2010-08

People v. Sprind ( 2010 )

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NO. 5-09-0327
N O T IC E
Decision filed 08/06/10, corrected
IN THE
08/27/10. The text of this decision
may be changed or corre cted prior to
APPELLATE COURT OF ILLINOIS
the filing of a Petition for Rehearing or
the disposition of the same.
FIFTH DISTRICT
________________________________________________________________________
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, ) Appeal from the
) Circuit Court of
Plaintiff-Appellee, ) Franklin County.
)
v. ) No. 07-CF-32
)
WILLIAM D. SPRIND, JR., ) Honorable
) E. Kyle Vantrease,
Defendant-Appellant. ) Judge, presiding.
________________________________________________________________________
JUSTICE WELCH delivered the opinion of the court:
Following a bench trial, the defendant, William D. Sprind, Jr., was found guilty of
four counts of aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol, other drug or drugs, or
intoxicating compound or compounds, or any combination thereof, in violation of section 11-
501(d) of the Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/11-501(d) (West 2008)), and one count of
reckless homicide, in violation of section 9-3(a) of the Criminal Code of 1961 (720 ILCS
5/9-3(a) (West 2008)). The circuit court of Franklin County sentenced the defendant to a 14-
year term of imprisonment. On appeal the defendant raises the following issues: (1) whether
the defendant received ineffective assistance at the trial and (2) whether the amendment of
sections 1286.320(c) and 1286.330(b) of Title 20 of the Illinois Administrative Code
(Administrative Code) (20 Ill. Adm. Code §1286.320(c), amended at 31 Ill. Reg. 15107,
15111, eff. October 29, 2007; 20 Ill. Adm. Code §1286.330(b), amended at 31 Ill. Reg. 7305,
7321, eff. May 1, 2007) constitute ex post facto laws in violation of the United States and
Illinois Constitutions. For the following reasons, we affirm.
On January 23, 2007, the defendant was driving his truck northbound on Illinois Route
1
37 at a high rate of speed, passing onto the shoulder and into the oncoming southbound
traffic lane. The defendant attempted to pass several vehicles and ran directly into the
vehicle of the victims, Troy and Myrtle Holt. As a result of the collision, Mrs. Holt died.
Mr. Holt was unconscious for three weeks, on a ventilator for six weeks, hospitalized for
months, and then placed in a nursing home. The defendant was also injured in the collision.
At the hospital, a nurse, in the presence of Illinois State Trooper Robert Reynolds, obtained
a urine specimen from the defendant. Another nurse, also in Trooper Reynolds' presence,
swabbed the defendant's arm and drew blood. The blood and urine tests revealed that the
defendant had levels of cocaine high enough to be fatal. He also had cannabis and numerous
prescription medications in his system.
On October 5, 2007, defense counsel filed a motion in limine to prevent the results of
the urine sample from being introduced into evidence. Defense counsel argued that at the
time of the offense and when the urine sample was taken, section 1286.330(b) of Title 20 of
the Administrative Code (20 Ill. Adm. Code §1286.330(b), amended at 28 Ill. Reg. 10017,
10040, eff. June 30, 2004) set forth procedures that provided that the urine sample may be
collected only by the arresting officer, another law enforcement officer, or an agency
employee. Defense counsel noted that a nurse, and not an authorized person, took the urine
sample. Therefore, defense counsel argued that the police failed to comply with the
Administrative Code provision in effect at the time the urine sample was taken. Defense
counsel noted that effective May 1, 2007, section 1286.330 had been amended to add hospital
nurses to the list of those who are authorized to take urine samples.
On November 15, 2007, defense counsel filed a motion to suppress the results of the
blood test. Defense counsel noted that at the time of the collision, section 1286.320(c) of
Title 20 of the Administrative Code (20 Ill. Adm. Code §1286.320(c), amended at 28 Ill.
Reg. 10017, 10039, eff. June 30, 2004), regarding blood draws, stated, "A disinfectant that
2
does not contain alcohol shall be used to clean the skin where a sample is to be collected."
Defense counsel argued that the blood-test kit violated procedure because the nurse had used
a swab that contained alcohol to cleanse the defendant's skin. Accordingly, defense counsel
argued that the results of the blood draw should be inadmissible. Shortly after the collision,
effective October 29, 2007, section 1286.320(c) was amended to read, "The blood sample
should be drawn using proper medical technique." 20 Ill. Adm. Code §1286.320(c),
amended at 31 Ill. Reg. 15107, 15111, eff. October 29, 2007.
A hearing was held on the motion to suppress and the motion in limine on May 16,
2008, and the trial court entered a written order on June 12, 2008, denying the motion to
suppress and the motion in limine. As to the urine sample, the court noted that the
regulations required the police officer to be able to authenticate the sample. Because Trooper
Reynolds was present when the nurse drew the sample, he was able to authenticate the
sample pursuant to the regulations. Moreover, the trial court held the amendment of section
1286.330(b) to be procedural rather than substantive and concluded that the regulations could
be applied retroactively. As to the blood sample, the court noted that the defendant had not
argued that the sample was tainted or that the results were invalid. The court then noted that
the regulation had recently been found invalid and noted that the results could not be
inadmissible for a failure to comply with an invalid regulation. Furthermore, the trial court
held that the amendment of section 1286.320(c) was procedural rather than substantive and
found that the current regulation could be applied retroactively.
Thereafter, the defendant suffered a stroke on September 22, 2008. As a result,
defense counsel filed a motion for a fitness examination on September 30, 2008. A week
later on October 6, 2008, the defendant had recovered enough to be present in court at a
pretrial conference. On November 3, 2008, defense counsel withdrew his motion for a
fitness examination. Defense counsel noted that the motion had been based solely on the
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stroke. He also noted that the defendant was going to have a neurological examination: "[It
will] basically tell us most of what we need to know about whether or not I am going to
re[]file a motion for fitness." Defense counsel stated further, "When I have the results of
that, then we will contemplate either filing or not filing a future motion." The trial court
noted that up to that point the defendant had not raised a bona fide doubt regarding his fitness
to stand trial.
On January 16, 2009, the defendant waived his right to a jury trial. The trial court
noted that defense counsel had previously raised the issue of the defendant's fitness to stand
trial but had withdrawn it. Defense counsel stated, "[A]t this present time we are not raising
that issue, and we don't anticipate it, and[–]assuming there is [sic] no new medical
developments." The trial court noted, "[F]rom my observation of Mr. Sprind, he also appears
to be fully aware of what is occurring today and appears to be fit to stand trial."
A stipulated bench trial was held on January 29, 2009. Evidence presented at the trial
included seven drivers who had witnessed the defendant driving at a high rate of speed,
erratically all over the road, and attempting to pass numerous vehicles before striking the
victims' vehicle head-on.
Duke Dixon would have testified that he was an employee of Mercy Regional working
as an emergency medical technician (EMT). On January 23, 2007, he responded to a crash
on Illinois Route 37 north of West Frankfort. He provided treatment to the defendant, and
in the course of the treatment he had to cut the defendant's pants, and a number of white pills
fell from the left pocket of the defendant's pants. He collected these pills with a rubber glove
and handed them to Trooper Reynolds.
Kim Bauser would have testified that she was an EMT and a phlebotomist employed
by Good Samaritan Hospital in Mount Vernon, Illinois. She worked on January 23, 2007,
and assisted Trooper Reynolds to secure blood samples from the defendant. She collected
4
two vials of blood from the defendant, using vials contained in the Illinois State Police DUI
kit. She would have further testified that the blood drawn from the defendant was drawn
using proper medical technique, that the blood was drawn in the presence of Trooper
Reynolds, and that the vials were handed to Trooper Reynolds when they were filled.
Kristina Lorenzini would have testified that she was a registered nurse employed by
Good Samaritan Hospital in Mount Vernon, Illinois. She worked on January 23, 2007, and
she was the attending nurse to the defendant while he was in the emergency room. She
assisted Trooper Reynolds in collecting a urine sample from the defendant. The urine sample
was collected in a new, plastic urinal, in the presence of Trooper Reynolds, and was
immediately handed to Trooper Reynolds. She would have also testified that while attending
to the defendant, she discovered a Vicodin pill lying next to the defendant's right side. She
gave this pill to Trooper Reynolds.
Illinois State Police Trooper Reynolds would have testified that he was dispatched to
a two-car accident on Illinois Route 37, north of West Frankfort, on January 23, 2007. While
on the scene, he spoke to witnesses and collected 17½ pills from EMT Duke Dixon. He
would also have testified that he had Kim Bauser and Kristina Lorenzini assist him in
collecting the blood and urine samples from the defendant. He would have testified that
these samples were properly sealed, labeled, and secured in the DUI kit. He would have also
testified that Kristina Lorenzini gave him one white pill and that he located three more of
those pills in the right front pocket of the defendant's pants.
Illinois State Police Special Agent Farrin Melton would have testified that he had
interviewed the defendant in the hospital shortly after the crash. The defendant admitted to
taking one Vicodin pill earlier that morning. The defendant claimed that he had not taken
any other legal or illegal drugs or alcohol. He would further testify that the defendant had
told him that the victims' vehicle swerved into his lane, causing the collision.
5
Dr. Kok would have testified that she is a forensic scientist working in the Illinois
State Police crime lab, toxicology section. She had performed the analysis of the blood and
urine samples. At this point, defense counsel renewed his objection to the admittance into
evidence of the blood and urine samples. The trial court overruled the objection in
accordance with the previous rulings on the motion to suppress and the motion in limine. Dr.
Kok would have testified that the tests of the defendant's urine revealed cocaine, THC,
lidocaine, diazepam, nordiazepam, temazepam, oxazepam, morphine, oxycodone,
methylphenidate, and cyclobenzaprine. Tests of the defendant's blood revealed cocaine,
benzoylecgonine, oxycodone, diazepam, and nordiazepam.
Expert pharmacologist Dr. William Kolling would have testified that the diazepam,
nordiazepam, oxazepam, temazepam, morphine, oxycodone, and cyclobenzaprine all depress
the central nervous system, which would impair one's ability to drive a vehicle. Cocaine,
cocaine metabolites, lidocaine, and methylphenidate were all central nervous system
stimulants, which could also impair one's ability to operate a motor vehicle. Dr. Kolling
would have testified that the blood test was consistent with such a large dose of cocaine that
people have died from ingesting that amount. The oxycodone level was 4½ times the
recommended level, and the diazepam level was 2 to 3 times higher than the level normally
used by patients. Dr. Kolling would have opined that these levels would impair judgment
and driving ability, cause blurred vision, affect coordination, and cause lightheadedness,
paranoia, and a lack of judgment. He would have finally concluded that the defendant was
impaired while operating his vehicle at the time of the fatal collision.
At the conclusion of the bench trial, the trial court found the defendant guilty on all
the counts. The trial court found the defendant's medical condition to be the only factor in
mitigation but noted that the condition was "self-inflicted." On March 16, 2009, the
defendant was sentenced to a 14-year term of imprisonment. On April 15, 2009, the
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defendant filed a motion for a new trial or in the alternative for a new sentencing hearing,
raising the question of the propriety of the admission of the urine and blood samples into
evidence. The trial court denied the defendant's motion for a new trial or a new sentencing
hearing on June 15, 2009. The defendant filed a timely notice of appeal on June 29, 2009.
On appeal, the defendant first argues that he was denied the effective assistance of
counsel because his counsel failed to obtain a fitness hearing before the trial and his counsel
agreed to stipulate to the testimony that the State would present at the trial. The standard of
review for assessing ineffective-assistance-of-counsel claims is set out in the two-pronged
test enunciated in Strickland v. Washington,

466 U.S. 668

, 687,

80 L. Ed. 2d 674

, 693,

104 S. Ct. 2052

, 2064 (1984). Under the first prong in Strickland, the defendant must show that
counsel's performance was deficient in that it fell below an objective standard of
reasonableness. People v. Evans,

209 Ill. 2d 194

, 219-20 (2004). The defendant must
overcome a strong presumption that, under the circumstances, counsel's conduct might be
considered sound trial strategy. People v. Peeples,

205 Ill. 2d 480

, 512 (2002). With regard
to the second prong, the defendant must show that he suffered prejudice in that but for
counsel's deficient performance, there was a reasonable probability that the result of the
proceeding would have been different.

Evans, 209 Ill. 2d at 219-20

. In order to prevail on
a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, a defendant must satisfy both prongs of
Strickland.

Evans, 209 Ill. 2d at 220

.
We first address the defendant's argument that he received ineffective assistance of
counsel because counsel failed to seek a fitness hearing prior to the trial. For a defendant to
establish that the failure to request a fitness hearing prejudiced him within the meaning of
Strickland, the defendant must show that facts existed at the trial that would have raised a
bona fide doubt of the defendant's ability " 'to understand the nature and purpose of the
proceedings against him or to assist in his defense.' " People v. Harris,

206 Ill. 2d 293

, 304
7
(2002) (quoting 725 ILCS 5/104-10 (West 1998)). " 'Defendant is entitled to relief *** only
if he shows that the trial court would have found a bona fide doubt of his fitness and ordered
a fitness hearing if it had been apprised of the evidence now offered.' "

Harris, 206 Ill. 2d at 304

(quoting People v. Easley,

192 Ill. 2d 307

, 319 (2000)). To determine whether there
exists a bona fide doubt of the defendant's fitness, a court may consider the defendant's
irrational behavior, the defendant's demeanor at the trial, and any prior medical opinion on
the defendant's competence.

Harris, 206 Ill. 2d at 304

.
The defendant claims that he was "heavily medicated for depression and anxiety" and
was "on a cocktail of anti[]depressants, including Lexapro, Ativan[,] and Romazicon." The
defendant further claims that these drugs often make an individual lethargic and slow in
comprehension.     He claims that he was particularly disoriented on a particular day,
approximately three months before the trial, and that he was "so disoriented and combative,
he had to be restrained and administered Haldol, a powerful anti[]psychotic drug." The
defendant also claims that hospital notes reflect that he was having difficultly with memory
and recollection and might want a psychiatric evaluation.
In response, the State notes that the defendant's brief does not contain a single citation
to the record in support of his claims, in violation of Supreme Court Rule 341(h)(7) (

210 Ill. 2d

R. 341(h)(7)), which mandates that the parties to an appeal shall make their argument
"with citation of the authorities and the pages of the record relied on." The failure to provide
proper citations to the record is a violation of this rule, the consequence of which is the
forfeiture of the argument lacking those citations. Engle v. Foley & Lardner, LLP, 393 Ill.
App. 3d 838, 854 (2009).
In any event, the record does not establish that the defendant was "heavily medicated"
for depression or that he suffered from anxiety and that the medications caused lethargy or
slow comprehension. What the record does reveal is that the defendant suffered a mild
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stroke on September 22, 2008. As a result, on September 30, 2008, defense counsel filed a
motion for a fitness examination. A week later on October 6, 2008, the defendant had
recovered enough to be present in court at a pretrial conference. A month later, on
November 3, 2008, defense counsel withdrew his motion for a fitness examination. Defense
counsel noted that the motion had been based solely on the stroke. The trial court noted that
up to that point the defendant had not raised a bona fide doubt regarding the defendant's
fitness to stand trial. On January 16, 2009, during the hearing at which the defendant waived
his right to a jury trial, the trial court noted that defense counsel had previously raised the
issue of the defendant's fitness to stand trial but had withdrawn it. Defense counsel stated,
"[A]t this present time we are not raising that issue, and we don't anticipate it,
and[–]assuming there is [sic] no new medical developments." The trial court noted, "[F]rom
my observation of Mr. Sprind, he also appears to be fully aware of what is occurring today
and appears to be fit to stand trial." Accordingly, the trial court found that the defendant had
not established a bona fide doubt regarding his fitness to stand trial, and we cannot conclude
that defense counsel was ineffective for failing to request a fitness examination.
We next address the defendant's argument that defense counsel's decision to stipulate
to the facts at the bench trial resulted in the ineffective assistance of counsel. The defendant
compares defense counsel's decision to agree to a stipulated bench trial to a defense counsel's
actions admitting guilt in his opening statement to a jury. Again, the defendant's brief fails
to include any citations to the record to support his argument, in violation of Supreme Court
Rule 341(h)(7).
In any event, the record reveals that, contrary to the defendant's claims, defense
counsel did not concede his client's guilt. Defense counsel merely stipulated to the existence
of the State's evidence. Defense counsel specifically stated at the beginning of the bench
trial: "[W]e are not stipulating that the evidence is sufficient to prove the defendant's guilt,
9
and we're not admitting guilt. We are simply waiving the obligation of the State to present
evidence through testimonial means." Accordingly, the trial court was still required to find
that the evidence was sufficient to prove the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
See People v. Sutton,

229 Ill. App. 3d 960

, 968 (1992). Furthermore, defense counsel
preserved the defendant's objection to the admittance of the blood and urine samples into
evidence during the stipulated bench trial. Accordingly, we cannot conclude that defense
counsel was ineffective under these circumstances.
We turn now to the defendant's next argument on appeal. The defendant argues that
the trial court improperly denied his motion in limine and his motion to suppress because the
amendments to section 1286.320 and section 1286.330 of Title 20 of the Administrative
Code, as applied retroactively, constitute ex post facto laws in violation of the United States
and Illinois Constitutions. The defendant also argues that compliance with the regulations
established pursuant to section 11-501.2 of the Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/11-501.2
(West 2008)) is a prerequisite to the admissibility of the test results in a DUI prosecution.
He contends that because the police failed to comply with the regulations, the results of the
blood and urine tests were inadmissible.
In response, the State argues that the amendments in the Administrative Code were
procedural, the prior versions of the Administrative Code were invalid, and there was
substantial compliance with the regulations. The State relies on People v. Morris, 394 Ill.
App. 3d 678, 679 (2009), a similar case in which the defendant filed a motion in limine to
bar evidence of a blood test, arguing that the disinfecting swab in the DUI kit used to draw
his blood contained low levels of alcohol, in violation of the version of section 1286.320(c)
of Title 20 of the Administrative Code in effect at the time of his arrest and the drawing of
his blood. At that time section 1286.320(c) stated, " 'A disinfectant that does not contain
alcohol shall be used to clean the skin where a sample [of blood] is to be collected.' " Morris,

10 394 Ill. App. 3d at 679

(quoting 20 Ill. Adm. Code §1286.320(c), amended at 28 Ill. Reg.
10039, eff. June 30, 2004). The Administrative Code was later amended to read, " 'The
blood sample should be drawn using proper medical technique.' "