Illinois Appellate Court
Criminal Court
Inconsistent Verdicts
Defendant was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and endangering the life or health of a child, causing the child’s death, and was sentenced to eight years in prison. Defendant argued on appeal that the verdicts were legally inconsistent. The appellate court reversed, finding that the verdicts for involuntary manslaughter and child endangerment were inconsistent because recklessness and knowledge are mutually inconsistent mental states. (BIRKETT and KENNEDY, concurring)