Court Opinion

ID: 3146879
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-10-22 18:23:15.25304+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:55:14.980958
License: Public Domain

FIFTH DIVISION
                                                                      October 31, 2008

No. 1-06-1482

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS,                           )      Appeal from the
                                                               )      Circuit Court of
       Plaintiff-Appellee,                                     )      Cook County.
                                                               )
       vs.                                                     )      No. 04 CR 30237
                                                               )
IVAN MARTINEZ,                                                 )      The Honorable
                                                               )      Diane Cannon,
       Defendant-Appellant.                                    )      Judge Presiding.

       JUSTICE TOOMIN delivered the opinion of the court:

       Defendant, Ivan Martinez, was convicted of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and

unlawful use of a weapon by a felon after a jury trial and was sentenced as a Class X offender to

concurrent terms of imprisonment of 12 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. On

appeal, he asserts that: (1) the trial court conducted incomplete and insufficient voir dire by

failing to adhere to the requirements of Supreme Court Rule 431 (177 Ill. 2d R. 431); (2)

prosecutors presented improper and inflammatory arguments; (3) entry of judgment on both

counts of the charged offenses violated the one-act, one-crime rule; (4) the Violent Crime Victim

Assistance fine was improperly imposed; and (5) the Criminal/Traffic Conviction Surcharge fine

should be offset by defendant’s time in custody. For the following reasons, we affirm in part,

vacate in part and modify the judgment of the circuit court.
1-06-1482

                                         BACKGROUND

       The instant prosecution stemmed from the discovery of a loaded handgun in defendant’s

van following a traffic stop in the City of Chicago on December 3, 2004. Defendant filed a

motion to quash arrest and suppress evidence, which the court denied after an evidentiary

hearing. The matter then proceeded to trial on two counts, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon

in that defendant knowingly carried an uncased, loaded and immediately accessible firearm in a

vehicle after having been previously convicted of attempt second degree murder, and unlawful

use of a weapon by a felon.

       The evidence presented before the jury established that on December 3, 2004, Detective

Healey was on duty at Area Five headquarters located on the northwest side of the city. He left

the facility in an unmarked car around 3:30 a.m. to get coffee. As the detective drove north on

Laramie, he noticed a van parked in the alley between Fullerton and Medill. The van was in the

middle of the alley with the headlights off, the driver’s door open, with nobody in or around it.

After circling the block to investigate further, Healey saw the van traveling west in the alley and

then turn north onto Laramie. He followed the van, observing that it had no license plate on the

bumper, but did exhibit some form of temporary registration in the rear window, which was

tinted black. Because he was alone, Healey radioed for assistance in stopping the vehicle. Upon

arrival of the assist officers, Bieze and Dortch, both units activated their emergency lights and

stopped the van at Cicero and Wabansia.

       Healey approached the driver’s side of the van, where he observed defendant seated in the

driver’s seat. He asked defendant for his driver’s license and insurance, but defendant was

                                                 2
1-06-1482

unable to produce either. In turn, Healey asked the defendant to step out of the vehicle, and as

defendant complied, the detective observed that he was dressed in camouflage clothing and was

wearing a black skullcap with eye holes cut into it. As the door of the van remained open,

Healey saw what he recognized as the handle of a gun protruding from beneath the front seat.

Healey recovered the gun, a .38-caliber Taurus revolver containing live and spent rounds.

Defendant was arrested upon discovery of the weapon. Healey later inventoried the weapon and

it was admitted into evidence at defendant’s trial.

       Detective Healey gave defendant his Miranda rights at the scene and the station and

defendant acknowledged his understanding. When asked why he had a gun and was dressed in

camouflage, defendant replied that he was from Miami and that he was on a mission. Healey

inventoried the black skullcap, but did not inventory the camouflage clothing or boots. Although

defendant’s booking photograph depicts him in a polo shirt, Healey testified that defendant was

wearing it beneath the camouflage shirt or jacket.

       Officer Daniel Bieze testified that he and his partner assisted Healey in making the traffic

stop. Defendant was the only occupant of the vehicle. When defendant was unable to produce a

driver’s license or proof of insurance he was placed into custody and put in the backseat of the

assist vehicle. Officer Bieze confirmed that defendant was wearing “like a camouflage outfit,

like an army jacket like shirt, camouflage pants, military jump boots like black, he had

camouflage gloves and a black knit cap.” Bieze noted that the jacket was removed during a

custodial search before defendant was taken to the lockup. The officer did not see a gun in the

van nor did he participate in the inventory of evidence.

                                                 3
1-06-1482

       The gun and ammunition recovered from defendant’s van was sent to the Illinois State

Police Forensic Science Center for fingerprint analysis. Julie Wessel, a forensic scientist,

examined the revolver, as well as the spent and live cartridges, but found no latent fingerprint

impression suitable for comparison.

       The parties also stipulated that defendant had been convicted of a felony offense in the

state of Florida. However, the specific offense was not identified. After the People rested,

defendant moved for a directed verdict, which the court denied. The defense then rested. After

arguments, the jury returned verdicts of guilty on each count. Following denial of post-trial

motions, defendant was sentenced to concurrent sentences of 12 years of imprisonment. The

court also entered an order assessing fines, fees and costs against defendant totaling $639,

including a $4 criminal traffic conviction surcharge, a $20 violent crime victim assistance charge,

and a $100 trauma fund charge. Defendant filed a motion to reconsider sentence, which the court

denied, and this appeal followed.

                                            ANALYSIS

                                    Sufficiency of the Voir Dire

       In his initial assignment of error, defendant asserts that the trial court committed

reversible error by failing to sua sponte inquire into the potential bias prospective jurors might

harbor against a defendant who declines to testify or present evidence in his own behalf.

       Jury selection was conducted by the court and counsel on February 8, 2006. Initially, the

trial court informed the venire that:

       “The defendant is presumed innocent of the charges” and that “the State has the

                                                  4
1-06-1482

         burden of proving the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.”

The court then called 14 prospective jurors into the jury box and made a general inquiry to the

group:

         “Again the defendant is presumed innocent of the charges. State has the burden of

         proving him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Is there anybody who has any

         problems with that proposition of law? No response.”

         The judge next directed specific inquiries to each member of the group dealing with

family background, residency, employment, prior jury service, and involvement in criminal and

civil proceedings. Additionally, several jurors who had acquaintances in law enforcement were

asked if they could judge the testimony of a police officer in the same manner as that of any other

witness. The parties were then permitted to supplement the voir dire; the State directed one

question to the group, but defense counsel had no questions. Both sides then exercised their

peremptory challenges, resulting in the tentative acceptance of 10 jurors.

         Following the lunch break, 14 additional jurors were placed in the jury box, and after

informing the new group of the State’s burden to prove defendant guilty beyond a reasonable

doubt, the court further stated:

                “As I stated earlier, I will repeat it, the State has the burden of proving the

         defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. And that burden remaining with them

         throughout the trial.

                The defendant is not required to prove his innocence. Is there anybody

         seated in the jury box that has any qualms or disagrees with that proposition of

                                                  5
1-06-1482

       law? No response.”

       Defendant maintains that the nature and scope of the court-conducted voir dire deprived

him of his right to a fair trial because it failed to adequately question each potential juror as

required by Supreme Court Rule 431(b). According to defendant, the court’s inquiries were

deficient in failing to question each of the prospective jurors regarding his or her understanding

of and ability to follow the principles that the defendant is presumed innocent, that he does not

have to present any evidence, and that his failure to testify cannot be held against him.

Defendant further asserts that because the recent amendment to Rule 431 applies retroactively to

the case at bar, he is therefore entitled to a new trial. Because this issue involves the construction

of a supreme court rule, we review the claim de novo. Robidoux v. Oliphant 201 Ill. 2d 324, 332,

775 N.E.2d 987, 992 (2002).

       As noted, defendant’s trial took place in February 2006. At that time, Rule 431 provided:

               “(a) The court shall conduct voir dire explanation of prospective jurors by

       putting to them questions it thinks appropriate, touching upon their qualifications to

       serve as jurors in the case at trial. The court may permit the parties to submit

       additional questions to it for further inquiry if it thinks they are appropriate and shall

       permit the parties to supplement the examination by such direct inquiry as the court

       deems proper for a reasonable period of time depending upon the length of

       examination by the court, the complexity of the case, and the nature of the charges.

       Questions shall not directly or indirectly concern matters of law or instructions. The

       court shall acquaint prospective jurors with the general duties and responsibilities of

                                                   6
1-06-1482

       jurors.

                 (b) If requested by the defendant, the court shall ask each potential juror,

       individually or in a group, whether that juror understands and accepts the following

       principles: (1) that the defendant is presumed innocent of the charge(s) against him

       or her; (2) that before a defendant can be convicted the State must prove the

       defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt; (3) that the defendant is not required to

       offer any evidence on his or her own behalf; and (4) that the defendant’s failure to

       testify cannot be held against him or her; however, no inquiry of a prospective juror

       shall be made into the defendant’s failure to testify when the defendant objects.

                 The court’s method of inquiry shall provide each juror an opportunity to

       respond to specific questions concerning the principles set out in this section.” 177

       Ill. 2d R. 431.

       Precedent instructs that the requirements set forth in Rule 431 (b) have come to be known

as the Zehr principles. See People v. Zehr, 103 Ill. 2d 472, 469 N.E.2d 1062 (1984). In Zehr,

our supreme court held that the trial court erred during voir dire by refusing defense counsel’s

request to question prospective jurors about the State’s burden of proof, the presumption of

innocence, and the defendant’s right to not offer any evidence on his own behalf. Zehr, 103 Ill.
2d at 477-478, 469 N.E.2d at 1064.

       The Zehr court reasoned:

                 “We are of the opinion that essential to the qualifications of jurors in a

       criminal case is that they know that a defendant is presumed innocent, that he is not

                                                  7
1-06-1482

       required to offer any evidence in his own behalf, that he must be proved guilty

       beyond a reasonable doubt, and that his failure to testify in his own behalf cannot be

       held against him.” Zehr, 103 Ill. 2d at 477, 469 N.E.2d at 1064.

       Zehr’s salutary principles were codified by the supreme court in its May 1997 amendment

to Rule 431 (177 Ill. 2d R. 431). See People v. Gregg, 315 Ill. App. 3d 59, 66-67, 732 N.E.2d
1152, 1158 (2000) (discussing evolution of Rule 431). At that time subsection (b) was added

and expressly provided that the trial court need only question prospective jurors in accordance

with Zehr, “if requested by the defendant.” (Emphasis added.) 177 Ill. 2d R. 431(b).

Additionally, new subsection (b) also cautioned that “no inquiry shall be made into the

defendant’s failure to testify when the defendant objects.” (Emphasis added.) 177 Ill. 2d R.

431(b). Thus, where requested by the defendant, a trial judge’s refusal to inquire into the bias of

prospective jurors toward a defendant who declines to testify on his own behalf constitutes

reversible error. People v. Pogue, 312 Ill. App. 3d 719, 726, 724 N.E.2d 525, 530-31 (1999).

       In the instant case, the record conclusively establishes that defense counsel made no

request that Zehr’s principles be articulated in the court’s voir dire. Hence, the People argue that

absent such request, the trial court conducted voir dire in full compliance with the applicable

supreme court rules. The State’s position finds support in People v. Williams, 368 Ill. App. 3d
616, 623, 858 N.E.2d 606, 613 (2006), where we determined that the plain language of Rule

431(b) defeated defendant’s argument that the trial court had a sua sponte duty to make Zehr

inquiries, absent a request by defense counsel. Earlier, an identical result obtained in People v.

Benford, 349 Ill. App. 3d 721, 812 N.E.2d 714 (2004), where we reasoned that the defendant’s

                                                 8
1-06-1482

decision to ask jurors individually as to whether they understand and accept Zehr’s principles is

not mandatory, but optional. Benford, 349 Ill. App. 3d at 733, 812 N.E.2d at 724. In Benford,

we further observed, that “Although counsel failed to have the circuit court inform the jurors

regarding defendant’s decision not to testify, the jury was made aware of the principle just prior

to deliberating, thereby curing any error.” Benford, 349 Ill. App. 3d at 733, 812 N.E.2d at 733.

That likewise occurred in the proceedings below.

       We are aware that a contrary result was reached in People v. Pearson, 356 Ill. App. 3d
390, 826 N.E.2d 1099 (2005). In Pearson, while our Second Division agreed that Rule 431(b)

did not vest trial judges with the responsibility of making Zehr inquiries, it nonetheless found

that the trial judges’ failure to do so sua sponte violated the mandate of Rule 431(a) that the court

“shall acquaint prospective jurors with the general duties and responsibilities of jurors.”

(Emphasis added.) 177 Ill. 2d R. 431(a). The Pearson court reasoned that “Rule 431(a) requires

trial judges to inform prospective jurors about a defendant’s basic rights, as set out in Rule

431(b), so that they will be informed about their ‘general duties and responsibilities.’ ” Pearson,
356 Ill. App. 3d at 400, 826 N.E.2d at 1107-08.

       Two First District cases that followed in the wake of Pearson questioned the rationale of

that holding and rejected the result. In People v. Foreman, 361 Ill. App. 3d 136, 836 N.E.2d 750

(2005), our First Division reasoned that the Pearson court’s construction of subsection (a) would

render subsection (b) of the rule superfluous. Foreman, 361 Ill. App. 3d at 146, 836 N.E.2d at

760.

       “We cannot agree with the Pearson court that the supreme court would, in subsection

                                                  9
1-06-1482

       (b), leave it to defense counsel to decide whether the trial court should inquire into

       the jurors’ understanding of the Zehr principles but would, in subsection (a), make

       the trial court’s failure to inform the jurors of those principles reversible error, even

       absent a request by defense counsel.” Foreman, 361 Ill. App. 3d at 146, 836, N.E.2d

       at 760.

Similarly in Williams our Fourth Division agreed that Rule 431(a) does not require the trial court

to ask potential jurors about the Zehr principles in the absence of a request by defense counsel.

Williams, 368 Ill. App. 3d at 625, 858 N.E.2d at 614.

       We believe that Foreman and Williams represent the better reasoned approach. We

concur in the underlying rationale in Foreman, that the supreme court’s refusal to make the

requirements of subsection (b) mandatory indicates that the court did not intend the result

reached by the Pearson court. Foreman, 361 Ill. App. 3d at 148, 836 N.E.2d at 761.

Accordingly, we reject Pearson’s teaching that the trial court’s duty to inform prospective jurors

of their “general duties and responsibilities” mandates that the Zehr principles are implicitly part

of the trial court’s obligations under subsection (a). See 177 Ill. 2d R. 431(a).

       In the instant case, we find that the venire was indeed informed of their general duties and

responsibilities during the voir dire. In her opening remarks, after introducing the parties and

identifying potential witnesses, the trial court judge summarized the charges in the indictment,

while cautioning that the indictment was not evidence against the defendant. She told the jurors

that defendant is presumed innocent and the State has the burden to prove guilt beyond a

reasonable doubt. In highlighting the importance of jury service, the trial judge informed the

                                                  10
1-06-1482

jurors that she “put jury duty second only to service in the military.” She then proceeded to ask

each panel of prospective jurors, as a group, whether they could sign a guilty verdict if the State

proved defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and conversely whether they could return a

not guilty verdict if the State failed to meet its burden. Additionally, the panels were asked if

their members had any problem with the presumption of innocence. True, the court’s

introductory remarks made no mention of the defendant’s right not to testify or present any

evidence, but again, defense counsel did not request that those admonishments be given. We

conclude that the trial court’s comments and questions during jury selection satisfied the

requirements of Supreme Court Rule 431, as it then existed.

       However, given the recent amendment to Rule 431 (b), our inquiry must nonetheless

continue. On March 21, 2007, the Illinois Supreme Court amended subsection (b) by deleting

the language “If requested by the defendant,” but leaving the remainder of the rule unchanged.

Rule 431(b) now provides:

                “The court shall ask each potential juror, individually or in a group, whether

       that juror understands and accepts the following principles: (1) that the defendant is

       presumed innocent of the charge(s) against him or her; (2) that before a defendant can

       be convicted the State must prove the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt;

       (3) that the defendant is not required to offer any evidence on his or her own behalf;

       and (4) that the defendant’s failure to testify cannot be held against him or her;

       however, no inquiry of a prospective juror shall be made into the defendant’s failure

       to testify when the defendant objects.

                                                 11
1-06-1482

               The court’s method of inquiry shall provide each juror an opportunity to

       respond to specific questions concerning the principles set out in this section.”

       Official Reports Advance Sheet No. 8 (April 11, 2007), R. 431(b), eff. May 1, 2007.

       Thus, amended Rule 431(b) clearly changed the landscape by imposing a sua sponte duty

upon the trial judge to question each potential juror in accordance with Zehr’s mandate.

Significantly, a juror’s understanding and acceptance of the Zehr principles no longer hinges

upon defense counsel’s request.

       Defendant contends that the amendment controls the instant appeal. He asserts that we

should apply the amended version retroactively because there is nothing in the plain language of

the rule that indicates the intended temporal reach of the amendment and because the amendment

is clearly procedural in nature. We must therefore resolve whether the amendment should be

applied retroactively as urged by defendant.

       We begin with the understanding that the retroactivity analysis for supreme court rules is

the same as that for statutes. See People ex rel. Madigan v. Petco Petroleum Corp., 363 Ill. App.
3d 613, 619-21, 841, N.E.2d 1065, 1070-71 (2006). In Commonwealth Edison Co. v. Will

County Collector, 196 Ill. 2d 27, 39, 749 N.E.2d 964, 971-72 (2001), our supreme court adopted

the analysis of Landgraf v. USI Film Products, 511 U.S. 244, 128 L. Ed. 2d 229, 114 S. Ct. 1483

(1994), for determining when new legislation should be applied to existing controversies. In

Landgraf, the United States Supreme Court recognized the presumption against retroactive

legislation: “Elementary considerations of fairness dictate that individuals should have an

opportunity to know what the law is and to conform their conduct accordingly.” Landgraf, 511

                                                12
1-06-1482

U.S. at 265, 128 L. Ed. 2d at 252, 114 S. Ct. at 1497. Following Landgraf, our supreme court

directed that the court’s first task is to determine whether the legislature has expressly prescribed

the statute’s proper reach. Commonwealth Edison, 196 Ill. 2d at 37, 749 N.E.2d at 970-71. If the

legislature clearly indicated what the temporal reach of an amended statute should be, then,

absent a constitutional prohibition, that expression of legislative intent must be given effect. If

the legislature has not indicated the temporal reach of the amendment, then the court must

determine whether applying the statute would have a retroactive impact. If applying the amended

version of the law would have that result, the court must presume that the legislature did not

intend that it be so applied. Commonwealth Edison, 196 Ill. 2d at 38, 749 N.E.2d at 971.

       In the case at hand, we find that the Illinois Supreme Court has indeed expressly indicated

the temporal reach of amended Rule 431(b). As noted, the order amending the rule was entered

on March 21, 2007, however the effective date was delayed until May 1, 2007. In

Commonwealth Edison, the supreme court held that the postponement of an effective date may,

as a general matter, constitute evidence that the legislature intended the amendment to have a

prospective application. Commonwealth Edison, 196 Ill. 2d at 42, 749 N.E.2d at 973. Similarly,

in People v. Brown, 225 Ill. 2d 188, 866 N.E.2d 1163 (2007), the supreme court held by delaying

the implementation of the relevant provisions of the Juvenile Justice Reform Provisions of 1998

(Pub. Act 90-590, eff. January 1, 1999), “it is clear that the law was intended to have only

prospective application.” Brown, 225 Ill. 2d at 201, 866 N.E.2d at 1170.

       Accordingly, we concur in the holdings of our Fourth Division entered earlier this year in

People v. Gilbert, 379 Ill. App. 3d 106, 882 N.E.2d 1140, (2008), and our Sixth Division in

                                                 13
1-06-1482

People v. Yarbor, 383 Ill. App. 3d 676, 889 N.E.2d 1225 (2008), that the newly imposed sua

sponte duty of the trial court to question each potential juror regarding his understanding and

acceptance of the Zehr principles applies only to voir dire conducted on or after May 1, 2007, the

effective date of the amendment.

       Here, the trial court conducted voir dire prior to May 1, 2007. Because the court’s voir

dire properly complied with Rule 431(b), as it then existed, defendant’s claim must fail.

                              Improper and Inflammatory Argument

       Defendant maintains that during opening statements and closing arguments, the State

repeatedly emphasized to the jury two pieces of evidence: (1) that Martinez was dressed in head-

to-toe-camouflage, combat boots, and a hat at the time of the offense; and (2) that Martinez told

police he had the gun because he was on a mission. Defendant singles out the prosecutor’s

opening statement as setting the tone for what he characterizes as improper and inflammatory

arguments:

       “You are going to hear about a man dressed head to toe in camouflage, a camouflage

       shirt, camouflage pants, camouflage gloves, black combat boots, a black knit ski cap

       with eye holes cut out. *** [T]his man not only was dressed in this camouflage head

       to toe, this man was armed with a loaded gun. This man was on a mission. This man

       was not on any mission associated with our United States military. He was not [on]

       a mission in some foreign land on foreign soil. It was this man dressed head to toe

       in camouflage, shirt, pants, gloves, combat [boots], makeshift ski mask. It was that

       guy who was armed with a loaded gun. He was dressed like that and armed with this

                                                14
1-06-1482

          gun here on the streets of Chicago hiding under the cover of darkness. It was this guy

          who was on a personal mission.”

          It is likewise true that throughout the remainder of the opening statement, as well as

during closing argument, the State brought up the defendant’s clothing 13 additional times and

mentioned the word “mission” 24 more times. Defendant did not object to the admission of this

evidence at trial and on appeal concedes that it was admissible for the limited purpose of

showing that he knew there was a gun in his van. However, inferring that this evidence

portrayed him as a man of bad character with a propensity to commit crime, he argues that the

prosecutor’s repetitive references demonstrate that the State indeed used the evidence for an

improper purpose. Notably, although defense counsel did not object to the admission of the

“mission” statement, counsel successfully argued in limine that the court redact defendant’s

response to the purpose of the mission: “that he had killed many people in Miami.” Given the

prejudicial impact of that explanation, the trial court barred its admission and instructed the

prosecutors to insure that their witnesses were so informed.

          The People maintain that defendant has waived review of this issue by failing to object at

trial and failing to include the issue in his post-trial motion. Even if not waived, the State

submits that there was nothing improper about the prosecutor’s comments. Whether statements

made by a prosecutor at closing argument were so egregious that they warrant a new trial is a

legal issue we review de novo. People v. Graham, 206 Ill. 2d 465, 474, 795 N.E.2d 231, 237

(2003).

          An unbroken line of precedent mandates that a defendant must object to claimed errors at

                                                   15
1-06-1482

trial and raise them in his post-trial motions People v. Banks, 161 Ill. 2d 119, 143, 641 N.E.2d
331, 342 (1994). People v. Needham, 22 Ill. 2d 258, 259, 174 N.E.2d 838, 838 (1961).

Otherwise, they are procedurally defaulted or forfeited. See, e.g., People v. Naylor, 229 Ill. 2d
584, 893 N.E.2d 653 (2008). Moreover, allegations of a prosecutor’s improper argument are

waived where they are not specifically identified in defendant’s motion for a new trial. People v.

Muschio, 278 Ill. App. 3d 525, 531, 663 N.E.2d 93, 97 (1996). Nor will general and vague

allegations suffice to overcome waiver. People v. Parchman, 302 Ill. App. 3d 627, 632, 707
N.E.2d 88, 93 (1998). In the instant case, defendant’s post-trial motion generically complained

of the State’s “prejudicial, inflammatory erroneous statements in closing argument.” Such a

general objection has been held insufficient to preserve the issue for appeal. People v. Grant,

232 Ill. App. 3d 93, 106, 596 N.E.2d 813, 822 (1992). See also People v. Sargent, 184 Ill. App.
3d 1016, 1025, 540 N.E.2d 981, 987 (1989). Therefore, we agree with the State that defendant’s

post-trial motion lacked the specificity to preserve his claim for review.

       We also recognize that “plain errors or defects affecting substantial rights may be noticed

although they were not brought to the attention of the trial court.” 134 Ill. 2d R. 615(a). The

plain error doctrine permits courts to consider otherwise forfeited claims under certain well-

defined circumstances. See People v. Piatkowski, 225 Ill. 2d 551, 870 N.E.2d 403, (2007). The

doctrine is operative when:

               “(1) a clear or obvious error occurs and the evidence is so closely balanced

       that the error alone threatened to tip the scales of justice against the defendant,

       regardless of the seriousness of the error, or (2) a clear or obvious error occurs and

                                                 16
1-06-1482

       that error is so serious that it affected the fairness of defendant’s trial and challenged

       the integrity of the judicial process, regardless of the closeness of the evidence.”

       Piatkowski, 225 Ill. 2d at 565, 870 N.E.2d at 411.

This “is a narrow and limited exception to the general rule of forfeiture, whose purpose is to

protect the rights of the defendant and the integrity and reputation of the judicial process.”

People v. Allen, 222 Ill. 2d 340, 353, 856 N.E.2d 349, 356 (2006). If a defendant cannot show

plain error, he cannot override the forfeiture. Naylor, 229 Ill. 2d at 593, 893 N.E.2d at 659-60.

The first step in the review, then, is to determine whether any error was committed. People v.

Hudson, 228 Ill. 2d 181, 191, 886 N.E.2d 964, 971 (2008).

       Here, the defendant fails to meet either prong of the plain error doctrine. First, the

evidence clearly is not closely balanced; rather, there is overwhelming proof that defendant

possessed a handgun as charged. Second, defendant’s assertion that the errors were so egregious

as to undermine his right to a fair trial has utterly no application unless indeed the prosecutor

committed error. Simply put, there can be no plain error if there is no error. People v. Herron,

215 Ill. 2d 167, 184, 830 N.E.2d 467, 478 (2005).

       Closing arguments must be viewed in their entirety, and the challenged remarks must be

viewed in context. People v. Wheeler, 226 Ill. 2d 92, 122, 871 N.E.2d 728, 745 (2007). “In

reviewing comments made at closing arguments, this court asks whether or not the comments

engender substantial prejudice against a defendant such that it is impossible to say whether or not

a verdict of guilt resulted from them.” Wheeler, 226 Ill. 2d at 123, 871 N.E.2d at 745. Here, a

review of the opening statements and closing arguments in their entirety and in proper context,

                                                  17
1-06-1482

fails to establish that the prosecutors’ comments were so egregious as to fall within the second

prong of the plain error analysis. In the absence of plain error, the procedural default may not be

excused. People v. Keene, 169 Ill. 2d 1, 18, 660 N.E.2d 901, 910 (1995).

       In presenting a closing argument, a prosecutor is allowed a great deal of latitude and is

entitled to argue all reasonable inferences from the evidence. People v. Johnson, 146 Ill. 2d 109,

143, 585 N.E.2d 78, 93 (1991). Here, the State submits that its remarks constituted a reasonable

characterization of the evidence, particularly the circumstances surrounding defendant’s arrest.

The prosecutors’ comments directed the jurors to recall the testimony of Detective Healey that

when defendant was placed into custody he was wearing camouflaged clothing that defendant

admitted he was on a mission, and that he possessed the gun for that purpose. The State posits

that the comments complained of were relevant not only to explain the circumstances of the

arrest, but also to show that defendant was indeed aware of the presence of the weapon in his

vehicle.

       Defendant nonetheless argues that the prosecutors’ comments constituted an

inflammatory appeal to the fears of the jury and shed no light on the paramount question of

whether he was guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The repetitive reference to his clothing and

the “mission” in reality were offered to portray him as a man of bad character with a propensity

to commit crimes. However, defendant fails to identify the crime inferred by the comments, if

indeed one was suggested. Nor should we infer that a prosecutor intends an ambiguous remark

to have its most damaging meaning. See Donnelly v. DeChristoforo, 416 U.S. 637, 646-47, 40 L.

Ed. 2d 431, 439, 94 S. Ct. 1868, 1873 (1974).

                                                18
1-06-1482

       Here, as in People v. Nieves, 193 Ill. 2d 513, 534, 739 N.E.2d 1277, 1287 (2000), even if

it could be said that the prosecutors’ remarks were improper, we would still find reversal

unwarranted. Given the overwhelming evidence of defendant’s guilt for the charged offenses, it

is reasonable to conclude that the jury would have returned a guilty verdict even in the absence of

the prosecutors’ comments. Even assuming we were to find error, because the defendant was not

prejudiced thereby, any error would have been harmless.

                    Entry of Judgment on Both Counts of the Charged Offense

       As noted, defendant was charged with two offenses: (1) unlawful use of a weapon by a

felon under Section 24-1.1(a) of the Criminal Code of 1961 (720 ILCS 5/24-1.1(a) (West 2006)),

and (2) aggravated unlawful use of a weapon based on carrying an incased, loaded and

immediately-accessible firearm under Section 24-1.6(a) (720 ILCS 5/24-1.6(a)(1) (West 2006)).

The jury returned verdicts of guilty on both counts and the court imposed concurrent 12-year

sentences.

       The evidence at trial established that the police found but one gun in defendant’s car. Yet,

possession of that single weapon was used to support the conviction entered on each count. The

parties submit, and we agree, that the one-act, one-crime rule dictates that a single physical act

cannot give rise to multiple convictions. People v. King, 66 Ill. 2d 551, 566, 363 N.E.2d 838,

844 (1977). When a defendant is convicted of more than one crime arising out of the same act,

the court must vacate all of the convictions, except for the most serious one. People v. Lee, 213
Ill. 2d 218, 226-27, 821 N.E.2d 307, 312 (2004).

       In the instant case, unlawful use of a weapon by a felon is the most serious offense in that

                                                 19
1-06-1482

it carries a greater range of sentence than aggravated unlawful use of a weapon. Accordingly, the

court agrees that defendant’s conviction and sentence for aggravated unlawful use of a weapon

should be vacated.

                            The Violent Crime Victims Assistance Fee

       Defendant additionally submits that the trial judge improperly imposed a $20 Violent

Crime Victims Assistance fine pursuant to Section 10(c)(2) of the Violent Crime Victims

Assistance Act Fund (725 ILCS 240/10(c)(2) (West 2006)). The People concur in defendant’s

argument and agree that the imposition of this fine was improper and should be vacated.

       The Violent Crime Victims Assistance Fund Act states that an additional penalty shall be

collected from any defendant convicted of a felony. 725 ILCS 240/10(b) (West 2004). However,

the statute goes on to state: “When any person is convicted in Illinois *** of an offense listed

below *** and no other fine is imposed, the following penalty shall be collected.” 725 ILCS

240/10(c) (West 2004). In this case, defendant was also ordered to pay a trauma fund fine.

Therefore, because another fine was imposed, the Violent Crime Victims Assistance fine was

improper.

                            The Criminal/Traffic Conviction Surcharge

       Finally, defendant contends that the trial court erred in failing to afford him a $5-per-day

sentence credit to satisfy his $4 Criminal/Traffic Conviction Surcharge assessment. The People

concur in defendant’s analysis and agree that defendant is entitled to satisfaction of the $4

surcharge by a $5-a-day credit for time spent in custody.

       Chicago police arrested defendant on December 3, 2004. He remained in custody

                                                 20
1-06-1482

through trial and sentencing. On April 4, 2006 the judge sentenced defendant to 12 years of

imprisonment in the Illinois Department of Corrections and imposed fines and fees in the amount

of $639. The fines and fees order included a $4 criminal/traffic surcharge.

        In People v. Jones, 223 Ill. 2d 569, 861 N.E.2d 967 (2006), the Illinois Supreme Court

held that the criminal/traffic conviction surcharge is subject to offset. Accordingly, we agree

with the parties that defendant is entitled to a $5 credit to satisfy the $4 criminal/traffic

conviction surcharge for the time he spent in custody prior to sentencing.

                                           CONCLUSION

        For the foregoing reasons, we affirm defendant’s conviction for unlawful use of a weapon

by a felon and vacate the conviction for aggravated unlawful use of a weapon. We also direct the

Clerk of the Circuit Court to amend the fines and fees order to eliminate the $20 Violent Crime

Victim Assistance fine and reflect a $4 credit for time spent in custody. Additionally, we grant

the People costs and incorporate as part of our judgment and mandate a fee of $100 for defending

this appeal.

        Affirmed in part and vacated in part, as modified.

        FITZGERALD SMITH, P.J., with O'MARA FROSSARD, J., concur.

                                                   21