People v. Ayala

PRESIDING JUSTICE O’BRIEN

delivered the opinion of the court:

Defendant, Rafael Ayala, appeals his conviction after a bench trial of first degree murder and his sentence of 27 years’ imprisonment. On appeal, defendant contends: (1) his trial counsel provided ineffective assistance by failing to file a motion to suppress his statements; and (2) his sentence of 27 years’ imprisonment is excessive. We affirm.

Defendant was charged with two counts of first degree murder in the death of victim, Irma Cerritos (Irma). At defendant’s bench trial, Officer Louis Martinez testified that on June 14, 2004,…