delivered the opinion of the court: 1
A jury convicted defendant James Laramore of the July 13, 1983, murder and attempted armed robbery of A. D. Smith after trial in the circuit court of Cook County. The trial court sentenced him to an extended term of 50 years for the murder and 15 years for the armed robbery, the sentences to be served concurrently.
At trial, the only occurrence witness to testify for the State, Lela White, testified to the following: A. D. Smith was 73 years old in July 1983; she met him in 1944 and eventually became his common law wife; she and Smith had operated a candy store at 3515 South Wells in Chicago, Illinois, for 15 to 20 years; she had known defendant for about five or six years; on the morning of July 13, 1983, she let defendant into the store after he “buzzed” the store bell; defendant bought “a can of pop *** and a bag of chips”; at that time Smith was sitting on a cot behind the heater in the dining room; defendant spoke with White and Smith for about half an hour and told them he was leaving for Minnesota that weekend and was not coming back; after defendant left the store, he came back five minutes later and buzzed the door again; when White let him in, hе walked “into the dining room, into [the] living room, across the two beds,” put the pistol on [her] and said, “ ‘Give me that money’ ”; she then ran out the door, heard one shot as she was running and saw defendant run out the door and down the alley next to the building.
Defendant testified to substantially different events on the morning of July 13, 1983. He maintained that after spending about five minutes in the store, he went to his van, “ate [his] skins and drank [his] pop,” and then caught the Dan Ryan elevated train to downtown Chicago. He specifically denied having shot Smith.
Opinion
Defendant first contends his attеmpted armed robbery conviction should be reversed because the State did not prove he attempted to take any property from Smith as alleged in the indictment.
Defendant was indicted for attempted armed robbery in that he “attempted to take property from the person and presence of Smith by the use of force and by threatening the imminent use of force while armed with *** a gun” in violation of sections 8—4, 18—1 and 18—2 of the Criminal Code of 1961. (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1981, ch. 38, pars. 8—4, 18—1, 18—2.) A person commits an attempt offense whеn, with the intent to commit a specific offense, he does any act which constitutes a substantial step toward the commission of that offense. (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1981, ch. 38, par. 8—4(a).) Intent to commit the specific offense of attempted armed robbery may be inferred from the acts of the accused and the surrounding circumstances. (People v. Turner (1984),
The evidence was sufficient to sustain defendant’s conviction for the attempted armed robbery of Smith. White testified that Smith sat on a cot in the dining room of the living quarters behind the candy store because he could not see very well and was sick with diabetes. This testimony corroborated that of Officer Principato that Smith was very old, feeble and had a hard time walking. Moreover, she testified the living and dining rooms behind the store were “altogether [sic].” She further testified that when defendant returned to the store, she was sitting next to Smith and that when she opened the door for defendant he walked into the dining room, the living room, across two beds, “put” a pistol on her and said, “ ‘Give me that money.’ ” Finally, White testified that when she ran out of the building Smith was still “sitting” and that she heard a shot as she was running.
White’s testimony, as circumstantial evidence, was insufficient to produce a reasonable and moral certainty that defendant attempted to rob Smith after White ran out of the building. However, it was sufficient to produce that certainty of an attempted armed robbery of Smith at the time defendant put the gun on White and demanded money from her. Specifically, White’s testimony that: (1) the rooms were all together;- (2) Smith was still sitting оn the dining room cot when she ran away; and (3) she heard a shot while running out of the building, i.e., almost immediately after defendant pulled a gun on her, established beyond a reasonable doubt that defendant attempted to rob money from White in Smith’s presence. The requirement in the robbery statute that the property must be taken from the “presence” of the victim has been construed as a requirement that the victim be in such proximity to or control of the property that he could have prevented the taking if he had not bеen subjected to force or a threat of force by the robber. (People v. Carpenter (1981),
Even if the rooms behind the candy store were somehow separated and Smith was not in the same room as defendant and White when defendant put the gun on her, defendant was nonetheless guilty оf the crime charged. In People v. Kelly (1975),
In People v. Braverman (1930),
In People v. Carpenter (1981),
These cases amply support defendant’s conviction for the attempted armed robbery of Smith. When defendant pulled the gun on White and demanded money of her, he thereby attempted to take the money from Smith as well. That the money may not have been in Smith’s immediate presence does not require a reversal. Smith, as the co-owner of the mоney, was in such proximity to or had such control of it that he could have prevented its taking if not subjected to a fear of violence from defendant. Defendant was proved guilty of attempted armed robbery beyond a reasonable doubt.
Defendant next contends he was denied a fair trial on the charge of murdering Smith because the jury was improperly instructed on a murder count which had been nolle pressed by the State prior to trial and which had charged him with “intentionally and knowingly” killing Smith in violation of section 9 — 1(a)(1) оf the Criminal Code of 1961. (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1981, ch. 38, par. 9—1(a)(1).) He cites People v. Stanko (1949),
We affirm defendant’s conviction for murder. Section 9 — 1(a) of the Criminal Code of 1961 provides:
“A person who kills an individual without lawful justification commits murder if, in performing the acts which cause the death:
(1) He either intends to kill or do great bodily harm to that individual *** or knows that such acts will cause death to that individual ***; or
(2) He knows that such acts create a strong probability of death or great bodily harm to that individual ***; or
(3) He is attempting or committing a forcible felоny ***.” (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1981, ch. 38, par. 9—1(a).)
Defendant was originally charged with three counts of murder, one under each subsection of section 9 — 1(a). The counts under subsections (a)(1) and (a)(3) were nolle pressed by the State, which left the count charging defendant with having “shot and killed A. D. Smith *** knowing that such shooting *** created a strong probability of death or great bodily harm” to him under section 9 — 1(a)(2). The trial court instructed the jury:
“A person commits the offense of murder when he kills an individual if, in performing the acts which cause the death, he intends to kill or do great bodily harm ***; or *** knows that such acts will cause death to that individual; or he knows that such acts create a strong probability of death or great bodily harm to that individual.”
And:
“To sustain the charge of murder, the State must prove the following propositions: First: that the defendant performed the acts which caused the death of A. D. Smith and Second: that when the defendant did so, he intended to kill or do great bodily harm to A. D. Smith or he knew that his act would cause the death or great bodily harm to A. D. Smith or he knew that his acts created a strong probаbility of death or great bodily harm to A. D. Smith.”
Defendant contends he objected to the jury instruction on an “intentional and knowing” murder and raised it as a grounds for a new trial. We note, however, that he objected only to that part of the jury instruction dealing with his having acted “intentionally,” not that part dealing with his having acted “knowingly,” in causing death or great bodily harm to Smith. We believe defendant should also have objected to the instruction dealing with his knowledge in causing death to Smith since it encompassed the “knowing” aspect of the section 9— 1(a)(1) murder count. Whether or not defendant has by that omission waived any error in the instructions, we find that none occurred in them.
The same issue was raised and decided adversely to defendant in People v. Rosochacki (1969),
“We think, however, that the instructions correctly informed the jury of the legal principles applicable to the facts in the case, and that there was no fatal variance between the crime charged and the instructions given. * * *
*** We find that the defendant *** was charged with murder and convicted of that crime, and even if a variance did exist bеtween the type of murder charged in the indictment and the types described in the instructions, it would not vitiate the conviction unless it was of such a character as to mislead the defendant in his defense or expose him to double jeopardy. [Citations.] There is no evidence *** that the defendant was misled in his defense, nor did counsel at any time *** request additional time, allege surprise, or claim that it was impossible *** to prepare a defense to the proof ***. [Citation.]”41 Ill. 2d 483 , 491-92,244 N.E.2d 136 .
To the same effect as Rosochacki is People v. Allen (1974),
“Under section 9 — 1 thеre is but one crime of murder, not three separate and distinct offenses as [defendant] assumes. Each of subparagraphs (1), (2) and (3) under section 9 — 1(a) describes the mental state of the conduct of the defendant which must accompany the acts which cause the death. If the defendant were charged with murder under subparagraph (a)(1) and acquitted, he could not again be charged and tried for the [same] murder *** under subparagraph (a)(2) or (a)(3). Thus, there is no possibility that the defendant *** could have been twicе put in jeopardy. Also, the provision of our statute covering the effect of a former prosecution (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1967, ch. 38, par. 3—4) prohibits a subsequent prosecution of the defendant under such circumstances.” (56 Ill. 2d 536 , 543,309 N.E.2d 544 .
The court also noted, inter alia, that the defendant was not misled by the indictment in preparing his defense, did not allege surprise or ask for a continuance to prepare a defense to the felony murder charge.
Also relevant is People v. Turner (1976),
“[T]he Criminal Code of Illinois, when it delimits various alternative elements of the crime in separate subsections, does not define separate and distinct crimes but *** only a single offense with the various subdivisions dealing with details regarding the commission of that one offense. [Citing People v. Allen (1974),56 Ill. 2d 536 ,309 N.E.2d 544 , and People v. Rosochacki (1969),41 Ill. 2d 483 ,244 N.E.2d 136 .] ***
The cases relied upon by defendant do not in any manner affect the validity of [Allen\. In both *** the instructions charged the jury upon separate and additional crimes which were not at issue in the trial. [McCauley] involved aggravated battery upon a police officer and the instructions dealt with attempt escape and resisting arrest. In [Stanko], defendant was charged with attempt abortion and the erroneous instruction defined *** abortion. In situations such as existed in Allen and Rosochacki and [here], the assailed instructions are not erroneous, did not in any manner hamper defendant in presenting his defense *** and raised no possibility of the existence of double jeopardy. [Citation.] *** [T]here was evidence in the record tending to prove each [alternative] stated in both of the challenged instructions.”35 Ill. App. 3d 550 , 573,342 N.E.2d 158 .
Based on Rosochacki, Allen and Turner, we find that defendant was not denied a fair trial on the murder charge. The trial court’s inclusion in the jury instructions of a definition of murder under section 9 — 1(a)(1) corresponding to a murder count which had been nolle рrossed did not cause defendant to be found guilty of one crime while charged with another. He was charged with and convicted of the same crime: murder. Moreover, he did not allege in the trial court and does not allege on appeal that the variance between the indictment and the jury instructions in any way misled or hampered him in preparing a defense to the murder charge. Nor, do we believe, could defendant have done so since his defense of alibi was in no way dependent upon the typе of conduct or mental state alleged in the indictment or jury instructions. Finally, the challenged instruction did not expose defendant to double jeopardy since the conviction for murder under section 9 — 1(a)(2) prevents his being charged and tried again for the murder of Smith under subsections (a)(1) or (a)(3) of section 9—1. (People v. Allen (1974),
Lastly, defendant contends the trial court erred in using Smith’s age as a factor in sentencing him to a 50-year extended term for the murdеr either because the State failed to show the accuracy or reliability of the claim that Smith was 73 years old or because section 5— 5 — 3.2(a) of the Unified Code of Corrections (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1983, ch. 38, par. 1005—5—3.2(a)) authorizes a trial court to use the victim’s age as a factor in aggravation to impose a more severe though unextended-term sentence.
We disagree with defendant and affirm his 50-year sentence for Smith’s murder. Initially, we note that defendant failed to object to the use of Smith’s age as a factor in imposing sentence at the sentencing hearing and failed to raise it as a ground for a new trial. As such, defendant has waived this issue. (People v. Perez (1983),
Defendant is correct that a trial court must determine the accuracy and reliability of all factors considered in imposing sentence, including the facts contained in a presentence report. (People v. Meeks (1980),
Regarding the evidence, while defendant characterizes White’s testimony as to Smith’s age as an “estimate” and an “opinion,” we find that it was more a statement of fact. In response to the prosecutor’s question, “[I]n July of 1983, how old was A.D.?” White testified: “He was 73.” Neither the question nor .the answer was stated in terms of estimate or opinion but in terms of fact. Moreover, this testimony was not impeached, rebutted or even explored on cross-examination by defendant. Even if this testimony constituted an opinion we find that the witness, a lay person who had known Smith for nearly 40 years before his death, was not required to state specific reasons and facts in support of such an opinion. The foundational requirement asserted by defendant applies only to opinions rendered by expert witnesses, as illustrated by both the defendant’s cited cases. (See People v. Brown (1978),
Moreover, the trial court did not abuse its sentencing discretion in relying on the statements of the prosecutor and the probation officer in the victim impact and presentence reports as to Smith’s age. These reports were consistent with White’s testimony. Even assuming there was not a proрer evidentiary basis for this testimony, the trial court could nonetheless rely on the claim that Smith was 73 at the time of the murder. In determining an appropriate sentence, a trial court is not bound to a rigid adherence to the rules of evidence but may search anywhere, within reasonable bounds, for facts tending to aggravate or mitigate the offense. People v. Meeks (1980),
We also reject defendant’s contention that, because Smith’s age could have been used as a factor in setting an unextended-term sentence, it should have been used to do so and that the court erred in using the same factor to impose an extended-term sentence. A similar argument has already been decided against defendant. In People v. Cartalino (1982),
“Section 5 — 8—1(a)(1) *** does not permit the court to impose a sentence of natural life solely on the basis of the seriousness of the offense *** [citation] without regard to a defendant’s rehabilitative potential. [Citation.] In determining a proper sentence for any felony *** factors in aggravation and mitigation must be considered [citations] ‘as well as any other such factors as the judge shall set forth on the record that are consistent with the purposes and princiрles of sentencing set out in the Code.’ [Citations.] ***
Cartalino’s argument ignores the aggravating and mitigating factors — as distinct from a finding of brutal conduct — which the Code mandates a circuit court to weigh before imposing any sentence, including one for natural life or an extended term. It is the presence or absence of the specified statutory factors which determine the nature of the sentence imposed on a defendant found guilty of a brutal and heinous murder. It cannot be concluded *** that a circuit court hаs the totally unbridled discretion to sentence a defendant to natural life or to an extended term.”111 Ill. App. 3d 578 , 591-92,444 N.E.2d 662 .
Similarly here, it cannot be concluded from the mere availability of the victim’s age as a factor in imposing either an extended or unextended term that, as defendant argues, two sentencing schemes are thereby created, entitling him to the more favorable one, or that a trial court “lacks clear guidance” as to how to use the victim’s age in imposing sentence. Rather, the victim’s age is but one factor, along with other aggravating or mitigating factors which may or may not be present in each case, which the trial court must take into consideration in determining whether to impose an extended- or unextended-term sentence under the relevant statutory provisions. As such, we find that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in sentencing defendant to an extended term of 50 years under sections 5—5— 3.2(b) and 5—8—2 (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1983, ch. 38, pars. 1005—5—3.2, 1005—8—2) rather than an unextended term under sections 5—5—3.2(a) and 5—8—1 (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1983, ch. 38, pars. 1005—5—3.2(a), 1005—8—1). Absent an abuse of discretion, the sеntence of a trial court may not be altered upon review. (People v. Clark (1981),
The judgment of conviction entered and sentence imposed by the circuit court of Cook County are affirmed.
Affirmed.
McNAMARA, P.J., and RIZZI, J., concur.
Notes
The opinion originally published in this case, People v. Laramore (1987),
