Illinois Supreme Court January 19, 2001, 88126 (People v. Thomas)

JUSTICE MILLER

delivered the opinion of the court:

The defendant, Walter L. Thomas, brings this appeal from an order of the circuit court of Du Page County dismissing, without an evidentiary hearing, his petition for post-conviction relief. Because the defendant received the death penalty for the underlying murder conviction, the defendant’s appeal lies directly to this court. 134 Ill. 2d R.