Defendant was convicted, after jury trial, of 1st degree murder, and sentenced to 60 years. Court did not err in admitting testimony of Defendant's 2 former girlfriends as evidence of his propensity to commit domestic violence, as his violent treatment of them was comparable to his violent treatment of victim, who was his girlfriend. Factual differences do not greatly reduce probative value of former girlfriends' testimony, as all were extreme domestic violence. Propensity evidence was not so extensive as to distract jury from issues or to unduly prolong the trial. Court's consideration, as an aggravating factor, the grief of victim's family member, as this is not implicit in murder itself but is a frequent consequence of murder; thus, no violation of rule against double enhancement.(DeARMOND, concurring; TURNER, specially concurring.)
Illinois Appellate Court
Criminal Court
Murder