Illinois Appellate Court
Criminal Court
Postconviction Petitions
Defendant was convicted, in 2004, after jury trial, of 1st-degree murder based on theory that he was accountable for the conduct of another person who committed the acts causing the victim's death, and he was sentenced to 27 years. Court properly denied Defendant's motion for leave to file successive postconviction petition. Trust in sentencing statute is not facially unconstitutional, does not violate 8th amendment or proportionate penalties clause. Sentence was not a de facto life sentence, and sentence was 7 years longer than the minimum sentence; and sentencing judge had considered his age and other factors. (HUDSON and BRIDGES, concurring.)