People v. Williams

Following a jury trial, defendant, Gerald Williams, age 19, was found guilty of the murder of Ronnell Robinson, age 17. Defendant was sentenced to a term of 30 years. On appeal, defendant contends that the trial court erred in failing to examine defense counsel’s performance at trial upon learning at the post-trial motion that defense counsel had certain alibi witnesses whom he failed to call at trial. Defendant also contends that the sentence was excessive.

The pertinent facts are as follows. James Moore, age 17, testified for the State that the deceased was his cousin. On the evening of…