Defendant, who was age 18 years 3 months at time of offense (involving a shooting at a gas station), was convicted after bench trial of 1st degree murder, attempted 1st degree murder, and aggravated battery with a firearm and sentenced to a mandatory minimum aggregate of 76 years. Evidence establishes clearly that Defendant was the person who shot several times at 2 persons as they tried to fix a car, and as 1 person fled. The identification testimony of 2 witnesses was positive and credible. A rational trier of fact could have concluded from evidence that shots fired by Defendant struck victim and caused his death; evidence3 is sufficient to prove Defendant guilty of murder. For the purposes of sentencing, the age of 18 marks present line between juveniles and adults. Defendant's facial challenge to his aggregate sentence under 8th amendment fails. (KARMEIER, THOMAS, GARMAN, and THEIS, concurring; BURKE, specially concurring).
Illinois Supreme Court
Criminal Court
Sentencing