Defendant was convicted, after jury trial, of 1st-degree murder and aggravated driving under the influence of cannabis. State proved Defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Evidence showed that Defendant crossed median while driving at least 65 mph, which was 2 times posted speed limit, and rammed his car directly into front of a moving vehicle; this act created strong probability of death or great bodily harm. State relied in part on indirect evidence of guilty knowledge, and circumstantial evidence, which ordinarily must be used to prove state of mind, was extremely strong, cased on nature of Defendant's act. Expert psychiatric testimony did not negate inference that Defendant knew natural and probable consequences of his act, despite distorted thinking that accompanied it.(HUDSON and HUTCHINSON, concurring.)
Illinois Appellate Court
Criminal Court
Murder