People v. Cortez

Defendant, age 18 at time of offense, pled guilty to 3 counts of 1st degree murder in stabbing death of female victim in her apartment. Court did not abuse its discretion in imposing discretionary sentence of natural life in prison. Court determined that Defendant's conduct showed he was beyond the possibility of rehabilitation. Court found that Defendant had attacked another female in her apartment only a few weeks before the murder, indicating that the behavior leading to murder was not an aberration and was likely to recur. Sentencing hearing was in compliance with U.S. Supreme Court decision in Miller v. Alabama. (KNECHT and DeARMOND, concurring.)