People v. Mitchell

Defendant Alex Mitchell was convicted of first degree murder on April 13, 1992, and was sentenced to a term of 60 years’ imprisonment. Defendant’s conviction and sentence were affirmed by this court on direct appeal. People v. Mitchell, No. 3 — 92—0514 (1994) (unpublished order under Supreme Court Rule 23). On November 8, 1995, the defendant filed a pro se petition for postconviction relief which alleged, inter alia, that his appellate counsel was ineffective for failing to argue that the trial court erred in denying defendant’s motion in limine to exclude evidence of gang activity. The…