People v. Choate

Defendant was convicted, after jury trial, of his predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, his stepdaughter. Although evidence was focused on events that occurred in Illinois on a specific date, there was also evidence that Defendant abused victim in Indiana. Error occurred as not all jurors were clearly asked whether they both understood and accepted each of the Zehr principles. Victim's statements constituted strong corroborating evidence for her testimony. Most of Defendant's evidence did not contradict victim's statement. Evidence was not so closely balanced that court's error during voir dire could have tipped the balance against Defendant.(CATES and MOORE, concurring.)