(Court opinion corrected 10/18/16.) After simultaneous, but severed, bench trials with two codefendants, Defendant was convicted of first degree murder based on theory of accountability. Evidence was sufficient to find Defendant guilty, beyond a reasonable doubt, of first degree murder under accountability theory. Defendant and codefendants went to train platform to confront rival gang members, and even if they did not intend to kill anyone at that time, the result of confrontation was codefendant and victim fighting on train tracks, which ended in victim falling on rail and being electrocuted. State was not required to prove that Defendant and codefendants shared same intent as to the charged offense. (MASON, concurring; HYMAN, specially concurring.)
Illinois Appellate Court
Criminal Court
Murder