People v. Carter

In August 2002, a jury convicted defendant, William Dale Carter, of home invasion (720 ILCS 5/12 — 11(a)(1) (West 2000)). The trial court later sentenced him to 20 years in prison. In September 2006, defendant pro se filed a petition for postconviction relief under the Post-Conviction Hearing Act (725 ILCS 5/122 — 1 through 122 — 8 (West 2006)). In October 2006, the court dismissed his petition. Defendant now appeals (case No. 4 — 06—0920).

In December 2006, defendant filed a petition for relief from judgment pursuant to section 2 — 1401 of the Code of Civil Procedure (735 ILCS 5/2 — 1401…