People v. Gabala

Defendant, Mark J. Gabala, pleaded guilty to charges of battery and disorderly conduct arising from two unrelated offenses. He was sentenced to one year’s conditional discharge, 16 weekends in the Cook County Department of Corrections, and a $10 fine. The trial court subsequently denied defendant’s motion to withdraw his guilty plea. Defendant appeals, contending that he should have been allowed to withdraw his guilty plea; the charges should have been severed before trial, or alternatively, he should have been granted a continuance; and that he was denied effective assistance of counsel.

On…