Court Opinion

ID: 1043523
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2013-10-08 00:08:20.685586+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:51:32.629047
License: Public Domain

2013 IL App (1st) 113105
                                                                                   FIFTH DIVISION
                                                                               SEPTEMBER 27, 2013

No. 1-11-3105

                                                                        )
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS,                                    )       Appeal from the
                                                                        )       Circuit Court of
                                Plaintiff-Appellee,                     )       Cook County.
                                                                        )
v.                                                                      )       No. 09 CR 14684
                                                                        )
RUDOLPH THOMPSON,                                                       )       Honorable
                                                                        )       Nicholas R. Ford,
                                Defendant-Appellant.                    )       Judge Presiding.
                                                                        )

        PRESIDING JUSTICE GORDON delivered the judgment of the court, with opinion.
        Justices McBride and Taylor concurred in the judgment and opinion.

                                              OPINION

¶1      After a jury trial, defendant Rudolph Thompson was convicted of first degree murder and

was sentenced to 50 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Defendant was also

sentenced to an additional 40 years for personally discharging the firearm that proximately

caused the victim’s death, pursuant to a mandatory firearm enhancement that required him to

receive an additional 25 years to natural life, bringing his total sentence to 90 years in the Illinois

Department of Corrections. On appeal, defendant argues that he is entitled to a new trial because

(1) the prosecutor made a number of errors that, individually or cumulatively, so infected the trial

that defendant did not receive a fair trial; and (2) during voir dire, the trial court instructed the

jury on gang evidence despite having earlier granted defense counsel’s motion in limine to bar

the introduction of such evidence in the State’s case-in-chief. Additionally, defendant asks us to
No. 1-11-3105

reduce his sentence or remand for resentencing because (1) the 25-years-to-natural-life

mandatory firearm enhancement is unconstitutionally vague and (2) the trial court improperly

bifurcated defendant’s sentence instead of considering the enhanced range, resulting in an

excessive sentence. For the reasons that follow, we affirm but order the mittimus to be corrected.

¶2                                       BACKGROUND

¶3                                     I. Pretrial Proceedings

¶4     On August 19, 2009, defendant was indicted for, inter alia, first degree murder and

attempted armed robbery for the shooting death of victim Francisco Villanueva. On June 21,

2011, the defense filed a motion in limine to preclude the State from eliciting or arguing evidence

of any gang affiliation of defendant, as well as a motion in limine to prevent testimony that

defendant was using illegal narcotics at or near the time of the shooting. The trial court granted

the defense’s motion concerning gang affiliation “as it relates basically to the State’s case in

chief,” but indicated that “depending on the evidence as it is adduced it is possible that this Court

will allow certain gang evidence to come in should I deem it relevant at a later time either by way

of explanation of a change of testimony by one of the witnesses or any other unforeseen

circumstance that might occur. I will deal with it on a case by case question by question basis.”

The trial court denied defendant’s motion concerning drug consumption, finding that “the basis

of knowledge on the part of *** the three eyewitnesses for the State[] is predicated on a social

circumstance in which drugs were used” and the drug use was more probative than prejudicial on

the issue of defendant’s state of mind and to indicate why the witnesses were together; the court

also noted that “I could see relevance both for the State and the Defense in that certainly their

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drug consumption in the evening or early morning hours before they witness a shooting could

have probative value on their ability to observe or whatever testimony they offer regarding the

defendant’s conduct.”

¶5                                              II. Trial

¶6                                         A. Jury Selection

¶7        Jury selection occurred on August 26, 2011. While addressing the venire, the trial court

stated:

                         “THE COURT: There may be evidence in this case -- I am

                 talking to the 28 people I just questioned -- of gang membership.

                 What I want to tell you *** is that gang membership in and of

                 itself cannot be considered by you because he or she is in a gang,

                 that they are guilty of a crime.

                         Does everybody understand that?

                         PROSPECTIVE JURORS: Yes.

                         THE COURT: It is just a part of the evidence, but it is not

                 the thing that should make you make your decision. It is another

                 thing to consider along with all the other evidence in this case in

                 reaching your verdict.

                         Would everyone follow that law in this case?

                         PROSPECTIVE JURORS: Yes.

                         THE COURT: Anyone take issue with it?

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No. 1-11-3105

                       No one is indicating.

                       Understand it is something that you can consider, but it is

                not a reason to say in and of itself, in other words, just [because] he

                sat down and said I am in the Insane Pastry Cooks, right, that is not

                enough in and of itself to convict a person.

                       Does everybody understand that?

                       PROSPECTIVE JURORS: Yes.

                       THE COURT: You have to listen to the evidence and

                decide the case by the evidence.”

¶8                                    B. State’s Case-in-Chief

¶9     Defendant’s trial began on August 29, 2011. The State’s witnesses included three

witnesses to the shooting and the testimony of defendant’s ex-girlfriend, who claimed that

defendant confessed to the shooting.

¶ 10                                    1. Christopher Smith

¶ 11   Christopher Smith, whose his nickname was “BC” or “Black Chris,” testified that he had

two prior felony convictions. Smith first met defendant in grammar school and they had known

each other for approximately 10 years.

¶ 12   Smith testified that, on July 29, 2003, he met defendant at approximately 6 a.m., when

Smith was driving a Cutlass down the street. He observed defendant driving down the street in a

white van and asked defendant if he wanted to split the cost of some marijuana. Defendant

agreed, so Smith parked his vehicle and entered defendant’s van, sitting in the back. They drove

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No. 1-11-3105

down Harper Street and ran into “Cecil” and “Corn,”1 whom Smith had known for approximately

five years; Smith testified that he had a child with Corn’s sister Carla. Cecil and Corn offered to

share their marijuana with defendant and Smith, so they entered the van. They drove to a gas

station, where defendant and Cecil switched seats so that Cecil was in the driver’s seat and

defendant was in the back. They drove around, smoking marijuana. At approximately 7 a.m.,

someone suggested they drive somewhere for food. They drove to a Hispanic man selling food

in a little truck near CVS High School; Smith lived in the area and had seen the man before.

¶ 13   When they arrived, defendant exited the vehicle and shot the man. Smith heard a

gunshot, and defendant reentered the van and said “pull off quick.” Defendant was the only one

outside the van; Smith was in the van on the telephone with Carla. When defendant returned to

the van, he had a rifle, approximately 18 to 20 inches long, and Smith observed the man from the

truck lying on the ground. They drove to 92nd and Essex, and Smith told defendant that he was

“bogus” for shooting the man. When they arrived, everyone exited the van and went their

separate ways; Smith entered a nearby house.

¶ 14   Smith testified that, on April 1, 2009, he was visited by police while incarcerated at

Logan Correctional Center. He did not speak to them that day, but agreed to speak with them at

another location, so on April 13, 2009, he was brought before a grand jury and talked to the

police on that day. Smith testified that he was not promised anything on either April 1 or April

13, although he had a chance to speak with his mother on April 13, and did not receive any type

of consideration for testifying.

       1
           “Cecil” is Cecil Barren and “Corn” is Cornelius Jones.

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¶ 15   On cross-examination, the defense asked Smith whether defendant owned a white van,

and Smith responded that “[h]e was in one.” Smith admitted that he did not tell anyone about the

shooting until he was approached by the police in 2009. Smith testified that he did not observe

the gun until after the shooting.

¶ 16                                     2. Cecil Barren

¶ 17   Cecil Barren, the State’s next eyewitness, testified that he had two prior felony

convictions and one pending case; Barren testified that he had received no promises of help on

those cases from anyone, including the State or the police.

¶ 18   Barren testified that, on July 29, 2003, he was working in the early morning hours, selling

drugs with his friend Cornelius Jones at 92nd and Harper. After they finished selling their drugs,

he and Cornelius met with defendant and BC when they pulled up in a conversion van.

Cornelius asked defendant to take them to purchase marijuana, and the two entered the van.

They purchased marijuana, and Barren switched seats with defendant, so that BC and defendant

were in the back, while Barren and Cornelius were in the front; Barren switched seats “because I

don’t roll blunts real good. I just smoke them, to tell the truth.” They smoked marijuana while

driving around until the sun came up. After they finished smoking, Cornelius suggested they

drive to 87th Street and buy tacos from the food truck that was always near CVS High School.

¶ 19   They pulled up next to the food truck, facing east; the food truck was facing west.

Cornelius was planning on exiting the van to order the tacos, “and [defendant] said look at that

rack in his hands”; Barren explained that the food truck operator had a large amount of money in

his hands. Before anyone could respond, defendant jumped out of the van, holding “[s]ome type

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No. 1-11-3105

of machine gun with a long banana clip on it.” Defendant pointed the gun at the man and asked

the man for the money, and the man turned and grabbed the barrel of the gun. Defendant shot the

man two or three times.

¶ 20   Barren testified that he was able to observe the shooting and was still sitting in the

driver’s seat of the van, and that the man fell to the ground when he was shot. Defendant jumped

back into the van and told Barren to “pull off, don’t stop for no police”; defendant still held the

gun in his hand. Barren drove away, and pulled over at approximately 93rd Street. Everybody

exited the van and went their separate ways; defendant and BC went one way, while Barren and

Cornelius went another. As he was exiting the van, Barren observed defendant wrap the gun in a

piece of clothing and throw it on the side of a house. Barren and Cornelius walked back toward

Barren’s home.

¶ 21   Barren again met defendant a few weeks later, when Barren was with Cornelius.

Defendant “was just saying keep our mouth closed, we got away with it, you know what I’m

saying, don’t say nothing to nobody or he going to have to hurt us, is what he said.” Barren

never went to the police to inform them what happened because “I was afraid for my life.” He

was interviewed by the police, but did not tell them the truth; he told them everything except that

he was the driver of the van. He explained that “I didn’t tell them that I was driving because I

didn’t want to go down for something that he just did off a split, you know, not thinking. I didn’t

want to go down for something he did. I had no plans on none of this happening.”

¶ 22   On cross-examination, the defense asked Barren who the van belonged to, and Barren

responded “I was under the assumption that it was [defendant’s] van because he was driving it.”

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No. 1-11-3105

Barren testified that he did not observe the gun until defendant pulled it from under the seat and

used it. Barren further testified that he was handcuffed and brought in for questioning by the

police concerning the crime, where he lied and said that Cornelius was driving before eventually

admitting that he was the driver.

¶ 23                                        3. Cornelius Jones

¶ 24       Cornelius Jones, the State’s third eyewitness, testified that he was currently awaiting trial

on a felony case and had previously been convicted of two felonies. Jones testified that the night

of July 28, 2003, he was selling drugs on 92nd and Blackstone with Cecil Barren until

approximately 4:30 or 5 a.m. on July 29. After they stopped selling drugs, they ran into

defendant, whom Jones had known since high school, or approximately eight years. Defendant

pulled up, driving a light blue Cutlass, on 92nd and Harper. Defendant was in the presence of

BC, or Christopher Smith, who was asleep in the backseat. Jones and Cecil asked defendant to

take them somewhere to get something to eat, and, after defendant agreed, they entered the

vehicle. They drove aimlessly for a while because they could not decide what they wanted to eat.

BC woke up and told defendant to pull over because he needed to use the bathroom; defendant

pulled over near an alley. Defendant and BC went into the alley and, when they came back, they

told Jones and Cecil that they needed to drop them off because the vehicle was too small for

them. They dropped Jones and Cecil back at 92nd and Harper, and returned in a van to take them

to find food. Defendant was driving the van, Cecil was in the front seat, and Jones and BC were

in the back. They decided to visit the “taco man,” who sold tacos from a truck on 87th and

Jeffrey.

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No. 1-11-3105

¶ 25    Jones testified that, on their way to the food truck, Cecil and defendant decided to switch

seats because defendant “almost kind of like got out of control with the van” and a police vehicle

was behind them; Cecil was then driving and defendant was in the front seat. Cecil drove to the

food truck, which was near CVS High School. They pulled up beside the truck after some

students had passed, facing in the opposite direction from the truck. Defendant “saw the man

giving some change to one of the students or whatever, and he said, I’m fixin’ to get him.” Jones

“gave him like a nervous chuckle” and told him “don’t do that dumb s***”; Jones thought that

defendant was planning to rob the taco man. Jones reached for the back door, and defendant

jumped out of the front passenger seat, pulling a gun “from I don’t know where”; the gun looked

like a rifle, approximately 18 to 24 inches long. Defendant said something to the taco man, who

had his back to defendant. The taco man turned, observed the gun, and grabbed it and pushed it

down “just like out of instinct.” Jones heard gunshots and observed the taco man running away,

then falling down. After defendant shot the taco man, he jumped back into the van and closed

the door; he had the gun sitting in his hands and lap and told Cecil to “pull off.” Cecil drove

away.

¶ 26    When the van stopped, Jones exited the van and began walking home. As he was

leaving, he observed defendant pick a shirt or jacket up off the floor of the van; defendant still

held the gun in his hand. Cecil caught up to Jones and they walked home.

¶ 27    A few years later, defendant walked up to where Jones, his sister, and Cecil were sitting

on Jones’ grandmother’s porch. Defendant said that “somebody talking, somebody snitching.”

Jones “immediately threw my hand up like it wasn’t me, it ain’t me, you know.” Defendant

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No. 1-11-3105

“kind of looked at me and chuckled and just walked off.” Jones never told the police about the

shooting, but the police eventually approached him in 2009 while he was incarcerated. Jones

told the police what happened, but left out the part about BC being present, because “BC has a

child with my sister, with my younger sister. So we like family. So I figured, like, if I didn’t

have to involve him and, you know, I could get this over with without involving him, I didn’t

want to involve him.” Eventually, he informed the police about BC’s presence.

¶ 28   On cross-examination, Jones testified that he and Cecil were smoking marijuana while

selling drugs, but could not recall whether they were smoking while riding in the vehicle. Jones

further testified that the van was dark-colored.

¶ 29   On redirect, Jones testified that he was not promised anything in exchange for testifying.

¶ 30                                   4. Ebony Haythorne

¶ 31   Ebony Haythorne, defendant’s ex-girlfriend, testified that she had known defendant since

they were 9 or 10 years old, and had a daughter with him, born in 2004. Haythorne testified that

she had gone to high school at CVS and was aware of the food truck, which sold pizza, chips,

and pop.

¶ 32   On the evening of July 29, 2003, Haythorne was at home watching the news on

television; Haythorne lived with her grandparents and her mother. Haythorne learned on the

news that the food truck operator had been killed, and was on the phone talking with a friend

about it, when defendant, whom she was dating at the time, came in; defendant looked “[l]ike

worried or something, just looked funny, like he seen a ghost or something.” Haythorne asked

what was wrong, and defendant told her that “something bad happened” and “he accidentally

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No. 1-11-3105

shot someone.” Defendant explained to Haythorne that he saw someone who had shot his friend

several weeks ago, and he was attempting to shoot him in retaliation when the food truck

operator got in the way. Defendant informed her that he was with Cornelius, Cecil, and Chris.

¶ 33   Haythorne testified that defendant was not with her the night before the shooting. She

further testified that, in 2005, the police visited her grandmother’s home and asked Haythorne in

the presence of her grandparents whether defendant was with her on the night the food truck

operator was killed, and she told them that he was not. However, she did not inform the police

that defendant had admitted to shooting him, because she was scared. Haythorne testified that, at

that point, she had given birth to defendant’s child.

¶ 34   Haythorne testified that she spoke with Detective Saul Del Rivero and Assistant State’s

Attorney Arunas Buntinas on May 22, 2009, when she informed them that defendant had

admitted to killing the food truck operator.

¶ 35   On cross-examination, Haythorne testified that, while her grandmother liked defendant,

he was not permitted to spend the night. However, she would sneak defendant into the house at

night and sneak him out in the morning before her grandparents woke up. She did this multiple

times a week, such that she was unable to specify which days he spent with her and which nights

he did not; however, she knew that he was not with her on the night of the shooting. Haythorne

also testified that she was familiar with defendant’s sister, who would sometimes pick defendant

up from Haythorne’s house in the mornings.

¶ 36   Haythorne admitted that, when first interviewed by the police in 2005, she told them that

defendant spent the night once or twice a week, when in fact it was more often. She also

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No. 1-11-3105

informed them that he only began spending the night after the baby was born and that in July

2003, he was not spending the night at all, because her grandparents did not know she was

sneaking him in and she was interviewed in their presence. Haythorne never contacted them to

speak to them outside of her grandparents’ presence in order to inform them that defendant

admitted to the shooting.

¶ 37   Haythorne admitted that, when her child was a year or two old, she discovered that

defendant had been seeing a woman named Shaquitha in July 2003, although Haythorne did not

know whether defendant was cheating on her while she was pregnant. Shaquitha was pregnant

with defendant’s child in May 2009, when police came to speak to Haythorne again. At that

time, Haythorne informed them that defendant admitted to accidentally shooting the food truck

operator.

¶ 38                             5. Police and Medical Witnesses

¶ 39   The State also presented witnesses and stipulations concerning the victim’s condition and

the physical evidence at the scene. John Holland, a firefighter paramedic for the City of Chicago

fire department, testified that on July 29, 2003, at approximately 7:48 a.m., his station received a

report of a gunshot victim at 87th and South Jeffrey on the southeast side of Chicago, near CVS

High School, a vocational high school. They responded to the call and arrived at the scene at

7:52 a.m. Holland observed a Hispanic male lying on his stomach on the sidewalk; based on the

amount of blood he observed, Holland believed that the man was dead upon first observing him.

Holland was the first individual to reach the victim, and turned him over. He observed that the

victim had been shot. They moved him to the ambulance and Holland and another fireman began

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No. 1-11-3105

disrobing him and Holland prepared to intubate the victim; the ambulance began driving to

Christ Hospital, approximately eight or nine miles away, within a few minutes. After disrobing

the victim, Holland noticed a large hole on the right side of his body; the victim was

unconscious, with no vital signs. When they arrived at the hospital, Holland transferred the

victim’s care to the surgeons, and later learned that a doctor pronounced the victim dead on

arrival.

¶ 40       The State also presented, by way of stipulation, the testimony of Officer Paul Pater, a

Chicago police evidence technician; Tonia Brubaker, a firearms and toolmark examiner for the

Illinois State Police crime laboratory; and Dr. Nancy Jones, Cook County medical examiner.

Officer Pater would testify that, at 8:55 a.m. on July 29, 2003, he and his partner were assigned

to the shooting, where they observed a catering truck parked in the parking lot of an auto repair

facility on the corner of Jeffrey and 87th Street. Pater took a number of photographs at the scene

and recovered three cartridge casings from the ground and one fired bullet from the door of a

Toyota Camry. Brubaker would testify that the three fired cartridge casings were fired from the

same firearm and that the fired bullet was a 30-caliber bullet that was consistent with having

been fired from a 30-caliber carbine.

¶ 41       Dr. Jones would testify that the victim’s body had evidence of injury, including a

through-and-through gunshot wound on his left lower chest. The entrance wound was round and

perforated the skin and the lower lobe of the left lung. The wound course then perforated the

liver and exited the right lateral back area. There was no evidence of close-range fire near the

entry wound.

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¶ 42   Dr. Jones would testify that the body had evidence of a second gunshot wound to the right

lower back. The wound course perforated the skin and muscle, fractured the twelfth rib,

perforated the liver, continued in an upward direction, and exited the lower chest through the

seventh rib, fracturing the rib. There was no evidence of close-range fire near the entry wound.

¶ 43   Dr. Jones would further testify that there were two additional through-and-through

gunshot wounds to the left lateral back. The shape of the wounds and manner of entry appeared

to be one bullet that had broken into two pieces of shrapnel. The first perforated the skin and

muscle and caused marked destruction to the liver, and exited the body through the cavity near

the ninth rib, fracturing the rib. The second, approximately 0.25 inches below the first,

perforated the skin and muscle, fractured the twelfth rib, caused marked destruction to the liver,

and exited through the right lower chest through the tenth rib, fracturing the rib. There was no

evidence of close-range fire near either of the entry wounds.

¶ 44   Dr. Jones would testify that in her opinion, to a reasonable degree of scientific certainty,

the cause of death of the victim was multiple gunshot wounds and that the four gunshot wounds

appeared to have come from three bullets and all of the gunshot wounds were fatal wounds.

¶ 45                               6. Detective Oscar Arteaga

¶ 46   The State also presented the testimony of Detective Oscar Arteaga, of the Chicago police

department’s cold case homicide unit. Arteaga testified that he was assigned to investigate the

cold case homicide of the victim. He became involved in the investigation when, on July 9,

2008, a narcotics sergeant informed him that a man in custody named Harvey Owens wanted to

give information regarding a homicide. Arteaga spoke to Owens and, after that conversation,

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No. 1-11-3105

was seeking to speak with Cecil Barren, Cornelius Jones, and defendant.

¶ 47   On March 10, 2009, Arteaga and his partner, Detective Saul Del Rivero, traveled to the

East Moline penitentiary to speak with Cornelius Jones. Arteaga returned to the location on

March 19 with an assistant Cook County State’s Attorney, and, on March 30, Jones testified

before a grand jury.

¶ 48   On March 25, 2009, Arteaga spoke with Cecil Barren, who was initially placed into

custody. Arteaga had placed a “stop order” for Barren, meaning that when Barren was stopped

by police for any reason, Arteaga would be notified. Arteaga testified that Barren was initially

placed into custody because they had information that he was the driver of the vehicle when the

homicide occurred. After speaking with Barren, Arteaga did not charge Barren with anything

and released him. On April 23, 2009, Barren testified before a grand jury.

¶ 49   On April 1, 2009, Arteaga, Del Rivero, and an assistant State’s Attorney traveled to

Logan Correctional Center to interview Christopher Smith, who was an inmate there. They

interviewed Smith in a conference room that was open to other inmates. Smith was reluctant to

speak with them and often looked at the doors and windows. They asked Smith if they could

interview him at a later time, and did so. On April 13, 2009, Smith testified before a grand jury

and, on the same day, was permitted to speak with his mother; Arteaga did not promise Smith

that he would be permitted to speak with his mother.

¶ 50   On May 12, 2009, Arteaga spoke with defendant. After that interview, Arteaga sought to

interview Ebony Haythorne, defendant’s girlfriend at the time of the homicide and the mother of

his child. Arteaga spoke to Haythorne on May 21, 2009, at her home. The next day, she testified

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No. 1-11-3105

before a grand jury. On July 23, 2009, defendant was arrested.

¶ 51      Arteaga testified that the 30-caliber carbine cartridge casings would be fired from a

carbine rifle, among other types of weapons. A 30-caliber carbine rifle “looks like a machine

gun. It’s approximately 20 to 26 inches. It’s got a long barrel in the front and a stock, meaning

like the back end of it. It’s probably ten inches long, depending on the variety of the actual

carbine itself, and it’s a very high powered weapon and can go through a bullet proof vest.”

Arteaga further testified that two different types of clips could be put into a carbine rifle: a 15-

round clip and a 30-round banana clip.

¶ 52      On cross-examination, Arteaga testified that, when visiting Jones in East Moline, he and

Del Rivero read Jones his Miranda rights. Barren was also read his Miranda rights, and he

denied being the driver of the vehicle three times. Barren was subsequently processed, after

which he admitted to being the driver; Barren was released without being charged. Smith was

also read his Miranda rights.

¶ 53                                  C. Defense Case-in-Chief

¶ 54      After the State rested, the defense presented a motion for a directed verdict, which was

denied.

¶ 55                                     1. Shaquitha Moore

¶ 56      The defense called Shaquitha Moore as its first witness, who testified that defendant was

the father of her twins, born in October 2008. Moore testified that in July 2003, she had a

relationship with defendant, who was also dating Ebony Haythorne at the time. Moore visited

defendant at approximately 7:30 a.m. on July 29, 2003, at his sister Tyanez’s apartment, where

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No. 1-11-3105

he lived. They went to another apartment in the building, where defendant’s cousin lived, and

watched his cousin play a video game.

¶ 57   Moore testified that she was still in a relationship with defendant, but that she would not

lie for him. She was able to recall July 29, 2003, specifically because that was the first time that

she and Haythorne “got into it” over the telephone. Defendant had called Moore at

approximately 6 a.m. to let her know that he was on his way to his sister’s apartment and

Haythorne redialed the number and reached Moore. Haythorne asked Moore questions and

Moore “explained to her what was going on.” Moore gave birth to defendant’s twins in 2009,

and Haythorne was aware of them; Haythorne and Moore argued again after their birth.

¶ 58   On cross-examination, Moore testified that she knew that defendant could not have

committed the murder because he was with her. She admitted that she had never approached the

police or the prosecutors to tell them that defendant could not have committed the crime;

however, on redirect, she testified that no police had ever attempted to question her.

¶ 59                                   2. Tyanez Thompson

¶ 60   The defense’s next witness was Tyanez Thompson, defendant’s sister, who testified that,

on July 29, 2003, defendant was living with her in her apartment; their cousin lived in another

apartment in the same building. Thompson testified that, at the time, defendant was dating both

Shaquitha Moore and Ebony Haythorne. On the morning of July 29, 2003, Thompson received a

phone call from defendant, after which she picked him up at Haythorne’s house at approximately

7 a.m. She brought him back to the apartment building and defendant later went to their cousin’s

apartment.

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No. 1-11-3105

¶ 61   Thompson testified that she had picked defendant up from Thompson’s house a number

of times, as did her husband, cousin, or “whoever was available to go get him with a car”;

defendant often spent the night at Haythorne’s house.

¶ 62                                   D. Closing Argument

¶ 63   During the State’s closing argument, the prosecutor stated:

                       “Now, ladies and gentlemen, the judge will instruct you as

                to the law and what you -- the State has to prove here and one thing

                the State has the burden of proving Rudy Thompson guilty beyond

                a reasonable doubt and we gladly accept that burden and beyond a

                reasonable doubt isn’t beyond any doubt in the world, any crazy

                doubt --”

The defense objected, and the court sustained the objection.

¶ 64   During rebuttal argument, the prosecutor commented:

                “Don’t forget the defendant that night was driving in a van. No

                one had ever seen him with that van before. I’m not quite sure

                where the defendant got that van from but that’s what he was

                driving that night.”

The defense objected, and the trial court overruled the objection as “[m]ere argument.”

¶ 65   The prosecution also stated:

                       “As [defense counsel] said the burden is on us. It’s a

                burden of reasonable doubt, that’s our burden, we embrace it, we

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No. 1-11-3105

                met it. And this isn’t some mystical magical burden that’s created

                just for Rudy Thompson, that’s the burden on every case that’s

                tried.

                         DEFENSE COUNSEL: Objection.

                         THE COURT: Overruled.

                         PROSECUTOR: That’s the burden on every case that’s

                tried in front of Judge Ford in this courtroom and every courtroom

                in this building and every courtroom in the United States of

                America. It’s our burden and we’ve met it. And along with that

                burden the defense doesn’t have any burden. They don’t have to

                put on witnesses but when they do put on witnesses you have to

                assess their witnesses the same way you’d assess any other witness

                in this case.

                                                 ***

                         They are lying because they have a vested interest in the

                defendant being found not guilty. But what this case is about is

                about justice for this man, Francisco Villanueva. It’s about -- It’s

                about a case with overwhelming evidence and accepting

                responsibility for your actions. Here in front of you is a guy who is

                absolutely utterly unwilling to accept any responsibility for his

                actions. Thankfully today --

                                                  19
No. 1-11-3105

                       DEFENSE COUNSEL: Objection, Judge.

                       THE COURT: Overruled. Mere argument.

                       PROSECUTOR: Thankfully today it’s not Rudy

                Thompson’s call, it’s your call. Tell him he’s responsible for his

                actions. Find the defendant guilty of the first degree murder of

                Francisco Villanueva, of firing the shots that killed Francisco

                Villanueva and as well for the attempt armed robbery of Mr.

                Villanueva.”

¶ 66   After approximately an hour, the jury reached a verdict of guilty on the counts of first

degree murder and attempted armed robbery. The jury also found that during the commission of

the first degree murder, defendant personally discharged a firearm that proximately caused the

death of another person.

¶ 67                                 III. Posttrial Proceedings

¶ 68   The trial court denied defendant’s request for a new trial and, after considering factors in

aggravation and mitigation, sentenced defendant:

                       “For the offense of first degree murder today, I will

                sentence the defendant, Mr. Rudolph Thompson, to 50 years in the

                Illinois Department of Corrections.

                       As the person who personally discharged the weapon that

                approximately [sic] caused death, I will sentence the defendant to

                40 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. That’s a total of

                                                 20
No. 1-11-3105

                90 years Illinois Department of Corrections for which he will have

                to serve everyday [sic].”2

In imposing defendant’s sentence, the trial court recounted the testimony of the three individuals

in the vehicle with defendant, noting that all three were “disdainful of the defendant’s conduct”

and that, despite their “somewhat of a checkered past,” “this offense to them cross[ed] the line.”

The trial court characterized defendant’s conduct as “brutal” and noted that he was remorseful in

court, but also noted that defendant had six felony convictions and that “the system has forced it

upon Mr. Thompson, almost every form of punishment that can be imagined. *** He doesn’t

come to me with clean hands as it relates to a criminal background.” The court pointed out that

defendant had several children, but that “I don’t know what meaningful support he’s ever given

his children, because he’s never been gainfully employed.” Finally, the court noted that

defendant was a gang member and admitted to selling drugs to support himself, concluding that

“[t]his is [not] in any sense of the word, anyone that’s contributed much to our society.”

¶ 69   The trial court denied defendant’s posttrial motion to reconsider sentence, and this appeal

follows.

¶ 70                                         ANALYSIS

¶ 71   On appeal, defendant argues that he is entitled to a new trial because (1) the prosecutor

made a number of errors that, individually or cumulatively, so infected the trial that defendant

       2
        Although the jury found defendant guilty of attempted armed robbery, there was no
sentence imposed, nor was attempted armed robbery discussed at the sentencing. Since the State
made no objection at sentencing, did not raise the issue in a postsentencing motion, and does not
make any argument on appeal, any argument as to the attempted armed robbery is forfeited.

                                                21
No. 1-11-3105

did not receive a fair trial; and (2) during voir dire, the trial court instructed the jury on gang

evidence despite having earlier granted defense counsel’s motion in limine to bar the introduction

of such evidence in the State’s case-in-chief. Additionally, defendant asks us to reduce his

sentence or remand for resentencing because (1) the 25-years-to-natural-life mandatory firearm

enhancement is unconstitutionally vague and (2) the trial court improperly bifurcated defendant’s

sentence instead of considering the enhanced range, resulting in an excessive sentence. We

consider defendant’s arguments in turn.

¶ 72                                    I. Prosecution Errors

¶ 73    Defendant first argues that the prosecution made a number of errors that deprived him of

a fair trial. Specifically, defendant argues that (1) the prosecutor improperly commented on

defendant’s right not to testify and his unwillingness to “accept responsibility”; (2) the prosecutor

improperly attempted to define the meaning of “beyond a reasonable doubt” to the jury; (3) the

prosecution improperly implied that defendant stole the van he was driving on the morning of the

shooting; and (4) the prosecution improperly sought the admission of evidence of defendant’s

drug use on the day of the shooting.

¶ 74                                   A. Closing Arguments

¶ 75    Defendant’s first three arguments concern conduct of the prosecution during its closing

argument. It is not clear whether this issue is reviewed de novo or for abuse of discretion. We

have previously made this same observation in several cases, including People v. Land, 2011 IL

App (1st) 101048, ¶¶ 149-51, People v. Phillips, 392 Ill. App. 3d 243, 274-75 (2009), and People

v. Johnson, 385 Ill. App. 3d 585, 603 (2008). The Second District Appellate Court has agreed

                                                   22
No. 1-11-3105

with our observation that the standard of review for closing remarks is an unsettled issue. People

v. Burman, 2013 IL App (2d) 110807, ¶ 26; People v. Robinson, 391 Ill. App. 3d 822, 839-40

(2009).

¶ 76      The confusion stems from an apparent conflict between two supreme court cases: People

v. Wheeler, 226 Ill. 2d 92, 121 (2007), and People v. Blue, 189 Ill. 2d 99, 128, 132 (2000). In

Wheeler, our supreme court held that “[w]hether statements made by a prosecutor at closing

argument were so egregious that they warrant a new trial is a legal issue this court reviews de

novo.” Wheeler, 226 Ill. 2d at 121. However, the supreme court in Wheeler cited with approval

Blue, in which the supreme court had previously applied an abuse of discretion standard.

Wheeler, 226 Ill. 2d at 121. In Blue and numerous other cases, our supreme court had held that

the substance and style of closing arguments is within the trial court’s discretion and will not be

reversed absent an abuse of discretion. Blue, 189 Ill. 2d at 128, 132; People v. Caffey, 205 Ill. 2d

52, 128 (2001); People v. Emerson, 189 Ill. 2d 436, 488 (2000); People v. Williams, 192 Ill. 2d

548, 583 (2000); People v. Armstrong, 183 Ill. 2d 130, 145 (1998); People v. Byron, 164 Ill. 2d

279, 295 (1995). Our supreme court had reasoned that “[b]ecause the trial court is in a better

position than a reviewing court to determine the prejudicial effect of any remarks, the scope of

closing argument is within the trial court’s discretion.” People v. Hudson, 157 Ill. 2d 401, 441

(1993). Following Blue and other supreme court cases like it, this court had consistently applied

an abuse of discretion standard. People v. Tolliver, 347 Ill. App. 3d 203, 224 (2004); People v.

Abadia, 328 Ill. App. 3d 669, 678 (2001).

¶ 77      Since Wheeler, appellate courts have been divided regarding the appropriate standard of

                                                 23
No. 1-11-3105

review. The second and third divisions of the First District have applied an abuse of discretion

standard, while the Third and Fourth Districts and the fifth division of the First District have

applied a de novo standard of review. Compare People v. Love, 377 Ill. App. 3d 306, 313 (1st

Dist. 2d Div. 2007), and People v. Averett, 381 Ill. App. 3d 1001, 1007 (1st Dist. 3d Div. 2008),

with People v. McCoy, 378 Ill. App. 3d 954, 964 (3d Dist. 2008), People v. Palmer, 382 Ill. App.

3d 1151, 1160 (4th Dist. 2008), and People v. Ramos, 396 Ill. App. 3d 869, 874 (1st Dist. 5th

Div. 2009).

¶ 78   However, we do not need to resolve the issue of the appropriate standard of review at this

time, because our holding in this case would be the same under either standard. This is the same

approach that we took in both Phillips and Johnson, and was the same approach taken by the

Second District in its Robinson and Burman opinions. Phillips, 392 Ill. App. 3d at 275; Johnson,

385 Ill. App. 3d at 603; Robinson, 391 Ill. App. 3d at 840; Burman, 2013 IL App (2d) 110807,

¶ 26. As such, we turn to the merits of defendant’s arguments.

¶ 79   The State’s closing argument will lead to reversal only if the prosecutor’s improper

remarks created “substantial prejudice.” Wheeler, 226 Ill. 2d at 123, People v. Johnson, 208 Ill.

2d 53, 64 (2003); People v. Easley, 148 Ill. 2d 281, 332 (1992) (“The remarks by the prosecutor,

while improper, do not amount to substantial prejudice.”). Substantial prejudice occurs “if the

improper remarks constituted a material factor in a defendant’s conviction.” Wheeler, 226 Ill. 2d

at 123 (citing People v. Linscott, 142 Ill. 2d 22, 28 (1991)).

¶ 80   When reviewing claims of prosecutorial misconduct in closing argument, a reviewing

court will consider the entire closing arguments of both the prosecutor and the defense attorney,

                                                 24
No. 1-11-3105

in order to place the remarks in context. Wheeler, 226 Ill. 2d at 122; Johnson, 208 Ill. 2d at 113;

People v. Tolliver, 347 Ill. App. 3d 203, 224 (2004). Prosecutors are afforded a great deal of

latitude in closing argument. Wheeler, 226 Ill. 2d at 123; Blue, 189 Ill. 2d at 127. They may

comment on the evidence and draw reasonable inferences therefrom, as well as dwelling on the

“ ‘evil results of crime’ ” and urging the “ ‘fearless administration of the law.’ ” People v. Liner,

356 Ill. App. 3d 284, 295-96, 297 (2005) (quoting People v. Harris, 129 Ill. 2d 123, 159 (1989)).

However, a prosecutor may not make an argument that serves no purpose but to inflame the jury.

Blue, 189 Ill. 2d at 128 (citing People v. Tiller, 94 Ill. 2d 303, 321 (1982)).

¶ 81                            1. Defendant’s Right Not to Testify

¶ 82   Defendant first argues that the prosecutor made a direct attack on defendant’s right not to

testify at trial when he stressed that the case was about “accepting responsibility for your actions”

and that defendant was “utterly unwilling to accept responsibility for his actions.” A defendant

has the right not to testify as a witness on his own behalf, and a prosecutor may not comment,

directly or indirectly, on the exercise of that right. People v. Arman, 131 Ill. 2d 115, 125-26

(1989). “The appropriate test for determining whether a defendant’s right to remain silent has

been violated is whether ‘the reference [was] intended or calculated to direct the attention of the

jury to the defendant’s neglect to avail himself of his legal right to testify.’ ” People v. Dixon, 91

Ill. 2d 346, 350 (1982) (quoting People v. Hopkins, 52 Ill. 2d 1, 6 (1972)). “In making that

determination, a reviewing court should examine the challenged comments in the context of the

entire proceeding.” Arman, 131 Ill. 2d at 126 (citing United States v. Robinson, 485 U.S. 25, 32

(1988)); see also People v. Johnson, 208 Ill. 2d 53, 112 (2003).

                                                  25
No. 1-11-3105

¶ 83    In the case at bar, we cannot find that the prosecutor’s comments were “ ‘intended or

calculated to direct the attention of the jury’ ” to defendant’s choice not to testify. Dixon, 91 Ill.

2d at 350 (quoting Hopkins, 52 Ill. 2d at 6). The prosecution referred to “accepting

responsibility” in its rebuttal:

                “But what this case is about is about justice for this man, Francisco

                Villanueva. It’s about -- It’s about a case with overwhelming

                evidence and accepting responsibility for your actions. Here in

                front of you is a guy who is absolutely utterly unwilling to accept

                any responsibility for his actions. Thankfully today --

                        DEFENSE COUNSEL: Objection, Judge.

                        THE COURT: Overruled. Mere argument.

                        PROSECUTOR: Thankfully today it’s not Rudy

                Thompson’s call, it’s your call. Tell him he’s responsible for his

                actions. Find the defendant guilty of the first degree murder of

                Francisco Villanueva, of firing the shots that killed Francisco

                Villanueva and as well for the attempt armed robbery of Mr.

                Villanueva.”

Defendant argues that, since he did not plead guilty, the only other way to “accept responsibility”

in a criminal proceeding is by testifying, and so the prosecutor’s comments necessarily

implicated defendant’s failure to testify. We cannot agree. The prosecutor’s comments during

rebuttal focused on defendant’s flight from the crime scene and disposal of the gun, which would

                                                  26
No. 1-11-3105

also relate to a failure to take responsibility, and had no reference whatsoever to defendant’s

choice not to testify. Thus, after examining the comments in context, we cannot find that these

comments invited any sort of attention to defendant’s choice not to testify.

¶ 84   We do not find defendant’s use of People v. Hawkins, 284 Ill. App. 3d 1011 (1996), to be

persuasive. In that case, the prosecutor stated:

                “ ‘Now, the Defendant has exercised his rights here, and he has

                basically chosen not to plead to this particular charge because he

                doesn’t want to accept responsibility for what he has done.

                       Well, as voices of the community, you mush show him that

                he is going to be responsible for his actions.’ ” Hawkins, 284 Ill.

                App. 3d at 1017.

We found these comments improper, finding them similar to a case in which the prosecutor had

specifically referred to a defendant’s failure to testify. Hawkins, 284 Ill. App. 3d at 1018 (citing

People v. Burton, 44 Ill. 2d 53, 57 (1969)).

¶ 85   There is no similarity between the case at bar and Hawkins. In Hawkins, the prosecutor

explicitly connected a failure to plead guilty to a failure to accept responsibility. Hawkins, 284

Ill. App. 3d at 1018. In the case at bar, by contrast, the prosecutor only referred to a failure to

accept responsibility. Defendant’s choice not to testify is not mentioned anywhere in the State’s

closing, and we cannot accept defendant’s argument that the reference to accepting responsibility

was calculated to draw the jury’s attention to defendant’s silence. Accordingly, we find no error

in the State’s argument on this basis.

                                                   27
No. 1-11-3105

¶ 86                      2. Definition of “Beyond a Reasonable Doubt”

¶ 87   Defendant next claims that the prosecutor erred by attempting to define the meaning of

“beyond a reasonable doubt” for the jury. “The law in Illinois is clear that neither the court nor

counsel should attempt to define the reasonable doubt standard for the jury.” People v. Speight,

153 Ill 2d 365, 374 (1992). “The danger is that, no matter how well-intentioned, the attempt may

distort the standard to the prejudice of the defendant. If sufficient prejudice results, reversal is

warranted.” People v. Keene, 169 Ill. 2d 1, 25 (1995). “ ‘However, both the prosecutor and

defense counsel are entitled to discuss reasonable doubt and to present his or her view of the

evidence and to suggest whether the evidence supports reasonable doubt.’ ” People v. Burney,

2011 IL App (4th) 100343, ¶ 67 (quoting People v. Laugharn, 297 Ill. App. 3d 807, 811 (1998)).

In so doing, “[a] prosecutor may argue that the State does not have the burden of proving the

guilt of the defendant beyond any doubt, that the doubt must be a reasonable one. Such an

argument does no more than discuss the grammatical fact that the word ‘reasonable’ modifies the

word ‘doubt.’ ” (Emphasis in original.) People v. Carroll, 278 Ill. App. 3d 464, 467 (1996).

¶ 88   In the case at bar, defendant points to two comments by the State that he claims

improperly defined “beyond a reasonable doubt,” only one of which was properly preserved for

review. With regard to the other comment, Illinois law is clear that both an objection and a

written posttrial motion raising an issue are necessary to preserve an error for appellate review.

People v. Enoch, 122 Ill. 2d 176, 186 (1988) (“Both a trial objection and a written post-trial

motion raising the issue are required for alleged errors that could have been raised during trial.”

(Emphases in original.)). Here, although defense counsel objected to the comment, it was not

                                                  28
No. 1-11-3105

included in defendant’s posttrial motion. Accordingly, we review its propriety under plain-error

review.

¶ 89      “[T]he plain-error doctrine allows a reviewing court to consider unpreserved error when

(1) a clear or obvious error occurred and the evidence is so closely balanced that the error alone

threatened to tip the scales of justice against the defendant, regardless of the seriousness of the

error, or (2) a clear or obvious error occurred and that error is so serious that it affected the

fairness of the defendant's trial and challenged the integrity of the judicial process, regardless of

the closeness of the evidence.” People v. Piatkowski, 225 Ill. 2d 551, 565 (2007). In a plain-

error analysis, “it is the defendant who bears the burden of persuasion.” People v. Woods, 214

Ill. 2d 455, 471 (2005). However, in order to find plain error, we must first find that the trial

court committed some error. Piatkowski, 225 Ill. 2d at 565 (“the first step is to determine

whether error occurred”).

¶ 90      The first comment challenged by defendant occurred during the State’s closing argument,

when the prosecutor stated:

                        “Now, ladies and gentlemen, the judge will instruct you as

                 to the law and what you -- the State has to prove here and one thing

                 the State has the burden of proving Rudy Thompson guilty beyond

                 a reasonable doubt and we gladly accept that burden and beyond a

                 reasonable doubt isn’t beyond any doubt in the world, any crazy

                 doubt --” (Emphasis added.)

The defense objected, and the court sustained the objection. We cannot find that this constituted

                                                  29
No. 1-11-3105

error, much less plain error.

¶ 91   As noted, “[a] prosecutor may argue that the State does not have the burden of proving

the guilt of the defendant beyond any doubt, that the doubt must be a reasonable one. Such an

argument does no more than discuss the grammatical fact that the word ‘reasonable’ modifies the

word ‘doubt.’ ” (Emphasis in original.) Carroll, 278 Ill. App. 3d at 467. See also Burney, 2011

IL App (4th) 100343, ¶¶ 66-68 (finding no error in statements that “ ‘ [“]beyond a reasonable

doubt[”] does not mean [“]beyond all doubt[”]’ ” and “ ‘Don’t raise that bar higher than it needs

to be ladies and gentlemen for the State to prove. It’s not beyond all doubt.’ ”). Here, instead of

stating that the doubt must be “reasonable,” the prosecutor stated that the doubt could not be

“crazy.” However, the focus is nevertheless on the fact that the word “doubt” is modified by

“reasonable” and a “crazy”—or unreasonable—doubt would not suffice. We cannot find this to

be improper.

¶ 92   Additionally, we note that even defendant’s cases in support of finding such statements

improper decline to find that their inclusion rises to the level of plain error. People v. Howell,

358 Ill. App. 3d 512, 524 (2005); People v. Jones, 241 Ill. App. 3d 228, 234 (1993). Finally,

defense counsel objected to the statement, and the objection was sustained. “[T]he prompt

sustaining of an objection combined with a proper jury instruction usually is sufficient to cure

any prejudice arising from an improper closing argument.” Johnson, 208 Ill. 2d at 116.

Accordingly, we find no error and therefore cannot find plain error.

¶ 93   The second statement in which defendant claims the prosecutor defined “beyond a

reasonable doubt” occurred in the State’s rebuttal, where the prosecutor stated:

                                                 30
No. 1-11-3105

                       “As [defense counsel] said the burden is on us. It’s a

                burden of reasonable doubt, that’s our burden, we embrace it, we

                met it. And this isn’t some mystical magical burden that’s created

                just for Rudy Thompson, that’s the burden on every case that’s

                tried.” (Emphasis added.)

Defense counsel objected, and the trial court overruled the objection. Unlike the first statement,

this statement was properly preserved. However, like the first statement, we find no error here.

¶ 94   Appellate courts have found in the past that references analogous to the “mystical magical

burden” in this case are not improper. For instance, in Carroll, the prosecutor stated that

reasonable doubt was “ ‘not beyond all doubt or any doubt, but beyond a reasonable doubt, a

doubt that has reason behind it. That’s not some mythical, unattainable standard that can’t be

met. That standard is met every day in courtrooms ***.’ ” Carroll, 278 Ill. App. 3d at 466. The

appellate court found that the remarks were not improper. Carroll, 278 Ill. App. 3d at 468.

Likewise, in People v. Trass, 136 Ill. App. 3d 455, 467 (1985), the prosecutor stated that “ ‘[t]he

defense would have you believe that it is an insurmountable burden, some mystical thing’ ” and

that “ ‘[i]t is a burden that is met by juries all over the country.’ ” The appellate court found that

such statements were not error and did not minimize the State’s burden of proof. Trass, 136 Ill.

App. 3d at 467. See also People v. Robinson, 125 Ill. App. 3d 1077, 1081 (1984) (finding

comment that “ ‘it is not a magical or scientific concept’ ” to be within the bounds of proper

argument). In the case at bar, we do not find the prosecutor’s reference to a “mystical magical

burden” to improperly minimize the State’s burden of proof and, accordingly, find no error in the

                                                  31
No. 1-11-3105

State’s argument on this basis.

¶ 95                          3. Implication that Defendant Stole Van

¶ 96   Defendant next argues that the prosecutor improperly implied that defendant stole the van

that he was driving on the morning of the shooting when he commented during rebuttal:

                “Don’t forget the defendant that night was driving in a van. No

                one had ever seen him with that van before. I’m not quite sure

                where the defendant got that van from but that’s what he was

                driving that night.”

¶ 97   “It is well established that evidence of other crimes or bad acts for which a defendant is

not on trial is inadmissible against him if relevant merely to show his propensity to commit

crimes.” People v. Pikes, 2012 IL App (1st) 102274, ¶ 24. Moreover, “[e]ven when such

evidence is offered for a permissible purpose and not solely for propensity, such evidence will

not be admitted if its prejudicial impact substantially outweighs its probative value.” People v.

Chapman, 2012 IL 111896, ¶ 19 (citing People v. Moss, 205 Ill. 2d 139, 156 (2001)).

¶ 98   In the case at bar, defendant argues that the prosecutor’s reference to the van was error

“because it invited the jury to convict Thompson because of his questionable character, rather

than his guilt for the charged offense.” We cannot agree. Instead, we agree with the State that

the comment made by the prosecutor during closing merely pointed out the irrelevancy of the

van’s ownership—an issue that was solely brought up by the defense during cross-examination

when the State’s witnesses were questioned about the van’s ownership. We cannot find that this

isolated comment in any way implied that (a) defendant stole the van he was driving and (b) the

                                                32
No. 1-11-3105

jury should convict defendant because stealing a van demonstrated defendant’s questionable

character. Accordingly, we cannot find that the State exceeded the bounds of proper argument.

¶ 99                                  B. Evidence of Drug Use

¶ 100 Defendant also argues that the prosecution erred by seeking the admission of evidence of

defendant’s marijuana use on the day of the shooting. We agree with the State that this claim is

essentially an argument that the trial court improperly admitted the evidence. Evidentiary

rulings, like the one at issue here, are within the sound discretion of the trial court; and we will

not reverse them on appeal unless the trial court abused its discretion. People v. Caffey, 205 Ill.

2d 52, 89 (2001). “An abuse of discretion will be found only where the trial court’s ruling is

arbitrary, fanciful, unreasonable, or where no reasonable person would take the view adopted by

the trial court.” Caffey, 205 Ill. 2d at 89. In the case at bar, we cannot find that the trial court

abused its discretion by permitting evidence that defendant was smoking marijuana immediately

prior to the shooting.

¶ 101 Evidence of other offenses is admissible if used for a purpose other than to demonstrate

the defendant’s propensity to commit crime. People v. Rutledge, 407 Ill. App. 3d 22, 25 (2011).

“Other-crimes evidence is *** admissible if it is part of a continuing narrative of the event giving

rise to the offense [citation], is intertwined with the event charged [citation], or explains an

aspect of the crime charged that would otherwise be implausible [citation].” People v. Outlaw,

388 Ill. App. 3d 1072, 1086-87 (2009). “ ‘[W]hen facts concerning uncharged criminal conduct

are all part of a continuing narrative which concerns the circumstances attending the entire

transaction, they do not concern separate, distinct, and unconnected crimes.’ ” People v.

                                                  33
No. 1-11-3105

Thompson, 359 Ill. App. 3d 947, 951 (2005) (quoting People v. Collette, 217 Ill. App. 3d 465,

472 (1991)).

¶ 102 In the case at bar, we agree with the State that the evidence of defendant’s marijuana use

was admissible as part of a continuing narrative of the evening and was intertwined with the

shooting. As the trial court noted, “the basis of knowledge on the part of *** the three

eyewitnesses for the State[] is predicated on a social circumstance in which drugs were used.”

Additionally, the marijuana use was relevant to the issue of defendant’s state of mind and to

indicate why the witnesses were together and why they stopped at the food truck. We also agree

with the trial court that the drug use could have “relevance both for the State and the Defense in

that certainly their drug consumption in the evening or early morning hours before they witness a

shooting could have probative value on their ability to observe or [on] whatever testimony they

offer regarding the defendant’s conduct.”

¶ 103 We find defendant’s reliance on People v. Jackson, 399 Ill. App. 3d 314 (2010), to be

unpersuasive. Defendant relies on Jackson to argue that “unprosecuted drug use is admissible to

establish motive for a charged offense only after the prosecution has demonstrated that the

defendant was addicted to narcotics and that he lacked the financial resources to sustain his

habit.” Jackson, 399 Ill. App. 3d at 321. However, in Jackson, the State argued that the

defendant’s drug use established the motive for the crime in that the defendant wanted to rob the

victim for drug money. Jackson, 399 Ill. App. 3d at 321. By contrast, in the case at bar, the State

did not argue that there was such a motive but instead used the drug use to provide a narrative of

the events of the evening. We cannot find that the trial court abused its discretion in permitting

                                                34
No. 1-11-3105

testimony of defendant’s—and the witnesses’— drug use for this purpose.

¶ 104 We also find no merit in defendant’s claim that the prosecutor’s references to defendant’s

drug use during closing argument demonstrated that the State’s sole purpose for the evidence was

to paint defendant as a bad person. For instance, defendant points to the prosecutor’s comment

that defendant had “been up all night partying, getting high with his friends Cornelius Jones,

Chris Smith, and Cecil Barren” and the comment during rebuttal that defendant was “part of that

same group” when discussing the “baggage” of the State’s witnesses. “In closing, the prosecutor

may comment on the evidence and any fair, reasonable inferences it yields [citation], even if such

inferences reflect negatively on the defendant [citation].” People v. Nicholas, 218 Ill. 2d 104,

121 (2006). In the case at bar, we cannot find that any of the prosecutor’s comments went

beyond the bounds of proper argument.

¶ 105                          II. Gang Evidence During Voir Dire

¶ 106 Defendant also claims that the trial court erred when it questioned the jury concerning

gang evidence during voir dire, despite the fact that the trial court had previously granted

defendant’s motion in limine barring such evidence. Defendant argues that he was prejudiced by

the implication that he was involved with a gang, entitling him to a new trial. Defendant admits

that the error was not properly preserved, but claims that trial counsel was ineffective in failing to

object to the questioning, and also claims that we should relax the rules of forfeiture because the

basis for the error was the trial court’s conduct. Regardless of any forfeiture, we find defendant’s

argument unpersuasive because we cannot find that the trial court erred in asking the questions.

¶ 107 While addressing the venire, the trial court stated:

                                                 35
No. 1-11-3105

                        “THE COURT: There may be evidence in this case -- I am

                talking to the 28 people I just questioned -- of gang membership.

                What I want to tell you *** is that gang membership in and of

                itself cannot be considered by you because he or she is in a gang,

                that they are guilty of a crime.

                        Does everybody understand that?

                        PROSPECTIVE JURORS: Yes.

                        THE COURT: It is just a part of the evidence, but it is not

                the thing that should make you make your decision. It is another

                thing to consider along with all the other evidence in this case in

                reaching your verdict.

                        Would everyone follow that law in this case?

                        PROSPECTIVE JURORS: Yes.

                        THE COURT: Anyone take issue with it?

                        No one is indicating.

                        Understand it is something that you can consider, but it is

                not a reason to say in and of itself, in other words, just [because] he

                sat down and said I am in the Insane Pastry Cooks, right, that is not

                enough in and of itself to convict a person.

                        Does everybody understand that?

                        PROSPECTIVE JURORS: Yes.

                                                   36
No. 1-11-3105

                       THE COURT: You have to listen to the evidence and

                decide the case by the evidence.”

¶ 108 “[T]he trial court is given the primary responsibility of conducting the voir dire

examination, and the extent and scope of the examination rests within its discretion.” People v.

Strain, 194 Ill. 2d 467, 476 (2000). “The purpose of voir dire is to ascertain sufficient

information about prospective jurors’ beliefs and opinions so as to allow removal of those

venirepersons whose minds are so closed by bias and prejudice that they cannot apply the law as

instructed in accordance with their oath. [Citation.] Only when the trial court’s actions have

frustrated the purpose of voir dire will an abuse of discretion be found. [Citation.]” People v.

Hope, 168 Ill. 2d 1, 30 (1995).

¶ 109 Here, the actions of the trial court may have protected defendant against bias for gang

involvement. In the case at bar, contrary to defendant’s contention, the trial court did not simply

grant defendant’s motion in limine outright. Instead, the trial court granted the defense’s motion

concerning gang affiliation “as it relates basically to the State’s case in chief,” but indicated that

“depending on the evidence as it is adduced it is possible that this Court will allow certain gang

evidence to come in should I deem it relevant at a later time either by way of explanation of a

change of testimony by one of the witnesses or any other unforeseen circumstance that might

occur. I will deal with it on a case by case question by question basis.” Thus, the court’s ruling

left open the possibility of gang evidence becoming admissible at some point in the trial. As

defendant points out, “street gangs are regarded with considerable disfavor by other segments of

our society.” Strain, 194 Ill. 2d at 477. Accordingly, “when testimony regarding gang

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membership and gang-related activity is to be an integral part of the defendant’s trial, the

defendant must be afforded an opportunity to question the prospective jurors, either directly or

through questions submitted to the trial court, concerning gang bias.” (Emphasis added.) Strain,

194 Ill. 2d at 477.

¶ 110 In the case at bar, as noted, while gang evidence was not expected to be an integral part of

the trial, the possibility of gang evidence becoming admissible was left open. We cannot fault

the trial court for being cautious in conducting voir dire and addressing the possibility in its

questioning of the venire. We also note that this was the only reference to gangs throughout the

trial; it did not become an issue, nor was the jury instructed about gang evidence at the end of the

trial. Consequently, we cannot agree with defendant that this comment by the trial court

prejudiced defendant. See People v. Jackson, 205 Ill. 2d 247, 282 (2001) (finding no reasonable

probability that the defendant was prejudiced as a result of voir dire questioning “which occurred

long before the jury ever heard any evidence or determined whether defendant was eligible for

the death penalty,” thereby rendering the defendant unable to satisfy the cause-and-prejudice

test). Finally, in response to the trial court’s statements, the venirepeople affirmatively indicated

that they would follow the law and not use evidence of gang membership as proof of guilt.

¶ 111 We find defendant’s use of People v. Limon, 405 Ill. App. 3d 770 (2010), to be

inapposite. Defendant uses Limon to argue that the motion in limine should have been

“unequivocally excluded” because “at no point would gang affiliation magically become relevant

or admissible.” However, defendant raises this issue for the first time in his reply brief, in

response to the State’s comment that the motion in limine did not bar all gang evidence.

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Moreover, the issue of gang evidence did not arise during trial and we will not speculate as to

whether it would have been admissible had it been before the trial court. Accordingly, we find

no error in the trial court’s comment during voir dire.

¶ 112                                      III. Sentencing

¶ 113 Finally, defendant raises two arguments concerning his sentence. He first asks us to

reduce his sentence because the 25-years-to-natural-life mandatory firearm enhancement is

unconstitutionally vague. Alternatively, he asks us to remand for resentencing because the trial

court improperly bifurcated defendant’s sentence instead of considering the enhanced range,

resulting in an excessive sentence.

¶ 114                      A. Constitutionality of Firearm Enhancement

¶ 115 Defendant first argues that the 25-to-life mandatory firearm enhancement is

unconstitutionally vague because it provides no objective criteria for a trial court to apply in

determining where within the statutory range the enhancement should fall. In other words, the

statute does not provide guidance for determining whether a defendant should receive an

enhancement of 25 years, natural life, or somewhere in between.

¶ 116 “All statutes carry a strong presumption of constitutionality,” and in order to overcome

the presumption, “the party challenging the statute must clearly establish that it violates the

constitution.” People v. Sharpe, 216 Ill. 2d 481, 487 (2005). “If reasonably possible, a statute

must be construed so as to affirm its constitutionality and validity.” People v. Greco, 204 Ill. 2d

400, 406 (2003). The constitutionality of a statute is “a pure question of law” and thus, our

standard of review is de novo. People v. Jones, 223 Ill. 2d 569, 596 (2006). De novo

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consideration means we perform the same analysis that a trial judge would perform. Khan v.

BDO Seidman, LLP, 408 Ill. App. 3d 564, 578 (2011).

¶ 117 “A vagueness challenge is a due process challenge, examining whether a statute ‘ “give[s]

[a] person of ordinary intelligence a reasonable opportunity to know what is prohibited, so that he

may act accordingly.” ’ ” Greco, 204 Ill. 2d at 415 (quoting Russell v. Department of Natural

Resources, 183 Ill. 2d 434, 442 (1998), quoting Grayned v. City of Rockford, 408 U.S. 104, 108

(1972)). In considering a vagueness challenge, a court looks to the legislative objective and the

evil the statute is designed to remedy, in addition to the language of the statute. Greco, 204 Ill.

2d at 416. “[D]ue process is satisfied if: (1) the statute’s prohibitions are sufficiently definite,

when measured by common understanding and practices, to give a person of ordinary intelligence

fair warning as to what conduct is prohibited, and (2) the statute provides sufficiently definite

standards for law enforcement officers and triers of fact that its application does not depend

merely on their private conceptions.” Greco, 204 Ill. 2d at 416 (citing People v. Falbe, 189 Ill.

2d 635, 640 (2000)). In the case at bar, defendant makes a vagueness challenge based on the

second ground: he claims that the 25-to-life enhancement does not provide sufficiently definite

standards for courts such that the application of the enhancement depends on the court’s private

conceptions.

¶ 118 Section 5-8-1 of the Unified Code of Corrections provides that the sentence for first

degree murder is 20 to 60 years, but further provides that “if, during the commission of the

offense, the person personally discharged a firearm that proximately caused great bodily harm,

permanent disability, permanent disfigurement, or death to another person, 25 years or up to a

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term of natural life shall be added to the term of imprisonment imposed by the court.” 730 ILCS

5/5-8-1(a)(1)(d)(iii) (West 2002). Defendant argues that the lack of standards in the 25-to-life

enhancement render the statute unconstitutionally vague, both on its face and as applied to him.

We do not find defendant’s argument persuasive.

¶ 119 Although not cited by either party, we have recently decided this very question in People

v. Butler, 2013 IL App (1st) 120923, pet. for leave to appeal denied, No. 116420 (Sept. 25,

2013). In Butler, the defendant was convicted of first degree murder and was sentenced to 50

years in the Illinois Department of Corrections and an additional 30 years as a mandatory firearm

enhancement for personally discharging a firearm that proximately caused the victim’s death.

Butler, 2013 IL App (1st) 120923, ¶¶ 3-4. On appeal, the defendant argued, inter alia, that the

25-to-life firearm sentence enhancement was unconstitutionally vague on its face and as applied

to him. Butler, 2013 IL App (1st) 120923, ¶ 35. “Specifically, Butler argue[d] that the statute is

unconstitutionally vague because the broad sentencing range fails to appropriately guide judges,

and encourages arbitrary and discriminatory sentencing based entirely on opinions and whims.

Butler contend[ed] that the statute does not provide objective criteria as to where within the 25-

years-to-life range a sentence should fall.” Butler, 2013 IL App (1st) 120923, ¶ 35.

¶ 120 On appeal, we found that the firearm enhancement was not unconstitutionally vague. We

noted that, although the enhancement allows a wide range of sentences, there is a clear and

definite scope of the sentencing range—the enhancement must be no less than 25 years and up to

a term of natural life—and the trial court has no discretion as to whether to apply the

enhancement. Butler, 2013 IL App (1st) 120923, ¶ 41. We also determined that the standards

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for imposing the enhancement are clearly defined: it must be applied when a defendant commits

first degree murder and discharges a firearm that proximately causes great bodily harm,

permanent disability, permanent disfigurement, or death. Butler, 2013 IL App (1st) 120923,

¶ 41. We noted:

                “Depending on the injury caused by the firearm used by the

                defendant, the trial court has the discretion to impose a sentence in

                the range of 25-years-to-life. This allows the trial court to engage

                in fact-based determinations based on the unique circumstances of

                each case. The wide range of the sentence enhancement is

                appropriate because it is impossible to predict every type of

                situation that may fall under the purview of the statute. By

                defining the types of injuries that trigger the sentence enhancement,

                the legislature has provided the trier of fact with guidelines to

                apply when determining what sentence to impose within the

                boundaries of the statute. Therefore, the scope and standards of the

                25-years-to-life sentence enhancement are not vague.” Butler,

                2013 IL App (1st) 120923, ¶ 41.

We pointed out that “there are countless conceivable situations” in which a firearm causes an

injury, but some other action causes the death of the victim and that “[s]uch a situation would be

wholly distinguishable” from a situation in which the firearm caused the victim’s death. Butler,

2013 IL App (1st) 120923, ¶ 42. “In both cases the sentence enhancement would apply, but the

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trial court could impose a different sentence within the statutory range for each situation.”

Butler, 2013 IL App (1st) 120923, ¶ 42. Although we acknowledged that “confusion could be

avoided if the legislature provided more explicit guidance regarding the imposition of the 25-

years-to-life sentence enhancement,” we concluded that the statute was not unconstitutionally

vague. Butler, 2013 IL App (1st) 120923, ¶ 42.

¶ 121 We find the reasoning of our recent Butler decision to be persuasive, and follow it to

conclude that the 25-to-life firearm enhancement is not unconstitutionally vague.

¶ 122                               B. Bifurcation of Sentence

¶ 123 In the alternative, defendant asks us to remand his case for resentencing because the trial

court improperly bifurcated the sentence into two distinct sentences, instead of imposing one

sentence incorporating the enhancement. Defendant did not raise this issue in his motion to

reconsider his sentence, and does not ask us to review the claim for plain error. Therefore, we

agree with the State that this claim has been forfeited and do not consider it. See People v. Reed,

177 Ill. 2d 389, 395 (1997) (affirming the appellate court where the defendants had forfeited their

contentions of error by failing to raise the issues in a post-sentencing motion and noting that the

defendants did not argue that their sentencing challenges amounted to plain error).

¶ 124 However, although not raised by the parties, our review of the record on appeal reveals

that the mittimus in defendant’s case is incorrect. There is no dispute that, at the sentencing

hearing, the trial court sentenced defendant to 50 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections

for first degree murder and sentenced defendant to an additional 40 years pursuant to the

mandatory 25-to-life firearm enhancement. However, the mittimus reflects two sentences for

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first degree murder: 50 years for first degree murder for acting with intent to kill or do great

bodily harm (720 ILCS 5/9-1(a)(1) (West 2002)), and 40 years for first degree murder for acting

with knowledge that the acts create a strong probability of death or great bodily harm (720 ILCS

5/9-1(a)(2) (West 2002)). Furthermore, the mittimus does not reflect the sentence for the

mandatory firearm enhancement required under section 5-8-1(a)(1)(d)(iii) of the Unified Code of

Corrections (730 ILCS 5/5-8-1(a)(1)(d)(iii) (West 2002)). “Where the sentence indicated in the

common law record conflicts with the sentence imposed by the trial judge as indicated in the

report of proceedings, the report of proceedings will prevail and the common law record must be

corrected.” People v. Peeples, 155 Ill. 2d 422, 496 (1993). Accordingly, we order the mittimus

to be corrected to reflect one count of first degree murder, for which defendant was sentenced to

50 years, and the 40-year firearm enhancement for personally discharging the firearm that

proximately caused the victim’s death. See Peeples, 155 Ill. 2d 422; Ill. S. Ct. R. 615(b)(1). In

all other respects, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

¶ 125                                     CONCLUSION

¶ 126 We affirm the judgment of the trial court where (1) the State’s closing argument was

proper, (2) the trial court’s questioning of the jury during voir dire was proper, and (3)

defendant’s enhanced sentence was not unconstitutional. However, we order the mittimus to be

corrected to reflect one count of first degree murder, for which defendant was sentenced to 50

years, and the 40-year firearm enhancement for personally discharging the firearm that

proximately caused the victim’s death.

¶ 127 Affirmed.

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