People v. Holmes

A jury convicted the defendant, Steven Wayne Holmes, of murder (720 ILCS 5/9 — 1(a)(2) (West 1992)). He was thereafter sentenced to 70 years’ imprisonment. He appeals, and we reverse and remand.

The record shows that the defendant shook his seven-month-old daughter Crystal, thereby causing her death. While the defendant admitted he shook his daughter, he testified that he did not intend to hurt her, and he did not know that shaking her could hurt her. The defendant also stated that he had a seventh-grade education.

The defendant’s wife, Janelle Holmes, also testified that the defendant shook…