{ "id": 3874959, "name": "THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, Appellee, v. BERNINA MATA, Appellant", "name_abbreviation": "People v. Mata", "decision_date": "2005-12-15", "docket_number": "No. 99890", "first_page": "535", "last_page": "556", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "217 Ill. 2d 535" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "Ill.", "id": 8772, "name": "Illinois Supreme Court" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 29, "name_long": "Illinois", "name": "Ill." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "285 Ill. App. 3d 545", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 1295591 ], "year": 1996, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "550" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/285/0545-01" ] }, { "cite": "342 Ill. App. 3d 453", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 3474483 ], "weight": 2, "year": 2003, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "460" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/342/0453-01" ] }, { "cite": "347 Ill. App. 3d 181", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 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Rev. Stat. Ann. \u00a7\u00a7 13", "category": "laws:leg_statute", "reporter": "Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. \u00a7\u00a7 13-1105", "category": "laws:leg_statute", "reporter": "Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann.", "weight": 2, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "(A)" }, { "page": "(C)" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "198 Ill. 2d 68", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 29934 ], "year": 2001, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "73" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/198/0068-01" ] }, { "cite": "199 Ill. 2d 286", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 58901 ], "year": 2002, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "296" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/199/0286-01" ] }, { "cite": "202 Ill. 2d 378", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 1442047 ], "weight": 3, "year": 2002, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "383", "parenthetical": "citing People v. Jackson, 199 Ill. 2d 286, 296 (2002), and People v. Ford, 198 Ill. 2d 68, 73 (2001)" }, { "page": "388" }, { "page": "388" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/202/0378-01" ] }, { "cite": "536 U.S. 584", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "U.S.", "case_ids": [ 1254507 ], "weight": 12, "year": 2002, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "609" }, { "page": "577" }, { "page": "2443" }, { "page": "609" }, { "page": "577" }, { "page": "2443" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/us/536/0584-01" ] }, { "cite": "530 U.S. 466", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "U.S.", "case_ids": [ 9413911 ], "weight": 18, "year": 2000, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "469" }, { "page": "442" }, { "page": "2351" }, { "page": "490" }, { "page": "455" }, { "page": "2362-63" }, { "page": "494" }, { "page": "457" }, { "page": "2365" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/us/530/0466-01" ] }, { "cite": "206 Ill. 2d 403", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 1578305 ], "weight": 7, "year": 2003, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "463" }, { "page": "463" }, { "page": "463" }, { "page": "463" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/206/0403-01" ] }, { "cite": "325 Ill. 372", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill.", "case_ids": [ 5183320 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1927, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "374" }, { "page": "376" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill/325/0372-01" ] }, { "cite": "208 Ill. 2d 457", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 2463105 ], "weight": 5, "year": 2004, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "473" }, { "page": "473" }, { "page": "475" }, { "page": "474" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/208/0457-01" ] }, { "cite": "353 Ill. App. 3d 784", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 3362819 ], "weight": 6, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "785" }, { "page": "785" }, { "page": "785" }, { "page": "786" }, { "page": "786" }, { "page": "788", "parenthetical": "McLaren, J., specially concurring, joined by Byrne, J." } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/353/0784-01" ] }, { "cite": "171 Ill. 2d 124", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 57338 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1996, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "134" }, { "page": "134" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/171/0124-01" ] }, { "cite": "257 Ill. 564", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill.", "case_ids": [ 4719826 ], "year": 1913, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "566" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill/257/0564-01" ] }, { "cite": "347 Ill. App. 3d 181", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 3948663 ], "weight": 2, "year": 2004, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "190" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/347/0181-01" ] }, { "cite": "203 Ill. 2d 410", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 799397 ], "weight": 2, "year": 2002, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "418-19" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/203/0410-01" ] }, { "cite": "203 Ill. 2d 433", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 799390 ], "weight": 2, "year": 2002, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "437-38" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/203/0433-01" ] }, { "cite": "204 Ill. 2d 332", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 609698 ], "weight": 2, "year": 2003, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "362-63" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/204/0332-01" ] }, { "cite": "204 Ill. 2d 422", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 609711 ], "year": 2002, "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/204/0422-01" ] }, { "cite": "206 Ill. 2d 465", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 1578235 ], "weight": 2, "year": 2003, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "470" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/206/0465-01" ] }, { "cite": "207 Ill. 2d 68", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 974982 ], "weight": 2, "year": 2003, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "70" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/207/0068-01" ] }, { "cite": "207 Ill. 2d 47", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 974989 ], "weight": 2, "year": 2003, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "51" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/207/0047-01" ] }, { "cite": "209 Ill. 2d 194", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 5461336 ], "weight": 2, "year": 2004, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "208" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/209/0194-01" ] }, { "cite": "209 Ill. 2d 227", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 5461490 ], "weight": 2, "year": 2004, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "232" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/209/0227-01" ] }, { "cite": "536 U.S. 584", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "U.S.", "case_ids": [ 1254507 ], "weight": 6, "year": 2002, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "609" }, { "page": "577" }, { "page": "2443" }, { "page": "609" }, { "page": "577" }, { "page": "2443" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/us/536/0584-01" ] }, { "cite": "530 U.S. 466", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "U.S.", "case_ids": [ 9413911 ], "weight": 6, "year": 2000, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "490" }, { "page": "455" }, { "page": "2362-63" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/us/530/0466-01" ] }, { "cite": "206 Ill. 2d 403", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 1578305 ], "weight": 2, "year": 2003, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "463" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/206/0403-01" ] }, { "cite": "208 Ill. 2d 457", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 2463105 ], "weight": 2, "year": 2004, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "473" }, { "page": "475" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/208/0457-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 1179, "char_count": 37074, "ocr_confidence": 0.775, "pagerank": { "raw": 8.568057384616521e-08, "percentile": 0.48841766450476454 }, "sha256": "21550cd8c8d028a865edbf0b64c908ce660888d71b9f5c8af1d7aeab72e6a093", "simhash": "1:bbbb818eff085587", "word_count": 6113 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T20:57:57.441611+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [], "parties": [ "THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, Appellee, v. BERNINA MATA, Appellant." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "JUSTICE KILBRIDE\ndelivered the opinion of the court:\nDefendant, Bernina Mata, was convicted of first degree murder (720 ILCS 5/9\u20141(a)(2) (West 1998)), and sentenced to death. Defendant appealed directly to this court. 134 Ill. 2d R. 603. While her appeal was pending, the Governor commuted her death sentence to natural life imprisonment. Thereafter, on our own motion, we issued an order transferring the appeal to the appellate court. The appellate court dismissed the case as moot. We granted defendant\u2019s petition for leave to appeal (177 Ill. 2d R. 315(a)).\nIn this appeal, we consider whether defendant\u2019s challenge to the statutory aggravating factor that made her eligible for the death penalty or natural life imprisonment was rendered moot by the commutation of her sentence. We hold that this issue is not moot and, therefore, remand this matter to the appellate court for consideration of the merits of defendant\u2019s claims.\nI. BACKGROUND\nAt trial in the circuit court of Boone County, Russell Grundmeier testified that he was defendant\u2019s roommate and they had a sexual relationship. Grundmeier dropped defendant off at a tavern at approximately 7 p.m. on June 27, 1998. Grundmeier went back to their apartment for a short time. When he returned to the tavern, Grundmeier observed defendant at the bar with a man identified as John Draheim. During the course of the evening, defendant flirted with Draheim and several other people in the tavern.\nAt approximately 10 p.m., defendant informed Grundmeier that she was going to kill Draheim and that Grundmeier was going to help. Grundmeier stated he would not help defendant. Defendant then went back and sat next to Draheim. Grundmeier left the tavern and went to the apartment he shared with defendant.\nApproximately 15 to 20 minutes later, defendant arrived at the apartment with Draheim and a man named James Clark. Clark left after 20 to 30 minutes. Defendant and Draheim sat on the couch together. Grundmeier went outside because he was upset that defendant was with Draheim. After pacing for a few minutes, Grundmeier went back inside. Upon entering the apartment, he heard sounds coming from defendant\u2019s bedroom. Grundmeier went into the bedroom and observed defendant and Draheim engaging in what appeared to be consensual sex.\nGrundmeier approached and grabbed Draheim\u2019s arm in an effort to stop him from having intercourse with defendant. Grundmeier testified that he struggled with Draheim, but subdued him after a short time. Grundmeier did not know where defendant went during the struggle. After Grundmeier subdued Draheim, defendant approached and stabbed Draheim in the chest with a knife. Grundmeier released Draheim and closed his eyes. Defendant then stabbed Draheim in the chest five or six more times.\nGrundmeier testified that he ran out of the room and vomited after observing this incident. Grundmeier later helped defendant dispose of Draheim\u2019s body by dumping it along a road. He also cleaned the bedroom, painted the walls, and removed the bed in an effort to conceal evidence of the crime. Grundmeier entered a guilty plea to concealment of a homicidal death and was sentenced to four years\u2019 imprisonment. The record indicates that police officers spoke with Grundmeier during their investigation. After speaking with him, the officers located Draheim\u2019s body in a rural farming area in Winnebago County. Defendant was arrested and charged with one count of first degree murder. Defendant made several incriminating statements to her fellow inmates prior to her trial. According to these inmates, defendant stated Draheim made her angry by touching her. Defendant stated she intended to kill Draheim, and she invited him to her apartment. The State also introduced several statements by defendant that were recorded on audiotapes while she was in the jail. In one of those statements, defendant asserted \u201c[i]f they really want to check it out, they will find out it is premeditated.\u201d The parties also presented evidence on defendant\u2019s background, psychiatric condition, and intoxication on the night of the offense.\nThe jury found defendant guilty of first degree murder. The State sought imposition of the death penalty, claiming the offense was \u201ccommitted in a cold, calculated and premeditated manner pursuant to a preconceived plan, scheme or design to take a human life by unlawful means, and the conduct of the defendant created a reasonable expectation that the death of a human being would result therefrom.\u201d 720 ILCS 5/9\u20141(b)(11) (West 1998). The jury determined that this aggravating factor was proven beyond a reasonable doubt. The jury further found there were no mitigating factors sufficient to preclude imposition of the death penalty. 720 ILCS 5/9\u20141(h) (West 1998). Accordingly, the trial court sentenced defendant to death.\nDefendant appealed her conviction and sentence directly to this court. 134 Ill. 2d R. 603. After we heard oral argument and took the matter under advisement, defendant filed a petition for commutation of her death sentence with the Illinois Prisoner Review Board.\nThe State has submitted a copy of defendant\u2019s petition for commutation in the appendix to its brief. Although the petition is not part of the record, we may take judicial notice of matters that are readily verifiable from sources of indisputable accuracy. People v. Hender son, 171 Ill. 2d 124, 134 (1996). The petition is a public document that falls within the category of readily verifiable matters. See 730 ILCS 5/3\u20143\u20142(e) (West 1998); Henderson, 171 Ill. 2d at 134. Accordingly, we take judicial notice of the petition.\nIn her petition, defendant asserted \u201cthe appropriate action to be taken on [her] case is a commutation of the death sentence,\u201d and requested commutation to \u201can appropriate sentence of imprisonment.\u201d Defendant asserted clemency should be granted because the criminal justice system was so broken and fundamentally flawed that it failed to ensure a just result. She went on to describe several flaws in the trial and sentencing proceedings. Among those errors, defendant claimed the evidence was not sufficient to prove the aggravating factor that made her eligible for the death penalty.\nOn January 10, 2003, the Governor commuted defendant\u2019s death sentence to natural life imprisonment. After defendant\u2019s sentence was commuted, this court transferred her appeal to the appellate court.\nDefendant moved the appellate court for leave to withdraw all but one of her contentions. 353 Ill. App. 3d 784, 785. The appellate court granted defendant\u2019s motion. 353 Ill. App. 3d at 785. In her remaining contention, defendant argued she was entitled to a new sentencing hearing because the State failed to prove the aggravating factor that made her eligible for the death penalty or natural life imprisonment beyond a reasonable doubt. 353 Ill. App. 3d at 785.\nThe appellate court held that defendant\u2019s sole contention concerned the propriety of her sentence and the Governor\u2019s executively imposed sentence was not subject to judicial review. 353 Ill. App. 3d at 786. Accordingly, defendant\u2019s appeal was dismissed as moot. 353 Ill. App. 3d at 786. In a special concurrence, two justices asserted that defendant should be estopped from seeking judicial relief because she sought and received relief from the executive branch. 353 Ill. App. 3d at 788 (McLaren, J., specially concurring, joined by Byrne, J.). We granted defendant\u2019s petition for leave to appeal (177 Ill. 2d R. 315(a)).\nII. ANALYSIS\nIn this appeal, defendant notes that the jury\u2019s finding on the statutory aggravating factor exposed her to a sentence of death or natural life imprisonment. Defendant contends that the State failed to prove the aggravating factor at trial. Accordingly, the natural life sentence imposed by the Governor is not authorized by law.\nThe State responds that the Governor\u2019s commutation power is essentially unreviewable. The only limits on the Governor\u2019s power are that the commutation cannot increase the punishment or change the nature of the conviction. The commutation of defendant\u2019s sentence did not increase her punishment or change the nature of her conviction. Defendant\u2019s challenge to her sentence is, therefore, moot.\nThe Illinois Constitution provides, in pertinent part, that \u201c[t]he Governor may grant reprieves, commutations and pardons, after conviction, for all offenses on such terms as he thinks proper.\u201d Ill. Const. 1970, art. V, \u00a7 12. In People ex rel. Madigan v. Snyder, 208 Ill. 2d 457 (2004), this court examined the Governor\u2019s constitutional authority to commute sentences and concluded that the Governor\u2019s power in this regard is extremely broad. People ex rel. Madigan, 208 Ill. 2d at 473. The clemency power granted by the Illinois Constitution is not subject to control by the courts or the legislature, but can be controlled only by the Governor\u2019s conscience and sense of public duty. People ex rel. Madigan, 208 Ill. 2d at 473, quoting People ex rel. Smith v. Jenkins, 325 Ill. 372, 374 (1927). We concluded that the only recognized restriction on the clemency power is that the Governor may not change a defendant\u2019s conviction of one crime into a conviction of another. People ex rel. Madigan, 208 Ill. 2d at 475.\nAs noted by the State, however, the Governor\u2019s clemency power is also restricted in that the Governor may not increase a defendant\u2019s punishment. This restriction on the Governor\u2019s power is apparent from the plain language of article V, section 12. As previously noted, this section allows the Governor to grant \u201creprieves, commutations and pardons.\u201d Ill. Const. 1970, art. V, \u00a7 12. A \u201ccommutation\u201d is defined as the change of a defendant\u2019s punishment to a less severe one. People ex rel. Madigan, 208 Ill. 2d at 474, citing People ex rel. Smith, 325 Ill. at 376. A commutation removes the judicially imposed sentence and replaces it with a lesser sentence imposed by the Governor. People v. Rissley, 206 Ill. 2d 403, 463 (2003). Thus, it is axiomatic from the plain language of this constitutional provision that the Governor cannot use the commutation power to increase a defendant\u2019s punishment.\nDefendant was eligible for the death penalty based on her conviction of first degree murder and the finding of the statutory aggravating factor. 720 ILCS 5/9 \u2014 1(b) (West 1998). At the time the Governor commuted defendant\u2019s sentence, the jury had found all the facts necessary to justify imposition of a death sentence. The commutation to natural life imprisonment did not increase defendant\u2019s sentence or alter the nature of her conviction. Thus, the commutation was a valid exercise of the Governor\u2019s clemency power.\nDefendant, nevertheless, argues that her appeal is not moot because her constitutional right to due process of law is at issue. Defendant explains that the maximum penalty authorized for the basic elements of first degree murder is a term of 60 years\u2019 imprisonment. 730 ILCS 5/5 \u2014 8\u20141(a)(1)(a) (West 1998). Illinois law would not allow imposition of a natural life sentence in this case without the finding of the aggravating factor. Defendant argues that the State failed to prove the aggravating factor at trial. The natural life sentence, therefore, exceeds the maximum term authorized by statute for the elements that were proven to the jury. According to defendant, this claim implicates her constitutional right to due process of law, and the executively imposed sentence can only stand if the Governor\u2019s clemency power supercedes her constitutional right to due process.\nThe resolution of this issue requires an understanding of the nature of the statutory aggravating factor in light of the rules established in Apprendi v. New Jersey, 530 U.S. 466, 147 L. Ed. 2d 435, 120 S. Ct. 2348 (2000), and Ring v. Arizona, 536 U.S. 584, 153 L. Ed. 2d 556, 122 S. Ct. 2428 (2002). In Apprendi, the defendant was convicted of possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose. The normal sentencing range for that offense under New Jersey law was 5 to 10 years\u2019 imprisonment (N.J. Stat. Ann. \u00a7 2C:43 \u2014 6(a)(2) (West 1995)). An extended-term sentence could be imposed based on the trial court\u2019s finding by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant \u201cacted with a purpose to intimidate an individual or group of individuals because of race, color, gender, handicap, religion, sexual orientation or ethnicity.\u201d N.J. Stat. Ann. \u00a7 2C:44 \u2014 3(e) (West Supp. 1999-2000). The extended term authorized for this offense was 10 to 20 years\u2019 imprisonment. N.J. Stat. Ann. \u00a7 2C:43 \u2014 7(a)(3) (West 1995).\nThe Supreme Court framed the issue as \u201cwhether the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment requires that a factual determination authorizing an increase in the maximum prison sentence for an offense from 10 to 20 years be made by a jury on the basis of proof beyond a reasonable doubt.\u201d Apprendi, 530 U.S. at 469, 147 L. Ed. 2d at 442, 120 S. Ct. at 2351. The Court held that \u201c[o]ther than the fact of a prior conviction, any fact that increases the penalty for a crime beyond the prescribed statutory maximum must be submitted to a jury, and proved beyond a reasonable doubt.\u201d Apprendi, 530 U.S. at 490, 147 L. Ed. 2d at 455, 120 S. Ct. at 2362-63. Thus, \u201cthe rule established by the Court\u2019s decision in Apprendi admits of a relatively simple statement: due process requires that all facts necessary to establish the statutory sentencing range within which the defendant\u2019s sentence falls must be proven to a jury beyond a reasonable doubt.\u201d People v. Swift, 202 Ill. 2d 378, 383 (2002) (citing People v. Jackson, 199 Ill. 2d 286, 296 (2002), and People v. Ford, 198 Ill. 2d 68, 73 (2001)).\nWith regard to the distinction between \u201celements\u201d and \u201csentencing factors,\u201d the Supreme Court stated \u201cthe relevant inquiry is one not of form, but of effect \u2014 does the required finding expose the defendant to a greater punishment than that authorized by the jury\u2019s guilty verdict?\u201d Apprendi, 530 U.S. at 494, 147 L. Ed. 2d at 457, 120 S. Ct. at 2365. \u201c[Wjhen the term \u2018sentence enhancement\u2019 is used to describe an increase beyond the maximum authorized statutory sentence, it is the functional equivalent of an element of a greater offense than the one covered by the jury\u2019s guilty verdict. Indeed, it fits squarely within the usual definition of an \u2018element\u2019 of the offense.\u201d Apprendi, 530 U.S. at 494 n.19, 147 L. Ed. 2d at 457 n.19, 120 S. Ct. at 2365 n.19.\nThe Supreme Court subsequently considered the applicability of Apprendi in the capital sentencing context. See Ring, 536 U.S. 584, 153 L. Ed. 2d 556, 122 S. Ct. 2428. In Ring, the defendant was convicted of felony murder. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. \u00a7\u00a7 13\u20141105(A), (B) (West 2001). Under Arizona law, the penalty for this conviction was death or life imprisonment. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. \u00a7 13\u20141105(C) (West 2001). The defendant could not be sentenced to death, however, unless the court found an enumerated aggravating circumstance existed and there were \u201cno mitigating circumstances sufficiently substantial to call for leniency.\u201d Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. \u00a7\u00a7 13\u2014 703(C), (F) (West Supp. 2001).\nThe Supreme Court held the enumerated aggravating factors that allowed imposition of the death penalty operated as \u201c \u2018the functional equivalent of an element of a greater offense.\u2019 \u201d Ring, 536 U.S. at 609, 153 L. Ed. 2d at 577, 122 S. Ct. at 2443, quoting Apprendi, 530 U.S. at 494 n.19, 147 L. Ed. 2d at 457 n.19, 120 S. Ct. at 2365 n.19. Therefore, the sixth amendment required those factors to be proven to a jury. Ring, 536 U.S. at 609, 153 L. Ed. 2d at 577, 122 S. Ct. at 2443.\nThe rules established in Apprendi and Ring apply directly to the statutory aggravating factor at issue in this case. Here, defendant was convicted of first degree murder. 720 ILCS 5/9 \u2014 1(a)(2) (West 1998). The only authorized sentencing range for the elements of this offense is a term of 20 to 60 years\u2019 imprisonment. 730 ILCS 5/5 \u2014 8\u20141(a)(1)(a) (West 1998); Swift, 202 Ill. 2d at 388. The State sought imposition of the death penalty based on a statutory aggravating factor. 720 ILCS 5/9 \u2014 l(b)(ll) (West 1998). The jury\u2019s finding of this aggravating factor increased the maximum penalty for this offense to death. 720 ILCS 5/9 \u2014 1(g) (West 1998). Under Apprendi and Ring, the aggravating factor is the functional equivalent of an element of a greater offense. Defendant\u2019s challenge to the sufficiency of proof on the aggravating factor, therefore, clearly implicates her constitutional right to due process of law.\nThe State has filed a petition for rehearing, asserting our decision rests on the faulty premise that the statutory aggravating factor is an element of the offense. Relying on Schriro v. Summerlin, 542 U.S. 348, 159 L. Ed. 2d 442, 124 S. Ct. 2519 (2004), the State argues \u201cneither Ring nor Apprendi converted the statutory aggravating factor found by defendant\u2019s jury into an element of the crime (first degree murder).\u201d\nThe issue in Schriro was whether Ring applies retroactively to cases already final on direct review. Schriro, 542 U.S. at 349, 159 L. Ed. 2d at 447, 124 S. Ct. at 2521. Schriro does not discuss Apprendi in its resolution of this issue. In discussing Ring, the Court stated, \u201cRing held that, because Arizona\u2019s statutory aggravators restricted (as a matter of state law) the class of death-eligible defendants, those aggravators effectively were elements for federal constitutional purposes, and so were subject to the procedural requirements the Constitution attaches to trial of elements.\u201d (Emphasis in original.) Schriro, 542 U.S. at 354, 159 L. Ed. 2d at 450, 124 S. Ct. at 2524. Thus, contrary to the State\u2019s argument, Schriro reaffirms our conclusion that the statutory aggravating factor here is the functional equivalent of an element of the offense for procedural due process purposes.\nDefendant argues her constitutional right to due process of law is not subordinate to the Governor\u2019s power to grant executive clemency. We agree.\nThe supremacy clause of the United States Constitution provides that \u201c[t]his Constitution, and the Laws of the United States *** shall be the supreme Law of the Land *** any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.\u201d U.S. Const., art. VI, cl. 2. Thus, a state law is without effect if it conflicts with a federal law. Busch v. Graphic Color Corp., 169 Ill. 2d 325, 334 (1996). State courts have an obligation to enforce and protect every right granted by the Constitution of the United States whenever those rights are involved in a suit or proceeding before them. People v. Lawton, 212 Ill. 2d 285, 300 (2004), quoting Robb v. Connolly, 111 U.S. 624, 637, 28 L. Ed. 542, 546, 4 S. Ct. 544, 551 (1884). Therefore, in the event of a conflict between the Governor\u2019s clemency power granted by the Illinois Constitution and a defendant\u2019s right guaranteed by the due process clause of the fourteenth amendment, the constitutional right to due process of law must prevail.\nWe note that this court has considered the effect of the Governor\u2019s commutation on a defendant\u2019s right to appeal in a number of recent cases. See People v. Williams, 209 Ill. 2d 227 (2004); People v. Evans, 209 Ill. 2d 194 (2004); People v. Shum, 207 Ill. 2d 47 (2003); People v. Moore, 207 Ill. 2d 68 (2003); People v. Graham, 206 Ill. 2d 465 (2003); People v. Rissley, 206 Ill. 2d 403 (2003); People v. Brown, 204 Ill. 2d 422 (2002); People v. Ceja, 204 Ill. 2d 332 (2003); People v. Miller, 203 Ill. 2d 433 (2002); People v. Lucas, 203 Ill. 2d 410 (2002). The specific contention raised by defendant in this appeal was not addressed in those cases. The State conceded in oral argument that this is a matter of first impression in this court.\nIn the previous cases, however, this court explained that commutation removes the judicially imposed sentence and replaces it with a lesser, executively imposed sentence. Williams, 209 Ill. 2d at 232; Evans, 209 Ill. 2d at 208; Shum, 207 Ill. 2d at 51; Moore, 207 Ill. 2d at 70; Graham, 206 Ill. 2d at 470; Rissley, 206 Ill. 2d at 463; Brown, 204 Ill. 2d at 426; Ceja, 204 Ill. 2d at 335; Miller, 203 Ill. 2d at 438; Lucas, 203 Ill. 2d at 419. The commutations, therefore, prevented this court from being able to render effectual relief on the sentencing challenges raised by the defendants. Williams, 209 Ill. 2d at 232; Evans, 209 Ill. 2d at 208; Shum, 207 Ill. 2d at 51; Moore, 207 Ill. 2d at 70; Graham, 206 Ill. 2d at 470; Rissley, 206 Ill. 2d at 463; Brown, 204 Ill. 2d at 425; Ceja, 204 Ill. 2d at 335; Miller, 203 Ill. 2d at 438; Lucas, 203 Ill. 2d at 418. We broadly stated that \u201csentencing issues\u201d or \u201csentencing-phase issues\u201d are rendered moot by the Governor\u2019s commutation. Williams, 209 Ill. 2d at 232; Evans, 209 Ill. 2d at 208; Shum, 207 Ill. 2d at 51; Moore, 207 Ill. 2d at 70; Graham, 206 Ill. 2d at 470; Rissley, 206 Ill. 2d at 463; Brown, 204 Ill. 2d at 426; Ceja, 204 Ill. 2d at 336; Miller, 203 Ill. 2d at 438. In each case where non-sentencing issues were raised, however, we went on to decide those issues. See Williams, 209 Ill. 2d 227; Evans, 209 Ill. 2d 194; Shum, 207 Ill. 2d 47; Moore, 207 Ill. 2d 68; Graham, 206 Ill. 2d 465; Rissley, 206 Ill. 2d 403; Ceja, 204 Ill. 2d 332; Miller, 203 Ill. 2d 433; Lucas, 203 Ill. 2d 410.\nThe nonsentencing issues addressed in those cases include a variety of claims. For instance, in Williams, we addressed the defendant\u2019s claims of juror misconduct and ineffective assistance of appellate counsel. Williams, 209 Ill. 2d at 234-48. In Evans, this court considered the defendant\u2019s challenges to the sufficiency of the evidence to prove him guilty, the denial of his motion for substitution of judge, claims of ineffective assistance of counsel, and a claim that he was denied a fair trial by the prosecutor\u2019s remarks during rebuttal argument. Evans, 209 Ill. 2d at 208-26. Other issues we have addressed include the admissibility of evidence and denial of jury instructions on a lesser-included offense. Ceja, 204 Ill. 2d at 346-62. Thus, the Governor\u2019s commutation does not render all challenges by a defendant moot. Rather, only issues challenging the sentence are moot.\nOur decision in this case is consistent \"with our previous cases. Following Apprendi and Ring, it is apparent that defendant\u2019s challenge is not to a sentencing issue. Rather, it is a challenge to the sufficiency of proof on the functional equivalent of an element of the offense. This challenge implicates defendant\u2019s due process rights guaranteed by the fourteenth amendment to the United States Constitution. The Governor\u2019s action cannot bar defendant\u2019s right to seek an effective, complete remedy on this claim. Defendant is entitled to seek judicial relief on her challenge to the aggravating factor. Thus, her claim is not moot.\nThe State has relied heavily on People v. Watson, 347 Ill. App. 3d 181 (2004), in arguing defendant\u2019s claim is moot. Watson is factually similar to this case. In Watson, the appellate court dismissed the defendant\u2019s appeal as moot holding, in relevant part, that the defendant\u2019s federal due process rights were not implicated in his appeal. Watson, 347 Ill. App. 3d at 190-92. We note, however, that Watson did not address the impact of Apprendi and Ring on the defendant\u2019s due process claim. Watson, 347 Ill. App. 3d at 190-92. Moreover, in this case, the State did not respond in its brief to defendant\u2019s argument based on Apprendi and Ring. Watson is inconsistent with our holding that defendant\u2019s due process rights are at issue in this appeal. Accordingly, we hereby overrule Watson to the extent that it is inconsistent with our decision.\nThe State also argues defendant is estopped from challenging the commuted sentence because she sought the commutation and it is an appropriate sentence of imprisonment. According to the State, if any deprivation of defendant\u2019s due process rights occurred, it resulted only by operation of the process she invoked to invalidate her death sentence. In its brief argument on this point, the State cites Barack Ferrazzano Kirschbaum Perlman & Nagelberg v. Loffredi, 342 Ill. App. 3d 453 (2003). In that case, the court held the doctrine of judicial estoppel provides that \u201c \u2018a party who assumes a particular position in a legal proceeding is estopped from assuming a contrary position in a subsequent legal proceeding.\u2019 \u201d Barack, 342 Ill. App. 3d at 460, quoting Bidani v. Lewis, 285 Ill. App. 3d 545, 550 (1996).\nDefendant has not taken contrary positions in her petition for commutation and her appeal. In her petition, defendant requested an \u201cappropriate sentence\u201d based on a variety of factors, including that the evidence was not sufficient to prove the aggravating factor. Defendant did not request a sentence of natural life imprisonment. In her appeal, defendant also challenges the sufficiency of the evidence to prove the aggravating factor. Based on this challenge, defendant seeks a sentence for the basic elements of first degree murder in the statutory range of 20 to 60 years\u2019 imprisonment. See 730 ILCS 5/5\u20148\u20141(a)(1)(a) (West 1998); Swift, 202 Ill. 2d at 388. These claims are not inconsistent.\nMoreover, in framing this argument, the State has mischaracterized defendant\u2019s claim on appeal. The State asserts that defendant is estopped from challenging her commuted sentence. However, as previously noted, defendant is not challenging the Governor\u2019s commutation of her sentence. Rather, she is contesting the sufficiency of proof on the functional equivalent of an element of the offense. A challenge to a sentence and a challenge to a conviction are two separate and distinct matters. We recognized this distinction in the cases where we found sentencing issues are rendered moot by the Governor\u2019s commutation, but addressed issues challenging the underlying conviction. See Williams, 209 Ill. 2d 227; Evans, 209 Ill. 2d 194; Shum, 207 Ill. 2d 47; Moore, 207 Ill. 2d 68; Graham, 206 Ill. 2d 465; Rissley, 206 Ill. 2d 403; Ceja, 204 Ill. 2d 332; Miller, 203 Ill. 2d 433; Lucas, 203 Ill. 2d 410.\nDefendant did not take inconsistent positions by seeking a commutation of her sentence from the Governor and challenging an element of the offense in her appeal. As the defendants in the cases cited above, defendant here is entitled to seek judicial relief on her challenge to the underlying conviction. We conclude defendant is not estopped from asserting this challenge simply because she sought and received a commutation of her sentence.\nIII. CONCLUSION\nFor the foregoing reasons, we reverse the appellate court\u2019s dismissal of defendant\u2019s appeal as moot. We remand the cause to the appellate court for consideration of the merits of defendant\u2019s contentions.\nAppellate court judgment reversed; cause remanded.", "type": "majority", "author": "JUSTICE KILBRIDE" }, { "text": "JUSTICE GARMAN,\ndissenting:\nThe crux of the majority\u2019s decision is that Apprendi and Ring have altered the analysis used by courts of this state for decades regarding sentences imposed by the use of the Governor\u2019s clemency power. The majority has now decided that defendants indeed can challenge an executively imposed sentence merely by claiming that the aggravating factor used to determine eligibility for a death sentence was not proved beyond a reasonable doubt. Thus, courts of review now have power to judicially review an executively imposed sentence. Our precedents do not permit such a result. It has long been held that the Governor\u2019s power of clemency replaces the judicially imposed sentence with a lesser, executively imposed sentence. See People ex rel. Johnson v. Murphy, 257 Ill. 564, 566 (1913). This court has recently affirmed the fact that the Governor\u2019s clemency power is \u201cextremely broad\u201d and not subject to the control of the courts or the legislature. See People ex rel. Madigan v. Snyder, 208 Ill. 2d 457, 473 (2004). Prior to the issuance of today\u2019s decision, the only limit this court had recognized on the executive power of clemency was that the Governor could not increase a defendant\u2019s punishment or change the nature of a conviction. See People ex rel. Madigan, 208 Ill. 2d at 475.\nApprendi held that any fact, other than a prior conviction, that increases the penalty for an offense beyond the prescribed statutory maximum must be submitted to a jury and proved beyond a reasonable doubt. Apprendi, 530 U.S. at 490, 147 L. Ed. 2d at 455, 120 S. Ct. at 2362-63. Ring held that the determination of the existence of any aggravating factor or factors that make a defendant eligible for the death penalty must be made by a jury and not by a judge. Ring, 536 U.S. at 609, 153 L. Ed. 2d at 577, 122 S. Ct. at 2443. Defendant\u2019s sentencing hearing complied with these mandates in all respects. Evidence regarding the aggravating factor was presented to the jury and its existence was found by the jury beyond a reasonable doubt. The majority concludes that defendant is entitled to review of that finding because the aggravating factor is the functional equivalent of an element of a greater offense, thereby implicating defendant\u2019s due process rights. 217 Ill. 2d at 545. The majority further concludes that defendant\u2019s due process rights trump the Governor\u2019s power of clemency and that defendant\u2019s appeal is therefore not moot. 217 Ill. 2d at 546. Accordingly, defendant may pursue her challenge to the finding on the aggravating factor. If she is successful, she will presumably be resentenced to a term of imprisonment not to exceed 60 years, the maximum nonextended term applicable to first degree murder.\nFollowing former Governor Eyan\u2019s commutation of death sentences in 2003, this court entertained requests for review from several defendants. See, e.g., People v. Williams, 209 Ill. 2d 227 (2004); People v. Evans, 209 Ill. 2d 194 (2004); People v. Moore, 207 Ill. 2d 68 (2003); People v. Shum, 207 Ill. 2d 47 (2003); People v. Graham, 206 Ill. 2d 465 (2003); People v. Rissley, 206 Ill. 2d 403 (2003); People v. Brown, 204 Ill. 2d 422 (2002); People v. Ceja, 204 Ill. 2d 332 (2003); People v. Miller, 203 Ill. 2d 433 (2002); People v. Lucas, 203 Ill. 2d 410 (2002). In each case, the defendants challenged some aspect of their sentencing. In some of the cases, this court did not identify the sentencing issues raised, merely noting that the commutation of the defendant\u2019s sentence rendered the sentencing issues moot. See, e.g., Williams, 209 Ill. 2d at 232; Evans, 209 Ill. 2d at 208; Moore, 207 Ill. 2d at 70; Graham, 206 Ill. 2d at 470; Rissley, 206 Ill. 2d at 463; Ceja, 204 Ill. 2d at 362-63. In other cases, the opinions identify the sentencing issues. For instance, in Shum, the defendant argued that his trial counsel was ineffective at his capital sentencing hearing. This court handled that issue as follows:\n\u201cIn this appeal, defendant raises two issues challenging his sentence, including ineffective assistance of counsel at sentencing and improper denial of request to depose trial counsel about the sentencing hearing. Subsequent to the filing of his appeal, the Governor commuted his death sentence to natural life imprisonment without the possibility of parole or mandatory supervised release. Commutation removes the judicially imposed sentence and replaces it with a lesser, executively imposed sentence. [Citations.] Thus, the commutation rendered these sentencing issues moot. [Citations.]\u201d Shum, 207 Ill. 2d at 51.\nIn Miller, the defendant argued that he received the ineffective assistance of counsel at the aggravation-mitigation phase of his capital sentencing hearing because counsel had failed to investigate and present available mitigating evidence. In an opinion filed subsequent to the commutation of the defendant\u2019s death sentence, this court found the ineffective-assistance issue moot, noting that the commutation removed the defendant\u2019s judicially imposed sentence and replaced it with a lesser, executively imposed sentence. Miller, 203 Ill. 2d at 437-38. The defendant in Lucas made a similar argument. This court found the issue was rendered moot by the commutation of the defendant\u2019s death sentence. Lucas, 203 Ill. 2d at 418-19.\nThe majority concludes that a defendant\u2019s due process rights trump the Governor\u2019s clemency power because the supremacy clause of the United States Constitution mandates that precedence be given to that constitution and federal laws. Thus, where a conflict exists between the Governor\u2019s clemency power and a defendant\u2019s due process rights under the fourteenth amendment, the due process right must prevail. 217 Ill. 2d at 546-47. Apparently, however, this only applies to Apprendi issues. It is unclear why constitutional rights implicating Apprendi take precedence over the executive clemency power, yet constitutional rights such as the right to the effective assistance of counsel in Miller and Lucas do not. Granted, Apprendi issues have been referred to by the United States Supreme Court as the \u201cfunctional equivalent of an element of a greater offense.\u201d See Apprendi, 530 U.S. at 494 n.19, 147 L. Ed. 2d at 457 n.19, 120 S. Ct. at 2365 n.19; Ring, 536 U.S. at 609, 153 L. Ed. 2d at 577, 122 S. Ct. at 2443. However, a defendant\u2019s eligibility for an enhanced sentence may be at stake in both situations. Defendants have a due process right to the effective assistance of counsel under the United States Constitution (U.S. Const., amends. VI, XTV) and the Illinois Constitution (Ill. Const. 1970, art. I, \u00a7 8). Yet, as noted above, this court has not hesitated to find such issues moot following commutation of those defendants\u2019 death sentences. The apparent distinction drawn by the majority between Apprendi issues and other issues that also implicate constitutional rights is puzzling. In situations where a single murder was committed, a clemency defendant who alleges ineffective assistance of counsel at the sentencing stage may, if successful on that issue, become eligible to receive a lesser sentence than natural life in prison if the factors set forth in section 5\u20148\u20141(a)(1)(c) of the Unified Code of Corrections (730 ILCS 5/5\u20148\u20141(a)(1)(c) (West 2002)) are not present. In that sense, such a defendant is in no different position than the defendant in this case. Yet, under the majority opinion, the instant defendant can challenge her commuted sentence while the defendant who asserts due process rights in a different manner may not.\nThe majority maintains that defendant has not taken inconsistent positions by asking for executive clemency and then challenging the resulting sentence. According to the majority, defendant is not challenging the commutation of her sentence; rather, she is challenging the sufficiency of proof on the functional equivalent of an element of a greater offense. 217 Ill. 2d at 550. Reduced to its essence, however, defendant\u2019s challenge is to her sentence. She does not dispute the sufficiency of the evidence that resulted in her murder conviction. The sole purpose of her present challenge is to obtain a reduced sentence. There can be no other reason. Defendant has obtained what amounts to double relief. Her request for the commutation of her death sentence was granted by the former Governor. In addition, she will now be able to challenge her commuted sentence by arguing that she is not eligible for natural life imprisonment because the aggravating factor was not proved beyond a reasonable doubt. If she loses on that argument, she faces, not death, but natural life imprisonment. Clemency defendants who have other constitutional rights to assert, even if they implicate due process and may impact the defendant\u2019s eligibility for the commuted sentence, are not so fortunate.\nI disagree with the majority\u2019s overruling of People v. Watson, 347 Ill. App. 3d 181 (2004). The Watson court applied well-established precedents in concluding that the defendant\u2019s appeal was moot. Although the court did not mention Apprendi, the issue raised in that case was identical to the issue raised in this case. Apprendi was clearly implicated when the defendant argued that the due process clauses of the United States and Illinois constitutions guaranteed him the right to have his claim considered by the court. Watson, 347 Ill. App. 3d at 190.\nDefendant\u2019s sentencing hearing complied with the dictates of Apprendi and Ring. She does not challenge her conviction. She asked for and received a commuted sentence. The majority acknowledges that former Governor Ryan validly exercised his clemency power in this case. Like the Watson court, I would hold that the instant defendant\u2019s appeal is moot.", "type": "dissent", "author": "JUSTICE GARMAN," } ], "attorneys": [ "Charles M. Schiedel, Deputy Defender, of the Office of the State Appellate Defender, of Springfield, and Alan Raphael, of Chicago, for appellant.", "Lisa Madigan, Attorney General, of Springfield, and James R Hursh, State\u2019s Attorney, of Belvidere (Gary Feinerman, Solicitor General, and Linda D. Woloshin and Colleen M. Griffin, Assistant Attorneys General, of Chicago, of counsel), for the People." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "(No. 99890.\nTHE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, Appellee, v. BERNINA MATA, Appellant.\nOpinion filed December 15, 2005.\nModified on denial of rehearing January 23, 2006.\nGARMAN, J., dissenting.\nCharles M. Schiedel, Deputy Defender, of the Office of the State Appellate Defender, of Springfield, and Alan Raphael, of Chicago, for appellant.\nLisa Madigan, Attorney General, of Springfield, and James R Hursh, State\u2019s Attorney, of Belvidere (Gary Feinerman, Solicitor General, and Linda D. Woloshin and Colleen M. Griffin, Assistant Attorneys General, of Chicago, of counsel), for the People." }, "file_name": "0535-01", "first_page_order": 549, "last_page_order": 570 }