Illinois Appellate Court
Criminal Court
Juvenile Sentencing
Defendant, age 17 at time of offense, was convicted, after jury trial, of 1st degree murder of one person, and aggravated battery with a firearm of another person; and jury found that Defendant personally discharged a firearm that proximately caused victim's death. Defendant's cumulative 78-year sentence was a life sentence. Life in prison without parole is disproportionate unless the juvenile defendant's crime reflects irreparable corruption. Court failed to understand and consider the unique characteristics attending youth. Remanded for a new sentencing hearing. (PUCINSKI and COGHLAN, concurring.)