Illinois Appellate Court
Criminal Court
Postconviction Petitions
Defendant was convicted of shooting death of 14-year-old girl killed while sitting outside her home. Court dismissed postconviction petition after full evidentiary hearing, with testimony of 12 witnesses. Defendant contended that a now-deceased fellow gang member was the murderer. Court properly ruled that witness testimony was unreliable and not of conclusive character to result in different outcome at trial. Defendant failed to meet burden of demonstrating ineffective assistance of counsel; no deficiency in defense counsel's performance, and no prejudice, given State's strong case with independent eyewitnesses. (CONNORS and HARRIS, concurring.)