Court Opinion

ID: 9391643
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-05-02 20:04:59.574903+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:18:43.167894
License: Public Domain

NOTICE: This order was filed under Supreme Court Rule 23 and is not precedent except
            in the limited circumstances allowed under Rule 23(e)(1).

                                         2023 IL App (3d) 210167-U

                                   Order filed May 1, 2023
      ____________________________________________________________________________

                                                   IN THE

                                    APPELLATE COURT OF ILLINOIS

                                             THIRD DISTRICT

                                                     2023

      THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF                       )       Appeal from the Circuit Court
      ILLINOIS,                                        )       of the 21st Judicial Circuit,
                                                       )       Kankakee County, Illinois,
             Plaintiff-Appellee,                       )
                                                       )       Appeal Nos. 3-21-0167 and 3-21-0311
             v.                                        )       Circuit No. 20-CF-391
                                                       )
      ABRAHAM J. YBARRA,                               )       Honorable
                                                       )       Kathy S. Bradshaw-Elliott,
             Defendant-Appellant.                      )       Judge, Presiding.
      ____________________________________________________________________________

            JUSTICE PETERSON delivered the judgment of the court.
            Justices McDade and Hettel concurred in the judgment.
      ____________________________________________________________________________

                                                  ORDER

¶1          Held: The court did not commit plain error by failing to exclude a statement as evidence
                  of other bad acts. The court did not err by dismissing defendant’s postconviction
                  petition at the first stage.

¶2          Defendant, Abraham J. Ybarra, appeals his convictions and the Kankakee County circuit

     court’s order dismissing his postconviction petition. Defendant argues that the court committed

     plain error by allowing the victim, Jessica Bacskai, to testify to a statement made by her and

     defendant’s son, X.B., because the statement constituted evidence of an uncharged and
     unsubstantiated act of attempted murder. He further argues that the court erred by dismissing his

     postconviction petition where his due process rights were violated because the charging

     instrument was insufficient. We affirm.

¶3                                           I. BACKGROUND

¶4          The State charged defendant, by way of an information, with two counts of aggravated

     domestic battery (720 ILCS 5/23-3.3(a-5) (West 2020)) and one count of domestic battery (id.

     § 12-3.2(a)(1)). Both counts of aggravated battery alleged that on July 2, 2020, defendant:

                    “committed the offense of AGGRAVATED DOMESTIC BATTERY, in

                    violation of Chapter 720, Paragraph 5/12-3.3(a-5) of the Illinois Compiled

                    Statutes, in that said defendant, in committing a domestic battery, in violation of

                    the Illinois Compiled Statutes, Chapter 720, Paragraph 5/12-3.2(a)(1), without

                    legal justification, knowingly strangled *** Bacskai, a family or household

                    member.”

     The matter proceeded to a jury trial.

¶5          During opening statement, the State told the jury it would hear from Bacskai that “each

     time [defendant] put his hands around her neck or on her face, she couldn’t breathe.” It further

     told the jury that “each time [defendant] put his hands around [Bacskai’s] neck, *** and then put

     his hands over her mouth, so she couldn’t breathe, those two times he was strangling her.”

     Defense counsel, during his opening statement, told the jury that defendant was not contesting

     that he struck Bacskai and that the crux of the trial was whether the State could prove the

     allegations of strangulation. He read the definition of strangulation to the jury, which he stated

     was “intentionally impeding the normal breathing or circulation of blood of an individual by

     applying pressure on the throat or neck of that individual or by blocking the nose or mouth of

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     that individual.” Defense counsel then told the jury it would see pictures of bruises on Bacskai

     but it would not see any bruise or injury to her neck and suggested that was because she was not

     strangled.

¶6          Bacskai testified that she and defendant have two children together, including X.B. On

     the evening of July 1, 2020, defendant came to her house and asked for money, which she gave

     him. Defendant left but came back later that evening “around midnight.” Defendant wanted more

     money and “ransacked the house.” Bacskai stated that defendant “choke hold me kind of.” She

     had difficulty breathing at that time. Defendant left again but came back early in the morning on

     July 2, 2020. Defendant punched Bacskai in the jaw. Defendant left the room and she attempted

     to put X.B. out of a window so he could go to a neighbor’s house but defendant returned and

     pulled him back inside. Bacskai stated that defendant “told me we are not going to do that again

     and got me on the bed. Choked me. [X.B] was screaming, Don’t kill my mom.” Defense counsel

     objected on the basis of hearsay. The transcript does not show a ruling on the objection. The

     State then asked what Bacskai meant by “choke” and she responded that defendant’s hands were

     around her neck. She was not able to breathe. X.B. was yelling and “at that point [defendant] put

     *** one hand over [Bacskai’s] nose and *** mouth and shoved [her] face into the bed.” Bacskai

     stopped fighting and defendant “let up.” She was able to leave. Bacskai went to a neighbor’s

     house and called 911. The 911 recording was admitted into evidence and played in court.

     Photographs taken of Bacskai and her home were also admitted into evidence and shown to the

     jury. One photograph showed blood on a bathroom door and Bacskai testified that she believed it

     was from her nose from when defendant was holding her mouth and nose. Other photographs

     showed her blood on a bed. Bacskai reiterated that defendant choked her the second time he

     came over and then again when he came over in the morning. She described the second choking

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     incident as defendant “was choking me around my neck, and then let up and put his hands on my

     nose and my mouth and shoved my head into the bed.” During all of those instances she had

     difficulty breathing.

¶7          On cross-examination, Bacskai indicated that defendant choked her for a few seconds.

     She admitted that in her written statement she indicated it was 30-45 seconds. Bacskai admitted

     that she previously used heroin but stated she had not used any drugs or alcohol around the time

     defendant attacked her. Bacskai further admitted that during the 911 call she stated that

     defendant held her hostage all night because that is how she felt at the time but at the time of trial

     she would not say that. Defense counsel questioned Bacskai about when defendant held her

     mouth and nose. Bacskai agreed that she did not put anything about defendant covering her

     mouth or nose in her written statement but stated that the choking was more on her mind. The

     photographs of Bacskai were taken as soon as the police arrived—approximately five minutes

     after she went to her neighbors.

¶8          X.B. testified that he was five years old. He saw an argument between Bacskai and

     defendant. He stated that defendant “was choking [Bacskai] and putting her face against her--”

     and at that point the State asked additional questions. X.B. stated that defendant touched Bacskai

     on her face and the record indicates that X.B. put his palm against his face. He further stated that

     defendant touched Bacskai on her neck and the record reflects that X.B. used his palm to grasp

     around his neck. Defendant and Bacskai were yelling at each other. X.B., his sister, and Bacskai

     were able to get out of the house. Defendant told Bacskai, “Next time I see you, I’m going to kill

     you.” On cross-examination, defense counsel questioned X.B. regarding his statement that

     defendant put his hand on Bacskai’s face.

                                                       4
¶9            Defense counsel asked an officer if Bacskai ever suggested that defendant covered her

       mouth or nose and he testified that he did not recall that. After the State’s witnesses, the

       proceedings ended for the day. The next day, prior to trial resuming, the State indicated it would

       not proceed on one of the counts of aggravated domestic battery. When trial resumed, the State

       rested and then the defense rested. During closing argument, the State noted that defendant

       choked Bacskai, grabbed her by her neck, and covered her mouth and nose. The defense

       highlighted that there was no bruising to Bacskai’s neck and argued that this indicated that she

       was not choked or strangled.

¶ 10          The jury found defendant guilty on the remaining count of aggravated domestic battery

       and domestic battery. Defense counsel filed a motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict

       arguing the State failed to prove defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. He also filed a

       motion for new trial arguing the court erred by allowing X.B. to testify because he was not

       competent. Defendant filed a pro se document alleging ineffective assistance of trial counsel. He

       alleged, in part, that defense counsel failed to file a motion for a bill of particulars. Defendant

       indicated this was in relation to an issue of the State alleging that he choked Bacskai but the State

       put evidence on at trial that he covered her nose and mouth as well. Defendant also alleged

       counsel failed to object to discovery violations.

¶ 11          During a hearing on defendant’s ineffective assistance claims, with regard to discovery

       violations, defendant elaborated that from the discovery he was tendered, the only thing he was

       being accused of as far as strangulation was manual strangulation around Bacskai’s neck but then

       in opening statements, the State alleged that he gave Bacskai a bloody nose and covered her

       mouth. Defendant argued that he did not know he was being accused of that and that the State

       should have given him that information so he could prepare a defense. The discussion between

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       defendant and the court then focused on blood that was on a sheet and that defendant was aware

       of the blood on the sheet. The court noted defendant was aware of the blood and the State argued

       in opening that the blood was from when defendant covered Bacskai’s nose. Defendant argued

       that the blood was his. Trial counsel interjected that the blood was not particularly relevant to

       whether Bacskai was strangled because she was saying defendant choked her and the blood was

       irrelevant to whether Bacskai was strangled. Trial counsel noted that there were no visible marks

       on Bacskai’s neck. Defendant reiterated that nothing in the pretrial discovery accused him of

       covering Bacskai’s mouth and it only alleged that he put his hands around her neck. He stated

       that he had an agreement with counsel of what they were going to do. They would not contest

       striking Bacskai but they “were ready for a defense against [defendant] getting accused of

       strangling [Bacskai] two times from her neck” but not regarding covering her mouth. Trial

       counsel responded that defendant was right about the discovery only indicating that he put his

       hands around Bacskai’s neck but that he did question Bacskai about the inconsistencies and

       argued them in closing. The court found that counsel was not negligent in this regard.

¶ 12          Defendant also argued that counsel should have filed a bill of particulars because the

       information only indicated that he strangled Bacskai but there are different methods of

       strangulation and he did not know which method he was being accused of. Trial counsel stated

       that presumably the State talked to Bacskai prior to trial and that is where they obtained the

       information regarding defendant covering Bacskai’s mouth. The court found that counsel was

       not negligent in this regard.

¶ 13          After a hearing, the court denied the posttrial motions. The convictions merged and the

       court sentenced defendant to 12 years’ imprisonment for aggravated domestic battery. Defendant

       filed a motion for reconsideration and the court denied it. Defendant appealed.

                                                        6
¶ 14          While his direct appeal was pending, defendant filed a postconviction petition. He argued

       that his charging instrument was insufficient because it failed to set forth the nature of the

       offense with sufficient specificity. Defendant argued that the statute under which he was charged

       was ambiguous and set forth distinct, disparate, and alternative acts because it defined strangle as

       impeding normal breathing by applying pressure on the throat or neck or by blocking the nose or

       mouth. Defendant further alleged that prior to trial he was only provided discovery that indicated

       he committed strangulation by putting his hands around Bacskai’s neck but during opening

       argument, the State, for the first time, indicated he blocked Bacskai’s nose or mouth. He argues

       that this variance “misled” him in making his defense. Defendant stated that because of the

       insufficient charging instrument he was “prejudiced and misled in setting up an effective

       defense” and that had the “charging instrument not prejudiced [him] and misled [him] there is a

       reasonable probability the outcome at trial would of been different.” The court dismissed the

       postconviction petition at the first stage. Defendant filed a motion to reconsider, which the court

       denied. Defendant appealed. This court granted defendant’s unopposed motion to consolidate

       defendant’s direct appeal and appeal from the dismissal of his postconviction petition.

¶ 15                                              II. ANALYSIS

¶ 16                                            A. X.B.’s Statement

¶ 17          Defendant argues that the court improperly admitted X.B.’s statement—“Don’t kill my

       mom”—during Bacskai’s testimony because the statement was overly prejudicial evidence of

       other crimes or bad acts. The State argues that the statement was not evidence of other crimes or

       bad acts.

¶ 18          Initially, we note that the State argues that this issue was forfeited. We agree. To preserve

       an error for appellate review, a defendant must object to the error at trial and raise it in his

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       posttrial motion. People v. Enoch, 122 Ill. 2d 176, 186 (1988). Here, during trial, defendant only

       objected to the statement on the basis of hearsay, not that it was evidence of other bad acts.

       Moreover, defendant failed to include any allegation of error regarding the statement in his

       posttrial motion. Defendant argues that if the issue was forfeited it can be reviewed under the

       plain error doctrine. The first step in applying the plain error doctrine is to determine if an error

       occurred. People v. Piatkowski, 225 Ill. 2d 551, 565 (2007).

¶ 19          First, it is unclear whether defendant is arguing that the statement should have been

       excluded as hearsay. We note that it is not clear that the statement would be considered hearsay

       as it does not appear it would have been admitted for the truth of the matter asserted. See Ill. R.

       Evid. 801(c) (eff. Oct. 15, 2015) (defining hearsay). Regardless, as defendant appears to

       recognize, it would fall under the excited utterance exception to the general rule barring hearsay.

       See Ill. R. Evid. 802 (eff. Jan. 1, 2011) (providing that hearsay is not admissible except as

       otherwise provided); Ill. R. Evid. 803(2) (eff. Sept. 28, 2018) (providing that a statement is not

       excluded by the hearsay rule if it is “relating to a startling event or condition made while the

       declarant was under the stress of excitement caused by the event or condition.”).

¶ 20          Next, although defendant is correct that evidence of other crimes or other bad acts may be

       inadmissible (see e.g., Ill. R. Evid. 404(b) (eff. Jan. 1, 2011)), X.B.’s statement is not evidence of

       other crimes or bad acts. X.B. was requesting that defendant not kill Bacskai rather than stating

       that defendant was killing or trying to kill Bacskai. Additionally, X.B.’s statement was directly

       related to the crime at issue, instead of some other bad act or crime. Specifically, X.B. made the

       statement in response to witnessing defendant’s strangulation of Bacskai, which is relevant to

       whether defendant was in fact strangling Bacskai. Thus, the statement would be circumstantial

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       evidence of the crime at issue, not some uncharged act. Thus, the court did not err by admitting

       evidence of other crimes or bad acts because X.B.’s statement was not such evidence.

¶ 21                                         B. Postconviction Petition

¶ 22           Defendant argues that the court erred by dismissing his postconviction petition at the first

       stage because he stated a meritorious claim that his charging instrument was insufficient. He

       argues that it was insufficient because of the disjunctives used in the definition of strangulation

       and the State’s failure to specify in the charging instrument the method of strangulation.

       Defendant argues he was prejudiced by the insufficiency because “the only reason he agreed

       with defense counsel’s strategy not to contest the misdemeanor charge of domestic battery was

       for the purpose of contesting the charge of strangulation by applying pressure to [Bacskai]’s

       neck.” Defendant further argues that he did not know how to proceed with his defense after

       learning about the allegation that he covered Bacskai’s nose and mouth and that he had prepared

       for a case of strangulation by pressure to the neck. The State argues that the complaint was not

       deficient because it sufficiently apprised defendant of the nature of the charges against him. The

       State further argues defendant was not prejudiced by the complaint because the alleged lack of

       specificity did not prevent him from preparing a defense.

¶ 23           The Post-Conviction Hearing Act (725 ILCS 5/122-1 et seq. (West 2018)) provides a

       process for a criminal defendant to assert that his conviction resulted from a substantial denial of

       his rights under the United States Constitution, the Illinois Constitution, or both. People v. Hodges,

       234 Ill. 2d 1, 9 (2009). At the first stage, defendant need only state the “gist” of a constitutional

       claim. Id. The circuit court may summarily dismiss the petition at the first stage of proceedings if

       it is frivolous or patently without merit, such that it “has no arguable basis either in law or in fact.”

       Id. at 16.

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¶ 24             A defendant has a right to be informed of the nature and cause of criminal accusations

       against him. People v. DiLorenzo, 169 Ill. 2d 318, 321 (1996). “The ‘nature and cause’ of a

       criminal accusation refers to the crime committed, not the manner in which it was committed.”

       Id. When a charging instrument is challenged pretrial, the court must determine whether it

       strictly complies with section 111-3 of the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963 (725 ILCS

       5/111-3 (West 2020)). DiLorenzo, 169 Ill. 2d at 321-22. Section 111-3 requires that the charge

       be in writing and state the name of the offense, cite the statute allegedly violated, set forth the

       nature and elements of the offense, state the date and county of the offense, and state the name of

       the accused. 725 ILCS 5/111-3(a) (West 2020). However, when the sufficiency of a charging

       instrument is attacked posttrial “it is sufficient that the indictment apprised the accused of the

       precise offense charged with enough specificity to (1) allow preparation of his defense and

       (2) allow pleading a resulting conviction as a bar to future prosecution arising out of the same

       conduct.” DiLorenzo, 169 Ill. 2d at 322.

¶ 25             Defendant only challenges whether the information sufficiently set forth the nature and

       elements of the offense charged and only with respect to the failure to designate the manner of

       strangulation. Due to the timing of defendant’s challenge to the sufficiency of the information, it

       need not be shown that it strictly complied with section 111-3. However, our review indicates

       that the information complied with section 111-3. As stated in DiLorenzo, the nature of the

       accusation refers to the crime itself, rather than the manner in which it was committed. Here, the

       information sufficiently set forth the crime committed—aggravated domestic battery—with a

       specific citation to the criminal statute defendant was being accused of violating. That statute

       states:

                                                         10
               “A person who, in committing a domestic battery, strangles another individual

               commits aggravated domestic battery. For the purposes of this subsection (a-5),

               “strangle” means intentionally impeding the normal breathing or circulation of the

               blood of an individual by applying pressure on the throat or neck of that

               individual or by blocking the nose or mouth of that individual.” 720 ILCS 5/12-

               3.3(a-5) (West 2020).

The information further set forth that defendant knowingly strangled Bacskai. The State was not

required to further allege which specific manner of strangulation defendant was accused of

simply because the statute further defines the term “strangulation” and utilizes disjunctives in

doing so. See People v. Perkins, 216 Ill. App. 3d 389, 395-396 (1991) (indicating that the State

need only allege the element of the crime with which it is charging defendant, even if one of the

elements is itself further defined in alternative ways); People v. Tanner, 142 Ill. App. 3d 165,

168-69 (1986) (providing that although the definition of “sexual penetration” includes alternative

acts listed in the disjunctive, the type of sexual penetration is not an element of the offense and

its inclusion in a charging instrument is mere surplusage). In sum, strangulation is the element of

the offense and was all that was required to be included in the charging instrument. The

difference between whether defendant put his hand over Bacskai’s mouth or nose or around her

neck relates to the manner in which defendant strangled her and the fact that the State failed to

allege the specific manner does not render the information insufficient. See e.g., People v.

Lattimore, 2011 IL App (1st) 093238, ¶ 70 (determining that, in regard to a charge of aggravated

battery, there was no material difference between an indictment that charged defendant struck the

victim about the body and the proof at trial that defendant caused the victim to be struck about

the body, as the difference only related to the manner in which defendant caused bodily harm).

                                                 11
       Because the information was sufficient, defendant’s claim regarding its sufficiency was patently

       without merit. Thus, the court properly dismissed defendant’s postconviction petition at the first

       stage.

¶ 26                                          III. CONCLUSION

¶ 27            The judgment of the circuit court of Kankakee County is affirmed.

¶ 28            Affirmed.

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