People v. Bloomingburg

Following a bench trial, defendant Allen Bloomingburg was found guilty of first degree murder and sentenced to 60 years’ imprisonment. On appeal, defendant contends that his trial counsel was ineffective because he conceded defendant’s guilt and pursued an unavailable theory of self-defense, thus leaving the trial court with no alternative but to find him guilty of first degree murder. Defendant also contends that the mandatory “15/20/25-to-life” sentencing scheme added to the sentencing statute (730 ILCS 5/5 — 8—1(a)(1)(d) (West 2000)) by Public Act 91 — 404 (Pub. Act 91 — 404, eff. January…