Dist. Ct. did not err in denying defendant’s habeas petition challenging his Illinois murder conviction on ground that evidence was insufficient to support his conviction. Defendant was required to show that his conviction was based on unreasonable determination of facts in light of evidence presented in state court proceeding. However, rational trier-of-fact could have found that defendant had motive, opportunity and access to murder 12-year-old victim, where record showed that: (1) defendant admitted to having sex with victim days before her disappearance; (2) defendant was present at victim’s home on night of her disappearance; and (3) defendant had access to garage where victim’s body was found. As such, state court’s finding that evidence was sufficient to find defendant guilty of murder beyond reasonable doubt was not objectively unreasonable.
Federal 7th Circuit Court
Criminal Court
Reasonable Doubt