People v. Smith

Following a bench trial, defendant Gregory Smith was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to 20 years in prison. The judgment was affirmed on direct appeal. People v. Smith, No. 1—97—2853 (1998) (unpublished order under Supreme Court Rule 23). Defendant filed an initial and an amended petition for postconviction relief, both of which were prepared by retained counsel. The trial court summarily dismissed the petition as frivolous and patently without merit. Defendant contends on appeal that his amended petition stated meritorious claims of ineffective assistance of trial and…