Illinois Appellate Court
Criminal Court
Miranda Warnings
Defendant was convicted of first degree murder, aggravated criminal sexual assault, and home invasion, and sentenced to natural life. Court properly considered appropriate sentencing factors; judge's comments indicating his personal belief about politics and death penalty, though ill-advised, do not justify remand for resentencing. Although Defendant's IQ score shows he is between mentally defective and low-average range of functioning, there is no indication he did not understand his Miranda rights; he had previous experience with criminal justice system, and his videotaped statement was voluntary. As Defendant's statement included details of a prior burglary he had committed on same victim, this other crimes evidence was relevant to corroborate statement and establish its accuracy. (QUINN and CUNNINGHAM, concurring.)