People v. Bradford

Illinois Appellate Court
Criminal Court
Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
Citation
Case Number: 
2019 IL App (4th) 170148
Decision Date: 
Friday, February 1, 2019
District: 
4th Dist.
Division/County: 
Macon Co.
Holding: 
Affirmed.
Justice: 
DeARMOND

(Modified upon denial of rehearing 2/22/19.) Defendant was convicted, after jury trial, of aggravated discharge of a firearm.  No ineffective assistance of counsel in failing to object to conclusions of State's firearm identification expert. Expert provided sufficient foundation, as she testified to her methodology, procedure, and purpose of her examination of test-fired slugs and bullets. Defense counsel asked expert for more detail on cross-examination and was provided it.No prejudice by counsel's performance, as there was a reasonable probability jury would have found Defendant guilty even without ballistics evidence. (KNECHT and CAVANAGH, concurring.)