People v. Merriweather

On remand from the appellate court, the circuit could held a new resentencing hearing for defendant, a juvenile defendant, and sentenced him to 35 years for first-degree murder. Defendant appealed his sentence, arguing that the trial court improperly applied the mitigating factors for juvenile offenders and that he did not receive the effective assistance of counsel. The appellate court affirmed, finding the sentence was not excessive and that the trial court did not abuse its discretion. (KNECHT and STEIGMANN, concurring)