People v. Washington

In a jury trial, defendant Kurtis Washington was convicted of the shooting death of Tony Hightie and received a 25-year sentence. Defendant unsuccessfully appealed his conviction. Defendant then filed a petition for post-conviction relief (petition) under the Illinois Post-Conviction Hearing Act (Act) (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1989, ch. 38, par. 122 — 1 et seq.).

After an evidentiary hearing, the trial court denied defendant any relief. Thereafter, defendant filed a post-hearing motion which sought leave to amend the petition to conform the pleadings to the proof offered at the evidentiary hearing by…