2016 IL App (1st) 151913

No. 1-15-1913 

Fifth Division

August 26, 2016 

______________________________________________________________________________ 

IN THE

APPELLATE COURT OF ILLINOIS

FIRST DISTRICT

______________________________________________________________________________ 

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, )

 ) 

Plaintiff-Appellee, ) 

 ) 

 v. ) 

 ) 

TORRAY WILKERSON, ) 

 ) 

Defendant-Appellant. ) 

 ) 

)

Appeal from the Circuit Court 

of Cook County. 

No. 14 CR 09402 

The Honorable 

Vincent M. Gaughan, 

Judge Presiding. 

______________________________________________________________________________

JUSTICE GORDON delivered the judgment of the court, with opinion. 

Presiding Justice Reyes and Justice Burke concurred in the judgment and opinion. 

OPINION

¶ 1 Following a bench trial, defendant was convicted of being an armed habitual criminal, 

possession with the intent to deliver 900 grams or more of heroin, and unlawful use of a 

weapon by a felon, but found not guilty of armed violence. Defendant was sentenced on June 

24, 2015, to the minimum sentence of 15 years for possession of a controlled substance with 

intent to deliver, and 7 years for being an armed habitual criminal with the unlawful use of a 

weapon count to merge into that count. The court ordered both sentences to run concurrently. 
No. 1-15-1913 

2 

¶ 2 On this appeal, defendant claims (1) that he was denied effective assistance of trial 

counsel where trial counsel (a) had a conflict of interest, (b) stipulated to the laboratory 

analysis, (c) failed to cross-examine a police officer about his vantage point in viewing 

defendant throw a gun out a window, and (d) failed to inquire about defendant’s employment 

history; (2) that the State failed to establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt that defendant 

possessed 900.5 grams of drugs with the intent to deliver; (3) that the conviction must be 

reversed due to inconsistent findings between defendant and codefendant where the State 

presented more evidence of guilt against codefendant, who was found not guilty, than against 

defendant, who was found guilty; and (4) that defendant’s convictions for armed habitual 

criminal and unlawful use of a weapon by a felon should be reversed because the police 

officer’s testimony concerning his view of the gun disposal was incredible. For the following 

reasons, we affirm defendant’s convictions and sentence. 

¶ 3 BACKGROUND

¶ 4 Defendant Torray Wilkerson was indicted on six felony counts including armed violence, 

armed habitual criminal, a Class X possession of a controlled substance with the intent to 

deliver, two counts of unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, and aggravated unlawful use of a 

weapon. The State dismissed one of the unlawful use of a weapon by a felon counts, as well 

as the aggravated unlawful use of a weapon count, before trial.

¶ 5 The evidence at trial established that on May 1, 2014, a nine-man team of police officers

executed a search warrant of a three-story building on West Ogden Avenue in Chicago, 

which consisted of five apartments and a storefront. The target of the search warrant was an 

individual named Todd Jones. The team did not find Todd Jones at the location but instead 

found defendant and codefendant as well as drugs that were recovered in the storefront. At 
No. 1-15-1913 

3 

trial, the State called police officers Kyle Mingari, Bill Murphy, and Mark Gutkowski. 

Defendant did not testify. The parties stipulated to the findings of forensic chemist Lenetta 

Watson. After trial, the trial court held a posttrial evidentiary hearing regarding defendant’s 

claim of ineffective assistance of trial counsel. 

¶ 6 I. Evidence at Trial

¶ 7 A. Direct Examination of Officer Kyle Mingari

¶ 8 On October 22, 2014, Officer Kyle Mingari testified that he is a police officer assigned to 

the bureau of organized crime, narcotics division. He has been a Chicago police officer for 

eight years; he had been assigned to his unit for 21⁄2 years; and he had executed search 

warrants in the past and had received training for firearms, both with the Chicago police 

department (CPD) and the Marine Corps. 

¶ 9 Officer Mingari testified that on May 1, 2014, at 12:51 p.m., he, along with his supervisor 

and seven other police officers, executed a search warrant at an apartment building located 

on West Ogden Avenue in Chicago. The three-story building contained three apartments in 

the rear and an empty storefront with two apartments above it. The search warrant was 

confined to the first-floor rear apartment. 

¶ 10 Officer Mingari testified that, while standing in a hallway between the front door of the 

rear apartment and the rear door to the storefront, he heard the sounds of a television coming 

from the storefront and knocked on the door. A male voice responded asking who it was, and 

Officer Mingari announced that he was a Chicago police officer, at which time he heard a 

second male voice respond “hold on.” Officer Mingari then heard a distinct sound that he 
No. 1-15-1913 

4 

believed to be a gun slide being racked1 and simultaneously heard “a front door opening to 

the front.” At that time Officer Mingari heard one of his team members, Officer McKenna, 

yell from his position in the gangway on the east side of the building that codefendant Senica 

Wilkerson was climbing over the gate and running out from the front. At that point Officer 

Mingari moved toward the front of the building and observed another team member, Officer 

Mark Gutkowski, pursuing codefendant Senica Wilkerson. Officer Mingari made an in-court 

identification of codefendant as the individual he observed Officer Gutkowski pursuing. 

¶ 11 Officer Mingari testified that, after he observed Officer Gutkowski pursuing codefendant, 

he exited the building out of the side stairwell and was standing in front of the building 

where he observed, through the scissor gates, that the front glass door was open. Officer 

Mingari could see through the open glass door into the storefront, and he observed defendant 

exiting out of the back door and up the stairwell to the second floor. Officer Mingari made an 

in-court identification of defendant, who he observed running up the stairs. He pursued 

defendant through the gangway and into the center hallway. At that time, he heard a door 

slam on the second floor, but he waited for assistance until team member, Officer Matthews,

2

arrived. 

¶ 12 Officer Mingari testified that, after Officer Matthews arrived, Officer Mingari knocked 

on the door to the second-floor rear apartment, and there was no response. Officer Mingari 

then heard his supervisor, Sergeant Steck, relaying over the radio that Officer Bill Murphy, 

who was outside, had observed an individual inside that apartment open a window and 

 1

A “slide being racked” refers to the procedure of pulling the slide of a handgun back in order to 

eject an empty cartridge case from the chamber. Tom McHale, How To Rack Your Handgun Slide 

Like A Boss, Beretta Blog (Apr. 3, 2014, 9:58 a.m.), http://blog.beretta.com/how-to-rack-yourhandgun-slide-like-a-boss. 

2

Neither Officer Matthews’ nor Sergeant Steck’s first names are available in the record, as neither 

testified in open court. 
No. 1-15-1913 

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discard what he believed was a firearm onto an adjacent roof. During this time, Officer 

Mingari remained at the door until defendant opened it and allowed officers Mingari and 

Matthews to enter. The officers temporarily detained defendant and Officer Murphy 

positively identified defendant as the individual he had observed discard the firearm onto the 

roof. 

¶ 13 Officer Mingari testified that he went back down to the first floor and observed the empty 

storefront from his position at the threshold of the open rear door. Officer Mingari observed 

what he perceived to be several packages of drugs and two dogs in a cage. Officer Mingari

could observe the storefront through the open door without opening it any further. After 

waiting for additional officers, he conducted a security sweep of that storefront. During the 

search, Officer Mingari observed packages of heroin, 85 total, on the table and a large 

quantity of heroin in the bathroom on a mirror that was on a toilet. He also observed a large 

case containing the prescription drug Dormin, which Officer Mingari testified is a sleeping 

aid usually used as a cutting substance in the mixing of drugs, as well as several more

packages of drugs. After conducting a more thorough search, he observed a clear white trash 

bag with ammunition in it, as well as a large clear knotted bag that contained heroin. Officer 

Mingari also recovered four digital scales, three mixers, and a sifter. 

¶ 14 Officer Mingari identified the following photographs that were admitted into evidence: 

(1) a photograph of the storefront entrance with scissor gates and an open glass door; (2) a 

photograph of the rear of the storefront, depicting the table with the drugs, on which Officer 

Mingari circled the drugs recovered from the table and the location of the digital scale and 

the sifter; (3) a photograph of the table where 85 bags of drugs were found; (4) a photograph 

of a blue plastic bin that contains mixers; (5) a photograph of the bundled packages of drugs 
No. 1-15-1913 

6 

on the floor toward the front of the storefront; (6) a photograph of the front portion of the 

storefront; (7) a photograph of a clear plastic bag of drugs; and (8) a photograph of the toilet 

covered by a mirror covered in heroin in the bathroom of the storefront. Officer Mingari 

testified that the eighth photograph entered into evidence depicted “the mirror with the pile of 

heroin on top of the mirror which is on the toilet” in the bathroom of the storefront. 

¶ 15 Officer Mingari testified that he placed all the evidence into a blue plastic Rubbermaid 

bin and gave it to Officer Gutkowski. Officer Mingari then went back to the Homan Square

police headquarters and spoke with defendant and codefendant, who are brothers. The 

codefendant told him that, at the time the search warrant was executed, only he and 

defendant were in the storefront and that defendant’s residence was the second-floor rear 

apartment, which was the same apartment where defendant answered the door for Officer 

Mingari and from which Officer Murphy observed defendant throw the gun onto the roof. 

The codefendant told him that he resided on West Congress Avenue in Chicago. 

¶ 16 B. Cross-Examination of Officer Kyle Mingari

¶ 17 On cross-examination, Officer Mingari identified the search warrant, which he and his 

team executed at West Ogden Avenue on May 1, 2014. In the portion of the search warrant 

that indicated the premises to be searched, Officer Mingari testified that it indicated only the 

first floor. Officer Mingari testified that the individual that was the subject of the search 

warrant, Todd Jones, was a 6-foot-2-inch, 200-pound, 58-year-old African American and that 

codefendant did not resemble a 58-year-old man but that the officers still gave chase. Officer 

Mingari testified that codefendant had to climb over the scissor gates and that the glass door 

is visible in People’s exhibit No. 1, but it was covered in plastic bags and he could not see 

through the glass. Officer Mingari testified that, in the photograph, the door was being 
No. 1-15-1913 

7 

propped open to air out the storefront, but that when he observed the storefront through the 

door, the door was open without being propped open. Defense counsel asked if the door 

automatically closed if it was not propped open, and Officer Mingari testified that it did not

but that it was propped open at the time of the taking of the photograph in order to ensure 

that it stayed open. 

¶ 18 C. Redirect 

¶ 19 Officer Mingari clarified on redirect that the door was open at the time the photograph 

was taken in order to air out the inside of the storefront due to heroin residue or powder. 

Offincer Mingari testified that when officers are exposed to chemicals or drugs they are 

required to do an exposure report. 

¶ 20 D. Officer Bill Murphy

¶ 21 Officer Bill Murphy testified that he has been a Chicago police officer for 18 years and 

had been assigned to the narcotics unit for over eight years. Prior to working for the CPD, 

Officer Murphy testified that he worked for two years as a reserve officer for the City of 

Wheaton and spent four years as a military policeman in the Army. Officer Murphy testified 

that he conducted previous drug investigations and executed search warrants and is familiar 

with the appearance of firearms. On May 1, 2014, at 12:51 p.m., he was a part of the team 

that was executing a search warrant. After the team finished executing the search warrant, he 

stayed on the outside perimeter of the building conducting security. Officer Murphy heard 

one of his teammates, Officer McKenna, yell out from the front area of the building that 

someone was running, and Officer Gutkowski began running to the front while Officer 

Murphy stayed near his location. Officer Murphy then heard a door slam; the sound had 

come from his right and above him, toward the back of the building. Within 30 seconds, he 
No. 1-15-1913 

8 

heard a screen opening from above and observed an individual lean out of the window and 

toss what he believed to be a handgun on the roof of an adjacent building that was 

approximately six feet above the the window he observed defendant leaning from. Officer 

Murphy made an in-court identification of defendant as the individual he observed throw the 

gun. After he made these observations, he yelled to his supervisor, who was in the rear of the 

building, that he observed someone throw a gun on the roof. His supervisor notified the other 

team members via radio, and Officer Murphy stayed in his location to maintain surveillance. 

¶ 22 Officer Murphy testified that, within five minutes, another team member, Officer Scharr, 

relieved him, and he went inside the residence to identify the person officers Mingari and 

Matthews had detained, whom he identified as defendant. Officer Murphy then returned to 

his previous location to stand with Officer Scharr and wait for the Chicago fire department to 

arrive to retrieve the firearm from the roof. Officer Murphy and a firefighter entered the 

basket of a cherry picker and were brought up to the roof, where Officer Murphy recovered 

the gun, unloaded it, and emptied the magazine. The gun was a Glock Model 19 9-millimeter 

pistol, which was loaded with 1 round in the gun and 12 in the magazine. Officer Murphy 

then identified People’s exhibit No. 10 as a photograph depicting an overhead view of the 

two buildings on West Ogden Avenue. Officer Murphy placed an “X” where he was standing 

when he observed defendant throw the gun onto the roof. Officer Murphy placed a “G” on 

the location where he recovered the handgun. Officer Murphy identified People’s exhibit No.

11 as a photograph depicting an overhead view of where he had been standing. After he 

recovered the handgun, he gave it to Officer Gutkowski. 
No. 1-15-1913 

9 

¶ 23 On cross-examination Officer Murphy testified that, when he observed defendant lean out 

the window, Officer Murphy was approximately 15 to 20 feet from him and he could observe 

defendant’s body from the chest up. 

¶ 24 E. Officer Mark Gutkowski’s Testimony

¶ 25 Officer Mark Gutkowski testified that he is assigned to the narcotics section of the CPD

and that he has been a police officer for 11 years and in the narcotics unit for six years. On 

May 1, 2014, Officer Gutkowski was part of a team executing a search warrant on the rear 

apartment of the building on West Ogden Avenue. After the team finished executing the 

warrant, he observed several members of the team approach the rear entrance door of the 

storefront, and he went outside behind the building. Once he relocated, he heard Officer 

McKenna yelling, “He’s coming out the front. He’s running.” Officer Gutkowski then ran to 

Ogden Avenue through the vacant lot on the west side of the building and observed a black 

male being pursued by Officer McKenna across Ogden Avenue. Officer Gutkowski pursued 

on foot, running across Ogden Avenue and eventually detaining the individual. Officer 

Gutkowski identified that individual as codefendant. Officer Gutkowski held codefendant on 

the ground until Officer Scharr arrived, at which point the officers placed codefendant in 

handcuffs and asked him if he had anything on his person. Codefendant had $3560 in United 

States currency in his right pants pocket. 

¶ 26 All evidence recovered was then placed into a blue Rubbermaid bin, which Officer 

Gutkowski carried out and placed inside an enforcement vehicle. Officer Gutkowski testified 

that Officer Murphy gave him the handgun that was recovered from the roof, which was also 

placed in the bin. The officers then returned to Homan Square, where they separated and 

bagged all the recovered evidence and performed an inventory. Officer Gutkowski testified 
No. 1-15-1913 

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that he heat-sealed the bags with the drugs, and they were logged on an inventory log sheet 

and dropped into a safe at the front desk, and that the handgun was sealed into a manila 

envelope and placed into a locker located at the front desk. 

¶ 27 II. Forensic Chemist Stipulation

¶ 28 The parties then stipulated that, if Lenetta Watson, a forensic chemist at the Illinois State 

Police crime lab, was called to testify, she would testify that she received Inventory No.

13162564, which was opened and found to contain a powdery substance that tested positive 

for the presence of heroin and weighed 774.3 grams; that she received Inventory No. 

13162571, which she opened and found to contain a powdery substance that tested positive 

for the presence of heroin and weighed 89.3 grams; and that she received Inventory No.

13162566, which was opened and found to contain 85 items of a powdery substance and

which tested positive for the presence of heroin and that weighed 36.9 grams in total. The 

parties stipulated that Watson would further testify that the total actual weight of all three 

inventories was 900.5 grams of heroin. 

¶ 29 The parties further stipulated that Watson would testify that she is employed by the 

Illinois State Police crime lab and is qualified to testify as an expert in the area of forensic 

chemistry; that all the equipment used was tested, calibrated, and functioning properly when 

those items were tested; and that she performed tests commonly accepted in the area of 

forensic chemistry for ascertaining the presence of a controlled substance on all of the 

inventories. The stipulation was moved into evidence. Defense counsel then made a motion 

to quash the arrest and suppress the evidence, which the trial court denied. 
No. 1-15-1913 

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¶ 30 III. Verdict

¶ 31 The trial court found codefendant not guilty of possession with intent to deliver—the 

only offense with which he was charged—stating that:

 “[C]ertainly he did flee from the apartment. But even an innocent person 

seeing that much narcotics would run. So his testimony was that he didn’t live 

there. That was admitted. And, again, mere presence—even negative—negative—

mere presence right there—I find that that’s a very high burden of proof beyond a 

reasonable doubt. There is not enough proof there to hold him responsible at that 

time, so I am finding him not guilty of Count 3, which is possession with intent, 

more than 900 grams of heroin. So there will be a not guilty there.” 

¶ 32 The trial court found defendant not guilty of count I, armed violence; guilty of count II, 

armed habitual criminal; and guilty of count IV, unlawful use of a weapon by a felon. 

¶ 33 The trial court then found defendant guilty of count III, possession of more than 900 

grams of heroin with intent to deliver, stating that: 

 “[Th]ere is packaging paraphernalia. The Dormin was there, which is a cut. 

There is scales. There is many other things. And the amount of—the weight also 

goes to possession with intent. I find that the State has proved each and every 

element of Count 3 beyond a reasonable doubt of possession of heroin with intent 

to deliver more than 900 grams.” 

¶ 34 Defendant was found guilty of possession of 900.5 grams of heroin with intent to deliver. 

900 grams is the threshold weight that results in a 15-year minimum sentence. 720 ILCS 

570/401(a)(1)(D) (West 2012). Defendant was sentenced to 15 years with the Illinois 

Department of Corrections (IDOC) for possession of more than 900 grams of heroin with 
No. 1-15-1913 

12 

intent to deliver and sentenced to 7 years for being an armed habitual criminal. The trial court 

merged the armed habitual criminal count with the count of unlawful use of a weapon by a 

felon and ordered the possession and armed habitual criminal sentences to run concurrently. 

Defendant’s trial counsel then made an oral motion to reconsider defendant’s sentence, 

which the trial court denied. 

¶ 35 IV. Posttrial Motions and Evidentiary Hearing

¶ 36 After his trial, defendant was appointed new posttrial counsel. On March 23, 2015, 

defendant’s posttrial counsel filed a posttrial motion for a new trial and for reconsideration of 

the findings of guilt. In his motion, defendant claimed (1) that mere presence in a place from 

which narcotics are recovered is not sufficient to establish possession beyond a reasonable 

doubt; (2) that the search warrant, which the officers were executing on May 1, 2014, was 

flawed; and (3) that he received ineffective assistance of trial counsel. 

¶ 37 On June 18, 2015, the parties held an evidentiary hearing on defendant’s ineffectiveness 

of counsel claim. Defendant’s trial counsel testified at the hearing that he had been an 

attorney since 1995 and a defense attorney since 2003. Counsel testified that he filed an 

appearance at a bond hearing for codefendant and met with codefendant before the hearing, 

that codefendant paid him on behalf of defendant, that defendant was well aware that 

codefendant was paying counsel for representing defendant, and that counsel and defendant 

had discussed it. Counsel testified that he visited defendant one time in Cook County jail and 

that the rest of their conversations occurred in the lockup. Defendant’s posttrial counsel 

asked why he did not utilize a defense arguing that codefendant was the person in possession 

of the drugs, and defendant’s trial counsel responded that he thought defendant and 

codefendant had very similar defenses and that he and defendant both agreed on a defense 
No. 1-15-1913 

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strategy to question Officer Mingari’s vantage point because the officer could not have 

observed what he said he had observed. 

¶ 38 After listening to both parties’ arguments, the trial court found that, looking at the totality 

of the facts, there was no conflict of interest. The trial court also found that there was no 

evidence to support defendant’s claim of ineffective assistance of counsel. The trial court 

denied defendant’s posttrial motion for a new trial and his supplemental motion for a new 

trial, as well as his motion to reconsider the finding of guilt. Defendant filed a notice of 

appeal on July 14, 2015, and this appeal followed. 

¶ 39 ANALYSIS

¶ 40 On this appeal, defendant claims (1) that he was denied effective assistance of trial 

counsel where trial counsel (a) had a conflict of interest, (b) stipulated to the laboratory 

analysis, (c) failed to cross-examine a police officer about his vantage point in viewing 

defendant throw a gun out a window, and (d) failed to inquire about defendant’s employment 

history; (2) that the State failed to establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt that defendant 

possessed 900.5 grams of drugs with the intent to deliver; (3) that the conviction must be 

reversed due to inconsistent findings between defendant and codefendant where the State 

presented more evidence of guilt against codefendant, who was found not guilty, than against 

defendant, who was found guilty; and (4) that defendant’s convictions for armed habitual 

criminal and unlawful use of a weapon by a felon should be reversed because the police 

officer’s testimony concerning his view of the gun disposal was incredible. For the following 

reasons, we affirm defendant’s convictions for possession of a controlled substance with 

intent to deliver, being an armed habitual criminal, and unlawful use of a weapon by a felon. 
No. 1-15-1913 

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¶ 41 I. Ineffective Assistance of Counsel

¶ 42 First, defendant claims that he received ineffective assistance of counsel where his 

attorney had a conflict of interest that adversely affected his performance. Defendant argues 

that his trial counsel was ineffective by stipulating to the laboratory analysis where the State 

would not have been able to prove the weight of the narcotics, by failing to cross-examine an 

officer about his vantage point, and by failing to ask defendant about his employment status, 

which could have been beneficial in sentencing. We find that there was no conflict of interest 

that existed that adversely affected the performance of defendant’s trial counsel. 

¶ 43 A. Standard of Review 

¶ 44 The Illinois Supreme Court has held that, to determine whether a defendant was denied 

his or her right to effective assistance of counsel, an appellate court must apply the two-prong 

test set forth in Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668 (1984). People v. Colon, 225 Ill. 2d 

125, 135 (2007) (citing People v. Albanese, 104 Ill. 2d 504, 525 (1984) (adopting 

Strickland)). Under Strickland, a defendant must prove both (1) that counsel’s performance 

was deficient and (2) that the deficient performance prejudiced the defendant. Colon, 225 Ill. 

2d at 135; People v. Evans, 209 Ill. 2d 194, 219-20 (2004); Strickland, 466 U.S. at 687. 

¶ 45 Under the first prong of the Strickland test, the defendant must prove that his counsel’s 

performance fell below an objective standard of reasonableness “under prevailing 

professional norms.” Colon, 225 Ill. 2d at 135. Under the second prong, the defendant must 

show that, “but for” counsel’s deficient performance, there is a reasonable probability that 

the result of the proceeding would have been different. Colon, 225 Ill. 2d at 135; Evans, 209 

Ill. 2d at 220. “[A] reasonable probability that the result would have been different is a 

probability sufficient to undermine confidence in the outcome—or put another way, that 
No. 1-15-1913 

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counsel’s deficient performance rendered the result of the trial unreliable or fundamentally 

unfair.” Evans, 209 Ill. 2d at 220; Colon, 225 Ill. 2d at 135. 

¶ 46 To prevail, the defendant must satisfy both prongs of the Strickland test. Colon, 225 Ill. 

2d at 135; Evans, 209 Ill. 2d at 220. “That is, if an ineffective assistance claim can be 

disposed of because the defendant suffered no prejudice, we need not determine whether 

counsel’s performance was deficient.” People v. Graham, 206 Ill. 2d 465, 476 (2003). A 

reviewing court will not second-guess a counsel’s trial strategy simply because defendant 

was convicted. People v. Johnson, 385 Ill. App. 3d 585, 602 (2008). Moreover, the court 

gives a great amount of deference to counsel’s judgment and indulges a strong presumption 

that counsel’s conduct falls within the wide range of reasonable professional assistance. 

Strickland, 466 U.S. at 689. 

¶ 47 Further, Illinois recognizes two categories of conflict of interest: per se and actual 

conflict. People v. Austin M., 2012 IL 111194, ¶ 80. Per se conflict of interest arises when 

certain facts about a defense attorney’s status create a disabling conflict, which is grounds for 

automatic reversal regardless of whether the conflict actually impacted the attorney’s 

performance. People v. Taylor, 237 Ill. 2d 356, 374 (2010). Actual conflicts of interest 

generally involve joint or multiple representation of codefendants. Taylor, 237 Ill. 2d at 375. 

To prove an actual conflict, the accused need not prove prejudice in that the conflict 

contributed to the conviction, but it is necessary to establish that an actual conflict of interest 

adversely affected the lawyer’s performance. Taylor, 237 Ill. 2d at 375. “ ‘What this means is 

that the defendant must point to some specific defect in his counsel’s strategy tactics, or 

decision making attributable to the conflict.’ ” Taylor, 237 Ill. 2d at 376 (quoting People v. 

Spreitzer, 123 Ill. 2d 1, 18 (1988)). 
No. 1-15-1913 

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¶ 48 B. Actual Conflict of Interest 

¶ 49 In the case at bar, defendant’s trial counsel previously represented codefendant, who was 

found not guilty, at a bond hearing. Any potential conflict of interest arising from joint 

representation was then cured when trial counsel stopped representing codefendant after the 

bond hearing and only represented defendant from then on. However, defendant was aware 

that codefendant was paying for defendant’s representation, but it did not have an adverse 

impact on trial counsel’s performance. 

¶ 50 It was not unreasonable for defendant’s trial counsel to argue that defendant was merely 

present instead of asserting that codefendant was responsible for the narcotics because it was 

sound trial strategy to rely on discrediting the police officer’s testimony about his vantage 

point. In the evidentiary hearing about defendant’s ineffective assistance of counsel claim, 

trial counsel testified he and defendant discussed this strategy and both agreed to pursue this 

defense. Therefore, there is not a conflict of interest that affected trial counsel’s performance. 

¶ 51 C. Stipulation to Findings of the Forensic Chemist 

¶ 52 Second, defendant argues that it was improper for his trial counsel to stipulate to the 

findings of the forensic chemist, particularly the weight of the narcotics recovered. Defendant 

argues that, based on People’s exhibit No. 8, trial counsel knew or should have known that 

the powder from the bathroom was commingled prior to testing. Therefore, when defendant’s 

trial counsel stipulated to the weight of the narcotics, he relieved the State from proving that 

the defendant possessed 900 grams or more of a substance containing heroin, which the State 

would not have been able to prove. Further, defendant argues that the forensic chemist should 

have been cross-examined about the calibration of the scales because the net weight of the 

narcotics was only 0.5 gram over the required amount. 
No. 1-15-1913 

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¶ 53 “When a defendant is charged with possession of a specific amount of an illegal drug 

with intent to deliver and there is a lesser included offense of possession of a smaller amount, 

then the weight of the seized drug is an essential element of the crime and must be proved 

beyond a reasonable doubt.” People v. Jones, 174 Ill. 2d 427, 428-29 (1996). When the 

seized samples are homogenous, random testing is permissible and it can be inferred beyond 

a reasonable doubt that the untested samples contain the same substance as those that are 

tested. Jones, 174 Ill. 2d at 429. However, where the seized samples are not sufficiently 

homogenous, a portion from each distinct sample must be tested so that the contents can be 

conclusively determined. Jones, 174 Ill. 2d at 429. This is especially true given that Dormin, 

a cutting agent that looks similar to heroin, was recovered in the storefront. 

¶ 54 Defendant argues that the photograph identified as People’s exhibit No. 8 depicts three 

distinct piles: one on the left, one on the right, and one inside the sifter. Defendant argues that 

those piles were commingled prior to testing when Officer Mingari collected them in a 

Rubbermaid bin and the substance was inventoried under one number. However, this court 

examined People’s exhibit No. 8, and the photograph does not depict three distinct piles on 

the mirror, but one mass of powder. There is a pile of powder in the sifter resting on top of 

the mass, but a sifter contains holes and would not prevent the substances from commingling. 

Further, neither the assistant State’s Attorney nor defense counsel asked Officer Mingari 

whether he commingled any powder. Officer Mingari testified only that People’s exhibit No. 

8 was a photograph of “the mirror with the pile of heroin on top of the mirror which is on the 

toilet.” He later testified that he placed all the evidence in a Rubbermaid bin and made no 

statement about commingling substances. Thus, the appellate record does not support 
No. 1-15-1913 

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defendant’s claim that exhibit No. 8 depicted three distinct piles of powder that the officer 

must have commingled. 

¶ 55 Defendant further argues that by stipulating to the lab, trial counsel was prevented from 

questioning the chemist on the deviation of the scales. While the weight of the narcotics was 

only 0.5 gram over the 900-gram minimum amount, the chemist stipulated that the scales 

were calibrated prior to testing. “Illinois courts favor the stipulated testimony of forensic 

experts on the presence of controlled substances because stipulations can expedite the 

disposition of cases, simplify the issues and reduce expenses.” People v. Stewart, 365 Ill. 

App. 3d 744, 749 (2006) (citing People v. Woods, 214 Ill. 2d 455, 468 (2005)). Therefore, 

because there was not prior commingling of distinct substances, defendant was not 

prejudiced by trial counsel’s stipulation. 

¶ 56 D. Failure to Cross-Examine Officer Murphy

¶ 57 Defendant also argues that trial counsel had the opportunity to impeach Officer Murphy’s 

testimony about his ability to view defendant throw a gun from the second-floor window. 

Defendant asserts that, from his stated vantage point, Officer Murphy could not have 

observed the window because the view is obstructed by a brick wall. However, defendant’s 

trial counsel did cross-examine Officer Murphy, who provided a description of how much of 

defendant’s body he observed and how far defendant had to lean out the window. The trial 

court found Officer Murphy’s testimony credible, and a handgun was found on the roof, 

corroborating Officer Murphy’s testimony. Trial counsel adequately questioned Officer 

Murphy and did not act unreasonably or prejudice defendant. 
No. 1-15-1913 

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¶ 58 E. Failure to Inquire About Defendant’s Employment Status

¶ 59 Defendant further claims that his trial counsel was ineffective because he did not inquire 

about defendant’s employment status. Defendant received the minimum sentence for 

possession of narcotics with intent to deliver, and so whatever character reference

defendant’s alleged employment could have offered would not have mitigated defendant’s 

sentence, and thus did not prejudice him. Therefore, it is unnecessary to determine whether 

failing to introduce defendant’s alleged employment status as a mitigating factor fell below 

the objective standard of reasonableness. 

¶ 60 II. Sufficiency of the Evidence 

¶ 61 Next, defendant challenges the sufficiency of the evidence for possession of 900 grams or 

more of heroin with intent to deliver. 

¶ 62 Defendant argues that the evidence is not sufficient because constructive possession was 

not established where the State did not establish that defendant possessed knowledge of the 

narcotics or that the narcotics were in his immediate and exclusive control. People v. Ray, 

232 Ill. App. 3d 459, 462 (1992). 

¶ 63 A. Standard of Review 

¶ 64 When determining the sufficiency of the evidence, the standard of review is whether, 

after viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution, a rational trier of 

fact could have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. People 

v. Woods, 214 Ill. 2d 455, 470 (2005); Ray, 232 Ill. App. 3d at 461. If the court answers this 

inquiry in the negative, the defendant’s conviction is reversed. Woods, 214 Ill. 2d at 470. 

However, a reviewing court does not retry the defendant or substitute its judgment for that of

the trier of fact with regard to the credibility of witnesses or the weight to be given to each 
No. 1-15-1913 

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witness’s testimony. People v. Jackson, 232 Ill. 2d 246, 281 (2009); People v. Ross, 229 Ill. 

2d 255, 272 (2008). 

¶ 65 When reviewing a conviction for possession of a controlled substance, the court must 

determine whether defendant had knowledge and possession of the narcotics. 720 ILCS 

570/402 (West 2012) (“it is unlawful for any person knowingly to possess a controlled *** 

substance”). A defendant has constructive possession when he has the “ ‘intent and capability 

to maintain control and dominion’ ” over the narcotics, but does not have immediate personal 

control of them. People v. Carodine, 374 Ill. App. 3d 16, 25 (2007) (quoting People v.

Frieberg, 147 Ill. 2d 326, 361 (1992)). “Knowledge and possession are factual issues, and the 

trier of fact’s findings on these questions will not be disturbed unless the evidence is so 

unbelievable, improbable, or palpably contrary to the verdict that it creates a reasonable 

doubt of the defendant’s guilt.” People v. Brown, 277 Ill. App. 3d 989, 998 (1996). 

¶ 66 “Intent of delivery is rarely subject to direct proof. Consequently, such intent must 

usually be proven circumstantially.” People v. Little, 322 Ill. App. 3d 607, 614 (2001). 

Factors for examining the sufficiency of circumstantial evidence include “(1) whether the 

quantity of cocaine possessed is too large to be reasonably viewed as being for personal 

consumption, (2) the degree of the cocaine’s purity, (3) the possession of any weapons, (4) 

possession and amount of cash, (5) possession of police scanners, beepers or cellular 

telephones, (6) possession of drug paraphernalia commonly associated with narcotic 

transactions, and (7) the manner in which the cocaine is packaged.” Little, 322 Ill. App. 3d at 

615 (citing People v. Robinson, 167 Ill. 2d 397, 408 (1995), People v. Rivera, 293 Ill. App. 

3d 574, 576 (1997), and People v. Beverly, 278 Ill. App. 3d 794, 797 (1996)). 

¶ 67
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¶ 68 B. Evidence Presented Against Defendant 

¶ 69 The State argues that the facts supporting guilt include the fact that defendant fled from 

the police; no one else was observed in the area besides defendant and codefendant, who also 

fled the scene before he was apprehended with over $3000 in cash; defendant attempted to 

hide a gun from police by throwing it from a window in his residence to the neighboring 

roof; and the storefront from which narcotics were recovered is located just below 

defendant’s self-admitted residence. 

¶ 70 Defendant argues that People’s exhibit No. 6 discredits Officer Mingari’s testimony 

because it depicts an automatic door that would have closed before Officer Mingari would 

have been able to see through it. However, Officer Mingari was cross-examined about that 

door and testified that it did not automatically close. The trier of fact found that testimony to 

be credible, and we will not substitute our judgment for that of the trial court. 

¶ 71 The storefront was vacant, and defendant had no reason to be present there unless he was

in possession of the drugs; both defendant and codefendant were heard inside the storefront, 

both fled the scene, and both were the only individuals in the area. This evidence is enough 

to establish constructive possession. The recovery of Dormin, scales, and a quantity of drugs

much too large for personal use is sufficient to establish the intent to deliver. This evidence, 

when viewed in the light most favorable to the prosecution, is sufficient to establish guilt of 

possession with intent to deliver beyond a reasonable doubt. 

¶ 72 III. Inconsistent Verdicts

¶ 73 Defendant argues that his conviction for possession of heroin with intent to deliver must

be reversed due to inconsistent findings between defendant and codefendant, where the State 
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presented more evidence against codefendant, who was found not guilty, than against 

defendant, who was found guilty. 

¶ 74 A. Standard of Review 

¶ 75 Illinois courts have held that “where there is no plausible construction of the evidence 

which would furnish a reasonable basis for the finding of guilty as to one defendant and not 

guilty as to the other, the conviction must be reversed.” People v. Gonzales, 67 Ill. App. 3d 

215, 222 (1978). However, the acquittal of one codefendant does not raise a reasonable doubt 

as to the guilt of the other codefendant unless the evidence against both defendants is 

“identical in all respects.” People v. English, 334 Ill. App. 3d 156, 167 (2002). 

¶ 76 B. Evidence Presented

¶ 77 The evidence presented against defendant and codefendant was not identical. Both

codefendants were heard inside the storefront; both were the only individuals found at the 

location, and both were observed fleeing the scene. 

¶ 78 However, defendant was in possession of a handgun, and Officer Mingari testified that he 

heard the slide being racked from inside the storefront. Defendant then ran up to his 

apartment to dispose of the handgun. Defendant also admitted that he resided in the 

apartment upstairs from the storefront. Living above the storefront positioned defendant to 

prevent theft of the drugs or to facilitate sales, further supporting the inference that he had

control over the storefront. 

¶ 79 Since the evidence presented against codefendant and defendant was not identical, and 

defendant’s residence gave him a greater opportunity to exercise control over the drugs, we 

do not find that the trial court rendered inconsistent verdicts. 
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¶ 80 IV. Convictions for Counts II and IV

¶ 81 Finally, defendant argues that this court should reverse his convictions of being an armed 

habitual criminal and of unlawful use of a weapon by a felon. Defendant argues that, from his 

stated vantage point, Officer Murphy could not have observed the window from which he 

claimed to have observed defendant throw the gun. When viewing the evidence in the light 

most favorable to the prosecution, we find that a rational trier of fact could have found the 

essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. Ray, 232 Ill. App. 3d at 461. 

Therefore, we affirm defendant’s convictions for armed habitual criminal and unlawful use 

of a weapon by a felon.

¶ 82 Defendant argues that the photograph identified as People’s exhibit No. 10 indicates that 

Officer Murphy’s vantage point, where he marked an “X” on the exhibit, made it impossible 

to observe the window. However, it is not clear from the exhibits that Officer Murphy could 

not have observed the window, and the overhead view of the photograph in People’s exhibit 

No. 10 does not provide a reasonable basis for that inference. Identification by a single 

witness is sufficient to support a conviction if the defendant is viewed under circumstances 

permitting a positive identification. People v. Gabriel, 398 Ill. App. 3d 332, 341 (2010). 

Officer Murphy heard the window open, looked up to observe the defendant throw the gun, 

and then immediately went to the apartment to identify him after the other officers had 

detained him. In addition, the gun, which Officer Murphy described, was recovered on the 

roof. Further, Officer Murphy was vigorously questioned at trial, and the trial court found his 

testimony to be credible. We will not substitute the judgment of the trier of fact with our own 

with regard to the credibility of witnesses or the weight to be given to each witness’s 
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testimony. Jackson, 232 Ill. 2d at 281. For the foregoing reasons, we affirm defendant’s 

convictions for armed habitual felon and unlawful use of a weapon by a felon. 

¶ 83 CONCLUSION

¶ 84 For the foregoing reasons, we affirm defendant’s convictions of unlawful possession of 

900 grams or more of narcotics with intent to deliver, being an armed habitual criminal, and 

unlawful use of a weapon by a felon. First, defendant was not denied effective assistance of 

counsel. Second, when viewed in the light most favorable to the prosecution, the State 

established guilt of possession with intent to deliver beyond a reasonable doubt. Third, the 

trial court did not render inconsistent verdicts because defendant and codefendant were not 

tried on identical facts. Finally, we affirm defendant’s convictions for armed habitual 

criminal and unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, because the trial court found the officer’s 

eyewitness testimony credible, and we will not substitute our judgment for that of the trier of 

fact with regard to the credibility of the witness. 

¶ 85 Affirmed.