Court Opinion

ID: 6498965
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-07-08 22:02:12.292653+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:11:13.709273
License: Public Domain

NOTICE
                                      2022 IL App (5th) 190392-U
                                                                                     NOTICE
 Decision filed 07/08/22. The
                                                                          This order was filed under
 text of this decision may be
                                            NO. 5-19-0392                 Supreme Court Rule 23 and is
 changed or corrected prior to
 the filing of a Petition for                                             not precedent except in the

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

                                   APPELLATE COURT OF ILLINOIS

                                           FIFTH DISTRICT
______________________________________________________________________________

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS,                        )      Appeal from the
                                                            )      Circuit Court of
         Plaintiff-Appellee,                                )      Saline County.
                                                            )
v.                                                          )      No. 05-CF-20
                                                            )
KARIN HARGRAVE,                                             )      Honorable
                                                            )      Todd D. Lambert,
         Defendant-Appellant.                               )      Judge, presiding.
______________________________________________________________________________

         JUSTICE CATES delivered the judgment of the court.
         Justices Wharton and Vaughan concurred in the judgment.

                                            ORDER

¶1       Held: We affirm the trial court’s denial of the defendant’s amended petition for
               relief from judgment filed pursuant to section 2-1401(b-5) of the Civil Code
               because the record contradicts the allegations in the amended petition that no
               evidence of domestic violence was presented at the defendant’s sentencing
               hearing and that the purported new evidence of domestic violence against the
               defendant was material and noncumulative to other evidence offered at the
               defendant’s sentencing hearing, and was of such a conclusive character that
               it would likely have changed the sentence imposed by the original trial court.

¶2       The defendant, Karin Hargrave, now known as Karin Anderson, appeals the trial

court’s order denying her amended petition for relief from judgment filed pursuant to

section 2-1401(b-5) of the Code of Civil Procedure (Civil Code) (735 ILCS 5/2-1401(b-5)

(West 2018)). The defendant argues the trial court should have granted her petition and

                                                  1
ordered a new sentencing hearing because no domestic violence evidence was presented at

her sentencing hearing. The defendant further argues that the trial court’s denial of her

amended petition was improper because, on the petition’s face, it was clear that she was

entitled to relief as a matter of law. For the following reasons, we affirm.

¶3                                I. BACKGROUND

¶4     Following a bench trial, the defendant was convicted of three counts of predatory

criminal sexual assault of a child (720 ILCS 5/12-14.1(a)(1) (West 2004)). The defendant’s

nine-year-old daughter, K.K., was the victim. The charging instrument indicated that the

offenses occurred sometime in November 2004 to December 2004. Count I alleged that the

defendant’s then-husband, James Hargrave (Hargrave), placed his penis in K.K.’s mouth,

and that the defendant aided and abetted Hargrave in the commission of this offense. Count

II alleged the defendant placed her mouth on K.K.’s vagina. Count III alleged that the

defendant allowed K.K. to place her mouth on the defendant’s vagina. The parties are

familiar with the facts elicited at the defendant’s bench trial, which are set forth in greater

detail in this court’s prior order (People v. Hargrave, 385 Ill. App. 3d 1153 (2007) (table)

(unpublished order under Supreme Court Rule 23)), and need not be repeated at length

here. Therefore, only those facts relevant to the disposition of this appeal are repeated.

¶5     The State’s evidence at trial showed that the defendant and Hargrave, a former

corrections officer, engaged in a scheme to get K.K. away from her biological father, James

Kukuk (Kukuk). The defendant and Hargrave decided to teach K.K. sexual behavior and

then make accusations against Kukuk, so that K.K. could accurately describe those acts in

a courtroom. According to Hargrave, the scheme began in the “late spring, early summer

                                              2
of 2004.” Hargrave testified that he observed the defendant and K.K. perform oral sex on

each other. He also observed the defendant and K.K. simultaneously use vibrators on

themselves and each other. Hargrave further testified that the defendant taught K.K. how

to perform oral sex, and that K.K. would perform oral sex on Hargrave. Sometime in

November 2004, the defendant and K.K. were both naked in bed with Hargrave and took

turns performing oral sex on him. Hargrave testified that he did not threaten or force the

defendant to participate in the sexual acts involving K.K.

¶6     During the course of this scheme, Hargrave took photographs and videotaped sex

acts between he and K.K. The defendant was not involved in taking the photographs or the

videotaping. The photographs were taken so that the images could be altered to make it

appear as if Kukuk was the perpetrator and could then be planted in his home or vehicle.

Hargrave was not aware of whether photographs of the defendant and K.K. were taken and

testified that he never saw any photographs of the defendant and K.K. engaged in sexual

activity.

¶7     K.K. testified that Hargrave sexually abused her for many months. K.K. also

testified that the defendant was sometimes involved in the sexual acts. K.K. did not recall

engaging in sexual acts without Hargrave present. K.K. testified that the defendant and

Hargrave told K.K. they had to engage in these activities to set up Kukuk so that he would

leave them alone and go to prison. During her testimony, K.K. indicated that Hargrave was

violent.

¶8     The sexual abuse of K.K. came to light on January 18, 2005, when the defendant

contacted law enforcement to report that Hargrave had been sexually abusing K.K. The

                                             3
defendant obtained a key to the safe where Hargrave kept the pictures and videos and

provided these items to the police. The defendant did not inform the police of her

involvement in the sexual acts with K.K. After the police became involved, Hargrave

advised them of the defendant’s participation in the sexual acts with he and K.K.

¶9     The police again interviewed the defendant. In a written statement, the defendant

alleged Hargrave was demanding, violent, and controlling. The defendant claimed that

Hargrave had K.K. use a vibrator, and the defendant told K.K. “to just do what she had to”

in order to keep Hargrave from hurting them. The defendant also claimed that Hargrave

had hit her one time, put a gun to her head, and threatened to shoot the defendant in the

head. The defendant further alleged Hargrave made her do several sexual things with him

and posted photographs of the defendant on the internet.

¶ 10   The police also interviewed K.K. twice regarding the incidents of sexual abuse. In

her first interview, K.K. described the sexual abuse inflicted upon her by Hargrave. In her

second interview, K.K. was initially afraid to provide information regarding the

defendant’s involvement because K.K. was afraid of getting her mother into further trouble.

Eventually, K.K. disclosed the defendant’s involvement in the sexual acts. K.K. told the

investigator that Hargrave had forced the defendant and threatened physical violence if she

did not participate. K.K. testified that she lied about Hargrave threatening the defendant.

¶ 11   The parties stipulated to the admission of a psychological evaluation report

completed by Dr. Fred Klug, a psychologist. The purpose of the report was to determine

whether the defendant had a mental diagnosis and could protect her daughter from abuse.

Dr. Klug’s report noted that the defendant was married multiple times. She claimed her

                                             4
second and third husbands were abusive. The defendant reported that after she married

Hargrave, her fourth husband, “he became highly controlling about nearly everything.”

The defendant attributed her failure to protect K.K. on her fear of Hargrave. Dr. Klug

concluded his report by finding the defendant should have neither custody nor visitation

with K.K.

¶ 12   Gary Lemmon, a licensed clinical social worker, conducted a sex offender

evaluation of the defendant. She told Lemmon that she and Hargrave provided sexually

explicit information to K.K. that progressed to K.K. watching sexual activity between the

defendant and Hargrave. This eventually led to K.K. engaging in sexual contact with the

defendant and Hargrave. Lemmon opined that the defendant experienced sexual arousal

and gratification during the sexual acts with K.K. and Hargrave. The defendant told

Lemmon that her initial motivation for the plan was for Kukuk to not have custody of K.K.

As the plan progressed, she claimed that she “did that because she was intimidated and

fearful” of Hargrave. Lemmon testified that the defendant had stated multiple times that

she was intimidated by Hargrave and offered several reasons. The defendant stated there

were several weapons in the household and that Hargrave had put a gun to the defendant’s

head one time. The defendant alleged that Hargrave claimed to mistreat prisoners where

he worked and showed the defendant photographs of people who had been killed. The

defendant further alleged that Hargrave stated that a restraining order would not stop a

bullet and that he would kill the defendant. Hargrave also stated that he could kill his son,

and nobody would find the body.

                                             5
¶ 13   The defendant testified that she did not agree to engage in the scheme described by

Hargrave. According to the defendant, Hargrave approached her in the spring of 2004 with

the idea to take pictures of K.K. and plant them in Kukuk’s home or vehicle. The defendant

testified she told Hargrave the idea was “stupid” and did not agree to it. The defendant

claimed that unbeknownst to her, Hargrave went ahead with the plan on his own. The

defendant testified that after Thanksgiving in 2004, she learned Hargrave may have been

abusing K.K. The defendant asked K.K. about the abuse, but K.K. initially denied anything

happened. The defendant stated that in December 2004, K.K. told the defendant what had

happened, and in January 2005, K.K. informed the defendant that Hargrave had taken

photographs of her that were stored on a memory card in a safe.

¶ 14   The defendant admitted that she and K.K. performed oral sex on Hargrave but

claimed he had threatened to kill K.K. and the defendant if she did not comply. The

defendant testified Hargrave was sitting on the bed with a gun when he stated this. The

defendant denied that she and K.K. performed oral sex on each other and stated they faked

performing the oral sex. The defendant also denied teaching K.K. how to perform oral sex

on a man or woman or how to use a vibrator. The defendant testified that she was compelled

by Hargrave to engage in the sexual acts with K.K. and that she believed, had she not

participated, Hargrave would have killed K.K. and the defendant. The defendant testified

that “[e]verybody in the household had to do what [Hargrave] wanted, when he wanted,

how he wanted, or you paid and you paid hard.”

¶ 15   Dr. Michael Althoff, a specialist in forensic psychology, testified for the defendant.

Dr. Althoff was hired to evaluate the defendant to understand her behavior with respect to

                                             6
the allegations due to the circumstances surrounding her life prior to and during the times

that the alleged offenses occurred. Dr. Althoff interviewed the defendant, reviewed reports,

and performed psychological tests. He testified that the defendant engaged in dissociative

practices typical of those who have experienced trauma, meaning that the defendant was

unable to experience strong emotions. Dr. Althoff stated that there were indications the

defendant was also experiencing depression and struggling with intrusive experiences and

recollections of distressing past events. Dr. Althoff testified that over the course of the

defendant’s marriage to Hargrave, there was physical, psychological, and sexual abuse. Dr.

Althoff stated that Hargrave subjected the defendant to behaviors such as running to the

mailbox nude, having sex in public places, and placing pictures of the defendant on the

internet. Dr. Althoff stated this gradually progressed over time and led to Hargrave’s

involvement with K.K., eventually culminating in sexual activity involving K.K.

¶ 16   Dr. Althoff conducted a series of tests on the defendant. These tests indicated the

presence of depression, anxiety, suspiciousness, distrust, and feelings of victimization. The

defendant also had a dependent personality and tended to acquiesce and comply to avoid

conflict in situations where pressure or influence was exerted on her. One of the tests,

which was designed to look at the nature and extent of psychological maltreatment women

experience in intimate relationships, indicated a significant degree of isolation, domination,

verbal abuse, and degradation in the defendant’s relationship with Hargrave and her three

previous husbands.

¶ 17   Dr. Althoff diagnosed the defendant with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD),

chronic in nature and present over the years, and dysthymia, a form of depression that

                                              7
includes long-term feelings of low self-esteem, subjective distress, and sadness. He also

diagnosed defendant with dependent personality disorder, which he described as an

enduring pattern of behavior in which she tends to be fearful of being alone, has difficulty

expressing disagreement, and seeks validation for her self-worth in others. He stated that

the defendant goes to extensive efforts to obtain nurturance and reassurance from partners,

even to the point of being maltreated. Dr. Althoff noted the defendant had an “overly close”

relationship with K.K.

¶ 18   Dr. Althoff concluded that “looking at what all happened in a progressive collective

kind of way,” the defendant felt she had no other choice but to perform the alleged sexual

acts with K.K. Dr. Althoff explained that individuals who have been subjected to chronic

psychological maltreatment over a course of years have their sense of self eroded, which

has been termed a “psychological death.” Dr. Althoff added that he believed the prolonged

victimization that occurred over the years was a significant factor. He stated the defendant

told him that she felt she would be killed if she and K.K. did not participate in the sexual

acts. Dr. Althoff opined that the constant fear of something bad happening that may lead

to the death of the defendant or K.K. was a factor that significantly contributed to what

occurred.

¶ 19   Dr. Althoff was critical of Dr. Klug’s report. Dr. Althoff testified that it appeared

Dr. Klug did not consider “to any significant degree” the physical, psychological, and

sexual abused the defendant endured. Dr. Althoff opined that Dr. Klug’s report suggested

Dr. Klug was either dismissive or not attentive to the abuse.

                                             8
¶ 20   The trial court found the defendant guilty of all three counts of predatory criminal

sexual assault of a child. The trial court rejected the defendant’s assertion that she was

compelled to engage in the conduct alleged in count I. The trial court found the defendant

had not shown she acted under a threat of imminent infliction of death or great bodily harm.

As to counts II and III, the trial court found that K.K. provided credible testimony that the

defendant performed oral sex on K.K. and allowed her to perform oral sex on the defendant.

The trial court ordered that a presentence investigation report (PSI) be prepared for

sentencing.

¶ 21   In her interview for the PSI, the defendant alleged she and K.K. were forced to

engage in the sexual activity. The defendant indicated that she believed Hargrave had a

loaded gun and would use it. The defendant reported that she never did anything willingly

and had no other choice. The PSI indicated that evaluations by Dr. Klug, Dr. Althoff,

Lemmon, and Dr. Seth Hatlelid, who completed a sex offender evaluation and risk

assessment of the defendant, were attached to the PSI and made a part of the report.

¶ 22   In Lemmon’s report, which was not admitted at trial, he indicated that despite the

defendant’s subjective fears of Hargrave, she had the ability and resources to protect K.K.

from abuse. Lemmon opined that the defendant would not have initiated any sexual contact

with K.K. without the influence of another person. Lemmon cited “emotional

enmeshment” between the defendant and K.K. as a possible explanation for the defendant’s

inclusion of K.K. in her “poor decision-making” and sexual behavior.

¶ 23   The defendant met with Dr. Hatlelid because the defendant wanted a second opinion

regarding a sex offender evaluation. Dr. Hatlelid’s report provided that the defendant

                                             9
claimed she was frightened by Hargrave’s violence and did whatever he asked as a way to

protect herself and K.K. The defendant alleged Hargrave threatened to take K.K. away if

the defendant refused. The defendant reported that Hargrave became violent because she

was not doing enough to get Kukuk out of their lives. The defendant alleged the violence

became so severe that she and K.K. would try to keep Hargrave happy all the time. The

defendant told Dr. Hatlelid that Hargrave sexually abused her and forced her to perform

sexual acts against her will. As an example, the defendant alleged that Hargrave wanted

the defendant to have intercourse with the family dog, but the defendant refused to do so.

She did not indicate why she was able to refuse intercourse with the dog but was unwilling

or unable to refuse performing sexual acts with K.K.

¶ 24   Dr. Hatlelid opined that although the defendant was capable of protecting K.K., the

defendant chose not to do so because she feared Hargrave and had a “misguided and

dependent love for him.” Dr. Hatlelid noted the defendant had no physical or mental

disabilities that would have prevented her from seeking help, such as obtaining an order of

protection as she had done in previous relationships. Dr. Hatlelid opined that the defendant

likely allowed herself to be part of the abuse because she was both dependent on and

terrified of Hargrave leaving her. Dr. Hatlelid indicated that the defendant was

experiencing severe symptoms of PTSD, which was likely a result of the physical,

emotional, and sexual abuse she suffered from her husbands, particularly Hargrave. Dr.

Hatlelid reported that as a result, the defendant operated out of a “survival mindset” in

which she was willing to do whatever it took to survive in her situation at the time. Dr.

                                            10
Hatlelid believed that the defendant met the criteria for dependent personality disorder and

tolerated egregious abuses because she loved her husband and was afraid to be alone.

¶ 25   Dr. Althoff’s report, which was not admitted at trial, detailed the defendant’s

abusive relationships with her prior partners as reported by the defendant. The report noted

the defendant was exposed to physical and psychological abuse in all four of her past

marriages and sexual abuse in two of those marriages. The report further noted that it was

suggested that the defendant’s relationship with Hargrave was the most abusive of all. The

report concluded that the cumulative effect of the defendant’s personality traits, her overly

close relationship with K.K., the helplessness the defendant felt due to chronic depression,

the effects of prolonged victimization, and the fear of great bodily harm or death compelled

the defendant to compromise her judgment and engage in inappropriate sexual behavior

with K.K.

¶ 26   Also attached to the PSI, among other items, were several letters submitted on behalf

of the defendant. Members of the defendant’s family generally asked for leniency in

sentencing the defendant and indicated Hargrave isolated and intimidated the defendant. A

letter from Diane Wetendorf, an advocate for women battered by law enforcement officers

and consultant on the issue of police-perpetrated domestic violence, asked the trial court to

sentence the defendant to the minimum sentence, urging the trial court to consider the

circumstances surrounding the defendant’s actions.

¶ 27   At sentencing, the trial court confirmed the parties had received copies of the PSI,

addendums to the PSI, and a lengthy handwritten document authored by the defendant that

the trial court received and reviewed the day of sentencing. The document was titled

                                             11
“Abuse by James Hargrave to family.” The State then presented its evidence in

aggravation. In mitigation, the defendant called Lemmon. He testified that in evaluating

the defendant, he believed she was a low risk of “reoffending sexually.” Lemmon further

testified that neither this opinion nor any of the opinions he expressed at the time of trial

had changed.

¶ 28   After the parties made sentencing arguments, the defendant made a statement in

allocution. The defendant apologized for the trauma K.K. had endured. The defendant

stated that she realized she could have made other choices although she felt that she had no

other choice at the time and did what she believed she had to so that she and K.K. could

survive. The defendant further stated she felt humiliated, helpless, and psychologically

frozen.

¶ 29   In sentencing the defendant, the trial court described the case as disturbing and “one

of the most difficult experiences” the judge had while on the bench. The trial court

indicated that the defendant sought to be treated as a “victim” or a “battered woman.” The

trial court rejected this notion and believed that the defendant was seeking to avoid

responsibility. The trial court stated that it believed the defendant was as involved in the

scheme to frame Kukuk as Hargrave, if not more so. The trial court suspected that the

defendant initiated “this whole horrible project” and engaged in conduct to seduce K.K.

into engaging in sexual acts with Hargrave and the defendant. The trial court indicated that

it believed the defendant decided to turn in Hargrave because she discovered Hargrave was

engaging in sexual conduct with K.K., without the defendant. The trial court stated, “I think

she was left out and apparently hurt.” The trial court continued:

                                             12
       “I thought it was interesting to note that Mr. Lemmon concluded, as I

did, that it does not seem reasonable to believe that she was involved so

extensively over several months in sexual behavior with her daughter present

without experiencing sexual arousal and gratification.

       That’s a very disturbing aspect of this case, and I have struggled with

trying to comprehend it. I do not think that we’re dealing simply with an act

of omission by a weak parent. I think she was a joint perpetrator in this case.

       She claims to have been forced, but that claim I don’t find convincing.

The husband I would note apparently wanted her to engage in sexual contacts

with a female and apparently with the family dog. She refused. There were

no particular consequences to that. She was not beaten. She was not

threatened with a gun. There was nothing to indicate that she did not have

the ability to refuse. And she certainly had the ability to stop the conduct

before it went on for eight months or longer.

       I don’t know how to explain [the defendant’s] conduct in this case.

She apparently is from a good family. She’s an intelligent woman. There’s

no evidence of mental disability, impairment, or illness that I have seen.

There is no evidence that she was physically or sexually abused as a child.

She’s not been shown to have been impaired on drugs or alcohol. She’s a

competent person. She’s been a legal secretary. She was an auxiliary

policeman.”

                                      13
The trial court found the defendant’s lack of criminal history was a factor in mitigation. In

aggravation, the trial court further found that the defendant’s conduct caused or threatened

serious permanent injury to K.K. and that a lengthy sentence was necessary to deter others.

The trial court sentenced the defendant to 20 years’ imprisonment on each count to run

consecutively. The trial court also imposed a fine of $2500 for each count.

¶ 30   The defendant appealed her conviction and sentence arguing, among other things,

that the trial court failed to consider in mitigation that the defendant had a history of abuse

and maltreatment, which resulted in various mental disorders. This court affirmed the

defendant’s conviction and sentence.

¶ 31   The defendant filed a petition for postconviction relief. In her postconviction

petition, the defendant alleged, among other things, that her defense counsel failed to

investigate and call expert and lay witnesses that could have offered mitigating evidence

of domestic violence at sentencing. The trial court summarily dismissed the postconviction

petition. The defendant appealed. This court affirmed the dismissal of the defendant’s

postconviction petition.

¶ 32   The defendant filed a petition for relief from judgment pursuant to section 2-1401(b-

5) of the Civil Code in which she sought a reduction of sentence or a new sentencing

hearing to present mitigating evidence of domestic violence. The defendant failed to

properly serve her petition upon the State, and the petition was dismissed without prejudice.

¶ 33   Next, the defendant filed a second petition for relief from judgment in which she

sought a reduction of sentence or a new sentencing hearing to present mitigating evidence

of mental illness. The defendant subsequently filed a motion to recharacterize her petition

                                              14
as a postconviction petition and a motion for leave to file a successive postconviction

petition. The State filed no responsive pleadings. The trial court held a hearing on the

defendant’s filings and indicated that it would rule on those pleadings without a written

response from the State.

¶ 34   Following the hearing, the defendant filed an amended petition for relief from

judgment pursuant to section 2-1401(b-5). In this petition, the defendant alleged that her

participation in the offense was related to her mental illness and domestic violence

perpetrated by an intimate partner and that no evidence of domestic violence was presented

at her sentencing hearing. The defendant further alleged that she was unaware of the

mitigating nature of the evidence of mental illness and domestic violence at the time of

sentencing and could not have learned of its significance sooner through diligence. The

defendant asserted the “new” evidence of mental illness and domestic violence against her

was material and noncumulative to other evidence offered at the sentencing hearing, and

was of such a conclusive character that it would likely change the sentence imposed by the

original trial court. The defendant again sought a reduction in sentence or a new sentencing

hearing at which she could present mitigating evidence of mental illness and domestic

violence.

¶ 35   The defendant attached her own affidavit to the petition. The defendant alleged that

she was diagnosed with PTSD, dysthymia, and dependent personality disorder. The

defendant further alleged that Hargrave physically, psychologically, and sexually abused

her and that prior to her marriage to Hargrave, she was in three other abusive marriages.

According to the defendant, Hargrave threatened to kill her and K.K. if the defendant did

                                            15
not participate in the sexual abuse of K.K. The defendant averred that Hargrave possessed

several firearms at the time and told the defendant how he would dispose of the bodies of

the defendant and K.K. The defendant indicated that she believed Hargrave’s threats and

feared for her and K.K.’s lives. The defendant asserted that defense counsel did not present

this information for the trial court’s consideration at sentencing.

¶ 36   The State again filed no responsive pleading. The trial court entered an order

denying the defendant’s petitions for relief from judgment, including the amended petition,

and the motion to recharacterize her petition. In denying the defendant’s petitions for relief

from judgment, the trial court found that the defendant had presented substantial evidence

of domestic abuse, including Dr. Althoff’s opinions. The trial court determined that based

on the record from the bench trial and the sentencing hearing, the defendant could not claim

that evidence of domestic abuse was not before the court at the time of sentencing or that

she was unaware of the mitigating nature of such evidence at the time. The trial court

concluded that “[b]ecause such evidence was not only before the court but also formed the

core of her defense, Defendant cannot meet the requirement of §2-1401(b-5).” This appeal

followed.

¶ 37                                 II. ANALYSIS

¶ 38   On appeal, the defendant argues that the trial court erred in denying her a new

sentencing hearing pursuant to section 2-1401(b-5) because no domestic violence evidence

was presented at her sentencing hearing. The defendant further argues that the trial court’s

denial of her amended petition was improper because, on the petition’s face, it was clear

that she was entitled to relief as a matter of law.

                                              16
¶ 39   A proceeding under section 2-1401 provides a statutory mechanism for vacating

final judgments in civil or criminal proceedings. People v. Stoecker, 2020 IL 124807, ¶ 18.

The purpose of a section 2-1401 petition is to bring facts to the trial court’s attention which,

if known when judgment was entered, would have prevented the entry of the judgment.

People v. Haynes, 192 Ill. 2d 437, 463 (2000). A section 2-1401 petition may also be used

to raise a legal challenge to a final judgment or order. Warren County Soil & Water

Conservation District v. Walters, 2015 IL 117783, ¶ 41. It is not designed to provide a

general review of all trial errors, to substitute for a direct appeal, or to obtain relief for

issues previously raised at trial or in other collateral proceedings. People v. Kane, 2013 IL

App (2d) 110594, ¶ 13.

¶ 40   Proceedings under section 2-1401 are governed by the usual rules of civil practice

and are treated as complaints, inviting responsive pleadings. Stoecker, 2020 IL 124807,

¶ 18. The State may answer the petition, move to dismiss it, or choose not to file a

responsive pleading. Stoecker, 2020 IL 124807, ¶ 18. As with complaints in civil

proceedings, the State’s failure to respond to a section 2-1401 petition constitutes an

admission of all well pleaded facts and renders the petition ripe for adjudication on the

pleadings alone. People v. Cathey, 2019 IL App (1st) 153118, ¶ 15. The trial court may

decide the case on the pleadings, affidavits, exhibits, and supporting material before it,

including the record of prior proceedings. People v. Vincent, 226 Ill. 2d 1, 9 (2007). A

petition is properly dismissed where the allegations contained therein are contradicted by

the record. Cathey, 2019 IL App (1st) 153118, ¶ 49. When a court enters judgment on the

pleadings or dismisses a section 2-1401 petition, we review such order de novo. Vincent,

                                              17
226 Ill. 2d at 18. We may affirm the trial court’s decision on any basis supported by the

record. People v. Green, 2012 IL App (4th) 101034, ¶ 30.

¶ 41   In 2016, section 5-5-3.1(a) of the Unified Code of Corrections (730 ILCS 5/5-5-

3.1(a) (West 2016)) was amended to allow courts to consider evidence of domestic

violence as a mitigating factor at sentencing. See 730 ILCS 5/5-5-3.1(a)(15) (West 2016).

Section 2-1401 of the Civil Code was also amended to include subsection (b-5), which

allows for relief from judgment based on new evidence of domestic violence. Under section

2-1401(b-5), a petitioner may present a meritorious claim if the petition establishes the

following by a preponderance of the evidence: (1) the petitioner was convicted of a forcible

felony; (2) the petitioner’s participation in the offense was related to him or her previously

having been a victim of domestic violence as perpetrated by an intimate partner; (3) no

evidence of domestic violence against the petitioner was presented at his or her sentencing

hearing; (4) the petitioner was unaware of the mitigating nature of the evidence of the

domestic violence at the time of sentencing and could not have learned of its significance

sooner through diligence; and (5) the new evidence of domestic violence against the

petitioner is material and noncumulative to other evidence offered at the sentencing

hearing, and is of such a conclusive character that it would likely change the sentence

imposed by the original trial court. 735 ILCS 5/2-1401(b-5) (West 2018). As used in

subsection (b-5), the term “domestic violence” means abuse as defined by section 103 of

the Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986. 735 ILCS 5/2-1401(b-5) (West 2018). Abuse

includes physical abuse, harassment, interference with personal liberty, or willful

deprivation. See 750 ILCS 60/103(1) (West 2018).

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¶ 42   Here, the defendant alleged her participation in her offense was related to mental

illness and domestic violence. In her supporting affidavit, the defendant alleged she was

diagnosed with PTSD, dysthymia, and dependent personality disorder. The defendant

further alleged that Hargrave physically, psychologically, and sexually abused her.

According to the defendant, Hargrave threatened to kill her and K.K. if the defendant did

not participate in the sexual abuse of K.K. Hargrave also had several firearms and allegedly

told the defendant how he was going to dispose of the defendant’s and K.K.’s bodies. The

defendant indicated that she believed Hargrave’s threats and feared for her and K.K.’s

lives. This was not new evidence of domestic violence nor was it noncumulative to the

other evidence offered at the defendant’s sentencing hearing.

¶ 43   At trial, the defendant asserted a defense of compulsion as to count I and the trial

court heard the testimony of both the defendant and Dr. Althoff. The PSI prepared for

sentencing provided that the defendant claimed she and K.K. were forced to engage in the

sexual activity. The defendant reported that she believed Hargrave had a loaded gun and

would use it on the defendant and K.K. The defendant claimed that she never did anything

willingly and had no other choice. Attached to and made part of the PSI were the reports

of Dr. Klug, Dr. Althoff, Dr. Hatlelid, and Lemmon. These reports provided the trial court

with an account of the defendant’s abusive relationship with Hargrave, and her prior

spouses, as well as opinions as to the defendant’s participation in the offense conduct. Thus,

the evidence of domestic violence the defendant sought to introduce was contained in the

PSI and its attachments, meaning it was not new or noncumulative to the evidence at

sentencing.

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¶ 44   The defendant claims that the domestic violence evidence was not “presented” at

her sentencing hearing because defense counsel did not “put on” evidence or argue that the

defendant’s participation in the offenses was a result of suffering domestic violence from

four different husbands. The defendant acknowledges, however, that the purported

domestic violence evidence was a part of the PSI but argues that section 2-1401(b-5)’s

purpose would not be served merely because such evidence was available for the court’s

consideration even though the record shows that the evidence was “never actually raised

in court.”

¶ 45   At the defendant’s sentencing hearing, the trial court was required to consider the

evidence received at trial and in the PSI. 730 ILCS 5/5-4-1(a)(1), (2) (West 2004). The

purpose of the PSI requirement is to ensure that the trial court will have all necessary

information concerning the defendant before imposing a sentence. People v. Harris, 105

Ill. 2d 290, 299 (1985). The PSI is to be presented to and considered by the trial court. See

730 ILCS 5/5-3-1 (West 2004). Thus, we find that the evidence of domestic violence was

“presented” at the defendant’s sentencing hearing for purposes of section 2-1401(b-5)(3).

¶ 46   Finally, the purported domestic violence evidence was also not of such a conclusive

character that it would have likely changed the sentence imposed by the original trial court.

As previously stated, the evidence referenced by the defendant in her petition and affidavit

was not new. Based on the record, the trial court was well aware of the defendant’s claim

that she was a victim of domestic violence. When sentencing the defendant, the trial court

rejected the notion that the defendant was a “victim” or a “battered woman.” Instead, the

trial court believed the defendant was a joint perpetrator, and was just as involved as

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Hargrave, if not more so, in the development of the scheme to frame Kukuk. Moreover, we

presume the trial court reviewed and considered the PSI. See People v. Sauseda, 2016 IL

App (1st) 140134, ¶ 20. After reviewing the record of proceedings at sentencing, we cannot

say that the trial court failed to review and consider the PSI. Accordingly, the record refutes

the defendant’s assertion that the sentence imposed by the original trial court would likely

have changed.

¶ 47                                III. CONLUSION

¶ 48   For the foregoing reasons, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

¶ 49   Affirmed.

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