People v. Newbill

SUPREME COURT CASES

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People v. Newbill

State: Illinois

Court: 4th District Appellate

Docket No: 4-05-0902 Rel

Case Date: 07/19/2007

Preview:NO. 4-05-0902 IN THE APPELLATE COURT OF ILLINOIS FOURTH DISTRICT THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. ANTHONY J. NEWBILL, Defendant-Appellant.

Filed 7/19/07

) Appeal from ) Circuit Court of ) Champaign County ) No. 04CF2071 ) ) Honorable ) Thomas J. Difanis, ) Judge Presiding. _________________________________________________________________ JUSTICE MYERSCOUGH delivered the opinion of the court: On August 16, 2005, following a mistrial due to a hung jury, a subsequent jury found defendant, Anthony J. Newbill, guilty of robbery (720 ILCS 5/18-1 (West 2004)). On October 3,

2005, because this was defendant's third Class 2 felony, the trial court sentenced defendant as a Class X offender, which carries a term of 6 to 30 years' imprisonment (730 ILCS 5/5-81(a)(3) (West 2004)). On October 3, 2005, the court sentenced Defendant also received 328 Defendant appealed

defendant to the maximum 30 years.

days of credit for his time spent in custody.

his conviction and sentence, arguing that (1) the court abused its discretion in admitting a police officer's hearsay testimony; (2) the 30-year sentence was excessive; and (3) defendant must get one additional day of credit for time served. I. BACKGROUND In the early morning hours of November 9, 2004, the 20We affirm.

year-old victim, Megan Flaherty, met up with some friends at "Brother's" bar on Green Street in Champaign, Illinois. Accord-

ing to Flaherty's testimony, Flaherty had only consumed Coca-Cola to drink. Flaherty left the bar by herself and began talking on

her cellular telephone as she made the one-block walk back to her apartment. Flaherty noticed two men, one of whom she later The men followed

identified as defendant, walking behind her.

Flaherty to the foot of the stairs leading up to her apartment. Defendant told Flaherty to hang up her phone and Flaherty said, "No." her phone. Again, defendant told Flaherty to hang up Defendant then

Flaherty said, "No, please don't."

pulled Flaherty's phone away from her ear and pulled Flaherty's purse off her shoulder. The other man shoved Flaherty to the Defendant stole

ground, and the two offenders took off running.

Flaherty's purse, which contained her driver's license, credit and debit cards, as well as a digital camera valued at $300. Flaherty ran upstairs to her apartment, woke up one of her roommates, and fell to the floor crying. roommate that she had been mugged. police. Flaherty told her

The roommate called the

Champaign police officer Kristy Miller questioned During the course of their 15-

Flaherty at Flaherty's apartment.

to 20-minute conversation, Flaherty provided Miller with a physical description of the defendant but was unable to provide any description of the other perpetrator. - 2 Miller then called

Flaherty's father and told him to cancel Flaherty's credit cards. Shortly thereafter, the police got a call from the clerk at a local convenience store, who stated that a man had tried to purchase items with a stolen credit card. matched the description Flaherty had given police. The man The store

clerk provided the police with a description of defendant's vehicle and the first several characters of the vehicle's license-plate number. Police located a vehicle matching the Defendant was the driver of

description and performed a stop. the vehicle.

Defendant tried to flee the vehicle on foot but was Upon searching defendant, police found

ultimately apprehended.

Flaherty's credit cards and driver's license in defendant's pocket. Police brought Flaherty to a large parking lot to perform a "showup" of defendant. Flaherty remained in the police

vehicle, and defendant was situated under a streetlight about 100 feet away. Flaherty asked if defendant could be moved closer, Flaherty told police

but the police refused for safety reasons.

that she was 85% sure that defendant was the man who had robbed her. Flaherty told the police that the jeans and leather jacket

defendant was wearing were a "definite match" with the clothes of the man who had robbed her and that the general build of defendant was a match. However, Flaherty had some doubt because the

man who had robbed her had been wearing a red sweatshirt under- 3 -

neath the leather jacket and defendant was not wearing a red sweatshirt at the "showup." Also, Flaherty did not feel that she

was close enough to the defendant at the "showup" to get a good look at him. After police took defendant away, they showed

Flaherty a red sweatshirt that had been in defendant's car. Flaherty thought this was the same red sweatshirt and then felt more certain that defendant was the man who had robbed her. In court, Flaherty stated that she was 100% sure that defendant was the man who had robbed her. When asked why she was

even more certain than she had been at the showup, Flaherty stated that defendant had been less than two feet away from her when he had robbed her. features very clearly. Flaherty had been able to see his facial Flaherty stated that, in contrast, Now

defendant had been standing too far away at the "showup."

that Flaherty could again get a good look at defendant's facial features in the courtroom, she was 100% certain defendant had robbed her. The State called Officer Miller as a witness. Miller

was the officer who had initially interviewed Flaherty in her apartment after Flaherty's roommates called the police. State asked Miller "what, if anything, [Flaherty] said to [Miller]" during the apartment interview regarding the incident. The defense immediately objected, arguing that Miller's testimony would constitute hearsay. Following a sidebar conference outside - 4 The

the presence of the jury, the trial court overruled the defense's objection. Miller was allowed to testify to the content of her Miller testified that

15- to 20-minute interview with Flaherty.

Flaherty had provided a description of the individual who had robbed her, and she specifically testified that Flaherty told Miller the robber was: "a black male, 5'7" to 5'8", medium build. He had a goatee and a mustache, posHad a

sibly with some gray in the mustache.

dark-colored baseball cap on, a red hoody sweatshirt with a black knee-length leather coat on and jeans." During the jury instruction conference, the court stated: "THE COURT: *** [W]e need to make a record on [the] hearsay objection *** concerning the testimony of *** Officer Kristy Miller. [Defense] objected as to hearsay. [The State] indicated exception of the hearsay rule and that it was an excited utterance. I overruled the objection, allowed the It was a bit more than I thought Anything surplusage to

testimony.

it was going to be.

the excited utterance, I believe, would be harmless error beyond a reasonable doubt - 5 -

***." A jury thereafter convicted defendant of robbery, and the trial court sentenced defendant as stated. At the hearing on

the motion for a new trial, the court again addressed defendant's hearsay objection but this time stated that the testimony was admissible because an officer may testify as to what a victim told her in order to explain subsequent investigatory steps. Again the court held that to the extent the testimony exceeded its legitimate purpose, it was harmless error. followed. This appeal

II. ANALYSIS A. Officer Miller's Testimony Defendant argues on appeal that Officer Miller's testimony concerning Flaherty's description of defendant was inadmissible hearsay and the trial court erred in admitting said testimony. Evidentiary rulings are within the discretion of the

trial court, and this court will not reverse the trial court's ruling absent an abuse of discretion. People v. Caffey, 205 Ill.

2d 52, 89, 792 N.E.2d 1163, 1188 (2001). The State argues on appeal that this court should affirm the trial court's ruling under the statutory hearsay exception for statements of identification. 12 (West 2004). See 725 ILCS 5/115-

Though this specific argument was not raised - 6 -

before the trial court, an appellee may raise any argument in support of the trial court's judgment, provided they have a sufficient factual basis before the trial court. People v.

Pinkonsly, 207 Ill. 2d 555, 563, 802 N.E.2d 236, 241 (2003). Section 115-12 of the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963 (Code), entitled "Substantive Admissibility of Prior Identification," provides as follows: "A statement is not rendered inadmissible by the hearsay rule if (a) the declarant testifies at the trial or hearing, and (b) the declarant is subject to cross-examination concerning the statement, and (c) the statement is one of the identification of a person made after perceiving him." 12 (West 2004). Here, conditions (a) and (b) were clearly met. Flaherty testiThe question 725 ILCS 5/115-

fied at trial and was subject to cross-examination.

here is whether Flaherty's statement to Miller was "one of identification of a person made after perceiving him." In People v. Williams, 263 Ill. App. 3d 1098, 638 N.E.2d 207 (1994), the First District answered the identical question in the affirmative. In Williams, a police officer

testified about what one of the victims told her "regarding the offender and his clothing, as well as the type and color of his - 7 -

car."

Williams, 263 Ill. App. 3d at 1111, 638 N.E.2d at 216.

The appellate court held that section 115-12 of the Code, a statutory exception to the hearsay rule, permitted such testimony. Williams, 263 Ill. App. 3d at 1111, 638 N.E.2d at 217.

This court agrees with the holding in Williams. Further support for this result can be found in decisions by the Illinois Supreme Court. Section 115-12 was born out

of the supreme court's decision in People v. Rogers, 81 Ill. 2d 571, 411 N.E.2d 223 (1980), superseded by statute as stated in People v. Lewis, 361 Ill. App. 3d 1006, 838 N.E.2d 996 (2005) (explaining that the requirement stated in Rogers that the declarant must testify about the identification before the thirdparty statement may be admitted was not required by section 11512 of the Code). See People v. Lewis, 165 Ill. 2d 305, 342-43,

651 N.E.2d 72, 90 (1995) (noting section 115-12 of the Code was born out of the Rogers decision). Interestingly, Rogers involved

a physical description similar to the description at issue herein. In Rogers, a detective testified that the witness described the robber's age, height, weight, and hair color, and said that the robber wore glasses and had a mustache. Ill. 2d at 574, 411 N.E.2d at 225. Rogers, 81

The detective testified he Rogers, 81

made a composite sketch based on that description. Ill. 2d at 574, 411 N.E.2d at 225. - 8 -

The Rogers court noted that

"the composite and testimony concerning the production thereof constituted extrajudicial statements of identification." sis added.) (EmphaThe

Rogers, 81 Ill. 2d at 580, 411 N.E.2d at 228.

Rogers court found, however, that the trial court did not err by admitting into evidence the composite sketch where the witness testified under oath and was subject to cross-examination, and the evidence was admitted as prior identification evidence to corroborate the prosecuting witness's in-court identification of the defendant. Rogers, 81 Ill. 2d at 580-81, 411 N.E.2d at 228.

The court held "the trial court correctly admitted the composite sketch and [the witness's] description in evidence as corroboration of his in-court identification of the defendant." 81 Ill. 2d at 582, 411 N.E.2d at 229. Rogers,

Thus, it appears that

prior to the legislature's enactment of section 115-12 of the Code, the supreme court considered an extrajudicial physical description--such as height and hair color--as "identification evidence." More recently, the supreme court has indicated that "statements of identification" have been too narrowly construed. In People v. Tisdel, 201 Ill. 2d 210, 218, 775 N.E.2d 921, 926 (2002), the supreme court held that its decision in People v. Hayes, 139 Ill. 2d 89, 138, 564 N.E.2d 803, 824 (1990) (holding that statements that a witness did not identify the defendant from photo books and arrays were not statements of identifica- 9 -

tion), too narrowly construed the term "statements of identification." In overruling Hayes, the Tisdel court stated: "[T]he Hayes court erred in limiting 'statements of identification' to a witness'[s] actual identification of a defendant. This interpretation mistakenly focuses As a

on the result rather than the process.

consequence, the trier of fact may be deprived of information necessary to an informed decision concerning a witness'[s] reliability. In contrast, construing 'state-

ments of identification' to include the entire identification process would ensure that a trier of fact is fully informed concerning the reliability of a witness'[s] identification, as well as the suggestiveness or lack thereof in that identification." added.) (Emphasis

Tisdel, 201 Ill. 2d at 219, 775

N.E.2d at 926-27. Here, Officer Miller testified to Flaherty's description of defendant. process." This was the first step in the "entire identification Therefore, the statement was properly admitted. Justice Cook posits in his special concurrence that "[t]he majority's interpretation of section 115-12 would broaden - 10 -

it to allow the substantive admission of any discussion of a crime between a victim and a police officer." That is not the case. Slip op. at 15.

Section 115-12 by its very terms applies

only to statements of identification, and the supreme court has construed statements of identification to include the entire identification process. N.E.2d at 926-27. See Tisdel, 201 Ill. 2d at 219, 775

Our interpretation would not allow the admis-

sion of every discussion between a crime victim and a police officer, only those pertaining to identification of a person made after perceiving him. However, even if the trial court had erred by allowing the statement, any error was harmless. An error is harmless

where it appears beyond a reasonable doubt that the error did not contribute to the verdict obtained. People v. Patterson, 217 Additionally, an

Ill. 2d 407, 428, 841 N.E.2d 889, 901 (2005).

error may be considered harmless where properly admitted evidence overwhelmingly favors a conviction or where the improperly admitted evidence is merely cumulative or duplicates properly admitted evidence. 901. Patterson, 217 Ill. 2d at 428, 841 N.E.2d at

Here, the evidence against the defendant was overwhelming.

Flaherty testified in court that she was 100% certain that defendant was the man who had robbed her. Police testified that

they removed Flaherty's stolen credit cards from defendant's person. Accordingly, we affirm defendant's robbery conviction. - 11 -

B. Excessive Sentence Defendant next argues that his maximum-term, 30-year sentence was excessive. Typically, robbery is a Class 2 felony, 730 ILCS 5/5-8However,

carrying a prison term of three to seven years.

1(a)(5) (West 2004) (prison term for a Class 2 felony).

defendant was eligible to be sentenced under a Class X sentencing scheme of 6 to 30 years' because this was his third Class 2 felony. 730 ILCS 5/5-8-1(a)(3) (West 2004) (prison term for a

Class X felony). In sentencing defendant, the trial court noted defendant's lengthy criminal history, which included one theft conviction, two burglary convictions, two aggravated-battery convictions, one domestic-battery conviction, one conviction for possession of a stolen vehicle, as well as numerous traffic offenses. The court noted that defendant had been sentenced to

numerous probationary periods wherein he failed to rehabilitate himself. Further, defendant had been incarcerated in the DepartThe

ment of Corrections (DOC) on at least five prior occasions.

court concluded that this was the type of offense that could be deterred, especially considering that defendant's accomplice was still "out and about." Defendant's specific argument on appeal is that the trial judge erred in failing to consider three factors in mitigation: (1) that defendant's conduct neither caused nor threatened - 12 -

serious harm to another (730 ILCS 5/5-5-3.1(a)(1) (West 2004)); (2) that defendant has struggled with drugs and alcohol; and (3) that defendant admitted fault and expressed remorse for his actions. This court will not disturb a sentence absent an abuse People v. Illgen, 145 Ill. 2d 353, 379, 583

of discretion.

N.E.2d 515, 526 (1991). In considering defendant's argument, this court notes that drug addiction is not necessarily a mitigating factor (People v. Whealon, 185 Ill. App. 3d 570, 574, 541 N.E.2d 865, 867 (1989)), and the trial court was free to find defendant's remorse to be incredible. See generally People v. Fern, 189 Ill.

2d 48, 55-56, 723 N.E.2d 207, 211 (1999) (the trial court observes the defendant and the proceedings and is therefore in a far better position than a court of review to consider the relevant factors). Defendant's remaining argument is that the trial court failed to consider altogether whether defendant's conduct neither caused nor threatened serious harm to another. 3.1(a)(1) (West 2004). 730 ILCS 5/5-5-

Defendant's attorney did present evidence

that no one was seriously harmed, and the evidence presented at trial indicated that defendant did not use a weapon in the instant offense. Where a defendant presents evidence in mitiga-

tion, it is presumed that the trial court considered said evidence. People v. Pippen, 324 Ill. App. 3d 649, 653, 756 N.E.2d - 13 -

474, 478 (2001).

Defendant contends that the trial court's

statement that "there really aren't any [statutory factors in mitigation] that apply to this defendant to this type of case" is sufficient to rebut the presumption that the trial court considered evidence that defendant's conduct neither threatened nor caused serious harm. However, stating that no statutory factors in mitigation apply is different than stating that the trial court did not consider a mitigating factor. Here, the State presented evidence

that defendant stole a purse from Flaherty's person and that Flaherty was shoved to the ground in the course of the robbery. The trial court was free to infer that defendant's conduct threatened serious harm; Flaherty might have reacted unpredictably or Flaherty might have injured her head against the concrete in the fall. Therefore, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in sentencing defendant to the maximum term. C. Sentencing Credit Finally, defendant argues that he is entitled to one additional day of credit for time spent in custody. Typically, a

defendant is entitled to credit for any part of any day spent in custody. People v. Johns, 130 Ill. App. 3d 548, 548-49, 474 Defendant was placed in custody for the Defendant remained in

N.E.2d 739, 740 (1984).

instant offense on November 9, 2004. - 14 -

custody until he was sentenced on October 3, 2005, and was then immediately remanded to DOC. days served. Defendant received credit for 328

Under the general rule in Johns, this period of

time spans 329 days. However, the general rule in Johns of allowing credit for any part of a day in custody does not apply to the day of sentencing if the defendant remains in continuous custody and is remanded to DOC. People v. Foreman, 361 Ill. App. 3d 136, 157, This is exactly what happened in the

836 N.E.2d 750, 768 (2005). instant case.

Accordingly, the trial court properly gave defen-

dant 328 days of credit. III. CONCLUSION For the aforementioned reasons, we affirm the trial court's judgment. As part of our judgment, we grant the State's

request that defendant be assessed $50 as costs for this appeal. TURNER, J., concurs. COOK, J., specially concurring.

- 15 -

JUSTICE COOK, specially concurring: After the incident, Officer Miller questioned Flaherty at Flaherty's apartment for 15 to 20 minutes. Flaherty was able

to provide a description of the perpetrator, but she was unable to identify him. Flaherty did not know the perpetrator, and she

did not have the opportunity at that time to pick him out from a lineup or photo array. Nevertheless, Officer Miller was allowed The

to testify to the content of her 15- to 20-minute interview.

trial court later expressed concern that the testimony should not have been admitted but that any error was harmless. the trial court. A witness's prior inconsistent statement has always been allowed into evidence to impeach the witness. Section 115I agree with

12 of the Code, however, allows the substantive admission of a prior "identification of a person made after perceiving him," when the declarant (Flaherty in this case) testifies and is subject to cross-examination. 725 ILCS 5/115-12 (West 2004).

Section 115-12 is useful in the situation where a witness identifies a defendant but pressure is brought on the witness and at trial he recants his identification. People v. Miller, 363 Ill. The majority's

App. 3d 67, 74, 842 N.E.2d 290, 297 (2005).

interpretation of section 115-12 would broaden it to allow the substantive admission of any discussion of a crime between a victim and a police officer. That is improper. - 16 An identifica-

tion may be admitted substantively, but other inconsistent statements may be used only for impeachment, i.e., only for the purpose of deciding the witness's credibility. App. 3d at 79, 842 N.E.2d at 300. Miller, 363 Ill.

A witness's prior consistent Miller, 363 Ill. App. 3d at

statement is generally inadmissible. 80, 842 N.E.2d at 301.

The Williams case, relied on by the majority, has been criticized: "A prior statement of identification must follow the perception of the perpetrator again at a time following the incident. Under the

[Williams] court's view, any time a victim identifies an assailant, the statement of identification will be admissible provided the declarant is subject to cross-examination at trial. Thus, if a rape victim five days

later told her mother it was Bob Smith who raped her, the statement would be admissible. The purpose of the rule permitting introduction of a prior statement of identification is to permit evidence of an identification made after recognizing the assailant on subsequent observation prior to trial; it is not intended to permit introduction of hearsay state- 17 -

ments of the victim ***." Cleary &

M. Graham,

Graham's Handbook of Illinois Evi-

dence

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