Opinion ID: 2009926
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Gist of a Meritorious Claim

Text: Finally, defendant claims that the trial court erred in summarily dismissing his petition because one of its allegations stated the gist of a meritorious claim. According to defendant, his allegation that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to interview and present the testimony of certain witness stated the gist of a meritorious claim. This allegation was supported by defendant's affidavit as to what these witnesses would have said, and defendant contends that the trial court erred in ignoring his affidavit. The trial court found that defendant's claim was mere speculation because he had not provided the required affidavits. The proposed affidavits submitted by defendant were unsigned, and the court found that they were merely what defendant wished these people would say. The trial court's ruling was correct. This court held in People v. Enis, 194 Ill.2d 361, 380, 252 Ill.Dec. 427, 743 N.E.2d 1 (2000), that [a] claim that trial counsel failed to investigate and call a witness must be supported by an affidavit from the proposed witness. The reason for such a requirement is clear. In the absence of such an affidavit, a reviewing court cannot determine whether the proposed witness could have provided testimony or information favorable to the defendant, and further review of the claim is unnecessary. Enis, 194 Ill.2d at 380, 252 Ill.Dec. 427, 743 N.E.2d 1. Defendant's affidavit was not sufficient to satisfy Enis 's requirement. Because defendant failed to supply the necessary evidentiary support for his claim, the trial court did not err in finding it frivolous and patently without merit.