Defendant was found guilty of two counts of endangering the life or health of a child causing death and one count of involuntary manslaughter in the death of his step-daughter who died as a result of an overdose of antipsychotic medication and was sentenced to 12 years in prison. Defendant argued on appeal that the guilty verdicts for manslaughter and child endangerment were legally inconsistent because the offenses have inconsistent mental states, the trial court abused its discretion in admitting excessive other-crimes evidence, and the State failed to prove that defendant was the cause of his step-daughter’s death. The appellate court reversed and remanded, finding that the guilty verdicts were legally inconsistent. (JORGENSEN and SCHOSTOK, concurring)
Illinois Appellate Court
Criminal Court
Inconsistent Verdicts