why the il state's attorney not charging murders with murder

by Dr. Darrin Goodwin IV 5 min read

Our state doesn’t have a capital murder charge because we’ve abolished the death penalty. In order to be convicted of this crime, the prosecution must prove – beyond a reasonable doubt – that the defendant killed someone without lawful justification and one of the following is true:

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Are You facing murder charges in Illinois?

 · According to the Chicago police, overall crime in Chicago is on the decline. Except when you’re talking about homicides and shootings. According to their reports, homicides were up 41 percent in February 2020 over the same month in 2019. It’s simply a fact of life that in Chicago, homicide touches the lives of many people. These grim statistics also shed light on Illinois’ …

What is the difference between Homicide and manslaughter in Illinois?

 · First degree murder is the most serious murder crime here in Illinois. Our state doesn’t have a capital murder charge because we’ve abolished the death penalty. In order to be convicted of this crime, the prosecution must prove – beyond a reasonable doubt – that the defendant killed someone without lawful justification and one of the following is true:

Did Illinois prosecutors reject charges against 5 suspects in Chicago shooting?

 · The law if often referred to as the felony murder rule. It brings back painful memories for Marshan Allen, who served two decades in prison after his involvement in a robbery, along with two ...

Should the first-degree murder charge no longer apply?

 · Statutes: Illinois Statutes Section 5/9-1 (first degree murder). Penalties and Sentencing: Illinois is no longer a death penalty state so the maximum punishment for first …

Why doesn't Illinois have a capital murder charge?

First degree murder is the most serious murder crime here in Illinois. Our state doesn’t have a capital murder charge because we’ve abolished the death penalty. In order to be convicted of this crime, the prosecution must prove – beyond a reasonable doubt – that the defendant killed someone without lawful justification and one of the following is true:

What is the most serious murder in Illinois?

First degree murder is the most serious murder crime here in Illinois. Our state doesn’t have a capital murder charge because we’ve abolished the death penalty. In order to be convicted of this crime, the prosecution must prove – beyond a reasonable doubt – that the defendant killed someone without lawful justification and one of the following is true: 1 The defendant intended to kill that person or do great bodily harm to them 2 The defendant knew that the act would most likely result in death or great bodily harm 3 The defendant was attempting to commit a forcible felony (i.e. rape) other than second degree murder

How long is reckless homicide in prison?

As with involuntary manslaughter, reckless homicide is a Class 3 Felony punishable by 2 to 5 years in prison but can be elevated to a Class 2 Felony – 3 to 7 years in prison – for aggravating factors.

What is the difference between reckless homicide and involuntary manslaughter?

The major difference between the two charges is that with a reckless homicide, the defendant killed someone with a motor vehicle, snowmobile, all terrain vehicle, or watercraft.

How long is involuntary manslaughter?

Involuntary manslaughter is a Class 3 Felony punishable by 2 to 5 years in prison but can be elevated to a Class 2 Felony – 3 to 7 years in prison – for aggravating factors. But if you’re dealing with a Class 3 Felony, probation might be an option.

What is the difference between murder and manslaughter?

Manslaughter is defined as the unintentional killing of another person without lawful justification, whereas murder is defined as the intentional killing of another person.

What happens if the defendant cannot prove either of these circumstances?

If the defendant cannot prove either of these circumstances, the prosecution could change the charge to first degree murder.

What happens if the jury unanimously recommends the death penalty?

Even if the jury unanimously recommended the death penalty, the court could still overturn the recommendation with a written explanation as to why it could not recommend death in a case.

What is the most serious crime in Illinois?

First degree murder is the most serious of the homicide crimes in Illinois. In order to prove first degree murder, a prosecutor must establish, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the defendant killed an individual without lawful justification and either:

How do state laws change?

Note: State laws are always subject to change through the passage of new legislation, rulings in the higher courts (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information available, please consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law (s) you are researching.

What factors were considered aggravating factors in a capital murder case?

Aggravating factors included such things as the victim's age or status as a law enforcement or correctional official, or if torture was involved. Mitigating factors included such things as the defendant's mental status or intoxication during the homicide.

What is the first degree murder law in Illinois?

Illinois first degree murder laws treat the offense as a very serious crime. The penalties involved are based on who the victim was and the circumstances surrounding the crime. Oftentimes in murder cases, courts will request a separate sentencing hearing where they can consider any aggravating and mitigating factors to determine what the appropriate penalties should be based on the circumstances of the crime.

Can Area 5 make this family whole again?

In an emailed statement to the Sun-Times, Winstrom noted that Area 5 detectives “can never make this family truly whole again, but we want to give them the comfort that closure and justice can bring and do what we can to make sure this sort of evil doesn’t happen again.”

Does Winstrom push back on the case?

Winstrom has pushed back on that claim, saying in an email to staff that “characterizing facetious comments expressing frustration with [the state’s attorney’s office] not charging the case as ‘wanting them to reject charges,’ or our declining to take counterproductive investigatory steps as ‘not willing to do any more work’ are disingenuous and offensive.”

Why did the detective drop the case?

The Sun-Times has previously reported that after prosecutors asked police for more evidence, the detective on the case pushed to drop it, saying he “had not seen his family and was tired and was not willing to do any more work on the case.”

Did Regina Broughton's family know about the case?

Regina Broughton said her family was never informed of the flurry of behind-the-scenes activity in the case until the Sun-Times brought it to her attention. The news, she noted, “felt like a drop in the pit of my stomach.”

Does Cook County court record a case number?

Details of the case, including the charges against the suspect and both judges’ orders, don’t appear anywhere in the Cook County court record, according to the clerk of the circuit court’s office. An official case number — assigned to all criminal records — was never created, a spokesman for the clerk’s office said in a statement this week.

Did Deenihan comment on the case?

Deenihan declined to comment on the case, and the police department’s News Affairs division declined to make Brown available for an interview.

Who urged Winstrom to withdraw charges?

After that call, Chief of Detectives Brendan Deenihan urged Winstrom to withdraw the charges, law enforcement sources said. Although Deenihan was told withdrawing the charges could lead to a rift between police brass and Area 5 detectives, sources said, Deenihan worked with Chiampas to draft the second order, which was entered at 11:03 p.m. Sept. 3.

What is voluntary manslaughter?

Voluntary manslaughter is the killing of an unborn child without lawful justification, plus the defendant either:

What does "unreasonably believed" mean?

Unreasonably believed that the killing was justified, e.g. killing for reasons of self-defense, but killing an unarmed person who did not pose a serious risk of death or great harm.

Is second degree murder premeditated?

Second degree murder is not premeditated. It is an intentional, but not planned, killing. It requires proving malice, plus that the defendant either:

What is the difference between first degree murder and felony murder?

Murder is further divided into first and second degree murder. First degree murder means killing without lawful justification and with malice. Generally, first degree murder must be premeditated, unless it was felony murder. Felony murder means causing a death in the course of committing a felony, whether or not the defendant intended to kill anyone.

What is the least severe homicide charge in Illinois?

Involuntary manslaughter is the least severe homicide charge in Illinois. It means the unintentional killing of another person, without lawful justification. A person commits involuntary manslaughter when he or she recklessly acts in a way likely to cause death or serious bodily injury, whether lawfully or unlawfully.

What is murder in Illinois?

Under Illinois law, murder is killing with malice. The prosecution may show that a defendant had malice by showing that the defendant:

Is murder a crime in Illinois?

Depending on the circumstances, homicide may or may not be a crime. Homicides are considered justifiable if there was a reason to kill the other person, such as self-defense or defending another person. If the homicide was justifiable, it is not a crime. Murder and manslaughter, however, are both criminal offenses in Illinois.

Why can't the Tribune use the data to analyze the reasons prosecutors cited for dropping all charges against defendants

That’s because for the time period examined, the information on the reasons is incomplete.

Who is the Cook County Judge who is running against Foxx?

Having defeated three challengers in the Democratic primary in March, Foxx, 48, faces former Cook County Judge Patrick O’Brien in the November general election.

What happens when police arrest a person?

When police arrest a person in connection with a felony crime such as murder, carjacking, armed robbery or rape, prosecutors review the evidence and determine whether charges should be filed. (Police can directly file charges in some instances, including certain drug cases, without prosecutors’ approval.)

How many charges were filed in 2011?

The Tribune findings are based on data that Foxx’s office posted online showing the outcomes for more than 810,000 charges from 2011 onward. The data shows for each charge whether the defendant entered a guilty plea, was found guilty or not guilty at trial, or had the charge dismissed.

What was the most well known case where Foxx dropped all charges?

The most well-known case where Foxx’s office dropped all felony charges was that of “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett, who had been accused of staging a racist and homophobic attack on himself in downtown Chicago. Prosecutors in 2019 moved to dismiss all 16 felony counts against Smollett.

What crimes did Foxx drop?

However, the Tribune found that Foxx’s higher rates of dropped cases included people accused of murder, shooting another person, sex crimes, and attacks on police officers — as well as serious drug offenses that for decades have driven much of Chicago’s street violence.

Did Foxx oppose the appointment of a special prosecutor?

Foxx had opposed the appointment of a special prosecutor, saying it would duplicate the work of the county’s inspector general, who was already looking into the Smollett case. The Tribune findings are based on data that Foxx’s office posted online showing the outcomes for more than 810,000 charges from 2011 onward.

How did Manuel Porties Jr. die?

Porties Jr. was punched in the face, fell, and then reportedly stabbed in the neck by the 17- year-old.

Why did Cook County reject charges?

The Cook County state’s attorney’s office did not immediately respond to Fox News’s request for comment on the police report citing mutual combat as the reason for the rejection of charges.

What charges did the police file against the five suspects?

The police source told the outlet that law enforcement sought murder and aggravated battery charges for all five suspects.

Did Fox News verify the police report?

Fox News attempted to verify the statement in the police report, but Chicago Police said a FOIA request must be filed to obtain the report. A FOIA request has since been filed.

Where did the Four Corner Hustlers shootout take place?

The shootout took place in the Austin community of Chicago Friday morning, and was reportedly sparked by an internal dispute between two factions of the Four Corner Hustlers gang, the Chicago Sun Times reported, citing an internal police report and a law enforcement source familiar with the investigation.

How many suspects were charged in the Chicago gang shooting?

Illinois prosecutors rejected charging five suspects in a deadly gang-related shootout that unfolded in Chicago, despite police reportedly seeking to charge all five suspects with murder and aggravated battery.

What is the phone number for ISP Zone 1?

Anyone with any information is urged to contact ISP Zone 1 Investigations at (847) 608-3200 to provide any additional information.

When was Sherry Lewis found?

On Aug. 5, 1994, 30-year-old Sherry L. Lewis, a Decatur realtor, was found deceased in a Macon County residence that was for sale which she had an appointment to show. The family of Sherry Lewis is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person (s) responsible for the murder.

When was Carmen Charneco murdered?

Carmen Charneco was found murdered on July 24, 1993 on I-90 in Elgin. The ISP is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the apprehension of Edwin Acevedo Rodriguez, a 42-year-old Hispanic male.

Where is Zywicki's body?

On Sept. 1, 1992, Zywicki’s body was located along Interstate Highway 44 (I-44) in rural Lawrence County, Miss., , which is located between Springfield and Joplin, Miss.

Where was the woman found on I-88?

This location was approximately 120 miles west of Chicago. At the time of death, I-88 was still Illinois Route 5, a four-lane highway. The body was found approximately 45 feet south of the roadway across a barbed wire fence in a sparsely wooded area.

Where was the body of the I-88?

At the time of death, I-88 was still Illinois Route 5, a four-lane highway. The body was found approximately 45 feet south of the roadway across a barbed wire fence in a sparsely wooded area. If you have any information please contact Special Agent Nate Macklin 815/632-4012 Ext. 229. 20. Jarvis Township, Collinsville.

Where is I-88 in Chicago?

This location was approximately 120 miles west of Chicago. At the time of death, I-88 was still Illinois Route 5, a four-lane highway.