People v. Clay

Defendant Dustin Clay was charged with murder in connection with the stabbing deaths of his girlfriend and two-year-old daughter. After a bench trial, the trial court rejected defendant’s insanity defense and found him guilty of murder but mentally ill. Defendant was sentenced to natural life without parole. On appeal, defendant contends that: (1) the Illinois insanity statute (720 ILCS 5/6 — 2 (West 2000)) violates the due process clauses of the United States and Illinois Constitutions; (2) the Illinois insanity statute violates the prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment under the…