arsenio argues the automatic transfer
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provision of the Juvenile Court Act violates the proportionality clause of the Illinois
Constitution. In Salas, this court held that it does not; a holding reconfirmed in Jackson.
Jackson, 2012 IL App (1st) 100398, ¶19. The proportionate penalties clause states that "[a]ll
penalties shall be determined both according to the seriousness of the offense and with the
objective of restoring the offender to useful citizenship." Ill. Const. 1970, art. I, § 11. The clause
specifically addresses penalties. In Salas and Jackson, the court found the defendants challenged
the procedure, i.e., the automatic transfer provision, that exposed them to the range of possible
penalties for adults in criminal court, not the penalty, and held the automatic transfer provision
imposes no actual penalty. Accordingly, in Salas and Jackson, this court held that because the
automatic transfer provision of the Juvenile Court Act imposes no penalty or punishment, the
proportionality clause of the Illinois Constitution is inapplicable.
¶ 51 Lastly, Arsenio raises an as–applied challenge to the automatic transfer provision.
Arsenio failed to raise this challenge in the trial court and, therefore, we will not adjudicate his
claim here. See In re the parentage of John M., 212 Ill. 2d 253, 268 (2004) ( "A court is not
capable of making an 'as applied' determination of unconstitutionality when there has been no
evidentiary hearing and no findings of fact." (citing Reno v. Flores, 507 U.S. 292, 300-01
(1993))). Instead, we focus solely on his facial constitutional challenges to the provision.
¶ 52 This court has consistently rejected the constitutional arguments Arsenio makes against
the automatic transfer provision of the Juvenile Court Act and, instead, chosen to follow the
analysis of Salas and Jackson. See People v. Falconer, 2013 IL App (1st) 112809-U; see also
People v. Pacheco, 2013 IL App (4th) 110409; People v. Jenkins, 2013 IL App (1st) 103006-U;
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People v. Patterson, 2012 IL App (1st) 101573, appeal allowed, No. 115102 (Jan. 30, 2013);
People v. Croom, 2012 IL App (4th) 100932; People v. Sanders, 2012 IL App (1st) 102040.
¶ 53 Although we see a nationwide trend developing to treat juvenile offenders differently than
adult offenders and agree that this trend might some day lead to a realization that a mandatory
transfer provision implicates constitutional rights, the current decisions of our state and federal
court do not allow us to reach that result at this time. Accordingly, we are upholding the
constitutionality of the automatic transfer of 15- and 16-year-old juveniles to adult court under
the Juvenile Court Act.
¶ 54 That being said, we recognize the logic of Justice Appleton's recent dissent in People v.
Pacheco, 2013 IL App (4th) 110409, "[i]t is the blanket transfer based on age that is the flaw in
the legislature's response. Such decisions are better made on the circumstances of the offender as
well as the offense. In that sense, we should look to both the crime and the nature of the
criminal." (Emphasis omitted.) Pacheco, 2013 IL App (4th) 110409 ¶ 99 (Appleton, J.,
dissenting). Further, we find the discussion in Jennifer Park's Note, Balancing Rehabilitation and
Punishment: A Legislative Solution for Unconstitutional Juvenile Waiver Policies, to be an adapt
recitation of the issues. Although ahead of the current case law, Ms. Park proposes a two-part
solution to remedy the constitutional and procedural concerns associated with waiver policies
that may be useful in the future as this area develops. See Jennifer Park, Note, Balancing
Rehabilitation and Punishment: A Legislative Solution for Unconstitutional Juvenile Waiver
Policies, Geo. Wash. L. Rev. Arguendo 786 (2008).
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¶ 55 While the constitutional underpinnings necessary to reverse the automatic transfer
provision would be a stretch at the current time, the law in this area continues evolving, as well it
should. The decision of whether to try a minor as an adult has costly and lifelong consequences
for the juvenile and for society as a whole.
¶ 56 The right for a child to be treated as one is a basic tenet of a just society. Yet, this tenet
comes under particular stress when a society balances the needs of its children against its role of
preventing and punishing crime and protecting citizens. How a society deals with this difficult
balance reflects mightily on its values. It is a balance that our society must try to get right. And
we must try in a culture in which violence has become far more commonplace, in a nation in
which the federal, state, and local governments have neither the resources nor ability to
adequately address the underlying social factors that precipitate violence, and in a society in
which juveniles regularly witness adults solving problems in violent ways.
¶ 57. Since 2005, the United States Supreme Court has relied on the research of adolescent
development to rule that youth are fundamentally different from adults and, therefore, must be
treated differently under the law. Between 2005 and 2012, the Supreme Court issued four
opinions addressing the principle that juvenile offenders are different from adults and, therefore,
should be treated differently. See Miller, ___ U.S.___, 132 S. Ct. 2455; J.D.B. v. North
Carolina, ___ U.S.___, 131 S. Ct. 2394 (2011); Graham, 560 U.S. 48; and Roper, 543 U.S. 551.
By so doing, the Supreme Court has acknowledged that offense severity does not automatically
turn a child into an adult and that immaturity is relevant in assessing culpability. But, the
discussion has centered around sentencing statutes, not automatic transfer provisions. While we
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agree that Roper, Graham, and Miller have provided juvenile offenders with more constitutional
protections than adult offenders, we cannot accept the expansive reading defendant asks us to
make, that is, to declare the automatic transfer provision unconstitutional. The Illinois supreme
court's opinion in J.S. remains good law, and we may not depart from it.
¶ 58 Arsenio having failed to overcome the strong presumption of constitutionality, we reject
the constitutional challenge to the automatic transfer provision of the Juvenile Court Act.
¶ 59 Krankel
¶ 60 Arsenio asks us to remand his case because the trial court failed to question him or his
defense counsel about the basis of the ineffective assistance of counsel claims or trial counsel's
unusual withdrawal of them and, thus, failed to conduct an adequate Krankel inquiry.
¶ 61 The State maintains Krankel is inapplicable where defendant's trial counsel was retained
and not appointed and defendant never accused counsel of being ineffective or expressed
dissatisfaction with counsel's representation to the trial court. The State further contends that
without any solid basis supporting an allegation of ineffective assistance of counsel, the trial
court was under no obligation under Krankel to make a sua sponte inquiry regarding the
effectiveness of Arsenio's retained counsel.
¶ 62 After the jury returned a guilty verdict, but before sentencing, defense counsel filed a
motion for a new trial alleging, inter alia, that he provided ineffective assistance of counsel by
failing "to use due diligence to insure Frederick Williams would be available to testify at trial."
In the motion, defense counsel stated that Frederick's live testimony was "material" to defense
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counsel's trial strategy and that the stipulation offered by the State was insufficient to satisfy this
strategy. Defense counsel claimed Arsenio was prejudiced because the jury did not hear
Frederick's live testimony. At the hearing, the State noted that counsel's allegation created a
conflict of interest. The ASA stated, "I think there might be a conflict here. [Defendant's trial
attorney], in paragraph 9, is recusing [sic] himself ineffective assistance. I don't know if that's
allowable for him to do that in his motion and then argue the motion." The court asked, "Do you
want to file a motion disqualifying him, by agreement, June 15?" Defense counsel responded,
"For purposes, I'll strike that paragraph." The case was continued. Four months later, the court
heard arguments on the motion. At that time, neither Arsenio nor his counsel made any
allegations of ineffective assistance of counsel. The court made no inquiry into the allegation of
ineffective assistance and the issue was not raised again.
¶ 63 Arsenio contends the court's conduct in the face of defense counsel's allegation failed to
satisfy the preliminary requirement of Krankel and People v. Moore, 207 Ill. 2d 68 (2003), and,
therefore, asks this court to remand for appointment of counsel and a full inquiry into the
allegation of ineffective assistance of counsel. Citing Moore, Arsenio points out that the
"operative concern for the reviewing court is not whether counsel was ineffective, but rather
whether the trial court conducted an adequate inquiry into the allegations of ineffective assistance
of counsel. Moore, 207 Ill. 2d at 77-81."
¶ 64 In Krankel, the defendant presented a pro se posttrial motion alleging ineffective
assistance of counsel based on counsel's failure to present an alibi defense that the defendant
claimed was supported by witnesses the defendant provided. The Illinois Supreme Court held
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that alternate counsel should have been appointed for the defendant in light of his claim. The
court remanded the matter for a new hearing on the defendant's motion with newly appointed
counsel. Krankel, 102 Ill. 2d at 187-89. Providing further guidance of the procedures to be
followed by a trial court under Krankel, the Illinois Supreme Court determined that appointment
of new counsel is not automatically required whenever a defendant presents a pro se posttrial
motion alleging ineffective assistance of counsel. See People v. Moore, 207 Ill. 2d 68, 77
(2003). Rather, the trial court must conduct a preliminary inquiry into the factual basis of the
defendant's claim, and if it finds the claim lacks merit or relates only to matters of trial strategy,
the court may deny the defendant's pro se motion without appointing new counsel. Moore, 207
Ill. 2d at 77-78. If, however, the defendant's allegations show "possible neglect" of the case, new
counsel should be appointed. Moore, 207 Ill. 2d at 78. In reviewing the posttrial proceedings on
the defendant's pro se motion, our primary objective is to determine "whether the trial court
conducted an adequate inquiry into the defendant's pro se allegations of ineffective assistance of
counsel." Moore, 207 Ill. 2d at 78
¶ 65 That State relies on our supreme court's decision in People v. Pecoraro, 144 Ill. 2d 1, 15
(1991), to argue that Arsenio, because he had privately retained counsel, was not entitled to a
Krankel inquiry. In Pecoraro, the Illinois Supreme Court held that "Krankel is a fairly fact-
specific case, and the circumstances in the case at hand, where defendant retained his own private
counsel and did not request that he be represented by other counsel, do not warrant the
application of Krankel." Pecoraro, 144 Ill. 2d at 15. The court reasoned that unlike in Krankel,
where the defendant was represented by an appointed public defender, defendant Pecoraro had
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retained private counsel to represent him at trial and in posttrial motions and, therefore, "[i]t was
not within the trial court's rubric of authority to advise or exercise any influence or control over
the selection of counsel by defendant, who was able to, and did, choose counsel on his own
accord." Pecoraro, 144 Ill. 2d at 15.
¶ 66 We note, however, that in interpreting Pecoraro, this court has reached contradictory
conclusions regarding whether a defendant represented by privately retained counsel is entitled to
a Krankel inquiry. In People v. Shaw, 351 Ill. App. 3d 1087, 1092 (4th Dist. 2004), the appellate
court noted that the defendant, "as in Pecoraro," was represented by private counsel and held that
a Krankel inquiry was not required. In People v. Johnson, 227 Ill. App. 3d 800, 810 (1st Dist.
1992), on the other hand, this court stated: "we do not believe Pecoraro stands for the
proposition that a trial court is free to automatically deny a pro se request for new counsel simply
because the defense counsel who was allegedly ineffective was privately retained."
¶ 67 The State argues that even if we follow the decision in Johnson, and find that Krankel
applies even where counsel was not appointed, Arsenio's claims would still fail because Arsenio
never expressed dissatisfaction with his trial counsel's representation. In People v. Taylor, 237
Ill. 2d 68, 76-77 (2010), our supreme court held that to be entitled to a Krankel hearing, the
defendant must have "expressly complained about counsel's performance." The State argues that
after defense counsel struck the allegation of ineffective assistance from Arsenio's posttrial
motion, there was no allegation of ineffective assistance of counsel pending before the trial court.
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¶ 68 Arsenio argues the facts of this case are unique and that none of the cases cited by the
State stand for the proposition that an attorney can withdraw a claim of ineffective assistance and
"absolve the court of its duty to inquiry under Krankel." We agree.
¶ 69 The underlying facts are unusual. First, trial counsel raised the issue of his own
ineffectiveness himself, which is unusual, but then, even more unusual, is that counsel changed
his mind based on the court's comments and withdrew his allegation. The trial court made no
inquiry into the factual matters underlying the ineffective assistance claim. Instead, once the
prosecutor pointed out that the posttrial motion alleging trial counsel's ineffectiveness created a
conflict of interest, defense counsel was allowed to simply withdraw the allegation without
explanation. There also is the matter of the age of the defendant and what that implies.
¶ 70 The State seems to suggest that in order to preserve his ineffective assistance of counsel
claim, Arsenio should have raised an objection to trial counsel's withdrawal of the issue or made
clear, in some other manner, to the trial court that he was dissatisfied with his trial counsel's
representation. Given that Arsenio was a minor at the time of his trial, we cannot reasonably
expect him to raise the issue of his trial counsel's ineffective assistance on his own. A juvenile
would be expected to be more at the mercy of counsel than an adult, and less likely to be
cognizant and aware of his legal rights.
¶ 71 The conflict of interest faced here by defense counsel is exactly the conflict a Krankel
inquiry attempts to rectify. The basis of the conflict has been recognized by our supreme court,
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"An attorney cannot be expected to argue his own ineffectiveness.
*** To advance [the defendant's] argument that [his lawyer] had
mishandled the trial proceedings would have required the lawyer to
argue his own incompetence. To avoid the criticism that he was
incompetent would have required that he compromise his
obligation as an attorney to represent [the defendant] zealously.
The lawyer thus faced an inherent conflict of interest." People v.
Lawton, 212 Ill. 2d 285, 296 (2004).
¶ 72 In light of this inherent conflict, the trial court has a duty to conduct an adequate inquiry
when allegations of ineffective assistance arise. Moore, 207 Ill. 2d at 77-79. The trial court can
not simply ignore or fail to address a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel without
consideration of the claim's merits. See People v. Sanchez, 329 Ill. App. 3d 59, 66 (2002) ("The
trial court should afford a defendant the opportunity to specify and support his complaints and
not 'precipitously and prematurely' deny the motion." (quoting People v. Robinson, 157 Ill. 2d 68,
86 (1993))). "During this evaluation, some interchange between the trial court and trial counsel
regarding the facts and circumstances surrounding the allegedly ineffective representation is
permissible and usually necessary in assessing what further action, if any, is warranted on a
defendant's claim." Moore, 207 Ill. 2d at 78. Because the adequacy of the trial court's inquiry
into the allegations of ineffective assistance of counsel in light of Krankel is a matter of law, our
review is de novo. People v. Vargas, 409 Ill. App. 3d 790, 801 (2011).
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¶ 73 Here, the record shows the trial court failed to adequately inquire into Arsenio's allegation
of ineffective assistance as raised by his trial counsel in the posttrial motion. The inquiry did not
need to be lengthy or arduous: a brief discussion between the trial court and Arsenio concerning
trial counsel's alleged ineffective assistance and counsel's later decision to strike the claim from
the posttrial motion would have been sufficient to satisfy the court's burden under Krankel. See
Moore, 207 Ill. 2d at 79. The trial court failed to look into the allegation at all and by neglecting
to do so, failed to determine whether the alleged error of trial counsel showed possible neglect of
defendant's case such that appointment of additional counsel was necessary. An inquiry was
required here. Because the trial court did not conduct any inquiry into Arsenio's claims of
ineffective assistance of trial counsel, the court failed to satisfy the requirements of Krankel and
its progeny.
¶ 74 When the defendant’s claims of ineffective assistance of counsel are based on matters
outside the record, as they are here, and the trial court failed to conduct an adequate Krankel
inquiry, the proper remedy is to remand the matter to the trial court for the limited purpose of
allowing the trial court to conduct the required inquiry. Vargas, 409 Ill. App. 3d at 803; see also
People v. Parsons, 222 Ill. App. 3d 823, 830-31(1991). The trial court did not inquire into the
efforts made by defense counsel to secure the live testimony of Frederick Williams at trial or the
importance of his live testimony to the defense strategy. The record reveals nothing concerning
defense counsel's efforts or lack thereof. Accordingly, we are unable to evaluate Arsenio's claims
of ineffective assistance of counsel, as raised by his trial counsel, because the trial court made no
Krankel inquiry. We remand the case for the limited purpose of having the court conduct an
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adequate inquiry into Arsenio's claims of ineffective assistance of counsel in accordance with
Krankel and its progeny.
¶ 75 Sufficiency of the Evidence
¶ 76 Arsenio argues the State failed to prove him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of first
degree murder and aggravated battery with a firearm because the State did not prove that he shot
the victims or that he was accountable for the shooter's conduct. Arsenio argues there was no
evidence he fired the shots that struck the victims. He further argues that his conviction based on
an accountability theory cannot stand for three reasons. First, he drew his gun and fired after Hill
shot Lucas to help Hill escape. Secondly, the State failed to prove Arsenio shared a common
design or intent with Hill before or during the shooting. Lastly, it is impossible to conclude that
Arsenio was culpable for the principal's conduct under an accountability theory without proof of
who fired the shots that struck the victims.
¶ 77 In reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence to sustain a conviction on appeal, the relevant
inquiry is "whether, after viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution, any
rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable
doubt." (Emphasis in original.) Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 318-19 (1979); People v.
Thomas, 178 Ill. 2d 215, 231-32 (1997). Hence, we will not substitute our judgment for that of
the trier of fact on the weight to be given the evidence or the credibility of the witnesses.
Thomas, 178 Ill. 2d at 232. The trier of fact must "resolve conflicts in the testimony, *** weigh
the evidence, and *** draw reasonable inferences from basic facts to ultimate facts." Jackson,
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443 U.S. at 319. The standard in Jackson applies when reviewing a finding that a defendant was
guilty through an accountability theory. People v. Williams, 193 Ill. 2d 306, 338 (2000).
¶ 78 An individual commits the offense of first degree murder when he or she intends to kill or
do great bodily harm and knows that his or her acts will cause death, or knows that the acts create
a strong probability of death or great bodily harm. 720 ILCS 5/9-1(a)(1), (2) (West 2010). A
person commits the crime of aggravated battery with a firearm when he or she knowingly or
intentionally causes an injury to another person by discharging a firearm. 720 ILCS 5/12-
4.2(a)(1) (West 2010). Under section 5-2(c) of the Criminal Code of 1961, Illinois's
accountability statute (720 ILCS 5/5-2(c) (West 2010)), a person is legally accountable for the
conduct of another when,
"either before or during the commission of an offense, and with the
intent to promote or facilitate such commission, he or she solicits,
aids, abets, agrees, or attempts to aid that other person in the
planning or commission of the offense."
¶ 79 To prove the defendant had the intent to promote or facilitate the crime, the State must
present evidence that establishes, beyond a reasonable doubt, that (1) the defendant shared the
criminal intent of the principal or (2) there was a common criminal design. In re W.C., 167 Ill.
2d 307, 337 (1995). The common design rule holds that where "two or more persons engage in a
common criminal design or agreement, any acts in the furtherance of that common design
committed by one party are considered to be the acts of all parties to the design or agreement and
all are equally responsible for the consequences of the further acts." In re W.C., 167 Ill. 2d at
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337. Words of agreement are not required to prove a common design or purpose between
codefendants; a common design may be inferred from the circumstances surrounding the crime.
People v. Batchelor, 171 Ill. 2d 367, 376 (1996). In determining a defendant's legal
accountability, the trier of fact may consider the defendant's presence during its commission, the
defendant's continued close association with other offenders after its commission, the defendant's
failure to report the crime, and the defendant's flight from the scene. People v. Taylor, 164 Ill. 2d
131, 141 (1995). "Evidence that a defendant voluntarily attached himself to a group bent on
illegal acts with knowledge of its design supports an inference that he shared the common
purpose and will sustain his conviction for an offense committed by another." In re W.C., 167
Ill. 2d at 338. "Absent other circumstances indicating a common design, presence at the scene
and flight therefrom do not constitute prima facie evidence of accountability; however, they do
constitute circumstantial evidence which may tend to prove and establish a defendant's guilt."
People v. Foster, 198 Ill. App. 3d 986, 993 (1990). As a reviewing court, we will not set aside a
trier of fact's finding that a defendant is legally accountable for the criminal act of another, unless
the evidence, when viewed in the light most favorable to the prosecution, is "so improbable or
unsatisfactory" that a reasonable doubt of the defendant's guilt exists. People v. Cooks, 253 Ill
App. 3d 184, 189 (1993).
¶ 80 Arsenio contends he limited his participation to assisting Hill escape from the scene of a
completed crime. Arsenio relies on People v. Dennis, 181 Ill. 2d 87 (1998), to argue that
spontaneously firing a handgun to cover an escape after a murder has already been completed is
insufficient to establish accountability for the murder. In Dennis, the Illinois Supreme Court
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reviewed the trial court's answer to a jury question. During deliberations, the jury asked the
court, " 'When is the commission of the offense [of armed robbery] completed?' " and " 'When is
the commission of the crime over?' " Dennis, 181 Ill. 2d at 92. The court responded, " 'you may
consider the period of time and the activities involved in escaping to a place of safety.' " Dennis,
181 Ill. 2d at 92. The Illinois Supreme Court found the trial court's instruction was "misleading
and tantamount to a directed verdict of guilty," holding that the instruction the court provided
"was a statement of the felony-murder escape rule," which was "not applicable for accountability
purposes" because escape is not an element of the offense of armed robbery. Dennis, 181 Ill. 2d
at 93, 107, 110. In doing so, the supreme court said it was applying a harmless error standard,
not the standard of Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307 (1979), due to the issue being claimed
instructional error, not sufficiency of the evidence. Dennis, 181 Ill. 2d at 95. The issue before us
is the sufficiency of the evidence; and thus, Arsenio's reliance on Dennis is misplaced.
¶ 81 Arsenio argues the most factually similar precedents are People v. Estrada, 243 Ill. App.
3d 177 (1993), and People v. Taylor, 186 Ill. 2d 439 (1999). Both Estrada and Taylor reversed
convictions based on a finding that the defendant was accountable for the shooter's conduct.
¶ 82 The State argues Estrada is distinguishable on the facts, pointing out that both Arsenio
and Hill were shooting toward the victims at various times during the incident. Arsenio argues
this factual difference does not warrant a different outcome from the Estrada case. Although
there was only one shooter in Estrada, the defendant chased the victim with a tire iron and
smashed a window after the victim had been shot, evidence Arsenio argues is much stronger than
the evidence here. Estrada, 243 Ill. App. 3d at 179.
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¶ 83 In Taylor, the defendant was driving with a friend, whom the defendant knew was
carrying a gun, when the defendant and the victim were involved in a traffic accident. Taylor,
186 Ill. 2d at 442-43. After the accident, the victim got out of his car and began verbally
harassing the defendant's friend. Taylor, 186 Ill. 2d at 443. The defendant's friend responded by
getting out of the defendant's car and firing his gun at the victim. Taylor, 186 Ill. 2d at 443. The
Illinois Supreme Court reversed the defendant's conviction because the State presented no
evidence the defendant knew his friend intended to fire the gun. The court held that the accident,
which set the chain of events into motion and led to the shooting, was "unforeseeable" and
"spontaneous." Taylor, 186 Ill. 2d at 448.
¶ 84 The State distinguishes Estrada and Taylor, noting that Arsenio brought a gun to the
scene of the shootings. He joined Hill in shooting at Lucas and continued to shoot at the other
people in the backyard.
¶ 85 We agree with the State that because of Arsenio's actions, unlike the defendants in
Estrada and Taylor, he was not convicted based on his "mere presence" at the scene but, rather,
based on eyewitness testimony that he and Hill both shot at Lucas and the other individuals in the
backyard.
¶ 86 Arsenio argues the State offered no evidence that he knew Hill was going to open fire in
the backyard or that he even knew Hill had a gun on him when they arrived at the dice game.
The State contends that when the evidence is viewed in the light most favorable to the
prosecution, the evidence establishes not only that Arsenio shared the criminal intent of Hill, but
also that there was a common criminal design.
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¶ 87 Multiple witnesses saw Arsenio and Hill arrive together and testified that both were
armed when they arrived. McCollum and Burrows testified that Hill inserted himself into the
conversation between Lucas and Williams about the money Williams owed Lucas, and that Hill
pulled out a gun. McCollum further testified that Hill fired as he pointed the gun at Lucas, and
as Lucas struggled to get the gun away from Hill, another shot was fired, although McCollum
could not tell who fired that shot. McCollum testified he saw Arsenio leave the stairs from
which he had been sitting and begin firing at Lucas, who was on the ground. And, McCollum
saw both Arsenio and Hill run from the scene.
¶ 88 Burrows testified that he saw Hill's gun go off while it was pointed at Lucas's legs. He
further testified that as he was attempting "to get out of the way," he saw Arsenio shooting at the
people in the backyard as Hill was fleeing the yard. Burrows, who took a shot in his side,
testified he knew Arsenio shot him because Arsenio, and no one else, was shooting in the
backyard at the time. And, Burrows testified the only guns at the scene that he saw were
Arsenio's and Hill's.
¶ 89 The testimony of McCollum and Burrows provided the jury with a sufficient basis from
which reasonable inferences could be drawn that Arsenio attempted to aid Hill while he was
shooting at Lucas. Accordingly, the jury's finding that Arsenio was legally responsible for the
death of Lucas and Burrows's injuries is not so "improbable or unsatisfactory" that a reasonable
doubt of the defendant's guilt exists. See Cooks, 253 Ill App. 3d at 189.
¶ 90 Lastly, on this issue, Arsenio argues the State failed to prove causation because it did not
prove the identity of the individual who actually shot the victims.
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¶ 91 The Illinois Supreme Court has specifically stated that "a defendant may be found guilty
under an accountability theory even though the identity of the principal is unknown." People v.
Cooper, 194 Ill. 2d 419, 435 (2000). In Cooks, the appellate court upheld a defendant's murder
conviction even though the shooter was unidentified, reasoning that "the 'common-design rule' is
applicable where defendant 'set in motion' the series of events which eventually culminated in
[the victim's] death." Cooks, 253 Ill. App. 3d at 190.
¶ 92 No evidence established whether the bullets from Arsenio's gun or Hill's gun killed Lucas
and injured Burrows. Regardless, McCollum testified he saw Arsenio fire at Lucas on the
ground. Likewise, Burrows testified he saw Arsenio shoot at people in the backyard as Hill and
Lucas were fighting on the ground, and as Hill fled from the yard. Burrows further testified he
believed Arsenio shot him because no one other than Arsenio was shooting at the time.
¶ 93 In Batchelor, our supreme court rejected the same argument Arsenio raises–that the State
failed to show defendant could be accountable for the shooter's actions where "his participation
was limited to assisting [codefendant's] escape from the scene of a completed offense."
Batchelor, 171 Ill. 2d at 375. The supreme court noted the trial judge could, and did, find that a
common criminal purpose existed during the commission of the offenses between the
codefendants because the defendant was "mindful of what was going on before and during the
time it was happening, and that he was there to help." Batchelor, 171 Ill. 2d at 378.
¶ 94 We agree with the State that the trial evidence supports the jury's finding that a common
criminal purpose existed between Arsenio and Hill during the commission of the offenses such
that Arsenio could be found accountable for Hill's actions. Multiple witnesses testified Arsenio
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and Hill arrived together and both of them carried guns. McCollum testified Hill fired at Lucas,
and so did Arsenio, as Lucas and Hill were fighting. Burrows testified that as he was attempting
"to get out of the way," he saw Hill fleeing and Arsenio shooting at people in the backyard.
Burrows said he knew Arsenio shot him because Arsenio was the only person shooting in the
backyard at that time, and Arsenio and Hill were the only individuals with guns he saw at the
scene.
¶ 95 Moreover, regardless of her inability to remember at trial "what exactly happened at what
particular time," Shelia Williams's grand jury testimony and statement to the police, state that
she saw Arsenio shooting his gun into the backyard.
¶ 96 Based on the evidence, when viewed in the light most favorable to the State, we hold a
rational trier of fact could find Arsenio accountable for the first degree murder of Romaz Lucas
and the aggravated battery with a firearm (accountability) of Charles Barrows. Therefore, we
reject Arsenio's challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence.
¶ 97 Closing Arguments
¶ 98 Next, Arsenio contends the prosecutor made improper remarks during closing arguments
by misrepresenting the level of proof required to find him accountable, disparaging defense
counsel, and misrepresenting the evidence, all of which denied him his due process rights to a
fair trial.
¶ 99 The State responds that defendant forfeited this argument by raising it for the first time on
appeal. See People v. Enoch, 122 Ill. 2d 176 (1988) (to preserve issue on appeal, objection must
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be made at trial and issue raised in posttrial motion). Additionally, the State argues Arsenio
cannot satisfy his burden under the plain error doctrine because the evidence was not closely
balanced and no error occurred. The State also contends its closing arguments were properly
based on the evidence and reasonable inferences drawn from the evidence. The State maintains
it neither misstated the evidence nor shifted the burden of proof, but properly responded to
defendant's arguments and commented on and attacked defendant's theory of the case.
¶ 100 As the State observes, Arsenio waived this issue for review by failing to make a timely
objection to the portions of the State's argument he now challenges. Arsenio admits he failed to
object to the State's arguments at trial or to include them in his posttrial motion, but contends that
this issue should be decided under a plain error analysis. We note that the rule of waiver is a
limitation on the parties, not the court. See People v. Williams, 188 Ill. 2d 293, 301 (1999).
Because Arsenio's claim of error rests on his right to a fair trial, we will not apply the waiver
rule; instead, we will address his claims on the merits. We first address whether any reversible
error has occurred. If there is reversible error, we then will consider whether the error is
sufficiently grave to be plain error as Arsenio contends.
¶ 101 Generally, the prosecution has wide latitude in making its closing argument. People v.
Nicholas, 218 Ill. 2d 104, 121 (2005); People v. Blue, 189 Ill. 2d 99, 127 (2000). During closing
arguments, the prosecutor may comment on the evidence and any "fair, reasonable inferences"
from it, even if those inferences reflect negatively on the defendant. Nicholas, 218 Ill. 2d at 121.
In doing so, however, the prosecution must make sure the closing argument serves a purpose
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other than merely "inflaming the emotions of the jury." Nicholas, 218 Ill. 2d at 121; People v.
Tiller, 94 Ill. 2d 303, 321 (1982).
¶ 102 We will not interfere with the trial court's determination of the propriety of the
prosecution's closing argument absent a clear abuse of discretion resulting in manifest prejudice
to the defendant. People v. Cisewski, 118 Ill. 2d 163, 175 (1987). A "prosecutor's comments in
closing argument will result in reversible error only when they engender 'substantial prejudice'
against the defendant to the extent that it is impossible to determine whether the verdict of the
jury was caused by the comments or the evidence." People v. Macri, 185 Ill. 2d 1, 62 (1998). In
reviewing allegations of prosecutorial misconduct during closing argument, the remarks must be
considered in light of the entire arguments of both the prosecution and the defense. People v.
Wheeler, 226 Ill. 2d 92, 122 (2007). And, a prosecutor may respond to comments made by
defense counsel which invite a response. People v. Hudson, 157 Ill. 2d 401, 441 (1993).
¶ 103 Arsenio argues the State's arguments "improperly misrepresented the level of proof
required to find [defendant] accountable." Arsenio's complaint stems from the State's summation
and rebuttal in which the State explained the jury instruction regarding "aids in the commission
of the offense." The State argued:
"Now what does [this instruction] mean, and how does that
relate to the first proposition of first degree murder? That means
that after the Defendant Hill initially pulled out the gun and fired at
Romaz Lucas, as soon as that guy pulled out his gun to help his
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friend, David Hill was tussling on the ground with Romaz, he
aided Mr. Hill. He aided Defendant Hill.
So this instruction doesn't say that they had to have a plan
in advance. Absolutely not. It says that during the commission of
the offense, if he does, in fact, do anything to aid him, he is legally
responsible for his actions."
¶ 104 Arsenio contends the State improperly argued that when Arsenio pulled out his gun to
help Hill, he "aided him," within the meaning of the accountability statute, "even if they did not
have an advance plan." Arsenio argues the State's arguments were legally incorrect because the
State "had the burden of proving that [defendant] had advance knowledge of the criminal
scheme."
¶ 105 We find the State correctly stated the law of accountability. See Williams, 193 Ill. 2d at
338 ("A defendant's intent may be inferred from the nature of [his or her] actions and the
circumstances accompanying the criminal conduct"). Moreover, the State's argument was a
legitimate response to defense counsel's argument suggesting that accountability could not be
established without testimony to the effect that Hill told defendant, "I'm doing a shooting here,
pull out your gun and help me get out of here, because I don't want to get shot."
¶ 106 Second, Arsenio argues the State improperly disparaged defense counsel by claiming
counsel's argument was based on something other than the evidence. Toward the beginning of its
summation, the State argued, "[t]here [are] a lot of attempts to distract you, a lot of attempts to
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get you to focus on things that aren't there." The State went on to argue that defense counsel was
trying "[t]o get you to not pay attention to what did come from that witness stand."
¶ 107 Again, we find this rebuttal argument proper. It responds to defense counsel's argument
in his opening statement that the lack of DNA evidence established reasonable doubt:
"Now, what evidence does the State have that my client is
guilty of anything? No physical evidence. Nothing. There are no
fingerprints, no DNA, no fired evidence, nothing."
During closing argument, defense counsel revisited this theme, stating:
"When I spoke with you on Wednesday, before evidence
was presented to you, I told you that the State was not going to [be]
able to show you a certain number of things. ***
I also told you that the State would present no physical
evidence that tied Mr. Arsenio to any of the crimes as charged, and
again I think I told you the truth.
***
This case is not just stained with reasonable doubt, this case
was dipped in a bucket full of reasonable doubt, and it's completely
covered and dripping with reasonable doubt."
¶ 108 The State responded:
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"And right after he talked about his opening statements,
[defense counsel] talked about a bucket of something. Well, you
just got a bucket of something, and it ain't reasonable doubt.
There is no reasonable doubt in this case, folks. There [are]
a lot of attempts to distract you, a lot of attempts to get you to
focus on things that aren't here.
That's not what the law says you are to do. You are to
follow the evidence that came from the witness stand, not things
that they wish were here, not things that are attempts to distract you
from what is here.
In his opening statement, [defense counsel], who is an
experienced attorney, who knows what goes on in the courtroom,
talked to you about DNA. *** He said there would be no DNA to
link this Defendant to the crime, absolutely.
There is no DNA to link this Defendant to the crime. You
know why? Because it's not a sex case. There's no bodily fluid left
behind by the Defendant at the crime scene, but because DNA is a
buzz word, and you folks are jurors, and you are not really
experienced in what goes on in the Criminal Court Building, you
are being told to look for DNA where there isn't going to be any.
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Why? Why are you being told to look for DNA when he
knows there isn't going to be any, when it isn't a DNA case? To
get you to not pay attention to what did come from that witness
stand, the testimony of the witnesses ***."
¶ 109 Arsenio argues that along the same lines, the State attempted to disparage defense
counsel's arguments and garner support for Rose Elam, who changed her testimony on the stand.
The State argued:
"Rosie [Elam] was pretty easy to confuse ***. And she
made a mistake or two on the witness stand. Let's go beat her up or
something, because nobody ever makes mistakes in courtrooms,
right?"
Arsenio argues defense counsel pointed out the inconsistencies in Elam's testimony in a brief and
neutral way and that the State's classification of defense counsel's argument as "beating her up"
was improper.
¶ 110 While the prosecution may not accuse defense counsel of attempting to create reasonable
doubt by confusion, misrepresentation, or deception (People v. Love, 377 Ill. App. 3d 306, 314
(2007)), the prosecution may fairly comment on defense counsel's characterizations of the
evidence and may respond in rebuttal to statements of defense counsel that noticeably invite a
response (People v. Evans, 209 Ill. 2d 194, 225 (2004)). When we view the allegedly
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disparaging statements of the prosecution within the context of both parties' entire argument, we
find the prosecutor's remarks legitimately respond to defense counsel's closing argument.
¶ 111 Arsenio also contends the State's rebuttal argument improperly establishes a "theme" that
there is "less protection to accused residents of the Chicago West Side" and that "some
diminished standard should be applied based on the neighborhood where the offense occurred."
The examples Arsenio cites are taken out of context and, thus, mischaracterized.
¶ 112 Our review of the complained of comments within the entire context of both parties'
arguments show the State responding to defense counsel's closing argument which inferred that
the State should have presented more individuals from the backyard as witnesses. The State did
not improperly argue that the defense was required to subpoena the witnesses and present them at
trial, instead, the State properly responded to the defense argument that it failed to subpoena
important witnesses. The State's line of argument has been considered permissible repeatedly.
See People v. Kliner, 185 Ill. 2d 81, 154-55 (1998)(in responding to defense argument that
prosecution failed to call witnesses, prosecution did not shift burden of proof when noting
defendant's ability to call witnesses). See also People v. Baugh, 358 Ill. App. 3d 718, 742 (2005)
(where defense implied State had access to certain evidence, but failed to use it, State able to
respond that defense also had subpoena power).
¶ 113 Lastly, Arsenio argues the State misstated evidence during rebuttal when it stated, "There
is nobody out there with a .22 caliber [weapon] ***." Arsenio argues there was evidence at trial
that there was "more than two firearms discharged in the backyard that day." The State argues
Arsenio misstates the evidence because no witness testified they saw any weapons other than
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those possessed by Arsenio and Hill. A review of the State's full argument on this point shows
the State acknowledged that a .22 shell was found at the scene. The State argued:
"This .22 caliber shell casing is like a four leaf clover for
the Defense, and it means as much as a four leaf clover. There is
nobody out there with a .22 caliber [weapon], but you do know
from the way the neighborhood is that, hey, there's been a shooting
or two in the area before."
There is nothing excessive about the State's comments.
¶ 114 Arsenio further argues the State improperly substituted its own opinion concerning the
physical evidence for that of the expert witnesses by arguing, "Those bullet holes [on Lucas] are
too big to have come from a .22."
¶ 115 The medical examiner expressed no opinion regarding the firearm calibers. As we noted,
the prosecutor is allowed wide latitude in closing argument and may comment on the evidence
presented and any reasonable inferences to be drawn. See Nicholas, 218 Ill. 2d at 121. We find
these comments to be just that–an invitation to the jury to make a reasonable inference based on
the evidence presented.
¶ 116 Arsenio accuses the State of misleading the jury by stating that Rose Elam's testimony
"puts a gun in both of their hands." Arsenio argues Elam's actual testimony was that she saw Hill
with a gun. The State argues it correctly recounted her testimony because even though Elam
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may have been confused regarding whether Arsenio or Hill had a gun when they entered the
backyard, she testified she saw both in possession of guns that day.
¶ 117 After a through review of the arguments made by both parties, we find no error in the
State's comments. The State's argument, read in its entirety, shows that the comments Arsenio
complains of were based on the evidence presented and the reasonable inferences drawn from the
evidence. Additionally, the State's argument properly responded to Arsenio's arguments and
attacked his theory of defense with its theory. The State's argument did not serve to lessen its
burden of proof, disparage defense counsel, or misrepresent the evidence. Because we have
found the State's comments to be proper, we need not address this issue further. As we have
found no reversible error, there can be no plain error.
¶ 118 Sentencing
¶ 119 Arsenio maintains the record establishes that he and his codefendant Hill were similarly
situated and, therefore, the disparity in their sentences was unconstitutional. Arsenio seeks a
reduction in his sentence to conform with Hill's 53-year sentence.
¶ 120 According to Arsenio, the State recognized Arsenio and Hill were similarly situated by
concentrating its arguments concerning sentencing on "these two defendants" and "both
defendants." The State never argued the defendants should be treated differently based on their
backgrounds or level of participation in the offense. The State argued that both defendants
should receive a sentence "in excess of 50 years" for murder.
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¶ 121 The statutory sentencing range for first degree murder is a term "not less than 20 years
and not more than 60 years." 730 ILCS 5/5-4.5-20(a)(1) (West 2010). Pursuant to section 5-8-
1(a)(1)(d)(i), 15 years will be added to the term of imprisonment if the individual committed the
offense while armed with a firearm. 730 ILCS 5/5-8-1(a)(1)(d)(i)(West 2010). A conviction for
aggravated battery with a firearm is a Class X felony with a sentencing range of not less than 6
years and no more than 30 years. 730 ILCS 5/5-4.5-25(a) (West 2010). Arsenio's sentences fell
within the middle of the statutorily permissible range–consecutive terms of 33 years for his first
degree murder conviction, plus the mandatory 15-year sentence enhancement for committing the
offense with a firearm, and 15 years for his aggravated battery with a firearm conviction
(accountability).
¶ 122 The trial court has broad discretion in fashioning an appropriate sentence, and as a
reviewing court, we will only reverse the trial court's determination when the court has abused
that discretion. People v. Patterson, 217 Ill. 2d 407, 448 (2005). We will not substitute our
judgment for that of the trial court merely because we would have balanced the sentencing
factors differently. People v. Alexander, 239 Ill. 2d 205, 214-15 (2010). A sentence that falls
within the statutory range is not an abuse of discretion unless it varies greatly from the purpose of
the law or is manifestly disproportionate to the nature of the offense. People v. Henderson, 354
Ill. App. 3d 8, 19 (2004).
¶ 123 In determining a sentence, the trial court must balance the interests of society against the
ability of the defendant to be rehabilitated. People v. Tye, 323 Ill. App. 3d 872, 890 (2001). In
doing so, however, the rehabilitative potential of the defendant is given less weight than the
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severity of the crime. Tye, 323 Ill. App. 3d at 890. The "seriousness of the crime committed is
considered the most important factor in fashioning an appropriate sentence." People v. Cox, 377
Ill. App. 3d 690, 709 (2007) (citing Tye, 323 Ill. App. 3d at 890). The severity of the crime has
been considered even more important than the lack of a criminal record by the defendant. People
v. Blackwell, 325 Ill. App. 3d 354, 361 (2001). Other factors the court must consider in choosing
an appropriate sentence are "the defendant's personal history, including his age, demeanor, habits,
mentality, credibility, criminal history, general moral character, social environment, and
education." People v. Maldonado, 240 Ill. App. 3d 470, 485-86 (1992). If mitigating evidence is
presented to the trial court, we are to presume, absent some indication to the contrary, other than
the sentence itself, that the trial court considered it. People v. Benford, 349 Ill. App. 3d 721, 735
(2004).
¶ 124 Arsenio argues his sentence is unconstitutionally excessive in light of the mitigating
factors. Arsenio was only 16 years old at the time of the offense, was attending high school, and
had no history of violence. He had been diagnosed with "Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder" (ADHD), had a history of minor drug use, and had only a minimal relationship with
his father, who died in 2008.
¶ 125 In sentencing Arsenio, the trial court expressly noted it considered the exact factors
Arsenio argues the trial court should consider. Also, the court recognized the seriousness of the
crimes as a significant consideration in fashioning the sentences. The sentencing court stated:
"We are in a situation where two human beings who are 16
years old, have such a total disregard for human life that they go
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into somebody's backyard and start a gun, not even a gunfight,
nobody else had a gun but [Arsenio] and [Hill.]
And what is baffling to me is that [Arsenio] isn't involved
in this. All of a sudden he sees his buddy in trouble, he gets
involved, he starts taking out his gun and shooting into a number of
people who are in this backyard standing around. It is spraying the
crowd, if you will."
The sentencing court expressly considered Arsenio's age, his background, and pre-sentence
investigative report before exercising its discretion in sentencing him.
¶ 126 Arsenio also argues his 63-year sentence is unconstitutionally disparate to the 53-year
sentence imposed on codefendant Hill.
¶ 127 Generally, an arbitrary and unreasonable disparity between the sentences of codefendants
who are similarly situated is impermissible. People v. Caballero, 179 Ill. 2d 205, 216 (1997). A
disparity in sentences, however, by itself, does not establish a violation of fundamental fairness.
Caballero, 179 Ill. 2d at 216. A difference in sentences may be justified by the relative character
and history of the codefendants, the degree of culpability, rehabilitative potential, or a more
serious criminal record. People v. Martinez, 372 Ill. App. 3d 750, 759-60 (2007).
¶ 128 The record of the sentencing hearing shows the sentencing court did not find Arsenio and
Hill to be similarly situated individuals. Hill presented "medical, psychiatric documents" to the
court, showing he had been "in and out of mental [health treatment] homes and group homes
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since he was eight years old" and that he was a "severely mentally ill young man." Moreover, the
trial court found Arsenio's participation in the offense to be "baffling." Based on the trial court's
comments during sentencing, Arsenio is unable to show the sentencing disparity was unjustified.
Accordingly, we affirm defendant's sentences.
¶ 129 CONCLUSION
¶ 130 In light of current precedent, defendant has not met the burden of demonstrating that the
mandatory transfer of 15- and 16-year old juveniles to adult court under the Juvenile Court Act is
unconstitutional.
¶ 131 Based on the evidence of record, Arsenio was proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of
first degree murder and aggravated battery with a firearm.
¶ 132 The State's closing arguments were proper. Our examination of the complained of
comments, within the context of both parties' arguments, shows no impropriety. The prosecutor's
comments did not fall outside the bounds of reasonable argument based on the evidence or the
reasonable inferences drawn therefrom, or as invited by defense counsel's argument.
¶ 133 We affirm Arsenio's convictions for first degree murder and aggravated battery with a
firearm, as well as his sentences of consecutive terms of 33 years for his first degree murder
conviction, plus the 15-year statutory firearm enhancement, and 15 years for his aggravated
battery with a firearm conviction (accountability).
¶ 134 We hold the trial court erred by failing to conduct an appropriate preliminary inquiry
under Krankel to evaluate the posttrial claims of ineffective assistance of trial counsel. We
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remand for the limited purpose of conducting a hearing on defendant's claims. We offer no
opinion as to whether new counsel should be appointed to undertake an independent review of
the claims. The trial court will conduct a preliminary inquiry into the factual basis of the claims
to determine if they show possible neglect of the case warranting appointment of counsel. See
generally People v. Ward, 371 Ill. App. 3d 382, 430 (2007).
¶ 135 Remanded with directions.
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