People v. Taylor

This case presents question as to whether trial court properly sentenced defendant on charge of attempted first degree murder of peace officer to 30 years in prison plus additional 20 years for using firearm during commission of attempted murder offense set forth in subsections 8-4(c)(1)(B)-(D). Appellate Court, in affirming instant sentence, found that firearm enhancements contained in subsections (B),(C), and (D) can be applied to instant sentence imposed for attempted murder under subsection 8-4(c)(1)(A), and rejected defendant’s claim that his sentence for attempted murder was already enhanced, such that it could not be doubly enhanced by instant subsections. Appellate Court also rejected defendant’s claim that trial court wrongfully denied his request for appointment of paid second expert with respect to defendant’s insanity claim, where first expert found defendant to be sane. Fact that first expert sent note to defendant’s counsel after generation of expert’s report, indicating that defendant’s case was “borderline” did not require appointment of second paid expert. (Dissent filed.)