Illinois Appellate Court
Criminal Court
Aggravated Vehicular Hijacking
Defendant was convicted, after jury trial, of aggravated vehicular hijacking (because victim was deaf), vehicular hijacking, and attempted robbery. State was not required to show Defendant's actual knowledge of victim's deafness. Although certain commentary by State was improper, as it was intended to engender sympathy for victim and to encourage jury to punish Defendant for crime's impact on her, conduct was not reversible error. Remarks were not so prejudicial that they were a material factor in conviction. Ample evidence supporting finding of guilt.(HOFFMAN and ROCHFORD, concurring.)