Opinion ID: 2185279
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 11

Heading: Unreliable Evidence in Aggravation

Text: Defendant next argues that he was denied a fair sentencing hearing when the trial court admitted allegedly unreliable evidence in aggravation regarding his involvement in two other, unrelated shootings. First, defendant complains of testimony by Assistant State's Attorney Matthew Mahoney as to statements by two codefendants implicating defendant as the shooter in the 1991 murder and armed robbery of Gerardo Gonzalez. Defendant also complains of testimony by Detective George Tracy regarding statements made to him by a witness to the shooting. Lastly, defendant complains of testimony by Officer William Soraghan regarding defendant's involvement in the 1991 shooting of Artemio Garcia, a crime for which defendant was never charged. The State argues that defendant has waived each of the above claims of error by failing to properly object at trial. We agree. While defendant objected to the testimony of Assistant State's Attorney Mahoney and Detective Tracy on the grounds of hearsay, at no time did he object to any of the complained-of testimony on the grounds of unreliability. It is well settled that a specific objection to the admission of evidence waives all grounds not specified. See People v. Lewis, 165 Ill.2d 305, 335-36, 209 Ill.Dec. 144, 651 N.E.2d 72 (1995). Furthermore, defendant failed to raise any objection at all at trial to the testimony of Officer Soraghan, although he did raise this issue in his post-trial motion. To preserve an issue for review, however, a defendant must both object at trial and specifically include the objection in a post-trial motion. People v. Enoch, 122 Ill.2d 176, 186, 119 Ill.Dec. 265, 522 N.E.2d 1124 (1988). Defendant's failure to do so renders this issue waived. Defendant further claims that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to preserve these issues for review. After a review of the record, however, we believe that, even had defense counsel successfully objected to the evidence complained of, the outcome of defendant's sentencing would not have been different. Twenty-two witnesses testified for the State in aggravation, and a written statement was admitted into evidence from a twenty-third witness. In addition to testimony regarding the Gonzalez and Garcia shootings, the trial court heard extensive evidence of defendant's criminal history, which dated back to 1982. The court further heard testimony and accepted evidence regarding defendant's numerous disciplinary infractions while in prison, including testimony from a guard at Stateville Prison who stated that defendant had a reputation as a gang enforcer and hit man and was one of the top five worst inmates in terms of safety problems. Additionally, the court heard extensive evidence of three different escape attempts, which earned defendant the prison nickname Houdini. The record indicates that the trial court considered all of these factors in addition to defendant's participation in the Gonzalez and Garcia shootings in rendering its decision. In addition, the judge placed special emphasis on the facts surrounding the instant crimes, including that Mr. and Mrs. Choi were shot for apparently no reason, leaving two small children without parents. Given the substantial evidence in aggravation, we do not believe defendant suffered any prejudice as a result of counsel's failure to object or to preserve these issues in defendant's post-trial motion. See Strickland, 466 U.S. at 697, 104 S.Ct. at 2069, 80 L.Ed.2d at 699. Accordingly, we reject defendant's ineffective assistance of counsel claim.