People v. Sargent

Defendant was convicted, after jury trial trial of sex offenses against the two young sons of his ex-wife. Total of four counts were reversed, as there was no evidence corroborating them other than Defendant's own conviction. Independent corroborating evidence must relate to the specific events on which the prosecution of each offense is predicated. Two other convictions stand: predatory criminal sexual assault of one minor, age 15 at time of trial, and one count of predatory criminal sexual assault of another minor, age 8 at time of trial. No plain error in jury not having been given jury instruction as to how statements made by children should be evaluated, as an instruction was given which conveyed similar principles. (KILBRIDE, FREEMAN, THOMAS, GARMAN, BURKE, and THEIS, concurring.)