*1 Illinois Official Reports
Appellate Court
People v. O’Neal
,
Aрpellate Court THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Caption JERMAL O’NEAL, Defendant-Appellant.
District & No. Fourth District
No. 4-17-0682 Filed March 26, 2021
Decision Under Appeal from the Circuit Court of Sangamon County, No. 14-CF-1059; the Hon. Peter C. Cavanagh, Judge, presiding. Review Judgment Affirmed.
Counsel on James E. Chadd, Catherine K. Hart, and Jerry A. Jefferson, of State Appellate Defender’s Office, of Springfield, for appellant. Appeal
Daniel K. Wright, State’s Attorney, of Springfield (Patrick Delfino, David J. Robinson, and David E. Mannchen, of State’s Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor’s Office, of counsel), for the People. Panel JUSTICE HOLDER WHITE delivered the judgment of the court, with
opinion.
Presiding Justice Knecht and Justice Steigmann concurred in the judgment and opinion.
OPINION ¶ 1 In July 2017, a jury found defendant, Jermal O’Neal, guilty of (1) being an armed habitual
criminal, a Class X felony (720 ILCS 5/24-1.7 (West 2014)), and (2) unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, a Class 2 felony ( id. § 24-1.1(a), (e)). Subsequently, the State filed a verified petition for adjudication as a habitual criminal under section 5-4.5-95(a) of the Unified Code of Corrections (Unified Code) (730 ILCS 5/5-4.5-95(a) (West 2014)), where defendant had two prior Class X felony convictions for armed robbery in Cook County case No. 93-CR- 0812401 and intent to deliver a controlled substance in Champaign County case No. 98-CF- 506. The trial court granted the petition and eventually sentenced defendant to a term of natural life imprisonment. Defendant appeals, arguing (1) the trial court erred when it refused to instruct the jury on
self-defense where the court mistakenly believed the affirmative defense was unavailable against defendant’s charges and, because the error was not harmless beyond a reasonable doubt, the error violated defendant’s due process rights; (2) alternatively, he received ineffective assistance of counsel where trial counsel failed to subject the State’s case to meaningful adversarial testing by conceding guilt while failing to raise an available necessity defense and, further in the alternative, trial counsel’s deficient performance prejudiced defendant by allowing him to admit guilt and leaving the jury no chоice but to convict; (3) he is entitled to a new sentencing hearing where using his two prior Class X felony convictions to establish an element of the offense of being an armed habitual criminal and to qualify him for a life sentence under the habitual criminal statute constituted improper double enhancement; (4) his life sentence violates the eighth amendment of the United States Constitution and the proportionate penalties clause of the Illinois Constitution because his sentence rested on a crime he committed as a juvenile and two nonviolent offenses; and (5) he is entitled to a new sentencing hearing where the trial court erroneously used his armed robbery conviction to impose a natural life sentence under section 5-4.5-95 of the Unified Code ( id. § 5-4.5-95) because the conduct underlying that conviction was not classified as a Class X felony at the time of sentencing. We affirm. I. BACKGROUND In September 2014, the State charged defendant with (1) being an armed habitual criminal,
a Class X felony (720 ILCS 5/24-1.7 (West 2014)), and (2) unlawful рossession of a weapon by a felon, a Class 2 felony ( id. § 24-1.1(a), (e)). The charges stemmed from an incident on September 27, 2014. A. Pretrial Proceedings On July 7, 2017, defense counsel filed a motion in limine and notice that defendant
intended to offer an affirmative defense, self-defense. The trial court deferred ruling on the availability of self-defense until hearing the evidence at trial. On July 11, 2017, the parties stipulated to defendant’s prior Class X felony convictions for
armed robbery in Cook County case No. 93-CR-0812401 and intent to deliver a controlled substance in Champaign County case No. 98-CF-506.
B. Defendant’s Jury Trial
Below, we summarize the relevant testimony elicited during defendant’s July 2017 jury trial.
1. Christopher E. White Christopher E. White testified that on the evening of September 27, 2014, he hosted a small neighborhood barbecue in the backyard of his apartment complex in the 600 block of West Capitol Avenue in Springfield, Illinois. White testified defendant arrived at the barbecue towards the end of the evening.
After defendant arrived at the barbecue, a dispute arose between Tracy Davis and defendаnt. White explained that, although he was near defendant and Davis during the dispute, he could not hear the exchange between the two men. At some point during the dispute, Davis threw a beer at defendant. Immediately after Davis threw the beer, defendant pulled out a gun and shot Davis. After defendant shot Davis, Davis fell to the ground, and defendant took off. White recalled he did not see defendant with a weapon prior to the shooting. White testified there was alcohol at the barbecue, but he could not remember how much alcohol he consumed that evening.
2. Carnell Brown Carnell Brown testified that, in September 2014, defendant dated Nora Ross and the two lived together with Ross’s two daughters on New Street in Springfield, Illinois. On September 27, 2014, Brown was at Ross’s residence with her daughter, Laquita, when defendant arrived home from work. Brown overheard defendant and Ross argue for about 10 to 15 minutes. According to Brown, defendant threatened to shoot Ross in the face.
After the argument, Brown observed Ross leave the residencе and go across the street to the barbecue. Defendant went upstairs and, about 10 minutes later, left the residence and went across the street to the barbecue. Brown testified that, when defendant left the residence, he observed an object about eight to nine inches long in defendant’s hip area.
Brown witnessed the shooting—from the porch of Ross’s residence—which occurred about 5 to 10 minutes after defendant left the residence. Brown observed an argument between defendant and another man. Defendant shot the man after the man either spilled or threw beer on defendant. Brown estimated defendant and the man were about an arm’s length apart during the shooting. Brown witnessed the shooting around 8 p.m., and he observed the shooting from a “pretty good distance.” Brown could not hear the argument between the two men, but he watched the shooting unfold and never saw Davis go into his residence before the shooting.
3. Debra Uhlry Debra Uhlry testified that on September 27, 2014, she attended a barbecue with a friend, Lee Goins, in the 600 block of West Capitol Avenue in Springfield. Besides her friend, Uhlry interacted with those at the barbecue for the first time. Uhlry described Davis as “jovial, laid back, seemed in a great mood,” while she described defendant as “[v]ery quiet.” Before the shooting, Uhlry observed defendant and Davis argue by the patio. Uhlry then saw Davis throw a full beer at defendant, and in response, defendant pulled out a gun and shot Davis. Specifically, Uhlry stated, “After the beer was thrown at [defendant], he pulled out a *4 weapon. I believe it was the kind you cock the trigger back. It didn’t fire the first time. He had to do it twice before he fired in [Davis’s] face, maybe three to four feet away from him.” Uhlry testified the beer can hit defendant in the torso area and he did not fall down when it hit him. Uhlry witnessed defendant run into an alley after the shooting.
Uhlry consumed maybe two beers during the three hours preceding the shooting. Uhlry never observed Davis go into his residence before the shooting.
4. Angela Renee Robinette
Angela Renee Robinette, Davis’s fiancée, testifiеd that on September 27, 2014, a neighborhood barbecue—behind their apartment complex—started around 4 p.m. Robinette stayed in her residence but stated Davis was in and out of the apartment during the barbecue. At one point during the barbecue, Davis came back to their residence to change his shoes. Around 8 p.m., Robinette “heard a lot of people yelling and screaming, but before that, [she] heard a couple of pops.” Robinette went to the door to see what was going on and noticed Davis lying on the concrete.
5. Tracy Davis Davis, the shooting victim, testified that on September 27, 2014, he did not leave his apartment until shortly before the shooting. Davis testified he was sitting in his apartment when he heard someone walk past his window and make a loud derogatory remark, so he went outside to see who made the remark. Davis indicated defendant made the derogatory remark, but Davis could not remember the exact remark. Once outside, defendant shot him. Davis denied throwing anything at, striking, or аdvancing toward defendant. Davis testified White was outside when the shooting occurred.
6. Police Interrogation During Detective Mark Pointer’s testimony, the State introduced a video recording of Detective Pointer interrogating defendant. Detective Pointer began interrogating defendant shortly before 2 a.m. on September 28, 2014. Initially, defendant told Detective Pointer, “[I]f I ain’t got a lawyer present we can kill this *** because we not getting nowhere with this.” Detective Pointer then asked defendant to confirm his decision to end the interrogation, but defendant stated that they could continue to speak.
Defendant told Detective Pointer that Davis pushed him, causing defendant to fall. Davis then threw whatever was in his hand, hitting defendant in the face. Next, Davis came at him causing defendant to fear for his life, so he shot Davis. Defendant stated, “I felt my life was in jeopardy.”
Defendant initially denied possessing a firearm before going over to the barbecue. However, defendant eventually admitted he “did have that gun and walked over there.” Defendant told Detective Pointer he did not recall pulling the trigger.
7. Defendant
Defendant testified that on the evening of September 27, 2014, he arrived at his apartment after work to find his girlfriend, Ross; her two daughters; and Brown, a friend of Ross’s oldest daughter, sitting outside their apartment. Defendant briefly spoke with Ross to confirm their *5 plans to attend a car show in downtown Springfield that evening. Before defendant could enter the apartment to change clothes, he received a text message from a friend, Goins. Goins asked defendant for $10, and defendant testified he agreed to loan Goins the money.
¶ 34 After receiving the text message from Goins, defendant followed Ross across the street to
the barbecue. Defendant testified he knew Goins was at the barbecue because Goins told him about it. Once defendant arrived at the barbecue, he said White asked him for money. Defendant declined. Defendant testified he observed alcohol everywhere at the barbecue but he did not consume any alсohol that evening.
¶ 35 Defendant then left the barbecue to go across the street to find Goins. Defendant found
Goins in an alley, where he gave him the $10; then the two men walked back to the barbecue. Once they arrived back at the barbecue, Goins set a brown paper bag on a card table near the grill. Defendant testified he was unaware what was in the bag.
¶ 36 Shortly after defendant returned to the barbecue, Davis asked him for $20. Defendant
declined. Defendant testified Davis became upset when defendant declined to loan him the money and said, “ ‘Oh, you will loan [Goins] and [White] some money, but you won’t loan me some money. *** That’s some bogus ass shit. You bogus he [ sic ] Mother Fucker. You will loan them money, but you won’t loan me none.’ ” Defendant indicated he did not argue with Davis because he knew Davis was “just upset” and “drunk.” However, Davis yelled, “ ‘Let me put my shoes on just in case I have to beat your Mother Fuckin’ brains outs [ sic ].’ ” Defendant testified Davis then went into his residence. About a minute and a half later, defendant felt а sharp pain on his back where an object hit
him. Then, defendant witnessed Davis throw an open can of beer at him, which hit him in the face. Defendant testified Davis knocked him into a card table causing the table to collapse and defendant to fall. Once defendant fell to the ground, Davis grabbed a dumbbell and rushed toward him.
Defendant believed Davis would use the weight to hurt him, so he searched for something on the ground with which to defend himself. Defendant described picking up a handgun, scrambling to his feet, and discharging the firearm into the air where Davis “walked into the bullet as they were fired.” Defendant fled the scene because he had never been through anything like that, and he was
“discombobulated and afraid,” while also fearing retaliation by Davis’s friends who were at the party. Defendant testified he fled with the firearm for the same reason. Defendant walked to a friend’s apartment to decide what to do next. Defendant discarded the gun near a drain. Two hours later, police arrested defendant. Dеfendant testified that, during his interrogation with Detective Pointer, he only gave the
detective a rough draft of what happened. Defendant did not recall telling the detective he possessed a firearm prior to the incident with Davis. Defendant testified that, during the interrogation, Detective Pointer “twisted [his] arm. *** Almost to the point of trying to force me to say things that wasn’t true.” 8. Jury Instructions During the instruction conference, defense counsel offered jury instructions consistent with
self-defense to allow the jury to find defendant’s use of force justified. The State objected to
the instructions, arguing self-defense was inapplicable because “neither of the offenses charged
*6
are premised upon the use of force.” Rather, “Armed Habitual Criminal and Unlawful
Possession of a Weapon by a Felon [are] premised entirely upon mere possession, in addition
to the requisite felonies which have been stipulated to.” The State cited
People v. McLennon
,
¶ 43 9. Jury Verdict
¶ 44 Following deliberations, the jury returned guilty verdicts on being an armed habitual
criminal and unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon. ¶ 45 C. Defendant’s Sentencing and Motion for a New Trial On September 5, 2017, the State filed a verified petition for adjudication as a habitual
criminal under section 5-4.5-95(a) of the Unified Code (730 ILCS 5/5-4.5-95(a) (West 2014)), where defendant had two prior Class X felony convictions, armed robbery in Cook County case No. 93-CR-0812401 and intent to deliver a controlled substance in Champaign County case No. 98-CF-506. During a September 7, 2017, sentencing hearing, defense counsel informed the trial court
as follows: “Judge, my client desires to reiterate that he believes the statute that you are—that he was found guilty under and that you’re ultimately going to sentence him under is unconstitutional, including the charges and the sentencing possibilities that are going to result from that conviction.” Ultimately, the trial court granted the verified petition for adjudication as a habitual criminal and sentenced defendant to a term of natural life imprisonment. On September 13, 2017, defense counsel filed a motion for a new trial, alleging the trial court erred in refusing to give the jury defense counsel’s proposed instruction on self-defense. The court denied defendant’s motion for a new trial. This appeal followed. II. ANALYSIS Defendant appeals, arguing that (1) the trial court erred when it refused to instruct the jury
on self-defense where the court mistakenly believed the affirmative defense was unavailable against defendant’s charges, and because the error was not harmless beyond a reasonable doubt, the error violated defendant’s due process rights; (2) alternatively, he received ineffective assistance of counsel where trial counsel failed to subject the State’s cаse to meaningful adversarial testing by conceding guilt while failing to raise an available necessity defense and, further in the alternative, trial counsel’s deficient performance prejudiced defendant by allowing him to admit guilt and leaving the jury no choice but to convict; (3) he is entitled to a new sentencing hearing where using his two prior Class X felonies to both establish an element of the offense of being an armed habitual criminal and to qualify him for a life sentence under the habitual criminal statute constituted improper double enhancement; (4) his life sentence violates the eighth amendment of the United States Constitution and the proportionate penalties clause of the Illinois Constitution because his sentence rested on a *7 crime he committed as a juvenile and two nonviolent offenses; and (5) he is entitled to a new sentencing hearing where the trial court erroneously used his armed robbery conviction to impose a natural life sentence under section 5-4.5-95(a) of the Unified Code ( id. ) because the conduct underlying that conviction was not classified as a Class X felony at the time of sentencing. We review each issue in turn. A. Self-Defense Jury Instruction Defendant argues the trial court erred in refusing to instruct the jury as to self-defense
where the court mistakenly believed the affirmative defense was unavailable against defendant’s charges and, because the error was not harmless beyond a reasonable doubt, the error violated defendant’s due process rights. The State maintains the trial court did not err in refusing to instruct the jury on self-defense because self-defense did not apply to the charges faced by defendant. Before delving further into this issue, we dispose of defendant’s argument claiming the
trial court’s refusal to instruct on self-defense was not harmless beyond a reasonable doubt
and, thus, the error violated defendant’s due process rights. We find defendant’s argument
citing
People v. Hari
, 218 Ill. 2d 275, 843 N.E.2d 349 (2006), followed by a conclusory
statement asserting a violation of defendant’s due process rights, woefully inadequate.
Defendant fails to develop his argument. Absent is any analysis or explanation setting forth
how defendant’s due process rights were violated. “A reviewing court is entitled to have issues
clearly defined with pertinent authority cited and cohesive arguments presented [citation], and
it is not a repository into which an appellant may foist the burden of argument and research
[citation] ***.” (Internal quotation marks omitted.)
People v. Jacobs
,
that might otherwise constitute a crime.”
McLennon
,
“(1) the defendant was not the aggressor; (2) the danger of harm was a present one; (3) the force threatened must have been unlawful—either criminal or tortious; (4) the defendant must actually have believed that the danger existed, that his use of force was necessary to avert the danger, and that the kind and amount of force which he used was necessary; and (5) the defendant’s belief, in each of the aspects described, was reasonable even if it was mistaken.” People v. Everette , 141 Ill. 2d 147, 158, 565 N.E.2d 1295, 1299 (1990). A trial court’s refusal to give a requested instruction is reviewed under an abuse of
discretion standard.
People v. McDonald
,
possession of a weapon by a felon. The armed habitual criminаl offense requires proof the defendant possessed a firearm after having been convicted of two offenses enumerated in the statute. 720 ILCS 5/24-1.7(a) (West 2014). Similarly, unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon requires proof the defendant knowingly possessed a firearm after being previously convicted of a felony. § 24-1.1(a). Both parties stipulated to defendant’s two prior Class X felony convictions for armed
robbery in Cook County case No. 93-CR-0812401 and intent to deliver a controlled substance in Champaign County case No. 98-CF-506. Thus, the State only needed to prove possession of a firearm by defendant. At trial, the State introduced a video recording of the police interrogating defendant on the night of the shooting. While defendant initially denied possessing a firearm before going over to the barbecue on September 27, 2014, he eventually stated he “did have the gun and walked over there.” Defendant argues that, although neither of the underlying offenses charged requires the
State to prove defendant used force, the inquiry into the applicability of self-defense does not
end with the elements of the offense. The charging instrument does not control whether self-
defense is available. See
McLennon
,
T.W.
,
an available defense is a fact-based inquiry driven by considering not only the charges but also the specific factual circumstances surrounding the alleged commission of the offenses. Considering the circumstances under which defendant committed the armed habitual criminal offense and unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, a self-defense instruction would have been inappropriate and confusing. Defendant’s commission of the offenses in this case was in no way intertwined with defendant’s claimed act of self-defеnse. In this instance, the State established defendant committed the charged offenses prior to defendant engaging in the altercation with Davis. Stated another way, defendant was not entitled to assert a self-defense claim to possessing a gun, where the circumstances defendant claims entitled him to possess *9 the weapon, in self-defense, occurred after he completed the commission of the offenses charged. In this instance, we reject defendant’s claim the trial court mistakenly believed self-defense
was unavailable to the defendant. To the contrary, the trial court ruled based on the charges, the factual circumstances, and the evidence adduced at trial. The parties stipulated to defendant’s two prior felony convictions, and the State established mere possession of the firearm by defendant prior to the barbecue. Thus, a self-defense instruction was neither warranted nor required. Therefore, the trial court did not err in refusing to instruct the jury on self-defense. B. Ineffective Assistance of Counsel In the alternative, defendant next argues he received ineffective assistance of counsel where
trial counsel failed to subject the State’s case to meaningful adversarial testing by conceding guilt while failing to raise an available necessity defense and, further in the alternative, that trial counsel’s deficient performance prejudiced defendant by allowing him to admit guilt and leaving the jury no choice but to convict. The State disagrees and argues defense counsel provided effective assistance of counsel. Generally, claims of ineffective assistance of counsel are subject to the test set forth in
Strickland v. Washington
,
self-defense. The trial court denied the self-defense jury instruction. Thereafter, defense counsel made a closing argument noting the evidence corroborated defendant’s version of the events and concluding, “the State has failed in proving my client guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.” At no time did defense counsel concede or admit defendant’s guilt. Instead, counsel
actively challenged the State’s case and presented the theory defendant was justified in the
possession of the firearm. The mere fact that the trial court ruled against trial counsel on the
self-defense instruction cannot render his performance ineffective.
In this instance, we find
People v. Bloomingburg
,
(2004), instructive. In
Bloomingburg
, 346 Ill. App. 3d at 316, 318, the defendant argued
ineffective assistance of counsel under
Cronic
where counsel completely and unequivocally
conceded the defendant’s guilt in his opening statement and then presented a defense, self-
defense, that was unavailable to the defendant because the defendant was the aggressor and
not in imminent danger of great bodily harm. The appellate court concluded that the
presumption of prejudice could not apply where counsel (1) made pretrial motions to suppress
evidence, (2) advanced a defense theory, (3) cross-examined most of the State’s witnesses,
(4) objected to adverse evidence, and (5) made a closing argument that defendant should not
be convicted of first degree murder.
Id.
at 318. The court found counsel had not entirely failed
to subject the State’s case to meaningful adversarial testing since counsel had not conceded
every significant aspect of the defendant’s guilt and made an effort to hold the State to its
burden of proof.
Id.
As in
Bloomingburg
, we decline to presume prejudice in this matter.
Under circumstances where we decline to presume prejudice, we consider defendant’s
ineffective assistance of counsel claim under
Strickland
, where the defendant must show
(1) counsel’s representation fell below an objective standard of reasonableness and
(2) prejudice. See
Smith
, 195 Ill. 2d at 187-88. Under
Strickland
, “[w]e must show great
deference to the attorney’s decisions as there is a strong presumption that an attorney has acted
adequately.”
People v. Moore
,
defendant found a loaded firearm lying on the ground and used it to prevent Davis from attacking him with a dumbbell. However, defense counsel sought to present the defense of self-dеfense based on the same evidence. In fact, defendant’s necessity claim is based on the same testimony that failed to warrant a self-defense instruction. Defendant admitted to police he possessed the firearm prior to the barbecue. Thus, trial counsel would have faced the same obstacles that prevented defendant from receiving a self-defense instruction. The decision on which defense to pursue is a matter of trial strategy, and we decline to find defense counsel’s *11 actions, in pursuing self-defense and not a necessity defense, constitute ineffective assistance of counsel. See id. Defendant fails to overcome the presumption that the decision to proceed on self-defense was not reasonable or that defense counsel was ineffective for not requesting a necessity instruction instead of, or in addition to, a self-defense instruction. Given that defendant fails to show trial counsel’s performance fell below аn objective standard of reasonableness, his ineffective assistance of counsel claim fails. C. Double Enhancement Defendant next argues he is entitled to a new sentencing hearing where his life sentence
stems from improper double enhancement. Specifically, defendant argues he is entitled to a new sentencing hearing where using his two prior Class X felony convictions to both establish an element of the offense of being an armed habitual criminal and to qualify him for a life sentence under the habitual criminal statute constituted improper double enhancement. See 730 ILCS 5/5-4.5-95(a) (West 2014). The State argues defendant’s sentence was proper and further asserts defendant forfeited this issue where he failed to object at sentencing or raise the issue of improper double enhancement in a posttrial motion. Defendant failed to raise this issue before the trial court, rendering the issue forfeited.
People v. Kitch
, 239 Ill. 2d 452, 460, 942 N.E.2d 1235, 1240 (2011). However, we may
consider a forfeited claim where the defendant demonstrates a plain error occurred. Ill. S. Ct.
R. 615(a) (eff. Jan. 1, 1967). To prevail under the plain-error doctrine, a defendant must first
demonstrate a clear or obvious error occurred.
People v. Piatkowski
,
imposing ‘a harsher sentence than might otherwise have been imposed.’ ”
People v. Phelps
,
robbery in Cook County case No. 93-CR-0812401 and intent to deliver a controlled substance in Champaign County case No. 98-CF-506. Following deliberations, the jury found defendant guilty of (1) being an armed habitual criminal, a Class X felony (720 ILCS 5/24-1.7(a) (West 2014)) and (2) unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, a Class 2 felony ( id. § 24-1.1(a), *12 (e)). Subsequently, the State filed a verified petition for adjudication as a habitual criminal under section 5-4.5-95(a) of the Unified Code (730 ILCS 5/5-4.5-95(a) (West 2014)), where defendant had two prior Class X felony convictions for armed robbery in Cook County case No. 93-CR-0812401 and intent to deliver a controlled substance in Champaign County case No. 98-CF-506. The essential elements of the armed habitual criminal offense, a Class X felony, are
(1) possession of a firearm and (2) two prior convictions for offenses enumerated in the statute. 720 ILCS 5/24-1.7(a) (West 2014). Class X felonies are punishable by 6 to 30 years’ imprisonment. 730 ILCS 5/5-4.5-25(a) (West 2014). However, under the general recidivism statute, a defendant with three separate Class X felony convictions within 20 years, excluding time in custody, is subject to a natural life sentence. § 5-4.5-95(a). Defendant argues that, where his two prior Class X felony convictions were used to
establish an element of the armed habitual criminal offense (720 ILCS 5/24-1.7(a) (West
2014)), those same two convictions were improperly used to adjudicate him a habitual criminal
under seсtion 5-4.5-95(a) of the Unified Code (730 ILCS 5/5-4.5-95(a) (West 2014)). In
support of his argument, defendant cites
People v. Owens
,
defendant was convicted of the Class X armed habitual criminal offense based upon his possession of a firearm after twice being convicted of enumerated offenses. Under section 5- 4.5-95(a) of the Unified Code (730 ILCS 5/5-4.5-95(a) (West 2014)), defendant received a natural life sentence because this was his third Class X felony сonviction. Defendant’s two prior Class X felonies were used as an element of his armed habitual criminal charge and then used again to impose a harsher sentence than might otherwise have been imposed. Being an armed habitual criminal is a Class X felony carrying a maximum sentence of 30 years. However, due to those same two prior Class X felonies, defendant was subject to a harsher penalty—natural life in prison. Although we find defendant was subject to a double enhancement, we conclude this case
represents an instance where “the legislature clearly intends to enhance the penalty based upon
some aspect of the crime and that intention is clearly expressed.”
Powell
, 2012 IL App (1st)
102363, ¶ 8. Specifically, based on the language of the respective statutes, the legislature
clearly expressed its intention that defendant’s prior two Class X felony offenses be used as
elements of the armed habitual criminal offense under section 24-1.7(a) of the Criminal Code
(720 ILCS 5/24-1.7(a) (West 2014)) and to sentence defendant to natural life imprisonment as
a habitual criminal under section 5-4.5-95(a) of the Unified Code (730 ILCS 5/5-4.5-95(a)
(West 2014)). See
Powell
,
defendant is guilty of the Class X felony of armed habitual criminal based on his possession
*13
of a firearm after twice being convicted of enumerated offenses. Under section 5-4.5-95(a)(5)
of the Unified Code (730 ILCS 5/5-4.5-95(a)(5) (West 2014)), defendant “shall be sentenced
to a term of natural life imprisonment” where this was his third Class X felony conviction. The
statutory language reflects a legislative decision to mandate a natural life sentence for third-
time repeat Class X offenders. This makes sense given the reasonable goals of protecting
society and recognizing third-time repeat offenders’ demonstrated unwillingness to comply
with societal expectations, refrain from engaging in serious criminal activity, and seek
rehabilitation. In light of this unequivocal legislative directive, the trial court properly
employed а double enhancement when imposing its sentence in this matter. Thus, the trial
court did not err. As no clear or obvious error occurred, defendant fails to establish plain error.
See
Piatkowski
,
ILCS 5/5-4.5-95(a) (West 2014)), as applied to him, violates the eighth amendment of the United States Constitution and the proportionate penalties clause of the Illinois Constitution because his sentence rested on a crime he committed as a juvenile and two nonviolent offenses. The State maintains defendant’s natural life sentence is proper. Defendant failed to raise this issue in a posttrial motion, rendering the issue forfeited. Kitch ,
239 Ill. 2d at 460. However, as stated above, we may consider a forfeited claim where the
defendant demonstrates a plain error occurred. Ill. S. Ct. R. 615(a) (eff. Jan 1, 1967). Thus, we
first examine whether a clear or obviоus error occurred. See
Piatkowski
,
application of the Habitual Criminal Act. Moreover, defendant encourages us to recognize the
Habitual Criminal Act conflicts with our evolving standards of decency. In opposition, the
State mounts a convincing argument suggesting defendant’s current position was soundly
rejected in
Lawson
, 2015 IL App (1st) 120751. Moreover, the State asserts
Lawson
is not
undercut by
People v. Reyes
, 2016 IL 119271,
defendant indicates he relies on those cases only to illustrate how our understanding of juvenile culpability has expanded since Lawson . *14 As pointed out by the State, the aforementioned cases all involve challenges to sentences
imposed on defendants who committed the crimes in question as a juvenile. Obviously, similar
facts do not exist here because one who commits an offense at age 42 is not entitled to
protections afforded a juvenile offender. We also note that, although
People v. Harris
did leave
room for an as applied eighth amendment challenge,
Harris
is of no benefit to defendant
because once again unlike the offender in
Harris
, who committed the relevant offense at the
age of 18, defendant was 42 years of age when he committed the offense that made him eligible
for a natural life sentence.
People v. Harris
,
lack of consideration of his youthfulness at the time of the qualifying offense in addition to the
absence of a determination as to his rehabilitative capacity.
Lawson
,
to his rehabilitative capacity was not required. To suggest otherwise twists juvenile jurisprudence while ignoring the plain language and purpose of the Habitual Criminal Act. Here, defendant received his natural life sentence not for a crime he committed as a juvenile but as the result of conduct in which he engaged well into adulthood. Undeniably, defendant committed and was sentenced for a new offense wholly separate from the crime he committed as a juvenile. Under the Habitual Criminal Act, every person twice convicted of an offense that contains
the same elements as an offense now classified in Illinois as a Class X felony, and who is
thereafter convicted, within the defined 20 year time period, of a Class X felony, shall be
adjudged a habitual criminal and sentenced to a term of natural life imprisonment. 730 ILCS
5/5-4.5-95(a) (West 2014). Constitutionally sound is the statutory directive allowing
invocation of the Habitual Criminal Act once a defendant, on a third occasion, makes plain his
complete refusal to refrain from engaging in serious criminal activity. Here, defendant’s
sentence was imposed after he squandered multiple opportunities to self-correct and instead
chose to continue committing serious crimes. Under such circumstances, we decline to find
defendant’s sentence “cruel, degrading, or so wholly disproportionate to the offense as to shock
the moral sense of the community.”
Leon Miller
,
two nonviolent offenses, we find this argument meritless. Absent is any statutory language or constitutional mandate directing the sentencing court to, under these circumstances, consider whether or not the offenses at issue involved violence. To the contrary, the inquiry is limited to whether or not defendant is a third time repeat Class X offender. Defendant was convicted of three Class X felony convictions within 20 years. Specifically, defendant was convicted of (1) armed robbery in Cook County case No. 93-CR-0812401 in 1993, (2) intent to deliver a controlled substance in Champaign County case No. 98-CF-506 in 1998, and (3) being an armed habitual criminal in 2017. Thus, defendant’s record and the relevant statutory authority mandated the trial court impose a natural life sentence. In sentencing defendant to natural life, the trial court committed no error, constitutional оr otherwise. Hence, defendant’s plain error *15 claim fails.
¶ 95 E. Prior Armed Robbery Conviction ¶ 96 Defendant next argues he is entitled to a new sentencing hearing where the trial court used
his prior armed robbery conviction to impose a natural life sentence under section 5-4.5-95(a)
of the Unified Code (730 ILCS 5/5-4.5-95(a) (West 2014)) because the conduct underlying
that conviction was not classified as a Class X felony at the time of sentencing. When the
question before us requires statutory construction, we employ
de novo
review.
People v. Brace
,
defendant was convicted of (1) armed robbery in Cook County case No. 93-CR-0812401 in 1993, (2) intent to deliver a controlled substance in Champaign County case No. 98-CF-506 in 1998, and (3) being an armed habitual criminal in 2017. Defendant committed the offense of armed robbery in Cook County case No. 93-CR-0812401 while 17 years old. During trial court proceedings on the armed habitual criminal charge, the legislature
amended section 5-130 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 (Juvenile Court Act) (705 ILCS 405/5-130 (West 2016)). As a result, armed robbery committed by a minor who was at least 16 years of age at the time of the offense was no longer automatically transferred to criminal court. See Pub. Act 99-0258 (eff. Jan. 1, 2016). Rather, a juvenile charged with armed robbery is subject to discretionary transfer pursuant to section 5-805 of the Juvenile Court Act (705 ILCS 405/5-805 (West 2016)). Accordingly, defendant argues that, when the trial court sentenced him to life in prison as
a habitual offender, the conduct underlying his 1993 armed robbery—committed when he was
17 years old—was no longer classified as a Class X felony.
Defendant cites
People v. Miles
,
Miles
, the defendant committed the offense of burglary, a Class 2 felony.
Id.
¶ 2. At sentencing,
the trial court sentenced the defendant as a Class X offender based on two prior felony
convictions.
Id.
¶ 3. The defendant challenged his sentence on appeal, arguing his 2006
conviction for aggravated vehicular hijacking with a firearm and armed robbery—committed
when he was 15, was not a qualifying prior conviction under section 5-4.5-95(b) of the Unified
Code (730 ILCS 5/5-4.5-95(b) (West 2016)).
Miles
,
180533. In Reed , we affirmed where the trial court used the defendant’s prior burglary conviction—committed when defendant was 17—as one of two prior convictions used to *16 impose mandatory Class X sentencing. Id. ¶ 29. We find the reasoning in Reed applicable to this case. Here, as in Reed , even with the amendment to the Juvenile Court Act, a 17-year-old who commits armed robbery still faces possible discretionary transfer to adult court. 705 ILCS 405/5-805(3)(a) (West 2014). We are unwilling to take it as a given that, under the amendment, defendant’s prior case would have remained in juvenile court. Even if we did take it as a given that defendant’s prior case would have remained in juvenile court, we are unprepared to say defendant would not have a conviction. Absent is any language in section 5-4.5-95(a) of the Unified Code suggesting an individual under 18 convicted of a criminal offense receives an adjudication versus a conviction. 730 ILCS 5/5-4.5-95(a) (West 2014). Most importantly, we find the interpretation of the requirements of section 5-4.5-95(b)
outlined in
Reed
spot on in this case. As in section 5-4.5-95(b), section 5-4.5-95(a)(1) of the
Code (
id.
§ 5-4.5-95(a)(1)), “only requires the trial court to look at the elements of defendant’s
prior offense and determine whether an offense with the same elements, classified as a Class
X felony, existed when the present offense was committed.”
Reed
,