Court Opinion

ID: 9247547
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-11-28 19:02:09.115709+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:12:50.521867
License: Public Domain

2022 IL App (2d) 220046-U
                                           No. 2-22-0046
                                  Order filed November 28, 2022

      NOTICE: This order was filed under Supreme Court Rule 23(b) and is not precedent
      except in the limited circumstances allowed under Rule 23(e)(l).
______________________________________________________________________________

                                              IN THE

                               APPELLATE COURT OF ILLINOIS

                              SECOND DISTRICT
______________________________________________________________________________

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE                ) Appeal from the Circuit Court
OF ILLINOIS,                           ) of De Kalb County.
                                       )
      Plaintiff-Appellee,              )
                                       )
v.                                     ) No. 10-CF-579
                                       )
MARK A. TATE,                          ) Honorable
                                       ) Joseph C. Pedersen,
      Defendant-Appellant.             ) Judge, Presiding.
______________________________________________________________________________

       JUSTICE HUDSON delivered the judgment of the court.
       Justices McLaren and Birkett concurred in the judgment.

                                              ORDER

¶1     Held: Appellate counsel’s motion for leave to withdraw is granted because none of the
             potential issues raised on appeal have arguable merit; as such, the judgment of the
             circuit court is affirmed.

¶2        Defendant appeals the dismissal of his amended postconviction petition raising claims

of (1) ineffective assistance of trial counsel in a variety of respects; (2) ineffective assistance of

counsel on direct appeal, and (3) several violations of due process during the trial and after

sentencing. His appellate counsel has moved to withdraw (Pennsylvania v. Finley, 481 U.S. 551

(1987); People v. Lee, 251 Ill. App. 3d 63 (1993)), contending that she read the record and found
2021 IL App (2d) 190670-U

no issue of arguable merit. Counsel supports her motion with a memorandum of law providing a

statement of facts, a list of potential issues, and arguments why those issues lack arguable merit.

Counsel served defendant with a copy of the motion and memorandum. Defendant was given 30

days to file a response, and he did so. We conclude that this appeal lacks arguable merit based on

the reasons set forth in counsel’s memorandum. Therefore, we grant counsel’s motion and affirm

the trial court’s judgment.

¶3                                   I. BACKGROUND

¶4     After a jury trial, defendant, Mark A. Tate, was found guilty of one count of aggravated

criminal sexual assault (720 ILCS 5/12-14(a)(2) (West 2010)), six counts of criminal sexual assault

of a family member who was under 18 years old (id. § 12-13(a)(3)) and seven counts of aggravated

criminal sexual abuse (id. § 12-16(b)). The victim of these offenses, K.R., was the daughter of

defendant’s wife, Cynthia T. Defendant filed (1) a posttrial motion through counsel and (2) a

pro se motion alleging that trial counsel had rendered ineffective assistance and requesting the

appointment of an attorney to address the pro se allegations (see People v. Krankel, 102 Ill. 2d 181

(1984)). The trial court denied both motions and then sentenced defendant to a 30-year prison

term for aggravated criminal sexual assault, to run consecutively to the remaining concurrent

sentences of 4 years for each conviction of criminal sexual assault and 5 years for each conviction

of aggravated criminal sexual abuse. Defendant appealed. The trial court appointed the Office of

the State Appellate Defender to represent him. Appellate counsel moved to withdraw because

there were no arguably meritorious issues on appeal. See Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738

(1967); People v. Jones, 38 Ill. 2d 384 (1967). We granted the motion and affirmed the judgment.

People v. Tate, 2015 IL App (2d) 130733-U.

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¶5     In 2016, defendant filed a pro se petition for relief under the Post-Conviction Hearing Act

(Act) (725 ILCS 5/122-1 et seq. (West 2016)), raising numerous claims of ineffective assistance

of trial and appellate counsel and various trial errors. The trial court appointed the public defender,

who withdrew. The court appointed Daniel Transier (hereinafter “postconviction counsel”) as

conflict counsel. In 2017, Transier filed a “supplemental” postconviction petition raising several

additional claims and also stated that he was adopting defendant’s pro se claims. On June 14,

2019, the State moved to dismiss the combined pro se and supplemental petitions. At a hearing

on October 15, 2019, the State contended in part that defendant had no right to hybrid

representation.

¶6     On November 12, 2020, however, postconviction counsel filed an amended postconviction

petition raising claims of (1) ineffective assistance of trial counsel in a variety of respects;

(2) ineffective assistance of counsel on direct appeal, and (3) several violations of due process

during the trial and after sentencing. We shall detail these claims in our discussion below.

¶7     On April 12, 2021, defendant filed a pro se “revised petition.” The State moved to strike

the revised petition, contending that defendant could not both have counsel and proceed pro se.

On June 9, 2021, defendant’s case was reassigned from Judge Robbin Stuckert to Judge Joseph C.

Pedersen, due to Judge Stuckert’s recent retirement. On October 15, 2021, the trial court

essentially agreed with the State’s motion to strike the revised petition. The court gave defendant

a choice between (1) retaining postconviction counsel and limiting the proceeding to the amended

petition and (2) discharging counsel and proceeding pro se. Defendant chose the former.

¶8     On January 4, 2022, on the State’s motion, the trial court dismissed the amended petition.

Defendant timely appealed.

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¶9     Per Pennsylvania v. Finley, 481 U.S. 551 (1987), and People v. Lee, 251 Ill. App. 3d 63

(1993), the appellate defender moves to withdraw as counsel. In her motion, counsel states that

she read the record and found no issue of arguable merit. Counsel further states that she advised

defendant of her opinion. Counsel supports her motion with a memorandum of law providing a

statement of facts, a list of potential issues, and arguments why those issues lack arguable merit.

We advised defendant that he had 30 days to respond to the motion. Defendant has responded.

¶ 10                                   II. ANALYSIS

¶ 11   On appeal, counsel suggests six potential issues with numerous sub issues: (1) whether

defendant’s trial counsel was ineffective for (a) failing to object to allegedly incomplete jury

instructions on the terms “sexual conduct,” “sexual penetration,” and “family member”; (b) failing

to request a jury instruction on the requisite mental state of knowledge or intent for offenses

allegedly committed by force or the threat of force; (c) requesting that the court provide the

indictment to the jury during its deliberations; (d) failing to investigate letters K.R. allegedly wrote

that praised defendant, as these letters could have been used for impeachment at trial; (e) failing

to consult with a DNA expert; (f) failing to consult with an expert on the variety of ways a woman

may become pregnant; (g) being inattentive and chewing on a pen at trial; (h) failing to investigate

whether the State had not disclosed exculpatory evidence to the defense (see Brady v. Maryland,

373 U.S. 83 (1963)); (i) failing to file motions to compel the State to provide specific times and

dates for the charged offenses; and (j) failing to review discovery with defendant before trial,

prepare him to testify at trial, or investigate and call potential defense witnesses; (2) whether

appellate counsel was ineffective for failing to raise the ineffectiveness of trial counsel;

(3) whether defendant’s original postconviction attorney failed to fulfill his duties to defendant;

(4) whether defendant was denied due process at his trial when jurors saw him being transported

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in the back of a marked police car; (5) whether defendant was denied due process when, after trial

and sentencing, the State moved to dismiss some of the charges; and (6) whether postconviction

counsel failed to provide reasonable assistance in that he did not support several conclusional

claims in the amended postconviction petition. However, counsel concludes that none of these

claims has arguable merit. Defendant has filed a lengthy response that includes both (1) cognizable

arguments against counsel’s motion to withdraw and (2) legally irrelevant matters, matters outside

the record, personal attacks on several people, and, finally, some portions that are simply

incomprehensible.

¶ 12   We explain why we agree with appellate counsel that none of the potential issues on appeal

have arguable merit. In the course of doing so, we shall address defendant’s arguments to the

contrary as regards each claim, but we shall disregard matters in his response that are legally

irrelevant, not based on the record, or incomprehensible.

¶ 13   First, we set out the basic principles of review. To survive a motion to dismiss, a

postconviction petition must make a substantial showing of a constitutional violation. People v.

Coleman, 183 Ill. 2d 366, 381 (1998). In assessing whether the petition has done so, the trial court

must accept all well-pleaded factual allegations and any accompanying affidavits as true unless

they are refuted by the record. People v. Domagala, 2013 IL 113688, ¶ 35. However, nonfactual

and nonspecific assertions that merely amount to conclusions are not sufficient to require a hearing

under the Act. People v. West, 187 Ill. 2d 418, 425-26 (2010). Claims that were raised and decided

on direct review are barred by res judicata; claims that could have been raised on direct review,

but were not, are forfeited. People v. Taylor, 237 Ill. 2d 356, 372 (2010). Our review is de novo.

West, 187 Ill. 2d at 426.

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¶ 14   We start with the allegations of ineffective assistance of trial counsel. To establish

ineffective assistance, a defendant must show that (1) counsel’s performance was objectively

unreasonable and (2) it is reasonably probable that, but for counsel’s unprofessional errors, the

result of the proceeding would have been different. Strickland v. Washington, 46 U.S. 668, 688,

694 (1984); People v. Albanese, 104 Ill. 2d 504, 526 (1984).

¶ 15   Counsel first addresses the claim that defendant’s trial counsel was ineffective for failing

to object to allegedly incomplete jury instructions on the terms “sexual conduct,” “sexual

penetration,” and “family member.” The amended petition contended that the definitions that the

jury received were Illinois pattern instructions with some verbiage omitted. Counsel notes that the

instructions excluded only portions of the definitions that were irrelevant to the facts of defendant’s

case. For example, the definition of “sexual conduct,” which was given in regard to the charges

alleging that defendant committed aggravated sexual abuse by touching the breast of the victim,

tracked the pattern instruction but omitted the bracketed words “sex organ” and “anus.” See

Illinois Pattern Jury Instructions, Criminal, No. 11.65D (4th ed. 2000). Counsel reasons that trial

counsel did not perform unreasonably and that defendant could not have been prejudiced by the

omission of the uncharged bases for findings of guilt. We agree.

¶ 16   In his response, defendant appears to argue, here and elsewhere, that by filing a motion to

dismiss the amended petition, the State conceded the merits of his claim. This is mistaken;

defendant confuses the admission of well-pleaded facts with the admission of legal conclusions.

¶ 17   Counsel addresses next the claim that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to request

instructions for the mental state required for the charges that alleged he used force or the threat of

force. Counsel notes first that the State nol-prossed all of the charges that were based on the use

or threat of force. Thus, requesting an instruction on mental state would have made no sense in

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this context, and the absence of such an instruction caused no prejudice. Counsel notes second

that, as to the offenses for which defendant was actually tried, instructions on the specific

applicable mental state are not required. See People v. Simms, 192 Ill. 2d 348, 376 (2000)

(aggravated criminal sexual assault). The reason is that proof that the defendant performed the act

necessarily implies that he intended to perform it, as that mental state almost always accompanies

the prohibited act. Id. at 375-76; see People v. Burton, 201 Ill. App. 3d 116, 122 (1990). Thus,

counsel concludes, trial counsel neither performed unreasonably nor prejudiced defendant by

refusing to request an instruction that was not required and would have been superfluous. We

agree.

¶ 18     Defendant responds that, because he was not charged with strict liability offenses, he was

entitled to the instruction on the required mental state for each offense. The case law that we have

cited demonstrates that defendant’s conclusion does not flow from his premise.

¶ 19     Counsel next addresses the claim that trial counsel was ineffective for requesting that the

court provide a copy of the indictment to the jurors to consider during deliberations. Counsel notes

that trial counsel’s strategy included emphasizing that, although the charges were differentiated by

specific time frames (generally different months), K.R. did not testify that any given act by

defendant occurred at a specific time. In making his request, trial counsel explained to the court

that he wanted to ensure that the jury was aware that most charges were tied to a specific window

of time, even though the verdict forms did not distinguish them in this way. For example, although

the indictment specified that each of the six charges of aggravated criminal sexual abuse alleged

conduct that occurred within a particular month (October 2009, November 2009, etc.), the six

pertinent pairs of verdict forms referred only to “aggravated criminal sexual abuse.” Thus, trial

counsel hoped that reading the indictment would remind the jurors that proof of each count

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required not only proof of the act but also proof that it happened within a given time window; this

was consistent with counsel’s strategy of emphasizing that K.R. could not give any specific dates

for the alleged acts. Counsel asserts that this was a reasonable strategy designed to promote the

chance of acquittals on at least some of the charges.          Thus, she concludes, this claim of

ineffectiveness lacks arguable merit. We agree.

¶ 20   In his response, defendant contends that the indictment was never introduced into evidence.

However, this fact is wholly irrelevant to the issue of counsel’s alleged ineffectiveness. He also

contends that the indictment was void, but we find his argument unsupported by coherent

reasoning of any kind.

¶ 21   Counsel considers next the claim that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to investigate

letters that K.R. allegedly wrote to her biological father, praising defendant. The amended petition

asserted generally that these letters could have been used to impeach K.R. at trial. Counsel

observes that the amended petition did not (1) attach any of the alleged letters or an affidavit as to

their content or (2) even allege when the letters were written or their specific content. Counsel

reasons that such speculative and vague allegations do not make a substantial showing of either

unreasonable performance or prejudice. We agree.

¶ 22   In his response, defendant reasserts his claim that the letters would have helped his defense,

but he provides none of the evidentiary support that was lacking in the amended petition (and, in

any event, it would be too late to do so now.) Defendant does not respond directly to counsel’s

arguments.

¶ 23   Counsel next addresses the amended petition’s claim that trial counsel was ineffective for

failing to move for the appointment of a DNA expert for defendant, who could have found flaws

in the State’s DNA evidence. Counsel notes that the amended petition attached no affidavits or

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other evidence to support this speculation. Moreover, at the Krankel hearing, the trial court

determined that there were no deficiencies in the DNA evidence. On appeal, we agreed with

counsel that the challenge to the DNA evidence would have been frivolous. The amended petition

raised nothing but hope. We agree with counsel that it would be frivolous to argue that this specific

claim made a substantial showing of ineffective assistance.

¶ 24   In his response, defendant argues that he needed a DNA expert to rebut the State’s DNA

experts, but he offers no affidavits or other evidence that any expert would have found flaws in the

State’s expert testimony.

¶ 25   Counsel next addresses the amended petition’s claim that trial counsel was ineffective

because he “never consulted medical experts regarding the variety of way [sic] a woman can

become pregnant.” We note that this claim can be understood only in the context of the trial and

defendant’s strategy. At trial, defendant essentially admitted that he was the father of K.R.’s baby

(a concession all but necessitated by the DNA evidence), but he contended that this did not prove

that he had had sexual intercourse with K.R. To support his theory, defendant testified that, on

Valentine’s Day 2010, about nine months before K.R. gave birth, he and Cynthia T. had sexual

intercourse and, shortly afterward, K.R. found and put on Cynthia’s semen-stained underwear.

¶ 26   Counsel notes the obvious infirmities in this claim. The amended petition based the claim

on pure speculation, with no evidence that any such expert existed or, indeed, that there was any

scientific support for defendant’s novel theory. We agree with counsel that this claim did not make

a substantial showing of a constitutional violation.

¶ 27   In his response, defendant contends that the State’s DNA evidence was insufficient because

the State never gave his sample a “unique identifier.” He also makes unsupported allegations

about what Cynthia T. told him in telephone conversations after he was jailed on the present

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charges. (These conversations were mentioned in the pro se petition but not in the amended

petition, which is the actual subject of this appeal.) Defendant’s rambling discussion of this issue

does not respond to counsel’s observations of the obvious infirmities in contending that trial

counsel should have consulted an expert on how a woman can become pregnant.

¶ 28   Counsel next addresses the amended petition’s claim that trial counsel was ineffective for

being inattentive at times during trial and chewing on a pen. Counsel observes that, at the Krankel

hearing, the trial court heard the same claim and found that it had no merit. Thus, as counsel

concludes, this claim is barred by res judicata. We agree.

¶ 29   In his response, defendant contends that postconviction counsel failed to interview people,

such as jurors and the court reporter, who might have substantiated this claim. Certainly, the

amended petition provided no evidentiary support for this claim. However, this does not mean

that postconviction counsel did not make reasonable efforts to investigate the claim. As counsel

notes, a trial court, in ruling upon a motion to dismiss a postconviction petition that counsel has

not supported by affidavits or other documents, “may reasonably presume that post-conviction

counsel made a concerted effort to obtain affidavits in support of the post-conviction claims, but

was unable to do so.” People v. Johnson, 154 Ill. 2d 227, 241 (1993). Defendant now offers only

speculation that anyone would have corroborated his claim. But postconviction counsel’s duties

do not include “bolstering every claim presented in a petitioner’s pro se post-conviction petition,

regardless of its legal merit.” People v. Custer, 2019 IL 123339, ¶ 38. Finally, defendant does not

respond to counsel’s statement that this issue is barred by res judicata.

¶ 30   Counsel next addresses the amended petition’s claim that trial counsel was ineffective for

failing to investigate any Brady violations. Counsel notes that, like so many other claims in the

amended petition, this claim was purely conclusional: no facts were pleaded even to suggest

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possible Brady violations, much less to identify specific exculpatory or impeaching evidence or

any possible prejudice. Thus, counsel concludes, this claim was wholly insufficient to make a

substantial showing of a constitutional violation. We agree.

¶ 31   In his response, defendant contends that postconviction counsel failed to fulfill his duties

by supporting the claim with specific evidence of Brady violations. However, defendant’s

argument presupposes that such evidence actually existed, even though he never produced any in

his pro se petition and apparently supplied none to postconviction counsel. As we explained in

our discussion of the previous issue, postconviction counsel was not obligated to bolster a meritless

claim, and his Rule 651(c) certificate raised the presumption, which defendant has not rebutted,

that he attempted to obtain evidentiary support for the claim but was unable to do so.

¶ 32   Counsel next addresses the amended petition’s claim that trial counsel was ineffective for

failing to file motions to compel the State to provide specific dates, times, and locations for each

alleged act underlying a charged offense. Counsel notes that these specifics were not elements of

the offenses and the State did not need to prove them at trial. See People v. Letcher, 386 Ill. App.

3d 327, 331-32 (2008). We note that, because K.R.’s testimony did not include specific dates and

times, it is unclear what trial counsel could have gained by moving to require the State to provide

such specific facts before trial. Apparently, they were simply unknown. In any event, we agree

with counsel that this claim does not make a substantial showing of either deficient performance

or prejudice.

¶ 33   In his response, defendant contends that the State’s failure to provide specific times and

dates rendered the indictment void. There is no legal support for this theory.

¶ 34   Counsel next addresses the amended petition’s claim that trial counsel was ineffective for

failing (1) to review discovery with him, (2) to prepare him to testify at trial, and (3) to investigate

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or call (unspecified) witnesses. Counsel observes that points (1) and (2) are barred by res judicata,

as they were raised during the Krankel hearing and decided adversely to defendant. Counsel

observes further that (3) is unsupported by any specific allegation as to whom he wanted counsel

to investigate and call or what their testimony would have been; thus, the claim was meritless (see

People v. Moore, 189 Ill. 2d 521, 542 (2000)). We agree.

¶ 35   In his response, defendant contends that some of the witnesses were identified in his pro se

petition. But this appeal is from the dismissal of the amended petition at the second stage of the

proceedings, after defendant told the court that he was relying on postconviction counsel’s

representation. Moreover, defendant did not attach to his pro se petition any affidavits or other

evidence in support of any claim that trial counsel was ineffective in declining to call these

witnesses.

¶ 36   In sum, we agree with counsel that it would be frivolous to argue that the trial court erred

in dismissing the amended petition’s claims of ineffective assistance of trial counsel.

¶ 37   We turn to the amended petition’s claim that defendant’s counsel on direct appeal was

ineffective for failing to argue that trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance. Claims of

appellate counsel’s ineffectiveness are governed by the two-pronged Strickland test of deficient

performance and prejudice. People v. Smith, 195 Ill. 2d 179, 187-88 (2000). Counsel notes that it

is not deficient performance for appellate counsel to decline to raise an argument that he or she

believes to be without merit, unless counsel’s appraisal of the merits is patently wrong. People v.

Barnard, 104 Ill. 2d 218, 230-31(1984). Moreover, unless an issue is meritorious, no prejudice

results from appellate counsel’s failure or refusal to raise it. Smith, 195 Ill. 2d at 190. We have

agreed with counsel that there are no sound bases for asserting trial counsel’s ineffectiveness.

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Thus, there is no nonfrivolous argument that the trial court erred in dismissing the claim that

appellate counsel was ineffective.

¶ 38   In his response, defendant asserts summarily that appellate counsel failed to investigate all

of the claims he raised in response to the Anders motion and also failed to raise other claims that

defendant raised in his pro se postconviction petition. Defendant offers nothing to convince us of

a potential basis for asserting appellate counsel’s ineffectiveness.

¶ 39   Counsel next addresses the amended petition’s claim that defendant’s originally appointed

postconviction counsel performed deficiently by failing to fulfill various duties. Counsel observes

that defendant’s original postconviction attorney was replaced by Transier, who represented

defendant fully, amended the original petition, and filed a certificate per Illinois Supreme Court

Rule 651(c) (eff. July 1, 2017) stating that he complied with his duties. Counsel also notes that

the amended petition specified neither what original postconviction counsel should have done nor

what prejudice defendant suffered. We agree with counsel that there is no nonfrivolous argument

that the trial court erred in holding that this claim did not make a substantial showing of a

constitutional violation.

¶ 40   In his response, defendant notes that original postconviction counsel told him that his

pro se petition had viable claims and that he should obtain conflict counsel. The pertinence of

these assertions to anything at issue in this appeal is simply unclear.

¶ 41   Counsel next addresses the amended petition’s claim that defendant was denied his right

to a fair and impartial trial when some jurors saw him being transported in a marked police car.

Counsel observes first that, because this alleged error was never raised at trial or on appeal, it was

forfeited. See People v. Enoch, 122 Ill. 2d 176, 186 (1988) (The amended petition did not contend

that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to raise the issue.) Further, counsel observes that the

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claim was conclusional and established no basis for finding reversible error. See People v.

O’Toole, 226 Ill. App. 3d 974, 985 (1992) (jurors’ accidental viewing of restrained defendant was

not reversible error without an affirmative showing of prejudice); People v. Greene, 102 Ill. App.

3d 933, 936 (1981) (same). We agree with counsel that there is no nonfrivolous argument that the

trial court erred by holding that this claim did not make a substantial showing of a constitutional

violation.

¶ 42    In his response, defendant makes numerous allegations of fact that have no support in the

trial record or in any affidavits or other evidence from the postconviction proceeding. Defendant

does not recognize that a response to a Finley motion is not a proper venue in which to start

litigating a claim of trial error that was never raised before.

¶ 43    Counsel next addresses the amended petition’s claim that defendant was denied due

process when, after trial and sentencing, the State moved to dismiss two counts on which he had

been sentenced in addition to other counts on which he was never tried because the State had

sought to dismiss them before trial. The amended petition alleged, with no citation to authority or

legal argument, that the State’s allegedly tardy motion to dismiss the two counts divested the trial

court of jurisdiction over defendant and therefore required his immediate release. We agree with

counsel that the claim does not allege a deprivation of due process or any prejudice to defendant

from the tardy motion to dismiss and that there is no legal basis to suggest that the action divested

the trial court of jurisdiction over defendant. Thus, there is no nonfrivolous argument that the

court erred in holding that this claim made no substantial showing of a constitutional violation.

¶ 44    In his response, defendant notes some general principles of law, but these have no bearing

on this potential issue. He also repeats arguments on other potential issues with which we have

already dealt. He also contends, with no support, that the trial court acted in collusion with the

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prosecutor to some nefarious end. Whatever substance there might be to this assertion, it is not

before us now.

¶ 45   Finally, counsel addresses whether postconviction counsel denied defendant his right under

the Act to reasonable representation (see People v. Perkins, 229 Ill. 2d 34, 42 (2007)) by failing to

support any of the conclusional claims in the amended petition with necessary details or evidence.

Counsel notes that, under Rule 651(c), postconviction counsel’s duties include making any

amendments to the petition necessary for an adequate presentation of the petitioner’s contentions.

Counsel notes further that postconviction counsel’s Rule 651(c) certificate created a rebuttable

presumption that he provided reasonable assistance. See People v. Jones, 2011 IL App (1st)

092529, ¶ 23. As noted earlier, counsel’s duties do not include “bolstering every claim presented

in a petitioner’s pro se post-conviction petition, regardless of its legal merit” (Custer, 2019 IL

123339, ¶ 38), and a trial court, in ruling upon a motion to dismiss a postconviction petition that

counsel has not supported by affidavits or other documents, “may reasonably presume that post-

conviction counsel made a concerted effort to obtain affidavits in support of the post-conviction

claims, but was unable to do so” (Johnson, 154 Ill. 2d at 241).

¶ 46   Counsel concludes that the presumption in favor of postconviction counsel’s performance

has not been rebutted. She notes that, at the Krankel hearing, defendant suggested no supporting

evidence for many of his conclusional claims, some of which ended up in the amended petition.

Thus, defendant cannot now claim that postconviction counsel violated his duties by not actively

searching outside the record for evidence that might support general claims raised in a

postconviction petition. See Johnson, 154 Ill. 2d at 247-48.

¶ 47   Counsel also states that she has examined the claims that defendant made in his original

pro se petition and has found no basis on which to argue that the exclusion of some of those claims

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from the amended petition was unreasonable or prejudicial. We have examined those excluded

claims and agree with counsel.

¶ 48   Defendant does not directly respond to counsel on this point. In any event, as this appeal

is from the dismissal of the amended postconviction petition at the second stage of proceedings,

any issues raised in the superseded pro se petition are irrelevant here.

¶ 49   After examining the record, the motion to withdraw, the memorandum of law, and

defendant’s response, we agree with counsel that this appeal presents no issue of arguable merit.

Thus, we grant the motion to withdraw and affirm the judgment of the trial court.

¶ 50                           III.   CONCLUSION

¶ 51   For the reasons stated, we affirm the judgment of the circuit court of De Kalb County.

¶ 52   Affirmed.

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