People v. Vargas

PRESIDING JUSTICE TOOMIN

delivered the opinion of the court:

In this case, we must consider whether the trial judge gave adequate attention to a pro se defendant’s posttrial claim of ineffective assistance of counsel. Following a jury trial, defendant, Daniel Vargas, was found guilty of first degree murder, attempted first degree murder, and aggravated discharge of a firearm and ultimately sentenced to concurrent terms of 50, 26, and 6 years’ imprisonment. On appeal, he contends: (1) the trial court’s examination of the venire was insufficient; (2) the State’s closing argument was improper; (3)…