People v. Lawson

Illinois Appellate Court
Criminal Court
Robbery
Citation
Case Number: 
2019 IL App (4th) 180452
Decision Date: 
Wednesday, August 28, 2019
District: 
4th Dist.
Division/County: 
Vermilion Co.
Holding: 
Reversed and remanded with directions.
Justice: 
STEIGMANN

Defendant was convicted of armed robbery and attempted armed robbery. Defendant appealed, arguing that trial court failed to conduct a Krankel inquiry into his pro se claims of ineffective assistance of counsel; appellate court remanded for a Krankel hearing, but trial court declined to appoint new counsel. Trial counsel's failure to call a witness who Defendant claims could have impeached testimony of State's key witness may have been unreasonable trial strategy. Thus, allegations could support a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel.(KNECHT and TURNER, concurring.)