¶ 3 I. BACKGROUND ¶ 4 The underlying facts of this case have been set forth adequately in the orders concerning the petitioner's direct appeal (see People v. Boyce, No. 1-05-1448 (2007) (unpublished order pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 23)) and the subsequent dismissal of his postconviction petition (see People v. Boyce, No. 1-08 2363 (2010) (unpublished order pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 23)). Accordingly, we set forth only those facts that are necessary to the resolution of the issues raised in this appeal. ¶ 5 The petitioner was charged together with three codefendants (Donnell Hayes, Michael Boyce and Jacky Burks) with first degree murder, attempted first degree murder, heinous battery, aggravated arson and residential arson, resulting from a gang-related fire, which was set at 1330 North Parkside Ave. in Chicago on March 10, 2001.