Illinois Supreme Court December 1, 2000, 86775 (People v. Smith)

JUSTICE McMORROW

delivered the opinion of the court:

Defendant, David Smith, appeals from an order of the circuit court of Cook County dismissing his amended petition for post-conviction relief without an evidentiary hearing. Because defendant was sentenced to death for the underlying convictions, his appeal lies directly to this court. 134 Ill. 2d R. 651(a).