Defendant was found guilty of the first-degree murders of two individuals who lived in the same senior community as the defendant. The jury found defendant guilty but mentally ill and the trial court sentenced him to natural life in prison, which was statutorily required due to the death of two victims. On appeal, defendant argued that the trial court erred by refusing to give certain jury instructions and that the natural life sentence was unconstitutional as applied to him. The appellate court affirmed, finding that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in its instruction to the jury and that the trial court properly considered the applicable factors in sentencing, including defendant’s mental health struggles. (ELLIS and COBBS, concurring)
Illinois Appellate Court
Criminal Court
Sentencing