Defendant was convicted of attempted first-degree murder of a peace officer and sentenced to 30 years, plus an additional 20 years for using a firearm during the offense. The appellate court affirmed and the Supreme Court granted defendant’s petition for leave to appeal. On appeal, the defendant challenged the trial court’s denial of his request for a second expert witness as well as the imposition of the 20-year firearm enhancement. The Supreme Court affirmed, holding that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying defendant’s request for a second expert witness to examine the defendant and that the trial court properly imposed the firearm enhancement under the plain language of the statute. (THEIS, NEVILLE, OVERSTREET, HOLDER WHITE, CUNNINGHAM, and O’BRIEN, concurring)
Illinois Supreme Court
Criminal Court
Sentencing