People v. Blalock

Defendant was convicted, after jury trial,of 1st degree murder. During interrogation, Defendant confessed to shooting victim, claiming that he was trying to shoot someone else and shot victim accidentally. In his 3rd postconviction petition, Defendant alleges (for the 1st time since before his trial, and 16 years after his conviction) that his confession was the product of improper physical coercion by detectives. Defendant provided no explanation as to why he did not or could not have argued that his confession was coerced in any prior proceeding. Defendant's trial testimony directly contradicts his claim of coercion. Court did not err in denying Defendant leave to file a 3rd postconviction petition. (HARRIS and CONNORS, concurring.)