People v. Every

While I agree that the verdict was not against the weight of the evidence, in my view, defendant received the ineffective assistance of counsel when defense *1167counsel’s cumulative errors essentially nullified defendant’s justification defense and removed the focus of the case away from defendant’s alleged justified acts and towards a nonexistent duty to retreat. Accordingly, I respectfully dissent.

Defendant’s defense centered on the theory that he was justified in stabbing the victim after their altercation. James Atwell, who resided in defendant’s home along with the victim, testified that he…