Court Opinion

ID: 3142815
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-10-22 17:57:16.139272+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:54:53.735912
License: Public Domain

ILLINOIS OFFICIAL REPORTS
                                        Appellate Court

                           People v. Utsinger, 2013 IL App (3d) 110536

Appellate Court            THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, Plaintiff-Appellee, v.
Caption                    LYLE D. UTSINGER, Defendant-Appellant.

District & No.             Third District
                           Docket No. 3-11-0536

Filed                      May 30, 2013

Held                       On appeal from defendant’s conviction for reckless driving and sentence
(Note: This syllabus       to court supervision, the appellate court rejected the State’s contention
constitutes no part of     that the appellate court lacked jurisdiction because court supervision was
the opinion of the court   not a “sentence” and defendant had nothing to appeal, since Supreme
but has been prepared      Court Rule 604(b) gave defendant the right to appeal the “finding of
by the Reporter of         guilt” made by the trial court prior to entering the order of court
Decisions for the          supervision, and the appellate court also rejected defendant’s claim that
convenience of the         the trial court improperly shifted the burden of proof to him when, in
reader.)
                           denying his motion for a directed finding at the close of the State’s case,
                           the court observed that he had not refuted the State’s evidence, because
                           at that point in the trial, defendant could have rested his case and argued
                           that the State had not proved his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, but in
                           any case, the trial court’s finding that defendant was guilty was supported
                           by proof beyond a reasonable doubt, especially in view of defendant’s
                           inconsistent versions of the incident leading to the citation.

Decision Under             Appeal from the Circuit Court of Knox County, No. 11-TR-1416; the
Review                     Hon. S. Scott Shipplett, Judge, presiding.

Judgment                   Affirmed.
Counsel on                 Melissa Maye and Verlin R. Meinz (argued), both of State Appellate
Appeal                     Defender’s Office, of Ottawa, for appellant.

                           John T. Pepmeyer, State’s Attorney, of Galesburg (Terry A. Mertel and
                           Laura E. DeMichael (argued), both of State’s Attorneys Appellate
                           Prosecutor’s Office, of counsel), for the People.

Panel                      PRESIDING JUSTICE WRIGHT delivered the judgment of the court,
                           with opinion.
                           Justices Lytton and Schmidt concurred in the judgment and opinion.

                                             OPINION

¶1           Following a bench trial, the trial court found defendant guilty of reckless driving and
        sentenced defendant to six months of court supervision. 625 ILCS 5/11-503(a) (West 2010).
        Defendant appeals on the grounds that the State failed to prove him guilty beyond a
        reasonable doubt and he had an unfair trial. Initially, the State argues this court lacks
        jurisdiction to consider an appeal from an order of court supervision. We reject the State’s
        contention and exercise our jurisdiction to address the merits of this appeal. We affirm the
        trial court’s decision finding defendant guilty of reckless driving.

¶2                                              FACTS
¶3          On March 4, 2011, defendant and his current girlfriend were traveling in defendant’s
        truck during a heavy rainstorm when defendant noticed he was being closely followed by
        another vehicle, driven by his ex-girlfriend, Carla Dorethy. Defendant unexpectedly applied
        his brakes causing Carla’s vehicle to collide with defendant’s truck. Shortly thereafter, Knox
        County Sheriff’s Deputy Keith King arrived at the scene. After a brief investigation of the
        incident, the officer issued defendant a citation for reckless driving and issued a citation to
        Carla for following too closely. Defendant pled not guilty and requested a bench trial.
¶4          During the bench trial, Deputy King testified that it was pouring rain when he arrived on
        the scene of a traffic accident around 6 p.m. and observed people arguing in the roadway.
        During his investigation at the scene, King learned Carla Dorethy was defendant’s ex-
        girlfriend, who had become upset after observing defendant with another woman in his truck.
        According to Deputy King, he determined Carla was following defendant’s vehicle too
        closely and, consequently, was unable to stop her vehicle to avoid a collision when defendant
        suddenly applied his brakes.
¶5          At the scene, both defendant and his current girlfriend told the officer that defendant

                                                 -2-
       suddenly applied his brakes in response to the unexpected appearance of a deer on the
       roadway immediately before the collision. While on the scene, defendant told the officer that
       Carla was driving approximately one foot behind his truck, when the deer ran in front of his
       truck, requiring him to suddenly apply his brakes.
¶6         Based on his investigation, King surmised the incident involved a “domestic situation”
       and concluded defendant “brake-checked” Carla because defendant wanted to cause Carla
       “trouble and be issued a citation.” King issued a ticket to Carla for following too closely and
       also issued a ticket to defendant for reckless driving.
¶7         Carla testified that on March 4, 2011, she was driving her own vehicle, in a heavy rain,
       following defendant’s truck, shortly after an argument with defendant. According to Carla,
       defendant suddenly slammed on his brakes, causing Carla’s vehicle to collide with
       defendant’s truck. Carla did not observe anything in the roadway that may have caused
       defendant to apply his brakes.
¶8         The trial court denied defendant’s request for a directed verdict, stating:
           “[I]f [defendant] did brake, which appears to be the evidence, in the highway, then he
           needed to have a reason; and until–if he offers a reason, that would make–but that would
           perhaps explain why you would brake in the middle of the highway. I mean, I don’t think
           the evidence was from her that she didn’t see anything–or any reason in front of him to
           brake and he braked.”
¶9         Following the ruling on the directed finding, defendant testified on his own behalf.
       Defendant explained he knew Carla was following him while he drove along Knox County
       Highway 10 after having an argument with her. During his testimony, defendant stated he
       applied his brakes when a “deer or a coyote or somethin’ ” ran out in front of his truck.
       Defendant testified that he did not intentionally cause the collision, and he stated during his
       cross-examination he was unaware of how close Carla was to his truck when he applied his
       brakes.
¶ 10       At the close of all the evidence and following arguments, the court found defendant’s
       testimony was not credible, in part, because he originally told King that Carla’s vehicle was
       approximately one foot from his rear bumper, but at trial, he stated he could not remember
       how far Carla was behind him. The trial court entered a finding of guilty and ordered
       defendant to pay a fine of $125 as a condition of six months of court supervision.
¶ 11       After a hearing on July 27, 2011, the trial court denied defendant’s timely motion for a
       new trial. The trial court noted defendant’s testimony that an animal crossed in front of his
       truck was not supported by any other evidence and the court “didn’t accept” defendant’s
       testimony because defendant could not describe the distance between Carla’s vehicle and his
       truck. Defendant appeals.

¶ 12                                        ANALYSIS
¶ 13       On appeal, defendant argues he was denied his right to a fair bench trial. Defendant also
       challenges the finding of guilt on the grounds that the State’s evidence did not establish his
       guilt of reckless driving beyond a reasonable doubt.

                                                -3-
¶ 14        Avoiding a discussion of the merits of either issue, the State adopts a narrow reading of
       Illinois Supreme Court Rule 604(b) (eff. July 1, 2006) and argues this court lacks jurisdiction
       to consider these issues. The State asserts Rule 604(b) prohibits this defendant from filing
       an appeal after being “placed under supervision” by the trial court. Alternatively, the State
       submits that the trial court properly found defendant guilty of reckless driving.
¶ 15        We address the issue concerning our jurisdiction first. The State maintains that a
       defendant who receives an order of supervision has not received a “sentence” as defined by
       statute. 730 ILCS 5/5-1-19 (West 2010) (sentence is the disposition imposed by the court on
       a convicted defendant). The State claims that, without a sentence and ensuing judgment,
       there is nothing to appeal. According to the State’s theory, any offender receiving court
       supervision based on a finding of guilt may not appeal the court’s finding unless a violation
       of court supervision occurs, presumably within the first 30 days after the guilty finding,
       thereby triggering a conviction and allowing for a timely appeal of the initial trial court
       proceedings.
¶ 16        Surprisingly, during oral arguments before this court, the State emphasized the language
       of Rule 604(b) requires an offender to refuse the opportunity to receive court supervision,
       after a finding of guilt, in order to preserve the right of review pursuant to Rule 604(b). The
       State’s impractical interpretation of the language of Rule 604(b) requires an offender who
       is eligible for supervision to choose between the benefits of a sentence of court supervision,
       which enables an offender to avoid a conviction, and the fundamental right to an appeal. We
       conclude the plain language of Rule 604(b) does not require any offender to make such a
       difficult choice.
¶ 17        At the onset, we note many offenders are not eligible for court supervision after a finding
       of guilt. See 730 ILCS 5/5-6-1(c) through (p) (West 2010). Of those who qualify to be placed
       under an order of supervision (primarily first offenders), only those who comply with the
       terms of the trial court’s order will be allowed to successfully avoid a conviction on their
       record. We do not believe the supreme court, by enacting Rule 604(b), intended those select
       persons who are eligible to be placed under an order of court supervision, and thereafter
       comply with the terms of the court order, must be denied access to appellate review of
       alleged trial court errors. Whether an offender complies or violates the terms of court-ordered
       supervision, a person, such as this defendant, who is placed under supervision by the trial
       court is clearly entitled to pursue an appeal from a finding of guilt. Our conclusion is
       supported by the plain language of the rule itself.
¶ 18        Significantly, Rule 604(b) applies to appeals following an order of supervision. The rule
       is entitled “Appeals When Defendant Placed Under Supervision or Sentenced to Probation,
       Conditional Discharge or Periodic Imprisonment.” (Emphasis added.) This rule provides in
       relevant part:
            “A defendant who has been placed under supervision or found guilty and sentenced to
            probation or conditional discharge *** may appeal from the judgment and may seek
            review of the conditions of supervision, or of the finding of guilt or the conditions of the
            sentence, or both.” (Emphases added.) Ill. S. Ct. R. 604(b) (eff. July 1, 2006).
¶ 19        Rule 604(b) explicitly states any defendant placed under court supervision “may seek

                                                 -4-
       review of the conditions of supervision, or of the finding of guilt.” (Emphasis added.) Ill. S.
       Ct. R. 604(b) (eff. July 1, 2006). Clearly, this defendant is seeking review of the “finding of
       guilt,” which preceded his order of court supervision, as explicitly allowed by Rule 604(b).
       Therefore, we conclude Rule 604(b) gives rise to our authority to consider this appeal no
       matter how far the State attempts to stretch the language of the rule with respect to the term
       “sentence.”
¶ 20        Turning to the merits of this appeal, defendant argues the trial court improperly shifted
       the burden of proof to the defense when denying defendant’s motion for a directed finding
       at the conclusion of the State’s case. Defendant is most troubled by the trial court’s
       observation that the defense, at that juncture of the trial, had not refuted the State’s evidence
       that the sudden braking was unnecessary based on the conditions of the roadway.
¶ 21        We conclude the court’s comments did not improperly shift the burden of proof at trial
       to the defense. Here, the court merely denied the motion for a directed finding after properly
       evaluating the evidence in the light most favorable to the State, for purposes of this motion.
       Defendant could have rested his case at that point in time and argued the very same evidence
       did not meet the State’s higher burden of proof at the conclusion of trial, which requires
       proof beyond a reasonable doubt. We conclude the trial court did not improperly shift the
       burden of proof to the defense.
¶ 22        Next, we consider whether the trial court’s ultimate finding of guilt, at the conclusion of
       the trial, was supported by proof beyond a reasonable doubt concerning the offense of
       reckless driving. In this case, defendant claims the State’s evidence failed to prove he acted
       with a willful disregard for the safety of other persons or property as charged.
¶ 23       The statute provides a person commits reckless driving when he drives any vehicle with
       a willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property. 625 ILCS 5/11-503(a)
       (West 2010). Willful is synonymous with knowing and intentional. 720 ILCS 5/4-5 (West
       2010); People v. Parr, 130 Ill. App. 2d 212, 221 (1970). The required mental state for
       reckless driving is often implied by the manner in which defendant operated his vehicle. See
       People v. Stropoli, 146 Ill. App. 3d 667, 670-71 (1986).
¶ 24        When challenging the sufficiency of the evidence, the standard of review is whether,
       when viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the State, any rational trier of fact
       could have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. People v.
       Collins, 106 Ill. 2d 237, 261 (1985). When a trial court receives conflicting versions of the
       events from the witnesses, the credibility of witnesses, the weight to be given to their
       testimony, and the reasonable inferences to be drawn from the evidence are matters within
       the province of the trier of fact. People v. Ross, 229 Ill. 2d 255, 272 (2008).
¶ 25        In this case, the investigating officer testified that, on the night of the accident, defendant
       told him that Carla was following just one foot behind his truck during a heavy rain, when
       a deer crossed the road. However, during defendant’s trial testimony, he provided the court
       with a slightly different version of the events by stating he did not know how close Carla’s
       vehicle was in relation to his truck and by adding the animal may have been a coyote. In
       addition, the court received conflicting testimony from the witnesses regarding the sudden
       appearance of any animal on the roadway. Carla testified she did not see anything on the

                                                   -5-
       roadway warranting a sudden stop by defendant. Both defendant and his passenger told the
       officer a four-legged creature crossed the road.
¶ 26       The court was called upon to resolve the differences between the testimony of these
       witnesses and defendant’s slightly inconsistent versions provided to the officer at the scene
       and the court during his testimony at trial. When performing this task, the trial judge
       indicated he did not “accept” defendant’s version of the events, because defendant testified
       he did not know the distance between the two vehicles just before he braked.
¶ 27       It is not within the province of this court to substitute our view for that of the trial court
       with respect to findings of fact. People v. Belk, 326 Ill. App. 3d 290, 296 (2001) (a reviewing
       court will not substitute its judgment for that of the trier of fact on issues of the weight of the
       evidence or the credibility of the witnesses). After carefully reviewing the record in this case,
       we conclude the evidence was sufficient to prove defendant guilty beyond a reasonable
       doubt.

¶ 28                                     CONCLUSION
¶ 29       For the foregoing reasons, the judgment of the circuit court of Knox County is affirmed.

¶ 30       Affirmed.

                                                  -6-