Court Opinion

ID: 9929119
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2024-02-01 19:04:08.451735+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T10:11:32.721463
License: Public Domain

2024 IL App (2d) 210076-B
                                  No. 2-21-0076
                           Opinion filed February 1, 2024
______________________________________________________________________________

                                            IN THE

                             APPELLATE COURT OF ILLINOIS

                              SECOND DISTRICT
______________________________________________________________________________

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE                ) Appeal from the Circuit Court
OF ILLINOIS,                           ) of Kane County.
                                       )
      Plaintiff-Appellee,              )
                                       )
v.                                     ) No. 99-CF-398
                                       )
RICKEY L. QUEZADA,                     ) Honorable
                                       ) John A. Barsanti,
      Defendant-Appellant.             ) Judge, Presiding.
______________________________________________________________________________

       JUSTICE JORGENSEN delivered the judgment of the court, with opinion.
       Presiding Justice McLaren and Justice Schostok concurred in the judgment and opinion.

                                           OPINION

¶1     Defendant, Rickey L. Quezada, appeals from the judgment of the circuit court of Kane

County dismissing his successive postconviction petition at the second stage. See 725 ILCS 5/122-

1(f) (West 2020). He argues that his postconviction counsel provided unreasonable assistance by

failing to amend his pro se petition to assert that his claim that his sentence violated Miller v.

Alabama, 567 U.S. 460 (2012), was not barred by our 2018 decision in this case (see People v.

Quezada, 2018 IL App (2d) 170738-U) under the doctrines of res judicata and collateral estoppel.

In our original opinion in this present appeal, we held that postconviction counsel was not

unreasonable in failing to amend the petition to assert that procedural bars did not apply to

defendant’s Miller claim (see People v. Quezada, 2022 IL App (2d) 210076, ¶ 16). Thereafter,
2024 IL App (2d) 210076-B

defendant filed a petition for leave to appeal. The supreme court denied the petition but, by its

supervisory authority, directed us to vacate our judgment and “consider the effect of [the] Court’s

opinion in People v. Addison, 2023 IL 127119, on the issue of whether defendant received

reasonable assistance of post-conviction counsel and determine if a different result is warranted.”

People v. Quezada, No. 128753 (Ill. Sept. 27, 2023) (supervisory order). On our own motion, we

ordered the parties to submit supplemental briefs on Addison’s applicability to this case. Having

received those briefs, we issue this new opinion. We again conclude that postconviction counsel

was not unreasonable in failing to amend the petition to address procedural bars, because (1) at the

hearing on the State’s motion to dismiss the petition, postconviction counsel argued that the

procedural bars raised by the State in its motion did not apply to defendant’s Miller claim and

(2) in its ruling, the trial court discussed the procedural bars raised by the State and correctly found

that our 2018 decision did not preclude defendant’s Miller claim. Therefore, we affirm.

¶2                                       I. BACKGROUND

¶3      Defendant was convicted, following a jury trial, of first degree murder (720 ILCS 5/9-

1(a)(1) (West 1998)) and sentenced to 45 years’ imprisonment. This court affirmed on direct

appeal both his conviction and sentence. See People v. Quezada, 335 Ill. App. 3d 233 (2002). In

July 2003, defendant filed his initial postconviction petition pursuant to the Post-Conviction

Hearing Act (Act) (725 ILCS 5/122-1 et seq. (West 2002)), the denial of which we affirmed. See

People v. Quezada, No. 2-04-0301 (2005) (unpublished order under Illinois Supreme Court Rule

23). On May 30, 2017, defendant moved for leave to file a successive postconviction petition (725

ILCS 5/122-1(f) (West 2016)). In his proposed petition, defendant, who was a juvenile when he

committed the offense, contended that his 45-year prison sentence was a de facto life sentence that

had been imposed without proper consideration of his youth and its attendant characteristics, as

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required by Miller. The trial court denied the motion for leave to file a successive postconviction

petition, as defendant had not shown the required prejudice, and defendant appealed.

¶4     On appeal, we addressed whether defendant had shown prejudice that would justify filing

a successive postconviction petition. We noted that the case law had not settled whether a

discretionary term-of-years sentence (such as defendant received) might constitute a de facto life

sentence and, thus, trigger Miller’s protections. Quezada, 2018 IL App (2d) 170738-U, ¶ 22.

Nonetheless, recognizing that a decision on the issue might “soon be forthcoming” because leave

to appeal had recently been granted in People v. Buffer, 2017 IL App (1st) 142931, we considered

the sentence as if it were a de facto life sentence. Quezada, 2018 IL App (2d) 170738-U, ¶¶ 22-

23. We then addressed whether defendant’s “ ‘de facto’ life sentence” violated Miller. Quezada,

2018 IL App (2d) 170738-U, ¶ 23. In doing so, we noted that the sentencing hearing record showed

that the trial court had considered “most of the factors” under Miller, as identified in People v.

Holman, 2017 IL 120655, ¶ 46. See Quezada, 2018 IL App (2d) 170738-U, ¶ 24. In that regard,

we pointed out that defendant’s age at the time of the offense “was the subject of repeated argument

and evidence, and the court found that defendant’s youthfulness constituted a non-statutory

mitigating factor.” Quezada, 2018 IL App (2d) 170738-U, ¶ 24. We next observed that there was

evidence concerning defendant’s close-knit family, including testimony from his grandfather,

mother, and aunt. Quezada, 2018 IL App (2d) 170738-U, ¶ 24. The trial court had also made

findings concerning defendant’s participation in the offense, noting that, although there had been

peer pressure related to defendant’s gang affiliation, he had primarily undertaken the murder alone.

Quezada, 2018 IL App (2d) 170738-U, ¶ 24. As for defendant’s capacity to deal with police and

prosecutors, the court was aware of his prior experience with the court system, including his prior

delinquency, probation, and court appearances. Quezada, 2018 IL App (2d) 170738-U, ¶ 24. We

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further noted that the court had heard evidence regarding defendant’s prospects for rehabilitation

and had made explicit findings. Quezada, 2018 IL App (2d) 170738-U, ¶ 24. Lastly, we

emphasized that, after considering all sentencing factors, “including factors attendant to youth,”

the court determined that a 45-year sentence was appropriate. Quezada, 2018 IL App (2d) 170738-

U, ¶ 24. Thus, we held that defendant failed to make a prima facie showing of prejudice sufficient

to justify a successive postconviction petition because, assuming that Miller applied, the trial court

“sufficiently considered the requisite factors attendant to defendant’s youth before imposing” the

sentence. Quezada, 2018 IL App (2d) 170738-U, ¶ 25.

¶5     On July 2, 2020, defendant filed another motion for leave to file a successive

postconviction petition (725 ILCS 5/22-1(f) (West 2020)). In the accompanying postconviction

petition, defendant alleged, among other things, that his 45-year discretionary prison sentence

constituted a de facto life sentence under People v. Buffer, 2019 IL 122327, thereby entitling him

to a new sentencing hearing under Miller. The trial court did not explicitly grant leave to file a

successive postconviction petition; instead, it appointed counsel and advanced the petition to the

second stage. 1 Counsel, in turn, filed an amended petition, in which he incorporated defendant’s

claim that his sentence was a de facto life sentence under Buffer and added an argument that a

finding of incorrigibility was required before imposing such a sentence. Counsel also filed a

certificate under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 651(c) (eff. July 1, 2017), asserting that he had

(1) reviewed the pro se petition; (2) examined the record, including the transcripts of the trial and

       1 In our view, when the trial court advanced the petition to the second stage, it implicitly

granted leave to file a successive postconviction petition.

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sentencing; and (3) consulted with defendant by mail and telephone to the extent necessary to

adequately represent defendant’s contentions of error.

¶6     The State moved to dismiss the amended petition, contending, in part, that the Miller claim

was barred by res judicata or collateral estoppel because this court had expressly rejected the claim

in our 2018 decision. Alternatively, the State asserted that the trial court had made Miller’s

required findings related to defendant’s youth and its attendant characteristics. At the hearing on

its motion to dismiss, the State contended, among other things, that the petition should not have

advanced to the second stage because we had already decided the Miller claim.

¶7     Postconviction counsel did not submit a written response to the State’s motion to dismiss,

instead “leaving it for argument.” Nor did counsel attempt to amend the petition to address points

the State raised. At the hearing on the motion, counsel argued, in part, that because this court’s

2018 decision predated Buffer, we could not have relied on Buffer or any of the “new law about

juveniles.” Counsel also extensively argued that our 2018 decision was incorrect in concluding

that the sentencing court, in imposing a de facto life sentence, effectively considered the age-

related sentencing factors that Buffer ultimately set forth. Counsel added that this court’s 2018

decision never reached the issue of whether, after considering the relevant factors related to

defendant’s youth, the sentencing court also needed to find that defendant was incorrigible and

incapable of rehabilitation before imposing a de facto life sentence.

¶8     In dismissing the postconviction petition, the trial court found that, based on this court’s

2018 decision, defendant’s claim under Miller was barred by both res judicata and collateral

estoppel, notwithstanding that Buffer was issued after our decision. The court further found that

the sentencing court had considered the relevant age-related factors required by Miller.

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Accordingly, because defendant failed to make a substantial showing of a constitutional violation,

the trial court granted the motion to dismiss. Defendant, in turn, filed this timely appeal.

¶9                                         II. ANALYSIS

¶ 10   On appeal, defendant asks us to reverse the dismissal of his amended petition. He contends

that postconviction counsel failed to comply with Rule 651(c) in that he did not amend defendant’s

pro se petition (either before or after the State moved to dismiss) to address procedural bars to

defendant’s claims. The State responds that we should affirm the dismissal of the amended petition

because (1) defendant did not make a showing of cause and prejudice sufficient to justify a

successive petition and (2) postconviction counsel substantially complied with Rule 651(c).

¶ 11   Under the Act, a defendant may collaterally attack a conviction or sentence by asserting

that it resulted from a substantial denial of his constitutional rights. 725 ILCS 5/122-1 et seq. (West

2020); People v. Tate, 2012 IL 112214, ¶ 8. However, the Act contemplates filing only one

postconviction petition, and successive petitions are disfavored. People v. Johnson, 2019 IL App

(1st) 153204, ¶ 31. A defendant seeking to file a successive postconviction petition must first

obtain leave of court. People v. Edwards, 2012 IL 111711, ¶ 24. To obtain such leave, the petition

must state a colorable claim of actual innocence or establish cause and prejudice. Johnson, 2019

IL App (1st) 153204, ¶ 32. When a trial court grants a defendant leave to file a successive

postconviction petition, the petition is effectively advanced to the second stage of the proceedings.

Johnson, 2019 IL App (1st) 153204, ¶ 32.

¶ 12   At the second stage, the trial court may appoint counsel for the defendant, and counsel may

amend the petition. Johnson, 2019 IL App (1st) 153204, ¶ 33. The State may file a motion to

dismiss or answer the petition. Johnson, 2019 IL App (1st) 153204, ¶ 33. If the State moves to

dismiss, the trial court must determine whether the petition and accompanying documents make a

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substantial showing of a constitutional violation. Johnson, 2019 IL App (1st) 153204, ¶ 33. The

court must take as true all well-pled facts that are not positively rebutted by the trial record.

Johnson, 2019 IL App (1st) 153204, ¶ 33. It is the defendant’s burden to make a substantial

showing of a constitutional violation. Johnson, 2019 IL App (1st) 153204, ¶ 33. If the petition and

supporting documents do not make such a showing, the court dismisses the petition. Johnson, 2019

IL App (1st) 153204, ¶ 33. We review de novo the court’s dismissal of a petition at the second

stage. Johnson, 2019 IL App (1st) 153204, ¶ 33.

¶ 13   The Act requires only a reasonable level of assistance by counsel during postconviction

proceedings. People v. Moore, 189 Ill. 2d 521, 541 (2000). To ensure a reasonable level of

assistance, Rule 651(c) requires appointed counsel to (1) consult with the defendant by mail or in

person to determine the defendant’s claims of constitutional deprivation, (2) examine the record

of the challenged proceedings, and (3) make any amendments to the pro se petition necessary for

an adequate presentation of defendant’s claims. Ill. S. Ct. R. 651(c) (eff. July 1, 2017). Rule 651(c)

ensures that postconviction counsel shapes a defendant’s allegations into a proper legal form and

then presents them to the court. People v. Profit, 2012 IL App (1st) 101307, ¶ 18. Rule 651(c) does

not obligate counsel to present additional issues not raised in the pro se petition. People v.

Pendleton, 223 Ill. 2d 458, 475-76 (2006). Counsel’s substantial compliance with the rule is

sufficient. Profit, 2012 IL App (1st) 101307, ¶ 18.

¶ 14   When postconviction counsel files a Rule 651(c) certificate, there is a rebuttable

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

092529, ¶ 23. A defendant has the burden to overcome that presumption by demonstrating that

postconviction counsel failed to substantially comply with the duties required by Rule 651(c).

Profit, 2012 IL App (1st) 101307, ¶ 19.

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¶ 15   Here, postconviction counsel certified that he complied with Rule 651(c). That certification

created a rebuttable presumption that counsel complied with Rule 651(c). However, to rebut that

defendant, asserts that the presumption was rebutted in that counsel should have amended his

petition to include an allegation that his successive petition was not procedurally barred. We

disagree.

¶ 16   Because the supreme court has directed us to consider the effect of People v. Addison, 2023

IL 127119, on our original opinion, we begin our analysis with a discussion of Addison. In Addison,

the defendant filed a pro se postconviction petition contending that his trial counsel had been

ineffective in several respects and that his appellate counsel had been ineffective in failing to raise

trial counsel’s ineffectiveness. Addison, 2023 IL 127119, ¶ 7. The trial court advanced the petition

to the second stage and appointed counsel. Addison, 2023 IL 127119, ¶ 8. Postconviction counsel

filed an amended petition that raised five claims of trial error. Addison, 2023 IL 127119, ¶ 8. The

amended petition did not assert or allege any claims of ineffective assistance of appellate counsel.

Addison, 2023 IL 127119, ¶ 8. Postconviction counsel also filed a Rule 651(c) certificate, stating

that she had consulted with the defendant to ascertain his constitutional claims, had examined the

court file and trial record, and had made any amendments necessary to adequately present

defendant’s claims. Addison, 2023 IL 127119, ¶ 8.

¶ 17   The State filed a motion to dismiss the amended petition, contending that the defendant’s

claims were forfeited because they could have been, but were not, raised on direct appeal. Addison,

2023 IL 127119, ¶¶ 9, 25. The motion further asserted that the defendant had failed to challenge

appellate counsel’s strategic decision not to raise those claims on direct appeal and that,

alternatively, the claims lacked merit. Addison, 2023 IL 127119, ¶¶ 9, 25. Even after the State

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raised forfeiture, postconviction counsel did not amend the petition to include an allegation of

ineffective assistance of appellate counsel. Addison, 2023 IL 127119, ¶ 25.

¶ 18   At the hearing on the motion to dismiss, the State argued that the defendant’s claims were

forfeited because they had not been raised on direct appeal and the defendant had not asserted in

the amended postconviction petition that the forfeiture should be excused because appellate

counsel had been ineffective. Addison, 2023 IL 127119, ¶¶ 10, 25. Although postconviction

counsel argued extensively as to why the motion to dismiss should be denied, she never once

challenged the State’s assertion that she had failed to allege ineffective assistance of appellate

counsel. Addison, 2023 IL 127119, ¶¶ 10, 25.

¶ 19   After hearing the arguments of counsel, the only questions that the trial court had for

postconviction counsel concerned the State’s forfeiture argument. Addison, 2023 IL 127119, ¶ 11.

Postconviction counsel’s only response on the forfeiture issue was that she thought there was the

“ ‘same oversight on the appellate level as the trial counsel had [made].’ ” Addison, 2023 IL

127119, ¶ 11.

¶ 20   The trial court granted the motion to dismiss, stating that the defendant was not entitled to

an evidentiary hearing because he had not made a substantial showing of a constitutional violation.

Addison, 2023 IL 127119, ¶ 12. The court’s written order reiterated its oral finding. Addison, 2023

IL 127119, ¶ 12. Neither in open court nor in its written order did the court discuss the merits of

the defendant’s claims. Addison, 2023 IL 127119, ¶ 12.

¶ 21   The appellate court reversed, holding that postconviction counsel, notwithstanding her

Rule 651(c) certificate, failed to provide reasonable assistance of counsel in that she neglected to

avoid forfeiture by alleging that appellate counsel was ineffective for failing to raise the claims on

direct appeal. People v. Addison, 2021 IL App (2d) 180545, ¶ 29. The supreme court allowed the

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State’s petition for leave to appeal. Addison, 2023 IL 127119, ¶ 15; see Ill. S. Ct. R. 315(a) (eff.

Oct. 1, 2020).

¶ 22   In the supreme court, the State contended that (1) postconviction counsel was not required

to pursue a meritless claim of ineffective assistance of appellate counsel and (2) even if

postconviction counsel provided unreasonable assistance, the defendant was not entitled to a

remand absent a showing of prejudice. Addison, 2023 IL 127119, ¶ 17. In rejecting the State’s

assertions, the supreme court held that postconviction counsel had failed to provide reasonable

assistance where (1) she struck the claims of ineffective assistance of appellate counsel from the

pro se petition; (2) she failed, in response to the motion to dismiss, to further amend the petition

to include a claim of ineffective assistance of appellate counsel; and (3) at the hearing, she never

countered the State’s forfeiture argument. Addison, 2023 IL 127119, ¶ 25.

¶ 23   After holding that postconviction counsel had provided unreasonable assistance, the

supreme court then considered whether postconviction counsel’s unreasonable performance

required a remand for compliance with Rule 651(c). Addison, 2023 IL 127119, ¶ 32. In holding

that a remand was required, the court relied on its well-established case law that a violation of Rule

651(c) requires a remand without consideration of the merits of the petition’s claims. Addison,

2023 IL 127119, ¶ 33 (citing People v. Suarez, 224 Ill. 2d 37, 47, 51-52 (2007)). Thus, while the

defendant in fact suffered prejudice because the trial court found his claims to have been forfeited,

it was, regardless, inappropriate to consider the merits of the petition when counsel failed to

comply with Rule 651(c) by shaping the claims into the appropriate form. Addison, 2023 IL

127119, ¶ 42.

¶ 24   In this case, unlike in Addison, defendant did not rebut the presumption of reasonable

assistance arising from postconviction counsel’s submission of the Rule 651(c) certificate.

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¶ 25   We begin with postconviction counsel’s failure to include in the amended petition any

allegations regarding the potential procedural bars of res judicata and collateral estoppel. Even

after the State raised such bars in its motion to dismiss, counsel did not amend the petition. See

People v. Perkins, 229 Ill. 2d 34, 49 (2007) (counsel can amend the petition again after the State

files a motion to dismiss). Counsel should have amended the petition to address the preclusion

issue because, as was held in Perkins and cited in Addison, compliance with Rule 651(c) includes

making amendments to the petition necessary to overcome procedural bars. See Addison, 2023 IL

127119, ¶ 21 (citing Perkins, 229 Ill. 2d at 44). Still, we cannot say that counsel ultimately failed

to provide reasonable assistance. In Perkins, postconviction counsel did not seek to amend the

pro se petition to address the procedural bar of untimeliness after the State raised it in its motion

to dismiss. Perkins, 229 Ill. 2d at 39-40, 51. Nonetheless, the Perkins court held that counsel

provided reasonable assistance by adequately challenging the State’s assertion of untimeliness at

the hearing on the State’s motion to dismiss. Perkins, 229 Ill. 2d at 50-53.

¶ 26   Just as in Perkins, and unlike in Addison, postconviction counsel here challenged the

procedural bars raised by the State at the hearing on the State’s motion to dismiss. 2 Specifically,

counsel here countered the State’s reliance on the procedural bars by arguing that this court’s 2018

decision did not preclude consideration of the claims in the amended petition because Buffer and

other “new law about juveniles” was decided after our 2018 decision. Counsel further asserted that

our decision never reached the incorrigibility issue. Thus, irrespective of counsel’s failure to allege

       2 In his opening brief, defendant asserts that postconviction counsel “never challenged the

validity of [the procedural bar] argument in a response to the State’s motion.” This is clearly

inaccurate, as postconviction counsel orally responded at the hearing.

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in the amended petition any basis for avoiding the procedural bars raised in the motion to dismiss,

counsel provided reasonable assistance by responding at the hearing to the State’s reliance on the

procedural bars.

¶ 27   Further, the trial court thoroughly addressed whether our 2018 decision barred defendant’s

Miller claim and concluded that the claim was barred by res judicata and collateral estoppel. Thus,

the issue was adjudicated notwithstanding the amended petition’s failure to address the issue.

¶ 28   Based on the foregoing, we conclude that, although postconviction counsel failed to amend

the petition to include any allegations related to the procedural bars of res judicata and collateral

estoppel, defendant was not denied the reasonable assistance of counsel, because counsel

strenuously argued the issue at the hearing on the State’s motion to dismiss and the court fully

considered the issue in its ruling. Because this case differs from Addison in that material respect,

Addison does not alter our original conclusion that postconviction counsel did not fail to provide

reasonable assistance. 3

¶ 29   Moreover, we agree with the trial court’s ruling that our 2018 decision procedurally barred

defendant’s Miller claim. The preclusion doctrines of res judicata, collateral estoppel, and law of

the case prevent a defendant from taking two bites out of the same appellate apple. People v.

Tenner, 206 Ill. 2d 381, 395 (2002). Specifically, the law-of-the-case doctrine bars relitigating an

issue already decided in the same case. Tenner, 206 Ill. 2d at 395. Collateral estoppel bars

relitigating an issue already decided in a prior case. Tenner, 206 Ill. 2d at 396. Collateral estoppel

has three requirements: (1) a court rendered a final judgment in the prior case, (2) the party against

       3 We note that, to the extent some language in our original opinion in this appeal arguably

conflicted with Addison, we have deleted those portions, as they are not material to this disposition.

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whom estoppel is asserted was a party or privy in the prior case, and (3) the issue decided in the

prior case is identical with the one presented in the instant case. Tenner, 206 Ill. 2d at 396.

¶ 30   Here, in the appeal from the dismissal of defendant’s second postconviction petition, we

considered his 45-year prison sentence as if it were a de facto life sentence and applied the Miller

factors as recognized in Holman. See Quezada, 2018 IL App (2d) 170738-U, ¶¶ 23-24. In doing

so, we held that there was adequate evidence at the sentencing regarding defendant’s youth and its

attendant characteristics and that the trial court sufficiently considered that evidence, thereby

satisfying the Miller test. Quezada, 2018 IL App (2d) 170738-U, ¶¶ 24-25. Accordingly, we have

already decided that defendant’s prison sentence did not violate Miller and its progeny. Thus, that

claim is procedurally barred.

¶ 31   We recognize that Buffer was decided after our 2018 decision in this case. However, the

significance of Buffer was its holding that a prison sentence of more than 40 years for a juvenile

constitutes a de facto life sentence. Buffer, 2019 IL 122327, ¶ 42. Beyond that, Buffer added

nothing to the law related to Miller. The only potential benefit to defendant here is that Buffer

extended the holding of Miller to his sentence. However, as discussed, our 2018 decision assessed

defendant’s sentence as though it were a de facto life sentence and applied the Miller factors

accordingly. Thus, Buffer does not have any effect on our prior decision.

¶ 32   For the foregoing reasons, we hold that, although postconviction counsel did not allege in

the amended postconviction petition that defendant’s claims were not procedurally barred, counsel

provided reasonable assistance by strenuously arguing at the hearing on the motion to dismiss that

the claims were not procedurally barred. Moreover, the trial court fully addressed, and correctly

decided, the issue.

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¶ 33   Because we affirm on the foregoing basis, we need not reach the State’s alternative

contention that the trial court should have dismissed the successive petition based on defendant’s

failure to establish cause and prejudice.

¶ 34                                   III. CONCLUSION

¶ 35   For the reasons stated, we affirm the judgment of the circuit court of Kane County.

¶ 36   Affirmed.

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                    People v. Quezada, 2024 IL App (2d) 210076-B

Decision Under Review:      Appeal from the Circuit Court of Kane County, No. 99-CF-398;
                            the Hon. John A. Barsanti, Judge, presiding.

Attorneys                   James E. Chadd, Thomas A. Lilien, and Ann Fick, of State
for                         Appellate Defender’s Office, of Elgin, for appellant.
Appellant:

Attorneys                   Jamie L. Mosser, State’s Attorney, of St. Charles (Patrick Delfino,
for                         Edward R. Psenicka, and Victoria E. Jozef, of State’s Attorneys
Appellee:                   Appellate Prosecutor’s Office, of counsel), for the People.

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