{ "id": 847576, "name": "THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. RALPH H. SYVERSON, Defendant-Appellant", "name_abbreviation": "People v. Syverson", "decision_date": "1997-11-12", "docket_number": "No. 3\u201495\u20140365", "first_page": "199", "last_page": "206", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "293 Ill. App. 3d 199" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "Ill. App. Ct.", "id": 8837, "name": "Illinois Appellate Court" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 29, "name_long": "Illinois", "name": "Ill." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "660 N.E.2d 118", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1995, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "277 Ill. App. 3d. 194", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 1172430 ], "year": 1995, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/277/0194-01" ] }, { "cite": "603 N.E.2d 1196", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1992, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "237 Ill. App. 3d 140", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 5161790 ], "year": 1992, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/237/0140-01" ] }, { "cite": "619 N.E.2d 246", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1993, "pin_cites": [ { "parenthetical": "sexual assaults with multiple victims found to be a single course of conduct" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "249 Ill. App. 3d 750", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 5410783 ], "year": 1993, "pin_cites": [ { "parenthetical": "sexual assaults with multiple victims found to be a single course of conduct" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/249/0750-01" ] }, { "cite": "384 N.E.2d 793", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1978, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "67 Ill. App. 3d 638", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 3312760 ], "year": 1978, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/67/0638-01" ] }, { "cite": "484 N.E.2d 1106", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1985, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "137 Ill. App. 3d 645", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 3639691 ], "year": 1985, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/137/0645-01" ] }, { "cite": "354 N.E.2d 543", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1976, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "546" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "41 Ill. App. 3d 502", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 2488560 ], "year": 1976, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "505" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/41/0502-01" ] }, { "cite": "429 N.E.2d 912", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1981, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "913" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "102 Ill. App. 3d 130", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 3072238 ], "year": 1981, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "132" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/102/0130-01" ] }, { "cite": "658 N.E.2d 1268", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1995, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "1275", "parenthetical": "\"The appropriate test for determining what constitutes a single course of conduct under section 5 - 8-4 is somewhat unclear\"" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "276 Ill. App. 3d 750", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 927616 ], "year": 1995, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "759", "parenthetical": "\"The appropriate test for determining what constitutes a single course of conduct under section 5 - 8-4 is somewhat unclear\"" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/276/0750-01" ] }, { "cite": "668 N.E.2d 1201", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1996, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "1204", "parenthetical": "\"appellate courts have not developed any consistent or coherent analysis of when courses of conduct are 'related' as opposed to 'separate' \"" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "283 Ill. App. 3d 319", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 182768 ], "year": 1996, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "324", "parenthetical": "\"appellate courts have not developed any consistent or coherent analysis of when courses of conduct are 'related' as opposed to 'separate' \"" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/283/0319-01" ] }, { "cite": "669 N.E.2d 1239", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1996, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "1245", "parenthetical": "using both \"independent criminal motivation\" language and \"overarching criminal objective\" language" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "283 Ill. App. 3d 212", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 182693 ], "year": 1996, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "220", "parenthetical": "using both \"independent criminal motivation\" language and \"overarching criminal objective\" language" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/283/0212-01" ] }, { "cite": "588 N.E.2d 307", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1992, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "310-11", "parenthetical": "using an \"overarching criminal objective\" test" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "225 Ill. App. 3d 624", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 5245901 ], "year": 1992, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "629", "parenthetical": "using an \"overarching criminal objective\" test" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/225/0624-01" ] }, { "cite": "580 N.E.2d 903", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1991, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "904", "parenthetical": "using an \"independent motivation\" test" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "220 Ill. App. 3d 31", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 5274185 ], "year": 1991, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "32", "parenthetical": "using an \"independent motivation\" test" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/220/0031-01" ] }, { "cite": "613 N.E.2d 740", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "weight": 3, "year": 1993, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "742", "parenthetical": "\"It is unclear from the statute whether the additional language, 'during which there is no substantial change in the nature of the criminal objective,' is meant to define, or describe, the phrase 'single course of conduct,' or whether it is intended instead to limit that phrase\"" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "155 Ill. 2d 188", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 4810501 ], "weight": 3, "year": 1993, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "193" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/155/0188-01" ] }, { "cite": "60 Ill. 2d 1", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 5414551 ], "year": 1975, "pin_cites": [ { "parenthetical": "proper finding of independent motivation for offenses where defendant entered building to commit robbery but then wound up killing person in the building" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/60/0001-01" ] }, { "cite": "133 Ill. App. 3d 620", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 3530464 ], "year": 1985, "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/133/0620-01" ] }, { "cite": "220 Ill. App. 3d 31", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 5274185 ], "year": 1991, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "32" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/220/0031-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 697, "char_count": 15954, "ocr_confidence": 0.753, "pagerank": { "raw": 7.486162683104014e-08, "percentile": 0.44587464365683094 }, "sha256": "cb951425f3fa4daa05c2cd0ad445022114edb1306293cd3fbf83720391e14cb3", "simhash": "1:b1377c2ca05e8d96", "word_count": 2649 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T15:37:50.535591+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. RALPH H. SYVERSON, Defendant-Appellant." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "JUSTICE HOMER\ndelivered the opinion of the court:\nFollowing a jury trial, defendant Ralph H. Syverson was found guilty of home invasion (720 ILCS 5/12 \u2014 11(a)(1) (West 1994)) and guilty but mentally ill of second degree murder (720 ILCS 5/9\u2014 2(a)(1) (West 1994)). Following a sentencing hearing, the trial court concluded that consecutive sentences were mandatory. The court then sentenced the defendant to a 15-year term of imprisonment for home invasion and a consecutive 10-year term for second degree murder. The defendant appeals, arguing that the trial court erred in concluding that consecutive sentences were mandatory. We affirm.\nFACTS\nAt trial, it was established that the defendant was an Illinois state trooper. In 1976, he married Marianne Wielgopolan, and the couple had one child. In May of 1994, Marianne told the defendant that she had been seeing another man and wanted a divorce. Approximately one week later, Marianne moved out of the marital home.\nOver the next few months, the defendant attempted to reconcile with Marianne. In late July of 1994, Marianne agreed to go to joint counseling with the defendant. She also told the defendant that she was leaving her paramour, Gale Rapp. However, a few days later Marianne began to see Rapp again. When she informed the defendant, he became angry.\nOn August 14, 1994, the defendant arrived at Marianne\u2019s apartment in the early morning. He brought doughnuts and asked Marianne to give him another chance. After about an hour, the defendant left.\nThe next day, Rapp came over to Marianne\u2019s apartment. The two went to bed around midnight. They awoke in the early morning to find the defendant standing in the bedroom doorway. Marianne said, \"How in the hell did you get in here?\u201d The defendant then walked over to the bed and said: \"Gale Rapp, I am \u2014 I am here to kill you, Gale Rapp. You ruined my life. We were going to go to joint counseling.\u201d\nAt that point, the defendant brought out his service revolver. Marianne and Rapp both reached for the gun and a struggle ensued. The defendant fired a shot and Rapp fell back, muttering something. The defendant fired a few more shots and Marianne ran out of the bedroom to the kitchen. After a while, the defendant stopped shooting, came out of the bedroom, and put his gun on a bar stool in the living room. He then telephoned the Ottawa police, who arrived at the scene shortly thereafter.\nThe defendant was found guilty of home invasion and guilty but mentally ill of second degree murder. A sentencing hearing was held at which the trial court found that consecutive sentences were mandatory. The court then imposed a 15-year term of imprisonment for home invasion and a consecutive 10-year term of imprisonment for second degree murder.\nANALYSIS\nOn appeal, the defendant argues that the trial court erred in finding that consecutive sentences were mandatory. The defendant correctly notes that consecutive sentences are mandatory if: (1) the offenses \"were committed as part of a single course of conduct during which there was no substantial change in the nature of the criminal objective\u201d; and (2) one of the offenses \"was a Class X or Class 1 felony and the defendant inflicted severe bodily injury.\u201d 730 ILCS 5/5 \u2014 8\u2014 4(a) (West 1994). The defendant contends that neither of these prerequisites was met in the instant case.\nI\nThe defendant first argues that he did not commit the home invasion and the murder \"as part of a single course of conduct during which there was no substantial change in the nature of the criminal objective.\u201d\nAfter reviewing the applicable case law, it is apparent that there is some uncertainty regarding the meaning of \"a single course of conduct during which there was no substantial change in the nature of the criminal objective.\u201d 730 ILCS 5/5 \u2014 8\u20144(a) (West 1994). Some cases have suggested this language is unclear. See People v. Bole, 155 Ill. 2d 188, 193, 613 N.E.2d 740, 742 (1993) (\"It is unclear from the statute whether the additional language, 'during which there is no substantial change in the nature of the criminal objective,\u2019 is meant to define, or describe, the phrase 'single course of conduct,\u2019 or whether it is intended instead to limit that phrase\u201d).\nOther cases have used various tests in attempting to explain what constitutes a \"single course of conduct.\u201d See, e.g., People v. Harris, 220 Ill. App. 3d 31, 32, 580 N.E.2d 903, 904 (1991) (using an \"independent motivation\u201d test); People v. Fritz, 225 Ill. App. 3d 624, 629, 588 N.E.2d 307, 310-11 (1992) (using an \"overarching criminal objective\u201d test); People v. Kagan, 283 Ill. App. 3d 212, 220, 669 N.E.2d 1239, 1245 (1996) (using both \"independent criminal motivation\u201d language and \"overarching criminal objective\u201d language). Recently, the merits of these tests have been called into question. People v. Strickland, 283 Ill. App. 3d 319, 324, 668 N.E.2d 1201, 1204 (1996) (\"appellate courts have not developed any consistent or coherent analysis of when courses of conduct are 'related\u2019 as opposed to 'separate\u2019 \u201d); People v. Guzman, 276 Ill. App. 3d 750, 759, 658 N.E.2d 1268, 1275 (1995) (\"The appropriate test for determining what constitutes a single course of conduct under section 5 \u2014 8\u20144 is somewhat unclear\u201d).\nThe problem with the above-noted tests is that they place undue emphasis on a rather amorphous concept, a defendant\u2019s motivation, while deemphasizing other relevant factors. We believe it is better to consider the totality of the circumstances, with the defendant\u2019s motive being only one of several factors the court should consider. See, e.g., People v. Bilyeu, 102 Ill. App. 3d 130, 132, 429 N.E.2d 912, 913 (1981); People v. Lee, 41 Ill. App. 3d 502, 505, 354 N.E.2d 543, 546 (1976). Among the other factors the court should consider are: (1) the time lapse between each offense (People v. Bole, 155 Ill. 2d 188, 613 N.E.2d 740 (1993)); (2) the proximity in location of the offenses (People v. Paino, 137 Ill. App. 3d 645, 484 N.E.2d 1106 (1985)); and (3) the number of victims (People v. Lindsay, 67 Ill. App. 3d 638, 384 N.E.2d 793 (1978)).\nAlthough each of these factors should be considered by the trial court, no single factor is necessarily determinative. See, e.g., People v. Embry, 249 Ill. App. 3d 750, 619 N.E.2d 246 (1993) (sexual assaults with multiple victims found to be a single course of conduct); Bole, 155 Ill. 2d 188, 613 N.E.2d 740 (sexual assaults involving only one victim found to be more than a single course of conduct). Moreover, the trial court\u2019s determination will be upheld as long as there is evidence to support it. People v. Morris, 237 Ill. App. 3d 140, 603 N.E.2d 1196 (1992).\nIn the case at hand, the record reveals that both offenses: (1) occurred seconds apart; (2) occurred in a single location; (3) were committed against a single victim, Gale Rapp; and (4) appeared to have a single motivation, the desire to eliminate Gale Rapp as a threat to the defendant\u2019s marriage. Under these circumstances, we find that there was substantial evidence supporting the trial court\u2019s determination that the defendant committed both offenses during a \"single course of conduct during which there was no substantial change in the nature of the criminal objective.\u201d\nII\nThe defendant also contends that the second prerequisite for mandatory consecutive sentences was lacking because it was not established that \"one of the offenses for which defendant was convicted was a Class X or Class 1 felony and the defendant inflicted severe bodily injury.\u201d 730 ILCS 5/5 \u2014 8\u20144(a) (West 1994).\nThe defendant argues that the home invasion, while a Class X felony, could not be used as the \"triggering\u201d felony because it did not \"involve\u201d the infliction of severe bodily injury. That offense was complete, the defendant contends, when the defendant entered his wife\u2019s apartment and threatened her and Rapp. Since that offense did not involve injury to anyone, it does not satisfy the second prerequisite, argues the defendant. Likewise, the second degree murder conviction, a Class 1 felony, fails to qualify, contends the defendant, because \"severe bodily injury\u201d is an inherent element of the offense. The defendant succeeds with his argument only if this court finds that neither of the defendant\u2019s convictions qualify as a triggering Class X or Class 1 felony requiring consecutive sentencing in this case.\nFirst we consider whether the Class X home invasion qualifies. The defendant fails to cite, and we have not found, any authority for his position. The plain language of the statute does not require that the injury be inflicted as part of the triggering felony. So long as a Class X or Class 1 felony is committed and severe bodily injury is inflicted during a single course of conduct, consecutive sentences are required. Having already determined that the defendant committed both offenses during a single course of conduct, we find that the defendant\u2019s conduct fell squarely within the requirement of section 5 \u2014 8\u20144(a) that the defendant commit a \"Class X or Class 1 felony and [inflict] severe bodily injury.\u201d Having so decided, it becomes unnecessary for us to consider the defendant\u2019s additional argument that his Class 1 felony second degree murder conviction could not be used as the triggering felony. The trial judge was correct in his position that consecutive sentences were required in this instance.\nCONCLUSION\nFor the reasons set forth above, the judgment of the circuit court of La Salle County is affirmed.\nAffirmed.\nSLATER, J., concurs.\nThe indictment charged that the defendant \"[k]nowingly and without authority entered the dwelling place of Marianne Syverson *** and while armed with [a firearm] threatened the imminent use of force upon persons within such dwelling place.\u201d\nThe case cited by the defendant in support of his argument that the home invasion was not a triggering felony, People v. Porter, 277 Ill. App. 3d. 194, 660 N.E.2d 118 (1995), is distinguishable from the instant case. In Porter, the defendant was convicted of one count of first degree murder and four counts of attempted first degree murder, involving five separate victims. Two of the attempted murder victims were unharmed. The defendant did not dispute the applicability of section 5 \u2014 8\u20144(a). The issue before the court was whether all five of the sentences must run consecutively or only those for the three felonies that involved severe bodily harm to the victims. The appellate court determined that consecutive sentencing was not applicable for the two offenses not involving severe bodily injury to a victim. In the instant case, Rapp, the individual receiving \"severe bodily injury,\u201d was the victim of both the felonies.", "type": "majority", "author": "JUSTICE HOMER" }, { "text": "JUSTICE HOLDRIDGE,\ndissenting:\nI respectfully dissent. I would hold that the home invasion and the murder were not part of a \"single course of conduct during which there was no substantial change in the nature of the criminal objective.\u201d 730 ILCS Ann. 5/5 \u2014 8\u20144(a) (Michie 1994). The relevant statutory language provides:\n\"The court shall not impose consecutive sentences for offenses which were committed as part of a single course of conduct during which there was no substantial change in the nature of the criminal objective, unless, one of the offenses for which defendant was convicted was a Class X or Class 1 felony and the defendant inflicted severe bodily injury, or where the defendant was convicted of a violation of Section 12 \u2014 13 or 12 \u2014 14 of the Criminal Code of 1961, in which event the court shall enter sentences to run consecutively.\u201d 730 ILCS Ann. 5/5 \u2014 8\u20144(a) (Michie 1994).\nThe issue in this matter is whether the home invasion and the second degree murder were committed as part of a single course of conduct during which there was no substantial change in the nature of the criminal objective. My review of the record leads me to conclude that these offenses were not part of a single course of conduct.\nWhile I agree with the majority\u2019s position that some degree of uncertainty exists as to the meaning of this statutory provision, I do not agree that the application of a \"totality of the circumstances\u201d brings any greater degree of clarity to the issue than the other methods of analysis articulated by other courts. Rather, I believe that the language of subsection 5 \u2014 8\u20144(a) and the case law interpreting that subsection do not mandate consecutive sentences where there are separate and distinct acts or where various acts are separately motivated. See, e.g., People v. Baker, 133 Ill. App. 3d 620 (1985). In other words, where there is an \"independent motivation\u201d for the various acts, consecutive sentences are not mandated. See, e.g. People v. Harris, 220 Ill. App. 3d 31, 32 (1991).\nHere, the record is clear that the jury found that defendant\u2019s acts were not within a \"single course of conduct during which there was no change in the nature of the criminal objective.\u201d The jury\u2019s verdicts on each of the charged offenses can lead to only one conclusion. The jury found, not a single course of conduct on the part of the defendant, but rather two separate and distinct criminal acts. The jury found the defendant guilty \u2014 simply guilty, not guilty but mentally ill \u2014 of home invasion, thereby finding that the defendant, without mental impairment of any kind, had entered his wife\u2019s apartment and threatened harm upon persons within the apartment. The jury also found that the defendant, while suffering from a mental impairment \u2014 the disassociative reaction \u2014 then proceeded to kill Rapp while in the heat of passion.\nThere is only one conclusion that can be drawn from the jury\u2019s conflicting verdicts on the two offenses: that each offense was motivated by a completely different criminal objective, and thus the two offenses were not part of a single course of conduct. Clearly, the jury found that the defendant acted under no mental impairment when he broke into the apartment while armed with a dangerous weapon, but he was motivated to shoot Rapp by something that happened while the defendant was in the apartment, which acted upon his mental impairment to produce a completely different criminal objective from the defendant\u2019s objective in entering the apartment. In other words, the jury\u2019s verdicts, guilty of offense of home invasion and guilty but mentally ill of the offense of second degree murder, establish that the defendant entered the apartment without the intent to kill Rapp but was motivated to kill him only after entering the apartment. Where independent motivations exist for each offense, consecutive sentences are not mandated by subsection 5 \u2014 8\u20144(a). See People v. Williams, 60 Ill. 2d 1 (1975) (proper finding of independent motivation for offenses where defendant entered building to commit robbery but then wound up killing person in the building).\nAs I would find that the two offenses for which the defendant was sentenced were not part of a single course of conduct during which there was no substantial change in the nature of the criminal objective, I would not address the issue of whether one of the offenses for which the defendant was convicted was a Class X or Class 1 felony and the defendant inflicted severe bodily harm.\nFor the foregoing reasons, I would find that the trial court erred in finding that consecutive sentences were mandated by subsection 5 \u2014 8\u20144(a). I therefore dissent. I would remand the matter for the trial court to determine whether consecutive sentences, while not mandatory, were nonetheless otherwise warranted.", "type": "dissent", "author": "JUSTICE HOLDRIDGE," } ], "attorneys": [ "Verlin R. Meinz, of State Appellate Defender\u2019s Office, of Ottawa, for appellant.", "Michael James, State\u2019s Attorney, of Ottawa (John X. Breslin and Domenica Osterberger, both of State\u2019s Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor\u2019s Office, of counsel), for the People." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. RALPH H. SYVERSON, Defendant-Appellant.\nThird District\nNo. 3\u201495\u20140365\nOpinion filed November 12, 1997.\nHOLDRIDGE, J., dissenting.\nVerlin R. Meinz, of State Appellate Defender\u2019s Office, of Ottawa, for appellant.\nMichael James, State\u2019s Attorney, of Ottawa (John X. Breslin and Domenica Osterberger, both of State\u2019s Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor\u2019s Office, of counsel), for the People." }, "file_name": "0199-01", "first_page_order": 219, "last_page_order": 226 }