People v. Bates

Following a bench trial, defendant Jethro Bates was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to a 32-year prison term. We affirmed defendant’s conviction and sentence on direct appeal. People v. Bates, 1 — 94—3720 (1996) (unpublished order pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 23). Defendant subsequently filed a timely pro se postconviction petition. The trial court granted the State’s motion to dismiss defendant’s petition. Defendant appeals, contending the trial court erred in dismissing his petition. We reverse and remand for an evidentiary hearing on the allegations raised in defendant’s…