{ "id": 4288888, "name": "THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, Appellant, v. IRA MULLINS, Appellee", "name_abbreviation": "People v. Mullins", "decision_date": "2011-04-21", "docket_number": "No. 108909", "first_page": "1", "last_page": "34", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "242 Ill. 2d 1" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "Ill.", "id": 8772, "name": "Illinois Supreme Court" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 29, "name_long": "Illinois", "name": "Ill." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "47 Ill. 2d 510", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 2903225 ], "weight": 6, "year": 1971, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "516" }, { "page": "518" }, { "page": "518" }, { "page": "517-18" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/47/0510-01" ] }, { "cite": "233 Ill. 2d 62", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 3621356 ], "weight": 20, "year": 2009, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "66-67" }, { "page": "68-69" }, { "page": "69-70" }, { "page": "69-70" }, { "page": "70-73" }, { "page": "70-73" }, { "page": "74-75" }, { "page": "75-76" }, { "page": "75-76" }, { "page": "75-76" }, { "page": "75-76" }, { "page": "75-76" }, { "page": "75-76" }, { "page": "75-76" }, { "page": "75-76" }, { "page": "75-76" }, { "page": "75-76" }, { "page": "83", "parenthetical": "Burke, J., concurring in part and dissenting in part, joined by Freeman, J." } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/233/0062-01" ] }, { "cite": "186 Ill. 2d 450", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 243932 ], "weight": 10, "year": 1999, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "458" }, { "page": "458" }, { "page": "458" }, { "page": "462" }, { "page": "462" }, { "page": "463" }, { "page": "463" }, { "page": "462" }, { "page": "462-63" }, { "page": "463" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/186/0450-01" ] }, { "cite": "173 Ill. 2d 48", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 147596 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1996, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "83", "parenthetical": "trial court did not disregard the Montgomery rule simply because it did not explicitly state for the record that it was balancing the opposing interests" }, { "page": "83", "parenthetical": "although trial court did not explicitly state it was balancing interests pursuant to Montgomery, the trial transcript established the court was aware of Montgomery and the analysis it requires" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/173/0048-01" ] }, { "cite": "98 Ill. App. 3d 663", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 8499797 ], "weight": 6, "year": 1981, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "675" }, { "page": "675" }, { "page": "675-76" }, { "page": "676" }, { "page": "676" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/98/0663-01" ] }, { "cite": "135 Ill. 2d 252", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 3256584 ], "year": 1990, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "325-26", "parenthetical": "although trial court did not specifically articulate the Montgomery test, the record indicated that it understood and properly exercised its discretion under Montgomery" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/135/0252-01" ] }, { "cite": "237 Ill. 2d 1", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 3629512 ], "weight": 19, "year": 2010, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "13" }, { "page": "14" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/237/0001-01" ] }, { "cite": "386 U.S. 18", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "U.S.", "case_ids": [ 6168882 ], "year": 1967, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "24" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/us/386/0018-01" ] }, { "cite": "121 Ill. 2d 259", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 3201195 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1988, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "275-76" }, { "page": "276" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/121/0259-01" ] }, { "cite": "191 Ill. 2d 127", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 229724 ], "year": 2000, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "139" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/191/0127-01" ] }, { "cite": "175 Ill. 2d 244", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 295781 ], "year": 1997, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "259" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/175/0244-01" ] }, { "cite": "147 Ill. 2d 103", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 3278232 ], "year": 1991, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "148" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/147/0103-01" ] }, { "cite": "227 Ill. 2d 1", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 5705676 ], "year": 2007, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "26-27", "parenthetical": "determination of whether the improper denial of defendant's peremptory challenge and violation of Apprendi were harmless beyond a reasonable doubt premised on analysis of whether the defendant's guilt was overwhelming" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/227/0001-01" ] }, { "cite": "214 Ill. 2d 490", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 8451441 ], "year": 2005, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "520", "parenthetical": "determined that a Doyle violation was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt when, among other things, there was strong evidence of defendant's guilt" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/214/0490-01" ] }, { "cite": "181 Ill. 2d 249", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 821403 ], "year": 1998, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "285-86", "parenthetical": "whether improper admission of defendant's prior conviction to explain his relationship to a rebuttal witness was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt depended upon whether other evidence clearly established defendant's guilt" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/181/0249-01" ] }, { "cite": "217 Ill. 2d 407", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 3875001 ], "weight": 3, "year": 2005, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "435" }, { "page": "435" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/217/0407-01" ] }, { "cite": "541 U.S. 36", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "U.S.", "case_ids": [ 5873383 ], "year": 2004, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/us/541/0036-01" ] }, { "cite": "233 Ill. 2d 62", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 3621356 ], "weight": 6, "year": 2009, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "75" }, { "page": "76" }, { "page": "75" }, { "page": "75" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/233/0062-01" ] }, { "cite": "386 U.S. 18", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "U.S.", "case_ids": [ 6168882 ], "year": 1967, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "24" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/us/386/0018-01" ] }, { "cite": "233 Ill. 2d 62", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 3621356 ], "weight": 2, "year": 2009, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "75-76" } ], "opinion_index": 2, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/233/0062-01" ] }, { "cite": "237 Ill. 2d 1", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 3629512 ], "weight": 2, "year": 2010, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "10-11" } ], "opinion_index": 2, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/237/0001-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 1567, "char_count": 58968, "ocr_confidence": 0.82, "pagerank": { "raw": 7.079158547311055e-08, "percentile": 0.4260945329245064 }, "sha256": "0b574e22af6e285bb0c953bb89c62cf1f2cf30d64d365efdcfe3251ac348a912", "simhash": "1:daaec02ad75c85a9", "word_count": 9613 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T21:25:04.106829+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [], "parties": [ "THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, Appellant, v. IRA MULLINS, Appellee." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "JUSTICE FREEMAN\ndelivered the judgment of the court, with opinion.\nJustice Burke concurred in the judgment and opinion.\nChief Justice Kilbride specially concurred, with opinion.\nJustice Carman specially concurred, with opinion, joined by Justices Thomas, Karmeier, and Theis.\nOPINION\nAfter a jury trial, defendant, Ira Mullins, was convicted of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver (720 ILCS 570/401(d) (West 2004)), and sentenced to nine years in prison. The appellate court reversed and remanded for a new trial. We granted the State\u2019s petition for leave to appeal and now reverse the judgment of the appellate court.\nBACKGROUND\nDefendant was charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver (720 ILCS 570/ 401(d) (West 2005)). Prior to trial, defense counsel moved in limine to bar the State from using defendant\u2019s three prior felony narcotics convictions as impeachment should he testify. In response, the State asked that the court \u201cwithhold judgment as to whether [the convictions are] more prejudicial than probative if and when the defendant does actually testify.\u201d The court agreed, ruling it would reserve its decision.\nAt trial, Chicago police officer Matt McGrory testified that at about 11 p.m. on February 1, 2005, he and his partner, Jeffrey Zwit, were part of a narcotics surveillance operation near the 4500 block of West Washington Boulevard, an area known for narcotics transactions. McGrory was stationed on the rooftop of a three-flat residence at 4451 West Washington Boulevard, while the other officers waited in two marked squad cars about a block away. Using binoculars, McGrory observed defendant standing alone on the sidewalk in front of 4506 West Washington Boulevard, a residence with a wire fence encircling the front of the property. The area in which defendant was standing was \u201cwell-lit\u201d by street lights, and he was approximately 10 feet away from one of these lights.\nMcGrory observed a man approach defendant and engage him in brief conversation. The man then handed defendant an item which defendant shoved into his pants pocket. Based upon the size and tint of the paper, McGrory believed defendant had accepted money, but he could not discern the denomination of the bills. Defendant walked over to a nearby metal fence post and retrieved an unknown object from inside that post. Defendant then gave the object to the man who had given him the money. Although McGrory could not exactly determine what the item was, he saw it was the size of a coin. The other person then left on foot. This same series of events occurred twice more, within the span of a few minutes. Based upon his experience and training, McGrory believed he was observing illegal narcotics transactions.\nMcGrory conducted this surveillance for approximately 30 minutes, during which time he was in contact with Zwit and the backup officers by two-way radio. After witnessing the third transaction, McGrory gave his colleagues a description of defendant and asked that they approach and detain him. McGrory maintained his surveillance as the other officers drove to defendant\u2019s location. While the two backup officers detained defendant, McGrory directed Zwit via the police radio to the fence post from which defendant had retrieved the objects. After he observed Zwit recover items from the post, McGrory joined the others at the scene, where defendant was arrested. McGrory testified that during the surveillance period, defendant had no bags or suitcases with him. In addition, McGrory never saw defendant walk into 4506 West Washington Boulevard and never saw anyone come out of that house.\nMcGrory and Zwit transported defendant to the police station, where Zwit showed McGrory the plastic bag he had retrieved from the fence post. The bag contained three tinfoil packets of white powder. McGrory then processed defendant and asked for his address. Defendant stated that he resided at 210 North Central in Chicago.\nOn cross-examination, McGrory was asked why his written arrest report failed to include several facts to which he testified during direct examination: that he used binoculars during the surveillance operation; that the fence post had no cap; that defendant stood 10 feet away from the street light; and that defendant placed something in his pocket after every transaction. McGrory acknowledged that he did not include these specific facts, but explained that the purpose of the written report is to summarize the incident and, therefore, not every fact is included.\nOfficer Zwit\u2019s testimony largely mirrored that of McGrory regarding the initiation and execution of the surveillance operation. Zwit additionally testified that he and the two backup officers did not personally witness the three transactions, because they were stationed around the corner waiting for McGrory to give the signal to move to the scene. When they did, McGrory directed him to look inside the fence post, which was hollow. Zwit found a plastic bag inside the post that contained three tinfoil packets of white powder suspected to be heroin. The plastic bag was held up inside the post by \u201crandom garbage,\u201d including chip bags and other debris. From his experience with narcotics investigations, Zwit recognized the tinfoil packets as those commonly used in the individual sale of heroin. The packets resembled items commonly referred to as \u201cnickel\u201d bags worth $5, in contrast to larger packets typically sold for $10. Zwit transported the three packets back to the station, where he inventoried them. Zwit also inventoried $18 in United States currency given to him by one of the backup surveillance officers who had recovered the money from defendant\u2019s pockets. The currency consisted of three $5 bills and three $1 bills. No narcotics were recovered from defendant\u2019s person.\nOfficer Almanza also took part in the surveillance operation, and his testimony corroborated that of McGrory and Zwit. Almanza additionally stated that, at the scene, he conducted a protective patdown of defendant and found nothing illegal. He did notice, however, that defendant had money in his pockets, which was retrieved during the later custodial search of defendant at the station. Almanza recovered $18 from defendant, consisting of three $5 bills and three $1 bills. Each individual bill was crumpled up and stuffed in defendant\u2019s pockets. According to Almanza, \u201c[u]sually what happens in narcotics when we *** arrest people, they just grab money from the buyer and they just shove it into their pocket immediately.\u201d\nDr. Monica Kinslow, a forensic chemist employed by the Illinois State Police, testified that she tested the substance in the foil packets retrieved from the fence post and determined it was heroin. She further determined that the weight for one packet was 0.1 grams, and, therefore, that the total weight of the three packets was 0.3 grams. The State then rested.\nAfter the trial court denied defendant\u2019s motion for a directed verdict, defendant called Trenton Grayer to testify on his behalf. Grayer was 15 years old at the time of trial, and 14 at the time of this incident. Grayer was a \u201cgood friend\u201d of defendant and knew him for approximately three years as a result of working together at a Chicago car wash. Grayer sometimes saw defendant socially on the weekends, but they had not been to each other\u2019s homes. Grayer did not have defendant\u2019s phone number, but defendant had his.\nGrayer stated that on February 1, 2005, defendant called Chiquita Chambers \u2014 another coworker from the car wash \u2014 and said he was returning to Chicago from Detroit. Grayer could not recall if February 1 was a weekday or weekend, nor whether he had attended school that day. Grayer accompanied Chambers in her car to pick defendant up at a bus station in downtown Chicago at around 8:15 p.m. Defendant got in the back of Chambers\u2019 car with his bags, and the trio returned to Chicago\u2019s west side, where they \u201cjust drove around\u201d and talked for about two to three hours. According to Grayer, the group had no specific destination and they made no stops during that period.\nEventually, Chambers became tired, and defendant asked to be driven to a hotel. Grayer could not remember the hotel\u2019s name, but recalled that it was on West Washington Boulevard. When they arrived, defendant asked Chambers for money, and she gave defendant $12, in the form of one $10 bill and two $1 bills. Defendant got out of the car with his bags, and Grayer and Chambers drove away. Grayer stated they dropped defendant off at the hotel at 11:15 p.m., and that he knew the exact time because he looked at a cell phone. Grayer did not see defendant enter the hotel and did not know where defendant went after he left the car. Chambers and Grayer were a few blocks away from the hotel when defendant called Chambers to tell her he did not have enough money to rent a room. Chambers and Grayer drove back to the hotel, but they did not see defendant or anyone else on the street. When asked how long it was after they dropped defendant off that they returned to the hotel, Grayer responded \u201cten, fifteen, maybe five [minutes], I really don\u2019t know.\u201d The pair neither went into the hotel to look for defendant, nor called him on his phone. Instead, they left.\nDefendant testified that he was 27 years old and worked at a Chicago car wash with both Grayer and Chambers for between three and four years. On February 1, he returned to Chicago from Detroit, where he had lived for nearly one year with his fiancee and son. When Grayer and Chambers picked him up at the bus station, he had between $25 and $30 in cash, and offered to buy something to drink at a liquor store. Defendant spent $20 on a pint of liquor, and he and Chambers \u201cdrank a little bit\u201d while the trio \u201crode around\u201d for between 2 and 2V2 hours. During this period, the group stopped at various times so that defendant could visit several people, including his godbrother and a few other friends.\nAt about 11:10 p.m., Chambers told defendant she was tired of driving, and he asked her to drop him off at a hotel near the 4500 block of West Washington Boulevard. He also asked her for money, and she gave him $12, after which he had a total of $18 cash. Defendant stated he did not know the denomination of the bills Chambers gave him. He then went into the hotel and asked to rent a room for four hours. Defendant decided to stay for only that short period because \u201cit was already late that night,\u201d even though he was \u201cnot sure\u201d where he would have gone after leaving the hotel. Defendant was told the room cost $24, plus an additional $3 deposit for the room key. Because he was short of money, he called Chambers to ask for more. She agreed and stated she would drive back to meet him.\nDefendant left the hotel at 11:20 p.m.; he stated he knew the precise time because he had looked at his watch. As he stood on the sidewalk, he saw his friend \u201cWest\u201d come out of 4506 West Washington, which was across the street. Defendant knew this person only as \u201cWest\u201d and was not aware of his full name. Defendant was surprised to see West, whom he last saw in 1999. West beckoned defendant across the street, and then asked him what he was doing because he saw him with his luggage. Defendant told West he was trying to rent a room at the hotel, and West invited him to stay at his house. West then asked defendant if he was too intoxicated to drink, and defendant said no. Defendant and West spoke outside for three to five minutes before West took defendant\u2019s luggage into the house, and told him he would return with money to go to the liquor store.\nWhile defendant was waiting for West in the yard in front of 4506 West Washington, the police pulled up in two cars, told him to \u201ccome here,\u201d and, when he did, they searched him and asked \u201cwhere the guns and drugs were.\u201d Defendant was then handcuffed, placed in a squad car, and taken to the police station. Defendant denied selling drugs.\nDefendant stated that he had tried to find West so that he could testify for him at trial, but West was \u201clocked up\u201d and defendant could not locate him. Defendant also stated that Chambers was unable to testify on his behalf because she had missed work to come to court the prior day, and could not miss work again.\nOn cross-examination, defendant stated for the first time that West came out on the porch of his house while defendant was being arrested, and that police \u201ctold him to get back into the house.\u201d Defendant also offered on cross-examination that he \u201cstarted to get smart\u201d with the officers when they repeatedly asked him the same questions. Defendant then rested.\nAt the conclusion of testimony, a side bar was held outside the presence of the jury regarding the court\u2019s deferred ruling on defendant\u2019s motion in limine to bar use for impeachment purposes of his three prior felony convictions for possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver. After both parties presented arguments regarding the probative value and prejudicial effects of the prior convictions, the court admitted defendant\u2019s 2001 conviction for possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and barred introduction of defendant\u2019s two earlier convictions. The parties agreed to present this information to the jury by stipulation during the State\u2019s rebuttal case. Immediately after the side bar, the prosecutor read the following stipulation to the jury: \u201cIt is hereby stipulated by and between the parties that [defendant] has been convicted of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver under Case Number 01 CR 12360.\u201d\nThe State then recalled Officer Almanza. He testified that at the time defendant was placed under arrest, no one came out of 4506 West Washington.\nAfter argument, the court instructed the jury, inter alia, that \u201c[a]ny evidence that was received for a limited purpose should not be considered by you for any other purpose.\u201d The jury also received Illinois Pattern Jury Instruction (IPI) 3.13, which states that \u201c[e]vidence of a defendant\u2019s previous conviction of an offense may be considered by you only as it may affect his believability as a witness, and must not be considered by you as evidence of his guilt of the offense with which he is charged.\u201d\nThe jury began its deliberations at 5:36 p.m. At 6:42 p.m., the jury sent a note to the court, requesting a copy of the police report and of \u201cthe testimony read by [the] prosecuting attorney before closing arguments.\u201d By agreement of the parties, the court answered the first question by noting that because the police report was not entered into evidence, the jury could not have it during deliberations. As to the jury\u2019s second question, the court and the parties sent a return note asking for clarification. The jury sent a response at 6:58 p.m., stating: \u201cWe would like a copy of the testimony that was read by the prosecuting attorney after they came back from the sidebar and before Officer Almanza was recalled to the stand. It pertains to a prior conviction.\u201d The jury was brought back into the courtroom for the court reporter to read the stipulation, and then continued deliberations. At 7:15 p.m., the jury returned a guilty verdict against defendant.\nThe appellate court affirmed. No. 1 \u2014 06\u20141326 (unpublished order under Supreme Court Rule 23). The panel held that the trial court properly exercised its discretion in delaying its ruling on defendant\u2019s motion in limine because it did not have sufficient information to make a ruling before he testified. In addition, the court rejected defendant\u2019s argument that the trial court failed to perform the balancing test required under People v. Montgomery, 47 Ill. 2d 510 (1971), prior to admitting defendant\u2019s previous conviction for possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver. The appellate court found that the trial court \u201cconducted a thoughtful balancing under Montgomery\u201d and properly admitted defendant\u2019s prior conviction for impeachment purposes.\nThereafter, defendant filed a petition for leave to appeal to this court. Although we denied defendant\u2019s petition, pursuant to our supervisory authority we directed the appellate court to reconsider its ruling in light of People v. Patrick, 233 Ill. 2d 62 (2009), filed during the pendency of this appeal. The appellate court vacated its original order, reversed defendant\u2019s conviction and remanded for a new trial. No. 1 \u2014 06\u2014-1326 (unpublished order under Supreme Court Rule 23). The panel held that, like in Patrick, the trial court in the instant cause erred in delaying its ruling on the motion in limine until after defendant testified. Further, the panel determined that this error was not harmless \u201cfor the same reasons\u201d stated in Patrick. The panel expressed no opinion regarding defendant\u2019s Montgomery argument.\nWe granted the State\u2019s petition for leave to appeal. Ill. S. Ct. R. 315(a) (eff. Feb. 26, 2010).\nANALYSIS\nThe State acknowledges that under our decision in People v. Patrick, 233 Ill. 2d 62 (2009), the trial court committed error in delaying its ruling on defendant\u2019s motion in limine to exclude his prior convictions from use as impeachment until after he testified. Accordingly, the State does not challenge that portion of the appellate court judgment holding that the trial court abused its discretion in deferring its ruling on defendant\u2019s motion.\nThe narrow issue presented by this appeal is whether the error committed by the trial court was harmless or reversible. The State contends that the appellate court misconstrued Patrick and failed to conduct an appropriate harmless-error analysis. In the State\u2019s view, the appellate court improperly treated the trial court\u2019s error as a de facto structural error which affected the integrity of the trial and required automatic reversal of defendant\u2019s conviction without any showing of prejudice. The State posits that if the appellate panel had engaged in the correct analysis, it would have concluded that, under the facts presented, the trial court\u2019s error was harmless and did not require reversal.\nDefendant counters that Patrick established that the proper analysis is whether the trial court\u2019s error in delaying the ruling on defendant\u2019s motion in limine was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt. Applying this test, defendant maintains that the error here was not harmless, and, therefore, the judgment of the appellate court should be affirmed. In addition, defendant also requests cross-relief, arguing that the trial court erred in admitting his prior conviction for purposes of impeachment. We reject defendant\u2019s contentions.\nA. Admission of Defendant\u2019s Conviction\nOur inquiry necessarily begins with an examination of whether defendant\u2019s prior conviction was properly admitted for purposes of impeachment. In his request for cross-relief, defendant challenges the admission of his prior conviction for impeachment purposes, contending that the trial court erred in failing to conduct the required analysis under People v. Montgomery, 47 Ill. 2d 510 (1971), and that the appellate court erred when it rejected this argument in its initial order in this case. Because our inquiry need proceed no further if the trial court improperly admitted defendant\u2019s prior conviction, we address defendant\u2019s cross-relief request as a threshold matter.\nIn Montgomery, this court held that evidence of a witness\u2019 prior conviction is admissible to attack the witness\u2019 credibility where: (1) the prior crime was punishable by death or imprisonment in excess of one year, or involved dishonesty or false statement regardless of the punishment; (2) less than 10 years has elapsed since the date of conviction of the prior crime or release of the witness from confinement, whichever is later; and (3) the probative value of admitting the prior conviction outweighs the danger of unfair prejudice. Montgomery, 47 Ill. 2d at 516. This last factor requires a trial judge to conduct a balancing test, weighing the prior conviction\u2019s probative value against its potential prejudice.\nMontgomery further explained that in performing this balancing test, the trial court should consider, inter alia, the nature of the prior conviction, the nearness or remoteness of that crime to the present charge, the subsequent career of the person, the length of the witness\u2019 criminal record, and whether the crime was similar to the one charged. Montgomery, 47 Ill. 2d at 518. If the trial court determines that the prejudice substantially outweighs the probative value of admitting the evidence, then the evidence of the prior conviction must be excluded. Montgomery, 47 Ill. 2d at 518. The determination of whether a witness\u2019 prior conviction is admissible for purposes of impeachment is within the sound discretion of the trial court. Montgomery, 47 Ill. 2d at 517-18.\nIn his request for cross-relief, defendant contends that the trial court abused its discretion in failing to perform the Montgomery balancing test, instead treating defendant\u2019s prior conviction of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver as \u201cautomatically admissible\u201d for purposes of impeachment, despite the probative value of that evidence being outweighed by its prejudicial effect. Defendant asserts that there is \u201cno connection\u201d between defendant\u2019s credibility as a witness and his prior conviction, and allowing the State to impeach him with a prior conviction for the same offense for which he was on trial \u201ccreated an inevitable pressure on the jurors\u201d to believe that defendant had a propensity to commit this same crime, thus tipping the scales in what defendant contends was a closely balanced case. We reject defendant\u2019s argument.\nWe find guidance in People v. Atkinson, 186 Ill. 2d 450, 458 (1999), in which we held that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in holding that evidence of the defendant\u2019s two prior convictions for burglary could be admitted for purposes of impeachment during the defendant\u2019s burglary trial. We explained that in adopting the three-prong analysis in Montgomery, we \u201crecognized the importance of balancing a defendant\u2019s interest against unfair prejudice with that of the State and the jury to dispose of the charge in accordance with the truth.\u201d Atkinson, 186 Ill. 2d at 458. Accordingly, we held that \u201cit is the nature of a past conviction, not merely the fact of it, that aids the jury in assessing a witness\u2019 credibility.\u201d Atkinson, 186 Ill. 2d at 458.\nIn holding that the trial court had properly conducted this balancing, we noted that the defendant\u2019s testimony made up his entire defense, and, therefore, his credibility was \u201ca central issue.\u201d Atkinson, 186 Ill. 2d at 462. Accordingly, his prior convictions \u201cwere crucial in measuring defendant\u2019s credibility.\u201d Atkinson, 186 Ill. 2d at 462. Although \u201ctrial courts should be cautious in admitting prior convictions for the same crime as the crime charged,\u201d Atkinson stressed that \u201csimilarity alone does not mandate exclusion of the prior conviction.\u201d Atkinson, 186 Ill. 2d at 463. This is especially so when the jury is instructed to consider the evidence of the defendant\u2019s prior convictions for the limited purpose of impeachment, which ensures that the jurors understood the narrow reason for which the convictions were admitted. Atkinson, 186 Ill. 2d at 463.\nAtkinson further rejected any notion that the Montgomery balancing test is not properly performed unless the trial court explicitly states that it is doing so on the record. Defense counsel in Atkinson \u201cspecifically referred to the balancing test in his argument against impeaching defendant with his prior convictions.\u201d Atkinson, 186 Ill. 2d at 462. In addition, in discussing admissibility, the trial court \u201crecognized that [it] had to determine whether the probative value of the evidence outweighed its prejudice,\u201d and, therefore, it was \u201cclear from the trial judge\u2019s comments that he was aware of the Montgomery balancing test.\u201d Atkinson, 186 Ill. 2d at 462-63; see also People v. Williams, 173 Ill. 2d 48, 83 (1996) (trial court did not disregard the Montgomery rule simply because it did not explicitly state for the record that it was balancing the opposing interests). We thus concluded that \u201c[i]n light, of the trial judge\u2019s comments, there is no reason to find that the trial court failed to weigh the probative value of the evidence against its possible prejudicial effect in determining the impeachment evidence to be admissible,\u201d and, accordingly, found that \u201cthe trial court conducted a proper balancing test and thereby adhered to the Montgomery rule.\u201d Atkinson, 186 Ill. 2d at 463.\nLike defendant Atkinson, defendant here argues in his request for cross-relief that the trial court abused its discretion in failing to perform the Montgomery balancing test and by allowing the State to impeach defendant with a prior conviction for the same offense for which he was on trial. Pursuant to Atkinson, we similarly reject the arguments advanced by defendant.\nThe record establishes that the hallmark concepts of the third prong of the Montgomery balancing test were argued and applied throughout these proceedings. In response to defendant\u2019s filing of his motion in limine, the State asked the court to defer ruling on whether the convictions were \u201cmore prejudicial than probative\u201d until after defendant\u2019s testimony. When the issue was later revisited during a sidebar conference after defendant testified, defense counsel argued that the probative value of the introduction of defendant\u2019s three prior narcotics convictions was outweighed by their prejudicial effect. The State countered by citing to People v. Tribett, 98 Ill. App. 3d 663 (1981), in which the defendant argued that the trial court erred in introducing for purposes of impeachment his prior conviction for possession of a controlled substance \u2014 the identical charge for which he was on trial. Tribett, 98 Ill. App. 3d at 675. Tribett set forth and applied Montgomery's balancing test in rejecting the defendant\u2019s argument that the probative value of his prior conviction was outweighed by its prejudicial effect. Tribett, 98 Ill. App. 3d at 675. The appellate panel noted that Illinois courts had repeatedly held that a conviction for the unlawful possession or delivery of controlled substances is the type of conviction which is probative of credibility and affords a basis for impeachment. Tribett, 98 Ill. App. 3d at 675-76. In addition, Tribett held that a prior conviction which is similar to a crime for which the defendant is on trial is not automatically barred (Tribett, 98 Ill. App. 3d at 676), and favorably observed that the trial court gave the jury an instruction limiting the use of the defendant\u2019s prior conviction (Tribett, 98 Ill. App. 3d at 676).\nDuring the sidebar, the trial court inquired of defense counsel whether he had any authority to counter Tribett in support of his assertion that admission of defendant\u2019s conviction would be more prejudicial than probative, to which defense counsel answered in the negative. The trial court then ruled that only defendant\u2019s most recent conviction would be admitted. Although defendant notes that the trial court never specifically stated that it was balancing the factors pursuant to Montgomery, we have declined to find error under similar circumstances when the transcript makes it clear that the court was applying the Montgomery standard, even though it was not expressly articulated. See People v. Williams, 173 Ill. 2d 48, 83 (1996) (although trial court did not explicitly state it was balancing interests pursuant to Montgomery, the trial transcript established the court was aware of Montgomery and the analysis it requires); People v. Redd, 135 Ill. 2d 252, 325-26 (1990) (although trial court did not specifically articulate the Montgomery test, the record indicated that it understood and properly exercised its discretion under Montgomery). Contrary to defendant\u2019s argument, the record does not demonstrate that the trial court failed to weigh the probative value of the impeachment against its possible prejudicial effect. Rather, the record reflects that the trial court was aware of the Montgomery standard and gave proper consideration to the relevant factors as part of its balancing process. Indeed, the fact that the trial court barred introduction of defendant\u2019s two earlier convictions clearly shows that it was exercising its discretion and attempted to minimize the potential prejudice to defendant by allowing admission of only the most recent conviction and by also providing the jury with limiting instructions regarding the narrow use of that evidence.\nIn sum, the record establishes that the trial court understood the Montgomery balancing test and properly applied that analysis in admitting defendant\u2019s conviction. Thus, the trial court\u2019s decision to admit defendant\u2019s conviction was not error.\nB. Averett/Patrick\nHaving determined that the trial court did not err by admitting defendant\u2019s prior conviction for impeachment, we now turn to the issue of the trial court\u2019s delay in ruling on defendant\u2019s motion in limine to exclude his prior convictions. Our most recent pronouncement regarding the proper analysis for determining whether reversal is required after a trial court delays in ruling on a motion in limine to exclude a defendant\u2019s prior convictions from use as impeachment is People v. Averett, 237 Ill. 2d 1 (2010). In Averett, we engaged in a detailed discussion of our decision in Patrick clarifying certain aspects of that ruling.\nDefendant Patrick was on trial for first degree murder. Averett noted that the trial court had refused to rule on Patrick\u2019s motion in limine seeking to exclude evidence of his past convictions for use as impeachment prior to his testimony, adhering to a \u201cblanket policy\u201d of deferring decisions on such motions until after a defendant testified. After Patrick testified, the trial court allowed the State to impeach him with his three prior convictions for possession of a controlled substance. Patrick was thereafter convicted by the jury of second degree murder, and the appellate court affirmed. Averett, 237 Ill. 2d at 9 (citing Patrick, 233 Ill. 2d at 66-67).\nOn appeal to this court, Patrick argued that the trial court erred in deferring ruling on his motion in limine until after he testified. We noted that a trial court\u2019s ruling on a motion in limine will not be disturbed on review absent an abuse of discretion. Thus, our inquiry in Patrick focused on whether the trial court abused its discretion by delaying ruling until after hearing the defendant\u2019s testimony. Averett, 237 Ill. 2d at 9 (citing Patrick, 233 Ill. 2d at 68-69).\nIn analyzing whether the actions of the trial court amounted to an abuse of discretion, we noted in Averett that Patrick \u201cdiscussed the defendant\u2019s constitutional right to testify and the importance of the [trial court\u2019s] decision [on the motion in limine] on whether to testify.\u201d Averett, 237 Ill. 2d at 9-10 (citing Patrick, 233 Ill. 2d at 69-70). The court explained:\n\u201cDefendants clearly benefit if a ruling on the admissibility of prior convictions is made before deciding whether to testify. An early ruling provides a defendant with information necessary to make the critical decision on testifying and to ascertain the strength of their testimony. An early ruling also allows a defendant to make reasoned tactical decisions in planning the defense.\u201d Averett, 237 Ill. 2d at 10 (citing Patrick, 233 Ill. 2d at 69-70).\nBased upon these concerns, this court in Patrick recognized a \u201cdefendant\u2019s need for an early ruling on a motion to exclude prior convictions for impeachment purposes.\u201d Accordingly, absent \u201crare cases,\u201d a \u201ctrial court will have the information necessary to make a decision before trial.\u201d Averett, 237 Ill. 2d at 10 (citing Patrick, 233 Ill. 2d at 70-73). Averett thus reaffirmed the holding in Patrick that \u201ca trial court abuses its discretion if it fails to rule on a motion in limine to bar evidence of prior convictions for impeachment purposes when it has sufficient information to make the ruling.\u201d Averett, 237 Ill. 2d at 10 (citing Patrick, 233 Ill. 2d at 70-73).\nHaving recognized that an abuse of discretion occurs when the court deferred ruling on the defendant\u2019s motion in limine seeking to exclude prior convictions for impeachment until after the defendant testified, the court turned to the question of whether this error could be considered harmless. Averett, 237 Ill. 2d at 10 (citing Patrick, 233 Ill. 2d at 74-75). Averett cited Patrick\u2019s application of the harmless-error standard for constitutional errors, meaning that the harmlessness of the error must be established beyond a reasonable doubt. Averett, 237 Ill. 2d at 10-11 (citing Patrick, 233 Ill. 2d at 75-76, citing Chapman v. California, 386 U.S. 18, 24 (1967)). Indeed, Patrick\u2019s analysis was described in Averett in terms of harmlessness: \u201c[ajfter reviewing the impact of the error in light of the facts of the case, we determined [in Patrick] that the error was not harmless.\u201d Averett, 237 Ill. 2d at 14 (citing Patrick, 233 Ill. 2d at 75-76).\nAverett observed that as part of the harmless-error review in Patrick, it was noted that Patrick relied upon a theory of self-defense. Although Patrick\u2019s testimony was not absolutely necessary to establish his claim, it was nevertheless important that he know before testifying whether his prior convictions could be used for impeachment. Depending upon the ruling, Patrick could have decided not to testify or could have informed the jury himself of the prior convictions to lessen their impact. Averett, 237 Ill. 2d at 10-11 (citing Patrick, 233 Ill. 2d at 75-76). Indeed, the impact of the impeachment of defendant with his prior convictions was evinced by the State\u2019s repeated argument that the jury should not believe a \u201cthree-time convicted felon.\u201d Averett, 237 Ill. 2d at 11 (citing Patrick, 233 Ill. 2d at 75-76). In addition, by returning a guilty verdict of second degree murder, rather than first degree murder, the jury indicated it believed that Patrick was justified to some degree in the use of force. Averett, 237 Ill. 2d at 11 (citing Patrick, 233 Ill. 2d at 75-76). It is clear, then, that the court\u2019s decision in Patrick, i.e., to award Patrick a new trial, was predicated on the conclusion that the error was not harmless beyond a reasonable doubt in light of the specific facts in the record. Averett, 237 Ill. 2d at 11 (citing Patrick, 233 Ill. 2d at 75-76).\nAverett clarified that the \u201capplication of harmless-error review in Patrick demonstrates that we did not treat the error as structural. Structural errors are not subject to harmless-error review.\u201d Averett, 237 Ill. 2d at 14 (citing Patrick, 233 Ill. 2d at 75-76). Averett reaffirmed that while the reserved-ruling error in Patrick is \u201cserious,\u201d it is \u201cnot comparable to the errors recognized by the Supreme Court as structural,\u201d such as a complete denial of counsel or trial by a biased adjudicator. Averett, 237 Ill. 2d at 13. Therefore, because this type of error is not structural, such error does not require an automatic reversal of a defendant\u2019s conviction. Averett, 237 Ill. 2d at 14.\nThus, Averett teaches that when a trial court errs by delaying a ruling on a defendant\u2019s motion in limine to exclude prior convictions for impeachment until after the defendant testifies, and that the defendant does in fact testify, that error does not automatically warrant reversal. Rather, courts of review must determine whether the trial court\u2019s error was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt. Harmless-error analysis is \u201cbased on the notion that a defendant\u2019s interest in an error-free trial must be balanced against societal interests in finality and judicial economy.\u201d People v. Simms, 121 Ill. 2d 259, 275-76 (1988). Because a \u201cdefendant\u2019s interests are heightened where constitutional error is at issue\u201d (Simms, 121 Ill. 2d at 276), the \u201cburden of proof is on the State to show beyond a reasonable doubt that the constitutional error did not affect the outcome of the proceeding\u201d (People v. McClanahan, 191 Ill. 2d 127, 139 (2000)). In other words, the inquiry is \u201cwhether the defendant would have been convicted regardless of the error.\u201d People v. Dean, 175 Ill. 2d 244, 259 (1997). In determining whether, in the absence of the error, the outcome of the trial would have been different, review is made of the proceedings as a whole, based upon examination of the entire record. People v. Howard, 147 Ill. 2d 103, 148 (1991). Accordingly, we review the record of the proceedings below, just as in Patrick, to determine whether defendant would have been convicted in the absence of the error committed by the trial court.\nC. Harmless-Error Analysis\nIn reviewing whether the trial court\u2019s error in reserving ruling on defendant\u2019s motion in limine was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt, we consider defendant\u2019s need to testify in order to present a defense as part of that inquiry. Averett, 237 Ill. 2d at 10-11 (citing Patrick, 233 Ill. 2d at 75-76). Our careful review of the facts in this case \u2014 as set forth in detail at the outset of this opinion\u2014 reveals that there existed significant gaps in defendant\u2019s theory of the case which required that he testify. In addition, we reject defendant\u2019s contention that he did not need to testify because Grayer provided him with an \u201calibi\u201d defense. To the contrary, Grayer placed defendant at the scene of the offense during the relevant time period, and only defendant could provide information regarding his actions after he was dropped off by Grayer and Chambers. Moreover, Grayer\u2019s testimony that Chambers gave defendant one $10 bill and two $1 bills was in conflict with the officers\u2019 testimony regarding the denomination of the currency found in defendant\u2019s possession at the time of his arrest. Only defendant could explain why he was in possession of bills in denominations different from those testified to by his own witness. As defendant had no other occurrence witnesses to testify on his behalf as to these points, his testimony denying any wrongdoing at that time and at that location was his only means to present a defense.\nDefendant\u2019s need to testify, however, is only one factor in determining whether harmless error exists. We also examine whether the parties mentioned defendant\u2019s prior conviction in argument. Averett, 237 Ill. 2d at 11 (citing Patrick, 233 Ill. 2d at 75-76). We reject defendant\u2019s assertion that any argument made by the State regarding a defendant\u2019s credibility renders the error reversible, and hold that this case is factually distinguishable from Patrick. There, we held \u201c[t]he impact of the convictions on Patrick\u2019s credibility is clear from the State\u2019s focused and repeated argument urging the jury not to believe a three-time convicted felon.\u201d (Emphasis added.) Patrick, 233 Ill. 2d at 75-76. In contrast, here the State at no time pointed to defendant\u2019s prior conviction to argue that because of that conviction he had a propensity to commit the crime charged or that he was unbelievable simply because he had been convicted on a prior occasion.\nWe also consider the strength of the evidence against defendant. See, e.g., People v. Rivera, 227 Ill. 2d 1, 26-27 (2007) (determination of whether the improper denial of defendant\u2019s peremptory challenge and violation of Apprendi were harmless beyond a reasonable doubt premised on analysis of whether the defendant\u2019s guilt was overwhelming); People v. Hart, 214 Ill. 2d 490, 520 (2005) (determined that a Doyle violation was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt when, among other things, there was strong evidence of defendant\u2019s guilt); People v. Cortes, 181 Ill. 2d 249, 285-86 (1998) (whether improper admission of defendant\u2019s prior conviction to explain his relationship to a rebuttal witness was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt depended upon whether other evidence clearly established defendant\u2019s guilt). After carefully reviewing the record, we agree with the State that its case was strong, especially when viewed against the inconsistent theory of the defense.\nAs previously noted, the State presented the unimpeached testimony of three officers that defendant was standing in front of 4506 West Washington Boulevard between 11 and 11:30 p.m., making three separate sales of prepackaged heroin packets, after which he placed cash in his pants pockets. Defendant was found with $18 crumpled in his pants pockets, consisting of three $5 bills and three $1 bills. These denominations are consistent with the State\u2019s theory that during the period of surveillance, defendant had made three sales of small-sized heroin packets, which usually sold for around $5 each.\nAlthough defendant admitted that during part of this surveillance period he was present in front of 4506 West Washington Boulevard, he attempted to explain his presence at that location by linking together a long series of improbable coincidences and contradictory statements, while also leaving substantial gaps in his theory of the case. Defendant testified that he had just arrived in Chicago from Detroit, but no evidence of luggage was found. Defendant\u2019s testimony that he, Chambers, and Grayer drove around visiting defendant\u2019s friends conflicted with that of Grayer, who stated that the trio drove aimlessly without making any stops. Defendant stated that he wanted to rent a hotel room for only four hours, but admitted that he would have had to vacate the hotel in the early hours of a winter morning, with no money and no place to go. Defendant then claimed that a friend, known only to him as \u201cWest,\u201d just happened to live across the street from the hotel, just happened to be outside his home at precisely the same time defendant exited the hotel, just happened to beckon defendant to that location, and just happened to take defendant\u2019s luggage inside the house immediately before the police arrived on the scene. Yet, defendant presented no evidence to support this purported chain of events.\nDefendant\u2019s theory of the case was further undermined by Grayer\u2019s testimony that he saw Chambers give defendant one $10 bill and two $1 bills. At the time of defendant\u2019s arrest, however, the officers recovered three $5 bills and three $1 bills from defendant\u2019s pockets. Defendant provided no explanation for the difference in currency. Moreover, although Grayer stated that he and Chambers returned to the hotel where they dropped defendant off and saw neither defendant nor any police officers, if events had occurred as he testified, Grayer would have likely seen at least police cars at the scene, if not defendant. Moreover, even though Grayer stated he was a good friend to defendant, when he and Chambers returned to the hotel and did not see defendant, they did not go look for him or try to call him \u2014 they simply left.\nTaking all of the above factors into consideration, we hold that any error in delaying the ruling was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt. If the court\u2019s error were removed, we are convinced that a retrial would end with the same result.\nAs a final point, defendant contends that the trial court\u2019s error was harmful because the record shows that \u201cthe jurors considered [defendant\u2019s] prior [conviction] during their deliberations\u201d when they asked for a copy of the stipulation regarding his prior conviction. We disagree.\nIn People v. Patterson, 217 Ill. 2d 407 (2005), a jury found the defendant guilty of first degree murder, arson, and concealment of a homicidal death. During deliberations, the jury sent a note to the judge asking for a copy of the grand jury testimony of defendant\u2019s girlfriend, who declined to testify at trial. After conferring with the parties, the trial court sent a response to the jury denying this request. On appeal, the defendant argued, inter alia, that the trial court erred in admitting this grand jury testimony, as his confrontation rights under Crawford v. Washington, 541 U.S. 36 (2004), were violated. Defendant pointed to the jury\u2019s note during deliberations asking for a copy of Rivera\u2019s grand jury testimony, and argued that the fact that the jury requested this testimony created more than a reasonable probability that it contributed to the guilty verdict. Patterson, 217 Ill. 2d at 435. We disagreed. Although we found a Crawford violation, we concluded that it was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt. We acknowledged that the jury\u2019s request for the contested evidence could suggest that it was curious about the testimony or that it had questions about it. \u201cHowever, the mere fact that the jury asked for a copy of the testimony does not create a reasonable probability, or even a reasonable possibility, that the jury relied on this testimony in reaching its verdict. To contend that it does is, in our view, speculative.\u201d Patterson, 217 Ill. 2d at 435.\nLikewise, in the instant appeal, the mere fact that the jury requested that the stipulation regarding defendant\u2019s prior testimony be read back to it is not dispositive of whether the trial court\u2019s error in delaying its ruling on defendant\u2019s motion to bar that evidence is harmless, because any conclusion based on the jury\u2019s question is necessarily speculative. Although the State acknowledges that an argument may be raised that the jury\u2019s question could show that the stipulated testimony may have played \u201csome role\u201d in defendant\u2019s conviction, we decline to speculate concerning the extent of that role or about why the jury requested this information.\nCONCLUSION\nFor the foregoing reasons, the judgment of the appellate court is reversed.\nAppellate court judgment reversed.\nDefendant\u2019s most recent conviction occurred in 2001, with the two other convictions occurring in 1997.\nThere is no dispute that the first two prongs of the Montgomery test were satisfied, and, therefore, they are not at issue in this appeal.\nAverett was filed subsequent to the appellate court\u2019s decision in this case. Accordingly, the appellate panel did not have the benefit of Averett at the time of its ruling.\nIn Patrick, we consolidated Patrick\u2019s appeal with that of another defendant, Ezekiel Phillips. Phillips\u2019 case, however, was factually distinguishable: unlike Patrick, Phillips did not testify at trial. In Averett, we discussed both cases consolidated in Patrick, as well as their different factual scenarios. Because the instant cause concerns only the situation in which a defendant has testified at trial, we strictly limit our review of Patrick and Averett to that specific factual situation.\nEven the dissenting justices in Patrick agreed that the harmless beyond a reasonable doubt standard is appropriate for review of a trial court\u2019s error in delaying ruling on a defendant\u2019s motion in limine where that defendant testifies at trial. Patrick, 233 Ill. 2d at 83 (Burke, J., concurring in part and dissenting in part, joined by Freeman, J.).\nAn alibi is \u201c[a] defense based on the physical impossibility of a defendant\u2019s guilt by placing the defendant in a location other than the scene of the crime at the relevant time.\u201d Black\u2019s Law Dictionary 84 (9th ed. 2009).", "type": "majority", "author": "JUSTICE FREEMAN" }, { "text": "CHIEF JUSTICE KILBRIDE,\nspecially concurring:\nI agree with the opinion\u2019s analysis in this appeal. As the author of People v. Patrick, 233 Ill. 2d 62 (2009), I write separately to voice my disagreement with Justice Carman\u2019s special concurrence. Respectfully, the special concurrence has, regrettably, misconstrued Patrick\u2019s harmless-error analysis.\nIn conducting the harmless-error analysis in Patrick, we pointed out that the State has the burden of proving that the error was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt. Patrick, 233 Ill. 2d at 75 (citing Chapman v. California, 386 U.S. 18, 24 (1967)). Chapman focused on whether there is a reasonable possibility that the evidence might have contributed to the conviction or affected a party\u2019s substantial rights.\nThis court\u2019s focus in Patrick was on how a delay in the trial court\u2019s ruling on a defendant\u2019s motion in limine would affect the defendant\u2019s decision whether to testify and the impact of the trial court\u2019s delayed ruling. We determined that, as a result of the trial court\u2019s unjustified delay in ruling on Patrick\u2019s motion in limine, Patrick was required to make a tactical decision without the ability to evaluate the impact it would have on his defense and was, therefore, \u201csubstantially prejudiced.\u201d Patrick, 233 Ill. 2d at 75. We then examined the impact of the use of the convictions on Patrick\u2019s testimony and, applying the Chapman standard, held that the trial court\u2019s error was not harmless beyond a reasonable doubt. Patrick, 233 Ill. 2d at 76.\nThe special concurrence presents two problems. First, the special concurrence turns the harmless-error analysis into a balancing test of harmless versus not harmless error when it criticizes the opinion for not stating \u201cwhether [defendant\u2019s need to testify] weighs for or against a finding of harmless error.\u201d 241 Ill. 2d at 35 (Garman, J., specially concurring, joined by Thomas, Karmeier and Theis, JJ.). This is not the proper test. Rather, the State bears the burden of proving that the error was \u201cnot harmless beyond a reasonable doubt\u201d under Chapman.\nSecond, the special concurrence concludes that under Patrick, the more important it is to the defense theory of the case to have the defendant testify, the more harm is done by improperly deferring the ruling. 241 Ill. 2d at 32 (Garman, J., specially concurring, joined by Thomas, Karmeier and Theis, JJ.). This is exactly the opposite of Patrick\u2019s analysis. In Patrick, the defendant\u2019s need to know whether the convictions would be used was a vital factor in his decision whether to testify. Patrick\u2019s testimony was not \u201cabsolutely necessary\u201d to his defense. Nevertheless, his decision whether to testify was still \u201ccritical.\u201d Patrick, 233 Ill. 2d at 75. Patrick \u201cwas unjustifiably required to make a tactical decision [whether to testify] without the ability to evaluate the impact it would have on his defense.\u201d Patrick, 233 Ill. 2d at 75. The focus was on Patrick\u2019s need to know whether the prior convictions would be used to impeach his testimony because his ability to make an informed decision whether to testify was especially important when his defense did not require his testimony. It is the right to make an informed decision whether to testify that is vital in this analysis.\nThe importance of the defendant\u2019s testimony affects how critical it is for the defendant to know whether his prior convictions can be used to impeach him. When the defendant\u2019s testimony is absolutely necessary, his need to know whether the convictions can be used to impeach him is likely to have little, if any, effect on his decision to testify. When this knowledge would not have affected his decision whether to testify, the defendant would not have been prejudiced by the error and, accordingly, the error would be harmless beyond a reasonable doubt. In my view, the special concurrence has focused on a narrow aspect of the Patrick analysis and has unfortunately misapplied it in this case.\nMoreover, any analysis on the actual impact of the trial court\u2019s delayed ruling in this case is unnecessary. The State proved the error was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt since defendant\u2019s need to know if the prior convictions were going to be admissible was not a vital factor in his decision to testify.\nIn sum, the focus of our harmless-error inquiry under Patrick is not on the defendant\u2019s need to testify but, rather, on the defendant\u2019s ability to make an informed decision about whether to testify. Accordingly, I specially concur.", "type": "concurrence", "author": "CHIEF JUSTICE KILBRIDE," }, { "text": "JUSTICE CARMAN,\nspecially concurring:\nI have no reservations about the result reached by the court. I write separately only to identify and clarify a point that may lead to misunderstanding of this court\u2019s precedents, specifically, People v. Patrick, 233 Ill. 2d 62 (2009), and People v. Averett, 237 Ill. 2d 1 (2010).\nIn Patrick, after concluding that it was error for the trial court to defer ruling on the defendant\u2019s motion in limine, we considered whether the error was harmless. The first factor we discussed was whether it had been necessary for Patrick to take the stand in his own defense. Our discussion of this factor was brief:\n\u201cWe cannot say that the trial court\u2019s error in Patrick\u2019s case was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt. Here, Patrick was unjustifiably required to make a tactical decision without the ability to evaluate the impact it would have on his defense. Patrick\u2019s counsel was unable to inform the jury whether Patrick would testify and was anticipatorily unable to disclose Patrick\u2019s prior convictions to lessen the prejudicial effect the convictions would have on his credibility. As a result, Patrick was substantially prejudiced.\nPatrick\u2019s decision whether to testify was critical because he relied on a theory of self-defense. While his testimony was not absolutely necessary because other testimony corroborated his theory of self-defense, knowing whether his prior convictions were going to be used for impeachment was a vital factor that needed to be weighed. If Patrick had known before testifying that his prior convictions were going to be admitted, he may have decided not to testify, or at least he could have informed the jury earlier of the prior convictions to lessen the negative impact.\nThe impact of the convictions on Patrick\u2019s credibility is clear from the State\u2019s focused and repeated argument urging the jury not to believe a three-time convicted felon. The jury\u2019s verdict of guilty of second degree murder indicates that, to some degree, the jury believed Patrick was justified in his use of force. Applying the Chapman standard, we have no doubt that the error in this case was not harmless to Patrick. Accordingly, we believe a new trial is warranted, and we reverse the judgments of the appellate and circuit courts and remand the cause to the trial court.\u201d People v. Patrick, 233 Ill. 2d at 75-76.\nThe clear import of these few paragraphs is that the more important it is to the defense theory of the case to have the defendant testify, the more harm is done by improperly deferring the ruling. A defendant who has the urge to tell his story to the jury, but whose testimony is not essential, could choose not to testify. However, a defendant, like Patrick, who must testify if he is to have any chance of having the jury accept his version of events, is placed in a lose-lose-lose situation. First, he may well be convicted if he sits silent. Second, if he testifies and tells the jury about his prior conviction, he may undermine his own testimony and he will never know how the trial court would have ruled, because he will have mooted the question. Third, if he testifies but does not tell the jury about his prior conviction when he has the opportunity, he runs the risk that the court will deny his motion after he has testified and the State will impeach him with his prior conviction. This was our concern in Patrick.\nWe reiterated this concern in Averett, 237 Ill. 2d at 10-11, saying:\n\u201c[W]e noted that Patrick relied on a theory of self-defense. Although his testimony was not absolutely necessary to establish his claim, it was still important for Patrick to know before testifying whether his prior convictions could be used for impeachment. Patrick may have decided not to testify if he had known he would be impeached with his prior convictions. Alternatively, he could have informed the jury of the prior convictions to lessen their impact. We noted that the impact of the impeachment with Patrick\u2019s prior convictions was established by the State\u2019s repeated argument that the jury should not believe a three-time convicted felon. Further, the guilty verdict of second degree murder, rather than first degree murder, indicated that the jury believed Patrick was justified to some degree in his use of force. Accordingly, we concluded that Patrick was entitled to a new trial because the error was not harmless beyond a reasonable doubt.\u201d\nThe defendant in the present case misread Patrick and Averett and, thus, argued in his brief to this court that his testimony was not essential to his defense, thinking that this would work in his favor.\nThe opinion correctly notes that his testimony was essential because \u201cthere existed significant gaps in defendant\u2019s theory of the case which required that he testify.\u201d Further, the testimony of his so-called \u201calibi\u201d witness did not eliminate the need for defendant to \u201cprovide information regarding his actions\u201d after the alibi witness left the scene. The opinion concludes that \u201c[a]s defendant had no other occurrence witnesses to testify on his behalf as to these points, his testimony denying any wrongdoing at that time and at that location was his only means to present a defense.\u201d 241 Ill. 2d at 24. We then note that his need to testify is \u201conly one factor in determining whether harmless error exists.\u201d Id.\nThe opinion, however, does not state whether this factor weighs for or against a finding of harmless error. Indeed, one could reasonably glean from our opinion that when a defendant\u2019s testimony is essential to his defense, this factor weighs in favor of our finding a Patrick error to have been harmless. This is in direct conflict with Patrick and Averett, which established that the more crucial the defendant\u2019s testimony is to presenting his theory of the case, the more harm results from an improperly delayed ruling on his motion in limine.\nIn the present case, defendant\u2019s argument that his testimony was not absolutely necessary is not only mistaken, it misses the point of Patrick and Averett. To remain consistent with what we have said in these cases, we should acknowledge that despite defendant\u2019s inartful argument, the fact that his testimony was vitally important to his defense, weighs slightly in favor of finding that the error was not harmless. In Patrick, we found reversible error where the defendant\u2019s testimony, while not absolutely necessary, would have been quite important in establishing his theory of self-defense. In the present case, however, given the police testimony and the weakness in defendant\u2019s own explanation of the events, it is clear that even if the jury had never been informed of his criminal record, he would have been convicted. Thus, the error was harmless.\nJUSTICES THOMAS, KARMEIER, and THEIS join in this special concurrence.", "type": "concurrence", "author": "JUSTICE CARMAN," } ], "attorneys": [ "Lisa Madigan, Attorney General, of Springfield, and Anita Alvarez, State\u2019s Attorney, of Chicago (James E. Fitzgerald, Alan J. Spellberg, Noah Montague and Annette Collins, Assistant State\u2019s Attorneys, of counsel), for the People.", "Michael J. Pelletier, State Appellate Defender, Patricia Unsinn and Alan D. Goldberg, Deputy Defenders, and Jessica Wynne Arizo, Assistant Appellate Defender, of the Office of the State Appellate Defender, of Chicago, for appellee." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "(No. 108909.\nTHE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, Appellant, v. IRA MULLINS, Appellee.\nOpinion filed April 21, 2011.\nLisa Madigan, Attorney General, of Springfield, and Anita Alvarez, State\u2019s Attorney, of Chicago (James E. Fitzgerald, Alan J. Spellberg, Noah Montague and Annette Collins, Assistant State\u2019s Attorneys, of counsel), for the People.\nMichael J. Pelletier, State Appellate Defender, Patricia Unsinn and Alan D. Goldberg, Deputy Defenders, and Jessica Wynne Arizo, Assistant Appellate Defender, of the Office of the State Appellate Defender, of Chicago, for appellee." }, "file_name": "0001-01", "first_page_order": 11, "last_page_order": 44 }