Following a jury trial, the defendant, Edward Tenney, was found guilty of first-degree murder(720 ILCS 5/9--1(a)(2) (West 1992)) and sentenced to a term of natural life imprisonment. Onappeal, the defendant argues that (1) he was not proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt; (2) the trialcourt abused its discretion during voir dire; and (3) his sentence is invalid under the rule articulatedin Apprendi v. New Jersey, 530 U.S. 466, 147 L. Ed. 2d 435, 120 S. Ct. 2348 (2000). Originally,in an opinion dated April 29, 2002, this court affirmed the defendant's conviction but vacated hissentence and remanded for a new sentencing hearing. People v. Tenney, 329 Ill. App. 3d 430 (2002).

On December 27, 2002, the Illinois Supreme Court vacated this court's opinion and directedus to reconsider our judgment in light of its decisions in People v. Kaczmarek, 207 Ill. 2d 288 (2003),People v. Thurow, 203 Ill. 2d 352 (2003), People v. Swift, 202 Ill. 2d 378 (2002), and People v.Crespo, 203 Ill. 3d 335 (2001). In Swift, the supreme court held that the sentencing range for first-degree murder in Illinois is 20 to 60 years' imprisonment. Swift, 202 Ill. 2d at 392. In order tocomport with Apprendi, any factual findings which increase a defendant's sentence beyond that range,such as a finding that the crime was accompanied by brutal and heinous conduct, must be proven toa jury beyond a reasonable doubt. Swift, 202 Ill. 2d at 392. In Crespo, Thurow, and Kaczmarek,the supreme court held that Apprendi violations are susceptible to harmless and plain error analyses. Kaczmarek, 207 Ill. 2d at 303; Thurow, 203 Ill. 2d at 368; Crespo, 203 Ill. 2d at 347. In accordancewith the supreme court's directive, we consider these cases in addressing the defendant's finalcontention that his sentence is invalid under Apprendi.

On May 26, 1995, the defendant was indicted on one count of first-degree murder (720 ILCS5/9--1(a)(2) (West 1992)) and two alternative counts of felony first-degree murder (720 ILCS 5/9--1(a)(3) (West 1992)). The indictment count charging first-degree murder alleged that on October1, 1993, the defendant shot and killed the victim, Mary Jill Oberweis, in her home on Felton Roadin Aurora. The two alternative felony murder counts alleged that the defendant, while committingthe forcible felonies of home invasion (720 ILCS 5/12-11 (West 1992)) and residential burglary (720ILCS 5/19-3 (West 1992)), performed acts which caused the victim's death.

On September 12, 1997, the State informed the trial court and the defendant that it wouldseek the death penalty upon a conviction. On October 6, 1997, the defendant's jury trial commenced. During voir dire, the defendant asked prospective jurors whether any of them had family membersor friends with drug or alcohol problems. The State objected, arguing that the question revealed theparticular facts of the instant case. The trial court sustained the objection and suggested that thedefendant rephrase his question in broader terms. The defendant then asked prospective jurors howthey would "handle" a person with a chemical dependency. Again, the State objected to the questionand the trial court sustained the objection. The defendant did not ask any further questions regardingdrugs or alcohol. The parties completed jury selection on October 8, 1997.

On October 9, 1997, the State began its case in chief. The State's primary eyewitness wasDonald Lippert, who had also been charged with the victim's murder. The trial court required Lippertto participate in a competency hearing before testifying at trial. When questioned by the trial court,Lippert testified that he was able to remember things for the most part, but that he sometimes hadtrouble remembering small things that happened in the recent past. As an example, Lippert explainedthat he forgot what he ate for breakfast that morning. Lippert testified that he understood the oathand that he was required to tell the truth on the stand.

When further questioned by the defendant, Lippert admitted that he was on numerousmedications, including Thorazine, Xanax, and Zoloft, and that the medications made him sleepy. Lippert testified that the medications did not affect his long-term memory. When asked to identifythe date, Lippert initially stated that it was September 9, and then correctly stated that it was October9. The trial court found that Lippert was competent to testify at trial.

Lippert testified that he and the defendant were cousins. They shared a residence on ShefferRoad in Aurora during the time in question. Lippert testified that he "liked to rob houses." OnOctober 1, 1993, Lippert had been using alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine. That evening, thedefendant suggested that they go out. Lippert and the defendant started walking down Sheffer Road,both armed with .22-caliber "Ruger" pistols. After walking about a mile, the defendant pointed outa house on Felton Road. The defendant told Lippert that the house looked like it had guns or othervaluables inside.

Once they reached the house, Lippert stood by trees along the side of the house, while thedefendant looked through the windows. After looking through the windows, the defendant noticedthat the house had an alarm system. Lippert suggested that they kick the door in. The defendantkicked the door open and they entered the house. Upon entering the house, Lippert went into ahallway where he saw some file cabinets. While trying to pry the file cabinets open, he heardscreaming and a gunshot.

Lippert ran into the living room area and saw the victim bleeding from the face, trying to getup off a chair. Lippert then ran down a hallway, where he found the defendant. Lippert saw thedefendant fire a shot into an empty bedroom. Lippert and the defendant went back to the livingroom, where the victim was. The defendant pushed the victim back into her chair and acted like hewas going to shoot her. Instead, the defendant stated that his gun had jammed and told Lippert toshoot the victim. At first, Lippert refused, but the defendant threatened to shoot him. Lippert thenshot the victim.

Afterwards, Lippert and the defendant left through the back door and ran towards thecornfield across the street from the house. When Lippert crossed the street, he heard people yellingoutside the house. The defendant fired multiple shots in the direction of the voices. Lippert and thedefendant hid in the cornfield for a period of time. When they finally exited the cornfield, thedefendant asked Lippert for his gun. Lippert gave the defendant his gun.

On cross-examination, Lippert acknowledged that he was addicted to alcohol, marijuana, andcocaine. Lippert admitted that he had two prior convictions of burglary, a prior conviction ofresidential burglary, and a prior conviction of armed violence. Lippert also acknowledged that theState agreed to reduce his charges in this case and in other pending cases in exchange for histestimony.

Several other witnesses testified on behalf of the State. Ken Johannessen, the victim's next-door neighbor, testified that on October 1, 1993, at approximately 9 p.m., he heard a crash outside. He then walked outside his home and heard the alarm from the victim's home. He then heard twogunshots that sounded as though they were coming from the victim's driveway. After the first twogunshots, he ran towards the bushes between his home and the victim's home and heard four moreshots. These shots were much louder than the first shots and came from a different direction. Heheard a person running on the concrete and then saw a car drive south on Felton Road. He called tohis wife JoAnn, and they entered the victim's home through the back door. He called 911 while hiswife tended to the victim. Before leaving the house, he found that the back door was damaged andthe inside trim had been split away.

JoAnn Johannessen testified that she entered the victim's home first and found the victim lyingon a chair in the family room, unconscious and bleeding from the head. She lifted the victim's headto try to stop the bleeding. After the police arrived, she retrieved a sheet and covered the victim. When retrieving the sheet, she noticed a bullet casing on the floor of the hallway. She did not touchthe casing but pointed it out to a police officer.

Deputy Jack Caudill of the Kane County sheriff's department also testified for the State. Deputy Caudill testified that, on October 1, 1993, at approximately 9 p.m., he and his partner, DeputyThomas Friedrich, were dispatched to 1131 Felton Road in Aurora. After arriving, Deputy Caudillfound JoAnn Johannessen holding the victim's head, which was bleeding from the mouth and the backof the head. At that time, Deputy Caudill looked around to make sure that nobody else was in thehouse. Deputy Caudill found a bullet casing on the floor of the hallway by the master bedroom andtwo bullet casings a few feet away from the victim. Deputy Caudill placed paper cups over thecasings without touching them. Deputy Caudill did not remember if JoAnn Johannessen pointed outa casing to him.

Officer Michael Drawhorn of the Illinois State Police testified for the State. Officer Drawhorntestified that he collected the casings under the paper cups. Officer Drawhorn also recovered a bulletin the wall of the master bedroom. Officer Drawhorn noted damage to a file cabinet located in a smallroom.

Dr. Shaku Teas testified that he performed the victim's autopsy. Dr. Teas found one entrance-type gunshot wound on the left side of the victim's head above the ear and another on the upper lip. Dr. Teas recovered one bullet from the brain and fragments of another bullet from the jaw. In Dr.Teas's opinion, the wound to the brain was fatal. Dr. Teas also testified that the wound to the jawalso could have been fatal. In addition to the gunshot wounds, Dr. Teas found two small abrasions,one on the back of the shoulder and one on the tip of the thumb. According to Dr. Teas, the victim'sdeath probably occurred very quickly.

Officer Michael Gumz of the Aurora police department testified for the State. Officer Gumztestified that on October 14, 1993, he arrested the defendant at his residence on Sheffer Street on anunrelated warrant. Officer Gumz testified that, at the time of the arrest, the defendant was inpossession of a .22-caliber "High Standard" pistol.

Dan Gunnell testified that he was a forensic scientist with the Illinois State Police. Gunnelltestified that he examined the shell casings found at the scene, the "High Standard" pistol recoveredfrom the defendant, and a "Ruger" pistol that police also recovered. Based upon his examination,Gunnell determined that one of the shell casings was in fact fired by the "High Standard" pistol thathad been recovered from the defendant. Gunnell also determined that two of the shell casings werefired by the "Ruger" pistol. Gunnell did not find any mechanical malfunctions with either gun.

The defendant did not present any evidence during his case in chief.

On October 17, 1997, the jury found the defendant guilty on all three counts alleged in theindictment. On November 7, 1997, the trial court conducted a hearing on the defendant's eligibilityfor the death penalty. The defendant had earlier waived his right to have the jury determine hiseligibility for the death penalty and sentence. The trial court found the defendant eligible for the deathpenalty under section 9--1(b)(6) of the Criminal Code of 1961 (720 ILCS 5/9--1(b)(6) (West 1992)). In finding the defendant eligible, the trial court made findings that (1) the defendant was over the ageof 18; (2) the victim was murdered in the course of the felonies of burglary and home invasion; (3)the defendant acted with intent to kill or with the knowledge that his acts created the strongprobability of death or great bodily harm; (4) the defendant inflicted injuries substantiallycontemporaneously with Lippert; and (5) the defendant was legally accountable for Lippert's conduct. See 720 ILCS 5/9--1(b)(6) (West 1992).

On November 18, 1997, the defendant filed a motion to reconsider his death penalty eligibility. On May 20, 1999, at the hearing on the motion to reconsider, the State withdrew its request for thedeath penalty, stating:

"After an evaluation of the evidence, the People's position is that there is insufficient proofbeyond a reasonable doubt in the Oberweis case and certainly in any other evidence that I'maware of, to sustain the People's burden beyond a reasonable doubt on the qualification forthe death penalty on the felony murder rationale, and for that reason, Judge, the People willwithdraw the request on that basis, and the way it would stand right now, there would be noqualification so there would be no possibility of death for the Oberweis conviction."

However, the trial court never rendered a decision on the defendant's motion to reconsider his deathpenalty eligibility.

On June 17, 1999, the trial court held a sentencing hearing. At the hearing, the court mergedthe felony first-degree murder counts into the first-degree murder count. The trial court found thatthe defendant's conduct was exceptionally brutal and heinous, indicative of wanton cruelty. See 730ILCS 5/5--8--1(a)(1)(b) (West 1992). The trial court therefore imposed a life sentence. After thedenial of his postsentencing motions, the defendant filed a timely notice of appeal.

The defendant's first contention on appeal is that he was not proved guilty beyond areasonable doubt. The defendant argues that Lippert's testimony was so incredible that no rationaljury could have believed it. The defendant also argues that, aside from Lippert's testimony, there wasno physical evidence connecting him to the murder.

When considering a challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence, it is not the function of thiscourt to retry the defendant. People v. Steidl, 142 Ill. 2d 204, 226 (1991). The relevant question iswhether, after viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution, any rational trierof fact could have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. People v.Collins, 106 Ill. 2d 237, 261 (1985). The determination of the weight to be given to the witnesses'testimony, their credibility, and the reasonable inferences to be drawn from the evidence are theresponsibility of the fact finder. People v. Byron, 164 Ill. 2d 279, 299 (1995).

A conviction shall not be reversed simply because the defendant claims a witness is notcredible. People v. Smith, 177 Ill. 2d 53, 74 (1997). However, accomplice testimony should be cautiously scrutinized on appeal. People v. Holmes, 141 Ill. 2d 204, 242 (1990). Although subjectto scrutiny, the testimony of an accomplice is sufficient to sustain a conviction " 'if it convinces thejury of the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.' " (Emphasis omitted.) People v. Williams,147 Ill. 2d 173, 233 (1991), quoting People v. Collins, 106 Ill. 2d 237, 261 (1985). Whereweaknesses in the accomplice's testimony existed, the weaknesses should have been readily apparentto the jury. Williams, 147 Ill. 2d at 234; People v. Morrow, 303 Ill. App. 3d 671, 678 (1999).

The offense of first-degree murder is defined as follows:

"(a) A person who kills an individual without lawful justification commits first degreemurder if, in performing the acts which cause the death:

***

(2) he knows that such acts create a strong probability of death or great bodilyharm to that individual or another[.]" 720 ILCS 5/9--1(a)(2) (West 1992)).

In order to prove first-degree murder, it is not necessary to show that the defendant had a specificintent to kill or to do great bodily harm, or that he knows with certainty that his acts will achievemurderous results. People v. Crane, 308 Ill. App. 3d 675, 682 (1999). It is sufficient to show thatthe defendant voluntarily and willfully committed the act, the natural tendency of which was todestroy another's life. Crane, 308 Ill. App. 3d at 682.

After carefully reviewing all of the evidence, and when viewing that evidence in the light mostfavorable to the State, we believe that a rational trier of fact could have found the defendant guiltybeyond a reasonable doubt. Lippert's testimony indicates that the defendant shot the victim in thehead during a home invasion and burglary. Lippert provided a complete account of the murder,including his own role in the crime.

Contrary to the defendant's assertion, the State was also able to provide independentcorroboration of many important aspects of Lippert's testimony. For example, Lippert testified thatthe victim had an alarm system and that he and the defendant decided to kick the door open anyway. Such testimony was corroborated by Ken Johannessen's testimony that he heard a loud crash and thealarm from the victim's house. Ken Johannessen also testified to finding damage to the back door. Additionally, Lippert's testimony that he discovered the victim bleeding from the head while sittingin the living room chair was corroborated by JoAnn Johannessen, who found the victim in the livingroom chair bleeding from the head.

Lippert's testimony was also consistent with the physical evidence recovered from the scene. Lippert testified to hearing the first shot, seeing the defendant fire a shot into the bedroom, and firingone shot at the victim himself. Lippert also testified that when he heard the first shot he was tryingto pry open file cabinets. Deputy Caudell testified that he found two casings by the victim and acasing in the hallway leading to the bedroom. Officer Drawhorn found a bullet lodged in the bedroomwall and noted damage to the file cabinets. Dr. Teas recovered two bullets from the head of thevictim.

Finally, Officer Gumz found the defendant in possession of a .22-caliber "High Standard"pistol. This gun was later determined to have fired one of the casings found at the scene. Suchevidence substantially corroborates Lippert's testimony. As there was no contradictory testimony toimpeach Lippert's testimony, we believe that a rational trier of fact could have believed Lippert'stestimony.

Furthermore, the jury was fully aware of the weaknesses surrounding Lippert's credibility. During Lippert's testimony, the jury became aware of Lippert's involvement in the murder, his dealwith the State, his prior convictions, and his chemical dependency. We note that the trial courtinstructed the jury with Illinois Pattern Jury Instructions, Criminal, No. 3.17 (3d ed. 1992), cautioningit that, as Lippert was an accomplice, his testimony should be viewed with suspicion. The jury wasin the best position to judge Lippert's testimony, and we see no reason to disturb its determination. Rather, for the reasons discussed above, we believe that the State introduced sufficient evidence toprove the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

B. Voir Dire

The defendant next argues that the trial court abused its discretion during voir dire. Specifically, the defendant argues that the trial court deprived him of a fair and impartial jury byrefusing to allow him to question prospective jurors about their personal experiences with friends orfamily who may have suffered from substance abuse.

The purpose of voir dire is to assure the selection of an impartial panel of jurors who are freefrom bias or prejudice. People v. Williams, 164 Ill. 2d 1, 16 (1994). The primary responsibility forconducting voir dire lies with the trial court, and the scope of the examination rests within itsdiscretion. People v. Terrell, 185 Ill. 2d 467, 484 (1998). The trial court possesses great latitude indeciding what questions to ask during voir dire. People v. Gregg, 315 Ill. App. 3d 59, 65 (2000).

On review, an abuse of the court's discretion will be found only when the record reveals thatthe trial court's conduct thwarted the selection of a fair and impartial jury. Terrell, 185 Ill. 2d at 484. The standard for evaluating a court's exercise of discretion during voir dire is whether the questionsposed and procedures employed created a reasonable assurance that prejudice would be discoveredif present. People v. Lanter, 230 Ill. App. 3d 72, 75 (1992). Reasonable limitations on voir dire donot deprive a litigant of his right to an impartial jury. Lanter, 230 Ill. App. 3d at 75.

Although the defendant is entitled to an impartial jury, he is not entitled to select particularjurors. People v. Peeples, 155 Ill. 2d 422, 463 (1993). The venire should not be questionedregarding how they would act given particular aggravating circumstances. Terrell, 185 Ill. 2d at 484. Questions should confirm the ability of prospective juries to put aside feelings of bias and decide thecase on the evidence presented. People v. Strain, 306 Ill. App. 3d 328, 337 (1999).

In Strain, the court was faced with gang membership as an area of potential bias for the jury. Strain, 306 Ill. App. 3d at 336. The trial court asked the venire whether any of their family membersor friends had ever been involved with street gangs. Strain, 306 Ill. App. 3d at 336. On appeal, thecourt specifically found that the trial court's question was improper and did not inquire whether thevenire was free of any bias towards gang members. Strain, 306 Ill. App. 3d at 336-37. The courtreasoned that the trial court's question was too narrow and depended on the venire to volunteerinformation not within the question's scope. Strain, 306 Ill. App. 3d at 337.

In the instant case, the defendant phrased his question in a similar manner to the question atissue in Strain. See Strain, 306 Ill. App. 3d at 336. The defendant asked the venire if they had familymembers or friends with substance abuse problems. After sustaining the State's objection to the firstquestion, the court suggested that the defendant rephrase the question in broader terms. However,the defendant again phrased his question improperly. He asked the venire how they would "handle"someone with a chemical dependancy. As in Strain, neither of the defendant's questions wasspecifically probative of the venire's feelings toward drugs and alcohol. Rather than rephrase thequestion a third time, the defendant abandoned the line of questioning. Contrary to the defendant'sassertion, the trial court never did prohibit the defendant from questioning the venire about theirviews regarding alcohol and drugs. As such, we find that the trial court did not commit error.

In so holding, we note that People v. Lanter, 230 Ill. App. 3d 72 (1992), relied upon by thedefendant, is distinguishable from the case at bar. In Lanter, the defendant was charged withaggravated battery and aggravated assault. Lanter, 230 Ill. App. 3d at 72. The defendant plannedto raise the affirmative defense of intoxication at trial. Lanter, 230 Ill. App. 3d at 73. During voirdire, the defendant attempted to ask a prospective juror whether she had any viewpoints concerningalcohol and drugs that would cause her to favor one of the parties. Lanter, 230 Ill. App. 3d at 73. The trial court prohibited that line of questioning entirely. Lanter, 230 Ill. App. 3d at 74. On review,the court held that the trial court's failure to allow any questions regarding the venire's feelings towarddrugs and alcohol was an abuse of discretion. Lanter, 230 Ill. App. at 76.

Unlike the defendant in Lanter, the defendant here did not specifically ask the venire if theyhad any viewpoints concerning alcohol and drugs that would cause them to favor one of the parties. Although the defendant could have properly inquired about the venire's bias towards substance abuse,the defendant's questions were not proper. Next, unlike the defendant in Lanter, the defendant in thiscase did not raise an affirmative defense of intoxication. Accordingly, we do not believe that this caseis comparable to Lanter and hold that the trial court did not abuse its discretion by sustaining theState's objection to the defendant's questions.

C. Apprendi

The defendant's final contention on appeal is that his sentence is invalid under Apprendi v.New Jersey, 530 U.S. 466, 147 L. Ed. 2d 435, 120 S. Ct. 2348 (2000). The defendant argues thatthe maximum statutory penalty for first-degree murder is 60 years' imprisonment. 730 ILCS 5/5--8--1(a)(1)(a) (West 1992). The defendant argues that the trial court impermissibly enhanced hissentence to life imprisonment without submitting to the jury the aggravating factor of exceptionalbrutality or heinousness.

In Apprendi, the United States Supreme Court held that, "[o]ther than the fact of a priorconviction, any fact that increases the penalty for a crime beyond the prescribed statutory maximummust be submitted to a jury, and proved beyond a reasonable doubt." Apprendi, 530 U.S. at 490, 147L. Ed. 2d at 455, 120 S. Ct. at 2362-63. The Supreme Court reasoned that it is unconstitutional forthe legislature to remove from the jury the assessment of facts that increase the prescribed range ofpenalties to which a criminal defendant is exposed. Apprendi, 530 U.S. at 490, 147 L. Ed. 2d at 455,120 S. Ct. at 2363. Clearly, the focal point of any Apprendi analysis is the statutory maximumpenalty.

To determine the maximum statutory penalty for first-degree murder in Illinois, we look tothe Unified Code of Corrections (the Code). Section 5--8--1(a)(1)(a) of the Code provides that thesentence for first-degree murder shall range from 20 to 60 years' imprisonment. 730 ILCS 5/5--8--1(a)(1)(a) (West 1992). However, the Code also gives the trial court the discretion to sentence adefendant to a longer term of imprisonment, up to and including life imprisonment, if it finds that (1)the murder was accompanied by exceptionally brutal or heinous behavior indicative of wanton cruelty(730 ILCS 5/5--8--1(a)(1)(b) (West 1992)); or (2) any of the death penalty qualifying factors arepresent (720 ILCS 5/9--1(b) (West 1992)). The supreme court has considered the relevantsentencing provisions from the Code and determined that the maximum statutory penalty for first-degree murder in Illinois is 60 years' imprisonment. Swift, 202 Ill. 2d at 392. The supreme courtfurther determined that any factual findings which increase a defendant's sentence beyond thatmaximum, such as a finding that the crime was accompanied by exceptionally brutal or heinousconduct, indicative of wanton cruelty, must be proven to a jury beyond a reasonable doubt. Swift,202 Ill. 2d at 392.

"[F]or purposes of Apprendi analysis, the 'sentencing range' for first degree murderin Illinois is 20 to 60 years' imprisonment. This is the only range of sentence permissiblebased on an ordinary jury verdict of guilt. Although there is a statutory authorization for higher sentences to be imposed for this crime, any sentence longer than 60 years requiresadditional factual findings. [Citations.] According to Apprendi, any factual findings whichtake a sentence above the sentencing range must be proven to a jury beyond a reasonabledoubt. In this case, the factual finding that defendant's crime was brutal and heinous wasmade by the circuit court, and the State was not held to the appropriate burden of proof. " Swift, 202 Ill. 2d at 392.

Here, the trial court imposed a sentence of life imprisonment, which exceeded the maximumstatutory sentence of 60 years' imprisonment permitted under section 5--8--1(a)(1)(a) of the Code. 730 ILCS 5/5--8--1(a)(1)(a) (West 1992). In sentencing the defendant to an enhanced term of lifeimprisonment, the trial court found that the defendant's actions were exceptionally brutal or heinousand indicative of wanton cruelty. Clearly, the trial court violated principles of Apprendi by sentencingthe defendant to the enhanced term of life imprisonment based on its own finding of exceptionalbrutality or heinousness.

Nonetheless, under Kaczmarek, Thurow, and Crespo, an Apprendi error does notautomatically warrant resentencing. Kaczmarek, 207 Ill. 2d at 303; Thurow, 203 Ill. 2d at 368;Crespo, 203 Ill. 2d at 347. Rather, an Apprendi error is subject to either a harmless error or a plainerror analysis. Kaczmarek, 207 Ill. 2d at 303; Thurow, 203 Ill. 2d at 368; Crespo, 203 Ill. 2d at 347. A harmless error analysis applies where the defendant has made a timely objection at trial. Crespo,203 Ill. 2d at 347. A plain error analysis applies where the defendant has failed to make a timelyobjection. Crespo, 203 Ill. 2d at 347.

A significant difference exists between the two analyses. In a harmless error analysis, theState bears the burden of persuasion. Thurow, 203 Ill. 2d at 363. The State must prove that thejury's verdict would have been the same absent the error. Thurow, 203 Ill. 2d at 363. In a plain erroranalysis, the defendant, rather than the State, must prove prejudice. Thurow, 203 Ill. 2d at 363.

In this case, the defendant failed to timely object at trial. Therefore, we will apply the plainerror analysis. In doing so, we conclude that the defendant has failed to prove that he was prejudiced. A jury would certainly have found beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant's crime wascommitted in an exceptionally brutal or heinous manner, indicative of wanton cruelty.

Heinous behavior is hatefully or shockingly evil. Kaczmarek, 207 Ill. 2d at 303. Brutalbehavior is grossly ruthless, devoid of mercy or compassion, or cruel and cold-blooded. Kaczmarek,207 Ill. 2d at 303. Finally, wanton cruelty requires proof that the defendant consciously sought toinflict pain and suffering on the victim of the offense. Kaczmarek, 207 Ill. 2d at 303. Various factorsindicate whether behavior is exceptionally brutal or heinous, indicative of wanton cruelty. Thesefactors include premeditation, the unprovoked nature of the attack, the "senseless" nature of the act,the number of wounds inflicted, the danger created by the act, and the extent of the injury inflicted. People v. Kennedy, 336 Ill. App. 3d 425, 431 (2002). Further factors that indicate brutality orheinousness are the defenselessness of the victim (People v. Taylor, 164 Ill. App. 3d 938, 944 (1987))and a defendant's lack of remorse (People v. Lewis, 334 Ill. App. 3d 993, 1006 (2002)).

In this case, the defendant broke into a house, intending to commit a burglary. After enteringthe house, the defendant encountered a defenseless elderly woman sitting in a chair in her living room. The defendant senselessly shot the woman, even though shooting the woman was not necessary toaccomplish the burglary. As the woman struggled to get out of her chair, the defendant directed hisaccomplice to shoot her again. The woman's death was caused by two close range gun shots to thehead. At trial, the defendant displayed a callous indifference to the victim, indicative of a lack ofremorse.

Considering the above facts, we have no doubt that a jury would have found that thedefendant's conduct was exceptionally brutal or heinous and indicative of wanton cruelty. His actionswere cold-blooded, cruel, ruthless, and completely devoid of mercy. Accordingly, because there wasno prejudice to the defendant, the defendant's sentence of life imprisonment is affirmed. III. Conclusion

For the foregoing reasons, the judgment of the circuit court of Kane County is affirmed.

Affirmed.

BYRNE, J., concurs.

JUSTICE McLAREN, specially concurring:

Today's decision follows the cases which the supreme court mandated this court to considerin our reconsideration of this appeal. People v. Kaczmarek, 207 Ill. 2d 288 (2003); People v.Thurow, 203 Ill. 2d 352 (2003); People v. Swift, 202 Ill. 2d 378 (2002); People v. Crespo, 203 Ill.3d 335 (2001).

I dissented from the previous majority opinion because I believed, and continue to believe,that our statutory scheme does not violate Apprendi. People v. Tenney, 329 Ill. App. 3d 430, 444-45(2002) (McLaren, J., dissenting). Nonetheless, having voiced my disagreement previously, I concurin today's opinion because the doctrine of stare decisis requires that we adhere to establishedprecedent. People v. Mitchell, 189 Ill. 2d 312, 338 (2000).