People v. Haley

Defendant was charge with first degree murder, for death of victim who drowned after being pushed into Lake Michigan at Montrose Harbor in Chicago, in early morning. Jury found Defendant not guilty of first degree murder, but guilty of lesser offense of involuntary manslaughter. Court properly admitted, as other crimes evidence, testimony of man who Defendant pushed into Lake Michigan at Montrose Harbor, in early morning, one month prior to charged offense. Two incidents were strikingly similar and showed a distinctive criminal pattern. In both cases, Defendant, after drinking with friends, pushing fishermen from behind into the water and then laughed and fled. Evidence was admitted for purposes other than to show propensity to commit criminal acts, and court did not err in weighing evidence's probative value to be greater than its prejudicial effect. Sentence of 10 years was not excessive. (CUNNINGHAM and CONNORS, concurring.)