{ "id": 3646212, "name": "THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. GAYLE EUGENE SILER, Defendant-Appellant", "name_abbreviation": "People v. Siler", "decision_date": "1987-04-08", "docket_number": "No. 5\u201484\u20140643", "first_page": "102", "last_page": "111", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "154 Ill. App. 3d 102" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "Ill. App. Ct.", "id": 8837, "name": "Illinois Appellate Court" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 29, "name_long": "Illinois", "name": "Ill." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "324 N.E.2d 82", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "pin_cites": [ { "page": "87-88" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "25 Ill. App. 3d 753", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 2703811 ], "pin_cites": [ { "page": "760-61" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/25/0753-01" ] }, { "cite": "400 N.E.2d 634", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1975, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "636" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "80 Ill. App. 3d 1096", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 3234680 ], "year": 1975, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "1099-1100" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/80/1096-01" ] }, { "cite": "465 U.S. 168", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "U.S.", "case_ids": [ 11335001 ], "weight": 15, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "177-78" }, { "page": "133" }, { "page": "950-51" }, { "page": "176" }, { "page": "132" }, { "page": "950" }, { "page": "176" }, { "page": "132" }, { "page": "950" }, { "page": "184" }, { "page": "137" }, { "page": "954" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/us/465/0168-01" ] }, { "cite": "226 N.E.2d 1", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "pin_cites": [ { "page": "4" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "37 Ill. 2d 167", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 2864216 ], "pin_cites": [ { "page": "172" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/37/0167-01" ] }, { "cite": "143 N.E.2d 239", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "11 Ill. 2d 360", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 2786129 ], "pin_cites": [ { "page": "373" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/11/0360-01" ] }, { "cite": "487 N.E.2d 731", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "pin_cites": [ { "page": "736" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "139 Ill. App. 3d 819", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 3567370 ], "pin_cites": [ { "page": "826" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/139/0819-01" ] }, { "cite": "406 N.E.2d 891", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "85 Ill. App. 3d 304", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 3193029 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/85/0304-01" ] }, { "cite": "480 N.E.2d 1142", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "weight": 2, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "1144" }, { "page": "1144" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "134 Ill. App. 3d 473", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 3636582 ], "weight": 2, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "476" }, { "page": "476" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/134/0473-01" ] }, { "cite": "422 U.S. 806", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "U.S.", "case_ids": [ 9431 ], "weight": 6, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "819" }, { "page": "572" }, { "page": "2533" }, { "page": "835" }, { "page": "581-82" }, { "page": "2541" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/us/422/0806-01" ] }, { "cite": "442 N.E.2d 228", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "pin_cites": [ { "page": "235" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "92 Ill. 2d 452", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 3098688 ], "pin_cites": [ { "page": "466" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/92/0452-01" ] }, { "cite": "488 N.E.2d 261", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "pin_cites": [ { "page": "262" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "109 Ill. 2d 369", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 3125562 ], "pin_cites": [ { "page": "374" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/109/0369-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 894, "char_count": 19503, "ocr_confidence": 0.774, "pagerank": { "raw": 6.184055466713763e-08, "percentile": 0.3835935994724017 }, "sha256": "70f01cd0996556a213a4ec7f559fa0470d65958f79eb18b4d1319a89367ca95a", "simhash": "1:ea5ef886fac7187f", "word_count": 3181 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T21:36:22.457227+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [], "parties": [ "THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. GAYLE EUGENE SILER, Defendant-Appellant." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "JUSTICE KASSERMAN\ndelivered the opinion of the court:\nDefendant, Gayle Eugene Siler, was found guilty of one count of child pornography and two counts of indecent liberties with a child after a jury trial held between July 25 and August 3, 1984, in the circuit court of Shelby County. Defendant was sentenced to 15-year terms of imprisonment on each count, with the sentences for the indecent-liberties counts to be served concurrently with each other but consecutively to the child-pornography sentence. Defendant has perfected the instant appeal from his convictions and sentences. We affirm.\nDefendant\u2019s appointed appellate counsel raises two issues on appeal in defendant\u2019s behalf: (1) whether the trial court erred in allowing defendant to represent himself at trial; and (2) whether the trial court should have sua sponte declared a mistrial when defendant was unable to conduct proper examination of defense witnesses. Defendant has filed a pro se brief raising one additional issue: whether the trial court in sentencing defendant failed to consider that imprisonment might endanger defendant\u2019s medical condition. Defendant does not contest the sufficiency of the evidence against him and therefore we need not repeat the details of these offenses.\nAt his first appearance on December 2, 1983, defendant was advised of the charges against him and of his right to counsel. When defendant expressed his desire to represent himself, the following colloquy occurred:\n\u201cTHE COURT: Now, is it your intent as of this minute to continue to represent yourself in these proceedings?\nDEFENDANT: I hate to repeat myself. I said I would represent myself and that\u2019s an affirmative on that.\nTHE COURT: Now, have you been represented by counsel in other proceedings prior to this one?\nDEFENDANT: (Shakes head from side to side.)\nTHE COURT: You have never been represented by an attorney, is that correct?\nDEFENDANT: You got it.\nTHE COURT: You understand that it is possible that an attorney representing you might be able to do a better job with the case than you yourself might be able to do?\nDEFENDANT: You know what B. S. is?\nTHE COURT: I will take that, Mr. Siler, as an affirmative statement that you wish to represent yourself.\nDEFENDANT: I think I would be better off to represent myself and I think we have that clarified, don\u2019t we?\u201d\nOn December 16, 1983, defendant stated to the court: \u201cI will let [the public defender] serve as my mouthpiece on this, ask all the questions that I feel should be brought out in this case. If he ever fails to do so, I would like him to withdraw immediately or I will ask that he be removed. I mean I have had this happen before and I find it much easier to represent myself a lot of times and have in the past.\u201d The court then suggested that if the defendant and the public defender did not have a meeting of the minds, that defendant should let the court know.\nOn January 18, 1984, defendant appeared with the public defender. The court advised defendant of the nature of the charges and the possible sentences. Defendant indicated he understood. The defendant also indicated that he was 39 years of age and that he intended to waive his right to a preliminary hearing. The court explained defendant\u2019s right to a preliminary hearing and again advised defendant of the charges and the possible sentences. The court also advised defendant of his rights to a jury trial and to cross-examine witnesses and also his rights against self-incrimination and to a speedy trial. The defendant stated that he understood the court\u2019s admonishments. The defendant also stated: \u201cAt this time, I definitely want [the public defender] next to me on this.\u201d\nOn May 9, 1984, the public defender filed a motion to withdraw as attorney of record for defendant, alleging that defendant failed to cooperate or correspond with him and that defendant failed to assist in his defense. At a hearing on May 18, 1984, the court denied the motion. Both the public defender and defendant informed the court that defendant wished to represent himself but with the assistance of the public defender \u201cto run errands for him\u201d and to \u201c[f]ile the legal work and stuff like this.\u201d When the public defender advised the court that defendant desired to conduct the examination of witnesses, the court inquired of defendant\u2019s legal training. The defendant responded that he had handled all his court cases before but that he wasn\u2019t a qualified lawyer. Despite the court\u2019s warnings of the dangers of representing himself, defendant persisted in his stated desire to represent himself with the public defender as standby counsel to assist him.\nAt a hearing on motions on July 23, 1984, the public defender presented the defendant\u2019s opposition to the State\u2019s motion to amend the information, but he made it clear that he was doing so at the defendant\u2019s request. The court warned defendant again of the pitfalls of proceeding pro se. The court also warned defendant that he was required to follow proper courtroom decorum.\nDefendant filed, pro se, a discovery motion, a motion to change the place of trial, a motion to suppress, and a motion to sever some of the charges, which was granted. He also complied with discovery pro se.\nJury selection was conducted on July 27, 1984. Both the defendant and the public defender participated in the questioning of the prospective jurors. Defendant elicited information which permitted intelligent exercise of his peremptory challenges, probing areas of potential bias or prejudice. Defendant made two successful pro se challenges for cause. However, defendant also attempted to indoctrinate the jury to his side of the case and injected improper comments into his questioning, despite the trial court\u2019s admonishments.\nDuring trial defendant cross-examined the three State\u2019s witnesses, delivered an opening statement, examined in whole or part eight of the defense witnesses, and gave one-half of his closing argument. The defendant established through the testimony that the camera used to take the pornographic pictures which supported the charges belonged to his sister, who disliked him; the victim sometimes dressed provocatively; the victim never reported the sexual episodes to anyone; the victim was not threatened when she posed for the pictures; and that other persons would have been in the house when the pictures were taken. Some of the witnesses failed to identify the defendant or the victim in some of the pictures. Defendant also examined his therapist, who testified that defendant had been a paraplegic since October 1980 and had only limited use of his arms and hands. The therapist also stated that he did not know whether defendant could hold his arms in a position in order to hold a camera to take a picture of himself. Defense witnesses also testified that defendant\u2019s reputation for morality and as a law-abiding citizen was fair.\nHowever, during the trial the court repeatedly warned defendant that his conduct was disruptive, improper, and dilatory. Defendant complained to the jury that he did not have sufficient time or opportunity to prepare for trial. He also injected his own unsworn testimony into his questions and commented upon, repeated, argued with, and criticized witnesses\u2019 responses. He repeatedly ignored the court\u2019s rulings as to evidentiary objections and courtroom decorum and procedure.\nDuring the third day of trial, when the court was forced to require offers of proof with respect to all defense witnesses, the court limited the subject areas of examination to those relevant to the trial. The next day the court also required the public defender to ask those questions pertaining to defendant\u2019s character because defendant was not able to phrase proper questions to the witnesses. The court also warned defendant that, if defendant continued to inject unsworn testimony into the questions or repeat the witnesses\u2019 answers or examine beyond the scope of the offers of proof, the court would either prohibit defendant from calling the witnesses or require the public defender to conduct all the questioning.\nNevertheless, defendant\u2019s misconduct continued and the court, over defendant\u2019s objection, ordered that the public defender complete the examination of all the remaining witnesses. The public defender had taken an active role in the trial up to this point, with defendant\u2019s consent, objecting to questions and testimony, conducting some direct examination, making offers of proof, and arguing motions and proceedings concerning the admission or exclusion of exhibits. After this point, however, the public defender examined the last eight defense witnesses, argued defendant\u2019s motion for directed verdicts, and conducted the instruction conference. The defendant was allowed to give a closing argument, which the public defender supplemented.\nThe jury returned verdicts of guilty on one count of child pornography and two counts of indecent liberties with a child. It returned verdicts of not guilty on one count of child pornography and one count of indecent liberties.\nAs his first issue on appeal, defendant contends that the trial court \u201cerred in allowing defendant to waive counsel and represent himself at trial.\u201d\nInitially, we note that this issue was not raised in defendant\u2019s written post-trial motion and therefore may be considered as having been waived. (People v. Friesland (1985), 109 Ill. 2d 369, 374, 488 N.E.2d 261, 262.) Nevertheless, we will address this contention.\nWe note that defendant is not contending that he did not effectively waive his sixth amendment right to counsel. (Cf. People v. Nieves (1982), 92 Ill. 2d 452, 466, 442 N.E.2d 228, 235 (in which the court stated that where defendant proceeds to trial with standby counsel, admonishments of supreme court rule for waiver of counsel are not necessary).) Instead, defendant claims that \u201c[bjecause of his physical disability and his limited mental capacity to think rationally and articulate ideas, defendant lacked the ability to assist in his own defense, much less conduct it.\u201d\nThe sixth amendment to the United States Constitution grants to a criminal defendant the right to make a defense pro se. (Faretta v. California (1975), 422 U.S. 806, 819, 45 L. Ed. 2d 562, 572, 95 S. Ct. 2525, 2533.) A careful inquiry must be made to determine defendant\u2019s ability to conduct his own defense, focusing on his age, level of education, mental capacity, and prior experience with legal proceedings. (People v. Graves (1984), 134 Ill. App. 3d 473, 476, 480 N.E.2d 1142, 1144.) To exercise the right to proceed pro se, a defendant must knowingly and intelligently waive the benefits of his right to representation by counsel. (134 Ill. App. 3d 473, 476, 480 N.E.2d 1142, 1144.) As noted earlier, defendant does not claim that he did not knowingly and intelligently waive the right to counsel; and the record indicates that defendant\u2019s waiver of counsel was in compliance with Supreme Court Rule 401(a) (103 Ill. 2d R. 401(a)). Furthermore, the court was aware of the defendant\u2019s age and his ability to speak and conduct his defense rationally and intelligently. The court was also aware that defendant had represented himself previously. We note that one prior instance of defendant\u2019s pro se representation is the subject of a published opinion. (People v. Siler (1980), 85 Ill. App. 3d 304, 406 N.E.2d 891.) We also note that defendant had been admonished repeatedly concerning the nature of the charges, the possible penalties, his right to counsel, and the dangers of pro se representation. A defendant need not have the skill and experience of a lawyer in order to competently and intelligently choose self-representation. Faretta v. California (1975), 422 U.S. 806, 835, 45 L. Ed. 2d 562, 581-82, 95 S. Ct. 2525, 2541.\nThe facts and circumstances in the case at bar indicate that defendant was fully informed of the nature of the charges, the possible penalties and his rights, and that he understood them and was aware of the dangers of self-representation. We conclude that the trial court did not err in determining that defendant was competent to waive counsel and proceed pro se. We further disagree with defendant\u2019s assertion that his \u201cability to think rationally and mount a semblance of a defense is highly questionable.\u201d\nDefendant also suggests, as part of the first issue raised by him on appeal, that \u201ceven his fitness to stand trial was highly questionable.\u201d However, our determination that defendant was competent to proceed pro se necessarily includes a determination that defendant was also fit to stand trial. (See 111. Rev. Stat. 1983, ch. 38, par. 104\u2014 10.) On the record before us there is no bona fide doubt of defendant\u2019s fitness to stand trial. See HI. Rev. Stat. 1983, ch. 38, par. 104\u2014 11(a).\nAs his second issue on appeal, defendant urges that the trial court should have, sua sponte, declared a mistrial when defendant was unable to conduct proper examination of defense witnesses.\nThe record indicates that the trial court was faced with a defendant who was both unruly and disrespectful and who refused to follow elementary standards of courtroom decorum and procedure. Defendant injected unsworn testimony into his questions to witnesses, asked questions that were irrelevant and beyond the scope of his offers of proof, and in general delayed the trial. The court warned the defendant that if his conduct continued the court would either prohibit defendant from calling further witnesses or require the public defender to conduct all examinations. Despite the court\u2019s warning, defendant\u2019s conduct continued and the court ordered the public defender to question the remaining defense witnesses. However, defendant was allowed to give a closing argument and told the jury: \u201cI almost deliberately got [the public defender] to take over at that point.\u201d\n\u201cWhen a defendant chooses to represent himself, he assumes responsibility for conducting his own defense [citation], and he is not entitled to favored treatment or special consideration because he has made this choice [Citations.]\u201d (People v. Beardsley (1985), 139 Ill. App. 3d 819, 826, 487 N.E.2d 731, 736.) In this regard, our supreme court has stated:\n\u201c[A]s held in People v. Burson, 11 Ill. 2d 360, 373, [143 N.E.2d 239,] the defendant\u2019s right to defend himself is subject to the constant duty of the court to protect the judicial process from deterioration occasioned by improper and inadequate conduct of the defense. In such situation the court possesses broad discretion in relation to the appointment of counsel for advisory or other limited purposes or to supersede the defendant in the conduct of the defense. Continuous supervision of the trial is required in order to maintain proper judicial decorum to the end that defendant may receive a fair trial.\u201d People v. Allen (1967), 37 Ill. 2d 167, 172, 226 N.E.2d 1, 4.\nDefendant relies on the case of McKaskle v. Wiggins (1984), 465 U.S. 168, 79 L. Ed. 2d 122, 104 S. Ct. 944, for the proposition that participation by standby counsel over defendant\u2019s objection should not be allowed to destroy the jury\u2019s perception that the defendant is representing himself. (465 U.S. 168, 177-78, 79 L. Ed. 2d 122, 133, 104 S. Ct. 944, 950-51.) However, McKaskle is distinguishable from the case at bar.\nFirst, Wiggins\u2019 complaint in McKaskle was that \u201chis Faretta right to present his defense pro se was impaired by the distracting, intrusive, and unsolicited participation of counsel throughout the trial.\u201d (465 U.S. 168, 176, 79 L. Ed. 2d 122, 132, 104 S. Ct. 944, 950.) While the public defender\u2019s examination of the final defense witnesses was over defendant\u2019s objection, the public defender in the instant case was not distracting or intrusive. Furthermore, defendant himself brought about this result by reason of his inability or unwillingness to follow proper courtroom procedure.\nSecond, the McKaskle court recognized that there is no absolute bar to standby counsel\u2019s unsolicited participation at trial and that \u201c[t]he trial judge may be required to make numerous rulings reconciling the participation of standby counsel with a pro se defendant\u2019s objection to that participation; nothing in the nature of the Faretta right suggests that the usual deference to \u2018judgment calls\u2019 on these issues by the trial judge should not obtain here as elsewhere.\u201d (465 U.S. 168, 176, 177 n.8, 79 L. Ed. 2d 122, 132, 133 n.8, 104 S. Ct. 944, 950, 950-51 n.8.) The McKaskle court also recognized that the right of self-representation is not a license to abuse courtroom dignity and that a defendant\u2019s sixth amendment rights are not violated when a trial court appoints standby counsel in order to enforce basic rules of courtroom protocol. 465 U.S. 168, 184, 79 L. Ed. 2d 122, 137, 104 S. Ct. 944, 954.\nWe conclude, therefore, that in the case at bar the trial court did not err in requiring the public defender to conduct the examination of the final eight defense witnesses.\nDefendant also raises one issue in his pro se brief. Defendant claims that the trial court erred in failing to consider his physical condition when imposing a sentence of imprisonment.\nSection 5 \u2014 5\u20143.1(a)(12) of the Unified Code of Corrections provides that if the imprisonment of the defendant would endanger his medical condition, such factor shall be accorded weight in minimizing the sentence. 111. Rev. Stat. 1983, ch. 38, par. 1005 \u2014 5\u20143.l(a)(12).\nAt the outset we would note that defendant was not eligible for probation, as he had been convicted of burglary within 10 years of the offenses in the case at bar. (111. Rev. Stat. 1983, ch. 38, par. 1005 \u2014 5\u2014 3(cX2XF).) Furthermore, it is apparent from the record that the trial court was fully aware of defendant\u2019s medical condition even before trial. The defendant\u2019s spinal cord was injured in an automobile accident and as a result he was confined to a wheelchair and requires special medical treatment. Medical personnel were present with defendant in the courtroom and arrangements were made during trial to ensure that defendant received proper medical care.\nThe report of proceedings of the sentencing hearing revealed that the trial court considered defendant\u2019s medical condition and specifically considered section 5 \u2014 5\u20143.1(aX12) of the Unified Code of Correetions. The court stated: \u201cHe\u2019s getting medical treatment. He does not like the medical treatment. He is displeased with the medical treatment he\u2019s receiving now. But I\u2019ve seen no showing that being in prison is going to endanger, notwithstanding all the statements the defendant has made.\u201d\nThe defendant failed to make a showing that imprisonment would endanger his medical condition and we conclude that the trial court\u2019s sentence was not an abuse of discretion. See People v. Spinks (1980), 80 Ill. App. 3d 1096, 1099-1100, 400 N.E.2d 634, 636; People v. Kelley (1975), 25 Ill. App. 3d 753, 760-61, 324 N.E.2d 82, 87-88.\nFor the foregoing reasons, the judgment of the circuit court of Shelby County is affirmed.\nAffirmed.\nEARNS, P.J., and WELCH, J., concur.", "type": "majority", "author": "JUSTICE KASSERMAN" } ], "attorneys": [ "Randy E. Blue and Kim G. Noffke, both of State Appellate Defender\u2019s Office, of Mt. Vernon, for appellant.", "Michael Kiley, State\u2019s Attorney, of Shelbyville (Kenneth R. Boyle, Robert J. Biderman, and Denis M. Ambrose, all of State\u2019s Attorneys Appellate Service Commission, of counsel), for the People." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. GAYLE EUGENE SILER, Defendant-Appellant.\nFifth District\nNo. 5\u201484\u20140643\nOpinion filed April 8, 1987.\nRandy E. Blue and Kim G. Noffke, both of State Appellate Defender\u2019s Office, of Mt. Vernon, for appellant.\nMichael Kiley, State\u2019s Attorney, of Shelbyville (Kenneth R. Boyle, Robert J. Biderman, and Denis M. Ambrose, all of State\u2019s Attorneys Appellate Service Commission, of counsel), for the People." }, "file_name": "0102-01", "first_page_order": 124, "last_page_order": 133 }