People v. LaPointe

Chief Justice Thomas and Justices Fitzgerald, Kilbride, Garman, Karmeier, and Burke concurred in the judgment and opinion.

OPINION

The circuit court of Du Page County denied petitioner, Phillip E. LaPointe, leave to file a second postconviction petition. 725 ILCS 5/122 — 1 et seq. (West 2004). The appellate court affirmed the circuit court’s order. 365 Ill. App. 3d 914. We granted leave to appeal (210 Ill. 2d R. 315) and now affirm the judgment of the appellate court.

Background

LaPointe pled guilty to the 1978 murder of a taxi driver and received a natural life sentence. Although the appellate…