People v. Lawrence

The defendant appeals the McLean County circuit court’s dismissal of his post-conviction petition, filed pursuant to the Post-Conviction Hearing Act (Act) (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1989, ch. 38, par. 122—1 et seq.). The court dismissed the petition, concluding the constitutional right the defendant claimed had been violated did not exist. We affirm.

The defendant was indicted for attempt to commit first-degree murder (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1987, ch. 38, par. 8—4) and two counts of first-degree murder (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1987, ch. 38, pars. 9—1(a)(1), (a)(2)). He originaHy entered not guilty pleas but later…