People v. Terry , 2012 IL App (4th) 100205 ( 2012 )

ILLINOIS OFFICIAL REPORTS
Appellate Court
People v. Terry, 2012 IL App (4th) 100205
Appellate Court THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, Plaintiff-Appellee, v.
Caption JAMES L. TERRY, Defendant-Appellant.
District & No. Fourth District
Docket No. 4-10-0205
Filed January 31, 2012
Held The summary dismissal of defendant’s pro se postconviction petition
(Note: This syllabus arising from his convictions for aggravated criminal sexual assault and
constitutes no part of unlawful use of weapons by a felon was affirmed, and the appellate court
the opinion of the court granted the motion to withdraw filed by the office of the State Appellate
but has been prepared Defender where the claims raised were barred by res judicata or
by the Reporter of forfeiture, and even if they were not barred, they were frivolous and
Decisions for the patently without merit.
convenience of the
reader.)
Decision Under Appeal from the Circuit Court of Champaign County, No. 87-CF-859; the
Review Hon. Jeffrey B. Ford, Judge, presiding.
Judgment Affirmed.
Counsel on Michael J. Pelletier, Karen Munoz, and Lawrence Bapst, all of State
Appeal Appellate Defender’s Office, of Springfield, for appellant.
Julia Rietz, State’s Attorney, of Urbana (Patrick Delfino, Robert J.
Biderman, and Denise M. Ambrose, all of State’s Attorneys Appellate
Prosecutor’s Office, of counsel), for the People.
Panel JUSTICE COOK delivered the judgment of the court, with opinion.
Presiding Justice Turner and Justice Pope concurred in the judgment,
with opinion.
OPINION
¶1 This appeal comes to us on the motion of the office of the State Appellate Defender
(OSAD) to withdraw as counsel on appeal because no meritorious issues can be raised in this
case. For the following reasons, we agree and affirm.
¶2 I. BACKGROUND
¶3 In July 1987, defendant, James L. Terry, was indicted for aggravated criminal sexual
assault, a Class X felony (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1987, ch. 38, ¶ 12-14(a)(1)), and unlawful use of
weapons by a felon, a Class 3 felony (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1987, ch. 38,¶ 24-1.1). In October 1987,
defendant was charged by information with two counts of aggravated criminal sexual assault
and one count of unlawful use of weapons by a felon.
¶4 Following an October 1987 jury trial, defendant was found guilty of both offenses. He
was later sentenced to a term of natural life for aggravated criminal sexual assault and to 10
years’ imprisonment for unlawful use of weapons by a felon, to run concurrently.
¶5 Defendant appealed, arguing that the trial court (1) deprived him of his constitutional
right to counsel of his choice by denying his request for a continuance for the purpose of
retaining counsel; (2) erred by failing to admonish him of his right to proceed pro se; (3)
erred by refusing to accept his waiver of his right to be present for the trial; (4) denied
defendant a fair trial since the jury was improperly instructed as to the offense of aggravated
criminal sexual assault because the necessary mental state was not incorporated into the jury
instructions; (5) erred by allowing the trial to proceed on improperly joined offenses; and (6)
improperly sentenced defendant. People v. Terry, 177 Ill. App. 3d 185, 532 N.E.2d 568
(1988).
¶6 In December 1988, this court affirmed defendant’s convictions, finding (1) defendant was
not entitled to a continuance to obtain new counsel; (2) defendant was not entitled to a sua
-2-
sponte admonition by the trial court regarding his right to represent himself; (3) any error in
requiring defendant to be present at trial was harmless; (4) the mental state was not a
necessary element of the issues instruction; (5) joinder of the offenses was not improper; and
(6) defendant’s prior rape conviction was properly considered a Class X felony for purposes
of the habitual-offender statute. Id. Defendant’s petition for leave to appeal was denied in
June 1989. People v. Terry, 126 Ill. 2d 565, 541 N.E.2d 1114 (1989) (table).
¶7 In January 1991, defendant filed a petition for writ of habeas corpus with the federal
district court, setting forth the same six claims he raised on direct appeal. In June 1991, the
court dismissed defendant’s sentencing claim as it was not subject to federal habeas corpus
review and ordered the State to respond to the five remaining claims. In June 1993, the
district court denied defendant’s habeas corpus petition on its merits.
¶8 In February 2010, over 22 years after his convictions, defendant filed a pro se petition
for postconviction relief under the Post-Conviction Hearing Act (Act) (725 ILCS 5/122-1
through 122-8 (West 2008)) claiming the following: (1) the trial court denied him his sixth-
amendment right to counsel of his choice and erroneously advised him that he was only
entitled to representation from the public defender’s office; (2) the trial court erred in
allowing the prosecutor to amend the grand jury indictment without returning the matter to
the grand jury; and (3) the July 9, 1987, indictment failed to charge the offense of aggravated
criminal sexual assault, rendering it void.
¶9 Fourteen days after it was filed, the trial court summarily dismissed defendant’s
postconviction petition in a written order, finding defendant’s claims frivolous and patently
without merit. The court found defendant’s claim that he was denied his sixth-amendment
right to counsel of his choice was barred by the doctrine of res judicata, as the same issue
had been raised and rejected both on direct appeal and in defendant’s federal habeas corpus
petition. Further, the court held that even absent res judicata, no constitutional error
occurred. The court also noted in its dismissal order that defendant’s last two claims could
have been raised on direct appeal or in federal court and thus were res judicata. Further
analyzing the claims, the court stated that defendant “does not cite any law saying that the
State is not allowed to file new counts and then proceed with a preliminary hearing to
determine probable cause.” Last, the court found that the indictment sufficiently apprised
defendant of the nature of the charges against him and was not deficient.
¶ 10 Defendant filed a timely pro se notice of appeal and OSAD was appointed to represent
him. In February 2011, OSAD moved to withdraw, including in its motion a brief in
conformity with the requirements of Pennsylvania v. Finley, 481 U.S. 551 (1987). The record
shows service of the motion on defendant, who is currently in prison. On its own motion, this
court granted defendant leave to file additional points and authorities by March 30, 2011.
Defendant timely filed additional points and authorities. The State responded. After
examining the record and executing our duties in accordance with Finley, we grant OSAD’s
motion and affirm the trial court’s judgment.
¶ 11 II. ANALYSIS
¶ 12 OSAD moves for leave to withdraw as counsel on appeal because any request for review
-3-
would be frivolous and without merit. We agree.
¶ 13 A. Timeliness of Trial Court’s Dismissal
¶ 14 Under section 122-2.1(a)(2) of the Post-Conviction Hearing Act (725 ILCS 5/122-
2.1(a)(2) (West 2010)), a trial court is required to examine a defendant’s postconviction
petition and enter an order on the petition within 90 days of the date it was filed and
docketed. Upon determining the petition is frivolous and patently without merit, the court
must provide defendant with a written order dismissing the petition within 10 days of its
entry. 725 ILCS 5/122-2.1(a)(2) (West 2010). The order must specify the findings of fact and
conclusions of law it made in reaching its decision. Id.
¶ 15 In this case, defendant filed his postconviction petition on February 3, 2010. On February
17, 2010, after examining the petition, the trial court determined it was frivolous and patently
without merit, and dismissed it in a written order that specified the findings of fact and
conclusions of law it made in reaching its decision. Notice of dismissal was sent to defendant
on February 18, 2010, and defendant filed a timely notice of appeal on March 12, 2010.
Because defendant’s petition was dismissed 14 days after it was filed, and notice of its
dismissal was sent to defendant 1 day after its entry, no colorable argument can be made that
the trial court did not dismiss the petition within the statutory 90-day period.
¶ 16 B. Defendant’s Postconviction Petition
¶ 17 The Post-Conviction Hearing Act “provides a remedy for defendants who have suffered
a substantial violation of their constitutional rights at trial.” People v. Edwards, 197 Ill. 2d
239, 243-44, 757 N.E.2d 442, 445 (2001). An action for postconviction relief is a collateral
attack on the proceedings, not an appeal on the merits. People v. Harris, 206 Ill. 2d 1, 12,
794 N.E.2d 314, 323 (2002). “The purpose of a post-conviction proceeding is to permit
inquiry into constitutional issues involved in the original conviction and sentence that were
not, and could not have been, adjudicated previously on direct appeal.” Id. “Issues that were
raised and decided on direct appeal are barred by the doctrine of res judicata. [Citations.]
Issues that could have been presented on direct appeal, but were not, are waived.” Id. at 12-
13, 794 N.E.2d at 323. “ ‘[W]here res judicata and forfeiture preclude a defendant from
obtaining relief, such a claim is necessarily “frivolous” or “patently without merit.” ’ ”
People v. Alcozer, 241 Ill. 2d 248, 258-59, 948 N.E.2d 70, 77 (2011) (quoting People v.
Blair, 215 Ill. 2d 427, 445, 831 N.E.2d 604, 616 (2005)). An otherwise meritorious claim has
no basis in law if res judicata or forfeiture bar the claim. Blair, 215 Ill. 2d at 445, 831 N.E.2d
at 615-16.
¶ 18 At the first stage of a postconviction proceeding, the trial court must independently
review the petition within 90 days and determine whether it is frivolous or patently without
merit. Edwards, 197 Ill. 2d at 244, 757 N.E.2d at 445. If the court determines the petition is
subject to summary dismissal at the first stage, it must dismiss the petition in a written order.
Id. This court has stated, “[t]o withstand dismissal at the first stage of postconviction
proceedings, a pro se petition for postconviction relief need only contain a simple statement
that presents the gist of a claim for relief when nothing in the trial record contradicts that
-4-
claim.” (Internal quotation marks omitted.) People v. Patton, 315 Ill. App. 3d 968, 972, 735
N.E.2d 185, 189 (2000); see also Edwards, 197 Ill. 2d at 244, 757 N.E.2d at 445 (“The gist
standard is a low threshold.” (Internal quotation marks omitted.)) However, “decisions
regarding the meaning of the ‘gist’ standard have arisen only outside the context of res
judicata and forfeiture.” Blair, 215 Ill. 2d at 446, 831 N.E.2d at 616.
¶ 19 1. Defendant’s Petition
¶ 20 As an initial matter, the State points out in its brief that the defendant’s petition did not
comply with the requirements of the Post-Conviction Hearing Act and that the trial court’s
summary dismissal of defendant’s petition was appropriate for this reason alone. We
disagree.
¶ 21 Section 122-1(b) of the Act provides that “[t]he proceeding shall be commenced by filing
with the clerk of the court in which the conviction took place a petition (together with a copy
thereof) verified by affidavit.” 725 ILCS 5/122-1(b) (West 2010). The State cites the Second
District’s decision in People v. Carr, 407 Ill. App. 3d 513, 515, 944 N.E.2d 859, 861 (2011)
(citing People v. Niezgoda, 337 Ill. App. 3d 593, 597, 786 N.E.2d 256, 259 (2003)), for its
proposition that “[a]ffidavits filed pursuant to the Act must be notarized to be valid.” In
Carr, the defendant filed a postconviction petition and attached an affidavit attesting to its
truth. The Carr court found that because the affidavit was not notarized, it did not comply
with the requirements of the Act and was properly dismissed at the first stage.
¶ 22 This court, however, is persuaded by the First District’s decision in People v. Henderson,
2011 IL App (1st) 090923, 2011 WL 5838686, which held that while an affidavit filed
pursuant to the Act must be notarized, the mere fact that the affidavit is not notarized does
not justify its summary dismissal at the first stage. The Henderson court stressed that the
standard for evaluating a postconviction petition at the first stage is whether the petition is
“ ‘frivolous or patently without merit.’ ” Id. ¶ 33. “[A] petition is frivolous or patently
without merit only if it has no arguable basis in law or fact, i.e., the petition is based on an
indisputably meritless legal theory or fanciful allegations.” Id. Further, the Henderson court
held “that the Act allows summary dismissal only where a defect renders a petition frivolous
or patently without merit. By their traditional meaning, we do not find those terms would
encompass the mere lack of notarization of a verification affidavit.” Id. ¶ 34. The Henderson
court was persuaded, as are we, “that the purposes of the Act and section 122-2.1 would be
hindered by preventing petitions which are neither frivolous nor patently without merit from
proceeding to the second stage due to the technicality [of not having a notarized affidavit].”
Id. ¶ 35. The notarization issue is a more appropriate objection at the second stage. Id.
¶ 23 While we recognize that defendant’s petition was not notarized, as it should have been,
we conclude that the failure to attach a notarized affidavit to a postconviction petition is not
an appropriate reason to summarily dismiss the petition at the first stage. We now turn to the
other issues raised in defendant’s postconviction petition and in the parties’ briefs.
-5-
¶ 24 2. Sixth-Amendment Right-to-Counsel Claim
¶ 25 Defendant argues in his “Traverse To Counsel’s Motion To Withdraw Under Finley” that
the trial court erred in summarily dismissing his postconviction petition because (1) the court
used “an incorrect standard” in assessing his petition because it did not cite People v.
Hodges, 234 Ill. 2d 1, 912 N.E.2d 1204 (2009), in its analysis; (2) the court violated People
v. Rivera, 198 Ill. 2d 364, 763 N.E.2d 306 (2001), which forbids the partial summary
dismissal of first-stage postconviction petitions, because its written order did not specifically
mention the affidavit of defendant’s mother attached to the petition or the allegation that the
trial court incorrectly advised defendant, on the morning of trial, that “he was only entitled
to representation from the Public Defender”; and (3) the affidavit from defendant’s mother
was de hors the record and thus was not barred by the doctrine of res judicata. We disagree
with defendant on all claims.
¶ 26 a. Summary Dismissal Standard
¶ 27 Defendant’s argument that the trial court used “an incorrect standard” in assessing his
petition because it did not cite to People v. Hodges, 234 Ill. 2d 1, 912 N.E.2d 1204 (2009),
in its analysis is misguided. Defendant asserts that the trial court did not “undertake any
analysis as required by Hodges to determine if any allegation of frivolous could be applied
legally or factually to [his] claims.” (Emphasis in original.) Defendant cites Hodges for the
guideposts that should be used in the analysis of postconviction petition. Hodges stated: “A
petition which lacks an arguable basis either in law or in fact is one which is based on an
indisputably meritless legal theory or a fanciful factual allegation. An example of an
indisputably meritless legal theory is one which is completely contradicted by the record.”
Hodges, 234 Ill. 2d at 16, 912 N.E.2d at 1212. Specifically, defendant contends that his claim
that the court refused to allow counsel of defendant’s choosing to enter into the case is not
contradicted by the record. We disagree.
¶ 28 b. Res Judicata
¶ 29 Defendant’s sixth-amendment right-to-counsel-of-choice claim is barred by the doctrine
of res judicata, as it has already been raised and decided both on direct appeal and in his
petition for a writ of habeas corpus. See People v. Rissley, 206 Ill. 2d 403, 412, 795 N.E.2d
174, 179 (2003) (an appellate court will not consider issues that it has already ruled on). A
defendant may not avoid the bar of res judicata simply by rephrasing issues that have been
previously addressed on direct appeal. People v. Simpson, 204 Ill. 2d 536, 559, 792 N.E.2d
265, 282 (2001). Further, a defendant cannot raise issues in a postconviction proceeding that
have already been addressed pursuant to a federal habeas corpus petition. People v. Peeples,
184 Ill. App. 3d 206, 208, 539 N.E.2d 1376, 1377 (1989). Twenty-three years ago, on direct
appeal, this court rejected defendant’s claim that he was denied his right to counsel of choice.
We stated:
“Similarly, an analysis of the factors present in the current case establishes no abuse
of discretion occurred [when the trial court denied a continuance to retain new counsel].
Defendant was represented by counsel for almost four months and at no time prior to the
-6-
day of trial complained about his representation, or indicated a desire to obtain other
counsel. Defendant’s only evidence that he could now obtain counsel was a
representation that his parents suddenly decided the day before trial that they could help
him. It appears defendant’s father was in court at the time and, yet, made no statements
to support his son’s assertion. Further, defendant had no articulable reason for changing
counsel other than the vague assertion that counsel could not devote 100% of his efforts
to this case. This all leads to the inference that defendant’s true motive was to delay the
proceeding, an inference borne out by defendant’s other conduct in initially refusing to
change from his prison uniform to street clothes, and his desire to waive his presence
from the trial. Finally, *** there [was] no identified counsel ready, willing, and able to
immediately take over the case, which further supports the court’s decision denying the
requested continuance.” Terry, 177 Ill. App. 3d at 190-91, 532 N.E.2d at 572-73.
¶ 30 The doctrines of res judicata and forfeiture will be relaxed only if one of the following
three circumstances is present: (1) where fundamental fairness so requires; (2) where the
forfeiture stems from the ineffective assistance of appellate counsel; or (3) where the facts
relating to the claim do not appear on the face of the original appellate record. Blair, 215 Ill.
2d at 450-51, 831 N.E.2d at 619; People v. Patterson, 192 Ill. 2d 93, 139, 735 N.E.2d 616,
642 (2000). Where new evidence is relied upon, as in the third circumstance, the evidence
must be (1) of such a conclusive character that it will probably change the result upon retrial;
(2) material and not merely cumulative; (3) discovered since trial; and (4) of such character
that it could not have been discovered prior to trial by the exercise of due diligence.
Patterson, 192 Ill. 2d at 139, 735 N.E.2d at 642.
¶ 31 i. Trial Dialogue
¶ 32 On the morning defendant’s jury trial was scheduled to begin, defendant appeared with
his appointed counsel, Public Defender James Dedman, and asked for a continuance to retain
private counsel. Defendant asked to have Dedman removed from the case, asserting that
because of “the nature of [the] case and the seriousness of the crime,” he did not feel it would
be in his best interest to have Dedman continue representing him. Dedman clarified for the
court that defendant was not “asking for somebody else in [the public defender’s] office to
represent him. He’s asking for time to hire his own attorney.” Dedman further argued that
defendant was facing a serious charge and that the trial may be the most important thing that
is going to occur in defendant’s life. In light of the seriousness of the case and the potential
prison sentence defendant faced, Dedman asked the court to consider granting defendant’s
motion, which would allow defendant time to find an attorney he would be confident in. In
denying defendant’s motion to continue, the court stated:
“Of course, at any time since June 23rd, 1987, Mr. Terry, when you were arraigned upon
these charges, you were always free to hire any attorney of your own choosing at your
own expense in this matter if you wanted to do so. *** I have no reasonable expectation
that if I were to grant your continuance that anything would be different in terms of your
ability to be able to hire an attorney, since you certainly have not done so between June
and today’s date here in question. I think that this being the eve of trial, the parties ready,
-7-
Mr. Dedman ready on your behalf in this matter, the State having their witnesses ready,
some of them coming in from out of state, Mr. Dedman has filed discovery answers on
your behalf and interviewed witnesses or at his direction it’s been done, he’s a very
competent attorney with a great deal of experience, you have no right under the law to
have an attorney of your own choosing appointed on your behalf. Your rights are to have
a representative from the Public Defender’s Office.”
Defendant responded that he did not personally have the money to hire an attorney, “but [he]
talked to [his] parents yesterday [and] was informed that now it would be possible for [him]
to hire an attorney of [his own] through them.” Defendant further explained he wanted to hire
an attorney that he felt confident with and who would have his best interest at heart, someone
who was not “so backlogged with cases *** that he can[ ] put 100 percent effort in[to trying
his case].”
¶ 33 The trial court explained that it was not taking defendant’s rights lightly but stated that
defendant’s “parents could have come in any time [since arraignment] and *** hired an
attorney for [him] if they wanted to do so ***, but it hasn’t been done. I intend to deny any
continuance in this matter.” The court verified with Dedman that he would be able to give
his full and complete attention to the case during trial. Defendant interjected and the
following conversation occurred:
“THE DEFENDANT: You say that since June my parents could have came and hired
an attorney any time since that time; okay. See, you’re assuming that any time since then
that they had the money to do this, you see, which they didn’t. If they had, they would
have. They have my best interests at heart.
THE COURT: I’m sure they do, Mr. Terry.
THE DEFENDANT: Now by them coming to me yesterday and letting me know that
hey, well, now we’re in a position where we can hire a lawyer for you, since June until
that date, I feel that they’ve been trying, and it just happens to be a matter of destiny that
they only succeeded yesterday to come up with the amount of money to hire an attorney
for me. It’s not by design that they don’t have this, you know. It’s nothing but a matter
of fate ***. ***
THE COURT: *** I’ve made my ruling in this case, and nothing you will say will
change it.
THE DEFENDANT: So, you’re denying me my choice of counsel. You’re denying
me my right to hire my own attorney. You’re making me have a lawyer that I am not
comfortable with, that I don’t have any confidence with in this case.
THE COURT: I’m denying your request to continue, and the case is going to proceed
to trial today’s date.”
¶ 34 ii. Defendant’s Mother’s Affidavit
¶ 35 Attached to defendant’s postconviction petition was an affidavit from defendant’s
mother, Janis Terry, in which she declared the following: (1) she and her late husband, L.C.
Terry, had “arranged to retain the services of Attorney Joel Silverman to represent” defendant
-8-
prior to the date defendant’s jury trial commenced and that it had taken them “several months
to come up with the required funds to pay Attorney Silverman”; (2) that she and her husband
had been informed by the public defender that it was permissible to bring in new counsel
prior to October 14, 1987, which was the date the State intended to file a new indictment; (3)
that on the morning of the trial, defendant informed the court that he “wanted to hire his own
attorney,” but was told by the court “ ‘he only had a right to the public defender, and did not
have a right to choose his own counsel’ ” and that defendant “went round and round with [the
court], but the [court] stated that [it] was not going to allow [defendant] to hire his own
lawyer, and that it was too late” and not to bring the matter up again; (4) that she spoke with
a lawyer and “was told that the law was settled [and] *** that [defendant] had a clear right
to counsel of his choice”; and (5) that she spoke to defendant and told him about “his having
a right to counsel of his choice” and urged defendant to “get his case back in the courts to
decide this issue, since had [defendant] had able counsel, he would never [have] been
convicted of the crimes.”
¶ 36 Defendant argues that “had the trial court considered the attached affidavit of [his]
mother, and taken that evidence as ‘true’ and ‘liberally’ construed it as the Act required,”
then it should not have dismissed his postconviction petition because his “claim was
supported with an affidavit which was de hors the trial and appellate records.” See People
v. Coleman, 183 Ill. 2d 366, 385, 701 N.E.2d 1063, 1073 (1998). However, simply
rephrasing the issue and attaching an affidavit to a postconviction petition 23 years after the
issue was originally addressed does not avoid the bar of res judicata. Simpson, 204 Ill. 2d at
559, 792 N.E.2d at 282. In this case, the information contained in defendant’s mother’s
affidavit was not new evidence that could not have been discovered prior to trial. If
defendant’s parents had actually hired Silverman to represent defendant prior to trial, they
could have spoken up at the hearing. As this court observed on appeal, however,
“Defendant’s only evidence that he could now obtain counsel was a representation that his
parents suddenly decided the day before trial they could help him. It appears defendant’s
father was in court at the time and, yet, made no statements to support his son’s assertion.”
Terry, 177 Ill. App. 3d at 191, 532 N.E.2d at 572. Defendant’s father spoke when the court
was discussing whether defendant’s handcuffs and shackles should be removed while the
jury was present. According to defendant’s mother’s affidavit, she also was present in the
courtroom on the date of the hearing, but she did not speak up to inform the court that they
had actually hired Silverman to represent defendant either. Had defendant’s parents retained
Silverman to represent defendant, defendant and Dedman should have brought this up when
it counted–at the hearing–rather than waiting 23 years after defendant’s trial. In any case, if
Silverman had been retained, this evidence would have been available prior to trial and, thus,
does not fall under the newly discovered evidence exception.
¶ 37 In dismissing defendant’s postconviction petition, the trial court quoted this court’s
opinion of defendant’s direct appeal, distinguished the cases defendant cited and explicitly
found that defendant’s petition was frivolous and patently without merit. It does not follow
that just because the court did not cite Hodges, it did not engage in the proper analysis.
Absent an affirmative showing of error in the record, a trial judge is presumed to know and
apply the law properly. People v. Henderson, 336 Ill. App. 3d 915, 922, 789 N.E.2d 774, 779
-9-
(2003). In fact, the court was not required to engage in any analysis whatsoever, once it
determined that defendant’s claim was barred by res judicata, which it did on the third page
of its order, because a claim barred by res judicata has no basis in law and is necessarily
frivolous and patently without merit. Alcozer, 241 Ill. 2d at 258-59, 948 N.E.2d at 77; Blair,
215 Ill. 2d at 446, 831 N.E.2d at 615-16.
¶ 38 3. Defendant’s Postconviction Petition Was Dismissed in Full
¶ 39 Defendant next asserts in his “Traverse to Counsel’s Motion To Withdraw Under Finley”
that the trial court violated People v. Rivera, 198 Ill. 2d 364, 763 N.E.2d 306 (2001), by
partially dismissing his petition because the court did not “mention” his mother’s affidavit
in its order and did not address his assertion that the trial judge erroneously advised him that
he was only entitled to representation by the public defender. In Rivera, the trial court
dismissed four claims as frivolous or patently without merit, but it found that two of the
claims stated the gist of constitutional violations and advanced those two claims to the
second stage of postconviction review. Id. at 366, 763 N.E.2d at 307-08. On review, the
Illinois Supreme Court held that the plain language of the statute does not allow for partial
summary dismissals. Id. at 370-72, 763 N.E.2d at 310-11. Defendant contends that both of
his issues are “distinct claims *** raised in the postconviction petition,” and because the
court did not mention these issues in its dismissal order, the order amounted to a partial
dismissal. We disagree.
¶ 40 Defendant claimed in his postconviction petition that the “trial court denied [him] his
Sixth Amendment right to counsel of his choice, and erroneously advise[d him] that he was
only entitled to representation from the Public Defender.” In support of this assertion,
defendant submitted his mother’s affidavit (discussed in detail above) to show that his
“family had secured the necessary funds” to hire counsel and that the trial court told
defendant that “he only had a right to the public defender, and did not have a right to choose
his own counsel.”
¶ 41 The record shows that the trial court may have initially misunderstood defendant’s
request for new counsel, as the court told defendant “you have no right under the law to have
an attorney of your own choosing appointed on your behalf. Your rights are to have a
representative from the Public Defender’s Office.” (Emphasis added.) However, defendant
has failed to show that this initial misunderstanding resulted in an arguable violation of his
constitutional rights. Nonfactual and nonspecific assertions that merely amount to
conclusions are not sufficient to require a hearing under the Post-Conviction Hearing Act.
People v. Torres, 228 Ill. 2d 382, 394, 888 N.E.2d 91, 100 (2008). In fact, Dedman clarified
for the court that defendant was not “asking for somebody else in [the public defender’s]
office to represent him. He’s asking for time to hire his own attorney.” The defendant’s
dialogue with the court, as presented above, shows that he knew he had the right to hire
private representation of his choice if the court granted the motion for a continuance. The
record directly contradicts defendant’s claim that he was denied his right to counsel of choice
in violation of his sixth-amendment rights. See Torres, 228 Ill. 2d at 394, 888 N.E.2d at 100
(The supreme court has consistently upheld the dismissal of a postconviction petition when
-10-
the allegations are contradicted by the record from the original trial proceedings.).
¶ 42 In addition, contrary to defendant’s claim, the trial court did “mention” his mother’s
affidavit in its order, stating “On the issue of counsel of choice, *** [defendant] further
attache[d] an affidavit of his mother.” The record refuted the assertions in her affidavit. As
we hinted earlier, had Silverman been retained by defendant’s parents, either defendant, his
parents (who were present during the hearing), or Dedman would have mentioned this fact
to the trial court during the dialogue that occurred on this issue. Instead, defendant stated “I
would like a continuance to a time that would allow me to hire a private attorney.”
(Emphasis added.) When the court asked defendant if he would like to add anything further,
he stated “[n]ot at this time.” A short time later, defendant stated that he had spoken to his
parents the day before and he “was informed that now it would be possible for me to hire an
attorney of my own” and “I’m asking, to acquire an attorney that I feel confident with ***.”
(Emphases added.) Further, Dedman stated “He’s asking for time to hire his own attorney”
and “perhaps the [c]ourt should consider granting [defendant’s] request to see if he’s able to
find an attorney on his own.” (Emphases added.) Throughout this entire dialogue, not one
person mentioned that Silverman had already been hired to represent defendant, which
someone likely would have done if that was the case. Additionally, this court noted on appeal
that there was “no identified counsel ready, willing, and able to immediately take over the
case, which further supports the court’s decision in denying the requested continuance.”
Terry, 177 Ill. App. 3d at 191, 532 N.E.2d at 572-73 (citing People v. Free, 112 Ill. App. 3d
449, 455 N.E.2d 529 (1983), and People v. Koss, 52 Ill. App. 3d 605, 607-08, 367 N.E.2d
1040, 1041 (1977)).
¶ 43 Unlike Rivera, where the court dismissed four claims and expressly advanced two claims
to the second stage of review, the trial court here dismissed defendant’s petition in whole,
not in part. Contrary to defendant’s assertion, the postconviction court’s summary dismissal
was appropriate.
¶ 44 C. The Indictment and Information
¶ 45 Defendant’s second contention in his postconviction petition is that “the [t]rial court
unlawfully allowed the State to [a]mend the [g]rand [j]ury [i]ndictment, without returning
the matter before the [g]rand [j]ury as an [sic] means of broadening the indictment as
returned.” Defendant’s final contention is that “[t]he [i]ndictment of July 9, 1987[,] failed
to charge the offense of [a]ggravated [s]exual [a]ssault, and is therefore defective and void.”
¶ 46 1. Forfeiture of Claims
¶ 47 We first note that defendant has forfeited these claims by failing to present them on direct
appeal. See Harris, 206 Ill. 2d at 12-13, 794 N.E.2d at 323 (“Issues that could have been
presented on direct appeal, but were not, are waived.”). As mentioned supra, “[t]he purpose
of a post-conviction proceeding is to permit inquiry into constitutional issues involved in the
original conviction and sentence that were not, and could not have been, adjudicated
previously on direct appeal.” Harris, 206 Ill. 2d at 12, 794 N.E.2d at 323. Here, defendant’s
direct appeal contained six claims, none of which dealt with the State amending the grand
-11-
jury indictment, or failing to properly charge him with aggravated sexual assault.
¶ 48 Even if we were to determine that defendant has not forfeited these issues–which we do
not–no colorable argument can be made that defendant presented the “gist” of a
constitutional claim.
¶ 49 2. The State Did Not Unlawfully Amend the Grand Jury Indictment
¶ 50 Where a defendant is charged by indictment, the State is precluded from amending the
indictment, except to cure formal defects. People v. Kincaid, 87 Ill. 2d 107, 122, 429 N.E.2d
508, 514 (1981). Where an amendment is substantive, the State is required to either return
to the grand jury for a further indictment, or to file an information followed by a preliminary
hearing or obtain a waiver of a preliminary hearing. People v. Cregar, 172 Ill. App. 3d 807,
818, 526 N.E.2d 1376, 1384 (1988). An amendment is substantive if it alters an essential
element of the offense for which the accused was indicted. People v. Patterson, 267 Ill. App.
3d 933, 939, 642 N.E.2d 866, 870 (1994).
¶ 51 In this case, the original indictment charged defendant with the offenses of aggravated
criminal sexual assault and unlawful use of a weapon by a felon. A subsequent information
was filed, charging defendant with the same two offenses, with some language changed, and
adding an additional count of aggravated criminal sexual assault. The indictment for the
weapons charge stated that defendant “knowingly possessed a knife, with the intent to use
it unlawfully.” The subsequent information stated that “defendant knowingly possessed on
or about his person a dangerous knife, with the intent to use it unlawfully.” (Emphases
added.) The indictment for sexual assault stated “defendant while displaying a dangerous
weapon, a knife, committed [c]riminal [s]exual [a]ssault *** in that by the use of force the
defendant placed his penis in the vagina of [the victim].” The subsequent information stated
“defendant while displaying a dangerous weapon, a knife, committed criminal sexual assault
*** in that by the use of force the defendant committed an act of sexual penetration, in that
the defendant placed his penis in the vagina of [the victim],” and added in the second
information “by the threat of use of force.” (Emphases added.)
¶ 52 Here, after the State filed an information charging defendant with the three counts, the
trial court held a preliminary hearing prior to the jury trial, finding probable cause on all
counts. Even if defendant had not forfeited this claim for failing to raise it on direct appeal,
no meritorious argument can be made that the trial court erred in allowing the prosecutor to
file the charges by information and preliminary hearing.
¶ 53 3. The Indictment Adequately Charged the Offense
of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Assault
¶ 54 Aggravated criminal sexual assault is committed when, in committing a criminal sexual
assault, the defendant “displayed, threatened to use, or used a dangerous weapon, other than
a firearm.” 720 ILCS 5/12-14(a)(1) (West 2010) (formerly Ill. Rev. Stat. 1987, ch. 38, ¶ 12-
14(a)(1)). Criminal sexual assault requires an act of sexual penetration by the use of force
or threat of force. 720 ILCS 5/12-13(a)(1) (West 2010) (formerly Ill. Rev. Stat. 1987, ch. 38,
-12-
¶ 12-13(a)(1)).
¶ 55 The indictment against defendant alleged that “defendant while displaying a dangerous
weapon, a knife, committed [c]riminal [s]exual [a]ssault *** in that by the use of force the
defendant placed his penis in the vagina of [the victim].” In this case, the indictment listed
all of the elements of the offense of aggravated criminal sexual assault and put defendant on
notice of the charges against him. Additionally, defendant was later charged by an
information, which contained all of the elements necessary as well. Even if defendant had
not forfeited this claim, no colorable argument can be made that the indictment was
insufficient.
¶ 56 III. CONCLUSION
¶ 57 Defendant’s claims in his postconviction petition were raised, or could have been raised,
on direct appeal and/or on his petition for habeas corpus relief. Therefore, his claims are
barred by the doctrines of res judicata and forfeiture. However, even if these claims were not
barred, the trial court properly found them to be frivolous and patently without merit. For the
reasons stated, we grant OSAD’s motion to withdraw as counsel for defendant and affirm the
trial court’s judgment. As part of our judgment, we award the State its $50 statutory
assessment against defendant as costs of this appeal.
¶ 58 Affirmed.
-13-