In re Jovan A.

2013 IL App (1st) 103835FOURTH DIVISION
September 19, 2013
No. 1-10-3835
In re JOVAN A., a Minor ) Appeal from the
(The People of the State of Illinois, ) Circuit Court of
) Cook County
Plaintiff-Appellee, )
) No. 10 JD 3836
v. )
) Honorable
Jovan A., a Minor, ) Lori Wolfson,
) Judge Presiding.
Respondent-Appellant). )
JUSTICE EPSTEIN delivered the judgment of the court, with opinion.
Justice Lavin concurred in the judgment and opinion.
Justice Pucinski dissented, with opinion.
OPINION
¶1 Following a bench trial, Jovan A. was adjudicated delinquent and sentenced to 18 months'
probation. Respondent contends on appeal that the trial court improperly relied on hearsay,
specifically, the content of a craigslist.org advertisement, to find that he committed theft.1 For
the reasons that follow, we reverse respondent's conviction and remand this cause for further
proceedings.
¶ 2 BACKGROUND
¶3 Lori Bravi testified that she borrowed a Cervelo P2C triathalon bicycle from Elizabeth
Waterstrat. At approximately 3:35 p.m. on July 18, 2010, she parked her car near 1652 West
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This case was recently reassigned by the court.
No. 1-10-3835
Cortland Avenue in Chicago, Illinois, and left the bicycle attached to a rack on her trunk while
she entered a restaurant. Upon her return less than 10 minutes later, the bicycle was missing.
She found a streak of green paint on her rear bumper.
¶4 That night, Bravi searched craigslist.org for the bicycle. She explained that craigslist.org
is "a website where people go to list items for sale." Respondent made several hearsay objections
when the State examined Bravi about the website's content. The court overruled these
objections, noting, "I will not allow it for the truth of the matter asserted, but I will allow it to
explain the steps that were taken in pursuit of an arrest." Bravi then testified that she discovered
an advertisement for a Cervelo P2C bicycle resembling Waterstrat's on craigslist.org. The
advertisement included a telephone number and four photographs of Cervelo P2 bicycles, though
not the P2C model. She then used an Internet service to find the address associated with the
telephone number listed in the advertisement. Bravi provided the telephone number, address,
and advertisement to Detective Castaneda at Area 5 police headquarters.
¶5 Johana Cedicci testified that a sedan carrying respondent passed within 10 feet of her and
Piper Gorsuch2 near the 1600 block of Cortland Avenue at approximately 3:40 p.m. on July 18,
2010. Respondent was turned around in the front passenger seat, holding onto a "triathalon
bicycle" that jutted out of the open rear door. It was a sunny afternoon, and nothing obstructed
her view of respondent. On July 22, 2010, Cedicci viewed a photo array and a five-person lineup
and tentatively identified two of the subjects. Respondent was not represented in either the photo
2
There is some confusion as to whether her name is "Piper T. Gorsuch" or "Piper
Tgorsuch." We have opted for "Gorsuch."
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No. 1-10-3835
array or the lineup. On July 23, 2010, she viewed a second five-person lineup and positively
identified respondent as the front seat passenger.
¶6 Piper Gorsuch testified that, at approximately 3:40 p.m. on July 18, 2010, she and Johana
Cedicci were walking along the 1600 block of Cortland Avenue when an older, electric teal
Japanese sedan disregarded a stop sign. Respondent sat in the front passenger seat with the
window rolled down and was holding onto a Cervelo triathalon bicycle that stuck out of the open
rear door. It was a bright, clear day, and respondent passed within 10 feet of her. Nothing
obstructed Gorsuch's view of respondent. On July 22, 2010, Gorsuch viewed a photo array and
lineup, but could not make a definite identification. On July 23, 2010, she viewed a second
lineup and identified respondent as the front seat passenger.
¶7 Detective Jose Castaneda testified that Bravi, his former neighbor, contacted him
regarding a stolen bicycle on July 19, 2010. Bravi told him that she believed the bicycle was
being sold on craigslist.org, and Castaneda viewed the advertisement. When the State examined
Castaneda regarding the advertisement's content, respondent made a hearsay objection. The State
responded that the advertisement was not being offered for the truth of the matter asserted, but
rather to show how the detective proceeded with his investigation. The trial court allowed the
testimony for that limited purpose. Castaneda further testified that he performed a database
search using the telephone number listed in the advertisement and discovered related names,
addresses, and car registration information.
¶8 On July 23, 2010, Castaneda went to the 1600 block of North Oakley Avenue, where he
found a car matching one of the witness's descriptions. He detained respondent and another
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No. 1-10-3835
Hispanic male, who were sitting in the front seat. He further testified that, when he dialed the
telephone number listed in the craigslist.org advertisement, respondent's cellular telephone rang.
Respondent made another hearsay objection, which the trial court overruled, stating that the
testimony would be allowed for a limited purpose.
¶9 On July 22, 2010, Castaneda showed Cedicci and Gorsuch a photo array, and they
identified Miguel and Renee Salsedo. Later that day, Castaneda conducted a physical lineup with
the Salsedos as subjects, but neither Cedicci nor Gorsuch was able to identify them. Respondent
was not represented in either the photo array or the lineup. The following day, Castaneda
arranged a second lineup, and Cedicci and Gorsuch identified respondent.
¶ 10 The parties stipulated that Elizabeth Waterstrat's bicycle had a value of between $5,000
and $6,000, and that neither she nor Bravi consented to respondent taking it.
¶ 11 During its oral pronouncement, the trial court noted that Bravi "did some independent
investigation" and, as she "looked through some websites he she [sic] was able to see a picture of
a bicycle that closely resembled the bike that was taken from her and she contacted her former
neighbor, who was a detective, and the investigation proceeded from there." The court
continued:
"[Respondent's] attempt to sell the bicycle further reinforces that he had
the intent to permanently deprive the true owner of that bicycle.
When they called the number in the ad for sale, that phone rang in the
minor's hand. That is significant evidence. Circumstantial evidence shows the
minor knew the bicycle was not his. He did not have the right to be selling it,
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No. 1-10-3835
possessing it ***."
The trial court adjudicated respondent delinquent and sentenced him to 18 months' probation.
This appeal followed.
¶ 12 ANALYSIS
¶ 13 Respondent contends on appeal that the trial court improperly relied on hearsay evidence,
specifically, the content of a craigslist.org advertisement, in finding that he committed theft. The
State argues that respondent forfeited this issue and, alternatively, that no hearsay testimony was
admitted. We hold that the trial court improperly admitted and relied on the content of the
craigslist.org advertisement. Because this error was not harmless beyond a reasonable doubt, we
reverse and remand this cause for further proceedings.
¶ 14 A. Forfeiture
¶ 15 We must first determine whether respondent preserved this issue for appellate review.
The State maintains that respondent forfeited this argument when he failed to object during the
trial court's oral pronouncement. Respondent claims that the trial court's reliance on hearsay
evidence constituted plain error.
¶ 16 Generally, to preserve an issue for appeal, a criminal defendant must object at trial and
raise the issue in a posttrial motion. People v. Herron, 215 Ill. 2d 167, 175 (2005). In juvenile
proceedings, the respondent must object at trial, but need not include the issue in a post-
adjudication motion. In re M.W., 232 Ill. 2d 408, 430 (2009). In this case, respondent timely and
repeatedly objected during Bravi's and Detective Castaneda's testimony to the admission of
hearsay. These objections were sufficient to preserve this issue for review.
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No. 1-10-3835
¶ 17 The State acknowledges these objections, but argues that respondent "did not object when
the trial court allegedly relied on the purported hearsay for the truth of the matter asserted to
establish respondent's identity as the offender." The State cites no authority for the proposition
that a respondent must object during a court's oral pronouncement to preserve an evidentiary
issue, and no such authority appears to exist. See People v. Ford, 301 Ill. App. 3d 56, 59 (1998)
(reviewing courts need not address arguments that lack citation to relevant authority); see also Ill.
S. Ct. R. 341(h)(7) (eff. July 1, 2008) (argument must be supported by citation to authority).
Accordingly, we reject the State's forfeiture argument.
¶ 18 B. Standard of Review
¶ 19 We must next determine the appropriate standard of review. Relying on People v.
Chapman, 194 Ill. 2d 186, 217 (2000), respondent contends that, because "this issue concerns the
judge's compliance with the law, and not determinations of credibility, this Court's review is de
novo." Chapman addressed a fourth amendment issue wholly unrelated to the instant evidentiary
question. Chapman, 194 Ill. 2d at 217. The portion cited by respondent merely sets forth the
general proposition that purely legal issues are reviewed de novo. Id. Because it does not
concern the admission of, and reliance on, hearsay, we find Chapman unavailing.
¶ 20 The State argues that this issue should be reviewed for abuse of discretion. We agree.
Evidentiary rulings are within the sound discretion of the trial court and will not be reversed
absent an abuse of discretion. People v. Caffey, 205 Ill. 2d 52, 89 (2001). Specifically, Illinois
courts apply an abuse-of-discretion standard when reviewing a trial court's decision regarding the
admission of hearsay. See, e.g., Caffey, 205 Ill. 2d at 89; People v. West, 158 Ill. 2d 155, 164-65
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No. 1-10-3835
(1994). An abuse of discretion will be found only where the trial court's ruling is arbitrary,
fanciful, or unreasonable, or where no reasonable person would take the view adopted by the trial
court. People v. Patrick, 233 Ill. 2d 62, 68 (2009).
¶ 21 C. Hearsay Analysis
¶ 22 Respondent contends that the trial court admitted Bravi's and Detective Castaneda's
testimony regarding the content of the craigslist.org advertisement to show the course of their
investigation, but improperly considered that testimony for the truth of the matter asserted. The
State argues that no out-of-court statements were admitted, because neither Bravi nor Detective
Castaneda testified regarding the content of the craigslist.org advertisement.
¶ 23 Hearsay is an out-of-court statement offered in court to prove the truth of the matter
asserted. Caffey, 205 Ill. 2d at 88. Hearsay is generally inadmissible, unless it falls within an
exception to the rule. Id. at 89. One such exception holds that police officers may testify to
information they received during the course of an investigation to explain why they arrested a
defendant or took other action. People v. Rush, 401 Ill. App. 3d 1, 15 (2010). Such testimony is
not hearsay, because it is offered to show the steps an officer took rather than for the truth of the
matter asserted. Id. Under the course-of-investigation exception to the hearsay rule, an officer
may not testify to information beyond what is necessary to explain his or her actions. People v.
Edgecombe, 317 Ill. App. 3d 615, 627 (2000). Nor may an officer testify to the content of any
statements he received. People v. Gacho, 122 Ill. 2d 221, 248 (1988).
¶ 24 Here, we must determine whether Bravi's and Detective Castaneda's testimony regarding
the content of a craigslist.org advertisement was admissible to show the course of their
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No. 1-10-3835
investigation. We examine their statements separately.
¶ 25 1. Bravi
¶ 26 At trial, Bravi testified that she discovered a craigslist.org advertisement for a Cervelo
P2C bicycle similar to Waterstrat's. She explained that craigslist.org is a website where items
may be listed for sale. Bravi further stated that the advertisement contained four photographs of
Cervelo bicycles, though they depicted other Cervelo models. Finally, she testified that she
recorded the telephone number listed in the advertisement and, through research, determined the
address that corresponded with that number. Over respondent's objection, the trial court allowed
her testimony "to explain the steps that were taken in pursuit of an arrest."
¶ 27 Bravi's testimony regarding the advertisement's content constituted hearsay. Illinois
courts have long held that hearsay includes written out-of-court statements. People v. Carpenter,
28 Ill. 2d 116, 121 (1963) (hearsay includes written evidence). Further, hearsay includes both
matters directly asserted and matters the declarant necessarily implicitly intended to express.
People v. Thomas, 178 Ill. 2d 215, 237 (1997). The statement here consisted of the
advertisement's written content and the implication that a Cervelo P2C bicycle was for sale and
that interested parties could contact the seller via the telephone number listed.
¶ 28 The trial court recognized that the State was offering an out-of-court statement, but
admitted it to show course of investigation, noting that Bravi may "explain the steps that were
taken in pursuit of an arrest." Police officers may testify to information they received during the
course of an investigation to explain why they arrested a defendant or took other action. Rush,
401 Ill. App. 3d at 15. Such testimony is not hearsay, because it is offered to show the steps an
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No. 1-10-3835
officer took rather than for the truth of the matter asserted. Id.
¶ 29 Bravi, however, was not a police officer. She was a layperson conducting her own
private investigation. The State argues that Bravi's testimony was "analogous to a situation
where a police officer testified about the course of his or her investigation" and advocates the
extension of this exception to laypersons. The State cites no authority for this proposition, and
none appears to exist. See Ford, 301 Ill. App. 3d at 59 (reviewing courts need not address
arguments that lack citation to relevant authority); see also Ill. S. Ct. R. 341(h)(7) (eff. July 1,
2008) (argument must be supported by citation to authority).
¶ 30 Moreover, we see no need to address whether the course-of-investigation exception
should be extended to laypersons. By any measure, Bravi's testimony was inadmissible, as it
exceeded the bounds of the course-of-investigation exception, where she testified to the
advertisement's content. People v. Jones, 153 Ill. 2d 155, 160 (1992) (substance of statement
normally inadmissible under course-of-investigation exception); People v. Morgan, 142 Ill. 2d
410, 447 (1991), rev'd on other grounds, Morgan v. Illinois, 504 U.S. 719 (1992) (same); Gacho,
122 Ill. 2d at 248 ("Had the substance of the conversation *** been testified to, it would have
been objectionable hearsay."). Accordingly, Bravi's testimony regarding the content of the
craigslist.org advertisement constituted hearsay and should not have been admitted at trial.
¶ 31 2. Detective Castaneda
¶ 32 Detective Castaneda testified that he spoke to Bravi, who told him that Waterstrat's
bicycle was being sold on craigslist.org. Upon viewing the website, he found a telephone
number, and based on that number was able to obtain related names, addresses, and car
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No. 1-10-3835
registration information. He further testified that, when he arrested respondent, he called the
telephone number listed in the advertisement, and respondent's cellular telephone rang.
Respondent repeatedly objected to Detective Castaneda's testimony. The trial court again
recognized that the State sought to offer an out-of-court statement, but admitted the testimony to
show "how the detective proceeded with his investigation."
¶ 33 Unlike Bravi, Detective Castaneda was a police officer acting in the line of duty. In order
for him to explain the course of his investigation, it was necessary for him to testify that, after
viewing a craigslist.org advertisement, he went to the 1600 block of North Oakley Avenue,
where he discovered a car matching the description he received and subsequently detained
respondent. Had the detective's testimony been limited to this information, it would have been
admissible, even though the trier of fact could have inferred that the advertisement implicated
respondent. See Gacho, 122 Ill. 2d at 248 (testimony admissible even though the inference to be
drawn therefrom is that the information motivated the officer's conduct).
¶ 34 But Detective Castaneda also testified regarding the advertisement's content. Specifically,
he stated that Bravi told him that Waterstrat's bicycle was being sold on craigslist.org and that
respondent's cellular telephone rang when he called the number listed in the advertisement.
Generally, under the course-of-investigation exception, an officer may not testify to a statement's
content. Jones, 153 Ill. 2d at 160 (substance of statement normally inadmissible under course-of-
investigation exception); Morgan, 142 Ill. 2d at 447 (same); Gacho, 122 Ill. 2d at 248 (same).
¶ 35 In People v. Jura, 352 Ill. App. 3d 1080, 1088, 1095 (2004), this court reversed and
remanded for a new trial, where the trial court improperly admitted the content of a police radio
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No. 1-10-3835
message under the course-of-investigation exception. The Jura court noted that the substance of
the message "directly impacts the very essence of the dispute: whether the defendant was the man
who possessed the gun." Id. at 1088. In this case, the trial court admitted the content of a
craigslist.org advertisement under the course-of-investigation exception. Here, as in Jura, the
content of the craigslist.org advertisement directly impacts the very essence of the dispute:
whether respondent was the person who took Waterstrat's bicycle. Further, the advertisement's
content was not necessary to explain the course of Detective Castaneda's investigation. See
Edgecombe, 317 Ill. App. 3d at 627 (under the course-of-investigation exception to the hearsay
rule, an officer may not testify to information beyond what is necessary to explain his or her
actions). Because it was inadmissible under the course-of-investigation exception, the
advertisement's content constituted hearsay and should not have been admitted at trial.
¶ 36 D. Harmless Error Analysis
¶ 37 Because error occurred, we must engage in a harmless error analysis. The remedy for
erroneous admission of hearsay is reversal, unless the record clearly shows that the error was
harmless beyond a reasonable doubt. People v. Miles, 351 Ill. App. 3d 857, 867 (2004). When
examining whether an error was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt, reviewing courts must ask
whether there is a reasonable probability that the trier of fact would have acquitted the defendant
had the hearsay been excluded. People v. Warlick, 302 Ill. App. 3d 595, 601 (1998).
¶ 38 The State was required to prove that respondent knowingly obtained or exerted
unauthorized control over Waterstrat's bicycle, which had a value exceeding $300, and that he
did so with the intent to permanently deprive Waterstrat of her bicycle. 720 ILCS 5/16-
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1(a)(1)(A) (West 2010). There were only two contested issues at trial: (1) whether respondent
was the front seat passenger in the teal sedan; and (2) whether the bicycle in the teal sedan was
Waterstrat's.
¶ 39 Regarding the first question, the trial court credited Cedicci's and Gorsuch's
identifications of the respondent as the front seat passenger: "The witnesses were clear,
uncontroverted in their observations [and] their ability to see the minor respondent's face***."
The court also discounted the only evidence that undercut these identifications, finding that the
photo array "was not done in the police station and it was not done under circumstances that I
believe support the reliability of that identification." Thus, even excluding Bravi's and Detective
Castaneda's hearsay testimony, there was sufficient evidence that respondent was the front seat
passenger in the teal sedan.
¶ 40 Turning to the second question, although no one observed respondent take Waterstrat's
bicycle, and the bicycle was not recovered, the State presented circumstantial evidence that the
bicycle in the teal sedan was Waterstrat's. Specifically, Gorsuch testified that the bicycle in the
sedan was a Cervelo triathalon bicycle, the same as Waterstrat's. The bicycle was seen on the
1600 block of West Cortland Avenue, where the offense took place, approximately five minutes
after the bicycle was taken. Additionally, rather than being mounted to a rack, the bicycle jutted
haphazardly out of the car's open rear door.
¶ 41 It is possible that a trier of fact could find, based on this evidence, that the bicycle in the
teal sedan was Waterstrat's. But the trial court's oral pronouncement did not show reliance on
this evidence. Instead, its stated reasoning rested almost entirely on hearsay. During its oral
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No. 1-10-3835
pronouncement, the court noted that Bravi "did some independent investigation on her own to try
to determine what happened to the bicycle. As she looked through some websites he she [sic]
was able to see a picture of a bicycle that closely resembled the bike that was taken from her
***." The court further found that, "When they called the number in the ad for sale, that phone
rang in the minor's hand. That is significant evidence. Circumstantial evidence shows that minor
knew the bicycle was not his. He did not have the right to be selling it [or] possessing it ***."
Given the trial court's express and nearly exclusive reliance on hearsay in addressing this
question, we find that there is a reasonable probability that the trier of fact would have acquitted
respondent had the hearsay been excluded.
¶ 42 In reaching this conclusion, we recognize that, unlike in a jury trial, when a judge sits as
the trier of fact, we must presume that he or she will only consider competent evidence. People
v. Naylor, 229 Ill. 2d 584, 603-04 (2008). This presumption is overcome, however, where the
record affirmatively shows that the judge considered improper evidence. Id. Here, the record
affirmatively shows that the trial judge relied heavily on the hearsay content of the craigslist.org
advertisement. Indeed, the trial judge did not expressly rely on any other evidence in finding that
the bicycle in the teal sedan was Waterstrat's. Accordingly, we find that the presumption that the
trial judge relied only on competent evidence has been overcome.
¶ 43 The outcome would likely have been different had the trial court not expressly relied on
hearsay during its oral pronouncement. For instance, had the court forgone a lengthy
pronouncement, or relied in its pronouncement upon properly admitted evidence, we would
likely find the error harmless. Compare In re E.H., 377 Ill. App. 3d 406, 415-16 (2007) (error
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No. 1-10-3835
not harmless beyond a reasonable doubt where trial judge expressly relied on inadmissible
hearsay), and People v. Johnson, 296 Ill. App. 3d 53, 66 (1998) (same), with People v. Yancy,
368 Ill. App. 3d 381, 385-87 (2005) (error harmless where there was no evidence to overcome
the presumption that the trial judge disregarded hearsay testimony), and People v. Cassell, 283
Ill. App. 3d 112, 125 (1996) (same). Here, as in every case, we do not know the full basis of the
trial judge's factual findings. We know only what the judge stated in her oral pronouncement.
Based on that pronouncement, we know that the judge relied heavily on hearsay to find that the
bicycle in the teal sedan was Waterstrat's. Accordingly, we must reverse and remand for a new
trial.
¶ 44 While the dissent seeks to recast the issue presented as reasonable doubt and reverse
respondent's delinquency adjudication outright, neither side raised reasonable doubt in its briefs,
nor does respondent seek the remedy of outright reversal that the dissent would give. Indeed, the
phrase "outright reversal" appears nowhere in the six briefs filed in this case. Rather, respondent
repeatedly asks this court for reversal and "remand for further proceedings." The parties also
devote considerable attention to forfeiture and plain error arguments that would be irrelevant to a
reasonable doubt issue. See People v. Enoch, 122 Ill. 2d 176, 190 (1988) (criminal defendants
need not preserve reasonable doubt for appellate review). We should not ignore the issues raised,
briefed, and argued by the parties, and without input from them, decide the case on a basis that
was not addressed by the parties. See People v. Givens, 237 Ill. 2d 311, 323-30, 339 (2010)
(vacating the appellate court's judgment and remanding for further proceedings, where the court
ignored issues raised by the parties and sua sponte considered an issue not raised, briefed, or
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No. 1-10-3835
argued); People v. McNeal, 405 Ill. App. 3d 647, 676 (2010) ("a reviewing court should not
normally search the record for unargued and unbriefed reasons to reverse a trial court judgment"
(emphasis and internal quotation marks omitted)); see also Greenlaw v. United States, 554 U.S.
237, 244 (2008) ("'[Courts] do not, or should not, sally forth each day looking for wrongs to
right. We wait for cases to come to us, and when they do we normally decide only questions
presented by the parties.'" (quoting United States v. Samuels, 808 F.2d 1298, 1301 (8th Cir.
1987) (Arnold, J., concurring in denial of reh'g en banc))). This is not, as the dissent asserts, "an
evidence question with an inadmissible evidence question inside it, a reasonable doubt question
inside that and a sufficiency of the evidence question at its core." Infra ¶ 71. See People v.
Wheeler, 226 Ill. 2d 92, 114 (2007) (equating reasonable doubt and sufficiency of the evidence
analyses). Each party viewed this case as raising an evidentiary matter, and so do we.
¶ 45 Nor can we agree with the dissent's equation of reasonable doubt and harmless error
analyses. As we explain above, the remedy for erroneous admission of hearsay is reversal, unless
the record clearly shows that the error was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt. Miles, 351 Ill.
App. 3d at 867. When examining whether an error was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt,
reviewing courts must ask whether there is a reasonable probability that the trier of fact would
have acquitted the defendant had the hearsay been excluded. Warlick, 302 Ill. App. 3d at 601. In
this context, the phrase "beyond a reasonable doubt" refers not to proof beyond a reasonable
doubt of a defendant's guilt, but proof beyond a reasonable doubt that the error did not contribute
to the finding of guilt. See People v. Smith, 38 Ill. 2d 13, 15 (1967) (citing Chapman v.
California, 386 U.S. 18, 23 (1967)). We therefore disagree with the dissent's contention that
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"harmless error analysis requires a reasonable doubt determination." Infra ¶ 70.
¶ 46 Even if we addressed the issue raised by the dissent, we would not reach its conclusion
that the prosecution failed to prove respondent guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Two witnesses
identified respondent, both in a lineup and at trial, as the person holding onto a triathalon bicycle
that jutted haphazardly out of the open rear door of a fast-moving car. Not only did they observe
the car on the same block as the offense and within five minutes of the offense, but Gorsuch
identified the bicycle as a Cervelo brand triathalon bicycle, the same as Bravi's. Nor did the
witnesses "provide only minimal detail about the incident," as the dissent suggests. Infra ¶ 56.
Because respondent passed within 10 feet of the witnesses on a clear and sunny afternoon, and
because the witnesses had unobstructed views, they were able to describe the action with
considerable specificity: respondent sat in the front seat; he was turned around in his seat; his
window was rolled down; the car was an older, electric teal Japanese sedan; the car ran a stop
sign; a bicycle jutted out of the open rear door; and the bicycle was a Cervelo triathalon bicycle,
like Bravi's.
¶ 47 We also find Cedicci's and Gorsuch's identifications compelling. Although the witnesses
tentatively identified the Salsedos in a photo array, they abandoned these identifications upon
viewing the Salsedos in person. Later, when respondent was a lineup subject, Cedicci and
Gorsuch showed no hesitation in positively identifying him. The trial court credited these
identifications.
¶ 48 The dissent also notes that respondent has already served his sentence and, according to
the presentence investigation report, was 16 and learning disabled at the time of the offense.
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Respondent's completion of his sentence should have no bearing on our decision. See People v.
Jordan, 218 Ill. 2d 255, 263 (2006) (fact that defendant has already served sentence does not
render appeal moot). Similarly, respondent's age is irrelevant, as theft requires proof of the same
elements regardless of age. See 720 ILCS 5/16-1 (West 2010); see also People v. Morgan, 197
Ill. 2d 404, 424-25 (2001) (society has a legitimate interest in being protected from criminal acts
perpetrated by minors). Likewise, although it was pertinent at sentencing, respondent's learning
disability is irrelevant both to the evidentiary matter raised by the parties and the reasonable
doubt matter raised by the dissent and should not be considered on appeal. See People v.
Fontana, 251 Ill. App. 3d 694, 702-03 (1993) (where defendant does not present an insanity
defense, evidence of his learning disability is irrelevant during guilt phase).
¶ 49 CONCLUSION
¶ 50 For the foregoing reasons, we reverse respondent's delinquency adjudication and sentence
and remand for further proceedings.
¶ 51 Reversed and remanded for further proceedings.
¶ 52 JUSTICE PUCINSKI, dissenting.
¶ 53 I respectfully dissent from the majority’s decision to reverse and remand respondent’s
delinquency adjudication. There are three possible options to resolve this appeal: affirm, reverse
outright or reverse and remand for further proceedings. I would reverse outright.
¶ 54 The majority and I agree that error has occurred, and the trial court’s reliance on the
craigslist.org advertisement and all that flowed from it was improper. We disagree only on
whether there should be a new trial.
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¶ 55 The issue then is whether the judge's error in a bench trial was an evidence error, i.e.,
hearsay error or a sufficiency of the evidence error.
¶ 56 The trial court in its findings erroneously relied on the hearsay evidence offered but not
allowed in both Bravi’s testimony that she saw an advertisement for a different Cervelo P2C
bicycle on craigslist.org and Detective Castaneda’s testimony that a cell phone that respondent
was holding rang when he dialed the number listed in the advertisement as substantive evidence.
Since all of this must be out, all that remains in is the slight circumstantial evidence consisting of
the testimony of Cedicci and Gorsuch. After originally identifying two different individuals,
Cedicci and Gorsuch then identified respondent in a lineup two days later. The witnesses could
provide only minimal detail about the incident. They described seeing two males driving by in a
vehicle for a fleeting moment. The passenger, whom they believed could have been respondent,
was holding onto a nondescript triathlon bicycle partially jutting out of the back door of the car.
Essentially they saw a man turned around in the front seat toward the back holding on to both the
car door and a bicycle with the tire sticking out. I do not believe this evidence alone supports a
finding of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt for the offense of theft.
¶ 57 At this point, when left with minimal circumstantial evidence regarding a special
education student with a learning disability (according to the presentence report in the record)
who was 16 at the time and who has already served his full 18–month term of probation, I would
opt to resolve the apparent inconsistent drafting of appellant’s briefs by choosing the most
pragmatic disposition to this case. In various sections of the briefs, appellant requests either
outright reversal (brief page I., page 2, and page 9; reply brief page 1; and supplemental brief
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page 7) or reversal and remand (brief page 9 and page 15; reply brief page 4; and supplemental
brief page 8) for further proceedings. This ambiguity presents an opportunity to address the more
precise issue, one allowing for a sufficiency of the evidence analysis, and a subsequent reversal
outright.
¶ 58 Ultimately, respondent is attacking the trial court's delinquency determination based on
the evidence, and "such an attack is analogous to a criminal defendant's appellate attack on the
sufficiency of evidence to convict in a criminal bench trial." In re Driver, 46 Ill. App. 574,
575-76 (1977); see also In re Malcolm H., 373 Ill. App. 3d 891, 893-94 (2007) (constitutional
protection of proof beyond a reasonable doubt applies to the adjudicatory stage of juvenile
delinquency proceedings); People v. Berrier, 362 Ill. App. 3d 1153, 1169-70 (2006) (defendant's
challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence supporting his drug possession conviction was that
there was no evidence that the materials discovered were actually controlled substances and no
credible evidence to support the conclusion that he actually possessed the drugs, and as to his
criminal damage to property conviction, there was no proof that he knowingly caused the
damage). Under these circumstances, it is our responsibility to determine whether, after viewing
the still remaining 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. In re W.C.,
167 Ill. 2d 307, 336 (1995).
¶ 59 Generally, the State must prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, the elements of the
substantive offense alleged in a delinquency petition, and in doing so, the State may be entitled to
rely upon presumptions or inferences. In re W.C., 167 Ill. 2d at 336. To sustain respondent's
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conviction for theft in this case, the State was required to prove that the respondent knowingly
obtained or exerted unauthorized control over the specific bicycle of the owner, intending to
permanently deprive the owner of the use and benefit of her bicycle. 720 ILCS 5/16-1(a)(1)(A)
(West 2010). Theft requires proof of two mental states. People v. Jones, 149 Ill. 2d 288, 296
(1992). The two necessary elements of theft, a proscribed act committed knowingly (People v.
Nunn, 77 Ill. 2d 243, 249 (1979)) and the requisite intent, must coincide. People v. Haissig,
2012 IL App (2d) 110726, ¶ 26; see People v. Haynes, 132 Ill. App. 2d 1031, 1032 (1971) ("[a]
person could have exerted unauthorized control over property knowingly without intending to
permanently deprive the owner of the use of the property").
¶ 60 This court recently stated "[a]lthough interpreting a different statute, the Illinois Supreme
Court concluded that ' "knowledge" traditionally a form of general intent, [was] the requisite
mental state applicable to the provision as a whole.' " People v. Hernandez, 2012 IL App (1st)
092841, ¶ 31 (quoting People v. Frieberg, 147 Ill. 2d 326, 347 (1992)).
¶ 61 The Hernandez court went on to discuss the use of the knowledge requirement
concluding, in a case based on the Illinois Identity Theft Law, (720 ILCS 5/16-G-1 et seq. (West
2008)) that under the Illinois statutory scheme, the adverb "knowingly" modifies the verb "uses"
and also modifies the subsequent phrase "of another person. " Hernandez, 2012 IL App (1st)
092841, ¶¶ 37, 39.
¶ 62 I believe the same can be said about theft. I believe the adverb "knowingly" modifies the
words "obtained or exerted" and "unauthorized control" and "intended to deprive" – none of
which the State has proven.
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No. 1-10-3835
¶ 63 " 'The State must present sufficient evidence from which an inference of knowledge can
be made, and any inference must be based upon established facts and not pyramided on
intervening inferences.' " In re Keith C., 378 Ill. App. 3d 252, 260 (2007) (quoting People v.
Weiss, 263 Ill. App. 3d 725, 731 (1994)). Knowledge is distinguishable from intent in that it
does not necessitate a showing of conscious objective or aim and contemplates what the person
was " 'subjectively, consciously aware of.' " People v. Kotlinski, 2011 IL App (2d) 101251, ¶ 54
(quoting 1 John F. Decker, Illinois Criminal Law §§ 2.33, 2.34 (2d ed. 1993)). Coincidentally,
proof of respondent's intent to permanently deprive could include his "use, abandonment, or
concealment of the property, or consist entirely of his initial taking or control over the property
under circumstances suggesting that he intends to permanently retain it." Haissig, 2012 IL App
(2d) 110726, ¶ 32.
¶ 64 The requisite knowledge and intent for a theft charge may be proven indirectly by
inference or by deduction made by the trier of fact based upon the facts and circumstances of the
case. People v. Cameron, 2012 IL App (3d) 110020, ¶ 32. "Direct evidence has been defined as
evidence which, if believed, proves the existence of the fact in issue without inference or
presumption, whereas circumstantial evidence is evidence which, without going directly to prove
existence of a fact, gives rise to a logical inference that such fact does exist." (Emphasis added.)
People v. Christiansen, 118 Ill. App. 2d 51, 56 (1969).
¶ 65 Inferences which constitute elements of the offense, such as the requisite state of mind,
should be based directly on established facts and not pyramided upon intervening inferences.
People v. Davis, 50 Ill. App. 3d 163, 168 (1977). According to the State, "the record reflects that
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No. 1-10-3835
the [trial] court drew reasonable inferences from Ms. Bravi's and Detective Castaneda's non-
hearsay testimony, logically concluded that respondent had attempted to sell Ms. Waterstra[a]t's
bicycle, and found that this was yet further evidence of respondent's intent to permanently
deprive her of her bicycle." (Emphases added.) We note there is no evidence, direct or
circumstantial, that specifically links this respondent to the particular bicycle in question. The
bicycle was not recovered.
¶ 66 I am mindful that the finding of a trial court, in a nonjury case, as here, is entitled to great
weight because the court is able to observe the witnesses, assess their credibility and determine
the weight to be accorded their testimony. People v. Gillespie, 276 Ill. App. 3d 495, 499-500
(1995). I do not second-guess the credibility determinations made by the trial court, nor do I
attempt to resolve conflicts in the testimony any differently than did the trial court. Gillespie,
276 Ill. App. 3d at 500. I also recognize that a defendant can be found guilty of theft solely on
the basis of knowingly exerting unauthorized control over the property of another at the time of
arrest, because the crime of theft is not limited to the original taking of the property, but this is
not such a case. People v. Alexander, 93 Ill. 2d 73, 78 (1982); see also People v. Price, 221 Ill.
2d 182, 193 (2006).
¶ 67 Here, in finding respondent delinquent based on theft, the trial court noted that the
offense does not require that someone be seen taking property, but that the person knowingly
possesses property with the intent to permanently deprive the rightful owner of that property.
¶ 68 The majority opines that the dissent seeks to "recast the issue presented as reasonable
doubt and reverse respondent's delinquency adjudication outright, neither side raised reasonable
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No. 1-10-3835
doubt in its briefs nor does the respondent seek the remedy of outright reversal. " Supra ¶ 44
(citing from People v. Givens, 237 Ill. 2d 339 (2010); People v. McNeal, 405 Ill. App. 3d 676(2010); and Greenlaw v. United States, 554 U.S. 244 (2008)).
¶ 69 The defense did, however, fully brief due process in his argument (brief pages 10 and 15
and supplemental brief pages 6-7) against the judge's reliance on hearsay evidence which was
never admitted for its truth, following up with an analysis of that hearsay error that the error was
not harmless (brief pages 14-15) and stating on page 14, "Consequently Jovan's finding of guilt
cannot stand unless consideration of the hearsay is harmless beyond a reasonable doubt." The
defense argued it was not harmless and the majority and I agree on that.
¶ 70 In the majority opinion, the issue of harmless error is explained, starting at paragraph 36,
as "The remedy for erroneous admission of hearsay is reversal, unless the record clearly shows
that the error was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt." Supra ¶ 37. The harmless error analysis
requires a reasonable doubt determination. The majority itself has therefore looked to reasonable
doubt and has also found that the error was not harmless. We agree on that. We have come to
different conclusions about the outcome.
¶ 71 What the majority ignores is that when all is said and done this is an evidence question
with an inadmissible evidence question inside it, a reasonable doubt question inside that and a
sufficiency of the evidence question at its core. Like a dandelion gone to seed, when you blow
away all the inadmissible evidence you are left with no evidence at all.
¶ 72 Relying solely on the allowable evidence, it cannot be said that the State has proved
beyond a reasonable doubt that: (1) it was the respondent in the car, where two witnesses
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No. 1-10-3835
positively identified two other young men first, then identified defendant in a lineup that defense
believes was suggestive. But even if they saw respondent holding a bicycle in that car, there is
(2) no proof respondent knew the bicycle was stolen; (3) no proof it was the bicycle in question;
(4) no proof respondent exerted unauthorized control over the particular bicycle in question; (5)
no proof respondent intended to sell that bicycle or any bicycle; and (6) no proof respondent
intended to permanently deprive the owner of her property.
¶ 73 Because there was insufficient evidence to prove essential elements of the crime, we
should reverse outright.
¶ 74 Instead, the trial court relied on the very evidence which the court itself did not allow as
substantive evidence and then cascaded that evidence into speculative findings of fact to satisfy
the intent to permanently deprive element of theft. If this error constituted no more than an
erroneous evidentiary ruling, we would have no choice but to reverse and remand.
¶ 75 However, no matter how inartfully the defense makes the point, it has demonstrated that
without the craigslist ad and all that flows from it, the only evidence left – two witnesses, who at
first misidentified the holder of the bicycle and did not describe the bicycle in any sufficient
detail to distinguish it from what must be many, many bicycles in the area of the occurrence, and
who certainly could not and did not testify as to the intent of the bicycle holder, let alone the
respondent – is insufficient to sustain a conviction for theft. As a sufficiency of the evidence
case, we are free to reverse outright and that is what I would do.
¶ 76 "[W]e will reverse a criminal conviction where the evidence is so unreasonable,
improbable, or unsatisfactory as to create a reasonable doubt as to defendant's guilt." People v.
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No. 1-10-3835
Stewart, 406 Ill. App. 3d 518, 531 (2010) (People v. Smith, 185 Ill. 2d 532, 542 (1999)).
¶ 77 However, even if we somehow got to the craigslist material and considered this an
evidentiary error case, the State has still not proved mens rea, which brings us back full circle to
the sufficiency of the evidence. The trial court found that respondent's attempt to sell the bicycle
"further reinforces" that he had the intent to permanently deprive the rightful owner of that
bicycle, and referred to the fact that the cell phone in respondent's hand rang when the detective
dialed the number listed in the classified ad as "significant evidence." The trial court also found
that the circumstantial evidence showed that respondent knew the bicycle did not belong to him,
that he had no right to sell or possess it, and that it believed respondent was accountable for the
theft whether he physically removed the bicycle from Bravi's car or physically held it in the "get-
away car."
¶ 78 Turning to our colleagues in the Second District, in an identity theft case hinged on
knowledge, Justice Schostok wrote "the State did not prove [Sanchez] possessed the necessary
mens rea and thus her conviction cannot stand." The case was reversed. People v. Sanchez,
2013 IL App (2d) 120445, ¶ 47.
¶ 79 The State cites the following facts in support of the inferences upon which respondent's
conviction are based: Bravi saw a different bicycle and a phone number in a posting on
craigslist.org. Based on this posting, Bravi alerted Detective Castaneda, who investigated the
phone number and learned that it was serviced by Cricket. Then, Detective Castaneda went to an
address where he detained respondent and observed a Cricket cell phone in respondent's hand.
Detective Castaneda dialed the phone number in the posting and heard that cell phone ring.
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No. 1-10-3835
Another person dialed the same phone number and that cell phone rang again. Subsequently,
Cedicci and Gorsuch identified respondent in a lineup.
¶ 80 There was no evidence that the cell phone belonged to respondent, that the craigslist ad
was posted by respondent or that respondent knew about the ad or the phone number on it. And
the craigslist ad itself was for a different bicycle.
¶ 81 Considering the aforementioned facts, in the light most favorable to the prosecution, I
would conclude that the State's evidence did not allow the trial court to reasonably infer
respondent's intent to permanently deprive the owner of her bicycle. People v. Harmon, 2012 IL
App (3d) 110297, ¶ 17. As the State notes, Bravi "certainly did not testify that the craigslist.org
posting indicated that a Cervelo P2C was for sale and that respondent was the seller." The fact
that Bravi observed a craigslist posting for a Cervelo P2C bicycle with photographs of newer
model Cervelo bicycles and a phone number, fails to establish, whether by inference or
deduction, that anyone obtained control over Waterstraat's bicycle with the intent to permanently
deprive her of it by selling it on craigslist. See People v. Murray, 262 Ill. App. 3d 1056, 1063
(1994).
¶ 82 Because judicial error results in an exclusion of the testimony of both Bravi and Detective
Castaneda, the evidence that remains is circumstantial at best and not sufficient to support a
finding of delinquency. I would, like my colleagues in Hernandez, 2012 IL App (1st) 092841, ¶
18, find that although respondent's argument "may be characterized broadly as concerning the
sufficiency of evidence her argument on this point has two facets." (Internal quotation marks
omitted.) Here, respondent's harmless error argument has two facets: the error was not harmless
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No. 1-10-3835
and without the erroneous reliance on inadmitted evidence the remaining evidence was
insufficient to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
¶ 83 Respondent is clear that he does not challenge the trial court's hearsay ruling. Put another
way, respondent agrees that the trial court properly limited the purpose for which certain
testimony was admitted. What respondent takes issue with is the trial court's express reliance on
such testimony to support an inference that "further reinforces" the State's evidence of his
culpable mental state, the arguable absence of which clearly speaks to the sufficiency of the
evidence to sustain the conviction.
¶ 84 Finally, I agree with my colleagues in an earlier Hernandez case that we must
“understand great deference should be given to trial judges when they hear the evidence and
observe the witnesses. See People v. Furby, 138 Ill. 2d 434, 455 (1990). But this deference does
not require a mindless rubber-stamp on every bench trial guilty verdict we address. That would
be an abdication of our constitutional responsibility. And we [should] not [be] reluctant to
examine the record for a lack of evidence linking the defendant to the crime charged.” People v.
Hernandez, 312 Ill. App. 3d 1032, 1037 (2000).
¶ 85 For the reasons stated, I would reverse outright respondent's theft conviction.
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