People v. Gonzalez

Justices Freeman, Thomas, Garman, Karmeier, Burke, and Theis concurred in the judgment and opinion.

OPINION

The issue in this appeal is whether the State proved beyond a reasonable doubt that defendant “secretly confined” the victim within the meaning of the aggravated kidnapping statute. See 720 ILCS 5/10 — 1(a)(1), 10 — 2(a)(2) (West 2006). Following a jury trial, the circuit court of Cook County convicted defendant of aggravated kidnapping. A majority of the appellate court reversed defendant’s conviction, finding that the State failed to prove secret confinement beyond a reasonable doubt.…