Opinion ID: 2015103
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 15

Heading: Limiting Mitigation Witness Testimony

Text: Defendant next contends the trial court erred by preventing Charles Mickins from testifying how he would be affected by defendant's execution. Defendant notes that victim impact evidence is now admissible at a capital sentencing hearing to show the harm that a defendant has caused. People v. Howard, 147 Ill.2d 103, 155-58, 167 Ill.Dec. 914, 588 N.E.2d 1044 (1991). Defendant reasons that [e]vidence of the effect that the defendant's execution will have upon his family and friends should now be admissible. However, the record shows that defendant did not include this claim in his post-trial motion; thus the issue is waived. People v. Chevalier, 131 Ill.2d 66, 77, 136 Ill.Dec. 167, 544 N.E.2d 942 (1989). Defendant further asks this court to consider the issue under the plain error doctrine of Supreme Court Rule 615(a) (134 Ill.2d R. 615(a)). Plain error is a narrow and limited exception to the general waiver rule, to be invoked only where the evidence is closely balanced or the alleged error is so substantial that it deprived the defendant of a fair trial. People v. Hampton, 149 Ill.2d 71, 100, 171 Ill.Dec. 439, 594 N.E.2d 291 (1992). After reviewing the record, we conclude that neither prong of the plain error rule is satisfied.