People v. Figueroa
| Decision Date | 30 September 1999 |
| Docket Number | No. 1-97-1173.,1-97-1173. |
| Parties | The PEOPLE of the State of Illinois, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Miguel FIGUEROA, Defendant-Appellant. |
| Court | United States Appellate Court of Illinois |
719 N.E.2d 108
308 Ill. App.3d 93
241 Ill.Dec. 247
v.
Miguel FIGUEROA, Defendant-Appellant
No. 1-97-1173.
Appellate Court of Illinois, First District, Fifth Division.
September 30, 1999.
Richard A. Devine, State's Attorney of Cook County, Chicago (Renee Golfdfarb, William D. Carroll, Nancy Faulls, of counsel), for Appellee.
Justice GREIMAN delivered the opinion of the court:
A jury found defendant Miguel Figueroa guilty of first degree murder and the trial court sentenced him to 80 years in prison. Defendant appeals, arguing that his conviction should be reversed because he was denied his right to present a defense when the trial court struck his testimony and denied his request after the parties had rested to allow his testimony. Defendant also claims the trial court made improper comments, the court allowed improper gang references, he was denied his right to exercise a peremptory challenge, the court failed to instruct the jury on his claim of self-defense, the court allowed improper hearsay testimony, the sentencing hearing was unfair, the sentence imposed was excessive, and the trial court erred in denying his motion to amend the record.
For the reasons that follow, we reverse and remand.
Defendant Miguel Figueroa and codefendant Eduardo Estremera were indicted for first degree murder and armed robbery for the alleged shooting death and robbery of Dmitry Rabin.1 They were simultaneously tried before separate juries.2 We briefly summarize the essential testimony in defendant's case.
At trial, the State's key witness, Xavier Burbano, testified that he and Rabin arranged to meet Alex Ojea to purchase 10 pounds of marijuana for $10,500. On August 5, 1993, Rabin and Burbano drove to a car wash in Rabin's car. Ojea arrived in an Oldsmobile and two other men arrived in a van. When Burbano approached the van, the passenger pulled out a long revolver and told him to "[b]ack off." Burbano identified Estremera as the man with the gun. After Ojea spoke with the men in the van, the two men drove around the block, with Burbano, Rabin, and Ojea following. When they stopped, Estremera exited the van with the gun. Burbano told Estremera to put the gun away, and Estremera put it on the passenger's seat of the van. Burbano asked to see the marijuana, and Estremera insisted that he enter the van to look but Burbano was afraid. Estremera picked up the gun and indicated that he thought they were the police. The two men in the van then drove away. Burbano identified defendant as the van driver.
Burbano approached Rabin and he started "back-peddling" and "his eyes got real wide." Burbano asked what the problem was and Rabin responded, "He has got a gun." Defendant was walking behind Burbano with a gun. Estremera started to walk around behind Rabin. One of the men said that they had better marijuana and Ojea displayed a bit of it. Rabin and Burbano told them that they wanted something better. Burbano told the men that he and Rabin did not have enough money. Defendant asked who had the money and Rabin acknowledged that he had it. Burbano stated that Estremera and defendant then "exchanged a look" and defendant raised the gun and shot at Rabin. As Burbano ran away, he heard several more shots. He looked back and saw Estremera standing behind Rabin shooting him in the back. Rabin was on his hands and knees in the street. Burbano saw Estremera shoot at Rabin twice.
On cross-examination, Burbano stated that when Ojea showed them the small piece of marijuana, Rabin said that it was not quality marijuana and Estremera indicated that he could get better. The situation was intense and they all were agitated.
Defendant testified in his own defense, admitting that he had one felony conviction and that he sold drugs for income in 1993. On August 5, 1993, he agreed to obtain 10 pounds of marijuana for Estremera. Defendant, Estremera, and Ojea, who was with Estremera, then drove to Diversey and Cicero, where defendant left the others to obtain the marijuana. When he returned, defendant and Estremera drove in defendant's van and Ojea drove his car to a car wash where Burbano was waiting. Estremera spoke with Ojea. Burbano walked toward the van and Estremera told him to stay away. Defendant indicated to Estremera that Burbano looked like a police officer. Estremera reentered the van and they drove away. Burbano entered Ojea's car and they followed the van. Defendant stopped the van. Estremera got out, pointed a .44-caliber handgun at Burbano and Ojea, and told them to quit following the van.
Later that day, they resumed the deal. This time defendant drove his wife's car. When defendant and Estremera arrived at the meeting place, Ojea told defendant to follow Rabin, which he did until Rabin pulled over. Estremera and Burbano exited their cars and, after a conversation, Estremera told defendant that he was going to ride with Rabin and Burbano would ride with defendant. When they arrived at Belden and Long, Rabin stopped and they all exited their cars. Defendant held his .44-caliber gun in his hand next to his leg and pointing toward the ground. He stated that the gun was for his protection. When Burbano told him the gun was not necessary, he put it in his waistband. Ojea said that he had seen a police car and left to investigate. Burbano told Rabin to hide something, and Rabin retrieved a shotgun from the front seat of his car which he placed in his trunk. Rabin and Estremera were talking very loud. As Ojea returned, they were getting louder and defendant was very nervous and scared. As the conversation got louder, defendant saw Rabin reach "like he was going for a gun." Defendant was scared
Defendant heard more gunshots as he ran to his car. As he and Estremera attempted to flee the scene, he had to drive around the body in the street. Defendant heard a loud shot come out of his car and saw his .44-caliber gun in Estremera's hand. After they drove away, Estremera gave him his .44-caliber gun and a.25-caliber automatic. Defendant drove to a friend's house and called another friend to take the guns and the drugs. Defendant stated that he shot Rabin because he feared for his life. He did not plan to commit a murder or an armed robbery with Estremera. His sole intent was to sell marijuana.
On cross-examination, defendant stated that from January 1993 until August 1993 he made around $25,000 to $35,000 selling drugs. The testimony continued as follows:
"[By Assistant State's Attorney Adams:] Who did you buy the drugs from?
MS. LAMBERT [Defense Counsel]: Objection.
THE COURT: Overruled.
A. I can't answer that.
THE COURT: You have to answer it or we'll strike your testimony.
MS. LAMBERT: I beg your pardon.
THE COURT: He has to answer the question. He has no right to refuse to answer or I will strike his testimony. You talked to your client.
MS. LAMBERT: He has to disclose the name?
THE COURT: Absolutely. Positively.
* * *
MS. LAMBERT: Judge, I would ask to be heard in a sidebar.
THE COURT: Do you have an objection?
MS. LAMBERT: Yes.
THE COURT: The objection is overruled. It is a drug dealer privilege or what are you talking about? There is no privilege. You're on the witness stand. You're testifying.
MS. LAMBERT: That is not the reason I am objecting."
The trial court then conducted a hearing out of the presence of the jury during which defense counsel indicated that defendant was afraid to give the name of the person who sold him the drugs. The trial court rejected his excuse, noting that counsel asked defendant about obtaining the drugs during direct examination. The court overruled the objection.
The proceedings resumed in the presence of the jury:
"BY MR. ADAMS:
Q. You can answer the question now, Mr. Figueroa.
A. I will not answer that question.
MR. DOSCH [Defense Counsel]: Would it be possible to confer with our client to advise him of your Honor's ruling?
THE COURT: No. I will tell him the ruling. Either you answer the question or all your testimony is stricken. There is no right. You have waived any right against self-incrimination by testifying and by talking about who you buy your drugs from. That is not protected under the law. You cannot give partial testimony, sir.
If you want to do that, then I am going to have to strike all your testimony from the record.
Ask the question.
BY MR. ADAMS:
Q. Mr. Figueroa, who did you buy your drugs from January of 1993 to August of 1993?
A. I will not answer that question.
THE COURT: Proceed to ask another question if you choose.
BY MR. ADAMS:
719 N.E.2d 112Q. Mr. Figueroa, who did you give the guns to, the .44 caliber and the .25 caliber guns to after you shot and killed Dimitri [sic] Rabin?
A. The same person I bought my drugs from.
Q. And who is that person?
A. I will not disclose his name.
MR. ADAMS: Your Honor, I would ask the Court to instruct the witness to answer the question.
THE COURT: You're instructed to answer the question.
A. I won't answer it, your Honor.
THE COURT: You're all through then. The jury is instructed to disregard this...
To continue reading
Request your trial
-
People v. Mandarino
...whether there are the most cogent reasons to deny the request.” (Internal quotation marks omitted.) People v. Figueroa, 308 Ill.App.3d 93, 103, 241 Ill.Dec. 247, 719 N.E.2d 108 (1999). The trial court has wide discretion in deciding to reopen proofs. We review the denial of a motion to reop......
-
People v. Collier
... ... People v. Watkins, 238 Ill.App.3d 253, 258, 179 Ill. Dec. 422, 606 N.E.2d 254 (1992) ... It is within the trial court's sound discretion as to whether a case may be reopened for further evidence, and unless that discretion is clearly abused, reversal will not result. People v. Figueroa, 308 Ill.App.3d 93, 101-02, 241 Ill.Dec. 247, 719 N.E.2d 108 (1999) ... In the instant case, as defendant did not testify before resting his case, it may be surmised that defendant did not wish to testify in his own behalf at that time. See People v. Enis, 194 Ill.2d 361, ... ...
- People v. Figueroa
-
People v. Stevens
...has been waived, a defendant becomes subject to cross-examination in the same manner as any other witness. People v. Figueroa, 308 Ill.App.3d 93, 99, 241 Ill.Dec. 247, 719 N.E.2d 108 (1999). ¶ 52 Generally, cross-examination is limited to matters raised during direct examination. People v. ......