2023 IL App (2d) 220249-U No. 2-22-0249 Order filed June 1, 2023
NOTICE: This order was filed under Supreme Court Rule 23(b) and is not precedent except in the limited circumstances allowed under Rule 23(e)(1). ______________________________________________________________________________
IN THE
APPELLATE COURT OF ILLINOIS
SECOND DISTRICT ______________________________________________________________________________
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE ) Appeal from the Circuit Court OF ILLINOIS, ) of De Kalb County. ) Plaintiff-Appellee, ) ) v. ) No. 21-CF-40 ) ROBERT D. GAILLARD, ) Honorable ) Marcy L. Buick, Defendant-Appellant. ) Judge, Presiding. ______________________________________________________________________________
JUSTICE JORGENSEN delivered the judgment of the court. Presiding Justice McLaren and Justice Schostok concurred in the judgment.
ORDER
¶1 Held: Trial counsel was not ineffective for failing to move to strike a juror. However, the trial court failed to conduct a preliminary inquiry into defendant’s pro se ineffective-assistance claims. Remanded.
¶2 After a jury trial, defendant, Robert D. Gaillard, was convicted of three counts of home
invasion (720 5/19-6(a)(2), (3), (6) (West 2020)), armed robbery (720 ILCS 5/18-2(a)(2) (West
2020)), two counts of aggravated criminal sexual assault (720 ILCS 5/11-1.30(a)(8) (West 2020)),
and resisting a peace officer (720 ILCS 5/31-1(a) (West 2020)). The court sentenced him to two
consecutive terms of 30 years’ imprisonment for aggravated criminal sexual assault, two 2023 IL App (2d) 220249-U
concurrent terms of 25 years’ imprisonment (to run consecutive to the 30-year terms) for home
invasion and armed robbery, and 1 year in the county jail for resisting a peace officer (time already
served). Defendant appeals, arguing that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to strike a juror,
and that the trial court failed to conduct a preliminary inquiry into his pro se claims of ineffective
assistance of counsel, as required by People v. Krankel, 102 Ill. 2d 181 (1984) (“Krankel inquiry”).
For the following reasons, we agree with defendant’s second argument and remand.
¶3 I. BACKGROUND
¶4 According to the charges, on January 19, 2021, defendant, without authority and knowing
they were present, entered an apartment occupied by David Choice and Rashida Larence. He
pointed a firearm at David and ordered him into his room, where he struck David in the head with
the firearm. Further, he pointed the firearm at Larence and ordered her into her room, where he
placed his penis in her mouth and on her vagina. Finally, defendant, still armed with the firearm,
knowingly took David’s PlayStation 5 video game system and ran away from a police officer.
Also present in the apartment were Rameal Choice, David’s brother, and two children. In addition,
defendant’s co-defendant, Awann Wood, was armed with a butcher knife.
¶5 A. Pretrial Proceedings
¶6 On March 14, 2022, immediately before jury selection commenced, the trial court asked
defendant if there was anything else he would like his counsel to do before trial or if there was
anything he would like to discuss with counsel. Defendant replied, “no.”
¶7 During jury selection, defendant’s counsel used four of his seven peremptory challenges
while questioning the first panel of the venire. While questioning the second panel, counsel used
a fifth peremptory challenge on juror number two. Then, juror number six, who runs a Suburban
Apartments housing complex in DeKalb and, in that context, sometimes works with police
-2- 2023 IL App (2d) 220249-U
officers, expressed a concern regarding his own impartiality. Specifically, although juror six stated
that he understood and accepted all four of the principles required by Illinois Supreme Court Rule
431(b) (eff. July 1, 2012), 1 and could be fair, the following exchange occurred between the juror
and defense counsel, Brian Erwin:
“MR. ERWIN: Is there any reason that you feel that you couldn’t be fair and
impartial sitting on today’s case?
PROSPECTIVE JUROR: I believe that with my religious beliefs might affect a bit
in the case.
MR. ERWIN: I don’t want to get too much into it, and obviously everyone has the
right to their religion. What is it about your religious beliefs that you believe would affect
your ability to sit as a juror?
PROSPECTIVE JUROR: If it was discussed that three or more people come
forward and that mind that it is the person, our religion belief that that is the person
testifying-wise.
MR. ERWIN: So if three or more people come in and say that someone is the
individual, then in your religion you believe that that’s—that you have to accept that?
1 The four principles are: “(1) that the defendant is presumed innocent of the charge(s)
against him or her; (2) that before a defendant can be convicted the State must prove the defendant
guilty beyond a reasonable doubt; (3) that the defendant is not required to offer any evidence on
his or her own behalf; and (4) that if a defendant does not testify it cannot be held against him or
her; however, no inquiry of a prospective juror shall be made into the defendant’s decision not to
testify when the defendant objects.” Id.; see also People v. Zehr, 103 Ill. 2d 472 (1984).
-3- 2023 IL App (2d) 220249-U
PROSPECTIVE JUROR: Yes.
MR. ERWIN: So if it’s less than three people, then you don’t accept it?
PROSPECTIVE JUROR: Right.
MR. ERWIN: So with that being the case do you think that you can be fair and
impartial, then, knowing that there’s your religion permits or doesn’t permit you to make
a decision?
PROSPECTIVE JUROR: I will be fair.
MR. ERWIN: Okay. And I’m not trying to press too much on this, but if less than
three people say someone did it, your religion allows you to make your own decision as to
whether you believe those individuals?
PROSPECTIVE JUROR: That depends on the evidence.
MR. ERWIN: But regardless of the evidence, if three people come in and say that
they did it, then your religion—I don’t want to say forces you, but yourself religion is based
on then that is correct?
PROSPECTIVE JUROR: That is correct.
MR. ERWIN: And that’s what you have to accept?
MR. ERWIN: Regardless of whatever evidence may show?
PROSPECTIVE JUROR: Correct.
MR. ERWIN: Okay. So with that being the case, if three or more people come in
and say something even though the evidence may say otherwise, you have to accept the
fact that those three or more people said something and you have to accept that based on
your religion?
-4- 2023 IL App (2d) 220249-U
MR. ERWIN: Okay. And again, I’m going to ask then specifically do you think
then you can be fair and impartial knowing that you have to accept what your religion
teaches you? And I’m not going against that, but do you think that you can be fair and
impartial then knowing that you’re not really going to listen to any of the evidence if simply
because three or more people say something?
PROSPECTIVE JUROR: Yeah. I’ll be fair.
MR. ERWIN: Okay. Can I have one moment?
THE COURT: Yes.
***
MR. ERWIN: Juror No. 6, let me ask you this.
MR. ERWIN: The State has to prove beyond a reasonable doubt. If they’re unable
to prove beyond a reasonable doubt, do you have a problem signing a not guilty verdict?
PROSPECTIVE JUROR: No, I don’t have a problem.
MR. ERWIN: Thank you. Judge, we will now accept and tender.”
¶8 The State also accepted juror six, and he was impaneled.
¶9 B. Trial
¶ 10 The State produced 13 witnesses at trial, 3 of whom testified to events that occurred within
the apartment, with the remaining 10 testifying to various stages of the investigation. Specifically,
Rameal testified first that, on January 19, 2021, he was living in a four-bedroom apartment on the
third floor of a building with David, Rashida, and their children. The adults each had their own
bedrooms, while the children shared one. Around 1:15 a.m., he was in his room playing video
-5- 2023 IL App (2d) 220249-U
games, when he first heard a loud sound in the kitchen and, then, another loud sound from David’s
bedroom. He heard voices and David yelling, asking someone not to hurt him because he had
children. Rameal recognized one of the voices as belonging to “Robert.” Rameal checked on the
children and then, dressed only in his underwear, ran outside to another apartment building for
help and to call 911. His 911 call was admitted into evidence and played for the jury. In the call,
Rameal apparently told the dispatcher that one of the men in the apartment was armed with a gun
because he heard David say so, but Rameal never saw defendant with a gun. Rameal stated twice
to the dispatcher that he did not know who broke into the apartment. When officers arrived, they
instructed Rameal to wait on the second floor, while they went up to the third floor. While there,
he saw defendant, for the first time, as defendant was coming down the stairs from the third floor
with police behind him. Defendant tried to jump over a banister but fell down the stairwell.
¶ 11 Next, David testified that, on the date in question, he heard a bang, like someone kicking
in the front door, and then someone kicked open his bedroom door. David identified defendant as
the person who came into his bedroom. He was familiar with defendant and had previously met
him. Further, another man whom he did not know (later alleged to be Wood) was present with
defendant. Defendant held a gun, while Wood held a large knife (like a butcher knife). David
testified that defendant hit him with the gun, then shoved the gun into his mouth while yelling and
cursing. After beating him, defendant and Wood left to go to Larence’s room, and, when he tried
to follow, defendant ordered David back to his room. Wood, carrying the knife, followed David
and told him that, if he moved, he would get cut. David could not call the police because defendant
had smashed David’s phone and tablet with the gun. Defendant later returned to David’s room
and hit him with the gun on his head, face, back, and body, causing a black eye and his lip to bleed.
-6- 2023 IL App (2d) 220249-U
Defendant took David’s PlayStation 5 from the bedroom. David later identified defendant’s
picture in a photo lineup.
¶ 12 Larence testified that she was asleep in her room with the door closed, when she heard a
loud boom from the front door of the apartment. She then heard a loud commotion from David’s
bedroom and went out into the hallway. Defendant pointed a gun at her head and instructed her to
return to her room. Larence knew defendant prior to this incident. Defendant followed Larence
into the bedroom and instructed her to take off her pants. Defendant fondled Larence between the
legs, touching her vagina. After taking her phone, defendant returned to David’s room, where
Larence could hear him beating David. Wood told her to go to the children’s room. Defendant
later entered the children’s room, telling her, “Your bitch ass baby daddy got my sister jumped.”
He again ordered her to pull down her pants, told her that he had been “wanting” her, and ordered
her to bend over. He tried to stick his penis in her vagina but was unable to insert it. He then held
the gun to her forehead, ordered her to open her mouth, and placed his penis in her mouth.
Defendant took his penis out of Larence’s mouth and ejaculated into his hand. Wood returned and
told defendant that they had to leave because the police were coming. Police were coming up the
stairs to the apartment when the men left; defendant tried to push past them. Larence later
identified defendant in a photo lineup.
¶ 13 As noted, the remaining State witnesses testified to stages of the investigation. In sum,
Officer Lance Reinbolz apprehended defendant running from the scene and found Larence’s phone
on defendant’s person. Officer Matthew Lave observed Reinbolz apprehending defendant and
later found a gun in bushes near where defendant was stopped. Detective Maxwell Paul
photographed the scene and collected and processed evidence, including the gun. Detective Jason
Goodwin processed evidence and conducted photo line-ups with the victims. Officer Nicole Folz
-7- 2023 IL App (2d) 220249-U
was first on the scene with her colleague, Officer Ehrick Howland, and encountered defendant
coming out of the apartment. She ultimately tried to stop and chase him after he jumped over a
banister to a lower stairwell. Jessalin Volmer, a registered nurse, examined Larence at the hospital
and administered a sexual-assault evidence kit. Sergeant Ray Hernandez photographed the scene,
interviewed Larence, collected DNA evidence from the victims, and took defendant’s statement at
the police station. Sergeant Kris Mecca collected DNA evidence from defendant. Shaya Daniels
testified as a forensic scientist on latent prints (the prints lifted from the handgun were not suitable
for analysis). Finally, Laurie Lee testified as a forensic scientist on DNA analysis (notably, (1)
DNA found on the barrel of the handgun included David, (2) DNA found on the trigger and
handgrips included defendant and Larence, (3) swabs from defendant’s penis showed two DNA
contributors, namely, a major profile for defendant and a minor profile from which Larence could
not be excluded).
¶ 14 The court denied defendant’s motion for a directed verdict. Defendant did not testify at
trial, but his statement to Sergeant Hernandez was recorded and entered into evidence. Therein,
defendant apparently admitted that he broke into the apartment and had a physical confrontation
with David, striking him repeatedly. He claimed that he and a friend went to the apartment to
confront someone about something that happened to his girlfriend, Briana Mackey.
¶ 15 Defendant called Mackey, who testified that the handgun was hers and that defendant had
previously touched the weapon. Mackey’s sister, Alexis Mackey, testified that one of the phones
police found was hers, and she had allowed Woods to borrow it. Detective Paul and Sergeant
Hernandez were both recalled and testified to the type of ammunition found in the gun’s magazine.
Officer Mecca confirmed that a red phone recovered during the investigation belonged to Alexis.
Finally, Officer Howland testified that he arrived on the scene with Folz, activated his body cam
-8- 2023 IL App (2d) 220249-U
(the footage of which was admitted into evidence and published to the jury), kicked open the
apartment door and announced himself as police, and defendant eventually came out with his hands
up, but Howland did not see anything in his hands, nor did he see a PlayStation on defendant.
¶ 16 The jury found defendant guilty on all counts.
¶ 17 C. Posttrial Proceedings
¶ 18 Defendant filed a motion for a new trial. Before it was heard, a presentence investigation
report was prepared. In the presentence report, the investigator reported defendant had said, “My
lawyer didn’t do nothing for real.” Further, in the concluding summary, the investigator noted that
defendant never took full responsibility for his actions the day of his arrest, blaming instead the
victim, police, “and his attorney for failing his case.”
¶ 19 On May 26, 2022, defendant appeared for the sentencing hearing. The court noted that a
presentence investigation report had been filed. It asked defendant if he had received enough time
to discuss the sentencing proceedings with his counsel, and defendant replied, “No, I haven’t spoke
[sic] to him at all.” The court asked if he would like a minute to do so, and defendant replied, “No,
ma’am. Just get this over with.” The court asked defendant if he was sure, and defendant replied,
“Yes, ma’am. Just go.”
¶ 20 Counsel, however, addressed the court concerning the presentence report,
“MR. ERWIN: [noting that the last portion of the presentence report read]
‘[defendant] never took full responsibility for his actions the day of his arrest,’ which I
firmly agree with. ‘Blamed the victim for lying (sexual abuse) and for the police for
charging him with home invasion. And again, he never kicked down the door. It was open,
he walked in’. And then the last sentence ‘and his attorney for failing his case’.
-9- 2023 IL App (2d) 220249-U
Obviously[,] I was the attorney that represented him on the case. I’ve discussed
with him obviously the trial strategy and everything. I just want to make sure that he still
wishes for me to proceed for this matter given the fact that there is that potential issue.
DEFENDANT: Go ahead, yeah.
THE COURT: First of all, I can’t understand what you’re saying.
Second of all, I will bring your attention to there is that part of the presentence
investigation report where Amber Hiland, the probation officer, states in the report a
recitation just as your attorney stated to the Court. The last words in the sentence is you’re
blaming your attorney for failing your case. Do you want Mr. Erwin to represent you
during this sentencing hearing?
DEFENDANT: Yeah.
THE COURT: Yes?
DEFENDANT: Yes, ma’am.
THE COURT: Attorney Erwin, do you have anything else you want to put on the
record about that?
MR. ERWIN: Judge, again, obviously the evidence and the defense that was
presented I did go over that with him, spoke with him numerous times in regards to how
the case and our defense strategy. Also spoke to him behind when we would be shuffled
back to the holding area. I just want to again make it clear—and again, he can file any
motions that he wishes to after the sentencing. But I just want to make sure that you’re
okay with me.
DEFENDANT: Yeah, go on.
- 10 - 2023 IL App (2d) 220249-U
MR. ERWIN: Well, he’s indicated yes. I just want to make sure that that’s still his
desire.
THE COURT: When you say ‘Yeah, go on’, do you mean yes—
THE COURT: —you would like Mr. Erwin to—
DEFENDANT: I apologize. Yes, ma’am. Yes, ma’am. I mean yes.” (Emphasis
added.)
Thereafter, defense counsel argued the motion for a new trial, which the trial court denied.
¶ 21 Sentencing commenced. In argument, defense counsel methodically addressed each of the
mitigating factors provided by section 5-5-3.1(a) of the Code (730 ILCS 5/5-5-3.1(a) (West 2020)),
and, in doing so, noted each one that did not apply. As previously indicated, the court ultimately
sentenced defendant to two consecutive terms of 30 years and two concurrent terms of 25 years,
to run consecutive to the 30-year terms. Defendant appeals.
¶ 22 II. ANALYSIS
¶ 23 A. Ineffective Assistance
¶ 24 Defendant argues first that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to strike juror number
six. Specifically, juror number six explained that, according to his religion, and regardless of what
the evidence demonstrated, if three people asserted that something happened, he had to believe
them. Despite this admission that might affect impartiality, defendant argues, counsel did not
move to strike the juror for cause, nor use one of his remaining peremptory challenges to exclude
the juror. Defendant asserts that counsel’s failure cannot be justified by any reasonable strategy,
given that he knew the State would be calling more than three witnesses. Further, defendant argues
that he was undoubtedly prejudiced because he is entitled to be tried by 12 impartial and
- 11 - 2023 IL App (2d) 220249-U
unprejudiced jurors. Where the State called 13 witnesses, 3 of whom were eyewitnesses, defendant
asserts that the juror must have felt obligated to find defendant guilty without any consideration of
witness credibility or other trial evidence. Defendant notes that the juror never stated that he would
set aside his religious beliefs while weighing the evidence. Defendant requests that we reverse his
convictions and remand for a new trial before “an unbiased and impartial jury that can return a
verdict worthy of confidence.” For the following reasons, we disagree because the juror was not
unequivocally biased and the decision not to strike him was a matter of trial strategy.
¶ 25 It is well-established that, to state a claim for ineffective assistance of counsel, a defendant
must demonstrate that: (1) counsel’s performance was deficient because it fell below an objective
standard of reasonableness (prong one); and (2) the defendant was prejudiced because, but for
counsel’s deficient performance, there is a reasonable probability that the trial result would have
been different (prong two). See People v. Jones, 2012 IL App (2d) 110346, ¶ 68 (citing Strickland
v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668 (1984)). To satisfy prong one, the defendant must overcome the
strong presumption that counsel’s conduct was, under the circumstances, sound trial strategy.
People v. Houston, 226 Ill. 2d 135, 144 (2007). The defendant may satisfy prong two by
demonstrating that counsel’s deficient performance rendered the result of the trial unreliable or the
proceeding fundamentally unfair. People v. Jackson, 205 Ill. 2d 247, 259 (2001); see also People
v. Evans, 209 Ill. 2d 194, 220 (2004) (“a reasonable probability that the result would have been
different is a probability sufficient to undermine confidence in the outcome—or put another way,
that counsel’s deficient performance rendered the result of the trial unreliable or fundamentally
unfair”). Both prongs must be satisfied; if a defendant does not satisfy one prong, his or her
ineffective-assistance-of-counsel claim cannot prevail. People v. Colon, 225 Ill. 2d 125, 135
- 12 - 2023 IL App (2d) 220249-U
(2007). As this ineffective-assistance claim was not raised below, we review it de novo. People
v. Lofton, 2015 IL App (2d) 130135, ¶ 24.
¶ 26 A fair trial is one in which evidence subject to adversarial testing is presented to an
impartial tribunal for resolution of issues defined before trial. People v. Manning, 241 Ill. 2d 319,
330 (2011). A prospective juror may be removed for cause when he or she holds views that would
prevent or substantially impair the ability to exercise the duties of a juror. See People v. Buss, 187
Ill. 2d 144, 187 (1999). Further, trial counsel may protect against prejudice by using peremptory
challenges to reject a juror for real or imagined partiality. See, e.g., People v. Metcalfe, 202 Ill. 2d
544, 562 (2002); People v. Munson, 171 Ill. 2d 158, 177 (1996). Generally, counsel’s decisions
during jury selection are considered matters of trial strategy and are virtually unassailable.
Manning, 241 Ill. 2d at 333. Although strategic decisions are not entirely immune from
ineffective-assistance claims, we remain mindful that, because attorneys consider many factors in
deciding which jurors to challenge and which to accept, “[r]eviewing courts should hesitate to
second-guess counsel’s strategic decisions [in jury selection], even where those decisions might
seem questionable.” Id. at 335. However, trial counsel may be found deficient for failing to
exercise a peremptory challenge against a juror who expresses unequivocal bias against the
defendant. Id. at 335, 337. In assessing trial counsel’s decisions regarding peremptory challenges,
it is improper to focus on one answer or even a “few answers,” as this approach could skew the
analysis of whether counsel was deficient. Id. at 334. Rather, the entire voir dire of the juror must
be considered in evaluating whether and to what extent the potential juror exhibited bias against
the defendant. Id.
¶ 27 Thus, in considering defendant’s argument here, we remain mindful: (1) that the decision
whether to exercise a peremptory challenge is fundamentally a matter of trial strategy, and (2) we
- 13 - 2023 IL App (2d) 220249-U
must assess the totality of juror six’s responses in determining whether he was unequivocally
biased such that counsel acted outside the realm of sound trial strategy in failing to strike him. As
such, when we consider the totality of the voir dire involving juror six, we cannot agree that he
was unequivocally biased or that his views substantially impaired the performance of his duties as
a juror, such that counsel performed deficiently in failing to seek his dismissal. During the general
voir dire of the panel, juror six acknowledged that he understood and accepted that: (1) defendant
was presumed innocent; (2) the State must prove defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt; (3)
defendant was not required to offer any evidence on his own behalf; and (4) if defendant chose not
to testify, that decision could not be held against him. Further, while he explained that his religious
beliefs “might affect a bit” and that, if three or more people testified that a person did something,
he had to accept that as true, regardless of the evidence, upon further questioning he nevertheless
twice reiterated that he would remain fair and, if the State did not prove defendant’s guilt beyond
a reasonable doubt, would sign a not-guilty verdict. Thus, based on the entire voir dire of juror
six, we do not believe that he was unequivocally biased or prejudiced regarding the case itself or,
more specifically, defendant’s guilt.
¶ 28 Although defendant focuses on the fact that the juror never commented that he could be
impartial and would set aside his religious beliefs to weigh the evidence (see, e.g., People v.
Hobley, 159 Ill. 2d 272, 297 (1994) (if the prospective juror states that he or she will try to disregard
the bias, striking the juror unnecessary)), we believe that juror six’s repeated statement that he
would be fair, coupled with his answers in the context of the entire voir dire, reflect that he was
nevertheless not predisposed to find defendant guilty. Indeed, and most critically here, given that
we are reviewing defendant’s arguments in the context of an ineffective-assistance analysis, it was
certainly possible that counsel did not consider the juror unequivocally biased against defendant
- 14 - 2023 IL App (2d) 220249-U
or incapable of impartiality. See Manning, 241 Ill. 2d at 335 (“Considering the entire voir dire of
[the potential juror] in context, it is possible that defendant’s trial counsel decided that [the juror]
was not unequivocally biased.”). Again, the juror’s answers to various questions about bias and
fairness during the entire voir dire reflect that the primary issue was whether juror six would credit
and accept three witnesses’ testimony, even over contrary evidence, which, frankly, was not an
issue here. While it is true that more than three witnesses testified for the State, this is not a case
where three State witnesses testified to the exact same thing, but the remaining evidence
contradicted them, which is where juror six’s religious beliefs could, theoretically, have been
problematic. Indeed, given the witness list and evidence likely to be elicited, counsel presumably
understood that it was unlikely that the juror’s religious beliefs about accepting three witnesses’
testimony, regardless of the evidence, would be triggered. Further, we note that, after asking the
juror several questions, counsel asked the court for a minute to reflect. Counsel then asked the
juror a few additional questions, confirming that the juror would hold the State to its burden of
proof, before accepting him. As such, counsel’s decision not to strike the juror was clearly one
made after considering the juror’s answers, the potential evidence, and upon strategic
contemplation.
¶ 29 Moreover, we note that counsel knew that if he used another peremptory challenge on juror
six, he would have only one remaining for five more prospective jurors (one more juror in the
second panel and the entire third panel of prospective jurors). Counsel may have reasonably
assessed that no three witnesses would be testifying to the exact same events and that, given the
juror’s repeated assurances that he would be fair, it was better to reserve those challenges for the
next panel. Defendant asserts that, while counsel may have wished to save as many peremptory
challenges as possible for as long as possible, juror number six was the kind of juror he should
- 15 - 2023 IL App (2d) 220249-U
have been saving them for, because “it is difficult to imagine a juror more damaging for
[defendant’s] case, where the State called more than three witnesses to testify that he was the
perpetrator, than a juror who admitted he would ignore the evidence and simply believe
[defendant] was the perpetrator if three or more people testified to that effect.” Again, we disagree
with defendant’s characterization of juror six’s statements as reflecting unequivocal bias against
him, particularly in light of the entirety of his voir dire answers and the potential (and actual)
evidence. Moreover, defendant also disregards the degree to which counsel’s strategic decisions
are unassailable, as well as the fact that, on review, we have the benefit of hindsight, which is not
an appropriate factor to consider. See Jones, 2012 IL App (2d) 110346, ¶ 83 (“neither mistakes in
strategy nor the fact that another attorney with the benefit of hindsight would have handled the
case differently indicates that defendant counsel was incompetent.”). In the moment, and at the
time counsel made his strategic decision to accept juror six, so as to not leave only one peremptory
challenge remaining for questioning five more jurors, it was simply not objectively unreasonable.
We will not second guess counsel’s decision. Manning, 241 Ill. 2d at 333, 33-36 (finding not
unreasonable the attorney’s decision to reserve his two remaining peremptory challenges for the
three jurors yet to be seated).
¶ 30 We further note that our supreme court has found a defense counsel’s failure to remove a
juror to be a matter of trial strategy even when the juror made considerably stronger statements of
bias or partiality than those here. See Jones, 2012 IL App (2d) 110346, ¶¶ 74-75 (citing Manning,
241 Ill. 2d 319; People v. Metcalfe, 202 Ill. 2d 544 (2002)). As noted in Jones, the Manning court
held that, despite the potential juror giving conflicting answers about his impartiality, eventually
claiming that he could not be fair, it was possible that the defense counsel decided that the juror
was not unequivocally biased. Jones, 2012 IL App (2d) 110346, ¶ 74 (citing Manning, 241 Ill. 2d
- 16 - 2023 IL App (2d) 220249-U
at 335). In Jones, we found no ineffective assistance where the attorney did not move to strike a
juror who stated that he thought police would be more credible than other witnesses. Jones, 2012
IL App (2d) 110346, ¶ 73. In doing so, we also cited Metcalfe, 202 Ill. 2d 544, where the supreme
court held that, despite responses by a potential juror that she could not be impartial because of
her experience as a crime witness, the defense counsel’s decision not to remove her could be
considered trial strategy because counsel possibly believed that the juror’s bias might be against
the criminal justice system, thus, favoring the defense. Jones, 2012 IL App (2d) 110346, ¶ 75
(citing Metcalfe, 202 Ill. 2d at 562). We find unpersuasive defendant’s attempts to distinguish
those cases. Here, juror six’s statements simply did not approach the degree of bias or lack of
impartiality expressed by the jurors in Manning and Metcalfe—which failed to support those
ineffectiveness claims. Further, unlike in Jones, juror six’s comments here did not outright
announce an inclination to find State witnesses more credible which, again, failed to support the
ineffectiveness claim. The same result is warranted here, and we find that counsel’s performance
did not fall below an objective standard of reasonableness.
¶ 31 Although we need not address prejudice, as we have found counsel’s performance was not
deficient, we briefly note that defendant’s argument regarding prejudice suggests that, if it is
determined that counsel was deficient for not striking a biased juror, prejudice must be presumed
because the defendant will have been deprived of an impartial jury. However, that presumption
was rejected by our supreme court in Manning, and the court instead reinforced the standard that
a defendant must still demonstrate prejudice in that the deficient performance rendered the result
of the trial unreliable or the proceeding fundamentally unfair. Manning, 241 Ill. 2d at 327-28, 333.
Here, even if we were to find counsel’s performance deficient, defendant’s ineffective-assistance
claim fails, because he has not demonstrated counsel’s performance rendered the trial result
- 17 - 2023 IL App (2d) 220249-U
unreliable or the proceeding fundamentally unfair. Defendant notes that, because more than three
witnesses testified, juror six must have felt bound to convict him. However, the evidence of
defendant’s guilt was very strong, even despite juror six’s convictions. In sum, we reject
defendant’s ineffective-assistance claim.
¶ 32 B. Preliminary Krankel Inquiry
¶ 33 Next, defendant argues that the court erred where it failed to conduct a preliminary Krankel
inquiry to assess the bases of his pro se claims of ineffective assistance of counsel. He notes that
the court was aware of his statements in the presentence report reflecting his belief that trial counsel
had failed his case. Further, the court learned that he had not had time to discuss sentencing with
his counsel because counsel had not contacted him. Moreover, defendant asserts that, during the
sentencing hearing, counsel made disparaging comments about him, where he “firmly agreed”
with the presentence report’s conclusion that defendant had not taken responsibility for his
conduct, and where counsel enumerated for the court each of the mitigating factors that he believed
did not apply to defendant’s case. Thus, defendant argues, just prior to sentencing, counsel
informed the court that the presentence investigator made a damaging conclusion about defendant,
that counsel firmly agreed with that conclusion, and further highlighted the lack of applicable
mitigating evidence. Nevertheless, despite the statements in the report and the additional “red
flags” at the hearing reflecting “counsel’s subsequent abandonment of his duty to advocate for his
client,” the court did not conduct any investigation into defendant’s complaints about counsel,
asking only whether defendant wanted counsel to represent him during the sentencing hearing.
Defendant requests that we remand the case for a preliminary inquiry into defendant’s pro se
allegations of ineffective assistance. For the following reasons, we agree.
- 18 - 2023 IL App (2d) 220249-U
¶ 34 When a defendant brings a pro se posttrial claim that trial counsel was ineffective, Krankel
requires the trial court to adequately inquire into the factual basis of the claim and, under certain
circumstances, to appoint new counsel to argue the claim. People v. Ayres, 2017 IL 120071, ¶ 11.
The purpose for requiring the court to examine the factual basis of a defendant’s claim is to assess
whether new counsel should be appointed; namely, if the court determines that the claim lacks
merit or pertains only to matters of trial strategy, the court may deny the pro se motion, whereas,
if the allegations show possible neglect of the case, new counsel should be appointed. People v.
Moore, 207 Ill. 2d 68, 77-78 (2003). The trial court’s duty to inquire is triggered when a pro se
defendant simply brings his or her claim to the trial court’s attention; nothing more is required.
Ayres, 2017 IL 120071, ¶ 11. Specifically, the defendant does not need to use the words
“ineffective assistance of counsel,” nor allege the underlying factual basis for the claim, to trigger
the court’s duty to inquire. Further, a defendant’s statements alleging ineffectiveness that are
included in a presentence investigation report and are brought to the court’s attention are sufficient
to trigger the inquiry requirement. People v. Craig, 2020 IL App (2d) 170679, ¶¶ 18-19.
Moreover,
“The operative concern for the reviewing court is whether the trial court conducted
an adequate inquiry into the defendant’s pro se allegations of ineffective assistance of
counsel. During this evaluation, some interchange between the trial court and trial counsel
regarding the facts and circumstances surrounding the allegedly ineffective representation
is permissible and usually necessary in assessing what further action, if any, is warranted
on a defendant’s claim. Trial counsel may simply answer questions and explain the facts
and circumstances surrounding the defendant’s allegations. A brief discussion between the
trial court and the defendant may be sufficient. Also, the trial court can base its evaluation
- 19 - 2023 IL App (2d) 220249-U
of the defendant’s pro se allegations of ineffective assistance on its knowledge of defense
counsel’s performance at trial and the insufficiency of the defendant’s allegations on their
face.” (Emphases added.) Moore, 207 Ill. 2d at 78-79 (internal citations omitted).
If the court failed to conduct a preliminary examination regarding the factual basis of the
defendant’s allegations, the case must be remanded for the limited purpose of allowing the court
to do so. Craig, 2020 IL App (2d) 170679, ¶ 13. We review de novo a trial court’s alleged failure
to inquire into a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel. Id.
¶ 35 Here, the trial court indicated that it had received the presentence investigation report. In
that report, the investigator twice noted that defendant believed his trial counsel did nothing and
that he blamed counsel for his conviction. While those facts alone should be sufficient to trigger
the preliminary inquiry, trial counsel also expressly brought those allegations to the trial court’s
attention prior to sentencing. The State characterizes the subsequent exchange as the court
providing defendant with the opportunity to flesh out his claim, but defendant simply refusing to
seize the opportunity. We disagree. In fact, after bringing to defendant’s attention the statement
in the investigation report about his counsel failing his case, the court conducted no inquiry into
the factual bases for defendant’s allegations about counsel’s performance; it simply repeatedly
asked defendant whether he wanted counsel’s continued representation at sentencing. While
defendant answered affirmatively, we do not agree with the State that defendant’s acceptance of
counsel’s representation at sentencing, when that hearing was about to commence, excuses the
court’s failure to inquire into the bases for defendant’s belief that he received ineffective assistance
of counsel at trial. Even at this juncture, the record is devoid of the bases for defendant’s
allegations.
- 20 - 2023 IL App (2d) 220249-U
¶ 36 The State also argues that an adequate inquiry was conducted because, despite the court’s
repeated questions to defendant about whether he wanted counsel to represent him, as well as the
fact that counsel mentioned summarily what he did for defendant at trial, defendant did not speak
up to disagree with counsel or to otherwise assert his allegations of ineffectiveness. We reject this
argument, as our supreme court rejected a similar argument in Moore, reiterating that a defendant
need not do more than bring his or her claim to the trial court’s attention. Moore, 207 Ill. 2d at 79
(rejecting the State’s argument that the defendant waived his argument that the court failed to
conduct a proper inquiry into his ineffective-assistance claims because the defendant and his
counsel “stood mutely and did nothing to request further inquiry.”). Further, as we noted above,
it is not as if the court asked defendant about the allegations in the report and he did not respond.
Rather, the court mentioned the statement in the report and then asked whether he wanted counsel’s
representation at sentencing. Moreover, although counsel summarized his trial representation, he,
too, did so in the context of questioning whether defendant wanted his continued representation at
sentencing, despite “that potential issue.” There was no question posed to defendant about whether
he agreed with counsel’s representations of his own performance, nor anything in the hearing that
offered defendant the opportunity to discuss his ineffective-assistance claims.
¶ 37 Moreover, we disagree with the State that, because it may base its assessment of the
ineffective-assistance claims on its own knowledge of the prior proceedings and defense counsel’s
performance, the court here adequately considered defendant’s allegations. While that concept
might be true generally, it does not work here, as the court did not know the bases for defendant’s
claims and, thus, its knowledge of prior proceedings might not have sufficed. See, e.g., People v.
Peacock, 359 Ill. App. 3d 326, 339-40 (2005) (where no record was made regarding the
defendant’s claims of ineffective assistance of counsel, the trial court was not necessarily in a
- 21 - 2023 IL App (2d) 220249-U
position to evaluate all of the ineffective assistance claims simply by relying on facts within its
knowledge).
¶ 38 Finally, the State mentions that, immediately prior to trial and jury selection, the court
asked defendant whether there was anything else he wanted his attorney to do before trial started,
and defendant said, “No.” From this, the State surmises that defendant was, therefore, “merely
blowing off steam to the investigator” in the presentence report, due to his disappointment over
his convictions, and defendant had no legitimate basis for a claim that defense counsel failed his
case. This argument borders on frivolous. Obviously, as defendant points out, any number of
things could have transpired later, during trial, that might have given rise to defendant’s
ineffective-assistance claims. The point is, based on the lack of inquiry by the court, it is
impossible to know.
¶ 39 In sum, the trial court did not conduct a sufficient inquiry to determine what defendant’s
ineffective-assistance claims were and if they showed possible neglect. We remand to the trial
court for the limited purpose of conducting a preliminary Krankel inquiry into defendant’s pro se
allegations of ineffective assistance of counsel and whatever may ensue thereafter.
¶ 40 III. CONCLUSION
¶ 41 For the reasons stated, we remand the cause for the limited purpose of allowing the trial
court to inquire into the factual basis of defendant’s ineffective-assistance claim. If defendant’s
allegations show possible neglect of the case, the court should appoint new counsel to argue
defendant’s claim of ineffective assistance. However, if the court concludes that defendant’s claim
lacks merit or pertains only to matters of trial strategy, the court may deny the claim.
¶ 42 Remanded.
- 22 -