People v. Diaz ( 2024 )


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    2024 IL App (1st) 220033-U
    No. 1-22-0033
    Order filed March 29, 2024
    Fifth Division
    NOTICE: This order was filed under Supreme Court Rule 23 and is not precedent except in the
    limited circumstances allowed under Rule 23(e)(1).
    ______________________________________________________________________________
    IN THE
    APPELLATE COURT OF ILLINOIS
    FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT
    ______________________________________________________________________________
    THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS,            )     Appeal from the
    )     Circuit Court of
    Plaintiff-Appellee,                 )     Cook County.
    )
    v.                                        )     No. 08 CR 02745 (02)
    )
    ERIC DIAZ,                                      )     Honorable
    )     Angela M. Petrone,
    Defendant-Appellant.                )     Judge Presiding.
    ______________________________________________________________________________
    JUSTICE LYLE delivered the judgment of the court.
    Presiding Justice Mitchell and Justice Mikva concurred in the judgment.
    ORDER
    ¶1     Held: The defendant’s sentence is affirmed where the trial court did not violate the
    Proportionate Penalties Clause of the Illinois Constitution as applied to him, did not
    abuse its discretion, and provided a fair sentencing hearing.
    ¶2     Defendant-Appellant, Eric Diaz, was found guilty of first-degree murder, an offense he
    committed when he was 17 years old, and was sentenced to 60 years’ imprisonment. The Illinois
    Supreme Court instructed this court to consider the effect of People v. Buffer, 
    2019 IL 122327
     and
    People v. Holman, 
    2017 IL 120655
    , on Mr. Diaz’s sentence, and thus, remanded for a new
    No. 1-22-0033
    sentencing hearing. People v. Diaz, No. 117782 (Ill. Mar. 25, 2020) (supervisory order). Following
    the resentencing hearing, Mr. Diaz was sentenced to 35 years’ imprisonment. On appeal, Mr. Diaz
    argues that: (1) his 35 year sentence violated the Illinois Constitution’s Proportionate Penalties
    Clause as applied to him; (2) his sentence was excessive; and (3) he was denied a fair sentencing
    hearing. For the reasons that follow, we affirm.
    ¶3                                        BACKGROUND
    ¶4     At trial, the following evidence was presented. On June 25, 2017, Jessica Gwinn met with
    Annette, Mr. Diaz, and brothers Nicolas, William, and Gabriel Martinez (Martinez brothers). See
    People v. Diaz, 
    2014 IL App (1st) 112586-U
    . At the time of the incident, Ms. Gwinn was 13 years
    old, Mr. Diaz was 17 years old, and the Martinez brothers were between the ages of 23 and 28
    years old. Mr. Diaz was a member of the Maniac Latin Disciples street gang, and the Martinez
    brothers were members of the Latin Stylers. The group got into a Chevy Caprice and drove around.
    ¶5     While driving near Marmora and Fullerton, they drove past a group of young men,
    including Enrique Ruiz, Robert Willis, Anthony Martinez, and Nicolas Dezort, who rushed toward
    their car, flashing Milwaukee Kings gang signs. As they drove away, Mr. Diaz and the Martinez
    brothers flashed their gang signs back.
    ¶6     After the encounter, Mr. Diaz made a phone call and asked for a gun. He directed the driver
    of their vehicle to a certain location and retrieved a gun wrapped in an orange shirt. He then
    directed the driver to go back to the area where they had seen the Milwaukie Kings. The group
    drove past the young men on Marmora, turned left on Altgeld, and then stopped. Mr. Diaz got out
    of the car, covered his face with the shirt, and walked towards the group of young men. The young
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    No. 1-22-0033
    men ran from Mr. Diaz and heard a series of gun shots. Nicolas Dezort was shot in the back and
    died from the injury.
    ¶7      Mr. Diaz testified that he was a member of the Manic Latin Disciples street gang in June
    2007. He stated that on June 25, 2007, he went to the Martinez brothers’ house. They all got into
    a car and drove around while drinking. He admitted to carrying a gun. He testified that on the
    corner of Fullerton and Marmora, members of the Milwaukee Kings street gang were throwing up
    gang signs. In response, Mr. Diaz and the Martinez brothers threw their own signs and left the
    area.
    ¶8      Mr. Diaz stated that as they drove away, the Martinez brothers were mad about what
    happened. The group then went to “JD’s” house, but Mr. Diaz denied receiving a gun from JD.
    Mr. Diaz stated that Nicolas Martinez wanted to go back to Fullerton and Marmora to see what the
    Milwaukee Kings were doing. When they drove past them again, the Milwaukee Kings flashed
    more gang signs. Mr. Diaz then got out of the car and asked, “What’s the problem?” According to
    Mr. Diaz, Mr. Dezort turned around and said, “What’s up, MK love b***,” and reached inside his
    pants pocket. Mr. Diaz backed up and reached for his gun. He stated that when Mr. Dezort saw
    Mr. Diaz’s gun, he began to turn away, but Mr. Diaz began firing because he believed Mr. Dezort
    was going to shoot him.
    ¶9      At the close of evidence, the jury found Mr. Diaz guilty of first degree murder and
    personally discharging a firearm that proximately caused Mr. Dezort’s death. On February 17,
    2011, the trial court sentenced Mr. Diaz to 40 years’ imprisonment with an additional 25 years,
    imposing a firearm sentencing enhancement, for a total of 65 years. On March 8, 2011, the court
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    granted Mr. Diaz’ motion to reconsider his sentence, reducing the term to 35 years with the 25-
    year firearm enhancement, totaling 60 years’ imprisonment.
    ¶ 10   On direct appeal, Mr. Diaz argued, among other things, that his 60-year sentence violated
    the Eighth Amendment pursuant to Miller v. Alabama, 
    567 U.S. 460
     (2002). This court rejected
    those arguments and affirmed his conviction and sentence. See People v. Diaz, 
    2014 IL App (1st) 112586
    . Diaz filed a petition for leave to appeal in the Illinois Supreme Court, which was denied
    on January 25, 2015. See People v. Diaz, 
    388 Ill. Dec. 5
     (2015). He then filed a petition for writ
    of certiorari in the United States Supreme Court, which was denied on November 2, 2015. See
    Diaz v. Illinois, No. 14-9560, 
    2015 WL 1957757
     (2015).
    ¶ 11   The Illinois Supreme Court granted Mr. Diaz’s motion to reconsider its denial of his
    petition for leave to appeal under People v. Reyes, 
    2016 IL 119271
    . While his revived petition was
    pending, the supreme court decided People v. Holman, 
    2017 IL 120665
     and People v. Buffer, 
    2019 IL 122327
    . On March 25, 2020, the supreme court denied the petition but directed this court to
    vacate its judgement in Mr. Diaz’s case, with instructions to consider the effect that Buffer and
    Holman had on his Eighth Amendment claim. This court then remanded for a new sentencing
    hearing on July 20, 2020.
    ¶ 12   Mr. Diaz’s second sentencing hearing took place on December 9, 2021. At that time, Mr.
    Diaz was 32 years old and had served 14 years in prison. At the hearing, the parties adopted the
    2011 presentence investigation report, as modified by the new evidence presented at the hearing.
    In aggravation, the State was limited to an Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) disciplinary
    summary and numerous victim impact statements. The IDOC report listed 21 findings of guilty
    for a variety of offenses, including offenses of intimidation or threats, disobeying a direct order,
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    No. 1-22-0033
    possession of dangerous contraband, planned violent assault on staff/assaulting staff, and gang or
    unauthorized organization activity. The State then presented eight victim impact statements from
    Mr. Dezort’s family members, and “numerous” other unsigned statements.
    ¶ 13   In mitigation, defense counsel presented testimony from Mr. Diaz’s older sister, Elia Diaz.
    Elia testified that she was a year older than Mr. Diaz. She explained that their father was a drug
    dealer and had been in and out of prison. After their father had been released from prison in 2010,
    he was deported, then murdered in 2019. Elia testified that after their father’s second arrest, Mr.
    Diaz became depressed, became sick, and was diagnosed with bulimia and anorexia. His weight
    dropped from 140 pounds to 85 pounds. Elia recounted that Mr. Diaz was regularly bullied by
    gang members and as a result he joined a gang at the end of his freshman year of high school for
    protection.
    ¶ 14   While incarcerated, Mr. Diaz advised Elia about her electrical contracting and snow
    removal business. He designed her business logo and advised her to seek a minority- and woman-
    owned certification to help her get into government contracting. She stated that she would employ
    Mr. Diaz whenever he was released and that he was welcome to live with her and her family.
    ¶ 15   Mr. Diaz also presented testimony from Dr. Garbarino, an expert in juvenile psychology
    and juvenile brain development. Dr. Garbarino testified that minors’ developing brains are
    immature with respect to “executive function” and “emotional regulation.” He stated that minors’
    stunted brain development predisposes those who grow up in areas with drugs and gangs to express
    themselves in terms of violent behavior. He testified that studies show that the presence of peers
    increases the likelihood of juvenile misbehavior. He did not find reason to believe that Mr. Diaz’s
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    No. 1-22-0033
    brain development was different from that of a typical 17 year old, nor that he was incapable of
    rehabilitation.
    ¶ 16    Defense counsel presented Mr. Diaz’s high school diploma from King’s Word Academy
    Adult High School, which showed a 3.91 grade point average. Defense counsel explained that Mr.
    Diaz found the diploma program through his own initiative, as no such program was available to
    him at Menard Correctional Center. He also presented numerous certificates for completed course
    work in bible and religious studies, education classes, jobs and trades, and life skills.
    ¶ 17    Mr. Diaz’s mitigation packet also included documentation showing that in July and August
    of 2021, he was taking paralegal courses with the Blackstone Career Institute. He scored at least
    95% on eleven exams. Mr. Diaz also successfully completed the educational programming
    necessary to earn a sentence reduction, though he did not qualify due to the nature of his offense.
    The packet also contained receipts from his donations to “The Rebound Foundation,” “Feed My
    Starving Children,” and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
    ¶ 18    The packet also included a children’s book that Mr. Diaz wrote and illustrated, titled “Blue
    and Yellow Friends.” The story depicts two different-colored birds who are initially apprehensive
    of each other but become friends after realizing that appearances are unimportant and that they
    have many similarities. Mr. Diaz created the book to educate children and to promote peace and
    understanding.
    ¶ 19    Mr. Diaz gave a written statement. He apologized to the Dezort family, specifically, “from
    the bottom of my heart I’m sincerely, truly, and deeply sorry for taking Nico’s life away.” He took
    full responsibility for his actions, which were “wrong and inexcusable.” He expressed remorse and
    stated that he would “always have a life sentence of guilt, trauma, depression, and sadness.”
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    ¶ 20   In its finding, the trial court stated that it had “considered all of the above aggravation and
    mitigation” and found that “[t]his was a senseless murder.” The court then stated:
    “Defendant was not influenced by peers, but directed the action – he false flagged the group
    Nico Dezort was in, directed the ride to get a gun and ride back to the scene. He covered
    his face and exited the car with a gun and a smart mouth, and purposefully shot 17 year old
    Nico DeZort in the back while he was running away from the defendant. This court finds
    this crime was motivated by gang rivalry and his sentence is necessary to deter others from
    the same activity. Defendant continued to maintain gang activity in prison.
    Defendant was not suffering from a cognitive disability and was 17, almost 18, on June 25,
    2007. He participated meaningfully in his defense, testified at trial and made a well written
    statement of allocation in the prior sentencing hearing. Defendant was raised in a loving,
    large family, which celebrated holidays together with no evidence of emotional, physical
    or sexual abuse, and maintains a loving relationship with his mother, siblings, and other
    family members. His father went to prison for drug dealing, which his family was not
    ashamed of, was then deported and later murdered. This negatively impacted defendant.
    He has made great efforts to better himself in prison and to be employable upon release
    and expressed genuine remorse. This court finds defendant is not incorrigible and declines
    to impose a sentence enhancement for personally discharging a firearm that proximately
    caused death.”
    ¶ 21   The trial court then sentenced Mr. Diaz to 35 years’ imprisonment to be followed by 3
    years mandatory supervised release. Mr. Diaz now appeals this sentence.
    ¶ 22                                       ANALYSIS
    ¶ 23   We note that we have jurisdiction to consider this matter, as Mr. Diaz filed a timely notice
    of appeal. See Ill. S. Ct. R. 606 (eff. July 1, 2017); see also People v. English, 
    2023 IL 128077
    , ¶ 25.
    ¶ 24   On appeal, Mr. Diaz argues (1) his 35-year sentence violates the Illinois Constitution’s
    Proportionate Penalties Clause as applied to him; (2) his sentence is excessive; and (3) he was
    denied a fair sentencing hearing.
    ¶ 25                            A. Proportional Penalties Clause
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    No. 1-22-0033
    ¶ 26   The Proportionate Penalties Clause requires that all penalties “be determined both
    according to the seriousness of the offense and with the objective of restoring the offender to useful
    citizenship.” Ill. Const. 1790, art. I, § 11. A criminal sentence violates this clause when it is “so
    wholly disproportionate to the offense as to shock the moral sense of the community.” People v.
    Leon Miller, 
    202 Ill. 2d 328
    , 228-29 (2002).
    ¶ 27   The Supreme Court has made a distinction between juveniles and adults for the purposes
    of sentencing. See Roper v. Simmons, 
    543 U.S. 551
    , 569 (2005) (children have a lack of maturity,
    an underdeveloped sense of responsibility, and are more vulnerable to negative influences and
    outside pressures); see also Graham v. Florida, 
    560 U.S. 48
    , 72 (2010) (juveniles have diminished
    culpability and greater prospects for reform as “they are less deserving of the most severe
    punishments”).
    ¶ 28   In Miller v. Alabama, 
    567 U.S. 460
    , 498 (2012), the Supreme Court held that mandatory
    life sentences for juveniles violate the Eighth Amendment’s (U.S. Const. amend VIII) prohibition
    against cruel and unusual punishment. However, trial courts are not prohibited from sentencing a
    juvenile to a life sentence without parole, but must first consider “how children are different, and
    how those differences counsel against irrevocably sentencing them to a lifetime in prison.”
    Montgomery v. Louisiana, 
    577 U.S. 190
    , 208 (2016) (quoting Miller, 
    567 U.S. at 480
    ).
    ¶ 29   Expanding on the principles outlined in Miller, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled that a
    prison sentence of over 40 years imposed on a juvenile offender constitutes a de facto life sentence.
    People v. Buffer, 
    2019 IL 122327
    , ¶ 41. Sentences of more than 40 years including natural life
    were not prohibited “so long as the sentence is at the trial court’s discretion rather than mandatory,”
    having been imposed by statute. People v. Davis, 
    2014 IL 115595
    , ¶ 43; see Miller, 567 U.S. at
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    No. 1-22-0033
    480 (holding mandatory penalty schemes prevent the sentencer from considering the central
    characteristics of juveniles). The Illinois General Assembly addressed the Miller concerns by
    giving judge’s discretion to impose firearm enhancements, rather than requiring them to be
    mandatory and directing the courts to consider specific youth-related mitigating factors when
    sentencing a juvenile. See 730 ILCS 5/5-4.5-105(a), (b). Those factors are:
    “(1) the person’s age, impetuosity, and level of maturity at the time of the offense, including
    the ability to consider risks and consequences of behavior, and the presence of cognitive
    or developmental disability, or both, if any;
    (2) whether the person was subjected to outside pressure, including peer pressure, familial
    pressure, or negative influence;
    (3) the person’s family home environment, educational and social background, including
    any history of parental neglect, physical abuse, or other childhood trauma;
    (4) the person’s potential for rehabilitation or evidence of rehabilitation, or both;
    (5) the circumstances of the offense;
    (6) the degree of participation and specific role in the offense, including the level of
    planning by the defendant before the offense;
    (7) whether the person was able to meaningfully participate in his or her defense;
    (8) the person’s prior juvenile or criminal history; and
    (9) any other information the court finds relevant and reliable, including an expression of
    remorse, if appropriate. However, if the person, on advice of counsel chooses not to make
    a statement, the court shall not consider a lack of an expression of remorse as an
    aggravating factor.” 
    Id.
    ¶ 30   Here, Mr. Diaz argues that his sentence violates the proportional penalties clause as applied
    to him because the court failed to consider his individual circumstances and failed to consider
    several youth-related factors. Additionally, he argues that the trial court improperly assigned
    greater weight to deterrence than to his rehabilitation. Though this court has found that “deterrence
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    No. 1-22-0033
    is diminished in juvenile sentencing because juveniles’ recklessness, immaturity, and impetuosity
    make them less likely to consider possible punishment,” (People v. Morris, 
    2017 IL App (1st) 141117
    , ¶ 33) it does not follow that deterrence may not be considered at all. See People v. Smith,
    
    2022 IL App (4th) 200666
    , ¶ 30 (sentencing courts can consider deterrence of others in imposing
    a discretionary sentence on a juvenile offender).
    ¶ 31   In this case, the trial court considered each factor outlined both in Miller and by Illinois
    statute. Here, the court made findings that Mr. Diaz was not incorrigible and noted Mr. Diaz had
    “made great efforts to better himself in prison.” The court also addressed his age, his level of
    participation in the offense, and his familial background. Therefore, it cannot be concluded that
    deterrence was the court’s focus when imposing Mr. Diaz’s sentence. See People v. Haynie, 2020
    IL App (1st) 17251, ¶ 35 (“The [trial] court’s focus on deterrence, in particular, is incongruous
    with Miller’s concern regarding the sentencing of juvenile defendants”). Taking the entire record
    together, we do not find deterrence was given improper weight in the imposition of Mr. Diaz’s
    sentence.
    ¶ 32   Further, he contends that even if the trial court did not sentence him to a de facto life
    sentence, his sentence can still violate the Proportionate Penalties Clause. He directs us to find this
    court’s holding in People v. Aikens, 
    2016 IL App (1st) 133578
     to be applicable here.
    ¶ 33   In Aikens, the trial court sentenced the defendant to 20 years’ imprisonment for his
    attempted murder convictions with an additional mandatory 20-year enhancement for personally
    discharging a firearm, for a total sentence of 40 years’ imprisonment. Id. at ¶ 1. The defendant
    argued that the adult sentencing scheme for attempted murder of a peace officer violated the
    proportionate penalties clause as applied to him. Id. at ¶ 33.
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    ¶ 34    This court relied on Leon Miller, 
    202 Ill. 2d 328
    , and People v. Gipson, 
    2015 IL App (1st) 122451
    , in its holding. Id. at 37. In both cases, the trial court was unable to consider facts pertaining
    to the defendants’ youth before imposing certain mandatory penalties. In Aikens, the trial court
    was also restricted from considering facts such as, the defendant’s lack of prior criminal history
    and potential for rehabilitation, before imposing a mandatory firearm enhancement. 
    2016 IL App (1st) 133578
    , ¶ 37. Therefore, this court remanded the case for resentencing without the imposition
    of the mandatory enhancement. Id. at 38.
    ¶ 35    We do not find Aikens to be instructive in this case. Here, the trial court was not bound to
    a mandatory sentencing structure. Unlike in Aikens, the trial court exercised its discretion and
    elected not to impose a sentence enhancement for the discharge of a firearm. Furthermore, the
    record reflects that the trial court did consider both aggravating and mitigating factors. Thus, we
    find that Mr. Diaz’s claim of a violation of the proportionate penalties clause as applied to him is
    without merit.
    ¶ 36                                    B. Excessive Sentence
    ¶ 37    Mr. Diaz then argues that while his sentence was within applicable statutory limits, the
    sentence was nevertheless excessive. A trial court has “broad discretionary powers in imposing a
    sentence, and its sentencing decisions are entitled to great deference.” People v. Alexander, 
    239 Ill. 2d 205
    , 212 (2010). We give “substantial deference” to the circuit court’s sentencing decision
    because the trial judge “is in a much better position to consider factors such as the defendant’s
    credibility, demeanor, moral character, mentality, environment, habits, and age.” People v. Snyder,
    
    2011 IL 111382
    , ¶ 36. A sentence within statutory limits will only be deemed excessive and the
    result of an abuse of discretion by the trial court where the sentence is “greatly at variance with
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    No. 1-22-0033
    the spirit and purpose of the law, or manifestly disproportionate to the nature of the offense.”
    People v. Stacy, 
    193 Ill. 2d 203
    , 210 (2000).
    ¶ 38    As previously stated, the Illinois General Assembly enacted a list of factors consistent with
    Miller that the trial court must consider when sentencing a juvenile. 730 ILCS 5/5-4.5-105(a)
    (West 2016). Mr. Diaz argues that the trial court failed to give proper weight to his rehabilitation
    evidence when it imposed a 35-year sentence. He states that because the court’s written order
    “barely acknowledged” Mr. Diaz’s attempts at rehabilitation and his genuine remorse, the sentence
    is excessive. Additionally, he argues that the court’s emphasis on the gang-related nature of the
    offense and focus on deterrence contradicted Illinois law regarding the mitigating characteristics
    of youth.
    ¶ 39    Mr. Diaz relies heavily on People v. McKinley, 
    2020 IL App (1st) 191907
    , to support this
    argument. In McKinley, the defendant’s de facto life sentence was vacated and remanded based on
    Miller. Id. at ¶ 21. Following the defendant’s resentencing hearing, the trial judge imposed a 39-
    year sentence. Id. at ¶ 52. The defendant argued that the trial court abused its discretion when it
    failed to properly consider the defendant’s “demonstrated and well-documented rehabilitation.”
    Id. at ¶ 69.
    ¶ 40    In its reasoning, this court looked at the defendant’s extensive education and his lack of
    infractions while in prison. Id. at ¶ 75. Despite this record, the trial court made “brief, general
    references to defendant’s rehabilitation” which indicated his disregard of the “extent of
    defendant’s rehabilitation and did not afford it adequate weight.” Id. at ¶ 78. This court found that
    the defendant was the “epitome of an offender who has been restored to useful citizenship” but his
    sentence imposed by the trial court was not reflective of such. Therefore, we held that the trial
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    No. 1-22-0033
    court abused its discretion because the sentence was “imposed with little regard to the defendant’s
    significant rehabilitation.” Id. at ¶ 72. Additionally, this court found that the trial court gave
    “improper weight” to the need of deterring future criminal conduct based on his statement that he
    had “considered all of those new factors for someone who is 16 years old but the sentence must
    deter future criminal conduct.” Id. at ¶ 89.
    ¶ 41    This case is quite different. While like Mr. McKinley, Mr. Diaz presented a lot of
    mitigation including certificates, program participation and remorse, as the State points out, Mr.
    McKinley had been a model prisoner while Mr. Diaz had several findings of serious misconduct
    in prison, including gang activity as recently as February 2019. In considering the other factors,
    the court highlighted Mr. Diaz’s familial upbringing, calling his relationship with his father a
    “double-edged sword” due to his father’s time in prison for drug dealing. The court also noted that
    Mr. Diaz was negatively influenced by older gang members but did not find that he was influenced
    by peers, noting that he “directed the action” in this case. Neither the statute nor the Miller cases
    require courts to elevate a single factor above the others.
    ¶ 42    We do not find an abuse of discretion based on the considerations made by the trial court.
    Nor is the imposed sentence “greatly at variance with the spirit and purpose of the law, or
    manifestly disproportionate to the nature of the offense.” Stacy, 193 Ill. 2d at 210. Though Mr.
    Diaz argues that his potential for rehabilitation was not given proper weight, we must not substitute
    our judgment for that of the trial court merely because we would have weighed these factors
    differently. Stacy, 193 Ill. 2d at 209.
    ¶ 43                                  C. Sentencing Factors
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    ¶ 44   Finally, Mr. Diaz argues that the trial court considered improper factors and, therefore,
    denied him a fair sentencing hearing. Specifically, he claims the court: (1) incorrectly relied on a
    factual error which improperly disregarded Mr. Diaz’s youth; (2) misunderstood “negative
    influences and outside pressure” as a mitigating factor for juvenile offenders; and (3) improperly
    considered an inordinate number of victim impact statements in aggravation.
    ¶ 45   Beginning with his first contention, Mr. Diaz argues that the trial court improperly relied
    on the “incorrect belief” that Mr. Diaz had “false flagged” the Milwaukee Kings. He contends that
    this “factual error” disregards that the shooting “was a product of his juvenile immaturity,
    impetuosity, and recklessness.” As previously stated, we find that the trial court appropriately
    weighed all relevant factors in imposing Mr. Diaz’s sentence. Accordingly, the trial court “having
    observed the defendant and the proceedings, has a far better opportunity to consider these factors
    than the reviewing court, which must rely on the ‘cold’ record.” Alexander, 
    239 Ill. 2d, at 213
    .
    ¶ 46   Second, Mr. Diaz argues that the trial court improperly misunderstood the “negative
    influences and outside pressure” as a mitigating factor for juvenile offenders. However, reliance
    on an improper factor in aggravation “does not always necessitate remandment for resentencing.”
    People v. Bourke, 
    96 Ill. 2d 327
    , 332 (1983). When the record demonstrates that “weight placed
    on the improperly considered aggravating factor was so insignificant that it did not lead to a greater
    sentence, the remandment is not required.” 
    Id.
    ¶ 47   Finally, Mr. Diaz argues that the court improperly considered “an inordinate number” of
    victim impact statements in aggravation. Section 6 of the Rights of Crime Victims and Witnesses
    Act (725 ILCS 120/6(a) (West 2020)) allows persons impacted by crime to present a written
    statement in any case a defendant has been convicted of a violent crime. However, like any other
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    aggravating factor, it is at the trial court’s discretion to weigh the victim impact statements against
    mitigating factors. Here, the trial court noted the additional, unsworn impact statements and
    appropriately weighed them against Mr. Diaz’s mitigation. See People v. Hestand, 
    326 Ill. App. 3d 272
     (2005) (where the trial court noted the victim impact statements were unsworn and gave
    them appropriate weight, the reviewing court found no violation of due process). Again, we find
    that the trial court appropriately weighed all factors of aggravation and mitigation appropriately.
    Thus, we do not find the court’s imposition of Mr. Diaz’s sentence to be an abuse of discretion.
    Accordingly, we affirm Mr. Diaz’s sentence.
    ¶ 48                                      CONCLUSION
    ¶ 49   For the foregoing reasons, we affirm judgement of the circuit court.
    ¶ 50   Affirmed.
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Document Info

Docket Number: 1-22-0033

Filed Date: 3/29/2024

Precedential Status: Non-Precedential

Modified Date: 3/29/2024