Defendant was found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder on the theory of accountability and sentenced to natural life in prison. Defendant, who was a minor at the time of the offense, filed a pro se post-conviction petition, resulting in a new sentencing hearing where the parties agreed to a 23-year sentence, but the judge instead imposed a 28-year sentence. Defendant appealed from that sentence arguing that the judge abused his discretion when he rejected the agreement of the parties. The appellate court agreed finding that the trial court abused its discretion when it disregarded evidence of the defendant’s rehabilitation and failing to properly consider mitigating and aggravating factors. (PUCINSKI, concurring and COGHLAN, dissenting)
Illinois Appellate Court
Criminal Court
Sentencing