People v. Sutherland

Defendant William Sutherland appeals from the trial court’s first-stage dismissal of his pro se petition for relief pursuant to the Post-Conviction Hearing Act (725 ILCS 5/122 — 1 et seq. (West 2000)) (the Act). For the reasons discussed herein, we vacate the trial court’s order dismissing defendant’s postconviction petition and remand for proceedings under sections 122 — 4 through 122 — 6 of the Act.

Following a jury trial, defendant was convicted of two counts each of attempted first degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, and home invasion. The trial court sentenced defendant to…