Court Opinion

ID: 3214458
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-06-17 22:07:28.662061+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:29:44.087743
License: Public Domain

2016 IL App (1st) 132979

                                                                            FIFTH DIVISION
                                                                            June 17, 2016

No. 1-13-2979

                                                                )   Appeal from the
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS,                            )   Circuit Court of
                                                                )   Cook County
                Plaintiff-Appellee,                             )
                                                                )
v.                                                              )   No. 12 CR 15022
                                                                )
JEFFREY HUNT,                                                   )
                                                                )   Honorable
                Defendant-Appellant.                            )   Maura Slattery Boyle,
                                                                )   Judge Presiding.

       PRESIDING JUSTICE REYES delivered the judgment of the court, with opinion.
       Justices Gordon and Burke concurred in the judgment and opinion.

                                            OPINION

¶1     Following a jury trial, defendant Jeffrey Hunt, was convicted of burglary and possession

of burglary tools pursuant to sections 19-1(a) and 19-2(a) of the Criminal Code of 2012 (Code)

(720 ILCS 5/19-1(a), 19-2(a) (West 2012)). Defendant was sentenced as a Class X offender to 11

years’ imprisonment for burglary and 6 years’ imprisonment for possession of burglary tools, to

run concurrently. On appeal, defendant asserts the trial court erred in: (1) denying his

unequivocal request to proceed pro se; (2) failing to order a behavioral clinical examination; (3)

declining to consider his mental health status as a factor in mitigation during sentencing; and (4)

assessing certain fees and fines. Because we conclude that defendant unequivocally invoked his
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right to self-representation and that the trial court abused its discretion when it denied his request

as a delay tactic, we reverse defendant’s convictions and remand for retrial.

¶2                                       BACKGROUND

¶3     On August 29, 2012, defendant was charged by information with burglary and possession

of burglary tools based on the July 16, 2012, theft of an automobile stereo from a 2002

Mitsubishi Lancer and being in possession of a screwdriver, a tool suitable for use in breaking

into a motor vehicle. That same day, the trial court appointed the public defender to represent

defendant and the matter was continued by agreement for discovery. On September 21, 2012, the

State indicated discovery was not complete and the matter was again continued by agreement.

On October 12, 2012, discovery was complete; however, defendant’s case was continued by

agreement. On November 1, 2012, the matter was once again continued by agreement to

December 4, 2012, for a jury trial.

¶4     Initially, on December 4, 2012, defendant requested a private attorney, but did not have a

private attorney available that day. The trial court denied his request, indicating that the matter

had been set for trial a month ago. Defendant made no further arguments in support of his

request. The State then requested the matter be continued to the following day as it had presently

filed a motion for proof of other crimes. The matter was continued by agreement.

¶5     On December 5, 2012, the State filed a motion in limine. The trial court sua sponte

continued defendant’s jury trial to the following week for defense counsel to file a written

response to the State’s motions.

¶6     On December 12, 2012, a substitute judge presided over the courtroom. Defense counsel

informed the court that defendant “wants to represent himself” and defendant affirmed this

statement. The substitute judge proceeded to extensively admonish defendant pursuant to Illinois

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Supreme Court Rule 401(a) (eff. July 1, 1984) regarding the consequences of proceeding pro se.

The substitute judge, however, did not rule on defendant’s request, but instead provided

defendant “a chance to think about this” and held the matter over for the trial judge to make the

determination. The substitute judge also declined to rule on the State’s motion for proof of other

crimes and continued the matter to December 17, 2012, “when [the trial judge] will be back.”

¶7     On December 17, 2012, defense counsel informed the trial judge that at the last court date

defendant requested to proceed pro se and that the substitute judge had held the matter over for

her to consider his request. The trial court denied defendant’s request stating:

               “THE COURT: This [has] been set numerous times. Put your hand down.

               THE DEFENDANT: I’m sorry. I apologize.

               THE COURT: This has been set numerous. This is a delay tactic. The court will

       not allow that. We are going to proceed forward. I will set this for jury trial on January

       2nd. So I find–is there something humorous, Mr. Hunt?

               THE DEFENDANT: I’m not laughing, Your Honor.

               THE COURT: Yeah. I find this is just a gamesmanship that keeps going on. And

       unless I am here to reign [sic] this in, which I am, I’m not going anywhere, then, we are

       going. You are represented.

               Every time we set this, there is not mention. One day I am not here, there is no

       mention [sic]. He is not going to represent himself. I find this is a delay.

               [DEFENSE COUNSEL]: If I may, Your Honor.

               THE COURT: Yes, ma’am.

               [DEFENSE COUNSEL]: May I have the 8th. That way, I can fully commit

       myself to being here.

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               THE COURT: Sure.

               THE DEFENDANT: Isn’t it my right to go pro se if I want?

               THE COURT: Not at all. I’m glad it’s humorous.

               THE DEFENDANT: I don’t understand.

               THE COURT: I don’t have to let [an] attorney out of a case and I am not. We

       have been set previously and there’s been no mention of this. All of a sudden when I am

       not here, this happens in front of another judge.

               I find this is a delay tactic. It is set for jury. She is going to represent you. I don’t

       find that there is any reason. This is you playing games and attempting.

               THE DEFENDANT: Playing games with my life, Your Honor.

               THE COURT: Correct. Correct.

               THE DEFENDANT: Ha, ha.

               THE COURT: Oh, again humor.

               THE DEFENDANT: It’s definitely humorous that you think I am going to play

       games with my life.

               THE COURT: Well, because you are. You’ve never said this before when it’s

       been set for jury. I find this you [sic] being a delay tactic. January 8th set for jury. Final.”

¶8     Defendant’s jury trial did not commence on January 8, 2013, as the State could not

answer ready due to an eyewitness being unavailable. Thereafter, the matter was continued on

numerous occasions for a variety of reasons; scheduling conflicts, plea negotiations, and hearings

on pretrial motions. In July of 2013, due to the delay of his trial, defendant filed a pro se “motion

to dismiss.” Defendant subsequently withdrew the motion and the matter was set for trial shortly

thereafter. At no time during these subsequent proceedings did defendant renew his request to

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represent himself.

¶9     On July 30, 2013, the matter proceeded to a jury trial. The State’s evidence established

the following. On July 16, 2012, at 5:30 p.m. Oscar Franco (Franco) parked his 2002 Mitsubishi

Lancer in front of his residence on the 1300 block of West 49th Street. Franco locked the doors

to his vehicle, but left the front windows partially open due to the hot temperature. At 6:30 p.m.

Roman Guillen (Guillen), Franco’s neighbor, was playing outside with his children on West 49th

Street approximately 100 feet away from Franco’s automobile when he observed defendant enter

Franco’s vehicle and exit the automobile carrying a plastic bag. Guillen continued to observe

defendant as he traveled towards West 50th Street from West 49th Street. At that moment, a

police vehicle passed by. Guillen flagged down the officers and informed them of what he had

observed. Shortly thereafter, Chicago police officers Robert Vella (Officer Vella) and John

Conneely (Officer Conneely) apprehended defendant who was carrying a white plastic bag

which contained an automobile stereo within. During a pat-down search of defendant Officer

Conneely recovered a screwdriver. Officer Conneely then escorted Guillen to where defendant

was being detained. Guillen identified defendant as the individual he observed entering Franco’s

vehicle and exiting with the plastic bag. Thereafter, Franco identified the stereo as the one that

had previously been in his vehicle. Franco and Officer Conneely both testified that they observed

scratches and pry marks around the console area of Franco’s vehicle where the stereo had been

situated. The State rested. Defendant then moved for a directed finding, which was denied. The

defense presented no evidence.

¶ 10   After closing arguments and jury instructions, the jury commenced deliberating and

ultimately found defendant guilty of burglary and possession of burglary tools.

¶ 11   Thereafter, defendant filed a motion for a new trial, but did not assert that the trial court

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erred in denying his request to represent himself. The trial court denied defendant’s motion and

proceeded to a sentencing hearing. The trial court sentenced defendant as a Class X offender to

11 years’ imprisonment for burglary and 6 years’ imprisonment for the possession of burglary

tools, to run concurrently. This appeal followed.

¶ 12                                        ANALYSIS

¶ 13   On appeal, defendant raises a number of arguments asserting error by the trial court, but

we find one matter to be dispositive of the present appeal. That issue concerns the denial of

defendant’s request to represent himself. Defendant contends the trial court erred in denying his

request to proceed pro se where he unequivocally expressed his desire to represent himself.

Defendant maintains that the trial court’s denial of his request was erroneous where the record

does not reflect any intention on his part to delay the proceedings. Defendant further argues that

the trial court failed to consider whether his request was knowing and intelligent. Defendant

asserts that because the trial court failed to balance his fundamental right against the court’s

interest in efficiency, the trial court abused its discretion. Consequently, defendant requests this

court reverse his conviction and remand for a new trial.

¶ 14   In response, the State argues that defendant forfeited this claim because he failed to

object at trial and raise it in a posttrial motion. The State further argues that defendant again

forfeited plain-error review by failing to argue the issue on appeal. Additionally, the State argues

that, in the event we do not consider defendant’s argument to be forfeited, the trial court did not

abuse its discretion where: (1) the record indicates the matter was set for jury trial multiple times

with many last minute delays; (2) the initial request was “made the only time [the trial judge]

was not in the courtroom”; and (3) the request was tactically made to delay the trial.

¶ 15   Our review of the record reveals that defendant did not preserve this issue for review.

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Furthermore, defendant did not object to the denial of his motion nor did he raise this question in

his posttrial motion. Accordingly, this issue is forfeited. See People v. Herron, 215 Ill. 2d 167,

175 (2005). Defendant, however, did request plain-error review in his reply brief. “[T]he purpose

of the plain error rule is to guard against the possibility that an innocent person may have been

convicted due to some error which is obvious from the record, but not properly preserved

[citation] and to protect and to preserve the integrity and the reputation of the judicial process

[citation].” (Internal quotation marks omitted.) People v. Williams, 193 Ill. 2d 306, 348 (2000)

(considering the defendant’s plain-error argument where it was not raised in the opening brief).

These considerations also justify our review of defendant’s plain-error argument despite his

failure to include it in an opening brief. See id. Accordingly, as this issue involves a potential

structural error, one that affects the entirety of the trial and requires automatic reversal if found,

we, therefore, will consider defendant’s argument. See People v. Wrice, 2012 IL 111860, ¶ 66;

People v. Washington, 2012 IL 110283, ¶ 59.

¶ 16   As a general rule, a criminal defendant has a constitutional right to represent himself if he

makes an unequivocal request to do so. Faretta v. California, 422 U.S. 806, 833-36 (1975);

People v. Baez, 241 Ill. 2d 44, 116 (2011). For a defendant to invoke the right of self-

representation, he must knowingly and intelligently relinquish the right to counsel, and the

waiver of counsel must be clear and unequivocal, not ambiguous. People v. Baez, 241 Ill. 2d 44,

115-16 (2011). The context in which a defendant makes such a request is important, as courts

must indulge in every reasonable presumption against the waiver of the right to counsel. Id. To

determine whether defendant’s waiver was clear and unequivocal, a court will look to the overall

context of the proceedings, including the defendant’s conduct following his request to represent

himself. People v. Mayo, 198 Ill. 2d 530, 538-39 (2002). The right to self-representation,

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however, is not absolute and may be forfeited if the defendant engages in serious and

obstructionist misconduct, or if he cannot make a knowing and intelligent waiver of counsel.

People v. Rohlfs, 368 Ill. App. 3d 540, 545 (2006) (citing People v. Ward, 208 Ill. App. 3d 1073,

1084 (1991)). On review, the trial court’s decision on a defendant’s election to represent himself

will be reversed only if the court abused its discretion. People v. Burton, 184 Ill. 2d 1, 25 (1998).

An abuse of discretion occurs when the court’s ruling is arbitrary and without a logical basis.

People v. Fisher, 407 Ill. App. 3d 585, 589 (2011).

¶ 17   In this case, it is uncontested that defendant unequivocally expressed a desire to represent

himself on December 12, 2012, and again on December 17, 2012. The issue is only whether the

trial court abused its discretion when it denied defendant’s request based on its determination

that such a request was simply a delay tactic.

¶ 18   A request to proceed pro se may reasonably be rejected where it “come[s] so late in the

proceedings that to grant it would be disruptive of the orderly schedule of proceedings” or where

a defendant “engages in serious and obstructionist misconduct.” (Internal quotation marks

omitted.) People v. Woodson, 2011 IL App (4th) 100223, ¶ 24; see also Burton, 184 Ill. 2d at 24

(and cases cited therein). Yet, a request to proceed pro se, which is not accompanied by a request

for additional time to prepare, “should generally be viewed as timely as long as it is made before

trial.” Ward, 208 Ill. App. 3d at 1084.

¶ 19   The State asserts the facts of People v. Rasho, 398 Ill. App. 3d 1035 (2010), are

analogous to the case at bar. We find this argument to be misplaced. In that case, the trial court

appointed the public defender to represent the defendant in August of 2007; however, the jury

trial did not commence until November 2008. Id. at 1036-38. In those 15 months, defense

counsel requested five continuances based on the defendant’s explicit desire to obtain either

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additional information or documentation. Id. The trial court entertained these requests until

October 2008, when it denied the defendant’s motion for a continuance and indicated the matter

would remain on the November trial calendar. Id. at 1037-38. On November 12, 2008, the matter

was called for jury trial. Id. at 1038. The defendant’s counsel informed the court that the

defendant had indicated to him by letter and also in person that defendant did not want defense

counsel to represent him and that he wanted to proceed pro se. Id. The defendant then informed

the court that he had filed a written motion two weeks earlier and indicated to the trial court that

there were other witnesses that defense counsel had not interviewed. Id. Without inquiring

whether the defendant knowingly and intelligently waived his right to counsel, the trial court

denied the defendant’s motion on the basis that it was untimely and a delay tactic. Id. After the

trial court denied the defendant’s request, the defendant insisted that he represent himself. Id. at

1039. Despite the trial court’s repeated attempts to clarify its ruling that it found the defendant’s

request to be a delay tactic, the defendant proceeded to complain to the point where he was

removed from the courtroom due to the disturbance he was causing. Id. at 1039-40. The trial

proceeded in the defendant’s absence; a jury ultimately found him guilty of aggravated battery.

Id. at 1040.

¶ 20   On appeal, the defendant argued the trial court abused its discretion when it denied him

the right to self-representation. Id. Specifically, defendant asserted he made a clear and

unequivocal request to represent himself, but the trial court improperly denied that request where

he was not properly admonished and his request was not untimely as he had filed it two weeks

prior. Id. at 1041. The reviewing court upheld the trial court’s ruling on two bases: (1) the

defendant’s motion did not contain an unequivocal assertion he wanted to proceed pro se where

it requested either to proceed pro se or be appointed new counsel; and (2) the defendant’s request

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was untimely where it was made the day of trial and was accompanied by an implicit motion for

a continuance. Id. at 1041-42. Although the reviewing court noted that such a request is timely

before trial commences if it is not accompanied by a request for additional time to prepare, in

reviewing the record, it concluded that defendant “clearly wanted additional time to prepare” as

he “complained that he wanted to procure additional documents and call witnesses who were not

present the day of trial.” Id. at 1042. Thus, the Rasho court held, “On the facts of this case, the

court did not abuse its discretion by denying defendant’s untimely request, the day of trial, to

represent himself.” Id.

¶ 21   Upon reviewing the record in this matter, we conclude the trial court abused its discretion

when it denied defendant’s request to proceed pro se as a delay tactic. Initially, we note that the

Rasho court concluded the defendant’s request to proceed pro se was not unequivocal. Id. at

1041-42. Here, defendant twice made an unequivocal request to represent himself and the State

does not argue otherwise. Moreover, unlike in Rasho, where defense counsel repeatedly

requested continuances based on the defendant’s insistence, defendant here never requested the

matter be continued. Id. at 1036-38. The record reveals that prior to defendant’s invocation of his

right to self-representation there were six continuances, five of which were by agreement. The

last continuance was made on the court’s own motion to allow defense counsel an opportunity to

prepare a written response to the State’s pretrial motion. The record here does not support the

trial court’s finding that defendant’s request was made in order to delay the trial.

¶ 22   Furthermore, we conclude defendant’s conduct during the underlying proceedings was

not obstructionist. In each instance where defendant was allowed to address the court he did not

cause a disruption or disturbance similar to the Rasho defendant. See id. at 1039-40. Defendant

here was never asked to leave the courtroom. The State, however, argues that defendant’s

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conduct during the December 17, 2012, hearing was tantamount to “taunting” the trial court. We

disagree. Once the trial court ruled on his request, defendant only further addressed the court to

seek clarification of its ruling. Despite what the trial court may have perceived as humor, the

record clearly reflects that defendant’s statement to the trial court indicated he was serious and

aware of the consequences of the proceedings and at hearings thereafter defendant continued to

act appropriately before the court. We further note that although the trial court’s perception was

that defendant was engaging in “gamesmanship,” whether defendant’s request to proceed pro se

was motivated by gamesmanship is not a sufficient basis to deny his fundamental right to self-

representation, particularly where his request was not accompanied by a motion to continue the

matter. See Ward, 208 Ill. App. 3d at 1084.

¶ 23   The State argues the timing of defendant’s request is enough to support the trial court’s

ruling. While the request was made on a day the matter was set for the jury trial, there were still

two outstanding pretrial motions which needed to be addressed and the substitute judge

continued the matter for the trial judge’s determination. Furthermore, it is unclear from the

record whether the substitute judge was going to commence the jury trial on that date. On

December 17, 2012, defendant renewed his request before the trial judge and it was denied. The

matter, however, did not proceed to trial that day and, instead, was continued to January 8, 2013.

Moreover, when raising his right to self-representation, defendant’s request was never

accompanied by a desire for additional time to prepare. In circumstances such as these where

defendant did not request a continuance, a request to proceed pro se is viewed as timely. See id.

We further note that defendant’s trial did not commence until July of 2013 and that the

continuances leading up to the time of trial were also not attributable to defendant.

¶ 24   The State maintains defendant acquiesced to the representation of defense counsel where

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he did not renew his request to proceed pro se nor did he ever complain about the level of

representation he received from the public defender. According to the State, had defendant’s

request been “legitimate” this issue “would have been raised again.”

¶ 25   On this point we find Woodson to be instructive. In that case, the defendant forwarded a

letter to the court indicating he wanted to discharge his appointed counsel and represent himself.

Woodson, 2011 IL App (4th) 100223, ¶ 10. At a status hearing, the defendant reiterated his desire

to proceed pro se. Id. ¶ 11. The trial court rejected the defendant’s request, finding defendant

lacked the legal knowledge and ability to represent himself. Id. On appeal, the reviewing court

held that the trial court applied an improper legal standard and thus abused its discretion by

denying defendant’s request. Id. ¶ 26. The Woodson court further held that defendant did not

acquiesce to court-appointed representation by failing to make additional motions to proceed pro

se. Id. ¶ 29. According to the court, the defendant in fact “begrudgingly” accepted the court’s

ruling and proceeded to trial with appointed counsel. Id.

¶ 26   As in Woodson, defendant here did not acquiesce to representation by the public

defender. A defendant need not futilely request to represent himself. See Burton, 184 Ill. 2d at

24, for the proposition that a defendant does “not acquiesce where his request to represent

himself was conclusively denied and a renewed request would have been fruitless” (citing

Orazio v. Dugger, 876 F.2d 1508, 1512 (11th Cir. 1989)). In this case, the trial court

conclusively denied defendant’s request finding it was a delay tactic due to the fact the matter

had been set for a jury trial that day. The matter was subsequently set for a jury trial on January

8, February 5, March 6, April 11, and May 6, 2013. Thereafter, on May 23, 2013, the matter was

taken off of the jury call by agreement due to negotiations with the State. Once defendant

declined the State’s offer the matter was again set for a July jury trial. Thus, based on these facts,

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a renewed request on a later date would have been fruitless where the trial court had already

definitively indicated it would not grant his request for self-representation on a day the matter

was set for trial. See Burton, 184 Ill. 2d at 24.

¶ 27    Because the trial court in this case denied defendant his constitutional right to self-

representation, we reverse the convictions and remand this case for a new trial. See Fisher, 407

Ill. App. 3d at 591. In so holding, we further note that, within the context of the proceedings, we

are left with no rationale as to the trial court’s denial of defendant’s request. In finding

defendant’s request was a delay tactic, the trial judge did not delineate a basis for this

determination. Furthermore, the trial judge did not inquire into why defendant sought to proceed

pro se nor did she question defendant regarding whether he was displeased with his counsel.

Moreover, the trial judge’s denial of defendant’s right to self-representation was not based on

any finding of a knowing and intelligent waiver by defendant. See Baez, 241 Ill. 2d at 115-16.

¶ 28    We observe that defendant raised four other issues for our review in this appeal. As these

issues will likely be resolved upon retrial, we need not consider them at this juncture. See People

v. Bryant, 113 Ill. 2d 497, 507 (1986). Additionally, because we are remanding for a new trial,

we must consider whether another trial would violate the double-jeopardy clause. “If the

evidence presented at the first trial was sufficient for a rational trier of fact to find the essential

elements of the crime had been proved beyond a reasonable doubt, no double jeopardy violation

is created on retrial.” People v. Seal, 2015 IL App (4th) 130775, ¶ 33. Defendant does not

challenge the sufficiency of the evidence on appeal and we find the record contains sufficient

evidence from which a jury could have found defendant guilty of burglary and possession of

burglary tools beyond a reasonable doubt. Therefore, no double jeopardy violation will occur

upon retrial. See id.

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¶ 29                                    CONCLUSION

¶ 30    For the reasons stated above, we reverse the judgment of the trial court and remand this

case for a new trial.

¶ 31    Reversed and remanded.

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