People v. Lazard

2021 IL App (1st) 191374-U

• Court: Appellate Court of Illinois
• Decided: January 27, 2021
• Docket: 1-19-1374
• Status: Unpublished

Opinion

2021 IL App (1st) 191374-U

THIRD DIVISION January 27, 2021

No. 1-19-1374

NOTICE: This order was filed under Supreme Court Rule 23 and is not precedent except in the limited circumstances allowed under Rule 23(e)(1). ______________________________________________________________________________

IN THE APPELLATE COURT OF ILLINOIS FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT ______________________________________________________________________________

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, ) Appeal from the ) Circuit Court of Plaintiff-Appellee, ) Cook County. ) v. ) No. 13 CR 21181 ) DAVEED LAZARD, ) Honorable ) William G. Gamboney, Defendant-Appellant. ) Judge Presiding. ______________________________________________________________________________

PRESIDING JUSTICE HOWSE delivered the judgment of the court. Justices McBride and Burke concurred in the judgment.

ORDER

¶1 Held: The judgment of the circuit court of Cook County summarily dismissing defendant’s postconviction petition is affirmed; defendant failed to state an arguable claim his sentence violates the Proportionate Penalties Clause of the Illinois Constitution as applied to him where defendant did not receive a de facto life sentence; defendant did not receive ineffective assistance of counsel based on trial counsel’s failure to call a witness who would have provided only cumulative testimony.

¶2 Defendant was convicted of attempt first degree murder, aggravated battery with a

firearm, and aggravated discharge of a firearm for firing into a vehicle and striking Tamika

Readus for which he was sentenced to 32 years’ imprisonment. Defendant was 17-years old at

the time of the offense. His conviction and sentence were subsequently affirmed by this court on

direct appeal. Thereafter, defendant filed a postconviction petition which was summarily 1-19-1374

dismissed at first stage proceedings. In his postconviction petition, defendant’s arguments

included a claim his trial counsel was ineffective for failing to fully investigate and use witness

Romalice Brooks to contradict the State’s evidence and support defendant’s claim of self-

defense. This is the only issue from his postconviction petition raised by defendant on appeal.

While not included in his postconviction petition, defendant also argues for the first time on

appeal the 20-year firearm enhancement to his attempt murder sentence violated the

Proportionate Penalties Clause of the Illinois Constitution (Ill. Const. 1970, art. I, § 11) as

applied to him. For the reasons set forth below we affirm.

¶3 BACKGROUND

¶4 Defendant’s Trial

¶5 Below we recount the relevant evidence and details from defendant’s trial as previously

set forth by this court on direct appeal.

¶6 On June 16, 2013, defendant, his girlfriend, and other people were gathered outside their

apartment building at a Father’s Day barbeque. According to defendant, a car drove erratically

and stopped right in front of defendant and crashed into another car. Defendant testified he

pushed his girlfriend out of the way. Defendant then fired his gun multiple times at the car. The

victim, Tamika Readus, was shot three times. The driver, Adam Hollingsworth who was

Readus’ husband, was shot once in the shoulder.

¶7 Two weeks after the shooting defendant approached Hollingsworth and Readus, and

defendant told Readus he was sorry for shooting her. Readus then went to police with a name of

the suspect. She later identified defendant from a photo array and a physical lineup as the person

who told her he shot her. Defendant was arrested by police and given Miranda warnings. While

he was being transported to the police station after his arrest, defendant told the transporting

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officers that he was sorry for shooting Readus and told them he had apologized to her. The State

charged defendant with attempt (first degree murder), aggravated battery with a firearm, and

aggravated discharge of a firearm. Tamika Readus was the first witness to testify in the State’s

case in chief.

¶8 Testimony of Tamika Readus

¶9 In June 2013, Readus was married to Hollingsworth. On the afternoon of June 13, 2013,

Hollingsworth and Readus were preparing to go to a Father’s Day barbeque near Washington

Park. They arrived at the barbeque around 9 p.m. They stayed for a short amount of time and

then left with two of Hollingsworth’s cousins. Hollingsworth was driving the car. They were

traveling toward Stony Island when they stopped at a stop sign on Park Shore East and 62nd

Street. Readus testified Hollingsworth was driving normally, the car was operating normally, the

headlights were operating normally, and she could tell by looking out the windshield the

headlights were on. A person was crossing the street in front of them and they stayed stopped at

the stop sign for some two or three minutes. Hollingsworth then abruptly accelerated to 25 or 30

miles per hour and made a left turn. He then braked hard and came to a stop behind another car

parallel to the curb. Readus then saw smoke and a group of people started running. When she

heard a noise, Readus thought she heard a firework going off from the group of people nearby.

She looked down and saw that she was shot. Readus yelled to Hollingsworth that she had been

shot. Hollingsworth was trying to get out of the car and when he heard Readus yell she had been

shot, he drove her to the University of Chicago Hospital. While undergoing treatment at that

hospital, Readus blacked out. When she awoke, she was in Mount Sinai Hospital. She had

gunshot wounds in her chest, side, and lower back. Readus recalled speaking to Detective Vidas

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Nemickes while she was at the hospital, though she could not recall when. Readus was

discharged from the hospital after one week.

¶ 10 After she had been discharged from the hospital, Readus and Hollingsworth went

together to a barbeque near Jackson Park for the July 4th holiday. This was the same area where

Readus had been shot. Hollingsworth sent someone to get defendant from a house, and

defendant came out with a few other people. Defendant then began to apologize to Readus,

telling her it was a mistake and “that they were at war with some people,” though Readus could

not recall his exact words. Readus began crying and defendant attempted to hug her. He then

walked off and Hollingsworth told the group of people that defendant needed to be “violated.” A

member of the group then punched defendant in the face. Readus and Hollingsworth left the

barbeque after.

¶ 11 When Readus returned to her parents’ house, she called Detective Nemickes. She told

him she knew who shot her: a person known as “Dallo” (Dallo was defendant’s nickname).

Readus required further medical treatment to remove another bullet from her back, which was

removed at Mount Sinai Hospital in early July of 2013. She testified she still had the bullet stuck

in her chest. After the surgery, Readus met with Detective Nemickes in July. She signed

paperwork and was asked to look at a photographic array. She identified defendant’s picture as a

picture of the person who shot her.

¶ 12 Under cross-examination, Readus testified Hollingsworth was not driving responsibly on

June 13, 2013. She also testified that prior to going to the barbeque at 9 p.m., they were “lay[ing]

around the house,” though neither of them were smoking or drinking. Readus testified

Hollingsworth does not drink or smoke.

¶ 13 Testimony of Detective Majdi Shalabi

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¶ 14 Detective Shalabi received an assignment from Detective Nemickes to apprehend

defendant on suspicion of shooting Readus. On July 17, 2013, Detective Shalabi and his partner,

Officer Joseph Tracy, went to defendant’s home and placed him in custody. Detective Shalabi

testified he then read defendant his Miranda warnings. Defendant was then placed in the back

seat of the detective’s car. While Detective Shalabi and his partner were driving defendant to the

police station, defendant began speaking to them. Detective Shalabi testified he did not initiate

the conversation with defendant. Defendant told Detective Shalabi that he did not mean to shoot

the lady and that he gave her a hug and said he was sorry. At that point Detective Shalabi again

read defendant his Miranda warnings and told defendant to stay quiet until his mother or another

parent or guardian was present. Detective Shalabi then called defendant’s mother. Once they

transported defendant to the area central detective division, they handed defendant over to

Detective Nemickes. Detective Shalabi did not have further contact with this case until October

9, 2013, when he went to arrest defendant at Hyde Park High School.

¶ 15 Testimony of Detective Vidas Nemickes

¶ 16 Detective Nemickes testified he received an assignment on June 16, 2013 to report to the

University of Chicago hospital because two people had been shot.

¶ 17 Detective Nemickes spoke with Readus on June 19, 2013. On July 3, 2013, Detective

Nemickes spoke with Readus a second time because Readus called him and informed him she

knew the identity of her shooter. Detective Nemickes then reached out to Hollingsworth, but

Hollingsworth was not cooperative. On July 11, 2013, Detective Nemickes met with Readus at

his office to show her a photographic array. She identified defendant in one of the photos and

told the detective that was the person who apologized for shooting her. Detective Nemickes next

met with Readus at the police station on the night of July 17, 2013, in order to view a physical

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lineup. Readus viewed the lineup at around 1 a.m. on July 18, and immediately identified

defendant as the person who apologized to her for shooting her.

¶ 18 Although Detective Nemickes was unable to locate the weapon used to shoot Readus, he

was able to recover a fired bullet that was recovered from Readus’s body. He did not recover

any shell casings from the crime scene. After admitting exhibits into the record, the State rested.

¶ 19 Defendant’s trial counsel made a motion for directed finding after the close of the State’s

case. The trial court denied this motion.

¶ 20 Testimony of Adam Hollingsworth

¶ 21 Hollingsworth was the first witness to testify for the defense. Hollingsworth testified he

was at his home with Readus, along with their uncle and his wife, on the afternoon of June 16,

2013. They were playing cards and drinking hard liquor. Hollingsworth testified he began

drinking at 11 a.m. that day. Prior to leaving his house, Hollingsworth consumed two or three

cups of liquor. At around 3 p.m. Hollingsworth and Readus drove to a barbeque in Washington

Park. They were at the barbeque in the park for a couple of hours. Hollingsworth was with

family and drinking more liquor. When it began to turn dark outside, Hollingsworth left with

Readus and two of his cousins to go to another barbeque close to Hyde Park, near Stony Island

and 61st.

¶ 22 Hollingsworth testified he was driving a green Suzuki, and was driving in a reckless

manner. He stated he “was driving wild.” Hollingsworth “was driving reckless, and I had hit the

corner without hitting the brakes. Well, I thought I hit the brakes. But the next thing you know,

I had -- I don’t know. I had passed out. * * * I remember hitting the sidewalk.” He was

speeding, going about 45 miles per hour in a 25 mile per hour speed zone. He did not recall

whether he had his headlights on that night. Hollingsworth had consumed some five or six cups

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of hard liquor by that point. He remembered turning onto a street before hitting the sidewalk, but

could not remember whether he stopped at the stop sign. He recalled hitting the gas and turning

when he got to the stop sign. Hollingsworth passed out from intoxication after hitting the curb.

The pain from being shot brought Hollingsworth to, and he realized he had stopped his car on the

sidewalk next to a driveway. After he and Readus were shot, Hollingsworth drove them to the

University of Chicago hospital. Hollingsworth had been shot in the shoulder and the bullet was

not taken out. He released himself from the hospital after he was treated.

¶ 23 Two days after Hollingsworth left the hospital he received a Facebook message from

defendant. A few days later, defendant met with Hollingsworth and gave him some money for

the broken windshield in Hollingsworth’s car. Defendant also apologized for shooting

Hollingsworth and Readus. Hollingsworth testified defendant was a friend of his.

¶ 24 Shortly after the July 4th holiday, Hollingsworth met with Detective Nemickes at the

police station. Detective Nemickes showed Hollingsworth a photo of defendant and

Hollingsworth told the detective that this was not the person who shot him. On redirect

examination, Hollingsworth was shown a photo of his car taken by police the night of the

shooting while Hollingsworth was in the hospital. Hollingsworth identified a cup in the center

front console as the cup he was drinking out of that night and said that there was alcohol in it.

¶ 25 Testimony of Behname Pierce

¶ 26 Pierce testified he was at Park Shore East and 62nd, at the Park Shore East Apartments,

on June 16, 2013. He was standing outside with a few of his friends at around 9:45 or 10 p.m.

and saw defendant across the street. Defendant was with a group of people outside at a Father’s

Day picnic. Pierce then “saw a dark colored car speeding from around the corner from behind”

Hyde Park High School. The car had its headlights off, failed to stop at the stop sign, sped

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around the corner, hit the brake, and made a loud screeching noise. Pierce thought the car was

traveling over the speed limit, moving about 40 or 50 miles per hour. The car ran into the back

of a parked car defendant was standing next to. Pierce testified that when the dark colored car

ran into the back of a parked car, he and his friends “all ducked and ran inside Park Shore East

Apartments.” Pierce heard “about two, three gunshots,” though he did not see who did the

shooting. Pierce began to run before the gunshots “because normally when a car comes around

the corner, headlights off, that fast, it normally – it’s a drive-by. That’s the first thing that come

to mind. So my first intention was to run.” After the car drove off, Pierce returned outside. His

friends and other people were back outside, making sure nobody had been shot.

¶ 27 Testimony of Raven Gilliam

¶ 28 Gilliam, 17-years old at the time of the trial, testified she had been in a relationship with

defendant for the past three years. They had a child together, who was one year old at the time.

On June 16, 2013, Gilliam was with defendant outside on 62nd and Park Shore East before 10

p.m. They were standing close to the parking lot entrance to the apartment complex with one of

Gilliam’s friends. About 30 people were around outside.

¶ 29 Gilliam saw a car coming down Park Shore East towards her. The car did not have its

headlights on, failed to stop at the stop sign, and was going about 35-40 miles per hour. The stop

sign was about 25 feet from where Gilliam, her friend, and defendant were standing. The car

drove onto the curb close to where they were standing. When the car got to within inches of

Gilliam, defendant pushed her out of the way. She was face down in the grass when she heard

gunshots, though she could not remember how many shots were fired. After she heard the

gunshots, everyone in the area ran in different directions.

¶ 30 Defendant’s Testimony

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¶ 31 On June 16, 2013, at about 9:45 p.m., defendant was outside near 62nd and Park Shore

East. He was standing with his girlfriend, Gilliam, and one of her friends. They were about 15

feet from the parking lot entrance. While they were talking, defendant heard someone say

“watch out,” and he turned to see a car coming towards them. The car failed to stop at a stop

sign, turned left off of Park Shore East, had no headlights on, and drove recklessly - traveling

about 40-50 miles per hour. Defendant saw the car when it was about 28 feet away. Seconds

later, the car was driving onto the curb within 5 feet of defendant. He pulled out his gun and

pushed Gilliam out of the way. Once he pushed Gilliam out of the way, defendant started

shooting at the car. He believed someone in the car was about to do a drive-by shooting or hit

them with the car. After he finished firing his weapon, defendant ran away.

¶ 32 On cross-examination, defendant testified he could have run from the car when it was

approaching him. He fired at the car when it was about 20 feet from him and coming towards

him. When the car came onto the curb he started running away from the car and shooting at it.

Defendant also testified he did not think the car was in danger of hitting him. He did not see

anyone with a weapon in the vehicle and nobody in the car lowered their windows. That same

night, defendant threw his gun in Lake Michigan. The gun was not recovered.

¶ 33 Defendant had known Hollingsworth prior to the shooting. Two days after the shooting,

defendant contacted Hollingsworth. He met with Hollingsworth and a woman who was with

Hollingsworth in late June. Defendant then rested his case-in-chief.

¶ 34 Rebuttal Testimony of Officer Ford

¶ 35 Officer Ford testified that when he responded to the shooting at 62nd and Park Shore

East, he did not observe the grass near the curb to be disturbed as if some car had driven on it.

When Officer Ford was at the University of Chicago hospital and had an opportunity to see the

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car Hollingsworth had been driving the night of the shooting, he did not see any damage to the

front side of the car. Officer Ford also testified he did not smell alcohol coming from

Hollingsworth when he asked Hollingsworth questions at the hospital. Hollingsworth was not

acting inebriated, though he did appear to be injured.

¶ 36 Rebuttal Testimony of Detective Nemickes

¶ 37 Detective Nemickes also did not observe any damage, other than the gunshots to the

window and hood, to the vehicle Hollingsworth was driving. Detective Nemickes went to the

scene of the crime after leaving the hospital. He did not observe any signs of grass being

disturbed and did not see any skid marks or turned-up grass. Detective Nemickes did not

observe any evidence of a crash.

¶ 38 After the State rested its case, defense counsel requested the jury be instructed as to self-

defense. The trial court found there was “sufficient evidence to instruct the jury as to that

offense. So over the State’s objection, the jury will be instructed.” Defense counsel argued in

closing argument that defendant acted in self-defense. Counsel argued that when a “car is

driving like that in that neighborhood, you’re afraid of a possible drive-by shooting.” The State

objected and the trial court overruled the State’s objection.

¶ 39 The jury found defendant guilty of attempt (first degree murder), aggravated battery with

a firearm, and aggravated discharge of a firearm. People v. Lazard, 2018 IL App (1st) 160047-

U, ¶¶ 4-40.

¶ 40 Defendant’s Sentencing Hearing

¶ 41 With respect to defendant’s sentencing, our prior decision set forth the following facts:

“The court ordered a presentence investigation report. At the sentencing

hearing the state argued defendant’s prior gang involvement was an aggravating

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factor. Defense counsel argued for mitigating factors, stating defendant had not

been arrested before and pointing to defendant’s academic achievements while in

custody. Counsel requested the minimum sentence. The court sentenced

defendant to 12 years’ imprisonment for attempt (first degree murder) with an

additional 20-year enhancement for personally discharging a firearm. The court

merged defendant’s convictions for aggravated battery with a firearm with his

conviction for attempt (first degree murder). For aggravated discharge of a

firearm, the court sentenced defendant to 12 years’ imprisonment, to run

concurrently with his sentence for attempt (first degree murder). Defense counsel

made an oral motion to reconsider the sentence because of defendant’s lack of

criminal history, requesting the minimum sentence. The court denied the motion

to reconsider and granted defendant’s leave to file notice of appeal.” Id. at ¶ 40.

¶ 42 Direct Appeal

¶ 43 On direct appeal, defendant argued “his conviction for attempt (first degree murder)

should be vacated because [(1)] the evidence at trial showed he had an unreasonable belief in the

need to use deadly force in self-defense” and (2) “he was deprived of his constitutional right to

the effective assistance of counsel because his trial counsel did not request the jury be instructed

to acquit if it found defendant had an unreasonable belief in the need to use deadly force in self-

defense.” See id. at ¶ 42. Defendant further argued in his opening brief “he was entitled to a

new sentencing hearing based on the retroactive application of the statutory change from

mandatory [to discretionary] firearm sentencing enhancements for juveniles under 730 ILCS 5/5-

4.5-105(b) (West 2016). See id. at ¶ 43. However, defendant, in his reply brief, conceded

People v. Hunter, 2017 IL 121306, resolved the issue finding “the change from mandatory to

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discretionary firearm sentencing enhancements for juveniles did not apply retroactively” such

that “his argument for retroactive application of the sentencing statute was no longer viable.”

See Lazard, 2018 IL App (1st) 160047-U, ¶ 43.

¶ 44 Postconviction Petition

¶ 45 On April 1, 2019, defendant filed a pro se postconviction petition pursuant to section

5/122-1 of the Post-Conviction Hearing Act (Act) (725 ILCS 5/122-1 (West 2018)).

¶ 46 In addition to contending he was denied a fair trial due to prosecutorial misconduct,

defendant’s postconviction petition argued his counsel was ineffective for (1) “failing to seek

expert witness testimony at trial and on direct appeal and (2) failing to fully investigate and use

witness Romalice Brooks, who was in the victim[‘]s car at the time of the in[]cident, and who

was willing to testify at trial, which would have contradicted the State’s case and would have

raised reasonable doubt.” In addition to his own affidavit, defendant attached Brooks’s affidavit

which stated:

“Pursuant to 28 U.S.C 17461 I Romalice Brooks declare under penalty of

perjury that the following information is true and correct. During the time of the

incident I was located in the back seat of a green Suzuki, 2001. On June 16,

2013, I was willing to testify at trial on behalf of Mr. Lazard. I made myself

available for his attorney but was told I will not be needed. Recently I found out

that Mr. Lazard was sentenced to 32 years. I honestly believe had I been called;

my testimony would’ve made a difference in the outcome of Mr. Lazard’s [trial].

My testimony would have been, I was sitting in the back seat and the only person

sober out of Adam Hollingsworth, Rickey Rozelle, and Tomika Readus, who

were all drinking. I constantly reminded Adam to turn on his headlights and

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telling him to stop driving so fast. Once we got to 62nd Street, Adam said “There

go Dallo, I’m about to scare his a[**]. Adam sped up and made a left turn. I

shouted at him to slow down, while tapping on his shoulder. Adam was not

responding as he drove towards a crowd of people who were on the sidewalk

where he jumped the curb. I saw a female inches away from the front of the car.

If Mr. Lazard had not start[ed] shooting Adam would have hit the crowd of

people. Honestly, Mr. Lazard saved not only his life but everyone who was

standing on the curb. Once we came to a stop, Adam got out the car and said,

“It’s me, Adam, I was just playing.”

¶ 47 The trial court subsequently entered a judgment summarily dismissing defendant’s

postconviction petition finding defendant’s claims were “frivolous and patently without merit.”

¶ 48 This appeal followed.

¶ 49 ANALYSIS

¶ 50 On appeal from the trial court’s summary dismissal of his postconviction petition,

defendant argues only one of the issues raised in his postconviction petition—that counsel was

ineffective for failing to interview and call Brooks as a witness at trial. Defendant also argues

for the first time on appeal the 20-year firearm enhancement to his attempt murder sentence

violated the Proportionate Penalties Clause of the Illinois Constitution (Ill. Const. 1970, art. I, §

11) as applied to him.

¶ 51 Defendant’s petition was summarily dismissed at first stage proceedings; our review of

the trial court’s judgment is de novo. People v. Patterson, 2018 IL App (1st) 160610, ¶ 14.

¶ 52 ANALYSIS

¶ 53 Post-Conviction Hearing Act

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¶ 54 The Act (725 ILCS 5/122-1 et seq. (West 2018)) provides a mechanism for collateral

attack of a conviction or sentence by allowing for inquiry into constitutional claims relating

thereto which were not, and could not be, adjudicated during the trial or determined on appeal.

People v. House, 2019 IL App (1st) 110580-B, ¶ 25. The Act sets forth a three-stage process for

hearing constitutional claims. Patterson, 2018 IL App (1st) 160610, ¶ 15. Defendant’s claim

was dismissed at the first stage.

“At the first stage, the circuit court independently reviews the petition and

determines whether the petition is frivolous or patently without merit. [Citations.]

A petition may be summarily dismissed at the first stage as frivolous and patently

without merit ‘only if the petition has no arguable basis either in law or in fact.’

[Citation.] *** Because most petitions at the first stage are drafted by defendants

with little legal knowledge or training, a defendant need only present a limited

amount of detail in the petition to survive summary dismissal by the circuit court.

[Citation.] That is, defendants only need to set forth the ‘gist’ of an arguably

constitutional claim to meet the relatively low factual threshold to satisfy the first

stage under the Act. [Citation.]” Id.

¶ 55 A petition lacking an arguable basis in law or fact is one based on an indisputably

meritless legal theory or fanciful allegations such as a claim completely contradicted by the

record or based on fantastic or delusional facts. People v. Brown, 236 Ill. 2d 175, 185 (2010).

¶ 56 In first-stage postconviction proceedings the defendant is not required to make “a

substantial showing of a constitutional violation” nor is the defendant required to “demonstrate”

or “prove” the alleged constitutional violation to avoid dismissal. People v. Tate, 2012 IL

112214, ¶ 19. At the pleading stage of postconviction proceedings, all well-pleaded allegations

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in the petition and supporting affidavits that are not positively rebutted by the trial record are to

be taken as true. People v. Robinson, 2020 IL 123849, ¶ 45. With these principles in mind, we

consider those claims raised by defendant on appeal.

¶ 57 Ineffective Assistance of Counsel

¶ 58 Defendant first argues trial counsel was ineffective for failing to investigate and call

Brooks as a witness at trial to counter the State’s evidence and support defendant’s self-defense

claim. For the reasons set forth below, defendant’s argument fails.

¶ 59 Criminal defendants have a constitutional right to effective assistance of counsel, and

claims alleging ineffective counsel are governed by the standards set forth in Strickland v.

Washington, 466 U.S. 668 (2004). People v. Veach, 2017 IL 120649, ⁋ 29. “At the first stage of

postconviction proceedings under the Act, a petition alleging ineffective assistance may not be

summarily dismissed if (i) it is arguable that counsel’s performance fell below an objective

standard of reasonableness and (ii) it is arguable that the defendant was prejudiced.” People v.

Hodges, 234 Ill. 2d 1, 17 (2009).

“ ‘[A] defendant must show that counsel’s performance was objectively

unreasonable under prevailing professional norms and that there is a “reasonable

probability that, but for counsel’s unprofessional errors, the result of the

proceeding would have been different.” ’ [Citation.] ‘A “reasonable probability”

is defined as “a probability sufficient to undermine confidence in the outcome.” ’

[Citation.]” Veach, 2017 IL 120649, ⁋ 30.

¶ 60 Both prongs of the Strickland test must be satisfied to succeed on a claim of ineffective

counsel (id.), and as such, “a court need not ‘address both components of the inquiry if the

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defendant makes an insufficient showing on one.’ ” People v. Montgomery, 192 Ill. 2d 642, 671

(2000).

¶ 61 “[D]ecisions concerning whether to call certain witnesses on a defendant’s behalf are

matters of trial strategy, reserved to the discretion of trial counsel” and “enjoy a strong

presumption that they reflect sound trial strategy, rather than incompetence[.]” People v. Enis,

194 Ill. 2d 361, 378 (2000). For this reason, counsel’s decisions in this regard are “generally

immune from claims of ineffective assistance of counsel.” Id. Additionally, counsel cannot be

deemed ineffective where the defendant’s underlying claim is not meritorious. Id.

“It is well settled that trial counsel has a professional duty to conduct

reasonable investigations and independently investigate any possible defenses.

Strickland, 466 U.S. at 691. Further, ‘[l]ack of investigation is to be judged

against a standard of reasonableness given all of the circumstances, “applying a

heavy measure of deference to counsel’s judgments.” ’ [Citations.]” People v.

Viramontes, 2016 IL App (1st) 160984, ¶ 56.

¶ 62 The State argues defendant’s petition is deficient because “Brooks’s affidavit makes no

reference to his potential availability or willingness to testify at a future trial” and in support cites

People v Brown, 371 Ill. App 3d 972, 982 (2007) overruled on other grounds by People v.

Young, 2018 IL 122598; People v. Hobley, 182 Ill. 2d 404, 455 (1998); and People v. Jones, 399

Ill. App. 3d 341, 366-67 (2010). We agree.

¶ 63 In Brown, the defendant argued he was entitled to an evidentiary hearing on his claim of

ineffective assistance of counsel based on trial counsel’s failure to present an alibi defense.

Brown, 371 Ill. App. 3d at 980. Specifically, the defendant attached the affidavit of his co-

defendant averring the “defendant was not present when the offense occurred, and that he

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presented this information to counsel prior to trial, but was not called to testify.” Id. at 981. The

trial court found the co-defendant’s affidavit insufficient to warrant an evidentiary hearing

because the co-defendant’s affidavit “d[id] not affirmatively aver that he would have testified to

the contents of his affidavit at [the] defendant’s trial” and, in doing so, “would have waived his

right against self-incrimination.” Id. at 982. This court held:

“With respect to codefendant Smith, we find that his affidavit is

insufficient to merit further consideration. Smith was a codefendant who was

tried simultaneously to defendant in a severed trial and was convicted of murder

and armed robbery. *** An affidavit must not only identify the source and

character of the evidence, it must also identify the availability of the alleged

evidence. [Citation.] Here, Smith does not indicate that he would have waived

his right against self-incrimination. Accordingly, after scrutinizing the pleadings,

the affidavits, as well as the State's motion to dismiss, defendant's claim of

ineffective assistance of counsel for failure to call these witnesses to testify must

fail.” Id.

¶ 64 Hobley involved a postconviction petition allegation of ineffective assistance of trial

counsel where the defendant claimed counsel failed to secure testimony of the defendant’s

paramour. Hobley, 182 Ill. 2d at 454. This court concluded “there ha[d] been no showing that

[the witness] could have been found by defense counsel, or that she would have been willing to

testify on defendant’s behalf had she been located” and “the absence of these averments suggests

exactly the opposite.” Id.

¶ 65 The same holding is found in Jones which cites to Brown and concludes the proposed

witness’s affidavit was flawed “because it did not contain a statement that [the witness] would

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actually testify to the facts alleged in the affidavit.” Jones, 399 Ill. App. 3d at 366-67. There,

this court held an affidavit insufficient to merit consideration at a hearing because it did not

affirmatively aver the affiant would have testified to the contents of his affidavit at the

defendant's trial. See also People v. Johnson, 183 Ill.2d 176 (1998) (“ ‘allegations must be

accompanied by an affidavit which identifies with reasonable certainty the source, character, and

availability of the alleged evidence.’ [Citations.]”). Although the foregoing decisions relate to

second- or third-stage proceedings, because the requirements of affidavits are basic, there is a

dearth of authority suggesting a different interpretation should govern first-stage dismissals.”

Jones, 399 Ill. App. 3d at 366–67.

¶ 66 Brooks’s affidavit shows he was willing and available to testify at defendant’s original

trial. However, there is no specific averment that Brooks would testify on defendant’s behalf at a

new trial. Thus, Brooks’s affidavit is insufficient because it does not expressly state that Brooks

would be willing to testify on defendant’s behalf should defendant be granted a new trial. Cf.

People v. Gonzalez, 407 Ill. App. 3d 1026, 1032 (2011) (“She never spoke with the defendant's

attorneys. She was never asked for a statement in the case and she was not subpoenaed. She

would have testified on the defendant's behalf had she been asked. *** She prepared an

affidavit on August 22, 2006, in an effort to help the defendant. She would be willing to testify at

a new trial if one were granted.” (Emphasis added.)). Nonetheless this is not the only basis for

our decision the trial court properly summarily dismissed the petition.

¶ 67 On the merits of the claim, turning to the first prong of the Strickland test— that is, if it is

arguable that counsel’s performance fell below an objective standard of reasonableness (see

Hodges, 234 Ill. 2d at 17—the State claims defendant has not shown trial counsel failed to

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investigate Brooks and has not overcome the presumption the decision not to call Brooks as a

witness was a strategic trial decision.

¶ 68 Initially, as to the question of whether Brooks was interviewed by trial counsel, defendant

argues on appeal “there is no record evidence that trial counsel ever consulted with Brooks or

knew the content of his expected testimony.” Thus, defendant argues, his petition “states an

arguable claim that trial counsel did not have all the facts necessary to make a reasonable

strategic assessment on whether Brooks’s testimony would be useful.” The State responds

defendant “offers no support for this proposition” where the affidavit “does not make any

representation that trial counsel failed to interview him ‘fully,’ or otherwise, prior to the trial.”

“The burden is on the defendant to establish both his trial counsel's incompetence and the

resultant prejudice.” People v. Williams, 262 Ill. App. 3d 808, 825 (1994)

¶ 69 Defendant made the following statements in his verified postconviction petition:

“Petitioner[’s] trial counsel’s performance was deficient in that it fell

below an objective standard of reasonableness, when trial counsel fail[ed] to

properly investigate witness, Romalice Brooks, who was located in the backseat

of the victim’s [(Adam Hollingsworth)] car at the time of the in[]cident Brooks

had informed trial counsel that he was a witness of the crime ***. Trial counsel

informed Brooks that he would not be needed, without fully interviewing Brooks

on what he would have testified to.

****

Petitioner’s trial counsel’s performance prejudiced the defense in that trial

counsel’s errors deprived the defendant of a fair trial when trial counsel failure

(sic) to investigate witness Romalice Brooks.

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Due to trial counsel’s failure to investigate Romalice Brooks, Petitioner’s

trial counsel did not inform Petitioner, that he had spoken with witness Romalice

Brooks.” (Emphases added.)

¶ 70 The petition and affidavit allege trial counsel was aware Brooks was a witness and

Brooks was available to trial counsel, but that trial counsel failed to “fully” interview Brooks

prior to making the decision not to call him as a trial witness. The failure to “fully” interview

Brooks—whatever its meaning—does not equate to an allegation defendant’s trial counsel failed

to investigate Brooks or did not know what Brooks would testify to before counsel made the

strategic decision not to call him as a witness. The affidavit does not aver defendant’s trial

attorney lacked any knowledge of Brooks’ proposed testimony. Irrespective of defense

counsel’s knowledge of Brooks’s proposed testimony, defendant’s argument fails.

¶ 71 The question becomes whether the decision not to call Brooks was arguably objectively

deficient or arguably prejudiced defendant. We hold it is not arguable counsel’s performance

was objectively unreasonable or prejudiced defendant; therefore, the petition fails to pass the test

of “whether it is arguable that counsel’s performance fell below an objective standard of

reasonableness and whether it is arguable that the defendant was prejudiced.” People v. Tate,

2012 IL 112214, ¶ 22. Even “a mistake in trial strategy or an error in judgment by defense

counsel will not alone render representation constitutionally defective. [Citation.] ‘Only if

counsel's trial strategy is so unsound that he entirely fails to conduct meaningful adversarial

testing of the State's case will ineffective assistance of counsel be found.’ [Citations.]” People

v. Peterson, 2017 IL 120331, ¶ 80.

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¶ 72 In this case, there was no question of whether defendant shot the victim. The issue was

whether defendant’s actions could be justified by self-defense. A person is “justified in the use

of force which is intended or likely to cause death or great bodily harm only if he reasonably

believes that such force is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to himself

or another, or the commission of a forcible felony.” 720 ILCS 5/7-1(a) (West 2018). Brooks’s

testimony would show the intoxicated Hollingsworth intended to scare defendant and those

standing near him by speeding the vehicle toward them with headlights off. After defendant

started shooting Hollingsworth jumped from the vehicle yelling that he was “only playing.”

Brooks’s testimony could have undermined the defense of self-defense because Brooks’s

testimony would make it less likely deadly force was necessary to prevent imminent death or

great bodily harm to defendant or another, not more likely.

¶ 73 Defendant argues that Brooks’s testimony that Hollingsworth was to “scare” defendant

and was “just playing” provided evidence that Hollingworth “directed the vehicle *** in a

manner that would cause a reasonable person to be in fear for his life.” Certainly, defense

counsel could have made that argument; however, it is only that—an argument based on the

evidence Hollingsworth only intended to scare defendant (which carries the implication he was

in sufficient control of his faculties to control his actions in spite of Brooks’s proposed testimony

of Hollingsworth’s intoxication). We cannot say it falls below prevailing professional norms for

defense counsel to fear the State would argue, and the trier of fact would find, it was not

reasonable for defendant to open fire on an occupied vehicle and shoot not only the driver but

also another occupant—a conclusion that, as the State notes, is consistent with the testimony

contradicting defendant’s and Brooks’s accounts of events, further bolstering counsel’s strategic

decision not to call Brooks. See generally People v. Meyers, 2016 IL App (1st) 142323, ¶ 29

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(“We believe that declining to call an alibi witness whose testimony could be contradicted by the

defendant's own postarrest statements as to his whereabouts falls within the realm of reasonable

trial strategy, even if the known alibi witness had never been interviewed.”); People v. Jefferson,

345 Ill. App. 3d 60, 77 (2003) (“As the time of the defendant's phone calls does not support an

inference that the defendant could not have committed the murder, it was not ineffective

assistance by trial counsel to fail to argue such an inference.” (Emphasis added.)).

¶ 74 Therefore, we cannot find it arguable that defense counsel’s decision not to call Brooks

was fell below an objective standard of reasonableness under prevailing professional norms (see

generally People v. Rodriguez, 2018 IL App (1st) 160030, ¶ 59 (“we cannot find that trial

counsel's performance was ‘objectively unreasonable under prevailing professional norms’ for

not further investigating and not calling this proposed alibi witness.”)).

¶ 75 Nor can we find that it is arguable defendant was prejudiced by the failure to call Brooks

(see generally Viramontes, 2016 IL App (1st) 160984, ¶ 56 (no prejudice from manner in which

defense counsel presented possible defense). See also Meyers, 2016 IL App (1st) 142323, ¶ 29

(finding that counsel’s conduct “falls within the realm of reasonable trial strategy, even if the

known alibi witness had never been interviewed.” (Emphasis added.)). Defense counsel

conducted meaningful adversarial testing of the State’s case against defendant by arguing

defendant acted in self-defense. Counsel made the strategic choice not to call a witness who,

while offering an additional perspective on events, may have actually defeated that chosen

defense—the choice of which has not been challenged. It is not arguable that decision was

constitutionally defective. See generally Peterson, 2017 IL 120331, ¶ 80.

¶ 76 Furthermore, it is not arguable that decision prejudiced defendant. The trier of fact

rejected the argument defendant acted in self-defense believing he was about to be the victim of

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a drive-by shooting without evidence “from inside the car” that the driver was not engaged in a

drive-by shooting, had no intent to harm defendant, and was “just playing” when, if it occurred,

he accelerated toward defendant. Defendant’s argument the decision not to call Brooks

prejudiced him would require us to find it is arguable there is a reasonable probability the trier of

fact would have accepted defendant’s argument with that evidence. We find it is not arguable

that had defense counsel made the strategic decision to call Brooks just to provide evidence the

car did speed toward defendant but not while engaged in a drive-by shooting and with no intent

to harm defendant (regardless of Brooks’ opinion defendant “saved lives”) it is so probable the

outcome of the proceeding would have been different that it undermines our confidence in the

verdict.

¶ 77 Accordingly, the trial court properly summarily dismissed defendant’s ineffective

assistance of counsel claim at the first stage of postconviction proceedings. People v. Knapp,

2020 IL 124992, ¶ 46 (“A postconviction petition alleging ineffective assistance of counsel

should not be summarily dismissed if (1) it is arguable that counsel's performance fell below an

objective standard of reasonableness and (2) it is arguable that the petitioner was prejudiced.”).

¶ 78 Proportionate Penalties Clause

¶ 79 Defendant argues for the first time on appeal that the mandatory 20-year firearm

enhancement added to his attempt (first degree murder) sentence violated the Proportionate

Penalties Clause of the Illinois Constitution as applied to him where he was 17-years old at the

time of the offense but “the sentencing decision fails to account for [defendant’s] age at the time

of the offense, the surrounding environment, and [defendant’s] ability to rehabilitate himself.”

Where a “[d]efendant challenges the constitutionality of his sentence and argues that it violates

the proportionate penalties clause of the Illinois Constitution as applied to him” this court will

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“review this issue de novo.” People v. Charleston, 2018 IL App (1st) 161323, ¶ 33. We have

recognized three different forms of proportionality review. “A statute may be deemed

unconstitutionally disproportionate if (1) the punishment for the offense is cruel, degrading, or so

wholly disproportionate to the offense as to shock the moral sense of the community; (2) similar

offenses are compared and the conduct that creates a less serious threat to the public health and

safety is punished more harshly; or (3) identical offenses are given different sentences.

[Citations.]” People v. Miller, 202 Ill. 2d 328, 338 (2002). “[A]n as-applied constitutional

challenge *** is a legal question that we review de novo.” People v. Johnson, 2018 IL App (1st)

140725, ¶ 97.

¶ 80 For the following reasons we hold defendant is not barred from raising his as applied

constitutional challenge to his sentence on appeal from the summary dismissal of his pro se

postconviction petition, but defendant has failed to state an arguable claim his sentence violates

the Proportionate Penalties Clause of the Illinois Constitution because defendant did not receive

a de facto life sentence.

¶ 81 “A proportionality challenge derives from article I, section 11, of the Illinois Constitution

of 1970. Section 11, which is commonly referred to as the Proportionate Penalties Clause,

provides that ‘[a]ll penalties shall be determined both according to the seriousness of the offense

and with the objective of restoring the offender to useful citizenship.’ Ill. Const. 1970, art. I, §

11. A defendant can raise a proportionate penalties challenge on the basis that the penalty for a

particular offense is too severe under the ‘cruel or degrading’ standard or that the penalty is

harsher than the penalty for a different offense that contains identical elements. [Citation.]”

People v. Williams, 2015 IL 117470, ¶ 9. “[T]he trial court undoubtedly could impose an

enhanced sentence on a young adult offender if it complied with the constitutional prerequisite of

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considering the offender’s youth.” See People v. Ruiz, 2020 IL App (1st) 163145, ¶ 42, citing

People v. Buffer, 2019 IL 122327, ¶ 42. Whether a penalty is disproportionate as applied to a

young adult is based on the particular circumstances of the offense and the individual

characteristics of the youthful offender and how youth (not age) impacts those characteristics.

When it comes to young adults, to make a proportionate penalties determination courts should

consider “the Miller principles.” Those principles have provided “objective factors” that inform

our judgment as to whether even a discretionary de facto life sentence of a young adult offender

constitutes a punishment that is “cruel, degrading, or so wholly disproportioned to the offense as

to shock the moral sense of the community.” (Internal quotation marks and citations omitted.)

People v. Leon Miller, 202 Ill. 2d 328, 339-40 (2002).

¶ 82 As previously stated defendant raises this claim for the first time in this appeal.

Defendant acknowledges the rule that an as-applied constitutional challenge to a sentence must

initially be raised in the trial court. Defendant correctly relies upon our supreme court’s decision

in People v. Holman, 2017 IL 120655, in which our supreme court held that

“Thompson instructs that a defendant must present an as-applied constitutional

challenge to the trial court in order to create a sufficiently developed record.

Davis creates a very narrow exception to that rule for an as-applied Miller claim

for which the record is sufficiently developed for appellate review.” Holman,

2017 IL 120655, ¶ 32.

¶ 83 Here, defendant relies upon the exception when the record is sufficiently developed to

permit review and argues that in this case, “the record is sufficiently developed for appellate

review because the record contains [defendant’s] age at the time of the offense, the

circumstances surrounding the offense, and a comprehensive PSI.”

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“Similar to [but distinct from] the eighth amendment, a challenge under

the proportionate penalties clause of the Illinois Constitution contends that the

penalty in question was not determined according to the seriousness of the

offense. [Citations.] A defendant’s sentence is in violation of the proportionate

penalties clause where the penalty imposed is cruel, degrading, or so wholly

disproportionate to the offense committed as to shock the moral sense of the

community. [Citations.] To determine whether a sentence shocks the moral sense

of the community, we must consider objective evidence as well as the

community’s changing standard of moral decency. [Citation.]” People v.

Villalobos, 2020 IL App (1st) 171512, ¶ 67.

This court will review a Miller-based challenge to a mandatory firearm enhancement under our

Proportionate Penalties Clause even where the sentence does not violate the eighth amendment

to the United States Constitution. See, e.g., People v. Woods, 2020 IL App (1st) 163031, ¶ 60.

¶ 84 As to the merits of defendant’s claim, the question for this court is whether defendant

“has presented an arguable claim that his sentence[] *** violate[s] the proportionate penalties

clause of the constitution.” People v. Toy, 2013 IL App (1st) 120580, ¶ 21. “We are at the

pleading stage, so [defendant] is not required to prove anything. He needs only to plead facts

justifying further proceedings” People v. Ruiz, 2020 IL App (1st) 163145 ¶ 55 (concerning

motion for leave to file successive postconviction petition).

¶ 85 First, we note that “a prison sentence of 40 years or less imposed on a juvenile offender

does not constitute a de facto life sentence in violation of the eighth amendment.” Buffer, 2019

IL 122327, ¶ 41. Second, we note that “[i]n a thread of cases, this court has determined that the

effect of the statutory mandatory firearms enhancement in sentencing offenders who were

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juveniles at the time of the crime interfered with the judge’s discretion and violated the

proportionate penalties clause of the Illinois Constitution because it ‘shocks our evolving

standard of moral decency.’ [Citation.]” People v. Othman, 2019 IL App (1st) 150823, ¶ 84.

¶ 86 Here, as with similar cases, defendant relies on “the ‘evolving science’ on juvenile

maturity and brain development that formed the basis of the Miller decision to ban mandatory

natural life sentences for minors.” People v. Thompson, 2015 IL 118151, ¶ 38. Defendant

argues “[a]pplication of the reasoning from Miller, Barnes, and Aikens to [defendant’s] case

show that automatically treating [defendant] as a fully mature adult by applying the 20-year

firearm enhancement sentencing overlooks the influences that his youth and environment had on

his crime, and his ability to rehabilitate himself following a single and isolated impulsive act.”

To make the required showing on the substance of the claim defendant must show “how that

science applies to the circumstances of defendant’s case, the key showing for an as-applied

constitutional challenge.” Thompson, 2015 IL 118151, ¶ 38. “Undoubtedly, the trial court is the

most appropriate tribunal for the type of factual development necessary to adequately address

defendant’s as-applied challenge.” Id, at ¶ 38. Nonetheless, the reasoning from Miller, Barnes,

and Aikens applies to youthful offenders who receive de facto life sentences of imprisonment.

See People v. Villalobos, 2020 IL App (1st) 171512, ¶ 60 (citing Miller, 567 U.S. at 469);

Aikens, 2016 IL App (1st) 133578, ¶¶ 35-36 (relying on Leon Miller, 202 Ill. 2d at 341 and

People v. Gipson, 2015 IL App (1st) 122451, ¶ 78); Barnes, 2018 IL App (5th) 140378, ¶¶ 21-

22, 25 (relying on Aikens) .

¶ 87 Based on the aforementioned “thread of cases” we find that defendant’s proportionate

penalties claim lacks an arguable basis in law and the legal theory is without merit where the law

at issue applies to de facto life sentences. Defendant has pointed to no authority and indeed

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makes no argument to expressly extend this line of reasoning to lengthy prison sentences

imposed on youthful offenders. Defendant has not demonstrated a constitutional infirmity that

would necessitate relief under the Act. Toy, 2013 IL App (1st) 120580, ¶¶ 17-18. The trial

court’s judgment summarily dismissing defendant’s petition for postconviction relief is affirmed.

¶ 88 CONCLUSION

¶ 89 For the foregoing reasons, the judgment of the circuit court of Cook County is affirmed.

¶ 90 Affirmed.

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