Court Opinion

ID: 9948818
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2024-03-07 23:04:07.603394+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:26:04.238861
License: Public Domain

2024 IL App (5th) 231366-U
            NOTICE
                                                                                       NOTICE
 Decision filed 03/07/24. The
                                                                            This order was filed under
 text of this decision may be               NO. 5-23-1366
                                                                            Supreme Court Rule 23 and is
 changed or corrected prior to
 the filing of a Petition for                                               not precedent except in the

 Rehearing or the disposition of
                                               IN THE                       limited circumstances allowed
 the same.                                                                  under Rule 23(e)(1).
                                   APPELLATE COURT OF ILLINOIS

                               FIFTH DISTRICT
______________________________________________________________________________

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS,            )     Appeal from the
                                                )     Circuit Court of
      Plaintiff-Appellee,                       )     Coles County.
                                                )
v.                                              )     No. 23-CF-657
                                                )
ALEX CRISMAN,                                   )     Honorable
                                                )     Brian L. Bower,
      Defendant-Appellant.                      )     Judge, presiding.
______________________________________________________________________________

         PRESIDING JUSTICE VAUGHAN delivered the judgment of the court.
         Justices Welch and McHaney concurred in the judgment.

                                            ORDER

¶1       Held: The trial court’s order granting the State’s petition to deny pretrial release is
               affirmed where the trial court’s findings were not against the manifest weight of
               the evidence, the order denying pretrial release was not an abuse of discretion,
               defense counsel failed to object to the State’s proffer, and no request for plain-
               error review was presented on appeal.

¶2                                      I. BACKGROUND

¶3       Defendant appeals the trial court’s order denying him pretrial release pursuant to Public

Act 101-652 (eff. Jan. 1, 2023), commonly known as the Safety, Accountability, Fairness and

Equity-Today (SAFE-T) Act (Act). See Pub. Acts 101-652, § 10-255, 102-1104, § 70 (eff. Jan. 1,

                                                  1
2023); Rowe v. Raoul, 2023 IL 129248, ¶ 52 (lifting stay and setting effective date as September

18, 2023). For the following reasons, we affirm the trial court’s order. 1

¶4      On December 21, 2023, defendant was charged by information with five counts of unlawful

possession of a weapon by a felon, in violation of section 24-1.1(a) of the Criminal Code of 2012

(720 ILCS 5/24-1.1(a) (West 2022)), a Class X felony. The charges involved defendant’s alleged

possession of a Daniel Defense .223 AR-15, an unserialized AR-10 rifle, a C.A.I. bolt-action rifle,

an unserialized full-framed 9-millimeter pistol, and an unserialized compact 9-millimeter pistol,

on September 17, 2023. At the time of the possession of those weapons, it was also alleged that

defendant possessed body armor, which required a minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years

with a maximum term of 40 years, rendering the charges nonprobational offenses pursuant to

section 5-5-3(c)(2)(F-5) of the Unified Code of Corrections (730 ILCS 5/5-5-3(c)(2)(F-5) (West

2022)). The prior felony was listed as Coles County case No. 17-CF-353. On the same day the

charges were filed, a warrant for defendant’s arrest was issued and the State filed a petition to deny

pretrial release. The petition alleged that defendant was charged with qualifying offenses and his

release would pose a real and present threat to the safety of person(s) in the community because:

        “Defendant has committed acts of violence with a firearm, including shooting himself in

        the head. When the Defendant was recovered, he was found in possession of multiple

        firearms, including home-built an[d] un-serialized assault rifle and two home-built un-

        serialized pistols. The Defendant had several rounds of ammunition and tactical body

        1
         Pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 604(h)(5) (eff. Dec. 7, 2023), our decision in this case
was due on or before March 6, 2024, absent a finding of good cause for extending the deadline. Based on
the high volume of appeals under the Act currently under the court’s consideration, as well as the
complexity of issues and the lack of precedential authority, we find there to be good cause for extending
the deadline.

                                                   2
       armor, complete with multiple loaded assault weapon magazines and a trauma medical kit.

       The Defendant later expressed that he knowingly pursued the acquisition of firearms

       despite his status as a felon after recovering from his self-inflicted wounds.”

Defendant was arrested on December 21, 2023.

¶5     The pretrial services investigation report revealed that defendant was 29 years of age, a

lifelong resident of Coles County, and lived with his mother. Defendant indicated that he had

ample familial support in the area and reliable means of transportation that would allow him to

attend future court dates. Defendant had experience as a licensed EMT and became unemployed

in July 2023. He advised of two prior DUI convictions and indicated a willingness to seek

substance abuse treatment. He stated that he had no history of a mental health diagnosis prior to

his mental health crisis in September 2023. He was provided a psychiatry services referral for

medication management and mental health treatment that was pending until the initial psychiatric

appointment. He also had a pending referral for psychotherapy. Defendant reported current issues

or concerns regarding his overall physical health condition were associated with his mental health

crisis. He indicated that a hole remained in his mouth as a result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound

that required continued medical care. He had an oral surgeon consultation scheduled for December

28, 2023, to address further corrective surgery. He also indicated that he experienced back/spine

issues as a result of the gunshot wound and vision impairment in his right eye. The defendant

scored a 3 out of 14 on Virginia Pretrial Risk Assessment Instrument-Revised (VPRAI-R), which

classified him as a level 2 (out of 6) risk of recidivism. Defendant’s criminal history included

driving under the influence in 2015, leaving the scene of an accident in 2016, driving under the

influence in 2017, possession of a firearm with a revoked FOID card in 2017, and driving on a

revoked license in 2018.

                                                 3
¶6     On December 22, 2023, a hearing was held on the State’s petition to deny pretrial release.

Counsel was appointed to represent defendant. Defense counsel confirmed he had a copy of the

State’s petition and advised the court he was ready to proceed.

¶7     The State proffered that on September 17, 2023, officers from the Mattoon Police

Department responded to a home in Mattoon for an attempted suicide. Defendant’s girlfriend

reported that defendant shot himself. She stated that he was intoxicated and urinated on the floor.

When she confronted him about cleaning it up, he said, “you know what,” pulled out a pistol,

chambered a round, and shot himself in the chin. Defendant’s girlfriend called for help and

defendant got up and continued to move around the home.

¶8     After ensuring that defendant was provided medical care, a consent search of the home

revealed a homemade unserialized AR-10 rifle. The State explained that this weapon was similar

to an AR-15 but shot a larger caliber round. The State proffered that officers also found a .223 AR-

15, a C.A.I. 7.62 rifle with a loaded 50-round drum, two homemade and unserialized 9-millimeter

pistols, three ammunition boxes containing assorted pistol and rifle magazines, 362 rounds of .223-

caliber ammunition, 48 rounds of 308-caliber ammunition, 49 rounds of 9-millimeter ammunition,

tactical body armor containing heavily armored rifle plating, an AR-15 magazine pouch which

contained loaded magazines, a trauma medical kit, and an improvised explosive device (IED)

which was found in the closet and later detonated by the bomb squad.

¶9     The State proffered that defendant’s girlfriend indicated that defendant would order parts

for the homemade weapons and would mill and assemble them himself. Defendant’s FOID card

was previously revoked due to an order of protection in Coles County case No. 16-OP-94. He was

later convicted of possession of a firearm with a revoked FOID card in Coles County case No. 17-

CF-353, which was a Class 3 felony.

                                                 4
¶ 10   The State proffered that Detective Eric Haughee of the Mattoon Police Department spoke

with defendant in the past few days and indicated defendant was cognitive, walking, and

recovering from his injuries. The State proffered that defendant remarked—regarding his

possession of weapons—“that Illinois was a communist state, and he would be damned if he didn’t

have a gun to protect himself, which was why he acquired and assembled the un-serialized

weapons in this case.”

¶ 11   In response, defendant’s counsel stated that he was “taken by surprise by the remarks made

by Mr. Crisman allegedly in an interview with the detective. That was not provided to me in written

or reported form. So[,] I have a difficult time responding to any of those.” Counsel stated that the

only criminal history was in Coles County. He stated that his client, as a result of the September

17, 2023, incident, was now blind in his right eye, had a hole in his tongue, and was undergoing

continuing medical care. He did not have any children and was previously employed at Sarah Bush

Lincoln Health Center in the emergency room as an EMT. Counsel stated defendant was receiving

both medical and psychiatric treatment. Counsel further proffered that defendant had been sober

since the event and was currently taking numerous medications for his physical and mental health.

Counsel stated that defendant’s firearms were seized on September 17, 2023, and there was no

evidence that since his release from the hospital, defendant obtained more guns. Counsel proffered,

with regard to the IED, that the report he received was that it was “counter charged” but he did not

know what that meant. He said there was a picture taken of it and did not know if they could prove

it was actually an explosive device or whether it was a firecracker.

¶ 12   Counsel argued that defendant was not a danger to the community or to himself. He stated

that conditions could be imposed, including refraining from alcohol, seeking mental health

treatment, and continuing physical treatments. He stated that defendant was released from the

                                                 5
hospital in early October and there was no indication that defendant posed a threat to himself or

anyone in the community since his release. He stated his client would be willing to wear an ankle

monitor if the court believed that would be a proper condition for his release.

¶ 13   The State argued that defendant was charged with multiple nonprobational offenses each

of which carried significant prison time and defendant posed a real and present threat to the safety

of himself and people in the community based on the facts of the case set forth in the proffer. The

State argued that the proof was evident or the presumption great that defendant committed the

offenses, and that defendant posed a real and present threat to the safety of others due to the sheer

amount of armament that he acquired for himself, including tactical body armor. The State further

argued that defendant expressed contempt for the law regarding his possession of a weapon as a

felon and his previous weapons conviction of possessing a firearm with a revoked FOID card. The

State argued that defendant had a previous history of violent or abusive nature as shown by a

previously issued order of protection and engaged in irrational behavior by shooting himself in the

head after being reasonably confronted while intoxicated. The State further argued that defendant

knew how to make firearms and manufactured at least three of the firearms alleged in the five

counts, along with an improvised explosive device. The State argued that no condition or

combination of conditions would mitigate the real and present threat to the safety of the community

and defendant should be detained.

¶ 14   In response, defense counsel added that he did not read in the reports that defendant

personally manufactured the ghost guns. He stated that he did not know that defendant knew how

to build the guns.

¶ 15   The court stated that it heard the proffer, the arguments presented and reviewed the petition

and pretrial investigation report. The court found by clear and convincing evidence that the proof

                                                 6
was evident or the presumption great that the defendant committed a qualifying offense. The court

also found, by clear and convincing evidence, that defendant posed a real and present threat to the

safety of himself, as well as the community. The court noted that there were multiple firearms,

body armor, and evidence of the use of firearms, that being the shooting of himself on September

17, 2023.

¶ 16   The court then determined whether clear and convincing evidence established that a

condition, or combination of conditions, would mitigate the real and present threat to the safety of

any person or persons. The court found that the State met that burden as well, noting that

       “there was *** actual use of a weapon, that being upon himself. The evidence of

       defendant’s psychological, psychiatric, or other similar social history, tends to indicate a

       violent abusive or assaultive nature, that being the use of the weapon, the statement made

       with regards to possessing weapons in the [S]tate of Illinois and the prior conduct of the

       defendant. The statements made or attributed to the defendant, together with the

       circumstances surround[ing] impose a clear threat of harm to the named victim. That

       named victim being the community and himself. The Court also notes the body armor. The

       Court notes the statement made as possessing a gun because Illinois is a quote communist

       state. There is evidence of access to weapons. For these reasons, the Court does enter the

       Order of Detention on this date.”

Thereafter, the court advised defendant of his appeal rights and defense counsel advised that he

would be filing a notice of appeal.

¶ 17   The court issued a written order of detention on December 22, 2023. The order found the

proof was evident or the presumption great that defendant committed a qualifying offense,

defendant posed a real and present threat to the safety of any person or persons or the community,

                                                 7
and no condition, or combination of conditions, could mitigate the real and present threat to the

safety of any person or persons. The order further stated, that in addition to the findings made by

the court on the record, the following factors supported the denial of pretrial release: (1) the

evidence shows that the defendants actions were violent in nature, or included the use or threat of

a weapon; (2) evidence of the defendant’s psychological, psychiatric, or similar social history

tends to indicate a violent, abusive, or assaultive nature; (3) statements made by, or attributed to

the defendant, together with the circumstances surrounding them, posed a clear threat of harm to

the named victim; and (4) there was evidence that the defendant had access to weapons. Defendant

timely appealed. Ill. S. Ct. R. 604(h)(2) (eff. Oct. 19, 2023).

¶ 18                                     II. ANALYSIS

¶ 19    Pretrial release—including the conditions related thereto—is governed by statute. See Pub.

Act 102-1104, § 70 (eff. Jan. 1, 2023). A defendant’s pretrial release may be denied only in certain

statutorily limited situations. 725 ILCS 5/110-6.1 (West 2022). In order to detain a defendant, the

State has the burden to prove by clear and convincing evidence that (1) the proof is evident or the

presumption great that the defendant has committed a qualifying offense; (2) the defendant’s

pretrial release poses a real and present threat to the safety of any person or the community or a

flight risk; and (3) less restrictive conditions would not avoid a real and present threat to the safety

of any person or the community and/or prevent the defendant’s willful flight from prosecution. Id.

§ 110-6.1(e), (f).

¶ 20    In considering whether the defendant poses a real and present threat to the safety of any

person or the community, i.e., making a determination of “dangerousness,” the trial court may

consider evidence or testimony concerning factors that include, but are not limited to, (1) the nature

and circumstances of any offense charged, including whether the offense is a crime of violence

                                                   8
involving a weapon or a sex offense; (2) the history and characteristics of the defendant; (3) the

identity of any person to whom the defendant is believed to pose a threat and the nature of the

threat; (4) any statements made by or attributed to the defendant, together with the circumstances

surrounding the statements; (5) the age and physical condition of the defendant; (6) the age and

physical condition of the victim or complaining witness; (7) whether the defendant is known to

possess or have access to a weapon; (8) whether at the time of the current offense or any other

offense, the defendant was on probation, parole, or supervised release from custody; and (9) any

other factors including those listed in section 110-5 of the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963

(Code) (id. § 110-5). Id. § 110-6.1(g).

¶ 21    To set appropriate conditions of pretrial release, the trial court must determine, by clear

and convincing evidence, what pretrial release conditions, “if any, will reasonably ensure the

appearance of a defendant as required or the safety of any other person or the community and the

likelihood of compliance by the defendant with all the conditions of pretrial release.” Id. § 110-

5(a). In reaching its determination, the trial court must consider (1) the nature and circumstances

of the offense charged; (2) the weight of the evidence against the person; (3) the history and

characteristics of the person; (4) the nature and seriousness of the specific, real, and present threat

to any person that would be posed by the person’s release; and (5) the nature and seriousness of

the risk of obstructing or attempting to obstruct the criminal justice process. Id. The statute lists

no singular factor as dispositive. See id.

¶ 22    Our standard of review of pretrial release determinations is twofold. The trial court’s

factual findings are reviewed under the manifest weight of the evidence standard. People v. Swan,

2023 IL App (5th) 230766, ¶ 12. “ ‘A finding is against the manifest weight of the evidence only

if the opposite conclusion is clearly evident or if the finding itself is unreasonable, arbitrary, or not

                                                   9
based on the evidence presented.’ ” Id. (quoting People v. Deleon, 227 Ill. 2d 322, 332 (2008)).

We review the trial court’s ultimate determination regarding the denial of pretrial release for an

abuse of discretion. Id. ¶ 11. “An abuse of discretion occurs when the decision of the circuit court

is arbitrary, fanciful, or unreasonable, or when no reasonable person would agree with the position

adopted by the trial court.” Id.; see People v. Heineman, 2023 IL 127854, ¶ 59. “[I]n reviewing

the circuit court’s ruling for abuse of discretion, we will not substitute our judgment for that of the

circuit court, ‘merely because we would have balanced the appropriate factors differently.’ ”

People v. Simmons, 2019 IL App (1st) 191253, ¶ 15 (quoting People v. Cox, 82 Ill. 2d 268, 280

(1980)).

¶ 23   Defendant’s notice of appeal requested reversal of the detention order and release with

standard conditions. In the alternative, defendant requested a new detention hearing with all

discovery provided to counsel in advance of the hearing. The notice of appeal listed the following

issues: (1) whether the State met its burden of proof that the proof was evident or the presumption

great that defendant committed the charged offense(s); (2) whether the State met its burden of

proof that defendant posed a real and present threat to the safety of any person(s) or the community,

based on the specific articulable facts of the case; (3) whether the State met its burden of proof that

no condition, or combination of conditions, could mitigate defendant’s dangerousness based on

the specific, articulable facts of the case; (4) whether the court erred in its determination that no

condition, or combination of conditions, would reasonably ensure defendant’s appearance for later

hearings or prevent defendant from being charged with a subsequent felony or Class A

misdemeanor; and (5) whether defendant was denied an opportunity for a fair hearing prior to the

entry of the order denying or revoking pretrial release. In support, defendant provided facts and

arguments in the lines below each issue more particularly addressed below.

                                                  10
¶ 24   The Office of the State Appellate Defender (OSAD) filed a Rule 604(h)(2) memorandum

on January 30, 2024. OSAD raised three issues on appeal. It first argued that the State failed to

prove that defendant posed a real and present threat to the safety of any person or the community.

In support, OSAD argued that since there was no evidence that defendant had a violent history and

the evidence did reveal positive changes since the September 2023 incident, the trial court’s

finding of dangerousness was against the manifest weight of the evidence. It further argued that

while the State claimed defendant had a violent or abusive history based on the previously issued

order of protection, the issuance of said order did not necessarily mean defendant harmed or

threatened anyone. OSAD further argued that defendant’s threat to himself was not a basis for

detention in section 110-6.1 (725 ILCS 5/2-110-6.1 (West 2022)) and therefore detention was not

an appropriate solution in such situation.

¶ 25   OSAD next argued that the trial court erred in finding the State presented clear and

convincing evidence that less restrictive conditions failed to mitigate any threat posed by

defendant’s release. It contends, citing People v. Stock, 2023 IL App (1st) 231753, ¶¶ 17-19, the

State presented no evidence or argument that defendant would fail to comply with available

conditions. OSAD argued that defendant was taking the proper steps to treat his physical and

mental health conditions and had not harmed anyone, including himself, since the incident in

September.

¶ 26   Finally, OSAD argued defendant was denied a fair detention hearing where the State failed

to tender defendant’s alleged statement to the police prior to the hearing. OSAD relies on section

110-6.1(f)(1) that requires the State to tender to the defendant prior to the hearing “any written or

recorded statements, and the substance of any oral statements.” 725 ILCS 5/110-6.1(f)(1) (West

2022). OSAD relies on People v. Mezo, 2024 IL App (3d) 230499, ¶¶ 9-12, in which the court held

                                                 11
that the State’s failure to tender defendant’s criminal history prior to the hearing denied the

defendant a fair hearing.

¶ 27   The State filed its Rule 604(h)(2) memorandum on February 16, 2024. Therein, the State

argued that it met the required burdens of proof regarding defendant’s commission of the charged

offenses, his dangerousness, and the lack of any less restrictive conditions to undermine

defendant’s dangerousness. The State further argued that defendant forfeited the claim of an unfair

pretrial release hearing, or in the alternative, the violation was harmless error. For these reasons,

the State urged affirmation of the detention order.

¶ 28   Defendant first argues in his notice of appeal that the State failed to prove by clear and

convincing evidence that the proof was evident or the presumption great that he committed the

offense charged. In support, defendant argues that there was no proof by proffer or otherwise that

defendant was in actual possession of body armor. OSAD provided no argument on this issue. The

State argued that it proffered evidence (1) that defendant possessed a pistol on September 17, 2023,

which he used to shoot himself in the chin, (2) of defendant’s prior felony, and (3) the cache of

weapons found following the search.

¶ 29   Defendant’s underlying charge of a felon in possession of a weapon, classified as a Class

X felony, is a qualifying offense. See 725 ILCS 5/110-6.1(a)(1) (West 2022). Upon our review of

the record, we agree that the State’s proffer addressed defendant’s possession and use of a pistol

to shoot himself, a prior felony, and a search of defendant’s home that revealed tactical body armor

with heavily armored rifle plating, and numerous weapons. Accordingly, we find defendant’s

initial argument has no merit.

¶ 30   Defendant next argues that the State failed to meet its burden of proving by clear and

convincing evidence that he posed a real and present threat to the safety of any person, persons, or

                                                 12
the community. In support, defendant argued that the State failed to prove that defendant had

access to any weapons because any weapons alleged to be possessed by defendant were seized on

the night of the alleged offense. OSAD did not advance defendant’s theory in its memorandum.

Instead, OSAD argued there was no evidence that defendant had a violent history, the evidence

revealed positive changes in defendant since the September 2023 incident, and defendant’s threat

to himself was not a basis for detention in section 110-6.1 (id. § 110-6.1). The State argued that

the nature and circumstances of the offense indicate defendant poses a real and present threat as

exhibited by his irrational and dangerous behavior culminating in a shooting and his possession of

a large quantity of weapons, including home-built firearms and an IED. The State further argued

that dangerousness was shown by defendant’s psychological history, including previous harm to

others and himself, as well as his access to weapons.

¶ 31   We find no merit in defendant’s initial contention that he no longer had access to weapons

due to the police officers’ seizure of his weapons. The State’s proffer revealed that defendant had

the ability to order parts for the home-built weapons and would mill and assemble them himself.

The State’s proffer also indicated that an IED was found in the residence and later detonated by

the bomb squad. Both proffers reveal defendant’s ability to create homemade weapons, which

leads to an inference that defendant would be equally capable of creating homemade weapons if

released.

¶ 32   OSAD’s argument is equally infirm. It contends that a previously issued order of protection

against defendant in Coles County was insufficient to find defendant was violent or abusive

because the issuance “did not necessarily mean defendant harmed or threatened anyone.”

However, the issuance of an order of protection is governed by the Illinois Domestic Violence Act

of 1986 (Act) (750 ILCS 60/101 et seq. (West 2022)). Under the Act, “ ‘[a]buse’ means physical

                                                13
abuse, harassment, intimidation of a dependent, interference with personal liberty or willful

deprivation ***.” Id. § 103(1). All of those terms contained within the definition of abuse are

further defined. See id. § 103(7), (9), (10), (14), (15). After reviewing those definitions, we fail to

see how any of the actions contained in the Act’s definition would not be considered either a

“harm” or a “threat” to someone.

¶ 33   OSAD’s claim that defendant’s threat to himself was not a basis for detention under section

110-6.1 is equally without merit. The basis of detention is statutory. See 725 ILCS 5/110-6.1 (West

2022). As noted above, the statute requires the State to prove by clear and convincing evidence

that the proof is evident or the presumption great that defendant committed a qualifying offense,

that defendant’s pretrial release poses a real and present threat to the safety of any person, persons,

or the community, and no condition, or combination of conditions, will mitigate the threat posed

by defendant. Id. § 110-6.1(e)(1)-(3). While defendant’s self-inflicted gunshot wound was not

charged as a qualifying offense in this matter, a qualifying offense was certainly charged. Further,

the act of an attempted suicide does pose a “real and present threat to the safety of any person” as

required by section 110-6.1(e)(2) (id. § 110-6.1(e)(2)). The statute provides no exception for a self-

inflicted injury and there was no evidence presented that defendant would not fall within the

definition of “any person.”

¶ 34   Here, the trial court found defendant posed a danger to both a person and the community.

It noted that there were multiple firearms, body armor, and evidence of the use of firearms as

shown by defendant’s shooting of himself on September 17, 2023. Given the proffers submitted

and the pretrial services investigative report, we cannot find the trial court’s findings were against

the manifest weight of the evidence.

                                                  14
¶ 35   Defendant next argues that the State failed to meet its burden of proving by clear and

convincing evidence that no condition, or combination of conditions, could mitigate his

dangerousness and the court erred in making such finding. In support defendant argued that he had

been out of the hospital for over two months and no allegations of any real or perceived threat

during that time were presented. He further argued that the State failed to show any evidence why

less restrictive conditions would not ensure his appearance or prevent additional charges. He

argues that his risk of reoffending score was low, he was engaged in counseling, and had been

sober since the incident. On appeal, OSAD addresses a portion of defendant’s argument and

contends the State failed to present evidence or argument that defendant would fail to comply with

available conditions. The State argued that evidence of a failure to reoffend was rebutted by

defendant’s statement that he refused to live in Illinois and not have gun. This statement showed

contempt for Illinois laws related to felons possessing firearms.

¶ 36   We find that the arguments presented by defendant and OSAD have little merit because

they both fail to address defendant’s ability to build homemade weapons including firearms and

IEDs, especially in light of defendant’s defiance to possess a weapon in Illinois despite law

prohibiting same. We find these facts illustrate defendant’s unlikely compliance with conditions

of pretrial release, most notably, a requirement that defendant not possess weapons.

¶ 37   The trial court was equally persuaded by these facts as noted in its oral pronouncement at

the hearing. The court found that no condition or combination of conditions would mitigate

defendant’s dangerousness based on defendant’s “actual use of a weapon” on himself, defendant’s

statement regarding a need to possess weapons in Illinois, his prior conduct, and his access to

weapons. Given the evidence presented, we cannot find the trial court’s finding was against the

manifest weight of the evidence.

                                                15
¶ 38   Here, none of the trial court’s findings related to a qualifying offense, dangerousness, or a

lack of condition, or combination of conditions, available to mitigate defendant’s dangerousness

were against the manifest weight of the evidence. As such, we hold that the trial court’s ultimate

disposition, denying pretrial release, was not an abuse of discretion.

¶ 39   Finally, defendant argues that he was denied a fair hearing prior to the entry of an order

denying his pretrial release. In support, defendant argues that the State relied on a statement

allegedly made by defendant. The statement in the notice of appeal further contends the statement

was “reported to be a recorded statement” and the court relied on the statement. Defendant further

contends the State refused or failed to provide the statement prior to the hearing and no information

was tendered to counsel that such a statement existed until the State’s proffer because no “written

report summarizing the alleged statement was given to defense counsel.”

¶ 40   OSAD acknowledges this argument and further contends the State’s failure to provide the

statement prior to the hearing was contrary to the statute and a new hearing should be ordered

pursuant to People v. Mezo, 2024 IL App (3d) 230499. In Mezo, the State failed to provide

defendant with copies of his criminal history prior to the hearing. Id. ¶ 4. Defense counsel noted

this failure and the trial court agreed that the statute required disclosure. Id. Despite counsel’s

noting the State’s disregard of the requirement, the hearing proceeded, and the State relied on the

prior convictions. Id. On appeal, the majority noted that there must be a reason the legislature

included the requirement in the Code and those purposes included ensuring (1) the defense an

adequate opportunity to respond to the State’s petition, (2) the reliability of the information

presented, and (3) a fair hearing. Id. ¶ 11. The majority ultimately found the State’s failure to

provide the criminal history prior to the hearing resulted in the hearing being “deficient.” Id. The

                                                 16
majority reversed the trial court’s order and remanded the case for a new hearing on the State’s

petition. Id.

¶ 41    Justice Peterson dissented in the decision. Id. ¶ 17. Justice Peterson did not disagree that

the legislature’s inclusion was laudable but found defense counsel’s failure to request relief from

the trial court precluded review based on the doctrine of forfeiture. Id. ¶ 19. More specifically, the

dissent noted that at no time did defense counsel request any remedy related to the violation that

would have required the court to issue a ruling that would have been reviewable by the appellate

court. Id. While the remainder of the dissent addressed a second detention hearing held in the case

and the propriety of the majority’s remand order given defense counsel’s actions at the second

hearing (id. ¶ 20), neither of which are applicable here, the dissent does raise interesting points as

to what is required of defense counsel in such situation.

¶ 42    While we agree that, on its face, a similar remand would be required here, our review of

the record and other case law reveals the opposite. First, the State’s petition specifically stated,

“The Defendant later expressed that he knowingly pursued the acquisition of firearms despite his

status as a felon after recovering from his self-inflicted wounds.” At the beginning of the hearing,

the trial court specifically asked defense counsel if he had received a copy of the State’s petition

and defense counsel stated it had a copy. The court then asked defense counsel if he was ready to

proceed and defense counsel replied, “I am.” As such, defense counsel was clearly aware of the

fact that his client provided a statement that indicated he knowingly pursued the acquisition of

firearms despite the illegality of such pursuit based on his prior felony.

¶ 43    The State’s proffer indicated that defendant’s actual statement contended that Illinois “was

a communist state” and defendant “would be damned if he didn’t have a gun to protect himself,

which [was] why he acquired and assembled the un-serialized weapons in this case.” The State

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further proffered that defendant’s statement was made to Detective Eric Haughee of the Mattoon

Police Department sometime “in the past few days.” At no time during the State’s proffer did

defense counsel raise any objection as to the State’s proffer.

¶ 44    After the State completed its proffer and reserved its argument, the court allowed defense

counsel to proceed. Counsel started by stating, “The first thing I would indicate is, as I go back

through the report that I read—received and read yesterday, I am taken by surprise by the remarks

made by Mr. Crisman allegedly in an interview with the detective. That was not provided to me in

written or reported form. So[,] I have a difficult time responding to any of those.” Thereafter,

defense counsel presented his own proffer. At no time during his proffer did defense counsel

(1) object to any portion of the State’s proffer, (2) move to strike any objectionable portion of the

State’s proffer, or (3) submit any request that would allow the court or the State to cure any alleged

defect or error in the proceedings.

¶ 45    Instead, the hearing proceeded, and both the State and defense counsel made arguments

regarding the proffers. Despite the State addressing the statement again during its argument by

stating defendant “expressed contempt for the law regarding his possession of a weapon as a felon”

again, defense counsel raised no objection to the argument and never moved to have the argument

stricken. When defense counsel was provided an opportunity to provide argument, counsel stated,

“I made most of that in my proffer. I would just add, Judge, I don’t—I did not read in the reports

that Mr. Crisman personally manufactured the—for lack of a better phrase—ghost guns. So[,] I

don’t know that he knows how to build them.” Therefore, at no time did defense counsel object to

the State’s proffer or request any relief due to the State’s alleged failure to provide information

related to its proffer. Nor did defense counsel present any argument to the trial court that his client’s

pretrial release hearing was unfair due to the State’s reliance on defendant’s statement.

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¶ 46   Following argument, the trial court provided its findings. Included in the findings were the

following: (1) “The statements made or attributed to the defendant, together with the

circumstances surround[ing] impose a clear threat of harm to the named victim”; and (2) “The

Court notes the statement made as possessing a gun because Illinois is a quote communist state.”

After the court issued those findings, defense counsel said nothing and, again, never claimed the

court’s reliance on the defendant’s statements rendered the hearing unfair.

¶ 47   The dissent presented in Mezo has merit and is further bolstered by Illinois Supreme Court

precedent. The importance of a timely objection is well established. See People v. Trefonas, 9 Ill.

2d 92, 98 (1956). In Trefonas, the Illinois Supreme Court explained the importance as follows:

               “The function of the objection is, first, to signify there is an issue of law, and

       secondly, to give notice of the terms of the issue. An objection to the admission of evidence,

       to be available, must be made in apt time, or it will be regarded as waived. The general rule

       is that the admission of incompetent evidence must be objected to, if at all, at the time of

       its admission. Objections to evidence should designate the particular testimony considered

       objectionable and point out the objectionable features complained of. Failure to make

       proper and timely objection to the admission of evidence claimed to be incompetent or

       otherwise objectionable or to move to strike it out after its admission, giving specific reason

       for the objection or motion to strike out such evidence generally constitutes a waiver of the

       right to object and cures the error, if any. *** A party cannot sit by and permit evidence to

       be introduced without objection and upon appeal urge an objection which might have been

       obviated if made at the trial.” Id.

¶ 48   “When a defendant procures, invites, or acquiesces in the admission of evidence, even

though the evidence is improper, [the defendant] cannot contest the admission on appeal.” People

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v. Bush, 214 Ill. 2d 318, 332 (2005) (citing People v. Caffey, 205 Ill. 2d 52, 114 (2001); People v.

Payne, 98 Ill. 2d 45, 50 (1983)). “This is because, by acquiescing in rather than objecting to the

admission of the allegedly improper evidence, a defendant deprives the State of the opportunity to

cure the alleged defect.” Id.

¶ 49   While we note the use of the word “waiver” in Trefonas, we are equally aware of more

recent precedent addressing the difference between waiver and forfeiture and their use in prior

decisions. See People v. Sophanavong, 2020 IL 124337, ¶ 20 (citing People v. Hughes, 2015 IL

117242, ¶ 37); People v. Blair, 215 Ill. 2d 427, 444 n.2 (2005). “Forfeiture is defined ‘as the failure

to make the timely assertion of [a] right.’ ” Sophanavong, 2020 IL 124337, ¶ 20 (quoting People

v. Lesley, 2018 IL 122100, ¶ 37). “Waiver, on the other hand, ‘is an intentional relinquishment or

abandonment of a known right or privilege.’ ” Id. (quoting Lesley, 2018 IL 122100, ¶ 36). As

clarified in Sophanavong, and more recently addressed in People v. Jackson, 2022 IL 127256,

¶ 15, we believe the failure to timely object seen here, as well as in Trefonas, is more consistent

with forfeiture than waiver. A similar conclusion regarding a failure to object related to a pretrial

services investigatory report was also seen in People v. Keys, 2024 IL App (1st) 231880-U, ¶ 20.

Therein, the court stated, “Keys failed to raise this objection below, and it is forfeited.” Id.

¶ 50   Here, defense counsel was aware, following his review of the petition, that his client made

a statement indicating “that he knowingly pursued the acquisition of firearms despite his status as

a felon.” Despite receiving no information regarding the alleged statement, at no time during the

hearing did counsel object, or request any relief from the trial court, related to the State’s use of

defendant’s actual statement at the hearing. Counsel’s failure to object deprived the trial court of

any opportunity to correct the error and forfeits the issue on appeal. Jackson, 2022 IL 127256,

¶ 15. No request for plain-error review, that would possibly avoid forfeiture, was raised on appeal.

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See People v. Coats, 2018 IL 121926, ¶ 9. Accordingly, we will honor the forfeiture. People v.

Hillier, 237 Ill. 2d 539, 545 (2010) (failure to request plain-error review forfeits that review).

¶ 51                                  III. CONCLUSION

¶ 52   For the reasons stated herein, we affirm the trial court’s order granting the State’s petition

to deny release.

¶ 53   Affirmed.

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