People v. Miller

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Appellate Court Date: 2017.08.14

09:52:41 -05'00'

People v. Miller, 2017 IL App (3d) 140977

Appellate Court THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, Plaintiff-Appellee, v.

Caption RYAN A. MILLER, Defendant-Appellant.

District & No. Third District

Docket No. 3-14-0977

Rule 23 order filed February 28, 2017

Rule 23 order

modified upon denial

of rehearing April 5, 2017

Motion to publish

allowed June 5, 2017

Opinion filed June 5, 2017

Decision Under Appeal from the Circuit Court of Rock Island County, No. 05-CF-959;

Review the Hon. Walter D. Braud, Judge, presiding.

Judgment Affirmed.

Counsel on Michael J. Pelletier, Peter A. Carusona, and Mark D. Fisher, of State

Appeal Appellate Defender’s Office, of Ottawa, for appellant.

John L. McGehee, State’s Attorney, of Rock Island (Justin A.

Nicolosi, of State’s Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor’s Office, of

counsel), for the People.

Panel JUSTICE SCHMIDT delivered the judgment of the court, with

opinion.

Justices O’Brien and Wright concurred in the judgment and opinion.

OPINION

¶1 On September 29, 2006, a jury convicted defendant of first degree murder for which he

originally received a mandatory natural life sentence. He later pursued relief on numerous

claims of constitutional violations under the Post-Conviction Hearing Act (725 ILCS 5/122-1

et seq. (West 2008)). Some of defendant’s claims were dismissed at the second-stage

dismissal hearing while others proceeded to a third-stage evidentiary hearing. The trial court

granted a new sentencing hearing but no other relief. At the resentencing hearing, defendant

received 60 years’ imprisonment, the maximum sentence for his crime. 730 ILCS

5/5-4.5-20(a) (West 2014).

¶2 Defendant raises three issues on appeal in relation to his postconviction petition. First, he

appeals the claims dismissed at the second stage because the State captioned its responsive

pleading as an answer, not a motion to dismiss. Next, defendant argues that we should

remand for additional postconviction proceedings due to postconviction counsel’s

unreasonable level of assistance at the evidentiary hearing. Finally, he claims he is entitled to

a new trial based upon ineffective assistance of trial and appellate counsel in failing to submit

jury instructions on lesser-included offenses. In addition to his postconviction claims,

defendant directly appeals the 60-year sentence imposed at his resentencing hearing, arguing

that the trial court abused its discretion by levying an excessive sentence. We affirm.

¶3 BACKGROUND

¶4 On November 7, 2005, defendant, then 22 years old, was babysitting the 17-month-old

daughter of his girlfriend, Ashley, after Ashley went to work at 3:30 p.m. At approximately 5

p.m., defendant sought his neighbor’s help because the infant was vomiting and stopped

breathing. The neighbor, Greg, followed defendant to the apartment where the infant was

unresponsive. Greg immediately called 911 on his cell phone. At some point between 5 and

5:30 p.m., defendant used another neighbor’s phone to call Ashley at work.

¶5 When the paramedics arrived, the infant was not breathing. The paramedics’ heart

monitor detected no electrical activity; revival efforts on the way to the hospital were

unsuccessful. The victim’s body temperature in the emergency room was 91.9 degrees,

indicating she had been dead for at least one hour prior to arriving at the hospital between

5:30 and 6 p.m.

¶6 Defendant initially told the police investigator that the victim was coughing, vomiting,

and breathing “funny.” He stated that only two minutes elapsed between him noticing

something was wrong and his neighbor calling 911. After the investigator confronted

defendant with the victim’s 91.9-degree body temperature and estimated time of death, he

changed his story.

¶7 In his amended version, defendant claimed the victim broke a television antenna after her

mother left for work. He then grabbed her and spanked her “harder than he should have.”

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After spanking her, he grabbed her by both arms, shook her, and threw her onto the living

room couch. When the victim attempted to crawl off of the couch, defendant threw her back

onto it, pushed her head into the cushion, and told her to go to sleep. As she kept trying to get

up, defendant admitted he pushed her head down “countless times” until she began to quiver

and vomit. When the victim stopped crawling off the couch, defendant covered her with a

blanket, placed a cup beside her, and went elsewhere in the apartment to write music lyrics.

He did not realize the victim was unresponsive until about one hour later.

¶8 The victim had bruising about her head and face, behind her ear, on the left side of her

abdomen, and on her lower back. The victim’s emergency room physician stated that some of

the bruises were linear, indicating they could have been caused by a straight instrument or

falling against a straight edge of some sort. The forensic pathologist determined the victim

died from hemorrhagic shock resulting from a transected liver—a liver split into two pieces.

This type of injury could result only from significant blunt trauma of the abdomen, similar to

that experienced in severe automobile accidents. The pathologist also opined that two linear

bruises on the left side of the victim’s torso were caused by force from a long, cylindrical

object, such as an antenna. The two contusions on the victim’s back were caused by blunt

trauma with a hard object. The autopsy also revealed hemorrhaging beneath the victim’s

scalp.

¶9 Soon after defendant was charged with first degree murder, the trial court found a

bona fide doubt as to his fitness to stand trial. The court appointed Dr. Kirk Witherspoon to

evaluate his mental capacity. On November 18, 2005, Witherspoon’s evaluation concluded

that defendant was unfit for trial due to extreme distress and suicidal thoughts. He believed,

however, that defendant could be restored to fitness within a year. On January 6, 2006,

Witherspoon reevaluated defendant at his own request. Witherspoon found that defendant

displayed the cognitive ability to understand the charges against him and implications of

proceeding with trial. Accordingly, Witherspoon recommended that defendant was fit for

trial; the trial court found defendant fit on January 25, 2006.

¶ 10 On September 25, 2006, defense counsel advised the court that defendant was taking

psychotropic medications but indicated that these medications would not affect his fitness for

trial. Although defendant was charged with other crimes, the State proceeded on only the first

degree murder charge. After jury selection on September 25 and 26, the three day trial began

on September 27, 2006.

¶ 11 On the first day of trial, the jury sent the judge a note asking if defendant was “on

medication to calm him.” The attorneys and trial court knew that defendant was taking

Seroquel, a psychotropic medication. Prior to submitting the note, the jury heard testimony

from the victim’s mother, an investigating police officer, and the emergency room physician.

The State published postmortem photographs of the victim during some of the testimony.

The record does not indicate what, if any, event or behavior prompted the jury’s note.

Outside of the jury’s presence, the attorneys and trial judge agreed that the court would not

answer the jury’s question. The trial judge stated that he noticed nothing unusual about

defendant’s demeanor. He also observed that defendant could appear calm for a variety of

reasons.

¶ 12 After deliberating for approximately four hours on the second day of trial, the trial judge

granted the jury’s request to adjourn for the evening. At 10:54 a.m. the next day, the judge

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allowed the jury’s request to see the videotape of defendant’s police interrogation. The jury

returned its verdict at 3:26 p.m.

¶ 13 The presentence investigation revealed that defendant had little criminal

history—juvenile offenses for property damage and burglary in 1997 and cannabis charges in

2003 and 2005. Defendant abused several types of drugs; he admitted that he drank an

eight-ounce bottle of Robitussin on the day of the offense. Treatment Alternatives for Safe

Communities (TASC) submitted an evaluation letter, which concluded that defendant’s

cannabis and cocaine dependence was correlated to the offense. However, defendant was not

eligible for TASC treatment alternatives because of the crime’s violent nature. Defendant

also wrote a letter expressing his remorse, stating he would have never intentionally hurt or

killed the victim.

¶ 14 On December 15, 2006, the court heard and denied defendant’s motion for a new trial.

The court sentenced defendant to the mandatory natural life imprisonment under section

5-8-1(a)(1)(c)(ii) of the Unified Code of Corrections (Unified Code) (730 ILCS

5/5-8-1(a)(1)(c)(ii) (West 2006)). We rejected defendant’s reasonable doubt argument on

direct appeal and affirmed his conviction by Rule 23 order. People v. Miller, 385 Ill. App. 3d

1144 (2008) (table) (unpublished order under Supreme Court Rule 23). Defendant raised no

other issues on direct appeal.

¶ 15 On October 22, 2009, defendant filed a pro se petition for postconviction relief, which

raised 28 separate issues. The trial court appointed counsel to represent defendant on

February 3, 2010. On April 26, 2011, defendant filed a pro se amended petition, arguing his

mandatory life sentence was unconstitutional under People v. Wooters, 188 Ill. 2d 500

(1999). The section of the Unified Code under which defendant received his mandatory life

sentence was amended as of January 1, 2016. See Pub. Act 99-69, § 10 (eff. Jan. 1, 2016)

(amending 730 ILCS 5/5-8-1(a)(1)(c)(ii) to remove the mandatory sentence of natural life

imprisonment for murder of an individual under 12 years of age).

¶ 16 On September 13, 2013, defense counsel filed a Rule 651(c) certificate (Ill. S. Ct. R

651(c) (eff. Feb. 6, 2013)) and amended petition arguing, inter alia, (1) his sentence was

improper under Wooters; (2) his due process rights were violated when the trial court failed

to order a new fitness hearing after his psychotropic medications were changed and his

actions at trial created a doubt as to his fitness; (3) his appellate counsel provided ineffective

assistance by (a) failing to argue on direct appeal that trial counsel provided ineffective

assistance by not requesting the jury to be instructed on involuntary manslaughter or reckless

homicide and (b) failing to argue on direct appeal that the cumulative effect of the

prosecutor’s “misconduct” denied defendant a fair trial; (4) his trial counsel provided

ineffective assistance by (a) failing to request the jury be instructed on second degree murder,

involuntary manslaughter, and reckless homicide, (b) waiving the court reporting of

voir dire, thereby precluding appellate counsel from raising any issues that may have arisen

therein, and (c) failing to object to the prosecutor’s “numerous improper remarks” that were

not based in evidence and served only to inflame the passion of the jury; and (5) his sixth

amendment right to a fair and impartial trial by jury was violated when (a) the trial court

denied defense counsel’s request for individual voir dire, (b) the trial court denied defense

counsel’s Batson challenge to the jury array, (c) the prosecution made numerous improper

remarks not based on evidence and meant only to inflame the passion of the jury, and (d) the

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State failed to disclose to defense counsel an audio recorded conversation between the

victim’s mother and defendant.

¶ 17 On April 3, 2014, the postconviction trial court discharged defendant’s counsel, at

defendant’s request, and ordered the State to respond to the amended petition. The State filed

an “answer,” which conceded that defendant was entitled to a new sentencing hearing. The

State’s responsive pleading asserted that defendant’s other claims did not merit an

evidentiary hearing. With regard to the claims that were ultimately dismissed at the second

stage, the State’s responsive pleading asserted: “Petitioner next alleges a laundry list of

alleged errors by trial counsel, but does not allege why they were errors or how these alleged

errors would have affected the outcome of the case, nor are there affidavits supporting the

assertion.”

¶ 18 At the dismissal hearing, the court found that defendant was entitled to a new sentencing

hearing and an evidentiary hearing on the claims concerning his fitness and his attorneys’

failure to request jury instructions on lesser-included offenses. The remaining issues were

dismissed.

¶ 19 At the evidentiary hearing, defendant testified that he asked his trial counsel to

investigate the viability of a voluntary manslaughter instruction prior to trial but never

discussed jury instructions with counsel during trial. He also took Seroquel during trial,

which made him feel “completely out of his mind,” “weird,” and unable to focus. The

medication made him feel as though he were in a dream. He felt much better after he was

taken off the medication in prison.

¶ 20 The presiding trial judge testified that defendant’s demeanor appeared normal during

trial. His communications with the court and his counsel appeared normal. The judge saw

nothing indicating a bona fide doubt of his fitness. When questioned by defendant’s

postconviction counsel, the trial judge did not recall any discussion about lesser-included

offenses or a note from the jury asking about defendant’s medication during trial.

¶ 21 Both of defendant’s trial attorneys also testified at the evidentiary hearing. Neither

attorney noticed anything in defendant’s behavior to indicate a bona fide doubt of his fitness

or any adverse effects from the medication. Lead defense attorney, Baron Heintz, did not

recall a note from the jury asking about defendant’s medication. Heintz testified that he and

defendant discussed the possibility of lesser-included offense instructions. Heintz told

defendant that he may have to testify in order to prove a lesser-included offense; defendant

responded that he had done nothing wrong and did not want to testify.

¶ 22 After the evidentiary hearing, the trial court ordered a new sentencing hearing but denied

all other relief. The court concluded that defendant’s testimony regarding his medication was

insufficient to show a bona fide doubt of his fitness at trial. The court also determined that

defendant pursued an all-or-nothing approach by choosing not to testify or allow the jury to

consider lesser-included offenses. Accordingly, the court ruled that defendant failed to make

a substantial showing of a constitutional violation on the remaining two issues.

¶ 23 Defendant’s second presentence report indicated that he was singing in the choir, as well

as taking parenting, Bible, and art classes in prison. Four letters written on defendant’s behalf

were attached to the report. Also attached to the report were several certificates recognizing

various accomplishments he achieved in prison. Defendant also wrote a letter on his own

behalf and exercised his right of allocution to express remorse for his actions. He indicated

that he was high on drugs, young, and reckless when he committed the crime. He maintained

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that he had been rehabilitated while in prison and would not commit another crime. He also

asked for leniency on behalf of his 12-year-old daughter.

¶ 24 On March 16, 2015, defendant received the maximum sentence of 60 years’

imprisonment. The sentencing court indicated that defendant’s poor upbringing and lack of

prior record might be helpful in some cases but found this case to present unforgiveable

circumstances. The court also noted that defendant’s letter and statements expressed

sentiments that fell short of remorse for his crime. On May 22, 2015, the court denied

defendant’s motion to reconsider the sentence.

¶ 25 Defendant directly appeals his 60-year sentence and appeals the trial court’s rulings

denying relief on his postconviction petition. We affirm the trial court’s determinations.

¶ 26 ANALYSIS

¶ 27 I. The State’s Second Stage Responsive Pleading

¶ 28 Defendant argues that by the State captioning its responsive pleading as an answer rather

than a motion to dismiss, the trial court had no authority to dismiss any of defendant’s

postconviction claims. The State combats defendant’s argument by pointing out that it did

not concede the dismissed issues in the responsive pleading. Although captioned as an

answer, the substance of the pleading sought dismissal of defendant’s claims. We review the

dismissal of postconviction claims at the second stage de novo. People v. Whitfield, 217 Ill.

2d 177, 182 (2005); People v. Brown, 2015 IL App (1st) 122940, ¶ 44.

¶ 29 To advance beyond the second stage, a postconviction petition and any accompanying

documentation must make a “substantial showing” of a constitutional violation. People v.

Edwards, 197 Ill. 2d 239, 246 (2001); People v. Wilson, 2013 IL App (1st) 112303, ¶ 15. In

other words, the burden of proof is on the petitioner. The State’s failure to file a responsive

pleading captioned as a motion to dismiss does not mandate an evidentiary hearing on all

issues. First, trial courts can, but are not required to, recharacterize postconviction pleadings.

See People v. Stoffel, 239 Ill. 2d 314 (2010). In fact, the only constraint imposed on a trial

court during the dismissal stage is that it must accept all well-pled facts as true. People v.

Coleman, 183 Ill. 2d 366, 380-81 (1998). Second, it is well-settled that the substance of a

pleading, not its caption, identifies its nature. See, e.g., Shutkas Electric, Inc. v. Ford Motor

Co., 366 Ill. App. 3d 76, 81 (2006).

¶ 30 Here, the State conceded the sentencing claim pled in defendant’s petition but challenged

the validity of all other claims. To support these challenges, the State’s pleading made

assertions attacking the sufficiency of defendant’s pleadings. Two claims that the State

challenged, defendant’s fitness and jury instructions on lesser-included offenses, advanced to

the third stage. The State’s responsive pleading asserted that the petition’s “laundry list” of

other claims failed to allege “why they were errors,” failed to specify the prejudicial effect of

any such error, and failed to provide any affidavits in support of the claims. At the dismissal

hearing, the State argued for the dismissal of all claims except for the sentencing claim. The

trial judge identified the claims that did not proceed to evidentiary hearing as trial issues that

should have been raised on direct appeal. See People v. English, 2013 IL 112890, ¶ 22

(postconviction proceedings are meant to adjudicate constitutional issues that were not, and

could not have been, previously addressed); People v. Ligon, 239 Ill. 2d 94, 103 (2010)

(issues that could have been raised on direct appeal but were not are forfeited).

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¶ 31 Defendant relies heavily on People v. Thompson, 2016 IL App (3d) 140586. In

Thompson, the court sentenced the defendant, convicted of two counts of first degree murder,

to 60 years. The trial judge ordered that the two counts be merged into one

conviction—defendant had one 60-year sentence, not 60 years for each count. Due to a

clerical error, the sentencing order stated the defendant was to serve two 60-year sentences

concurrently. The defendant’s pro se petition alleged fourth amendment claims regarding his

arrest and holding period prior to his probable cause hearing. Through counsel, his amended

petition raised only sentencing issues—that the sentencing order incorrectly issues two

60-year sentences and that the trial judge based the sentence on a personal belief that the

defendant was a threat to society who did not deserve mercy. The amended petition also

incorporated the “ ‘arguments contained within and the Affidavits attached to [defendant’s]

pro se Petition for Post-Conviction Relief.’ ” Id. ¶ 6. The defendant then filed a pro se

“Supplemental Amended Post-Conviction Petition” in which he alleged ineffectiveness of

trial counsel for failing to claim that the defendant was held too long prior to his probable

cause hearing, ineffectiveness of trial counsel for failing to object to photographic lineups at

the suppression hearing, and arguing that section 109-1(a) of the Code of Criminal Procedure

of 1963 (725 ILCS 5/109-1(a) (West 2006)) was unconstitutional “in that it was vague and

ambiguous and provided no remedy for noncompliance.” Thompson, 2016 IL App (3d)

140586, ¶ 8.

¶ 32 The Thompson postconviction trial court stated it would consider the defendant’s pro se

claims even though his counsel did not explicitly adopt them in the amended petition. Neither

party presented any evidence at the second-stage dismissal hearing. The State never filed a

responsive pleading prior to the hearing. After the court ruled against the defendant, his

counsel filed a notice of appeal while the defendant filed a pro se motion to reconsider. This

court dismissed the appeal and ordered the trial court to rule on the motion to reconsider. At

the subsequent hearing, the court ordered the State to file a responsive pleading. The State

filed an answer admitting that the clerical error in the sentencing order required modification

and admitting that the sentencing judge made the alleged statements. However, the State

argued that the judge’s statements were reasonable and supported by the evidence within the

context of the case. The trial court affirmed its previous determination.

¶ 33 On appeal, this court rejected the State’s argument that the trial judge must make an

independent determination at the second-stage dismissal hearing regardless of whether the

State filed a motion to dismiss. Id. ¶ 21. Further, this court held that the failure to concede

allegations in a postconviction petition does not transform an answer into a motion to

dismiss—the effect of a denial in an answer is to “frame the scope of the dispute to be

resolved at an evidentiary hearing.” Id. ¶ 26. Thompson does not hold that a responsive

pleading captioned as an “answer,” in and of itself, entitles a defendant to an evidentiary

hearing on all allegations raised in a postconviction petition.

¶ 34 In the instant case, unlike in Thompson, the State’s responsive pleading was filed prior to

the second-stage dismissal hearing and addressed all of defendant’s postconviction claims.

Also unlike Thompson, the State’s responsive pleading contains numerous assertions that do

not admit or deny the facts pled. Instead, most of the State’s pleading attacks the sufficiency

of defendant’s claims. With regard to the dismissed claims, the State’s answer asserted that

defendant failed to adequately plead a constitutional violation or provide any affidavits in

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support of the claims. “ ‘A motion to dismiss *** attacks the sufficiency of the complaint.’ ”

Id. ¶ 25 (quoting Tyler v. J.C. Penny Co., 145 Ill. App. 3d 967, 972 (1986)).

¶ 35 The parties appeared for a dismissal hearing to argue the viability of defendant’s

pleadings. Based on the pleadings and the parties’ positions at the hearing, the trial court

dismissed many of defendant’s claims. We find that the State’s responsive pleading, in

substance, sought dismissal of these claims—it did not merely admit or deny material facts.

The trial court was empowered to dismiss defendant’s claims. We affirm the trial court’s

judgment.

¶ 36 II. Ineffective Assistance of Postconviction Counsel

¶ 37 Defendant next contends that postconviction counsel failed to provide reasonable

assistance. He claims counsel failed to properly amend some of the pro se petition claims,

failed to bolster defendant’s testimony at the evidentiary hearing with documentary evidence,

and failed to rebut adverse testimony at the evidentiary hearing with citations to the record.

In his brief, defendant argues that counsel unreasonably failed to provide the trial court with

a recorded conversation between defendant and the victim’s mother, which resulted in the

dismissal of his discovery violation claim. Defendant also claims that postconviction counsel

pled the discovery violation claim inadequately. Defendant’s brief also highlights counsel’s

failure to provide the trial court with hard evidence to the side effects of Seroquel, a

psychotropic medication defendant took during trial. He claims the drug’s side effects

rendered him unfit for trial. We affirm the trial court’s dismissals.

¶ 38 A. Discovery Violation Claim

¶ 39 It is undisputed that the State failed to disclose a recorded conversation between

defendant and the victim’s mother. Defendant filed a motion to supplement his

postconviction petition in November 2014; he attached to this motion a police report

prepared on November 17, 2005. The reporting investigator described bringing the victim’s

mother to the police station and leaving her alone to talk with defendant. They consented to

the conversation being video and audio recorded. The investigator noted on the report that

the “conversation was difficult to discern on the audio and video recording.”

¶ 40 First, defendant argues that the discovery violation could not have been addressed on

direct appeal because it was not part of the appellate record. However, defendant consented

to his conversation with the victim’s mother being recorded; therefore, he certainly knew of

its existence. Additionally, the November 17, 2005, report was disclosed—the recorded

conversation was no secret to anyone. Defendant could have raised the issue at trial to make

it part of the appellate record, but he failed to do so.

¶ 41 Moreover, discovery violation claims require the defendant to prove three elements: (1)

that the evidence is favorable to the accused because it is either exculpatory or impeaching,

(2) the evidence was suppressed by the State, and (3) the accused was prejudiced because the

evidence is material to his guilt or punishment. People v. Beaman, 229 Ill. 2d 56, 73-74

(2008); see also Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83, 87-88 (1963); Strickler v. Greene, 527 U.S.

263, 281-82 (1999). Defendant merely argues that postconviction counsel’s inclusion of the

discovery violation claim in defendant’s amended petition required him to produce the

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conversation. The State responds by pointing out that the recording was “difficult to discern”

and carried little probative value.

¶ 42 We agree with the State. The briefs imply that postconviction counsel had access to the

recorded conversation, so defendant’s appellate counsel also has access to the recording. In

any event, defendant knows the gist of what the conversation entailed. Yet, neither

defendant’s briefs nor his petition for rehearing explains how the substance of the recording

would be material or show that defendant was prejudiced by the State’s nondisclosure, as he

must to prove his discovery violation claim. If the recording does not contain exculpatory or

impeaching evidence that is material to defendant’s guilt or innocence, then postconviction

counsel’s omission cannot be unreasonable—it is not unreasonable to omit evidence that

does not help your client’s case. See People v. Ross, 2015 IL App (3d) 130077, ¶ 14 (“Where

a defendant alleges unreasonable assistance of postconviction counsel, the prejudice prong

focuses on whether counsel’s deficient performance affected the outcome of the

postconviction proceedings.”).

¶ 43 B. Fitness Claim

¶ 44 The remaining issue focuses on counsel’s failure to provide evidence of defendant’s

unfitness to stand trial due to side effects from his prescribed psychotropic medication,

Seroquel. At the evidentiary hearing, defendant testified that the Seroquel made him feel

“weird” and confused. He claimed he was unable to understand the proceedings at trial or

assist in his defense. Defendant’s postconviction counsel did not provide the trial court with

any literature on Seroquel or its side effects. Defendant also claims that the jury note asking

whether defendant was prescribed medication to calm him was important evidence calling his

fitness into question. Neither the trial judge nor defendant’s trial counsel recalled the note or

defendant’s behavior raising a bona fide doubt as to his fitness. Defendant contends that his

counsel’s failure to produce the trial record to refresh the witness’s recollection amounted to

unreasonable assistance. He claims producing the record would have enhanced his

credibility, perhaps leading to a different result.

¶ 45 The State argues that defendant’s counsel met the statutory burden of reasonable

assistance. Further, the State contends that defendant’s counsel fairly presented a case on the

issues raised in defendant’s petition; therefore, counsel’s assistance was not unreasonable.

Additionally, the State points out that the jury note was addressed at trial, where neither the

trial judge nor defendant’s trial counsel found any indication he was unfit.

¶ 46 Because there is no constitutional right to counsel in postconviction proceedings, Illinois

Supreme Court Rule 651(c) (eff. Feb. 6, 2013) governs the level of assistance required of

postconviction counsel. Under this rule, postconviction counsel is required to provide a

reasonable level of assistance. People v. Pendleton, 223 Ill. 2d 458, 472 (2006). To

demonstrate reasonable assistance, Rule 651(c) requires postconviction counsel to file a

certificate verifying that he or she “consulted with petitioner by phone, mail, electronic

means or in person to ascertain his or her contentions of deprivation of constitutional rights,

has examined the record of the proceedings at the trial, and has made any amendments to the

petitions filed pro se that are necessary for an adequate presentation of petitioner’s

contentions.” Ill. S. Ct. R. 651(c) (eff. Feb. 6, 2013). Whether postconviction counsel

satisfied the Rule 651(c) obligations is a question we review de novo. People v. Suarez, 224

Ill. 2d 37, 41-42 (2007).

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¶ 47 The purpose of Rule 651(c) is to ensure that postconviction counsel presents the

defendant’s claims to the court in proper legal form. People v. Perkins, 229 Ill. 2d 34, 44

(2007). Substantial compliance with the rule is sufficient. People v. Richardson, 382 Ill. App.

3d 248, 257 (2008). The filing of a Rule 651(c) certificate creates a rebuttable presumption

that postconviction counsel provided reasonable assistance. People v. Profit, 2012 IL App

(1st) 101307, ¶ 19. Once a certificate is filed, it is defendant’s burden to overcome this

presumption by demonstrating his attorney’s failure to substantially comply with the duties

mandated by Rule 651(c). People v. Jones, 2011 IL App (1st) 092529, ¶ 23.

¶ 48 Further, in reviewing the effectiveness of counsel, we must evaluate counsel’s

performance as a whole; we do not view isolated incidents in a vacuum. People v. Max, 2012

IL App (3d) 110385, ¶ 65. Counsel is not required to call every witness or bolster every

claim with evidence or testimony at a postconviction evidentiary hearing. See People v.

Hotwagner, 2015 IL App (5th) 130525, ¶¶ 41-51. Instead, postconviction counsel’s

obligation at an evidentiary hearing is to competently present the defendant’s claims as

framed by the petition. See id. ¶¶ 57-60.

¶ 49 Here, the crux of defendant’s argument is that postconviction counsel’s failure to provide

documentation of Seroquel’s side effects and produce the trial record during witness

examination was an unreasonable omission of evidence tending to prove defendant’s

unfitness. First, we find that counsel’s failure to provide the trial court with literature on the

side effects of Seroquel did not amount to unreasonable assistance. A list of Seroquel’s side

effects has almost no probative value in this case; the drug’s actual effect on defendant at

trial is the relevant issue, not the potential side effects of the medication.

¶ 50 Nonetheless, defendant argues that some of Seroquel’s side effects—confusion,

dizziness, and drowsiness—rendered him unfit for trial. Over-the-counter ibuprofen and

acetaminophen also list dizziness and drowsiness as side effects. Moreover, numerous

prescription drugs list confusion as a side effect—narcotic pain medications and

antihistamines for example. A list of Seroquel’s side effects says nothing about defendant’s

state of mind at trial. Defendant’s argument places undue emphasis on the fact that Seroquel

is a psychotropic medication. A defendant’s ingestion of psychotropic medication does not,

by itself, give rise to a bona fide doubt of his fitness to stand trial. People v. Mitchell, 189 Ill.

2d 312, 330-31 (2000).

¶ 51 Defendant further contends that, in correlation with the Seroquel literature, the trial

record regarding the jury’s note would have shown the medication affected his demeanor.

Specifically, defendant argues that postconviction counsel failed to present the trial record

concerning the jury’s note when the trial judge and defendant’s trial counsel did not

remember the note. We disagree.

¶ 52 The jury submitted the note on the first day of trial; it asked whether defendant was on

medication to calm him. Prior to submitting the note, the jury heard testimony from the

victim’s mother, a police investigator, and the victim’s emergency room treating physician.

During the course of this testimony, the jury saw postmortem photographs of the victim.

¶ 53 In determining whether to answer the jury’s question, the trial judge stated: “I have noted

nothing really unusual regarding the defendant’s demeanor today.” The judge and counsel

knew defendant was on medication but agreed the court could not answer the jury’s question.

The court also recognized that defendant could be calm for various reasons. Accordingly, the

court had no basis on which to question defendant’s fitness.

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¶ 54 Defendant now argues that the jury’s note was prompted by some event or defendant’s

unusual behavior, showing the Seroquel affected his mental capacity. The record makes no

such indication. For defendant’s argument to succeed, we must speculate that he exhibited

behavior or a demeanor, seen only by the jury, which raised a bona fide doubt as to his

fitness. We must also speculate that the note was not prompted by the jurors’ reactions or

expectations of defendant after seeing postmortem photographs of the victim and hearing her

mother’s testimony. We decline to make such speculative leaps to create facts not contained

within the record.

¶ 55 The trial record of the proceedings addressing the jury’s note at trial confirms the

uncontested fact that defendant was taking medication during the trial—a scant amount of

probative evidence without employing speculation. On the other hand, the record also

highlights the trial court’s conclusion that defendant appeared normal and his trial counsel’s

failure to raise any argument that defendant was unfit. The record contains no evidence that

the witnesses would have interpreted their trial observations differently at an evidentiary

hearing eight years later. Perhaps not producing the trial record was a calculated strategy to

limit its potentially negative effect on defendant’s case. Regardless, the record before us is

devoid of the facts necessary to support defendant’s argument. We cannot say that counsel’s

omission of the trial record, the documentation on Seroquel, or both omissions taken together

failed to meet the Rule 651(c) reasonableness standard. Accordingly, we affirm the trial

court’s ruling and decline to remand for further postconviction proceedings.

¶ 56 III. Lack of Jury Instructions on Lesser-Included Offenses

¶ 57 Defendant next claims that his trial counsel failed to investigate potential lesser-included

offenses and erroneously advised defendant that he would have to testify in order to instruct

the jury on these offenses. He argues that his appellate counsel was ineffective for not raising

this issue on direct appeal.

¶ 58 This claim proceeded to a third-stage evidentiary hearing. The trial court concluded that

defendant desired an all-or-nothing approach because he did not believe he was guilty. The

State argues that the trial court’s determination was sufficiently supported by the evidence.

¶ 59 At a postconviction evidentiary hearing, the defendant bears the burden of presenting

evidence establishing a substantial showing of a constitutional violation. People v. Coleman,

206 Ill. 2d 261, 277 (2002). The trial judge serves as the fact finder charged with determining

witnesses’ credibility and the weight to be given to their testimony and resolving any

conflicts in the evidence. People v. Chatman, 357 Ill. App. 3d 695, 704 (2005). Reviewing

courts may not substitute their judgment for the trial courts’ and will not reverse the decision

unless it is “clearly evident, plain, and indisputable that the decision was erroneous.” Id. To

be “manifestly erroneous,” a trial court’s decision must be “arbitrary, unreasonable and not

based on the evidence.” People v. Wells, 182 Ill. 2d 471, 481 (1998).

¶ 60 Defendant testified that he did not discuss lesser-included offenses with his trial counsel

and did not understand he could submit jury instructions on charges the State did not pursue.

However, his trial counsel, Baron Heintz, testified that he discussed jury instructions on

lesser-included offenses with defendant after the State presented its case. Heintz told

defendant that he may need to testify to prove a lesser-included offense; defendant declined

to testify. Heintz also explained to defendant that requesting lesser-included offense

instructions may cause the jury to “split the difference.” In other words, leaving one charge

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instruction may be strategically advantageous because the jury has fewer charges upon which

to convict the accused.

¶ 61 The trial court determined that the totality of the evidence presented indicated defendant

took an intentional all-or-nothing approach. The court found Heintz’s testimony credible and

concluded it was defendant’s wish to proceed without the lesser-included offense

instructions. These facts do not indicate ineffective assistance of defendant’s trial or appellate

counsel. Accordingly, the trial court found that defendant failed to make the required

substantial showing. The totality of the evidence presented at the hearing supports the trial

court’s determination. We affirm.

¶ 62 IV. Sentencing

¶ 63 Finally, defendant argues that his sentence was excessive in light of his rehabilitative

potential, the limited risk of recidivism, and the mitigating factors presented to the trial court.

The State counters by highlighting the underlying facts of the crime and pointing out that

defendant’s 60-year sentence fell within the applicable sentencing range. 730 ILCS

5/5-4.5-20(a) (West 2014). Defendant was originally sentenced to a mandatory natural life

term under section 5-8-1(a)(1)(c)(ii) of the Unified Code. 730 ILCS 5/5-8-1(a)(1)(c)(ii)

(West 2006). This sentence was deemed unconstitutional and later removed from the statute.

See Pub. Act 99-69, § 10 (eff. Jan. 1, 2016); Wooters, 188 Ill. 2d 500. The trial court imposed

the 60-year sentence at issue here at a second sentencing hearing. Accordingly, we examine

this issue as a direct appeal.

¶ 64 The trial court’s sentencing decision is entitled to great deference and will not be

disturbed absent an abuse of discretion. People v. Latona, 184 Ill. 2d 260, 272 (1998); People

v. Perruquet, 68 Ill. 2d 149, 153 (1977). The trial court is in a far better position than the

appellate court to issue an appropriate sentence based upon its firsthand consideration of

relevant factors such as the defendant’s credibility, demeanor, moral character, mentality,

social environment, habits, and age. People v. Streit, 142 Ill. 2d 13, 19 (1991) (citing

Perruquet, 68 Ill. 2d at 154). When reviewing courts examine the propriety of trial courts’

sentences, they should proceed with great caution and care. People v. Harper, 50 Ill. 2d 296,

301 (1972). Accordingly, a reviewing court may not substitute its judgment for that of a trial

court merely because it would have weighed sentencing factors differently. People v.

Pittman, 93 Ill. 2d 169, 178 (1982).

¶ 65 In the instant case, defendant stands convicted of murdering a 17-month-old infant. The

mitigating factors presented—defendant’s lack of prior violent crimes, troubled upbringing,

age, rehabilitative potential, and drug dependency related to the murder—do not render

defendant immune from a maximum sentence. The trial judge clearly weighed these

factors—he stated on the record that they were insufficient to overcome the nature of the

crime. The judge also determined that defendant fell short of expressing true remorse for his

actions. Defendant is asking this court to reweigh the sentencing factors, which we cannot do

by law. See id. We find no abuse of the trial court’s discretion in imposing the maximum

60-year sentence.

¶ 66 CONCLUSION

¶ 67 For the foregoing reasons, we affirm the judgment of the circuit court of Rock Island

County as to all issues raised in this appeal.

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¶ 68 Affirmed.

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