People v. Wright

2023 IL App (4th) 210301-U

• Court: Appellate Court of Illinois
• Decided: May 22, 2023
• Docket: 4-21-0301
• Status: Unpublished

Opinion

NOTICE 2023 IL App (4th) 210301-U This Order was filed under FILED Supreme Court Rule 23 and is May 22, 2023 NO. 4-21-0301 not precedent except in the Carla Bender limited circumstances allowed 4th District Appellate under Rule 23(e)(1). IN THE APPELLATE COURT Court, IL

OF ILLINOIS

FOURTH DISTRICT

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, ) Appeal from the Plaintiff-Appellee, ) Circuit Court of v. ) Macon County LAMONT D. WRIGHT, ) No. 18CF1124 Defendant-Appellant. ) ) Honorable ) Phoebe S. Bowers, ) Judge Presiding.

JUSTICE LANNERD delivered the judgment of the court. Justices Turner and Knecht concurred in the judgment.

ORDER

¶1 Held: Appellate court remanded for a preliminary Krankel hearing on alleged issues of ineffective assistance raised by the defendant during sentencing.

¶2 In August 2018, the State charged defendant, Lamont D. Wright, in part with two

counts of domestic battery (720 ILCS 5/12-3.2(a)(1), (2) (West 2018)) in connection with the

sexual assault and beating of his girlfriend, A.K. During trial, defense counsel, Lars Dunn,

advised the trial court that, after discussing the matter with defendant, Dunn planned to address

defendant’s criminal history during his testimony. When defendant testified, he misstated the

dates of his offenses. By agreement of the parties to correct the misstatement, the court later read

the actual dates to the jury. Also, during trial, the State presented the domestic battery charges as

a single offense, and a single verdict form was submitted to the jury. During sentencing,

defendant made claims of ineffective assistance of counsel during his statement in allocution. After defendant’s statement, the court did not inquire further with either defendant or Dunn

about the claims.

¶3 The jury found defendant guilty of multiple offenses, including domestic battery.

The trial court sentenced defendant on both charges. Defendant appeals, arguing (1) Dunn

rendered ineffective assistance of counsel by failing to move to suppress evidence of defendant’s

prior convictions and eliciting testimony about them during defendant’s testimony; (2) the court

erred in entering two separate convictions for domestic battery in violation of the one-act,

one-crime doctrine because the State mischaracterized the law and asked the jury to decide only

one charge; and (3) the court erred by failing to conduct a hearing pursuant to People v. Krankel,

102 Ill. 2d 181, 464 N.E.2d 1045 (1984), when defendant raised posttrial allegations of

ineffective assistance of counsel.

¶4 We remand for a preliminary Krankel hearing on defendant’s claims of

ineffective assistance of counsel. Because we remand for a preliminary Krankel hearing, we

decline to address defendant’s remaining argument on appeal.

¶5 I. BACKGROUND

¶6 On August 8, 2018, the State charged defendant with the two counts of domestic

battery that are the subject of this appeal. The State also charged defendant in part with two

counts of aggravated criminal sexual assault (720 ILCS 5/11-1.30(a)(2) (West 2018)), two counts

of aggravated domestic battery (id. § 12-3.3(a), (a-5)), one count of aggravated battery (id. § 12-

3.05(f)(1)), alleging defendant made physical contact of an insulting or provoking nature by use

of a deadly weapon when he held scissors to A.K.’s chin, and one count of resisting a peace

officer (id. § 31-1(a)). The domestic battery charges both alleged that defendant, on or about

August 2, 2018, having been previously convicted of a domestic battery, struck, grabbed,

-2- pushed, and pulled A.K. One count alleged defendant caused bodily injury, and the other count

alleged he made physical contact of an insulting or provoking nature. The trial court appointed

the public defender to represent defendant.

¶7 On August 9, 2019, defendant filed a pro se “motion to relieve counsel,” alleging

Dunn was providing inadequate representation and requesting appointment of new counsel. On

September 20, 2019, at the pretrial conference, Dunn advised the trial court he was ready to

proceed. The court asked defendant if he wanted to address his motion. Defendant told the court

the following:

“[M]y attorney has been inadequate and ineffective in his assistance of counseling

because he has been ignoring valuable evidence that is pertinent to my innocence.

I asked multiple times to view my police report and wasn’t able to until a month

ago, which I’ve been here fourteen months.

I talked with another inmate, Gary Boyle, who was also a client of Mr.

Dunn, and he informed to me that Mr. Dunn has disclosed relevant information

about my court case to him, which violates the attorney/client privilege.

And after speaking with Officer J. Ross, Badge Number 653, he informed

to me that Mr. Dunn had not been truthful about the reporting of my stolen car.

Furthermore, Mr. Dunn said that he and his investigator were having

trouble contacting the alleged victim, [A.K.], and Mr. Dunn asked me to try to get

in contact with her without getting caught. I believe Mr. Lars Dunn was

intentionally trying to sabotage my case because now the prosecutor has filed a

motion for discovery investigating the matter of me trying to make contact with

the alleged victim.

-3- Mr. Dunn and I are having irreconcilable differences any time we have a

meeting, and we continue to argue about whether Mr. Lars Dunn has my life and

my best interest at heart. He has informed to me that this is his trial, and I argue

that this is my life in jeopardy. We have failed to come to a consensus on the

direction of my case, so I pray that this Court allows my motion for ineffective

assistance of counseling.”

¶8 The trial court told defendant his allegations of ineffective assistance would not

be addressed until after trial. Defendant also expressed concern he was unprepared for trial and

told the court Dunn had not gone over his testimony at all. Dunn told the court “[w]e have

prepared ad nauseum.” Defendant disagreed, and the court stated trial was going to start as

scheduled.

¶9 On September 23, 2019, a jury trial was held before a new judge. A full recitation

of the evidence is unnecessary for the determination of this appeal. Generally, the State presented

evidence that, on August 2, 2018, A.K. was engaged to defendant and lived with him, her two

children from a previous relationship, and defendant’s daughter from a previous relationship.

A.K. testified that, on the night of August 2, 2018, defendant questioned her about a man she

previously worked with and accused her of being unfaithful. A.K. testified that, when she denied

any involvement with the other man, defendant repeatedly punched her, strangled her, pushed

her down, and threw water on her face. She testified that, later, defendant held scissors under her

chin and threatened her. Defendant then sexually assaulted her both anally and orally. When

defendant went to sleep, A.K. left with her children and went to the police station. Subsequently,

she went to a hospital, where she was treated for a broken finger and a sexual assault kit was

performed. Exhibits were introduced into evidence showing A.K. had bruising. She also had

-4- swelling around one of her fingers. DNA evidence from the sexual assault kit was connected to

defendant. When defendant was arrested, he was agitated and repeatedly hit his head on the

police car door and against a concrete wall.

¶ 10 Defendant testified and denied that he beat A.K. or sexually assaulted her. Dunn

also questioned defendant about his previous convictions.

¶ 11 After defendant’s testimony, the State told the trial court defendant misstated the

dates of his convictions and asked that certified copies of the convictions be admitted. The State

noted the convictions were five, six, and nine years ago, but defendant characterized them as all

being seven or eight years ago. Dunn stated he had no objection to the court reading the exact

dates of the convictions to the jury. The State agreed that would be sufficient, and the court

clarified the information for the jury.

¶ 12 Dunn did not offer any instructions at the jury instruction conference or object to

any of the State’s proposed instructions. The State offered an instruction stating, “[a] person

commits the offense of Domestic Battery when he knowingly and by any means causes bodily

harm to or makes physical contact of an insulting or provoking nature with any family or

household member.” Another offered instruction provided in part, “[t]o sustain the charge of

Domestic Battery, the State must prove the following propositions: First Proposition: That the

defendant knowingly caused bodily harm to or made physical contact of an insulting or

provoking nature with A.K.” Then, the State provided a single set of guilty and not guilty

verdict forms for a single charge of domestic battery, which the trial court accepted.

¶ 13 During closing arguments, the State told the jury defendant was “charged with

two counts of aggravated criminal sexual assault, two counts of aggravated domestic battery, one

count of aggravated battery, one count of domestic battery, and one count of resisting a peace

-5- officer.” Later, the State argued to the jury that it proved that defendant both caused bodily

injury to A.K. and made contact of an insulting or provoking nature. The trial court instructed the

jury using the instructions offered by the State.

¶ 14 The jury found defendant not guilty of one count of aggravated criminal sexual

assault, the count of aggravated battery involving use of the scissors, and resisting a peace

officer. The jury found him guilty of the remainder of the charges. The trial court entered

judgments of conviction that included convictions of both counts of domestic battery. Dunn did

not object.

¶ 15 On October 11, 2019, Dunn filed a motion for a new trial, alleging (1) the

evidence was insufficient to prove defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, (2) the trial court

erred in overruling objections to cumulative evidence concerning the repeated presentation of

pictures of A.K., and (3) the court erred in sustaining the State’s hearsay objection. The court

denied the motion and conducted the sentencing hearing.

¶ 16 During his statement in allocution, defendant told the trial court about his pretrial

motion to relieve counsel and specifically used the term “ineffective counsel” when describing

the motion. Defendant claimed a fellow inmate, who was also Dunn’s client, had informed him

that Dunn had disclosed privileged information about the case. Defendant further stated he had

irreconcilable differences with Dunn. Defendant asserted there were matters omitted from the

trial that would have helped him, such as a lie by A.K. that his car had been turned over to their

landlord to pay rent, when it had actually been towed. Further, defendant alleged this

discrepancy could have been established through police testimony. Moreover, defendant

questioned the adequacy of Dunn’s cross-examination of A.K. on the issue of consensual sex and

that this may have accounted for the DNA evidence. In addition, defendant noted Dunn had not

-6- moved to strike a juror who had conversed with a witness, and defendant expressed concern

about Dunn’s failure to ensure that more men were on the jury. Finally, defendant maintained he

was forced to go through trial with counsel who he believed was unprepared.

¶ 17 The trial court did not acknowledge, respond, or make any reference to

defendant’s assertions of ineffective assistance of counsel or ask defendant or Dunn any

questions about the allegations. Instead, the court took a recess and sentenced defendant when it

returned.

¶ 18 The trial court noted that multiple aggravating factors were present. In particular,

the court found defendant caused serious harm to A.K. and had a violent criminal history. The

court found defendant was likely to repeat his crimes. The court referenced the aggravated

criminal sexual assault and aggravated domestic battery convictions involving a broken finger

and strangling as examples. The court then sentenced defendant to 15 years’ incarceration for

aggravated sexual assault and a mandatory consecutive term of 7 years’ incarceration for one of

the aggravated domestic battery convictions. The court sentenced defendant to concurrent terms

of seven years’ incarceration for the other aggravated domestic battery conviction and concurrent

three-year terms for each domestic battery conviction.

¶ 19 Defendant orally requested that a notice of appeal be filed. A notice was not filed,

and, on April 30, 2020, defendant filed a pro se “motion for appeal in the appellate courts,”

alleging ineffective assistance of counsel. The Office of the State Appellate Defender was

appointed and filed a motion for a supervisory order asking the Illinois Supreme Court to treat

the document filed on Apri1 30, 2020, as a properly perfected appeal. That motion was granted,

and this appeal followed.

¶ 20 II. ANALYSIS

-7- ¶ 21 Defendant contends (1) Dunn rendered ineffective assistance of counsel by failing

to move to suppress evidence of defendant’s prior convictions; (2) the trial court erred in

entering two separate convictions for domestic battery in violation of the one-act, one crime rule

because the State mischaracterized the law and asked the jury to decide only one charge; and

(3) the court erred by failing to conduct a Krankel hearing when defendant raised posttrial

allegations of ineffective assistance of counsel. We agree with defendant’s third contention and

find that remand for a preliminary Krankel hearing is necessary.

¶ 22 When a defendant raises a pro se posttrial claim of ineffective assistance of trial

counsel, Illinois courts follow the procedure as it has evolved from Krankel. People v. Ayres,

2017 IL 120071, ¶ 11, 88 N.E.3d 732. “The trial court must conduct an adequate inquiry into

allegations of ineffective assistance of counsel, that is, inquiry sufficient to determine the factual

basis of the claim.” People v. Banks, 237 Ill. 2d 154, 213, 934 N.E.2d 435, 468 (2010). “[A] trial

court’s method of inquiry at a [preliminary] Krankel hearing is somewhat flexible.” People v.

Flemming, 2015 IL App (1st) 111925-B, ¶ 85, 31 N.E.3d 935. Ordinarily, an adequate inquiry

may include “(1) questioning the trial counsel, (2) questioning the defendant, [or] (3) relying on

[the court’s] own knowledge of the trial counsel’s performance in the trial.” People v. Peacock,

359 Ill. App. 3d 326, 339, 833 N.E.2d 396, 407 (2005).

¶ 23 “If the court determines that the claim lacks merit or pertains only to matters of

trial strategy, then the court need not appoint new counsel and may deny the pro se motion.”

People v. Roddis, 2020 IL 124352, ¶ 35, 161 N.E.3d 173. “However, if the allegations show

possible neglect of the case, new counsel should be appointed.” Id. We review de novo whether

the trial court properly conducted a preliminary Krankel inquiry. People v. Jolly, 2014 IL 117142,

¶ 28, 25 N.E.3d 1127.

-8- ¶ 24 Here, defendant clearly raised multiple issues of ineffective assistance of counsel

during his statement in allocution. Defendant told the trial court about his pretrial motion to

relieve counsel and specifically used the term “ineffective counsel” when describing the motion.

In addition, defendant then stated a fellow inmate, who was also Dunn’s client, had informed

him that Dunn had disclosed privileged information about the case. Also, defendant raised issues

concerning Dunn’s decision to not challenge portions of testimony and questioned the adequacy

of his cross-examination of witnesses. Furthermore, he noted Dunn had not moved to strike a

juror who had conversed with a witness and expressed concern about Dunn’s failure to ensure

that more men were on the jury. Finally, defendant stated he was forced to go through trial with

counsel who he believed was unprepared. However, despite clearly stating claims of ineffective

assistance, the court not only failed to make an adequate inquiry, it failed to conduct any inquiry

at all to determine the factual basis of the claims. That failure was error under Krankel.

¶ 25 The State does not dispute that defendant raised claims of ineffective assistance of

counsel. Instead, the State argues defendant’s allegations were untimely when he made them

during his statement in allocution without filing a new written motion or providing support for

the allegations. However, the State misstates the law. A pro se defendant is not required to do

anything specific other than bring his or her claim to the trial court’s attention. Peacock, 359 Ill.

App. 3d at 340. A defendant is entitled to a Krankel inquiry when he or she makes an explicit or

clear complaint, either orally or in writing, of trial counsel’s ineffective assistance. Ayres, 2017

IL 120071, ¶ 18. Further, even a bare assertion of “ineffective assistance of counsel” is sufficient

to trigger a Krankel inquiry. See id. ¶¶ 9, 18. The claim need not be supported by facts or

specific examples because, if the rule were otherwise, the supreme court would not require the

trial court to conduct an inquiry into the underlying factual basis for the claim. See id. ¶ 19.

-9- ¶ 26 The timing of the assertion of the posttrial claim is also not determinative. See

People v. Vargas, 409 Ill. App. 3d 790, 800-02, 949 N.E.2d 238, 248-49 (2011) (finding a

Krankel inquiry was required where, during allocution, the defendant spoke extensively to the

trial court about alleged instances of ineffective assistance of his trial counsel); People v. Pence,

387 Ill. App. 3d 989, 995, 902 N.E.2d 164, 170 (2009) (holding the trial court should have

conducted a Krankel inquiry when defendant stated in allocution defense counsel did not

thoroughly represent him, omitted issues of facts, and denied the trial court the full picture of

what happened). Without a preliminary inquiry into the factual bases of defendant’s claims, the

question remains unanswered as to whether defendant has raised meritorious issues.

Accordingly, we remand for the trial court to conduct a preliminary Krankel inquiry into

defendant’s claims.

¶ 27 Because we conclude a Krankel inquiry is required, we need not consider

defendant’s other arguments on appeal at this time. People v. Bell, 2018 IL App (4th) 151016,

¶ 37, 100 N.E.3d 177 (“Depending on the result of the *** Krankel inquiry, defendant’s other

claims may become moot.”). While we remand for further proceedings on defendant’s pro se

claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, we retain jurisdiction over defendant’s remaining

claims. People v. Wilson, 2019 IL App (4th) 180214, ¶ 26, 137 N.E.3d 868. If “defendant is not

satisfied with the outcome of the proceedings on remand, he may again appeal and raise any

supplementary claims relating to the remand proceedings, and the State may have an opportunity

to respond to those claims.” Id.

¶ 28 III. CONCLUSION

- 10 - ¶ 29 For the reasons stated, we remand with directions for the trial court to conduct a

preliminary Krankel hearing on the alleged issues of ineffective assistance of counsel that

defendant raised during sentencing.

¶ 30 Remanded with directions.

- 11 -