People v. Williams

Following a jury trial, defendant was found guilty of the murder and aggravated criminal sexual assault of two 76-year-old women. The trial court sentenced defendant to a term of imprisonment for life. On appeal, defendant contends that he sustained his burden of establishing his insanity by a preponderance of the evidence; that he was denied a fair trial due to comments made by the court; that the jury instructions on the verdict of guilty but mentally ill misstated the law; and that the court erred in excusing for cause all potential jurors who opposed the death penalty.

Because defendant…