In re J.M.

Illinois Appellate Court
Civil Court
Juvenile Law
Citation
Case Number: 
2014 IL App (5th) 120196
Decision Date: 
Friday, April 18, 2014
District: 
5th Dist.
Division/County: 
St. Clair Co.
Holding: 
Reversed and remanded.
Justice: 
GOLDENHERSH
Court found that evidence produced by State against minor, age 13 at time of incident, sufficient to prove minor guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of arson, aggravated arson, residential arson, theft, and burglary, for participating with another minor in setting fire to a residence. Minor, who was mildly mentally retarded and read at a first-grade level, could not knowingly and intelligently waive his Miranda rights. Thus, court erred in denying minor's motion to suppress his statement to police. (CHAPMAN and SCHWARM, concurring.)