Defendant was found guilty of first-degree murder as well as multiple counts of concealment of a homicidal death and dismembering a human body. He was sentenced to 96 years in prison and appealed, arguing that he was not proven guilty of first-degree murder beyond a reasonable doubt, he was denied the effective assistance of counsel, his right to a speedy trial was violated, and that multiple convictions for dismembering a human body and concealment were not allowed under the relevant statutes. The appellate court affirmed, finding that the evidence was sufficient for a jury to find defendant guilty of first-degree murder even though he testified that the victim’s death was accidental, that defendant was not denied the effective assistance of counsel, and that defendant was not denied a speedy trial where earlier indictments were not subject to compulsory joinder. The appellate court also found that the multiple convictions for dismemberment and concealment were proper because they were based on separate and discrete acts that occurred on different dates. (LANNERD and KNECHT, concurring)
Illinois Appellate Court
Criminal Court
One-Act-One-Crime Doctrine