People v. Goins
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Opinion
2013 IL App (1st) 113201
THIRD DIVISION October 23, 2013
No. 1-11-3201
IN THE APPELLATE COURT OF ILLINOIS FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, ) Appeal from the ) Circuit Court of Plaintiff-Appellee, ) Cook County. ) v. ) ) No. 08 CR 1944 TYRECE GOINS, ) ) ) Honorable Defendant-Appellant. ) Clayton J. Crane, ) Judge Presiding.
PRESIDING JUSTICE HYMAN delivered the judgment of the court. Justices Pucinski and Mason concurred in the judgment.
OPINION
¶1 A jury convicted defendant Tyrece Goins of aggravated battery of a child and
acquitted him of attempted first degree murder. Goins was sentenced to 11 years in prison.
Before trial, Goins filed a motion to suppress a statement made to a detective and an assistant
State's Attorney during his interrogation. He contends that he had not "voluntarily, knowingly
and intelligently" waived his Miranda rights before making the statement because his "mental,
educational, emotional and/or psychological state, capacity and condition" prevented him from 1-11-3201
fully understanding those rights. After hearing testimony from three experts (one retained by the
State and two by the defense), Goins' mother, Goins, and the detective and assistant State's
Attorney who interrogated Goins, the trial court denied the motion, finding that Goins knowingly
and intelligently waived his Miranda rights. See Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436 (1966).
¶2 The matter proceeded to a jury trial, where the State introduced Goins' statement as
evidence. The State also presented testimony from the detective and assistant State's Attorney
regarding their taking defendant's statement, testimony from Goins' mother concerning Goins'
ability to care for his young son and to live independently despite his learning disabilities, and
testimony from medical experts about the victim's injuries.
¶3 After trial, Goins sought a new trial, asserting that the trial court made several erroneous
rulings, including: denying his motion to suppress his statement; limiting Goins' expert's
testimony to matters relating to Goins' IQ score; and denying his motion for a mistrial when the
State's witness made reference to a scar on the victim and the long-term effects of the victim's
injuries. The motion for a new trial also alleged that the State made improper and inflammatory
remarks during closing and rebuttal arguments. The trial court denied Goins' motion for a new
trial.
¶4 In this appeal, Goins argues that the trial court erred in (1) denying the motion to
suppress his statement where the evidence did not establish that he knowingly and intelligently
waived his Miranda rights, owing to his limited mental capacity inhibiting full understanding of
the meaning of his rights; (2) limiting his expert's testimony to information concerning Goins' IQ
score; (3) denying his motion for a mistrial where the State's expert testified about a scar on the
2 1-11-3201
victim and the long-term effects of the victim's injuries; and (4) denying his motion for a new
trial where the State made improper remarks during closing and rebuttal arguments. We disagree
and affirm.
¶5 We find defendant voluntarily, knowingly, and intelligently waived his Miranda rights,
where considering the totality of circumstances, including defendant's limited mental capacity,
the trial court's finding on this issue was not against the manifest weight of the evidence. Also,
we find the trial court properly limited defendant's expert testimony to factors relating to
defendant's limited mental capacity and did not deprive defendant of a fair trial based on
testimony by the State's expert witness or remarks by the prosecutor during closing and rebuttal
arguments.
¶6 BACKGROUND
¶7 The Taking of the Statement
¶8 On January 28, 2008, the State charged Goins by indictment with attempted first degree
murder and aggravated battery of a child stemming from injuries sustained by his two-year-old
son, Wanya, on December 31, 2007. At the time of the incident, Goins believed that Wanya was
his son from a previous relationship. (Later, Goins learned that he was not Wayna's biological
father.) Wayne lived with Goins and his girlfriend, Alexandra Smith, in Springfield, Illinois,
where Goins was enrolled in a GED program at Lincoln Land Community College.
¶9 In December 2007, Goins, Smith, and Wanya visited the Chicago area to celebrate the
holidays. Smith returned to Springfield shortly after December 25, 2007; Goins and Wanya
remained in Chicago. On December 31, Goins and Wanya were staying at the apartment of
3 1-11-3201
Goins' mother, Veronica Goins, and Goins' sister, Donna Goins. On that evening, Goins was
home alone with Wanya.
¶ 10 On the morning of January 1, 2008, Goins' mother and sister returned home and noticed
that something was wrong with Wanya. The child was moaning. His eyes were rolled into the
back of his head. And he would not stand unassisted. Goins' mother called the paramedics and
Wanya was taken to Comer Children's Hospital. Due to Wanya's young age, a child abuse team
was assigned to evaluate his case and hospital staff contacted the police. The doctors determined
Wayna suffered extensive injuries, including severe brain injury, hemorrhages in his brain and
retinas, as well as bruises on his forehead and blood inside his ear canal. Wanya's injuries
required putting a drain in his head to evacuate excess fluid and blood accumulating on his brain
and a cervical collar to stabilize his neck. Also, Wanya was attached to IV tubes containing
various medications to keep him stable and treat seizures.
¶ 11 On January 2, 2008, Chicago police detective David Matual interviewed Goins at the
hospital. Goins told Detective Matual that at the time of the incident, he had gone to the
washroom while Wanya played on the bed. When he returned from the washroom, Wanya had
fallen off of the bed and was screaming. Goins did not immediately call 911, but his mother
called an ambulance the following morning. Detective Matual informed Goins that he was under
arrest and read Goins his Miranda rights. After Goins requested that an assistant State's Attorney
(ASA) be present for the interview, Detective Matual brought ASA Marina Para into the
interview room. ASA Para advised Goins of his Miranda rights, then transcribed a statement
from Goins by hand on a preprinted form used for taking statements. The form contained a
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paragraph advising Goins of his Miranda rights. The handwritten statement summarized the
events that took place on December 31, 2007, leading up to Wanya's injuries.
¶ 12 In the statement, Goins explained that on December 31, 2007, he and Wanya, whose
nickname is "Tank," were staying at his mother's apartment. Goins and Wanya were home alone.
His mother was working and his sister went out with friends. At about 8 p.m., Goins and Wanya
were watching television when Goins' father called on the landline telephone. Goins' father told
Goins that his two-year-old brother passed away that day. Goins stated that the news made him
"sad, upset, and frustrated so he threw the phone and it hit a chair and the back piece came off
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2013 IL App (1st) 113201
THIRD DIVISION October 23, 2013
No. 1-11-3201
IN THE APPELLATE COURT OF ILLINOIS FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, ) Appeal from the ) Circuit Court of Plaintiff-Appellee, ) Cook County. ) v. ) ) No. 08 CR 1944 TYRECE GOINS, ) ) ) Honorable Defendant-Appellant. ) Clayton J. Crane, ) Judge Presiding.
PRESIDING JUSTICE HYMAN delivered the judgment of the court. Justices Pucinski and Mason concurred in the judgment.
OPINION
¶1 A jury convicted defendant Tyrece Goins of aggravated battery of a child and
acquitted him of attempted first degree murder. Goins was sentenced to 11 years in prison.
Before trial, Goins filed a motion to suppress a statement made to a detective and an assistant
State's Attorney during his interrogation. He contends that he had not "voluntarily, knowingly
and intelligently" waived his Miranda rights before making the statement because his "mental,
educational, emotional and/or psychological state, capacity and condition" prevented him from 1-11-3201
fully understanding those rights. After hearing testimony from three experts (one retained by the
State and two by the defense), Goins' mother, Goins, and the detective and assistant State's
Attorney who interrogated Goins, the trial court denied the motion, finding that Goins knowingly
and intelligently waived his Miranda rights. See Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436 (1966).
¶2 The matter proceeded to a jury trial, where the State introduced Goins' statement as
evidence. The State also presented testimony from the detective and assistant State's Attorney
regarding their taking defendant's statement, testimony from Goins' mother concerning Goins'
ability to care for his young son and to live independently despite his learning disabilities, and
testimony from medical experts about the victim's injuries.
¶3 After trial, Goins sought a new trial, asserting that the trial court made several erroneous
rulings, including: denying his motion to suppress his statement; limiting Goins' expert's
testimony to matters relating to Goins' IQ score; and denying his motion for a mistrial when the
State's witness made reference to a scar on the victim and the long-term effects of the victim's
injuries. The motion for a new trial also alleged that the State made improper and inflammatory
remarks during closing and rebuttal arguments. The trial court denied Goins' motion for a new
trial.
¶4 In this appeal, Goins argues that the trial court erred in (1) denying the motion to
suppress his statement where the evidence did not establish that he knowingly and intelligently
waived his Miranda rights, owing to his limited mental capacity inhibiting full understanding of
the meaning of his rights; (2) limiting his expert's testimony to information concerning Goins' IQ
score; (3) denying his motion for a mistrial where the State's expert testified about a scar on the
2 1-11-3201
victim and the long-term effects of the victim's injuries; and (4) denying his motion for a new
trial where the State made improper remarks during closing and rebuttal arguments. We disagree
and affirm.
¶5 We find defendant voluntarily, knowingly, and intelligently waived his Miranda rights,
where considering the totality of circumstances, including defendant's limited mental capacity,
the trial court's finding on this issue was not against the manifest weight of the evidence. Also,
we find the trial court properly limited defendant's expert testimony to factors relating to
defendant's limited mental capacity and did not deprive defendant of a fair trial based on
testimony by the State's expert witness or remarks by the prosecutor during closing and rebuttal
arguments.
¶6 BACKGROUND
¶7 The Taking of the Statement
¶8 On January 28, 2008, the State charged Goins by indictment with attempted first degree
murder and aggravated battery of a child stemming from injuries sustained by his two-year-old
son, Wanya, on December 31, 2007. At the time of the incident, Goins believed that Wanya was
his son from a previous relationship. (Later, Goins learned that he was not Wayna's biological
father.) Wayne lived with Goins and his girlfriend, Alexandra Smith, in Springfield, Illinois,
where Goins was enrolled in a GED program at Lincoln Land Community College.
¶9 In December 2007, Goins, Smith, and Wanya visited the Chicago area to celebrate the
holidays. Smith returned to Springfield shortly after December 25, 2007; Goins and Wanya
remained in Chicago. On December 31, Goins and Wanya were staying at the apartment of
3 1-11-3201
Goins' mother, Veronica Goins, and Goins' sister, Donna Goins. On that evening, Goins was
home alone with Wanya.
¶ 10 On the morning of January 1, 2008, Goins' mother and sister returned home and noticed
that something was wrong with Wanya. The child was moaning. His eyes were rolled into the
back of his head. And he would not stand unassisted. Goins' mother called the paramedics and
Wanya was taken to Comer Children's Hospital. Due to Wanya's young age, a child abuse team
was assigned to evaluate his case and hospital staff contacted the police. The doctors determined
Wayna suffered extensive injuries, including severe brain injury, hemorrhages in his brain and
retinas, as well as bruises on his forehead and blood inside his ear canal. Wanya's injuries
required putting a drain in his head to evacuate excess fluid and blood accumulating on his brain
and a cervical collar to stabilize his neck. Also, Wanya was attached to IV tubes containing
various medications to keep him stable and treat seizures.
¶ 11 On January 2, 2008, Chicago police detective David Matual interviewed Goins at the
hospital. Goins told Detective Matual that at the time of the incident, he had gone to the
washroom while Wanya played on the bed. When he returned from the washroom, Wanya had
fallen off of the bed and was screaming. Goins did not immediately call 911, but his mother
called an ambulance the following morning. Detective Matual informed Goins that he was under
arrest and read Goins his Miranda rights. After Goins requested that an assistant State's Attorney
(ASA) be present for the interview, Detective Matual brought ASA Marina Para into the
interview room. ASA Para advised Goins of his Miranda rights, then transcribed a statement
from Goins by hand on a preprinted form used for taking statements. The form contained a
4 1-11-3201
paragraph advising Goins of his Miranda rights. The handwritten statement summarized the
events that took place on December 31, 2007, leading up to Wanya's injuries.
¶ 12 In the statement, Goins explained that on December 31, 2007, he and Wanya, whose
nickname is "Tank," were staying at his mother's apartment. Goins and Wanya were home alone.
His mother was working and his sister went out with friends. At about 8 p.m., Goins and Wanya
were watching television when Goins' father called on the landline telephone. Goins' father told
Goins that his two-year-old brother passed away that day. Goins stated that the news made him
"sad, upset, and frustrated so he threw the phone and it hit a chair and the back piece came off
and he put it back on." From that point on, Goins stated that the telephone cut in and out for the
rest of the night.
¶ 13 Shortly before 9 p.m., Goins took Wanya upstairs to the bedroom to watch
television while sitting on the bed. "Angry, upset, sad, crying, and frustrated," with " no one
home for him to talk to about how he felt," Goins was "putting his fists on the side of his face
and was moving his arms around and was acting more than just crazy because he was so upset."
Goins was "hollering" and used his right hand to hit Wanya's head "pretty hard" on the right side.
Goins then saw Wanya's head hit the wall. Wanya fell backwards on the bed, and was "screaming
very loudly and at a high pitch, which is not how he normally crie[d]." Goins observed that
Wanya "was not the same as before [Goins] hit him." Goins picked up Wanya and shook him to
see what was wrong with him. Goins saw that Wanya's head was falling to the side and his eyes
were rolling back in his head and would not stay open. Wanya could not stand on his own, and
his arms were limp. Wanya also began vomiting repeatedly.
5 1-11-3201
¶ 14 Goins said he "was feeling terrible because he had just hurt his son." Goins then
called his girlfriend in Springfield and told her that Wanya had fallen off the bed because he was
afraid to tell the truth. While Goins was speaking with his girlfriend, the telephone cut out.
Goins then called his mother and left her a message. When she returned his call, Goins told her
that Wanya had fallen off the bed because he was also scared to tell her the truth. His mother
advised Goins to try to keep Wanya awake, but Wanya could not keep his eyes open or his head
up. Wanya continued to cry and scream all night. Goins "did not call the police or 911 all night
because he was scared and he was the person who hit [Wanya]."
¶ 15 The next morning, around 10 or 11 a.m., Goins' mother arrived home. She tried to
wake Wanya and called 911. Because he was still scared, Goins again told his mother that Wanya
had fallen off the bed while he was in the washroom. The ambulance arrived and took Wanya to
the hospital. Goins did not tell anyone what he did to Wanya until his statement to ASA Para.
¶ 16 On September 15, 2008, Goins filed an amended motion to suppress the statement he
made to ASA Para. The motion alleged that Goins did not voluntarily, knowingly, and
intelligently waive his Miranda rights where his mental deficiencies made him "incapable and
unable to appreciate and understand the full meaning of his Miranda rights."
¶ 17 Hearing on Motion to Suppress
¶ 18 On November 18, 2009, the trial court held a hearing on Goins' motion to
suppress his statement. Goins presented testimony from two doctors who worked at Forensic
Clinical Services. Dr. Fidel Echevarria testified that he examined Goins on January 27, 2009.
Dr. Echevarria concluded that Goins was fit to stand trial, but deferred his evaluation on the issue
6 1-11-3201
of whether Goins had the ability to understand Miranda warnings. Dr. Echevarria referred Goins
to the psychology department for IQ and other cognitive testing. Dr. Echevarria testified that Dr.
Eric Neu conducted psychological testing and submitted a report. Dr. Neu's report found that
Goins had an IQ of 61, and diagnosed Goins with mild mental retardation. Dr. Echevarria
explained that Goins had the ability to read, but had a delay and difficulty understanding certain
words. Dr. Echevarria testified that nothing indicated that Goins was malingering. Based on Dr.
Neu's report and his own examination, Dr. Echevarria concluded that Goins did not have the
ability to understand his Miranda rights at the time of his statement.
¶ 19 Dr. Echevarria testified that during his examination, he asked Goins what each Miranda
right meant. When asked what the right to remain silent meant, Goins responded, "I guess you
could choose to stay quiet or talk." Dr. Echevarria testified that it would be fair to say that Goins
understood the right to remain silent. When Dr. Echevarria asked Goins about the Miranda
warning that anything you say can be used against you later in court, Goins explained, "I guess if
you give a statement that the State's Attorney can use as evidence of what you told them." Dr.
Echevarria testified that Goins' response was an accurate understanding of that Miranda right.
¶ 20 Dr. Echevarria asked Goins about the right to consult an attorney, whether Goins was able
to financially afford one or not, and Goins replied, "Well, an attorney is a lawyer so I'm [not] sure
what consult, that word is, but I guess it means talk to them. This thing about not having money
means that you can get a PD." Dr. Echevarria testified that in his opinion, Goins provided an
accurate understanding of that Miranda right. When asked about the right to consult an attorney
before, and have an attorney present during, questioning, Goins responded, "[T]hat's a little
7 1-11-3201
confusing, it sounds like you can have the lawyer in the room with you when police ask
questions." In Dr. Echevarria opinion, Goins' response indicated an accurate understanding of
the right to have an attorney present during questioning. Despite Goins' accurate understanding
of his Miranda rights at the time of his evaluation, Dr. Echevarria concluded that Goins would
have been unable to understand his Miranda rights at the time of his statement.
¶ 21 Dr. Jonathan Kelly also testified on Goins' behalf. Dr. Kelly interviewed Goins twice,
on September 30 and October 7, 2009. Dr. Kelly testified that he reviewed Goins' evaluation
reports from Drs. Neu and Echevarria. Dr. Kelly's opinion was that Goins would not have had
the ability to understand his Miranda rights when questioned by police. Dr. Kelly testified that
he went over each of the Miranda warnings with Goins, and Goins was able to read each of the
warnings out loud. When Dr. Kelly asked Goins the meaning of the right to remain silent, Goins
stated, "Don't know, it will use me in court?" Dr. Kelly asked Goins about the meaning of the
warning "anything you say can and may be used against you in court or other proceedings,"
Goins responded, "They can use that against me in court, interrogation, the investigate[,] the
officers, they can use the statement against me in court." After Dr. Kelly asked him the meaning
of "the right to talk to a lawyer before we ask you any questions and to have him with you during
questioning," Goins stated, "They ask me if I want to talk to them or to *** a lawyer. It say[s] I
have the right to ask them questions or a lawyer. Do I want to talk to a lawyer before they ask me
questions, have the lawyer with me during questioning?" Dr. Kelly found Goins' responses to be
indicative of Goins' ability to understand his Miranda warnings at the time of Dr. Kelly's
interview.
8 1-11-3201
¶ 22 Dr. Kelly testified that Goins stated that he had never had any psychiatric hospitalizations
or outpatient psychiatric treatment, and had never taken psychotropic medication. Dr. Kelly also
questioned Goins about his adaptive functioning. Goins indicated that he was able to
communicate using the telephone, do laundry, cook, and clean. Goins also told Dr. Kelly he had
a driver's permit in the past, and was able to dial 911 in an emergency. Dr. Kelly opined that
Goins was capable in the area of home living.
¶ 23 During cross-examination, Dr. Kelly testified that he was aware that Goins had met with
other doctors and that Goins had not been cooperative with Dr. Susan Messina. Dr. Kelly read
Dr. Messina's report, which stated that Goins "avoided direct answers to questions," replied "I
don't know" and "gave her misleading information." Dr. Kelly also testified that when he asked
Goins whether he needed treatment of any kind, Goins stated, "I got a bad temper, I be fighting a
lot at school, I snap on somebody." Dr. Kelly was aware from reviewing Goins' school records
that Goins had been expelled from high school in the eleventh grade for fighting.
¶ 24 In response, the State presented testimony from Dr. Nishad Nadkarni, another psychiatrist
from Forensic Clinical Services. Dr. Nadkarni interviewed Goins on December 19, 2008 and
reviewed a report prepared by Dr. Messina, police reports, and Goins' statement. Dr. Nadkarni
went through each Miranda right with Goins, asked him what it meant, and wrote down Goins'
response. When questioned about the right to remain silent, Goins stated, "Thinking I could tell
or not tell them." Dr. Nadkarni opined that Goins understood the right to remain silent. Next,
Dr. Nadkarni asked Goins about the meaning of the warning that "anything you say may be used
against you in court or other proceedings." Goins responded, "They would turn it in" and after
9 1-11-3201
Dr. Nadkarni asked Goins, "[W]ho they would turn it in to," Goins replied, "The judge to find
you guilty." Dr. Nadkarni asked Goins about the third Miranda right to speak to a lawyer before
and during police questioning. Goins responded that a lawyer in an interrogation situation would
tell you "be quiet." Dr. Nadkarni asked Goins about the fourth Miranda right, pertaining to the
right to have a lawyer appointed to you if you could not afford a lawyer, and Goins stated that he
understood that to mean that a "PD" would be appointed.
¶ 25 Dr. Nadkarni opined within a reasonable degree of medical and psychiatric certainty that
Goins would have been capable of understanding his Miranda rights at the time of his statement.
Dr. Nadkarni testified that he diagnosed Goins with a rule-out diagnosis of cannabis abuse given
his history of marijuana usage and provisionally diagnosed Goins with "borderline intellectual
functioning." Dr. Nadkarni testified that he was aware that Goins had been interviewed by other
doctors and that at least one doctor had diagnosed Goins with mild mental retardation. Dr.
Nadkarni opined that "a condition of mental retardation does not preclude one from
understanding Miranda warnings."
¶ 26 Detective Matual testified that he interviewed Goins in an interview room at the police
station on January 13, 2008, and Goins was not handcuffed. Detective Matual informed Goins
that he was under arrest and read Goins his Miranda rights one by one. After each Miranda
right, Detective Matual waited for Goins to respond that he understood the right before going on
to the next one. Goins gave the same account of the incident that he told Detective Matual
earlier at the hospital. Detective Matual explained to Goins that his account was not consistent
with the injuries sustained by Wanya. Goins told the detective that he wanted to tell a State's
10 1-11-3201
Attorney what really happened. Detective Matual advised Goins that "somebody will come in to
speak to you, she's a lawyer, she's not going to be your lawyer, she's not my lawyer, she's what we
call a prosecutor." Detective Matual then left Goins in the interview room and went to find ASA
Para.
¶ 27 ASA Para testified that she went to the interview room with Detective Matual.
ASA Para introduced herself to Goins and advised Goins of his Miranda rights one by one,
asking if he understood each right before proceeding to the next one. Goins stated that he
understood each Miranda right. ASA Para explained to Goins that he could provide an oral
statement or she could take a written statement in which she would write down what Goins told
her and he would review it to make sure it was accurate. Goins chose the handwritten option.
¶ 28 ASA Para testified that she used a preprinted form for the handwritten statement,
which contained a paragraph at the top that advised Goins of his Miranda rights. ASA Para
testified that she again reviewed the paragraph that explained his Miranda rights. After Goins
indicated that he understood each right, ASA Para asked him to write his name underneath the
paragraph on the line provided. After ASA Para wrote down Goins' statement, she asked Goins
to read the entire first page of the statement to her, which he did. ASA Para then read each page
of the statement to Goins, stopping at the bottom of each page to ask Goins if he had any changes
to the statement and then having Goins sign the bottom of each page. ASA Para and Detective
Matual also signed the bottom of each page. ASA Para made four changes to the statement and
defendant wrote his initials where each change was made, indicating that he agreed with the
change.
11 1-11-3201
¶ 29 The defense called Goins in rebuttal. Goins testified that he did not read the first page of
his statement to ASA Para. Goins testified that he could not have read his statement, because he
can not read cursive. Goins was asked to read the typewritten Miranda rights in court while on
the witness stand. Goins read the Miranda rights, stumbling on certain words.
¶ 30 After the hearing, the trial court denied Goins' motion to suppress his statement. The trial
court noted that "the IQ number hangs heavily over this issue, but that's not [conclusive]." The
trial court found that under "the totality of the circumstances," Goins had the capacity to
understand his Miranda rights at the time of his statement.
¶ 31 Evidence at Trial
¶ 32 Goins' jury trial began on September 14, 2011. Detective Matual and ASA Para provided
testimony for the State, which was substantially similar to the testimony they each gave during
the hearing on Goins' motion to suppress his statement. Veronica Goins, Goins' mother, testified
Goins had a stutter his whole life and a lifelong history of learning disabilities, which did not
prevent him from "being a good dad," and taking care of Wanya. Goins was living in Springfield
with Wanya and attending a GED program. Wanya could sit up and walk, but was not able to
talk yet.
¶ 33 Goins mother testified that when she returned home on the morning of January 1, 2008,
Wanya's eyes were rolled in the back of his head, and he was moaning and unresponsive. She
called 911 and an ambulance took Wanya to the hospital.
¶ 34 The State also presented testimony from two medical experts. Dr. Sarah Hoehn testified
that she was the pediatric critical care attending physician at the time Wanya was admitted to the
12 1-11-3201
hospital. When Wanya arrived, he had bruising on his forehead, swelling and evidence of
bleeding in the brain, and been left comatose. As a result, doctors monitored pressure on his
brain and made an incision in his brain to allow blood and fluid to drain.
¶ 35 Dr. Kelley Staley, an expert in the field of pediatric medicine and child abuse and neglect
testified that she was one of Wanya's treating physicians at the hospital. Dr. Staley testified that
Wanya had extensive injuries, including a significant and severe brain injury, a black left eye,
bruising on his face in the left forehead area, and blood inside his ear canal. Wanya was
intubated, and had a bolt placed in his skull where the neurosurgeon had drilled a hole to allow
excess fluid and blood accumulating on his brain to drain. A cervical collar was used to stabilize
Wanya's neck. And, IV tubes, containing six different medications, kept him alive, decreased the
pressure on his brain, and treated the seizures. The presence of bleeding in two areas of Wanya's
brain and swelling throughout the brain suggested "a more forceful mechanism for his injury than
what was stated as a simple fall off a bed." Dr. Staley also noted that Wanya "had a scar on his
elbow that may have been an old cigarette burn." Defense counsel objected and during a short
sidebar noted that the trial court had granted a motion in limine barring introduction of Wanya's
old injury. The trial court denied defense counsel's motion for a mistrial and instructed the jury
to disregard Dr. Staley's statement.
¶ 36 Dr. Staley then testified that Wanya was diagnosed with a schisis cavity, which refers to a
type of bleeding in the retina and "is formed after the head undergoes significant forceful
trauma." Schisis cavities are caused by "really significant forces acting on the kid's head," and
"not just a small fall, a short fall or a bonk on the head that happens in the course of everyday
13 1-11-3201
activity." Dr. Staley opined that Wanya's injuries were "inflicted by some sort of blunt trauma
that probably involved shaking or repetitive action, because this schisis cavity *** has been very
specifically associated with shaking-type of injury."
¶ 37 Dr. Staley said she was familiar with the idea that children who have hydrocephalus, a
congenital condition, can be more susceptible to a subdural hematoma for a short fall. Based on
the test results that were performed in the hospital, Dr. Staley did not believe that Wanya had
hydrocephalus before his injury. Dr. Staley explained that, based on her own clinical experience
and the published medical literature, children that have hydrocephalus and suffer a short fall
usually have a single area of bleeding on their brain rather than the multiple bruises and areas of
bleeding in the back of the eye sustained by Wanya.
¶ 38 Regarding the long-term effects of Wanya's injuries, Dr. Staley testified that after treating
Wanya in the hospital for over a month, "it became clear that he was severely impacted in his
function." Dr. Staley described Wanya's brain injury as "devastating," leaving him blinded and
unable to feed himself. Also, as a result of his injuries, Wanya suffered from a seizure disorder
and needed ongoing treatment and medication. Dr. Staley testified that she was aware that there
was a delay in taking Wanya for immediate treatment following his injury and that when a child
had a brain injury like Wanya's, the best thing is to get treatment as soon as possible.
¶ 39 Dr. Staley also testified that Wanya "would not have been recognizable in the sense that
before his father told me he walked, had words, could use a spoon and a fork, and when I last
saw him he was laying in a hospital bed with not really any meaningful interaction with his
environment." The trial court overruled defense counsel's objection to the evidence, finding it
14 1-11-3201
relevant to prove the element of great bodily harm.
¶ 40 The defense presented testimony from Dr. Joseph Scheller, a pediatric neurologist and
child abuse expert, who reviewed Wanya's medical records. Dr. Scheller testified that Wanya
suffered from hydrocephalus, which causes excess fluid in the brain, and explains why Wanya
may have suffered severe injuries from a simple fall off of a bed. During cross-examination, Dr.
Scheller testified that the type of injuries that Wanya suffered do not typically occur in children
who suffer from external hydrocephalus and fall off of a bed.
¶ 41 Dr. Eric Neu, the psychologist who evaluated Goins after Dr. Echevarria referred Goins
for cognitive testing, also testified for the defense. Dr. Neu testified that he conducted IQ testing
and Goins obtained a full scale IQ score of 61, placing him in the low range of intellectual
functioning and, as below 70, in the range of someone with mild mental retardation. Goins
sought to introduce more information from Dr. Neu's evaluation, including that he tested Goins
and found no signs of malingering and that Goins' responses to certain questions indicated that
he had mild mental retardation. The State objected, arguing that it did not require an expert to
understand defense counsel's argument that Goins was more suggestible and more likely to
provide a statement to police and the ASA based on Goins' low level of mental functioning. The
trial court granted the State's motion to exclude this portion of Dr. Neu's testimony.
¶ 42 The defense called Tyrone Woods, Goins' father, who testified that on December 31,
2007, he did not call Goins to inform him that his younger brother had passed away. Woods
testified that Goins' little brother was still alive.
¶ 43 After closing arguments, the jury found Goins not guilty of attempted first degree murder,
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and guilty of aggravated battery of a child. Goins filed a motion for a new trial, which the trial
court denied. Goins was sentenced to 11 years in prison, and his motion to reconsider sentence
was denied. Goins timely appealed.
¶ 44 ANALYSIS
¶ 45 Miranda Waiver
¶ 46 Goins does not contend that his statement resulted from any type of intimidation,
coercion, or deception; rather, the sole question is whether the statement was made after Goins
knowingly and intelligently waived his Miranda rights.
¶ 47 In reviewing a trial court's ruling on a motion to suppress evidence, we apply the two-part
standard of review adopted by the Supreme Court in Ornelas v. United States, 517 U.S. 690, 699
(1996). People v. Luedemann, 222 Ill. 2d 530, 542 (2006). Under this standard, the ultimate
question of whether defendant's statement was voluntary is reviewed de novo. Luedemann, 222
Ill. 2d at 542. On the other hand, the question of whether a defendant knowingly and
intelligently waived the Miranda rights is factual in nature and reviewed under a manifest-
weight-of-the-evidence standard. Id. This is true because the trial court is in the superior
"position to determine and weigh the credibility of the witnesses, observe the witnesses'
demeanor, and resolve conflicts in their testimony." People v. Pitman, 211 Ill. 2d 502, 512
(2004). A finding is against the manifest weight of the evidence "only if the opposite conclusion
is clearly evident or if the finding itself is unreasonable, arbitrary, or not based on the evidence
presented." People v. Deleon, 227 Ill. 2d 322, 332 (2008).
¶ 48 A person accused of a criminal offense is constitutionally entitled to the assistance of
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counsel and to remain silent during in-custody interrogation. Miranda, 384 U.S. at 478-79. Any
statements obtained in derogation of those rights are inadmissible in a later criminal prosecution
unless those rights were voluntarily, knowingly, and intelligently waived. Id. at 479; People v.
Bernasco, 138 Ill. 2d 349 (1990). A defendant validly waives Miranda when he or she (1) freely
and deliberately (voluntarily) relinquishes the right and (2) is fully aware of both the nature of the
right being abandoned and the consequences of the decision to do so. Moran v. Burbine, 475
U.S. 412, 421 (1986); People v. Crotty, 394 Ill. App. 3d 651, 662 (2009). At a hearing on a
motion to suppress, the State has the burden of demonstrating, by a preponderance of the
evidence, the Miranda waiver was the product of (1) an uncoerced choice and (2) the requisite
level of comprehension. Id; People v. Reid, 136 Ill. 2d 27, 54 (1990). Once the State has
established its prima facie case, the burden shifts to defendant to show that waiver was not
knowing, intelligent or voluntary. Reid, 136 Ill. 2d at 54.
¶ 49 Goins argues that his statement should have been suppressed by the trial court
where the evidence established that, due to his limited mental capacity, he was unable to
knowingly and intelligently waive his Miranda rights. In determining whether a waiver is
knowing and intelligent, the court must look at the specific facts and circumstances, including the
defendant's background, experience, and conduct. People v. Braggs, 209 Ill. 2d 492, 515 (2003).
A defendant's limited intellectual capacity must be taken into consideration in determining
whether a waiver is valid. In re W.C., 167 Ill. 2d 307, 328 (1995). This is because "it is
generally recognized that the mentally retarded are considered more susceptible to police
coercion or pressure than people of normal intellectual ability, they are predisposed to answer
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questions so as to please the questioner rather than to answer accurately, they are more likely to
confess to crimes they did not commit, they tend to be submissive, and they are less likely to
understand their rights." Braggs, 209 Ill. 2d at 514.
¶ 50 Nevertheless, a defendant's mental deficiency, by itself, does not render a statement
inadmissible. Rather, it is one factor that must be considered along with the totality of
circumstances under which Miranda rights were waived. In re W.C., 167 Ill. 2d at 328. A
defendant need not have "the ability to understand far-reaching legal and strategic effects of
waiving one's rights" but must have "the ability to understand the very words used in the
warnings." Bernasco, 138 Ill. 2d at 363.
¶ 51 Goins relies on the testimony of Drs. Echevarria and Kelly in asserting that his Miranda
waiver was invalid. Dr. Echevarria, in turn, relied on the report from Dr. Neu, who found that
Goins had an IQ of 61 and diagnosed him with mild mental retardation. Dr. Echevarria
explained that Goins had the ability to read, but had a delay and difficulty understanding certain
words. Dr. Echevarria ultimately concluded that Goins did not have the ability to understand his
Miranda rights at the time of his statement. Dr. Kelly also relied on Dr. Neu's diagnosis to
conclude that Goins would not have been able to understand his Miranda rights at the time of his
statement.
¶ 52 In contrast, the State points to evidence supporting its position that defendant's Miranda
waiver was made both intelligently and knowingly. The State highlights the testimony from
Detective Matual and ASA Para that Goins was advised of his Miranda rights multiple times.
Each time Goins was advised of his Miranda rights, either Detective Matual or ASA Para would
18 1-11-3201
pause between each right and Goins acknowledged that he understood each of his rights. Goins
signed the statement form indicating that he understood his rights, and signed the bottom of each
page of his statement and initialed changes ASA Para made to the statement.
¶ 53 With respect to the expert testimony, the State notes that the first doctor to examine
Goins, Dr. Messina, found Goins to be uncooperative and able to give misleading responses.
The State relies on its expert, Dr. Nadkarni, who testified that Goins understood his Miranda
rights and would have been able to knowingly and intelligently waive them at the time of his
statement, based on the answers he provided during his interview with Dr. Nadkarni. While
Goins asserts that Dr. Nadkarni's evaluation was seriously flawed where it failed to include
consideration of Goins' mental abilities, the record shows that Dr. Nadkarni did consider Goins'
mental limitations during his evaluation. Dr. Nadkarni testified that he diagnosed Goins with a
rule-out diagnosis of cannabis abuse given his history of marijuana usage and provisionally
diagnosed Goins with "borderline intellectual functioning." Dr. Nadkarni also testified that he
was aware that at least one doctor had diagnosed Goins with mild mental retardation. While Dr.
Nadkarni considered Goins' mental deficiencies, he also opined that "a condition of mental
retardation does not preclude one from understanding Miranda warnings."
¶ 54 The State points out that although Drs. Echevarria and Kelly relied on Dr. Neu's report to
find that Goins would have been unable to understand his Miranda rights at the time of his
statement, they both testified that, during their interviews, Goins' responses indicated his ability
to understand his rights.
¶ 55 Finally, the State notes that at the time of the incident, Goins was 20 years old and
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had attended high school until the eleventh grade. Goins was living on his own and caring for his
young son, while attending GED classes. Goins' mother testified that Goins' learning disabilities
did not preclude him from living independently and caring for his young son.
¶ 56 The trial court agreed with the State, finding defendant's Miranda waiver valid. The trial
court noted that "the IQ number hangs heavily over this issue, but that's not [conclusive] with any
findings in this case" and recognized that "61 is a difficult number to deal with" in terms of IQ.
The trial court then concluded, "I find that [Goins] had the capacity to understand his Miranda
rights taken under the totality of the circumstances [in this] case."
¶ 57 The trial court properly considered all of the evidence presented, which included
evidence that Goins was advised of his Miranda rights on multiple occasion and conflicting
expert testimony regarding Goins' ability to understand those rights. As already mentioned, we
give deference to the trial court as the finder of fact and will not substitute our judgment for that
of the trial court regarding the weight to be given the evidence or the inferences to be drawn
therefrom. Deleon, 227 Ill. 2d at 332. Our supreme court has recognized, "[T]he credibility and
weight to be given psychiatric testimony are matters for the trier of fact, who is not obligated to
accept the opinions of defendant's expert witnesses over those opinions presented by the State."
People v. Urdiales, 225 Ill. 2d 354, 431 (2007). In light of the entire record, we cannot say that
the trial court's finding that Goins' Miranda rights were validly waived was "unreasonable,
arbitrary, or not based on the evidence presented." Deleon, 227 Ill. 2d at 332.
¶ 58 We next address Goins' argument that the trial court improperly based its decision on
Goins' ability to participate in the hearing, rather than at the time of the statement, and the court's
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belief that Goins was attempting to "protect himself" at the time he made the statement.
¶ 59 In entering its ruling, the trial court stated:
"As to whether or not the defendant understood his Miranda [rights] on
the date in question, the issue becomes whether or not the defendant is aware that
he has choices on the day in question. The choices are the right to remain silent,
the right to an attorney, the right to have an attorney provided if he can't afford
one, and the knowledge that if he does say something, it can be used against him
in court.
As concerns the right to remain silent and there's several choices. The
choice is to remain silent or attempt to talk his way out of it.
The totality of circumstances here, the IQ number hangs heavily over this
issue, but that's not conclusory with any findings in this case. It's the defendant's
ability to understand, that he can attempt to protect himself when he is confined in
that ten-by-ten room in the Chicago Police Department over a period of three
hours by himself according to the detective who comes in the second time."
(Emphasis added.)
¶ 60 As we previously explained, in determining whether a waiver is knowing and intelligent,
the trial court must look at the specific facts and circumstances, including the defendant's
background, experience, and conduct. Braggs, 209 Ill. 2d at 515. The court is also to consider a
defendant's limited intellectual capacity in making its determination. In re W.C., 167 Ill. 2d at
328. Here, the trial court specifically noted that "the IQ number hangs heavily over this issue"
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and "61 is a difficult number to deal with," indicating that the court gave proper consideration to
Goins' limited mental capacity at the time of his statement. While the trial court mentioned that
it "had no difficulty with the defendant, * * * the [S]tate's [A]ttorney, [or] * * * the doctors" and
its "observations of Mr. Goins during the pendency of this matter," such factors were part of the
court's analysis of defendant's background, experience, and conduct. The trial court also
explained that in considering the validity of Goins' waiver, the court was to determine "whether
or not the defendant understood his Miranda [rights] on the date in question." The trial court
further stated "[T]he issue becomes whether or not the defendant is aware that he has choices on
the day in question" (Emphasis added.) Given the totality of circumstances, we cannot say that
the trial courts' finding was against the manifest weight of the evidence. Deleon, 227 Ill. 2d at
332.
¶ 61 Goins further argues that the trial court erroneously based its decision on its perception
that Goins was trying to "protect himself" and "talk his way out of this." In making its ruling, the
trial court stated "It is clear to people that Mr. Goins knows that he needs to protect himself. He
did it in his testimony on the chair here as he testified in this court in this case." The trial court
also commented that at the police station, 13 days after his interview at the hospital, "He chose to
protect himself by attempting to talk his way out of this." We find that these remarks were part
of the trial court's assessment of Goins' credibility and demeanor, and the trial court was in the
better position to make a credibility determination. Pitman, 211 Ill. 2d at 512. The trial court
properly considered the totality of circumstances in determining that Goins' waiver was knowing
and intelligent. We cannot find that the trial court's finding was against the manifest weight of
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the evidence.
¶ 62 Trial Court's Limits on Dr. Neu's Testimony
¶ 63 We next consider Goins' argument that the trial court erred when it granted the State's
motion in limine and limited Dr. Neu's testimony to his assessment of Goins' IQ and diagnosis of
mild mental retardation. Goins contends that Dr. Neu should have been permitted to testify that
he found no evidence that Goins was malingering or faking a cognitive impairment. Goins also
argues that Dr. Neu should have been able to testify about his conversation with Goins because
they provided the basis for Dr. Neu's diagnosis of mental retardation. Goins asserts that this
evidence was critical to his defense because the jury was charged with the task of weighing the
veracity of his statement.
¶ 64 "Generally, evidentiary motions, such as motions in limine, are directed to the trial court's
discretion, and reviewing courts will not disturb a trial court's evidentiary ruling absent an abuse
of discretion." People v. Harvey, 211 Ill. 2d 368, 392 (2004). An abuse of discretion will be
found only where the trial court's ruling is "arbitrary, fanciful, unreasonable, or where no
reasonable person would take the view adopted by the trial court." People v. Hall, 195 Ill. 2d 1,
20 (2000).
¶ 65 Whether to admit expert testimony is a matter within a trial court's discretion. People v.
Howard, 305 Ill. App. 3d 300, 307 (1999). A trial court should not permit expert testimony if it
would not help the fact finder understand an aspect of the evidence it otherwise would not
understand or if it would invade the province of the fact finder to determine witness credibility
and assess the facts of the case. Howard, 305 Ill. App. 3d at 307-08.
23 1-11-3201
¶ 66 The trial court did not abuse its discretion in refusing to allow Dr. Neu to testify about the
lack of evidence that Goins was malingering or trying to deceive him during the evaluation.
Such testimony would have impinged on the province of the jury to determine Goins' credibility
and assess the facts of the case. See Howard, 305 Ill. App. 3d at 308 (finding that testimony of
psychologist, who diagnosed witness with battered woman syndrome, that there was no evidence
that witness tried to deceive her infringed on jury's role to determine credibility and assess facts
of case).
¶ 67 Goins also argues that the trial court should have permitted Dr. Neu to testify about
Goins' responses to questions during his evaluation because the responses provided the basis for
the diagnosis of mild mental retardation. The specific proffered evidence was:
"That [Goins] displayed minimal interest sub-test scattered, meaning that
[Goins] tended to answer the most basic questions correctly and struggled with
moderately difficult items. This pattern is typical for someone suffering from
mental retardation.
That during the tests [Dr. Neu] did ask questions. For example, when
asked to define the word 'repair,' [Goins] replied like I have a pair of socks. When
asked in what direction does the sun rise, [Goins] stated, all over. When asked
why many foods need to be cooked, [Goins] responded, might want to eat
something different and for [sic] the food won't get old."
¶ 68 With respect to this evidence, the trial court held that Dr. Neu "cannot testify as to his
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conversations with the defendant during the course of that exam, but he can testify [as to]
the balance of the information, the reasonable fact-finder does not need the aid of a professional
to arrive at those decisions." The record shows that Dr. Neu testified that he conducted IQ
testing on Goins and that Goins obtained a full-scale IQ score of 61, placing him in the extremely
low range of intellectual functioning. Dr. Neu also testified that the IQ score of 70 or below was
one of the conditions for a diagnosis of mental retardation.
¶ 69 The trial court found that the jury, as fact finder, could assess the credibility of the
expert witness' testimony. That is, the jury did not need to hear the specific responses provided
by Goins during his interview with Dr. Neu to understand that an individual with an IQ score of
61 and diagnosis of mild mental retardation might struggle to define certain words. But, Goins
cites our supreme court's holding in People v. Anderson, 113 Ill. 2d 1 (1986), to argue that Dr.
Neu should have been allowed to testify about the responses where they contributed to Dr. Neu's
diagnosis of mild mental retardation.
¶ 70 In Anderson, the supreme court held an expert should be allowed to reveal, on direct
examination, the contents of materials on which he or she reasonably relied in forming an
opinion. Anderson, 113 Ill. 2d at 9. The expert may rely on reports compiled by others if the
materials are of a kind customarily relied on by members of the profession. This procedure
allows the jury to evaluate the expert testimony. Anderson, 113 Ill. 2d at 10-11. The court also
held that a psychiatric expert may testify regarding statements made to him or her by a defendant
which figure into the professional diagnosis concerning the issue of sanity, regardless of whether
25 1-11-3201
the psychiatrist is a treating or non-treating physician. Anderson, 113 Ill. 2d at 12-13.
In Anderson, the expert relied on reports by other psychiatrists, doctors and counselors. The
expert also relied on statements made by the defendant to him and letters written by or at the
direction of the defendant in forming his opinion as to defendant's sanity. Anderson, 113 Ill. 2d
at 7.
¶ 71 In this case, Dr. Neu testified that after his interview and testing, Goins obtained an IQ
score of 61 and Dr. Neu diagnosed him as mildly mentally retarded. Goins maintains that under
the supreme court's analysis in Anderson, Dr. Neu should have been allowed to testify about the
questions he asked Goins during his interview. But, we find Anderson factually distinguishable,
where the expert in that case evaluated the defendant's sanity and the testimony concerned
statements and letters from the defendant that the expert used to form his opinion. In this case,
the proffered testimony involved Goins' responses to interview questions that were indicative of
an individual with mental retardation.
¶ 72 Even if the trial court improperly limited Dr. Neu's testimony, it would be harmless.
When inquiring into whether an error is harmless beyond a reasonable doubt, the court should
ask whether the harm complained of contributed to defendant's conviction. Chapman v.
California, 386 U.S. 18, 23-24 (1967). Goins argues that preventing Dr. Neu from testifying
fully about the process of his examination deprived the jury of a full understanding of Neu's
opinion, including the fact that there was no evidence of malingering. The record shows that Dr.
Neu testified regarding Goins' IQ results, low level of mental functioning, and his diagnosis of
26 1-11-3201
mild mental retardation. The proffered testimony involved three questions and answers between
Dr. Neu and Goins, which where indicative of Goins' mental limitations. But, the admission of
Goins' responses would not have been determinative of the fact that Goins was not malingering.
The testimony relating to Goins' low level IQ and diagnosis of mild mental retardation
sufficiently raised doubt that Goins would not have been capable of malingering. It was within
the province of the jury, as fact finder, to assess the credibility of the witnesses and the jury could
consider defense counsel's argument that Goins was more suggestible and more likely to provide
a statement based on his low level of mental functioning. We cannot say that the trial court's
limiting of these three interview questions and answers contributed to Goins' conviction. Hence,
any error in limiting Dr. Neu's testimony was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt. Chapman,
386 U.S. at 24. Since we find any error in limiting Dr. Neu's testimony harmless, we need not
consider Goins' alternative argument that the trial court erred in not allowing the testimony after
the State "opened the door" to such testimony during its cross-examination of Dr. Neu.
¶ 73 Testimony Regarding the Victim's Prior and Permanent Injuries
¶ 74 We next review Goins' argument that he was denied a fair trial when Dr. Staley testified
regarding a scar on Wanya's elbow and the extent of Wanya's injuries. Goins contends that Dr.
Staley's testimony was not relevant to any issue at trial but, rather designed to inflame the
passions of the jury.
¶ 75 During trial, the State asked Dr. Staley:
"Now, Doctor, after you examined Wanya and observed his injuries, can
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you describe what exactly his injuries were for the Ladies and Gentlemen of the
jury?"
Dr. Staley testified:
"Well, when I examined him he was in a coma. It was what we call a
phenobarbital coma. That's a very, very powerful anti-seizure medicine.
This child was very sick. He was on numerous medications. That meant
that my physical exam in terms of what he could do neurologically was not
possible because he was in a coma.
So I had to do a couple things. Look in his ears and at his skin for bruises,
and that's why I found the, the three bruises, two on his head and the blood in his
ear canal.
He had a scar on his elbow that may have been an old cigarette burn."
¶ 76 Defense counsel objected and during a short sidebar noted that the trial court had granted
a motion in limine barring introduction of Wanya's scar. The State explained that it instructed
Dr. Staley not to mention the scar and that it would move on to something else. The trial court
instructed the jury to disregard Dr. Staley's statement and the State moved on to question Dr.
Staley regarding a CAT scan ordered in Wanya's case. We find that the prompt action by the trial
court in sustaining the objection cured any prejudicial impact by the brief testimony. People v.
Sutton, 353 Ill. App. 3d 487, 500 (2004); People v. Kidd, 175 Ill. 2d 1, 51 (1996). In addition,
the State did not revisit the testimony.
28 1-11-3201
¶ 77 Goins next asserts that the detailed testimony by Dr. Staley describing Wanya's long-term
injuries while hospitalized was inflammatory, suggesting child abuse, and deprived him of a fair
trial. Goins states that even if the testimony was relevant, the State already established great
bodily harm, as an essential element of aggravated battery to a child, when it produced the
testimony of Dr. Staley and the testimony of Dr. Hoehn, which both described Wanya's injuries
when he arrived at the hospital.
¶ 78 The test of the admissibility of evidence is whether it fairly tends to prove the particular
offense charged. People v. Ward, 101 Ill. 2d 443, 455 (1984). Whether what is offered as
evidence will be admitted or excluded depends on whether it tends to make the question of guilt
more or less probable, i.e., whether it is relevant. Id. The admission of evidence is within the
sound discretion of the trial court, and its ruling should not be reversed absent a clear showing of
abuse of that discretion. Id. at 456.
¶ 79 Evidence that could be considered inflammatory will not be withheld if relevant and
necessary to an issue. People v. Villa, 93 Ill. App. 3d 196, 201 (1981) (detailed testimony by two
doctors describing brain surgeries performed on police officer, who was allegedly shot by
defendant, was properly submitted to jury to establish essential elements in aggravated battery
charge). The nature and the seriousness of the injury is an essential element of aggravated
battery and the proof thereof is proper. People v. Nard, 32 Ill. App. 3d 634 (1975).
¶ 80 Dr. Staley's testimony described Wanya's serious injuries and their consequences, which
was an essential element in the aggravated battery of a child charge. 720 ILCS 5/12-4.3(a) (West
2008). It is fundamental that a defendant is responsible for the results of his or her acts and a
29 1-11-3201
jury should be allowed to hear the nature and extent of the great bodily harm inflicted consisted
of. Villa, 93 Ill. App. 3d at 201. We, therefore, find that it was not improper for the trial court to
allow Dr. Staley's testimony.
¶ 81 Goins, nonetheless, asserts that even if Dr. Staley's testimony was relevant, it was
unnecessary and prejudicial where other evidence established the element of great bodily harm.
Dr. Neu and Dr. Staley both testified regarding Wanya's injuries when he first arrived at the
hospital. Dr. Staley's subsequent testimony, however, related to her treatment of Wanya over the
course of a month and her observations of Wanya's extensive injuries and the consequences of
those injuries. We cannot say that such testimony was unnecessary to establish great bodily
harm.
¶82 Closing Arguments
¶ 83 Next, Goins contends that the prosecutor made improper remarks during closing
arguments by (1) repeatedly referring to the victim's permanent disabilities; (2) asking the jury to
obtain justice for the victim; (3) referring to evidence of defendant's cognitive delays as "a pile of
baloney," and a "story," and telling the jury "don't buy it"; (4) stating that the jury should not
believe Goins' father's testimony; and (5) referring to a gorilla in the zoo.
¶ 84 Generally, the prosecution has wide latitude in making its closing argument. People v.
Nicholas, 218 Ill. 2d 104, 121 (2006); People v. Blue, 189 Ill. 2d 99, 127 (2000). During closing
arguments, the prosecutor may comment on the evidence and any "fair, reasonable inferences"
from it, even if those inferences reflect negatively on the defendant. Nicholas, 218 Ill. 2d at 121.
30 1-11-3201
In doing so, however, the prosecution must make sure the closing argument serves a purpose
other than merely "inflaming the emotions of the jury." Nicholas, 218 Ill. 2d at 121; People v.
Tiller, 94 Ill. 2d 303, 321 (1982).
¶ 85 We will not interfere with the trial court's determination of the propriety of the
prosecution's closing argument absent a clear abuse of discretion resulting in manifest prejudice
to the defendant. People v. Cisewski, 118 Ill. 2d 163, 175 (1987). A "prosecutor's comments in
closing argument will result in reversible error only when they engender 'substantial prejudice'
against the defendant to the extent that it is impossible to determine whether the verdict of the
jury was caused by the comments or the evidence." People v. Macri, 185 Ill. 2d 1, 62 (1998). In
reviewing allegations of prosecutorial misconduct during closing argument, the remarks must be
considered in light of the entire arguments of both the prosecution and the defense. People v.
Wheeler, 226 Ill. 2d 92, 122 (2007). And, a prosecutor may respond to comments made by
defense counsel which invite a response. People v. Hudson, 157 Ill. 2d 401, 441 (1993).
¶ 86 Goins argues that the State repeatedly urged the jury to consider the case in light of
Wanya's permanent disabilities. The State argued:
"[I]n 2007 [Goins] believed he was a father and in November of 2007 he took his
son Wanya *** to go live with him in Springfield. Now by all accounts this
seemed like it was going to be a good thing, Wanya was going to get a dad, but on
December 31st of 2007 that good thing, that dad, that protector and that defender
turned out to be his abuser because at the hands of this defendant Wanya's life
changed forever, never again to see –
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***
No mobility, severely impaired no function."
¶ 87 Defense counsel objected and the trial court sustained that objection. Later during
closing arguments, the State remarked:
"And then great bodily harm. I just told you what he did, his act, how
when Wanya Lawson got to that hospital which cannot and has not been disputed
that child had a black eye, that child had bleeding behind his eyes, that child had
blood in his ear and that child was bleeding on several multiple areas of his little
brain. That, Ladies and Gentlemen, is great bodily harm because then the doctor
told you what those injuries were from, what happened, how is he now. She told
you about how she saw him and what Baby Wanya could even do. He wasn't
moving his legs, severely impaired, no mobility, no function, that he walked
funny. He won't walk funny again. When he was able to feed himself what did
the doctor tell you? He cannot feed himself because he cannot eat."
¶ 88 Defense counsel objected and the trial court sustained that objection.
¶ 89 The prosecutor's argument, read in its entirety, shows that the comments related to
establishing great bodily harm, which is an essential element of aggravated battery of a child.
720 ILCS 5/12-4.3(a) (West 2008). We find that the prompt action by the trial court in
sustaining Goins' objections cured the prejudicial impact of any improper comments made while
arguing that the State established this element of the offense. Sutton, 353 Ill. App. 3d at 500;
32 1-11-3201
Kidd, 175 Ill. 2d at 51. The jury was also instructed that "neither opening nor closing arguments
are evidence, and any statement or argument made by the attorneys which is not based on the
evidence should be disregarded." Jurors are presumed to follow the trial court's instructions.
People v. Taylor, 166 Ill. 2d 414, 438 (1995).
¶ 90 Goins relies on People v. Williams, 333 Ill. App. 3d 204 (2002), to argue that sustaining
the objections and appropriate jury instructions were not sufficient to cure any prejudice. In
Williams, this court explained, " 'Instructing the jury that arguments are not evidence will not, in
every instance, cure the defect caused by introduction of such evidence. Whether the remarks
and/or evidence constitute error depends, in each case, on the nature and extent of the statements
and whether they are probative of defendant's guilt.' " Williams, 333 Ill. App. 3d at 214 (quoting
People v. Blue, 189 Ill. 2d 99, 132 (2000)). In that case, the State used unsupported cross-
examination questioning to argue to the jury that the defendant shot the victim because he knew
he was going to be declared the father of the victim's child at an upcoming court hearing and
wanted to avoid child support. Williams, 333 Ill. App. 3d at 214. This court found reversible
error where the State's comments were not based on the evidence and the State persisted in its
argument before the jury. This court explained, "We cannot presume that the State's improper
argument, imputing to defendant a motive, did not affect the jury's verdict." Williams, 333 Ill.
App. 3d at 214.
¶ 91 Unlike Williams, here the State's argument was based on the evidence that Wanya had
suffered extensive injuries. At trial, Dr. Stanley testified regarding Wanya's "devastating brain
injury" and the result of those injuries, including the fact that Wanya could not walk, speak, or
33 1-11-3201
feed himself. The State did not improperly ascribe a motive to Goins or rely on arguments not
based on the evidence. We find that the jury instruction, together with the trial court's action in
promptly sustaining Goins' objection, precluded substantial prejudice in this case.
¶ 92 Goins next contends that the State improperly argued during closing and rebuttal
arguments that the jury should "obtain justice for the victim." During closing argument, the
State remarked that "it is time to speak up for Wanya." During rebuttal argument, the State
commented:
"Today is the day for Wanya Lawson to receive justice, Ladies and
Gentlemen.
Today is also the day for this defendant to receive justice, and the way that
the defendant and Wanya Lawson can receive justice for what he did to Wanya is
to find him guilty, guilty of aggravated battery to a child and guilty of attempt
murder and nothing, nothing less."
¶ 93 During closing arguments, the State may denounce the activities of the defendant and urge
that justice be administered. People v. Brooks, 246 Ill. App. 3d 777, 788 (1993). Therefore, this
argument was not improper.
¶ 94 Goins also asserts that the prosecutor made repeated disparaging references to his
cognitive limitations, by calling the evidence "a pile of baloney, "a story," and telling the jury
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"don't buy it." During closing arguments, the prosecutor stated:
"So if you don't believe that, didn't believe that there is a learning disability
and the IQ in the 60's means that I'm just not smart enough to know how to call for
help, I'm just not smart enough to call 911, I'm just not smart enough to know how
to lie, I'm just not smart enough to know and talk about what really happened, what
a pile of baloney."
¶ 95 Throughout trial, the defense maintained that due to Goins' limited cognitive abilities, he
was unable to waive his Miranda rights, provide the statement, and seek help for Wanya after his
injuries. We find the prosecutor's argument was not improper where these remarks were in
response to Goins' theory of defense and based on the evidence and reasonable inferences drawn
therefrom. Hudson, 157 Ill. 2d at 441. Further, the prosecutor was permitted to comment on the
illogical nature of defense counsel's argument. See People v. Franklin, 135 Ill. 2d 78, 112 (1990)
(no substantial prejudicial in State's characterization of defendant's closing arguments as
"shocking," "insulting," "bunk," and "abominable").
¶ 96 Goins also complains that the prosecutor improperly suggested that Goins was a liar where
the State argued that Goins had "[thrown] that story up here that this defendant has a low IQ and
didn't give this statement." A defendant can be called a "liar" in argument, provided evidence of
lying exists or reasonable inferences of lying can be drawn from the evidence. People v. Strange,
125 Ill. App. 3d 43, 46 (1984). Goins' defense included asserting that could not have provided the
statement transcribed by ASA Para, where he could not have read or understood that statement.
This was inconsistent with the testimony of ASA Para and Detective Matual. Therefore, there
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was a basis in the record for the State to point out inconsistencies. The State also refrained from
calling Goins a "liar." The State's argument was not improper in this respect.
¶ 97 Goins further contends that he was prejudiced where the State argued during rebuttal that
his father, Tyrone Woods, "had to be" lying during his testimony. The complained of argument is
as follows:
"And Ladies and Gentlemen, the story about the defendant's father, well,
you can't believe that the defendant made this statement because his father got up
here and he said, well, I never called him, I never said those things that didn't
happen. Again, Ladies and Gentlemen, consider a person's interest and bias when
they testify. They have to come in here and they have to say that."
¶ 98 In Goins' statement to ASA Para, he stated that on the night of Wanya's injury, Goins'
father, Woods, called Goins to tell him that his two-year-old brother had died. Goins stated that
he was "angry, upset, sad, crying, and frustrated," and "there was no one home for him to talk to
about how he felt." Goins stated that he then hit Wanya. At trial, Woods testified that he did not
call Goins that night, and that Goins' brother was still alive. During closing arguments, defense
counsel argued that Woods' testimony called Goins' entire statement into question. Defense
counsel argued that since Goins' brother was still alive, there was no motive for Goins to be upset
and hit Wanya. The State's remarks during rebuttal were a legitimate response to defense
counsel's argument. See People v. Evans, 209 Ill. 2d 194, 225 (2004) (prosecution may fairly
comment on defense counsel's characterizations of evidence and may respond in rebuttal to
statements of defense counsel that noticeably invite response). Also, the prosecutor's comments
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were a permissible comment on the witness' bias and interest in the result of this case. People v.
Barney, 176 Ill. 2d 69 (1997) (holding that prosecutor may comment on witness', including a
defendant's, bias and interest in result of case when weighing witness' testimony).
¶ 99 Lastly, Goins argues that the State improperly suggested that a gorilla would be a better
parent than Goins had been to Wanya. During closing arguments, the prosecutor referred to an
incident that occurred at Brookfield Zoo, where a gorilla picked up a small child, who had fallen
into the gorilla exhibit, and took the child to the zookeeper's door in an effort to help the child.
The prosecutor argued:
"You heard all the facts of this case, you heard all the evidence of this case. This
has nothing to do with the level of intelligence, it has nothing to do with an IQ.
You remember the story of the child who fell into the gorilla cage. The gorilla
picked up the child, cradled the child in its arm, Brookfield Zoo and took the child.
Took the child to the zoo keeper's door where it could be rescued. A gorilla
knew what to do. This is not IQ, this is not intelligence here. The defendant did
not want to save Wanya's life on that day, he didn't. This has nothing to do with
reckless conduct. This isn't reckless conduct, this was an intentional act."
¶ 100 Goins, relying on People v. Johnson, 119 Ill. 2d 119, 139 (1987), argues that is was
improper to compare him to an animal. In Johnson, the court held that is was improper to
characterize the defendant as an "animal," but where the prosecutor's comment was isolated and
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not dwelled upon, it did not amount to reversible error. Johnson, 119 Ill. 2d at 140. In this case,
the prosecutor did not characterize Goins as an "animal." While not particularly artful, the
prosecutor was responding to Goins' theory of defense that due to Goins' limited mental capacity,
he did not seek help for Wanya immediately after his injury. The evidence at trial showed that
Goins did not call 911 on the evening of Wanya's injury, and Wanya was not taken to the hospital
until the following morning when Goins' mother called 911. Dr. Staley also testified that the
delay in taking Wanya to the hospital was significant when a child has a brain injury. Thus, the
prosecutor was responding to Goins' theory of defense by arguing that seeking help for an injured
child is instinctual rather than based on intellectual functioning. Also, the prosecutor's remarks
related to establishing "intent to kill," an element of attempted first degree murder (720 ILCS 5/9-
1(a)(1) (West 2008)). The State argued that Goins did not seek medical treatment for Wanya
following his injuries and, therefore, did not intend to save his life. We find the prosecutor's
¶ 101 After a thorough review of the arguments made by both parties, we find no error in the
State's comments. The State's argument, read in its entirety, shows that the comments Goins
complains of were based on the evidence presented and the reasonable inferences drawn from the
evidence. In addition, the State's argument properly responded to Goins' arguments and his theory
of defense.
¶ 102 III. CONCLUSION
¶ 103 We affirm the trial court's determination that Goins voluntarily, knowingly, and
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intelligently waived his Miranda rights, where considering the totality of circumstances, including
Goins' limited mental capacity, this finding was not against the manifest weight of the evidence.
¶ 104 The trial court properly limited Goins' expert's testimony to his findings that Goins IQ was
61 and diagnosis of mild mental retardation, where the jury, as trier of fact, was charged with
determining the credibility of the witnesses and the weight to be given their testimony.
¶ 105 Goins was not deprived of a fair trial based on testimony by the State's expert witness
regarding the victim's long-term injuries and the expert's brief mention of a scar on the victim.
¶ 106 The State's closing arguments were proper. After examining the complained of comments,
within the context of both parties' arguments, we find the prosecutor's remarks did not fall outside
the bounds of reasonable argument based on the evidence or the reasonable inferences drawn
therefrom, or as invited by defense counsel's argument.
¶ 107 Affirmed.
Related
Cite This Page — Counsel Stack
2013 IL App (1st) 113201, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/people-v-goins-illappct-2013.