Illinois Supreme Court
Criminal Court
Confessions
Defendant, then age 16, was convicted by jury of first degree murder and aggravated battery with a firearm. Under totality of circumstances, Defendant's statements were voluntary; Defendant did not appear to misunderstand or be confused by officer's questions or discussion of Miranda rights, and no evidence of physical mental abuse during police questioning. Although Defendant's detention was seven hours long, his actual interview lasted three hours, in the evening, and was of a reasonable duration, thus did not contribute to a coercive atmosphere that would render statements involuntary. (KILBRIDE, THOMAS, and KARMEIER, concurring.)